bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pectoralis Minor Syndrome: Case Presentation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Abdallah Mohammed , Wehbe Mohammad Rachad , Elias Elias , Kutoubi Muhammad Aghiad , Sfeir Roger
Published: June 2016

We present a case of a healthy young female with axillary vein compression caused by the pectoralis minor muscle. Diagnosis was made by clinical findings and dynamic venography. After pectoralis minor tenotomy, the patient had total resolution of her symptoms. Compression of the axillary vein by the pectoralis minor is a rare entity that needs a careful exam and imaging to reach its diagnosis and establish the appropriate treatment.
Semisupervised Soft Mumford-Shah Model for MRI Brain Image Segmentation
Authors: Wang Hong-Yuan , Chen Fuhua
Published: June 2016

One challenge of unsupervised MRI brain image segmentation is the central gray matter due to the faint contrast with respect to the surrounding white matter. In this paper, the necessity of supervised image segmentation is addressed, and a soft Mumford-Shah model is introduced. Then, a framework of semisupervised image segmentation based on soft Mumford-Shah model is developed. The main contribution of this paper lies in the development a framework of a semisupervised soft image segmentation using both Bayesian principle and the principle of soft image segmentation. The developed framework classifies pixels using a semisupervised and interactive way, where the class of a pixel is not only determined by its features but also determined by its distance from those known regions. The developed semisupervised soft segmentation model turns out to be an extension of the unsupervised soft Mumford-Shah model. The framework is then applied to MRI brain image segmentation. Experimental results demonstrate that the developed framework outperforms the state-of-the-art methods of unsupervised segmentation. The new method can produce segmentation as precise as required.
Analysis of the Response of a One-Storey One-Bay Steel Frame to Blast
Authors: Williams Rupert G. , Wilson William A. , Dookeeram Reisa
Published: June 2016

In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in perceived risks of blast loading attacks or similar incidents on structures. Blast design is therefore a necessary aspect of the design for building structures globally and as such building design must adapt accordingly. Presented herein is an attempt to determine the numerical response of a seismically designed single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structure to blast loading. The SDOF model in the form of a portal frame was designed to withstand a typical seismic occurrence in Northern Trinidad. Blast loads caused by applying a 500 kg charge weight of TNT at standoff distances of 45 m, 33 m, and 20 m were then applied to the model. The blast loading on the frame was determined using empirical methods. The analytical study showed that the seismically designed SDOF plane frame model entered the plastic region during the application of the blast load occurring up to the critical standoff distance.
Autoimmune/Inflammatory Arthritis Associated Lymphomas: Who Is at Risk?
Authors: Yadlapati Sujani , Efthimiou Petros
Published: June 2016

Specific autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases have been associated with an increased risk of malignant lymphomas. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis, and celiac disease have been consistently linked to malignant lymphomas. Isolated cases of lymphomas associated with spondyloarthropathies and autoinflammatory diseases have also been reported. Direct association between autoimmunity and lymphomagenesis has been reinforced by large epidemiological studies. It is still uncertain whether disease specific determinants or phenotypic or treatment related characteristics increase likelihood of lymphomagenesis in these patients. For example, recent literature has indicated a positive correlation between severity of inflammation and risk of lymphomas among RA and Sjögren’s syndrome patients. It is also debated whether specific lymphoma variants are more commonly seen in accordance with certain chronic autoimmune arthritis. Previous studies have revealed a higher incidence of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas in RA and SLE patients, whereas pSS has been linked with increased risk of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. This review summarizes recent literature evaluating risk of lymphomas in arthritis patients and disease specific risk determinants. We also elaborate on the association of autoimmune arthritis with specific lymphoma variants along with genetic, environmental, and therapeutic risk factors.
Geographical Distribution and New Situation ofLeishmaniaSpecies after the Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Foci in Errachidia Province, Morocco, in 2014
Authors: Mohamed Mahmoud El Alem , Faiza Sebti , Lemine Med , Smaine Chichaoui , Adlaoui El Bachir , Khalid Habbari , Abderrahim Sadak , Hajiba Fellah
Published: June 2016

In Errachidia province, the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has increased over the past decade and it was higher in 2010 (860.34 per 100,000 inhabitants), with 3445 cases. The number of cases declined sharply and decreased from 3445 cases in 2010 to 8 cases in 2014 following the control action plan interventions. The total of patients was diagnosed only on clinical basis and the lesions were considered caused byL. major. The epidemiological study was conducted between 2001 and 2014 and the molecular detection of CL was studied to identify the circulating parasite species in this province by using the ITS1-PCR-RFLP methods. In 2010, the molecular identification of 11 samples revealed the presence ofL. majorin the most affected circles: Goulmima, Er-Rissani, and Errachidia. In 2014 the molecular characterization of 7 among 8 cases reported in this year showed the presence ofL. tropicain Errachidia circle. This is the first molecular identification ofL. tropicain Errachidia province. The detection of this species after the intensified control measures strategies suggests that it was probably dissipated through the dominance ofL. major.
Standardized Water Budget Index and Validation in Drought Estimation of Haihe River Basin, North China
Authors: Liu Shaohua , Yan Denghua , Wang Hao , Li Chuanzhe , Weng Baisha , Qin Tianling
Published: June 2016

The physical-based drought indices such as the self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (sc-PDSI) with the fixed time scale is inadequate for the multiscalar drought assessment, and the multiscalar drought indices including Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) based on the meteorological factors are lack of physical mechanism and cannot depict the actual water budget. To fill this gap, the Standardized Water Budget Index (SWBI) is constructed based on the difference between areal precipitation and actual evapotranspiration (AET), which can describe the actual water budget but also assess the drought at multiple time scales. Then, sc-PDSI was taken as the reference drought index to compare with multiscalar drought indices at different time scale in Haihe River basin. The result shows that SWBI correlates better with sc-PDSI and the RMSE of SWBI is less than other multiscalar drought indices. In addition, all of drought indices show a decreasing trend in Haihe River Basin, possibly due to the decreasing precipitation from 1961 to 2010. The decreasing trends of SWBI were significant and consistent at all the time scales, while the decreasing trends of other multiscalar drought indices are insignificant at time scale less than 3 months.
MicroRNA-21 Promotes Proliferation of Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes through Mediation of NF-κB Nuclear Translocation in a Rat Model of Collagen-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Chen Ying , Xian Pei-Feng , Yang Lu , Wang Sheng-Xu
Published: June 2016

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is overexpressed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-21 on cell proliferation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) of RA. FLS were primary-cultured from a rat RA model. RA-FLS and normal FLS were infected with lentivirus (anti-miR-21 or pro-miR-21) for overexpression or downregulation of miR-21, respectively. The effects of miR-21 overexpression or inhibition on nucleoprotein NF-κB levels and FLS cell proliferation were evaluated by western blotting and MTT assays. The effects of an inhibitor of NF-κB nuclear translocation (BAY 11-7082) were also evaluated. The results showed that the levels of miR-21 and nucleoprotein NF-κB were increased in FLS of RA model rats compared to the control group. Downregulation of miR-21 in RA FLS led to a significant decrease in nucleoprotein NF-κB levels and cell proliferation rates compared to the antinegative control (NC) group. However, miR-21 overexpression in normal FLS resulted in a significant increase of nucleoprotein NF-κB levels and cell proliferation rates compared to the pro-NC group. The effects of miR-21 overexpression were reversed by BAY 11-7082. We concluded that upregulated miR-21 in FLS in RA model rats may promote cell proliferation by facilitating NF-κB nuclear translocation, thus affecting the NF-κB pathway.
Evaluation of a Scalable Information Analytics System for Enhanced Situational Awareness in Mass Casualty Events
Authors: Ganz Aura , Schafer James M. , Yang Zhuorui , Yi Jun , Lord Graydon , Ciottone Gregory
Published: June 2016

We investigate the utility of DIORAMA-II system which provides enhanced situational awareness within a disaster scene by using real-time visual analytics tools and a collaboration platform between the incident commander and the emergency responders. Our trials were conducted in different geographical areas (feature-rich and featureless regions) and in different lighting conditions (daytime and nighttime). DIORAMA-II obtained considerable time gain in efficiency compared to conventional paper based systems. DIORAMA-II time gain was reflected in reduction of both average triage time per patient (up to 34.3% average triage time reduction per patient) and average transport time per patient (up to 76.3% average transport time reduction per red patient and up to 66.3% average transport time reduction per yellow patient). In addition, DIORAMA-II ensured that no patients were left behind or transported in the incorrect order compared to the conventional method which resulted in patients being left behind and transported in the incorrect order.
ZigBee’s Received Signal Strength and Latency Evaluation under Varying Environments
Authors: Sherazi H. H. R. , Iqbal Razi , Ul Hassan Sana , Chaudary M. H. , Gilani Syed Asfandyar
Published: June 2016

Being self-configured, self-organized, and self-healing low power technology, ZigBee has obtained significant attention in last few years for achieving ubiquitous communication among various devices within a Personal Area Network (PAN). Even after a decade of its emergence, it has been well serving the communication needs of numerous modern applications belonging to multiple industries and is still a spotlight for the researchers working on certain aspects to enhance productivity along with a major cost reduction. Despite its robust communication nature, it heavily depends upon the context and is prone to the external effects that may cause a serious threat to prospective applications. This paper presents the novel experimental analysis conducted on real test beds to evaluate the impact of continuously changing communication environment on various parameters, for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) and latency in the presence of multiple obstacles that may lead to severe degradation in the overall performance. Eventually, we suggest a suitable frame size for ZigBee based on our results deduced from the experimental study.
Transvaginal Hybrid NOTES Procedure for Treatment of Gallstone Ileus
Authors: Shiraishi Takuya , Tomizawa Naoki , Andoh Tatsumasa , Arakawa Kazuhisa , Enokida Yasuaki , Ozawa Naoya
Published: June 2016

Gallstone ileus is a rare mechanical bowel obstruction, and previously reported cases have been treated laparoscopically with good results. Although transvaginal hybrid NOTES without a minilaparotomy has been reported to decrease the incidence of surgical wound complications, to our knowledge, this procedure has not been used previously to treat gallstone ileus. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman who underwent transvaginal hybrid NOTES procedure for treatment of gallstone ileus. This case was admitted to our hospital following acute-onset abdominal pain and vomiting. We diagnosed gallstone ileus with cholecystoduodenal fistula by computed tomography and performed totally laparoscopic surgery using only three 5 mm abdominal ports with transvaginal specimen extraction and enterectomy. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy and fistula repair were performed 8 months after the initial surgery. The patient experienced additional pain relief and good cosmetic outcomes. In conclusion, using transvaginal hybrid NOTES may become a future option to minimize the invasiveness of other laparoscopic procedures.
Effect of Single Administration of Coffee on Pupil Size and Ocular Wavefront Aberration Measurements in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Bardak Handan , Gunay Murat , Mumcu Ugur , Bardak Yavuz
Published: June 2016

No study has so far evaluated the impact of coffee drinking on ocular wavefront aberration (OWA) measurements. This study presents novel findings regarding the OWA of the eye following coffee intake. We aimed to evaluate the acute changes in pupil size and OWA of the eye after single administration of coffee. A total of 30 otherwise healthy participants were included in this prospective study. All subjects drank a cup of coffee containing 57 mg caffeine. Measurements of pupil size, total coma (TC), total trefoil (TF), total spherical aberration (TSA), and total higher order aberration (HOA) were performed before and at 5 minutes, at 30 minutes, and at 4 hours after coffee drinking using a wavefront aberrometer device (Irx3, Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France). The mean age of the study population was 20.30 ± 2.74 years. Pupil size did not show a significant change during the measurements (p>0.05). A significant increase was observed in TF and HOA measurements following coffee intake (p=0.029andp=0.009, resp.). Single administration of coffee results in significant increase in TF and total HOAs in healthy subjects without any effect on pupil diameter. Ultrastructural changes in the cornea following coffee intake might be of relevance to the alterations in ocular aberrations in healthy subjects.
Comparison ofIn VivoGene Expression Profiling of RPE/Choroid following Intravitreal Injection of Dexamethasone and Triamcinolone Acetonide
Authors: Smit-McBride Zeljka , Moisseiev Elad , Modjtahedi Sara P. , Telander David G. , Hjelmeland Leonard M. , Morse Lawrence S.
Published: June 2016

Purpose. To identify retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid genes and their relevant expression pathways affected by intravitreal injections of dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide in mice at clinically relevant time points for patient care.Methods. Differential gene expression of over 34,000 well-characterized mouse genes in the RPE/choroid of 6-week-old C57BL/6J mice was analyzed after intravitreal steroid injections at 1 week and 1 month postinjection, using Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 microarrays. The data were analyzed using GeneSpring GX 12.5 and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) microarray analysis software for biologically relevant changes.Results. Both triamcinolone and dexamethasone caused differential activation of genes involved in “Circadian Rhythm Signaling” pathway at both time points tested. Triamcinolone (TAA) uniquely induced significant changes in gene expression in “Calcium Signaling” (1 week) and “Glutamate Receptor Signaling” pathways (1 month). In contrast, dexamethasone (Dex) affected the “GABA Receptor Signaling” (1 week) and “Serotonin Receptor Signaling” (1 month) pathways. Understanding how intraocular steroids affect the gene expression of RPE/choroid is clinically relevant.Conclusions. Thisin vivostudy has elucidated several genes and pathways that are potentially altering the circadian rhythms and several other neurotransmitter pathways in RPE/choroid during intravitreal steroid injections, which likely has consequences in the dysregulation of RPE function and neurodegeneration of the retina.
Expressions of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2, 7, and 9 in Carcinogenesis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jakubowska Katarzyna , Pryczynicz Anna , Januszewska Joanna , Sidorkiewicz Iwona , Kemona Andrzej , Niewiński Andrzej , Lewczuk Łukasz , Kędra Bogusław , Guzińska-Ustymowicz Katarzyna
Published: June 2016

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly fatal disease, usually diagnosed in an advanced stage which gives a slight chance of recovery. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that participate in tissue remodeling and stimulate neovascularization and inflammatory response. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 in normal ducts, tumor pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, and peritumoral stroma in correlation with clinicohistopathological parameters. The study material was obtained from 29 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 were performed by immunohistochemical technique. Microvessel density (MVD) was visualized by special immunostaining. The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 were mainly observed in tumor cells and peritumoral stroma. MMP-2 expression in cancer cells was correlated with female gender, stronger inflammation, and histopathological type of cancer (R=0.460,p=0.013;R=0.690,p=0.0001;R=-0.440,p=0.005, resp.). The expression of MMP-7 in tumor cells was found to positively correlate with the presence of necrosis and negatively correlate with MVD (R=0.402,p=0.031;R=-0.682,p=0.000). We also showed that positive MMP-9 expression in tumor cells was associated with MVD (R=0.368,p=0.084); however, it was not statistically significant. Our results demonstrate that MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 expressions correlate with various morphological features of the PDAC tumor such as inflammation, necrosis, and formation of the new blood vessels.
Acid Sphingomyelinase Inhibition Prevents Hemolysis During Erythrocyte Storage
Authors: Hoehn Richard S. , Jernigan Peter L. , Chang Alex L. , Edwards Michael J. , Caldwell Charles C. , Gulbins Erich , Pritts Timothy A.
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: During storage, units of human red blood cells (pRBCs) experience membrane destabilization and hemolysis which may cause harm to transfusion recipients. This study investigates whether inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase could stabilize erythrocyte membranes and prevent hemolysis during storage. Methods: Human and murine pRBCs were stored under standard blood banking conditions with and without the addition of amitriptyline, a known acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor. Hemoglobin was measured with an electronic hematology analyzer and flow cytometry was used to measure erythrocyte size, complexity, phosphatidylserine externalization, and band 3 protein expression. Results: Cell-free hemoglobin, a marker of hemolysis, increased during pRBC storage. Amitriptyline treatment decreased hemolysis in a dose-dependent manner. Standard pRBC storage led to loss of erythrocyte size and membrane complexity, increased phosphatidylserine externalization, and decreased band 3 protein integrity as determined by flow cytometry. Each of these changes was reduced by treatment with amitriptyline. Transfusion of amitriptyline-treated pRBCs resulted in decreased circulating free hemoglobin. Conclusion: Erythrocyte storage is associated with changes in cell size, complexity, membrane molecular composition, and increased hemolysis. Acid sphingomyelinase inhibition reduced these changes in a dose-dependent manner. Our data suggest a novel mechanism to attenuate the harmful effects after transfusion of aged blood products.
Epidermal Growth Factor Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Follicular Outer Root Sheath Cells via Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Zhang Haihua , Nan Weixiao , Wang Shiyong , Zhang Tietao , Si Huazhe , Yang Fuhe , Li Guangyu
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: To investigate the effect and molecular mechanism of EGF on the growth and migration of hair follicle outer root sheath (ORS) cells. Methods: Intact anagen hair follicles were isolated from mink skin and cultured with EGF in vitro to measure ORS daily growth. Meanwhile, purified primary ORS cells were treated or transfected with EGF, and their proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT assay and transwell assay, respectively. The signaling pathway downstream of EGF was characterized by using the Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor, XAV-939. Results: EGF of 2-20 ng/ml, not higher or lower, promoted the growth of follicular ORS in vitro. EGF treatment or overexpression promoted the proliferation and migration of ORS cells. Moreover, EGF stimulation induced nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and upregulated the expression of Wnt10b, β-catenin, EGF receptor and SOX9. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by XAV-939 significantly reduced the basal and EGF-enhanced proliferation and migration of ORS cells. In addition, a number of follicle-regulatory genes, such as Survivin, Msx2 and SGK3, were upregulated by EGF in the ORS cells, which was also inhibited by XAV-939. Conclusion: EGF promotes the proliferation and migration of ORS cells and modulates the expression of several follicle-regulatory genes via Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
Modulation of MAPK and NF-κB Signaling Pathways by Antioxidant Therapy in Skeletal Muscle of Heart Failure Rats
Authors: Martinez Paula F. , Bonomo Camila , Guizoni Daniele M. , Junior Silvio A. Oliveira , Damatto Ricardo L. , Cezar Marcelo D.M. , Lima Aline R.R. , Pagan Luana U. , Seiva Fabio R. , Bueno Renata T. , Fernandes Denise C. , Laurindo Francisco R. , Zornoff Leonardo A.M. , Okoshi Katashi , Okoshi Marina P.
Published: June 2016

Background/Aims: Although increased oxidative stress plays a role in heart failure (HF)-induced skeletal myopathy, signaling pathways involved in muscle changes and the role of antioxidant agents have been poorly addressed. We evaluated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on intracellular signaling pathways potentially modulated by oxidative stress in soleus muscle from HF rats. Methods and Results: Four months after surgery, rats were assigned to Sham, myocardial infarction (MI)-C (without treatment), and MI-NAC (treated with N-acetylcysteine) groups. Two months later, echocardiogram showed left ventricular dysfunction in MI-C; NAC attenuated diastolic dysfunction. Oxidative stress was evaluated in serum and soleus muscle; malondialdehyde was higher in MI-C than Sham and did not differ between MI-C and MI-NAC. Oxidized glutathione concentration in soleus muscle was similar in Sham and MI-C, and lower in MI-NAC than MI-C (Sham 0.168 ± 0.056; MI-C 0.223 ± 0.073; MI-NAC 0.136 ± 0.023 nmol/mg tissue; p = 0.014). Western blot showed increased p-JNK and decreased p38, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 in infarcted rats. NAC restored ERK1/2. NF-κB p65 subunit was reduced; p-Ser276 in p65 and IκB was increased; and p-Ser536 unchanged in MI-C compared to Sham. NAC did not modify NF-κB p65 subunit, but decreased p-Ser276 and p-Ser536. Conclusion: N-acetylcysteine modulates MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in soleus muscle of HF rats.
Effects of Lithium Monotherapy for Bipolar Disorder on Gene Expression in Peripheral Lymphocytes
Authors: Anand Amit , McClintick Jeanette N. , Murrell Jill , Karne Harish , Nurnberger John I. , Edenberg Howard J.
Published: June 2016

Background: This study investigated the effect of lithium monotherapy on peripheral lymphocyte gene expression in bipolar disorder (BD). Method: Twenty-two medication-free bipolar subjects (11 hypomanic, 11 depressed) were started on lithium monotherapy. Closely matched healthy subjects (n = 15) were included as controls but did not receive treatment. Blood RNA samples were collected at baseline and after 2 and 8 weeks of treatment. RNA expression was measured using the Affymetrix GeneChip® Human Gene 1.0 ST Array followed by Ingenuity pathways analysis. The results for the contrast of weeks 2 and 8 were not significantly different and were combined. Results: In BD subjects, 56 genes showed significant (false discovery rate <0.1) expression changes from baseline; the effect sizes and directions for all of these were similar at weeks 2 and 8. Among these were immune-related genes (IL5RA, MOK, IFI6, and RFX2), purinergic receptors (P2RY14, P2RY2, and ADORA3) and signal transduction-related genes (CAMK1 and PIK3R6). Pathway and upstream regulator analysis also revealed that lithium altered several immune- and signal transduction-related functions. Differentially expressed genes did not correlate with week 8 clinical response, but other genes involved in protein synthesis and degradation did. Conclusion: Peripheral gene expression may serve as a biomarker of lithium effect.
Racial Disparities in End-of-Life Communication and Preferences among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Eneanya Nwamaka D. , Wenger Julia B. , Waite Katherine , Crittenden Stanley , Hazar Derya B. , Volandes Angelo , Temel Jennifer S. , Thadhani Ravi , Paasche-Orlow Michael K.
Published: June 2016

Background: Previous studies on end-of-life (EOL) care among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been largely limited to White hemodialysis patients. In this study, we sought to explore racial variability in EOL communication, care preferences and advance care planning (ACP) among patients with advanced CKD prior to decisions regarding the initiation of dialysis. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study between 2013 and 2015 of Black and White patients with stage IV or V CKD (per the Modified Diet in Renal Disease estimation of GFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m2) from 2 academic centers in Boston. We assessed experiences with EOL communication, ACP, EOL care preferences, hospice knowledge, spiritual/religious and cultural beliefs, and distrust of providers. Results: Among 152 participants, 41% were Black. Black patients were younger, had less education, and lower income than White patients (all p < 0.01). Black patients also had less knowledge of hospice compared to White patients (17 vs. 61%, p < 0.01). A small fraction of patients (8%) reported having EOL discussions with their nephrologists and the majority had no advance directives. In multivariable analyses, Blacks were more likely to have not communicated EOL preferences (adjusted OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.08-6.76) and more likely to prefer life-extending treatments (adjusted OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.23-7.60) versus Whites. Conclusions: As Black and White patients with advanced CKD differ in areas of EOL communication, preferences, and hospice knowledge, future efforts should aim to improve patient understanding and promote informed decision-making.
The Interventional Effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mi Taomian , Yu Fei , Ji Xunming , Sun Yongxin , Qu Dongmei
Published: June 2016

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) of the limb has been shown to induce ischemic tolerance in basic and clinical studies that focused on sustained large artery occlusion rather than small vessel disease (SVD). This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of brief repetitive limb RIPC on patients with cerebral SVD. Methods: Seventeen patients with cerebral SVD were enrolled. Patients underwent 5 ischemia-reperfusion cycles of preconditioning/sham preconditioning on both upper limbs twice a day for 1 year. Cerebral hemodynamic indexes, brain lesions, cognitive functions and assessment outcomes of dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) were analyzed. Results: In the RIPC group, the mean flow velocity (MFV) of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) was accelerated (57.33 (52.33-61.34) vs. 51.33 (48.83-58.33), respectively; p = 0.038), and the post-treatment DHI score was reduced (18 (13-19) vs. 34 (21-45), respectively; p = 0.043). The post-treatment volume of the white matter lesions (WMLs) was also reduced (4.19 (2.96-7.25) vs. 6.06 (4.67-10.95), respectively; p = 0.050). There was no remarkable difference between the 2 groups either before or after treatment. Conclusion: The present study indicates that RIPC has potential beneficial effects on cerebral SVD by increasing the MFV of MCA, decreasing the DHI score as well as the volume of WMLs in patients with SVD.
URL ATTACKS: Classification of URLs via Analysis and Learning
Authors: Rajesh M. , Abhilash R. , Praveen Kumar R.
Published: June 2016

Social Networks such as Twitter, Facebook play a remarkable growth in recent years. The ratio of tweets or messages in the form of URLs increases day by day. As the number of URL increases, the probability of fabrication also gets increased using their HTML content as well as by the usage of tiny URLs. It is important to classify the URLs by means of some modern techniques. Conditional redirection method is used here by which the URLs get classified and also the target page that the user needs is achieved. Learning methods also introduced to differentiate the URLs and there by the fabrication is not possible. Also the classifiers will efficiently detect the suspicious URLs using link analysis algorithm.
Anthraquinones- A probe to enhance the photovoltaic properties of DSSCs
Authors: I Jinchu , R Jyothi , Pandurangan N , KS Sreelatha , Achuthan Krishnashree , CO Sreekala
Published: June 2016

Natural dye sensitized solar cells are a promising class of photovoltaic cells with the capacity of generating green energy at low production cost since no expensive equipment is required in their fabrication. Photovoltaics are a precious technology in the hasty world where energy prices are goes on increasing within seconds. Researchers are focusing to facilitate for producing eco-friendly, low cost and more efficient dye sensitized solar cells. In the present work we discuss the comparative photovoltaic studies of Lawsone, a natural dye from henna plant and Alizarin, a natural dye from the root of madder for fabricating the Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The absorption spectrum of Lawsone and Alizarin is found to be shifted to the longer wavelength region after the complex formation. As a result there is a significant increase in short circuit current density and conversion efficiency. This result compares with the standard dye i.e. N719 dye.
Cloud Security in Crypt Database Server Using Fine Grained Access Control
Authors: Chennam Krishna Keerthi , Lakshmi M. Akka
Published: June 2016

Information sharing in the cloud, powered by good patterns in cloud technology, is rising as a guaranteeing procedure for permitting users to advantageously access information. However, the growing number of enterprises and customers who stores their information in cloud servers is progressively challenging users’ privacy and the security of information. This paper concentrates on providing a dependable and secure cloud information sharing services that permits users dynamic access to their information. In order to achieve this, propose an effective, adaptable and flexible privacy preserving information policy with semantic security, by using Cipher text Policy Element Based Encryption (CP-EBE) consolidated with Character Based Encryption (CBE) systems. To ensure strong information sharing security, the policy succeeds in protecting the privacy of cloud users and supports efficient and secure dynamic operations, but not constrained to, file creation, user revocation. Security analysis demonstrates that the proposed policy is secure under the generic bi- linear group model in the random oracle model and enforces fine-grained access control, full collusion resistance and retrogressive secrecy. Furthermore, performance analysis and experimental results demonstrate that the overheads are as light as possible.
Mitigating Electricity a Price Spike under Pre-Cooling Method
Authors: Marwan Marwan , Pirman Pirman
Published: June 2016

The growing demand for air-conditioning is one of the largest contributors to Australia overall electricity consumption. This has started to create peak load supply problems for some electricity utilities particularly in Queensland. This research aimed to develop a consumer demand side response model to assist electricity consumers to mitigate peak demand on the electrical network. The proposed model allows consumers to independently and proactively manage air conditioning peak electricity demand. The main contribution of this research is how to show consumers can mitigate peak demands by optimizing energy costs for air conditioning in a several cases such as no spike and spike considering to the probability spike cases may only occur in the middle of the day for half hour, one hour and one and half hour spikes. This model also investigates how air conditioning applied a pre-cooling method when there is a substantial risk of a price spike. The results indicate the potential of the scheme to achieve energy savings and reducing electricity bills (costs) to the consumer. The model was tested with the Queensland electricity market data from Australian Energy Market Operator and Brisbane temperature data from Bureau statistic during hot days.
A Hybrid Model Schema Matching Using Constraint-Based and Instance-Based
Authors: Sutanta Edhy , Wardoyo Retantyo , Mustofa Khabib , Winarko Edi
Published: June 2016

Schema matching is an important process in the Enterprise Information Integration (EII) which is at the level of the back end to solve the problems due to the schematic heterogeneity. This paper is a summary of preliminary result work of the model development stage as part of research on the development of models and prototype of hybrid schema matching that combines two methods, namely constraint-based and instance-based. The discussion includes a general description of the proposed models and the development of models, start from requirement analysis, data type conversion, matching mechanism, database support, constraints and instance extraction, matching and compute the similarity, preliminary result, user verification, verified result, dataset for testing, as well as the performance measurement. Based on result experiment on 36 datasets of heterogeneous RDBMS, it obtained the highest P value is 100.00% while the lowest is 71.43%; The highest R value is 100.00% while the lowest is 75.00%; and F-Measure highest value is 100.00% while the lowest is 81.48%. Unsuccessful matching on the model still happens, including use of an id attribute with data type as autoincrement; using codes that are defined in the same way but different meanings; and if encountered in common instance with the same definition but different meaning.
Concepções dos usuários de crack sobre os fatores que influenciam o uso e a dependência
Authors: Rocha Walkiria Da Silva , Alves Estela Rodrigues Paiva , Vieira Kay Francis Leal , Barbosa Khivia Kiss da Silva , Leite Gerlaine De Oliveira , Dias Maria Djair
Published: June 2016

Neste estudo objetivou-se identificar fatores influenciadores e facilitadores no uso do crack e os fatores que dificultam seu abandono. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, envolvendo 20 usuários de crack, desenvolvida em João Pessoa, PB, em 2012. Os dados foram coletados através de formulário semiestruturado e analisados conforme a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. A facilidade de acesso, curiosidade, influência de pessoas e uso do álcool/maconha se mostraram fatores que influenciam o uso do crack e dificultam seu abandono. Sugere-se ampliamento das ações e do olhar para o fenômeno da drogadição e espera-se contribuir para assistência mais integral, prestada pelo enfermeiro, através dos fatores explicitados neste estudo.
Debating Rights and Same-Gender Relationships
Authors: Harrison Joel
Published: June 2016

This article analyzes the increasing tension between equality in legal discourse and the moral argument of religious communities concerning same-sex relationships. It argues that a key component is skepticism of a prominent brand of rights language. The Anglican Church in New Zealand, Aotearoa, and Polynesia is raised as an example. The article traces the debates of this group over same-sex relationship recognition and argues there has been a shift: appeals to rights language, which were previously common within this community, are now more muted. Revisionists have responded to a skeptical claim: that rights language presents a roadblock to discussion and an unsound account of the person, our common life, and public goods. The article contrasts the claims of equality typically emphasizing self-identity and self-actualization, with the attempts of a religious community to discuss competing views on the recognition of same-sex relationships within a framework of gift-giving, duty, and virtue linked to sexuality.
An addition to genus Hechtia (Hechtioideae; Bromeliaceae) from Jalisco, Mexico
Authors: RAMIREZ-MORILLO IVON , CARRILLO-REYES PABLO , TAPIA-MUÑOZ JOSE LUIS , CETZAL-IX WILLIAM
Published: June 2016

A new species of Hechtia (Bromeliaceae, Hechtioideae) from the Mexican State of Jalisco and the physiogeographical province of the Pacific Lowlands, H. santanae, is proposed as new herein. A description is provided, based on male and female plants, including fruits. Specimens of the new species had been identified previously as H. laevis L. B. Smith, a species native of the neighboring state of Colima. Photographs showing diagnostic characters and details of the habitat, and an assessment of the conservation status of the new taxon, based upon the B criteria of the IUCN, are also included.
Marasmius magnus (Marasmiaceae), a new species from the southern Atlantic Forest of Brazil
Authors: MAGNAGO ALTIELYS CASALE , OLIVEIRA JADSON JOSÉ SOUZA DE , NEVES MARIA ALICE
Published: June 2016

Marasmius magnus, is herein described as a new species from the southern Atlantic Forest, Brazil. It is characterized by the very large basidiomata, small and ellipsoid basidiospores, absence of cheilocystidia and rarely projecting pleurocystidia. The uniqueness of the species is confirmed by ITS data and further supported by a complete morphological description, taxonomic comments, illustrations and photographs.
Bidoupia phongii, new orchid genus and species (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae, Goodyerinae) from southern Vietnam
Authors: AVERYANOV LEONID V. , ORMEROD PAUL A. , DUY NONG VAN , TIEN TRAN VAN , CHEN TAO , ZHANG DIAN-XIANG
Published: June 2016

Species of subtribe Goodyerinae (Orchidaceae, Orchidoideae) in the flora of Vietnam have been the subject of a series of taxonomic treatments (Seidenfaden 1992, Averyanov 1994, 2008, Averyanov & Averyanova 2003, Nguyen, Averyanov & Duong 2005). Nonetheless, the inventory of this group remains incomplete due to their sporadic distribution, rarity in nature, and deficiency of available herbarium and living collections. Additionally, almost all Goodyera-related species rarely flower either in nature or cultivation, which makes available observations scarce. As a result, new data on species and records for the flora of Vietnam are appearing continuously (Ponert et al. 2014, Averyanov et al. 2016) in addition to the already completed accounts. One more curious novelty from Goodyerinae discovered recently in southern Vietnam is described and illustrated below.
Additions to Philippine Slender Skinks of the Brachymeles bonitae Complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) I: a new species from Lubang Island
Authors: GEHEBER AARON D. , DAVIS DREW R. , WATTERS JESSA L. , PENROD MICHELLE L. , FELLER KATHRYN D. , DAVEY CONNER S. , ELLSWORTH ELYSE D. , FLANAGAN RACHEL L. , HEITZ BRENDAN B. , MOORE TANA , NGUYEN MARIE D. C. , ROBERTS AUSTYN , SUTTON JOHN , SANGUILA MARITES B. , LINKEM CHARLES W. , BROWN RAFE M. , SILER CAMERON D.
Published: June 2016

A new species of slender skink is described from the Philippines. The species is endemic to Lubang Island, and is assigned to the Brachymeles bonitae Complex based on phenotypic and genetic data. Specimens were collected from Lubang Island between 1991 and 2012, and were examined based on morphological data (qualitative traits, meristic counts, and mensural measurements). Published genetic sequence data from phylogenetic studies of the genus reveal the new species to be highly divergent from congeners. Brachymeles ligtas sp. nov. is differentiated from other members of the genus based on a number of distinct morphological features, including small body size (SVL 60.7–79.6 mm), bidactyl fore-limbs, digitless hind limbs, high number of presacral vertebrae (50), and the absence of auricular openings. Additionally, the new species has diagnostic, distinct dorsal head scale patterns. This new species becomes the only member of the genus known to occur on the deep-ocean island of Lubang.
The “Italian hebrid”, Hebrus franzi (Wagner, 1957): disentangling a half-century dilemma (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha)
Authors: CIANFERONI FABIO , BUZZETTI FILIPPO MARIA , ZETTEL HERBERT
Published: June 2016

Hebrus franzi (Wagner, 1957) was described from the Apuan Alps (Tuscany, Italy) and not found again for several decades despite intensive search. We report on new collections that expand the known distribution area considerably, provide a redescription, and give first insights regarding the ecology of this remarkable flightless species.
First record of Odontomesa Pagast from China, with description of the immature stages of O. ferringtoni Sæther (Diptera, Chironomidae, Prodiamesinae)
Authors: LIU WENBIN , FERRINGTON LEONARD C. JR , WANG XINHUA
Published: June 2016

The genus Odontomesa Pagast is newly recorded from China. Based on associated material collected from China and U.S.A, the immature stages of Odontomesa fulva (Kieffer) and Odontomesa ferringtoni Sæther are redescribed. Odontomesa sp. A Sæther is confirmed as conspecific with O. ferringtoni. The generic diagnosis of immature stages is emended. Keys to the known larvae and pupae of the genus are presented.
Additions to Philippine Slender Skinks of the Brachymeles bonitae Complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) II: a new species from the northern Philippines
Authors: SILER CAMERON D. , DAVIS DREW R. , FREITAS ELYSE S. , HURON NICHOLAS A. , GEHEBER AARON D. , WATTERS JESSA L. , PENROD MICHELLE L. , PAPEȘ MONICA , AMREIN ANDREW , ANWAR ALYSSA , COOPER DONTAE , HEIN TUCKER , MANNING ANNALISA , PATEL NEERAL , PINAROC LAUREN , DIESMOS ARVIN C. , DIESMOS MAE L. , OLIVEROS CARL H. , BROWN RAFE M.
Published: June 2016

We describe a new digitless scincid lizard of the genus Brachymeles from northern Luzon and Camiguin Norte islands in the Philippines. This species belongs to the Brachymeles bonitae Complex, and both molecular and morphological data confirm that this species is distinct from all other congeners. Formerly considered to be a single widespread species, this group of species has been the focus of recent systematic reviews. Here we describe a new species in the B. bonitae Complex, recognized currently to constitute five species. Brachymeles ilocandia sp. nov. is the second digitless and the seventeenth non-pentadactyl species in genus. The description of this species brings the total number of species in the genus to 40, and provides new insight into unique distribution patterns of species of the northern Philippines.
The Westpalaearctic Lasius paralienus complex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) contains three species
Authors: SEIFERT Bernhard , GALKOWSKI CHRISTOPHE
Published: June 2016

Application of Numeric Morphology-Based Alpha-Taxonomy (NUMOBAT) demonstrated the existence of three cryptic species within the Westpalaearctic Lasius paralienus species complex: L. paralienus Seifert, 1992, having a wider European distribution north to Sweden, L. casevitzi sp. nov., an endemic of Corsica, and Lasius bombycina sp. nov. from southeast Central Europe, the Balkans and Asia Minor. Hierarchical NC-Ward clustering and non-hierarchical NC-k-means clustering of 16 morphological characters resulted in 98.7% identical classifications within 76 examined nest samples of the three species. The classification error in 180 worker individuals was 0% in a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and 1.3% in a LOOCV-LDA. Differential characters to other species groups and an identification key of the six European members of the Lasius alienus Förster species group are provided.
Annotated checklist and key to species of Gryllotalpa (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) from the Oriental region
Authors: TAN MING KAI
Published: June 2016

The cosmopolitan Gryllotalpa mole cricket is the most speciose genus (70 species) in the family Gryllotalpidae. The taxonomy and diversity of Oriental species are not well understood. A species list with 26 species is presented here. An artificial key is also presented aimed to help with species identification, new species discovery and future taxonomic revision in the biodiverse Oriental region.
A new species of Polyandrocarpa (Ascidiacea, Styelidae) in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: MONNIOT FRANÇOISE
Published: June 2016

Polyandrocarpa arianae n. sp. was collected repeatedly by trawls deeper than 90m from several parts of the Mediterranean Sea. It is described and compared to the shallow species Polyandrocarpa zorritensis (Van Name, 1931) considered as invasive in the Mediterranean Sea. Among the colonial Styelidae the other species which belong to the same genus differ by the colony and zooid shape, the presence/absence of endocarps and of a caecum in the gut loop and by the location and structure of the polycarps.
A new temperate deepwater skate of the genus Bathyraja (Rajoidei: Arhynchobatidae) from the South-West Pacific
Authors: LAST PETER R. , STEWART ANDREW L. , SÉRET BERNARD
Published: June 2016

A single specimen of a new Bathyraja skate was collected by the authors in 2003 during a survey of the deepwater biota of the northern Tasman Sea by the New Zealand FRV Tangaroa. This skate, labelled the ‘blonde skate’ by voyage participants, is uniformly white on all surfaces of the body and the skin is partly translucent. It belongs to a subgroup of Bathyraja with a large, almost smooth, quadrangular disc and well-developed and equally spaced median tail thorns. Other similar and probably closely related Bathyraja specimens have been caught in seas to the south of New Zealand since the discovery of this species, but their identity is yet to be confirmed.
Stability of Baroclinic Vortices on the β Plane and Implications for Transport
Authors: Rudko M. V. , Kamenkovich I. V. , Nolan D. S.
Published: June 2016

This paper explores stability of and transport by baroclinic vortices on the β plane using a two-layer, quasigeostrophic model. The study adapts a wave–mean flow formalism and examines interactions between the axisymmetric flow (“the vortex”) and residuals (“the waves”). Unlike baroclinically unstable vortices on the f plane, such vortices on the β plane can be also vulnerable to barotropic instability as revealed by the globally integrated energy balance analysis. The spatial structure of energy fluxes shows the energy leakage inside the vortex core when its breakdown occurs. Mixing by stable and unstable vortical flows is quantified through the computation of finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) maps. Depending on the strength of wave radiation, the upper-layer FTLE maps of stable vortices show either an annulus or volute ring of vigorous mixing inside the vortex interior. This ring region is disrupted when the vortex becomes unstable. Both stable and unstable vortices show the wavy patterns of FTLE in the near and far fields. Despite the fact that the initial vortex resides in the top layer only, significant FTLE patterns are observed in the deep layer at later times. Lagrangian analysis of the vortex-induced change of large-scale tracer gradient demonstrates significant effects of vortex instability in the top layer and the importance of the wavelike anomalies in the bottom layer.