bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Boeva Bistra Nikolova , Zhivkova Stela Georgieva , Stoychev Ivan Stoyanov
Published: October 2017

: Sustainable development issues are considerably popular subjects within the international research community. On the other hand the importance of the issues related to global supply chains has also increased significantly. This paper will also mention a change in one of the main economic paradigms: from international exchange between countries and individual companies there is a transition to exchange between the participants along the global supply chains. The interest in global supply chains and their management is provoked by the fact that they are a major source of competitive advantage on global markets. Nowadays, global supply chains are an integral part of the activities of a number of companies operating abroad. Every business operation finds its place in one or more supply chains. Within the contemporary context of scarce resources and the widely spread sustainable development idea, the companies compete on a global economic scale where the main business unit is the world as a whole, not an individual country or region. All these trends and global developments provoked our scientific interest and with the project â€śCorporate governance and the global supply chainsâ€ť we tried to find out how the global supply chains are actually influenced by the issues of sustainable development. Within the course of the project we have reviewed and analyzed quite a lot of scientific literature, we studied the publicly available information of the big international corporations related to their social corporate responsibility and sustainable development issues. In addition, we have made empirical research among local suppliers of big international companies as well as a number of international NGOs dealing with sustainable development and social policy issues. Some of the findings from our project are presented in the current paper.
EVALUATION OF MANAGERIAL COMPETENCES THROUGH SELF-REFLECTION
Authors: Ĺ˝ivÄŤicovĂˇ Eva , GullerovĂˇ Monika
Published: October 2017

This qualitative research paper examines managerial competences through self-reflection. The main purpose of the evaluation is to identify strategic goals for developing and educating managers. Managerial competences are perceived as intellectual potential, through which the functions and roles of managers are performed. In the paper, managerial competences are evaluated through the self-reflection of middle managers. Due to the recommended extent of the paper, self-reflection results were presented as a case study using a SWOT analysis. The results were incorporated into the development strategy of managers. The study represents an atypical example of defensive development strategy of managers, i.e. the strategy of strong managers in adverse working environment. The main purpose of the study is to highlight the possibilities of applying SWOT analysis for self-reflection of managers and subsequent incorporation of results into development and education programs.
EXPLORING ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN THE PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs) IN SOUTH AFRICA (SA)
Authors: Zondo Robert Walter Dumisani
Published: October 2017

The role of educators in education is indispensable. Hence, students continuously search for a business education that can equip them with the necessary entrepreneurial knowledge and skills to succeed in running businesses. Consequently, this study evaluates the perception of Academic Managers in the private Higher Education Institutions (HEI) of South Africa (SA) on the significance of entrepreneurship education. It explores the reasons for offering such an education in the private HEIs in SA. There were 78 private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in SA that were identified for participation in this study. These institutions are registered in terms section 54 (1) (c) of the South African Act (SAQA, 2012). For the study to achieve its objectives, the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) provided a sample frame of all the private HEIs in SA. From the 78 HEIs identified, 22 offered the pastoral courses and were excluded from the study. As a result, a target population of 56 HEIs participated in the study. This research has two objectives. That is, examining the perception of Academic Managers on entrepreneurship education, and the reasons for offering such education in the private HEIs in SA. This study uncovers the need for entrepreneurship education in private HEIs of SA. The results present the value of entrepreneurship education as a practice that develops students into cross functional innovative thinkers. It provides valuable data relating to the significance of entrepreneurship education for developing students into business minded individuals.
ON MORAL IDEAL BETWEEN PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION IN THE GLOBALIZING CONTEXT
Authors: Blaj Eronim Celestin
Published: October 2017

Nowadays, humanity is continuously challenged by globalization at all levels: technological, economic, political, ecological, and social-cultural. The axiological crisis we face makes us find and develop viable values â€“ by priority, ethical values - for the present time. More than ever, man needs to look for and to reconstruct his moral ideal by discovering new points of reference concerning the choices to be done. This paper focuses on the necessity of an ethical perspective open to principles rich in philosophy and religion. The purpose is to highlight the question of the moral ideal of human life in a globalizing context by accounting the offer of these two major cultural domains.
USING VERNACULAR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN A GRADUATE PROGRAM OF ARCHITECTURE
Authors: Ă‡ahantimur Arzu Ispalar , Ă–ztĂĽrk Rengin Beceren
Published: October 2017

Raising the environmental awareness of architectural students becomes increasingly important given todayâ€™s global environmental challenges. As a prominent player in urban development, an architect needs to be concerned with the alternative ways for achieving environmental sustainability. Subsequently, environmental issues constitute an important part of the curriculum in architectural education. The scope of this study covers an elective course in an architectural graduate program of Turkey with the main aim of making fresh architects aware of their vital role in environmental objectives. In this course, the students are asked to visit and examine the vernacular architecture at a rural Turkey settlement. In this assignment, the students use a series of architectural as well as social science research methods. They present their findings visually and offer their proposals as a conclusion. Their proposals involve ways, not only, to achieve sustainability for this rural settlement but, also, to adapt the traditional design methods and materials examined within the course into contemporary design techniques. Given the acquisitions of the graduate students, this paper concludes with a recommendation for improving architectural course content by integrating applied learning.
LEGAL ADJUSTMENT OF ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN IN SLOVAK REPUBLIC
Authors: ÄŚonka Peter
Published: October 2017

Illegal employment of children deserves our specific attention because the healthy development of children is one of the most important factors of an advanced society. The aim of this contribution is to provide a preview of a theme, especially in a branch of the Criminal law. The contribution deals with the definition of child labor and analyses the legal adjustment of illegal employment of children included in Criminal Code of the Slovak Republic while also pointing out international sources of this legal adjustment. The Criminal code of the Slovak Republic, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other relevant literature and documents about child labor are the main sources of this survey. We can consider this legal adjustment as suitable, but it is important to focus on its adherence. An important benefit of this particular analogy is a general overview on the theme of illegal child labour by analysis of relevant legal adjustment.
HOW TO MEASURE THE SAFETY CULTURE OF ORGANIZATIONS
Authors: Halaj Martin
Published: October 2017

Every organization has an interest in protecting its assets and increasing its profit. To preserve the integrity, organizations generally ensure their assets are safe. Today, especially in large organizations, asset security is a chief priority in decision-making. A factor affecting the level of an organizationâ€™s security is its safety culture. This factor is measured by the level by which the organization and its employees adopt and comply with security rules and principles. The status of a safety culture can have a positive or negative impact on the organizationâ€™s security, which directly affects its development. The aim of this article is to describe approaches for assessing the safety culture of different organizations. The study results can be used to compare several organizations, and it is possible to identify differences in the level of safety culture after applying innovative changes.
MODIFICATION OF SCORING SCHEMES USING DECOMPOSITION PROCEDURES ON STATISTICAL DATA
Authors: HanĂˇkovĂˇ Monika , Teleki Aba , LacsnĂ˝ Boris
Published: October 2017

This paper presents a method of modifying original scores to obtain independent random variables. It includes an analysis of the consequences of using such a method. The paper also describes the mathematical background of the method in detail and discusses the possible use of the method in identifying student or participant assessments that are over- or underrated. The method distinguishes performances of students and assesses their written solutions using a scoring scheme. In this study, it is used to analyze the competence of participants in the Physics Olympiad competition. Scoring schemes that are appropriately set by an author for a physics problem present the participant scores as independent random variables. The assessment solutions are analyzed using analytical tools (such as covariant matrix) for the dependence of random variables. The evaluators of the participantsâ€™ solutions were highly qualified professionals. Nevertheless, the study found statistical evidence of minor distortion in the evaluations, though this was found to only marginally affected the ranking of participants
Portal hypertension and chylous ascites complicating acute pancreatitis: the therapeutic value of portal vein stenting
Authors: Poo S , Pencavel TD , Jackson J , Jiao LR
Published: October 2017

Chylous ascites as a consequence of acute pancreatitis is very rare. We present an unusual case of a 73-year-old man who developed refractory chylous ascites one month after an acute severe episode of gallstone pancreatitis, associated with portal hypertension. He was successfully treated with portal vein stenting, which has remained patent to date.
Iliac crest apophyseal insufficiency avulsion fractures
Authors: Matar HE , Tripathi S , Miller DJ
Published: October 2017

Iliac crest apophyseal avulsion fractures are rare injuries caused mainly through forceful contraction of attached muscles during high level sporting activities. We present the first case of a spontaneous iliac crest apophyseal avulsion insufficiency fracture in a patient with severe atopic eczema on oral steroids and review the relevant literature.
Splenic artery pseudoaneurysm causing delayed gastrointestinal bleeding after gastrocolonic fistula following sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Ball JF , Sreedharan L , Reddy S , Tan BHL , Sujendran V
Published: October 2017

Delayed gastrointestinal bleeding in the context of a gastric fistula is a very rare complication of longitudinal sleeve gastrectomy. We report the case of a patient who presented with massive gastrointestinal bleeding from a pseudoaneurysm arising from the splenic artery following complications after a longitudinal sleeve gastrectomy several months previously. The case was successfully managed with angiographic embolisation and we present our experience with recommendations for managing this rare but life-threatening complication.
Hip fracture surgery in mixed-use emergency theatres: is the infection risk increased? A retrospective matched cohort study
Authors: Agarwal SK , Khan AA , Solan M , Lemon M
Published: October 2017

Introduction

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommends that people with hip fracture should have surgery on the day of, or the day after, admission. However, there remains unacceptable variation in performance around the country, with a range of 13–91% of patients meeting this target. Dedicated trauma lists have insufficient capacity in many hospitals. We occasionally employ a mixed-use emergency theatre to facilitate early surgery. Increased risk of infection has been raised as a concern owing to microbial surface contamination from a preceding unclean case and lack of laminar flow in these theatres. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is an increased risk of surgical site infections in patients who had hip fracture surgery in a mixed-use emergency theatre.

Methods

Between August 2010 and July 2014, 74 patients had hip fracture surgery in a mixed-use emergency theatre without laminar flow. This group was compared with a control group of patients who had hip fracture surgery in dedicated orthopaedic theatres with laminar flow. Infection was the primary outcome measured.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of infection, length of stay or 30-day mortality, readmission or reoperation rates between the two groups.

Conclusions

Operating on hip fractures in mixed-use theatre did not lead to an increase in infection or other complications in our series. We feel that the risk of infection can be balanced against advantages of timely operation and it may therefore be justified to use these theatres when faced with lack of time on the trauma list. A much larger series would be required to investigate the effects of confounders.
Anorectal melanoma: experience from a tertiary cancer care centre in South India
Authors: Ranjith S , Muralee M , Sajeed A , Arun PM , Cherian K , Nair CK , Augustine P , Ahamed I
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Mucosal malignant melanoma of the anorectum is a rare and aggressive disease, in which early diagnosis is difficult. The prognosis remains extremely poor, irrespective of the treatment. We share our experience in treating this malignancy at our centre in South India.

Methods

This study describes a retrospective analysis of 31 cases of anorectal melanoma presented to our centre between January 2001 and December 2013.

Results

Twenty-two patients (71%) presented with metastasis and had a median overall survival of nine months. None of the 22 patients survived for two years. Nine patients (29%) had curative surgery, in the form of abdominoperineal resection (six patients), abdominoperineal resection with bilateral inguinal node dissection (one patient), abdominoperineal resection with liver resection (one patient) and posterior exenteration (one patient). In patients who underwent curative surgery, the median overall survival was 15 months and disease-free survival was nine months, with a two-year overall survival of 22%.

Conclusions

Anorectal melanoma is an aggressive disease with a poor prognosis. The majority of patients present with distant metastases. Prognosis depends on stage at presentation. Early diagnosis and surgical resection may improve the overall outcome. Newer modalities such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies such as anti-CTLA4 monoclonal antibody and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibodies have radically changed the management of mucosal melanoma and may, in the future, improve the overall prognosis of anorectal melanoma.
Ostomy creation with fewer sutures using tissue adhesives (cyanoacrylates) in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study
Authors: Uchino M , Ikeuchi H , Bando T , Sasaki H , Chohno T , Horio Y , Takesue Y
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Fistula formation around the ostomy site is a stoma-related complication often requiring surgical intervention. This complication may be caused by sutures or may develop as a complication of inflammatory bowel disease. Before conducting a clinical trial, we set out to investigate the safety of ostomy creation with fewer sutures using tissue adhesives in this pilot study.

Methods

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease who required surgery with ostomy creation at the Hyogo College of Medicine between January 2014 and December 2015 were enrolled. Safety was assessed by evaluating the incidence of stoma-related complications. Ostomy was restricted to loop ileostomy and was created with two sutures and tissue adhesives.

Results

A total of 14 patients were enrolled. Mean body mass index was 18.9 ± 2.0 kg/m2. There were no cases of ostomy retraction and no severe adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrates that ostomy creation using tissue adhesives is safe. Although retraction and adverse events were not observed, even in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who generally exhibit delayed wound healing, the body mass index was extremely low in this series. This study does not strongly recommend ostomy creation with tissue adhesives; further studies are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of the procedure.
Penetrating neck injuries: a guide to evaluation and management
Authors: Nowicki JL , Stew B , Ooi E
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Penetrating neck injury is a relatively uncommon trauma presentation with the potential for significant morbidity and possible mortality. There are no international consensus guidelines on penetrating neck injury management and published reviews tend to focus on traditional zonal approaches. Recent improvements in imaging modalities have altered the way in which penetrating neck injuries are now best approached with a more conservative stance. A literature review was completed to provide clinicians with a current practice guideline for evaluation and management of penetrating neck injuries.

Methods

A comprehensive MEDLINE (PubMed) literature search was conducted using the search terms ‘penetrating neck injury’, ‘penetrating neck trauma’, ‘management’, ‘guidelines’ and approach. All articles in English were considered. Articles with only limited relevance to the review were subsequently discarded. All other articles which had clear relevance concerning the epidemiology, clinical features and surgical management of penetrating neck injuries were included.

Results

After initial resuscitation with Advanced Trauma Life Support principles, penetrating neck injury management depends on whether the patient is stable or unstable on clinical evaluation. Patients whose condition is unstable should undergo immediate operative exploration. Patients whose condition is stable who lack hard signs should undergo multidetector helical computed tomography with angiography for evaluation of the injury, regardless of the zone of injury.

Conclusions

The ‘no zonal approach’ to penetrating neck trauma is a selective approach with superior patient outcomes in comparison with traditional management principles. We present an evidence-based, algorithmic and practical guide for clinicians to use when assessing and managing penetrating neck injury.
The hidden cost of deep neck space infections
Authors: Hurley RH , Douglas CM , Montgomery J , Clark LJ
Published: October 2017

Introduction

The incidence of deep neck space infection (DNSI) is rising and appears to be related to falling rates of tonsillectomy. The purpose of this study was to assess demographics of patients presenting with DNSI and the financial burden to the National Health Service (NHS).

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively on patients aged over 16 years admitted to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with DNSI between 2012 and 2016. Demographics, aetiology and use of hospital resources were reviewed. The cost of hospital admissions was calculated using data from NHS Scotland’s Information Services Division, the local diagnostics division and the British National Formulary.

Results

Seventy-four patients were admitted with DNSI during the study period. Forty (54%) were male. The mean age was 44.0 years (range: 16–86 years). The most frequent source of infection was the tonsil (n=30, 40.5%). The most common infective organism was Streptococcus constellatus (n=9, 12.2%). The mean length of stay was 11 days. Fifty-five patients (74.3%) required operative intervention. The mean cost of admission per patient was £5,700 (range: £332–£46,700).

Conclusions

This study highlights the high cost burden of DNSI to the NHS. The incidence of DNSI in Glasgow has risen over the study period; contributing factors may include the reduced tonsillectomy rate and a reduction in antibiotic prescribing. As the incidence of DNSI continues to rise, there will be an increase in cost to the NHS, which must be planned for.
Resource-efficient intelligent transportation systems as a basis for sustainable development. Overview of initiatives and strategies
Authors: Vovk Yuriy
Published: October 2017

Intelligent transportation systems mostly operate on information exchange principle between vehicles and roadside infrastructure. They are commonly regarded as a base technology for persistent diminution of road accidents and traffic efficiency increase. However, intelligent transportation systems can also be used at all levels of transportation systems as a basis for stable development of cities, enterprises, regions, states, continents. According to the research, the existing intelligent transportation systems not only provide the considerable reduction of greenhouse gases emissions, fuel saving, time of travel cutting, but they don’t marginalize citizens’ mobility as well. Thus, the further development and introduction of modern transportation innovative technologies will allow to guarantee the energy- and resources efficiency and, therefore, the sustainable development of the whole society.
Analysis of the interaction of participants freight forwarding system
Authors: Popovych Pavlo , Shyriaieva Svitlana , Selivanova Ninel
Published: October 2017

Main goal of this work is the analysis of the interaction of participants of freight forwarding activities. Research methods included analysis of scientific literature, theory of systems and systems analysis, methods of induction and deduction. As sources of information used and applied work of fundamental importance known foreign and local scientists and regulatory and legislative documents of Ukraine for the state transport policy.

In the article the basic interactions of participants of freight forwarding activities. Classified components freight forwarding services. Assign the concept freight forwarding system and its aim. Established element and forms of cooperation in the freight forwarding system.

The main task of forwarding companies are organizing, coordinating and ensuring the delivery from shipper to consignee. Freight forwarding company responsible for the timely delivery of the goods on the condition of preservation of the quantity and quality specified time conditions. Currently used methods are uneffective decision-making, leading to losses. These circumstances require improvement methodology management of freight forwarding companies. This is possible only using modern mathematical methods and information technologies that will improve the operation of freight forwarding companies.

The article presents a theoretical exposition of the basic processes of interaction between participants in freight forwarding system. The article may be of interest to specialists of freight forwarding companies.
Conceptual and methodological approaches to evaluation of investment attractiveness of enterprises engaged in transportations
Authors: Myshkovych Olha
Published: October 2017

The aim of the article is to analyze the conceptual and methodological approaches to determining the investment attractiveness of enterprises engaged in transportations. It is indicated that the investment attractiveness of transport enterprises should be determined by calculating of the overall financial situation of enterprises, which will allow potential investors to evaluate profitability and cost efficiency of its activity. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the enterprise engaged in transportation can be accomplished by the evaluation of its innovative capacity. The identification of factors and reserves of the increasing of enterprise innovative development will allow distinguishing of the basic directions for the improvement of organizational and economic mechanism of its activity. With the aim of building the strategy for the strengthening of market position it is also considered important for the potential investor to obtain the information about enterprise place on the national and international markets. Political and legal environment, characterized by political stability of society and the regulatory framework of entrepreneurial and investment activity serve as a certain guarantee of the investment reliability.
CORRELATION RELATIONSHIPS FOR THE HYPOPLASTIC MODEL FOR FINE GRAINED SOILS
Authors: Kadlíček Tomáš , Janda Tomáš , Šejnoha Michal
Published: October 2017

The paper is concerned with our ongoing research effort devoted to the development of reliable computational tools for the calibration of advanced constitutive models of soils. At present, such software is available for the hypoplastic model of clays applicable to soft soils. This software provides a stepping stone for the determination of potential links between individual model parameters and fundamental characteristics of soils. Identifying such links would allow for tuning the model without performing time consuming experiments, particularly in the case of an initial design. Some preliminary results are presented in the paper.
TESTING METHODS FOR MECHANICALLY IMPROVED SOILS: RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
Authors: Petkovšek Ana , Maček Matej , Smolar Jasna
Published: October 2017

A possibility of in-situ mechanical improvement for reducing the liquefaction potential of silty sands was investigated by using three different techniques: Vibratory Roller Compaction, Rapid Impact Compaction (RIC) and Soil Mixing. Material properties at all test sites were investigated before and after improvement with the laboratory and the in situ tests (CPT, SDMT, DPSH B, static and dynamic load plate test, geohydraulic tests). Correlation between the results obtained by different test methods gave inconclusive answers.
TEMPERATURE OF SOIL MONITORED AT EXPERIMENTAL SITES IN PERM REGION (RUSSIA)
Authors: Ponomaryov Andrey , Zakharov Aleksandr
Published: October 2017

of the city of Perm (Russia). The monitoring results are presented for two experimental sites. Site 1 is characterized by dense urban development and related to type I soil conditions in Perm (the left-bank area of Perm). Site 2 is located in a low-urbanised region of the city and is related to type II soil conditions in Perm (the right-bank area of Perm).
MODELLING ROCK MASS IMPROVEMENT USING ROCK BOLTS
Authors: Pruška Jan
Published: October 2017

Anchor support currently represents a significant reinforcing technique in underground constructions. The principles of rock bolt reinforcement action are derived from various concepts of the underground excavation stability. In recent times, rock bolt design techniques have been complemented by numerical calculations procedures. The paper describes FEM modelling of a rock bolt system for mechanical and grouted bolts.
SHEAR STRENGTH OF SOILS FROM THE DOBKOVICKY LANDSLIDE IN THE CENTRAL BOHEMIAN UPLANDS DETERMINATED BY LABORATORY TESTS
Authors: Roháč Jakub , Kycl Petr , Boháč Jan , Mašín David
Published: October 2017

The aim of this paper is to evaluate soil shear strength from the Dobkovicky landslide. The landslide was activated on June 6, 2013 after heavy rains and the D8 motorway, which was under construction at the time, was damaged. The laboratory tests were carried out on two types of soils, clay and tuff, both from the surface of the rupture. Critical and residual friction angles were evaluated on both types of soils.
Hacia un estado del arte y un marco conceptual de la soberanía alimentaria
Authors: Rivero Santos Ana María
Published: October 2017

El presente texto tiene como finalidad proporcionar un estado del arte y un marco conceptual para la soberanía alimentaria, concepto que tiene su origen en el movimiento social y que actualmente cobra importancia en el debate académico en países del norte y del sur globales. Tras una contextualización del surgimiento de la reivindicación de la soberanía alimentaria, en la primera parte, el movimiento social donde emerge la soberanía alimentaria es descrito y recapitulado históricamente; a partir de lo anterior, se proporciona una definición de la soberanía alimentaria con aportes del movimiento social campesino, académicos y organizaciones internacionales. Esto se complementa con tres marcos analíticos que contribuyen a la definición de la soberanía alimentaria: los regímenes alimentarios, el sistema agroalimentario y la agroecología como dominio científico de su estudio. Este estudio se vale de la consulta de documental en medio digital y en físico, y de la revisión de los sitios web de las distintas organizaciones nombradas.
Transición hacia la paz y zonas marrones urbanas
Authors: Uribe López Mauricio
Published: October 2017

La transición de la guerra a la paz puede conllevar un cambio en el centro de gravedad de la violencia hacia microespacios deprimidos de las ciudades que constituyen lo que se puede denominar, adaptando el concepto de Guillermo O’Donnell, zonas marrones urbanas. Las situaciones de postconflicto altamente violento y las de alta violencia societal, que corresponden al tipo de casos que se pueden caracterizar como casos de paz violenta, requieren un enfoque de seguridad ciudadana urbana que vaya en sintonía con el giro local que se ha dado en las aproximaciones críticas de la construcción de paz.
El proceso de “desecuritización” en el conflicto armado colombiano para la construcción de la paz
Authors: Montero Manzano Aitor
Published: October 2017

Este artículo aborda cómo se construye el proceso de “desecuritización” en el conflicto armado de Colombia para la construcción de la paz entre el gobierno y las FARC-EP; para ello, se parte del proceso de securitización previo que, durante el gobierno de Álvaro Uribe, fue expresión de la vía militar como solución al conflicto armado mediante la reconfiguración de la amenaza de las FARC-EP para el Estado colombiano. De esta manera, el objetivo de este trabajo es describir el proceso de “desecuritización” a partir de la identificación de los actores que interactúan y renegocian políticamente la salida al conflicto armado, los discursos que portan y los intereses que expresan.
Espacios públicos y posconflicto: lecciones para Colombia
Authors: Erazo Patiño Lorena Andrea , Nail Sylvie
Published: October 2017

Los espacios públicos, especialmente los espacios verdes en los centros urbanos, son lugares privilegiados para favorecer la cohesión social en cualquiera sociedad. En este artículo, por medio de una revisión bibliográfica y del análisis de varios casos de sociedades en posconflicto, se busca entender la importancia de dichos espacios en tal situación. De esta manera, se realiza una aproximación novedosa, puesto que hasta el momento no se había contemplado el papel de los espacios verdes en el posconflicto como herramienta de cohesión social, con el objetivo de proponer estrategias aplicables a este nuevo contexto sociopolítico al que se enfrentará Colombia con la implementación de los acuerdos de paz.
SlimDB
Authors: Ren Kai , Zheng Qing , Arulraj Joy , Gibson Garth
Published: October 2017

Modern key-value stores often use write-optimized indexes and compact in-memory indexes to speed up read and write performance. One popular write-optimized index is the Log-structured merge-tree (LSM-tree) which provides indexed access to write-intensive data. It has been increasingly used as a storage backbone for many services, including file system metadata management, graph processing engines, and machine learning feature storage engines. Existing LSM-tree implementations often exhibit high write amplifications caused by compaction, and lack optimizations to maximize read performance on solid-state disks. The goal of this paper is to explore techniques that leverage common workload characteristics shared by many systems using key-value stores to reduce the read/write amplification overhead typically associated with general-purpose LSM-tree implementations. Our experiments show that by applying these design techniques, our new implementation of a key-value store, SlimDB, can be two to three times faster, use less memory to cache metadata indices, and show lower tail latency in read operations compared to popular LSM-tree implementations such as LevelDB and RocksDB.
Efficient mining of regional movement patterns in semantic trajectories
Authors: Choi Dong-Wan , Pei Jian , Heinis Thomas
Published: October 2017

Semantic trajectory pattern mining is becoming more and more important with the rapidly growing volumes of semantically rich trajectory data. Extracting sequential patterns in semantic trajectories plays a key role in understanding semantic behaviour of human movement, which can widely be used in many applications such as location-based advertising, road capacity optimisation, and urban planning. However, most of existing works on semantic trajectory pattern mining focus on the entire spatial area, leading to missing some locally significant patterns within a region. Based on this motivation, this paper studies a
regional semantic trajectory pattern mining
problem, aiming at identifying all the regional sequential patterns in semantic trajectories. Specifically, we propose a new density scheme to quantify the frequency of a particular pattern in space, and thereby formulate a new mining problem of finding all the regions in which such a pattern densely occurs. For the proposed problem, we develop an efficient mining algorithm, called
RegMiner
(Regional Semantic Trajectory Pattern Miner), which effectively reveals movement patterns that are locally frequent in such a region but not necessarily dominant in the entire space. Our empirical study using real trajectory data shows that
RegMiner
finds many interesting local patterns that are hard to find by a state-of-the-art global pattern mining scheme, and it also runs
several orders of magnitude
faster than the global pattern mining algorithm.
Probesim
Authors: Liu Yu , Zheng Bolong , He Xiaodong , Wei Zhewei , Xiao Xiaokui , Zheng Kai , Lu Jiaheng
Published: October 2017

Single-source and top-
k
SimRank queries are two important types of similarity search in graphs with numerous applications in web mining, social network analysis, spam detection, etc. A plethora of techniques have been proposed for these two types of queries, but very few can efficiently support similarity search over large dynamic graphs, due to either significant preprocessing time or large space overheads.

This paper presents
ProbeSim
, an
index-free
algorithm for single-source and top-
k
SimRank queries that provides a non-trivial theoretical guarantee in the absolute error of query results.
ProbeSim
estimates SimRank similarities without precomputing any indexing structures, and thus can naturally support
real-time
SimRank queries on
dynamic
graphs. Besides the theoretical guarantee,
ProbeSim
also offers satisfying practical efficiency and effectiveness due to non-trivial optimizations. We conduct extensive experiments on a number of benchmark datasets, which demonstrate that our solutions outperform the existing methods in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Notably, our experiments include the first empirical study that evaluates the effectiveness of SimRank algorithms on graphs with billion edges, using the idea of
pooling.
Approximate string joins with abbreviations
Authors: Tao Wenbo , Deng Dong , Stonebraker Michael
Published: October 2017

String joins have wide applications in data integration and cleaning. The inconsistency of data caused by data errors, term variations and missing values has led to the need for approximate string joins (ASJ). In this paper, we study ASJ with abbreviations, which are a frequent type of term variation. Although prior works have studied ASJ given a user-inputted dictionary of synonym rules, they have three common limitations. First, they suffer from low precision in the presence of abbreviations having multiple full forms. Second, their join algorithms are not scalable due to the exponential time complexity. Third, the dictionary may not exist since abbreviations are highly domain-dependent.

We propose an end-to-end workflow to address these limitations. There are three main components in the workflow: (1) a new similarity measure taking abbreviations into account that can handle abbreviations having multiple full forms, (2) an efficient join algorithm following the filter-verification framework and (3) an unsupervised approach to learn a dictionary of abbreviation rules from input strings. We evaluate our workflow on four real-world datasets and show that our workflow outputs accurate join results, scales well as input size grows and greatly outperforms state-of-the-art approaches in both accuracy and efficiency.
Simulation of Gaussian stochastic processes
Authors: Kozachenko Yuri , Rozora Iryna
Published: October 2017

In this paper the Gaussian stochastic processes, represented in the form of series, are considered. The approximating models of the Gaussian processes with given reliability and accuracy in Banach space C
Effect of Aluminum Content on Interfacial Reaction of Directionally Solidified TiAl Alloys
Authors: Cheng C. , Sui Y. , Feng K. , Qi J. , He Y. , Meng Q. , Wei F. , Sun Z.
Published: October 2017

High Nb-containing TiAl alloys with different aluminum content were prepared by vacuum induction casting technology, and then processed via directional solidification in a Y2O3-coated Al2O3 crucible. The effect of aluminum content on the metal and coating interface, chemical composition, and phases at the interfaces were evaluated. The variations of microhardness of the samples from surface to interior were presented. The results showed that there is no significant difference between the matrix structure of TiAl alloy with different aluminum content. Nevertheless, with increasing aluminum content in the melt, the thickness of the reaction layer decreased. Moreover, the elements diffusion distance and hardness also showed an apparent decrease with the increasing of aluminum content. Besides inherent phases in the melt, simultaneous precipitation of Al2O3 particles also occurred.
DIAGNOSIS OF ENDOCRINE DISEASE: Bone turnover markers: are they clinically useful?
Authors: Eastell Richard , Pigott Tom , Gossiel Fatma , Naylor Kim E , Walsh Jennifer S , Peel Nicola F A
Published: October 2017

Bone turnover markers (BTMs) are useful in clinical practice as they are inexpensive, and they have proven useful for treatment monitoring and identification of poor adherence. BTMs cannot be used in individual patients for identifying accelerated bone loss or an increase in fracture risk or in deciding on the optimal therapy. They are useful for monitoring both anti-resorptive and anabolic treatment. Response can be defined as a result that exceeds an absolute target, or by a change greater than the least significant change; if such a response is not present, then poor compliance or secondary osteoporosis are likely causes. A baseline BTM measurement is not always made; in that case, a value of BTM on anti-resorptive treatment that is low or low normal or above the reference interval for anabolic therapy may be taken to indicate a satisfactory response. We provide an approach to using these bone turnover markers in clinical practice by describing algorithms for anti-resorptive and anabolic therapy and describing the changes we observe in the clinical practice setting.
Excess morbidity and mortality in patients with craniopharyngioma: a hospital-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wijnen Mark , Olsson Daniel S , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M , Hammarstrand Casper , Janssen Joseph A M J L , van der Lely Aart J , Johannsson Gudmundur , Neggers Sebastian J C M M
Published: October 2017

Objective

Most studies in patients with craniopharyngioma did not investigate morbidity and mortality relative to the general population nor evaluated risk factors for excess morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine excess morbidity and mortality, as well as their determinants in patients with craniopharyngioma.

Design

Hospital-based retrospective cohort study conducted between 1987 and 2014.

Methods

We included 144 Dutch and 80 Swedish patients with craniopharyngioma identified by a computer-based search in the medical records (105 females (47%), 112 patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (50%), 3153 person-years of follow-up). Excess morbidity and mortality were analysed using standardized incidence and mortality ratios (SIRs and SMRs). Risk factors were evaluated univariably by comparing SIRs and SMRs between non-overlapping subgroups.

Results

Patients with craniopharyngioma experienced excess morbidity due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (SIR: 4.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8–6.8) and cerebral infarction (SIR: 4.9, 95% CI: 3.1–8.0) compared to the general population. Risks for malignant neoplasms, myocardial infarctions and fractures were not increased. Patients with craniopharyngioma also had excessive total mortality (SMR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.0–3.8), and mortality due to circulatory (SMR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1–4.5) and respiratory (SMR: 6.0, 95% CI: 2.5–14.5) diseases. Female sex, childhood-onset craniopharyngioma, hydrocephalus and tumour recurrence were identified as risk factors for excess T2DM, cerebral infarction and total mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with craniopharyngioma are at an increased risk for T2DM, cerebral infarction, total mortality and mortality due to circulatory and respiratory diseases. Female sex, childhood-onset craniopharyngioma, hydrocephalus and tumour recurrence are important risk factors.
Propuesta metodológica para el análisis del contexto de la organización como base para la atención quirúrgica segura. El caso de una institución de salud de tercer nivel de complejidad en Bogotá
Authors: Clavijo Peláez Diana Carolina , Dávila Imbachi Johnny Alexander , Rodríguez-Rojas Yuber Liliana
Published: October 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo fue diseñar una propuesta metodológica para el análisis del contexto de la organización como base para la atención quirúrgica segura en una clínica de tercer nivel de complejidad en la ciudad de Bogotá. Esta investigación es de tipo mixta, en la cual se identificó la causalidad de los eventos adversos por medio de tres fuentes: 1) causas de los eventos adversos ocurridos durante un año en la clínica estudiada; 2) revisión sistemática de la causa de los eventos adversos más comunes en cirugía a nivel mundial; 3)
análisis de la percepción a través de encuestas realizadas al personal de salud y a los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente en la clínica en cuestión.

Finalmente se realizó una triangulación de la información para generar una guía metodológica para definir el contexto de una organización basada en la seguridad del paciente en cirugía. Se encontró que la causalidad de los
eventos adversos obedece principalmente a fallas en los procesos organizacionales como el liderazgo, la selección y el entrenamiento del personal, la comunicación, la planeación de recursos, la estandarización de procedimientos, la verificación de procesos y la implementación de controles. El desarrollo del contexto organizacional planteando por los sistemas de gestión responde a la corrección de las fallas organizacionales, principal causa de los eventos adversos en los servicios quirúrgicos.
Modulation of Global Transcriptional Regulatory Networks as a Strategy for Increasing Kanamycin Resistance of the Translational Elongation Factor-G Mutants inEscherichia coli
Authors: Mogre Aalap , Veetil Reshma T , Seshasayee Aswin Sai Narain
Published: October 2017

Evolve and resequence experiments have provided us a tool to understand bacterial adaptation to antibiotics. In our previous work, we used short-term evolution to isolate mutants resistant to the ribosome targeting antibiotic kanamycin, and reported that Escherichia coli develops low cost resistance to kanamycin via different point mutations in the translation Elongation Factor-G (EF-G). Furthermore, we had shown that the resistance of EF-G mutants could be increased by second site mutations in the genes rpoD/cpxA/topA/cyaA. Mutations in three of these genes had been discovered in earlier screens for aminoglycoside resistance. In this work, we expand our understanding of these second site mutations, the goal being to understand how these mutations affect the activities of the mutated gene products to confer resistance. We show that the mutation in cpxA most likely results in an active Cpx stress response. Further evolution of an EF-G mutant in a higher concentration of kanamycin than what was used in our previous experiments identified the cpxA locus as a primary target for a significant increase in resistance. The mutation in cyaA results in a loss of catalytic activity and probably results in resistance via altered CRP function. Despite a reduction in cAMP levels, the CyaAN600Y mutant has a transcriptome indicative of increased CRP activity, pointing to an unknown role for CyaA and / or cAMP in gene expression. From the transcriptomes of double and single mutants, we describe the epistasis between the mutation in EF-G and these second site mutations. We show that the large scale transcriptomic changes in the topoisomerase I (FusAA608E-TopAS180L) mutant likely result from increased negative supercoiling in the cell. Finally, genes with known roles in aminoglycoside resistance were present among the misregulated genes in the mutants.
A influência da atividade física na qualidade de vida de idosas
Authors: Silveira Michele Marinho da , Portuguez Mirna Wetters
Published: October 2017

Objetivo: Verificar a influência da prática de atividade física na qualidade de vida de idosas.Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e descritivo com amostra de conveniência com 107 idosas de idade igual ou superior a sessenta anos pertencentes a grupos de convivência da região norte do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Avaliaram-se os dados sociodemográficos, a atividade física e a qualidade de vida com escala WHOQOLBref, individualmente a cada idosa.Resultados: A média de idade foi de 66,0±5,8 anos, as idosas praticavam atividade física regularmente, em média, 222,6±61,1 minutos semanais. O domínio físico apresentou o maior escore (70,9±16,3) e o meio ambiente o menor (67,2±13,9). Houve correlação entre o domínio físico frequência e tempo de atividade física, além de escolaridade, renda e autopercepção de saúde. O tempo de atividade física (beta=0,188; p=0,026) e a frequência (beta=0,191; p=0,023) se associaram com a qualidade de vida no domínio físico.Conclusão: Observou-se que a maior frequência de atividade física está associada a maior pontuação no questionário WHOQOL-Bref.
Semiologia na unidade de terapia intensiva: qualificando a assistência
Authors: Blattner Clarissa Netto
Published: October 2017

---