bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive, efficient, parallel execution of parallel programs
Authors: Sridharan Srinath , Gupta Gagan , Sohi Gurindar S.
Published: September 2014

Future multicore processors will be heterogeneous, be increasingly less reliable, and operate in dynamically changing operating conditions. Such environments will result in a constantly varying pool of hardware resources which can greatly complicate the task of efficiently exposing a program's parallelism onto these resources. Coupled with this uncertainty is the diverse set of efficiency metrics that users may desire. This paper proposes Varuna, a system that
dynamically, continuously, rapidly
and
transparently
adapts a program's parallelism to best match the instantaneous capabilities of the hardware resources while satisfying different efficiency metrics. Varuna is applicable to both multithreaded and task-based programs and can be seamlessly inserted between the program and the operating system without needing to change the source code of either.

We demonstrate Varuna's effectiveness in diverse execution environments using
unaltered
C/C++ parallel programs from various benchmark suites. Regardless of the execution environment, Varuna always outperformed the state-of-the-art approaches for the efficiency metrics considered.
Doppio
Authors: Vilk John , Berger Emery D.
Published: September 2014

Web browsers have become a
de facto
universal operating system, and JavaScript its instruction set. Unfortunately, running other languages in the browser is not generally possible. Translation to JavaScript is not enough because browsers are a hostile environment for other languages. Previous approaches are either non-portable or require extensive modifications for programs to work in a browser.

This paper presents Doppio, a JavaScript-based runtime system that makes it possible to run unaltered applications written in general-purpose languages directly inside the browser. Doppio provides a wide range of runtime services, including a file system that enables local and external (cloud-based) storage, an unmanaged heap, sockets, blocking I/O, and multiple threads. We demonstrate DOPPIO's usefulness with two case studies: we extend Emscripten with Doppio, letting it run an unmodified C++ application in the browser with full functionality, and present DoppioJVM, an interpreter that runs unmodified JVM programs directly in the browser. While substantially slower than a native JVM (between 24X and 42X slower on CPU-intensive benchmarks in Google Chrome), DoppioJVM makes it feasible to directly reuse existing, non compute-intensive code.
Adapton
Authors: Hammer Matthew A. , Phang Khoo Yit , Hicks Michael , Foster Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2014

Many researchers have proposed programming languages that support
incremental computation
(IC), which allows programs to be efficiently re-executed after a small change to the input. However, existing implementations of such languages have two important drawbacks. First, recomputation is oblivious to specific demands on the program output; that is, if a program input changes, all dependencies will be recomputed, even if an observer no longer requires certain outputs. Second, programs are made incremental as a unit, with little or no support for reusing results outside of their original context, e.g., when reordered.

To address these problems, we present λ
ic
cdd
, a core calculus that applies a
demand-driven
semantics to incremental computation, tracking changes in a hierarchical fashion in a novel
demanded computation graph
. λ
ic
cdd
also formalizes an explicit separation between inner, incremental computations and outer observers. This combination ensures λ
ic
cdd
programs only recompute computations as demanded by observers, and allows inner computations to be reused more liberally. We present Adapton, an OCaml library implementing λ
ic
cdd
. We evaluated Adapton on a range of benchmarks, and found that it provides reliable speedups, and in many cases dramatically outperforms state-of-the-art IC approaches.
A framework to schedule parametric dataflow applications on many-core platforms
Authors: Bebelis Vagelis , Fradet Pascal , Girault Alain
Published: September 2014

Dataflow models, such as SDF, have been effectively used to program streaming applications while ensuring their liveness and boundedness. Yet, industrials are struggling to design the next generation of high definition video applications using these models. Such applications demand new features such as parameters to express dynamic input/output rate and topology modifications. Their implementation on modern many-core platforms is a major challenge.

We tackle these problems by proposing a generic and flexible framework to schedule streaming applications designed in a parametric dataflow model of computation. We generate parallel as soon as possible (ASAP) schedules targeted to the new STHORM many-core platform of STMicroelectronics. Furthermore, these schedules can be customized using user-defined ordering and resource constraints.

The parametric dataflow graph is associated with generic or user-defined specific constraints aimed at minimizing timing, buffer sizes, power consumption, or other criteria. The scheduling algorithm executes with minimal overhead and can be adapted to different scheduling policies just by adding some constraints. The safety of both the dataflow graph and constraints can be checked statically and all schedules are guaranteed to be bounded and deadlock free. We illustrate the scheduling capabilities of our approach using a real world application: the VC-1 video decoder for high definition video streaming.
Exploration of compiler optimization sequences using clustering-based selection
Authors: Martins Luiz G.A. , Nobre Ricardo , Delbem Alexandre C.B. , Marques Eduardo , Cardoso João M.P.
Published: September 2014

Due to the large number of optimizations provided in modern compilers and to compiler optimization specific opportunities, a Design Space Exploration (DSE) is necessary to search for the best sequence of compiler optimizations for a given code fragment (e.g., function). As this exploration is a complex and time consuming task, in this paper we present DSE strategies to select optimization sequences to both improve the performance of each function and reduce the exploration time. The DSE is based on a clustering approach which groups functions with similarities and then explore the reduced search space provided by the optimizations previously suggested for the functions in each group. The identification of similarities between functions uses a data mining method which is applied to a symbolic code representation of the source code. The DSE process uses the reduced set identified by clustering in two ways: as the design space or as the initial configuration. In both ways, the adoption of a pre-selection based on clustering allows the use of simple and fast DSE algorithms. Our experiments for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed approach address the exploration of compiler optimization sequences considering 49 compilation passes and targeting a Xilinx MicroBlaze processor, and were performed aiming performance improvements for 41 functions. Experimental results reveal that the use of our new clustering-based DSE approach achieved a significant reduction on the total exploration time of the search space (18x over a Genetic Algorithm approach for DSE) at the same time that important performance speedups (43% over the baseline) were obtained by the optimized codes.
Light traffic performance under the power of two load balancing strategy
Authors: Izagirre A. , Makowski A. M.
Published: September 2014

We consider the power-of-two policy with d = 2, Poisson job arrivals, heterogeneous servers and a general job requirement distribution. With the help of the first two light traffic derivatives for the average job response time, we point to interesting structural features associated with server heterogeneity in light traffic.
Microarchitectural characterization of irregular applications on GPGPUs
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Guangshuo , Shu Wei , Wu Min-You
Published: September 2014

In recent years, GPGPUs have experienced tremendous growth as general-purpose and high-throughput computing devices. However, irregular applications cannot fully utilize the hardware resource because of their plenty of control-flow divergences, irregular memory accesses and load imbalances. The lack of in-depth characterization and quantifying the ways in which irregular applications differ from regular ones on GPGPUs has prevented users from effectively making use of the hardware resource. We examine a suite of representative irregular applications on a cycle-accurate GPU simulator. We characterize their performance aspects and analyze the bottlenecks. We also assess the impact of changes in cache, DRAM and interconnect and discuss the implications for GPU architecture design. This work is useful in understanding and optimizing irregular applications on GPUs.
Establishment of novel in vitro mouse chief cell and SPEM cultures identifies MAL2 as a marker of metaplasia in the stomach
Authors: Weis Victoria G. , Petersen Christine P. , Mills Jason C. , Tuma Pamela L. , Whitehead Robert H. , Goldenring James R.
Published: September 2014

Oxyntic atrophy in the stomach leads to chief cell transdifferentiation into spasmolytic polypeptide expressing metaplasia (SPEM). Investigations of preneoplastic metaplasias in the stomach are limited by the sole reliance on in vivo mouse models, owing to the lack of in vitro models for distinct normal mucosal lineages and metaplasias. Utilizing the Immortomouse, in vitro cell models of chief cells and SPEM were developed to study the characteristics of normal chief cells and metaplasia. Chief cells and SPEM cells isolated from Immortomice were cultured and characterized at both the permissive (33°C) and the nonpermissive temperature (39°C). Clones were selected on the basis of their transcriptional expression of specific stomach lineage markers (named ImChief and ImSPEM) and protein expression and growth were analyzed. The transcriptional expression profiles of ImChief and ImSPEM cells were compared further by using gene microarrays. ImChief cells transcriptionally express most chief cell markers and contain pepsinogen C and RAB3D-immunostaining vesicles. ImSPEM cells express the SPEM markers TFF2 and HE4 and constitutively secrete HE4. Whereas ImChief cells cease proliferation at the nonpermissive temperature, ImSPEM cells continue to proliferate at 39°C. Gene expression profiling of ImChief and ImSPEM revealed myelin and lymphocyte protein 2 (MAL2) as a novel marker of SPEM lineages. Our results indicate that the expression and proliferation profiles of the novel ImChief and ImSPEM cell lines resemble in vivo chief and SPEM cell lineages. These cell culture lines provide the first in vitro systems for studying the molecular mechanisms of the metaplastic transition in the stomach.
High-intensity interval training vs. moderate-intensity continuous exercise training in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a pilot study
Authors: Angadi Siddhartha S. , Mookadam Farouk , Lee Chong D. , Tucker Wesley J. , Haykowsky Mark J. , Gaesser Glenn A.
Published: September 2014

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Exercise training is an established adjuvant therapy in heart failure; however, the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in HFpEF are unknown. We compared the effects of HIIT vs. moderate-intensity aerobic continuous training (MI-ACT) on peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak), left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and endothelial function in patients with HFpEF. Nineteen patients with HFpEF (age 70 ± 8.3 yr) were randomized to either HIIT (4 × 4 min at 85-90% peak heart rate, with 3 min active recovery) or MI-ACT (30 min at 70% peak heart rate). Fifteen patients completed exercise training (HIIT: n = 9; MI-ACT: n = 6). Patients trained 3 days/wk for 4 wk. Before and after training patients underwent a treadmill test for V̇o2peak determination, 2D-echocardiography for assessment of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for assessment of endothelial function. HIIT improved V̇o2peak (pre = 19.2 ± 5.2 ml·kg−1·min−1; post = 21.0 ± 5.2 ml·kg−1·min−1; P = 0.04) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction grade (pre = 2.1 ± 0.3; post = 1.3 ± 0.7; P = 0.02), but FMD was unchanged (pre = 6.9 ± 3.7%; post = 7.0 ± 4.2%). No changes were observed following MI-ACT. A trend for reduced left atrial volume index was observed following HIIT compared with MI-ACT (−3.3 ± 6.6 vs. +5.8 ± 10.7 ml/m2; P = 0.06). In HFpEF patients 4 wk of HIIT significantly improved V̇o2peak and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. HIIT may provide a more robust stimulus than MI-ACT for early exercise training adaptations in HFpEF.
Metabolomic analysis of long-term spontaneous exercise in mice suggests increased lipolysis and altered glucose metabolism when animals are at rest
Authors: Monleon Daniel , Garcia-Valles Rebeca , Morales Jose Manuel , Brioche Thomas , Olaso-Gonzalez Gloria , Lopez-Grueso Raul , Gomez-Cabrera Mari Carmen , Viña Jose
Published: September 2014

Exercise has been associated with several beneficial effects and is one of the major modulators of metabolism. The working muscle produces and releases substances during exercise that mediate the adaptation of the muscle but also improve the metabolic flexibility of the complete organism, leading to adjustable substrate utilization. Metabolomic studies on physical exercise are scarce and most of them have been focused on the effects of intense exercise in professional sportsmen. The aim of our study was to determine plasma metabolomic adaptations in mice after a long-term spontaneous exercise intervention study (18 mo). The metabolic changes induced by long-term spontaneous exercise were sufficient to achieve complete discrimination between groups in the principal component analysis scores plot. We identified plasma indicators of an increase in lipolysis (elevated unsaturated fatty acids and glycerol), a decrease in glucose and insulin plasma levels and in heart glucose consumption (by PET), and altered glucose metabolism (decreased alanine and lactate) in the wheel running group. Collectively these data are compatible with an increase in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity in the active mice. We also found an increase in amino acids involved in catecholamine synthesis (tyrosine and phenylalanine), in the skeletal muscle pool of creatine phosphate and taurine, and changes in phospholipid metabolism (phosphocholine and choline in lipids) between the sedentary and the active mice. In conclusion, long-term spontaneous wheel running induces significant plasma and tissue (heart) metabolic responses that remain even when the animal is at rest.
Muscle-specific changes in length-force characteristics of the calf muscles in the spastic Han-Wistar rat
Authors: Olesen Annesofie T. , Jensen Bente R. , Uhlendorf Toni L. , Cohen Randy W. , Baan Guus C. , Maas Huub
Published: September 2014

The purpose of the present study was to investigate muscle mechanical properties and mechanical interaction between muscles in the lower hindlimb of the spastic mutant rat. Length-force characteristics of gastrocnemius (GA), soleus (SO), and plantaris (PL) were assessed in anesthetized spastic and normally developed Han-Wistar rats. In addition, the extent of epimuscular myofascial force transmission between synergistic GA, SO, and PL, as well as between the calf muscles and antagonistic tibialis anterior (TA), was investigated. Active length-force curves of spastic GA and PL were narrower with a reduced maximal active force. In contrast, active length-force characteristics of spastic SO were similar to those of controls. In reference position (90° ankle and knee angle), higher resistance to ankle dorsiflexion and increased passive stiffness was found for the spastic calf muscle group. At optimum length, passive stiffness and passive force of spastic GA were decreased, whereas those of spastic SO were increased. No mechanical interaction between the calf muscles and TA was found. As GA was lengthened, force from SO and PL declined despite a constant muscle-tendon unit length of SO and PL. However, the extent of this interaction was not different in spastic rats. In conclusion, the effects of spasticity on length-force characteristics were muscle specific. The changes observed for GA and PL muscles are consistent with the changes in limb mechanics reported for human patients. Our results indicate that altered mechanics in spastic rats cannot be attributed to differences in mechanical interaction, but originate from individual muscular structures.
Highlighting the Structure-Function Relationship of the Brain with the Ising Model and Graph Theory
Authors: Das T. K. , Abeyasinghe P. M. , Crone J. S. , Sosnowski A. , Laureys S. , Owen A. M. , Soddu A.
Published: September 2014

With the advent of neuroimaging techniques, it becomes feasible to explore the structure-function relationships in the brain. When the brain is not involved in any cognitive task or stimulated by any external output, it preserves important activities which follow well-defined spatial distribution patterns. Understanding the self-organization of the brain from its anatomical structure, it has been recently suggested to model the observed functional pattern from the structure of white matter fiber bundles. Different models which study synchronization (e.g., the Kuramoto model) or global dynamics (e.g., the Ising model) have shown success in capturing fundamental properties of the brain. In particular, these models can explain the competition between modularity and specialization and the need for integration in the brain. Graphing the functional and structural brain organization supports the model and can also highlight the strategy used to process and organize large amount of information traveling between the different modules. How the flow of information can be prevented or partially destroyed in pathological states, like in severe brain injured patients with disorders of consciousness or by pharmacological induction like in anaesthesia, will also help us to better understand how global or integrated behavior can emerge from local and modular interactions.
Subthreshold Micropulse Photocoagulation for Persistent Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion including Best-Corrected Visual Acuity Greater Than 20/40
Authors: Inagaki Keiji , Ohkoshi Kishiko , Ohde Sachiko , Deshpande Gautam A. , Ebihara Nobuyuki , Murakami Akira
Published: September 2014

To assess the efficacy of subthreshold micropulse diode laser photocoagulation (SMDLP) for persistent macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) > 20/40, thirty-two patients (32 eyes) with macular edema secondary to BRVO were treated by SMDLP. After disease onset, all patients had been followed for at least 6 months prior to treatment. Baseline Snellen visual acuity was used to categorize the eyes as BCVA ≤ 20/40 (Group I) or BCVA > 20/40 (Group II). Main outcome measures were reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and BCVA at 6 months. In the total subject-pool at 6 months, BCVA had not changed significantly but CMT was significantly reduced. Group I exhibited no significant change in CMT at 3 months but exhibited significant reductions at 6 and 12 months. Group II exhibited a marginally significant reduction in CMT at 3 months and a significant reduction at 6 months. In patients with persistent macular edema secondary to BRVO, SMDLP appears to control macular edema with minimal retinal damage. Our findings suggest that SMDLP is an effective treatment method for macular edema in BRVO patients with BCVA > 20/40.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Colitis Increases NADPH Oxidase 1 Expression, Oxidative Stress, and Neutrophil Recruitment in the Colon: Preventive Effect of Apocynin
Authors: Mouzaoui Souad , Djerdjouri Bahia , Makhezer Nesrine , Kroviarski Yolande , El-Benna Jamel , Dang Pham My-Chan
Published: September 2014

Reactive oxygen species- (ROS-) mediated injury has been implicated in several inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are the major source of endogenous ROS. Here, we investigated the role of NOXs derived-ROS in a mouse model of colitis induced by the proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Intraperitoneal injection of TNFα(10 μg · kg−1) induced an acute inflammation of the colon and a marked increase in expression of NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), a colon specific NADPH oxidase isoform. TNFα-induced colitis was also characterized by high production of keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC) and mucosal infiltration of neutrophils, NOX2-expressing cells. Concomitantly, ROS production and lipid peroxidation were significantly enhanced while catalase activity and glutathione level were reduced indicating a redox imbalance in the colon. Furthermore, the redox-sensitive MAP kinases, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, were activated during TNFα-induced colitis. Pretreatment of mice with apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor with antioxidant properties, before TNFαchallenge, prevented all these events. These data suggest that ROS derived from NADPH oxidases (mainly NOX1 and NOX2) and MAP kinase pathways could contribute to the induction and expansion of oxidative lesions characteristics of IBD and that apocynin could potentially be beneficial in IBD treatment.
Electroacoustic Stimulation: Now and into the Future
Authors: Irving S. , Gillespie L. , Richardson R. , Rowe D. , Fallon J. B. , Wise A. K.
Published: September 2014

Cochlear implants have provided hearing to hundreds of thousands of profoundly deaf people around the world. Recently, the eligibility criteria for cochlear implantation have been relaxed to include individuals who have some useful residual hearing. These recipients receive inputs from both electric and acoustic stimulation (EAS). Implant recipients who can combine these hearing modalities demonstrate pronounced benefit in speech perception, listening in background noise, and music appreciation over implant recipients that rely on electrical stimulation alone. The mechanisms bestowing this benefit are unknown, but it is likely that interaction of the electric and acoustic signals in the auditory pathway plays a role. Protection of residual hearing both during and following cochlear implantation is critical for EAS. A number of surgical refinements have been implemented to protect residual hearing, and the development of hearing-protective drug and gene therapies is promising for EAS recipients. This review outlines the current field of EAS, with a focus on interactions that are observed between these modalities in animal models. It also outlines current trends in EAS surgery and gives an overview of the drug and gene therapies that are clinically translatable and may one day provide protection of residual hearing for cochlear implant recipients.
Complement System in Pathogenesis of AMD: Dual Player in Degeneration and Protection of Retinal Tissue
Authors: Kawa Milosz P. , Machalinska Anna , Roginska Dorota , Machalinski Boguslaw
Published: September 2014

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness among the elderly, especially in Western countries. Although the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical course of the disease are well described, its pathogenesis is not entirely elucidated. AMD is associated with a variety of biochemical abnormalities, including complement components deposition in the retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch’s membrane-choriocapillaris complex. Although the complement system (CS) is increasingly recognized as mediating important roles in retinal biology, its particular role in AMD pathogenesis has not been precisely defined. Unrestricted activation of the CS following injury may directly damage retinal tissue and recruit immune cells to the vicinity of active complement cascades, therefore detrimentally causing bystander damage to surrounding cells and tissues. On the other hand, recent evidence supports the notion that an active complement pathway is a necessity for the normal maintenance of the neurosensory retina. In this scenario, complement activation appears to have beneficial effect as it promotes cell survival and tissue remodeling by facilitating the rapid removal of dying cells and resulting cellular debris, thus demonstrating anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. In this review, we discuss both the beneficial and detrimental roles of CS in degenerative retina, focusing on the diverse aspects of CS functions that may promote or inhibit macular disease.
Increased Sialylation of Anti-Thomsen-Friedenreich Antigen (CD176) Antibodies in Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Diagnostic and Prognostic Potential
Authors: Kurtenkov Oleg , Izotova Jelena , Klaamas Kersti , Sergeyev Boris
Published: September 2014

Aim. To study whether alterations in the sialylation of antibodies (Ab) specific to the Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) glycotope have a diagnostic and prognostic potential in gastric cancer.Methods. Serum samples were taken from patients with gastric carcinoma(n=142)and controls(n=61). The level of TF-specific antibodies and their sialylation was detected using ELISA with synthetic TF-polyacrylamide conjugate as antigen and sialic acid-specificSambucus nigra agglutinin(SNA).Results. The level of TF-specific IgM was significantly decreased in cancer compared with controls(P≤0.001). Cancer patients showed a higher level of SNA binding to anti-TF IgM and IgA(P≤0.001)irrespective of disease stage, tumor morphology, and gender. Changes in the SNA/Ab index demonstrated moderate sensitivity (66–71%) and specificity (60–73%) for stomach cancer. The best diagnostic accuracy (100%) was achieved in 29% patients with high SNA binding and low anti-TF IgM level. This subset of patients demonstrated the poorest survival.Conclusion. Our findings are the first evidence that the increased sialylation of TF-specific Abs combined with a low level of anti-TF IgM is strongly linked to gastric cancer and patients survival, which can be used as a novel biomarker for cancer detection and prognosis.
Monensin Inhibits Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Trafficking and Activation: Synergistic Cytotoxicity in Combination with EGFR Inhibitors
Authors: Dayekh Khalil , Johnson-Obaseki Stephanie , Corsten Martin , Villeneuve Patrick J. , Sekhon Harmanjatinder S. , Weberpals Johanne I. , Dimitroulakos Jim
Published: September 2014

Targeting the EGFR, with inhibitors such as erlotinib, represents a promising therapeutic option in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, they lack significant efficacy as single agents. Recently, we identified the ability of statins to induce synergistic cytotoxicity in HNSCC cells through targeting the activation and trafficking of the EGFR. However, in a phase I trial of rosuvastatin and erlotinib, statin-induced muscle pathology limited the usefulness of this approach. To overcome these toxicity limitations, we sought to uncover other potential combinations using a 1,200 compound screen of FDA-approved drugs. We identified monensin, a coccidial antibiotic, as synergistically enhancing the cytotoxicity of erlotinib in two cell line models of HNSCC, SCC9 and SCC25. Monensin treatment mimicked the inhibitory effects of statins on EGFR activation and downstream signaling. RNA-seq analysis of monensin-treated SCC25 cells demonstrated a wide array of cholesterol and lipid synthesis genes upregulated by this treatment similar to statin treatment. However, this pattern was not recapitulated in SCC9 cells as monensin specifically induced the expression of activation of transcription factor (ATF) 3, a key regulator of statin-induced apoptosis. This differential response was also demonstrated in monensin-treated ex vivo surgical tissues in which HMG-CoA reductase expression and ATF3 were either not induced, induced singly, or both induced together in a cohort of 10 patient samples, including four HNSCC. These results suggest the potential clinical utility of combining monensin with erlotinib in patients with HNSCC. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(11); 2559–71. ©2014 AACR.
Contribuição de grupos de atividades de terapia ocupacional na evolução de pessoas com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia refratária usuárias de clozapina
Authors: Cirineu Cleber Tiago , Miasso Adriana Inocenti , Assad Francine Baltazar , Pedrão Luiz Jorge
Published: September 2014

A esquizofrenia é um transtorno mental e a utilização de estratégias que combinam tratamento com psicofármacos e psicossocial aumentam as chances de seu controle. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evolução de pessoas com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia refratária, medicadas com clozapina, participantes de grupos de atividades de terapia ocupacional. Pesquisa exploratória de caráter quantitativo com participação de oito pessoas com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia refratária, medicadas com clozapina, pertencentes a um Grupo de pacientes em uso de Antipsicóticos avaliados pela Escala de Observação Interativa de Terapia Ocupacional. Os resultados, avaliados estatisticamente, mostraram que o grupo de atividades permitiu um suporte à prática das habilidades sociais e estimulação da exploração de idéias e sentimentos, visto que pessoas com diagnóstico de transtorno mental apresentam comprometimento em seu desempenho ocupacional. A aplicabilidade da escala mostrou-se adequada, visto que possibilitou avaliar as intervenções terapêuticas ocupacionais junto ao tratamento farmacológico e sua importância no processo de reabilitação psicossocial.
Papéis ocupacionais de mulheres que fazem uso abusivo de substâncias psicoativas
Authors: Soares Larissa Cecília Oliveira , Ruzzi-Pereira Andrea , Pereira Paulo Estevão , Cavalcanti Alessandra , Andrade Valéria Sousa de
Published: September 2014

O uso de substâncias psicoativas é uma prática milenar e universal, não sendo, portanto, um fenômeno exclusivo da atualidade. A história do uso destas substâncias se mescla a própria história da humanidade; seu consumo sempre aconteceu ao longo dos tempos, em todas as religiões e culturas, com finalidades específicas. O individuo que faz uso abusivo de drogas tende a assumir a drogadição como atividade principal em seu cotidiano, negligenciando, na maioria das vezes, os papéis que realizava anteriormente. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever e analisar o impacto do uso de drogas nos papéis ocupacionais de mulheres que faziam uso abusivo de substâncias psicoativas. Estudo de natureza quantitativa em que foi utilizada a Lista de Identificação de Papéis Ocupacionais para coletar os dados. Os sujeitos da pesquisa constituíram-se de vinte e uma mulheres internadas em uma instituição para tratamento de mulheres com problemas relacionados ao abuso de drogas, no período de abril a maio de 2011, quando se deu a coleta de dados. Aponta-se como dado relevante a alta percentagem de mulheres que abandonaram o exercício de papéis ocupacionais em decorrência do uso abusivo das SPA e, diante disso a importância da inserção do terapeuta ocupacional nas equipes que compõem os serviços que atendem esta população.
Caracterização do uso de atividades físicas em crianças e adolescentes com anemia falciforme
Authors: Segava Nayara Bernardes , Cavalcanti Alessandra , De Paula Fernanda Godoi , Mendes Edmar Lacerda
Published: September 2014

Das anemias hereditárias, a falciforme (AF) configura-se como a anemia hemolítica do tipo autossômica recessiva mais prevalente no mundo, determinada por uma alteração da hemoglobina que não consegue transpor-se pelos vasos e fazendo com o que o sistema circulatório apresente difi culdades para levar a oxigenação ao organismo. Visto que na literatura brasileira têm-se ponderações apenas em relação à descrição da prática de atividade física por indivíduos com o traço falciforme, este estudo buscou investigar e pontuar considerações referentes ao desempenho ocupacional de crianças/adolescentes com AF para a realização de atividades físicas. Foi realizado um estudo de natureza qualitativa exploratória e como procedimento de delineamento o estudo de caso, os dados foram coletados utilizando-se a Medida Canadense de Desempenho Ocupacional com 13 sujeitos, crianças/adolescentes com o diagnóstico de AF. Foram constatadas alterações obtidas no desempenho das crianças/adolescentes com AF no que diz respeito às atividades físicas, como a indisposição,cansaço, dor, edema. Contudo, verificou-se que tais acometimentos não são compreensíveis para esta população, e que existem distintos graus de limitação.
Endothelial Shear Stress and Coronary Plaque Characteristics in Humans
Authors: Vergallo Rocco , Papafaklis Michail I. , Yonetsu Taishi , Bourantas Christos V. , Andreou Ioannis , Wang Zhao , Fujimoto James G. , McNulty Iris , Lee Hang , Biasucci Luigi M. , Crea Filippo , Feldman Charles L. , Michalis Lampros K. , Stone Peter H. , Jang Ik-Kyung
Published: September 2014

Background—

Despite the exposure of the entire vasculature to the atherogenic effects of systemic risk factors, atherosclerotic plaques preferentially develop at sites with disturbed flow. This study aimed at exploring in vivo the relationship between local endothelial shear stress (ESS) and coronary plaque characteristics in humans using computational fluid dynamics and frequency-domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods and Results—

Three-dimensional coronary artery reconstruction was performed in 21 patients (24 arteries) presenting with acute coronary syndrome using frequency-domain optical coherence tomography and coronary angiography. Each coronary artery was divided into sequential 3-mm segments and analyzed for the assessment of local ESS and plaque characteristics. A total of 146 nonculprit segments were evaluated. Compared with segments with higher ESS [≥1 Pascal (Pa)], those with low ESS (<1 Pa) showed higher prevalence of lipid-rich plaques (37.5% versus 20.0%;
P
=0.019) and thin-cap fibroatheroma (12.5% versus 2.0%;
P
=0.037). Overall, lipid plaques in segments with low ESS had thinner fibrous cap (115 μm [63–166] versus 170 μm [107–219];
P
=0.004) and higher macrophage density (normalized standard deviation: 8.4% [4.8–12.6] versus 6.2% [4.2–8.8];
P
=0.017). Segments with low ESS showed more superficial calcifications (minimum calcification depth: 93 μm [50–140] versus 152 μm [105–258];
P
=0.049) and tended to have higher prevalence of spotty calcifications (26.0% versus 12.0%;
P
=0.076).

Conclusions—

Coronary regions exposed to low ESS are associated with larger lipid burden, thinner fibrous cap, and higher prevalence of thin-cap fibroatheroma in humans. Frequency-domain optical coherence tomography–based assessment of ESS and wall characteristics may be useful in identifying vulnerable coronary regions.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01110538.
Clinical Correlates of Infarct Shape and Volume in Lacunar Strokes
Authors: Asdaghi Negar , Pearce Lesly A. , Nakajima Makoto , Field Thalia S. , Bazan Carlos , Cermeno Franco , McClure Leslie A. , Anderson David C. , Hart Robert G. , Benavente Oscar R.
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose—

Infarct size and location are thought to correlate with different mechanisms of lacunar infarcts. We examined the relationship between the size and shape of lacunar infarcts and vascular risk factors and outcomes.

Methods—

We studied 1679 participants in the Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Stroke trial with a lacunar infarct visualized on diffusion-weighted imaging. Infarct volume was measured planimetrically, and shape was classified based on visual analysis after 3-dimensional reconstruction of axial MRI slices.

Results—

Infarct shape was ovoid/spheroid in 63%, slab in 12%, stick in 7%, and multicomponent in 17%. Median infarct volume was smallest in ovoid/spheroid relative to other shapes: 0.46, 0.65, 0.54, and 0.90 mL, respectively (
P
<0.001). Distributions of vascular risk factors were similar across the 4 groups except that patients in the ovoid/spheroid and stick groups were more often diabetic and those with multicomponent had significantly higher blood pressure at study entry. Intracranial stenosis did not differ among groups (
P
=0.2). Infarct volume was not associated with vascular risk factors. Increased volume was associated with worse functional status at baseline and 3 months. Overall, 162 recurrent strokes occurred during an average of 3.4 years of follow-up with no difference in recurrent ischemic stroke rate by shape or volume.

Conclusions—

In patients with recent lacunar stroke, vascular risk factor profile was similar among the different infarct shapes and sizes. Infarct size correlated with worse short-term functional outcome. Neither shape nor volume was predictive of stroke recurrence.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00059306.
Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Increases Susceptibility to Infarction After Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Tg2576 Mice
Authors: Milner Eric , Zhou Meng-Liang , Johnson Andrew W. , Vellimana Ananth K. , Greenberg Jacob K. , Holtzman David M. , Han Byung Hee , Zipfel Gregory J.
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose—

We and others have shown that soluble amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) cause significant cerebrovascular dysfunction in mutant amyloid precursor protein (APP) mice, and that these deficits are greater in aged APP mice having CAA compared with young APP mice lacking CAA. Amyloid β-peptide in young APP mice also increases infarction after focal cerebral ischemia, but the impact of CAA on ischemic brain injury is unknown.

Methods—

To determine this, we assessed cerebrovascular reactivity, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and extent of infarction and neurological deficits after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in aged APP mice having extensive CAA versus young APP mice lacking CAA (and aged-matched littermate controls).

Results—

We found that aged APP mice have more severe cerebrovascular dysfunction that is CAA dependent, have greater CBF compromise during and immediately after middle cerebral artery occlusion, and develop larger infarctions after middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Conclusions—

These data indicate CAA induces a more severe form of cerebrovascular dysfunction than amyloid β-peptide alone, leading to intra- and postischemic CBF deficits that ultimately exacerbate cerebral infarction. Our results shed mechanistic light on human studies identifying CAA as an independent risk factor for ischemic brain injury.
Impaired Glymphatic Perfusion After Strokes Revealed by Contrast-Enhanced MRI
Authors: Gaberel Thomas , Gakuba Clement , Goulay Romain , De Lizarrondo Sara Martinez , Hanouz Jean-Luc , Emery Evelyne , Touze Emmanuel , Vivien Denis , Gauberti Maxime
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose—

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of different stroke subtypes on the glymphatic system using MRI.

Methods—

We first improved and characterized an in vivo protocol to measure the perfusion of the glymphatic system using MRI after minimally invasive injection of a gadolinium chelate within the cisterna magna. Then, the integrity of the glymphatic system was evaluated in 4 stroke models in mice including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intracerebral hemorrhage, carotid ligature, and embolic ischemic stroke.

Results—

We were able to reliably evaluate the glymphatic system function using MRI. Moreover, we provided evidence that the glymphatic system was severely impaired after SAH and in the acute phase of ischemic stroke, but was not altered after carotid ligature or in case of intracerebral hemorrhage. Notably, this alteration in glymphatic perfusion reduced brain clearance rate of low-molecular-weight compounds. Interestingly, glymphatic perfusion after SAH can be improved by intracerebroventricular injection of tissue-type plasminogen activator. Moreover, spontaneous arterial recanalization was associated with restoration of the glymphatic function after embolic ischemic stroke.

Conclusions—

SAH and acute ischemic stroke significantly impair the glymphatic system perfusion. In these contexts, injection of tissue-type plasminogen activator either intracerebroventricularly to clear perivascular spaces (for SAH) or intravenously to restore arterial patency (for ischemic stroke) may improve glymphatic function.
Description of Aphelenchoides rotundicaudatus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) found in packaging wood from South Korea
Authors: Fang Yiwu , Wang Xuan , Gu Jianfeng , Li Hongmei
Published: September 2014

Aphelenchoides rotundicaudatus n. sp. was isolated from packaging wood from South Korea imported to Ningbo harbour, China. Specimens were collected directly from wood samples using the Baermann method. Multiplication on Botryotinia fuckeliana failed. The new species has a body length of 364-509 μm (males) and 371-493 μm (females). The cuticle is weakly annulated and there are four lines in the lateral field. The stylet is 8-9 μm long and has small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located ca one body diam. anterior to median bulb. Spicules are small (10-13 μm), apex and rostrum rounded and only slight offset. The male tail has six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae. Both male and female tails are cylindrical with a broadly rounded terminus, often with a small region of thickened cuticle or a blunt peg ca 1 μm long, particularly in the female. The new species belongs to the Group 1 category of Aphelenchoides species. Phylogenetic analyses based on full length ITS, partial LSU and SSU of rDNA confirmed its status as a new species.
Constructing an Anti-Corruption Theology
Authors: Wijaya Yahya
Published: September 2014

This article responds to survey findings and observations indicating that the role of religions in resisting corruption is insignificant. Corruption in many Asian countries is a multi-dimensional problem and has penetrated all sectors of society, including religious institutions. Religions do contain valuable ethical resources implying anti-corruption positions, yet every religious tradition tends to emphasise a particular dimension of societal life and therefore fails to provide a comprehensive anti-corruption theological framework. With respect to Protestant Christianity, synergising ethical resources in conservative-evangelical, neo-Pentecostal, and the mainstream traditions is needed to construct a multidimensional anti-corruption theology.
Different Views of Nature, Ecological and Disaster Mitigation Policies in South-East Asia
Authors: Singgih Emanuel Gerrit
Published: September 2014

Official ecological and disaster mitigation policies in South-East Asia are often experienced by the local people who live close to nature as being detrimental to their well-being and future. It can be seen in the experiences of the Karen people in the highlands of Thailand, the gunung Balak people in South Sumatra and the people who live in the surroundings of the Merapi volcano in Central Java. The policies are usually based on Western or modern construction of nature, which excludes human beings from nature. To save nature means to save it from the reach of human beings. Modern disaster mitigation also starts from the same assumption. As successful mitigation policy must reduce risk to the minimum, it always ends in eviction and resettlement. This is different from the traditional construction of nature, which includes human beings as part of nature. The way of life of those who live in the areas which are designated as “protected forest or wilderness” never endangers the continuation of nature, as the end of nature means the end of human beings as part of nature. Natural disasters are not seen in the same way as in the Western model, where human beings must prevail against nature and no risk is taken. Natural disasters are dangerous, but they are part of the cycle of life, and in life people have to take risks. So it is a clash between different worldviews. Here it is proposed that a dialogue between these different worldviews should be taken, and perhaps Christian communities who live close to nature can contribute theologically to the development of a Christian theology of creation, which does not place in antithesis, nature and human beings, and even nature and God.
Confusion surrounding Didymosphaeria—phylogenetic and morphological evidence suggest Didymosphaeriaceae is not a distinct family
Authors: ARIYAWANSA HIRAN A. , CAMPORESI ERIO , THAMBUGALA KASUN M. , MAPOOK AUSANA , KANG JI-CHUAN , ALIAS SITI A. , CHUKEATIROTE EKACHAI , THINES MARCO , McKENZIE ERIC H.C. , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: September 2014

Didymosphaeriaceae is a ubiquitous fungal family that is reported to include saprobic, endophytic and pathogenic species associated with a wide variety of substrates. The family is characterized by 1-septate ascospores and trabeculate pseudoparaphyses, mainly anastomosing above the asci. In recent treatments Appendispora, Didymosphaeria, Roussoella, Phaeodothis and Verruculina were placed in the family. The aim of the present study is to delineate phylogenetic lineages within Didymosphaeriaceae and allied genera. A new species, Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii, was isolated and identified based on morphological characters and phylogenetic analyses of partial 18S nrDNA and 28S nrDNA nucleotide sequence data. Didymosphaeria rubi-ulmifolii clustered with Montagnulaceae as a separate genus, while two putative strains (HKUCC 5834 and CMW 22186) of D. futilis from GenBank clustered with Cucurbitariaceae and Didymellaceae, respectively. The new species is characterized by immersed to slightly erumpent ascomata immersed under a clypeus, a peridium with compressed cells of textura intricata, long trabeculate pseudoparaphyses, anastomosing mostly above the asci and brown, 1-septate ascospores with granulate ornamentation. Phylogenetic analysis in combination with morphology and a review of literature show that Appendispora, Phaeodothis, Roussoella and Verruculina should be excluded from the family. Phaeodothis belongs in Montagnulaceae, Verruculina in Testudinaceae, while Appendispora and Roussoella belong in Roussoellaceae. The position of Didymosphaeriaceae as a distinct family, based on 1-septate ascospores and trabeculate pseudoparaphyses, mainly anastomosing above the asci is doubtful. Fresh collections of more Didymosphaeria strains are needed for epitypification and to obtain sequence data to establish if this family can be maintained.
Neotypification and phylogeny of Kalmusia
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Jiaqi , WANG ZHAODI , Fournier Jacques , Crous Pedro W. , Zhang Xiaodong , Li Wenjing , Ariyawansa Hiran A. , Hyde Kevin D.
Published: September 2014

Kalmusia ebuli, the type species of Kalmusia, lacks type material and therefore its phylogenetic position remains unresolved. As a consequence the familial position of Kalmusia is based on morphology and molecular phylogeny of species other than the type. A fresh collection of K. ebuli, recently obtained from decorticated wood of Populus tremula in the foothills of the French Pyrenees is, therefore, designated as neotype to stabilize the application of the species and/or genus name. The holotype of K. ebuli f. sarothamni represents a synonym of K. ebuli. The genus Kalmusia is shown to be polyphyletic within the family Montagnulaceae, with K. ebuli being distant from K. brevispora and K. scabrispora, which appear to represent a different genus.
The genus Leptoxyphium (Capnodiaceae) from China
Authors: YANG HUI , ARIYAWANSA HIRAN A. , WU HAI-XIA , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: September 2014

Leptoxyphium is a relatively poorly known genus of sooty moulds in Capnodiaceae (Dothideomycetes). This paper introduces one new species of Leptoxyphium, L. glochidion and the first record of L. kurandae for China. L. glochidion is introduced as a new species based on morphology and molecular data and is compared with related taxa. Descriptions, illustrations and notes are provided for the two species, which are analyzed by ITS, LSU and SSU sequence data. The phylogenetic analysis shows that the two species cluster in Leptoxyphium (Capnodiaceae). L. glochidion separates from other species of the genus, while L. kurandae clustered with the type strain