bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical Period Stone Anchors from Mombasa, Kenya: Evidence of Overseas Maritime Trade Contacts with Asia and Middle East
Authors: BİTA Caesar
Published: March 2018

One of the characteristics of the East African Coast has been its accessibility. The sea has been a means of contact with the outside world. Over the last 2000 years, there has been an interpenetration of cultures to this region through trade consequently assimilating this coast into the international economic system. Accessibility from the land has made the East African coast historically an integral part of Africa. This allowed movement of goods from inland to the coast and onward to international markets. This coast has a trade advantage because the monsoon winds and oceanic currents are reliable and permit rapid, seasonal navigation, both along the coast of eastern Africa and across the Indian Ocean to western and southern Asia. A number of scholars have discussed how the monsoon winds and currents facilitated communication between various parts of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) seaboard and the Red sea, the Persian Gulf, and southeastern Asia. These winds caused long distance seasonal sailing along the East African coast and beyond to the rest of the ancient world. The islands of Comoros and Madagascar were also part of the Western Indian Ocean seaboard cultural and trade networks from very early times even before the BC/AD changeover. One of the major ancient coastal cities that played a role in this transoceanic trade is Mombasa in the Kenya coast. This paper explores these ancient trade contacts which have been proven by historical period stone anchors discovered in Mombasa, Kenya.
Depictions of ships on roman lamps
Authors: TRUZS Karolina
Published: March 2018

Roman everyday objects were
often decorated with motives of the aquatic environment. Very interesting group
of such a artifacts are roman oil lamps found in the Roman provinces Germania
Superior and Germania Inferior. They are characterized by repetition of
iconographic themes connected to river or sea navigation. This paper deals with
an attempt of interpretation connection between oil lamps and their
decorations.
A project proposal for the construction of underwater archaeological nature routes into the Protected Marine Area of Santa Maria di Castellabate
Authors: AGİZZA Salvatore
Published: March 2018

The coast from Punta Tresino to Ogliastro at the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano is rich in caves
while the bottom is cloaked in seagrass meadows on which shipwrecks dating from the Roman era and World
War II were found. Natural landscapes, above and below water, interspersed with eloquent archaeological
landmarks: coastal quarries, a roman harbour, remains of maritime villa with aquaria for fish farming. For this
multileveled territory, a project proposal for the construction of underwater archaeological nature routes which
aims to promote new ways of using archaeological heritage would be desirable.
Rare case of a recurrent juvenile ossifying fibroma of the lumbosacral spine
Authors: Dalle Ore Cecilia L. , Lau Darryl , Davis Jessica L. , Safaee Michael M. , Ames Christopher P.
Published: March 2018

Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is a rare benign bone tumor that occurs most frequently in the craniofacial bones of children and young adults. There are few case reports that describe its involvement outside the craniofacial skeleton, especially within the spinal column. While JOF is classified as a benign lesion, it may be locally aggressive and demonstrate a high propensity for recurrence, even after resection. Definitive surgical management may be challenging in naive cases, but it is particularly challenging in recurrent cases and when extensive spinal reconstruction is warranted. In this report, the authors describe the diagnosis and surgical management of a 29-year-old man who presented with a large recurrent sacral trabecular-subtype JOF. A review of literature regarding JOFs, management of recurrent primary spinal tumors, and sacral reconstruction are discussed.
Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with large temporal arachnoid cysts
Authors: Schertz Mitchell , Constantini Shlomi , Eshel Rina , Sela Adi Hannah , Roth Jonathan , Fattal-Valevski Aviva
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

Management of children with large temporal arachnoid cysts (TACs) remains controversial, with limited data available on their neurodevelopmental outcome. The aim of this study was to examine neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with large TACs.

METHODS

In this medical center–based cohort study, 25 patients (19 males) who were diagnosed in childhood with large TACs (9 patients [36%] with a Galassi type II and 16 patients [64%] with a Galassi type III TAC) were examined. The mean ± SD age at assessment was 11.1 ± 5.6 years (range 2.7–22 years). Twelve patients (48%) had right-sided, 12 (48%) had left-sided, and 1 (4%) had bilateral cysts. Nine patients (36%) underwent surgery for the cyst. The siblings of 21 patients (84%) served as control participants. Neurodevelopmental function was assessed using the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS), Vanderbilt Behavioral Rating Scale (VBRS), and Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ), and quality of life was measured using the treatment-oriented screening questionnaire (TOSQ). The results of all instruments except for TOSQ were compared with those of the sibling control participants.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD ABAS score of the patients was 93.3 ± 20.09 compared with 98.3 ± 18.04 of the sibling control participants (p = 0.251). Regarding the incidence of poor outcome (ABAS score < 80), there was a trend for more patients with TAC to have poor outcome than the sibling controls (p = 0.058). Patients who underwent surgery scored significantly worse with regard to the VBRS total score compared with those who did not (p = 0.020), but not on ABAS, DCD, or TOSQ. The mean score of the cognitive and psychological items on TOSQ was lower than that for the physical items (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with a large TAC performed similarly to their sibling control participants in neurodevelopmental function. However, a subgroup of those with cysts did have an increased risk for poor outcomes in general function. Neurodevelopmental assessment should be part of the management of all patients with TAC.
Coincident myelomeningocele and gastroschisis: report of 2 cases
Authors: Hauptman Jason S. , Bollo Robert , Damerla Rama , Gibbs Brian , Lo Cecilia , Katz Aviva , Greene Stephanie
Published: March 2018

Myelomeningocele and gastroschisis, on their own, are both relatively common entities encountered in pediatric surgical care. Coexistence of these pathologies, however, is exceedingly rare. The authors report on 2 patients who presented with myelomeningocele and gastroschisis at birth. They obtained blood for whole-exome analysis for one of the patients and identified 3 mutations that could be related to the underlying anomalies: homozygous mutations in FAM171B and ABCA1 and a hemizygous (X-linked) mutation in COL4A5. Of these, FAM171B and ABCA1 both have function that may be related to the underlying disease.
Factors associated with 30-day ventriculoperitoneal shunt failure in pediatric and adult patients
Authors: Anderson Ian A. , Saukila Louise F. , Robins James M. W. , Akhunbay-Fudge Christopher Y. , Goodden John R. , Tyagi Atul K. , Phillips Nick , Chumas Paul D.
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive benchmark of 30-day ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt failure rates for a single institution over a 5-year study period for both adult and pediatric patients, to compare this with the results in previously published literature, and to establish factors associated with shunt failure.

METHODS

A retrospective database search was undertaken to identify all VP shunt operations performed in a single, regional neurosurgical unit during a 5-year period. Data were collected regarding patient age, sex, origin of hydrocephalus, and whether the shunt was a primary or secondary shunt. Operative notes were used to ascertain the type of valve inserted, which components of the shunt were adjusted/replaced (in revision cases), level of seniority of the most senior surgeon who participated in the operation, and number of surgeons involved in the operation. Where appropriate and where available, postoperative imaging was assessed for grade of shunt placement, using a recognized grading system. Univariate and multivariate models were used to establish factors associated with early (30-day) shunt failure.

RESULTS

Six hundred eighty-three VP shunt operations were performed, of which 321 were pediatric and 362 were adult. The median duration of postoperative follow-up for nonfailed shunts (excluding deaths) was 1263 days (range 525–2226 days). The pediatric 30-day shunt failure rates in the authors’ institution were 8.8% for primary shunts and 23.4% for revisions. In adults, the 30-day shunt failure rates are 17.7% for primary shunts and 25.6% for revisions. In pediatric procedures, the number of surgeons involved in the operating theater was significantly associated with shunt failure rate. In adults, the origin of hydrocephalus was a statistically significant variable. Primary shunts lasted longer than revision shunts, irrespective of patient age.

CONCLUSIONS

A benchmark of 30-day failures is presented and is consistent with current national databases and previously published data by other groups. The number of surgeons involved in shunt operations and the origin of the patient’s hydrocephalus should be described in future studies and should be controlled for in any prospective work. The choice of shunt valve was not a significant predictor of shunt failure. Most previous studies on shunts have concentrated on primary shunts, but the high rate of early shunt failure in revision cases (in both adults and children) is perhaps where future research efforts should be concentrated.
Inhibition of glioblastoma cell invasion by hsa-miR-145-5p and hsa-miR-31-5p co-overexpression in human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Kurogi Ryota , Nakamizo Akira , Suzuki Satoshi O. , Mizoguchi Masahiro , Yoshimoto Koji , Amano Toshiyuki , Amemiya Takeo , Takagishi So , Iihara Koji
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

Human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) show tropism for brain tumors and may be a useful vehicle for drug or gene delivery to malignant gliomas. Recently, some microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to suppress the invasiveness of malignant gliomas.

METHODS

To test their potential to become vehicles for the delivery of miRNA to malignant gliomas, hMSCs were engineered so that hMSC secretion of miRNAs that inhibit glioma cell invasion was enabled without altering the hMSC tropism for glioma cells.

RESULTS

In coculture, hMSCs cotransfected with hsa-miR-145-5p and -31-5p miRNAs showed markedly reduced invasion by U87 glioma cells in a contact-dependent manner both in vitro and ex vivo, with invasion of hMSCs cotransfected with these 2 miRNAs by the U87 cells reduced to 60.7% compared with control cells. According to a Matrigel invasion assay, the tropism of the hMSCs for U87 cells was not affected. In glioma cell lines U251 and LN229, hMSCs exhibited tropism in vivo, and invasion of hMSCs cotransfected with hsa-miR-145-5p and -31-5p was also significantly less than that of control cells. When U87 cells were coimplanted into the striatum of organotypic rat brain slices with hMSCs cotransfected with hsa-miR-145 and -31-5p, the relative invasive area decreased by 37.1%; interestingly, these U87 cells showed a change to a rounded morphology that was apparent at the invasion front. Whole-genome microarray analysis of the expression levels of 58,341 genes revealed that the co-overexpression of hsa-miR-145-5p and -31-5p downregulated FSCN1 expression in U87 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that miRNA overexpression in hMSCs can alter the function of glioma cells via contact-dependent transfer. Co-overexpression of multiple miRNAs may be a useful and novel therapeutic strategy. The study results suggest that hMSCs can be applied as a delivery vehicle for miRNAs.
Solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma: treatment results based on the 2016 WHO classification
Authors: Sung Kyoung Su , Moon Ju Hyung , Kim Eui Hyun , Kang Seok-Gu , Kim Se Hoon , Suh Chang-Ok , Kim Sun Ho , Lee Kyu-Sung , Chang Won Seok , Chang Jong Hee
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

Solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma (SFT/HPC) is a new combined entity for which a soft-tissue–type grading system, ranging from grades I to III, has been introduced in the 2016 WHO classification of tumors of the CNS. The results of the treatment of this new disease entity require evaluation.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reevaluated the pathological findings and medical records of patients with SFT/HPC. This study included 60 patients (27 men and 33 women, median age 42.5 years, range 13–69 years) treated at Severance Hospital between February 1981 and February 2016. Four, 40, and 16 patients were categorized as having SFT/HPC grades I, II, and III, respectively. Among these patients, SFTs diagnosed in 7 patients were regraded as grades I (n = 4), II (n = 2), and III (n = 1).

RESULTS

The median overall survival (OS) was 73.2 months (range 1.4–275.7 months), and the progression-free survival (PFS) after the first operation was 53.8 months (range 1.4–217.7 months). Six patients (10%) showed extracranial metastasis during a median period of 103.7 months (range 31.9–182.3 months). Nineteen patients (31.7%) presented with tumor recurrences. The patients in the grade III group had shorter PFS and OS, as well as a shorter period to extracranial metastasis, compared with patients in the grade II group. In the grade II group, patients who underwent gross-total resection showed longer PFS than those who underwent subtotal resection; however, there was no difference in OS. Patients who underwent adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) after surgery had longer PFS compared with that of patients who did not undergo adjuvant RT.

CONCLUSIONS

The SFT/HPC grade I group showed a relatively benign course compared with those of the other groups. The grade III group presented a course with a more aggressive nature than that of the grade II group. In the grade II group, the extent of resection and adjuvant RT was significantly associated with longer PFS. The long-term follow-up and periodic systemic evaluation are mandatory to detect systemic metastasis.
On Axiomatizability of the Multiplicative Theory of Numbers
Authors: Salehi Saeed
Published: March 2018

The multiplicative theory of a set of numbers (which could be natural, integer, rational, real or complex numbers) is the first-order theory of the structure of that set with (solely) the multiplication operation (that set is taken to be multiplicative, i.e., closed under multiplication). In this paper we study the multiplicative theories of the complex, real and (positive) rational numbers. These theories (and also the multiplicative theories of natural and integer numbers) are known to be decidable (i.e., there exists an algorithm that decides whether a given sentence is derivable form the theory); here we present explicit axiomatizations for them and show that they are not finitely axiomatizable. For each of these sets (of complex, real and [positive] rational numbers) a language, including the multiplication operation, is introduced in a way that it allows quantifier elimination (for the theory of that set).
Neural Restoration Training improves visual functions and expands visual field of patients with homonymous visual field defects
Authors: Casco Clara , Barollo Michele , Contemori Giulio , Battaglini Luca
Published: March 2018

Background:

In recent years, the introduction of visual rehabilitation for patients with homonymous visual field defects has been met with both enthusiasm and caution. Despite the evidence that restitutive training results in expansion of the visual field, several concerns have been raised.

Objective:

We tested the effectiveness of a new rehabilitative protocol called “Neuro Restoration Training” (NRT) in reducing visual field defects and in restituting visual functions in the restored hemianopic area.

Methods:

Ten patients with homonymous visual field defects (lesion age >6 months) where trained in detecting low contrast Gabor patches randomly presented in the blind field, which refers to regions of 0 dB sensitivity, and along the hemianopic boundary between absolute (0 dB) and partial blindness (>0 dB). Training included static, drifting, and flickering Gabors in different blocks. Positions along the hemianopic boundary were systematically shifted toward the blind field according to the threshold reduction during the training. Before and after the training, we assessed visual field expansion and improvement in different high-level transfer tasks (i.e., letter identification and shape recognition) performed in the hemianopic boundary and in the blind field.

Results:

NRT led to significant visual field enlargement (≈5 deg), as indicated by the conventional Humphrey perimetry, and two custom made evaluations of visual field expansion with eye movement control (one static and one dynamic). The restored area acquired new visual functions such as small letter recognition and perception of moving shapes. Finally, for some patients, NRT also improved detection, either aware or not, of high contrast flickering grating and recognition of geometrical shapes entirely presented within the blind field.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that NRT may lead to visual field enlargement and translate into untrained visual functions.
A wearable resistive robot facilitates locomotor adaptations during gait
Authors: Washabaugh Edward P. , Krishnan Chandramouli
Published: March 2018

Background:

Robotic-resisted treadmill walking is a form of task-specific training that has been used to improve gait function in individuals with neurological injury, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or cerebral palsy. Traditionally, these devices use active elements (e.g., motors or actuators) to provide resistance during walking, making them bulky, expensive, and less suitable for overground or in-home rehabilitation. We recently developed a low-cost, wearable robotic brace that generates resistive torques across the knee joint using a simple magnetic brake. However, the possible effects of training with this device on gait function in a clinical population are currently unknown.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to test the acute effects of resisted walking with this device on kinematics, muscle activation patterns, and gait velocity in chronic stroke survivors.

Methods:

Six stroke survivors wore the resistive brace and walked on a treadmill for 20 minutes (4×5 minutes) at their self-selected walking speed while simultaneously performing a foot trajectory-tracking task to minimize stiff-knee gait. Electromyography, sagittal plane gait kinematics, and overground gait velocity were collected to evaluate the acute effects of the device on gait function.

Results:

Robotic-resisted treadmill training resulted in a significant increase in quadriceps and hamstring EMG activity during walking. Significant aftereffects (i.e., improved joint excursions) were also observed on the hip and knee kinematics, which persisted for several steps after training. More importantly, training resulted in significant improvements in overground gait velocity. These results were consistent in all the subjects tested.

Conclusion:

This study provides preliminary evidence indicating that robotic-resisted treadmill walking using our knee brace can result in meaningful biomechanical aftereffects that translate to overground walking.
Paired associative stimulation modulates corticomotor excitability in chronic stroke: A preliminary investigation
Authors: Palmer Jacqueline A. , Wolf Steven L. , Borich Michael R.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Paired associative stimulation (PAS) combining repeated pairing of electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) can induce neuroplastic adaptations in the human brain and enhance motor learning in neurologically-intact individuals. However, the extent to which PAS is an effective technique for inducing associative plasticity and improving motor function in individuals post-stroke is unclear.

Objective:

The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of a single session of PAS to modulate corticomotor excitability and motor skill performance in individuals post-stroke.

Methods:

Seven individuals with chronic stroke completed two separate visits separated by at least one week. We assessed general corticomotor excitability, intracortical network activity and behavioral outcomes prior to and at three time points following PAS and compared these outcomes to those following a sham PAS condition (PASSHAM).

Results:

Following PAS, we found increased general corticomotor excitability but no significant difference in behavioral measures between PAS conditions. There was a relationship between PAS-induced corticomotor excitability increase and enhanced motor skill performance across post-PAS testing time points.

Conclusion:

These results provide preliminary evidence for the potential of PAS to increase corticomotor excitability that could favorably impact motor skill performance in chronic individuals post-stroke and are an important first step for future studies investigating the clinical application and behavioral relevance of PAS interventions in post stroke patient populations.
Rehabilitation of stroke patients with plegic hands: Randomized controlled trial of expanded Constraint-Induced Movement therapy
Authors: Uswatte Gitendra , Taub Edward , Bowman Mary H. , Delgado Adriana , Bryson Camille , Morris David M. , Mckay Staci , Barman Joydip , Mark Victor W.
Published: March 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy of an expanded form of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (eCIMT) that renders CIMT, originally designed for treating mild-to-moderate upper-extremity hemiparesis, suitable for treating severe hemiparesis.

Methods:

Twenty-one adults ≥1 year after stroke with severe upper-extremity hemiparesis (with little or no capacity to make movements with the more-affected hand) were randomly assigned to eCIMT ( n = 10), a placebo-control procedure ( n = 4), or usual care ( n = 7). The participants who received usual care were crossed over to eCIMT four months after enrollment. The CIMT protocol was altered to include fitting of orthotics and adaptive equipment, selected neurodevelopmental techniques, and electromyography-triggered functional electrical stimulation. Treatment was given for 15 consecutive weekdays with 6 hours of therapy scheduled daily for the immediate eCIMT group and 3.5 hours daily for the cross-over eCIMT group.

Results:

At post-treatment, the immediate eCIMT group showed significant gains relative to the combination of the control groups on the Grade-4/5 Motor Activity Log (MAL; mean = 1.5 points, P < 0.001, f = 4.2) and a convergent measure, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM; mean = 2.3, P = 0.014, f = 1.1; f values ≥0.4 are considered large, on the COPM changes ≥2 are considered clinically meaningful). At 1-year follow-up, the MAL gains in the immediate eCIMT group were only 13% less than at post-treatment. The short and long-term outcomes of the crossover eCIMT group were similar to those of the immediate eCIMT group.

Conclusions:

This small, randomized controlled trial (RCT) suggests that eCIMT produces a large, meaningful, and persistent improvement in everyday use of the more-affected arm in adults with severe upper-extremity hemiparesis long after stroke. These promising findings warrant confirmation by a large RCT.
Mining heterogeneous terrorist attack network using personalized PageRank
Authors: Anil Akash , Singh Sanasam Ranbir , Sarmah Ranjan
Published: March 2018

Majority of the studies on counter-terrorism using social network analysis consider homogeneous networks built over either terrorists or terrorist organizations. However, terrorist attacks are often defined using heterogeneous attributes such as location, time, target type, organization, etc. This paper constructs a heterogeneous terrorist attack network considering heterogeneous attributes and captures heterogeneous influences propagated from different attributes using Personalized PageRank. Personalized PageRank is a flexible model capable of propagating supervised information while traversing over a network using different personalized parameters. This study investigates effects of various parametric setups to study influence of various factors such as news media discussions, historical activities, temporal behavior etc., on one of the important counter-terrorism problems; prediction of future attacks of a terrorist organization. From various experimental observations, it is evident that news media discussion and network’s temporal behavior have a positive influence on future activities of a terrorist organization. Further, this paper investigates responses of various node proximity based link prediction methods on predicting future relationships between a terrorist organization with other attributes (such as country, city and target types). Majority of the studies on link prediction using node proximity ignore node importance. However, in a heterogeneous environment, nodes from different classes may have different importance. This paper proposes new variants of four proximity based link prediction methods, namely, Adamic Adar, Jaccard Coefficient, Resource Allocation, and Common Neighbor, which have the capability to incorporate node importance. With suitable experiments, we show that the proposed variants of link predictors are more accurate at predicting relations than their state of art counterparts.
Early outcome of mitral valve replacement through right anterolateral thoracotomy versus standard median sternotomy
Authors: Saha Heemel , Ranjan Redoy , Adhikary Dipannita , Ahmed Jubayer , Saha Sanjoy Kumar , Adhikary Asit Baran
Published: March 2018

This study was aimed to compare the peri-operative outcomes among the mitral valve replace-ment using anterolateral thoracotomy (n=17) and standard median sternotomy (n=17) in a single surgeons practice. The mean age was 24.1 ± 5.3 years in Group I and 41.0 ± 11.5 years in Group II. Female was predominant in Group I. Total operative time and bypass time were significant in both the study groups. Incision scar was not visible in females in Group I but full incision scar was visible in Group II in sitting posture. In Group I patients, majority (52.9%) patients needed short duration of ICU stay in comparison to Group II, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between the two groups. During discharge, 94.1% wound was well healed in Group I and 70.6% in Group II. Wound dehiscence was nil in Group I, but 23.5% patients developed dehiscence in Group II. However, only 5.9% patient developed unstable sternum in Group II. Cosmetic mitral valve replacement can be done safely through anterolateral thoracotomy and it is cost effective especially for the developing countries.
Prilling and Coating of Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN) Solid Green Propellant in Toluene Mixture Using Ultrasound Sonication
Authors: Rahman Asad , Chin Jitkai , Cheah Kean
Published: March 2018

Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN) in its generic form has a long needle shaped structure, which hinders higher solid loading. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to optimize its crystal morphology into octagonal shapes. Moreover, the low critical humidity level of ADN renders it unusable in a humid climate. Hence, encapsulation with a hydrophobic polymer is necessary. In the present work, ADN was synthesized by nitration of potassium sulfamate with mixed acid nitration. The product was then mixed with toluene, graphene, citryl ammonium butyl, Cab-o-sil, and coating polymer (Polystyrene or HTPB) and treated with ultrasound to obtain semi-spherical ADN-coated particles. The method offers a reduction in operating temperature and elimination of ADN melting in the shape-altering process. In addition, the ADN product has a similar particle size and thermal stability compared to those in a conventional ADN melt-prilling method. The ADN product investigated under SEM confirms the particle morphological change from long needles into semi-spherical shapes. The particle size obtained, in the micrometer range, is ideal for higher theoretical maximum density. Furthermore, the ultrasound-treated ADN particles show significant reduction in moisture absorption, from 68% to 16% at 65% relative humidity. The DSC result shows no degradation of thermal stability of the coated particles.
Carbon and Nitrogen Content of Soil Organic Matter and Microbial Biomass under Long-Term Crop Rotation and Tillage in Illinois, USA
Authors: Zuber Stacy , Behnke Gevan , Nafziger Emerson , Villamil Maria
Published: March 2018

Crop rotation and tillage alter soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics by influencing the soil environment and microbes carrying out C and N cycling. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of long-term crop rotation and tillage on the quantity of C and N stored in SOM and microbial biomass. Two experimental sites were used to evaluate four rotations—continuous corn (Zea mays L.) (CCC), corn-soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) (CS), corn-soybean-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (CSW), and continuous soybean (SSS), each split into chisel tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) subplots. The CSW rotation increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content compared to SSS; SSS also reduced total nitrogen (TN) compared to other rotations. Levels of SOC and TN were 7% and 9% greater under NT than CT, respectively. Rotation did not affect microbial biomass C and N (MBC, MBN) while tillage reduced only MBN at 10–20 cm compared to NT, likely related to dispersion of N fertilizers throughout the soil. Despite the apparent lack of sensitivity of microbial biomass, changes in SOC and TN illustrate the effects of rotation and tillage on SOM dynamics. The inclusion of crops with high C: N residues and no-till use both support higher C and N content in the top 20 cm of the soil.
Experimental Estimation of the Constant Envelope FM-OFDM Method Usage in Underwater Acoustic Communication Systems
Authors: Rodionov Aleksandr , Statsenko Lyubov , Unru Peter , Morgunov Yury , Golov Aleksandr , Voitenko Eugene , Kiryanov Alexey
Published: March 2018

Nowadays, more and more complex methods of signal modulating and processing are actively used for organizing underwater acoustic communication with and between submerged mobile vehicles due to harsh underwater conditions. In this research, the method that is based on multi-frequency signals forming (OFDM) with the constant envelope is applied to the problem. It is based on multi-frequency FM-OFDM signals forming with Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated subcarriers and FM spectrum spreading coefficients of 1, 2, 4, and 10. The proposed solution was modeled in a software simulator, which implements a noisy underwater acoustic multipath channel, changing the bit error rate (BER) from 0.15 to 10−3. In addition, it was tested during the full-scale data transmission experiments at 25 km distance using a low frequency (400 Hz) underwater acoustic apparatus under conditions of strong impulse noises and quasi-non-stationary channel. The results of in-situ experiments were similar to the ones that were obtained during the simulation.
Interaction of Extracellular Vesicles with Si Surface Studied by Nanomechanical Microcantilever Sensors
Authors: Federici Stefania , Ridolfi Andrea , Zendrini Andrea , Radeghieri Annalisa , Bontempi Elza , Depero Laura , Bergese Paolo
Published: March 2018

We report on the interaction of small (<150 nm) extracellular vesicles (EVs) with silicon surface. The study is conducted by leveraging Si nanomechanical microcantilever sensors actuated in static and dynamic modes, that allow tracking of EV collective adsorption energy and adsorbed mass. Upon incubation for 30 min at about 10 nM concentration, EVs isolated from human vascular endothelial cell (HVEC) lines form a patchy layer that partially covers the Si total surface. Formation of this layer releases a surface energy equal to (8 ± 1) mJ/m2, typical of weak electrostatic interactions. These findings give a first insight into the EV-Si interface and proof the possibility to realize new hybrid biointerphases that can be exploited as advanced models to investigate properties of biological membranes and/or biosensing platforms that take advantage of biomolecules embedded/supported in membranes.
Stem Cells and Engineered Scaffolds for Regenerative Wound Healing
Authors: Dash Biraja , Xu Zhenzhen , Lin Lawrence , Koo Andrew , Ndon Sifon , Berthiaume Francois , Dardik Alan , Hsia Henry
Published: March 2018

The normal wound healing process involves a well-organized cascade of biological pathways and any failure in this process leads to wounds becoming chronic. Non-healing wounds are a burden on healthcare systems and set to increase with aging population and growing incidences of obesity and diabetes. Stem cell-based therapies have the potential to heal chronic wounds but have so far seen little success in the clinic. Current research has been focused on using polymeric biomaterial systems that can act as a niche for these stem cells to improve their survival and paracrine activity that would eventually promote wound healing. Furthermore, different modification strategies have been developed to improve stem cell survival and differentiation, ultimately promoting regenerative wound healing. This review focuses on advanced polymeric scaffolds that have been used to deliver stem cells and have been tested for their efficiency in preclinical animal models of wounds.
A Lean Approach for Real-Time Planning and Monitoring in Engineer-to-Order Construction Projects
Authors: Dallasega Patrick , Rauch Erwin , Frosolini Marco
Published: March 2018

Engineer-to-order (ETO) construction companies are characterized by an off-site and on-site production. Often, budget deviations for installation works on-site are identified in a late stage when improvement actions cannot be applied anymore. Consequently, installation tasks are often affected by significant delays and/or reworks. This work proposes a “real-time” capable approach for planning and monitoring in construction and a corresponding information technology (IT) framework. The core is represented by the so-called “pitching” concept known from lean management, which breaks down large job orders into smaller controllable parts. It can be considered as the main enabler for gathering management information in real-time and to identify problems and their causes on time. The most noticeable consequence lies in smaller jobs and a software-aided punctual control that allows a better rescheduling capability and, thus reduced, delays. A case study is provided, showing how the model was applied and validated in an ETO façade supplier company.
Recognition of Thermal Hot and Cold Spots in Urban Areas in Support of Mitigation Plans to Counteract Overheating: Application for Athens
Authors: Mavrakou Thaleia , Polydoros Anastasios , Cartalis Constantinos , Santamouris Mat
Published: March 2018

Mitigation plans to counteract overheating in urban areas need to be based on a thorough knowledge of the state of the thermal environment, most importantly on the presence of areas which consistently demonstrate higher or lower urban land surface temperatures (hereinafter referred to as “hot spots” or “cold spots”, respectively). The main objective of this research study is to develop a methodological approach for the recognition of thermal “hot spots” and “cold spots” in urban areas during summer; this is accomplished with (a) the combined use of high and medium spatial resolution satellite data (Landsat 8 and Terra-MODIS, respectively); (b) the downscaling of the Terra-MODIS satellite data so as to acquire spatial resolution similar to the Landsat one and at the same time take advantage of the high revisit time as compared to the respective one of Landsat (16 days); and (c) the application of a statistical clustering technique to recognize “hot spots” and “cold spots”. The methodological approach was applied as a case study for the urban area of Athens, Greece for a summer period. Results demonstrated the capacity of the methodological approach to recognize “hot spots” and “cold spots”, revealed a strong relationship between land use and “hot spots” and “cold spots”, and showed that the average land surface temperature (LST) difference between the “hot spots” and “cold spots” can reach 9.1 °K.
Fisher Information Based Meteorological Factors Introduction and Features Selection for Short-Term Load Forecasting
Authors: Cai Shuping , Liu Lin , Sun Huachen , Yan Jing
Published: March 2018

Weather information is an important factor in short-term load forecasting (STLF). However, for a long time, more importance has always been attached to forecasting models instead of other processes such as the introduction of weather factors or feature selection for STLF. The main aim of this paper is to develop a novel methodology based on Fisher information for meteorological variables introduction and variable selection in STLF. Fisher information computation for one-dimensional and multidimensional weather variables is first described, and then the introduction of meteorological factors and variables selection for STLF models are discussed in detail. On this basis, different forecasting models with the proposed methodology are established. The proposed methodology is implemented on real data obtained from Electric Power Utility of Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, in southeast China. The results show the advantages of the proposed methodology in comparison with other traditional ones regarding prediction accuracy, and it has very good practical significance. Therefore, it can be used as a unified method for introducing weather variables into STLF models, and selecting their features.
Open- and Short-Circuit Fault Identification for a Boost dc/dc Converter in PV MPPT Systems
Authors: Espinoza Trejo Diego , Bárcenas Ernesto , Hernández Díez José , Bossio Guillermo , Espinosa Pérez Gerardo
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes a fault identification system for short and open-circuit switch faults (SOCSF) for a dc/dc converter acting as a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) in Photovoltaic (PV) systems. A closed-loop operation is assumed for the boost dc/dc converter. A linearizing control plus a Proportional-Derivative (PD) controller is suggested for PV voltage regulation at the maximum power point (MPP). In this study, the SOCSF are modeled by using an additive fault representation and the fault identification (FI) system is synthesized departing from a Luenberger observer. Hence, an FI signal is obtained, which is insensitive to irradiance and load current changes, but affected by the SOCSF. For FI purposes, only the sensors used in the control system are needed. Finally, an experimental evaluation is presented by using a solar array simulator dc power supply and a boost dc/dc converter of 175 W in order to validate the ideas this study exposes.
Faults as Windows to Monitor Gas Seepage: Application to CO2 Sequestration and CO2-EOR
Authors: Klusman Ronald
Published: March 2018

Monitoring of potential gas seepage for CO2 sequestration and CO2-EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) in geologic storage will involve geophysical and geochemical measurements of parameters at depth and at, or near the surface. The appropriate methods for MVA (Monitoring, Verification, Accounting) are needed for both cost and technical effectiveness. This work provides an overview of some of the geochemical methods that have been demonstrated to be effective for an existing CO2-EOR (Rangely, CA, USA) and a proposed project at Teapot Dome, WY, USA. Carbon dioxide and CH4 fluxes and shallow soil gas concentrations were measured, followed by nested completions of 10-m deep holes to obtain concentration gradients. The focus at Teapot Dome was the evaluation of faults as pathways for gas seepage in an under-pressured reservoir system. The measurements were supplemented by stable carbon and oxygen isotopic measurements, carbon-14, and limited use of inert gases. The work clearly demonstrates the superiority of CH4 over measurements of CO2 in early detection and quantification of gas seepage. Stable carbon isotopes, carbon-14, and inert gas measurements add to the verification of the deep source. A preliminary accounting at Rangely confirms the importance of CH4 measurements in the MVA application.
A Basin Approach to a Hydrological Service Delivery System in the Amur River Basin
Authors: Borsch Sergei , Khristoforov Andrei , Krovotyntsev Vladimir , Leontieva Ekaterina , Simonov Yuri , Zatyagalova Victoria
Published: March 2018

This paper presents the basin approach to the design, development, and operation of a hydrological forecasting and early warning system in a large transboundary river basin of high flood potential, where accurate, reliable, and timely available daily water-level and reservoir-inflow forecasts are essential for water-related economic and social activities (the Amur River basin case study). Key aspects of basin-scale system planning and implementation are considered, from choosing efficient forecast models and techniques, to developing and operating data-management procedures, to disseminating operational forecasts using web-GIS. The latter, making the relevant forecast data available in real time (via Internet), visual, and well interpretable, serves as a good tool for raising awareness of possible floods in a large region with transport and industrial hubs located alongside the Amur River (Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur).
Further Reading
Authors: Montfort Nick
Published: March 2018

It is clear that the contributions in this volume are not only insightful, but also wide-ranging, reaching into popular culture and across different media forms and practices.[...]
Can the Fetus Speak?: Revolutionary Wombs, Body Politics, and Feminist Philosophy
Authors: Barco Nicole
Published: March 2018

Ariel Dorfman’s La última canción de Manuel Sendero (The Last Song of Manuel Sendero) and Carlos Fuentes’s Cristóbal Nonato (Christopher Unborn) explore conception, gestation, and birth as points of origin for humanity and citizenship alike by giving voice to life/lives that cannot speak for itself/themselves. Dorfman and Fuentes employ metafictional techniques and postmodern aesthetics, interrogate history in order to express their political commitments to rights, resistance, and revolution, and link textual production and human reproduction in order to posit national futures. Reading these works through a feminist lens, I weigh the poetic and philosophical implications of telling a story from the point of view of gametic, embryonic, or fetal, but decidedly male, narrators against the symbolic exclusion and silencing of mothers that bear them. When rendered a biopolitical frontier in symbolic or actual terms, the pregnant body poses particular philosophical quandaries that require further investigation. As such, this essay weaves together discourses on poetics, philosophy, and politics in order to uncover the perplexity that the pregnant mother, as figure for the nation, induces.
Internet Use and Psychological Well-Being at Advanced Age: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging
Authors: Quintana David , Cervantes Alejandro , Sáez Yago , Isasi Pedro
Published: March 2018

This work explores the connection between psychological well-being and Internet use in older adults. The study is based on a sample of 2314 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. The subjects, aged 50 years and older, were interviewed every two years over the 2006–2007 to 2014–2015 period. The connection between the use of Internet/Email and the main dimensions of psychological well-being (evaluative, hedonic and eudaimonic) was analyzed by means of three generalized estimating equation models that were fitted on 2-year lagged repeated measurements. The outcome variables, the scores on three well-being scales, were explained in terms of Internet/Email use, controlling for covariates that included health and socioeconomic indicators. The results support the existence of a direct relationship between Internet/Email use and psychological well-being. The connection between the main predictor and the score of the participants on the scale used to measure the eudaimonic aspect was positive and statistically significant at conventional levels (p-value: 0.015). However, the relevance of digital literacy on the evaluative and the hedonic components could not be confirmed (p-values for evaluative and hedonic dimensions were 0.078 and 0.192, respectively).
Similarity Measurement of Metadata of Geospatial Data: An Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Chen Zugang , Song Jia , Yang Yaping
Published: March 2018

To help users discover the most relevant spatial datasets in the ever-growing global spatial data infrastructures (SDIs), a number of similarity measures of geospatial data based on metadata have been proposed. Researchers have assessed the similarity of geospatial data according to one or more characteristics of the geospatial data. They created different similarity algorithms for each of the selected characteristics and then combined these elementary similarities to the overall similarity of the geospatial data. The existing combination methods are mainly linear and may not be the most accurate. This paper reports our experiences in attempting to learn the optimal non-linear similarity integration functions, from the knowledge of experts, using an artificial neural network. First, a multiple-layer feed forward neural network (MLFFN) was created. Then, the intrinsic characteristics were used to represent the metadata of geospatial data and the similarity algorithms for each of the intrinsic characteristics were built. The training and evaluation data of MLFFN were derived from the knowledge of domain experts. Finally, the MLFFN was trained, evaluated, and compared with traditional linear combination methods, which was mainly a weighted sum. The results show that our method outperformed the existing methods in terms of precision. Moreover, we found that the combination of elementary similarities of experts to the overall similarity of geospatial data was not linear.
Genetic Determinants of Antibody Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Multiple Sclerosis: Possible Links to Endogenous Retroviruses
Authors: Emmer Alexander , Brütting Christine , Kornhuber Malte , Staege Martin
Published: March 2018

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been clarified. In addition to environmental factors; genetic determinants have been implicated in the pathogenesis of MS. Furthermore, endogenous retroviruses (ERV) might play a role in MS. The presence of oligoclonal immunoglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a typical feature of MS. Recently, genetic polymorphisms in loci on human chromosomes 6, 14 and 18 have been identified as major determinants of CSF antibody levels in MS. The functional relevance of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remains unclear and none of them is located in an open reading frame. In previous studies, we identified ERV sequences in the vicinity of MS associated SNPs. Here, we describe the identification of ERV sequences in the neighborhood of SNPs associated with CSF antibody levels. All of the identified SNPs are located in the vicinity of ERV sequences. One of these sequences has very high homology to a sequence derived from the so-called MS-associated retrovirus (MSRV). Another cluster of three ERV sequences from the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus has retained the typical organization of retroviral genomes. These observations might shed new light on a possible association between ERVs and MS pathogenesis.