bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meteorological and evaluation datasets for snow modelling at 10 reference sites: description of in situ and bias-corrected reanalysis data
Authors: Ménard Cécile B. , Essery Richard , Barr Alan , Bartlett Paul , Derry Jeff , Dumont Marie , Fierz Charles , Kim Hyungjun , Kontu Anna , Lejeune Yves , Marks Danny , Niwano Masashi , Raleigh Mark , Wang Libo , Wever Nander
Published: June 2019

Abstract. This paper describes in situ meteorological forcing and evaluation data, and
bias-corrected reanalysis forcing data, for cold regions' modelling at 10
sites. The long-term datasets (one maritime, one arctic, three boreal, and
five mid-latitude alpine) are the reference sites chosen for evaluating
models participating in the Earth System Model-Snow Model Intercomparison
Project. Periods covered by the in situ data vary between 7 and 20 years of hourly meteorological data, with evaluation data (snow depth, snow
water equivalent, albedo, soil temperature, and surface temperature)
available at varying temporal intervals. Thirty-year (1980–2010) time series
have been extracted from a global gridded surface meteorology dataset
(Global Soil Wetness Project Phase 3) for the grid cells containing the
reference sites, interpolated to 1 h time steps and bias-corrected.
Although the correction was applied to all sites, it was most important for
mountain sites hundreds of metres higher than the grid elevations and for
which uncorrected air temperatures were too high and snowfall amounts too
low. The discussion considers the importance of data sharing to the
identification of errors and how the publication of these datasets
contributes to good practice, consistency, and reproducibility in
geosciences. The Supplement provides information on instrumentation,
an estimate of the percentages of missing values, and gap-filling methods at
each site. It is hoped that these datasets will be used as benchmarks for
future model development and that their ease of use and availability will
help model developers quantify model uncertainties and reduce model errors.
The data are published in the repository PANGAEA and are available at
https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.897575.
Explicit aerosol-cloud interaction in the Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation model DALES4.1-M7
Authors: de Bruine Marco , Krol Maarten , Vilà-Guerau de Arellano Jordi , Röckmann Thomas
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) are an excellent tool to improve our understanding of the aerosol-cloud interaction (ACI). These models combine a spatial resolution high enough to resolve cloud structures with domain sizes large enough to simulate macroscale dynamics and feedback between clouds. However, most research on ACI using LES simulations is focused on changes in cloud characteristics. The feedback of ACI on the aerosol population remains relatively understudied. We introduce a prognostic aerosol scheme with multiple aerosol species in the Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation model (DALES), especially focused on simulating the feedback of ACI on the aerosol population. The numerical treatment of aerosol activation is a crucial element in the simulation of ACI. Two methods are implemented and discussed: an explicit activation scheme based on κ-Köhler theory and a more classic approach using updraft strength. Model simulations are validated against observations using the Rain in Shallow Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) campaign, characterised by rapidly precipitating, warm-phase shallow cumulus clouds. We find that in this pristine ocean environment virtually all aerosols enter the cloud phase through activation while in-cloud scavenging is relatively inefficient. Despite the rapid formation of precipitation, most of the in-cloud aerosol mass is returned to the atmosphere by cloud evaporation. The strength of aerosol processing through subsequent cloud cycles is found to be particularly sensitive to the activation scheme and resulting cloud characteristics. However, the precipitation processes are considerably less sensitive. Scavenging by precipitation is the dominant source for in-rain aerosol mass. About half of the in-rain aerosol reaches the surface, while the rest is released by evaporation of falling precipitation. Whether ACI increases or decreases the average aerosol size depends on the balance between the evaporation of clouds and rain, and ultimate removal by precipitation. Analysis of typical aerosol size associated with the different microphysical processes shows that aerosols resuspended by cloud evaporation are only 5 to 10 % larger than the originally activated aerosols. In contrast, aerosols released by evaporating precipitation are an order of magnitude larger.
Quantifying streamflow and active groundwater storage in response to climate warming in an alpine catchment, upper Lhasa River
Authors: Lin Lu , Gao Man , Liu Jintao , Wang Jiarong , Wang Shuhong , Chen Xi , Liu Hu
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Climate warming is changing streamflow regimes and groundwater storage in cold alpine regions. In this study, a headwater catchment named Yangbajain in the Lhasa River Basin is adopted as the study area for quantifying streamflow changes and active groundwater storage in response to climate warming. The changes in streamflow regimes and climate factors are evaluated based on hydro-meteorological observations from 1979 to 2013. The results show that annual streamflow increases significantly at a rate of about 12.30 mm/10a during this period. Through baseflow recession analysis, we also find that the estimated groundwater storage that is comparable with the GRACE data increases significantly at the rates of about 19.32 mm/10a during these years. The rising of air temperature is the main factor for the increase in streamflow and groundwater storage, which has led to a loss of over 25 % of the total glacier volume for half century in this catchment. Parallel comparisons with other sub-basins in the Lhasa River Basin reveal that the increased streamflow at the Yangbajain station is mainly fed by the accelerated glacier retreat rather than frozen ground degradation. However, the increase of active storage capacity is caused by frozen ground degradation, which can accommodate the increasing meltwater in the valley. The huge gap between the melt-derived runoff and the increased water volume in groundwater storage and streamflow suggests that more than 60 % of the total ablation of glaciers should be discharged downstream through deep fault. This study provides a perspective to clarify the impact of glacial retreat and frozen ground degradation on hydrological processes, which fundamentally affects the water supply and the mechanisms of streamflow generation and change.
Estimating The Sea Ice Floe Size Distribution Using Satellite Altimetry: Theory, Climatology, and Model Comparison
Authors: Horvat Christopher , Roach Lettie , Tilling Rachel , Bitz Cecilia , Fox-Kemper Baylor , Guider Colin , Hill Kaitlin , Ridout Andy , Sheperd Andrew
Published: June 2019

Abstract. In sea-ice-covered areas, the sea ice floe size distribution (FSD) plays an important role in many processes affecting the coupled sea-ice-ocean-atmosphere system. Observations of the FSD are spare – traditionally taken via a pain-staking analysis of ice surface photography – and the seasonal and inter-annual evolution of floe size regionally and globally is largely unknown. Frequently, measured FSDs are assessed using a single number, the scaling exponent of the closest power law fit to the observed floe size data, although in the absence of adequate datasets there have been limited tests of this power-law hypothesis. Here we derive and explain a mathematical technique for deriving statistics of the sea ice FSD from polar-orbiting altimeters, satellites with sub-daily return times to polar regions with high along-track resolutions. Applied to the CryoSat-2 radio altimetric record, covering the period from 2010–2018, and incorporating 11 million individual floe samples, we produce the first climatology and seasonal cycle of sea ice floe size statistics. We then perform the first pan-Arctic test of the power law hypothesis, finding limited support in the range of floe sizes typically analyzed in photographic observational studies. We compare the seasonal variability in observed floe size to fully coupled climate model simulations including a prognostic floe size and thickness distribution and coupled wave model, finding good agreement in regions where modeled ocean surface waves cause sea ice fracture.
Called to Serve: Elevating Human-Performed Caregiver and Volunteer Work in an Era of AI-Robotic Technologies
Authors: Escajeda Hilary G.
Published: June 2019

Called to Serve: Elevating Human-Performed Caregiver and Volunteer Work in an Era of AI-Robotic Technologies
Leveraging the Power of Mobile Technology to Enhance ESP Students’ Listening Comprehension Ability
Authors: Wang Yu-Chun
Published: June 2019

The ubiquitous nature of mobile devices and the expanding array of mobile learning applications enable the foreign language acquisition to take place outside the traditional classroom environment. This study conducted a mobile-assisted instructional experiment where the design and development of a mobile application were accomplished to serve students with diverse learning needs in a business English communication class, and with special emphasis on the practice and improvement of listening skills. The instruments used in this study include two tests, weekly quizzes and an attitude survey. The findings demonstrated positive effects of the mobile learning on ESP students with regards to their listening comprehension. Most of the students enjoyed having access to the mobile materials specifically designed to improve their learning performance. They perceived such technology-enhanced learning as a practical method for acquiring foreign language skills, because it provided them with an opportunity to accomplish learning tasks anywhere and at any time.
Physicochemical, Microbial and Ecotoxicological Characteristics of Textile Effluent Collected in the Southeast Region of Brazil
Authors: Mainardi Pedro Henrique , Bidoia Ederio Dino
Published: June 2019

The textile sector comprises several segments and detain a great economic and social value. Textile industries, however, demands large amounts of water and generate great loads of effluent in their production process. The effluent’s physical and chemical parameters, as much as its microbiological and ecotoxicological aspects, has been extremely useful to find out the key aspects for the development of novel methods of treatment and implementation of new techniques of industrial processing. In this study, a real effluent sample was collected from a textile factory situated in the southeast region of Brazil and analyzed for turbidity, solids content, oils and greases, alkalinity, pH value, electrical conductivity, BOD, COD, organic and inorganic components, total viable bacteria, coliforms and EC50 ecotoxicological degree using the microcrustacean Daphnia magna and the lettuce Lactuca sativa. The measured parameters were seen to have a great variation in comparison to a vast literature report and the characterization was shown to be extremely important in the search of new methods to reduce the volume and the toxicity of this kind of effluent.
Birds in Medieval Norway
Authors: Walker Samuel J. , Hufthammer Anne Karin , Meijer Hanneke J. M.
Published: June 2019

Whilst modern avian distributions in Scandinavia are well studied, how past events and processes have shaped modern bird communities in the region remains poorly known. This is mainly due to the fact that work on post-glacial avian assemblages has been done mostly from an archaeological perspective, and on a site-specific basis. Therefore, in order to understand the history of bird species in Scandinavia, there is a clear need to collate data on the past occurrences and abundance of birds within the region. Here we present data on the presence of bird species within 21 Norwegian Medieval (1030–1537 CE) assemblages. Despite climatic fluctuations and the rise of urban centres, our re-examination and compilation of bird bone assemblages from Medieval Norway found no evidence to suggest that the Medieval bird fauna differed from the modern one. The most common birds in Medieval assemblages are Galliformes. In urban sites these are mostly domestic fowl, whereas on rural sites wild species are dominant. Our data indicates an introduction of domestic fowl in the early Medieval period and a slightly delayed introduction of domestic geese, with both species becoming more abundant during the mid to late Medieval period. This appears to be later than other Scandinavian countries. Interestingly, species that are now ubiquitous in urban areas, such as pigeons, corvids and gulls are mostly absent from Medieval urban centres. In addition, we found a bias towards the use of female Accipiter gentilis in falconry, while Falco species may have been exported. This is the first time that data on past avian occurrences for any period are reviewed and collated for Norway. In addition, our work highlights the importance of birds and bird exploitation in Medieval Norway.
La planeación estratégica y la calidad docente en la Universidad
Authors: Ramírez Gálvez José Roberto
Published: June 2019

Independientemente del tipo de disciplina o especialidad, las universidades deben formar en sus estudiantes un pensamiento de alto nivel y convertirlos en aprendices autónomos.

Se define enseñanza de calidad como la que consigue alcanzar las metas de enseñanza, mismas que se distinguen por su ambición y complejidad como buscar que los alumnos logren un pensamiento crítico, sean creativos y desarrollen habilidades cognitivas complejas. Sin embargo, de acuerdo con la información disponible, la mayoría de los estudiantes de este nivel no alcanzan esas metas. Se reconoce el papel central que tiene el docente para conseguirlo.

La evaluación educativa y en particular, la del aprendizaje de los estudiantes, constituye en este contexto un tema de singular interés, por su importancia, complejidad y por la vigencia de numerosos problemas pendientes de solución.

La búsqueda de la excelencia en la educación superior es una exigencia actual que compromete a todos aquellos implicados en las tareas educativas y a todos los ámbitos, facetas y componentes del proceso de formación de los futuros profesionales. En nuestro país esa búsqueda se manifiesta en la voluntad de un perfeccionamiento continuo de la enseñanza universitaria sobre bases científicas, que sustenta las decisiones y el quehacer cotidiano de las instituciones educativas e impulsa, a la vez, el desarrollo de la investigación pedagógica como necesidad del propio perfeccionamiento.

La planificación estratégica en una institución de educación superior, es un proceso continuo, técnico-político, sistemático, reflexivo, participativo, crítico y autocrítico, instructivo, flexible, integral y orientador, que promueve el cambio, y precede y preside la acción para la toma de decisiones.
Determinants of Accounting Students’ Competency: Kuwait University
Authors: AlBassam Sadik , AlAwadi Abdulah , Alrashed Wael
Published: June 2019

Kuwait University is the only state university with accounting education that has commenced in 1966. So far, accounting education is offered by the College of Business Administration – CBA- as a full degree of 4 years span, in addition to some other private universities that started recently. CBA periodically reviews the accounting program particularly after earning AACSB accreditation in the late 90’s, which has pressed for more academic excellence. CBA has introduced an exit exam process in 2009 since inception. Results revealed some areas of concern such as the shallow technical background of graduates, ill-use of advanced accounting systems and software, and inadequate research ability. One would add to these, student's tendency toward the classical type of learning or “spoon feeding”, which questions their ability in the judgmental type of cases as well as their self-expression.The purpose of this research is to explore factors associated with accounting student’s competencies at Kuwait University and subsequently to suggest remedy policies. A survey has been conducted through out the period from April 2018 till August 2018 exploring factors affecting accounting student’s competency. Multiple factors that influence student's competencies were entrenched within a statistical model which later resulted in comparable results. Moreover, stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the relationships between students' competency and the independent variables. Results expose that students lean heavily on in- class materials and do less reading in advance. Also, learning techniques used and practices by students are well classical as it depends primarily on lecturer delivering the materials. Finally, this study provides evidence that GPA earned by accounting students at CBA is the most important variable associated with their overall performance upon graduation. Other variables such as MGPA, external assistance (EA), in-class assignments (ICA), students' personal and technical abilities (PFT), and other financial and social factors (FT) have lesser degree of significance on their performance.
Information Systems Risk Management: Litterature Review
Authors: Amraoui Soumaya , Elmaallam Mina , Bensaid Hicham , Kriouile Abdelaziz
Published: June 2019

The security of a company's information system (IS) is an important requirement for the pursuit of its business. Risk management contributes to the protection of the IS assets. It saves the organism from the losses caused by the emergence of unwanted events having an incidence on the IS objectives and consequently on its strategy. It has also an important role in the decision making about entering new opportunities. In addition, it promises an optimal allocation of information system resources. The risk management process aims to analyze what can happen and what are the eventual consequences for the organization before deciding what needs to be done and reducing the risks to an acceptable level. This paper presents a literature review of IS risk management and gives a comparative analyse of its processes, methods and standards.
Marina el-Alamein Polish-Egyptian Conservation Mission. Conservation in 2017
Authors: Zambrzycki Piotr , Selerowicz Anna
Published: June 2019

The conservation program of the Polish–Egyptian Conservation Mission in Marina el-Alamein in 2017 included restoration of wall structures and architectural decoration elements damaged as a result of unfavorable climate conditions (Houses H9/H9a and H21, Rooms 10 and 11 in the Roman baths). Wall paintings exposed to weather conditions in situ were treated as part of another conservation project. Minor metal finds were also treated using both chemical and mechanical means in order to identify the objects.
Tell el-Farkha. Archaeological Fieldwork 2016–2017
Authors: Chłodnicki Marek , Ciałowicz Krzysztof
Published: June 2019

The paper discusses archaeological investigations carried out on all three tells making up the site of Tell el-Farkha, expanding on the findings from earlier seasons. Phasing of the brewery discovered four years ago on the Western Kom gave a time range for the use of the installation from the first Southern Egyptian occupation (Naqada IID) to the Naqada IIIA1/2–IIIB phase, when a catastrophic fire destroyed the entire settlement. The big Naqada warehouse on the Central Kom was also phased (beginning in Naqada IIIA1) and further parts of an underlying building attributed to the Lower Egyptian culture were explored, including a wooden fence around the structure. The 11 graves explored on the Eastern Kom were dated to the Tell el-Farkha Phase 6 (Naqada IIIC2–IIID). They cut into a building (temple?) from an earlier phase.
Saqqara: Season 2017
Authors: Kuraszkiewicz Kamil , Ciszewska-Woźniak Iwona
Published: June 2019

The western bank of the Dry Moat continued to be the main target of investigations in the 2017 field season, uncovering another section of the Upper Necropolis in front of Chapel 13 and exploring the burial chamber of Chapel 32 situated below that of Ikhi/Mery. The latter work resulted in the discovery of an intact burial of an anonymous Fifth Dynasty official. Conservation work remained an important part of the program.
A Preliminary Analysis of Human Remains from Tomb MMA 514 in North Asasif, Egypt]
Authors: Campbell Roselyn A.
Published: June 2019

Since 2013 the Asasif Project has conducted excavations of several tombs in the North Asasif Necropolis, adjacent to the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari in southern Egypt. Under the direction of Patryk Chudzik, this work has yielded large numbers of human remains. This article describes the results of a preliminary inventory of the human remains from one of these funerary complexes, originally discovered by H.E. Winlock in the early 20th century. Tomb MMA 514 was reused at least twice, and although the human remains are in various stages of preservation and are highly fragmented, it is possible to identify at least nine separate individuals.
Beads and pendants from the Hellenistic to Early Byzantine Red Sea port of Berenike, Egypt, Season 2014 and 2015
Authors: Then-Obłuska Joanna
Published: June 2019

Almost 650 beads and pendants, most of them of glass and faience, were excavated over two seasons in 2014 and 2015 at Berenike on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. This material, coming from 19 trenches variously located within the Hellenistic to early Byzantine site, has contributed some new data, enhancing the Berenike bead typology. Highlights included a Bes pendant of glass from a Hellenistic context and early Roman mosaic glass beads with face patterns. Other materials of which the ornaments were made included marine mollusk shells, ostrich eggshell, and a variety of stone and minerals. Of greatest interest were beads coming from early Roman graves, of an older man (the order of the threaded beads could be traced) and of animals (neck collars). Beads threaded on fragments of string, most probably of Indo-Pacific make, came from the early Roman rubbish dump.
Early Makuria Research Project. Beads and pendants from Tanqasitumulus cemetery, Nubia, Sudan (Season 2018)
Authors: Then-Obłuska Joanna
Published: June 2019

An assemblage of 1687 beads and pendants was recovered from the excavation of five tumuli: 16, 23, 46, 52, 179) in the cemetery of Tanqasi in Sudan. The assemblage is dominated by faience beads (n=920). The remaining beads and pendants are made of glass (n=422), stone (n=241), ostrich eggshell (n=102), and metal-in-glass (n=2). Morphological estimation based on
material, technique of manufacture and shape provides a preliminary overview of types that are encountered at Tanqasi cemetery. In addition to beads made of locally available materials (ostrich eggshell, quartz and faience), glass beads of Mediterranean and
Indo-Pacific provenance were found. In general, the assemblage is dated to the period between the late Meroitic and post-Meroitic. A few bead types: small faience, bichrome glass and gold-in-glass, are late Meroitic in date. One stone bead may be Napatan in origin.
Newcomers and autochthons. Preliminary report on the 2016–2017 survey in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region, Iraq. Settlement pattern in the Ninevite 5 period (2012–2017)]
Authors: Ławecka Dorota
Published: June 2019

The paper presents the results of the last two field campaigns (autumn seasons of 2016 and 2017) of the “Newcomers and autochthons” project, conducted since 2013 within the framework of the UGZAR (Upper Greater Zab Archaeological Reconnaissance) project in the upper Greater Zab area of the Kurdistan Autonomous Region of Iraq. A short preliminary account on the sites found during this period is followed by an overview of the Ninevite 5 settlement pattern based on data gathered over the course of six seasons of prospection within the research area.
Giacomo Bartoloni 60 anos: uma reflexão sobre as narrativas de sua carreira no festival em sua homenagem
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Soares Teresinha Rodrigues Prada , Bartolini Fábio Figueiredo ,   Fundação Instituto Tecnológico de Osasco e Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP
Published: June 2019

O artigo apresenta reflexões sobre o Festival Giacomo Bartoloni 60 Anos, ocorrido de 9 a 11 de agosto de 2017 no Instituto de Artes da Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho – UNESP, aproximando-se de teorias que sustentam a história e suas biografias construídas em narrativas. A trajetória desse docente, intérprete e compositor de músicas para o violão de concerto é debatida, fundamentada em conceitos sobre narrativa histórica. O evento seguiu o modelo de um festival de violão clássico para homenagear os 60 anos desse violonista, organizado por Gilson Antunes, Cleyton Fernandes, Fábio Bartoloni (ex-alunos), Gisela Nogueira e Luciano Morais (ex-colegas), com uma programação visivelmente planejada com o intuito do referido tributo ao violonista, no entanto, a ocasião propiciou debater a atividade artístico-cultural do meio erudito musical, a docência, incluindo o nível superior e o papel da universidade pública, bem como o retrato de uma geração que viu o violão passar de instrumento marginalizado a atuante na tradicional música de concerto.
SATISFACTION DES ENSEIGNANTS-RESSOURCES À L’ÉGARD DES RÔLES ET DES FONCTIONS POUR SOUTENIR LA RÉUSSITE DES ÉLÈVES À RISQUE, EN DIFFICULTÉ D’ADAPTATION OU D’APPRENTISSAGE
Authors: Granger Nancy , Tremblay Philippe
Published: June 2019

La fonction d’enseignant-ressource existe depuis 12 ans au Québec et aucun état des lieux n’a été réalisé à ce jour. Afin de brosser un portrait de cette fonction, un questionnaire de 21 questions a été envoyé dans les écoles secondaires francophones du Québec. L’objectif était de mieux connaitre les rôles et fonctions des enseignants-ressources et de déterminer l’état de leur satisfaction notamment au regard de l’aide à apporter aux élèves à risque, en difficulté d’adaptation ou d’apprentissage (EDAA) et à leurs enseignants. Au total, 164 enseignants-ressources ont répondus au questionnaire. Les résultats d’analyses de contenu montrent qu’ils sont assez satisfaits de leur tâche. Des défis de collaboration avec l’enseignant de la classe et d’efficacité d’interventions auprès des élèves demeurent.
Relationships Between External Factors and Pedestrian Accident Blackspots – A Case Study of the City of Zagreb
Authors: Ćosić Mario , Šimunović Ljupko , Jakovljević Marijan
Published: June 2019

Traffic accidents represent a social, health and political challenge in every country. Urban environments are characterized by intense traffic flows on the network, where different conditions resulting in interactions between motorised and non-motorised transport constantly occur, potentially increasing the risk of accidents. Although road accidents are considered as random events in space and time, a highly detailed analysis may establish correlations between road accidents and external factors (road infrastructure, traffic conditions, weather conditions, land use). This paper considers the impact of external factors on road accidents involving pedestrians in the City of Zagreb, which required an analysis of accident blackspots. The research conducted in this paper puts an emphasis on relations between external factors and accident blackspots involving pedestrians. The results can be used in planning pedestrian infrastructure and improving road safety.
Accuracy of Canine Scent Detection of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer in Blood Serum
Authors: Junqueira Heather , Quinn Thomas A. , Biringer Roger , Hussein Mohamed , Smeriglio Courtney , Barrueto Luisa , Finizio Jordan , Huang Xi Ying “Michelle”
Published: June 2019

Context

Early detection provides the best opportunity for lung cancer survival; however, lung cancer is difficult to detect early because symptoms do not often appear until later stages. Current screening methods such as x-ray and computed tomographic imaging lack the sensitivity and specificity needed for effective early diagnosis. Dogs have highly developed olfactory systems and may be able to detect cancer in its primary stages. Their scent detection could be used to identify biomarkers associated with various types of lung cancer.

Objective

To determine the accuracy of trained beagles’ ability to use their olfactory system to differentiate the odor of the blood serum of patients with lung cancer from the blood serum of healthy controls.

Methods

Over the course of 8 weeks, operant conditioning via clicker training was used to train dogs to use their olfactory system to distinguish blood serum from patients with malignant lung cancer from blood serum from healthy controls in a double-blind study. After training, non–small cell lung cancer and healthy control blood serum samples were presented to the dogs, and the sensitivity and specificity of each dog were analyzed.

Results

Four dogs were trained for the study, but 1 was unmotivated by training and removed from the study. Three dogs were able to correctly identify the cancer samples with a sensitivity of 96.7%, specificity of 97.5%, positive predictive value of 90.6%, and negative predictive value of 99.2%.

Conclusion

Trained dogs were able to identify non–small cell lung cancer samples from healthy controls. The findings of this study provide a starting point for a larger-scale research project designed to explore the use of canine scent detection as a tool for cancer biomarkers.
Characterization of bidirectional gene pairs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset
Authors: Tu Juchuanli , Li Xiaolu , Wang Jianjun
Published: June 2019

The “bidirectional gene pair” indicates a particular head-to-head gene organization in which transcription start sites of two genes are located on opposite strands of genomic DNA within a region of one kb. Despite bidirectional gene pairs are well characterized, little is known about their expression profiles and regulation features in tumorigenesis. We used RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset for a systematic analysis of the expression profiles of bidirectional gene pairs in 13 cancer datasets. Gene pairs on the opposite strand with transcription end site distance within one kb or on the same strand with the distance of two genes between 1–10 kb and gene pairs comprising two randomly chosen genes were used as control gene pairs (CG1, CG2, and random). We identified and characterized up-/down-regulated genes by comparing the expression level between tumors and adjacent normal tissues in 13 TCGA datasets. There were no consistently significant difference in the percentage of up-/down-regulated genes between bidirectional and control/random genes in most of TCGA datasets. However, the percentage of bidirectional gene pairs comprising two up- or two down-regulated genes was significantly higher than gene pairs from CG1/2 in 12/11 analyzed TCGA datasets and the random gene pairs in all 13 TCGA datasets. Then we identified the methylation correlated bidirectional genes to explore the regulatory mechanism of bidirectional genes. Like the differentially expressed gene pairs, the bidirectional genes in a pair were significantly prone to be both hypo- or hyper-methylation correlated genes in 12/13 TCGA datasets when comparing to the CG2/random gene pairs despite no significant difference between the percentages of hypo-/hyper-methylation correlated genes in bidirectional and CG2/random genes in most of TCGA datasets. Finally, we explored the correlation between bidirectional genes and patient’s survival, identifying prognostic bidirectional genes and prognostic bidirectional gene pairs in each TCGA dataset. Remarkably, we found a group of prognostic bidirectional gene pairs in which the combination of two protein coding genes with different expression level correlated with different survival prognosis in survival analysis for OS. The percentage of these gene pairs in bidirectional gene pair were significantly higher than the gene pairs in controls in COAD datasets and lower in none of 13 TCGA datasets.
Worldwide scientific productions with immunotherapy of sepsis: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Wan Ronghao , Li Lei , Xing Chenwei , Peng Ronggang , Gao Liang
Published: June 2019

Background

Sepsis represents a significant healthcare problem worldwide and causes a high number of deaths every year but remains to be fully understood. During and after sepsis, the host immune response is complex and involves an initial excessive host inflammatory response to infection that is closely related to tissue damage and leads to organ failure. Over the past three decades, immunotherapy for sepsis has vastly improved, but in this area, the most influential articles, journals, authors, and countries have not yet been completely summarized and analyzed.

Objective

Performed a bibliometric analysis on all the articles concerning immunotherapy for sepsis from 1962 to 2019 was our objective, and we also explored the potential correlations between publications of different countries and their gross domestic product (GDP).

Methods

All articles about immunotherapy for sepsis were extracted from the Scopus database and analyzed. We also retrieved GDP data from all the countries that have published information from the World Bank.

Results

In summary, we have retrieved 1,483 related articles from the Scopus database starting from the first publication on immunotherapy for sepsis in 1962 through March 16, 2019. Over the past decade, the number of the articles published has increased year by year to reach 866 in total, which accounts for about 58% of all publications, with 2017 being the most prolific year when 179 articles were published. The US published 604 articles (41%), followed by China (n = 163, 11%), and Germany (n = 158, 11%). In terms of publishing media, the journal that published the highest number of the articles was Journal of Critical Care Medicine with 65 articles (4%), followed by Shock with 55 articles (4%), and Critical Care with 35 articles (2%). There was a strong correlation between the GDP of the different countries and their publication numbers (r = 0.811, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our present study analyzed all types of articles concerning immunotherapy for sepsis over the past 57 years and countries with high GDP tends to make more contributions to the medical field of this field. In the meantime, these studies highlight the importance of immunotherapy in the treatment of sepsis patients. The recognition of the historical status and development trend of this field can promote inter-agency cooperation, guide future research, and ultimately provide the basis for clinical practice guidelines.
Control of Peduncular Rot in Post-harvest Mango Fruits with Hydrotherapy and Refrigeration
Authors: Rodrigues Gerlan do Nascimento , Amorim Edna Peixoto Da Rocha , Filho José Gomes , Carvalho Valdeir Nunes , Silva de Lima Samuel , Silva Erisson Marques da , Da Silva Filho José Alexandre , De Lins Cunha Jorge Xavier , Rodrigues de Lima Lucas Alceu , Da Silva Araújo Alessandra
Published: June 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydrotherapy associated with refrigeration on the control of peduncular rot in mango fruits (Mangifera indica) of the Tommy Atkins variety. For this, an experiment was set up in the phytopathology laboratory of the Agrarian Sciences Center of the Federal University of Alagoas - UFAL - Delza Gitaí Campus - Rio Largo - AL, from June to December 2018. Mango fruits, previously inoculated with L. theobromae (106 con.mL-1), were immersed in warm water at temperatures of 40, 45, 50 and 55°C for 1, 5 and 10 minutes and then placed under refrigeration for 5 days, then evaluated for disease severity. The results show that hydrotherapy associated with refrigeration is able to control peduncular rot in mango fruits. The temperatures of 50, 55 and 60ºC in the time of 9 minutes of fruit immersion showed 100% control of the disease, in the time of 1 minute only the temperature of 60ºC presented control superior to 90% of the disease, the temperatures of 45 , 50 and 55 presented control of 74.6, 76.2 and 89%, respectively. In the time of 5 minutes, the temperatures of 55 and 60ºC were the best with control superior to 90% of the disease. In all immersion times, the equation that best fit the data was the 3rd degree polynomial. The temperature of 40ºC, in all evaluated times, was the only one that presented control of the disease inferior to 20%.
Floristic Composition and Phytosanitary State of Arboreal Coverage in the Urban Park of City of Recife, Pernambuco
Authors: Silva Valdemir Fernando da , Leite Maria José de Holanda , Silva Joselane Priscila Da , Souza Adriana Miranda De , Melo Lucicleiton Leandro da Silva De , Marangon Luiz Carlos , Marangon Ana Licia Patriota Feliciano
Published: June 2019

The process of disordered urbanization was reduced drastically as the natural areas, which formerly was necessary, the current times of occurrence of empty spaces, which was not different in the City of Recife, but not the District of Dois Irmãos. With the purpose of protecting a fragment of the Atlantic Forest and reducing the pressure on the environment, a state conservation unit was created called Dois Irmãos State Park (PEDI). In this perspective, the study had an objective of surveying the species of shrubs and the analysis of the phytosanitary present in the arborization of the zoological sector of the State Park of Dois Irmãos. With the objective of subsidizing the promotion and development of activities related to environmental education. The survey of plants was made from new census models. In this inventory 369 arboreal individuals were present at the PEDI Zoo, belonging to 25 botanical families, 48 ​​genera and 60 species. Among these are the species, two were of gender level and one was classified as indeterminate. Of the species studied, 70% are natural, 25% exotic and 5% remain unclassified. Regarding plant health, 81.57% of the population is in good condition, 3.52% regular and 14.9% bad. From the DAP and the DAP, it is possible to infer that the data is compiled by processes in the adult phase. It is hoped that this is a game of the child by the Park, in order to promote and disseminate the knowledge of the species inserted in it, thus seeking to raise awareness of the benefits generated by them.
ANALISA ASPEK-ASPEK DALAM PROSEDUR CHANGE ORDER PADA PROYEK KONSTRUKSI
Authors: Kosasi Michael Halmar , Andi Andi , Arijanto Lie
Published: June 2019

Change order merupakan perubahan kondisi kontrak yang mengubah harga, dan schedule proyek. Penelitian sebelumnya menunjukan claim change order mencapai 50% dari keseluruhan claim, dimana 76% diantaranya merupakan change order lisan dan separuhnya mengalami kegagalan claim. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengetahui berbagai aspek dalam prosedur change order. Metode penelitian yaitu dengan membuat kuesioner berdasarkan literatur terhadap “frekuensi kejadian” dan “tingkat kepentingan”. Data dianalisa deskriptif untuk mendalami kondisi proyek dan literatur beserta penyebabnya secara mendalam, yang kemudian dilakukan analisa perbedaan kontraktor dan MK melalui uji T-Test. Berdasarkan analisa diketahui saat identifikasi, change order diprakarsai owner, kontraktor, MK dengan site instruction, selanjutnya kontraktor harus mengajukan proposal gambar, spesifikasi, harga, dokumentasi. Selanjutnya owner akan mengevaluasi harga satuan dan mengukur volume bersih berdasar perubahan gambar. Pada tahapan approval, owner memberikan tanda tangan berdasarkan harga yang disetujui. Payment dilakukan dengan invoice terpisah sesuai progress change order beserta biaya tidak langsung, sedangkan tambahan waktu diberikan dalam hari kalender

 

Change orders are changes in contract conditions change prices, and the project schedule. Previous research shows change order claims reaches 50% of total claim, where 76% given in verbal, and half have failed. The research objective is to determine the various aspects of the change order procedure. The research method is to create a questionnaire based on the literature of the "frequency of occurrence" and "level of interest". Data were analyzed descriptively to explore the conditions of the project and literature and how it happens, analyzed the differences contractors and MK through T-Test. Based on the analysis found that identification phase, change orders initiated by the owner, the contractor, MK with site instruction, then the contractor must submit a proposal drawings, specifications, price, documentation. Next phase, owner will evaluate the unit price and measuring the net volume based on changes drawing. At approval phase, owner provides a signature based on the agreed price. Payment is done by a separate invoice based on progress including  indirect costs, while additional time is given in calendar days.
The irregular breathing effect on target volume and coverage for lung stereotactic body radiotherapy
Authors: Pan Chia‐Hsin , Shiau An‐Cheng , Li Kai‐Chiun , Hsu Shu‐Hui , Liang Ji‐An
Published: June 2019

The major challenge in treating a mobile target is obtaining the temporal and spatial information imaging and treatment details. This phantom study quantitatively evaluates the geometric and dosimetric effects of various treatment techniques under different respiratory patterns. The regular motion model was a sinusoidal waveform with a longitudinal range of ±1.5 cm and a period of 4 sec, while irregular motion models were generated by extracting signals from clinical cases. Helical CT for a static target and 4D CT with retrospective sorting were acquired. Phase bin, maximum, and average intensity projection (MIP and AIP) CT datasets were reconstructed. RapidArc and IMRT plans were generated on static and moving target CT datasets with different motion patterns using the phase‐based gating and nongating treatment. Dose measurements were performed using EBT3 films. Dose profile and gamma analysis (±3%/1 mm criteria) were used for dose comparisons. For the irregular motions, internal target volume variations between AIP and MIP datasets (AIP/MIP) had slight differences (−6.2% to −7.7%) for gated plans, and larger differences (−12.3% to −15.2%) for nongated plans. Dosimetric measurements showed a high gamma passing rate (>98.5%) for the static plan in the target region, while the AIP and MIP gated plans had average passing rates of 92.2% ± 5.7% and 85.8% ± 9.5%, respectively. Nongated plans had significantly lower and deviated passing rates, while the AIP and MIP plans had passing rates of 43.6% ± 22.2% and 66.7% ± 28.2%, respectively (p < 0.05). Lung stereotactic body radiotherapy treatment delivered with the gated technique did not compromise the gross tumor volumes coverage, and was insensitive to the breathing irregularities and plan techniques. Adequate margins should be accounted to cover the mis‐gating effect when using the phase‐based gating under irregular motion.
Improving funding for OUD medications will go only so far, study suggests
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: June 2019

Funding clearly plays a pivotal role in encouraging addiction treatment providers to adopt agonist therapy–based strategies to combat opioid dependence, but a new study suggests that reimbursement alone won't maximize use of evidence‐based medication treatments.
Parental use of Rx opioids increases risk for suicide attempts
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2019

Suicide among youth has increased over the past 15 years, and this could be connected to their parents' use of prescription opioids, a recent study has found.
AMA delegates vote to align 42 CFR Part 2 with HIPAA
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2019

Last week, the House of Delegates at the American Medical Association (AMA) voted to make the confidentiality regulation, 42 CFR Part 2, which gives substance use disorder (SUD) patients authority over who sees their records, like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This is now policy of the AMA, in what is considered a part of the “democratic process” of voting. It's also a reversal of the AMA's decision last fall, when the organization sent a letter to Congress opposing just such an action, saying it would deter patients from seeking treatment.
Bacterium‐Mimicking Vector with Enhanced Adjuvanticity for Cancer Immunotherapy and Minimized Toxicity
Authors: Zheng Binbin , Xu Jiaojiao , Chen Gaoxian , Zhang Sihang , Xiao Zeyu , Lu Wei
Published: June 2019

Bacteria are utilized as adjuvants for anticancer immunotherapy. However, immunotherapy with bacteria or their extracts is limited due to their toxicity. On the basis of the innate molecular interactions of foreign molecules from the bacterial components with the host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), a synthetic adjuvant vector morphologically mimicking the bacterium is engineered, which comprises an optimal combination of components derived from bacterial cell wall, flagellum, and nucleoid. The bacterium‐mimicking vectors (BMVs) cooperatively trigger multiple signaling pathways of PRRs and display superior antitumor therapeutic and prophylactic effects to either that of the reported synthetic or bacterium‐derived adjuvant. Significantly, BMVs improve the efficacy of photothermal ablation therapy to eradicate 50% of large established tumor in mice that completely reject tumor rechallenge. The synthetic BMVs with the detoxified and controllable composition exhibit minimized toxicity. Such a bacterium‐mimicking engineering strategy provides a rational approach to select pathogen‐associated molecular patterns, which drives the desired antitumor immune response. The engineered BMVs offer a promising alternative to the bacterial adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy.
Responsive Smart Windows from Nanoparticle–Polymer Composites
Authors: Kim Hye‐Na , Yang Shu
Published: June 2019

Windows play significant roles in commercial and residential buildings and automobiles, which direct and control light illumination, thermal insulation, natural ventilation, and aesthetics. Various approaches are attempted to make windows “smart” by tailoring their transparency and thermal insulation in response to environmental changes. Hence, there has been much effort to develop smart windows that can dynamically modulate the transmission and reflectance of the visible light and solar radiance into buildings according to weather conditions or personal preferences. Development of smart window materials is also beneficial to applications including wearable sensors, energy harvesting and storage, and medical devices. By carefully matching the refractive indices of nanoparticle (NPs) and polymer matrix, surface chemistry, and their mechanical properties, particle‐embedded polymer composites can exhibit synergistic effects with improved chemical and mechanical stability, enhanced dispersion of NPs, and optimized and stimuli‐responsive optical properties. Here, an overview of recent progresses in the development of smart windows based on electro‐, thermo‐, and mechanoactuations is provided. Additional functionalities, e.g., flexibility, stretchability, and mechanical/chemical stability, can also be achieved by careful choices of NPs and polymers.