bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modes of Cell Death Induced by Photodynamic Therapy Using Zinc Phthalocyanine in Lung Cancer Cells Grown as a Monolayer and Three-Dimensional Multicellular Spheroids
Authors: Manoto Sello , Houreld Nicolette , Hodgkinson Natasha , Abrahamse Heidi
Published: May 2017

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves interaction of a photosensitizer, light, and molecular oxygen which produces singlet oxygen and subsequent tumour eradication. The development of second generation photosensitizers, such as phthalocyanines, has improved this technology. Customary monolayer cell culture techniques are, unfortunately, too simple to replicate treatment effects in vivo. Multicellular tumour spheroids may provide a better alternative since they mimic aspects of the human tumour environment. This study aimed to profile 84 genes involved in apoptosis following treatment with PDT on lung cancer cells (A549) grown in a monolayer versus three-dimensional multicellular tumour spheroids (250 and 500 μm). Gene expression profiling was performed 24 h post irradiation (680 nm; 5 J/cm2) with zinc sulfophthalocyanine (ZnPcSmix) to determine the genes involved in apoptotic cell death. In the monolayer cells, eight pro-apoptotic genes were upregulated, and two were downregulated. In the multicellular tumour spheroids (250 µm) there was upregulation of only 1 gene while there was downregulation of 56 genes. Apoptosis in the monolayer cultured cells was induced via both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. However, in the multicellular tumour spheroids (250 and 500 µm) the apoptotic pathway that was followed was not conclusive.
The Phenolic Fraction of Mentha haplocalyx and Its Constituent Linarin Ameliorate Inflammatory Response through Inactivation of NF-κB and MAPKs in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Chen Xiangyang , Zhang Shujing , Xuan Zinan , Ge Dongyu , Chen Xiaoming , Zhang Junjie , Wang Qian , Wu Ying , Liu Bin
Published: May 2017

Mentha haplocalyx has been widely used for its flavoring and medicinal properties and as a traditional Chinese medicine with its anti-inflammation properties. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and potential molecular mechanisms of the phenolic fraction of M. haplocalyx (MHP) and its constituent linarin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. The high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS) was used to analyze the chemical composition of MHP. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the expression of pro-inflammatory meditators and cytokines was measured at the transcriptional and translational levels. Western blot analysis was used to further investigate changes in the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Akt signaling pathways. Fourteen phenolic constituents were identified from MHP based on the data of the mass spectrometry (MS)/MS analysis. MHP and linarin decreased the production of NO, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interlenkin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were also suppressed by MHP and linarin. Further investigation showed that MHP and linarin down-regulated LPS-induced phosphorylation content of NF-κB p65, inhibitor kappa B α (IκBα), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. However, MHP and linarin showed no inhibitory effect on the phosphorylated Akt. These results suggested that MHP and linarin exerted a potent inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory meditator and cytokines production via the inactivation of NF-κB and MAPKs, and they may serve as potential modulatory agents for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Leishmanicidal Activity and Structure-Activity Relationships of Essential Oil Constituents
Authors: Silva Audrey , Scher Ricardo , Santos Flaviane , Ferreira Sebastião , Cavalcanti Sócrates , Correa Cristiane , Bueno Lilian , Alves Ricardo , Souza Damião , Fujiwara Ricardo , Dolabella Silvio
Published: May 2017

Several constituents of essential oils have been shown to be active against pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. This study demonstrated the in vitro action of ten compounds present in essential oils against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. With the exception of p-cymene, all evaluated compounds presented leishmanicidal activity, exhibiting IC50 between 25.4 and 568.1 μg mL−1. Compounds with the best leishmanicidal activity presented a phenolic moiety (IC50 between 25.4 and 82.9 μg mL−1). Alicyclic alcohols ((−)-menthol and isoborneol) and ketones ((−)-carvone) promoted similar activity against the parasite (IC50 between 190.2 and 198.9 μg mL−1). Most of the compounds showed low cytotoxicity in L929 fibroblasts. Analysis of the structure-activity relationship of these compounds showed the importance of the phenolic structure for the biological action against the promastigote forms of the parasite.
Deposition of Visible Light-Active C-Doped Titania Films via Magnetron Sputtering Using CO2 as a Source of Carbon
Authors: Klaysri Rachan , Ratova Marina , Praserthdam Piyasan , Kelly Peter
Published: May 2017

Doping of titanium dioxide with p-block elements is typically described as an efficient pathway for the enhancement of photocatalytic activity. However, the properties of the doped titania films depend greatly on the production method, source of doping, type of substrate, etc. The present work describes the use of pulsed direct current (pDC) magnetron sputtering for the deposition of carbon-doped titania coatings, using CO2 as the source of carbon; ratios of O2/CO2 were varied through variations of CO2 flow rates and oxygen flow control setpoints. Additionally, undoped Titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings were prepared under identical deposition conditions for comparison purposes. Coatings were post-deposition annealed at 873 K and analysed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffreaction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic properties of the thin films were evaluated under ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation using methylene blue and stearic acid decomposition tests. Photoinduced hydrophilicity was assessed through measurements of the water contact angle under UV and visible light irradiation. It was found that, though C-doping resulted in improved dye degradation compared to undoped TiO2, the UV-induced photoactivity of Carbon-doped (C-doped) photocatalysts was lower for both model pollutants used.
Physically Based Susceptibility Assessment of Rainfall-Induced Shallow Landslides Using a Fuzzy Point Estimate Method
Authors: Park Hyuck-Jin , Jang Jung-Yoon , Lee Jung-Hyun
Published: May 2017

The physically based model has been widely used in rainfall-induced shallow landslide susceptibility analysis because of its capacity to reproduce the physical processes governing landslide occurrence and a higher predictive capability. However, one of the difficulties in applying the physically based model is that uncertainties arising from spatial variability, measurement errors, and incomplete information apply to the input parameters and analysis procedure. Uncertainties have been recognized as an important cause of mismatch between predicted and observed distributions of landslide occurrence. Therefore, probabilistic analysis has been used to quantify the uncertainties. However, some uncertainties, because of incomplete information, cannot be managed satisfactorily using a probabilistic approach. Fuzzy set theory is applicable in this case. In this study, in order to handle uncertainty propagation through a physical model, fuzzy set theory, coupled with the vertex method and the point estimate method, was adopted for regional landslide susceptibility assessment. The proposed approach was used to evaluate susceptibility to rainfall-induced shallow landslides for a regional study area, and the analysis results were compared with landslide inventory to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. The AUC values arising from the landslide susceptibility analyses using the proposed approach and probabilistic analysis were 0.734 and 0.736, respectively. However, when the COV values of the input parameters were reduced, the AUC values of the proposed approach and the probabilistic analysis were reduced to 0.722 and 0.688, respectively. It means that the performance of the fuzzy approach is similar to that of probabilistic analysis but is more robust against variation of input parameters. Thus, at catchment scale, the fuzzy approach can respond appropriately to the uncertainties inherent in physically based landslide susceptibility analysis, and is especially advantageous when the amount of quality data is very limited.
A Fairness Oriented Neighbor-Channel-Aware MAC Protocol for Airborne Sensor Networks
Authors: Gao Xiaolin , Yan Jian , Lu Jianhua
Published: May 2017

In airborne sensor networks (ASNs), the media access control (MAC) protocol faces a serious unfairness problem due to the traditional protection mechanism of air-to-air communications among aircraft. Actually, by using the binary exponential back-off algorithm at high traffic loads to minimize collisions among users, the latest successful node can always benefit from this kind of MAC to obtain channel resources. Moreover, when taking the existence of the hidden nodes in ASNs into account, the inaccurate traffic load information will further aggravate the system’s unfairness. In this paper, a neighbor-channel-aware (NCA) protocol is proposed to improve the fairness of MAC protocol in ASNs. In the proposal, the NCA frame is firstly added and exchanged between neighbor nodes periodically, which helps to resolve the inaccurate traffic load information, so as to avoid reducing the probability of successful message transmission. Then a traffic-loading based back-off algorithm is involved to make the neighbor nodes cooperatively adjust the inter-frame space (IFS) interval to further reduce the unfairness. The simulation results show that, the proposed MAC protocol can guarantee the satisfied fairness, simultaneously avoiding heavy network overloads to protect key messages’ successful transmissions in ASNs.
Modeling the Footprint and Equivalent Radiance Transfer Path Length for Tower-Based Hemispherical Observations of Chlorophyll Fluorescence
Authors: Liu Xinjie , Liu Liangyun , Hu Jiaochan , Du Shanshan
Published: May 2017

The measurement of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) is a new tool for estimating gross primary production (GPP). Continuous tower-based spectral observations together with flux measurements are an efficient way of linking the SIF to the GPP. Compared to conical observations, hemispherical observations made with cosine-corrected foreoptic have a much larger field of view and can better match the footprint of the tower-based flux measurements. However, estimating the equivalent radiation transfer path length (ERTPL) for hemispherical observations is more complex than for conical observations and this is a key problem that needs to be addressed before accurate retrieval of SIF can be made. In this paper, we first modeled the footprint of hemispherical spectral measurements and found that, under convective conditions with light winds, 90% of the total radiation came from an FOV of width 72°, which in turn covered 75.68% of the source area of the flux measurements. In contrast, conical spectral observations covered only 1.93% of the flux footprint. Secondly, using theoretical considerations, we modeled the ERTPL of the hemispherical spectral observations made with cosine-corrected foreoptic and found that the ERTPL was approximately equal to twice the sensor height above the canopy. Finally, the modeled ERTPL was evaluated using a simulated dataset. The ERTPL calculated using the simulated data was about 1.89 times the sensor’s height above the target surface, which was quite close to the results for the modeled ERTPL. Furthermore, the SIF retrieved from atmospherically corrected spectra using the modeled ERTPL fitted well with the reference values, giving a relative root mean square error of 18.22%. These results show that the modeled ERTPL was reasonable and that this method is applicable to tower-based hemispherical observations of SIF.
Low Duty-Cycling MAC Protocol for Low Data-Rate Medical Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Zhang Chongqing , Wang Yinglong , Liang Yongquan , Shu Minglei , Zhang Jinquan , Ni Lina
Published: May 2017

Wireless body area networks (WBANs) are severely energy constrained, and how to improve the energy efficiency so as to prolong the network lifetime as long as possible is one of the most important goals of WBAN research. Low data-rate WBANs are promising to cut down the energy consumption and extend the network lifetime. Considering the characteristics and demands of low data-rate WBANs, a low duty-cycling medium access control (MAC) protocol is specially designed for this kind of WBAN in this paper. Longer superframes are exploited to cut down the energy consumed on the transmissions and receptions of redundant beacon frames. Insertion time slots are embedded into the inactive part of a superframe to deliver the frames and satisfy the quality of service (QoS) requirements. The number of the data subsections in an insertion time slot can be adaptively adjusted so as to accommodate low data-rate WBANs with different traffic. Simulation results show that the proposed MAC protocol performs well under the condition of low data-rate monitoring traffic.
Development of a Flow Injection Based High Frequency Dual Channel Quartz Crystal Microbalance
Authors: Liang Jinxing , Zhang Jing , Zhou Wenxiang , Ueda Toshitsugu
Published: May 2017

When the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is used in liquid for adsorption or desorption monitoring based bio- or chemical sensing applications, the frequency shift is not only determined by the surface mass change, but also by the change of liquid characteristics, such as density and viscosity, which are greatly affected by the liquid environmental temperature. A monolithic dual-channel QCM is designed and fabricated by arranging two QCM resonators on one single chip for cancelling the fluctuation induced by environmental factors. In actual applications, one QCM works as a specific sensor by modifying with functional membranes and the other acts as a reference, only measuring the liquid property. The dual-channel QCM is designed with an inverted-mesa structure, aiming to realize a high frequency miniaturized chip and suppress the frequency interference between the neighbored QCM resonators. The key problem of dual-channel QCMs is the interference between two channels, which is influenced by the distance of adjacent resonators. The diameter of the reference electrode has been designed into several values in order to find the optimal parameter. Experimental results demonstrated that the two QCMs could vibrate individually and the output frequency stability and drift can be greatly improved with the aid of the reference QCM.
Exploring Interface Problems in Taiwan’s Construction Projects Using Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Lin Chien-Liang , Jeng Chen-Huu
Published: May 2017

Construction projects are complex systems that inherently contain complex interface problems. This study explored the root causes of interface problems in construction projects using structural equation modeling. This technique is a systematic approach that combines factor analysis and path analysis to investigate the causal relationships among multidimensional factors. The literature on construction interface problems was reviewed, and a questionnaire survey was conducted in Taiwan to identify 27 initial factors that cause interface problems in three dimensions: owner, design, and construction. Then, a series of structural equation models (SEMs) was developed to further explore the root causes of the interface problems and their causal relationships. This study has three main findings: (1) poor design causes interface problems; (2) ineffective communication and coordination among the owner, design, and construction dimensions are the main factors that cause construction interface problems; and (3) a lack of communication and coordination has a greater influence on the construction dimension than on the owner and design dimensions. The above findings can be used as important references and sustainable management strategies for academia and decision-makers in the construction industry.
Coupling Form and Function: How the Oligomerisation Symmetry of the SAS-6 Protein Contributes to the Architecture of Centriole Organelles
Authors: Ford Jodie , Stansfeld Phillip , Vakonakis Ioannis
Published: May 2017

Centrioles make up the centrosome and basal bodies in animals and as such play important roles in cell division, signalling and motility. They possess characteristic 9-fold radial symmetry strongly influenced by the protein SAS-6. SAS-6 is essential for canonical centriole assembly as it forms the central core of the organelle, which is then surrounded by microtubules. SAS-6 self-assembles into an oligomer with elongated spokes that emanate towards the outer microtubule wall; in this manner, the symmetry of the SAS-6 oligomer influences centriole architecture and symmetry. Here, we summarise the form and symmetry of SAS-6 oligomers inferred from crystal structures and directly observed in vitro. We discuss how the strict 9-fold symmetry of centrioles may emerge, and how different forms of SAS-6 oligomers may be accommodated in the organelle architecture.
Metropolitan Innovation in the New Economy
Authors: Mulligan Gordon , Reid Neil , Lehnert Matthew
Published: May 2017

This paper analyzes the high-tech economies of 350-plus metropolitan areas across the U.S. during 2010. Attention is given to 20 different production attributes—including the age and education of the workforce, patent production, business startups, per capita productivity of the workers, and the like. Multivariate analysis is used to reduce these 20 attributes down to 10 orthogonal dimensions; then the scores on these dimensions are used to identify eight different innovation and entrepreneurial clubs. Basically the exercise deconstructs the metropolitan economies into various parts so that each economy is assigned a signature score on each of the independent factors. High-tech places, which are especially active in both patents and startups, are shown to be more heterogeneous than low-tech places. Moreover, the recent growth and change seen in many metropolitan areas appears to be associated with the incidence of very different factors: population growth has been driven by forces that are different from those that have induced either employment change or productivity growth in those metropolitan areas.
Les pratiques ornementales à l’Aurignacien ancien dans le Centre-Ouest de la France : l’apport des fouilles récentes aux Cottés (Vienne)
Authors: Rigaud Solange , Roussel Morgan , Rendu William , Primault Jérôme , Renou Sylvain , Hublin Jean-Jacques , Soressi Marie
Published: May 2017

Le gisement des Cottés, situés aux marges sud-ouest du Bassin parisien, livre un abondant mobilier lithique et osseux des premières phases du Paléolithique supérieur (Châtelperronien, Protoaurignacien, Aurignacien ancien). Cette étude présente onze objets de parure découverts dans ce gisement à l’occasion des nouvelles fouilles et un artefact issu des anciennes fouilles. La série d’analyses mises en oeuvre pour ces éléments de parure met en évidence la variété des supports et des techniques utilisés pour leur confection. Un seul objet a été retrouvé en position stratigraphique, il s’agit d’une perle en ivoire provenant du premier niveau d’Aurignacien ancien. Les autres ont été découverts lors du tamisage des déblais anciens. C’est à travers une approche interdisciplinaire que nous proposons une attribution a posteriori de l’ensemble des parures. Pour cela, les données livrées par la fouille elle-même, les données de l’archéozoologie et celles issues de la comparaison des états de surface des parures avec ceux des restes fauniques, sont croisées. La confrontation de nos résultats avec ceux disponibles dans la littérature permet par ailleurs de vérifier la cohérence des attributions chrono-culturelles proposées. Dix des objets de parure peuvent donc être attribués à l’Aurignacien ancien. La comparaison de cette association de perles avec celles qui sont connues ailleurs en Europe montre que la diversité ornementale identifiée aux Cottés présente des points communs avec celle de l’Aurignacien ancien du Sud-Ouest de la France. Parallèlement, l’analyse des aires d’approvisionnement en silex à l’Aurignacien ancien aux Cottés permet de souligner une dichotomie entre la sphère symbolique, qui semble connectée avec le Sud-Ouest de la France, et la sphère économique, qui s’inscrit dans une aire limitée au nord du Seuil du Poitou. La position géographique du gisement au Sud du Bassin parisien sur le Seuil du Poitou, est marginale par rapport au Sud-Ouest de la France. Le site est à l’interface entre deux territoires économiques distincts, marquant l’existence de diffusion des normes ornementales sur une large aire ouest européenne à l’Aurignacien ancien, dissociées des dynamiques territoriales occasionnées par les besoin économiques.
Lingots et déchets de fonderie dans les dépôts de l’horizon de l’épée à pointe en langue de carpe (Bronze final IIIb) ; proposition de typologie
Authors: Le Carlier de Veslud Cécile , Edme Laura , Fily Muriel
Published: May 2017

Les lingots de cuivre et les déchets de fonderie sont des objets omniprésents dans les dépôts métalliques terrestres de l’horizon de l’épée à pointe en langue de carpe du Bronze final IIIb (Bronze final atlantique 3), en particulier dans les régions proches de la façade atlantique. Et pourtant, ils ont été systématiquement sous-étudiés et même sous-référencés. Après un passage en revue des différentes descriptions de ces objets depuis un siècle, ce travail propose une typologie fine basée sur leurs descriptions morphologiques. Cette étude s’attache à décrire les lingots et les déchets de fonderie des dépôts de l’horizon de l’épée à pointe en langue de carpe de la Bretagne historique (Finistère, Morbihan, Côtes-d’Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique). Ainsi, sous l’ancienne dénomination «lingots plano-convexes » , plusieurs types d’objets sont en réalité décrits : d’une part les déchets de fonderie en bronze que sont les coulures sur le sol, les moulages de creusets et les moulages de fond de poterie qui doivent certainement correspondre à des surplus obtenus au moment de la fonte des objets ; et d’autre part les lingots plano-convexes de cuivre qui correspondent à de la matière première importée. Enfin, les masselottes en bronze ont également été considérées. Elles sont parfaitement identifiées, mais le vocabulaire utilisé est si diversifié qu’une reprise rigoureuse de la terminologie s’est avérée indispensable. La description fine des déchets de fonderie est particulièrement pertinente lorsque l’on s’attache à reconstituer les techniques métallurgiques des bronziers de l’époque, notamment la taille et la nature des creusets ou la reconstitution des moules. La description des lingots de cuivre est quant à elle très importante pour tenter de restituer des courants d’échange à travers l’Europe. En effet, les techniques métallurgiques peuvent présenter des spécificités d’une zone de production à une autre et la morphologie des lingots peut subtilement varier. Ainsi, la comparaison des aspects macroscopiques des lingots de cuivre trouvés dans les zones de production et dans celles de consommation, peut apporter des éléments de discussion dans ces problématiques d’échanges.
Optical response of heterogeneous polymer layers containing silver nanostructures
Authors: Carlberg Miriam , Pourcin Florent , Margeat Olivier , Le Rouzo Judikaël , Berginc Gérard , Sauvage Rose-Marie , Ackermann Jörg , Escoubas Ludovic
Published: May 2017

This work is focused on the study of the optical properties of silver nanostructures embedded in a polymer host matrix. The introduction of silver nanostructures in polymer thin films is assumed to result in layers having adaptable optical properties. Thin film layers with inclusions of differently shaped nanoparticles, such as nanospheres and nanoprisms, and of different sizes, are optically characterized. The nanoparticles are produced by a simple chemical synthesis at room temperature in water. The plasmonic resonance peaks of the different colloidal solutions range from 390 to 1300 nm. The non-absorbing, transparent polymer matrix poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) was chosen because of its suitable optical and chemical properties. The optical studies of the layers include spectrophotometry and spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements, which provide information about the reflection, transmission, absorption of the material as well as the complex optical indices, n and k. Finite difference time domain simulations of nanoparticles in thin film layers allow the visualization of the nanoparticle interactions or the electric field enhancement on and around the nanoparticles to complete the optical characterization. A simple analysis method is proposed to obtain the complex refractive index of nanospheres and nanoprisms in a polymer matrix.
Cryoglobulinemia in Sjögren Syndrome: A Disease Subset that Links Higher Systemic Disease Activity, Autoimmunity, and Local B Cell Proliferation in Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue
Authors: Quartuccio Luca , Baldini Chiara , Priori Roberta , Bartoloni Elena , Carubbi Francesco , Alunno Alessia , Gandolfo Saviana , Colafrancesco Serena , Giacomelli Roberto , Gerli Roberto , Valesini Guido , Bombardieri Stefano , De Vita Salvatore
Published: May 2017

Objective.

To compare systemic disease activity by validated tools, i.e., the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) and the Clinical ESSDAI (ClinESSDAI) scores, between primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) with positive serum cryoglobulins and pSS without serum cryoglobulins.

Methods.

There were 825 consecutive patients with pSS who were retrospectively evaluated.

Results.

The ESSDAI and the ClinESSDAI scores were significantly higher in cryoglobulin-positive patients (p < 0.0001, for both scores). Cryoglobulinemia was significantly associated with these domains: constitutional (p = 0.003), lymphadenopathy (p = 0.007), glandular (p = 0.0002), cutaneous (p < 0.0001), peripheral nervous system (p < 0.0001), hematological (p = 0.004), and biological (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion.

Cryoglobulin-positive patients show the highest systemic activity in pSS.
Patient Characteristics and Surgical Approach Impacting Simultaneous to Alternate Prism Cover Test Disparity After Exotropia Surgery: A Quantitative Look at the Difference in Motor Outcomes
Authors: Kemp Pavlina S. , Chang Yoon-Hee , Melvin Patrice , Dagi Linda R.
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the relationship between simultaneous prism and cover test (SPCT) and alternate prism and cover test (APCT) outcomes after exotropia surgery, and to identify characteristics associated with significant disparity between them.

Methods:

Review of sensorimotor outcomes 2 to 6 months after exotropia surgery identified patients with alignment documented by both SPCT and APCT at the same examination. Two hundred seventy-four and 319 patients had both measurements recorded at distance and near, respectively. Correlation between the SPCT and APCT and range of APCT when the SPCT measurement was zero were determined. Patient characteristics studied for association with a difference between the SPCT and APCT exceeding known APCT test–retest variability included age, visual acuity, fusion, intermittency, pattern, preoperative and postoperative angle, and treatment with or without medial rectus resection.

Results:

SPCT and APCT outcomes were strongly correlated (
P
< .001), significantly different (
P
< .001), and linearly related. The percentage of patients who were orthotropic (SPCT = 0) was 76% at distance and 80% at near. Misalignment of 10 prism diopters (PD) or less by the APCT was present in 92% of orthotropic patients at distance and 84% at near. Surgery without medial rectus resection (
P
= .015), larger preoperative angle (
P
= .003), intermittent exotropia (
P
= .028), and postoperative exotropia rather than esotropia (
P
< .001) were associated with a significant SPCT–APCT difference.

Conclusions:

Although a greater postoperative SPCT–APCT disparity was confirmed for patients with intermittent exotropia, it also independently associated with a larger preoperative deviation and surgery without medial rectus resection. Performing medial rectus resection, a surgeon's prerogative, provides more apparently consistent postoperative alignment characterized by less SPCT–APCT disparity.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2017;54(4):222–230.]
Sustained High Cure Rate of Artemether–Lumefantrine against Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria after 8 Years of Its Wide-Scale Use in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania
Authors: Mwaiswelo Richard , Ngasala Billy , Gil J. Pedro , Malmberg Maja , Jovel Irina , Xu Weiping , Premji Zul , Mmbando Bruno P. , Björkman Anders , Mårtensson Andreas
Published: May 2017

We assessed the temporal trend of artemether–lumefantrine (AL) cure rate after 8 years of its wide-scale use for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria from 2006 to 2014 in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania. Trend analysis was performed for four studies conducted in 2006, 2007–2008, 2012–2013, and 2014. Patients with acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria were enrolled, treated with standard AL regimen and followed-up for 3 (2006), 28 (2014), 42 (2012–2013), or 56 (2007–2008) days for clinical and laboratory evaluation. Primary outcome was day 28 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-adjusted cure rate across years from 2007 to 2014. Parasite clearance was slower for the 2006 and 2007–2008 cohorts with less than 50% of patients cleared of parasitemia on day 1, but was rapid for the 2012–2013 and 2014 cohorts. Day 28 PCR-adjusted cure rate was 168/170 (98.8%) (95% confidence interval [CI], 97.2–100), 122/127 (96.1%) (95% CI, 92.6–99.5), and 206/207 (99.5%) (95% CI, 98.6–100) in 2007–2008, 2012–2013, and 2014, respectively. There was no significant change in the trend of cure rate between 2007 and 2014 (χ2trend test = 0.06, P = 0.90). Pretreatment P. falciparum multidrug-resistant gene 1 (Pfmdr1) N86 prevalence increased significantly across years from 13/48 (27.1%) in 2006 to 183/213 (85.9%) in 2014 (P < 0.001), and P. falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter gene (Pfcrt) K76 prevalence increased significantly from 24/47 (51.1%) in 2006 to 198/205 (96.6%) in 2014 (P < 0.001). The AL cure rate remained high after 8 years of its wide-scale use in Bagamoyo district for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria despite an increase in prevalence of pretreatment Pfmdr1 N86 and Pfcrt K76 between 2006 and 2014.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Practices Exposing Humans to Avian Influenza Viruses, Their Prevalence, and Rationale
Authors: Fournié Guillaume , Høg Erling , Barnett Tony , Pfeiffer Dirk U. , Mangtani Punam
Published: May 2017

Almost all human infections by avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are transmitted from poultry. A systematic review was conducted to identify practices associated with human infections, their prevalence, and rationale. Observational studies were identified through database searches. Meta-analysis produced combined odds ratio estimates. The prevalence of practices and rationales for their adoptions were reported. Of the 48,217 records initially identified, 65 articles were included. Direct and indirect exposures to poultry were associated with infection for all investigated viral subtypes and settings. For the most frequently reported practices, association with infection seemed stronger in markets than households, for sick and dead than healthy poultry, and for H7N9 than H5N1. Practices were often described in general terms and their frequency and intensity of contact were not provided. The prevalence of practices was highly variable across studies, and no studies comprehensively explored reasons behind the adoption of practices. Combining epidemiological and targeted anthropological studies would increase the spectrum and detail of practices that could be investigated and should aim to provide insights into the rationale(s) for their existence. A better understanding of these rationales may help to design more realistic and acceptable preventive public health measures and messages.
Moe and Internet Memes: The Resistance and Accommodation of Japanese Popular Culture in China
Authors: Saito Asako P.
Published: May 2017

The cultural exports of Japanese anime and manga have faced both praise and scorn in the Chinese market. Although the Chinese state generally regards these cultural artefacts as a negative influence, the adoption of visual techniques and concepts associated with Japanese popular culture has become common in China, particularly on the internet. This article seeks to understand the implications of the ‘glocalisation’ of Japanese anime and manga in China. It discusses how Japanese popular culture is perceived by the Chinese Communist Party and by the general public, and how the Chinese state has invested in its own domestic comics and animation industries in an attempt to curb the cultural flow from Japan. Through examining a satirical Chinese virtual character who is heavily influenced by Japanese graphic techniques and concepts, this article demonstrates that governments are not the final arbiters in matters of cultural influence and illuminates the complex nature of transnational cultural flows between China and Japan.
The Trouble with Babies
Authors: Hamilton Jennifer Mae
Published: May 2017

A review of Donna Haraway, Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene, Duke University Press, Durham, 2016.
Cloud vertical distribution from combined surface and space radar–lidar observations at two Arctic atmospheric observatories
Authors: Liu Yinghui , Shupe Matthew D. , Wang Zhien , Mace Gerald
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Detailed and accurate vertical distributions of cloud properties (such as cloud fraction, cloud phase, and cloud water content) and their changes are essential to accurately calculate the surface radiative flux and to depict the mean climate state. Surface and space-based active sensors including radar and lidar are ideal to provide this information because of their superior capability to detect clouds and retrieve cloud microphysical properties. In this study, we compare the annual cycles of cloud property vertical distributions from space-based active sensors and surface-based active sensors at two Arctic atmospheric observatories, Barrow and Eureka. Based on the comparisons, we identify the sensors' respective strengths and limitations, and develop a blended cloud property vertical distribution by combining both sets of observations. Results show that surface-based observations offer a more complete cloud property vertical distribution from the surface up to 11 km above mean sea level (a.m.s.l.) with limitations in the middle and high altitudes; the annual mean total cloud fraction from space-based observations shows 25–40 % fewer clouds below 0.5 km than from surface-based observations, and space-based observations also show much fewer ice clouds and mixed-phase clouds, and slightly more liquid clouds, from the surface to 1 km. In general, space-based observations show comparable cloud fractions between 1 and 2 km a.m.s.l., and larger cloud fractions above 2 km a.m.s.l. than from surface-based observations. A blended product combines the strengths of both products to provide a more reliable annual cycle of cloud property vertical distributions from the surface to 11 km a.m.s.l. This information can be valuable for deriving an accurate surface radiative budget in the Arctic and for cloud parameterization evaluation in weather and climate models. Cloud annual cycles show similar evolutions in total cloud fraction and ice cloud fraction, and lower liquid-containing cloud fraction at Eureka than at Barrow; the differences can be attributed to the generally colder and drier conditions at Eureka relative to Barrow.
Downward particle fluxes of biogenic matter and Saharan dust across the equatorial North Atlantic
Authors: Korte Laura F. , Brummer Geert-Jan A. , van der Does Michèlle , Guerreiro Catarina V. , Hennekam Rick , van Hateren Johannes A. , Jong Dirk , Munday Chris I. , Schouten Stefan , Stuut Jan-Berend W.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Massive amounts of Saharan dust are blown from the coast of northern Africa across the Atlantic Ocean towards the Americas each year. This dust has, depending on its chemistry, direct and indirect effects on global climate which include reflection and absorption of solar radiation as well as transport and deposition of nutrients and metals fertilizing both ocean and land. To determine the temporal and spatial variability of Saharan dust transport and deposition and their marine environmental effects across the equatorial North Atlantic Ocean, we have set up a monitoring experiment using deep-ocean sediment traps as well as land-based dust collectors. The sediment traps were deployed at five ocean sites along a transatlantic transect between north-west Africa and the Caribbean along 12° N, in a downwind extension of the land-based dust collectors placed at 19° N on the Mauritanian coast in Iouîk. In this paper, we lay out the setup of the monitoring experiment and present the particle fluxes from sediment trap sampling over 24 continuous and synchronized intervals from October 2012 through to November 2013. We establish the temporal distribution of the particle fluxes deposited in the Atlantic and compare chemical compositions with the land-based dust collectors propagating to the downwind sediment trap sites, and with satellite observations of Saharan dust outbreaks. First-year results show that the total mass fluxes in the ocean are highest at the sampling sites in the east and west, closest to the African continent and the Caribbean, respectively. Element ratios reveal that the lithogenic particles deposited nearest to Africa are most similar in composition to the Saharan dust collected in Iouîk. Downwind increasing Al, Fe and K contents suggest a downwind change in the mineralogical composition of Saharan dust and indicate an increasing contribution of clay minerals towards the west. In the westernmost Atlantic Ocean, admixture of re-suspended clay-sized sediments advected towards the deep sediment trap cannot be excluded. Seasonality is most prominent near both continents but generally weak, with mass fluxes dominated by calcium carbonate and clear seasonal maxima of biogenic silica towards the west. The monitoring experiment is now extended, with autonomous dust sampling buoys for better quantification of Saharan dust transport and deposition from source to sink and their impact on fertilization and carbon export to the deep ocean.
Atmospheric bromoform at Cape Point, South Africa: a first time
series on the African continent
Authors: Kuyper Brett , Palmer Carl J. , Labuschagne Casper , Reason Chris J. C.
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Bromoform mixing ratios in marine air were measured at Cape Point Global Atmospheric Watch Station, South Africa. This represents the first ever bromoform data set recorded at this unique location. Manual daily measurements were made during a month long field campaign (austral spring 2011) using a GC-ECD with a custom built front end thermal desorption trap. The measured concentrations ranged between 2.3 ± 0.4 and 84.7 ± 10.8 ppt with a mean of 24.7 ± 3.1 ppt. Our analysis shows the concentration of bromform varies significantly according to wind direction and the trajectory of the air mass sampled. Air masses which had come into contact with multiple potential source of bromoform showed the highest average mixing ratios. The measurements reported here represent some of the highest recorded coastal bromoform concentrations globally. These high concentrations may be explained by the multiple local sources of bromoform around Cape Point.
Temperature uniformity in the CERN CLOUD chamber
Authors: Dias Antonio , Ehrhart Sebastian , Vogel Alexander , Williamson Christina , Almeida Joao , Kirkby Jasper , Mathot Serge , Mumford Samuel , Onnela Antti
Published: May 2017

Abstract. The CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) experiment at CERN is studying the nucleation and growth of aerosol particles under atmospheric conditions, and their activation into cloud droplets. A key feature of the CLOUD experiment is precise control of the experimental parameters. Temperature uniformity and stability in the chamber are important since many of the processes under study are sensitive to temperature and also to contaminants that can be released from the stainless steel walls by upward temperature fluctuations. The air enclosed within the 3 m CLOUD chamber is equipped with several arrays (strings) of high precision, fast-response thermometers to measure its temperature. Here we present a study of the air temperature uniformity inside the CLOUD chamber under various experimental conditions. Measurements were performed under calibration conditions and run conditions, which are distinguished by the flow rate of fresh air and trace gases entering the chamber: 20 l/min and up to 210 l/min, respectively. During steady-state calibration runs between −70 °C and +20 °C, the air temperature uniformity is better than +/−0.06 °C in the radial direction and +/−0.1 °C in the vertical direction. Larger non-uniformities are present during experimental runs, depending on the temperature control of the make-up air and trace gases (since some trace gases require elevated temperatures until injection into the chamber). The temperature stability is a few times 0.01 °C over periods of several hours during either calibration or steady-state run conditions. During rapid adiabatic expansions to activate cloud droplets and ice particles, the chamber walls are up to 10 °C warmer than the enclosed air. This results in larger non-uniformities while the air returns to its equilibrium temperature with time constant of about 200 s.
Effects of undetected data quality issues on climatological analyses
Authors: Hunziker Stefan , Brönnimann Stefan , Calle Juan Marcos , Moreno Isabel , Andrade Marcos , Ticona Laura , Huerta Adrian , Lavado-Casimiro Waldo
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Systematic data quality issues may occur at various stages of the data generation process. They may affect large fractions of observational datasets and remain largely undetected with standard data quality control. This study investigates the effects of such undetected data quality issues on the results of climatological analyses. For this purpose, we quality controlled daily observations of manned weather stations from the Central Andean area with a standard and an enhanced approach. The climate variables analysed are minimum and maximum temperature, and precipitation. About 40 % of the observations are inappropriate for the calculation of monthly temperature means and precipitation sums due to data quality issues. These quality problems undetected with the standard quality control method strongly affect climatological analyses, since they reduce the correlation coefficients of station pairs, deteriorate the performance of data homogenization methods, increase the spread of individual station trends, and significantly bias regional temperature trends. Our findings indicate that undetected data quality issues are included in important and frequently used observational datasets, and hence may affect a high number of climatological studies. It is of utmost importance to apply comprehensive and adequate data quality control approaches on manned weather station records in order to avoid biased results and large uncertainties.
Development of a full-waveform voltage and current recording device for multichannel transient electromagnetic transmitters
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Qisheng , Wang Meng , Kong Qiang , Zhang Shengquan , He Ruihao , Liu Shenghui , Li Shuhan , Yuan Zhenzhong
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Owing to the pressing demand for metallic ore exploration technology in China, several new technologies are being employed in the relevant exploration instruments. In addition to possessing the high resolution of the traditional transient electromagnetic method (TEM), high-efficiency measurements, and a short measurement time, the multichannel TEM (MTEM) technology can also sensitively determine the characteristics of a low-resistivity geologic body, without being affected by the terrain. Besides, the MTEM technology also solves the critical, existing interference problem in electrical exploration technology. This study develops a full-waveform voltage and current recording device for MTEM transmitters. After continuous acquisition and storage of the pseudo-random, large current signals emitted by the MTEM transmitter, these signals are then convoluted with the signals collected by the receiver to obtain the earth’s impulse response. In this paper, the overall design of the full-waveform recording apparatus, including the hardware and upper-computer software designs, the software interface display, and the results of field test, are discussed in detail.
Method for processing XCP data with improved accuracy
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Qisheng , Zhao Xiao , Zhang Qimao , Liu Shenghui , Li Shuhan , Yuan Zhenzhong
Published: May 2017

Abstract. An expendable current profiler (XCP) is a device used for monitoring ocean currents. In this study, we focus on the technology available for processing XCP data and propose a more accurate method for calculating the current velocity from the nanovolt-scale current-induced electric field measured using an XCP. In order to confirm the accuracy of the proposed data processing method, a sea test was performed in the South China Sea region, wherein, for the first time in China, ocean current and electric-field data were collected from the sea surface to a depth of 1000 m using an XCP. The current-data processing method described herein was used to determine the eastward and northward relative velocity components of the current from the measured data, which were then compared with the current data obtained using an acoustic Doppler current profiler, in order verify the accuracy of the measurements as well as that of the data processing method.
Los catálogos de las bibliotecas de los conservatorios superiores de música: identificación, análisis y evaluació
Authors: Ríos Hilario Ana B. , Fuster Antón María
Published: May 2017

Se evalúan los catálogos en línea (OPACs) pertenecientes a las bibliotecas de los Conservatorios Superiores de Música. Para lograr este objetivo se comienza analizando la literatura científica referente al tema. A continuación se pasa a identificar la población objeto de estudio a través de la consulta del Directorio de Bibliotecas Españolas, la web de la Asociación Española de Centros Superiores de Enseñanzas Artísticas y el Mapa de Conservatorios de Música de España de reciente creación. Para el análisis de los catálogos se optó por la creación de un instrumento de evaluación ad hoc definiendo los siguientes parámetros: presentación, recuperación de la información, exportación de registros, servicios bibliográficos, atención al usuario, difusión y OPAC social. Se concluye destacando los principales resultados obtenidos y estableciendo una serie de propuestas de mejora.