bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral Nitrate Increases Microvascular Reactivity and the Number of Visible Perfused Microvessels in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Kolb Louis , Orbegozo Diego , Creteur Jacques , Preiser Jean-Charles , Vincent Jean-Louis , De Backer Daniel
Published: July 2017

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in controlling microcirculatory function, but the effects of exogenous administration of nitrate (NO3-) on the microcirculation have not been well studied. We evaluated whether NO3- could influence the microvascular response to hypoxia in 17 healthy volunteers. We used a vascular occlusion test (VOT) to assess the response of near-infrared spectroscopy-derived indexes to hypoxic stress before and 2 h 15 min after oral administration of 800 mg potassium nitrate. We also monitored changes in the sublingual microcirculation using side-stream dark-field (SDF) video microscopy. The descending (7.3 [6.8-8.1] to 8.2 [7.9-9.8] %/min, p = 0.01) and ascending (201 [180-233] to 240 [197-285] %/min, p = 0.01) thenar oxygen saturation (StO2) slopes were significantly greater during VOT after nitrate administration than before. Sublingual SDF measurements showed increases in the total number of visible perfused vessels (i.e., from 14.1 [13.2-15.5] to 16.3 [15.4-16.7] vessels/mm, p < 0.01) and in the number of visible perfused small vessels (i.e., from 12.2 [11.5-13.7] to 14.2 [13.5-15.3] vessels/mm, p < 0.01) after nitrate administration but no changes in the microvascular flow index or in the proportion of visible perfused vessels, which were already maximal at baseline. Oral administration of nitrate therefore significantly influenced the response to a hypoxic challenge, increasing the number of visible perfused vessels and thus possibly limiting the O2 diffusion distance.
Acneiform Rash Caused by an Unlikely Drug: Topiramate
Authors: Bello-Hernández Yesenia , Espinoza-Hernández Jessica , Moreno-Coutiño Gabriela
Published: July 2017

Topiramate is an antiepileptic drug that can also be used for migraine prophylaxis, weight control, and even for methamphetamine dependence; the dosage margin is wide, and the list of side effects is shorter than with other anticonvulsants. We present the case of a 35-year-old man with a disseminated rash of the trunk and extremities after treatment with 25 mg of topiramate daily as a prophylactic migraine treatment. This case report is useful, as this patient was not polymedicated and had a score of 7 on the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale. The patient was diagnosed as atypical DRESS syndrome and resolved satisfactorily with symptomatic treatment and topiramate withdrawal; slowly, the lesions regressed. He required no further drugs for the dermatologic condition.
Effects of Trimetazidine on PDCD4/NF-κB/TNF-α Pathway in Coronary Microembolization
Authors: Su Qiang , Li Lang , Zhao Jinmin , Sun Yuhan , Yang Huafeng
Published: July 2017

Background/Aims: The local inflammatory response caused by coronary microembolization (CME) is the primary cause of progressive cardiac dysfunction. The PDCD4/NF-κB/TNF-α signaling pathway plays a significant role in CME-induced myocardial Inflammation. Trimetazidine (TMZ) reduces myocardial injury, caused by percutaneous coronary intervention, through relieving the CME-induced myocardial systolic dysfunction. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of TMZ pre-treatment in the protection of myocardium after CME and PDCD4/NF-κB/TNF-α in mini pigs. Methods: 20 Bama mini pigs were randomized into sham operation (sham), microembolization (CME), TMZ, and siRNA-PDCD4 groups (n = 5). The CME model was established by injecting polyethylene microspheres via microcatheter into the left anterior descending coronary artery. The TMZ group was injected 2.5 mg/kg drug via ear vein 30 min before CME; whereas, the siRNA-PDCD4 group was transfected with PDCD4 siRNA at the left anterior descending coronary artery via microcatheter 72h before CME. Cardiac function indexes were measured using cardiac echocardiography. The mRNA expression of PDCD4 and TNF-α in the myocardium was detected by quantitative fluorescence PCR, and the protein expression of PDCD4, NF-κB (p65), and TNF-α by Western blot. Results: Echocardiographic parameters showed lower cardiac function and higher serum cTnI level in the CME group than sham, which was manifested as reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), cardiac output (CO), and increased left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVEDd). Compared to the CME group, the CME-induced cardiac function injury was reduced, and the serum cTnI level was decreased in the TMZ and siRNA-PDCD4 groups. The expressions of PDCD4, NF-κB (p65), and TNF-α were significantly increased in the CME than the sham groups (P < 0.05), and significantly decreased in the TMZ and siRNA-PDCD4 groups than the CME group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: TMZ pretreatment effectively reduced the myocardial damage caused by CME via inhibiting the PDCD4/NF-κB/ TNF-α pathway in cardiomyocytes.
LncRNA SNHG6 is Associated with Poor Prognosis of Gastric Cancer and Promotes Cell Proliferation and EMT through Epigenetically Silencing p27 and Sponging miR-101-3p
Authors: Yan Kai , Tian Jie , Shi Wenzheng , Xia Hao , Zhu Yuanfang
Published: July 2017

Background/Amis: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a novel class of transcripts, have been shown to play critical roles in diverse cellular biological processes, including tumorigenesis. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 6 (SNHG6) regulates various biological processes in cancer cells. However, the biological role of SNHG6 in gastric cancer still remains to be explored. The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristic of the SNHG6 in gastric cancer. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of SNHG6 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. MTT assays, colony formation assays were used to determine the impact of SNHG6 on tumorigenesis . Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis was performed to measure the effect of SNHG6 on cell cycle and apoptosis rate. Transwell assay was performed to measure the effect of SNHG6 on cell migration. Western blotting and immunofuorescence were utilized to examine the effect of SNHG6 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of GC cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA-pulldown and luciferase reporter assays were employed to dissect molecular mechanisms. Results: In this study, we revealed that SNHG6 was overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. High expression levels of SNHG6 wereassociated with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and tumor/node/metastasis (TNM) stage, and predicted poor prognosis. Loss-of-function assays revealed that silenced SNHG6 obviously inhibited gastric cancer cell growth, weakened cell migration capacity and suppressed the EMT processes of gastric cancer cells. Additionally, ChIP, RIP, RNA-pulldown and luciferase reporter assays evidenced that SNHG6 could epigenetically silenced p27 and could competitively sponging miR-101-3p thereby regulating zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). Conclusion: In summary, our findings demonstrated that SNHG6 acted as an oncogene in gastric cancer cells through regulating miR-101-3p/ZEB1 at a post-transcriptional level and silencing expression at a transcriptional level by recruiting enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) to the promoter of p27. SNHG6 might serve as a candidate prognostic biomarker and a target for novel therapies of gastric cancer patients.
Distributed Fast Maximum Power Point Tracking Technique for Mismatched Module Application
Authors: Zakki M.I.M. , Hussain M.N.M. , Ibrahim I.R. , Ismail N.A. , Ibrahim M.N.
Published: July 2017

This paper propose distributed fast maximum power point tracking (DFMPPT) technique to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT). This paper implements the algorithm in distributed MPPT (DMPPT) architecture for mismatched condition with single module, and string connection. The MPPT method uses indirect and direct MPPT method by fractional open-circuit voltage (FOCV) with incremental conductance (INC) for high-speed maximum energy harvesting. This method is proven to be fast for tracking maximum power point (MPP) which achieves the peak power less in 1.7ms via for a single module with efficiency of 99.7% compared to the recent MPPT technique to reach MPP in 1.75ms with 95.8% efficiency. While for string configuration, the efficiency of the whole system is rated by 85.583% by taking 8.675ms to reach global MPP.
An Improved Boltzmann Machine for Strategic Investment Planning in Power System Environment
Authors: Tahar S. H. M. , Yaakob S. B. , Ahmed A.
Published: July 2017

The objective of this research is to propose an effective method to determine an optimal solution for strategic investment planning in power system environment. The proposed method will be formulated by using mean-variance analysis approach in the form of mixed-integer quadratic programming problem. Its target is to minimize the risk and maximize the expected return. The proposed method consists of two phase neural networks combining Hopfield network at the first phase and Boltzmann machine in the second phase resulting the fast computational time. The originality of the proposed model is it will delete the unit of the second phase, which is not selected in first phase in its execution. Then, the second phase is restructured using the selected units. Due to this feature, the proposed model will improve times and the accuracy of obtained solution. The significance of output from this project is the improvement of computational time and the accurate solution will be obtained. This model might help the decision makers to choose the optimal solution with variety options provided from this proposed method. Therefore, the performance of strategic investment planning in power system engineering certainly enhanced.
A Voltage Improvement of Transmission System using Static Var Compensator via Matlab/Simulink
Authors: Jumaat Siti Amely , Musirin Ismail , Mohd Baharun Mazliya
Published: July 2017

High demand in electricity consumption is rising and modern society would case to function without access to electricity. The volume of power transmitted and distributed are increasing, these need the requirements for high quality and reliable supply. At the same time, rising the costs and the growing environmental concerns make the process of develop a new power transmission line make complicated and the time consuming. One of alternatives to solve the issues is installed the Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS). This research presents to modeling and simulation of Static Var Compensator (SVC) in the power system network using Matlab/Simulink Software. The objective function of this research is improvement the voltage of the system with four cases study for validation. From the simulation results shown that the SVC installation gives the effect to voltage of system.
Harmonic Load Mitigation Using the Optimal Double Tuned Passive Filter Technique
Authors: Murtadha Othman Muhammad , W Mustapha W Muhammad Faizol Bin , Mohd Kamaruzaman Amirul Asyraf , Mohd Arriffin Aainaa , Musirin Ismail , Salim Nur Ashida , Abdul Hamid Zulkiffli , Dahlan Nofri Yenita
Published: July 2017

Harmonic is one of the power quality disturbances customarily imminent in an unbalanced electrical system. Harmonic represents as the multiple integral of fundamental frequency of voltage and current inflicting towards the shifting in system frequency causing to a disruptive operation of electrical devices. This paper investigates on the performance of passive filter intrinsically by utilizing the inductor and capacitor electrical components to mitigate harmonic problem emanating from an unbalanced electrical system. In particular, explication in this paper will focus on the optimal parameters specification for the double tuned passive filter that used to overcome the phenomenon of harmonic issue. The two case studies constituting with different number of harmonic orders injected in a system were introduced to distinguish effectiveness of double tuned passive filter in solving the aforesaid problems. The parameters configuration of the passive filter are automatically tuned by the MATLAB® software to reduce the total harmonic distortion incurred in a system designed under the Simulink® software.
Comparison of Flying Capacitor Fifteen Level Inverter and Thirty Three Level Inverter PWM Control Strategies
Authors: Hadj Benali Farouk , Azzouz Fouad
Published: July 2017

In the paper two PWM control strategies of multilevel flying capacitor inverter is proposed. The study starts with a presentation of the Flying capacitor inverter and the two PWM control strategies (SPWM and Suboptimal PWM). Than a section which presents a brief recall of the triangular multicarrier PWM and the sinusoidal multicarrier PWM. A comparison between the two PWM control strategies based on the simulation results is made. The subjects of comparison are the root mean square rms of the output voltage and the total harmonic distortion THD. The obtained results have proved that the Suboptimal PWM is better than the SPWM. Simulations are carried out by PSIM program.
Experimental Measurement of Arc Motion and Light Flicker Frequencies in the HID Lamps
Authors: Lakhdar Amer , Messaoud Hamouda , Chellali Benachiba , Wolff Marcus
Published: July 2017

In order to reduce the electric consumption for high intensity discharge lamps, the use of high frequencies electronic ballasts represents both a solution and many advantages such as the decrease in the congestion and low costs. However, high frequency operation is not regarded as perfectly reliable due to the appearance of acoustic resonances inside the arc tube, which can result in low frequency light flicker and even lamp destruction. Here we experimentally determined light flicker frequencies using a photodiode which detects the light intensity fluctuation for a high intensity discharge lamp of 50W. Additionally, the arc motion frequencies are determined with the aid of a camera. The results obtained are compared with those of a lamp of the same type but with different power (35W).
Investigation of Lossless Audio Compression using IEEE 1857.2 Advanced Audio Coding
Authors: Gunawan Teddy Surya , Mat Zain Muhammad Khalif , Abdul Muin Fathiah , Kartiwi Mira
Published: July 2017

Audio compression is a method of reducing the space demand and aid transmission of the source file which then can be categorized by lossy and lossless compression. Lossless audio compression was considered to be a luxury previously due to the limited storage space. However, as storage technology progresses, lossless audio files can be seen as the only plausible choice for those seeking the ultimate audio quality experience. There are a lot of commonly used lossless codecs are FLAC, Wavpack, ALAC, Monkey Audio, True Audio, etc. The IEEE Standard for Advanced Audio Coding (IEEE 1857.2) is a new standard approved by IEEE in 2013 that covers both lossy and lossless audio compression tools. A lot of research has been done on this standard, but this paper will focus more on whether the IEEE 1857.2 lossless audio codec to be a viable alternative to other existing codecs in its current state. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to investigate the codec’s operation as initial measurements performed by researchers show that the lossless compression performance of the IEEE compressor is better than any traditional encoders, while the encoding speed is slower which can be further optimized.
Classification of Partial Discharge Sources using Statistical Approach
Authors: W. Ren L. , S. Abd Rahman M. , Mohd Ariffin A.
Published: July 2017

In high-voltage (HV) power equipment, degradation of insulation has been main concern for protection of equipment. This is due to occurrence of partial discharges (PD) activity within HV insulating systems which can be initiated from different types of local internal or external defects. Thus, partial discharge (PD) identification and classification are important for diagnostic insulation systems problems in order to ensure maintenance process can be carried out effectively and hence improve reliability and durable operation of HV equipment. In this work, the relation of the observable statistical characteristics from PD data with the characteristic of the defect is an important factor to determine the defect inside insulation system. Ultimately, the statistical parameters obtained from PD data can be used to classify different PD sources occur inside HV insulation system. Thus, the objective of this paper is to produce a unique pattern according to discharge source using statistical method. Several statistical parameters such as mean, variance, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis have been used and analysed.
Modelling and Efficiency-Analysis of Wireless Power Transfer using Magnetic Resonance Coupling
Authors: Rehman Masood , Baharudin Zuhairi , Nallagownden Perumal , Ul Islam Badar
Published: July 2017

Wireless power transfer (WPT) system has got significant attention in recent years due to its applications in consumer electronics, medical implants and electric vehicles etc. WPT is a promising choice in situations, where the physical connectors can be unreliable and susceptible to failure. The efficiency of WPT system decreasing rapidly with increasing air-gap. Many circuit topologies have been employed to enhance the efficiency of the WPT system. This paper presents the modelling and performance analysis of resonant wireless power transfer (RWPT) system using series-parallel-mixed topology. The power transfer efficiency analysis of the model is investigated via circuit theory. S-parameters have been used for measuring power transfer efficiency. Transient analysis is performed to realize the behavior of voltage and current waveforms using advanced design system (ADS) software. The proposed model is tested with two amplitudes i.e. 100 V peak-to-peak and 110 V peak-to-peak at the same frequency of 365.1 kHz. The overall result shows that the series-parallel-mixed topology model has higher efficiency at low coupling factor (K) for both voltage amplitudes.
Impact of Distributed Generation on Voltage Profile in Radial Feeder
Authors: R. Sarimuthu Charles , K. Ramachandaramurthy Vigna , Mokhlis H. , Agileswari K.R.
Published: July 2017

The use of distributed generation (DG) within distribution systems has increased for the last two decades due to worldwide increase in demand for electricity and governmental policy change from “conventional” energy to “green” energy. High levels of penetration of DG have many significant benefits but also come with many drawbacks such as voltage drop and power losses. This study presents the impact of DG at different locations in a distribution feeder in terms of the feeder voltage profile. A radial distribution system is simulated using PSCAD/EMTDC simulation software while changing the size and location of DG in the system. The obtained results are used for better understanding on the impact of DG on voltage profile in radial distribution feeder.
Parallel Processing Implementation on Weather Monitoring System for Agriculture
Authors: Susanto Dwi , Seminar Kudang Boro , Sukoco Heru , Liyantono Liyantono
Published: July 2017

Weather monitoring and forecasting are very important in agricultural sectors. There are several data need to be collected in real-time to support weather monitoring and forecasting systems, such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall. The purpose of this research to develop a real-time weather monitoring system using a parallel computation approach and analyze the computational performance (i.e., speed up and efficiency) using the ARIMA model. The developed system wireless has been implemented on sensor networks (WSN) platform using Arduino and Raspberry Pi devices and web-based platform for weather visualization and monitoring. The experimental data used in our research work is a set of weather data acquired and collected from January until March 2017 in Bogor area. The result of this research is that the speed up of the using eight processors computation three times faster than using a single processor, with the efficiency of 50%.
New Approach of the Playfair's Cipher with A Numerical Value of the Keyword
Authors: Merzoug Assia , Ali-Pacha Adda , Hadj-Said Naima
Published: July 2017

At least during the last five years there has been an explosion of a public academic research in cryptography for Playfair's cipher. We were interested, and we have proposed a method to improve it, to make it safer and more efficient. We have oversized this encryption matrix by 7x7 coefficents and for its filling, we have combined two chaotic maps (the attractor Henon and logistics map). The attractor Henon of dimension 2, determines the intersection of the row and column of the new matrix playfair. The coefficients of this matrix are calculated from logistic map, each value is a single character of the alphabet used. The secret keyword is formed by the initial conditions of the chaotic attractors.
A randomised trial on the effect of anti-platelet therapy on the systemic inflammatory response in human endotoxaemia
Authors: Kiers Dorien , van der Heijden Wouter A. , van Ede Lisa , Gerretsen Jelle , de Mast Quirijn , van der Ven Andre J. , el Messaoudi Saloua , Rongen Gerard A. , Gomes Marc , Kox Matthijs , Pickkers Peter , Riksen Niels P.
Published: July 2017

The use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is associated with improved outcome in patients with sepsis, and P2Y12 inhibitors have been suggested to also have immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of clinically relevant combinations of antiplatelet therapy on the immune response in experimental endotoxaemia in humans in vivo. Forty healthy subjects were randomised to seven days of placebo, placebo with ASA, ticagrelor and ASA, or clopidogrel and ASA treatment. Systemic inflammation was elicited at day seven by intravenous administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin. ASA treatment profoundly augmented the plasma concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines, but did not affect anti-inflammatory cytokines. Addition of either P2Y12 antagonist to ASA did not affect any of the circulating cytokines, except for an attenuation of the ASA-induced increase in TNFα by ticagrelor. Systemic inflammation increased plasma adenosine, without differences between groups, and although P2Y12 inhibition impaired platelet reactivity, there was no correlation with cytokine responses.

Note: This work was performed at the Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Plasma carboxypeptidase U (CPU, CPB2, TAFIa) generation during in vitro clot lysis and its interplay between coagulation and fibrinolysis
Authors: Leenaerts Dorien , Aernouts Jef , Van Der Veken Pieter , Sim Yani , Lambeir Anne-Marie , Hendriks Dirk
Published: July 2017

Carboxypeptidase U (CPU, CPB2, TAFIa) is a basic carboxypeptidase that is able to attenuate fibrinolysis. The inactive precursor procarboxypeptidase U is converted to its active form by thrombin, the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex or plasmin. The aim of this study was to investigate and characterise the time course of CPU generation in healthy individuals. In plasma of 29 healthy volunteers, CPU generation was monitored during in vitro clot lysis. CPU activity was measured by means of an enzymatic assay that uses the specific substrate Bz-o-cyano-Phe-Arg. An algorithm was written to plot the CPU generation curve and calculate the parameters that define it. In all individuals, CPU generation was biphasic. Marked inter-individual differences were present and a reference range was determined. The endogenous CPU generation potential is the composite effect of multiple factors. With respect to the first CPU activity peak characteristics, we found correlations with baseline proCPU concentration, proCPU Thr325Ile polymorphism, time to clot initiation and the clot lysis time. The second CPU peak related with baseline proCPU levels and with the maximum turbidity of the clot lysis profile. In conclusion, our method offers a technique to determine the endogenous CPU generation potential of an individual. The parameters obtained by the method quantitatively describe the different mechanisms that influence CPU generation during the complex interplay between coagulation and fibrinolysis, which are in line with the threshold hypothesis.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Prasugrel in critically ill patients
Authors: Schoergenhofer Christian , Hobl Eva-Luise , Staudinger Thomas , Speidl Walter , Heinz Gottfried , Siller-Matula Jolanta , Zauner Christian , Reiter Birgit , Kubica Jacek , Jilma Bernd
Published: July 2017

While prasugrel is indicated for the treatment of myocardial infarction, its effects in the most severely affected patients requiring intensive care is unknown, so that we measured the antiplatelet effects and sparse pharmacokinetics of prasugrel in critically ill patients. Twenty-three patients admitted to medical intensive care units, who were treated with 10 mg prasugrel once daily, were included in this prospective trial. Critically ill patients responded poorly to daily prasugrel treatment: adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation in whole blood classified 65 % (95 % confidence intervals (CI) 43–84 %) of patients as having high on treatment platelet reactivity, platelet function under high shear rates even 74 % (95 %CI 52–90 %). There was only limited additional inhibition provided 2 hours after the next dose of prasugrel. In contrast, insufficient inhibition of the target was only seen in 26 % (95 %CI 10–48 %) of patients as measured by the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP-P) assay. Low effective plasma levels of prasugrel active metabolite were measured at trough [0.5 (quartiles 0.5–1.1) ng/ml at baseline], and 2 hours after intake [5.7 (3.8–9.8) ng/ml], but showed coefficients of variation of ~70 %. In sum, inhibition of platelet aggregation by prasugrel is not uniform but highly variable in critically ill patients, similar to clopidogrel in a general population. The pharmacokinetic measurements indicate that poor absorption/metabolism of prasugrel may partly contribute while inflammation induced heightened intrinsic platelet reactivity may also play a role.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.

Note: This work was performed at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
EXPERIMENTO DE TRANSECTO E TRANSEPTOS NA TRILHA NORTE-SUL
Authors: Franco Maria De Assunção Ribeiro , Marques Taícia Helena Negrin
Published: July 2017

Dentro da área de Desenho Ambiental considera-se de grande utilidade o método de análise e de representação da paisagem urbana por transecto dentro da idéia do “Código Inteligente” empregados pelos arquitetos do “New Urbanism”, liderados por Andrés Duany e Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. A disciplina de pós-graduação da FAUUSP - AUP 5853/Desenho Ambiental tem por objetivo aprimorar a formação teórico-prática sobre as intervenções urbanas e arquitetônicas no meio ambiente, dentro de uma visão ecossistêmica aplicada à arquitetura e ao urbanismo, tendo atualmente como instrumento de análise a utilização de transecto que integra códigos de zoneamento existentes com novos códigos de análises, dentre os quais o de zoneamento ecológico, tornando o Código Inteligente uma estrutura aberta que oferece critérios de calibração de desempenho em sustentabilidade e resiliência urbana para localidades urbanas e regionais.
INFRAESTRUTURA VERDE-AZUL NA BACIA DO ALTO MANDAQUI: CONECTANDO FRAGMENTOS VERDES ATRAVÉS DO CAMINHO DAS ÁGUAS
Authors: Ragonha Jéssica , Corrêa Lígia
Published: July 2017

O presente artigo objetiva apontar meios para se estabelecer uma infraestrutura verde-azul nos bairros cortados pelo córrego do Mandaqui, a partir do caminho dos seus afluentes. O estudo se conforma através da evidenciação de alguns dos córregos ocultos da bacia do Mandaqui, sugerindo de que forma é possível resgatá-los e vinculá-los às áreas verdes existentes e potenciais, tendo a Avenida Caetano Álvares - por onde passa o córrego do Mandaqui canalizado - como eixo principal de uma infraestrutura verde-azul.
Effect Modification of Chronic Kidney Disease on the Association of Circulating and Imaging Cardiac Biomarkers With Outcomes
Authors: Gregg L. Parker , Adams‐Huet Beverley , Li Xilong , Colbert Gates , Jain Nishank , de Lemos James A. , Hedayati S. Susan
Published: July 2017

Background

Cardiac troponin T and brain natriuretic peptide (
BNP
) are elevated in >50% of dialysis patients and are associated with poor outcomes. Few data investigated these associations in earlier chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods and Results

We studied whether
CKD
modified associations of elevated
BNP
, N‐terminal‐pro‐
BNP
, high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T, coronary artery calcification, and left ventricular hypertrophy with all‐cause death and cardiovascular death/events in 3218 multiethnic individuals followed for 12.5 years, and whether biomarkers added prognostic information to traditional cardiovascular risk factors in
CKD
. Of the cohort, 279 (9%) had
CKD
. There were 296 deaths and 218 cardiovascular deaths/events. Of non‐
CKD
individuals, 7% died and 6% had cardiovascular death/event versus 32% and 30% of
CKD
participants,
P
<0.001 for both. The interaction between
BNP
and
CKD
on death was significant (
P
=0.01): the adjusted hazard ratio in
CKD
was 2.05, 95%
CI
(1.34, 3.14), but not significant in non‐
CKD
, 1.04 (0.76, 1.41).
CKD
modified the association of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T with cardiovascular death/event, adjusted hazard ratio 3.34 (1.56, 7.18) in
CKD
versus 1.65 (1.16, 2.35) in non‐
CKD
, interaction
P
=0.09. There was an interaction between N‐terminal‐pro‐
BNP
and
CKD
for death in those without prior cardiovascular disease. Addition of each biomarker to traditional risk factors improved risk prediction, except coronary artery calcification was not discriminatory for cardiovascular death/event in CKD.

Conclusions

Cardiac biomarkers, with the exception of coronary artery calcification, prognosticated outcomes in early‐stage
CKD
as well as, if not better than, in non‐
CKD
individuals, even after controlling for estimated glomerular filtration rate, and added to information obtained from traditional cardiovascular risk factors alone.
Predicting Progression of Intracranial Arteriopathies in Childhood Stroke With Vessel Wall Imaging
Authors: Stence Nicholas V. , Pabst Lisa L. , Hollatz Amanda L. , Mirsky David M. , Herson Paco S. , Poisson Sharon , Traystman Richard J. , Bernard Timothy J.
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—

Childhood arterial ischemic stroke is frequently associated with an intracranial arteriopathy that often progresses in the first 3 to 6 months post stroke. We hypothesized that children with enhancing arteriopathies on vessel wall imaging (VWI) would have a higher risk of arteriopathy progression than those without enhancement.

Methods—

Our institutional radiographic database was searched for cases of childhood stroke with VWI. Inclusion criteria consisted of age ranging from 1 month through 20 years, diagnosis of arterial ischemic stroke, available VWI, and follow-up magnetic resonance angiogram. Imaging was reviewed to systematically describe VWI findings, categorize arteriopathies, steroid therapy, and identify progressive arteriopathies using CACADE definitions.

Results—

Sixteen cases of childhood stroke at Children’s Hospital Colorado between January 1, 2010 and July 1, 2016 were reviewed. Strong vessel wall enhancement at presentation was associated with progressive arteriopathy in 83% of cases (10/12), when compared with 0% (0/4) without strong enhancement (
P
=0.008).

Conclusions—

Our case series demonstrates the potential benefit of VWI in children with stroke because it may identify patients who will have progressive arterial disease.
Safety Outcomes After Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Recent Stroke
Authors: Merkler Alexander E. , Salehi Omran Setareh , Gialdini Gino , Lerario Michael P. , Yaghi Shadi , Elkind Mitchell S.V. , Navi Babak B.
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose—

It is uncertain whether previous ischemic stroke within 3 months of receiving intravenous thrombolysis (tPA [tissue-type plasminogen activator]) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes.

Methods—

Using administrative claims data, we identified adults with AIS who received intravenous tPA at California, New York, and Florida hospitals from 2005 to 2013. Our primary outcome was intracerebral hemorrhage, and our secondary outcomes were unfavorable discharge disposition and inpatient mortality. We used logistic regression to compare rates of outcomes in patients with and without previous ischemic stroke within 3 months of intravenous tPA for AIS.

Results—

We identified 36 599 AIS patients treated with intravenous tPA, of whom 568 (1.6%) had a previous ischemic stroke in the past 3 months. Of all patients who received intravenous tPA, the rate of intracerebral hemorrhage was 4.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7%–5.1%), and death occurred in 10.7% (95% CI, 10.4%–11.0%). After adjusting for demographics, vascular risk factors, and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, previous ischemic stroke within 3 months of thrombolysis for AIS was not associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (odds ratio, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.6–1.4;
P
=0.62), but was associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.2–1.9;
P
=0.001) and unfavorable discharge disposition (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0–1.7;
P
=0.04).

Conclusions—

Among patients who receive intravenous tPA for AIS, recent ischemic stroke is not associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage but is associated with a higher risk of death and unfavorable discharge disposition.
Three new species of Nesidiocoris Kirkaldy from Japan, with a taxonomic review of the tribe Dicyphini for eastern Asia (Heteroptera: Miridae: Bryocorinae)
Authors: Yasunaga Tomohide
Published: July 2017

The fauna of the bryocorine plant bug tribe Dicyphini in eastern Asia (including Japan, Korea, Russian Far East and Taiwan) is reviewed, with emphasis on the genusNesidiocorisKirkaldy, which is rediagnosed and discussed. Twelve species in six genera are now recognized. Three new species ofNesidiocorisare described from Japan:Nesidiocoris nozakianussp. n.,N. okinawanussp. n. andN. simotukensissp. n.Nesidiocoris poppiusi(Carvalho) is proposed as a junior synonym ofN. tenuis, andN. plebejus(Poppius) is transferred toSinghalesiaChina & Carvalho. An annotated checklist and a key to genera and species are also provided to aid in appreciating the east Asian dicyphine fauna.
Morphological and molecular characterisation of Discotylenchus lorestanensis sp. n. (Nematoda: Tylenchidae) from Iran
Authors: MEHRABIAN FATEMEH , AZIZI KOUROSH , BAZGIR EADI , DARVISHNIA MOSTAFA
Published: July 2017

Discotylenchus lorestanensis sp. n., recovered from soil near Persian oak (Quercus brantii Lindl.) from the Lorestan province of Iran, is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular characters. The new species is characterized by females with a body length of 449–566 μm, a = 28.3–39.5) b = 5.2–5.8, c = 6.2–8.1, c' = 5.8–9.2, V = 63.3–71.1%, stylet 8–9 μm, spermatheca lobed and offset, filled with rounded sperm, post-vulval uterine sac (PUS) 4.8–6.5 μm, tail length 66–78 μm, not filiform, tapering to a rounded tip; and males with spicules 13–16 μm long. The new species has unique molecular sequences of SSU and the D2–D3 region of LSU expansion segments, Discotylenchus lorestanensis sp. n., separated from all known species of the Tylenchidae. We also provide an updated dichotomous key to the genus Discotylenchus.
A new freshwater stygobiotic calanoid (Copepoda: Speodiaptominae) from Yunnan, China
Authors: SHU SHUSEN , BRANCELJ ANTON , CHEN FEIZHOU , YANG JUNXING , CHEN XIAOYONG
Published: July 2017

Karstodiaptomus sheni n. gen., n. sp. is a new stygobiotic species of Calanoida (Crustacea: Copepoda), described from a cave in Yunnan Province, China. It is the first record of stygobiotic calanoids from China and the fourth species from Asia. To accommodate the new species, a new genus, Karstodiaptomus n. gen., was erected. The new species is distinguished from other representatives in the subfamily Speodiaptominae Borutzky, 1962 by the number of segments in the swimming legs P1–P4 (Exp + Enp) as: 2+2, 2+2, 2+2, 3+2, the armature of the antennule, maxilla, maxilliped, and the structure of the fifth leg. The position of the new species in the subfamily Speodiaptominae is discussed, and a brief note on its ecology is added.
New species, new records and notes on Lamiinae from Neotropical Region (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: WAPPES JAMES E. , GALILEO MARIA HELENA M. , SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO
Published: July 2017

Five new species of Neotropical lamiines are described: Punctozotroctes tavakiliani (Acanthoderini) and Callia thomsoni (Calliini) from Peru; Blabia morrisi (Desmiphorini) from Bolivia; Iquiracetima egeri (Eupromerini) from Brazil; and Ataxia heppneri (Pteropliini) from Panama. The previous record of Punctozotroctes hovorei Tavakilian & Néouze, 2007 from Brazil was found to be based on a misidentification, thus the species is removed from the Brazilian fauna. Callia potiaiuba Martins & Galileo, 2006 is newly recorded from Peru and Neoptychodes cosmeticus Martins & Galileo, 1996 (Monochamini) newly recorded from Panama. Revised keys for Callia to include C. thomsoni and Blabia to include B. morrisi, as well as a new key for Iquiracetima, are also presented. Among others, dorsal, ventral and lateral figures for each of the newly described species are presented along with a dorsal view of Punctozotroctes inhamum Martins, Galileo & Limeira-de-Oliveira, 2009; P. hovorei; P. bolivianus Martins & Galileo, 2007; Callia divisa Galileo & Martins, 2002; Blabia intricata Martins & Galileo, 1995; B. meinerti (Aurivillius, 1900); Iquiracetima brachialis (Thomson, 1868); I. ceruri Galileo & Martins, 2008; Ataxia arenaria Martins & Galileo, 2013; and A. parva Galileo & Martins, 2011.
Balanced Response of an Axisymmetric Tropical Cyclone to Periodic Diurnal Heating
Authors: Navarro Erika L. , Hakim Gregory J. , Willoughby Hugh E.
Published: July 2017

A modified version of the Sawyer–Eliassen equation is applied to determine the impact of periodic diurnal heating on a balanced vortex. The TC diurnal cycle is a coherent signal that arises in the cirrus canopy. However, despite thorough documentation in the literature, the dynamical mechanism remains unknown. Recent work demonstrates that periodic radiative heating in the TC outflow layer is linked with an anomalous upper-level circulation; this heating is also associated with a cycle of latent heating in the lower troposphere that corresponds to a cycle in storm intensity. Using a method that is analogous to the Sawyer–Eliassen equation, but for solutions having the same time scale as time-periodic forcing, these distributions are analyzed to determine the effect of periodic diurnal heating on an axisymmetric vortex.

Results for periodic heating in the lower troposphere show an overturning circulation that resembles the Sawyer–Eliassen solution. The model simulates positive perturbations in the azimuthal wind field of 2.5 m s−1 near the radius of maximum wind. Periodic heating near the top of the vortex produces a local overturning response in the region of heating and an inertia–buoyancy wave response in the storm environment. Comparison of the results from the modified Sawyer–Eliassen equation to those of an idealized axisymmetric solution for both heating distributions shows similarities in the structure of the perturbation wind fields, suggesting that the axisymmetric TC diurnal cycle is primarily a balanced response driven by periodic heating.
The Role of Surface Drag in Mesocyclone Intensification Leading to Tornadogenesis within an Idealized Supercell Simulation
Authors: Roberts Brett , Xue Ming
Published: July 2017

The idealized supercell simulations in a previous study by Roberts et al. are further analyzed to clarify the physical mechanisms leading to differences in mesocyclone intensification between an experiment with surface friction applied to the full wind (FWFRIC) and an experiment with friction applied to the environmental wind only (EnvFRIC). The low-level mesocyclone intensifies rapidly during the 3 min preceding tornadogenesis in FWFRIC, while the intensification during the same period is much weaker in EnvFRIC, which fails to produce a tornado. To quantify the mechanisms responsible for this discrepancy in mesocyclone evolution, material circuits enclosing the low-level mesocyclone are initialized and traced back in time, and circulation budgets for these circuits are analyzed. The results show that in FWFRIC, surface drag directly generates a substantial proportion of the final circulation around the mesocyclone, especially below 1 km AGL; in EnvFRIC, circulation budgets indicate the mesocyclone circulation is overwhelmingly barotropic. It is proposed that the import of near-ground, frictionally generated vorticity into the low-level mesocyclone in FWFRIC is a key factor causing the intensification and lowering of the mesocyclone toward the ground, creating a large upward vertical pressure gradient force that leads to tornadogenesis. Similar circulation analyses are also performed for circuits enclosing the tornado at its genesis stage. The frictionally generated circulation component is found to contribute more than half of the final circulation for circuits enclosing the tornado vortex below 400 m AGL, and the frictional contribution decreases monotonically with the height of the final circuit.
Assessment of Seasonal Soil Moisture Forecasts over Southern South America with Emphasis on Dry and Wet Events
Authors: Spennemann Pablo C. , Rivera Juan A. , Osman Marisol , Saulo A. Celeste , Penalba Olga C.
Published: July 2017

The importance of forecasting extreme wet and dry conditions from weeks to months in advance relies on the need to prevent considerable socioeconomic losses, mainly in regions of large populations and where agriculture is a key value for the economies, such as southern South America (SSA). To improve the understanding of the performance and uncertainties of seasonal soil moisture and precipitation forecasts over SSA, this study aims to 1) perform a general assessment of the Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), soil moisture and precipitation forecasts against observations and soil moisture simulations based on GLDAS, version 2.0; 2) evaluate the ability of CFSv2 to represent wet and dry events through the forecasted standardized precipitation index (SPI) and standardized soil moisture anomalies (SSMA); and 3) analyze the capability of a statistical methodology (merging observations and forecasts) in representing a severe drought event. Results show that both SPI and SSMA forecast skill are regionally and seasonally dependent. In general, a fast degradation of the forecasts skill is observed as the lead time increases, resulting in almost no added value with regard to climatology at lead times longer than 3 months. Additionally, a better performance of the SSMA forecasts is observed compared to SPI calculated using three months of precipitation (SPI3), with a higher skill for dry events against wet events. The CFSv2 forecasts are able to represent the spatial patterns of the 2008/09 severe drought event, although it shows crucial limitations regarding the identification of drought onset, duration, severity, and demise, considering both meteorological (SPI) and agricultural (SSMA) drought conditions.
Whitecap Coverage Dependence on Wind and Wave Statistics as Observed during SO GasEx and HiWinGS
Authors: Brumer Sophia E. , Zappa Christopher J. , Brooks Ian M. , Tamura Hitoshi , Brown Scott M. , Blomquist Byron W. , Fairall Christopher W. , Cifuentes-Lorenzen Alejandro
Published: July 2017

Concurrent wavefield and turbulent flux measurements acquired during the Southern Ocean (SO) Gas Exchange (GasEx) and the High Wind Speed Gas Exchange Study (HiWinGS) projects permit evaluation of the dependence of the whitecap coverage W on wind speed, wave age, wave steepness, mean square slope, and wind-wave and breaking Reynolds numbers. The W was determined from over 600 high-frequency visible imagery recordings of 20 min each. Wave statistics were computed from in situ and remotely sensed data as well as from a WAVEWATCH III hindcast. The first shipborne estimates of W under sustained 10-m neutral wind speeds U10N of 25 m s−1 were obtained during HiWinGS. These measurements suggest that W levels off at high wind speed, not exceeding 10% when averaged over 20 min. Combining wind speed and wave height in the form of the wind-wave Reynolds number resulted in closely agreeing models for both datasets, individually and combined. These are also in good agreement with two previous studies. When expressing W in terms of wavefield statistics only or wave age, larger scatter is observed and/or there is little agreement between SO GasEx, HiWinGS, and previously published data. The wind speed–only parameterizations deduced from the SO GasEx and HiWinGS datasets agree closely and capture more of the observed W variability than Reynolds number parameterizations. However, these wind speed–only models do not agree as well with previous studies than the wind-wave Reynolds numbers.
Dal Bronx a Phoenix: LA LONTANANZA Di Nick Shay in Underworld DI DON DELILLO
Authors: Laino Guido
Published: July 2017

I've always been a country of one. There's a certain distance in my makeup, a measured separation like my old's man, I guess, that I've worked at times to reduce, or thought of working, or said the hell with it.

I like to tell my wife. I say to my wife. I tell her not to give up on me. I tell her there's an Italian word, or a Latin word, that explains everything. Then I tell her the word.

She says, What does this explain? And she answers, Nothing.

The word that explains nothing in this case is lontananza. Distance or remoteness, sure.
Trade Liberalization and Diversification in Indian Agriculture
Authors: Ghosh Nilabja
Published: July 2017

The paper finds that trade liberalization in Indian agriculture has expectedly promoted specialization in areas of advantage, namely the superior cereals and gone against diversification towards oilseeds. Trade liberalization seems to have picked up where green revolution left off while diversification suffered portending some well known ill effects. Since oilseeds that lose in the process and coarse cereals they replace and that have been on a decline for some decades are suited to dry environments whereas the superior cereals demand more water and other costly inputs, there is a need to seriously consider the concerns of diversity, sustainability and poverty in a heterogeneous agriculture when negotiating trade and designing policy.
Free Trade among South, East and South-East Asian Countries
Authors: Ahmed Shahid
Published: July 2017

This study investigates the potential trade flows between countries of South, East and South East Asian region as a result of tariff liberalization using the GTAP-model. The study reveals that tariff liberalization has positive effects on all country groupings of South, East and South East Asian nations, with no or nominal negative effect on rest of the world. The study finds that engagement of South Asian region is crucial for Asian regionalism if the goal is to maximize welfare of people in this region. The present study reveals that there is a huge unrealized potential in the countries of this region and free trade will be welfare enhancing, hence there is a need to explore greater cooperation in South, East and South East Asian region like the EU.

JEL Classification: C68; F11; F13; F14; F17.