bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current issues in Spanish heritage language education
Authors: Potowski Kim
Published: July 2016

As the present volume makes abundantly clear, the Latino population in the United States is increasing and making an important impact all levels of education. The five chapters in this section focus on the teaching of Spanish to heritage speakers in postsecondary contexts. This introductory chapter summarizes the issues put forth in the chapters, including appropriate assessment techniques for heritage speaker courses, the important role of learner attitudes, the connections between Latino identity and the Spanish language, and how to teach classes with a mixture of heritage and second language students. It also advocates for inclusion of K-8 in future studies of heritage language education.
Heritage language learning in study abroad
Authors: Shively Rachel L.
Published: July 2016

Heritage language (HL) learners who study abroad in a HL-speaking country have the opportunity to engage in social interactions in the HL in a variety of contexts. The handful of existing studies on this topic have examined HL learners’ motivations for studying abroad, as well as their identity construction and HL development during study abroad. While second language (L2) and HL study abroad students share some common experiences, there are also important differences. HL learners may be held to higher standards of cultural and linguistic competency and face negative attitudes toward their HL variety or proficiency level. This chapter reviews the literature on HL learners in study abroad and offers suggestions for future research directions.
Flipping the classroom
Authors: Torres Julio
Published: July 2016

Researchers and educators of heritage language (HL) students have highlighted the need that HL learners have in developing their writing skills in the HL (e.g., Colombi, 2000; Colombi & Roca, 2003; Parodi, 2008). In this chapter, I summarize a number of HL writing studies as well as some considerations for future studies from a second language writing perspective. Furthermore, I describe briefly a pedagogical approach known as the flipped classroom (Bergmann & Sams, 2012, 2014) and its implementation in fostering learning-to-write skills. Specifically, I provide an example of the flipped classroom model adapted in a HL class in which students reviewed or gained knowledge on writing conventions and strategies through mini-lectures delivered through a video format for homework. Through a questionnaire at the end of the course, students reported their perceptions on the use of the flipped classroom model as it applied to improving their writing convention skills. Overall, students responded favorably to the flipped classroom model and pointed out the benefit of reviewing the mini-lecture as often as needed, and being more aware of writing conventions while composing argumentative essays.
Explore a fuzzy based design evaluation for safety syringe innovative design
Authors: Wu Chang-Tzuoh
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Abuse and reuse of syringes will let nursing professionals suffer serious risk of cross-infection of diseases. The purpose of this paper is to propose a flexible and extensible innovative design approach of single-use safety syringe. Besides, the evaluation procedure for syringe has also been developed.

Design/methodology/approach

– By using the innovative design processes, based on the Su-Field model and extension method, this study presents designing of a new single-use safety syringe incorporating features and discarding problems.

Findings

– The solution of design problem indicated that the substance “fingers grip cap” should be replaced. The advantages and disadvantages of proposed new designs of safety syringe as well as the perceived differences on the use of the safety syringes can be found out by using Focus Group Interview method.

Research limitations/implications

– This research focussed on the function innovation without considering the psychology effect, such as shape aesthetics and users’ emotion.

Practical implications

– The single-use safety syringe design and corresponding examples are adopted to explain the design processes and confirm the feasibility of the proposed approach.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a flexible and extensible innovative design approach of single-use safety syringe which is seldom studied. Importance and emergency of safety syringe design cannot be overemphasized.
Pole placement design of proportional-integral observer with stochastic perturbations
Authors: Hu Feng-Rung , Hu Jia-Sheng
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a proportional-integral (PI) observer design on a linear system with stochastic noises.

Design/methodology/approach

– The noised disturbances are modeled as independent Brownian motions for various affections, such as radiation, heat, and material fatigue. These phenomena are common in applications, such as biomolecules, nonlinear control, and biochemical networks. Under this framework, this paper proposes a new approach on a PI observer in terms of four crucial theorems, and an illustrative numerical example is given to verify the proposed design.

Findings

– The results provide potential solutions for system fault tolerance and isolation.

Originality/value

– This paper proposes a design, solvability, and controllability analysis on a PI observer in terms of four crucial theorems.
Numerical investigation of CuO-water nanofluid turbulent convective heat transfer in square cross-section duct under constant heat flux
Authors: Ting Hsien-Hung , Hou Shuhn-Shyurng
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate the convective heat transfer of water-based CuO nanofluids flowing through a square cross-section duct under constant heat flux in the turbulent flow regime.

Design/methodology/approach

– The numerical simulation is carried out at various Peclet numbers and particle concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 vol%). The finite volume formulation is used with the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations algorithm to solve the discretized equations derived from the partial nonlinear differential equations of the mathematical model.

Findings

– The heat transfer coefficients and Nusselt numbers of CuO-water nanofluids increase with increases in the Peclet number as well as particle volume concentration. Also, enhancement of the heat transfer coefficient is much greater than that of the effective thermal conductivity at the same nanoparticle concentration.

Research limitations/implications

– Simulation of nanofluids turbulent forced convection at very high Reynolds number is worth for further study.

Practical implications

– The heat transfer rates through non-circular ducts are smaller than the circular tubes. Nevertheless, the pressure drop of the non-circular duct is less than that of the circular tube. This study clearly presents that the nanoparticles suspended in water enhance the convective heat transfer coefficient, despite low volume fraction between 0.1 and 0.8 percent. Adding nanoparticles to conventional fluids may enhance heat transfer performance through the non-circular ducts, leading to extensive practical applications in industries for the non-circular ducts.

Originality/value

– Few papers have numerically studied convective heat transfer properties of nanofluids through non-circular ducts. The present numerical results show a good agreement with the published experimental data.
The Indian Kattalio Game: mapping the counterfeit currency network in India
Authors: Viswanathan Balasubramaniyan
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the counterfeit currency network in India. This research is an endeavour to bring out various layers which act as source, collection and distribution points in a counterfeit currency network in India. This paper also deals with the fake currency network and its linkages to terrorism.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodology adopted is a descriptive one which conducts a content analysis on materials derived from secondary sources supported by information from primary source data acquired through the Right to Information Act.

Findings

This paper argues that the existing measure of calculating the incidence of counterfeit notes per million is understated by the relevant stakeholders in India. This measure changes drastically when other factors such as high denomination notes and police seizures are taken into account, which has not been attempted, though it is duly acknowledged by the stakeholders. This paper has attempted to map the locations in India which act as ingress, distribution and circulation points based on evidentiary data derived from the seizure records. This paper also highlights the fact that criminal gang-operated networks of fake currency are compartmentalised, while the networks operated by terror groups are de-compartmentalised.

Practical implications

In the process, this paper attempts to enlighten stakeholders like law enforcement agencies, banking regulators and counter terrorism community on the penetration levels of the fake Indian currency note (FICN) networks in India and the need to target these important nodes or points or layers to break up the FICN network. This also highlights fund-raising mechanisms of terror groups, where FICN acts as the main funding resource for groups like the Indian Mujahideen for carrying out low-cost terror attacks.

Originality/value

The key findings of this research lie in its originality of presentation of facts in a systematic fashion.
National disaster management in the ASEAN-5: an analysis of tourism resilience
Authors: Bhati Abhishek , Upadhayaya Aditya , Sharma Amit
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This report aims to present a detailed evaluation of resilience planning of the ASEAN-5 tourism sector to national disasters. The project analyses the challenges to the tourism industry in the ASEAN-5 (Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia) countries due to national disasters (economic crisis, health hazards, natural calamity and/or act of terrorism) and the effectiveness of the measures taken in response to disastrous events.

Design/methodology/approach

The project analyses the effect of national disasters over a 10-year period in the ASEAN-5 countries on tourism economy and effectiveness of government action in resilience planning. The study uses two research questions to comment on comparative effectiveness of resilience planning in the ASEAN-5 nations.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that national disasters affect a county’s tourism sector performance and its economy negatively. In particular, national disasters have harmful effects for a country’s tourism arrivals, tourism receipts, gross domestic product and unemployment. The findings reveal that regardless of geographical closeness of the ASEAN-5 countries, each experienced different effects in terms of national disasters and each used different government recovery measures.

Practical implications

This paper builds a knowledge management system for national disasters and the tourism sector. It provides a ready reference of timeliness and effectiveness of measures and to develop a framework for future tourist disaster management systems. Specifically, the relationships between the tourism indicators explored in this study contribute significantly to the knowledge on how these indicators interact to affect the tourism industry and the country’s economy. Furthermore, this information would act as a guide for countries to design and implement resilience planning and disaster management response.

Originality/value

Resilience planning is emerging as a key area under sustainable development. This report presents an evaluation of resilience planning of the ASEAN-5 tourism sector to national disasters.
Characterization of a highly virulent and antimicrobial‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain isolated from diseased chicks in China
Authors: Liu Dong , Liu Zeng‐Shan , Hu Pan , Hui Qi , Fu Bao‐Quan , Lu Shi‐Ying , Li Yan‐Song , Zou De‐Ying , Li Zhao‐Hui , Yan Dong‐Ming , Ding Yan‐Xia , Zhang Yuan‐Yuan , Zhou Yu , Liu Nan‐Nan , Ren Hong‐Lin
Published: July 2016

Poultry husbandry is a very important aspect of the agricultural economy in China. However, chicks are often susceptible to infectious disease microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, causing large economic losses in recent years. In the present study, we isolated an Acinetobacter baumannii strain, CCGGD201101, from diseased chicks in the Jilin Province of China. Regression analyses of virulence and LD50 tests conducted using healthy chicks confirmed that A. baumannii CCGGD201101, with an LD50 of 1.81 (±0.11) × 104 CFU, was more virulent than A. baumannii ATCC17978, with an LD50 of 1.73 (±0.13) × 107 CFU. Moreover, TEM examination showed that the pili of A. baumannii CCGGD201101 were different from those of ATCC17978. Antibiotic sensitivity analyses showed that A. baumannii CCGGD201101 was sensitive to rifampicin but resistant to most other antibiotics. These results imply that A. baumannii strain CCGGD201101 had both virulence enhancement and antibiotic resistance characteristics, which are beneficial for A. baumannii survival under adverse conditions and enhance fitness and invasiveness in the host. A. baumannii CCGGD20101, with its high virulence and antimicrobial resistance, may be one of the pathogens causing death of diseased chicks.
Development of a local relative value unit to measure radiologists’ computed tomography reporting workload
Authors: Dora Jose Miguel , Torres Felipe Soares , Gerchman Marcos , Fogliatto Flavio S
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Demand for CT examinations is continually increasing, with radiologists’ reporting times (RRTs) being the major constraint in CT productivity. As CT complexity varies according to the anatomical region, there is a need for methods that normalize radiologist work to address reporting workload.

Methods

All CT orders, from July 2013 to February 2015, from a 850‐bed tertiary‐care, university‐based general hospital in southern Brazil, were studied. Type of examination and RRTs were retrieved from our Radiology Information System/IMPAX. Based on RRTs, after exclusion of spurious results, we calculated local relative value units (L‐RVUs) for different examinations. We also compared these results with the US‐Medicare/Medicaid RVU (US‐RVU).

Results

The query resulted in 42,382 occurrences for 24 tests. Among the tests, 15 had sample size n ≥ 100. The 9 tests with n < 100 were grouped into 4 sets of tests, resulting in the analysis of 17 categories of tests. RRTs for total abdomen CT, thorax CT and central nervous system CT were 17.1 ± 14.6, 14.2 ± 11.1 and 7.0 ± 6.5 minutes, respectively. L‐RVUs for the 17 categories of tests were calculated, resulting in values from 1.00 to 4.18. L‐RVU and US‐RVU displayed no correlation (r = 0.05; P‐value = 0.86).

Conclusion

Computed tomography radiologists’ reporting workload varies considerably across different tests. Moreover, the lack of significant correlation between US‐RVU and L‐RVU highlights the need for contextualized methods to locally address radiologists’ reporting workload. Thus, the use of L‐RVU could aid in planning and managing a CT Unit.
Evaluation, International Organizations, and Global Policy: An Introduction
Authors: Coicaud Jean‐Marc
Published: July 2016

This article introduces the Special Section Evaluation, International Organizations, and Global Policy. It provides a synopsis of the overarching challenges and opportunities for evaluation in the field of global public policy through international organizations. In the article four issue areas are addressed. First, is the central role of peacekeeping, development, and environment in global public policy and how evaluations enhance the governance capacity of international organizations in these areas. Second, the contribution that evaluation can make toward legitimizing the activities of international organizations through accountability mechanisms of communication, assessment, and optimization of outcomes. Third, how evaluation at the international level is especially suited to facilitate solutions to increasingly complex and globally interdependent problems. Fourth, it concludes with, how evaluation contributes to producing constructive policy at the global level. This includes, especially in terms of policy implications, the need to evaluate evaluation itself on a regular basis, in order to ensure its constant progress as a discipline and practice, and the need to embed evaluation in good policies, at the global level among others.
Multiple Hypothesis Testing for Variable Selection
Authors: Rohart Florian
Published: July 2016

We propose two new procedures based on multiple hypothesis testing for correct support estimation in high‐dimensional sparse linear models. We conclusively prove that both procedures are powerful and do not require the sample size to be large. The first procedure tackles the atypical setting of ordered variable selection through an extension of a testing procedure previously developed in the context of a linear hypothesis. The second procedure is the main contribution of this paper. It enables data analysts to perform support estimation in the general high‐dimensional framework of non‐ordered variable selection. A thorough simulation study and applications to real datasets using the R package mht shows that our non‐ordered variable procedure produces excellent results in terms of correct support estimation as well as in terms of mean square errors and false discovery rate, when compared to common methods such as the Lasso, the SCAD penalty, forward regression or the false discovery rate procedure (FDR).
Likelihood Ratio Tests for a Dose-Response Effect Using Multiple Nonlinear Regression Models
Authors: Gutjahr Georg , Bornkamp Björn
Published: July 2016

We consider the problem of testing for a dose-related effect based on a candidate set of (typically nonlinear) dose-response models using likelihood-ratio tests. For the considered models this reduces to assessing whether the slope parameter in these nonlinear regression models is zero or not. A technical problem is that the null distribution (when the slope is zero) depends on non-identifiable parameters, so that standard asymptotic results on the distribution of the likelihood-ratio test no longer apply. Asymptotic solutions for this problem have been extensively discussed in the literature. The resulting approximations however are not of simple form and require simulation to calculate the asymptotic distribution. In addition, their appropriateness might be doubtful for the case of a small sample size. Direct simulation to approximate the null distribution is numerically unstable due to the non identifiability of some parameters. In this article, we derive a numerical algorithm to approximate the exact distribution of the likelihood-ratio test under multiple models for normally distributed data. The algorithm uses methods from differential geometry and can be used to evaluate the distribution under the null hypothesis, but also allows for power and sample size calculations. We compare the proposed testing approach to the MCP-Mod methodology and alternative methods for testing for a dose-related trend in a dose-finding example data set and simulations.
Energy Performance Contracting in a Competitive Environment*
Authors: Zhou Wenhui , Huang Weixiang , Zhou Sean X.
Published: July 2016

Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) is an important and effective energy conservation mechanism, under which an energy service company (ESCO) provides an energy‐saving service to its client and shares the resulting energy cost savings. Using a game‐theoretic model, we investigate the impacts of EPC on two competing manufacturers, of which one is more energy‐efficient in production than the other. The less energy‐efficient firm first proposes an energy‐saving sharing contract to the more energy‐efficient firm, who, if accepting the contract, acts as an ESCO that decides the energy‐saving target and helps realize it for the client. Then the firms engage in Cournot competition by producing/selling substitutable products. By solving the equilibrium solutions, we show that under an EPC project, the total production quantity of both firms increases (so the market price of the product decreases) with the ESCO producing less while its client producing more, which also leads to a higher consumer surplus. Meanwhile, both manufactures are better off under EPC and would obtain strictly higher profits when the service cost rate is high. Nevertheless, EPC may not result in a better environmental performance in that the total energy consumption of both firms may be higher under EPC, which happens when the market size is small and the ESCO has not much energy‐efficiency advantage over its client. We also study four extensions: When the energy saving service and production decisions are made separately, we find the more energy‐efficient firm is worse off when implementing EPC; when the energy‐saving sharing ratio is determined by the ESCO instead of the client, the ESCO extracts all the surplus derived from the EPC project while the total energy consumption of both firms is always reduced; when the energy‐saving sharing ratio is determined via Nash bargaining, the main insights from the base model remain valid; finally, when the client sets the target of overall cost reduction, it extracts all the surplus derived from the EPC project.
Massive excretion of calcium oxalate from late prepupal salivary glands of Drosophila melanogaster demonstrates active nephridial‐like anion transport
Authors: Farkaš Robert , Pečeňová Ludmila , Mentelová Lucia , Beňo Milan , Beňová‐Liszeková Denisa , Mahmoodová Silvia , Tejnecký Václav , Raška Otakar , Juda Pavel , Svidenská Silvie , Hornáček Matúš , Chase Bruce A. , Raška Ivan
Published: July 2016

The Drosophila salivary glands (SGs) were well known for the puffing patterns of their polytene chromosomes and so became a tissue of choice to study sequential gene activation by the steroid hormone ecdysone. One well‐documented function of these glands is to produce a secretory glue, which is released during pupariation to fix the freshly formed puparia to the substrate. Over the past two decades SGs have been used to address specific aspects of developmentally‐regulated programmed cell death (PCD) as it was thought that they are doomed for histolysis and after pupariation are just awaiting their fate. More recently, however, we have shown that for the first 3–4 h after pupariation SGs undergo tremendous endocytosis and vacuolation followed by vacuole neutralization and membrane consolidation. Furthermore, from 8 to 10 h after puparium formation (APF) SGs display massive apocrine secretion of a diverse set of cellular proteins. Here, we show that during the period from 11 to 12 h APF, the prepupal glands are very active in calcium oxalate (CaOx) extrusion that resembles renal or nephridial excretory activity. We provide genetic evidence that Prestin, a Drosophila homologue of the mammalian electrogenic anion exchange carrier SLC26A5, is responsible for the instantaneous production of CaOx by the late prepupal SGs. Its positive regulation by the protein kinases encoded by fray and wnk lead to increased production of CaOx. The formation of CaOx appears to be dependent on the cooperation between Prestin and the vATPase complex as treatment with bafilomycin A1 or concanamycin A abolishes the production of detectable CaOx. These data demonstrate that prepupal SGs remain fully viable, physiologically active and engaged in various cellular activities at least until early pupal period, that is, until moments prior to the execution of PCD.
A comparison of the diagnostic value of 2D strain stress echocardiography, myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, and Duke treadmill score in patients suspected of coronary artery disease
Authors: Ejlersen June A. , Poulsen Steen H. , Mortensen Jesper , May Ole
Published: July 2016

Background

Preinvasive risk stratification is recommended in patients suspected of coronary artery disease (CAD). Stress echocardiography (SE), myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS), and exercise test are the dominant methods of choice. Vasodilator SE is fast and induces only minor increase in heart rate. The diagnostic value of the absolute stress–rest difference in endocardial global longitudinal strain (ΔeGLS) and wall motion (ΔWMI) from adenosine SE was compared to summed stress score (SSS) from MPS and Duke treadmill score (DTS) from exercise test, using quantitative invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the reference.

Methods and Results

A total of 128 patients (69% male, 62.7 (8.8) years) underwent adenosine SE, MPS, exercise test, and ICA. Forty‐five patients (35%) had CAD. All stress outcomes differed significantly (P<.001) between patients with and without CAD: ΔeGLS: −1.3 (3.6)% vs −5.0 (3.3)%; WMI: 1.20 (0.34) vs 1.06 (0.13); SSS: 12.5 (8.2) vs 1.7 (3.6); and DTS: −3.4 (9.0) vs 3.9 (5.5). The cutoff values yielding the best sensitivity/specificity/accuracy were as follows: ΔeGLS: −2.3% or ΔWMI: 0 (69%/84%/79%), SSS: 4 (82%/94%/90%), and DTS: 1 (73%/78%/77%). The sensitivity of ΔeGLS + ΔWMI was similar to SSS (P=.11) and DTS (P=.59). The specificity of ΔeGLS + ΔWMI was inferior to SSS (P=.03) and similar to DTS (P=.28).

Conclusion

Alterations in eGLS and wall motion during adenosine SE were closely associated with the presence of CAD and the combined sensitivity similar to that of MPS. If nuclear medical facilities are unavailable or radiation issues important, vasodilator ΔeGLS could be an acceptable alternative for patients unable to exercise.
Linking trait variation to the environment: critical issues with community‐weighted mean correlation resolved by the fourth‐corner approach
Authors: Peres‐Neto Pedro R. , Dray Stéphane , ter Braak Cajo J. F.
Published: July 2016

Establishing trait–environment relationships has become routine in community ecology. Here, we demonstrate that the community weighted means correlation (CWM) and its parallel approach in linking trait variation to the environment, the species niche centroid correlation (SNC), have important shortcomings, arguing against their continuing application. Using mathematical derivations and simulations, we show that the two major issues are inconsistent parameter estimation and unacceptable significance rates when only the environment or only traits are structuring species distributions, but they themselves are not linked. We show how both CWM and SNC are related to the fourth‐corner correlation and propose to replace all by the Chessel fourth‐corner correlation, which is the fourth‐corner correlation divided by its maximum attainable value. We propose an appropriate hypothesis testing procedure that is not only unbiased but also has much greater statistical power in detecting trait–environmental relationships. We derive an additive framework in which trait variation is partitioned among and within communities, which can be then modeled against the environment. We finish by presenting a contrast between methods and an application of our proposed framework across 85 lake‐fish metacommunities.
The effect of an interfragmentary gap on the clinical outcome after mandibular angle fracture surgery
Authors: Cho Jin‐Yong , Jeong Chang‐Hwa , Lee Woo‐Yul , Kim Hyeon‐Min , Ryu Jae‐Young , Yang Sung‐Won
Published: July 2016

Background/Aim

The mandibular angle fracture occasionally widens at the lower border after surgery using a single miniplate. However, the effects of an interfragmentary gap have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gaps caused by mandibular angle fracture surgery using a single superior border miniplate technique.

Material and methods

In this prospective study, the interfragmentary gap was measured by panoramic radiography and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) postoperatively. The width of the gap measured by panoramic radiography and CBCT scans was compared. The patients were divided into two groups based on the gap width (more or less than 1.5 mm). In CBCT scans, bucco‐lingual displacement of the proximal segment was evaluated. Clinical results and complication rates were investigated according to the gap and displacement. The findings were statistically analyzed.

Results

Thirty‐two patients were included in the study. The mean interfragmentary gap widths were 1.56 ± 0.83 mm by panoramic radiography and 2.12 ± 0.87 mm by CBCT scans. CBCT measured a gap width of approximately 0.5 mm wider than panoramic radiography (P = 0.001). Twenty‐two patients (68.8%) had an interfragmentary gap width of >1.5 mm, and ten patients (31.2%) had a gap width of <1.5 mm. All patients had favorable occlusion at the last clinical examination. There were no statistically significant differences in intermaxillary fixation periods and complication rates (P > 0.05). One patient in the wider gap group experienced pain in the temporomandibular joint when opening the mouth. Six patients (18.8%) had lingual displacement of the proximal fragment. Displacement did not significantly influence the complication rate (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The presence of an interfragmentary gap after mandibular angle fracture surgery did not affect the clinical outcome.
Timely initiation of chemotherapy: a systematic literature review of six priority cancers – results and recommendations for clinical practice
Authors: Alexander M. , Blum R. , Burbury K. , Coutsouvelis J. , Dooley M. , Fazil O. , Griffiths T. , Ismail H. , Joshi S. , Love N. , Opat S. , Parente P. , Porter N. , Ross E. , Siderov J. , Thomas P. , White S. , Kirsa S. , Rischin D.
Published: July 2016

This review evaluated the association between time‐to‐chemotherapy (TTC) and survival in six priority cancers. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken for papers indexed in the MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases from the earliest index until April 2014. The methodology used has been published in a separate paper (Guidelines for timely initiation of chemotherapy: a proposed framework for access to medical oncology and haematology cancer clinics and chemotherapy services). The optimal timing of chemotherapy in breast cancer is unclear as available studies are of low quality, report inconsistent results and are limited to the adjuvant setting. However, increased TTC may have a negative prognostic impact, and delays beyond 4 weeks should be avoided. Studies suggest that the optimal timing for initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy for surgically resected colorectal cancer is 4–8 weeks post‐surgery. Timing of chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer does not influence survival. There is a paucity of studies to guide the timing of chemotherapy for the treatment of lymphoma and myeloma; no definitive conclusions can be drawn, and clinician discretion should be applied. The optimal timing of chemotherapy in lung cancer is unclear; however, rapid tumour growth and poor disease prognosis suggest that delays should be avoided wherever possible. The optimal timing of chemotherapy in ovarian cancer is unclear as available studies are of low level, report inconsistent results and are limited to the post‐surgery setting; however, increased TTC may have a negative prognostic impact; therefore, delays beyond 4 weeks should be avoided.
Viability of Lucilia sericata maggots after exposure to wound antiseptics
Authors: Daeschlein Georg , Napp Matthias , Assadian Ojan , von Podewils Sebastian , Reese Kevin , Hinz Peter , Matiasek Johannes , Spitzmueller Romy , Humphreys Paul , Jünger Michael , Kramer Axel
Published: July 2016

After debridement and before dressing a wound with maggots of calliphorid flies, one frequently performed step is the application of antiseptics to the prepared wound bed. However, the concomitant application of antiseptic agents during maggot therapy is regarded controversial as antiseptics may interfere with maggots' viability. In this experimental in vitro study, the viability of fly maggots was investigated after exposure to various antiseptics frequently used in wound care. Here, we show that Lucilia sericata fly maggots can survive up to an hour's exposure to wound antiseptics such as octenidine, povidone‐iodine or polihexanide. Concomitant short‐term application of wound antiseptics together with maggots on wound beds is tolerated by larvae and does not impair their viability.
Melatonin antagonizes cadmium‐induced neurotoxicity by activating the transcription factor EB‐dependent autophagy–lysosome machinery in mouse neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Li Min , Pi Huifeng , Yang Zhiqi , Reiter Russel J. , Xu Shangcheng , Chen Xiaowei , Chen Chunhai , Zhang Lei , Yang Min , Li Yuming , Guo Pan , Li Gaoming , Tu Manyu , Tian Li , Xie Jia , He Mindi , Lu Yonghui , Zhong Min , Zhang Yanwen , Yu Zhengping , Zhou Zhou
Published: July 2016

Cadmium (Cd), a highly ubiquitous heavy metal, induces neurotoxicity. Melatonin, a major secretory product of the pineal gland, protects against Cd‐induced neurotoxicity. However, the mechanism that accounts for this protection remains to be elucidated. Herein, we exposed mouse neuroblastoma cells (Neuro‐2a cells) to different concentrations of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (12.5, 25, and 50 μ mol L−1) for 24 hours. We showed that Cd inhibits autophagosome–lysosome fusion and impairs lysosomal function, subsequently leading to nerve cell death. In addition, Cd decreases the level of transcription factor EB (TFEB) but induces the nuclear translocation of TFEB, associated with compromised lysosomal function or a compensatory effect after the impairment of the autophagic flux. Moreover, compared to the 50‐μ mol L−1 Cd group, administration of 1 μ mol L−1 melatonin increased “TFEB‐responsive genes” (P<.05) and the levels of lysosomal‐associated membrane protein (0.57±0.06 vs 1.00±0.11, P<.05), preserved lysosomal protease activity (0.52±0.01 vs 0.90±0.02, P<.05), maintained the lysosomal pH level (0.50±0.01 vs 0.87±0.05, P<.01), and enhanced autophagosome–lysosome fusion (0.05±0.00 vs 0.21±0.01, P<.01). Notably, melatonin enhanced TFEB expression (0.37±0.04 vs 0.72±0.07, P<.05) and nuclear translocation (2.81±0.08 vs 3.82±0.05, P<.05). Tfeb siRNA blocked the melatonin‐mediated elevation in autophagy–lysosome machinery in Cd‐induced neurotoxicity (P<.01). Taken together, these results uncover a potent role for TFEB‐mediated autophagy in the pathogenesis of Cd‐induced neurotoxicity, suggesting that control of the autophagic pathway by melatonin might provide an important clue for exploring potential targets for novel therapeutics of Cd‐induced neurotoxicity.
An evaluation of behavior inferences from Bayesian state‐space models: A case study with the Pacific walrus
Authors: Beatty William S. , Jay Chadwick V. , Fischbach Anthony S.
Published: July 2016

State‐space models offer researchers an objective approach to modeling complex animal location data sets, and state‐space model behavior classifications are often assumed to have a link to animal behavior. In this study, we evaluated the behavioral classification accuracy of a Bayesian state‐space model in Pacific walruses using Argos satellite tags with sensors to detect animal behavior in real time. We fit a two‐state discrete‐time continuous‐space Bayesian state‐space model to data from 306 Pacific walruses tagged in the Chukchi Sea. We matched predicted locations and behaviors from the state‐space model (resident, transient behavior) to true animal behavior (foraging, swimming, hauled out) and evaluated classification accuracy with kappa statistics (κ) and root mean square error (RMSE). In addition, we compared biased random bridge utilization distributions generated with resident behavior locations to true foraging behavior locations to evaluate differences in space use patterns. Results indicated that the two‐state model fairly classified true animal behavior (0.06 ≤ κ ≤ 0.26, 0.49 ≤ RMSE ≤ 0.59). Kernel overlap metrics indicated utilization distributions generated with resident behavior locations were generally smaller than utilization distributions generated with true foraging behavior locations. Consequently, we encourage researchers to carefully examine parameters and priors associated with behaviors in state‐space models, and reconcile these parameters with the study species and its expected behaviors.
Pain after discharge following head and neck surgery in children
Authors: Wilson Caroline A. , Sommerfield David , Drake‐Brockman Thomas F. E. , von Bieberstein Lita , Ramgolam Anoop , von Ungern‐Sternberg Britta S.
Published: July 2016

Background

It is well established that children experience significant pain for a considerable period following adenotonsillectomy. Less is known, however, about pain following other common head and neck operations.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe the severity and duration of postoperative pain experienced by children undergoing elective head and neck procedures (primary outcomes). Behavioral disturbance, nausea and vomiting, parental satisfaction, and medical reattendance rates were also measured (secondary outcomes).

Method

Parents of children (0–18 years) undergoing common head and neck operations were invited to participate. Pain scores on the day of surgery and each day post discharge were collected via multiple telephone interviews. Data collected included pain levels, analgesia prescribed and given, behavioral disturbance rates, and nausea and vomiting scores. Follow‐up was continued until pain resolved.

Results

Two hundred and fifty‐one patients were analyzed (50 adenoidectomy, 51 adenotonsillectomy, 19 myringoplasty, 52 myringotomy, 43 strabismus, and 36 tongue tie divisions). On the day of surgery myringoplasty, strabismus surgery, and adenotonsillectomy patients on average had moderate pain, whereas adenoidectomy, tongue tie, and myringotomy patients had mild pain. Adenotonsillectomy patients continued to have moderate pain for several days with pain lasting on average 9 days. From day 1 postoperatively mild pain was experienced in the other surgical groups with the average duration of pain varying from 1 to 3 days depending on the surgery performed. Frequency of behavioral issues closely followed pain scores for each group. Analgesic prescribing and regimes at home varied widely, both within and between the different surgical groups. Rates of nausea and vomiting following discharge were low in all groups. The overall unplanned medical reattendance rate was 16%.

Conclusion

Adenotonsillectomy patients represent the biggest challenge in postoperative pain management of the head and neck surgeries evaluated. The low rates of pain, nausea, and vomiting reported in the days following surgery for the other procedures suggests that children can be cared for at home with simple analgesia. Discharge information and analgesia prescribing on discharge should be tailored to the operation performed.
Notalgia Paresthetica and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome 2A: A Case Report
Authors: Alcántara Francisco , Feito Marta , Albizuri Fátima , Beato María , De Lucas Raúl
Published: July 2016

Notalgia paresthetica is characterized by a hyperpigmented macular pruritic skin lesion most commonly localized unilaterally in the middle and upper back region. This condition has been reported in association with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2A (MEN 2A) in several families; it rarely affects children and it may serve as an early marker of MEN 2A. We report a 9‐year‐old girl diagnosed with MEN 2A and notalgia paresthetica.
A Herald Patch Almost Encircling the Trunk—Extreme Pityriasis Rosea Gigantea in a Young Child
Authors: Chuh Antonio
Published: July 2016

An 18‐month‐old girl presented with pityriasis rosea gigantea. The herald patch encircled almost the entire trunk. The distribution of lesions on the trunk and proximal aspects of the limbs, the collarette scaling, the orientation of some lesions along the skin crease lines, and biopsy findings substantiated the diagnosis.
The decay τ → K0K−ντ in the extended Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model
Authors: Volkov M. K. , Pivovarov A. A.
Published: July 2016

The full and differential widths of the decay [Formula: see text] are calculated in the framework of the extended Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model.The contributions of the subprocesses with the intermediate vector mesons [Formula: see text](770) and [Formula: see text](1450) are taken into account. The obtained results are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data.
Universality of the Einstein theory of gravitation
Authors: Kijowski Jerzy
Published: July 2016

We show that generalizations of general relativity theory, which consist in replacing the Hilbert Lagrangian [Formula: see text] by a generic scalar density [Formula: see text] depending upon the metric [Formula: see text] and the curvature tensor [Formula: see text], are equivalent to the conventional Einstein theory for a (possibly) different metric tensor [Formula: see text] and (possibly) a different set of matter fields. The simple proof of this theorem relies on a new approach to variational problems containing metric and connection.
Position-normal distributions for efficient rendering of specular microstructure
Authors: Yan Ling-Qi , Hašan Miloš , Marschner Steve , Ramamoorthi Ravi
Published: July 2016

Specular BRDF rendering traditionally approximates surface microstructure using a smooth normal distribution, but this ignores glinty effects, easily observable in the real world. While modeling the actual surface microstructure is possible, the resulting rendering problem is prohibitively expensive. Recently, Yan et al. [2014] and Jakob et al. [2014] made progress on this problem, but their approaches are still expensive and lack full generality in their material and illumination support. We introduce an efficient and general method that can be easily integrated in a standard rendering system. We treat a specular surface as a four-dimensional
position-normal distribution
, and fit this distribution using millions of 4D Gaussians, which we call
elements.
This leads to closed-form solutions to the required BRDF evaluation and sampling queries, enabling the first practical solution to rendering specular microstructure.
RAID
Authors: Guerrero Paul , Mitra Niloy J. , Wonka Peter
Published: July 2016

As humans, we regularly interpret scenes based on how objects are
related
, rather than based on the objects themselves. For example, we see a person
riding
an object X or a plank
bridging
two objects. Current methods provide limited support to search for content based on such relations. We present
raid
, a relation-augmented image descriptor that supports queries based on inter-region relations. The key idea of our descriptor is to encode region-to-region relations as the spatial distribution of point-to-region relationships between two image regions.
raid
allows sketch-based retrieval and requires minimal training data, thus making it suited even for querying uncommon relations. We evaluate the proposed descriptor by querying into large image databases and successfully extract non-trivial images demonstrating complex inter-region relations, which are easily missed or erroneously classified by existing methods. We assess the robustness of
raid
on multiple datasets even when the region segmentation is computed automatically or very noisy.
Learning to simplify
Authors: Simo-Serra Edgar , Iizuka Satoshi , Sasaki Kazuma , Ishikawa Hiroshi
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we present a novel technique to simplify sketch drawings based on learning a series of convolution operators. In contrast to existing approaches that require vector images as input, we allow the more general and challenging input of rough raster sketches such as those obtained from scanning pencil sketches. We convert the rough sketch into a simplified version which is then amendable for vectorization. This is all done in a fully automatic way without user intervention. Our model consists of a fully convolutional neural network which, unlike most existing convolutional neural networks, is able to process images of any dimensions and aspect ratio as input, and outputs a simplified sketch which has the same dimensions as the input image. In order to teach our model to simplify, we present a new dataset of pairs of rough and simplified sketch drawings. By leveraging convolution operators in combination with efficient use of our proposed dataset, we are able to train our sketch simplification model. Our approach naturally overcomes the limitations of existing methods,
e.g.
, vector images as input and long computation time; and we show that meaningful simplifications can be obtained for many different test cases. Finally, we validate our results with a user study in which we greatly outperform similar approaches and establish the state of the art in sketch simplification of raster images.
Let there be color!
Authors: Iizuka Satoshi , Simo-Serra Edgar , Ishikawa Hiroshi
Published: July 2016

We present a novel technique to automatically colorize grayscale images that combines both global priors and local image features. Based on Convolutional Neural Networks, our deep network features a fusion layer that allows us to elegantly merge local information dependent on small image patches with global priors computed using the entire image. The entire framework, including the global and local priors as well as the colorization model, is trained in an end-to-end fashion. Furthermore, our architecture can process images of any resolution, unlike most existing approaches based on CNN. We leverage an existing large-scale scene classification database to train our model, exploiting the class labels of the dataset to more efficiently and discriminatively learn the global priors. We validate our approach with a user study and compare against the state of the art, where we show significant improvements. Furthermore, we demonstrate our method extensively on many different types of images, including black-and-white photography from over a hundred years ago, and show realistic colorizations.
Emoia ahli (Vogt, 1932), a synonym of Emoia battersbyi (Procter, 1923) (Squamata: Scincidae)
Authors: Shea Glenn M.
Published: July 2016

The New Guinea scincid lizardEmoia ahli(Vogt, 1932), described from two specimens from the Sepik River in New Guinea, is shown to be indistinguishable fromEmoia battersbyi(Procter, 1923), a species from the same region, based on the first examination of the syntypes since the description of the species. Several of the diagnostic characters that have previously been invoked to distinguish the two species represent misinterpretations of statements in Vogt’s description.