bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bendamustine and Rituximab: Complete Response in a 62-Year-Old Female with an Aggressive Lymphoma and an Ejection Fraction of 20%
Authors: Alrifai Taha , Grant Szymanski Kelly , Venugopal Parameswaran , Mahon Brett , Okwuosa Tochukwu , Karmali Reem
Published: December 2016

The treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the presence of cardiac comorbidities can be challenging considering that the standard treatment regimen used for this aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) consists of a combination of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, Oncovin (vincristine), and prednisone (R-CHOP). The use of the anthracycline doxorubicin has been associated with arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy, making patients with cardiac dysfunction poor candidates for R-CHOP. As such, it is imperative to find alternative regimens that omit cardiac toxicity without compromising efficacy for this patient population. We report a case of composite NHL in a patient who received frontline bendamustine with rituximab with encouraging results. Our patient had a left ventricular ejection fraction of 20%, making her a poor candidate for anthracycline-based therapy. We opted to administer bendamustine with rituximab for a total of 6 cycles. She remains disease free 18 months after the completion of therapy.
Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen: A Diagnosis Not to Forget!
Authors: Marques Susana , Bispo Miguel , Noia Lariño
Published: December 2016

A 69-year-old male patient was incidentally diagnosed with a 5-mm lesion in the pancreatic tail by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). After contrast-enhanced EUS and EUS-elastography, all imaging features were highly suggestive of a benign pancreatic solid lesion such as an intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) or a benign neuroendocrine tumor. Interposition of the splenic artery precluded EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). When an asymptomatic pancreatic mass is detected, IPAS diagnosis should be considered, and, if EUS-FNA is infeasible, contrast-enhanced EUS and EUS-elastography are useful tools to differentiate a pancreatic benign lesion as IPAS from a malignancy, with avoidance of unnecessary surgery.
IL-35 Inhibits Angiogenesis through VEGF/Ang2/Tie2 Pathway in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Jiang Shenyi , Li Yuxuan , Lin Tiantian , Yuan Lin , Li Yunxia , Wu Suqin , Xia Liping , Shen Hui , Lu Jing
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims: The pro-angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins (Angs) play a prominent role in synovial angiogenesis, an early and critical event in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interleukin (IL)-35 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that attenuates collagen-induced arthritis, however, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Methods: The effects of IL-35 on endothelial cell migration, adhesion, and tube formation were examined using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. The effects of IL-35 on vessel formation in vivo were examined using a murine Matrigel plugs model. MMP2/MMP9 and IL-6/IL-8 secretion were assessed by zymography and ELISA, respectively. The crosstalk between IL-35, VEGF, and Ang2 in HUVECs and RA synovial tissue explants was investigated. Results: IL-35 inhibited basal and VEGF-induced HUVEC migration and adhesion in vitro as well as tube formation in vitro and in vivo. VEGF increased Ang2 secretion by HUVECs and RA synovial tissue explants, and exogenous Ang2 promoted HUVEC migration, adhesion, and tube formation with similar potency to VEGF. Blocking the Ang/Tie2 pathway with a Tie2 kinase antibody inhibited the proangiogenic effects of exogenous Ang2 and VEGF in HUVECs. IL-35 inhibited basal and VEGF-induced Ang2 secretion by HUVECs and RA synovial tissue explants; it also antagonized the proangiogenic effects of exogenous Ang2 in HUVECs. Moreover, IL-35 reduced basal and VEGF/Ang2-induced MMP2/MMP9 and IL-6/IL-8 secretion. Conclusion: These results suggested that IL-35 restrains RA angiogenesis and inflammation by downregulating basal and VEGF-induced Ang2 secretion as well as disrupting Ang2/Tie2 signal transduction. Our findings extend current understanding of mechanisms regulating RA angiogenesis and may support development of novel angiogenesis-targeting therapeutics for RA treatment.
Microvascular Function Contributes to the Relation Between Aortic Stiffness and Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Cooper Leroy L. , Palmisano Joseph N. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Larson Martin G. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Mitchell Gary F. , Hamburg Naomi M.
Published: December 2016

Background—

Arterial dysfunction contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression and clinical events. Inter-relations of aortic stiffness and vasodilator function with incident CVD remain incompletely studied.

Methods and Results—

We used proportional hazards models to relate individual measures of vascular function to incident CVD in 4547 participants (mean age, 51±11 years; 54% women) in 2 generations of Framingham Heart Study participants. During follow-up (0.02–13.83 years), 232 participants (5%) experienced new-onset CVD events. In multivariable models adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, both higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (hazard ratio [HR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.63;
P
=0.01) and lower hyperemic mean flow velocity (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71–0.99;
P
=0.04) were associated significantly with incident CVD, whereas primary pressure wave amplitude (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.99–1.27;
P
=0.06), baseline brachial diameter (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.90–1.31;
P
=0.39), and flow-mediated vasodilation (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.69–1.04;
P
=0.12) were not. In mediation analyses, 8% to 13% of the relation between aortic stiffness and CVD events was mediated by hyperemic mean flow velocity.

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that associations between aortic stiffness and CVD events are mediated by pathways that include microvascular damage and remodeling.
Dogs of War or Jackals of Terror? Foreign Fighters and Mercenaries in International Law
Authors: Chesterman Simon
Published: December 2016

The threat of “blowback” from foreign fighters, unaffiliated volunteers who join an insurgency in a distant land, has led states to explore a variety of normative mechanisms. Among these is the international legal regime applicable to mercenaries. This short paper considers the evolution of mercenarism and the efforts to regulate it. Attempts to fit foreign fighters into that normative category are unlikely to succeed. In part this is due to the question of motivation, which is central to most definitions of mercenary and focuses on private gain. But it is also linked to the reasons for regulation in the first place: mercenaries are seen as threats in the states to which they travel, while foreign fighters are primarily deemed threats by the states to which they might return.
Foreign Terrorist Fighter Laws: Human Rights Rollbacks Under un Security Council Resolution 2178
Authors: Tayler Letta
Published: December 2016

Since 2013, at least 47 countries from Australia to Uzbekistan have enacted laws and regulations to stop their citizens from joining extremist armed groups such as the Islamic State. A majority of these “foreign terrorist fighter” measures were enacted to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178 of September 2014. In a grave omission, Resolution 2178 does not limit the actions that governments may designate as “terrorism” or “terrorist”, leaving them free to craft dangerously open-ended definitions. At risk are non-violent protesters, journalists, political opponents, civil society members, and ethnic or religious groups, particularly Muslims. The “foreign terrorist fighter” measures that could target them include warrantless searches, prolonged detention without charge, travel bans, loss of dual citizenship, convictions in sham trials, and harsh punishments including death. Collectively, these measures erode international human rights and rule of law.
Impacts of the Award of the Arbitral Tribunal in the Case between the Philippines and China
Authors: Thang Long Tran
Published: December 2016

The article analyses the Award of the Arbitral Tribunal established under Annex vii of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (unclos) dated 12 July 2016. On that basis, the article analyses impacts of the Award on Vietnam’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

Although the Arbitral Tribunal’s Award has not mentioned and resolved disputes relating to sovereign questions, it has critical impacts on the exercise of Vietnam’s lawful sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea. The Award also provides legal suggestions and important experiences for Vietnam in the utilization of judicial measures and using legal arguments in such measures in the future. The paper analyses impacts on Vietnam from contents of the Award and proposes solutions for Vietnam concerning approach, study and use of this Award.
A new species of Astragalus (Fabaceae, Faboideae) from Durango, Mexico
Authors: CASTILLÓN EDUARDO ESTRADA , GONZÁLEZ-ELIZONDO M. SOCORRO , VILLARREAL QUINTANILLA JOSÉ ÁNGEL
Published: December 2016

We describe and illustrate Astragalus spellenbergii, as a new species from Durango, Mexico, morphologically related to Astragalus micranthus.
A new endangered species of Polygala (Polygalaceae) from Niquêlandia, Goiás, Brazil
Authors: PASTORE JOSÉ FLORIANO BARÊA
Published: December 2016

A new endangered species of Polygala restricted to a small area used for nickel mining from Goiás, Brazil is here described. Provided here a description, photos from a dissecting scope, a distribution map, and, additionally, the new species is compared with the morphologically most similar ones, P. appendiculata and P. tenuis.
The fungal genus Tricholomopsis (Agaricales) in New Zealand, including Tricholomopsis scabra sp. nov.
Authors: COOPER JERRY A. , PARK DUCKCHUL
Published: December 2016

The status of the genus Tricholomopsis (Agaricales) in New Zealand is reviewed. T. rutilans is a species described from the northern hemisphere and recorded from plantations of exotic Pinus radiata in New Zealand. Historical collections identified as T. rutilans were subjected to morphological and phylogenetic analysis. The results show that most of these collections refer to T. ornaticeps, originally described from New Zealand native forests. The presence in New Zealand of T. rutilans was not confirmed. Collections of Tricholomopsis from native forests and bush also include a newly described species, T. scabra, which is characterised by a distinctly scabrous pileus. The new species is phylogenetically and morphologically distinct but related to T. ornaticeps. T. ornaticeps and T. scabra are currently known only from New Zealand and the former has extended its habitat to include exotic conifer plantations.
Taxonomic remarks on Scilla anthericoides Poir. (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), a neglected species from Algeria
Authors: VELA ERROL , DE BÉLAIR GÉRARD , ROSATO MARCELA , ROSSELLÓ JOSEP
Published: December 2016

Scilla anthericoides is a neglected name traditionally considered as Urginea maritima var. anthericoides. Based on recent field observations of living plants completed by karyological analyses, we promote again this taxon at species rank, under the genus Charybdis. It differs from other species of Charybdis maritima aggregate by many characters of flowers, fruits, bulbs, leaves and by ploidy level. It is endemic to the regional hotspot Kabylias-Numidia-Kroumiria in north-eastern Algeria. It is a threatened species that has been assessed as vulnerable.
A new endangered species of Psidium (Myrtaceae, Myrteae) from Bahia, Brazil
Authors: TULER AMÉLIA CARLOS , PEIXOTO ARIANE LUNA , PROENÇA CAROLYN E.B.
Published: December 2016

This paper describes a new, very distinctive, endangered species of Psidium (Myrtaceae, Myrteae) occurring in Bahia in Northeastern Brazil, in the Diamantina Atlantic Forest center of endemism, considered in the Atlantic Forest domain although transitional with the Caatinga domain. It is a small tree up to 5m tall. The species, that we have named Psidium rotundidiscum, is promptly recognized by the combination of petioles 4–7mm long, young leaves that are densely ferrugineous pubescent, spathulate and strongly revolute and mature leaves that are glabrescent, revolute, with an inconspicuous venation. The inflorescences are terminal precocious (auxotelic) racemes with 1–2 pairs of flowers or solitary flowers on new growth. Floral buds are nearly closed, ca. 7–10mm long and densely ferruginous pubescent; specimens with open flowers are unknown. The oblate fruits, with a rounded disk with relatively few staminal scars and rather thick, explanate calyx lobes are also distinctive. The species is known from only three late 20th/early 21st century collections from deciduous forests, semi-deciduous forests, liana forests and xerophytic forests along a North to South extension of ca. 700 km in inland Bahia. Images of collections in bud and in fruit are furnished as well as a geographic distribution map.
Review of the Madagascan Orphninae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) with a revision of the genus Triodontus Westwood
Authors: FROLOV ANDREY V. , MONTREUIL OLIVIER , AKHMETOVA LILIA A.
Published: December 2016

The subfamily Orphninae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is reviewed from Madagascar. A total of four genera and 39 species were found, all being endemic to the island. The following five new species are described: Triodontus ankarafantsikae, Triodontus lemoulti, Triodontus viettei, Triodontus fairmairei, and Triodontus inexpectatus. The following new synonymies are proposed: Orphnus nigrita Brancsik, 1893 is synonym of Triodontus hova (Fairmaire, 1868); Triodontus occidentalis Paulian, 1977 and Orphnus obsoletus Brancsik, 1893 are synonyms of Triodontus nitidulus (Guérin-Méneville, 1844); Triodontus vadoni Paulian, 1977 and Triodontus perrotorum Paulian, 1977 are synonyms of Triodontus owas Westwood, 1852. Lectotypes are designated for the following names: Orphnus nitidulus Guérin-Méneville, 1844 and Orphnidius modestus Benderitter, 1914. Keys, descriptions, illustrations of habitus and male genitalia, and distributional records maps are given for all species.
Introducing the New Generation of Chinese Geostationary Weather Satellites, Fengyun-4
Authors: Yang Jun , Zhang Zhiqing , Wei Caiying , Lu Feng , Guo Qiang
Published: December 2016

China is developing a new generation of geostationary meteorological satellites called Fengyun-4 (FY-4), which is planned for launch beginning in 2016. Following upon the current FY-2 satellite series, FY-4 will carry four new instruments: the Advanced Geosynchronous Radiation Imager (AGRI), the Geosynchronous Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS), the Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI), and the Space Environment Package (SEP). The first satellite of the FY-4 series launched on 11 December 2016 is experimental, and the following four or more satellites will be operational.

The main objectives of the FY-4 series are to monitor rapidly changing weather systems and to improve warning and forecasting capabilities. The FY-4 measurements are aimed at accomplishing 1) high temporal and spatial resolution imaging in 14 spectral bands from the visible, near-infrared, and infrared (IR) spectral regions; 2) lightning imaging; and 3) high-spectral-resolution IR sounding observations over China and adjacent regions. FY-4 will also enhance the space weather monitoring and warning with SEP. Current products from FY-2 will be improved by FY-4, and a number of new products will also be introduced. FY-4’s sounding and imaging data will be used to improve applications in a wide range of ocean, land, and atmosphere monitoring plus forecasting extreme weather (especially typhoons and thunderstorms); overall, FY-4 will contribute to more accurate understanding and forecasting of China’s weather, climate, environment, and natural disasters. This new generation of Chinese geostationary weather satellites is being developed in parallel with the new generation of geostationary meteorological satellite systems from the international community of satellite providers and is intended to be an important contribution to the global observing system.
Novel Molecular Spectroscopic Multimethod Approach for Monitoring Water Absorption/Desorption Kinetics of CAD/CAM Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Prosthodontics
Authors: Wiedemair Verena , Mayr Sophia , Wimmer Daniel S. , Köck Eva Maria , Penner Simon , Kerstan Andreas , Steinmassl Patricia-Anca , Dumfahrt Herbert , Huck Christian W.
Published: December 2016

Water absorbed to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing) prosthodontics can alter their properties including hardness and stability. In the present contribution, water absorption and desorption kinetics under defined experimental conditions were monitored employing several supplementary and advanced Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic techniques in combination with multivariate analysis (MVA). In this synergistic vibrational spectroscopic multimethod approach, first a novel near-infrared (NIR) diffuse fiber optic probe reflection spectroscopic method was established for time-resolved analysis of water uptake within seven days under controlled conditions. Near-infrared water absorbance spectra in a wavenumber range between 5288–5100 cm−1 (combination band) and 5424–5352 cm−1 (second overtone) were used establishing corresponding calibration and validation models to quantify the amount of water in the milligram range. Therefore, 14 well-defined samples exposed to prior optimized experimental conditions were taken into consideration. The average daily water uptake conducting reference analysis was calculated as 22 mg/day for one week. Additionally, in this study for the first time NIR two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) was conducted to monitor and interpret the spectral dynamics of water absorption on the prosthodontics in a wavenumber range of 5100–5300 cm−1. For sensitive time-resolved recording of water desorption, a recently developed high-temperature, high-pressure FT-IR reaction cell with water-free ultra-dry in situ and operando operation was applied. The reaction cell, as well as the sample holder, was fully made of quartz glass, with no hot metal or ceramic parts in the vicinity of the high temperature zone. Applying a temperature gradient in the range of 25–150 ℃, mid-infrared (MIR) 2D-COS was successfully conducted to get insights into the dynamic behavior of O–H (1400–1800 cm−1) absorption bands with increasing temperature over time and the release of CO2 (2450 cm−1) from the polymers. In addition, an ATR FT-IR imaging setup was optimized in order to investigate the surface homogeneity of the PMMA-based resins with a spatial resolution to 2 µm. From this vibrational spectroscopic multimethod approach and the collection of several analytical data, conclusions were drawn as to which degree the surface structure and/or its porosity have an impact onto the amount of water absorption.
One Day Makes All the Difference: Denying Federal Offenders Access to “Good Time” Through Sentencing
Authors: Franklin Travis W. , Henry Tri Keah S.
Published: December 2016

The race/sentencing literature has focused on imprisonment and sentence length decisions to the exclusion of other relevant outcomes. The present study extends this research by examining a previously overlooked decision—that is, the decision to deny federal offenders access to “good time” through sentencing. The current study uses data from the United States Sentencing Commission (USSC; fiscal years [FYs] 2010-2012) to examine the potential influence of race and ethnicity on this previously unstudied outcome. Results indicate that relative to White offenders, Latino and Native American offenders are more likely to be denied good-time access, while Asian offenders are less likely to be denied access. African American offenders are treated no differently than White offenders. Implications for research and practice are discussed in detail.
Contemplating the Inculturation of the Christian Gospel among the Igbo of Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Pruitt Richard A.
Published: December 2016

One of the ongoing issues confronting Christian denominations is how to relate the Christian gospel to diverse cultures. The importance of culture in the missiological process cannot be overstated, because culture is the social framework wherein an individual or group interprets the information or events of one's experiences. As a social framework, collectively created patterns of meaning form a basis for understanding why an individual or group behaves or reacts in one manner or another. Consequently, Christian experience or “Christianity” as a religion, like any other religion (be it indigenous or foreign), must be realized within a given culture if it is to be relevant and meaningful in any way. In order to demonstrate this process, this paper presents a modern account of Christian inculturation among the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria and offers it to demonstrate the difficult yet determined effort of some to embrace the gospel message within their own unique cultural context. I have selected the Igbo because of the number of Igbo scholars who have published works documenting the ongoing efforts of many Igbo Christians to develop their own, distinct Christian experience despite the lingering effects of colonialism, culturally insensitive missionary techniques, and civil war. The Igbo have managed to incorporate divergent social, economic, political, and religious structures while sustaining their own core distinctiveness—a property that, I argue, is characteristic of the Christian gospel as well.
A novel multilateral teleoperation scheme with power-based time-domain passivity control
Authors: Chen Zheng , Pan Ya-Jun , Gu Jason , Forbrigger Shane
Published: December 2016

Multilateral teleoperation systems, which are extended from the traditional bilateral teleoperation, have become subject to increasing attention in current years, with increasing industrial requirements, such as the remote operation of larger objects and more complex tasks. In this paper, a general multilateral teleoperation control problem is discussed, in which n masters remotely control n slaves through delayed communication channels. A novel communication structure is proposed to satisfy the multiple master–slave communication requirement, in which weighting coefficients are chosen freely to perform the weighted effects of different masters or slaves. Power-based time-domain passivity control is subsequently developed for the complex multiple master–slave communication channel, to achieve the passivity of multilateral teleoperation systems under time delay. Experiments on a teleoperation system with two masters and two slaves are described; the results verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Prediction of sweet spots in shale reservoir based on geophysical well logging and 3D seismic data: A case study of Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in W4 block, Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Chen Sheng , Zhao Wenzhi , Ouyang Yonglin , Zeng Qingcai , Yang Qing , Hou Huaxing , Gai Shaohua , Bao Shihai , Li Xinyu
Published: December 2016

W4 block of Sichuan Basin is a pioneer in shale gas exploration and development in China. But geophysical prospecting is just at its beginning and thus has not provided enough information about how sweet spots distribute for the deployment of horizontal well. This paper predicted sweet spots based on logging and 3D seismic data. Well logging interpretation method was used to get the key evaluation parameters of shale reservoir and determine the distribution of sweet spots in vertical direction. Rock physics analysis technology was used to define the elastic parameters that were sensitive to the key evaluation parameters, such as TOC and gas content of shale gas reservoir. At the same time the quantitative relationships between them were established. Based on the result of seismic rock physics analysis, prestack inversion was carried out to predict the transverse plane distribution of the key evaluation parameters of shale reservoir. These research results are integrated to determine the distribution of sweet spots. The results show that sweet spots in this area were characterized by high TOC content, high gas content, high GR, high Young’s modulus, low Poisson’s ratio, low density, and low P-wave velocity. Density was the most sensitive elastic parameters to TOC of the reservoir. The optimal combination for predicting the gas content is composed of six parameters include density, Poisson’s ratio, and so on. Sweet spots in this block vertically concentrate within 30 m above the bottom of Longmaxi Formation. Two classes of sweet spots have been predicted in this area, class I sweet spots are recommended to be prioritized for development. This study effectively predicted the spatial distribution of sweet spots, which provide important guidance for the development of the area.
Physician Characteristics Associated With Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Counseling Practices
Authors: VanFrank Brenna K. , Park Sohyun , Foltz Jennifer L. , McGuire Lisa C. , Harris Diane M.
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

Frequent sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is associated with chronic disease. Although physician counseling can positively affect patient behavior, physicians’ personal characteristics may influence counseling practices. We explored SSB-related topics physicians discuss when counseling overweight/obese patients and examined associations between physicians’ SSB-related counseling practices and their personal and medical practice characteristics.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

DocStyles survey, 2014.

Participants:

A total of 1510 practicing US physicians.

Measures:

Physician’s SSB counseling on calories, added sugars, obesity/weight gain, health effects, consumption frequency, water substitution, and referral.

Analysis:

Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated with multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for physician’s personal and medical practice characteristics.

Results:

Most physicians (98.5%) reported SSB-related counseling. The most reported topic was obesity/weight gain (81.4%); the least reported were added sugars (53.1%) and referral (35.0%). Physicians in adult-focused specialties had lower odds than pediatricians of counseling on several topics (aOR range: 0.26-0.64). Outpatient physicians had higher odds than inpatient physicians of counseling on consumption frequency and water substitution (aOR range: 1.60-2.01). Physicians consuming SSBs ≥1 time/day (15.7%) had lower odds than nonconsumers of counseling on most topics (aOR range: 0.58-0.68).

Conclusion:

Most physicians reported SSB-related counseling; obesity/weight gain was discussed most frequently. Counseling opportunities remain in other topic areas. Opportunities also exist to strengthen SSB counseling practices in adult-focused specialties, inpatient settings, and among physicians who consume SSBs daily.
Preparation of poly(ether ketone)s having phenyl, biphenyl, and terphenyl side groups and comparison of their properties
Authors: Kawaguchi Satoshi , Morikawa Atsushi
Published: December 2016

Three kinds of bis(aromatic fluoride) compounds, 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)biphenyl (1), 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)-1,1′:4′,1″-terphenyl (2), and 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)-1,1′:4′,1″:4″,1′′′-quaterphenyl (3), were synthesized by cross-coupling of the corresponding triflates with phenylboronic acid. Linear poly(ether ketone)s (1x, 2x, and 3x) having phenyl, biphenyl, and terphenyl side groups, respectively, were prepared by the polycondensation of the bis(aromatic fluoride) compounds with bisphenol A (a) and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl (b) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The obtained poly(ether ketone)s were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry. The structure–property relationships of these poly(ether ketone)s were examined and compared with those of poly(ether ketone)s (4x) having no side group, which were prepared from 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene (4). The properties of the poly(ether ketone)s, solubilities, and thermal properties were compared and discussed based on the length of the side groups.
Optimization of the assignment of tickets for railway networks with large passenger flows
Authors: Zhai Xuehao , Zhao Jiahui , Chen Qun
Published: December 2016

For railway transportation networks that serve traffic demands for many origin–destination pairs and consist of many railway lines that provide passengers with different choices, this paper proposes a mathematical programming model for optimizing the assignment of tickets among the sections of railway lines. The purpose of the model is to maximize the total passenger turnover or the total number of transported passengers within the capacity constraints of vehicles. A typical numerical example, solved using the linear interactive and general optimizer solver, has been designed to illustrate the proposed model. In addition, the ticket assignment schemes based on different goals are compared.
Identification for a reentry vehicle via Levy flight-based pigeon-inspired optimization
Authors: Zhang Daifeng , Duan Haibin
Published: December 2016

Reentry vehicles are valuable both in the military domain and scientific research. However, the high-order nonlinearity of mathematical models is always a bottleneck for reentry study. One of the reasons is the difficulty to measure the involved aerodynamic parameters. Therefore, parameter identification is a crucial issue in modeling and controller design for reentry vehicles. This paper mainly focuses on the identification approach for aerodynamic parameters of an existing reentry vehicle. Wind field turbulences are modeled to imitate the real flight scenarios. A novel bio-inspired optimization algorithm is proposed to solve this problem. Our proposed method stems from the pigeon-inspired optimization, which is an effective swarm intelligence optimizer utilized in many research areas. Typical characteristics of Levy flight are drawn on to improve the global accuracy of the new algorithm. Finally, comparative experiments with some homogenous methods are conducted to verify the expected performances of our identification algorithm.
Introduction: histories of asylums, insanity and psychiatry in Scotland
Authors: Philo Chris , Andrews Jonathan
Published: December 2016

This paper introduces a special issue on ‘Histories of asylums, insanity and psychiatry in Scotland’, situating the papers that follow in an outline historiography of work in this field. Using Allan Beveridge’s claims in 1993 about the relative lack of research on the history of psychiatry in Scotland, the paper reviews a range of contributions that have emerged since then, loosely distinguishing between ‘overviews’ – work addressing longer-term trends and broader periods and systems – and more detailed studies of particular ‘individuals and institutions’. There remains much still to do, but the present special issue signals what is currently being achieved, not least by a new generation of scholars in and on Scotland.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene polymorphism in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus: a possible relation to proliferative nephritis
Authors: Hammad A , Yahia S , Laimon W , Hamed S M , Shouma A , Shalaby N M , Abdel-Hady D , Ghanem R , El-Farahaty R M , El-Bassiony S R , Hammad E M
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is crucial in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus through angiotensin II which regulates vascular tone and endothelial functions.

Objectives

To study the frequency of ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus and its possible relation to the renal pathology in cases with lupus nephritis.

Subjects and methods

The frequency of ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism genotypes was determined in 78 Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus and compared to a matched group of 140 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The DD genotype of the ACE gene was higher in systemic lupus erythematosus patients when compared to controls ( P<0.0001; odds ratio (OR) 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–3.3) and the D allele was more frequent than the I allele in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in comparison to controls ( P < 0.0001; OR = 2.2; 95% CI = (1.6–3.1). In the lupus nephritis group, the DD genotype was significantly higher in those with proliferative lupus nephritis when compared to those with non-proliferative lupus nephritis ( P = 0.02; OR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.4–1.6). Also, patients with proliferative lupus nephritis showed a higher frequency of the D allele ( P < 0.001; OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.3–2.9).

Conclusion

The D allele and DD genotype of the ACE gene appear to be a risk factor for the susceptibility of systemic lupus erythematosus and occurrence of proliferative nephritis in Egyptian children.
When the Elderly Turn to Petty Crime
Authors: Sugie Naomi F.
Published: December 2016

Declines in offending in older age have been consistently observed in nearly every criminological study to date. Because of this, theories that address offending in older life focus exclusively on explaining decreases in crime or “desistance.” However, recent increases in elderly arrest rates in some aging societies provide a unique opportunity to forward theories of older age offending with an empirical touchstone. Using Japan as a case study, this article draws from a social integration perspective to examine whether changes in family and economic integration are associated with increasing arrest rates. Using prefectural fixed-effects models with elderly arrests from 1995 to 2004, the findings suggest that weakened family integration is associated with elderly arrest rates, particularly for petty crimes. This article situates these results within the context of Japan and discusses how social integration and later life offending may be related in aging societies like Japan.
No calorie comfort: Viewing and drawing “comfort foods” similarly augment positive mood for those with depression
Authors: Privitera Gregory J , Welling Deeanna , Tejada Gabriela , Sweazy Nicole , Cuifolo Kayla N , King-Shepard Quentin W , Doraiswamy P Murali
Published: December 2016

Based on behavioral and neurobiological data, we tested the hypothesis that viewing/drawing visual images of comfort foods in the absence of eating will increase positive mood and that this effect is augmented for those with clinical symptoms of depression. A counterbalanced design was used for 60 participants with and without clinical symptoms in two variations: food image and food art. In each variation, participants viewed/drew foods high or low in fat/sugar; pre-post mood was recorded. Results show a consistent pattern: viewing/drawing comfort foods [food image (95% confidence interval): 2.72–4.85; food art (95% confidence interval): 2.65–4.62] and fruits [food image (95% confidence interval): 1.20–2.23; food art (95% confidence interval): 1.51–2.56] enhanced mood. For comfort foods, mood was augmented for those with clinical symptoms of depression [food image (95% confidence interval): 0.95–3.59; food art (95% confidence interval): 0.97–3.46]. Findings corroborate previous data and reveal a novel finding of augmented mood increases for those with clinical symptoms.
Investigations on weld metal chemistry and mechanical behaviour of bimetallic welds using CaO–CaF2–SiO2–Ni based electrode coatings
Authors: Bhandari Deepak , Chhibber Rahul , Arora Navneet , Mehta Rajeev
Published: December 2016

The bimetallic welds between ferritic low alloy steels and austenitic stainless steels are widely used in the heat piping transport systems of nuclear power plants for connecting the heavy section low alloy steel components with those of high temperature stainless steel pipes. The operating experience of major nuclear power plant components has recently shown that bimetallic joints can jeopardize the plant availability and safety because of increased incidences of failure. In shielded metal arc welding process, the occurrence and severity of weld defects mainly depend upon the type of electrode filler wire and the electrode coating ingredients used. The use of nickel based filler metals is no longer considered as the final solution for unexpected failures of bimetallic welds due to incidences of hot cracking. In the present paper, an attempt has been made to design and develop an intermediate electrode based on CaO–CaF2–SiO2 ternary phase diagram system and nickel as an additional electrode coating ingredient using mild steel as a filler wire for the bimetallic weld joint. The extreme vertices methodology has been used to design 21 electrode coating formulations. The quadratic regression models for weld metal chemistry, ultimate tensile strength, impact toughness, macrohardness, diffusible hydrogen content, and corrosion rate in terms of electrode coating ingredients, have been developed and checked for adequacy using analysis of variance. The work aims at studying the individual as well as combined effect of electrode coating ingredients on the measured weld responses and microstructures of the weld. Also, the electrode coating formulations suggesting multiobjective optimized solutions have been proposed.
Theft in the hotel workplace: Exploring frontline employees’ perceptions towards hotel employee theft
Authors: Goh Edmund , Kong Sandra
Published: December 2016

A plethora of studies has investigated theft in the workplace in various industries. However, few studies investigated the motivations behind hotel employee theft especially among Generation Z undergraduates working full time as part of their internship. This targeted sample group is pivotal to the hotel industry as they are the future generation of hotel leaders. These reasons can be attitudinal such as excitement, influenced by fellow colleagues and perceived ease of committing the theft. To address this research gap, this study utilised the established theory of planned behaviour to investigate underlying motivations of employee theft behaviour in the hotel industry. Personal interviews were conducted with 29 hotel management undergraduates who were doing their internships as full-time hotel employees in various frontline jobs in food and beverage, housekeeping and front office. Results revealed the adrenaline feeling when committing hotel employee theft as the key motivator. The most influential social group was colleagues in the same department. The main perceived difficulty was the grey area of defiant behaviour and what actually constitutes as employee theft.
Mary Wollstonecraft’s conception of ‘true taste’ and its role in egalitarian education and citizenship
Authors: Ahmed Cronin Madeline
Published: December 2016

Is the possession of taste relevant to the practice of moral and political judgement? For Mary Wollstonecraft and many of her contemporaries, the formation of taste was increasingly significant for both ethics and politics. In fact, some of the key contributors to the debate, which I have termed the ‘politics of taste’, believed that fostering existing standards of taste promised a palliative to modern democratic ills that they diagnosed. Wollstonecraft is an immanent critic of such positions. Although she shares some of Edmund Burke’s and David Hume’s assumptions, she proposes dramatic revision of the extant model of refined taste driven by the spread of rational education. In this way, she attempts to rescue ‘true taste’ from its sentimental context – one permeated by false assumptions about femininity and class. For Wollstonecraft, ‘true taste’ must be the product of refined understanding. Only then can it be deemed a support rather than a hindrance to the practice of moral and political judgement. Although recent Wollstonecraft scholarship has emphasised the depth of her engagement with Scottish Enlightenment thought, using Hume as a primary interlocutor with Wollstonecraft, especially on the question of taste, is yet unprecedented. This approach, Wollstonecraft’s immanent critique of taste, yields arguments about taste that are especially complex and philosophically interesting, both in her time and ours.
Ulysses contracts regarding compulsory care for patients with borderline personality syndrome
Authors: Lundahl Antoinette , Helgesson Gert , Juth Niklas
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Compulsory care is controversial, since respect for the patient’s autonomy is a standard requirement in health care. Many psychiatrists have experienced that patients with borderline personality syndrome sometimes demand compulsory care for themselves in order not to exert self-harm—like Ulysses contracts. The aim of this study was to examine the possible existence and extent of borderline personality syndrome-patient demands for Ulysses contracts regarding compulsory care in acute psychiatry, and how external influences and demands could affect the caregivers’ decisions about compulsory care.

Method

An anonymous questionnaire, with three questions with fixed answers, was distributed to 42 licensed medical doctors on call at the psychiatric emergency unit in the city of Stockholm. Thirty-three questionnaires were answered, giving a response rate of 79%.

Results

Ninety-four percent of the respondents recognized the phenomenon of borderline personality syndrome patients requesting compulsory care, 21% stated that this request had affected their clinical decision, and 55% had used compulsory care for other reasons than the patient’s best interest.

Discussion

The results indicate that compulsory care is sometimes given in the form of Ulysses contracts for borderline personality syndrome patients. Also, compulsory care is sometimes used for other reasons than the borderline personality syndrome patient’s best interest. Psychological mechanisms affect the decisions of both patients and caregivers. More research should be done concerning to whom, why, and with what consequences compulsory care is prescribed.
Will we know what counts as good leadership if Things Fall Apart? Questions prompted by Chinua Achebe’s novel
Authors: Gosling Jonathan
Published: December 2016

Suggestions that change can be handled through ‘adaptation and resilience’ assume continuity of cultural norms and value judgements, but here we explore what might happen if cultural assumptions are upset by radically discontinuous change. We ask what it means to be in change that is beyond adaptation, change that utterly confounds our notions of what is good or great, what is natural or just; in particular, what would it mean for leadership? There are many historical examples to draw on, and in this paper we refer to Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart, which examines the transformation of a dynamic and conflicted, but more or less stable traditional culture when it is impacted by colonialism. We discuss themes of identity, authority, masculinity, justice, change, virtue and otherness as elucidated in relation to the novel’s protagonist, Okonkwo; and suggest analogies with potentially catastrophic effects of climate and economic change in our own societies. We also discuss ways in which referring to fiction – our method – provides an alternative to the kinds of reductionist processes inherent in more common social science framings of leadership (psychological, political, cultural, etc).
“Artificial But Better Than Nothing”
Authors: Blaschke Sarah , O’Callaghan Clare C. , Schofield Penelope
Published: December 2016

Objective:

To investigate patient, staff, and carer responses to an environmental intervention in an oncology clinic waiting room and evaluate the acceptability of artificial plant materials.

Design Postintervention:

Cross-sectional survey study.

Setting:

Oncology outpatient clinic waiting room located in a metropolitan comprehensive cancer center in Australia.

Main Outcome Measure:

Observer ratings of perceived qualities and effects of lifelike (fake) plants while spending time in the waiting room.

Participants:

Convenience sample ( N = 143) consisted of 73 cancer patients, 13 staff, 52 carers, and 5 “others” aged between 24 and 89 years ( M = 56, SD = 14.5).

Intervention:

Artificial plant arrangements, hanging installations, two movable green walls, and one rock garden on wheels placed throughout the outpatients’ clinic waiting room.

Results:

Eighty-one percent (115/142) of respondents noticed the green features when first entering the waiting room and 67% (90/134) noticed they were artificial. Eighty-one percent (115/142) indicated “like/like a lot” when reporting their first reaction to the green features. Forty-eight percent (68/143) were positively affected and 23% (33/143) were very positively affected. Eighty-one percent (110/135) agreed/strongly agreed that “The greenery brightens the waiting room,” 62% (80/130) agreed/strongly agreed that they “prefer living plants,” and 76% (101/133) agreed/strongly agreed that “‘lifelike’ plants are better than no plants.” Comments included mostly positive appraisals and occasional adverse reactions to artificial plants. No significant differences were found between patients’, staff, and carers’ reactions.

Conclusions:

The environmental intervention positively impacted patients’, staff, and carers’ perceptions of the oncology waiting room environment. Patients, staff, and carers mostly accepted artificial plants as an alternative design solution to real plants.
Bacterial stimuli activate nitric oxide colonic mucosal production in diverticular disease. Protective effects of L. casei DG ® (Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I‐1572)
Authors: Turco Fabio , Andreozzi Paolo , Palumbo Ilaria , Zito Francesco Paolo , Cargiolli Martina , Fiore Walter , Gennarelli Nicola , De Palma Giovanni Domenico , Sarnelli Giovanni , Cuomo Rosario
Published: December 2016

Background

Micro‐inflammation and changes in gut microbiota may play a role in the pathogenesis of diverticular disease (DD).

Objective

The objective of this article is to evaluate the expression of nitric oxide (NO)‐related mediators and S100B in colonic mucosa of patients with DD in an ex vivo model of bacterial infection.

Methods

Intestinal biopsies obtained from patients with diverticulosis, symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) and SUDD with previous acute diverticulitis (SUDD+AD) were stimulated with the probiotic L. casei DG® (LCDG) and/or the pathogen enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). S100B, NO release and iNOS expression were then evaluated.

Results

Basal iNOS expression was significantly increased in SUDD and SUDD+AD patients. Basal NO expression was significantly increased in SUDD+AD. No differences in S100B release were found. In all groups, iNOS expression was significantly increased by EIEC and reduced by LCDG. In all groups, except for SUDD+AD, EIEC significantly increased NO release, whereas no increase was observed when LCDG was added to biopsies. EIEC did not induce significant changes in S100B release.

Conclusions

Colonic mucosa of patients with DD is characterized by a different reactivity toward pathogenic stimuli. LCDG plays a role in counteracting the pro‐inflammatory effects exerted by EIEC, suggesting a beneficial role of this probiotic in DD.