bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF PERMEABILITY ON THE ABLATION PROCESS FOR AN ABLATIVE MATERIAL
Authors: ZHU QINGYONG , ZHANG CHENGGUANG , YANG WEIBIN
Published: July 2019

The heat and mass transfer in the ablation process is of great importance for the ablation protection engineering. Accurate temperature assessment can provide effective support for the design of thermal protection structure and ablative material of reentry hypersonic vehicle. In this work, we studied the effect of permeability on heat and mass transfer and ablation thermal protection of gases produced during ablation. Since the carbide formed by ablation of material is a typical porous medium, its structure has self-similarity and can be described by fractal theory. Taking into account the angle of global coordinates and the local coordinates, this paper derived the permeability in any direction as a function of three different fractal dimensions in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] directions. In order to verify the correctness of this method, the new model is introduced into the ablation process. Aiming at the ablation process and the diffusion equation of pyrolysis gas in the carbide layer, the temperature, material density and pyrolysis gas density distribution of three-dimensional spherical head under different permeability were simulated numerically. It is found that the permeability of carbides formed by ablative reaction of ablative materials related to fractal structure has an effect on ablation process. From our preliminary results, the higher the permeability, the faster the ablation speed, and the more obvious the overall temperature rise is.
p.c.f. SELF-SIMILAR SETS AND H-CONDITION
Authors: XIONG DONG-HONG , LUO JUN
Published: July 2019

For an iterated function system (IFS) with contractive similarities, the post-critically finite (p.c.f.) condition and H-condition are two important separation conditions in the literature. But their relationship is not clear. In this paper, we show that if the similarity matrices of the IFS are commensurable, then the p.c.f. condition implies H-condition.
Relative Gorenstein rings and duality pairs
Authors: Wang Junpeng , Di Zhenxing
Published: July 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a ring (not necessarily commutative) and [Formula: see text] a bi-complete duality pair. We investigate the notions of (flat-typed) [Formula: see text]-Gorenstein rings, which unify Iwanaga–Gorenstein rings, Ding–Chen rings, AC-Gorenstein rings and Gorenstein [Formula: see text]-coherent rings. Using an abelian model category approach, we show that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the homotopy categories of all exact complexes of projective and injective [Formula: see text]-modules, are triangulated equivalent whenever [Formula: see text] is a flat-typed [Formula: see text]-Gorenstein ring.
Matrix completion via minimizing an approximate rank
Authors: Zeng Xueying , Shen Lixin , Xu Yuesheng , Lu Jian
Published: July 2019

The low rank matrix completion problem which aims to recover a matrix from that having missing entries has received much attention in many fields such as image processing and machine learning. The rank of a matrix may be measured by the [Formula: see text] norm of the vector of its singular values. Due to the nonconvexity and discontinuity of the [Formula: see text] norm, solving the low rank matrix completion problem which is clearly NP hard suffers from computational challenges. In this paper, we propose a constrained matrix completion model in which a novel nonconvex continuous rank surrogate is used to approximate the rank function of a matrix, promote low rank of the recovered matrix and address the computational challenges. The proposed rank surrogate differs from the convex nuclear norm and other existing state-of-the-art nonconvex surrogates in a way that it alleviates the discontinuity and nonconvexity of the rank function through a local [Formula: see text]-relaxation of the [Formula: see text] norm so that it possesses several desirable properties. These properties ensure that it accurately approximates the rank function by choosing an appropriate relaxation parameter. We moreover develop an efficient iterative algorithm to solve the resulting model. We also propose strategies of automatically updating the relaxation parameter to practically ensure the global convergence and speed up the algorithm. We establish theoretical convergence results for the proposed algorithm. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate significant performance improvements of the proposed model and the associated algorithm as compared to state-of-the-art methods in both recoverability and computational efficiency.
Optimization and Extension of Stream-Relation Joins
Authors: Naeem M. Asif
Published: July 2019

Online stream processing is an emerging research area in the field of computer science. Semi-stream processing is a particular type of stream processing where a stream of data is processed with a disk-based relation. A semi-stream join operator is required to implement this operation. Many semi-stream joins use a queue of stream tuples to amortize access cost for the disk-based relation, and use an index to allow directed access to the relation, avoiding the loading of unnecessary partition of [Formula: see text]. In such a situation, the question arises which [Formula: see text] partitions should be accessed, as any stream tuple from the queue could serve as a lookup element for accessing the relation index. Existing algorithms use simple safe and correct strategies, but are not optimal in the sense that they maximize the join service rate. This paper makes two contributions: first contribution is in terms of optimization in which we analyze strategies for selecting an appropriate lookup element, particularly for skewed stream data. We show that a good selection strategy can improve service rate of the existing join algorithms significantly. Second contribution is in terms of extension in which we develop multi-stage join for semi-stream join algorithms. Multi-stage join is important when stream data needs to be joined with two or more tables in the relation e.g., stream of sales data needs information to be added from product and customer tables in the relation. To the best of our knowledge, none of the existing algorithms implement this feature. For the service rate evaluation we use two well-performed existing algorithms CACHEJOIN and HYBRIDJOIN. We evaluate the service rate using real, TPC-H, and synthetic datasets with a known skewed distribution. We also present the cost model for our multi-stage join.
Learning Preferences in a Spatial Multiple Criteria Decision Approach: An Application in Public Security Planning
Authors: Figueiredo Ciro , Mota Caroline
Published: July 2019

This study presents a model to identify and classify vulnerable places regarding violence in public areas. The model considers multiple objectives and multiple viewpoints by using a graphical visualization for exploring vulnerability. The methodology is supported by a Dominance-based rough set approach in conjunction with preference learning and Geographic Information Systems, and requires the use of decision-makers’ (DMs’) previous knowledge for holistic assessment to get individual results. We considered an original approach for aggregating those individual results to obtain a recommendation from the final output. The preferences are assessed interactively to decrease the cognitive effort of each DM, starting from a small subset of holistic evaluations and expanding the process by incrementing new information in each stage of the model. We also assigned indicators to identify the quality of the results, participation in the individual preferences, and to avoid inconsistencies. We used the model to identify areas that merit more resources to combat crime and employed several criteria that assess types and levels of violence. These results may help policy-makers and planners to draw up and refine public policy interventions in the public security context.
Thermodynamic consequences of specific modified gravity on the apparent horizon
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Khan Zoya , Rani Shamaila
Published: July 2019

We discuss the thermodynamical behavior of homogeneous and isotropic universe (flat and non-flat) in the framework of [Formula: see text] gravity, where [Formula: see text] stands for Ricci scalar and [Formula: see text] signifies the trace of energy–momentum tensor of a scalar field [Formula: see text]. We follow through the first-order formalism that specifies the scalar field to the Hubble parameter which becomes [Formula: see text] By using Bekenstein–Hawking entropy, we analyze the validity of generalized second law of thermodynamics at apparent horizon for different values of [Formula: see text] and evaluate the equilibrium condition for all cases as well.
EVALUATING INSTITUTIONAL THEORIES OF INFORMAL SECTOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP: SOME LESSONS FROM ALBANIA
Authors: WILLIAMS COLIN C. , KOSTA BRUNILDA
Published: July 2019

This paper evaluates three waves of institutional theory that have variously explained participation in informal sector entrepreneurship. The first wave of institutional theory explains informal entrepreneurship as resulting from formal institutional failures. This second wave of theory explains it as resulting from an asymmetry between the laws and regulations of formal institutions and the unwritten socially shared rules of informal institutions. Finally, a third wave of theory as resulting from a lack of both vertical and horizontal trust has explained informal entrepreneurship. To evaluate these waves of institutional theory, this study reports evidence from a 2015 survey of businesses in Albania. This finds that 30 percent of turnover of Albanian businesses is under-reported and that this percentage is higher in smaller firms. In terms of the institutional failures that explain participation in informal entrepreneurship, the regression analysis reveals a strong association between annual under-reporting of turnover and the red tape involved in dealing with the tax administration and the frequent visits of tax inspectors. Moreover, it shows both vertical and horizontal trust are strongly associated with participation in informal entrepreneurship. The paper concludes by discussing the theoretical and policy implications.
Vaccination of a multi-group model of zoonotic diseases with direct and indirect transmission
Authors: Lv Wei , Liu Xue-Ying , Xu Xin-Jian , Lou Jie
Published: July 2019

Vaccination plays an important role in preventing or reducing the spread of zoonotic diseases. In this paper, we develop a susceptible-vaccinated-exposed-infectious-pathogen multi-group epidemic model of zoonotic diseases incorporating nonlinear direct and indirect incidence rates, nonlinear pathogen shedding rates, and common environmental contamination. Under certain assumptions, we first obtained the basic reproduction number of the model. Then, we utilized the comparison principle and global Lyapunov function method to prove global stability of dynamical equilibria. Finally, we analyzed optimal vaccination strategy. All the theoretical predictions were verified by numerical simulations.
A CRITICAL REVIEW OF COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN CITIES
Authors: MARKANDAY AMBIKA , GALARRAGA IBON , MARKANDYA ANIL
Published: July 2019

This study systematically reviews the scientific literature ([Formula: see text]) on cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of adaptation measures in cities and similar urban environments. The review is conducted to assess existing or proposed actions for dealing with impacts of drought, heat waves, sea-level rise, and pluvial and fluvial flooding. It includes over 30 measures related to structural, services, technological, informational and ecosystem-based approaches. The main findings demonstrate that CBA of adaptation measures across urban environments must contend with numerous long-term socioeconomic and climate change uncertainties. Subsequently, this has led to inconsistencies in valuation frameworks related to, for example, planning horizons, discount rates, non-market considerations and future scenarios. Results also indicate a clear gap in the literature on the economic valuation of adaptation measures in the Global South. Furthermore, few studies integrate equity dimensions while planning for adaptation. Extensions of CBA to account for key uncertainties will help policy makers to allocate (often scarce) resources more efficiently and limit the likelihood of maladaptation. Further inclusion of the magnitude and distributional effects of non-market impacts and greater civil society engagement in policy dialogues will also be vital for promoting just and equitable measures that balance adaptation alongside other policy goals such as mitigation, economic development, health and well-being.
Ecotourism for Conservation?
Authors: Stronza Amanda L. , Hunt Carter A. , Fitzgerald Lee A.
Published: July 2019

Ecotourism originated in the 1980s, at the dawn of sustainable development, as a way to channel tourism revenues into conservation and development. Despite the “win-win” idea, scholars and practitioners debate the meaning and merits of ecotourism. We conducted a review of 30 years of ecotourism research, looking for empirical evidence of successes and failures. We found the following trends: Ecotourism is often conflated with outdoor recreation and other forms of conventional tourism; impact studies tend to focus on either ecological or social impacts, but rarely both; and research tends to lack time series data, precluding authors from discerning effects over time, either on conservation, levels of biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, local governance, or other indicators. Given increasing pressures on wild lands and wildlife, we see a need to add rigor to analyses of ecotourism. We provide suggestions for future research and offer a framework for study design and issues of measurement and scaling.
A Conversation with Jacob Nachmias
Authors: Nachmias Jacob , Movshon J. Anthony , Wandell Brian A. , Brainard David H.
Published: July 2019

We are sad to report that Professor Jacob (Jack) Nachmias passed away on March 2, 2019. Nachmias was born in Athens, Greece, on June 9, 1928. To escape the Nazis, he and his family came to the United States in 1939. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then an MA from Swarthmore College, where he worked with Hans Wallach and Wolfgang Kohler; his PhD in Psychology was from Harvard University. Nachmias spent the majority of his career as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He made fundamental contributions to our understanding of vision, most notably through the study of eye movements, the development of signal detection theory and forced-choice psychophysical methods, and the psychophysical characterization of spatial-frequency-selective visual channels. Nachmias' work was recognized by his election to the National Academy of Sciences and receipt of the Optical Society's Tillyer Award.
Cardioprotection by the mitochondrial unfolded protein response requires ATF5
Authors: Wang Yves T. , Lim Yunki , McCall Matthew N. , Huang Kai-Ting , Haynes Cole M. , Nehrke Keith , Brookes Paul S.
Published: July 2019

The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a cytoprotective signaling pathway triggered by mitochondrial dysfunction. UPRmt activation upregulates chaperones, proteases, antioxidants, and glycolysis at the gene level to restore proteostasis and cell energetics. Activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) is a proposed mediator of the mammalian UPRmt. Herein, we hypothesized pharmacological UPRmt activation may protect against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in an ATF5-dependent manner. Accordingly, in vivo administration of the UPRmt inducers oligomycin or doxycycline 6 h before ex vivo I/R injury (perfused heart) was cardioprotective in wild-type but not global Atf5−/− mice. Acute ex vivo UPRmt activation was not cardioprotective, and loss of ATF5 did not impact baseline I/R injury without UPRmt induction. In vivo UPRmt induction significantly upregulated many known UPRmt-linked genes (cardiac quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis), and RNA-Seq revealed an UPRmt-induced ATF5-dependent gene set, which may contribute to cardioprotection. This is the first in vivo proof of a role for ATF5 in the mammalian UPRmt and the first demonstration that UPRmt is a cardioprotective drug target.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cardioprotection can be induced by drugs that activate the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). UPRmt protection is dependent on activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5). This is the first in vivo evidence for a role of ATF5 in the mammalian UPRmt.
X-ray Diffraction Analysis of PM-10 Aerosols Extracted by Ultrasound
Authors: Davis B. L. , Chen H.
Published: July 2019

Determination of the species of compounds present in ambient aerosols has received increasing interest in recent years (Harrison and Pio, 1983; Davis, 1984; Davis and Maughan, 1984; Harrison and Sturges, 1984; Sturges et al, 1989; Possanzini et al, 1992; Havliek et al., 1993), but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's conversion to the PM10 standard in 1987 has made quantitative analysis of fine particle aerosols more difficult because of the much smaller deposited mass on these filters, as well as the increased proportion of carbon-bearing material naturally present in the smaller diameter portion of the atmospheric aerosol size distribution. Under the old TSP (Total Suspended Particulate) collection protocol, filter loads of 400-2000 μg cm-2 of 10-20 μm mean diameter particles, corresponding to 24-hour collections at ambient concentrations of 100 to 500 μg m-3 at 40 CFM flow rates, resulted in excellent diffraction patterns scanned directly from filter segments.
Comparison of Inverse Laplace and Numerical Inversion Methods for Obtaining Z-Depth Profiles of Diffraction Data
Authors: Zhu Xiaojing , Predecki Paul , Ballard Benjamin
Published: July 2019

Two different inversion methods, the inverse Laplace method and the linear constrained numerical method, for retrieving the z-profiles of diffraction data from experimentally obtained τ-profiles were compared using tests with a known function as the original z-profile. Two different real data situations were simulated to determine the effects of specimen thickness and missing τ-profiles data at small τ-values on the retrieved z-profiles. The results indicate that although both methods are able to retrieve the z-profiles in the bulk specimens satisfactorily, the numerical method can be used for thin film samples as well. Missing τ-profile data at small τ values causes error in the retrieved z-profiles with both methods, particularly when the trend of the τ-profile at small τ is significantly changed because of the missing data
Description of X-ray Tube Spectra by the Depth Distribution Function of Pochou and Pichoir
Authors: Schoβmann B. , Wernisch J. , Ebel H.
Published: July 2019

We have developed an algorithm for calculating the x-ray tube continuum based on the depth distribution function (DDF) proposed by Pochou and Pichoir, extended the description of white and characteristic radiation given by Wiederschwinger et al. to the low energy range from 5 to 30 keV and compared the results frorn these algorithms to the signals obtained from algorithms using the absorption correction of Philibert and of Sewell et al. Preceding calculations the measured spectra were separated into characteristic peak spectra and into the corresponding white spectra, where the background below the peak areas was numerically interpolated.
Scanning X-ray Apparatus for Crystal Texture Mapping and Micro-Fluorescence Analysis
Authors: Schwarzer R. A. , Wehrhahn M.
Published: July 2019

Scanning x-ray mapping based on energy dispersive x-ray diffraction is a powerful technique for imaging the spatial distributions of crystal texture and elements [1, 2]. Odd-shaped samples can be studied in air at ambient pressure and without special preparation. A schematic drawing of the scanning x-ray apparatus is shown in Figure 1. A “white” radiation x-ray source (PHILIPS generator PW 1830/25 equipped with a fine-focus tungsten tube) rather than characteristic radiation is used. The high density target material gives rise to an intense continuous Bremsstrahlung background. A collimator, consisting of two circular pinhole diaphragms, is attached to the tube and produces an aperture of 0.3° and an effective beam diameter of 50 μm on the sample. The apertures, Δθ, of the primary and secondary beams are not critical, since crystal texture is scarcely sharper than several degrees, and x-ray fluorescence lines are not affected at all by the aperture settings.
Investigation of Residual Stresses in a Sleeve Coldworked Lug Specimen by Neutron and X-ray Diffraction
Authors: Lin R. , Jaensson B. , Holden T. M. , Rogge R. B. , Root J. H.
Published: July 2019

Sleeve coldworking (SCW) is a mechanical process used in the aircraft industry to strengthen fastener holes of structural parts. By cold-expanding the holes, compressive residual stresses and a high dislocation density are introduced around the holes, the effect of which is to counteract the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks and thus increase the fatigue life of the parts. The knowledge of residual stress due to SCW is therefore crucial for assessing the fatigue properties of a treated part. In this study, residual stresses were investigated, by employing neutron and X-ray diffraction methods, in a lug specimen that was sleeve coldworked and fatigued.

The specimen had been used for testing the influence of the SCW process on fatigue life and crack propagation behaviour under constant amplitude or variable amplitude cyclic loading.
Development of a Mercuric Iodide Detector Array For In-Vivo X-Ray Imaging
Authors: Patt Bradley E. , Iwanczyk Jan S. , Tornai Martin P. , Levin Craig S. , Hoffman Edward J.
Published: July 2019

A nineteen element mercuric iodide (HgI2) detector array has been developed in order to investigate the potential of using this technology for in-vivo x-ray and gamma-ray imaging. A prototype cross-grid detector array was constructed with hexagonal pixels of 1.9 mm diameter (active area = 3.28 mm2) and 0.2 mm thick septa. The overall detector active area is roughly 65 mm2. A detector thickness of 1.2 mm was used to achieve about 100% efficiency at 60 keV and 67% efficiency at 140 keV The detector fabrication, geometry and structure were optimized for charge collection and to minimize crosstalk between elements. A section of a standard high resolution cast-lead gamma-camera collimator was incorporated into the detector to provide collimation matching the discrete pixel geometry. Measurements of spectral and spatial performance of the array were made using 241-Am and 99m-Tc sources. These measurements were compared with similar measurements made using an optimized single HgI2 x-ray detector with active area of about 3 mm2 and thickness of 500 μm.
X-Ray Diffraction Study of BaNd2CuO5 at High Pressures
Authors: Wong-Ng Winnie , Piermarini Gasper J. , Gallas Marcia R.
Published: July 2019

The volume compression of BaNd2CuO5 has been measured to 8.7 GPa utilizing a diamond anvil high pressure eel and energy dispersive x-ray powder diffraction. The pressure dependence of the volume of the tetragonal unit cell is linear and follows the equation V = -1.6I5P + 260.622 determined by a least-squares fit of the data. Compression of the unit cell parameters of BaNd2CuO5 exhibit isotropic behavior within our experimental error. From the observed data, the bulk modulus of BaNd2CuO5 is determined to be 161 ± 6 GPa and the Young's modulus is estimated to be 193 ± 6 GPa. No evidence of a pressure-induced phase transformation in BaNd2CuO5 was found in the pressure range studied.
Adaptive Principal Component Analysis Combined with Feature Extraction-Based Method for Feature Identification in Manufacturing
Authors: Lin Tsun-Kuo
Published: July 2019

This paper developed a principal component analysis (PCA)-integrated algorithm for feature identification in manufacturing; this algorithm is based on an adaptive PCA-based scheme for identifying image features in vision-based inspection. PCA is a commonly used statistical method for pattern recognition tasks, but an effective PCA-based approach for identifying suitable image features in manufacturing has yet to be developed. Unsuitable image features tend to yield poor results when used in conventional visual inspections. Furthermore, research has revealed that the use of unsuitable or redundant features might influence the performance of object detection. To address these problems, the adaptive PCA-based algorithm developed in this study entails the identification of suitable image features using a support vector machine (SVM) model for inspecting of various object images; this approach can be used for solving the inherent problem of detection that occurs when the extraction contains challenging image features in manufacturing processes. The results of experiments indicated that the proposed algorithm can successfully be used to adaptively select appropriate image features. The algorithm combines image feature extraction and PCA/SVM classification to detect patterns in manufacturing. The algorithm was determined to achieve high-performance detection and to outperform the existing methods.
Cryptolepine, the Main Alkaloid of the Antimalarial Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlechter, Induces Malformations in Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Mensah Kwesi Boadu , Benneh Charles , Forkuo Arnold Donkor , Ansah Charles
Published: July 2019

Background. Previous studies on cryptolepine, the antimalarial and cytotoxic alkaloid of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, showed that it preferentially accumulates in rapidly proliferating cells and melanin-containing tissues. Subsequently, we demonstrated that cryptolepine was toxic to murine embryos in vivo but no signs of teratogenicity. in vivo developmental studies can be confounded by maternal effects. Here, we hypothesized that cryptolepine-induced embryo toxicity occurs at least partly through direct inhibition of embryogenesis rather than indirectly through the induction of maternal toxicity. Aim. To determine the effects of cryptolepine on developing zebrafish embryos ex vivo. Methods. Healthy synchronized zebrafish eggs were treated with cryptolepine (10−1 − 5 × 102 μM), benzyl penicillin (6 − 6 × 102 μM), or mercury chloride (3.7 × 10−1 − 3.7 × 101 nM) from 6 to 72 hours postfertilization. Developing embryos were assessed at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours under microscope for lethality, hatching rate, and malformation. Results. LC50 for cryptolepine in the study was found to be 260 ± 0.174 μM. Cryptolepine induced dose- and time-dependent mortality from the 24 to 96 hours postfertilization. Lower cryptolepine concentration (<100 μM) caused mortality, approximately 15–18%, only after the 48 hours postfertilization. The most sensitive period of embryo lethality corresponded well with the pharyngula (24 to 48 hours) and hatching (48 to 72 hours) stages of embryonic development. Cryptolepine (10−1 − 5 × 102 μM) dose dependently inhibited the hatching rate. At doses above 500 μM, hatching was completely inhibited. Mercury chloride (3.7 × 10−1 − 3.7 × 101 nM), used as positive control, induced a consistent pattern of embryo lethality at all stages of development, whereas benzyl penicillin (6 − 6 × 102 μM), used as negative control, did not induce any significant embryo lethality. Morphological examination of (postfertilization day 5) of eleutheroembryos treated during embryonic development with cryptolepine showed decreased body length (growth inhibition), decreased eye diameter and bulginess, enlarged pericardia, and enlarged yolk sac and muscle malformations. Conclusion. Cryptolepine induces malformations, growth retardation, and mortalities in rapidly dividing zebrafish embryos ex vivo.
Phase I Trial of an ICAM-1-Targeted Immunotherapeutic-Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21) as an Oncolytic Agent Against Non Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Annels Nicola E. , Mansfield David , Arif Mehreen , Ballesteros-Merino Carmen , Simpson Guy R. , Denyer Mick , Sandhu Sarbjinder S. , Melcher Alan A. , Harrington Kevin J. , Davies Bronwyn , Au Gough , Grose Mark , Bagwan Izhar , Fox Bernard , Vile Richard , Mostafid Hugh , Shafren Darren , Pandha Hardev S.
Published: July 2019

Purpose:

The CANON [CAVATAK in NON–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC)] study evaluated a novel ICAM-1–targeted immunotherapeutic-coxsackievirus A21 as a novel oncolytic agent against bladder cancer.

Patients and Methods:

Fifteen patients enrolled in this “window of opportunity” phase I study, exposing primary bladder cancers to CAVATAK prior to surgery. The first 9 patients received intravesical administration of monotherapy CAVATAK; in the second stage, 6 patients received CAVATAK with a subtherapeutic dose of mitomycin C, known to enhance expression of ICAM-1 on bladder cancer cells. The primary endpoint was to determine patient safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary endpoints were evidence of viral replication, induction of inflammatory cytokines, antitumor activity, and viral-induced changes in resected tissue.

Results:

Clinical activity of CAVATAK was demonstrated by induction of tumor inflammation and hemorrhage following either single or multiple administrations of CAVATAK in multiple patients, and a complete resolution of tumor in 1 patient. Whether used alone or in combination with mitomycin C, CAVATAK caused marked inflammatory changes within NMIBC tissue biopsies by upregulating IFN-inducible genes, including both immune checkpoint inhibitory genes (PD-L1 and LAG3) and Th1-associated chemokines, as well as the induction of the innate activator RIG-I, compared with bladder cancer tissue from untreated patients. No significant toxicities were reported in any patient, from either virus or combination therapy.

Conclusions:

The acceptable safety profile of CAVATAK, proof of viral targeting, replication, and tumor cell death together with the virus-mediated increases in “immunological heat” within the tumor microenvironment all indicate that CAVATAK may be potentially considered as a novel therapeutic for NMIBC.
Abnormal Auditory Mismatch Fields in Children and Adolescents with 47,XYY Syndrome
Authors: Matsuzaki Junko , Bloy Luke , Blaskey Lisa , Miller Judith , Kuschner Emily S. , Ku Matthew , Dipiero Marissa , Airey Megan , Edgar J. Christopher , Embick David , Ross Judith L. , Roberts Timothy P.L.
Published: July 2019

47,XYY syndrome (XYY) is one of the common forms of sex chromosome aneuploidy in males. XYY males tend to have tall stature, early speech, motor delays, social and behavioral challenges, and a high rate of language impairment. Recent studies indicate that 20–40% of males with XYY meet diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD; the rate in the general population is 1–2%). Although many studies have examined the neural correlates of language impairment in ASD, few similar studies have been conducted on individuals with XYY. Studies using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in idiopathic ASD (ASD-I) have demonstrated delayed neurophysiological responses to changes in the auditory stream, revealed in the mismatch negativity or its magnetic counterpart, the mismatch field (MMF). This study investigated whether similar findings are observed in XYY-associated ASD and whether delayed processing is also present in individuals with XYY without ASD. MEG measured MMFs arising from the left and the right superior temporal gyrus during an auditory oddball paradigm with vowel stimuli (/a/ and /u/) in children/adolescents with XYY both with and without a diagnosis of ASD, as well as in those with ASD-I and in typically developing controls (TD). Ninety male participants (6–17 years old) were included in the final analyses (TD, n = 38, 11.50 ± 2.88 years; ASD-I, n = 21, 13.83 ± 3.25 years; XYY without ASD, n = 15, 12.65 ± 3.91 years; XYY with ASD, n = 16, 12.62 ± 3.19 years). The groups did not differ significantly in age (p > 0.05). There was a main effect of group on MMF latency (p < 0.001). Delayed MMF latencies were found in participants with XYY both with and without an ASD diagnosis, as well as in the ASD-I group compared to the TD group (ps < 0.001). Furthermore, participants with XYY (with and without ASD) showed a longer MMF latency than the ASD-I group (ps < 0.001). There was, however, no significant difference in MMF latency between individuals with XYY with ASD and those with XYY without ASD. Delayed MMF latencies were associated with severity of language impairment. Our findings suggest that auditory MMF latency delays are pronounced in this specific Y chromosome aneuploidy disorder, both with and without an ASD diagnosis, and thus may implicate the genes of the Y chromosome in mediating atypical MMF activity.
Relações entre avaliatividade e ethos no prólogo da Compilação de todas as obras de Gil Vicente
Authors: Ferreira Ana Carolina de Souza , Gonçalves Segundo Paulo Roberto
Published: July 2019

O dramaturgo português Gil Vicente escreveu suas peças entre 1502 e 1536, possível ano de sua morte. Durante a vida, esteve a serviço do rei sem ter sua liberdade como artista comprometida por qualquer formalidade, porém, a partir do ano de 1536 estabelece-se em Portugal o Tribunal do Santo Ofício que teve como uma de suas funções a censura de livros. Desta forma, este artigo se propõe a fazer uma reflexão acerca da transmissão da obra vicentina, por meio de uma análise do prólogo escrito por Gil Vicente na primeira edição da Compilação de todas as obras de Gil Vicente, em que buscou-se utilizar a teoria da avaliatividade de Martin & White (2005) e estrutura retórica do texto para ilustrar a composição do ethos do autor e tentar entender por que este texto foi censurado pela Inquisição na segunda edição da mesma obra.
A metátese na aquisição da escrita: simetrias e assimetrias entre fonologia e ortografia
Authors: Pachalski Lissa , Miranda Ana Ruth Moresco
Published: July 2019

Este estudo aborda dados de escrita infantil seguindo uma linha de investigação que se caracteriza por eleger o erro (orto)gráfico como principal objeto de análise, tratando-o como uma potencial pista reveladora do conhecimento em construção pelas crianças acerca da estrutura de sua língua, sobretudo da camada fonológica. Situado neste domínio teórico, o artigo explora a grafia da metátese de consoantes em textos de crianças em período de aquisição da escrita, a fim de contribuir para a discussão sobre o fenômeno, observando as relações simétricas e/ou assimétricas existentes entre as metáteses produzidas especialmente no período de aquisição fonológica e aquelas manifestas nas escritas iniciais. A análise dos dados reforça aspectos influentes já salientados por outros pesquisadores com relação à metátese, como a natureza dos segmentos envolvidos, a estrutura silábica e seu grau de complexidade, e a incerteza representacional ligada à nasalidade em coda medial e à segmentação de palavras gráficas. Fatores externos à fonologia da língua também foram observados enquanto possibilidades para a motivação do fenômeno na escrita, particularmente traçado de letra e hipersegmentação de palavras, aspectos que dizem respeito a conhecimentos notacionais, também constitutivos da aprendizagem do sistema de escrita, e que parecem interagir com as variáveis de natureza fonológica, apontando para as assimetrias entre fonologia e ortografia.
A progressão em textos argumentativos escritos: uma análise da progressão referencial em produções de um aluno do Ensino Básico
Authors: Groos Paola Tassinari , Negreiros Gil Roberto Costa
Published: July 2019

O tema deste artigo é a progressão textual em textos escritos produzidos no contexto da Educação Básica. Objetiva-se investigar, por meio da metodologia da pesquisa-ação, o processo de qualificação da produção textual de um aluno da Educação Básica, com foco na progressão textual, mais especificamente a progressão referencial. O corpus constitui-se de textos escritos por alunos, coletados em oficinas de língua portuguesa desenvolvidas em uma escola pública de Santa Maria - RS. A sustentação teórica está baseada na interação verbal, defendida por Bakhtin (1997; 2014); e na perspectiva da Linguística Textual. Serão analisadas três redações que compõem o corpus da dissertação A qualificação da progressão textual em oficinas de produção de texto. Os resultados revelam que, com o decorrer das oficinas de produção de texto, avanços significativos em relação à progressão referencial foram alcançados.
As midias e seus precurssores: emergencia das mediagoes como campo de ideias cientificas
Authors: Machado Irene
Published: July 2019

Existem muitos argumentos conflitantes no emprego da palavra midias como substantivo plural para designar as novas relagoes instauradas entre os meios e, conseqiientemente, os produtos dos novos processos de mediagao. For um lado, ha a resistencia daqueles que advogam a ideia de que tudo aquilo que e novo tern de ser, obrigatoriamente, batizado com uma nova terminologia sem a qual a novidade pode nao passar de uma falacia. For outro, a heranga do pensamento de Marshall McLuhan sobre os meios {medium/media) como extensao. Esse artigo examina uma outra hipotese: a compreensao das midias nao apenas como meios, isto e, vefculos de extensao, mas sobretudo como ambientes informacionais onde acontecem media- ^oes de uma outra natureza.
Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in northeastern Brazil
Authors: Ferreira-Silva Cristiana , Ribeiro Samuel Cardozo , Alcantara Edna Paulino de , Ávila Robson Waldemar
Published: July 2019

Natural history of the rare and endangered snake Atractus ronnie (Serpentes: Colubridae) in northeastern Brazil. The habitat use, activity period, sexual dimorphism, morphological variation, reproduction and diet composition of this fossorial and nocturnal snake are reported. The snakes were captured between 2008–2014 in the Chapada do Araripe in northeastern Brazil, and were collected by active visual searches, as well as in pitfall traps with drift fences. Although females are larger than males, the males have longer tails, and scale counts differ between the sexes. Reproduction is seasonal, occurring during the rainy season. Brood sizes rang from one to four eggs. Atractus ronnie preys on earthworms, in addition to ants (Crematogaster sp.) and insect larvae.
Applicability and Interpretation of Coronary Physiology in the Setting of a Chronic Total Occlusion
Authors: Allahwala Usaid K. , Brilakis Emmanouil S. , Byrne Jonathan , Davies Justin E. , Ward Michael R. , Weaver James C. , Bhindi Ravinay
Published: July 2019

Concurrent coronary artery disease in a vessel remote from a chronic total occlusion (CTO) is common and presents a management dilemma. While the use of adjunctive coronary physiology to guide revascularization is now commonplace in the catheterization laboratory, the presence of a CTO provides a unique and specific situation whereby the physiological assessment is more complex and relies on theoretical assumptions. Broadly, the physiological assessment of a CTO relies on assessing the function and regression of collaterals, the assessment of the microcirculation, the impact of collateral steal as well as assessing the severity of a lesion in the donor vessel (the vessel supplying the majority of collaterals to the CTO). Recent studies have shown that physiological assessment of the donor vessel in the setting of a CTO may overestimate the severity of stenosis, and that after revascularization of a CTO, the index of ischemia may increase, potentially altering the need for revascularization. In this review article, we present the current literature on physiological assessment of patients with a CTO, management recommendations and identify areas for ongoing research.
Carotid Plaque Positron Emission Tomography Imaging and Cerebral Ischemic Disease
Authors: Chaker Salama , Al-Dasuqi Khalid , Baradaran Hediyeh , Demetres Michelle , Delgado Diana , Nehmeh Sadek , Osborne Joseph R. , Christos Paul J. , Kamel Hooman , Gupta Ajay
Published: July 2019

Background and Purpose—

The clinical utility of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in evaluating carotid artery plaque vulnerability remains unclear. Two tracers of recent interest for carotid plaque imaging are
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose (
18
F-FDG) and
18
F-sodium fluoride (
18
F-NaF). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the association between carotid artery
18
F-FDG or
18
F-NaF uptake and recent or future cerebral ischemic events.

Methods—

A systematic review of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and the Cochrane library was conducted from inception to December 2017 for articles evaluating PET tracer uptake in recently symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid arteries, and articles evaluating carotid uptake in relation to future ischemic events. Cerebral ischemic events were defined as ipsilateral strokes, transient ischemic attacks, or amaurosis fugax. We quantitatively pooled studies by a random-effects model when 3 or more studies were amenable for analysis. We assessed the standardized mean difference between tracer uptake in the symptomatic versus asymptomatic carotid artery using Cohen’s d metric.

Results—

After screening 4144 unique articles, 13 prospective cohort studies assessing carotid artery
18
F-FDG uptake in patients with recent cerebral ischemia were eligible for review. Eleven cohorts of 290 subjects scanned with
18
F-FDG were eligible for meta-analysis. We found that carotid arteries ipsilateral to recent ischemic events had significantly higher
18
F-FDG uptake than asymptomatic arteries (Cohen’s d =0.492; CI=0.130–0.855;
P
=0.008) as well as significant heterogeneity (Cochran’s Q =31.5;
P
=0.0005;
I
2
=68.3%). Meta-regression was not performed due to the limited number of studies in the analysis. Only 2 studies investigating
18
F-NaF PET imaging, and another 2 articles investigating ischemic event recurrence were found.

Conclusions—

Recent ipsilateral cerebral ischemia may be associated with increased carotid
18
F-FDG uptake on PET imaging regardless of degree of carotid stenosis, although significant heterogeneity was found, and these results should be interpreted with caution. Emerging evidence suggests a similar association may be present with
18
F-NaF plaque uptake. More studies are warranted to provide definitive conclusions on the utility of
18
F-FDG or
18
F-NaF in carotid plaque evaluation before investigating carotid PET as a diagnostic tool for cerebral ischemic events.
sTRAIL-R2 (Soluble TNF [Tumor Necrosis Factor]-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand Receptor 2) a Marker of Plaque Cell Apoptosis and Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Gonçalves Isabel , Singh Pratibha , Tengryd Christoffer , Cavalera Michele , Yao Mattisson Ingrid , Nitulescu Mihaela , Flor Persson Ana , Volkov Petr , Engström Gunnar , Orho-Melander Marju , Nilsson Jan , Edsfeldt Andreas
Published: July 2019

Background and Purpose—

Cellular apoptosis is an important feature in atherosclerosis, contributing to necrotic core formation, and plaque vulnerability. Activation of the death receptor TRAIL-R2 (TNF [tumor necrosis factor]-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2) through its ligand tumor necrosis factor-relate apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), induces apoptosis in cells in vitro. sTRAIL-R2 (soluble TRAIL-R2) was recently shown to predict cardiovascular events in healthy individuals. In the present study, we explored if plaque levels of sTRAIL-R2 and sTRAIL reflect plaque apoptosis and vulnerability and if plasma levels of these markers predict future events in subjects with advanced atherosclerosis.

Methods—

Plasma from 558 patients and 202 carotid plaques from the Carotid Plaque Imaging Project biobank were used. sTRAIL-R2, sTRAIL, and caspase-8 levels were assessed using a Proseek Multiplex CVD
96×96
assay. Active caspase-3 was measured using ELISA to assess plaque apoptosis. Plaque morphology was studied by immunohistochemistry. Inflammatory cytokines were assessed by Luminex. mRNA levels were quantified by RNA sequencing. Monocytes, T cells, B cells, and human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were used to study sTRAIL-R2 and sTRAIL release on cell apoptosis and inflammatory stimuli in vitro.

Results—

Plaque levels of sTRAIL-R2 and sTRAIL correlated to markers of extrinsic induced apoptosis (caspase-3 and -8). sTRAIL-R2 and sTRAIL protein expression were increased in symptomatic carotid plaques and patients with higher plasma levels of sTRAIL-R2 had a higher risk of future cardiovascular events. sTRAIL-R2 and sTRAIL were released upon activation of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway in vitro. sTRAIL-R2 and sTRAIL correlated with inflammatory cytokines, to CD68 expression and inversely to α-actin in the plaque tissue.

Conclusions—

The present study shows that sTRAIL-R2 and sTRAIL are associated to human plaque cell apoptosis, plaque inflammatory activity, and with symptomatic carotid plaques. Furthermore, high plasma levels of sTRAIL-R2 in plasma predict, independently, future cardiovascular events in individuals with manifest atherosclerotic disease.
Acute Diffusivity Biomarkers for Prediction of Motor and Language Outcome in Mild-to-Severe Stroke Patients
Authors: Moulton Eric , Magno Serena , Valabregue Romain , Amor-Sahli Melika , Pires Christine , Lehéricy Stéphane , Leger Anne , Samson Yves , Rosso Charlotte
Published: July 2019

Background and Purpose—

Early severity of stroke symptoms—especially in mild-to-severe stroke patients—are imperfect predictors of long-term motor and aphasia outcome. Motor function and language processing heavily rely on the preservation of important white matter fasciculi in the brain. Axial diffusivity (AD) from the diffusion tensor imaging model has repeatedly shown to accurately reflect acute axonal damage and is thus optimal to probe the integrity of important white matter bundles and their relationship with long-term outcome. Our aim was to investigate the independent prognostic value of the AD of white matter tracts in the motor and language network evaluated at 24 hours poststroke for motor and aphasia outcome at 3 months poststroke.

Methods—

Seventeen (motor cohort) and 28 (aphasia cohort) thrombolyzed patients with initial mild-to-severe stroke underwent a diffusion tensor imaging sequence at 24 hours poststroke. Motor and language outcome were evaluated at 3 months poststroke with a composite motor score and the aphasia handicap scale. We first used stepwise regression to determine which classic (age, initial motor or aphasia severity, and lesion volume) and imaging (ratio of affected/unaffected AD of motor and language fasciculi) factors were related to outcome. Second, to determine the specificity of our a priori choices of fasciculi, we performed voxel-based analyses to determine if the same, additional, or altogether new regions were associated with long-term outcome.

Results—

The ratio of AD in the corticospinal tract was the sole predictor of long-term motor outcome, and the ratio of AD in the arcuate fasciculus—along with age and initial aphasia severity—was an independent predictor of 3-month aphasia outcome. White matter regions overlapping with these fasciculi naturally emerged in the corresponding voxel-based analyses.

Conclusions—

AD of the corticospinal tract and arcuate fasciculus are effective biomarkers of long-term motor and aphasia outcome, respectively.