bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Humidity Aerodynamic Effects Study on Offshore Wind Turbine Airfoil/Blade Performance through CFD Analysis
Authors: Yue Weipeng , Xue Yu , Liu Yan
Published: March 2017

Damp air with high humidity combined with foggy, rainy weather, and icing in winter weather often is found to cause turbine performance degradation, and it is more concerned with offshore wind farm development. To address and understand the high humidity effects on wind turbine performance, our study has been conducted with spread sheet analysis on damp air properties investigation for air density and viscosity; then CFD modeling study using Fluent was carried out on airfoil and blade aerodynamic performance effects due to water vapor partial pressure of mixing flow and water condensation around leading edge and trailing edge of airfoil. It is found that the high humidity effects with water vapor mixing flow and water condensation thin film around airfoil may have insignificant effect directly on airfoil/blade performance; however, the indirect effects such as blade contamination and icing due to the water condensation may have significant effects on turbine performance degradation. Also it is that found the foggy weather with microwater droplet (including rainy weather) may cause higher drag that lead to turbine performance degradation. It is found that, at high temperature, the high humidity effect on air density cannot be ignored for annual energy production calculation. The blade contamination and icing phenomenon need to be further investigated in the next study.
Extensive Intracardiac and Deep Venous Thromboses in a Young Woman with Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and May-Thurner Syndrome
Authors: Kim Yekaterina , Choi Daniel C. , Zaidi Ali N.
Published: March 2017

A 38-year-old woman with a history of recurrent deep venous thromboses (DVTs) on chronic anticoagulation presented with acute left leg swelling. The patient was diagnosed with an acute left lower extremity (LLE) DVT in the setting of May-Thurner syndrome for which treatment with unfractionated heparin was started. Her hospital course was complicated by a new diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), with an incidental discovery of a large tricuspid valve mobile mass on a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Subsequent imaging confirmed multiple right atrial thrombi along with LLE venous stent thrombosis and a new right LE acute DVT. Anticoagulation with argatroban for HIT thrombosis was started. She underwent a right atrial percutaneous thrombectomy and bilateral lower extremity thrombectomy with directed angioplasty and stent placement. This presentation is a rare manifestation of HIT with extensive intracardiac and deep venous thrombi, with successful staged interventions.
Monitoring Compliance and Acceptability of Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria Using Sulfadoxine Pyrimethamine after Ten Years of Implementation in Tanzania
Authors: Ayubu Mdetele B. , Kidima Winifrida B.
Published: March 2017

Intermittent preventive treatment using SP (IPTp-SP) is still a superior interventional approach to control malaria during pregnancy. However its rate of use has gone down tremendously in malaria endemic areas. This study forms part of a larger study aimed at monitoring the compliance of IPTp-SP policy in malaria endemic areas of Tanzania. Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in Dar es Salaam and Njombe Regions of Tanzania. Overall, 540 pregnant women and 21 healthcare workers were interviewed using structured questionnaires. This study revealed that 63% of women were not willing to take SP during pregnancy while 91% would only take it if they tested positive for malaria during antennal visits. 63% of the interviewed women did not know the recommended dose of SP required during pregnancy, despite the fact that 82% of the women were aware of the adverse effect of malaria during pregnancy. It was found out that 54% of pregnant women (30–40 weeks) took single dose, 34% took two doses, and 16% did not take SP at the time of interview. It was also found that SP was not administered under direct observed therapy in 86% of women. There was no significant relationship between number of doses received by pregnant women and antenatal clinic (ANC) start date (r2 = 0.0033, 95% CI (−0.016 to 0.034)). However positive correlation between drug uptake and drug availability was revealed (p=0.0001). Knowledge on adverse effects of placental malaria among pregnant women was significantly associated with drug uptake (OR 11.81, 95% CI (5.755–24.23), p=0.0001). We conclude that unavailability of drugs in ANC is the major reason hindering the implementation of IPTp-SP.
Efficacy of the PARP Inhibitor Veliparib with Carboplatin or as a Single Agent in Patients with Germline BRCA1- or BRCA2-Associated Metastatic Breast Cancer: California Cancer Consortium Trial NCT01149083
Authors: Somlo George , Frankel Paul H. , Arun Banu K. , Ma Cynthia X. , Garcia Agustin A. , Cigler Tessa , Cream Leah V. , Harvey Harold A. , Sparano Joseph A. , Nanda Rita , Chew Helen K. , Moynihan Timothy J. , Vahdat Linda T. , Goetz Matthew P. , Beumer Jan H. , Hurria Arti , Mortimer Joanne , Piekarz Richard , Sand Sharon , Herzog Josef , Van Tongeren Lily R. , Ferry-Galow Katherine V. , Chen Alice P. , Ruel Christopher , Newman Edward M. , Gandara David R. , Weitzel Jeffrey N.
Published: March 2017

Purpose: We aimed to establish the MTD of the poly (ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase inhibitor, veliparib, in combination with carboplatin in germline BRCA1- and BRCA2- (BRCA)-associated metastatic breast cancer (MBC), to assess the efficacy of single-agent veliparib, and of the combination treatment after progression, and to correlate PAR levels with clinical outcome.

Experimental Design: Phase I patients received carboplatin (AUC of 5–6, every 21 days), with escalating doses (50-20 mg) of oral twice-daily (BID) veliparib. In a companion phase II trial, patients received single-agent veliparib (400 mg BID), and upon progression, received the combination at MTD. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell PAR and serum veliparib levels were assessed and correlated with outcome.

Results: Twenty-seven phase I trial patients were evaluable. Dose-limiting toxicities were nausea, dehydration, and thrombocytopenia [MTD: veliparib 150 mg po BID and carboplatin (AUC of 5)]. Response rate (RR) was 56%; 3 patients remain in complete response (CR) beyond 3 years. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8.7 and 18.8 months. The PFS and OS were 5.2 and 14.5 months in the 44 patients in the phase II trial, with a 14% RR in BRCA1 (n = 22) and 36% in BRCA2 (n = 22). One of 30 patients responded to the combination therapy after progression on veliparib. Higher baseline PAR was associated with clinical benefit.

Conclusions: Safety and efficacy are encouraging with veliparib alone and in combination with carboplatin in BRCA-associated MBC. Lasting CRs were observed when the combination was administered first in the phase I trial. Further investigation of PAR level association with clinical outcomes is warranted. Clin Cancer Res; 23(15); 4066–76. ©2017 AACR.
Postradiation Matrix Metalloproteinase-20 Expression and Its Impact on Dental Micromorphology and Radiation-Related Caries
Authors: Gomes-Silva Wagner , Prado-Ribeiro Ana Carolina , Brandão Thaís Bianca , Morais-Faria Karina , de Castro Junior Gilberto , Mak Milena Perez , Lopes Marcio Ajudarte , Rocha Marcelo Marques , Salo Tuula , Tjäderhane Leo , de Goes Mario Fernando , Santos-Silva Alan Roger
Published: March 2017

Recent evidence suggests that head-and-neck radiotherapy (HNRT) increases active forms of matrix metalloproteinase-20 (MMP-20) in human tooth crowns, degrading the dentin-enamel junction (DEJ) and leading to enamel delamination, which is a pivotal step in the formation of radiation-related caries (RRC). Additional participation of enzymatic degradation of organic matrix components in caries progression was attributed to MMP-20 in dentin. Therefore, the current study tested the hypothesis that MMP-20 is overexpressed in the DEJ, dentin-pulp complex components, and carious dentin of post-HNRT patients, leading to detectable micromorphological changes to the enamel and dentin. Thirty-six teeth were studied, including 19 post-HNRT specimens and 17 nonirradiated controls. Optical light microscopy was used to investigate the micromorphological components of the DEJ, dentin-pulp complex components, and carious dentin. The samples were divided into 2 subgroups: nondemineralized ground sections (n = 20) and demineralized histological sections (n = 16). In addition, immunohistochemical analysis using the immunoperoxidase technique was conducted to semiquantitatively assess MMP-20 expression in the DEJ, dentin-pulp complex components, and carious dentin. No apparent damage to the DEJ microstructure or other dentin-pulp complex components was observed and no statistically significant differences were detected in MMP-20 expression (p > 0.05) between the irradiated and control groups. This study rejected the hypothesis that MMP-20 is overexpressed in the DEJ, dentin-pulp complex components, and carious dentin of post-HNRT patients, leading to detectable micromorphological changes. Hence, direct effects of radiation may not be regarded as an independent factor to explain aggressive clinical patterns of RRC.
Platelets as a Novel Source of Pro-Inflammatory Chemokine CXCL14
Authors: Witte Alexander , Chatterjee Madhumita , Lang Florian , Gawaz Meinrad
Published: March 2017

Objective: Platelets are a major source of chemokines. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that platelets express significant amounts of CXCL14 and disclose powerful effects of platelet-derived CXCL14 on monocyte and endothelial migration. Methods: The expression of CXCL14 in platelets and in the supernatant of activated platelets was analysed by immunoblotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry. The effect of platelet-derived CXCL14 on monocyte migration was evaluated using a modified Boyden chamber. The effect of CXCL14 on monocyte phagocytosis was tested by using fluorochrome-labelled E.coli particles. The effect of platelet-derived CXCL14 on endothelial migration was explored by the use of an endothelial scratch assay. Results: Hitherto unrecognized expression of CXCL14 in human and murine platelets was uncovered by immunoblotting. Activation with platelet agonists such as adenosine-di-phosphate (ADP), collagen-related peptide (CRP), or thrombin-receptor activating peptide (TRAP), increased CXCL14 surface expression (flow cytometry) and release into the supernatant (immunoblotting, ELISA). Since CXCL14 is known to be chemotactic for CD14+ monocytes, we investigated the chemotactic potential of platelet-derived CXCL14 on human monocytes. Activated platelet supernatant induced monocyte migration, which was counteracted upon neutralization of platelet-derived CXCL14 as compared to IgG control. Blocking of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, but not CXCR7, reduced the number of migratory monocytes towards recombinant CXCL14, suggesting the involvement of CXCR4 in the CXCL14-directed monocyte chemotaxis. Recombinant CXCL14 enhanced the phagocytic uptake of E.coli particles by monocytes. In scratch assays with cultured endothelial cells (HUVECs), platelet-derived CXCL14 counteracted the pro-angiogenic effects of VEGF, supporting its previously recognized angiostatic potential. Conclusions: Platelets are a relevant source of CXCL14. Platelet-derived CXCL14 at the site of vascular lesions might play an important role in vascular repair/regeneration.
Editorial
Authors: Castro Filho Cláudio Marcondes de
Published: March 2017

Editorial do v. 5, n. 2, 2017.
Contemporary Approaches to Modulating the Nitric Oxide–cGMP Pathway in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Kraehling Jan R. , Sessa William C.
Published: March 2017

Endothelial cells lining the vessel wall control important aspects of vascular homeostasis. In particular, the production of endothelium-derived nitric oxide and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase promotes endothelial quiescence and governs vasomotor function and proportional remodeling of blood vessels. Here, we discuss novel approaches to improve endothelial nitric oxide generation and preserve its bioavailability. We also discuss therapeutic opportunities aimed at activation of soluble guanylate cyclase for multiple cardiovascular indications.
Left Ventricular Dysfunction Switches Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Toward an Inflammatory Phenotype and Impairs Their Reparative Properties Via Toll-Like Receptor-4
Authors: Naftali-Shani Nili , Levin-Kotler La-Paz , Palevski Dahlia , Amit Uri , Kain David , Landa Natalie , Hochhauser Edith , Leor Jonathan
Published: March 2017

Background:

Little is known about the potentially unfavorable effects of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) activation on the heart. MSCs can respond to tissue injury by anti- or proinflammatory activation. We aimed to study the potential negative interaction between left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) and MSC activation.

Methods:

We isolated MSCs from cardiac and subcutaneous fat tissues of mice with LVD 28 days after myocardial infarction or sham operation. To evaluate the effect of LVD on MSCs, we characterized cardiac MSCs and subcutaneous MSCs in vitro. Subsequently, we injected MSCs or saline into the infarcted myocardium of mice and evaluated LV remodeling and function 28 days after myocardial infarction. To test the hypothesis that toll-like receptor 4 (
TLR4
) mediates proinflammatory polarization of MSCs, we characterized cardiac MSCs from
TLR4
-/-
and wild-type (WT) mice after inflammatory stimulation in vitro. Next, we transplanted cardiac MSCs from
TLR4
-/-
and WT male mice into the infarcted myocardium of female WT mice and evaluated infarct size, MSC retention, inflammation, remodeling, and function after 7 days.

Results:

LVD switched cardiac MSCs toward an inflammatory phenotype, with increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines as well as chemokines. The effect of LVD on subcutaneous MSCs was less remarkable. Although transplantation of cardiac MSCs and subcutaneous MSCs from LVD and sham hearts did not improve LV remodeling and function, cardiac MSCs from LVD exacerbated anterior wall thinning 28 days after myocardial infarction. The inflammatory polarization of cardiac MSCs by LVD was mediated by
TLR4
, as we found less secretion of inflammatory cytokines and higher secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines from activated cardiac MSCs of
TLR4
-deficient mice, compared with WT cardiac MSCs. Significantly,
TLR4
deficiency preserved the expression of CD47 (don’t eat me signal) on cardiac MSCs after both
TLR4
stimulation in vitro and transplantation into the infarcted heart. Compared with WT cardiac MSCs and saline,
TLR4
-/-
cardiac MSCs survived in the cardiac tissue and maintained their reparative properties, reduced infarct size, increased scar thickness, and attenuated LV dilatation 7 days after myocardial infarction.

Conclusions:

The environment of the failing and infarcted myocardium drives resident and transplanted MSCs toward a proinflammatory phenotype and restricts their survival and reparative effects in a mechanism mediated by
TLR4
.
Figure-Ground and Occlusion Depiction in Early Australian Aboriginal Bark Paintings
Authors: Gillam Barbara J.
Published: March 2017

Aboriginal painting has been largely treated as conceptual rather than perceptual and its visual impact little examined. In this article the author shows the perceptual skill and innovation demonstrated by Aboriginal bark painters in depicting figure-ground and occlusion. This has heuristic value for studying occlusion perception and adds visual meaning to the conceptual meaning of the paintings.
Metallic Factures: László Moholy-Nagy and Kazimir Malevich
Authors: Kokkori Maria , Bouras Alexander
Published: March 2017

In László Moholy-Nagy’s work, the concept of facture fused the material and immaterial, challenging preconceptions about its meaning, practice, purpose, matter and use. Facture was explored by the artist, in a way quite in tune with his Suprematist contemporaries, as an idea, a formless phenomenon, as well as a technological or scientific development. Exploring the significance of facture in Moholy-Nagy’s work, this article focuses on the theoretical and practical affinities that Moholy-Nagy and Kazimir Malevich shared in the early 1920s, as expressed in their approaches toward the creative process, with particular focus on the artists’ explorations of metallic factures.
Recollections and Reflections on László Moholy-Nagy
Authors: Siegel Elizabeth
Published: March 2017

In 1937, artist László Moholy-Nagy directed a new school based on Bauhaus principles, The New Bauhaus: American School of Design, in Chicago. Although the school lasted only one year, Moholy-Nagy soon reorganized it as the School of Design in Chicago and then as the Institute of Design, which was later incorporated into the Illinois Institute of Technology. The author conducted numerous telephone and in-person interviews with teachers and students of the school to find insight into Moholy-Nagy’s teaching and working methods, the unusual pedagogy of the school across its iterations and the camaraderie and mutual support felt by the students at this exciting place and time.
Larval development of the epizoic barnacle Octolasmis unguisiformis Kobayashi & Kato, 2003 (Cirripedia, Pedunculata)
Authors: Wijayanti H. , Yusa Y. , Kado R.
Published: March 2017

Larvae of the androdioecious and endangered barnacle, Octolasmis unguisiformis, were cultured in the laboratory for the first time. The larvae passed through six free-swimming naupliar stages and a cyprid stage. The naupliar stages required a combined minimum of 44 days at 25°C, and the cyprid stage lasted up to 7 days. However, none of the cyprids settled, even if the host crab (Macrophthalmus milloti) was introduced. The morphological features of the naupliar stages are described and compared with other Octolasmis spp.
Die Endungen -os/-as und -a des Nominativ/Akkusativ Plurals der a-Stämme im Altsächsischen
Authors: Versloot Arjen
Published: March 2017

The Old Saxon ending of the NAp of the masculine a-stems is generally -os in the larger sources Heliand and Genesis, appears as -as in minor texts, but faces competition from -a in minor texts in south-western sources. There are various hypotheses about the origin of the -a-ending, whether going back to the original Proto-Germanic accusative ending or being a borrowing from Franconian. An analysis of all 119 attested NAp forms of masculine -(j/w)a-stems from minor texts reveals that the ending -a arose in the late 9th century and found its roots indeed in the south-western region of the Lower Rhine Valley (Essen, Werden). The variant -os, next to geographically dominant -as, is only found in that region as well. The ending -a most likely spread from Lower Rhine Valley Franconian, where an intense contact existed between Franconian and Saxon, the former being the politically dominant variety. This borrowing was the first step in a total reshaping of Middle Low Saxon plural morphology, based on the Franconian pattern of masculine -e versus feminine -en.
Notes on Vsp. 17–18
Authors: Samplonius Kees
Published: March 2017

This article is part of a series of critical assessments of the ruling scholarly view of Vǫluspá as a poem with roots in, and propelled by a pagan worldview. The present contribution investigates the background of the imagery of strophes 17–18 dealing with the animation of men by the supernatural triad Óðinn, Hœnir and Lóðurr, and the referential load which this background can be brought to bear on our understanding of the poem at large. It is argued that, rather than representing any pagan conception, the picture of the faculties distributed in Vsp. 17–18 draws on medieval notions concerning the influence of the planets on men, which folly, Byrhtferth of Ramsey says, had currency among the pagan ancestors. In the poem, it is argued further,HœnirandLóðurrdesignate the Morning Star, and Saturn, presented in the poem as the opposite forces of good and bad, whose gifts equips mankind with the power of discernment of right and wrong. Before, man wasørlǫglauss‘without fate’, now he becomes accountable for his deeds, which explains why the poet in the following strophe confronts us with the picture of the tree (Vsp. 19), introduced already in Vsp. 2 asmjǫtviðr‘measure-tree’, calling to mind the Scripturallignum scientiae mali et boni, the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. The explanation, of an intrinsic opposition of good and evil, allows us to read the enigmatic wordsþá kná Hœnir hlutvið kiósa(Vsp. 63) as ‘now only Hœnir [the good planet] destines/chooses thehlutvið‘fates [of men]’, evil influences being absent from the newly created world of bliss.
Till Eulenspiegel, Mechthild von Magdeburg, Rudolf von Ems und Herzog Ernst
Authors: Classen Albrecht
Published: March 2017

In the assumption that literary texts can be employed already in the first German language classes, we are confronted with the question how to select the right texts and whether there might be historical criteria. This article argues that medieval German literature can also be included, if it is dealt with in a pedagogically and didactically skillful manner. The messages of the medieval texts often prove to be astoundingly meaningful, and this even for us today, not only because they develop alternative perspectives, but also because they address basically the same problems as today, even though from their own perspectives. Based on a selection of literary texts from the twelfth through the late thirteenth century this article illustrates what texts could be used well in German as a Foreign Language and in a literature class to meet specific learning outcomes.
A Case Study of Observed and Modeled Barrier Flow in the Denmark Strait in May 2015
Authors: DuVivier Alice K. , Cassano John J. , Greco Steven , Emmitt G. David
Published: March 2017

Mesoscale barrier jets in the Denmark Strait are common in winter months and have the capability to influence open ocean convection. This paper presents the first detailed observational study of a summertime (21 May 2015) barrier wind event in the Denmark Strait using dropsondes and observations from an airborne Doppler wind lidar (DWL). The DWL profiles agree well with dropsonde observations and show a vertically narrow (~250–400 m) barrier jet of 23–28 m s−1 near the Greenland coast that broadens (~300–1000 m) and strengthens farther off coast. In addition, otherwise identical regional high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model simulations of the event are analyzed at four horizontal grid spacings (5, 10, 25, and 50 km), two vertical resolutions (40 and 60 levels), and two planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations [Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino, version 2.5 (MYNN2.5) and University of Washington (UW)] to determine what model configurations best simulate the observed jet structure. Comparison of the WRF simulations with wind observations from satellites, dropsondes, and the airborne DWL scans indicate that the combination of both high horizontal resolution (5 km) and vertical resolution (60 levels) best captures observed barrier jet structure and speeds as well as the observed cloud field, including some convective clouds. Both WRF PBL schemes produced reasonable barrier jets with the UW scheme slightly outperforming the MYNN2.5 scheme. However, further investigation at high horizontal and vertical resolution is needed to determine the impact of the WRF PBL scheme on surface energy budget terms, particularly in the high-latitude maritime environment around Greenland.
A Study of the Effect of Surfactants on the Aggregation Behavior of Crude Oil Aqueous Dispersions through Steady-State Fluorescence Spectrometry
Authors: Vallejo-Cardona Alba A. , Cerón-Camacho Ricardo , Karamath James R. , Martínez-Palou Rafael , Aburto Jorge
Published: March 2017

Unconventional crude oil as heavy, extra heavy, bitumen, tight, and shale oils will meet 10% of worldwide needs for 2035, perhaps earlier. Petroleum companies will face problems concerning crude oil extraction, production, transport, and refining, and some of these are addressed by the use of surfactants and other chemicals. For example, water-in-crude oil emulsions are frequently found during the production of mature wells where enhanced recovery techniques have been deployed. Nevertheless, the selection of adequate surfactant, dosage, type of water (sea, tap or oilfield), kind of crude oil (light, heavy, extra heavy, tight, shale, bitumen) affect the effectivity of treatment and usual bottle tests give limited information. We developed a fluorescence technique to study the effect of surfactants on medium, heavy, and extra heavy crude oil employing the natural fluorophore molecules from petroleum. We first carried out the characterization of commercial and synthetic surfactants, then dispersions of petroleum in water were studied by steady-state fluorometry and the size of petroleum aggregates were measured. The aggregation of petroleum incremented from medium to extra heavy crude oil and we discussed the effect of different surfactants on such aggregation.
Reverse Intensity Correction for Raman Spectral Library Search
Authors: Zhao Jun , Frano Kristen , Zhou Jack
Published: March 2017

A reverse intensity correction method was developed for spectral library searches to correct for instrument response without the side effect of magnifying the noise in the low responsivity region of test spectra. Instead of applying relative intensity correction to the sample test spectra to match the standardized library spectra, a reverse intensity correction is applied to the standardized library spectra to match the uncorrected sample spectrum. This simple procedural change improves library search performance, especially for dispersive charge-coupled device Raman analyzers using near-infrared excitations, where the instrument response often varies greatly across the spectral range, and signal-to-noise ratio in the low responsivity regions is typically poor.
A Comparative Investigation of the Combined Effects of Pre-Processing, Wavelength Selection, and Regression Methods on Near-Infrared Calibration Model Performance
Authors: Wan Jian , Chen Yi-Chieh , Morris A. Julian , Thennadil Suresh N.
Published: March 2017

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is being widely used in various fields ranging from pharmaceutics to the food industry for analyzing chemical and physical properties of the substances concerned. Its advantages over other analytical techniques include available physical interpretation of spectral data, nondestructive nature and high speed of measurements, and little or no need for sample preparation. The successful application of NIR spectroscopy relies on three main aspects: pre-processing of spectral data to eliminate nonlinear variations due to temperature, light scattering effects and many others, selection of those wavelengths that contribute useful information, and identification of suitable calibration models using linear/nonlinear regression . Several methods have been developed for each of these three aspects and many comparative studies of different methods exist for an individual aspect or some combinations. However, there is still a lack of comparative studies for the interactions among these three aspects, which can shed light on what role each aspect plays in the calibration and how to combine various methods of each aspect together to obtain the best calibration model. This paper aims to provide such a comparative study based on four benchmark data sets using three typical pre-processing methods, namely, orthogonal signal correction (OSC), extended multiplicative signal correction (EMSC) and optical path-length estimation and correction (OPLEC); two existing wavelength selection methods, namely, stepwise forward selection (SFS) and genetic algorithm optimization combined with partial least squares regression for spectral data (GAPLSSP); four popular regression methods, namely, partial least squares (PLS), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM), and Gaussian process regression (GPR). The comparative study indicates that, in general, pre-processing of spectral data can play a significant role in the calibration while wavelength selection plays a marginal role and the combination of certain pre-processing, wavelength selection, and nonlinear regression methods can achieve superior performance over traditional linear regression-based calibration.
Prospects of India–GCC Trade Relations
Authors: Alam Imran , Ahmed Shahid
Published: March 2017

India–Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries trade relation has intensified in the last two decade. GCC is one of the largest trading partners of India. In this paper, an attempt has been made to explore India’s trade potential with GCC countries at HS-2 digit for the period 2001–2014. Various trade indices have been calculated to infer about mutual trade potential. The findings of this study reveal that India’s trade is more intense with GCC countries compared with its trading patterns with rest of the word. The study shows that there are several sectors in which India has an opportunity to increase its trade with GCC countries. Overall results show that India’s trade relation with GCC countries is increasing continuously but still there is lot of untapped potential to bring the welfare gains for both partners. Finally, the study concludes that the proposed economic integration in terms of a free trade agreement between India and GCC will be mutual welfare enhancing and a case of win–win situation.
Salman Rushdie and Islamophobia
Authors: Trousdale Rachel
Published: March 2017

Like his protean characters, Rushdie has changed dramatically over the course of his career. His shifting discussion of Islam’s internal diversity is exemplified by the brief possibility of a pluralist Islam in The Satanic Verses, by the idyllic past of anti-communitarian Kashmir in Shalimar the Clown, and by the catastrophic results when outsiders conflate these Islams with those of the fundamentalist Imam in The Satanic Verses or the Iron Mullah in Shalimar the Clown. But the shift from the novels to the memoir seems greater than the shifts within the novels, as Rushdie appears to reject the novels’ attempts at sympathy with his opponents. His treatment of Islam in Joseph Anton simplifies his own investigations of how religion, race, and cultural identity interpenetrate for moderate Muslims and atheists of Muslim descent, and the role of racism and xenophobia in solidifying “Islam” as an object of fear. This article tracks how Rushdie’s treatment of Islam as variously practised by individuals, Islam the global religion, and extremist terrorism are increasingly collapsed in The Satanic Verses, Shalimar the Clown, and Joseph Anton. The memoir suggests deep changes in Rushdie’s attitude.
Influence of precipitation hardening parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded AA2014/eggshells green composites
Authors: Dwivedi Shashi Prakash , Sharma Satpal , Mishra Raghvendra Kumar
Published: March 2017

The AA2014/5 wt. % carbonized eggshells metal matrix composite used in this study was fabricated by electromagnetic stir casting technique and immediately extruded on universal testing machine at 60 MPa using cylindrical H13 tool steel die coated with graphite to avoid upper flow of eggshells particles and to improve wettability of eggshells with AA2014 alloy. Microstructures of composites show some agglomerations in non-extruded samples while uniform distribution of carbonized eggshell particles. Optimum combination of precipitation hardening parameters achieved using response surface methodology to further improve the properties of AA2014/5 wt. % eggshell composites. Optimum values of solutionizing time, aging temperature and aging time were found to be 4.5 h, 250℃ and 13.5 h, respectively. More grain refinement of extruded AA2014/5 wt. % eggshell composites were observed after heat treatment at optimum precipitation hardening parameters. After heat treatment, fractographs of the AA2014/5 wt. % eggshells composite showed that fracture is dominated by trans-granular type. Density of the AA2014 is 5% higher than AA2014/5 wt. % eggshells metal matrix composite. It is observed that mechanical properties improve when carbonized eggshell particles are reinforced in matrix AA2014 aluminium alloy. After the heat treatment at optimum precipitation hardening parameters, mechanical properties are further improved.
External compaction pressure over vacuum-bagged composite parts: Effect on the quality of flax fiber/epoxy laminates
Authors: Francucci Gaston , Palmer Stuart , Hall Wayne
Published: March 2017

Vacuum bagging allows the removal of trapped air between fabrics layers, extraction of moisture and volatiles, and optimization of the fiber-to-resin ratio. However, during vacuum bagging the compaction pressure is limited to atmospheric pressure, preventing the composite reaching higher fiber volumetric contents and also allows surface porosity to arise, affecting the esthetical appearance of the composite and also its mechanical performance. While the autoclave process has shown to solve these problems, the cost of the equipment is too high for many applications. In the present work, a series of experiments are carried out by compressing unidirectional flax/epoxy vacuum-bagged laminates in a hydraulic press at different pressures. The quality of the laminates is analyzed in terms of surface finish, internal void content, and mechanical properties. The additional compaction from hydraulic pressure is shown to be very effective in improving considerably the overall quality of the composites.
An investigation on the properties of YSZ/Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings on Inconel by electrophoretic deposition
Authors: Khanali Omid , Ariaee Sina , Rajabi Masoud , Baghshahi Saeid
Published: March 2017

Nanostructure yttria-stabilized zirconia (nano-YSZ) /Al2O3 composite coatings were deposited on Inconel super-alloy substrates by electrophoretic deposition. Aluminum and nano-YSZ particles were utilized for reaction bonding at high temperatures. After aluminum oxidation at 650℃, sintering process was carried out at temperature ranges of 1100–1250℃. It was found that the presence of aluminum in the green coatings improves bonding and also compensates for the coatings’ volume shrinkage during sintering. The average crystallite sizes for all sintering temperatures were laid on a nanometric scale. Crystallite sizes of various YSZ/Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings were calculated via Scherer’s formula and the measures were in a reasonable agreement with the field-emission scanning electron microscopic results. The average grain size increased from 52.4 nm at 1100℃ for YSZ, to 68.3 nm at 1250℃ for YSZ/Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings. The nanocomposite coatings, which sintered at 1250℃ for 4 h exhibited an optimized self-crack healing capacity with lesser microcrack content.
Is It Good to Be Bad? A Longitudinal Analysis of Adolescent Popularity Motivations as a Predictor of Engagement in Relational Aggression and Risk Behaviors
Authors: Dumas Tara M. , Davis Jordan P. , Ellis Wendy E.
Published: March 2017

We examined the impact of adolescents’ popularity motivations on their involvement in relational aggression perpetration and victimization, heavy drinking, and antiauthority behavior, while also considering the role of teens’ perception of their own popularity and psychosocial adjustment. High school students ( N = 986; 50% female; Mage = 14.98 years) completed a battery of self-report questionnaires survey in the fall and again, 6 months later. Regression analysis controlling for Time 1 scores confirmed that stronger motivations to achieve or maintain popularity predicted increases in relational aggression perpetration and victimization, and antiauthority behavior. Furthermore, self-reported popularity predicted increases in heavy drinking, but only when popularity motivations were high. Finally, more frequent heavy drinking predicted increases in self-reported popularity over time. Findings emphasize the potential value of addressing adolescents’ popularity motivations in attempts at reducing the aforementioned negative behaviors and associated risks.
Trust Dynamics in Innovation Networks: The Chicago Life Science Cluster
Authors: Giest Sarah
Published: March 2017

Knowledge exchange and collaboration in innovation networks is based on trust. Individuals and organizations within the network further play an important role in creating trusting relationships. Using this as a basis, the article explores the dynamics of trust when relationships and positions within the network change. Counter to the expectation that relationships are formalized in this scenario, the article shows that in the Chicago case, trust is layered. The article concludes that third-party sources of information about trustworthiness are strategically established as a layer in the network and that individuals translate past interactions into lasting organizations that can facilitate trust.
Atypical choroid plexus papilloma: clinicopathological and neuroradiological features
Authors: Shi Yu-Zhen , Chen Mao-Zhen , Huang Wei , Guo Li-Li , Chen Xiao , Kong Dan , Zhuang Ying-Ying , Xu Yi-Ming , Zhang Rui-Rui , Bo Gen-Ji , Wang Zhong-Qiu
Published: March 2017

Background

Atypical choroid plexus papilloma (APP) is a rare, newly introduced entity with intermediate characteristics. To date, few reports have revealed the magnetic resonance (MR) findings.

Purpose

To analyze the clinicopathological and MR features of APP.

Material and Methods

The clinicopathological data and preoperative MR images of six patients with pathologically proven APP were retrospectively reviewed. The MR features including tumor location, contour, signal intensity, degree of enhancement, intratumoral cysts, and necrosis; and flow voids, borders, peritumoral edema, and associated hydrocephalus were analyzed.

Results

The APP were located in the ventricle (n = 4) and cerebellopontine angle (CPA, n = 2). Tumor dissemination along the spinal subarachnoid space was found in one patient. The tumors appeared as milt-lobulated (n = 5) or round mass (n = 1), with slightly heterogeneous signals (n = 5) or mixed signals (n = 1) on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Heterogeneous and strong enhancement were found in five cases on contrast-enhanced images. Three of four intraventricular tumors had a partly blurred border with ventricle wall. Four tumors had mild to moderate extent of surrounding edema signals. A slight hydrocephalus was seen in four patients. Incomplete capsule was seen in four tumors at surgery. Histopathologically, mild nuclear atypia was seen in all tumors with a mitotic rate of 2–5 per 10 high-power fields.

Conclusion

APP should be included in the differential diagnosis when an intraventricular or CPA tumor appearing as a multi-lobulated solid mass with slight heterogeneity, heterogeneous strong enhancement, partly blurred borders, mild to moderate peritumoral edema, or slight hydrocephalus are present.
A Brief Measure of Narcissism Among Female Juvenile Delinquents and Community Youths: The Narcissistic Personality Inventory–13
Authors: Pechorro Pedro , Maroco João , Ray James V. , Gonçalves Rui Abrunhosa , Nunes Cristina
Published: March 2017

Research on narcissism has a long tradition, but there is limited knowledge regarding its application among female youth, especially for forensic samples of incarcerated female youth. Drawing on 377 female adolescents (103 selected from forensic settings and 274 selected from school settings) from Portugal, the current study is the first to examine simultaneously the psychometric properties of a brief version of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-13) among females drawn from incarcerated and community settings. The results support the three-factor structure model of narcissism after the removal of one item due to its low factor loading. Internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity showed promising results. In terms of criterion-related validity, significant associations were found with criterion-related variables such as age of criminal onset, conduct disorder, crime severity, violent crimes, and alcohol and drug use. The findings provide support for use of the NPI-13 among female juveniles.
Microbial alginate dressings show improved binding capacity for pathophysiological factors in chronic wounds compared to commercial alginate dressings of marine origin
Authors: Fischer Melissa , Gebhard Florian , Hammer Timo , Zurek Christian , Meurer Guido , Marquardt Christoph , Hoefer Dirk
Published: March 2017

Marine alginates are well established in wound management. Compared with different modern wound dressings, marine alginates cannot prove superior effects on wound healing. Alginates from bacteria have never been studied for medical applications so far, although the microbial polymer raises expectations for improved binding of wound factors because of its unique O-acetylation. Due to its possible positive effects on wound healing, alginates from bacteria might be a superior future medical product for clinical use. To prove the binding capacity of microbial alginates to pathophysiological factors in chronic wounds, we processed microbial alginate fibres, produced from fermentation of the soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii ATCC 9046, into needle web dressings and compared them with commercial dressings made of marine alginate. Four dressings were assessed: Marine alginate dressings containing either ionic silver or zinc/manganese/calcium, and microbial alginate dressings with and without nanosilver. All dressings were tested in an in vitro approach for influence on chronic wound parameters such as elastase, matrix metalloproteases-2, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-8, and free radical formation. Despite the alginate origin or addition of antimicrobials, all dressings were able to reduce the concentration of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-8. However, microbial alginate was found to bind considerable larger amounts of elastase and matrix metalloproteases-2 in contrast to the marine alginate dressings. The incorporation of zinc, silver or nanosilver into alginate fibres did not improve their binding capacity for proteases or cytokines. The addition of nanosilver slightly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of microbial alginate dressings, whereas the marine alginate dressing containing zinc/manganese/calcium was unable to inhibit the formation of free radicals. The enhanced binding affinity by microbial alginate of Azotobacter vinelandii to pathophysiological factors may be interesting to support optimal conditions for wound healing.
Suspected Synthetic Cannabinomimetic Intoxication: Case Series and Review
Authors: Baum Regan A. , Bailey Abby , Chan Ryan , Blumenschein Karen
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

The purpose of this work was to retrospectively review patient cases presenting to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center (UKCMC) emergency department (ED) with symptoms of suspected synthetic cannabinomimetic (SC) intoxication. These drugs, currently undetected by standard urine drug screen tests, comprise a structurally diverse group of compounds designed to mimic the psychoactive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana.

Fourteen cases of suspected SC intoxication were identified between July 1, 2015, through September 30, 2015. The median patient age was 25.5 years (range: 13-45 years), and most (64%) patients were males. The most common psychoactive symptom was agitation (n = 6, 42.9%), while the most common physical symptoms were altered level of consciousness (n = 9, 64.3%) and mydriasis (n = 3, 21.4%). Most cases resolved without complication in 24 hours; 2 patients required hospitalization.

Conclusion:

Recent legislation has failed to curb the public health concerns emanating from SC misuse. Education about the risks of SC use along with additional regulation may be required to remove the false sense of safety that some individuals, especially adolescents and young adults, may associate with these compounds, which are often misconstrued as “herbal marijuana.” Clinicians need to be prepared to identify and treat symptoms of SC intoxication as incidents of toxicity continue to rise.
Learning risk-taking and coping with uncertainty through experiential, team-based entrepreneurship education
Authors: Arpiainen Riitta-Liisa , Kurczewska Agnieszka
Published: March 2017

This empirical study investigates how students’ perceptions of risk-taking and coping with uncertainty change while they are exposed to experience-based entrepreneurship education. The aim of the study is twofold. First, the authors set out to identify the dynamics of entrepreneurial thinking among students experiencing risk and uncertainty while conducting their entrepreneurial projects in a team. Second, the role of experiential education in the evolution of students’ approach to risk and uncertainty is examined. The article is based on a longitudinal qualitative study conducted between 2009 and 2014 in Namibia. The research team followed 13 young individuals from the beginning of their studies in entrepreneurship until their graduation and the start of their professional careers. The findings pertaining to the dynamics of students’ perceptions of risk in entrepreneurial experiences and learning bring a more accurate understanding of the transformative character of entrepreneurial learning as well as offering practical implications for how to conduct entrepreneurship education in a way that is meaningful to learners.
Acute acalculous cholecystitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A unique form of disease flare
Authors: Yang H , Bian S , Xu D , Zhang F , Zhang X
Published: March 2017

Objective

We aimed to investigate the clinical features of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

SLE patients with AAC hospitalized in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from January 2001 to September 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Their medical records were systematically reviewed. The diagnosis of AAC was based on clinical manifestations and confirmed by radiologic findings including a distended gallbladder with thickened wall, pericholecystic fluid and absence of gallstones.

Results

Among the 8411 hospitalized SLE patients in PUMCH, 13 (0.15%) were identified to have SLE-AAC. Eleven (84.6%) of them were female, with a mean age of 30.1 ± 8.6 years. AAC was the initial manifestation of SLE in four (30.8%) cases. Eleven (84.6%) patients complained of fever and abdominal pain, four (30.8%) had positive Murphy’s sign and six (46.2%) had elevated liver enzymes. The median SLE Disease Activity Index was 8.0 (range 0–20.0) at the time of AAC. Other affected organs in SLE-AAC included kidney (11, 84.6%) and hematologic system (11, 84.6%), followed by mucocutaneous (seven, 53.8%), musculoskeletal (seven, 53.8%) and neuropsychiatric (two, 15.4%) systems. All patients received treatment of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants but none underwent surgical intervention. During a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 2–320 months), 12 cases (92.4%) responded to treatment with no relapse and one patient (7.6%) died of septic shock.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that AAC is a relatively uncommon and underestimated gastrointestinal involvement of SLE that is often associated with active disease. For patients with AAC in SLE, treatment with aggressive glucocorticoids could result in a good prognosis.