bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Centrifuge modeling of municipal solid waste landfill failures induced by rising water levels
Authors: Chen Yun-min , Li Jun-chao , Yang Chun-bao , Zhu Bin , Zhan Liang-tong
Published: June 2017

New types of synthetic municipal solid wastes (MSWs) were developed, exhibiting engineering characteristics similar to those of real MSWs at different states of degradation in terms of total unit weight, void ratio, water content, compressibility, permeability, stress–strain relationship, and shear strength. Using these synthetic MSWs, several centrifuge model tests on the stability of geosynthetics-lined landfills with rising water levels were performed. The test results revealed the developing processes of MSW landfill failures induced by rising water levels. In most tests, a continuous slide occurred once a critical water level was attained. The ratio of critical water level and landfill height was 0.75–0.92 for present model tests using fresh or partly degraded synthetic MSWs with landfill slope ratio of 1:1–1:3, increasing with the increases of MSW degradation states and decreases of the slope ratio. An engineered berm increased the critical water level by 1.3%–9.5%. The landfills without an engineered berm tended to slide along the bottom liner; however, for normal landfills with an engineered berm and a slope ratio of 1:3, penetrating cracks developed when the failures occurred. These results provide a good reference for water level and stability control of the landfill, and the construction of an engineered berm is suggested to improve the stability of these landfills.
Chaotic inflation in spatially homogeneous Bianchi type V space–time
Authors: Bali Raj , Kumari P.
Published: June 2017

Chaotic inflationary scenario in spatially homogeneous Bianchi type V space–time following Linde (Phys. Lett. B, 129, 177 (1983). doi: 10.1016/0370-2693(83)90837-7 ) and the condition [Formula: see text] based on theory of super cooling during the cosmological phase transition proposed by Kirzhnits and Linde (Ann. Phys. 101, 195 (1976). doi: 10.1016/0003-4916(76)90279-7 ), is discussed. It has been found that the model represents anisotropic phase of the Universe in general but at late time, it isotropizes. The deceleration parameter q = −1 indicates that the model leads to de Sitter space–time. It is found that inflationary parameters, namely, slow roll parameters, and anisotropic parameters are in excellent agreement with the Planck Collaboration’s 2013 results (Astron. Astrophys. 571, A22 (2014). doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201321569 ).
First-principles study on hydrogen storage in Al-, Ca-, Mn-doped MgNi clusters
Authors: Ma Wenqiang , Jing Cuiyu
Published: June 2017

Using a density functional approach calculation, the structural and electronic properties of Mg8Ni5, Mg8Ni4Al, Mg8Ni4Ca and Mg8Ni4Mn clusters are investigated. The Al-, Ca-, Mn-doping in MgNi clusters lengthen [Formula: see text], also increase the Mulliken charge, and improve magnetic moment on most shell atoms, so that the doping is helpful for hydrogen storage. The reaction heats of hydrogenation, the enthalpies of formation, the desorption energies show that the Mg8Ni4Mn, Mg8Ni5, Mg8Ni4Al clusters have a good property of hydrogen storage materials with relatively higher reaction heat of hydrogenation, and that their hydrides have a smaller desorption energy. So the Mg8Ni4M (M = Ni, Al, Ca, Mn) clusters are some preferred candidates of H storage. These results indicate the advantage of small size and suitable metal-doped MgNi clusters on hydrogenation and dehydrogenation.
Thermodynamic properties of spin-polarized 3He gas in the temperature range 1 mK–4 K from the quantum second virial coefficient
Authors: Al-Maaitah A. F. , Sandouqa A. S. , Joudeh B. R. , Ghassib H. B.
Published: June 2017

The quantum second virial coefficient B[Formula: see text] of 3He[Formula: see text] gas is determined in the temperature range 0.001–4 K from the Beth–Uhlenbeck formula. The corresponding phase shifts are calculated from the Lippmann–Schwinger equation using a highly-accurate matrix-inversion technique. A positive B[Formula: see text] corresponds to an overall repulsive interaction; whereas a negative B[Formula: see text] represents an overall attractive interaction. It is found that in the low-energy limit, B[Formula: see text] tends to increase with increasing spin polarization. The compressibility Z is evaluated as another measure of nonideality of the system. Z becomes most significant at low temperatures and increases with polarization. From the pressure–temperature (P–T) behavior of 3He[Formula: see text] at low T, it is deduced that P decreases with increasing T below 8 mK.
Spacetime has a “thickness”
Authors: Mathur Samir D.
Published: June 2017

Suppose we assume that (a) information about a black hole is encoded in its Hawking radiation and (b) causality is not violated to leading order in gently curved spacetime. Then, we argue that spacetime cannot just be described as a manifold with a shape; it must be given an additional attribute which we call “thickness.” This thickness characterizes the spread of the quantum gravity wave functional in superspace — the space of all three-geometries. Low energy particles travel on spacetime without noticing the thickness parameter, so they just see an effective manifold. Objects with energy large enough to create a horizon do note the finite thickness; this modifies the semiclassical evolution in such a way that we avoid horizon formation and the consequent violation of causality.
Gravitational collapse of dark matter interacting with dark energy: Black hole formation
Authors: Shah Hasrat Hussain , Iqbal Quaid
Published: June 2017

In this work, we study the gravitational collapsing process of a spherically symmetric star constitute of Dark Matter (DM), [Formula: see text], and Dark Energy (DE) [Formula: see text]. In this model, we use anisotropic pressure with Equation of State (EoS) [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. It reveals that gravitational collapse of DM and DE with interaction leads to the formation of the black hole. When [Formula: see text] (phantoms), dust and phantoms could be ejected from the death of white hole. This emitted matter again undergoes to collapsing process and becomes the black hole. This study gives the generalization for isotropy of pressure in the fluid to anisotropy when there will be interaction between DM and DE.
Design and Analysis of a New Class of Derivative-Free Optimal Order Methods for Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Sharma Janak Raj , Argyros Ioannis K. , Kumar Deepak
Published: June 2017

We develop a general class of derivative free iterative methods with optimal order of convergence in the sense of Kung–Traub hypothesis for solving nonlinear equations. The methods possess very simple design, which makes them easy to remember and hence easy to implement. The Methodology is based on quadratically convergent Traub–Steffensen scheme and further developed by using Padé approximation. Local convergence analysis is provided to show that the iterations are locally well defined and convergent. Numerical examples are provided to confirm the theoretical results and to show the good performance of new methods.
Biocatalytic Nanocomposites for Combating Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Wu Xia , Kwon Seok-Joon , Kim Jungbae , Kane Ravi S. , Dordick Jonathan S.
Published: June 2017

Bacterial infections remain a major public health concern. However, broad-spectrum antibiotics largely target redundant mechanisms of bacterial survival and lead to gained resistance owing to microbial evolution. New methods are needed to attack bacterial infections, and we have only begun to seek out nature's vast arsenal of antimicrobial weapons. Enzymes offer one such weapon, and their diversity has been exploited to kill bacteria selectively through unique targets, particularly in bacterial cell walls, as well as nonselectively through generation of bactericidal molecules. In both approaches, microbial resistance has largely been absent, which bodes well for its potential use in human therapeutics. Furthermore, enzyme stabilization through conjugation to nanoscale materials and incorporation into polymeric composites enable their use on surfaces to endow them with antimicrobial properties. Here, we highlight the use of enzymes as antimicrobial agents, including applications that may prove effective in new therapeutics and through control of key societal infrastructures.
Effects of sarcolipin deletion on skeletal muscle adaptive responses to functional overload and unload
Authors: Fajardo Val A. , Rietze Bradley A. , Chambers Paige J. , Bellissimo Catherine , Bombardier Eric , Quadrilatero Joe , Tupling A. Russell
Published: June 2017

Overexpression of sarcolipin (SLN), a regulator of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases (SERCAs), stimulates calcineurin signaling to enhance skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. Some studies have shown that calcineurin may also control skeletal muscle mass and remodeling in response to functional overload and unload stimuli by increasing myofiber size and the proportion of slow fibers. To examine whether SLN might mediate these adaptive responses, we performed soleus and gastrocnemius tenotomy in wild-type (WT) and Sln-null ( Sln−/−) mice and examined the overloaded plantaris and unloaded/tenotomized soleus muscles. In the WT overloaded plantaris, we observed ectopic expression of SLN, myofiber hypertrophy, increased fiber number, and a fast-to-slow fiber type shift, which were associated with increased calcineurin signaling (NFAT dephosphorylation and increased stabilin-2 protein content) and reduced SERCA activity. In the WT tenotomized soleus, we observed a 14-fold increase in SLN protein, myofiber atrophy, decreased fiber number, and a slow-to-fast fiber type shift, which were also associated with increased calcineurin signaling and reduced SERCA activity. Genetic deletion of Sln altered these physiological outcomes, with the overloaded plantaris myofibers failing to grow in size and number, and transition towards the slow fiber type, while the unloaded soleus muscles exhibited greater reductions in fiber size and number, and an accelerated slow-to-fast fiber type shift. In both the Sln−/− overloaded and unloaded muscles, these findings were associated with elevated SERCA activity and blunted calcineurin signaling. Thus, SLN plays an important role in adaptive muscle remodeling potentially through calcineurin stimulation, which could have important implications for other muscle diseases and conditions.
The Effects of Chunghyul‐Dan, an Agent of Korean Medicine, on a Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Choi Won-Woo , Lee Kyungjin , Lee Beom-Joon , Park Seong-Uk , Park Jung-Mi , Ko Chang-Nam , Bu Youngmin
Published: June 2017

Chunghyul‐Dan (CHD) is the first choice agent for the prevention and treatment of stroke at the Kyung Hee Medical Hospital. To date, CHD has been reported to have beneficial effects on brain disease in animals and humans, along with antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacological effects of CHD on a traumatic brain injury (TBI) mouse model to explore the possibility of CHD use in patients with TBI. The TBI mouse model was induced using the controlled cortical impact method. CHD was orally administered twice a day for 5 d after TBI induction; mice were assessed for brain damage, brain edema, blood‐brain barrier (BBB) damage, motor deficits, and cognitive impairment. Treatment with CHD reduced brain damage seen on histological examination and improved motor and cognitive functions. However, CHD did not reduce brain edema and BBB damage. In conclusion, CHD could be a candidate agent in the treatment of patients with TBI. Further studies are needed to assess the exact mechanisms of the effects during the acute‐subacute phase and pharmacological activity during the chronic‐convalescent phase of TBI.
Individual Talker and Token Covariation in the Production of Multiple Cues to Stop Voicing
Authors: Clayards Meghan
Published: June 2017

Background/Aims: Previous research found that individual talkers have consistent differences in the production of segments impacting the perception of their speech by others. Speakers also produce multiple acoustic-phonetic cues to phonological contrasts. Less is known about how multiple cues covary within a phonetic category and across talkers. We examined differences in individual talkers across cues and whether token-by-token variability is a result of intrinsic factors or speaking style by examining within-category correlations. Methods: We examined correlations for 3 cues (voice onset time, VOT, talker-relative onset fundamental frequency, f0, and talker-relative following vowel duration) to word-initial labial stop voicing in English. Results: VOT for /b/ and /p/ productions and onset f0 for /b/ productions varied significantly by talker. Token-by-token within-category variation was largely limited to speaking rate effects. VOT and f0 were negatively correlated within category for /b/ productions after controlling for speaking rate and talker mean f0, but in the opposite direction expected for an intrinsic effect. Within-category talker means were correlated across VOT and vowel duration for /p/ productions. Some talkers produced more prototypical values than others, indicating systematic talker differences. Conclusion: Relationships between cues are mediated more by categories and talkers than by intrinsic physiological relationships.Talker differences reflect systematic speaking style differences.
Interactive Prosodic Marking of Focus, Boundary and Newness in Mandarin
Authors: Wang Bei , Xu Yi , Ding Qifan
Published: June 2017

The current study investigates whether and how focus, phrase boundary and newness can be simultaneously marked in speech prosody in Mandarin Chinese. Homophones were used to construct three syntactic structures that differed only in boundary condition, focus was elicited by preceding questions, while newness of postboundary words was manipulated as whether they had occurred in the previous text. Systematic analysis of F0 and duration showed that (1) duration was a reliable correlate of boundary strength regardless of focus location, while involvement of F0 was only in terms of lowering of phrase-final F0 minima and raising of phrase-initial F0 minima at a relatively strong boundary, (2) postfocus compression (PFC) of F0 was applied across all boundaries, including those with long silent pauses (over 200 ms), and postfocus F0 was lowered to almost the same degree in all boundary conditions, and (3) newness of postfocus words had no systematic effect on F0 or duration. These results indicate that not only functionally focus is independent of prosodic structure and newness, but also phonetically its realization is separate from boundary marking. Focus is signaled mainly through pitch range adjustments, which can occur even across phrase breaks, whereas boundaries are mostly signaled by duration adjustments.
Clustered Cardiovascular Risk Factors Are Associated with Inflammatory Markers in Adolescents
Authors: Teixeira Silva Carla , Cândido Ana Paula Carlos , Pala Daniela , Oliveira Barbosa Priscila , Machado-Coelho George Luiz Lins , Pereira de Oliveira Fernando Luiz , Pinheiro Volp Ana Carolina , Nascimento de Freitas Renata
Published: June 2017

Background: Clusters of cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This cross-sectional study assessed the associations between classic CVR factor clusters and inflammatory markers in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Measurements included anthropometric, clinical and biochemical parameters and selected inflammatory markers in 487 adolescents (236 boys/251 girls; 12.06 ± 1.41 years). Results: After stratifying the population by gender and adjusting for potential confounding variables, principal component analysis was performed and it produced 5 independent components in both genders: adiposity, glucose metabolism, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/triacylglycerols (TG), and cholesterol/low-density lipoprotein. Glucose metabolism was inversely associated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in both genders (r = -0.026; r = -0.021); blood pressure was inversely associated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in girls (r = -0.046); HDL/TG was positively associated with interleukin-6 in girls (r = 0.012), with IL-1β (r = 0.010) TNF-α (r = 0.045) in boys, and inversely associated with adiponectin in both genders (r = -0.015; r = -0.013). Conclusion: The results suggest that lipid metabolism alterations, as potential early events in the development of CVDs, have a strong link to the inflammatory process, in contrast to other clusters of risk factors.
Informant-Reported Cognitive Decline and Activity Engagement across Four Years in a Community Sample
Authors: Hosking Diane E. , Jiang Da , Sargent-Cox Kerry A. , Anstey Kaarin J.
Published: June 2017

Background: Subtle age-related cognitive decline may be associated with the capacity to remain engaged in mental, physical, and social activities. Informant reports of cognitive decline potentially provide additional information to psychometric tests on change in everyday cognitive function relevant to activity engagement. Objective: To investigate relations between decline in everyday cognitive function as assessed by informant report and activity engagement in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A sample of cognitively normal older adults was drawn from the 2 latest waves of the PATH Through Life Study (n = 1,391; mean age 74.5 ± 1.5, 48.4% female). PATH is a 16-year longitudinal cohort study set in the Canberra/Queanbeyan district, Australia. Assessments were carried out at baseline, and at 3 subsequent time-points 4 years apart. At wave-4, the IQCODE, an informant measure of 4-year cognitive decline was provided by a spouse, family member, or friend of each participant. Activity engagement was assessed by the abbreviated RIASEC Mental Activity List, self-reported frequency and duration of physical activity (Whitehall Questionnaire) and the Lubben Social Network Scale that assessed interaction with family/friends. Participants provided demographic information, self-reported health status (SF-12), and responses to the Goldberg Depression Scale. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) were used to measure objective 4-year cognitive change. Those with MMSE score of ≤27 were excluded. Results: IQCODE score predicted disengagement from mental activities over 4 years in cognitively healthy adults (β = -0.056, standard error [SE] = 0.019, p = 0.004). This association was robust to covariate control and change on the SDMT which was also significantly related to mental activity disengagement. In models adjusted for change scores on the SDMT and the CVLT, the IQCODE was associated with less physical (β = -0.692, SE = 0.24, p = 0.004) and social engagement (β -0.046, SE = 0.021, p = 0.032), but relationships were attenuated with the inclusion of covariates. Conclusion: Informant-reported cognitive decline in a non-clinical sample was linked to activities that support cognitive health. Associations were robust to adjustment for cognitive change scores. Utilising informant reports prior to the manifestation of clinically relevant decline may identify those who would benefit most from personalised activity interventions.
The Economic Consequences of Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Silver Samuel A. , Chertow Glenn M.
Published: June 2017

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an increasingly common condition associated with poor health outcomes. Combined with its rising incidence, AKI has emerged as a major public health concern with high human and financial costs. In England, the estimated inpatient costs related to AKI consume 1% of the National Health Service budget. In the United States, AKI is associated with an increase in hospitalization costs that range from $5.4 to $24.0 billion. The most expensive patients are those with AKI of sufficient severity to require dialysis, where cost increases relative to patients without AKI range from $11,016 to $42,077 per hospitalization. Even with these high costs, significant hospital-level variation still exists in the cost of AKI care. In this article, we review the economic consequences of AKI for both the general and critically ill AKI population. Our primary objective is to shed light on an opportunity for hospitals and policymakers to develop new care processes for patients with AKI that have the potential to yield substantial cost savings. By exposing the high rates of death and disability experienced by affected patients and the immense financial burden attributable to AKI, we also hope to motivate scientists and entrepreneurs to pursue a variety of innovative therapeutic strategies to combat AKI in the near term.
Effects of Weight Loss with and without Exercise on Regional Body Fat Distribution in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Serra Monica C. , Blumenthal Jacob B. , Addison Odessa R. , Miller Ann J. , Goldberg Andrew P. , Ryan Alice S.
Published: June 2017

Background/Aims: The purpose was to determine whether lifestyle interventions have different effects on regional fat in women with normal glucose tolerance vs. impaired glucose tolerance (NGT vs. IGT). Methods: Changes in glucose metabolism (2-h oral glucose-tolerance tests), android to gynoid fat mass ratio (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), visceral to subcutaneous abdominal fat area ratio (CT), and abdominal to gluteal subcutaneous fat cell weight (FCW; adipose tissue biopsies) were determined in 60 overweight postmenopausal women (45-80 years) following 6 months of weight loss alone (WL; n = 28) or with aerobic exercise (AEX + WL; n = 32). Results: The interventions led to ∼8% decrease in weight, but only the AEX + WL group improved fitness (↑11% in VO2max) and reduced the android-to-gynoid fat mass ratio (↓5%; p < 0.05). Both NGT and IGT groups reduced visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat areas and abdominal and gluteal FCWs, which related to improvements in homeostatic model assessment (r = 0.34-0.42) and 2-h glucose (r = 0.34-0.35), respectively (p < 0.05). The decline in FCW was 2× greater in women with IGT following WL (p < 0.05). The ratios of abdominal-to-gluteal FCW did not change following either intervention. Conclusions: The mechanisms by which WL with and without exercise impact regional fat loss should be explored as reductions in abdominal fat area and subcutaneous FCW appear to influence glucose metabolism. This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States. Foreign copyrights may apply. Published by S. Karger AG, Basel
Physical Growth and Biological Maturation of Children and Adolescents: Proposed Reference Curves
Authors: Leite Portella Daniel , Arruda Miguel , Gómez-Campos Rossana , Checkin Portella Giovanna , Andruske Cynthia Lee , Cossio-Bolaños Marco A.
Published: June 2017

Background/Aim: The study of physical growth variables in terms of chronological age and biological maturation may provide a common reference point to reflect on the occurrence of body dimensions in and between individuals. The objectives of this study were as follows: (a) verify if the observed gender differences in the variables of physical growth by chronological age are confounded by physical maturation, (b) compare physical growth patterns with the reference of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-2012, and (c) develop regional curves to assess physical growth in terms of biological maturation. Methods: Researchers studied 3,674 children and adolescents. Weight, standing height, and sitting height were measured. Biological maturation was determined by using the age of peak velocity growth. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Growth variables were compared with the CDC-2012 reference. Percentiles were calculated by the LMS method. The students differed in weight and BMI when compared to the reference individuals. The differences in weight, standing height, and BMI between both genders are more pronounced when they are aligned with biological age rather than chronological age. Conclusion: Weight and BMI differ from the reference. Furthermore, the assessment of the physical growth trajectory should be analyzed in terms of biological maturation. The proposed regional curves may be used in and applied to clinical and epidemiological contexts.
The Addition of Target Therapy to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Review
Authors: Benevento Ilaria , De Felice Francesca , Musio Daniela , Tombolini Vincenzo
Published: June 2017

Currently, neoadjuvant fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is standard practice in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). In the last decade there has been a lively interest in the improvement of clinical outcomes by modifying this standard regimen by the addition of further agents. We review combinations of targeted therapies and conventional CRT currently under investigation in LARC patients.
Nonpharmacological, Biomechanical Approaches to Control Inflammation in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Tanaka Shinji , Inoue Tsuyoshi , Hossack John A. , Okusa Mark D.
Published: June 2017

Inflammation is broadly recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI), but pharmacological approaches to alleviate inflammation in AKI have been without success in clinical trials. Neuromodulation by nonpharmacological methods is emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat inflammatory diseases. Recently, our group and others have demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation and pulsed ultrasound ameliorated inflammation via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in various animal models, including renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Delineating the precise mechanisms by which these methods activate the CAP and ameliorate inflammation is mandatory for the broad clinical application in the future. Novel techniques, such as optogenetics, are expected to elucidate these complex mechanisms.
Neuropsychological Profiles Differentiate Alzheimer Disease from Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Dementia in an Autopsy-Defined Cohort
Authors: Ramirez-Gomez Liliana , Zheng Ling , Reed Bruce , Kramer Joel , Mungas Dan , Zarow Chris , Vinters Harry , Ringman John M. , Chui Helena
Published: June 2017

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the ability of neuropsychological tests to differentiate autopsy-defined Alzheimer disease (AD) from subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD). Methods: From a sample of 175 cases followed longitudinally that underwent autopsy, we selected 23 normal controls (NC), 20 SIVD, 69 AD, and 10 mixed cases of dementia. Baseline neuropsychological tests, including Memory Assessment Scale word list learning test, control oral word association test, and animal fluency, were compared between the three autopsy-defined groups. Results: The NC, SIVD, and AD groups did not differ by age or education. The SIVD and AD groups did not differ by the Global Clinical Dementia Rating Scale. Subjects with AD performed worse on delayed recall (p < 0.01). A receiver operating characteristics analysis comparing the SIVD and AD groups including age, education, difference between categorical (animals) versus phonemic fluency (letter F), and the first recall from the word learning test distinguished the two groups with a sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 67%, and positive likelihood ratio of 2.57 (AUC = 0.789, 95% CI 0.69-0.88, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In neuropathologically defined subgroups, neuropsychological profiles have modest ability to distinguish patients with AD from those with SIVD.
Antithrombotic therapy for acute coronary syndrome: Past, present and future
Authors: Sibbing Dirk , Angiolillo Dominick J. , Huber Kurt
Published: June 2017

Plaque erosions and ruptures are the histopathological hallmarks of arterial thrombus formation in the coronary arteries. The clinical condition associated with this process is usually referred to as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Importantly, both blood platelets and the coagulation cascade are key players for initiation, amplification and perpetuation of ACS. There has been great progress in ACS treatment in recent decades, both at the technical level of (percutaneous) revascularisation and at the level of antithrombotic treatment. Numerous trials have led to significant advancements in the development of effective anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. The large number of randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) and the huge number of patients enrolled in these RCTs, with mega trials including >10,000 patients, is unique in the history of medical research and also reflects the exceptional efforts associated with these huge research activities. The crucial issue, however, with respect to optimising treatment, relates to finding the delicate balance between the reduction of thrombotic events by effective drug treatment and the induction of bleeding that is linked to the use of potent or multiple antithrombotic agents. Interestingly, there is a gap in modern days between current guideline recommendations favouring potent platelet inhibition in ACS and the utilization of the respective drugs in clinical practice. In this review, we will summarise and discuss the past, present and future antithrombotic treatment for ACS patients with a focus on the development of optimised antiplatelet treatment strategies and their utilisation in the real world.
Olhares jornalísticos
Authors: Buitoni Dulcilia Helena Schroeder
Published: June 2017

Dulcilia Buitoni fez parte da primeira turma de Jornalismo (1967-1970) da Escola de Comunicações e Artes da USP. Na mesma época, formou-se em Direito também na USP. Concluiu a pós-graduação (mestrado e doutorado) em Teoria Literária e Literatura Comparada pela FFLCH-USP. Em sua trajetória, Dulcilia foi desenvolvendo conceitos de relações de gênero aplicados ao jornalismo, e se destacou em pesquisas sobre publicações femininas. Seu livro Mulher de papel (1981), fruto da tese de doutorado, analisa a representação da mulher na imprensa feminina brasileira e teve uma segunda edição ampliada em 2009. Desde seu início como docente na pós-graduação da ECA, além de comunicação e relações de gênero, vem pesquisando teorias da imagem, especialmente fotojornalismo e documentários. Aposentou-se como professora titular de jornalismo da ECA/ USP e esteve, até 2015, no Mestrado em Comunicação da Faculdade Cásper Líbero. Em 2017, torna-se professora permanente do Mestrado Profissional em Jornalismo da ESPM. No final de 2016, recebeu — como reconhecimento pela sua trajetória acadêmica e por sua contribuição para o jornalismo — o prêmio Adelmo Genro Filho (categoria sênior), concedido pela SBPJor.
A importância dos dados para o jornalismo local
Authors: Radcliffe Damian
Published: June 2017

O analista digital, consultor, jornalista e pesquisador Damian Radcliffe é professor de Jornalismo na Universidade de Oregon, fellow do Tow Center para Jornalismo Digital na Universidade de Columbia, e Pesquisador Honorário na Escola de Jornalismo, Mídia e Cultura da Universidade de Cardiff (País de Gales). Suas pesquisas se concentram no uso de mídias sociais e tendências mais amplas na mídia local, na tecnologia, no negócio de mídia e na inovação jornalística. Neste artigo, ele defende que o jornalismo de dados pode gerar grande impacto em nível local, e embora esse tipo de comunicação seja menos dominante do que em nível nacional, existem diversos exemplos e oportunidades de boas práticas que devem ser observadas.
Late Systolic Myocardial Loading Is Associated With Left Atrial Dysfunction in Hypertension
Authors: Chirinos Julio A. , Phan Timothy S. , Syed Amer A. , Hashmath Zeba , Oldland Harry G. , Koppula Maheswara R. , Tariq Ali , Javaid Khuzaima , Miller Rachana , Varakantam Swapna , Dunde Anjaneyulu , Neetha Vadde , Akers Scott R.
Published: June 2017

Background—

Late systolic load has been shown to cause diastolic dysfunction in animal models. Although the systolic loading sequence of the ventricular myocardium likely affects its coupling with the left atrium (LA), this issue has not been investigated in humans. We aimed to assess the relationship between the myocardial loading sequence and LA function in human hypertension.

Methods and Results—

We studied 260 subjects with hypertension and 19 normotensive age- and sex-matched controls. Time-resolved central pressure and left ventricular geometry were measured with carotid tonometry and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, respectively, for computation of time-resolved ejection-phase myocardial wall stress (MWS). The ratio of late/early ejection-phase MWS time integrals was computed as an index of late systolic myocardial load. Atrial mechanics were measured with cine-steady-state free-precession magnetic resonance imaging using feature-tracking algorithms. Compared with normotensive controls, hypertensive participants demonstrated increased late/early ejection-phase MWS and reduced LA function. Greater levels of late/early ejection-phase MWS were associated with reduced LA conduit, reservoir, and booster pump LA function. In models that included early and late ejection-phase MWS as independent correlates of LA function, late systolic MWS was associated with lower, whereas early systolic MWS was associated with greater LA function, indicating an effect of the relative loading sequence (late versus early MWS) on LA function. These relationships persisted after adjustment for multiple potential confounders.

Conclusions—

A myocardial loading sequence characterized by prominent late systolic MWS was independently associated with atrial dysfunction. In the context of available experimental data, our findings support the deleterious effects of late systolic loading on ventricular–atrial coupling.
Calcium Signaling and Cardiac Arrhythmias
Authors: Landstrom Andrew P. , Dobrev Dobromir , Wehrens Xander H.T.
Published: June 2017

There has been a significant progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which calcium (Ca
2+
) ions mediate various types of cardiac arrhythmias. A growing list of inherited gene defects can cause potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmia syndromes, including catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, congenital long QT syndrome, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In addition, acquired deficits of multiple Ca
2+
-handling proteins can contribute to the pathogenesis of arrhythmias in patients with various types of heart disease. In this review article, we will first review the key role of Ca
2+
in normal cardiac function—in particular, excitation–contraction coupling and normal electric rhythms. The functional involvement of Ca
2+
in distinct arrhythmia mechanisms will be discussed, followed by various inherited arrhythmia syndromes caused by mutations in Ca
2+
-handling proteins. Finally, we will discuss how changes in the expression of regulation of Ca
2+
channels and transporters can cause acquired arrhythmias, and how these mechanisms might be targeted for therapeutic purposes.
A New Rural Social Contract for the Maghreb? The Political Economy of Access to Water, Land and Rural Development
Authors: Houdret Annabelle , Kadiri Zakaria , Bossenbroek Lisa
Published: June 2017

The social contract, as the basis of the relations between rulers and populations in the Maghreb region, is highly contested especially since 2011. However, the rural dimension of this phenomenon remains yet under researched. Building on related emerging critical studies, this paper coins the term of a ‘rural social contract’ and analyses what it embodies. It highlights how the unequal ownership and use of water and land resources contribute to the marginalization of the large majority of rural populations and to their growing discontent. The article argues that three trends currently contribute to the re-articulation of the social contract in rural areas. Firstly, overexploitation and climate change lead to a severe degradation of water and land resources which challenges the established patterns of use and redistribution of these resources. Secondly, agricultural policies focusing on export production and on large entrepreneurs lead to further marginalization of small farmers. Thirdly, the emergence of new rural actors challenge the established social relationships. On the basis of this analysis, the article frames the major challenges, dynamics and characteristic of a newly emerging rural social contract in the Maghreb.
Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Part ii)
Authors: Stewart Richard W.
Published: June 2017

This is the second of two parts of a review article on some of the key historical books written in English on military operations in the Persian Gulf from 1990 to 1991. Where the first part focused on the important operations and technological developments surrounding the air war, this second part discusses those works on the operations of ground (army and marines) and naval forces, professional studies, memoirs, some books on non-u.s. military operations, and finally some general or popular works on the war. Although increasingly viewed, even by historians, as little more than a historical footnote to the tumultuous events in the region after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent invasion of Iraq in 2003, studies on the Persian Gulf War, often referred to by their u.s. operational names Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, have given us a rich and important literature on the military aspects of the war and the state of the military profession at the end of the Cold War. The Gulf War was viewed at the time as an important test of u.s. political resolve after the retreat from the wars in Southeast Asia in the 1960s and 70s, and an equally important test of the rebirth of the American military. It is more than merely a prequel to later operations in Iraq starting in 2003. The article concludes with a listing of all 60 major works discussed in Parts i and ii.
A Process-Based Assessment of Decadal-Scale Surface Temperature Evolutions in the NCAR CCSM4’s 25-Year Hindcast Experiments
Authors: Chen Junwen , Deng Yi , Lin Wenshi , Yang Song
Published: June 2017

This study represents an initial effort in the context of the coupled atmosphere–surface climate feedback-response analysis method (CFRAM) to partition the temporal evolution of the global surface temperature from 1981 to 2005 into components associated with individual radiative and nonradiative (dynamical) processes in the NCAR CCSM4’s decadal hindcasts. When compared with the observation (ERA-Interim), CCSM4 is able to predict an overall warming trend as well as the transient cooling occurring during the period 1989–94. However, while the model captures fairly well the positive contributions of the CO2 and surface albedo change to the temperature evolution, it has an overly strong water vapor effect that dictates the temperature evolution in the hindcast. This is in contrast with ERA-Interim, where changes in surface dynamics (mainly ocean circulation and heat content change) dominate the actual temperature evolution. Atmospheric dynamics in both ERA-Interim and the model work against the surface temperature tendency through turbulent and convective heat transport, leading to an overall negative contribution to the evolution of the surface temperature. Impacts of solar forcing and ozone change on the surface temperature change are relatively weak during this period. The magnitude of cloud effect is considerably smaller compared to that in ERA-Interim and the spatial distribution of the cloud effect is also significantly different between the two, especially over the equatorial Pacific. The value and limitations of this process-based temperature decomposition are discussed.
Synoptic Conditions, Clouds, and Sea Ice Melt Onset in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seasonal Ice Zone
Authors: Liu Zheng , Schweiger Axel
Published: June 2017

Cloud response to synoptic conditions over the Beaufort and Chukchi seasonal ice zone is examined. Four synoptic states with distinct thermodynamic and dynamic signatures are identified using ERA-Interim reanalysis data from 2000 to 2014. CloudSat and CALIPSO observations suggest control of clouds by synoptic states. Warm continental air advection is associated with the fewest low-level clouds, while cold air advection generates the most low-level clouds. Low-level clouds are related to lower-tropospheric stability and both are regulated by synoptic conditions. High-level clouds are associated with humidity and vertical motions in the upper atmosphere. Observed cloud vertical and spatial variability is reproduced well in ERA-Interim, but winter low-level cloud fraction is overestimated. This suggests that synoptic conditions constrain the spatial extent of clouds through the atmospheric structure, while the parameterizations for cloud microphysics and boundary layer physics are critical for the life cycle of clouds in numerical models. Sea ice melt onset is related to synoptic conditions. Melt onsets occur more frequently and earlier with warm air advection. Synoptic conditions with the highest temperatures and precipitable water are most favorable for melt onsets even though fewer low-level clouds are associated with these conditions.
Causes of ENSO Weakening during the Mid-Holocene
Authors: Tian Zhiping , Li Tim , Jiang Dabang , Chen Lin
Published: June 2017

The causes of the change in amplitude of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) during the mid-Holocene were investigated by diagnosing the model simulations that participated in the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project phases 2 and 3. Consistent with paleoclimate records, 20 out of the 28 models reproduced weaker-than-preindustrial ENSO amplitude during the mid-Holocene. Two representative models were then selected to explore the underlying mechanisms of air–sea feedback processes. A mixed layer heat budget diagnosis indicated that the weakened ENSO amplitude was primarily attributed to the decrease in the Bjerknes thermocline feedback, while the meridional advective feedback also played a role. During the mid-Holocene, the thermocline response to a unit anomalous zonal wind stress forcing in the equatorial Pacific weakened in both models because of the increased ENSO meridional scale. A further investigation revealed that the greater ENSO meridional width was caused by the strengthening of the Pacific subtropical cell, which was attributed to the enhanced mean trade wind that resulted from the intensified Asian and African monsoon rainfall and associated large-scale east–west circulation in response to the mid-Holocene orbital forcing.
In Situ Quantification of the Suspended Load of Estuarine Aggregates from Multifrequency Acoustic Inversions
Authors: Fromant G. , Floc’h F. , Lebourges-Dhaussy A. , Jourdin F. , Perrot Y. , Le Dantec N. , Delacourt C.
Published: June 2017

The study of the suspended particulate matter (SPM) transport is essential to understanding oceans and rivers, for their presence can impact the environment, from marine habitats or water quality degradations to important changes of the seabed morphology. Among a large number of surrogate techniques in traditional water sampling, acoustical methods have the advantage of providing nonintrusive measurements, with high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, the ability of fine-grained sediments to aggregate under the process of flocculation complexifies the interpretation of acoustical measurements. The objective of this paper is to design a simple backscattering model for flocculated sediment suspensions, in order to interpret the information provided by a multifrequency profiler and to retrieve both the concentration and the dominant size of a suspension of flocculated sediments in an estuarine context. In situ granulometry laser data, collected in the Aulne macrotidal estuary (France), showed that over the size distribution observed, a mean porosity of apparent particles in suspension can be used directly as input for model generation. The in situ acoustic signal was concurrently recorded at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 MHz, and then inverted using the nonnegative least squares algorithm after constraining the model with an optimal porosity, allowing for a discrete representation of the mass concentration distributed over several equivalent spherical radii. The inversion results are in good agreement with the in situ mass concentration obtained through in situ water samplings.
Mixing Formal and Informal Pedagogies in a Middle School Guitar Classroom
Authors: Rescsanszky Matthew J.
Published: June 2017

Many music educators feel unprepared or are unsure of how to use popular music in their classrooms. This article details the author’s experience designing, implementing, and revising a student-centered guitar curriculum in an urban middle school. Reflecting on this experience, the author defends the place of popular music and informal pedagogy in the classroom, highlighting the opportunities they provide for authentic and meaningful musical learning for all students while retaining more traditional approaches that music educators continue to find effective modes of instruction.
Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Need-Supportive Teaching Style Scale for Physical Education
Authors: Liu Jing-Dong , Chung Pak-Kwong
Published: June 2017

The purpose of the current study was to examine the factor structure and measurement invariance of a scale measuring students’ perceptions of need-supportive teaching (Need-Supportive Teaching Style Scale in Physical Education; NSTSSPE). We sampled 615 secondary school students in Hong Kong, 200 of whom also completed a follow-up assessment two months later. Factor structure of the scale was examined through exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). Further, nomological validity of the NSTSSPE was evaluated by examining the relationships between need-supportive teaching style and student satisfaction of psychological needs. Finally, four measurement models—configural, metric invariance, scalar invariance, and item uniqueness invariance—were assessed using multiple group ESEM to test the measurement invariance of the scale across gender, grade, and time. ESEM results suggested a three-factor structure of the NSTSSPE. Nomological validity was supported, and weak, strong, and strict measurement invariance of the NSTSSPE was evidenced across gender, grade, and time. The current study provides initial psychometric support for the NSTSSPE to assess student perceptions of teachers’ need-supportive teaching style in physical education classes.
Evaluation of the washability characteristics of Khushab coal (Pakistani) by heavy media separation process
Authors: Sana Hafiz , Kanwal Sumaira , Akhtar Javaid , Sheikh Naseer , Munir Shahid
Published: June 2017

The use of high-sulfur Pakistani coals can cause serious problems of slagging and fouling in thermochemical conversion reactors along with environmental issues like acid rain, etc. In this study, a pre-combustion technique, namely heavy media separation, is employed for the cleaning of low-grade Pakistani coal. Six crushed coal samples of different particle sizes were individually subjected to heavy media solutions of ZnCl2 of different specific gravities. It was found that the sample with a particle size of −6.25+4 mm at specific gravity of 1.4 produced the optimum float product as clean coal, showing 83.53% yield of clean coal with 1.24% ash and 1.0% sulfur contents. An overall reduction of 91.68% in ash and 86.11% sulfur contents was obtained. Moreover, up to 19.3% enhancement of gross calorific value was achieved. The resultant clean coal can be used in various energy recovery schemes in Pakistan such as coal-fired power plants and cement industries.