bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Local Bone Loads for the Volume of Interest
Authors: Kim Jung Jin , Kim Youkyung , Jang In Gwun
Published: April 2016

Computational bone remodeling simulations have recently received significant attention with the aid of state-of-the-art high-resolution imaging modalities. They have been performed using localized finite element (FE) models rather than full FE models due to the excessive computational costs of full FE models. However, these localized bone remodeling simulations remain to be investigated in more depth. In particular, applying simplified loading conditions (e.g., uniform and unidirectional loads) to localized FE models have a severe limitation in a reliable subject-specific assessment. In order to effectively determine the physiological local bone loads for the volume of interest (VOI), this paper proposes a novel method of estimating the local loads when the global musculoskeletal loads are given. The proposed method is verified for the three VOI in a proximal femur in terms of force equilibrium, displacement field, and strain energy density (SED) distribution. The effect of the global load deviation on the local load estimation is also investigated by perturbing a hip joint contact force (HCF) in the femoral head. Deviation in force magnitude exhibits the greatest absolute changes in a SED distribution due to its own greatest deviation, whereas angular deviation perpendicular to a HCF provides the greatest relative change. With further in vivo force measurements and high-resolution clinical imaging modalities, the proposed method will contribute to the development of reliable patient-specific localized FE models, which can provide enhanced computational efficiency for iterative computing processes such as bone remodeling simulations.
Comparison of Steady and Unsteady Flows in a Transonic Radial Vaned Diffuser
Authors: Benichou E. , Trébinjac I.
Published: April 2016

Boundary layer suction can be effective in delaying compressor surge, if the surge is triggered by flow separation on the shroud- or hub-casing. This work aims at positioning a suction slot in a radial vaned diffuser, which is thought to be the limiting component in a centrifugal compressor, such as the one considered here. The location of the slot is determined based on the results of both steady and unsteady flow simulations of a transonic centrifugal compressor of a turboshaft. Although the overall performance of the compressor is well-described by steady RANS, large discrepancies are observed between the steady and unsteady simulations of the diffuser flow, discrepancies imply different flow-separation scenarios. Steady results show more low-momentum fluid near the hub, whereas it is concentrated near the shroud in the unsteady simulations, hence no valid physical conclusions can be expected from the steady simulations. Analysis of the instantaneous skin-friction distribution from the unsteady simulations reveals that the separation is fixed and leads to a slot location on the shroud casing, near the diffuser main-vane suction side, so that it covers the range of separation saddle positions as the operating point is changed.
Linear Stability Analysis and Dynamic Response of Shimmy Dampers for Main Landing Gears
Authors: Arreaza Carlos , Behdinan Kamran , Zu Jean W.
Published: April 2016

This paper presents the analysis and study of common shimmy dampers used today for main landing gears with the use of analytical and numerical tools. The shimmy phenomenon is studied by using the tire stretched string theory model and by developing linear approximations of the dynamics of a single tire landing gear. The dynamics of commonly used shimmy dampers are then incorporated into the model. The objectives of this paper are to study already developed shimmy damper designs and to develop tools to design a new innovative and better shimmy damper for main landing gears, those which have nonsteerable wheels. Two shimmy damper designs are studied in this paper, one developed by Boeing and another by UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS). A linear approximation of the dynamics of these dampers is obtained, omitting the freeplay, saturation, and nonlinear dynamics. Stability plots are then created by changing the system's parameters, such as the velocity, caster length, and the shimmy damper stiffness and damping coefficients. These plots show the comparison of using a UTC two-arm design against the Boeing damper, for which the former spans larger zones of stability but requires higher damping coefficients due to the UTC damper's geometry which is very impractical. In addition, a multibody model is developed in MSC adams (from MSC Software Corporation) to study the dynamic response of these systems and to create a modeling tool that can be used to design a new and improved shimmy damper for main landing gears. The simulation results from the model show the disadvantages of using the UTC two-arm damper, which include an asymmetrical vibration response. Further recommendations are given to design an improved shimmy damper.
An Efficient and General Finite Element Model for Double-Sided Incremental Forming
Authors: Moser Newell , Pritchet David , Ren Huaqing , Ehmann Kornel F. , Cao Jian
Published: April 2016

Double-sided incremental forming (DSIF) is a subcategory of general incremental sheet forming (ISF), and uses tools above and below a sheet of metal to squeeze and bend the material into freeform geometries. Due to the relatively slow nature of the DSIF process and the necessity to capture through-thickness mechanics, typical finite element simulations require weeks or even months to finish. In this study, an explicit finite element simulation framework was developed in LS-DYNA using fully integrated shell elements in an effort to lower the typical simulation time while still capturing the mechanics of DSIF. The tool speed, mesh size, element type, and amount of mass scaling were each varied in order to achieve a fast simulation with minimal sacrifice regarding accuracy. Using 8 CPUs, the finalized DSIF model simulated a funnel toolpath in just one day. Experimental strains, forces, and overall geometry were used to verify the simulation. While the simulation forces tended to be high, the trends were still well captured by the simulation model. The thickness and in-plane strains were found to be in good agreement with the experiments.
Lower extremity compartment syndrome in the setting of iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis, phlegmasia cerulea dolens and factor VII deficiency
Authors: Abdul Wahid , Hickey Ben , Wilson Chris
Published: April 2016

Acute compartment syndrome requires urgent fasciotomies to prevent irreversible muscle damage. We present a case of massive iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presenting as acute compartment syndrome. A healthy 21-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of worsening left leg pain with swelling and bluish discolouration. Clinical diagnosis of compartment syndrome secondary to phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) was made and he underwent emergency fasciotomies. Postoperative venous duplex confirmed a massive iliofemoral DVT and intravenous heparin was started. Following skin grafting, the patient made a good recovery. Massive iliofemoral DVT is an uncommon cause of compartment syndrome and has been reported in lower limbs, secondary to PCD. Failure to treat early carries a high degree of morbidity, with amputation rates up to 50% and mortality rates between 25% and 40%. It is important to recognise compartment syndrome as an acute presentation of PCD. Urgent fasciotomies can prevent limb amputation and mortality.
Divergent evolution ofcis-acting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor elements that differentially control the tandemly duplicated fatty acid-binding protein genes,fabp1b.1andfabp1b.2, in zebrafish
Authors: Laprairie Robert B. , Denovan-Wright Eileen M. , Wright Jonathan M.
Published: April 2016

Gene duplication is thought to facilitate increasing complexity in the evolution of life. The fate of most duplicated genes is nonfunctionalization: functional decay resulting from the accumulation of mutations. According to the duplication–degeneration–complementation (DDC) model, duplicated genes are retained by subfunctionalization, where the functions of the ancestral gene are sub-divided between duplicate genes, or by neofunctionalization, where one of the duplicates acquires a new function. Here, we report the differential regulation of the zebrafish tandemly duplicated fatty acid-binding protein genes, fabp1b.1 and fabp1b.2, by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR). fabp1b.1 mRNA levels were induced in tissue explants of liver, but not intestine, by PPAR agonists. fabp1b.1 promoter activity was induced to a greater extent by rosiglitazone (PPARγ-selective agonist) compared to WY 14,643 (PPARα-selective agonist) in HEK293A cells. Mutation of a peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE) at –1232 bp in the fabp1b.1 promoter reduced PPAR-dependent activation. fabp1b.2 promoter activity was not affected by PPAR agonists. Differential regulation of the duplicated fabp1b promoters may be the result of PPRE loss in fabp1b.2 during a meiotic crossing-over event. Retention of PPAR inducibility in fabp1b.1 and not fabp1b.2 suggests unique regulation and function of the fabp1b duplicates.
Crocin-Elicited Autophagy Rescues Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Paradoxical Mechanisms
Authors: Zeng Chao , Li Hu , Fan Zhiwen , Zhong Lei , Guo Zhen , Guo Yaping , Xi Yusheng
Published: April 2016

Crocin, the main effective component of saffron, exerts protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury during strokes. However, the effects of crocin in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and the mechanisms involved, remain unknown. Pretreated with crocin for 7 days, C57BL/6N mice were subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 12[Formula: see text]h of reperfusion (for cardiac function and infarct size, cell apoptosis and necrosis). Neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes were subjected to 2 h of hypoxia followed by 4 h of reoxygenation. NMCM’s survival was assessed during hypoxia and reoxygenation in the presence or absence of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine or the inducer rapamycin. Western blotting was used to evaluate AMPK, Akt, and autophagy-related proteins. Autophagosome was observed using electron microscopy. In the in vivo experiment, crocin pretreatment significantly attenuated infarct size, myocardial apoptosis and necrosis, and improved left ventricular function following ischemia/reperfusion. In vitro data revealed that autophagy was induced during hypoxia, the levels of which were intensely elevated during reoxygenation. Crocin significantly promoted autophagy during ischemia, accompanied with the activation of AMPK. In contrast, crocin overtly inhibited autophagy during reperfusion, accompanied with Akt activation. Induction and inhibition of autophagy mitigated crocin induced protection against NMCMs injury during hypoxia and reoxygenation, respectively. Our data suggest that crocin demonstrated a myocardial protective effect via AMPK/mTOR and Akt/mTOR regulated autophagy against ischemia and reperfusion injury, respectively.
Rheum palmatum L. Attenuates High Fat Diet-Induced Hepatosteatosis by Activating AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
Authors: Yang Mingxing , Li Xiumin , Zeng Xin , Ou Zhimin , Xue Mei , Gao Dehong , Liu Suhuan , Li Xuejun , Yang Shuyu
Published: April 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver. Rheum palmatumL. (RP) decoctions have been reported to ameliorate NAFLD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of RP in fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. Low and high doses of aqueous RP extraction were orally administered to HFD-fed rats for six weeks. Body weight, tissue weight, glucose tolerance, insulin tolerance, hepatic morphology, and liver triglyceride (TG) content were assessed. The effects of RP on the expressions of lipogenic and lipolysis genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) was determined by Western blotting. Treatment with low-dose RP significantly reduced liver weight, liver TG content, and improved glucose tolerance in HFD-fed rats. Consistently, RP attenuated excess fat accumulation and downregulated the expression of lipogenic genes in the liver. Further, an increased phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC was observed. These findings suggest that low-dose RP alleviates hepatosteatosis, at least in part, by stimulating AMPK activity.
Astragalus saponinsInhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Mouse Macrophages
Authors: Wang Yue , Ren Tianjing , Zheng Lucong , Chen Hubiao , Ko Joshua Kashun , Auyeung Kathy Kawai
Published: April 2016

Excessive nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced during the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancer. It has been demonstrated that anti-inflammation contributes Astragalus membranaceus saponins (AST)’s beneficial effects in combination of conventional anticancer drugs. However, the immunomodulating property of AST has not been well characterized. In this study, we found that AST suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced generation of NO without causing cytotoxicity in the mouse macrophage RAW264.7. The gene and protein overexpression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) as well as the production of tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text], evoked by LPS, was consistently down-regulated by AST. AST also inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and suppressed nuclear factor (NF)-[Formula: see text]B activation and the associated I[Formula: see text]B[Formula: see text] degradation during LPS insult. Furthermore, AST induced growth inhibition in promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells and T-lymphocyte leukemic Jurkat cells, but exerted no cytotoxic effects in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). It is known that the chemotherapeutic drug 5-FU can suppress the immune system, which can be identified by a reduced white blood cell count and decreased hematocrit, while the combination of AST and 5-FU can reverse the above hematologic toxicities. To summarize, non-cytotoxic concentrations of AST suppress LPS-induced inflammatory responses via the modulation of p38 MAPK signaling and the inhibition of NO and cytokine release. Importantly, AST can alleviate the hematologic side effects of current chemotherapeutic agents. These findings can facilitate the establishment of AST in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and inflammation-mediated tumor development.
An integrated inertial microfluidic vortex sorter for tunable sorting and purification of cells
Authors: Wang Xiao , Yang Xiaodi , Papautsky Ian
Published: April 2016

Sorting of target cells from complex cellular samples into a high-purity product is challenging yet essential for downstream cell biology research and clinical diagnostics. Inertial microfluidics is an emerging technology attracting a lot of interest for passive and label-free sorting of cells with high throughput. Here, we introduce an inertial microfluidic device based on our vortex sorting platform for continuous size-based double sorting and purification of the larger target cells from the smaller background cells. Our device uses a microscale chamber with three outlets as a sorting unit, and integrates it into a specific topology to enable double sorting and purification functionalities. With properly designed fluidic resistance network and optimized flow conditions, we demonstrated continuous sorting of spiked human cancer stem-like cells from human blood with >90% efficiency and >1,500× enhanced purity, as well as removal of red blood cells with ~99.97% efficiency. We envision this integrated vortex-aided sorter can serve as a viable tool for size-based sorting of large target cells from complex cellular samples. Furthermore, this vortex-aided sorting platform can be integrated into more sophisticated topology with versatile functions for other cell sorting applications.
Point Line Cover
Authors: Kratsch Stefan , Philip Geevarghese , Ray Saurabh
Published: April 2016

The input to the NP-hard
point line cover
problem (PLC) consists of a set
P
of
n
points on the plane and a positive integer
k
; the question is whether there exists a set of at most
k
lines that pass through all points in
P
. By straightforward reduction rules, one can efficiently reduce any input to one with at most
k
2
points. We show that this easy reduction is already essentially tight under standard assumptions. More precisely, unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses to its third level, for any ϵ > 0, there is no polynomial-time algorithm that reduces every instance (
P
,
k
) of PLC to an equivalent instance with
O
(
k
2
−ϵ) points. This answers, in the negative, an open problem posed by Lokshtanov [2009]. Our proof uses the notion of a kernel from parameterized complexity, and the machinery for deriving lower bounds on the
size
of kernels developed by Dell and van Melkebeek [2010, 2014]. It has two main ingredients: We first show, by reduction from
vertex cover
, that—unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses—PLC has no kernel of
total size
O
(
k
2
−ϵ) bits. This does not directly imply the claimed lower bound on the
number of points
, since the best-known polynomial-time encoding of a PLC instance with
n
points requires ω(
n
2
) bits. To get around this hurdle, we build on work of Alon [1986] and devise an
oracle communication protocol
of cost
O
(
n
log
n
) for PLC. This protocol, together with the lower bound on the total size (which also holds for such protocols), yields the stated lower bound on the number of points.

While a number of essentially tight polynomial lower bounds on total sizes of kernels are known, our result is—to the best of our knowledge—the first to show a nontrivial lower bound for structural/secondary parameters. It is also the first example of a lower bound for kernelization that makes use of the full power of the oracle communication protocol lower bounds that can be obtained from the work of Dell and van Melkebeek. We combine the main abstract ideas of our proof to derive a general recipe that could be used to obtain such lower bounds for other problems with unknown or insufficiently strong encodings.
On the Expected Complexity of Voronoi Diagrams on Terrains
Authors: Driemel Anne , Har-Peled Sariel , Raichel Benjamin
Published: April 2016

We investigate the combinatorial complexity of geodesic Voronoi diagrams on polyhedral terrains using a probabilistic analysis. Aronov et al. [2008] prove that, if one makes certain realistic input assumptions on the terrain, this complexity is Θ(
n
+
m
√
n
) in the worst case, where
n
denotes the number of triangles that define the terrain and
m
denotes the number of Voronoi sites. We prove that, under a relaxed set of assumptions, the Voronoi diagram has expected complexity
O
(
n
+
m
), given that the sites are sampled uniformly at random from the domain of the terrain (or the surface of the terrain). Furthermore, we present a construction of a terrain that implies a lower bound of Ω(
nm
2/3
) on the expected worst-case complexity if these assumptions on the terrain are dropped. As an additional result, we show that the expected fatness of a cell in a random planar Voronoi diagram is bounded by a constant.
A Crowd-Powered System for Fashion Similarity Search
Authors: Semertzidis Theodoros , Novak Jasminko , Lazaridis Michalis , Melenhorst Mark , Micheel Isabel , Michalopoulos Dimitrios , Böckle Martin , Strintzis Michael G. , Daras Petros
Published: April 2016

Driven by the needs of customers and industry, online fashion search and analytics are recently gaining much attention. As fashion is mostly expressed by visual content, the analysis of fashion images in online social networks is a rich source of possible insights on evolving trends and customer preferences. Although a plethora of visual content is available, the modeling of clothes’ physics and movement, the implicit semantics in fashion designs, and the subjectivity of their interpretation pose difficulties to fully automated solutions for fashion search and analysis. In this article, we present the design and evaluation of a crowd-powered system for fashion similarity search from Twitter, supporting trend analysis for fashion professionals. The system enables fashion similarity search based on specific human-based similarity criteria. This is achieved by implementing a novel machine--crowd workflow that supports complex tasks requiring highly subjective judgments where multiple true solutions may coexist. We discuss how this leads to a novel class of crowd-powered systems for which the output of the crowd is not used to verify the automatic analysis but is the desired outcome. Finally, we show how this kind of crowd involvement enables a novel kind of similarity search and represents a crucial factor for the acceptance of system results by the end user.
Approximating Semi-matchings in Streaming and in Two-Party Communication
Authors: Konrad Christian , Rosén Adi
Published: April 2016

We study the streaming complexity and communication complexity of approximating unweighted semi-matchings. A semi-matching in a bipartite graph
G
= (
A
,
B
,
E
) with
n
= |
A
| is a subset of edges
S
⊆
E
that matches all
A
vertices to
B
vertices with the goal usually being to do this as fairly as possible. While the term
semi-matching
was coined in 2003 by Harvey et al. [2003], the problem had already previously been studied in the scheduling literature under different names.

We present a deterministic one-pass streaming algorithm that for any 0 ⩽ ϵ ⩽ 1 uses space Õ(
n
1+ϵ
and computes an O(
n
(1−ϵ)/2
)-approximation to the semi-matching problem. Furthermore, with O(log
n
) passes it is possible to compute an O(log
n
)-approximation with space Õ(
n
).

In the one-way two-party communication setting, we show that for every ϵ > 0, deterministic communication protocols for computing an O(
n

1/(1+ϵ)
c
+1)

-approximation require a message of size more than
cn
bits. We present two deterministic protocols communicating
n
and 2
n
edges that compute an O√
n
and an O(n
1/3
)-approximation, respectively.

Finally, we improve on the results of Harvey et al. [2003] and prove new links between semi-matchings and matchings. While it was known that an optimal semi-matching contains a maximum matching, we show that there is a hierarchical decomposition of an optimal semi-matching into maximum matchings. A similar result holds for semi-matchings that do not admit length-two degree-minimizing paths.
Characteristics and Health Benefits of Phytochemicals
Authors: Leitzmann Claus
Published: April 2016

In food science the term ‘phytochemicals' includes a variety of plant ingredients with different structures that are capable of health-promoting effects. Phytonutrients are natural substances but are not called nutrients in the traditional sense, since they are synthesized by plants neither in energy metabolism nor in anabolic or catabolic metabolism, but only in specific cell types. They differ from primary plant compounds in that they are not essential to the plant. Phytonutrients perform important tasks in the secondary metabolism of plants as repellents to pests and sunlight as well as growth regulators. They occur only in low concentrations and usually have a pharmacological effect. Since antiquity, these effects have been used in naturopathy in the form of medicinal herbs, spices, teas, and foods. With the development of highly sensitive analytical methods, a variety of these substances could be identified. These phytochemicals may have health benefits or adverse health effects, depending on the dosage. In the past, these effects were studied in cell and tissue cultures as well as in animal models. Meanwhile there are numerous epidemiological data that point to the extensive health potential of phytochemicals in humans. A high dietary intake of phytochemicals with vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and whole grain is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular and other diseases.
Galla chinensis Compounds Remineralize Enamel Caries Lesions in a Rat Model
Authors: Zhang Tie-Ting , Guo Hui-Jing , Liu Xue-Jun , Chu Jin-Pu , Zhou Xue-Dong
Published: April 2016

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Galla chinensis chemical compounds on enamel caries remineralization in rats. Methods: A total of 40 rats were inoculated with Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 and fed a cariogenic diet (Keyes 2000). The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated topically twice a day with each of the following extracts (or control) for 5 weeks: distilled and deionized water (DDW, negative control); 1,000 ppm NaF (positive control); 4,000 ppm G. chinensis crude aqueous extract (GCE), or 4,000 ppm gallic acid (GA). After the experimental period, Keyes' caries diagnosis and scoring technique was applied as a preliminary evaluation on the molar teeth. For more accurate remineralization data, the residual enamel volume of the first molar and the mineral density (MD) of the enamel were further analyzed by micro-CT. Results: The severity of molar enamel caries decreased in the following order of treatment groups: DDW > GA > GCE > NaF (p < 0.05). In addition, the residual first molar enamel volume and MD values increased in the order of DDW, GA, GCE and NaF treatment groups (p < 0.05). In most molars, remineralization layers were observed on the surface of lesions. Conclusion:G. chinensis compounds remineralize enamel caries lesions in a rat model.
Evidenzbasierte Leitlinien, Anspruch und Wirklichkeit
Authors: Gutsch Johannes , Reif Marcus , Müller-Hübenthal Boris , Matthiessen Peter F.
Published: April 2016

Mit der Konzeption der «Evidenzbasierten Medizin» und den «Evidenzbasierten Leitlinien» soll mithilfe von Formalisierungsprozeduren die ärztliche Irrtumsanfälligkeit kalkulierbar gemacht werden. Quantifizierte objektive Aussagen über die therapeutische Wirksamkeit einer Behandlung sollen die individuelle ärztliche Beurteilung der therapeutischen Wirksamkeit überflüssig machen. Damit kommt der Befolgung von formalen Regeln die entscheidende Rolle bei der Beantwortung der Frage nach dem Wahrheitsgehalt und dem Wirklichkeitsbezug zu. Im Rahmen evidenzbasierter Leitlinien werden vorrangig die Ergebnisse randomisierter kontrollierter Studien (RCT) oder Meta-Analysen solcher Studien herangezogen. Am Beispiel der S3-Leitlinie «Malignes Melanom» wird hier eine evidenzbasierte Urteilsbildung zur Wirksamkeit einer unkonventionellen Therapie - hier mit einem Mistelpräparat - analytisch nachvollzogen. Die für die Beurteilung dieser unkonventionellen Therapie herangezogene randomisierte Studie wird genauer methodisch analysiert. Obwohl sie keine statistisch basierte Aussage zulässt, wurde eine Leitlinienempfehlung auf Basis dieser Studie abgeleitet. Es wird gezeigt, dass 1) allein die Existenz einer einzigen RCT mit hoher Evidenz gleichgesetzt wird, 2) die Ergebnisse trotz beträchtlicher Fehlinterpretationen in eine S3-Leitlinie einfließen und 3) Meinungen anstelle kritischer wissenschaftlicher Analysen verarbeitet werden. Unsere Untersuchung zeigt, dass noch so ausgefeilte epistemologische und methodologische Formalien den Arzt nicht von der Pflicht entbinden, auf Basis seiner ärztlichen Erfahrung und professionellen Kompetenz den Realitätswert der ihm zur Verfügung stehenden Information zu beurteilen.
Stroke Mimics in a Stroke Care Pathway Based on MRI Screening
Authors: Quenardelle Véronique , Lauer-Ober Valérie , Zinchenko Ielyzaveta , Bataillard Marc , Rouyer Olivier , Beaujeux Rémy , Pop Raoul , Meyer Nicolas , Delplancq Hervé , Kremer Stéphane , Marescaux Christian , Gény Bernard , Wolff Valérie
Published: April 2016

Background: Since the use of tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke (IS), stroke care pathways have been developed for patients with suspicion of acute stroke. The aim of this prospective observational study was to analyze the stroke mimic (SM) characteristics in patients who were part of our stroke care pathway. Methods: All consecutive patients admitted in the code stroke within a 1-year period were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients with a sudden onset of neurological focal deficit in a time window less than 4H30 as indicated for intravenous thrombolysis, had been accepted in the pathway by a neurologist who was directly contactable by the prehospital emergency medical service 24 h per day. Patients arrived directly on the MRI site without passing by the emergency department. A clinical neurological evaluation and a brain MRI with tri-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography were performed. The FAST score was calculated a posteriori. The final discharge diagnosis was concluded either immediately after both neurological examination and cerebrovascular neuroimaging or after other relevant investigations. We classified the discharge diagnosis into neurovascular diseases (NVDs) and into SM. Results: There were 1,361 consecutive patients admitted for suspicion of acute stroke. Sixty-two percent (n = 840) had an NVD including IS (n = 529), transient ischemic attacks (n = 236), intracranial hemorrhages (n = 68), cerebral venous thrombosis (n = 3) and neurovascular medullar pathologies (n = 4). SM represented 38% of cases (n = 521) and the most frequent discharge diagnosis was defined as headaches (18.6%), psychological disorders (16.7%), peripheral vertigo (11.9%) and epilepsy (10.6%). The comparison between the characteristics of the NVD and those of the SM groups showed some significant differences: in the SM group, women were more represented, patients were younger and the NIHSS was lower than in the NVD group. All cardiovascular risk factors were more represented in the NVD group. Concerning the symptoms, motor deficit, speech disturbances, homonymous lateral hemianopia and head and gaze deviation were more represented in the NVD group, whereas vertigo, non-systematized visual trouble, headache, confusion, weakness, neuropsychological symptoms, seizure and chest pain were significantly more frequent in the SM group. The negative predictive value of the FAST score was 64% and the positive predictive value was 76%. Conclusions: A rate of SM up to 38% of the code stroke system confirms the difficulty to distinguish clinically a stroke from another diagnosis. In this study, using cerebral MRI in first intention was of special interest in patients with acute neurological symptoms to differentiate an NVD from an SM.
Tigres que engendram
Authors: Oliveira Adalberto Luís de
Published: April 2016

O trabalho visa levantar alguns aspectos presentes no texto ''Tigres azules", de Jorge Luís Borges, utilizando como ferramentas a noção de herói problemático, de Georg Lukács; o problema dodesejo, abordado por Marthe Robert em sua investigação sobre a origem do romance; e a questão da ironia, inserida por Northrop Frye nos modos da ficção cômica. Por meio dessas três ferramentas podemos perceber como o escritor argentino elabora e inverte os elementos narrativos, conseguindo escapar com maestria dos clichês literários, dando-lhes, apesar da tradição que carregam (o tigre, o Mal, o salvador e o viajante buscador de si) um novo brilho e direção, maior riqueza e profu ndidade.
''CÓDIGO'': Leitura de um poema de Augusto de Campos
Authors: Brenner Miriam Silvia Shwartz
Published: April 2016

A leitura de "Código", poema visual de Augusto de Campos, reabre a discussão de algumas questões fundamentais relacionadas aos movimentos de vanguarda dos anos 60, sobretudo ligados à Poesia Concreta. E aponta para a vinculação destas vanguardas a um tronco de tradição literária ligado à visualidade, cujas raízes remontam aos primórdios da civilização ocidental.
Reflexos da fábula indiana nos textos de Monteiro Lobato
Authors: Vargas Maria Valíria Aderson de Mello
Published: April 2016

Na expansão das fábulas indianas (aqui representadas pela coleção Pancatantra) para o ocidente, traça-se, a partir da versão árabe Calila e Dimna, o caminho que vai proporcionar material para grande parte das fábulas de La Fontaine e, por meio deste, para algumas de Monteiro Lobato. Examinam-se, então, três fábulas sânscritas do Pancatantra recontadas por Lobato, apontando-se os mecanismos de organização discursiva da fábula clássica -esópica ou indiana que permanecem nas manifestações mais recentes. Infere­ se, sobretudo, que  a intertextualidade se distingue entre os critérios básicos para a caracterização do gênero literário fábula.
A Alma Desiludida
Authors: Mandelbaum Enrique
Published: April 2016

A partir de uma leitura do livro Às Avessas, de J.-K. Huysmans, o autor realiza uma reflexão sobre o significado do conceito de decadência e sua vinculação com o esteticismo e com a desilusão quanto à razão, ao idealismo e à perfectibilidade humana.
De luz e de sombras: uma análise de "O Enfermeiro" , de Machado de Assis
Authors: Redondo Tércio
Published: April 2016

O autor analisa a fina ironia com que o narrador-personagem revela fatos que a sociedade ignora. Um manto de prestígio ou de empatia, por ela outorgado ao cidadão, assegura o ocultamento do gesto mais impiedoso. Desconsideram-se as evidências do mal e o pacto social sobrepõe-se à consciência que ensaiara arrependimento e penitência.
Padrões Míticos, Construções literárias e Modelos Sociais: o Caso dos Cavaleiros Feéricos dos ''Lais'' Medievais
Authors: Moraes Antonio P. V.
Published: April 2016

O presente artigo procura analisar os padrões míticos celtas que embasam cer­ tos "lais" feéricos medievais, levando em conta a dinâmica das interações entre as estru­ turas de significado oriundas desses mitos e os fatores de ordem social que condicionam a literatura cortesã.
Encontro com Gilda de Mello e Souza
Authors: Pacheco Ana Paula , Bischof Betina
Published: April 2016

Os textos que se seguem foram gentilmente cedidos por D. Gilda de Mello e Souza: o conto "Rosa pasmada", originalmente pensado com o título "O anel de vidro" (a sugestão de mudança foi dada por Mário de Andrade), e o comentário crítico de Mário, inédito.
Interpretação e vida: a Erlebnis em Dilthey e as críticas à Einfühlung
Authors: Castelli Chantal
Published: April 2016

Este artigo procura explicitar os conceitos de Er/ebnis e Einfüh/11ng , recor­ rendo ao diálogo entre Wilhelm Dilthey e alguns dos principais autores da história da Hermenêutica.
Uma formação na malandragem: fraternidade, subsistência e marginalidade em Malagueta, Perus e Bacanaço, de João Antônio
Authors: Zeni Bruno
Published: April 2016

O ensaio analisa os contos de  Malagueta, Perus e Bacanaço, de João Antônio, segundo a trajetória de formação de seus protagonistas. Procura compreender a aproximação entre sinuca, marginalidade e literatura como expressão de um projeto de comunhão fraterna entre escritor, leitor e universo ficcional.
Sobre a maternidade, a perda e a seca
Authors: Alves Roberta Hernandes
Published: April 2016

O texto estuda as relações de gênero na obra de Rachel de Queiroz a partir da tríade feminilidade-maternidade-ausência/morte de crianças. Investiga também a relação entre esses tópicos e os estereótipos “escrita de homem/escrita de mulher”.
A modernidade e a mulher em Triste fim de Policarpo Quaresma
Authors: Fattori Danusa Da Matta Duarte
Published: April 2016

Lima Barreto, em Triste Fim de Policarpo Quaresma, estabelece uma importante contraposição de comportamentos femininos, por meio da qual é possível extrair conclusões significativas a respeito do papel da mulher em sua obra.
Entre a linha e a lama
Authors: Toshimitsu Thaís
Published: April 2016

Trata-se de um estudo de O cão sem plumas, poema que marca a inclusão do dado local na poesia de João Cabral de Melo Neto. Marco de uma mudança fundamental na concepção de sua obra poética. Contudo, a mudança não se configurará como uma ruptura em relação aos seus livros anteriores, mas como uma espécie de continuidade. São analisados, para tanto, os procedimentos formais consequentes dessa mudança.
O resto é silêncio: Uma máquina, outro Aleph e "su atareado rumor"
Authors: Leme Patrícia De Oliveira
Published: April 2016

Este ensaio constitui-se como uma modulação entre o olhar e a voz em "El aleph" (1997), conto de Jorge Luis Borges, dois registros a serem sustentados a partir da cisão estrutural da narrativa: quando a via do olhar fracassa, instaura-se um silêncio que nos convoca à sua escuta. Em um momento subsequente, "A máquina do mundo" (2001), de Carlos Drummond de Andrade, será trazida para invocar o registro da voz na narrativa borgeana: nesse poema, o sujeito poético não cede a uma torrente de imagens, mas implica-se no puro acontecimento textual. O trajeto teórico, então, parte da falência da imagem para posteriormente abrir-se àquilo que se funda como enunciação. Trata-se de uma delimitação dos efeitos inaugurados por dois regimes de leitura: não se pretende dar aos textos uma interpretação conclusiva, mas questionar os modos pelos quais eles ativam o lugar do olhar e da voz.
“Repara bem no que não digo”. Reflexões sobre Catatau, de Paulo Leminski
Authors: Santos Kleber
Published: April 2016

Catatau, de Paulo Leminski, é uma esfinge no caminho da literatura brasileira contemporânea. Neste ensaio são observadas algumas das múltiplas estratégias presentes nesse texto radical e inclassificável para desestabilizar formas, conceitos e posições estabelecidas, criar fissuras, indeterminações, que mobilizem uma efetiva atividade criadora do leitor, possibilitando novos modos de subjetivação, novas perspectivas, novos espaços políticos. Mais do que uma obra, um desafio: “Virem-se”.
O autossacrifício da forma: “Berenice”, de Edgar Allan Poe
Authors: Silva William Augusto
Published: April 2016

Este trabalho analisa o conto “Berenice”, de Edgar Allan Poe. Observa-se na trajetória de seu protagonista a realização da dialética na qual o indivíduo, no intento de se autopreservar, termina por realizar seu próprio sacrifício. A análise prossegue relacionando então esse aspecto da história às características presentes na própria forma, atribuindo o predomínio de elementos abstratos e não narrativos ao sacrifício do material literário envolvido na composição do texto, a fim de se obter a unidade de efeito pretendida pelo autor. Esboça-se ao final uma possibilidade de crítica da forma do conto, tal como Poe a concebe.
Ablation Versus Amiodarone for Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Congestive Heart Failure and an Implanted Device
Authors: Di Biase Luigi , Mohanty Prasant , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Santangeli Pasquale , Trivedi Chintan , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya , Reddy Madhu , Jais Pierre , Themistoclakis Sakis , Dello Russo Antonio , Casella Michela , Pelargonio Gemma , Narducci Maria Lucia , Schweikert Robert , Neuzil Petr , Sanchez Javier , Horton Rodney , Beheiry Salwa , Hongo Richard , Hao Steven , Rossillo Antonio , Forleo Giovanni , Tondo Claudio , Burkhardt J. David , Haissaguerre Michel , Natale Andrea
Published: April 2016

Background—

Whether catheter ablation (CA) is superior to amiodarone (AMIO) for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure is unknown.

Methods and Results—

This was an open-label, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter study. Patients with persistent AF, dual-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator, New York Heart Association II to III, and left ventricular ejection fraction <40% within the past 6 months were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to undergo CA for AF (group 1, n=102) or receive AMIO (group 2, n=101). Recurrence of AF was the primary end point. All-cause mortality and unplanned hospitalization were the secondary end points. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 24 months. At the end of follow-up, 71 (70%; 95% confidence interval, 60%–78%) patients in group 1 were recurrence free after an average of 1.4±0.6 procedures in comparison with 34 (34%; 95% confidence interval, 25%–44%) in group 2 (log-rank
P
<0.001). The success rate of CA in the different centers after a single procedure ranged from 29% to 61%. After adjusting for covariates in the multivariable model, AMIO therapy was found to be significantly more likely to fail (hazard ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–4.3;
P
<0.001) than CA. Over the 2-year follow-up, the unplanned hospitalization rate was (32 [31%] in group 1 and 58 [57%] in group 2;
P
<0.001), showing 45% relative risk reduction (relative risk, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.76). A significantly lower mortality was observed in CA (8 [8%] versus AMIO (18 [18%];
P
=0.037).

Conclusions—

This multicenter randomized study shows that CA of AF is superior to AMIO in achieving freedom from AF at long-term follow-up and reducing unplanned hospitalization and mortality in patients with heart failure and persistent AF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00729911.
Five new species of Mansoa DC. (Bignoniaceae) from South America
Authors: Silva-Castro Milene Maria , Queiroz Luciano Paganuccii
Published: April 2016

Mansoa (Bignoniaceae: Bignonieae) is a Neotropical genus of lianas distributed through Wet and Seasonally Dry Forests. The genus is characterized by striated bark, extrafloral nectaries on the abaxial surface of leaflets, trifid tendrils, and garlic odor. During a taxonomic revision of the genus, five new species were discovered in South America, increasing to 16 the number of recognized species in Mansoa. Four of these taxa, Mansoa ivanii, Mansoa longicalyx, Mansoa minensis and Mansoa paganuccii, are restricted to eastern portions of Brazil, while Mansoa gentryi is found in Peruvian rainforests. Mansoa ivanii, M. longicalyx, and M. minensis share pubescent branches and leaflets with Mansoa hirsuta, but differ by the corolla length and calyx morphology. Mansoa paganuccii shares ovate to elliptic leaflets and a lack of garlic odor with Mansoa difficilis and Mansoa angustidens, but differs by the serrate leaflets and mucronate calyx. Mansoa gentryi shares chartaceous and elliptic leaflets with Mansoa alliacea, but differs by the pinnate venation and ribbed capsules.
Estimates of Eddy Heat Flux Crossing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current from Observations in Drake Passage
Authors: Watts D. Randolph , Tracey Karen L. , Donohue Kathleen A. , Chereskin Teresa K.
Published: April 2016

The 4-yr measurements by current- and pressure-recording inverted echo sounders in Drake Passage produced statistically stable eddy heat flux estimates. Horizontal currents in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) turn with depth when a depth-independent geostrophic current crosses the upper baroclinic zone. The dynamically important divergent component of eddy heat flux is calculated. Whereas full eddy heat fluxes differ greatly in magnitude and direction at neighboring locations within the local dynamics array (LDA), the divergent eddy heat fluxes are poleward almost everywhere. Case studies illustrate baroclinic instability events that cause meanders to grow rapidly. In the southern passage, where eddy variability is weak, heat fluxes are weak and not statistically significant. Vertical profiles of heat flux are surface intensified with ~50% above 1000 m and uniformly distributed with depth below. Summing poleward transient eddy heat transport across the LDA of −0.010 ± 0.005 PW with the stationary meander contribution of −0.004 ± 0.001 PW yields −0.013 ± 0.005 PW. A comparison metric, −0.4 PW, represents the total oceanic heat loss to the atmosphere south of 60°S. Summed along the circumpolar ACC path, if the LDA heat flux occurred at six “hot spots” spanning similar or longer path segments, this could account for 20%–70% of the metric, that is, up to −0.28 PW. The balance of ocean poleward heat transport along the remaining ACC path should come from weak eddy heat fluxes plus mean cross-front temperature transports. Alternatively, the metric −0.4 PW, having large uncertainty, may be high.
States as change agents under ESSA
Authors: Weiss Joanne , McGuinn Patrick
Published: April 2016

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), federal education mandates will be decreasing, which means states will have more flexibility and authority than they’ve had in decades. State education agency (SEA) leaders are confronting great change and great opportunity as many agencies move away from a focus on compliance with federal regulations, state statutes, and programmatically dictated uses of funds and toward a broader focus on supporting districts and schools in improving outcomes for all students. As the definition of – and responsibility for – success changes in this new environment, the roles of state agencies deserve reconsideration. The authors explore which roles are essential for SEAs to lead, which roles SEAs might possibly take on, and which roles are unsuitable.
Every teacher should succeed with data literacy
Authors: Mandinach Ellen B. , Gummer Edith S.
Published: April 2016

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015) moves education further along the path toward becoming the evidence-based and data-driven profession that policy makers have continually called for. They have stressed the need for hard evidence to undergird educational decisions rather than relying on anecdotes and intuitions. This means teachers must continue to use data from many diverse sources to inform their classroom and instructional practice. It also requires that more teachers become data literate.
Inclusive STEM high schools increase opportunities for underrepresented students
Authors: Spillane Nancy K. , Lynch Sharon J. , Ford Michael R.
Published: April 2016

The authors report on a study of eight inclusive STEM high schools that are designed to increase the numbers of students in demographic groups underrepresented in STEM. As STEM schools, they have had broader and deeper STEM coursework (taken by all students) than required by their respective states and school districts; they also had outcome indicators that demonstrated substantial academic achievement and other measures of school success. One of the unique features of the schools’ was how their administrative structures were organized and how leadership was distributed among school administration, teachers, and sometimes students. Each school held a clear sense of its mission-driven purpose: to graduate students prepared for STEM college majors, including students from underrepresented groups. These schools blurred boundaries between formal and informal education, reconfiguring relationships among teachers, students, and knowledge.
Examining text complexity in the early grades
Authors: Fitzgerald Jill , Elmore Jeff , Hiebert Elfrieda H. , Koons Heather H. , Bowen Kimberly , Sanford-Moore Eleanor E. , Stenner A. Jackson
Published: April 2016

The Common Core raises the stature of texts to new heights, creating a hubbub. The fuss is especially messy at the early grades, where children are expected to read more complex texts than in the past. But early-grades teachers have been given little actionable guidance about text complexity. The authors recently examined early-grades texts to discover what makes them complex and now report that there is a lot that can help teachers, specifically, young children’s texts are special, a handful of text characteristics can signal text-complexity level, sometimes the interplay of text characteristics modulates text-complexity level, and knowing why a text is complex can facilitate text selection.
You’re OK, I’m OK
Authors: Kelleher Joanne
Published: April 2016

The author looks through Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy lens onto the effects it likely has on school principals’ effectiveness. Self-efficacy should be viewed as a principal’s belief in his or her capabilities to structure a particular course of action in order to produce desired outcomes. Principal self-efficacy has been linked with effective leadership, effective schools, the school restructuring process, and the quality of teaching and learning. Principals’ thoughts and actions influence the school culture, and research indicates that a principal can have a negative effect during a period of change. For these reasons, it is important for principals to have a strong sense of self-efficacy.