bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Drives Norm Success? Evidence from Anti–Fossil Fuel Campaigns
Authors: Blondeel Mathieu , Colgan Jeff , Van de Graaf Thijs
Published: October 2019

Why do some international norms succeed, whereas others fail? We argue that norm campaigns are more likely to succeed when the actions they prescribe are framed as a solution to salient problems that potential adopters face, even if different from the problem that originally motivated norm entrepreneurs. For instance, the campaign to reduce environmentally harmful fossil fuel subsidies has been more effective when linked to fiscal stability, a common problem that policy makers face. Problem linkages can thus bolster the attractiveness of a proposed new norm and broaden the coalition of actors that support the norm. We probe the plausibility of this argument by studying two campaigns that aim to shift patterns of finance for fossil fuel production and consumption: subsidy reform and divestment. Subsidy reform encourages governments to reduce subsidies for products like gasoline; divestment encourages investors to sell or avoid equity stocks from fossil fuel industries. We look at the variation in the impact of these two campaigns over time and argue that they have achieved institutional acceptance and implementation chiefly when their advocates have been able to link environmental goals with other goals, usually economic ones.
Syntactic and Semantic Specialization and Integration in 5- to 6-Year-Old Children during Auditory Sentence Processing
Authors: Wang Jin , Rice Mabel L. , Booth James R.
Published: October 2019

Previous studies have found specialized syntactic and semantic processes in the adult brain during language comprehension. Young children have sophisticated semantic and syntactic aspects of language, yet many previous fMRI studies failed to detect this specialization, possibly due to experimental design and analytical methods. In this current study, 5- to 6-year-old children completed a syntactic task and a semantic task to dissociate these two processes. Multivoxel pattern analysis was used to examine the correlation of patterns within a task (between runs) or across tasks. We found that the left middle temporal gyrus showed more similar patterns within the semantic task compared with across tasks, whereas there was no difference in the correlation within the syntactic task compared with across tasks, suggesting its specialization in semantic processing. Moreover, the left superior temporal gyrus showed more similar patterns within both the semantic task and the syntactic task as compared with across tasks, suggesting its role in integration of semantic and syntactic information. In contrast to the temporal lobe, we did not find specialization or integration effects in either the opercular or triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus. Overall, our study showed that 5- to 6-year-old children have already developed specialization and integration in the temporal lobe, but not in the frontal lobe, consistent with developmental neurocognitive models of language comprehension in typically developing young children.
Integration of nematology as a training and research discipline in sub-Saharan Africa: progress and prospects
Authors: Cortada Laura , Dehennin Inge , Bert Wim , Coyne Danny
Published: October 2019

Within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), although nematodes are viewed among the most important threats to crop production and food security, the presence of trained nematologists working within this discipline has traditionally been viewed as scarce. The few research studies concerning this subject address this topic from a country or sub-regional perspective and generally portray nematology as ‘insufficient’. Over the past two decades, a few initiatives have been instrumental in building greater nematology expertise. For the first time a structured survey was undertaken, involving interviews with individuals from SSA that were (or currently are) involved in nematology training programmes, research, national extension services or in African universities. This paper provides evidence of the positive impact of various initiatives and shows an increase in the number of available nematology positions, together with high rates of graduates that return home to occupy qualified positions. Our findings will help researchers, policy makers and donors to identify areas requiring support to increase the promotion of nematology in SSA and to make an impact for end-users.
A Multitude of Actors in Early Modern Diplomacy
Authors: Tremml-Werner Birgit , Goetze Dorothée
Published: October 2019

This special issue has been motivated by the drive to contextualize the role of individuals of various backgrounds in early modern foreign relations. All contributions cover a broad geographic scope and stress the impact of non-European practices and stages for the study of early modern foreign relations. Four thematic articles follow diverse diplomatic actors, ranging from non-elite envoys to chartered companies, Catholic friars and ministers on ships, to foreign courts, and behind their desks. They provide insights into these individual actors’ functions and achievements and raise questions about social belonging and knowledge channels. The introduction below portrays the development of an actor-oriented research angle in the field of New Diplomatic History over the past decades and addresses blurring concepts and over-generalizations. It attempts to redefine the heterogeneous group of early modern diplomatic actors as products of their involvement in political and material struggles, both at home and abroad.
Taxonomic studies on the genus Delphinium (Ranunculaceae) from China (XXI): The identities of D. breviscaposum and D. filibracteolum from northwestern Yunnan

Authors: YUAN QIONG , YANG QIN-ER
Published: October 2019

Based on examination of herbarium specimens (including type material), we demonstrate that Delphinium breviscaposum and D. filibracteolum (Ranunculaceae), both described recently from northwestern Yunnan in China, are conspecific with D. ceratophorum and D. bulleyanum, respectively, two species very common in northwestern Yunnan. We therefore synonymize D. breviscaposum and D. filibracteolum herein. Second step lectotypifications are proposed for both D. bulleyanum and D. ceratophorum.
Predicting the potential distribution of Rhaphidophorinae (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) in China
Authors: BIAN XUN , SHI FUMING
Published: October 2019

The rhaphidophorid subfamily Rhaphidophorinae, distributed from South Asian to Australia, comprises 7 extant genus and 160 species. In China, the subfamily are poorly understood. Based on the occurrence data and climate data, ecological niche model can be used as a tool for species discovery. Herein we predict the potential distribution of Chinese Rhaphidophorinae using MAXENT under R environment. The mean temperature of coldest quarter plays an important role in the distribution of true cave cricket in China. Our potential map suggested the main concentrated area of the subfamily’s range is in Yunnan, while expanding to the east, there is an obviously geographical barrier in Guangxi. Considering the diversity of rhaphidophorids in China is not well known, we hope that the combining ecological niche model can serve as a guide to future survey expeditions in China.
Agriculture E-Commerce for Increasing Revenue of Farmers Using Cloud and Web Technologies
Authors: Ashokkumar K. , Bairi Gurunath Reddy , Are Sudheer Babu
Published: October 2019

The main intent of this survey is to develop a agriculture marketing system to assist in the sale and management of production for the farmer. The development of agriculture has been on under development for the few years due to dearth of proper trading system for selling the harvest
to the benefit of the farmer, for the Indian farmers it has become at ragedy over the market to get good price for their produce due to the dearth of information and the involvement of broker within the Agricultural turn out Market Committee. The main aim of this paper is to provide online
web platform for poultry and agriculture farmers, where they can sell daily produced goods directly from their field location or from home itself without going else where even to the market. The produce that is brought from farmers will be available for customers who can buy vegetables, fruits,
eggs, etc. online which will be home delivered to them.
License Plate Detection and Facial Analysis Using TensorFlow Deep Learning Algorithm
Authors: Manoj Prakash P. , Premanathan Sreerag , Surwase ShivamKumar , Antony Vigil M. S. , Bohare Shivam
Published: October 2019

Nowadays license plate recognition has been applied in car access control, toll collection and other applications. Even though they exist, car thefts and illegal use of other proprietor’s license plate remain a problem. To deal with this, a computational programmed controlled
framework is being developed. Also, facial analysis algorithm is implemented so as to create awareness among the common public. The way forward is to use an improved technology combination of License Plate Detection and Facial Analysis using artificial intelligence, in which vehicle image
is captured by high resolution CCD camera and the license plate region is determined by image processing algorithms and facial analysis is done by using FaceNet and TensorFlow. The characters of the license plate is separated by segmentation and processed using the Canny Edge and Blob Coloring
algorithm and the facial analysis is done using Facenet of TensorFlow.
Enhanced Soil Classification Technique in Cagayan Valley, Philippines Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Authors: Lagarteja Joe G.
Published: October 2019

Classification of soil series is one of the challenging tasks among farmers in Cagayan Valley, Philippines. Classifying and identifying soil series leads to an appropriate use of the land especially in selecting suitable crops to grow. Manual classification is tedious and time-consuming
process to be carried out. This paper presents a new way of automating the classification process of soil series using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The ANN used in this study is the Back Propagation composed of 3 layers, the Input, Hidden, and Output layer. The network layer contains
five (5) inputs which are the physical properties of the soil (Color, Texture, pH Level, Coarse/Fragments, Mottles). The middle layer has 3 neurons and the output layer has 16 neurons which has the task of giving the probable series of the soil. 1,766 test results were collected from Department
of Agriculture in Cagayan Valley, Philippines for training and testing the network model. It was verified that the network obtained an accuracy rate of 95% which is considered as a best tool to classify soil according to its series in Cagayan Valley, Philippines.
Privacy Preserving Data Publishing Anonymization Methods for Limiting Malicious Attacks in Healthcare Records
Authors: Adegunwa  , Akinkunmi Oluwabiyi , Rana Muhammad Ehsan
Published: October 2019

In recent times, especially since the beginning of the new millennium, governments, industry players, IT firms and business enterprises have given more consideration to the use of data for their decision and operational processes. This data, that usually contain users, clients and customers’
information, is collected using varying infrastructure, instruments and techniques. The technological breakthroughs in the health industry and the digitalization of medical records i.e., transformation into Electronic Health Records (EHRs) brings about the possibilities of accessing health
records in real-time anywhere through the use of big data, aimed at reducing cost and increasing profits within the healthcare industry. However with this advancement, threats to the privacy and security of healthcare records have inevitably creeped in because of malicious attacks. This paper
is directed at addressing privacy and security related issues associated with big data i.e., Privacy Preserving Data Publishing (PPDP) methods useful for the medical world. It seeks to explore various possible methods and techniques that can render data anonymously by using anonymization processes
i.e., untraceable to the original data owners. This restricts the possibilities of patient privacy infraction by malicious elements, while making the data available for analytical purposes. The anonymization process here is achieved through data publishers who stand as a middleman between
data owners and the data recipient and ensures that the privacy of data owners is preserved at all times.
Fast Terminal Sliding-Mode Control with an Integral Filter Applied to a Longitudinal Axis of Flying Vehicles
Authors: Ramezani Elham , Rostami Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini
Published: October 2019

The automatic pilot flight control system is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of the flying vehicle that provide stability and to operate appropriately in the guidance section. Considering to nonlinear, dynamic and time-varying system, structural and parametric uncertainties
of the flying vehicles, in flight control, varietal control approach have to achieve stability, proper operation as well as decreasing effect of uncertainties and modeling errors. In this paper, designing of the longitudinal flying vehicles autopilot a Fast Terminal Sliding Mode Control (FTSMC).
Variable structure systems because of the robustness effect on uncertainty and the effects on disturbances which a contributor to widespread efficiency. One of the methods for controlling the variable structure is a sliding mode, which is one of the nonlinear controllers that can control the
system in the structured uncertainties and unstructured uncertainties. Additionally, in the method of classic sliding Mode Control is got convergence of states equilibrium point by an asymptotic curve. While proportional Integral Sliding Mode Control has the convergence of states to the equilibrium
point in finite time. One of the issues is that finite time cannot determine the time of convergence when the state turn initial position to a final position. The proposed method is based on the Lyapunov stability theory and has guaranteed stability of the control system. The controller is
robust to external disturbances and unmodified dynamics. Three types of controllers which are multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) system with random uncertainty are designed. Furthermore, the classic sliding mode controller, the proportional-integral sliding mode controller as well as the integral
terminal sliding mode controller are reviewed. A glance at the results simulates shows an improved in the proposed method. Simulations are done using MATLAB software.
When Friends Become Foes: Collaboration as a Catalyst for Conflict
Authors: Uribe Jose , Sytch Maxim , Kim Yong H.
Published: October 2019

Social embeddedness research has suggested that a history of collaboration between rivals should facilitate cooperation and prevent conflict. In contrast, the present study explores how a history of collaboration between people who subsequently become rivals can exacerbate conflict rather than facilitate future collaboration when salient others may expect them to be antagonistic. We develop this argument for a general set of relationships in which agents who previously collaborated become rivals while representing contesting principals. These agents may be perceived by the principals they represent as having compromised loyalties. This is especially likely when the principals whom the agents represent compete intensely or have previously been in conflict. To mitigate principals’ loyalty concerns, agents engage in compensatory behaviors meant to demonstrate social and psychological distance from former collaborators and now-rivals. Paradoxically, these behaviors transform a history of collaboration into a catalyst for conflict. Our empirical analyses are based on the professional histories of more than 20,000 external legal counsel representing corporate clients in intellectual property lawsuits filed from 2000 to 2015. Results reveal that lawyers engage in uncooperative behaviors in court to distance themselves from opposing lawyers who are former collaborators. These dynamics are associated with longer, more contentious litigation and lost economic value for clients, as evidenced by an analysis of companies’ abnormal stock market returns upon the termination of a lawsuit. Our research thus sheds lights on a mechanism by which past collaboration can undermine future collaboration and carries potential implications for research on social structures and for work on the interplay of structure and evaluative dynamics.
Physical Exercise Intensity During Submersion Selectively Affects Executive Functions
Authors: Möller Fabian , Hoffmann Uwe , Dalecki Marc , Dräger Tobias , Doppelmayr Michael , Steinberg Fabian
Published: October 2019

Objective

The intact cognitive processing capacity in highly demanding and dynamically changing situations (e.g., in extreme environmental conditions) is of central relevance for personal safety. This study therefore investigated whether underwater physical exercise (PE) affected cognitive performance by comparing these effects during underwater fin-swimming as opposed to inactivity under normal environmental conditions.

Background

Although acute bouts of PE can modulate cognitive performance under highly controlled and standardized laboratory conditions, no previous study has determined whether PE acutely modulates cognitive performance in non-laboratory testing conditions involving extreme environments (e.g., underwater).

Method

A total of 27 healthy volunteers (16 males and 11 females; 28.9 ± 7.4 years of age) participated in two experiments involving either moderate or high PE intensity. A PRE/POST crossover design was employed among participants while performing cognitive tests in a counterbalanced order (i.e., before and after 20 min of PE in submersion [WET] and once before and after inactivity [DRY] while in the laboratory). Cognitive performance was measured as a combination of executive functions through the Eriksen Flanker (inhibition) and Two-Back (working memory) Tasks using an underwater tablet computer.

Results

ANOVAs revealed enhanced reaction times only in the Flanker test after moderate PE for the WET condition. No other effects were detected.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that cognitive performance is exercise-intensity-dependent with enhanced effects during moderate PE, even in extreme environments (i.e., underwater).

Application

These results should be relevant in recreational and occupational contexts involving underwater activity and may also apply to microgravity (e.g., during extra-vehicular activities).

Description

This study compared the acute effects of physical exercise (PE) on cognitive performance in an underwater environment while participants fin-swam with SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) gear. Findings revealed that 20 min of moderate PE positively affected cognitive performance (i.e., inhibitory control ability). However, no changes were observed after high-intensity exercise.
The better performance and higher retention rates of women in electrical engineering studies
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Ignacio , Rodríguez José-Víctor , Bueno-Delgado María-Victoria , Elizondo-Moreno Aránzazu
Published: October 2019

This work compares the academic performance and retention rates of women and men in electrical engineering studies. The analysis is carried out in two bachelor engineering degree programs offered in the School of Telecommunication Engineering, at the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain: Telecommunication Systems Engineering and Telematics Engineering. Data from seven consecutive academic years have been used to compute three indicators regarding the same cohort of students: exam attendance rate, success rate, and performance rate. The results show that, in general, women obtain better academic performance rates than men in the first two academic courses while, from the third course on, there seems to be a trend toward uniformity in the academic results between female and male students. Furthermore, women generally present lower attrition rates than men, especially in the first year, and better graduation rates. Such facts could be explained by the higher motivation of female students when enrolling engineering programs—due to the adverse stereotyped context that they have to overcome—which lead to higher retention rates throughout the academic years as compared to their male counterparts.
Impact of an Educational Intervention on Organ Donation Attitudes in College-Aged Students
Authors: Riley Kiernan , Evans Michael M. , Hupcey Judith , Sellers Patrick Douglas , Machluf Karin
Published: October 2019

As the national demand for donated organs continues to rise, the rate of registered donors within the United States has remained stagnant, creating a shortage of viable, transferrable organs. Lack of registered donors can be partially attributed to misconceptions about organ donation, which has led to a population less willing to register as organ donors. The utilization of educational interventions can begin to address common misconceptions and change attitudes to favor organ donation. A quantitative pretest, posttest survey design was utilized in order to assess effectiveness of an educational intervention within the college-aged population. Results suggest that educational interventions are effective in creating positive attitudes about organ donation in college-aged students.
La religion dans une société pluraliste Jalons pour une observation du phénomène
Authors: Remy J.
Published: October 2019

To what extent the coexistence of a plurality of legitimations in a society could, in certain cases, be a factor contributing to the wellbeing of the society, rather than its desintegration is the question posed by this analysis.

To do this, two models of society are set up as ideal types opposed to one another. All the elements of the cultural system in the slightly differentiated society, the system of legitimation, the system of values and the system of norms are closely related and are based on one another. By way of contrast, in a highly differentiated society, particularly if there is one accepted set of values, the system of legitimation and the system of norms may be relatively autonomous. This being so, christians sharing a common system of legitimation could find themselves on other levels of the cultural system, closer to non-christians than to other christians. This presupposes on the part of individuals an interiorisation of certain attitudes, particularly vis-à-vis people different from themselves, with whom nevertheless they are collaborating to a limited extent.
Impacts of a multi-scale built environment and its corresponding moderating effects on commute duration in China
Authors: Sun Bindong , Yin Chun
Published: October 2019

Many studies have found that the built environment affects commute duration. However, they have paid little attention to the moderating effects of the surrounding built environment, and few have focused on the built environment at different levels simultaneously. Based on a sample of 3453 individuals across China in 2014, our study examined the impacts of the built environment at both the neighbourhood and city levels on commute duration as well as the moderating effects of the city-level built environment on the neighbourhood-level built environment using a multilevel linear regression model. The results show that built environment elements at both levels affect commute duration: city population size, population density at both levels, and the quadratic term for population density at the city level are positively associated with commute duration, while jobs–housing balance and short distance to business centres and transit stations are negatively related. City population size can strengthen the time-shortening effects of the jobs–housing balance and of proximity to transit stations on commute duration. City population density decreases the time-shortening effect of business centre proximity. This study has important implications for future research and policies regarding reducing traffic congestion and commute duration in Chinese cities.
Evaluation of Two Malaria Surveillance Systems in Yemen Using Updated CDC Guidelines: Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives
Authors: Anam Labiba Saeed , Badi Moamer Mohamed , Assada Methaq Abdullah , Al Serouri Abdelwahed Abdelgabar
Published: October 2019

Yemen is classified as high malaria endemic area with two-thirds of population at risk. Currently, the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) uses two malaria surveillance systems: the Integrated Malaria Surveillance System (IMSS) and the Early Disease Electronic Warning System (eDEWS). This study aimed to assess and compare the usefulness and attributes of the two malaria surveillance systems. The systems were evaluated according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidelines. Data were collected from 10 stakeholders through interviews and from 10 districts’ coordinators and 20 health facilities’ focal points using semistructured questionnaire. The score of the system attributes were interpreted as very poor, poor, average, good, and excellent according to the mean percent score. Both systems were found to be useful. The IMSS overall performance score was poor where flexibility was average and simplicity, acceptability, representativeness, and stability were poor. For eDEWS, the overall performance score was good where data quality, acceptability, and flexibility were excellent; simplicity was good; representativeness was average; and stability was poor. In conclusion, although the IMSS was found to be useful for assessing the burden of malaria, response to outbreak, and future planning, the overall performance was poor. While the eDEWS overall level of performance was good, it was found to be useful only for outbreak detection. Therefore, both surveillance systems need to be integrated for the advantages of both systems to be maintained.
The Catholic presumption against war revisited
Authors: Braun Christian Nikolaus
Published: October 2019

One of the most contested arguments in contemporary just war thinking has been the question of the right starting point of analysis. On one side of the argument, one finds Catholic Church officials who argue for a ‘presumption against war’ as jumping-off point. On the other, one encounters critics of that position, led by James Turner Johnson, who defend a ‘presumption against injustice’ as the correct point of entry. Interestingly, both sides refer to St Thomas Aquinas, the key figure in the systematisation of the classical just war, as giving support to their respective position. While Johnson was vindicated as far as Aquinas’s historical starting point is concerned, debate about the contemporary purchase of the presumption against war has continued until the present day. Historical just war thinkers like Johnson have criticised the Church not only for turning the logic of the just war tradition on its head by reversing the inherited hierarchy between the so-called deontological and prudential criteria, but have also questioned the empirical evidence that has put the Church on this trajectory. In this article, I explain how the debate about the presumption against war continues to be relevant by engaging with the general direction the Catholic Church has taken up until Pope Francis and by investigating the particular example of its position on drone warfare. I point out that while the presumption against war runs counter to what Aquinas wrote during his days, Thomistic virtue ethics is generally open to development. The Church may thus claim a Thomistic patrimony in advocating for a presumption against war, but, as I demonstrate, the just war thinking that results, often referred to as modern-war pacifism, struggles to address important moral issues raised by contemporary warfare.
Prevalence and factors associated with major depressive disorder among adolescents attending a primary care facility in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Kyohangirwe Leticia , Okello Elialilia , Namuli Justine D , Ndeezi Grace , Kinyanda Eugene
Published: October 2019

Information on major depressive disorder (MDD) in primary care settings in sub-Saharan Africa is limited, yet this is required to improve service development. We explored prevalence and factors associated with MDD among adolescents attending a primary care facility in urban Uganda.

At Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre, 281 adolescents were assessed for MDD using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-Kid). Prevalence and risk factors were determined using frequencies and regressions, respectively. The prevalence of adolescent MDD was 18.2 %. Vulnerability factors were orphanhood, childhood trauma (particularly emotional abuse and physical neglect) while social support was protective.

Considerable burden of clinically significant depression exists in primary care settings in Uganda; this may well contribute to a poor quality of life.
Reproductive Choices of Highly Educated Employed Women with two Children Under the Universal Two-child Policy
Authors: Shen Yang , Jiang Lai
Published: October 2019

This study focuses on urban women who were born in the 1970s and 1980s, and who gave birth during the transformation of China’s family planning policy. We conducted 22 interviews with highly educated women who had given birth to two children each, and who were employed full time. We examined why the respondents had decided to have a second child and how their reproductive choices responded to the policy changes. We found that their reproductive choices were a result of the intersection between state policy interventions and individual choices, and were markers of class distinction. Their reproductive choices were inseparable from their high academic achievements, which was affected by the one-child policy (OCP). Our research enriches understanding of women’s reproductive choices by examining the effects of government-imposed policies on individual choices.
Stepparent–Child Relationship Quality and Couple Relationship Quality: Stepfamily Household Type as a Moderating Influence
Authors: Jensen Todd M. , Ganong Lawrence H.
Published: October 2019

Stepparent–child relationships and new couple relationships are core pillars of stepfamily functioning and well-being. Although research generally indicates that stepparent–child relationship quality and couple relationship quality are positively associated, questions remain about in which contexts and from whose perspective this association holds. Using reports from parents and stepparents in a sample of 291 stepfamily heterosexual couples, we assess whether stepfamily household type (i.e., mother–stepfather, father–stepmother) moderates the association between stepparent–child relationship quality and couple relationship quality. Results indicate that stepparent–child relationship quality and couple relationship quality are positively associated in both mother–stepfather and father–stepmother families, and from the vantage point of both parents and stepparents. The positive association is significantly larger in mother–stepfather families from the vantage point of stepfathers. Implications for future research and practice with stepfamilies are discussed.
Ovarian Toxicity Assessment in Histopathological Images Using Deep Learning
Authors: Hu Fangyao , Schutt Leah , Kozlowski Cleopatra , Regan Karen , Dybdal Noel , Schutten Melissa M.
Published: October 2019

As ovarian toxicity is often a safety concern for cancer therapeutics, identification of ovarian pathology is important in early stages of preclinical drug development, particularly when the intended patient population include women of child-bearing potential. Microscopic evaluation by pathologists of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)–stained tissues is the current gold standard for the assessment of organs in toxicity studies. However, digital pathology and advanced image analysis are being explored with greater frequency and broader applicability to tissue evaluations in toxicologic pathology. Our objective in this work was to develop an automated method that rapidly enumerates rat ovarian corpora lutea on standard H&E-stained slides with comparable accuracy to the gold standard assessment by a pathologist. Herein, we describe an algorithm generated by a deep learning network and tested on 5 rat toxicity studies, which included studies that both had and had not previously been diagnosed with effects on number of ovarian corpora lutea. Our algorithm could not only enumerate corpora lutea accurately in all studies but also revealed distinct trends for studies with and without reproductive toxicity. Our method could be a widely applied tool to aid analysis in general toxicity studies.
The role of record keeping and maintenance in enhancing decision making among smallholder dairy farmers in Gitugi Ward in Murang’a County, Kenya
Authors: Gichohi Paul Maku
Published: October 2019

Dairy farmers are expected to maintain farm records for aiding decisions making. However, the extent to which farm records inform decision making is not clear in Gitugi Ward in Murang’a County, Kenya. This study aimed to determine the role that record keeping and maintenance play in enhancing decision making of smallholder dairy farmers in that area. Descriptive survey research design was used to examine 175 smallholder dairy farmers. Simple random sampling technique was used in getting a sample size of 118 subjects. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to test the underlying proposition. Most smallholder dairy farmers have adequate experience in dairy farming and have minimum basic education, although not sufficient for making complex computations and interpretations for key decision making. The kind of decisions made based on dairy farm records statistically and significantly affect output in dairy farming businesses. Livestock Extension Officers should embark on advocacy programs, sensitization workshops, mentorship and training programs on record maintenance practices to ensure dairy farm records are preserved and utilized in supporting decision making. The findings of this study contribute to improvement of dairy farming information management practices and in making data-supported decisions among dairy farmers in Gitugi Ward, Mathioya Sub-County and in other geopolitical regions.
Joint Trajectories of Peer Cyber and Traditional Victimization in Adolescence: A Look at Risk Factors
Authors: Viau Sarah-Jeanne , Denault Anne-Sophie , Dionne Ginette , Brendgen Mara , Geoffroy Marie-Claude , Côté Sylvana , Larose Simon , Vitaro Frank , Tremblay Richard E. , Boivin Michel
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to identify joint trajectories of peer cyber and traditional victimization from ages 13 to 17 and individual, family, peer, and school risk factors associated with group membership. The sample was composed of 1,194 adolescents (54.2% girls). Cyber and traditional victimization were assessed at ages 13, 15, and 17. The results first revealed a low/increasing and a high/decreasing trajectories for cybervictimization and a low/decreasing and a moderate/chronic for traditional victimization. Conditional probabilities suggested that cybervictims had a high probability of being victims on school grounds, whereas traditional victims were not necessarily the target of cybervictimization. Four joint trajectory groups were also identified. With the low victimization group as the reference category, the results revealed that different sets of predictors were associated with membership in the three other joint trajectory groups. The results are discussed in relation to intervention and prevention strategies.
Postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization improves the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with microvascular invasion: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Lian , Li Bo , Zhang Ming
Published: October 2019

Background

Microvascular invasion has been widely accepted as a major risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma prognoses after surgery. It is still controversial whether postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization could improve the survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with microvascular invasion.

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization for postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients with microvascular invasion.

Material and Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for eligible studies, and the one-, three-, and five-year recurrence rates and overall survival rates were extracted for meta-analysis.

Results

A total of eight studies were included in this study. The results showed that the one-, three-, and five-year recurrence rate of the postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization group were better than those of the hepatectomy alone group, with a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–0.75, P < 0.00001), 0.82 (95% CI 0.76–0.88, P < 0.00001), and 0.89 (95% CI 0.82–0.97, P = 0.007), respectively. The overall survival rates with one-, three-, and five-year pooled RR were 0.34 (95% CI 0.25–0.47, P < 0.00001), 0.69 (95% CI 0.60–0.79, P < 0.00001), and 0.78 (95% CI 0.69–0.89, P = 0.0001), respectively. No serious side effects have been reported, indicating that postoperative intervention is safe.

Conclusion

For hepatocellular carcinoma patients with microvascular invasion confirmed by postoperative pathology, postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization is a safe treatment, which could reduce the tumor recurrence rate and improve the patient’s overall survival.
A multicentre survey of pain management in cancer patients and physicians attending radiotherapy clinics in Shandong Province, China
Authors: Tan Bingxu , Li Baosheng , An Yongheng , Ma Xuezhen , Jiang Yuhua , Song Yipeng , Ge Xingping , Yuan Shengli , Liu Liping , Dou Yan , Yu Yanxia , Ji Pu , Li Xia , Cheng Yufeng
Published: October 2019

Objective

To obtain a better understanding of the prevalence and management of pain in patients undergoing radiotherapy for cancer in Shandong Province, China.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire during face-to-face interviews to collect data from physicians and patients regarding the recognition, prevalence and treatment of pain during the waiting period before commencement of radiotherapy and during the radiotherapy period. Physicians and patients were recruited from 10 tertiary Class A hospitals across Shandong Province, China.

Results

A total of 184 patients and 87 physicians were recruited to the study. During the waiting period, pain was reported by the physicians according to their experience to affect 26.0% of patients, which almost agreed with the patients’ data (36.5%; 160 of 438). During the radiotherapy period, there was a significant difference in the reported prevalence of pain during the radiotherapy period between the physicians’ data (23.0%) based on their experience and the patients’ data (84.1%; 169 of 201 patients). The majority of physicians (98.9%; 86 of 87) agreed to the use opioids for pain management and 90.8% (79 of 87) were satisfied with the analgesic effect, but more than half of the patients who received pain treatment reported inadequate analgesia.

Conclusion

There was a high incidence of cancer pain, but insufficient assessment, inadequate treatment and inadequate education about pain in both the waiting and radiotherapy periods.
Commercial Counterurbanisation: A driving force in rural economic development
Authors: Bosworth Gary , Bat Finke Hanne
Published: October 2019

Counterurbanisation is transforming rural communities and has implications for entrepreneurial opportunities in rural areas. The rural economy has seen a shift away from the dominant productivist paradigm towards an increasingly consumption-led array of businesses, facilitated by increased mobility and connectivity. Part of this transition has seen increasing rates of new businesses started by people moving into rural areas. This ‘commercial counterurbanisation’, is stimulating local economies but the ensuing nature of ‘development’ demands deeper investigation. In particular, this paper explores the ways in which entrepreneurs moving into rural areas are able to recognise distinctive opportunities and assets associated with rurality, drawing on a combination of their extra-local connections and access to local forms of capital. We conclude that the spatiality of social capital and the degree to which commercial counterurbanites become locally embedded are key factors in determining the characteristics of the businesses that they develop.
Leading change for survival: The rural flexi-school approach
Authors: Poultney Val Anne , Anderson Duncan Bruce
Published: October 2019

This article seeks to present the perspectives of three school leaders in one rural primary school in the English East Midlands, who, when faced with closure due to a falling student numbers, decided to offer and operate a flexi-schooling model of educational provision. We aim to find out, through a theoretical model of systems school leadership, how the school leadership team addressed this issue. Findings suggest that the principles of systems leadership, operating through an open systems model, have facilitated the journey towards flexi-schooling and ensured the survival and growth of the school. The learning community created with parents and the personalisation of the curriculum for learners reflects an innovative curriculum design and in part solves the problems which led to the initial decision taken by parents to home-educate. Focusing on ways to secure healthy student numbers, school leaders developed a partnership with a multi-academy trust, yet they still face challenges in formally recording student numbers when their attendance is only part of the week.
Courageous Leaders: Promoting and supporting diversity in school leadership development
Authors: Lee Catherine
Published: October 2019

This article examines the effect of the United Kingdom’s first LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) School Leadership programme. Based on the values of authentic leadership, promoting inclusion, celebrating diversity, accepting difference, challenging the status quo and achieving social justice, the Courageous Leaders programme provided mentoring, training and support for LGBT teachers aspiring to become school leaders. Utilising Social Phenomenology as methodological framework, the article considers the written reflections of a single cohort of 10 lesbian and gay teacher participants to reflect on the way in which Courageous Leaders affected their professional identities and behaviours.
Implementation and Impact of Pharmacist-Initiated Home Medication Ordering in an Emergency Department Observation Unit
Authors: Koehl Jennifer , Steffenhagen Aaron , Halfpap Joe
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

To design and evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of a medication reconciliation workflow incorporating pharmacist home medication ordering.

Methods:

Designed and implemented an admission medication reconciliation workflow that expanded the pharmacists’ role to include an initial ordering of home medications. Performed a prospective, pre–post cohort analysis comparing preimplementation accuracy and efficiency data from inpatient medicine and cardiology patients to postimplementation accuracy and efficiency data from our emergency department observation unit. Accuracy for the preimplementation group was defined by the number of unintentional discrepancies identified by pharmacists between the prescriber admission orders and the reconciled home medication lists. Accuracy for the postimplementation group was defined by the prescriber acceptance of pharmacist-ordered home medications. Efficiency was measured by pharmacist time to complete the admission medication reconciliation process.

Results:

Prescribers accepted 98% of home medication orders placed by pharmacists, which correlated with a significant decrease in the occurrence of home medication orders containing a medication-related problem or discrepancy (46.4% vs 1.3%, P < .0001). The mean pharmacist time spent completing medication reconciliation per admission decreased from 64 to 23 minutes ( P < .0001).

Conclusion:

Implementation of an admission process that incorporates pharmacist ordering of home medications increased prescribing accuracy and efficiency.
Parallel computing of wheel-rail contact
Authors: Wu Qing , Spiryagin Maksym , Persson Ingemar , Bosomworth Chris , Cole Colin
Published: October 2019

Railway wheel–rail contact simulations are the most important and time-consuming tasks when simulating the system dynamics of vehicles. Parallel computing is a good approach for improving the numerical computing speed. This paper reports the advances in parallel computing of the wheel–rail contact simulations. The proposed method uses OpenMP to parallelise the multiple contact points of all the wheel–rail interfaces of a locomotive model. The method has been implemented in the vehicle system dynamics simulation package GENSYS. Simulations were conducted using two numerical solvers (4th Runge-Kutta and HeunC) and a maximum of four computer cores. Simulation cases have shown exactly the same numerical results using serial computing and parallel computing, which prove the effectiveness of the parallel computing method. The HeunC solver achieved the same simulation results and is 3.5 times faster than the 4th Runge-Kutta method. Simulation results obtained from both numerical solvers show that parallel computing using 2, 3 and 4 computer cores can improve the simulation speeds by roughly 29, 39 and 41%, respectively. There is an apparent diminishing of the rate of improvement due to the increase of the communication resource overhead when more computer cores are used. Using up to four computer cores does not require revision of the GENSYS code, and simulations can be executed using personal computers.
Consumption as an Althusserian Ideological Apparatus
Authors: Kahraman Omer Ersin
Published: October 2019

The end of ideology has been declared for several times by different writers like Raymond Aron, Daniel Bell and Francis Fukuyama. However, ideology still has an important role in the social order even though its structure has been adapted to the contemporaneous material conditions. Consumption, the consumptive production of labour power, has turned into a new language of socio-symbolic meanings in the twentieth century. In this way, consumption overshadowed its material basis, the needs, and obtained a new duty in the ruling ideology as an ideological State apparatus, keeping the masses in line. This article aims to investigate this aspect of the modern consumption practice in accordance with ideology approach of Louis Althusser.