bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exercise performance after salbutamol inhalation in non-asthmatic, non-athlete individuals: a randomised, controlled, cross-over trial
Authors: Eckerström Filip , Rex Christian Emil , Maagaard Marie , Rubak Sune , Hjortdal Vibeke Elisabeth , Heiberg Johan
Published: August 2018

Background

Asthma is a frequent diagnosis in competitive sports, and inhaled β2-agonists are commonly used by athletes. Although inhaled β2-agonists do not seem to improve performance in athletes, it has remained uncertain whether they can increase exercise performance in non-athletes.

Objective

To investigate the effect of inhaled β2-agonists on exercise performance in healthy non-athlete individuals.

Methods

In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, healthy, non-asthmatic, non-athlete individuals were randomised to inhalation of either 900 µg of salbutamol or placebo. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, dynamic spirometry and impulse oscillometry were performed. The primary outcome was the effect from salbutamol on peak oxygen uptake, whereas secondary outcomes were breathing reserve and ventilation efficiency, and workload, heart rate, breath rate and minute ventilation at peak exercise under influence of salbutamol.

Results

A total of 36 healthy subjects with a mean age of 26±5 years were included. Salbutamol had no effect on peak oxygen uptake compared with placebo, 46.8±1.3 mL/kg/min versus 46.6±1.2 mL/kg/min, p=0.64. Salbutamol had no effect on workload, p=0.20, heart rate, p=0.23, breath rate, p=0.10, or minute ventilation, p=0.26, at peak exercise compared with placebo. Salbutamol lowered oxygen uptake, p=0.04, and workload, p=0.04, at anaerobic threshold compared with placebo. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s, 116%±13% of predicted, and peak expiratory flow, 122%±16% of predicted, increased after inhalation of salbutamol compared with placebo; 109%±13% and 117%±17%, respectively, p<0.01. Breathing reserve was found to be higher, 22%±2%, after salbutamol inhalation than after placebo, 16%±2%, p<0.01.

Conclusion

Inhaled salbutamol did not improve peak oxygen uptake in healthy, non-asthmatic, non-athlete individuals compared with placebo.

Trial registration number

NCT02914652.
Multitrait genome association analysis identifies new susceptibility genes for human anthropometric variation in the GCAT cohort
Authors: Galván-Femenía Iván , Obón-Santacana Mireia , Piñeyro David , Guindo-Martinez Marta , Duran Xavier , Carreras Anna , Pluvinet Raquel , Velasco Juan , Ramos Laia , Aussó Susanna , Mercader J M , Puig Lluis , Perucho Manuel , Torrents David , Moreno Victor , Sumoy Lauro , de Cid Rafael
Published: August 2018

Background

Heritability estimates have revealed an important contribution of SNP variants for most common traits; however, SNP analysis by single-trait genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has failed to uncover their impact. In this study, we applied a multitrait GWAS approach to discover additional factor of the missing heritability of human anthropometric variation.

Methods

We analysed 205 traits, including diseases identified at baseline in the GCAT cohort (Genomes For Life- Cohort study of the Genomes of Catalonia) (n=4988), a Mediterranean adult population-based cohort study from the south of Europe. We estimated SNP heritability contribution and single-trait GWAS for all traits from 15 million SNP variants. Then, we applied a multitrait-related approach to study genome-wide association to anthropometric measures in a two-stage meta-analysis with the UK Biobank cohort (n=336 107).

Results

Heritability estimates (eg, skin colour, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, body mass index, educational level or height) revealed an important contribution of SNP variants, ranging from 18% to 77%. Single-trait analysis identified 1785 SNPs with genome-wide significance threshold. From these, several previously reported single-trait hits were confirmed in our sample withLINC01432(p=1.9×10−9) variants associated with male baldness,LDLRvariants with hyperlipidaemia (ICD-9:272) (p=9.4×10−10) and variants inIRF4(p=2.8×10−57), SLC45A2(p=2.2×10−130), HERC2(p=2.8×10−176), OCA2(p=2.4×10−121) andMC1R(p=7.7×10−22) associated with hair, eye and skin colour, freckling, tanning capacity and sun burning sensitivity and the Fitzpatrick phototype score, all highly correlated cross-phenotypes. Multitrait meta-analysis of anthropometric variation validated 27 loci in a two-stage meta-analysis with a large British ancestry cohort, six of which are newly reported here (p value threshold <5×10−9) atZRANB2-AS2,PIK3R1,EPHA7,MAD1L1,CACUL1andMAP3K9.

Conclusion

Considering multiple-related genetic phenotypes improve associated genome signal detection. These results indicate the potential value of data-driven multivariate phenotyping for genetic studies in large population-based cohorts to contribute to knowledge of complex traits.
Pseudocryptic species of the Middle Cambrian trilobiteEodiscusHartt, in Walcott, 1884, from Avalonian and Laurentian Newfoundland
Authors: Westrop Stephen R. , Landing Ed , Dengler Alyce A.
Published: August 2018

Two species of the Middle Cambrian trilobite Eodiscus Hartt, in Walcott, 1884, E. punctatus (Salter, 1864) and E. scanicus (Linnarsson, 1883), have been reported from several paleocontinents. However, in their respective type areas of Avalonian Britain and Baltica (Sweden), both species are poorly documented from moulds preserved in siliciclastic mudstone that are variably compacted and distorted. Moreover, variation in such characters as surface sculpture between putative occurrences suggests that widespread use of these names may mask species differentiation within and between paleocontinents. Detailed examination of Eodiscus sclerites that are exquisitely preserved in full relief in limestone from the Manuels River Formation of Avalonian Newfoundland and the Shallow Bay Formation of Laurentian Newfoundland demonstrates the presence of multiple species that are distinct from both E. punctatus and E. scanicus. We interpret them as a group of pseudocryptic species that are comparable to groups that are now identified routinely among modern invertebrates. New species are E. confossus, E. tuberculus, and E. coloholcus. At the current state of knowledge, E. punctatus and E. scanicus are best restricted to their respective types.
Abnormal dynamics of cascading edge failures with congestion effect
Authors: Wang Jianwei , He Jialu , Chen Wei , Xu Bo
Published: August 2018

Considering congestion effects in realistic network environments, we give a new method to adjust dynamically adjust the weight of the congested edge. We calculate the load on an edge based on the revised betweenness method and propose a novel model with three states of edges to investigate the dynamics of cascading failures in the ring network, the BA scale-free network, and the real traffic networks in London. By two robust metrics, we surprisingly observe the abnormal dynamics of cascading propagation, especially compared with that in the unadjustable weight, the curves of cascading dynamics in the adjustable weight are more irregular, which means that enhancing the capacity of each edge is not always better to avoid the cascading propagation. In addition, our simulation results show that the dynamical change of the edge’s weight makes the heterogeneous BA networks more vulnerable.
First-principles calculations of electronic structures and ferromagnetism of Fe3Si(001)//MgO(001) films
Authors: Xie Jing , Xie Quan
Published: August 2018

The first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) were carried out in investigating electronic structures and ferromagnetism of Fe3Si films epitaxial on MgO(001). Firstly, the various geometric structures of Fe3Si(001)//MgO(001) constructed near lattice constant c = 3.995 Å were optimized to gain the most steady equilibrium state at c = 3.980 Å. Then, the calculated cohesive energy and negative heat of formation indicate that Fe3Si(001)//MgO(001) formed in this manner obtain high structural stability. The calculated results of spin-polarized energy band structures and density of states show that Fe3Si(001)//MgO(001) exhibit the metallic feature whose bonding orbitals are constituted by covalent bond and metallic bond. Two peaks located in both the sides of the Fermi level and the total density of states (TDOS) in this energy range are all due to the Fe 3d states, which implies that the pseudo energy gap exists in the Fermi level and covalent electron orbit hybridization takes place. Ferromagnetism of Fe3Si(001)//MgO(001) are determined by the 3d states of Fe atoms. There are two occupied sites for Fe atoms with different local magnetic moments, which is 1.34 [Formula: see text]/atom for Fe[A, C] atoms and a value of 2.68 [Formula: see text]/atom for Fe[B] atoms, likewise indicating Fe3Si films epitaxial on MgO(001) are ferromagnetic.
Dependable Visual Light-Based Indoor Localization with Automatic Anomaly Detection for Location-Based Service of Mobile Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Xiaoming , Kadambi Dileep , Bari Ajinkya , Li Xin , Hu Shiyan , Zhou Pingqiang
Published: August 2018

Indoor localization has become popular in recent years due to the increasing need of location-based services in mobile cyber-physical systems (CPS). The massive deployment of light emitting diodes (LEDs) further promotes the indoor localization using visual light. As a key enabling technique for mobile CPS, accurate indoor localization based on visual light communication remains nontrivial due to various non-idealities such as attenuation induced by unexpected obstacles. The anomalies of localization can potentially reduce the dependability of location-based services. In this article, we develop a novel indoor localization framework based on relative received signal strength. Most importantly, an efficient method is derived from the triangle inequality to automatically detect the abnormal LED lamps that are blocked by obstacles. These LED lamps are then ignored by our localization algorithm so that they do not bias the localization results, which improves the dependability of our localization framework. As demonstrated by the simulation results, the proposed techniques can achieve superior accuracy over the conventional approaches, especially when there exist abnormal LED lamps.
Subcubic Equivalences Between Path, Matrix, and Triangle Problems
Authors: Williams Virginia Vassilevska , Williams R. Ryan
Published: August 2018

We say an algorithm on
n
×
n
matrices with integer entries in [−
M
,
M
] (or
n
-node graphs with edge weights from [−
M
,
M
]) is
truly subcubic
if it runs in
O
(
n
3 − δ
ċ poly(log
M
)) time for some δ > 0. We define a notion of
subcubic reducibility
and show that many important problems on graphs and matrices solvable in
O
(
n
3
) time are
equivalent
under subcubic reductions. Namely, the following weighted problems either
all
have truly subcubic algorithms, or none of them do:

•The all-pairs shortest paths problem on weighted digraphs (APSP).

•Detecting if a weighted graph has a triangle of negative total edge weight.

•Listing up to
n
2.99
negative triangles in an edge-weighted graph.

•Finding a minimum weight cycle in a graph of non-negative edge weights.

•The replacement paths problem on weighted digraphs.

•Finding the second shortest simple path between two nodes in a weighted digraph.

•Checking whether a given matrix defines a metric.

•Verifying the correctness of a matrix product over the (min, +)-semiring.

•Finding a maximum subarray in a given matrix.

Therefore, if APSP cannot be solved in
n
3−ε
time for any ε > 0, then many other problems also need essentially cubic time. In fact, we show generic equivalences between matrix products over a large class of algebraic structures used in optimization, verifying a matrix product over the same structure, and corresponding triangle detection problems over the structure. These equivalences simplify prior work on subcubic algorithms for all-pairs path problems, since it now suffices to give appropriate subcubic triangle detection algorithms.

Other consequences of our work are new combinatorial approaches to Boolean matrix multiplication over the (OR,AND)-semiring (abbreviated as BMM). We show that practical advances in triangle detection would imply practical BMM algorithms, among other results. Building on our techniques, we give two improved BMM algorithms: a derandomization of the combinatorial BMM algorithm of Bansal and Williams (FOCS’09), and an improved quantum algorithm for BMM.
Coupled Clustering Ensemble by Exploring Data Interdependence
Authors: Wang Can , Chi Chi-Hung , She Zhong , Cao Longbing , Stantic Bela
Published: August 2018

Clustering ensembles combine multiple partitions of data into a single clustering solution. It is an effective technique for improving the quality of clustering results. Current clustering ensemble algorithms are usually built on the pairwise agreements between clusterings that focus on the similarity via consensus functions, between data objects that induce similarity measures from partitions and re-cluster objects, and between clusters that collapse groups of clusters into meta-clusters. In most of those models, there is a strong assumption on IIDness (i.e., independent and identical distribution), which states that base clusterings perform independently of one another and all objects are also independent. In the real world, however, objects are generally likely related to each other through features that are either explicit or even implicit. There is also latent but definite relationship among intermediate base clusterings because they are derived from the same set of data. All these demand a further investigation of clustering ensembles that explores the interdependence characteristics of data. To solve this problem, a new coupled clustering ensemble (CCE) framework that works on the interdependence nature of objects and intermediate base clusterings is proposed in this article. The main idea is to model the coupling relationship between objects by aggregating the similarity of base clusterings, and the interactive relationship among objects by addressing their neighborhood domains. Once these interdependence relationships are discovered, they will act as critical supplements to clustering ensembles. We verified our proposed framework by using three types of consensus function: clustering-based, object-based, and cluster-based. Substantial experiments on multiple synthetic and real-life benchmark datasets indicate thatCCEcan effectively capture the implicit interdependence relationships among base clusterings and among objects with higher clustering accuracy, stability, and robustness compared to 14 state-of-the-art techniques, supported by statistical analysis. In addition, we show that the final clustering quality is dependent on the data characteristics (e.g., quality and consistency) of base clusterings in terms of sensitivity analysis. Finally, the applications in document clustering, as well as on the datasets with much larger size and dimensionality, further demonstrate the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of our proposed models.
Circuits and Expressions over Finite Semirings
Authors: Ganardi Moses , Hucke Danny , König Daniel , Lohrey Markus
Published: August 2018

The computational complexity of the circuit and expression evaluation problem for finite semirings is considered, where semirings are not assumed to have an additive or a multiplicative identity. The following dichotomy is shown: If a finite semiring is such that (i) the multiplicative semigroup is solvable and (ii) it does not contain a subsemiring with an additive identity 0 and a multiplicative identity 1 ≠ 0, then the circuit evaluation problem is in DET ⊆ NC
2
, and the expression evaluation problem for the semiring is in TC
0
. For all other finite semirings, the circuit evaluation problem is P-complete and the expression evaluation problem is NC
1
-complete. As an application, we determine the complexity of intersection non-emptiness problems for given context-free grammars (regular expressions) with a fixed regular language.
Exponential Stabilization for a Class of Nonlinear Switched Systems with Mixed Delays under Asynchronous Switching
Authors: Wang Yongzhao
Published: August 2018

This paper deals with the exponential stabilization problem for a class of nonlinear switched systems with mixed delays under asynchronous switching. The switching signal of the switched controller involves delay, which results in the asynchronous switching between the candidate controllers and subsystems. By constructing the parameter‐dependent Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and the average dwell time approach, some sufficient conditions in forms of linear matrix inequalities are presented to ensure the exponential stability of the switched nonlinear system under arbitrary switching signals. In addition, through the special deformation of the matrix and Schur complement, the controllers with asynchronous switching are designed. Finally, a numerical example and a practical example of river pollution control are provided to show the validity and potential of the developed results.
Multiculturalismo ou Desconstrução? Reconhecimento em Young e Fraser
Authors: Bressiani Nathalie De Almeida
Published: August 2018

Partindo de uma breve exposição, focada na questão do reconhecimento dos modelos de Teoria Crítica desenvolvidos por Iris Marion Young e Nancy Fraser, esse artigo busca apresentar algumas das principais questões e difi culdades no que diz respeito à possibilidade de promover o reconhecimento das diferenças sem comprometer a igualdade e mostrar a importância da participação política e de concepções de democracia deliberativa, sem as quais parece impossível, tanto para Young quanto para Fraser, pensar adequadamente as questões de justiça nos dias de hoje.
A Discricionariedade Judicial em Herbert L. Hart e em Hans Kelsen
Authors: Rosa Leonardo Gomes Penteado
Published: August 2018

Trata-se de artigo em que procedo à análise do capítulo sete de O conceito de direito de H. L. A. Hart e do capítulo nove da Teoria pura do direito de Hans Kelsen de modo a produzir comparações entre as concepções dos dois fi lósofos do direito de matriz positivista acerca do tema da discricionariedade judicial. Diferencio duas teses acerca de decisões judiciais, a saber, a da falibilidade e a da defi nitividade e procuro mostrar que ambas são aceitas tanto por Kelsen quanto por Hart. Posteriormente, exponho como este último expôs uma terceira tese, a da degeneração dos sistemas jurídicos, e como tal entendimento tem suas bases nas duas primeiras. Nestes termos, concluo que não se pode sustentar a existência de diferença fundamental entre as concepções de Hans Kelsen e de H. L. A. Hart sobre a discricionariedade judicial.
A Visibilidade do Ser - Pintura e Ontologia em Maurice Merleau-Ponty
Authors: Carneiro João Alex Costa
Published: August 2018

Trata-se, nesse trabalho, de analisar a relação entre pintura e ontologia nas reflexões do último período de Maurice Merleau-Ponty, notadamente nas obras “Le Visible et l’Invisible” e “L’Oeil et l’Esprit”.
Atlântida: Carnavalizando o Cinema Brasileiro
Authors: Hirano Luis Felipe Kojima
Published: August 2018

Este artigo pretende analisar sob uma perspectiva antropológica o aspecto cômico do gênero cinematográfico que ficou conhecido por “chanchada”, tendo como base a análise do filme “Carnaval Atlântida”, dirigido por José Carlos Burle em 1952. A película permite entrever pistas para análise de três aspectos diversos do cinema brasileiro do período (1940-1950): um debate sobre a identidade nacional; as representações do negro; e a trajetória da Atlântida, empresa cinematográfica que desenvolveu e produziu grande parte das chanchadas. Argumento no decorrer do artigo que a comicidade presente na chanchada, em especial nesse filme, é um aspecto privilegiado para visualizar a complexidade desse gênero cinematográfico que, por muito tempo, foi tido como um “arremedo vulgar” dos musicais norte-americanos.
Hannah Arendt e a questão da cultura de massas
Authors: Silva Thiago Dias da
Published: August 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar outro caminho para a compreensão da problemática da cultura de massas a partir do ponto de vista oferecido pela obra de Hannah Arendt. Colocando a questão nos termos que a autora propõe, percebe-se que a questão da cultura de massas tem raízes mais profundas e é desenvolvimento da relação problemática que a modernidade mantém com a cultura. Para a autora, ao longo da modernidade houve a liberação da atividade do labor para a esfera pública, fato que direcionou o homem para a vida. Tal movimento está em contraposição ao mundo, âmbito da cultura, e tende a absorvê-lo em seu organismo ávido por diversão.
Considerações sobre o puro conhecimento em Arthur Schopnhauer
Authors: Dias Sara Pereira
Published: August 2018

Segundo Schopenhauer, a tentativa de Kant em fazer da metafísica uma ciência não só limitou o conhecimento do indivíduo como também instaurou um negativismo em torno da metafísica. Assim, a solução para salvaguardar a metafísica e o sujeito cognoscente estaria no conhecimento da Coisa-Em-Si. Este conhecimento se mostra possível no pensamento schopenhaueriano por meio da contemplação desinteressada de objetos, pois tal contemplação levaria o sujeito a contemplar não o objeto, mas a Ideia platônica, que é a Coisa-Em- Si na forma mais geral da representação. Esta contemplação é fundamentada na intuição e é concebida pelo filósofo como o conhecimento mais puro e perfeito da essência do mundo.
Debate Liberal Comunitarista: Sandel Contra Rawls
Authors: Reis Flávio Azevedo
Published: August 2018

Pretende-se apresentar a crítica comunitarista de Michael Sandel ao liberalismo de Rawls. Há dois pontos principais. O primeiro é mostrar como Sandel interpreta o pensamento de Rawls e como esta leitura suporta a sua crítica ao liberalismo. O segundo é apontar para uma falha na interpretação de Sandel, de forma que possamos apresentar os limites de sua crítica.
Governo e Mercado: Foucault e a Emergência do Neoliberalismo Alemão
Authors: Luiz Felipe
Published: August 2018

No curso O nascimento da biopolítica, o filósofo francês Michel Foucault empreende uma análise do liberalismo e do neoliberalismo cujo cunho é, no mínimo, original: trata-se de considerá-los não como teorias econômicas, mas, sim, como práticas de governo. Para Foucault, não se deve elaborar uma teoria do estado, mas, sim, do governo: o estado é o correlato de uma forma de governar. Neste sentido, o liberalismo e o neoliberalismo são formas de governar que engendram, como correlato histórico, uma forma de estado que lhes coadune. Elaborando uma epistemologia política do pensamento liberal, Foucault empreende a genealogia dessas práticas de governo. O objetivo deste trabalho é expor a análise de Foucault sobre a emergência do neoliberalismo alemão conhecido como ordoliberalismo, refletindo sobre as teses defendidas pelo professor do Collège de France no referido curso.
Falando de Corda em Casa de Enforcado: Discriminação Racial no Brasil
Authors: Fasson Karina
Published: August 2018

O presente artigo analisa, tendo como base um referencial teórico sociológico e antropológico acerca das relações raciais no Brasil e nos Estados Unidos, dois casos relacionados à discriminação racial ocorridos no ano de 2009, um em cada respectivo país. O primeiro diz respeito à prisão de um professor da Universidade de Harvard após tentar entrar em sua própria residência. O segundo, à agressão a um funcionário da Universidade de São Paulo por funcionários de um supermercado em Osasco (SP), após ter sido acusado de tentar roubar o próprio carro. Reconstituo, por meio de matérias divulgadas pela imprensa, os dois episódios em questão. Através da comparação entre esses dois acontecimentos -, questões em comum, repercussões e desfechos – avalio alguns aspectos da situação racial em cada país, tentando iluminar, por meio desse quadro, as relações raciais no Brasil.
As mulheres nos movimentos sociais de moradia: a cidade sob uma perspectiva de gênero
Authors: Paulista Amanda
Published: August 2018

O presente trabalho propõe-se a analisar questões relacionadas à presença de mulheres organizando, participando e liderando movimentos sociais populares que reivindicam moradia. Verifica-se que tal presença é acentuada nessas formas de organização e, diante deste fato, serão levantadas hipóteses de fatores que influenciem essa participação. O principal fator a ser considerado são as relações sociais provenientes da divisão sexual do trabalho, cuja reprodução reserva socialmente às mulheres o espaço privado – ou seja, o espaço do lar –, a partir da imposição do trabalho doméstico e de cuidados ao sexo feminino. Também será apontado como a participação das mulheres nos movimentos populares contribui para seu empoderamento e de que maneira isso pode refletir no planejamento de políticas públicas voltadas às mulheres.
A crítica radical de Espinosa como autoproblematização
Authors: Galvão Dario
Published: August 2018

Pode-se ler que, em sua principal obra, a Ética: demonstrada segundo a ordem geométrica, Espinosa se vê obrigado a explicar como é possível a ideia da transcendência se originar do mundo da absoluta imanência. O problema central abordado neste trabalho é colocado com a inversão dessa pergunta: como, no seio de um mundo transcendente, ou seja, um mundo que toma a transcendência como princípio fundamental de explicação da vida em sua totalidade, faz-se possível surgir a ideia da imanência, seu oposto e contraditório? Dessa forma, buscamos compreender as condições de possibilidade da crítica radical espinosana à tradição. Para isso, procura-se fazer um exame dos elementos constitutivos desse movimento crítico, com o qual veremos a necessidade de ser considerada a experiência, a partir da ideia de autoproblematização, para um entendimento mais rico da questão.
O aprendizado da violência: o Amigo, o Idiota e o Mestre-Escola no plano de Deleuze e Guattari
Authors: Santos Eraldo Souza dos
Published: August 2018

O presente ensaio busca reunir materiais para dar conta da seguinte questão: por que a figura do aprendizado violento é tão recorrente na exposição deleuziana do conceito de filosofia e de imagem do pensamento? Para tanto, analisaremos fundamentalmente dois textos do autor: Proust e os signos (1964) e O que é a filosofia? (1991), esse segundo escrito em parceria com Félix Guattari. No “plano de imanência” de “Deleuze-Guattari”, violência, aprendizado e pensamento são conceitos inseparáveis, fundamentais para empreender uma crítica à filosofia tradicional e para construir uma nova imagem do pensamento. A escolha por “personagens conceituais” como o Mestre-Escola e o Amigo da sabedoria (“personagens antipáticos”) e como o Idiota, o Amante, o Artista e o Amigo-Rival (“simpáticos”) resulta na criação-construção de um plano de imanência sobre o qual a filosofia só pode ser pensada como trabalho da violência, jamais como simples resultado da boa vontade do pensador.
Do céu à terra. Da terra ao céu. Pressupostos amorosos no filme Asas do desejo, de Wim Wenders
Authors: Cardoso Ricardo
Published: August 2018

Este ensaio visa analisar como algumas representações e ideias sobre o amor no Ocidente, que tem como um de seus pontos de partida O banquete de Platão, convergem no filme de Wim Wenders, Asas do desejo.
Entre a ficção e a história: Santa Evita, de Tomás Eloy Martínez
Authors: Rosell Mariana
Published: August 2018

Esta resenha busca fazer uma breve análise crítica do romance Santa Evita e apontar as estratégias utilizadas pelo seu autor, Tomás Eloy Martínez, no sentido de confundir a fronteira entre ficção e História, partindo de sua crença de que todo relato é infiel.
A Critical Discussion of Daniel A. Bell’s Political Meritocracy
Authors: Huang Yushun , Henderson Kathryn
Published: August 2018

“Meritocracy” is among the political phenomena and political orientations found in modern Western democratic systems. Daniel A. Bell, however, imposes it on ancient Confucianism and contemporary China and refers to it in Chinese using loaded terms such asxianneng zhengzhi賢能政治 andshangxian zhi尚賢制. Bell’s “political meritocracy” not only consists of an anti-democratic political program but also is full of logical contradictions: at times, it is the antithesis of democracy, and, at other times, it is a supplement to democracy; sometimes it resolutely rejects democracy, and sometimes it desperately needs democratic mechanisms as the ultimate guarantee of its legitimacy. Bell’s criticism of democracy consists of untenable platitudes, and his defense of “political meritocracy” comprises a series of specious arguments. Ultimately, the main issue with “political meritocracy” is its blatant negation of popular sovereignty as well as the fact that it inherently represents a road leading directly to totalitarianism.
Pre-Qin Daoist Reflections on the Xianneng
Authors: Cao Feng , Weber Caterina
Published: August 2018

In the pre-Qin era, thexianneng賢能 [those of virtue and talent] were a commonly discussed topic, on which every school of thought had its own views. Daoist discussions on thexiannengsometimes reflected strong aversion and rejection, yet at other times gave them abundant praise and approval. Because of uncertainty on the universality of moral principles, on the limitations of one’s individual ability, and on the effectiveness of political actions, views in theLaozi老子 and theZhuangzi莊子 on thexiannengsaving society were skeptical in nature, sometimes even taking a mocking tone. Scholars of the Huang-Lao tradition had realized the limitations of individual ability and hoped that the greatest level of political benefit could be attained. Consequently, under the premise of safeguarding monarchical authority, fully displaying the skills and talents of all kinds of sages (imperial teachers and virtuous officials) through the practice ofwuwei無為 [inaction], and the highest leaders’ respect for virtue became the main direction in the Huang-Lao understanding of thexianneng. This tendency has much in common with the Legalist school of thought.
Searching for Homeric Fandom in Greek Tragedy
Authors: Kozak Lynn
Published: August 2018

This article proposes an application of fan studies, and particularly a refined model of Suzanne Scott’s “fanboy auteur,” to reconsider Homeric creative response, with a special focus on the parodos of Euripides’s Iphigenia in Aulis.
Hedyotis taishanensis (Rubiaceae): A new species from Guangdong, China
Authors: WANG GANG-TAO , ZHANG YING , LIANG DAN , CHEN YU-QIANG , WANG RUI-JIANG
Published: August 2018

Hedyotis taishanensis is described as a new species from China. It is similar to H. acutangula, but obviously differs in unbranched herbal stems with slightly winged ridges, petiolated leaves, abaxially pubescent stipules, terminal pleiochasium inflorescence. The phylogenetic analysis from nuclear ITS and plastid petD sequences of 27 taxa revealed that H. taishanensis was an independent lineage but closely related to the clade including the sympatric species endemic to the Pearl River Delta, Guangdong, China. It was evaluated as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Checklist of the mites of Pakistan
Authors: HALLIDAY BRUCE , KAMRAN MUHAMMAD , BASHIR MUHAMMAD HAMID
Published: August 2018

We present the first comprehensive inventory of the mites of Pakistan, based on data from published books and papers. The fauna as presently understood includes 126 families, 316 genera, and 1105 species. The best-documented genera are those that include pests of stored food (for example Acotyledon, 28 species), plant pests (Brevipalpus, 49 species; Tenuipalpus, 35 species), and beneficial predators (Euseius, 44 species; Neoseiulus, 37 species; Phytoseius, 36 species; Typhlodromus, 47 species). Some economically important families such as the Eriophyidae are almost completely unknown. Some of the Cryptostigmata have been studied, but other groups of soil mites are very poorly known. Other large groups such as the feather mites, water mites, Uropodina, and parasitic Astigmata and Prostigmata, have not been studied in a systematic way. An increase in knowledge of these groups would help an assessment of their economic importance, and would make a valuable contribution to the biogeography of the western section of the Oriental Region and the southern section of the Palaearctic Region.
Deep Eddies in the Gulf of Mexico Observed with Floats
Authors: Furey Heather , Bower Amy , Perez-Brunius Paula , Hamilton Peter , Leben Robert
Published: August 2018

A new set of deep float trajectory data collected in the Gulf of Mexico from 2011 to 2015 at 1500- and 2500-m depths is analyzed to describe mesoscale processes, with particular attention paid to the western Gulf. Wavelet analysis is used to identify coherent eddies in the float trajectories, leading to a census of the basinwide coherent eddy population and statistics of the eddies’ kinematic properties. The eddy census reveals a new formation region for anticyclones off the Campeche Escarpment, located northwest of the Yucatan Peninsula. These eddies appear to form locally, with no apparent direct connection to the upper layer. Once formed, the eddies drift westward along the northern edge of the Sigsbee Abyssal Gyre, located in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico over the abyssal plain. The formation mechanism and upstream sources for the Campeche Escarpment eddies are explored: the observational data suggest that eddy formation may be linked to the collision of a Loop Current eddy with the western boundary of the Gulf. Specifically, the disintegration of a deep dipole traveling under the Loop Current eddy Kraken, caused by the interaction with the northwestern continental slope, may lead to the acceleration of the abyssal gyre and the boundary current in the Bay of Campeche region.
Quantifying the Error of Radar-Estimated Refractivity by Multiple Elevation and Dual-Polarimetric Data
Authors: Feng Ya-Chien , Fabry Frédéric
Published: August 2018

To properly use radar refractivity data quantitatively, good knowledge of its errors is required. The data quality of refractivity critically depends on the phase measurements of ground targets that are used for the refractivity estimation. In this study, the observational error structure of refractivity is first estimated based on quantifying the uncertainties of phase measurements, data processing, and the refractivity estimation method. New correlations between the time series of phase measurements at different elevation angles and between polarizations are developed to assess the bulk phase variability of individual targets. Then, the observational error of refractivity is obtained by simulating the uncertainties of phase measurements through the original refractivity estimation method. Resulting errors in refractivity are found to be smaller than 1 N-unit in areas densely populated with reliable point-like stationary ground targets but grow as the target density becomes sparse.
Quantifying Highly Variable Air–Sea Momentum Flux Using Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Laxague Nathan J. M. , Haus Brian K. , Ortiz-Suslow David G. , Graber Hans C.
Published: August 2018

Surface wind stress is a crucial driver of upper-ocean processes, impacting air–sea gas flux, wind-wave development, and material transport. Conventional eddy covariance (EC) processing requires imposing a fixed averaging window on the wind velocity time series in order to estimate the downward flux of momentum. While this method has become the standard means of directly measuring the wind stress, the use of a fixed averaging interval inherently constrains one’s ability to resolve transient signals that may have net effects on the air–sea interactions. Here we utilize the wavelet transform to develop a new technique for directly quantifying the wind stress magnitude from the wavelet coscalogram products. The time averages of these products evaluated at the scale of maximum amplitude are highly correlated with the EC estimates (R2 = 0.99; 5-min time windows), suggesting that stress is particularly sensitive to the dominant turbulent eddies. By taking advantage of the new method’s high temporal resolution, transient wind forcing and its dominant scales may be explicitly computed and analyzed. This technique will allow for more general investigations into air–sea dynamics under nonstationary or spatially inhomogeneous conditions, such as within the nearshore region.
2017 Atlantic Hurricane Forecasts from a High-Resolution Version of the GFDL fvGFS Model: Evaluation of Track, Intensity, and Structure
Authors: Hazelton Andrew T. , Bender Morris , Morin Matthew , Harris Lucas , Lin Shian-Jiann
Published: August 2018

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season had several high-impact tropical cyclones (TCs), including multiple cases of rapid intensification (RI). A high-resolution nested version of the GFDL finite-volume dynamical core (FV3) with GFS physics (fvGFS) model (HifvGFS) was used to conduct hindcasts of all Atlantic TCs between 7 August and 15 October. HifvGFS showed promising track forecast performance, with similar error patterns and skill compared to the operational GFS and HWRF models. Some of the larger track forecast errors were associated with the erratic tracks of TCs Jose and Lee. A case study of Hurricane Maria found that although the track forecasts were generally skillful, a right-of-track bias was noted in some cases associated with initialization and prediction of ridging north of the storm. The intensity forecasts showed large improvement over the GFS and global fvGFS models but were somewhat less skillful than HWRF. The largest negative intensity forecast errors were associated with the RI of TCs Irma, Lee, and Maria, while the largest positive errors were found with recurving cases that were generally weakening. The structure forecasts were also compared with observations, and HifvGFS was found to generally have wind radii larger than the observations. Detailed examination of the forecasts of Hurricanes Harvey and Maria showed that HifvGFS was able to predict the structural evolution leading to RI in some cases but was not as skillful with other RI cases. One case study of Maria suggested that the inclusion of ocean coupling could significantly reduce the positive bias seen during and after recurvature.
Leaf Damage by Phytophagous Beetles alters Terminalia catappa Green and Senesced Leaf Chemistry
Authors: Marler Thomas E
Published: August 2018

Chemical traits of Terminalia catappa L. leaves were determined on the island of Guam to understand the changes caused by beetle leaf herbivory. Green leaf chemistry indicated nitrogen was the most limiting nutrient in the climate and soils of Guam. The changes in leaf chemistry following beetle damage were extensive. Senesced leaf chemistry indicated beetle damage decreased some traits that predict lower leaf litter quality, such as lignin, but also decreased some traits that predict higher leaf litter quality, such as nitrogen. The stoichiometric traits based on carbon:macronutrient and lignin:macronutrient generally predicted higher quality leaf litter following beetle herbivory. The beetles that produce this form of T. catappa leaf damage on Guam are non-native, and overall, the results indicate these pests will increase the rate of litter decomposition and nutrient turnover in habitats where T. catappa is prevalent.
Sevoflurane inhibits cardiac function in pulmonary fibrosis mice through the TLR4 signaling pathway
Authors: Cao Yanan , He Zhenghua , Zhu Maoen , Gao Xiaowei , Yang Yue , Zhang Junjie , Pan Yundan , Guo Qulian , Peng Yonggang , Wang E.
Published: August 2018

Pulmonary fibrosis is often concomitant with myocardial injury. We studied sevoflurane’s effects on cardiac function and the expression of the TLR4/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling pathway on a pulmonary fibrosis model. C57BL/6J wild‐type (WT) and TLR4‐deficient (TLR4−/−) mice were randomly divided into a control group and a pulmonary fibrosis group. The model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by treatment with paraquat (PQ; 20 mg/kg). Four weeks after PQ administration, mice were tested for body weight changes, and histopathology and hydroxyproline in lung. Left ventricular function in each group of mice was measured by echocardiogram before and after sevoflurane inhalation. The expression of TLR4 and iNOS protein were analyzed. Pulmonary fibrosis mice were fed lenalidomide (50 mg/kg/day) for three days and cardiac function was assessed before and after sevoflurane inhalation. WT pulmonary fibrosis mice showed pathological damage and excessive deposition of collagen in the lung and heart. Left ventricular function decreased after four weeks of PQ exposure. TLR4−/− mice were resistant to pulmonary fibrosis like pathological damage and the effect of sevoflurane on heart rate and ejection fraction than that of WT mice. TLR4 and iNOS expression in WT pulmonary fibrosis mice increased significantly after sevoflurane inhalation. Lenalidomide treatment alleviated the effect of sevoflurane on heart rate and ejection fraction in WT pulmonary fibrosis mice. Sevoflurane inhibits cardiac function in pulmonary fibrosis mice through the TLR4/iNOS pathway. Lenalidomide attenuated the sevoflurane’s effect on the cardiac function of mice with pulmonary fibrosis.
Serum triglycerides predict first cardiovascular events in diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia and retinopathy
Authors: Tada Hayato , Kawashiri Masa-aki , Nomura Akihiro , Yoshimura Kenichi , Itoh Hiroshi , Komuro Issei , Yamagishi Masakazu
Published: August 2018

Aims

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol predicts cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes. However, it is uncertain whether serum triglycerides level is also associated with an occurrence of future cardiovascular events in diabetic patients. We aimed to test whether serum triglycerides is associated with first cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.

Methods and results

We recruited 5042 participants with diabetes mellitus from the standard versus intEnsive statin therapy for hypercholesteroleMic Patients with diAbetic retinopaTHY (EMPATHY), multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint study. Median follow-up was three years. We evaluated an association of serum triglycerides with first cardiovascular events in cox-regression hazard models adjusted by age, sex, hypertension, current smoking, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index. Cardiovascular events were defined as (a) major adverse cardiac events including myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiac death; and (b) cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ischemic stroke, or large artery disease or peripheral arterial disease. Serum triglycerides were associated with major adverse cardiac events (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.021 per 10 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval: 1.007–1.035; p = 0.0025) and cardiovascular diseases (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.023 per 10 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval: 1.013–1.034; p = 0.0000077). Comparing the top quintile (>185 mg/dl) with the bottom quintile (<79 mg/dl), the adjusted hazard ratio increased 1.89 (95% confidence interval: 1.03–2.80, p = 0.04) for major adverse cardiac events, and 1.90 (95% confidence interval: 1.18–3.07, p = 0.007) for cardiovascular diseases. There were no overall interactions of triglycerides and treatment assignment (standard/intensive statins) on both outcomes ( p-trend = 0.33 for major adverse cardiac events, p-trend = 0.62 for cardiovascular diseases).

Conclusions

Serum triglycerides were associated with first cardiovascular events among high-risk diabetes patients with hypercholesterolemia and retinopathy.
Wave-equation traveltime inversion with multifrequency bands: Synthetic and land data examples
Authors: Yu Han , Hanafy Sherif M. , Schuster Gerard T.
Published: August 2018

We have developed a wave-equation traveltime inversion method with multifrequency bands to invert for the shallow or intermediate subsurface velocity distribution. Similar to the classical wave-equation traveltime inversion, this method searches for the velocity model that minimizes the squared sum of the traveltime residuals using source wavelets with progressively higher peak frequencies. Wave-equation traveltime inversion can partially avoid the cycle-skipping problem by recovering the low-wavenumber parts of the velocity model. However, we also use the frequency information hidden in the traveltimes to obtain a more highly resolved tomogram. Therefore, we use different frequency bands when calculating the Fréchet derivatives so that tomograms with better resolution can be reconstructed. Results are validated by the zero-offset gathers from the raw data associated with moderate geometric irregularities. The improved wave-equation traveltime method is robust and merely needs a rough estimate of the starting model. Numerical tests on the synthetic and field data sets validate the above claims.
Mediating Effect of Muscle on the Relationship of Physical Activity and Bone
Authors: ZYMBAL VERA , BAPTISTA FÁTIMA , LETUCHY ELENA M. , JANZ KATHLEEN F. , LEVY STEVEN M.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This study analyzed prospective associations between distinct trajectories of objectively measured physical activity (PA) and late adolescent bone parameters and explored the mediating effects of lean soft tissue, a surrogate of muscle mass to associations.

Methods

Physical activity was measured by accelerometry starting at age 5 yr and continuing at 8, 11, 13, 15, and 17 yr in approximately 524 participants from the Iowa Bone Development Study. Sex-specific group-based trajectory modeling was used to construct developmental trajectories of moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) from childhood to late adolescence. At age 17 yr, proximal femur bone mineral density (aBMD) was assessed by dual X-ray energy absorptiometry, and its distribution was calculated by aBMD ratios. Specific geometric measures of the proximal femur were assessed using hip structural analysis.

Results

A significant portion of the total effect of MVPA from age 5 to 17 yr on bone parameters at age 17 yr was explained by an increase in leg lean soft tissue in both sexes. For males and females, indirect effects were observed on the total and all regional proximal femur aBMD, and on the ratio between the inferomedial and superolateral neck aBMD. The effect on the ratio between the trochanter and the total proximal femur was specific to females, whereas the effect on the hip axis length was specific to males. Direct effects of MVPA on aBMD were identified only in males.

Conclusions

Using robust mediation analysis, this is the first study addressing the indirect effect (through muscle) of PA across childhood and adolescence on proximal femur bone parameters. To improve bone health at the proximal femur, the results suggest PA interventions during growth that increase muscle mass, particularly in females.