bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental (FT-IR, Laser-Raman and NMR) and theoretical comparative study on 2-benzylsulfanyl-4-pentyl-6-(phenylsulfanyl)pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile, a potential bioactive agent
Authors: Al-Wahaibi Lamya H. , Öztürk Nuri , Hassan Hanan M. , Sert Yusuf , El-Emam Ali A. , Al-Tamimi Abdul-Malek S. , Gökce Halil
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the experimental and theoretical vibrational frequencies of a potential bioactive pyrimidine derivative molecule named 2-benzylsulfanyl-4-pentyl-6-(phenylsulfanyl)pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile has been investigated. The experimental FT-IR and Laser-Raman spectra of the studied molecule are in the region (4000–400[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and (4000–100[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], respectively, in gas phase. The vibrational modes and optimized ideal structure parameters(bond lengths, bond angles and selected dihedral angles) were calculated by using DFT/B3LYP, DFT/BHandHLYP and DFT/PBE1PBE methods with 6-311[Formula: see text]G(d,p) basis set. The theoretical mode assignments have been obtained by using potential energy distribution (PED) with the VEDA4 software program. Additionally, infrared and Raman intensities, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies and their clouds, and other related molecular properties were calculated and evaluated. The proton (1H) and carbon-13 ([Formula: see text]C) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts have been investigated for the title molecule, both experimentally (in DMSO-d[Formula: see text] and theoretically (in vacuum and DMSO). The thermodynamic properties of the tile compound have been investigated using the mentioned theoretical computational methods. The results revealed that there isgood agreement between experimental and theoretical results and these results have supported the related literature.
Constitutional Change Allows Xi Jinping to Rule beyond 2023
Authors: CHEN Gang , XUE Jianyue
Published: June 2018

In March 2018, Chinese lawmakers approved changes to China’s Constitution that included removing the term limit on the presidency and vice presidency, allowing President Xi Jinping to remain in power beyond 2023. Other key changes to the constitution include the establishment of supervisory commissions, incorporation of Xi’s ideology, emphasis on Party leadership and a requirement for all state functionaries to take an oath of allegiance to the Constitution when assuming office.
Taiwan’s Integration with Southeast Asia in the New Asian Context
Authors: HUYNH Tam Sang
Published: June 2018

Three factors gave impetus to Taiwan-ASEAN relations in the new Asian context, including Taiwan’s interests in Southeast Asia, the rise of China in the South China Sea and Taiwan’s democratic middle-power status. The author argues that the time is ripe for deepening Taiwan’s integration with Southeast Asia and Taiwan should take steps to develop Taiwan-ASEAN strategic partnership by promoting more contributions to accommodate the “New Southbound Policy” and its interests in Southeast Asia.
Numerical pricing of European options with arbitrary payoffs
Authors: Pachón Ricardo
Published: June 2018

In this paper we introduce the CHEB method, a quadrature-based methodology for the fast and accurate pricing of European options with arbitrary payoffs. The method comes as a natural application of Chebfun, a numerical computing software package built on the approximation properties of Chebyshev series and Chebyshev interpolants. For the methodology to be useful for practical purposes, we address two considerations: the recovery of the underlying’s density from the characteristic function, and the estimation of the truncation error. The methodology can be viewed as an extension of the COS method, a quadrature-based methodology designed for the pricing of standard, non-arbitrary payoffs.
Identifying Framing Bias in Online News
Authors: Morstatter Fred , Wu Liang , Yavanoglu Uraz , Corman Stephen R. , Liu Huan
Published: June 2018

It has been observed that different media outlets exert bias in the way they report the news, which seamlessly influences the way that readers’ knowledge is built through filtering what we read. Therefore, understanding bias in news media is fundamental for obtaining a holistic view of a news story. Traditional work has focused on biases in terms of “agenda setting,” where more attention is allocated to stories that fit their biased narrative. The corresponding method is straightforward, since the bias can be detected through counting the occurrences of different stories/themes within the documents. However, these methods are not applicable to biases which are implicit in wording, namely, “framing” bias. According to framing theory, biased communicators will select and emphasize certain facts and interpretations over others when telling their story. By focusing on facts and interpretations that conform to their bias, they can tell the story in a way that suits their narrative. Automatic detection of framing bias is challenging since nuances in the wording can change the interpretation of the story. In this work, we aim to investigate how the subtle pattern hidden in language use of a news agency can be discovered and further leveraged to detect frames. In particular, we aim to identify the type and polarity of frame in a sentence. Extensive experiments are conducted on real-world data from different countries. A case study is further provided to reveal possible applications of the proposed method.
Cluster’s Quality Evaluation and Selective Clustering Ensemble
Authors: Li Feijiang , Qian Yuhua , Wang Jieting , Dang Chuangyin , Liu Bing
Published: June 2018

Clustering ensemble has drawn much attention in recent years due to its ability to generate a high quality and robust partition result. Weighted clustering ensemble and selective clustering ensemble are two general ways to further improve the performance of a clustering ensemble method. Existing weighted clustering ensemble methods assign the same weight to each cluster in a partition of the ensemble. Since the qualities of the clusters in a partition are different, the clusters should be weighted differently. To address this issue, this article proposes a new measure to calculate the similarity between a cluster and a partition. Theoretically, this measure is effective in handling two problems in measuring the quality of a cluster, which are defined as the symmetric problem and the context meaning problem. In addition, some properties of the proposed measure are analyzed. This measure can be easily expanded to a clustering performance measure that calculates the similarity between two partitions. As a result of this measure, we propose a novel selective clustering ensemble framework, which considers the differences between the objective of the ensemble selection stage and the object of the ensemble integration stage in the selective clustering ensemble. To verify the performance of the new measure, we compare the performance of the measure with the two existing measures in weighting clusters. The experiments show that the proposed measure is more effective. To verify the performance of the novel framework, four existing state-of-the-art selective clustering ensemble frameworks are employed as references. The experiments show that the proposed framework is statistically better than the others on 17 UCI benchmark datasets, 8 document datasets, and the Olivetti Face Database.
Synthesis and Characterization of Oxidovanadium(IV) Complexes of 2-((E)-(6-Fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol and Their Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and DNA-Binding Studies
Authors: Savithri K. , Revanasiddappa H. D.
Published: June 2018

Two novel oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with a new bidentate (O- and N-) imine-based ligand 2-((E)-(6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol (HL) were synthesized under in situ experimental condition where VOSO4 acts as a kinetic template in the ratio 2 : 1 (L : M) and mixed ligand complex using 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) in 1 : 1 : 1 (L : M : phen) ratio. The synthesized compounds were structurally characterized by microanalysis, magnetic susceptibility, FTIR, electronic spectra, TG/DTA, ESR, and molar conductance studies. Based on the spectral studies, the complexes have the general composition [VO(L)2] (C1) and [VO(L)phen] (C2) in a square pyramid geometrical fashion. The synthesized compounds were primarily screened for their in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different strains of bacteria, namely, E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa by the disc diffusion method. Also, the antifungal activity was determined against C. albicans and A. niger by the Bateman poisoned technique. The in vitro antioxidant activity of all the compounds was determined by DPPH free radical-scavenging assay. Intercalative mode of DNA-binding properties of the oxidovanadium(IV) complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated using UV, fluorescence spectra, and viscosity measurements.
Using NearestGraph QoS Prediction Method for Service Recommendation in the Cloud
Authors: Fu Yiqi , Ding Ding , Ahmed Seid
Published: June 2018

With the advent of the mobile network, the fusion of cloud computing and fog computing is becoming feasible to promise lower latency and short‐fat connection. However, there are a lot of redundant cloud‐aware services with identical functionalities but a different quality of service (QoS) in the fog cloud environment. In fact, since QoS information is stored in distributed fog servers rather than remote cloud, it is hard for individuals to make recommendation and selection with sparse QoS information. Collaborative filtering is an important method for the sparsity problems and has been widely adopted on the prediction of missing QoS values. Focusing on the fact that existing researchers often ignore the QoS fluctuation in a wide range in the fog cloud environment, a novel neighbor‐based QoS prediction method is proposed for service recommendation, in which a concept and calculation method is put forward to describe the stable status of services and users with quantifiable QoS values, and a NearestGraph algorithm is further designed to recognize stable or unstable candidate along with their popularity by a nearest neighbor graph structure which can help to make missing QoS values prediction in a certain order to improve final prediction accuracy. Experimental results confirm that the proposed method is effective in predicting unknown QoS values in terms of service recommendation accuracy and efficiency.
Improved Generalized Single-Source Tangential Equivalence Principle Algorithm with Contact-Region Modeling Method for Array Structures
Authors: Han Yao , Shao Hanru , Dong Jianfeng
Published: June 2018

An improved generalized single-source tangential equivalence principle algorithm (GSST-EPA) is proposed for analyzing array structures with connected elements. In order to use the advantages of GSST-EPA, the connected array elements are decomposed and computed by a contact-region modeling (CRM) method, which makes that each element has the same meshes. The unknowns of elements can be transferred onto the equivalence surfaces by GSST-EPA. The scattering matrix in GSST-EPA needs to be solved and stored only once due to the same meshes for each element. The shift invariant of translation matrices is also used to reduce the computation of near-field interaction. Furthermore, the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) is used to accelerate the matrix-vector multiplication in the GSST-EPA. Numerical results are shown to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
Mutational Analysis Identifies Therapeutic Biomarkers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease–Associated Colorectal Cancers
Authors: Din Shahida , Wong Kim , Mueller Mike F. , Oniscu Anca , Hewinson James , Black Catherine J. , Miller Martin L. , Jiménez-Sánchez Alejandro , Rabbie Roy , Rashid Mamunar , Satsangi Jack , Adams David J. , Arends Mark J.
Published: June 2018

Purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease–associated colorectal cancers (IBD-CRC) are associated with a higher mortality than sporadic colorectal cancers. The poorly defined molecular pathogenesis of IBD-CRCs limits development of effective prevention, detection, and treatment strategies. We aimed to identify biomarkers using whole-exome sequencing of IBD-CRCs to guide individualized management.

Experimental Design: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 34 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary IBD-CRCs and 31 matched normal lymph nodes. Computational methods were used to identify somatic point mutations, small insertions and deletions, mutational signatures, and somatic copy number alterations. Mismatch repair status was examined.

Results: Hypermutation was observed in 27% of IBD-CRCs. All hypermutated cancers were from the proximal colon; all but one of the cancers with hypermutation had defective mismatch repair or somatic mutations in the proofreading domain of DNA POLE. Hypermutated IBD-CRCs had increased numbers of predicted neo-epitopes, which could be exploited using immunotherapy. We identified six distinct mutation signatures in IBD-CRCs, three of which corresponded to known mechanisms of mutagenesis. Driver genes were also identified.

Conclusions: IBD-CRCs should be evaluated for hypermutation and defective mismatch repair to identify patients with a higher neo-epitope load who may benefit from immunotherapies. Prospective trials are required to determine whether IHC to detect loss of MLH1 expression in dysplastic colonic tissue could identify patients at increased risk of developing IBD-CRC. We identified mutations in genes in IBD-CRCs with hypermutation that might be targeted therapeutically. These approaches would complement and individualize surveillance and treatment programs. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 5133–42. ©2018 AACR.
Can Ureteral Jet Flow Measurement Predict Spontaneous Passage of Distal Ureteral Stones?
Authors: Ongun Sakir , Teken Abdurrazak  , Yılmaz Orkun , Süleyman Sakir
Published: June 2018

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between the spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones and ureteral jet flow measurement. Methods: The study included 74 patients with acute renal colic between June 2015 and June 2016, and distal ureteral stones of 10 mm or less in a non-contrast CT were comprised in a prospective study. The ureteral jet was measured by Doppler ultrasonography. At the fourth week follow-up, kidney-ureter-bladder radiography was taken and the patients who no longer had a stone were considered to have spontaneously passed it. Results: The average stone size of the patients was 5.6 ± 2.0 mm. After 4 weeks of follow-up, 55 patients (74.3%) had passed the stone spontaneously whereas 19 (25.6%) had not. The patients in the former group were found to have a higher peak flow velocity of ureteral jet on the stone side than those in the latter group. In regression analysis ureteral jet on the stone side was independently associated with spontaneous passage (p = 0.027). For the spontaneous passage, a ureteral jet flow peak velocity above 15.25 cm/s had an 85.4% sensitivity and 63.1% specificity. Conclusions: Measurement of the ureteral jet flow peak velocity can be beneficial in predicting the potential spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones.
Identification of Carbonic Anhydrase IX as a Novel Target for Endoscopic Molecular Imaging of Human Bladder Cancer
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Fang Ruizhe , Wang Lu , Chen Guang , Wang Hongzhi , Wang Zhichao , Zhao Danfeng , Pavlov Valentin N. , Kabirov Ildar , Wang Ziqi , Guo Pengyu , Peng Li , Xu Wanhai
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: Emerging novel optical imaging techniques with cancer-specific molecular imaging agents offer a powerful and promising platform for cancer detection and resection. White-light cystoscopy and random bladder biopsies remain the most appropriate but nonetheless suboptimal diagnostic technique for bladder cancer, which is associated with high morbidity and recurrence. However, white-light cystoscopy has intrinsic shortcomings. Although current optical imaging technologies hold great potential for improved diagnostic accuracy, there are few imaging agents for specific molecular targeting. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression with potential value as an imaging target. Here, we investigated the feasibility of CAIX as a target and validated the diagnostic performance and significance of CAIX as an imaging agent. Methods: We first analyzed the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Pairs of samples comprising bladder cancer and adjacent normal tissue were collected. All tissue samples were used for real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry to compare CAIX expression in normal and cancer tissue. Using blue-light cystoscopy, we observed the optical distribution of fluorescently labeled CAIX antibody in freshly excised human bladders and obtained random bladder biopsies to assess sensitivity and specificity. Results: The TCGA data revealed that CAIX expression was significantly higher in bladder cancer specimens than in normal tissue. The outcome was similar in quantitative real-time PCR analysis. In immunohistochemical analysis, bladder cancer specimens classified in four pathological subtypes presented a variety of positive staining intensities, whereas no benign specimens showed CAIX staining. Using blue-light cystoscopy, we distinguished bladder cancers that were mainly papillary, some variants of urothelial carcinoma, and less carcinoma in situ, from benign tissue, despite the presence of suspicious-appearing mucosa. The sensitivity and specificity for CAIX-targeted imaging were 88.00% and 93.75%, respectively. Conclusions: CAIX-targeted molecular imaging could be a feasible and adaptive alternative approach for the accurate diagnosis and complete resection of bladder cancer.
Sports´ pedagogy and motivation: discussion upon gymnasts opinion
Authors: Carbinatto Michele Viviene , Chaves Aline Dessupoio , Moreira Thaíz Altiva Ribeiro , Nunomura Myrian
Published: June 2018

Um aspecto questionado na Pedagogia do Esporte diz respeito às ações dos técnicos e professores. Estas devem ser direcionadas aos interesses e necessidades de cada praticante. Neste estudo, elucidamos os motivos que atraíram 120 crianças e jovens, com idade entre 4 e 18 anos, à prática de ginástica artística (GA). Após entrevista e análise de conteúdo, os resultados demonstraram: Fatores Intrínsecos: o prazer e gosto pela prática; a aprendizagem e superação e, Fatores Extrínsecos: a GA por si mesma; benefícios físicos; influências sociais; aspectos lúdicos e saúde. A mídia surgiu nas respostas de crianças acima de 8 anos; os aspectos lúdicos em todas idades e gêneros; tornar-se profissional acima dos 10 anos e o gosto pela GA se relacionou com os elementos específicos da modalidade. Os profissionais, atentos e críticos a esses fatores, podem direcionar e promover a prática em prol do estabelecimento de cultura esportiva a longo prazo.
Investigation of a Thromboxane A
2
Receptor–Based Vaccine for Managing Thrombogenesis
Authors: Alshbool Fatima Z. , Karim Zubair A. , Espinosa Enma V. Paez , Lin Olivia A. , Khasawneh Fadi T.
Published: June 2018

Background

Despite the well‐established role for the thromboxane A
2
receptor (
TPR
) in the development of thrombotic disorders, none of the antagonists developed to date has been approved for clinical use. To this end, we have previously shown that an antibody targeted against
TPR
's ligand‐binding domain inhibits platelet activation and thrombus formation, without exerting any effects on hemostasis. Thus, the goal of the present studies is to design a novel
TPR
‐based vaccine, demonstrate its ability to trigger an immune response, and characterize its antiplatelet and antithrombotic activity.

Methods and Results

We used a mouse keyhole limpet hemocyanin/peptide‐based vaccination approach rationalized over the
TPR
ligand‐binding domain (ie, the C‐terminus of the second extracellular loop). The biological activity of this vaccine was assessed in the context of platelets and thrombotic diseases, and using a host of in vitro and in vivo platelet function experiments. Our results revealed that the
TPR
C‐terminus of the second extracellular loop vaccine, in mice: (1) triggered an immune response, which resulted in the development of a C‐terminus of the second extracellular loop antibody; (2) did not affect expression of major platelet integrins (eg, glycoprotein IIb‐IIIa); (3) selectively inhibited
TPR
‐mediated platelet aggregation, platelet‐leukocyte aggregation, integrin glycoprotein IIb‐IIIa activation, as well as dense and α granule release; (4) significantly prolonged thrombus formation; and (5) did so without impairing physiological hemostasis.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings shed light on
TPR
's structural biological features, and demonstrate that the C‐terminus of the second extracellular loop domain may define a new therapeutic target and a
TPR
vaccine‐based approach that should have therapeutic applications.
Optimal Decoding of Dynamic Stimuli by Heterogeneous Populations of Spiking Neurons: A Closed-Form Approximation
Authors: Harel Yuval , Meir Ron , Opper Manfred
Published: June 2018

Neural decoding may be formulated as dynamic state estimation (filtering) based on point-process observations, a generally intractable problem. Numerical sampling techniques are often practically useful for the decoding of real neural data. However, they are less useful as theoretical tools for modeling and understanding sensory neural systems, since they lead to limited conceptual insight into optimal encoding and decoding strategies. We consider sensory neural populations characterized by a distribution over neuron parameters. We develop an analytically tractable Bayesian approximation to optimal filtering based on the observation of spiking activity that greatly facilitates the analysis of optimal encoding in situations deviating from common assumptions of uniform coding. Continuous distributions are used to approximate large populations with few parameters, resulting in a filter whose complexity does not grow with population size and allowing optimization of population parameters rather than individual tuning functions. Numerical comparison with particle filtering demonstrates the quality of the approximation. The analytic framework leads to insights that are difficult to obtain from numerical algorithms and is consistent with biological observations about the distribution of sensory cells' preferred stimuli.
A Computationally Efficient Visual Saliency Algorithm Suitable for an Analog CMOS Implementation
Authors: D'Angelo Robert , Wood Richard , Lowry Nathan , Freifeld Geremy , Huang Haiyao , Salthouse Christopher D. , Hollosi Brent , Muresan Matthew , Uy Wes , Tran Nhut , Chery Armand , Poppe Dorothy C. , Sonkusale Sameer
Published: June 2018

Computer vision algorithms are often limited in their application by the large amount of data that must be processed. Mammalian vision systems mitigate this high bandwidth requirement by prioritizing certain regions of the visual field with neural circuits that select the most salient regions. This work introduces a novel and computationally efficient visual saliency algorithm for performing this neuromorphic attention-based data reduction. The proposed algorithm has the added advantage that it is compatible with an analog CMOS design while still achieving comparable performance to existing state-of-the-art saliency algorithms. This compatibility allows for direct integration with the analog-to-digital conversion circuitry present in CMOS image sensors. This integration leads to power savings in the converter by quantizing only the salient pixels. Further system-level power savings are gained by reducing the amount of data that must be transmitted and processed in the digital domain. The analog CMOS compatible formulation relies on a pulse width (i.e., time mode) encoding of the pixel data that is compatible with pulse-mode imagers and slope based converters often used in imager designs. This letter begins by discussing this time-mode encoding for implementing neuromorphic architectures. Next, the proposed algorithm is derived. Hardware-oriented optimizations and modifications to this algorithm are proposed and discussed. Next, a metric for quantifying saliency accuracy is proposed, and simulation results of this metric are presented. Finally, an analog synthesis approach for a time-mode architecture is outlined, and postsynthesis transistor-level simulations that demonstrate functionality of an implementation in a modern CMOS process are discussed.
Meeting Metalheads
Authors: Mulder André
Published: June 2018

This article explores the world view, social position and psychological make-up of people who listen to metal music (metalheads) and the cultural reactions to this genre in order to prepare for an encounter with metalheads in religious education and youth ministry. Only when teachers and youth ministers can connect with the world view of young people can they fulfil their hermeneutical-didactical task of fostering religious identity. Using the spiritual model of Waaijman, the concept of ‘meeting a stranger’ is introduced as a spiritual exercise for teachers to open themselves to the questions of life these students are meditating. Religious motives regarding hospitality to strangers stimulate an open attitude for a fruitful dialogue. A short theory of pain, based on content analysis of 81 songs, demonstrates not only the serious character of the lyrics of metal music but also their role in sustaining metalheads in their struggles.
On the distinctiveness of Amapasaurus, its relationship with Loxopholis Cope 1869, and description of a new genus for L. guianensis and L. hoogmoedi (Gymnophthalmoidea/Ecpleopodini: Squamata)
Authors: PELLEGRINO KATIA CRISTINA MACHADO , BRUNES TULIANA OLIVEIRA , SOUZA SERGIO MARQUES , LAGUNA MARCIA MARIA , AVILA-PIRES TERESA CRISTINA SAUER , HOOGMOED MARINUS STEVEN , RODRIGUES MIGUEL TREFAUT
Published: June 2018

Amapasaurus is a monotypic genus of forest lizards never accessed molecularly and, based on morphological similarities, suggested to be closely related to species of the former Leposoma parietale group Ruibal 1952, currently in the genus Loxopholis Cope 1869. Two other species, formerly allocated in Arthrosaura (A. guianensis and A. hoogmoedi), were tentatively moved to Loxopholis in an extensive molecular revision of Gymnophthalmoidea. Here we add mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data (12S, cyt b, ND4, c-mos and NT3) of Amapasaurus to previously published and new data of all Ecpleopodini genera (except for Adercosaurus), in order to test: i) the close relationship between Amapasaurus and Loxopholis and ii) the position of Loxopholis guianensis and Loxopholis hoogmoedi with three different phylogenetic methods, expanding the knowledge on the current taxonomy of Ecpleopodini. Concatenated analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear data (2303 bp) under Bayesian Inference, Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsimony methods recovered a strongly supported sister relationship between Amapasaurus tetradactylus Cunha 1970 and species of Loxopholis. Genetic divergence between Amapasaurus and this assemblage of Loxopholis is high in both mitochondrial (~18% for cyt b) and nuclear (~12% for c-mos) regions, supporting its generic distinctiveness. Differing from the current taxonomy of the Ecpleopodini tribe, our analyses recovered Lo. guianensis and Lo. hoogmoedi as a distinct clade that is sister to all other Loxopholis plus Amapasaurus. Supplemented by external and hemipenial morphology data available from the literature along with DNA sequences, we restrict Loxopholis to the species of the former parietale group of Leposoma and describe a new genus to allocate Lo. guianensis and Lo. hoogmoedi.
Personality, Social Capital, and Depressive Symptomatology Among African Americans
Authors: Clark Eddie M. , Williams Randi M. , Schulz Emily , Williams Beverly Rosa , Holt Cheryl L.
Published: June 2018

The present study examined the relationship between social capital and depressive symptoms and the moderating role of the Big Five personality constructs in a national sample of African American adults. Data were collected from a national probability sample of 803 African American men and women using a telephone survey including measures of the Big Five personality traits, social capital, and depressive symptomatology. Most interestingly, there was evidence for Personality × Social Capital interactions on depressive symptoms. Higher social capital was related to lower depressive symptomology among persons with low conscientiousness, low extraversion, or high neuroticism. However, social capital was significantly but not as strongly related to depressive symptoms among those with high conscientiousness, high extraversion, or low neuroticism. This study reinforces the importance of personality traits when considering potential protective health effects of social capital in understanding depressive symptoms. This information may be useful to practitioners and community members in prevention and treatment.
The gas content distribution of coal reservoir at the Changzhi block, south-central Qinshui Basin, North China: Influences of geologic structure and hydrogeology
Authors: Du Zhigang , Zhang Xiaodong , Huang Qiang , Zhang Shuo , Wang Chenlin
Published: June 2018

Coalbed methane is now large-scalely explorated and exploitated in the world. The Changzhi coalbed methane block, south-central Qinshui Basin, is a new resource target zone for coalbed methane exploration and exploitation in China. However, the gas content distribution of this block and its influential factors have not yet studied. Based on the recent coalbed methane exploration and exploitation activities, the gas content distribution of coal reservoir in this block was studied. The results show that the gas content hold by the coal reservoir is 7.0 − 21.7 m3/t, which was determined by a combining control effect from geologic structure and hydrogeology. The Changzhi coalbed methane block has experienced multiple-stages geologic structure evolution, especially a tectonic-thermal event during the middle Yanshanian Orogeny improved the coal to the current R o,max 1.9 − 2.7% and meanwhile the coalbed methane was greatly generated. Subsequently, the widespreadly developed normal fault structures during the Himalayan Orogeny accelerated the coalbed methane escape through the “gas escape windows”, particularly where the location within the distance of about 1300 m to the “gas escape window” the gas content decreases significantly. Moreover, due to the action of the later Himalayan Orogeny, the slope areas of most Yanshanian fold structures were structurally cross-cut by the Himalayan normal faults, and thus an “open” syncline folds were formed. The coal reservoir was depressurized surrounding this “open” syncline structure and consequently the hydrodynamic losing effect has resulted in a comparatively lower gas content therein. By the control of geologic structure and hydrogeology, this block can be generally, compartmentalized into three hydrodynamic systems including the western groundwater stagnation region, the middle runoff region, and the north-eastern recharge region, where the hydrodynamic sealing effect at the groundwater stagnation region has made a comparatively higher gas content for the coal reservoir, but the hydrodynamic losing effect at the recharge region and runoff region has made a comparatively lower gas content of the coal reservoir.
Wrong-Way Driving: A Regional Transportation Systems Management and Operations Approach to a Regional Problem
Authors: Faruk Md Omar , Al-Deek Haitham , Sandt Adrian , Rogers John H.
Published: June 2018

Wrong-way driving (WWD) has been problematic on United States highways for decades despite its rare occurrence. Since WWD crashes are rare, recent researchers have studied WWD non-crash events such as WWD 911 calls and WWD citations to understand the overall nature and trend of WWD. This paper demonstrates the regional nature of the WWD problem and proposes regional transportation systems management and operations (TSM&O) solutions to combat this problem. Specifically, it was found that 11% of all WWD multi-data events (e.g., multiple 911 calls for the same WWD event) involved travel from one county to another. Additionally, 30% of all WWD single-data and multi-data events occurred at or near interchanges between two limited access highways in counties with multiple operating agencies. This indicates that a significant proportion of WWD events could potentially travel from one limited access facility to another. Moreover, 28% of WWD events occurred on limited access facilities shared by multiple operating agencies. To emphasize the regional nature of WWD, this paper determined the vulnerable demographic groups in different regions of Florida by developing WWD crash and citation prediction models. The models’ findings indicate that certain demographic groups (e.g., elderly drivers) increase WWD risk. The models’ results can be used to improve driver education and increase law enforcement presence in high risk WWD locations. Regional TSM&O solutions, such as coordination and communication among agencies and traffic management centers (TMCs), law enforcement co-location with TMCs, and strengthening statewide TSM&O programs to manage WWD events are also proposed.
Experimental and numerical investigation of the transient characteristics and volute casing wall pressure fluctuations of a single-blade pump
Authors: Melzer Steffen , Müller Tim , Schepeler Stephan , Kalkkuhl Tobias , Skoda Romuald
Published: June 2018

In contrast to conventional multiblade centrifugal pumps, single-blade pumps are characterized by a significant fluctuation of head and highly transient and circumferentially nonuniform flow field even in the best-efficiency point. For a contribution to a better understanding of the flow field and an improvement of numerical methods, a combined experimental and numerical study is performed with special emphasis on the analysis of the transient pressure field. In an open test rig, piezoresistive pressure sensors are utilized for the measurement of transient in- and outflow conditions and the volute casing wall pressure fluctuations. The quality of the numerical simulations is ensured by a careful adoption of the real geometry details in the simulation model, a grid study and a time step study. While the power curve is well reproduced by the numerical simulations, the time-averaged head is systematically overpredicted, probably due to underestimation of losses. Transient pressure boundary conditions for the numerical simulation show a better prediction of the measured pressure amplitude than constant boundary conditions, whereas the time-averaged head prediction is not improved. For a more accurate prediction of the transient flow field and the time-averaged characteristics, the utilization of scale-resolving turbulence models is assumed to be indispensable.
Long-term HIV/AIDS survivors: Patients living with HIV infection retained in care for over 20 years. What have we learned?
Authors: Krentz Hartmut B , John Gill M
Published: June 2018

Individuals diagnosed with HIV before 1996 had poor prognoses. Few HIV care centers can track patients continuously from the 1980s to present. We determined the sociodemographic, clinical, and health care utilization characteristics of patients diagnosed and followed for >20 years (i.e. long-term HIV/AIDS survivors) to understand what factors contributed to survival. All HIV-positive patients diagnosed before 1996 were categorized as active, moved/lost, or died as of 1 January 2016. Baseline sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, antiretroviral therapy (ART) usage, retention, HIV care costs, and health status were analyzed. Of 876 patients, 49.5% died, 30.3% moved or left, 20.3% remained active in care for a median of 23.4 years. At diagnosis, continuously-followed patients were younger with a higher CD4 cell count, attended regular clinic visits at higher frequencies, and had received more ART than patients who moved or died. As of 1 January 2016, their median age was 57 years (interquartile range 53–62), 15% were aged >65 years, median CD4 cell count was 591 cells/mm3 (475–863) with 68% >500 cells/mm3. Sixty-two percent remained employed. The total cost of HIV care was $32,251,030 (Cdn$); median cost per patient per year $15,418 ($13,697–$18,392). Individuals diagnosed prior to 1996 benefited from early diagnosis and engagement to care, regular follow-ups, and timely initiation of ART, strongly supporting the modern guidelines of care.
Validity and Reliability of the Dying Care Process and Outcome Scales Before and After Death From the Bereaved Family Members’ Perspective
Authors: Kanno Yusuke , Sato Kazuki , Shimizu Megumi , Funamizu Yuko , Andoh Hideaki , Kishino Megumi , Senaga Tomomi , Takahashi Tetsu , Miyashita Mitsunori
Published: June 2018

Objective:

There are no instruments evaluating the processes and outcomes of dying care right before and after death. Therefore, we developed and examined the validity and reliability of 2 scales for evaluating dying care processes and outcomes before and after death.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, anonymous questionnaire was administered to bereaved family members of patients with cancer who had died in 5 facilities. We evaluated the Dying Care Process Scale for Bereaved Family Members (DPS-B) and the Dying Care Outcome Scale for Bereaved Family Members (DOS-B) with 345 bereaved family members.

Results:

A factor analysis revealed that DPS-B and DOS-B each consisted of 4 subscales. For the DPS-B, they were “symptom management,” “respect for the patient’s dignity before and after death,” “explanation to the family,” and “family care.” For the DOS-B, they were “peaceful dying process for the patient,” “being respected as a person before and after death,” “good relationship between the patient and family,” and “peaceful dying process for the family.” Both DPS-B and DOS-B had sufficient convergent and discriminative validity, sufficient internal consistency (DPS-B: α = 0.91 and subscales’ αs = 0.78-0.91; DOS-B: α = 0.91 and subscales’ αs = 0.78-0.94), and sufficient test–retest reliability (DPS-B: intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] of total score = 0.79 and subscales = 0.55-0.79; DOS-B: ICC of total score = 0.88 and subscales = 0.70-0.88).

Significance of Results:

Both DPS-B and DOS-B are valid and reliable scales for evaluating the dying care processes and outcomes before and after death from the bereaved family members’ perspectives.
Mediastinal recurrence after curative resection of colon cancer: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Rajdev Kartikeya , Siddiqui Abdul Hasan , Agarwal Shivika , Ansari Yusra , Maroun Rabih
Published: June 2018

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most common and significant causes of cancer-related death. Metastasis to mediastinal lymph nodes and/or pleura without liver or lung involvement is an atypical pattern of colon cancer metastasis. A 70-year-old male underwent curative right side hemicolectomy and omentectomy for ascending colon cancer followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Around nine months after surgery, the patient was noted to have bilateral large pleural effusions on the restaging computed tomography scan of the chest/abdomen/pelvis. No intraabdominal or intrathoracic mass/metastasis was seen on the imaging. Multiple thoracentesis performed over the course of next few months revealed exudative effusion but failed to demonstrate malignant cells. A few months later, new mediastinal and right hilar lymphadenopathy was noted on the repeat computed tomography scan. A subsequent positron-emission tomography scan revealed multiple sites of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The sites of pleural effusion were not fluorodeoxyglucose-avid. Endobronchial ultrasound and biopsy of mediastinal nodes showed adenocarcinoma with signet-ring features. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic colon cancer. Systemic treatment with chemotherapy was initiated. Our case highlights the importance of mediastinal evaluation by imaging during the follow-up of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The ideal management strategy for mediastinal metastasis of colorectal carcinoma remains a question, two major options being local metastasectomy or systemic chemotherapy.
Should Symptoms Be Considered an Indication for Parathyroidectomy in Primary Hyperparathyroidism?
Authors: McDow Alexandria D , Sippel Rebecca S
Published: June 2018

Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism is a very common endocrine condition, yet management of this disease process remains controversial. Primary hyperparathyroidism can lead to a myriad of symptoms which not only decreases the quality of life of patients but also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and kidney stones. Parathyroidectomy is the only known cure for the disease. This review explores the definition of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism, the burden of disease, and the overwhelming benefits of parathyroidectomy.
The role of telehealth counselling with mobile self-monitoring on blood pressure reduction among overseas Koreans with high blood pressure in Vietnam
Authors: Lee Hyang Yuol , Kim Ju Young , Na Ki Young , Park Hwa Yeon , Han Jinah , Pak Yuliya , Nam Bola , Pae Chae Hyun , Lee Jisun , Lim Tae Ho , Lee Donghun
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Rapid globalization has produced a growing demand for the chronic care management of overseas populations living in medically underserved areas. This study investigated the utilization pattern of telehealth counselling among overseas Koreans with high blood pressure, and evaluated the relationships between mobile self-monitoring application and blood pressure reduction.

Methods

A global chronic management programme consisting of lifestyle modification and self-monitoring blood pressure was launched to provide a telehealth counselling service for Koreans with high blood pressure living in Vietnam from August 2016 to December 2017. During the first telehealth session, doctors educated patients on lifestyle modifications using a mobile self-monitoring application and checked the change of blood pressure in a follow-up telehealth visit. We examined utilization patterns and compared the blood pressure change among the mobile self-monitoring group versus the control group using Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Results

A total of 234 patients with systolic blood pressure of more than 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of more than 80 mmHg were registered, installed the mobile app and were provided with automated blood pressure devices with the telehealth counselling service by Korean doctors. A follow-up telehealth counselling session was provided at three months. Only 15% (36/234) received two or more telehealth counselling sessions. Significant differences were found in the mean change of systolic blood pressure at three months in the monitoring group and the non-monitoring group (−16.0 vs. −5.7, p = 0.008).

Discussion

In this unique telehealth study, a mobile self-monitoring application was associated with significantly reducing systolic blood pressure levels in three months. Encouraging patients via a mobile application that includes a self-monitoring function might have the potential for self-managing chronic diseases, especially in resource-limited environments.
Major trauma in the elderly: Frailty decline and patient experience after injury
Authors: Koizia Louis , Kings Rosalind , Koizia Alexander , Peck George , Wilson Mark , Hettiaratchy Shehan , Fertleman Michael B
Published: June 2018

Introduction

The prevalence of major trauma in the elderly is increasing with ageing western societies. Frailty is now a well-recognised predictor of poor outcome after injury; however, few studies have focused on the progression of frailty and patients’ perceptions of their injuries after discharge.

Aim

We hypothesised that the number of elderly patients that survive major trauma is low and, of those that do, frailty post injury worsens with overall negative views about quality of life. To investigate this, we examined mortality, frailty and patient experience for elderly major trauma admissions to a level 1 trauma centre at one year after admission.

Method

All consecutive patients > 75 with an injury severity score of > 15 were included in the study. Patients were invited to participate in a structured telephone interview to assess change in frailty status as well as assess patient experience after injury.

Results

A total of 79 patients met inclusion criteria; 34 patients had died and 17 were uncontactable; 88% had become more frail ( p < 0.05), and more than half commented positively on their overall quality of life following injury.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the elevated mortality in elderly major trauma patients, but also indicate that preconceived opinions on quality of life, post injury, might not be appropriate.
A Str8 Subject in Mayor Milk’s Court: Queer Str8ness and World Making in an LGBTQ Anthology Project
Authors: Black Jason Edward
Published: June 2018

This critical autoethnography interrogates the nuances of queer str8 subjectivity and scholarly standpoints by tracing the narrative experiences of the author during a longitudinal queer archival project on late social activist Harvey Milk. Episodes of the author’s journey into the queer archive are interlaced with theoretical discussions of queer str8 theory and considerations of identity reflexivity. Questioning the roles of queer str8s in queer activist scholarship and probing the limitations of cis-straight-identified privilege in a queer archive, in particular, this narrative punctuates the need for cis-straight scholars to engage in an honest and carefully contoured reflection about their roles, ethos, personal place, and social space in queer world making.
Are we ready to use nature gardens to treat stress-related illnesses?
Authors: Coventry Peter A. , White Piran C.L.
Published: June 2018

In this issue, Stigsdotter et al show that nature gardens offer similar benefits to cognitive–behavioural therapy for managing stress-related illnesses among people on sick leave. There is scope for pragmatic trials to establish the processes involved and highlight the co-benefits that nature gardens offer for health and the environment.

Declaration of interest

None.
Η ΚΡΑΤΙΚΗ ΠΡΟΝΟΙΑ ΥΠΕΡ TΩN ΓΕΩΡΓΟΚΤΗΝΟΤΡΟΦΩΝ ΔIA ΤΗΣ ΚΤΗΝΙΑΤΡΙΚΗΣ ΠΕΡΙΘΑΛΨΕΩΣ
Authors: ΑΘΑΝΑΣΙΟΣ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΟΥ
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΕΠΙΠΕΦΥΚΙΤΙΣ ΜΙΚΡΟΦΙΛΑΡΙΑΚΗΣ ΦΥΣΕΩΣ ΕΙΣ ΙΠΠΟΝ
Authors: ΠΑΠΑΔΑΝΙΗΛ ΣΩΚΡΑΤΗΣ Κ.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΕΙΝΑΙ ΔΥΝΑΤΗ Η ΕΛΑΤΤΩΣΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΥΧΝΟΤΗΤΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΕΧΙΝΟΚΟΚΚΟΥ ΕΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΙ;
Authors: ΜΑΚΚΑΣ ΜΑΘΙΟΥ
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΕΠΙ ΤΗΣ ΝΟΣΟΥ ΤΡΙΧΙΝΩΣΕΩΣ ΕΙΣ ΧΟΙΡΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙΜΥΑΣ ΕΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΙ
Authors: ΚΑΡΑΜΑΡΙΑΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΣΤΥΛ.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΠΕΡΙΠΤΩΣΙΣ ΔΙΠΛΟΥ ΕΚΣΠΛΑΓΧΝΙΣΜΟΥ ΕΠΙ ΙΠΠΟΥ
Authors: ΜΠΟΝΑΝΟΣ Κ. , ΜΑΚΡΙΔΗΣ Ι.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΛΕΠΤΟΣΠΕΙΡΩΣΕΙΣ ΤΩΝ ΚΑΤΟΙΚΙΔΙΩΝ ΖΩΩΝ
Authors: ΤΑΡΛΑΤΖΗΣ Κ. , ΣΠΑΗΣ Α. , ΒΟΓΙΑΤΖΗΣ Π.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΣΕΙΣ ΕΠΙ ΤΗΣ ΘΕΡΑΠΕΙΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΔΙΑΣΤΡΕΜΜΑΤΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΙΛΕΑΚΟ-ΜΗΡΙΑΙΑΣ ΑΡΘΡΩΣΕΩΣ ΤΩΝ ΙΠΠΟΕΙΔΩΝ
Authors: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΦΟΡΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΠΕΡΙΠΤΩΣΙΣ ΘΕΡΑΠΕΙΑΣ ΚΑΤΑΓΜΑΤΟΣ ΚΑΤΩ ΓΝΑΘΟΥ ΔΙ' ΟΣΤΕΟΡΡΑΦΗΣ
Authors: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΦΟΡΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΣΥΜΒΟΛΗ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΝ ΤΗΣ ΕΠΙΖΩΟΤΙΚΉΣ ΛΕΜΦΑΓΓΕΪΤΙΔΟΣ
Authors: ΜΑΤΘΑΙΑΚΗΣ ΕΜΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ Α.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΣΥΜΒΟΛΗ ΕΙΣ ΤΗΝ ΜΕΛΕΤΗΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΗΝΙΓΓΟΕΓΚΕΦΑΛΟΜΥΕΤΙΤΙΔΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΙΠΠΟΕΙΔΩΝ ΕΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΙ
Authors: ΣΠΑΗΣ Α. , ΠΟΛΥΖΩΗΣ Α.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΑΙ ΓΑΣΤΡΟΤΟΜΑΙ ΤΩΝ ΒΟΟΕΙΔΩΝ
Authors: ΜΑΚΡΙΔΗΣ Ι.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΠΡΟΛΗΠΤΙΚΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΛΥΣΣΙΚΟΣ ΕΜΒΟΛΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΤΟΝ ΚΥΝΩΝ ΕΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΙ ΔΙ ΕΜΒΟΛΙΟΥ ΠΑΡΑΧΘΕΝΤΟΣ ΕΠΙ ΕΜΒΡΥΟΦΟΡΩΝ ΩΩΝ ΟΡΝΙΘΟΣ (AVIANISÉ)
Authors: ΠΑΠΑΧΡΙΣΤΟΦΙΛΟΥ Φ.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE
ΑΠΟΦΡΑΞΙΣ ΤΟΥ ΟΙΣΟΦΑΓΟΥ ΕΙΣ ΑΓΕΛΑΔΑ ΔΙ ΑΙΓΑΓΡΟΦΙΛΟΥ ΙΑΘΕΙΣΑ ΑΥΤΟΜΑΤΩΣ
Authors: ΠΑΠΑΔΑΝΙΗΛ ΣΩΚΡΑΤΗΣ Κ.
Published: June 2018

NO ABSTRACT AVAILABLE