bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome and Selective Inflammatory Markers in Psoriatic Patients
Authors: Vachatova Simona , Andrys Ctirad , Krejsek Jan , Salavec Miloslav , Ettler Karel , Rehacek Vit , Cermakova Eva , Malkova Andrea , Fiala Zdenek , Borska Lenka
Published: December 2016

The presented article studies the role of selected inflammatory and anti-inflammatory serum markers of psoriatic patients in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MS) and psoriasis. The study is based on the comparison between the group of psoriatic patients (74) and the control group (65). We found significantly higher BMI (p<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05) in the psoriatic patients. The values of waist circumference and BMI were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the male patients compared to the men in the control group. The analysis revealed significantly higher CRP (p<0.001), Lp-PLA2 (p<0.001), leptin (p<0.01), and resistin (p<0.01) levels in the psoriatic patients. Significantly higher levels of CRP (p<0.01), Lp-PLA2 (p<0.001), leptin (p<0.01), and resistin (p<0.05) were found in the patients with MS compared to the controls with MS. The level of adiponectin was significantly lower (p<0.01) in the patients with MS. Finally, we found significantly higher level of Lp-PLA2 (p<0.001) in the group of patients without MS compared to the controls without MS. In conclusion, observed inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers (CRP, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and Lp-PLA2) are involved in both pathogenesis of MS and pathogenesis of psoriasis. The level of Lp-PLA2 indicates the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis (cardiovascular risk) in psoriatic patients.
Hirayama Disease: A Rare Disease with Unusual Features
Authors: Anuradha S. , Fanai Vanlalmalsawmdawngliana
Published: December 2016

Hirayama disease, also known as monomelic amyotrophy (MMA), is a rare cervical myelopathy that manifests itself as a self-limited, asymmetrical, slowly progressive atrophic weakness of the forearms and hands predominantly in young males. The forward displacement of the posterior dura of the lower cervical dural canal during neck flexion has been postulated to lead to lower cervical cord atrophy with asymmetric flattening. We report a case of Hirayama disease in a 25-year-old Indian man presenting with gradually progressive asymmetrical weakness and wasting of both hands and forearms along with unusual features of autonomic dysfunction and upper motor neuron lesion.
Channel Selection Policy in Multi-SU and Multi-PU Cognitive Radio Networks with Energy Harvesting for Internet of Everything
Authors: Hu Feng , Chen Bing , Zhai Xiangping , Zhu Chunsheng
Published: December 2016

Cognitive radio, which will become a fundamental part of theInternet of Everything(IoE), has been identified as a promising solution for the spectrum scarcity. In a multi-SU and multi-PU cognitive radio network, selecting channels is a fundamental problem due to the channel competition among secondary users (SUs) and packet collision between SUs and primary users (PUs). In this paper, we adopt cooperative sensing method to avoid the packet collision between SUs and PUs and focus on how to collect the spectrum sensing data of SUs for cooperative sensing. In order to reduce the channel competition among SUs, we first consider thehybridtransmission model for single SU where a SU can opportunistically access both idle channels operating either theOverlayor theUnderlaymodel and the busy channels by using the energy harvesting technology. Then we propose a competitive set based channel selection policy for multi-SU where all SUs competing for data transmission or energy harvesting in the same channel will form a competitive set. Extensive simulations show that the proposed cooperative sensing method and the channel selection policy outperform previous solutions in terms of false alarm, average throughput, average waiting time, and energy harvesting efficiency of SUs.
Nonfragile H∞ Filtering for Nonlinear Markovian Jumping Systems with Mode-Dependent Time Delays and Quantization
Authors: Wang Yanqin , Ren Weijian , Lu Yang
Published: December 2016

This paper is about the nonfragile H∞ filtering problem for a class of Markovian jumping systems (MJSs) subject to mode-dependent time delays and quantization. Mode switching is considered not only in the system parameters but also in the time delays. Signal quantization is taken into account to reflect the phenomenon of incomplete measurement. Norm bound uncertainty is utilized to indicate the filter gain variation due to the inaccuracy of actual filtering realization. The purpose of this paper is to design a nonfragile filter so that the filtering error dynamics is stochastically stable with a prescribed disturbance attenuation level. By the Lyapunov stability theory, stochastic analysis theory, and linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) technique, some new sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of the desired nonfragile filter which ensures the stochastic stability and H∞ performance of the filtering error dynamics. The expression of the filter can be obtained via solving the feasible solution to the LMIs. A simulation example is presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed filtering scheme.
Flexible Polyaniline/Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composite FibersviaElectrospinning and In Situ Polymerization for Ammonia Gas Sensing and Strain Sensing
Authors: Jia Xian-Sheng , Tang Cheng-Chun , Yan Xu , Yu Gui-Feng , Li Jin-Tao , Zhang Hong-Di , Li Jun-Jie , Gu Chang-Zhi , Long Yun-Ze
Published: December 2016

Conducting polyaniline (PANI) was in situ polymerized at the surface of electrospun poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibers to obtain flexible composite fibers. The electrical conductivity of an individual PANI/PMMA composite fiber was estimated to be 2.0 × 10−1 S cm−1at room temperature. The ammonia sensing properties of the samples were tested by impedance analysis. The PANI/PMMA fibers could obviously respond to low concentration of ammonia at ppb level and could respond to relatively high concentration of ammonia at 10 ppm level quickly. In addition, the sensitivity exhibited a good linear relationship to the ammonia concentration. Particularly, the flexible PANI/PMMA fibers showed a reversible change in electrical resistance with repeated cycles of bending and relaxing, and the electrical resistance decreased with the increase of curvature. These results indicate that the flexible PANI/PMMA composite fibers may be used in toxic ammonia gas detection, strain sensing, and flexible electronic devices.
Associations of Serum Osteocalcin and Polymorphisms of the Osteocalcin Gene with Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal and Elderly Chinese Women
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Ya , He Jin-Wei , Fu Wen-Zhen , Liu Yu-Juan , Zhang Zhen-Lin
Published: December 2016

Background: The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate the association of serum osteocalcin with bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone metabolism in postmenopausal and elderly Chinese women, and (2) to observe the relationships of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and around the osteocalcin gene with osteocalcin and BMD. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 725 postmenopausal Chinese women. Five SNPs (rs1543294, rs1800247, rs759330, rs2842880, and rs933489) of the osteocalcin gene were genotyped. Serum osteocalcin and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and type I collagen containing cross-linked C-telopeptide (β-CTX) were measured. The BMD of the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Osteocalcin was positively correlated with serum phosphorus (p = 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; p < 0.001), PTH (p = 0.002) and β-CTX (p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine (p < 0.001) and total hip (p = 0.002). No significant association was obtained between the SNPs, haplotypes of the osteocalcin gene, and BMD or osteocalcin. Conclusion: Our results suggest that osteocalcin was positively correlated with serum phosphorus, ALP, PTH, and β-CTX, but negatively correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine and total hip. Common genetic variants of the osteocalcin gene may not be a major contributor to variations in serum osteocalcin or BMD in postmenopausal and elderly Chinese women.
From Common to Rare Variants: The Genetic Component of Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Nicolas Gaël , Charbonnier Camille , Campion Dominique
Published: December 2016

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a remarkable example of genetic heterogeneity. Extremely rare variants in the APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2 genes, or duplications of the APP gene cause autosomal dominant forms, generally with complete penetrance by the age of 65 years. Nonautosomal dominant forms are considered as a complex disorder with a high genetic component, whatever the age of onset. Although genetically heterogeneous, AD is defined by the same neuropathological criteria in all configurations. According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, the Aβ peptide, which aggregates in AD brains, is a key player. APP, PSEN1, or PSEN2 gene mutations increase the production of more aggregation-prone forms of the Aβ peptide, triggering the pathological process. Several risk factors identified in association studies hit genes involved in Aβ production/secretion, aggregation, clearance, or toxicity. Among them, the APOE ε4 allele is a rare example of a common allele with a large effect size, the ORs ranging from 4 to 11-14 for heterozygous and homozygous carriers, respectively. In addition, genome-wide association studies have identified more than two dozen loci with a weak but significant association, the OR of the at-risk allele ranging from 1.08 to 1.30. Recently, the use of massive parallel sequencing has enabled the analysis of rare variants in a genome-wide manner. Two rare variants have been nominally associated with AD risk or protection (TREM2 p.R47H, MAF approximately 0.002, OR approximately 4 and APP p.A673T, MAF approximately 0.0005, OR approximately 0.2). Association analyses at the gene level identified rare loss-of-function and missense, predicted damaging, variants (MAF <0.01) in the SORL1 and ABCA7 genes associated with a moderate relative risk (OR approximately 5 and approximately 2.8, respectively). Although the latter analyses revealed association signals with moderately rare variants by collapsing them, the power to detect genes hit by extremely rare variants is still limited. An alternative approach is to consider the de novo paradigm, stating that de novo variants may contribute to AD genetics in sporadic patients. Here, we critically review AD genetics reports with a special focus on rare variants.
Piper betle Induced Cytoprotective Genes and Proteins via the Nrf2/ARE Pathway in Aging Mice
Authors: Aliahmat Nor Syahida , Abdul Sani Nur Fathiah , Wan Hasan Wan Nuraini , Makpol Suzana , Wan Ngah Wan Zurinah , Mohd Yusof Yasmin Anum
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to elucidate the underlying antioxidant mechanism of aqueous extract of Piper betle (PB) in aging rats. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ARE pathway involving phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes plays an important role in the antioxidant system by reducing electrophiles and reactive oxygen species through induction of phase II enzymes and proteins. Methods: Genes and proteins of phase II detoxifying antioxidant enzymes were analyzed by QuantiGenePlex 2.0 Assay and Western blot analysis. Results: PB significantly induced genes and proteins of phase II and antioxidant enzymes, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, and catalase in aging mice (p < 0.05). The expression of these enzymes were stimulated via translocation of Nrf2 into the nucleus, indicating the involvement of ARE, a cis-acting motif located in the promoter region of nearly all phase II genes. Conclusions: PB was testified for the first time to induce cytoprotective genes through the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, thus unraveling the antioxidant mechanism of PB during the aging process.
The VEGFR Inhibitor Cediranib Improves the Efficacy of Fractionated Radiotherapy in a Colorectal Cancer Xenograft Model
Authors: Melsens Elodie , Verberckmoes Bert , Rosseel Natacha , Vanhove Christian , Descamps Benedicte , Pattyn Piet , Ceelen Wim
Published: December 2016

Background/Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) increases local tumor control in locally advanced rectal cancer, but complete histological response is seen in only a minority of cases. Antiangiogenic therapy has been proposed to improve RT efficacy by “normalizing” the tumor microvasculature. Here, we examined whether cediranib, a pan-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, improves microvascular function and tumor control in combination with RT in a mouse colorectal cancer (CRC) model. Methods: CRC xenografts (HT29) were grown subcutaneously in mice. Animals were treated for 5 consecutive days with vehicle, RT (1.8 Gy daily), cediranib (6 mg/kg po), or combined therapy (cediranib 2 h prior to radiation). Tumor volume was measured with calipers. Vascular changes were analyzed by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, oxygenation and interstitial fluid pressure probes and histology. To investigate vascular changes more in detail, a second set of mice were fitted with titanium dorsal skinfold window chambers, wherein a HT29 tumor cell suspension was injected. In vivo fluorescence microscopy was performed before and after treatment (same treatment protocol). Results: In vivo microscopy analyses showed that VEGFR inhibition with cediranib led to a “normalization” of the vessel wall, with decreased microvessel permeability (p < 0.0001) and tortuosity (p < 0.01), and a trend to decreased vessel diameters. This seemed to lead to lower tumor hypoxia rates in the cediranib and combination groups compared to the control and RT groups. This led to an increased tumor control in the combination group compared to controls or monotherapy (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The combination of RT with cediranib enhances tumor control in a CRC xenograft mouse model. Microvascular analyses suggest that cediranib leads to vascular normalization and improved oxygenation.
The CAPN2/CAPN8 Locus on Chromosome 1q Is Associated with Variation in Serum Alpha-Carotene Concentrations
Authors: D'Adamo Christopher R. , Dawson Valerie J. , Ryan Kathleen A. , Yerges-Armstrong Laura M. , Semba Richard D. , Steinle Nanette I. , Mitchell Braxton D. , Shuldiner Alan R. , McArdle Patrick F.
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: Alpha-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid present in fruits and vegetables. Higher serum concentrations of α-carotene have been associated with lower risk of cancer and all-cause mortality. Previous studies have suggested that genetic variants influence serum concentrations of provitamin A carotenoids, but to date no variants have been robustly associated with serum α-carotene concentrations. The aim of this study was to identify genetic associations with serum α-carotene concentrations using the genome-wide association study (GWAS) approach. Methods: A GWAS of serum α-carotene concentrations was conducted in 433 Old Order Amish adults who had consumed a 6-day controlled diet. Linear regression models adjusting for age, gender, and family structure were utilized to evaluate associations between genetic variants and serum α-carotene concentrations. Results: Genome-wide significant associations with α-carotene concentrations were observed for loci on chromosome 1q41 between the genes CAPN2 and CAPN8 (rs12137025, p = 3.55 × 10-8), chromosome 2p21 in PRKCE (rs2594495, p = 1.01 × 10-8), and chromosome 4q34 (rs17830069, p = 2.89 × 10-8). Conclusions: We identified 3 novel loci associated with serum α-carotene concentrations among a population that consumed a controlled diet. While replication is necessary, the CAPN2/CAPN8 locus provides compelling evidence for an association with serum α-carotene concentrations and may suggest a relationship with the development and progression of cancers.
The Puzzle of the Skin Patterns
Authors: Tenea Daniela
Published: December 2016

Background: The pattern of distribution of skin diseases remains one of the most elusive problems in dermatology, particularly when multiple pathologies are involved and coexistence of patterns is present. Most skin diseases show a predilection for certain body areas and are located in characteristic patterns. Many dermatoses exhibit lesions in a segmental fashion concomitantly with disseminated patterns. Sometimes the sites of predilection are inexplicable. Objectives: The main purpose of this paper is to give an overview on the peculiar arrangement of cutaneous lesions in both congenital and acquired skin disorders as well as reactive phenomena in vulnerable areas, in order to better recognise them clinically and understand their pathogenesis. Methods: Based on personal observations and a review of literature, this paper summarises the basics in understanding the patterned distribution of skin lesions, highlights the significance of the lines of Blaschko and their relationship with mosaicism, and describes some of the reactive skin phenomena. Results: Skin mosaicism plays a crucial role in the distribution and arrangement of skin lesions, as demonstrated by recent advances in genetic research in an increasing number of various skin diseases.
Safety Outcomes and Near-Adult Height Gain of Growth Hormone-Treated Children with SHOX Deficiency: Data from an Observational Study and a Clinical Trial
Authors: Benabbad Imane , Rosilio Myriam , Child Christopher J. , Carel Jean-Claude , Ross Judith L. , Deal Cheri L. , Drop Stenvert L.S. , Zimmermann Alan G. , Jia Nan , Quigley Charmian A. , Blum Werner F.
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: To assess auxological and safety data for growth hormone (GH)-treated children with SHOX deficiency. Methods: Data were examined for GH-treated SHOX-deficient children (n = 521) from the observational Genetics and Neuroendocrinology of Short Stature International Study (GeNeSIS). For patients with near-adult height information, GeNeSIS results (n = 90) were compared with a clinical trial (n = 28) of SHOX-deficient patients. Near-adult height was expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) for chronological age, potentially increasing the observed effect of treatment. Results: Most SHOX-deficient patients in GeNeSIS had diagnoses of Leri-Weill syndrome (n = 292) or non-syndromic short stature (n = 228). For GeNeSIS patients with near-adult height data, mean age at GH treatment start was 11.0 years, treatment duration 4.4 years, and height SDS gain 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.49-1.17). Respective ages, GH treatment durations and height SDS gains for GeNeSIS patients prepubertal at baseline (n = 42) were 9.2 years, 6.0 years and 1.19 (0.76-1.62), and for the clinical trial cohort they were 9.2 years, 6.0 years and 1.25 (0.92-1.58). No new GH-related safety concerns were identified. Conclusion: Patients with SHOX deficiency who had started GH treatment before puberty in routine clinical practice had a similar height gain to that of patients in the clinical trial on which approval for the indication was based, with no new safety concerns.
Cutaneous Metastasis: A Study of 138 Cases Diagnosed by Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology
Authors: Handa Uma , Kundu Reetu , Dimri Kislay
Published: December 2016

Background: Cutaneous metastases can occur in a wide variety of internal malignancies and may be the first sign of a clinically silent visceral cancer. Study Design: A retrospective analysis was made of 138 cases diagnosed with cutaneous and subcutaneous metastasis on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Primary tumors of the skin/subcutis were excluded. Results: Of 138 cases, the primary was known in 101 cases and unknown in 37 cases. The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 86 years, and 76 (55.1%) were male and 62 (44.9%) were female. Clinically, the most common lesion was a single nodule (n = 77, 55.8%). The chest wall was the predominant site (n = 53, 38.4%). In males and females, the most common primary sites were the lung (n = 16) and breast (n = 24), respectively. On cytology, the most common diagnosis was metastatic adenocarcinoma (n = 41, 29.7%). Of 37 cases with an unknown primary, FNAC helped to locate the primary site in 17 (45.9%) cases, while in 20 cases it remained undiagnosed. Conclusions: FNAC is a rapid and safe technique that can be used as a first line of investigation for confirmation of metastatic lesions of the skin. Critical evaluation of cytomorphological features along with relevant clinical details could help in the localization of an unknown primary site in some cases.
A nostalgia dos anos 1950 no cinema norte-americano dos anos 1980: os casos de De volta para o futuro e Veludo azul
Authors: Cánepa Laura Loguercio , Ferraraz Rogério
Published: December 2016

O objetivo deste trabalho é refletir sobre duas características importantes da cultura audiovisual estadunidense na década de 1980: a centralidade das figuras masculinas adolescentes e a nostalgia dos anos 1950. Tais características serão discutidas por meio de uma aproximação comparativa entre os filmes De volta para o futuro (Robert Zemeckis, 1985) e Veludo azul (David Lynch, 1986), observando-se, entre outros aspectos, o uso que ambos fazem da figura de Sandman (o Homem da Areia) a partir de letras de canções em suas trilhas musicais. Com isso, procura-se destacar o papel central dessas obras nas carreiras de seus diretores, bem como sugerir que pode haver uma ligação mais forte entre esses dois distintos, porém influentes, filmes da década de 1980
O rosto e a voz como inscrições do sofrimento em dois road movies
Authors: Silva Gustavo Souza da
Published: December 2016

The brown bunny (Vincent Gallo, 2003) e Viajo porque preciso, volto porque te amo (Marcelo Gomes e Karim Aïnouz, 2010) são dois filmes de estrada com muitos pontos em comum: o principal deles é o estado de espírito de seus protagonistas, Bud Clay e José Renato, que sofrem pelo término de seus relacionamentos afetivos. Diante disso, este trabalho discute o enquadramento dos road movies na seara dos gêneros cinematográficos, para, a seguir, debater como os filmes inscrevem na imagem e no som o estado emocional de seus personagens. A hipótese é de que os close-ups no rosto de Clay e os relatos orais de José Renato funcionam como catalisadores das emoções dos protagonistas nesses dois filmes.
Os visual studies e uma proposta de análise para a as (tele)visualidades
Authors: Rocha Simone Maria
Published: December 2016

Este artigo apresenta uma proposta de análise de produtos televisuais que opera na não disjunção das dimensões formais e culturais deste meio. Tal empreendimento implica levar em conta a complexidade da televisão, seu reconhecido valor cultural e a especificidade de seus produtos. Para tanto, tomamos como noção teórico-metodológica central o conceito de visualidade tal como apresentado pela perspectiva dos visual studies.
ASPECTOS DO CAMPO HIGROTÉRMICO E A FORMAÇÃO DA ILHA DE CALOR URBANA NO MUNICÍPIO DE SOROCABA-SP, BRASIL
Authors: Silva Alindomar Lacerda , Silva Edelci Nunes
Published: December 2016

O clima urbano vem sendo abordado por muitos pesquisadores, os quais geralmente discorrem sobre o impacto do crescimento das cidades na qualidade do ar, no campo higrotérmico e também sobre os impactos na qualidade de vida das pessoas que nela habitam. Neste sentido, estudar o clima urbano de Sorocaba, uma cidade media do interior paulista que vem crescendo muito, pode contribuir para o conhecimento climático da região face às mudanças climáticas e ambientais. O objetivo do artigo é fazer uma análise comparativa da temperatura e da umidade relativa do ar na zona rural e urbana e identificar a formação da ilha de calor urbana no município de Sorocaba-SP. Foram coletados dados de temperatura do ar e umidade relativa do ar, utilizando datalloger Hobo U10, de 1h em 1h, 24h por dia, no período de 04 de julho de 2012 a 02 de julho de 2013 em dois pontos: um no centro urbano de Sorocaba e outro no entorno rural. O comportamento anual das temperaturas do ar e umidade relativa do ar seguiu o padrão do tipo climático da região de Sorocaba. As temperaturas mínimas da área urbana são mais elevadas e umidade relativa do ar são mais baixas do que aquelas da área rural. Os resultados apontam para a existência da ilha de calor na região central da cidade; indicando que a crescente urbanização, o aumento da população e o crescimento industrial de Sorocaba já impõem uma alteração na atmosfera urbana local e que, a dinâmica, os fluxos e os ritmos urbanos influenciam a formação da ilha de calor.
O CLIMA E A POLUIÇÃO DO AR POR PTS EM CURITIBA –PR
Authors: Mendonça Francisco Assis , Castelhano Francisco Jablinski
Published: December 2016

A queda na qualidade do ar é um dos principais problemas ambientais em centros urbanos pelo mundo. As condições climáticas se relacionam a má qualidade do ar e tem impacto direto sobre o processo de dispersão e acúmulo de poluentes. O presente estudo da relação entre a qualidade do ar e o clima urbano foi desenvolvido com a aplicação da proposta de SCU – Sistema Clima Urbano – de Monteiro (1976). A cidade de Curitiba (sul do Brasil), mantem uma rede de monitoramento da qualidade do ar (Instituto Ambiental do Paraná – IAP). Para compreender como se dá a relação supracitada, dados horários de PTS (Partículas Totais em Suspensão) foram coletados em três estações oficiais de monitoramento distintas, localizadas na zona urbana da cidade. Estes dados foram tratados com o auxílio do software R e correlacionados com dados meteorológicos através do índice de Pearson. Com o intuito de analisar a dinâmica temporal do poluente foram aplicados delays de até 24 horas ao teste, tentando compreender se as correlações são imediatas ou tardias. Além disso, para a análise atmosférica, foram realizadas análises dos tipos de tempo usando a metodologia da Análise Rítmica (Monteiro,1971). Os resultados sugerem que a variável que mais influencia na dinâmica do poluente é a umidade relativa do ar. Todas as variáveis apresentaram correlações negativas com o PTS, e as concentrações mais altas se encontram sob atuação de sistemas atmosféricos extratropicais.
ADENTRANDO A CIDADE DE PELOTAS/RS PARA TOMAR-LHE A TEMPERATURA
Authors: Collischonn Erika
Published: December 2016

Este artigo apresenta experimentos em clima urbano realizados na cidade de Pelotas inspirados nos esquemas propostos por Carlos Augusto de Figueiredo Monteiro. O primeiro experimento realizado no dia 13/09/2015, baseado nos pressupostos teóricos da formação de ilhas de calor, buscou, através de medidas móveis, analisar a geração de diferenças térmicas no interior da cidade. Na medição noturna realizada, verificou-se ilha de calor com intensidade máxima de 5,4°C nesta cidade de porte médio. A disposição observada da ilha de calor mostra um núcleo na área central-sul e entradas de ar frio nos interstícios. O segundo experimento, realizado em 2014/2015, avalia o efeito do fator de visão do céu (FVC) sobre a temperatura do ar. Calculado o FVC para dez postos de coleta de temperatura e umidade do ar na cidade foi comparado o comportamento da temperatura e da umidade relativa do ar registradas. Foram seis períodos de registro intercalados e cada ponto de coleta contava com coletor eletrônico de dados. Os resultados mostram relação entre o microclima e o FVC. Nos levantamentos considerados os registros nos locais de maior obstrução foram em mais de 70% das vezes superiores à média. As áreas menos obstruídas foram as que apresentaram temperaturas abaixo da média.
TÉCNICA DE PESQUISA EM CLIMA URBANO COM FOCO NO SUBSISTEMA FISICO-QUIMICO
Authors: Silva Charlei Aparecido da
Published: December 2016

O objetivo do estudo é apresentar técnica de pesquisa em clima urbano com foco no subsistema físico-químico. Visa discutir um roteiro teórico-metodológico que valorize e incorpore a dinâmica climática da área de estudo, as condições dos tipos de tempo, as características do sítio urbano, o padrão construtivo, o processo de produção do espaço urbano e o uso do Handheld Laser Particle Counter modelo P311 da marca Airy Tecnology. De custo acessível o Handheld Laser Particle Counter modelo P311 apresenta-se como um equipamento de grande eficiência e passível de ser incorporado em estudos de clima urbano cujo escopo seja o subsistema físico-químico. Capaz de medir concentrações de partículas sólidas inaláveis em microgramas (0,5; 2,5 e 5,0 micrometros) o equipamento permite identificar níveis de poluição prejudiciais a saúde humana. O roteiro proposto é viável para estudos de clima urbano que tenham como objetivo identificar e mensurar a qualidade do ar de áreas das cidades, espacializar a poluição e/ou subsidiar a elaboração medidas mitigadores e de políticas públicas.
Recommendations for the Implementation of Telehealth in Cardiovascular and Stroke Care: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Schwamm Lee H. , Chumbler Neale , Brown Ed , Fonarow Gregg C. , Berube David , Nystrom Karin , Suter Robert , Zavala Mirian , Polsky Daniel , Radhakrishnan Kavita , Lacktman Nathaniel , Horton Katherine , Malcarney Mary-Beth , Halamka John , Tiner A. Colby
Published: December 2016

The aim of this policy statement is to provide a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence evaluating the use of telemedicine in cardiovascular and stroke care and to provide consensus policy suggestions. We evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth in advancing healthcare quality, identify legal and regulatory barriers that impede telehealth adoption or delivery, propose steps to overcome these barriers, and identify areas for future research to ensure that telehealth continues to enhance the quality of cardiovascular and stroke care. The result of these efforts is designed to promote telehealth models that ensure better patient access to high-quality cardiovascular and stroke care while striving for optimal protection of patient safety and privacy.
Adolescent Diet Quality and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in Middle‐Aged Women
Authors: Dahm Christina C. , Chomistek Andrea K. , Jakobsen Marianne Uhre , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Eliassen A. Heather , Sesso Howard D. , Overvad Kim , Willett Walter C. , Rimm Eric B. , Chiuve Stephanie E.
Published: December 2016

Background

Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) focuses on treatment of risk factors, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We investigated whether a healthy diet in adolescence prevents development of clinical risk factors or incidence of
CVD
in adulthood.

Methods and Results

We examined the time to the first development of ≥1 clinical risk factor (hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes mellitus) or
CVD
in relation to a high school Alternative Healthy Eating Index (
HS
‐
AHEI
) within the Nurses’ Health Study
II
. Among those who completed a food frequency questionnaire about their high school diet and adult diet (mean age 42 years), 27 406 women free of clinical risk factors and 42 112 women free of
CVD
in 1998 were followed to June 2011. Hazard ratios (
HRs
) and 95%
CIs
were adjusted for potential confounders in high school and adulthood. We documented 11 542 first diagnoses of clinical risk factors and 423
CVD
events. The
HS
‐
AHEI
was associated with a lower rate of risk factors (
HR
highest versus lowest quintiles 0.82; 95%
CI,
0.77–0.87 [
P
trend <0.001]), was inversely associated with risk of developing ≥1 clinical risk factor in women with a low, medium, and high
AHEI
score during adulthood (
HR
high
HS
‐
AHEI
/high adult
AHEI
versus low/low 0.79 [95% CI, 0.74–0.85]), but was not statistically significantly associated with incident
CVD
.

Conclusions

A healthy diet during adolescence is associated with lower risk of developing
CVD
risk factors. As diet tracks throughout life, and adult diet prevents
CVD
, healthy dietary habits that begin early are important for primordial prevention of
CVD
.
Growth of Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness in Black and White Young Adults
Authors: Hao Guang , Wang Xiaoling , Treiber Frank A. , Davis Harry , Leverett Sharika , Su Shaoyong , Kapuku Gaston
Published: December 2016

Background

There are few longitudinal studies that have comprehensively examined the intima‐media thickness (
IMT
) growth pattern and its determinants among racial population groups.

Methods and Results

Mean and maximum
IMT
were measured by B‐mode ultrasonography up to 3 times in 253 white and 268 black participants, aged 13 to 36 years (mean age±standard deviation 24±3.2 years old). The development of
IMT
was assessed using individual growth curve modeling. A total of 521 participants with 1015
IMT
measurements were eligible for this study. We found higher
IMT
in both left and right sides in blacks compared to whites (
P
<0.001) in young adulthood. Both whites and blacks showed a strong linear increase in mean
IMT
with age. Body mass index and father's education level were associated with mean
IMT
, and only body mass index was associated with maximum
IMT
(
P
<0.05). We did not observe an interaction between age and race/ethnicity on the growth of
IMT
, suggesting that blacks and whites developed
IMT
in similar patterns. Interestingly, we found a faster increase in mean left‐side
IMT
than mean right‐side
IMT
(χ
2
=11.5,
P
<0.001) in both black and white subjects as well as in males and females.

Conclusions

Our findings provide compelling prospective evidence that blacks may have thicker
IMT
compared to whites as young adults. These racial differences could not be explained by traditional risk factors. This implies that differences in this precursor of atherosclerosis may explain racial disparity in cerebrovascular disease.
The Enforceability of the Unfair Arbitration Agreement in Consumer Disputes before Dubai Courts
Authors: Qouteshat Omar Husain
Published: December 2016

Online transactions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (gcc) region and particularly Dubai has undergone a phenomenal rise in recent times. However, reform is required to improve the legislation as it relates to consumer rights. Upon successful completion of online transactions, consumers often end up agreeing to unclear arbitration clauses among other terms and conditions, thereby bearing extra costs and expenses. They may also waive their right to litigate, which is a primary consideration and should be secured. This article seeks to examine current legislation and court approaches in Dubai, relating to consumer rights. Essentially, possible solutions directed at protecting consumers from referring to arbitration.
Duress and Its Impact on Contracts in the uae Law on Civil Transactions: Analytical Study in the Light of Islamic Jurisprudence
Authors: Jadalhaq Iyad Mohammad
Published: December 2016

This research addresses and analyses ‘duress’ and its impact on contracts, being one of the defects in consent, as regulated by the uae legislators in the Law on Civil Transactions. uae legislators have gleaned duress-related provisions from Islamic jurisprudence, as per its approach to regulation of the provisions of civil transactions. Therefore, this research needs to be referred to the different Schools of Islamic jurisprudence, these being the source of the uae Law on Civil Transactions. The research concluded that there is consensus among scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, as to the fact that duress affects a contract; however, these scholars hold differing views as to the extent of such impact. The research further concluded that the uae legislators have derived the legal regulation of duress from the Ḥanafī and Mālikī Schools of Islamic Sharīʿah—though there are some differences between these Schools—and the research arrives at additional conclusions and makes some recommendations.
‘Plural Sharīʿah’. A Liberal Interpretation of the Sharīʿah Constitutional Clause of the 2014 Egyptian Constitution
Authors: Anello Giancarlo
Published: December 2016

This article addresses the Egyptian Constitution issued in 2014 (dustūr ǧumhūriyyah miṣr al-ʿarabiyyah). Article 2 declares that Islam is the religion of the State and that the Sharīʿah is the main source of legislation. The aim of the author is to interpret this provision considering the role that the Islamic religion plays in the cultural and legal framework of Arab countries, notably in Egypt. Furthermore, this article tries to develop a pluralistic interpretation of the norm, taking into account some foundational aspects of the Egyptian legal system including the Civil Code of 1948, the particular tradition of Arab Constitutionalism, and the former jurisprudence of the Supreme Constitutional Court.
Syrian Identity in Bethlehem: From Ethnoreligion to Ecclesiology
Authors: Calder Mark D.
Published: December 2016

At first sight, the Syriac Orthodox community in Bethlehem appears to be well-described as “ethno-religious”: while many Palestinian siryān emphasise their connection to an ancient Aramean ethnos, this identification also usually entails some relationship to the Syriac Orthodox Church. However, “religion” (ethno or otherwise) is arguably too overburdened a category to tell us much about how being siryāni in Bethlehem compares to being something else. I propose, instead, that thinking of Syrian self-articulation as a kind of ecclesiology, a tradition of incarnating a body (specifically Christ’s), draws attention to the creative, situated and dialogic process of being and becoming siryāni, while problematising categories with which social scientists customarily think about groups. Unlike ethno-religion, ecclesiology captures the fraught pursuit of redeemed sociality, connecting Bethlehem’s destabilized local present to universal and eternal hope. In Bethlehem, what’s more, these dialogues proceed in tantalizing proximity to places and paths, which are haunted by the incarnate (Aramaic-speaking) God whom Syriac Orthodox Christians embody and envoice. Indeed, while this Syrian body is often narrated as an organic, racial fact, nevertheless it is susceptible to a kind of transubstantiation at the margins when an “other” participates fully in the life of this body, especially via the church.
Yezidi Circumcision and Blood-Brotherhood (Including the Circumcision of the Dead)
Authors: Nicolaus Peter
Published: December 2016

Amongst Kurds and Yezidis the circumcision of male children and the subsequent bloodbond (kerāfat), formed between the circumcised and the one chosen to hold the boy on his knees during the procedure, has been until the recent past a major rite of passage, as well as a functioning protection mechanism. However, within the last few decades significant changes have occurred in Northern Iraq; and only the Yezidis and a few Kurdish tribes in remote areas still uphold the traditions of the kerāfat. The Yezidis in Armenia and Georgia have completely abandoned this institution and have also altered their practice of circumcision.

The present article sheds light on the Yezidi kerāfat, the mutual social obligations of the two blood-brothers, as well as the marriage barriers established between their respective families. Furthermore, it tracks the modifications circumcision has undergone in Northern Iraq, Turkey, and among Yezidis in the diaspora. In this context, it elaborates on the circumcision practices of the Yezidis in Northern Iraq, Germany, and Transcaucasia especially highlighting the changes introduced through contact with, and the social pressures of, the respective majority population—in particular, focusing on Armenia and Georgia where these changes have resulted in the circumcision of the dead.
And the Pearl Became an Egg: The Yezidi Red Wednesday and Its Cosmogonic Background
Authors: Rodziewicz Artur
Published: December 2016

The paper presents a structural reading of the events accompanying the Yezidi feasts of the New Year (Serê Salê) and the Red Wednesday (Çarşemiya-sor), which can be collated with the outlines of the cosmogonic order reconstructed on the basis of the content of the Yezidi hymns. The New Year festival, especially the moment of transition from Tuesday night to Wednesday, can be seen as a representation of the initial cosmogonic stages–the transition from the dark of indefiniteness into the first steps of the new world associated with the appearance of the luminous Pearl, which takes colours and breaks apart. This paper describes the interaction between the descriptions of the Pearl in the hymns and the festival rituals associated with eggs (colouring, breaking, mixing them with clay and flowers).

In addition to the relevant literature, the author refers to his own field research conducted during the Çarşemiya-sor in Lalish in 2014 and in Ba’adra and Sheikhan where he lived in April 2015.
From Yezidism to Islam: Religious Architecture of the Mahmudî Dynasty in Khoshâb
Authors: Açikyildiz-Şengül Birgül
Published: December 2016

The Yezidi Mahmudî Dynasty controlled Khoshâb and surrounding area between Van, Nakhchivân and Marâgha during almost five centuries, from the end of the 14th century to the second half of the 19th century. Тhe Mahmudî rulers consolidated their power by their rational diplomacy with the main political forces of the region, first with the Black Sheep and White Sheep Turkomans and later with the Ottomans and the Safavids. Converted to Islam in the mid-16th century, the Mahmudîs contributed to the Islamic art by endowing buildings in Khoshâb between 1563 and 1671.

The article focuses on the study of Mahmudî religious architecture in Khoshâb, tracing particularly the pre-Islamic Yezidi elements in it.
Inocybe gregaria, a new species of the Inosperma clade from tropical India
Authors: LATHA K. P. DEEPNA , MANIMOHAN PATINJAREVEETTIL
Published: December 2016

Inocybe gregaria sp. nov. is described from Kerala State, India, based on morphological and molecular data. A comprehensive description, photographs, and comparisons with phenetically similar and phylogenetically related species are provided. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region (nrITS), a portion of the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nrLSU) and a portion of the nuclear second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2) gene of this species were sequenced and analyzed. BLASTn searches using LSU and rpb2 sequences and subsequent ML phylogram of combined LSU and rpb2 sequences revealed that I. gregaria is conspecific with Inocybe sp. ZT8944, a collection assigned to the Inosperma clade that remains undescribed.
Phallus campanulatus Berk. (Phallaceae, Agaricomycetes), a poorly known species from South America and its synonym P. granulosodenticulatus B. Braun
Authors: TRIERVEILER-PEREIRA LARISSA , BALTAZAR JULIANO M. , SILVEIRA ROSA MARA B. DA
Published: December 2016

Phallus campanulatus and P. granulosodenticulatus are two fungal species proposed in 1842 and 1932, respectively, based on specimens collected on sandy soil in South America. Studies on recently collected specimens and herbaria material lead us to conclude that they are the same species. Therefore, the synonymy of P. granulosodenticulatus under P. campanulatus is proposed. Additionally, a lectotype is selected for P. granulosodenticulatus.
Two new species of Eugenia (Myrtaceae) from Central Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: DE SOUZA MARIA ANÁLIA D. , SCUDELLER VERIDIANA V. , DE MENDONÇA MARIA SÍLVIA
Published: December 2016

There are described, illustrated and compared with related species Eugenia lisboae and Eugenia ramosii. Eugenia lisboae is similar to E. citrifolia, differing by its adaxially concave midvein, triangular and basally connate sepals and ellipsoid fruits. Eugenia ramosii is morphologically similar to E. diplocampta, from which it differs by campto-brochidodromous venation, deltoid or scaly with acute apex and oblong-orbicular sepals that conceal the floral globe but not closing the top of bud, which is globose.
Integrative taxonomic re-description of Halisarca magellanica and description of a new species of Halisarca (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Chilean Patagonia
Authors: WILLENZ PHILIPPE , ERESKOVSKY ALEXANDER V. , LAVROV DENNIS V.
Published: December 2016

A series of recent expeditions in fjords and canals of Southern Chilean Patagonia allowed the re-collection of Halisarca magellanica Topsent, 1901 and the discovery of a new species, Halisarca desqueyrouxae sp. nov. The material studied was collected at depths ranging from 3 to 30 m at latitudes comprised between 42° and 49°S. Both species share the same habitat and show a morphological plasticity, but differ in their colour. Halisarca magellanica is bright pink to whitish with three morphs whereas H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. is light brown to beige with two morphs. An extensive investigation in TEM and SEM reveals several differences among cell types with inclusions between both species. Three distinct spherulous cells occur. Type 1 is shared by both species, Type 2 is occasional in H. magellanica but absent from H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. Type 3 is rare in H. magellanica and occurs abundantly in half of the specimens of H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. Granular cells are shared by both species but do not occur in all specimens. Microgranular cells are characteristic of H. magellanica. Both species also clearly differ by their endobiotic bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of cox1 sequences places H. magellanica as a sister group to all other previously published Halisarca species sequences (9.1–9.7% difference) except H. harmelini, while H. desqueyrouxae sp. nov. is placed as a sister group to H. dujardini (2.3% difference).
Observed Relationships between Cloud Vertical Structure and Convective Aggregation over Tropical Ocean
Authors: Stein T. H. M. , Holloway C. E. , Tobin I. , Bony S.
Published: December 2016

Using the satellite-infrared-based Simple Convective Aggregation Index (SCAI) to determine the degree of aggregation, 5 years of CloudSat–CALIPSO cloud profiles are composited at a spatial scale of 10 degrees to study the relationship between cloud vertical structure and aggregation. For a given large-scale vertical motion and domain-averaged precipitation rate, there is a large decrease in anvil cloud (and in cloudiness as a whole) and an increase in clear sky and low cloud as aggregation increases. The changes in thick anvil cloud are proportional to the changes in total areal cover of brightness temperatures below 240 K [cold cloud area (CCA)], which is negatively correlated with SCAI. Optically thin anvil cover decreases significantly when aggregation increases, even for a fixed CCA, supporting previous findings of a higher precipitation efficiency for aggregated convection. Cirrus, congestus, and midlevel clouds do not display a consistent relationship with the degree of aggregation. Lidar-observed low-level cloud cover (where the lidar is not attenuated) is presented herein as the best estimate of the true low-level cloud cover, and it is shown that it increases as aggregation increases. Qualitatively, the relationships between cloud distribution and SCAI do not change with sea surface temperature, while cirrus clouds are more abundant and low-level clouds less at higher sea surface temperatures. For the observed regimes, the vertical cloud profile varies more evidently with SCAI than with mean precipitation rate. These results confirm that convective scenes with similar vertical motion and rainfall can be associated with vastly different cloudiness (both high and low cloud) and humidity depending on the degree of convective aggregation.