bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing Business Intelligence Systems Based on 7s Model of McKinsey
Authors: Shaqrah Amin A.
Published: March 2018

Business intelligence system (BIS) reflect on the foundation of completive advantage approaches, this article enhances previous articles of BIS implementation by analyzing a 7 McKinsey model. Using a Delphi survey method with sixty of managers and experts in the BIS field, the results from twenty pharmaceutical manufacturing industries deploying business intelligence applications are presented. The author surveyed a qualitative methodology to hypothesize a proposed model. The findings demonstrated that 80% of participants believe that both the hard and soft 7 dimensions of a McKinsey model—strategy, style, structure, staff, systems, skills, and shared values—are antecedents for successful BIS implementation. Precisely, shared value dimensions is the highest value affected by BIS implementation and skills dimension is the lowest value.
Ethics, Neuromarketing and Marketing Research With Children
Authors: Bulley Cynthia A. , Braimah Mahama , Blankson Florence E.
Published: March 2018

This article describes how a new budding method opens up the avenue for debate to generate ideas and thoughts around its ethical grounding, especially with its application on children. This purpose should be addressed to ensure a pluralistic ethical approach to dealing with children as respondents in research. Relevant literature and theoretical findings on ethics, marketing research, neuromarketing and neuroethics as well as the most common and applied ethical policies are reviewed systematically and presented. Interspersed with this method is a comprehensive evaluation of current debates and cases on ethics and children. The use of research ethics regulatory and policy mechanisms and its harmonisation at different levels with other neuroethics codes could reduce unethical practices. Accordingly, the emphasis on children's protection (in terms of cognitive manipulations) with neuromarketing research should be paramount. The knowledge gained through this research should ideally facilitate the process of advancing ethical concerns to promote statutory policy in the light of neuromarketing techniques.
Study on E-Commerce Adoption in SMEs Under the Institutional Perspective
Authors: Almaaf Bader Ali A  , Miao Jian-Jun , Tran Quang Dung
Published: March 2018

This article investigates and discusses the institutional factors influencing decisions of e-commerce adoption in Saudi small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the temporal view. This article has been conducted in two phases: a full survey in 2013 and the follow-up targeted interviews in 2016. The analysis results demonstrated that there is a clear difference between initial e-commerce adoption and institutionalization in SMEs in terms of institutional predictors. When e-commerce was at its infant stage, governmental support and well-defined legal and regulations system were instrumental and served as mainly institutional forces to encourage firms to adopt e-commerce. As time went on and e-commerce became more business-driven, these effects become less important, even insignificant; instead of these, perceived market forces and perceived social awareness of e-commerce emerges as critical contributions to push SMEs to engage in e-commerce more sophisticatedly.
The Effects of Instagram Hashtags on Social Capital and Online Civic Engagement
Authors: Lee Eun Jeong
Published: March 2018

This article applies social capital frameworks to examine the effects of Instagram hashtag use on heterogeneous and homogeneous networks as well as online civic engagement. Using an online survey of college students (N = 193), the results revealed that using Instagram hashtags for communication, connection, learning about people, and emotional support played an important role in the formation and strength of both heterogeneous and homogeneous networks. The study also found that heterogeneous networks are highly associated with informing current events and public affairs whereas homogeneous networks are highly associated with sharing information, knowledge and discussion online with like-minded people. This demonstrates that Instagram hashtags used in heterogeneous and homogeneous networks has positive effects on online civic engagement. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for the impact of hashtags on online networks and engagement.
Mobile Service Design Thinking for Consumer Decision-Making Under Multichannel Environment
Authors: Hsiao Ming-Hsiung
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this article is to present mobile service design thinking, with the aid of mobile devices and mobile internet, to help consumers make proper decisions throughout the process in today's multichannel environment such that they can complete their activities and thus achieve value. This article first conducts a literature review to examine how consumers conduct activities by using those ancillary services to achieve their value step by step through their decision-making process in the multichannel environment. After that, it adopts the human-centered design toolkit developed by IDEO by three main phases: hear, create, and deliver, which link the process of human-centered design, to present mobile service design thinking. With the ubiquitous ability of mobile devices and mobile network, the mobile service design thinking presented by this study can help consumers make decisions in a more effective and efficient way in the multichannel environment, no matter which channels consumers would finally choose to conduct their activities.
A New Framework for Reusing Business Processes Via Mashup
Authors: Fethia Zenak , Lynda Zaoui
Published: March 2018

This article describes how in the last decade, business process repositories have grown significantly and the need for new processes to answer increasing market demands, has become a central interest of modern enterprises. However, developing open source business processes (BP) from scratch is one of the most time-consuming and high-cost tasks. Therefore, reusing mechanisms becomes a priority to deal with this issue. In this article, it is proposed that an open source user-friendly framework that mixes parts of existing process components to build a new process, in order to respond to a particular goal. This is known as business process mashup (BP_Mashup). The BP_mashup framework presented in this article allows users to perform a mixture of process fragments using a simple interface with a set of graphical and temporal events operators based on a formal model.
N-Dimensional Matrix-Based Ontology
Authors: Kardan Ahmad A. , Jafarpour Hamed
Published: March 2018

This article describes how the assessment of semantic similarities between word pairs is an important component of understanding text which enables processing, classifying and structuring of textual resources. For this purpose, an ontology is a powerful technique when applied to compute similarity. In this article, the authors propose a novel model to represent an ontology in which an N-dimensional matrix is applied, called an N-dimensional matrix-based ontology. This matrix-based ontology attempts to decrease the time complexity of computation. Second, a new semantic similarity measure is introduced and is performed on the N-dimensional matrix-based ontology. Third, the validation of the result of the N-dimensional matrix-based ontology is compared with related studies comparing two well-known benchmarks. The results reveal that in an N-dimensional matrix-based ontology with increasing N, the accuracy of the proposed semantic similarity measure is increased. Moreover, a matrix-based ontology decreases the time complexity when compared to a graph-based ontology.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection predictors and genetic diversity of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus co-infections among drug users in three major Kenyan cities
Authors: Oyaro Micah , Wylie John , Chen Chien-Yu , Ondondo Raphael O. , Kramvis Anna
Published: March 2018

Background: Drug users act as reservoirs and transmission channels for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections to the general population worldwide. Periodic epidemiological studies to monitor the prevalence and genetic diversity of these infections to inform on interventions are limited. Objective of the study: The objective of this study was to determine the predictors of HIV infection and genetic diversity of HBV and HCV among drug users in Kenya. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study on previous drug use history among drug users was conducted in three Kenyan cities using a respondent-driven sampling method between January 2011 and September 2012. Blood samples were collected and analysed for the presence of HBV, HCV and HIV serological markers and to determine the genotypes of HBV and HCV. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV among drug users was 4.3%, 6.5% and 11.1%, respectively, with evidence of HBV/HIV, HCV/HIV and HBV/HCV/HIV co-infections. The HBV circulating genotypes were A1 (69%) and D6 (19%), whereas HCV genotypes were 1a (72%) and 4a (22%). Injection drug use was a significant predictor of HIV/HCV infections. Younger age (30 years; aOR (adjusted odds ratio) = 0.50, 95% CI (confidence interval): 0.33–0.76; p < 0.001) and early sexual debut (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.40–0.82; p < 0.05) were negatively associated with detection of any of the three infections. Injecting drug use was positively associated with HCV infection (aOR = 5.37, 95% CI: 2.61–11.06; p < 0.001). Conclusion: This high level of genetic diversity exhibited by HBV and HCV isolates requires urgent implementation of harm reduction strategies and continuous monitoring for effective management of the patients.
Pseudo primary abscess of the cavum septum pellucidum due to pus entrapment: A rare case report
Authors: Ansari Ahmed , Gandhi Ashok , Mittal R , Sharma Achal
Published: March 2018

The cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) is defined as a crevice-like space of variable width between the left and right transparent septum. In this report, a rare case of pseudo primary abscess formed in the CSP due to ventriculitis is presented.
Choroidal type of vein of galen aneurysmal malformation in adult patient with unusual presentation of orthostatic headache
Authors: Pareek Kapil , Shrivastava Trilochan , Sinha Virendra
Published: March 2018

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) are rare vascular malformations occurring commonly in the pediatric age group. They comprise only 1% of all intracranial vascular malformations, but in pediatric population, they represent 30% of all intracranial vascular malformations. They are of two types-mural and choroidal. Choroidal type of VGAM is more primitive and most severe form of disease. It usually causes high cardiac output failure in newborn period because of multiple high flow fistulas. Adult presentation of choroidal type VGAM is very rare, and only few cases have been reported in literature so far. A 21-year-old female patient presented with an orthostatic headache. Neuroimaging showed the choroidal type of VGAM. Staged embolization was planned through transarterial route. Partial embolization was done in the first stage. Patient's symptoms were disappeared thereafter. As per our knowledge, orthostatic headache has not been described previously in literature. With a very few existing case reports of adult true vein of Galen malformations, we believe that this case can help in understanding the natural history of vein of Galen malformations and the pathophysiology of its development.
Silent migration of ventriculoperitoneal shunt per anus in a child: Management and review of literature
Authors: Guthe Sachin , Pravin Survashe , Darade Poonam , Velho Vernon
Published: March 2018

The aim of this paper is to report a case of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt tube coming out through the anus in a 6-year-old boy, who had undergone shunt revision surgery for the malfunctioning of the peritoneal end 6 months back. Among the complications of VP shunt surgery, such unusual migration of peritoneal end of the VP shunt is very rare. The possible factors responsible for this complication, in our case, were abdominal adhesions and thin bowel wall in the children. Although this complication has been previously reported, it remains an exceedingly rare case. Risk factors and possible mechanisms of migration are discussed.
Neurocysticercosis in Japan
Authors: Kwasi Victor , Kodama Kunihiko , Uchiyama Toshiya , Kusano Yoshikazu , Shimizu Toshiyuki , Tokushige Kazuo , Takemae Toshiki
Published: March 2018

Neurocysticercosis is a condition rarely reported in Japan, and therefore, the specific route of infestation in our set up has not been conclusively elucidated. Preoperative diagnosis remains difficult to make with certainty due to the slowly evolving nature of the disease and the fact that there are no typical characteristic clinical findings particularly associated with the disease. The hematological, serological, serum biochemistry, stool, and radiological tests were nonspecific for neurocysticercosis. The characteristic neuro-imaging findings were demonstrated in this case, and histopathology confirmed Taenia solium parenchymal infestation.
Morphometric analysis of dose-dependent effect of progesterone on experimental vasospasm-induced rat femoral arteries
Authors: Kasap Metin , Canaz Huseyin , Canaz Gokhan , Tokmak Mehmet , Bingul Alper , Alatas Ibrahim
Published: March 2018

Objective: Our aim of this study was to determine effective doses of progesterone which has a vasodilatory effect during the early stage of vasospasm. Cerebral vasospasm (CV) is a predominant cause of morbidity and mortality which develops following subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH). Etiopathogenesis of CV is multifactorial. Despite many previously performed studies on this issue, the mechanism by which blood and blood products in the subarachnoidal space induce CV has not been clarified yet. Materials and Methods: In our study, we used “Rat Femoral Artery Vasospasm Model” introduced by Okada et al. Thanks to easy procurement and maintenance of rats. Rats were divided into four groups as: Group 1 (n = 8; control group), Group 2 (n = 8; vasospasm group), Group 3 (n = 8; vasospasm + 3 mg/kg progesterone group), and Group 4 (n = 8; vasospasm +15 mg/kg progesterone group). Progesterone which is an endogenously synthesized natural steroid was preferred in our study. Progesterone increases the production of vasodilatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acid by acting on its binding sites termed as pregnane X receptor. It decreases the intracellular influx of Ca2+ by blocking the functioning of L-type channels in smooth muscle cells. It manifests another vasodilatory effect by decreasing expression of TxA2 receptor. In our study, at the end of the 7th day, where the most intense vasospasm is seen, 1 cm pieces were excised from the femoral arteries and histopathologically examined under light microscope. Results: Vascular walls of three vasospasm-induced groups were relatively thicker when compared with the control group. Drug-treated groups were not different from each other. Vascular walls of the groups treated with lower and higher doses of the drug were thinner when compared with the vasospasm group without any statistically significant difference between groups (P > 0.05). Luminal cross-sectional areas of the drug-treated groups did not differ from each other. Mean luminal cross-sectional areas of the control and the drug-treated groups were larger than that of the vasospasm group without any statistically significant intergroup difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, progesterone did not exert protective effects on vascular wall thickness, while histopathological examination of luminal cross-sectional areas revealed its vasodilatory effects without any statistically significant difference between groups. Starting from the study results obtained, we think that its potential use as a preventive agent against the development of post-SAH CV requires conduction of multicentered, placebo-controlled, randomized, and double-blind studies.
Disappearance of intracranial extradural hematomas: Role of diastatic cranial fracture and intracranial pressure - An institutional experience
Authors: Bhat Abdul , Kirmani Altaf , Wani Mohammed
Published: March 2018

Context: The intracranial extradural hematoma (EDH) occupies space and creates a mass effect on the brain but the tenacious-adhesions of dura to the inner table of skull counters this effect. The intracranial pressure also pushes the hematoma back while it is held by dural tensile-force. Aims: The exploitation of a diastatic fracture, overlying an EDH, by the intracranial pressures to decompress a hematoma out of extradural space into subgaleal/subperiosteal space without surgical intervention. Settings and Design: In a period of 15 years, a group of 11 patients among 729 EDHs were managed conservatively. Materials and Methods: The retrospective study of 11 EDH patients was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery from January 2000 to December 2014 in 15 years. Statistical Analysis Used: The statistical law of variance was used as applicable. Results: Analysis of spontaneous disappearance of intracranial EDH among 11 patients revealed that only 1.5% (11/729) EDHs resolved conservatively. The most cases (63.6%) were children and the youngest being 9 months old. All the patients had a diastatic fracture overlying-EDH and were fully conscious. The cause of head injury in most was the fall from height. The hospital stay ranged from 2 to 4 days. All the patients had a good recovery at the time of discharging. Conclusion: The trial of the conservative or spontaneous disappearance of an EDH through a diastatic fracture into the subgaleal space is similar to burr-hole drainage without surgical intervention but depends upon the neurological status, the intracranial pressure of the patient, and the availability of all the modern neurosurgical gadgets.
Solitary fibrous tumors of the orbit and central nervous system: A case series analysis
Authors: Brum Marisa , Nzwalo Hipólito , Oliveira Edson , Pelejão Maria , Pereira Pedro , Farias João , Pimentel José
Published: March 2018

Introduction: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice. Since its initial descriptions in the central nervous system (CNS) and the orbits, very few case reports and small case series have expanded their clinical and pathological characterization. We sought to describe a cases series of SFT from a single laboratory of neuropathology belonging to a tertiary university hospital. Methods: Retrospective clinical and histopathological description of eight cases of CNS and orbital SFT diagnosed over a 21-year period of time. Results: Median age was 47.3 years and four were males. Clinical presentation was related to local mass effect in all. Tumors occurred in the orbits (5/62.5%), intracranial dura attached (2), and the spinal medulla (1). The neuropathology showed the presence of hemangiopericytoma type (2), classic type (3), and mixed type (3). Histological anaplasia was present in two cases. Widespread/total immunoreactivity for vimentin, CD34, and Bcl-2 was present in all. Gross total removal was conducted in the majority (6/75%) and subtotal removal in 2 (25%). Three patients were submitted to adjuvant treatment (radiosurgery and radiotherapy). Recurrence occurred in four patients, 13–120 months after surgical intervention. Anaplasia was present in one case of recurrence. Conclusion: Our case series confirms the clinical and neuropathological diversity of CNS and orbital SFTs. Studies with longer follow-up periods are necessary to better understand the clinical behavior and prognosis of the SFT in the CNS and orbits.
Twiddler's syndrome: A rare hardware complication in spinal cord stimulation
Authors: Son Byung-chul , Choi Jin-gyu , Ha Sang-woo
Published: March 2018

Twiddler's syndrome is an uncommon hardware complication involving the lead and pulse generators in cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators, deep brain stimulators, and vagal nerve stimulators. However, until very recently, it had not been reported in spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Considering the incidence of hardware complications of spinal cord stimulation, there may be an underreporting of Twiddler's syndrome due to lack of awareness. Two cases of Twiddler's syndrome as a hardware complication of SCS were identified between 2005 and 2015. One patient with hardware failure due to Twiddler's syndrome refused to have a revision surgery. The other patient who had a lead migration associated with coiling of the lead and twisting of pulse generator needed a revision surgery. Twiddler's syndrome in patients treated with SCS is an uncommon but important adverse event. Awareness of characteristic presentation and radiologic finding is essential in the identification of Twiddler's syndrome in SCS.
Cerebrospinal fluid egress from the quadripolar deep brain stimulation electrode for anterior nucleus of the thalamus for refractory epilepsy
Authors: Son Byung-chul , Choi Jin-gyu , Ha Sang-woo
Published: March 2018

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) is an effective treatment for refractory epilepsy. Due to the unique location of ANT in the thalamus facing the lateral and third ventricles, transventricular DBS lead placement is an essential part of ANT DBS. However, there is no report regarding hardware problems including impedance variability in transventricular ANT DBS due to limited experience. A 45-year-old male patient with previously effective, bilateral ANT DBS presented with increasing seizure frequency and a shortened battery longevity within 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the left-sided DBS lead was in the third ventricle leaning on the medial wall of ANT. Electrode revision was performed. Upon disconnecting the proximal lead from the extension connection, cerebrospinal fluid egress through fine gaps between the metallic electrode contacts, and electrode spacing was observed. This case raises a concern about the transventricular approach for ANT lead placement because the currently available DBS electrode lead is not waterproofed. A careful, longitudinal follow-up of DBS impedance for ANT DBS is warranted.
Diagnostic and prognostic capability of newer magnetic resonance imaging brain sequences in diffuse axonal injury patient
Authors: Bansal Mayank , Sinha Virendra , Bansal Juhi
Published: March 2018

Objectives: Diffuse axonal injury is one of the major causes of unconsciousness, profound neurologic deficits and persistent vegetative state after head trauma. In recent years, MR imaging has been gaining popularity as an adjunctive imaging method in patients with DAI. Our study aims to assess the relative diagnostic and prognostic capability of various MRI sequences. Patients and Methods: Retrospective observational study done in 1 year duration on 30 DAI patients. Clinical assessment done with GCS at admission and GOS at 6 month.MRI Brain FLAIR, DWI, T2*GRE AND SWI sequences taken. DAI grade were evaluated for different MRI sequences .Prognosis was correlated to total number of lesion/locations and DAI grade of patients. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Statistical software (ver.20.0.0) and XL-Stat and ANOVA one way test, post hoc test (Turkey test) and Chi square test. Result: We studied 30 male patients,mean age 32.57±8.72 ranges. The commonest mode of injury is RTA-80%, fall-16% followed by assault-3.33%.Out of 30 patients, 17 patients (56.67%) had GCS < =8, 13 patients (43.33%) had GCS between 9 and 12 and no patient had a GCS score between 13 and 15. The mean GCS score was 8.47±1.50.At a 6 month follow up, out of a total of 30 patients, 2 patients (6.66%) expired (GOS-1) , 3 patients (10%) remained in persistent vegetative state (GOS-2), 11 patients (36.67%) and 10 patients (33.33%) were found to be severely (GOS-3) and moderately (GOS-4) disabled respectively and 4 patients (13.33%) showed good recovery (GOS-5). Mean GOS is 3.37+/-1.06. Newer imaging -SWI able to detects lesion better (diagnosis of DAI) as compared to other older sequences like FLAIR,DWI,T2*GRE. But no statistically significant found between total number of lesion/locations to the outcome and also newer imaging do not change the grade of DAI patients. Conclusion: Although advanced imaging in head injury, SWI helps in diagnosing the diffuse axonal injury more efficiently than other imaging sequences, but it is the grade of patients at admission that predicts the outcome best.
Neurological outcome following surgical treatment of spinal metastases
Authors: Abdelbaky Abdelaal , Eltahawy Hazem
Published: March 2018

Background: Spinal metastases lead to bony instability and spinal cord compression resulting in intractable pain and neurological deficits which affect ambulatory function and quality of life. The most appropriate treatment for spinal metastasis is still debated. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcome, quality of life, complications, and survival after surgical treatment of spinal metastases. Methods: Retrospective review of patients with spinal metastases surgically treated at our facility between March 2008 and March 2013 was performed. Evaluations include hospital charts, initial and interval imaging studies, neurological outcome, and surgical complications. Follow-up examinations were performed every 3 months after surgery. Results: Seventy patients underwent surgical intervention for treatment of spinal metastasis in our institution. There were 27 women and 43 men. The preoperative pain was reported in 65 patients (93%), whereas postoperative complete pain relief was reported in 16 patients (24%), and pain levels decreased in 38 patients (58%). Preoperative 39 patients were ambulant and 31 patients were nonambulant. Postoperative 52 patients were ambulant and 18 patients were nonambulant. Postoperative complications were experienced in 10 (14.2%) patients, and the patient survival rate was 71% (50 patients) at 3 months, 49% (34 patients) at 1 year. The postoperative 30-day mortality rate was 4.2%. Conclusion: Surgical decompression for a metastatic spinal tumor can improve the quality of life in a substantially high percentage of patients with acceptable complications rate.
A Review of Photodiagnostic Investigations over 26 Years: Experience of the National Scottish Photobiology Service (1989–2015)
Authors: Naasan H , Dawe RS , Moseley H , Ibbotson SH
Published: March 2018

Background

The Scottish Photobiology Service is the national referral pathway for patients with cutaneous photosensitivity diseases in Scotland. We reviewed the pattern of diagnosis of photosensitivity diseases and investigations performed between 1989 and 2015.

Methods and Results

Data were collected from the Photodiagnostic Database, annual reports and paper records. The total number of patients assessed each year was stable over the period studied (median 242 [range 231–266]), with most being new patients (median 69 [range 62–73]%). Monochromator phototesting was the most utilised investigation, although the use of provocation testing and photopatch testing has increased. The most common diagnosis was polymorphic light eruption, and there was a trend to increasing diagnosis of photoaggravated atopic eczema.

Conclusions

The pattern of diagnosis of photosensitivity diseases remains fairly stable in Scotland and we wish to emphasise the importance of this Scottish specialist service for patients with photosensitivity diseases and referrers.
Death in the New Town: Edinburgh'S Hidden Story of Stonemasons’ Silicosis
Authors: Donaldson K , Wallace WA , Henry C , Seaton A
Published: March 2018

The building of the Edinburgh New Town, from the mid-18th to the mid-19th centuries, was a major advance in harmonious and elegant town planning. However, there is anecdotal evidence that it led to the occurrence of an epidemic of silicosis/tuberculosis among the stonemasons. We have reviewed contemporary accounts of the episode and early records of the understanding of silicosis. We have also studied the lung of a contemporary stonemason, preserved in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and confirmed the presence of silico-tuberculosis in it. The evidence shows that a major epidemic did occur, caused by a combination of factors. The size of the undertaking attracted many stonemasons to Edinburgh over a period of almost 100 years, intensively cutting and dressing stone. The principal stone worked was a very high-quartz sandstone, derived from the local Craigleith quarry, having properties that made it desirable for prestige buildings. However, even before the construction of the New Town, Craigleith sandstone was notorious for its dustiness and the Edinburgh stonemasons worked the stone in unventilated sheds. Stonemasons appeared to be aware of the risk of their trade, but little was known about preventive measures. It appears it was assumed that the risks to stonemasons disappeared after the Craigleith quarry closed, the employers emphasising (without evidence) the lack of health risks in other quarries, and the tragic episode appears to have been forgotten. However, we point to the continuing occurrence of silicosis among stonemasons to the present day; the importance of remembering such episodes is stressed lest the lessons of the past be forgotten.
Drought stress inducing intraspecific variability in Potentilla tabernaemontani (Rosaceae), a calcareous grassland species
Authors: Harzé Mélanie , Mahy Grégory , Monty Arnaud
Published: March 2018

Background and aims – Calcareous grasslands are among the most species-rich habitats in Western Europe. Populations of plant species characterizing these ecosystems are naturally submitted to high variability in environmental conditions at the very local scale, resulting in pronounced variation in functional traits. Individuals located on xeric parts of calcareous grasslands are characterized by plant traits that potentially ensure more successful performance under stressful conditions. In the context of increased frequency of summer heat waves based on climate change, our aim was to determine a possible intraspecific variability in drought response among individuals of one calcareous grassland plant species.Methods – A greenhouse experiment was set up to follow survival of Potentilla tabernaemontani Asch. individuals according to their habitat of origin (xeric or mesic parts of Belgian calcareous grasslands) and the treatment applied (low or high drought stress).Key results – The results demonstrated that individuals originating from xeric parts survived drought stress better than individuals from mesic parts of calcareous grasslands. Specific leaf area (SLA) of all individuals was very low in the experiment, allowing them to decrease water loss during drought stress. Leaf production was lower for individuals exposed to high drought stress while flower production was higher. That potentially expressed a trade-off between tolerance to water stress, individual growth and reproduction. Conclusions – Local scale environmental heterogeneity deserves to be considered in conservation and restoration plans as it induces intraspecific functional variability between individuals and impacts individuals’ ability to survive drought stress.
Relationship between seed size and related functional traits in North Saharan Acacia woodlands
Authors: Navarro Teresa , El Oualidi Jalal , Sghir Taleb Mohammed
Published: March 2018

Background and aims – North Saharan Acacia woodland is a fragile ecosystem altered by desertification and human activities. Little research has been conducted on the ecology of North Saharan Acacia woodland species. Seed size is a key trait to determine germination success, survival rate and establishment of Acacia woodland species under desert constraints.Methods – We analysed seed-size relationships in 42 selected woody plants in four different types of Acacia woodland vegetation which correspond to 26 plant species. We examined the correlation among seed size, fruit size, plant height, leaf size and flowering time and we tested seed size and fruit size variation among growth forms, dispersal modes and mechanisms to prevent dispersal. Key results – Close relationships were found between seed size and fruit size (r = 0. 77**), between fruit size and plant height (r = 0.51**) and between seed size and flowering duration (r = -0.46*) and a weak positive relationship was found between fruit and leaf size. Species with restricted spatial dispersal tended to have smaller seeds and fruits compared to those with well-developed spatial dispersal. Species which disperse and germinate throughout the year tended to have large diaspores, whereas species with seasonal germination tended to have small diaspores. The relationship between seed size and growth form/plant height was strong for gravity-dispersed (barochorous) species secondarily dispersed by vertebrates (Ziziphus lotus), seeds with secondary wind-assisted dispersal (Zilla spinosa subsp. macroptera) and for restricted-dispersal species (Tetraena gaetula). Precocious, short-flowering species that spread dispersal and germination over time (Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana) tended to have large seeds. Early- and long-flowering herbaceous species tended to have small seeds (Brocchia cinerea).Conclusion – Close relationships are found between seed size and fruit size, between fruit size and plant height and between seed size and flowering duration in Moroccan Acacia woodland species.
Q method to map the diversity of stakeholder viewpoints along agricultural innovation systems: a case study on cattle genetic improvement in Niger
Authors: Siddo Seyni , Moula Nassim , Hamadou Issa , Issa Moumouni , Issa Salissou , Hamani Marichatou , Leroy Pascal , Antoine-Moussiaux Nicolas
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The complex balance
between innovation and conservation regarding animal genetic resources makes
it difficult to find mutually accepted improvement pathways between breeders,
government agencies, and research and education institutions. This study maps
stakeholder viewpoints on cattle genetic improvement in Niger using the
Q method. Fifty-three statements derived from expert opinions and focus group
interviews were ranked by 22 respondents along a seven-grade scale expressing
their degree of approval. The Q method reveals a limited consensus on
development goals, overall strategy, and the present context of operation.
Beyond this consensus, three discourses are identified that express distinct
attitudes regarding the balance between conservation and progress, leading to
distinct strategies. The first discourse fits with a modernist vision and
government strategies established in the 2000s based on exotic crossbreeding
and improved purebred Azawak. The second discourse lines up with the previous
livestock development strategy of Niger (before 2000) based on indigenous
breeds. The third discourse represents a conservationist vision, with minor
importance in the present sampling. Tentative observations are proposed on
the consequences of this divide in opinions on livestock policies in Niger,
including extension. The Q method appears effective in identifying the
concerns of stakeholders on complex agricultural innovation topics. As
a sensing tool to follow-up policy implementation in similarly complex
agricultural topics, the Q method may inform adaptive extension and education
strategies.
Multiyear chemical composition of the fine aerosol fraction in
Athens, Greece, with emphasis on winter-time residential heating
Authors: Theodosi Christina , Tsagkaraki Maria , Zarmpas Pavlos , Liakakou Eleni , Grivas Georgios , Paraskevopoulou Despina , Lianou Maria , Gerasopoulos Evangelos , Mihalopoulos Nikolaos
Published: March 2018

Abstract. In an attempt to take effective action towards mitigating pollution episodes in the Greater Athens Area (GAA), precise knowledge of PM2.5 composition and their sources is a prerequisite. Thus, a two year chemical composition data set from aerosol samples collected in an urban-background site of central Athens, from December 2013 till March 2016, has been obtained and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) was applied in order to identify and apportion fine aerosols to their sources. A total of 850 aerosol samples, were collected on a 12 to 24 h basis and analyzed for major ions, trace elements, organic and elemental carbon, allowing us to further assess the impact of residential heating as a source of air pollution over the GAA. The ionic and carbonaceous components were found to constitute the major fraction of the PM2.5 aerosol mass. The annual contribution of the Ion Mass (IM), Particulate Organic Mass (POM), dust, Elemental Carbon (EC) and Sea Salt (SS) were calculated at 31 %, 34 %, 18 %, 8 % and 3 %, respectively. However, carbonaceous aerosols (POM + EC) and IM exhibited considerable seasonal variation. In winter, IM was estimated down to 23 %, with POM + EC being the dominant component accounting for 48 % of the PM2.5 mass, while in summer IM was the dominant component (42 %), followed by carbonaceous aerosols 37 %. Results from samples collected on a 12 h basis (day and night) during the 3 intensive winter campaigns indicated the impact of heating on the levels of a series of compounds. Indeed PM2.5, EC, POM, NO3−, C2O42−, nssK+ and selected trace metals including Cd and Pb were increased by almost a factor of 4 during night compared to day, highlighting the importance of heating on air quality of the GAA. Furthermore, in order to better characterize winter-time aerosol sources in the city centre of Athens and quantify the input of biomass burning as a source to winter night-time PM2.5 concentrations, source apportionment was performed. Τhe data can be interpreted on the basis of six sources namely biomass burning (32 %), vehicular emissions (19 %), heavy oil combustion (7 %), regional secondary (20 %), marine aerosol (9 %) and dust particles (8 %). With specific emphasis on night to day contrasts their contributions shifted from 19, 19, 8, 30, 11 and 9 % of the PM2.5 mass during day to 39, 19, 6, 14, 7 and 6 % during night, underlining the significance of biomass burning as the main contributor to fine particle levels during night-time.
A Shared Multi-Disciplinary Creativity Requirement for First Year Students
Authors: Plotkins Marilyn
Published: March 2018

Even though interest in embedding creativity into tertiary curricula has grown internationally, little scholarship exists about implementation strategies or the efficacy of linking creativity pedagogies to first-year experience programs. This practice report describes how Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, inserted a new creativity requirement for first-year students as a part of curriculum reform in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the Sawyer Business School in spite of considerable resistance.  It will demonstrate the uniqueness of the approach and suggest anticipated outcomes in advance of a comprehensive assessment process now underway.
“Where the Scriptures Speak, We Speak”: The Pennsylvania Frontier and the Origins of the Disciples of Christ
Authors: Brenneman Todd M.
Published: March 2018

The Disciples of Christ was a religious movement born in western Pennsylvania in the early nineteenth century. Drawing on European philosophies and the republican ideology of the early United States, Thomas and Alexander Campbell called for an end to denominational squabbling and a unification of Christians based on a straightforward reading of the Bible. Their desire for unity did not mean that they were above using controversy to bring attention to their cause. In several series of articles in The Reporter, a newspaper printed in Washington, Pennsylvania, Alexander chided local residents for their social behavior, their lack of reform, and the proliferation of moral societies. A focus on the Pennsylvanian origins of the Disciples demonstrates not only how important that region was to the rise of the movement and its ideology, but also how the Pennsylvanian borderlands were not isolated from the larger Atlantic world.
Characteristic and Genesis of Black and Red Soil Vertisol in Jeneponto Regency
Authors: Juita Nirmala , Iskandar . , Sudarsono .
Published: March 2018

One of factors that is interasting from Vertisol to be investigated beside the management of the soil fertility was color variations which can vary from gray to brown and brownish red. Exclusive characteristics of Vertisol are shrink swell capacity with clay dominant clay that make agricultural activities in the Jeneponto area less productive. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences of physical and chemical characteristics of black and red Vertisol in Jeneponto R.egency. The research location was based on the difference and overlaying of soil color. Black soils were taken from the village Bontomarannu and Tonrokassi Timur while red soil and overlaying colors of red and black soil were taken from the village Sarroanging. Results showed that one of the chemical characteristic which was very differences between black and red soils were calcium carbonate and base saturation. Generally CaCO3 on black soil was higher (ranged of 13.20-36.73%) than  red soil (ranged of 2.21-13.86%). As for overlaying colors of red and black soil were ranged of 2.62-3.88%. The highest base saturation was found in the black soil that was> 100%, red soil between 40-89% and overlaying colors red and black soil between 80-83%.  While Fe, Mn and Al concentrations were highest with citrate dithionite bicarbonate extracts followed by oxalate and pyrophosphate extracts. Clay montmorillonite minerals were present in all profiles observed.
N2O Emission from Managed Soil Under Different Crops in Rainfed Area, Central Java
Authors: Ariani Miranti , Hervani Anggri , Setyanto Prihasto
Published: March 2018

N2O emission from agriculture has been assumed to increase by 30-35% until 2030. This gas has a major contribute to the emission from agriculture. N2O emission from managed soils is the 2nd contributor to green house gas (GHG) emission from agriculture in Indonesia. Rainfed area requested high management input. This research aimed to examine N2O emission from different crops in the rainfed area and its affecting factors, also to identify things that need to be considered in conducting N2O measurement from managed soil. Research conducted in Pati and Blora District, Central Java Province. Four (4) different experimental sites with 4 different crops were chosen. Those were mung bean, rubber plantation and sugarcane which located within Pati District, and maize crop which located in Blora District. No treatment was applied. Gas samples were taken following the day after fertilizing. Daily N2O fluxes from managed soil in tropical land of Indonesia determine by several factors, which are: days after fertilizing, fertilizer type and dosage, previous land use, growth phase of crops, sampling point and soil characteristic. The peak time was mostly influenced by crop type. Maize has the highest N2O daily fluxes with the range of 311.9 - 9651.6 ugN2O m-2day-1 and rubber plantation has the lowest with the range of 16.1 - 2270.7 ugN2O m-2day-1. Measurement of N2O from managed soil to determine annual emissions should be done at all crop types, soil types, considering crops growth phase and also high sampling frequency to prevent an over or underestimation.
Disseminated histoplasmosis diagnosed on routine outpatient endoscopy in a renal transplant patient
Authors: Luu Sylvester , Benson Brian C. , Schwake Jonathan W.
Published: March 2018

A 58-year-old female with prior renal transplant on immunosuppression underwent upper endoscopy and colonoscopy to evaluate iron deficiency anemia. Her upper endoscopy appeared normal and her colonoscopy showed mild colitis in her transverse colon. Biopsies of her duodenum, taken to evaluate for celiac disease, as well as biopsies of the colitis showed intracellular yeast within histiocytes in the lamina propria consistent with disseminated histoplasmosis. This case describes a renal transplant patient with disseminated gastrointestinal histoplasmosis (GIH), which is rarely diagnosed on routine outpatient endoscopy.
Natural history of prostatic lesions on serial multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ghavimi Samrad , Abdi Hamidreza , Waterhouse Jennifer , Savdie Richard , Chang Silvia , Harris Alison , Machan Lindsay , Gleave Martin , So Alan I. , Goldenberg Larry , Black Peter C.
Published: March 2018

Introduction: The natural history of prostatic lesions identified on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is largely unknown. We aimed to describe changes observed over time on serial MRI.Methods: All patients with ≥2 MRI studies between 2008 and 2015 at our institution were identified. MRI progression was defined as an increase in Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS; version 2) or size of existing lesions, or the appearance of a new lesion PIRADS ≥4. Patients on active surveillance (AS) were analyzed for correlation of MRI progression to biopsy reclassification.Results: A total of 83 patients (54 on AS and 29 for diagnostic purposes) underwent serial MRI, with a mean interval of 1.9 years between scans. At baseline, 115 lesions (66 index, 49 non-index) were identified. Index lesions were more likely than non-index lesions to increase in size ≥2 mm (36.2 vs. 7.3%; p=0.002). Overall progression was more likely to be seen among the index cohort (34.8 vs. 7.6%; p<0.001). New lesions with PI-RADS ≥4 were seen on second imaging in 13 (16.5%) men, and became the index lesion in 29 cases (34.9%). Eighteen men on AS showed evidence of MRI progression (five with new lesions, 13 with progression of a previous lesion). Biopsy reclassification was present in three men (16.7%) with and seven men without MRI progression (19.4%).Conclusions: Overall changes in size and PI-RADS scores of index lesions on MRI were small. New lesions were common, but usually did not alter management.
Constructing Metadata Schema of Scientific and Technical Report Based on FRBR
Authors: Zou Xiaozhu , Xiong Siyi , Li Zhi , Jiang Ping
Published: March 2018

Scientific and technical report is an important document type with high intelligence value. But the resource distribution of different carrier forms of scientific and technical report is not integrated and the resource description is not deeply and specific enough to the report document type, which influences the information searching accuracy and efficiency for users. Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR), an emerging model in the bibliographic domain, provides interesting possibilities in terms of cataloguing, representation and semantic enrichment of bibliographic data. This study employs the FRBR conceptual model and entity-relationship analysis method to design in-depth descriptive metadata schema of scientific and technical report by analyzing the entities and mapping the bibliographic attributes corresponding to the characteristics of report, which can help to integrating and disclosing scientific and technical report resources.
An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Urbanization and Fiscal Policy --- Taking Jiangxi Province of China As an Example
Authors: Wan Xiao-Ying
Published: March 2018

Urbanization is still the direction of China's development in the next twenty years. The study of the relationship between fiscal policy and urbanization is of great value to the healthy promotion of urbanization. In this paper, through the establishment of vector autoregressive model, and analysis using the impulse response function and variance decomposition empirical dynamic correlation between the development of urbanization in Jiangxi province and that of fiscal policy, fiscal policy focus; at the same time, this thesis employs qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis, normative analysis and empirical analysis, combined with the reality of the development of urbanization in Jiangxi Province in order to analyze of the relationship between the development of urbanization in Jiangxi province and fiscal policy and the existing problems. The study found that there is a cointegration relationship between fiscal policy and urbanization. The impact of fiscal expenditure on Urbanization in Jiangxi is better than that in fiscal revenue. Finally, this paper also puts forward relevant policy.