bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lock-Free Transactional Transformation for Linked Data Structures
Authors: Zhang Deli , Laborde Pierre , Lebanoff Lance , Dechev Damian
Published: June 2018

Nonblocking data structures allow scalable and thread-safe access to shared data. They provide individual operations that appear to execute atomically. However, it is often desirable to execute multiple operations atomically in a transactional manner. Previous solutions, such as Software Transactional Memory (STM) and transactional boosting, manage transaction synchronization separately from the underlying data structure’s thread synchronization. Although this reduces programming effort, it leads to overhead associated with additional synchronization and the need to rollback aborted transactions. In this work, we present a new methodology for transforming high-performance lock-free linked data structures into high-performance lock-free transactional linked data structures without revamping the data structures’ original synchronization design. Our approach leverages the semantic knowledge of the data structure to eliminate the overhead of false conflicts and rollbacks. We encapsulate all operations, operands, and transaction status in a transaction descriptor, which is shared among the nodes accessed by the same transaction. We coordinate threads to help finish the remaining operations of delayed transactions based on their transaction descriptors. When a transaction fails, we recover the correct abstract state by reversely interpreting the logical status of a node. We also present an obstruction-free version of our algorithm that can be applied to dynamic execution scenarios and an example of our approach applied to a hash map. In our experimental evaluation using transactions with randomly generated operations, our lock-free transactional data structures outperform the transactional boosted ones by 70% on average. They also outperform the alternative STM-based approaches by a factor of 2 to 13 across all scenarios. More importantly, we achieve 4,700 to 915,000 times fewer spurious aborts than the alternatives.
Neural Network Meets DCN
Authors: Wang Mowei , Cui Yong , Xiao Shihan , Wang Xin , Yang Dan , Chen Kai , Zhu Jun
Published: June 2018

The emerging optical/wireless topology reconfiguration technologies have shown great potential in improving the performance of data center networks. However, it also poses a big challenge on how to find the best topology configurations to support the dynamic traffic demands. In this work, we present xWeaver, a traffic-driven deep learning solution to infer the high-performance network topology online. xWeaver supports a powerful network model that enables the topology optimization over different performance metrics and network architectures. With the design of properly-structured neural networks, it can automatically derive the critical traffic patterns from data traces and learn the underlying mapping between the traffic patterns and topology configurations specific to the target data center. After offline training, xWeaver generates the optimized (or near-optimal) topology configuration online, and can also smoothly update its model parameters for new traffic patterns. We build an optical-circuit-switch-based testbed to demonstrate the function and transmission efficiency of our proposed solution. We further perform extensive simulations to show the significant performance gain of xWeaver, in supporting higher network throughput and smaller flow completion time.
Learning Proportionally Fair Allocations with Low Regret
Authors: Talebi Mohammad Sadegh , Proutiere Alexandre
Published: June 2018

This paper addresses a generic sequential resource allocation problem, where in each round a decision maker selects an allocation of resources (servers) to a set of tasks consisting of a large number of jobs. A job of task i assigned to server j is successfully treated with probability θ_ij $ in a round, and the decision maker is informed on whether this job is completed at the end of the round. The probabilities θ_ij $'s are initially unknown and have to be learned. The objective of the decision maker is to sequentially assign jobs of various tasks to servers so that it rapidly learns and converges to the Proportionally Fair (PF) allocation (or other similar allocations achieving an appropriate trade-off between efficiency and fairness). We formulate the problem as a multi-armed bandit (MAB) optimization problem, and devise sequential assignment algorithms with low regret (defined as the difference in utility achieved by an oracle algorithm aware of the θ_ij $'s and by the proposed algorithm over a given number of slots). We first provide the properties of the so-called Restricted-PF (RPF) allocation, obtained by assuming that each task can only use a single server, and in particular show that it is very close to the PF allocation. We devise ES-RPF, an algorithm that learns the RPF allocation with regret no greater than $\mathcal O \bigl(m^3øver θ_\min Δ_\min łog(T)\big)$ after T slots, where m , θ_\min $, and Δ_\min $ represent the number of tasks, the minimum success rate $\min_i,j θ_ij $, and an appropriately defined notion of gap, respectively. We further provide regret lower bounds satisfied by any algorithm targeting the RPF allocation. Finally, we present ES-PF, an algorithm directly learning the PF allocation, and prove that its regret does not exceed $\mathcal O \bigl(\fracm^2s θ_\min \sqrtT łog(T)\big)$ after T slots, where s denotes the number of servers.
Analysis of the microRNA signature driving adaptive right ventricular hypertrophy in an ovine model of congenital heart disease
Authors: Kameny Rebecca Johnson , He Youping , Zhu Terry , Gong Wenhui , Raff Gary W. , Chapin Cheryl J. , Datar Sanjeev A. , Boehme Jason T. , Hata Akiko , Fineman Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2018

The right ventricular (RV) response to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is heterogeneous. Most patients have maladaptive changes with RV dilation and RV failure, whereas some, especially patients with PAH secondary to congenital heart disease, have an adaptive response with hypertrophy and preserved systolic function. Mechanisms for RV adaptation to PAH are unknown, despite RV function being a primary determinant of mortality. In our congenital heart disease ovine model with fetally implanted aortopulmonary shunt (shunt lambs), we previously demonstrated an adaptive physiological RV response to increased afterload with hypertrophy. In the present study, we examined small noncoding microRNA (miRNA) expression in shunt RV and characterized downstream effects of a key miRNA. RV tissue was harvested from 4-wk-old shunt and control lambs ( n = 5), and miRNA, mRNA, and protein were quantitated. We found differential expression of 40 cardiovascular-specific miRNAs in shunt RV. Interestingly, this miRNA signature is distinct from models of RV failure, suggesting that miRNAs might contribute to adaptive RV hypertrophy. Among RV miRNAs, miR-199b was decreased in the RV with eventual downregulation of nuclear factor of activated T cells/calcineurin signaling. Furthermore, antifibrotic miR-29a was increased in the shunt RV with a reduction of the miR-29 targets collagen type A1 and type 3A1 and decreased fibrosis. Thus, we conclude that the miRNA signature specific to shunt lambs is distinct from RV failure and drives gene expression required for adaptive RV hypertrophy. We propose that the adaptive RV miRNA signature may serve as a prognostic and therapeutic tool in patients with PAH to attenuate or prevent progression of RV failure and premature death.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes a novel microRNA signature of adaptive right ventricular hypertrophy, with particular attention to miR-199b and miR-29a.
Scleraxis regulates Twist1 and Snai1 expression in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Al-Hattab Danah S. , Safi Hamza A. , Nagalingam Raghu S. , Bagchi Rushita A. , Stecy Matthew T. , Czubryt Michael P.
Published: June 2018

Numerous physiological and pathological events, from organ development to cancer and fibrosis, are characterized by an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereby adherent epithelial cells convert to migratory mesenchymal cells. During cardiac development, proepicardial organ epithelial cells undergo EMT to generate fibroblasts. Subsequent stress or damage induces further phenotype conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, causing fibrosis via synthesis of an excessive extracellular matrix. We have previously shown that the transcription factor scleraxis is both sufficient and necessary for the conversion of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and found that scleraxis knockout reduced cardiac fibroblast numbers by 50%, possibly via EMT attenuation. Scleraxis induced expression of the EMT transcriptional regulators Twist1 and Snai1 via an unknown mechanism. Here, we report that scleraxis binds to E-box consensus sequences within the Twist1 and Snai1 promoters to transactivate these genes directly. Scleraxis upregulates expression of both genes in A549 epithelial cells and in cardiac myofibroblasts. Transforming growth factor-β induces EMT, fibrosis, and scleraxis expression, and we found that transforming growth factor-β-mediated upregulation of Twist1 and Snai1 completely depends on the presence of scleraxis. Snai1 knockdown upregulated the epithelial marker E-cadherin; however, this effect was lost after scleraxis overexpression, suggesting that scleraxis may repress E-cadherin expression. Together, these results indicate that scleraxis can regulate EMT via direct transactivation of the Twist1 and Snai1 genes. Given the role of scleraxis in also driving the myofibroblast phenotype, scleraxis appears to be a critical controller of fibroblast genesis and fate in the myocardium and thus may play key roles in wound healing and fibrosis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The molecular mechanism by which the transcription factor scleraxis mediates Twist1 and Snai1 gene expression was determined. These results reveal a novel means of transcriptional regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and demonstrate that transforming growth factor-β-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition is dependent on scleraxis, providing a potential target for controlling this process.
Changes in cardiac resident fibroblast physiology and phenotype in aging
Authors: Trial JoAnn , Cieslik Katarzyna A.
Published: June 2018

The cardiac fibroblast plays a central role in tissue homeostasis and in repair after injury. With aging, dysregulated cardiac fibroblasts have a reduced capacity to activate a canonical transforming growth factor-β-Smad pathway and differentiate poorly into contractile myofibroblasts. That results in the formation of an insufficient scar after myocardial infarction. In contrast, in the uninjured aged heart, fibroblasts are activated and acquire a profibrotic phenotype that leads to interstitial fibrosis, ventricular stiffness, and diastolic dysfunction, all conditions that may lead to heart failure. There is an apparent paradox in aging, wherein reparative fibrosis is impaired but interstitial, adverse fibrosis is augmented. This could be explained by analyzing the effectiveness of signaling pathways in resident fibroblasts from young versus aged hearts. Whereas defective signaling by transforming growth factor-β leads to insufficient scar formation by myofibroblasts, enhanced activation of the ERK1/2 pathway may be responsible for interstitial fibrosis mediated by activated fibroblasts.

Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/fibroblast-phenotypic-changes-in-the-aging-heart/ .
Importance of mechanical signals in promoting exercise-induced improvements in vasomotor function of aged skeletal muscle resistance arteries
Authors: Woodman Christopher R. , Seawright John W. , Luttrell Meredith J. , Shin Song Yi , Trache Andreea
Published: June 2018

Current research indicates that vasomotor responses are altered with aging in skeletal muscle resistance arteries. The changes in vasomotor function are characterized by impaired vasodilator and vasoconstrictor responses. The detrimental effects of aging on vasomotor function are attenuated in some vascular beds after a program of endurance exercise training. The signals associated with exercise responsible for inducing improvements in vasomotor function have been proposed to involve short-duration increases in intraluminal shear stress and/or pressure during individual bouts of exercise. Here, we review evidence that increases in shear stress and pressure, within a range believed to present in these arteries during exercise, promote healthy vasomotor function in aged resistance arteries. We conclude that available research is consistent with the interpretation that short-duration mechanical stimulation, through increases in shear stress and pressure, contributes to the beneficial effects of exercise on vasomotor function in aged skeletal muscle resistance arteries.
Role of endothelial microRNA-23 clusters in angiogenesis in vivo
Authors: Oikawa Satoshi , Wada Shogo , Lee Minjung , Maeda Seiji , Akimoto Takayuki
Published: June 2018

The capillary network is distributed throughout the body, and its reconstruction is induced under various pathophysiological conditions. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression via posttranscriptional mechanisms and are involved in many biological functions, including angiogenesis. Previous studies have shown that each microRNA of miR-23 clusters, composed of the miR-23a cluster (miR-23a~27a~24-2) and miR-23b cluster (miR-23b~27b~24-1), regulates angiogenesis in vitro. However, the role of miR-23 clusters, located within a single transcription unit, in angiogenesis in vivo has not been elucidated. In the present study, we generated vascular endothelial cell (EC)-specific miR-23 cluster double-knockout (DKO) mice and demonstrated sprouting angiogenesis under various conditions, including voluntary running exercise, hindlimb ischemia, skin wound healing, and EC sprouting from aorta explants. Here, we demonstrated that EC-specific miR-23 DKO mice are viable and fertile, with no gross abnormalities observed in pups or adults. The capillary number was normally increased in the muscles of these DKO mice in response to 2 wk of voluntary running and hindlimb ischemia. Furthermore, we did not observe any abnormalities in skin wound closure or EC sprouting from aortic ring explants in EC-specific miR-23 cluster DKO mice. Our results suggest that endothelial miR-23 clusters are dispensable for embryonic development and postnatal angiogenesis in vivo.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We generated vascular endothelial cell (EC)-specific miR-23a/b cluster double-knockout mice and determined sprouting angiogenesis under various conditions, including voluntary running exercise, hindlimb ischemia, skin wound healing, and EC sprouting from aorta explants. We demonstrated that the double-knockout mice were viable and fertile, with no gross abnormalities in exercise- and ischemia-induced angiogenesis and skin wound closure or EC sprouting from aortic ring explants.
Flightless-I Blocks p62-Mediated Recognition of LC3 to Impede Selective Autophagy and Promote Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: He Jian-Ping , Hou Pei-Pei , Chen Qi-Tao , Wang Wei-Jia , Sun Xiao-Yu , Yang Peng-Bo , Li Ying-Ping , Yao Lu-Ming , Li Xiaotong , Jiang Xin-Dong , Chien Kun-Yi , Zhang Zhi-Ming , Wu Qiu-Wan , Cowin Allison J. , Wu Qiao , Chen Hang-Zi
Published: June 2018

p62 is a receptor that facilitates selective autophagy by interacting simultaneously with cargoes and LC3 protein on the autophagosome to maintain cellular homeostasis. However, the regulatory mechanism(s) behind this process and its association with breast cancer remain to be elucidated. Here, we report that Flightless-I (FliI), a novel p62-interacting protein, promotes breast cancer progression by impeding selective autophagy. FliI was highly expressed in clinical breast cancer samples, and heterozygous deletion of FliI retarded the development of mammary tumors in PyVT mice. FliI induced p62-recruited cargoes into Triton X-100 insoluble fractions (TI) to form aggregates, thereby blocking p62 recognition of LC3 and hindering p62-dependent selective autophagy. This function of Flil was reinforced by Akt-mediated phosphorylation at Ser436 and inhibited by phosphorylation of Ulk1 at Ser64. Obstruction of autophagic clearance of p62-recruited cargoes by FliI was associated with the accumulation of oxidative damage on proteins and DNA, which could contribute to the development of cancer. Heterozygous knockout of FliI facilitated selectively autophagic clearance of aggregates, abatement of ROS levels, and protein oxidative damage, ultimately retarding mammary cancer progression. In clinical breast cancer samples, Akt-mediated phosphorylation of FliI at Ser436 negatively correlated with long-term prognosis, while Ulk1-induced FliI phosphorylation at Ser64 positively correlated with clinical outcome. Together, this work demonstrates that FliI functions as a checkpoint protein for selective autophagy in the crosstalk between FliI and p62-recruited cargoes, and its phosphorylation may serve as a prognostic marker for breast cancer.

Significance: Flightless-I functions as a checkpoint protein for selective autophagy by interacting with p62 to block its recognition of LC3, leading to tumorigenesis in breast cancer.Cancer Res; 78(17); 4853–64. ©2018 AACR.
Syntaphilin Ubiquitination Regulates Mitochondrial Dynamics and Tumor Cell Movements
Authors: Seo Jae Ho , Agarwal Ekta , Bryant Kelly G. , Caino M. Cecilia , Kim Eui Tae , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Tang Hsin-Yao , Languino Lucia R. , Gabrilovich Dmitry I. , Cohen Andrew R. , Speicher David W. , Altieri Dario C.
Published: June 2018

Syntaphilin (SNPH) inhibits the movement of mitochondria in tumor cells, preventing their accumulation at the cortical cytoskeleton and limiting the bioenergetics of cell motility and invasion. Although this may suppress metastasis, the regulation of the SNPH pathway is not well understood. Using a global proteomics screen, we show that SNPH associates with multiple regulators of ubiquitin-dependent responses and is ubiquitinated by the E3 ligase CHIP (or STUB1) on Lys111 and Lys153 in the microtubule-binding domain. SNPH ubiquitination did not result in protein degradation, but instead anchored SNPH on tubulin to inhibit mitochondrial motility and cycles of organelle fusion and fission, that is dynamics. Expression of ubiquitination-defective SNPH mutant Lys111→Arg or Lys153→Arg increased the speed and distance traveled by mitochondria, repositioned mitochondria to the cortical cytoskeleton, and supported heightened tumor chemotaxis, invasion, and metastasis in vivo. Interference with SNPH ubiquitination activated mitochondrial dynamics, resulting in increased recruitment of the fission regulator dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp1) to mitochondria and Drp1-dependent tumor cell motility. These data uncover nondegradative ubiquitination of SNPH as a key regulator of mitochondrial trafficking and tumor cell motility and invasion. In this way, SNPH may function as a unique, ubiquitination-regulated suppressor of metastasis.

Significance: These findings reveal a new mechanism of metastasis suppression by establishing the role of SNPH ubiquitination in inhibiting mitochondrial dynamics, chemotaxis, and metastasis. Cancer Res; 78(15); 4215–28. ©2018 AACR.
Unexpected Benefits of Aging for Favorable Responses to PD-1 Blockade in Melanoma?
Authors: Pawelec Graham
Published: June 2018

Immunosenescence might be expected to reduce the efficacy of checkpoint blockade, which depends on a functionally intact immune system. However, it seems that older patients with melanoma may respond better to anti-PD-1 treatment than younger patients, possibly due to their having fewer regulatory T cells relative to CD8+ T cells within tumor deposits. Clin Cancer Res; 24(21); 5193–4. ©2018 AACR.

See related article by Kugel et al., p. 5347
Identification of UHRF2 as a Negative Regulator of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Its Clinical Significance in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Iguchi Tomohiro , Ueda Masami , Masuda Takaaki , Nambara Sho  , Kidogami Shinya , Komatsu Hisateru , Sato Kuniaki , Tobo Taro , Ogawa Yushi , Hu Qingjiang  , Saito Tomoko , Hirata Hidenari , Sakimura Shotaro , Uchi Ryutaro , Hayashi Naoki , Ito Shuhei , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Sugimachi Keishi , Maehara Yoshihiko , Mimori Koshi
Published: June 2018

Objective: The involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not been fully elucidated. Here, we aimed to identify EMT-related genes associated with TGF-β in ESCC and to clarify the role of these genes in the progression of ESCC. Methods: EMT-related genes associated with TGF-β expression were identified in patients with ESCC using microarray analysis and public datasets. The effects of ubiquitin-like with PHD and ring finger domains 2 (UHRF2) expression were analyzed in ESCC cell lines. Cell proliferation and invasion were measured using MTT and invasion assays, respectively. UHRF2 mRNA expression was also analyzed in 75 ESCC specimens to determine the clinical significance of UHRF2 in ESCC. Results: Treatment of ESCC cell lines with TGF-β increased UHRF2 expression. UHRF2 overexpression increased CDH1 (E-cadherin) expression and decreased invasive capacity. The 75 ESCC specimens were divided into the UHRF2 high-expression group (n = 61) and the UHRF2 low-expression group (n = 14). Low UHRF2 expression was significantly correlated with vascular invasion (p = 0.034) and was an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis (p = 0.005). Conclusion: UHRF2 may be a negative regulator of EMT and a novel prognostic biomarker for ESCC.
Preliminary results of surgical repair of iatrogenic biliary strictures
Authors: Ricucci Shinkado Yumi , Ramos Figueira Estela Regina , Bacchella Telesforo
Published: June 2018

Introdução: A estenose cicatricial de vias biliares permanece uma complicação crítica de colecistectomias, com consequências devastadoras para o fígado e risco de morte. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados a longo prazo da correção cirúrgica de lesão iatrogênica de vias biliares realizada em um único centro. Metodologia: Pacientes submetidos a correção cirúrgica de lesão iatrogênica de vias biliares entre 1990 e 2016 foram avaliados retrospectivamente. As informações foram coletadas dos prontuários e da base de dados eletrônica HCMED. Os resultados preliminares foram analisados pela comparação de frequências ou médias aritméticas com desvio-padrão dos parâmetros estudados. Resultados: Foram incluídos 158 casos no estudo, 81% mulheres e com idade média de 45,54 anos. Os sintomas mais frequentemente apresentados foram icterícia (em 79,11% dos casos), dor abdominal (59,49%), colúria (52,53%), acolia ou hipocolia fecal (47,47%), febre (44,3%), prurido (34,18%) e perda de peso (27,22%). A estenose de vias biliares foi secundária a colecistectomia convencional em 63,92% dos casos, a colecistectomia laparoscópica em 22,15%, e a colecistectomia não-especificada em 13,92%. Os pacientes foram divididos de acordo com o diagnóstico de estenose de via biliar (EVB), n=93 casos (58,86%), ou estenose de anastomose bilio-digestiva (EABD), n=65 casos (41,14%). No grupo EVB, níveis de bilirrubina, ALT, AST e GGT eram significativamente mais altos no pré-operatório que no pós-operatório. No grupo EABD, níveis de bilirrubina, AST e GGT eram significativamente mais altos no pré-operatório que no pós-operatório, entretanto não houve diferenças nos níveis de ALT. Recidiva da estenose ocorreu em 5 casos do grupo EVB, e em 7 casos do grupo EABD. A sobrevida no grupo EVB foi de 98,92% em 1 ano e 97,85% em 5 anos; e no grupo EVB, 98,64% e 95,38%, respectivamente. Conclusões: A correção cirúrgica de lesões complexas de vias biliares tem uma taxa de sucesso de 89,87% quando realizada em serviços de referência.
Tratamento conservador de prolapso de órgão pélvico com pessário: revisão de literatura
Authors: Barros Cristiane Regina , Bonassi Machado Rogério , Camargo Ana Carolina Marquesini de , Gollop Thomaz Rafael
Published: June 2018

INTRODUÇÃO: O prolapso de órgãos pélvicos (POP) sintomático afeta a qualidade de vida (QV) das mulheres e demanda tratamento. Por ser mais prevalente em pacientes idosas seu tratamento cirúrgico pode ser limitado por contraindicações clínicas ou desejo da paciente por um tratamento conservador; e por isso estas pacientes poderão se beneficiar com o uso de pessários. OBJETIVO: analisar os trabalhos publicados referentes ao impacto na qualidade de vida (QV) das mulheres com POP através do tratamento com pessário, bem como os fatores descritos como risco para o insucesso deste método. MÉTODO: revisão bibliográfica utilizando as Bases de Dados Scientific Electronic Library On-line (SciELO) e PubMed®, com os termos “pelvic organ prolapse, pessary and quality of life” publicados entre janeiro de 2011 a dezembro de 2016. RESULTADO: Os estudos mostram que o tratamento com pessário apresenta boa evolução, melhorando a sintomatologia causada pelo prolapso, semelhantes às pacientes que foram submetidas à tratamento cirúrgico. Os questionários para avaliação de QV utilizados foram diversificados, mas todos observaram melhora. CONCLUSÃO: o tratamento conservador com pessário é uma opção viável para mulheres com POP mesmo em estadio avançado, mas é mais utilizado naquelas nas quais há contraindicação para tratamento cirúrgico.
Trombocitopenia induzida por heparina: do diagnóstico ao tratamento
Authors: Santos Marcelo Antônio Oliveira , Bezerra Lucas Soares
Published: June 2018

A heparina é largamente utilizada na prática clínica como droga anticoagulante. Trombocitopenia induzida por heparina (TIH) é uma síndrome imune-hematológica que resulta na ativação plaquetária decorrente do uso de heparina, com uma incidência em torno de 1 a 6%. Pode ser classificada em tipo I e II, sendo esta mais grave e potencialmente letal. O somatório de achados clínicos e laboratoriais compatíveis com HIT e positividade para anticorpo HIT é necessário para confirmação diagnóstica. A escala de probabilidade de Warkentin auxilia no diagnóstico de TIH, com alto valor preditivo negativo. Uma abordagem adequada incluindo a suspensão precoce da heparina é mandatória. O esquema de anticoagulação alternativa se faz necessário, com preferência pelo uso dos inibidores diretos da trombina. O uso de fondaparinux nesse contexto mostrou benefícios, embora sejam necessários ensaios clínicos randomizados para melhor nível de evidência.
Aspectos farmacológicos do idoso: uma revisão integrativa de literatura
Authors: Oliveira Henrique Souza Barros de , Corradi Maria Luiza Galoro
Published: June 2018

Os idosos constituem o grupo populacional que mais cresce de forma acelerada e descontrolada no Brasil, representando 14,3% da população geral. Associado a isto e ao aumento da expectativa de vida, mudança do padrão de adoecimento do pais e a medicalização no idoso, temas como a farmacologia do indivíduo idoso tornam-se essenciais na formação de um profissional da área da saúde. O processo normal do envelhecimento possui particularidades capazes de modificar as etapas da farmacocinética e a farmacodinâmica de um medicamento, predispondo o idoso às Reações Adversas a Medicamentos (RAM), cascata iatrogênica, uso de Medicamentos Potencialmente Inapropriados (MPI) e polifarmácia, processo do adoecimento, quedas e fraturas, delirium, hospitalização, institucionalização e até à morte. Baseado nisso, instrumentos ou listas de medicamentos considerados inadequados para uso em idosos foram criadas, cada uma com particularidades da comercialização de seu país. Visto isso, entende-se que o assunto é de extrema relevância na pratica clínica, e, quando utilizado de forma interdisciplinar, melhora a qualidade de serviços, formação de profissionais da área da saúde e permite a prevenção de eventos iatrogênicos.
Near miss materno - entendendo e aplicando o conceito
Authors: Santana Danielly Scaranello , Guida José Paulo Siqueira , Pacagnella Rodolfo Carvalho , Cecatti José Guilherme
Published: June 2018

A morte materna é o evento mais raro e dramático, de uma cadeia de acontecimentos que pode acometer qualquer mulher durante o ciclo gravídico-puerperal. Esta cadeia de eventos inicia-se quando uma mulher apresenta alguma das diversas condições potencialmente ameaçadoras da vida (CPAV). Quando não adequadamente tratada, ela pode evoluir para condições ameaçadoras da vida, em que há disfunção ou falência orgânica e que se definem a partir de critérios clínicos, laboratoriais ou de manejo. Mulheres que sobrevivem a tais eventos graves serão classificadas como near miss materno. O conceito de near miss materno permite avaliação da qualidade da assistência obstétrica, representando uma ferramenta a ser utilizada na prática obstétrica rotineira, ao identificar mulheres que estejam sob maior risco de evolução para quadros graves, permitindo a rápida implementação de medidas de tratamento e suporte. O objetivo do presente artigo é revisar a construção histórica do conceito de near miss, apresentar os atuais parâmetros validados para a sua utilização e propor seu uso de forma rotineira, na prática clínica e no currículo dos cursos médicos e de especialização em Obstetrícia.
Parto pré-termo
Authors: Bittar Roberto Eduardo
Published: June 2018

Mais de 70% da morbidade e mortalidade neonatal e infantil é secundária à prematuridade. O parto pré-termo espontâneo é uma síndrome na qual o processo da parturição pode ser iniciado por um ou mais caminhos que levam às alterações do colo uterino, ativação decidual, contrações uterinas e rotura das membranas ovulares. Os principais fatores de risco para o parto pré-termo são a história prévia de parto pré-termo e a gestação gemelar, mas a maioria das mulheres que têm filhos prematuros não apresentam fatores de riscos aparentes. Toda gravidez potencialmente possui risco. A suplementação com progesterona reduz o risco de parto pré-termo em aproximadamente 40%, em mulheres com feto único e que tiveram um parto pré-termo com feto único e em mulheres com colo curto detectado pela ultrassonografia transvaginal na gravidez atual. Outras intervenções obstétricas que reduzem a morbidade neonatal tais como, a corticoterapia antenatal, a tocólise e a antibioticoterapia profilática para o estreptococo do grupo B, são terapêuticas terciárias eficazes mas não reduzem a incidência de parto pré-termo.
Recursos Dialógicos e Seu Uso em Sala de Aula no Ensino Superior: Contribuições Construcionistas Sociais
Authors: Souza Laura Vilela e
Published: June 2018

No presente relato, compartilho a experiência de uso da ferramenta dialógica “construção do contexto conversacional” em sala de aula no ensino superior. Essa ferramenta, de inspiração construcionista social, serve para a negociação e a construção conjunta docente-estudante do programa e do formato das disciplinas universitárias. Negocia-se “como queremos estar juntos/as”, “para que estaremos juntos/as” e “o que faremos juntos/as”. Para tanto, apresento as perguntas que podem ser feitas para os/as estudantes nessa elaboração, bem como a estrutura de conversa necessária, além de discutir seus efeitos na corresponsabilização dos/as estudantes no processo de aprendizagem, na possibilidade de maior abertura à voz dos/as estudantes e na busca de docente e estudante por um ensino realmente significativo.
Molecular phylogeny of Nectria species associated with dieback and canker diseases in China, with a new species described
Authors: YANG QIN , DU ZHUO , LIANG YING-MEI , TIAN CHENG-MING
Published: June 2018

Nectria is a wood-inhabiting genus of fungi commonly found in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, where they are associated with dieback and canker diseases of numerous woody plant hosts. In this study, fungal isolates were collected from 2012 to 2017 from diseased branches or twigs of 19 different host species in China and identified. Their morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogeny (act, ITS, LSU, rpb2, tef1, and tub2) indicated four distinct lineages with high statistical support, corresponding to four species of Nectria: N. balansae, N. dematiosa, N. pseudotrichia, and N. ulmicola sp. nov. The last is characterized by yellow to orange, or sometimes dark brown, sporodochial conidiomata, which are sessile, and by unbranched or bifurcate conidiophores. This study has clarified the taxonomy of Nectria species associated with canker and dieback symptoms in China.
A new species Danaea (Marattiaceae) from the Atlantic forests of Brazil
Authors: CHRISTENHUSZ MAARTEN J. M. , ALMEIDA ERTON M. , FELIX LEONARDO P.
Published: June 2018

With a long fossil history (Taylor, Taylor & Krings 2009), Marattiaceae are among the earliest lineages of vascular land plants and are an important link to understanding land plant evolution. The family currently has a pantropical distribution, but was more widely distributed in the past. In the neotropics the family is represented by the genera Marattia Swartz (1788: 128), Eupodium Smith (1841: 190) and Danaea Smith (1793: 420). An additional three genera are found in the paleotropics and in total the family has an estimated 135 known species (Christenhusz & Byng 2016).
Aspidistra austroyunnanensis (Asparagaceae), a new species from southern Yunnan, China
Authors: CAI LEI , PENG SHUAI , TIAN JING , DAO ZHI-LING , WEI NENG , HU GUANG-WAN , WANG QING-FENG
Published: June 2018

The genus Aspidistra Ker-Gawler (1822: 628) (Asparagaceae), endemic to East and Southeast Asia, is mainly distributed in southern China and northern Vietnam (Li et al. 2004, Tillich 2006, 2008, 2014, Tillich & Averyanov 2008, Vislobokov et al. 2016). Species of this genus usually set flowers on the ground and hidden in leaves cluster. Flowers of Aspidistra show extremely high diversity in morphological variations. Furthermore, the scentless trait and dull color of flowers of most species make them inconspicuous under forest (Tillich 2005). Relatively, their leaves have lower diversity and taxonomic value. Although individuals of Aspidistra are common under forests in south China and north Vietnam, but it is very difficult to identify them at species level in the field. In recent decades, some scientists have been focusing on this genus and observed the species not only in the field but also in cultivation (Tillich 2005). These combined observations revealed many new species and the number of species known had been dramatically increasing since the 1980s (Lang et al. 1999, Liang & Tamura 2000, Tillich 2008). Just in 2017, at least 11 new taxa including 9 new species and 2 new varieties of Aspidistra were described (Averyanov & Tillich 2017, Averyanov et al. 2017, Lý & Tillich 2017, Lý et al. 2017, Nguyen et al. 2017, Vislobokov et al. 2017, Wang et al. 2017, Xu et al. 2017, Zou et al. 2017). Hitherto, there are around 170 species names of Aspidistra have been accepted based on Lý et al. (2017) and recently published species.
Descriptions of two new endemic and cryptic species of Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from peninsular India
Authors: DEEPAK V. , KHANDEKAR AKSHAY , CHAITANYA R. , KARANTH PRAVEEN
Published: June 2018

Two new cryptic species of the agamid genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from Peninsular India are described herein. Sitana gokakensis sp. nov. from Gokak, Karnataka closely resembles Sitana thondalu sp. nov. from Nagarjuna Sagar, Andhra Pradesh. The two species can be distinguished based on their subtle morphological differences, genetic difference and geographic distribution. Sitana gokakensis sp. nov. have a relatively depressed head compared to Sitana thondalu sp. nov. Additionally, the vertebral scale counts differ in females of the two new species (Sitana gokakensis sp. nov. 45–47 vs Sitana thondalu sp. nov. 49–53). Genetic divergence between them is comparable to those between previously described Sitana species. Furthermore, the two new species are distributed ca. 500 km apart and are endemic to their respective landscapes that lie in similar latitudes of peninsular India. We urge the use of large sample size in new species descriptions especially those dealing with cryptic species like Sitana. The discovery of the two new cryptic species from these rocky terrains in peninsular India highlights need for more herpetological exploration in this region.
Protosticta curiosa Fraser, 1934 and its synonyms in Vietnam and China (Odonata: Platystictidae)
Authors: KOMPIER TOM
Published: June 2018

Protosticta zhengi Yu & Bu, 2009 and Protosticta albifrons Kompier, 2016 are shown to be synonyms of P. curiosa Fraser, 1934. The general distribution of P. curiosa is discussed and the key to the P. curiosa-group of Protosticta species for Vietnam is updated.
Is the Awareness of the Aerosol State Useful in Predicting Enhanced Lightning for Lightning-Producing Storms over Northern Alabama?
Authors: Ren Tong , Rapp Anita D. , Nasiri Shaima L. , Mecikalski John R. , Apke Jason
Published: June 2018

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals from theTerraandAquasatellites currently provide the largest satellite aerosol dataset for investigating relationships to meteorological phenomena, such as aerosol impact on electrification in deep convection. The usefulness of polar-orbiting satellite aerosol retrievals in lightning inference is examined by correlating MODIS AOD retrievals with lightning observations of the thunderstorms in the summers during 2002–14 over northern Alabama. Lightning flashes during the 1400–1700 local standard time peak period show weak but positive correlations with the MODIS AOD retrievals 2–4 h earlier. The correlation becomes stronger in particular meteorological conditions, including weak vertical wind shear and prevailing northerly winds over northern Alabama. Results show that the MODIS AOD retrievals are less useful in predicting enhanced lightning flash rate for lightning-producing storms than the forecasts of other meteorological variables that are more closely linked to the intensification of convective storms. However, when relatively weaker convective available potential energy (CAPE) is forecast, the probability of enhanced lightning flash rate increases in a more polluted environment, making the knowledge of aerosols more useful in lightning inference in such CAPE regimes. The aerosol enhancement of lightning, if present, may be associated with enhanced convergence in the boundary layer and secondary convection.
Quasi-Experimental Determination of Turbulent Dispersion Parameters for Different Stability Conditions from a Tall Micrometeorological Tower
Authors: Martins Luís Gustavo N. , Degrazia Gervásio A. , Acevedo Otávio C. , Puhales Franciano S. , de Oliveira Pablo E. S. , Teichrieb Claudio A. , da Silva Samuel M.
Published: June 2018

Turbulent wind data measured by sonic anemometers installed at various heights on a 140-m-tall micrometeorological tower located at a coastal site are used to obtain vertical profiles of the velocity standard deviations σi, Lagrangian decorrelation local time scales TLi, and eddy diffusivities Kα for distinct stability conditions. The novelty of the study lies in the use of turbulent data directly measured over the extension of the atmospheric surface layer at a coastal site for that purpose. Furthermore, the approach employs the Hilbert–Huang transform to determine the wind energy spectral peak frequencies. These are applied to the asymptotic spectral equation from Taylor statistical diffusion theory to obtain the turbulent dispersion parameters, which are shown to generally agree well with those provided by a classical autocorrelation approach. For neutral and stable situations the vertical profiles of momentum eddy diffusivities agree well with those derived from the spectral and autocorrelation method. Additionally, the turbulent integral time scales and eddy diffusivities determined by the method at a coastal location are found to overestimate those predicted from analytical expressions based on continental field observations. The turbulence parameters found are suitable to be employed in air pollution dispersion models.
Developing a 3D Gestural Interface for Anesthesia-Related Human-Computer Interaction Tasks Using Both Experts and Novices
Authors: Jurewicz Katherina A. , Neyens David M. , Catchpole Ken , Reeves Scott T.
Published: June 2018

Objective:

The purpose of this research was to compare gesture-function mappings for experts and novices using a 3D, vision-based, gestural input system when exposed to the same context of anesthesia tasks in the operating room (OR).

Background:

3D, vision-based, gestural input systems can serve as a natural way to interact with computers and are potentially useful in sterile environments (e.g., ORs) to limit the spread of bacteria. Anesthesia providers’ hands have been linked to bacterial transfer in the OR, but a gestural input system for anesthetic tasks has not been investigated.

Methods:

A repeated-measures study was conducted with two cohorts: anesthesia providers (i.e., experts) ( N = 16) and students (i.e., novices) ( N = 30). Participants chose gestures for 10 anesthetic functions across three blocks to determine intuitive gesture-function mappings. Reaction time was collected as a complementary measure for understanding the mappings.

Results:

The two gesture-function mapping sets showed some similarities and differences. The gesture mappings of the anesthesia providers showed a relationship to physical components in the anesthesia environment that were not seen in the students’ gestures. The students also exhibited evidence related to longer reaction times compared to the anesthesia providers.

Conclusion:

Domain expertise is influential when creating gesture-function mappings. However, both experts and novices should be able to use a gesture system intuitively, so development methods need to be refined for considering the needs of different user groups.

Application:

The development of a touchless interface for perioperative anesthesia may reduce bacterial contamination and eventually offer a reduced risk of infection to patients.
Global linkages, the higher education pipeline, and national contexts: The worldwide growth of women faculty, 1970–2012
Authors: Wotipka Christine Min , Nakagawa Mana , Svec Joseph
Published: June 2018

Despite the surge in women’s enrollments in higher education over the last several decades, women continue to be unequally represented in faculty careers around the world. In this article, we use data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to examine and explain regional and global trends in percentages of women faculty within 92 countries from 1970 to 2012. Drawing on world society and development perspectives, we posit that women’s representation among faculty is influenced by a combination of global norms of justice and women’s rights as well as national contexts. Results of descriptive analyses show remarkable growth over time for all world regions, although gender parity has yet to be reached. Using country fixed effects panel regression strategies, we find that countries with higher levels of women who earn higher education degrees, stronger linkages to global norms of women’s rights, and higher levels of economic development are more likely to have higher percentages of women faculty, with the caveat that the effect of economic development is conditioned by national levels of women’s caregiving burdens. Although the pipeline argument serves as a popular narrative, women’s access to higher education is only part of the story; our analyses indicate that percentages of women faculty are shaped by the intersection of norms, national contexts, and human capital.
Auditory-orthographic integration at the onset of L2 speech acquisition
Authors: Rafat Yasaman , Stevenson Ryan A
Published: June 2018

Recent studies have provided evidence for both a positive and a negative effect of orthography on second language speech learning. However, not much is known about whether orthography can trigger a McGurk-like effect (McGurk & MacDonald, 1976) in second language speech learning. This study examined whether exposure to auditory and orthographic input may lead to a McGurk-like effect in naïve English-speaking participants learning a second language with Spanish phonology and orthography. Specifically, it reports on (a) production of non-target-like combinations such as [lj] as in [poljo] for -[pojo], where the auditory Spanish [j] and the first language English [l] that correspond to the shared digraph  are integrated, and (b) fusion quantified in terms of [z] devoicing such as [z̥apito] for -[zapito]. Moreover, the effects of (a) type of grapheme-to-sound correspondence, (b) position in the word, and (c) condition of training and testing were examined. Participants were assigned to four groups: (a) auditory only, (b) orthography at training and production, (c) orthography at training, and (d) orthography at production. The positions included word-initial and word-medial. The grapheme-to-sound correspondences consisted of -[b], -[δ], -[s] and -[j]. Results were indicative of a McGurk-like effect only for the Spanish digraph . The highest rate of combination productions was attested in the orthography-training condition in the word-medial position.
Data Cleaners for Pristine Datasets: Visibility and Invisibility of Data Processors in Social Science
Authors: Plantin Jean-Christophe
Published: June 2018

This article investigates the work of processors who curate and “clean” the data sets that researchers submit to data archives for archiving and further dissemination. Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted at the data processing unit of a major US social science data archive, I investigate how these data processors work, under which status, and how they contribute to data sharing. This article presents two main results. First, it contributes to the study of invisible technicians in science by showing that the same procedures can make technical work invisible outside and visible inside the archive, to allow peer review and quality control. Second, this article contributes to the social study of scientific data sharing, by showing that the organization of data processing directly stems from the conception that the archive promotes of a valid data set—that is, a data set that must look “pristine” at the end of its processing. After critically interrogating this notion of pristineness, I show how it perpetuates a misleading conception of data as “raw” instead of acknowledging the important contribution of data processors to data sharing and social science.
Transient atmospheric ice accretion on wind turbine blades
Authors: Ibrahim Galal M , Pope Kevin , Muzychka Yuri S
Published: June 2018

This article aims to predict ice loads on a wind turbine blade section at 80% of blade span, using FENSAP ICE. Using low and high liquid water content conditions of stratiform and cumuliform clouds, different icing events are simulated. Ice accretion predictions with single-shot and multi-shot approaches are presented. Blade surface roughness is also investigated, as well as the relationships between ice mass, liquid water content, median volume diameter, and temperature.