bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
China, Japan and the South China Sea Dispute: Pursuing Strategic Goals Through Economic and Institutional Means
Authors: Yoshimatsu Hidetaka
Published: December 2017

This article examines the strategies employed by China and Japan in advancing their national interests in the South China Sea dispute. It argues that both China and Japan have increasingly taken advantage of economic means and formal institutions to pursue political-security goals in relation to maritime disputes in the South China Sea. While China has employed economic means as ‘carrot and stick’ to influence the diplomatic stance of Southeast Asian states, Japan has utilized foreign economic aid for strategic objectives, even revising the basic principles of its development assistance policy. Moreover, China has strengthened institutional ties with ASEAN members by focusing on infrastructure development, whereas Japan has intensified the formation of multilateral institutions by expanding the scope from maritime safety to maritime security targeting China.
Men Set Their Own Cites High: Gender and Self-citation across Fields and over Time
Authors: King Molly M. , Bergstrom Carl T. , Correll Shelley J. , Jacquet Jennifer , West Jevin D.
Published: December 2017

How common is self-citation in scholarly publication, and does the practice vary by gender? Using novel methods and a data set of 1.5 million research papers in the scholarly database JSTOR published between 1779 and 2011, the authors find that nearly 10 percent of references are self-citations by a paper’s authors. The findings also show that between 1779 and 2011, men cited their own papers 56 percent more than did women. In the last two decades of data, men self-cited 70 percent more than women. Women are also more than 10 percentage points more likely than men to not cite their own previous work at all. While these patterns could result from differences in the number of papers that men and women authors have published rather than gender-specific patterns of self-citation behavior, this gender gap in self-citation rates has remained stable over the last 50 years, despite increased representation of women in academia. The authors break down self-citation patterns by academic field and number of authors and comment on potential mechanisms behind these observations. These findings have important implications for scholarly visibility and cumulative advantage in academic careers.
Collective thinking approach for improving leak detection systems
Authors: El-Zahab Samer , Asaad Ahmed , Mohammed Abdelkader Eslam , Zayed Tarek
Published: December 2017

Water mains, especially old pipelines, are consistently threatened by the formation of leaks. Leaks inherit increased direct and indirect costs and impacts on various levels such as the economic field and the environmental level. Recently, financially capable municipalities are testing acoustic early detection systems that utilize wireless noise loggers. Noise loggers would be distributed throughout the water network to detect any anomalies in the network. Loggers provide early detection via recording and analyzing acoustic signals within the network. The city of Montreal adopted one of the leak detection projects in this domain and had reported that the main issue that hinders the installed system is false alarms. False alarms consume municipality resources and funds inefficiently. Therefore, this paper aims to present a novel approach to utilize more than one data analysis and classification technique to ameliorate the leak identification process. In this research, acoustic leak signals were analyzed using Fourier Transform, and the multiple frequency bandwidths were determined. Three models were developed to identify the state of the leak using Naïve Bayes (NB), Deep Learning (DL), and Decision Tree (DT) Algorithms. Each of the developed models has an accuracy ranging between 84% to 89%. An aggregator approach was developed to cultivate the collective approaches developed into one single answer. Through aggregation, the accuracy of leak detection improved from 89% at its best to 100%. The design, implementation approach and results are displayed in this paper. Using this method helps municipalities minimize and alleviate the costs of uncertain leak verifications and efficiently allocate their resources.
Joint anisotropic amplitude variation with offset inversion of PP and PS seismic data
Authors: Lu Jun , Wang Yun , Chen Jingyi , An Ying
Published: December 2017

With the increase in exploration target complexity, more parameters are required to describe subsurface properties, particularly for finely stratified reservoirs with vertical transverse isotropic (VTI) features. We have developed an anisotropic amplitude variation with offset (AVO) inversion method using joint PP and PS seismic data for VTI media. Dealing with local minimum solutions is critical when using anisotropic AVO inversion because more parameters are expected to be derived. To enhance the inversion results, we adopt a hierarchical inversion strategy to solve the local minimum solution problem in the Gauss-Newton method. We perform the isotropic and anisotropic AVO inversions in two stages; however, we only use the inversion results from the first stage to form search windows for constraining the inversion in the second stage. To improve the efficiency of our method, we built stop conditions using Euclidean distance similarities to control iteration of the anisotropic AVO inversion in noisy situations. In addition, we evaluate a time-aligned amplitude variation with angle gather generation approach for our anisotropic AVO inversion using anisotropic prestack time migration. We test the proposed method on synthetic data in ideal and noisy situations, and find that the anisotropic AVO inversion method yields reasonable inversion results. Moreover, we apply our method to field data to show that it can be used to successfully identify complex lithologic and fluid information regarding fine layers in reservoirs.
Once-a-Week Versus Once-Every-3-Weeks Cisplatin Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Phase III Randomized Noninferiority Trial
Authors: Noronha Vanita , Joshi Amit , Patil Vijay Maruti , Agarwal Jaiprakash , Ghosh-Laskar Sarbani , Budrukkar Ashwini , Murthy Vedang , Gupta Tejpal , D’Cruz Anil K. , Banavali Shripad , Pai Prathamesh S. , Chaturvedi Pankaj , Chaukar Devendra , Pande Nikhil , Chandrasekharan Arun , Talreja Vikas , Vallathol Dilip Harindran , Mathrudev Vijayalakshmi , Manjrekar Aparna , Maske Kamesh , Bhelekar Arati Sanjay , Nawale Kavita , Kannan Sadhana , Gota Vikram , Bhattacharjee Atanu , Kane Shubhada , Juvekar Shashikant L. , Prabhash Kumar
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Chemoradiation with cisplatin 100 mg/m2given once every 3 weeks is the standard of care in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (LAHNSCC). Increasingly, low-dose once-a-week cisplatin is substituted because of perceived lower toxicity and convenience. However, there is no level 1 evidence of comparable efficacy to cisplatin once every 3 weeks.

Patients and Methods

In this phase III randomized trial, we assessed the noninferiority of cisplatin 30 mg/m2given once a week compared with cisplatin 100 mg/m2given once every 3 weeks, both administered concurrently with curative intent radiotherapy in patients with LAHNSCC. The primary end point was locoregional control (LRC); secondary end points included toxicity, compliance, response, progression-free survival, and overall survival.

Results

Between 2013 and 2017, we randomly assigned 300 patients, 150 to each arm. Two hundred seventy-nine patients (93%) received chemoradiotherapy in the adjuvant setting. At a median follow-up of 22 months, the estimated cumulative 2-year LRC rate was 58.5% in the once-a-week arm and 73.1% in the once-every-3-weeks arm, leading to an absolute difference of 14.6% (95% CI, 5.7% to 23.5%); P = .014; hazard ratio (HR), 1.76 (95% CI, 1.11 to 2.79). Acute toxicities of grade 3 or higher occurred in 71.6% of patients in the once-a-week arm and in 84.6% of patients in the once-every-3-weeks arm ( P = .006). Estimated median progression-free survival in the once-a-week arm was 17.7 months (95% CI, 0.42 to 35.05 months) and in the once-every-3-weeks arm, 28.6 months (95% CI, 15.90 to 41.30 months); HR, 1.24 (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.73); P = .21. Estimated median overall survival in the once-a-week arm was 39.5 months and was not reached in the once-every-3-weeks arm (HR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.79 to 1.65]; P = .48).

Conclusion

Once-every-3-weeks cisplatin at 100 mg/m2resulted in superior LRC, albeit with more toxicity, than did once-a-week cisplatin at 30 mg/m2, and should remain the preferred chemoradiotherapy regimen for LAHNSCC in the adjuvant setting.
Conversion efficiency of alpha linolenic acid to omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids in aerial insectivore chicks
Authors: Twining Cornelia W. , Lawrence Peter , Winkler David W. , Flecker Alexander S. , Brenna J. Thomas
Published: December 2017

Food availability and quality are both critical for growing young animals. In nature, swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and other aerial insectivores feed on both aquatic insects, which are rich in omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and terrestrial insects, which contain considerably lower amounts of omega-3 HUFA. Carnivorous mammals and fishes must obtain omega-3 HUFA from diet, as they have lost the capacity to convert the precursor omega-3 ALA into omega-3 HUFA. Thus, the relative value of aquatic versus terrestrial insects depends not only on the fatty acid composition of the prey, but also upon the capacity of consumers to convert ALA into omega-3 HUFA. We used a combination of stable-isotope-labeled fatty acid tracers to ask if, and how efficiently, Tree Swallows can deposit newly synthesized omega-3 HUFA into tissue. Our data show for the first time that Tree Swallows can convert ALA into omega-3 HUFA deposited in liver and skeletal muscle. However, high Tree Swallow demand for omega-3 HUFA combined with low ALA availability in natural terrestrial foods may strain their modest conversion ability. This suggests that while Tree Swallows can synthesize omega-3 HUFA de novo, omega-3 HUFA are ecologically essential nutrients in natural systems. Our findings thus provide mechanistic support for our previous findings and the importance of omega-3 HUFA -rich aquatic insects for Tree Swallows and most likely other aerial insectivores with similar niches.
Group Selection: A Review Essay on Does Altruism Exist? by David Sloan Wilson
Authors: Robson Arthur J.
Published: December 2017

In response to the question in the title, Does Altruism Exist?, David Sloan Wilson argues forcefully that altruism exists and that the biological mechanism of group selection is responsible. He argues that group selection should be taken especially seriously for humans, since cultural evolution is especially important for us. Economists' view of basic human motivations should then include altruism. Wilson promotes a strong form of pervasive altruism, which seems bound to be inconsistent with many economic phenomena. Although a moderate version of the position he advocates is not easily dismissed, it is unclear what such an extended theory would look like. (JEL D64, Z13)
RNAi targeting Caenorhabditis elegans α-arrestins has little effect on lifespan
Authors: Park Sangsoon , Jung Yoonji , An Seon Woo A. , Son Heehwa G. , Hwang Wooseon , Lee Dongyeop , Artan Murat , Park Hae-Eun H. , Jeong Dae-Eun , Lee Yujin , Lee Seung-Jae V.
Published: December 2017

Background: α-arrestins are a family of proteins that are implicated in multiple biological processes, including metabolism and receptor desensitization.

Methods: Here, we sought to examine the roles of α-arrestins in the longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans through an RNA interference screen.

Results: We found that feeding worms with bacteria expressing double-stranded RNA against each of 24 out of total 29 C. elegans α-arrestins had little effect on lifespan. Thus, individual C. elegans α-arrestins may have minor effects on longevity.

Conclusions: This study will provide useful information for future research on the functional role of α-arrestins in aging and longevity.
Chikungunya: vaccines and therapeutics
Authors: Tharmarajah Kothila , Mahalingam Suresh , Zaid Ali
Published: December 2017

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has come to prominence as a global, re-emerging pathogen over the last two decades, progressing from sporadic, remote outbreaks to worldwide explosive epidemics. From contained, though considerable, outbreaks in the southern Indian Ocean, parts of South America and the Caribbean, CHIKV continues to be a significant pathogen in Southeast Asia and India. CHIKV circulates during epidemics through an urban mosquito-to-human transmission cycle, and with no available treatments or licensed vaccines to specifically target CHIKV disease, limiting transmission relies on vector control, which poses significant challenges, especially in developing countries. This review summarizes the current findings and progress in the development of safe, effective and affordable therapeutics and vaccines for CHIKV disease.
Crime, doomed to failure: features of legislative design
Authors: Некрасов Василий , Nekrasov Vasiliy
Published: December 2017

The book investigates the nature, concept and types of crimes is doomed to failure, which the legislator is traditionally called an incomplete crime. In the work the differences of an actual crime from an unfinished, as well as stages from the stages of the crime. The paper explored the issues of constructing norms unfinished crime, and especially of differentiation of responsibility for these acts. The work is addressed to all those interested in the unfinished criminal activity, practitioners who are faced with the qualification of an unfinished crime, as well as teachers, students and cadets of educational institutions of legal profile.
Performance of IEEE 802.11n LDPC codes
Authors: Avendano Martinez Yenny Alexandra , Salcedo Parra Octavio Jose , Tarazona Bermudez Giovanny Mauricio
Published: December 2017

LDPC (Low Density Parity Check Codes) is a set of algorithms that send, receive
and correct in a noise environment, frames transmitted in a LAN environment. This
article demonstrates the high performance of the LDPC in environments of noise,
compared to the CRC error detection code highly currently implemented, in this
way the efficiency of LDPC is shown specifically over the 802. 11n protocol.
Stem cells: knowledge and attitude among health care providers in Qassim region, KSA
Authors: Tork Hanan , ALRaffaa Safiah , ALMutairi Khadija , ALShammari Noof , ALHarbi Amani , ALOnzi Awatef
Published: December 2017

Background: Health care providers as a trusted source of information for most patients should be able to provide counseling services to patients on the new concept of stem cells utilization, benefits and its practice implications.Objective: this study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of health care providers in Qassim region regarding stem cells.Methods: Self-administered tools were utilized among 250 health care providers were chosen from five major hospitals in Qassim, including doctors, nurses, and other health care providers such as pharmacists, dietaries and administrative staff.Results: The participants were female,<30 years in age, had practiced for <10 years and nurses. About 56% of respondents had a moderate knowledge regarding stem cells, and only 31.2 % had good knowledge. About three quarters 191 (76.4%) of the participants exhibited positive attitude towards stem cells use. A Pearsonâ€™s correlation between knowledge and attitude scores was statistically significant. Conclusion: Data from the present study revealed the moderate levels of knowledge and positive attitude toward stem cells and its application among health care providers in Qassim. Therefore, this study suggests that educational programs on stem cells should be implemented to improve stem cells knowledge and encourage a more positive attitude.
Examination malpractices: an indisciplinary act towards a societal ruin, causes, agents, control and the way forward
Authors: S. Adiaha Monday , U. Ocheje David
Published: December 2017

Examination Malpractices as an indisciplinary act towards a societal ruin was surveyed. Findings of this study presented examination malpractices as an act capable of dragging the society into ruin. Results of the statistical analysis were significant (p<0.005), proofing examination malpractices as an act been perpetrated in schools for the benefit of the parties involved. Different forms, causes and agents of examination malpractices have been identified, seeking a control guide where these factors can be tackled for the benefit of the Nigerian society and the world at large. The mode of life contrary to societal development has been identified as indiscipline with characteristics, which do not conform to the development of the environment. The regular violations of school rules, constant violence been experienced in the country today, turn-down of court orders, broken homes, including loss of respect for Humanity, metamorphoses from indiscipline, from one stage/form to the other. The Research finding further revealed that this act is one of the possible reasons for some level of underdevelopment been experienced in some of the developing countries like Nigeria. Tackling indisciplinary acts like examination malpractice can help to revive a societyâ€™s morals, including her economic status, where development can be sustainable for the benefit of the present and unborn generations, and to create an ideal society where human dignity and respect for academics as one of the factors for strong economic development can prevail. Recommendations of this survey include good home training and upbringing, leadership by example, engagement of an individual in life rewarding activities to exit idleness, including setting of realistic rules guiding the act of examination malpractice as an act of indiscipline.
Evaluation and comparison of a lean production system by using SAE J4000 standard: a case study on the automotive industry in the state of Mexico
Authors: Tabares Lina María , Robles-Cárdenas Manuel , Pino Romainville Francisco
Published: December 2017

Lean manufacturing (LM) is a management system focused on eliminating waste and activities that do not add value, with the aim of reducing costs and improving the quality and productivity of organizations. LM has been adopted in diverse industries and several countries due to its advantages in cost, flexibility and rapid response (Muslimen et al., 2013). The objective of this investigation is to analyze the implementation level to the Lean System via the SAE J4000 (SAE 1999a) standard carried out among companies of the State of Mexico automotive industry. In addition, this investigation shows the inferential and descriptive statistics data analysis of Mexican companies compared to the automotive industries in Spain and Brazil. Results show that the implementation level of the automotive industry is at 48.4% in the State of Mexico according to the SAE J4000 standard. Moreover, the involvement of suppliers and the use of lean tools in processes are higher in the State of Mexico compared to automotive industries in Spain and Brazil. However, previous studies ranked the State of Mexico at a lower level of LM in contrast with Spain and Brazil production lines.
Identifying critical success factors for the implementation of enterprise resource planning systems in public educational institutions
Authors: Campos Fernandes Leandro Flávia , Picinini Méxas Mirian , Meirelles Drumond Geisa
Published: December 2017

The implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in Brazilian public educational institutions is considered critical and a time consuming process. Then this study aims to identify the Critical Success Factors (CSF) for the implementation of ERP systems in these organizations. A literature review, where 30 CSF used in scientific articles were identified, has been prepared. Based on found CSF, 20 were selected to compose a questionnaire constructed with the Likert scale and applied to 70 ERP systems specialists in educational institutions, in order to get the perception of the most CFS relevant during the pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation phases. As a result of this field survey, a ranking of the degree classification "very important" for 20 CFS was drafted by percentage in the ERP lifecycle. This work intends to contribute with a comprehension in terms of what CFS needs to be observed during each phase of the ERP systems implementation in educational institutions.
Autonomy in Scaffolding as Learning in Teacher-Student Negotiation of Meaning in a University EFL Classroom
Authors: Danli Li
Published: December 2017

Based upon sociocultural theory, this study investigates the dynamics of the teacher’s roles and learner autonomy in the process of scaffolding in teacher-student negotiation of meaning in an EFL classroom. The participants were 25 undergraduate students and a Chinese teacher of English at a university in China. The teacher-student dialogue was the central mechanism mediating the construction of negotiation of meaning and form in language learning. The analysis of classroom discourse and the teacher’s retrospection from an interview illustrated the teacher’s different roles in interaction, where scaffolding acted as a structured pedagogical tool. The study revealed that the learners were afforded assistance to progress from other-regulation to self-regulation, and consequently, the teacher exploited opportunities to enhance learner autonomy in negotiation of spaces for autonomy in classroom teaching. The study has probed into the significance of the teacher’s capacity of controlling scaffolding effectively and generated implications for teacher development and learner training.
Laws for Creating Trust in the Blockchain Age
Authors: Pouwelse Johan , de Kok André , Fleuren Joost , Hoogendoorn Peter , Vliegendhart Raynor , de Vos Martijn
Published: December 2017

Humanity’s notion of trust is shaped by new platforms operating in the emerging sharing economy, acting as intermediate matchmaker for ride sharing, housing facilities or freelance labour, effectively creating an environment where strangers trust each other. While millions of people worldwide rely on online sharing activities, such services are often facilitated by a few predatory companies, managing trust relations. This centralization of responsibility raises questions about ethical and political issues like regulatory compliance, data portability and monopolistic behaviour. Recently, blockchain technology has gathered a significant amount of support and adoption, due to its inherent decentralized and tamper-proof structure. We present a blockchain-powered blueprint for a shared and public programmable economy. The focus of our architecture is on four essential primitives: digital identities, blockchain-based trust, programmable money and marketplaces. Trust is established using only historical interactions between strangers to estimate trustworthiness. Every component of our proposed technology stack is designed according to the defining principles of the Internet itself: self-governance, autonomy and shared ownership. Real-world viability of each component is demonstrated with a functional prototype or running code. Our vision is that the highlighted technology stack devises trust, new acts, principles and rules beyond the possibilities in current economic, legal and political systems.
Francoprovençal in contact with Walser German
Authors: Dal Negro Silvia , Angster Marco
Published: December 2017

This article focuses on Francoprovençal (FP) from the perspective of language contact, specifically the reciprocal effects between FP and two dialects of German (Alemannic) spoken in the Aosta region and belonging to the severely endangered Walser minority group located in Northwestern Italy. On the basis of lexical evidence we describe a complex dynamics of language contact among communities embedded in one another. We found bidirectional exchanges between FP and one Walser variety, but much less so with the other. As a result, lexical distance revealed a pattern of contact, isolation and asymmetries that contrasts with geographical distance or more general relations of sociolinguistic dominance.
How does the environment shape spatial language? Evidence for sociotopography
Authors: Palmer Bill , Lum Jonathon , Schlossberg Jonathan , Gaby Alice
Published: December 2017

This article investigates the extent to which the way individuals describe spatial relationships correlates with features of the local landscape. Drawing on empirical data from two unrelated languages, Dhivehi (Indo-Aryan) and Marshallese (Austronesian), across a range of topographic environments, we examine the linguistic resources available to speakers, and spatial referential strategy preferences across languages and environments. We find that spatial language shows sensitivity to features of the topography, but this is mediated by the way speakers interact with the landscape. This leads us to propose a Sociotopographic Model, modelling the complex interplay of language structure, local environment, cultural practices, and language use, at odds with competing claims about the primacy of language or of environment in shaping spatial cognition.
Lactic acid production from cane molasses
Authors: Vidra Aladár , Tóth András József , Németh Áron
Published: December 2017

Molasses, a by-product of the sugar manufacturing process, generally comprises approximately 50% (w/w) of total sugars, but it is currently used primarily [1] as an animal feed and as a raw material in alcohol production. Currently, the sugar production is more than 160 million tones worldwide. Its byproduct molasses contain heavy metals which have growthinhibitory effect. The main sugar content in molasses is sucrose which often need to be hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose especially for utilization by Lactobacillus species. Lactobacillus species can convert sugar content to lactic acid with great efficiency, which is a valuable chemical. Lactic acid production from sugar molasses using batch fermentations with Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus sp. MKT878 were investigated in this study. Results showed, that both examined Lactobacillus species could grow on molasses despite the heavy metals inhibitory effects. The conversion of sugar content to lactic acid was successful with yield between 55-80 g/g.
Premalignant gastric lesions in patients included in National colorectal cancer screening
Authors: Tepes Bojan , Seruga Maja , Vujasinovic Miroslav , Urlep Dejan , Ljepovic Liljana , Brglez Jurecic Nataša , Forte Alenka , Anita Kek Ljubec , Skvarc Miha
Published: December 2017

Background

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in the world with almost one million new cases annually. Helicobacter pylori infection causes 89% of all gastric cancers. Premalignant lesions (atrophy and intestinal metaplasia) develop after several decades of inflammation. Secondary prevention with gastroscopy is possible, but it is costly and has a low compliance rate. Alternative procedures like serology testing for pepsinogen I and II and pepsinogen I/II ratio are available to select patients for surveillance gastroscopies.

Patients and methods

In seven outpatient endoscopic units, 288 patients (154 men; 53.5%), average age 60.68 years, tested positive in National colorectal cancer screening programme SVIT, were included in the study. Gastropanel (BioHit, Finland) was used as a serologic biopsy method.

Results

We found 24 patients (12 men, mean age 63.7 years) with pepsinogen (pepsinogen I/II < 3 and/or pepsinogen I < 30 μg/L). Premalignant changes were found on gastric biopsies in 21 patients (7.3% incidence). Operative Link on Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Assessment (OLGIM) ≥ 1 was found in 20 patients; Operative Link for Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) ≥ 1 was found in 19 patients. Combined accuracy for preneoplastic lesions in Gastropanel positive patients was 87.5%. H. pylori seropositivity was found in 219 patients (76%). Only 24% of our population had normal results.

Conclusions

Gastropanel test has proven to be a reliable non-invasive test for advanced gastric preneoplastic lesions that can select patients for further gastroscopy. We found high H. pylori seropositivity in older age groups in Slovenia.
Electrochemotherapy with bleomycin of different types of cutaneous tumours in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
Authors: Racnik Jozko , Svara Tanja , Zadravec Marko , Gombac Mitja , Cemazar Maja , Sersa Gregor , Tozon Natasa
Published: December 2017

Background

Mast cell tumour, sebaceous gland adenoma, and less common squamous papilloma are skin tumours in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo), and early excisional surgery is usually the treatment of choice. The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy (ECT), a new, minimally invasive non-surgical method, as first treatment option of different types of ferret skin tumours located on surgically difficult sites.

Materials and methods

A 5-year-old castrated male ferret with two cutaneous masses, presenting 4 months apart and a 7-year-old spayed female ferret with two cutaneous masses, that appeared simultaneously on two locations are presented. In the first patient, both masses were diagnosed as mast cell tumours, and in the second patient, squamous papilloma and sebaceous adenoma were diagnosed. One session of ECT with bleomycin injected intratumourally was applied in all tumours.

Results

Complete response (CR) of all tumours was obtained, without recurrence during observation period of 15 months after ECT for first tumour and 11 months after ECT of the tumour located on the right hock in first patient, and 8 months after treatment for the second patient.

Conclusions

In present study, ECT with bleomycin proved to be safe and effective against different cutaneous tumours in ferrets. Due of good results, low cost and relatively easy procedure, ECT could be the treatment of choice instead of surgery for the selected skin tumours in ferrets.
Regenerative potential of secretome from dental stem cells: a systematic review of preclinical studies
Authors: Muhammad Suleiman Alhaji , Nordin Norshariza , Fakurazi Sharida
Published: December 2017

Injury to tissues is a major clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of endogenous cells. Stem cell therapy is evolving rapidly as an alternative for tissue regeneration. However, increasing evidence suggests that the regenerative ability of stem cells is mainly mediated by paracrine actions of secretome that are generally secreted by the cells. We aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of dental stem cell (DSC)-conditioned medium inin vivoanimal models of various tissue defects. A total of 15 eligible studies was included by searching Pubmed, Scopus and Medline databases up to August 2017. The risk of bias was assessed using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation risk of bias tool. Of 15 studies, seven reported the therapeutic benefit of the conditioned medium on neurological diseases and three reported on joint/bone-related defects. Two interventions were on liver diseases, whereas the remaining three addressed myocardial infarction and reperfusion, lung injury and diabetes. Nine studies were performed using mouse models and the remaining six studies used rat models. The methodological quality of the studies was low, as most of the key elements required in reports of preclinical studies were not reported. The findings of this review suggested that conditioned medium from DSCs improved tissue regeneration and functional recovery. This current review strengthens the therapeutic benefit of cell-free product for tissue repair in animal models. A well-planned study utilizing validated outcome measures and long-term safety studies are required for possible translation to clinical trials.
Electrochemical Sensor for the Determination of Paracetamol at Carbamazepine Film Coated Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Teradale Amit B. , Lamani Shekappa D. , Ganesh Pattan S. , Kumara Swamy Bahaddurghatta E. , Das Swastika N.
Published: December 2017

The electrochemical behavior of paracetamol (PC) was investigated at carbamazepine (CBZ) film coated carbon paste electrode in 0.2 M PBS of pH 7.4 by cyclic voltammetric technique. The modified electrode was exhibited a good electrochemical activity towards the oxidation of paracetamol, which results in a noticeable improvement of the peak currents and feasible oxidation as compared to the bare carbon paste electrode. Under optimal experimental conditions the electrochemical response to PC was linear in the concentration range from 1.0×10−4M to 3.94×10−4M with a detection limit of 0.24 μM by cyclic voltammetric technique. The sensitivity, long-term stability, reproducibility was shown by the modified electrode. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine PC in pharmaceutical samples.
Analysis of Training Loads in Elite Under 18 Australian Rule Football Players
Authors: Cust Emily E. , Elsworthy Nathan , Robertson Sam
Published: December 2017

Cust, EE, Elsworthy, N, and Robertson, S. Analysis of training loads in elite under 18 Australian rule football players. J Strength Cond Res 32(9): 2521–2528, 2017—Differences in training loads (TLs) between under 18 (U18) Australian rules football (AF) state academy–selected and state academy–nonselected players were investigated. Players were categorized relating to their highest representative level: state academy–selected (n = 9) and TAC cup–level players (n = 38). Data were obtained from an online training–monitoring tool implemented to collect player training and match information across a 20-week period during the regular season. Parameters modeled included AF skills, strength, and other sport training sessions. Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) and between-group comparisons (Cohen's d) were computed. A J48 decision tree modeled which TL variables could predict selection level. Pooled data showed 60% of weekly training duration consisted of AF training sessions. Similar AF TL were reported between state academy and TAC cup players (1,578 ± 1,264 arbitrary units (AU) vs. 1,368 ± 872 AU; d = 0.05). Although higher TLs were reported for state-selected players comparative with TAC cup in total training (d = 0.20), core stability (d = 0.36), flexibility (d = 0.44), on-feet conditioning (d = 0.26), and off-feet conditioning (d = 0.26). Decision tree analysis showed core stability duration and flexibility TL, the most influential parameters in classifying group selection (97.7% accuracy TAC cup level; 35.8% accuracy state academy level). Insights of U18 AF players' weekly training structures, loads, and characteristics of higher achieving players are provided. This study supports the application of training diaries and session rating of perceived exertion for TL monitoring in junior athletes.
A Design Optimization of the High Pressure Die Casting Process for the Fabrication of Bulk Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Malomo B. O. , Ogunbodede O. T. , Popoola O. T. , Oluwasegun K. M. , Ibitoye S. A. , Adekoya L. O.
Published: December 2017

This study presents a finite element method optimization strategy to enhance the solidification of molten aluminum alloy in the high pressure die casting (HPDC) process for the production of bulk metal matrix composites. A computational fluid dynamics approach based on the explicit volume fluid multiphase (EVFM) model was applied in the ANSYS FLUENT software environment to analyze the effect of pressurized melt infiltration and thermal loading on deformation, heat flux variations, and solidification profiles during solidification processing of aluminum alloy composite in a HPDC die of varying thicknesses, ranging from 3–24 mm. The associated turbulence was accounted for by the k-ε model. The solidification mechanisms were characterized for the performance of the optimal die configuration. The results indicate that the resistance to deformation was not significant for die thicknesses within the 5–15 mm range but increases sharply at a constant rate as the die thickness exceeds 15 mm. The heat transfer characteristics for the 15–21-mm die are considered as optimal for controlled melt solidification. The solidification profiles suggested that heat flux variations were most critical for the 3, 6, and 9-mm die thicknesses, while the capacity to dissipate heat at a constant rate was achieved for die thicknesses of 12, 15, and 18 mm. The thermal analysis on the optimal die configuration indicates the conditions under which the formation and growth of microconstituents would occur during the solidification process. The experimental validation suggested that the die thickness of 18–20 mm has the most significant implication for design. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composite were found to vary nonlinearly with applied pressure, while indicating an enhancement for the elastic plastic properties within the range of 70–90 MPa.
Combination of Interaural Level and Time Difference in Azimuthal Sound Localization in Owls
Authors: Kettler Lutz , Griebel Hannah , Ferger Roland , Wagner Hermann
Published: December 2017

A function of the auditory system is to accurately determine the location of a sound source. The main cues for sound location are interaural time (ITD) and level (ILD) differences. Humans use both ITD and ILD to determine the azimuth. Thus far, the conception of sound localization in barn owls was that their facial ruff and asymmetrical ears generate a two-dimensional grid of ITD for azimuth and ILD for elevation. We show that barn owls also use ILD for azimuthal sound localization when ITDs are ambiguous. For high-frequency narrowband sounds, midbrain neurons can signal multiple locations, leading to the perception of an auditory illusion called a phantom source. Owls respond to such an illusory percept by orienting toward it instead of the true source. Acoustical measurements close to the eardrum reveal a small ILD component that changes with azimuth, suggesting that ITD and ILD information could be combined to eliminate the illusion. Our behavioral data confirm that perception was robust against ambiguities if ITD and ILD information was combined. Electrophysiological recordings of ILD sensitivity in the owl’s midbrain support the behavioral findings indicating that rival brain hemispheres drive the decision to orient to either true or phantom sources. Thus, the basis for disambiguation, and reliable detection of sound source azimuth, relies on similar cues across species as similar response to combinations of ILD and narrowband ITD has been observed in humans.
ELMOD1 Stimulates ARF6-GTP Hydrolysis to Stabilize Apical Structures in Developing Vestibular Hair Cells
Authors: Krey Jocelyn F. , Dumont Rachel A. , Wilmarth Philip A. , David Larry L. , Johnson Kenneth R. , Barr-Gillespie Peter G.
Published: December 2017

Sensory hair cells require control of physical properties of their apical plasma membranes for normal development and function. Members of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) small GTPase family regulate membrane trafficking and cytoskeletal assembly in many cells. We identified ELMO domain-containing protein 1 (ELMOD1), a guanine nucleoside triphosphatase activating protein (GAP) for ARF6, as the most highly enriched ARF regulator in hair cells. To characterize ELMOD1 control of trafficking, we analyzed mice of both sexes from a strain lacking functional ELMOD1 [roundabout (rda)]. Inrda/rdamice, cuticular plates of utricle hair cells initially formed normally, then degenerated after postnatal day 5; large numbers of vesicles invaded the compromised cuticular plate. Hair bundles initially developed normally, but the cell's apical membrane lifted away from the cuticular plate, and stereocilia elongated and fused. Membrane trafficking in type I hair cells, measured by FM1-43 dye labeling, was altered inrda/rdamice. Consistent with the proposed GAP role for ELMOD1, the ARF6 GTP/GDP ratio was significantly elevated inrda/rdautricles compared with controls, and the level of ARF6-GTP was correlated with the severity of therda/rdaphenotype. These results suggest that conversion of ARF6 to its GDP-bound form is necessary for final stabilization of the hair bundle.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAssembly of the mechanically sensitive hair bundle of sensory hair cells requires growth and reorganization of apical actin and membrane structures. Hair bundles and apical membranes in mice with mutations in theElmod1gene degenerate after formation, suggesting that the ELMOD1 protein stabilizes these structures. We show that ELMOD1 is a GTPase-activating protein in hair cells for the small GTP-binding protein ARF6, known to participate in actin assembly and membrane trafficking. We propose that conversion of ARF6 into the GDP-bound form in the apical domain of hair cells is essential for stabilizing apical actin structures like the hair bundle and ensuring that the apical membrane forms appropriately around the stereocilia.
Interleukin-18 serum level is elevated in type 2 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes
Authors: Zaharieva Emanuela , Kamenov Zdravko , Velikova Tsvetelina , Tsakova Adelina , El-Darawish Yosif , Okamura Haruki
Published: December 2017

Background

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is an inflammatory cytokine found to be elevated in obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a part of the chronic low-grade inflammatory process in these states. The aim of the study was to evaluate the interleukin level in patients with latent autoimmune diabetes of the adults (LADA) in comparison to that in T2D subjects.

Materials and methods

IL-18 was analyzed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 76 participants with T2D and 24 with LADA and 14 control subjects. Evaluation was also carried out in body mass index (BMI)- and glycemic control-matched diabetic patients.

Results

The serum concentration of IL-18 was higher in patients with T2D (389.04 ± 203.44 pg/mL) and LADA (327.04 ± 144.48 pg/mL) than that in control subjects (219.88 ± 91.03 pg/mL), P < 0.05. However, it was not significantly different between both diabetic groups (P = 0.255) despite higher IL-6 (4.78 ± 5.84 vs 1.79 ± 0.96 pg/mL, P < 0.001) and hs-CRP (2.60 ± 1.70 vs 1.29 ± 1.20 mg/L, P = 0.002) level in T2D patients. The results were persistent in BMI-matched subjects with diabetes (IL-18 = 403.48 ± 226.32 vs 329.30 ± 146.30 pg/mL, respectively for T2D and LADA, P = 0.391). The correlations in T2D group concerning HDL cholesterol (r = −0.377, P = 0.001), postprandial glucose (r = 0.244, P = 0.043), IL-6 (r = 0.398, P < 0.001) and hs-CRP (r = 0.427, P = 0.001) were not confirmed in LADA and control subjects.

Conclusion

The IL-18 serum level was higher in T2D and LADA than that in control subjects, but did not differ between both diabetic groups, even when they were BMI matched. Correlations with lipid, glycemic and inflammatory parameters were present in T2D only.
Enhancement of mammary tumour growth by IGFBP-3 involves impaired T cell accumulation
Authors: Scully Tiffany , Scott Carolyn D , Firth Sue M , Sedger Lisa M , Pintar John E , Twigg Stephen M , Baxter Robert C
Published: December 2017

Epidemiological studies show an association between obesity and poor breast cancer prognosis. We previously demonstrated that global IGFBP-3 deficiency, in IGFBP-3-null mice, resulted in a 50% reduction in mammary tumour growth over 3 weeks relative to tumours in wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice. This growth reduction was ameliorated by high fat feeding-induced obesity. This study aimed to examine how IGFBP-3 promotes tumour growth by influencing the immune tumour microenvironment in healthy and obese mice. Syngeneic EO771 cells, which lack detectable IGFBP-3 expression, were grown as orthotopic tumours in WT and IGFBP-3-null C57BL/6 mice placed on either a control chow or a high-fat diet (HFD), and examined by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. In WT mice, increased stromal expression of IGFBP-3 was positively associated with tumour growth, supporting the hypothesis that IGFBP-3 in the microenvironment promotes tumour progression. Examining markers of immune cell subsets, gene expression ofIfng,Cd8a,Cd8b1andTnfand CD8 measured by immunohistochemistry were elevated in tumours of IGFBP-3-null mice compared to WT, indicating an accumulation of CD8+ T cells, but this increase was absent if the IGFBP-3-null mice had been exposed to HFD. Expression of these genes was negatively associated with tumour growth. Although similar among groups overall,Nkg2dandTnfsf10tumoural expression was associated with decreased tumour growth. Overall, the results of this study provide an immune-based mechanism by which host IGFBP-3 may promote breast tumour growth in the EO771 murine breast cancer model, and suggest that targeting IGFBP-3 might make a novel contribution to immune therapy for breast cancer.
Pediatric Disorders of Orthostatic Intolerance
Authors: Stewart Julian M. , Boris Jeffrey R. , Chelimsky Gisela , Fischer Phillip R. , Fortunato John E. , Grubb Blair P. , Heyer Geoffrey L. , Jarjour Imad T. , Medow Marvin S. , Numan Mohammed T. , Pianosi Paolo T. , Singer Wolfgang , Tarbell Sally , Chelimsky Thomas C. ,   The Pediatric Writing Group of the American Autonomic Society
Published: December 2017

Orthostatic intolerance (OI), having difficulty tolerating an upright posture because of symptoms or signs that abate when returned to supine, is common in pediatrics. For example, ∼40% of people faint during their lives, half of whom faint during adolescence, and the peak age for first faint is 15 years. Because of this, we describe the most common forms of OI in pediatrics and distinguish between chronic and acute OI. These common forms of OI include initial orthostatic hypotension (which is a frequently seen benign condition in youngsters), true orthostatic hypotension (both neurogenic and nonneurogenic), vasovagal syncope, and postural tachycardia syndrome. We also describe the influences of chronic bed rest and rapid weight loss as aggravating factors and causes of OI. Presenting signs and symptoms are discussed as well as patient evaluation and testing modalities. Putative causes of OI, such as gravitational and exercise deconditioning, immune-mediated disease, mast cell activation, and central hypovolemia, are described as well as frequent comorbidities, such as joint hypermobility, anxiety, and gastrointestinal issues. The medical management of OI is considered, which includes both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches. Finally, we discuss the prognosis and long-term implications of OI and indicate future directions for research and patient management.
An adaptive signal control using connected-vehicle data
Authors: Xu Linghui , Lu Jia , Zhan Fengping , He Shanglu , Zhang Jian
Published: December 2017

Traffic signal control at signalised intersections in urban cities has significant impacts on traffic performance. Connected-vehicle data, which is wirelessly transmitted by individual vehicles to roadside units, produces a clearer picture of traffic. Using this source of new data, an adaptive signal-control algorithm was developed with the aim of reducing traffic delays at intersections. A certain type of traffic-state information (elapsed time, vehicle stops or queue length) was first integrated for each traffic phase to reveal current traffic conditions. Phase sequence and duration were then adjusted, with the maximum and minimum restrictions of green time. The proposed algorithm was tested in an intersection simulated in the Vissim software package and the algorithm based on elapsed time was found to perform best. A comparison of the elapsed-time-based control scheme and the optimal fixed control scheme indicated that the former scheme outperformed the latter, with lower average vehicle delays in each traffic demand case even under low connected-vehicle penetration rates and with less variance in average delay for each traffic movement in most scenarios. In summary, the proposed signal-control algorithm could improve the operation of isolated intersections efficiently and serve all traffic movements in a more impartial way.