bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Silicon Carbide (SiC) Reinforcement on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Laser Deposited Al-Sn-SiC/Ti-6Al-4V Composite Coatings
Authors: Fatoba Olawale S. , Akinlabi Esther Titilayo , Akinlabi Stephen Akinwale , Obiegbu Mary C.
Published: March 2019

Titanium and titanium alloys have a large array applications attributed to its low density, good corrosion resistance and high specific strength. Damage to the surface can be improved by surface modification for extended application. Direct laser metal deposition (DLMD) technique can be used to address the limitations associated with titanium alloy. This is mostly achieved by integration of reinforcement materials into the main matrix to form coating. Thereby inducing microstructural changes to the material. The morphology and also the hardness property of the various composite coatings were examined. The hardness of the composite coating was found to range between 450.64 and 638.22 HV, and the hardness obtained for 10% SiC reinforcement coating was 638.22 HV. For all the coatings, the hardness was established to be much higher than that of the substrate, which was averaged 304.21 HV. Hardness value increases with increase in SiC content. The enhanced hardness values were due to refined grains and intermetallics in the microstructure of the coatings. Moreover, the highest tensile and yield strengths was found at 10 wt.% SiC due to the uniform particle dispersion that can impede dislocation movement. The uniform distribution of SiC particles in the Al-Sn matrix had a good effect on its mechanical properties.
Corrosion Behaviour and Microhardness during Dry and Flood Milling of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy
Authors: Akinlabi Esther Titilayo , Mathoho Ipfi , Mubiayi Mukuna Patrick
Published: March 2019

Milling process is the removal of unwanted materials so as to produce the required shape. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of milling process parameters and the cooling technique on corrosion behaviour and microhardness of TI-6AL-4V. Milling of Ti-6Al-4V was carried out using tungsten carbide cutting tool while varying spindle speed (120,150, and 180 rev/min), depth of cut (1, 1.5 and 2 mm) and the feed rate remained unchanged at 4.6 mm/min. Subsequent to milling, characterization of subsurface microhardness and corrosion behaviour was conducted. It was found that varying spindle speed and depth of cut had an impact on microhardness. Furthermore, it was noticed that the type of milling condition (flood and dry milling) affected the subsurface microhardness and the corrosion behavior. The corrosion resistance of the milled surface was generated at 180 rev/min and 150 rev/min for the dry and flood milling respectively. Furthermore, the most corrosion resistance was obtained at 2 mm and 1.5 mm depth of cut during dry and flood milling respectively.
Cholecystokinin Downregulates Psoriatic Inflammation by Its Possible Self-Regulatory Effect on Epidermal Keratinocytes
Authors: Funakoshi Atsuko , Tatsuno Kazuki , Shimauchi Takatoshi , Fujiyama Toshiharu , Ito Taisuke , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: March 2019

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone that functions in digestive organs and the CNS. We previously showed that CCK downregulates peripheral pruritus by suppressing degranulation of mast cells. In this study, we demonstrated that CCK octapeptide (CCK8) was constitutively expressed in the epidermis of normal skin, whereas its expression was lost in acanthotic lesions of psoriasis. In contrast, CCKA receptor (CCKAR), a high-affinity receptor for CCK, was constitutively expressed in the epidermis of psoriatic skin lesions. Expression of CCK was also reduced in skin lesions of an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mouse model. Notably, the expression level of CCK inversely correlated with the severity of epidermal inflammation, raising the possibility that CCK from epidermal keratinocytes suppresses the psoriatic inflammation. To verify this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of sulfated CCK octapeptide (CCK8S) on the development of IMQ-induced psoriatic inflammation. i.p. injection of CCK8S suppressed the IMQ-induced psoriatic inflammation accompanied by reduced mRNA expression of IL-17, IL-22, and IL-6 but not of IL-23. The suppressive effect of CCK8S was completely restored by administration of CCKAR antagonist. In vitro studies showed that exogenous CCK8S suppressed IL-6 production in CCKAR-expressing cultured human keratinocytes, and blocking the endogenous CCK signaling with CCKAR antagonist markedly enhanced IL-6 production. When keratinocytes were stimulated with IL-17, the expression of endogenous CCK was significantly decreased. These findings suggest that CCK physiologically functions as a negative regulator of keratinocyte-based inflammation in an autocrine or paracrine manner, although decreased CCK may pathologically contribute to continuous and aggravated skin lesions such as psoriasis.
The Immune Deficiency Pathway Regulates Metabolic Homeostasis in Drosophila
Authors: Davoodi Saeideh , Galenza Anthony , Panteluk Andrew , Deshpande Rujuta , Ferguson Meghan , Grewal Savraj , Foley Edan
Published: March 2019

Immune and metabolic pathways collectively influence host responses to microbial invaders, and mutations in one pathway frequently disrupt activity in another. We used the Drosophila melanogaster model to characterize metabolic homeostasis in flies with modified immune deficiency (IMD) pathway activity. The IMD pathway is very similar to the mammalian TNF-α pathway, a key regulator of vertebrate immunity and metabolism. We found that persistent activation of IMD resulted in hyperglycemia, depleted fat reserves, and developmental delays, implicating IMD in metabolic regulation. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that imd mutants weigh more, are hyperlipidemic, and have impaired glucose tolerance. To test the importance of metabolic regulation for host responses to bacterial infection, we challenged insulin pathway mutants with lethal doses of several Drosophila pathogens. We found that loss-of-function mutations in the insulin pathway impacted host responses to infection in a manner that depends on the route of infection and the identity of the infectious microbe. Combined, our results support a role for coordinated regulation of immune and metabolic pathways in host containment of microbial invaders.
Subcutaneous Calcification as a Supportive Radiologic Finding for Diagnosis of Rhinofacial Entomophthoromycosis
Authors: Vatcharayothin Navarat , Kasemsiri Pornthep , Thongrong Cattleya , Laohakittikul Chanticha , Suetrong Surapol , Ungarreevittaya Piti , Chaisuriya Nipon
Published: March 2019

Rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis is an uncommon chronic fungal infection of the head and neck. The diagnosis is usually based on clinical manifestations; however, diagnosis of this infection based on early manifestations is difficult and occasionally rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis is mistaken for other diseases. Therefore, computed tomography is introduced to support the diagnosis. Radiologic findings were nonspecific with swelling of the sinonasal mucosa and perinasal region. However, subcutaneous calcification, that was observed in all our cases, may be a supportive radiologic evidence for diagnosis. The diagnosis should be confirmed definitively using histopathology or fungal culture. Early diagnosis allows prompt and appropriate treatment that will achieve excellent outcomes. We suggest that subcutaneous calcification radiologic finding may guide the aware physician to an early diagnosis of rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis.
Computed-tomography-guided biopsy in suspected spondylodiscitis: Single-center experience including 201 biopsy procedures
Authors: Özmen Derya , Özkan Neriman , Guberina Nika , Fliessbach Klaus , Suntharalingam Saravanabavaan , Theysohn Jens , Büchter Matthias , Forsting Michael , Buer Jan , Dudda Marcel , Jäger Marcus , Wetter Axel
Published: March 2019

Our propose is to evaluate CT-guided biopsies in suspected spondylodiscitis with respect to puncture site, microbiology findings, histopathology findings and impact on antibiotic therapy. 86 CT-guided spine interventions in suspected spondylodiscitis comprising 201 biopsy procedures were analyzed. Medical records of all patients were screened for microbiology and histopathology reports as well as date, duration and kind of antibiotic therapy. Statistical analyses included calculation of Chi2-tests and logistic regression analyses. Locations of biopsies were intervertebral disc (48.3%), paravertebral soft-tissue (38.3%) and vertebral body (10.9%). Positive microbiological findings were found altogether in 33.8% of cases, positive histopathological findings in 53.6%. Significant associations between positive microbiological findings, positive histopathological findings and antibiotic therapy, respectively, were found. Location of biopsies did not significantly influence rate of positive findings. From the variables age, white blood cell count, serum creatinine and puncture site, none were found to be an independent predictor for a positive microbiological result. We concluded that CT-guided biopsy of intervertebral disc and paravertebral soft tissue yields positive microbiologic findings in a significant proportion of cases. Puncture site is not associated with positive results of microbiology or histopathology.
Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Resilience among Rural Farmers in a Drought-Affected Area of Trichy District, Tamil Nadu
Authors: Viswanathan Deepak Justine , A. M Veerakumar , Kumarasamy Hemalatha
Published: March 2019

Background: Changes in climatic conditions and other factors including trade and commerce have influenced agriculture worldwide. These factors have created a crisis among farmers. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation, to measure the resilience, and to find out the factors that influence depression and resilience among farmers. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional analytical study was performed among farmers residing in a drought-affected area of Tiruchirappalli district of Tamil Nadu. The sample size was 191 and cluster sampling was used to select the participants. Structured, pretested questionnaires were used to find the prevalence of depression, suicidal ideation, and resilience among farmers. Pearson Correlation, Student’s t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson Chi-square test were used to identify the factors influencing depression and resilience. Results: A total of 194 farmers participated in the study. The mean age of the farmers was 46.68 ± 12.6 years, majority 64% were males and 89% were literates. Among the participants, 97.4% had some form of depression, and 67% had severe depression. About 60% of the farmers had suicidal ideation. Male farmers, farmers with few years of farming experience, and severe reduction in yield had a higher level of depression. Suicidal ideation was influenced by gender, small-scale farming, fewer years of experience in farming, and the impact of drought on yield. The mean resilience score was 49.4 ± 10. Gender and years of experience in farming had a significant association with resilience. Conclusion: High prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation and low level of resilience has been observed among the farmers. Interventions need to be provided for marginal and small-scale farmers, male farmers in the affected area to reduce the impact of drought in these farmers.
Blooming in the Hypothalamus
Authors: Rai Santosh P. V. , Chakraborti Shrijeet , Chandran Parvathi , Pai Muralidhar V.
Published: March 2019

Cavernomas are vascular malformations which are collections of endothelium-lined sinusoids without intervening cerebral parenchyma. Hypothalamic location of cavernoma is extremely rare. We present a case of a 34-year-old male who presented with complaints of recent memory loss and vomiting. On magnetic resonance imaging with gradient sequences and contrast, a diagnosis of hypothalamic cavernoma was suggested. Excision of lesion was performed by a right parasagittal pericoronal craniotomy via transcallosal approach. Intraoperative findings and histopathology examination corroborated the diagnosis. The uniqueness of this case report is in the susceptibility-weighted sequence which led to the radiological diagnosis.
Cerebral Coenurosis Masquerading as Malignancy: A Rare Case Report from India
Authors: Ali Shamila Mohamed , Reddy P. Somashekara , Venugopal S. , Chhabra Manmeet , Mahadevan Anita
Published: March 2019

Human coenurosis is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the larvae of Tinea multiceps seen in sheep-rearing countries. We report the case of a 63-year-old male who was referred to our hospital with a working diagnosis of skull base chondrosarcoma. Histopathological examination after surgical excision revealed characteristic feature of coenurus with multiple scolices invaginating from the outer cuticular layer. Coenuri are often mistaken for giant cysticercal cysts and hydatid cysts. Despite its wide prevalence in cattle, only two cases of human coenurosis are reported from India till date. We report the third case from India.
Dorsal Spinal Intradural Intramedullary Epidermoid Cyst: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Musali Siddartha Reddy , Mohammed Imran , Gollapudi Prakash Rao , Maley Sai Kumar
Published: March 2019

Epidermoid cysts are commonly seen intracranial lesions but their occurrence in the spine is rare. They account for <1% of all the benign tumors of the spine. These are benign epithelial-lined cysts filled with keratin. They are classified into two types: congenital or acquired. Congenital epidermoid cysts are more commonly associated with spinal dysraphic states such as syringomyelia, dermal sinus and spina bifida whereas the acquired cysts are associated with repeated lumbar punctures. Based on the location, they can be extradural, intradural, extramedullary, or intramedullary. Most of the epidermoids are intradural extramedullary. Intramedullary epidermoid cysts are very uncommon. We report a case of a 6-year-old female patient with dorsal epidermoid cyst with neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed a well-defined lesion from D9 to D12 which was hypointense on T1W1 and heterogeneously hyperintense on T2W2. Surgery was performed to excise the lesion and to decompress the spinal cord. Histopathological examination of the excised lesion confirmed it as an epidermoid cyst.
Etiologic and Clinical Features of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shahid Rizwana , Zafar Azra , Nazish Saima , Alsulaiman Abdulla , Alabdali Majed , Aljaafari Danah , Ishaque Noman , Albakr Aishah Ibrahim , Alamri Abdullah , Alkhamis Fahd A. , Saqqur Maher
Published: March 2019

Objective: Our study aims to evaluate the etiologic and clinical features of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in Saudi Arabia, and secondarily whether gender plays a role in CVST. Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from the stroke registry during the period from January 2008 to April 2018, and the patients with the diagnosis of CVST were identified, and data were analyzed for any gender-specific differences in clinical presentation and etiology of cerebral venous thrombosis. Results: There were 15 females while 11 males with a female:male ratio of 1.4:1. The mean age was 29.4± standard deviation 8.9 with the age range of 15–49. Headache was the most common and usually the first presenting symptoms present in 65% followed by hemiparesis and cranial nerve palsies. The first neurological examination was normal in 9/26 (34.6%) of the patients, while the common abnormality was cranial nerve palsies. Infections and trauma played an important part in risk factor analysis of our patient after the pregnancy- and hormone-related conditions. Some significant differences between the clinical presentation and risk factors among males and females were noted as age at presentation was higher in females while trauma and infections were common in male patients, although the involvement of the sinuses and response to treatment did not prove to be statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this study were similar to the available literature with few differences. The relatively higher proportion of males in our study can be explained partly with more cases of traumatic CVST. Some important differences were noted between the risk factors and clinical presentation among genders. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to further clarify these differences.
The Impact of Affective State on Quality of Life in Focal Epilepsy in Turkey
Authors: Taskiran Emine , Matur Zeliha , Gül Günay , Bebek Nerses , Baykan Betül , Gökyigit Ayşen , Gürses Candan
Published: March 2019

Context: Seizures and accompanying situations including social, medical, and psychiatric problems threaten the quality of life (QOL) in patients with epilepsy. The World Health Organization defines health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Aims: This study examines the prevalence of both depression and anxiety symptoms and also impact of the affective state on QOL in patients with focal epilepsy in Turkey. Settings and Design: One hundred and five patients with focal epilepsy over 18 years old were included in this study. The patients were classified into four groups according to the presence of AS and seizure control. Subjects and Methods: Patients’ affective symptoms (AS) and QOL were examined using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and QOL in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31). Statistical Analysis Used: We used descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U-test, Kruskal–Wallis H-test, and also Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation test for correlations. Results: There were positive correlations between total QOLIE-31 score and epilepsy surgery, employment, and seizure freedom, whereas negative correlations were found with antiepileptic drug use, anxiety, and depression. Statistically significant differences were found in QOLIE-31 totals and subscores between Groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The presence of AS has a negative impact on QOL in patients with focal epilepsy. Physicians should be aware that psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy have a severe impact and epilepsy treatment requires comprehensive management.
Radiological Parameters to Predict Hemorrhagic Progression of Traumatic Contusional Brain Injury
Authors: Rehman Lal , Afzal Ali , Aziz Hafiza Fatima , Akbar Sana , Abbas Asad , Rizvi Raza
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Traumatic intracerebral contusion is a frequent factor culminating in death and disability, and its progression relates to unfavorable outcome. We evaluated the radiological factors associated with hemorrhagic progression of contusions (HPC). Materials and Methods: Two hundred and forty-six patients were enrolled in this prospective cohort over a period of 1 year. Contusion volume was quantified using the “ABC/2” technique, whereas progression was considered as >30% increase in the initial volume. Univariate and multivariate statistics were used to examine the correlation between the risk factors of interest and HPC. Results: HPC was seen in 110 (44.7%) patients. Binary logistic regression showed in the final adjusted model that multiplicity (relative risk [RR]: 2.24, 95% confidence limit [CL]: 1.00–5.48), bilateral lesions (RR: 2.99, 95% CL: 1.08–8.25), initial volume of contusion (RR: 4.96, 95% CL: 1.87–13.13), frontal location (RR: 1.42, 95% CL: 1.08–3.56), and presence of concomitant intracranial hematoma (extradural-RR: 3.90, 95% CL: 1.51–10.01, subdural-RR: 2.91, 95% CL: 1.26–6.69, and subarachnoid-RR: 2.27, 95% CL: 1.01–5.80) were significantly associated with HPC. The overall mortality was 18.7% and was almost equal among patients with and without HPC. Mortality was significantly associated with Glasgow Coma Scale on admission (adjusted RR: 12.386, 95% CL: 4.789–32.035) and presence of comorbid conditions (adjusted RR: 0.313, 95% CL: 0.114–0.860). Conclusion: Initial computed tomography scan is a good predictor of high-risk group for HPC.
Extended Window for Stroke Thrombectomy
Authors: Snelling Brian , Mccarthy David J. , Chen Stephanie , Sur Samir , Elwardany Omar , Sheinberg Dallas L. , Yavagal Dileep R. , Peterson Eric C. , Starke Robert M.
Published: March 2019

Objective: Mechanical thrombectomy is the standard treatment for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) up to 6 h after onset. Recent trials have demonstrated a benefit for wake-up strokes and patients beyond 6 h. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted for multicenter randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating endovascular stroke treatment using perfusion imaging to identify patients that may benefit from mechanical thrombectomy for AIS beyond 6 h of onset. Random effects meta-analysis was used to analyze the following outcomes: 90-day functional independence rates with modified Rankin Scale (mRS ≤2), 90-day mortality, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) rates. Further stratification was carried out by age and presentation. Results: Two multicenter RCT’s were included as follows: DAWN and DEFUSE-3. Pooled 90-day functional independence rates favored endovascular management (odds ratio [OR] 5.01; P < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated continued 90-day functional independence benefit for endovascular management regardless of age (≥80 years, OR 5.65, P = 0.01; ≤80 years, OR 4.92, P < 0.00001). When stratified for the manner of stroke discovery, 90-day functional independence rates favored endovascular management for wake-up strokes (OR 8.74, P < 0.00001) and known-time onset strokes (OR 5.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.04–12.65, P = 0.0005), although no benefit was observed for unwitnessed strokes (OR 1.64, 95% CI 0.17–16.04, P = 0.67). No difference observed in 90-day mortality rates (OR 0.71; P = 0.14) or in SICH rates (OR 1.67; P = 0.29). Conclusions: This meta-analysis reinforces that endovascular management is superior to standard medical management alone for the treatment of AIS due to LVO beyond 6 h of onset in patients with perfusion-imaging selection.
Does Universal Bypass before Carotid Artery Occlusion Obviate the Need for Balloon Test Occlusion: Personal Experience with Extracranial–Intracranial Bypass in 23 Patients
Authors: Menon Girish , Menon Sudha , Hegde Ajay
Published: March 2019

Aim: Carotid artery ligation carries a potential risk of ischemic complications even in patients with good collaterals and adequate cross-circulation. Preoperative assessment through balloon test occlusion (BTO) is technically challenging and not feasible in all patients. We analyze our experience with universal bypass without performing detailed cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) studies in 23 patients before carotid artery ligation. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the case records of 23 patients who underwent cervical carotid artery ligation for various indications since January 2009. Results: The study included 21 patients with cavernous carotid aneurysms, one patient with a large fusiform petrous carotid aneurysm, and one patient with recurrent glomus jugulare encasing the cervical internal carotid artery. The initial 12 patients underwent preoperative BTO with hypotensive challenge. All patients underwent a bypass procedure followed by carotid artery ligation irrespective of the BTO findings. Patients who successfully completed a BTO underwent a low-flow superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass. A high-flow extracranial–intracranial bypass using a saphenous vein graft from external carotid artery to middle cerebral artery was done in all patients who either failed the BTO or did not undergo BTO. We had two operative mortalities and one poor outcome. All the other patients had a good recovery with a Glasgow outcome score of 5 at the last follow-up. Graft patency rates were 81.1% in both the low-flow and high-flow groups. Conclusion: Universal high-flow bypass is safe, effective, and should be preferred in all patients before carotid artery ligation. It obviates the need for detailed CVR assessment, especially in centers with limited resources.
Substance Use Disorder in People with Intellectual Disabilities: Current Challenges in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Lakhan Ram , Sagiraju Hari Krishna Raju , Ekúndayó Olúgbémiga , Sharma Manoj
Published: March 2019

Use of illegal and prescription drugs has significantly increased in recent years all over the world in most populations. Greater worldwide awareness in this regard has substantially improved the epidemiological understanding of substance use, its risk factors, and impact on life. People with intellectual disabilities constitute 0.5%–1.5% of the world’s population. It can be conjectured that they might be experiencing similar or even a greater burden of substance use in their lives. This article highlights some important aspects of substance use among this population in low- and middle-income countries that need urgent attention.
Perturbation Analysis of Orthogonal Least Squares
Authors: Geng Pengbo , Chen Wengu , Ge Huanmin
Published: March 2019

The Orthogonal Least Squares (OLS) algorithm is an efficient sparse recovery algorithm that has received much attention in recent years. On one hand, this paper considers that the OLS algorithm recovers the supports of sparse signals in the noisy case. We show that the OLS algorithm exactly recovers the support of $K$-sparse signal $\boldsymbol{x}$ from $\boldsymbol{y}=\boldsymbol{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}}\boldsymbol{x}+\boldsymbol{e}$ in $K$ iterations, provided that the sensing matrix $\boldsymbol{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}}$ satisfies the restricted isometry property (RIP) with restricted isometry constant (RIC) $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}_{K+1}<1/\sqrt{K+1}$, and the minimum magnitude of the nonzero elements of $\boldsymbol{x}$ satisfies some constraint. On the other hand, this paper demonstrates that the OLS algorithm exactly recovers the support of the best $K$-term approximation of an almost sparse signal $\boldsymbol{x}$ in the general perturbations case, which means both $\boldsymbol{y}$ and $\boldsymbol{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F7}}$ are perturbed. We show that the support of the best $K$-term approximation of $\boldsymbol{x}$ can be recovered under reasonable conditions based on the restricted isometry property (RIP).
Об асимптотике решений эллиптических уравнений на концах некомпактных римановых многообразий с метриками специального вида
Authors: Kondrashov Alexander Nikolaevich
Published: March 2019

В работе рассматривается линейное эллиптическое дифференциальное уравнение $\Delta u+c(x)u=0$, заданное на некомпактном
римановом многообразии $\mathcal{M}$, имеющем конец $\mathcal{X}$, на котором метрика в подходящих координатах имеет вид
$dl^2=h^2(r) dr^2+q^2(r) d\theta^2$. Здесь $r\in [r_0,+\infty)$, $\theta\in S$, $S$ - гладкое компактное риманово многообразие с метрикой $d\theta^2$. На конце $\mathcal{X}$ коэффициент $c(x)$ имеет вид $c(x)=c(r)$.
Для концов параболического типа с такими метриками описано свойство асимптотической различимости решений упомянутого уравнения.
Для концов гиперболического типа доказана теорема о допустимой скорости стремления к нулю разности решений этого уравнения.
Для концов обоих типов сформулированы варианты постановки обобщенной задачи Коши с начальными данными $(\varphi(\theta),\psi(\theta))$ в бесконечно удаленной точке и изучены вопросы ее разрешимости.
Полученные результаты являются новыми, а в случае концов параболического типа несколько неожиданными.
Библиография: 34 наименования.
Ортогональные по Соболеву системы функций и задача Коши для ОДУ
Authors: Sharapudinov Idris Idrisovich
Published: March 2019

Рассмотрены системы функций ${\varphi}_{r,n}(x)$ ($r=1,2,…$, $n=0,1,…$), ортонормированные по Соболеву относительно скалярного произведения вида $\langle f,g\rangle=\sum_{\nu=0}^{r-1}f^{(\nu)}(a)g^{(\nu)}(a)+\int_{a}^{b}f^{(r)}(x)g^{(r)}(x) \rho(x) dx$, порожденные заданной ортонормированной системой функций $\varphi_{n}(x)$ ($n=0,1,…$). Показано, что ряды и суммы Фурье по системе $\varphi_{r,n}(x)$ ($r=1,2,…$, $n=0,1,…$) являются удобным и весьма эффективным инструментом приближенного решения задачи Коши для обыкновенных дифференциальных уравнений (ОДУ).
Библиография: 26 наименований.
Экспоненциальная оценка для кубических частичных сумм кратных рядов Фурье
Authors: Karagulyan Grigori Artashesovich , Mkoyan Hasmik
Published: March 2019

Доказана экспоненциальная интегральная оценка для кубических частичных сумм кратных рядов Фурье на множествах большой меры. Из этой оценки вытекают некоторые новые свойства рядов Фурье.
Библиография: 14 наименований.
The Idea of (Climate) Justice, neoliberalism and the Talanoa Dialogue
Authors: Lyster Rosemary
Published: March 2019

Climate change requires global leaders to take domestic action to drastically reduce emissions and to engage urgently in adaptation and in disaster risk reduction, while developed countries need to fund developing countries to support their efforts. It also requires facing the prospect that the loss and damage resulting from climate disasters will not be avoided through adaptation alone, that there will be extensive uncompensated losses, and that millions of climate displaced people may be on the move. The Paris Agreement is the international community's attempt to deal with these challenges. Yet, this article claims that the Agreement, which sets the parameters for the way forward, is a largely neoliberal document that undermines the corrective and distributive ideals of climate justice. Relying on the capabilities approach and a modified version of Amartya Sen's The Idea of Justice, this article teases out the ‘clash of civilizations’ between neoliberalism and climate justice. It sets out the concerns about neoliberalism in the climate change space and proceeds to interrogate the claim that the Paris Agreement is a neoliberal document. Essentially, climate justice demands state-based responses, developed through democratic deliberation and participation, to ensure the survival, functioning and flourishing of humans and non-humans. Neoliberalism, meanwhile, posits that government is too large and complex and that regulatory activities unnecessarily disrupt the efficient operation of the market economy. Furthermore, libertarian ideas of justice undermine climate justice principles as the valorization of market mechanisms, private property rights and private sector actors remove the issues from political contention and democratic participation. Ultimately, I question whether any justice-based normative meta-consensus or discursive meta-consensus, such as the Talanoa Dialogue, might be found in the Paris Agreement to disrupt the international neoliberal agenda.
Personhood, jurisdiction and injustice: law, colonialities and the global order
Authors: Blanco Elena , Grear Anna
Published: March 2019

Set against the colonial and neo-colonial unevenness of the globalized neoliberal order, this article offers a critical reading of legal personhood and jurisdiction as mechanisms of privilege and predation. Transnational corporations (TNCs) are, we suggest, the ultimate insider construct for the neoliberal capitalist-techno order. Meanwhile, increasing numbers of corporeal human beings on the move as the marginalized products of that same order (especially refugees and migrants) are confronted by boundaries and barriers all too material in their effect.

In an age of anxiety-driven border hardening against mass human migration and of seamless, instantaneous movements of transnational capital and corporate location across jurisdictional boundaries, we examine the patterns of injustice implicated in and between these phenomena, tracing a Eurocentric logic visible in the complex continuities between coloniality, capitalism and the production of precarity in the Anthropocene.
Participation as exclusion: Māori engagement with the Crown Minerals Act 1991 Block Offer process
Authors: Bargh Maria , Van Wagner Estair
Published: March 2019

Land and natural resources are at the core of conflicts between Indigenous peoples and Settlers in settler-colonial nations. This article explores the coloniality of natural resource law in the context of the New Zealand Crown Minerals Act 1991 (CMA) Block Offer process; the annual tender process for mineral prospecting and exploration. While there is often strong Māori participation, we will argue that Aotearoa New Zealand settler-colonial mining law is structured in such a way that Māori views rarely influence the substantive outcomes of mineral exploration decisions. Through a case study of the 2013 Epithermal Gold Block Offer in the Central North Island, we will explore the factors that might contribute to the mismatch between the level of Māori participation and the influence of Māori views on final decisions in the Block Offer process. We examine how different views are valued by bureaucrats within New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals, a government agency within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and explore whether the criteria applied to Māori submissions genuinely and appropriately reflect the full range of interests, aspirations and concerns raised by Māori participants. In particular, we consider how mining regulation is structured to exclude Māori law and jurisdiction in order to uphold settler-colonial authority over key natural resources and extractivist economies. Finally, we consider alternatives to the CMA process and explore the potential to ensure substantive outcomes that better reflect the Māori views and interests. In doing so we point to the need to shift from colonial extractivist models of natural resources law towards Settler-Indigenous partnerships in relation to environmental planning in settler-colonial states.
Retrospective evaluation of the effect of nutritional status of patients with left ventricular assist device on clinical results in the postoperative period
Authors: Gülleroğlu Aykan , Şahintürk Helin , Ersoy Özgür , Bektaş Buket , Gedik Ender , Sezgin Atila , Zeyneloğlu Pınar
Published: March 2019

Objective: Malnutrition in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation has negative consequences, such as infection and limited functional capacity. The effects of nutritional status of patients with LVAD on their clinical outcomes were investigated.
Methods: Patients with LVAD implantation were retrospectively analyzed. For nutritional evaluation, nutrition risk score NRI score was calculated to divide the patients first into two groups with and without malnutrition risk (MR) then three subgroups (mild/moderate/severe) according to malnutrition risk. Demographic and clinical data before LVAD, early postoperative adverse events after LVAD, prognostic data, and laboratory findings were analyzed.
Results: Sixty patients (9 females) had a mean age of 46.1±14.3 years; mean NRI score was 99.6±10.2. Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assited Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) scores were determined as 1 (n=10), 2 (n=18), 3 (n=11), and 4 (n=21). Thirty-two patients (53.3%) (6 mild, 25 moderate, 1 severe) had MR. The MR was higher in patients with preoperative INTERMACS score 1, acute renal injury (AKI), emergency LVAD indication, mechanical ventilation (MV) and preoperative ICU requirement. The incidence of adverse events was found to be significantly higher in patients with low-grade NRI and early postoperative MR. Postoperatively, the duration of renal replacement therapy (RRT), MV, ICU and hospital stay and the need for heart transplantation and mortality did not differ between the two groups.
Conclusion: In the early postoperative period, a MR of 53.3% was detected in patients who underwent LVAD. Total 68.8% patients had adverse events. We found that the presence of MR was effective in predicting postoperative adverse events according to NRI score before LVAD treatment.
Assessment of the nutritional status with the nutritional risk screening-2002 in surgical patients: Single-center, descriptive study
Authors: Mirza Yalçın , Tuğra Özer Nurhayat , Şahin Habibe , Gündoğan Kürşat
Published: March 2019

Objective: Malnutrition is common among surgical patients. It decreases surgical treatment, leads to poor clinical outcome, and especially substantially affects morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess nutritional risk in surgical patients.
Methods: This study was prospectively conducted in general surgery clinic. Patients aged above 18 years or more were included. Post-admission, data collection also included information on nutritional support and diagnosis of patients. A nutritional risk screening system (NRS-2002) was applied to all patients, and it was weekly repeated in patients with hospital stays more than one week.
Results: We enrolled 624 patients. Among them, 296 were male (47.4%), and 328 were female (52.6%). The mean age was 53.13±16.63 years. The route for nutrition was oral in 59.6% and enteral/parenteral in 4.8%. However, 35.6% of the patients received no nutritional support. Nutritional risk was recorded for 304 patients (73.4%) in first week and 46 patients (22.1%) in second week. Nutritional risk increased with age (p<0.05). There was nutritional risk in 193 patients (62.7%) with major abdominal surgery and 50 patients (46.7%) with hypertension. Additionally, there was nutritional risk in 162 patients (54.9%) who received oral diet.
Conclusions: Nutritional risk in the first week was very high in the patients. High nutritional risk was related to age, major abdominal surgery, and hypertension.
Determination of a possible relationship between a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of the SIRT1 gene and production and reproduction traits in the Agerolese cattle breed
Authors: Selvaggi Maria , Carbonara Claudia , Ciotola Francesca , Albarella Sara , Aiudi Giulio , Tufarelli Vincenzo , Dario Cataldo
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Sirtuins (sir2-like proteins) belong to the family of class III
NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases. Among them, SIRT1 is the most
studied sirtuin. It plays a key role in many biological processes in the
liver, adipose tissue, muscle, pancreas, testis, ovary and mammary gland. It
has an important function in endocrine signaling, with a specific role in
glucose and fat metabolism. To date, in bovine species, only few SIRT1 single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported in the literature. Thus,
the aims of the present study were to estimate the allele and genotype
frequencies at the g.-274C > G locus in the promoter region of the SIRT1
gene and to investigate, for the first time, the relationship among
different genotypes and milk production and some reproduction traits in a
sample of cows belonging to the Agerolese breed. All the animals were
genotyped at the abovementioned locus using the PCR-RFLP technique. The investigated population was found to be polymorphic
at the investigated locus. Concerning milk production performances,
significant differences between genotypes were found in daily milk yield
(DMY), fat percentage (FC), lactation length (LL), peak daily milk yield (PY)
and 305-day milk yield (305MY). Moreover, the effect of the g.-274C > G
genotype on age at first calving and calving period was significant. In
conclusion, our findings are promising and should encourage scientists to
further investigate the effect of genetic polymorphism of sirtuins on milk
performance and reproductive traits.
Model simulation of ammonium and nitrate aerosols distribution in the Euro-Mediterranean region and their radiative and climatic effects over 1979–2016
Authors: Drugé Thomas , Nabat Pierre , Mallet Marc , Somot Samuel
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Aerosols play an important role in Europe and the Mediterranean area where different
sources of natural and anthropogenic particles are present. Among them
ammonium and nitrate (A&N) aerosols may have a growing impact on regional
climate. In this study, their representation in coarse and fine modes has
been introduced in the prognostic aerosol scheme of the ALADIN-Climate
regional model. This new aerosol scheme is evaluated over Europe and the
Mediterranean Sea, using two twin simulations over the period 1979–2016 with
and without A&N aerosols. This evaluation is performed at local and
regional scales, using surface stations and satellite measurements. Despite
an overestimate of the surface nitrate concentration, the model is able to
reproduce its spatial pattern including local maxima (Benelux, Po Valley).
Concerning the simulated aerosol optical depth (AOD), the inclusion of A&N
aerosols significantly reduces the model bias compared to both AERONET
stations and satellite data. Our results indicate that A&N aerosols can
contribute up to 40 % of the total AOD550 over Europe, with an
average of 0.07 (550 nm) over the period 2001–2016. Sensitivity studies
suggest that biases still present are related to uncertainties associated
with the annual cycle of A&N aerosol precursors (ammonia and nitric acid).
The decrease in sulfate aerosol production over Europe since 1980 produces
more free ammonia in the atmosphere leading to an increase in A&N
concentrations over the studied period. Analyses of the different aerosol
trends have shown for the first time to our knowledge that, since 2005 over
Europe, A&N AOD550 and A&N shortwave (SW) direct radiative forcing
(DRF) are found to be higher than sulfate and organics, making these the
species with the highest AOD and the highest DRF. On average over the period
1979–2016, the A&N DRF is found to be about −1.7 W m−2 at the
surface and −1.4 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) in all sky
conditions over Europe, with regional maxima located at the surface over the
Po Valley (−5 W m−2). Finally, the dimming effect of A&N aerosols
is responsible for a cooling of about −0.2∘ C over Europe
(summer), with a maximum of −0.4 ∘C over the Po Valley. Concerning
precipitation, no significant impact of A&N aerosols has been found.
On the interpretation of upper-tropospheric humidity based on a second-order retrieval from infrared radiances
Authors: Gierens Klaus , Eleftheratos Kostas
Published: March 2019

Abstract. We present a novel retrieval for upper-tropospheric humidity (UTH)
from High-resolution Infrared Radiation
Sounder (HIRS) channel 12 radiances that successfully bridges the
wavelength change from 6.7 to 6.5 µm that occurred from
HIRS/2 on National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration satellite NOAA-14 to HIRS/3 on satellite NOAA-15.
The jump in average brightness temperature (in the water vapour channel;
T12) that this change had caused (about
−7 K) could be fixed with a statistical inter-calibration method
(Shi and Bates, 2011). Unfortunately, the retrieval of UTHi
(upper-tropospheric humidity with respect to ice)
based on the inter-calibrated data was not satisfying at the high tail of the
distribution of UTHi. Attempts to construct a better
inter-calibration in the low T12 range (equivalent to the high
UTHi range) were either not successful (Gierens et al., 2018) or
required additional statistically determined corrections to the
measured brightness temperatures (Gierens and Eleftheratos, 2017). The new method presented here is based on the original one
(Soden and Bretherton, 1993; Stephens et al., 1996; Jackson and Bates, 2001), but it extends
linearisations in the formulation of water vapour saturation
pressure and in the temperature dependence of the Planck function to
second order. To achieve the second-order formulation we derive the
retrieval from the beginning, and we find that the most influential
ingredient is the use of different optical constants for the two
involved channel wavelengths (6.7 and 6.5 µm). The result of
adapting the optical constant is an almost perfect match between UTH
data measured by HIRS/2 on NOAA-14 and HIRS/3 on NOAA-15 on 1004
common days of operation. The method is applied to both UTH and
UTHi. For each case retrieval coefficients are derived. We present a number of test applications, e.g. on computed
brightness temperatures based on high-resolution radiosonde
profiles, on the brightness temperatures measured by the satellites
on the mentioned 1004 common days of operation. Further, we present
time series of the occurrence frequency of high UTHi cases, and we
show the overall probability distribution of UTHi. The two latter
applications expose indications of moistening of the upper
troposphere over the last 35 years. Finally, we discuss the significance of UTH. We state that UTH
algorithms cannot be judged for their correctness or incorrectness,
since there is no true UTH. Instead, UTH algorithms should fulfill a
number of usefulness postulates, which we suggest and discuss.
Effects of two different biogenic emission models on modelled ozone and aerosol concentrations in Europe
Authors: Jiang Jianhui , Aksoyoglu Sebnem , Ciarelli Giancarlo , Oikonomakis Emmanouil , El-Haddad Imad , Canonaco Francesco , O'Dowd Colin , Ovadnevaite Jurgita , Minguillón María Cruz , Baltensperger Urs , Prévôt André S. H.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions are one of
the essential inputs for chemical transport models (CTMs), but their
estimates are associated with large uncertainties, leading to significant
influence on air quality modelling. This study aims to investigate the
effects of using different BVOC emission models on the performance of a CTM
in simulating secondary pollutants, i.e. ozone, organic, and inorganic
aerosols. European air quality was simulated for the year 2011 by the
regional air quality model Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions
(CAMx) version 6.3, using BVOC emissions calculated by two emission models:
the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) model and the Model of Emissions of Gases
and Aerosol from Nature (MEGAN) version 2.1. Comparison of isoprene and monoterpene
emissions from both models showed large differences in their general amounts,
as well as their spatial distribution in both summer and winter. MEGAN
produced more isoprene emissions by a factor of 3 while the PSI model
generated 3 times the monoterpene emissions in summer, while there was
negligible difference (∼4 %) in sesquiterpene emissions
associated with the two models. Despite the large differences in isoprene
emissions (i.e. 3-fold), the resulting impact in predicted summertime ozone
proved to be minor (<10 %; MEGAN O3 was higher than
PSI O3 by ∼7 ppb). Comparisons with measurements from the
European air quality database (AirBase) indicated that PSI emissions might
improve the model performance at low ozone concentrations but worsen performance at
high ozone levels (>60 ppb). A much larger effect of the
different BVOC emissions was found for the secondary organic aerosol (SOA)
concentrations. The higher monoterpene emissions (a factor of ∼3) by the PSI model led to higher SOA by ∼110 % on average
in summer, compared to MEGAN, and lead to better agreement between modelled and
measured organic aerosol (OA): the mean bias between modelled and measured OA
at nine measurement stations using Aerodyne aerosol chemical speciation monitors
(ACSMs) or Aerodyne aerosol mass
spectrometers (AMSs) was reduced by 21 %–83 % at rural or remote stations. Effects on inorganic aerosols (particulate
nitrate, sulfate, and ammonia) were relatively small (<15 %).