bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polypoid Carcinoma of the Oropharynx with Stromal Ossifying Myofibroblastic Proliferation: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Filotico Marcello , D’Amuri Alessandro
Published: December 2016

A 76-year-old man reported a worsening difficulty in swallowing, leading to the inability to eat. Physical examination and CT scan revealed a polypoid mass on the posterior oropharynx and obstructing the oropharyngeal space. Histologically, the surface was ulcerated. In the underlying necrotic rim, there was active granulation tissue, and a proliferation of voluminous, globoid elements with hyperchromatic and irregular nucleus, sometimes arranged in a alveolar aggregate. The core of the lesion contained spindle-like myoid elements in interwoven bundles, with trabeculae of osteoid matrix maturing into calcified bone. Immunohistochemistry documented positivity for cytokeratins, epithelial membrane antigen, and P63 in the globoid elements beneath the necrotic rim; strong and diffuse expression of vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and CD99 and BCL2 in the spindle elements; and complete negativity for cytokeratin 5/6, high molecular weight cytokeratin (clone 34βE12), S100, muscle-specific actin, desmin, CD117, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase. The lesion was morphologically and immunophenotypically classified as a polypoid oropharyngeal carcinoma with ossifying myofibroblastic stromal proliferation.
Effectiveness of Provider Education Followed by Computerized Provider Order Entry Alerts in Reducing Inappropriate Red Blood Cell Transfusion
Authors: Patel Vijay M. , Rains Anna W. , Clark Christopher T.
Published: December 2016

To reduce the rate of inappropriate red blood cell transfusion, a provider education program, followed by alerts in the computerized provider order entry system (CPOE), was established to encourage AABB transfusion guidelines. Metrics were established for nonemergent inpatient transfusions. Service lines with high order volume were targeted with formal education regarding AABB 2012 transfusion guidelines. Transfusion orders were reviewed in real time with email communications sent to ordering providers falling outside of AABB recommendations. After 12 months of provider education, alerts were activated in CPOE. With provider education alone, the incidence of pretransfusion hemoglobin levels greater than 8 g/dL decreased from 16.64% to 6.36%, posttransfusion hemoglobin levels greater than 10 g/dL from 14.03% to 3.78%, and number of nonemergent two-unit red blood cell orders from 45.26% to 22.66%. Red blood cell utilization decreased by 13%. No additional significant reduction in nonemergent two-unit orders was observed with CPOE alerts. Provider education, an effective and low-cost method, should be considered as a first-line method for reducing inappropriate red blood cell transfusion rates in stable adult inpatients. Alerts in the computerized order entry system did not significantly lower the percentage of two-unit red blood cells orders but may help to maintain educational efforts.
Design of Sail-Assisted Unmanned Surface Vehicle Intelligent Control System
Authors: Ma Yong , Zhao Yujiao , Diao Jiantao , Gan Langxiong , Bi Huaxiong , Zhao Jingming
Published: December 2016

To achieve the wind sail-assisted function of the unmanned surface vehicle (USV), this work focuses on the design problems of the sail-assisted USV intelligent control systems (SUICS) and illustrates the implementation process of the SUICS. The SUICS consists of the communication system, the sensor system, the PC platform, and the lower machine platform. To make full use of the wind energy, in the SUICS, we propose the sail angle of attack automatic adjustment (Sail_4A) algorithm and present the realization flow for each subsystem of the SUICS. By using the test boat, the design and implementation of the SUICS are fulfilled systematically. Experiments verify the performance and effectiveness of our SUICS. The SUICS enhances the intelligent utility of sustainable wind energy for the sail-assisted USV significantly and plays a vital role in shipping energy-saving emission reduction requirements issued by International Maritime Organization (IMO).
A New Topological Degree Theory for Perturbations of Demicontinuous Operators and Applications to Nonlinear Equations with Nonmonotone Nonlinearities
Authors: Asfaw Teffera M.
Published: December 2016

Let X be a real reflexive locally uniformly convex Banach space with locally uniformly convex dual space X⁎. Let T:X⊇DT→2X⁎ be maximal monotone of type Γdϕ (i.e., there exist d≥0 and a nondecreasing function ϕ:0,∞→0,∞ with ϕ(0)=0 such that 〈v⁎,x-y〉≥-dx-ϕy for all x∈DT, v⁎∈Tx, and y∈X),L:X⊃D(L)→X⁎ be linear, surjective, and closed such that L-1:X⁎→X is compact, and C:X→X⁎ be a bounded demicontinuous operator. A new degree theory is developed for operators of the type L+T+C. The surjectivity of L can be omitted provided that RL is closed, L is densely defined and self-adjoint, and X=H, a real Hilbert space. The theory improves the degree theory of Berkovits and Mustonen for L+C, where C is bounded demicontinuous pseudomonotone. New existence theorems are provided. In the case when L is monotone, a maximality result is included for L and L+T. The theory is applied to prove existence of weak solutions in X=L20,T;H01Ω of the nonlinear equation given by ∂u/∂t-∑i=1N(∂/∂xi)Aix,u,∇u+Hλx,u,∇u=fx,t,  x,t∈QT;  ux,t=0,  x,t∈∂QT; and ux,0=ux,T,  x∈Ω, where λ>0, QT=Ω×0,T, ∂QT=∂Ω×0,T, Aix,u,∇u=∂/∂xiρx,u,∇u+aix,u,∇u  (i=1,2,…,N), Hλx,u,∇u=-λΔu+gx,u,∇u, Ω is a nonempty, bounded, and open subset of RN with smooth boundary, and ρ,ai,g:Ω¯×R×RN→R satisfy suitable growth conditions. In addition, a new existence result is given concerning existence of weak solutions for nonlinear wave equation with nonmonotone nonlinearity.
Development of Intermediate Cooling Technology and Its Control for Two-Stand Plate Rolling
Authors: Zhang Fei , Yu Wei , Liu Tao
Published: December 2016

In a plate rolling production line, thermomechanically controlled processing is critical for plate quality. In this paper, a set of intermediate cooling equipment of a two-stand plate mill with super density nozzles, medium pressure, and small flow is developed. Based on a simplified dynamic model, a cooling control scheme with combined feedforward, feedback, and adaptive algorithms is put forward. The new controlled rolling process and the highly efficient control system improve the controlled rolling efficiency by an average of 17.66%. The proposed intermediate cooling system can also effectively inhibit the growth of austenite grain, improve the impact toughness and yield strength of Q345B steel plate, reduce the formation of secondary oxide scale on the plate surface and the chromatic aberration of the plate surface, and greatly improve the surface quality of the steel plate.
Finite-Time Composite Position Control for a Disturbed Pneumatic Servo System
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Sun Jiankun , Li Guipu
Published: December 2016

This paper investigates the finite-time position tracking control problem of pneumatic servo systems subject to hard nonlinearities and various disturbances. A finite-time disturbance observer is firstly designed, which guarantees that the disturbances can be accurately estimated in a finite time. Then, by combining disturbances compensation and state feedback controller together, a nonsmooth composite controller is developed based on sliding mode control approach and homogeneous theory. It is proved that the tracking errors under the proposed composite control approach can be stabilized to zero in finite time. Moreover, compared with pure state feedback control, the proposed composite control scheme offers a faster convergence rate and a better disturbance rejection property. Finally, numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Optimal Multi-Interface Selection for Mobile Video Streaming in Efficient Battery Consumption and Data Usage
Authors: Moon Seonghoon , Yoo Juwan , Kim Songkuk
Published: December 2016

With the proliferation of high-performance, large-screen mobile devices, users’ expectations of having access to high-resolution video content in smooth network environments are steadily growing. To guarantee such stable streaming, a high cellular network bandwidth is required; yet network providers often charge high prices for even limited data plans. Moreover, the costs of smoothly streaming high-resolution videos are not merely monetary; the device’s battery life must also be accounted for. To resolve these problems, we design an optimal multi-interface selection system for streaming video over HTTP/TCP. An optimization problem including battery life and LTE data constraints is derived and then solved using binary integer programming. Additionally, the system is designed with an adoption of split-layer scalable video coding, which provides direct adaptations of video quality and prevents out-of-order packet delivery problems. The proposed system is evaluated using a prototype application in a real, iOS-based device as well as through experiments conducted in heterogeneous mobile scenarios. Results show that the system not only guarantees the highest-possible video quality, but also prevents reckless consumption of LTE data and battery life.
Fractional Calculus-Based Modeling of Electromagnetic Field Propagation in Arbitrary Biological Tissue
Authors: Bia Pietro , Mescia Luciano , Caratelli Diego
Published: December 2016

The interaction of electromagnetic fields and biological tissues has become a topic of increasing interest for new research activities in bioelectrics, a new interdisciplinary field combining knowledge of electromagnetic theory, modeling, and simulations, physics, material science, cell biology, and medicine. In particular, the feasibility of pulsed electromagnetic fields in RF and mm-wave frequency range has been investigated with the objective to discover new noninvasive techniques in healthcare. The aim of this contribution is to illustrate a novel Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) scheme for simulating electromagnetic pulse propagation in arbitrary dispersive biological media. The proposed method is based on the fractional calculus theory and a general series expansion of the permittivity function. The spatial dispersion effects are taken into account, too. The resulting formulation is explicit, it has a second-order accuracy, and the need for additional storage variables is minimal. The comparison between simulation results and those evaluated by using an analytical method based on the Fourier transformation demonstrates the accuracy and effectiveness of the developed FDTD model. Five numerical examples showing the plane wave propagation in a variety of dispersive media are examined.
Comparing the Behavioural Effects of Exogenous Growth Hormone and Melatonin in Young and Old Wistar Rats
Authors: Barceló Pere , Nicolau Cristina , Gamundí Antoni , Fiol Maria A. , Tresguerres Jesús A. F. , Akaârir Mourad , Rial Rubén V.
Published: December 2016

Growth hormone (GH) and melatonin are two hormones with quite different physiological effects. Curiously, their secretion shows parallel and severe age‐related reductions. This has promoted many reports for studying the therapeutic supplementation of both hormones in an attempt to avoid or delay the physical, physiological, and psychological decay observed in aged humans and in experimental animals. Interestingly, the effects of the external administration of low doses of GH and of melatonin were surprisingly similar, as both hormones caused significant improvements in the functional capabilities of aged subjects. The present report aims at discerning the eventual difference between cognitive and motor effects of the two hormones when administered to young and aged Wistar rats. The effects were tested in the radial maze, a test highly sensitive to the age‐related impairments in working memory and also in the rotarod test, for evaluating the motor coordination. The results showed that both hormones caused clear improvements in both tasks. However, while GH improved the cognitive capacity and, most importantly, the physical stamina, the effects of melatonin should be attributed to its antioxidant, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties.
Herbal Medicine Cordyceps sinensis Improves Health‐Related Quality of Life in Moderate‐to‐Severe Asthma
Authors: Wang Ningqun , Li Jie , Huang Xiaobo , Chen Wenqiang , Chen Yujing
Published: December 2016

Moderate‐to‐severe asthma has a substantial impact on the health‐related quality of life (HR‐QOL) of the patients. Cordyceps sinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine that is evaluated clinically for the treatment of many diseases, such as chronic allograft nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, and lung fibrosis. In order to investigate the effects of Cordyceps sinensis on patients with moderate‐to‐severe persistent asthma, 120 subjects were randomized to receive Corbin capsule containing Cordyceps sinensis for 3 months (treatment group, n = 60), whereas the control group (n = 60) did not receive treatment with Corbin capsule. Inhaled corticosteroid and as‐needed β‐agonists were used in the treatment of both groups. HR‐QOL was measured with the Juniper’s Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). The incidence of asthma exacerbation, pulmonary function testing, and serum measurements of inflammatory mediators were also evaluated. The results showed that the treatment group indicated a significant increase in AQLQ scores and lung function compared with the control group. The expression levels of the inflammation markers IgE, ICAM‐1, IL‐4, and MMP‐9 in the serum were decreased and IgG increased in the treatment group compared with the control group. Therefore, the conclusion was reached that a formulation of Cordyceps sinensis improved the HR‐QOL, asthma symptoms, lung function, and inflammatory profile of the patients with moderate‐to‐severe asthma. This trial is registered with ChiCTR-IPC-16008730.
EmuStack: An OpenStack-Based DTN Network Emulation Platform (Extended Version)
Authors: Li Haifeng , Zhou Huachun , Zhang Hongke , Feng Bohao , Shi Wenfeng
Published: December 2016

With the advancement of computing and network virtualization technology, the networking research community shows great interest in network emulation. Compared with network simulation, network emulation can provide more relevant and comprehensive details. In this paper, EmuStack, a large-scale real-time emulation platform for Delay Tolerant Network (DTN), is proposed. EmuStack aims at empowering network emulation to become as simple as network simulation. Based on OpenStack, distributed synchronous emulation modules are developed to enable EmuStack to implement synchronous and dynamic, precise, and real-time network emulation. Meanwhile, the lightweight approach of using Docker container technology and network namespaces allows EmuStack to support a (up to hundreds of nodes) large-scale topology with only several physical nodes. In addition, EmuStack integrates the Linux Traffic Control (TC) tools with OpenStack for managing and emulating the virtual link characteristics which include variable bandwidth, delay, loss, jitter, reordering, and duplication. Finally, experiences with our initial implementation suggest the ability to run and debug experimental network protocol in real time. EmuStack environment would bring qualitative change in network research works.
Untreated Superior Vena Cava Aneurysm: Radiological Significance and Review of the Literature
Authors: Patel Abhinav , Cobb Ryan , Rivera Victor , Simpson Scott
Published: December 2016

Superior vena cava (SVC) aneurysms are a rare entity. The majority of the literature is in the form of case reports. SVC aneurysms are often an incidental finding with iatrogenic, congenital, or idiopathic etiologies. Treatment goals focus on preventing theoretical rupture or thrombus formation. Management options include observation, conservative medical management, surgical excision, and thrombin injection. We present a 73-year-old female with an incidental SVC aneurysm discovered on computed tomography (CT) of the thorax. The patient was observed without intervention for greater than 6 years. No complications were attributable to the SVC aneurysm during follow-up or over the course of the patient’s life.
Immunosuppressive Treatment for Lupus Nephritis: Long-Term Results in 178 Patients
Authors: Zakharova Elena V. , Makarova Tatiana A. , Zvonova Elena V. , Anilina Alina M. , Stolyarevich Ekaterina S.
Published: December 2016

Lupus nephritis is one of the most severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus features, defining treatment modality and prognosis. Our retrospective study, including 178 patients treated for lupus nephritis during 23 years with mostly cyclophosphamide-based initial regimens followed by azathioprine or mycophenolic acid, demonstrates 84.8% of renal response with 19.2% of flares, 15-year patient survival 78.7% and kidney survival 76.3%, and low damage accrual. Both patient and kidney survival significantly differ for subgroups that achieved complete or partial renal response and nonresponders: patient 15-year survival 95% versus 65% versus 35%; kidney 15-year survival 100% versus 58% versus 0%, respectively. 51% (24 out of 47) of patients evaluated at the end of the study period sustained complete renal response; however, only 9 of them had 0 disease activity according to SELENA SLEDAI scale, while 13 patients had scores 2–4 due to the serological abnormalities only. We conclude that (1) initial treatment with cyclophosphamide followed by azathioprine is effective and can be used in agreement with International Guidelines until the evidence for biological treatments benefits becomes available; (2) complete and even partial renal response have positive prognostic value, and failure to achieve renal response negatively influences kidney and patient survival; (3) the validity of complete renal response in SLE is questioned by the absence of conventional definition of SLE remission.
Adaptive Cost-Based Task Scheduling in Cloud Environment
Authors: Mosleh Mohammed A. S. , Radhamani G. , Hazber Mohamed A. G. , Hasan Syed Hamid
Published: December 2016

Task execution in cloud computing requires obtaining stored data from remote data centers. Though this storage process reduces the memory constraints of the user’s computer, the time deadline is a serious concern. In this paper, Adaptive Cost-based Task Scheduling (ACTS) is proposed to provide data access to the virtual machines (VMs) within the deadline without increasing the cost. ACTS considers the data access completion time for selecting the cost effective path to access the data. To allocate data access paths, the data access completion time is computed by considering the mean and variance of the network service time and the arrival rate of network input/output requests. Then the task priority is assigned to the removed tasks based data access time. Finally, the cost of data paths are analyzed and allocated based on the task priority. Minimum cost path is allocated to the low priority tasks and fast access path are allocated to high priority tasks as to meet the time deadline. Thus efficient task scheduling can be achieved by using ACTS. The experimental results conducted in terms of execution time, computation cost, communication cost, bandwidth, and CPU utilization prove that the proposed algorithm provides better performance than the state-of-the-art methods.
Score-Informed Source Separation for Multichannel Orchestral Recordings
Authors: Miron Marius , Carabias-Orti Julio J. , Bosch Juan J. , Gómez Emilia , Janer Jordi
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes a system for score-informed audio source separation for multichannel orchestral recordings. The orchestral music repertoire relies on the existence of scores. Thus, a reliable separation requires a good alignment of the score with the audio of the performance. To that extent, automatic score alignment methods are reliable when allowing a tolerance window around the actual onset and offset. Moreover, several factors increase the difficulty of our task: a high reverberant image, large ensembles having rich polyphony, and a large variety of instruments recorded within a distant-microphone setup. To solve these problems, we design context-specific methods such as the refinement of score-following output in order to obtain a more precise alignment. Moreover, we extend a close-microphone separation framework to deal with the distant-microphone orchestral recordings. Then, we propose the first open evaluation dataset in this musical context, including annotations of the notes played by multiple instruments from an orchestral ensemble. The evaluation aims at analyzing the interactions of important parts of the separation framework on the quality of separation. Results show that we are able to align the original score with the audio of the performance and separate the sources corresponding to the instrument sections.
High Triglycerides Are Associated with Low Thrombocyte Counts and High VEGF in Nephropathia Epidemica
Authors: Martynova Ekaterina V. , Valiullina Aygul H. , Gusev Oleg A. , Davidyuk Yuriy N. , Garanina Ekaterina E. , Shakirova Venera G. , Khaertynova Ilsiyar , Anokhin Vladimir A. , Rizvanov Albert A. , Khaiboullina Svetlana F.
Published: December 2016

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a mild form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Several reports have demonstrated a severe alteration in lipoprotein metabolism. However, little is known about changes in circulating lipids in NE. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in serum total cholesterol, high density cholesterol (HDCL), and triglycerides. In addition to evaluation of serum cytokine activation associations, changes in lipid profile and cytokine activation were determined for gender, thrombocyte counts, and VEGF. Elevated levels of triglycerides and decreased HDCL were observed in NE, while total cholesterol did not differ from controls. High triglycerides were associated with both the lowest thrombocyte counts and high serum VEGF, as well as a high severity score. Additionally, there were higher levels of triglycerides in male than female NE patients. Low triglycerides were associated with upregulation of IFN-γand IL-12, suggesting activation of Th1 helper cells. Furthermore, levels of IFN-γand IL-12 were increased in patients with lower severity scores, suggesting that a Th1 type immune response is playing protective role in NE. These combined data advance the understanding of NE pathogenesis and indicate a role for high triglycerides in disease severity.
On the Polynomial Basis ofGF(2n)Having a Small Number of Trace-One Elements
Authors: Wang Jiantao , Zheng Dong , Huang Zheng
Published: December 2016

In the Galois fieldsGF(2n), a polynomial basis with a small number of trace-one elements is desirable for its convenience in computing. To find new irreducible polynomialsg(x)overGF(2)with this property, we research into the auxiliary polynomialf(x)=(x+1)g(x)with roots{1,α1,α2,…,αn}, such that the symmetric polynomialssk=1+α1k+α2k+⋯+αnkare relative to the symmetric polynomials ofg(x). We introduce a new class of polynomials with the number “1” occupying most of the values in itssk. This indicates that the number “0” occupies most of the values of the traces of the elements{α1,α2,…,αn}. This new class of polynomial gives us an indirect way to find irreducible polynomials having a small number of trace-one elements in their polynomial bases.
Inhibition of In Vivo Growth of Plasmodium berghei by Launaea taraxacifolia and Amaranthus viridis in Mice
Authors: Adetutu Adewale , Olorunnisola Olubukola S. , Owoade Abiodun O. , Adegbola Peter
Published: December 2016

Launaea taraxacifolia and Amaranthus viridis used by people of Western Africa in the treatment of malaria and related symptoms were assessed for their antiplasmodial value against the chloroquine sensitive strain of Plasmodium berghei. Crude extracts (200 mg/kg) and chloroquine (5 mg/kg) were administered to different groups of Swiss mice. The percentage of parasitemia, survival time, and haematological parameters were determined. Both extracts significantly (p<0.05) inhibited parasitemia and improved survival time in infected mice. The crude extracts prevented loss of some haematological parameters. A. viridis had a distinct effect on the packed cell volume. The extract was able to protect the liver from some of the damage. This study however showed that the methanolic extracts of A. viridis and L. taraxacifolia possess antiplasmodial activity. The results of this study can be used as a basis for further phytochemical investigations in the search for new and locally affordable antimalarial agents.
Boundedly Rational User Equilibrium with Restricted Unused Routes
Authors: Sun Chao , Li Menghui , Cheng Lin , Zhu Senlai , Chu Zhaoming
Published: December 2016

A boundedly rational user equilibrium model with restricted unused routes (R-BRUE) considering the restrictions of both used route cost and unused route cost is proposed. The proposed model hypothesizes that for each OD pair no traveler can reduce his/her travel time by an indifference band by unilaterally changing route. Meanwhile, no route is unutilized if its travel time is lower than sum of indifference band and the shortest route cost. The largest and smallest used route sets are defined using mathematical expression. We also show that, with the increase of the indifference band, the largest and smallest used route sets will be augmented, and the critical values of indifference band to augment these two path sets are identified by solving the mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints. Based on the largest and smallest used route sets, the R-BRUE route set without paradoxical route is generated. The R-BRUE solution set can then be obtained by assigning all traffic demands to the corresponding generated route set. Various numerical examples are also provided to illustrate the essential ideas of the proposed model and structure of R-BRUE route flow solution set.
Oncogenic MET as an Effective Therapeutic Target in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Resistant to EGFR Inhibitors: The Rise of the Phoenix
Authors: Trusolino Livio
Published: December 2016

Summary: Anecdotal reports have shown that concomitant inhibition of EGFR and MET can be clinically effective in patients with non–small cell lung cancer carrying EGFR mutations and MET amplification, but large phase III trials in genetically unselected individuals have failed to confirm the benefit of this combination therapy. A new study corroborates the evidence that lung cancer susceptibility to EGFR and MET blockade is sustained by genetically based activation of both targets and identifies a mutation in MET that confers acquired resistance to standard MET inhibitors hitting the active kinase, yet is vulnerable to other MET-directed compounds with a different binding mode. Cancer Discov; 6(12); 1306–8. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Bahcall and colleagues, p. 1334.
Culprit or Bystander? The Role of the Fallopian Tube in “Ovarian” High-Grade Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Swisher Elizabeth M. , Garcia Rochelle L. , Kilgore Mark R. , Norquist Barbara M.
Published: December 2016

Summary: The concurrence of intraepithelial high-grade neoplasia in the fallopian tube with metastatic implants has been taken as evidence of a tubal origin for high-grade serous pelvic carcinomas. In the current issue, Eckert and colleagues perform detailed genomic phylogenetic analyses and demonstrate that some cases of high-grade serous intraepithelial tubal neoplasia are metastatic implants and not precursor lesions. Cancer Discov; 6(12); 1309–11. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Eckert and colleagues, p. 1342.
Predictive Factors of Rapid Cognitive Decline in Patients with Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Barbe Coralie , Morrone Isabella , Novella J.L. , Dramé Moustapha , Wolak-Thierry Aurore , Aquino Jean-Pierre , Ankri Joël , Jolly Damien , Mahmoudi Rachid
Published: December 2016

Aim: To determine predictive factors associated with rapid cognitive decline (RCD) in elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: Patients suffering from mild to moderate AD were included. RCD was defined as the loss of at least 3 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) over 12 months. Factors associated with RCD were identified by logistic regression. Results: Among 123 patients included, 61 were followed up until 12 months. RCD occurred in 46% of patients (n = 28). Polymedication (p < 0.0001), the fact that the caregiver was the child or spouse of the patient (p < 0.0001) and autonomy for washing (p < 0.0001) were protective factors against RCD, while the presence of caregiver burden (p < 0.0001) was shown to be a risk factor for RCD. Conclusion: Early detection of the RCD risk in AD patients could make it possible to anticipate the patient’s medical needs and adjust the care plan for caregiver burden.
Medical education – historic perspective and future challenges
Authors: Silva Luiz Fernando Ferraz da , Baracat Edmund Chada
Published: December 2016

The history of medical education is binded to the history of medicine itself once teach, learn and practice happens together. Since ancient times the role of the mentor / tutor is the key to practical learning. Over time, and particularly in the last 300 years, the medical knowledge expansion and new technologies incorporation brought drastic changes in medicine and, therefore, in medical education but yet, the presence of one or many reference doctors in medical learning is still an important part of thousands of undergraduate students every year. In this period new concepts, new teaching techniques and use of multiple technologies including distance learning and simulation were included in several medical curricula. In this article we seek to briefly present the key events of the evolution of medical education including some particularities of medical education in Brazil and at USP School of Medicine, as well as point out the challenges for the ongoing century.
Hawthorne's Gifts: Re-reading “Alice Doane's Appeal” and “The Great Carbuncle” in The Token
Authors: Urakova Alexandra
Published: December 2016

The essay recasts Hawthorne's tales, “Alice Doane's Appeal” and “The Great Carbuncle” in the gift book, The Token, or Atlantic Souvenir where they were first published. Reading the tales alongside the neighboring entries, it seeks to show how Hawthorne's understanding of his own literary gift developed against the sentimental publishing culture of the 1830s.
Origin Stories: The Boston Athenæum, Transatlantic Literary Culture, and Regional Rivalry in the Early Republic
Authors: Yankaskas Lynda K.
Published: December 2016

This essay critically examines and revises the story of the 1807 founding of the Boston Athenæum. The institution was said to be inspired by a written description of the Athenæum of Liverpool (UK), but I argue that this traditional story is a fabrication, one knowingly invented by Boston's men of letters.
The Internet and Sustainable Development: Communication Dissemination and the Digital Divide
Authors: Vincent Richard C.
Published: December 2016

This paper analyzes the state of Internet penetration across the developing world. We examine a variety of socioeconomic, human capital, and media and technology-related measures as they relate to Internet adoption. Results demonstrate that the Internet is not only dependent on economic variables such as spendable income, costs and poverty, but also education, literacy, share of urban population; population growth, and old and new telecommunication measures such as telephone subscriptions, broadband subscriptions and related costs, computer and mobile phone ownership, number of telecommunication secured lines and bits generated, trade matters such as communication services exports, and political environment issues such as political and democratic openness, economic freedom, and freedom of the press. Contrary to earlier research,gdpand English language are not statistically significant variables. Our findings on telecommunication industry competition and literacy run contrary to many earlier studies that find these variables to be unrelated to the Internet.
Computer Ownership and Usage as Predictors of Computer Literacy of South African Students
Authors: Blignaut Pieter , Dednam Engela , Nkalai Tlholohelo
Published: December 2016

Most of our first-year students were born after 1995 and belong to the generation of “digital natives”. They are perceived as being comfortable with technology and active on social media for a large part of every day. However, students at the University of the Free State (ufs) come from diverse backgrounds and the typical characteristicsof their contemporaries do not necessarily apply to them.

Students completed questionnaires about their experience with and exposure to various software applications before commencement of the first computer literacy module at the mentioned institution. Students’ performance in three formal assessments during the semester were used as dependent variable to determine whether prior ownership and exposure to computers gave them an advantage over their peers who did not have access to computers.

Students owning a computer or who had access to someone else’s computer performed significantly better than those without access to a computer. The Internet andmsWord were found to be among the most used applications prior to entering a university, and they also proved to be predictive of the performance of students in a computer literacy module throughout the semester. The amount of usage did, however,not make any significant difference with regard to the students’ performance.
The Incidence of Health Shocks, Formal Health Insurance, and Informal Coping Mechanisms
Authors: Amponsah Samuel
Published: December 2016

In recent years, both theoretical and empirical research has accumulated in development economics literature regarding household behavior in response to shocks in developing countries. The literature especially has explored deeply the impact of weather-related shocks—such as droughts and floods—and the efficiency of informal mechanisms to cope with these shocks. In sharp contrast, our knowledge on the economics of health shocks in low-income developing countries is rather limited. A few studies have documented that low incomes and poor health insurance coverage account for catastrophic medical expenditures in the event of a health shock. This study uses a combination of Ghanaian household survey datasets to examine the different coping mechanisms employed by uninsured households to protect themselves from the incidence of health shocks. In addition, it explores the impact of formal health insurance (the National Health Insurance Scheme) on households’ out-of-pocket spending and catastrophic health expenditures.
Is Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (pdia) a Re-Statement of Organization Development (od)?
Authors: Abu Muamar Mohsen
Published: December 2016

This study examines the emergence of Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (pdia) and asks whether or not it is a representation of Organization Development (od). It starts by consideringpdiaas a political science phenomenon, and then moves on to consider it from an organizational point of view in light of the disciplinary backgrounds, the preferred strategies of intervention, and the role of change agents of both approaches. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five senior development officials utilizingpdiaat their work to gain a detailed explanation ofpdiain practice. In addition, the author corresponded with the co-originator ofpdia, Matt Andrews, for further analysis. During the course of the study it emerged thatpdiadoes constitute a new approach—in its focus on the gradual discovery of solutions for locally-led problems and broad engagement of multi-agent leadership groups. In addition,pdia’s emphasis on iteration facilitates learning and adjustment. Although these elements have their roots inodand other earlier approaches, the combination is genuinely innovative.
Guihaia lancifolia (Arecaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China
Authors: LUO KAIWEN , XING FUWU , TIAN JING
Published: December 2016

Guihaia lancifolia K. W. Luo & F. W. Xing, a new species of Arecaceae from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated. The new species clearly differs from Guihaia argyrata and Guihaia grossifibrosa in its long undivided leaf blades. Respectively, it is distinguished from Guihaia argyrata by glabrous sepals and ellipsoidal fruit, and has some differences from Guihaia grossifibrosa in the aspect of the erect and spine-like sheath fibers. Guihaia lancifolia is restricted to several karst limestone hills of central Guangxi, China.
A new species of Liotyphlops (Serpentes: Anomalepididae) from the Atlantic Rain Forest of Northeastern Brazil
Authors: FREIRE ELIZA MARIA XAVIER , CARAMASCHI ULISSES , ARGÔLO ANTÔNIO JORGE SUZART
Published: December 2016

A new species of the genus Liotyphlops, known from three localities in the states of Alagoas and Bahia, in the Atlantic Rain Forest of Northeastern Brazil, is described. Liotyphlops trefauti sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: four scales contacting the posterior edge of prefrontal; one scale contacting the posterior edge of nasal, between the second supralabial and the frontal; five scales in the first vertical row of lateral head scales; 22-22-22 scales around body; 520–543 dorsal scales; 499–532 ventral scales; absence of eye spot; and dorsal and ventral color bright yellowish-brown to reddish-brown.
Nematode parasites of two species of Chaunus (Anura: Bufonidae) from Corrientes, Argentina
Authors: ELIZABETH CYNTHYA ELIZABETH , HAMANN MONIKA INÉS
Published: December 2016

From October 2000 to February 2005, the nematofauna of Chaunus fernandezae (Gallardo, 1957) and Chaunus bergi (Céspedez, 2000) was studied from Corrientes city, Province of Corrientes, Argentina. Twenty one C. fernandezae (81.0%) and fifteen C. bergi (75.0%) were parasitized. Four nematodes species were found. Chaunus fernandezae is a new host for Ortleppascaris sp., Physaloptera sp., Cosmocerca podicipinus and C. parva. Chaunus bergi a new host for C. podicipinus and C. parva.
Schistura papulifera, a new species of cave loach from Meghalaya, India (Teleostei: Balitoridae)
Authors: KOTTELAT MAURICE , HARRIES DANIEL R. , PROUDLOVE GRAHAM S.
Published: December 2016

Schistura papulifera, new species, is described from a cave of the Synrang Pamiang system, Meghalaya State, India. It is distinguished from all other known species of Schistura in having the lower half of the head covered by small skin projections and 5 pores in the supratemporal canal of the cephalic lateral-line system. In addition, it has a white body and vestigial eyes. The closest epigean relative of S. papulifera has not yet been identified due to the lack of survey and usable data. The identity of the cave nemacheiline from Siju Cave is briefly discussed, but this remains inconclusive, again due to the lack of material and usable data.
First fossil record of the pseudoscorpion family Pseudochiridiidae (Arachnida, Chelonethi, Cheiridioidea) from Dominican amber
Authors: JUDSON MARK L. I.
Published: December 2016

Pseudochiridium lindae n. sp. is described from Dominican amber (Miocene), representing the first fossil record of the family Pseudochiridiidae. The extant species Pseudochiridium insulae Hoff, 1964 is newly recorded from the Dominican Republic. Paracheiridium vachoni Vitali-di Castri, 1970 is transferred to the genus Pseudochiridium With, 1906 (n. comb.). The correct publication date for family-group names based on Cheiridiinae Hansen is shown to be 1894.
A diversity and conservation inventory of the Herpetofauna of the Cuautlapan Valley, Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: DE LA LUZ NELSON M. CERON , LEMOS-ESPINAL JULIO A. , SMITH GEOFFREY R.
Published: December 2016

We compiled an inventory of the amphibians and reptiles of the Cuautlapan Valley, Veracruz, Mexico based on field surveys and museum and literature records. We found a total of 78 species: 28 amphibians (6 Salamanders and 22 anurans); and 50 reptiles (three turtles, 18 lizards, and 29 snakes). These taxa represent 26 families (eight amphibian families, 18 reptile families) and 60 genera (19 amphibian genera, 41 reptile genera). Two of these species are not native to the area (Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima and Hemidactylus frenatus). According to the IUCN red list, five species are Critically Endangered, two are Endangered, four are Near Threatened, and four are Vulnerable. In the SEMARNAT (Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales) listing, one species is Endangered, eight species are Threatened, and 25 are Subject to Special Protection. Even though the Cuautlapan Valley is represented by a relatively small area it hosts a rich diversity of amphibian and reptile species, many of which are at risk and protected under Mexican law. This valley lies between the growing cities of Orizaba and Cordoba which have contributed to habitat degradation threatening the existence of the wildlife that occurs there.
A new species and new records of Melittiini from China and Vietnam (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae)
Authors: KALLIES AXEL , ARITA YUTAKA , MIN WANG
Published: December 2016

We review the Melittiini fauna of mainland China and list a total of 14 species in two genera. Melittia proxima Le Cerf, 1917, Melittia fulvipes Kallies & Arita, 2004, Melittia distincta Le Cerf, 1916, and Macroscelesia vietnamica Arita & Gorbunov, 2000 are recorded from China for the first time. Macroscelesia perlucida Kallies & Arita, sp. nov. is described as new to science based on specimens collected in China (Guangxi Province) and in northern Vietnam. Melittia formosana Matsumura, 1911 is considered a subspecies of Melittia eurytion (Westwood, 1848) (stat. nov.), and Melittia eurytion nagaii Arita & Gorbunov, 1997 is treated as a junior subjective synonym of M. eurytion formosana (syn. nov.).
Simonachorutes, a new genus of Pseudachorutinae (Collembola, Neanuridae) from Europe
Authors: SKARŻYŃSKI DARIUSZ , ARBEA JAVIER I. , PIWNIK AGATA
Published: December 2016

Simonachorutes gen. nov. a new genus of subfamily Pseudachorutinae is described from Europe. It has a unique suite of morphological characters (8 + 8 ocelli, very long buccal cone, mandibles absent, tibiotarsal chaetotaxy reduced, furcula present) and is similar to Pseudachorutes Tullberg, 1871, Paranurida Skarżyński & Pomorski, 1994 and Pongeia Najt & Weiner, 2002. S. romeroi comb. nov. and S. agrensis comb. nov. are redescribed and S. weinerae sp. nov. from Poland is described.
New Earwigs in Protodiplatyidae (Insecta: Dermaptera) from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Northeastern China
Authors: XING CHANGYUE , SHIH CHUNGKUN , ZHAO YUNYUN , REN DONG
Published: December 2016

Two new genera, each with a new species, Perissoderma triangulum gen. et sp. nov. and Abrderma gracilentum gen. et sp. nov., of the family Protodiplatyidae are described from the latest Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. They are the first records of Protodiplatyidae from the latest Middle Jurassic Daohugou locality. Both new genera are assigned to Protodiplatyidae based mainly on diagnostic characters of antennae, pronotum, tegmina, tarsi and the distinct long, slender, multi-segmented cerci. We summarize the distributions and ages of all described fossil Archidermaptera and infer that the Dermaptera might have originated in Eurasia and started their diversification and migration to a worldwide distribution. The new taxon of Abrderma gracilentum gen. et sp. nov. provides one more example of an early earwig with well-preserved pentamerous tarsi on the hind leg.
Role of Oceanic and Land Moisture Sources and Transport in the Seasonal and Interannual Variability of Summer Monsoon in India
Authors: Pathak Amey , Ghosh Subimal , Martinez J. Alejandro , Dominguez Francina , Kumar Praveen
Published: December 2016

Three key issues of moisture supply and Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) variability are discussed in the present work: identification of the oceanic and terrestrial sources of moisture; the extent to which each source affects the ISMR; and their individual contributions to the interannual variability of ISMR. The modified Dynamic Recycling Model, based on a Lagrangian trajectory approach, is used to estimate the relative contributions from 27 terrestrial and oceanic moisture source regions to the monsoon during 1979–2013. ERA-Interim data are used for the study. The results show that the ISMR is strongly influenced by the land–ocean–atmosphere interactions, and a significant fraction of atmospheric moisture to the ISMR comes from five main moisture sources: the western Indian Ocean (WIO), central Indian Ocean (CIO), upper Indian Ocean (UIO), Ganges basin (GB), and Red Sea and the neighboring gulf (RDG). The moisture flux from WIO is very high during the initial period of monsoon seasons. From the mid-monsoon season, the contribution from this moisture source decays and land sources through evapotranspiration (ET) become more active. Early decay of moisture contributions from the WIO and the GB is observed during weak monsoon years. El Niño years are associated with low contributions of moisture from all sources, whereas warm Indian Ocean years are associated with low moisture flux from the major sources except WIO. ISMR is characterized by the prolonged and increasing moisture supply from WIO during the first half of the monsoon along with contributions from GB during the end of season. The results are consistent across several reanalyses (CFSR, ERA-Interim, and MERRA).
Sea Level Fingerprints in a Region of Complex Earth Structure: The Case of WAIS
Authors: Hay Carling C. , Lau Harriet C. P. , Gomez Natalya , Austermann Jacqueline , Powell Evelyn , Mitrovica Jerry X. , Latychev Konstantin , Wiens Douglas A.
Published: December 2016

Sea level fingerprints associated with rapid melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) have generally been computed under the assumption of a purely elastic response of the solid Earth. The authors investigate the impact of viscous effects on these fingerprints by computing gravitationally self-consistent sea level changes that adopt a 3D viscoelastic Earth model in the Antarctic region consistent with available geological and geophysical constraints. In West Antarctica, the model is characterized by a thin (~65 km) elastic lithosphere and sublithospheric viscosities that span three orders of magnitude, reaching values as low as approximately 4 × 1018 Pa s beneath WAIS. Calculations indicate that sea level predictions in the near field of WAIS will depart significantly from elastic fingerprints in as little as a few decades. For example, when viscous effects are included, the peak sea level fall predicted in the vicinity of WAIS during a melt event will increase by about 20% and about 50%, relative to the elastic case, for events of duration 25 and 100 yr, respectively. The results have implications for studies of sea level change due to both ongoing mass loss from WAIS over the next century and future, large-scale collapse of WAIS on centennial-to-millennial time scales.