bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Close Observation to a Typical Continental Valley Glacier Surge in Northeastern Pamir
Authors: Yao Xin , Dai Fuchu , Javed Iqbal , Li Lingjing , Wang Zhongsheng , Ling Sheng , Zhou Zhengkai
Published: February 2016

Abstract. In May 2015, it is reported that "a glacier slid 20 km long, accompanying with disappearance of ~ 10 km2 grasslands on the north slope of Mt Jiubie, Kongur Mountain, northeastern Pamir, China". Based on expedition and multi-temporal RS image interpretation, this paper confirms that it was a rare continental valley glacier surge occurred in the tributaries of Kalayayilake Glacier, and find: (1) It has significant phenomena difference between quiescent and surging phase, including distorted medial moraine ridge, extruding-bulging ice masses, disappeared superglacial lakes etc; (2) Compared with the oceanic glacier surge, its characteristics are higher ice choking uplift and large chaotic crevasses area extent, but having relatively small integral movement distance with low velocity; (3) Environmental factors of large glacier coefficient, long tongue, low altitude, especially the stagnant downstream tongue and thick superglacial moraine, contribute to continental glacier surge's features, and the long-term temperature rise and rainfall enhancement in study area seem to be consistent with the occurrence of this surge; (4) This surge brings out severe strength reduction of glacier, rapid ablation of ice, congestion in the subglacial passageway, and accumulation of englacial water, which together have being bred the risk of terminus advance suddenly to result in flooding and debris flow.
Chilbirth and postpartum period fear of pregnant women and the affecting factors
Authors: Egelioğlu Cetişli Nuray , Denizci Zirek Zubeyde , Bakılan Abalı Fatma
Published: February 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the anxiety pregnant women feel about childbirth and the postpartum period and to determine the affecting factors. Methods: A descriptive design was used in the study, which was conducted with pregnant women at two obstetric polyclinics of a university hospital in Turkey from January 2014 to July 2014. The population consisted of 143 pregnant women. The data were collected using an individual identification form and the Fear Childbirth and Postpartum Anxiety Scale. The percentage, Kruskall Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Independent Sample t tests were used to evaluate the differences between the variables. Results: The results of the study reveal that pregnant women are quite fearful of childbirth and the postpartum period. Conclusions: It is necessary to decrease fear of childbirth, because of its negative effects.
Impacto de úlceras venosas na qualidade de vida de indivíduos atendidos na atenção primária
Authors: Araújo Rhayssa de Oliveira , Silva Dalva Cezar da , Souto Rafaella Queiroga , Pergola-Marconato Aline Maino , Fernandes Costa Isabelle Katherinne , Torres Gilson de Vasconcelos
Published: February 2016

Objetivo: analisar o impacto das úlceras venosas (UV) na qualidade de vida (QV) das pessoas atendidas na atenção primária à saúde. Material e método: pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva e transversal, realizada com 101 usuários, atendidos em 42 serviços de saúde de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados de fevereiro a setembro de 2014, por meio de um questionário sociodemográfico, clínico e de saúde, e do Charing Cross Venous Ulcer Questionnaire. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva e inferencial para a análise dos dados. Resultados: a QV esteve comprometida, principalmente, no estado emocional e estético, com pior média entre os indivíduos com mais de um ano de lesão. Identificou-se associação estatística significativa entre tempo de UV atual e estado emocional (p=0,008), com maior média (64,2) para aqueles com UV há mais de um ano. Conclusões: as pessoas com UV há mais de ano apresentam maior comprometimento da QV. Necessita-se de intervenções e ações de promoção à saúde dessa população.
Validez y confiabilidad del instrumento “Medición de la autoeficacia percibida en apnea del sueño” - SEMSA. Versión en español
Authors: Mateus-Galeano Erika Marcela , Céspedes-Cuevas Viviana Marycel
Published: February 2016

Objetivo: determinar la validez y la consistencia interna del instrumento “Medición de la autoeficacia percibida en apnea del sueño” - SEMSA, versión en español, diseñado por Weaver et al. Materiales y métodos: estudio de tipo descriptivo metodológico; se determinó la validez facial y de contenido con panel de expertos y un literato bilingüe. La muestra de la validez de constructo y consistencia interna fue de 151 pacientes con síndrome de apnea hipopnea del sueño que usaron el tratamiento de presión positiva continua en la vía aérea (CPAP). Resultados: la validez facial mostró un índice de aceptabilidad superior en las tres categorías evaluadas. En la validez de contenido, 23 ítems alcanzaron un nivel de aceptabilidad satisfactorio y los 4 ítems restantes fueron susceptibles de modificación. En la validez de constructo, el análisis factorial exploratorio determinó tres factores con una varianza total explicada de 52,2 %. La consistencia interna por el alfa de Cronbach fue 0,90 para la escala total y para cada dimensión mayor de 0,84. Discusión: la varianza total explicada comparándola con el estudio original fue mayor y el alfa de Cronbach fue similar tanto en la escala total como dimensional. Conclusión: el instrumento Self Efficacy Measure Sleep Apnea, válido y homogéneo en el contexto urbano colombiano, es una herramienta relevante y objetiva acerca de las perspectivas del paciente con síndrome de apnea hipopnea del sueño sobre los riesgos asociados, el beneficio del tratamiento y el cumplimiento en el uso de presión positiva (CPAP), a pesar de las barreras percibidas.
Effect of International Remittances on Inflation in Ghana Using the Bounds Testing Approach
Authors: Abdul-Mumuni Abdallah , Quaidoo Christopher
Published: February 2016

This paper empirically examines the effect of international remittances on inflation in Ghana from 1979 to 2013 by incorporating international remittances as an exogenous variable to the standard inflation function. Applying the bounds testing approach, the empirical results indicate that international remittances have a significant effect on inflation in the long-run. However, in the short-run, no significant relationship is evident between these two variables. The study recommends that in order to reduce the effect of international remittances on inflation rate and increase the impact on growth, the government should improve public infrastructure. By this, excessive transfer fees would reduce and these remittances could be channeled into more productive sectors rather than being used mainly for consumption purposes.
Treatment of Vitreomacular Traction with Intravitreal Ocriplasmin Preceded by Anterior Chamber Paracentesis: Case Reports
Authors: Rizzo Stanislao , Bacherini Daniela , Abbruzzese Giacomo , Giuntoli Matteo , Virgili Gianni
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of an intravitreal ocriplasmin injection using anterior chamber paracentesis to release symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT).

Methods

Five patients with symptomatic VMT were enrolled. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including acquisition of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Before intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin, anterior chamber paracentesis was performed in the study eye to induce mild ocular hypotonia. Control visits were performed the day after the injection, at 1 week, and after 1, 2, and 3 months.

Results

In 4 patients, we had complete release of VMT and visual improvement after the intravitreal ocriplasmin injection preceded by anterior chamber paracentesis. No adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

In our small case series, anterior chamber paracentesis performed before intravitreal ocriplasmin seemed to increase the efficacy of the drug in the resolution of symptomatic VMT. Our success estimate is imprecise due to small sample size (95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.99) and no definitive conclusion can be reached. Further research is worth being conducted to assess the potential usefulness of paracentesis before ocriplasmin injection to increase vitreoretinal traction release rate.
Biomechanical Determination of the Relationship between Femoral Neck Lesion Size and the Risk of Pathological Fracture
Authors: Çaypınar Barış , Erol Bülent , Topkar Mert , Başçı Onur
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Half of the pathological fractures of the proximal femur occur in the neck region. We evaluate the relationship between the defect size within the femoral neck and the risk of pathological fracture.

Methods

After creating metastasis-like lesions in the neck regions of 21 human cadaver femurs, compression was applied to simulate single-limp stance type loading. First, a loading of 600 Newtons (N) was applied to the 35%-defected femoral necks. If the bone fracture did not occur, the defect size was increased to 45% and the 600 N force was applied again. If no fracture was observed then the defect size was increased to 55% and the bones were loaded again. The 55%-defected bones with no fractures were loaded until a fracture was detected.

Results

There were no fractures with the 35%- and 45%-defected femurs until 600 N was applied. However, when the defect size was increased to 55%, 3 bones were fractured before reaching 600 N. The fractures occurred at an average of 455 N in the 3 bones. At a compression of 600 N, 18 bones (84%) were intact, and the loading was continued. 18 femurs with 55%-defected neck regions had an average endurance of 1270 N compression (range 750-2800 N).

Conclusions

This study showed that even very osteoporotic bones with large metastases can withstand high forces of compressive loading.
The Hundred Most Cited Publications in Orthopaedic HIP Research - A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ahmad Sufian S. , Albers Christoph E. , Büchler Lorenz , Kohl Sandro , Ahmad Suhaib S. , Klenke Frank , Siebenrock Klaus A. , Beck Martin
Published: February 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to identify the 100 most cited classics in the field of hip research analysing their qualities and characteristics.

Methods

Hip joint related articles were identified and the hundred most cited selected for subsequent analysis of citation count, current citation rate, citation density (citations/article age), authorship, geographic origin institution, and level of evidence (LOE).

Results

In a total of 121 journals, 1,311,851 articles were published between 1945 and 2013, of which 1,287 (0.1%) possessed 250 citations or more. Total citations per article for the 100 most-cited ranged from 290 to 3,144 citations. The most common areas of research were degenerative disease and arthroplasty, followed by hip preserving surgery for which the leading authors were William H. Harris and Reinhold Ganz respectively. All articles were published in 8 journals and originated from 9 countries. 10 institutes published 48/100 of the articles. There was a significant negative correlation between both citation rate, citation density and article age. Total citation count was highest for articles published in the decade of 1970. Although 5% (2,103 articles) of hip literature comprised randomised trials (RCTs), only 1 (1%) of the citation classics was an RCT.

Conclusions

The study provides intellectual milestones in hip research, reflecting on the qualities and characteristics of the research. Degenerative hip disease and arthroplasty research take up the greatest proportion of citations, followed by hip preserving research. LOE was low and there was only one RCT amongst the classics, emphasising that high LOE is not a prerequisite for a high citation count.
CYP17A1 Polymorphisms and Clinical Outcome of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Abiraterone
Authors: Salvi Samanta , Casadio Valentina , Burgio Salvatore Luca , Conteduca Vincenza , Rossi Lorena , Menna Cecilia , Carretta Elisa , Costantini Matteo , Zoli Wainer , De Giorgi Ugo
Published: February 2016

Background

We evaluated the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP17A1 gene for predicting clinical outcome in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients treated with abiraterone.

Methods

Sixty-four patients were genotyped for the selected polymorphisms (rs743572, rs10883783, rs17115100 and rs284849) in CYP17A1. We hypothesized that different genotypes could be associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Statistical analyses highlighted no significant associations between these polymorphisms and clinical outcome. However, individuals with the most common TT genotype for rs10883783 had a 3 months’ longer PFS than individuals with the TA + AA genotype.

Conclusions

With the limitation of the retrospective study design and the small sample size, the analyzed polymorphisms do not seem to be correlated with clinical outcome of CRPC patients treated with abiraterone.
A taxonomic review of the Norwegian species of Raphitoma (Gastropoda: Conoidea: Raphitomidae)
Authors: Høisæter Tore
Published: February 2016

The problematic conoidean genus Raphitoma s.l. in inshore Norwegian waters is revised based on fresh material from all along the coast of Norway. This largely shallow water group is represented by at least six species in Norwegian waters of which two, Raphitoma obesa n.sp. and R. maculosa n.sp. are described as new, and another Raphitoma aequalis (Jeffreys, 1867) is reported from Norway for the first time. The taxonomic and nomenclatural status of R. reticulata (sensu Jeffreys 1867) and R. asperrima (sensu Forbes & Hanley 1853) are discussed. Empty shells of several additional species indicate that the number of Raphitoma-species living in the North East Atlantic will be further increased in the future. The morphological variability of each species is described if possible. Shell morphology, including microsculpture and protoconch details as deduced from LM photographs, are used for distinguishing the species. Some easily observable behaviour and soft part morphology features were found to bepromising areas for further studies.
The Ethos of Inquiry: Nietzsche on Experience, Naturalism, and Experimentalism
Authors: Bamford Rebecca
Published: February 2016

In this article I examine Nietzsche's experimentalism, treating this as a naturalist feature of his wider philosophical concerns. I focus predominantly on Nietzsche's presentation of remarks on experimentation in Dawn and in The Gay Science. Through analyzing the role played by the concept of experience within Nietzsche's experimentalism, I show that experimentalism is both a strategy for philosophical engagement, and a form of virtue. In so doing, I clarify the relevance of experimentalism to scientific inquiry and to ethics in Nietzsche's wider philosophy.
Nietzsche's Will to Power: Biology, Naturalism, and Normativity
Authors: Emden Christian J.
Published: February 2016

The “will to power” remains one of Nietzsche's most controversial philosophical concepts. In this article I argue that the will to power ties in directly with Nietzsche's naturalistic discussion of normativity. The link between the will to power and normativity cannot be explained, however, along the lines of a psychological reading of Nietzsche's naturalism; rather, Nietzsche's naturalism is rooted in contemporary biological discussions. Biology comes first, psychology second. With the notion of a will to power Nietzsche seeks to describe the linkages between the natural and normative in a way that falls neither into the trap of physicalist reductionism, nor into the trap of idealist metaphysics: how can we obtain an understanding of the emergence of normativity without appealing to normativity as a standard separate from the agency, affects, conceptual commitments, and also cells and organs, that make us natural beings?
Hyperbolic Naturalism: Nietzsche, Ethics, and Sovereign Power
Authors: Sedgwick Peter R.
Published: February 2016

This article addresses whether Nietzsche's naturalism is best understood as exemplifying the principles of scientific method and the spirit of Enlightenment. It does so from a standpoint inspired by Eugen Fink's contention that Nietzsche's endorsements of “naturalism” are best read as hyperbole. The discussion engages with Enlightenment-orientated readings (by Walter Kaufmann, Maudemarie Clark, and Brian Leiter), which hold Nietzsche's naturalism to endorse of the spirit of empirical science, and an alternative view (provided by Richard Schacht and Wolfgang Müller-Lauter), which holds Nietzsche's “extended naturalism” to be an informing ethos of historically aware thought rather than a mere “method.” The ensuing discussion endorses the latter approach in terms that seek to take more seriously the implications of Fink's point about the hyperbolic and figural aspects of Nietzsche's naturalism. I argue that Nietzsche's naturalism is indeed often hyperbolic and figural but that this exaggerated form of naturalizing thought allows insights that invite explicit theorization. Turning to an approach suggested by Adorno and Horkheimer, I argue that Nietzsche's exaggeratedly “naturalistic” take on morality is best appreciated as a form of disturbing and disruptive political intervention in the dominant discourse of modernity in which it overtly situates itself, namely, the instrumentalizing, methodologically fixated liberal discourse of scientific Enlightenment. If we approach his thinking in this way, Nietzsche's naturalism serves as a valuable resource for critical reflection on the hegemony of contemporary scientific culture. The context for such critical reflection is provided by Giorgio Agamben's work on sovereign power and modernity. Nietzsche's naturalism, I argue, is foremost biopolitical in its implications. These implications invite critical reflection on aspects of Agamben's work; they also, following Agamben's lead, suggest that we must step beyond the fundamental concepts of liberalism.
What should the Government do to Stop Epidemic of Smoking among Teenagers in Indonesia?
Authors: Tandilittin Harsman
Published: February 2016

Smoking epidemic has occurred among the Indonesian adolescents, as the nearly six out of ten the youth of ages 13 to 15 years smoke daily. In fact, Indonesia has also been known as "the country of smoking baby", as some family smokers have deliberately introduced the way of smoking to their toddlers. In Indonesia, the most new smokers has been ensnared by the tobacco industry, as they started to smoke when they were minors, which are in incapable condition to make rational decisions. In this context, moral question emerge: Is the government obligated to prevent teenagers from taking-up cigarettes, and what should the government do to stop the smoking epidemic among the adolescents in Indonesia? To answer these questions, this paper contain two main study: First, the author has conduct a survey to present an overview about the ensnarement of new smokers and the dilemma of the tobacco retailers in selling cigarettes to minors in Indonesia. Second, the author presents an overview of the negative impacts of tobacco on children and an obligation analysis of the government to prevent adolescents from taking-up cigarettes. It will then propose some approach to stop smoking epidemic among the adolescents in Indonesia.
Determination of Soil-Related Factors Controlling Initial Nipa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) Growth in an Abandoned Shrimp Pond
Authors: Matsui Naohiro , Takahashi Fumio
Published: February 2016

In an abandoned shrimp pond, the spatial variability of the height of nipa (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) plants 5 years after their planting was evaluated to elucidate the determining factors for height. Soil properties were evaluated in 20 points in an area of 0.48 ha. Physical (e.g., hardness, water content) and chemical (e.g., pH and EC) properties were determined using surface soil samples collected at each point. Nipa height was moderately variable, showing a CV value of 31.2%. Soil conditions were considered to affect nipa height; therefore, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to elucidate the relationships among soil properties. As a result, three factors were extracted. PC1 correlated positively with relative ground level and Eh, and negatively with moisture. Because these properties were closely related to topography, PC1 was referred to as the topography factor. PC3 showed the second important contribution, a high K content contributed to a large nipa height. Multivariate analysis was also performed to examine the spatial property of nipa height (H), and as a result, the following equation was obtained: H = 423.94 - 0.39 x PC1 - 0.57 x PC3 (r2=0.53). Results of this study indicate that 53% of nipa height variation was explained by soil properties, which is larger than the nipa height variation explained solely by topography (23%). Site-specific management to regulate soil properties could be a practical strategy for nipa plantation.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Environment and Natural Resources Research, Vol. 6, No. 1
Authors: Lee Joan
Published: February 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Environment and Natural Resources Research, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2016
The Costs and Benefits of Approved Methods for Sequestering Carbon in Soil Through the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund
Authors: White Robert , Davidson Brian
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the net benefits of sequestering carbon in soil from a biophysical and economic perspective. This study is important because sequestering carbon (C) in soil is a key component of the Australian government’s Direct Action Policy to offset the nation’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The biophysical potential for sequestering C using one of four permitted project management activities (new irrigation, managing soil acidity, stubble retention and converting cropland to permanent pasture) was calculated according to the Methodology Determination - Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Estimating Sequestration of Carbon in Soil Using Default Values, 2015. The economic prospects of those activities that show a net C abatement were then evaluated to determine whether they were profitable for a farmer to implement. Finally, the costs and benefits from society’s perspective of those activities found to be profitable were calculated. Of these activities only stubble retention and liming provided net benefits to a farmer, although there were limitations as to how widely these activities could be implemented nationally. We estimated a cost to government of approximately $35 M annually to achieve a net abatement of 2.84 M t CO2-e. Because this represents only 0.52 percent of Australia’s annual GHG emissions of 549 M t CO2-e, the policy is both expensive and relatively ineffective as a C offset policy alone. However, if viewed as an investment in farmland sustainability, this payment to farmers could be good public policy.
Rights in Education and Self-Identity: Education and Language of Instruction in Namibia
Authors: Chavez Andres
Published: February 2016

In 1992, the Ministry of Education and Culture in Namibia created a new language policy for schools that presented the possibility of using English as the sole medium of instruction for students starting in Grade 1. The resulting increase in schools that offer only English instruction has been detrimental to education. In order to improve the quality of education available to students in Namibia, the implementation of the language policy must be revisited so that students have the opportunity to first learn in their mother tongues and develop the necessary skills that they will need to be successful.
Views of Turkish Language and Literature Teachers and Their Managers Related to Professional and Organizational Socialization Processes of Turkish Language and Literature Teachers
Authors: ÖZBAS Mehmet , ARSLAN M. Abdullah
Published: February 2016

Teaching Turkish effectively and successfully is one of the main functions of all the teaching phases of Turkish education system. In secondary education, this duty mostly depends on Turkish Language and Literature teachers. The aim of the research named “Socialization of Turkish Language and Literature teachers” is to evaluate the process of vocational and organizational socialization of Turkish Language and Literature teachers according to teachers and the school managers’ view. This study includes 85 Turkish Language and Literature teachers and 62 school managers’ view who work in Erzincan city centre in 2013-2014 school year. In this study “The Scale of Turkish Language and Literature teachers’ socialization variables”, of which reliability and validity were analyzed, was used. According to findings both Turkish Language and Literature teachers and the school managers perceive “the process of in-services training” very inadequately within the context of practices that includes vocational socialization. Generally, school managers accept Turkish Language and Literature teachers’ “organizational socialization” less inadequate than teachers do. Turkish Language and Literature teachers and school managers think that social status of the teachers in Turkey “none”. The results show that Turkish Language and Literature teachers’ socialization practices cannot contribute to teachers’ vocational adaptation and dedication. In parallel with the results, it is suggested that in the context of vocational development and socialization of teachers in Turkey, specifically Turkish Language and Literature teachers, national norms which are compatible with international standards should be developed.
Chlorococcum humicola (Nageli) Rabenhorst as a Renewable Source of Bioproducts and Biofuel
Authors: K. Santhoshkumar , S. Prasanthkumar , Ray J. G.
Published: February 2016

Among the diverse new generation biomass yielding species, green algae are the most promising organisms. Compared to biomass production of other organisms, production of algae is less laborious, quite fast, and more economical. Moreover, eutrophicated waters get naturally purified in the cultivation process of algae. Algal biomass from monoculture of specific species, which are rich in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, is considered a good source of diverse bio-products and feed-stock for food, feeds and bio-fuels. Quantity and quality of algal biomass for specific products depend on the species and strains as well as environmental conditions of cultivation. In this connection, biomass productivity and oil-yield of a local strain of Chlorococcum humicola (Nageli) Rabenhorst was assessed in Bold’s Basal Medium. Long-term storage capacity of the alga was tried by entrapping the algal cells in sodium alginate beads, which showed viability up to 14 months. Estimation of total carbohydrate, protein, lipid and chemical characterization of oil as well as the feasibility of its conversion to biodiesel revealed the industrial potential of this local strain as a source of food and biofuel. Fatty acid profiling of the extracted oil showed that 70% are mono-saturated and 12.2 % are nutritionally important polyunsaturated fatty acids. The oil could be effectively trans-esterified to methyl esters and the conversion was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Further standardization of the mass production of the alga in natural environmental conditions for biomass and oil is progressing to optimize its value as globally competent food, nutraceutical and biofuel resource.
The Local Definability of Robotic Large-Scale Knowledge Based on Splitting
Authors: Wu Maonian , Jiang Yunliang , Zhu Shaojun
Published: February 2016

In order to reduce the computational tasks in robots with large-scale and complex knowledge, several methods of robotic knowledge localization have been proposed over the past decades. Logic is an important and useful tool for complex robotic reasoning, action planning, learning and verification. This paper uses propositional atoms in logic to describe the affecting factors of robotic large-scale knowledge. Definability in logic reasoning shows that truths of some propositional atoms are decided by other propositional atoms. Definability technology is an important method to eliminate inessential propositional atoms in robotic large-scale and complex knowledge, so the computational tasks in robotic knowledge can be completed faster. On the other hand, by applying the splitting technique, the knowledge base can be equivalently divided into a number of sub-knowledge bases, without sharing any propositional atoms with others. In this paper, we show that the inessential propositional atoms can be decided faster by the local definability technology based on the splitting method, first formed in local belief revision by Parikh in 1999. Hence, the decision-making in robotic large-scale and complex knowledge is more effective.
Walking Algorithm of Humanoid Robot on Uneven Terrain with Terrain Estimation
Authors: Yi Jiang , Zhu Qiuguo , Xiong Rong , Wu Jun
Published: February 2016

Humanoid robots are expected to achieve stable walking on uneven terrains. In this paper, a control algorithm for humanoid robots walking on previously unknown terrains with terrain estimation is proposed, which requires only minimum modification to the original walking gait. The swing foot trajectory is redesigned to ensure that the foot lands at the desired horizontal positions under various terrain height. A compliant terrain adaptation method is applied to the landing foot to achieve a firm contact with the ground. Then a terrain estimation method that takes into account the deformations of the linkages is applied, providing the target for the following correction and adjustment. The algorithm was validated through walking experiments on uneven terrains with the full-size humanoid robot Kong.
Fixed-Wing UAVs Flock Control through Cohesion and Repulsion Behaviours Combined with a Leadership
Authors: Kownacki Cezary , Ołdziej Daniel
Published: February 2016

The aim of this paper is to present a novel approach to swarm control of small fixed-wing UAVs, which combines only two flocking behaviours with a leadership feature. In the presented approach, two fundamental rules of Reynolds flocking are applied, i.e., cohesion and repulsion, as the base of a decentralized control of self-organization of the flock. These rules are combined with a leadership feature, which is responsible for a global behaviour of guidance, as in the case of animals. Such a bio-inspired combination allows the achievement of a coherent collective flight of a flock of fixed-wing UAVs without applying formal behaviours of migration and alignment. This highly simplifies an implementation of the algorithm. The presented results include both numerical simulations and experimental flights, which validate the hardware implementation of the approach.
Gold Nanoparticles Impinge on Nucleoli and the Stress Response in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Kodiha Mohamed , Mahboubi Hicham , Maysinger Dusica , Stochaj Ursula
Published: February 2016

Cancer cells can take up gold nanoparticles of different morphologies. These particles interact with the plasma membrane and often travel to intracellular organelles. Among organelles, the nucleus is especially susceptible to the damage that is inflicted by gold nanoparticles. Located inside the nucleus, nucleoli are specialized compartments that transcribe ribosomal RNA genes, produce ribosomes and function as cellular stress sensors. Nucleoli are particularly prone to gold nanoparticle-induced injury. As such, small spherical gold nanoparticles and gold nanoflowers interfere with the transcription of ribosomal DNA. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the effects of gold nanoparticles on nucleolar proteins that are critical to ribosome biogenesis and other cellular functions. We show that B23/nucleophosmin, a nucleolar protein that is tightly linked to cancer, is significantly affected by gold nanoparticles. Furthermore, gold nanoparticles impinge on the cellular stress response, as they reduce the abundance of the molecular chaperone hsp70 and O-GlcNAc modified proteins in the nucleus and nucleoli. Together, our studies set the stage for the development of nanomedicines that target the nucleolus to eradicate proliferating cancer cells.
Next-Generation Sequencing and Immunotherapy Biomarkers: A Medical Oncology Perspective
Authors: Bernicker Eric
Published: February 2016

The two most important scientific developments of the past decade regarding therapies for patients with non–small cell lung cancer are the ability to exploit particular genetic mutations with targeted therapies and the discovery of drugs that can help the patient's own immune system attack the cancer. Despite these advances, many patients do not yet benefit from either approach. To maximize patient benefit, clinicians and pathologists will need to rationally apply the growing scientific knowledge to best characterize a patient's tumor and possible driver mutations. A growing understanding of host-tumor immune interactions will hopefully help expand our therapeutic options. Lastly, the still elusive identification of immunotherapy biomarkers will hopefully help identify patients most likely to derive a therapeutic response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, and promises to be an important field of study for years to come.
Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer, PD-L1, and the Pathologist
Authors: Kerr Keith M. , Nicolson Marianne C.
Published: February 2016

Context

Although most primary cancers of the lung carry a heavy mutational load and will potentially present many “nonself” antigens to the immune system, there are a wide range of possible mechanisms for tumors to avoid so-called immune surveillance. One such mechanism is the adoption of immune checkpoints to inhibit the host immune response. Immune checkpoint inhibitors show great promise in the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer.

Objective

—To discuss the possibility of biomarker selection of patients for these therapies. This is becoming a much debated issue, and the immunohistochemical detection of Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1), the ligand for the inhibitory Programmed Death receptor 1 (PD-1) checkpoint, is one possible biomarker. Data so far available show some conflicting results, but PD-L1 immunohistochemistry looks likely to be introduced into clinical use for selecting patients for treatment with anti–PD-1 or anti–PD-L1 therapies. Given that there are 4 such drugs rapidly approaching regulatory approval, each with its own independent PD-L1 immunohistochemistry biomarker test, both oncologists and pathologists face some significant challenges.

Data Sources

Peer-reviewed literature and meeting proceedings, especially during the last 12 months, were used.

Conclusions

—The biology of PD-1/PD-L1 is complex, the clinical data for these drugs show considerable variation, the selection performance of the PD-L1 biomarker test is not perfect, and the existence of 4 drug/test combinations adds significantly to the problems faced. This article addresses some of the background to this therapeutic problem and discusses some of the issues ahead.
Assessing the Value of Course-Embedded Information Literacy on Student Learning and Achievement
Authors: Squibb Sara Davidson , Mikkelsen Susan
Published: February 2016

A team at the University of California, Merced, collaborated to evaluate the value of integrating information literacy into introductory composition courses through a curriculum developed by librarians and writing faculty. Using a mixed-methods approach, the team investigated the impact of the curriculum on students’ learning and achievement at the end of their first semester of college. Students participating in the curriculum demonstrated greater gains than their peers in using suitable sources and presenting arguments and multiple viewpoints with evidence. This learning did not translate to higher student achievement as represented by course grades and grade point average.
Mixed or Complementary Messages: Making the Most of Unexpected Assessment Results
Authors: Jones Phil , Bauder Julia , Engel Kevin
Published: February 2016

Grinnell College participated in ACRL’s first cohort of Assessment in Action (AiA), undertaking a mixed-methods action research project to assess the effectiveness of librarian-led research literacy sessions in improving students’ research skills. The quantitative data showed that the quality of students’ sources did not markedly improve following a research literacy session, while the qualitative data indicated that many students were able to state and describe important research concepts they learned. This article profiles the development of Grinnell’s AiA project and discusses how Grinnell’s librarians responded when the initial results led to more questions rather than to satisfactory answers.
Identifying and Articulating Library Connections to Student Success
Authors: Massengale Lisa , Piotrowski Pattie , Savage Devin
Published: February 2016

Engaging in ongoing assessment is key to libraries demonstrating their value to their institutions. This study is an initial step in a STEM library’s long-term goal of measuring the library’s connection to, and impact on, student academic success markers such as retention and persistence. Initial results showed that any library usage was always accompanied by a slightly higher achievement in GPA for the user. Results will serve as benchmarks for further study.
National Survey of Lead Service Line Occurrence
Authors: Cornwell David A. , Brown Richard A. , Via Steve H.
Published: February 2016

This article summarizes findings from two AWWA‐sponsored surveys of US community water systems (CWSs) that were conducted to gather information on lead‐containing service lines (LSLs) in different regions of the United States for different sizes (population ranges) of water systems. The major objective of this research was to estimate the number of water systems with LSLs and the approximate number of LSLs nationwide and by region. These estimates were ultimately extrapolated to state occurrence. The survey results indicated a national estimate of 6.1 million LSLs (either full or partial) currently present in CWSs of the United States, compared with 10.2 million estimated at the time of the original Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) (USEPA 1991); approximately 11,200 CWSs currently have LSLs compared with more than 15,000 estimated in the original LCR; 15 to 22 million people served by CWSs are estimated to have either a full or partial LSL serving their home out of a total population served by CWSs of about 293 million (7%); and approximately 30% of the CWSs surveyed (national average) reported having some LSLs in their system.
You are the real terrorist and we are just your puppet: Using individual and group factors to explain Indonesian muslims’ attributions of causes of terrorism
Authors: Mashuri Ali , Akhrani Lusy Asa , Zaduqisti Esti
Published: February 2016

The current study investigates the role of individual and intergroup factors in predicting Muslims’ tendency to attribute domestic terrorism in Indonesia to an external cause (i.e., The West) or an internal cause (i.e., radical Islamist groups). The results (N = 308) showed that intergroup factors of symbolic threat and realistic threat directly increased the external attribution and conversely decreased the internal attribution. Within the context of the current research, symbolic threat refers to Muslims’ perception that the norms and values of the West undermine Islamic identity. Realistic threat denotes Muslims’ perception that the economy and technology of the West undermine Islamic power. The individual factor of Islamic fundamentalism, which has to do with Muslims’ belief in the literal interpretation of and strict guidelines to Islamic doctrines, indirectly predicted both external attribution and internal attribution of terrorism as hypothesized, via the extent to which Muslims perceived the West as posing a symbolic threat, but not a realistic threat to Islamic existence. Uncertainty avoidance, a cultural dimension that describes the extent to which people view clear instructions as a pivotal source of concern to deal with societal problems, also significantly increased perceived symbolic threat and realistic threat, and this cultural dimension mediated the effect of Islamic fundamentalism on each of the intergroup threats. Finally, we found that the level of Islamic fundamentalism was dependent upon cognitive response, but not emotional response to mortality salience. The cognitive response to mortality salience denotes what Muslims are thinking about in coping with their own death whereas the emotional response denotes what Muslims are feeling about such issue. In particular, we found the cognitive response, but not the emotional response to mortality salience significantly gave rise to Muslims’ Islamic fundamentalism. These findings shed light on the importance of combining individual factors and group factors in explicating the dynamics of Muslims’ tendency to make attributions of causes of domestic terrorism. We discuss theoretical implications and study limitations, as well as practical actions policy makers could conduct to deal with Muslims’ Islamic fundamentalism and reduce the extent to which this particular group perceives the West as threatening their existence.
More than defense in daily experience of privacy: The functions of privacy in digital and physical environments
Authors: Lombardi Debora Benedetta , Ciceri Maria Rita
Published: February 2016

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the experience of privacy, focusing on its functional role in personal well-being. A sample (N = 180) comprised subjects between 18 and 50 years of age were asked to spontaneously provide accounts of their experiences with privacy and answer close-ended questions to acquire a description of a daily experience of privacy. The results showed the importance attributed to the function of privacy related to the “defense from social threats”, and the twofold function of privacy related to an “achieved state of privacy”, in the terms of both “system maintenance” and “system development”. The results also shed light on the role of the environment in shaping one’s experience of privacy. Specifically, the participants recognized more easily the function of defense from threats related to seeking privacy while interacting in digital environments, whereas they seemed to benefit from positive functions related to an achieved state of privacy in physical environments. The findings sustain the notion of privacy as a supportive condition for some psychological processes involved in the positive human functioning and confirm previous studies conducted on the role of privacy in human well-being.
Back Pain and the Postural and Behavioral Habits of Students in the Municipal School Network of Teotônia, Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Noll Matias , Candotti Cláudia Tarragô , Rosa Bruna Nichele da , Schoenell Maria Cristina Wolf , Tiggemann Carlos Leandro , Loss Jefferson Fagundes
Published: February 2016

Objetivos: verificar a prevalência de dor nas costas nos últimos três meses; identificar os hábitos posturais e comportamentais; e verificar se existe relação entre a dor nas costas e os hábitos de escolares do Ensino Fundamental da Rede Municipal de Ensino da cidade de Teutônia/RS. Método: trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico populacional, em que participaram 833 escolares de 5ª a 8ª séries de todas as Escolas da Rede Municipal de Ensino da cidade de Teutônia. Os escolares responderam o questionário BackPEI que avaliou a dor nas costas e os hábitos comportamentais e posturais. A análise foi feita a partir de estatística descritiva, do cálculo das razões de prevalência (RP) e dos intervalos de confiança de 95%. A variável dependente foi a dor nas costas e as variáveis independentes foram as questões posturais e comportamentais. As RP foram realizadas por meio da análise multivariada, com variância robusta (a=0,05). Resultados: a prevalência de dor nas costas nos últimos três meses foi de 54,1%, a maioria referiu sentir dor uma vez por mês e 17,4% dos escolares referiram impedimento da realização das suas atividades diárias devido à dor. A análise multivariada demonstrou associação entre dor nas costas e tempo diário assistindo televisão (p = 0,046), postura adotada para dormir (p = 0,048) e sentar para escrever (p = 0,032). Conclusões: estes resultados são instigantes ao demonstrarem uma alta prevalência de dor nas costas em escolares, sugerindo ser urgente a necessidade do desenvolvimento de programas educativos e preventivos no âmbito escolar.
Characterization of umami taste sensitivity in children With and without cancer
Authors: Elman Ilana , Geraldo Ana Paula Gines , Karcher Cristiane , Silva Maria Elisabeth Machado Pinto e
Published: February 2016

Resumo Introdução: O gosto umami é proveniente de glutamato e 5 ribonucleotídeos, incluindo inosinato e guanilato, os quais aparecem naturalmente em muitos alimentos. Pode ser identificado pelo glutamato monossódico, sendo considerado como gosto sutil, mas misturando-se bem com outros gostos, expande e incrementa o sabor. Objetivo: Identificar os limiares de detecção do gosto umami em crianças com Leucemia Lonfóide Aguda ou Linfoma não-Hodgkin e em escolares saudáveis, e correlacionar a sensibilidade ao gosto com o estado nutricional, idade e sexo. Método: Foi aplicado teste de sensibilidade de Threshold para determinar o limiar do gosto umami, com 6 concentrações crescentes de água deionizada e glutamato monossódico. Os indivíduos foram pesados e medidos, e calculado o IMC para determinar o estado nutricional. Para as análises estatísticas foram utilizadas versão 2.6.6 do software estatístico R e testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis com níveis descritivos (p = 0,05). Resultados: a amostra foi contituida de 102 pacientes e 42 escolares, sendo que 74 do sexo masculino (53,9% e 54,8%), 93 eutróficos (63,7% e 69,0%) e 43 na faixa etária de 6 a 9 anos (58,8% e 52,4%), respectivamente. A maioria dos pacientes (92,0%) e escolares (97,4%) eram sensíveis ao gosto umami e tiveram valores de limiar de sensibilidade semelhantes ao gosto umami. Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os limiares do gosto umami de pacientes sensíveis e escolares, IMC, sexo. Conclusões: a percepção ao gosto umami foi independente do sexo, idade, estado nutricional ou presença de doença.
Effect of sedentary lifestyle, nutritional status and sex On the flexibility of school children
Authors: Graciosa Maylli Daiani , Coelho Jerusa Jordão , Costa Letícia Miranda Resende da , Medeiros Daiane Lazzeri de , Martinello Micheli , Ries Lilian Gerdi Kittel
Published: February 2016

Resumo Introdução: os hábitos de vida da atualidade têm levado a um estilo de vida mais sedentário, contribuindo para o aumento da obesidade. Desta forma é necessário compreender se estas mudanças influenciam na flexibilidade do indivíduo. Objetivo: verificar se sexo, sedentarismo e perfil nutricional influenciam o nível de flexibilidade de escolares. Método: foram avaliados 60 escolares de ambos os sexos com idade entre cinco a 14 anos, divididos em dois grupos: flexibilidade normal (n=21) e flexibilidade reduzida (n=39). A flexibilidade dos escolares foi avaliada por meio da fotogrametria através do teste de elevação dos MMII em extensão considerando o ângulo da perna. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado através do Questionário de Atividade física para Crianças e a classificação do perfil nutricional foi realizada utilizando o Índice de Massa Corporal por idade e com relação ao sexo. Resultados: os grupos com flexibilidade normal e reduzida, não apresentaram diferenças significativas com relação à idade, peso e altura (p>0,05). Não foi observado diferenças (p>0,05) nos ângulos da perna na comparação entre os grupos sedentários e ativos; obesos e não obesos, e entre os grupos do sexo feminino e masculino. Conclusões: o sexo, sedentarismo e o perfil nutricional não influenciaram a flexibilidade dos escolares avaliados.