bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Where Are All the Black Teachers? Discrimination in the Teacher Labor Market
Authors: D'amico Diana , Pawlewicz Robert J. , Earley Penelope M. , McGeehan Adam P.
Published: March 2017

In this article, Diana D'Amico, Robert J. Pawlewicz, Penelope M. Earley, and Adam P. McGeehan examine the racial composition of one public school district's teacher labor market through teacher application data and subsequent hiring decisions. Researchers and policy makers have long noted the lack of racial diversity among the nation's public school teachers and identified supply as the root cause. Using a historical framework and problem definition theory, the authors question this supposition and explore the issue as a function of demand. Investigating a unique data set comprising all of the applications for teaching positions in a single, large school district, they analyze the extent to which race is associated with principals' hiring decisions. They explore the rates at which Black and White candidates apply for teaching positions and compare those to the rates at which they are hired and the school demographics in which they are placed. Through a logistic regression analysis, the authors present evidence of discrimination in teacher hiring. Ceteris paribus, Black applicants were significantly less likely than their White counterparts to receive a job offer. Further, they find evidence of workforce segregation: when hired, Black teachers were significantly more likely to be placed in schools with large populations of children of color and children in poverty or schools characterized as struggling. The authors call for researchers, policy makers, and school leaders at the district and building levels to examine hiring practices, which may be symptomatic of broader institutional biases, so that they may identify and eliminate inherent prejudices.
Critiquing Critical Pedagogies Inside the Prison Classroom: A Dialogue Between Student and Teacher
Authors: Castro Erin L. , Brawn Michael
Published: March 2017

In this article, Michael Brawn, an incarcerated student, and Erin L. Castro, a nonincarcerated instructor, engage in a dialogue about the politics of using critical pedagogies in prisons, where teaching and learning processes are severely restricted by the constraints of mass incarceration. Situated within the broader politics of postsecondary educational opportunity for incarcerated people, their dialogue highlights the ways that the prison context significantly limits the promises and praxis of critical pedagogies. The authors close by turning to an emplaced praxis for nonincarcerated educators working within prison systems that acknowledges the complicated and contradictory nature of authority in critical pedagogies.
Tracing academic literacies across contemporary literacy sponsorscapes: Mobilities, ideologies, identities, and technologies
Authors: Wargo Jon M. , De Costa Peter I.
Published: March 2017

Locating itself broadly within the 'sociolinguistics of mobility' (Blommaert, 2014) and taking heed of Stornaiuolo and Hall's (2014) call to 'trace resonance' in writing and literacies research, this article works to trace academic literacies across the emerging 'literacy sponsorscapes'
(Wargo, 2016a) of contemporary culture. Despite its variance and recent resurgence (Lillis and Scott, 2007), academic literacies continues to be reduced to: (1) an instrumentalist and pragmatic pedagogy, and (2) the ability to navigate academic conventions and practices of higher education
(Lea and Street, 1998), in particular the writing classroom (Castelló and Donahue, 2012). This centred focus, however, is limiting, and silences the more innocuous and less tangible sponsors of academic literacies: mobilities, ideologies, identities, and technologies.
Set against the backdrop of globalization, and grounded in two case studies, this article considers how academic literacies are not an 'and' but an 'elsewhere', thereby emphasizing the importance of sociolinguistic space in academic literacy development. In it, we chart new directions for
scholarship and underscore how ideologies shift with mobilities (Pennycook, 2008; Pennycook, 2012), are indexed by identities (De Costa and Norton, 2016; Hawkins, 2005), and extend through technologies (Lam, 2009; Rymes, 2012). By outlining a literacy sponsorscapes framework for studying
academic literacies, this article highlights the purchasing power of seeing academic literacies not solely as a field or set of practices, but rather as a locating mechanism for studying a range of hybridized repertoires that are shaped and constituted by the physical and social spaces that
contemporary youth inhabit.
Los límites a la discrecionalidad judicial en la constitución política de 1991
Authors: Castaño Silvio León
Published: March 2017

Con el ensayo se pretende demostrar que la discrecionalidad judicial en los procesos ordinarios denominados casos difíciles y/o trágicos está limitada por los diferentes valores y principios positivados en la Constitución Política, por el bloque de constitucionalidad estricto y por la determinación que de los textos constitucionales vagos hacen el Congreso y la Corte Constitucional.

Para lograrlo, las contradicciones para definir los conceptos de moral, justicia y  orden público, constituyen el basamento para afirmar que la Constitución Política de 1991 tiene gran carga valorativa, dejando abierta su precisión al Congreso y a la Corte Constitucional en cada momento histórico, respetando en todo caso los valores elegidos por consenso en el texto constitucional, por lo que considerar sus normas como reglas no tiene asidero alguno.

Igualmente se harán explicitas las normas constitucionales que obligan a los  jueces a realizar juicios de valor al decidir cada caso, más concretamente se demostrará que la validez de las normas jurídicas pende del cumplimiento de los procedimientos democráticos de expedición de normas, y del respeto por los contenidos valorativos de la dogmática constitucional.

 
Una relación de lo razonable y la teoría de la argumentación con el derecho
Authors: López Castaño Diego Andrés , Castaño Garay Gloria Mercedes
Published: March 2017

Este artículo pretende evaluar la idea de que la teoría de la argumentación es una disciplina inscrita en el ámbito de lo razonable. Para lograr este cometido se hace, de la mano de Chaïm Perelman, una presentación general de la teoría de la argumentación, conocida también como nueva retórica. Luego, se muestran las relaciones y diferencias entre lo racional y lo razonable. Se afirma, así mismo, que lo razonable, en tanto ejercicio de la razón, es aquello coherente con el sentido común, entendiendo este último a la manera de Karl R. Popper. Y finalmente se muestra un ejemplo de cómo el derecho, si bien intenta construir una herramienta racional como el silogismo jurídico, se mantiene, en muchas ocasiones, dentro del ámbito de lo razonable.
PLANEJAMENTO ESTRATÉGICO DE UMA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL NA AMAZÔNIA: APLICAÇÃO DA ANÁLISE FATORIAL
Authors: Santana Antônio Cordeiro de , Santana Ádamo Lima de , Santana Ádina Lima de , Costa Nilson Luiz , Nogueira Ana Karlla M.
Published: March 2017

O objetivo do trabalho foi aplicar a análise fatorial como instrumento metodológico no planejamento estratégico institucional para dar maior consistência e rigor científico ao processo de identificação dos pontos fortes, pontos fracos, oportunidades e ameaças, utilizados na construção de cenários futuros para o desenvolvimento sustentável de uma Universidade Rural da Amazônia. Os resultados gerados permitiram configurar os ambientes interno e externo da instituição e a elaboração de cenários futuros. Concluiu-se que análise fatorial pode ser um poderoso instrumento a ser utilizado na identificação dos elementos necessários à elaboração dos objetivos, metas e estratégias do planejamento estratégico institucional.
Efeito do Fundo Constitucional do Centro-Oeste na Geração de Empregos
Authors: De Freitas Carlos Eduardo , Arbués Carneiro Júnior João Bosco , Justino Amauri Do Prado
Published: March 2017

Criado com a finalidade de dirimir as desigualdades regionais entre as regiões do país, o Fundo Constitucional do Centro-Oeste (FCO) libera recursos através de projetos de investimento aos setores produtivos para geração de empregos, renda, arrecadação tributária e aumento no faturamento das empresas, garantindo recursos para às políticas regionais de desenvolvimento. A pesquisa justifica-se na necessidade de evidenciação de resultados, importância das políticas regionais de desenvolvimento e de integração nacional. Assim, o objetivo geral do presente estudo é analisar a relação entre a aplicação dos recursos do FCO e a geração de empregos. Para responder esse questionamento, foram coletados dados em forma de painel antes e depois da redação da Constituição Federal (1988) que garante o repasse do fundo para os municípios da região do centro-oeste. Por fim, Levantaram-se duas hipóteses: H0: a liberação de recursos do fundo não influencia o número de empregos gerados e H1: caso contrário. Como resultados temos que o FCO no comércio gerou uma média de 5.493 empregos, para a indústria 1.331 e para o setor de serviços 3.559 vagas, correspondendo a 28% das vagas geradas no período, bem como o resultado de regressão equivale a 65% das vagas estimadas pelo programa na liberação dos investimentos.
Modelling of Spatio-temporal Zero Truncated Patterns in Infectious Disease Surveillance Data
Authors: Adegboye Oyelola , Leung Denis , Wang You-Gan
Published: March 2017

This paper is motivated by spatio-temporal pattern in the occurrence of Leishmaniasis in Afghanistan and the relatively high number of zero counts.  We hold the view that correlations that arise from spatial and temporal sources are inherently distinct. Our method decouples these two sources of correlations, there are at least two advantages in taking this approach. First, it circumvents the need to inverting a large correlation matrix, which is a commonly encountered problem in spatio-temporal analyses. Second, it simplifies the modelling of complex relationships such as anisotropy, which would have been extremely difficult or impossible if spatio-temporal correlations were simultaneously considered. We identify three challenges in the modelling of a spatio-temporal process: (1) accommodation of covariances that arise from spatial and temporal sources; (2) choosing the correct covariance structure and (3) extending to situations where a covariance is not the natural measure of association. Moreover, because the data covers a period that overlaps with the US invasion of Afghanistan, the high number of zero counts may be the result of no disease incidence or lapse of data collection. To resolve this issue, a model truncated at zero built on a foundation of the generalized estimating equations was proposed.
The effect of application of contextual teaching and learning (CTL) model-based on lesson study with mind mapping media to assess student learning outcomes on chemistry on colloid systems
Authors: Fadillah Annisa , Dewi Ni Putu Laksmi Cintya , Ridho Dimas , Majid Ahmad Nurkholis , Prastiwi Meidiana Nur Budi
Published: March 2017

The research was conducted to determine the effect of the application of CTL learning model based on lesson study with mind mapping media to the learning outcomes of students on colloid systems. The population of this research was all students of grade XI of SMA N 1 Sunggal. The sample was taken using on the purposive random sampling. The Experiment class was taught with Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) model based on Lesson Study with Mind Mapping media and the control class taught with conventional learning model. The data was collected using an objective test was consisting of 20 questions which validity, reliability, level of difficulty and power of difference had been tested. T test results showed that tcalculate = 2.1 and ttable = 1.6697 thus tcalculate> ttable which means that Ha is accepted and Ho is rejected. The enhancement of the student learning outcomes showed that the results of experiment class are g = 72.88%, while the control class is 68.97%. From the percentage, it can be seen that learning outcomes of the experiment class are greater than the control class. The analysis of developing cognitive aspects pointed out that C1 = 70.02%, C2 = 73.58%, C3 = 68.63%, Thus the domain of cognitive level are on the cognitive aspects of C2. The result of Lesson Study Analysis showed the results of 71.09% at the first lesson and 88.28% at the second lesson. It means that there is increasing adherence to the indicators after two lessons. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the result of studying chemistry of the students of class XI of SMA Negeri I Sunggal TA 2014/2015 taught by a CTL model based  on Lesson Study with Mind Mapping media was higher (72.88%) than those taught by conventional learning models (68.97%) in the subject matter of colloids System.
Model brain based learning (BBL) and whole brain teaching (WBT) in learning
Authors: Handayani Baiq Sri , Corebima A. D.
Published: March 2017

The learning process is a process of change in behavior as a form of the result of learning. The learning model is a crucial component of the success of the learning process. The learning model is growing fastly, and each model has different characteristics. Teachers are required to be able to understand each model to teach the students optimally by matching the materials and the learning model. The best of the learning model is the model that based on the brain system in learning that are the model of Brain Based Learning (BBL) and the model of Whole Brain Teaching (WBT). The purposes of this article are to obtain information related to (1) the brain’s natural learning system, (2) analyze the characteristics of the model BBL and WBT based on theory, brain sections that play a role associated with syntax, similarities, and differences, (3) explain the distinctive characteristics of both models in comparison to other models. The results of this study are: (1) the brain’s natural learning system are: (a) the nerves in each hemisphere do not work independently, (b) doing more activities can connect more brain nerves, (c) the right hemisphere controls the left side motoric sensor of the body, and vice versa; (2) the characteristics of BBL and WBT are: (a) BBL is based on the brain’s structure and function, while the model WBT is based on the instructional approach, neurolinguistic, and body language, (b) the parts of the brain that work in BBL are: cerebellum, cerebral cortex, frontal lobe, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex; whereas the parts that work WBT are: prefrontal cortex, visual cortex, motor cortex, limbic system, and amygdala, (c) the similarities between them are that they both rely on the brain’s system and they both promote gesture in learning, whereas the differences are on the view of the purposes of gestures and the learning theory that they rely on. BBL relies on cognitive theory while WBT relies on social theory; (3) the typical attribute of them compared to other models are that in BBL there are classical music and gestures in the form of easy exercises, while on the WBT model there are fast instructions and movements as instructions or code of every spoken word.
Utilization of the Physicomimetics Framework for Achieving Local, Decentralized, and Emergent Behavior in a Swarm of Quadrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (QUAV)
Authors: Nakano Reiichiro Christian S. ,   De La Salle University, Vicerra Ryan Rhay P. , Lim Laurence A. Gan , Sybingco Edwin , Dadios Elmer P. , Bandala Argel A. ,   Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the implementation of the physicomimetics framework in governing the behavior of a swarm of quadrotors. Each quadrotor uses only local information about itself and the neighboring quadrotors to determine its own movement by applying the principles of physicomimetics. Through these localized and relatively simple interactions, the swarm of quadrotors was able to organize itself into various structures and exhibit different swarm behaviors such as aggregation, obstacle avoidance, lattice formation, and dispersion.
Implementation of Swarm Social Foraging Behavior in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Quadrotor Swarm
Authors: Faelden Gerard Ely U. ,   De La Salle University, Vicerra Ryan Rhay P. , Lim Laurence A. Gan , Sybingco Edwin , Dadios Elmer P. , Bandala Argel A. ,   Electronics Engineering Department, University of Santo Tomas
Published: March 2017

One of the novel approaches in multiple quadrotor control is swarm robotics. It aims to mimic social behaviors of animals and insects. This paper presents the physical implementation of the swarm social foraging behavior in unmanned aerial vehicle quadrotors. To achieve this, it first explores the basic behavior of aggregation. It is implemented over a quadrotor swarm test-bed that makes use of external motion capture cameras. The completed algorithm makes use of the artificial potential function model combined with the environment resource profile model. Results show successful demonstration of the social foraging algorithm with minimal error in position. Also, the proposed algorithm’s performance presents an increase in aggregation speed and time as the number of swarm member increases.
Stabilization of Networked Interconnected Systems
Authors: Jin Dan ,   Department of Automation, Zhejiang University of Technology, Yu Li , Zhang Wen-An ,   Wenzhou University
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the decentralized stabilization of networked interconnected systems is investigated. The switched system approach is used to deal with the network-induced time-varying delays, and a discrete-time switched systems model is proposed to describe the networked interconnected systems. Furthermore, a sufficient condition is derived for the closed-loop systems to be exponentially stable by introducing the average dwell time, and a procedure for the design of decentralized state feedback controllers is presented by solving a convex optimization problem. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Pseudospectral Real-Time Optimal Energy Control with Safety Constraints for Heavy-Haul Trains
Authors: Zhang Rui ,   School of Information Science and Engineering, Central South University, Peng Jun , Chen Bin , Liao Hongtao , Huang Zhiwu
Published: March 2017

Heavy-haul trains must be energy-efficient and safe during their operations. Owing to the multidimensional high-order nonlinear characteristic of heavy-haul trains, which include numerous cars, this paper proposes a uniform pseudospectral real-time closed-loop optimal control framework to minimize the energy consumption with control inputs and state constraints based on the Radau Pseudospectral Method (RPM). In the framework, in order to ensure safe running of the heavy-haul train, the desired in-train force and speed limit requirements are formulated as constraints of optimal control. Simultaneously, a constrained closed-loop optimal control is constructed by using the receding horizon control principle and pseudospectral observer, in which RPM is leveraged to obtain real-time optimal solutions. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is verified from simulation results.
Pilot Study on an Acoustic Measurements System of the Swallowing Function Using an Acoustic-Emissions Microphone
Authors: Chikai Manabu ,   National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Kamiyanagi Ayuko , Kimura Kenta , Seki Yoshikazu , Endo Hiroshi , Sumita Yuka , Taniguchi Hisashi , Ino Shuichi ,   Tokyo Medical and Dental University
Published: March 2017

The goal of this study is to evaluate the swallowing functions of people with dysphagia using an acoustic microphone sensor. As a basic investigation towards this end, we measured the swallowing sounds using an acoustic emissions microphone sensor (AE sensor), then analyzed the frequency range of the measured signals, and we examined the method for obtaining the necessary information to evaluate the swallowing functions. For the measurement, two types of sensors, i.e., a condenser throat microphone and an AE sensor, were employed to measure the swallowing sounds. The acoustic signals obtained were subjected to spectral analysis using the wavelet transformation, and a comparison was performed between the measurable ranges of the acoustic signals obtained by the AE and the acoustic sensors. The results from the wavelet transformation of the acoustic signals obtained by the AE sensor indicated that acoustic signals generated during swallowing contained frequency information of 3 kHz and higher, which were not measurable with the acoustic sensor used in the experiment. In addition, we proposed a method of evaluating swallowing sounds using a novel approach based on the probability distribution. From the analysis results, it was found that the distance between the theoretical values and the measured values has a high correlation with the sample viscosity. Furthermore, it was found that the data measured with the AE sensor more sensitively reflected the difference in the sample viscosity. We were thus able to demonstrate the possibility of evaluating the swallowing function via the proposed method.
Mouse Operation Support Application for People Suffering from Neuromuscular Disease with Muscular Depression
Authors: Itoh Kazuyuki ,   Research Institute, National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Nakayama Tsuyoshi , Komoto Kengo
Published: March 2017

The Research Institute of the National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities has been developing an assistive application for mouse operations for use by persons suffering from neuromuscular disease with muscular depression. When persons with neuromuscular disease have trouble using a standard type of mouse to operate personal computers, we try on them commercially available track ball, slide pad or mouse operation device for disabled persons just to find that such devices do not fit them so well because their upper limb’s movable range is so small and less dexterous. To cope with such difficulties and to assist users’ operations to move the mouse cursor, we have developed an application that is tuned with the motions of the upper limbs and fingers. In particular, the developed application has an additional function to compensate user’s mouse cursor’s large movement operations so that it can just fit in the cases where persons with muscular depression cannot lift up the mouse or let the fingers off the slide pad.
Study of the Relationship Between Sit-to-Stand Activity and Seat Orientation
Authors: Wada Chikamune ,   Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Ino Shuichi ,   National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Published: March 2017

Sit-to-stand (STS) activity from a chair is an important motion in daily life. Some commercial products assist with STS activity in toilet use. These products control seat orientation by changing three parameters, i.e., seat height, tilt, and shift in a forward-backward direction. The reason for selection of these three parameters for seat orientation control has not been reported. Moreover, there are no reports on the best combination of these parameters. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the relationship between ease of STS activity and seat orientation during STS activity. We found that seat tilting provided good support for STS activity when the seat was in a high position (0.55 m), and shifting the seat forward provided good support for STS activity when the seat was higher than 0.45–0.55 m.
The Possibility and Challenges for Deaf-Blind Individuals to Enjoy Films in Theater
Authors: Nakajima Sawako ,   Graduate School of Engineering Science, Akita University, Okochi Naoyuki , Iizumi Naoko , Tsuru Motohiko , Mitobe Kazutaka , Yamagami Tetsujiro ,   Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo,   Department of Advanced Studies in Anthropology, National Museum of Ethnology,   Social Welfare Corporation, Yuukari,   Media Access Support Center, NPO
Published: March 2017

In recent times, the use of subtitles and audio descriptions in movies for individuals with either hearing or visual impairment and the need to develop systems to provide these have been realized. However, even the need and possibility for deaf-blind individuals to enjoy movies have not been discussed yet. This study created an environment for deaf-blind individuals to “watch” a film, and conducted a screening of feature-length films with subtitles and audio descriptions. Interviews of 26 deaf-blind individuals indicated that 56% had watched films in a theater after becoming deaf-blind and before the screening session. When watching the films, 26.9% of participants used individual monitoring devices, headphones, or other conventional video or audio equipment. Furthermore, 50% were able to use either subtitles or audio descriptions. Regardless of their impairment conditions, participants responded positively towards watching the film in the screening session. Among the deaf-blind, 42.1% of the partially sighted and deaf, blind and hard of hearing, and partially sighted and hard of hearing individuals appreciated a special aspect of the theater, i.e., “sharing an opportunity and communication with others.”
Construction of Web-Based Speech Game System “kikimimi”
Authors: Tani Kentaro ,   Graduate Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies, Sato Masahiko , Murakami Tatsuya , Kawachi Ryosuke , Niikawa Takuya , Maeda Yoshinobu ,   Niigata University,   Niigata University of Health and Welfare,   Osaka Electro-Communication University
Published: March 2017

In this study, a web application of kikimimi, a game for visually-impaired persons, was created. The game rules were simplified to allow the visually-impaired to easily play it. This was verified in an experiment in which visually-impaired persons actually enjoyed the web application game. Moreover, it was confirmed that even the simplified version of the game was sufficiently entertaining.
Extraction of Collapsed Buildings in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Using Multi-Temporal PALSAR-2 Data
Authors: Liu Wen ,   Department of Urban Environment Systems, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan, Yamazaki Fumio
Published: March 2017

An earthquake (Mw6.2) struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan on April 14, 2016. A larger event (Mw7.0) struck the same area 28 hours later, on April 16. The series of earthquakes caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructures. Remote sensing is an effective tool to grasp damage situation over wide areas after a disaster strikes. In this study, two sets of ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 images taken before and after the earthquake were used to extract the areas with collapsed buildings. Three representative change indices, the co-event coherence, the ratio between the co- and pre-event coherence, and the z-factor combining the difference and correlation coefficients, were adopted to extract the collapsed buildings in the central district of Mashiki Town, the most severely affected area. The results of a building-by-building damage survey in the target area were used to investigate the most suitable threshold value for each index. The extracted results were evaluated by comparing them with the reference data from field surveys. Finally, the most valid factor was applied to larger affected areas for Kumamoto City and its surroundings.
Early Fire Alert System During an Evacuation with Mobile Sensing Technology
Authors: Mori Hideki ,   Institute of Industrial Science, the University of Tokyo 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan, Ito Masaki , Sezaki Kaoru ,   Center for Spatial Information Science, the University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
Published: March 2017

Natural disasters have inflicted major damage on humankind throughout history. Some of the most severe disasters in Japan and other countries have been earthquakes, which frequently trigger secondary disasters such as tsunamis, landslides, and fires. In fact, in Japan, most casualties in an earthquake are not due to the earthquake itself but to secondary disasters. Therefore, detecting the occurrence of secondary disasters and gathering the result in real-time are essential in order to minimize the number of casualties. Thus, we concentrated on creating an effective system for propagating information about fire accidents quickly using pedestrian mobile phones. (Note that we believed detecting fires was the easiest of these secondary disasters.) In addition, we establish a configuration-free system for propagating fire alerts by attaching an ad-hoc network device to fire alarms installed in homes. Thus, we can collect information on fire accidents without configuring any personal location information. We evaluate the effectiveness of our system in the event of a fire. Our results show that we can estimate the location of a fire with an error of <20 m. This is sufficiently accurate to locate a fire in order to obtain an overview of the situation.
Text-Data Reduction Method to Grasp the Sequence of a Disaster Situation: Case Study of Web News Analysis of the 2015 Typhoons 17 and 18
Authors: Sato Shosuke ,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University  Aoba 468-1, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-0845, Japan, Okamoto Toru , Koshimura Shunichi ,   Nippon Sogo Systems, Inc., Sendai, Japan
Published: March 2017

This study aims to compress web news, delivered as a big-data source after disasters. In this paper, article clustering, which is a combination of conventional means and an algorithm that selects the representative articles of each cluster, is designed and adopted. Experiments are conducted by evaluators. The proposed algorithm is in accord with the evaluators for 50s% of the clustering and for about 30s% to 40s% of the representative-article selection.
Global Water-Related Risk Indicators: Meta-Analysis of Indicator Requirements
Authors: Vink Karina ,   International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM) 1-6 Minamihara, 305-8516 Tsukuba, Japan, Ahsan Md. Nasif , Sawano Hisaya , Ohara Miho ,   Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh
Published: March 2017

Despite a long developmental history of water-related disaster risk indicators, there is still no consensus or reliable system for selecting objective data, no methodological system for choosing and verifying the relevancy of water-related disaster risk indicators, and no linking results back to root causes or addressing possible impacts on policies or actors to instigate change.

Global policy documents such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) 2015–2013 [1] emphasize the urgent need for indicators capable of measuring risk reduction. However, developing and determining risk indicators faces many issues. Most disaster risk indices published do not yet include a basic overview of what data was used and how it was collected, let alone provide a systematic explanation of why each indicator was included, and why others were not. This consequently complicates linking the findings to their potential policy impacts. It also complicates the providing of clear-cut recommendations for improving resilience, which is a common intent of disaster risk indices.

This study, which focuses on water-related hazards, aims to provide disaster managers with a set of criteria for evaluating existing datasets used in disaster risk indices, index construction methods, and the links back to policy impacts. So far, there has been no comprehensive overview of indicator requirements or scoring systems. Previous studies concerning indicator evaluating metrics [2] have fewer metrics and have not yet addressed the different tiers of requirements, namely objective indicator data quality, methodological/epistemological aspects of index composition, and, most importantly, policy and actors of change (impact requirements). Further testing of these metrics in local studies can lead to the greatly needed scientific justification for indicator selection and can enhance index robustness.

The results aid in developing an evaluation system to address issues of data availability and the comparability of commonly used indicator sources, such as the World Bank. Once indicators can be scientifically linked to impacts through policy devices, national governments or other actors can become more likely to claim ownership of the data management of indicators. Future studies should expand this evaluation system to other natural hazards and focus on investigating the links between indicators and DRR in order to further validate indicator selection robustly.
Basic Study on Appropriate Ways to Hold Reserves to Continue Domestic Life After Large-Scale Earthquakes
Authors: Meguro Kimiro ,   International Center for Urban Safety Engineering, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo  4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
Published: March 2017

In case a large-scale disaster that can be called a national crisis, it is difficult to resolve lifeline issues by approaching them from only the service provider side. Therefore, this study investigated the possibility of using measures taken by citizens, the service recipients, to improve the problem. The results indicate that there is a high probability that the functions of common lifeline services can be substituted by effectively utilizing supplies normally kept in stock for daily living in case relief supplies cannot be delivered. It is important to revise conventional thinking on emergency stocks (i.e., keeping a large stock of supplies for the sole purpose of disaster preparation) and shift to “circulatory reserves.” However, it was found that many households are lacking in the tools for cooking, and in adequate stock of drinking water. This deficiency must be brought to citizens’ attention so that they will make an effort to remedy the situation.
The Influence of Direct Inoculation of Propionibacterium acnes on Modic Changes in the Spine
Authors: Shan Zhi , Zhang Xuyang , Li Shengyun , Yu Tianming , Mamuti Maiwulanjiang , Zhao Fengdong
Published: March 2017

Background:

Modic changes (inflammatory-like changes visible on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scans of a vertebral end plate) are common and are associated with low back pain, but their origin is unclear. To our knowledge, there have been no previous in vivo animal models of Modic changes. We hypothesized that Modic changes may be related to Propionibacterium acnes.

Methods:

Ten New Zealand White rabbits were injected percutaneously with 1 mL of P. acnes (1.6 × 107 colony forming units/mL) into the subchondral bone superior to the L4-L5 and L5-L6 discs; 10 other control rabbits received sham injections at L4-L5 and 1 mL of normal saline solution (vehicle) at L5-L6. The subchondral bone superior to L3-L4 discs was untreated (blank). Development of Modic changes was investigated with MRI studies before the operation and at 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Following sacrifice of the rabbits, histological analysis and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) were performed, and blood samples were analyzed. Cytokine expression in end-plate tissues was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results:

The group that received P. acnes showed significantly increased T1-weighted signal intensity at 6 months (mean and standard deviation, 3.43 ± 0.41 [range, 2.42 to 4.44] compared with 2.43 ± 0.66 [range, 1.98 to 2.87] before the injection) and higher T2-weighted signal intensity at 6 months. Positive culture results were obtained from 9 of 20 samples injected with P. acnes. Specimens with positive cultures had a higher prevalence of Modic changes (4 of 9 samples positive for P. acnes compared with 3 of 11 samples negative for P. acnes). Real-time PCR showed significantly increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interferon-γ following injection of P. acnes, but no changes were seen on histological analysis, micro-CT, or blood analysis.

Conclusions:

P. acnes can survive within the end-plate region and can initiate mild inflammatory-like responses from host cells, leading to signal intensity changes in MRI scans, which potentially resemble Modic changes.

Clinical Relevance:

Disc degeneration and low back pain are associated with Modic changes. Our results indicate that Modic changes can be associated with P. acnes in the conjunction area of the disc and subchondral bone. These results may be useful for understanding the underlying mechanisms of Modic changes and related pain.
Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Houdek Matthew T. , Watts Chad D. , Wyles Cody C. , Trousdale Robert T. , Milbrandt Todd A. , Taunton Michael J.
Published: March 2017

Background:

The spasticity and increased muscle tone observed in patients with cerebral palsy can lead to hip degeneration, subluxation, and pain. Currently, there is hesitation to perform total hip arthroplasty in patients with cerebral palsy because of fears of early wear and dislocation. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty in patients with cerebral palsy and to compare outcomes with those of matched patients with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

Methods:

Over a 24-year period, 39 patients undergoing a total hip arthroplasty with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy were identified. The cohort included 26 male patients (67%), and the mean patient age was 49 years. The mean follow-up was 7 years. Patients with cerebral palsy were matched 1:2 with a group of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.

Results:

There was no difference in the rate of reoperation, implant survival, or complications, specifically dislocation. Prior to the surgical procedure, all patients had severe or moderate pain, and postoperatively no patient had moderate or severe pain. Twenty-three patients had an improvement in their ability to independently walk, and all preoperative hip flexion contractures were corrected (n = 9). There was also a significant improvement (p < 0.0001) in functional Harris hip scores.

Conclusions:

This study refutes previous evidence showing increased risk of complications following total hip arthroplasty in patients with cerebral palsy. Total hip arthroplasty is a durable treatment option and provides clinically important pain relief and functional improvement in patients with cerebral palsy.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Lateral Radiographic Landmarks for ACL and LCL Footprint Origins During All-Epiphyseal Femoral Drilling in Skeletally Immature Knees
Authors: Shea Kevin G. , Cannamela Peter C. , Fabricant Peter D. , Terhune E. Bailey , Polousky John D. , Milewski Matthew D. , Ganley Theodore J. , Anderson Allen F.
Published: March 2017

Background:

This study was conducted to evaluate the spatial relationship of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) femoral footprint origins in knee specimens from skeletally immature donors as viewed on lateral radiographs.

Methods:

Fourteen cadaver specimens of skeletally immature knees from children between 7 and 11 years old at the time of death were examined through gross dissection. Metallic pins were placed at the center of the ACL and LCL femoral footprints, and computed tomography (CT) scans were performed. Sagittal plane CT images were merged to create a view analogous to an intraoperative C-arm image with overlaid ACL and LCL ligament footprints. Ligament origins were then measured as a percent of the epiphyseal depth (% P-A [posterior-anterior]) and height (% P-D [proximal-distal]).

Results:

The ACL origin was centered at a point located 14% (14% P-A) of the total lateral femoral condyle (LFC) depth from the most posterior aspect of the LFC and 38% (38% P-D) of the LFC height from the most proximal aspect of the posterior physis. The LCL origin was centered at a point 27% P-A and 37% P-D. When viewed on a sagittal CT reconstruction analogous to a perfect lateral intraoperative fluoroscopic view, the ACL footprint origin is posterior and slightly inferior to the LCL origin. Both origins are distal to the distal femoral physis and are posterior to the origin of the popliteus.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates a consistent relationship between the origin of the ACL and LCL, which may be useful in guiding safe tunnel placement during all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction in skeletally immature knees.

Clinical Relevance:

This anatomic reference can be used intraoperatively to guide and radiographically evaluate ACL tunnel placement while avoiding the LCL origin in skeletally immature patients.
Quantification of Peri-Implant Bacterial Load and in Vivo Biofilm Formation in an Innovative, Clinically Representative Mouse Model of Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Carli Alberto V. , Bhimani Samrath , Yang Xu , Shirley Matthew B. , de Mesy Bentley Karen L. , Ross F. Patrick , Bostrom Mathias P.G.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following total joint arthroplasty. Current animal models of PJI are limited because of a lack of quantitative methods and failure to effectively recreate the periprosthetic space. We therefore developed a murine PJI model involving a 3-dimensionally printed Ti-6Al-4V implant capable of bearing weight and permitting quantitative analysis of periprosthetic bacterial load and evaluation of biofilm.

Methods:

Twenty-five 12-week-old C57BL/6 mice received a unilateral proximal tibial implant and intra-articular injection of either 3 × 105 colony forming units (CFUs) of Staphylococcus aureus Xen 36 or saline solution. Postoperatively, mice underwent gait analysis, knee radiographs, and serum inflammatory marker measurements. Following euthanasia at 2 or 6 weeks, bone and soft tissues were homogenized to quantify bacteria within periprosthetic tissues. Implants were either sonicated to quantify adherent bacteria or examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to characterize biofilm.

Results:

All mice survived surgery and were not systemically septic. The control mice immediately tolerated weight-bearing and had normal inflammatory markers and radiographic signs of osseointegration. Infected mice had difficulty walking over time, exhibited radiographic findings of septic implant loosening, and had significantly elevated inflammatory markers. Periprosthetic tissues of the infected animals displayed a mean of 4.46 × 106 CFUs of S. aureus at 2 weeks and 2.53 × 105 CFUs at 6 weeks. Viable S. aureus was quantified on retrieved implant surfaces. SEM demonstrated S. aureus cocci in clusters encased within biofilm.

Conclusions:

This animal model is, to our knowledge, the most clinically representative PJI replication to date. It is the first that we know of to produce infection through the same method hypothesized to occur clinically, utilize a weight-bearing implant that can osseointegrate, and provide quantitative data on 8 aspects of PJI, including radiographic features, inflammatory markers, and bacterial loads.

Clinical Relevance:

This novel animal model is, to our knowledge, the first to provide a load-bearing translational representation of clinical PJI that effectively recreates the periprosthetic space.
Comparative Analysis of the Socioeconomic and Regulatory E&P Scenarios in Mature Fields and Marginal Wells in Brazil, The United States and Canada
Authors: de Souza Barbosa Caroline Mendes , de Abreu Thaís Mesquita , Badiani Analuíza Morcelli , Vieira Victor Menezes , de Araújo Paulo Sérgio
Published: March 2017

Currently in Brazil it is observed that a limited number of companies holds the oil and gas market. Large national and international companies have enough structure to use only fields of greater profitability and abandon the mature fields. Canada and the USA, as the world’s largest oil and gas producers, have policies that assist small businesses by treating them differently. However, the Brazilian reality for these companies is different. Independent producers face several obstacles to development in this sector, including poor infrastructure, unfavorable environmental regulation and lack of incentive policy.

In this context, proposals for improvements in regulation and management in the E & P sector are addressed in order to encourage the entry of independent producers in this industry, since these have a great interest in operating in this area, as well as investments in outflow and agility infrastructure in Environmental licensing.
Social and biophysical impacts of watershed development programmes: experiences from a micro-watershed area in India
Authors: Pal P. K. , Ganguly Bablu , Roy Deepa , Guha Anamika , Hanglem Amita , Mondal Sabita
Published: March 2017

Rainwater conservation and soil erosion prevention are vital for the economic and financial sustainability of dry land agriculture. An integrated watershed development programme is thus a means of achieving these goals. Presently, integrated watershed management is receiving worldwide recognition as an effective model for watershed planning. A watershed is considered the basic geographical unit for developing any plan by integrating various social, economic, and policy factors with modern science. Hence, it is an approach to develop the basic resources for sustainable life support. The present study was conducted to assess the impacts of the watershed development programme on the social and biophysical aspects in a micro-watershed area of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, India. This study confirmed that the project had positive effects that strengthened the socio-personal and economic characteristics of the farmers and improved the biophysical environment of the farms. The soil and water conservation efforts have increased the total cultivable area as well as improved the irrigation and drainage facilities in the micro-watershed units, thereby increasing the acreage and productivity of crops.
Green Synthesized Nanomaterials as Theranostic Platforms for Cancer Treatment: Principles, Challenges and the Road Ahead
Authors: Rajasekharreddy Pala , Huang Chao , Busi Siddhardha , Rajkumari Jobina , Tai Ming-Hong , Liu Gang
Published: March 2017

With the emergence of nanotechnology, new methods have been developed for engineering various nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Nanotheranostics is a burgeoning research field with tremendous prospects for the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of various cancers. However, the development of biocompatible and efficient drug/gene delivery theranostic systems still remains a challenge. Green synthetic approach of nanoparticles with low capital and operating expenses, reduced environmental pollution and better biocompatibility and stability is a latest and novel field, which is advantageous over chemical or physical nanoparticle synthesis methods. In this article, we summarize the recent research progresses related to green synthesized nanoparticles for cancer theranostic applications, and we also conclude with a look at the current challenges and insight into the future directions based on recent developments in these areas.
Natural Products from Deep-Sea-Derived Fungi ̶ A New Source of Novel Bioactive Compounds?
Authors: Daletos Georgios , Ebrahim Weaam , Ancheeva Elena , El-Neketi Mona , Song Weiguo , Lin Wenhan , Proksch Peter
Published: March 2017

Background:

Over the last two decades, deep-sea-derived fungi are considered to
be a new source of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites for drug discovery mainly
based on the underlying assumption that the uniqueness of the deep sea will give rise to
equally unprecedented natural products. Indeed, up to now over 200 new metabolites have
been identified from deep-sea fungi, which is in support of the statement made above.

Results:

This review summarizes the new and/or bioactive compounds reported from deepsea-
derived fungi in the last six years (2010 – October 2016) and critically evaluates whether
the data published so far really support the notion that these fungi are a promising source of
new bioactive chemical entities.