bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyses of the sensitivity of multi-constellation advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring vertical protection level availability to error parameters and a failure model over China
Authors: Zheng Xueen , Liu Ye , Fan Guochao , Zhao Jing , Xu Chengdong
Published: June 2018

The availability of advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring for vertical guidance down to altitudes of 200 ft (LPV-200) is discussed using real satellite orbit/ephemeris data collected at eight international global navigation satellite system service stations across China. Analyses were conducted for the availability of multi-constellation advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring and multi-fault advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring, and the sensitivity of availability in response to changes in error model parameters (i.e. user range accuracy, user range error, Bias-Nom and Bias-Max) was used to compute the vertical protection level. The results demonstrated that advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring availability based on multiple constellations met the requirements of LPV-200 despite multiple-fault detections that reduced the availability of the advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring algorithm; the advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring availability thresholds of the user range error and Bias-Nom used for accuracy were more relevant to geographic information than the user range accuracy and Bias-Max used for integrity at the eight international global navigation satellite system service stations. Finally, the possibility of using the advanced receiver autonomous integrity monitoring algorithm for a Category III navigation standard is discussed using two sets of predicted errors, revealing that the algorithm could be used in 79% of China.
Holmium laser versus thulium laser enucleation of the prostate: a matched-pair analysis from two centers
Authors: Pirola Giacomo Maria , Saredi Giovanni , Codas Duarte Ricardo , Bernard Lorraine , Pacchetti Andrea , Berti Lorenzo , Martorana Eugenio , Carcano Giulio , Badet Lionel , Fassi-Fehri Hakim
Published: June 2018

Background:

The aim of our study was to compare perioperative and functional outcomes of two different prostatic laser enucleation techniques performed in two high-volume centers: 100 W holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) (Lyon, France) and 110 W thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) (Varese, Italy).

Materials and Methods:

A nonrandomized, observational, retrospective and matched-pair analysis was performed on two homogeneous groups of 117 patients that underwent prostate laser enucleation in the HoLEP or ThuLEP centers between January 2015 and April 2017, following the classical ‘three lobes’ enucleation technique. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and prostate volume were the main parameters considered for matching the patients between the two groups. Patients on anticoagulant therapy, with documented detrusor hypoactivity or hyperactivity or with the finding of concurrent prostate cancer were excluded from the study. Follow up was assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

Results:

Median enucleation and morcellation time was 75.5 and 11.5 min, respectively, in the HoLEP group versus 70.5 and 12 min, respectively, in the ThuLEP group ( p = 0.001 and 0.49, respectively). Enucleated adenoma weight was comparable (44 g versus 45.6 g, p = 0.60). Energy index (3884.63 versus 4137.35 J/g, p = 0.30) and enucleation index (0.57 versus 0.6 g/min, p = 0.81) were similar in the two groups. Catheterization time was comparable (1 versus 1 day; p = 0.14). The International Prostate Symptom Score and Quality of Life score significantly decreased, as well as maximal urinary flow rate. Median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) drop 1 year after surgery was 2.1 ng/ml in the HoLEP group (−52.83%) versus 1.75 ng/ml in the ThuLEP group (−47.85%) ( p = 0.013).

Conclusion:

Both HoLEP (100 W) and ThuLEP (110 W) relieve lower urinary tract symptoms in a comparable way with high efficacy and safety, with negligible clinical differences.
Clevidipine as a therapeutic and cost-effective alternative to sodium nitroprusside in patients with acute aortic syndromes
Authors: Alviar Carlos L , Gutierrez Alejandra , Cho Leslie , Krishnaswamy Amar , Saleh Amr , Lincoff Michael A , Roselli Eric , Militello Michael , Menon Venu
Published: June 2018

Background:

Sodium nitroprusside is the preferred agent for the treatment of high blood pressure during acute aortic syndrome if blood pressure remains elevated after heart rate control with beta-blockers. The increasing cost of sodium nitroprusside in the USA led us to assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous clevidipine, a calcium channel blocker with quick onset of action, short half-life and significantly lower costs than sodium nitroprusside, in patients presenting with acute aortic syndrome.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective chart review of consecutive patients admitted to the Cleveland Clinic Cardiac Intensive Care Unit from 2013–2016 with a diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome. Patients who received intravenous sodium nitroprusside were compared with those receiving intravenous clevidipine. The primary outcome was a significant difference in blood pressure at one, three and six hours. Secondary outcomes included time to achieving blood pressure target and in hospital mortality with rates of hypotension and bradycardia as safety endpoints.

Results:

A total of 85 patients with suspected acute aortic pathology received clevidipine and 50 received sodium nitroprusside. Clinical and demographic characteristics were similar in both groups, except for a higher incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the clevidipine group and for a trend towards higher use of labetalol in the clevidipine group. There were no significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate at one, three and six hours after starting either infusion. The rates of hypotension, bradycardia and in-hospital mortality did not differ. Time to achieve blood pressure control were also similar between groups.

Conclusion:

Intravenous clevidipine appears to be a safe and effective alternative to sodium nitroprusside for the management of high blood pressure during acute aortic dissection. In the USA, clevidipine could represent a cost effective therapy providing similar outcomes than sodium nitroprusside.
Cultivating School Counseling Leaders Through District Leadership Cohorts
Authors: Kneale Marcy G. Miller , Young Anita A. , Dollarhide Colette T.
Published: June 2018

Demonstrating effective leadership skills is a necessity for school counselors seeking to achieve a systemic vision that influences change. The challenge becomes the delivery of training methods that allow school counselors and school counseling supervisors to develop leadership skills, gain confidence, and maximize their potential. This article presents district cohort training approaches that can enhance the leadership capacity of pre-K–12 school counselors and school counseling supervisors.
Empowering Marginalized Parents
Authors: Kim Jungnam , Fletcher Kathryn , Bryan Julia
Published: June 2018

We describe a parent empowerment model focused on how school counselors facilitate empowerment of parents, especially marginalized parents, to support and advocate for their children. Based on Young and Bryan’s school counselor leadership framework, the parent empowerment model was designed to guide school counselors in developing programs that help marginalized parents become actively involved in their children’s education. We present school counselor leadership practices that foster empowerment for marginalized parents with an example case vignette and discuss implications for school counseling practices.
Black-White Differences in the Relationship between Parental Income and Depression in Young Adulthood: The Different Roles of Family Support and College Enrollment among U.S. Adolescents
Authors: Park Kiwoong
Published: June 2018

This study uses the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to examine racially patterned mechanisms linking parental income and early adult depression, focusing on the mediating roles of family support and college enrollment. Findings suggest two noteworthy Black-White differences. First, parental income is positively correlated with depression for Black adolescents through family support. This is because high parental income tends to decrease family support for Black adolescents, a pattern not replicated for White adolescents. Second, college enrollment mediates the relationship between parental income and adult depression for Whites but not Blacks. This is because Black respondents in high-income families tend to have lower chances of college enrollment than their White counterparts, and this also leads to unequal mental health benefits for highly educated Blacks. These results, framed within a life-course perspective, provide insights about how the pathways from class to mental health are shaped by race.
Extracellular galectins as controllers of cytokines in hematological cancer
Authors: Gordon-Alonso Monica , Bruger Annika M. , van der Bruggen Pierre
Published: June 2018

Galectins and cytokines are both secreted proteins whose levels are prognosis factors for several cancers. Extracellular galectins bind to the glycans decorating glycoproteins and are overproduced in most cancers. Accumulative evidence shows that galectins regulate cytokines during cancer progression. Although galectins alter cytokine function by binding to the glycans decorating cytokines or their receptors, cytokines could also regulate galectin expression and function. This review revises these complex interactions and their clinical impact, particularly in hematological cancers.
Utilization of initial chemotherapy for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia in the United States
Authors: Bhatt Vijaya Raj , Shostrom Valerie , Gundabolu Krishna , Armitage James O.
Published: June 2018

Key Points

An analysis of 61 775 adults with AML diagnosed between 2003 and 2011 demonstrated that 25% did not receive any chemotherapy. Factors such as facility type, patients’ race, income, and insurance status were associated with the rates of use of chemotherapy.
Applied Informatics Decision Support Tool for Mortality Predictions in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Bertsimas Dimitris , Dunn Jack , Pawlowski Colin , Silberholz John , Weinstein Alexander , Zhuo Ying Daisy , Chen Eddy , Elfiky Aymen A.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

With rapidly evolving treatment options in cancer, the complexity in the clinical decision-making process for oncologists represents a growing challenge magnified by oncologists’ disposition of intuition-based assessment of treatment risks and overall mortality. Given the unmet need for accurate prognostication with meaningful clinical rationale, we developed a highly interpretable prediction tool to identify patients with high mortality risk before the start of treatment regimens.

Methods

We obtained electronic health record data between 2004 and 2014 from a large national cancer center and extracted 401 predictors, including demographics, diagnosis, gene mutations, treatment history, comorbidities, resource utilization, vital signs, and laboratory test results. We built an actionable tool using novel developments in modern machine learning to predict 60-, 90- and 180-day mortality from the start of an anticancer regimen. The model was validated in unseen data against benchmark models.

Results

We identified 23,983 patients who initiated 46,646 anticancer treatment lines, with a median survival of 514 days. Our proposed prediction models achieved significantly higher estimation quality in unseen data (area under the curve, 0.83 to 0.86) compared with benchmark models. We identified key predictors of mortality, such as change in weight and albumin levels. The results are presented in an interactive and interpretable tool ( www.oncomortality.com ).

Conclusion

Our fully transparent prediction model was able to distinguish with high precision between highest- and lowest-risk patients. Given the rich data available in electronic health records and advances in machine learning methods, this tool can have significant implications for value-based shared decision making at the point of care and personalized goals-of-care management to catalyze practice reforms.
TAILORx: Phase III trial of chemoendocrine therapy versus endocrine therapy alone in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, node-negative breast cancer and an intermediate prognosis 21-gene recurrence score.
Authors: Sparano Joseph A. , Gray Robert James , Wood William C. , Makower Della F. , Lively Tracy G. , Saphner Thomas James , Keane Maccon M. , Gomez Henry Leonidas , Reddy Pavan S. , Goggins Timothy F , Mayer Ingrid A. , Toppmeyer Deborah , Brufsky Adam , Goetz Matthew P. , Hayes Daniel F. , Dees Elizabeth Claire , Pritchard Kathleen I. , Geyer Charles E. , Olson John A. , Sledge George W.
Published: June 2018

LBA1

Background: In hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative, axillary node (AN)-negative breast cancer, the 21-gene expression assay (Oncotype DX Recurrence Score [RS]) is prognostic for distant recurrence, prognostic for low recurrence with endocrine therapy alone if low (0-10), and predictive of chemotherapy benefit if high (26 or higher). We performed a prospective, randomized trial of endocrine therapy (ET) versus chemoendocrine therapy (CET) in women with a mid-range RS of 11-25. Methods: Eligibility criteria included women 18-75 years of age with HR-positive, HER2-negative, axillary node (AN)-negative breast cancer and tumors 1.1-5.0 cm in size (or 0.6-1.0 cm and int/high grade) and agreed to have chemotherapy assigned or randomized based on the RS. Women with a mid-range RS (11-25) were randomized to receive ET or CET. The primary endpoint was invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), and the trial was designed to show non-inferiority for ET alone by not rejecting equality (hazard ratio [HR] margin up to 1.322 for omission of chemotherapy, 1-sided type I error rate 10%, type II error rate 5%). The target sample size was adjusted to compensate for non-adherence to randomized treatment, and the protocol-specified final analysis was triggered after 835 iDFS events. Results: Of the 10,253 eligible women enrolled between 4/7/06-10/6/10, 6711 (65.5%) had a RS of 11-25 and adequate information. There were 836 iDFS events at final analysis with a median followup of 90 months. ET was non-inferior to CET for iDFS (HR 1.08, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.94, 1.24, p=0.26) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. ET was also non-inferior for distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI; HR 1.03, p=0.80), recurrence-free interval (RFI; HR 1.12, p=0.28), and overall survival (OS; HR 0.97, p=0.80). Nine year rates were similar for iDFS (83.3% vs. 84.3%), DRFI (94.5% vs. 95.0%), RFI (92.2% vs. 92.9%), and OS (93.9% vs. 93.8%). Recurrence accounted for 338 (41.6%) the first iDFS event, of which 199 (23.8%) were distant recurrences. Treatment interaction tests were significant for age (iDFS p=0.03; RFI p= 0.02), but not menopause, tumor size, grade, or RS (continuous or RS 11-15, 16-20, 21-25). Conclusions: In women with HR-positive, HER2-negative, AN-negative breast cancer and a RS of 11-25, adjuvant ET was not inferior to CET in the ITT analysis. (Funded by NCI, BCRF, and Komen Foundation.) Clinical trial information: NCT00310180.
Pan-cancer microsatellite instability to predict for presence of Lynch syndrome.
Authors: Latham Schwark Alicia , Srinivasan Preethi , Kemel Yelena , Shia Jinru , Bandlamudi Chaitanya , Mandelker Diana , Dubard-Gault Marianne , Tran Christina , Middha Sumit , Hechtman Jaclyn Frances , Penson Alexander , Varghese Anna M. , Zhang Liying , Robson Mark E. , Solit David B. , Diaz Luis A. , Taylor Barry S. , Offit Kenneth , Berger Michael F. , Stadler Zsofia Kinga
Published: June 2018

LBA1509

Background: The success of immunotherapy in microsatellite unstable (MSI-H) and/or DNA mismatch repair deficient (MMR-D) tumors has resulted in routine MSI-H/MMR-D testing in advanced solid tumors. Unlike colorectal (CRC) and endometrial cancer (EC), where this has long been undertaken, the characterization of Lynch syndrome (LS) across heterogeneous MSI-H/MMR-D tumors is unknown. Methods: Through a targeted NGS panel, MSI status was determined via MSIsensor. Scores of < 3, ≥3 to < 10, or ≥10 designated Microsatellite stable (MSS), MSI-Indeterminate (MSI-I) or MSI-H status, respectively. Germline mutations were assessed in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, EPCAM. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for MMR-D and tumor signatures in LS patients were assessed. Clinical variables were correlated with MSI and compared via Chi square or T-test. Results: Of 15,045 tumors spanning > 50 cancers , 93.2% were MSS, 4.6% MSI-I, and 2.2% MSI-H. Germline mutations were identified in 0.3% (37/14,020), 1.9% (13/699), and 16.3% (53/326) in the MSS, MSI-I, and MSI-H groups, respectively (p-value < 0.001). 25% of 1,025 MSI-H/MSI-I tumors were CRC/EC, but 50% (33/66) of LS patients had MSI-H/MSI-I tumors less commonly or not previously associated with LS (mesothelioma, sarcoma, adrenocortical, melanoma, ovarian germ cell). LS pts with MSI-H/MSI-I non-CRC/EC tumors only met testing criteria in 63.6% of cases, had lower MSIsensor scores, and were more likely to be MSI-I (MSI-I: non-CRC/EC, 30.3% (10/33) vs CRC/EC 9.1% (3/33); p-value = 0.03). IHC was completed in 86.4% (57/66) of LS MSI-H/MSI-I tumors, with 98.3% MMR-D-concordance. Of LS pts with MSS tumors, 78% had MSH6/PMS2 mutations, but 71% of LS pts with MSI-H/MSI-I tumors had MLH1/MSH2/EPCAM mutations(p-value < 0.001). 89% (33/37) of MSS tumors of LS pts had non-MMR-D signatures. Conclusions: MSI-H/MMR-D is predictive of LS across tumor types and suggests a more heterogeneous spectrum of LS-associated cancers than previously appreciated. Nearly 40% of LS pts with MSI-H/MMR-D non-CRC/EC tumors did not meet clinical criteria for genetic testing, suggesting that MSI-H/MMR-D tumors, regardless of cancer type or family history, should prompt germline testing for the evaluation of LS.
Preoperative chemoradiotherapy versus immediate surgery for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (PREOPANC-1): A randomized, controlled, multicenter phase III trial.
Authors: Van Tienhoven Geertjan , Versteijne Eva , Suker Mustafa , Groothuis Karin B.C. , Busch Olivier R. , Bonsing Bert A. , de Hingh Ignace H.J.T. , Festen Sebastiaan , Patijn Gijs A. , de Vos-Geelen Judith , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , Punt Cornelis J. A. , van Eijck Casper H.J. ,   and all other investigators of the institutions participating in the trial on behalf of the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group
Published: June 2018

LBA4002

Background: Standard of care for patients with (borderline) resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma is resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Previous studies suggest a benefit of neoadjuvant treatment. We conducted a multicenter phase III randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Methods: Patients with (borderline) resectable pancreatic cancer, pathologically confirmed, were randomized between immediate surgery (arm A) and preoperative chemoradiotherapy (arm B), both followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The preoperative chemoradiotherapy consisted of 15 times of 2.4 Gray (Gy) combined with gemcitabine, 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15, preceded and followed by a cycle of gemcitabine. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), secondary endpoints were (R0) resection rate, disease free survival (DFS), distant metastases free interval (DMFI), locoregional recurrence free interval (LRFI) and toxicity. Accrual was completed between April 23, 2013 and July 25, 2017. Results: In total, 246 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis (127 patients in arm A and 119 in arm B). Currently, 142 of the 176 needed events for the primary outcome are observed. OS was significantly better in arm B (median 13.5 vs. 17.1 months; HR 0.71; p = 0.047). This was also the case for R0 resection rate (31% vs. 65%, p = < 0.001), DFS (median 7.9 vs. 11.2 months; HR 0.67; p = 0.010), DMFI (median 10.2 vs 17.1 months; HR 0.63; p = 0.012) and LRFI (median 11.8 vs not reached; HR 0.47; p < 0.001). Resection rates were 72% (91/127) in arm A vs. 62% (74/119) in arm B (p = 0.15). No significant difference was observed in grade ≥ 3 adverse events between both groups (p = 0.17). A subgroup analysis of patients who actually underwent a resection was performed which showed a median OS of 16.8 and 29.9 months respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our preliminary data show that preoperative chemoradiotherapy significantly improves outcome in (borderline) resectable pancreatic cancer compared to immediate surgery. Updated results will be presented at the meeting. Clinical trial information: NTR3709.
Overall survival between African-American (AA) and Caucasian (C) men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Authors: Halabi Susan , Dutta Sandipan , Tangen Catherine M. , Rosenthal Mark , Petrylak Daniel Peter , Thompson Ian Murchie , Chi Kim N. , De Bono Johann S. , Fandi Abderrahim , Araujo John C. , Eisenberger Mario A. , Logothetis Christopher , Quinn David I. , Fizazi Karim , Higano Celestia S. , George Daniel J. , Morris Michael J. , Small Eric Jay , Tannock Ian , Kelly William Kevin
Published: June 2018

LBA5005

Background: Reports have suggested that African-American (AA) men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) have shorter overall survival (OS) than Caucasian (C) men. Prior reports have been limited by small sample size. The primary goal of this analysis was to compare OS in AA men to Caucasian men treated with docetaxel/prednisone or a docetaxel/prednisone containing regimen. Methods: Individual patient data from 8,871 mCRPC men randomized on nine phase III trials to docetaxel/prednisone (DP) or a DP containing regimen were combined. Race used in the analysis was based on self-report. The primary endpoint is OS, defined as the time between randomization and death or date of last follow-up if patients were alive. The proportional hazards model was used to assess the prognostic importance of race (AA vs. C) adjusting for established risk factors that were common across the trials (age, PSA, performance status, alkaline phosphatase, hemoglobin, and sites of metastases). Results: Of 8,871 patients, 7,528 (85%) were C, 500 (6%) were AA, 424 were Asian (5%) and 419 (4%) had race unspecified. The last two groups were deleted from the analysis leaving 8,452 pts. Median age was 69 years and 94% had performance status 0-1. Median hemoglobin, PSA and alkaline phosphatase were 12.9 g/dL, 86 ng/mL and 139 U/L, respectively. Pattern of metastatic spread were: 72% bone disease with or without lymph nodes, 9% lung disease, 9% liver disease and 7% lymph nodes only. Median OS were 21.0 (95% CI = 19.4-22.5) vs. 21.2 months (95% CI = 20.8-21.7) in AAs and C, respectively. In multivariable analysis adjusting for established risk factors, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) for AAs vs. Caucasians was 0.81 (95% CI = 0.72-0.92, p-value = 0.001) in all patients. Similar results were observed in 4,172 of patients who were treated with DP. Conclusions: We observed a statistically significant increased OS in AA vs. C men with mCRPC who were eligible to be enrolled on these clinical trials. Further understanding the biological variation by race in men with mCRPC treated with DP is warranted.
Decision Support Tool Improves Real and Perceived Anesthesiology Resident Relief Equity
Authors: Bhutiani Monica , Jablonski Patrick M. , Ehrenfeld Jesse M. , McEvoy Matthew D. , Fowler Leslie C. , Wanderer Jonathan P.
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND:

The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education requires monitoring of resident clinical and educational hours but does not require tracking daily work patterns or duty hour equity. Lack of such monitoring may allow for inequity that affects resident morale. No defined system for resident relief of weekday operating room (OR) clinical duties existed at our institution, leaving on-call residents to independently decide daily relief order. We developed an automated decision support tool (DST) to improve equitable decision making for clinical relief and assessed its impact on real and perceived relief equity.

METHODS:

The DST sent a daily e-mail to the senior resident responsible for relief decisions. It contained a prioritized relief list of noncall residents who worked in the OR beyond 5 pm the prior clinical day. We assessed actual relief equity using the number of times a resident worked in the OR past 5:30 pm on 2 consecutive weekdays as our outcome, adjusting for the mean number of open ORs each day between 5:00 pm and 6:59 pm in our main OR areas. We analyzed 14 months of data before implementation and 16 months of data after implementation. We assessed perceived relief equity before and after implementation using a questionnaire.

RESULTS:

After implementing the DST, the percentage of residents held 2 consecutive weekdays over the total of resident days worked decreased from 1.33% to 0.43%. The percentage of residents held beyond 5:30 pm on any given day decreased from 18.09% to 12.64%. Segmented regression analysis indicated that implementation of the DST was associated with a reduction in biweekly time series of residents kept late 2 days in a row, independent of the mean number of ORs in use. Surveyed residents reported the DST aided their ability to make equitable relief decisions (pre 60% versus post 94%; P = .0003). Eighty-five percent of residents strongly agreed that a prioritized relief list based on prior day work hours after 5 pm aided their decision making. After implementation, residents reported fewer instances of working past 5 pm within the past month (P < .005).

CONCLUSIONS:

A DST systematizing the relief process for anesthesiology residents was associated with a lower frequency of residents working beyond 5:30 pm in the OR on 2 consecutive days. The DST improved the perceived ability to make equitable relief decisions by on-call senior residents and residents being relieved. Success with this tool allows for broader applications in resident education, enabling enhanced monitoring of resident experiences and support for OR assignment decisions.
Personalized Versus Protocolized Fluid Management Using Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring (Clearsight System) in Patients Undergoing Moderate-Risk Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Joosten Alexandre , Raj Lawrence Shalini , Colesnicenco Alexandra , Coeckelenbergh Sean , Vincent Jean Louis , Van der Linden Philippe , Cannesson Maxime , Rinehart Joseph
Published: June 2018

Advances in noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring systems allow delivery of goal-directed fluid therapy and could therefore be used in less-invasive surgical procedures. In this randomized controlled trial, we compared closed-loop–assisted goal-directed fluid therapy using a noninvasive cardiac output (Clearsight system) monitor (personalized approach) to a protocolized fluid therapy approach in 40 patients undergoing moderate-risk laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Cardiac output and stroke volume variations were not significantly different in both groups and remained within predefined target values >90% of the study time. Personalized fluid therapy does not seem to offer any hemodynamic advantage over a protocolized approach in this population.
Desiring Blackness: A Queer Orientation to Marvel’sBlack Panther, 1998–2016
Authors: carrington andré
Published: June 2018

The socially symbolic figure of the superhero comes into close contact with vernacular intellectual critiques of race and modernity through the much-anticipated film adaptation of Marvel’s Black Panther comics. This article analyzes the implications for queer approaches to black popular cultural production of the knowledge practices that inspire Black Panther’s depiction of an African utopia. The intertexts involved include histories, travel writings, and other comics. Focusing on the divergent treatments by authors Christopher Priest (1998–2003) and Ta-Nehisi Coates (2016) of the title character’s black female comrades-in-arms, this reading interrogates how race consciousness and colonial legacies inform the discourses of desire operating within the text. The term desiring blackness describes an orientation to reading that defers to African Americanist and black diasporic considerations to ground the task of interpretation in conditions that elicit compromise among disparate lines of theoretical inquiry: queer phenomenology, decolonial epistemology, Afrofuturism, and queer of color critique.
Nancy and the Queer Adorable in the Serial Comics Form
Authors: Stark Jessica Q.
Published: June 2018

This essay presents in dialogue two renditions of the Nancy comics by original creator Ernie Bushmiller and the later poet and visual artist Joe Brainard. Arguing for a generative consideration of these seemingly disparate versions on a continuum, this comparison addresses the ongoing seriality of Nancy as offering a complex queer adorability that destabilizes modes of identification in the Nancy comics and beyond. Both Brainard’s and Bushmiller’s Nancy texts draw on the controlled miniature and the unwieldy additive catalog, which are characteristic of the long-running serial comics form. As queer texts that oscillate between popular iconographies, these iterations of Nancy provide resistance to expectations for normativity, narrative closure, static character performance, and bound space in relation to twentieth-century American collective identities.
The Normative Broken: Melinda Gebbie, Feminist Comix, and Child Sexuality Temporalities
Authors: Wanzo Rebecca
Published: June 2018

Lost Girls (2006) is a return to the themes explored by Melinda Gebbie and other underground feminist cartoonists in the 1970s and 1980s. The text, a collaboration between Gebbie and Alan Moore, should be read as reminiscent of feminist cartoonists who intentionally depicted the taboo or obscene in order to address sexual and gender inequalities. These comics suggest that the obscene can push against purity narratives attached to womanhood, narratives that potentially stigmatize all girls and women. Lost Girls keeps the taboos of children’s sexuality and incest central to the representation in order to reframe possibilities of women’s healthy sexual subjectivity. Injurious pasts and irreconcilable desires do not preclude joyous futures. Painful pasts enable the eponymous lost girls’ agency, creating the conditions that help them find homosocial and queer belonging with one another. The comic thus models the temporalities of surviving trauma. The feminist temporalities of survivorship here also model utopian futures that are homosocial, queer, often ecstatic, and resistant to normative scripts of what should give women comfort. Undergirded by a radical feminist perspective that sees injury as being embedded in many women’s experiences, the creation of community from the wound makes it normal to have been broken.
The essential oil of Lippia alba and its components affect Drosophila behavior and synaptic physiology
Authors: da Silva Lenise Vargas Flores , Veras Mourão Rosa Helena , Manimala Jibin , Lnenicka Gregory A.
Published: June 2018

Lippia alba is a flowering shrub in the verbena family and its essential oil (EO) is known for its sedative, antidepressant and analgesic properties. In the Amazon region of Brazil, it is used in aquaculture to anesthetize fish during transport. Many of the specialized metabolites found in EOs presumably evolved to protect plants from herbivores, especially insects. We used Drosophila to test the behavioral and physiological actions of this EO and its components. We found that 150 min exposure to the EO vapors resulted in immobilization of adult flies. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified the major components of the EO as the monoterpenes: citral (59%), carvone (7%) and limonene (7%). Fly immobilization by the EO was due to citral and carvone with citral producing more rapid effects than carvone. We tested whether the EO affected synaptic physiology by applying it to the larval neuromuscular junction. The EO delivered at 0.012% (v/v) produced over a 50% reduction in EPSP amplitude within 3-4 min. When the EO components were applied at 0.4 mM, citral and carvone produced a significant reduction in EPSP amplitude with citral producing the largest effect. Measurement of miniature EPSP amplitudes demonstrated that citral produced over a 50% reduction in transmitter release. Ca-imaging experiments showed that citral produced about 30% reduction in presynaptic Ca influx, which likely resulted in the decrease in transmitter release. Thus, the EO blocks synaptic transmission, largely due to citral, and this likely contributes to its behavioral effects.
Will a Five-Minute Discussion Change Your Mind? A Countrywide Experiment on Voter Choice in France
Authors: Pons Vincent
Published: June 2018

This paper provides the first estimate of the effect of door-to-door canvassing on actual electoral outcomes, via a countrywide experiment embedded in François Hollande's campaign in the 2012 French presidential election. While existing experiments randomized door-to-door visits at the individual level, the scale of this campaign (five million doors knocked) enabled randomization by precinct, the level at which vote shares are recorded administratively. Visits did not affect turnout, but increased Hollande's vote share in the first round and accounted for one-fourth of his victory margin in the second. Visits' impact persisted in later elections, suggesting a lasting persuasion effect. (JEL C93, D7, D83)
Escaping Malthus: Economic Growth and Fertility Change in the Developing World
Authors: Chatterjee Shoumitro , Vogl Tom
Published: June 2018

Following mid-twentieth century predictions of Malthusian catastrophe, fertility in the developing world more than halved, while living standards more than doubled. We analyze how fertility change related to economic growth during this episode, using data on 2.3 million women from 255 household surveys. We find different responses to fluctuations and long-run growth, both heterogeneous over the life cycle. Fertility was procyclical but declined and delayed with long-run growth; fluctuations late (but not early) in the reproductive period affected lifetime fertility. The results are consistent with models of the escape from the Malthusian trap, extended with a life cycle and liquidity constraints. (JEL D15, I12, I15, J13, J16, O15, O47)
HYDROGEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SALINIZATION PROBLEM OF XILAGANI - IMEROS AQUIFER SYSTEM IN SW PLAIN AREA OF RHODOPE PREFECTURE, GREECE
Authors: Pliakas F. , Mouzaliotis A. , Kallioras A. , Diamantis I.
Published: June 2018

This paper investigates the progress of groundwater salinization within the plain area ofXilagani - Imeros, in SW part ofRhodope Prefecture, as well as the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation use, after qualitative classification of groundwater samples from selective wells of the study area based on relevant guidelines. Some managerial suggestions for the confrontation of the seawater intrusion regime of the study area are also included. The investigation in question took place between 1994-1997 and 2002-2006, and involved drilling of test wells, geoelectric sounding measurements, grain size analyses, elaboration of hydro logical data, monitoring and relevant analysis of the groundwater level fluctuations in selective wells, electrical conductivity measurements as well as conducting chemical analyses of water samples from selective wells of the study area and relevant elaboration.
WATER RESOURCES IN THE WIDER AREA OF THE APOSELEMIS BASIN, CRETE ISLAND, GREECE
Authors: Voudouris K. , Alexopoulos A. , Antonakos A. , Kallergis G.
Published: June 2018

The estimation of hydrologie balance is useful in order to assess the safe yield of the aquifer systems and therefore to establish their rational exploitation and sustainable management. Over-abstractions of groundwater in Aposelemis basin resulted in a severe disequilibrium of its water balance. In order to overcome this disequilibrium we studied the hydrological balance in the wider area ofDikti mountain which comprises the drainage basins of Aposelemis river, ofLasithi and Katharo plateaus and of the rest of the drainage area of Dikti. The data used are the monthly values of Aposelemis runoff in the gauge station at Potamies and rainfall data for the period 1967-2003 from seven stations located within or in the close vicinity of the drainage basin of Aposelemis. Using ArcView GIS, the hydrological basin of Aposelemis river and the drainage area ofDikti were delineated, based on the digital elevation model (DEM). The actual évapotranspiration was estimated by the Thornthwaite method. A high inter-relationship exists between the flow of the Aposelemis river and rainfall outside the conventional boundaries of the Aposelemis basin. A significant portion of the annual rainfall, in that wider area is not only recharging the karst systems downstream but also contributing to the flow of Aposelemis river. Karst aquifer systems are partially drained by large coastal and submarine brackish springs and by inland freshwater springs. Finally, tracer studies carried out by IGME confirmed the hydraulic connection between Lasithiplateau and downstream aquifer systems.
Mg-Fe-RICH AMPHIBOLES ASSOCIATED TO PYROCLASTICS FROM SANTORINI ISLAND, SOUTH AEGEAN SEA VOLCANIC ARC, GREECE
Authors: Kitsopoulos K.
Published: June 2018

Amphibole bearing volcanic products in Santorini are restricted to the early volcanic activity expressed in the Akrotiri peninsula. This fact distinguishes these early products from the rest of the volcanic rocks of Santorini. The Fe-Mg-rich mineral phases, associated to the Akrotiri silicic pyroclastics which were analysed can be classified as Mg-Fe rich type of amphibole. This type of amphibole has not been reported before in volcanic rocL· from the South Aegean Volcanic Arcr. The presence of such a high Fe-Mg mineral phase in silicic pyroclastics in Santorini is constant with the involvement of primitive, mantle derived, mafic magmas, with some considerable water content, and which have been differentiated, before they are mixed with more silicic magmas at a shallower crustal level.
MINERAL CARBONATION AS A POTENTIAL CARBON DIOXIDE STORAGE OPTION FOR THE REGION OF WESTERN MACEDONIA, GREECE
Authors: Koukouzas N. , Ziock H. , Ziogou F. , Typou I.
Published: June 2018

The long-term storage of the greenhouse gas C02 generated by fossil fuel-fired power plants in the form of stable mineral carbonates appears to be a promising option for reducing global CO2 emissions. In the case of mineral carbonation captured gaseous CO2 is chemically stored in an exothermic reaction by the carbonation of magnesium or calcium silicate minerals, forming environmentally benign and thermodynamically stable products. The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the carbon dioxide storage by mineral carbonation and to examine the feasibility of this sequestration option in the region of Western Macedonia. The main candidate minerals for carbonation and their sequestration capacity are presented. Furthermore, the most promising mineral carbonation process routes as well as the thermodynamics and kinetics of carbonation reaction are addressed, based on a review on the published literature. In Greece abundant magnesium-rich ultramafic rocks exist that probably could support the national CO2 emissions abatement policy. The attractiveness stems from the favourable geographical relationship between large stationary CO2 emission sources and potential magnesium silicate deposits. Thus, a roughly description of the olivine deposits and their quality in the region of Western Macedonia will be provided
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PETROGRAPHIC AND PHYSICOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BASIC IGNEOUS ROCKS FROM THE PINDOS OPHIOLITIC COMPLEX, NW GREECE
Authors: Pomonis P. , Rigopoulos I. , Tsikouras B. , Hatzipanagiotou K.
Published: June 2018

The relationships between pétrographie and physicomechanical properties of basic igneous rocks· from the Pindos ophiolitic complex, northwestern Greece, were investigated. The mineralogical composition was quantified from one polished thin section per sample with a polarizing microscope, by using the point count method. Textural description was also carried out by using both polarizing and scanning electron microscope. The same samples were also tested to determine moisture content, water absorption, specific gravity, total porosity, void ratio, uniaxial compressive strength, Los Angeles, micro-Deval, PSV and Sand Equivalent values. The relationships between these properties and the pétrographie characteristics are described by simple regression analyses. The results indicate that plagioclase, chlorite, quartz and actinolite contents of the studied rock-types significantly influence their physicomechanical properties. Additionally, some textural parameters such as the mean grain size and the complexity of grain boundaries influence their mechanical strength.
DIAGENESIS OF THE MARLY-GYPSUM FORMATIONS, IGOUMENITSA AREA, N.W. GREECE
Authors: Tsipoura-Vlachou M.
Published: June 2018

The Igoumenitsa area, in northwestern Greece, is composed of organic-rich clay evaporitic formations, of the Ionian zone. They have undergone diagenetic processes, which effect the mineralogical transformations. The purpose of this paper is the study of the mineralogical diagenesis and the possible implications to the geotechnical behavior of these organic-rich clay evaporitic sedimentary rocks. The diagenetic minerals reported in this study are: A: The authigenic swelling clay minerals, smectite and mixed layers of smectite. B. The two characteristic minerals phases of the sulfate diagenesis: I. Bassanite (semi hydrated gypsum-Ca04.l/2H20) and 2. Celestite (SrS04) that can be considered as an indicator of bacterial sulphate reduction, fluid flow and recycling ofevaporites. The two authigenic minerals have derived from the evaporites, mostly by the dehydration of gypsum and by the action of pore water that is charged with the ions derived from the dissolution of preexistent sulfates, halite and carbonates. C. The neoformation of the carbonate minerals aragonite and dolomite, due to probably bacterial sulfate reduction. When organic-clay rich sediments, are associated to evaporites, the diagenetic processes become more complex and interacted. The diagenetic alterations of the gypsum/anhydrite rocks are related to the geotechnical behavior of the formation and may lead to possible karstiflcation. That may cause problems in roads and tunnels construction on or through these evaporitic series
CARDIORENAL INTERRELATIONSHIPS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Authors: Меньшикова Ираида , Men'shikova Iraida , Квасникова Юлия , Kvasnikova Yuliya , Магаляс Елена , Magalyas Elena , Скляр Ирина , Sklyar Irina
Published: June 2018

The aim is to study the interrelationships between the state of pulmonary, intracardiac hemodynamics and renal blood flow in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated with the chronic cor pulmonale (CCP). 75 patients with COPD complicated with compensated CCP who had the study of pulmonary, intracardiac and renal hemodynamics with the method of ultrasound duplex scanning were examined. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the 1st group included 45 patients with COPD with pulmonary hypertension (PH) without clinical signs of right ventricle insufficiency; the 2nd group included 30 patients with COPD and PH complicated with right ventricle insufficiency. It was found out that the patients with COPD alongside with the progression of the disease and development of the heart insufficiency had an increase of renal vessel resistance (p<0.01) and a decrease of the velocity of renal blood flow (p<0.001). In the first group of patients there was found a consistent correlation between the increase of the vessel resistance in renal arteries and growth of general peripheral vessel resistance (p<0.001), of systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery (p<0.001) and diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) (p<0.001), suggested the influence of these predictors on the velocity of the arterial blood flow in kidneys. In the 2nd group there was registered a strong correlation between the decrease of ejection fraction (EF) of LV and the increase of pulsation and resistive indices of arcuate arteries (r=0.69; p<0.01 and r=0.71; p<0.01, respectively), as well as the increase of end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume of LV and speed parameters of the renal blood flow at all levels (r=0.67; p<0.01). The study of the relationship between the parameters of hemodynamics of the right ventricle (RV) and the state of the renal blood flow revealed a consistent correlation between the decrease of EF of RV and the decrease of diastolic rate at all levels of renal arteries (p<0.001), the increase of resistive (p<0.01) and pulsation indices (p<0.01) of the arterial system of kidneys. These correlations reflect a negative influence of both a left ventricle and right ventricle insufficiency on the state of the renal blood flow.
CHANGES OF PARAMETRES OF FREE-RADICAL STATUS, OF ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION AND MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES OF ERYTHROCYTES OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF PREGNANT WOMEN OF THE FIRST TRIMESTER WITH CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION
Authors: Ишутина Наталия , Ishutina Nataliya , Андриевская Ирина , Andrievskaya Irina
Published: June 2018

The aim is to study the features of changes of free-radical status, antioxidant protection and morphologic changes of erythrocytes of the peripheral blood of pregnant women of the first trimester with exacerbation of cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI). 35 pregnant women with exacerbation of CMVI in the first trimester of gestation (the main group) and 35 pregnant women without this pathology of the same age and term as the patients of the main group were examined. Erythrocytes of the venous blood stabilized by heparine as well as blood plasma became the material of the study. There has been studied the condition of lipid peroxidation (LP) by the contents of diene conjugates and active products reacting with thiobarbituric acid; the state of nonenzymatic antioxidant protection by the contents of α-tocopherol as well as of the enzyme of erythrocytes (superoxide dismutase); morphologic changes of erythrocytes. It was found out that the exacerbation of CMVI in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with activation of LP processes which include modification of not only primary, reverse stages of this process – the increase of the concentration of diene conjugates (p<0.001), but they lead to an increased formation of secondary active products reacting with thiobarbituric acid (p<0.001), intensifying the destructive action on the membrane of erythrocytes. Primary and secondary products of LP against the decrease of concentration of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (p<0.001) and α-tocopherol (p<0.001) are accumulated in increasing concentrations and become potential factors of erythrocytes damage causing their functional and metabolic inferiority. Metabolic disturbances and damages of cellular membranes lead to the increase of population of echinocytes, target-like and degenerative forms of erythrocytes, which can be accompanied by a high probability of intravascular hemolysis and contribute to the development of hemic hypoxia complicating the infectious process and the course of pregnancy. Within the present hyperoxidation and suppression of antioxidant protection that lead to the worsening of the rheology of blood, women with exacerbation of CMVI in the first trimester of pregnancy should be prescribed the medicine stabilizing the lipid exchange.