bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Effect of the Lactoperoxidase System and Cinnamon Essential Oil on Total Flora andSalmonellaGrowth Inhibition in Raw Milk
Authors: Abbes Chiraz , Mansouri Ahlem , Landoulsi Ahmed
Published: April 2018

Despite its antibacterial and antipathogenic effects, the heat treatment of milk induces undesirable changes that can be noted in the overall properties of ultrahigh temperature (UHT) milk, such as changes in nutritional and organoleptic properties. Our goal is to find new nonthermal antibacterial technologies for the preservation of raw milk (RM). This study investigates the possible synergistic effect of using a combination of the lactoperoxidase system (LS) and 3 μg mL−1of cinnamon essential oil (cinnamon EO) to inactivate the total flora of milk andSalmonellaHadar (S. Hadar). The LS was activated with 30 mg L−1sodium percarbonate and 14 mg L−1of sodium thiocyanate. Using this approach, we obtained a synergistic effect with a complete inhibition of the activity of the total flora of the milk andS.Hadar after 12 hours at 25°C. In addition, the attainment of synergy was defined when the inhibitory effect of the two compounds together was greater than the effect observed by each compound added alone. Moreover, the monitoring of the synergistic effect at 4°C for 5 days showed complete inhibition of total flora for 3 days and forS. Hadar it was up to 5 days. To summarize, the current study clearly identified a new inhibitory combination that may be used in food-based applications.
Safety and Efficacy of Extremely Low LDL-Cholesterol Levels and Its Prospects in Hyperlipidemia Management
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Dhrubajyoti , Qureshi Arshna , Ghosh Sudeshna , Ashish Kumar , Heise Lyndsey R. , Hajra Adrija , Ghosh Raktim K.
Published: April 2018

The risk of cardiovascular disease has been reported to have a linear relationship with LDL levels. Additionally, the currently recommended LDL target goal of 70 mg/dl does not diminish the CV risk entirely leaving behind some residual risk. Previous attempts to maximally lower the LDL levels with statin monotherapy have met dejection due to the increased side effects associated with the treatment. Nevertheless, with the new advancements in clinical medicine, it has now become possible to bring down the LDL levels to as low as 15 mg/dl using PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies alone or in combination with statins. The development of inclisiran, siRNA silencer targeting PCSK9 gene, is a one step forward in these endeavors. Moreover, various studies aiming to lower the CV risk and mortality by lowering LDL levels have demonstrated encouraging results. The current challenge is to explore this arena to redefine the target LDL levels, if required, to avoid any suboptimal treatment. After thorough literature search in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar, we present this article to provide a brief overview of the safety and efficacy of lowering LDL below the current goal.
Diversity of Dengue Virus Serotype in Endemic Region of South Sulawesi Province
Authors: Taslim Muh. , Arsunan A. A. , Ishak Hasanuddin , Nasir Sudirman , Usman Andi Nilawati
Published: April 2018

The objective of this research was to investigate serotype diversity pattern of dengue hemorrhagic fever virus by using real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. It was an explorative laboratory research in endemic dengue fever area in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, that is, Makassar municipality and Maros and Gowa region. Serological examination was carried out using real-time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method to determine the serotype of dengue virus. The data showed that, of 30 patients, 20 patients (66.67%) were from Makassar municipality: 10 patients (33.33%) from Gowa region and 10 patients (33.33%) from Maros region. The serotypes found were DENV-2 and DENV-4 and no DENV-1 and DENV-3 serotypes were found. Makassar municipality and Gowa region have higher infection with serotype DENV-2, that is, 40% of cases compared with Maros, which is 20.0%. Statistical test results showed no significant differences between the three endemic areas. Maros region has the highest infection with serotype DENV-4, that is, 40% of cases compared with Makassar municipality (5.0%) and Gowa region (0%). Statistical test results showed significant differences between the three endemic areas. This result revealed that serotypes obtained in endemic areas of dengue fever in South Sulawesi are DENV-2 and DENV-4 and not serotypes DENV-1 and DENV-3. Makassar municipality has DENV-2 and DENV-4 serotype, infection dominated by DENV-2, while Maros region also has DENV-2 and DENV-4, but DENV-4 is the dominant serotype. Gowa municipality only has DENV-2 serotype infection.
MUC1 and MUC5AC Acting on Helicobacter pylori‐Related Deficiency and Solid Syndrome of Spleen and Stomach
Authors: Hu Ling , Chen Wanqun , Cheng Ming , Zhang Ting , Lan Shaoyang , Li Peiwu , Chen Weijing
Published: April 2018

To investigate the relationship of MUC1, MUC5AC, and the syndrome of spleen and stomach, 109 subjects (34 peptic ulcer (PU), 62 chronic gastritis (CG), and 13 healthy volunteers (CON)) were included. All the subjects included were surveyed with questionnaire to classify them into damp‐heat syndrome of spleen and stomach (DHSS), spleen‐qi deficiency syndrome (SQD), and CON, examined by gastric endoscope, and biopsied. Rapid urease and methylene blue staining (MBS) were performed on every subject to diagnose for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, and both were defined as Hp‐positive. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed on every specimen to explore the histomorphology, inflammatory degree, and inflammatory activity of different groups; then Elivision™ plus kit was used to test the expression of MUC1 and MUC5AC. All the results of digital images were reviewed by two experts blindly. The inflammatory degree with Hp infection was higher than those uninfected or CON, but no significant difference was found between DHSS and SQD. And the expressions of MUC5AC with positive Hp was higher than those with negative Hp or CON regardless of the deficiency and solid syndrome of spleen‐stomach but not for MUC1. We speculate that the deficiency and solid syndrome of spleen‐stomach is a condition like Tai Ji symbol of dynamic equilibrium, showing the higher expression of MUC5AC but no change of MUC1 in the circumstance of Hp infection.
Morbimortalidad perinatal en pacientes con rotura prematura ovular ≤24 semanas según cantidad de líquido amniótico al momento del diagnóstico
Authors: Ferrer Márquez Fernando Andres , Valenzuela Gonzalo , Schulze Clara , Pertossi Emiliano , Karla Silva , Díaz Francisco , Córdova Víctor , Vargas Paula , Martinovic Carolina , Valdés Rafael , Luna Daniela , Rosas Alejandra , Kusanovic Juan Pedro
Published: April 2018

Introducción: La rotura prematura ovular (RPO) antes de la viabilidad fetal consiste en una complicación obstétrica de baja incidencia, pero de alta morbimortalidad perinatal asociada. Estudios sugieren que el volumen de líquido amniótico (LA) es un factor importante a considerar. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar si en RPO ≤24 semanas, un bolsillo vertical máximo (BVM) <2cm al diagnóstico es un factor de riesgo para aparición de morbimortalidad fetal y neonatal.Métodos: Estudio de cohorte longitudinal retrospectivo de 94 pacientes con RPO ≤24 semanas ingresadas a un hospital terciario para manejo expectante entre los años 2005 y 2014. Embarazo gemelar o malformaciones congénitas fueron criterios de exclusión. Se obtuvieron y compararon 2 grupos según BVM al ingreso (BVM ≥ 2 cm y BVM < a 2 cms) y se comparó la edad gestacional (EG) al momento de la RPO y al parto, la latencia desde la RPO al parto, la presencia de corioamnionitis clínica, el número de óbitos fetales, muerte neonatal precoz (primeros 7 días de vida), tardía (entre los 7 y 28 días) y sobrevida global. Resultados: El 58% de las pacientes presentó un BVM <2 cm al ingreso, el cual se asoció a menor latencia al parto (p:0,01), menor EG al parto (p:0,02), más óbito fetal (p:0,04), mayor muerte neonatal precoz y tardía (p:0,02 y 0,01 respectivamente) además de menor sobrevida global (p:0,01).Conclusiones: La medición de BVM <2 cm al ingreso en pacientes con RPO ≤24 semanas, es un factor de mal pronóstico y debe ser considerado en el manejo clínico de estas pacientes.
Combination Therapy and the Evolution of Resistance: The Theoretical Merits of Synergism and Antagonism in Cancer
Authors: Saputra Elysia C. , Huang Lu , Chen Yihui , Tucker-Kellogg Lisa
Published: April 2018

The search for effective combination therapies for cancer has focused heavily on synergistic combinations because they exhibit enhanced therapeutic efficacy at lower doses. Although synergism is intuitively attractive, therapeutic success often depends on whether drug resistance develops. The impact of synergistic combinations (vs. antagonistic or additive combinations) on the process of drug-resistance evolution has not been investigated. In this study, we use a simplified computational model of cancer cell numbers in a population of drug-sensitive, singly-resistant, and fully-resistant cells to simulate the dynamics of resistance evolution in the presence of two-drug combinations. When we compared combination therapies administered at the same combination of effective doses, simulations showed synergistic combinations most effective at delaying onset of resistance. Paradoxically, when the therapies were compared using dose combinations with equal initial efficacy, antagonistic combinations were most successful at suppressing expansion of resistant subclones. These findings suggest that, although synergistic combinations could suppress resistance through early decimation of cell numbers (making them “proefficacy” strategies), they are inherently fragile toward the development of single resistance. In contrast, antagonistic combinations suppressed the clonal expansion of singly-resistant cells, making them “antiresistance” strategies. The distinction between synergism and antagonism was intrinsically connected to the distinction between offensive and defensive strategies, where offensive strategies inflicted early casualties and defensive strategies established protection against anticipated future threats. Our findings question the exclusive focus on synergistic combinations and motivate further consideration of nonsynergistic combinations for cancer therapy.

Significance: Computational simulations show that if different combination therapies have similar initial efficacy in cancers, then nonsynergistic drug combinations are more likely than synergistic drug combinations to provide a long-term defense against the evolution of therapeutic resistance. Cancer Res; 78(9); 2419–31. ©2018 AACR.
Clinicopathological Risk Factors for an Invasive Breast Cancer Recurrence after Ductal CarcinomaIn Situ—A Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Visser Lindy L. , Elshof Lotte E. , Schaapveld Michael , van de Vijver Koen , Groen Emma J. , Almekinders Mathilde M. , Bierman Carolien , van Leeuwen Flora E. , Rutgers Emiel J. , Schmidt Marjanka K. , Lips Esther H. , Wesseling Jelle
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is treated to prevent progression to invasive breast cancer. Yet, most lesions will never progress, implying that overtreatment exists. Therefore, we aimed to identify factors distinguishing harmless from potentially hazardous DCIS using a nested case–control study.

Experimental Design: We conducted a case–control study nested in a population-based cohort of patients with DCIS treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) alone (N = 2,658) between 1989 and 2005. We compared clinical, pathologic, and IHC DCIS characteristics of 200 women who subsequently developed ipsilateral invasive breast cancer (iIBC; cases) and 474 women who did not (controls), in a matched setting. Median follow-up time was 12.0 years (interquartile range, 9.0–15.3). Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess associations of various factors with subsequent iIBC risk after primary DCIS.

Results: High COX-2 protein expression showed the strongest association with subsequent iIBC [OR = 2.97; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.72–5.10]. In addition, HER2 overexpression (OR = 1.56; 95% CI, 1.05–2.31) and presence of periductal fibrosis (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01–2.06) were associated with subsequent iIBC risk. Patients with HER2+/COX-2high DCIS had a 4-fold higher risk of subsequent iIBC (vs. HER2−/COX-2low DCIS), and an estimated 22.8% cumulative risk of developing subsequent iIBC at 15 years.

Conclusions: With this unbiased study design and representative group of patients with DCIS treated by BCS alone, COX-2, HER2, and periductal fibrosis were revealed as promising markers predicting progression of DCIS into iIBC. Validation will be done in independent datasets. Ultimately, this will aid individual risk stratification of women with primary DCIS. Clin Cancer Res; 24(15); 3593–601. ©2018 AACR.
A new species of Arene (Vetigastropoda, Areneidae) from Canopus Bank, off NE Brazil
Authors: Cavallari Daniel Caracanhas , Simone Luiz Ricardo Lopes de
Published: April 2018

Arene lychee sp. nov. is described from Canopus Bank, a seamount located ~190 km off Fortaleza, Ceará, NE Brazil (02°14’25”S, 38°22’50”W), based on shell morphology. The species is characterized by a large, trochiform shell; color ranging from intense reddish to white (darker on spiral cords, lighter at base) with a yellow apex; sculpture of 3‑8 wide spiral cords with large scale-like spines; cords separated by deep interspaces with similar width, and interspaces sculptured by closely-packed, thin axial growth lines.
Once Upon a Time: da literatura para a série de TV
Authors: Cunha Maria Zilda
Published: April 2018

VALENZUELA, Sandra Trabucco. Once Upon a Time: da literatura para a série de TV. São Paulo; Lisboa: Editora Chiado, 2016.
A tradução intersemiótica de Hamlet para os quadrinhos: o solilóquio “Ser ou não ser”
Authors: Adriano Geisy , Darin Leila
Published: April 2018

Mais de 400 anos depois, o legado de William Shakespeare continua pulsando vivo no âmago da sociedade, graças às inúmeras (re)edições e traduções de seus livros, às encenações de suas peças em teatros de todo o mundo e à grande variedade de adaptações, seja para o cinema, balé, ópera ou para os desenhos animados, videogames e histórias em quadrinhos. Nesse contexto, é que o fantasma do príncipe da Dinamarca regressa. A presente pesquisa propõe-se a analisar a tradução da peça de teatro Hamlet, de William Shakespeare, para os quadrinhos da coleção Mangá Shakespeare da editora inglesa SelfMadeHero, disponíveis em português brasileiro pela Galera Record. Dentre outros pontos, serão abordados aspectos gerais da transposição; cotejo das principais características da obra com respeito a tema, trama, desenho dos personagens e linguagem; e aspectos externos que influenciam a adaptação, tais como o conhecimento das editoras e dos atores envolvidos no processo. Para tanto, serão utilizados como referencial teórico o conceito de tradução intersemiótica - ou transmutação - de Roman Jakobson (2015), complementado por Julio Plaza (2008); o conceito de reescrita, de André Lefevere (2007); bem como a fortuna crítica do referido corpus e da linguagem dos quadrinhos, em especial, dos mangás.
Neurotransmitter Switching Coupled to β-Adrenergic Signaling in Sympathetic Neurons in Prehypertensive States
Authors: Bardsley Emma N. , Davis Harvey , Buckler Keith J. , Paterson David J.
Published: April 2018

Single or combinatorial administration of β-blockers is a mainstay treatment strategy for conditions caused by sympathetic overactivity. Conventional wisdom suggests that the main beneficial effect of β-blockers includes resensitization and restoration of β1-adrenergic signaling pathways in the myocardium, improvements in cardiomyocyte contractility, and reversal of ventricular sensitization. However, emerging evidence indicates that another beneficial effect of β-blockers in disease may reside in sympathetic neurons. We investigated whether β-adrenoceptors are present on postganglionic sympathetic neurons and facilitate neurotransmission in a feed-forward manner. Using a combination of immunocytochemistry, RNA sequencing, Förster resonance energy transfer, and intracellular Ca
2+
imaging, we demonstrate the presence of β-adrenoceptors on presynaptic sympathetic neurons in both human and rat stellate ganglia. In diseased neurons from the prehypertensive rat, there was enhanced β-adrenoceptor–mediated signaling predominantly via β
2
-adrenoceptor activation. Moreover, in human and rat neurons, we identified the presence of the epinephrine-synthesizing enzyme PNMT (phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase). Using high-pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, we measured greater epinephrine content and evoked release from the prehypertensive rat cardiac-stellate ganglia. We conclude that neurotransmitter switching resulting in enhanced epinephrine release, may provide presynaptic positive feedback on β-adrenoceptors to promote further release, that leads to greater postsynaptic excitability in disease, before increases in arterial blood pressure. Targeting neuronal β-adrenoceptor downstream signaling could provide therapeutic opportunity to minimize end-organ damage caused by sympathetic overactivity.
Causal Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Liu Junfeng , Rutten-Jacobs Loes , Liu Ming , Markus Hugh S. , Traylor Matthew
Published: April 2018

Background and Purpose—

The relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is unclear. We aimed to examine the causal effect of T2D, fasting glucose levels, and higher insulin resistance on CSVD using Mendelian randomization.

Methods—

Five CSVD phenotypes were studied; 2 were clinical outcomes associated with CSVD (lacunar stroke: n=2191/27 297 and intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH]: n=2254/8195 [deep and lobar ICH]), whereas 3 were radiological markers of CSVD (white matter hyperintensities: n=8429; fractional anisotropy [FA]: n=8357; and mean diffusivity: n=8357). We applied 2 complementary analyses to evaluate the association of T2D with CSVD. First, we used summarized data from genome-wide association study to calculate the effects of T2D-related variants on CSVD with inverse-variance weighted and weighted median approaches. Second, we performed a genetic risk score approach to test the effects of T2D-associated variants on white matter hyperintensities, FA, and mean diffusivity using individual-level data in UK Biobank.

Results—

T2D was associated with higher risk of lacunar stroke (odds ratio [OR], 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–1.28;
P
=0.007) and lower mean FA (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66–0.92;
P
=0.004) but not white matter hyperintensities volume (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97–1.04;
P
=0.626), higher mean diffusivity (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.89–1.23;
P
=0.612), ICH (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.95–1.20;
P
=0.269), lobar ICH (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.89–1.28;
P
=0.466), or deep ICH (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.99–1.36;
P
=0.074). Weighted median and penalized median weighted analysis showed similar effect estimates of T2D on lacunar stroke and FA, but with wider CIs, meaning they were not significant. The genetic score on individual-level data was significantly associated with FA (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.45–0.89;
P
=0.008) after adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusions—

Our Mendelian randomization study provides evidence to suggest that T2D may be causally associated with CSVD, in particular with lacunar stroke and FA.
Shorter Intensive Care Unit Stays?
Authors: Chang Adam , Llinas Edward J. , Chen Karen , Llinas Rafael H. , Marsh Elisabeth B.
Published: April 2018

Background and Purpose—

Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) is a life-threatening complication after treatment with intravenous tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) for acute stroke. Currently, patients are monitored for sICH in a neurocritical care unit or intensive care unit-like setting for 24 hours post-treatment—a costly and resource intensive practice. Because the half-life of tPA is much shorter than 24 hours, it is possible that the majority of patients do not require such intensive monitoring. In this study, we evaluate the time period of the highest risk for sICH post-tPA.

Methods—

All patients receiving intravenous tPA for acute stroke between 2004 and 2017 at our institution were prospectively followed for sICH for 36 hours after treatment. The mean time from tPA administration to hemorrhage was calculated. Additional data were collected regarding: patient demographics, medical variables, and stroke characteristics. Variables significant in univariate analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression models to determine factors associated with symptomatic hemorrhage.

Results—

Three hundred eighty-five patients were administered intravenous tPA. Twenty-one (5.5%) developed sICH. The mean time from administration to hemorrhage was 8.5 hours. Greater than 80% of sICHs occurred before 12 hours post-treatment. The only variable significantly associated with sICH was combination therapy (intravenous tPA and intra-arterial thrombectomy).

Conclusions—

sICH associated with the administration of intravenous tPA typically occurs within the first 12 hours of treatment. Longer monitoring in an intensive care unit-like setting may be unnecessary for most individuals.
On the Distinction Between Perceived Duration and Event Timing: Towards a Unified Model of Time Perception
Authors: Rhodes Darren
Published: April 2018

Time is a fundamental dimension of human perception, cognition and action, as the processing and cognition of temporal information is essential for everyday activities and survival. Innumerable studies have investigated the perception of time over the last 100 years, but the neural and computational bases for the processing of time remains unknown. Extant models of time perception are discussed before the proposition of a unified model of time perception that relates perceived event timing with perceived duration. The distinction between perceived event timing and perceived duration provides the current for navigating a river of contemporary approaches to time perception. Recent work has advocated aBayesianapproach to time perception. This framework has been applied to both duration and perceived timing, where prior expectations about when a stimulus might occur in the future (prior distribution) are combined with current sensory evidence (likelihood function) in order to generate the perception of temporal properties (posterior distribution). In general, these models predict that the brain uses temporal expectations to bias perception in a way that stimuli are ‘regularized’ i.e. stimuli look more like what has been seen before. As such, the synthesis of perceived timing and duration models is of theoretical importance for the field of timing and time perception.
A Critique of Immunity for Multilateral Development Banks in National Courts
Authors: Xu Chengjin , Gu Bin
Published: April 2018

Since their emergence after World War II, multilateral development banks (MDBs, or Banks) have become crucial players in promoting economic development in the developing world. The theory of immunity enables the MDBs to shield themselves from jurisdictions of national courts, and protects them in Bank operations. This paper presents a critique of the immunity claimed by MDBs, and argues that such a claim of immunity should be restrictive, rather than absolute. Meanwhile, it is important to establish adequate dispute settlement systems within the MDBs, counterbalancing their immunities from legal process. The systems offer a fair trial to private parties, and should be independent from Bank management. As for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the young Bank’s operations can be on the ground only with its immunities respected by members, while the committed high standards are possible only with adequate internal dispute settlement systems.
A new species of the genus Xya Latreille, 1809 from China (Orthoptra, Tridctyloidea, Tridactylidae)
Authors: CAO CHENG-QUAN , SHI JIAN-PING , YIN ZHAN
Published: April 2018

A new species of the genus Xya Latreille, 1809 from Sichuan, China is described in this paper. The new species Xya sichuanensis sp. nov. is similar to Xya japonica (Haan, 1844), but differs from latter by head with yellow stripe on both sides, vertex with two yellow stripes on the inner margin of eyes, pronotum with yellow stripe on both sides, tegmina with two small yellow spots, fore and mid legs black, with yellow spots and hind wing yellow. Type specimens are deposited in the College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614004, China.
Two rare species of tylenchids, Discotylenchus biannulatus n. sp. and Labrys chinensis Qing & Bert, 2018 (Nematoda: Tylenchidae) from western Iran
Authors: KONANI EHSAN , PANAHANDEH YOUSEF , POURJAM EBRAHIM , ÁLVAREZ-ORTEGA SERGIO , PEDRAM MAJID
Published: April 2018

Two rare species of the family Tylenchidae are described and illustrated based on morphological and morphometric characters. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies provided details of anterior end structures, helpful in generic identification of the studied populations. Discotylenchus biannulatus n. sp. is characterized by its dorso-ventrally flattened smooth cephalic region having two proximal annuli and a rectangular perioral disc, short longitudinal amphidial slits, lateral field with four incisures, stylet 9–10 μm long, with the conus shorter than half the total stylet length and with posteriorly directed knobs, well-developed median bulb, mono-prodelphic reproductive system with rounded empty spermatheca and short postvulval uterine sac (PUS), and filiform tail with pointed end. It is compared with other species of Discotylenchus having four lines in the lateral field. The Iranian population of Labrys chinensis is characterized by its long and slender (a = 45.2–57.2) body, smooth rounded cephalic region and an offset disc-like apical labial plate, short longitudinal lateral amphidial slits, lateral field with two incisures, moderately developed stylet with the conus less than half the total length and posteriorly directed knobs, median bulb fusiform with distinct but weak valve, gradually joining the isthmus, vulva at 57.2–59.1% with small flaps, elongate conoid tail, uniformly and slightly narrowing toward end with broadly rounded terminus and rare males. The minor morphological differences of the recovered population with the type population are discussed.
Wind Energy Exploration over the Atacama Desert: A Numerical Model–Guided Observational Program
Authors: Muñoz Ricardo C. , Falvey Mark J. , Arancibia Mario , Astudillo Valentina I. , Elgueta Javier , Ibarra Marcelo , Santana Christian , Vásquez Camila
Published: April 2018

Over the past 15 years, Chile’s energy agencies have undertaken a series of projects aimed at evaluating the wind energy potential of the northern part of the country (western South America between 18° and 32°S), including the Atacama Desert. These projects have produced an unprecedented database of wind observations and ancillary meteorological data over an especially interesting climatic region, including more than 30 sites with 20-m meteorological masts and six high towers (60–80 m) with multilevel wind and temperature measurements. Measuring periods vary between 1 and 10 years, with about half the stations having 5 or more years of data. Site selection was guided by the results of a mesoscale numerical model, so the program provides a good example of modeling–observation interaction, as well as being a demonstration of a successful collaboration between government, university, and international assistance programs. This paper describes the publically available database of meteorological measurements, provides examples of regional climatological features revealed by the observations, compares observations with model results, and describes how the information provided by the program has contributed to the development of wind energy projects in the region.
Climate Model Biases and Modification of the Climate Change Signal by Intensity-Dependent Bias Correction
Authors: Ivanov Martin Aleksandrov , Luterbacher Jürg , Kotlarski Sven
Published: April 2018

Climate change impact research and risk assessment require accurate estimates of the climate change signal (CCS). Raw climate model data include systematic biases that affect the CCS of high-impact variables such as daily precipitation and wind speed. This paper presents a novel, general, and extensible analytical theory of the effect of these biases on the CCS of the distribution mean and quantiles. The theory reveals that misrepresented model intensities and probability of nonzero (positive) events have the potential to distort raw model CCS estimates. We test the analytical description in a challenging application of bias correction and downscaling to daily precipitation over alpine terrain, where the output of 15 regional climate models (RCMs) is reduced to local weather stations. The theoretically predicted CCS modification well approximates the modification by the bias correction method, even for the station–RCM combinations with the largest absolute modifications. These results demonstrate that the CCS modification by bias correction is a direct consequence of removing model biases. Therefore, provided that application of intensity-dependent bias correction is scientifically appropriate, the CCS modification should be a desirable effect. The analytical theory can be used as a tool to 1) detect model biases with high potential to distort the CCS and 2) efficiently generate novel, improved CCS datasets. The latter are highly relevant for the development of appropriate climate change adaptation, mitigation, and resilience strategies. Future research needs to focus on developing process-based bias corrections that depend on simulated intensities rather than preserving the raw model CCS.
Features of the Equatorial Intermediate Current Associated with Basin Resonance in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Huang Ke , Han Weiqing , Wang Dongxiao , Wang Weiqiang , Xie Qiang , Chen Ju , Chen Gengxin
Published: April 2018

This paper investigates the features of the Equatorial Intermediate Current (EIC) in the Indian Ocean and its relationship with basin resonance at the semiannual time scale by using in situ observations, reanalysis output, and a continuously stratified linear ocean model (LOM). The observational results show that the EIC is characterized by prominent semiannual variations with velocity reversals and westward phase propagation and that it is strongly influenced by the pronounced second baroclinic mode structure but with identifiable vertical phase propagation. Similar behavior is found in the reanalysis data and LOM results. The simulation of wind-driven equatorial wave dynamics in the LOM reveals that the observed variability of the EIC can be largely explained by the equatorial basin resonance at the semiannual period, when the second baroclinic Rossby wave reflected from the eastern boundary intensifies the directly forced equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves in the basin interior. The sum of the first 10 modes can reproduce the main features of the EIC. Among these modes, the resonant second baroclinic mode makes the largest contribution, which dominates the vertical structure, semiannual cycle, and westward phase propagation of the EIC. The other 9 modes, however, are also important, and the superposition of the first 10 modes produces downward energy propagation in the equatorial Indian Ocean.
Care migration: The connectivity between care chains, care circulation and transnational social inequality
Authors: Lutz Helma
Published: April 2018

One of the features of the global commodification of care is the outsourcing of care work to migrants. The aim of this article is to investigate theoretical responses to the incorporation of migrant care workers in transnational care arrangements. After a description of the scope of migrant care labour and the global care economy, the article summarizes the challenges posed by this empirical phenomenon and asks to what extent care migrations on a global scale have common denominators. The author discusses three topical concepts dealing with the impact of care migration for migrant caregivers and for their significant others who stay behind. The first is the Global Care Chain Concept, with its particular importance for transnational parenting; the second is the Care Circulation Concept. In different ways, both of them shed light on the contradictory characteristics of care migration. I then argue that the third concept, the theory of Transnational Social Inequality, is a necessary addition. By focusing on migrant care workers’ contradictory position, this concept aims at understanding the new features of asymmetrical resource distribution in their global manifestation. Taken together, these concepts are considered helpful tools to analyse the commonalities and differences of a large range of specific cases. Many examples used in this article are concerned with care migration in Europe.
South Africa’s hybrid care regime: The changing and contested roles of individuals, families and the state after apartheid
Authors: Button Kirsty , Moore Elena , Seekings Jeremy
Published: April 2018

The post-apartheid state in South Africa inherited a care regime that historically combined liberal, social democratic and conservative features. The post-apartheid state has sought to deracialise the care regime, through extending to the African majority the privileges that hitherto had been largely confined to the white minority, and to transform it, to render it more appropriate to the needs and norms of the African majority. Deracialisation proved insufficient and transformation too limited to address inequalities in access to care. Reform also generated tensions, including between a predominant ideology that accords women and children rights as autonomous individuals, the widespread belief in kinship obligations and an enduring if less widespread conservative, patriarchal ideology. Ordinary people must navigate between the market (if they can afford it), the state and the family, balancing opportunities for independence with the claims made on and by kin. The care regime thus remains a contested hybrid.
Contrasting trends in gender and childcare in Argentina: Family policies between LGBT rights and maternalism
Authors: Faur Eleonor
Published: April 2018

This article analyses the stark contrast between the revolutionary shift in LGBT rights and the maternalistic shadow still cast over childcare-related family policies in Argentina. It analyses family law and recent developments in the recognition of women and the LGBT population as equal rights holders in the realm of the family. Then it examines family policies aimed at working parents with childcare responsibilities, exploring whether or not the enactment of the Egalitarian Marriage Act shifted the consideration of working mothers and fathers’ rights and obligations regarding childcare. Finally, it discusses the challenges in implementing policies that can disentangle the gender and social inequalities embedded in them. The author argues that different logics are found in different family regulations. Family laws introduced gender neutral language and equal parental responsibilities, but family policies still distinguish rights and responsibilities according to gender even after the postpartum period. These not only misrecognize the LGBT population, but they also reaffirm maternalistic assumptions that do not reflect the new family dynamic and recent legal advances. In addition, in the most unequal region of the world, reinforce a system of socioeconomic and gender inequalities.
Oltre il testo. La sperimentazione teatrale napoletana negli anni Sessanta e Settanta
Authors: Sapienza Annamaria
Published: April 2018

Negli anni ’60 e ’70 un aspetto particolarmente incisivo del teatro a Napoli è costituito dalle esperienze di ricerca condotte da alcune formazioni che, con diverse modalità, lanciano un chiaro segnale di rinnovamento. In nome di un più libero legame con la tradizione e rifiutando come unico il modello eduardiano, i gruppi sperimentali di questi anni generano un’autentica spinta vitale che, per la presenza di un patrimonio artistico stratificatosi nei secoli, assume particolari connotazioni all’interno del generale clima di rinnovamento del teatro italiano. Il rapporto acentrico con il testo drammatico costituisce una delle caratteristiche principali di questo processo nel quale, attraverso l’integrazione di espressioni proprie delle varie arti, la scrittura scenica è spostata sulla sfera del visivo. Il sTeatro, Napoli, Recitazione, Avanguardia, Sperimentazioneaggio intende tracciare la parabola dellã avanguardia teatrale napoletana nei due decenni che precedono la nascita della nuova drammaturgia (Moscato, Ruccello, Santanelli), ovvero, identificare i protagonisti di una generazione di artisti che si nega alla visione folklorica della cultura partenopea volgendo l’attenzione ai testi teorici (ad esempio le prime traduzioni degli scritti di Brecht e Artaud), alla drammaturgia straniera (Genet, De Ghelderode, Lorca, Ionesco, Beckett) e ai padri del Nuovo Teatro (Living Theatre, Grotowski), preparando l’humus germinale di una più serena relazione con il passato che consente la produzione testuale degli anni a venire.
Seeing ASEAN as a platform for spreading liberalism
Authors: Bae Ki-Hyun
Published: April 2018

This paper challenges a mainstream view in ASEAN literature that ASEAN-level institutions constrain the spread of global liberal policies. It rather shows that ASEAN elites’ collective diplomatic practices have facilitated the spread of these policies by making ASEAN a lively “transfer platform” that external liberal countries can use to actively teach and study liberal policies and ideas. First, ASEAN’s methods for engaging external partners have allowed the promoting countries to earn recognition as reliable and competent partners committed to ASEAN concerns by institutionalizing the organizational bases for sustainable interactions with ASEAN stakeholders. Second, elites’ constant pledges of ambitious plans for regional integration have had positive effects in terms of lowering political costs of the promotion activities by the external partners because these activities were framed as responses to ASEAN’s voluntary turn towards liberalism. Third, thanks to ASEAN’s “let’s gather and talk” practices, the promoting countries can take advantage of ASEAN as a useful venue for expanding pan-ASEAN coalitions that can eventually become local allies supporting liberal reforms of their countries.
Reason over passion: Pierre Trudeau, human rights, and Canadian foreign policy
Authors: McKercher Asa
Published: April 2018

Within the literature on human rights, the 1970s are often viewed as a period in which rights achieved a breakthrough globally. While rights regimes, activist networks, and the overall discourse of human rights certainly came into their own during this decade, the rights revolution had its limitations, particularly at the international level. In the Canadian context, the government of Pierre Trudeau advanced a domestic rights program, culminating in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In terms of foreign policy, however, Trudeau was far more cautious. Tracing Pierre Trudeau’s stance toward international human rights, this article points to the prime minister’s realist outlook as having delimited the place of rights in Canadian foreign policy during his time in office. Thus, there was little enthusiasm on the part of the Canadian government to support self-determination movements, to impose bilateral sanctions against abhorrent regimes, or to loudly condemn rights violators when doing so would seemingly accomplish little. The point of this paper is not to condemn Trudeau, but rather to understand why Canada’s rights revolution stopped at the water’s edge.
Needs in Service Provision for Oral Health Care in Older People: A Comparison Between Greater Manchester (United Kingdom) and Utrecht (the Netherlands)
Authors: Everaars Babette , Jerković-Ćosić Katarina , van der Putten Gert-Jan , Pretty Ian A. , Brocklehurst Paul
Published: April 2018

Retaining natural teeth for longer, together with increasing care dependency in the elderly, has the potential to hamper adequate oral self-care and service provision. The aim of this qualitative study was to compare and contrast views from a multi-stakeholder perspective on the future priorities for oral health care services of older people in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. A participatory setting partnership was undertaken with 4 key stakeholder groups in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. A final consensus group considered collective responses. The views of the different groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically. Two main themes derived: “individual well-being” and “underlying principles of service provision.” Codes relating to principles of service provision focused on the importance of developing quality criteria, improving access, prevention and screening, awareness raising, education and training, together with multidisciplinary care. In both countries, oral health was seen as an important element of “individual well-being,” and a number of “principles of service provision” were suggested. This contrasts with the current lack of evidence-based treatments and quality criteria that are available for dependent older people.
Evaluation of polypropylene/clay nanocomposite foamability based on their morphological and rheological aspects
Authors: Dutta Anindya , Sankarpandi Sabapathy , Ghosh Anup K
Published: April 2018

To identify the effect of rheological influence on the development of microstructure in polypropylene/clay nanocomposites and thereby the influence of the developed microstructure on the foamability of the nanocomposites, a set of nanocomposites was prepared and batch foamed using supercritical CO2. Polypropylene and nanoclay were selected for preparing nanocomposites. During foaming, the nanocomposites were saturated with CO2gas for three different time periods and subsequently in-situ heating was done to achieve cell growth. The gas saturation was done at subcritical condition followed by the foaming at critical condition of CO2. Thermal studies of the composites were investigated through differential scanning calorimetry, and clay dispersion morphology was investigated and validated using wide-angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and parallel plate rheology. The improvement in foam morphology (cell size and cell density) and subsequent reduction in foam density was analyzed. The fingerprint characteristics of nanocomposites have an enormous role on foam structure development. With the increase in clay loading, cell density increased; furthermore, with an increase in saturation time, there was a phenomenal decrease in expansion ratio of neat polypropylene due to CO2-induced crystallization which could be mitigated by the incorporation of nanoclay into the polypropylene matrix. Therefore, nanoclay could be exploited as the inhibitor of CO2-induced crystallization.
Progressive failure prediction of short fiber reinforced composites using a multi-scale approach
Authors: Ha Sung Kyu , Xu Lei , Zhao Chao , DeMonte Matthias
Published: April 2018

A hybrid multi-scale approach combining a virtual mesoscale volume element (representative volume element) and a microscale finite element representative unit cell is developed, for progressive failure prediction of short fiber reinforced composites. The representative volume element represents the fiber orientation and distribution of the whole composites, from which the global mechanical behavior can be estimated. The representative unit cell captures the local mechanical response of each short fiber by transforming global strains to local strains. The constituent strains of the fiber, matrix, and interface are calculated from local strains using representative unit cell. Correlations between mesoscale local strains and microscale constituent strains are established using strain amplification factors. After computing microscale stresses, a progressive damage model is employed to determine the damage status of all constituents. A homogenization method is employed to eliminate damage localization in the matrix and interface. The predicted stress–strain curves are compared with experimental results, and good agreement is also achieved.
Isogeometric analysis for simulation of progressive damage in composite laminates
Authors: Pigazzini Marco S. , Bazilevs Yuri , Ellison Andrew , Kim Hyonny
Published: April 2018

The increasing popularity of composite materials in aerospace applications is creating the need for a new class of predictive methods and tools for the simulation of progressive damage in laminated fiber-reinforced composite structures. The unique challenges associated with modeling damage in these structures may be addressed by means of thin-shell formulations which are naturally developed in the context of Isogeometric Analysis. In this paper, we further validate our recently developed Isogeometric Analysis-based multi-layer shell model for progressive damage simulations using experimental data for low-velocity impact on a 24-ply flat panel. The validation includes a careful comparison of delamination and matrix damage patterns predicted by the Isogeometric Analysis-based simulation and those obtained from post-impact non-destructive evaluation of the damaged coupon. The Isogeometric Analysis-based formulation is then deployed on two additional examples: a stiffened panel and a full-scale UAV wing, to demonstrate its suitability for, and ease of application to, typical aerospace composite structures.
Determination of ovality and wall thinning effects on B2 stress indices for pipe bends under in-plane closing bending moment
Authors: Balakrishnan S , Veerappan AR , Shanmugam S
Published: April 2018

The present work evaluates the combined effect of variable wall thickness and ovality on the B2 stress index of bends under in-plane closing moment using finite element analysis. The material chosen is assumed to be elastic-perfectly plastic and large geometrical change effect was considered. Moment rotational curves were drawn for each bend model and from these curves the critical collapsing limit loads were determined by using the twice-elastic-slope method. The existence of ovality in the pipe bends has a major effect on B2 stress index, while thinning has no effect. A general closed form equation for the B2 stress index is presented for bends subjected to an in-plane closing moment.