bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green Tea Polyphenols Ameliorate the Early Renal Damage Induced by a High‐Fat Diet via Ketogenesis/SIRT3 Pathway
Authors: Yi Weijie , Xie Xiao , Du Miying , Bu Yongjun , Wu Nannan , Yang Hui , Tian Chong , Xu Fangyi , Xiang Siyun , Zhang Piwei , Chen Zhuo , Zuo Xuezhi , Ying Chenjiang
Published: July 2017

Scope. Several reports in the literature have suggested the renoprotective effects of ketone bodies and green tea polyphenols (GTPs). Our previous study found that GTP consumption could elevate the renal expression of the ketogenic rate‐limiting enzyme, which was decreased by a high‐fat diet (HFD) in rats. Here, we investigated whether ketogenesis can mediate renoprotection by GTPs against an HFD. Methods and Results. Wistar rats were fed a standard or HFD with or without GTPs for 18 weeks. The renal oxidative stress level, kidney function, renal expression, and activity levels of mitochondrial 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA (HMG‐CoA) synthase 2 (HMGCS2) and sirtuin 3(SIRT3) were detected. The increased renal oxidative stress and the loss of renal function induced by the HFD were ameliorated by GTPs. Renal ketogenesis and SIRT3 expression and activity levels, which were reduced by the HFD, were restored by GTPs. In vitro, HEK293 cells were transfected with the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA HMGCS2. GTP treatment could upregulate HMGCS2 and SIRT3 expression. Although SIRT3 expression was not affected by HMGCS2 transfection, the 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4‐HNE) level and the acetyl‐MnSOD (K122)/MnSOD ratio were reduced in HMGCS2‐transfected cells in the context of H2O2. Conclusion. The ketogenesis/SIRT3 pathway mediates the renoprotection of GTPs against the oxidative stress induced by an HFD.
¿Innovación imitativa?: ¡Viva la imitación!
Authors: Jimenez-Montecinos Alejandro
Published: July 2017

La innovación tecnológica comúnmente se relaciona con la generación de productos nuevos y radicales, en donde predomina la I+D y las estrategias de apropiabilidad. En cambio, las innovaciones incrementales surgen a partir de diseños establecidos y no tienen el poder de generar nuevos mercados. Bajo este escenario surge la imitación como un fenómeno complejo y controvertido. Normalmente se relaciona con adquirir ventajas competitivas de manera fácil y oportunista. El presente artículo, aborda el fenómeno de la imitación en la industria tecnológica y discute el rol de la novedad, la propiedad intelectual y sus implicancias en economías emergentes.
Consistency between Targets Delineated by Angiography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Arteriovenous Malformation
Authors: Huang Yu-Jie , Hsu Shih-Wei , Lee Tsair-Fwu , Ho Jih-Tsun , Chen Wu-Fu
Published: July 2017

Background: Target identification is important for radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Targets defined by different imaging modalities may be inconsistent in practice. Objectives: The goal of this study is to review and analyze the consistency between targets defined by different imaging modalities in radiosurgery for AVMs. Methods: From March 2007 to June 2011, AVM patients for radiosurgery whose targets were delineated by angiography/computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed. Spetzler-Martin grades, hemorrhage history, and treatment volumes were checked. Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) between targets were calculated and analyzed. Results: Twenty-three patients were enrolled. The mean DSCs were between 0.37 and 0.51 for targets by different modalities. There was no significant difference in DSCs regarding Spetzler-Martin grades and hemorrhage history. For CT-delineated target volumes <3 cm3, MRI-delineated target volumes <5 cm3, and angiography-delineated target volumes <2 cm3, the DSCs between the different image modalities were significantly decreased. Conclusions: Consistency between targets delineated using different image modalities was likely to be unsatisfactory and worsen significantly in niduses with volumes <5 cm3. An iterative multimodality approach to confirm the delineated targets of AVMs is suggested to be indispensable for robust treatment in radiosurgery.
Cocultivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells Reveals Antiapoptotic and Proangiogenic Effects
Authors: Steiner Dominik , Köhn Katrin , Beier Justus P. , Stürzl Michael , Horch Raymund E. , Arkudas Andreas
Published: July 2017

Integrating bioartificial tissues into the host vasculature is a prerequisite for tissue engineering applications. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) display a high angiogenic potential and a low donor-site morbidity, making them ideal for tissue engineering applications. In our study we used a murine EPC cell line (T17b) and rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cocultivation experiments. MSCs were cocultured with increasing T17b EPC amounts. Furthermore, MSCs in monoculture were treated with conditioned medium (CM) from T17b EPCs and T17b EPCs were treated with CM from MSCs. Proliferation and apoptosis were quantified with a bromodeoxyuridine ELISA and a DNA fragmentation ELISA, respectively. Osteogenic differentiation was detected with an alkaline phosphatase assay and bone morphogenetic protein-2 ELISA. The production of proangiogenic molecules was measured with a matrix metalloproteinase-3 and vascular endothelial growth factor ELISA as well as nitric oxide assay. We could show that T17b EPCs stimulated MSC proliferation but not vice versa. On the other hand, MSCs promoted the cell survival of EPCs. The growth-inducing and antiapoptotic effects were dependent on heterotypic cell contacts and paracrine mediators. Moreover, proangiogenic growth factors were found in the coculture. Collectively, our results indicate that the coapplication of MSCs and T17b EPCs provides new perspectives for tissue engineering applications.
Assessing the Clinical Utility of SNP Microarray for Prader-Willi Syndrome due to Uniparental Disomy
Authors: Santoro Stephanie L. , Hashimoto Sayaka , McKinney Aimee , Mihalic Mosher Theresa , Pyatt Robert , Reshmi Shalini C. , Astbury Caroline , Hickey Scott E.
Published: July 2017

Maternal uniparental disomy (UPD) 15 is one of the molecular causes of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a multisystem disorder which presents with neonatal hypotonia and feeding difficulty. Current diagnostic algorithms differ regarding the use of SNP microarray to detect PWS. We retrospectively examined the frequency with which SNP microarray could identify regions of homozygosity (ROH) in patients with PWS. We determined that 7/12 (58%) patients with previously confirmed PWS by methylation analysis and microsatellite-positive UPD studies had ROH (>10 Mb) by SNP microarray. Additional assessment of 5,000 clinical microarrays, performed from 2013 to present, determined that only a single case of ROH for chromosome 15 was not caused by an imprinting disorder or identity by descent. We observed that ROH for chromosome 15 is rarely incidental and strongly associated with hypotonic infants having features of PWS. Although UPD microsatellite studies remain essential to definitively establish the presence of UPD, SNP microarray has important utility in the timely diagnostic algorithm for PWS.
Clinical Spectrum, Risk Factors, and Behavioral Abnormalities among Dementia Subtypes in a North Indian Population: A Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Kushwaha Suman , Talwar Puneet , Anthony Aldrin , Gupta Meena , Bala Kiran , Agarwal Rachna , Sharma Vibha , Kukreti Ritushree
Published: July 2017

Background: As variability in the clinical profile of dementia subtypes had been reported with regional differences across the world, we conducted a retrospective hospital-based study in a North Indian population. Methods: We retrieved patient records from 2007 to 2014 for details of clinical evaluation, diagnosis, neuroimaging, biochemical investigations, and follow-up of 1,876 patients with dementia (PwD), and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Of the total PwD, Alzheimer disease (AD) accounted for 30% followed by vascular dementia (VaD) 26%, mixed dementia (MD) 21%, Parkinson-related dementia 11%, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) 7%, and infective dementia 5%. Of all PwD excluding the infective group (n = 1,777), 63% were men, 39% were from rural areas, 87% had behavioral abnormalities along with cognitive deficits, and 73% had impaired ADLs. Among dementia subtypes, a positive family history, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, and behavioral abnormalities were found to be distributed. However, there existed a predominance of specific behavioral pattern in each subtype. The mean duration of follow-up varied from 2.9 ± 2.3 (VaD) to 3.6 ± 2.1 (AD) and greater than 30% were found to be stable on treatment (except in dementia with Lewy body). Conclusions: This large hospital-based study provides a distribution pattern and clinical spectrum of dementia subtypes in a North Indian population.
Drug-Level Monitoring on Admission for Presurgical Epilepsy Evaluation
Authors: Constantinescu Irina , Korff Christian M. , Vulliemoz Serge , Picard Fabienne , Seeck Margitta
Published: July 2017

Objective: Evaluation for surgical treatment is offered to patients who do not respond to antiepileptic drugs. Pseudo-pharmacoresistance (PPR) has been described in the context of impaired compliance, incorrect diagnosis of epilepsy or pharmacological interference resulting in too low blood levels. We were interested to determine the frequency and causes of PPR in patients admitted for presurgical evaluation. Methods: We reviewed 553 drug levels in 199 patients and analyzed the relative frequency of drugs below reference range (10 and 20% below the range). Results: Patients who had at least one serum level below the 10% cut-off amounted to 33% and 9% of patients had at least one serum level below the 20% cut-off. Only in 2 patients (1%), this was due to poor compliance. Low levels were equally frequent in mono- or polytherapy. Drugs that were most frequently found out of range were phenytoin, valproate, and topiramate. In monotherapy, lamotrigine was often prescribed in too low dosages. Conclusion: Low drug levels are frequently observed in surgical candidates due to pharmacological interference or insufficient dosing. Poor compliance or incorrect diagnosis does not appear to be a significant concern in this patient group. Our data strengthen the need for regular drug monitoring even in advanced chronic epilepsy to avoid unnecessary health costs by too low and ineffective dosages.
Effects of PKM2 Gene Silencing on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer LS-147T and SW620 Cells
Authors: Ao Ran , Guan Lin , Wang Ying , Wang Jia-Ni
Published: July 2017

Background/Aims: This paper aims to explore the effects of pyruvate kinase (PK) M2 gene silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) LS-147T and SW620 cells. Methods: CRC LS-147T and SW620 cells highly expressing PKM2 were randomly selected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and then assigned into the blank (no transfection), PKM2-shRNA (transfection with shRNA) and empty plasmid (transfection with empty plasmid) groups. Immunofluorescence was applied to detect PKM2 protein expression. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were conducted to assess mRNA and protein expression of PKM2, p53 and p21. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to assess the cell cycle and apoptosis rate, and a senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining kit was used to assess cell senescence. Results: PKM2 exhibited high mRNA expression among CRC LS-147T and SW620 cells with remarkable protein expression noted in the cytoplasm and nucleus. The PKM2-shRNA group exhibited reduced PKM2 mRNA and protein expression, whereas p53 and p21 expression was increased compared with the blank and empty plasmid groups. Cell proliferation in PKM2-shRNA cells decreased significantly compared with the blank group and empty plasmid groups. The PKM2-shRNA group exhibited more cells in the G1 phase and fewer cells in the G2/M phase compared with the blank and empty plasmid groups. In addition, the PKM2-shRNA group exhibited significantly increased apoptosis rates and β-galactosidase activity compared with the blank and empty plasmid groups. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that PKM2 gene silencing suppresses proliferation and promotes apoptosis in LS-147T and SW620 cells.
Longitudinal Changes in the Blood Supply and Demand in North-East-Germany 2005-2015
Authors: Schönborn Linda , Weitmann Kerstin , Greger Nico , Kiefel Volker , Hoffmann Wolfgang , Greinacher Andreas
Published: July 2017

Background: Securing future blood supply is a major issue of transfusion safety. In this prospective 10-year longitudinal study we enrolled all blood donation services and hospitals of the federal state Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Methods and Results: From 2005 to 2015 (time period with major demographic effects), whole blood donation numbers declined by 18%. In male donors this paralleled the demographic change, while donation rates of females declined 12.4% more than expected from demography. In parallel, red cell transfusion rates/1,000 population decreased from 2005 to 2015 from 56 to 51 (-8.4%), primarily due to less transfusions in patients >60 years. However, the transfusion demand declined much less than blood donation numbers: -13.5% versus -18%, and the population >65 years (highest transfusion demand) will further increase. The key question is whether the decline in transfusion demand observed over the previous years will further continue, hereby compensating for reduced blood donation numbers due to the demographic change. The population structure of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania reflects all Eastern German federal states, while the Western German federal states will reach similar ratios of age groups 18-64 years / ≥65 years about 10 years later. Conclusions: Regular monitoring of age- and sex-specific donation and transfusion data is urgently required to allow transfusion services strategic planning for securing future blood supply.
An ecological note on the new record of Cuora amboinensis (Riche in Daudin, 1801) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae) in northeastern India
Authors: Das Kulendra Chandra , Gupta Abhik
Published: July 2017

The present study documents the first report on the occurrence of Cuora amboinensis in Cachar and Karimganj districts of the Barak Valley region of southern Assam.
Measuring Indian Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) abundance at Basur Amruth Mahal Kaval Conservation Reserve, Chikkamagaluru, southern India
Authors: Sagar H.S. Sathya Chandra , Antoney P. U.
Published: July 2017

Grasslands are among the most critically endangered ecosystems in the tropics, but they are often treated as wastelands and conservation efforts are seldom directed towards these landscapes.  The Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra is a large wild herbivore found in most grassland ecosystems across India.  Despite their critical role in their trophic web, there are no reliable estimates of Blackbuck populations from their geographic range that takes detection probability into consideration.  In this study, we conducted field surveys to estimate Blackbuck density in Basur Amruth Mahal Kaval Conservation (BAMKCR) with an area of 7.36km2 in southern India.  We surveyed Blackbucks for a week in July 2014 along straight line transects between 09:00–12:00 hr and used the distance sampling approach to address the imperfect detection.  A total of three transect lines of lengths 3.01km, 2.4km and 1.2km were sampled for seven temporal replicates.  With an effort of 46.27km, 56 sightings of Blackbucks were recorded that was analyzed using the program DISTANCE.  With a detection probability of 0.58 (0.053 SD) the estimated density of Blackbuck was 26.23 (6 SD) individuals/km2.  The derived abundance estimate was 193 (c. 148–238) individuals in the study area.  Our results show implications of a statistically robust design that accounts for imperfect detection.  It provides an insight into a resident population of Blackbucks in a dynamic and fragile habitat.  Blackbuck density estimate from this study sets the background for periodic monitoring of their populations, examination of the impacts of habitat modifications and gauge long-term viability of the grassland habitat in BAMKCR.
Influence of seasonal and edaphic factors on the diversity of scolopendromorph centipedes (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha) and general observations on their ecology from Kerala, India
Authors: Balan Dhanya , Sureshan P. M.
Published: July 2017

Scolopendromorph centipedes (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha) are a diverse group of invertebrate communities, which play significant, but often poorly acknowledged or understood roles in the delivery of soil ecosystem services.  In the present paper we analyze the impact of seasonal and edaphic factors on the species diversity of scolopendromorph centipedes based on the field studies conducted in three selected sites.  The study sites included a protected forest ecosystem, an undisturbed isolated hillock and a residential plot at Kozhikode District, Kerala, India.  The study was performed from April 2011 to November 2012.  Overall 486 individuals belonging to 18 species under the families Cryptopidae and Scolopendridae were collected.  The range of Shannon-Wiener diversity was 0.89–2.58 and Simpson diversity was 1.91–13.69.  Species diversity is also influenced by variations in seasons and various physico–chemical properties of soil in the study area. General observations on parental care, moulting, hibernation and ectoparasitism were also included.
Records of the Indian Sand Snake Psammophis condanarus (Merrem, 1820) (Reptilia: Lamprophiidae) in southern India
Authors: Ganesh S. R. , Sharma Vivek , Guptha M. Bubesh
Published: July 2017

We present new records of the Indian Sand Snake Psammophis condanarus from southern India, where its existence has remained doubtful till date.  Our records are based on both live and preserved voucher specimens that are illustrated and described here.  We furnish distribution records of this species from two sites belonging to two different ecoregions in southern India—Tirupati in the Eastern Ghats and Hospete in the Deccan plateau.  Our work highlights the obscurity of certain, large-growing, diurnal land snakes that have as yet managed to evade the attention of field biologists largely due to a lack of field surveys in certain ecoregions.
Terrorist Speech and the Criminal Law – A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Keiler Johannes
Published: July 2017

This article examines the ways that the criminal justice systems of England and the Netherlands deal with terrorist speech in the form of direct and indirect incitement to terrorism. This contribution commences with a discussion of the conditions under which the criminalisation of terrorist speech is justified. That discussion identifies criteria that must be satisfied if liability for terrorist speech is to be justified. The specific English and Dutch legal frameworks for addressing terrorist speech are then assessed in light of those criteria. This comparison provides the vantage point for a critical analysis of the merits and defects of terrorist speech offences. This contribution ends by identifying and discussing doctrinal elements that must be considered in order to ensure compliance with fundamental principles of criminal law and to prevent over-criminalisation.
Stoic Blends
Authors: Marmodoro Anna
Published: July 2017

The Stoics’ guiding principle in ontology is the Eleatic principle. Their existents are bodies that have the power to act and be acted upon. They account both for the constitution of material objects and the causal interactions among them in terms of such dynamic bodies. Blending is the physical mechanism that explains both constitution and causation; and is facilitated by the fact that for the Stoics all bodies exist as unlimited divided. In this paper I offer a novel analysis of this Stoic stance, and of the role it plays in their metaphysics. I argue that when blended, the substances involved become sharing subjects of qualities and structural features.
The Place of Perception in Plato’s Tripartite Soul
Authors: Larsen Peter D.
Published: July 2017

This paper considers the place of the capacity for sense perception in Plato’s tripartite soul. It argues, against a common recent interpretation, that despite being a capacity of the soul’s appetitive part, sense perception is not independent of the soul’s rational capacities. On the contrary, the soul’s ability to cognize the content that it receives through sense perception depends upon the objects and the activity of its rational capacities. Defending a position of this sort requires one to suppose that despite its partition, the soul, for Plato, is, with respect to the activity of its various parts, substantially unitary. There are, however, passages that suggest that the capacities of the non-rational soul parts, in general, and sense perception, in particular, enjoy a certain degree of autonomy and independence from reason such that they, without the input of reason, can form beliefs about and act on the basis of their content. These passages have been read as belying this supposition. It will be shown, however, that these passages are perfectly consistent with the idea that the content of the non-rational capacities of the soul depends, for its intelligibility, on the soul’s rational capacities.
The Stoics on Identity, Identification, and Peculiar Qualities
Authors: Nawar Tamer
Published: July 2017

In this paper, I clarify some central aspects of Stoic thought concerning identity, identification, and so-called peculiar qualities (qualities which were seemingly meant to ground an individual’s identity and enable identification). I offer a precise account of Stoic theses concerning the identity and discernibility of individuals and carefully examine the evidence concerning the function and nature of peculiar qualities. I argue that the leading proposal concerning the nature of peculiar qualities, put forward by Eric Lewis, faces a number of objections, and offer two constructive suggestions which turn upon reconsidering the nature and function(s) of peculiar qualities. Finally, I examine a simple but potent Academic argument against the view that identification requires detecting some attribute(s) unique to the relevant individual. Such an argument is, I argue, largely successful and may have encouraged later Stoics not to think that peculiar qualities enable identification.
Commentary on Nawar
Authors: Byers Sarah
Published: July 2017

I offer an interpretation of the Stoic “peculiar qualification” (ἰδία ποιότης) which provides for the identity of individuals over time and the distinguishability of discrete individuals. This interpretation is similar to but not the same as one of the strands in Lewis’s interpretation as presented by Nawar. I suggest that the “peculiar qualification”—what makes the individual be the individual—is the particular ἕξις or φύσις or ψυχή that is in an individual. That is, the peculiar quality is not the kind of πνεῦμα an entity has, nor some further qualification or disposition of the kind of πνεῦμα that it has, such as acquired characteristics of the tenor or nature or soul in its particular lived history, but simply the discrete soul or nature or tenor, extended in its own particular spatial location. The so-called peculiar quality is that portion of πνεῦμα that is proper to that individual.
Plato’s Philosophical Politics
Authors: Lewis V. Bradley
Published: July 2017

This paper suggests an alternative account of the political character of Plato’s political philosophy. After pointing toward some problems of the common developmental paradigm, which emphasizes discontinuities between Plato’s Socratic early writings, the mature utopianism of the Republic, and the late pessimism of the Laws, it proposes that Plato’s two large constructive works, the Republic and Laws, are related to two actual historical events in which Plato played a role, the trial of Socrates and Plato’s failed intervention in Sicilian politics. On this view, the Republic is to the Apology of Socrates as the Laws is to the Seventh Letter. The Republic is an imaginative reconstruction of the sort of defense of philosophy under more favorable conditions than obtained in the actual trial; the Laws is an imaginative reconstruction of the sort of political reform that Plato advocated under more favorable conditions than obtained in Syracuse under Dionysius II. The paper suggests this as the basis of a unified interpretation of Plato’s political philosophy.
A new species of Sinacroneuria (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southcentral China based on male adult, larva and drumming signals, and validation of the Japanese species of the genus
Authors: LI WEIHAI , MURÁNYI DÁVID , ORCI KIRILL MÁRK , UCHIDA SHIGEKAZU , WANG RONGFENG
Published: July 2017

Sinacroneuria obscura Li & Murányi, sp. n. is proposed from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southcentral China. The new species is described on the basis of male adult, male and female larvae, and drumming signal. This new taxon is compared with related congeners. Sinacroneuria acuticornis Uchida, sp. n. is proposed to validate the manuscript name Nishineuria cornuta Uchida, 1990. The male and larva of Acroneuriini incertae sedis sensu Shimizu et al. (2005) confirmed to refer to this species.
Larvae of Ancyronyx Erichson, 1847 (Insecta: Coleoptera: Elmidae) from Sulawesi, using DNA sequences for the assignment of the larval stages
Authors: FREITAG HENDRIK , KODADA JÁN
Published: July 2017

We describe the immature stages of six Ancyronyx (Spider Riffle Beetles) species from Sulawesi: A. henningi Freitag & Kodada, 2017; A. longiparamerus Freitag & Kodada, 2017; A. skalei Freitag & Kodada, 2017; A. schoedli Freitag & Kodada, 2017; A. tobada Freitag & Kodada, 2017 and A. toraja Freitag & Kodada, 2017. The larvae were assigned to adults by comparison of their Cox1 gene fragment (mtDNA) which was amplified, sequenced and aligned with the corresponding locus of identified adults. The larvae are illustrated with habitus photographs and SEM micrographs.
First description of the male of Oxythrips tristis Bagnall (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: MARULLO RITA , RAVAZZI GIORGIO
Published: July 2017

Oxythrips tristis is a Mediterranean species described by Bagnall (1927) on one female collected from flowers of Eryngium maritimum [Apiaceae] in South France. Subsequently, adult females of this species have been recorded from Spain, Turkey and Italy (Umbria), collected from Juniperus thurifera, Quercus ilex, Q. suber and plants beneath these trees (zur Strassen 2003). Despite this, males of tristis have remained unknown until, during 2005–2010, a few specimens of both sexes were collected in northern Italy on Eryngium campestre. The females were identified using published literature ( Zur Strassen 2003), and the male is here described and illustrated for the first time.
Multiscale Dynamical Processes Underlying the Wintertime Atlantic Blockings
Authors: Ma Jiwang , San Liang X.
Published: July 2017

The wintertime atmospheric blocking over the Atlantic is investigated using a newly developed methodology—namely, localized multiscale energy and vorticity analysis (MS-EVA)—and the theory of canonical energy transfer. Through a multiscale window transform (MWT), the atmospheric fields from the ERA-40 data are reconstructed on three-scale ranges or scale windows: basic-flow window, blocking window, and synoptic window. The blocking event is obtained by compositing the wintertime blocking episodes, and a clear westward-retrograding signal is identified on the blocking window. Likewise, the local multiscale energetics following the signal are composited. It is found that a life cycle of the blocking-scale kinetic energy (KE) may be divided into three phases: onset phase, amplification phase, and decay phase. Different phases have different mechanisms in play. In general, pressure work and the canonical transfer from the synoptic eddies initiate the generation of the blocking, while the latter contributes to its amplification. The blocking decays as the system transports the KE away and as it converts the KE into available potential energy (APE) through buoyancy conversion. For the APE on the blocking window, its evolution experiences two maxima and, correspondingly, two phases can be distinguished. In the first maximum phase, the dominating mechanism is baroclinic instability; in the second, buoyancy conversion takes place. These are also the mechanisms that cause the warm core of the blocking in the troposphere.
Advancing a Model-Validated Statistical Method for Decomposing the Key Oceanic Drivers of Regional Climate: Focus on Northern and Tropical African Climate Variability in the Community Earth System Model (CESM)
Authors: Wang Fuyao , Yu Yan , Notaro Michael , Mao Jiafu , Shi Xiaoying , Wei Yaxing
Published: July 2017

This study advances the practicality and stability of the traditional multivariate statistical method, generalized equilibrium feedback assessment (GEFA), for decomposing the key oceanic drivers of regional atmospheric variability, especially when available data records are short. An advanced stepwise GEFA methodology is introduced, in which unimportant forcings within the forcing matrix are eliminated through stepwise selection. Method validation of stepwise GEFA is performed using the CESM, with a focused application to northern and tropical Africa (NTA). First, a statistical assessment of the atmospheric response to each primary oceanic forcing is carried out by applying stepwise GEFA to a fully coupled control run. Then, a dynamical assessment of the atmospheric response to individual oceanic forcings is performed through ensemble experiments by imposing sea surface temperature anomalies over focal ocean basins. Finally, to quantify the reliability of stepwise GEFA, the statistical assessment is evaluated against the dynamical assessment in terms of four metrics: the percentage of grid cells with consistent response sign, the spatial correlation of atmospheric response patterns, the area-averaged seasonal cycle of response magnitude, and consistency in associated mechanisms between assessments. In CESM, tropical modes, namely El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the tropical Indian Ocean Basin, tropical Indian Ocean dipole, and tropical Atlantic Niño modes, are the dominant oceanic controls of NTA climate. In complementary studies, stepwise GEFA is validated in terms of isolating terrestrial forcings on the atmosphere, and observed oceanic and terrestrial drivers of NTA climate are extracted to establish an observational benchmark for subsequent coupled model evaluation and development of process-based weights for regional climate projections.
Signatures of Tropical Cyclone Intensification in Satellite Measurements of Ice and Liquid Water Content
Authors: Wu Shun-Nan , Soden Brian J.
Published: July 2017

This study examines how the structure and amount of cloud water content are associated with tropical cyclone (TC) intensity change using the CloudSat Tropical Cyclone (CSTC) dataset. Theoretical and modeling studies have demonstrated the importance of both the magnitude and vertical structure of latent heating in regulating TC intensity. However, the direct observations of the latent heat release and its vertical profile are scarce. The CSTC dataset provides the opportunity to infer the vertical profile of the latent heating from CloudSat retrievals of cloud ice water content (IWC) and liquid water content (LWC). It is found that strengthening storms have ~20% higher IWC than weakening storms, especially in the midtroposphere near the eyewall. These differences in IWC exist up to 24 h prior to an intensity change and are observed for all storm categories except major TCs. A similar analysis of satellite-observed rainfall rates indicates that strengthening storms have slightly higher rainfall rates 6 h prior to intensification. However, the rainfall signal is less robust than what is observed for IWC, and disappears for lead times greater than 6 h. Such precursors of TC intensity change provide observationally based metrics that may be useful in constraining model simulations of TC genesis and intensification.
Capturing Sub-National Variation in State Capacity: A Survey-Based Approach
Authors: Luna Juan Pablo , Soifer Hillel David
Published: July 2017

Though there are many existing measures of state capacity, few capture its sub-national territorial variation in a reliable and valid way. This article proposes a novel, survey-based, measurement strategy for state capacity that is tailored to address this limitation of existing measures, and apply it to contemporary Latin America. We describe cross-national variation in state capacity based on data produced by our measure, engage in a series of validation exercises to show that it taps this concept rather than related elements of the political context, and map variation in sub-national stateness in Latin America. The article closes with an agenda for future research applying our measurement strategy to assess sub-national variation in stateness, in Latin America and beyond.
Effects of work environment variables on Chinese prison staff organizational commitment
Authors: Jiang Shanhe , Lambert Eric G , Liu Jianhong , Kelley Thomas M , Zhang Jinwu
Published: July 2017

Staff are critical for the proper functioning of a prison; empirical research into the forces that affect salient organizational attitudes of staff, such as organizational commitment, is equally important. A survey instrument measuring affective commitment and personal (i.e. gender, tenure, age, and educational level), job (i.e. perceived dangerousness of the job, job variety, and supervision), and organizational variables (i.e. instrumental communication and input into decision-making) was completed by 322 employees in two prisons in southern China. The results of ordinary least squares regression showed that job and organizational variables of perceived dangerousness of the job, job variety, supervision, instrumental communication, and decentralization explained 54% of the variance in the dependent variable organizational commitment and were much stronger predictors than personal characteristics. Among the significant variables, decentralization had the largest sized effect, followed by perceived job dangerousness, job variety, and instrumental communication. Except for the organizational variable of perceived supervision quality, the job and organizational predictors of affective commitment for these Chinese prison staff appear to mirror those typically found for staff in US prisons.
Predicting perceptions of crime: Community residents’ recognition and classification of local crime problems
Authors: Schaefer Lacey , Mazerolle Lorraine
Published: July 2017

In the scholarship of crime prevention, little is understood regarding the prompts for individual observation and classification of local crime problems. Moreover, studies that evaluate individuals’ perceptions of crime tend to emphasise the risk of victimisation rather than the probability of crime controller behaviour. In order to predict whether and how a community resident combats neighbourhood crime and disorder, we first require a greater understanding of how individuals recognise and categorise those same neighbourhood phenomena. To explore these processes, the current project uses large-scale multilevel survey data from the Australian Community Capacity Study to test the predictive influence of individual characteristics, local social processes, and suburb features on a resident’s identification and categorisation of minor, moderate, and major neighbourhood crime problems. Results indicate that lived experiences with prior victimisation and interactions with the police, greater frequencies of neighbouring behaviours but lower levels of collective efficacy, socioeconomic disadvantage, and ethnic homogeneity are all associated with a greater likelihood of reporting serious local crime problems.
Historical Perspectives of Sex Positivity: Contributing to a New Paradigm Within Counseling Psychology
Authors: Mosher Chad M.
Published: July 2017

Sexual health and well-being are integral aspects of human growth and development. Specifically, sex and sexuality involve complex and dynamic interpersonal and intrapersonal behaviors within dynamic sociopolitical environments. Sex positivity acknowledges such complexities as positive forces in human interactions and experiences, rather than as risk factors, deviance, and pathology. Current theories within counseling psychology, however, perpetuate sex-negative perspectives of sex and sexuality, further marginalizing people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex individuals, and people with disabilities. This article presents historical contributions from the professional fields of history, law, psychology, philosophy, and sociology, and from popular contemporary writings, to pose a sex-positive paradigm in counseling psychology. Sex-positive counseling psychology is an integrated, comprehensive approach to understanding sex and sexuality, with contributions from social justice, feminist, multicultural, and queer theories. Implications for future theories, research, and practice within counseling psychology are presented.
Studying Sex: A Content Analysis of Sexuality Research in Counseling Psychology
Authors: Hargons Candice , Mosley Della V. , Stevens-Watkins Danelle
Published: July 2017

Using a sex-positive framework, we conducted a 61-year (1954–2015) content analysis of sexuality research featured in The Counseling Psychologist and the Journal of Counseling Psychology. We aimed to uncover (a) which human sexuality topics were published most, (b) whether the publications aligned with sex-positive, neutral, or negative discourse, (c) what methodologies were used, and (d) differences in how populations were investigated across racial groups. We used an integrative approach to the content analysis and human coding. Results highlighted in 188 articles meeting criteria, the largest focus (38%) was on sexual orientation, sexual identity, and sexual minorities; only 5% utilized a sex-positive perspective. Quantitative and conceptual articles were the most published methods, and publications disproportionately focused on non-Latino White populations. When people of color were included, the discourse was sex negative. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Intergenerational Effect of Maternal Multicultural Experience on Children’s Tolerance: An Example From Palestinians and Jews in Israel
Authors: Tadmor Carmit T. , Berger Rony , Brenick Alaina , Abu-Raiya Hisham , Benatov Joy
Published: July 2017

Although recent research has demonstrated the benefits of multicultural experience for reducing personal levels of intergroup bias, the potential for an intergenerational effect has yet to be explored. Using samples of Jewish-Israeli (Study 1a) and Palestinian-Israeli (Study 1b) mother–child dyads, we found that maternal multicultural experience was indirectly related to greater social tolerance among children via lower levels of maternal need for cognitive closure which, in turn, triggered higher levels of maternal social tolerance. These results show that when it comes to multicultural experience, its impact can extend beyond the self to also affect the next generation. Implications for developmental theories of prejudice acquisition and prejudice interventions are discussed.
On the observer matching condition and unknown input observer design based on the system left-invertibility concept
Authors: Zhang Jiancheng , Zhu Fanglai
Published: July 2017

This paper considers the problems of unknown input observer (UIO) designs when the so-called observer matching condition (OMC) is not satisfied. Firstly, the system left-invertibility (SLI) concept is investigated in detail and some new criteria are given. Secondly, based on the SLI concept, an augmented output vector formed partly by the original measurable output and partly by the auxiliary output is obtained. By this constructed output vector, the new system is allowed to be transformed into an equivalent linear dynamic system which contains no unknown input, and thus a simple Luenberger observer can be constructed to simultaneously estimate the original states and unknown inputs. Compared with the existing results, the present UIO design can be taken under the single strong detectability condition and the OMC is not needed any more. Finally, the simulations of a single-link flexible joint robotic model and a linearized vertical take-off and landing helicopter model are given to show the effectiveness of our method and its superiority over existing ones.
Event-triggered robust H∞ control for uncertain networked control systems with time delay
Authors: Shen Yubin , Fei Minrui , Du Dajun , Peng Chen , Tian Yu-Chu
Published: July 2017

H∞ control for networked control systems with exogenous disturbances and norm-bounded parameter uncertainties has been extensively investigated. However, how to better use the limited network capacity and computation resources while reducing the conservativeness of the H∞ control is still not fully understood. This paper presents a new dynamic discrete event-triggered scheme with improved modelling and control design to tackle this problem. The event-triggering is designed with periodic data sampling, and consequently the closed-loop system is formulated as a unified time-delayed model with the sampled data. From this model, an augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is constructed with triple-integral terms. A new free-weight matrix technique and the Wirtinger-based inequality are utilized over the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional to derive a less conservative controller. This leads to two delay-range-dependent stability criteria in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Integrating all these components forms a co-design method for the minimum H∞ performance index and our event-triggered scheme. Simulation experiments are conducted to demonstrate the approach presented in this paper.
Preparation of Pb(II) ion-imprinted polymers and their application in selective removal from wastewater
Authors: Ao Xianglong , Guan Hongzhi
Published: July 2017

A novel hydrophilic Pb(II) ion-imprinted polymer (Pb(II)-IIP) was synthesized using lead ion as a template ion, 2-(allyl sulfur) nicotinic acid as functional monomer by precipitation polymerization method. The adsorption capacity of Pb(II)-IIP to Pb(II) was saturated at 16 min, and the adsorption process is consistent with the quasi-second-order kinetic adsorption model. The optimum adsorption capacity of Pb(II)-IIP was 29.67 mg/g, about triple than Pb(II)-NIP, and the adsorption is in accordance with the Langmuir isothermal model, which indicates that it is dominated by single layer chemical adsorption. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) data confirm that the chelate ratio of Pb(II) to 2-(allylthio) nicotinic acid is 1:2. In the presence of competing ions, the adsorption capacity of Pb(II)-IIP to Pb(II) is much larger than that of other ions, which indicates that Pb(II)-IIP is less disturbed by competitive ions. The experiment of application of practical wastewater shows that Pb(II)-IIP has a Pb(II) removal rate of 97.2% or more in practical industrial wastewater, which is in accordance with national emission standards. It is proved that Pb(II)-IIP is an effective material to remove Pb(II) in industrial wastewater.
Evaluation of Parkinson’s disease by neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT
Authors: Kuya Keita , Ogawa Toshihide , Shinohara Yuki , Ishibashi Mana , Fujii Shinya , Mukuda Naoko , Tanabe Yoshio
Published: July 2017

Background

Both neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (NmMRI) and 123I-FP-CIT single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (DaTSCAN) assist the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there have been few studies investigating a correlation between them.

Purpose

To correlate the utility of NmMRI and DaTSCAN and to evaluate the relationship between both imaging findings and the Unified PD rating scale part III (UPDRS III) score for the diagnosis and management of PD.

Material and Methods

Seventeen patients with PD who underwent both NmMRI and DaTSCAN were included. We measured the volume of the neuromelanin-positive substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc volume) on NmMRI and measured the specific binding ratio (SBR) on DaTSCAN. The asymmetry index (AI) of the SNc volume and SBR were also calculated. We evaluated the relationship between the UPDRS III score and the SNc volume and SBR, respectively.

Results

The SNc volume showed a significant correlation with the SBR. The AIs of them also showed a significant correlation. Both the mean of the bilateral SBR and the mean of the bilateral SNc volume showed significant negative correlations with the UPDRS III score. However, the correlation between the SBR and the UPDRS III score was stronger than that between the SNc volume and the UPDRS III score.

Conclusion

Both NmMRI and DaTSCAN are helpful for PD diagnosis. However, we conclude that DaTSCAN is more suitable for the evaluation of the clinical motor severity and would be more useful for the management of PD patients than NmMRI.
Frequency control of a wind turbine generator–flywheel system
Authors: Achour Djalloul , Kesraoui Mohamed , Chaib Ahmed , Achour Abdeldjalil
Published: July 2017

The aim of this article is to propose an enhanced frequency regulator of a wind turbine generator associated with a flywheel applying an adaptive fuzzy proportional integral control, to supply a stand-alone load at 50 Hz. The flywheel energy storage system is used to balance the produced and consumed powers; it means the flywheel stores energy in case of power excess and delivers it in the opposite case. This power flow control stabilizes more the frequency around the set point. This hybrid renewable energy system is simulated by SIMPOWER in MATLAB Simulink software. Furthermore, performance improvement of the proposed new control is validated by the obtained satisfying results.