bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family farming and rural society under the shadow of urbanization: A case study of agricultural business management in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia
Authors: Han Qimin
Published: October 2017

Under the so-called ‘de-involution’ of the young leaving and women and elderly left behind in the countryside, how can the Chinese rural sector accomplish a structural transition and achieve large-scale agricultural production? This is the issue to be discussed in this paper. The conventional understanding is that large-scale production is about land concentration and scale management through agricultural businesses, family farms, or agricultural cooperatives. In our view, given the unfavorable Chinese land/people ratio, any attempt to eliminate household-based, small-scale farming is bound to fail. This study suggests that a paradigm shift is needed from ‘Scale Management’ to ‘Scale Service.’ Today’s agricultural production is no longer a ‘Pole-like Straight Way’ model. Different stages and processes of production have their own unique characteristics and functions. With the advancement of agricultural technology and the marketization of production factors, agricultural service has needed to catch up in scale. However, this development does not have to be based on land concentration and the elimination of household farming. On the contrary, it can be done through local social networks. Local social networks can significantly reduce the organizational costs of large-scale services without changing the current household-based small farming community structure. This will bring about a new system of ‘Agricultural Business Management’ that can both improve production efficiency and protect small farmers’ livelihoods. Such a model is a combination of tradition and market. It should play an important role in the rural reconstruction and urbanization of central and western China.
Work complexity and cognitive functioning at midlife: Cross-validating the Kohn–Schooler hypothesis in an American cohort
Authors: Hauser Robert M , Roan Carol L
Published: October 2017

In an influential body of work extending across more than three decades and drawing on data from the United States, Poland, Japan and the Ukraine, Melvin Kohn, Carmi Schooler and their associates have found that cognitive capacities are affected by experiences on the job; specifically, that working at a complex job improves cognitive functioning. These findings anticipate and parallel research on the relationships among social integration, leisure-time activities and cognitive functioning among the elderly. This paper tests the Kohn–Schooler hypothesis using different measures, models and data. Specifically, we estimate models of the reciprocal influence of work complexity and cognitive functioning at ages 53 to 54 and 64 to 65 among women and men who graduated from Wisconsin high schools in 1957. Even when adolescent academic ability test scores and high school rank have been controlled, we find moderate effects of the complexity of work on abstract reasoning ability at ages 53 to 54 (in 1993). These effects are similar among women and men and are robust to reasonable assumptions about the unreliability of measurement of adolescent academic ability. However, there were no such effects, either in 1993 or in 2004, among individuals who were still working at ages 64 to 65. Thus, the full set of findings provides only limited support for the Kohn–Schooler hypothesis.
The ‘bureaucratized’ project system: An organizational study of Chinese central governmental earmarked projects
Authors: Shi Puyuan
Published: October 2017

In recent years, a proliferation of central governmental projects has been taking place within the Chinese government bureaucracy. In order for us to understand this phenomenon, we need to examine both the bureaucracy and the project system. This article proposes three key features of the project system, which tends to be temporary, goal-oriented, and flexible, as well as innovative in institutional design. A comparison of these features with the basic elements of bureaucracy shows that underneath the superficial fusion of the two systems there is unavoidable tension. Given the fact that the Chinese bureaucracy lacks structural constraints and public participation in its decision-making process, projects seldom meet the target of an appropriate supply–demand equation. Tensions are particularly manifested in two areas: (1) projects are inter-departmental and temporary in nature while bureaucracy is always rigid and insular; and (2) projects are goal-oriented and flexible while bureaucracy is rule-oriented and hierarchical. In most cases, central governmental projects have to operate within the government bureaucracy, and thus we call the system a ‘bureaucratized project system.’ In our case study, we find that the bureaucracy resists the project integration reform because its power is being threatened even though it is apparently beneficial for project operations. We are not optimistic about the future of the project integration reform as the task has now been laid upon the already over-loaded and wrongly-motivated local governments while the state bureaucracy remains all powerful.
The Mental Health Implications of Emerging Adult Long-Term Cohabitation
Authors: Mernitz Sara E.
Published: October 2017

Despite the growing prevalence of cohabitation, past attempts to identify mental health outcomes from cohabitation do not differentiate by cohabitation duration. The current study investigated the mental health implications from long-term cohabitation, defined as those lasting more than 3 years. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, I compared the average individual mental health scores between time spent single, or time spent in a short-term cohabitation, and time spent in a long-term union. Results indicated that externalizing distress, defined as heavy episodic drinking, was lower during time spent in a long-term cohabitation than it was during time spent single. Unexpectedly, the average emotional distress rates were greater during time spent in a long-term cohabitation than they were during time spent single; men appeared to be driving that effect. Overall, long-term cohabitation did not provide an additional mental health benefit above and beyond short-term cohabitation.
The Congress in Gujarat (1917–1969): Conservative Face of a Progressive Party
Authors: Jaffrelot Christophe
Published: October 2017

The political culture of the Gujarat Congress has been traditionally characterized by a conservative overtone that contrasted with the progressive ethos of party units of other provinces. This specificity comes not only from the Gujarati asmita, but also from the attitude of Mahatma Gandhi who did not fully support progressive elements, such as Indulal Yagnik, against more conservative leaders, including Vallabhbhai Patel, K.M. Munshi, G. Nanda and M. Desai. These leaders, who—all of them—eventually exerted power in New Delhi, had affinities with the Sangh parivar, a phenomenon suggesting a unique, regional porosity between the Congress and the Hindutva forces.
HIV Nurse Navigation: Charting the Course to Improve Engagement in Care and HIV Virologic Suppression
Authors: Hemmy Asamsama Octaviana , Squires Leah , Tessema Alpha , Rae Ephrem , Hall Karen , Williams Rush , Benator Debra
Published: October 2017

This study represents one of the few exploring the effectiveness of an integrated HIV nurse navigation program on engagement and virologic outcomes. A navigator provided individualized care management (eg, pillbox renewals), intensive outreach, and collaboration with existing support systems (eg, families, community programs). Clinical data from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center site of a longitudinal, observational study of HIV in the District of Columbia (DC) cohort were used for comparison (N = 706). Navigation patients (n = 84) were less likely to have permanent housing, and more likely to be disabled, have detectable viral load, comorbid depressive, and substance use disorders. Navigation patients showed improvements in clinic visits (doubled), rate of medication renewal (40.91% to 80.61%), CD4 count and CD4%, and viral rates of Veterans with <200 copies/mL increased from 47.6% to 69.0% after one year. Integration of nurse navigation into a HIV primary care setting shows promise in improving engagement and virologic suppression in a high-risk population.
Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Their Risk Factors among Female Sex Workers in Isfahan, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Nasirian Maryam , Kianersi Sina , Hoseini Shervin Ghaffari , Kassaian Nazila , Yaran Majid , Shoaei Parisa , Ataei Behrooz , Fadaei Reza , Meshkati Marjan , Naeini Alireza Emami , Jalilian Mojtaba Rostami
Published: October 2017

Objectives:

Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and form a core group to facilitate STI spreading. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of STIs among FSWs who attended Female Harm Reduction Center of Isfahan, Iran, and to determine the association between risky behaviors and STIs.

Study Design:

In a cross-sectional study, 99 FSWs were recruited and interviewed about demographic characteristics and risky behaviors. A trained midwife examined FSWs for genital ulcer, abnormal vaginal discharge, and cervicitis. Urine and genital specimens were collected and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to diagnose Neisseria gonorrhoeae, human papilloma virus (HPV), and Trichomonas Vaginalis. Data were analyzed via χ2 test and logistic regression in StataCorp software (version 11) with 95% confidence interval.

Results:

Totally, 84.9% of FSWs reported STI symptoms, while 12.1% of them were infected with N gonorrhoeae, HPV, or T vaginalis. Human papilloma virus and gonorrhea prevalence rates were 5.7% and 8% in FSWs with STI-associated symptoms. Sexually transmitted infections showed significant association with duration of prostitution (odds ratio [OR]HPV = 1.009 [95% confidence interval [95% CI: 1.004-1.01]; ORgonorrhea = 1.01 [95% CI: 1.00-1.01]) and condom usage (ORHPV = 0.11 [95% CI: 0.012-0.98]; ORgonorrhea = 0.04 [95% CI: 0.005-0.33]).

Conclusion:

Due to the literature gap on the Iranian FSWs’ sexual health and the intense stigma around this subject, in Iran, our results would be useful for developing an efficient intervention program. The prevalence of STIs in Isfahan FSWs can be controlled with programs such as consistent condom use and STI treatment. In addition, as just one-tenth of FSWs with an STI symptom were positive for an STI, symptomatic diagnosis of STIs might be insufficient.
Accuracy of the Lever Sign Test in the Diagnosis of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Authors: Jarbo Keith A. , Hartigan David E. , Scott Kelly L. , Patel Karan A. , Chhabra Anikar
Published: October 2017

Background:

The lever sign test is a new physical examination tool to diagnose anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Preliminary results suggest almost 100% sensitivity and specificity to diagnose acute and chronic complete ACL tears and clinically significant partial tears as compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Purpose:

To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the lever sign test for the diagnosis of acute ACL injuries, as compared to MRI. We also aimed to determine the accuracy of the lever sign test compared with 3 other tests (anterior drawer, Lachman, and pivot shift) when performed by providers of various training levels, and with the patient awake or under anesthesia.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

We evaluated patients with a chief concern of acute (≤4 weeks) knee pain seen between October 2014 and January 2015, with a thorough history, physical examination, and standard radiographs. MRI was the reference standard; patients without an MRI evaluation were excluded. The 4 physical examination maneuvers were performed on each symptomatic knee during the initial clinic visit (for nonsurgical patients) or under anesthesia in the operating room (for surgical patients) by a randomly assigned undergraduate student, medical student, orthopaedic resident, or orthopaedic fellow. The senior author trained all staff to perform the lever sign test. Statistical analyses were performed.

Results:

Of 102 patients, 54 were surgical (28 female, 26 male), and 48 were nonsurgical (16 female, 32 male); the mean patient age was 23 years (range, 15-66 years). The overall accuracy of the lever sign test was 77% (63% sensitivity, 90% specificity); the accuracy was similar between patients under anesthesia and awake (77% vs 76%, respectively). There were no significant differences when comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the lever sign test with patients under anesthesia and awake (sensitivity: under anesthesia, 86%, and awake, 68% [ P = .40]; specificity: under anesthesia, 85%, and awake, 96% [ P = .17]). Furthermore, the accuracy of the lever sign test was similar when performed on female versus male patients (75% vs 79%, respectively) or when performed by undergraduate students and medical students compared with orthopaedic residents and fellows (84% vs 88%, respectively).

Conclusion:

Our study results challenge the exceptional sensitivity and specificity values (both 100%) of the lever sign test, as reported by the original author of the test.
Disclosing Principles of IR Communication: Rhetorical Moves for Constructing Transparency
Authors: Koskela Merja
Published: October 2017

A functioning financial market requires transparency of listed companies. Transparency is a communicative practice ensuring that stakeholders have all relevant information about a company to make informed financial decisions. This article discusses how transparency is communicated through a genre specifically designed for this purpose, disclosure policy. A disclosure policy is a communication strategy document in which companies define their investor relations communication principles and thereby deliver a transparent image of themselves. The data for this study consist of 13 disclosure policy documents published in English on investor relations websites of listed companies. Methodologically the study combines a rhetorical moves analysis with a semantic approach to intertextuality. The results of the analysis indicate that following a consistent genre pattern enables companies to directly address requirements of authorities but also leaves room for company-specific characterizations. In order to portray a rhetorically convincing image, transparency characterizations need to reflect the company strategy.
Forging Their Own Path to the Labor Market: Hispanic Women Business Owners in North Carolina
Authors: Cameron Abigail E. , Cabaniss Emily R.
Published: October 2017

Hispanic women are an understudied entrepreneurial population with considerable potential for economic impact. Our study uses fieldwork and semistructured interviews with entrepreneurs and community informants to understand the experiences of Latina business owners in North Carolina. We focus specifically on their entry into the formal economy as majority owners of for-profit ventures. Social location of owners is discussed to appreciate how the intersectional position of Hispanic women in the market economy shapes their entrepreneurial trajectories. Building on prior research on the “embedded market” and “gendered capital,” our study confirms that entrepreneurial succession and employment opportunities and constraints are strong motivators for Hispanic women to start businesses. However, we also identify a new catalyst for business entry that we call “social ventures and passions,” a finding that challenges the conventional assumption that immigrant and ethnic entrepreneurs open businesses primarily as an economic survival strategy or as an appeal to cultural norms (i.e., ethnic labor market approaches).
Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Secondary to Sclerochoroidal Calcification
Authors: Do Helen Hyun-Jin , Fung Adrian T. , Hunyor Alex P. , Ho I-Van , Liew Gerald
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To present a case of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy secondary to sclerochoroidal calcification.

Method:

A single patient case report with multimodal imaging including color fundus, red free and autofluorescence photography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography.

Results:

Sclerochoroidal calcification was diagnosed clinically from bilateral retinal elevations and underlying subretinal yellow deposits. The presence of retinal hemorrhages was confirmed to be secondary to underlying polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy by optical coherence tomography and fundus angiography.

Conclusion:

Sclerochoroidal calcification may be complicated by polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.
A re-examination of water in agate and its bearing on the agate genesis enigma
Authors: Moxon Terry
Published: October 2017

Dehydration of silanol and molecular water in 60 agates from 12 hosts with ages between 23 to 2717 Ma has been investigated using desiccators and high-temperature furnace heating. There are wide differences in the water data obtained under uncontrolled and fixed atmospheric water vapour pressure conditions. After agate acclimatization at 20°C and 46% relative humidity, the total water (silanol and molecular) was determined in powders and mini-cuboids by heating samples at 1200°C. Agates from hosts < 180 Ma all showed a greater mass loss using powders and demonstrate that after prolonged high-temperature heating, silanol water is partially-retained by the mini-cuboids. Desiccator dehydration of powders and slabs shows that powder preparation can produce water losses; this is particularly relevant in agates from hosts < 180 Ma. The identified problems have consequences for water quantification in agate and chalcedony using infrared or thermogravimetric techniques. Mobile and total water in agate is considered in relation to host-rock age, mogánite content and crystallite size. Links are observed between the various identified water contents allowing comment on quartz development and agate genesis. The water data also supports previous claims that agates from New Zealand and Brazil were formed long after their host.
The orphan nuclear receptor TR4 regulates erythroid cell proliferation and maturation
Authors: Lee Mary P. , Tanabe Osamu , Shi Lihong , Jearawiriyapaisarn Natee , Lucas Daniel , Engel James Douglas
Published: October 2017

Key Points

TR4 and TR2 execute distinct functions during embryogenesis and erythroid differentiation. TR4 promotes erythroid proliferation and maturation.
Pak2 regulates myeloid-derived suppressor cell development in mice
Authors: Zeng Yi , Hahn Seongmin , Stokes Jessica , Hoffman Emely A. , Schmelz Monika , Proytcheva Maria , Chernoff Jonathan , Katsanis Emmanuel
Published: October 2017

Key Points

Pak2 negatively regulates CD11bhighGr1high MDSC development in mice via both cell-intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Pak2 disruption activates STAT5 while downregulating the expression of IRF8, a well-described myeloid transcription factor.
The severe phenotype of Diamond-Blackfan anemia is modulated by heat shock protein 70
Authors: Gastou Marc , Rio Sarah , Dussiot Michaël , Karboul Narjesse , Moniz Hélène , Leblanc Thierry , Sevin Margaux , Gonin Patrick , Larghéro Jérome , Garrido Carmen , Narla Anupama , Mohandas Narla , Vainchenker William , Hermine Olivier , Solary Eric , Da Costa Lydie
Published: October 2017

Key Points

Proteasomal HSP70 degradation results in cleavage of GATA1, decrease in erythroid progenitors, and apoptosis in severe DBA phenotype. HSP70 plays a role not only during terminal erythroid differentiation, but also in the earlier proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells.
Adolescent and young adult lymphoma: collaborative efforts toward optimizing care and improving outcomes
Authors: Kahn Justine M. , Ozuah Nmazuo W. , Dunleavy Kieron , Henderson Tara O. , Kelly Kara , LaCasce Ann
Published: October 2017

Lymphomas are responsible for approximately 20% to 25% of annual cancer diagnoses in the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. In 2006, the National Cancer Institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation developed a joint Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group (AYAO-PRG) to formally address the unique cancer burden of patients age 15 to 39 years. As part of their recommendations, the AYAO-PRG identified 5 imperatives for improving outcomes of AYAs with cancer. Broadly, the recommended areas of focus included research, awareness and education, investigational infrastructure, care delivery, and advocacy. In response to the challenges highlighted by the AYAO-PRG, the Lymphoma Research Foundation held the first AYA Lymphoma Research Foundation Symposium on 2 October 2015. At this symposium, clinicians and basic scientists from both pediatric and adult disciplines gave presentations describing the state of the science and proposed a collaborative research agenda built on the imperatives proposed by the AYAO-PRG. The following review presents an in-depth discussion of lymphoma management across pediatric and adult oncologic disciplines, focusing on Hodgkin lymphoma, mature B-cell lymphomas, and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
Improving the interactive genetic algorithm for customer-centric product design by automatically scoring the unfavorable designs
Authors: Sheikhi Darani Zahra , Kaedi Marjan
Published: October 2017

One of the effective factors in increasing sales is the consistency of products with the preference of the customers. Designing the products consistent with customer needs requires the engagement of customers in the product design process. One way to achieve this goal is the use of interactive evolutionary algorithms. During the running of such algorithms, the customer acts as a fitness function and imparts his/her opinion directly to the design process. Since these algorithms are usually iterated frequently, the user fatigue problem during interaction with them is a major challenge. The present study develops a method to tackle the user fatigue problem in the interactive genetic algorithm using the candidate elimination algorithm. In this method, customer preferences are gradually learned by applying the candidate elimination algorithm on the designs evaluated by the user in the early stages of algorithm. Using the learned preferences, designs which may not meet the customer preferences are discovered and automatically receive a predefined low score from the algorithm. The proposed method has been evaluated on the customer-centric design of book covers and its results have been compared with those of the two simple interactive genetic algorithm and multi-stage interactive genetic algorithm. The results are indicative of a considerable reduction of the number of algorithm generations, the number of chromosomes being evaluated by user, and the evaluating time in comparison with the two aforementioned methods. Reduction of these criteria leads to decrease of user fatigue. In addition, the proposed method has increased the user satisfaction.
The impact of technological innovation on building a sustainable city
Authors: Goi Chai-Lee
Published: October 2017

By 2050, the population living in major cities, especially in developing countries, will have increased twofold. With the increasing majority of the population occurring in urban areas, it is crucial to focus on how technological innovation can help to deliver a sustainable future. A sustainable city strives to create a sustainable living environment through the use of technology. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to review the impact of technological innovation on building a more sustainable city. Technological innovation has changed the overall effectiveness and benevolence over time and with regard to sustainability. A sustainable city involves development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development encompasses all aspects of environmental stewardship, social development, and economic progress.
A rare case of failed healing in previously burned skin after a secondary burns
Authors: Goldie Stephen J. , Parsons Shaun , Menezes Hana , Ives Andrew , Cleland Heather
Published: October 2017

Background

Patients presenting with large surface area burns are common in our practice; however, patients with a secondary large burn on pre-existing burn scars and grafts are rare and not reported.

Case presentation

We report on an unusual case of a patient sustaining a secondary large burn to areas previously injured by a burn from a different mechanism. We discuss the potential implications when managing a case like this and suggest potential biological reasons why the skin may behave differently. Our patient was a 33-year-old man who presented with a 5% TBSA burn on skin scarred by a previous 40% total body surface area (TBSA) burn and skin grafts. Initially assessed as superficial partial thickness in depth, the wounds were treated conservatively with dressings; however, they failed to heal and became infected requiring surgical management.

Conclusions

Burns sustained in areas of previous burn scars and grafts may behave differently to normal patterns of healing, requiring more aggressive management and surgical intervention at an early stage.
The calcineurin-NFAT axis contributes to host defense during Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection
Authors: Pang Zheng , Junkins Robert D , MacNeil Adam J , McCormick Craig , Cheng Zhenyu , Chen Wei-Min , Lin Tong-Jun
Published: October 2017

Infection with the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is effectively controlled through tightly coordinated inflammation in healthy individuals. Dysregulated inflammation in cystic fibrosis greatly increases susceptibility to P. aeruginosa and lung damage. Recently, we identified regulator of calcineurin-1, a small, conserved protein that suppresses the NFAT pathway by inhibition of calcineurin and functions as a central negative regulator of multiple inflammatory transcription factors after P. aeruginosa lung infection, implying a role for the canonical NFAT pathway in P. aeruginosa infection. Calcineurin is a calcium-calmodulin–responsive phosphatase that dephosphorylates NFAT and promotes NFAT nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity. The contribution of the NFAT pathway to host defense against P. aeruginosa remains poorly characterized. In this study, we found that NFAT was rapidly and transiently activated after P. aeruginosa infection both in vitro and in vivo. Deficiency of calcineurin Aβ caused impaired activation of NFAT and decreased inflammatory cytokine production in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated that the cross-talk between the NFAT and NFкB pathways coordinately transactivate host response genes during P. aeruginosa infection. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time that NFAT is activated through calcineurin and interacts with NFкB after P. aeruginosa lung infection, and contributes to the host inflammatory response.
Suppression of CYP1 members of the AHR response by pathogen-associated molecular patterns
Authors: Peres Adam G , Zamboni Robert , King Irah L , Madrenas Joaquín
Published: October 2017

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that triggers a broad response, which includes the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine production by monocytes and macrophages. AHR is negatively regulated by a set of genes that it transcriptionally activates, including the AHR repressor (Ahrr) and the cytochrome P450 1 (Cyp1) family, which are critical for preventing exacerbated AHR activity. An imbalance in these regulatory mechanisms has been shown to cause severe defects in lymphoid cells. Therefore, we wanted to assess how AHR activation is regulated in monocytes and macrophages in the context of innate immune responses induced by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). We found that concomitant stimulation of primary human monocytes with PAMPs and the AHR agonist 6-formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole (FICZ) led to a selective dose-dependent inhibition of Cyp1 family members induction. Two other AHR-dependent genes [Ahrr and NADPH quinone dehydrogenase 1 (Nqo1)] were not affected under these conditions, suggesting a split in the AHR regulation by PAMPs. This down-regulation of Cyp1 family members did not require de novo protein production nor signaling through p38, ERK, or PI3K-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Furthermore, such a split regulation of the AHR response was more apparent in GM-CSF-derived macrophages, a finding corroborated at the functional level by decreased CYP1 activity and decreased proinflammatory cytokine production in response to FICZ and LPS. Collectively, our findings identify a role for pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signaling in regulating the AHR response through selective down-regulation of Cyp1 expression in human monocytes and macrophages.
Common-reflection-surface-based prestack diffraction separation and imaging
Authors: Bakhtiari Rad Parsa , Schwarz Benjamin , Gajewski Dirk , Vanelle Claudia
Published: October 2017

Diffraction imaging can lead to high-resolution characterization of small-scale subsurface structures. A key step of diffraction imaging and tomography is diffraction separation and enhancement, especially in the full prestack data volume. We have considered point diffractors and developed a robust and fully data-driven workflow for prestack diffraction separation based on wavefront attributes, which are determined using the common-reflection-surface (CRS) method. In the first of two steps, we apply a zero-offset-based extrapolation operator for prestack diffraction separation, which combines the robustness and stability of the zero-offset CRS processing with enhanced resolution and improved illumination of the finite-offset CRS processing. In the second step, when the finite-offset diffracted events are separated, we apply a diffraction-based time migration velocity model building that provides high-quality diffraction velocity spectra. Applications of the new workflow to 2D/3D complex synthetic data confirm the superiority of prestack diffraction separation over the poststack method as well as the high potential of diffractions for improved time imaging.
Nonstretching normal-moveout correction using a dynamic time warping algorithm
Authors: Chen Shuangquan , Jin Song , Li Xiang-Yang , Yang Wuyang
Published: October 2017

Normal-moveout (NMO) correction is one of the most important routines in seismic processing. NMO is usually implemented by a sample-by-sample procedure; unfortunately, such implementation not only decreases the frequency content but also distorts the amplitude of seismic waveforms resulting from the well-known stretch. The degree of stretch increases with increasing offset. To minimize severe stretch associated with far offset, we use a dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm to achieve an automatic dynamic matching NMO nonstretch correction, which does not handle crossing events and convoluted events such as thin layers. Our algorithm minimizes the stretch through an automatic static temporal correction of seismic wavelets. The local static time shifts are obtained using a DTW algorithm, which is a nonlinear optimization method. To mitigate the influence of noise, we evaluated a multitrace window strategy to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of seismic data by obtaining a more precise moveout correction at far-offset traces. To illustrate the effectiveness of our algorithm, we first applied our method to synthetic data and then to field seismic data. Both tests illustrate that our algorithm minimizes the stretch associated with far offsets, and the method preserves the amplitude fidelity.
Attenuation estimation from sonic logging waveforms combining seismic interferometry and common-midpoint approach
Authors: Matsushima Jun , Ali Mohammed Y. , Bouchaala Fateh
Published: October 2017

Although attenuation estimation methods using sonic logging waveforms provide the highest resolution among seismic methods and enable us to characterize in great detail the attenuation properties of subsurface rocks, such attenuation estimation methods are not used routinely, indicating that there is still room for improvement. To further improve the performance of an existing modified median frequency shift (MMFS) method, we have developed a new algorithm by combining seismic interferometry (SI) and the common-midpoint (CMP) approach. Redatuming a transmitter position by applying SI can shorten the transmitter-receiver distance, leading not only to higher depth resolution but also to a lower signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of the attenuation profiles. To compensate for the decrease in the S/N, we used the redundancy of overlapping receivers at each receiver level in a sonic logging measurement using the multireceiver tool; we improved the S/N by stacking the redatumed sonic logging waveforms. Then, based on the CMP approach, we constructed the workflow to estimate attenuation using redatumed sonic logging waveforms. We applied our method to numerical and real sonic logging waveforms to investigate its applicability in comparison with that of the existing MMFS method in terms of depth resolution and S/N. The results of numerical experiments on noisy data and velocity heterogeneity models demonstrate a trade-off relationship between the depth resolution and stability, which can be controlled by selecting transmitter-receiver pairs. Finally, the application of our method to real sonic logging data demonstrates the advantages in terms of resolution and the disadvantages in stability in comparison with the existing MMFS method. Similar to the numerical results, we found a trade-off relationship between such advantages and disadvantages, which can be controlled by selecting transmitter-receiver pairs.
Seismic Performance Evaluation of Steel Ordinary Moment Frames
Authors: Han Sang Whan , Kim Tae O , Baek Seong Jin
Published: October 2017

Steel ordinary moment frames (OMF) are seismic force-resisting systems that can be used in buildings. In current seismic design and detailing provisions, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE/SEI 7-10 (2010) , American Institute of Steel Construction ANSI/AISC 341-10 (2010), and ANSI/AISC 358-10 (2010) , less stringent design and detailing requirements are specified for steel OMFs compared with those for steel special- and intermediate-moment frames. The strong-column weak-beam (SC/WB) requirement is not enforced for steel OMF connections. In the present study, the seismic performance evaluation is conducted for steel OMFs designed according to current seismic design and detailing provisions considering different combinations of gravity, seismic, and wind loads, as well as wind drift limits. Based on the results of seismic performance evaluation, permissible structural heights for steel OMFs are also proposed.
Optimal Wavelet Parameters for System Identification of Civil Engineering Structures
Authors: Gaviria Carlos A. , Montejo Luis A.
Published: October 2017

Damage-induced changes in structure dynamic properties are commonly tracked with time-frequency representations (TFRs). One of the most widely accepted tools for determining a TFR is the continuous wavelet transform (CWT). The success of CWT analysis is highly dependent on selecting the most appropriate values for the parameters that define the mother wavelet. This article presents a detailed analytical and numerical study to select optimal wavelet parameters using the complex Morlet wavelet (CMOR) and the Gabor wavelet. The results obtained suggest that it is possible to define optimal parameter values based on identification target, instantaneous frequency, or average damping ratio. This reduces the computational cost of a reliable CWT analysis when compared with currently employed iterative methodologies based on minimal Shannon entropy criteria.
An Organizational Capability Framework for Earthquake Recovery
Authors: Chang-Richards Yan , Wilkinson Suzanne , Seville Erica , Brunsdon David
Published: October 2017

Engineering and construction capability affects the cost and pace of post-disaster recovery. An organizational capability framework for effective earthquake recovery was developed after studying longitudinally 15 engineering and construction organizations following the 2010/11 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. The longitudinal case studies, conducted from 2012 to 2015, revealed insights regarding the multitude of decisions that affected demands for engineering and construction post-earthquake, and thus the capability of organizations to meet demands. The framework presents five major challenges faced by organizations operating in an earthquake recovery environment and three core organizational capabilities required to address these challenges: disaster recovery know-how, organizational adaptive capacity to meet changing demands, and collective support among organizations. The findings offer real experience to help engineering and construction industries anticipate capability challenges and prepare for them as a business, as a sector, and as a partner with government agencies in a disaster management context.
Fully Floating Suspended Ceiling System: Experimental Evaluation of Structural Feasibility and Challenges
Authors: Pourali Atefeh , Dhakal Rajesh P. , MacRae Gregory , Tasligedik Ali Sahin
Published: October 2017

Full scale shake table testing is conducted on a novel type of suspended ceiling called fully floating ceiling system, which is freely hung from the floor above lacking any lateral bracing and connections with the perimeters. A gap is provided on all sides of the ceiling. Throughout different tests, a satisfactory agreement between the fully floating ceiling response and simple pendulum theory was demonstrated. When subjected to input motions with significant energy in the floating ceiling's resonant frequency, the horizontal displacement of the ceiling exceeded the gap width resulting in pounding induced large acceleration pulses. To mitigate such effects, the perimeter gap fillers of a compressible material are proposed. The addition of perimeter isolation was found effective in inducing extra damping and protecting the ceiling from pounding impact; resulting in much reduced ceiling displacements and accelerations. Throughout the tests a single panel dislodgement was observed as the only instance of damage.
Children’s Oxygen Administration Strategies Trial (COAST): A randomised controlled trial of high flow versus oxygen versus control in African children with severe pneumonia
Authors: Maitland Kathryn , Kiguli Sarah , Opoka Robert O. , Olupot-Olupot Peter , Engoru Charles , Njuguna Patricia , Bandika Victor , Mpoya Ayub , Bush Andrew , Williams Thomas N. , Grieve Richard , Sadique Zia , Harrison David , Rowan Kathy
Published: October 2017

Background: In Africa, the clinical syndrome of pneumonia remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children in the post-neonatal period. This represents a significant burden on in-patient services. The targeted use of oxygen and simple, non-invasive methods of respiratory support may be a highly cost-effective means of improving outcome, but the optimal oxygen saturation threshold that results in benefit and the best strategy for delivery are yet to be tested in adequately powered randomised controlled trials. There is, however, an accumulating literature about the harms of oxygen therapy across a range of acute and emergency situations that have stimulated a number of trials investigating permissive hypoxia.

Methods: In 4200 African children, aged 2 months to 12 years, presenting to 5 hospitals in East Africa with respiratory distress and hypoxia (oxygen saturation < 92%), the COAST trial will simultaneously evaluate two related interventions (targeted use of oxygen with respect to the optimal oxygen saturation threshold for treatment and mode of delivery) to reduce shorter-term mortality at 48-hours (primary endpoint), and longer-term morbidity and mortality to 28 days in a fractional factorial design, that compares:

Liberal oxygenation (recommended care) compared with a strategy that permits hypoxia to SpO2 > or = 80% (permissive hypoxia); and

High flow using AIrVO2TM compared with low flow delivery (routine care).

Discussion: The overarching objective is to address the key research gaps in the therapeutic use of oxygen in resource-limited setting in order to provide a better evidence base for future management guidelines. The trial has been designed to address the poor outcomes of children in sub-Saharan Africa, which are associated with high rates of in-hospital mortality, 9-10% (for those with oxygen saturations of 80-92%) and 26-30% case fatality for those with oxygen saturations <80%.

Clinical trial registration: ISRCTN15622505

Trial status: Recruiting
Game—Introduction to Reverse Auctions: The BucknellAuto Game
Authors: Chen Chun-Miin (Jimmy) , Bailey Matthew D.
Published: October 2017

A reverse auction is a common way of executing supply chain sourcing. This article presents a spreadsheet-based game, the BucknellAuto game, that simulates the bidding process in a reverse auction. Students play the seller role and vie for the buyer’s demand request by bidding against the automated competitors. The BucknellAuto game allows students to experientially learn not only the competitive bidding process of the reverse auction but also the implications of the auction parameters on the bidding competitiveness. The BucknellAuto game serves as a pedagogical tool for efficiently and effectively introducing the reverse auction to undergraduate students in a fun and interactive way.
ECG of the month
Authors: Richley Dave
Published: October 2017

Dave Richley presents an ECG for you to analyse
Experts call on NICE to review TAVI guidelines for aortic stenosis
Authors: Quaile Alistair
Published: October 2017

In light of recent guidelines published by the ESC, experts are calling on NICE to review its guidelines on TAVI to include intermediate-risk patients, citing inequalities in treatment across the UK and compared with European countries. In this comment, Alistair Quaile examines the current situation and finds that current NICE guidelines already account for all risk groups, and have perhaps been misinterpreted.
Parkinson's disease and mental health problems: Assessing clinical practice and care
Authors: Kieft Lee
Published: October 2017

Mental health problems are very common in people with Parkinson's disease, impacting on the quality of life for this population as well as their families. Despite the changes that have occurred within the health care provisions in the way we should care for people with mental health problems, regrettably people with Parkinson's disease are still missing out on a wide range of intervention therapy, such as clinical psychological or psychiatric input. It is therefore entirely critical that we assess, manage and optimise treatment strategies that are available in improving the quality of life of people with Parkinson's disease with mental health problems. In this article, the author undertook an audit of a Parkinson's service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, London and discusses the results.
Phenomenography: Alignment with personal recovery in mental health nursing
Authors: Cutler Natalie Ann , Moxham Lorna , Stephens Moira
Published: October 2017

For more than four decades, people with lived experience of mental health concerns have been redefining the concept of recovery. No longer just synonymous with cure, recovery is understood in contemporary terms as a personal journey; a process. This process is known as personal recovery. A desire to work in alignment with the principles of personal recovery, while exploring the ways in which the phenomenon of safety is understood by people who have experienced acute mental health inpatient admission, led the authors to apply the research approach known as phenomenography. The aim of this paper is to propose the ways in which phenomenography and the principles of personal recovery align. The philosophy, characteristics and processes of phenomenography and of personal recovery are compared.
Are male partners of pregnant women treated negatively in maternity care?
Authors: Wright Christian , Geraghty Sadie
Published: October 2017

Background

There has been a significant cultural shift in attitudes towards male partners' involvement in maternity care, resulting in a cultural acceptance that male partners should be involved throughout pregnancy and birth. Anecdotal evidence, however, shows that male partners may still experience negative attitudes from obstetric and midwifery professionals.

Aim

To explore midwifery students' experiences of negative attitudes or behaviour directed toward male partners by women, midwives, and/or doctors during antenatal and intrapartum care.

Methods

An open online anonymous survey was used to collect data from 21 midwifery students.

Findings

Two main themes were revealed: observed negative behaviours, and behaviour reasoning. Each theme contained sveral sub-themes, namely aggression, exclusion, and condescension (observed negative behaviours), and excusable by pain, preoccupied, misplaced support and respectful inclusion (behaviour reasoning).

Conclusions

The accommodation of male partners into maternity settings does not always meet their needs, and is at time disempowering through negative attitudes and behaviours.
Exploring breastfeeding peer supporters' experiences of using the Solihull Approach model
Authors: Thelwell Emily , Rheeston Mary , Douglas Hazel
Published: October 2017

Background:

The Solihull Approach is a model designed to support professionals, including breastfeeding peer supporters, to think about their work with children and families.

Aims

To gain insight into breastfeeding peer supporters' experiences of using the Solihull Approach by exploring breastfeeding peer supporters' motivation to volunteer, their experiences of peer supporter breastfeeding training, and their experiences of putting this training into practice. The study also sought to identify factors that could contribute to improving the service.

Methods

A qualitative study was undertaken with three voluntary and four paid peer supporters. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule and data were analysed using thematic analysis with an inductive approach.

Findings

Three key themes and their sub-themes emerged: motivation to volunteer, experience of being a peer supporter, and practical and personal applications of the Solihull Approach.

Conclusions

Several benefits have been highlighted when incorporating the Solihull Approach into peer professionals' practice, including increased confidence levels and improved team communication, as well as positive outcomes in their personal lives.
Social media – personal versus professional life
Authors: Collier Andrew
Published: October 2017

Social media is widely used and can be a significant part of many people's lives. This article by Andrew Collier discusses the potential pitfalls for the dental nurse
Cancer awareness for dental staff
Authors: Kilgour Gill
Published: October 2017

Knowing what to say and how to say it can make a real difference to you and your patients, says nurse Gill Kilgour, Lead Cancer Awareness Trainer at Cancer Research UK
The great Danish ‘dental off’
Authors: Jensen Svend Ulrich
Published: October 2017

Continuing the series of articles looking into the day-to-day routine of life in dental practices from around the world, Eschmann turns its attention to Denmark
Communities of practice supporting professionals
Authors: Bogatić Katarina , Campbell-Barr Verity
Published: October 2017

This series on international perspectives of ECEC is designed to offer a window into what is happening in other countries in the hope of fostering a process of reflection. This month, early years in Croatia.
Why play is the catalyst for early development
Authors: Davenport SImon
Published: October 2017

Scientific research suggests that play is an innate way to learn, contributing to brain development – this article explores the devastating effects that being deprived of play can have on a young child.