bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are behaviors at one alternative in concurrent schedules independent of contingencies at the other alternative?
Authors: MacDonall James S.
Published: August 2017

Some have reported changing the schedule at one alternative of a concurrent schedule changed responding at the other alternative (Catania, 1969), which seems odd because no contingencies were changed there. When concurrent schedules are programmed using two schedules, one associated with each alternative that operate continuously, changing the schedule at one alternative also changes the switch schedule at the other alternative. Thus, changes in responding at the constant alternative could be due to the change in the switch schedule. To assess this possibility, six rats were exposed to a series of conditions that alternated between pairs of interval schedules at both alternatives and a pair of interval schedules at one, constant, alternative and a pair of extinction schedules at the other alternative. Comparing run lengths, visit durations and response rates at the constant alternative in the alternating conditions did not show consistent increases and decreases when a strict criterion for changes was used. Using a less stringent definition (any change in mean values) showed changes. The stay/switch analysis suggests it may be inaccurate to apply behavioral contrast to procedures that change from concurrent variable‐interval variable‐interval schedules to concurrent variable‐interval extinction schedules because the contingencies in neither alternative are constant.
Resilience in moving water: Effects of turbulence on the predatory impact of the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi
Authors: Jaspers Cornelia , Costello John H. , Sutherland Kelly R. , Gemmell Brad , Lucas Kelsey N. , Tackett Jennifer , Dodge Kara , Colin Sean P.
Published: August 2017

Despite its delicate morphology, the lobate ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi thrives in coastal ecosystems as an influential zooplankton predator. Coastal ecosystems are often characterized as energetic systems with high levels of natural turbulence in the water column. To understand how natural wind‐driven turbulence affects the feeding ecology of M. leidyi, we used a combination of approaches to quantify how naturally and laboratory generated turbulence affects the behavior, feeding processes and feeding impact of M. leidyi. Experiments using laboratory generated turbulence demonstrated that turbulence can reduce M. leidyi feeding rates on copepods and Artemia nauplii by > 50%. However, detailed feeding data from the field, collected during highly variable surface conditions, showed that wind‐driven turbulence did not affect the feeding rates or prey selection of M. leidyi. Additional laboratory experiments and field observations suggest that the feeding process of M. leidyi is resilient to wind‐driven turbulence because M. leidyi shows a behavioral response to turbulence by moving deeper in the water column. Seeking refuge in deeper waters enables M. leidyi to maintain high feeding rates even under high turbulence conditions generated by wind driven mixing. As a result, M. leidyi exerted a consistently high predatory impact on prey populations during highly variable and often energetic wind‐driven mixing conditions. This resilience adds to our understanding of how M. leidyi can thrive in a wide spectrum of environments around the world. The limits to this resilience also set boundaries to its range expansion into novel areas.
Rewards that undermine customer loyalty? A motivational approach to loyalty programs
Authors: Kim Kyongseok , Ahn Sun Joo (Grace)
Published: August 2017

Guided by the framework of self‐determination theory (SDT), this study examined the effects of external rewards on undermining customers’ intrinsic motivation to engage in a retail loyalty program. Two experiments revealed that participants who received a salient, controlling reward (i.e., a promise of reward with an explicit requirement and deadline, without options of choice) reported lower intrinsic motivation to use the loyalty program than participants who received a nonsalient, autonomy‐supportive reward (i.e., a promise of reward with a less explicit requirement and no deadline, with options of choice). However, the undermined intrinsic motivation of those who received the salient, controlling reward was enhanced when they were given verbal feedback acknowledging their potential negative feelings associated with using the loyalty program. These findings provide important practical implications for designing a more effective loyalty program.
Management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head with pedicled iliac bone flap transfer: A multicenter study of 2190 patients
Authors: Zhao Dewei , Xie Hui , Xu Yongqing , Wang Yisheng , Yu Aixi , Liu Youwen , Wang Aimin , He Wei , Wang Xiuli , Li Zirong , Sun Wei , Tian Simiao , Wang Benjie , Liu Baoyi
Published: August 2017

Background

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) often affects young active adults and leads to destruction of the hip joint and disabling arthritis. Several procedures have been developed to arrest the progress of osteonecrosis and postpone the procedure of total hip replacement especially in young patients. The aim of this multicenter study was to analyze the results of the use of the vascularized iliac bone flap transfer for management of ONFH.

Methods

From January 1985 to December 2012, a total of 2190 patients (2690 hips) with the mean age of 43.15 years (ranging from 18 to 65 years) underwent hip‐preserving surgery with the pedilced iliac bone flap transfer for management of ONFH with Ficat and Arlet stage II–IV in 8 hospitals. There were 1733 hips in stage II, 776 hips in stage III, and 181 hips in stage IV preoperatively. The complications were recorded. The outcomes were evaluated by radiograph, the Harris hip‐scoring system (HHS).

Results

Postoperative complications occurred in 128 patients (5.84%). Among them, 25 patients had deep venous thromboses, 16 patients had sensory deficits, 40 patients had superficial infection and hematoma, and 47 patients had wound dehiscence. A total of 1912 patients (2179 hips) were followed up with a median time of 12 years (ranging from 5 to 25 years). There were 1787 hips with no radiographic osteonecrotic progress during follow‐up, while osteonecrosis progress was observed in 186 hips with stage II (13.1%), 170 hips with stage III (25.6%) and 36 hips with stage IV (36.4%; P < .001). Two hundred fifteen hips (9.87%) in 203 patients were converted to THA during follow‐up, including 19 hips with stage II (1.34%), 162 hips with stage III (24.4%), and 34 hips with stage IV (34.3%).The mean HHS at the end of follow‐up was significantly improved when compared to preoperative mean HHS (83.63 ± 5.03 vs. 66.54 ± 6.05, P < .001).

Conclusions

In this evaluation of a large series of cases, the vascularized iliac bone flap transfer showed good results for arresting the osteonecrosis progress and improving the hip function of patients with pre‐collapse stages of ONFH.
Global existence and uniqueness of measure valued solutions to a Vlasov‐type equation with local alignment
Authors: Gao Yu , Xue Xiaoping
Published: August 2017

We use a particle method to study a Vlasov‐type equation with local alignment, which was proposed by Sebastien Motsch and Eitan Tadmor [J. Statist. Phys., 141(2011), pp. 923‐947]. For N‐particle system, we study the unconditional flocking behavior for a weighted Motsch‐Tadmor model and a model with a “tail”. When N goes to infinity, global existence and stability (hence uniqueness) of measure valued solutions to the kinetic equation of this model are obtained. We also prove that measure valued solutions converge to a flock. The main tool we use in this paper is Monge‐Kantorovich‐Rubinstein distance.
Dunkl generalization of Szász beta‐type operators
Authors: Çekim Bayram , Dinlemez Kantar Ülkü , Yüksel İsmet
Published: August 2017

The goal in the paper is to advertise Dunkl extension of Szász beta‐type operators. We initiate approximation features via acknowledged Korovkin and weighted Korovkin theorem and obtain the convergence rate from the point of modulus of continuity, second‐order modulus of continuity, the Lipschitz class functions, Peetre's K‐functional, and modulus of weighted continuity by Dunkl generalization of Szász beta‐type operators.
Design, implementation, and performance evaluation of identity‐based cryptography in ONOS
Authors: Lam JunHuy , Lee Sang‐Gon , Lee Hoon‐Jae , Eko Oktian Yustus
Published: August 2017

Distributed Software‐Defined Network introduces a new communication channel: the East/West‐bound communication where the controllers synchronize the network information to achieve the logically centralized view of the network. The East/West‐bound communication can be divided into 2 types, the intra‐cluster and inter‐cluster communication. Intra‐cluster communication happens within the control plane while inter‐cluster communication usually happens on the application plane through the northbound communication of each controller. The security of the East/West‐bound communication ensures that no malicious controllers are eavesdropping on or even driving the network. However, most current Software‐Defined Network projects do not implement the security mechanism for the East/West‐bound communication with Open Networking Operating System (ONOS) being the exception. In ONOS, Transport Layer Security (TLS) was used to secure the intra‐cluster communication, but the complicated key management of TLS could be a hindrance for practical implementation. Hence, Identity‐based cryptography protocol was proposed to solve this TLS issue of our previous implementation. In this paper, we have designed, implemented, and evaluated the identity‐based cryptography protocol to secure the East/West‐bound intra‐cluster communication of ONOS.
Unconditional superconvergence analysis of an H1‐galerkin mixed finite element method for nonlinear Sobolev equations
Authors: Shi Dongyang , Wang Junjun , Yan Fengna
Published: August 2017

An efficient H1‐Galerkin mixed finite element method (MFEM) is presented with and zero order Raviart‐Thomas elements for the nonlinear Sobolev equations. On one hand, the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of the semidiscrete approximation scheme are proved and the super close results of order for the original variable u in a broken H1 norm and the auxiliary variable in norm are deduced without the boundedness of the numerical solution in ‐norm. Conversely, a linearized Crank‐Nicolson fully discrete scheme with the unconditional super close property is also developed through a new approach, while previous literature always require certain time step conditions (see the references below). Finally, a numerical experiment is included to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method. Here h is the subdivision parameter and τ is the time step.
Germline PMS2 and somatic POLE exonuclease mutations cause hypermutability of the leading DNA strand in biallelic mismatch repair deficiency syndrome brain tumours
Authors: Andrianova Maria A , Chetan Ghati Kasturirangan , Sibin Madathan Kandi , Mckee Thomas , Merkler Doron , Narasinga Rao KVL , Ribaux Pascale , Blouin Jean‐Louis , Makrythanasis Periklis , Seplyarskiy Vladimir B , Antonarakis Stylianos E , Nikolaev Sergey I
Published: August 2017

Biallelic mismatch repair deficiency (bMMRD) in tumours is frequently associated with somatic mutations in the exonuclease domains of DNA polymerases POLE or POLD1, and results in a characteristic mutational profile. In this article, we describe the genetic basis of ultramutated high‐grade brain tumours in the context of bMMRD. We performed exome sequencing of two second‐cousin patients from a large consanguineous family of Indian origin with early onset of high‐grade glioblastoma and astrocytoma. We identified a germline homozygous nonsense variant, p.R802*, in the PMS2 gene. Additionally, by genome sequencing of these tumours, we found extremely high somatic mutation rates (237/Mb and 123/Mb), as well as somatic mutations in the proofreading domain of POLE polymerase (p.P436H and p.L424V), which replicates the leading DNA strand. Most interestingly, we found, in both cancers, that the vast majority of mutations were consistent with the signature of POLE exo–, i.e. an abundance of C>A and C>T mutations, particularly in special contexts, on the leading strand. We showed that the fraction of mutations under positive selection among mutations in tumour suppressor genes is more than two‐fold lower in ultramutated tumours than in other glioblastomas. Genetic analyses enabled the diagnosis of the two consanguineous childhood brain tumours as being due to a combination of PMS2 germline and POLE somatic variants, and confirmed them as bMMRD/POLE exo– disorders. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing Branded Prescription Drug Prices: A Review of Policy Options
Authors: Alexander G. Caleb , Ballreich Jeromie , Socal Mariana P. , Karmarkar Taruja , Trujillo Antonio , Greene Jeremy , Sharfstein Joshua , Anderson Gerard
Published: August 2017

The high prices of specialty pharmaceuticals are causing some public programs to ration care and many private insurers, including Medicare drug plans, to place specialty drugs on high cost‐sharing tiers. As a result, access to these drugs is often restricted, and only a small portion of the population with a disease may receive treatment. This concern has generated a wide range of proposed solutions. We conducted a literature review and identified 52 solutions in the peer‐reviewed literature that we classified into five broad categories: revising the patent system, encouraging research to increase development of new drugs, altering pharmaceutical regulation, decreasing market demand, and developing innovative pricing strategies. We discuss the rationale for these five approaches and summarize the proposed solutions. We also discuss four empirical issues that are particularly important in any discussion of policy options.
Structure and deformation recovery of the thermoplastic polyurethane spherulite
Authors: Yanagihara Yu , Suenaga Akiko , Kondo Hikari , Saito Hiromu
Published: August 2017

We investigated the structure and deformation behavior of the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) spherulite by optical microscopy, tensile testing, Hv light scattering, and small angle X‐ray scattering. The TPU spherulite structure obtained by melt crystallization was coarse consisting of bundle‐like structure containing hard segment (HS) lamellar domain in which the HS domains were stacked and the HS chain direction was perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the HS domain. By stretching, the spherulite was deformed to ellipsoidal one and the stacked HS lamellar domains were tilted in the stretching direction. The deformed spherulite and the tilted HS domain in the spherulite were recovered to the unstretched state by retraction. The recovery of the structure is ascribed to the characteristic spherulite structure consisting of rubbery soft segment matrix physically cross‐linked with the stacked HS domain. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 1585–1594
Impact of caregiver burden on mental health in bereaved caregivers of cancer patients: A systematic review
Authors: Große Julia , Treml Julia , Kersting Anette
Published: August 2017

Objective

Although caregiver burden may continue to influence the mental health of cancer patients' caregivers long after bereavement, few studies have examined this issue.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to provide a summary of (1) operationalizations of caregiver burden used in this field and (2) the effect of caregiver burden on postbereavement mental health of adult caregivers of cancer patients. A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO was conducted across empirical studies published in a peer‐reviewed journal up until April 2017.

Results

Caregiver burden was rarely defined, and it was operationalized in multiple and diverging ways. The 20 included papers present varying results but generally indicate that caregiver burden (especially emotional) has an adverse effect on postbereavement mental health.

Conclusions

In future studies, researchers seeking to ascertain which aspects of caregiver burden may prove an appropriate target for prevention and intervention should first use a precise operational definition of the concept.
Influence of abiraterone acetate on neuroendocrine differentiation in chemotherapy‐naive metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Dong Baijun , Fan Liancheng , Wang Yanqing , Chi Chenfei , Ma Xiaowei , Wang Rui , Cai Wen , Shao Xiaoguang , Pan Jiahua , Zhu Yinjie , Shangguan Xun , Xin Zhixiang , Hu Jianian , Xie Shaowei , Kang Xiaonan , Zhou Lixin , Xue Wei
Published: August 2017

Background

To determine the influence of abiraterone Acetate (AA) on neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in patients with chemotherapy‐naive metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Methods

We conducted an analysis in 115 chemotherapy‐naïve mCRPC patients who would be treated with chemotherapy. The serum levels of chromogranin A (CgA), neurone‐specific enolase (NSE) were measured in 67 mCRPC patients without AA treatment and 48 patients after the failure of AA treatment, in which these markers were also measured in 34 patients before and after 6 months of AA treatment. Comparative t‐test was used to evaluate the serial changes of serum NED markers during AA treatment and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to test the influence of AA treatment on NED.

Results

Serum CgA were NSE were evaluated to be above the upper limit of normal (ULN) in 56 (48.7%) and 29 (25.2%) patients before chemotherapy. In 34 patients with serial evaluation, serum CgA level of 14 patients and NSE of 14 patients increased after the failure of AA treatment. There was no significant difference of NED markers (CgA or NSE variation (P = 0.243) between at baseline and after the failure of AA treatment. Compared with the CgA elevation group in the first 6 months of AA treatment and baseline supranormal CgA group, the CgA decline group, and baseline normal CgA group has a much longer median PSA PFS (14.34 vs 10.00 months, P < 0.001, and 14.23 vs 10.30 months, P = 0.02) and rPFS, respectively (18.33 vs 11.37 months, P < 0.001, and 17.10 vs 12.07 months, P = 0.03). In logistic univariate analysis, AA treatment and its duration were not independent factors influencing NED.

Conclusions

We hypothesized that AA might not significantly lead to progression of NED of mCRPC in general. Furthermore, we found there was heterogeneity in changes of NED markers in different mCRPC patients during AA treatment. Serial CgA and NSE evaluation might help clinicians guide clinical treatment of mCRPC patients.
Suppression of hole leakage by adding a hole blocking layer prior to the first quantum barrier in GaN‐based near‐ultraviolet laser diodes
Authors: Xing Yao , Zhao De Gang , Jiang De Sheng , Li Xiang , Liang Feng , Chen Ping , Zhu Jian Jun , Liu Zong Shun , Yang Jing , Liu Wei , Liu Shuang Tao , Zhang Li Qun , Li Mo
Published: August 2017

Compared with GaN‐based visible GaN/InGaN multiple‐quantum‐well laser diodes (LDs), near‐ultraviolet LDs may suffer from a sever hole leakage due to the shallower quantum wells (QWs). Here, a 10 nm n‐type AlGaN hole blocking layer (HBL) is proposed to put before the first quantum barrier layer and form a barrier on the valence band to prevent injected holes from leaking into the n‐type region. Furthermore, the effect of Al composition of AlxGa1−xN HBL on LD performance is studied. Theoretical analysis is performed by using advanced device simulation. The simulation results show that lower threshold current and higher output power of LD can be obtained when Al composition of AlxGa1−xN HBL is 0.23. This result can be attributed to a dramatically reduced electron and hole leakage, and more stimulated recombination in QWs.
Understanding the reactivity and regioselectivity of [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions between substituted nitrile oxides and methyl acrylate. A molecular electron density theory study
Authors: Ndassa Ibrahim Mbouombouo , Adjieufack Abel Idrice , Mbadcam Ketcha Joseph , Berski Slawomir , Ríos‐Gutiérrez Mar , Domingo Luis R.
Published: August 2017

The [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reactions of three nitrile oxides (NOs) (R‐CNO; R = Ph, CO2Me, and Br) with methyl acrylate (MA) have been theoretically studied within the molecular electron density theory. Topological analysis of the electron localization function of these NOs permits to establish that they will participate inzw‐type32CA reactions. Analysis of the conceptual DFT indices indicates that thesezw‐type32CA reactions will have a low polar character as a consequence of the relatively low electrophilic character of MA and the low nucleophilic character of NOs, in agreement with the global electron density transfer computed at the corresponding TSs. The activation enthalpies associated with these 32CA reactions range from 8.2 to 12.7 kcal·mol−1. The presence of the bromide atom provokes the larger acceleration. While the 32CA reaction involving the CO2Me substituted NO is highlyorthoregioselective, the other two reactions are poorlyorthoregioselective. A bonding evolution theory study of the more favorableorthoregiosiomeric channel associated with the 32CA reaction involving the Br substituted NO indicates that this reaction is associated to a nonconcertedtwo‐stage one‐stepmechanism, in which the activation energy is mainly related to the initial rupture of the CN triple bond of the NO.
Determination of carbon isotope enrichment factors of cis‐dichloroethene after precursor amendment
Authors: Leitner Simon , Reichenauer Thomas G. , Watzinger Andrea
Published: August 2017

Rationale

Bacterial reductive dechlorination of the groundwater contaminant tetrachloroethene (PCE) involves the formation of lower chlorinated metabolites. Metabolites can be instantaneously formed and consumed in this sequential process; quantification and validation of their isotopic effects conventionally rely on separate laboratory microcosm studies. Here, we present an evaluation method enabling the determination of the carbon isotope enrichment factor (ε) for the intermediate cis‐dichloroethene (cis‐DCE) by a single laboratory microcosm study initially amending the precursor PCE only.

Methods

Environmental samples harboring organohalide‐respiring bacteria were incubated under anaerobic conditions and then successively and repeatedly amended with PCE and cis‐DCE in two separate laboratory microcosm studies. Reductive dechlorination was monitored by analyzing liquid samples using Purge‐and‐Trap gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry GC/MS‐C/IRMS. The prerequisites of the presented evaluation method are mass and δ‐value balancing. The evaluation method was validated by agglomerative hierarchical classification of Rayleigh plot data points.

Results

The sample‐sensitive range of εcis‐DCE extended from −10.6 ± 0.2‰ to −26.8 ± 0.6‰ (R2 ≥98%). The maximum standard deviations of εcis‐DCE were ±1.8‰ for single microcosms, ±1.8‰ for replicates and ±1.0‰ for the compiled replicate data of PCE and cis‐DCE amendments. A linear regression of the εcis‐DCE for replicates obtained by each amendment study showed a slope of 95% (5 of the 7 data points are within a 95% confidence interval), demonstrating factor congruency and the practicability of the evaluation method.

Conclusions

We found metabolite degradation and formation to be sequential but also stepwise during bacterial reductive dechlorination. The stepwise phases of the degradation of the intermediate eliminate the impact of instantaneous precursor degradation. These stepwise sections were used to determine εcis‐DCE‐values. Our results showed the validity of εcis‐DCE‐values over a wide range at initial precursor degradation (PCE). The presented evaluation method could substantially decrease lab costs for microcosm studies designed for εcis‐DCE determinations. Moreover, the results indicated that the evaluation method can be applied to other PCE‐metabolites.
Effects of euthanasia methods on stable carbon (δ13C value) and nitrogen (δ15N value) isotopic compositions of fry and juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Nahon Sarah , Séité Sarah , Kolasinski Joanna , Aguirre Pierre , Geurden Inge
Published: August 2017

Rationale

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses of fish tissues are now commonly used in ecological studies but mostly require the sacrifice of the animal. Ethical considerations recommend the use of anesthetics for tissue sampling. This study examines how anesthetics affect stable isotope ratios of fish compared with other euthanasia methods.

Methods

Rainbow trout fry and juveniles were sacrificed using ice‐freezing (as this common method used to kill fish does not affect natural isotopic ratios), electronarcosis or an overdose of chemical anesthetics (2‐phenoxyethanol, benzocaine and clove oil). For fry, we sampled the whole animal whereas, for juveniles, white dorsal muscle, liver, red blood cells, plasma, external tegument and pectoral fin were sampled. Isotopic ratios and the elemental compositions of carbon and nitrogen were then measured.

Results

The δ15N values, and the C and N contents of all considered tissues as well as δ13C values of muscle, liver, red blood cells and plasma, were not affected by the use of chemical anesthetics. Clove oil and to a lesser extent 2‐phenoxyethanol and benzocaine decreased δ13C values of whole fry and juvenile external tegument and pectoral fin. The use of electronarcosis drastically affects the δ13C and δ15N values of all fish tissues.

Conclusions

Anesthetics should be avoided for δ13C analysis when tissues are in contact with the water containing the anesthetic. Ice‐immersion has to be preferred when approved by guidelines. If not, benzocaine and 2‐phenoxyethanol should be preferred over clove oil. Electronarcosis should not be used to kill fish until further investigations are performed.
Analyzing adhesion in microstructured systems through a robust computational approach
Authors: Hoss Darby J. , Boudouris Bryan W. , Beaudoin Stephen P.
Published: August 2017

Analyzing surface forces for myriad geometric structures facilitates the design of properties in interacting interfacial systems. Along these lines, we demonstrate a generalized technique that can be utilized to evaluate the orientation dependence of a particle interacting with multiple finite or semi‐infinite objects. Specifically, the surface element integration technique is modified to account for surface elements of a particle not directly adjacent to the object with which it is interacting; this facilitates the analysis of objects with finite shape and with arbitrary orientations. Furthermore, as a technology‐relevant proof‐of‐concept demonstration, the influence of van der Waals (vdW) forces on the performance and reliability of microstructured systems used for the collection of trace particles is reported. The importance of the location of the particle contact with the microstructure and the independence of vdW forces generated by each microstructure is demonstrated using the developed computational approach. Thus, the methodology presented here can ultimately be utilized for a variety of interfacial forces generated by nontrivial systems with heterogeneous properties in order to provide design motifs in a low‐cost, high‐throughput manner.
Characterization and cytocompatibility of polydopamine on MAO‐HA coating supported on Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy
Authors: Feng Yashan , Ma Xun , Chang Lei , Zhu Shijie , Guan Shaokang
Published: August 2017

Magnesium has been suggested as a potential biodegradable metal for the usage as orthopaedic implants. However, high degradation rate in physiological environment remains the biggest challenge, impeding wide clinical application of magnesium‐based biomaterials. In order to reduce its degradation rate and improve the biocompatibility, micro‐arc oxidation coating doped with HA particles (MAO‐HA) was applied as the inner coating, and polydopamine (PDA) film was synthesized by dopamine self‐polymerization as the outer coating. The microstructure evolution of the coating was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), X‐ray diffraction analyses (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that PDA film had covered the entire surface of MAO‐HA coating and the pore size of MAO‐HA coating decreased. The root mean square (RMS) roughness of PDA/MAO‐HA coatings was approximately 106.46 nm, which was closer to the optimum surface roughness for cellular attachment as compared with MAO‐HA coatings. Contact angle measurement indicated that the surface wettability had been transformed from hydrophobic to hydrophilic due to the introduction of PDA. The PDA/MAO‐HA coatings exhibited better corrosion resistance in vitro, with the self‐corrosion potential increasing by 150 mV and the corrosion current density decreasing from 2.09 × 10−5 A/cm2 to 1.46 × 10−6 A/cm2. In hydrogen evolution tests, the corrosion rates of the samples coated with PDA/MAO‐HA and MAO‐HA were 4.40 and 5.95 mm/y, respectively. MTS assay test and cell‐surface interactions experiment demonstrated that PDA/MAO‐HA coatings exhibited good cellular compatibility and could promote the adhesion and proliferation of MC3T3‐E1 cells.
Relationship Between 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose Accumulation and the BRAFV600E Mutation in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Chang Jae Won , Park Ki Wan , Heo Jae Hyung , Jung Seung‐Nam , Liu Lihua , Kim Sung Min , Kwon In Sun , Koo Bon Seok
Published: August 2017

Background

To determine whether 18F‐fluoro‐2‐deoxyglucose (18F‐FDG)‐PET/CT is useful for predicting the BRAFV600E mutation status of a primary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in 108 patients who underwent 18F‐FDG positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET/CT) for staging before thyroidectomy and BRAF analysis in biopsy‐confirmed PTC. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumor was calculated according to FDG accumulation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between the SUVmax and clinicopathological variables.

Results

The BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 71 of 108 (65.7%) patients. In all subjects, the tumor size and BRAFV600E mutation were independently related to the SUVmax according to multivariate analyses (P = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively). The SUVmax was significantly higher in tumors with the BRAFV600E mutation than in tumors with wild‐type BRAF (10.24 ± 11.89 versus 4.02 ± 3.86; P = 0.007). In the tumor size >1 cm subgroup, the BRAFV600E mutation was the only factor significantly associated with the SUVmax (P = 0.016). A SUVmax cutoff level of 4.9 was determined to be significant for predicting the BRAFV600E mutation status (sensitivity 77.4%, specificity 100.0%, area under the curve 0.929; P < 0.0001) according to ROC curve analysis.

Conclusions

The BRAFV600E mutation is independently associated with high 18F‐FDG uptake in PTC, especially in those with a tumor size >1 cm.
Profesionales de la salud mental y su relación con las familias homoparentales en México
Authors: Angulo Menassé Andrea
Published: August 2017

En este trabajo nos preguntamos por las posturas desde las cuales los profesionales de la salud mental orientan su trabajo con familias LGTB en México. Investigamos sobre las intervenciones de los profesionales en escuelas, instituciones de adopción y clínicas privadas. Basados en la metodología cualitativa, concluimos que es posible caracterizar el tipo de intervenciones que tienen con estas familias: son abordajes que tienden a enfatizar lo patológico, asociales y psicologistas, lo que resulta en una epistemología y una práctica que poco contribuyen a la salud mental de este colectivo.
sangre del pueblo (también) es lesbiana: la experiencia artístico-política de Lesbianas en la Resistencia (1995-1997)
Authors: Gutiérrez María Laura , Flores Valeria
Published: August 2017

El presente artículo analiza las relaciones entre activismo lésbico y arte político en Buenos Aires, Argentina, durante los primeros años de la década de 1990. Para ello se centra en el grupo Lesbianas en la Resistencia, que intervino durante 1995-1997 en la plaza pública más importante —por su significado tanto histórico-simbólico como político— de la ciudad de Buenos Aires: la Plaza de Mayo. A partir de la reconstrucción de la historia del grupo, mediante la memoria oral de sus integrantes, el ensayo busca trazar —desde una metodología feminista y queer— una cartografía de los elementos centrales de la acción del grupo: el cuerpo, la visibilidad y la construcción de un hacer colectivo con materiales “precarios o de desecho”. Esta investigación nos permitió recuperar una experiencia poco conocida en la historiografía local, indagar en los modos en que se articularon la militancia lésbica y el activismo artístico durante esos años de contexto
Exploitation of Gene Expression and Cancer Biomarkers in Paving the Path to Era of Personalized Medicine
Authors: Kamel Hala Fawzy Mohamed , Al-Amodi Hiba Saeed A. Bagader
Published: August 2017

Cancer therapy agents have been used extensively as cytotoxic drugs against tissue or organ of a specific type of cancer. With the better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis and cellular events during cancer progression and metastasis, it is now possible to use targeted therapy for these molecular events. Targeted therapy is able to identify cancer patients with dissimilar genetic defects at cellular level for the same cancer type and consequently requires individualized approach for treatment. Cancer therapy begins to shift steadily from the traditional approach of “one regimen for all patients” to a more individualized approach, through which each patient will be treated specifically according to their specific genetic defects. Personalized medicine accordingly requires identification of indicators or markers that guide in the decision making of such therapy to the chosen patients for more effective therapy. Cancer biomarkers are frequently used in clinical practice for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as identification of responsive patients and prediction of treatment response of cancer patient. The rapid breakthrough and development of microarray and sequencing technologies is probably the main tool for paving the way toward “individualized biomarker-driven cancer therapy” or “personalized medicine”. In this review, we aim to provide an updated knowledge and overview of the current landscape of cancer biomarkers and their role in personalized medicine, emphasizing the impact of genomics on the implementation of new potential targeted therapies and development of novel cancer biomarkers in improving the outcome of cancer therapy.
Results of surgical treatment of colorectal cancer in nonagenarian patients
Authors: Gomes Arthur Manoel Braga de Albuquerque , Queiroz Fábio Lopes de , Paiva Rodrigo de Almeida
Published: August 2017

Purpose The objective of the present study was to compare the results of surgical treatment of nonagenarian patients having colorectal cancer with patients younger than 90 years.

Methods A total of 622 patients who underwent curative surgery were included in the present study. The database of the surgical service, in the period from 2007 to 2013, was used to obtain the sample. This is a descriptive, retrospective study that compared the profiles of 17 nonagenarian patients (Group I) with 605 patients younger than 90 years (Group II). The groups were compared regarding surgical complications, length of hospital stay, type of surgery performed and ASA classification.

Results The mean age between the groups was 92.2 years and 61.2 years. The mean length of hospital stay in Groups I and II was 17.3 days and 8.75 days, respectively. The surgery performed most frequently was the right colectomy, in both groups. The most common postoperative complication was sepsis (11.8%) among the nonagenarians, and paralytic ileus (4.5%) among those younger than 90 years. Laparoscopic surgery was performed on 5 out of a total of 17 patients evaluated in Group I. Among the three mortalities registered in this latter group, two were classified as ASA III and only one as ASA I.

Conclusion The results indicate that colorectal surgery may be performed in this group, with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates, in patients with low preoperative risk (ASA I/II).
Association between pluviometric index and the occurrence of acute appendicitis
Authors: Costa Djalma Ribeiro , Bezerra Fabrícia Leal , Leão Germano de Sousa , Gomes Lucas Alexandre Gonçalves do Nascimento , Alencar Diego Coimbra , Lial Robson David de Araújo , Oliveira Max Brandão de
Published: August 2017

Background Epidemiological studies demonstrate, for unknown reasons, the prevalence of appendicitis in the summer and in young male adults, and there are controversies about its association with the rainy season. There are no studies in the State of Piauí about such association.

Objective To establish an association between the occurrence of appendicitis and the pluviometric precipitation index.

Methodology This is a cross-sectional study that was carried out using the database of the pathology service at a public emergency hospital in Piauí, and the pluviometric precipitation index in the State of Piauí from January 2009 to April 2014, with data from the National Institute of Meteorology. Descriptive statistics and association measures were applied using the Pearson correlation coefficient and the χ
2 test.

Results We found a predominance of appendicitis cases in male subjects, from 11 to 20 years of age, with a predominance of the monthly mean of appendicitis cases in the second semester, which conforms to the dry season in the State of Piauí. Pearson's correlation coefficient was −0.260.

Conclusion There is an association between the occurrence of appendicitis and the months of the year; however, this is a weak negative correlation between the monthly mean of cases of appendicitis and monthly pluviometric precipitation average in the State of Piauí.
Delayed Ejaculation and Associated Complaints: Relationship to Ejaculation Times and Serum Testosterone Levels
Authors: Morgentaler Abraham , Polzer Paula , Althof Stanley , Bolyakov Alexander , Donatucci Craig , Ni Xiao , Patel Ankur B. , Basaria Shehzad
Published: August 2017

Background

Although delayed ejaculation (DE) is typically characterized as a persistently longer than anticipated or desired time to ejaculation (or orgasm) during sexual activity, a timing-based definition of DE and its association with serum testosterone has not been established in a large cohort.

Aim

To examine in an observational study estimated intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) and masturbatory ejaculation latency time (MELT) in men self-reporting DE, assess the association of IELT and MELT with serum testosterone levels, and determine whether correlation with demographic and sexual parameters exist.

Methods

Men who resided in the United States, Canada, and Mexico were enrolled from 2011 to 2013. Self-estimated IELT and MELT were captured using an Ejaculatory Function Screening Questionnaire in a sample of 988 men screened for possible inclusion in a randomized clinical trial assessing testosterone replacement therapy for ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and who self-reported the presence or absence of DE and symptoms of hypogonadism. Additional comorbid EjDs (ie, anejaculation, perceived decrease in ejaculate volume, and decreased force of ejaculation) were recorded. Men with premature ejaculation were excluded from this analysis. IELT and MELT were compared between men self-reporting DE and men without DE. The associations of IELT and MELT with serum testosterone were measured.

Outcomes

IELT, MELT, and total testosterone levels.

Results

Sixty-two percent of screened men self-reported DE with or without comorbid EjDs; 38% did not report DE but did report at least one of the other EjDs. Estimated median IELTs were 20.0 minutes for DE vs 15 minutes for no DE (P < .001). Estimated median MELTs were 15.0 minutes for DE vs 8.0 minutes for no DE (P < .001). Ejaculation time was not associated with serum testosterone levels. Younger men and those with less severe erectile dysfunction had longer IELTs and MELTs.

Clinical Implications

Estimated ejaculation times during vaginal intercourse and/or masturbation were not associated with serum testosterone levels in this study; thus, routine androgen evaluation is not indicated in these men.

Strengths and Limitations

This large systematic analysis attempted to objectively assess the ejaculation latency in men with self-reported DE. Limitations were that ejaculation time estimates were self-reported and were queried only once; the questionnaire did not distinguish between failure to achieve orgasm and ejaculation; and assessment of DE was limited to heterosexual vaginal intercourse and masturbation.

Conclusion

IELT and MELT were longer in men with DE, and there was no association of ejaculation times with serum testosterone levels in this study population.
SOUTHEASTERN CONSUMERS’ WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTION ATTRIBUTES OF FRESH TOMATOES
Authors: MAPLES McKENZIE , INTERIS MATTHEW G. , MORGAN KIMBERLY L. , HARRI ARDIAN
Published: August 2017

This study examines southeastern consumers’ willingness to pay for marginal changes in production practices that lessen the impact on the environment but that fall short of a complete conversion to organic production. We find that consumers are willing to pay more for tomatoes grown using less water, that contain less pesticide residue, that are not grown with petroleum-based fertilizers, and that travel shorter distances to the final point of sale. These estimates provide a starting point for producers who cannot convert to organic production but for whom it might be profitable to make (more feasible) marginal production changes.
A Bayesian Approach for Timing the Neolithization in Mediterranean Iberia
Authors: García-Puchol Oreto , Bernabeu-Aubán Joan , Barton C Michael , Pardo-Gordó Salvador , McClure Sarah B , Diez-Castillo Agustín
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we compile recent14C dates related to the Neolithic transition in Mediterranean Iberia and present a Bayesian chronological approach for testing thedual model, a mixed model proposed to explain the spread of farming and husbandry processes in eastern Iberia. The dual model postulates the coexistence of agricultural pioneers and indigenous Mesolithic foraging groups in the Middle Holocene. We test this general model with more regional models of four geographical areas (Northeast, Upper, and Middle Ebro Valley, and Eastern and South/Southeastern regions) and present a filtered summed probability of all14C dates known in the region in order to compare socioecological dynamics over a long period. Finally, we discuss the results and analyze how certain specific characteristics of sites and their chronologies can serve for timing the Neolithic expansion in Mediterranean Iberia.
Organized Labor as the New Undeserving Rich?: Mass Media, Class-Based Anti-Union Rhetoric and Public Support for Unions in the United States
Authors: Kane John V. , Newman Benjamin J.
Published: August 2017

Labor unions play a prominent role in the economy and in politics, and have long been depicted by opponents as an overly powerful, corrupt and economically harmful institution. In labor-related news in recent years, anti-union rhetoric has regularly focused on union workers themselves, frequently portraying them as overpaid, greedy and undeserving of their wealth, while also drawing a contrast between the compensation of union vs. non-union workers. This type of rhetoric is referred to here as class-based anti-union rhetoric (CAR). Despite its prevalence, it remains unknown whether CAR affects public opinion toward unions. This study uses a series of national survey experiments to demonstrate that exposure to CAR reduces the perceived similarity of targeted union workers, unions’ perceived deservingness of public support and support for pro-union legislation. Moreover, CAR repeatedly nullified or reversed the otherwise positive relationship between the strength of worker identity and solidarity with union workers.
‘Civilising the Savage’: State-Building, Education and Huichol Autonomy in Revolutionary Mexico, 1920–40
Authors: MORRIS NATHANIEL
Published: August 2017

Attempts to use schools to assimilate the Huichols into the Revolutionary nation-state prompted the development of divergent partnerships and conflicts in theirpatria chica, involving rival Huichol communities and factions, local mestizos, government officials and Cristero rebels. The provocations of teachers, the cupidity of mestizo caciques, rebel violence and Huichol commitment to preserving communal autonomy undermined alliances between Huichol leaders and federal officials, and led to the ultimate failure of the government's project. If anything, the short-lived Revolutionary education programme equipped a new generation of Huichol leaders with the tools to better resist external assimilatory pressures into the 1940s and beyond.
The Business of Governing: Corruption and Informal Politics in Mexico City's Markets, 1946–1958
Authors: BLEYNAT INGRID
Published: August 2017

This paper uses corruption in Mexico City's markets as a lens to examine state–society relations and the construction of the PRI's hegemony in post-1946 Mexico. It presents three case studies that show how some ostensibly corrupt practices supported state functioning, while others contributed to the process of party building. It demonstrates that these practices were driven by shifting social dynamics and conflicts among vendors, which operated through networks of formal and informal power. Historicising corruption illuminates the strengths and weaknesses of the Mexican state as well as the balance between co-optation and popular demands that lay behind it in this period.
Modelling the spatial distribution of Fasciola hepatica in bovines using decision tree, logistic regression and GIS query approaches for Brazil
Authors: BENNEMA S. C. , MOLENTO M. B. , SCHOLTE R. G. , CARVALHO O. S. , PRITSCH I.
Published: August 2017

Fascioliasis is a condition caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica. In this paper, the spatial distribution of F. hepatica in bovines in Brazil was modelled using a decision tree approach and a logistic regression, combined with a geographic information system (GIS) query. In the decision tree and the logistic model, isothermality had the strongest influence on disease prevalence. Also, the 50-year average precipitation in the warmest quarter of the year was included as a risk factor, having a negative influence on the parasite prevalence. The risk maps developed using both techniques, showed a predicted higher prevalence mainly in the South of Brazil. The prediction performance seemed to be high, but both techniques failed to reach a high accuracy in predicting the medium and high prevalence classes to the entire country. The GIS query map, based on the range of isothermality, minimum temperature of coldest month, precipitation of warmest quarter of the year, altitude and the average dailyland surface temperature, showed a possibility of presence of F. hepatica in a very large area. The risk maps produced using these methods can be used to focus activities of animal and public health programmes, even on non-evaluated F. hepatica areas.