bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Ordinal Embedding from Contaminated Relative Comparisons
Authors: Ma Ke , Xu Qianqian , Cao Xiaochun
Published: August 2019

Existing ordinal embedding methods usually follow a twostage routine: outlier detection is first employed to pick out the inconsistent comparisons; then an embedding is learned from the clean data. However, learning in a multi-stage manner is well-known to suffer from sub-optimal solutions. In this paper, we propose a unified framework to jointly identify the contaminated comparisons and derive reliable embeddings. The merits of our method are three-fold: (1) By virtue of the proposed unified framework, the sub-optimality of traditional methods is largely alleviated; (2) The proposed method is aware of global inconsistency by minimizing a corresponding cost, while traditional methods only involve local inconsistency; (3) Instead of considering the nuclear norm heuristics, we adopt an exact solution for rank equality constraint. Our studies are supported by experiments with both simulated examples and real-world data. The proposed framework provides us a promising tool for robust ordinal embedding from the contaminated comparisons.
That’s Mine! Learning Ownership Relations and Norms for Robots
Authors: Tan Zhi-Xuan , Brawer Jake , Scassellati Brian
Published: August 2019

The ability for autonomous agents to learn and conform to human norms is crucial for their safety and effectiveness in social environments. While recent work has led to frameworks for the representation and inference of simple social rules, research into norm learning remains at an exploratory stage. Here, we present a robotic system capable of representing, learning, and inferring ownership relations and norms. Ownership is represented as a graph of probabilistic relations between objects and their owners, along with a database of predicate-based norms that constrain the actions permissible on owned objects. To learn these norms and relations, our system integrates (i) a novel incremental norm learning algorithm capable of both one-shot learning and induction from specific examples, (ii) Bayesian inference of ownership relations in response to apparent rule violations, and (iii) perceptbased prediction of an object’s likely owners. Through a series of simulated and real-world experiments, we demonstrate the competence and flexibility of the system in performing object manipulation tasks that require a variety of norms to be followed, laying the groundwork for future research into the acquisition and application of social norms.
Unsupervised Stylish Image Description Generation via Domain Layer Norm
Authors: Chen Cheng-Kuan , Pan Zhufeng , Liu Ming-Yu , Sun Min
Published: August 2019

Most of the existing works on image description focus on generating expressive descriptions. The only few works that are dedicated to generating stylish (e.g., romantic, lyric, etc.) descriptions suffer from limited style variation and content digression. To address these limitations, we propose a controllable stylish image description generation model. It can learn to generate stylish image descriptions that are more related to image content and can be trained with the arbitrary monolingual corpus without collecting new paired image and stylish descriptions. Moreover, it enables users to generate various stylish descriptions by plugging in style-specific parameters to include new styles into the existing model. We achieve this capability via a novel layer normalization layer design, which we will refer to as the Domain Layer Norm (DLN). Extensive experimental validation and user study on various stylish image description generation tasks are conducted to show the competitive advantages of the proposed model.
Unsupervised Meta-Learning of Figure-Ground Segmentation via Imitating Visual Effects
Authors: Chen Ding-Jie , Chien Jui-Ting , Chen Hwann-Tzong , Liu Tyng-Luh
Published: August 2019

This paper presents a “learning to learn” approach to figureground image segmentation. By exploring webly-abundant images of specific visual effects, our method can effectively learn the visual-effect internal representations in an unsupervised manner and uses this knowledge to differentiate the figure from the ground in an image. Specifically, we formulate the meta-learning process as a compositional image editing task that learns to imitate a certain visual effect and derive the corresponding internal representation. Such a generative process can help instantiate the underlying figure-ground notion and enables the system to accomplish the intended image segmentation. Whereas existing generative methods are mostly tailored to image synthesis or style transfer, our approach offers a flexible learning mechanism to model a general concept of figure-ground segmentation from unorganized images that have no explicit pixel-level annotations. We validate our approach via extensive experiments on six datasets to demonstrate that the proposed model can be end-to-end trained without ground-truth pixel labeling yet outperforms the existing methods of unsupervised segmentation tasks.
Semantic Proposal for Activity Localization in Videos via Sentence Query
Authors: Chen Shaoxiang , Jiang Yu-Gang
Published: August 2019

This paper presents an efficient algorithm to tackle temporal localization of activities in videos via sentence queries. The task differs from traditional action localization in three aspects: (1) Activities are combinations of various kinds of actions and may span a long period of time. (2) Sentence queries are not limited to a predefined list of classes. (3) The videos usually contain multiple different activity instances. Traditional proposal-based approaches for action localization that only consider the class-agnostic “actionness” of video snippets are insufficient to tackle this task. We propose a novel Semantic Activity Proposal (SAP) which integrates the semantic information of sentence queries into the proposal generation process to get discriminative activity proposals. Visual and semantic information are jointly utilized for proposal ranking and refinement. We evaluate our algorithm on the TACoS dataset and the Charades-STA dataset. Experimental results show that our algorithm outperforms existing methods on both datasets, and at the same time reduces the number of proposals by a factor of at least 10.
Risk factors associated with IgA vasculitis with nephritis (Henoch–Schönlein purpura nephritis) progressing to unfavorable outcomes: a meta-analysis v1
Authors: Li Qiu
Published: August 2019

The aim of thisstudy was to analyze therisk factors associated with unfavorable outcomes in children with IgA vasculitis with nephritis (Henoch-Schőnlein purpura nephritis) (IgA-VN). these databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched in this meta-analysis. The data were extracted to perform pooled analysis, heterogeneity testing, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias analysis.
Governing Indigenous Drinking: Jiejiu in Settler-Colonial Taiwan
Authors: Wu Yi-Cheng
Published: August 2019

This study explores the disparity between psychiatric interventions and the lived experience of problematic drinking, which is a critical global mental health issue, including in an indigenous area in Northern Taiwan. This strategically situated three-year ethnographic study on a hospital's jiejiu project highlights the dilemma of current health interventions that target indigenous people who drink under settler-colonial conditions. Interventions based on Western psychiatric categories can lose their efficacy due to disparate understandings regarding illness, moral experience, and perceptions of indigenous drinking cultures. The difficulties of such interventions also appear from hesitant self-identification and ambivalence toward a drinking culture shaped by social changes wrought by marginalization and oppression through colonization. Psychiatrization of the human condition and the top-down format of health delivery policy reaffirm colonial power and generate various levels of stigmatization. This study asserts the need to decolonize modern psychiatric knowledge and inquire into the ontology of drinking practices under complicated contexts in the contemporary world.
Farklı Kariyer Evrelerindeki Öğretmenlerin Sürekli Öğrenen Okul Oluşturmaya İlişkin Zihni Modelleri
Authors: IŞIK Metin , BAHAT İsa
Published: August 2019

Okullar eğitim ortamları
olarak bireyin davranışlarını, düşüncelerini, hayat felsefesini belirlemeyi
(Fındıkçı, 1996: 141) amaçlamaktadır. Günümüzde, okulun geleneksel öğretme
yerine öğrencinin aktif öğrenmesi misyon haline gelmiştir. Bilgi toplumunda
eğitim sisteminin görevi, öğrenmeyi öğrenen bireyler yetiştirmek; eğitim
yöneticilerinin görevi ise okulu öğrenen okul niteliğine kavuşturmaktır
(Başaran, 2000: 57). Sistem yaklaşımı da, örgütlerdeki öğrenen kişiler
aracılığıyla öğrenen örgüt olmayı amaçlamaktadır. Okul ortamında öğretme
sorumluluğundaki öğretmenlerin, yol göstermek, danışmanlık yapmak,
cesaretlendirmek gibi rolleri ağırlık kazanmakta ve “yaşam boyu eğitim”
felsefesi temel alınmaktadır (Ünal ve Ada, 2001: 58). Bu yüzden öğretmenlerin
öğrenme ve öğrenen okul oluşturmaya yönelik algı, yaklaşım ve düşünceleri önem
kazanmaktadır. Çünkü günümüzde meydana gelen gelişmeler, başta eğitim olmak
üzere tüm sistemleri yaşanan değişime uymaya zorlamaktadır. Bunun için
örgütlerin sürekli gelişmeyle birlikte kendi içlerinde öğrenmenin sürekliliğini
sağlamaları gerekmektedir. Öğrenmeyi, bilgiyi, kaliteyi, insanı ve insani
değerleri merkeze alan öğrenen örgütler ön plana çıkmaktadır (Yıldırım, 1999:
5). Bunun için okullarda öğretmenlerin öğrenme, öğrenme kültürü, öğrenen örgüt
olma konusundaki düşünsel yaklaşımlarında değişikliğe gitmeleri beklenmektedir.
Öğrenmenin temelini oluşturan zihniyet değişikliği için sahip olunan düşünce
kalıplarını ve bakış açılarını değiştirmeleri beklenmektedir. Bu amacı
bireylerin düşünme yöntemlerini geliştiren zihni modeller sağlamaktadır.
DIFICULDADES DE ESCOLARIZAÇÃO NA COORDENADORIA PRISIONAL FEMININO/IAPEN/AP
Authors: Dos Reis Saraiva Edmar , Ferreira Josiane Pantoja
Published: August 2019

O presente estudo foi realizado na Coordenadoria da Penitenciária Feminina/IAPEN/AP. Esse artigo tem como escopo confrontar a realidade vivenciada pelas presas no ambiente escolar prisional e o discurso oficial representado pelo conjunto de leis e regulamentos acerca da escolarização. Para dá voz as reivindicações inauditas das mulheres encarceradas, foram aplicados questionários as mulheres privadas de liberdade que estudam. Através da revisão de literatura e da aplicação dos questionários, foi possível constatar alguns dos empecilhos no processo de escolarização das mulheres presas. Para finalizar, ressalta-se a importância de compreender o ambiente escolar da prisão, como um ambiente, propicio a potencializar ações de reintegração social, porém é fundamental que os direitos sejam efetivados, ou seja, sair da retórica para ação.
Quantification of Interplaying Relationships Between Wellbeing Priorities of Aboriginal People in Remote Australia
Authors: Schultz Rosalie , Quinn Stephen J. , Abbott Tammy , Cairney Sheree , Yamaguchi Jessica
Published: August 2019

Wellbeing is a useful indicator of social progress because its subjectivity accounts for diverse aspirations. The Interplay research project developed a wellbeing framework for Aboriginal people in remote Australia comprising government and community wellbeing priorities. This article describes statistical modelling of community priorities based on surveys administered by community researchers to 841 participants from four remote settlements. Constructs for Aboriginal language literacy, cultural practice, and empowerment were identified through exploratory factor analysis (EFA); structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to confirm relationships. Cultural practice was associated with Aboriginal language literacy and empowerment, which were both associated with wellbeing. Aboriginal literacy and empowerment mediated negative direct relationships between cultural practice and wellbeing. Direct relationships were significant only for females for whom empowerment and Aboriginal literacy appear key to enhancing wellbeing.
El papel actual de la academia como actor fundamental del desarrollo local y regional
Authors: Ramírez Ospina Marco Antonio
Published: August 2019

El fortalecimiento del proceso investigativo en la Universidad La Gran Colombia,ha permitido identificar las necesidades actuales de los municipios del Quindíoen materia de ordenamiento territorial, ratificando la pertinencia de la participaciónde la academia en los procesos de desarrollo. Es por eso que a través de propuestasÂ concretas, la Facultad de Arquitectura se vislumbra como protagonista de estosÂ procesos, dentro de su compromiso esencial con un Desarrollo Regional fundamentadoÂ en la sinergia entre actores locales.
Diagnóstico de las brechas de competitividad del sector de muebles de madera del departamento del Quindío a través del análisis de variables críticas informe de investigación
Authors: Forero Ortiz Giselle Edith , Alzate Carlos Gilberto
Published: August 2019

El diagnóstico de las brechas de competitividad del sector de muebles demadera del departamento del Quindío, a través del análisis de variables críticas,Â permite establecer la condición de las cuatro etapas de encadenamiento productivo,Â en los principales factores de competitividad.Los resultados de este estudio, permiten visualizar en la etapa de Recepciónde Materia Prima, la no aplicación de estándares y normas técnicas dentro delproceso, permitiendo la comercialización de todo tipo de maderas, sin restricciónÂ legal, ni tratamiento de calidad y condición, llevando este problema a la etapa deÂ transformación, donde se refleja en desperdicios de recursos y reprocesos, incrementoÂ en los costos, además de problemas en el producto final.La no aplicación de tecnologías avanzadas en cada uno de las etapas, atrasalas competencias en términos de recurso humano, impide la tecnificación de equipos, el desarrollo de nuevos productos y el mejoramiento de los procesos.Como conclusión general se observa que la industria del mueble en el departamentoÂ del Quindío, requiere una agremiación que permita el fortalecimiento de losÂ cluster relacionados y de los eslabones, asegurando la producción, mejoramientoÂ tecnológico y el abastecimiento de madera, desde recursos propios del Departamento,Â estableciendo precios regulados, y no dependiendo del abastecimiento deÂ los mercados informales externos que no garantizan procedencia ni calidad yÂ manejan el precio según su conveniencia.También requiere implementar programas de inversión en capacitación endiferentes campos, adquisición de nuevos equipos, mejoramiento de procesos,entre otras, lo que conlleve a la aplicación de estándares y al mejoramientotécnico, haciendo más competitiva la cadena forestal del departamento del Quindío.
Determination of serum YKL-40 levels in patients with brucellosis
Authors: MİLLETLİ SEZGİN Fikriye , NAR Rukiye
Published: August 2019

Aim:
To determine serum YKL-40 levels in patients diagnosed with
brucellosis.
Material
and Methods: This study included 40 Brucellosis patients with
positive serum agglutination tests and 41 healthy control subjects.
The two groups were compared with regard to their serum YKL-40,
hematological parameters, and C-reactive protein (CRP) values.
Results:
The brucellosis patient group presented YKL-40 values of 15.0 ± 8.8
ng/mL, CRP values of 0.2 ± 0.1 mg/dL, a Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio
(NLR) of 1.5 ± 1.0, and a Platelet/Lymphocyte ratio (PLR) of 109.3 ±
46.4. The control group presented YKL-40 values of 12.7 ± 6.1ng/mL,
CRP values of 1.48 ± 2.1mg/dL, a Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio (NLR)
of 2.1 ± 0.7, and a Platelet/Lymphocyte ratio (PLR) of 147.8 ±
59.0.

Conclusion:
No significant differences were determined between the YKL-40 levels
of the patient and control groups. The patient group manifested
significantly higher levels of CRP compared to the control group, and
YKL-40 was determined to be positively correlated with CRP, PLT, PLR,
NLR and age. However, further studies are needed for the role of
YKL-40 in infectious diseases to be understood more clearly.
Tp-e interval and Tp-e/qt ratio in patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: TEKİN TAK Bahar , ÇAY Serkan , YÜKSEL Mahmut , EKİZLER Firdevs Ayşenur , AKDOĞAN AYHAN Meral , KAFES Habibe , YAYLA Çağrı , KAYAÇETİN Ertuğrul
Published: August 2019

Aim:   Ventricular repolarization is assessed using
the Tp-e interval and QT interval corrected by the heart rate (QTc) via an
electrocardiogram (ECG). Prolonged Tp-e/QTc is related with an increased risk
of arrhythmias and cardiac mortality. As there have been few reports regarding
the effects of NAFLD on ventricular repolarization, we aimed
to appraise the assessment of Tp-e
interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with NAFLD. Material
and Methods: Totally 97 patients with NAFLD and 77 control subjects were enrolled in our study. Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc
ratios were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Results:
Heart rate was similar between groups (74.8 ± 10.1 vs. 75.7 ± 11.7; p=0.598). QT interval
(396.0 ± 34.2 vs.
384.6 ± 30.7;
p=0.023) and QTc interval  (403.6 ± 34.8 vs. 399.9 ± 36.3; p=0.027), Tp-e
interval (100.4 ± 13.6 vs.
91.4 ± 13.4;
p<0.001) , Tp-e/QT ratio (0.25
± 0.03 vs.
0.23 ± 0.03;
p=0.003) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.23
± 0.03 vs.
0.21 ± 0.03;
p=0.002) were significantly different between groups. There was significant
correlation between Tp-e interval  (r=
0.328, p<0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio and hepatic steatosis grade (r= 0.237,
p=0.002).

Conclusion:
Tp-e interval, QT
interval, QTc interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were prolonged in patients
with NAFLD.
NAFLD
is found an independent factor for increased Tp-e/QT ratio. This is the first study that investigated the Tp-e
interval  and Tp-e/QT parameters in patients with NAFLD.
A GENERALIZED STUDY ON CLOSED LIE IDEALS WITH (α,α)-DERIVATIONS
Authors: ALBAYRAK Barış , YEŞİL Didem
Published: August 2019

In this
paper, we study square closed Lie ideals of semi-prime rings with generalized

 derivations and investigate
commutative properties of square closed Lie ideals under different conditions.
Also, we take generalized

 derivation

 with determined

 derivation

 on prime ring and prove that

 is

 commuting on Lie ideal. Finally, we
reach the corollaries about commutativity of prime rings by using the theorems
we prove.
HARDY-SOBOLEV-MAZYA INEQUALITY FOR NABLA TIME SCALE CALCULUS
Authors: PELEN Neslihan Nesliye
Published: August 2019

First

part of the study is mainly about some missing concepts of the measure theory

of nabla time scale calculus. In the second part, as an application of the

nabla measure theory, especially the nabla Sobolev spaces, Hardy- Sobolev Mazya

Inequality on nabla time scale is obtained and given.
Pengaruh Panjang dan Kemiringan Lereng terhadap Stabilitas Keseluruhan Sheet Pile di Tanah Lunak
Authors: Arifin Yulian Firmana
Published: August 2019

Kegagalan konstruksi sheet pile dapat disebabkan karena perencana kurang teliti dalam menganalisa stabilitas keseluruhan lereng. Kegalalan ini sering terjadi setelah timbunan di belakang sheet pile dilaksanakan.  Paper ini fokus membahas mengenai pengaruh panjang dan kemiringan lereng terhadap stabilitas keseluruhan konstruksi sheet pile khususnya di tanah lunak. Metode finite element menggunakan program Plaxis 2D digunakan untuk menganalisa stabilitas kestabilan lereng yang ditunjukkan oleh nilai faktor keamanan. Model sheet pile dibuat dengan panjang terpancang 20m dan tinggi timbunan 5m yang ditimbung secara bertahap. Panjang lereng di depan konstruksi adalah 15, 30, dan 45 m atau setara dengan 1-3 kali panjang sheet pile yang tertanam. Kemiringan lereng yang diaplikasikan pada model adalah 0(datar), 5, 10, dan 15 derajat.  Hasil analisa memperlihatkan besarnya pengaruh panjang dan kemiringan lereng di depan konstruksi dimana faktor keamanan berkurang 0,02 tiap kenaikan 1 derajat lereng.
3D-QSAR, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Thieno[3,2-b]Pyrrole-5- Carboxamide Derivatives as LSD1 Inhibitors
Authors: Huang Meilan , Xu yongtao , He Zihao , Yang Min , Liu Hongyi , Lu Xiaoyuan
Published: August 2019

Histone Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1) is overexpressed in many cancers and become a new target for anticancer drugs. In recent years, the small molecule inhibitors with various structures targeting LSD1 have been reported. Here we report the binding interaction modes of a series of thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-5-carboxamides LSD1 inhibitors using molecular docking, three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR). Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA q2=0.783, r2=0.944, r2pred=0.851) and Comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA q2=0.728, r2=0.982, r2pred=0.814) were used to establish 3D-QSAR models, which had good verification and prediction capabilities. Based on the contour maps and the information of molecular docking, 8 novel small molecules were designed in silico, among which compounds D4, D5 and D8 with high predictive activity were subjected to further molecular dynamics simulations (MD), and their possible binding modes were explored. It was found that Asn535 plays a crucial role in stabilizing the inhibitors. Furthermore, the ADME and bioavailability prediction for D4, D5 and D8 were carried out. The results would provide valuable guidance for designing new reversible LSD1 inhibitors in the future.
Analysis of Water Bodies under Partial Cloud Conditions Using Satellite Images
Authors: Neware Rahul , Thakare Mansi
Published: August 2019

The technique of obtaining information or data about any feature or object from afar, called in technical parlance as remote sensing, has proven extremely useful in diverse fields. In the ecological sphere, especially, remote sensing has enabled collection of data or information about large swaths of areas or landscapes. Even then, in remote sensing the task of identifying and monitoring of different water reservoirs has proved a tough one. This is mainly because getting correct appraisals about the spread and boundaries of the area under study and the contours of any water surfaces lodged therein becomes a factor of utmost importance. Identification of water reservoirs is rendered even tougher because of presence of cloud in satellite images, which becomes the largest source of error in identification of water surfaces. To overcome this glitch, the method of the shape matching approach for analysis of cloudy images in reference to cloud-free images of water surfaces with the help of vector data processing, is recommended. It includes the database of water bodies in vector format, which is a complex polygon structure. This analysis highlights three steps: First, the creation of vector database for the analysis; second, simplification of multi-scale vector polygon features; and third, the matching of reference and target water bodies database within defined distance tolerance. This feature matching approach provides matching of one to many and many to many features. It also gives the corrected images that are free of clouds.
The Leak Pathway: A Pathway in Flux
Authors: Monaco Ashley , Ovryn Ben , Axis Josephine , Amsler Kurt
Published: August 2019

The epithelial cell tight junction structure is the site of the transepithelial movement of solutes and water between epithelial cells (paracellular permeability). Paracellular permeability can be divided into two distinct pathways, the Pore Pathway mediating the movement of small ions and solutes and the Leak Pathway mediating the movement of large solutes. Claudin proteins form the basic paracellular permeability barrier and mediate the movement of small ions and solutes via the Pore Pathway. The Leak Pathway remains less understood. Several proteins have been implicated in mediating the Leak Pathway, including occludin, ZO proteins, tricellulin, and actin filaments, but the proteins comprising the Leak Pathway remain unresolved. The properties of the Leak Pathway, such as its molecular mechanism, its regulation, and whether or not it has a potential size limit, remain controversial. This review will trace the evolution of the Leak Pathway concept from its origins, will discuss the current information about the properties of the Leak Pathway, and will discuss recent research suggesting a possible molecular basis for the Leak Pathway. Based on these findings, we propose a model for the molecular mechanism underlying the Leak Pathway and its regulation.
A Novel Approach for Assessing and Training the Drilling Skills of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Authors: Zamani Naghmeh , Pourkand Ashkan , Salas Christina , Mercer Deana M. , Grow David
Published: August 2019

Background:

Although experiences in the operating room can help surgeons to learn simple bone-drilling techniques, outside training may be better suited for complex procedures. We adapted a rotary handpiece to evaluate the bone-drilling skills of orthopaedic resident physicians during the 2017 Southwest Orthopaedic Trauma Association (SWOTA) motor skills course.

Methods:

Twenty-five postgraduate year (PGY)-1 orthopaedic residents from 7 institutions were asked to perform a bicortical drilling task 3 times both before and after attending a motor skills course. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected using force, acceleration, and visual sensors.

Results:

Sixteen parameters were measured. The interdependence of these parameters (taken separately for precourse and postcourse performance) is presented. Evidence for motor skill acquisition across a short time scale is elucidated. Noteworthy correlations include overpenetration with force (0.65 mm), palmar-dorsal (P-D) toggle (0.65°), vibration in the P-D direction (0.53 m/s2), time (−0.41 sec), and RPM (revolutions per minute; −0.36); time with both RPM (0.38) and P-D toggle (−0.40°); and force with both RPM (−0.41) and P-D toggle (0.32°). Differences in performance before and after the motor skills course include reduction in overpenetration (28.8 to 18.2 mm), reduction in skiving (22% to 6%), and reduction in preparation time (27.3 to 9.65 sec). Additionally, there were several differences in performance by institution that were significant (overpenetration, toggle in the P-D and radial-ulnar [R-U] directions, and both drilling force and drilling time).

Conclusions:

Understanding how performance and outcome parameters are correlated provides powerful insight into how surgical procedures can be best performed. In particular, we hope that these findings will inform new training paradigms. Variations in resident training from 1 institution to another are evidenced in surgical performance. Similarly, the methods used here to quantify changes in performance across the 3-day SWOTA training course allow a unique vehicle for optimization of these types of training opportunities outside of the operating room.
The Military Extremity Trauma Amputation/Limb Salvage (METALS) Study
Authors: Mitchell Stuart L. , Hayda Roman , Chen Andrew T. , Carlini Anthony R. , Ficke James R. , MacKenzie Ellen J. ,   on behalf of the METALS Study Group
Published: August 2019

Background:

Severe upper-extremity injuries account for almost one-half of all extremity trauma in recent conflicts in the Global War on Terror. Few long-term outcomes studies address severe combat-related upper-extremity injuries. This study’s objective was to describe long-term functional outcomes of amputation compared with those of limb salvage in Global War on Terror veterans who sustained severe upper-extremity injuries. Limb salvage was hypothesized to result in better arm and hand function scores, overall functional status, and quality of life, with similar pain interference.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the Military Extremity Trauma Amputation/Limb Salvage (METALS) study for a subset of 155 individuals who sustained major upper-extremity injuries treated with amputation or limb salvage. Participants were interviewed by telephone 40 months after injury, assessing social support, personal habits, and patient-reported outcome instruments for function, activity, depression, pain, and posttraumatic stress. Outcomes were evaluated for participants with severe upper-extremity injuries and were compared with participants with concomitant severe, lower-extremity injury. The analysis of outcomes comparing limb salvage with amputation was restricted to the 137 participants with a unilateral upper-extremity injury because of the small number of patients with bilateral upper-extremity injuries (n = 18).

Results:

Overall, participants with upper-extremity injuries reported moderate to high levels of physical and psychosocial disability. Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) scores were high across domains; 19.4% screened positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 12.3% were positive for depression. Nonetheless, 63.6% of participants were working, were on active duty, or were attending school, and 38.7% of participants were involved in vigorous recreational activities. No significant differences in outcomes were observed between patients who underwent limb salvage and those who underwent amputation.

Conclusions:

Severe, combat-related upper-extremity injuries result in diminished self-reported function and psychosocial health. Our results suggest that long-term outcomes are equivalent for those treated with amputation or limb salvage. Addressing or preventing PTSD, depression, chronic pain, and associated health habits may result in less disability burden in this population.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Variation in the Delivery of Inpatient Orthopaedic Care to Medicaid Beneficiaries within a Single Metropolitan Region
Authors: Dy Christopher J. , Tipping Andrew D. , Nickel Katelin B. , Jiang Winston , O’Keefe Regis J. , Olsen Margaret A.
Published: August 2019

Background:

There is variability in access to and utilization of orthopaedic care, particularly for those with Medicaid insurance. One potential contributor is perceived unwillingness of surgeons and hospitals to accept underinsured patients. We used administrative data to examine the payer mix for select inpatient orthopaedic surgical procedures at all hospitals within a single region, hypothesizing that the delivery of orthopaedic surgery to Medicaid beneficiaries varies highly at the hospital level.

Methods:

Using administrative data, we analyzed inpatient hospitalizations for elective cases (total knee or hip arthroplasty; spinal decompression or fusion) and trauma cases (hip hemiarthroplasty; femoral or tibial and fibular fracture repair) among 22 hospitals in a single region from 2011 to 2016 for patients who were 18 to 64 years of age. The primary outcome was the percentage of each hospital’s caseload with Medicaid listed as the primary payer. The secondary outcome measured each hospital’s Medicaid percentage against the percentage of Medicaid-insured individuals within 10 miles of the hospital (Medicaid share ratio), using a ratio of 1 as a benchmark. To quantify variation, we calculated a weighted coefficient of variation of the Medicaid share ratio for all cases combined, elective cases only, and trauma cases only.

Results:

For all cases (n = 19,204), the mean percentage of Medicaid-funded surgical procedures was 7.6% (range, 0.2% to 57.3%). The mean Medicaid share ratio was 1.0 (range, 0.05 to 4.20). Across 22 hospitals, the weighted coefficient of variation for Medicaid share was 69, indicating very high variation. For elective cases alone, the mean percentage of Medicaid-funded surgical procedures was 5.5% (range, 0.2% to 64.6%). The mean Medicaid share ratio was 0.71 (range, 0.05 to 4.73), and the weighted coefficient of variation was 93. For trauma cases alone, Medicaid-funded surgical procedures were 14.7% (range, 0.0% to 35.7%). The mean Medicaid share ratio was 2.0 (range, 0 to 3.93), and the weighted coefficient of variation was 34.

Conclusions:

Delivery of care was highly variable when benchmarking against the insurance composition of each hospital’s surrounding community. Although generalizability to other regions is limited, our findings support previously asserted notions that delivery of orthopaedic care may differ on the basis of socioeconomic markers (such as insurance status). If not addressed, these inequities may exacerbate existing racially and socioeconomically based disparities in care.
Comparative fatty acıd composıtıon of European seabass Dıcentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) durıng theır growth perıod ın dıfferent productıon regıons ın the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea coast of Turkey
Authors: Baki Birol , Ozturk Dilara Kaya , Kerim Murat
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to analyse the fatty acid composition of European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758),
farmed in marine cages in the Aegean Sea and in the Black Sea coasts of Turkey. The study was conducted between June
2014 and September 2015 using the same feed in all the cage farms. Fish samples representing the stock were collected at
regular intervals and morphometric measurements were taken in the laboratory. Fatty acid analyses were carried out by gas
chromatography. Biochemical composition of harvested European seabass indicated high dry matter and crude fat values
in the Black Sea region and high crude protein and crude ash values in the Aegean region. Significant regional differences
between fatty acid composition (p<0.05) was observed, despite being fed with the same diets.
Weight-length relationship, morphometric and meristic characters of the yellow seahorse Hippocampus kuda Bleeker, 1852 (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) from central west coast of India
Authors: Pawar H.B. , Sanaye S.V. , Sreepada R.A. , Ingole B.S.
Published: August 2019

Eighteen morphometric and five meristic characters of the yellow seahorse, Hippocampus kuda inhabiting the coastal waters of Ratnagiri, central west coast of India, were studied. Morphometric/numerical analysis confirmed the identity of the species from Ratnagiri coastal waters as Hippocampus Kuda Bleeker, 1852. A negative allometric relationship was observed in both genders of H. kuda. The estimated weight-length relationships  (WLR) for male and female specimens, respectively were, W=0.0034 SL2.8533 and W=0.0078 SL2.5253 (r2>0.95). The biological information on morphometric and meristic characters, WLR and length-length relationship (LLR) provided in this study would be helpful for conservation and management of this vulnerable seahorse species.
Shortfalls Reduction from Optimized Preservation in Ultra-Deepwater; Kaombo Field Real Case Application
Authors: Rolland Julien , Devoisselle Romain , Daures Remi , Glénat Philippe , Pagézy Ludovic
Published: August 2019

The FPSO Kaombo Norte came on stream on July 27 2018, offshore Angola. When both its FPSOs will be at plateau, the biggest deep offshore project in Angola will account for 10% of the country's production. Kaombo reserves are spread over an 800-square-kilometer area. The development stands out for its subsea network size with more than 270 kilometers of pipeline on the seabed between 1500-2000m water depth, including subsea production wells more than 25km away from the production facility.

During the project phase, measures have been taken in order to standardize the subsea design overall including the thermal requirements. By necessity the insulation design of the subsea component is driven by the most stringent part of the development which is then applied throughout the complete system on Kaombo. This inevitably infers that certain parts of the system operate with a built-in margin regarding thermal performance. With an overall objective to optimize the OPEX the use of this margin on some assets generates added-value in the operational phase by reducing production shortfalls through reducing the number of preservations undertaken during life of field.

In order to improve the overall preservation sequence, crude abilities to delay hydrates formation and/or to transport hydrates have been studied on the coldest fields. It was found that studied crudes present interesting properties to delay hydrates formation. These tests have been performed with crude samples in lab conditions in order to assess the temperature and pressure when hydrates start to form. The results indicate that it is possible to extend the waiting period (i.e. time before launching preservation) well inside the hydrate thermodynamic zone and operating "safety" zones have been defined depending of the actual temperature and pressure.

An optimized preservation sequence postponing the decision point to restart or preserve was finally implemented thanks to:

An accurate knowledge of the full system thermal performance especially including the weak links The study of crude properties for the most penalizing fields vs. hydrates plug risk

The methodology implemented is today already field proven and application of the extended waiting period was performed allowing reduction of shortfalls and smooth restart. A significant impact is expected for the full life of the field.
Digital Initiatives for Condition Based Maintenance Using Monitoring Solutions with Data Analytics
Authors: Bhalla Kenneth , Fisher Kelly J. , Waligura Jason E.
Published: August 2019

Presently, drilling riser joints are inspected every five years. This is usually accomplished by rotating 20% onshore every year to be dis-assembled and inspected. This requires extensive boat trips from a mobile operating drilling unit (MODU) to onshore and trucking of the riser to the inspection facility. Typically, 20 riser joints from each riser system are transported on a boat and one riser per truck to an inspection facility each year, making the logistics of performing a drilling inspection complex and costly.

A laser-based measurement for inspection together with monitoring of riser systems has been implemented with a new standard process for collecting critical riser data that is ABS approved. The aim is to mitigate the costs and time associated with essential MODU drilling riser inspections, by empowering operators to reliably determine the condition of drilling riser joints, consistently predict when vital components will require service and accurately assess remaining component life.

The approach utilizes a life cycle condition based monitoring, maintenance and inspection system that can be deployed on a MODU, enabling resources to be deployed only when necessary, instead of on a calendar interval. The solution consists of: Performing a baseline inspection on the riser joints to assess their present state, Collecting the environmental and operating data when the rig is on site drilling, Feeding the environmental and operating data into a digital twin. The tuned digital twin can be used to predict future damage.

The approach removes uncertainties surrounding damage of riser joints and will allow the owner to determine whether riser should be redeployed or replaced. This is the only process that is ABS approved for condition based monitoring of drilling riser systems. The system is compatible with all present owners’ maintenance programs and ensures that maintenance requirements are supported with robust engineering.
Innovations in Inspection Processes for Marine Pipelines
Authors: Primeau Eric
Published: August 2019

Objective / Scope

In 2016 BP adopted a technology plan to investigate how efficiencies could be realized in the inspection area. The project termed UWIP (Under Water Inspection Program) was divided into two areas: Alternative inspection technology, Advanced inspection technology.

Alternative Inspection technology addresses the configuration of existing technology to deliver efficiencies

Advanced Inspection technology looks to near future opportunities that may be realized within a 5-year period.

Methods, Procedure, Process

This presentation primarily addresses the Alternative agenda, with focus on how the configuring of sensor packages onboard a variety of underwater vehicles has delivered data up to 8 times faster than traditional inspection methodologies. Termed FDII (Fast Digital Imaging Inspection) the concept aims to replace video with Laser / Stills and contact Cathodic Potential systems with Field Gradient.

The Advanced agenda presents BP progress in delivering unmanned, automated Unmanned Surface and Underwater Vehicle Systems into Inspection programs.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

BP has undertaken three FDII campaigns, 2017/18 in North Sea and 2018 Trinidad, inspecting 825 pipeline kilometers. There are another two FDII programs scheduled in North Sea and Caspian regions in 2019. Data acquisition has significantly increased; however, data management techniques have had to be reviewed and adapted. Inspection and integrity contractors expect to receive data in traditional formats and their systems (as well as operators) are not configured to receive and interpret the new FDII data. Additionally, software houses are also behind the curve in allowing users to host and deliver to stakeholders.

FDII facilitates rapid data acquisition and operational teams are ready to grab credit for efficient execution. But data bottlenecks in editing, eventing and delivering data to stakeholders have removed some of the ‘shine’ from the project. For FDII to develop a step change is required in the data management.

Novel, Additive Information

FDII is a technique, it is not an inspection criterion. FDII lends itself to Fast ROV and AUV underwater vehicle developments which are also linked to operation from Unmanned Surface Vessels. BP has a stated goal that by 2025 all inspections will performed from unmanned systems. FDII is a technology that progresses us to that goal.
The Traits of a High Reliable Organization HRO
Authors: Dingee Andrew
Published: August 2019

Learning is a "linear process" for workers. It includes studying and understanding basic systems, normal procedures, and emergency procedures in an operational setting. Therefore, they must be developed for the frontline worker, from the frontline worker's perspective and in their words. Step by step procedures will describe the operation of equipment and the interaction of co-workers in the operational context without leaving the frontline worker any questions or assumptions - it is written with concept of operational-need-to-know. Once completed, they will capture the optimum efficient processes and improve your safety management system.

By borrowing best practices from the airline industry several oil and gas companies have been able to implement a system that prevents and traps human error. My presentation will share with your audience that the foundation to safety and efficiency is the creation of standard work for operators and contractors. Standard work that delivers quality work based on the development of procedures and checklists that work in harmony on the rig floor. We will highlight our success measured by the increased efficiency in fracking by over 300%, a reduction in crane incidents by 50% and the reduction of fatal control of work errors. All through the development of a standardization department which became the center for excellence for the operator and the contractor.

Standardization regarding operational procedures are still a new concept within the industry. Our team has produced tangible results which will be shared with the SPE membership in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of standardization and the increased safety and efficiency from it.
Evaluation of Nanofiltration Membranes for Low Salinity Injection Water Flood LSF
Authors: Jové Elbir , Das Supriyo , Adamski Robert , Gómez Verónica
Published: August 2019

Salinity of injection water plays a critical role in optimizing IOR/EOR methods, mainly in water flooding, low salinity water flooding and chemically enhanced oil recovery techniques, such as polymer floods. For such low salinity applications, preferred salinity is often between 1,000 and 5,000 mg/L TDS. On offshore platforms, this is achieved through blending permeate from low sulfate, high salinity (approximately 30,000 mg/l TDS) water train with desalinated water train (approximately 100 mg/l TDS). This practice typically requires two nanofiltration (NF) stages and one reverse osmosis (RO) stage which results in high footprint, heavy and complex blending manifolds. This study investigates the possibility of achieving the desired injection water composition employing a lower-footprint one pass assembly (i.e. without the need to blend permeates from parallel NF and RO trains) to produce the desired permeate salinity. The objective of the trial was to test a system providing a permeate TDS of 1,000 - 3,000 mg/L and sulfate levels lower than 10 mg/L. Such system should work with at least 20 L/m2h average fluxes and with a total recovery of at least 50 %. This paper discusses aninnovative way of arranging Nanofiltration and Reverse Osmosis membrane elements on offshore platforms in order to achieve the target salinity and sulfate concentrations for Low Salinity injection water Floods (LSF) and displays the results obtained during its testing in an industrial scale asset. The arrangement was operated during three months, showinga stable performance at an average flux of 20 L/m2h and with a recovery of 55%, using a configuration of seven membrane elements in series. Permeate water salinity obtained at this configuration was lower than 3,000 mg/L, maintaining low sulfate passage (<5 mg/L). Conclusions show the following benefits when using the innovative design:

Elimination of the blending system, thus reducing complex manifold and valves which will result in reduction of CAPEX and complexity. Achieving greater water recovery compared to operating separate RO and NF membrane systems. It is estimated that depending on the injection water requirements, there can be a reduction of up to 40% in footprint and weight of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems.
Using Advanced Analytics to Identify the Most Probable Locations of Corrosion Under Insulation
Authors: K. Kumar Nivedita , Mackenzie Bruce , H. Løken Kjersti
Published: August 2019

Over 20 percent of major oil and gas (O&G) incidents reported within the European Union (EU) since 1984 have been associated with corrosion under insulation (CUI) [1]. Challenges are particularly acute when the source of risk is hidden, as in the case of CUI. With data being continuously generated, significant effort is required to manage data and mitigate risk.

Using bayesian networks (BNs) Oceaneering has developed a decision support system for effective CUI risk management. The Bayesian model can be incorporated into existing risk-based assessment (RBA) systems. A key feature of the model is the ability to predict corrosion hotspots while quantifying uncertainties. The model uses probabilities based on objective data as well as subject matter expertise, which makes analytical techniques in business accessible to a wide range of users.

With a case study we illustrate how BNs can be used to assess the risk of a fuel gas line on a live asset in the North sea. The most likely estimated remaining life (ERL) is forecasted in the range of 13 to 24 years, with a worst case of 6.7 years and best case of 40 years. By comparison, the customer CUI tracker reported an ERL of 9.7 years. BNs increase flexibility for scheduling inspection intervals, enabling more targeted inspection planning. This is a significant advancement from current RBA methodologies.