bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Shell Thickness of Thermally Expandable Microspheres on the Application of Underbody Coating for Vehicles
Authors: Park Jin-Wook , Lee Sang-Jin , Ji Sang-Hoon , You Hae-Na , Kim Ji-Hoo , Ryu Kwang-Ji
Published: June 2019

This research was conducted to manufacture thermally expandable microspheres (TEMs) for vehicles’ underbody coating and to apply them on an industrial scale. TEMs heat resistance was studied depending on the ratios of a cross-linking agent and an initiator. This research focused on the content of a cross-linking agent and how it affected the results. The TEMs’ outer shell was thickened to solve the problem of the foam expansion ratio’s reduction that occurred due to the shrinkage after the maximum expansion (Tmax) was reached. After foaming, the cross-sectional thickness and surface of the sample with thickened outer shell were observed. The TEMs with the thickened shell showed the least shrinkage, which indicated excellent shrinkage stability, even after prolonged exposure to heat.
THE PATTERN OF ADEQUATE HOUSING RIGHTS FULFILLMENT IN INDONESIA
Authors: Madalina Maria , Purwadi Hari , Firdausy Adriana Grahani , . Achmad
Published: June 2019

The fulfillment of adequate housing is the part of the fulfillment of human rights as stated in the constitution. The state can not  ignore and have to do it when he has the ability to comply the adequate housing for poor people.  Adequate housing is more than material it is correlated with the human existence, hence it is categorized as human rights. As part of human rights, the fulfillment of this adequate housing is need to be respect, comply, and protect either by the state and society. The state need to take part to the fulfillment of adequate housing for those who can not afford it. As the state have the capability to realize the adequate housing for the poor, they can not ignore the human rights unfulfillment.  This research focused on law guarantee recognition and the pattern of the adequate housing fulfillment in Indonesia. It is revealed that the pattern is correlated with the state political law which is the policy in the form of laws and local regulation that decided the direction, purpose, and the law substance in housing. Beside its society, the policy also need the private sector involvement, as a result the fulfillment of the adequate housing rights has to be done by the three party.
EXAMINING CONSTITUTIONAL AWARENESS AND STRENGTHENING JUDICIAL INTEGRITY
Authors: Sukmariningsih Retno Mawarini
Published: June 2019

This article is aimed to review constitutional awareness and decision-strengthening practice in judicial institutions. As it turns out in practice, however, the legal decisions are still debatable in reality. The practice of abuse of authority in the judiciary tends to damage the pillars of the judiciary and result in a decline in trust and certainly the authority of the judiciary against society. It is a normative legal research (doctrinal research). The approach used is qualitative analysis and the application of legislation. The results of research indicate that the strengthening of the judge’ decision can be started from the quality of decision through a comprehensive and mind-opened dimension, so that it is necessary to increase the pattern of development not only by the judges but also by all relevant stakeholders such as the Secretariat General and the Registrar Apparats. The focus of development is not only about knowledge but also it was conducted from all aspects such as mental and spiritual development that conducted continuously. The consequences of providing sufficient budget to realize it and in its implementation are conducted with full responsibility.
PENGEMBANGAN PERMAINAN SMART ADVENTURE UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KESIAPAN BELAJAR BERHITUNG PERMULAAN ANAK USIA DINI
Authors: Dwiyanti Linda , Khan Rosa Imani , Kurniawati Epritha
Published: June 2019

Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan sebuah permainan untuk meningkatkan kesiapan belajar berhitung permulaan anak usia dini, yakni Permainan Smart Adventure. Permainan ini dapat membantu anak untuk belajar kemampuan berhitung permulaan dengan metode yang menyenangkan (bermain) dan sesuai dengan karakteristik serta tahapan perkembangan anak usia dini. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan kuantitatif (mix method) dengan model penelitian dan pengembangan "Borg and Gall". Pelaksanaan uji coba kelompok kecil berdasarkan teori Wilcoxon â€œsigned-rank testâ€ dan Uji keefektivitasan permainan Smart Adventure menggunakan  Paired- Simple T-Test. Subjek dalam penelitian ini adalah anak-anak kelompok B dua Lembaga Taman Kanak-kanak di Kota Kediri,  tahun pelajaran 2017/2018. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada awal bulan Juni 2017 â€“ Agustus 2018. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data menunjukkan adanya perbedaan signifikan dalam kemampuan Calistung permulaan yaitu pada kelompok kontrol dan exsperimen sig. 0,0001. Kesimpulanya bahwa permainan Smart Adventure dinyatakan sebagai permainan yang efektif dan bermanfaat digunakan dalam pembelajaran untuk meningkatkan kesiapan belajar berhitung anak usia dini.
Reconfigurable measuring system for the automatic detection of bacterial growth in a specimen processing platform
Authors: Bellitti Paolo , Bona Michele , Borghetti Michela , Sardini Emilio , Serpelloni Mauro , Fontana Stefania
Published: June 2019

The detection of bacterial infections in biological samples represents a fundamental task in human health preservation. This paper describes a measuring system that aims to detect bacterial growth in Petri dishes while they are inside the incubator of the WASPLab® specimen processing platform (COPAN Italia S.p.A.). In fact, the interaction between the system and the WASPLab® enhances the analytical process. The proposed system monitors bacterial growth by measuring the impedance related to the examined Petri dishes. Furthermore, it can be easily reconfigured according to user requirements. Finally, it has some features that enhance its connectivity with the WASPLab® and other devices, developing a structure that is compliant with the Industry 4.0 model. We assess the system performance through different tests, in which we monitored the growth of S. aureus ATCC 6538, starting from concentrations in the order of 4.5.108 CFU/ml, 4.5.107 CFU/ml, and 4.5.106 CFU/ml. The results show the system’s correct operation both in an ad hoc setup and while working with the WASPLab®. Furthermore, the connectivity between the system and other devices allows for a user to be informed about the analyses that are on course and to act on the system at any time and even from remote locations.
Estimation and Standardization of Variance Parameters for Planning Cluster-Randomized Trials: A Short Guide for Researchers
Authors: BULUŞ Metin , GÖÇER ŞAHİN Sakine
Published: June 2019

A review of
literature covering the past decade indicates a shortage of cluster-randomized
trials (CRTs) in education and psychology in Turkey, the gold standard that is
capable of producing high-quality evidence for high-stake decision making when
individual randomization is not feasible. Scarcity of CRTs is not only
detrimental to collective knowledge on the effectiveness of interventions but
also hinders efficient design of such studies as prior information is at best
incomplete or unavailable. In this illustration, we demonstrate how to estimate
variance parameters from existing data and transform them into standardized
forms so that they can be used in planning sufficiently powered CRTs. The
illustration uses publicly available software and guides researchers step by
step via introducing statistical models, defining parameters, relating them to
notations in statistical models and power formulas, and estimating variance
parameters. Finally, we provide example statistical power and minimum required
sample size calculations.
SIKAP, NORMA SUBJEKTIF DAN KONTROL KEPRILAKUAN PRAKTIK PEMBIAYAAN NASABAH KOPERASI SYARIAH di KABUPATEN BOGOR
Authors: Amar Faozan , Setiawan Edi , Setiawan Edi
Published: June 2019

This study aims to measure the normative attitude and behavior sharia cooperative customers in Bogor District. This type of research is a quantitative research. The data used using primary data through questionnaire. The results of this study indicate that attitudes and norms of belief have a significant or positive influence on customers' intentions to finance the sharia financial services cooperative in Bogor. Other results achieved by sharia cooperatives must improve performance to give more impression of honesty and what is in accordance with religious sharia. Where the advantages of sharia names will be more prominent than the conventional name, it is also to improve trust, evaluation, motivation and behavior of customers in financing the sharia financial services cooperatives. So that the financing intentions in accordance with the sharia can be realized properly.
Corporate Social Responsibility - A Source of Industry Pride
Authors: Alnuaim Sami
Published: June 2019

President's column

The SPE Strategic Plan 2018–2023 calls for claiming pride in our industry’s higher purpose, that of supplying energy to meet the needs of humanity. The industry has been vital to global well-being long before the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) was coined. CSR is a key way that business can address stakeholder concerns that are beyond its core KPIs—the relationship between business and the long term; between business and the development of the communities and countries within which they operate successfully; between business and pressing social problems such as poverty alleviation, capacity building, education, health, local economy, and the environment.

I have traveled the world this year promoting sustainable development in our industry and learning about our industry’s accomplishments. I am impressed, yet I can see that we need to think even bigger and better about our role in society, and in history.  While the use of our products has raised living standards for billions of people, the pace of human development is having detrimental impacts on nature. Our industry not only applies its ingenuity and innovation to addressing its own impacts, but also actively participates in global efforts to tackle some of the world’s most significant sustainability challenges. As the source of more than 50% of the world’s energy, the scope of our opportunities, and our responsibilities, is huge.

CSR grew from man’s impact on his surroundings—people and nature. The term is vigorously discussed, disputed, and frequently substituted by other terms. Semantic nuances and sensibilities matter, and they reflect the different cultures, drivers, and contexts in which business is conducted. A widely accepted definition is the one crafted by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development: “Corporate social responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large.” The concepts and practices engendered by that definition are now central to how business is conducted. It also aligns well with SPE’s definition of sustainability. 

Christiaan Luca, a 2018–2019 Distinguished Lecturer, has devised a model that graphically illustrates the clear shift in perspective required to access the benefits of CSR—a society- centric view of the world with one’s company as one stakeholder in society amongst many vs. a company-centric view of the world (JPT April 2018).
Exploring the Innovative Evolution of Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Zborowski Matt
Published: June 2019

Fueled by a culture of innovation, hydraulic fracturing has transformed the energy landscape from inside North America out. But achieving that paradigm shift took years of improving subsurface understanding, technology development, and fine-tuning the completions practice through trial and error.

Authors from Liberty Oilfield Services set out to document this evolution in SPE 194345 as they took a deep dive into fracturing history. Their paper traces the advancements in fracturing study and deployment from its earliest days to the present. 

Fracturing first took place in 1947 and has grown exponentially in uptake over the past 2 decades. The result has been the shale revolution, which has catapulted the US to at or near the top of the world in both crude oil and natural gas production.

Between 2000—just after fracturing pioneer Mitchell Energy began commercial shale production—and 2018, yearly US dry gas production went to 83 Bcf/D from 53 Bcf/D while US crude output climbed to just under 11 million B/D from 5.8 million B/D, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration. Once largely dependent on imports, the country has become a net gas exporter and oil exports are reaching new heights.

During that same period, increased fracturing intensity and a better knowledge of the subsurface complexities associated with the completions practice resulted in North American pressure pumping horsepower rising tenfold, yearly frac stage count growing twentyfold, and proppant mass pumped jumping fortyfold.

Since the turn of the millennium, “the difference has really become that we bring the frac down to the hydrocarbon molecule in the rock,” said Leen Weijers, vice president of engineering at Liberty Oilfield Services, at the recent SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference in The Woodlands, Texas. “We do that with multistage horizontal wells and a focus on complexity, creating a plumbing system that is two miles long and maybe half-a-mile-wide and maybe 500 ft in height.”

Background: Mineral Rights, Fracture Study 

Weijers et al. first noted the importance of private mineral ownership in spurring unconventional development in the US. Mineral owners can develop, borrow against, or sell their land, meaning they have a direct stake in the high-risk, high-reward mineral development game. As the industry became more aware of the gas and oil recovery potential from shale, small independents began scooping up acreage, benefitting from their familiarity with the communities in which they operated or planned to operate.

A major step forward in understanding the subsurface impact of hydraulic fracturing, Weijers et al. said, came with the realization by Warpinski et al. (1991) that fractures are complex, with dozens of parallel fractures growing simultaneously during a job in a narrow, 20–40 ft-wide zone. This dispelled the previous belief that simple bi-wing fractures extended from the wellbore, stimulating further study of fracture growth.
Technology Focus: Wellbore Tubulars (July 2019)
Authors: Samuel Robello
Published: June 2019

Technology Focus

The oil and gas industry recently has transformed itself into a data-intensive industry with the addition of artificial intelligence, intelligent or cognitive computing, machine learning, the Internet of things, and robotics. With such growth and expansion, various exponential technologies can carry the energy industry’s transformation forward in the new era of cyberautomation.

Exponential technology and its adoption is based on my growth criterion, defined as

Exponential Growth = (Exponential Technology)(Exponential Thinking)

Exponential technologies in other industries drive the industry after the bifurcation point, depending on how the knowledge is being assimilated. Exponential thinking is called the “exponential surprise factor.” These underpinnings are observed on the tubular-mechanics side also through data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and cognitive processes.

Even though we have made some inroads, we have to deal with a complex high-aspect-ratio system of length to diameter, connected from surface to bottom by way of drillstring, casing string, and tubing string that is also highly dynamic in nature. We are making advancements by changing the tubulars from dumb iron to intelligent tubulars. The complexity of tubular modeling is very specific to our industry; we deal with many uncertainties and coupled variables and not observed effects. Because of the inherently exquisite difficulties of turning modeling to action, we need a strong coupling between the data and physics-based engineering models. As we move to automation, we need a strong coupling with the tubular engineering and manufacturing through data analytics in the form of adaptive engineering summarization to control the bit from surface. This is a combination of white-box models, which are perfectly specified by previous knowledge and physical insight through laboratory tests, reliability studies, and black-box models, which are models in the absence of a priori physical knowledge or insight that will result in the downhole state. In this way, paradoxes of the tubular behavior are neutralized, speculations are suppressed, conundrums are counteracted, and engineering principles are honored so that we have empirically verifiable and practically dependable models.

I have selected a few papers that are structured toward this hybrid approach that includes data mining, design improvement, and reliability.

SPE 195203 Numerical Study on Casing Integrity During Hydraulic Fracturing Shale Formation by Xiaye Wu, University of Oklahoma, et al.

SPE 194155 Frictional Heating of Casing Due to Drillstring Rotation—Finite Element and CFD Simulations by Wissam Assaad, Shell, et al.
Reducing preterm mortality in eastern Uganda: The impact of introducing low-cost bubble CPAP on neonates <1500g
Authors: Egiru Emmanuel , Okello Francis , Ikiror Juliet , Acom Linda , Loe Kate SM , Olupot-Olupot Peter , Burgoine Kathy
Published: June 2019

Background

Complications of prematurity are the leading cause of deaths in children under the age of five. The predominant reason for these preterm deaths is respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In low-income countries (LICs) there are limited treatment options for RDS. Due to their simplicity and affordability, low-cost bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) devices have been introduced in neonatal units in LICs to treat RDS. This study is the first observational study from a LIC to compare outcomes of preterm neonates in pre- and post-CPAP periods.

Methods

This was a retrospective study in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Neonatal Unit (MRRH-NNU), a government hospital in eastern Uganda. Two study periods were identified. A 14-month study period beginning at the opening of MRRH-NNU and covering the period until bCPAP was introduced (pre-bCPAP) and an 18-month period after bCPAP was introduced (post-bCPAP). After the introduction of bCPAP, it was applied to preterm neonates with RDS when clinically indicated and if a device was available. Clinical features and outcomes of all neonates <1500g were compared before and after the introduction of bCPAP.

Results

The admission records of 377 preterm neonates <1500g were obtained. 158 were admitted in pre-bCPAP period and 219 after. The mortality rate in pre- bCPAP period was 39.2% (62/158) compared with 26.5% (58/219, P=0.012) in post-bCPAP period. There were no differences in birthweight, sex, presence of signs of respiratory distress or apnoea between the two groups.

Conclusion

Specialized and resource-appropriate neonatal care that appropriately addresses the challenges of healthcare provision in LICs has the potential to reduce neonatal deaths. The use of a low-cost bCPAP to treat RDS in preterm neonates <1500g resulted in a significant improvement in their survival in a neonatal unit in eastern Uganda. Implementing bCPAP with adequate training and supervision could significantly reduce preterm mortality in LICs.
GWAS and co-expression network combination uncovers multigenes with close linkage effects on oleic acid content accumulation in Brassica napus
Authors: Qian Lunwen , Yao Min , Guan Mei , Zhang Zhenqian , Zhang Qiuping , Cui Yixin , Chen Hao , Liu Wei , Jan Habib U. , Voss-Fels Kai P. , Werner Christian R. , He Xin , Guan Chunyun , Liu Zhongsong , Snowdon Rod J. , Hua Wei
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Background: Strong artificial and natural selection causes the formation of highly conserved haplotypes that harbor agronomically important genes. GWAS in combination with haplotype analysis has evolved as an effective method to dissect the genetic architecture of complex traits in crop species.
Results: We used the 60K Brassica Infinium SNP array to perform a genome-wide analysis of haplotype blocks associated with oleic acid (C18:1) in rapeseed. Six haplotype regions were identified as significantly associated with oleic acid (C18:1) that mapped to chromosomes A02, A07, A08, C01, C02 and C03. Additionally, whole-genome sequencing of 50 rapeseed lines revealed three genes (BnmtACP2-A02, BnABCI13-A02 and BnECI1-A02) in the A02 chromosome haplotype region and two genes (BnFAD8-C02 and BnSDP1-C02) in the C02 chromosome haplotype region that were closely linked to oleic acid content phenotypic variation. Moreover, the co-expression network analysis uncovered candidate genes from these two different haplotype regions with potential regulatory interrelationships with oleic acid content accumulation.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that several candidate genes are closely linked, which provides us with an opportunity to develop functional haplotype markers for the improvement of the oleic acid content in rapeseed.
Shiny-Seq: advanced guided transcriptome analysis
Authors: Sundararajan Zenitha , Knoll Rainer , Hombach Peter , Becker Matthias , Schultze Joachim L. , Ulas Thomas
Published: June 2019

Objective

Over the last years, Next Generation Sequencing has generated huge amounts of gene expression data supporting research to answer biological and medical questions. While several tools and advanced guided analysis pipelines were designed for this purpose, some require programming skills and others lack the support for many important features that enable more comprehensive data analysis.

Results

We present the tool Shiny-Seq. It has many new features such as batch effect evaluation and removal, quality check with several visualization options, enrichment analysis with multiple biological databases, identification of patterns using advanced methods such as weighted gene co-expression network analysis, summarizing analysis as power point presentation and all results as tables via one click feature. The source code is published on GitHub (https://github.com/schultzelab/Shiny-Seq) with the code licensed under GPLv3. Shiny-Seq is written in R using the Shiny framework. In addition, the application is hosted on a public website hosted by shinyapps.io server (https://schultzelab.shinyapps.io/Shiny-Seq/) and as a Docker image https://hub.docker.com/r/makaho/shiny-seq.
Applying person-centred care to support trial recruitment and retention in a randomised trial for patients with refractory breathlessness and advanced disease: a qualitative study.
Authors: Lovell Natasha , Etkind Simon N , Bajwah Sabrina , Maddocks Matthew , Higginson Irene J
Published: June 2019

Background
Recruitment and retention in clinical trials remains an important challenge, particularly in the context of advanced illness. It is important to understand what affects retention to improve trial quality, minimise attrition and reduce missing data. Person centred care (PCC) has been shown to improve patient outcomes in advanced disease or complex needs. Therefore, we considered whether the same principles could be applied to clinical trials. This study aimed to explore what influenced participants to take part and remain in a feasibility trial of mirtazapine for chronic breathlessness.

Methods
Qualitative study embedded within a double blind randomised trial. Participants with cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), or Chronic Heart Failure (CHF), with a Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale grade 3/4 were recruited from three UK sites. A purposive subsample completed qualitative interviews after the trial. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results were interpreted in relation to the core elements of PCC.

Results
22 participants were interviewed. 11 had a diagnosis of COPD, 8 ILD, 2 CHF, and 1 lung cancer. Median age was 71 years (56-84). 16 were male. 20 had completed the trial, 2 withdrew due to adverse effects. Three main themes were identified as important for recruitment and retention; the relationship between patient and professional, the context, and potential benefit to self and others. Within ‘relationships’ the personal attributes of the researcher, and continuity of research team were identified as particularly important when considering why people remained in the trial. We interpreted results in relation to PCC and developed a model of the person centred trial.

Conclusions
We propose that a PCC approach can improve recruitment and retention in clinical trials. The importance of the relationship between the patient and professional, and continuity within the research team has implications for future funding of clinical trials, the focus of which is often based on monthly recruitment targets and not on retention. Future work should aim to evaluate this model across other settings and in countries outside of the United Kingdom.

Trial registration
Registry name: ISRCTN
Registration number: ISRCTN32236160
Date of registration: 13/06/2016
Association of lifestyle factors with blood lipids and inflammation in adults aged 40 years and above: a population-based cross-sectional study in Taiwan
Authors: Muga Miriam Adoyo , Owili Patrick Opiyo , Hsu Chien-Yeh , Chao Jane C-J
Published: June 2019

Background

Lifestyle factors were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurrence. We explored the associations between lifestyle factors and CVD risk factors, and assessed the interactive effects of lifestyle factors on CVD risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional data of 114,082 (57,680 men and 56,402 women) middle-aged adults and elderly in Taiwan were collected from 2001 to 2010. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations between lifestyle factors and CVD risk factors. The relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) and the attributable proportion due to interaction were used to explore the interactive effect of lifestyle factors on CVD risk factors.

Results

The interaction between alcohol consumption and smoking exhibited an excess risk of high triglycerides (RERI = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.14 – 0.29), and that of alcohol consumption and physical activity had an excess risk of high LDL-cholesterol (RERI = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.06 – 0.16) and high blood glucose (RERI = 0.05; 95% CI: 0.01 – 0.11). Alcohol consumption and vegetable-rich diet (intake of high vegetables with no or low meat) had an excess risk of high LDL-cholesterol and low HDL-cholesterol, but a reduced risk of high triglycerides (RERI = -0.10; 95% CI: -0.17 – -0.04). Smoking and physical activity had an increased risk of high blood glucose and a reduced risk of low HDL-cholesterol. Smoking and vegetable-rich diet reduced the risk of high triglycerides (RERI = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.18 – -0.04), high blood glucose (RERI = -0.14; 95% CI: -0.21 – -0.07) and low HDL-cholesterol (RERI = -0.10; 95% CI: -0.19 – -0.01).

Conclusions

The interaction between smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and diet were associated with lipid profile and blood glucose, hence there was an interaction between these lifestyle factors in an additive scale. Public health promotion should therefore consider multifaceted promotional activities that are likely to make a positive impact on the health status of the Taiwanese population.
An outbreak of norovirus-related acute gastroenteritis associated with delivery food in Guangzhou, southern China
Authors: Lu Ying , Ma Mengmeng , Wang Hui , Wang Dahu , Chen Chun , Jing Qinlong , Geng Jinmei , Li Tiegang , Zhang Zhoubin , Yang Zhicong
Published: June 2019

Objectives
Large numbers of students at a school located in Guangzhou city developed a sudden onset of symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. In order to control the outbreak, an epidemiological investigation was conducted to determine the pathogen, sources of infection, route of transmission and risk factors.
Methods
The study population consisted of probable cases and confirmed cases. An active search was conducted for cases among all students, teachers and other staff members. A case control study was carried out using online standardised questionnaires. Data were obtained regarding demographic characteristics, gastrointestinal symptoms, personal hygiene habits, history of contact with a person with diarrhea and/or vomiting and dining place in the past 3 days. Rectal swabs or stool specimens of the cases, food handlers and environmental smear swab samples were collected to detect potential intestinal viruses and bacteria. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Results
A total of 157 cases fit the definition of the probable case, including 46 cases of laboratory-confirmed norovirus infection between March 8 and March 22, 2018. The proportion of the students who had eaten delivery food three days before the onset of disease in the case group was 2.69 times that in the control group (95%CI: 1.88-3.85). Intake of take-out food three days before, exposure to similar cases 72 hours before onset and case in the same dormitory were risk factors. A total of 20 rectal swabs samples from students, 10 rectal swabs from food handlers and 2 environmental swabs samples of out-campus restaurant were tested positive for norovirus (GⅡ).
Conclusions
The outbreak of norovirus infectious diarrhea was determined. Food handling practices carries potential risk of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks due to a lack of surveillance and supervision. More attention should be paid to the monitoring and supervision of food handlers to reduce the incidence of norovirus-related acute gastroenteritis associated with delivery food.
The intersection of developmental vulnerability and socioeconomic disadvantage on access to health care for preschool aged children: evidence for the inverse-care law
Authors: Woolfenden Sue , Galea Claire , Badland Hannah , Smithers-Sheedy Hayley , Williams Katrina , Kavanagh Anne , Reddihough Dinah , Goldfeld Sharon , Lingam Raghu , Badawi Nadia , O'Connor Meredith
Published: June 2019

Aim. Children who are developmentally vulnerable have greater health needs. Socioeconomic disadvantage not only increases this risk of developmental vulnerability but can be associated with less access to health services. Our aim was to compare health services use in children aged 4-5 years in Australia with and without developmentally vulnerability and consider the intersection of socioeconomic disadvantage on this relationship.
Method. Cross sectional data were collected from Wave 3 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children birth cohort when the children were aged 4-5 years. A composite variable for developmental vulnerability was designed by combining those children who were in the lowest 15% in the physical, socioemotional and/or learning outcome indices. Children were then subgrouped according to developmental vulnerability and disadvantage based on socioeconomic position (SEP) quintile (derived from parental education, occupation, household income). We defined SEP 1 the lowest quintile as ‘disadvantaged’ and SEP quintiles 2-5 as ‘not disadvantaged’. Multivariate regression was used to examine the intersection between health service use and developmental vulnerability and disadvantage using these composite variables.
Results The total number of children with information on developmental vulnerability in Wave 3 was 3967 (90% of the sample). A total of 1292 (32.6%) children were classified as developmentally vulnerable. 30.6% of children who were developmentally vulnerable came from families who were disadvantaged. Overall children who were developmentally vulnerable were reported to use more specialist/hospital health services than those who were not developmentally vulnerable (10-25 % vs 5-16%). Children who were developmentally vulnerable and not disadvantaged were 1.4-2.0 times more likely to have reported using a GP, paediatrician, other specialist, and Emergency Department compared with children who were developmentally vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Conclusion Preschool children who are developmentally vulnerable have a higher reported use of specialist and hospital services compared with those who are not developmentally vulnerable. There is evidence of an inverse care law; those who were not disadvantaged with and without developmental vulnerability are more likely to use health services compared with their counterparts who were disadvantaged.
Risk Stratification for Renal Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Tummalapalli Sri Lekha , Zech John , Cho Hyung J. , Goetz Celine
Published: June 2019

Abstract
Background
Renal ultrasounds (RUS) are commonly ordered in hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), however clinical risk prediction could be used to inform which patients require imaging to rule out hydronephrosis. While risk stratification frameworks have been described, the role of nephrology consultation as an additional driver of RUS ordering has not been comprehensively studied.
Methods
We performed a cross-sectional study of hospitalized adults at a large, tertiary, academic medical center with AKI who had a RUS ordered. Predictors were high-risk, medium-risk, or low-risk category based on an existing risk stratification framework and RUS recommended by a consulting nephrology service. Outcomes were presence of unilateral or bilateral hydronephrosis and incidental findings on RUS.
Results
Two hundred and eighty-one patients were included in the study cohort; 111 (40%), 76 (27%), and 94 (33%) patients were in the high-, medium-, and low-risk groups for hydronephrosis, respectively, based on the risk stratification framework. Thirty-five patients (12%) were found to have hydronephrosis, of whom 86% were captured in the high-risk group. A nephrology consult was involved in 168 (60%) patients and RUS was recommended by the nephrology service in 95 (57%) cases. Of the 95 patients recommended for a RUS, 9 patients (9%) had hydronephrosis. Among the patients with a nephrology consultation, 9 (56%) of the 16 total patients with hydronephrosis were recommended to obtain a RUS.
Conclusions
We further validated a risk stratification framework for hydronephrosis and found that nephrology consultation was an additional driver of RUS ordering, but predicted hydronephrosis less well than the risk stratification framework. Our decision framework strengthens the argument for the use of risk stratification to improve upon consultant recommendations, reduce incidental findings, and decrease RUS overuse.
Identification of novel alternative splicing isoform biomarkers and their association with overall survival in colorectal cancer
Authors: Jia Hongtao , Wang Aili , Lian Haifeng , Shen Yuanyuan , Wang Qian , Zhou Zhenru , Zhang Ranran , Li Kun , Liu Chengxia
Published: June 2019

Alternative splicing is an important mechanism of regulating eukaryotic gene expression. Understanding the most common alternative splicing events in colorectal cancer (CRC) will help developing diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic tools in CRC. Publicly available RNA-seq data of 31 pairs of CRC and normal tissues and 18 pairs of metastatic and normal tissues were used to identify alternative splicing events using PSI and DEXSeq methods. The highly significant splicing events were used to search a database of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We identified alternative splicing events in 10 genes marking the signature of CRC (more inclusion of CLK1-E4, COL6A3-E6, CD44v8-10, alternative first exon regulation of ARHGEF9, CHEK1, HKDC1 and HNF4A) or metastasis (decrease of SERPINA1-E1a, CALD-E5b, E6 and FBLN2-E9). Except for CHEK1, all other 9 splicing events were confirmed by TCGA data with 382 CRC tumors and 52 normal controls. Two splicing events (COL6A3 and HKDC1) were found to be significantly associated with patient overall survival. The alternative splicing signatures of the 10 genes are highly consistent with previous reports and/or relevant to cancer biology. The significant association of higher expression of the COL6A3 E5-E6 junction and HKDC1 E1-E2 with better overall survival was firstly reported. This study might be of significant value in the future biomarker, prognosis marker and therapeutics development of CRC.
Fear and Madness: A Prelude for the Anthropological Study of Genre-Literature
Authors: Žikić Bojan
Published: June 2019

This paper represents a continuation of my previous analysis of the motive of the overlapping of spatial and/or temporal dislocation, with such a dislocation in a mental and/or real meaning, in the work of Stephen King. In this paper, I consider the same motive in the so-called genre literature. This label, referring to science fiction, fantasy and horror, is used to display the criteria that the form of cultural communication we commonly call «literature» has to fulfill in order to be subject to valid anthropological analysis and interpretation. Starting from the premise that - if we aspire to meaningful conclusions - the subject of research must be shared, or common, I have studied the genre usage of the mentioned motive in the communicational sense both in the context of New England’s literary tradition and sci-fi, fantasy and horror as such. The conclusions support some premises of anthropological theory: the necessity of existence of certain communicational resources common to individual creators and their audience, and the necessity of shared competence for the use of those resources.
Museology in a Vacuum
Authors: Gavrilović Ljiljana
Published: June 2019

In this paper, I look at the absence of theoretical framework as the cause of museology's (comparative) underdevelopment. It is also the cause of degradation of museums; unlike their conterparts in the world, museums in Serbia have remained isolated from the local/regional communities, failing to offer programs that might be actively integrated into people's lives. Conditions for a more significant activation of museums in their local communities (in the sense of creating and carrying out programs that are wanted and needed by the audience) will only be fulfilled in Serbia when museology achieves its own standing, and grows from an underrecognized and neglected subdiscipline that even its practitioners are ashamed of, into a theoretically grounded professional and scholarly work it is in other countries. It is also necessary that museum curators start applying contemporary theoretical frameworks of their respective disciplines in their work, and stop relying on museology alone.
What Anthropological Reflexivity Is/Was All About? A Methodological Formalization
Authors: Milenković Miloš
Published: June 2019

In this study, I suggest that reflexivity in anthropology can be viewed as a coordinative definition that helped anthropology survive its three crises – the crisis of ethnographic representation, the crisis of scientific realism, and the crisis of anthropological authority. In addition, reflexivity, in a specific sense, can be taken as a substitute for experiment, a subsititute even better than com­parative studies, and can thus help fulfill the long dream of consolidating an­thropology on firm scientific grounds (a dream I believe is, though, no longer necessary).

This text should be understood as a part of a series of studies that strive towards the methodological formalization of supposedly formalization-resis­tant concepts of postmodern anthropology. In reality, reflexive anthropology became postmodern science only by admitting to be experimental art, but the question is who would understand and, more importantly, finance and apply this concept? The incorporation of reflexivity into the core of anthropology enabled it to finally achieve the status of science, in the most conservative and general methodological sense. Therefore, the anti-postmodern frustration pre­sent in some relatively recent debates, examples of which we can see in this volume, is neither methodologically nor pragmatically founded. Reflexivity can only be useful, not harmful to the discipline, even from the standpoint of traditional, problem-applicative concepts of method. The only remaining as­signment is to reformulate it so it could be applied by methodological tradi­tionalists as well.
Barber from Srem in the times of changes
Authors: Kovačević Ivan
Published: June 2019

The legend of the barber from Srem, who invented the trimming machine, thus making a fortune from its manufacture, came into the public focus on two occasions. It is constituted by three mythical wholes: the myth of the rise from poverty into the middle classes, as in the novel of the 19th. American author Horatio Alger, the myth of the wealth acquired through creativeness and successful business dealings and a specific myth about the lost treasure whose returning would save the country and economy. Their composition is present both in 1929 and in 2003 in the times of the capitalist expansion, in the times of change and transition, reflecting and constituting the zeitgeist.
Cognitive “Boy stories”: urban folklore and urban topographies
Authors: Žikić Bojan
Published: June 2019

The culturally cognitive perception of Belgrade’s topographies is considered through its deployment, symbolic use and narrative foundation. As the explanatory material-one football-media incident, the use of certain areas of the city in a spectacle-ceremonial manner, knowledge and lore of certain elements of the Belgrade topographies and the organization of «the football Belgrade»-were considered.

The attitude is taken that the topography of a city is a multifaceted cultural constituent, whose structure of particular meaning, as a part of cultural communication, is determined by the very fact it is an urban space. Physical aspects of spatial-ness are reduced to relationism, i.e. it has a meaning for the cultural communication only when the elements of urban topographies are brought into correlation. Other characteristics of physical spatial-ness are irrelevant for such communication.  Meaning relations in which elements of urban topographies exist are formed on the very fact of them  being urban, that is, the afore mentioned denotation that is ascribed to space, stems from those cultural features and artifacts that are associated in a given milieu with certain concrete elements of urban topographies.
MODELLING SENSITIVE ISSUES ON SUCCESSIVE WAVES
Authors: Priyanka Kumari , Trisandhya Pidugu
Published: June 2019

This paper addresses the problem of estimation of population mean of sensitive character using non-sensitive auxiliary variable at current wave in two wave successive sampling. A general class of estimator is proposed and studied under randomized and scrambled response model. Many existing estimators have been modified to work for sensitive population mean estimation. The modified estimators became the members of proposed general class of estimators. The detail properties of all the estimators have been discussed. Their behaviour under randomized and scrambled response techniques have been elaborated. Numerical illustrations including simulation have been accompanied to judge the performance of different estimators. Finally suitable recommendations are forwarded.
NONRANDOMIZED RESPONSE MODEL FOR COMPLEX SURVEY DESIGNS
Authors: Arnab Raghunath , Shangodoyin Dahud Kehinde , Arcos Antonio
Published: June 2019

Warner’s randomized response (RR) model is used to collect sensitive information for a broad range of surveys, but it possesses several limitations such as lack of reproducibility, higher costs and it is not feasible for mail questionnaires. To overcome such difficulties, nonrandomized response (NRR) surveys have been proposed. The proposed NRR surveys are limited to simple random sampling with replacement (SRSWR) design. In this paper, NRR procedures are extended to complex survey designs in a unified setup, which is applicable to any sampling design and wider classes of estimators. Existing results for NRR can be derived from the proposed method as special cases.
ON THE SMOOTHED PARAMETRIC ESTIMATION OF MIXING PROPORTION UNDER FIXED DESIGN REGRESSION MODEL
Authors: Ramakrishnaiah Y. S. , Trivedi Manish , Satish Konda
Published: June 2019

The present paper revisits an estimator proposed by Boes (1966) – James (1978), herein called BJ estimator, which was constructed for estimating mixing proportion in a mixed model based on independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random samples, and also proposes a completely new (smoothed) estimator for mixing proportion based on independent and not identically distributed (non-i.i.d.) random samples. The proposed estimator is nonparametric in true sense based on known “kernel function” as described in the introduction. We investigated the following results of the smoothed estimator under the non-i.i.d. set-up such as (a) its small sample behaviour is compared with the unsmoothed version (BJ estimator) based on their mean square errors by using Monte-Carlo simulation, and established the percentage gain in precision of smoothed estimator over its unsmoothed version measured in terms of their mean square error, (b) its large sample properties such as almost surely (a.s.) convergence and asymptotic normality of these estimators are established in the present work. These results are completely new in the literature not only under the case of i.i.d., but also generalises to non-i.i.d. set-up.
Soil Salinity and Maize Growth under Cycle Irrigation in Coastal Soils
Authors: Huang Mingyi , Zhang Zhanyu , Sheng Zhuping , Zhu Chengli , Zhai Yaming , Lu Peirong , Brinkman Debra
Published: June 2019

The coastal regions of eastern China have substantial potential for agricultural production. Freshwater scarcity makes the utilization of plentiful brackish water a vital issue in this area. We aim to assess the effects of cycle irrigation with fresh and brackish water on soil salinity and maize (Zea mays L.). A pot experiment was performed with two typical coastal soils (sandy loam and silt loam) and one local maize cultivar. The maize growing season was divided into three phases (development, mid‐, and later stage). Cycle irrigation was conducted using brackish water (5 g NaCl L−1) during one stage and freshwater for the remaining stages. Cycle irrigation using brackish water at the development stage caused both osmotic and ionic stresses on the maize, leading to significantly‐reduced evapotranspiration (ET), increased stem and leaf Na+/K+ ratio, and stunted growth. The decline of kernel number and 100‐grain weight resulted in severe yield loss. Cycle irrigation with brackish water at the mid‐stage induced less adverse effects on crop growth, while the decrease in kernel number remarkably reduced the yield. Cycle irrigation with brackish water at the later stage minimized the impacts of saline irrigation on soil salinity and maize productivity. Nonetheless, salt leaching by off‐season rainfall and low salinity water and soil salt monitoring should be considered before the next season. Compared to sandy loam soil, silt loam displayed higher soil salinization, and lower maize growth and yield. Additional field research is recommended to facilitate the reliable use of coastal soil and water resources.

Core Ideas

Cycle irrigation with fresh and brackish water in two coastal soils is studied.

Cycle irrigation using brackish water is effective when freshwater is scarce.

Brackish water is proposed to be used at maize later reproductive stages.

Sandy loam soil is preferable for cycle irrigation compare to silt loam soil.