bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Justice in Compliance Behavior: Germany’s Early Membership in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Regime
Authors: Fey Marco , Melamud Aviv , Müller Harald
Published: October 2014

Compliance is a central concept in both the study and practice of international relations, and the body of literature is correspondingly extensive. Although justice has already been shown to play an important role in international negotiations, its potential impact on actors’ compliance behavior has not been sufficiently explored to date. We examine the relationship between the two concepts, and posit that actors’ perceived justice considerations with a regime influence their compliance behavior. To illustrate the importance of including justice considerations in the study of compliance, we investigate Germany’s behavior as a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty during the 1960–80s. The empirical illustration exemplifies how a member’s justice contentions, borne of an unjust regime, can lead to contested compliance and regime conflict. The case illuminates the need to broaden our understanding of compliance and its complexity in both conceptual and practical terms.
Justice and Injustice in the Fissile Material (Cutoff) Treaty
Authors: Schaper Annette
Published: October 2014

The Fissile Material (Cutoff) Treaty (fm(c)t) has been on the negotiation agenda since 1996, but has seen little progress. This is due to a fundamental disagreement over whether emphasis should be placed on nuclear disarmament or nuclear non-proliferation. Several delegations perceive the fm(c)t as a tool to draw in states from outside the non-proliferation regime, while others understand it to be a disarmament measure that reduces quantities of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. They however, regard the unwillingness of nuclear weapon states to engage toward this end as deeply unjust. Additional disagreements also concern justice: Should there be different standards of verification? May some states continue to produce unverified military fuel? As long as the nuclear weapon states only push their interests through pure power instead of respecting the notion of justice, no progress can be expected and the non-proliferation regime will further erode.
Recent Developments in eu Law on Migration: The Legislative Patchwork and the Court’s Approach
Authors: Groenendijk Kees
Published: October 2014

Union law on migration of persons developed over decades and inevitably in a patchwork way. The focus of this article is on the relative role of the Union legislator and the Court of Justice in that development. It is argued that eu migration law consists of three main elements (rules on free movement of Union citizens, rules in agreements with third countries and the new migration and asylum instruments adopted after 1999) and that the Court of Justice deals with those elements not as separate or isolated categories but as closely related sets of rules in real life and in law.
People Moving in the Context of Environmental Change: The Cautious Approach of the European Union
Authors: Mayrhofer Monika , Ammer Margit
Published: October 2014

With growing evidence that environmental factors are becoming more and more important in driving migration, many different actors have taken position on so-called ‘environmental migration’ in recent years. Lately, also the European Union (eu) started to approach this topic. While it is still far away from offering a self-standing policy on the issue, the eu has started a process of deliberation with the publication of a Commission Staff Working Document (cswd) in April 2013. This article provides an overview of the related policy process and analyses which rationales are shaping it. It further pursues a stocktaking exercise with regard to existing eu asylum and migration policies and explores which roles the eu could play in the context of environment-related migration and displacement under the existing ‘repertoire’ of eu asylum and migration policy and analyses it in light of the newly published cswd. The paper concludes that the Commission takes in its cswd a very cautious approach and that the policy process was shaped by similar factors as the area of asylum and migration.
Morphological variation in the Cinnamon Tanager Schistochlamys ruficapillus Aves: Thraupidae)
Authors: LOPES LEONARDO ESTEVES , GONZAGA LUIZ PEDREIRA
Published: October 2014

The Cinnamon Tanager Schistochlamys ruficapillus inhabits semi-open grassy country, primarily in Brazil south of Amazonia. Three subspecies are currently recognized, one of which, S. r. sicki, is poorly known and endemic to the central Brazilian savannas (Cerrado). This paper analyses individual and geographic variation in this species on the basis of body measurements and plumage coloration. Larger birds are usually found farther south and at higher elevations, while smaller birds are found farther north and at lower elevations, as predicted by Bergmann’s rule. Nevertheless, some unexpectedly small individuals (referable to S. r. sicki) can be found in central Brazil. Individual and geographical variation in plumage coloration is substantial, but it is not closely tied to variation in body size. Therefore, given the large number of specimens intermediate between the three subspecies, we propose to consider the Cinnamon Tanager a monotypic but highly variable species. The recognition of three subspecies by previous taxonomists was due to small sample sizes associated with large gaps in sampling.
Taxonomy of Cotylea (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida) from Cabo Frio, southeastern Brazil, with the description of a new species
Authors: BAHIA JULIANA , PADULA VINICIUS , LAVRADO HELENA PASSERI , QUIROGA SIGMER
Published: October 2014

Polyclads are free-living Platyhelminthes with a simple, dorsoventrally flattened body and a much ramified intestine. In Brazil, 66 species are reported; only three from Rio de Janeiro State (RJ). The main objective of this study is to describe and illustrate coloration pattern, external morphology, reproductive system morphology and, when possible, biological and ecological aspects of species of the suborder Cotylea found in Cabo Frio, RJ. Of the 13 cotylean polyclad species found, Pseudobiceros pardalis, Cycloporus variegatus and Eurylepta aurantiaca are new records from the Brazilian coast and one species is new to science, Pseudoceros juani sp. nov. Feeding observations were made of four species. It is the first time that Lurymare utarum, Cycloporus gabriellae, C. variegatus and E. aurantiaca are illustrated with digital photographs of live specimens and histological preparations. This study increases to 70 the number of Brazilian Polycladida and to 14 the number of species known from Rio de Janeiro State. However, the knowledge about Polycladida in Brazil still has gaps, with great parts of the coast remaining unsampled.
New additions to the Honduran fauna of spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) with the description of two species
Authors: WAICHERT CECILIA , RODRIGUEZ JUANITA , PITTS JAMES P.
Published: October 2014

Two new species of pepsine spider wasps, Calopompilus setaerotundus Waichert & Pitts, sp. nov. and Priocnemis (Umbripennis) wasbaueri Waichert & Pitts, sp. nov., are described and illustrated. Calopompilus Ashmead, Priocnemis Schiødte and sixteen additional species are newly reported from Honduras. A new combination is proposed for Ageniella fragilis (Fox), comb. nov., which is transferred from Agenia Schiødte.
Ocean Heat Uptake Processes: A Model Intercomparison
Authors: Exarchou Eleftheria , Kuhlbrodt Till , Gregory Jonathan M. , Smith Robin S.
Published: October 2014

The quasi-equilibrium heat balances, as well as the responses to 4 × CO2 perturbation, are compared among three global climate models with the aim to identify and explain intermodel differences in ocean heat uptake (OHU) processes. It is found that, in quasi equilibrium, convective and mixed layer processes, as well as eddy-related processes, cause cooling of the subsurface ocean. The cooling is balanced by warming caused by advective and diapycnally diffusive processes. It is also found that in the CO2-perturbed climates the largest contribution to OHU comes from changes in vertical mixing processes and the mean circulation, particularly in the extratropics, caused both by changes in wind forcing and by changes in high-latitude buoyancy forcing. There is a substantial warming in the tropics: a significant part of which occurs because of changes in horizontal advection in extratropics. Diapycnal diffusion makes only a weak contribution to the OHU, mainly in the tropics, because of increased stratification. There are important qualitative differences in the contribution of eddy-induced advection and isopycnal diffusion to the OHU among the models. The former is related to the different values of the coefficients used in the corresponding scheme. The latter is related to the different tapering formulations of the isopycnal diffusion scheme. These differences affect the OHU in the deep ocean, which is substantial in two of the models, with the dominant region of deep warming being the Southern Ocean. However, most of the OHU takes place above 2000 m, and the three models are quantitatively similar in their global OHU efficiency and its breakdown among processes and as a function of latitude.
A Comparison of GLDAS Soil Moisture Anomalies against Standardized Precipitation Index and Multisatellite Estimations over South America
Authors: Spennemann Pablo C. , Rivera Juan A. , Saulo A. Celeste , Penalba Olga C.
Published: October 2014

This study aims to compare simulated soil moisture anomalies derived from different versions of the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS), the standardized precipitation index (SPI), and a new multisatellite surface soil moisture product over southern South America. The main motivation is the need for assessing the reliability of GLDAS variables to be used in the characterization of soil state and its variability at the regional scale. The focus is on the southeastern part of South America (SESA), which is part of the La Plata basin, one of the largest basins of the world, where agriculture is the main source of income. The results show that GLDAS data capture soil moisture anomalies and their variability, taking into account regional and seasonal dependencies and showing correspondence with other proxies used to characterize soil states. Over large portions of the domain, and particularly over SESA, the correlation with the SPI is very high, with the second version of GLDAS, version 2 (GLDAS-2 v2), exhibiting the highest values regardless of the season. Similar results were obtained by comparing the surface soil moisture anomalies from the GLDAS land surface model (LSM) against the satellite estimations for a shorter period of time. This work documents that the precipitation dataset used to force each LSM and the choice of the LSM are of major relevance for representing soil conditions in an adequate manner. The results are considered to support the use of GLDAS as an indicator of soil moisture states and for developing new soil moisture–monitoring indices that can be applied, for example, in the context of agricultural production management.
Increasingly Segregated and Unequal Schools as Courts Reverse Policy
Authors: Orfield Gary , Frankenberg Erica
Published: October 2014

Purpose: School administrators and policy makers live in a complex, changing policy universe in which there are many competing demands and political pressures. Rarely is there much time to think about sensitive issues of long duration that are not part of the immediate demands they face. This article is about such an issue, a question that will deeply influence the future of schools and communities but which is usually ignored—the increasing separation of large sectors of our student bodies into intensely segregated schools with unequal educational opportunity. Research Methods: The data analyzed come from the National Center for Education Statistics, Public Elementary/Secondary School Universe, which contain demographic data about all public schools since the late 1980s. We rely on two measures of segregation, concentration and exposure/isolation index, to assess its current status and change over time in the nation’s public schools. Findings: This article describes the vast transformation of the nation’s school population since the civil rights era. As diversity spreads, so too does segregation by race and often class, including into suburbia in many large metropolitan areas. As a legacy of Brown, Black students are still more desegregated in the South than any other region of the country, but both Black and Latino students are experiencing rising segregation. Implications: We conclude with recommendations about possible responses educational leaders might pursue to make the promise of Brown a reality in the 21st century. Desegregation properly implemented can help equalize educational opportunities and prepare young Americans for the diverse society in which they will live.
Who’s Segregated Now? Latinos, Language, and the Future of Integrated Schools
Authors: Gándara Patricia C. , Aldana Ursula S.
Published: October 2014

Background: Since the passage of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, the demographic landscape of American schools has changed dramatically. By 2011, there were 12.4 million Latinos enrolled in prekindergarten to 12th-grade public schools, which constitutes 23.9% of the U.S. student population. A primary challenge that faces schools today is the increasing segregation of these Latinos, who are now the most segregated group of students in the West. Despite the Supreme Court decision to address the plight of segregation of Latino students, desegregation and language programming to assist English learners has been viewed as contradictory and competing with each other. Implications: The authors contend that school and community leaders should focus on the promotion of dual immersion, International Baccalaureate, and magnet programs to provide Latino, and particularly, English learners, the opportunity to attend strong integrated schools.
The Distorted Looking Glass
Authors: Gooden Mark A. , Thompson Dorsey Dana N.
Published: October 2014

Background: In 1954, the Brown v. Board of Education case involved four states and their school segregation laws and policies. During that period, de jure and de facto segregation were a way of life in America. Sixty years later, as most schools across the country have resegregated, the authors ask the question of whether we should be focused on eradicating segregation? Purpose: The purpose of this article is to propose the concept of housing identity privilege and explore how it impairs our ability to create a new vision for addressing school segregation. Conceptual Argument: Housing identity privilege is defined as a historically supported system of advantages that is based on how much housing one can afford, and it is correlated directly with educational choices. Individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, or color, can attain housing identity privilege, which is a type of economic privilege. The authors argue that despite some progress, schools are essentially still segregated by race and class, and housing identity privilege has worked against the original goals of Brown. Implications: The authors conclude that until we address housing identity privilege directly, we will see a continued system of school resegregation.
Measure what matters
Authors: Hanley Susan
Published: October 2014

The only true sustainable measure of value for a knowledge management (KM) solution is business impact – that is, how the solution helps to grow revenue, increase profit, ‘advance the mission’, satisfy customers, or improve business operations. A good KM solution or programme includes a plan for demonstrating business value – a practical measurement plan that recognizes the key solution stakeholders and tells the success story in a way that clearly demonstrates business impact. The goal of this article is to help identify and document these success stories using a practical approach based on real-world experience.
Perspectives
Authors: White Martin
Published: October 2014

Seven recent papers are explored in this Perspectives column selected for the insights they provide into cross-cultural working, the effect of culture on meetings conduct, the role of Intranets in enabling learning about organizational culture. Closely linked to these topics are articles on the creation of trust in virtual teams and how multidisciplinary teams may move from their different knowledge bases to develop group minds. The power of storytelling as a communication mechanism and a taxonomy of mechanisms for assessing knowledge impact complete this article.
‘Dad, are you really a spy?’
Authors: Corney Paul J
Published: October 2014

In today’s global village, the ability to work cross-border and cross-culture is increasingly important. This article considers the life cycle of an international assignment from winning and negotiating to working and collaborating, concluding with reporting and getting paid. It examines what it takes to run successful assignments while identifying a number of potential pitfalls to be avoided and issues to be considered.
Aggressor Games: Of Violent Video Games and Aggression among Higher-income Group Schoolchildren in Malaysia
Authors: Rajasakran Thanaseelen , Wong Andy K.C. , Sinnappan Santhidran , Kumarasuriar Vashnarekha , Pangiras Geraldine , Koran Sivan
Published: October 2014

Violent video games have been linked to being one of the causes for increased aggressive behaviour and juvenile crimes in many developed and developing societies. This exploratory study investigates the effects of high income and gender on playing violent video games in Malaysia, and how it results in poor academic performance amongst secondary school children. This is a case study for other middle income nations in Southeast Asia, which also have strong Eastern cultural and religious beliefs. Contrary to earlier findings, the results indicated that boys from higher income backgrounds had a higher propensity for playing violent video games than adolescents from lower income backgrounds. The same effect though, is not manifested on adolescent girls. Nevertheless, playing violent video games was positively related to trait aggressive and negatively to academic performance in both the sexes. Our findings shed new light on socio-economic and demographic factors influencing violent video gaming, offering insights to both policy-makers and theoreticians in researching gaming effects.
Touching the Grass: Science, Uncertainty and Everyday Life from Chernobyl to Fukushima
Authors: Morris-Suzuki Tessa
Published: October 2014

The Fukushima nuclear disaster of March 2011 raises profound questions, not only about the use of nuclear energy, but also about the way in which scientific knowledge is constructed and communicated. This article focuses particularly on the divergent ways in which the notion of ‘uncertainty’ is understood by scientists and scientific bodies engaged in studying the effects of the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters, and by the residents who are the main victims of these disasters. I argue that the approach to uncertainty and risk assessment developed by bodies like UNSCEAR and the Chernobyl Forum has been applied in Fukushima in ways that have widened the gap in understanding between academic scientists and local residents, but I also point to experiments in citizen science that have potential to help bridge this gap.
TAILS N-terminomics of human platelets reveals pervasive metalloproteinase-dependent proteolytic processing in storage
Authors: Prudova Anna , Serrano Katherine , Eckhard Ulrich , Fortelny Nikolaus , Devine Dana V. , Overall Christopher M.
Published: October 2014

Key Points

TAILS proteomics identified 2938 human platelet proteins, pervasive proteolytic processing, and precise proteolytic cleavage sites in stored platelets. During storage, metalloproteinases were predominantly involved in proteolytic processing, while other proteinases were mainly involved in degradation.
The deviation of growth model for transparent conductive graphene
Authors: Chan Shih-Hao , Chen Jia-Wei , Chen Hung-Pin , Wei Hung-Sen , Li Meng-Chi , Chen Sheng-Hui , Lee Cheng-Chung , Kuo Chien-Cheng
Published: October 2014

An approximate growth model was employed to predict the time required to grow a graphene film by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Monolayer graphene films were synthesized on Cu foil at various hydrogen flow rates from 10 to 50 sccm. The sheet resistance of the graphene film was 310Ω/□ and the optical transmittance was 97.7%. The Raman intensity ratio of the G-peak to the 2D peak of the graphene film was as high as ~4 when the hydrogen flow rate was 30 sccm. The fitting curve obtained by the deviation equation of growth model closely matches the data. We believe that under the same conditions and with the same setup, the presented growth model can help manufacturers and academics to predict graphene growth time more accurately.
A self-organized metaheuristic approach towards inter-cell interference management for LTE-Advanced
Authors: Shahid Adnan , Aslam Saleem , Sohaib Sarmad , Kim Hyung Seok , Lee Kyung-Geun
Published: October 2014

In order to meet the high throughput demand set by international mobile telecommunication union, carrier aggregation is exploited for expanding the bandwidth of up to 100 MHz in Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A). For achieving the aforementioned bandwidth, a maximum of five component carriers (CCs) can be aggregated as per Release 10 LTE-A. Improper CC selection and scheduling will result in hazardous throughput, fairness, and interference problems. Therefore, a proper CC selection and scheduling algorithm is most important for the overall performance of the network. On the other hand, due to an increased information exchange, centralized network planning is not a suitable choice here. In this study, we are employing a self-organized particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based joint component carrier selection and scheduling (JCCS) algorithm for the downlink. More precisely, the concern of the proposed algorithm is the autonomous distribution of resource blocks (RBs) from the pool of CCs by the base station, with the concern of minimizing the impact of inter-cell interference. Our proposed PSO-based JCCS algorithm results in the maximization of the min-max throughput by managing the inter-cell interference in an appropriate manner. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is compared with the traditional CC selection and scheduling algorithms, i.e., random, round robin, and proportional fair. The comparison is carried out in terms of throughput and fairness, and the calculated percentage gain in the end elaborates the performance improvement by exploiting PSO-based JCCS.
Patient Engagement and Patient-Centred Care in the Management of Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease and Chronic Kidney Failure
Authors: Bear Robert Allan , Stockie Suzanne
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to review the current status of patient-centred care (PCC) and patient engagement (PE) in the management of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), to identify some of the barriers that exist to the achievement of PCC and PE, and to describe how these barriers can be overcome.

Sources of information:

The review is based on the professional experience of one of the authors (RB) as a Nephrologist and health care consultant, on the MBA thesis of one of the authors (SS) and on a review of pertinent internet-based information and published literature.

Findings:

Evidence exists that, currently, the care of patients with advanced CKD and ESRD is not fully patient-centred or fully supportive of PE. A number of barriers exist, including: conflict with other priorities; lack of training and fear of change; the unequal balance of power between patients and providers; physician culture and behaviour; the fee-for-service model of physician compensation; slow implementation of electronic health records; and, fear of accountability. These barriers can be overcome by committed leadership and the development of an information-based implementation plan. Established Renal Agencies in Canada appear interested in facilitating this work by collaborating in the development of a toolkit of recommended educational resources and preferred implementation practices for use by ESRD Programs.

Limitations:

A limitation of this review is the absence of a substantial pre-existing literature on this topic.

Implications:

Receiving care that is patient-centred and that promotes PE benefits patients with serious chronic diseases such as advanced CKD and ESRD. Considerable work is required by ESRD Programs to ensure that such care is provided. Canadian Renal Agencies can play an important role by ensuring that ESRD Programs have access to essential educational material and proven implementation approaches and that implementation successes are celebrated. In this area, enabling policies are required, as are clinical research studies focusing on the measurement of outcomes.
Gelatin-chondroitin-6-sulfate-hyaluronic acid scaffold seeded with vascular endothelial growth factor 165 modified hair follicle stem cells as a three-dimensional skin substitute
Authors: Quan Renfu , Zheng Xuan , Xu Shichao , Zhang Liang , Yang Disheng
Published: October 2014

Introduction

In the field of skin tissue engineering, gelatin-chondroitin-6-sulfate-hyaluronic acid (Gel-C6S-HA) stents are a suitable bio skin substitute. The purpose was to investigate the effect of genetically-modified hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs), combined with Gel-C6S-HA scaffolds, on the vascularization of tissue-engineered skin.

Methods

Three-dimensional (3D) Gel-C6S-HA scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 165 gene-modified rat HFSCs (rHFSCs) were inoculated into the scaffolds and cultured for 7 days. Two bilateral full-thickness skin defects were created on the back of 18 Sprague–Dawley rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group A, HFSCs transduced with VEGF165 seeded onto Gel-C6S-HA scaffolds; Group B, HFSCs transduced with empty vector seeded onto Gel-C6S-HA scaffolds; Group C, Gel-C6S-HA scaffold only; Group D, Vaseline gauze dressing. These compositions were implanted onto the defects and harvested at 7, 14 and 21 days. Wound healing was assessed and compared among groups according to hematoxylin-eosin staining, CD31 expression, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) immunohistochemistry, and microvessel density (MVD) count, to evaluate the new blood vessels.

Results

SEM revealed the Gel-C6S-HA scaffold was spongy and 3D, with an average pore diameter of 133.23 ± 43.36 μm. Cells seeded on scaffolds showed good adherent growth after 7 days culture. No significant difference in rHFSC morphology, adherence and proliferative capacity was found before and after transfection (P >0.05). After 14 and 21 days, the highest rate of wound healing was observed in Group A (P <0.05). Histological and immunological examination showed that after 21 days, MVD also reached a maximum in Group A (P <0.05). Therefore, the number of new blood vessels formed within the skin substitutes was greatest in Group A, followed by Group B. In Group C, only trace amounts of mature subcutaneous blood vessels were observed, and few subcutaneous tissue cells migrated into the scaffolds.

Conclusions

Tissue-engineered skin constructs, using 3D Gel-C6S-HA scaffolds seeded with VEGF165-modified rHFSCs, resulted in promotion of angiogenesis during wound healing and facilitation of vascularization in skin substitutes. This may be a novel approach for tissue-engineered skin substitutes.
Histologic and spectroscopic study of pluripotent stem cells after implant in ocular traumatic injuries in a murine model
Authors: Vázquez-Zapién Gustavo Jesús , Rojas-López Marlon , Delgado-Macuil Raúl Jacobo , Martínez-Nava Luis Rubén , Pérez-Ishiwara David Guillermo , Mata-Miranda Mónica Maribel
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Ocular trauma is defined as a trauma caused by blunt or penetrating mechanisms on the eyeball and its peripheral structures, causing damage with different degrees of affection with temporary or permanent visual function compromise. Ocular trauma is a major cause of preventable blindness worldwide; it constitutes 7% of all corporal injury and 10% to 15% of all eye diseases. Regenerative medicine research has opened up the possibility to use stem cells as a source of cell replacement, so that experimental studies on embryonic stem cells and bone marrow stem cells have been carried out. In this study, we analyzed the histopathological and spectroscopic changes in ocular tissue with trauma, treated with mouse pluripotent stem cells.

Methods

Firstly, mouse embryonic stem cells were seeded. Subsequently, the obtained cells were implanted in a murine model of scleral and retinal damage at the first, second, and fourth weeks post-trauma. At week 12 post-trauma, the eyes were enucleated for histopathologic study (inflammatory response and histological integrity) and spectroscopic analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated total reflection configuration. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance.

Results

Histopathological results showed that the experimental groups treated with stem cells presented a decrease in the inflammatory response, and the histological integrity was restored, which contrasted with the experimental group treated with saline solution. Moreover, in the spectroscopic analysis, characteristic bands of biological samples were observed in all tissues, highlighting in healthy tissues the presence of C = O bond at 1,745 cm-1, which was not observed in the injured and treated tissues. Also, the absorption spectrum of the tissues treated with embryonic stem cells showed bands whose intensity was high at around 1,080 to 1,070 cm-1. It has been reported that these bands are characteristic of pluripotent stem cells.

Conclusions

The implant of embryonic stem cells could be a useful therapeutic treatment after traumatic eye injuries or many other eye diseases to reduce the inflammatory response and restore histological integrity. Furthermore, the spectroscopic technique could be used as a complementary technique for detecting stem cell incorporation into various tissues.
Amplitude-preserving reverse time migration: From reflectivity to velocity and impedance inversion
Authors: Zhang Yu , Ratcliffe Andrew , Roberts Graham , Duan Lian
Published: October 2014

Conventional methods of prestack depth imaging aim at producing a structural image that delineates the interfaces of the geologic variations or the reflectivity of the earth. However, it is the underlying impedance and velocity changes that generate this reflectivity that are of more interest for characterizing the reservoir. Indeed, the need to generate a better product for geologic interpretation leads to the subsequent application of traditional seismic-inversion techniques to the reflectivity sections that come from typical depth-imaging processes. The drawback here is that these seismic-inversion techniques use additional information, e.g., from well logs or velocity models, to fill the low frequencies missing in traditional seismic data due to the free-surface ghost in marine acquisition. We found that with the help of broadband acquisition and processing techniques, the bandwidth gap between the depth-imaging world and seismic inversion world is reducing. We outlined a theory that shows how angle-domain common-image gathers produced by an amplitude-preserving reverse time migration can estimate impedance and velocity perturbations. The near-angle stacked image provides the impedance perturbation estimate whereas the far-angle image can be used to estimate the velocity perturbation. In the context of marine acquisition and exploration, our method can, together with a ghost compensation technique, be a useful tool for seismic inversion, and it is also adaptable to a full-waveform inversion framework. We developed synthetic and real data examples to test that the method is reliable and provides additional information for interpreting geologic structures and rock properties.
Thrombocytosis portends adverse prognostic significance in patients with stage II colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Guo Tianhua , Krzystanek Marcin , Szallasi Zoltan , Szallasi Arpad
Published: October 2014

Thrombocytosis portends adverse prognostic significance in many types of cancers including ovarian and lung carcinoma. In this study, we determined the prevalence and prognostic significance of thrombocytosis (defined as platelet count in excess of 400 × 103/μl) in patients with colorectal cancer. We performed a retrospective analysis of 310 consecutive patients diagnosed at our Institution between 2004 and 2013. The patients (48.7% male and 51.3% female) had a mean age of 69.9 years (+/- 12.7 years) at diagnosis. Thrombocytosis was found in a total of 25 patients, with a higher incidence in those with stage III and IV disease (14.4% of patients). Although the mean platelet count increased with the depth of tumor invasion (pT), its values remained within normal limits in the whole patient cohort. No patient with stage I cancer (n=57) had elevated platelet count at diagnosis. By contrast, five of the 78 patients (6.4%) with stage II cancer showed thrombocytosis, and four of these patients showed early recurrence and/or metastatic disease, resulting in shortened survival (they died within one year after surgery). The incidence of thrombocytosis increased to 12.2% and 20.6%, respectively, in patients with stage III and IV disease. The overall survival rate of patients with thrombocytosis was lower than those without thrombocytosis in the stage II and III disease groups, but this difference disappeared in patients with stage IV cancer who did poorly regardless of their platelet count. We concluded that thrombocytosis at diagnosis indicates adverse clinical outcome in colorectal cancer patients with stage II or III disease. This observation is especially intriguing in stage II patients because the clinical management of these patients is controversial. If our data are confirmed in larger studies, stage II colon cancer patients with thrombocytosis may be considered for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Differential recolonization of Atlantic intertidal habitats after disturbance reveals potential bottom-up community regulation
Authors: Petzold Willy , Scrosati Ricardo A.
Published: October 2014

In the spring of 2014, abundant sea ice that drifted out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence caused extensive disturbance in rocky intertidal habitats on the northern Atlantic coast of mainland Nova Scotia, Canada. To monitor recovery of intertidal communities, we surveyed two wave-exposed locations in the early summer of 2014. Barnacle recruitment and the abundance of predatory dogwhelks were low at one location (Tor Bay Provincial Park) but more than 20 times higher at the other location (Whitehead). Satellite data indicated that the abundance of coastal phytoplankton (the main food source for barnacle larvae) was consistently higher at Whitehead just before the barnacle recruitment season, when barnacle larvae were in the water column. These observations suggest bottom-up forcing of intertidal communities. The underlying mechanisms and their intensity along the NW Atlantic coast could be investigated through studies done at local and regional scales.
Consumer Dynamic Usage Allocation and Learning Under Multipart Tariffs
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Arun , Iyengar Raghuram , Meyer Robert J.
Published: October 2014

Multipart tariffs are widely favored within service industries as an efficient means of mapping prices to differential levels of consumer demand. Whether they benefit consumers, however, is far less clear as they pose individuals with a potentially difficult task of dynamically allocating usage over the course of each billing cycle. In this paper we explore this welfare issue by examining the ability of individuals to optimally allocate consumption over time in a stylized cellular-phone usage task for which there exists a known optimal dynamic utilization policy. Actual call behavior over time is modeled using a dynamic choice model that allows decision makers to both discount the future (be myopic) and be subject to random errors when making call decisions. Our analysis provides a “half empty, half full” view of intuitive optimality. Participants rapidly learn to exhibit farsightedness, yet learning is incomplete with some level of allocation errors persisting even after repeated experience. We also find evidence for an asymmetric effect in which participants who are exogenously switched from a low (high) to high (low) allowance plan make more (fewer) errors in the new plan. The effect persists even when participants make their own plan choices. Finally, interventions that provide usage information to help participants eradicate errors have limited effectiveness.
‘Needle with ease’: rapid stress management techniques
Authors: Mackereth Peter , Hackman Eileen , Tomlinson Lynne , Manifold Julie , Orrett Linda
Published: October 2014

For some patients, even looking at a needle is enough to make them feel anxious. Repeated cannulation for bloods and all other intravenous therapies, such as scans and chemotherapy treatment can become so frightening that they escalate to feeling overwhelmed and panicky.If this response persists without any intervention, it may eventually become a phobia ( Choy et al. 2007 ). Four-hundred-thousand patients are treated at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust each year, with many receiving intravenous chemotherapy treatments. The ‘CALM’ service was initiated over 5 years ago to enable and support patients to achieve a calm state during procedural-related anxieties and panic. Thanks to recent funding from ‘Walk the Walk’ Breast Cancer Charity, the service has grown, enabling more patients to access the service. Increasing skill has led to development of training courses for health professionals. The training provides easy-to-learn skills, some of which are described here, that can be used to prevent and/or interrupt panic states triggered by medical procedures.
Professional boundaries when working with adolescents
Authors: Davies Jane , Willsher Megan
Published: October 2014

This article aims to explore the impact of breaking professional boundaries in nursing with a particular focus on the area of adolescent oncology nursing. It gives an overview of adolescent cancer and service provision followed by a brief discussion of some of the challenges in adolescence coupled with an outline of the concept of professional boundaries. A case study approach is used to demonstrate what happens when the boundaries are broken and this is followed by some discussion in relation to ‘ways of helping’. These suggestions are broken down into specific activities, which may be beneficial to nurses and others working in this field. This discussion is supported by relevant literature from other professional groups. The article seeks to offer useful advice to practitioners who supervise recently qualified staff and to those who find themselves in this difficult situation.
Wound healing: the evidence for hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Authors: Mills Benjamin J
Published: October 2014

This article reviews evidence for the promotion of healing using hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). HBOT is an adjuvant wound therapy that has been suggested to be beneficial for the healing of wounds for over 40 years. Current approved treatments provide 100% oxygen to a patient who is in a multi-place compression chamber accompanied inside the chamber by a trained attendant. Its ability to increase the arterial partial pressure of oxygen in the human body and facilitate oxygen transport when the body's oxygen transport system has been compromised makes it appropriate for a number of indications. Oxygen is essential for normal wound healing and contributes to a number of processes required for a healing wound. HBOT is an additional therapy and lacks the capacity to heal wounds without the application of approved wound care practice. Animal studies and clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT on the hypovascular-hypocellular-hypoxic environment of a chronic wound when the wound has not responded to other treatments. Evidence suggests that the addition of HBOT is effective in the healing of diabetic foot ulcers but that presently this benefit is not evident at long-term follow up.
Subcutaneous infusion in palliative care: the neria™ soft infusion set
Authors: Gabriel Janice
Published: October 2014

Patients approaching the end of their life may be unable to tolerate the administration of oral medication owing to their underlying disease and/or symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting. Subcutaneous infusion is an alternative route of administration that offers a number of advantages over oral and intravenous routes. This product focus article provides an overview of subcutaneous infusion, including how the selection of the most appropriate infusion device can greatly contribute to the overall comfort of the patient. This in turn minimises the potential for premature device loss, which can lead to repeated insertion procedures for the patient, increases the potential for infection, and has resource implications. The article then describes the recently developed neria™ soft infusion set, as well as providing case studies of its use.
The strategic role of the nurse in the selection of IV devices
Authors: Santolim Thais Queiroz , Santos Luiz Augusto Ubirajara , Giovani Arlete Mazzini Miranda , Dias Vanessa Cristina
Published: October 2014

Use of vascular devices represents one of the most common procedures used as a complementary measure in the treatment of patients. An indication algorithm was established to serve as a guideline for nurses in choosing the best intravenous device, considering the main variables of drug therapy. A protocol approved by the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (IOT-HCFMUSP), where the authors work, was subsequently established and the nurse carried out the evaluation for the indication of both the peripheral device and the central device, whether a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) or other device inserted by the physician. As a result, there was a decrease in the incidence of phlebitis from 0.77% in 2010 to 0.17% in 2011, with an annual curve of negative tendency. The nursing team also appeared more satisfied, diminishing stress related to puncture failure.
Managing overgranulation tissue around gastrostomy sites
Authors: Warriner Linda , Spruce Pam
Published: October 2014

The development of overgranulation tissue around gastrostomy sites is a common problem. While there is little evidence to suggest that one treatment is more effective than another, a review of current practice suggests that there is an opportunity to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes in this area of care. The authors performed a simple practice-based audit to identify the extent of the problem within one geographical location. A care pathway approach was introduced, which reinforced the basic principles of care and encouraged the use of a ‘double-foam’ dressing on overgranulation tissue. A foam dressing impregnated with polyhexamethylene biguanide was used at the wound interface, providing a safe and effective alternative to managing overgranulation. Findings showed that a strategic approach to managing overgranulation tissue around gastrostomy devices can improve patient outcomes and clinical practice.
Analysis of infusion pump error logs and their significance for health care
Authors: Lee Paul T , Thompson Frankie , Thimbleby Harold
Published: October 2014

Infusion therapy is one of the largest practised therapies in any healthcare organisation, and infusion pumps are used to deliver millions of infusions every year in the NHS. The aircraft industry downloads information from ‘black boxes’ to help design better systems and reduce risk; however, the same cannot be said about error logs and data logs from infusion pumps. This study downloaded and analysed approximately 360 000 hours of infusion pump error logs from 131 infusion pumps used for up to 2 years in one large acute hospital. Staff had to manage 260 129 alarms; this accounted for approximately 5% of total infusion time, costing about £1000 per pump per year. This paper describes many such insights, including numerous technical errors, propensity for certain alarms in clinical conditions, logistical issues and how infrastructure problems can lead to an increase in alarm conditions. Routine use of error log analysis, combined with appropriate management of pumps to help identify improved device design, use and application is recommended.
An Infrared Scanning and Tracking System for Detecting Mid-Wave Infrared Spectral Characteristics of Moving Targets
Authors: Liu Xiangyan , Fang Zheng , Dai Xiaobing , He Xudong , Gao Pengcheng
Published: October 2014

This paper presents the design and fabrication of an infrared scanning and tracking system for detecting mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectral characteristics of moving targets. The infrared spectra and infrared image are integrated in this system, which is mainly composed of a two-dimensional (2D) scanning mirror, dual-band infrared lens, long-wave infrared imaging unit, MWIR spectrum-measuring unit, and processing-controlling unit. After describing the design specifications of this system, this paper analyzes the detection method and then describes how the tracking was realized by controlling the 2D scanning mirror. Experiments were carried out to verify its feasibility.
A New, Simple Approximation for the Deconvolution of Instrumental Broadening in Spectroscopic Band Profiles
Authors: Váczi Tamás
Published: October 2014

A robust empirical correction formula has been developed for the approximation of Lorentzian widths, using a known spectrometer bandpass, in instrument-broadened Voigt bands in optical spectra. The relationship between analytically calculated [( WVoigt – WLorentz)/ WGauss] and [ WVoigt/wGauss – 1] values (where w is the full width at half-maximum [FWHM]) is analyzed to derive the formula for the approximation of the ( WVoigt – WLorentz) difference. The precision of the method is demonstrated by comparing its performance to several previously published numerical correction approaches. The fraction of the Lorentzian contribution in Voigt FWHMs is evaluated in terms of the Gaussian FWHM to assess the conditions under which the deconvolution of instrumental broadening is necessary.
Single-Shot Digital Holography Using a Spectral Estimation Technique
Authors: Xia Peng , Awatsuji Yasuhiro , Nishio Kenzo , Ura Shogo , Matoba Osamu
Published: October 2014

We demonstrate a technique capable of obtaining spectral information and a three-dimensional (3D) profile of an object with a single-shot exposure. This technique is based on digital holography and the spectral estimation technique. In the demonstration of this technique, we simultaneously use three laser lines operating at 473, 532, and 633 nm to record the multiple complex amplitudes of the object corresponding to the wavelengths and obtain reconstructed monochrome images of each wavelength. A spectral estimation technique is applied to estimate the spectral reflectance of the object from the reconstructed monochrome images. We experimentally succeed in estimating the spectral reflectance of a lemon by using the technique.