bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Penguins Search Optimization Algorithm for Best Features Selection for Biomedical Data Classification
Authors: Bidi Noria , Elberrichi Zakaria
Published: September 2017

Feature selection is essential to improve the classification effectiveness. This paper presents a new adaptive algorithm called FS-PeSOA (feature selection penguins search optimization algorithm) which is a meta-heuristic feature selection method based on “Penguins Search Optimization Algorithm” (PeSOA), it will be combined with different classifiers to find the best subset features, which achieve the highest accuracy in classification. In order to explore the feature subset candidates, the bio-inspired approach PeSOA generates during the process a trial feature subset and estimates its fitness value by using three classifiers for each case: Naive Bayes (NB), Nearest Neighbors (KNN) and Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Our proposed approach has been experimented on six well known benchmark datasets (Wisconsin Breast Cancer, Pima Diabetes, Mammographic Mass, Dermatology, Colon Tumor and Prostate Cancer data sets). Experimental results prove that the classification accuracy of FS-PeSOA is the highest and very powerful for different datasets.
Lean Policies in Route Planning and Scheduling of Waste Collection with Fuzzy Demand
Authors: Rabbani Masoud , Sadri Shadi
Published: September 2017

This study addresses a household waste collection routing problem with a heterogeneous fleet. The collection fleet includes hand carts and vehicles to transport wastes from houses to disposal sites. The authors attempt to enhance the system efficiency considering lean policies, which leads to minimizing the fleet size and the collection time concurrently. In reality, uncertainty of some parameters stems from environmental and living conditions. Hence, a bi-objective fuzzy possibilistic mixed integer linear programming model is developed to design an optimal collection network. To solve the model, a hybrid solution approach is applied, which combines fuzzy possibilistic programming and fuzzy multi-objective programming. Finally, several numerical examples are tested to illustrate validation of the proposed model and applicability of the applied solution approach.
Interrogation Based on Semantic Annotations
Authors: Abdelkrim Latreche , Ahmed Lehireche , Benyahia Kadda
Published: September 2017

Traditional information search approaches do not explicitly capture the meaning of a keyword query, but provide a good way for the user to express his or her information needs based on the keywords. In principle, semantic search aims to produce better results than traditional keyword search, but its progression has retarded because of to the complexity of the query languages. In this article, the authors present an approach to adapt keyword queries to querying the semantic web based on semantic annotations: the approach automatically construct structured formal queries from keywords. The authors propose a new process where they introduce a novel context-based query autocompletion feature to help the users to construct their keywords query by suggesting queries given prefixes. They also address the problem of context-based generating formal queries by exploiting user's query history, where previous queries can be used as contextual information for generating a new query. With the first tests, the authors' approach achieved encouraging results.
The g-C3N4 Nanosheets Separated by PS for Photocatalytic Degradation of Dye
Authors: Yu Qing Bo , Fang Song Hui , Wang Xiao Ze
Published: September 2017

Polymerization of styrene (St) stabilized by graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanosheets, containing hydrophobic conjugated structure and hydrophilic oxygen-containing functional groups, is conducted at varying styrene concentration. It is found that the morphology of polystyrene (PS)/g-C3N4 nanocomposites tends to transform from g-C3N4 nanosheets coated PS nanospheres to g-C3N4 nanosheets separated by PS with irregular morphology by further increasing the concentration of St. The strong interaction between PS and g-C3N4 nanosheets, suggesting by FT-IR, XRD patterns and UV–vis spectra results, and the amount of St are responsible for the structure and morphology of the final product. The g-C3N4 nanosheets separated by PS exhibit the highest photocatalytic efficiencies towards degradation of methylene blue (MB), due to the specific structure and morphology. The PS separates g-C3N4 nanosheets, obstructs the aggregates of g-C3N4 nanosheets. On the other hand, the PS as a collector gathers the MB, which is benefit for the close contact between g-C3N4 nanosheets and MB, achieving the collective effect to greatly increase the photocatalytic efficiency.
Large-Scale High-Yield Synthesis of PdCu@Au Tripods and the Quantification of their Luminescence Properties for Cancer Cell Imaging
Authors: Pang Bo , Meng Xiang Xi , Hou Yang Long , Sun Hong Fang , Ren Qiu Shi
Published: September 2017

The synthesis of anisotropic branched gold nanoparticles remines to be challenging as their arm number and arm length could hardly be controlled, greatly limited their biomedical application. We report the large-scale high-yield synthesis of PdCu@Au tripods, and, for the first time, their two-photon luminescence properties with quantitative characterization of the two-photon action cross section as well as quantum yield. By introducing nitrogen protection to the synthesis of the PdCu bimetallic cores, this approach eliminates the oxidative etching caused by oxygen in the air, providing a 2.5 times higher synthetic yield of 70.4 %, which enables the large-scale preparation of PdCu@Au at ca. 380 mg per batch. By the conformal coating of PdCu bimetallic cores, the PdCu@Au tripods are prepared with a purity of >90 % with average arm length 45.3 ± 5.6 nm that is ideal for biomedical applications. The PdCu@Au tripods demonstrate a much brighter two-photon luminescence than that from Au nanorods, with a 3.6 ± 0.9 times larger two-photon action cross section and comparable quantum yield. Our result also shows the two-photon luminescence property of PdCu@Au tripods could be tuned by their distinct localized surface plasmon resonance property and, in turn, the different amount of Au coating. This tunability could be explained by the recently-proposed two-step excitation mechanism of two-photon luminescence in Au nanoparticle. The folate-targeted in vitro two-photon luminescence imaging of MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells were also demonstrated to show the great potential using PdCu@Au tripods as novel multi-functional platforms for cancer theranostics.
A comparative study of bloodstream infections in acute myeloid leukemia according to different phases of treatment: Can we predict the organism?
Authors: Kalaskar Preetam , Anand Asha , Panchal Harsha , Patel Apurva , Parikh Sonia , Shah Sandip
Published: September 2017

Introduction: The treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) consists of induction therapy with anthracyclines and cytarabine followed by two to four cycles of consolidation therapy with high-dose cytarabine after achieving remission. There have been very few studies comparing infections during induction and consolidation. We have analyzed blood cultures of patients with AML during episodes of fever occurring during induction and consolidation, for comparing the bloodstream infections in both the phases. Materials and Methods: Blood cultures of patients during febrile episodes were collected from central venous catheters and peripheral blood, both during induction and consolidation therapy of AML. Results: The study population included 52 AML patients. During induction, there were 52 episodes of fever and 25 (48%) blood cultures were positive, 15 of these blood cultures reported Gram-negative organisms, 9 reported Gram-positive organisms and 1 as yeast. During consolidation, 47 episodes of fever were recorded and blood cultures were positive in 12, of which 7 were Gram-negative, 5 were Gram-positive. Conclusion: The incidence of blood culture positive infections during therapy of AML at our center was higher. The predominant organism isolated was Gram-negative both during induction and consolidation. The incidence of blood culture positive infections had decreased by 50% during consolidation.
Clinical practice and outcomes in advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Experience from an Indian tertiary care center
Authors: Bose Subhadeep , Ramaswamy Anant , Sahu Arvind , Shetty Omshree , Zanwar Saurabh S. , Mirani Jimmy , Nashikkar Chaitali , Ostwal Vikas
Published: September 2017

Background: Management of advanced Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has been revolutionized with the use of Imatinib guided by mutation analysis. Data from India remains scarce. Materials and Methods: Patients with metastatic GIST who were treated at Department of Gastro-intestinal & Hepaticopancreaticobiliary Oncology Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai between December, 2004 and December 2015 were included in the analysis. Clinical and radiological data was retrieved from stored medical records and charts. Results: A total of 83 patients with metastatic GIST were available for analysis. Median age was 54 years with a 3:1 male predominance. Stomach was the most common site of primary with liver being the most common site of metastasis. c-Kit mutation analysis results were available for 44 patients with exon 11 mutant being the most common mutation. With a median follow up of 33 months, the 10 years estimated progression free and overall survival (OS) was 18% and 51% respectively. Overall response rate to first line imatinib was 37.6% and estimated 3 years OS to first line therapy was significantly better for Exon 11 mutated patients (p=0.016). 34 patients received second line therapy in the form of either sunitinib, pazopanib or increased dose imatinib with a clinical benefit rate of 73.5%. C-Kit mutated patients had a better median OS compared to non mutated patients. Conclusions: GIST diagnosed and treated in the Indian subcontinent appears to show improved outcomes. The importance of c-Kit mutation analysis in determining the prognosis and outcomes of patients with advanced GIST is emphasized.
Perception of Inspiratory Resistive Loads in Asthmatic Children with Attention Deficit Disorder
Authors: Davenport Kathleen L. , Julius Steven M. , Davenport Paul W.
Published: September 2017

Magnitude estimation (ME) of inspiratory resistive (R) loads has been studied in asthmatic children. Some children have been reported to be unable to perform the perception task. One reason some children may be unable to perform the ME task is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to determine if asthmatic patients with ADD/ADHD have a perceptual and/or attention deficit in the ME of graded inspiratory R loads.

Methods

Asthmatic children aged 11-18 years were classified into ADD/ADHD and asthma control groups. Perception of extrinsic loads was assessed by handgrip ME of inspiratory R loads. A methacholine challenge was performed and the PC20 for each subject determined.

Results

There was no significant difference between asthma control and ADD/ADHD groups in the group mean for the slope of ME-R load slopes. The ADD/ADHD subjects had significantly greater variability in ME of R loads.

Conclusions

Asthmatic children with ADD/ADHD do not have an impaired perception of extrinsic respiratory loads but do have difficulty attending to the perceptual task. Difficulties in their asthma management may be due to their attention deficit and not their symptom perception.
Effect of Bronchial Thermoplasty on Airway Closure
Authors: Brown Robert , Wizeman William , Danek Christopher , Mitzner Wayne
Published: September 2017

Background

Bronchial Thermoplasty, a procedure that applies thermal energy to the airway wall has been shown to impair the ability of airway to contract in response to methacholine chloride (Mch). The technique has been advocated as an alternative treatment for asthma that may permanently limit airway narrowing. In previous experimental studies in dogs and humans, it was shown that those airways treated with bronchial thermoplasty had significant impairment of Mch responsiveness.

Methods

In the present study, we investigated the ability of canine airways to close completely with very high concentrations of Mch after bronchial thermoplasty. Bronchial thermoplasty was performed on dogs using the Alair System, comprising a low power RF controller and a basket catheter with four electrodes. A local atomization of Mch agonist was delivered directly to the epithelium of the same airway locations with repeated challenges. Airway size was measured with computed tomography, and closure was considered to occur in any airway where the lumen fell below the resolution of the scanner (< 1 mm).

Results

Our results show that, while treated airways still have the capacity to close at very high doses of Mch, this ability is seriously impaired after treatment, requiring much higher doses.

Conclusions

Bronchial thermoplasty as currently applied seems to simply shift the entire dose response curve toward increasing airway size. Thus, this procedure simply serves to minimize the ability of airways to narrow under any level of stimulation.
Comparison of Vinorelbine-Cisplatin with Gemcitabine-Cisplatin in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ozkaya Sevket , Findik Serhat , Uzun Oguz , Atici Atilla Guven , Erkan Levent
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The objective of this trial was to compare cisplatin-plus-vinorelbine regimen with cisplatin-plus-gemcitabine regimen in patients with stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods

Chemonaive patients with stage IIIB-IV NSCLC received either vinoelbine 30 mg/m2 (days 1 and 8) plus cisplatin 80 mg/m2 (day 1) every 21 days (VC arm) or gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 (days 1 and 8) plus cisplatin 80 mg/m2 (day 1) every 21 days (GC arm).

Results

One hundred thirtyfour patients (67 VC and 67 GC) were included to the study. Overall response rates for the VC arm (31.2%) were not significantly different from that of the GC arm (34.3%). There were no differences in overall survival and one-year survival rates. Median survival and one-year survival rates for the VC and GC groups were 10.6 and 11.5 months, 45% and 46.8%, respectively. Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia was significantly higher on the GC arm (VC 1.4% v GC 8.9%, p < 0.05), as was febrile neutropenia on the VC arm (VC 8.9% v GC 1.4%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

VC and GC demonstrated similar efficacy but there were differences in toxicity profiles.
Characterization of Hemodynamics in Patients with Idiopathic and Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Remillard Carmelle V. , Yuan Jason X.-J.
Published: September 2017

Demographic and hemodynamic data from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) have not been systematically characterized to identify differences related to gender, age, race, disease severity, and drug response. Our goal was to define the distribution and relation of IPAH and CTEPH based on these criteria. Hemodynamic and demographic data from 242 IPAH patients and 90 CTEPH patients were collected and compared. IPAH incidence was greater in women, but men had a higher basal mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP). mPAP was comparable among all IPAH ethnic groups. IPAH patients with no history of fenfluramine-phentermine use had a higher mPAP than users. Exercise-induced IPAH was apparent in 14.5% of IPAH patients. Only 9% of IPAH patients responded to inhaled nitric oxide with a ≥20% decrease in mPAP. Compared to CTEPH patients, mPAP was greater but average age of diagnosis was lower in IPAH patients. mPAP negatively correlated with age of diagnosis in IPAH patients only. These results indicate that elevated CO is not the main determinant of mPAP in both IPAH and CTEPH patients. However, the two patient groups differ in terms of their demographic and hemodynamic distributions, and according to the correlation between mPAP and other clinical hemodynamics and demographics.
The Unpredictable Effect of Changing Cardiac Output on Hypoxemia after Acute Pulmonary Thromboembolism
Authors: Tsang John Y. C. , Lamm Wayne J. E. , Neradilek Blazej , Polissar Nayak L. , Hlastala Michael P.
Published: September 2017

Previous studies reported that the degree of hypoxemia following acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE) was highly variable and that its mechanism was mainly due to the creation of many high and low ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) units, as a result of the heterogeneous regional blood flow (Q) caused by embolic obstruction. We studied the effect of changing cardiac output (Qt) on gas exchange after APTE in 5 embolized piglets (23 ± 3 Kg), using Dobutamine intermittently at approximately 20 μg/kg/min for 120 minutes. The distribution of ventilation (V) and perfusion (Q) at various times was mapped using fluorescent microspheres in 941 ± 60 lung regions. After APTE, increase in Qt by Dobutamine improved venous oxygen tension (PvO2) but arterial PaO2 did not change consistently. On the other hand, cluster analysis showed that the V/Q ratio of most lung regions was lowered due to increases in Q at the same time. We concluded that the effect of changing cardiac output on gas exchange following APTE was affected by the simultaneous and varying balance between the changing V/Q mismatch and the concomitantly changing PvO2, which might explain the unpredictability of PaO2 in the clinical setting.
Endoscopic Needle Knife Precut Papillotomy for Inaccessible Bile Duct following Failed Pancreatic Duct Access
Authors: Miyatani Hiroyuki , Yoshida Yukio
Published: September 2017

Aims

To evaluate the safety, effectiveness, success rate and complications of needle knife precut papillotomy for inaccessible bile duct after failed pancreatic ducts access.

Methods

Selective common bile duct cannulation was required for 582 patients from November 2004 to May 2008. Precut sphincterotomy was performed in 28 patients (16 male, 12 female; mean age 71). When standard bile duct cannulation was unsuccessful after more than 20 minutes, the bile duct was considered inaccessible. Group A consisted of patients where pancreatic duct access was possible and transpancreatic papillary septotomy was performed (20 patients). If pancreatic duct cannulation also failed, needle knife precut method was performed and these patients belonged to group B (8 patients). The success and complication rates of the two groups were compared using the Chi-square test.

Results

The success rates were 85% and 87.5% respectively. Of the 28 patients in group A, 6 had mild to moderate pancreatitis and one patient had mild bleeding. The complication rates were 35% and 0% respectively and the differences were not significant.

Conclusion

Needle knife precut papillotomy is useful and acceptable in patients after failed pancreatic duct access.
Update 2008: The Esophagus
Authors: Thomson Alan B.R.
Published: September 2017

The entire field of gastroenterology is primed to take an enormous step forward, with scientific and endoscopic advances which will be tothis decade what the treatments of peptic ulcer disease and viral hepatitis conditions were for the 80's and 90's. So also in the area of esophagology there are numerous emerging techniques and scientific advances in our understanding of the motor and sensory function of the esophagus. These contribute to our better understanding of common conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) including erosive esophagitis (EE), normal endoscopy reflux disease (NERD), Barrett's epithelium (BE), and esophageal adenocarcinoma (ECA), as well as the less common esophageal motility disorders, oro-pharyngeal dysphagia and eosinophilic esophagitis.
Emergency Medical Services Support for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Receiving Thrombolysis at a Primary Stroke Center
Authors: Spencer Byron R. , Khan Omar M. , Bobrow Bentley J. , Demaerschalk Bart M.
Published: September 2017

Background

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a vital link in the overall chain of stroke survival. A Primary Stroke Center (PSC) relies heavily on the 9-1-1 response system along with the ability of EMS personnel to accurately diagnose acute stroke. Other critical elements include identifying time of symptom onset, providing pre-hospital care, selecting a destination PSC, and communicating estimated time of arrival (ETA).

Purpose

Our purpose was to evaluate the EMS component of thrombolysed acute ischemic stroke patient care at our PSC.

Methods

In a retrospective manner we retrieved electronic copies of the EMS incident reports for every thrombolysed ischemic stroke patient treated at our PSC from September 2001 to August 2005. The following data elements were extracted: location of victim, EMS agency, times of dispatch, scene, departure, emergency department (ED) arrival, recordings of time of stroke onset, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac rhythm, blood glucose (BG), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Cincinnati Stroke Scale (CSS) elements, emergency medical personnel field assessment, and transport decision making.

Results

Eighty acute ischemic stroke patients received thrombolysis during the study interval. Eighty-one percent arrived by EMS. Two EMS agencies transported to our PSC. Mean dispatch-to-scene time was 6 min, on-scene time was 16 min, transport time was 10 min. Stroke onset time was recorded in 68%, BP, HR, and cardiac rhythm each in 100%, BG in 81%, GCS in 100%, CSS in 100%, and acute stroke diagnosis was made in 88%. Various diagnostic terms were employed: cerebrovascular accident in 40%, unilateral weakness or numbness in 20%, loss of consciousness in 16%, stroke in 8%, other stroke terms in 4%. In 87% of incident reports there was documentation of decision-making to transport to the nearest PSC in conjunction with pre-notification.

Conclusion

The EMS component of thrombolysed acute ischemic stroke patients care at our PSC appeared to be very good overall. Diagnostic accuracy was excellent, field assessment, decision-making, and transport times were very good. There was still room for improvement in documentation of stroke onset and in employment of a common term for acute stroke.
Views of Emergency Physicians on Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Bobrow Bentley J. , Demaerschalk Bart M. , Wood Joseph P. , Villarin Albert , Clark Lani , Jennings Anthony
Published: September 2017

Background

The 3-hour window for treating stroke with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) requires well-organized, integrated efforts by emergency physicians and stroke neurologists.

Objective

To evaluate attitudes and knowledge of emergency physicians about intravenous t-PA for acute ischemic stroke, particularly in primary stroke centers (PSCs) with stroke neurology teams.

Methods

A 15-question pilot Internet survey administered by the Arizona College of Emergency Physicians.

Results

Between March and August 2005, 100 emergency physicians responded: 71 in Arizona and 29 in Missouri. Forty-eight percent practiced at PSCs; 48% thought t-PA was effective, 20% did not, and 32% were uncertain. PSC or non-PSC location of practice did not influence endorsement (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.27–1.64). Of those opposing t-PA, 87% cited risk of hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Most emergency physicians did not endorse t-PA. Improved collaboration between emergency physicians and stroke neurologists is needed.
Triple-wavelength depolarization-ratio profiling of Saharan dust over Barbados during SALTRACE in 2013 and 2014
Authors: Haarig Moritz , Ansmann Albert , Althausen Dietrich , Klepel André , Groß Silke , Freudenthaler Volker , Toledano Carlos , Mamouri Rodanthi-Elisavet , Farrell David A. , Prescod Damien A. , Marinou Eleni , Burton Sharon P. , Gasteiger Josef , Engelmann Ronny , Baars Holger
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Triple-wavelength polarization lidar measurements in Saharan dust layers were performed at Barbados (13.1° N, 59.6° W), 5000–8000 km west of the Saharan dust sources, in the framework of the Saharan Aerosol Long-range Transport and Aerosol-Cloud-Interaction Experiment (SALTRACE-1, June–July 2013, SALTRACE-3, June–July 2014). Three case studies are discussed. High quality was achieved by comparing the dust linear depolarization ratio profiles measured at 355, 532, and 1064 nm with respective dual-wavelength (355, 532 nm) depolarization ratio profiles measured with a reference lidar. A unique case of long-range transported dust over more than 12 000 km is presented. Saharan dust plumes crossing Barbados were measured with an airborne triple-wavelength polarization lidar over Missouri in the midwestern United States 7 days later. Similar dust optical properties and depolarization features were observed over both sites indicating almost unchanged dust properties within this 1 week of travel from the Caribbean to the United States. The main results of the triple-wavelength polarization lidar observations in the Caribbean in the summer seasons of 2013 and 2014 are summarized. On average, the particle linear depolarization ratios for aged Saharan dust were found to be 0.252 ± 0.030 at 355 nm, 0.280 ± 0.020 at 532 nm, and 0.225 ± 0.022 at 1064 nm after approximately 1 week of transport over the tropical Atlantic. Based on published simulation studies we present an attempt to explain the spectral features of the depolarization ratio of irregularly shaped mineral dust particles, and conclude that most of the irregularly shaped coarse-mode dust particles (particles with diameters > 1 µm) have sizes around 1.5–2 µm. The SALTRACE results are also set into the context of the SAMUM-1 (Morocco, 2006) and SAMUM-2 (Cabo Verde, 2008) depolarization ratio studies. Again, only minor changes in the dust depolarization characteristics were observed on the way from the Saharan dust sources towards the Caribbean.
Soil hydraulic material properties and subsurface architecture from time-lapse GPR
Authors: Jaumann Stefan , Roth Kurt
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Quantitative knowledge of effective soil hydraulic material properties is essential to predict soil water movement. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-invasive and non-destructive geophysical measurement method to monitor the hydraulic processes precisely. Previous studies showed that the GPR signal from a fluctuating groundwater table is sensitive to the soil water characteristic and the hydraulic conductivity function. In this work, we show that this signal is suitable to accurately estimate the subsurface architecture and the associated effective soil hydraulic material properties with inversion methods. Therefore, we parameterize the subsurface architecture, solve the Richards equation, convert the resulting water content to relative permittivity with the complex reflective index model (CRIM), and solve Maxwell's equations numerically. In order to analyze the GPR signal, we implemented a new heuristic event detection and association algorithm. Using events instead of the full wave regularizes the inversion as it allows to focus on the relevant measurement signal. Starting from an ensemble of Latin hypercube drawn initial parameter sets, we sequentially couple the simulated annealing algorithm with the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. We apply the method to synthetic as well as measured data from the ASSESS test site and show that the method yields accurate estimates for the soil hydraulic material properties as well as for the subsurface architecture by comparing the results to references derived from time domain reflectometry (TDR) and subsurface architecture ground truth data.
Proximate and underlying drivers of socio-hydrologic change in the upper Arkavathy watershed, India
Authors: Srinivasan Veena , Penny Gopal , Lele Sharachchandra , Thomas Bejoy K. , Thompson Sally
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Addressing water security in the developing world involves predicting water availability under unprecedented rates of population and economic growth. Yet the combination of rapid change, inadequate data and human modifications to watersheds poses a challenge, as researchers face a poorly constrained water resources prediction problem. This case study of the data-scarce, upper Arkavathy watershed, near the city of Bengaluru in southern India, attempts to systematically explain the observed disappearance of surface and groundwater in recent decades. The study asks three questions: 1) Can we quantify the change attributable to different drivers? 2) Can we anticipate change? 3) What policy lessons can be drawn? Field experiments, isotopic studies, borewell scans and sensors were deployed to understand hydrologic processes over five years. These were used in a historical reconstruction of the catchment over three decades that replicates the decline. The multi-scale model of the upper Arkavathy, quantifies the contributions of soil and water conservation measures, groundwater depletion and eucalyptus plantations to the decline in surface and groundwater resources. The model results indicate that the catchment hydrology cannot be reconstructed without explicitly including human feedbacks. The system is influenced by both endogenous drivers (social feedbacks to changes in water availability such as irrigation efficiency improvements, soil and water conservation measures and deeper borewells) and exogenous drivers (technological change, pro-development governance and economic forces due to urbanization, which provided access to capital and markets for high-value crops). The research suggests that in a system where productivity of the landscape is limited by water, economic drivers will always push for maximization of water abstraction and use. Unsustainability of resource use is inevitable, in the absence of credible controls on abstraction and use.
Characterizing the spatial variations and correlations of large rainstorms for landslide study
Authors: Gao Liang , Zhang Limin , Lu Mengqian
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Rainfall is the primary trigger of landslides in Hong Kong; hence, rainstorm spatial distribution is an important piece of information in landslide hazard analysis. The primary objective of this paper is to quantify spatial correlation characteristics of three landslide-triggering large storms in Hong Kong. The spatial maximum rolling rainfall is represented by a rotated ellipsoid trend surface and a random field of residuals. The maximum rolling 4, 12, 24, and 36 h rainfall amounts of these storms are assessed via surface trend fitting, and the spatial correlation of the detrended residuals is determined through studying the scales of fluctuation along eight directions. The principal directions of the surface trend are between 19 and 43°, and the major and minor axis lengths are 83–386 and 55–79 km, respectively. The scales of fluctuation of the residuals are found between 5 and 30 km. The spatial distribution parameters for the three large rainstorms are found to be similar to those for four ordinary rainfall events. The proposed rainfall spatial distribution model and parameters help define the impact area, rainfall intensity and local topographic effects for landslide hazard evaluation in the future.
Aggregation effects on tritium-based mean transit times and young water fractions in spatially heterogeneous catchments and groundwater systems
Authors: Stewart Michael K. , Morgenstern Uwe , Gusyev Maksym A. , Małoszewski Piotr
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Kirchner (2016a) demonstrated that aggregation errors due to spatial heterogeneity, represented by two homogeneous subcatchments, could cause severe underestimation of the mean transit times (MTTs) of water travelling through catchments when simple lumped parameter models were applied to interpret seasonal tracer cycle data. Here we examine the effects of such errors on the MTTs and young water fractions estimated using tritium concentrations in two-part hydrological systems. We find that MTTs derived from tritium concentrations in streamflow are just as susceptible to aggregation bias as those from seasonal tracer cycles. Likewise, groundwater wells or springs fed by two or more water sources with different MTTs will also have aggregation bias. However, the transit times over which the biases are manifested are different because the two methods are applicable over different time ranges, up to 5 years for seasonal tracer cycles and up to 200 years for tritium concentrations. Our virtual experiments with two water components show that the aggregation errors are larger when the MTT differences between the components are larger and the amounts of the components are each close to 50 % of the mixture. We also find that young water fractions derived from tritium (based on a young water threshold of 18 years) are almost immune to aggregation errors as were those derived from seasonal tracer cycles with a threshold of about 2 months.
Rabindranath Tagore’s Syncretistic Philosophy and the Persian Sufi Tradition
Authors: Lewisohn Leonard
Published: September 2017

Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) has been praised by a number of Bengali Muslim authors for his sympathetic portrayal of Islamic concepts and ideals, and it is well known that some of his works of prose and verse were influenced by Persian poetry and Sufism. Tagore’s father knew Persian and could recite the poetry of Ḥāfiẓ (d. 1389) by heart. Tagore himself was also deeply influenced by the Persian classical poet. In the last decade of his life, Tagore described his admiration for the great Persian Sufi poets, visiting the tombs of Ḥāfiẓ and Sa‘dī in Shiraz. In this article, I will discuss the spiritual milieu of the Persianate culture of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Bengal to shed light on the extent of the influence of Persian Sufi ideas on this milieu in general and Tagore in particular. Attention will also be given to other aspects of Tagore’s religious syncretism: Bāul mysticism and its lyric poetry, Sahaja Buddhism, Vedanta philosophy, the Upanishads, and a few other currents of Eastern thought. Lastly, I will explore Tagore’s relationship with Persian Sufi concepts and poetry and discuss the effect of his visit to Iran and his encounter with the poet Ḥāfiẓ.
HOPE Scholarship Status of Students in a Large General Education Course
Authors: Heaton Eleanore T. , Ciancio Dennis J. , Williams Robert L.
Published: September 2017

We examined the extent to which socioeconomic status (SES), precollege academic variables, non-course collegiate measures, and in-course collegiate measures predicted receipt and/or retention of a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) scholarship at a major southeastern state university. Students (N = 181) enrolled in seven sections of a 200-level general education course participated in the study. Logistic regression analyses revealed that SES and precollege academic models significantly predicted HOPE receipt. Within these models, high school grade point average proved to be the most consistent predictor of HOPE receipt. SES, in-course collegiate, and college grade models were the strongest predictors of HOPE retention.
Connecting Student Engagement to Student Satisfaction: A Case Study at East Carolina University
Authors: Pelletier Christopher , Rose Jaya , Russell Mona , Guberman Daniel , Das Kanchan , Bland Joseph , Bonner Heidi , Renée Chambers Crystal
Published: September 2017

The focus of the present study is whether student engagement as measured at the class level via the Classroom Level Survey of Student Engagement (CLASSE) is associated with higher levels of student satisfaction. To do so, we administered the CLASSE survey to 370 first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior students across nine classrooms. There were no statistically significant relationships between student engagement and overall satisfaction. When analyzed with student responses to questions about their satisfaction in the classroom, we found no variation in student satisfaction by race, gender, or class level. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
The Effect of In-Field Rain Water Harvesting on Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato Biomass and Yield
Authors: Laurie S. M. , Nhlabatsi N. , Ngobeni H. M. , Tjale S. S.
Published: September 2017

Water scarcity affects both food security and human nutrition. In-field rain water harvesting (IRWH) combines the advantages of rainwater harvesting, no-till, basin tillage and mulching on high drought risk clay soils. In this study, the IRWH system was customized to fit the cropping system of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP). Field trials were conducted over two seasons to compare cultivation of OFSP using IRWH versus conventional tillage (CON). Data collection included plant survival, root initiation, marketable root yield, unmarketable root yield classes and biomass. Planting OFSP using the IRWH system resulted in significantly higher total biomass, higher marketable and total root yield per plant, as well as larger number of roots per plant compared to CON. Despite the relatively higher yield, total production (t/ha) was only significantly higher in season two at 4.6 t/ha vs 2.7 t/ha for CON. Subsistence farmers and households in semi-arid areas may grow small plots of orange-fleshed sweet potato in IRWH opposed to only growing maize and in that way add vitamin A to the diet. This is the first study on the application of IRWH to produce OFSP under rainfed conditions, and more research can be conducted to expand the knowledge on application and benefits of IRWH for OFSP production.
Business combinations under common control in International Financial Reporting Standards – is authoritative accounting guidance needed?
Authors: Janowicz Magdalena
Published: September 2017

Business combinations under common control in International Financial Reporting Standards – is authoritative accounting guidance needed?

The purpose of the article is to answer the question if a separate standard (IFRS) is needed for business combinations under common control (BCUCC), which are not governed by any IFRS as the moment. In such cases, the approach resulting from IAS 8 should apply to them, which allows the use of national regulations to account for BCUCC. The authoress shortly described the theoretical issues related to the subject and presented the results of empirical research that verified the practical aspects of the problem. The research methodology involves a literature and legal act analysis, content analysis of financial statements, as well as deductive and inductive reasoning. On the basis of the gathered data the authoress concluded that even the existence of necessary regulations in national GAAPs does not guarantee that all the requirements related to the qualitative characteristics of the reported information are met and, as such, the main objectives for which IFRS were developed may not be met. As such, the authoritative guidance proves necessary. Very little research on the subject was published, thus, this paper may provide some additional guidance as to what issues related to BCUCC should receive particular attention.
Academic aspects of management accounting and controlling in Poland since the 1990s
Authors: Szychta Anna , Dobroszek Justyna
Published: September 2017

Academic aspects of management accounting and controlling in Poland since the 1990s

Management accounting (MA) systems in enterprises in Poland are shaped by numerous economic and institutional factors. Normative drivers such as teaching at the university level, academic research and publications of Polish academics (which are, in turn, influenced by the development of MA and con-trolling in Western countries) are of major importance. The aim of the paper is to recognize and present the scope of the impact that the Anglo-American concept of management accounting, and the controlling concept according to the approach in German-speaking countries, have had on the academic aspects of MA in Poland since 1990. The authors answer in the paper six explorative research questions. The basis for the answers to these questions is a literature study, a review and thematic classification of articles concerning MA and controlling, published in the two main Polish journals in this area, and a survey conducted by the authors among heads of accounting departments at universities and other entities of further education in Poland. The paper provides arguments confirming that there is no uni-form perception of the relationship between MA and controlling among Polish accounting researchers, that research topics in Poland are dominated by the Anglo-American concept of MA, and that educa-tional programs on accounting at university level have a preference for the term management account-ing, although they also offer courses on controlling.
The Mexico Consensus: a resolution of the fifth General Assembly of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, 9 December 2016
Authors: General Assembly of the IRCT General Assembly
Published: September 2017

The General Assembly of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) adopted a resolution setting out the collective position of its global membership, which consists of 151 centres in 74 countries.
Perspective – The long journey to rehabilitation for torture survivors
Authors: Haoussou Kolbassia
Published: September 2017

This article builds on a presentation given at the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) symposium in Mexico City in December 2016. The symposium theme was ‘Delivering on the promise of the right to rehabilitation’ and was attended by representatives from torture rehabilitation centres across the world.
Prevalence and factors associated with low lumbar strength in adolescents
Authors: Gonçalves Eliane Cristina De Andrade , Silva Diego Augusto Santos
Published: September 2017

Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência e fatores associados a baixos níveis de força lombar em adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos de idade.Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com 909 adolescentes de 14 a 19 anos, estudantes de escolas públicas da cidade de São José, Santa Catarina – Brasil. Analisou-se a força lombar por meio do teste de extensão lombar proposto pela Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness and Lifestyle Approach (CPAFLA) que propõe pontos de corte distintos para os sexos. As variáveis independentes analisadas foram: sexo, idade, nível econômico, tempo de tela, atividade física, aptidão aeróbia e Indíce de Massa corporal. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a regressão logística binária com nível de significância de 5%.Resultados: A prevalência de baixos níveis de força lombar foi de 45,2%, sendo 36,2% para os meninos e 53,1% para as meninas. Os subgrupos populacionais com maiores chances de baixos níveis de força lombar foram o sexo feminino (OR: 1,99; IC95%: 1,52-2,60) e adolescentes com excesso de peso (OR: 1,48; IC95%: 1,12-1,96). Conclusão: Quase metade dos estudantes apresentaram baixos níveis de força lombar. As meninas e os adolescentes com excesso de peso estiveram mais propícios a ter baixos níveis de força lombar.
Association between breastfeeding, obstetric factors and child development in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Severiano André Augusto De Oliveira , Dantas Diego De Sousa , Oliveira Vanessa Lopes Costa de , Lopes Johnnatas Mikael , Souza Damião Ernane de , Magalhães Adriana Gomes
Published: September 2017

Introduction: Child development is a complex process influenced by several factors, among others is highlighted the practice of breastfeeding. Beyond the biological effects, breastfeeding has effects on the social dimension and the psychological apparatus of the actors directly involved. Objective: To analyse the influence of exclusive breastfeeding and associated factors on the neurodevelopment (ND) of children up to 36 months old. Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based study with individuated data of 99 children up to 36 months old, evaluated socio demographic, obstetric and neonatal variables and assessed ND through the Development Monitoring Instrument. The variables were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression testing. Data were considered significant when p <0.05. Results: Regarding ND, 70.71% of the children had achieved the motor milestones for their age, 98.99% of mothers breastfed, 37.38% of them had exclusive breastfed (EBF) for six months. Factors that positively influenced the ND were vaginal delivery when compared to children with other types of delivery, and EBF for 6 months when compared to children who had EBF less than six months. Conclusions: The practice of exclusive breastfeeding for less than six months is associated with a higher prevalence of lower psychomotor development of children from zero to 36 months old. Other factors associated with delay in development are instrumented vaginal delivery with forceps or caesarean delivery.
Causal evidence for lateral prefrontal cortex dynamics supporting cognitive control
Authors: Nee Derek Evan , D'Esposito Mark
Published: September 2017

The lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is essential for higher-level cognition, but the nature of its interactions in supporting cognitive control remains elusive. Previously (Nee and D'Esposito, 2016), dynamic causal modeling (DCM) indicated that mid LPFC integrates abstract, rostral and concrete, caudal influences to inform context-appropriate action. Here, we use continuous theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) to test this model causally. cTBS was applied to three LPFC sites and a control site in counterbalanced sessions. Behavioral modulations resulting from cTBS were largely predicted by information flow within the previously estimated DCM. However, cTBS to caudal LPFC unexpectedly impaired processes that are presumed to involve rostral LPFC. Adding a pathway from caudal to mid-rostral LPFC significantly improved the model fit and accounted for the observed behavioral findings. These data provide causal evidence for LPFC dynamics supporting cognitive control and demonstrate the utility of combining DCM with causal manipulations to test and refine models of cognition.
Multiple conserved cell adhesion protein interactions mediate neural wiring of a sensory circuit in C. elegans
Authors: Kim Byunghyuk , Emmons Scott W
Published: September 2017

Nervous system function relies on precise synaptic connections. A number of widely-conserved cell adhesion proteins are implicated in cell recognition between synaptic partners, but how these proteins act as a group to specify a complex neural network is poorly understood. Taking advantage of known connectivity in C. elegans, we identified and studied cell adhesion genes expressed in three interacting neurons in the mating circuits of the adult male. Two interacting pairs of cell surface proteins independently promote fasciculation between sensory neuron HOA and its postsynaptic target interneuron AVG: BAM-2/neurexin-related in HOA binds to CASY-1/calsyntenin in AVG; SAX-7/L1CAM in sensory neuron PHC binds to RIG-6/contactin in AVG. A third, basal pathway results in considerable HOA-AVG fasciculation and synapse formation in the absence of the other two. The features of this multiplexed mechanism help to explain how complex connectivity is encoded and robustly established during nervous system development.