bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unscented Particle Filter for SOC Estimation Algorithm Based on a Dynamic Parameter Identification
Authors: Liu Fang , Ma Jie , Su Weixing
Published: April 2019

In order to solve the problem that the model‐based State of Charge (SOC) estimation method is too dependent on the model parameters in the SOC estimation of electric vehicles, an improved genetic algorithm is proposed in this paper. The method has the advantages of being able to quickly determine the search range, reducing the probability of falling into local optimum, and having high recognition accuracy. Then we can realize online dynamic identification of power battery model parameters and improve the accuracy of model parameter identification. In addition, considering the complex application environment and operating conditions of electric vehicles, an SOC estimation method based on improved genetic algorithm and unscented particle filter (improved GA‐UPF) is proposed. And we compare the improved GA‐UPF algorithm with the least square unscented particle filter (LS‐UPF) and improved GA unscented Kalman filter (improved GA‐UKF) algorithm. The comparison results show that the improved GA‐UPF algorithm proposed in this paper has higher estimation accuracy and better stability. It also reflects the practicability and accuracy of the improved GA parameter identification algorithm proposed in this paper.
Joint Time and Power Allocation Algorithm in NOMA Relaying Network
Authors: Zhao Su , Mei Chuan , Zhu Qi
Published: April 2019

Nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is one of the promising access techniques in 5G network. The application of relay in NOMA system is a hotspot in recent research. NOMA-based cooperative relay network can achieve a higher spectral efficiency and a lower outage probability. In this paper, we analyse the performance of the two-hop DF relay NOMA network scenario, where the number of cell edge users is more than the cell center user, and obtained the closed-form expression of the user's ergodic rates and outage probabilities under the high signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. Then, we establish an optimization model to maximize the system rates, and a joint optimal time and power allocation algorithm based on the exhaustive search and the binary algorithm is proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can outperform exiting scheme in terms of achieving a higher ergodic sum rate, a lower outage probability under the premise of fairness.
Ultra-Wideband Antennas for Wireless Communication Applications
Authors: Saeidi Tale , Ismail Idris , Wen Wong Peng , Alhawari Adam R. H. , Mohammadi Ahmad
Published: April 2019

A review paper concerning wide-band and ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas used for wireless communication purposes in terms of the materials as well as a numerical analysis is presented. These antennas which are taken into account are listed as wide-band microstrip antenna, wide-band monopole antenna over a plate, wide-slot UWB antenna, stacked patch UWB antenna, taper slot (TSA) UWB antenna, metamaterial (MTM) structure UWB antennas, elliptical printed monopole UWB antenna, and flexible wearable UWB antenna. The antennas’ performance is compared based on their size and how they can be applicable for portable communication device applications. This review paper furnishes a proper direction to select varieties of figures in terms of impedance bandwidth, gain, directivity, dimensions, time domain characteristics, and materials affecting these antenna’s characteristics.
Recent Potential Noninvasive Biomarkers in Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Wang Kewei , Tao Guozhong , Sun Zhen , Sylvester Karl G.
Published: April 2019

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a rare but devastating gastrointestinal disease that predominately affects preterm neonates. Numerous studies have revealed that NEC is strongly associated with very low birth weight, degree of prematurity, formula feeding, infection, hypoxic/ischemic injury, and enteric dysbiosis. Given these clinical associations, the search for a deeper understanding of disease pathogenesis has led to an intense interest in the discovery and development of noninvasive biomarkers of NEC from stool, urine, and serum. Biomarkers for NEC may serve at least two general purposes of urgent unmet need: to improve diagnostic accuracy and disease prediction and to reveal the mechanism of the disease. This review will provide an overview of recent research focused on clinical NEC and highlight the advances that were made within the past five years towards the development of noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers.
Cigarette Smoke Extract Exposure: Effects on the Interactions between Titanium Surface and Osteoblasts
Authors: Yang Jie , Shao Shui-yi , Chen Wan-qing , Chen Chao , Zhang Song-mei , Qiu Jing
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study was to explore the changes in the characteristics of titanium surface and the osteoblast-titanium interactions under cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure. In this study, CSE was used to simulate the oral liquid environment around the implant under cigarette smoke exposure. Titanium samples were immersed in CSE to explore the changes in the characteristics of titanium surface. The physical properties of titanium surface were measured, including surface micromorphology, surface elemental composition, roughness, and surface hydrophilicity. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on the titanium surface in vitro under different concentrations of CSE exposure, and cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation were observed. The surface micromorphology and elemental composition of titanium surface changed under CSE exposure. No obvious changes were found in the surface roughness and the hydrophilicity of titanium samples. Moreover, the results of in vitro study showed that CSE exposure downregulated the cell spreading, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells on the titanium surface. It could be speculated that some carbon-containing compounds from CSE adsorbed on the titanium surface and the osteoblast-titanium interactions were influenced under CSE exposure. It is hoped that these results could provide valuable information for further studies on smoking-mediated inhibition of implants osseointegration.
Detailed Fluid Inclusion and Stable Isotope Analysis on Deep Carbonates from the North Alpine Foreland Basin to Constrain Paleofluid Evolution
Authors: Mraz Elena , Wolfgramm Markus , Moeck Inga , Thuro Kurosch
Published: April 2019

The recent interest on environmentally friendly energy resources has increased the economic interest on the Upper Jurassic carbonate rocks in the North Alpine Foreland Basin, which serves as a hydrogeothermal reservoir. An economic reservoir use by geothermal fluid extraction and injection requires a decent understanding of porosity–permeability evolution of the deep laying Upper Jurassic strata at depths greater than 2000 m. The analysis of paleofluids caught in cements of the rock mass helps to determine the postdepositional reservoir evolution and fluid migration. Therefore, the high- and low-permeability areas of the Upper Jurassic in the North Alpine Foreland Basin referred to as Molasse Basin were analyzed by means of encountered postdepositional cements to determine the reservoir evolution. The cements were sampled at different hydrocarbon and geothermal wells, as well as at outcrops in the Franconian and Swabian Alb. To determine the composition and temperature of the paleofluids, fluid inclusions and cements of the Upper Jurassic carbonate rocks were analyzed by microthermometry and stable isotope measurements. Since drill cuttings are a rather available sample material compared to drill cores, a new microthermometry measurement method was achieved for the around 1 mm drill cuttings. Salinity and formation temperature of paleofluids in fluid inclusions and isotope data are consistent with previous studies and reveal a 5-stage evolution: the main cementation phases are composed of (I) the early diagenesis in limestones (200-400 m, 40-50°C), (II) early diagenetic dolomitization, and (III) burial dolomitization (1-2 km, II: 40-90°C; III: 70-100°C; 40 g/L NaCl equiv.), and (IV) late burial calcification (IIIa: 110-140°C, IIIb: 140-200°C) linked to tectonic features in the Molasse Basin. In the outcrop samples, a subsequent (V) cementation phase was determined controlled by karstification. In the southwest, an increase in salinity of the fluid inclusions in vein calcites, above the salinity of the Jurassic seawater, highlights the influence of basin fluids (diagenetic, evaporitic). In the other eastern wells, vein calcites have precipitated from a low saline fluid of around 10-20 g/L NaCl equiv. The low salinity and the isotope values support the theory of a continuous influence of descending meteoric fluids. Consequently, the Upper Jurassic seawater has been diluted by a meteoric fluid to a low saline fluid (<1 g/L), especially in areas with high permeability. Here, we show how a better understanding of cementation trajectory at depth can help to generate a better understanding of geothermal usability in deep carbonate reservoirs.
Postoperative ‘STEMI’ in Intracerebral Hemorrhage due to Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Bhanot Ravinder Datt , Kaur Jasleen , Sriwastawa Shitiz , Bell Kendall , Suchdev Kushak
Published: April 2019

Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes suggestive of cardiac ischemia are frequently demonstrated in patients with ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, little is known of such changes particularly acute ST segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), especially after neurosurgery. We present a patient with intraparenchymal hemorrhage due to cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) who exhibited acute STEMI after neurosurgery. Serial cardiac biomarkers and echocardiograms were performed which did not reveal any evidence of acute myocardial infarction. The patient was managed conservatively from cardiac stand point with no employment of anticoagulants, antiplatelet therapy, fibrinolytic agents, or angioplasty and recovered well with minimal neurological deficit. This case highlights that diffuse cardiac ischemic signs on the ECG can occur in the setting of an ICH after neurosurgery, potentially posing a difficult diagnostic and management conundrum.
DNA Methyltransferases in Malar Melasma and Their Modification by Sunscreen in Combination with 4% Niacinamide, 0.05% Retinoic Acid, or Placebo
Authors: Campuzano-García Andres Eduardo , Torres-Alvarez Bertha , Hernández-Blanco Diana , Fuentes-Ahumada Cornelia , Cortés-García Juan Diego , Castanedo-Cázares Juan Pablo
Published: April 2019

Background. Malar melasma has a chronic and recurrent character that may be related to epigenetic changes. Objective. To recognize the expression and DNA methylation of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in malar melasma and perilesional skin, as well as the changes in DNMTs after their treatment with sunscreen in combination with 4% niacinamide, 0.05% retinoic acid, or placebo. Methods. Thirty female patients were clinically evaluated for the expression of DNMT1 and DNMT3b using real-time PCR and immunofluorescence. These initial results were compared to results after eight weeks of treatment with sunscreen in combination with niacinamide, retinoic acid, or placebo. Results. The relative expression of DNMT1 was significantly elevated in melasma compared with unaffected skin in all subjects, indicating DNA hypermethylation. After treatment, it was decreased in all groups: niacinamide (7 versus 1; p<0.01), retinoic acid (7 versus 2; p<0.05), and placebo (7 versus 3; p<0.05), which correlates with clinical improvement. DNMT3b was not overexpressed in lesional skin but reduced in all groups. Conclusions. We found DNA hypermethylation in melasma lesions. Environmental factors such as solar radiation may induce cellular changes that trigger hyperpigmentation through the activation of pathways regulated by epigenetic modifications. However, limiting or decreasing DNA methylation through sunscreen, niacinamide, and retinoic acid treatments that provide photoprotection and genetic transcription can counteract this.
Relationship between Body Mass Index and T-Scores of Bone Mineral Density in the Hip and Spine Regions among Older Adults with Diabetes: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Hariri Abdulaziz F. , Almatrafi Mohammad N. , Zamka Aws B. , Babaker Abdullah S. , Fallatah Tariq M. , Althouwaibi Omar H. , Hamdi Amre S.
Published: April 2019

Diabetes mellitus (DM) cases are increasing worldwide, especially in Saudi Arabia. Previous studies suggested a positive relationship between body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density (BMD) levels. Generally, patients with low BMI (<18.5 kg/m2) have reduced BMD levels and, thus, low T-scores; hence, they are categorized as osteopenic or osteoporotic. In this study, we aimed to determine whether a relationship between BMI and BMD T-scores in the hip and spine regions of patients with diabetes exists. This retrospective record review investigated older adult patients with diabetes in King Abdulaziz University Hospital (n=198; age 50–90 years) who underwent BMD scan between January 1, 2016, and June 25, 2018, regardless of their sex but limited to type 2 DM. The height and weight of all subjects were recorded, and BMI was calculated and categorized. We used SPSS version 21 for data analysis; measures of central tendencies, Pearson’s correlations, chi-square tests, and independent t-tests were employed. We found positive relationships between BMI and BMD T-scores in the hip and spine regions (right femoral neck: R=+0.214, P≤0.002; total right hip: R=+0.912, P≤0.001; left femoral neck: R=+0.939, P≤0.001; total left hip: R=+0.885, P≤0.001; and total lumbar region: R=+0.607, P≤0.001). Low BMI (<18.5 kg/m2) could be a risk factor for osteoporosis, whereas normal/high BMI could be protective against osteoporosis among adults with diabetes.
Engineering the TGFβ Receptor to Enhance the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Killer Cells as an Immunotherapy for Neuroblastoma
Authors: Burga Rachel A. , Yvon Eric , Chorvinsky Elizabeth , Fernandes Rohan , Cruz C. Russell Y. , Bollard Catherine M.
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

The ability of natural killer (NK) cells to lyse allogeneic targets, without the need for explicit matching or priming, makes them an attractive platform for cell-based immunotherapy. Umbilical cord blood is a practical source for generating banks of such third-party NK cells for “off-the-shelf” cell therapy applications. NK cells are highly cytolytic, and their potent antitumor effects can be rapidly triggered by a lack of HLA expression on interacting target cells, as is the case for a majority of solid tumors, including neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a leading cause of pediatric cancer–related deaths and an ideal candidate for NK-cell therapy. However, the antitumor efficacy of NK cells is limited by immunosuppressive cytokines in the tumor microenvironment, such as TGFβ, which impair NK cell function and survival.

Experimental Design:

To overcome this, we genetically modified NK cells to express variant TGFβ receptors, which couple a mutant TGFβ dominant-negative receptor to NK-specific activating domains. We hypothesized that with these engineered receptors, inhibitory TGFβ signals are effectively converted to activating signals.

Results:

Modified NK cells exhibited higher cytotoxic activity against neuroblastoma in a TGFβ-rich environment in vitro and superior progression-free survival in vivo, as compared with their unmodified controls.

Conclusions:

Our results support the development of “off-the-shelf” gene-modified NK cells, that overcome TGFβ-mediated immune evasion, in patients with neuroblastoma and other TGFβ-secreting malignancies.
LRP6 Ectodomain Prevents SDF-1/CXCR4-Induced Breast Cancer Metastasis to Lung
Authors: Zhang Jiankang , Chen Jinxiao , Wo Da , Yan Hongwei , Liu Peng , Ma En , Li Limei , Zheng Liang , Chen Daxin , Yu Zuoren , Liang Chunli , Peng Jun , Ren Dan-ni , Zhu Weidong
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

Lung metastasis is an important cause of breast cancer–related deaths, in which SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway plays a critical role. Single transmembrane protein LRP6 is viewed as an oncogene via activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Our work aims to investigate the relationship between SDF-1/CXCR4 and LRP6 in breast cancer lung metastasis.

Experimental Design:

We examined the expressions and functions of SDF-1/CXCR4 and LRP6 as well as their relationship in breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Results:

LRP6 ectodomain (LRP6N) directly bound to CXCR4 and competitively prevented SDF-1 binding to CXCR4. LRP6N prevented SDF-1/CXCR4-induced metastasis to lung and prolonged survival in mice bearing breast tumors, whereas LRP6 knockdown activated SDF-1/CXCR4 signal transduction and promoted lung metastasis and tumor death. Furthermore, patients with breast cancer with high CXCR4 expression had poor prognosis, which was exacerbated by low LRP6 expression but improved by high LRP6 expression. Interestingly, a secreted LRP6N was found in the serum of mice and humans, which was downregulated by the onset of cancer metastasis in both mice bearing breast cancer as well as in patients with breast cancer.

Conclusions:

LRP6N might be a promising diagnostic marker for the early detection of breast cancer metastasis as well as an inhibitor of SDF-1/CXCR4-induced breast cancer metastasis. LRP6N also provides an interesting link between Wnt signaling and SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling, the two key pathways involved in cancer development.
expansão dos serviços de reabilitação no SUS à luz do arcabouço normativo federal
Authors: Caetano Luciana Assis , Sampaio Rosana Ferreira , Costa Luciana Assis
Published: April 2019

O estudo teve como objetivo analisar as legislações nacionais que se relacionam a criação, organização, financiamento e direcionamento dos serviços de reabilitação no país após a constituição do SUS. Trata-se de um estudo de análise documental realizado em duas etapas: busca manual dos documentos, e análise crítica destes. Foram levantadas e analisadas 56 legislações relacionadas aos serviços de reabilitação dentre leis, decretos e portarias da Casa Civil e do Ministério da Saúde. A análise das legislações se deu apoiada em quatro dimensões: concepção de deficiência que orienta os serviços de reabilitação; concepção de assistência; diretrizes para implantação dos serviços de reabilitação e procedimentos ofertados e por fim, os repasses financeiros. Os resultados apontam que a expansão dos serviços de reabilitação se deu de forma incremental, e lenta, e só a partir de 2012, de caráter estrutural, no sentido do estabelecimento de uma legislação que prevê a criação da rede de reabilitação voltada às pessoas com deficiência. Pode-se afirmar que hoje os serviços de reabilitação estão ancorados legalmente por um aparato legislativo que prevê a organização dos equipamentos, bem como os repasses para seu financiamento.
Adaptação transcultural da Modified Gait Efficacy Scale para indivíduos pós-acidente vascular encefálico
Authors: Avelino Patrick Roberto , Menezes Kênia Kiefer Parreiras de , Nascimento Lucas Rodrigues , Faria-Fortini Iza , Faria Christina Danielle Coelho de Morais , Scianni Aline Alvim , Teixeira-Salmela Luci Fuscaldi
Published: April 2019

A Modified Gait Efficacy scale (mGES) avalia a percepção do indivíduo sobre o seu nível de confiança na marcha, em circunstâncias desafiadoras. Para sua aplicação na população brasileira, é necessário que seja realizada a sua adaptação transcultural. Este estudo objetivou realizar a adaptação transcultural do mGES para uso no Brasil. O processo de adaptação seguiu diretrizes padronizadas, sendo realizado em cinco etapas: tradução, retrotradução, síntese das traduções, avaliação pelo comitê de especialistas e teste da versão pré final. A versão pré final foi aplicada em 12 indivíduos pós-Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE), que foram indagados sobre como interpretaram cada item. O processo de adaptação seguiu todas as recomendações propostas, sendo necessárias apenas pequenas alterações em três itens, para possibilitar melhor compreensão. Resultados satisfatórios foram obtidos no teste da versão pré final, uma vez que não houve nenhum problema quanto à redação e clareza dos itens ou ao objetivo da escala. A versão final da mGES-Brasil demonstrou satisfatório grau de equivalência semântica, conceitual e cultural, em relação à versão original, e pode, ser utilizada em contextos clínicos e de pesquisa no Brasil, para avaliar o nível de confiança na marcha de indivíduos pós-AVE.
Medida da Participação e do Ambiente - Crianças e Jovens (PEM-CY)
Authors: Galvão Élida Rayanne Viana Pinheiro , Cazeiro Ana Paula Martins , De Campos Ana Carolina , Longo Egmar
Published: April 2019

Introdução: A Medida da Participação e do Ambiente - Crianças e Jovens (PEM-CY) é um instrumento que avalia a participação desses indivíduos nos ambientes da casa, da escola e da comunidade, a partir da percepção de seus pais e/ou responsáveis. Objetivo: Adaptar culturalmente a PEM-CY para o português do Brasil. Método: O processo de adaptação transcultural foi composto por cinco estágios: (I) Adaptação inicial para o português do Brasil; (II) Síntese das versões; (III) Retrotradução; (IV) Comitê de especialistas; (V) Compreensão pelos pais e retrotradução para aprovação final. Resultados: As adaptações implementadas visaram favorecer a fluência na leitura, bem como facilitar a interpretação e compreensão do questionário. O título sofreu alteração e alguns termos foram substituídos nas instruções para pesquisa. Mais exemplos foram adicionados a algumas atividades das seções de participação e ambiente dos três ambientes, e algumas palavras foram alteradas para expressões mais equivalentes à linguagem popular. Conclusão: A versão adaptada para o português do Brasil disponibiliza um instrumento inovador de avaliação da participação e do ambiente de crianças e jovens que poderá ser utilizado em diferentes cenários de prática e pesquisa.
Pulselessness After Initiation of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Bradycardia in Hospitalized Children
Authors: Khera Rohan , Tang Yuanyuan , Girotra Saket , Nadkarni Vinay M. , Link Mark S. , Raymond Tia T. , Guerguerian Anne-Marie , Berg Robert A. , Chan Paul S. ,   For the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines-Resuscitation Investigators
Published: April 2019

Background:

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is initiated in hospitalized children with bradycardia and poor perfusion. However, their rate of progression to pulseless cardiac arrest despite CPR and the differences in survival compared with initially pulseless arrest are unknown. We examined the prevalence and predictors of survival of children who progress from bradycardia to pulseless in-hospital cardiac arrest despite CPR.

Methods:

Pediatric patients >30 days and <18 years of age who received CPR at hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation during 2000 to 2016 were included. Each CPR event was classified as bradycardia with pulse, bradycardia with subsequent pulselessness, and initial pulseless cardiac arrest. We assessed risk-adjusted rates of survival to hospital discharge using multilevel Poisson regression models.

Results:

Overall, 5592 pediatric patients were treated with CPR, of whom 2799 (50.1%) received CPR for bradycardia with poor perfusion and 2793 (49.9%) for initial pulseless cardiac arrest. Among those with bradycardia, 869 (31.0%, or 15.5% of cohort) became pulseless after a median of 3 minutes of CPR (interquartile range, 1–9 minutes). Rates of survival to discharge were 70.0% (1351 of 1930) for bradycardia with pulse, 30.1% (262 of 869) for bradycardia progressing to pulselessness, and 37.5% (1046 of 2793) for initial pulseless cardiac arrest (
P
for difference across groups <0.001). Children who became pulseless despite CPR for bradycardia had a 19% lower likelihood (risk ratio, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.70, 0.93];
P
=0.004) of surviving to hospital discharge than those who were initially pulseless. Among children who progressed to pulselessness despite CPR for bradycardia, a longer interval between CPR and pulselessness was a predictor of lower survival (reference, <2 minutes; for 2–5 minutes, risk ratio, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.41–0.70]; for >5 minutes, risk ratio, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.32–0.53]).

Conclusions:

Among hospitalized children in whom CPR is initiated, half have bradycardia with poor perfusion at the initiation of chest compressions, and nearly one-third of these progress to pulseless in-hospital cardiac arrest despite CPR. Survival was significantly lower for children who progress to pulselessness despite CPR compared with those who were initially pulseless. These findings suggest that pediatric patients who lose their pulse despite resuscitation attempts are at particularly high risk and require a renewed focus on postresuscitation care.
High Altitude Reduces NO-Dependent Myometrial Artery Vasodilator Response During Pregnancy
Authors: Lorca Ramón A. , Lane Sydney L. , Bales Elise S. , Nsier Hisham , Yi HeaMi , Donnelly Meghan A. , Euser Anna G. , Julian Colleen G. , Moore Lorna G.
Published: April 2019

The chronic hypoxia of high-altitude (HA) residence reduces uterine artery blood flow during pregnancy, likely contributing to an increased frequency of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. We hypothesized that this lesser pregnancy blood flow rise was due, in part, to reduced vasodilation of myometrial arteries (MAs). Here, we assessed MA vasoreactivity in healthy residents of high (2902±39 m) or low altitude (LA; 1669±10 m). MA contractile responses to potassium chloride, phenylephrine, or the thromboxane A2 agonist U46619 did not differ between LA and HA women. Acetylcholine vasodilated phenylephrine or U466119 preconstricted MAs at LA, yet had no effect on HA MAs. In contrast, another vasodilator, bradykinin, relaxed MAs from both altitudes similarly. At LA, the NO synthase inhibitor L-N
G
-nitroarginine methyl ester decreased both acetylcholine and bradykinin vasodilation by 56% and 33%, respectively. L-N
G
-nitroarginine methyl ester plus the COX (cyclooxygenase) inhibitor indomethacin had similar effects on acetylcholine and bradykinin vasodilation (68% and 42% reduction, respectively) as did removing the endothelium (78% and 50% decrease, respectively), suggesting a predominantly NO-dependent vasodilation at LA. However, at HA, L-N
G
-nitroarginine methyl ester did not change bradykinin vasodilation, whereas indomethacin or endothelium removal decreased it by 28% and 72%, respectively, indicating impaired NO signaling at HA. Suggesting that the impairment was downstream of eNOS (endothelial NO synthase), HA attenuated the vasodilation elicited by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside. We concluded that reduced NO-dependent MA vasodilation likely contributes to diminished uteroplacental perfusion in HA pregnancies.
Activation of ADAM17 (A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 17) on Glutamatergic Neurons Selectively Promotes Sympathoexcitation
Authors: Xu Jiaxi , Molinas Adrien J.R. , Mukerjee Snigdha , Morgan Donald A. , Rahmouni Kamal , Zsombok Andrea , Lazartigues Eric
Published: April 2019

Chronic activation of the brain renin-angiotensin system contributes to the development of hypertension by altering autonomic balance. Beyond the essential role of Ang II (angiotensin II) type 1 receptors, ADAM17 (A disintegrin and metalloprotease 17) is also found to promote brain renin-angiotensin system overactivation. ADAM17 is robustly expressed in various cell types within the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to determine whether ADAM17 modulates presympathetic neuronal activity to promote autonomic dysregulation in salt-sensitive hypertension. To test our hypothesis, ADAM17 was selectively knocked down in glutamatergic neurons using Cre-loxP technology. In mice lacking ADAM17 in glutamatergic neurons, the blood pressure increase induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt treatment was blunted. Deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt significantly elevated cardiac and vascular sympathetic drive in control mice, while such effects were reduced in mice with ADAM17 knockdown. This blunted sympathoexcitation was extended to the spleen, with a lesser activation of the peripheral immune system, translating into a sequestration of circulating T cells within this organ, compared with controls. Within the paraventricular nucleus, Ang II–induced activation of kidney-related presympathetic glutamatergic neurons was reduced in ADAM17 knockdown mice, with the majority of cells no longer responding to Ang II stimulation, confirming the supportive role of ADAM17 in increasing presympathetic neuronal activity. Overall, our data highlight the pivotal role of neuronal ADAM17 in regulating sympathetic activity and demonstrate that activation of ADAM17 in glutamatergic neurons leads to a selective increase of sympathetic output, but not vagal tone, to specific organs, ultimately contributing to dysautonomia and salt-sensitive hypertension.
On Calculating Deposition Coefficients and Aspect-Ratio Evolution in Approximate Models of Ice Crystal Vapor Growth
Authors: Harrington Jerry Y. , Moyle Alfred , Hanson Lavender Elle , Morrison Hugh
Published: April 2019

Models of ice crystal vapor growth require estimates of the deposition coefficient α when surface attachment kinetics limit growth and when ice crystal shape is predicted. Parametric models can be used to calculate α for faceted growth as long as characteristic supersaturation values are known. However, previously published measurements of are limited to temperatures higher than −40°C. Estimates of at temperatures between −40° and −70°C are provided here through reanalysis of vapor growth data. The estimated follow the same functional temperature dependence as data taken at higher temperatures. Polynomial fits to are used as inputs to a parameterization of α suitable for use in cloud models. Comparisons of the parameterization with wind tunnel data show that growth at liquid saturation and constant temperatures between −3° and −20°C can be modeled by ledge nucleation for larger (hundreds of micrometers) crystals; however, comparisons with free-fall chamber data at −7°C suggest that dislocation growth may be required to model the vapor growth of small crystals (~20 μm) at liquid saturation. The comparisons with free-fall chamber data also show that the parameterization can reproduce the measured pressure dependence of aspect-ratio evolution. Comparisons with a hexagonal growth model indicate that aspect-ratio evolution based on the theory of Chen and Lamb produces unrealistically fast column growth near −7°C that is mitigated if a theory based on faceted growth is used. This result indicates that the growth hypothesis used in habit-evolving microphysical models needs to be revised when deposition coefficients are predicted.
Tropical Cloud Cluster Environments and Their Importance for Tropical Cyclone Formation
Authors: Teng Hsu-Feng , Lee Cheng-Shang , Hsu Huang-Hsiung , Done James M. , Holland Greg J.
Published: April 2019

This study uses a nonhierarchical cluster analysis to identify the major environmental circulation patterns associated with tropical cloud cluster (TCC) formation in the western North Pacific. All TCCs that formed in July–October 1981–2009 are examined based on their 850-hPa wind field around TCC centers. Eight types of environmental circulation patterns are identified. Of these, four are related to monsoon systems (trough, confluence, north of trough, and south of trough), three are related to easterly systems (low-latitude zone, west of subtropical high, and southwest of subtropical high), and one is associated with low-latitude cross-equatorial flow. The genesis potential index (GPI) is analyzed to compare how favorable the environmental conditions are for tropical cyclone (TC) formation when TCCs form. Excluding three cluster types with the GPI lower than the climatology of all samples, TCCs formed in monsoon environments have larger sizes, lower brightness temperatures, longer lifetimes, and higher GPIs than those of TCCs formed in easterly environments. However, for TCCs formed in easterly environments, the average GPI for those TCCs that later develop into TCs (developing TCCs) is higher than that for other TCCs (nondeveloping TCCs). This difference is nonsignificant for TCCs formed in monsoon environments. Conversely, the average magnitudes of GPI are similar for developing TCCs, regardless of whether TCCs form in easterly or monsoon environments. In summary, the probability of a TCC to develop into a TC is more sensitive to the environmental conditions for TCCs formed in easterly environments than those formed in monsoon environments.
Observation-Based Estimates of Global and Basin Ocean Meridional Heat Transport Time Series
Authors: Trenberth Kevin E. , Zhang Yongxin , Fasullo John T. , Cheng Lijing
Published: April 2019

Ocean meridional heat transports (MHTs) are deduced as a residual using energy budgets to produce latitude versus time series for the globe, Indo-Pacific, and Atlantic. The top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiation is combined with the vertically integrated atmospheric energy divergence from atmospheric reanalyses to produce the net surface energy fluxes everywhere. The latter is then combined with estimates of the vertically integrated ocean heat content (OHC) tendency to produce estimates of the ocean heat divergence. Because seasonal sea ice and land runoff effects are not fully considered, the mean annual cycle is incomplete, but those effects are small for interannual variability. However, there is a mismatch between 12-month inferred surface flux and the corresponding OHC changes globally, requiring adjustments to account for the Earth’s global energy imbalance. Estimates are greatly improved by building in the constraint that MHT must go to zero at the northern and southern extents of the ocean basin at all times, enabling biases between the TOA and OHC data to be reconciled. Zonal mean global, Indo-Pacific, and Atlantic basin ocean MHTs are computed and presented as 12-month running means and for the mean annual cycle for 2000–16. For the Indo-Pacific, the tropical and subtropical MHTs feature a strong relationship with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and in the Atlantic, MHT interannual variability is significantly affected by and likely influences the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). However, Atlantic and Pacific changes are linked, suggesting that the northern annular mode (as opposed to NAO) is predominant. There is also evidence of decadal variability or trends.
Understanding the Unusual Looping Track of Hurricane Joaquin (2015) and Its Forecast Errors
Authors: Miller William , Zhang Da-Lin
Published: April 2019

Hurricane Joaquin (2015) took a climatologically unusual track southwestward into the Bahamas before recurving sharply out to sea. Several operational forecast models, including the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecast System (GFS), struggled to maintain the southwest motion in their early cycles and instead forecast the storm to turn west and then northwest, striking the U.S. coast. Early cycle GFS track errors are diagnosed using a tropical cyclone (TC) motion error budget equation and found to result from the model 1) not maintaining a sufficiently strong mid- to upper-level ridge northwest of Joaquin, and 2) generating a shallow vortex that did not interact strongly with upper-level northeasterly steering winds. High-resolution model simulations are used to test the sensitivity of Joaquin’s track forecast to both error sources. A control (CTL) simulation, initialized with an analysis generated from cycled hybrid data assimilation, successfully reproduces Joaquin’s observed rapid intensification and southwestward-looping track. A comparison of CTL with sensitivity runs from perturbed analyses confirms that a sufficiently strong mid- to upper-level ridge northwest of Joaquin and a vortex deep enough to interact with northeasterly flows associated with this ridge are both necessary for steering Joaquin southwestward. Contraction and vertical alignment of the CTL vortex during the early forecast period may have also helped draw the low-level vortex center southward. The results indicate that for TCs developing in vertically sheared environments, improved inner-core sampling by means of cloudy radiances and aircraft reconnaissance missions may help reduce track forecast errors by improving the model estimate of vortex depth.
Transcutaneous Suture Tip Plasty: The Technique and Outcomes
Authors: Turhal Goksel , Benzer Murat , Sahin Fetih Furkan , Midilli Rasit , Karci Bulent , Sahin Mustafa , Gode Sercan
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

Radical resections and invasive techniques have been mostly replaced with more conservative techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the objective and the subjective functional and aesthetic outcomes of transcutaneous suture tip plasty.

Methods:

A total of 20 patients were included in the study. Patients were treated with transcutaneous suture tip plasty. Functional results were assessed with pre- and postoperative 6-month Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and acoustic rhinometry. The pre- and postoperative 6-month mean values of first minimal cross-sectional area (MCA1), second minimal cross-sectional area (MCA2), the distance from the tip of the probe to the first minimal cross-sectional area, the distance from the tip of the probe to the second minimal cross sectional area, nasal volume 1, and nasal volume 2 were measured. Facial analysis was made with the Rhinobase software, designed for facial analysis.

Results:

The mean pre- and postoperative SNOT-22 scores were 25.55 ± 6.64 and 15.70 ± 8.11, respectively ( P < .05). The mean pre- and postoperative nasolabial angles were 82.26º ± 5.69º and 101.47º ± 7.70º, respectively ( P < .05). The mean pre- and postoperative nasofrontal angles were 144.30º ± 3.81º and 138.25º ± 3.26º, respectively ( P < .05). The mean pre- and postoperative nasal length was 54.22 ± 4.62 mm and 49.95 ± 2.75 mm, respectively ( P < .05). The mean pre- and postoperative tip projection was 25.77 ± 3.64 mm and 28.40 ± 2.97 mm, respectively ( P < .05). Only postoperative MCA2 values on the right and left side were significantly different from preoperative MCA2 values ( P < .05). None of the remaining postoperative acoustic rhinometry scores significantly differed from preoperative scores. Two patients (10%) required revision at around 1 month after surgery due to suture loosening and breakage.

Conclusions:

Especially in the era of minimal invasive surgery, transcutaneous suspension tip plasty is promising, with rapid and reliable functional and cosmetic results. Further studies with longer follow-up durations are needed to assess the long-term outcomes of this technique.
Molecular and X-ray Spectroscopies for Noninvasive Characterization of Mayan Green Stones from Bonampak, Chiapas
Authors: Aguilar-Melo Valentina , Mitrani Alejandro , Casanova-Gonzalez Edgar , Manrique-Ortega Mayra D. , Pérez-Ireta Griselda , Ruvalcaba-Sil José Luis , Tovalin-Ahumada Alejandro , Moscoso-Rincón Julia Leticia , Sesheña-Hernández Alejandro , Lozada-Toledo Josuhé
Published: April 2019

A burial and a rich offering were found under Room 2 in the Murals Building, Bonampak, a Mayan archaeological site situated in Chiapas, Mexico. This burial may be related with the creation of the famous mural paintings. A rich set of jewelry made of green stones was among the different objects found. Green stones have great importance in Mesoamerican cultures, those composed of jadeite being the most appreciated. To characterize the green stones, different spectroscopic techniques were used in a complementary way: Raman and infrared spectroscopies (FT-IR) were used for global mineralogical analysis, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were applied simultaneously in situ on the artifacts that were not successfully identified by these molecular techniques. In addition, XRF was used to contrasts the elemental information from pieces composed of pyroxenes that may be related to the raw sources of jade in Guatemala. The main minerals identified within the beads and earrings were jadeite with omphacite and jadeite with albite; to a minor extent, quartz, and serpentine. In this paper, the main features of the molecular and X-ray techniques are compared in order to determine the advantages and limitations of these spectroscopies for mineral identification. With this combination of techniques, it was possible to undertake a suitable characterization of the analyzed objects. This paper focuses on the XRD–XRF combined analysis for in situ noninvasive characterization.
Deploying Portable Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to Military Users for the Identification of Toxic Chemical Agents in Theater
Authors: Leary Pauline E. , Kammrath Brooke W. , Lattman Keith J. , Beals Gary L.
Published: April 2019

The use of portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is an important capability that has been available commercially for almost 25 years. These systems have been used within a variety of different industries, including their extensive use by environmental scientists for the analysis of hazardous air pollutants. Recently, these systems were deployed to conventional military forces for use in theater to detect and identify toxic chemicals including chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The challenges of deploying such complex analytical instruments to these military users are unique. Among other things, these organizations have considerable and variable mission strains, complex and difficult logistics and coordination needs, and variability in user backgrounds. This review outlines the value portable GC-MS systems offer to these warfighters in theater, discusses some important aspects of the design of portable systems that makes their deployment to this type of end user possible, and proposes methods that can be used to overcome challenges to successful deployment of portable GC-MS to non-scientists working within hostile environments.
Democracy and the Entanglement of Political Parties and the State: Party–State Relations in 20th-Century France, Italy, and Germany
Authors: Corduwener P. (Pepijn)
Published: April 2019

This article makes a plea for a historical turn in the study of party–state relations. Building on recent insights on the role of political parties in institution-making which have emerged in the historical sciences, it suggests that the deployment of a historical institutionalist perspective can tackle the difficulties in isolating the causal mechanisms and identifying empirical indicators of party–state entanglement, which stand at the foreground of political science studies into the contemporary crisis of democracy in the West. Based on a analysis of institutional reforms of party state relations such as party laws, constitutions, and electoral laws in France, Italy, and Germany over the course of the 20th century, this article demonstrates how, other than the democratic problem which it is considered to be today, the entanglement of party and state not only had long historical roots but also made a major contribution to the democratization of Europe.
Developing Multistage Tests Using D-Scoring Method
Authors: Han Kyung (Chris) T. , Dimitrov Dimiter M. , Al-Mashary Faisal
Published: April 2019

The D-scoring method for scoring and equating tests with binary items proposed by Dimitrov offers some of the advantages of item response theory, such as item-level difficulty information and score computation that reflects the item difficulties, while retaining the merits of classical test theory such as the simplicity of number correct score computation and relaxed requirements for model sample sizes. Because of its unique combination of those merits, the D-scoring method has seen quick adoption in the educational and psychological measurement field. Because item-level difficulty information is available with the D-scoring method and item difficulties are reflected in test scores, it conceptually makes sense to use the D-scoring method with adaptive test designs such as multistage testing (MST). In this study, we developed and compared several versions of the MST mechanism using the D-scoring approach and also proposed and implemented a new framework for conducting MST simulation under the D-scoring method. Our findings suggest that the score recovery performance under MST with D-scoring was promising, as it retained score comparability across different MST paths. We found that MST using the D-scoring method can achieve improvements in measurement precision and efficiency over linear-based tests that use D-scoring method.
An Application of Reliability Estimation in Longitudinal Designs Through Modeling Item-Specific Error Variance
Authors: Sideridis Georgios D. , Tsaousis Ioannis , Al-Sadaawi Abdullah
Published: April 2019

The purpose of the present study was to apply the methodology developed by Raykov on modeling item-specific variance for the measurement of internal consistency reliability with longitudinal data. Participants were a randomly selected sample of 500 individuals who took on a professional qualifications test in Saudi Arabia over four different occasions. Data were analyzed by use of confirmatory factor analysis, and item error variance was corrected for item specificity. The estimation of reliability involved composite index omega. Results indicated that the initially low and unacceptable levels of internal consistency reliability approached acceptable levels after accounting for item-specific variance. Findings were verified by testing whether the difference estimates of internal consistency reliability deviated from a zero-mean distribution using 10,000 replicated samples assuming a known (symmetric) or unknown (asymmetric) population distribution of the difference reliability coefficients. Percentage improvement reliability estimates indices were also estimated along with their 95% confidence intervals. Two appendices provide annotated Mplus syntax files for future use.
Processo all’immagine di un Fiore forense
Authors: Nieddu Laura
Published: April 2019

Il Fiore è stato scritto da un giurista? Oggetto del presente studio è l’analisi di uno dei registri linguistici che compongono lo stile narrativo del Fiore, ovvero quello giuridico. In effetti, questo è uno dei criteri su cui si basano due tesi attributive, ovvero quella di Remo Fasani, che vuole l’opera figlia di Brunetto Latini, e quella di Maurizio Palma di Cesnola; quest’ultimo ha cercato di dimostrare che il testo, considerato dai più come dantesco, sarebbe in realtà stato scritto da un giurista provenzale, Guillaume Durand. Queste due tesi costituiscono lo spunto per poter prendere in esame le espressioni e i termini specifici legati al mondo giuridico e diplomatico, al fine di porre in rilievo questo aspetto stilistico del poemetto medievale. Oltre ai termini indicati da Fasani e da Palma di Cesnola, verranno sottolineati altri possibili indizi per un “Durante giurista”, nonché un certo atteggiamento “giuridico” a cui sono sottoposte alcune figure del testo, come Falsembiante o Ragione, anche per rilevare le differenze o i punti in comune tra Fiore e Roman de la Rose, modello dell’opera italiana, sia dal punto di vista delle scelte lessicali che dell'atmosfera generale.