bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ion dynamics in magnetosonic shocks front
Authors: Кичигин Геннадий , Kichigin Gennadiy
Published: December 2018

I address the ion dynamics at the front of magnetosonic shocks moving at different angles θ to the magnetic field vector. I employ a shock discontinuity model in which the ramp potential difference is taken into account. The analysis conditionally separates all the ions incoming to the front of oblique magnetosonic shocks into the following categories: 1) transient, 2) reflected, 3) gyrating in front of the ramp, 4) pickup in the ramp. Both gyrating and pickup ions are shown to be present temporarily at the magnetosonic shock front at any angles θ. In the end, both the former and the latter appear to be transient in a strictly transversal magnetosonic shock; and either transient or reflected, in an oblique magnetosonic shock. I have found the critical angle θ* that separates ions into transient and reflected in an oblique magnetosonic shock. The critical angle θ* depends both on the velocity of the particles, incident on ramp, and on dimensions of the ramp potential difference. The most important results are that I have identified the physical cause of the production of the reflected ions having a significant energy and have revealed the mechanism for their acceleration in the ramp (surfing). In the near-Earth shock ion foreshock, these very ener-getic ions (from tens to hundreds of keV) escaping from the magnetosonic shock front at a small angle to the front plane manifest themselves in observations in the form of so-called field-aligned beams (FABs) and form the ion foreshock boundary.
Spatial distribution of temperature during geomagnetic disturbances
Authors: Караханян Ашхен , Karakhanyan Ashhen , Молодых Сергей , Molodykh Sergey
Published: December 2018

We propose an index of efficiency of the solar activity effect on the tropospheric temperature, which takes into account the spatial irregularity of the response to this effect. As a proxy of solar activity we take the PC index of geomagnetic activity, designed to monitor the geomagnetic field at high latitudes. Using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, we carry out a comparative analysis of variations in the proposed index and lower-troposphere temperature variations during geomagnetic disturbances. We identify the presence of a high degree of correlation between the temperature in the 925–700 hPa layer and the proposed index of solar activity effect. The spatio-temporal analysis of the index and temperature variations shows that the index of effi-ciency of the solar activity effect describes well both the value and the sign of the observed variations in the spa-tial distribution of the lower-troposphere temperature as compared to the frequently used index of geomagnetic activity.
Personality and interpersonal sibling relationships
in early adulthood – causal analysis
Authors: Walęcka-Matyja Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

Aim of the study

The aim of the study was to identify personality predictors of the quality of interpersonal sibling relationships in early adulthood.

Subject or material and methods

The participants of the study were 160 young adults (M=25.5 years; SD=3.27), coming from the district of Łódź. The applied research tools included: Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire – short form, Personality Inventory NEO-FFI, Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire INTE.

Results

The obtained results indicate the occurrence of personality determinants of the quality of interpersonal sibling relationships in early adulthood. It was found out that Extraversion and Openness (only in the group of men) were determined the sibling relationships based on Warmth. Conflictual relationships with adult siblings in both groups were determined by a low level of Agreeableness, and, only in the group of women, by a high level of Neuroticism and Extraversion. Rivalry in relationships with siblings in the group of women was determined by a low level of Agreeableness. In the conducted research, emotional intelligence did not determine the quality of relationships with adult siblings. It was found out that women had obtained higher mean scores than men in respect of Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Emotional Support.

Discussion

The results of this study are partly consistent with the results of previous studies in this area.

Conclusions

The fact of showing the role of personality dimensions and emotional intelligence in shaping the quality of interpersonal sibling relationships in early adulthood will contribute to updating the psychological knowledge in this field and may be important for the psychotherapeutic practice.
Research Commentary—Data-Driven Computationally Intensive Theory Development
Authors: Berente Nicholas , Seidel Stefan , Safadi Hani
Published: December 2018

Increasingly abundant trace data provide an opportunity for information systems researchers to generate new theory. In this research commentary, we draw on the largely “manual” tradition of the grounded theory methodology and the highly “automated” process of computational theory discovery in the sciences to develop a general approach to computationally intensive theory development from trace data. This approach involves the iterative application of four general processes: sampling, synchronic analysis, lexical framing, and diachronic analysis. We provide examples from recent research in information systems.
When Algorithmic Predictions Use Human-Generated Data: A Bias-Aware Classification Algorithm for Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Authors: Ahsen Mehmet Eren , Ayvaci Mehmet Ulvi Saygi , Raghunathan Srinivasan
Published: December 2018

When algorithms use data generated by human beings, they inherit the errors stemming from human biases, which likely diminishes their performance. We examine the design and value of a bias-aware linear classification algorithm that accounts for bias in input data, using breast cancer diagnosis as our specific setting. In this context, a referring physician makes a follow-up recommendation to a patient based on two inputs: the patient’s clinical-risk information and the radiologist’s mammogram assessment. Critically, the radiologist’s assessment could be biased by the clinical-risk information, which in turn can negatively affect the referring physician’s performance. Thus, a bias-aware algorithm has the potential to be of significant value if integrated into a clinical decision support system used by the referring physician. We develop and show that a bias-aware algorithm can eliminate the adverse impact of bias if the error in the mammogram assessment due to radiologist’s bias has no variance. On the other hand, in the presence of error variance, the adverse impact of bias can be mitigated, but not eliminated, by the bias-aware algorithm. The bias-aware algorithm assigns less (more) weight to the clinical-risk information (radiologist’s mammogram assessment) when the mean error increases (decreases), but the reverse happens when the error variance increases. Using point estimates obtained from mammography practice and the medical literature, we show that the bias-aware algorithm can significantly improve the expected patient life years or the accuracy of decisions based on mammography.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2018.0789 .
Latest clinical research
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: December 2018

Mark Greener rounds up the latest papers and reports relevant to primary care nurses
Introducing solid foods in the weaning process
Authors: Patience Sara
Published: December 2018

Sara Patience explains new findings on how parents can be supported in this transitional period
JUST Paramedic Conference 2018
Authors: Oteir Alaa , Williams Brett , Alrawashdeh Ahmad , Chang Jack Yu-Tung , Yaqeen Emad Abu , Alwidyan Mahmoud , Ma'abrih Ghida'a M. , DaqDouqa Nasser Al-Deen
Published: December 2018

The 4th annual JUST Paramedic International Conference at Jordan University of Science and Technology took place last month in November 2018. In this Conference Report, Alaa Oteir, Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor from JUST's Paramedic Programme, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, shares some feature presentations.
Implementation of an Online Software Tool for the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP-OS)
Authors: Goepel Klaus D
Published: December 2018

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) remains a popular multi-criteria decision method. The author has implemented a free, web-based AHP online system with noteworthy features, allowing for the detailed analysis of decision problems. Besides standard functions, like flexible decision hierarchies, support to improve inconsistent judgments, and alternative evaluation and sensitivity analysis, the software can handle group input, calculate group consensus based on Shannon ? and ?-entropy and estimate weight uncertainties based on randomized small variations of input judgments. In addition, different AHP judgment scales can be applied a posteriori and alternative evaluation can be done using the weighted sum (WSM) or weighted product model (WPM). This flexibility opens up opportunities to study decision projects under various parameters. The author’s intention was to provide a complete and free software tool for educational and research purposes where calculations and algorithms are well documented and all input data and results can be exported in an open format for further processing or presentation. The article describes the basic concept and structure of the software and the underlying mathematical algorithms and methods. Challenges and practical experiences during the implementation, validation and productive phase of the software are highlighted.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and surgery
Authors: Sayburn Anna
Published: December 2018

Anna Sayburn explores the consent issues that surgeons face when operating on patients who refuse blood transfusions
A cost analysis of non-surgical extractions in primary versus secondary care
Authors: Halai Tina , Pizzo Elena , Schwab Jonathan , Patel Ashish , Eyeson Josiah
Published: December 2018

It has been well established that the secondary care sector often receives high volumes of referrals for extractions from general dental practitioners (GDPs).1This has a significant financial impact for the NHS as secondary care costs are higher than in the primary care sector.2 , 3
Manukau Symphony Orchestra: Reflections on a sustainable model for a community orchestra in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Grodd Uwe , Lines David
Published: December 2018

The Manukau Symphony Orchestra has continued to thrive for 25 years as a community orchestra based in the multiethnic region of South Auckland in New Zealand. Its continued success is partly attributed to its ability to maintain a negotiated ‘middle ground’ and dialogue within the community and also the way it has valued both musical and human aspects in its daily life. This study, written collaboratively by the researcher and music director and conductor, reports on recent ethnographic case study research conducted with the orchestra, its leaders and its administrators, and seeks to uncover key themes and actions that have enabled the orchestra’s ongoing sustainability. The case study found that an active and thriving space for dialogue with the community has continued over the years and this has sustained positive relationships with cultural groups, changing financial and policy strategies, a sense of ownership in the orchestra, a built-in mentoring structure, a community of care and a contemporary philosophy of community music making within a semi-professional orchestral context.
Breaking the rules of the game
Authors: Felando Cynthia
Published: December 2018

El Adiós is a sincere portrait of a dutiful servant as she tends to her deceased employer’s body and home for the last time, while enduring the routine class-based offenses delivered by her employer’s daughter. This article notes how camerawork and mise en scène emphasize the protagonist’s sensitive and ambiguous position.
On voice in Haunted Memory
Authors: Gills Libertad
Published: December 2018

This article will analyse the use of voice in this video essay and how the authors’ voice, spoken by Martin, engages with the images and sounds of Erice’s films, most importantly, with Erice’s voice. How do the voice of the video essayist and the voice of the director differ? And what do these voices teach us about the possibilities of speaking with, over and about images?
A poetic approach to the cinema of Erice
Authors: Bonaddio Federico
Published: December 2018

Haunted Memory evokes those themes across Erice’s cinema that are of universal significance: memory, childhood, the nature of cinema itself. Mostly absent, however, is the specifically Spanish context, something that attests to this audio-visual essay’s engagement with the predominantly poetic, rather than explicative, approach of Erice’s work.
Territórios de medo e privatização da segurança na Europa
Authors: Fernandes João Luís J.
Published: December 2018

A crise de refugiados; o terrorismo; os fluxos que escapam à regulação; as desigualdades;a desconstrução da comunidade familiar e a suspeição perante Estados a gerirrestrições orçamentais, estão entre os fatores que aumentaram a desconfiança na Europa.O levantamento de muros; a difusão de um urbanismo defensivo e a privatização da segurançaconstituem uma tendência em muitos países europeus. É nesse sentido que, emdiferentes escalas geográficas, uma Europa agora menos coesa se vai estruturando emterritórios de medo que têm levado a processos de confinamento e atomização social e aoaumento das distâncias entre os cidadãos.
Customized normalization clustering meth-odology for consumers with heterogeneous characteristics
Authors: Ribeiro Catarina , Pinto Tiago , Vale Zita , Baptista Jose
Published: December 2018

The increasing use and development of renewable energy sources and distributed generation, brought several changes to the power system operation. Electricity markets worldwide are complex and dynamic environments with very particular characteristics, resulting from their restructuring and evolution into regional and continental scales, along with the constant changes brought by the increasing necessity for an adequate integration of renewable energy sources. With the eminent implementation of micro grids and smart grids, new business models able to cope with the new opportunities are being developed. Virtual Power Players are a new type of player, which allows aggregating a diversity of entities, e.g. generation, storage, electric vehicles, and consumers, to facilitate their participation in the electricity markets and to provide a set of new services promoting generation and consumption efficiency, while improving players` benefits. This paper proposes a clustering methodology regarding the remuneration and tariff of VPP. It proposes a model to implement fair and strategic remuneration and tariff methodologies, using a clustering algorithm, applied to load values, submitted to different types of normalization process, which creates sub-groups of data according to their correlations. The clustering process is evaluated so that the number of data sub-groups that brings the most added value for the decision making process is found, according to the players characteristics. The proposed clustering methodology has been tested in a real distribution network with 30 bus, including residential and commercial consumers, photovoltaic generation and storage units
Evolutionary Algorithms for Query Op-timization in Distributed Database Sys-tems: A review
Authors: Ali Zulfiqar , Kiran Hafiza Maria , Shahzad Waseem
Published: December 2018

Evolutionary Algorithms are bio-inspired optimization problem-solving approaches that exploit principles of biological evolution. , such as natural selection and genetic inheritance. This review paper provides the application of evolutionary and swarms intelligence based query optimization strategies in Distributed Database Systems. The query optimization in a distributed environment is challenging task and hard problem. However, Evolutionary approaches are promising for the optimization problems. The problem of query optimization in a distributed database environment is one of the complex problems. There are several techniques which exist and are being used for query optimization in a distributed database. The intention of this research is to focus on how bio-inspired computational algorithms are used in a distributed database environment for query optimization. This paper provides working of bio-inspired computational algorithms in distributed database query optimization which includes genetic algorithms, ant colony algorithm, particle swarm optimization and Memetic Algorithms.
ANÁLISE DO CONTRATO ADMINISTRATIVO COMO INSTRUMENTO DA POLÍTICA NACIONAL DAS RELAÇÕES DE CONSUMO
Authors: Efing Antônio Carlos , Santos Fábio de Sousa , Gualberto Stenio Castiel
Published: December 2018

O Estado participa do ambiente econômico, inclusive por meio da aquisição de bens e serviços. A caracterização de uma relação de consumo perpassa pela identificação da figura do consumidor e do reconhecimento de sua vulnerabilidade. O equilíbrio da relação da consumo, mandamento constitucional decorrente do princípio da igualdade, é o alvo das normas de ordem pública que a regulamentam, compensando o desequilíbrio existente na relação com os fornecedores. O objetivo do artigo é analisar se o regime de prerrogativas dos contratos administrativos, desenhados para acompanhar as emergências decorrentes da complexidade dos serviços públicos, é suficiente,para a correção da disparidade entre fornecedor e ente público, no que tange à caracterização da relação de consumo. A conclusão é no sentido de que o Estado pode figurar como consumidor em determinada relação contratual, e, mais além, que o Estado deve utilizar-se dessa condição como instrumento da Política Nacional das Relações de Consumo.
A SUSTENTABILIDADE COMO UM VALOR
Authors: Bergamaschi Joice Duarte Gonçalves , Arosemena Rebeca Isabel Muñoz , Gomes Sergio Alves
Published: December 2018

O avanço depredatório do homem sobre o meio ambiente e as consequências nocivas que isso tem causado tem levantado a discussão a respeito de quais valores devem permanecer e quais devem ser alijados. Partindo da premissa de que os indivíduos têm o seu bem-estar intimamente ligado à plena harmonia do espaço em que vivem, o estudo se utiliza do método dedutivo para enfatizar que a sustentabilidade deve ser encarada como um valor constitucional detentor de natureza multidimensional, que justifica a atuação do Poder Judiciário no amparo de interesses que sejam compatíveis com a promoção do pleno desenvolvimento da sociedade, que vai muito além do crescimento econômico expresso em valores numéricos.
Acute and Chronic Wound Fluid Inversely Influence Wound Healing in an in-Vitro 3D Wound Model
Authors: Manuela Besser , Milad Khosravani , Anna-Lena Severing , Julian-Dario Rembe , Ewa Klara Stuermer
Published: December 2018

If a wound progressively heals or the healing process is impaired is basically influenced by the surrounding milieu. This is reflected by the wound fluid. Its specific composition triggers the migration, proliferation and differentiation of dermal and epidermal cells which so far was not sufficiently examined in 2D cell culture models. The influence of the different wound entities was analyzed on a newly implemented three dimensional in-vitro model, which improved the transferability to the in-vivo situation. The influence of pooled wound fluids from patients suffering from acute or chronic wounds were investigated within a time period of 10 days after wound application. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed addressing the impact of AWF and CWF on regeneration, such as cell proliferation, fibroblast activity and cell migration. AWF slightly stimulated fibroblast migration while CWF inhibited their activation and migration. The CXCR4- immunopositive population was continuously decreased compared to the control and AWF treatment. The expression of FAP was enhanced under AWF and medium. In keratinocytes CWF massively stimulated cell proliferation initiating on day six after injury. The presence of 10% CWF inhibited fibroblast activation and migration and induced the degradation of the collagen matrix. Keratinocytes were stimulated to proliferate, resulting in healing inhibiting hyperplasia. Transferred to human wounds, no effective wound closure would be achieved because of the de-regulation of pro-proliferative and migration-stimulating factors and a degraded extracellular matrix.

This newly implemented 3D study model represents a novel appropriate in-vitro system for studying healing mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications.
Post Abortion Contraception Model: A Comprehensive Package for Improving Safe Abortion Care in Developing Countries
Authors: Gbagbo Fred Yao
Published: December 2018

Background:
Despite liberal abortion laws and wide availability of contraceptives in Ghana, declining Post Abortion Contraception remains a public health challenge due to early unplanned pregnancies and recurrent abortions. The development of this model was therefore to address challenges of low contraception following induced abortion in health facilities within the capital city of Ghana.

Method:
The development of this model was an outcome of a nested study title: ‘decision making for induced abortion in Accra metropolis, Ghana’ in 2014. This model was piloted for four years using Marie Stopes, Ipas and Ghana Health Service trained abortion providers with family planning skills in one hundred purposively selected health facilities comprising 90 private and 10 Non-Governmental Organization mandated by law to provide safe abortion care services in the capital city of Ghana. The model mainly focused on contraceptive products, pricing, placement, promotion and people.

Results:
There was an increase (90% average) in Post Abortion Contraception across the selected facilities following the intervention using the model.

Conclusion:
The study concludes that an integration of products, pricing, placement, promotion and people with options counselling prior to an induced abortion are key considerations for an improved post abortion contraception uptake in developing countries.
Knowing, Proposing and Acting: Epistemological Aspects of Medical Practice in the New Millennium.
Authors: Vargas Rafael
Published: December 2018

In this work, it is analysed how the medical practice is imbued with Cartesian rational thought as well as empiricist thought and it is stated that medicine is an art and is science. It is proposed that the object of knowledge of the medical practice is not the concept of disease but health. It is from the concept of health and normality that medical taxonomy labels individuals as sick. This taxonomy is frequently re-evaluated and reorganized by scientific societies. This sometimes occurs according to new knowledge, but this categorization may also be questioned due to direct intervention or indirect pressure related to interests, especially economic, that are sometimes not clearly visible. Accordingly, an ongoing discussion is needed to keep the medical practice neutral against struggles of interest derived from the health industry. These topics must be considered and debated in medical schools including undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
La Universidad letrada. Docencia e investigación universitaria en España
Authors: Martínez Chicón Raquel , Olmos Alcaraz Antonia
Published: December 2018

El presente texto realiza una comparación metafórica entre La Cuidad Letrada descrita por Ángel Rama y la realidad de la Universidad española en la actualidad con un trasfondo de igual reivindicación: «la democratización de las funciones intelectuales». Para ello, recurrimos a una metodología auto-etnográfica y a la narración de nuestro acontecer dentro de la academia. Prestamos especial atención a las crecientes lógicas mercantilistas de la institución y a «los nuevos letrados» —agencias de control de la calidad del conocimiento— y reflexionamos sobre algunas categorías sociales como las de edad y género en tanto constructoras de diferencia y mantenedoras de estructuras de poder y desigualdad.
La skholé aristotélica como condición de la excelencia humana
Authors: Mauri Margarita
Published: December 2018

La propuesta de tratar de la scholḗ entendida simplemente como ‘tiempo libre’ debe empezar con dos preguntas: ¿tiempo libre de qué tipo de actividades? y ¿tiempo libre para qué clase de actividades? La exposición de Aristóteles trata de responder a ambas preguntas. Los supuestos conceptuales implícitos que utiliza el autor a la hora de ofrecer respuestas son los siguientes: a) la ordenación teleológica de las actividades humanas; b) la excelencia necesaria para llevarlas a cabo y; c) la caracterización de las dos clases de eudaimonía que aparecen en el último libro de la Ética Nicomaquea (EN). La finalidad de este artículo es determinar la relación del concepto de scholē´ con otros conceptos de la filosofía práctica aristotélica y distinguir los diferentes contenidos del término scholḗ.
The Effect of Ownership Structure on Dividend Policy and Shareholder Value: A Financialisation Perspective on Construction Companies in Poland
Authors: Oleksy Paweł , Zyguła Andrzej
Published: December 2018

In the paper, we examine the impact of ownership structure on dividend policy and shareholder value in non-financial companies from construction sector in Poland. More specifically, by distinguishing between financial and non-financial shareholders, we verify the involvement of financial institutions in company ownership and how it translates into changes in major dividend and shareholder value indicators. Our results show that the presence of financial investors in the ownership structure has a positive impact on probability that the company will pay out dividends, what is symptomatic for financialisation. However, there is not enough evidence to support similar conclusion regarding shareholder value creation.
Uncovering new physiology in bilateral renal agenesis following amnioinfusion
Authors: Riddle Stefanie L. , Polzin William , Kingma Paul
Published: December 2018

Background

Bilateral renal agenesis has uniformly been a lethal diagnosis in the perinatal or neonatal period. With the advent of more advanced renal replacement therapy as a bridge to renal transplantation, amnioinfusion has been explored at our center as a way to prevent lethal pulmonary hypoplasia secondary to oligohydramnios.

Case presentation

We describe two cases of bilateral renal agenesis with serial amnioinfusion during pregnancy. The families opted for full neonatal intervention and post-natal renal support. While lethal pulmonary hypoplasia was avoided, early and refractory hypotension limited the ability to perform dialysis in these neonates.

Conclusions

Our limited experience shows that barriers to care such as lethal respiratory failure and technical limitations of early dialysis are not the only barriers prohibiting care for this population.
EFFECT OF SEED DIFFUSATES ON FUNGAL POPULATION AND GERMINATION OF SUNFLOWER SEEDS / EFECTO DE EXTRACTOS DE SEMILLAS SOBRE LA POBLACION DE HONGOS Y LA GERMINACION DE SEMILLAS DEL GIRASOL / EFFET DES EXTRAITS DE SEMENCE SUR LA POPULATION DE CHAMPIGNONS ET SUR LA GERMINATION DES GRAINES DE TOURNESOL
Authors: Bhutta Rauf , Rahber Bhatti M.H. , Iftikhar Ahmad
Published: December 2018

All four seed diffusates used for treatment of sunflower seeds, Azadirachtaindica, Capsicum annuum, Coriandrum sativum and Eugenia jambulana, reduced the populations of seed-borne fungi: Alternaria alternata, Drechslera tetramera, Emericellopsis terricola, Fusarium moniliforme, F.semitectum, Macrophomina phaseolina and Phoma oleracea. Of four seed diffusates, those from A.indica and C.sativum controlled the fungal populations almost 100%. Seed germination was increased in seed samples of both sunflower cultivars under study, HO-1 and NK-212. The obtained results indicate that seed diffusates could substitute costly chemicals for safe control of seed-borne diseases, protecting at the same time the environment from chemical pollution.
Predicting orbit and clock corrections during their outage in real-time positioning using GPS, GLONASS and QZSS for natural hazard warning systems
Authors: El-Mowafy Ahmed
Published: December 2018

Real-time Precise Point Positioning (RT PPP) is a primary positioning method used in natural hazard warning systems (NHWS) such as monitoring tsunami and earthquakes. The method relays on precise orbit and clock corrections to eliminate satellite-related errors and its performance can be significantly improved by using measurements from multi-GNSS constellations compared with using only one system, such as GPS. The Japanese Multi-GNSS Advanced Demonstration tool for Orbit and Clock Analysis (MADOCA) provides these corrections for GPS, GLONASS and QZSS satellites enabling a multi-GNSS RT-PPP. However, the accuracy of RT PPP will suffer a major decline in case of presence of an outage in receiving these corrections, for instance due to a temporary failure of the user modem. For that reason, a method is proposed to maintain RT PPP when such a break takes place. For short outages less than 30 minutes we predict MADOCA orbits using a Holt-Winters’ auto-regressive model, and for longer outages up to 1 hr, the most recent International GNSS Service (IGS) ultra-rapid orbits can be used, but only for GPS. In addition, the clock corrections are predicted as a time series using a linear model with sinusoidal terms. The best regression period to estimate the required model parameters is discussed based on analysis of the autocorrelation of the corrections. The prediction model parameters are estimated using a sliding time window. Evaluation of the proposed method showed that positioning accuracy of 15 cm was maintained during the prediction period, which is twice better than using IGS ultra-rapid predicted products. For NHSW, the displacement errors due to prediction errors were generally within ±6 cm with one min interval and ±10 cm with five min interval.
Impact of the new guidelines on the management of premature rupture of membranes for the prevention of late preterm birth: an 11-year retrospective study
Authors: Bouchet Noémie , Joal Arnaud , Gayet-Ageron Angèle , Areta Marina Lumbreras , Martinez de Tejada Begoña
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the number of late preterm (LPT) births (between 34 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks) that could have been prevented if expectant management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) had been applied according to new recommendations.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study included all births at one Swiss center between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012. Births were categorized using an adapted evidence-based classification. Two scenarios were considered: best scenario (maximum averted cases) and a conservative scenario (minimum averted cases).

Results

Among 2017 LPT births (5.0% of all deliveries; n=40,609), 1122 (60.6%) women had PPROM. Spontaneous labor occurred in 473 (42.2%) cases and 649 (57.8%) had induction of labor or an elective cesarean section. In the latter group, 44 (6.8%) had evidence-based indications for LPT delivery and 605 (83.2%) had non-evidence-based indications. Depending on the scenario, the rate of avoided LPT cases would have varied between 4.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.4–5.2) if the conservative scenario was applied, and 30% (95% CI: 28.0–32.0) for the best scenario.

Conclusion

Adoption of new guidelines for the management of PPROM will prevent a considerable number of LPT births and help decrease the adverse effects and potential disability associated with late preterm infants.
A Bayesian method for computing intrinsic pitch values using kernel density and nonparametric regression estimates
Authors: Healey Glenn
Published: December 2018

The deployment of sensors that characterize the trajectory of pitches and batted balls in three dimensions provides the opportunity to assign an intrinsic value to a pitch that depends on its physical properties and not on its observed outcome. We exploit this opportunity by using a Bayesian framework to learn a set of mappings from five-dimensional velocity, movement, and location vectors to intrinsic pitch values. A kernel method generates nonparametric estimates for the component probability density functions in Bayes theorem while nonparametric regression is used to derive a batted ball weight function that is invariant to the defense, ballpark, and atmospheric conditions. Cross-validation is used to determine the parameters of the model. We use Cronbach’s alpha to show that intrinsic pitch values have a significantly higher reliability than outcome-based pitch values. We also develop a method to combine intrinsic values at the individual pitch level into a statistic that captures the value of a pitcher’s collection of pitches over a period of time. We use this statistic to show that pitchers who outperform their intrinsic values during a season tend to perform worse the following year. We also show that this statistic provides better predictive value for future Earned Run Average (ERA) than either current ERA or Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP).
First telemetry data on wild individuals from the threatened, isolated Italian otter (Lutra lutra) population
Authors: Quaglietta Lorenzo , Fusillo Romina , Marcelli Manlio , Loy Anna , Boitani Luigi
Published: December 2018

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is among the most endangered mammals in Italy, its population being isolated and genetically distinct from other European populations. Yet, its ecology and behavior are largely unknown in Italy, preventing its much-needed effective conservation. We radio-tracked one male and one female otter daily in Southern Italy, for 1 year and 8 months, respectively. The male and female used nearly 30 and 20 km of river, respectively. The extension of the ranges varied among seasons. The male was more conservative in its spatial utilization, being mostly located around a trout farm. These first direct data on space use by wild Italian otters provided preliminary information potentially useful for a sound management of this endangered population.
Assessing the impact of fertilizer subsidy on farming efficiency: A case of Bangladeshi farmers
Authors: Nasrin Mahmuda , Bauer Siegfried , Arman Md
Published: December 2018

The study has been conducted to assess the micro level impact of fertilizer subsidy on farming efficiency given the heterogeneous farm structures and universal subsidy policy in Bangladesh. The research utilizes primary data, which were collected through personal interview of 300 farm households located in three districts from northern part of Bangladesh. Multistage purposive sampling was followed for selecting the sampling units based on concentration of rice farming. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) reveals that the farms are inefficient in combining inputs in a cost minimizing way, although they are technically more efficient. Results from Tobit models for different farm size groups prove that fertilizer subsidy has significant impact on improving farming efficiencies for marginal and small farms in study areas while leaving insignificant impact for medium and large farms. Further increases in fertilizer subsidy will bring significant productivity increases for these smallholder farmers. Therefore, policy interventions should favor these farms for acceleration of agricultural growth.
Internal and External Loads in Training Week Before the Competition in U19 High-Level Soccer Players
Authors: Martín-López Álvaro , Mendes Rui Sousa , Castillo-Rodríguez Alfonso
Published: December 2018

Martín-López, Á, Mendes, RS, and Castillo-Rodríguez, A. Internal and external loads in training week before the competition in U19 high-level soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 35(6): 1766–1772, 2021—Nowadays, the information about the load in training sessions (TRs) and the relationship of these TRs with official competition are necessary to gain the sport success in soccer. The aim of this study was to quantify the different loads in TRs according to days before the competition (P-4, P-2, and P-1) on soccer players U19 based on their playing position and their sport success. Twenty-four male Spanish high-level players (age: 16.5 ± 0.5 years; height: 1.69 ± 0.04 m; and body mass: 63.0 ± 6.3 kg) participated in the study. They were grouped according to their playing position: external defenders, internal defenders (ID), external midfielders, internal midfielders (IM), and forwards (FO). To conduct the study, global positioning system technology was used, and a 1-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation were performed. The main results revealed that the highest physical and physiological responses in the TRs were shown by ID, IM, and players without sport success (p < 0.05), and during P-2. In addition, sport success is predicted by the mean heart rate (R
2 = 0.33; p < 0.001). As conclusion, players covering central positions in the playing field performed higher physical and physiological demands than players covering exterior or forward positions. Furthermore, physical and physiological responses during the TRs P-2 may be similar to the responses produced in competition match and are notably different depending on the sport success of the soccer player.
Experimental Evaluation of Shear Strength of Kaolin Clay under Cyclic and Noncyclic Thermal Loading
Authors: Yazdani Saeed , Helwany Sam , Olgun Guney
Published: December 2018

The soil response to daily temperature variation imposed by an energy pile is critical for estimating the energy pile’s capacity and serviceability. It is, therefore, necessary to determine the temperature-induced effects on mechanical properties of soils. This article presents the results of an experimental study on the effects of thermal loading on shear strength of reconstituted kaolin clay. The study was performed using a triaxial testing apparatus capable of applying thermal loading. Different cyclic and noncyclic thermal loadings, with temperatures ranging between 24°C and 34°C, were applied. In addition, two theoretical mechanisms defining force distribution at the interparticle level were used to analyze the shearing behavior of clay under thermal loading. Both experimental and theoretical results indicate that the influence of temperature variation on the shear strength of clay is primarily controlled by stress state and stress history.
Thrombospondin-1 at the crossroads of corpus luteum fate decisions
Authors: Farberov Svetlana , Basavaraja Raghavendra , Meidan Rina
Published: December 2018

The multimodular matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 (THBS1) was among the first identified endogenous antiangiogenic molecules. Recent studies have shown THBS1-mediated suppression of angiogenesis and other critical activities for corpus luteum (CL) regression. THBS1 is specifically induced by prostaglandin F2alpha in mature CL undergoing regression, whereas luteinizing signals such as luteinizing hormone and insulin reduced its expression. THBS1 interacts both synergistically and antagonistically with other essential luteal factors, such as fibroblast growth factor 2, transforming growth factor beta1 and serpin family E member 1, to promote vascular instability, apoptosis and matrix remodeling during luteal regression. Expression of THBS1 is also downregulated by pregnancy recognition signals to maintain the CL during early pregnancy. This dynamic pattern of luteal expression, the extensive interactivity with other luteal factors and strong antiangiogenic and proapoptotic activities indicate that THBS1 is a major determinant of CL fate.
Beyazlatmanın Diş ve Çevre Dokularda Yaratabileceği Yan Etkiler
Authors: KEÇECİ Ayşe Diljin , KÜÇÜK Öznur
Published: December 2018

İnsanların diş beyazlatmaya olan
ilgisi son yıllarda artmaktadır. Diş beyazlatma, restoratif tedavi
seçenekleriyle karşılaştırıldığında en konservatif tedavi yöntemidir. Diş
beyazlatmanın mekanizması hidrojen peroksitin parçalanmasından sonra serbest
oksijenin açığa çıktığı redoks reaksiyonuna bağlıdır. Beyazlatmanın yan etkisi;
dental dokunun elastik modülünü ve mikrosertliğini modifiye etmesi olabilir. Bu
değişimler doku morfolojisinin değişimi ve dentindeki organik komponentlerin
redüksiyonuna bağlı olabilir ve beyazlatılmış dişlerin fraktür direncini
etkileyebilir. Endodontik tedavi gören dişlerde bu durum diş yapısının
zayıflaması nedeni ile daha kritik olabilir. Beyazlatma tedavisinde en fazla
görülen yan etki hassasiyettir. HP termal aktivasyon ile kombine
kullanıldığında beyazlatmadan sonra daha fazla hassasiyet oluşur. 5,5 C'lik bir
intrapulpal sıcaklık artışı günümüzde geri dönüşü olmayan pulpa hasarından
kaçınmak için aşılmaması gereken eşik değeri olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu
derlemenin amacı, beyazlatıcı ajanların mine üzerindeki etkileri ve beyazlatma
tedavilerinin yan etkileri değerlendirmektir.
Existence and uniqueness of positive solutions for a class of nonlinear fractional differential equations with mixed-type boundary value conditions
Authors: Wang Fang , Liu Lishan , Kong Debin , Wu Yonghong
Published: December 2018

In this article, we study a class of nonlinear fractional differential equations with mixed-type boundary conditions. The fractional derivatives are involved in the nonlinear term and the boundary conditions. By using the properties of the Green function, the fixed point index theory and the Banach contraction mapping principle based on some available operators, we obtain the existence of positive solutions and a unique positive solution of the problem. Finally, two examples are given to demonstrate the validity of our main results.
Mowat-Wilson Syndrome Presenting With Purpura Fulminans
Authors: Nevarez Flores Claudia G. , Sun Alexander P. , Hast Howard
Published: December 2018

Purpura fulminans is a rapidly progressive syndrome of intravascular thrombosis and hemorrhagic infarction of the skin. The most common infectious etiology is Neisseria meningitidis sepsis, and less commonly it has been documented as a complication of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae. In children who are otherwise healthy, splenic dysfunction is a significant predisposing factor for invasive pneumococcal infection. We present the case of a 10-month-old girl with a history of developmental delay, who developed an overwhelming infection complicated by purpura fulminans and was found to have previously undiagnosed Mowat-Wilson syndrome with anatomic asplenia. We propose screening patients with clinical features suggestive of Mowat-Wilson syndrome for asplenia to evaluate the need for additional preventive care.
REVIEW ON WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND KEY THREATS IN RWANDA, EAST AFRICA
Authors: Mukanyandwi Valentine , Nahayo Lamek , Hakorimana Egide , Gasirabo Aboubakar , Otgon Shinebayar
Published: December 2018

Water is important for human health, industry, agriculture and ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the ecosystem. The water resources are the top affected by climate variability and population growth. The current population of Rwanda is about 12 million heading to about 25 million in 2050 under the changing climate, where since 1970 temperature rose by 1.4°C and is predicted that in 2050 to be about 2.5°C with severe effects on water resources in Rwanda. Thereby, this study reviewed the status and causes of water quality problems and suggested appropriate options to undertake for sustainable water resources access, employ and management in Rwanda. It was noticed that among others, the key threats to water quality in Rwanda, include not limited to climate change causing rainfall patterns which generated flooding, landslides and periodic droughts, which loaded pollutants into water. In addition, water quality is jeopardized by the rapid population growth, agrochemicals, industrialization, urbanization, soil steepness and land mismanagement. Accordingly, the reviewed water quality indicate that the water quality pollution likelihood is increasing over time. These facts reveal that the water quality soon or late will be highly polluted and calls for further adaptation and management measures.
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF PROFITABILITY FACTORIAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Chiladze Izolda
Published: December 2018

Profitability is one of the fundamental directions of the financial stability of enterprises. Resources in nature are finite. Thus, the effective use of resources by each enterprise is of great interest to the public. The Profit is a means of expanding of production, of material incentives, of growth of investments and state revenue. Profit is also used by enterprises to finance employees’ awarding charitable and other programs. So, in order to make the enterprise profitable, it is important for owners, employed personnel, the state, and the whole society. Consequently, the research of the factors that increase the profitability of enterprises is always relevant. Purpose of the article is to create a multifactorial model of profitability. Therefore, the object of research is the system of indicators of profit and profitability. The article discusses different indicators of profit and profitability of the enterprise. On the basis of their logical and qualitative analysis, the most general indicator was selected: the ratio of annual profit (profit before taxation) to total assets. The purpose of the research was exactly to create a new factor model of this indicator. Based on the logical analysis, synthesis and professional judgment methods, eight indicators were selected which influence the profitability change and whose insertion (layout) into one model is possible and reasonable. And the method of so-called absolute difference is used to measure the influence of factors affecting profitability. For the testing of this model, the article uses the data of the Teliani Valley financial information of the Georgian wine company. This company was very interesting because it was the most financially stable and high-profile one but it became unprofitable for the past three years. As a result of the logical and empirical analysis of the factor-indicators of the new multi-factor model, it is obvious that this model can be used in all branches of the economy, except for commercial banks. Annual use of this factor model of profitability will be intellectual assistance for management of companies in order to find negative factors for profitability change and to make relevant decisions.
Efficient Two-Photon Absorbing Chromophores with Fine-Tuned л-Bridges
Authors: Zheng Lixin , Sassa Takafumi , Jen Alex K-Y.
Published: December 2018

A new series of symmetric two-photon absorbing chromophores with various л-bridges were synthesized. It has been shown that the spectra of two-photon absorption and two-photon induced fluorescence can be fined tuned by structural variations in the electronic nature and twist angle of л-bridges of D-л-D type chromophores. These chromophores exhibited large twophoton absorption cross-sections (up to 1800 GM), which were determined by two-photon induced fluorescence technique using femtosecond pulse excitation. The colors of two-photon pumped emission of these chromophores varied from blue to red (433 ∼ 604 nm) as the structure of л-bridges changed.
Inverted OLEDs with Electrically Doped Carrier Injection and Transport Layers
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Pfeiffer Martin , Huang Jing S. , Blochwitz Jan , Werner Ansgar , Leo Karl
Published: December 2018

Conventional organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) having electrically doped carrier injection and transport layers with high conductivity exhibit extremely low driving voltages, which is due to the formation of radical anions and cations and ohmic contacts at the electrode interfaces. We report here an inverted OLEDs with indium-tin-oxide (ITO) bottom contact as cathode for electron injection. The device comprise an intrinsic 8-tris-hydroxyquinoline aluminum (Alq3) emission layer sandwiched in between n- and p-doped charge transport layers.