bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drawing the Line: Disability, Genetic Intervention and Bioethics
Authors: Conti Adam
Published: July 2017

Meteoric scientific advances in genetic technologies with the potential for human gene editing intervention pose tremendous legal, medical, social, ethical and moral issues for society as a whole. Persons with disabilities in particular have a significant stake in determining how these technologies are governed at the international, domestic and individual levels in the future. However, the law cannot easily keep up with the rate of scientific progression. This paper aims to posit a methodology of reform, based on a core value of human dignity, as the optimal course of action to ensure that the interests of persons with disabilities, other possibly marginalised groups, and the scientific community, are balanced fairly. The paper critically analyses the current law and varying bioethical perspectives to ultimately conclude that a clear principled approach toward open discussion and consensus is of paramount importance to have any chance of devising an effective regulatory regime over human gene editing technology.
Processing Conditions, Thermal and Mechanical Responses of Stretchable Poly (Lactic Acid)/Poly (Butylene Succinate) Films
Authors: Fortunati Elena , Puglia Debora , Iannoni Antonio , Terenzi Andrea , Kenny José Maria , Torre Luigi
Published: July 2017

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) based films containing two different plasticizers [Acetyl Tributyl Citrate (ATBC) and isosorbide diester (ISE)] at three different contents (15 wt %, 20 wt % and 30 wt %) were produced by extrusion method. Thermal, morphological, mechanical and wettability behavior of produced materials was investigated as a function of plasticizer content. Filmature parameters were also adjusted and optimized for different formulations, in order to obtain similar thickness for different systems. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) results and evaluation of solubility parameter confirmed that similar miscibility was obtained for ATBC and ISE in PLA, while the two selected plasticizers resulted as not efficient for plasticization of PBS, to the limit that the PBS–30ATBC resulted as not processable. On the basis of these results, isosorbide-based plasticizer was considered a suitable agent for modification of a selected blend (PLA/PBS 80:20) and two mixing approaches were used to identify the role of ISE in the plasticization process: results from mechanical analysis confirmed that both produced PLA–PBS blends (PLA85–ISE15)–PBS20 and (PLA80–PBS20)–ISE15 could guarantee advantages in terms of deformability, with respect to the PLA80–PBS20 reference film, suggesting that the promising use of these stretchable PLA–PBS based films plasticized with isosorbide can provide novel solutions for food packaging applications.
Thin-Film Coated Plastic Wrap for Food Packaging
Authors: Wu Hsin-Yu , Liu Ting-Xuan , Hsu Chia-Hsun , Cho Yun-Shao , Xu Zhi-Jia , Liao Shu-Chuan , Zeng Bo-Han , Jiang Yeu-Long , Lien Shui-Yang
Published: July 2017

In this study, the antimicrobial property and food package capability of polymethylpentene (PMP) substrate with silicon oxdie (SiOx) and organic silicon (SiCxHy) stacked layers deposited by an inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition system were investigated. The experimental results show that the stacked pair number of SiOx/SiCxHy on PMP is limited to three pairs, beyond which the films will crack and cause package failure. The three-pair SiOx/SiCxHy on PMP shows a low water vapor transmission rate of 0.57 g/m2/day and a high water contact angle of 102°. Three-pair thin-film coated PMP demonstrates no microbe adhesion and exhibits antibacterial properties within 24 h. Food shelf life testing performed at 28 °C and 80% humidity reports that the three-pair thin-film coated PMP can enhance the food shelf-life to 120 h. The results indicate that the silicon-based thin film may be a promising material for antibacterial food packaging applications to extend the shelf-life of food products.
Characterisation of Asphalt Concrete Using Nanoindentation
Authors: Barbhuiya Salim , Caracciolo Benjamin
Published: July 2017

In this study, nanoindentation was conducted to extract the load-displacement behaviour and the nanomechanical properties of asphalt concrete across the mastic, matrix, and aggregate phases. Further, the performance of hydrated lime as an additive was assessed across the three phases. The hydrated lime containing samples have greater resistance to deformation in the mastic and matrix phases, in particular, the mastic. There is strong evidence suggesting that hydrated lime has the most potent effect on the mastic phase, with significant increase in hardness and stiffness.
Selenium-Containing Polysaccharide-Protein Complex in Se-Enriched Ulva fasciata Induces Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis in A549 Human Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Sun Xian , Zhong Yu , Luo Hongtian , Yang Yufeng
Published: July 2017

The role of selenium (Se) and Ulva fasciata as potent cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents has been supported by epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical studies. In this study, Se-containing polysaccharide-protein complex (Se-PPC), a novel organoselenium compound, a Se-containing polysaccharide-protein complex in Se-enriched Ulva fasciata, is a potent anti-proliferative agent against human lung cancer A549 cells. Se-PPC markedly inhibited the growth of cancer cells via induction of apoptosis which was accompanied by the formation of apoptotic bodies, an increase in the population of apoptotic sub-G1 phase cells, upregulation of p53, and activation of caspase-3 in A549 cells. Further investigation on intracellular mechanisms indicated that cytochrome C was released from mitochondria into cytosol in A549 cells after Se-PPC treatment. Se-PPC induced depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in A549 cells through regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL) and pro-apoptotic (Bax, Bid) proteins, resulting in disruption of the activation of caspase-9. This is the first report to demonstrate the cytotoxic effect of Se-PPC on human cancer cells and to provide a possible mechanism for this activity. Thus, Se-PPC is a promising novel organoselenium compound with potential to treat human cancers.
NMR Insights into the Structure-Function Relationships in the Binding of Melanocortin Analogues to the MC1R Receptor
Authors: Morais Maurício , Zamora-Carreras Héctor , Raposinho Paula , Oliveira Maria , Pantoja-Uceda David , Correia João , Jiménez M.
Published: July 2017

Linear and cyclic analogues of the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) targeting the human melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) are of pharmacological interest for detecting and treating melanoma. The central sequence of α-MSH (His-Phe-Arg-Trp) has been identified as being essential for receptor binding. To deepen current knowledge on the molecular basis for α-MSH bioactivity, we aimed to understand the effect of cycle size on receptor binding. To that end, we synthesised two macrocyclic isomeric α-MSH analogues, c[NH-NO2-C6H3-CO-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-Lys-NH2 (CycN-K6) and c[NH-NO2-C6H3-CO-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys-Lys]-NH2 (CycN-K7). Their affinities to MC1R receptor were determined by competitive binding assays, and their structures were analysed by 1H and 13C NMR. These results were compared to those of the previously reported analogue c[S-NO2-C6H3-CO-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Cys]-Lys-NH2 (CycS-C6). The MC1R binding affinity of the 22-membered macrocyclic peptide CycN-K6 (IC50 = 155 ± 16 nM) is higher than that found for the 25-membered macrocyclic analogue CycN-K7 (IC50 = 495 ± 101 nM), which, in turn, is higher than that observed for the 19-membered cyclic analogue CycS-C6 (IC50 = 1770 ± 480 nM). NMR structural study indicated that macrocycle size leads to changes in the relative dispositions of the side chains, particularly in the packing of the Arg side chain relative to the aromatic rings. In contrast to the other analogues, the 22-membered cycle’s side chains are favorably positioned for receptor interaction.
Continued Reforestation and Urban Expansion in the New Century of a Tropical Island in the Caribbean
Authors: Wang Chao , Yu Mei , Gao Qiong
Published: July 2017

Accurate and timely monitoring of tropical land cover/use (LCLU) changes is urgent due to the rapid deforestation/reforestation and its impact on global land-atmosphere interaction. However, persistent cloud cover in the tropics imposes the greatest challenge and retards LCLU mapping in mountainous areas such as the tropic island of Puerto Rico, where forest transition changed from deforestation to reforestation due to the economy shift from agriculture to industry and service after the 1940s. To improve the LCLU mapping in the tropics and to evaluate the trend of forest transition of Puerto Rico in the new century, we integrated the optical Landsat images with the L-band SAR to map LC in 2010 by taking advantage of the cloud-penetrating ability of the SAR signals. The results showed that the incorporation of SAR data with the Landsat data significantly, although not substantially, enhanced the accuracy of LCLU mapping of Puerto Rico, and the Kappa statistic reached 90.5% from 88.4% without SAR data. The enhancement of mapping by SAR is important for urban and forest, as well as locations with limited optical data caused by cloud cover. We found both forests and urban lands continued expanding in the new century despite the declining population. However, the forest cover change slowed down in 2000–2010 compared to that in 1991–2000. The deforestation rate reduced by 42.1% in 2000–2010, and the reforestation was mostly located in the east and southeast of the island where Hurricane Georges landed and caused severe vegetation damage in 1998. We also found that reforestation increased, but deforestation decreased along the topography slope. Reforestation was much higher within the protected area compared to that in the surroundings in the wet and moist forest zones.
Mathematical Modeling and Accuracy Testing of WorldView-2 Level-1B Stereo Pairs without Ground Control Points
Authors: Ye Jiang , Lin Xu , Xu Tao
Published: July 2017

With very high resolution satellite (VHRS) imagery of 0.5 m, WorldView-2 (WV02) satellite images have been widely used in the field of surveying and mapping. However, for the specific WV02 satellite image geometric orientation model, there is a lack of detailed research and explanation. This paper elaborates the construction process of the WV02 satellite rigorous sensor model (RSM), which considers the velocity aberration, the optical path delay and the atmospheric refraction. We create a new physical inverse model based on a double-iterative method. Through this inverse method, we establish the virtual control grid in the object space to calculate the rational function model (RFM) coefficients. In the RFM coefficient calculation process, we apply the correcting characteristic value method (CCVM) and least squares (LS) method to compare the two experiments’ accuracies. We apply two stereo pairs of WV02 Level 1B products in Qinghai, China to verify the algorithm and test image positioning accuracy. Under the no-control conditions, the monolithic horizontal mean square error (RMSE) of the rational polynomial coefficient (RPC) is 3.8 m. This result is 13.7% higher than the original RPC positioning accuracy provided by commercial vendors. The stereo pair horizontal positioning accuracy of both the physical and RPC models is 5.0 m circular error 90% (CE90). This result is in accordance with the WV02 satellite images nominal positioning accuracy. This paper provides a new method to improve the positioning accuracy of the WV02 satellite image RPC model without GCPs.
Erratum: Chance, E.W., et al. Identifying Irrigated Areas in the Snake River Plain, Idaho: Evaluating Performance across Compositing Algorithms, Spectral Indices, and Sensors. Remote Sens. 2017, 9, 546
Authors: Chance Eric , Cobourn Kelly , Thomas Valerie , Dawson Blaine , Flores Alejandro
Published: July 2017

In the published paper [1], the title and Appendix Tables A4, A5, A7, and A8 contain typographical errors. The correct title and table captions are as follows: [...]
Design and Implementation of a Smart Home System Using Multisensor Data Fusion Technology
Authors: Hsu Yu-Liang , Chou Po-Huan , Chang Hsing-Cheng , Lin Shyan-Lung , Yang Shih-Chin , Su Heng-Yi , Chang Chih-Chien , Cheng Yuan-Sheng , Kuo Yu-Chen
Published: July 2017

This paper aims to develop a multisensor data fusion technology-based smart home system by integrating wearable intelligent technology, artificial intelligence, and sensor fusion technology. We have developed the following three systems to create an intelligent smart home environment: (1) a wearable motion sensing device to be placed on residents’ wrists and its corresponding 3D gesture recognition algorithm to implement a convenient automated household appliance control system; (2) a wearable motion sensing device mounted on a resident’s feet and its indoor positioning algorithm to realize an effective indoor pedestrian navigation system for smart energy management; (3) a multisensor circuit module and an intelligent fire detection and alarm algorithm to realize a home safety and fire detection system. In addition, an intelligent monitoring interface is developed to provide in real-time information about the smart home system, such as environmental temperatures, CO concentrations, communicative environmental alarms, household appliance status, human motion signals, and the results of gesture recognition and indoor positioning. Furthermore, an experimental testbed for validating the effectiveness and feasibility of the smart home system was built and verified experimentally. The results showed that the 3D gesture recognition algorithm could achieve recognition rates for automated household appliance control of 92.0%, 94.8%, 95.3%, and 87.7% by the 2-fold cross-validation, 5-fold cross-validation, 10-fold cross-validation, and leave-one-subject-out cross-validation strategies. For indoor positioning and smart energy management, the distance accuracy and positioning accuracy were around 0.22% and 3.36% of the total traveled distance in the indoor environment. For home safety and fire detection, the classification rate achieved 98.81% accuracy for determining the conditions of the indoor living environment.
Minding the Cyber-Physical Gap: Model-Based Analysis and Mitigation of Systemic Perception-Induced Failure
Authors: Mordecai Yaniv , Dori Dov
Published: July 2017

The cyber-physical gap (CPG) is the difference between the ‘real’ state of the world and the way the system perceives it. This discrepancy often stems from the limitations of sensing and data collection technologies and capabilities, and is inevitable at some degree in any cyber-physical system (CPS). Ignoring or misrepresenting such limitations during system modeling, specification, design, and analysis can potentially result in systemic misconceptions, disrupted functionality and performance, system failure, severe damage, and potential detrimental impacts on the system and its environment. We propose CPG-Aware Modeling & Engineering (CPGAME), a conceptual model-based approach to capturing, explaining, and mitigating the CPG. CPGAME enhances the systems engineer’s ability to cope with CPGs, mitigate them by design, and prevent erroneous decisions and actions. We demonstrate CPGAME by applying it for modeling and analysis of the 1979 Three Miles Island 2 nuclear accident, and show how its meltdown could be mitigated. We use ISO-19450:2015—Object Process Methodology as our conceptual modeling framework.
Modelling and Simulation of the Formation of Social Networks
Authors: Chew Song , Metheney Erica , Teague Thomas
Published: July 2017

Social networking has been a feature of human society. From the early hunter-gatherer tribes, medieval guilds, the twentieth century workplaces, up to online entities like Facebook and Twitter, it is difficult to think of a time or place where all people did not belong to at least one cooperative group. It follows that social network formation has been studied extensively in the past decades and will continue to be a popular area of research. Past research has primarily confined itself to considering cases in which new members are introduced into the networks by making a constant number of connections to those who are already present in the networks. Our study aims to fill the glaring gap in the variety of network formation modelling. Most notably, we want to consider scenarios in which the number of connections new members make to those already present in the networks is determined by chance. More specifically, the number of connections made to existing members when a new one is introduced into the network is characterized by a positive integer-valued random variable. The objective of the study is to determine the distribution of degree of a node in this kind of social networks. It is determined that the node degree distribution is a mixture of geometric distributions. Three numerical examples are provided in the study to demonstrate the validity of our findings.
An Integrated Method for Interval Multi-Objective Planning of a Water Resource System in the Eastern Part of Handan
Authors: Suo Meiqin , Wu Pengfei , Zhou Bin
Published: July 2017

In this study, an integrated solving method is proposed for interval multi-objective planning. The proposed method is based on fuzzy linear programming and an interactive two-step method. It cannot only provide objectively optimal values for multiple objectives at the same time, but also effectively offer a globally optimal interval solution. Meanwhile, the degree of satisfaction related to different objective functions would be obtained. Then, the integrated solving method for interval multi-objective planning is applied to a case study of planning multi-water resources joint scheduling under uncertainty in the eastern part of Handan, China. The solutions obtained are useful for decision makers in easing the contradiction between supply of multi-water resources and demand from different water users. Moreover, it can provide the optimal comprehensive benefits of economy, society, and the environment.
Empathy, burnout, and antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections: a cross-sectional primary care study in the US
Authors: Sun Bob Z , Chaitoff Alexander , Hu Bo , Neuendorf Kathleen , Manne Mahesh , Rothberg Michael B
Published: July 2017

Background

The impact of physician–patient relationship factors, such as physician empathy and burnout, on antibiotic prescribing has not been characterised.

Aim

To assess associations between physician empathy and burnout and antibiotic prescribing for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in primary care.

Design and setting

Cross-sectional study of primary care practices in the Cleveland Clinic Health System in the US.

Method

Patient and prescribing data were obtained from the medical record. All patients with primary diagnoses of ARIs from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013, except those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or who were immunocompromised, were included. Physician empathy was measured using the Jefferson Scale of Empathy while physician burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. The relationship between empathy and burnout and antibiotic prescribing, adjusted for patient and provider characteristics, was analysed using multiple linear regression.

Results

In 5937 ARI visits to 102 primary care physicians, the median proportion resulting in antibiotic prescribing was 48.6% (interquartile range [IQR] 24.1% to 70.0%). Neither physician empathy (correlation coefficient [β] 0.005, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.001 to 0.010, P = 0.07) nor any burnout measures were significantly associated with antibiotic prescribing: emotional exhaustion (β 0.001, 95% CI = −0.005 to 0.006, P = 0.79), tendency to depersonalise patients (β −0.009, 95% CI = −0.021 to 0.003, P = 0.13), and sense of personal accomplishment (β −0.004, 95% CI = −0.014 to 0.006, P = 0.44).

Conclusion

The authors found no significant association between empathy or burnout measures and antibiotic prescribing for ARIs in primary care. Other physician characteristics should be investigated to explain individual variation in antibiotic prescribing.
Predisposing Factors For Incidence Of Congenital Syphilis
Authors: Teixeira Gracimary Alves , Santos Flávia Andréia Pereira Soares dos , Carvalho Jovanka Bittencourt Leite de , Vitor Allyne Fortes , Lira Ana Luisa Brandão de Carvalho , Enders Bertha Cruz
Published: July 2017

The study aims to synthesize the knowledge produced in articles about the predisposing factors for the incidence of Congenital Syphilis. An integrative review was conducted in May and June 2014. Three databases were consulted and all publications available at the pre-established time frame were collected. The descriptors congenital syphilis, incidence and causality in Portuguese, English and Spanish were used, resulting in 1723 articles, of which 23 were selected. The results show deficiency in prenatal care; poor diagnosis; inadequante care of the disease; unequal socioeconomic conditions; difficult access to health services; and poor guidelines. The increasing number of new cases of congenital syphilis is due to several factors that can be prevented through quality prenatal care. Therefore, care actions during pregnancy and puerperium need to be redirected so that they are based on early diagnosis, immediate treatment of the couple and health education.
The Impact of the Group Environment on the O vi Circumgalactic Medium
Authors: Pointon Stephanie K. , Nielsen Nikole M. , Kacprzak Glenn G. , Muzahid Sowgat , Churchill Christopher W. , Charlton Jane C.
Published: July 2017

We present a study comparing O vi
λλ1031, 1037 doublet absorption found toward group galaxy environments to that of isolated galaxies. The O vi absorption in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of isolated galaxies has been studied previously by the “Multiphase Galaxy Halos” survey, where the kinematics and absorption properties of the CGM have been investigated. We extend these studies to group environments. We define a galaxy group as having two or more galaxies with a line-of-sight velocity difference of no more than 1000 km s−1 and located within 350 kpc (projected) of a background quasar sightline. We identified a total of six galaxy groups associated with O vi absorption W
r > 0.06 Å that have a median redshift of

and a median impact parameter of

. An additional 12 non-absorbing groups were identified with a median redshift of

and a median impact parameter of

. We find the average equivalent width to be smaller for group galaxies than for isolated galaxies (3σ). However, the covering fractions are consistent with both samples. We used the pixel-velocity two-point correlation function method and find that the velocity spread of O vi in the CGM of group galaxies is significantly narrower than that of isolated galaxies (10σ). We suggest that the warm/hot CGM does not exist as a superposition of halos; instead, the virial temperature of the halo is hot enough for O vi to be further ionized. The remaining O vi likely exists at the interface between hot diffuse gas and cooler regions of the CGM.
Evolution of Spin, Orbital, and Superorbital Modulations of 4U 0114+650
Authors: Hu Chin-Ping , Chou Yi , Ng C.-Y. , Lin Lupin Chun-Che , Yen David Chien-Chang
Published: July 2017

We report a systematic analysis of the spin, orbital, and superorbital modulations of 4U 0114+650, a high-mass X-ray binary that consists of one of the slowest spinning neutron stars. Using the dynamic power spectrum, we found that the spin period varied dramatically and is anticorrelated with the long-term X-ray flux variation that can be observed using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer ASM, Swift BAT, and the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image. The spin-up rate over the entire data set is consistent with previously reported values; however, the local spin-up rate is considerably higher. The corresponding local spin-up timescale is comparable to the local spin-up rate of OAO 1657−415, indicating that 4U 0114+650 could also have a transient disk. Moreover, the spin period evolution shows two ∼1000-day spin-down/random-walk epochs that appeared together with depressions of the superorbital modulation amplitude. This implies that the superorbital modulation was closely related to the presence of the accretion disk, which is not favored in the spin-down/random-walk epochs because the accretion is dominated by the direct wind accretion. The orbital period is stable during the entire time span; however, the orbital profile significantly changes with time. We found that the depth of the dip near the inferior conjunction of the companion is highly variable, which disfavors the eclipsing scenario. Moreover, the dip was less obvious during the spin-down/random-walk epochs, indicating its correlation with the accretion disk. Further monitoring in both X-ray and optical bands could reveal the establishment of the accretion disk in this system.
Secondary Syphilis Presenting As Palmoplantar Psoriasis
Authors: Gianfaldoni Serena , Tchernev Georgi , Wollina Uwe , Gianfaldoni Roberto , Lotti Torello
Published: July 2017

In a recent past, the incidence of syphilis has increased in various geographical regions. The authors describe a case of secondary syphilis mimicking palmoplantar psoriasis.
An Overview on Radiotherapy: From Its History to Its Current Applications in Dermatology
Authors: Gianfaldoni Serena , Gianfaldoni Roberto , Wollina Uwe , Lotti Jacopo , Tchernev Georgi , Lotti Torello
Published: July 2017

For more than a century, radiotherapy has been an effective treatment for oncologic patients. The Authors report a brief history of the radiation therapy and its actual indication for the treatments of cutaneous malignant diseases.
L’adolescence : mangas / erogames. Imagerie pulsionnelle et corps spectaculaires
Authors: Attigui Patricia
Published: July 2017

Cet article vise à apporter quelques éléments de réflexion concernant la compréhension des formes cliniques actuelles de la sexualité adolescente, telle que nous pouvons l’apercevoir dans la mise en spectacle des corps issue de la culture et de l’imagerie manga, fantasmagorie jubilatoire et angoissante venue réveiller et stimuler à la fois un imaginaire pulsionnel adolescent fasciné et animé du désir de percer les mystères d’un sexual au fondement de la psyché, et intrinsèquement énigmatique.
Envisager la création de masques virtuels… au sein des réseaux sociaux
Authors: Gozlan Angélique
Published: July 2017

Cet article propose de penser la création de profils sur les réseaux sociaux comme autant de créations de masques virtuels qui voilent tout en dévoilant le vrai visage des utilisateurs. Il est alors essentiel de définir ce que nous entendons par masque virtuel afin d’en comprendre les enjeux créatifs sous-jacents pour l’adolescent. Être présent dans ces espaces virtuels ouvre à l’art du leurre, du mensonge, sur lequel l’adolescent va s’étayer pour s’en-former un visage, se créer une ou plusieurs identités soumises au regard des pairs, identités en attente d’une validation dans le lien social. Le paradoxe propre au masque virtuel soutiendrait alors la symbolisation et la subjectivation adolescente dans la rencontre avec l’autre.
Soigner avec le jeu vidéo : quelques repérages d’incidences transférentielles à partir de la clinique de la médiation virtuelle-numérique
Authors: Gillet Guillaume , Leroux Yann
Published: July 2017

Cet article vise à proposer une synthèse des enjeux qui sont liés à l’utilisa-tion du jeu vidéo au sein d’un cadre-dispositif thérapeutique à médiation. Après avoir retracé l’histoire de l’utilisation du jeu vidéo en thérapie, les auteurs s’appuient sur leurs expériences cliniques pour dégager les principes fondateurs de la thérapie par le jeu vidéo et les différentes modalités transférentielles en médiation virtuelle-numérique.
Pour un développement de la discussion… sur l’abaissement de l’âge de la majorité pénale au Brésil
Authors: Guerra Andréa Máris Campos
Published: July 2017

L’article propose une discussion sur la réduction de la majorité pénale de 18 à 16ans qui est un changement législatif en débat au Brésil. On part d’une contextualisation de l’époque actuelle, dans laquelle le modèle néolibéral et la scientifisation du malaise ont installé un mode de fonctionnement qui réduit l’horizon de l’altérité. L’auteure localise une construction sociale d’un ennemi commun à combattre et réunit les arguments juridiques, anthropologiques, sociaux et politiques qui éclairent la situation d’un adolescent délinquant. Plus spécialement, sera discutée la notion de responsabilité pénale, du modèle socio-éducatif brésilien et de l’idée de jeunesse. L’article conclut que, au-delà du manque de connaissance sur les mesures appliquées pour la sanction de l’acte en infraction du mineur, il s’installe une discursivité qui identifie le jeune comme une espèce de mal social, en enlevant la condition de réorientation de son projet de vie, encore non défini dans la traversée de l’adolescence.
Trafic des enfants dans les champs de cacao (cas de Soubré en Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Ladji Bamba
Published: July 2017

L’objectif de l’étude présente les intérêts économiques et sociaux qu’il y a à lutter contre le trafic de main-d’œuvre infantile dans la cacao-culture en général et dans une zone productrice (la Côte d’Ivoire) particulièrement. L’hypothèse stipule que ce trafic est un fait culturel existant entre les pays pourvoyeurs et les pays réceptionnaires. Pour mieux cerner l’étude, nous nous sommes intéressés à cinquante participants. Nous avons eu recours à une démarche descriptive afin de créer une relation interpersonnelle avec nos enquêtes. La méthode qualitative nous a aidés dans l’analyse des propos des acteurs et la méthode quantitative a permis de donner un regard physique aux différents modes opératoires du trafic. Comme résultats, l’étude nous a montré que les textes de loi sur la contrebande des êtres humains sont méconnus. Il faut une appropriation de ceux-ci par les acteurs. Les acteurs dans leur majorité ne voient pas ce trafic comme une illégalité, une délinquance, mais plutôt comme une coopération entrent état pourvoyeur et réceptionnaire.
Histoire et Histoires : sur le temps et le visage
Authors: Sánchez León Maria Cristina
Published: July 2017

Maints théoriciens et historiens de l’art ont traité la question de différentes manières et alternatives pour comprendre le monde représenté et le monde intérieur, comme des formes de la temporalité artistique. Le travail que je veux développer expose trois formes sous lesquelles on peut accéder à la compréhension du lien entre l’histoire de l’art et l’esthétique : premièrement, la forme temporelle du symptôme, deuxièmement la forme temporelle du visage et finalement la temporalité que ces deux formes suscitent et provoquent, c’est-à-dire la compréhension temporelle de l’œuvre. Le lien entre l’histoire de l’art et l’esthétique sera ainsi exprimé quand, grâce à deux exemples d’œuvres d’art contemporain, nous mettrons en évidence le besoin de créer à chaque fois des catégories ayant une affinité à l’histoire contemporaine et aux nouveaux exercices de critique et esthétique.
Liturgie et totalitarisme dans la thèse de doctorat de Joseph Ratzinger : « Peuple et maison de Dieu dans l’ecclésiologie de saint Augustin » (1951)
Authors: Baudry Pierre
Published: July 2017

Le présent article se propose d’étudier le lien entre la liturgie et la question du totalitarisme dans la thèse de doctorat de Joseph Ratzinger/Benoît XVI : « Peuple et maison de Dieu dans l’ecclésiologie de saint Augustin » (1951). Nous tenterons de déterminer comment le jeune Ratzinger part d’une problématique spécifiquement théologique (qu’est-ce que l’Église ?) pour arriver à des analyses qui ont une portée théologico-politique en lien avec des débats qui ont agité le catholicisme allemand dans les années 1930. En particulier, le futur pape étudie la distinction entre « peuple de Dieu » comme concept liturgique et toute forme de sacralisation d’un peuple qui se déclarerait supérieur. Le rejet d’une certaine idéologie nationale-socialiste et de son culte de la « race élue » constitue donc un des arrière-fonds de ce travail qui guidera le théologien allemand durant toute sa carrière.
L’interdiction du travail le dimanche devant le Sénat du Second Empire
Authors: Choisel Francis
Published: July 2017

Cette interdiction reposait à l’époque sur une loi de 1814, assez mal appliquée. Plusieurs pétitions de citoyens demandèrent au Sénat d’inciter le gouvernement à la faire mieux respecter ou à la durcir ou à l’abroger. Les débats de la haute assemblée à ce sujet, auxquels les cardinaux et plusieurs orateurs catholiques participèrent activement, permettent de comprendre quels en étaient alors les enjeux politiques et moraux, et d’éclairer les raisons des choix opérés par les autorités gouvernementales d’alors. Les arguments avancés par les uns et par les autres représentent également une utile contribution à la réflexion contemporaine sur cette question.
COUPLED BOUNDARY ELEMENT-FINITE ELEMENT MODEL TO ESTIMATE HUMAN HEEL-PAD ELASTICITY MODULUS
Authors: Salimi Amirhossein , Katouzian Hamid-Reza , Naraghi-Bagherpour Paniz , Khani Mohammad-Mehdi
Published: July 2017

The key role of heel-pad in protecting calcaneus bone against excessive local stresses during walking and running is well discussed in the literature. Aiming to obtain a more profound understanding of this soft collagenous load-bearing tissue, material characterization of heel-pad has attracted the attention of many researchers. One way of achieving this goal is to estimate the mechanical properties of heel-pad based on Finite Element (FE) simulation of the indentation experiment which has been conducted by various teams before. During this process, the soft tissue undergoes a relatively large deformation causing the elements in FE Model to be extremely distorted particularly near the vicinity of indenter-heel pad contact making the numerical modeling tedious and significantly increasing the computational cost. The main contribution of the current study is to develop a coupled Boundary Element–Finite Element (BE–FE) plane strain model to improve the deficiency of the conventional numerical methods as the three-node 1 degree-of-freedom BEs eliminate the distortion issue near the deformed heel-pad zone and effectively lower the computational costs which is vital for iterative processes of this kind. Later through iterative post-processing of data, the modulus of elasticity (E) describing the elastic behavior of heel-pad is extracted. E is determined by using the inverse technique to minimize the displacement error between the experimental data and the corresponding numerical results after a considerable number of iterations. Obtained results contribute in design and construction of state-of-the-art prosthetic feet and therapeutic foot wear.
Epidemiology of First Epileptic Seizures in the Northern Aegean Island of Lesvos, Greece
Authors: Verentzioti Anastasia , Stranjalis George , Kalamatianos Theodosis , Siatouni Anna , Sakas Damianos E. , Gatzonis Stylianos
Published: July 2017

We aimed at establishing the epidemiologic profile of first epileptic seizures (FES) in the Greek island of Lesvos. During a 1- year period (01/06/2010 to 31/05/2011), cases of FES admitted to the Lesvos General Hospital/addressed by general practitioners/private neurologists were prospectively identified. A total of 45 cases (30 males and 15 females; mean age ± SD of 59.4 ± 28.4 and 58.9 ± 26.8 years, respectively), were collected. The FES incidence rate was 52.1 (95% CI 37-67) per 105 persons. Provoked and unprovoked FES had an incidence of, 16.2 and 35.9 cases per 105 persons, respectively. Following ageadjustment to the 2000 US census population, incidence rates of FES (all types combined) were, 40.5 (95% CI 28-56) per 105 persons. Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) was the most prevalent etiologic factor. The present findings indicate a low-ranking incidence of FES in the studied population and highlight CVD as a leading causative factor.
Age-related prevalence of non-cardiac surgery indications
Authors: Agabiti Nera
Published: July 2017

A clear trend in Italy over the last 20 years has been the increasing prevalence of ‘very old’ people (over 75 years of age) within the general population. Routine statistics as well as population surveys and ad hoc epidemiological studies all confirm this trend. The proportion of so-called ‘very old patients in good health’ is the category which is increasing the most. This is due to the economic well-being and generally good living conditions in Italy as well as progress in medical care and the introduction of new treatments and technologies in clinical practice that have improved survival and quality of life. The presence of an increasing number of very old people in the population, with consequent change of the population’s health needs, represents a great challenge both for the healthcare system and for society as a whole.
Testicular and thyroid function as survival predictors in the elderly patient candidate to surgery
Authors: Aversa Antonio , Fabbri Andrea
Published: July 2017

The relationship between testosterone deficiency (TD) syndrome and surgical resilience has a great impact in the modern approach to male elderly patients. There is good evidence that low levels of T are a strong marker for cardiovascular risk; also, TD is frequently associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality especially in cardiac older frail men. Screening for low T should be mandatory in high risk groups candidate to surgery including those with diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity, even though benefits from T-treatment on survival rates are unclear.
The low-T3 syndrome, named non-thyroidal illness (NTI) that occurs during critical illness refers to a syndrome with different faces in both sexes. The acute stress or critical illness-induced alterations within the thyroid axis occur in the first days of critical illness i.e. post-surgery and are brought about at least in part by the concomitant macronutrient deficit. The NTI that occurs in prolonged critically ill patients or in post-surgical resilience patients who continue to be dependent on intensive medical care for weeks or months, may have an impact on surgical outcomes because of frequent occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias. Future directions should better routinely investigate circulating thyroid hormones in population at risk before surgery after excluding iatrogenic drug interferences, and investigate the effect of possible treatments on survival rates after surgery.
Evolution of surgical techniques for a progressive risk reduction
Authors: Amato Bruno , Santoro Mario , Izzo Raffaele , Servillo Giuseppe , Compagna Rita , Di Domenico Lorenza , Di Nardo Veronica , Giugliano Giuseppe
Published: July 2017

Advanced age is a strong predictor of high perioperative mortality in surgical patients and patients aged 75 years and older have an elevated surgical risk, much higher than that of younger patients. Progressive advances in surgical techniques now make it possible to treat high-risk surgical patients with minimally invasive procedures. Endovascular techniques have revolutionized the treatment of several vascular diseases, in particular carotid stenosis, aortic pathologies, and severely incapacitating intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia. The main advantages of the endovascular approach are the low complication rate, high rate of technical success and a good clinical outcome. Biliary stenting has improved the clinical status of severely ill patients with bile duct stricture before major surgery, and represents a good palliative therapy in the case of malignant biliary obstruction.
Current multivariate risk scores in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery
Authors: Mureddu Gian Francesco
Published: July 2017

Several indexes to predict perioperative cardiovascular risk have been proposed overtime. The most widely used is the Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) developed by Lee since 1999. It predicts major cardiac outcomes from five independent clinical determinants: history of ischemic heart disease, history of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure (i.e. serum creatinine >2 mg/dl). In external validation studies, the RCRI showed high negative predictive value in all groups of age, indicating that it may be used to identify people at low risk for perioperative adverse cardiovascular events in noncardiac surgery. However its accuracy is suboptimal in many clinical settings. More recently the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database) (NSQIP) hasdeveloped a new index to predict perioperative myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac arrest (MICA) from a cohort of 211,410 patients (the Gupta index) and afterwards a universal surgical risk estimation tool has been developed, using standardized clinical data from 393 ACSNSQIP hospitals in US (a cohort based on 1,414,006 patients), showing a good performance for mortality (C-statistic = 0.944) and morbidity (C-statistic =0.816) as compared with procedure-specific models. Other risk scores include the Vascular events In noncardiac Surgery patIents cOhort evaluatioN (VISION), which has evaluated cardiac complications in 15,065 patients, the Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) and the large Preoperative Score to Predict Postoperative Mortality (POSPOM) that was built up from data collected in the National Hospital Discharge Data Base (NHDBB) including a cohort of 7.059.447 patients. In Italy a new risk index (the Orion score) builkt up from a cohort of 9000 patients generated four classes of major cardiovascular adverse events perioperative risk ranging from 1 (0.6%); 2 (2.4%); 3 (7.4%) and 4 (23.1%). The AUROC curves showed higher accuracy as compared to the RCRI score both in the derivation than in the validation cohort (AUROC= 0.872 ± 0.028 vs 0.807 ± 0.037). Thus, many risk indices are available nowadays. Despite the latest European guidelines recommended them for risk stratification (class I, level of evidence B), their use in clinical practice is still scarce.
New assessment for advanced age: Italian study protocol on the assessment of surgical risk in the over-75-year age-group
Authors: Pilleri Annarita , Scorcu Giampaolo
Published: July 2017

The role of age in the risk stratification of patients candidate for non-cardiac surgery is still today an unresolved issue. European guidelines, in contrast to American guidelines, do not attribute to age an independent role in increasing the risk, and the indices for assessment of perioperative cardiovascular risk are based on studies that were carried out on middle-aged subgroups of the population without specific attention to the elderly patient. While the indices of geriatric assessment have still not yet gained a standardized role in the risk stratification of patients candidate to non-cardiac surgery, their need is becoming increasingly urgent considering the epidemiological impact of elderly patients with multi-comorbidities who more and more in the future will undergo such interventions. The European guidelines themselves identify an “evidence gap” concerning frailty which requires a deeper evaluation. The aim of the multicenter observational study VALUTA-75 is to verify if the indices of risk stratification routinely used by the cardiologist integrated with those of physical and cognitive performance of specific geriatric pertinence can improve the ability to predict perioperative cardiovascular and non cardiovascular events, with the scope of improving the therapeutic process.
There’s no place like home: Integrating pulmonary rehabilitation into the home setting
Authors: Macrea Madalina , ZuWallack Richard , Nici Linda
Published: July 2017

Traditional, outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation provided to stable COPD patients leads to significant improvements in dyspnea, exercise capacity and health related quality of life.  Also, when started during or shortly after a hospitalization for a COPD exacerbation, pulmonary rehabilitation improves these patient-centered outcomes and arguably reduces subsequent health care utilization and mortality.  Despite these benefits, the uptake of traditional pulmonary rehabilitation remains disappointingly poor.  Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, a safe and effective alternative to traditional, center-based programs, can broaden access. While proven improvements in dyspnea, exercise capacity and health status justify implementation of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, it would be helpful to know whether it can also decrease health care utilization and be cost-effective. 
Preoperative cardiac risks in noncardiac surgery: The role of coronary angiography
Authors: Lombardi Carlo , Sbolli Marco , Cani Dario , Masini Garbriele , Metra Marco , Faggiano Pompilio
Published: July 2017

The preoperative  evaluation of  patients candidates  to noncardiac  surgery requires a knowledge  of  factors  related  both to  type of  surgery and  to  features of the  single patient, potentially  responsible  for  perioperative  cardiovascular  complications , fatal and nonfatal. The assessment of   symptoms  and/or noninvasive  testing indicating the  presence of  coronary  artery  disease may  suggest the  need  for  medical therapy  optimization and, eventually, coronary  arteriography  before  the  scheduled timing  of noncardiac  surgery. There is  no evidence  favoring  a prophylactic  myocardial revascularization (percutaneous or  surgical) and more  studies are needed to  define  the role of coronary artery  disease diagnosis and treatment before  high-risk non  cardiac  surgery.
The impact of insulin-like growth factor-1, growth hormone, and oxidative stress in the experimental model of juvenile and adult hypothyroid retinal degeneration
Authors: Ahmed Omyma , Taha Amal , Mahmoud Faten
Published: July 2017

Background: The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in hypothyroid retinal damage are still being debated. Materials and methods: Ninety-six pups of albino rats were equally divided into control, hypothyroid model and thyroid supplement groups. Each group was separated into juvenile and adult subgroups that were sacrificed at day 20 and 60 postnatally, respectively. Pups in the hypothyroid group were born to mothers who received 0.05 mg Carbimazole/day/pregnant female orally during gestation and at 20 days of lactation in juvenile subgroup. The adult subgroup received the hypothyroid agent until day 60 postnatally. The thyroid supplement group received antithyroid agent, then were treated with L-thyroxine orally (10 ug/kg body weight) for one month. Results: A significant reduction in body weight, temperature, heart rate, levels of Triiodothyronine (T3), Tetra-iodothyronine T4), growth hormone (GH) and Insulin-like growth factor (1GF-1), and antioxidant enzymes and an increase in systolic pressure and lipid peroxidation (LP) products were evident in hypothyroid subgroups associated with a decreasing thickness and degeneration of retina l layers. Thyroid supplementation group showed a partial normalization of the measured mediators accompanied by recovery of structural changes especially in the juvenile subgroup. Conclusions: Thyroid hormone has a vital role in normal retinal growth. GH, IGF-1 and oxidative stress are also significant mediators of retinal degeneration.