bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why Do Women with Breast Cancer Get Diagnosed and Treated Late in Sub-Saharan Africa Perspectives from Women and Patients in Bamako, Mali
Authors: Grosse Frie Kirstin , Samoura Hatouma , Diop Samba , Kamate Bakarou , Traore Cheick Bougadari , Malle Brahima , Coulibaly Bourama , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna
Published: January 2018

Background: Breast cancer, the most common cancer among women worldwide, has a high mortality rate in low-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, most breast cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Some studies have quantified the time delay to diagnosis in sub-Saharan Africa, but very few have used qualitative methods to understand barriers leading to delay. This study analyses barriers throughout a breast cancer patient's pathway from symptom recognition to treatment in Mali. Method: Three focus group discussions were conducted. The model of pathways to treatment was used to structure the results into 4 time intervals: appraisal, help-seeking, diagnosis, and treatment, with a focus on barriers during each interval. Results: The main barriers during the appraisal interval were a low level of breast cancer knowledge among women, their families, and medical professionals, and during the help-seeking interval, mistrust in the community health care centers and economic hardship. Barriers during the diagnosis interval were low quality of health care services and lack of social support, and during the pretreatment interval high costs and lack of specialized services. Conclusion: Multilevel interventions are needed to ensure access, availability, and affordability of a minimum standard of care for breast cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa.
Distribution and Cellular Localization of KCC2 in the Ferret Neocortex
Authors: Djankpa Francis T. , Akinola Oluwole B. , Juliano Sharon L.
Published: January 2018

KCC2 (a brain-specific potassium-chloride cotransporter) affects development of the cerebral cortex, including aspects of neuronal migration and cellular maturation and differentiation. KCC2 also modulates chloride homeostasis by influencing the switch of GABA from depolarizing in young neurons to hyperpolarizing in mature neurons. We describe the expression pattern, regional distribution, and cellular colocalization of KCC2 in the ferret cortex in normal kits and those treated with methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM). We earlier developed a model of impaired cortical development by injecting MAM during mid-cortical gestation, which briefly interferes with neuronal production and additionally results in increased levels of KCC2 at P0. Using immunohistochemistry, we show a shift in KCC2 expression during development, being high in the subplate at P0, repositioning into a subtle laminar pattern in the neocortex at P7-P14, and becoming homogeneous at P35. KCC2 colocalizes with neuronal markers in the developing and mature cerebral cortex of normal ferrets and those treated with MAM, but shows a differential pattern of expression at different ages and locates in distinct cellular compartments during development. Subcellular localization shows that KCC2 predominantly situates in the membrane fraction of neocortical samples. These findings reveal that KCC2 colocalizes differentially with neurons and its expression pattern alters during development.
Variation in the Phototherapy Practices and Irradiance of Devices in a Major Metropolitan Area
Authors: Borden Amy R. , Satrom Katie M. , Wratkowski Paul , George Thomas N. , Adkisson Constance A. , Vreman Hendrik J. , Johnson Austin P. , Nichols Kent J. , Slusher Tina M.
Published: January 2018

Background: Phototherapy (PT) is widely used to prevent and treat severe hyperbilirubinemia and its associated risks for both acute and chronic bilirubin encephalopathy. Intensive PT, recommended for inpatient treatment of hyperbilirubinemia in term and near-term infants, is defined as having a spectral irradiance of ≥30 μW/cm2/nm. Objectives: We aimed to assess local PT practices by measuring the irradiance of PT devices in local neonatal intensive care units and newborn nurseries. Methods: The irradiance footprint, including maximum irradiance at the center of the footprint, of 39 PT devices in 7 area hospitals was measured according to current practice in these facilities. Results: The mean ± SD (range) footprint irradiance was 20.7 ± 5.8 (8.8-29.4) μW/cm2/nm. The mean ± SD maximum irradiance at the footprint center for all devices at a mean clinically used treatment distance of 33.1 ± 9.3 (25.5-60.0) cm was 27.8 ± 7.0 (14.7-42.0) μW/cm2/nm. Sixty-two percent of the devices did not meet the minimum recommended spectral irradiance for intensive PT. For the sites without irradiance-based protocols, the maximum irradiance of the devices (n = 33) at the treatment distances was 25.8 ± 6.1 μW/cm2/nm. Conclusions: Despite established PT guidelines, local protocols and practices vary. Based on an assessment of 7 local hospitals, intensive PT was suboptimal for 62% of devices. Straightforward changes, such as decreasing the distance between an infant and the light source and establishing a consistent irradiance-based protocol, could substantially improve the quality of the intervention.
Fatal Case of Spontaneous Rectus Sheath Hematoma Caused by Anticoagulant and Steroid Therapy during Hospital Admission
Authors: Romic Ivan , Pavlek Goran , Mance Marko , Romic Marijan , Moric Trpimir
Published: January 2018

Background: Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is a rare but potentially dangerous clinical entity that requires medical supervision. Case Report: Here we discuss one such case which describes the fatal course of spontaneous RSH during hospital admission. Conclusion: Usually, RSH presents as a minimal abdominal wall swelling with self-limiting course but in the case of hematoma and size progression, specific conservative or invasive measures are necessary to prevent serious complications including hypovolemic shock and death.
Validity of Predictive Equations for Resting Energy Expenditure in Greek Adults
Authors: Maraki Maria I. , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Jansen Lisa T. , Anastasiou Costas , Papalazarou Anastasios , Yannakoulia Mary , Sidossis Labros S. , Kavouras Stavros A.
Published: January 2018

Aim: To examine the validity of published resting energy expenditure (REE) equations in Greek adults, and if indicated, develop new cohort-specific predictive REE equations. Methods: Indirect calorimetry and anthropometric data were obtained from 226 adult volunteers of diverse age groups and body mass index ranges (18–60 years, 16.6–67.7 kg·m–2). Measured REE was compared to preexisting prediction equations via correlation, regression, and Bland-Altman analysis. Then, cohort-specific REE equations were developed using curve estimation and nonlinear regression. To reduce type I error, presently derived equations were validated by splitting the sample into a training and validation group. Results: Preexisting equations over-predicted in-cohort REE. Equations by Livigston and Kohlstadt were most accurate at the individual level (63% accuracy), while formulas by Owen and collaborators elicited highest accuracy at the group level (–1.8% bias). Bland-Altman analysis showed proportional bias for most equations. Currently developed equations showed highest overall accuracy with 70% at the individual and group level (1.0% bias), with small differences between measured and predicted REE values (mean, 95% CI 36 [–15 to 88] kcal·day–1). Conclusion: Data indicate currently developed equations to be the most accurate and valid for estimating REE in Greek adults. Further studies should examine the developed equations in an independent sample.
Emergent Start Peritoneal Dialysis for End-Stage Renal Disease: Outcomes and Advantages
Authors: Nayak K. Shivanand , Subhramanyam Sreepada V. , Pavankumar Navva , Antony Sinoj , Sarfaraz Khan M.A.
Published: January 2018

Background/Aims: Initiating renal replacement therapy in late referred patients with central venous catheter (CVC) hemodialysis (HD) causes serious complications. In urgent start peritoneal dialysis, initiating peritoneal dialysis (PD) within 14 days of catheter insertion still needs HD with CVC. We initiated Emergent start PD (ESPD) with Automated PD (APD) at our center within 48 h from the time of presentation. Methods: A prospective, case-controlled, intention-to-treat study with 56 patients was conducted between March 2016 and August 2017. Group A (24 patients) underwent conventional PD 14 days after catheter insertion. Group B (32 patients), underwent ESPD with APD. Exit site leak (ESL), catheter blockage, and peritonitis at 90 days were primary outcomes. Technique survival was secondary outcome. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar with 3 episodes of ESLs (9.4%) in the study group and none in the control group (p = 0.123). Catheter blockage (16.7%-Group A, 25%-Group B) and peritonitis (none vs. 9.4% in study group) were similar in terms of statistical details just as technique survival (95%-Group A, 88.2%-Group B at 90 days). Conclusion: ESPD with APD in the unplanned patient is an appropriate approach.
Comparative Study of Predictive Mortality Scores in Esophagectomy with Three-Field Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Mora Andres , Nakajima Yasuaki , Okada Takuya , Tokairin Yutaka , Kawada Kenro , Kawano Tatsuyuki
Published: January 2018

Background/Aim: Esophagectomy is still the best therapeutic option for curing resectable esophageal cancer (EC). Radical surgical resection with three-field lymphadenectomy (3FLD) is a potentially curative treatment option. We compared the predictive accuracy of 5 different scores in patients with EC who underwent 3FLD. Methods: Five years’ worth of medical records in a single institution were analyzed (January 2010 to January 2015) from 311 patients who underwent esophagectomy for EC. We selected 191 in whom 3FLD was performed. Mortality was calculated based on 5 predictive scores. Outcomes measures were intraoperative mortality, 30-day mortality, and 1- and 2-year mortality after surgery. Results: Intraoperative mortality and 30-day mortality after surgery was 0%; 1 and 2-year mortality were 19.8 and 31.4%, respectively. The area under the curve showed poor discriminatory power for all 5 scores (<0.7). In one-way analysis of variance, for 1 year mortality, Portsmouth-Physiological and Operative Severity Score for mortality (P-Possum) was significant (p = 0.0424); in a multivariable analysis for 2-year mortality, P-Possum (p < 0.0001) remained significant. Conclusion: There is no accurate prognosis score for esophagectomy in patients who undergo high-risk procedures like 3FLD. New scores are needed to predict the mortality after 3FLD with good discriminatory power. Independent factors affect survival and may function as the baseline for obtaining a new accurate mortality score.
Chlormethine Hydrochloride is Not Inferior to Tacrolimus in Treating Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Yang Yuan , Zhao Li , Xiao Li , Liang Yumei , Wang Chang , Fu Xiao , Zhu Xuejing , Yuan Shuguang , Zhu Jianling , Zhu Xiaoping , Liu Yinghong , Li Jun , Luo Jian , Liu Fuyou , Sun Lin
Published: January 2018

Background/Aims: The present study aimed to explore the equivalence of CHL and tacrolimus (TAC), despite reports regarding the efficacy and safety of TAC in treating SRNS patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of CHL or TAC treatment was performed by collecting the medical records of SRNS patients with a pathological classification of focal segmental glomurular sclerosis (FSGS) or membranous nephropathy (MN) from December 2008 to December 2014 in a 3A grade hospital in southern China. The treatment regimen includes 6 months of induction therapy and a subsequent 6 to 30 months of maintenance therapy, which were evaluated by the scheduled follow-up and the detection of proteinuria and serum creatinine levels. The treatment outcomes were classified as complete remission, partial remission or no remission. Results: In a total of 146 SRNS patients, CHL treatment showed a higher proportion of complete remission (27.8% vs 14.9%) or partial remission (52.8% vs 37.8%) compared to TAC treatment (P < 0.10) at the stage of induction therapy. The CHL treatment of SRNS patients with FSGS showed better efficacy than treatment of the TAC group, but the difference of efficacy in the pathological type of MN between CHL and TAC group was not significant (P > 0.10). During maintenance therapy, the difference between the CHL and TAC groups was not significant in the SRNS patients with FSGS or MN (P > 0.10). In addition, the difference of adverse effects between CHL and TAC group was not significant (P > 0.10), although there was a slightly higher proportion of nausea and vomiting in the CHL group. Conclusion: The non-inferior efficacy of CHL treatment on the SRNS patients with FSGS or MN compared to TAC treatment, which highlighted CHL can be considered to be alternative treatment for SRNS patients in the clinical setting.
Segmentación y exclusión en Chile: El caso de los Jóvenes Primera Generación en Educación Superior
Authors: Jarpa-Arriagada Carmen Gloria , Rodríguez-Garcés Carlos
Published: January 2018

(analítico): Haciendo uso de bases de datos históricas del Proceso de Admisión a la Educación Superior en Chile, mediante un análisis estadístico inferencial y comparativo, este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar a estudiantes "Primera Generaciónâ€ y sus elecciones profesionales, contrastándolo con el estudiante "Continuistaâ€. Los principales hallazgos informan sobre la existencia de atributos y comportamientos diferenciales del estudiante "Primera Generaciónâ€ respecto del alumno "Continuistaâ€, dando cuenta de la persistencia de procesos de exclusión y segregación que se manifiestan en una elección profesional fuertemente condicionada por el habitus que reproduce desigualdades y limita las aspiraciones a un conjunto restringido de opciones. Este escenario pone en cuestión el real ejercicio de la opción vocacional así como la mayor democratización e inclusión de un sistema de educación superior masificado y diversificado.
Rüsen e a teoria da História como ciência
Authors: Reis Aaron Sena Cerqueira
Published: January 2018

Resenha do livro: RÜSEN, Jörn. Teoria da história: uma teoria da história como ciência. Tradução: Estevão C. de Rezende Martins. Curitiba: Editora UFPR, 2015.
Estudo e edição da "Relaçaõ da marcha que fiz para o Cuyaté (...)" escrita pelo governador da capitania de Minas Gerais, d. Antonio de Noronha, em 1779
Authors: Conceição Adriana Angelita da
Published: January 2018

A “Relaçaõ da Marcha que fiz para o Cuyaté pela Nova Estrada (...)” foi escrita pelo governador da capitania de Minas Gerais, d. Antonio de Noronha, em outubro de 1779. A “Relaçaõ” integra um conjunto de documentos enviados ao secretário da Marinha e dos Negócios Ultramarinos, Martinho de Mello e Castro, denominada “Copia das providencias que se derão para a nova Conquista do Cuyeté”. O texto nos permite analisar a intrínseca conexão do mando com a escrita no âmbito do Império luso-brasileiro, no período moderno. Portanto, este artigo apresenta, além das práticas de escrita e de produção documental do governo ultramarino, uma edição crítica da “Relaçaõ da Marcha”, acompanhada por anotações referentes ao documento e sua materialidade.
Dimensionando o problema siderúrgico nacional: a demanda por produtos siderúrgicos no Brasil (1901-1940)
Authors: Barros Gustavo
Published: January 2018

Este artigo examina a demanda por produtos siderúrgicos no Brasil entre 1901 e 1940, levando em consideração a sua dimensão, a sua composição, a sua evolução no tempo, bem como a percepção dos contemporâneos sobre o assunto. Para tanto, o artigo faz uso de abrangente conjunto de fontes primárias, incluindo dados desagregados originais de comércio exterior. A partir dessas fontes, observamos que a dimensão potencial do mercado doméstico exibiu certa estabilidade ao longo das mais de três décadas durante as quais se desenrolou o debate siderúrgico, e que isso se refletiu nas estimativas contemporâneas do tamanho do mercado. Essa relativa estabilidade do tamanho do mercado foi acompanhada por um processo de diversificação da demanda por produtos siderúrgicos.
Cartas entre letrados: circulação de saberes na correspondência entre Joaquín García Icazbalceta e William H. Prescott (1849-1856)
Authors: Fernandes Luiz Estevam de Oliveira
Published: January 2018

O objetivo do artigo é analisar a correspondência entre William H. Prescott e Joaquín García Icazbalceta, pensando-a como uma oportunidade para se estudar uma pequena fração da maciça corrente de trocas epistolares oitocentistas entre os dois países (e também com a Europa). Tal intercâmbio, embora fragmentário, desigual e pequeno (se comparado ao volume de cartas que ambos escreveram em suas vidas), permite-nos mostrar a importância de se estudar as correspondências entre produtores de conhecimento histórico no século XIX, pois, como demonstraremos, é a partir delas, bem como das impressões de livros, periódicos e da circulação desses manuscritos e impressos, que boa parte das instituições de guarda de memória foi formada. Desta forma, é possível pensarmos uma fração de como se escreveu a história do México e como se institucionalizou a ciência histórica ali em meados do XIX, período que conviveu com as primeiras tentativas de criar histórias nacionais. A pesquisa caminha na contramão de ideias que corroboram que nesta época só existia uma relação de guerra ou desconfiança entre o México e os Estados Unidos.
“Reformas estimulam ou evitam revoluções? Os dízimos da Capitania da Bahia e a Conjuração Baiana de 1798"
Authors: Valim Patricia
Published: January 2018

O presente artigo analisa o impacto das reformas de d. Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho na capitania da Bahia, no final do século XVIII, para um grupo de poderosos, qualificados por Luís dos Santos Vilhena de “corporação dos enteados”,. Esse potentado integrou a  Conjuração Baiana de 1798, estimulado pela contenda sobre a arrematação dos dízimos na capitania, que ameaçou sua participação no leilão público. A partir da deflagração do movimento de 1798, a coroa portuguesa empreendeu soluções de compromisso com esse grupo de poderosos ao tempo em que evitou qualquer possibilidade de ruptura do sistema de dominação colonial.
Artes de Curar, Medicina e Saúde Pública: um olhar historiográfico latino americano
Authors: Mota André
Published: January 2018

A resenha aqui empreendida traz em seu escopo a apresentação da obra "Medicina e Saúde Pública na América Latina: uma história". Com o objetivo de fazer um grande levantamento dos estudos latino-americanos em torno de temas da saúde pública e da medicina em cinco diferentes momentos históricos, do século XVIII-XXI, os autores conseguiram estabelecer, com imensa competência e mais que um balanço historiográfico, uma nova perspectiva para o campo histórico, ao admitir a América Latina como um espaço geográfico e de sentidos, apontando aproximações e distanciamentos, rupturas e permanências, circularidades e particularidades, ou seja, eixos capazes de configurar tempos que indicam repercussões, ora fragmentadas, ora identitárias.
Myocardial Injury in Patients With Sepsis and Its Association With Long-Term Outcome
Authors: Frencken Jos F. , Donker Dirk W. , Spitoni Cristian , Koster-Brouwer Marlies E. , Soliman Ivo W. , Ong David S.Y. , Horn Janneke , van der Poll Tom , van Klei Wilton A. , Bonten Marc J.M. , Cremer Olaf L. , de Beer Friso M. , Bos Lieuwe D.J. , Glas Gerie J. , van Hooijdonk Roosmarijn T.M. , Schouten Laura R.A. , Straat Marleen , Witteveen Esther , Wieske Luuk , van Vught Lonneke A. , Wiewel Maryse , Hoogendijk Arie J. , Huson Mischa A. , Scicluna Brendon , Schultz Marcus J. , Klein Klouwenberg Peter M.C. , van de Groep Kirsten , Verboom Diana
Published: January 2018

Background:

Sepsis is frequently complicated by the release of cardiac troponin, but the clinical significance of this myocardial injury remains unclear. We studied the associations between troponin release during sepsis and 1-year outcomes.

Methods and Results:

We enrolled consecutive patients with sepsis in 2 Dutch intensive care units between 2011 and 2013. Subjects with a clinically apparent cause of troponin release were excluded. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentration in plasma was measured daily during the first 4 intensive care unit days, and multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to model its association with 1-year mortality while adjusting for confounding. In addition, we studied cardiovascular morbidity occurring during the first year after hospital discharge. Among 1258 patients presenting with sepsis, 1124 (89%) were eligible for study inclusion. Hs-cTnI concentrations were elevated in 673 (60%) subjects on day 1, and 755 (67%) ever had elevated levels in the first 4 days. Cox regression analysis revealed that high hs-cTnI concentrations were associated with increased death rates during the first 14 days (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–2.59 and hazard ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–2.62 for hs-cTnI concentrations of 100–500 and >500 ng/L, respectively) but not thereafter. Furthermore, elevated hs-cTnI levels were associated with the development of cardiovascular disease among 200 hospital survivors who were analyzed for this end point (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.50).

Conclusions:

Myocardial injury occurs in the majority of patients with sepsis and is independently associated with early—but not late—mortality, as well as postdischarge cardiovascular morbidity.
Acute or Delayed Systemic Administration of Human Amnion Epithelial Cells Improves Outcomes in Experimental Stroke
Authors: Evans Megan A. , Lim Rebecca , Kim Hyun Ah , Chu Hannah X. , Gardiner-Mann Chantelle V. , Taylor Kimberly W.E. , Chan Christopher T. , Brait Vanessa H. , Lee Seyoung , Dinh Quynh Nhu , Vinh Antony , Phan Thanh G. , Srikanth Velandai K. , Ma Henry , Arumugam Thiruma V. , Fann David Y. , Poh Luting , Hunt Cameron P.J. , Pouton Colin W. , Haynes John M. , Selemidis Stavros , Kwan William , Teo Leon , Bourne James A. , Neumann Silke , Young Sarah , Gowing Emma K. , Drummond Grant R. , Clarkson Andrew N. , Wallace Euan M. , Sobey Christopher G. , Broughton Brad R.S.
Published: January 2018

Background and Purpose—

Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) are nonimmunogenic, nontumorigenic, anti-inflammatory cells normally discarded with placental tissue. We reasoned that their profile of biological features, wide availability, and the lack of ethical barriers to their use could make these cells useful as a therapy in ischemic stroke.

Methods—

We tested the efficacy of acute (1.5 hours) or delayed (1–3 days) poststroke intravenous injection of hAECs in 4 established animal models of cerebral ischemia. Animals included young (7–14 weeks) and aged mice (20–22 months) of both sexes, as well as adult marmosets of either sex.

Results—

We found that hAECs administered 1.5 hours after stroke in mice migrated to the ischemic brain via a CXC chemokine receptor type 4-dependent mechanism and reduced brain inflammation, infarct development, and functional deficits. Furthermore, if hAECs administration was delayed until 1 or 3 days poststroke, long-term functional recovery was still augmented in young and aged mice of both sexes. We also showed proof-of-principle evidence in marmosets that acute intravenous injection of hAECs prevented infarct development from day 1 to day 10 after stroke.

Conclusions—

Systemic poststroke administration of hAECs elicits marked neuroprotection and facilitates mechanisms of repair and recovery.
Effect of Acute Physical Activity on Interval Timing
Authors: Sayalı Ceyda , Uslu Ezgi , Menceloğlu Melisa , Canbeyli Reşit , Balcı Fuat
Published: January 2018

Timing is an integral part of physical activities. Walking as a routine form of physical activity might affect interval timing primarily in two different ways within the pacemaker–accumulator timing-theoretic framework: (1) by increasing the speed of the pacemaker due to its physiological effects; (2) by decreasing attention to time and consequently slowing the rate of temporal integration by serving as a secondary task. In order to elucidate the effect of movement on subjective time, in two different experiments we employed a temporal reproduction task conducted on the treadmill under four different encoding–decoding conditions: (1) encoding and reproducing (decoding) the duration while standing (rest); (2) encoding the duration at rest and reproducing it while moving: (3) both encoding and reproducing the duration while moving; and (4) encoding the duration while moving and reproducing it at rest. In the first experiment, participants were tested either in the 4 or the 8 km/h movement condition, whereas in the second experiment a larger sample was tested only in the 4 km/h movement condition. Data were de-trended to control for long-term performance drifts. In Experiment 1, overall durations encoded at rest and reproduced during motion were under-reproduced whereas durations encoded during motion and reproduced at rest were over-reproduced only in the 8 km/h condition. In Experiment 2, the same results were observed in the 4 km/h condition with a larger sample size. These effects on timing behavior provide support for the clock speed-driven effect of movement and contradicts the predictions of attention-based mediation.
Agathotanaididae (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) from the Angola Basin
Authors: GUERRERO-KOMMRITZ JÜRGEN
Published: January 2018

The family Agathotanaididae Lang, 1971 has a worldwide distribution, with only three species known from the Angola Basin: Paranarthrura insignis Hansen, 1913, Paranarthrura intermedia Kudinova-Pasternak, 1982 and Paranarthura angolensis Guerrero-Kommritz, Schmidt & Brandt, 2002. Furthermore, three additional species are reported from the region: one each of Agathotanais, Metagathotanais and Paragathotanais. Agathotanaididae is represented by four of its five genera in this area.
Scaling and Similarity of the Anisotropic Coherent Eddies in Near-Surface Atmospheric Turbulence
Authors: Ghannam Khaled , Katul Gabriel G. , Bou-Zeid Elie , Gerken Tobias , Chamecki Marcelo
Published: January 2018

The low-wavenumber regime of the spectrum of turbulence commensurate with Townsend’s “attached” eddies is investigated here for the near-neutral atmospheric surface layer (ASL) and the roughness sublayer (RSL) above vegetation canopies. The central thesis corroborates the significance of the imbalance between local production and dissipation of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) and canopy shear in challenging the classical distance-from-the-wall scaling of canonical turbulent boundary layers. Using five experimental datasets (two vegetation canopy RSL flows, two ASL flows, and one open-channel experiment), this paper explores (i) the existence of a low-wavenumber k−1 scaling law in the (wind) velocity spectra or, equivalently, a logarithmic scaling ln(r) in the velocity structure functions; (ii) phenomenological aspects of these anisotropic scales as a departure from homogeneous and isotropic scales; and (iii) the collapse of experimental data when plotted with different similarity coordinates. The results show that the extent of the k−1 and/or ln(r) scaling for the longitudinal velocity is shorter in the RSL above canopies than in the ASL because of smaller scale separation in the former. Conversely, these scaling laws are absent in the vertical velocity spectra except at large distances from the wall. The analysis reveals that the statistics of the velocity differences Δu and Δw approach a Gaussian-like behavior at large scales and that these eddies are responsible for momentum/energy production corroborated by large positive (negative) excursions in Δu accompanied by negative (positive) ones in Δw. A length scale based on TKE dissipation collapses the velocity structure functions at different heights better than the inertial length scale.
Distinct Influences of the ENSO-Like and PMM-Like SST Anomalies on the Mean TC Genesis Location in the Western North Pacific: The 2015 Summer as an Extreme Example
Authors: Hong Chi-Cherng , Lee Ming-Ying , Hsu Huang-Hsiung , Tseng Wan-Ling
Published: January 2018

This study reports the different effects of tropical and subtropical sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) on the mean tropical cyclone (TC) genesis location in the western North Pacific (WNP), a TC–SSTA relationship that has been largely ignored. In the Pacific, the interannual variability of the tropical SSTA in the boreal summer is characterized by an El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-like pattern, whereas the subtropical SSTA exhibits a Pacific meridional mode (PMM)-like structure. Partial correlation analysis reveals that the ENSO-like and PMM-like SSTAs dominate the south–north and east–west shift of mean TC genesis location, respectively. The 2015/16 El Niño was a strong event comparable with the 1997/98 event in terms of Niño-3.4 SSTA. However, the mean TC genesis location in the WNP during the summer of 2015 exhibited an unprecedented eastward shift by approximately 10 longitudinal degrees relative to that in 1997. Whereas the ENSO-like SSTAs in 1997 and 2015 were approximately equal, the amplitude of the PMM-like SSTA in 2015 was approximately twice as large as that in 1997. Numerical experiments forced by the ENSO-like and PMM-like SSTAs in June–August 2015 reveal that the positive PMM-like SSTA forces an east–west overturning circulation anomaly in the subtropical North Pacific with anomalously ascending (descending) motion in the subtropical central (western) Pacific. The mean TC genesis location in the WNP therefore shifts eastward when warmer SST occurs in the subtropical eastern Pacific. This finding supports the hypothesis that the extremely positive PMM-like SSTA in the summer of 2015 caused the unprecedented eastward shift of the TC genesis location in the WNP.
Mountain-Wave Propagation under Transient Tropospheric Forcing: A DEEPWAVE Case Study
Authors: Portele Tanja C. , Dörnbrack Andreas , Wagner Johannes S. , Gisinger Sonja , Ehard Benedikt , Pautet Pierre-Dominique , Rapp Markus
Published: January 2018

The impact of transient tropospheric forcing on the deep vertical mountain-wave propagation is investigated by a unique combination of in situ and remote sensing observations and numerical modeling. The temporal evolution of the upstream low-level wind follows approximately a [Formula: see text] shape and was controlled by a migrating trough and connected fronts. Our case study reveals the importance of the time-varying propagation conditions in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Upper-tropospheric stability, the wind profile, and the tropopause strength affected the observed and simulated wave response in the UTLS. Leg-integrated along-track momentum fluxes ([Formula: see text]) and amplitudes of vertical displacements of air parcels in the UTLS reached up to 130 kN m−1 and 1500 m, respectively. Their maxima were phase shifted to the maximum low-level forcing by ≈8 h. Small-scale waves ([Formula: see text] km) were continuously forced, and their flux values depended on wave attenuation by breaking and reflection in the UTLS region. Only maximum flow over the envelope of the mountain range favored the excitation of longer waves that propagated deeply into the mesosphere. Their long propagation time caused a retarded enhancement of observed mesospheric gravity wave activity about 12–15 h after their observation in the UTLS. For the UTLS, we further compared observed and simulated [Formula: see text] with fluxes of 2D quasi-steady runs. UTLS momentum fluxes seem to be reproducible by individual quasi-steady 2D runs, except for the flux enhancement during the early decelerating forcing phase.
Precipitation and Mesoscale Convective Systems: Explicit versus Parameterized Convection over Northern Africa
Authors: Reinares Martínez Irene , Chaboureau Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2018

Precipitating systems are analyzed during a dust event from 9 to 14 June 2006 over northern Africa. A common analysis is applied to satellite observations and two Meso-NH simulations: one convection permitting (grid spacing x = 2.5 km) and the other with parameterized convection (x = 20 km). The precipitating systems are identified as cloud objects and classified as deep convective clouds (DCCs) or other clouds according to their infrared signature. Large DCCs [hereafter named mesoscale convective systems (MCSs)] are tracked, characterized in terms of precipitation and thermodynamic profiles, and analyzed in southern West Africa (SWA), central Africa, and Ethiopia. Precipitation is mostly observed along 0°–15°N, with 71% of the total precipitation produced by all DCCs and 55% by long-lived MCSs. It shows a marked diurnal cycle with a peak in the evening, mainly due to long-lived MCSs, which are characterized by an increase in size, zonal speed, and duration from east to west, with the largest, fastest, and longest-lived ones found over SWA. This is due to an enhanced African easterly jet (AEJ) and monsoon flow leading to stronger shear and greater conditional instability. The simulation with parameterized convection fails to distribute precipitation correctly. The convection-permitting simulation captures most of the observed precipitation features, but lacks the increase in organization of the long-lived MCSs over SWA. Excess moisture in a too zonal AEJ flow suggests that the long-lived MCSs in SWA are poorly located with respect to African easterly waves. The convection-permitting model improves the representation of precipitation but without fully resolving the long-lived MCSs.
Global Online Subculture Surrounding School Shootings
Authors: Raitanen Jenni , Oksanen Atte
Published: January 2018

This study is grounded in extensive online ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with 22 people who expressed a deep interest in school shootings. Such people form a global online subculture; they share common interests and find the same cultural objects important. Media accounts of school shootings have fueled this subculture; its members participate in the re-creation and circulation of online media content and give new meanings to that content. We found that people deeply interested in school shootings do not form a homogenous group, and they are divided into four subgroups within the subculture based on members’ focus and interest: researchers, fan girls, Columbiners, and copycats. Out of these, copycats are the only subgroup explicitly interested in replicating the acts, although subgroup membership can overlap, and members can move from one subgroup to another. Beyond copycats, other subgroups also participate in giving perpetrators fame and circulate reasons for the shootings. These accounts may influence future perpetrators.
Absorption Spectra of Ethanol and Water Using a Photothermal Lens Spectrophotometer
Authors: Cabrera Humberto , Akbar Jehan , Korte Dorota , Ashraf Imrana , Ramírez-Miquet Evelio E. , Marín Ernesto , Niemela Joseph
Published: January 2018

In this work we report on the absorption spectra of ethanol and water in the region 430–700 nm using a homemade halogen lamp-based photothermal lens spectrophotometer with a multipass probe-beam configuration. The spectra also include well resolved, higher absorption overtones. The instrument achieves high sensitivity due to multiple reflections within the optical cavity containing the sample. Finally, an Arduino board was used for collecting and digitizing the signal, thus enabling a more compact device.
Modelling and analysis of electrodynamic suspension of an aluminium disc as a complex engineering problem
Authors: Ghayoor Farzad , Swanson A
Published: January 2018

A final year project is an effective tool in teaching complex engineering phenomena. Problem identification and formulation, applying mathematical and engineering knowledge for solving a problem, and design and synthesis of the final product are some of the outcomes that the students achieve upon completing such projects. In this paper, the design of an electrodynamic suspension system, in which an aluminium disc suspended above two concentric coils, is considered. The mathematical description is presented and proved that the value of electromagnetic force exerted on the disc is proportional to the inverse square of its height. The system is then simulated with a finite element method software and the effects of varying different system’s parameters on the exerted force are studied through simulation results. Analytical calculations and simulation results are validated by being compared with experimental measurements, which show a close agreement.
Medical evidence and proof of cause of death in Nigerian courts
Authors: Obafunwa John Oladapo , Ajayi Oluwatomi , Okoye Mathias I
Published: January 2018

Medical evidence has continued to be given and evaluated in Nigerian courts since Nigeria’s independence from Britain. The attitudes of the courts have been largely varied against a background of the individual judge’s appreciation of forensic science and who should be considered an expert witness. The prosecution and defence lawyers equally display limited knowledge of forensic science. This paper reviews some of the decided cases, the reasons for the verdicts, forensic concerns and recommendations for the improvement of the criminal justice system. There is need to improve the knowledge base of the bar and the bench.
Effect of replacement strike-face material on the ballistic performance of multi-ply soft armor targets
Authors: Guo Zherui , Chen Weinong , Zheng James
Published: January 2018

In this study, the impact-face material of a multi-ply soft armor system was varied to different ratios and tested for the effects on the ballistic performance. It is known that the first few layers of multi-ply soft armor material typically fail inelastically near the system ballistic limit and can be replaced with a “sacrificial” material with other more desirable properties. Previous studies have determined that the ballistic performance of these hybrid systems is largely dependent on the amount of high-performance backing material. However, the extent to which the high-performance fabric can be replaced has yet to be fully quantified and examined. Materials of different properties, namely stainless steel mesh, Makrolon® polycarbonate sheets, and cotton, were used as replacement frontal material for 840 d Twaron® panels, and the hybrid panels were impacted by O1 tool steel right-circular cylinder projectiles fired using a single-stage smooth-bore gas gun. Results show that the ballistic performance is maintained up to a frontal material ratio of about 40%, and off-axis material properties play a role in energy dissipation.
Structure, property and knittability of polyimide filaments with various strength and modulus
Authors: Lin Fangbing , Li Wei , Du Xiaodong , Jiang Jinhua , Chen Nanliang
Published: January 2018

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the knittability of various polyimide (PI) filaments, namely PI-H (high strength and modulus), PI-M (moderate strength and modulus) and PI-L (low strength and modulus) filaments. The tensile strength of the PI-H, PI-M and PI-L filaments is 3.41, 1.65 and 0.88 GPa, and the Young’s modulus is 92.94, 40.71 and 9.43 GPa, respectively. The chemical compositions and structures of various PI filaments were characterized to explain the mechanical performance differences. The results show that the imidization degree, structural crystallinity and orientation have significant effects on the mechanical behaviors of PI monofilaments. The filament forces during the knitting process are simplified into straight tensile, loop tensile and abrasion actions, which have been tested and analyzed on PI monofilaments. A home-made simulative knittability analyzer was designed to test the knittability of the PI filaments. A hand flat knitting machine was used to verify the validity of the simulating methods and the constructed knittability analyzer. The PI-H, PI-M and PI-L filaments have poor, moderate and excellent knittability, respectively. The results also demonstrate that the simulating methods and the constructed simulative knittability analyzer are reasonable and efficient to evaluate the knittability of PI filaments.
Furan-based self-healing breathable elastomer coating on polylactide fabric
Authors: Ryu Yeon Sung , Oh Kyung Wha , Kim Seong Hun
Published: January 2018

The demand for breathable waterproof products has increased with the need for functional sportswear. However, these membranes have a major weakness in the loss of performance over time. The self-healing polymer has attracted much attention as a solution to this problem. In this research, a bio-based self-healing polymer from furan-based polymer was synthesized to produce a sustainable waterproof membrane.

The furan-based self-healing polymer was synthesized from poly(butylene furanoate) and bismaleimide via a Diels–Alder reaction and blended with bio polyurethane. Poly(ethylene glycol) was also blended to obtain nonporous breathable waterproofness. These synthesis processes were identified by spectroscopy analysis. To investigate the self-healing ability of the polymer, a film sample was sliced and reattached. These self-healing processes were observed and verified by morphological and mechanical analysis. These self-healing polymer films were successfully healed in 24 h. The polymer was coated on a polylactide fabric using a doctor blade. The self-healing ability of the membrane was investigated by breathable water repellency analysis and it was maintained after the coating process. The waterproofness and vapor permeability were also measured, and these results identified that the fabricated membrane has a possibility as a breathable waterproof fabric. Environmental performance was confirmed by the enzymatic degradation test.
Development and characteristics of novel polyglycolic acid (PGA) monofilaments for acupoint catgut-embedding therapy applications
Authors: Fu Shaoju , Lu Yao , Zhang Peihua
Published: January 2018

Acupoint catgut-embedding therapy (ACET) is considered one of the most promising technologies to replace traditional acupuncture therapy in clinical settings. Polyglycolic acid (PGA) monofilament shows great potential for ACET applications due to its advantages of good formability and biodegradability. The ideal embedding materials are required to have excellent swelling, mechanical, and antibacterial properties. For this paper we prepared two types of PGA monofilaments by first using the melt-spinning method and then applying chitosan onto the PGA monofilaments at three different concentrations. The effects of chitosan coating on the characteristics such as surface morphology, swelling, mechanical, FT-IR, antibacterial, and degradable properties of monofilaments were explored. The results show that chitosan layers and fragments were distributed uniformly on the surface of PGA monofilaments. The expansion rate of samples increased with the concentration of the chitosan coat, and samples 1-PGA 3% (98.32 ± 4.24%) and 2-PGA 3% (123.05 ± 2.87%) exhibited the best swelling behavior. Mechanical properties of PGA monofilaments were greatly improved after chitosan coating. There were few interactions between PGA monofilaments and chitosan molecules according to the FT-IR analysis. Antibacterial efficacy and cytocompatibility of PGA monofilaments were greatly enhanced by the chitosan coating treatment. The degradation time was delayed due to the protective function of the chitosan layers, producing a more lasting effect in the treatment process. In conclusion, the novel PGA embedding monofilaments were successfully developed and a chitosan coating concentration of 3% was chosen as the optimum parameter.
Government and Media: Visions and Revisions
Authors: Mosco Vincent
Published: January 2018

Historically, the independent media producer's involvement has consisted of documenting the struggles and confrontations of other groups. Coal miners, auto workers, anti-war demonstrators, plutonium victims have all had their stories told by committed and supportive video- and film-makers. There has been relatively little attempt by independents to direct their energies to changing their own material position within the dominant media structures. If these structures were considered at all, it was to make use of them – garnering the air time on the news with some Yippie-type action, or occasionally being allowed “access.” … The activity of independents in the past two years has marked somewhat of a departure. Frustrated with the increasingly competitive and unresponsive structures of both PBS and the networks, independents have banded together to press their demands. These demands, however, are not just for access and more grant money. They are now addressing the issue of control of the system as a whole. This is a new fight and one that runs counter to a tradition of political impotence in the media field.
Borderlands of Life: IVF Embryos and the Law in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany
Authors: Jasanoff Sheila , Metzler Ingrid
Published: January 2018

Human embryos produced in labs since the 1970s have generated layers of uncertainty for law and policy: ontological, moral, and administrative. Ontologically, these lab-made entities fall into a gray zone between life and not-yet-life. Should in vitro embryos be treated as inanimate matter, like abandoned postsurgical tissue, or as private property? Morally, should they exist largely outside of state control in the zone of free reproductive choice or should they be regarded as autonomous human lives and thus entitled to constitutional protection like full-fledged citizens? Administratively, if they deserve protection, what institutional and policy mechanisms are best suited to carrying out the necessary oversight? Using a method termed comparative problematization, this article traces divergent answers to these questions produced in three countries—the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany—across the last twenty-five years. Comparison reveals distinct bioconstitutional foundations that give rise to systematically different understandings of each state’s responsibilities toward human life and hence its particular treatment of claims on behalf of embryonic lives.
Cerebral blood flow measured by positron emission tomography during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass: an experimental porcine study
Authors: Thomassen Sisse Anette , Kjærgaard Benedict , Alstrup Aage Kristian Olsen , Munk Ole Lajord , Frøkiær Jørgen , Larsson Anders , Rasmussen Bodil Steen
Published: January 2018

Background:

Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and/or pump flow during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are the most important factors of cerebral perfusion. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of CPB blood flow on cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) using 15O-labelled water with no pharmacological interventions to maintain the MAP.

Methods:

Eight pigs (69-71 kg) were connected to normothermic CPB. After 60 minutes (min) with a CPB pump flow of 60 mL/kg/min, the pigs were changed to either 35 mL/kg/min or 47.5 mL/kg/min for 60 min and, thereafter, all the pigs returned to 60 mL/kg/min for another 60 min. The MAP was measured continuously and the CBF was measured by positron emission tomography (PET) during spontaneous circulation and at each CPB pump flow after 30 min of steady state.

Results:

Two pigs were excluded due to complications. CBF increased from spontaneous circulation to a CPB pump flow of 60 mL/kg/min. A reduction in CPB pump flow to 47.5 mL/kg/min (n=3) resulted in only minor changes in CBF while a reduction to 35 mL/kg/min (n=3) caused a pronounced change (correlation coefficient (R2) 0.56). A return of CPB pump flow to 60 mL/kg/min was followed by an increase in CBF, except in the one pig with the lowest CBF during low flow (R2=0.44). CBF and MAP were not correlated (R2=0.20).

Conclusion:

In this experimental porcine study, a relationship was observed between pump flow and CBF under normothermic low-flow CPB. The effect of low pump flow on MAP showed substantial variations, with no correlation between CBF and MAP.