bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Air Medical Transportation for Severe Acute Pancreatitis Patients over an Extra Long Distance: Is It Safe Enough?
Authors: Gao Lin , Zhang Jingzhu , Gao Kun , Pan Yiyuan , Qin Xiaotao , Zhang Jie , Zhou Jing , Lu Guotao , Li Weiqin , Tong Zhihui
Published: July 2018

Objective. Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients usually develop persistent organ dysfunction which causes the majority of deaths. It is important for SAP patients to receive centralized diagnosis and treatment in an experienced tertiary center. China, as a vast country with uneven distribution of medical resources, should take advantage of air medical transportation to meet the challenge of patient transfer among different regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of air transport for SAP patients via extra long distance. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of all air medical transportations for SAP patients admitted to Jinling Hospital from January 2010 to December 2016. The general characteristics, transportation process, and clinical outcomes of these patients were recorded, and the safety and effectiveness of air transport were evaluated. Results. All the 20 SAP patients were successfully transferred by chartered aircraft without any occurrence of severe transport-associated complications. The mean transport time was 5.86 hours and the average transport distance was 1530 kilometers. The majority of SAP patients got timely intervention and the ultimate mortality rate was 15%. Conclusions. Air medical transport appears to be safe and effective for SAP patients with vital organ dysfunctions during the extra long-distance transportation.
Conditional Lie-Bäcklund Symmetry Reductions and Exact Solutions of a Class of Reaction-Diffusion Equations
Authors: Wang Xinyang , Song Junquan
Published: July 2018

The method of conditional Lie-Bäcklund symmetry is applied to solve a class of reaction-diffusion equations ut+uxx+Qxux2+Pxu+Rx=0, which have wide range of applications in physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, and financial mathematics theory. The resulting equations are either solved exactly or reduced to some finite-dimensional dynamical systems. The exact solutions obtained in concrete examples possess the extended forms of the separation of variables.
Development of a Coupled Code for Steady-State Analysis of the Graphite-Moderated Channel Type Molten Salt Reactor
Authors: He Long , Yu Cheng-Gang , Guo Wei , Dai Ye , Wang Hai-Ling , Cai Xiang-Zhou
Published: July 2018

The molten salt reactor (MSR) is one of the six advanced reactor concepts selected by Generation IV International Forum (GIF) because of its inherent safety and the promising capabilities of TRU transmutation and Th-U breeding. In this study, a three-dimensional thermal-hydraulic model (3DTH) is developed for evaluating the steady-state performance of the graphite-moderated channel type MSR. The coupled code is developed by exchanging the power distribution, temperature, and fuel density distribution between SCALE and 3DTH. Firstly, the thermal-hydraulic model of the coupled code is validated by RELAP5 code. Then, the mass flow distribution, temperature field, keff, and power density distribution for a conceptual design of the 2MWt experimental molten salt reactor are calculated and analyzed by the coupled code under both normal operating situation and the central fuel assembly partly blocked situation. The simulated results are conductive to facilitate the understanding of the steady behavior of the graphite-moderated channel type MSR.
Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Prolonged Pyrexia and Stauffer’s Syndrome: Can a Routine Ultrasound Scan Fail to Detect a Renal Cell Carcinoma?
Authors: Fonseka C. L. , Kariyawasam A. G. T. A. , Singhapura S. A. G. L. , de Silva C. M. , Kanakkahewa T. E. , Senarathna I. G. T. M. , Bodinayake C. K.
Published: July 2018

Background. Prolonged pyrexia and weight loss are recognised paraneoplastic manifestations of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Stauffer’s syndrome is a rarely described paraneoplastic manifestation, which is described early in the course of RCC. We report a patient who presented with unresolving fever with multiple pulmonary opacities with biochemical evidence of hepatic choleastasis and was later diagnosed to have metastatic RCC with Stauffer’s syndrome. Case Presentation. We report a 54-year-old female who was investigated for a poorly resolving fever and recent weight loss for two months. During her course of illness, she developed bilateral multiple opacifications in the chest radiograph with negative pyogenic, mycobacterial microbiological studies. Despite intravenous antibiotics, her fever continued. She was found to have elevated alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase and she underwent imaging with ultrasound scan of abdomen twice, which did not reveal demonstrable abnormalities. Later, contrast CT of abdomen and chest was performed and detected a renal cell carcinoma of the right upper pole of the kidney with multiple lung metastases, which was concluded as a metastatic RCC with paraneoplastic Stauffer’s syndrome. Conclusion. Prolonged pyrexia with loss of weight and Stauffer’s syndrome could be features to suggest renal cell carcinoma in the absence of positive microbiological studies. Isoechoic RCC could be missed in routine ultrasonography. When a RCC is suspected in the setting of a pyrexia of unknown origin, ultrasound with doppler or a contrast CT should be requested to aid diagnosis.
An Exponential Jensen Fuzzy Divergence Measure with Applications in Multiple Attribute Decision-Making
Authors: Joshi Rajesh , Kumar Satish
Published: July 2018

A divergence measure plays an important role in discriminating two probability distributions and drawing inferences based on such discrimination. This communication introduces one such divergence measure based on Jensen inequality and exponential entropy introduced by Pal and Pal in the settings of probability theory. Further, the idea has been generalized to fuzzy sets to introduce a new fuzzy divergence measure. Besides establishing the validity, some of its major properties are also studied. At last, the application of proposed fuzzy divergence measure is given in strategic decision-making.
Backstepping Control with Disturbance Observer for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Lan Yong-Hong , Lei-Zhou
Published: July 2018

For the speed tracking control problem of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), a disturbance observer-based (DOB) backstepping speed tracking control method is presented in this paper. First, to reconstruct the load disturbance, a slowly time-varying disturbance observer for PMSM is constructed. Next, by stability theory, the norm of the observation error and disturbance observer design method are obtained. On the basis of these, through the designing of the virtual control input that include the reconstruction disturbances, and using backstepping control strategy, the DOB controller of the closed-loop system is proposed. The obtained controller can achieve high precision speed tracking and disturbance rejection. Finally, some results of evaluative experiments verified the effectiveness of the proposed method for high-performance control and disturbance rejection for the PMSM drive.
Relapsing Polychondritis following Treatment with Secukinumab for Ankylosing Spondylitis: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Zheutlin Alexander , Schiopu Elena
Published: July 2018

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is an autoimmune disorder that often occurs concomitantly with other autoimmune diseases, though RP has been infrequently associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). There is a small, but growing, body of the literature demonstrating case reports describing RP secondary to AS in patients treated with tumor necrosis alpha inhibitors (TNFi’s). We present the first case in which RP developed in AS while treated with an interleukin 17A inhibitor (IL-17Ai), secukinumab. With this case report, we hope to raise physician awareness of the possible autoimmune disorders that may arise subsequent to novel immunomodulation therapies, particularly that RP may develop subsequent to inhibition of IL-17A.
Apoptosis-Associated Speck-Like Protein Containing a CARD Deletion Ameliorates Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Induced Renal Fibrosis and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Mice
Authors: Xu Yao , Liu Yuqing , Guo Honglei , Ding Wei
Published: July 2018

Inflammation might be one of the essential underlying mechanisms of renal fibrosis, which is considered a key pathological feature of end-stage renal disease and is closely associated with proteinuria and decreased renal function. Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), identified as the central structure of inflammasome, is involved in the progression of interstitial fibrosis; however, its signal transduction pathways remain unclear. In the present study, we performed unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) in both wild-type and ASC deletion mice to determine the contribution of ASC to renal fibrosis. Compared with control groups, UUO significantly induced renal fibrosis and collagen deposition, as evidenced by photomicrographs. ASC deletion attenuated renal injury, reduced cell infiltration and the release of inflammatory cytokines, protected against apoptosis, and downregulated the PRKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Our data identify a novel role of ASC in the regulation of renal fibrosis and ER stress after UUO, strongly indicating that ASC could serve as an attractive target in the treatment of chronic kidney disease.
Partial Contraction Analysis of Coupled Fractional Order Systems
Authors: Ruzitalab Ahmad , Farahi Mohammad Hadi , Erjaee Gholamhossien
Published: July 2018

Contraction theory regards the convergence between two arbitrary system trajectories. In this article we have introduced partial contraction theory as an extension of contraction theory to analyze coupled identical fractional order systems. It can, also, be applied to study the synchronization phenomenon in networks of various structures and with arbitrary number of systems. We have used partial contraction theory to derive exact and global results on synchronization and antisynchronization of fractional order systems.
Combined Blockade of IL6 and PD-1/PD-L1 Signaling Abrogates Mutual Regulation of Their Immunosuppressive Effects in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Tsukamoto Hirotake , Fujieda Koji , Miyashita Azusa , Fukushima Satoshi , Ikeda Tokunori , Kubo Yosuke , Senju Satoru , Ihn Hironobu , Nishimura Yasuharu , Oshiumi Hiroyuki
Published: July 2018

Recently emerging cancer immunotherapies combine the applications of therapeutics to disrupt the immunosuppressive conditions in tumor-bearing hosts. In this study, we found that targeting the proinflammatory cytokine IL6 enhances tumor-specific Th1 responses and subsequent antitumor effects in tumor-bearing mice. IL6 blockade upregulated expression of the immune checkpoint molecule programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on melanoma cells. This PD-L1 induction was canceled in IFNγ-deficient mice or CD4+ T cell–depleted mice, suggesting that CD4+ T cell–derived IFNγ is important for PD-L1 induction in tumor-bearing hosts. In some patients with melanoma, however, treatment with the anti–PD-1 antibody nivolumab increased systemic levels of IL6, which was associated with poor clinical responses. This PD-L1 blockade-evoked induction of IL6 was reproducible in melanoma-bearing mice. We found that PD-1/PD-L1 blockade prompted PD-1+ macrophages to produce IL6 in the tumor microenvironment. Depletion of macrophages in melanoma-bearing mice reduced the levels of IL6 during PD-L1 blockade, suggesting macrophages are responsible for the IL6-mediated defective CD4+ Th1 response. Combined blockade of the mutually regulated immunosuppressive activities of IL6 and PD-1/PD-L1 signals enhanced expression of T cell–attracting chemokines and promoted infiltration of IFNγ-producing CD4+ T cells in tumor tissues, exerting a synergistic antitumor effect, whereas PD-L1 blockade alone did not promote Th1 response. Collectively, these findings suggest that IL6 is a rational immunosuppressive target for overcoming the narrow therapeutic window of anti–PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

Significance: These findings advance our understanding of IL6-PD1/PD-L1 cross-talk in the tumor microenvironment and provide clues for targeted interventional therapy that may prove more effective against cancer. Cancer Res; 78(17); 5011–22. ©2018 AACR.
High-Throughput Functional Evaluation of Variants of Unknown Significance in ERBB2
Authors: Nagano Masaaki , Kohsaka Shinji , Ueno Toshihide , Kojima Shinya , Saka Kanju , Iwase Hirotaro , Kawazu Masahito , Mano Hiroyuki
Published: July 2018

Purpose: The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies has enabled the identification of several activating mutations of Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) among various cancers. However, the significance of infrequent mutations has not been fully investigated. Herein, we comprehensively assessed the functional significance of the ERBB2 mutations in a high-throughput manner.

Experimental Design: We evaluated the transforming activities and drug sensitivities of 55 nonsynonymous ERBB2 mutations using the mixed-all-nominated-in-one (MANO) method.

Results: G776V, G778_S779insG, and L841V were newly revealed to be activating mutations. Although afatinib, neratinib, and osimertinib were shown to be effective against most of the ERBB2 mutations, only osimertinib demonstrated good efficacy against L755P and L755S mutations, the most common mutations in breast cancer. In contrast, afatinib and neratinib were predicted to be more effective than other inhibitors for the A775_776insYVMA mutation, the most frequent ERBB2 mutation in lung cancer. We surveyed the prevalence of concurrent ERBB2 mutation with gene amplification and found that approximately 30% of ERBB2-amplified urothelial carcinomas simultaneously carried ERBB2 mutations, altering their sensitivity to trastuzumab, an mAb against ERBB2. Furthermore, the MANO method was applied to evaluate the functional significance of 17 compound mutations within ERBB2 reported in the COSMIC database, revealing that compound mutations involving L755S were sensitive to osimertinib but insensitive to afatinib and neratinib.

Conclusions: Several ERBB2 mutations showed varying sensitivities to ERBB2-targeted inhibitors. Our comprehensive assessment of ERBB2 mutations offers a fundamental database to help customize therapy for ERBB2-driven cancers.

We identified several ERBB2 mutations as activating mutations related to tumorigenesis. In addition, our comprehensive evaluation revealed that several ERBB2 mutations showed varying sensitivities to ERBB2-targeted inhibitors, and thus, the functional significance of each variant should be interpreted precisely to design the best treatment for each patient. Clin Cancer Res; 24(20); 5112–22. ©2018 AACR.
The Viennese EDDY Study as a Role Model for Obesity: Prevention by Means of Nutritional and Lifestyle Interventions
Authors: Widhalm Kurt , Helk Oliver , Pachinger Otmar
Published: July 2018

Objectives: Obesity in children and adolescents is a worldwide dramatic health problem, for which treatment is mostly unsuccessful. Therefore, prevention is the most important measure to tackle this problem. The ‘EDDY' study as an interventional cohort study with a 1-year lifestyle intervention aimed to affect the lifestyle and nutrition habits of adolescents by intervention with nutritional training and sports programs to prevent obesity. Methods: Four Viennese schools were cluster-randomized into an intervention group and a control group. A total of 141 pupils aged 11-14 years were included. The intervention group received a comprehensive, age-appropriate training on nutrition and lifestyle exercise intervention for 12 months. Before and after intervention and at two follow-ups, subjects were anthropometrically measured. In addition, knowledge of nutritional issues and eating habits were measured with questionnaires. Results: The data imply an improvement of nutrition knowledge, a significant reduction in the consumption of junk food (p = 0.01), sweets (p = 0.001) and salty snacks (p < 0.001) as well as a slight improvement of physical performance after intervention. Although there was a trend for a less increase of body fat in the intervention group, no significant changes could have been shown in the anthropometric data. Conclusions: An age-adjusted lifestyle intervention based on dietary training and exercise can improve the nutritional knowledge and eating habits of school children.
Joaquim Manuel de Macedo, historiador e dramaturgo
Authors: Bezerra João Cícero Teixeira
Published: July 2018

Este artigo discute o trânsito da produção historiográfica e dramatúrgica de Joaquim Manuel de Macedo em sua lida com questões caras ao debate entre teatro e história. Nessa direção, analisa-se o livro didático Lições de história do Brasil e a peça teatral Cobé. A partir de uma leitura das obras se esclarece o quanto o pensamento do escritor se deixa permear pela formatação textual de cada veículo, abrindo-se em interpretações distintas. Para a análise das obras, agenciam-se leituras de textos teóricos e historiográficos com o intuito de elucidar a relação entre escrita histórica e ficcional na obra do autor. No caso estudado, verifica-se como o período colonial e o tema indianista ganham cores distintas e pragmática específica em cada obra.
Boal, leitor de Brecht: uma questão de método
Authors: Zanetti Anderson
Published: July 2018

Este artigo aborda o ensaio Hegel e Brecht: personagem-sujeito ou sujeito-personagem?, principal escrito de Augusto Boal acerca da poética de Bertolt Brecht. O objetivo é ressaltar que os limites da interpretação de Boal encontram-se na ausência de discussão acerca do papel do método da dialética materialista no trabalho de Brecht. Com isso, o raio de alcance da leitura de Boal não ultrapassaria o campo formal da crítica literária.
Moral Panic and Power: The Means of Legitimisation of Religious Intolerance & Human Rights Violation against the Bahá’ís in Iran
Authors: Moinipour Shabnam
Published: July 2018

The case of the Bahá’ís of Iran, the country’s largest non-Muslim religious minority, is a “suspended” genocide and hence alarming. The human rights violations against the members of the Bahá’í community have been designed in such a way to draw as little international attention as possible. It is designed to eliminate slowly rather than to eradicate abruptly. Since its inception in 1979, the Islamic Republic has actively pursued the policy of Bahá’í persecution. This paper focuses on one aspect of the tactics used by the Iranian regime to violate the human rights of the Bahá’í community in Iran. To do so, moral panic theory and Foucault’s power discourse have been used to offer an analysis of the Bahá’í persecutions as an underlying feature of Iran’s domestic policy of othering, religious intolerance and Shi’a supremacy.
Inventory of the Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of North Africa
Authors: BELQAT BOUTAÏNA , ADLER PETER H. , CHERAIRIA MOUNA , BOUDGHANE-BENDIOUIS CHAFIKA CHAOUI
Published: July 2018

Published records are provided for the 52 nominal species, one undescribed morphospecies, and two cytospecies of black flies known from North Africa, with relevant literature, selected synonyms, and taxonomic comments. Morocco has the greatest simuliid diversity (44 nominal species), followed by Algeria (34 species), Tunisia (18 species), Libya (5 species), and Egypt (2 species). A new site for Simulium ruficorne Macquart is recorded for simuliid-poor Egypt.
New ichneumonids (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from the Eocene Tadushi Formation, Russian Far East
Authors: KOPYLOV D.S. , SPASOJEVIC T. , KLOPFSTEIN S.
Published: July 2018

Ichneumonidae constitute one of the largest families of organisms, but their fossil record is severely understudied, which precludes inferences about their early evolutionary history. We here describe a new genus and two new species of ichneumonids from the Early Eocene Tadushi Formation (Russian Far East). The new taxa are Crusopimpla tadushensis gen. et sp. nov. and Dolichomitus? saxeus sp. nov. Pimpla rediviva (Brues) is redescribed and placed in the genus Crusopimpla. This new genus is unique within Pimplinae in having a completely developed propodeal carination and probably represents one of its most basal lineages. Using a phylogenetic hypothesis of the subfamily, we discuss potential pathways of morphological evolution in the group, which will provide a basis for future placement of pimpline fossil taxa.
Komizm [Comism]
Authors: Bystroń Jan Stanisław
Published: July 2018

BystronaliaNowa odsłona SLH powstała pod patronatem Jana Stanisława Bystronia, jednego z niewielu polskich etnografów świadomych szkodliwości megalomanii narodowej i irracjonalności przesądów dotyczących obcych. Etnografia w odmianie Volkskunde rozwijała się w krajach Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej przeważnie na podłożu volkizmu. Etnografia Bystronia była jednym z chwalebnych wyjątków od tej reguły.
On Receiving the Patient's Transference: The Symbolizing and Desymbolizing Countertransference
Authors: Freedman Norbert , Lavender Joan
Published: July 2018

This is an empirical study of the therapist's experience of the patient, delineating the boundaries between empathy and constructive and destructive forms of counter-transference. The unique step was taken of focusing a video camera on the therapist in order to trace the therapist's nonverbal behavior during listening. The same therapist was observed first in a “not-so-difficult” and then in a “difficult” session; the sessions could then be distinguished along dimensions of rhythmicity or arrhythmicity of nonverbal behavior. These observations suggested three modes of experiencing the patient: empathy marked by rhythmicity, a symbolizing counter-transference marked by a transitory arrhythmicity, and a desymbolizing countertransference marked by continuous arrhythmicity. The congruence of these formulations based on direct observation of therapist behavior and ones derived from retrospective reconstructions of analysts in sessions (Schwaber, Jacobs, and Lasky) was explored and was found to enhance the validity of the proposed formulations.
Treatment of Diabetic Microangiopathy and Edema with Total Triterpenic Fraction of Centella asiatica: A Prospective, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Study
Authors: Incandela L. , Belcaro G. , Cesarone M. R. , De Sanctis M. T. , Nargi E. , Patricelli P. , Bucci M.
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to demonstrate in a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized study, whether total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica (TTFCA) is effective in improving the microcirculation in diabetic microangiopathy and neuropathy. Patients with severe diabetic microangiopathy, neuropathy, and edema; patients with microangiopathy without neuropathy; and healthy subjects were included. Microangiopathy was defined by laser Doppler and capillary filtration (rate on ankle swelling). Inclusion criteria were increase in resting flux and rate of ankle swelling; decrease in venoarteriolar response (VAR) and alteration in flux increase with temperature. Patients were randomized: the treatment group received TTFCA (tablets, 60 mg twice daily for 12 months); those in the placebo group received similar tablets. Healthy controls were followed up as a reference. Groups were comparable; there were no dropouts. There were no differences in the treatment and placebo groups at inclusion. Treatment was well tolerated; no side effects were reported. No variations were observed in normals at 12 months. In the neuropathy A-group, decreases (p<0.05) in RF and RAS were observed in the two treatment groups. The decrease in RAS was associated with a decrease in edema (p<0.05) in both treatment groups. The differences in flux (38%) and in VAR (38%) were associated with a decrease (28%) in the rate of ankle swelling (p<0.05). In patients without neuropathy (B-group) the decrease in flux was 22%, the VAR increased 22.7%, and the RAS decreased 9.5% at 12 months. The variations in normals and the progressive deterioration observed in untreated patients in both groups indicates the difference between treatment and placebo. In conclusion, the decrease in capillary filtration and edema is associated with symptomatic improvement. The action on edema is beneficial for the evolution of neuropathy. The effects of TTFCA on flux, RAS, and edema are important in early stages of microangiopathy to avoid progression to clinical stages.
Endobronchial Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterium Infection Presenting in a Healthy Child
Authors: Kavookjian Hannah , Jones Joel W. , Shah Sweeti , Escobar Hugo , Swanson Douglas , Nicklaus Pamela
Published: July 2018

Objectives:

To describe a safe and effective treatment for endobronchial Mycobacterium avium complex.

Methods:

Case report and literature review.

Results:

We present a case of endobronchial M. avium complex in a healthy child treated with serial carbon-dioxide laser excisions and antibiotic triple therapy using azithromycin, rifampin, and ethambutol. No current guideline for the treatment of these lesions in the pediatric population exists.

Conclusions:

In patients with airway impingement, serial endoscopic surgical resection combined with antibiotics can provide safe and effective management.
Le contrôle de l'exécution des lois de crédit en Belgique. - Son évolution
Authors: Plisnier Oscar
Published: July 2018

Les 3 étapes de l'organisation du contrôle. — La mission de la Cour des Comptes: Examen et liquidation des comptes des comptables envers le Trésor public. Vérification des comptes des administrations de l'Etat. Surveillance des opérations de dépense effectuées dans la limite des crédits. Confection du compte général de l'Etat. Lacunes présentées par ce contrôle; absence de droit d'enquête et défaut de surveillance des engagements. — Loi instituant une comptabilité de l'engagement des dépenses: Son origine. Caractère de l'organisation qu'elle consacre. — Etendue limitée de son action. Droit de regard du Ministre des Finances. — Réactions provoquées par l'exercice de ce droit. — Notion du crédit budgétaire, simple faculté de dépenser. — Nécessité d'organiser la surveillance de l'usage de cette faculté. — Comité du Trésor: Ses origines lointaines. — Les raisons de son institution en 1926. — Ses attributions. — Critiques dont il est l'objet. — Ses méthodes de travail. — Les résultat» de son action. — Préparation du budget général: Action de l'administration des Finances et du Comité du budget. — Coup d'œil d'ensemble: Processus de l'élaboration du budget et du contrôle de son exécution.
Le Mouvement des Idées et des Faits: Standards and techniques of public administration a report of the United Nations
Authors: Ascher Charles S.
Published: July 2018

Standards and techniques of public administration. A report of the United Nations, p. 76. — La formation et le perfectionnement des fonctionnaires du service des finances de la R. F. P. Yougoslavie, p. 78. — Progrès de l'organisation en matière d'administration publique, p. 83. — Le premier rapport de la « Commission Philippart », p. 128. — Le recrutement de la magistrature en Belgique, p. 164. — La conservation des sites en Belgique, en France, en Suisse et aux Pays-Bas, p. 167.
Oral Fluoride Measurements for Estimation of the Anti-caries Efficacy of Fluoride Treatments
Authors: Duckworth R.M. , Morgan S.N. , Gilbert R.J.
Published: July 2018

The aims of this work were (a) to assess the oral bioavailability of fluoride delivered from dentifrices and (b) to test for a possible link between the results and clinical data obtained with the same dentifrices. Oral fluoride concentrations were measured in samples of saliva and plaque taken from seven subjects, after use of dentifrices which contained 0, 1000, 1500, and 2500 μg F/g as sodium monofluorophosphate. Salivary fluoride in samples obtained within the first few hours after a single dentifrice application, or up to 20 h after four weeks' daily use, increased with increasing F content of the dentifrice. For example, the mean zero-time intercepts of the second phase of salivary fluoride clearance curves for the above dentifrices were 0.46, 1.48, 1.88, and 3.03 μmol F/L, respectively. Plaque fluoride measured after four weeks' daily use of the dentifrices exhibited similar dose-response behavior. Linear regression analysis showed these trends to be statistically significant for both saliva (p < 0.001) and plaque (p < 0.025).

Mean saliva and plaque fluoride concentrations were inversely associated with mean three-year caries increments for the three fluoride-containing dentifrices obtained in a recent clinical trial: DMFS scores 6.80, 6.33, and 5.71, respectively (Stephen et al., 1988). This suggests that oral fluoride measurements are a valuable in vivo method for the evaluation of the potential anti-caries efficacy of fluoride-containing dental products.
Assessment of the Effects of Dentifrices on Plaque Acidogenesis via Intra-oral Measurement of Plaque Acids
Authors: Simone A.J. , Gulya M. , Mukerjee C. , Kashuba A. , Polefka T.G.
Published: July 2018

Dionex® ion chromatography was used for identification and quantification of the plaque acids (formate, lactate, acetate, and propionate) formed in vivo following a sucrose rinse. Consistent with other literature reports, lactate and acetate were the predominant acid species generated by plaque. This micro-analytical technique was used for investigation of the effects of dentifrice formulations containing NaF, xylitol, or NaF/xylitol on plaque acid metabolism. Neither a single nor multiple exposures (three times daily for one week) to the experimental dentifrices significantly altered the profiles of the individual acids or total plaque acidity relative to the placebo dentifrice. The lack of an effect of fluoride and xylitol on plaque acid metabolism is attributed to the variability of dental plaque and the low concentrations of active ingredients reaching the plaque. However, we believe that, with further improvement in sampling technique and study design, this approach may prove useful for the study of the effects of active ingredients (i.e., anticaries agents) on plaque acidogenesis.
Effects of Varying Latencies in the Stimulus-Response Paradigm of Speech Therapy
Authors: Irwin Ruth Beckey , Nickles Aleki , Hulit Lloyd M.
Published: July 2018

Effects of varying latencies upon articulatory productions in the stimulus-response paradigm were studied. Zero latency was compared to latency equal to stimuli and to latency with silent rehearsal of muscular movements. 30 children with misarticulated /r/ from kindergarten, first, and second grades participated as Ss in each of 3 latency conditions. Stimulus /ra/ was recorded on tape to provide 30 stimulations per S. Tape I contained stimuli with no latency; Tape II had stimuli with latency; and Tape III contained stimuli with latency and conditioning for muscular practice. Responses 1, 10, 20, and 30 of each S were judged. Only the responses following zero latency yielded significantly improved reponses after 30 stimulus-response trials. No significant differences were found among conditions after 30 trials. When change scores between Trials 1 and 30 were compared, the zero-latency condition was significantly better than the latency condition. When individuals were studied, however, some improved under a given condition whereas others did not or may even have regressed. It appears desirable to continue to use the stimulus-response method with latencies adapted to the individual S.
Analysis of Emotional Indicators in Human Figure Drawings as Related to Self-Esteem
Authors: Prytula Robert E. , Thompson Nancy Dunn
Published: July 2018

2 groups of 10- through 13-yr.-old children were separated for high and low self-esteem, and given a human figure-drawing task. Figures drawn were Man, Woman, Self, and Eskimo. Subsequently, the drawings were scored on six emotional indicators such as body height and width, area, erasures, transparencies, and omissions. The results do not offer consistent support for the body-image hypothesis as related to self-esteem. Ss did not differ in terms of drawn size of Self figure, nor did Ss high in self-esteem draw significantly larger figures across all drawings as compared with those low in self-esteem. Although the latter drew significantly more transparencies, no other conflict indicators were significant in comparing groups of Ss low and high in esteem.
Critical Study of the Organic Integrity Test as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Index in Schizophrenia1
Authors: Kay Stanley R. , Gang Robert G.
Published: July 2018

The Organic Integrity Test (OIT) was repeatedly administered in conjunction with other clinical measures to 18 hospitalized schizophrenics over a 20-wk. period, during which patients were treated with neuroleptics. The results showed inadequacies with regard to reliability and stability of the OIT. There was no evidence to indicate that the test is valid for detecting and evaluating schizophrenic psychopathology or for monitoring clinical changes during the course of treatment. Problems with the theoretical and empirical validity of the OIT and shortcomings in the test design were cited in explanation of the findings.
The Princess and the Nice Frog: Study in Person Perception
Authors: Hartnett John , Elder Donna
Published: July 2018

The present study investigated how individuals are perceived as a function of their association with others. An unattractive male was perceived in a more favorable light when he was paired with an attractive female than with an unattractive female. An attractive female was liked more when she was associated with an unattractive male than when she was paired with an attractive male. Results are interpreted in terms of the sex of the stimulus person and the sex of the perceiver.
Experience of Cause in Sighted and Blind Samples
Authors: Nelson Thomas M. , Macdonald Brian H.
Published: July 2018

Previous studies of perceptual causality have involved the visual modality directly or indirectly through associative imagery. The question addressed in this paper is whether causal impressions will occur in those never experiencing vision, i.e., in the early blind. A qualified answer of “yes” may be given. Fixed sequences of haptic stimulation “causal” and “non-causal” in type evoked the same reports from early blinded as from late blinded and blindfolded but normally sighted. Also, different semantic structures appear to be applied by the early blind, as contrasted to late blind and sighted persons to phenomena that are primarily (but not solely) visual in nature. It was concluded that the reports of causal interactions given by the early blind do not represent verbal habits based on vision but reflect causal experience unrelated to vision.
The Norwood Stage 1 procedure - conduct of perfusion: 2017 Survey results from NPC-QIC member institutions
Authors: Reagor James A. , Clingan Sean , Kulat Bradley T. , Matte Gregory S. , Voss Jordan , Tweddell James S.
Published: July 2018

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a rare and severe congenital cardiac defect. Approximately 1000 infants are born with HLHS in the United States every year. Healthcare collaboratives over the last decade have focused on sharing patient experiences and techniques in an effort to improve outcomes. In 2010, cardiologists and patient families joined together to improve the care of HLHS patients by forming the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC). Sixty-six of the approximately 110 institutions caring for patients with HLHS in the United States and Canada are now members of NPC-QIC. In 2017, cardiovascular perfusionists joined the collaborative as another specialty involved in the care of HLHS patients. Perfusionists and cardiac surgeons developed the collaborative’s first conduct of perfusion survey for the Norwood Stage 1 procedure, specifically targeting the provision of cardiopulmonary bypass for patients with HLHS. This manuscript discusses the results of this survey, unveiling a significant variance in the conduct of perfusion for this patient population.
Pancreatic function and histoarchitecture in Wistar rats following chronic exposure to Bushfire®: the mitigating role of zinc
Authors: Tizhe Emmanuel , Ibrahim Najume , Fatihu Mohammed , Ambali Suleiman , Igbokwe Ikechukwu , Tizhe Ussa
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To assess the toxicopathologic effects of chronic exposure to the glyphosate-based herbicide Bushfire® on the pancreas of Wistar rats and the protective role of zinc.

Methods

We exposed the rats to daily doses of 14.4 to 750 mg/kg body weight of the glyphosate-based herbicide Bushfire® and to 50 or 100 mg/kg zinc, and measured blood glucose levels and serum insulin levels. Tissue samples were evaluated for histopathological alterations.

Results

Levels of both blood glucose and serum insulin increased in glyphosate-exposed rats, and moderate to severe degenerative changes were observed in both glandular pancreatic acinar cells and islets of Langerhans in all rats exposed to glyphosate. These effects were prevented by pretreatment with zinc.

Conclusion

Chronic exposure to glyphosate can alter pancreatic function and histoarchitecture, but zinc supplementation can mitigate these toxicopathologic effects.
24-hours wind speed forecasting and wind power generation in La Serena (Chile)
Authors: Salfate Ignacio , López-Caraballo Carlos H , Sabín-Sanjulián Carolina , Lazzús Juan A , Vega Pedro , Cuturrufo Fernando , Marín Julio
Published: July 2018

This article presents 24-h wind speed forecasting for the city of La Serena in Chile and a methodology to explore forecasting effects on the production of wind turbine power. To that end, we used meteorological data from a weather station located in the southern zone of the hyper-arid Atacama Desert. In this area, energy resources are economically and environmentally important, and wind speed forecasting plays a vital role in the management and marketing processes of wind potential via wind farms. To contribute to the development of this energy, we propose carrying out the short-term prediction of 12 and 24 h ahead (identified as Ws( t + 12) and Ws( t + 24), respectively) using an artificial neural network with backpropagation approach. Hourly time series of wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity (from 2003 to 2006) were considered to characterize the artificial neural network in the training phase, while we used data from the year 2007 to check the efficiency of our prediction. For artificial neural network Ws( t + 12) and Ws( t + 24) models, we obtained similar performance of wind speed prediction with root mean square error of around 0.7 m s−1 and with maximum and minimum residuals of +4 and ‒4 m s−1, respectively. Based on the results, we gain a reliable tool to characterize wind speed properties in the range of 1 day within 20% of uncertainty. Moreover, this tool becomes useful to study the effects of our artificial neural network Ws( t + 12) and Ws( t + 24) models on the generation of wind energy from a wind power turbine parametrization.
Biking to Ride: Investigating the Challenges and Barriers of Integrating Cycling with Regional Rail Transit
Authors: Ravensbergen Léa , Buliung Ron , Mendonca Meaghan , Garg Naren
Published: July 2018

Integrating bicycling with public transport can potentially benefit cyclists and transit operators. Successfully coordinating these transport modes, however, can be a difficult task when so little is known about the social and environmental barriers to this type of multimodal travel in the North American context. Using data derived from a survey of regional train service patrons in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton regions of Ontario, Canada, this study examines the challenges faced by those who cycle to/from the train, the barriers that keep passengers from commuting to/from the train by bicycle, and the sociodemographic characteristics of those cycling—and not cycling—to/from the train. Safety concerns, worries about bicycle security, and rules restricting when bicycles are permitted on trains were among the top challenges identified by individuals currently cycling to and/or from train stations. Among those who do not cycle to or from the train, appearance and comfort were the two primary concerns. Results also indicate that certain groups were more likely to cycle to/from the train than others. Notably, a large gender gap exists, approximately two-thirds (67%) of those cycling to their local train station were male. Results from this study may inform policy makers on how to successfully, and equitably, integrate cycling with regional rail transit.
An Integrated Fuzzy Cognitive Map Approach in Modelling Factors of Management Quality in Banking Performance
Authors: Chatterjee Debmallya , Dhaigude Amol S.
Published: July 2018

Based on the literature review and interviews with experts, this study identifies 11 factors that can effectively capture the management quality dimension of the capital adequacy, asset quality, management quality, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to market risk (CAMELS) framework in evaluating the performance of banking institutions. It further models these factors using the integrated fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) and Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée a UN Classement (MICMAC) approach. A scenario analysis is then conducted on the proposed model to study the interrelationships between these factors in a dynamic setting. The results suggest that of all the 11 factors identified, the ‘internal control system’ is the most influential factor in determining management soundness, whereas ‘business per employee’ is the most sensitive in which any impact on employee morale could impact business performance. The managerial and practical implications of our study are also discussed.
Contextual Factors Influencing Recommendations for Service Provision by Guardian ad litem and Court-Appointed Special Advocates
Authors: Jaggers Jeremiah W. , Beerbower Emily , Kondrat David , Aalsma Matthew C. , Hall James A.
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of county-level variables on services offered to children who have guardian ad litem/court-appointed special advocate (GAL/CASA) representation. An email survey was sent to GALs and CASAs inviting them to participate in the study. A total of 473 GALs/CASAs completed the survey, with 437 meeting criteria for the study. Our sample represents 33 of 92 Indiana counties. We found the number and types of services ordered were strongly influenced by county contextual characteristics. Families served by a GAL/CASA in urban counties with more poverty received more services. In contrast, families with a GAL/CASA residing in counties with a greater percentage of minorities generated fewer services. Future research should focus on why environmental conditions influence GAL/CASA recommendations for services. Lastly, the relationship between the GAL/CASA race and the race of the families they serve should be explored.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndromes from Genetic and Epigenetic Perspectives
Authors: Khatami Fatemeh , Tavangar Seyed Mohammad
Published: July 2018

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes are infrequent inherited disorders in which more than one endocrine glands develop noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant) tumors or grow excessively without forming tumors. There are 3 famous and well-known forms of MEN syndromes (MEN 1, MEN 2A, and MEN 2B) and a newly documented one (MEN4). These syndromes are infrequent and occurred in all ages and both men and women. Usually, germ line mutations that can be resulted in neoplastic transformation of anterior pituitary, parathyroid glands, and pancreatic islets in addition to gastrointestinal tract can be an indicator for MEN1. The medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in association with pheochromocytoma and/or multiple lesions of parathyroid glands with hyperparathyroidism can be pointer of MEN2 which can be subgrouped into the MEN 2A, MEN 2B, and familial MTC syndromes. There are no distinct biochemical markers that allow identification of familial versus nonfamilial forms of the tumors, but familial MTC usually happens at a younger age than sporadic MTC. The MEN1 gene (menin protein) is in charge of MEN 1 disease, CDNK1B for MEN 4, and RET proto-oncogene for MEN 2. The focus over the molecular targets can bring some hope for both diagnosis and management of MEN syndromes. In the current review, we look at this disease and responsible genes and their cell signaling pathway involved.
Factors Associated with Prescribing Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics for Children with Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Ambulatory Care Settings
Authors: Alzahrani Mohammad S , Maneno Mary K , Daftary Monika N , Wingate La’Marcus , Ettienne Earl B
Published: July 2018

Objectives:

Broad-spectrum antibiotics are frequently prescribed for children with upper respiratory tract infections (URI). Excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics leads to the emergence of resistant bacteria. This study aimed to identify factors associated with prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics among children younger than 18 years presenting with URI in outpatient settings.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey-Outpatient Departments (NHAMCS-OPD) between 2006 and 2010. Descriptive statistics of visits from children with URI were estimated. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing. We also completed a stratified analysis by age (⩽2 vs >2).

Results:

A total of 4013 outpatient visits for children with URI from both NAMCS and NHAMCS-0PD data were examined. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed in 39% of the visits, accounting for an estimated 6.8 million visits annually. Multivariable analysis showed that visits in the South region (odds ratio [OR] = 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-4.10) compared with the West region and visits with diagnoses of acute sinusitis (OR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.65-4.63) and acute otitis media (OR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.32-2.74) compared with those with acute pharyngitis were associated with greater odds of broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing.

Conclusions:

The prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics is common for children with URI in ambulatory care settings. Diagnosis and management of URI remain a critical area for awareness campaigns promoting judicious use of antibiotics.