bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upscaling of Mixing‐Limited Bimolecular Chemical Reactions in Poiseuille Flow
Authors: Perez Lazaro J. , Hidalgo Juan J. , Dentz Marco
Published: December 2018

We consider the fast irreversible bimolecular chemical reaction
in the Poiseuille flow through a channel, in which A displaces B. This system allows to systematically study the impact of the interaction of interface deformation and diffusion on mixing and reactive transport. At early times, the reaction is diffusion controlled. With increasing time, advection begins to dominate and we find enhanced reaction efficiency due to the deformation of the interface between the two reactants. For times larger than the characteristic diffusion time across the channel, mixing and reaction are quantified by the Taylor dispersion coefficient. Predictions based on Taylor dispersion may significantly overestimate the reaction efficiency at preasymptotic times, when the system is characterized by incomplete mixing. This type of behaviors of incomplete mixing and reaction have been observed in heterogeneous systems across different scales. Channel flow allows to study them in detail for a well‐controlled system. We propose a dispersive lamella approach based on the concept of effective dispersion which accurately predicts the full evolution of the product mass. Specifically, this approach captures the impact of interface deformation and diffusive coalescence, which marks the transition to the Taylor regime. It gives insight into the mechanism of incomplete mixing and its consequences for reactive transport in more general porous media flows.
Understanding the effects of ionic liquids on a unimolecular substitution process: correlating solvent parameters with reaction outcome
Authors: Gilbert Alyssa , Haines Ronald S. , Harper Jason B.
Published: December 2018

The polarisability of an ionic liquid is key in determining the rate constant of a unimolecular substitution process.
Lag‐bipartite consensus of linear multiagent systems under saturating input over signed graph
Authors: Bhowmick Sourav , Panja Surajit
Published: December 2018

The objective of this study is to investigate lag‐bipartite consensus of linear multiagent systems under saturating input with dead‐zone constraint where two separate groups of follower agents reach the modulus of the leader state, but of opposite sign with a certain delay. The leader–follower bipartite consensus problem of saturating input with dead‐zone is considered with the input signals of the followers being subjected to leader‐influenced input additive uncertainties and disturbances. It is shown that if the agents interacting with each‐other over the structurally balanced undirected graph having a directed spanning tree rooted at the leader are asymptotically null controllable with bounded controls, then the two proposed control laws – (i) a low‐high gain based control law and (ii) a low‐gain based variable‐structure continuous tracking control law, can achieve lag‐bipartite consensus as long as the initial conditions of all the agents remain within a priori bounded set. The numerical simulations establish the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Disturbance rejection for interconnected positive systems and its application to formation control of quadrotors
Authors: Toji Jun‐ichi , Ichihara Hiroyuki
Published: December 2018

This study deals with disturbance rejection of interconnected positive (IP) systems by output feedback laws that are installed as an outer loop of the IP system. Since the IP system without disturbances has a first integral, which is a linear function of the state and takes a constant value along the trajectories, this study utilises this function as an index of detecting the disturbances. Then, dynamic and static disturbance rejection output feedback laws with the first integral are proposed, respectively. Although the pole assignment problem of the IP system with the static output feedback law is not solvable in general, this study reveals that the system matrix of the closed‐loop system has a structure called rank‐one updated matrices. This special structure implies that the simple eigenvalue zero of the original IP system moves to a stable one by the feedback law while the other stable eigenvalues never move. This study applies these feedback laws to formation control of quadrotors based on IP systems where the dynamics of a quadrotor are linearised to be positive and stable second‐order subsystems by dual quaternion techniques. Numerical examples illustrate the quadrotors achieve a designed shape of formation against the disturbances.
Inter‐frame forgery detection based on differential energy of residue
Authors: Fadl Sondos M. , Han Qi , Li Qiong
Published: December 2018

Inter‐frame forgery marks a central type of forgery in surveillance videos, and involves three aspects – frame duplication, insertion, and deletion – under temporal domain. However, this forgery type has received little attention from scholars. More efforts have been on detecting only a single aspect of inter‐frame forgery. Furthermore, studies have confirmed that previous methods did not achieve high accuracy for all forgeries types with low computational loads at the same time. In this study, the proposed method establishes a framework that can simultaneously detect all aspects of inter‐frame forgeries. During the decoding process, the authors extract residue data of each frame from a video stream. Then spatial and temporal energies are exploited to illustrate data flow, and abnormal points are determined to detect forged frames. Noise ratios of forged and original frames are estimated for differentiating insertion from duplication attacks. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method achieves higher accuracy and lower computational time for detecting inter‐frame forgery.
Fast proximal splitting algorithm for constrained TGV‐regularised image restoration and reconstruction
Authors: He Chuan , Hu Changhua , Qi Naixin , Zhu Xiaofei , Liu Lianxiong
Published: December 2018

A fast algorithm is proposed to tackle the constrained total generalised variation (TGV)‐based image‐restoration and reconstruction problems. The proposed algorithm proceeds by splitting: the non‐smooth constrained TGV model is first decomposed into several sub‐problems easier to solve, and then the linear gradient or proximity operators, including projections and shrinkages, of the sub‐problems are individually called without inner iteration. The algorithm is highly parallel since most of its steps can be executed simultaneously. Image‐restoration and reconstruction experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms several state‐of‐the‐art TV‐based methods both in accuracy and high‐speed efficiency. Besides, the proposed method efficiently suppresses staircase effects and presents better visual impression.
Detected text‐based image retrieval approach for textual images
Authors: Unar Salahuddin , Wang Xingyuan , Zhang Chuan , Wang Chunpeng
Published: December 2018

This work addresses the problem of searching and retrieving similar textual images based on the detected text and opens the new directions for textual image retrieval. For image retrieval, several methods have been proposed to extract visual features and social tags; however, to extract embedded and scene text within images and use that text as automatic keywords/tags is still a young research field for text‐based and content‐based image retrieval applications. The automatic text detection retrieval is an emerging technology for robotics and artificial intelligence. In this study, the authors have proposed a novel approach to detect the text in an image and exploit it as keywords and tags for automatic text‐based image retrieval. First, text regions are detected using maximally stable extremal region algorithm. Second, unwanted false positive text regions are eliminated based on geometric properties and stroke width transform. Next, the true text regions are proceeded into optical character recognition for recognition. Third, keywords are formed using a neural probabilistic language model. Finally, the textual images are indexed and retrieved based on the detected keywords. The experimental results on two benchmark datasets show the dominancy of text is efficient and valuable for image retrieval specifically for textual images.
Self‐adaptable reactive power‐voltage controller for virtual synchronous generators
Authors: Zhang Bo , Li Dongxue , Wang Yuke , Yan Xiangwu
Published: December 2018

With a higher and higher penetration of renewable energy in the grid, the principle of the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) is proposed as an attractive solution to controlling the grid‐connected inverters. In common, active power‐frequency and reactive power‐voltage controllers play major roles in VSG control system. However, the line impedance and local loads are the critical case effecting on the control result of the two controllers. Compared with reactive power‐voltage controller, active power‐frequency controller is more easier to product the load sharing among the VSGs accurately. This paper presents a self‐adaptable reactive power‐voltage controller to deal with the sharing problem of reactive power in the parallel VSGs system, using the reactive power difference to adjust reactive power‐voltage control coefficient. Then, a linearised small‐signal model is established for stability analysis of the reactive power‐voltage control coefficient to the parallel VSGs system. Finally, an experiment of two parallel VSGs system based on the self‐adaptable reactive power‐voltage controllers is performed, with different line impedance. Results obtained from the experiment verify the effectiveness of the proposed self‐adaptable reactive power‐voltage controllers in the parallel VSGs system.
Influence of the typical vegetation ashes/particles on discharge characteristics of conductor‐plane air gap
Authors: Huang Daochun , Lu Wei , Long Mingyang , Li Peng
Published: December 2018

The frequent forest fires become a serious threat to the performance of transmission lines’ external insulation, and large quantities of smoke (carbon black) and flying ashes are produced during the combustion of vegetation, reducing the dielectric strength of the air gap drastically. In order to study the effect of the typical vegetation ashes on the discharge characteristics of conductor‐plane air gap, experimental studies were carried out with vegetation fire simulation test platform in this study, and typical vegetation ashes of thatch, straw and fir branch were collected. The simulation model was built to analyse the influence mechanism of multiple particles on the breakdown characteristics. It shows that the existence of particles make the electric field distribution between conductor and plane non‐uniform, the maximum electric field strength near the elongated particle is 10.2 times as much as the background electric field, and the maximum electric field strength of the gap increases by about 55.7%, when the length of the elongated particle changing from 15 to 25 mm; the particle with larger relative dielectric constant and smaller distance from the simulation conductor, has the greater electric field distortion degree.
Research on a novel STATCOM based on hybrid cascaded multi‐level converter and its coordination control strategy
Authors: Du Yi , Hu Pengfei , Deng Junpeng , Lin Hongyang , Li Meng
Published: December 2018

A novel static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) based on hybrid cascaded multi‐level converter (HCMC) is presented in this study, i.e HCMC‐STATCOM, which combines the advantages of the traditional two‐level converter and cascaded H‐bridge converter. However, the topology and control system are relatively complex. It is difficult to coordinate the two key parts in steady operation. This study firstly introduces topology and working principle of the HCMC‐STATCOM. Moreover then, the DC voltage of the two‐level converter and the number of H‐bridge sub‐modules in WSC are optimised. In order to achieve the coordinated control of two key parts, a control strategy is proposed to achieve the coordination and synchronisation between the two parts of the HCMC‐STATCOM. Finally the 35 kV/ ± 100 Mvar HCMC‐STATCOM simulation model is built by using power systems computer aided design/electromagnetic transients including DC (PSCAD/EMTDC), the results show that the effectiveness of the coordinated control strategy and the accuracy of the theoretical analysis.
Research on overvoltage and fault of a UHV AC/DC hybrid system
Authors: Wang Yali , Zou Liang , Chen Yongshuai , Fang Shengwei
Published: December 2018

In view of the overvoltage problem of an ultra‐high‐voltage DC (UHVDC) AC/DC hybrid system, this study analyses the overvoltage condition under various fault types and gives the identification criterion of the overvoltage form. Firstly, the model of the  ± 800 kV UHVDC and 1000 kV UHV AC hybrid system was established in Simulink. The relevant parameters of current and voltage in the hybrid system were simulated and analysed to verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the model. Secondly, the fault simulation of the two system models of AC and DC, respectively, is carried out, and the theoretical analysis of the internal overvoltage caused by the fault is made. Finally, the simulation of the overvoltage condition of the hybrid system under two conditions is carried out, and the waveforms of the important parameters of the AC system and the DC system are obtained. The waveform of each parameter is analysed and the conclusion is obtained. The type of the overvoltage fault of the UHV AC/DC hybrid system is analysed, which provides the basis for fault type judgement.
Islanding detection method of distribution generation system based on logistic regression
Authors: Haoran Chen , Jianyuan Xu , Hui Li , Guoqiang Chen , Yuanyu Jiang , Shengwei Cai , Jiangbo Chen
Published: December 2018

Islanding operation will harm the safety and stability of the power system, in the occurrence of island operation which must be in the specified time to monitor it. Here, the logical regression algorithm is introduced into the islanding operation monitoring. First, an accurate distributed generation system model is established in Matlab environment. The model considers various possible island operating states, minimum monitorable area, multiple distributed power supplies, various operating conditions, and different network topologies, and then uses. The data feature quantity under various island operating conditions is trained in the TensorFlow environment. Finally, the trained model is used to monitor the islanding status. The results show the feasibility of the method.
Topologies and control of low‐frequency alternating current for offshore wind farms based on modular multilevel matrix converter
Authors: Yuan Chang , Zhou Ruibing , Tong Ming
Published: December 2018

As a new alternative to power transmission, low‐frequency alternating current (LFAC) transmission system has a bright future for offshore wind power transmission. As a core equipment for LFAC system, modularised multi‐level matrix converter (M3C) is a direct electric energy conversion device, which can achieve bi‐directional power flow and provide any value of the power factor. In this study, the application of LFAC transmission system based on M3C (M3C‐LFAC) for offshore wind farms is studied. For the characteristics of LFAC transmission system for offshore wind power, four types of LFAC offshore wind power grid‐connected topological structure are proposed, and related control strategies are designed. By use of PSCAD/EMTDC to verify the feasibility of the proposed schemes, the advantages of the proposed topologies are verified through different working conditions.
Facile synthesis of novel ultrathin α‐MoO3 square nanosheets with excellent adsorptive capacity and photocatalytic performance for efficient treatment of Rhodamine B
Authors: Tang Guogang , Zhang Feixia , Xu Jing
Published: December 2018

Novel ultrathin α‐MoO3 square nanosheets with the width of 200–400 nm and the thickness of ∼50 nm were synthesised successfully via a facile and efficient solid sintered method using the carbon@MoS2 nanocomposites as precursor. The as‐prepared products were characterised by X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and tested in adsorption and photocatalysis to remove Rhodamine B (RhB). Compared with commercial MoO3 and/or MoO3 nanorods, α‐MoO3 square nanosheets exhibit greater adsorptive capacity and photocatalytic performance for degrading RhB. Moreover, this combination of adsorption and photocatalysis using α‐MoO3 could be promising is demonstrated as a more pressing technique for contaminant removal from wastewater.
Inhaled Epoprostenol for Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment in Neonates: A 12-Year Experience
Authors: Berger-Caron Frédérique , Piedboeuf Bruno , Morissette Geneviève , Simonyan David , Chétaille Philippe , Pellerin Annie , Hébert Audrey
Published: December 2018

Background Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) occurs in 10% of neonatal respiratory insufficiency. To selectively reduce pulmonary vascular resistance, several treatments have been tried. Inhaled epoprostenol (iPGI2) has been used for 12 years in our institution for the management of refractory PPHN despite the gaps in the literature to support this use.

Objectives The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of iPGI2 for PPHN. The secondary objectives were to describe its use in neonates and assess side effects.

Study Design This retrospective cohort study included infants < 28 days with PPHN treated with iPGI2 in the neonatal or pediatric intensive care units of our institution between 2004 and 2016.

Results We reviewed 43 patient' care episodes (mean gestational age of 36 weeks). This was an extremely ill population with 54% mortality rate. Oxygenation index improved significantly after 12-hour treatment (p = 0.047), with a rebound effect when discontinuing nebulization. By the end of the therapy, the fraction of inspired oxygen had significantly dropped (p = 0.0018). Echocardiographic markers tended to normalize during treatment. No potential side effects were reported.

Conclusion In these sick newborns, we observed an improvement in PPHN under iPGI2 without significant adverse effects. To our knowledge, this is the largest neonatal cohort reported to have received iPGI2 for PPHN.
Chromosomal Microarray Analysis in Children with Unexplained Developmental Delay/Intellectual Disability
Authors: Arican Pinar , Ozyilmaz Berk , Cavusoglu Dilek , Gencpinar Pinar , Erdogan Kadri , Saka Guvenc Merve , Olgac Dundar Nihal
Published: December 2018

Chromosomal microarray (CMA) analysis for discovery of copy number variants (CNVs) is now recommended as a first-line diagnostic tool in patients with unexplained developmental delay/intellectual disability (DD/ID) and autism spectrum disorders. In this study, we present the results of CMA analysis in patients with DD/ID. Of 210 patients, pathogenic CNVs were detected in 26 (12%) and variants of uncertain clinical significance in 36 (17%) children. The diagnosis of well-recognized genetic syndromes was achieved in 12 patients. CMA analysis revealed pathogenic de novo CNVs, such as 11p13 duplication with new clinical features. Our results support the utility of CMA as a routine diagnostic test for unexplained DD/ID.
The association of bike fitting with injury, comfort, and pain during cycling: An international retrospective survey
Authors: Priego Quesada Jose Ignacio , Kerr Zachary Y. , Bertucci William Michael , Carpes Felipe P.
Published: December 2018

Although bike fitting is recommended to help reduce injury risk, little empirical evidence exists to indicate an association between bike fitting and injury incidence. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of bike fitting on self‐reported injury, comfort, and pain while cycling from a worldwide survey of cyclists. A total of 849 cyclists completed an online questionnaire between February and October 2016. Questionnaire collected data on respondent demographics, cycling profile, bike fitting, comfort and pain while cycling, and injury history. The main predictor variable was bike fitting (yes, by the respondent, i.e. user bike fitting; yes, by a professional service; or no). Covariates included demographic and cycling profile characteristics. Logistic regression models estimated the odds of injury within the last 12 months, reporting a comfortable body posture while cycling, and not reporting pain while cycling. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. User bike fitting was associated with increased odds of reporting a comfortable posture (OR = 2.28, 95%CI: 1.06, 4.68). User (OR = 2.35; 95%CI: 1.48, 3.84) and professional bike fitting (OR = 2.35; 95%CI: 1.42, 3.98) were both associated with increased odds of not reporting pain while cycling. No associations were found between bike fitting and injury within the last 12 months. In conclusion, we found an association between bike fitting and reported comfort and pain while cycling. We recommend integrating bike fitting into cycling maintenance. However, further studies with longer follow‐up are necessary to determine the presence of an association between bike fitting and injury.
Policy or window dressing? Exploring the impact of poverty reduction strategies on poverty among the Canadian provinces
Authors: Plante Charles
Published: December 2018

Poverty reduction strategies (PRS) have become a popular instrument for addressing poverty globally. According to their proponents, PRS focus and coordinate poverty reduction efforts in order to overcome traditional economic and socio-demographic obstacles and reduce poverty unconditionally. According to their detractors, however, governments use PRS as ‘window dressing’ to gloss over unsuccessful and/or partial poverty reduction efforts. In Canada, all ten provinces have committed to adopting PRS. In this study, I identify the timing of the introduction of PRS action plans and explore whether they have tended to coincide with changes in provincial poverty levels. I find that more often than not levels have actually dropped before rather than after the introduction of PRS. This suggests that governments may have indeed used PRS as window dressing – but to showcase and claim credit for poverty reduction successes.
Psychological and Biological Pathways Linking Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Body Mass Index
Authors: Chirinos Diana A , Garcini Luz M , Seiler Annina , Murdock Kyle W , Peek Kristen , Stowe Raymond P , Fagundes Christopher
Published: December 2018

Background

Perceived neighborhood characteristics are linked to obesity, however, the mechanisms linking these two factors remain unknown.

Purpose

This study aimed to examine associations between perceived neighborhood characteristics and body mass index (BMI), establish whether indirect pathways through psychological distress and inflammation are important, and determine whether these associations vary by race/ethnicity.

Methods

Participants were 1,112 adults enrolled in the Texas City Stress and Health Study. Perceived neighborhood characteristics were measured using the Perceived Neighborhood Scale. Psychological distress was measured with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and mental health subscale of the Short Form Health Survey-36. Markers of inflammation included C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-1. Associations were examined with Structural Equation Modeling.

Results

A model linking neighborhood characteristics with BMI through direct and indirect (i.e., psychological distress and inflammation) paths demonstrated good fit with the data. Less favorable perceived neighborhood characteristics were associated with greater psychological distress (B = −0.87, β = −0.31, p < .001) and inflammation (B = −0.02, β = −0.10, p = .035). Psychological distress and inflammation were also significantly associated with BMI (Bdistress = 0.06, β = 0.08, p = .006; Binflammation = 4.65, β = 0.41, p < .001). Indirect paths from neighborhood characteristics to BMI via psychological distress (B = −0.05, β = −0.03, p = .004) and inflammation (B = −0.08, β = −0.04, p = .045) were significant. In multiple group analysis, a model with parameters constrained equal across race/ethnicity showed adequate fit suggesting associations were comparable across groups.

Conclusion

Our study extends the literature by demonstrating the importance of neighborhood perceptions as correlates of BMI across race/ethnicity, and highlights the role of psychological and physiological pathways.
Computing irreversible minimal cut sets in genome-scale metabolic networks via flux cone projection
Authors: Röhl Annika , Riou Tanguy , Bockmayr Alexander
Published: December 2018

Motivation

Minimal cut sets (MCSs) for metabolic networks are sets of reactions which, if they are removed from the network, prevent a target reaction from carrying flux. To compute MCSs different methods exist, which may fail to find sufficiently many MCSs for larger genome-scale networks.

Results

Here we introduce irreversible minimal cut sets (iMCSs). These are MCSs that consist of irreversible reactions only. The advantage of iMCSs is that they can be computed by projecting the flux cone of the metabolic network on the set of irreversible reactions, which usually leads to a smaller cone. Using oriented matroid theory, we show how the projected cone can be computed efficiently and how this can be applied to find iMCSs even in large genome-scale networks.

Availability and implementation

Software is freely available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/irreversibleminimalcutsets/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Profiles, Identities, Data: Making Abundant and Anchored Selves in a Platform Society
Authors: Szulc Lukasz
Published: December 2018

The practice of profile making has become ubiquitous in digital culture. Internet users are regularly invited, and usually required, to create a profile for a plethora of digital media, including mega social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Understanding profiles as a set of identity performances, I argue that the platforms employ profiles to enable and incentivize particular ways and foreclose other ways of self-performance. Drawing on research into digital media and identities, combined with mediatization theories, I show how the platforms: (a) embrace datafication logic (gathering as much data as possible and pinpointing the data to a particular unit); (b) translate the logic into design and governance of profiles (update stream and profile core); and (c) coax—at times coerce—their users into making of abundant but anchored selves, that is, performing identities which are capacious, complex, and volatile but singular and coherent at the same time.
Herbivorous Caterpillars Can Utilize Three Mechanisms to Alter Green Leaf Volatile Emission
Authors: Jones Anne C , Seidl-Adams Irmgard , Engelberth Jurgen , Hunter Charles T , Alborn Hans , Tumlinson James H
Published: December 2018

Green plants emit green leaf volatiles (GLVs) as a general damage response. These compounds act as signals for the emitter plant, neighboring plants, and even for insects in the ecosystem. However, when oral secretions from certain caterpillars are applied to wounded leaves, GLV emissions are significantly decreased or modified. We examined four caterpillar species representing two lepidopteran families for their capacity to decrease GLV emissions from Zea mays leaf tissue. We also investigated the source of the GLV modifying components in the alimentary tract of the various caterpillars. In Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Manduca sexta (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), we found three distinct mechanisms to modify GLV emission: a heat-stable compound in the gut, a heat-labile enzyme in salivary gland homogenate (previously described in Bombyx mori (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), and an isomerase in the salivary gland homogenate, which catalyzes the conversion of (Z)-3-hexenal to (E)-2-hexenal (previously described in M. sexta). These mechanisms employed by caterpillars to suppress or modify GLV emission suggest a counteraction against the induced indirect volatile defenses of a plant and provides further insights into the ecological functions of GLVs.
The Multi-level Governance of Asylum in Italy: Understanding Eritreans’ Secondary Movements in Search of Relocation within Italy
Authors: Kuschminder Katie
Published: December 2018

The migration policy, securitization and governance of the asylum landscape has greatly changed in Italy over the past five years. The implementation of the hotspot approach and the European Union relocation programme has characterized two of these significant changes. This article examines how recent (2016–17) Eritrean arrivals in Italy experienced and responded to the asylum system. The analysis reflects, first, on the multi-level governance of the interplay between the institutional level of the European Union, national policy and local municipal policies within Italy. Second, this article shows how Eritrean asylum seekers have been refused access to the relocation programme by local authorities in Italy and how Eritreans react to this bureaucracy by engaging in secondary movements within Italy. The results provide an analytical critique regarding the governance shortcomings of the relocation programme in Italy that is important for consideration in future solidarity and responsibility-sharing initiatives within the European Union.
Asylum Seekers and the Crisis of Accountability in Liberal Democracies: How an Ethical Approach Can Illuminate the Public’s Critical Role
Authors: Banham Cynthia , Anantharajah Kirsty
Published: December 2018

Our article illuminates a particular way to think about the relational nature of public accountability and how that might guide further study of liberal democracies’ treatment of asylum seekers and refugees. Public accountability is in trouble in liberal democracies, conceptually and practically. Scholars in the field identify a lack of clarity surrounding the ‘ever-expanding’ idea of accountability—its meaning and want of deep conceptual roots; the separation of theorizing from lived practice. At the same time, we see in liberal democracies, particularly in cases regarding the treatment of non-citizens, disturbing attacks on traditional mechanisms of accountability. We focus on the crisis of public accountability manifest in Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers in offshore detention. We suggest that the lack of clarity around the concept of public accountability—and the lack of an ethical understanding of the public’s critical role in demanding it—informs what is occurring in countries like Australia.
The Role of Ertapenem for the Treatment of Complicated Intra-abdominal Infections With a Positive Culture for Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Fabre Valeria , Nemati Koorosh , Avdic Edina , Cosgrove Sara E , Amoah Joe , Tamma Pranita D
Published: December 2018

Controversy remains as to whether Enterococcus faecalis recovered from intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) requires targeted therapy. In a multicenter study comparing patients with IAIs from which E. faecalis was identified in intra-abdominal cultures, no difference in clinical outcomes was observed between patients receiving ertapenem vs those receiving piperacillin/tazobactam.
CE: Addressing Food Insecurity in Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Flores Heather L. , Amiri Azita
Published: December 2018

Food insecurity affects people of all ages, in every area in which nurses work or volunteer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture describes food insecurity as the lack of “consistent, dependable access to adequate food for active, healthy living.” The health effects of food insecurity include, but are not limited to, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, low birth weight, depression, and anxiety. Food insecurity is associated with single parenthood, low socioeconomic status, having three or more children, having low educational attainment, being a member of a racial or ethnic minority, renting a home, living in a city, and having a disabled household member. Veterans and military families; college students; members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community; and immigrants have also been identified as at elevated risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and AARP have called for innovative programs and universal screening tools to identify those who are experiencing or are at risk for food insecurity and connect them to available resources. In addition to screening patients for food insecurity and intervening on their behalf, nurses play a vital role in advocating for food-insecure families and supporting community involvement.
Readmission and Reoperation After Midurethral Sling
Authors: Hokenstad Erik D. , Glasgow Amy E. , Habermann Elizabeth B. , Occhino John A.
Published: December 2018

(Abstracted from Int Urogynecol J 2018;29:1367–1370)

The standard of care for surgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse is considered to be midurethral slings (MUSs). It is estimated that 20% of women will undergo MUS surgery for SUI or pelvic organ prolapse in their lifetime.
Protein kinase C-α is upregulated by IMP1 in melanoma and is linked to poor survival
Authors: Mahapatra Lily , Andruska Neal , Mao Chengjian , Gruber Stephen B. , Johnson Timothy M. , Fullen Douglass R. , Raskin Leon , Shapiro David J.
Published: December 2018

The oncofetal mRNA-binding protein, IMP1 or insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1), promotes the overexpression of several oncogenic proteins by binding to and stabilizing their mRNAs. IMP1 is frequently overexpressed in melanoma and is associated with a poor prognosis, but the full spectrum of IMP1 target transcripts remains unknown. Here, we report the identification of protein kinase C-α (PKCα), as a novel molecular target of IMP1. Overexpression of IMP1 resulted in increased levels of PKCα, while RNAi knockdown of IMP1 resulted in decreased PKCα mRNA stability, PKCα protein levels, and MAPK/ERK activation. In addition to IMP1 acting as a positive regulator of PKCα mRNA, we also report the identification of miR-340 as a negative regulator of PKCα mRNA. In melanoma cancer cells, inhibition of miR-340 led to increased PKCα protein levels. PKCα plays important roles in numerous signaling pathways including the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. PKCα activates RAF1, which in turn activates MEK1, and activates downstream transcriptional targets of MAPK through activation of JNK signaling. Together, these pathways provide a way to activate MAPK signaling downstream of BRAF and MEK1 inhibitors, which are commonly used to treat melanoma. Analysis of 117 melanoma tumors samples showed that overexpression of PKCα is associated with poorer overall survival. In patients harboring BRAFV600E or NRAS mutations, PKCα overexpression is associated with an 11-fold increased risk of death. Thus, PKCα mRNA is a novel target of IMP1, which is commonly overexpressed in melanoma and is linked to poorer overall survival.
Combination of ω-3 fatty acids and cisplatin as a potential alternative strategy for personalized therapy of metastatic melanoma: an in-vitro study
Authors: Ottes Vasconcelos Renata , Serini Simona , de Souza Votto Ana Paula , Santos Trindade Gilma , Fanali Caterina , Sgambato Alessandro , Calviello Gabriella
Published: December 2018

The recently developed therapeutic strategies have led to unprecedented improvements in the control of metastatic melanoma and in the survival of specific subgroups of patients. However, drug resistance, low response rates, and undesired side effects make these treatments not suitable or tolerable for all the patients, and chemotherapeutic treatments appear still indispensable, at least for subgroups of patients. New combinatory strategies are also under investigation as tailored treatments or salvage therapies, including combined treatments of immunotherapy with conventional chemotherapy. On this basis, and in consideration of the antineoplastic properties of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, we have here investigated the potential of these bioactive dietary factors to revert the resistance frequently exhibited by this form of cancer to cisplatin (CDDP, cis-diamminedichloroplatinum). We demonstrated that docosahexenoic acid (DHA, 22:6ω-3) sensitizes the cells to the CDDP-induced inhibition of cell growth and migration by reverting CDDP effects on DNA damage and ERCC1 expression, as well as on the DUSP6 and p-ERK expressions, which regulate ERCC1 activation upwardly. In line, DUSP6 gene silencing prevented the effect of DHA, confirming that DHA acted on the DUSP6/p-ERK/ERCC1 repair pathways to sensitize melanoma cells to the anticancer effect of CDDP. Similar effects were obtained also with eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5ω-3). Overall, our findings suggest that the combination of CDDP treatment with a dietary supplementation with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could potentially represent a new therapeutic strategy for overcoming CDDP resistance in metastatic melanoma.
Clinical Evaluations of a Novel Thread Lifting Regimen Using Barbed Polyglyconate Suture for Facial Rejuvenation: Analysis Using a 3-Dimensional Imaging System
Authors: Kwon Hyuck Hoon , Choi Sun Chul , Park Gyeong-Hun , Jung Jae Yoon
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

Thread lifting with absorbable sutures has recently gained prominence for rejuvenating ptotic and sagging soft tissues in aging face. A barbed, delayed absorbable polyglyconate monofilament shows significantly high tensile loads with superior flexibility and elasticity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel thread lifting regimen with barbed polyglyconate suture for counteracting the descent and laxity of the aging face.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted for 25 Korean patients with mild to moderate facial skin laxity receiving thread lifting procedures using barbed polyglyconate suture. Dermatologists' objective assessments using a 5-point Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), 3D imaging system, and subjective satisfaction were recorded at baseline and 4 months after treatments.

RESULTS

In most patients (84%), GAIS scores were more than score 3 (“improved”), with 40% of score 4 (“much improved”) and 24% of score 5 (“excellent”) at the follow-up point. Subjective assessments paralleled these patterns. Three-dimensional analysis quantitatively showed volume migration of low face upward, clinically interpreted as facial lifting. No serious adverse effect was observed.

CONCLUSION

This novel thread lifting procedure using barbed polyglyconate suture is a safe and effective method for tightening and lifting for aging face with mild to moderate face sagging.
Outcomes of Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer and Lymphovenous Anastomosis for Treatment of Primary Lymphedema
Authors: Cheng Ming-Huei , Loh Charles Yuen Yung , Lin Chia-Yu
Published: December 2018

Background:

Primary lymphedema is a debilitating disease. This study was to investigate the outcomes between vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT) and lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) for treating primary lymphedema.

Methods:

Between January 2010 and December 2016, 17 patients with mean age of 31.5 ± 15.5 (ranged, 2–57) years diagnosed with 19 primary limb lymphedema were recruited. Patients with patent lymphatic ducts on indocyanine green lymphography were indicated for LVA, whereas those without patent lymphatic ducts were indicated for VLNT. Circumferential limb measurements, body weight, episodes of cellulitis and Lymphedema Quality-of-Life (LYMQoL) questionnaire were compared between preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results:

Fifteen lymphedematous limbs underwent VLNT (79%) and 4 underwent LVA (21%). All VLNT flaps survived. At a mean follow-up of 19.7 ± 8.5 months, mean reduction of limb circumference, body weight, and episodes of cellulitis were 3.7 ± 2.9 cm and 1.9 ± 2.9 cm (P = 0.2); 6.6 ± 5.9 kg and 1.7 ± 0.6 kg (P < 0.05); 5.1 ± 2.8 times/y and 4.2 ± 0.5 times/y in VLNT and LVA groups, respectively (P = 0.7). Improvements in overall score (from 3.9 ± 1.2 to 6.4 ± 1.1, P < 0.05) of the LYMQoL in VLNT group had statistical significant difference than that (from 3.0 ± 1.4 to 5.0 ± 2.4, P = 0.07) in LVA group.

Conclusions:

Both VLNT and LVA can effectively treat primary lymphedema patients. The reduction of above-knee circumference, body weight, episodes of cellulitis, and the improvement of LYMQoL was significantly greater in LVNT compared with LVA.
SEQUENTIAL CHANGES IN HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE RETINOPATHY UP TO 20 YEARS AFTER STOPPING THE DRUG
Authors: Pham Brandon H. , Marmor Michael F.
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

To characterize the stability or progression of different stages of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy up to 20 years after stopping the drug.

Methods:

We reviewed findings from 13 patients with initial HCQ retinopathy classified as early (patchy photoreceptor damage), moderate (ring of photoreceptor thinning or scotoma), or severe (retinal pigment epithelial [RPE] damage). Patients had been off HCQ for as many as 14 years at initial examination and were subsequently followed for 5 years to 8 years with repeated fundus autofluorescence and spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Results:

Early and moderate cases stabilized in fundus autofluorescence appearance, foveal thickness, ellipsoid zone line length, and visual acuity for up to 9 years after stopping HCQ. By contrast, severe cases demonstrated a continual loss of these parameters for up to 20 years off the drug. The presence of RPE damage at initial examination predicted progressive retinopathy over many years.

Conclusion:

The steady progression of severe HCQ retinopathy in eyes showing RPE damage after drug cessation suggests a metabolic insult that chronically destabilizes rather than destroys cellular function, with a clinical course resembling that of genetic dystrophies. Our findings stress the importance of early detection to minimize progression and visual loss.
Augmented ILT3/LILRB4 Expression of Peripheral Blood Antibody Secreting Cells in the Acute Phase of Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Sugahara-Tobinai Akiko , Inui Masanori , Metoki Takaya , Watanabe Yohei , Onuma Ryoichi , Takai Toshiyuki , Kumaki Satoru
Published: December 2018

Background:

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, systemic vasculitis syndrome that occurs in children. The clinical symptoms and epidemiologic features of KD strongly suggest that KD is triggered by unidentified infectious agents in genetically predisposed patients. In addition, a number of studies have described the role of B cells in the development of KD. To obtain a mechanistic insight into the humoral immune response of B-lineage cells in KD patients, we examined peripheral blood antibody secreting cells (ASCs) and inhibitory immunoreceptors, immunoglobulin-like transcript (ILT)/leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor (LILR), on each B cell subpopulation.

Methods:

Eighteen Japanese KD patients and thirteen healthy control subjects were recruited for this study. Their peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined by flow cytometry for the number of CD19+ B cells, the size of each B cell subset and the expression of the inhibitory isoforms of ILT/LILR on the B cell subset.

Results:

The frequency of CD19+CD27high ASCs was significantly increased in the acute phase of KD and reduced after high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Interestingly, while ILT2/LILRB1 expression was ubiquitously observed on every B cell/ASCs subset and the level was not significantly different after IVIG, ILT3/LILRB4 (B4) was uniquely expressed on only ASCs, and its expression was significantly decreased after IVIG.

Conclusions:

In the acute phase of KD, the frequency of ASCs is high with augmented B4 expression, whereas it is lower with decreased B4 expression after IVIG. Further studies of B4 expression on ASCs in autoimmune and infectious diseases will be needed to confirm the significance of our findings.
Change in Lower Eyelid Position After Ptosis Repair in Patients With Unilateral Myogenic Versus Aponeurotic Blepharoptosis
Authors: Kashkouli Mohsen Bahmani , Abdolalizadeh Parya , Hadi Yasaman , Amirsardari Anahita , Jafari Samira , Karimi Nasser
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

To compare preoperative and postoperative lower eyelid scleral show in patients with unilateral myogenic (MP) and aponeurotic (AP) ptosis, analyze the factors correlated with them, and assess the rate of postoperative lower eyelid symmetry in both groups.

Methods:

Patients (older than 5 years old) with unilateral MP (58) and AP (20) were included from June 2015 to April 2017. Excluded were patients with previous eyelid surgery, strabismus, levator function of ≤3, and associated procedures. Margin reflex distance (MRD) 1 and 2 and levator function were measured by the same observer before and at least 6 months after the ptosis repair.

Results:

Lower scleral show was observed in 56.8% and 80% of MP and AP, respectively. Margin reflex distance 2 was significantly (r = −0.37, p = 0.002) associated with MRD1 in the MP group (multiple regression analysis). Both groups showed a significant improvement of MRD2, postoperatively resulting in symmetric MRD2 in 91.4% of MP and 80% of AP group. It was not changed in 43% of MP and 25% of AP group. Multiple regression analysis showed that preoperative MRD2 was the only significant factor associated with postoperative improvement of scleral show in the MP group.

Conclusions:

Lower scleral show was significantly improved after ptosis repair in both MP and AP. The more severe MP was significantly associated with more severe preoperative scleral show. Preoperative MRD2 was the only factor predicting postoperative improvement of scleral show in the MP. No factor was significantly associated with MRD2 in the AP group.
Ocular Considerations in Face Transplantation: Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Greenfield Jason A. , Kantar Rami S. , Rifkin William J. , Sosin Michael , Diaz-Siso J. Rodrigo , Patel Payal , Fleming James C. , Iliff Nicholas T. , Lee Bradford W. , Rodriguez Eduardo D.
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

Periorbital injuries are common in face transplantation (FT) candidates. It is therefore essential that the ophthalmologist play a central role in the multidisciplinary treatment of these patients. In this study, the authors perform a comprehensive review of all procedures involving periorbital components, provide an update for the ophthalmology community regarding the current state of the field, and present 2 cases.

Methods:

A comprehensive review of the literature for all FT procedures including periorbital components was performed. The authors also present 2 patients who received FT including periorbital components for extensive facial disfigurement. One patient sustained high-energy avulsive ballistic injury and underwent a total face, double jaw, and tongue transplant in 2012. The second patient received a total face, eyelids, ears, and skeletal subunits transplant for extensive facial burns in 2015.

Results:

Literature review demonstrated that 22 (54%) of the 41 patients undergoing FT received allografts containing periorbital components. Only 14 cases (64%) reported on the presence of ocular and periocular complications. The most common complications consisted of lower eyelid ectropion and lagophthalmos, and nearly all required revisional procedures. Both patients presented with significant periorbital scarring and demonstrated good visual acuity and aesthetic outcomes at postoperative follow up between 6 and 28 months.

Conclusions:

Face transplantation can address extensive facial and periorbital disfigurement with satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes. The majority of FT performed to date have included periorbital components, and postoperative ocular and periocular complications are common. It is critical for ophthalmologists to play a central role in the care of these patients.