bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Когнітивні функції у пацієнтів з фібриляцією передсердь та абдомінальним ожирінням
Authors: Stadnik S.M.
Published: August 2016

З метою визначення та порівняння частоти й тяжкості когнітивних розладів (КР) у пацієнтів молодого й середнього віку з фібриляцією передсердь (ФП), абдомінальним ожирінням (АО) та метаболічним синдромом (МС) обстежено 196 пацієнтів. КР, що характеризувалися зниженням пам’яті, уваги, порушеннями сприйняття, вербальної швидкості й виконавчих функцій, діагностовано у 88,3 % пацієнтів з ФП і АО та у 89,5 % пацієнтів з МС. У пацієнтів з ФП, у тому числі в поєднанні з АО, додементні й тяжкі КР зустрічалися частіше, ніж у хворих з АО і синусовим ритмом. В обстежених із синусовим ритмом і нормальною окружністю талії без серцево-судинних захворювань тяжкі й помірні КР не спостерігалися. Ступінь вираженості КР у пацієнтів з ФП і АО не залежав від структурних змін сонних артерій і серця. Факторами ризику розвитку КР у пацієнтів молодого й середнього віку з ФП і АО були наявність МС та підвищений рівень С-реактивного протеїну в сироватці крові. Пацієнтам молодого й середнього віку з ФП, АО і МС необхідно оцінювати когнітивні функції для ранньої діагностики та запобігання прогресуванню КР.
«Складний» пацієнт у клініці рухових розладів
Authors: Kripchak O.O.
Published: August 2016

23–25 березня в м. Києві, за підтримки Української асоціації медичної освіти, відбувся EPIC­Congress — науково­практичний захід, у рамках якого були розглянуті актуальні проблеми епілепсії, хвороби Паркінсона, нейродегенеративних і когнітивних розладів. Упродовж трьох років конгрес викликає серйозний інтерес у неврологів і нейрохірургів України як до тем, що розглядаються, так і до нестандартного формату заходу. Зокрема, секція, присвячена хворобі Паркінсона, була проведена в режимі паралельних доповідей і діалогу професора Тетяни Миколаївни Слободін (кафедра неврології № 1 НМАПО ім. П.Л. Шупика, м. Київ) та лікаря ­невролога Олени Олексіївни Кріпчак (Обласна клінічна лікарня, м. Львів), які детально розглянули тему «складного» пацієнта в клініці рухових розладів. Доповіді супроджувались демонстрацією відео клінічних випадків пацієнтів.
Применение прегабалина для лечения периферической и центральной нейропатической боли у взрослых (научный обзор)
Authors: Marusychenko V.V. , Yevtushenko I.A.
Published: August 2016

Предпосылки. Прегабалин является габапентиноидом нового поколения с улучшенными фармакологическими свойствами. Нейропатическая боль — актуальная проблема современной медицины, в отдельных случаях трудно поддающаяся лечению. В связи с этим цель настоящего обзора сводится к оценке эффективности прегабалина при лечении периферической и центральной нейропатической боли в клинических исследованиях высокого уровня. Материалы и методы. В настоящий обзор были включены рандомизированные контролируемые исследования (РКИ) с двойным слепым дизайном и их метаанализы. Результаты. В выполненных исследованиях была подтверждена обезболивающая активность прегабалина у пациентов с нейропатической болью: при болевой диабетической нейропатии (9 РКИ), постгерпетической невралгии (4 РКИ), центральной нейропатической боли вследствие повреждения спинного мозга (3 РКИ), посттравматической периферической нейропатической боли, включая хроническую послеоперационную боль (2 РКИ), нейропатической боли при раке (2 РКИ). Требует дальнейшего уточнения эффективность препарата при центральной нейропатической боли вследствие повреждения головного мозга и хронической боли в нижней части спины (в обоих случаях по 2 РКИ с результатами «есть эффект/нет эффекта»). Дополнительно у пациентов с нейропатической болью прегабалин уменьшал нарушение сна, улучшал общее состояние и качество жизни. Кроме того, уменьшалась выраженность аллодинии при постгерпетической невралгии, тревоги при центральной нейропатической боли, снижалась потребность в морфине при нейропатической боли вследствие рака и выраженность обусловленных им запоров, усиливались эффекты нестероидных противовоспалительных средств при хронической боли в нижней части спины. Эффективность прегабалина у пожилых пациентов была сравнима с таковой у более молодых пациентов. Прегабалин назначают в дозе 75 мг/день в 1 прием или в дозе 150 мг/день в 2 приема. Затем дозу постепенно увеличивают до 300–600 мг/день таким образом, чтобы соотношение эффективность/безопасность было оптимальным. Обезболивающий эффект начинает появляться в первую неделю терапии, в зависимости от выбранного дозового режима и тяжести патологии. Побочные эффекты при лечении прегабалином носят легкий и умеренный характер, часто самостоятельно исчезают по ходу лечения. Наиболее частыми побочными эффектами были головокружение (прегабалин — 26,3 %, плацебо — 9 %), сонливость (16,8 и 7 % соответственно) и периферические отеки (8,9 и 0,4 % соответственно). Несмотря на то что частота побочных эффектов для прегабалина превышала таковую для плацебо и в ряде случаев приводила к прекращению приема препарата, авторы исследований сообщают о хорошей переносимости прегабалина. Выводы. Результаты исследований высокого уровня подтверждают эффективность прегабалина в лечении пациентов с периферической и центральной нейропатической болью. Для препарата была характерна хорошая переносимость.
Причини, прояви, ускладнення (інсульт, статус), лікування та профілактика мігрені
Authors: Oros M.M. , Lutz V.V. , Mytsak Kh.V. , Mykhailov R.V.
Published: August 2016

У статті наведені ключові позиції щодо діагностики та лікування мігрені. Викладено структуру мігренозних нападів, ускладнення, принципи лікування різних видів нападів мігрені та превентивного лікування. Приділено увагу використанню антиконвульсантів.
Хроническая мигрень: современные принципы менеджмента (обзор литературы)
Authors: Delva M.Yu. , Nikiforova O.S.
Published: August 2016

В статье обсуждаются и анализируются современные литературные данные об одном из осложнений мигрени — хронической мигрени. Показана научно-клиническая эволюция диагностических критериев этого заболевания. Анализируется частота развития хронической мигрени, ее негативное влияние на качество жизни и функциональное состояние пациентов. Проведен обзор основных факторов риска, патогенетических механизмов и нейровизуализационных маркеров хронизации мигрени. Показана ведущая роль процессов центральной сенситизации в трансформации мигрени в хроническую форму. Освещены современные принципы эффективной профилактики и адекватной превентивной нефармакологической и медикаментозной терапии хронической мигрени.
Ключові аспекти та демонстрація клінічного випадку вродженої недиференційованої дисплазії сполучної тканини
Authors: Ovcharuk M.V.
Published: August 2016

В статті описано клінічний випадок пацієнта з верифікованою дисплазією сполучної тканини, що є актуальною темою на сучасному етапі розвитку медицини. В останні 20–25 років перебіг багатьох класичних захворювань нетиповий. З початку 90-х років минулого сторіччя публікуються роботи, що пояснюють масштабність патоморфозу багатьох захворювань саме з дисплазією сполучної тканини, системність ураження при цьому пов’язана з великим поширенням сполучної тканини в організмі людини та багатьма її функціями, такими як захисна, опорна, механічна, гомеостатична, структуроутворююча. У зв’язку з цим наводимо клінічний випадок власного спостереження пацієнта молодого віку, якого було госпіталізовано в пульмонологічне відділення зі скаргами, характерними для ураження багатьох систем, що не є типовим для молодого віку. Звертали на себе увагу такі особливості анамнезу: часті бронхіти з дитинства, чотири спонтанних пневмоторакси, двостороннє видалення апікальних сегментів обох легень. Після обстеження лікарем-генетиком встановлено діагноз «недиференційована дисплазія сполучної тканини». Мета роботи — звернути увагу лікарів усіх спеціальностей, у тому числі неврологів, сімейних лікарів, на дану патологію у зв’язку з почастішанням таких випадків, важливістю своєчасної діагностики та коректного лікування.
Постпункционная головная боль: профилактика
Authors: Fesenko V.S.
Published: August 2016

Постпункционная головная боль, осложнение прокола твердой оболочки спинного мозга, является нередким побочным эффектом спинальной анестезии и поясничной пункции. Ее частоту можно снизить при использовании как можно более тонких игл, с карандашевидными кончиками вместо кончиков Квинке, при боковой ориентации среза кончика Квинке и посредством повторного вставления мандрена после пункции. Медикаменты и гидратация менее эффективны. Постельный режим не эффективен.
The Computer-Assisted Language Learning in Teaching English as a Foreign Language: A Challenge or Myth in Benin Secondary Schools?
Authors: Mensah Perpétue Romualde D.
Published: August 2016

Nowadays, the use of technologies has swept through every domain in human endeavor and particularly in the field of education. This phenomenon has been influencing everyday classroom practices over the world. Unfortunately, this has not been a reality yet in Benin classes. Therefore, this research work explored and shed light on the opportunities related to the use of the computer in Teaching English as a Foreign Language on the one hand. On the second hand, it strove to diagnose the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of Benin educational system that can contribute to promote, delay or impede the use of the computer to support English teaching. To easily address the different aspects, the study combined interviews, direct observations plus questionnaires. The findings were far from smooth and the key issues surrounding them were questioned.
Widowhood and Its Harmful Practices: Causes, Effects and the Possible Way out for Widows and Women Folk
Authors: Wuraola Dr. Adeyemo, C.
Published: August 2016

This study investigates widowhood practices in Nigeria in Southwestern, Nigeria. It particularly examines the influencing factors for the harmful widowhood practices in spite of modernization. The researcher discovered that there are certain cultural imbalances in the practice of widowhood between widows and widowers. And that the disorganizing and traumatic experience which accompanies the death of the husband tends to be greater than that which accompanies the death of the wife. The study revealed that; illiteracy, poverty, male-dominated society, poor socio-economic status of women, religion belief and traditional inheritance laws are factors responsible for the harmful practices. These directly and indirectly have negative effects on widows and their children. This study therefore recommends qualitative education for the girl-child at early stage, enlightenment programmes and vocational skills acquisition for all women, particularly widows, as means of reducing, if not totally eradicated the harmful rites, unjust discrimination and inhuman treatments against widows and the generality of women.
Ethnic Identity vs. Religious Affiliation: Understanding the Divide between Arab American Christians and Muslims
Authors: Hafsa Lanouar Ben
Published: August 2016

The epithets “Arab” and “Muslim” are often confused and, in the mind of many Americans, they expressly mean the same. In reality, they do not even overlap. Actually, although they have become more visible over the past few decades, Arab Americans remain an inadequately described community. The first challenge in studying them poses the problem of determining their size. The non-availability of official census data, added to contrasted estimates provided by nongovernmental institutions, makes it more difficult to draw an accurate statistical picture of such a tiny but extremely diverse group.

This paper seeks to explore the thorny issue of Arab American identity. It aims to track the paths of two communities, Arab American Christians and Muslims, that self-identify as “Arabs”, but differ in many respects as to the way they adjust to mainstream society and respond to the stumbling blocks encountered on their way for assimilation. It basically aims to demonstrate how, despite inherited sectarian frictions, both groups succeeded in recent history to cross faith lines and to constitute themselves as a cohesive ethnic entity in the United States. At the same time, it delegitimizes claims that the group named “Arab American” is a monolith, and demonstrates that, contrary to popular assumptions, the two labels, “Arab” and “American”, are not mutually exclusive.
Lattice Boltzmann Method and diffusion in materials with large diffusivity ratios
Authors: Walther Édouard , Bennacer Rachid , De Sa
Published: August 2016

This work is centered on the safe usage of the lattice Boltzmann method for 2-D pure diffusion. The basics of the method for pure diffusion are first elucidated using a new definition given in the paper. The oscillating behavior and safe conditions of use are then explored in the case of homogeneous material as well as heterogeneous materials with circular and plane interfaces. As a conclusion, the range of valid relaxation factors is given for a correct use of lattice Boltzmann method.
Similarity method for boundary-layer flow of a non-Newtonian viscous fluid at a convectively heated surface
Authors: Bognar Gabriella
Published: August 2016

The similarity method is presented for the determination of the velocity and the temperature distribution in the boundary-layer next to a horizontal moving surface heated convectively from below. The basic partial differential equations are transformed to a system of ordinary differential equations subjected to boundary conditions.
Two interfacial collinear Griffith cracks in thermo-elastic composite media
Authors: Mishra Prashant , Das Subir
Published: August 2016

The objective of the article is to find the stress intensity factors and crack energy for a pair of collinear Griffith cracks situated at the interface of the two orthotropic materials under steady-state temperature field. The problem is reduced to a pair of singular integral equations, which are solved using Jacobi?s polynomials. Numerical computations are carried out for two different pairs of orthotropic materials for different particular cases, which are depicted through figures. The effect of material constants and temperature coefficients on the behavior of physical quantities viz., stress intensity factors and crack energy of the interfacial cracks is the key feature of the present article.
A Prospective Six-Year Clinical Study Evaluating Reinforced Glass Ionomer Cements with Resin Coating on Posterior Teeth: Quo Vadis?
Authors: Türkün LS , Kanik Ö
Published: August 2016

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical performance of two encapsulated glass ionomer cements (GICs) (EquiaFil and Riva SC) covered with two different coatings (Equia Coat and Fuji Varnish) over six years using modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria.

Methods:

Fifty-four patients having class I and II restorations/caries were included in the study. A total of 256 restorations were made with EquiaFil and Riva SC. Equia Coat or Fuji Varnish was used randomly on the surface of the restorations. After cavity preparations, the teeth were randomly restored with one GIC and coated with Equia Coat or Fuji Varnish. The restorations were evaluated at baseline; six, 12, and 18 months; and six years after placement using modified USPHS criteria. Two evaluators checked color match, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, caries formation, anatomical form, postoperative sensitivity, and retention rate, and photographs were taken at each recall. The results were evaluated with Pearson chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-test (p<0.05).

Results:

Thirty-seven patients were evaluated. There was a significant difference between EquiaFil and Riva SC regarding retention rate and color match after six years (p=0.033 and 0.046). When comparing baseline to six years, the overall success of EquiaFil was better than Riva SC, having significant problems regarding retention rate and anatomical form (p=0.016 and 0.031). Class II cavities were significantly worse in marginal adaptation, anatomical form, and retention rate in the Riva SC groups (p=0.033, 0.015, and 0.007) but not in the EquiaFil groups. The combination of the coatings had no effect on the overall success of the materials.

Conclusions:

The EquiaFil system was more successful than Riva SC regarding color match, marginal adaptation, anatomic form, and retention rate after a six-year clinical evaluation period.
Diagnostic dilemma of ectopic breast in axillary region among the patients attending tertiary care hospital in rural India
Authors: Krishna Mani , Dayal Seema
Published: August 2016

Background and objectives: Breast developmental anomalies are common. Normally there are two breasts with nipple and areola. When it is more than two breasts, it is called Polymastia. It can also be known as ectopic or accessory breast. Diagnosis is must because it shows same disease conditions which are seen in normally occurring breast tissue. The aim of present study was to know the clinical characters, symptoms and microscopic pathological, physiological changes seen with patients diagnosed with axillary accessory breast tissue.Materials and Method: Present study was conducted in tertiary care hospital in cytology and Histopathological section of Pathology in the period from January 2013 to December 2015 on axillary swelling. FNAC & histopathology were diagnostic tool.Result: The minimum age of patients with accessory breast was 10 years and maximum was 35 years, maximum number of patients; 12 (54.54%) belonging to 21 to 30 years age group. Common clinical complaint was swelling axillary region (100%). Among these patients, 21 (95.45 %) were female only one (4.54%) patient was male. Bilateral swelling was found in eight (36.36 %) cases. Clinically lipoma was most common provisional diagnosis in eight (36.36%) patients.Conclusion: Ectopic breast tissue usually presents with axillary swelling. In axillary swelling along with lipoma, lymphadenopathy, neurofibroma, sabeceous cyst accessory breast as a diagnosis should be kept in mind. Every Axillary swelling must be examined because it can be accessory breast tissue.  JCMS Nepal. 2016;12(2):74-7
Multifocal calcifying fibrous tumor mimicking malignancy
Authors: Goyal Binita
Published: August 2016

Calcifying fibrous tumor synonymous with calcifying fibrous pseudotumor is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor, recently been described in soft tissues. It is believed to be a true neoplasm with a tendency for nondestructive local recurrence. It presents as a single or multifocal well circumscribed but unencapsulated mass with variable size and may infiltrate into surrounding tissue. It is characterized histologically by hyalinized collagenous fibrous tissue, with bland spindle cells, psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications, and focal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. We present a rare case of multifocal calcifying fibrous tumors in retroperitoneum and in right adnexa in a 32-year-old female patient who presenting with pain in left lower abdomen. Imaging revealed large calcified solid mass lesion in right posterior para-renal space infiltrating into segment VI of liver and a similar smaller calcified mass in right adnexa which was confused with malignancy.JCMS Nepal. 2016;12(2):78-8.
A comparative study of fracture shaft of femur in adults treated with broad dynamic compression plate versus intramedullary interlocking nail
Authors: Thapa Sushil , Thapa Shrawan Kumar , Dhakal Shankar , Marasini Rudra , Hamal Bhadra , Rai Rem Kumar , Shrestha Rahul , Kandel Manoj
Published: August 2016

Background and Objectives: Diaphyseal femur fracture is one of the commonest fractures to present in an emergency room. The objective of the study was to compare femoral shaft fractures treated using nail with those using plate and screws. Patients and Methods: We studied a total of 62 patients of fracture shaft of femur admitted in the Bharatpur Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan and National Academy of Medical Sciences, BirHospital,Kathmandu. Two cases were lost to follow up. Thirty cases were treated with plating and 30 cases with nailing. The age group was from 16-30 years. Fifty-three were male and seven were females. Fifty-eight patients had closed fracture and two had Gustillo Anderson grade I openfracture. Result: Time from injury to surgery was 19 days on an average. Mean time for union was more in patients treated by plating, 19.46 weeks as compared to nailing 14.78 weeks. We found one case of infection with plating and breakage of plate in four patients. One patient with nailing did not show any signs of healing and two had failure in case of nailing. Our series revealed 23(38.3%) excellent, five (8.3%) good and two (3.3%) poor results in patients who had nailing while 15 (25.5%) excellent, nine (15%) good, one (1.7%) fair and five (8.3%) poor in patients who had plating out of 30 patients in each group. Conclusion:In our study we found that there was no significant difference in outcomes between plating and intramedullary nailing of femoral diaphysis fracture in terms of union, infection and implant failure.JCMS Nepal. 2016;12(2):66-9.
Primary Angioplasty of a Super Dominant Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery
Authors: Dubey Laxman , Adhikari Ridhi , KC Pradip Jung , Panjiyar Rajesh , Gurung Tej Bahadur , Subramanyam Gangapatnam
Published: August 2016

The posterior descending artery usually arises from either the right coronary artery or the left circumflex artery. Here we report an unusual case of super-dominant left anterior descending coronary artery continuing as the posterior descending artery beyond the crux which was totally occluded in a patient who presented with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction. Successful primary angioplasty and stenting of the super-dominant left anterior descending coronary artery was performed.JCMS Nepal. 2016;12(2):81-82
The Doug Purvis Memorial Lecture—Monetary/Fiscal Policy Mix and Financial Stability: The Medium Term Is Still the Message
Authors: Poloz Stephen S.
Published: August 2016

Financial stability risks have become topical in the wake of the global financial crisis and the subsequent extended period of very low interest rates. This paper investigates the significance of the mix of monetary and fiscal policies for financial stability through counterfactual simulations of three key historical episodes, using the Bank's main policy model, ToTEM (Terms-of-Trade Economic Model). The paper finds that there is an intimate relationship between the monetary/fiscal policy mix and the dynamics of both private sector and public sector debt accumulation. No attempt is made to develop criteria for policy mix optimization, since it is clear from the model simulations that the appropriate policy mix is highly state-dependent. This finding points to the need for a coherent framework for weighing the relative financial and macroeconomic consequences of accumulating public sector versus private sector debt. Furthermore, the analysis suggests that there are potential benefits to ex ante monetary/fiscal policy coordination, and that Canada's policy framework—where the monetary and fiscal authorities jointly agree on an inflation target while enshrining central bank operational independence—represents an elegant coordinating mechanism.
Development of Macroscopic Emission Estimation Model Based on Microscopic Operating Modes
Authors: Chen Xuanwu , Hadi Mohammed , Xiao Yan , Elefteriadou Lily
Published: August 2016

This study derived two models to estimate emissions on the basis of macroscopic mobility measures. The developed models can be used as part of signal timing optimization, macroscopic and mesoscopic simulation, cost-benefit analysis, and real-time and off-line estimation of arterial road performance. The derivation relied on output from the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator model operating mode distribution analysis and used estimates from microscopic simulation model runs as input. Models with various combinations of independent variables were tested and two final models were selected. The first model used vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and vehicle delays as independent variables. The second model used VMT, vehicle delays, stop delays, and number of stops. Both models showed acceptable performance for most of the investigated cases in simulation modeling. A further test was performed using vehicle trajectories from the next generation simulation program databases. The results showed that the model developed on the basis of VMT and total vehicle delays performed well. However, the second model, developed on the basis of VMT, total vehicle delays, total stop delays, and number of stops, did not perform well. This could be because the model required accurate vehicle trajectories, including accurate acceleration and deceleration estimates. The quality of the trajectories in microscopic simulation is expected to affect the accuracy of the second model.
Assessment of the Carbon Footprint Reductions of Tricycle Logistics Services
Authors: Saenz Jesus , Figliozzi Miguel , Faulin Javier
Published: August 2016

This research assessed the greenhouse gas emissions of a tricycle logistics company (B-Line) that is providing last-mile distribution services in downtown Portland, Oregon. The main research goal was to compare the carbon footprint of a tricycle logistics service with that of a traditional urban logistics company. The tricycles use electric engines; traditional urban logistic companies use diesel-powered vehicles. Emissions associated with power and fuel consumption, along with vehicle and battery production, assembly, and disposal, were quantified. Real-world GPS and warehouse data were recorded to evaluate B-Line operations, and different scenarios were analyzed to assess emissions reductions. A conservative approach was taken to avoid overstating emissions savings. The results show that total greenhouse gas emissions, including B-line’s and its partners’ operations, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), are reduced between 51% and 72%. If the comparison includes only B-line’s deliveries, the tricycles’ CO2e emissions are five times lower than diesel vans’ emissions.
Emissions Analysis for a Transit Corridor Under Different Improvement Strategies
Authors: Wang Yuhuan , Chen Xumei , Liu Qiaoxian , Li Ming
Published: August 2016

This paper attempts to quantify the emission reduction from different improvement strategies in a transit corridor. Two strategies—the use of transit signal priority (TSP) and the enhancement of bus lane utilization—were considered. Chaoyang Road, a 17-km arterial road in Beijing, China, was chosen as the study corridor. A microsimulation model was developed in Vissim. GPS-instrumented vehicle data from 30 passenger cars and 15 buses were used to calibrate the model. Passive and active TSP strategies and different schemes of bus lane utilization, corresponding to five scenarios, were designed. The microsimulation model was used with vehicle-specific power calculations to estimate emissions for various scenarios. The results showed that the corridor benefited from TSP, with the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. Moreover, the enhancement of bus lane utilization has positive or negative effects on emissions in the corridor depending on whether the utilization rate reaches a suitable value. The scheme of bus lane utilization in which three regular routes were permitted to use the bus lane outperformed the other three schemes. In this scheme, all emissions were reduced over a base case [carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions of 4%]. Increased bus service on the bus lane that was not optimized still reduced NOx and HC emissions relative to the base case but increased CO2 emissions by as much as 2%. The findings can be used to develop operational strategies that focus on both environment benefits and delay reductions for a transit corridor.
Optimized Adjustment of Speed Resolution and Time Alignment Data for Improving Emissions Estimations
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Yu Lei , Guo Jifu , Cheng Ying , He Weinan , Song Guohua
Published: August 2016

Emissions models involving the use of vehicle-specific power (VSP) have been developed and studied on the basis of instantaneous emissions data and vehicle activity data for more than a decade. However, various issues associated with the data quality have never been fully resolved or even understood. This research sought to identify the best speed resolution and adjustment of time alignment to improve emissions estimations. First, VSP distributions at different speed resolutions were calculated and compared on the basis of the second-by-second speed data. The results indicated that VSP distributions cannot be accurately characterized when the speed resolution is lower than 0.1 km/h or 0.1 mph, and the effect of different speed units (km/h and mph) on VSP distributions can be ignored when the speed can be expressed in at least one decimal digit. Then, a correction for the time alignment that relied on the correlation coefficient of the emissions and the positive VSP values was applied to the emissions data. It was shown that the coefficient of variation at the 95% confidence level of emission rates tended to decrease after the correction was implemented. It was further found that the time alignment differed for different pollutants. Finally, emission factor on the basis of the speed distributions at different speed resolutions and emission rates for before and after the correction of the time alignment were developed.
Modeling Criteria and Air Toxic Pollutants in Light-Duty Biodiesel Exhaust
Authors: Su Flora , Holmén Britt A.
Published: August 2016

Biodiesel fuel use is more widespread, but studies of the fuel’s effects on air toxic emissions, especially from light-duty diesel engines, are largely insufficient for understanding the air quality effects of biodiesel use. This study applied steady-state and transient cycle data on air toxics and criteria pollutant exhaust emissions from a light-duty diesel engine running on biodiesel fuel blends to develop models for pollutant emission rates. Using second-by-second Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data on formaldehyde, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen monoxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from waste vegetable oil and soybean biodiesel blends, statistical analyses examined how engine operating conditions, biodiesel fuel content, and biodiesel feedstock affected steady-state emissions. Each factor had a significant effect on emissions of all five species. Transient cycle emissions data were used to develop multiple linear regression models for each pollutant on the basis of measurable engine parameters and biodiesel content. Log-linear models of CO2 and NO predicted emission rates very well; transient emissions of NO2, formaldehyde, and CO were modeled only moderately well. Modeling high concentrations in the two species formed by incomplete combustion, formaldehyde and CO, proved especially challenging, which suggested the need for additional variables or separate models for different modes of engine operation. Fuel-normalized formaldehyde emission rates up to one order of magnitude higher than previously reported for a heavy-duty engine suggest the need for more light-duty mobile source air toxic emissions studies of biodiesel to identify the feedstock and operating blend that minimizes air toxic emissions from light-duty diesel engines.
Comparison of Parallel and Series Hybrid Power Trains for Transit Bus Applications
Authors: Gao Zhiming , Daw C. Stuart , Smith David E. , LaClair Tim J. , Parks James E. , Jones Perry T.
Published: August 2016

The fuel economy and emissions of conventional and hybrid buses equipped with emissions aftertreatment were evaluated via computational simulation for six representative city bus drive cycles. Both series and parallel configurations for the hybrid case were studied. The simulation results indicated that series hybrid buses have the greatest overall advantage in fuel economy. The series and parallel hybrid buses were predicted to produce similar carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon tailpipe emissions but were also predicted to have reduced tailpipe emissions of nitrogen oxides compared with the conventional bus in higher speed cycles. For the New York bus cycle, which has the lowest average speed among the cycles evaluated, the series bus tailpipe emissions were somewhat higher than they were for the conventional bus; the parallel hybrid bus had significantly lower tailpipe emissions. All three bus power trains were found to require periodic active diesel particulate filter regeneration to maintain control of particulate matter. Plug-in operation of series hybrid buses appears to offer significant fuel economy benefits and is easily employed because of the relatively large battery capacity that is typical of the series hybrid configuration.
Modeled Effects of Traffic Fleet Composition on the Toxicity of Volatile Organic Compound Emissions
Authors: Caviedes Álvaro , Bigazzi Alexander Y. , Figliozzi Miguel
Published: August 2016

Motor vehicle emissions include many different compounds that have different levels of toxicity in humans. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are components of motor vehicle emissions with varying effects on human health and cancer risks. Proportional emission rates among compounds can vary substantially by vehicle and fuel type. This study addressed the question of how traffic fleet composition affects the toxicity of VOC emissions. Using inhalation unit risk estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, VOC risk profiles were quantified for vehicle–fuel type combinations, light-duty and heavy-duty vehicle fleets, and roadway facility types (on-network and off-network). Of 14 modeled VOCs, formaldehyde, benzene, naphthalene, and 1,3-butadiene contribute most to the cumulative risk of vehicle emissions. Formaldehyde and naphthalene are mainly emitted by diesel vehicles; benzene and 1,3-butadiene are mainly emitted by gasoline vehicles. Cumulative VOC risk generated per on-network vehicle mile is four times higher for a gasoline heavy-duty vehicle and eight times higher for a diesel heavy-duty vehicle than for a gasoline light-duty vehicle. Off-network, cumulative VOC risk generated per vehicle is twice as high for gasoline heavy-duty vehicles as for diesel heavy-duty vehicles or gasoline light-duty vehicles. A case study of lane management strategies demonstrated how traffic management can change a VOC emissions risk profile and that changes in VOC emissions risk are different from changes in VOC emissions mass.
Measuring Pedestrian Exposure to PM-2.5: Case of the Seattle, Washington, International District
Authors: Bae Chang-Hee Christine , Sinha Debmalya
Published: August 2016

Traffic-related air pollution is dangerous to human health. Although transportation and land use planning policies often focus on making walking more attractive, there is a lack of research on pedestrian exposure to air pollution levels. This research focused on pedestrian exposure to particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM-2.5) in the International District (ID) adjacent to downtown Seattle, Washington. Several types of equipment were used: ( a) a portable nephelometer (Radiance Research M903) mounted on a backpack (arranged by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency); ( b) an AirCasting mobile application (by Habitmap) in a cell phone to record the researcher’s location and exposure levels while walking; and ( c) a GoPro Hero camera to record visual images of the surrounding built environment, traffic volume, and other activities. The field data were collected three times a day (morning, midday, and evening) for one week in winter (December 31, 2014–January 9, 2015) and one week in spring (March 21–30, 2015) on selected routes in the ID. The study found seasonal and time-of-day variability of exposure levels: there were higher PM-2.5 concentration levels during the winter (57.77 µg/m3) than in the spring (6.99 µg/m3), and higher levels in the morning (25 µg/m3) than in the evening (17 µg/m3). Also, the average PM-2.5 levels of ID data were slightly higher (20.7 µg/m3) than those at the nearest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitoring station (19.0 µg/m3). The researchers concluded that the key contributors of pedestrian exposure to air pollution are traffic, construction activities, and smokers on sidewalks.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel C1-glycosyl thiazole derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Yin Long , Cheng Feng–Chang , Li Qu–Xiang , Liu Wei–Wei , Liu Xiu–Jian , Cao Zhi–Ling , Shi Da–Hua
Published: August 2016

A new series of C1-glycosyl thiazole derivatives was synthesised by the reaction of 1-(1,3,4,6-tetra- O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranos-2-yl)thiourea with 2-bromoacetophenone derivatives. Subsequent removal of the acetyl groups were conducted using NaOMe–MeOH. The structures of all new products were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR and HRMS (ESI). The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of these new compounds were tested. Among them, N-(2-acetamido-3,4,6-tri- O-acetyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-thiazole-2-amine showed the best activity with an inhibition rate of 43.21%.
Radiotherapy combination opportunities leveraging immunity for the next oncology practice
Authors: Herrera Fernanda G. , Bourhis Jean , Coukos George
Published: August 2016

Approximately one‐half of patients with newly diagnosed cancer and many patients with persistent or recurrent tumors receive radiotherapy (RT), with the explicit goal of eliminating tumors through direct killing. The current RT dose and schedule regimens have been empirically developed. Although early clinical studies revealed that RT could provoke important responses not only at the site of treatment but also on remote, nonirradiated tumor deposits—the so‐called “abscopal effect”— the underlying mechanisms were poorly understood and were not therapeutically exploited. Recent work has elucidated the immune mechanisms underlying these effects and has paved the way for developing combinations of RT with immune therapy. In the wake of recent therapeutic breakthroughs in the field of immunotherapy, rational combinations of immunotherapy with RT could profoundly change the standard of care for many tumor types in the next decade. Thus, a deep understanding of the immunologic effects of RT is urgently needed to design the next generation of therapeutic combinations. Here, the authors review the immune mechanisms of tumor radiation and summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence on immunotherapy‐RT combinations. Furthermore, a framework is provided for the practicing clinician and the clinician investigator to guide the development of novel combinations to more rapidly advance this important field. CA Cancer J Clin 2017;67:65–85. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimisation of Simultaneous UHPLC-PDA Determination of Oleanolic and Ursolic Acids and Standardisation of Ericaceae Medicinal Plants
Authors: Owczarek Aleksandra , Kuźma Łukasz , Wysokińska Halina , Olszewska Monika
Published: August 2016

A fast and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array (UHPLC-PDA) method for simultaneous quantification of oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) in plant materials was developed. A central composite design combined with a response surface methodology was utilized to establish optimal separation conditions. The final separation was accomplished on a Zorbax Eclipse XDB-C18 column (1.8 μm, 100 mm × 3 mm I.D., Agilent, Santa Clara, CA, USA) using a mixture 90:10 (v/v) of methanol and 1% (w/v) aqueous orthophosporic acid as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.44 mL/min and temperature of 18 °C. The analysis was completed in 6.2 min with satisfactory resolution of 1.5 between the target analytes. The developed method proved to be precise (relative standard deviations below 3.2%), accurate (recoveries in the range of 95.27%–98.60%), and sensitive (limits of detection (LODs) in the range of 0.047–0.051 mg/mL). The method was then successfully applied to evaluate OA and UA content in real samples of selected Ericaceae plant materials (leaves of Arctostaphylos uva ursi, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis idaea, Gaultheria procumbens). The content of OA and UA in investigated samples varied in the range of 0.74–4.47 mg/g dry weight (dw) and 1.30–18.61 mg/g dw, respectively.
Impact of Degraded Communication on Interdependent Power Systems: The Application of Grid Splitting
Authors: Tian Di-An , Sansavini Giovanni
Published: August 2016

Communication is increasingly present for managing and controlling critical infrastructures strengthening their cyber interdependencies. In electric power systems, grid splitting is a topical communication-critical application. It amounts to separating a power system into islands in response to an impending instability, e.g., loss of generator synchronism due to a component fault, by appropriately disconnecting transmission lines and grouping synchronous generators. The successful application of grid splitting depends on the communication infrastructure to collect system-wide synchronized measurements and to relay the command to open line switches. Grid splitting may be ineffective if communication is degraded and its outcome may also depend on the system loading conditions. This paper investigates the effects of degraded communication and load variability on grid splitting. To this aim, a communication delay model is coupled with a transient electrical model and applied to the IEEE 39-Bus and the IEEE 118-Bus Test System. Case studies show that the loss of generator synchronism following a fault is mitigated by timely splitting the network into islands. On the other hand, the results show that communication delays and increased network flows can degrade the performance of grid splitting. The developed framework enables the identification of the requirements of the dedicated communication infrastructure for a successful grid-splitting procedure.
Increase of Chamazulene and α-Bisabolol Contents of the Essential Oil of German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Using Salicylic Acid Treatments under Normal and Heat Stress Conditions
Authors: Ghasemi Mojtaba , Babaeian Jelodar Nadali , Modarresi Mohammad , Bagheri Nadali , Jamali Abbas
Published: August 2016

The chamazulene and α-(−)-bisabolol contents and quality of the chamomile oil are affected by genetic background and environmental conditions. Salicylic acid (SA), as a signaling molecule, plays a significant role in the plant physiological processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical profile, quantity, and improve the essential oil quality as a consequence of the increase of chamazulene and α-(−)-bisabol using salicylic acid under normal and heat stress conditions by the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. The factorial experiments were carried out during the 2011–2012 hot season using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors include four salicylic acid concentrations (0 (control), 10, 25 and 100 mg·L−1), and three chamomile cultivars (Bushehr, Bona, Bodegold) were sown on two different planting dates under field conditions. Fourteen compounds were identified from the extracted oil of the samples treated with salicylic acid under normal and heat stress conditions. The major identified oil compositions from chamomile cultivars treated with salicylic acid were chamazulene, α-(−)-bisabolol, bisabolone oxide, β-farnesene, en-yn-dicycloether, and bisabolol oxide A and B. Analysis of variance showed that the simple effects (environmental conditions, cultivar and salicylic acid) and their interaction were significant on all identified compounds, but the environmental conditions had no significant effect on bisabolol oxide A. The greatest amount of chamazulene obtained was 6.66% at the concentration of 10 mg·L−1 SA for the Bona cultivar under heat stress conditions, whereas the highest α-(−)-bisabolol amount attained was 3.41% at the concentration of 100 mg·L−1 SA for the Bona cultivar under normal conditions. The results demonstrated that the application of exogenous salicylic acid increases the quantity and essential oil quality as a consequence of the increase of chamazulene and α-(−)-bisabolol under normal and heat stress conditions.
The Classifications and Some Correlations for Fermi Blazars
Authors: Fan Junhui , Liu Yi , Yang Jianghe , Lin Chao , Hao Jingmeng , Xiao Hubing
Published: August 2016

In a recent paper, we constructed the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for 1425 Fermi blazars. We classify them as low synchrotron peak sources (LSPs) if log ν p ( Hz ) ≤ 14.0, intermediate synchrotron peak sources (ISPs) if 14.0 < log ν p ( Hz ) ≤ 15.3 , and high synchrotron peak sources (HSPs) if log ν p ( Hz ) > 15.3 . We obtain an empirical relation to estimate the synchrotron peak frequency, ν p Eq . from effective spectral indexes α o x and α r o as log ν p Eq . = 16 + 4.238 X if X < 0 , and log ν p Eq . = 16 + 4.005 Y if X > 0 , where X = 1.0 − 1.262 α r o − 0.623 α o x and Y = 1.0 + 0.034 α r o − 0.978 α o x . In the present work, we investigate the correlation between the peak frequency and the radio-to-X-ray spectral index, between peak luminosity (bolometric luminosity) and γ-ray/optical luminosity, and between peak luminosity and bolometric luminosity. Some discussion is presented.
Risk Assessment for Children Exposed to Beach Sands Impacted by Oil Spill Chemicals
Authors: Black Jennifer , Welday Jennifer , Buckley Brian , Ferguson Alesia , Gurian Patrick , Mena Kristina , Yang Ill , McCandlish Elizabeth , Solo-Gabriele Helena
Published: August 2016

Due to changes in the drilling industry, oil spills are impacting large expanses of coastlines, thereby increasing the potential for people to come in contact with oil spill chemicals. The objective of this manuscript was to evaluate the health risk to children who potentially contact beach sands impacted by oil spill chemicals from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. To identify chemicals of concern, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) monitoring data collected during and immediately after the spill were evaluated. This dataset was supplemented with measurements from beach sands and tar balls collected five years after the spill. Of interest is that metals in the sediments were observed at similar levels between the two sampling periods; some differences were observed for metals levels in tar balls. Although PAHs were not observed five years later, there is evidence of weathered-oil oxidative by-products. Comparing chemical concentration data to baseline soil risk levels, three metals (As, Ba, and V) and four PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and dibenz[a,h]anthracene) were found to exceed guideline levels prompting a risk assessment. For acute or sub-chronic exposures, hazard quotients, computed by estimating average expected contact behavior, showed no adverse potential health effects. For cancer, computations using 95% upper confidence limits for contaminant concentrations showed extremely low increased risk in the 10−6 range for oral and dermal exposure from arsenic in sediments and from dermal exposure from benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene in weathered oil. Overall, results suggest that health risks are extremely low, given the limitations of available data. Limitations of this study are associated with the lack of toxicological data for dispersants and oil-spill degradation products. We also recommend studies to collect quantitative information about children’s beach play habits, which are necessary to more accurately assess exposure scenarios and health risks.