bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long Noncoding RNA FAL1 Promotes Cell Proliferation, Invasion and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Through the PTEN/AKT Signaling Axis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Pan Chunfeng , Yao Guoliang , Liu Bin , Ma Teng , Xia Yang , Wei Ke , Wang Jun , Xu Jin , Chen Liang , Chen Yijiang
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been found to have many biological effects in different cancer stages. Several studies have revealed that focally amplified lncRNA on chromosome 1 (FAL1) regulates cancer progression via p21. However, the expression and mechanism of FAL1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still remain unclear. Methods: We detected the FAL1 level in NSCLC tissues and in established cell lines using quantitative real-time PCR and evaluated the clinical significance. FAL1 was silenced or overexpressed using siRNA or lentivirus to study whether FAL1 affected cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Xenograft growth and pulmonary metastasis were observed using nude mouse models. The mechanisms were explored with western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: FAL1 was significantly overexpressed in NSCLC compared with adjacent normal tissues, and a high level of FAL1 correlated with poor histological grade, increased lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments in vitro verified that knockdown of FAL1 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT via the PTEN/AKT pathway. Furthermore, an in vivo assay confirmed that overexpression of FAL1 facilitated tumor growth and metastasis. Conclusion: FAL1 may promote tumorigenesis and progression of NSCLC through the PTEN/AKT axis, which could lead to lncRNA-related diagnostics and therapeutics in NSCLC.
Optimal Siting and Sizing of Solar Power Sources in Interconnection Grid System
Authors: Reddy S Yogendra , Reddy Daka Seshi , Rao G. Kesava
Published: August 2017

Growing concerns electrical power demand in need and necessity of daily livelihood of life. Impacted over addition power demanded there is climate impacts, environmental conditions due to conventional power generation resulted in improvement of cheaper solar power generation in the whole distribution system network, and programs offered by governments have contributed to an increment in the number of distributed energy resources (DERs) system in commercial and domestic electrical power output. It is well known that fact the non-optimal size and non-optimal siting system may lead to high power losses, bad voltage profiles and high losses of profit margins of DISCOM’s end. Therefore, this paper to determine the location best siting and filler of multiple DERs generators supported power loss, generation units, and cheaper power transfer demonstrated through IEEE 30 bus standard test system with help of Power World Simulator Package and single line drawing of  2MW solar PV power plant added to APDISCOM 
Transient Stability Improvement Using UPFC-SMES in A Multi Machine Power System
Authors: Joshi Kantilal Dayalal , Chandrakar Vinod
Published: August 2017

Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) is a Voltage sourced converter based Flexible A.C.Transmission  (FACTS) controller which has a capability of simultaneously or selectively controlling all the parameters affecting transmission of power.  With emphasis on harnessing renewable energy many energy storage technologies are being used. Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) stores energy in magnetic form by means of a D.C. current circulating in a superconducting coil. To exchange power with SMES a power electronic interface is required. Feasibility of interfacing SMES to D.C. link of UPFC has been explored in this paper. A multimachine system with a long transmission line is compensated by UPFC-SMES .A DC-DC chopper modulates power of SMES so as to improve the transient stability of system. Complete simulation has been done using MATLAB/Simulink which shows improvement of first peak, damping of oscillations & improvement in critical clearing time.
Shunt-Series FACTS Devices on Network Constrained Unit Commitment
Authors: Hajivar G.A. M. Hosaini , Mortazavi S.S.
Published: August 2017

Shunt-Series FACTS Devices (SSFD) would play an important role in maintaining security and reduce Total Generation Cost (TGC) in the economical operation of power systems. The application of this devices to the AC model of Network-Constrained Unit Commitment (NCUC) for the day ahead scheduling is presented in this paper. The proposed AC model of NCUC with SSFD would include active and reactive power flow constraints which increase the network controllability at normal operation. A general SSFD model is introduced for the reactive power management in NCUC which is based on the reactive power injection model (RPIM). The case studies reveal that power transfer capability and voltage profile of the power system is improved by compensating SSFD. Meanwhile simulation results demonstrate the combined use of these devices to NCUC have a significant impact on maintaining network security,  lower TGC and increase using the maximum capacity of the existing transmission network.

 
Role of Solar Power in Sustainable Development of India
Authors: Sadhu Moumita , Chakraborty Suprava , Das Niladri , Sadhu Pradip Kumar
Published: August 2017

Bulk group of rural households, dependency on insufficient and poor quality energy sources are the features of Indian energy consumption pattern. Sustainability is the move towards the growth and development of India. Solar Energy is one of the renowned sectors to support the sustainability of India. Solar energy has giant potential in India due to its position in tropical belt. This paper deals with the new innovative applications of solar energy for sustainable development of India. Solar application in transportation, architecture, car parking, restaurants, lighting, mobile charging etc are described for sustainable development. The paper includes the existing applications of solar energy, the current status of solar energy in India, challenges in the progress of solar energy and concludes with some solutions to promote solar energy.
Single Phase PV Inverter Applying a Dual Boost Technology
Authors: Bhutada Sudha , Nigam S.R.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a single-phase PV inverter applying a dual boost converter circuit inverter is proposed for photovoltaic (PV) generation system and PV grid connected system. This system is designed to improve integration of a Single phase inverter with Photovoltaic panel. The DC 24V is converted into to 86V DC and then 86V DC to 312V DC. The 312 V DC is then successfully inverted to AC 220V. Hence solar energy is powerfully converted into electrical energy for fulfilling the necessities of the home load, or to link with the grid. Matlab Simulation software was used for simulation of the circuit and outcome is presented in this paper.
A Multi-objective Hybrid Heuristic Approach for Optimal Setting of FACTS Devices in Power System Operation
Authors: Inkollu Sai Ram , Kota Venkata Reddy
Published: August 2017

Improvement of power system performance in terms of increased voltage profile and decreased transmission loss is becoming one of the challenging tasks to the system operators under open access environment. Apart from traditional power flow controlling devices, use of Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices can give an attractive solution for the operation and control of deregulated power system. The type, size, location and number of FACTS devices are to be optimized appropriately in order to get the targeted benefits. In this paper, two FACTS devices, Thyristor Controller Phase Shift Transformer (TCPST) and Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC) are selected to obtain the required performance such as improvement of voltage profile and loss minimization. To search the optimal location and optimal rating of the selected FACTS devices, a hybrid algorithm which formulated with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) is proposed. At the first step, the optimization problem is solved for finding the optimal location of FACTS devices using PSO with an objective of voltage profile maximization and later GSA is implemented to optimize their parameters with an objective of transmission loss minimization. The proposed method is implemented on IEEE 30-bus test system and from the simulation results it can be proved that this technique is well suited for real-time application.  
Modeling, Analysis and Control of Different DC-DC Converter Topologies for Photo Voltaic Emulator
Authors: Iqbal Mohammad Tauquir , Tariq Mohd
Published: August 2017

This paper presents the modeling, analysis and control of different DC-DC converter topologies to emulate the photovoltaic (PV) system. A PV emulator is basically a DC-DC converter having same electrical characteristics that of solar PV panel.  The emulator helps to achieve real characteristics of PV system in a better way in an environment where using actual PV systems can produce inconsistent results due to variation in weather conditions. The paper describes different types of DC-DC converters like buck, Resonant and Quasi Resonant Converter. The complete system is modelled in MATLAB® Simulink SimPowerSystem software package. The Simulation results obtained from the MATLAB® Simulink SimPowerSystem software package for different topologies under steady and dynamic conditions are analyzed and presented. An evaluation table is also presented at the end of the paper, presenting the effectiveness of each topology.
A Fast Strategy to determine the Physical and Electrical Parameters of Photovoltaic Silicon Cell
Authors: Chahid El Hadi , Oumhand Mohammed Idali , Malaoui Abdessamad
Published: August 2017

This paper proposes a fast strategy to extract and exploit the electrical parameters of photovoltaic cell using the double-diode model. The polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) junction is chosen in this work due to the importance of its proprieties in industrial and economic fields. The proposed method to extract the solar cell electrical parameters contains two steps. The first is based on the graphical adjustments to choose the initial values of these parameters, and the second is numerical, using Modified Newton-Raphson’s algorithm. The obtained parameters extractions values are compared to the others methods and give a considerable agreement. Furthermore, we have developed a complementary analytical method to deduce both the minority’s carrier’s lifetime and the diffusion lengths through the diffusion and recombination current densities. The found values of these parameters are precisely comparable with theoretical models, and give very useful informations on the intrinsic quality of the studied cell.
Power Management in Microgrid: Analysis in Grid Connected and Islanded Mode of Operation
Authors: Choudhary Niraj Kumar , Mohanty Soumya Ranjan , Singh Ravindra Kumar
Published: August 2017

This paper presents an investigation about the impact of integrating renewable energy based generation sources on the existing distribution system in terms of load sharing. The study of load sharing among various distributed generators (DGs) and utility grid has been performed for two cases: (a) when equivalent source based DG is connected and (b) when real PV/Fuel cell based DG is properly integrated to the distribution system. The real photovoltaic and fuel cell based DG do not behave as stiff current/voltage source due to disturbances happening either internally in system known as parametric uncertainties or due to external disturbances like weather conditions, load change etc. Further it has been observed with extensive analysis using simulation result, that even though all DGs are of equal capacity in their generation but when the load is either increased or decreased this doesn’t essentially guarantee that all DGs will equally share the active and reactive power demand
Broad-ranging low genetic diversity among populations of the yellow finger marsh crab Sesarma rectum Randall, 1840 (Sesarmidae) revealed by DNA barcode
Authors: Buranelli Raquel C. , Mantelatto Fernando L.
Published: August 2017

Population genetic studies on marine taxa, specifically in the field of phylogeography, have revealed distinct levels of genetic differentiation in widely distributed species, even though they present long planktonic larval development. A set of factors have been identified as acting on gene flow between marine populations, including physical or physiological barriers, isolation by distance, larval behaviour, and geological and demographic events. In this way, the aim of this study was to analyse the genetic variability among populations of the crab species Sesarma rectum Randall, 1840 along the western Atlantic in order to check the levels of genetic diversity and differentiation among populations. To achieve this purpose, mtDNA cytochrome-c oxidase subunit I (COI) (DNA-barcode marker) data were used to compute a haplotype network and a Bayesian analysis for genetic differentiation, to calculate an Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), and haplotype and nucleotide diversities. Neutrality tests (Tajima’s D and Fu’s ) were accessed, as well as pairwise mismatch distribution under the sudden expansion model. We found sharing of haplotypes among populations of S. rectum along its range of distribution and no significant indication for restricted gene flow between populations separately over 6000 km, supporting the hypothesis of a high dispersive capacity, and/or the absence of strong selective gradients along the distribution. Nevertheless, some results indicated population structure suggesting the presence of two genetic sources (i.e., groups or lineages), probably interpreted as a result of a very recent bottleneck effect due to habitat losses, followed by the beginning of a population expansion.
Preliminary Thoughts on Marine Spatial Planning in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
Authors: Becker-Weinberg Vasco
Published: August 2017

The conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction is one of the most controversial issues facing the law of the sea, and one that will probably be the scope of a new implementing agreement of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (losc). The agreement will address a set of challenges not on the agenda at the time losc was drafted, constituting an opportunity for addressing innovative notions, but also to question established ones as States attempt to ensure the compatibility between the former and the latter. One of the many challenges and a key aspect is the adoption of area-based management tools such as marine spatial planning. This article examines the existing legal gap regarding the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction and the use of marine spatial planning as an essential area-based management tool.
Gender Budgeting as a Means to Implement the Maputo Protocol’s Obligations to Provide Budgetary Resources to Realise Women’s Human Rights in Africa
Authors: Budoo Ashwanee
Published: August 2017

Articles 4(2)(i), 10(3) and 26(2) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) impose an obligation on states to provide sufficient budgetary resources to realise women’s human rights. Despite the fact that several African countries have ratified the Maputo Protocol, there is still insufficient budgetary allocation to realise women’s human rights. This article presents gender budgeting as a step that African states can take towards the provision of sufficient resources to realise women’s human rights. It studies the concept of gender budgeting and its objectives to demonstrate the link between gender budgeting and the provision of budgetary resources to realise women’s human rights. It also studies the challenges that states face in the adoption of gender budgeting and concludes that despite the fact that there are challenges, they can be overcome if states show the required will to do so.
Demanding Equal Rights and Treatment of Husbands/Partners in Paternity Disputes: A South African Perspective
Authors: Mmusinyane Boitumelo
Published: August 2017

The legitimacy presumption poses a threat to the equality of parties in a marriage/partnership in today’s constitutional society. The approach adopted by courts in paternity disputes reveals an ongoing inequality in marriages/partnerships. The marriage/partnership is being used by courts to prevent a husband/partner from introducing a paternity claim on the assumption that doing so is not in the best interests of the child. Courts should be cautious in using children as a mechanism for preventing a husband/partner from determining their biological relationship. The child’s best interests can only be advanced if children know his biological identity. Husband/partner must have the right to know their biological relationship to their wives/partner’s children. A husbands/partners’ right to assert his paternity claims, on a balance of probabilities and on an equal basis is an inherent right to dignity.
The Healthcare Providers-Patients Relationship and State Obligations in Times of Public Health Emergency
Authors: Nwafor Gloria C. , Nwafor Anthony O.
Published: August 2017

The recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (evd) in the West African sub-region sprung challenges on the healthcare providers in the observance of their ethical rules in dealing with their patients and the State in fulfilling its obligations to ensure that the rights of patients are respected in times of public health emergency. The ethical rules of medical practice demand that the healthcare providers prefer the interests of their patients to the preservation of self. The State is by law under obligation to protect and respect the rights of the patients in all situations. The paper argues that the responses by the healthcare providers and the States in the West African sub region in the wake of the public health emergency fell short of the demands of the ethical rules of the medical profession and the obligation to ensure that the rights of the patients are respected.
A Human Rights-based Approach to Combating Public Procurement Corruption in Africa
Authors: Mubangizi John C. , Sewpersadh Prenisha
Published: August 2017

Corruption is a threat to human rights as it erodes accountability and violates many international human rights conventions. It also undermines basic principles and values like equality, non-discrimination, human dignity, and social justice – especially in African countries where democratic systems and institutional arrangements are less developed than in most European, Asian and American countries. Corruption occurs in both the public and private sectors and affects human rights by deteriorating institutions and diminishing public trust in government. Corruption impairs the ability of governments to fulfil their obligations and ensure accountability in the implementation and protection of human rights – particularly socio-economic rights pertinent to the delivery of economic and social services. This is because corruption diverts funds into private pockets – impeding delivery of services, and thereby perpetuating inequality, injustice and unfairness. This considered, the focus of this paper is on public procurement corruption. It is argued that by applying a human rights-based approach to combating public procurement corruption, the violation of human rights – particularly socio-economic rights – can be significantly reduced. Through a human rights-based approach, ordinary people can be empowered to demand transparency, accountability and responsibility from elected representatives and public officials – particularly those involved in public procurement. In the paper, reference is made to selected aspects of the national legal frameworks of five African countries: South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Botswana.
Private Prosecutions in Mauritius: Clarifying Locus Standi and Making the Director of Public Prosecutions more Accountable
Authors: Mujuzi Jamil Ddamulira
Published: August 2017

Case law shows that private prosecutions have been part of Mauritian law at least since 1873. In Mauritius there are two types of private prosecutions: private prosecutions by individuals; and private prosecutions by statutory bodies. Neither the Mauritian constitution nor legislation provides for the right to institute a private prosecution. Because of the fact that Mauritian legislation is not detailed on the issue of locus standi to institute private prosecutions and does not address the issue of whether or not the Director of Public Prosecutions has to give reasons when he takes over and discontinues a private prosecution, the Supreme Court has had to address these issues. The Mauritian Supreme Court has held, inter alia, that a private prosecution may only be instituted by an aggrieved party (even in lower courts where this is not a statutory requirement) and that the Director of Public Prosecutions may take over and discontinue a private prosecution without giving reasons for his decision. However, the Supreme Court does not define “an aggrieved party.” In this article the author takes issue with the Court’s findings in these cases and, relying on legislation from other African countries, recommends how the law could be amended to strengthen the private prosecutor’s position.
The 2015 Qualitative Election Study of Britain
Authors: Winters Kristi , Carvalho Edzia , Oliver Thom
Published: August 2017

The Qualitative Election Study of Britain (qesb) is the first (and only) qualitative longitudinal dataset to investigate political attitudes and voting behaviour over multiple elections and referendums in the United Kingdom. During the 2015ukgeneral election over 90 voters participated in 23 focus groups across England, Scotland, and Wales before and after polling day. These participants represented a range of political party supporters and independent voters, age groups, and economic backgrounds. They discussed a range of political issues including their vote choice in the election, their impressions of the major party leaders, why they would consider voting (or never voting) for a political party, and their expectations for the country moving forward. Special focus groups were also held around the three leaders’ debates. The 2015qesbalso brought back participants who had participated in the 2010qesbfocus groups and the 2014 Scottish referendum focus groups. The 2015qesbhas created a unique panel of participants whose political opinions can be tracked across multiple elections. The project also includes questions that were asked in prior election focus groups and has replicated, with some modifications, the research design of the previous wave of the study.
Small-Scale Wind Fluctuations in the Tropical Tropopause Layer from Aircraft Measurements: Occurrence, Nature, and Impact on Vertical Mixing
Authors: Podglajen Aurélien , Bui T. Paul , Dean-Day Jonathan M. , Pfister Leonhard , Jensen Eric J. , Alexander M. Joan , Hertzog Albert , Kärcher Bernd , Plougonven Riwal , Randel William J.
Published: August 2017

The contribution of turbulent mixing to heat and tracer transport in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) is poorly constrained, partly owing to a lack of direct observations. Here, the authors use high-resolution (20 Hz) airborne measurements to study the occurrence and properties of small-scale (<100 m) wind fluctuations in the TTL (14–19 km) over the tropical Pacific. The fluctuations are highly intermittent and appear localized within shallow (100 m) patches. Furthermore, active turbulent events are more frequent at low altitude, near deep convection, and within layers of low gradient Richardson number. A case study emphasizes the link between the turbulent events and the occurrence of inertio-gravity waves having small horizontal or vertical scale. To evaluate the impact of the observed fluctuations on tracer mixing, their characteristics are examined. During active events, they are in broad agreement with inertial-range turbulence theory: the motions are close to 3D isotropic and the spectra follow a −5/3 power-law scaling. The diffusivity induced by turbulent bursts is estimated to be on the order of 10−1 m2 s−1 and increases from the top to the bottom of the TTL (from ~2 × 10−2 to ~3 × 10−1 m2 s−1). Given the uncertainties involved in the estimate, this is in reasonable agreement (about a factor of 3–4 lower) with the parameterized turbulent diffusivity in ERA-Interim, but it disagrees with other observational estimates from radar and radiosondes. The magnitude of the consequent vertical transport depends on the altitude and the tracer; for the species considered, it is generally smaller than that induced by the mean tropical upwelling.
The Weakened Intensity of the Atmospheric Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation over the Western North Pacific during Late Summer around the Late 1990s
Authors: Xu Zhiqing , Li Tim , Fan Ke
Published: August 2017

The interdecadal Pacific oscillation (IPO) shifted to a negative phase around the late 1990s. Its impact on the atmospheric quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) intensity over the western North Pacific (WNP) during late summer was investigated. Corresponding to the phase transition of the IPO, La Niña–like SST anomalies and an enhanced Walker circulation appeared in the tropical Pacific, which led to decreased precipitation over the equatorial central and eastern Pacific. The decreased precipitation induced a Gill response with an anomalous anticyclone (cyclone) in the lower (upper) troposphere over the WNP. This resulted in anomalous background westerly vertical shear over the tropical WNP. Furthermore, the anomalous anticyclone induced anomalous horizontal divergence and descent motion in the planetary boundary layer, which led to decreased background surface moisture over the tropical WNP. These changes in background atmospheric conditions suppressed the development of QBWO perturbations over the tropical WNP. Therefore, the QBWO intensity weakened over the WNP after the late 1990s. The composite evolution of QBWO events before and after the late 1990s confirm the interdecadal change of the QBWO intensity. A simple model was employed to understand the relative role of the background moisture and vertical shear changes in modulating the QBWO activity. The result shows that the moisture change plays a more important role than the vertical shear change in weakening the QBWO intensity.
Decadal-Mean Impact of Including Ocean Surface Currents in Bulk Formulas on Surface Air–Sea Fluxes and Ocean General Circulation
Authors: Wu Yang , Zhai Xiaoming , Wang Zhaomin
Published: August 2017

The decadal-mean impact of including ocean surface currents in the bulk formulas on surface air–sea fluxes and the ocean general circulation is investigated for the first time using a global eddy-permitting coupled ocean–sea ice model. Although including ocean surface currents in air–sea flux calculations only weakens the surface wind stress by a few percent, it significantly reduces wind power input to both geostrophic and ageostrophic motions, and damps the eddy and mean kinetic energy throughout the water column. Furthermore, the strength of the horizontal gyre circulations and the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation are found to decrease considerably (by 10%–15% and ~13%, respectively). As a result of the weakened ocean general circulation, the maximum northward global ocean heat transport decreases by about 0.2 PW, resulting in a lower sea surface temperature and reduced surface heat loss in the northern North Atlantic. Additional sensitivity model experiments further demonstrate that it is including ocean surface currents in the wind stress calculation that dominates this decadal impact, with including ocean surface currents in the turbulent heat flux calculations making only a minor contribution. These results highlight the importance of properly accounting for ocean surface currents in surface air–sea fluxes in modeling the ocean circulation and climate.
An RCA Analysis of India–China Trade Integration
Authors: Ahmad Imran , Kunroo Mohd Hussain , Sofi Irfan Ahmad
Published: August 2017

The present study discusses the short- and long-run trade patterns of India and China. Applying revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and bilateral RCA, this study specifically tries to find out the pattern of exports and areas of specialization of the economies under study. Major findings suggest that both the countries have been performing well, in terms of merchandise trade exports, over the past few decades, especially since 2000. The export-performing behaviour of India and China with each other, as well as with the world, is seen quite general in nature. In other words, irrespective of their institutional and structural differences, both India and China maintain almost the same upward moving trend with respect to the flow of exports between them and that with the world market. However, once we go from Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) two-digit to SITC four-digit level of analysis, the sample economies reveal their specialized products. At the disaggregate level, India’s export basket is void of food products and raw materials, and it generally contains engineering goods and technologically driven products as advantageous products. The study finds that the areas of specialization are much wider, and the technology-embedded products are larger for China as compared to India.

JEL: F10, F11, F43
Improvement of the electrical conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer by incorporation of nanofillers and the resulting thermal and mechanical behavior
Authors: Hamdi K , Aboura Z , Harizi W , Khellil K
Published: August 2017

This work tends to characterize the effect of carbon black nanofillers on the properties of the woven carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymers. First of all, composites from nanofilled Polyamide 6 resin reinforced by carbon fibers were fabricated. Scanning electron microscopy observations were performed to localize the nanoparticles and showed that particles penetrated the fiber zone. In fact, by reaching this zone, the carbon black nanofillers create a connectivity's network between fibers, which produces an easy pathway for the electrical current. It explains the noticed improvement of the electrical conductivity of the carbon black nanofilled composites. Electrical conductivity of neat matrix composite passed from 20 to 80 S/cm by adding 8 wt% of carbon black and to 140 S/cm by adding 16 wt% of the same nanofiller. The addition of nanofillers modifies the heating and cooling laws of carbon fiber reinforced polymer: the nanofilled carbon fiber reinforced polymer with 16 wt% is the most conductive so it heats less. Based on these results, the use of the composite itself as an indicator of this mechanical state might be possible. In fact, the study of the influence of a mechanical loading on the electrical properties of the composite by recording the variance of an electrical set is possible.
Counselor Knows Best? Clinician Assessments of In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Participants
Authors: Stanley Jennifer N. , Kelly Christopher E. , Welsh Wayne N.
Published: August 2017

Research has examined responses to substance abuse treatment among criminal justice populations primarily through client self-assessments, and comparatively fewer studies have focused on clinician ratings of client progress. Recently, Blasko and Hiller examined counselor ratings and their association with reincarceration but found no relationship between the two. The current study partially replicated their analyses and explored its own factor structure to compare the findings from a different sample using the same instrument, the Criminal Justice Counselor Rating of Client (CJ CRC). Analyses revealed that although none of the replicated counselor measures predicted reincarceration, higher levels of one measure produced from the factor analysis, Psychological Barriers to Recovery, indicated a significantly higher probability for reincarceration. In light of these conflicting findings, practical implications of this research suggested that clinical assessments of clients may be useful for criminal justice decision making.
Mindfulness
Authors: Nagy Laura M. , Baer Ruth A.
Published: August 2017

Mindfulness, which is best understood as nonjudgmental, present-centered awareness, originated in ancient Eastern traditions but has been adapted for use in Western, secular settings. The present article reviews the quickly burgeoning field of mindfulness research for teachers of psychology, including the most common mindfulness-based treatments and exercises. It also includes an overview of settings outside of traditional mental health treatment in which mindfulness has been used. Because mindfulness is appropriate within the context of a variety of courses, we have also included recommendations for teaching psychology students about mindfulness.
Altered thalamic connectivity during spontaneous attacks of migraine without aura: A resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Amin Faisal Mohammad , Hougaard Anders , Magon Stefano , Sprenger Till , Wolfram Frauke , Rostrup Egill , Ashina Messoud
Published: August 2017

Background

Functional connectivity of brain networks may be altered in migraine without aura patients. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have demonstrated changed activity in the thalamus, pons and cerebellum in migraineurs. Here, we investigated the thalamic, pontine and cerebellar network connectivity during spontaneous migraine attacks.

Methods

Seventeen patients with episodic migraine without aura underwent resting-state fMRI scan during and outside of a spontaneous migraine attack. Primary endpoint was a difference in functional connectivity between the attack and the headache-free days. Functional connectivity was assessed in four different networks using seed-based analysis. The chosen seeds were in the thalamus (MNI coordinates x,y,z: right, 22,–24,0 and left, –22,–28,6), pons (right, 8,–24,–32 and left, –8,–24,–32), cerebellum crus I (right, 46,–58,–30 and left, –46,–58,–30) and cerebellum lobule VI (right, 34,–42,–36 and left, –32,–42,–36).

Results

We found increased functional connectivity between the right thalamus and several contralateral brain regions (superior parietal lobule, insular cortex, primary motor cortex, supplementary motor area and orbitofrontal cortex). There was decreased functional connectivity between the right thalamus and three ipsilateral brain areas (primary somatosensory cortex and premotor cortex). We found no change in functional connectivity in the pontine or the cerebellar networks.

Conclusions

The study indicates that network connectivity between thalamus and pain modulating as well as pain encoding cortical areas are affected during spontaneous migraine attacks.
HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs and intention to adopt preexposure prophylaxis among black men who have sex with men in Los Angeles
Authors: Brooks Ronald A , Allen Vincent C , Regan Rotrease , Mutchler Matt G , Cervantes-Tadeo Ramon , Lee Sung-Jae
Published: August 2017

In the United States, black men who have sex with men (MSM) are the group most affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an important new HIV prevention strategy that may help reduce new HIV infections among black MSM. This analysis examined the association between HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs and intentions to adopt PrEP among 224 black MSM. The likelihood of adopting PrEP was assessed and more than half (60%) of the study population indicated a high intention to adopt PrEP. HIV/AIDS genocidal and treatment-related conspiracies were assessed using scales previously validated with black MSM. Almost two-thirds (63%) endorsed at least one of eight HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs presented. In multivariable analyses, black MSM who agreed with the genocidal or treatment-related conspiracy beliefs scales had a lower intention to adopt PrEP (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.54, 0.99 and AOR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.23, 0.55, respectively). Our findings indicate that preexisting HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs may deter some black MSM from adopting PrEP. We suggest strategies PrEP implementers may want to employ to address the influence that HIV/AIDS conspiracy beliefs may have on the adoption of PrEP among black MSM, a population disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.
HPV-related squamous cell carcinoma in a neovagina after male-to-female gender confirmation surgery
Authors: Bollo Jesús , Balla Andrea , Rodriguez Luppi Carlos , Martinez Carmen , Quaresima Silvia , Targarona Eduard M
Published: August 2017

Vaginoplasty by penile and scrotal skin inversion is a well-established technique for male-to-female gender confirmation surgery. In this setting, chronic inflammation and lacerations associated with history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may induce a high risk of malignant degeneration in the long term. A 78-year-old transgender woman was admitted with genital discomfort and neovaginal discharge. The patient’s history revealed male-to-female gender confirmation surgery with construction of a neovagina by penile and scrotal skin inversion at 33 years of age. Physical examination of the genitalia revealed presence of fecal material, suggestive of recto-neovaginal fistula. A biopsy specimen was positive for well-differentiated HPV-related squamous cell carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a bulky mass in the posterior wall of the neovagina that infiltrated the urethra, prostatic gland and the anterior rectal wall. Following a multidisciplinary evaluation, we performed a definitive sigmoid colostomy and administered chemotherapy. Long-term follow-up seems advisable in patients after vaginoplasty due to the possibility of delayed development of cancer. Following biopsy, we consider MRI as the modality of choice to identify possible infiltration of the adjacent structures. As data regarding these lesions are scarce and management is complex, a multidisciplinary approach is recommended.
Acute vision loss in systemic lupus erythematosus: bilateral combined retinal artery and vein occlusion as a catastrophic form of clinical flare
Authors: Akhlaghi M , Abtahi-Naeini B , Pourazizi M
Published: August 2017

Presentation of a combination of branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO)/central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is extremely rare. Herein, we have presented the case of a 29-year-old female with SLE, who simultaneously developed bilateral CRVO and BRAO/CRAO in the absence of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) as a catastrophic form of clinical flare. A combinatorial diagnosis of CRVO and BRAO/CRAO should be considered during clinical flare-up in a patient with SLE who presents with rapidly progressive visual loss.
Trying to fit in – Upper secondary school students’ negotiation processes between sports culture and youth culture
Authors: Nielsen Stine Frydendal , Thing Lone Friis
Published: August 2017

In this paper we present results concerning how students in a Danish upper secondary school negotiate between sports culture and the prevailing norms of youth culture in a local school context. The study shows that it can be rather difficult for young people to combine sports culture with the local youth culture, because living a healthy and physically active life doesn’t fit very well with the prevailing norms of youth culture, which involve a dominant social arena characterized by parties and alcohol. By applying the figurational sociology of Norbert Elias, this article shows that being included in a sports figuration can result in exclusion from the youth figuration. Young athletic students are therefore in a constant process of negotiation, where they struggle to fit into both sport and non-sport related contexts, because it is important to belong within both. The study is based on 16 focus group interviews [N=120] conducted over four years in one Danish upper secondary school.
Image-Guided Prostate Cryosurgery: State of the Art
Authors: Onik Gary
Published: August 2017

Background

Cryosurgery was first used to treat prostate cancer in the early 1970s but it was not until 1993, when the results from percutaneous ultrasound-guided cryosurgery were published, that the potential advantages of this treatment became apparent. Changes in equipment and techniques have improved the results of cryosurgery, in both tumor control and lower morbidity.

Methods

The author has reviewed data of his own and those of others concerning the changes in techniques employed and outcomes from prostate cryosurgery.

Results

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transperineal placement of the cryoprobes allows monitoring of freezing in real time. Monitoring temperature at critical locations, separating the rectum and prostate by saline injection, and using argon gas rather than liquid nitrogen-based equipment have improved results and lowered complication rates. The technique produces outcomes similar to those obtained with brachytherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy.

Conclusions

Advantages of cryosurgery include the ability to re-treat patients without added morbidity and to treat salvage postradiation patients with acceptable results and morbidity. The recent demonstration that “nerve-sparing” cryosurgery is possible suggests that cryosurgery may be used more often.
Acromegaly: A New Therapy
Authors: Friend Keith E.
Published: August 2017

Background

The treatment of acromegaly can be challenging. Despite a multimodality approach (surgery, radiation, dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogs), many patients do not achieve normalization of serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations.

Methods

The author discusses the characteristics and indications of pegvisomant therapy for patients with acromegaly and compares the use of this newly developed GH receptor antagonist with other pharmacological agents such as somatostatin and dopamine agonists.

Results

Therapy with pegvisomant allows serum IGF-I concentrations to be normalized in up to 97% of patients with acromegaly, including those who have failed other treatment modalities. With this agent, circulating GH levels increase as a result of the drop in IGF-I levels. The rise is rapid (within 2 weeks) and does not appear to be progressive over time.

Conclusions

Published studies have shown pegvisomant to have efficacy in the treatment of acromegaly. As it appears to be well tolerated and safe, this novel compound may be an important therapeutic option for patients with acromegaly. Additional study of this novel agent and its mode of action is warranted.
Applications of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Varadarajulu Shyam , Wallace Michael B.
Published: August 2017

Background

Accurate staging of pancreatic cancer is essential for surgical planning and for identification of locally advanced and metastatic disease that is incurable by surgery. Advances in endoscopic sonography (EUS), computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography have improved the accuracy of staging and reduced the number of incomplete surgical resections. Tissue acquisition is necessary in nonsurgical cases when chemoradiotherapy is considered. The complex regional anatomy of the pancreas makes cytologic diagnosis of malignancy at this region difficult without exploratory surgery. Although CT-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is used for this purpose, reports of an increased risk of peritoneal dissemination of cancer cells and a false-negative rate of nearly 20% make this a poor choice. The ability to position the EUS-transducer in direct proximity to the pancreas by means of the stomach and duodenum, combined with the use of FNA, increases the specificity of EUS in detecting pancreatic malignancies.

Methods

The current literature regarding the accuracy of EUS with FNA in the evaluation of pancreatic cancer is reviewed.

Results

EUS accuracy ranges from 78% to 94% for tumor staging and from 64% to 82% for nodal staging. EUS also enables FNA of lesions that are too small to be identified by CT or MRI or too well encased by surrounding vascular structures to safely allow percutaneous biopsy. The accuracy for detecting invasion into the superior mesenteric artery and vein is lower than that for detecting portal or splenic vein invasion, especially for large tumors. EUS permits delivery of localized therapy such as celiac plexus neurolysis for pain control and direct intra-lesional injection of antitumor therapy.

Conclusions

EUS in combination with FNA is a highly accurate method of preoperative staging of pancreatic cancer, especially those too small to be characterized by CT or MRI, and it has the ability to obtain cytological confirmation of pancreatic cancer.
Targeted Therapy in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Chng Wee Joo , Lau Lee Gong , Yusof Noorainun , Mow Benjamin M. F.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy. Recent insights into its biology has allowed the use of novel therapies targeting not only the deregulated intracellular signaling in MM cells but also its interaction with the bone marrow microenvironment that confers drug resistance, growth, and survival advantage to the malignant cells.

Methods:

We review and summarize the recent advances in our knowledge of myeloma biology as well as the mechanism of action and clinical efficacy for novel therapeutic agents in clinical trials.

Results:

Several novel therapeutic agents are currently in clinical trials. Thalidomide is already established for both initial and salvage treatment. Bortezomib is being tested alone and in combination with conventional chemotherapy in various settings. Other agents are less effective in producing response but have been able to stabilize disease in patients with relapsed and/or refractory disease, such as arsenic trioxide, farnesyltransferase inhibitors, 2-methoxyestradiol, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors. Insights into drug resistance mechanism have also led to the development of novel agents that sensitize myeloma cells to chemotherapy (Bcl-2 antisense). Gene expression studies have in many instances identified pathways other than the intended target of the drug and have provided insights into the therapeutic mechanisms.

Conclusions:

In the future, patients with MM will have more therapeutic options available than ever before. The challenge will be to identify patient subgroups that will benefit most from the different therapies and then determine how these biologically based therapies could be combined and incorporated into the overall management of patients.
Small Molecule and Monoclonal Antibody Therapies in Neurooncology
Authors: Butowski Nicholas , Chang Susan M.
Published: August 2017

Background:

The prognosis for most patients with primary brain tumors remains poor. Recent advances in molecular and cell biology have led to a greater understanding of molecular alterations in brain tumors. These advances are being translated into new therapies that will hopefully improve the prognosis for patients with brain tumors.

Methods:

We reviewed the literature on small molecule targeted agents and monoclonal antibodies used in brain tumor research and brain tumor clinical trials for the past 20 years.

Results:

Brain tumors commonly express molecular abnormalities. These alterations can lead to the activation of cell pathways involved in cell proliferation. This knowledge has led to interest in novel anti-brain-tumor therapies targeting key components of these pathways. Many drugs and monoclonal antibodies have been developed that modulate these pathways and are in various stages of testing.

Conclusions:

The use of targeted therapies against brain tumors promises to improve the prognosis for patients with brain tumors. However, as the molecular pathogenesis of brain tumors has not been linked to a single genetic defect or target, molecular agents may need to be used in combinations or in tandem with cytotoxic agents. Further study of these agents in well-designed cooperative clinical trials is needed.