bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Friction Coefficient on the Trajectory Performance for a Car‐Like Robot
Authors: Valero Francisco , Rubio Francisco , Llopis-Albert Carlos , Cuadrado Juan Ignacio
Published: June 2017

A collision‐free trajectory planner for a car‐like mobile robot moving in complex environments is introduced and the influence of the coefficient of friction on important working parameters is analyzed. The proposed planner takes into account not only the dynamic capabilities of the robot but also the behaviour of the tire. This planner is based on sequential quadratic programming algorithms and the normalized time method. Different values for the coefficient of friction have been taken following a normal Gaussian distribution to see its influence on the working parameters. The algorithm has been applied to several examples and the results show that computation times are compatible with real‐time work, so the authors call them efficient generated trajectories as they avoid collisions. Besides, working parameters such as the minimum trajectory time, the maximum vehicle speed, computational time, and consumed energy have been monitored and some conclusions have been reached.
Response of Local Nitric Oxide Release to Manual Acupuncture and Electrical Heat in Humans: Effects of Reinforcement Methods
Authors: Ma Sheng-Xing , Lee Paul C. , Anderson Thomas L. , Li Xi-Yan , Jiang Isabelle Z.
Published: June 2017

This study was to examine the influences of manual acupuncture (MA) and electrical heat corresponding to reinforcing methods on nitric oxide (NO) release over the skin regions in humans. A device with collecting solution was taped to the skin surface along pericardium (PC) or lung (LU) meridian. Acupuncture needles were gently inserted into PC 4 with reinforcing stimulation (low force/rate) for 20 minutes in the MA group. LU11 on the finger was heated (43‐44°C) by electrical heat for 20 minutes. Biocapture was consecutively conducted for two 20‐minute intervals during and after each treatment. Total nitrite and nitrate () in the collecting samples were quantified using chemiluminescence in blinded fashion. Baseline levels are higher and tended to be higher over PC and LU acupoints during the 1st biocapture. levels over PC regions were consistently increased by MA during both intervals. concentrations over LU acupoints were increased and tended to be increased by electrical heat in the 1st and 2nd biocapture. The results suggest that reinforcing MA and electrical heat induce NO released from the local skin regions with higher levels at acupoints, which improve local circulation and contribute to the beneficial effects of the therapies.
Serum-Free Thyroxine Levels Were Associated with Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure in Euthyroid Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Wu Bingjie , Jiang Jingjing , Gui Minghui , Liu Lin , Aleteng Qiqige , Wang Shanshan , Liu Xiaojing , Ling Yan , Gao Xin
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between thyroid hormone levels, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) in euthyroid patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A cross-sectional study was conducted in individuals who underwent coronary angiography and were diagnosed as CAD from March 2013 to November 2013. 811 subjects (185 women and 626 men) were included in this study. PASP was measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. 86 patients were diagnosed as PH and had significantly higher free thyroxine (FT4) levels than those without PH. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated an independent association of FT4 levels with PH after adjustment of gender, age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, hypertension, and medication use of calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and nitrates. Serum-free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were not associated with PH. Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analysis showed that FT4 levels emerged as an independent predictor for PASP, while FT3 and TSH levels were not associated with PASP. Our study demonstrated that, in euthyroid patients with CAD, FT4 was an independent risk factor for PH, and FT4 levels were independently associated with PASP.
Batch Scheduling with Proportional‐Linear Deterioration and Outsourcing
Authors: Miao Cuixia , Meng Fanxiao , Zou Juan , Jia Binglin
Published: June 2017

We consider the bounded parallel‐batch scheduling with proportional‐linear deterioration and outsourcing, in which the actual processing time is pj = αj(A + Dt) or pj = αjt. A job is either accepted and processed in batches on a single machine by manufactures themselves or outsourced to the third party with a certain penalty having to be paid. The objective is to minimize the maximum completion time of the accepted jobs and the total penalty of the outsourced jobs. For the pj = αj(A + Dt) model, when all the jobs are released at time zero, we show that the problem is NP‐hard and present a pseudo‐polynomial time algorithm, respectively. For the pj = αjt model, when the jobs have distinct m (<n) release dates, we provide a dynamic programming algorithm, where n is the number of jobs.
Vagal Paraganglioma Presenting as a Neck Mass Associated with Cough on Palpation
Authors: Heyes Richard , Taki Nizar , O’Leary Miriam A.
Published: June 2017

A 70-year-old female presented with a neck mass and sporadic dry cough, often leading to fits of coughing severe enough to cause vomiting. The patient reported that touching the mass triggered the cough. On examination, a 2.5 cm right-sided level two neck mass deep to the sternocleidomastoid was present. Palpation of the mass immediately triggered coughing. Cross-sectional imaging proposed vagal paraganglioma as the chief differential, which was confirmed following surgical excision. The patient reported complete resolution of her severe dry cough after surgery. Vagal paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors arising from the neural crest-derived paraganglionic tissue surrounding the vagus nerve, typically presenting as a neck mass associated with hoarseness or pulsatile tinnitus. To the best of our knowledge this is a unique description in the English literature. This case is presented to aid physicians should they encounter a neck mass associated with cough. Vagal paraganglioma, although rare, should be part of the differential in such a presentation.
Influence of the Microstructure and Silver Content on Degradation, Cytocompatibility, and Antibacterial Properties of Magnesium‐Silver Alloys In Vitro
Authors: Liu Zhidan , Schade Ronald , Luthringer Bérengère , Hort Norbert , Rothe Holger , Müller Sören , Liefeith Klaus , Willumeit-Römer Regine , Feyerabend Frank
Published: June 2017

Implantation is a frequent procedure in orthopedic surgery, particularly in the aging population. However, it possesses the risk of infection and biofilm formation at the surgical site. This can cause unnecessary suffering to patients and burden on the healthcare system. Pure Mg, as a promising metal for biodegradable orthopedic implants, exhibits some antibacterial effects due to the alkaline pH produced during degradation. However, this antibacterial effect may not be sufficient in a dynamic environment, for example, the human body. The aim of this study was to increase the antibacterial properties under harsh and dynamic conditions by alloying silver metal with pure Mg as much as possible. Meanwhile, the Mg‐Ag alloys should not show obvious cytotoxicity to human primary osteoblasts. Therefore, we studied the influence of the microstructure and the silver content on the degradation behavior, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial properties of Mg‐Ag alloys in vitro. The results indicated that a higher silver content can increase the degradation rate of Mg‐Ag alloys. However, the degradation rate could be reduced by eliminating the precipitates in the Mg‐Ag alloys via T4 treatment. By controlling the microstructure and increasing the silver content, Mg‐Ag alloys obtained good antibacterial properties in harsh and dynamic conditions but had almost equivalent cytocompatibility to human primary osteoblasts as pure Mg.
High Temperature Corrosion of Nickel in NaVO3-V2O5Melts
Authors: Porcayo-Calderon J. , Ramos-Hernandez J. J. , Mayén Jan , Porcayo-Palafox E. , Pedraza-Basulto G. K. , Gonzalez-Rodriguez J. G. , Martinez-Gomez L.
Published: June 2017

Many alloys used at high temperature in industrial processes are Ni-based and many others contain it in appreciable quantities, so it is of interest to evaluate the performance of pure nickel in order to determine the behavior of its alloys once the elements responsible for their protection have been depleted due to accelerated corrosion processes in the presence of vanadium-rich molten salts. Due to this, this work presents the study of Ni behavior in NaVO3-V2O5mixtures at different temperatures. The behavior of pure nickel was determined by both electrochemical and mass loss measurements. The results show that the aggressiveness of the vanadium salts is increased by increasing both the V2O5content and temperature. V2O5addition considerably increases the current densities of the anodic and cathodic reactions. The corrosion process of Ni is modified due to the presence of its corrosion products, and its presence increases the activation energy by at least one order of magnitude. Although nickel shows a high reactivity in vanadium-rich salts, its reaction products are highly stable and protect it from the corrosive medium because the corrosion reactions trap the vanadium and block the migration of nickel ions.
Interrelationship between Climatic, Ecologic, Social, and Cultural Determinants Affecting Dengue Emergence and Transmission in Puerto Rico and Their Implications for Zika Response
Authors: Matysiak Angela , Roess Amira
Published: June 2017

Objective. The global resurgence of dengue has been attributed to rapid population growth, urban expansion, increased air travel, globalization, and climate change. Dengue is now endemic in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is at risk for Zika, another emerging arbovirus. The interrelationship between climatic, ecological, social, and cultural factors that affect dengue and other arboviruses’ transmission is understudied.Design. The objective of this systematic review is to examine the interrelationship between climatic, ecological, social, and cultural factors on dengue transmission in Puerto Rico and to draw lessons for Zika response.Results. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed journal articles was performed, producing 562 articles; 26 were selected for this review. Findings indicate that human activities and behaviors (urbanization, migration, and consumption) as well as climate have a significant impact on the abundance and the transmission potential ofAe. aegypti, the vector for dengue, Zika, and other viruses.Conclusion. Despite the public health burden of dengue limited investments have been made in research and surveillance. Future research is needed to develop models that integrate the multivariate effects of climatic, ecological, social, and cultural factors, which for Puerto Rico have mostly been examined independently. Such models have the potential to inform response to dengue, Zika, and other arboviruses.
Inhibition of CDK4/6 by Palbociclib Significantly Extends Survival in Medulloblastoma Patient-Derived Xenograft Mouse Models
Authors: Cook Sangar Michelle L. , Genovesi Laura A. , Nakamoto Madison W. , Davis Melissa J. , Knobluagh Sue E. , Ji Pengxiang , Millar Amanda , Wainwright Brandon J. , Olson James M.
Published: June 2017

Purpose: Bioinformatics analysis followed by in vivo studies in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were used to identify and validate CDK 4/6 inhibition as an effective therapeutic strategy for medulloblastoma, particularly group 3 MYC-amplified tumors that have the worst clinical prognosis.

Experimental Design: A protein interaction network derived from a Sleeping Beauty mutagenesis model of medulloblastoma was used to identify potential novel therapeutic targets. The top hit from this analysis was validated in vivo using PDX models of medulloblastoma implanted subcutaneously in the flank and orthotopically in the cerebellum of mice.

Results: Informatics analysis identified the CDK4/6/CYCLIN D/RB pathway as a novel “druggable” pathway for multiple subgroups of medulloblastoma. Palbociclib, a highly specific inhibitor of CDK4/6, was found to inhibit RB phosphorylation and cause G1 arrest in PDX models of medulloblastoma. The drug caused rapid regression of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and MYC-amplified group 3 medulloblastoma subcutaneous tumors and provided a highly significant survival advantage to mice bearing MYC-amplified intracranial tumors.

Conclusions: Inhibition of CDK4/6 is potentially a highly effective strategy for the treatment of SHH and MYC-amplified group 3 medulloblastoma. Clin Cancer Res; 23(19); 5802–13. ©2017 AACR.
Modulation of Plasma Metabolite Biomarkers of the MAPK Pathway with MEK Inhibitor RO4987655: Pharmacodynamic and Predictive Potential in Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Ang Joo Ern , Pal Akos , Asad Yasmin J. , Henley Alan T. , Valenti Melanie , Box Gary , de haven Brandon Alexis , Revell Victoria L. , Skene Debra J. , Venturi Miro , Rueger Ruediger , Meresse Valerie , Eccles Suzanne A. , de Bono Johann S. , Kaye Stanley B. , Workman Paul , Banerji Udai , Raynaud Florence I.
Published: June 2017

MAPK pathway activation is frequently observed in human malignancies, including melanoma, and is associated with sensitivity to MEK inhibition and changes in cellular metabolism. Using quantitative mass spectrometry–based metabolomics, we identified in preclinical models 21 plasma metabolites including amino acids, propionylcarnitine, phosphatidylcholines, and sphingomyelins that were significantly altered in two B-RAF–mutant melanoma xenografts and that were reversed following a single dose of the potent and selective MEK inhibitor RO4987655. Treatment of non–tumor-bearing animals and mice bearing the PTEN-null U87MG human glioblastoma xenograft elicited plasma changes only in amino acids and propionylcarnitine. In patients with advanced melanoma treated with RO4987655, on-treatment changes of amino acids were observed in patients with disease progression and not in responders. In contrast, changes in phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins were observed in responders. Furthermore, pretreatment levels of seven lipids identified in the preclinical screen were statistically significantly able to predict objective responses to RO4987655. The RO4987655 treatment–related changes were greater than baseline physiological variability in nontreated individuals. This study provides evidence of a translational exo-metabolomic plasma readout predictive of clinical efficacy together with pharmacodynamic utility following treatment with a signal transduction inhibitor. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(10); 2315–23. ©2017 AACR.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Protect the Salivary Gland from Radiation Damage by Inhibiting Activation of Protein Kinase C-δ
Authors: Wie Sten M. , Wellberg Elizabeth , Karam Sana D. , Reyland Mary E.
Published: June 2017

In patients undergoing irradiation (IR) therapy, injury to nontumor tissues can result in debilitating, and sometimes permanent, side effects. We have defined protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ) as a regulator of DNA damage–induced apoptosis and have shown that phosphorylation of PKCδ by c-Abl and c-Src activates its proapoptotic function. Here, we have explored the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) of c-Src and c-Abl to block activation of PKCδ for radioprotection of the salivary gland. Dasatinib, imatinib, and bosutinib all suppressed tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCδ and inhibited IR-induced apoptosis in vitro. To determine whether TKIs can provide radioprotection of salivary gland function in vivo, mice were treated with TKIs and a single or fractionated doses of irradiation. Delivery of dasatinib or imatinib within 3 hours of a single or fractionated dose of irradiation resulted in >75% protection of salivary gland function at 60 days. Continuous dosing with dasatinib extended protection to at least 5 months and correlated with histologic evidence of salivary gland acinar cell regeneration. Pretreatment with TKIs had no impact on clonogenic survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells, and in mice harboring HNSCC cell–derived xenografts, combining dasatinib or imatinib with fractionated irradiation did not enhance tumor growth. Our studies indicate that TKIs may be useful clinically to protect nontumor tissue in HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy, without negatively impacting cancer treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(9); 1989–98. ©2017 AACR.
Monocyte Subsets Are Differentially Lost from the Circulation during Acute Inflammation Induced by Human Experimental Endotoxemia
Authors: Tak Tamar , van Groenendael Roger , Pickkers Peter , Koenderman Leo
Published: June 2017

Three human monocyte subsets are recognized with different functions in the immune system: CD14++/CD16- classical monocytes (CM), CD14++/CD16+ intermediate monocytes (IM) and CD14+/CD16++ non-classical monocytes (NCM). Increased IM and NCM percentages have been reported under inflammatory conditions, yet little is known about monocyte subsets at the onset of inflammation. The human endotoxemia model is uniquely capable of studying the first phases of acute inflammation induced by intravenous injection of 2 ng/kg bodyweight lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into healthy volunteers. After that, monocyte subset counts, activation/differentiation status and chemokine levels were studied over 24 h. The numbers of all subsets were decreased by >95% after LPS injection. CM numbers recovered first (3- 6 h), followed by IM (6-8 h) and NCM numbers (8-24 h). Similarly, increased monocyte counts were observed first in CM (8 h), followed by IM and NCM (24 h). Monocytes did not display a clear activated phenotype (minor increase in CD11b and CD38 expression). Plasma levels of CCL2, CCL4 and CX3CL1 closely resembled the cell numbers of CM, IM and NCM, respectively. Our study provides critical insights into the earliest stages of acute inflammation and emphasizes the necessity to stain for different monocyte subsets when studying the role of monocytes in disease, as neither function nor kinetics of the subsets overlap.
Healing of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Report
Authors: Mangelsdorf Inge , Walach Harald , Mutter Joachim
Published: June 2017

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease leading to death within 3-5 years in most cases. New approaches to treating this disease are needed. Here, we report a successful therapy. Case Report: In a 49-year-old male patient suffering from muscle weakness and fasciculations, progressive muscular atrophy, a variant of ALS, was diagnosed after extensive examinations ruling out other diseases. Due to supposed mercury exposure from residual amalgam, the patient's teeth were restored. Then, the patient received sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfate (DMPS; overall 86 × 250 mg in 3 years) in combination with α-lipoic acid and followed by selenium. In addition, he took vitamins and micronutrients and kept a vegetarian diet. The excretion of metals was monitored in the urine. The success of the therapy was followed by scoring muscle weakness and fasciculations and finally by electromyography (EMG) of the affected muscles. First improvements occurred after the dental restorations. Two months after starting therapy with DMPS, the mercury level in the urine was increased (248.4 µg/g creatinine). After 1.5 years, EMG confirmed the absence of typical signs of ALS. In the course of 3 years, the patient recovered completely. Conclusions: The therapy described here is a promising approach to treating some kinds of motor neuron disease and merits further evaluation in rigorous trials.
The Impact of Gender on Tumour Stage in In-House Complications and Choice of Urinary Diversion: Results of the Austrian Cystectomy Registry
Authors: Gschliesser Tanja , Eredics Klaus , Berger Ingrid , Szelinger Michael , Klingler Hans Christoph , Colombo Thomas , Ponholzer Anton , Plas Eugen , Grubmüller Karl , Dunzinger Michael , Jeschke Klaus , Würnschimmel Erich , Krause Frens Steffen , Shariat Sharokh , Leeb Karl , Pelzer Alexandre , Riedl Claus , Rauchenwald Michael , Hübner Wilhelm , Brössner Clemens , Madersbacher Stephan ,   Cystectomy Registry of the Austrian Society of Urology
Published: June 2017

Introduction and Objectives: Bladder cancer is characterized by gender-dependent disparities. To further address this issue, we analysed a prospective, multicentre cystectomy registry. Methods: An online database was developed that included patient demographics, intra/perioperative data, surgical data and in-house complications. Results: Four hundred fifty-eight patients (112 [24.5%] women and 346 [75.5%] men) were analysed. Men and women were comparable regarding age (mean 68 years), body mass index (mean 26.5) and the mean Charlson score (4.8). Women had more advanced tumour-stages (pT3/pT4; women: 57.1%; men: 48.1%). The rate of incontinent urinary diversion was higher in women (83.1%) than in men (60.2%) and in a multivariate analysis, the strongest predictors were M+ status (OR 11.2), female gender (OR 6.9) and age (OR 6.5). Women had a higher intraoperative blood transfusion rate. The overall rate of in-house complications was similar in both genders (men: 32.0%, women: 32.6%). Severe (Clavien-Dindo grade >2) medical (women: 6.3%; men: 5.2%) and surgical (women: 21.5%; men: 14.4%) in-house complications, however, were more frequent in women. Conclusions: This multicentre registry demonstrates several gender-related differences in patients undergoing radical cystectomy. The higher transfusion rate, the rare use of orthotopic bladder substitutes and the higher in-house complication rate underline the higher complexity of this procedure in women.
Role of Glycyrrhizin in the Reduction of Inflammation in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Thakur Vikram , Nargis Syeda , Gonzalez Mayra , Pradhan Swetak , Terreros Daniel , Chattopadhyay Munmun
Published: June 2017

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most debilitating complications of type 2 diabetes. Recent evidence suggests chronic inflammation to be one of the causal factors of DKD. The mechanisms entailed are not completely elucidated except that a variety of cytokines play a major role in this process. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a pro-inflammatory toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4)-binding cytokine that is involved in inflammation-associated gene expression. This investigation was designed to assess the involvement of HMGB1, TLR-4, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the development of DKD and to evaluate that whether blocking HMGB1 by its natural inhibitor Glycyrrhizin (GLC) can reduce the progression of the disease. Methods: Studies were carried out in 8-10-weeks old Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and lean, age- and gender-matched rats. At 10 weeks of age, ZDF rats as compared to controls, showed hyperglycemia, without proteinuria. After 8-10 weeks of the development of diabetes, ZDF animals that showed proteinuria were treated with GLC for 4 weeks. In addition, normal rat kidney (NRK-52E) cells with epithelial-like morphology were comparatively treated with GLC under hyperglycemic condition in vitro. Results: Substantial increase in the expression of HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB in vivo and in vitro under hyperglycemic conditions was observed as compared to normoglycemic conditions. The overexpression of HMGB1, TLR4, NF-κB, and glomerular injury marker nestin was significantly ameliorated by GLC administration. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that hyperglycemia-induced HMGB1 activation in ZDF rats may contribute to the progression of DKD.
Sex‐Based Differences in the Performance of the HEART Score in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Acute Chest Pain
Authors: Bank Ingrid E. M. , de Hoog Vince C. , de Kleijn Dominique P. V. , Pasterkamp Gerard , Doevendans Pieter A. , den Ruijter Hester M. , Dalmeijer Geertje , Wildbergh Thierry X. , Mosterd Arend , Timmers Leo
Published: June 2017

Background

Sex‐based differences in clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and outcomes of patients with acute chest pain are increasingly being recognized, but are not implemented in guidelines and clinical prediction tools. We evaluated the performance of the HEART score in women versus men, because sex‐based differences may exist among the algorithm's components: history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors, and admission troponin level.

Methods and Results

The HEART score was retrospectively assessed in 831 women and 1084 men presenting to the emergency department with acute chest pain, assigning patients to the low‐, intermediate‐, or high‐risk category for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 6 weeks. MACE, consisting of myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and all‐cause death, also included events during index visit. Six‐week MACE rates were 2 times lower in women than men (10.0% versus 20.8%;
P
<0.01). Despite similar discriminatory accuracy of the HEART score among women and men (c‐statistic, 0.80 [0.75–0.84] versus 0.77 [0.74–0.81];
P
=0.43), 6‐week MACE rates were significantly lower in women than men across all HEART risk categories: 2.1% versus 6.5% (
P
<0.01) in the low‐risk category, 12.7% versus 21.3% (
P
<0.01) in intermediate‐risk category, and 53.1% versus 77.0% (
P
=0.02) in the high‐risk category. The HEART score‐adjusted risk ratio for men was 1.6 (1.3–2.0;
P
<0.01).

Conclusions

The markedly higher 6‐week MACE risk in men across all HEART risk categories should be taken into account when using the HEART score to guide clinical decision making; early discharge with a low‐risk HEART score appears less safe for men than women with acute chest pain.
The Origins of Middle Persian Zamān and Related Words: A Controversial Etymological History
Authors: Panaino Antonio
Published: June 2017

Middle Persian zamān is one of the most important terms in the Iranian cultural and religious lexicon. Its origin, however, remains yet controversial, although, the scholarly debate on this lexeme has opened different perspectives with alternative solutions, particularly with regard to its ultimate roots—Semitic or Indo-Iranian. The present study is a thorough examination of all the aspects of the issue with new interpretation of the extant data.
Analysis on the Effect of China’s Overseas ngo Law under the Differences in Legal Thinking
Authors: Jia Xijin
Published: June 2017

The Law on the Management of Overseas NGOs’ Activities in Mainland China has come into effect on January 1, 2017. Ever since its second draft was unveiled to the public and then the final draft was adopted, Chinese and international civil society organizations have expressed their concerns and criticisms, far beyond the expectation of the Chinese government that intends to regulate illegal activities and protect legitimate rights with this law. This paper argues that the unexpected responses are provoked not only by the political purpose behind the adoption of this law – to safeguard national security – but also by the different interpretations of the law due to the differences in legal thinking. Beginning with an analysis of the law’s text, this paper continues to look at the regulatory framework and what has provoked the unexpected responses from the public, examines the differences in legal thinking – an underlying issue in this regard, and proposes that to ensure the effective enforcement of the law efforts should be made in three aspects, i.e. making clarification, establishing standard procedures, and protecting rights, to settle the idea differences between the legislature and the overseas civil society.
Government-Nonprofit Collaboration: Social Enterprise Participates in Drug Addicts’ Social Integration
Authors: Peng Gao
Published: June 2017

As a special community, the drug addicts cannot integrate into the society easily. In the case study of Kunming Q social enterprise, the author found out that it was effective to help drug addicts integrate into the society, combining government investment with social enterprise operation and the social participation. But this government-nonprofit collaboration was not successful at last. The failure was originated from these factors, which included market competition, social entrepreneur, inner-governance and participators’ congruent goals, and the last was more important.
The Abbasid Activist Ḥayyān al-ʿAṭṭār as the Father of Jābir b. Ḥayyān: An Influential Hypothesis Revisited
Authors: Delva Thijs
Published: June 2017

In 1927 Holmyard formulated the hypothesis that the Abbasid activist Ḥayyān al-ʿAṭṭār (“Ḥayyān the Perfumer”, fl. 98/717) was the father of the second/eighth century alchemist Jābir b. Ḥayyān. It will be shown here that this hypothesis is contradicted by two sources that have since been published (the third book of al-Balādhurī’sAnsāb al-ashrāfand the anonymousAkhbār al-ʿAbbās wa-wuldihi). The implications of this finding for the question of Jābir’s historicity will also be explored. Although the references to Jābir in later sources (including a number of new ones that will be listed here) strongly suggest that he is not a historical figure, his historicity is still often accepted, or at least left open as a possibility. It will be argued that Holmyard’s hypothesis has been a crucial factor in this continued acceptance, and that its rejection probably also entails the rejection of a historical Jābir.
Two new species of Darnini (Hemiptera: Membracidae) from Colombia and Peru
Authors: GONZALEZ-MOZO LAURA , MCKAMEY STUART , WARE JESSICA L. , HAMILTON GEORGE
Published: June 2017

Two new species of treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae) from Colombia and Peru are described. Cyphotes colombiensis sp. nov. and Hypheodana sakakibarai sp. nov. both belong in the tribe Darnini. New distribution records are provided for Cyphotes (from Colombia) and Hypheodana (from Peru).
Two new species of Bahita Oman, 1938 from Central-Western Brazil (Insecta: Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae)
Authors: CAMISÃO BEATRIZ M. , TAKIYA DANIELA M.
Published: June 2017

Two new species of Bahita are described from Goiás State, Brazil: B. sakakibarai sp. nov. and Bahita zanolae sp. nov., which represent the first records of the genus from this state. A key to males of the eleven species of Bahita recorded from Central-Western Brazil is given, and the taxonomic history of the genus is revised.
Seven new species of the cicada genus Guyalna Boulard & Martinelli, 1996 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Fidicinini) with a re-description of the type species
Authors: RUSCHEL TATIANA PETERSEN
Published: June 2017

The knowledge of Guyalna Boulard & Martinelli is improved with the description of seven new species (Guyalna aurora Ruschel sp. nov., Guyalna flavantica Ruschel sp. nov., Guyalna pilosa Ruschel sp. nov., Guyalna principis Ruschel sp. nov., Guyalna sakakibari sp. nov., Guyalna spinula Ruschel sp. nov. and Guyalna tenebrae Ruschel sp. nov.); Fidicinoides fumea (Distant, 1883) is transferred to Guyalna, redescribed and the male genitalia is described for the first time; and the type species, G. bonaerensis (Berg, 1879), is re-described, including the first description of the male genitalia and of female characters.
A Physically Based Horizontal Subgrid-Scale Turbulent Mixing Parameterization for the Convective Boundary Layer
Authors: Zhou Bowen , Zhu Kefeng , Xue Ming
Published: June 2017

Compared to the representation of vertical turbulent mixing through various planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes, the treatment of horizontal turbulent mixing in the boundary layer has received much less attention. In mesoscale and convective-scale models, subgrid-scale horizontal turbulent mixing has traditionally been associated with mesoscale circulations or eddies. Its parameterization most often adopts the gradient-diffusion model, where the horizontal mixing coefficients are usually set constant, or through the 2D Smagorinsky formulation, or in some cases based on the 1.5-order turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) closure. For horizontal turbulent mixing associated with boundary layer eddies, the traditional schemes are shown to perform poorly. This work investigates the characteristic turbulence velocity and length scales based on analysis of a well-resolved, wide-domain large-eddy simulation of a convective boundary layer (CBL). To improve the representation of horizontal turbulent mixing by CBL eddies, a class of schemes is proposed with different levels of sophistication. The first two schemes can be used together with first-order PBL schemes, while the third uses TKE to define its characteristic velocity scale and can be used together with TKE-based higher-order PBL schemes. The proposed parameterizations are tested a posteriori in idealized simulations of turbulent dispersion of a passive scalar. Comparisons show improved horizontal dispersion by the proposed schemes and further demonstrate the weakness of the existing schemes.
Low-Pass Filtering, Heat Flux, and Atlantic Multidecadal Variability
Authors: Cane Mark A. , Clement Amy C. , Murphy Lisa N. , Bellomo Katinka
Published: June 2017

Abstarct

In this model study the authors explore the possibility that the internal component of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) sea surface temperature (SST) signal is indistinguishable from the response to white noise forcing from the atmosphere and ocean. Here, complex models are compared without externally varying forcing with a one-dimensional noise-driven model for SST. General analytic expressions are obtained for both unfiltered and low-pass filtered lead–lag correlations. It is shown that this simple model reproduces many of the simulated lead–lag relationships among temperature, rate of change of temperature, and surface heat flux. It is concluded that the finding that at low frequencies the ocean loses heat to the atmosphere when the temperature is warm, which has been interpreted as showing that the ocean circulation drives the AMO, is a necessary consequence of the fact that at long periods the net heat flux (ocean plus atmosphere) is zero to a good approximation. It does not distinguish between the atmosphere and ocean as the source of the AMO and is consistent with the hypothesis that the AMO is driven by white noise heat fluxes. It is shown that some results in the literature are artifacts of low-pass filtering, which creates spurious low-frequency signals when the underlying data are white or red noise. It is concluded that in the absence of external forcing the AMO in most GCMs is consistent with being driven by white noise, primarily from the atmosphere.
A Direct Estimate of the Seasonal Cycle of Evapotranspiration over the Amazon Basin
Authors: Swann Abigail L. S. , Koven Charles D.
Published: June 2017

Evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical term in the surface energy budget as well as the water cycle. There are few direct measurements of ET, and thus the magnitude and variability are poorly constrained at large spatial scales. Estimates of the annual cycle of ET over the Amazon are critical because they influence predictions of the seasonal cycle of carbon fluxes, as well as atmospheric dynamics and circulation. The authors estimate ET for the Amazon basin using a water budget approach by differencing rainfall, discharge, and time-varying storage from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment. It is found that the climatological annual cycle of ET over the Amazon basin upstream of Óbidos shows suppression of ET during the wet season and higher ET during the dry season, consistent with flux-tower-based observations in seasonally dry forests. They also find a statistically significant decrease in ET over the time period 2002–15 of −1.46 mm yr−1. The direct estimate of the seasonal cycle of ET is largely consistent with previous indirect estimates, including energy-budget-based approaches, an upscaled station-based estimate, and land surface model estimates, but suggests that suppression of ET during the wet season is underestimated by existing products.
Breaking New Ground in Severe Weather Prediction: The 2015 NOAA/Hazardous Weather Testbed Spring Forecasting Experiment
Authors: Gallo Burkely T. , Clark Adam J. , Jirak Israel , Kain John S. , Weiss Steven J. , Coniglio Michael , Knopfmeier Kent , Correia James , Melick Christopher J. , Karstens Christopher D. , Iyer Eswar , Dean Andrew R. , Xue Ming , Kong Fanyou , Jung Youngsun , Shen Feifei , Thomas Kevin W. , Brewster Keith , Stratman Derek , Carbin Gregory W. , Line William , Adams-Selin Rebecca , Willington Steve
Published: June 2017

Led by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center and National Severe Storms Laboratory, annual spring forecasting experiments (SFEs) in the Hazardous Weather Testbed test and evaluate cutting-edge technologies and concepts for improving severe weather prediction through intensive real-time forecasting and evaluation activities. Experimental forecast guidance is provided through collaborations with several U.S. government and academic institutions, as well as the Met Office. The purpose of this article is to summarize activities, insights, and preliminary findings from recent SFEs, emphasizing SFE 2015. Several innovative aspects of recent experiments are discussed, including the 1) use of convection-allowing model (CAM) ensembles with advanced ensemble data assimilation, 2) generation of severe weather outlooks valid at time periods shorter than those issued operationally (e.g., 1–4 h), 3) use of CAMs to issue outlooks beyond the day 1 period, 4) increased interaction through software allowing participants to create individual severe weather outlooks, and 5) tests of newly developed storm-attribute-based diagnostics for predicting tornadoes and hail size. Additionally, plans for future experiments will be discussed, including the creation of a Community Leveraged Unified Ensemble (CLUE) system, which will test various strategies for CAM ensemble design using carefully designed sets of ensemble members contributed by different agencies to drive evidence-based decision-making for near-future operational systems.
“You’re Not Welcome Here”: A Grounded Theory of Family Distancing
Authors: Scharp Kristina M.
Published: June 2017

A constructivist grounded theory of family distancing emerged from the narrative accounts of 52 adult children in the process of estrangement from their parents. The grounded theory conceptualizes estrangement as a continuum comprised of eight components: (1) communication quality, (2) communication quantity, (3) physical distance, (4) presence/absence of emotion, (5) positive/negative affect, (6) reconciliation/desire to be a family, (7) role reciprocity, and (8) legal action. In addition, 10 communicative behaviors are identified that can help family members move along the estrangement continuum toward greater distance or maintain their position. Together they interplay to constitute a holistic picture of the estrangement process. Scholarly uses, theoretical implications, and practical applications will be discussed.
Out of the Barracks: The Role of the Military in Democratic Revolutions
Authors: Degaut Marcos
Published: June 2017

Why some democratic revolutions succeed while others fail? The scholarly community has sought to address this issue from various perspectives, from rational choice approaches to collective action theories. Too little attention, however, has been paid to analyzing the role of the military. By discussing the different types of interactions played by the military in five cases of successful democratic revolutions—the 1910 Portuguese Republican Revolution, the 1958 Venezuelan Revolution, the 1960 April Revolution in South Korea, the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia, and the 2000 Bulldozer Revolution in Yugoslavia—and three cases of failed revolutions, the 1905 bourgeois-liberal revolution in Russia, the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests in China, and the 2016 Turkey’s coup attempt, this study finds out that the key factor in determining their outcome is the army’s response and that the military backing is a necessary condition for a democratic revolution to succeed.
Polyomavirus-associated Prostatitis in Wistar Han Rats Following Immunosuppression in a Chronic Toxicity Study
Authors: Masek-Hammerman Katherine , Brown Thomas P. , Bobrowski Walter F. , Tomlinson Lindsay , Debrue Marie , Whiteley Laurence , Radi Zaher
Published: June 2017

Chronic prostatitis characterized on light microscopic examination by moderate, multifocal, predominantly lymphocytic inflammation associated with epithelial atypia and intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusion-like material was identified in the prostate gland of 2 Wistar Han rats administered an immunomodulatory test article in a 6-month chronic toxicity study. Transmission electron microscopy of the prostate glands identified 45-nm, nonenveloped, icosahedral virions arranged in paracrystalline array within the cell nuclei in 1 of the 2 rats. The size, shape, location, and array pattern were most consistent with a polyomavirus. The light and electron microscopic findings after immunosuppression in our case have a resemblance to a polyomavirus recently reported to affect prostate gland epithelium in a colony of immunocompromised X-linked severe combined immune deficiency rats. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of light and electronic microscopic lesions in the reproductive tract associated with polyomavirus following chronic immunosuppression in a widely used, wild-type Wistar Han rat.
Elite Power under Advanced Neoliberalism
Authors: Davies William
Published: June 2017

The financial crisis, and associated scandals, created a sense of a juridical deficit with regard to the financial sector. Forms of independent judgement within the sector appeared compromised, while judgement over the sector seemed unattainable. Elites, in the classical Millsian sense of those taking tacitly coordinated ‘big decisions’ over the rest of the public, seemed absent. This article argues that the eradication of jurisdictional elites is an effect of neoliberalism, as articulated most coherently by Hayek. It characterizes the neoliberal project as an effort to elevate ‘unconscious’ processes over ‘conscious’ ones, which in practice means elevating cybernetic, non-human systems and processes over discursive spheres of politics and judgement. Yet such a system still produces its own types of elite power, which come to consist in acts of translation, rather than judgement. Firstly, there are ‘cyborg intermediaries’: elites which operate largely within the system of codes, data, screens and prices. Secondly, there are ‘diplomatic intermediaries’: elites who come to narrate and justify what markets (and associated technologies and bodies) are ‘saying’. The paper draws on Lazzarato’s work on signifying vs asignifying semiotics in order to articulate this, and concludes by considering the types of elite crisis which these forms of power tend to produce.
Centrality Measures and Academic Achievement in Computerized Classroom Social Networks
Authors: Reychav Iris , Raban Daphne Ruth , McHaney Roger
Published: June 2017

The current empirical study examines relationships between network measures and learning performance from a social network analysis perspective. We collected computerized, networking data to analyze how 401 junior high students connected to classroom peers using text- and video-based material on iPads. Following a period of computerized interaction, learning assessments were taken at individual or group consensus levels. Social network analysis suggested highly connected students became information sources with higher individual assessment achievements. Students receiving information from central sources exhibited higher achievements in group consensus treatments. Students acting as bridges between others on the network regulated themselves better and achieved higher academic outcomes. However, a subset of students were motivated by social interaction rather than learning task. This finding, consistent with general social networking research, cautions educators to ensure socializing does not override learning objectives when using classroom social networking.
An Evaluation of Procedures for Teaching Students With Moderate to Severe Disabilities to Write Sentences
Authors: Pennington Robert C. , Foreman Lindsay Hugg , Gurney Beth Newberry
Published: June 2017

In the current study, we investigated the effects of an instructional package (i.e., response prompting, sentence frames) on sentence writing for three middle school participants (ages 12–13) with moderate to severe disabilities. We employed a multiple probe across behaviors design to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention package and also used intermittent probes to assess generalization of sentence writing skills to journal writing activities. Our data indicated that the package was effective and produced variable levels of maintenance and generalized responding for all three participants.
An Innovative Approach to Addressing the HIV Care Continuum: Implementation of a Clinical Pharmacy Resident in a Veterans Affairs HIV Specialty Clinic
Authors: Bagwell Autumn , McFarland M. Shawn , Hulgan Todd
Published: June 2017

Purpose:

Engagement of patients in the HIV care continuum and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) continue to limit successful viral suppression. Innovative practices to improve this continuum and ameliorate potential physician shortages are needed. The objective of this evaluation was to determine the clinical benefits of incorporating pharmacy resident involvement on a multidisciplinary team in caring for patients with HIV.

Methods:

A single-center pre–post cohort pilot evaluation was conducted at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems VA Medical Center. Patients were enrolled in an HIV pharmacotherapy clinic implemented by an ambulatory care pharmacy resident. The primary end point of the evaluation was the percentage of patients achieving an undetectable plasma HIV viral load after enrollment. Secondary end points included change from baseline in CD4 T-cell count and self-reported adherence.

Results:

A total of 55 patients were seen in the HIV pharmacotherapy clinic over a 28-week evaluation period. Of those patients with detectable viral load at enrollment, 70% reached viral suppression during follow-up, with a significant 0.75 log10 decrease in the median viral load ( P < .0001 for both). The median CD4 T-cell count increased from 464 to 525 cells/mm3 ( P = .01). Reported adherence, assessed using the Visual Analogue adherence Scale (VAS) increased significantly ( P = .0001).

Conclusion:

After enrollment in an HIV pharmacotherapy clinic, a significant decrease in viral load was seen, as were improvements in secondary end points of CD4 T cells and adherence. These data demonstrate the clinical benefits of pharmacy resident involvement on a multidisciplinary team in caring for patients with HIV.