bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burau representation for n = 4
Authors: Beridze A. , Traczyk P.
Published: February 2018

The problem of faithfulness of the (reduced) Burau representation for [Formula: see text] is known to be equivalent to the problem of whether certain two matrices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] generate a free group of rank two. In this note, we give a simple proof that [Formula: see text] is a free group of rank two.
A note on proper curvature symmetry in general cylindrically symmetric four-dimensional Lorentzian manifolds
Authors: Shabbir Ghulam , Ramzan M. , Kara A. H.
Published: February 2018

We considered the most general form of non-static cylindrically symmetric space-times for studying proper curvature symmetry by using the rank of the [Formula: see text] Riemann matrix and direct integration techniques. Studying proper curvature symmetry in each case of the above space-times, we show that when the above space-times admit proper curvature symmetry, they form an infinite dimensional vector space. It is important to note that here we also find the case when the rank of the [Formula: see text] Riemann matrix is one and no covariantly constant vector fields exist.
A recyclable hybrid manganese(III) porphyrin magnetic catalyst for selective olefin epoxidation using molecular oxygen
Authors: Dias Lucas D. , Carrilho Rui M. B. , Henriques César A. , Piccirillo Giusi , Fernandes Auguste , Rossi Liane M. , Filipa Ribeiro M. , Calvete Mário J. F. , Pereira Mariette M.
Published: February 2018

The synthesis and characterization of a hybrid Mn(III)-porphyrin magnetic nanocomposite is described. Moreover, a sustainable methodology for epoxidation of olefins is reported, using O[Formula: see text] as a green oxidant and the magnetic nanoparticle as a recyclable catalyst. High activity in alkene oxidation was observed, with full selectivity for epoxide formation. The magnetic catalyst presented high stability, being recovered and reused in five consecutive runs without loss of catalytic activity or selectivity in cyclooctene oxidation. Moreover, the catalytic system showed very good reactivity toward epoxidation of a range of terminal, substituted, cyclic or acyclic, aliphatic and aromatic olefins, including terpene and steroid derivatives, affording a range of biologically relevant epoxides in excellent yields. The isobutyric acid, formed as side-product, was recovered with high yield and purity, which provides the potential reutilization of this important industrial product.
A multi-scale cholera model linking between-host and within-host dynamics
Authors: Yang Chayu , Posny Drew , Bao Feng , Wang Jin
Published: February 2018

We propose a multi-scale modeling framework to investigate the transmission dynamics of cholera. At the population level, we employ a SIR model for the between-host transmission of the disease. At the individual host level, we describe the evolution of the pathogen within the human body. The between-host and within-host dynamics are connected through an environmental equation that characterizes the growth of the pathogen and its interaction with the hosts outside the human body. We put a special emphasis on the within-host dynamics by making a distinction for each individual host. We conduct both mathematical analysis and numerical simulation for our model in order to explore various scenarios associated with cholera transmission and to better understand the complex, multi-scale disease dynamics.
Existence of global solution to a two-species Keller–Segel chemotaxis model
Authors: Gao Haiyan , Fu Shengmao , Mohammed Hassan
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we investigate the global existence of nonnegative solutions of a two-species Keller–Segel model with Lotka–Volterra competitive source terms. By raising the regularity of a solution from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], the existence and uniqueness of the classical global in time solution to this chemotaxis model is proved for any chemotactic coefficients [Formula: see text] when the space dimension is one. Furthermore, it is shown that the model has a unique classical global solution in two and three space dimensions if the chemotactic coefficients [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are small as compared to the diffusion coefficient [Formula: see text] of the chemoattractant.
The Rise and Fall of the French Agences de l’Eau: From German-Type Subsidiarität to State Control
Authors: Barraqué Bernard O. , Laigneau Patrick , Formiga-Johnsson Rosa Maria
Published: February 2018

The Agences de l’eau (Water Agencies) are well known abroad as the French attempt to develop integrated water management at river basin scale through the implementation of the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP). Yet, after 30 years of existence, environmental economists became aware that they were not implementing the PPP, and therefore were not aiming at reducing pollution through economic efficiency. Behind the purported success story, which still attracts visitors from abroad, a crisis has been recently growing. Initially based on the model of the German (rather than Dutch) waterboards, the French system always remained fragile and quasi-unconstitutional. It failed to choose between two legal, economic and institutional conceptions of river basin management. These principles differ on the definition of the PPP, and on the role of levies paid by water users. After presenting these two contrasting visions, the paper revisits the history of the French Agences, to show that, unwilling to modify the Constitution to make room for specific institutions to manage common pool resources, Parliament and administrative elites brought the system to levels of complexity and incoherence which might doom the experiment.
The atypical chemokine receptor ACKR2 drives pulmonary fibrosis by tuning influx of CCR2+and CCR5+IFNγ-producing γδT cells in mice
Authors: Russo Remo C. , Savino Benedetta , Mirolo Massimiliano , Buracchi Chiara , Germano Giovanni , Anselmo Achille , Zammataro Luca , Pasqualini Fabio , Mantovani Alberto , Locati Massimo , Teixeira Mauro M.
Published: February 2018

Chemokines coordinate lung inflammation and fibrosis by acting on chemokine receptors expressed on leukocytes and other cell types. Atypical chemokine receptors (ACKRs) bind, internalize, and degrade chemokines, tuning homeostasis and immune responses. ACKR2 recognizes and decreases the levels of inflammatory CC chemokines. The role of ACKR2 in fibrogenesis is unknown. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of ACKR2 in the context of pulmonary fibrosis. The effects of ACKR2 expression and deficiency during inflammation and fibrosis were analyzed using a bleomycin-model of fibrosis, ACKR2-deficient mice, bone marrow chimeras, and antibody-mediated leukocyte depletion. ACKR2 was upregulated acutely in response to bleomycin and normalized over time. ACKR2−/−mice showed reduced lethality and lung fibrosis. Bone marrow chimeras showed that lethality and fibrosis depended on ACKR2 expression in pulmonary resident (nonhematopoietic) cells but not on leukocytes. ACKR2−/−mice exhibited decreased expression of tissue-remodeling genes, reduced leukocyte influx, pulmonary injury, and dysfunction. ACKR2−/−mice had early increased levels of CCL5, CCL12, CCL17, and IFNγ and an increased number of CCR2+and CCR5+IFNγ-producing γδT cells in the airways counterbalanced by low Th17-lymphocyte influx. There was reduced accumulation of IFNγ-producing γδT cells in CCR2−/−and CCR5−/−mice. Moreover, depletion of γδT cells worsened the clinical symptoms induced by bleomycin and reversed the phenotype of ACKR2−/−mice exposed to bleomycin. ACKR2 controls the CC chemokine expression that drives the influx of CCR2+and CCR5+IFNγ-producing γδT cells, tuning the Th17 response that mediated pulmonary fibrosis triggered by bleomycin instillation.
Aging and anatomical variations in lung tissue stiffness
Authors: Sicard Delphine , Haak Andrew J. , Choi Kyoung Moo , Craig Alexandria R. , Fredenburgh Laura E. , Tschumperlin Daniel J.
Published: February 2018

Lung function is inherently mechanical in nature and depends on the capacity to conduct air and blood to and from the gas exchange regions. Variations in the elastic properties of the human lung across anatomical compartments and with aging are likely important determinants of lung function but remain relatively poorly characterized. Here we applied atomic force microscopy microindentation to characterize human lung tissue from subjects ranging in age from 11 to 60 yr old. We observed striking anatomical variations in elastic modulus, with the airways (200- to 350-µm diameter) the stiffest and the parenchymal regions the most compliant. Vessels (diameter < 100 µm) represented an intermediate mechanical environment and displayed diameter-dependent trends in elastic modulus. Binning our samples into younger (11–30 yr old) and older (41–60 yr old) groups, we observed significant age-related increases in stiffness in parenchymal and vessel compartments, with the most pronounced changes in the vessels. To investigate cellular mechanisms that might contribute to vascular stiffening with aging, we studied primary human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells from subjects ranging in age from 11 to 60 yr old. While we observed no change in the mechanical properties of the cells themselves, we did observe trends toward increases in traction forces and extracellular matrix deposition with aging. These results demonstrate age-related changes in tissue mechanical properties that likely contribute to impaired lung function with aging and underscore the potential to identify mechanisms that contribute to mechanical tissue remodeling through the study of human cells and tissues from across the aging spectrum.
Metabolic Derangements Contribute to Reduced sRAGE Isoforms in Subjects with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Fuller Kelly N. Z. , Miranda Edwin R. , Thyfault John P. , Morris Jill K. , Haus Jacob M.
Published: February 2018

Although there is evidence for metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), circulating levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) ligand S100B have not been characterized. sRAGE is an important mediator in disease as it can act as a ligand decoy for RAGE and attenuate downstream inflammatory signaling. Cognitively healthy elderly and AD participants with and without type 2 diabetes (n=135) were stratified according to the clinical dementia rating (CDR; 0 = normal cognition (NC); ≥0.5 = AD). Total serum sRAGE, endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE), and S100B were assayed via ELISAs, and cleaved RAGE (cRAGE) and the cRAGE : esRAGE ratio were calculated. cRAGE : esRAGE was lower in AD compared to NC (p<0.05). Metabolic substratifications were used to investigate the factors that influence sRAGE pathology in AD. Stratification by BMI classification, median fat mass, median HOMA-IR, median insulin, and median amylin were all metabolic or anthropometric factors which significantly interacted with sRAGE profiles within AD subjects. There were no significant differences in serum S100B between groups. These characterizations of sRAGE contribute evidence to the link between impaired metabolism and cognitive decline due to AD.
The Simple Finite Volume Lax-Wendroff Weighted Essentially Nonoscillatory Schemes for Shallow Water Equations with Bottom Topography
Authors: Lu Changna , Xie Luoyan , Yang Hongwei
Published: February 2018

A Lax-Wendroff-type procedure with the high order finite volume simple weighted essentially nonoscillatory (SWENO) scheme is proposed to simulate the one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) shallow water equations with topography influence in source terms. The system of shallow water equations is discretized using the simple WENO scheme in space and Lax-Wendroff scheme in time. The idea of Lax-Wendroff time discretization can avoid part of characteristic decomposition and calculation of nonlinear weights. The type of simple WENO was first developed by Zhu and Qiu in 2016, which is more simple than classical WENO fashion. In order to maintain good, high resolution and nonoscillation for both continuous and discontinuous flow and suit problems with discontinuous bottom topography, we use the same idea of SWENO reconstruction for flux to treat the source term in prebalanced shallow water equations. A range of numerical examples are performed; as a result, comparing with classical WENO reconstruction and Runge-Kutta time discretization, the simple Lax-Wendroff WENO schemes can obtain the same accuracy order and escape nonphysical oscillation adjacent strong shock, while bringing less absolute truncation error and costing less CPU time for most problems. These conclusions agree with that of finite difference Lax-Wendroff WENO scheme for shallow water equations, while finite volume method has more flexible mesh structure compared to finite difference method.
Hausdorff Operators on Modulation SpacesMp,ps
Authors: Zhao Guoping , Lou Qiong
Published: February 2018

The sharp conditions are given for the boundedness of Hausdorff operators on modulation spaces with potential. By this, we extend some previous results in this topic.
Optimization of Ex Vivo Murine Bone Marrow Derived Immature Dendritic Cells: A Comparative Analysis of Flask Culture Method and Mouse CD11c Positive Selection Kit Method
Authors: Gosavi Rahul Ashok , Salwe Sukeshani , Mukherjee Sandeepan , Dahake Ritwik , Kothari Sweta , Patel Vainav , Chowdhary Abhay , Deshmukh Ranjana A.
Published: February 2018

12–14 days of culturing of bone marrow (BM) cells containing various growth factors is widely used method for generating dendritic cells (DCs) from suspended cell population. Here we compared flask culture method and commercially available CD11c Positive Selection kit method. Immature BMDCs’ purity of adherent as well as suspended cell population was generated in the decreasing concentration of recombinant-murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rmGM-CSF) in nontreated tissue culture flasks. The expression of CD11c, MHCII, CD40, and CD86 was measured by flow cytometry. We found significant difference (P<0.05) between the two methods in the adherent cells population but no significant difference was observed between the suspended cell populations with respect to CD11c+ count. However, CD11c+ was significantly higher in both adhered and suspended cell population by culture method but kit method gave more CD11c+ from suspended cells population only. On the other hand, using both methods, immature DC expressed moderate level of MHC class II molecules as well as low levels of CD40 and CD86. Our findings suggest that widely used culture method gives the best results in terms of yield, viability, and purity of BMDCs from both adherent and suspended cell population whereas kit method works well for suspended cell population.
Effectiveness of Massage Therapy and Abdominal Hypopressive Gymnastics in Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Bellido-Fernández L. , Jiménez-Rejano J. J. , Chillón-Martínez R. , Gómez-Benítez M. A. , De-La-Casa-Almeida M. , Rebollo-Salas M.
Published: February 2018

Background. There are a great number of interventions in physiotherapy, but with little evidence of their effectiveness in chronic low back pain. Therefore, this study assesses effectiveness of Massage Therapy and Abdominal Hypopressive Gymnastics and the combination of both to decrease pain and lumbar disability while increasing joint mobility and quality of life in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods. A randomized, single‐blinded, controlled, clinical trial with sample (n = 27) was comprised of patients between 20 and 65 years, diagnosed with pain of mechanical origin characterized by having a duration of at least 12 weeks and no serious complications. Each group received 8 interventions of 30 minutes. Results. Friedman ANOVA test obtained statistically significant differences of Oswestry, NRS, and Schober variables (p < 0.05) in the three measurements (pretest, posttest 1, and posttest 2), in each individual group. ANOVA Kruskal‐Wallis test was used for comparison between groups, and Oswestry Disability values were significantly higher (p = 0.024) in the group receiving both treatments. Conclusion. Both individual groups reduce pain levels, improve disability, and increase the flexibility of the lumbar spine. The combination therapy provides greater benefits in terms of lumbar disability. This study is registered on March 8, 2016, with NCT02721914.
A Note on the Asymptotic and Threshold Behaviour of Discrete Eigenvalues inside the Spectral Gaps of the Difference Operator with a Periodic Potential
Authors: Muchatibaya Gift , Mushanyu Josiah
Published: February 2018

The asymptotic and threshold behaviour of the eigenvalues of a perturbed difference operator inside a spectral gap is investigated. In particular, applications of the Titchmarsh-Weyl m-function theory as well as the Birman-Schwinger principle is performed to investigate the existence and behaviour of the eigenvalues of the operator H0+λWn inside the spectral gap of H0 in the limits λ↑∞ and λ↓0.
Protective and Blast Resistive Design of Posttensioned Box Girders Using Computational Geometry
Authors: Aleyaasin Majid
Published: February 2018

The optimal tendon profile and its associated duct geometry for posttensioned box girders are investigated. A computational algorithm has been developed to determine an ideal shape for the tendon and duct. The algorithm is based on a diagonal cross point in the Magnel quadrilateral and uses computational geometry instead of graphical drawing. Thereafter, an ideal parabolic and linear tendon profiles can be calculated from which the covering duct could be shaped. To check the optimality of the results, an automatic examination of Magnel diagrams in various cross sections is incorporated in the algorithm. This enables a unique prestress level to be selected that suits all sections. Then, the mideccentricity of the two crossing points with a common prestress line is chosen as a design eccentricity in each cross section. The optimal duct shape is determined based on such automatic inspections. In a numerical example, the linear, parabolic, and optimal duct geometries are compared and drawn. It is concluded that both linear and parabolic duct shapes can be very close to an optimal shape. In a numerical example, an optimal, box girder with linear open access‐type tendons is designed that can withstand extra blast load when explosion occurs.
Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of p‐Coumaric Acid, a Natural Compound of Oldenlandia diffusa, on Arthritis Model Rats
Authors: Zhu Hao , Liang Qing-hua , Xiong Xin-gui , Wang Yang , Zhang Zhi-hui , Sun Mei-juan , Lu Xun , Wu Dan
Published: February 2018

Objectives. In China, Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) is a natural herb that is widely used and has been proven to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to preliminarily reveal the mechanism by which OD exerts its beneficial effect. Methods. Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography photodiode array was applied to identify the absorbable compounds in the plasma of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) model rats. After 2 weeks, an OD decoction or the identified absorbable compound was administered to CIA rats. Morphology, X‐ray images of the joints, pathological images, arthritis index, and cytokine (TNF‐α and IL‐6) levels were evaluated. Results. p‐Coumaric acid (p‐CA) was identified as the absorbed compound in plasma. After administration of p‐CA solution or the OD decoction, symptoms in the treated rats were alleviated as compared to the untreated model rats, and inflammatory cell infiltration was suppressed. The arthritis index and serum levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6 were decreased as compared to the control group. Conclusions. OD may exert its anti‐inflammatory effect on RA via its active ingredient, p‐CA. This information sheds light on the mechanism by which OD exerts its anti‐inflammatory effort in RA and forms the basis for further development of therapeutic agents for RA.
Simultaneous Segmentation of Leukocyte and Erythrocyte in Microscopic Images Using a Marker-Controlled Watershed Algorithm
Authors: Miao Huisi , Xiao Changyan
Published: February 2018

The density or quantity of leukocytes and erythrocytes in a unit volume of blood, which can be automatically measured through a computer-based microscopic image analysis system, is frequently considered an indicator of diseases. The segmentation of blood cells, as a basis of quantitative statistics, plays an important role in the system. However, many conventional methods must firstly distinguish blood cells into two types (i.e., leukocyte and erythrocyte) and segment them in independent procedures. In this paper, we present a marker-controlled watershed algorithm for simultaneously extracting the two types of blood cells to simplify operations and reduce computing time. The method consists of two steps, that is, cell nucleus segmentation and blood cell segmentation. An image enhancement technique is used to obtain the leukocyte marker. Two marker-controlled watershed algorithms are based on distance transformation and edge gradient information to acquire blood cell contour. The segmented leukocytes and erythrocytes are obtained simultaneously by classification. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is fast, robust, and efficient.
Global Dynamics of an Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Epidemic Model with Latent Period and Nonlinear Recovery Rate
Authors: Mu Rui , Yang Youping
Published: February 2018

An SEIR type of compartmental model with nonlinear incidence and recovery rates was formulated to study the combined impacts of psychological effect and available resources of public health system especially the number of hospital beds on the transmission and control of A(H7N9) virus. Global stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibria is determined by the basic reproduction number as a threshold parameter and is obtained by constructing Lyapunov function and second additive compound matrix. The results obtained reveal that psychological effect and available resources do not change the stability of the steady states but can indeed diminish the peak and the final sizes of the infected. Our studies have practical implications for the transmission and control of A(H7N9) virus.
In VitroAntibacterial Potential of Extracts ofSterculia africana,Acacia sieberiana, andCassia abbreviatassp.abbreviataUsed by Yellow Baboons(Papio cynocephalus)for Possible Self-Medication in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania
Authors: Kirabo Irene , Mabiki Faith P. , Mdegela Robinson H. , Obbo Christopher J. D.
Published: February 2018

In the animals in general and nonhuman primates in particular self-medication has been widely reported; however, little is still known about the pharmacological activity of the extracts present in their daily diet. Thein vitroantibacterial activity of the stem, root bark, and leaf extracts of three selected plants on which yellow baboons feed in an unusual manner in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania, was evaluated. Crude plant extracts were tested against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria of medical and veterinary importance employing a modified agar well diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) technique. The lowest MIC value for Gram positive strains was 0.31 mg/ml demonstrated byCassia abbreviatassp.abbreviataagainstStaphylococcus aureus(ATCC 25923). The highest susceptibility to the ethanol plant extracts was exhibited byPseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,andStaphylococcus aureus,examples of microbes that affect both human and nonhuman primates. These findings demonstrate that the plant extracts fromSterculia africana,Acacia sieberiana,andCassia abbreviatassp.abbreviatahave antibacterial activity and may be used as feed for their prophylactic benefits. Remarkably, the lowest MIC of 0.16 mg/ml was only 16-fold weaker than Gentamicin, a standard drug.
Discrimination of Rock Fracture and Blast Events Based on Signal Complexity and Machine Learning
Authors: Zhou Zilong , Cheng Ruishan , Cai Xin , Ma Dan , Jiang Chong
Published: February 2018

The automatic discrimination of rock fracture and blast events is complex and challenging due to the similar waveform characteristics. To solve this problem, a new method based on the signal complexity analysis and machine learning has been proposed in this paper. First, the permutation entropy values of signals at different scale factors are calculated to reflect complexity of signals and constructed into a feature vector set. Secondly, based on the feature vector set, back‐propagation neural network (BPNN) as a means of machine learning is applied to establish a discriminator for rock fracture and blast events. Then to evaluate the classification performances of the new method, the classifying accuracies of support vector machine (SVM), naive Bayes classifier, and the new method are compared, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are also analyzed. The results show the new method obtains the best classification performances. In addition, the influence of different scale factor q and number of training samples n on discrimination results is discussed. It is found that the classifying accuracy of the new method reaches the highest value when q = 8–15 or 8–20 and n = 140.
A Hybrid Strategy of Differential Evolution and Modified Particle Swarm Optimization for Numerical Solution of a Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Mao Bingyan , Xie Zhijiang , Wang Yongbo , Handroos Heikki , Wu Huapeng
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a hybrid strategy combined with a differential evolution (DE) algorithm and a modified particle swarm optimization (PSO), denominated as DEMPSO, to solve the nonlinear model of the forward kinematics. The proposed DEMPSO takes the best advantage of the convergence rate of MPSO and the global optimization of DE. A comparison study between the DEMPSO and the other optimization algorithms such as the DE algorithm, PSO algorithm, and MPSO algorithm is performed to obtain the numerical solution of the forward kinematics of a 3-RPS parallel manipulator. The forward kinematic model of the 3-RPS parallel manipulator has been developed and it is essentially a nonlinear algebraic equation which is dependent on the structure of the mechanism. A constraint equation based on the assembly relationship is utilized to express the position and orientation of the manipulator. Five configurations with different positions and orientations are used as an example to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed DEMPSO for solving the kinematic problem of parallel manipulators. And the comparison study results of DEMPSO and the other optimization algorithms also show that DEMPSO can provide a better performance regarding the convergence rate and global searching properties.
Neonatal Stress Has a Long-Lasting Sex-Dependent Effect on Anxiety-Like Behavior and Neuronal Morphology in the Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus
Authors: de Melo Silvana Regina , de David Antoniazzi Caren Tatiane , Hossain Shakhawat , Kolb Bryan
Published: February 2018

The long-lasting effects of early stress on brain development have been well studied. Recent evidence indicates that males and females respond differently to the same stressor. We examined the chronic effects of daily maternal separation (MS) on behavior and cerebral morphology in both male and female rats. Cognitive and anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated, and neuroplastic changes in 2 subregions of the prefrontal cortex (dorsal agranular insular cortex [AID] and cingulate cortex [Cg3]) and hippocampus (CA1 and dentate gyrus) were measured in adult male and female rats. The animals were subjected to MS on postnatal day (P) 3–14 for 3 h per day. Cognitive and emotional behaviors were assessed in the object/context mismatch task, elevated plus maze, and locomotor activity test in early adulthood (P87–P95). Anatomical assessments were performed in the prefrontal cortex (i.e., cortical thickness and spine density) and hippocampus (i.e., spine density). Sex-dependent effects were observed. MS increased anxiety-related behavior only in males, whereas locomotor activity was higher in females, with no effects on cognition. MS decreased spine density in the AID and increased spine density in the CA1 area in males. Females exhibited an increase in spine density in the Cg3. Our findings confirm previous work that found that MS causes long-term behavioral and anatomical effects, and these effects were dependent on sex and the duration of MS stress.
Higher Failure of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in Infants: The “Distensible” Skull Is the Culprit
Authors: Zucchelli Mino , Galassi Ercole
Published: February 2018

The efficacy of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in childhood strongly correlates with age. Reasons for the higher failure rate in infants are under debate but the “distensible” head with its immature skull (which would prevent an adequate flow through the ETV and/or a sufficient pressure gradient between the cortical subarachnoid spaces and the venous sinuses) has been suggested as a possible cause. Our evidence of spontaneous conversion of a failed, but always patent, third ventriculostomy into an effective one occurring in a child after maturation of the skull supports this hypothesis.
“The Wrong Building, in the Wrong Place, at the Wrong Time”: Marcel Breuer and the Grand Central Tower Controversy, 1967–1969
Authors: Dellaria Salvatore
Published: February 2018

In the late 1960s, New York's Landmarks Preservation Commission rejected a scandalous proposal submitted by Marcel Breuer and Associates to float a fifty-five-story office tower in the air rights above Grand Central Terminal. The tendency among historians has been to treat Breuer's tower as an act of vandalism, but this article argues that such an interpretation obscures the real political and economic stakes of the controversy. In fact, Breuer's design uncovered the single-minded profit orientation of development interests and the preservationists who opposed the scheme operated less on behalf of a landmark threatened with defacement than against an economy of development operating without meaningful public oversight. Contemporary accounts repress this antagonism between preservationists and a growth machinery operated by corporate capitalists; they repress exactly what the proposal made visible to its critics. And the scandal of Breuer's proposal was not in the threat it posed to the terminal but precisely in the irreconcilability, in the 1960s, of development and preservation.
Are Capital Flows Fickle? Increasingly? And Does the Answer Still Depend on Type?
Authors: Eichengreen Barry , Gupta Poonam , Masetti Oliver
Published: February 2018

According to conventional wisdom, capital flows are fickle. Focusing on emerging markets, we ask whether this conventional wisdom still holds in our contemporary world. Our results show that, despite recent structural and regulatory changes, much of it survives. Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows are more stable than non-FDI inflows. Within non-FDI inflows, portfolio debt and bank-intermediated flows remain the most volatile. Whereas FDI inflows are driven mainly by pull factors, portfolio debt and equity are driven mainly by push factors; bank-intermediated flows are driven a combination of push and pull factors. Capital outflows from emerging markets behave differently, however. FDI outflows from emerging markets have grown and become significantly more volatile. There is similarly an increase in the volatility of bank-intermediated capital outflows from emerging markets. Our findings underscore that outflows from emerging markets, both FDI and bank-related flows, have come to play a growing role and warrant greater attention from analysts and policymakers.
Exchange Rate Flexibility, Financial Market Openness, and Economic Growth
Authors: Lee Il Houng , Kim Kyunghun
Published: February 2018

We investigate the effect of exchange rate flexibility on economic growth. We find that exchange rate flexibility negatively affects economic growth, but this effect varies with the degree of financial market openness. Countries with high financial market openness benefit from maintaining high exchange rate flexibility, whereas the opposite is true for countries with low financial market openness. This empirical result implies that policymakers should consider the long-term growth effect when formulating exchange rate policy as it could be a useful policy option for emerging markets with limited policy independence. This is particularly relevant to policy coordination since greater exchange rate flexibility alone cannot solve the global imbalance.
Redescription of immature stages of central European fireflies, Part 3: Phosphaenus hemipterus (Goeze, 1777) larva, and notes on its life cycle and behaviour, with a key to three central European lampyrid larvae (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
Authors: NOVÁK MARTIN
Published: February 2018

The mature larva of the elusive firefly Phosphaenus hemipterus (Goeze, 1777) is thoroughly redescribed and illustrated with detailed images, including scanning electron microscope figures. The external sense organs and their significance is discussed, as well as the predatory behaviour and specific lifestyle of the larva. A key to the central European lampyrid larvae (viz. P. hemipterus, Lamprohiza splendidula (Linnaeus, 1767) and Lampyris noctiluca (Linnaeus, 1758)) is provided as well as a comparative table of their morphological features.
Review and clinal variation of New Zealand Anabaxis Raffray (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Goniaceritae)
Authors: SHEN JIA-WEI , LESCHEN RICHARD A. B.
Published: February 2018

The New Zealand members of the genus Anabaxis Raffray are revised to accommodate three species, including one new species: Anabaxis chathamensis sp. nov. A key and an illustrated catalogue to the described species from New Zealand and Australia are included. Lectotypes are designated for A. brevis Oke, A. electrica King, A. foveolata Broun, A. inusitata Blackburn, A. lunatica King, A. quinquefoveolata Raffray, and A. vagus Oke. The widespread New Zealand species A. foveolata exhibits an unusual form of clinal variation in sex-linked characters of the male legs. The length of the tibial spine increased with increasing latitude and the length of the mesotrochanteral spine decreased with increasing latitude.
On Plesionika persica (Kemp, 1925) and P. reflexa Chace, 1985 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pandalidae) from India
Authors: CHAN TIN-YAM , CHAKRABORTY REKHA DEVI , PURUSHOTHAMAN P. , KUBERAN G. , YANG CHIEN-HUI
Published: February 2018

The availability of Indian specimens of Plesionika persica (Kemp, 1925) and P. reflexa Chace, 1985 provided more information on the taxonomy around these two species. Moreover, it is the first record of P. persica to India. Although P. taiwanica Chan and Yu, 2000 is superficially rather similar to P. persica, there are many differences between them and probably it is inappropriate to establish a species group for these two species. It is likely that all previous records of P. ensis (A. Milne-Edwards, 1881) from India actually represent P. reflexa Chace, 1985. Nevertheless, the present Indian specimens of P. reflexa have more than 10% COI sequence divergence from the topotypic materials of both P. ensis and P. reflexa, and the epipods at the pereiopods III and IV reduced or absent. This data further highlights the confusing taxonomy in the “P. ensis” group.
Synoptic–Dynamic Climatology of the Aleutian High
Authors: Colucci Stephen J. , Ehrmann Thomas S.
Published: February 2018

A climatology of the anticyclone that commonly appears over the Aleutian Islands in the wintertime Northern Hemisphere stratosphere is presented. Applying a geometric moments technique to a reanalysis dataset and updating a previously published definition, 68 Aleutian high (AH) events have been identified during 35 winter (October–March) seasons (1979/80–2013/14), or about 2 events per season. The events lasted an average of approximately 33 days. Thirteen of the 68 AH events each temporally and spatially coincided with tropospheric blocking identified with a wave-breaking definition, while 41 of the AH onsets each coincided with a persistently positive geopotential height anomaly in the troposphere. Also, 41 of the 68 AH events each coincided with or were followed by an objectively defined disturbance (split or displacement) to the stratospheric polar vortex. Finally, 47 of these disturbance events were each preceded by an AH onset, such that in almost all winters (33 out of 35), an early season AH was followed by a later-season polar vortex disturbance (PVD).

Potential vorticity (PV) inversion revealed that the geopotential height rises associated with composite AH onset were forced primarily by anticyclonic PV increases in the stratosphere, with the troposphere providing a lesser contribution. Poleward eddy heat fluxes in the stratosphere preceded and especially followed composite AH onset, consistent with the findings that composite AH onset was forced primarily by anticyclonic PV increases in the stratosphere and that many AH onsets were each followed by a PVD onset.
The Response of the Ozone Layer to Quadrupled CO2 Concentrations
Authors: Chiodo G. , Polvani L. M. , Marsh D. R. , Stenke A. , Ball W. , Rozanov E. , Muthers S. , Tsigaridis K.
Published: February 2018

An accurate quantification of the stratospheric ozone feedback in climate change simulations requires knowledge of the ozone response to increased greenhouse gases. Here, an analysis is presented of the ozone layer response to an abrupt quadrupling of CO2 concentrations in four chemistry–climate models. The authors show that increased CO2 levels lead to a decrease in ozone concentrations in the tropical lower stratosphere, and an increase over the high latitudes and throughout the upper stratosphere. This pattern is robust across all models examined here, although important intermodel differences in the magnitude of the response are found. As a result of the cancellation between the upper- and lower-stratospheric ozone, the total column ozone response in the tropics is small, and appears to be model dependent. A substantial portion of the spread in the tropical column ozone is tied to intermodel spread in upwelling. The high-latitude ozone response is strongly seasonally dependent, and shows increases peaking in late winter and spring of each hemisphere, with prominent longitudinal asymmetries. The range of ozone responses to CO2 reported in this paper has the potential to induce significant radiative and dynamical effects on the simulated climate. Hence, these results highlight the need of using an ozone dataset consistent with CO2 forcing in models involved in climate sensitivity studies.
Mass Partisan Polarization: Measuring a Relational Concept
Authors: Lauka Alban , McCoy Jennifer , Firat Rengin B.
Published: February 2018

With recent political developments sparking sharp divisions within democracies, an understanding of the dynamics of polarization is ever more necessary. Yet we still lack the tools necessary for its comparative study at the mass level. Finding that conventional measures of polarization as ideological distance between parties or among voters do not fully capture political polarization, we develop a new index of mass partisan polarization based on support and rejection of political parties by the public. We argue that measuring polarization over political parties allows us to capture divisions over a broader range of identities or issues which parties can represent or take positions on. Using Comparative Study of Electoral Systems data, our empirical validity tests support this argument. It is our hope that this index may facilitate the further comparative study of mass political polarization on a global scale.
Double suicide in modern Japan (in Kanagawa prefecture): Comparison with those in post-war Japan and other countries
Authors: Satoh Fumiko , Osawa Motoki
Published: February 2018

Double-suicide cases have long been common in Japan, particularly among lovers. Classical studies conducted in the 1950s are well known. According to a report by Ohara, the double-suicide rate in Japan was recorded as 3.1% in 1954. Nevertheless, recent tendencies have not been reported. To assess the latest trends of double suicide, extensive studies were conducted in a populous area of Kanagawa, Japan, during 1999–2011. Suicides during the period in the domestic area claimed 23,195 victims. In all, 82 cases of double suicide were extracted, with 170 victims, meaning that double suicides occurred with incidence of 0.73% among all suicides. The mean age and standard deviation were 51.6±16.1 years, with 83 men and 87 women. The suicide-partner relationships included 40 cases (48.8%) of married couples, 13 (15.9%) of unmarried lovers, and 10 (12.2%) of elderly woman and her son/daughter dyads. No significant difference was found from Western countries in the incidence of double-suicide cases in Japan, except for a higher incidence of suicide involving elderly people and their sons/daughters. The traditional style of double suicide by lovers has become less frequent in modern Japanese society, presumably because of changing marriage styles and values.
‘Now She’s Just an Ordinary Baby’: The Birth of IVF in the British Press
Authors: Dow Katharine
Published: February 2018

The birth of Louise Brown, the first baby born through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), in England in 1978 attracted worldwide media attention. This article examines how the contemporary British news media framed this momentous event. Drawing on the example of the Daily Mail’s coverage, it focuses on the way in which the British press depicted Louise’s parents’ emotions, marital relationship and social class in a context of political and economic crisis and resurgent social conservatism. The British press framed the Browns as ordinary and respectable, noting their work ethic, family orientation and moral values. The article argues that the human-interest angle that the press used to represent this story created a dominant narrative in which IVF was simply a means of helping married heterosexual couples have babies and that this established a frame for subsequent depictions of IVF, as well as contributing to its rapid normalisation.
Emerging Adult Perceptions of and Preferences for Parenting Styles and Associated Psychological Outcomes
Authors: McKinney Cliff , Kwan Janet W.
Published: February 2018

Research suggests that child perception of parenting styles may strongly influence child outcomes and parents must balance support and structure based on their emerging adult children’s changing needs. The current study examined emerging adult perceptions of parenting style in comparison with their preferences and how these characteristics interact to predict psychological problems. Significant interactions between preferred and perceived parenting style were found, several of which were further moderated by gender. Results suggest that emerging adults prefer parenting styles that grant autonomy, and males reported lower psychological problems when they also perceived such a parenting style, whereas females reported higher psychological problems. This may suggest that females experience more risky behaviors while at college when granted autonomy relative to males, thus accounting for their higher psychological problems. The current study emphasizes the ongoing impact of parental influences on emerging adult outcomes and that children’s preferences and perceptions influence parent–child gender dyads.
Drivers of Cordial Employee Relations: The Study of a State-owned Public Sector Undertaking
Authors: Sahoo Rojalin , Sahoo Chandan Kumar
Published: February 2018

The wave of change and rigorous competition has compelled the power sector to adopt a proactive resolution-oriented employee relations (ER) approach towards employee satisfaction and organizational performance. A cordial ER is based on fairness, trust and mutual respect and leads to motivated, loyal and high-performing employees and facilitates them to achieve the optimum results for their organization. Therefore, the study aims to examine the employer–employee relations prevalent in power sector. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect the data from a sample of 175 full-time working members including both executives and non-executives and were analysed using SPSS. For this study, a hypothesized research model was developed to investigate the relationship between drivers of ER and cordial ER. The regression analysis entails that the variables such as: interpersonal relationships, safe and healthy work environment, and employee welfare were significant predictors of cordial ER. The research will add practical insights for managers to realize the importance of these drivers of ER and to design appropriate strategies and policies for maintaining better ER.
Hormone treatments in congestive heart failure
Authors: Lei Lei , Mao Yuanjie
Published: February 2018

The common ultimate pathological feature for all cardiovascular diseases, congestive heart failure (CHF), is now considered as one of the main public health burdens that is associated with grave implications. Neurohormonal systems play a critical role in cardiovascular homeostasis, pathophysiology, and cardiovascular diseases. Hormone treatments such as the newly invented dual-acting drug valsartan/sacubitril are promising candidates for CHF, in addition to the conventional medications encompassing beta receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Clinical trials also indicate that in CHF patients with low insulin-like growth factor-1 or low thyroid hormone levels, supplemental treatment with growth hormone or thyroid hormone seems to be cardioprotective; and in CHF patients with volume overload the vasopressin antagonists can relieve the symptoms superior to loop diuretics. Furthermore, a combination of selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist may be used in patients with diuretic resistance. Finally, the potential cardiovascular efficacy and safety of incretin-based therapies, testosterone or estrogen supplementation needs to be prudently evaluated in large-scale clinical studies. In this review, we briefly discuss the therapeutic effects of several key hormones in CHF.
Impact of a Standardized Beta-Lactam Allergy Questionnaire on Aztreonam Use
Authors: Clark Kacie E. , Briand Mary E. , Kapoor Om , Pirasteh Ameen
Published: February 2018

Methods:

This quasi-experimental study compared the aztreonam utilization in patients with self-reported beta-lactam allergies admitted to an inpatient service between two study periods (pre- and post-implementation). Post-implementation followed the initiation of a standardized beta-lactam allergy questionnaire, a student pharmacist–driven performance improvement project for beta-lactam allergy documentation. Interviews clarified the allergy, reaction history, and any previous tolerance of beta-lactams. If receiving aztreonam at the time of the questionnaire, recommendations were made for changes in therapy if deemed appropriate by the pharmacist.

Results:

A total of 95 patients were included in the pre-implementation group versus 65 patients in the post-implementation group. Baseline characteristics were similar. The average number of aztreonam doses per 1000 patient-days in the post-implementation group was decreased (21.23 vs 9.05, P = .003). The average number of days of therapy per 1000 patient-days in the post-implementation group was decreased (8.79-4.24, P = .016). An increase in the number of aztreonam de-escalations was observed post-implementation ( P = .003). A total of 122 questionnaires were completed with 114 allergy documentation updates. There were no reported instances of adverse events.

Conclusion:

Utilization of a standardized beta-lactam allergy questionnaire as a pharmacy education tool resulted in a statistically significant decrease in aztreonam utilization, based on doses, days of therapy, and de-escalations.