bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LAB: Lightweight Adaptive Broadcast Control in DSRC Vehicular Networks
Authors: Ye Linsheng , Kong Linghe , Ghafoor Kayhan Zrar , Chen Guihai , Mumtaz Shahid
Published: August 2018

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in manufacturing. The vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are a typical application of IIoT. Benefiting from Dedicated Short‐Range Communication (DSRC) technology, vehicles can communicate with each other through wireless manner. Therefore, road safety is able to be greatly improved by the broadcast of safety messages, which contain vehicle’s real‐time speed, position, direction, etc. In existing DSRC, safety messages are broadcasted at a fixed frequency by default. However, traffic conditions are dynamic. In this way, there are too many transmission collisions when vehicles are too dense and the wireless channel is underused when vehicles are too sparse. In this paper, we address broadcast congestion issue in DSRC and propose lightweight adaptive broadcast (LAB) control for DSRC safety message. The objectives of LAB are to make full use of DSRC channel and avoid congestion. LAB meets two key challenges. First, it is hard to adopt a centralized method to control the communication parameters of distributed vehicles. Furthermore, the vehicle cannot easily acquire the channel conditions of other vehicles. To overcome these challenges, channel condition is attached with safety messages in LAB and broadcast frequency is adapted according to neighboring vehicles’ channel conditions. To evaluate the performance of LAB, we conduct extensive simulations on different roads and different vehicle densities. Performance results demonstrate that LAB effectively adjusts the broadcast frequency and controls the congestion.
Ruptured Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation: A Rare Cause of Paraplegia in Pregnancy
Authors: Thiele Clare E.
Published: August 2018

Background. Ruptured spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare cause of paraplegia in pregnancy, with only a few case reports describing complications from spinal AVMs during pregnancy in the literature. Case. A 32-year-old woman presented at 37 weeks gestation with back pain and rapidly progressive lower limb neurological symptoms. MRI showed a previously undiagnosed spinal AVM at T8. A healthy girl was delivered by caesarean under general anaesthesia to facilitate further investigation. After spinal angiography, it was concluded the most likely aetiology was acute rupture of an intra- and perimedullary AVM with associated haemorrhage at T8 secondary to venous compression from the enlarged uterus at L5 causing high pressure within the AVM and subsequent rupture. The neurosurgical and interventional radiology teams felt the lesion was not amenable to surgical or endovascular intervention. The patient remained paraplegic with no sign of neurological recovery six months after delivery. Conclusion. While new onset paraplegia during pregnancy secondary to ruptured spinal AVM is very rare, it is important to discuss these cases to inform future practice. In contrast to previous case reports, our patient did not spontaneously recover after delivery and was not amenable to surgical or endovascular treatment.
Analysis of Current Status on a New Public Health Nutrition Service Pattern in China: A Nutrition Outpatient Clinic-Based Study
Authors: Jin Yunpeng , Li Xiaolin
Published: August 2018

Background. Nutrition outpatient clinics were launched in some hospitals as a new pattern of public health nutrition service in recent years in China. The aim of this study was to review and analysis demographics and consultation spectrum in a single nutrition outpatient clinical center in China. Methods. The retrospective study was performed in the nutrition outpatient clinical center launched by a comprehensive teaching hospital in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province (China). 1014 patients attending the clinic from August 2015 to February 2018 were included. The clinical records including relevant history and baseline data were reviewed and analyzed. Results. Majority of the patients (41.9%) came to our clinical center for nutrition consultation of healthy dietary services, 32.1% for malnutrition, 6.7% for diabetes, 6.3% for neoplasms, 5.3% for digestive system diseases, and the last 7.6% for hypertension, hematologic diseases, thyroid diseases, and so on. More minor patients came for healthy dietary services compared with the population (P<0.001), and, on the contrary, more adult patients came for malnutrition service, especially obesity (P<0.05), while more elderly patients came for consultation services of diabetes, neoplasms, digestive system diseases, and hypertension (P<0.05). Conclusion. Our study provided important data of the new public health nutrition service pattern in China which has never been reported yet. It indicated the huge demand of nutrition outpatient clinic, especially nutrition consultation services of healthy diet and malnutrition; further studies about the validity of the new pattern in improving public health nutrition status are expected in the future.
Identifying e-Commerce in Enterprises by means of Text Mining and Classification Algorithms
Authors: Bianchi Gianpiero , Bruni Renato , Scalfati Francesco
Published: August 2018

Monitoring specific features of the enterprises, for example, the adoption of e-commerce, is an important and basic task for several economic activities. This type of information is usually obtained by means of surveys, which are costly due to the amount of personnel involved in the task. An automatic detection of this information would allow consistent savings. This can actually be performed by relying on computer engineering, since in general this information is publicly available on-line through the corporate websites. This work describes how to convert the detection of e-commerce into a supervised classification problem, where each record is obtained from the automatic analysis of one corporate website, and the class is the presence or the absence of e-commerce facilities. The automatic generation of similar data records requires the use of several Text Mining phases; in particular we compare six strategies based on the selection of best words and best n-grams. After this, we classify the obtained dataset by means of four classification algorithms: Support Vector Machines; Random Forest; Statistical and Logical Analysis of Data; Logistic Classifier. This turns out to be a difficult case of classification problem. However, after a careful design and set-up of the whole procedure, the results on a practical case of Italian enterprises are encouraging.
Distributed Consensus Design for a Class of Uncertain Linear Multiagent Systems under Unbalanced Randomly Switching Directed Topologies
Authors: Nguyen Dinh Hoa
Published: August 2018

This paper proposes a novel approach to design fully distributed consensus controllers for heterogeneous linear Multiagent Systems subjected to randomly switching directed topologies and model uncertainties. The appealing features of this approach are as follows. First, it uses the mildest assumption for the randomly switching topologies that the union of switched graphs has a spanning tree. Second, the consensus is achieved under a class of state multiplicative uncertainties. Moreover, the proposed consensus controllers are low-rank and have nonconservative coupling strengths. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical approach.
Friedreich’s Ataxia: Clinical Presentation of a Compound Heterozygote Child with a Rare Nonsense Mutation and Comparison with Previously Published Cases
Authors: Rao Vamshi K. , DiDonato Christine J. , Larsen Paul D.
Published: August 2018

Friedreich’s ataxia is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a GAA trinucleotide repeat expansion in intron 1 of the frataxin (FXN) gene. It is the most common autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia, with a mean age of onset at 16 years. Nearly 95-98% of patients are homozygous for a 90-1300 GAA repeat expansion with only 2-5% demonstrating compound heterozygosity. Compound heterozygous individuals have a repeat expansion in one allele and a point mutation/deletion/insertion in the other. Compound heterozygosity and point mutations are very rare causes of Friedreich’s ataxia and nonsense mutations are a further rarity among point mutations. We report a rare compound heterozygous Friedrich’s ataxia patient who was found to have one expanded GAA FXN allele and a nonsense point mutation in the other. We summarize the four previously published cases of nonsense mutations and compare the phenotype to that of our patient. We compared clinical information from our patient with other nonsense FXN mutations reported in the literature. This nonsense mutation, to our knowledge, has only been described once previously; interestingly the individual was also of Cuban ancestry. A comparison with previously published cases of nonsense mutations demonstrates some common clinical characteristics.
Estimation of the Prevalence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the United States Using National Administrative Healthcare Data from 2002 to 2004 and Capture-Recapture Methodology
Authors: Nelson Lorene M. , Topol Barbara , Kaye Wendy , Williamson David , Horton D. Kevin , Mehta Paul , Wagner Todd
Published: August 2018

Background: National administrative healthcare data may be used as a case-finding method for prevalence studies of chronic disease in the United States, but the completeness of ascertainment likely varies depending on the disease under study. Methods: We used 3 case-finding sources (Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans Administration data) to estimate the prevalence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the United States for 2002–2004, and applied the capture-recapture methodology to estimate the degree of under-ascertainment when relying solely on these sources for case identification. Results: Case-finding completeness was 76% overall and did not vary by race, but was lower for males (77%) than for females (88%), and lower for patients under age 65 (66%) than patients over age 65 (79%). The uncorrected ALS prevalence ratio was 2.8/100,000 in 2002, 3.3/100,000 in 2003, and 3.7/100,000 in 2004. After correcting for under-ascertainment, the annual prevalence increased by approximately 1 per 100,000 to 3.7/100,000 in 2002 (95% CI 3.66–3.80), 4.4/100,000 in 2003 (95% CI 4.34–4.50), and 4.8/100,000 in 2004 (95% CI 4.76–4.91). Conclusions: Federal healthcare claims databases ascertained are a very efficient method for identifying the majority of ALS-prevalent cases in the National ALS Registry, and may be enhanced by having patients self-register through the registry web portal.
A Point Prevalence Study of Delirium in Italian Nursing Homes
Authors: Morichi Valeria , Fedecostante Massimiliano , Morandi Alessandro , Di Santo Simona Gabriella , Mazzone Andrea , Mossello Enrico , Bo Mario , Bianchetti Angelo , Rozzini Renzo , Zanetti Ermellina , Musicco Massimo , Ferrari Alberto , Ferrara Nicola , Trabucchi Marco , Cherubini Antonio , Bellelli Giuseppe ,   Italian Study Group on Delirium
Published: August 2018

Background: Delirium is a common geriatric syndrome. Few studies have been conducted in nursing home (NH) residents. The aim of this project was to perform a point prevalence study of delirium in Italian NHs. Methods: Data collected in 71 NHs are presented. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 years and native Italian speaker. Exclusion criteria were coma, aphasia, and end-of-life status. Sociodemographic and medical data were recorded. Delirium was assessed using the Assessment Test for Delirium and Cognitive Impairment (4-AT). Patients with a 4-AT score ≥4 were considered to have delirium. Motor subtype was evaluated using the Delirium Motor Subtype Scale (DMSS). Results: A total of 1,454 patients were evaluated (mean age 84.4 ± 7.4 years, 70.2% female), of whom 535 (36.8%) had delirium. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, variables significantly associated with delirium were education (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.97), dementia (OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.38–4.09), functional dependence (OR 6.13, 95% CI 3.08–12.19 for ADL score 0; OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.03–3.84 for ADL score 1–5), malnutrition (OR 4.87, 95% CI 2.68–8.84), antipsychotics (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.81–3.18), and physical restraints (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.71–3.59). Conclusion: Delirium is common in older NH residents. Simple assessment tools might facilitate its recognition in this vulnerable population.
Rapid Growth and Early Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in an Adolescent Girl with Graves’ Disease
Authors: Shimura Kazuhiro , Shibata Hironori , Mizuno Yusuke , Amano Naoko , Hoshino Ken , Kuroda Tatsuo , Kameyama Kaori , Matsuse Michiko , Mitsutake Norisato , Sugino Kiminori , Yoshimura Noh Jaeduk , Hasegawa Tomonobu , Ishii Tomohiro
Published: August 2018

Background: The risk factors for rapid growth and early metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the role of coexisting Graves’ disease in the clinical course of PTC remain uncertain in children. Case Description: We report on a Japanese girl, whose PTC rapidly grew and metastasized within 4 years. Graves’ disease was diagnosed by the presence of serum TSH receptor antibodies at 8 years of age when thyroid ultrasonography detected no nodules. After 4 years of effective treatment with thiamazole, multifocal nodules – up to 47 mm in diameter – were detected on thyroid ultrasonography. Chest CT scan revealed multiple metastatic lesions in the lung. After total thyroidectomy, PTC was pathologically diagnosed. The patient underwent two courses of radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, but the pulmonary metastatic lesions did not take up the RAI. Molecular analyses of the PTC tissue identified a TFG/NTRK1 chimeric gene and disclosed the preserved expression of TSHR and the reduced expression of SLC5A5 compared with non-tumor thyroid tissue. Conclusions: Rapid growth and early metastasis of PTC with coexisting Graves’ disease in this patient can be related to a combination of multiple factors including preserved TSHR expression, reduced SLC5A5 expression, and TFG/NTRK1 rearrangement.
A 12-Year-Old Girl with Bilateral Coats Disease and ABCA4 Gene Mutation
Authors: Saatci Ali Osman , Ayhan Ziya , Yaman Aylin , Bora Elcin , Ulgenalp Ayfer , Kavukcu Salih
Published: August 2018

A 12-year-old girl with bilateral stage 2B Coats disease was screened meticulously for a possible underlying systemic disease as she was female and the disease was bilateral. Full systemic workout turned out to be unremarkable. However, an ABCA4 gene mutation was found in the genetic analysis. NDP and TINF2 gene mutations were not present. She was successfully treated with a bilateral, single intravitreal injection of dexamethasone implant and a single session of indirect laser photocoagulation with a relatively good anatomic and functional result. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the only reported case of Coats disease with an ABCA4 gene mutation.
Large-Scale in Vitro Transcription, RNA Purification and Chemical Probing Analysis
Authors: Kanwal Fariha , Chen Ting , Zhang Yunlon , Simair Altaf , Rujie Cai , Sadaf Zaidi Najam us Sahar , Guo Xinhang , Wei Xiaolong , Siegel Geoffrey , Lu Changrui
Published: August 2018

Background/Aims: RNA elements such as catalytic RNA, riboswitch, microRNA, and long non coding RNA (lncRNA) play central roles in many cellular processes. Studying diverse RNA functions require large quantities of RNA for precise structure analysis. Current RNA structure and function studies can benefit from improved RNA quantity and quality, simpler separation procedure and enhanced accuracy of structural analysis. Methods: Here we present an optimized protocol for analyzing the structure of any RNA, including in vitro transcription, size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) based denaturing purification and improved secondary structure analysis by chemical probing. Results: We observed that higher Mg2+, nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) concentrations and longer reaction duration can improve the RNA yield from in vitro transcription, specifically for longer and more complicated constructs. Our improved SEC-based denaturing RNA purification effectively halved the experiment duration and labor without introducing any contaminant. Finally, this study increased the accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE) chemical probing for analyzing RNA structure. Conclusion: Part or all of our modified method can improve almost any RNA-related study from protein-RNA interaction analysis to crystallography.
Genome-Wide Analysis of Prognostic lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs Forming a Competing Endogenous RNA Network in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Peng , Wen Dong-yue , Li Qing , He Yun , Yang Hong , Chen Gang
Published: August 2018

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent subtype of primary liver tumor worldwide. Growing evidence has led to a consensus that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have considerable influence on tumorigenesis and tumor progression of HCC via the mechanism of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). Methods: Here, we systematically investigated the expression landscape and clinical prognostic value of lncRNAs, micorRNAs (miRNAs), and mRNAs from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Differentially expressed RNAs were submitted to Cox regression analysis and the construction of prognostic indexes. A lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was then constructed based on interaction information derived from miRcode, TargetScan, miRTarBase, and miRDB. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to reveal and determine the functional roles of the ceRNA network in the prognosis of HCC. Results: We detected 77 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 29 differentially expressed miRNAs, and 1014 differentially expressed mRNAs in HCC, which were significantly associated with the overall survival of patients with HCC. We developed three prognostic prediction models that showed moderate predicting prognosis performance and were highly correlated with tumor burden, histological grade and pathological stage. Additionally, 10 survival-related lncRNAs, 6 survival-related miRNAs, and 31 survival-related mRNAs were included to develop a ceRNA network. Further functional enrichment analysis suggested that the ceRNA network was associated with a dismal prognosis for patients with HCC by disturbing the homeostasis of the cell cycle. Conclusion: Together, our study highlights the significant roles of lncRNAs in the development and implementation of monitoring surveillance and prognosis of HCC and provides a deeper understanding of the lncRNA-related ceRNA regulatory mechanism in the pathogenesis of HCC.
Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of a section through the nickeliferous laterite in Fazenda da Roseta, Liberdade, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Soares Gabriel Aragão Rodrigues , Palermo Nely , Pires Fernando Roberto Mendes
Published: August 2018

Geochemical and mineralogical studies undertaken through a section of the nickeliferous laterite profile in Fazenda da Roseta, Liberdade, Southern Minas Gerais, revealed mineable grades, both in the saprolitic horizon (A-type ore) and in the oxidized one (C-type ore). The A-type ore, well defined in the innermost 1.5 m of the section, boasts representative grades at the order of 1.7 wt.% NiO, with amorphous garnierite-type minerals, besides chlorite and likely serpentine, as the Ni-rich phases. An approximately 2 m-long interval defines a transitional zone from the silicatic toward the oxidized ore, marked by the outward gradual absorption of residual blocks from the parent rock within a goethitic plasma. Impregnations and stockwork-like veins of asbolane, confirmed by local Mn and Co anomalies, delineate the outer edge of this zone. The oxidized ore stretches, based on Ni contents, for roughly 4 m. Average grades lie about 1.2 wt.% NiO, containing goethite as the main Ni ore mineral, plus some secondary talc. Ever since the innermost part of the section, Ni has been continuously washed away, in such a manner that its concentrations become rather low in the outermost part. Anomalous geochemical signatures may indicate the occurrence of dykes of uncommon igneous rocks crosscutting the profile. The absence of smectites in the profile points out that free flow conditions have prevailed, which is reinforced by the substitution of kaolinite by gibbsite, which highlights severe hydrolysis conditions (tendency to alitization). Kaolinite veins in the gibbsite-only zone suggest post-lateritic origin. The laterite development determines an evolution in pH conditions from slightly alkaline in the early stages (quartz–kaolinite–zeolite association) to mildly acidic in the more advanced phases (presence of Al-goethites).
Study of silica-undersaturated magmas through the Kalsilite- Nepheline-Diopside-Silica system at 4.0 GPa and dry conditions
Authors: Souza Márcio Roberto Wilbert de , Conceição Rommulo Vieira , Cedeño Daniel Grings , Quinteiro Roberto Vicente Schmitz
Published: August 2018

This study experimentally investigates the Kalsilite-Nepheline-Diopside-Silica system at high pressure and temperature, with emphasis on silica-undersaturated volume (leucite-nepheline-diopside — Lct-Nph-Di; and kalsilite-nepheline-diopside — Kls + Nph + Di — planes), at 4.0 GPa (~120 km deep), temperatures up to 1,400ºC and dry conditions, to better understand the influence of K2O, Na2O, and CaO in alkali-rich silica-undersaturated magma genesis. In the Lct-Nph-Di plane, we determined the stability fields for kalsilite (Klsss), nepheline (Nphss) and clinopyroxene (Cpxss) solid solutions, wollastonite (Wo) and sanidine (Sa); and three piercing points: (i) pseudo-eutectic Kls + Nph + Di + liquid (Lct62Nph29Di9) at 1,000ºC; (ii) Kls + Sa + (Di + Wo) + liquid (Lct75Nph22Di2) at 1,200ºC; and (iii) pseudo-eutectic Kls + Di + Wo + liquid (Lct74Nph17Di9) at 1,000ºC. Kalsilite stability field represents a thermal barrier between ultrapotassic/potassic vs. sodic compositions. In the plane Kls-Nph-Di, we determined the stability fields for Klsss, Nphss and Cpxss and two aluminous phases in smaller proportions: spinel (Spl) and corundum (Crn). This plane has a piercing point in Kls + Nph + Di(± Spl) + liquid (Kls47Nph43Di10) at 1,100ºC. Our data showed that pressure extends K dissolution in Nph (up to 39 mol%) and Na in Kls (up to 27 mol%), and that these solid solutions, if present, determinate how much enriched in K and Na an alkaline magma will be in an alkaline-enriched metasomatic mantle. Additionally, we noted positive correlation between K2O and SiO2 concentration in experimental melts, negative correlation between CaO and SiO2, and no evident correlation between Na2O and SiO2.
Reativações pós-silurianas do Lineamento Transbrasiliano na porção sul da Bacia do Parnaíba
Authors: Santos Carla Hemillay de Oliveira , Sá Emanuel Ferraz Jardim de , Silva Fernando César Alves da , Antunes Alex Francisco
Published: August 2018

O Lineamento Transbrasiliano (LTB) apresenta direção NE-SW. Cerca de 900 km desse sistema interceptam o substrato da Bacia do Parnaíba (BPar), inferido, a partir de dados geológicos e geofísicos, como uma zona de cisalhamento plástica transcorrente dextral. Este trabalho objetivou abordar a assinatura estrutural e os marcadores estratigráficos associados às reativações do LTB na região sul da bacia, ao leste de Palmas (TO). No embasamento cristalino, um estágio tardio do LTB se expressa como uma zona dúctil-frágil também de cinemática dextral de idade ediacarana-cambriana, no NW do Ceará. Nas unidades litoestratigráficas da BPar são distinguidos eventos de reativação em regime frágil ou hidroplástico. Na região de estudo, um evento mais antigo registra cinemática transcorrente sinistral expressa principalmente como bandas de deformação e falhas com direção NE, combinadas a estruturas dilatacionais (incluindo juntas e falhas normais) ou conjugadas/antitéticas de rejeito direcional ou oblíquo, com orientações que variam de NNE a NNW, todas observadas nos litotipos das Formações Sambaíba e Pedra de Fogo, bem como nas mais antigas. Ao sudeste de Alto Parnaíba (MA) são observadas evidências de atividade tectônica sindeposicional durante o Permiano superior. Um segundo conjunto de estruturas composto por falhas normais associadas a uma distensão N/NNW, impressas nos corpos básicos de idade eojurássica da Suíte Mosquito, que, por sua vez, é capeada por depósitos com seixos das vulcânicas, correlacionados à Formação Corda. Um terceiro conjunto de estruturas, caracterizado por falhas normais ou oblíquas com direção NE, registra distensão NW, sendo associada ao evento de rifteamento da Margem Leste brasileira, durante o Cretáceo Inferior. Finalmente, um quarto evento, de ocorrência restrita, envolve distensão NE e está registrado em arenitos correlacionados ao Grupo Urucuia, implicando uma idade máxima neocretácea.
The Symbolic Role of Ex-Yugoslav Literature in The Ministry of Pain by Dubravka Ugrešić
Authors: Veselinović Sonja
Published: August 2018

The paper deals with the ways in which Dubravka Ugrešić treats Yugoslav/Croatian literature, literary genres, conventions and style in her novelThe Ministry of Pain. From the perspective of an exiled professor of literature, Tanja Lucić, and her exiled students living in the Netherlands, Yugoslav literature is perceived and valued in the light of several non-literary factors. Tanja Lucić finds it absurd to teach their former country’s literature (or literatures) as if the notion of nation, to which they no longer seem to relate, or the future war and trauma are always already inscribed in it. This oppositional reading and its reflection in the very design of the novelThe Ministry of Painwill be discussed in this paper, in an effort to outline Ugrešić’s post-national poetics.
A new species of Hebrus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Hebridae) from Argentina
Authors: STELLA CÉSAR ADRIÁN , PALL JOSÉ LUIS
Published: August 2018

The Hebridae, commonly known as “velvet water bugs,” is a small family of semiaquatic bugs (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha), distributed worldwide with approximately 220 species in 2 subfamilies and 9 genera. They are small (1.3–3.7 mm) and plump-bodied, brownish to black, and usually densely covered by setae. These predacious bugs inhabit humid terrestrial or marginal freshwater habitats. In Argentina, three species in three genera have been recorded: Hebrus engaeus Drake and Chapman, 1958, Lipogomphus lacuniferus Berg, 1879 and Merragata hebroides White, 1877. The purpose of this contribution is to describe Hebrus alvearensis sp. nov., found in the central region of Argentina, and to present a key for the species of Hebridae present in the country.
Quantifying the Separation of Enhanced ZDR and KDP Regions in Nonsupercell Tornadic Storms
Authors: Loeffler Scott D. , Kumjian Matthew R.
Published: August 2018

Tornadoes associated with nonsupercell storms present unique challenges for forecasters. These tornadic storms, although often not as violent or deadly as supercells, occur disproportionately during the overnight hours and the cool season—times when the public is more vulnerable. Additionally, there is significantly lower warning skill for these nonsupercell tornadoes compared to supercell tornadoes. This study utilizes dual-polarization Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) data to analyze nonsupercell tornadic storms over a three-and-a-half-year period focused on the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States. A signature found in a large number of cases is the separation of low-level specific differential phase KDP and differential reflectivity ZDR enhancement regions, thought to arise owing to size sorting. This study employs a new method to define the “separation vector,” which comprises the distance separating the enhancement regions and the direction from the KDP enhancement region to the ZDR enhancement region, measured relative to storm motion. While there is some variation between cases, preliminary results show that the distribution of separation distance between the enhancement regions is centered around 3–4 km and tends to maximize around the time of tornadogenesis. A preferred quadrant for separation direction is found between parallel and 90° to the right of storm motion and is most orthogonal near the time of tornadogenesis. Further, it is shown that, for a given separation distance, separation direction increasing from 0° toward 90° is associated with increased storm-relative helicity.
Elevated serum cytokeratin-18 concentration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Chang Yu-Hung , Lin Hsien-Chang , Hwu Der-Wei , Chang Dao-Ming , Lin Kun-Chen , Lee Yau-Jiunn
Published: August 2018

Background

Serum cytokeratin-18 is believed to be a marker of hepatic cell damage. However, few studies have discussed about the serum cytokeratin-18 concentration in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and investigated its association with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as metabolic biomarkers.

Methods

Healthy participants and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were enrolled. Physical and metabolic factors were recorded, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was screened by abdominal ultrasound and the fatty liver index. The cytokeratin-18 concentration was detected using two commercially available immunoassay kits (M30 and M65 ELISA kit, Previa AB, Sweden).

Results

Overall, 22.8% (29/127) and 35.9% (42/117) of the participants were diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the non-diabetes mellitus group and type 2 diabetes mellitus group, respectively. In the non-diabetes mellitus group and type 2 diabetes mellitus group, our result showed that participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had a higher serum cytokeratin-18 M30 and cytokeratin-18 M65 concentration as compared with participants without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Interestingly, as compared with healthy participants without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, our result also demonstrated that type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had a higher serum cytokeratin-18 M30 (108.4 ± 66.2 vs. 87.1 ± 34.6 U/L; P = 0.038) and cytokeratin-18 M65 concentration (285.4 ± 115.3 vs. 248.5 ± 111.3 U/L; P = 0.031). The independent relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and cytokeratin-18 was further strengthened by the significant positive association between fasting plasma glucose and serum cytokeratin-18 concentration via multivariate regression analyses (cytokeratin-18 M30: β = 0.034, P = 0.029; cytokeratin-18 M65: β = 0.044, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Independent of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, our results suggested that the cytokeratin-18 concentration is closely associated with the hyperglycaemic milieu. The association between serum cytokeratin-18 and type 2 diabetes mellitus may be worthy of further investigation.
Techno-Optimism and Farmers’ Attitudes Toward Climate Change Adaptation
Authors: Gardezi Maaz , Arbuckle J. Gordon
Published: August 2018

In industrialized societies, techno-optimism is a belief that human ingenuity, through improved science and technology, will ultimately provide remedies to most current and future threats to human well-being, such as diseases, climate change, and poverty. Here we examine (a) whether techno-optimism is found among Midwestern corn and soybean farmers and (b) how this confidence in human ingenuity influences their support for climate change adaptation. By examining data from a survey of nearly 5,000 grain farmers in the Midwestern United States, we found that greater techno-optimism can reduce farmers’ support for climate change adaptation and increase their propensity to express a preference to delay adaptation-related actions. This study advances our understanding of how social and cognitive factors influence farmers’ attitude toward climate change. Findings from this study can also help extension educators to develop outreach programs that are sensitive to farmers’ views about the ability of science and technology to solve climate change–related issues.
Book Review: Kaushiki Sanyal and Rajesh Chakrabarti, Shaping Policy in India: Alliance, Advocacy, Activism
Authors: Kumar Rupak
Published: August 2018

Kaushiki Sanyal and Rajesh Chakrabarti, Shaping Policy in India: Alliance, Advocacy, Activism. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2017, 373 pp., ₹950.
The Loyal Order of Second Heads
Authors: Wilsey Collin
Published: August 2018

The writer here describes an interesting plan, initiated by pupils, which has resulted in improved scholarship and other benefits. “Second Heads” received the name—but read the article.
Examining Grow Your Own Programs Across the Teacher Development Continuum: Mining Research on Teachers of Color and Nontraditional Educator Pipelines
Authors: Gist Conra D. , Bianco Margarita , Lynn Marvin
Published: August 2018

Grow Your Own (GYO) programs are cited in recent policy briefs as viable pathways for increasing the racial/ethnic diversity of teachers, yet recent scholarship on GYO programs is minimal. To address this issue, this article investigates what we know, and do not know, about GYO programs, by examining a range of data sources on different types of GYO program teacher pools (e.g., middle/high school, paraprofessional, community activists/parents mentors) and making sense of findings over a continuum of teacher development (e.g., recruitment, preparation, induction, and retention). Based on a research synthesis within and across GYO program teacher pools, we argue implications for policy, practice, and research that should accompany increased recommendations for expanding GYO models for Teachers of Color.
Stillbirth rate and causes in a low-resource setting, Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Authors: Ngwenya Solwayo
Published: August 2018

A global concern is to end preventable stillbirths by the year 2030. The objective of this study was to document the stillbirth rate and causes of stillbirths in a low-resource setting. This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out at Mpilo Central Hospital, a tertiary teaching referral government hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe during the period January to December 2016. There were 8801 live births and 268 stillbirths (rate: 30.5/1000). The majority(81.3%) were macerated. Pre-term labour, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and abruptio placenta accounted for 51.1%. In 29.9%, the cause could not be identified. A high proportion of macerated stillbirths were unexplained; hence this calls for a renewed focus on community-based approaches to reduce delays in seeking care. Investment in robust diagnostic means and further training of healthcare workers to improve case definition are both urgently required.
Creation of a family medicine residency blog
Authors: Jones Kyle Bradford , Fortenberry Katherine , Sanyer Osman , Knighton Rachel , Van Hala Sonja
Published: August 2018

Objective

To describe the process of creating the Family Medicine Vital Signs blog, curated and edited by residents and faculty at the University of Utah Family Medicine Residency Program and to obtain feedback from participants regarding educational impact.

Methods

Each resident and faculty member contributes at least one blog post per year (with other invited authors), resulting in one post per week on the blog site. An editorial board composed of residents and faculty provides direction and editorial assistance for each post. Residency staff assist in providing authors with reminders and logistical support. A survey was conducted of blog contributors to understand their perceptions of the blog’s educational value.

Results

The Family Medicine Vital Signs blog was started in July 2014, with 40% (n = 68) of the 170 posts provided by residents, 38.2% (n = 65) by faculty, and 21.8% (n = 37) by invited authors through June 2017. It has averaged nearly 100 unique readers per week and has had 15 posts republished in different venues. The participant survey demonstrated scores above the median-possible score, showing positive impact in support of the educational goals.

Conclusion

A residency blog provides a venue for educational instruction, supporting physician development of communication skills, community engagement, and advocacy.
Finite-time stabilisation of some power transmission systems
Authors: Ayari Mohamed , Belhaouane Mohamed Moez , Jammazi Chaker , Braiek Naceur Benhadj , Guillaud Xavier
Published: August 2018

This paper presents the finite time stabilisation strategy of two problems: the first one is the control of the high voltage direct current based on voltage source converter, while the second is the control of the multi-terminal direct current transmission systems. Subject to finite-time control design strategy, a linear and nonlinear dynamic model are derived based on the state-space description. Furthermore, continuous or discontinuous finite-time feedbacks are proposed to ensure the tracking of the output variables and to enhance the stability of the studied high voltage direct current system. In addition, the proposed control strategy is extended for the multi-terminal direct current system. A comparative study between various approaches (Proportional-Integral control, continuous or discontinuous stabilising finite-time controllers and control by backstepping) is presented and shows that the finite-time continuous feedback gives an excellent transient response.
Distributed resilient consensus: a non-parametric approach
Authors: Öksüz Halil Yiğit , Akar Mehmet
Published: August 2018

In this paper, two parameter-independent fault-tolerant consensus algorithms are proposed to address the consensus problem in the presence of misbehaving agents. The first algorithm relies on adaptively estimating the number of faulty agents in the network by using a distributed fault-detection scheme. It is shown that this algorithm converges if the network of non-faulty agents is ( f+1)-robust, where f is the number of faulty agents in the network. The second algorithm is a non-parametric Mean-Subsequence-Reduced algorithm whose convergence is guaranteed if the network of non-faulty nodes is ( f+1)-robust and all non-faulty nodes have the same number of in-neighbours. Neither algorithm requires initial knowledge on the number of faulty agents in the network. The efficacy of the algorithms are illustrated with simulation results.
Adaptive sliding mode control for stochastic switched systems with actuator faults
Authors: Liu Yonghui
Published: August 2018

The problem of adaptive sliding mode control is considered for a class of stochastic switched systems with actuator degradation. In this work, the input matrix for each subsystem is unnecessarily the same. Thus, a weighted sum approach of the input matrices is introduced such that a common sliding surface is designed. By online estimating the loss of effectiveness of the actuators, an adaptive sliding mode controller is designed. It can not only compensate the effect of the actuator degradation effectively, but also reduce the conservatism that the bound of the actuator faults should be known in advance. Moreover, it is shown that the reachability of the sliding surface can be guaranteed. Furthermore, sufficient conditions on the mean-square exponential stability of the sliding mode dynamics are obtained via the average dwell time method. Finally, a numerical simulation example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Predicting knowledge sharing by professional architects in architectural firms in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Lasode Damilola Olanrewaju , Ogunsola Kemi
Published: August 2018

This study investigated the factors predicting knowledge sharing among architects in architectural firms in Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria. The study provided insight into the validity of social exchange theory, social capital theory and technological factors for studying and explaining knowledge sharing among professional architects in architectural firms. Survey research design was adopted for the study. A field survey of 104 architects was carried out using a questionnaire for data collection. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the respondents for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Findings revealed that significant predictors of knowledge sharing were enjoyment in helping others, social interaction, social identification, shared language/vision and loss of knowledge power. The level of information and communication technology (ICT) usage was also found to significantly predict knowledge sharing among architects. However, the results indicated that organisational rewards and trust do not significantly predict knowledge sharing among architects. The results also showed that loss of knowledge power negatively affected knowledge sharing, suggesting a tendency to hoard knowledge. Based on these research findings, recommendations were therefore made.
A Pilot Study of Universal Teacher–Child Interaction Training at a Therapeutic Preschool for Young Maltreated Children
Authors: Kanine Rebecca M. , Jackson Yo , Huffhines Lindsay , Barnett Alexandra , Stone Katie J.
Published: August 2018

Young children are disproportionately exposed to maltreatment but are underrepresented in research on effective treatments. Universal Teacher-Child Interaction Training (TCIT-U), developed from Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, may be especially appropriate for maltreated children as they often experience caregiver disruptions which pose challenges to traditional parent-child treatment. Furthermore, research suggests that teachers can play an important role for children who lack positive caregiving experiences. The current study examined the effectiveness of TCIT-U versus treatment-as-usual (TAU) at a therapeutic preschool for youth exposed to maltreatment. Thirty-eight children (2–5 years old) and eight teachers from four classrooms participated in the study. Teacher behaviors were observed and coded at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Teachers reported on children’s behavior and social-emotional skills at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. TCIT-U teachers demonstrated substantial increases in positive attending skills (PRIDE [Praise, Reflection, Imitation, Description, and Enjoyment] skills) and decreases in negative talk and questions during intervention phases, and these skills were maintained at follow-up. In addition, children in the TCIT-U classrooms demonstrated a significantly greater increase in overall social-emotional skills by post-treatment than children in the TAU classrooms, and effect sizes were moderate for all child outcomes. Findings provide preliminary support for TCIT-U’s effectiveness in a therapeutic setting for children exposed to maltreatment.
Cryptogenic and non-cryptogenic liver abscess: A retrospective analysis of 178 cases revealed distinct characteristics
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhang Minwei , Chen Jinlong , Ning Yaogui , Cai Xiaoyang , Zhang Li , Xu Hao , Guo Jing
Published: August 2018

Objective

To enhance theoretical support of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) treatment by comparing characteristics of patients with either PLA with an identified infectious origin (non-cryptogenic) or PLA with no obvious underlying cause (cryptogenic).

Methods

This retrospective study included all first episodes of PLA in adults admitted to a tertiary hospital between 2009 and 2016. Relevant clinical data were collected for patients with cryptogenic or non-cryptogenic PLA and compared across a number of characteristics.

Results

In all, 178 patients were included: 111 cases (62.4%) of cryptogenic PLA, and 67 cases (37.6%) of non-cryptogenic PLA. Diabetes mellitus was significantly more prevalent in patients with cryptogenic PLA than those with non-cryptogenic PLA. The proportion of multidrug resistance/poly-microbial infection was significantly lower and Klebsiella pneumoniae infection was significantly higher in the cryptogenic versus non-cryptogenic PLA group. Metastatic infection occurred in four patients with cryptogenic PLA only, and all had diabetes and K. pneumoniae infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex, diabetes and K. pneumoniae were independent predictors for cryptogenic PLA.

Conclusions

Cryptogenic and non-cryptogenic PLA have distinctly different characteristics, suggesting a potential need for different treatment approaches.
Estimating Permeability of Untreated Roadway Bases
Authors: Elsayed Ashraf S. , Lindly Jay K.
Published: August 2018

Laboratory testing and statistical analysis of the resulting data to determine the effects of top size, aggregate gradation, and porosity on the permeability of unbound roadway base layers are described. Three different types of aggregates were tested: crushed limestone, crushed granite, and uncrushed river gravel. Top sizes of 19 mm (0.75 in.) 25 mm (1.0 in.), 38 mm (1.5 in.), and 63 mm (2.5 in.) were used. A total of 90 permeability tests were performed using permeameters of 15.2 cm (6 in.) and 30.5 cm (12 in.) in diameter. A statistical method was used to arrive at a first-order multiple regression equation to predict the coefficient of permeability of untreated, dense-graded or open-graded bases in the range of 0.004 to 0.7 cm/sec (1,000 to 2,000 fpd) using the void ratio of the sample and the percent by weight of materials that pass the 0.6 mm (No. 30) and the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieves. Predicted permeabilities using the equation were compared to the predicted permeabilities using the Hazen equation and the Moulton nomograph. The comparison indicated that the new equation does a better job of predicting permeabilities in the range of 0.2 to 0.7 cm/sec (500 to 2,000 fpd) than the other prediction tools.
Laboratory Study of Hydraulic Conductivity for Coarse Aggregate Bases
Authors: Randolph Brian W. , Cai Jiangeng , Heydinger Andrew G. , Gupta Jiwan D.
Published: August 2018

Inadequate drainage of pavement structures has been identified as a primary cause of pavement distress. Hydraulic conductivity is the most important factor controlling drainage capability. Coarse grained materials have high values of hydraulic conductivity. ASTM and AASHTO standard test methods are limited for coarse materials used in pavement bases and subbases because of their high permeability and large particle sizes and the horizontal flow in the field conditions. A large scale horizontal permeameter and a testing procedure were developed and the range of hydraulic conductivities of six base and subbase specifications made up of three material types provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation were evaluated. A horizontal permeameter (305 × 305 × 457 mm) and a testing procedure were developed to reduce errors produced by sidewall leakage, partial saturation, measurement of small head differences, and interpretation of turbulent flow as laminar flow. Fifty-four samples were tested, including various gradations of nonstabilized, portland cement stabilized, and asphalt stabilized bases made of limestone, gravel, or slag materials. The results obtained were analyzed and compared with previous research, empirical relations, and field test results of similar base and subbase materials. The comparisons and analyses indicate that the permeameter and the procedure produce representative results. Test results indicate a wide range of hydraulic conductivities for gradations at each extreme of a specification. Effective porosities were also found to be as low as 6 percent for the fine gradation of a common limestone base material.