bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical insulating liquid: A review
Authors: Mahanta Deba Kumar , Laskar Shakuntala
Published: July 2017

Insulating liquid plays an important role for the life span of the transformer. Petroleum-based mineral oil has become dominant insulating liquid of transformer for more than a century for its excellent dielectric and cooling properties. However, the usage of petroleum-based mineral oil, derived from a nonrenewable energy source, has affected the environment for its nonbiodegradability property. Therefore, researchers direct their attention to renewable and biodegradable alternatives. Palm fatty acid ester, coconut oil, sunflower oil, etc. are considered as alternatives to replace mineral oil as transformer insulation liquid. This paper gives an extensive review of different liquid insulating materials used in a transformer. Characterization of different liquids as an insulating material has been discussed. An attempt has been made to classify different insulating liquids-based on different properties.
Computing Urban Traffic Congestions by Incorporating Sparse GPS Probe Data and Social Media Data
Authors: Wang Senzhang , Zhang Xiaoming , Cao Jianping , He Lifang , Stenneth Leon , Yu Philip S. , Li Zhoujun , Huang Zhiqiu
Published: July 2017

Estimating urban traffic conditions of an arterial network with GPS probe data is a practically important while substantially challenging problem, and has attracted increasing research interests recently. Although GPS probe data is becoming a ubiquitous data source for various traffic related applications currently, they are usually insufficient for fully estimating traffic conditions of a large arterial network due to the low sampling frequency. To explore other data sources for more effectively computing urban traffic conditions, we propose to collect various traffic events such as traffic accident and jam from social media as complementary information. In addition, to further explore other factors that might affect traffic conditions, we also extract rich auxiliary information including social events, road features, Point of Interest (POI), and weather. With the enriched traffic data and auxiliary information collected from different sources, we first study the traffic co-congestion pattern mining problem with the aim of discovering which road segments geographically close to each other are likely to co-occur traffic congestion. A search tree based approach is proposed to efficiently discover the co-congestion patterns. These patterns are then used to help estimate traffic congestions and detect anomalies in a transportation network. To fuse the multisourced data, we finally propose a coupled matrix and tensor factorization model named TCE_R to more accurately complete the sparse traffic congestion matrix by collaboratively factorizing it with other matrices and tensors formed by other data. We evaluate the proposed model on the arterial network of downtown Chicago with 1,257 road segments whose total length is nearly 700 miles. The results demonstrate the superior performance of TCE_R by comprehensive comparison with existing approaches.
MiR-27b augments bone marrow progenitor cell survival via suppressing the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Li Hainan , Liu Jenny , Wang Yihan , Fu Zhiyao , Hüttemann Maik , Monks Terrence J. , Chen Alex F. , Wang Jie-Mei
Published: July 2017

Bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (BMPCs) are potential candidates for autologous cell therapy in tissue repair and regeneration because of their high angiogenic potential. However, increased progenitor cell apoptosis in diabetes directly limits their success in the clinic. MicroRNAs are endogenous noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level, but their roles in BMPC-mediated angiogenesis are incompletely understood. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the proangiogenic miR-27b inhibits BMPC apoptosis in Type 2 diabetes. Bone marrow-derived EPCs from adult male Type 2 diabetic db/db mice and their normal littermates db/+ mice were used. MiR-27b expression (real-time PCR) in EPCs was decreased after 24 h of exposure to methylglyoxal (MGO) or oxidized low-density lipoprotein but not high glucose, advanced glycation end products, the reactive oxygen species generator LY83583, or H2O2. The increase in BMPC apoptosis in the diabetic mice was rescued following transfection with a miR-27b mimic, and the increased apoptosis induced by MGO was also rescued by the miR-27b mimic. p53 protein expression and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in EPCs (Western blot analyses) were significantly higher in db/db mice, both of which were suppressed by miR-27b. Furthermore, mitochondrial respiration, as measured by oxygen consumption rate, was enhanced by miR-27b in diabetic BMPCs, with concomitant decrease of mitochondrial Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The 3′ UTR binding assays revealed that both Bax, and its activator RUNX1, were direct targets of miR-27b, suggesting that miR-27b inhibits Bax expression in both direct and indirect manners. miR-27b prevents EPC apoptosis in Type 2 diabetic mice, at least in part, by suppressing p53 and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These findings may provide a mechanistic basis for rescuing BMPC dysfunction in diabetes for successful autologous cell therapy.
Perturbations to lysyl oxidase expression broadly influence the transcriptome of lung fibroblasts
Authors: Mižíková Ivana , Palumbo Francesco , Tábi Tamás , Herold Susanne , Vadász István , Mayer Konstantin , Seeger Werner , Morty Rory E.
Published: July 2017

Lysyl oxidases are credited with pathogenic roles in lung diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Lysyl oxidases facilitate the covalent intra- and intermolecular cross-linking of collagen and elastin fibers, thereby imparting tensile strength to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Alternative ECM-independent roles have recently been proposed for lysyl oxidases, including regulation of growth factor signaling, chromatin remodeling, and transcriptional regulation, all of which impact cell phenotype. We demonstrate here that three of the five lysyl oxidase family members, Lox, Loxl1, and Loxl2, are highly expressed in primary mouse lung fibroblasts compared with other constituent cell types of the lung. Microarray analyses revealed that small interfering RNA knockdown of Lox, Loxl1, and Loxl2 was associated with apparent changes in the expression of 134, 3,761, and 3,554 genes, respectively, in primary mouse lung fibroblasts. The impact of lysyl oxidase expression on steady-state Mmp3, Mmp9, Eln, Rarres1, Gdf10, Ifnb1, Csf2, and Cxcl9 mRNA levels was validated, which is interesting, since the corresponding gene products are relevant to lung development and BPD, where lysyl oxidases play a functional role. In vivo, the expression of these genes broadly correlated with Lox, Loxl1, and Loxl2 expression in a mouse model of BPD. Furthermore, β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), a selective lysyl oxidase inhibitor, did not affect the steady-state mRNA levels of lysyl oxidase target genes, in vitro in lung fibroblasts or in vivo in BAPN-treated mice. This study is the first to report that lysyl oxidases broadly influence the cell transcriptome.
Development and Validation of a Stability-Indicating HPLC Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Florfenicol and Flunixin Meglumine Combination in an Injectable Solution
Authors: Batrawi Nidal , Naseef Hani , Al-Rimawi Fuad
Published: July 2017

The combination of the powerful antimicrobial agent florfenicol and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory flunixin meglumine is used for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and control of BRD-associated pyrexia, in beef and nonlactating dairy cattle. This study describes the development and validation of an HPLC-UV method for the simultaneous determination of florfenicol and flunixin, in an injectable preparation with a mixture of excipients. The proposed RP-HPLC method was developed by a reversed phase- (RP-) C18e (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column at room temperature, with an isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile and water mixture, and pH was adjusted to 2.8 using diluted phosphoric acid, a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and ultraviolet detection at 268 nm. The stability-indicating method was developed by exposing the drugs to stress conditions of acid and base hydrolysis, oxidation, photodegradation, and thermal degradation; the obtained degraded products were successfully separated from the APIs. This method was validated in accordance with FDA and ICH guidelines and showed excellent linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, robustness, LOD, LOQ, and system suitability results within the acceptance criteria.
Simultaneous Analysis of Ursolic Acid and Oleanolic Acid in Guava Leaves Using QuEChERS-Based Extraction Followed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Xu Chang , Liao Yiyi , Fang Chunyan , Tsunoda Makoto , Zhang Yingxia , Song Yanting , Deng Shiming
Published: July 2017

In this paper, a novel method of QuEChERS-based extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography has been developed for the simultaneous determination of ursolic acid (UA) and oleanolic acid (OA) in guava leaves. The QuEChERS-based extraction parameters, including the amount of added salt, vortex-assisted extraction time, and absorbent amount, and the chromatographic conditions were investigated for the analysis of UA and OA in guava leaves. Under the optimized conditions, the method showed good linearity over a range of 1–320 μg mL−1, with correlation coefficients above 0.999. The limits of detection of UA and OA were 0.18 and 0.36 μg mL−1, respectively. The intraday and interday precision were below 1.95 and 2.55%, respectively. The accuracies of the UA and OA determinations ranged from 97.4 to 111.4%. The contents of UA and OA in the guava leaf samples were 2.50 and 0.73 mg g−1, respectively. These results demonstrate that the developed method is applicable to the simultaneous determination of UA and OA in guava leaves.
Immunomodulatory Effects of TaiwaneseNeolitseaSpecies on Th1 and Th2 Functionality
Authors: Cheng Yin-Hua , Lin Ying-Chi , Chen Ih-Sheng , Liu Sian-De , Li Jih-Heng , Wang Chia-Chi
Published: July 2017

Neolitseaspecies, medicinal plants belonging to Lauraceae, contain rich alkaloids, steroids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids which possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. However, species differences in the immunomodulatory effects and evidence pertaining to the effects ofNeolitseaspecies on adaptive immunity are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of ten TaiwaneseNeolitseaplants on T helper (Th) cell functionality, especially Th1 and Th2. Most of the 29 crude extracts ofNeolitseawere not toxic to splenocytes, exceptN. buisanensisroots.N. aciculataandN. villosaleaf extracts possessed differential immunomodulatory effects on Th1/Th2 balance.N. aciculatavar.variabillimaandN. hiiranensisleaf extracts attenuated both Th1 and Th2 cytokines whileN. konishiidramatically suppressed IFN-γproduction. AsN. aciculatavar.variabillimaandN. konishiileaf extracts significantly attenuated Th1 functionality, we further evaluated their effects on CD4 cells under CD3/CD28 stimulation.N. aciculatavar.variabillimasignificantly suppressed IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17, demonstrating the broad suppressive effects on T helper cells;N. konishiisignificantly suppressed IFN-γand IL-10 production, while the production of IL-17 was not altered. Collectively, these data demonstrated that leaf extracts of TaiwaneseNeolitseaspecies contain phytochemicals with potentials to be developed as selective immunomodulators.
Analysis and Prediction on Vehicle Ownership Based on an Improved Stochastic Gompertz Diffusion Process
Authors: Lu Huapu , Ma He , Sun Zhiyuan , Wang Jing
Published: July 2017

This paper aims at introducing a new improved stochastic differential equation related to Gompertz curve for the projection of vehicle ownership growth. This diffusion model explains the relationship between vehicle ownership and GDP per capita, which has been studied as a Gompertz-like function before. The main innovations of the process lie in two parts: by modifying the deterministic part of the original Gompertz equation, the model can present the remaining slow increase when the S-shaped curve has reached its saturation level; by introducing the stochastic differential equation, the model can better fit the real data when there are fluctuations. Such comparisons are carried out based on data from US, UK, Japan, and Korea with a time span of 1960–2008. It turns out that the new process behaves better in fitting curves and predicting short term growth. Finally, a prediction of Chinese vehicle ownership up to 2025 is presented with the new model, as China is on the initial stage of motorization with much fluctuations in growth.
Magnitude and Predisposing Factors of Difficult Airway during Induction of General Anaesthesia
Authors: Workeneh Sileshi Abiy , Gebregzi Amare Hailekiros , Denu Zewditu Abdissa
Published: July 2017

Objective. To assess magnitude and predisposing factors of difficult airway during induction of general anaesthesia. Methods. Hospital based cross sectional study carried out to determine the incidence of difficult mask ventilation, difficult laryngoscopy (Cormack and Lehane III and IV), difficult intubation (IDS ≥ 5), and failed intubation. The association between each predisposing factor and airway parameters with components of difficult airway is investigated with binary logistic regression. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the test, and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated to determine the association between independent and dependent variable. Result. The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy, difficult intubation, and failed intubation are 12.3%, 9%, and 0.005%, respectively. Mouth opening < 30 mm and Mallampati classes III and IV are the most sensitive tests and second high specific test next to combination of tests to predict difficult intubation and laryngoscopy (P value < 0.001). Unrestricted multiple attempt without alternative airway techniques resulted in exponential increase in desaturation episodes and further difficulty of airway management (P value < 0.001). Discussion and Conclusion. Mallampati classes III and IV, mouth opening ≤ 30 mm, jaw slide grade C, attempt > 3, and ineffective alternative technique have increased predictability value of difficult airway.
Relieving the Impact of Transit Signal Priority on Passenger Cars through a Bilevel Model
Authors: Wang Ding , Qiao Wenxin , Shao Chunfu
Published: July 2017

Transit signal priority (TSP) is an effective control strategy to improve transit operations on the urban network. However, the TSP may sacrifice the right-of-way of vehicles from side streets which have only few transit vehicles; therefore, how to minimize the negative impact of TSP strategy on the side streets is an important issue to be addressed. Concerning the typical mixed-traffic flow pattern and heavy transit volume in China, a bilevel model is proposed in this paper: the upper-level model focused on minimizing the vehicle delay in the nonpriority direction while ensuring acceptable delay variation in transit priority direction, and the lower-level model aimed at minimizing the average passenger delay in the entire intersection. The parameters which will affect the efficiency of the bilevel model have been analyzed based on a hypothetical intersection. Finally, a real-world intersection has been studied, and the average vehicle delay in the nonpriority direction decreased 11.28 s and 22.54 s (under different delay variation constraint) compared to the models that only minimize average passenger delay, while the vehicle delay in the priority direction increased only 1.37 s and 2.87 s; the results proved the practical applicability and efficiency of the proposed bilevel model.
Thrombosis of the Vein of Galen: Pitfalls, Metamorphosis, and Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity
Authors: Santos-Soares Paulo César , Oliveira-Filho Jamary
Published: July 2017

Isolated thrombosis of the vein of Galen is a rare and serious entity with few cases reported in the literature. We report the case of a previously healthy 18-year-old male who was admitted after developing headache and subsequently worsening mental status, requiring endotracheal intubation for airway protection. During his admission he developed symptoms of severe paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity and posturing. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed bilateral thalamic lesions. The magnetic resonance angiography and digital arteriography revealed a thrombosis of the deep cerebral venous system (vein of Galen). We call attention to a case with rapid symptom progression and specific radiological findings, with atypical clinical course, characterized by paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, but with good clinical functional outcome.
Clinically Silent Intracardiac Metastasis with Extremely Poor Prognosis in a Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Salehi Mashal , Yee The , Alatevi Eric , Thein Yamin
Published: July 2017

Intracavitary cardiac extension remains an unusual site of extrahepatic metastasis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. While patients can present with signs and symptoms suggestive of right-sided heart failure, it may be totally asymptomatic, which is very rare with only a few cases reported so far. Also, cardiac metastasis is of great prognostic importance as patients with intracardiac metastasis can have an extremely poor prognosis. Here, we present the case of a 52-year-old male patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, with an incidentally found tumor thrombus extending from the inferior vena cava to the right atrium, protruding through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, on routine echocardiography. The patient did not have any signs or symptoms of heart involvement and unfortunately died on the 18th day of the hospital stay.
One-Year Outcomes following Intravitreal Aflibercept for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in Japanese Patients: The APOLLO Study
Authors: Oshima Yuji , Kimoto Kenichi , Yoshida Noriko , Fujisawa Kimihiko , Sonoda Shozo , Kubota Toshiaki , Murata Toshinori , Sakamoto Taiji , Yoshida Shigeo , Sonoda Koh-hei , Ishibashi Tatsuro , Oshima Yuji
Published: July 2017

Purpose: To evaluate 1-year outcomes of intravitreal injections of aflibercept (IVA) in Japanese polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients. Methods: In this prospective, open-label, single-arm multicenter clinical trial, treatment-naïve PCV patients received IVA (2.0 mg) every 2 months, after 3 initial monthly doses. The primary endpoint assessed was the proportion of patients maintaining baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 year. Results: Fifty eyes with PCV were included in the study. BCVA was maintained or improved in 97.6% of the patients. Mean logMAR BCVA at baseline was 0.33, and had improved to 0.12 logMAR 1 year after the initiation of aflibercept treatment (p < 0.001). Mean central foveal thickness decreased from 356 to 239 μm (p < 0.001). Complete regression of polypoidal lesions was seen in 72.5% after 1 year of treatment. Conclusions: One year of IVA resulted in stabilization of BCVA and anatomical improvement in Japanese PCV patients.
Diet and Activity of Macaca assamensis in Wild and Semi-Provisioned Groups in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal
Authors: Koirala Sabina , Chalise Mukesh K. , Katuwal Hem Bahadur , Gaire Raju , Pandey Bishnu , Ogawa Hideshi
Published: July 2017

Studying the behavioural flexibility and adaptability of macaques to different habitats is one approach to designing a conservation plan. To determine the activity budget and feeding behaviour and evaluate the effects of seasonality in wild and human- altered habitats of Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis), we conducted this study in the Nagarjun forest of Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park (SNNP) in central Nepal. We also updated the list of plant food items of Assamese macaques in the SNNP. Using scan and all-occurrence sampling, we recorded the diets and activities of Assamese macaques in 2 social groups, a wild-feeding group (WG) and a semi-provisioned group (SPG), throughout the year from August 2013 to July 2014. Both groups spent most of their time in feeding activities and were quite arboreal, but there were significant differences in the activity budgets and diets between the groups. Human food was the main component of the diet for the SPG, whereas it was fruit for the WG, indicating a normally frugivorous diet. Furthermore, the activity budget and diet composition varied in response to the season. These results indicate that provisioning alters the activity and feeding behaviour of macaques, and can also increase human-macaque conflict and disease transmission.
TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4 in Rat Orofacial Structures
Authors: Fujita Masatoshi , Sato Tadasu , Yajima Takehiro , Masaki Eiji , Ichikawa Hiroyuki
Published: July 2017

TRPC (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C) members are nonselective monovalent cation channels and control Ca2+ inflow. In this study, immunohistochemistry for TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4 was performed on rat oral and craniofacial structures to elucidate their distribution and function in the peripheries. In the trigeminal ganglion (TG), 56.1, 84.1, and 68.3% of sensory neurons were immunoreactive (IR) for TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4, respectively. A double immunofluorescence method revealed that small to medium-sized TG neurons co-expressed TRPCs and calcitonin gene-related peptide. In the superior cervical ganglion, all sympathetic neurons showed TRPC1 and TRPC3 immunoreactivity. Parasympathetic neurons in the submandibular ganglion, tongue, and parotid gland were TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC4 IR. Gustatory and olfactory cells were also IR for TRPC1, TRPC3, and/or TRPC4. In the musculature, motor endplates expressed TRPC1 and TRPC4 immunoreactivity. It is likely that TRPCs are associated with sensory, autonomic, and motor functions in oral and craniofacial structures.
Isolated Splenic Metastasis from Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Mitsimponas Nikolaos , Mitsogianni Maria , Crespo Felipe , Hartmann Karl-Axel , Diederich Stefan , Klosterhalfen Bernd , Giagounidis Aristoteles
Published: July 2017

Metastases to the spleen are rare but have been reported for different tumor entities, including breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and melanoma. As an isolated event, splenic metastasis from non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is exceedingly rare. Until now, only 28 cases have been reported in the medical literature. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) who presented with a synchronous, isolated splenic metastasis. Operative removal of both primary tumor and metastasis was not possible due to multiple comorbidities. Therefore, treatment was limited to combined systemic chemotherapy and simultaneous radiation of the primary tumor, which led to partial remission of the disease. Isolated metastasis to the spleen in NSCLC has been reported only 28 times in the medical literature, most often in male patients with right-sided lung tumors, most of which were adenocarcinomas. The majority of patients were asymptomatic with respect to splenic metastasis. About half of the reported cases were isolated metachronous splenic metastases. Splenectomy seems to confer a survival advantage. We review the pertinent medical literature.
Next-Generation Sequencing in Order to Better Characterize a BRCA Variant of Uncertain Significance
Authors: Sorscher Steven , Ramkissoon Shakti
Published: July 2017

BRCA germline mutations are the most common predisposing factor in familial breast-ovarian cancer syndrome families. However, many screened patients are identified as harboring BRCA variants of uncertain significance (VUS), rather than carrying deleterious germline mutations [Calo et al.: Cancers 2010; 2:1644–1660]. While such VUSs are typically reclassified as benign polymorphisms, this may occur years after the VUS is first identified [Murray et al.: Genet Med 2011; 13; 998–1005]. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of BRCA is nearly always the gatekeeper event in inherited BRCA-related breast cancer and LOH of BRCA is rare in sporadic cancers [Osorio et al.: Int J Cancer 2002; 99:305–309]. Here, we describe a patient identified as carrying a germline BRCA VUS. Tumor next-generation sequencing (NGS) demonstrated a very high mutation allelic frequency for that BRCA VUS, consistent with LOH. This case illustrates that since BRCA LOH is the typical mechanism of transformation in inherited BRCA-related breast cancers, NGS might be used to suggest that the BRCA VUS is actually cancer predisposing in a particular family. As a result, this may help patients make more informed decisions regarding screening and prophylactic therapy, long before official reclassification of the VUS occurs.
AA Amyloidosis and Atypical Familial Mediterranean Fever with Exon 2 and 3 Mutations
Authors: Yabuuchi Junko , Hayami Noriko , Hoshino Junichi , Sumida Keiichi , Suwabe Tatsuya , Ueno Toshiharu , Sekine Akinari , Kawada Masahiro , Yamanouchi Masayuki , Hiramatsu Rikako , Hasegawa Eiko , Sawa Naoki , Takaichi Kenmei , Fujii Takeshi , Ohashi Kenichi , Migita Kiyoshi , Masaki Takao , Ubara Yoshifumi
Published: July 2017

A 54-year-old Japanese man presented with recurrent abdominal pain, fever lasting >5 days, and renal failure. AA amyloidosis was proven by renal and gastric biopsy. Symptoms subsided with the administration of colchicine, but a subsequent recurrence of symptoms did not respond to colchicine. Mediterranean fever gene (MEFV) analysis showed that he was heterozygous for mutations in exon 2 (E148Q/R202Q) and exon 3 (P369S/R408Q), although he had none of the exon 10 mutations known to be closely related to AA amyloidosis. He did not respond to infliximab, but tocilizumab therapy was successful. The present case is a rare report of AA amyloidosis associated with familial Mediterranean fever in Japan.
Does the Margin Matter in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Karstens Karl-Frederick , Izbicki Jakob R. , Reeh Matthias
Published: July 2017

Background: The prognostic impact of circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement in resected esophageal cancer (EC) is controversial discussed. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Royal College of Pathologists (RCP) provide 2 different definitions of CRM involvement. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the clinical significance of CRM involvement on patients' survival following esophagectomy due to EC. Methods: PubMed, Science Direct, and Google scholar were searched for studies analyzing the clinical impact of CRM in EC. Summary: A total of 28 studies analyzed the prognostic effect of a positive CRM in EC. A wide range of CRM involvement (8.6-83.1%) was reported. Both available meta-analyses found a significant association between a positive CRM and patients' survival irrespective of RCP (OR 2.52 [95% CI 1.96-3.25; p < 0.001]) or CAP (OR 4.02 [95% CI 2.25-7.20; p < 0.001]) criteria. The influence of neoadjuvant therapy on the CRM remains unclear. Key Messages: CRM involvement is a useful parameter for EC patients' prognosis. The application of CAP criteria should be preferred since patients with a poor prognosis can be identified more sufficiently. Neoadjuvant therapy and en bloc transthoracic esophagectomy show favorable results for achievement of negative CRM.
APLICAÇÕES DO CONFORTO AMBIENTAL NO AMBIENTE CONSTRUÍDO: O CASO DO CENTRO DE PINHEIROS, JUNTO A ESTAÇÃO FARIA LIMA
Authors: Mamede Milene Mendes
Published: July 2017

A falta de planejamento urbanístico nos grandes centros, ocasionou em um crescimento desordenado como a falta de áreas verdes deixando de proporcionar um conforto climático nas calçadas, espaço onde milhares de pedestre frequentam constantemente e não possuem qualquer conforto. Essa pesquisa tem como objetivo mostrar como é a qualidade do conforto climático ao pedestre em um percurso na região central de Pinheiros. O método de trabalho consistiu nas aplicações de simulações feitas por softwares e por fotos registradas também nesse percurso, para verificar o sombreamento e as áreas de intensa insolação existentes nas diversas estações do ano. Com essa aplicação foi possível verificar a necessidade do conforto ambiental, e da inserção de infraestrutura verde nas calçadas e praças. E com essas aplicações relatar o quão é importante atingir o conforto ambiental no ambiente construído para a qualidade de vida.
Increased Perfusion Pressure Drives Renal T-Cell Infiltration in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rat
Authors: Evans Louise C. , Petrova Galina , Kurth Theresa , Yang Chun , Bukowy John D. , Mattson David L. , Cowley Allen W.
Published: July 2017

Renal T-cell infiltration is a key component of salt-sensitive hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. Here, we use an electronic servo-control technique to determine the contribution of renal perfusion pressure to T-cell infiltration in the SS rat kidney. An aortic balloon occluder placed around the aorta between the renal arteries was used to maintain perfusion pressure to the left kidney at control levels, ≈128 mm Hg, during 7 days of salt-induced hypertension, whereas the right kidney was exposed to increased renal perfusion pressure that averaged 157±4 mm Hg by day 7 of high-salt diet. The number of infiltrating T cells was compared between the 2 kidneys. Renal T-cell infiltration was significantly blunted in the left servo-controlled kidney compared with the right uncontrolled kidney. The number of CD3
+
, CD3
+
CD4
+
, and CD3
+
CD8
+
T cells were all significantly lower in the left servo-controlled kidney. This effect was not specific to T cells because CD45R
+
(B cells) and CD11b/c
+
(monocytes and macrophages) cell infiltrations were all exacerbated in the hypertensive kidneys. Increased renal perfusion pressure was also associated with augmented renal injury, with increased protein casts and glomerular damage in the hypertensive kidney. Levels of norepinephrine were comparable between the 2 kidneys, suggestive of equivalent sympathetic innervation. Renal infiltration of T cells was not reversed by the return of renal perfusion pressure to control levels after 7 days of salt-sensitive hypertension. We conclude that increased pressure contributes to the initiation of renal T-cell infiltration during the progression of salt-sensitive hypertension in SS rats.
White-Coat Effect Is Uncommon in Patients With Refractory Hypertension
Authors: Siddiqui Mohammed , Judd Eric K. , Oparil Suzanne , Calhoun David A.
Published: July 2017

Refractory hypertension is a recently described phenotype of antihypertensive treatment failure defined as uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) despite the use of ≥5 different antihypertensive agents, including chlorthalidone and spironolactone. Recent studies indicate that refractory hypertension is uncommon, with a prevalence of ≈5% to 10% of patients referred to a hypertension specialty clinic for uncontrolled hypertension. The prevalence of white-coat effect, that is, uncontrolled automated office BP ≥135/85 mm Hg and controlled out-of-office BP <135/85 mm Hg, by awake ambulatory BP monitor in hypertensive patients overall is ≈30% to 40%. The prevalence of white-coat effect among patients with refractory hypertension has not been previously reported. In this prospective evaluation, consecutive patients referred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hypertension Clinic for uncontrolled hypertension were enrolled. Refractory hypertension was defined as uncontrolled automated office BP ≥135/85 mm Hg with the use of ≥5 antihypertensive agents, including chlorthalidone and spironolactone. Automated office BP measurements were based on 6 serial readings, done automatically with the use of a BpTRU device unobserved in the clinic. Out-of-office BP measurements were done by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitor. Thirty-four patients were diagnosed with refractory hypertension, of whom 31 had adequate ambulatory BP monitor readings. White-coat effect was present in only 2 patients, or 6.5% of the 31 patients with refractory hypertension, suggesting that white-coat effect is largely absent in patients with refractory hypertension. These findings suggest that white-coat effect is not a common cause of apparent lack of BP control in patients failing maximal antihypertensive treatment.
Temporal distribution of crustaceans in forested freshwater wetlands: responses to changes in the hydroperiod
Authors: Correa-Araneda Francisco , De los Ríos-Escalante Patricio , Figueroa Ricardo , Parra-Coloma Luciano
Published: July 2017

Studies on crustacean communities in Chilean wetlands are scarce. The aim of this study was to characterize the crustacean community in forested wetlands from southern Chile and to establish their relation with the variations in the hydrological regime. In total, 540 samples were taken using three complementary sampling techniques in five wetlands during 2011 and 2012. The results show a total of four species of crustaceans, of which the amphipod Hyalella patagonica (Cunningham, 1871) (Hyalellidae) was dominant in ephemeral wetlands and the isopod Heterias exul (Mueller, 1892) (Janiridae) in permanent wetlands. The other species (the decapods Parastacus pugnax (Poeppig, 1835) (Parastacidae) and Aegla araucaniensis (Jara, 1980) (Aeglidae)) showed abundances below 6% in all wetlands. The identified crustaceans presented marked variations, both at a temporal scale and between wetlands with different hydrological regimes, both at the species level and at the crustacean community level. These patterns were mainly explained by changes registered in the annual hydroperiod and our results conform to the existing information that would indicate the importance of the inclusion of hydrological patterns in descriptions of freshwater communities.
Jurisdiction ratione temporis in International Investment Arbitration
Authors: Gattini Andrea
Published: July 2017

Issues concerning the temporal scope of jurisdiction of international investment arbitration tribunals are attracting increased attention due to recent events, such as the denunciation of the icsid Convention by some states, the denunciation of bilateral investment treaties from which the tribunals draw their jurisdiction, or the provisional application of other treaties concerning investment protection. The solutions offered by most arbitral tribunals are in line with international customary rules on the law of treaties, a point which deserves attention as further proof of the cohesiveness of international investment law with public international law.
The Definition of Health and Illness between Juridification and Medicalisation: A Private/Public Interest Perspective
Authors: Piciocchi Cinzia
Published: July 2017

This article addresses the interactions between medicalisation and juridification and their impact on the concepts of health and illness. Juridification, de-juridification, medicalisation and de-medicalisation are defined in many different ways and it is particularly interesting to see how they affect each other, impinging on individual freedom and contributing to shaping the definition of health and illness and their public understanding. Juridification and medicalisation are particularly affected by the shifting perceptions of the public and private interests at stake, even if the identification of the public or private interest is not an easy task, especially when ethically controversial issues come into play. Nevertheless, the private/public interest analysis is a crucial issue in the understanding of the interactions between these two concepts and in the identification of the boundary lines between them, giving an important key to the understanding of their influence on the rights and liberties at stake.
Tackling an intractable problem: Can greater taxon sampling help resolve relationships within the Stenopelmatoidea (Orthoptera: Ensifera)?
Authors: VANDERGAST AMY G. , WEISSMAN DAVID B. , WOOD DUSTIN A. , RENTZ DAVID C. F. , BAZELET CORINNA S. , UESHIMA NORIHIRO
Published: July 2017

The relationships among and within the families that comprise the orthopteran superfamily Stenopelmatoidea (suborder Ensifera) remain poorly understood. We developed a phylogenetic hypothesis based on Bayesian analysis of two nuclear ribosomal and one mitochondrial gene for 118 individuals (84 de novo and 34 from GenBank). These included Gryllacrididae from North, Central, and South America, South Africa and Madagascar, Australia and Papua New Guinea; Stenopelmatidae from North and Central America and South Africa; Anostostomatidae from North and Central America, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa; members of the Australian endemic Cooloola (three species); and a representative of Lezina from the Middle East. We also included representatives of all other major ensiferan families: Prophalangopsidae, Rhaphidophoridae, Schizodactylidae, Tettigoniidae, Gryllidae, Gryllotalpidae and Myrmecophilidae and representatives of the suborder Caelifera as outgroups. Bayesian analyses of concatenated sequence data supported a clade of Stenopelmatoidea inclusive of all analyzed members of Gryllacrididae, Stenopelmatidae, Anostostomatidae, Lezina and Cooloola. We found Gryllacrididae worldwide to be monophyletic, while we did not recover a monophyletic Stenopelmatidae nor Anostostomatidae. Australian Cooloola clustered in a clade composed of Australian, New Zealand, and some (but not all) North American Anostostomatidae. Lezina was included in a clade of New World Anostostomatidae. Finally, we compiled and compared karyotypes and sound production characteristics for each supported group. Chromosome number, centromere position, drumming, and stridulation differed among some groups, but also show variation within groups. This preliminary trait information may contribute toward future studies of trait evolution. Despite greater taxon sampling within Stenopelmatoidea than previous efforts, some relationships among the families examined continue to remain elusive.
A new genus with seven species of the Subfamily Nopinae (Araneae, Caponiidae) from the Neotropical region
Authors: SÁNCHEZ-RUIZ ALEXANDER , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D.
Published: July 2017

The new genus Medionops is proposed for a group of caponiid spiders found in South America and Panama. Nops simla Chickering and Nops cesari Dupérré are transferred to this new genus. Additionally, five new species are described: the type species Medionops blades n. sp. from Colombia; Medionops claudiae n. sp., Medionops murici n. sp. and Medionops ramirezi n. sp. from Brazil; and Medionops tabay n. sp. from Venezuela. All of these species belong to the subfamily Nopinae and have the three membranous translucent modifications found in some other nopine genera. However, in this new genus, the ventral translucent keel on the anterior metatarsi (crista herein) is very short, almost unnoticeable or even absent in some species. The translucent extension of the membrane between the anterior metatarsi and tarsi (gladius herein) retains the same shape, but it is absent in M. murici n. sp. Also, Medionops n. gen. species have an unpaired claw on all tarsi, which is elongate and dorsally reflexed, and is associated with a membranous globose translucent lobe (arolium herein); a structure present only in Nops MacLeay and Nopsides Chamberlin. Beside the characteristics mentioned above, members of this new genus differ from other nopine in the shape of labium and endites and in the conformation of male and female genitalia. The three membranous translucent modifications on legs of some nopine genera are discussed and their terminologies are standardized.
Parental Attachment and Bullying in South Korean Adolescents: Mediating Effects of Low Self-Control, Deviant Peer Associations, and Delinquency
Authors: Cho Sujung , Hong Jun Sung , Sterzing Paul R. , Woo Youngki
Published: July 2017

Utilizing a nationally representative, longitudinal South Korean student sample, the current study explores two pathways leading to bullying: (a) parental attachment to low self-control and (b) low self-control to deviant peer associations. Data for the study were derived from the Korean Youth Panel Study, and the study sample consisted of fourth graders in 2004 and eighth graders in 2008, producing three waves of data. Structural equation modeling was used to examine whether parental attachment (Wave 1), low self-control, deviant peer associations, and delinquency (Wave 2) were associated with bullying (Wave 3). Results suggest a significant indirect relationship between poor parental attachment and higher rates of bullying through low self-control. Implications for practice and research are also discussed.
A Comparison of Sex Roles of Creative-Productive Versus Non-Productive Women
Authors: Morse Jean A. , Bruch Catherine B.
Published: July 2017

Young women identified as "high" or "low" creatives on Torrance Test of Creative Thinking measures administered 12 years previously were asked by mail to complpte a semantic-differential-type adjective list Using complexity-related adjective which Barron [1963] found to differentiate between high and low-creative men, researchers in the present study compared patterns of self-descriptors selected by the two groups of women High-creative subjects scored significantly lower on a complexityscale [low score = high complexity] and selected significantly more complexity related adjectives as self- descriptors. By examining the nature of the self-descriptors differrentialy selected from the complete instrument by the high- and low-creative groups, implications for sex-role differences were drawn.
The Role of the Right Hemisphere in Learning & Creativity Implications for Enhancing Problem Solving Ability
Authors: Rubenzer Ron
Published: July 2017

By generating empirically testable physiological models of cognition and affect, the understanding and facilitation of learning and problem solving can be advanced. A review of the representative research and theoretical literature on right hemisphere processes and psychophysiological models regarding the functional organization of the brain is presented. The major roles of the right hemisphere processing modes in language, learning, perception, creativity and affect are discussed. A psychophysiological model of problem solving is proposed.
The Lighthouse Project
Authors: Le Rose Barbara , King Linda , Greenwood Salldy
Published: July 2017

Barbara Le Rose is Director of an ESEA Title IV-C Project in Racine, Wisconsin which is in its third year of developing programming and curriculum for gifted elementary children. Among other remarkable aspects of this program are the research and scholarship which have gone into its rationale, using a General System Approach and resulting in ten working papers by Ms Le Rose, Linda King and Sally Greenwood under the title of "The Lighthouse Design: A Curriculum for Thinking". To give our readers the flavor of this material we reproduce a few excerpts and tables. While supplies last, the whole set is available from Barbara LeRose, Racine Public Schools, 2326 Mohr Ave. Racine, WI, 53405. Please enclose shipping label and $15 for printing, postage and handling costs.
Development of Micro Cellular Open Cell Rigid Polyurethane Foams
Authors: Kodama K. , Yuge K. , Masuda Y. , Tanimoto Y.
Published: July 2017

With the increasing concern over the threat of ozone depletion and global warming, the rigid polyurethane foam insulation industry is facing a majorchallenge of selecting alternatives for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Under the present situation, however, the effective means of solving this problem haven't been taken yet. Moreover, with more concern with the saving of energy worldwide, there is hope of insulators with higher performance.

This paper reports on a micro cellular open cell polyurethane foam, which is very effective as a core material for evacuated insulators. In addition, thermal insulation panels with high performance are developed by utilizing the open cell foam as a core material.

The evacuated insulators, so-called "vacuum insulation panels," have an insulation effectiveness four times better than those of the conventional rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams (thermal conductivity is 0.005 W/mK)and are also very lightweight compared to those made of inorganic substances such as silica powder. The vacuum insulation panels were manufactured by packing the core material and absorbents in a film-like laminated plastic container, which is suitable for holding a vacuum, followed by sealing in the industrial vacuum level (0.01—0.1 mm Hg).

We have developed the micro cellular (100—200,μm) and 100% open cell foam by selecting polyol compositions, modified polyisocyanates, surfactants and cell opening additives.

The micro cellular open cell foam has excellent physical properties such as heat resistance, compressive strength and low shrinkage as well as non-scorch at the stage of slabstock foaming. These properties will be very important for manufacturing the vacuum insulation panels. The open cell foams were blown by using the most conventional and alternative blowing agents in rigid foam systems.

In the near future, we hope that this open cell foam technology will contribute to the development of environmentally friendly and high performance products in the insulation industry.
The Reference Period for Predicting Long-Term Thermal Performance of Thermal Insulating Foams
Authors: Di Lenardo Bruno , Bomberg Mark
Published: July 2017

With the advent of thermal insulating foams manufactured with alternative blowing agents, the need for estimating their long-term thermal performance became evident. Two predictive techniques (slicing and scaling [1,2] or slicing and modelling [3,41]) are now considered for different foam products. However, the selection of the reference period for which the thermal performance is evaluated has not received sufficient attention.

In this paper, the limit of economic considerations for aging processes is assumed to be fifteen to twenty years. The analysis indicates that for a wide range of thermal insulation products and thickness, the same reference time can be used. The reference time denotes the period of aging when the measured thermal resistivity (inverse of thermal conductivity) represents the timeaveraged thermal resistivity over the considered service life.

This paper postulates that the five year reference period should be used for all thermal insulations with thermal performance varying during the service time. This estimate is based on economic analysis and modelling techniques applied to five different cellular plastic insulations and analyzed in three Canadian climates using two heating fuels for comparison. The cost of construction of the wall assemblies and the cost of insulation alternatives, as well as all economic assumptions such as future interest rates, inflation rate and fuel escalation rate, were the same as provided by the provincial authorities for development of the 1995 Canadian Energy Code.