bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVALUATION ON THE THERMAL AND STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF COPPER ALUMINUM OXIDE (Cu-Al2O3) THIN FILM ON AL SUBSTRATE: EFFECT OF ANNEALING TEMPERATURE
Authors: LIM WEI QIANG , SHANMUGAN SUBRAMANI , DEVARAJAN MUTHARASU
Published: September 2017

Layer stacking technique is incorporated in the deposition of copper aluminium oxide (Cu-Al2O3) thin films on Al substrate using RF magnetron sputtering. The Cu/Al2O3 stack is sputtered using Cu and Al2O3 target at ambient temperature and then annealed to yield the resultant Cu-Al2O3 films. The structural properties of the films are investigated through X-ray Diffraction (XRD) whereas the chemical structure of the films is studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). The thermal conductivity analyzer is used to evaluate the thermal properties of coated film on the Al substrate. XRD analysis revealed that the synthesized films are polycrystalline film composed mainly of CuAl2O4 phase along with Al2O3 and CuO phases. The thermal properties of Cu-Al2O3 coated Al substrates showed improvement in terms of thermal conductivity and diffusivity compared to bare Al substrate. The Cu-Al2O3 sample annealed at 400∘C exhibited a significant difference in thermal conductivity ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W/mK) compared to bare Al. The difference in thermal conductivity displayed by the annealed sample verified that TIMs did enhance the thermal path of entire substrate by allowing the heat to dissipate to surrounding environment more efficiently, thereby improving the heat dissipation system. From the results observed, it can be concluded that Cu-Al2O3 coated Al substrate can be made as alternative TIM in thermal management application.
Variants for the logarithmic-quadratic proximal point scalarization method for multiobjective programming
Authors: Castillo Rómulo , Quintana Clavel
Published: September 2017

We consider the proximal point method for solving unconstrained multiobjective programming problems including two families of real convex functions, one of them defined on the positive orthant and used for modifying a variant of the logarithm-quadratic regularization introduced recently and the other for defining a family of scalar representations based on 0-coercive convex functions. We show convergent results, in particular, each limit point of the sequence generated by the method is a weak Pareto solution. Numerical results over fourteen test problems are shown, some of them with complicated pareto sets.
Fundamental group of the digital circle
Authors: Singh Pooja , Masood Dania
Published: September 2017

An analog of extended real line, [Formula: see text]-sphere and [Formula: see text]-disc in the setting of digital topology has been provided and the fundamental group of the digital circle has been computed which comes out to be the additive group [Formula: see text] of integers.
Approximate controllability of semilinear fractional stochastic control system
Authors: Shukla Anurag , Sukavanam N. , Pandey D. N.
Published: September 2017

The objective of this paper is to present some sufficient conditions for approximate controllability of semilinear fractional stochastic control system with delay. The results hold when the nonlinear function is Lipschitz continuous. Sufficient conditions are obtained by separating the given fractional semilinear stochastic system into two systems namely a semilinear fractional system and a fractional linear stochastic system. To prove our results, the Schauder fixed point theorem is applied. At the end, one example is given to illustrate the results.
Latency Requirements for Foveated Rendering in Virtual Reality
Authors: Albert Rachel , Patney Anjul , Luebke David , Kim Joohwan
Published: September 2017

Foveated rendering is a performance optimization based on the well-known degradation of peripheral visual acuity. It reduces computational costs by showing a high-quality image in the user’s central (foveal) vision and a lower quality image in the periphery. Foveated rendering is a promising optimization for Virtual Reality (VR) graphics, and generally requires accurate and low-latency eye tracking to ensure correctness even when a user makes large, fast eye movements such as saccades. However, due to the phenomenon of saccadic omission, it is possible that these requirements may be relaxed.

In this article, we explore the effect of latency for foveated rendering in VR applications. We evaluated the detectability of visual artifacts for three techniques capable of generating foveated images and for three different radii of the high-quality foveal region. Our results show that larger foveal regions allow for more aggressive foveation, but this effect is more pronounced for temporally stable foveation techniques. Added eye tracking latency of 80--150ms causes a significant reduction in acceptable amount of foveation, but a similar decrease in acceptable foveation was not found for shorter eye-tracking latencies of 20--40ms, suggesting that a total system latency of 50--70ms could be tolerated.
A lightweight progress maximization scheduler for non-volatile processor under unstable energy harvesting
Authors: Pan Chen , Xie Mimi , Liu Yongpan , Wang Yanzhi , Xue Chun Jason , Wang Yuangang , Chen Yiran , Hu Jingtong
Published: September 2017

Energy harvesting techniques become increasingly popular as power supplies for embedded systems. However, the harvested energy is intrinsically unstable. Thus, the program execution may be interrupted frequently. Although the development of non-volatile processors (NVP) can save and restore execution states, both hardware and software challenges exist for energy harvesting powered embedded systems. On the hardware side, existing power detector only signals the ``poor'' quality of the harvested power based on a preset threshold voltage. The inappropriate setting of this threshold will make the NVP based embedded system suffer from either unnecessary checkpointing or checkpointing failures. On the software side, not all tasks can be checkpointed. Once the power is off, these tasks will have to restart from the beginning. In this paper, a task scheduler is proposed to maximize task progress by prioritizing tasks which cannot be checkpointed when power is weak so that they can finish before the power outage. To assist task scheduling, three additional modules including voltage monitor, checkpointing handler, and routine handler, are proposed. Experimental results show increased overall task progress and reduced energy consumption.
Futhark: purely functional GPU-programming with nested parallelism and in-place array updates
Authors: Henriksen Troels , Serup Niels G. W. , Elsman Martin , Henglein Fritz , Oancea Cosmin E.
Published: September 2017

Futhark is a purely functional data-parallel array language that offers a machine-neutral programming model and an optimising compiler that generates OpenCL code for GPUs.

This paper presents the design and implementation of three key features of Futhark that seek a suitable middle ground with imperative approaches.

First, in order to express efficient code inside the parallel constructs, we introduce a simple type system for in-place updates that ensures referential transparency and supports equational reasoning.

Second, we furnish Futhark with parallel operators capable of expressing efficient strength-reduced code, along with their fusion rules.

Third, we present a flattening transformation aimed at enhancing the degree of parallelism that (i) builds on loop interchange and distribution but uses higher-order reasoning rather than array-dependence analysis, and (ii) still allows further locality-of-reference optimisations. Finally, an evaluation on 16 benchmarks demonstrates the impact of the language and compiler features and shows application-level performance competitive with hand-written GPU code.
Efficient and precise points-to analysis: modeling the heap by merging equivalent automata
Authors: Tan Tian , Li Yue , Xue Jingling
Published: September 2017

Mainstream points-to analysis techniques for object-oriented languages rely predominantly on the allocation-site abstraction to model heap objects. We present MAHJONG, a novel heap abstraction that is specifically developed to address the needs of an important class of type-dependent clients, such as call graph construction, devirtualization and may-fail casting. By merging equivalent automata representing type-consistent objects that are created by the allocation-site abstraction, MAHJONG enables an allocation-site-based points-to analysis to run significantly faster while achieving nearly the same precision for type-dependent clients.

MAHJONG is simple conceptually, efficient, and drops easily on any allocation-site-based points-to analysis. We demonstrate its effectiveness by discussing some insights on why it is a better alternative of the allocation-site abstraction for type-dependent clients and evaluating it extensively on 12 large real-world Java programs with five context-sensitive points-to analyses and three widely used type-dependent clients. MAHJONG is expected to provide significant benefits for many program analyses where call graphs are required.
Control-flow recovery from partial failure reports
Authors: Ohmann Peter , Brooks Alexander , D'Antoni Loris , Liblit Ben
Published: September 2017

Debugging is difficult. When software fails in production, debugging is even harder, as failure reports usually provide only an incomplete picture of the failing execution. We present a system that answers control-flow queries posed by developers as formal languages, indicating whether the query expresses control flow that is possible or impossible for a given failure report. We consider three separate approaches that trade off precision, expressiveness for failure constraints, and scalability. We also introduce a new subclass of regular languages, the unreliable trace languages, which are particularly suited to answering control-flow queries in polynomial time. Our system answers queries remarkably efficiently when we encode failure constraints and user queries entirely as unreliable trace languages.
Decomposition instead of self-composition for proving the absence of timing channels
Authors: Antonopoulos Timos , Gazzillo Paul , Hicks Michael , Koskinen Eric , Terauchi Tachio , Wei Shiyi
Published: September 2017

We present a novel approach to proving the absence of timing channels. The idea is to partition the program's execution traces in such a way that each partition component is checked for timing attack resilience by a time complexity analysis and that per-component resilience implies the resilience of the whole program. We construct a partition by splitting the program traces at secret-independent branches. This ensures that any pair of traces with the same public input has a component containing both traces. Crucially, the per-component checks can be normal safety properties expressed in terms of a single execution. Our approach is thus in contrast to prior approaches, such as self-composition, that aim to reason about multiple (
k
≥ 2) executions at once.

We formalize the above as an approach called quotient partitioning, generalized to any
k
-safety property, and prove it to be sound. A key feature of our approach is a demand-driven partitioning strategy that uses a regex-like notion called trails to identify sets of execution traces, particularly those influenced by tainted (or secret) data. We have applied our technique in a prototype implementation tool called Blazer, based on WALA, PPL, and the brics automaton library. We have proved timing-channel freedom of (or synthesized an attack specification for) 24 programs written in Java bytecode, including 6 classic examples from the literature and 6 examples extracted from the DARPA STAC challenge problems.
Element-based prognostics of occupational pneumoconiosis using micro-proton-induced X-ray emission analysis
Authors: He Xiaodong , Shen Hao , Chen Zidan , Rong Caicai , Ren Minqin , Hou Likun , Wu Chunyan , Mao Ling , Lu Quan , Su Bo
Published: September 2017

Pneumoconiosis is an occupational disease accompanied by long-term lung impairment, for which prediction of prognosis is poorly understood because of the complexity of the inhaled particles. Micro-proton-induced X-ray emission (micro-PIXE) analysis, which is advantageous for high-sensitivity, two-dimensional element mapping of lung tissues, was used to investigate element-based predictive factors of prognosis in Chinese patients with welder’s and coal miner’s pneumoconiosis. Chest radiographs and lung function tests showed that most of the coal miners deteriorated, whereas symptoms in some welders were alleviated after 5 yr, as determined by comparing percent vital capacity (%VC) and forced expiratory volume in the 1st second over forced vital capacity (FEV1.0/FVC) to values taken at the initial diagnosis. Micro-PIXE analysis suggested that the most abundant particulates in welder’s pneumoconiosis were Fe, Mn, and Ti (metallic oxide),which were accompanied by particulates containing Si, Al, and Ca (aluminum silicate) or only Si (SiO2); the most abundant particulates in coal miner’s pneumoconiosis were composed of C, Si, Al, K, and Ti, which were accompanied by particulates containing Ca or Fe. Particulates containing Al, Si, S, K, Ca, and Ti (orthoclase and anorthite) were correlated with severity of fibrosis. Multivariable linear regression suggested that long-term FEV1.0/FVC decrease was independently associated with Si and smoking index, whereas %VC decrease was associated with Si and Ti. A risk index comprised of these factors was developed to predict the prognosis of pneumoconiosis. Micro-PIXE analysis is feasible for the evaluation of elemental composition and dust exposure, especially for patients whose exposure is mixed or uncertain.
Long-term treatment with the ghrelin receptor antagonist [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6 does not improve glucose homeostasis in nonobese diabetic MKR mice
Authors: Mosa Rasha , Huang Lili , Li Hongzhuo , Grist Michael , LeRoith Derek , Chen Chen
Published: September 2017

Long-term treatment with the ghrelin receptor antagonist [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6 does not improve glucose homeostasis in nonobese diabetic MKR mice. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 314: R71–R83, 2018. First published September 13, 2017; doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00157.2017 .—Ghrelin secretion has been associated with increased caloric intake and adiposity. The expressions of ghrelin and its receptor (GHS-R1a) in the pancreas has raised the interest about the role of ghrelin in glucose homeostasis. Most of the studies showed that ghrelin promoted hyperglycemia and inhibited insulin secretion. This raised the interest in using GHS-R1a antagonists as therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes. Available data of GHS-R antagonists are on a short-term basis. Moreover, the complexity of GHS-R1a signaling makes it difficult to understand the mechanism of action of GHS-R1a antagonists. This study examined the possible effects of long-term treatment with a GHS-R1a antagonist, [d-Lys3]-growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)-6, on glucose homeostasis, food intake, and indirect calorimetric parameters in nonobese diabetic MKR mice. Our results showed that [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (200 nmol/mouse) reduced pulsatile growth hormone secretion and body fat mass as expected but worsened glucose and insulin intolerances and increased cumulative food intake unexpectedly. In addition, a significant increase in blood glucose and decreases in plasma insulin and C-peptide levels were observed in MKR mice following long-term [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6 treatment, suggesting a direct inhibition of insulin secretion. Immunofluorescence staining of pancreatic islets showed a proportional increase in somatostatin-positive cells and a decrease in insulin-positive cells in [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6-treated mice. Furthermore, [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6 stimulated food intake on long-term treatment via reduction of proopiomelanocortin gene expression and antagonized GH secretion via reduced growth hormone-releasing hormone gene expression in hypothalamus. These results demonstrate that [d-Lys3]-GHRP-6 is not completely opposite to ghrelin and may not be a treatment option for type 2 diabetes.
Fast Cooperative Energy Detection under Accuracy Constraints in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Peng Shengliang , Zheng Weibin , Gao Renyang , Lei Kejun
Published: September 2017

Cooperative energy detection (CED) is a key technique to identify the spectrum holes in cognitive radio networks. Previous study on this technique mainly aims at improving the detection accuracy, while paying little attention to the performance of detection time. This paper concentrates on the issue of fast CED, which is achieved by minimizing its detection time subject to the constraints on detection accuracy. Firstly, the prevalent counting rule based CED algorithm is optimized. Taking the special cases of counting rule (AND rule and OR rule), for example, we show that detection time can be minimized by selecting an optimal number of secondary users. Moreover, we prove that OR rule is superior to AND rule in detection time, and thus OR rule based CED is faster than AND rule based CED. Then, a sequential test (ST) based CED algorithm is proposed to exploit the benefit of ST and detect primary user even faster. After analyzing its detection time, we illustrate that ST based CED is able to spend the minimal detection time in satisfying the accuracy constraints by choosing an optimal sample number. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of both fast algorithms discussed in this paper.
Observations of the Growth and Decay of Stall Cells during Stall and Surge in an Axial Compressor
Authors: Hickman Adam R. , Morris Scott C.
Published: September 2017

This research investigated unsteady events such as stall inception, stall-cell development, and surge. Stall is characterized by a decrease in overall pressure rise and nonaxisymmetric throughflow. Compressor stall can lead to surge which is characterized by quasi-axisymmetric fluctuations in mass flow and pressure. Unsteady measurements of the flow field around the compressor rotor are examined. During the stall inception process, initial disturbances were found within the rotor passage near the tip region. As the stall cell develops, blade lift and pressure ratio decrease within the stall cell and increase ahead of the stall cell. The stall inception event, stall-cell development, and stall recovery event were found to be nearly identical for stable rotating stall and surge cases. As the stall cell grows, the leading edge of the cell will rotate at a higher rate than the trailing edge in the rotor frame. The opposite occurs during stall recovery. The trailing edge of the stall cell will rotate at the approximate speed as the fully developed stall cell, while the leading edge decreases in rotational speed in the rotor frame.
Immunotherapy of Lymphoma and Myeloma: Facts and Hopes
Authors: Pianko Matthew J. , Moskowitz Alison J. , Lesokhin Alexander M.
Published: September 2017

Immune checkpoint blockade has driven a revolution in modern oncology, and robust drug development of immune checkpoint inhibitors is underway in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. High response rates to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade using nivolumab or pembrolizumab in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and several variants of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) revealed an intrinsic biological sensitivity to this approach, and work is ongoing exploring combinations with immune checkpoint inhibitors in both cHL and NHL. There are also preliminary data suggesting antitumor efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors used in combination with immunomodulatory drugs in multiple myeloma, and effects of novel monoclonal antibody therapies on the tumor microenvironment may lead to synergy with checkpoint blockade. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors are generally well tolerated, clinicians must use caution and remain vigilant when treating patients with these agents in order to identify immune-related toxicities and prevent treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Autologous stem cell transplant is a useful tool for treatment of hematologic malignancies and has potential as a platform for use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. An important safety signal has emerged surrounding the risk of graft-versus-host disease associated with use of PD-1 inhibitors before and after allogeneic stem cell transplant. We aim to discuss the facts known to date in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with lymphoid malignancies and our hopes for expanding the benefits of immunotherapy to patients in the future. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1002–10. ©2017 AACR.
Cunoniaceae no Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Authors: Santos-Silva Fernanda , Cardoso Pedro Henrique , Cabral Andressa
Published: September 2017

Apresenta-se um tratamento taxonômico de Cunoniaceae no Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, localizado no sudeste de Minas Gerais. A área de estudo faz parte do Complexo da Mantiqueira, Floresta Atlântica, e possui uma área de 1.923,5 hectares e um gradiente altitudinal variando entre 1.000 e 1.784 m. Sua vegetação compreende um mosaico de fitofisionomias, com predomínio dos campos rupestres. A família está representada por dois gêneros e três espécies: Lamanonia ternata, Weinmannia discolor e W. paullinifolia. São apresentadas descrições, chave de identificação, ilustrações, comentários taxonômicos, ecológicos e de distribuição geográfica para as espécies.
Differentiating the QRS Morphology of Posterior Fascicular Ventricular Tachycardia From Right Bundle Branch Block and Left Anterior Hemiblock Aberrancy
Authors: Michowitz Yoav , Tovia-Brodie Oholi , Heusler Ishai , Sabbag Avi , Rahkovich Michael , Shmueli Hezzy , Glick Aharon , Belhassen Bernard
Published: September 2017

Background

Left posterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia (LPF-VT) is frequently misdiagnosed as supraventricular tachycardia with aberrant right bundle branch block (RBBB) and left anterior hemiblock (LAHB). The purpose of the present study was to define the morphological ECG characteristics of LPF-VT and attempt to differentiate it from RBBB and LAHB aberrancy.

Methods and Results

A systematic Medline search was used to identify or locate ECG tracings from patients with LPF-VTs. ECGs with LPF-VT were also collected from patients who underwent ablation of this arrhythmia at the Tel Aviv and Sheba Medical Centers. These ECGs were compared with ECGs of consecutive patients with RBBB and LAHB and no obvious cardiac pathology by echocardiography. Overall, 183 ECGs of LPF-VT were compared with 61 ECGs showing RBBB and LAHB. Univariate analysis demonstrated differences in QRS axis, limb (I, aVr), and precordial (V
1
, V
2
, V
6
) ECG leads. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, LPF-VT was more often associated with atypical RBBB-like V
1
morphology (odds ratio, 5.1;
P
=0.004), positive QRS in aVr (odds ratio, 19.2;
P
<0.001), V
6
R/S ratio ≤1 (odds ratio, 6.7;
P
=0.01), and QRS ≤140 ms (odds ratio, 7.7;
P
<0.001). Using these 4 variables, a prediction model was developed that predicted LPF-VT with sensitivity and specificity of 82.1% and 78.3%, respectively. Patients with 3 of 4 positive variables had high probability of having LPF-VT, whereas patients with ≤1 positive variable always had RBBB plus LAHB.

Conclusions

The morphological ECG characteristics of LPF-VT were defined, and a high accurate tool for correctly differentiating LPF-VT from RBBB and LAHB aberrancy was developed.
Natural History and Clinical Predictors of Atrial Tachycardia in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Ávila Pablo , Oliver José María , Gallego Pastora , González-García Ana , Rodríguez-Puras María José , Cambronero Esther , Ruiz-Cantador José , Campos Ana , Peinado Rafael , Prieto Raquel , Sarnago Fernando , Yotti Raquel , Fernández-Avilés Francisco
Published: September 2017

Background

Atrial tachycardias (ATs) are a significant source of morbidity in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). This study evaluates the incidence and clinical predictors of AT in a cohort of patients with CHD.

Methods and Results

We included 3311 adults (median age at entry 22.6 years, 50.6% males) with CHD (49% simple, 39% moderate, and 12% complex) prospectively followed up in a tertiary center for 37 607 person-years. Predictors of AT were identified by multivariable Cox regression analysis accounting for left truncation. An external validation was performed in a contemporary cohort of 1432 patients. Overall, 153 (4.6%) patients presented AT. AT burden was highest in complex CHD, such as single ventricle (22.8%) and
d
-transposition of the great arteries (22.1%). Hazard rates of AT across lifetime, age at presentation, and the time lapse between surgery and the first AT episode varied among the most common CHD. Independent risk factors for developing AT were univentricular physiology, previous intracardiac repair, systemic right ventricle, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary regurgitation, pulmonary atrioventricular valve regurgitation, pulmonary and systemic ventricular dysfunction. At the age of 40 years, AT-free survival in patients with 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 risk factors was 100%, 94%, 76%, and 50%, respectively. These findings were confirmed in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

Natural history of AT differed among the most common forms of CHD. Simple clinical parameters, easily obtained by noninvasive means, were independent predictors of AT in adults with CHD. Although risk was negligible in patients without any of these factors, their addition progressively increased AT burden.
Decoupling Between Diastolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure and Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure as a Prognostic Factor After Continuous Flow Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Imamura Teruhiko , Chung Ben , Nguyen Ann , Rodgers Daniel , Sayer Gabriel , Adatya Sirtaz , Sarswat Nitasha , Kim Gene , Raikhelkar Jayant , Ota Takeyohi , Song Tae , Juricek Colleen , Kagan Viktoriya , Jeevanandam Valluvan , Mehra Mandeep , Burkhoff Daniel , Uriel Nir
Published: September 2017

Background:

A cohort of heart failure (HF) patients receiving left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) has decoupling of their diastolic pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. However, the clinical implications of this decoupling remain unclear.

Methods and Results:

In this prospective study, patients with LVADs underwent routine invasive hemodynamic ramp testing with right heart catheterization, during which LVAD speeds were adjusted. Inappropriate decoupling was defined as a >5 mm Hg difference between diastolic pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. The primary outcomes of survival and heart failure readmission rates after ramp testing were assessed. Among 63 LVAD patients (60±12 years old and 25 female [40%]), 27 patients (43%) had inappropriate decoupling at their baseline speed. After adjustment of their rotation speed during ramp testing, 30 patients (48%) had inappropriate decoupling. Uni/multivariable Cox analyses demonstrated that decoupling was the only significant predictor for the composite end point of death and heart failure readmission during the 1 year following the ramp study (total of 18 events; hazards ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.24;
P
<0.05). Furthermore, normalization of decoupling (n=8) during ramp testing was significantly associated with higher 1-year heart failure readmission–free survival rate compared with the non-normalized group (n=19, 100% versus 53%;
P
=0.035).

Conclusions:

The presence of inappropriate decoupling was associated with worse outcomes in patients with LVADs. Prospective, large-scale multicenter studies to validate the result are warranted.
Development and Validation of Electronic Quality Measures to Assess Care for Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Bravata Dawn M. , Myers Laura J. , Cheng Eric , Reeves Mathew , Baye Fitsum , Yu Zhangsheng , Damush Teresa , Miech Edward J. , Sico Jason , Phipps Michael , Zillich Alan , Johanning Jason , Chaturvedi Seemant , Austin Curt , Ferguson Jared , Maryfield Bailey , Snow Kathy , Ofner Susan , Graham Glenn , Rhude Rachel , Williams Linda S. , Arling Greg
Published: September 2017

Background—

Despite interest in using electronic health record (EHR) data to assess quality of care, the accuracy of such data is largely unknown. We sought to develop and validate transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke electronic quality measures (eQMs) using EHR data.

Methods and Results—

A random sample of patients with transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic stroke, cared for in Veterans Health Administration facilities (fiscal year 2011), was identified. We constructed 31 eQMs based on existing quality measures. Chart review was the criterion standard for validating the eQMs. To evaluate eQMs in terms of eligibility, we calculated the proportion of patients who were genuinely not eligible to receive a process (based on chart review) and who were correctly identified as not eligible by the EHR data (specificity). To assess eQMs about classification of whether patients received a process, we calculated the proportion of patients who actually received the process (based on chart review) and who were classified correctly by the EHR data as passing (sensitivity). Seven hundred sixty-three patients were included. About eligibility, specificity varied from 25% (brain imaging; carotid imaging) to 99% (anticoagulation quality). About pass rates, sensitivity varied from 30% (antihypertensive class) to 100% (coronary risk assessment; international normalized ratio measured). The 16 eQMs with ≥70% specificity in eligibility and ≥70% sensitivity in pass rates included coronary risk assessment, international normalized ratio measured, HbA1c measurement, speech language pathology consultation, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, discharge on statin, lipid management, neurology consultation, Holter, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, oral hypoglycemic intensification, cholesterol medication intensification, antihypertensive intensification, antihypertensive class, carotid stenosis intervention, and substance abuse referral for alcohol.

Conclusions—

It is feasible to construct valid eQMs for processes of transient ischemic attack and minor ischemic stroke care. Healthcare systems with EHRs should consider using electronic data to evaluate care for their patients with transient ischemic attack and to complement and expand quality measurement programs currently focused on patients with stroke.
Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor and Receptor Mas Are Colocalized and Functionally Interdependent in Obese Zucker Rat Kidney
Authors: Patel Sanket N. , Ali Quaisar , Samuel Preethi , Steckelings Ulrike Muscha , Hussain Tahir
Published: September 2017

The actions of angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT
2
R) and the receptor Mas (MasR) are complex but show similar pronatriuretic function; particularly, AT
2
R expression and natriuretic function are enhanced in obese/diabetic rat kidney. In light of some reports suggesting a potential positive interaction between these receptors, we tested hypothesis that renal AT
2
R and MasR physically interact and are interdependent to stimulate cell signaling and promote natriuresis in obese rats. We found that infusion of AT
2
R agonist C21 in obese Zucker rats (OZR) increased urine flow and urinary Na excretion which were attenuated by simultaneous infusion of the AT
2
R antagonist PD123319 or the MasR antagonist A-779. Similarly, infusion of MasR agonist Ang-(1–7) in OZR increased urine flow and urinary Na excretion, which were attenuated by simultaneous infusion of A-779 or PD123319. Experiment in isolated renal proximal tubules of OZR revealed that both the agonists C21 and Ang-(1–7) stimulated NO which was blocked by either of the receptor antagonists. Dual labeling of AT
2
R and MasR in OZR kidney sections and human proximal tubule epithelial cells showed that AT
2
R and MasR are colocalized. The AT
2
R also coimmunoprecipitated with MasR in cortical homogenate of OZR. Immunoblotting of cortical homogenate cross-linked with zero-length oxidative (sulfhydryl groups) cross-linker cupric-phenanthroline revealed a shift of AT
2
R and MasR bands upward with overlapping migration for their complexes which were sensitive to the reducing β-mercaptoethanol, suggesting involvement of -SH groups in cross-linking. Collectively, the study reveals that AT
2
R and MasR are colocalized and functionally interdependent in terms of stimulating NO and promoting diuretic/natriuretic response.
A Critical Analysis and Response to Hume from a Pneumatological Perspective
Authors: McCall Bradford
Published: September 2017

In the course of the history of Christianity, one of the most advocated and denigrated concepts is the miraculous. The situation in which Scottish philosopher David Hume lived was ripe for the refutation of the miraculous. After a lengthy critical analysis of Hume, this paper argues that he did not successfully negate either the possibility of the miraculous or the plausibility of the miraculous. Instead, this paper asserts that the modern Renewal movement – with its renewed emphasis on pneumatology – has given new weight to the affirmation of miracles. In keeping with classical theists, the Renewal movement also grounds both the possibility and plausibility of the miraculous on the nature of God. The panentheistically informed pneumatological understanding of the God/world relationship herein advocated posits that the Spirit acts in a personal, direct, and specific manner.
Flame of Creation: Pentecostal Ecotheology in Dialogue with Clark Pinnock’s Pneumatology
Authors: Williams Andrew Ray
Published: September 2017

In light of the current ecological crisis, Pentecostal theologians have recently begun investigating the relationship between Pentecostal theology and ecology. In the last few years, some emerging voices have made some significant contributions to this new and developing subject. Yet, little attention has been devoted to conversing with outside dialogue partners. In response to this lack, this paper explores how Clark Pinnock’s cosmic pneumatology might interact with Pentecostal ecotheology. In sum, it proposes that applying Pinnock’s cosmic pneumatology to Pentecostal ecotheology broadens the Spirit’s empowering work to non-human spheres, thus giving Pentecostals a theological foundation for creation care and other relevant ecological practices.
Portuguese Encomenderos de Negros and the Slave Trade within Mexico, 1600–1675
Authors: Sierra Silva Pablo Miguel
Published: September 2017

This article focuses on local slaving agents, encomenderos de negros, during the first half of the seventeenth century. Drawing on notarial documents, Inquisition cases and investigations on contraband and tax evasion, the study explains how Portuguese intermediaries sold and distributed African captives in colonial Mexico between 1616 and 1639. The ability to extend credit was key to the success of these agents-on-commission. The article also explains why agents of the Grillo and Lomelín slaving monopoly (asiento) failed to replicate the success of their Lusophone predecessors in Nueva Veracruz, Mexico City and Puebla de los Ángeles in the 1660s and 1670s.
An amplified description for the elusive Cordylogyne argillicola (Apocynaceae—Asclepiadoideae) from Namibia
Authors: BESTER STOFFEL P. , NICHOLAS ASHLEY , RAMDHANI SYD
Published: September 2017

Owing to the brief description, and in the absence of any known type collection of Cordylogyne argillicola, the application of the name remained unresolved for over a century. Type material that was recently discovered in the South African Museum (SAM) collection has made it possible to give an amplified description here. A depiction from the type and additional specimens, a full scan and line-drawings of various floral parts, and a conservation assessment are presented. In addition, C. argillicola is compared to the only other species in the genus, Cordylogyne globosa, in terms of morphology and distribution.
New names of fossil Atadinus, Endotropis and Frangula (Rhamnaceae)
Authors: DOWELD ALEXANDER B.
Published: September 2017

Eleven fossil-species of Rhamnus sensu lato are re-classified in currently recognized distinct genera, Atadinus, Endotropis and Frangula. New combinations are validated: Atadinus integerrimus, Endotropis idahoensis, E. moragensis, Frangula columbiana, F. deweyensis, F. palaeofrangula, F. plena, F. precalifornica, F. protocrenata, F. purshoides and F. rubyvallis. A new fossil-species F. priabonica is validated instead of invalidly published F. hordwellensis. Rhamnus precalifornica is lectotypified for the first time.
On the taxonomy of the Italian endemic Hoplia dubia (Rossi, 1792), with the description of two new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)
Authors: ULIANA MARCO , LIBERTO ANDREA , LEO PIERO
Published: September 2017

Hoplia (Hoplia) dubia (Rossi, 1792) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Hopliini) is a species that is endemic of Italy, recorded for scattered localities along the coasts of the peninsula and of Sicily. Following the study of a rather large amount of specimens from the entire known range, Hoplia dubia is herein split into three allopatric species. The true Hoplia dubia is redescribed and a neotype is designated. Two new species, Hoplia (Hoplia) meridiana and Hoplia (Hoplia) messapia, are described and the Hoplia dubia species group is defined. For each species, a full description is given and diagnostic characters are summarized and compared in a table. The three species belonging to the group may be recognized mainly by morphological and chromatic differences in scales, scales density, and by setal pattern, which are all illustrated. Remarks on ecology, ethology, and phenology of adults of the species are also reported. All three species treated in this paper are restricted to coastal sand dunes. The significant loss of this habitat due to anthropogenic pressure raises concern about the conservation status of these species.
Social Identification and Redistribution in Heterogeneous Federations: Evidence From Germany and Belgium
Authors: Holm Joshua , Geys Benny
Published: September 2017

Recent evidence of increasing income heterogeneity within developed countries has reignited debates concerning the redistribution of income and wealth. In this article, we contribute to this debate by assessing the role of individuals’ jurisdictional identification for their preferences toward intrafederation redistributive financial flows. Incorporating insights from social identity theory in a model of redistributive taxation, we show that federal, rather than local, identification can lead individuals to shift their redistribution preferences independent of their narrowly defined personal economic interests. Moreover, contrary to conventional wisdom, welfare state support will sometimes be decreasing in national identification. We empirically assess these predictions using individual-level data from the 2008 German General Social Survey (ALLBUS) and a 2013-2014 survey among Belgian local politicians. Our findings provide strong support for the model’s core predictions in both settings.
Improving College Readiness for Historically Underserved Students: The Role of the District Office
Authors: Mac Iver Martha Abele , Mac Iver Douglas J. , Clark Emily
Published: September 2017

Research on the role of institutions in influencing students’ readiness for college has so far focused primarily on the school level and the state policy context, with only little attention to the district. This case study, based on interview data and documents collected over the course of a year, analyzes an urban district’s attempt to create a systematic approach to improving the college readiness of its students, many of whom have been traditionally underserved by the educational system. It identifies factors contributing to progress as well as challenges encountered in several critical areas: (a) leadership commitment, (b) data infrastructure, (c) building adult capacity around data use and college readiness, (d) connecting indicators with supports to promote college readiness, and (e) partnerships with community and higher education institutions.
Evolution of social welfare in rural China: A developmental approach
Authors: Han Yangdi , Huang Jin
Published: September 2017

While rural residents still comprise nearly 60 percent of the total population in China, little is known about the evolution of rural welfare. This article explores welfare services in rural China using a broad definition of social welfare: efforts by the entire country and society to promote personal or societal well-being. Diverse approaches have been implemented to provide social services for rural residents with complicated dynamics among different providers, which follows a path different from that in the West. Findings of this study have important policy and research implications for understanding and further developing social welfare services in rural China.
Unveiling the experiences of young people in foster care: Perspectives from Portugal and Nigeria
Authors: Adeboye Temitayo K , Guerreiro Maria das Dores , Höjer Ingrid
Published: September 2017

This article examines the lived experiences of young people in the process of leaving the care of SOS Children’s Villages in both Nigeria and Portugal. Interviews were conducted with 12 young people and data were analysed using content analysis. Young people’s lived experiences were captured in three emerging dimensions of past, present and future experiences. The study recommends resolving young people’s childhood conflicts towards a successful transition into adulthood. It also has implications for policy practice in tailoring the present experiences in preparing young people for the demands of life after care.
Corporate social responsibility and its prospect for community development in Ethiopia
Authors: Degie Bruk , Kebede Wassie
Published: September 2017

This study uncovers the experiences of LG’s community development project in Ethiopia. A total of 24 community members participated in the study. Qualitative interviews were conducted to collect data on the experiences, satisfaction and complaints of community members on the community development project of LG. Findings indicate LG’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) project is tuned to the needs of the communities, reflecting a deviation from the mainstream CSR agenda. The study shows CSR becomes an important interface between government and local communities. The study concludes that the project can be exemplary in that it demonstrates business corporations have the capacity to address the pressing needs of communities.
What Physical Fitness Component Is Most Closely Associated With Adolescents' Blood Pressure?
Authors: Nunes Heloyse E. G. , Alves Carlos A. S. , Gonçalves Eliane C. A. , Silva Diego A. S.
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to determine which of four selected physical fitness variables, would be most associated with blood pressure changes (systolic and diastolic) in a large sample of adolescents. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional, epidemiological study of 1,117 adolescents aged 14–19 years from southern Brazil. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured by a digital pressure device, and the selected physical fitness variables were body composition (body mass index), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), muscle strength/resistance (manual dynamometer), and aerobic fitness (Modified Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses revealed that aerobic fitness and muscle strength/resistance best explained variations in systolic blood pressure for boys (17.3% and 7.4% of variance) and girls (7.4% of variance). Aerobic fitness, body composition, and muscle strength/resistance are all important indicators of blood pressure control, but aerobic fitness was a stronger predictor of systolic blood pressure in boys and of diastolic blood pressure in both sexes.
Self-Consciousness or Misattribution Effect in the Induced Hypocrisy Paradigm? Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…
Authors: Pelt Audrey , Fointiat Valérie
Published: September 2017

In a forced compliance situation, Scheier and Carver have shown that making high private self-consciousness salient through exposure to a mirror inhibits the arousal of dissonance and the subsequent attitude change. Based on these results, the aim of our study is to examine an alternate theoretical interpretation of the absence of attitude change. From our point of view, the mirror could have the status of a misattribution cue, thus maintaining the arousal. To test this hypothesis within the induced hypocrisy paradigm, participants first completed the private self-consciousness scale. Then they took part in one of the following conditions: (1) no mirror/no hypocrisy, (2) no mirror/hypocrisy, and (3) mirror/hypocrisy. Behavioral change and psychological discomfort were measured. Results indicated that participants in the mirror/hypocrisy condition were the most inclined to change and reported the greatest psychological discomfort. These results revealed that participants experienced dissonance when exposed to the mirror and support the hypothesis of misattribution.
‘The psychological problem is looking at you, are you looking for it?’: psychological associations with symptomatic musculoskeletal referrals
Authors: Arshad MS , Paton RW
Published: September 2017

It is important that paediatric orthopaedic surgeons recognise that psychological conditions may present with musculoskeletal symptoms. Identification through careful and sensitive history taking is vital. There is a lack of training in this regard in paediatric orthopaedics. We present a series of cases initially referred for a musculoskeletal complaint. Further probing revealed an underlying psychological problem which was neither picked up by the referring physician nor volunteered by the patient. In our opinion, it is important that this training omission is addressed as such psychological problems may be devastating for these individuals and their families.
Disassembling archeology, reassembling the modern world
Authors: Carruthers William , Van Damme Stéphane
Published: September 2017

This article provides a substantive discussion of the relevance of the history of archeology to the history of science. At the same time, the article introduces the papers contained in this special issue as exemplars of this relevance. To make its case, the article moves through various themes in the history of archeology that overlap with key issues in the history of science. The article discusses the role and tension of regimes of science in antiquarian and archeological practices, and also considers issues of scale and place, particularly in relation to the field. Additionally, the piece attends to issues of professionalization and the constitution of an archeological public, at the same time as discussing issues of empire, colonialism, and the circulation of knowledge. Meanwhile, enriching discussions within and beyond the history of science, the article discusses the history of archeology and its relationship with museums, collecting, and material culture and materiality. Finally, the piece discusses the relationship of the history of archeology with wider discussions about scientific ethics. In conclusion, the article questions whether we should speak of ‘the history of archeology’ at all.