bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Veteran Patient Perspectives and Experiences During Implementation of a Patient-Centered Medical Home Model
Authors: Tuepker Anaïs , Newell Summer , Nicolaidis Christina , Reyes Marie-Elena , González-Prats Maria Carolina , Skaperdas Eleni , Kansagara Devan
Published: October 2017

Background:

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) has implemented the largest shift to a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model of care in the United States to date.

Objective:

We interviewed veterans about their experiences of primary care to understand whether they observed changes in care during this period as well as to learn which characteristics of care mattered most to their experiences.

Method:

Qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 veterans receiving primary care at 1 of 8 VA clinics in the northwest United States. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive–deductive hybrid approach by an interdisciplinary team that included a veteran patient.

Result:

Participants noticed recent positive changes, including improved communications and shorter waits in clinic, but rarely were aware of VA’s PCMH initiative; a strong relationship with the primary care provider and feeling cared for/respected by everyone involved in care delivery were key components of quality care. The needs of the veteran community as a whole also shaped discussion of care expectations.

Conclusion:

The PCMH model may provide benefits even when invisible to patients. Veteran awareness of population needs suggests a promising role for veteran involvement in further PCMH transformation efforts.
End of life after stroke: A nationwide study of 42,502 deaths occurring within a year after stroke
Authors: Asplund Kjell , Lundström Staffan , Stegmayr Birgitta
Published: October 2017

Introduction

In the scientific literature, there is very limited empirical information on end-of-life issues after stroke in the scientific literature. The present nationwide study describes the circumstances surrounding deaths that occur within a year after a stroke.

Patients and methods

Datasets from three nationwide Swedish registers (on stroke, palliative care and cause of death) were linked. Basic information was available for 42,502 unselected cases of death that occurred within a year after a stroke and more detailed information was available for 16,408 deaths. Odds ratios for characteristics of end-of-life care were calculated by logistic regression.

Results

In the late phase after stroke (three months to one year), 46% of patients died in a nursing home, whereas 37% of patients died in a hospital after readmission and 10% of patients died at home. Eleven per cent of deaths were reported as being unexpected. A next of kin was present at 49% of deaths. The frequency of unattended deaths (neither next of kin nor staff were present at the time of death) ranged from 5% at home with specialised home care to 25% in hospitals.

Discussion

This is, by far, the largest study published on end-of-life issues after stroke. Major differences between countries in healthcare, community services, family structure and culture may limit direct transfer of the present results to other settings.

Conclusion

There is considerable discordance between presumed ‘good death’ late after stroke (dying at home surrounded by family members) and the actual circumstances at the end of life.
Architectural design creativity in Multi-User Virtual Environment: A comparative analysis between remote collaboration media
Authors: Hong Seung Wan , El Antably Ahmed , Kalay Yehuda E
Published: October 2017

Previous studies have argued that a Multi-User Virtual Environment has the potential to foster creative collaboration, but empirical studies that examine this claim are rare. With a focus on architectural design, this study has investigated the affordance of Multi-User Virtual Environment for the production of novel and appropriate solutions in remote collaborative environments. Forty-four participants produced design solutions using Multi-User Virtual Environment and online sketching in remote collaboration. Four expert-judges assessed the novelty and appropriateness of the collaborative results, following the Consensual Assessment Technique. The results analyzed by paired samples T-test indicated that in remote collaboration, Multi-User Virtual Environment’s scores for both novelty and appropriateness were partially higher than those of online sketching. In remote collaboration, the immersion by avatars and co-presence with others in Multi-User Virtual Environment were perhaps more effective due to explicit communication cues used to share spatial information and collaborative procedure, compared to the two-dimensional, static representation of online sketching.
Occupational exposure to disinfectants and asthma control in US nurses
Authors: Dumas Orianne , Wiley Aleta S. , Quinot Catherine , Varraso Raphaëlle , Zock Jan-Paul , Henneberger Paul K. , Speizer Frank E. , Le Moual Nicole , Camargo Carlos A.
Published: October 2017

Disinfectant use has been associated with adverse respiratory effects among healthcare workers. However, the specific harmful agents have not been elucidated. We examined the association between occupational exposure to disinfectants and asthma control in the Nurses' Health Study II, a large cohort of female nurses.

Nurses with asthma were invited in 2014 to complete two questionnaires on their current occupation and asthma (response rate 80%). Asthma control was defined by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Exposure to major disinfectants was evaluated by a job–task–exposure matrix (JTEM).

Analyses included 4102 nurses with asthma (mean age 58 years). Asthma control was poor (ACT score 16–19) in 12% of nurses and very poor (ACT score ≤15) in 6% of nurses. Use of disinfectants to clean medical instruments (19% exposed) was associated with poorly (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.05–1.79) and very poorly (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.38–2.56) controlled asthma (ptrend=0.004, after adjustment for potential confounders). Using JTEM estimates, exposure to formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, hypochlorite bleach, hydrogen peroxide and enzymatic cleaners was associated with poor asthma control (all ptrend<0.05); exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds and alcohol was not.

Use of several disinfectants was associated with poor asthma control. Our findings suggest targets for future efforts to prevent worsening of asthma control in healthcare workers.
Inter-test reproducibility of the lung clearance index measured by multiple breath washout
Authors: Oude Engberink Esther , Ratjen Felix , Davis Stephanie D. , Retsch-Bogart George , Amin Reshma , Stanojevic Sanja
Published: October 2017

The lung clearance index (LCI) has strong intra-test repeatability; however, the inter-test reproducibility of the LCI is poorly defined.

The aim of the present study was to define a physiologically meaningful change in LCI in preschool children, which discriminates changes associated with disease progression from biological variability.

Repeated LCI measurements from a longitudinal cohort study of children with cystic fibrosis and age-matched controls were collected to define the inter-visit reproducibility of the LCI. Absolute change, the coefficient of variation, Bland–Altman limits of agreement, the coefficient of repeatability, intra-class correlation coefficient, and percentage changes were calculated.

LCI measurements (n=505) from 71 healthy and 77 cystic fibrosis participants (aged 2.6–6 years) were analysed. LCI variability was proportional to its magnitude, such that reproducibility defined by absolute changes is biased. A physiologically relevant change for quarterly LCI measurements in health was defined as exceeding ±15%. In clinically stable cystic fibrosis participants, the threshold was higher (±25%); however, for measurements made 24 h apart, the threshold was similar to that observed in health (±17%).

A percentage change in LCI greater than ±15% in preschool children can be considered physiologically relevant and greater than the biological variability of the test.
Blood pressure response to CPAP treatment in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea: the predictive value of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Authors: Castro-Grattoni Anabel L. , Torres Gerard , Martínez-Alonso Montserrat , Barbé Ferran , Turino Cecilia , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Alicia , Cortijo Anunciacion , Duran-Cantolla Joaquin , Egea Carlos , Cao Gonzalo , Sánchez-de-la-Torre Manuel
Published: October 2017

The reduction in blood pressure (BP) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is modest and highly variable. In this study, we identified the variables that predict BP response to CPAP.

24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, adiponectin and 24-h urinary catecholamine were measured before and after 6 months of CPAP in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients.

Overall, 88 middle-aged, obese male patients with severe OSA (median apnoea–hypopnoea index 42 events·h−1) were included; 28.4% had hypertension. 62 patients finished the study, and 60 were analysed. The daytime diastolic BP (−2 mmHg) and norepinephrine (−109.5 nmol·day-1) were reduced after CPAP, but no changes in the 24-h BP, night-time BP, dopamine, epinephrine, CRP, leptin or adiponectin were detected. The nocturnal normotension was associated with an increased night-time-BP (+4 mmHg) after CPAP, whereas nocturnal hypertension was associated with a reduction of 24-h BP (−3 mmHg). A multivariate linear regression model showed differential night-time BP changes after CPAP. Specifically, low night-time heart rate (<68 bpm) and BP dipper profile were associated with increased night-time BP and new diagnosis of nocturnal hypertension.

Our results suggest that nocturnal hypertension, circadian BP pattern and night-time heart rate could be clinical predictors of BP response to CPAP and support the usefulness of 24-h ABPM for OSA patients before treatment initiation. These results need to be confirmed in further studies.
Low toxicity and favorable clinical and quality of life impact after non-myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Ruiz Milton Artur , Kaiser Roberto Luiz , de Quadros Luiz Gustavo , Piron-Ruiz Lilian , Peña-Arciniegas Tatiana , Faria Mikaell Alexandre Gouvea , Siqueira Rubens Camargo , Pirozzi Flavio Fontes , Kaiser Fernanda Soubhia Liedtke , Burt Richard K.
Published: October 2017

Objective

The incidence of adverse events in myeloablative transplant protocols is high in refractory Crohn’s disease; this study used low doses of cyclophosphamide. Fourteen patients were submitted to non-myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Results

The average number of days of anemia (hemoglobin < 10 g/dL) was 5.4 ± 4.2 and 14 ± 2.4 in the mobilization and conditioning phases, respectively. The mean number of days of neutropenia (neutrophils < 0.5 × 109/L) in the mobilization phase was 1.7 ± 1.5 while it was 7.6 ± 1.4 in the conditioning phase. When comparing the conditioning and mobilization phases, there was an increased number days of leukopenia (white blood cells < 1.0 × 109/L), lymphocytopenia (lymphocytes < 0.5 × 109/L) and thrombocytopenia (platelets < 25 × 109/L). Crohn’s Disease Activity Index values before the transplant ranged from 155 to 450.5 (mean 281.2 ± 79.0) and at 30 days after the procedures they ranged from 45.4 to 177 (mean 95.8 ± 35.4). Moreover, the procedure improved in overall quality of life of patients. Non-myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with lower doses of cyclophosphamide leads to lower rates of hematological toxicity and adverse events compared to protocols described in the literature.

Trial registrationNCT 03000296: Date 9 December 2016
February 13, 2008, or the Baleful Enchantments of an Apology
Authors: Buchanan Ian
Published: October 2017

This essay argues that the 2006 Ray Lawrence film Jindabyne can be read as a national allegory (in Fredric Jameson's sense of the word) for the cultural politics of the national apology to the indigenous people of Australia made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. It argues that the film portrays the cultural politics of that apology as both fraught and ambivalent.
Still Fighting “the Beast”:Guerrilla Televisionand the Limits of YouTube
Authors: Merrin William
Published: October 2017

This critical reflection on the work of the Raindance Corporation and Michael Shamberg and their manifesto, Guerrilla Television (1971), considers their video activism as a precursor to both YouTube and contemporary “participatory culture” and offers an important critique of these later forms. The essay traces the history of the Raindance Corporation and then considers Shamberg's media-ecological critique of broadcasting and defense of democratized video making, his later attempts at mainstream production, and his contemporary views on the rise of YouTube. It argues for the continuing relevance of Shamberg's ecological critique, suggesting that his concern for ecological diversity and grassroots control serve as an important warning against the uncritical valorization of sites such as YouTube. Guerrilla Television serves as a reminder that it is called YouTube, not YourTube.
Remember the Nineties? Turbo-Folk as the Vanishing Mediator of Nationalism
Authors: Cvoro Uros
Published: October 2017

This essay discusses the music style of turbo-folk as the vanishing mediator between two kinds of nationalism in Serbia: anti-Yugoslav nationalism and pan-Balkan regionalist nationalism. Using Slavoj Žižek's account of the concept of the vanishing mediator, I suggest that the nationalism of turbo-folk created the ground for its benevolent successor of “apolitical” pop. Far from being merely a phase in the longer trajectory of the evolution of music, turbo-folk is the condition that made possible the apolitical transnational contemporary pop folk. The nationalism of turbo-folk was a necessary mediator, and its very nationalist “excess” established the “normal” popular music today. As the “new” Serbia attempts to purge the nationalist and criminal elements of the nineties, turbo-folk “vanishes” and is positioned into the nationalist pathology of Serbia in the nineties. I argue that this shift is nowhere more apparent than in the most recognizable and popular performer of turbo-folk, Svetlana Ražnatović Ceca, whose musical popularity has been rivaled only by her political notoriety. Yet Ceca's popularity has grown throughout the region, presenting an exemplary case study of turbo-folk's representation of nationalism.
Dlx5-FGF10 signaling cascade controls cranial neural crest and myoblast interaction during oropharyngeal patterning and development
Authors: Sugii Hideki , Grimaldi Alexandre , Li Jingyuan , Parada Carolina , Vu-Ho Thach , Feng Jifan , Jing Junjun , Yuan Yuan , Guo Yuxing , Maeda Hidefumi , Chai Yang
Published: October 2017

Craniofacial development depends on cell-cell interactions, coordinated cellular movement and differentiation under the control of regulatory gene networks, which include the distal-less (Dlx) gene family. However, the functional significance of Dlx5 in patterning the oropharyngeal region has remained unknown. Here we show that loss of Dlx5 leads to a shortened soft palate and an absence of the levator veli palatini, palatopharyngeus, and palatoglossus muscles that are derived from the 4th pharyngeal arch (PA), but the tensor veli palatini, derived from the 1st PA, is unaffected. Dlx5-positive cranial neural crest (CNC) cells are in direct contact with myoblasts derived from the pharyngeal mesoderm, and Dlx5 disruption leads to altered proliferation and apoptosis of CNC and muscle progenitor cells. Moreover, the FGF10 pathway is downregulated in Dlx5-/- mice, and activation of FGF10 signaling rescues CNC cell proliferation and myogenic differentiation in these mutant mice. Collectively, our results indicate that Dlx5 plays critical roles in patterning of the oropharyngeal region and development of muscles derived from the 4th PA mesoderm in the soft palate, likely via interactions between CNC-derived and myogenic progenitor cells.
Mechanical and signaling roles for keratin intermediate filaments in the assembly and morphogenesis of mesendoderm tissue at gastrulation
Authors: Sonavane Pooja R. , Wang Chong , Dzamba Bette , Weber Gregory F. , Periasamy Ammasi , DeSimone Douglas W.
Published: October 2017

Coordination of individual cell behaviors is a critical step in the assembly and morphogenesis of tissues. Xenopus mesendoderm cells migrate collectively along a fibronectin (FN) substrate at gastrulation but how the adhesive and mechanical forces required for these movements are generated and transmitted is unclear. Traction force microscopy (TFM) was used to establish that traction stresses are limited primarily to leading edge cells in mesendoderm explants and that these forces are balanced by intercellular stresses in follower rows. This is further reflected in the morphology of these cells, with broad lamellipodial protrusions, mature focal adhesions and a gradient of activated Rac1 evident at the leading edge; while small protrusions, rapid turnover of immature focal adhesions, and lack of a Rac1 activity gradient characterize cells in following rows. Depletion of keratin (8) with antisense morpholinos results in high traction stresses in follower row cells, misdirected protrusions, and the formation of actin stress fibers anchored in streak-like focal adhesions. We propose that maintenance of mechanical integrity in the mesendoderm by keratin intermediate filaments is required to balance stresses within the tissue to regulate collective cell movements.
Chronic psychosocial stress disturbs long-bone growth in adolescent mice
Authors: Foertsch S. , Haffner-Luntzer M. , Kroner J. , Gross F. , Kaiser K. , Erber M. , Reber S. O. , Ignatius A.
Published: October 2017

Although a strong association between psychiatric and somatic disorders is generally accepted, little is known regarding the interrelation between mental and skeletal health. While depressive disorders were shown to be strongly associated with osteoporosis and increased fracture risk, evidence from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients is less consistent. Therefore, the present study investigated the influence of chronic psychosocial stress on bone using a well-established murine model for PTSD. 7-week-old C57BL/6N mice were subjected to chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC) for 19 days, whereas control mice were singly housed. Anxiety-related behavior was assessed in the open field/novel object test, before the mice were euthanized to assess endocrine and bone parameters.

CSC mice exhibited an increased anxiety-related behavior in the open field/novel object test, increased adrenal and decreased thymus weights and unaffected plasma morning corticosterone. Micro-computed tomography and histomorphometrical analyses revealed significantly reduced tibia and femur lengths, increased growth plate thickness and reduced mineral deposition at the growth plate, suggesting disturbed endochondral ossification during long-bone growth. This was associated with reduced Runx2-expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes in the growth plate. Trabecular thicknesses and bone mineral density were significantly increased in CSC compared to singly housed mice. Tyrosine hydroxylase expression was increased in bone-marrow cells located at the growth plates of CSC mice, implying that local adrenergic signaling might be involved in the effects of CSC on the skeletal phenotype. Concluding, chronic psychosocial stress negatively impacts endochondral ossification in the growth plate, affecting both longitudinal and appositional bone growth in adolescent mice.
Early neonatal loss of inhibitory synaptic input to the spinal motor neurons confers spina bifida-like leg dysfunction in a chicken model
Authors: Khan Md. Sakirul Islam , Nabeka Hiroaki , Islam Farzana , Shimokawa Tetsuya , Saito Shouichiro , Li Xuan , Kawabe Soichiro , Hamada Fumihiko , Tachibana Tetsuya , Matsuda Seiji
Published: October 2017

Spina bifida aperta (SBA), one of the most common congenital malformations, causes lifelong neurological complications particularly in terms of motor dysfunction. Fetuses with SBA exhibit voluntary leg movements in utero and during early neonatal life but these disappear within the first few weeks after birth. However, the pathophysiological sequence underlying such motor dysfunction remains unclear. Additionally, because important insights have yet to be obtained from human cases, an appropriate animal model is essential. Here, we investigated the neuropathological mechanisms of progression of SBA-like motor dysfunctions in a neural tube surgery-induced chicken model of SBA at different pathogenesis points ranging from embryonic to post-hatch ages. We found that chicks with SBA-like features lose voluntary leg movements and subsequently exhibit lower-limb paralysis within the first 2 weeks after hatching, coinciding with the synaptic change-induced disruption of spinal motor networks at the site of the SBA lesion in the lumbosacral region. Such synaptic changes reduced the ratio of inhibitory-to-excitatory inputs to motor neurons and were associated with a drastic loss of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic inputs and upregulation of the cholinergic activities of motor neurons. Furthermore, most of the neurons in ventral horns which appear to be suffering by excitotoxicity during the early postnatal days, underwent apoptosis. However, the triggers of cellular abnormalization and neurodegenerative signaling were evident in the middle to late gestational stages, probably attributable to the amniotic fluid-induced in ovo milieu. In conclusion, we found that early neonatal loss of neurons in the ventral horn of exposed spinal cord affords novel insights into the pathophysiology of SBA-like leg dysfunction.
Kinematics of chisel-tooth digging by African mole-rats
Authors: Van Wassenbergh Sam , Heindryckx Stef , Adriaens Dominique
Published: October 2017

Mole-rats are known to use their protruding, chisel-like incisors to dig underground networks of tunnels, but it remains unknown how these incisors are used to break and displace the soil. Theoretically, different excavation strategies can be used. Mole-rats could either use their head depressor muscles to power scooping motions of the upper incisors (by nose-down head rotations) or the lower incisors (by nose-up head rotations), or their jaw adductors to grab and break the soil after penetrating both sets of incisors into the ground, or a combination of these mechanisms. To identify how chisel-tooth digging works, a kinematic analysis of this behaviour was performed based on high-speed videos of 19 individuals from the African mole-rat species Fukomys micklemi placed inside transparent tubes in a laboratory setting. Our analysis showed that the soil is penetrated by both the upper and lower incisors at a relatively high gape angle, generally with the head rotated nose-up. Initially, the upper incisors remain approximately stationary to function as an anchor to allow an upward movement of the lower incisors to grab the soil. Next, a quick, nose-down rotation of the head further detaches the soil and drops the soil below the head. Consequently, both jaw adduction and head depression are jointly used to power tooth-digging in F. micklemi. The same mechanism, but with longer digging cycles, and soil being thrown down at smaller gape sizes, was used when digging in harder soil.
Critical thermal limits affected differently by developmental and adult thermal fluctuations
Authors: Salachan Paul Vinu , Sørensen Jesper Givskov
Published: October 2017

Means and variances of the environmental thermal regime play an important role in determining the fitness of terrestrial ectotherms. Adaptive phenotypic responses induced by heterogeneous temperatures have been shown to be mediated by molecular pathways independent of the classic heat shock responses, however, an in-depth understanding of plasticity induced by fluctuating temperatures is still lacking. We investigated high and low temperature acclimation induced by fluctuating thermal regimes at two different mean temperatures, at two different amplitudes of fluctuation and across the developmental and adult life stages. For developmental acclimation, we found mildly detrimental effects of high amplitude fluctuations for critical thermal minima, while the critical thermal maxima showed a beneficial response to higher amplitude fluctuations. For adult acclimation involving shifts between fluctuating and constant regimes, cold tolerance was shown to be dictated by developmental temperature conditions irrespective of the adult treatments, while the acquired heat tolerance was readily lost when flies developed at fluctuating temperature were shifted to a constant regime as adults. Interestingly, we also found that effect of fluctuations at any life stage was gradually lost with prolonged adult maintenance suggesting a more prominent effect of fluctuations during developmental compared to adult acclimation in Drosophila melanogaster.
Cold block of in vitro eyeblink reflexes: evidence supporting the use of hypothermia as an anesthetic in pond turtles
Authors: Keifer Joyce , Zheng Zhaoqing
Published: October 2017

Use of hypothermia as a means of anesthesia for amphibians and reptiles is prohibited by agencies that establish veterinary guidelines. This has recently been called into question by members of the scientific community based on reviews of published literature. Using pond turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans), hypothermia as a method for anesthesia to precede euthanasia by decapitation was assessed. Turtles were subjected to hypothermia using a cooling followed by freezing protocol. Body temperature measurements ranged between −1 to −2°C while core body temperature was −1°C. Ice crystal formation was never observed. A protective reflex to noxious stimuli, the eyeblink response, was recorded from in vitro brainstem preparations subjected to cold. At 5–6°C, reflex responses were suppressed, demonstrating minimal synaptic transmission in brain circuits above temperatures used for hypothermia induction. These and previous data indicate that a re-evaluation of the use of hypothermia as an anesthetic in amphibians and reptiles is warranted.
The peer review process for awarding funds to international science research consortia: a qualitative developmental evaluation
Authors: Gregorius Stefanie , Dean Laura , Cole Donald C , Bates Imelda
Published: October 2017

Background: Evaluating applications for multi-national, multi-disciplinary, dual-purpose research consortia is highly complex. There has been little research on the peer review process for evaluating grant applications and almost none on how applications for multi-national consortia are reviewed. Overseas development investments are increasingly being channelled into international science consortia to generate high-quality research while simultaneously strengthening multi-disciplinary research capacity. We need a better understanding of how such decisions are made and their effectiveness.

Methods: An award-making institution planned to fund 10 UK-Africa research consortia. Over two annual rounds, 34 out of 78 eligible applications were shortlisted and reviewed by at least five external reviewers before final selections were made by a face-to-face panel. We used an innovative approach involving structured, overt observations of award-making panel meetings and semi-structured interviews with panel members to explore how assessment criteria concerning research quality and capacity strengthening were applied during the peer review process. Data were coded and analysed using pre-designed matrices which incorporated categories relating to the assessment criteria.

Results: In general the process was rigorous and well-managed. However, lack of clarity about differential weighting of criteria and variations in the panel’s understanding of research capacity strengthening resulted in some inconsistencies in use of the assessment criteria. Using the same panel for both rounds had advantages, in that during the second round consensus was achieved more quickly and the panel had increased focus on development aspects.

Conclusion: Grant assessment panels for such complex research applications need to have topic- and context-specific expertise. They must also understand research capacity issues and have a flexible but equitable and transparent approach. This study has developed and tested an approach for evaluating the operation of such panels and has generated lessons that can promote coherence and transparency among grant-makers and ultimately make the award-making process more effective.
«The Third Person» of the Russian Nation: the Socio-Philosophical View
Authors: Халтурин А. , Khalturin A.
Published: October 2017

This article discusses the most famous philosophical and legal approaches to the understanding of the nation — "the nation as a state" and "nation, as a culture" in various social and philosophical options. Strategic adjustment of the state national policy is based on the idea of formation of the Russian nation, based on the civic consciousness and spiritual community. The author examines the Russian nation in a new methodological perspective — as the multinational people of the nation. In this case, the new methodological story becomes a new methodological dialectical synthesis, removing the contradiction between two opposing concepts. The core of the multinational people stands ethnocultural interaction with the subjects of the social system.
Schrödinger's Cat: Where Does The Entanglement Come From?
Authors: Ionicioiu Radu
Published: October 2017

Schrödinger's cat is one of the most striking paradoxes of quantum mechanics that reveals the counterintuitive aspects of the microscopic world. Here, I discuss the paradox in the framework of quantum information. Using a quantum networks formalism, I analyse the information flow between the atom and the cat. This reveals that the atom and the cat are connected only through a classical information channel: the detector clicks → the poison is released → the cat is killed. No amount of local operations and classical communication can entangle the atom and the cat, which are initially in a separable state. This casts a new light on the paradox.Quanta 2017; 6: 57–60.
Data Mining Corrections Testing in Chinese Stocks
Authors: Guerard John B. , Gillam Robert A. , Markowitz Harry , Xu Ganlin , Deng Shijie , Wang Ziwei (Elaine)
Published: October 2017

In this analysis of the risk and return of stocks in global and Chinese markets, we build a reasonably large number of models for stock selection and create optimized portfolios to outperform a global benchmark. We apply robust regression techniques in producing stock-selection models and Markowitz-based optimization techniques in portfolio construction in a global stock universe and two Chinese stock universes. We report the results of applying a data mining corrections test to the global and Chinese stock universes. We find that (1) robust regression applications are appropriate for modeling stock returns in global and Chinese stock markets; (2) mean-variance techniques continue to produce portfolios capable of generating returns that exceed transactions costs; and (3) our global portfolio selection models pass data mining tests, such that the models produce statistically significant asset selection for global and MSCI-China universes, but not for China A-shares.
Energy Consumption and Production Pattern in Direct Drilling Wheat in Punjab
Authors: Singh Avtar , Kaur Jagmohan
Published: October 2017

The study was conducted on input energy consumption for wheat production in irrigated condition at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The results revealed that the highest input energy requirement of 15682.9 MJha-1was recorded for conventional tillage (CT) compared 13189.4, 12467.6 and 12467.6 MJha-1 for rotavator (RT), happy seeder (HS) and zero tillage (ZT), respectively. Nitrogen (N) application showed a positive relationship with input energy consumption and highest of 18297.0 MJha-1 was recorded with 150 kg Nha-1 compared 15164.5, 13651.3, 6694.7 MJha-1 for 0, 100 and 125 kg Nha-1, respectively. The main source of input energy use was fertilizer and irrigation. The higher share of direct and non-renewable input energy consumption was recorded in CT and indirect and renewable input energy consumption was higher in HS, ZT and RT. Direct & renewable and indirect & non-renewable input energy showed a negative and positive relationship with N rates. CT wheat with 150 kg Nha-1 produced the highest total output energy. The results showed that the highest 10.48, 0.38 kgMJ-1 and 3.96 MJkg-1 of output: input ratio, energy productivity and energy specific under ZT, ZT and CT, respectively. However, the maximum NPK energy equivalent in biomass was recorded in CT. Input: output ratio, energy productivity and NPK energy equivalent showed negative relationship and energy specific showed a positive relation with N rates. CT showed the higher net gain of energy compared to direct drilling methods as ZT, HS and RT.
Effects of NaCl on Germination and Seedling Growth in Macrotyloma uniflorum and Vigna mungo
Authors: PANTOLA SUMAN , BARGALI KIRAN , BARGALI S.S. , VIBHUTI VIBHUTI
Published: October 2017

Among abiotic stresses, drought and salinity are two major determinants due to high magnitude of their impact and wide occurrence. Salinity considerably limits the productivity of crops and thus, considered as the most destructive abiotic factor. In the present study, response of Macrotyloma uniflorum and Vigna mungo to salt (NaCl) stress imposed at germination and seedling growth stages was investigated. The aim of the study was identify the physiological and morphological responses of selected leguminous crop. Seeds were obtained from the healthy plants, surface sterilized and placed under six salt stress levels (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 dsm-1). Complete randomized design with three replicates was used for this experiment and the experiments were conducted during the year 2015 in the glasshouse of Department of Botany, DSB, Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital. In comparison to Macrotyloma uniflorum (77%), higher germination percentage was observed in Vigna mungo (99%) at all salinity levels. In both the species, germination percentage and seedling growth decreased with the increase in salinity stress. Though Vigna mungo showed higher values for root (0.17 g) and shoot dry mass (0.27 g) the dry weight percentage reduction was higher in this species as compared to Macrotyloma uniflorum. Decrease in biomass of seedling with increasing salt stress indicated that the stress not only affected germination but also the growth of seedlings, which indicates that the synthetic ability of seed and biomass of the seedlings was also affected. Seed vigor index declined with the increase in salt concentrations. Outcomes from the study could be helpful in understanding the plant’s nature against different levels of salt stress and that could be economically exploited by various able agencies. At each salinity level, M. uniflorum showed higher salt tolerance index as compared to V. mungo so it can be cultivated in fields with salty soil.
Study of Trait Alliance with Grainyield, Its Attributes of Different Land Races of Maize (Zea MaysL.)
Authors: Gami R. A. , Patatel J.M , Chaudhary G. K. , Chaudhary S. M.
Published: October 2017

The research was carried out to study the correlation and path coefficient analysis of 51 different land races of maize for yield and component traits. Analysis of correlation between different characters suggested that the value of genotypic correlation were somewhat higher as compared to their corresponding phenotypic correlations signified the inherent relationship among the characters. Grain yield kg per ha. showed significant positive association with days to 50% pollenshed, days to 50% silking, days to 75% dry husk, number of cobs per plot, cob weight per plot and shalling perportion at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path co-efficient analysis revealed that the maximum positive direct effects of cob weight per plot, shelling perportion, ear height and number of cobs per plot towards grain yield. This finding suggested that more emphasis should be given to number of cobs per plot, cob weight per plot and shalling perportion in selection programmes aiming to improve grain yield in maize.
Performance Evaluation of Solar Tunnel Dryer for Drying of Garlic.
Authors: Arjoo Arjoo , Yadvika Yadvika , Yadaadav Y.K.
Published: October 2017

This paper presents dying efficiency and performance of the solar tunnel dryer for drying of garlic. The dryer is a tunnel like semi-cylindrical in shape, poly house made up of UV-stabilized polyethylene sheet. The capacity is large enough that it can be used to dry 400 kg of garlic under controlled environmental conditions. The temperature inside the dryer was always higher than the ambient and the variation varied from 8-30 ºC. Initial moisture content of garlic was reduced from 66 % (w.b.) to about 9 % (w.b.) in 9 days which is considered to be a safe level. During the drying process the average thermal efficiency of the drier was estimated to be about 13.45 %. Drying time was considerably reduced with the use of a solar tunnel drier and pressing of the sample. Also, the final dried garlic was found to be good in terms of quality and sensory evaluation shows that it is highly acceptable.
Constraints Perceived by Vegetable Growers for the use of Farm Mechanization
Authors: Rajasree R. , Timbadia Dr. C. K. , Sharma Dr. F. L.
Published: October 2017

Emergence and application of farm mechanization helped in achieving the optimum crop production and reducing the human drudgery to an extent. Often farm mechanization is mistakenly perceived as tractor mechanization. Even though farm mechanization helps farmers in various ways it is not adopted on a full scale. Hence the study was conducted to find the constraints perceived by the farmers especially in vegetable cultivation. The study has been conducted in twelve villages of Vansda taluk of Navsari district of Gujarat which was purposively selected. Sixty respondents were randomly selected from the vegetable cluster units working in the area. A pre- structured questionnaire schedule was prepared for collecting data with regard to the constraints perceived by the farmers. Frequency for each constraint was given in descending order and based on that ranking order was given. From the investigation, it concludes that majority of the respondents were middle aged, had primary level of education and agriculture and livestock as their chief occupation. Majority of the respondents were marginal farmers and had an experience of above 25 years in agriculture and allied activities. Among the constraints, application of machines in heavy soil was troublesome ranked first ranked since Gujarat is a state having black soil, farmers found very difficult to operate the farm machines. Lack of credit facility, high variable cost and lack of technical support ranked third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
Bio-Efficacy Evaluation of Ethephon 39% Sl on Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicuml.) Fruits
Authors: THAPA U. , KUMAR B. ASHOK , GURUNG D. , MONDAL R.
Published: October 2017

The present experiment was undertaken to study the effect of ethephon 39%SL on post-harvest quality of Tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicon L.). The mature green tomato fruits were subjected to aqueous solution of ethephon 39%SL @ 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 and 3500 ppm to record the data on colour development of fruit. Colour of fruits was observed to be improved with ethephon applications and maximized yellow colour development was noticed from 5th day of ripening period. The weight loss higher with concentration of ethephon and ripening interval. Upto 7th day of treatment fruit not showed any symptoms of rotting. But fruit firmness gradually reduced with advancement of storage in the treatments and at 3500ppm ethephon 39%SL treatment. The quality of fruit especially lycopene and TSS content increased with advancement of ripening period. Treatment with ethephon 39%SL @ 2500 ppm resulted in adequate ripening of fruits with uniform red colour, acceptable quality and better than all treatments of ethephon.
Comparison for Yield Potential of Chickpea in Front Line Demonstrations and Farmer’s Practices in the Amritsar District of Punjab
Authors: Singh Jagmohan , Hundaldal Raminder Kaur , Dhillon B.S
Published: October 2017

Chickpea (gram) is one of the most important legumes largely utilized in India and plays a vital role in improving the soil fertility with addition of nitrogen through biological nitrogen fixation. In Punjab, Gram accounts for only 0.02 per cent of area and 0.03 per cent of production of the country. However, the average yield in Amritsar district is 12.61 qha-1, which is substantially lower. There is great scope for increasing the productivity of chickpea, especially in Amritsar region. Keeping in view this fact, seventy one front line demonstrations were planned by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Amritsar on the improved cultural practices of gram for 5 consecutive years from 2009-10 to 2013-14. The present investigation was carried out across 38 villages in Amritsar (Punjab). Prevailing farmer’s practices were considered as control for comparison with recommended cultural practices for gram. An about of Rs. 16503 was received as net profit under improved practices as compared to Rs. 11645 in farmer’s practice. B: C ratio was 1.27 to 2.02 in demonstrations and in control was 1.11 to 1.77. The conducting the front line demonstrations with improved technologies, yield and net profit from gram crop can be improved to a considerable extent of the farming community.
Superdiversity in the post-industrial city: a comparative analysis of backlash narratives in six European neighbourhoods
Authors: Jensen Ole
Published: October 2017

Departing from the narrow geographical focus often characterising urban research under the superdiversity umbrella, this article situates the study of superdiversity within the broader context of unequal power relations and resource allocation in the postindustrial city. Focusing on backlash narratives in six neighbourhoods in three European cities, the article demonstrates how forms and dynamics of diversity are affected by the broader urban context in ways that differ both between and within cities. More systematic use of a multiscalar view would therefore be highly beneficial to future research on superdiversity.
Processes and practices for building strong collaborative research partnerships: lessons learned from the Locally-Driven Collaborative Projects programme
Authors: Mador Rebecca , Zarinpoush Fataneh , Gibson-Wood Hilary , Dattadeen Jodi-Ann
Published: October 2017

There is a growing interest in collaborative approaches to research that actively engage both researchers and knowledge users in the creation of evidence. Collaborative research teams can produce relevant and timely knowledge for policy and practice, but must pay special attention to how they develop their partnerships in order to work together as effectively as possible. In this paper, we describe three group processes that collaborative research teams must address: fostering communication among partners; defining a shared vision, roles, and responsibilities; and building trust and respect. We also outline strategies in each of these areas that collaborative research teams can adopt to strengthen how they work together.
Incidental Detection of Maternal Neoplasia in Noninvasive Prenatal Testing
Authors: Dharajiya Nilesh G , Grosu Daniel S , Farkas Daniel H , McCullough Ron M , Almasri Eyad , Sun Youting , Kim Sung K , Jensen Taylor J , Saldivar Juan-Sebastian , Topol Eric J , van den Boom Dirk , Ehrich Mathias
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) uses cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as an analyte to detect copy-number alterations in the fetal genome. Because maternal and fetal cfDNA contributions are comingled, changes in the maternal genome can manifest as abnormal NIPT results. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) present in cases of maternal neoplasia has the potential to distort the NIPT readout to a degree that prevents interpretation, resulting in a nonreportable test result for fetal aneuploidy.

METHODS

NIPT cases that showed a distortion from normal euploid genomic representation were communicated to the caregiving physician as nonreportable for fetal aneuploidy. Follow-up information was subsequently collected for these cases. More than 450000 pregnant patients who submitted samples for clinical laboratory testing >3 years are summarized. Additionally, in-depth analysis was performed for >79000 research-consented samples.

RESULTS

In total, 55 nonreportable NIPT cases with altered genomic profiles were cataloged. Of these, 43 had additional information available to enable follow-up. A maternal neoplasm was confirmed in 40 of these cases: 18 malignant, 20 benign uterine fibroids, and 2 with radiological confirmation but without pathological classification.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population of pregnant women who submitted a blood sample for cfDNA testing, an abnormal genomic profile not consistent with fetal abnormalities was detected in about 10 out of 100000 cases. A subset of these observations (18 of 43; 41.9%) was attributed to maternal malignant neoplasms. These observational results suggest the need for a controlled trial to evaluate the potential of using cfDNA as an early biomarker of cancer.
Punk and the city: A history of punk in Bandung
Authors: Prasetyo Frans Ari
Published: October 2017

Punk in Indonesia has often been described as a spectacular performance of disorder and resistance, a youthful style that posed a disruptive challenge to the authoritarian hierarchy and discipline of the New Order regime. The punk scene in Bandung has developed in the context of what
is often referred to as ‘post-authoritarian’ Indonesia. Punk gives another historical narrative of the development of urban communities, and, while remaining a minority, is highly visible among urban Indonesian youth lifestyles. This article describes the history of punk’s
growth and development in Bandung, traced through its relationship to space and place, and through the variety of artefacts it produces such as zines, cassettes and posters. This production and consumption is informed by punk’s traditional DIY ethos, and forms the basis for transnational
cultural and political relationships.
A.C.A.B.: Studying up the rule of law in Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Jauhola Marjaana , Bolong Yudi
Published: October 2017

This article examines the case of the arrest of several punks in Banda Aceh in November 2013, known as the ‘Rex incident’, and the criminal proceedings that followed it. It is a textual continuation of an urban ethnography conducted in the city of Banda Aceh, Indonesia,
between 2012 and 2016, conducted in the aftermath of major punk and metal concert arrests and re-education in December 2011 that led to high-profile international punk solidarity campaigns and media attention. The article draws attention to more mundane experiences of structural and physical
violence and the obstacles, resourcefulness and ways of coping after the height of the global punk solidarity campaign of 2012 had passed. Drawing attention to silences in global solidarity efforts and the local media when the ‘Shari’a morality vs the right to be punk’ issue
is not in focus, the article challenges such binaries, arguing that they hinder understanding of the everyday experience of punk, and overlook the wider misuse of state power, violations of rule of law, and the violent political economy in the post-conflict context of Aceh. Thus, it is argued
that the punks in Aceh are constantly studying the hierarchies and relations of power through their embodied and gendered existence in the city. Attention to their everyday experience draws attention to their active negotiation of space and agency within such hierarchies.