bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assembly of Mn(III) Schiff Base Complexes with Heptacyanorhenate (IV)
Authors: Sukhikh Taisiya , Vostrikova Kira
Published: September 2017

A pioneering research on a self-assembly of the magneto-anisotropic module [Re(CN)7]3− with the Mn(III) complexes involving Salen type (N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminate)) Schiff base (SB) ligands was performed using the known [Mn(3MeOSalen)(H2O)2]2(ClO4)2·H2O (1) and the firstly synthesized [Mn2(5MeSalen)2OAc]PF6 (2). In the case of 1, a slow diffusion of the component solutions led to the ionic compound Ph4P[Mn(3MeOSalen)(H2O)2]2[Re(CN)7]·6H2O (3). The direct mixing of the same solutions has resulted in the microcrystalline nearly insoluble solid [Mn(3MeOSalen)(H2O))4Re(CN)7]ClO4·1.5MeCN·6.5H2O, which is likely to comprise the pentanuclear clusters [(MnIII(SB)(H2O))4Re(CN)7]+. The use of 2 resulted in a 2D-network assembly of octanuclear clusters, [{(Mn(5MeSalen))6(H2O)2Re(CN)7}2Re(CN)7]Cl2(PF6)·H2O (4), incorporating one Re-center in a pentagonal bipyramid coordination environment, while another has strongly distorted capped trigonal prism as a coordination polyhedron. The latter was observed for the first time for Re(IV) complexes. A synthetic challenge to obtain the 0D assemblies with Re:Mn ≥ 3 has yielded a hexanuclear complex [Mn(5MeSalen)H2O(i-PrOH)][(Mn(5MeSalen))5H2O(i-PrOH)2Re(CN)7](PF6)2(OAc)·2i-PrOH (5) being 1D chain via a bridging phenoxyl group. Owing to a low solubility of the final product, an addition of a bulk anion Ph4B− to the MeCN/MeOH solution of [Re(CN)7]3−and 1 in ratio 1:6 resulted in rhenium-free matter [Mn(3MeOSalen)(H2O)2][Mn(3MeOSalen)(H2O)MeCN](Ph4B)2·5MeCN (6).
A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis of Psychometric Intelligence and Achievement in Reading and Math
Authors: Watkins Marley , Styck Kara
Published: September 2017

A cross-lagged panel analysis of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) intelligence test scores and reading and math achievement test scores of 337 students twice assessed for special education eligibility across a test-retest interval of 2.85 years was conducted. General intelligence (g) was loaded by the four WISC-IV factor index scores whereas reading and math were composite scores. After confirming measurement invariance, it was found that g, reading, and math were stable across time and synchronously correlated. The cross-lagged paths from g at time 1 to reading and math at time 2 (0.26 and 0.39, respectively) were both significantly greater than zero whereas the paths from reading and math at time 1 to g at time 2 (0.03 and 0.23, respectively) were not statistically significant. Given this pattern of relationships and extant research on the correlates of general intelligence, it was tentatively inferred that general intelligence was the temporal precursor to reading and math achievement.
Identification of Polar Constituents in the Decoction of Juglans mandshurica and in the Medicated Egg Prepared with the Decoction by HPLC-Q-TOF MS2
Authors: Wang Tian-Min , Fu Ying , Yu Wen-Jie , Chen Chen , Di Xue , Zhang Hui , Zhai Yan-Jun , Chu Zheng-Yun , Kang Ting-Guo , Chen Hu-Biao
Published: September 2017

As a folk medicinal plant, Juglans mandshurica has been used for the treatment of cancer in China and Korea. Traditionally, J. mandshurica is decocted together with chicken eggs. Both the decoction and medicated eggs possess anti-tumor properties. Clarifying the constituents of the decoction and absorbed by the medicated eggs is essential for the investigation of the active principles of J. mandshurica. Herein, the medicated eggs were prepared by decocting raw chicken eggs, having unbroken shells, with the decoction of J. mandshurica. A systematic investigation of the chemical profile of the J. mandshurica decoction and the medicated egg extraction was conducted by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS2. In total, 93 peaks, including 45 tannins, 14 naphthalene derivatives, 17 organic acids, 3 diarylheptanoids, 4 lignans, 3 anthraquinones, 1 flavonoid glycoside, 3 amino acids, and 3 nitrogenous compounds, were tentatively identified in the decoction. In the medicated egg extraction, 44 peaks including 11 organic acids, 3 amino acids, 3 nitrogenous compounds, 8 naphthalene derivatives, 3 diarylheptanoids, 15 tannins, and 1 lignan were tentatively identified. The chemical profile presented provided a detailed overview of the polar chemical constituents in J. mandshurica and useful information for the research of bioactive compounds of this plant.
Rosemary Extract as a Potential Anti-Hyperglycemic Agent: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives
Authors: Naimi Madina , Vlavcheski Filip , Shamshoum Hesham , Tsiani Evangelia
Published: September 2017

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a disease on the rise and with huge economic burden to health care systems around the globe, results from defects in insulin action (termed insulin resistance) combined with impaired insulin secretion. Current methods of prevention and treatments for insulin resistance and T2DM are lacking in number and efficacy and, therefore, there is a need for new preventative measures and targeted therapies. In recent years, chemicals found in plants/herbs have attracted attention for their use as functional foods or nutraceuticals for preventing and treating insulin resistance and T2DM. Rosemary is an evergreen shrub indigenous to the Mediterranean region and South America, which contains various polyphenols. Rosemary extract and its polyphenolic constituents have been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and anti-hyperglycemic properties. The current review summarizes the existing in vitro and in vivo studies examining the anti-diabetic effects of rosemary extract and its polyphenolic components and highlights the known mechanism of action.
Simulation of Food Folate Digestion and Bioavailability of an Oxidation Product of 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate
Authors: Ringling Christiane , Rychlik Michael
Published: September 2017

Generating bioavailability data from in vivo studies is time-consuming and expensive. In vitro simulation can help to investigate factors influencing bioavailability or facilitate quantifying the impact of such factors. For folates, an efficient deconjugation of polyglutamates to the corresponding monoglutamates is crucial for bioavailability and highly dependent on the food matrix. Therefore, the bioaccessibility of folates of different foodstuffs was examined using a simulated digestion model with respect to folate stability and the efficiency of deconjugation. For realistic simulated deconjugation, porcine brush border membrane was used during the phase of the simulated digestion in the small intestine. For a better understanding of folate behaviour during digestion, single folate monoglutamates were also investigated with this in vitro digestion model. The results for bioaccessibility were compared with data from a human bioavailability study. They support the idea that both stability and deconjugation have an influence on bioaccessibility and thus on bioavailability. Tetrahydrofolate is probably lost completely or at least to a high extent and the stability of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate depends on the food matrix. Additionally, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate can be oxidised to a pyrazino-s-triazine (MeFox), whose absorption in the human intestinal tract was shown tentatively.
Optimization of 3D Surfaces of Dextran with Different Molecule Weights for Real-Time Detection of Biomolecular Interactions by a QCM Biosensor
Authors: Song Siyu , Lu Yuchao , Li Xueming , Cao Shoupeng , Pei Yuxin , Aastrup Teodor , Pei Zhichao
Published: September 2017

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) has been extensively applied in real-time and label-free biomolecular interaction studies. However, the sensitive detection by QCM technology remains challenging, mainly due to the limited surface immobilization capacity. Here, a three-dimensional (3D) carboxymethyl dextran coated gold sensor chip surface was successfully fabricated with dextran of different molecular weight (100, 500 and 2000 kDa, respectively). To evaluate the 3D carboxymethyl dextran surface immobilization capacity, the 3D surface was used for studying antigen–antibody interactions on the QCM biosensor. The results showed that the protein immobilization capacity of the 3D carboxymethyl dextran (2000 kDa) surface exceeded more than 4 times the capacity of the 2D carboxyl surface, and 2 times the capacity of the traditional 3D carboxymethyl dextran (500 kDa) surface. Furthermore, the kinetic and affinity properties of antigen–antibody interactions were performed. Most notably, the optimized 3D carboxymethyl dextran (2000 kDa) surface could be used for small molecule detection, where the binding of biotinylated oligo (0.67 kDa) reached 8.1 Hz. The results confirmed that a 3D carboxymethyl dextran (2000 kDa) surface can be exploited for sensitive detection of low molecular weight analytes, which have great potential applications for characterizing the interactions between small molecule drugs and proteins.
The Effect of the Redox Potential of Aqua Regia and Temperature on the Au, Cu, and Fe Dissolution from WPCBs
Authors: Elomaa Heini , Seisko Sipi , Junnila Tero , Sirviö Tuomas , Wilson Benjamin , Aromaa Jari , Lundström Mari
Published: September 2017

Constant growth in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) levels necessitates the development of new, commercially viable recycling processes. Waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) are a sub-group of WEEE that are of increasing interest due to their relatively high level of valuable metal content including Au, Ag, and platinum group metals (PGMs). Currently, precious metals like gold are mainly recycled from WEEE streams through copper smelting/refining; however, the possibility to peel gold from WPCBs prior to smelting, could offer advantages for recycling. In this study, the suitability of aqua regia for selective or partially selective gold leaching from un-crushed WPCBs was investigated. The redox potential of aqua regia solutions and the dissolution efficiencies of Au, Cu, and Fe from WPCBs were investigated at different temperatures (40–80 °C) and concentrations (2–32%) in batch leaching tests. The redox potential of aqua regia solution was found to depend on concentration and temperature. It is suggested that Au dissolution in aqua regia requires dissolved Cu2+ ions originating from the WPCB material to work. Au extraction (>50%) was shown to require a redox potential >700 mV with [Cu2+] > 2500 ppm, as a potential >850 mV alone was insufficient without cupric ions. Significant amounts of Au and Cu could be dissolved with only minor Fe dissolution at ≥8% aqua regia at 80 °C. Results suggest that leaching of uncrushed WPCBs in 8% aqua regia (T = 80 °C) can provide the opportunity for partial Au recovery prior to further processing.
Belief in Reincarnation and Some Unresolved Questions in Catholic Eschatology
Authors: Malkovsky Bradley
Published: September 2017

Mainstream Christianity has always rejected reincarnation teaching in all its varieties, e.g., Greco-Roman, Albigensian, Hindu, Buddhist, New Age, etc. as being incompatible with the biblical understanding of the uniqueness, dignity, and value of the human person, a teaching that is ultimately rooted in the radical understanding of divine mercy and love toward every human being proclaimed by Jesus himself. Nevertheless, there are two strong arguments advanced by reincarnationists against the teaching of one earthly life. The first argument regards reincarnation as a more reasonable expression of divine mercy and love than the disproportionate and unfair infliction of eternal punishment by God upon a human being for a single morally corrupt lifetime. The second argument finds reincarnation to be necessary for the continued exercise of creaturely freedom required for true moral and spiritual maturation. Catholic teaching, by contrast, asserts that a single earthly life followed by purgatory is sufficient for the perfection and completion of the human person. However, in both the satisfaction and sanctification models of purgatory the human person is entirely passive, not actively contributing to its own completion. Such an approach would seem to devalue free human participation in the process of perfection.
Detection of Interfacial Debonding in a Rubber–Steel-Layered Structure Using Active Sensing Enabled by Embedded Piezoceramic Transducers
Authors: Feng Qian , Kong Qingzhao , Jiang Jian , Liang Yabin , Song Gangbing
Published: September 2017

Rubber–steel-layered structures are used in many engineering applications. Laminated rubber–steel bearing, as a type of seismic isolation device, is one of the most important applications of the rubber–steel-layered structures. Interfacial debonding in rubber–steel-layered structures is a typical failure mode, which can severely reduce their load-bearing capacity. In this paper, the authors developed a simple but effective active sensing approach using embedded piezoceramic transducers to provide an in-situ detection of the interfacial debonding between the rubber layers and steel plates. A sandwiched rubber–steel-layered specimen, consisting of one rubber layer and two steel plates, was fabricated as the test specimen. A novel installation technique, which allows the piezoceramic transducers to be fully embedded into the steel plates without changing the geometry and the surface conditions of the plates, was also developed in this research. The active sensing approach, in which designed stress waves can propagate between a pair of the embedded piezoceramic transducers (one as an actuator and the other one as a sensor), was employed to detect the steel–rubber debonding. When the rubber–steel debonding occurs, the debonded interfaces will attenuate the propagating stress wave, so that the amplitude of the received signal will decrease. The rubber–steel debonding was generated by pulling the two steel plates in opposite directions in a material-testing machine. The changes of the received signal before and after the debonding were characterized in a time domain and further quantified by using a wavelet packet-based energy index. Experiments on the healthy rubber–steel-layered specimen reveal that the piezoceramic-induced stress wave can propagate through the rubber layer. The destructive test on the specimen demonstrates that the piezoceramic-based active sensing approach can effectively detect the rubber–steel debonding failure in real time. The active sensing approach is often used in structures with “hard” materials, such as steel, concrete, and carbon fiber composites. This research lays a foundation for extending the active sensing approach to damage detection of structures involving “soft” materials, such as rubber.
Alumina Concentration Detection Based on the Kernel Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Zhang Sen , Zhang Tao , Yin Yixin , Xiao Wendong
Published: September 2017

The concentration of alumina in the electrolyte is of great significance during the production of aluminum. The amount of the alumina concentration may lead to unbalanced material distribution and low production efficiency and affect the stability of the aluminum reduction cell and current efficiency. The existing methods cannot meet the needs for online measurement because industrial aluminum electrolysis has the characteristics of high temperature, strong magnetic field, coupled parameters, and high nonlinearity. Currently, there are no sensors or equipment that can detect the alumina concentration on line. Most companies acquire the alumina concentration from the electrolyte samples which are analyzed through an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. To solve the problem, the paper proposes a soft sensing model based on a kernel extreme learning machine algorithm that takes the kernel function into the extreme learning machine. K-fold cross validation is used to estimate the generalization error. The proposed soft sensing algorithm can detect alumina concentration by the electrical signals such as voltages and currents of the anode rods. The predicted results show that the proposed approach can give more accurate estimations of alumina concentration with faster learning speed compared with the other methods such as the basic ELM, BP, and SVM.
Multi-Mode GF-3 Satellite Image Geometric Accuracy Verification Using the RPC Model
Authors: Wang Taoyang , Zhang Guo , Yu Lei , Zhao Ruishan , Deng Mingjun , Xu Kai
Published: September 2017

The GaoFen-3 (GF-3) satellite is the first C-band multi-polarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite with a resolution up to 1 m in China. It is also the only SAR satellite of the High-Resolution Earth Observation System designed for civilian use. There are 12 different imaging models to meet the needs of different industry users. However, to use SAR satellite images for related applications, they must possess high geometric accuracy. In order to verify the geometric accuracy achieved by the different modes of GF-3 images, we analyze the SAR geometric error source and perform geometric correction tests based on the RPC model with and without ground control points (GCPs) for five imaging modes. These include the spotlight (SL), ultra-fine strip (UFS), Fine Strip I (FSI), Full polarized Strip I (QPSI), and standard strip (SS) modes. Experimental results show that the check point residuals are large and consistent without GCPs, but the root mean square error of the independent checkpoints for the case of four corner control points is better than 1.5 pixels, achieving a similar level of geometric positioning accuracy to that of international satellites. We conclude that the GF-3 satellite can be used for high-accuracy geometric processing and related industry applications.
SNORAP: A Device for the Correction of Impaired Sleep Health by Using Tactile Stimulation for Individuals with Mild and Moderate Sleep Disordered Breathing
Authors: Yağanoğlu Mete , Kayabekir Murat , Köse Cemal
Published: September 2017

Sleep physiology and sleep hygiene play significant roles in maintaining the daily lives of individuals given that sleep is an important physiological need to protect the functions of the human brain. Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is an important disease that disturbs this need. Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) are clinical conditions that affect all body organs and systems that intermittently, repeatedly, with at least 10 s or more breathing stops that decrease throughout the night and disturb sleep integrity. The aim of this study was to produce a new device for the treatment of patients especially with position and rapid eye movement (REM)-dependent mild and moderate OSAS. For this purpose, the main components of the device (the microphone (snore sensor), the heart rate sensor, and the vibration motor, which we named SNORAP) were applied to five volunteer patients (male, mean age: 33.2, body mass index mean: 29.3). After receiving the sound in real time with the microphone, the snoring sound was detected by using the Audio Fingerprint method with a success rate of 98.9%. According to the results obtained, the severity and the number of the snoring of the patients using SNORAP were found to be significantly lower than in the experimental conditions in the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), apnea index, hypopnea index, in supine position’s AHI, and REM position’s AHI before using SNORAP (Paired Sample Test, p < 0.05). REM sleep duration and nocturnal oxygen saturation were significantly higher when compared to the group not using the SNORAP (Paired Sample Test, p < 0.05).
Foundational Gender Theory for a Dangerous World: Intersectional Gender Seminar in the Fight against Rape Culture
Authors: Vidal Flavia , Hawthorne Tasha
Published: September 2017

This paper focuses on a team-taught gender studies colloquium in the spring term of 2016 at Phillips Academy at Andover. Having heard the loud and clear message coming down from college campuses and being familiar with their harrowing statistics of gender-based violence and sexual assault, we knew that we must educate high-school students about gender theory, gender-based violence, and sexual-assault prevention as early as possible. The course introduced students to foundational texts in intersectional gender theory and key concepts as they are understood and used in critical interdisciplinary studies of gender. We explored how these concepts are taken up from different perspectives to address specific social problems, particularly rape culture—actions, events, and attitudes that normalize, trivialize, and highlight an overarching pattern of sexual assault, more often than not directed at women—and the implications of these critical approaches for thinking about and acting in the world.
Behaviour of a Sustainable Concrete in Acidic Environment
Authors: Barbhuiya Salim , Kumala Davin
Published: September 2017

Sustainability has become one of the most important considerations in building design and construction in recent years. Concrete is susceptible to acid attack because of its alkaline nature. The socioeconomic losses associated with infrastructure deterioration due to acid attack exceed billions of dollars all around the world. An experimental investigation was carried out to study the behaviour of sustainable concrete in 3% sulphuric acid and 1.5% nitric acid environment in which cement was replaced by a combination of fly ash and ultra fine fly ash. It was found that the compressive strength loss of concrete in these acid environments was the minimum in which cement was replaced by 30% fly ash and 10% ultra fine fly ash. This mix also showed the lowest mass loss when exposed to these acids.
Facilitating Regional Energy Transition Strategies: Toward a Typology of Regions
Authors: Lutz Lotte , Lang Daniel , Von Wehrden Henrik
Published: September 2017

The regional level is essential for the use of renewable energies since on this level national political goals are harmonized with implementation activities. Hence, regional strategies can, we argue, be useful. Yet, these strategies must be tailored to meet a variety of contextual conditions. Within this study, we identified natural and socio-economic conditions that need to be considered when developing regional strategies for Energiewende. Focusing on these conditions, we conducted a multivariate statistical analysis of all 412 German districts (Landkreise). We identified nine energy context types characterized by different renewable energy potentials and socio-economic conditions. We propose to develop one generic regional energy transition strategy for each of the energy context types. These can serve as a governance tool that operationalizes and allocates national Energiewende goals according to regional contextual conditions. Moreover, the energy context types may support regional decision makers by allowing them to prioritize steps in the transition process, to establish networks with, and to learn from, similar regions.
Inherited Retinal Disease Therapies Targeting Precursor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid
Authors: Huang Di , Fletcher Sue , Wilton Steve , Palmer Norman , McLenachan Samuel , Mackey David , Chen Fred
Published: September 2017

Inherited retinal diseases are an extremely diverse group of genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous conditions characterized by variable maturation of retinal development, impairment of photoreceptor cell function and gradual loss of photoreceptor cells and vision. Significant progress has been made over the last two decades in identifying the many genes implicated in inherited retinal diseases and developing novel therapies to address the underlying genetic defects. Approximately one-quarter of exonic mutations related to human inherited diseases are likely to induce aberrant splicing products, providing opportunities for the development of novel therapeutics that target splicing processes. The feasibility of antisense oligomer mediated splice intervention to treat inherited diseases has been demonstrated in vitro, in vivo and in clinical trials. In this review, we will discuss therapeutic approaches to treat inherited retinal disease, including strategies to correct splicing and modify exon selection at the level of pre-mRNA. The challenges of clinical translation of this class of emerging therapeutics will also be discussed.
Effect of Roughness on Conservative Solute Transport through Synthetic Rough Single Fractures
Authors: Chen Zhou , Zhan Hongbin , Zhao Guiqing , Huang Yong , Tan Yefei
Published: September 2017

Understanding solute transport in fractured rocks is of particular importance in many applications. Aperture values ranging from 4.7 to 8.7 mm and Reynolds number (Re) values at 9.38~1743.8 were set for investigating fluid flow through synthetic horizontal single smooth and rough fractures. The Brilliant Blue FCF dye was chosen as the tracer to visualize the transport process. This paper focuses on the dispersion process in rough single fractures under non-Darcian flow conditions. Non-Darcian flow existed in both smooth and rough single fractures and the average flow velocity–hydraulic gradient (V–J) relationships were best described by the Forchheimer equation. The main objectives were to check the existing flow and transport models and to study possible correlations between fitting parameters and heterogeneities. The classical advection dispersion equation (ADE) model failed to capture the long-tailing of breakthrough curves (BTCs). Instead, the continuous time random walk (CTRW) model was better at explaining BTCs in both smooth and rough fractures, especially in capturing the long-tailing feature. The non-Darcian coefficient βc in the Forchheimer equation and the coefficient β in the CTRW model appeared to be most relevant for characterizing the heterogeneity of the rough single fractures.
Clinical Results of Accelerated Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Central-Type Small Lung Tumours
Authors: Hatayama Y. , Aoki M. , Kawaguchi H. , Hirose K. , Sato M. , Akimoto H. , Tanaka M. , Fujioka I. , Ichise K. , Ono S. , Takai Y.
Published: September 2017

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (AHYPOF-RT) for central-type small lung tumours. Methods: Between November 2006 and January 2015, 40 patients with central-type small lung tumours underwent AHYPOF-RT delivered using 10 MV X-rays and a coplanar 3-field technique. The number of fractions ranged from 24 to 28, with a fraction size of 2.5–3 Gy. A total dose of 69–75 Gy to the isocentre of the planning target volume was administered to each patient. Cumulative survival and local control rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: The 27 men and 13 women enrolled in the study had a median age of 79 years (range: 60−87 years). The tumour stage was T1a in 9 patients, T1b in 17 patients, and T2a in 14 patients, with a median size of 26.5 cm (range: 11–49 cm). The median follow-up period was 23 months. A complete response was achieved in 3 patients (7.5%), and a partial response, in 17 patients (42.5%). The overall 2-year and 3-year local control rates were 87.3% and 81.8% respectively; the 2-year and 3-year overall survival rates were 78.9% and 66.7% respectively. Grade 3 pneumonitis occurred in 3 patients; no other severe adverse events (≥grade 3) were observed in any patient. Conclusions: Accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy using a fraction size of 2.5–3 Gy was highly safe and can be a more effective treatment option than conventional radiotherapy for patients with central-type small lung tumours.
Experiences of Canadian Oncologists with Difficult Patient Deaths and Coping Strategies Used
Authors: Granek L. , Barbera L. , Nakash O. , Cohen M. , Krzyzanowska M.K.
Published: September 2017

Objectives: We aimed to explore and identify what makes patient death more emotionally difficult for oncologists and how oncologists cope with patient death. Methods: A convenience sample of 98 Canadian oncologists (50 men, 48 women) completed an online survey that included a demographics section and a section about patient death. Results: More than 80% of oncologists reported that patient age, long-term management of a patient, and unexpected disease outcomes contributed to difficult patient loss. Other factors included the doctor–patient relationship, identification with the patient, caregiver-related factors, oncologist-related factors, and “bad deaths.” Oncologists reported varying strategies to cope with patient death. Most prevalent was peer support from colleagues, including nurses and other oncologists. Additional strategies included social support, exercise and meditation, faith, vacations, and use of alcohol and medications. Conclusions: Oncologists listed a number of interpersonal and structural factors that make patient death challenging for them to cope with. Oncologists reported a number of coping strategies in responding to patient death, including peer support, particularly from nursing colleagues. No single intervention will be suitable for all oncologists, and institutions wishing to help their staff cope with the emotional difficulty of patient loss should offer a variety of interventions to maximize the likelihood of oncologist participation.
Communication and Informed Consent ... a Story
Authors: Aitini E.
Published: September 2017

Someone knocks at the door [...]
Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Patterns of Care and Role of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy—A Population-Based Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Atallah S. , Al-Assaf H. , Xu Y. , El-Sayed S.
Published: September 2017

Purpose: We reviewed the experience of a tertiary cancer centre in the management of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) treated over 40 years. We also searched the literature for guidelines related to the treatment of ACC and for evidence for adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). Methods: In a retrospective chart review, ACC patients treated between January 1974 and December 2013 were identified, and patient demographics and tumour characteristics were extracted. Outcomes data, including dates and sites of failure, vital status, and cause of death, were collected. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan– Meier method. A MEDLINE search using PubMed, Ovid, and embase was used to review the literature about the role of RT and any available management guidelines for ACC. Results: Of 81 patients identified during the chart review, 39 had confirmed ACC. In 32 patients, surgical resection was performed, including in 2 patients with M1 disease. Of those 32 patients, 16 received adjuvant systemic treatment (mitotane or concurrent chemoradiation). Only 6 patients received adjuvant RT, of whom 3 are still alive (2 living with distant failure). At a median follow-up of 3.8 years, 28 patients had died (72%), 10 were living (26%), and 1 had been lost to follow-up. Of the 22 patients for whom failure data were available, 2 experienced local failure, and the rest, distant failure. Conclusions: The current data are insufficient to make treatment recommendations. Use of collaborative databases and consensus about diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines are warranted for better identification of optimum management. Adjuvant RT could be a reasonable option for R1 disease, but further research is needed.
Oral Chinese Herbal Medicine as Maintenance Treatment after Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Q. , Wang Q. , Wang S.F. , Jiao L.J. , Zhang R.X. , Zhong Y. , Zhang J. , Xu L.
Published: September 2017

Background: The concept of maintenance therapy in cancer treatment is currently under debate because of modest survival benefits, added toxicity, economic considerations, and quality-of-life concerns. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is widely used in China for cancer patients, offering the advantages of low toxicity and enhancement of quality of life. However, no systematic reviews or meta-analyses have assessed the role of TCM as maintenance treatment for non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Methods: We searched the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases for all eligible studies. The endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), the 1-year and 2-year survival rates, and performance status. Our meta-analysis used a fixed-effects model and a random-effects model for heterogeneity in the Stata software application (version 11.0: StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, U.S.A.), with the results expressed as hazard ratios (HRS) or risk ratios (RRS), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIS). Results: Sixteen randomized studies representing 1150 patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared with best supportive care, observation, or placebo, TCM as maintenance treatment was associated with a significant increase in OS (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.68; p < 0.001), PFS (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.84; p = 0.001), and 2-year survival rate (RR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.92, p = 0.017), and a significant improvement in performance status (RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.75; p < 0.001). Conclusions: For patients who show non-progression—including stable disease, partial response, or complete response—after first-line chemotherapy, including those with poor quality of life, oral Chinese herbal medicine can be considered an efficient and safe maintenance therapy strategy.
Systemic Therapy in Incurable Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours: A Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: Singh S. , Sivajohanathan D. , Asmis T. , Cho C. , Hammad N. , Law C. , Wong R. , Zbuk K.
Published: September 2017

Purpose: The purpose of the present review was to determine which antineoplastic systemic therapy is most effective in improving clinical outcomes for patients with incurable gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETS). Methods: A systematic search (2008–2016) of the literature in the medline and embase databases and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was conducted; abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, the European Society for Medical Oncology, the European Cancer Congress, the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society, and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society were reviewed. Draft recommendations were created, and a comprehensive review process was undertaken. Outcomes—including progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, objective response rate, adverse events, and quality of life—were extracted from each of the studies. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTS), sixteen nonrandomized prospective studies, and thirteen retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Patients with well- or moderately-differentiated pancreatic NETS (PNETS) should receive targeted therapy (that is, everolimus or sunitinib), and patients with non-PNETS should be offered either targeted therapy (that is, everolimus) or somatostatin analogues (SSAS—that is, octreotide long-acting release or lanreotide). Evidence from two phase iii trials demonstrated a significant PFS benefit for patients with PNETS. For patients with non-PNETS, the evidence comes from subgroup analyses of RCTS, as well as from a planned interim analysis. Although the evidence has limitations, the rarity of the disease, coupled with the difficulty of conducting methodologically sound trials in the affected population, means that treatment decisions have to make use of the best available evidence. Because of insufficient evidence for both PNETS and non-PNETS, no evidence-based recommendation can be made for or against other types of targeted therapy, other SSAS, chemotherapy, or combination therapy.
Canadian Lung Cancer Conference 2017
Authors: Chooback N. , Melosky B. , Ho C.
Published: September 2017

The 2017 Canadian Lung Cancer Conference was held 9–10 February in Vancouver, British Columbia. Each year at this prestigious event, hundreds of professionals involved in lung cancer care come together to discuss new research, to learn about recent developments, and to collaborate and network with colleagues from across the country. This year’s meeting featured highly anticipated sessions, including resident education, multidisciplinary breakout sessions, debates, and an immuno-oncology symposium.
Acute Care Hospitalization Near the End of Life for Cancer Patients Who Die in Hospital in Canada
Authors: DeCaria K. , Dudgeon D. , Green E. , Moxam R. Shaw , Rahal R. , Niu J. , Bryant H.
Published: September 2017

Acute care hospitals have a role in managing the health care needs of people affected by cancer when they are at the end of life. However, there is a need to provide end-of-life care in other settings, including at home or in hospice, when such settings are more appropriate. Using data from 9 provinces, we examined indicators that describe the current landscape of acute care hospital use at the end of life for patients who died of cancer in hospital in Canada. Interprovincial variation was observed in acute care hospital deaths, length of stay in hospital, readmission to hospital, and intensive care unit use at the end of life. High rates of acute care hospital use near the end of life might suggest that community and home-based end-of-life care might not be suiting patient needs.
A New Orbit for the Eclipsing Binary V577 Oph
Authors: Jeffery Elizabeth J. , Barnes Thomas G. , Skillen Ian , Montemayor Thomas J.
Published: September 2017

Pulsating stars in eclipsing binary systems are unique objects for providing constraints on stellar models. To fully leverage the information available from the binary system, full orbital radial velocity curves must be obtained. We report 23 radial velocities for components of the eclipsing binary V577 Oph, whose primary star is a δ Sct variable. The velocities cover a nearly complete orbit and a time base of 20 years. We computed orbital elements for the binary and compared them to the ephemeris computed by Creevey et al. The comparison shows marginally different results. In particular, a change in the systemic velocity by −2 km s−1 is suggested by our results. We compare this systemic velocity difference to that expected due to reflex motion of the binary in response to the third body in the system. The systemic velocity difference is consistent with reflex motion, given our mass determination for the eclipsing binary and the orbital parameters determined by Volkov & Volkova for the three-body orbit. We see no evidence for the third body in our spectra, but we do see strong interstellar Na D lines that are consistent in strength with the direction and expected distance of V577 Oph.
Exploring the Inner Acceleration Region of Solar Wind: A Study Based on Coronagraphic UV and Visible Light Data
Authors: Bemporad A.
Published: September 2017

This work combined coronagraphic visible light (VL) and UV data to provide with an unprecedented view of the inner corona where the nascent solar wind is accelerated. The UV (H i Lyα) and VL (polarized brightness) images (reconstructed with SOHO/UVCS, LASCO, and Mauna Loa data) have been analyzed with the Doppler dimming technique to provide for the first time daily 2D images of the radial wind speed between 1 and 6 R
⊙ over 1 month of observations. Results show that both polar and equatorial regions are characterized at the base of the corona by plasma outflows at speeds

km s−1. The plasma is then decelerated within ∼1.5 R
⊙ at the poles and ∼2.0 R
⊙ at the equator, where local minima of the expansion speeds are reached, and gently reaccelerated higher up, reaching speeds typical of fast and slow wind components. The mass flux is highly variable with latitude and time at the equator and more uniform and stable over the poles. The polar flow is asymmetric, with speeds above the south pole lower than those above the north pole. A correlation (anticorrelation) between the wind speed and its density is found below (above) ∼1.8 R
⊙. The 2D distribution of forces responsible for deceleration and reacceleration of solar wind is provided and interpreted in terms of Alfvén waves. These results provide a possible connection between small-scale outflows reported with other instruments at the base of the corona and bulk wind flows measured higher up.
Experimental Phase Functions of Millimeter-sized Cosmic Dust Grains
Authors: Muñoz O. , Moreno F. , Vargas-Martín F. , Guirado D. , Escobar-Cerezo J. , Min M. , Hovenier J. W.
Published: September 2017

We present the experimental phase functions of three types of millimeter-sized dust grains consisting of enstatite, quartz, and volcanic material from Mount Etna, respectively. The three grains present similar sizes but different absorbing properties. The measurements are performed at 527 nm covering the scattering angle range from 3° to 170°. The measured phase functions show two well-defined regions: (i) soft forward peaks and (ii) a continuous increase with the scattering angle at side- and back-scattering regions. This behavior at side- and back-scattering regions is in agreement with the observed phase functions of the Fomalhaut and HR 4796A dust rings. Further computations and measurements (including polarization) for millimeter-sized grains are needed to draw some conclusions about the fluffy or compact structure of the dust grains.
Satellitesimal Formation via Collisional Dust Growth in Steady Circumplanetary Disks
Authors: Shibaike Yuhito , Okuzumi Satoshi , Sasaki Takanori , Ida Shigeru
Published: September 2017

The icy satellites around Jupiter are considered to have formed in a circumplanetary disk. While previous models have focused on the formation of the satellites starting from satellitesimals, the question of how satellitesimals themselves form from smaller dust particles has not yet been addressed. In this work, we study the possibility that satellitesimals form in situ in a circumplanetary disk. We calculate the radial distribution of the surface density and representative size of icy dust particles that grow by colliding with each other and drift toward the central planet in a steady circumplanetary disk with a continuous supply of gas and dust from the parent protoplanetary disk. The radial drift barrier is overcome if the ratio of the dust-to-gas accretion rates onto the circumplanetary disk,

, is high and the strength of turbulence, α, is not too low. The collision velocity is lower than the critical velocity of fragmentation when α is low. Taken together, we find that the conditions for satellitesimal formation via dust coagulation are given by

and

. The former condition is generally difficult to achieve, suggesting that the in situ satellitesimal formation via particle sticking is viable only under extreme conditions. We also show that neither satellitesimal formation via the collisional growth of porous aggregates nor via streaming instability is viable as long as

is low.
A Mixture Evolution Scenario of the AGN Radio Luminosity Function. II. Do Low- and High-power Radio-loud AGNs Evolve Differently?
Authors: Yuan Zunli , Wang Jiancheng , Zhou Ming , Qin Longhua , Mao Jirong
Published: September 2017

Following previous work, we further confirm that the cosmic evolution of steep-spectrum radio-loud AGNs (active galactic nuclei) can be reproduced by a simple combination of density evolution (DE) and luminosity evolution (LE). This mixture evolution scenario can naturally explain the luminosity-dependent evolution of radio-loud AGNs. Our models successfully fitted a large amount of data on radio luminosity functions of steep-spectrum sources and multi-frequency source counts. The modeling indicates that the DE slowly increases as

out to

, and then rapidly decreases as

, while the LE rapidly increases as

out to a higher redshift (at least

). We find a high-redshift decline (i.e., redshift cutoff) in the number density of steep-spectrum radio sources, but we cannot conclude whether such a decline is sharp or shallow. We believe that whether a redshift cutoff occurs or not depends mainly on DE, while its steepness is decided by LE, which, however, cannot be well constrained due to the lack of high-redshift samples. Most intriguingly, according to our mixture evolution scenario, there appears to be no need for different evolution for the low- and high-power radio-loud AGNs. Both types of sources experience the same combined evolution of DE and LE.
A Widespread, Clumpy Starburst in the Isolated Ongoing Dwarf Galaxy Merger dm1647+21
Authors: Privon G. C. , Stierwalt S. , Patton D. R. , Besla G. , Pearson S. , Putman M. , Johnson K. E. , Kallivayalil N. , Liss S. ,   (TiNy Titans)
Published: September 2017

Interactions between pairs of isolated dwarf galaxies provide a critical window into low-mass hierarchical, gas-dominated galaxy assembly and the build-up of stellar mass in low-metallicity systems. We present the first Very Large Telescope/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (VLT/MUSE) optical integral field unit (IFU) observations of the interacting dwarf pair dm1647+21 selected from the TiNy Titans survey. The Hα emission is widespread and corresponds to a total unobscured star formation rate (SFR) of 0.44 M
⊙ yr−1, which is 2.7 times higher than the SFR inferred from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data. The implied specific SFR (sSFR) for the system is elevated by more than an order of magnitude above non-interacting dwarfs in the same mass range. This increase is dominated by the lower-mass galaxy, which has a sSFR enhancement of >50. Examining the spatially resolved maps of classic optical line diagnostics, we find that the interstellar medium (ISM) excitation can be fully explained by star formation. The velocity field of the ionized gas is not consistent with simple rotation. Dynamical simulations indicate that the irregular velocity field and the stellar structure is consistent with the identification of this system as an ongoing interaction between two dwarf galaxies. The widespread, clumpy enhancements in the star formation in this system point to important differences in the effect of mergers on dwarf galaxies, compared to massive galaxies; rather than the funneling of gas to the nucleus and giving rise to a nuclear starburst, starbursts in low-mass galaxy mergers may be triggered by large-scale ISM compression, and thus may be more distributed.
A Panchromatic View of Brown Dwarf Aurorae
Authors: Pineda J. Sebastian , Hallinan Gregg , Kao Melodie M.
Published: September 2017

Stellar coronal activity has been shown to persist into the low-mass star regime, down to late M-dwarf spectral types. However, there is now an accumulation of evidence suggesting that at the end of the main sequence, there is a transition in the nature of the magnetic activity from chromospheric and coronal to planet-like and auroral, from local impulsive heating via flares and MHD wave dissipation to energy dissipation from strong large-scale magnetospheric current systems. We examine this transition and the prevalence of auroral activity in brown dwarfs through a compilation of multiwavelength surveys of magnetic activity, including radio, X-ray, and optical. We compile the results of those surveys and place their conclusions in the context of auroral emission as a consequence of large-scale magnetospheric current systems that accelerate energetic electron beams and drive the particles to impact the cool atmospheric gas. We explore the different manifestations of auroral phenomena, like Hα, in brown dwarf atmospheres and define their distinguishing characteristics. We conclude that large-amplitude photometric variability in the near-infrared is most likely a consequence of clouds in brown dwarf atmospheres, but that auroral activity may be responsible for long-lived stable surface features. We report a connection between auroral Hα emission and quiescent radio emission in electron cyclotron maser instability pulsing brown dwarfs, suggesting a potential underlying physical connection between quiescent and auroral emissions. We also discuss the electrodynamic engines powering brown dwarf aurorae and the possible role of satellites around these systems both to power the aurorae and seed the magnetosphere with plasma.