bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Interprofessional Education for Students in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Authors: Goldberg Lynette R.
Published: August 2014

Interprofessional education (IPE) is recognized as a critical component in preparing students for effective interprofessional practice in health care. IPE is supported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and students’ competence in interprofessional practice is expected by clinical supervisors for effective work in any setting, whether that setting is medically or educationally oriented. IPE thus needs to be integrated into the curriculum of academic programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders and supported by clinicians in the field. This short tutorial is designed to acquaint readers with the concept of IPE, the collaborative competencies that students develop, available learning models, the importance of measuring the effectiveness of any interprofessional intervention, and ongoing challenges that need to be addressed to facilitate the implementation of this valuable learning strategy.
Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Authors: Savage-Elliott Ian , Ross Keir A. , Smyth Niall A. , Murawski Christopher D. , Kennedy John G.
Published: August 2014

Osteochondral lesions of the talar dome are increasingly diagnosed and are a difficult pathology to treat. Conservative treatment yields best results in pediatric patients, often leaving surgical options for adult populations. There is a paucity of long-term data and comparisons of treatment options. Arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation is a common first-line treatment for smaller lesions. Despite promising short to medium term clinical results, bone marrow stimulation results in fibrocartilagenous tissue that incurs differing mechanical and biological properties compared with normal cartilage. Autologous osteochondral transplantation has demonstrated promising clinical results in the short to medium term for larger, cystic lesions and can restore the contact pressure of the joint. However, concerns remain over postoperative cyst formation and donor site morbidity. Recent developments have emphasized the usefulness of biological adjuncts such as platelet-rich plasma and concentrated bone marrow aspirate, as well as particulate juvenile cartilage, in augmenting reparative and replacement strategies in osteochondral lesion treatment. The purpose of this article is to review diagnosis and treatment of talar osteochondral lesions so that current practice guidelines can be more efficiently used given the available treatment strategies. A treatment paradigm based on current evidence is described.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level V, Expert Opinion
Complementary social science? Quali-quantitative experiments in a Big Data world
Authors: Blok Anders , Pedersen Morten Axel
Published: August 2014

The rise of Big Data in the social realm poses significant questions at the intersection of science, technology, and society, including in terms of how new large-scale social databases are currently changing the methods, epistemologies, and politics of social science. In this commentary, we address such epochal (“large-scale”) questions by way of a (situated) experiment: at the Danish Technical University in Copenhagen, an interdisciplinary group of computer scientists, physicists, economists, sociologists, and anthropologists (including the authors) is setting up a large-scale data infrastructure, meant to continually record the digital traces of social relations among an entire freshman class of students ( N > 1000). At the same time, fieldwork is carried out on friendship (and other) relations amongst the same group of students. On this basis, the question we pose is the following: what kind of knowledge is obtained on this social micro-cosmos via the Big (computational, quantitative) and Small (embodied, qualitative) Data, respectively? How do the two relate? Invoking Bohr’s principle of complementarity as analogy, we hypothesize that social relations, as objects of knowledge, depend crucially on the type of measurement device deployed. At the same time, however, we also expect new interferences and polyphonies to arise at the intersection of Big and Small Data, provided that these are, so to speak, mixed with care. These questions, we stress, are important not only for the future of social science methods but also for the type of societal (self-)knowledge that may be expected from new large-scale social databases.
Witnessing images of extreme violence: a psychological study of journalists in the newsroom
Authors: Feinstein Anthony , Audet Blair , Waknine Elizabeth
Published: August 2014

Objective

User Generated Content – photos and videos submitted to newsrooms by the public – has become a prominent source of information for news organisations. Journalists working with uncensored material can frequently witness disturbing images for prolonged periods. How this might affect their psychological health is not known and it is the focus of this study.

Design

Descriptive, exploratory.

Setting

The newsrooms of three international news organisations.

Participants

One hundred and sixteen journalists working with User Generated Content material.

Main outcome measures

Psychometric data included the re-experiencing, avoidance and autonomic arousal indices of posttraumatic stress disorder (Impact of Event Scale-revised), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI-II), a measure of psychological distress (GHQ-28), the latter comprising four subscales measuring somatisation, anxiety, social dysfunction and depression, and mean weekly alcohol consumption divided according to gender.

Results

Regression analyses revealed that frequent (i.e. daily) exposure to violent images independently predicted higher scores on all indices of the Impact of Event Scale-revised, the BDI-II and the somatic and anxiety subscales of the GHQ-28. Exposure per shift only predicted scores on the intrusion subscale of the Impact of Event Scale-revised.

Conclusions

The present study, the first of its kind, suggests that frequency rather than duration of exposure to images of graphic violence is more emotionally distressing to journalists working with User Generated Content material. Given that good journalism depends on healthy journalists, news organisations will need to look anew at what can be done to offset the risks inherent in viewing User Generated Content material. Our findings, in need of replication, suggest that reducing the frequency of exposure may be one way to go.
Is mortality a good indicator of the clinical quality of National Health Service hospitals? A cross-sectional study of outlier trusts for mortality indices using quality dashboards
Authors: Diley Ian , Badrinath Padmanabhan , Annon Sarah
Published: August 2014

Objectives

This study assessed whether the 14 National Health Service (NHS) acute trusts reviewed by Sir Bruce Keogh in July 2013 were performance outliers on the Acute Trust Quality Dashboard (ATQD) and examined whether high mortality indices results are associated with increased numbers of quality risk alerts and alarms.

Design

The proportion of dashboard indicators rated amber or red in the Keogh Review trust group was compared with that for all trusts. Quality performance at primary care level was assessed for lead Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) of Keogh Review trusts through the national General Practice High Level Indicators.

Setting

England.

Participants

The study examined the performance of all acute NHS trusts in England and the performance of the lead CCGs for all acute NHS trusts included in the Keogh Review.

Main outcome measure

The primary outcome was the proportion of alerts and alarms identified in the summer 2013 ATQD.

Results

The mean proportion of indicators scored as alert or alarm across all trusts was 14.1% (13.5–14.7%). For Keogh Review trusts, the mean was 14.5% (12.6–16.4%). There was no significant difference between Keogh Review trusts and all acute trusts in numbers of alerts or alarms or for lead CCG quality performance.

Conclusion

This study finds no evidence to suggest the trusts reviewed by Sir Bruce Keogh in spring 2013 were outliers for overall quality of care as defined by the ATQD. The use of mortality indices alone to identify potential quality outliers in secondary care may not be sufficient.
The Role of Online Grading Programs in School/Community Relations
Authors: Cameron Joseph T
Published: August 2014

This paper discusses online grading programs and their role in school/community relations. It also looks at the consequences from the lack of consistent communication among the school and the student and the parents. In order to gather the information about the use of online grading programs, surveys were distributed to Ten grade 12 students who are currently using online grading program and 20 teachers at a private international school in Bangkok, Thailand. The study finds out that implementing an online grading program, properly managed, can effectively and efficiently share timely information between the school and parents.
Assessment, Testing and Correcting Studentsxs' Errors and Mistakes
Authors: Iseni Arburim
Published: August 2014

This study is the result of continuous four-year work in the field of noting and reviewing of errors in learning English. The object of this research were 50 students at the State University of Tetova who study English. In this work were studied errors made by students during tests, interviews, dictations, writing paragraphs and different essays. If in the spoken language errors can be allowed without being corrected, as long as the message comes clear, it is understood that in the written work errors should be corrected more carefully, because if they are left without correction, these errors can become fossilized. For the objective of our work it was important to attempt to find the most appropriate strategy to correct errors and mistakes and the best way to assess our students' writings. Thus, this study is a modest contribution that, in the first place, should be taken as an incentive and orientation for new lecturers and researchers to improve their work regarding the attitude that should be held towards errors and mistakes of our students.
Dynamic Assessment and the Impact on English Language Learners' Reading Comprehension Performance
Authors: Naeini Jila , Duvall Emily
Published: August 2014

This paper reports the results of a research project aimed at studying improvements in English Language Training (ELT) university students' reading comprehension performance by applying the mediations of a dynamic assessment approach to instruction and assessment. In contrast to static assessments, in which correct responses are indicative only of the learners' current ability at a specific moment in time, dynamic assessment concentrates on the learner's errors which are studied in terms of the individual's ongoing development and learning using mediations to promote growth. Lev Vygotsky (1978) is considered the originator of the theoretical framework upon which dynamic assessment is based; it emphasizes the interdependence of learning that leads development and thus the interlocking of instruction and development. In this mixed methods study, dynamic assessment procedures were conducted with 10 ELT university students. Participants took part in a pretest-mediation-posttest design study. The devised pre and posttests had high reliability estimates. The mediation phase included three intervention sessions, each focused on a particular reading comprehension sub skill. The descriptive and analytic analyses of the results reveal dramatic, measurable progress in participants' reading comprehension performance.
Consistency of Measured Accuracy in Grammar Knowledge Tests and Writing: TOEFL PBT
Authors: Ahangari Saeideh , Barghi Ali Hamed
Published: August 2014

Almost no language test is void of grammar items, and the reason is probably the assumption that there exists a positive correlation between examinees' grammar knowledge and the actual demonstrable level of accuracy in communication. Meanwhile, examples abound where many examinees relatively do well on grammar knowledge tests despite failing to retain accuracy in real-time communicative activities like writing compositions. This is in line with Widdowson (1990) that during communication, attention is given to communicative economy and meaning, therefore, performance is not supported by an underlying competence. This study focuses on the validity of widely-used grammar knowledge tests as an indicator of examinees' level of accuracy in writing by a many test users. A group of Iranian intermediate English language learners' knowledge of certain shortlisted grammatical points at the end of a preparatory course for the TOEFL was checked by analyzing the results of a discrete-point grammar test, like the 'Structure and Written Expression' section of the TOEFL PBT, and once more by studying their writing samples for the 'Test of Written English' of the same test, as an example of grammar knowledge in use; eventually, the obtained results were juxtaposed for consistency comparison, the results of which suggest that an individual's demonstrable knowledge of certain language forms in a grammar test necessarily cannot be generalized to their accuracy in writing; hence, a certain score obtained even in a valid grammar knowledge test is not necessarily a valid indicator of an examinee's level of accuracy in written discourse.
Cognates in Vocabulary Size Testing - a Distorting Influence?
Authors: Jordan Eoin
Published: August 2014

This article examines the issue of cognates in frequency-based vocabulary size testing. Data from a pilot study for a cognate-controlled English vocabulary size test was used to assess whether a group of Japanese university English learners (n = 60) were more successful at responding to cognate items than noncognate ones in three 1000 word frequency bands on a Japanese-English translation task. The results showed a statistically significant difference between scores achieved on cognate and noncognate items at the 2000 and 3000 frequency levels, but not at the 1000 frequency level. The findings suggest that cognate items may be easier for test-takers to respond to than noncognate ones of similar frequency, indicating the importance of ensuring that their respective proportions in tests are representative of those inherent in the frequency bands they have been sampled from. It is also argued that such representativeness may best be achieved via a stratified item sampling approach.
Simultaneous quantification of major bioactive constituents from Zhuyeqing Liquor by HPLC-PDA
Authors: Gao Hong-ying , Wang Shu-yun , Wang Hang-yu , Li Guo-yu , Wang Li-fei , Du Xiao-wei , Han Ying , Huang Jian , Wang Jin-hui
Published: August 2014

Background

Zhuyeqing Liquor (ZYQL) is a famous traditional Chinese functional liquor. For quality control of ZYQL products, quantitative analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) was undertaken.

Methods

Eighteen compounds from ZYQL were simultaneously detected and used as chemical markers in the quantitative analysis, including 3-hydroxy-4,5(R)-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone (M1), isobiflorin (M2), vanillic acid (M3), biflorin (M4), genipin 1-O-β-d-gentiobioside (M5), 1-sinapoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (M6), geniposide (M7), epijasmnoside A (M8), ferulic acid (M9), luteolin 8-C-β-glucopyranoside (M10), isoorientin (M11), narirutin (M12), hesperidin (M13), 6′-O-sinapoylgeniposide (M14), 3,5-dihydroxy-3′,4′,7,8-tetramethoxyl flavones (M15), 3′,4′,3,5,6,8-hexamethoxyl flavone (M16), kaempferide (M17), and tangeretin (M18).

Results

The separation by gradient elution was achieved on SHIMADZU VP-ODS column (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) at 30°C with methanol (A)/0.1% phosphoric acid (B) as the mobile phase. The detection wavelengths were 254, 278, and 335 nm. The optimized HPLC method provided a good linear relation (r ≥ 0.9991 for all the target compounds), satisfactory precision (RSD values less than 1.47%) and good recovery (97.40% to 103.44%). The limits of detection ranged between 0.20 × 10−4 and 64.90 × 10−4 μg/μL for the different analytes. Furthermore, the optimum sample preparation was obtained from HPD100 column eluted with water and 95% ethanol, respectively.

Conclusions

Quality control of ZYQL products, in total seven samples and twelve parent plants, was examined by this method, and results confirmed its feasibility and reliability in practice.
A Novel Low Reynolds Number Airfoil Design for Small Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
Authors: Shah Haseeb , Mathew Sathyajith , Lim Chee Ming
Published: August 2014

In order to improve the performance of small horizontal axis wind turbines at low wind speed, this study designs a novel airfoil section with an optimum transition ramp through multipoint inverse design method. A viscous analysis code is used to close the design loop. Further, Shear stress transport-transition model in ANSYS-Fluent is employed with modified constants to analyze the flow and aerodynamic performance of the airfoil at Reynolds numbers 60 000, 100 000, 200 000, 300 000 and 500 000. Next we consider the designing of a 2m rotor from the new airfoil section using an evolutionary algorithm for optimization. The power coefficient and self starting of a small 2m wind turbine is improved significantly with the chosen generator resistive torque of 0.5Nm, the new airfoil section and the optimization technique for finding the optimal values of the parameters.
Hurricane-Induced Loads on Offshore Wind Turbines with Considerations for Nacelle Yaw and Blade Pitch Control
Authors: Kim Eungsoo , Manuel Lance
Published: August 2014

During extreme tropical storm systems such as hurricanes, offshore wind turbines are required to have adequate structural integrity in parked condition and with blades pitched to feather. Such turbine states are preferred in order to mitigate loads on the turbine blades; simultaneously, yaw control is required so as to track the changing wind direction in this configuration. During a hurricane, however, it is possible that a turbine's yaw control system might operate abnormally due to damage of the control and protection system or due to loss of the electric grid and/or insufficient backup power. In earlier studies, the authors have shown that feathered blades can lead to higher tower bending moments in the side-to-side (lateral) direction rather than in the fore-aft (longitudinal) direction. In the present study, we carry out an in-depth investigation of the effect of several alternative parked configurations on an offshore turbine's response using numerical simulations with coupled wind-wave fields during a hurricane. We use these output wind-wave fields obtained from the University of Miami Coupled Model (UMCM), a fully coupled atmosphere-wave-ocean model that is used to simulate the storm and associated environmental fields and is able to represent relevant physical processes at the air-sea interface. In this study, we evaluate: (1) the effect of different nacelle yaw angles relative to the wind direction (i.e., different amounts of yaw error or misalignment); (2) the effect of different blade pitch angles; (3) the effect of different turbine parking strategies—e.g., parked and at a standstill or in an idling state; and (4) load maxima at different blade azimuthal configurations while the turbine is in a standstill state. The effects of the different turbine parked configurations on turbine response are evaluated under only wind loads first; later, wave loads are included to reflect possible joint metocean conditions likely to be encountered during a hurricane.
Simulation and Optimization for Interior Sound Field of a Rail Vehicle
Authors: Hu K. , Wang Y.S. , Guo H. , Chen H.
Published: August 2014

A simulation and optimization scheme for reducing interior noise of rail vehicles is investigated in this paper. A sample subway of Shanghai Metro Line 9 is considered. Firstly, some interior noises are measured when the subway is running at a speed of 60 km/h. The A-weighted sound pressure levels (SPLs) of the measured noise signals are analyzed. A finite element model of the subway carriage is established based on its structural parameters, and then the Actran software is selected and used for acoustical simulation. The accuracy of the finite model is verified by comparing the one-third-octave SPL values from the simulations and measurements. According to the simulated sound field, several positions with relatively high SPLs in the carriage are determined for interior noise improvement. By using orthogonal experimental design, finally, the best noise reduction scheme is put forward, which obtained an optimized SPL reduction of 4.81dB. The proposed scheme may be extended to other rail vehicles for improving interior acoustic environment.
Chaos Control: Climate Stabilization by Closing the Global Carbon Cycle
Authors: Eisenberger Peter M.
Published: August 2014

The central idea behind the control of chaotic systems is that the same feedbacks that destabilize a complex system producing chaotic dynamics can be used to relatively easily stabilize it. While many argue that the carbon cycle feedbacks are destabilizing the climate, it will be argued here that those same feedbacks can stabilize the climate. The controlling variable is the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and the control strategy is to close the global carbon cycle of our planet, including human and planetary components, so the ambient concentration is fixed. The stabilization requires less energy per year than used to stabilize the climate in our buildings and for less cost than 1% of the global GDP.
The Influence of a Volume Scale-Factor on Scattering Coefficient Effects in Room Acoustics
Authors: Shtrepi Louena , Astolfi Arianna , Rychtáriková Monika
Published: August 2014

Acoustic scattering has become an important input parameter in geometric models, and in research concerning the enhancement of auralized sound. This contribution deals with a comparison of four scaled prediction models of the same concert hall and a study of the scattering coefficient prominence in simulations, while the size of the concert hall doubled. The hall is fan shaped with an aspect ratios of about 4.5:2.8:1 and has typical auditorium features, such as a stage and a raked audience area. The influence of a volume scale-factor on the scattered sound effects on the prediction of the objective room acoustic parameters, that are, EDT, C80, D50, LF80 and G, has been investigated. Five different alternatives, in which scattering coefficient percentage values of 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90%, respectively, were applied separately and combined to the interior surfaces of the ceiling, side and rear walls, have been simulated. An analysis has been performed studying the results of the objective room acoustical parameters predicted, through simulations carried out with two kinds of software: Odeon 11.00 and CATT-Acoustic v 8.0.
An Optimum Combination of Absorptive and Diffusing Treatments for Classroom Acoustic Design
Authors: Choi Young-Ji
Published: August 2014

The present study investigates an optimum combination of absorptive and diffusing treatments for achieving preferred acoustics in classrooms. The measurements were carried out in a 1/10 scale model classroom, adding different amounts of absorptive and diffusing materials to one or more of five surfaces of the room. Adding diffusers on 25% of the ceiling area with the other 75% absorptive was more beneficial for achieving higher G50 and G values than adding absorptive materials on the entire ceiling. Adding absorptive materials on the entire ceiling area and diffusers on the front or side wall was beneficial for achieving shorter T30, EDT values and higher C50 values. Adding diffusers on the front or side wall slightly increased G50 and G values by more than 1 JND. Adding diffusers on the ceiling and lower front wall or side wall and adding diffusers on the ceiling a absorptive materials on the lower front wall were selected for consideration as the more successful treatments for classroom acoustic design.
Turbulence Integral Scale Corrections to Experimental Results of Aeroelastic Models with Large Geometric Scales: Application to Gust Loading Factor of a Transmission Line Tower
Authors: Hua X.G. , Chen Z.Q. , Yang J.B. , Niu H.W. , Chen B.
Published: August 2014

Full aeroelastic model tests are often carried out to investigate the buffeting responses and the corresponding gust loading factor (GLF) of flexible structures. The geometric model scale for complicated structures may sometimes be excessively large in comparison with the ratio between turbulence integral scales measured in wind tunnel and in real atmospheric environments. This inconsistency in scale modeling leads to severe distortions of turbulence integral scale similarity whose influence manifests itself by modifications in resonant component of buffeting response and in resulting GLF as well, and numerical correction is needed when these testing results are converted to full-scale. This paper presents a correction procedure in terms of correction factors for experimental GLF obtained from full aeroelastic model tests to account for the inconsistency in scale modeling. The correction is simply made on analyzing the prototype in two air flows with different turbulence integral scales, namely the nominal value in the real atmosphere environment and the full-scale value correspondent to aeroelastic model test. The correction procedure is applied to the full aeroelastic model experiments of a transmission line tower with an unusually large geometric scale of 1/40 in order to examine the effect of turbulence integral scale on GLF. An appreciable effect is observed. It is found that the GLF obtained from wind tunnel experiments tends to be conservative for most structures and becomes unsafe for structures with extremely low modal frequencies when disregarding the correction. Correction factors are then derived to accommodate the inconsistency in modeling turbulence integral lengths. As a first generalization, a set of more general correction factors defined in terms of modal damping ratio and frequency ratio, the ratio between modal frequency and the dominant frequency in wind power spectra, are further developed through parametric analysis. The correction factors decrease with the augment of modal damping ratio and frequency ratio.
Pre-and Post-Activity Stretching Protocols of NCAA American Football Programs: Influence of Certification and Division Affiliation
Authors: Wanless Elizabeth A. , Judge Lawrence W. , Bellar David M. , Craig Bruce W. , Pierce David , Lee Don , Simon Laura
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze the pre- and post-activity stretching practices of NCAA Division I FBS, II, and III football programs in the United States to determine whether stretching practices are influenced by divisional status and certification. A 31-item survey instrument was developed and used to collect data from 104 coaches ranging in age from 24 to 67 years (M = 42.59, SD =9.47). The results of the Pearson's Chi Square analysis demonstrated significant differences in the answers to three questions of interest based upon the CSCS certification status of the individual. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed the length of the pre-activity flexibility is influenced by divisional level ( χ2 = 6.276, p = 0.043). The results of this study indicate that divisional status and certification may influence how well research guidelines are followed. Further research is needed to delineate how these factors affect coaching decisions.
Development of Critical Thinking of Pupils at Primary General Education Stage
Authors: Люгзаева  , Lyugzaeva Svetlana , Чиранова  , Chiranova Olga
Published: August 2014

The article studies aspects of critical reasoning development technology through reading and writing as well as prospective of technology

implementation at mathematics and Russian classes in primary school. Recommendations on carrying out described techniques and the algorithm

of method implementation are offered. Study manuals for fragments of mathematics and Russian classes are provided.
Communication as Adaptation Method for Primary Students in Residential Schools for Orphaned Children
Authors: Аксёнов  , Aksenov A.
Published: August 2014

The article reveals difficulties of fostering interpersonal relations skills in orphans raised in residential schools. It refers to psychological and

pedagogical methods to recognize levels of social adaptation of orphans of various ages on the basis of school boards of experts, as well as to the

system of pedagogical support, that includes training, specific know-how programs and communicational means to reduce negative effects of

desadaptation.
Historic Aspects of Methods for Primary Students’ Verbal Skills Development
Authors: Сафонова  , Safonova Irina
Published: August 2014

The article reveals historic and pedagogic approach to speaking skills development of pre-school and primary school age children, characterizes

the establishment of verbal creativity teaching methods since the ideas of K.D. Ushinskiy and his followers. Emphasis is given to restoration of

rhetoric classes in primary school.
Conflict settlement in the housing and utility sector
Authors: Клычкова Елена , Klychkova Elena , Литвинова Елена , Litvinova Elena , Говердова Виктория , Goverdova Viktoriya
Published: August 2014

The authors consider the issues resolving relationship conflicts between tenants, their associations (homeowners associations, housing associations, a tenement house panel) and the housing and utility companies in the framework of the housing and utility sector reforms. The authors identify the principal causes of conflicts and contentions in the sphere, noting that, with a potential escalation of social aggression in the housing and utility sphere, the absence of a system of cooperation between the local self-governing bodies and the tenant associations makes it imperative that routinely functioning consulting authorities engaged in tenement housing regulation and management be established. For the purpose of conflict settlement in the housing and utility sector, the authors propose a number of innovative approaches based on the participation of exerts and conflict mediation. The authors believe it timely that housing-and-utility-focused mediation services be set up in the Moscow region. The authors describe the organization of their activities, and provide recommendations for local self-governing bodies and tenement house panels, aimed at the development and promotion of mediation in the sphere of housing and utilities in the Moscow region and a resolution of the existing conflicts.
Scheduling Twin Yard Cranes in a Container Block
Authors: Gharehgozli Amir Hossein , Laporte Gilbert , Yu Yugang , de Koster René
Published: August 2014

Annually, millions of containers enter and exit the stacking area of a terminal. If the stacking operations are not efficient, long ship, train, and truck delays will result. To improve the stacking operations, new container terminals, especially in Europe, decouple the landside and seaside by deploying twin automated stacking cranes. The cranes cannot pass each other and must be separated by a safety distance. We study how to schedule twin automated cranes to carry out a set of container storage and retrieval requests in a single block of a yard. Storage containers are initially located at the seaside and landside input/output (I/O) points of the block. Each must be stacked in a specific location of the block, selected from a set of open locations suitable for stacking the storage container. Retrieval containers are initially located in the block and must be delivered to the I/O points. Based on the importance and acceptable waiting times of different modes of transport, requests have different priorities. The problem is modeled as a multiple asymmetric generalized traveling salesman problem with precedence constraints. The objective is to minimize the makespan. We have developed an adaptive large neighborhood search heuristic to quickly compute near-optimal solutions. We have performed extensive computational experiments to assess the performance of the heuristic including validation at a real terminal. It obtains near-optimal solutions for small instances. For large instances, it is shown to yield better solutions than CPLEX truncated after four hours, and it outperforms other heuristics from practice by more than 24% in terms of makespan. The average gaps between our heuristic and optimal solutions for relaxed problems are less than 3%.
Insulin‐like growth factor 2 reverses memory and synaptic deficits in APP transgenic mice
Authors: Pascual‐Lucas Maria , Viana da Silva Silvia , Di Scala Marianna , Garcia‐Barroso Carolina , González‐Aseguinolaza Gloria , Mulle Christophe , Alberini Cristina M , Cuadrado‐Tejedor Mar , Garcia‐Osta Ana
Published: August 2014

Insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) was recently found to play a critical role in memory consolidation in rats and mice, and hippocampal or systemic administration of recombinant IGF2 enhances memory. Here, using a gene therapy‐based approach with adeno‐associated virus (AAV), we show that IGF2 overexpression in the hippocampus of aged wild‐type mice enhances memory and promotes dendritic spine formation. Furthermore, we report that IGF2 expression decreases in the hippocampus of patients with Alzheimer's disease, and this leads us to hypothesize that increased IGF2 levels may be beneficial for treating the disease. Thus, we used the AAV system to deliver IGF2 or IGF1 into the hippocampus of the APP mouse model Tg2576 and demonstrate that IGF2 and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) rescue behavioural deficits, promote dendritic spine formation and restore normal hippocampal excitatory synaptic transmission. The brains of Tg2576 mice that overexpress IGF2 but not IGF1 also show a significant reduction in amyloid levels. This reduction probably occurs through an interaction with the IGF2 receptor (IGF2R). Hence, IGF2 and, to a lesser extent, IGF1 may be effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
3D Echo Guidance for Structural Heart Interventions
Authors: Wunderlich Nina , Franke Jennifer , Wilson Neil , Sievert Horst ,   CardioVascular Center Frankfurt, Seckbacher Landstr. 65, 60389 Frankfurt, Germany. E: n.wunderlich@cvcfrankfurt.de,   CardioVascular Center Frankfurt,   John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford,   CardioVascular Center Frankfurt
Published: August 2014

With the increase of minimally invasive catheter-based cardiac interventions, multiplane 2D transoesophagal echocardiography (2D TEE) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) have evolved to become the most important guiding tools. However, 2D imaging modalities have limitations due to the fact that there are only two spatial dimensions. A novel realtime 3D technology (RT3D TEE) has been merged with TEE to provide realtime volume imaging with high resolution, resulting in unique views of cardiac structures. Despite limited clinical experience to date, high-quality realtime 3D TEE imaging with good spatial and temporal resolution has great potential for guiding interventional procedures by adding additional morphological information not available before. This may lead to safer and shorter procedures with higher technical success, a diminished amount of radiation exposure and, therefore, better outcomes for patients.
Transcatheter Valve Implantation for Patients with Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Ducrocq Grégory , Himbert Dominique , Brochet Eric , Vahanian Alec ,   Cardiology Department, Bichat Hospital, Paris,   Cardiology Department, Bichat Hospital, Paris,   Cardiology Department, Bichat Hospital, Paris,   Cardiology Department, Bichat Hospital, 46 rue Henri Huchard, Paris 15018, France. E: alec.vahanian@bch.aphp.fr
Published: August 2014

Seven years after the first-in-man transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for the treatment of aortic stenosis, it remains a dynamic field of research and development. Evidence from 8,000 patients treated worldwide suggests that TAVI is feasible and provides haemodynamic and clinical improvement for up to three years in patients at high risk or with contraindications to surgery. Pending questions mainly concern safety and long-term durability. Today these techniques are targeted at high-risk patients, but they may be extended to lower-risk groups in the future if their initial promise holds true after careful evaluation.
Percutaneous Treatment of Congenital Defects of the Inter-atrial Septum in Adults – Recent Advances and Persistent Pitfalls
Authors: Slater James , Fisch Mark ,   Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Adult Structural Heart Disease Program, Langone Medical Center, New York University, 530 First Ave, HCC14 New York, 10016, US. E: James.Slater@nyumc.org,   Fellow, Interventional Cardiology, New York University Langone Medical Center
Published: August 2014

William Harvey was the first scientist to describe the heart as consisting of separate right- and left-sided circulations. Our understanding of the heart’s anatomy and physiology has grown significantly since this landmark discovery in 1628. Today, we recognise not only the importance of these separate systems, but also the specific tissue that divides them. Our growing understanding of the inter-atrial septum has allowed us to identify defects within this structure and develop effective percutaneous devices for closure of these defects in the adult patient. This article discusses the formation of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD). In addition, we describe the medical illnesses caused by these defects and summarise the indications and risks related to percutaneous closure of these defects. We also report the most up-to-date transcatheter therapeutic options for closure of these common congenital defects in the adult patient.
The Role of New Antiplatelet Agents in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Galper Benjamin , Mehran Roxana ,   Columbia University Medical Center, New York,   Columbia University Medical Center, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10128, US. E: rmehran@crf.org
Published: August 2014

While the current armamentarium of antithrombotic agents used in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has led to decreased mortality, re-infarction and recurrent ischaemia rates, there are also increasing rates of major bleeding events with the use of more potent antithrombotic agents. Major bleeding associated with PCI leads to significantly increased mortality. Additionally, adequate rates of antiplatelet activity are not reached in large proportions of patients receiving clopidogrel due to interactions with its hepatic metabolism. As a result, current research has focused on creating antiplatelet agents that bypass hepatic metabolism, such as prasugrel and ticagrelor, as well as on decreasing major bleeding risks in patients undergoing PCI. Large trials such as ACUITY and HORIZONS have demonstrated that the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin is able to adequately anticoagulate patients undergoing urgent PCI while also significantly decreasing adverse bleeding events. Additionally, novel reversible anticoagulants and factor Xa inhibitors are being examined as agents that may reduce bleeding risk in this patient population.
Effect of beta-carotene and nucleotide base supplementation on blood composition and immune response in weaned pigs
Authors: Zomborszky-Kovács Melinda , Bárdos L. , Bíró H. , Tuboly S. , Wolf-Táskai Erzsébet , Tóth Á. , Soós P.
Published: August 2014

The effect of synthetic beta-carotene and synthetic nucleotide base on daily weight gain, feed consumption and certain haematological, biochemical and immunological parameters of piglets were studied in a 3-week experiment. Beginning one week prior to weaning, the diet fed to one experimental group of piglets was supplemented with 10% Rovimix Beta-carotene at 875 mg/kg of diet. Synthetic uracil and adenine (98%, Sigma-Aldrich) were mixed into the diet of the other experimental group at doses of 500 mg/kg of diet for each substance. The control group received the basic diet without any supplementation. The changes observed over time in the haematological parameters and in certain biochemical variables could be regarded as physiological. By day 21 of the experiment, beta-carotene supplementation had significantly lowered the neutrophilic granulocyte percentage and elevated the lymphocyte percentage, while in the other two groups a change of opposite tendency occurred. At the end of the experimental period there was a decrease in plasma vitamin E concentration due to carotene supplementation (control: 6.1 ± 1.5, nucleotide: 6.3 ± 2.5, carotene: 2.3 ± 1.5 mg/L). Lymphocyte blastogenesis induced by phytohaemagglutinin and concanavalin A increased by 50 and 130%, respectively, in the nucleotide group and by 60 and 30%, respectively, in the carotene group, while it did not change in the control group. The supplements exerted no positive effect on the in vivo cellular immune response.
Phytotoxic Effects of the Extracts and Compounds Isolated from Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) on Chinese Sprangletop (Leptochloa chinensis) Germination and Seedling Growth in Aerobic Rice Systems
Authors: Chuah Tse Seng , Norhafizah Md Zain , Ismail Sahid
Published: August 2014

Chinese sprangletop, a problematic weed in aerobic rice fields, has developed resistance to various groups of herbicides. In search of natural herbicides, the phytotoxic effects of napiergrass extracts on Chinese sprangletop were investigated. Phytotoxicity-directed extraction and fractionation of the culm plus leaves of napiergrass led to the isolation and identification of three major compounds: 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP), cis-9-octadecenoic methyl ester (methyl oleate), and phthalic acid, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) ester (MEHP). These compounds showed different degrees of inhibition against the tested bioassay species. 2,4-DTBP was the most potent of the three compounds and completely inhibited the germination of Chinese sprangletop at the concentration of 0.5 g L−1, followed by MEHP, where 62% inhibition of germination was obtained. In contrast, methyl oleate showed only slight inhibition (< 10%) of germination. A soil bioassay further demonstrated that 2,4-DTBP is a strong inhibitor of root growth and completely prevented root growth of Chinese sprangletop at an application rate as low as 0.60 kg ai ha−1. Under aerobic conditions, 2,4-DTBP at 2.4 kg ai ha−1 reduced the emergence and shoot fresh weight of Chinese sprangletop by more than 60%, with negligible effect on root and shoot growth of aerobic rice seedlings, suggesting that 2.4 kg ai ha−1 2,4-DTBP is the most suitable rate to control Chinese sprangletop without injuring rice seedlings. Reduction in shoot height of rice plant was evident at 0 d after sowing across 2,4-DTBP rates. However, the rice plants became less susceptible with increasing growth stages. The present findings imply that 2,4-DTBP may potentially be developed as a PRE soil-applied natural herbicide for control of Chinese sprangletop and perhaps other weeds in aerobic rice system.
Weed Management Practice Selection Among Midwest U.S. Organic Growers
Authors: DeDecker James J. , Masiunas John B. , Davis Adam S. , Flint Courtney G.
Published: August 2014

Organic agricultural systems increase the complexity of weed management, leading organic farmers to cite weeds as one of the greatest barriers to organic production. Integrated Weed Management (IWM) systems have been developed to address the ecological implications of weeds and weed management in cropping systems, but adoption is minimal. Organic agriculture offers a favorable context for application of IWM, as both approaches are motivated by concern for environmental quality and agricultural sustainability. However, adoption of IWM on organic farms is poorly understood due to limited data on weed management practices used, absence of an IWM adoption metric, and insufficient consideration given to the unique farming contexts within which weed management decisions are made. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) characterize organic weed management systems; (2) identify motivations for, and barriers to, selection of weed management practices; and (3) generate guiding principles for effective targeting of weed management outreach. We surveyed Midwestern organic growers to determine how specified psychosocial, demographic, and farm structure factors influence selection of weed management practices. Cluster analysis of the data detected three disparate, yet scaled, approaches to organic weed management. Clusters were distinguished by perspective regarding weeds and the number of weed management practices used. Categorization of individual farms within the identified approaches was influenced by primary farm products as well as farmer education, years farming, and information-seeking behavior. The proposed conceptual model allows weed management educators to target outreach for enhanced compatibility of farming contexts and weed management technologies.
Effect of Harvest Timing on Dormancy Induction in Canola Seeds
Authors: Haile Teketel A. , Shirtliffe Steven J.
Published: August 2014

Seedbank persistence in canola seeds is related to their potential to develop secondary dormancy. This can result in volunteer weed problems many years after canola production. The potential to be induced into secondary dormancy is controlled by both the canola genetics and the environment of the mother plant. However, the effect of time of harvesting on secondary dormancy potential is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of harvest timing on potential to develop seed dormancy in canola. Six harvest samples were collected weekly from two canola genotypes (5440 and 5020) starting from 10 to 20% seed color change on the main stem until they were fully ripened. Freshly harvested seeds of 5440 and 5020 showed 13 and 16% primary dormancy at 32 and 33 d after flowering (DAF), respectively, but dormancy decreased with harvest timings and no dormancy was observed when seeds were fully mature (78 DAF). After dormancy induction, 10% of 5440 seeds were dormant at 32 DAF, but 94% of seeds were dormant at 78 DAF. Similarly, 70% of 5020 seeds were dormant at 33 DAF, but 90% of seeds were dormant at 68 DAF. Thus, seeds had lower potential to secondary dormancy at early development but have a high potential to secondary dormancy induction at full maturity. This study suggests that windrowing these canola genotypes at the recommended time (60% seed color change on the main stem) may reduce ability of the seed to develop secondary dormancy and thus reduce the persistence of seeds in the soil seedbank.
Effect of compatibilizers on in vitro biocompatibility of PLA–HA bioscaffold
Authors: Nainar Sheik Mohideen Mohamed , Begum Shahida , Ansari M. N. M. , Hoque Md. Enamul , Aini S. Sharen , Ng M. H. , Ruszymah B. H. I.
Published: August 2014

This paper exclusively describes the biocompatibility evaluation of biodegradable PLA–HA-based composites as temporary bone scaffolds for bone tissue engineering in orthopaedic applications. For that purpose, a set of composites were prepared using 3D melt-deposition method that comprises a biopolymer namely polylactic acid (PLA), and a bioceramic filler, namely hydroxyapatite (HA) 10 wt%, and compatibilizers, namely poly acrylic acid (PAA) 2 wt% and maleic anhydirde (MAH) 2 wt%. The composite samples were evaluated by in vitro assays and biodegradability tests were conducted in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). For the in vitro analysis, osteogenic-induced stem cells were seeded onto the composite scaffold. An inverted optical microscope with computerised image analysis system was used to obtain data regarding cell attachment and contact characteristics after seeding for 48 h. Results showed that the PLA–HA-based composites did not induce adverse reactions from the cells, which in addition to their bone-matching mechanical properties makes them promising materials for bone scaffold applications.