bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL6 and LIF mRNA expression in skeletal muscle is regulated by AMPK and the transcription factors NFYC, ZBTB14, and SP1
Authors: Nylén Carolina , Aoi Wataru , Abdelmoez Ahmed M. , Lassiter David G. , Lundell Leonidas S. , Wallberg-Henriksson Harriet , Näslund Erik , Pillon Nicolas J. , Krook Anna
Published: April 2018

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) controls glucose and lipid metabolism and modulates inflammatory responses to maintain metabolic and inflammatory homeostasis during low cellular energy levels. The AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR) interferes with inflammatory pathways in skeletal muscle, but the mechanisms are undefined. We hypothesized that AMPK activation reduces cytokine mRNA levels by blocking transcription through one or several transcription factors. Three skeletal muscle models were used to study AMPK effects on cytokine mRNA: human skeletal muscle strips obtained from healthy men incubated in vitro, primary human muscle cells, and rat L6 cells. In all three skeletal muscle systems, AICAR acutely reduced cytokine mRNA levels. In L6 myotubes treated with the transcriptional blocker actinomycin D, AICAR addition did not further reduce Il6 or leukemia inhibitory factor ( Lif) mRNA, suggesting that AICAR modulates cytokine expression through regulating transcription rather than mRNA stability. A cross-species bioinformatic approach identified novel transcription factors that may regulate LIF and IL6 mRNA. The involvement of these transcription factors was studied after targeted gene-silencing by siRNA. siRNA silencing of the transcription factors nuclear transcription factor Y subunit c ( Nfyc), specificity protein 1 ( Sp1), and zinc finger and BTB domain containing 14 ( Zbtb14), or AMPK α1/α2 subunits, increased constitutive levels of Il6 and Lif. Our results identify novel candidates in the regulation of skeletal muscle cytokine expression and identify AMPK, Nfyc, Sp1, and Zbtb14 as novel regulators of immunometabolic signals from skeletal muscle.
Clinical Effects of Regular Dry Sauna Bathing: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hussain Joy , Cohen Marc
Published: April 2018

Introduction. Many health benefits are claimed by individuals and facilities promoting sauna bathing; however the medical evidence to support these claims is not well established. This paper aims to systematically review recent research on the effects of repeated dry sauna interventions on human health. Methods. A systematic search was made of medical databases for studies reporting on the health effects of regular dry sauna bathing on humans from 2000 onwards. Risk of bias was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Results. Forty clinical studies involving a total of 3855 participants met the inclusion criteria. Only 13 studies were randomized controlled trials and most studies were small (n < 40). Reported outcome measures were heterogeneous with most studies reporting beneficial health effects. Only one small study (n = 10) reported an adverse health outcome of disrupted male spermatogenesis, demonstrated to be reversible when ceasing sauna activity. Conclusions. Regular dry sauna bathing has potential health benefits. More data of higher quality is needed on the frequency and extent of adverse side effects. Further study is also needed to determine the optimal frequency and duration of distinct types of sauna bathing for targeted health effects and the specific clinical populations who are most likely to benefit.
Trend Analysis of Pakistan Railways Based on Industry Life Cycle Theory
Authors: Li Xuemei , Alam Khalid Mehmood , Wang Shitong
Published: April 2018

The core purpose of this paper was to analyze the trend analysis of Pakistan railways from the year 1950 to 2015, using the principal component analysis method and industrial life cycle theory. Industrial life cycle theory, the development trend analysis of Pakistan railway industry, entails four stages: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. The results indicated that railway industry in Pakistan was at its pinnacle in the middle of the seventies and thereafter the decline of railway industry was observed. The main reasons behind the decline were underinvestment, political interference, and the rise of the same-sector competitor, the National Logistics Cell (NLC). From the year 2011, it experienced an upward trend of combined utility curve and showed a new round of industry life cycle. To revive its previous glory, the current government has proposed a development document for Pakistan railways, Vision 2025. It is envisaged that railways share in transportation will be increased from current 4% to 20% by the year 2025, which seems to be an onerous challenge for the organization.
Suppression of Noise to Obtain a High-Performance Low-Cost Optical Encoder
Authors: Alvarez-Rodríguez Sergio , Alcalá-Ochoa Noé , Cruz-Salgado Javier , Peña Lecona Francisco Gerardo
Published: April 2018

Currently, commercial encoders endowed with high precision are expensive sensors, and optical low-cost designs to measure the positioning angle have undesirable levels of system noise which reduce the good performance of devices. This research is devoted to the designing of mathematical filters to suppress noise in polarized transducers, in order to obtain high accuracy, precision, and resolution, along with an adaptive maximum response speed for low-cost optical encoders. This design was proved through a prototype inside a research platform, and experimental results show an accuracy of 3.9, a precision of 26, and a resolution of 17 [arc seconds], at least for the specified working conditions, for the sensing of the angular position of a rotary polarizer. From this work has been obtained a high-performance low-cost polyphase optical encoder, which uses filtering mathematical principles potentially generalizable to other inventions.
An Approach for Internal Network Security Metric Based on Attack Probability
Authors: Shan Chun , Jiang Benfu , Xue Jingfeng , Guan Fang , Xiao Na
Published: April 2018

A network security metric may provide quantifiable evidence to assist security practitioners in securing computer networks. However, research on security metrics based on attack graph is not applicable to the characteristics of internal attack; therefore we propose an internal network security metric method based on attack probability. Our approach has the following benefits: it provides the method of attack graph simplification with monitoring event node which could solve the attack graph exponential growth with the network size, while undermining the disguise of internal attacks and improving the efficiency of the entire method; the method of attack probability calculation based on simplified attack graph can simplify the complexity of internal attacks and improve the accuracy of the approach.
Software‐Defined Collaborative Offloading for Heterogeneous Vehicular Networks
Authors: Quan Wei , Wang Kai , Liu Yana , Cheng Nan , Zhang Hongke , Shen Xuemin (Sherman)
Published: April 2018

Vehicle‐assisted data offloading is envisioned to significantly alleviate the problem of explosive growth of mobile data traffic. However, due to the high mobility of vehicles and the frequent disruption of communication links, it is very challenging to efficiently optimize collaborative offloading from a group of vehicles. In this paper, we leverage the concept of Software‐Defined Networking (SDN) and propose a software‐defined collaborative offloading (SDCO) solution for heterogeneous vehicular networks. In particular, SDCO can efficiently manage the offloading nodes and paths based on a centralized offloading controller. The offloading controller is equipped with two specific functions: the hybrid awareness path collaboration (HPC) and the graph‐based source collaboration (GSC). HPC is in charge of selecting the suitable paths based on the round‐trip time, packet loss rate, and path bandwidth, while GSC optimizes the offloading nodes according to the minimum vertex cover for effective offloading. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate that SDCO can achieve better offloading efficiency compared to the state‐of‐the‐art solutions.
LoRa Performance under Variable Interference and Heavy‐Multipath Conditions
Authors: Staniec Kamil , Kowal Michał
Published: April 2018

LoRa (or LoRaWAN) is by far the best known representative of narrowband communication systems designed for the Internet of Things. As a system dedicated specifically for long‐range operations, it possesses a considerable processing gain for the energetic link budget improvement and a remarkable immunity to multipath and interference. The paper describes outcomes of measurement campaigns during which the LoRa performance was tested against these two factors, that is, a heavy‐multipath propagation and a controlled, variable interference generated, respectively, in a reverberation chamber and an anechoic chamber. Results allow quantitative appraisal of the system behavior under these harsh conditions with respect to LoRa’s three major configurable parameters: the spreading factor, bandwidth, and code rate. They also allow dividing LoRa configurational space into three distinct sensitivity regions: in the white region it is immune to both interference and multipath propagation, in the light‐grey region it is only immune to the multipath phenomenon but sensitive to interference, and in the dark grey region LoRa is vulnerable to both phenomena.
Monitoring the Number of Pedestrians in an Area: The Applicability of Counting Systems for Density State Estimation
Authors: Duives D. C. , Daamen W. , Hoogendoorn S. P.
Published: April 2018

Crowd monitoring systems are more and more used to support crowd management organizations. Currently, counting systems are often used to provide quantitative insights into the pedestrian traffic state, since they are fairly easy to install and the accuracy is reasonably good under normal conditions. However, there are no sensor systems that are 100% accurate. Detection errors might have severe consequences for the density state estimation at large squares. The consequences of these errors for pedestrian state estimation have not yet been determined. This paper studies the impact of one specific type of detection error on the functionality of counting camera systems for density state estimation, namely, a randomly occurring “false negative” detection error. The impact is determined via two tracks, a theoretical track and a simulation track. The latter track studies the distribution of the cumulative number of pedestrians after 24 hours for three stylized cases by means of Monte Carlo simulations. This paper finds that counting camera systems, which have a detection error that is not correlated with the flow rate, provide a reasonably good estimation of the density within an area. At the same time, if the detection error is correlated with the flow rate, counting camera systems should only be used in the situation where symmetric demand patterns are expected.
Hermitian–Non-Hermitian Interfaces in Quantum Theory
Authors: Znojil Miloslav
Published: April 2018

In the global framework of quantum theory, the individual quantum systems seem clearly separated into two families with the respective manifestly Hermitian and hiddenly Hermitian operators of their Hamiltonian. In the light of certain preliminary studies, these two families seem to have an empty overlap. In this paper, we will show that whenever the interaction potentials are chosen to be weakly nonlocal, the separation of the two families may disappear. The overlapsaliasinterfaces between the Hermitian and non-Hermitian descriptions of a unitarily evolving quantum system in question may become nonempty. This assertion will be illustrated via a few analytically solvable elementary models.
Improved Harmony Search Algorithm for Truck Scheduling Problem in Multiple-Door Cross-Docking Systems
Authors: Wang Zhanzhong , Lu Yue , Zhao Liying , Cao Ningbo
Published: April 2018

The key of realizing the cross docking is to design the joint of inbound trucks and outbound trucks, so a proper sequence of trucks will make the cross-docking system much more efficient and need less makespan. A cross-docking system is proposed with multiple receiving and shipping dock doors. The objective is to find the best door assignments and the sequences of trucks in the principle of products distribution to minimize the total makespan of cross docking. To solve the problem that is regarded as a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model, three metaheuristics, namely, harmony search (HS), improved harmony search (IHS), and genetic algorithm (GA), are proposed. Furthermore, the fixed parameters are optimized by Taguchi experiments to improve the accuracy of solutions further. Finally, several numerical examples are put forward to evaluate the performances of proposed algorithms.
A Double‐Blind Study on Acupuncture Sensations with Japanese Style of Acupuncture: Comparison between Penetrating and Placebo Needles
Authors: Nishiwaki Masako , Takayama Miho , Yajima Hiroyoshi , Nasu Morihiro , Park Joel , Kong Jian , Takakura Nobuari
Published: April 2018

To investigate the acupuncture sensations elicited by the Japanese style of acupuncture, penetrating acupuncture and skin‐touch placebo needles were randomly administered at various insertion depths (5 and 10 mm for the penetrating needles and 1 and 2 mm for the placebo needles) at LI4 to 50 healthy subjects. Among the 12 acupuncture sensations in the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS), “heaviness” was the strongest and most frequently reported sensation with the 10 mm needles, but not with the 5 mm needles. There were no significant differences in number of sensations elicited, MASS index, range of spreading, and intensity of needle pain for 5 mm penetration versus 1 mm skin press and 10 mm penetration versus 2 mm skin press. The MASS index with 2 mm skin‐touch needles was significantly larger than that with 1 mm skin‐touch and 5 mm penetrating needles. The factor structures in the 12 acupuncture sensations between penetrating and skin‐touch needles were different. The acupuncture sensations obtained in this study under satisfactorily performed double‐blind (practitioner–patient) conditions suggest that a slight difference in insertion depth and skin press causes significant differences in quantity and quality of acupuncture sensations.
Evaluation of the Potential for Dissolved Oxygen Ingress into Deep Sedimentary Basins during a Glaciation Event
Authors: Bea Sergio A. , Su Danyang , Mayer K. Ulrich , MacQuarrie Kerry T. B.
Published: April 2018

Geochemical conditions in intracratonic sedimentary basins are currently reducing, even at relatively shallow depths. However, during glaciation-deglaciation events, glacial meltwater production may result in enhanced recharge (Bea et al., 2011; and Bea et al., 2016) potentially having high concentrations of dissolved oxygen (O2). In this study, the reactive transport code Par-MIN3P-THCm was used to perform an informed, illustrative set of simulations assessing the depth of penetration of low salinity, O2-rich, subglacial recharge. Simulation results indicate that the large-scale basin hydrostratigraphy, in combination with the presence of dense brines at depth, results in low groundwater velocities during glacial meltwater infiltration, restricting the vertical ingress of dilute recharge waters. Furthermore, several geochemical attenuation mechanisms exist for O2, which is consumed by reactions with reduced mineral phases and solid organic matter (SOM). The modeling showed that effective oxidative mineral dissolution rates and SOM oxidation rates between 5 × 10−15 and 6 × 10−13 mol dm−3 bulk s−1 were sufficient to restrict the depth of O2 ingress to less than 200 m. These effective rates are low and thus conservative, in comparison to rates reported in the literature. Additional simulations with more realistic, yet still conservative, parameters reaffirm the limited ability for O2 to penetrate into sedimentary basin rocks during a glaciation-deglaciation event.
A DDoS Attack Detection Method Based on SVM in Software Defined Network
Authors: Ye Jin , Cheng Xiangyang , Zhu Jian , Feng Luting , Song Ling
Published: April 2018

The detection of DDoS attacks is an important topic in the field of network security. The occurrence of software defined network (SDN) (Zhang et al., 2018) brings up some novel methods to this topic in which some deep learning algorithm is adopted to model the attack behavior based on collecting from the SDN controller. However, the existing methods such as neural network algorithm are not practical enough to be applied. In this paper, the SDN environment by mininet and floodlight (Ning et al., 2014) simulation platform is constructed, 6-tuple characteristic values of the switch flow table is extracted, and then DDoS attack model is built by combining the SVM classification algorithms. The experiments show that average accuracy rate of our method is 95.24% with a small amount of flow collecting. Our work is of good value for the detection of DDoS attack in SDN.
NFATc1 Promotes Antitumoral Effector Functions and Memory CD8+ T-cell Differentiation during Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Development
Authors: Heim Lisanne , Friedrich Juliane , Engelhardt Marina , Trufa Denis I. , Geppert Carol I. , Rieker Ralf J. , Sirbu Horia , Finotto Susetta
Published: April 2018

Nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) is a transcription factor activated by T-cell receptor (TCR) and Ca2+ signaling that affects T-cell activation and effector function. Upon tumor antigen challenge, TCR and calcium-release–activated channels are induced, promoting NFAT dephosphorylation and translocation into the nucleus. In this study, we report a progressive decrease of NFATc1 in lung tumor tissue and in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of patients suffering from advanced-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Mice harboring conditionally inactivated NFATc1 in T cells (NFATc1ΔCD4) showed increased lung tumor growth associated with impaired T-cell activation and function. Furthermore, in the absence of NFATc1, reduced IL2 influenced the development of memory CD8+ T cells. We found a reduction of effector memory and CD103+ tissue-resident memory (TRM) T cells in the lung of tumor-bearing NFATc1ΔCD4 mice, underlining an impaired cytotoxic T-cell response and a reduced TRM tissue-homing capacity. In CD4+ICOS+ T cells, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) was induced in the draining lymph nodes of these mice and associated with lung tumor cell growth. Targeting PD-1 resulted in NFATc1 induction in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice and was associated with increased antitumor cytotoxic functions. This study reveals a role of NFATc1 in the activation and cytotoxic functions of T cells, in the development of memory CD8+ T-cell subsets, and in the regulation of T-cell exhaustion. These data underline the indispensability of NFATc1 for successful antitumor immune responses in patients with NSCLC.

Significance: The multifaceted role of NFATc1 in the activation and function of T cells during lung cancer development makes it a critical participant in antitumor immune responses in patients with NSCLC. Cancer Res; 78(13); 3619–33. ©2018 AACR.
Phenformin-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction Sensitizes Hepatocellular Carcinoma for Dual Inhibition of mTOR
Authors: Veiga Sónia R. , Ge Xuemei , Mercer Carol A. , Hernández-Álvarez María I. , Thomas Hala Elnakat , Hernandez-Losa Javier , Ramón y Cajal Santiago , Zorzano Antonio , Thomas George , Kozma Sara C.
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks second in cancer mortality and has limited therapeutic options. We recently described the synergistic effect of allosteric and ATP-site competitive inhibitors against the mTOR for the treatment of HCC. However, such inhibitors induce hyperglycemia and increase mitochondrial efficiency. Here we determined whether the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor phenformin could reverse both side effects, impose an energetic stress on cancer cells, and suppress the growth of HCC.

Experimental Design: Human HCC cell lines were used in vitro to access the signaling and energetic impact of mTOR inhibitors and phenformin, either alone or in combination. Next, the therapeutic utility of these drugs alone or in combination was investigated preclinically in human orthotopic tumors implanted in mice, by analyzing their impact on the tumor burden and overall survival.

Results: We found phenformin caused mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation, inducing a compensatory shift to glycolysis. In contrast, dual inhibition of mTOR impaired cell growth and glycolysis, while increasing mitochondrial fusion and efficiency. In a mouse model of human HCC, dual inhibition of mTOR, together with phenformin, was highly efficacious in controlling tumor burden. However, more strikingly, pretreatment with phenformin sensitized tumors to dual inhibition of mTOR, leading to a dramatic improvement in survival.

Conclusions: Treatment of HCC cells in vitro with the biguanide phenformin causes a metabolic shift to glycolysis, mitochondrial dysfunction and fragmentation, and dramatically sensitizes orthotopic liver tumors to dual inhibition of mTOR. We therefore propose this therapeutic approach should be tested clinically in HCC. Clin Cancer Res; 24(15); 3767–80. ©2018 AACR.
The Link between Potassium and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Mexican-Americans
Authors: Vintimilla Raul M. , Large Stephanie E. , Gamboa Adriana , Rohlfing Geoffrey D. , O’Jile Judith R. , Hall James R. , O’Bryant Sid E. , Johnson Leigh A.
Published: April 2018

Background: Recent evidence suggests that increasing dietary intake of minerals reduces the risk of dementia. This study aimed to examine the relationship between potassium and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a sample of older Mexican-Americans from rural and urban populations. Methods: The sample was formed of a total of 139 participants with MCI and 371 normal controls from two independent cohorts: a rural cohort (Facing Rural Obstacles to Healthcare Now through Intervention, Education and Research [Project FRONTIER]) and an urban cohort (the Health and Aging Brain among Latino Elders [HABLE] study). Serum electrolytes examined were sodium and potassium. Age and education were entered in the model as covariates. Results: Across both cohorts, the Project FRONTIER (OR = 3.1; p = 0.01) and the HABLE Project (OR = 2.0; p = 0.04), the results indicated that serum potassium levels significantly increased the risk of diagnosis of MCI. Conclusion: Our finding suggested a link between serum potassium levels and a diagnosis of MCI in Mexican-Americans. The results of this study support a previous research which has suggested that the risk factors for MCI may vary by ethnicity.
Urate-Lowering Agents in Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: Role of Urine Sediment Analysis and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Authors: Viggiano Davide , Gigliotti Giuseppe , Vallone Gianfranco , Giammarino Anna , Nigro Michelangelo , Capasso Giovambattista
Published: April 2018

Current urate-lowering therapy (ULT) includes three direct acting drugs (allopurinol, febuxostat, Rasburicase) and at least four ‘indirect’ drugs with other important targets (canagliflozin, losartan, fenofibrate and sevelamer). Moreover, the alcalinization of urines using bicarbonate can be used to dissolve urate crystals and the clinician may discontinue several drugs are known to increase serum levels of uric acid, such as diuretics, aspirin, cyclosporine, theophylline, mycophenolate and ACE inhibitors. While there is a consensus to start ULT in cases of symptomatic hyperuricemia (gout, urate-nephrolithiasis), the very frequent conditions of asymptomatic hyperuricemia remains a major conundrum. The effect of asymptomatic hyperuricemia on kidney function has had fluctuating positions over decades. The conflicting results might indicate: (i) the presence of counterbalancing positive and negative effects on kidney function of both serum uric acid and urate-lowering agents, (ii) the presence of a subpopulation of patients, as yet unidentified, which could truly benefit from a urate-lowering therapy. Therefore, today the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia is not recommended nor excluded by current guidelines. Here we suggest that a possible guide for the treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia might be the presence of urate crystals in the urine sediment and/or signs of asymptomatic articular damage by urates, identified by musculo-skeletal ultrasound. Moreover, a watchful analysis of the trend in creatinine/eGFR, proteinuria or urate levels might also guide the clinician. Initiation of ULT and follow-up in cases of asymptomatic hyperuricemia should consider urine sediment analysis, musculoskeletal ultrasound and trends in creatinine, proteinuria and serum urate levels.
Nestin Improves Preeclampsia-Like Symptoms by Inhibiting Activity of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5
Authors: Yang Xu , Ding Yiling , Yang Mengyuan , Yu Ling , Hu Yun , Deng Yali
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that is characterised by a high incidence of hypertension and proteinuria. Podocytes are involved in the formation of a split membrane, which is the last barrier preventing the leakage of protein into the urine. Nestin, a cytoskeleton protein, is expressed stably in podocytes. However, the association between the Nestin concentration in urine and the progression of PE and the role of Nestin in PE remains unclear. Methods: In the present study, a mouse podocyte cell line, PE-like animal model and PE patients’ urine samples were used. Eilsa kits were used to detect the levels of proteins expression in urine samples from patients and animal models. Western Blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect proteins expression levels in cell samples and animal tissue samples. Flow cytometry was used to detect the level of apoptosis in cells. Tunel assay was used to detect the levels of apoptosis in animal tissue samples. Results: Nestin levels were significantly increased in PE patients than in hypertensive patients and healthy subjects, and positively correlated with proteinuria and podocalyxin. Ang II treatment decreased the expression of Nestin and Podocin in a time- and dose- dependent manner in podocytes. Restoration of the Nestin levels could reverse Ang II-induced F-actin degradation and attenuate Ang II-mediated podocyte apoptosis, while knockdown of the Nestin level exhibited the opposite. Moreover, the protective role of Nestin on podocytes is mediated by inhibition of the kinase activity of CDK5. In PE-like animal model induced by L-NAME injection, restoration of Nestin lowered the pressure and proteinuria concentration, attenuated the loss of podocytes, and decreased the expression of p35, p53 and the activity of CDK5 kinase, as compared with the control. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Nestin could improve preeclampsia-like symptoms by inhibiting the activity of CDK5, and Nestin may become a new prognostic factor and a potential therapy target for PE.
Noiva no Aqueronte - comparações entre o Direito de Família da antiguidade e contemporâneo
Authors: Melo Caio Ferrari de Castro , Diniz Guilherme Grané
Published: April 2018

Este artigo busca analisar a obra Antígone, de Sófocles, com a finalidade de nela buscar temas de Direito de Família que permitam melhor compreender, por meio de comparação e contraste com nosso Direito brasileiro contemporâneo, o Princípio da Afetividade. Assim, buscaremos explicitar os principais sentidos e significados conferidos por nosso ordenamento a este instituto, com a pretensão de concluir que o mencionado princípio pode ser visto como o parâmetro jurídico para formação do grupo familiar na contemporaneidade. Para que possamos realizar o proposto, passaremos por algumas leituras clássicas da peça e de temas dela, exporemos a fundamentação jurídico-doutrinária do Princípio da Afetividade em nosso Direito e concluiremos tratando do sentido geral que esta mudança aponta para o Direito de Família.
Ministério (e interesse) público: aproximações entre o perfil constitucional da instituição e o princípio da supremacia do interesse público no controle da função administrativa
Authors: Pires Gabriel Lino de Paula , Alcântara Guilherme Gonçalves
Published: April 2018

Objetiva-se analisar a relação existente entre o novo perfil do Ministério Público, inaugurado após a Constituição Federal de 1988, com o princípio da supremacia do interesse público, diretriz fundamental da função administrativa, enfocando especialmente nos instrumentos que o Ministério Público possui para o controle da Administração Pública.
Islam. The Meaning of Style
Authors: Hecker Pierre
Published: April 2018

The title of this paper is a reference to Dick Hebdige’s famous book Subculture. The Meaning of Style, which was published in 1979 and became one of the most influential works to emerge from the legendary Birmingham Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies (cccs). Hebdige’s study explores the subversive implications of style in post-war British subcultures. The purpose of the following article is to apply his ideas on subculture and style to the discourse on fashion and Islam, with a particular focus on the debate over “modest fashion” in Turkey. Hebdige’s approach will be utilized here principally in order to explore the representation of Islam in fashion and to critically reflect upon the ideological dimensions of “modest fashion”. The present author argues that “modest fashion”, as represented in everyday dress, fashion and lifestyle magazines, advertisements, and fashion shows, is exemplary of the breakdown of consensus among pious Muslims in present-day Turkish society. Furthermore, this article aims to strengthen and reflect upon the use of semiotics in the field of Islamic studies. It draws on data collected during the first international Istanbul Modest Fashion Week held in Istanbul’s historic Haydarpaşa Train Station on 13 and 14 May 2016, as well as on journal articles, media contributions, fashion advertisements, and interviews conducted by the author with fashion designers, influencers, and the organizers of the Istanbul Modest Fashion Week.
Two new species of Eharius Tuttle & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Turkey, with a key to world species
Authors: DÖKER İSMAIL
Published: April 2018

Two new species of the genus Eharius Tuttle & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae), Eharius karuti sp. nov. and Eharius stathakisi sp. nov. are described and illustrated, based on specimens collected from Phlomis sp. and Marrubium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) from Turkey. A key to the known species of the genus is provided.
Clouds over the Tropial Atlantic during July and August 1970
Authors: Madden R. , Sapp L. , Zipser E.
Published: April 2018

Nimbus IV radiance measurements in the 10.5–12.5-μm window channel from the tropical Atlantic during July and August 1970 are studied. The relative frequency of cold, and presumably high clouds, is determined. The average spatial distribution of equivalent black-body temperatures associated with 38 cloud clusters is reported. Ship cloud and weather observations are studied in conjunction with the satellite data. By combining the evidence provided by the satellite and ship observations, a model of typical clouds and weather associated with cloud clusters is proposed for further study.
The Impact of Synoptic Observing and Analysis Systems on Flow Pattern Forecasts
Authors: Phillips Norman A.
Published: April 2018

A linear dynamical prediction model is combined with a linear analysis scheme to give a formula for the expected squared forecast error, as a function of space and time, given a knowledge of observational error covariance and spectrum of the true field. The formula is applied with a two-layer geostrophic model to estimate the maximum impact of tropospheric temperatures derived from satellite radiances over oceanic areas on the accuracy of 500 mb forecasts over North America. The results show a positive impact if the observations are analyzed by an unrealistically efficient optimum interpolation method, but they show a negative impact at all but the smallest satellite error values if the observations are analyzed by a method that ignores observational errors. Eight conclusions are reached concerning routine numerical forecasts and the First GARP Global Experiment.
Preliminary Results from the GATE Acoustic Echo Sounder
Authors: Mandics P. A. , Hall F. F.
Published: April 2018

An acoustic echo sounder mounted on the NOAA ship Oceanographer during GATE proved to be a valuable tool for investigating the structure and dynamics of the tropical marine boundary layer up to 800 m in height. Under suppressed weather conditions the facsimile-recorded echo intensity returns depicted a mixed layer characterized by convective plumes rising from the surface of the water to 400 m. Disturbed weather events resulted in a substantial modification of the boundary layer; layered structures formed that at times limited the depth of the mixed layer to 100 m. The Doppler frequency shift of the acoustic returns made it possible to determine the vertical velocity field.
The Meteorological Tradition of Prague, Czechoslovakia
Authors: Bělohlávek Vlastimil
Published: April 2018

This article is a summary of a public lecture given in 1975 on the 200th anniversary of the oldest meteorological observatory in Central Europe—the Clementinum in Prague. A short history of the meteorological observations made at the Clementinum since 1775 and of the Meteorological Service in Prague are presented along with a description of the Clementinum.
Impact of Nimbus-6 Temperature Soundings on Australian Region Forecasts
Authors: Kelly G. A. M. , Mills G. A. , Smith W. L.
Published: April 2018

To test the impact of high-resolution Nimbus-6 sounding data on Australian region forecasts, two parallel analysis/forecast cycling experiments were carried out, using data for 14 days during August and September 1975. In one of these cycles, only conventional data and manual interpretation of satellite imagery were used as input, while the other cycle used conventional and Nimbus-6 sounding data. A manual mean sea level pressure analysis was used in each cycle to provide reference level information over the oceans.

Two series of 24 h limited area prognoses were prepared from these two sets of analyses, using the primitive equations prognosis model developed at the Australian Numerical Meteorology Research Centre. An average improvement in geopotential forecasts of more than 5 skill score points was achieved at all levels over the Australian continent when the Nimbus-6 data were included in the base analyses. Also, significant reductions were obtained in 24 h forecast root-mean-square (rms) temperature errors.
Hurricanes and Tropical Meteorology1
Authors: Rodenhuis David R. , Anthes Richard A.
Published: April 2018

A few examples of scientific accomplishments in tropical meteorology and hurricane research are presented. Tropical field experiments such as GATE have greatly influenced observational studies of convection and tropical easterly waves. One application of the study of convection is the attempt to estimate precipitation from satellite platforms.

Research in tropical cyclones has further improved the definition of large-scale structure and the environment in which the hurricane grows. Radiation, convection, and air-sea interaction studies are directed at the forcing and possible feedback of the hurricane with its environment. With this improved physical understanding, numerical modeling of hurricanes can now produce position forecasts of reasonable accuracy that are becoming competitive with current statistical-dynamical methods. There is a continuing effort to attempt hurricane modification experiments in conjunction with an adequate measurement program.
A Subjective Assessment of Model Initial Conditions Using Satellite Imagery
Authors: Hales John E.
Published: April 2018

Even though numerical models have made great strides forward in recent years, their accuracy is limited by initialization. The forecaster has available high quality satellite pictures which enable him to qualitatively evaluate circulation systems. Using satellite imagery makes it frequently possible to recognize regions where there is a model initialization problem. When such an area is identified, the numerical guidance can be modified before being incorporated in the public forecast. A detailed analysis of the development of the damaging storm that struck Southern California on 10 February 1978 is presented. With this storm there were serious initialization problems.
The University of Oklahoma Severe Storms Intercept Project—1979
Authors: Bluestein Howard B.
Published: April 2018

The University of Oklahoma (OU) Severe Storms Intercept Project—1979 was conducted in conjunction with the spring field program of the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), Norman, Okla., and the Severe Environmental Storms and Mesoscale Experiment (SESAME ‘79). The purposes of the project were to provide NSSL with ground-based visual observations, in the field, of thunderstorms that were observed simultaneously by Doppler radar; to document and photograph severe-storm phenomena and related damage; and to obtain high-quality movies of tornadic debris clouds.

A ground-based intercept crew consisting of four members operated from 1 April 1979 to 15 June 1979. The itineraries of the chase crews were usually determined jointly by the NSSL forecaster and the OU crew on the basis of conventional data from the service “A” and “C” teletypewriters, the National Facsimile Circuit (NAFAX), interpretation of satellite photographs, and data from both a conventional and a Doppler radar.

Although the total number of missions was small (11), tornadoes were filmed on 2 chases, and severe events were documented on a total of 6 chases; 2 missions were damage surveys. On only 3 out of 11 missions were no severe storm-related phenomena observed. On 2 May the chase crew obtained spectacular, high-quality, normal-speed movies of the entire history of the multiple-vortex stage of a tornado and associated debris west of Orienta, Okla. Other highlights include normal-speed movies of the tornado in Seymour, Tex. on 10 April, time-lapse movies on 6 June of a storm complex that had a Doppler radar-observed mesocyclone signature, and documentation of the occurrence of “staccato” lightning near Buffalo Springs, Tex., on 20 May.

The data collected during this project, along with other types of data gathered simultaneously by others, will lead to a better understanding of the kinematics and dynamics of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Furthermore, the photographs will help spotters recognize potentially dangerous storms, and thereby provide more reliable warnings to the public.
Analysis of Cloud-Resolving Model Simulations for Scale Dependence of Convective Momentum Transport
Authors: Liu Yi-Chin , Fan Jiwen , Xu Kuan-Man , Zhang Guang J.
Published: April 2018

We use 3D cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulations of two mesoscale convective systems at midlatitudes and a simple statistical ensemble method to diagnose the scale dependency of convective momentum transport (CMT) and CMT-related properties and evaluate a parameterization scheme for the convection-induced pressure gradient (CIPG) developed by Gregory et al. Gregory et al. relate CIPG to a constant coefficient multiplied by mass flux and vertical mean wind shear. CRM results show that mass fluxes and CMT exhibit strong scale dependency in temporal evolution and vertical structure. The upgradient–downgradient CMT characteristics for updrafts are generally similar between small and large grid spacings, which is consistent with previous understanding, but they can be different for downdrafts across wide-ranging grid spacings. For the small to medium grid spacings (4–64 km), Gregory et al. reproduce some aspects of CIPG scale dependency except for underestimating the variations of CIPG as grid spacing decreases. However, for large grid spacings (128–512 km), Gregory et al. might even less adequately parameterize CIPG because it omits the contribution from either the nonlinear-shear or the buoyancy forcings. Further diagnosis of CRM results suggests that inclusion of nonlinear-shear forcing in Gregory et al. is needed for the large grid spacings. For the small to median grid spacings, a modified Gregory et al. with the three-updraft approach help better capture the variations of CIPG as grid spacing decreases compared to the single updraft approach. Further, the optimal coefficients used in Gregory et al. seem insensitive to grid spacings, but they might be different for updrafts and downdrafts, for different MCS types, and for zonal and meridional components.
Parameter Sensitivity of the Noah-MP Land Surface Model with Dynamic Vegetation
Authors: Arsenault Kristi R. , Nearing Grey S. , Wang Shugong , Yatheendradas Soni , Peters-Lidard Christa D.
Published: April 2018

The Noah land surface model with multiple parameterization options (Noah-MP) includes a routine for the dynamic simulation of vegetation carbon assimilation and soil carbon decomposition processes. To use remote sensing observations of vegetation to constrain simulations from this model, it is necessary first to understand the sensitivity of the model to its parameters. This is required for efficient parameter estimation, which is both a valuable way to use observations and also a first or concurrent step in many state-updating data assimilation procedures. We use variance decomposition to assess the sensitivity of estimates of sensible heat, latent heat, soil moisture, and net ecosystem exchange made by certain standard Noah-MP configurations that include the dynamic simulation of vegetation and carbon to 43 primary user-specified parameters. This is done using 32 years’ worth of data from 10 international FluxNet sites. Findings indicate that there are five soil parameters and six (or more) vegetation parameters (depending on the model configuration) that act as primary controls on these states and fluxes.
Medical Management of Sinusitis: Educational Goals and Management Guidelines
Authors: Kennedy David W.
Published: April 2018

The primary goal of sinusitis management is resolution of infection, leading to patency of the ostiomeatal complex. Antibiotics and decongestants are the cornerstones of therapy for acute sinusitis. Diagnosis of acute sinusitis is based on the history and physical findings. Sinusitis is considered to be acute or recurrent acute if infection resolves without residual mucosal damage. Choices for first-line antibiotic therapy include adequate dosages of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, loracarbef, and amoxicillin-clavulanate. Decongestants and mucoevacuants may reduce tissue edema, facilitate drainage, and maintain ostial patency. Topical corticosteroids are useful additional therapy in allergic rhinosinusitis and as an aid in the long-term management of chronic sinusitis. Parenteral corticosteroids have no role in first-line management of acute or recurrent acute sinusitis.
Combined Forces: Thinking and/or Feeling? How News Consumption Affects Anti-Muslim Attitudes through Perceptions and Emotions about the Economy
Authors: Jacobs Laura , Boukes Mark , Vliegenthart Rens
Published: April 2018

This study develops a model that contributes to our understanding of the complex relationship between economic motivations and anti-Muslim attitudes by analyzing the underexplored role of news consumption. Using a large-scale Dutch panel dataset ( n = 2694), we test a structural equation model theoretically grounded in group conflict theory, in which the relationship between news consumption and anti-Muslim attitudes is mediated by perceptions and emotions about the economy. Findings offer sound empirical support for the hypothesized model: news consumption increases pessimistic economic perceptions and negative emotions about the economy, which in turn strengthens anti-Muslim attitudes. The mechanism, however, largely depends on the type of news outlet and genre: watching television seems more decisive than reading newspapers; moreover, especially exposure to soft and popular news formats plays a dominant role.
Health Care Utilization and Expenditures Attributable to Cigar Smoking Among US Adults, 2000-2015
Authors: Wang Yingning , Sung Hai-Yen , Yao Tingting , Lightwood James , Max Wendy
Published: April 2018

Objectives:

Cigar use in the United States is a growing public health concern because of its increasing popularity. We estimated health care utilization and expenditures attributable to cigar smoking among US adults aged ≥35.

Methods:

We analyzed data on 84 178 adults using the 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015 National Health Interview Surveys. We estimated zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression models on hospital nights, emergency department (ED) visits, physician visits, and home-care visits as a function of tobacco use status—current sole cigar smokers (ie, smoke cigars only), current poly cigar smokers (smoke cigars and smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco), former sole cigar smokers (used to smoke cigars only), former poly cigar smokers (used to smoke cigars and smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco), other tobacco users (ever smoked cigarettes and used smokeless tobacco but not cigars), and never tobacco users (never smoked cigars, smoked cigarettes, or used smokeless tobacco)—and other covariates. We calculated health care utilization attributable to current and former sole cigar smoking based on the estimated ZIP models, and then we calculated total health care expenditures attributable to cigar smoking.

Results:

Current and former sole cigar smoking was associated with excess annual utilization of 72 137 hospital nights, 32 748 ED visits, and 420 118 home-care visits. Annual health care expenditures attributable to sole cigar smoking were $284 million ($625 per sole cigar smoker), and total annual health care expenditures attributable to sole and poly cigar smoking were $1.75 billion.

Conclusions:

Comprehensive tobacco control policies and interventions are needed to reduce cigar smoking and the associated health care burden.
Organized Crime in Cannabis Cultivation in New Zealand: An Economic Analysis
Authors: Wilkins Chris , Casswell Sally
Published: April 2018

This paper draws on the emerging economic theory of organized crime to investigate the role organized criminal gangs play in outdoor illicit cannabis cultivation in New Zealand. Organized criminal groups are most likely to control illicit markets where there are cost advantages from larger-scale production, the need for specialized skills, capital equipment or large amounts of startup capital, and visible targets for violence aimed at discouraging competition. Examination of the illicit production of cannabis suggests the productivity gains that could be achieved from larger-scale cannabis cultivation are undermined by the difficulties of monitoring crops, the vulnerability of crops to ground and aerial detection, and legal penalties based on size of crop. The effectiveness of violence in discouraging competition in cannabis cultivation is constrained by the difficulties of identifying rival cultivators and discovering the location of rivals’ cannabis plots. Several reasons are put forward to explain why the New Zealand police nevertheless claim that cannabis cultivation in New Zealand is controlled by gangs.