bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Further on down the digital road: Narrative design and reading pleasure in five New Media Writing Prize narratives
Authors: Pope James
Published: August 2017

In 2006 and 2010, I published papers in Convergence, which analysed readers’ responses to several interactive narratives: From this research, I formed a set of ‘assessment’ criteria for such narratives, intended to be of use to writers, academics and teachers, looking for ways to understand how readers might react to the very new and changing forms of digital storytelling, which continue to surprise, delight and puzzle readers. Despite huge technical advances, and although some recent examples are doing well commercially, digital interactive narrative remains largely unknown to the general reading public (who nonetheless love their novels, films and games). This article reviews a very specific set of interactive narratives – those which have been shortlisted for the international New Media Writing Prize – against the criteria I established in the 2010 paper. These are cutting edge, exemplar works, which one might suppose demonstrate the best of everything that new-media storytelling can offer. I revisit my criteria in the light of technical and creative developments over the past 5 years, using the responses of volunteer readers to aid my own evaluation of the pieces under discussion. Overall, I argue that many of the issues I previously found to be a barrier to readers have been overcome, but that there are still problems for readers, which writers/developers need to consider.
Health and equity in all policies in local government: processes and outcomes in two Norwegian municipalities
Authors: Von Heimburg Dina , Hakkebo Berit
Published: August 2017

Aims: To identify key factors in implementing Health and Equity in All Policies (HEiAP) at the local level in two Norwegian municipalities in order to accelerate the progress of promoting health, well-being and equity in other local governments. Approach: This case study is presented as a narrative from policy-making processes in two Norwegian municipalities. The story is told from an insider perspective, with a focus on HEiAP policy makers in these two municipalities. Results: The narrative identified key learning from implementing HEiAP at the local level, i.e. the importance of strengthening system and human capacities. System capacity is strengthened by governing HEiAP according to national legislation and a holistic governance system at the local level. Municipal plans are based on theory, evidence and local data. A ‘main story’ is developed to support the vision, defining joint societal goals and co-creation strategies. Policies are anchored by measuring and monitoring outcomes, sharing accountability and continuous dialogue to ensure political commitment. Human capacity is strengthened through participatory leadership, soft skills and health promotion competences across sectors. Health promotion competence at a strategic level in the organization, participation in professional networks, crowd sourcing toward common goals, and commitment through winning hearts and minds of politicians and other stakeholders are vital aspects. Conclusions: Our experience pinpoints the importance of strengthening system and human capacity in local governments. Further, we found it important to focus on the two strategic objectives in the European strategy ‘Health 2020’: (1) Improving health for all and reducing health inequalities; (2) improving leadership and participatory governance for health.
The financial crisis in Europe: Impact on satisfaction with life
Authors: Clench-Aas Jocelyne , Holte Arne
Published: August 2017

Background: The 2008 financial crisis in Europe came abruptly and surprisingly. Many countries also suffered a second recession during the period 2010–2012. We examined the impact of the crisis on life satisfaction (LS) by country and individual socioeconomic level. Method: We used a representative sample from the European Social Survey (2002–2014) with data from 26 countries ( N = 294,407). LS was measured with a single question with 11 response alternatives. Time from start of crisis (either 2008 or 2010-2012) was determined separately for each interview. Data were analyzed by multilevel analysis Results: There was a sharp decrease in LS in the beginning of the crisis in 2008, and another, but not so severe, decline in 2011, each of them of short duration. However, there was also a slight and progressive yearly decrease in LS that continued one to at least 3 years after either financial crisis that was independent of the effect of being unemployed. Associations varied considerably between countries. A negative decline after the financial crisis was especially evident among those in the most educated groups, and in those in the higher occupational levels. Conclusions: The 2008 financial crisis had a double effect on LS: (1) a sharp short-term decrease consistent with the Easterlin paradox; (2) a slighter long-term progressive decrease that was over and above the strong negative relationship with unemployment that lasted several years. The long-term decline in LS after the start of the financial crisis tended to occur especially in the higher socioeconomic groups.
Cycling ‘subjects’ in ongoing-formation: The politics of interviews and interview analysis
Authors: Bonham Jennifer , Bacchi Carol
Published: August 2017

This article offers a poststructuralist analytic strategy that highlights the political nature of interview analysis. Interviews pose a particular challenge for poststructuralist researchers given a widespread view that they are a method for accessing the ‘truth’. We develop a strategy that bypasses this difficulty by analysing precisely ‘ what is said’ in interviews. In our analysis, discourse refers to knowledge, not language. With this understanding, we argue that focusing on exactly ‘ what is said’ provides an entry point into the knowledges that make it possible for something to be said and into the eruption of new possibilities. This focus displaces assumptions about an ‘interior’ self who constructs versions of the world, with a concern for the strategic relations – the politics – within which objects and subject positions are produced. The paper draws on interviews conducted during a study into women cycling to demonstrate our poststructuralist analytic strategy.
Book Review: Hoang, L. A. and B. S. A. Yeoh, editors, 2015: Transnational Labour Migration, Remittances and the Changing Family in Asia
Authors: Parikh Aparna
Published: August 2017

Hoang, L. A. and B. S. A. Yeoh, editors, 2015: Transnational Labour Migration, Remittances and the Changing Family in Asia. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. 331 pp. $100 (hardback), $100 (paperback). ISBN 9781137506856. ISBN 1137506857.
Adjustment-seeking behavior: The role of political skill and self-efficacy in training students to be more actively engaged in their studies
Authors: Geyer Paul D
Published: August 2017

Some students cope with the conflicting demands of work, family, health, and college by engaging in adjustment-seeking behavior, whereby students try to persuade instructors to make the kinds of personalized adjustments needed to avoid the potential consequences of conflicts between academic responsibilities and their other responsibilities. Hypothesized here is that students’ adjustment-seeking behaviors are predicated by knowledge of students’ political skill and adjustment-seeking self-efficacy. Participants completed a survey measuring adjustment-seeking behavior, adjustment-seeking self-efficacy, and political skill. Multiple regression analysis revealed that students’ political skill and adjustment-seeking self-efficacy contributed significantly to the prediction of adjustment-seeking behavior, as hypothesized. Adjustment-seeking behavior was found to be more frequent among participating students with higher levels of political and self-efficacy skills. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Visfer: Camera-based visual data transfer for cross-device visualization
Authors: Badam Sriram Karthik , Elmqvist Niklas
Published: August 2017

Going beyond the desktop to leverage novel devices—such as smartphones, tablets, or large displays—for visual sensemaking typically requires supporting extraneous operations for device discovery, interaction sharing, and view management. Such operations can be time-consuming and tedious and distract the user from the actual analysis. Embodied interaction models in these multi-device environments can take advantage of the natural interaction and physicality afforded by multimodal devices and help effectively carry out these operations in visual sensemaking. In this article, we present cross-device interaction models for visualization spaces, that are embodied in nature, by conducting a user study to elicit actions from participants that could trigger a portrayed effect of sharing visualizations (and therefore information) across devices. We then explore one common interaction style from this design elicitation called Visfer, a technique for effortlessly sharing visualizations across devices using the visual medium. More specifically, this technique involves taking pictures of visualizations, or rather the QR codes augmenting them, on a display using the built-in camera on a handheld device. Our contributions include a conceptual framework for cross-device interaction and the Visfer technique itself, as well as transformation guidelines to exploit the capabilities of each specific device and a web framework for encoding visualization components into animated QR codes, which capture multiple frames of QR codes to embed more information. Beyond this, we also present the results from a performance evaluation for the visual data transfer enabled by Visfer. We end the article by presenting the application examples of our Visfer framework.
Imaging Neurotensin Receptor in Prostate Cancer With 64Cu-Labeled Neurotensin Analogs
Authors: Deng Huaifu , Wang Hui , Zhang He , Wang Mengzhe , Giglio Ben , Ma Xiaofen , Jiang Guihua , Yuan Hong , Wu Zhanhong , Li Zibo
Published: August 2017

Introduction:

Neurotensin receptor 1 (NTR-1) is expressed and activated in prostate cancer cells. In this study, we explore the NTR expression in normal mouse tissues and study the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of NTR in prostate cancer models.

Materials and Methods:

Three 64Cu chelators (1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid [DOTA], 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N′,N″-triacetic acid [NOTA], or AmBaSar) were conjugated to an NT analog. Neurotensin receptor binding affinity was evaluated using cell binding assay. The imaging profile of radiolabeled probes was compared in well-established NTR+ HT-29 tumor model. Stability of the probes was tested. The selected agents were further evaluated in human prostate cancer PC3 xenografts.

Results:

All 3 NT conjugates retained the majority of NTR binding affinity. In HT-29 tumor, all agents demonstrated prominent tumor uptake. Although comparable stability was observed, 64Cu-NOTA-NT and 64Cu-AmBaSar-NT demonstrated improved tumor to background contrast compared with 64Cu-DOTA-NT. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging of the NTR expression in PC-3 xenografts showed high tumor uptake of the probes, correlating with the in vitro Western blot results. Blocking experiments further confirmed receptor specificity.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrated that 64Cu-labeled neurotensin analogs are promising imaging agents for NTR-positive tumors. These agents may help us identify NTR-positive lesions and predict which patients and individual tumors are likely to respond to novel interventions targeting NTR-1.
Assisting struggling teachers effectively
Authors: Yariv Eliezer , Kass Efrat
Published: August 2017

In this research, we examine strategies school principals have used to assist struggling teachers. In an open-ended questionnaire designed for this study, we asked 219 school principals to describe a successful intervention they held. The results show that principals prefer supportive assistance to organizational changes (such as moving the teacher to another class). They rarely used confrontational approaches. A content analysis of the strategies that enabled successful intervention identified four conditions: (a) principals’ willingness to intervene; (b) intensive use of measures and resources; (c) the teacher’s willingness to make changes; and (d) the need for flexibility in managing the intervention. The findings indicate the need to train principals to assist struggling teachers more effectively and to encourage them to become more assertive. This requires a professional development program for teachers and principals, guidance in classroom management, as well as organizational, financial, and human support.
Pain vulnerability and DNA methyltransferase 3a involved in the affective dimension of chronic pain
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Caiyue , Cai Youqing , Pan Zhizhong Z
Published: August 2017

Chronic pain with comorbid emotional disorders is a prevalent neurological disease in patients under various pathological conditions, yet patients show considerable difference in their vulnerability to developing chronic pain. Understanding the neurobiological basis underlying this pain vulnerability is essential to develop targeted therapies of higher efficiency in pain treatment of precision medicine. However, this pain vulnerability has not been addressed in preclinical pain research in animals to date. In this study, we investigated individual variance in both sensory and affective/emotional dimensions of pain behaviors in response to chronic neuropathic pain condition in a mouse model of chronic pain. We found that mice displayed considerably diverse sensitivities in the chronic pain-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors of affective pain. Importantly, the mouse group that was more vulnerable to developing anxiety was also more vulnerable to developing depressive behavior under the chronic pain condition. In contrast, there was relatively much less variance in individual responses in the sensory dimension of pain sensitization. Molecular analysis revealed that those mice vulnerable to developing the emotional disorders showed a significant reduction in the protein level of DNA methyltransferase 3a in the emotion-processing central nucleus of the amygdala. In addition, social stress also revealed significant individual variance in anxiety behavior in mice. These findings suggest that individual pain vulnerability may be inherent mostly in the emotional/affective component of chronic pain and remain consistent in different aspects of negative emotion, in which adaptive changes in the function of DNA methyltransferase 3a for DNA methylation in central amygdala may play an important role. This may open a new avenue of basic research into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying pain vulnerability.
The Syrian crisis in U.S. and Lebanese newspapers: A cross-national analysis
Authors: Cozma Raluca , Kozman Claudia
Published: August 2017

Building on scholarship on media systems, framing, bias, sourcing, and war journalism, this comparative content analysis explores how elite newspapers in the United States and Lebanon covered the international reaction to Syria's use of chemical weapons against its own citizens in August 2013. The analysis addresses the overlap between media and politics from a dual perspective: how news media in different countries frame international political crises and how the underlying political and media systems lead to similarities and variations. The comparison found that Lebanese newspapers dedicated four times as many stories to the crisis, but coverage in both countries relied heavily on officials and the conflict frame. When present, bias in Lebanese newspapers aligned with the partisan ownership of the news outlets, but their reportage was more thematic than U.S. coverage.
Frailty is a predictive factor of readmission within 90 days of hospitalization for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a longitudinal study
Authors: Bernabeu-Mora Roberto , García-Guillamón Gloria , Valera-Novella Elisa , Giménez-Giménez Luz M. , Escolar-Reina Pilar , Medina-Mirapeix Francesc
Published: August 2017

Background:

Readmission after hospital discharge is common in patients with acute exacerbations (AE) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although frailty predicts hospital readmission in patients with chronic nonpulmonary diseases, no multidimensional frailty measures have been validated to stratify the risk for patients with COPD.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to explore multidimensional frailty as a potential risk factor for readmission due to a new exacerbation episode during the 90 days after hospitalization for AE-COPD and to test whether frailty could improve the identification of patients at high risk of readmission. We hypothesized that patients with moderate-to-severe frailty would be at greater risk for readmission within that period of follow up. A secondary aim was to test whether frailty could improve the accuracy with which to discriminate patients with a high risk of readmission. Our investigation was part of a wider study protocol with additional aims on the same study population.

Methods:

Frailty, demographics, and disease-related factors were measured prospectively in 102 patients during hospitalization for AE-COPD. Some of the baseline data reported were collected as part of a previously study. Readmission data were obtained on the basis of the discharge summary from patients’ electronic files by a researcher blinded to the measurements made in the previous hospitalization. The association between frailty and readmission was assessed using bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression models. Whether frailty better identifies patients at high risk for readmission was evaluated by area under the receiver operator curve (AUC).

Results:

Severely frail patients were much more likely to be readmitted than nonfrail patients (45% versus 18%). After adjusting for age and relevant disease-related factors in a final multivariate model, severe frailty remained an independent risk factor for 90-day readmission (odds ratio = 5.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.26–21.50). Age, number of hospitalizations for exacerbations in the previous year and length of stay were also significant in this model. Additionally, frailty improved the predictive accuracy of readmission by improving the AUC.

Conclusions:

Multidimensional frailty predicts the risk of early hospital readmission in patients hospitalized for AE-COPD. Frailty improved the accuracy of discriminating patients at high risk for readmission. Identifying patients with frailty for targeted interventions may reduce early readmission rates.
Prohibited Contaminants in Dietary Supplements
Authors: Mathews Neilson M.
Published: August 2017

Context:

With the increasing use of unregulated dietary supplements, athletes are at continued risk from adverse medical events and inadvertent doping.

Evidence Acquisition:

A review of Clinical Key, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases from 2012 to 2017 was performed using search terms, including dietary supplement, contamination, doping in athletes, inadvertent doping, and prohibited substances. The references of pertinent articles were reviewed for other relevant sources.

Study Design:

Clinical review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Results:

Poor manufacturing processes and intentional contamination with many banned substances continue to occur in dietary supplements sold in the United States. Certain sectors, such as weight loss and muscle-building supplements, pose a greater threat because they are more likely to be contaminated.

Conclusion:

Athletes will continue to be at risk for adverse events and failed doping tests due to contaminated dietary supplements until legislation changes how they are regulated. In the interim, there are several steps that can be taken to mitigate this risk, including improved education of medical staff and athletes and use of third party–certified products.
Racial and ethnic differences in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Al‐Naamani Nadine , Paulus Jessica K. , Roberts Kari E. , Pauciulo Michael W. , Lutz Katie , Nichols William C. , Kawut Steven M.
Published: August 2017

This study explores the racial and ethnic differences in presentation, severity, and treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in a large multicenter registry. African American and Hispanic patients are more likely to present with associated PAH compared to non‐Hispanic whites. Hispanic patients with PAH were less likely to be treated with PAH‐specific medications compared to non‐Hispanic whites.
Post-concussion recovery in children and adolescents: A narrative review
Authors: Manzanero Silvia , Elkington Lisa J , Praet Stephan F , Lovell Greg , Waddington Gordon , Hughes David C
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To determine if current evidence supports a slower recovery from concussion in children and adolescents when compared to adults, and to assess current management guidelines in view of this evidence.

Design

Narrative review.

Methods

We examined key recent research studies relating to the question “do children take longer to recover from concussion than adults?” Concussion management strategies and a sample of guidelines from different organisations were analysed in view of the current literature.

Results

Recovery has been defined as return to baseline on self-reported concussion symptoms or measures of cognitive deficit. Some studies have compared measures of recovery between children and young adults, and a number of cross-sectional studies have compared groups of children of different ages. The findings varied; however, most studies suggested that children may take longer to recover than adults. Age-related differences have been considered when designing guidelines for the management of concussion.

Conclusions

In view of the differences in time to recovery in children, this review supports the use of more conservative concussion management guidelines in children than in adults.
Markers of Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Morris Reshmi , Prasad Aparna , Asaro Joseph , Guzman Marla , Sanders Leslie , Hauck Amanda , Singh Gautam K. , Levy Philip T.
Published: August 2017

Background. Cardiovascular complications contribute to the high morbidity and mortality rate among children with anorexia nervosa (AN). Advances in cardiac imaging permit a more comprehensive assessment of myocardial performance in children that could not be previously obtained with conventional imaging. Myocardial strain analysis is an emerging quantitative echocardiographic technique to characterize global and regional ventricular function in children. Objective. To assess global and regional left ventricular (LV0 function in children newly diagnosed with AN with conventional and quantitative 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic (2DSTE)–derived strain imaging. Materials. In a cross-sectional study of 30 patients with AN ( DSM-5) and 14 age-, sex-, and race-matched healthy children, markers of cardiovascular risk, conventional and 2DSTE measures of LV function, and structure were evaluated and compared. The AN cohort was further stratified by behavioral patterns (restrict, exercise, or purge). Results. Conventional measures and LV global strain were similar between controls and children with AN. A subgroup of AN children with purging behavior had LV remodeling characterized by significantly decreased LV mass index. Regional ventricular function at the apex, as measured by strain, was also decreased in all AN patients. Percent change from ideal body weight, body mass index Z-score, electrolyte profiles, heart rate, and blood pressure were similar. Conclusions. Subclinical regional ventricular dysfunction is present in children with AN. Ventricular remodeling exists in a subgroup of children with AN in association with purging behavior. Future studies may utilize strain imaging to identify those AN patients who are at an increased risk for developing significant cardiac dysfunction.
Critical Perspectives on the National Policy on Education 2016
Authors: Bhattacharya Somdatta , Deb Swarupa , Nair Hari , Shukla Tanu , Yadav Anupam
Published: August 2017

This article brings together critical perspectives on a broad range of issues that emerge from a reading of the National Policy on Education 2016. The issues vary from accountability to transdisciplinarity and from the marginalization of transgender people to value education. Such a complex task of critiquing this policy document cannot be accomplished by an individual alone. This task must be borne by a team of scholars with training in diverse fields. Working in a team however generates divergences as well as convergences. Yet no attempt has been made to iron out the creases emanating from differences in opinions, nor persist with the search for an underlying singularity, nor enforce a consensus. Such is the uncertain nature of the task of reforming higher education.
Patterns of Upper Airway Obstruction on Drug‐Induced Sleep Endoscopy in Patients with Sleep‐Disordered Breathing with AHI <5
Authors: Spinowitz Sam , Kim Mimi , Park Steven Y.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To describe the patterns of upper airway obstruction in patients with sleep‐disordered breathing with apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) <5 using drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods

Inclusion of patients with sleep‐disordered breathing with AHI <5 on polysomnography who underwent DISE. Patients <18 years of age were excluded. DISE findings were reported with the VOTEL classification system: the level of collapse was described as occurring at the velum, oropharynx, tongue base, epiglottis, and the lingual tonsils. The degree of collapse was reported as complete, partial, or none. The pattern of the obstruction was described as anteroposterior, lateral, or concentric when applicable.

Results

A total of 54 patients with sleep‐disordered breathing with AHI <5 underwent DISE. Ages ranged from 19 to 65 years. DISE was performed alone in 7% (n = 4) of patients and in conjunction with surgery in 93% (n = 50) of patients. The velum was the most frequent site of upper airway obstruction (85%, n = 46), followed by base of tongue (63%, n = 34), epiglottis (39%, n = 21), lingual tonsils (35%, n = 19), and oropharynx (31%, n = 17). Eighty‐three percent (n = 45) of patients had multiple levels of upper airway obstruction, and 15% (n = 8) had a single level of upper airway obstruction.

Conclusion

Patients with sleep‐disordered breathing with AHI <5 have significant upper airway obstruction as seen on DISE. DISE findings indicate that a majority of these patients have multiple levels of upper airway obstruction, which can lead to significant symptoms.
CD207+CD1a+ cells circulate in pediatric patients with active Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: Carrera Silva Eugenio Antonio , Nowak Wanda , Tessone Licina , Olexen Cinthia Mariel , Ortiz Wilczyñski Juan Manuel , Estecho Ivana Gisele , Elena Graciela , Errasti Andrea Emilse , Rosso Diego Alfredo
Published: August 2017

Key Points

CD207+CD1a+ cells are present in the circulation of patients with active LCH. TGF-β and TSLP levels are increased in the plasma of patients with active LCH.
EPHB4 is a therapeutic target in AML and promotes leukemia cell survival via AKT
Authors: Merchant Akil A. , Jorapur Aparna , McManus Amy , Liu Ren , Krasnoperov Valery , Chaudhry Parvesh , Singh Mohan , Harton Lisa , Agajanian Mary , Kim Miriam , Triche Timothy J. , Druker Brian J. , Tyner Jeffrey W. , Gill Parkash S.
Published: August 2017

Key Points

EPHB4 promotes leukemia survival via AKT activation. EPHB4 can be therapeutically targeted in AML with monoclonal antibodies.
Randomized phase 2 trial of regadenoson for treatment of acute vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease
Authors: Field Joshua J. , Majerus Elaine , Gordeuk Victor R. , Gowhari Michel , Hoppe Carolyn , Heeney Matthew M. , Achebe Maureen , George Alex , Chu Hillary , Sheehan Brian , Puligandla Maneka , Neuberg Donna , Lin Gene , Linden Joel , Nathan David G.
Published: August 2017

Key Points

Regadenoson did not reduce iNKT cell activation to a prespecified level when administered to patients with SCD. Because iNKT cell activation was not reduced, the benefit of iNKT cell-based therapies in SCD cannot be determined.
Medicinal mushrooms in adjuvant cancer therapies: an approach to anticancer effects and presumed mechanisms of action
Authors: Figueiredo Lélia , Régis Wiliam César Bento
Published: August 2017

Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a source of nourishment and sensory properties. Mushrooms are considered functional foods due to their bioactive compounds and a source of drug and nutraceutical development. More than 50 species present immunological potential that exhibit anticancer activity in vitro or in animal models, and some of them have been investigated in human cancers. Cancer is a major cause of death all over the world, promoting long lasting effects throughout the lifetime of the patient. Mushrooms are a source of ergothioneine, selenium, fiber, and several other vitamins and minerals. They have bioactive compounds used in cancer treatment due to their antitumor and anticarcinogenic effects. They contain β-glucans, β-proteoglycans, lectins, triterpenes, ergosterol, glutamine, and arginine. In the present study, we perform a literature review of studies that analyze positive impacts of mushroom compounds on cancer treatment due to their antitumor and anticarcinogenic effects and possible compatibility with chemotherapy management. The review indicates that a healthy diet with frequent consumption of mushrooms apparently reduces the risk of developing cancer. However, a clearer understanding of how mushrooms’ bioactive principles may affect adjuvant treatments requires further research with long-term double-blind and placebo-controlled studies that evaluate a larger population in clinical trials by each type of cancer. Therefore, more robust statistical results are necessary to verify their efficacy and safety on cancer treatments.
Geologic model building in SEAM Phase II — Land seismic challenges
Authors: Regone Carl , Stefani Joseph , Wang Peter , Gerea Constantin , Gonzalez Gladys , Oristaglio Michael
Published: August 2017

Three digital earth models were designed and constructed during SEAM Phase II to study exploration challenges at the scale of modern land seismic surveys. Although built as generic models, each was based on one or more related geologic type areas. The Barrett model represents the seismic anisotropy of complex laminated and fractured shale reservoirs, based on the Woodford and Eagle Ford formations and set below a stratigraphic overburden and near surface of a North American midcontinent basin. The Arid model features the extreme property contrasts of desert terrains in a 500 m thick near surface that juxtaposes hard carbonate bedrock and soft sediments filling karsts, typical of the Saudi Arabian Peninsula. The Foothills model contains sharp surface topography and alluvial fan-like sediments above complex fold-and-thrust structures based on the compressive tectonics of the Llanos Foothills of South America. All three models were built in workflows that combined automated steps with a large measure of manual model building, which represents the current state of the art in geologic modeling for large-scale geophysical simulations. The Barrett and Arid models each contain about 1.5 billion grid cells representing regions 10 × 10 × 3.75 km in physical size. The Foothills model has about 2 billion cells representing a region about 14.5 × 12.5 × 11 km. Full elastic-wave simulations with these models were run for a combined total of about 170,000 shots, usually with millions of recorded channels per shot, generating several petabytes of seismic data in standard and novel shot-receiver geometries. Selected shots from these simulations show that large, detailed earth models can reproduce features of land seismic surveys that continue to challenge the best modern seismic data processing and imaging techniques.
The impact of multifocusing in the processing of land 3D seismic data in a fold and thrust belt setting: Ranquil Norte Block, Neuquén Basin, Argentina
Authors: Curia David , Borghi Pablo , Noble Jason , Berkovitch Alex , Justo Daniel , Alayón Martín
Published: August 2017

A total of 270 km2 of 3D seismic data was acquired in the southeast corner of the Ranquil Norte Block in the north of the fold and thrust belt area of the Neuquén Basin, west of Argentina. The survey was acquired in an area with hard topography, disturbing anthropomorphic conditions, and very complex subsurface geology. All of these situations negatively contributed to the signal-to-noise ratio of the resulting data. Therefore, and considering a structural target only, the main objective of the seismic processing sequence was the mitigation of the impact of such geologic and anthropomorphic noise on the data. Initially, a tailored processing sequence was performed, including noise suppression in the cross-spread domain. This first processing approach included Kirchhoff prestack time migration, structural seismic interpretation, velocity modeling, tomography, and Kirchhoff prestack depth migration. Given that multifocusing can deliver high-resolution subsurface images in areas with similar challenging conditions, this processing technique was then included in the processing workflow. Naturally, this second approach necessarily involved a reinterpretation of the structural model, a rebuilding of the velocity model, and a new tomographic computation. A significant improvement of the results was achieved in this manner.
Theoretical Modeling of Coagulation Management With Therapeutic Plasma or Prothrombin Complex Concentrate
Authors: Schöchl Herbert , Grottke Oliver , Sutor Ken , Dony Kieron , Schreiber Martin , Ranucci Marco , Collins Peter W.
Published: August 2017

Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) have been associated with a possible risk of thromboembolic complications, potentially attributable to an increased ratio of the plasma concentration of factor II (FII) to antithrombin (AT). We developed a mathematical model to examine the relationship between amounts of PCC or therapeutic plasma administered, and plasma levels of FII and AT. The model showed that PCC produces substantial increases in plasma levels of FII but only small changes in AT, increasing the FII:AT ratio. Therapeutic plasma was shown to have only modest effects on levels of FII or AT, unless high doses are used.
Hes5 regulates the transition timing of neurogenesis and gliogenesis in mammalian neocortical development
Authors: Bansod Shama , Kageyama Ryoichiro , Ohtsuka Toshiyuki
Published: August 2017

During mammalian neocortical development, neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) sequentially give rise to deep layer neurons and superficial layer neurons through mid- to late-embryonic stages, shifting to gliogenic phase at perinatal stages. Previously, we found that the Hes genes inhibit neuronal differentiation and maintain NSCs. Here, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress Hes5 in NSCs of the central nervous system, and found that the transition timing from deep to superficial layer neurogenesis was shifted earlier, while gliogenesis precociously occurred in the developing neocortex of Hes5-overexpressing mice. By contrast, the transition from deep to superficial layer neurogenesis and the onset of gliogenesis were delayed in Hes5 knockout (KO) mice. We found that the Hmga genes (Hmga1/2) were downregulated in the neocortical regions of Hes5-overexpressing brain, whereas they were upregulated in the Hes5 KO brain. Furthermore, we found that Hes5 expression led to suppression of Hmga1/2 promoter activity. These results suggest that Hes5 regulates the transition timing between phases for specification of neocortical neurons and between neurogenesis and gliogenesis, accompanied by alteration in the expression levels of Hgma genes, in mammalian neocortical development.
Developing WHO guidelines: Time to formally include evidence from mathematical modelling studies
Authors: Egger Matthias , Johnson Leigh , Althaus Christian , Schöni Anna , Salanti Georgia , Low Nicola , Norris Susan L.
Published: August 2017

In recent years, the number of mathematical modelling studies has increased steeply. Many of the questions addressed in these studies are relevant to the development of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, but modelling studies are rarely formally included as part of the body of evidence. An expert consultation hosted by WHO, a survey of modellers and users of modelling studies, and literature reviews informed the development of recommendations on when and how to incorporate the results of modelling studies into WHO guidelines. In this article, we argue that modelling studies should routinely be considered in the process of developing WHO guidelines, but particularly in the evaluation of public health programmes, long-term effectiveness or comparative effectiveness.  There should be a systematic and transparent approach to identifying relevant published models, and to commissioning new models.  We believe that the inclusion of evidence from modelling studies into the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) process is possible and desirable, with relatively few adaptations.  No single “one-size-fits-all” approach is appropriate to assess the quality of modelling studies. The concept of the ‘credibility’ of the model, which takes the conceptualization of the problem, model structure, input data, different dimensions of uncertainty, as well as transparency and validation into account, is more appropriate than ‘risk of bias’.
A Review on the Atmospheric Non Methane Hydrocarbons (Nmhcs) Study in India
Authors: Kumar Ram , Kumar Alok , Kumar Krishan
Published: August 2017

This study present extensive review on the atmospheric non methane hydrocarbons for the monitoring technology, source profile, and variability studies which have been done by various researchers at different research and development institutions all over the India. Most of the studies have reported that the concentration level in the urban environment is elevated at alarming level due to vehicular emission, refinery operation, secondary industrial process, LPG leakage and biomass burning. The elevated ambient concentration of NMHCs in an urban environment has a significant impact on climate change and human health. NMHCs levels are to be removed and limit the emission by using newer technology under specific industrial and practical conditions in the present time. This review aims at a summarizing discussion on the entire areas which come underneath the umbrella of NMHCs technologies and helpful to the future researchers and those findings will be helped to the formulate policies and implement for the enhancement of air quality in India.
Assessment of Source Profile of Nonmethane Hydrocarbon in the Ambient Air of Metro City Delhi, India
Authors: Kumar Ram , Pandey Alok , Kumar Ritesh , Kashyap Prabhat , Kumar Krishan
Published: August 2017

In this paper presents the assessment of source profile of nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) in the ambient air of Delhi. The samples were collected from five different urban sites using tedlar bags for aliphatic NMHCs and activated adsorption charcoal tubes for aromatic NMHCs during October 2014 to September 2015. Eleven aliphatic NMHCs propane, n-butane i-butene, i-butane, 1,3-butadiene, trans-2-butene, cis-2-pentene, n-pentane, n-hexane, heptane and four aromatic NMHCs benzene, toluene, o-xylene, p/m-xylene were identified in 112 urban ambient air samples. Samples were analysed using gas chromatography which is coupled with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Pearson correlation coefficient (r) found to be = 0.5±0.2, shows significance level to have moderate among the NMHCs, indicates NMHCs in the urban ambient air have many sources profile mentioned in PCA result. Factor analysis(FA) and receptor model, i.e., Principal Component Analysis(PCA)/Absolute Principal Component Score (APCS) was used for identification of source profile distribution. PCA analysis after the varimax rotation have identified six possible source profile and explained about 70 % of the total dataset. The average % contribution of NMHCs emitted from vehicles was found to be 23%, whereas polymer manufacturing industries contributes 19% and from refinery operation/ gas station contribute 14%, and 13%, emitted from flare emissions and 10% from natural gas emissions. The secondary industrial process, including paints, body soaps and metal fabricator and processing was contributing 8%. Out of these remaining 13% was estimated as unidentified sources. These findings may be used by government authorities to formulate policies and strategies for improvement of urban air quality that can improve the health of urban communities.
Assessment of Soil Fertility Around Municipal Solid Waste Disposal Site Near Sangamner City, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Deshmukh Keshav K. , Aher Sainath P.
Published: August 2017

The disposals of municipal solid waste (MSW) in open dumps are a widespread activity around the vicinity of urban area. When rainwater interacts with dumping yards, generate a leachate and percolates through the soil strata and after particular time they pollute the groundwater and soil in the vicinity. In view of this, assessment of soil fertility around MSW disposal site near sangamner city, Maharashtra was carried out. Soil samples (n=16) close to dumping yard and away from considerable distance (controlled samples) were collected and analyzed for parameters like pH, EC, organic carbon, available NPK and boron by using standard methods. The pH, EC, organic carbon, available NPK and boron of soil samples were found to be higher near the dumping site as compared to control samples. The pH of samples was found to be alkaline ranges from 8.1 to 8.8 while EC increases from 0.2 to 8.3 dS/m which is toxic to plants and crops in the nearby area. The percentage organic carbon lies between 0.8 and 12.2. The available NPK was varying from low to medium and boron ranges from 0.5 to 9.7 ppm in the study area. The minimum dispersion was found in pH (0.23) and higher in N (71.61) from standard deviation (SD) value. It was observed that, since the waste was disposed, a number of contaminants readily penetrate and deteriorate the soil in the area. Thus, the disposal of waste should be discouraged and waste management and treatment should be put in place for protection of soil fertility around dumping site near the Sangamner city.
Utilization of a Material Derived from Animal Waste in the Biosorption of Pb(II) Ions – Isothermal/ Thermodynamic, Kinetics and Statistical Studies
Authors: Anuradha J. , Andal N. , Gayathri N.S.
Published: August 2017

Heavy metal contaminations via industrial wastewaters endure as startle pollutants due to their nondestructive nature, toxicity, bioamplification and bioaccumulation. Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions using animal waste is presented in this study. Acid treatment of the collected animal waste is done, further subjected to FTIR, SEM / EDAX analysis to study the morphology and presence of surface functional groups. Prefatory batch studies are performed to experiment the effects of sorbent particle size / dosage, contact time, initial metal ion concentrations and pH of the medium. The studies reveal excellent chelating ability of the treated material with 99.9% Pb(II) removal at a pH 5, the calculated adsorption capacity being 62.32 mg/g. Desorption/ Regeneration studies are carried out to assess the quantitative aspect of the metal laden material. Isothermal verification, thermodynamic parameters and kinetics of adsorption were applied. A comparison of isothermal models viz., Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and DKR reveal the fit in of linearity to be best suited for Langmuir plot. Thermodynamic studies imply the process to be favorable, exothermic and spontaneous in nature. The sorption kinetics exhibits the system to be simulated well by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A scientific basis for monitoring the Pb(II) removal is done with statistical data verification using descriptive and ANOVA tools. The results promote the employment of chosen animal waste material as an excellent biosorbent, in trapping toxic metal ions.
Automatic Irrigation Control System for Soilless Culture Based on Feedback from Drainage Hydrograph
Authors: Rodríguez Daniel , Reca Juan , Martínez Juan , Urrestarazu Miguel
Published: August 2017

Abstract. In a soilless culture, water and nutrients must be frequently and precisely applied due to the reduced volume and low water holding capacity of the substrate. We describe a low-cost and efficient control system for the irrigation management of soilless culture based on an irrigation tray. Both irrigation and drainage volumes from the irrigation control tray are measured automatically. The proposed irrigation scheduling options were based on applying both variable timing and amounts. A Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) algorithm was used to establish the irrigation timing option while two different irrigation application options, based on measurements from the drainage hydrograph, were developed and tested. A field test performed on a tomato crop was carried out to assess the performance of the two irrigation application options. Both irrigation algorithms performed well as they fitted the leaching fraction for every irrigation event to the target value. The fruit yield and quality were comparable to results obtained from the control treatment of the tomato crop. The designed low-cost irrigation control system, if implemented on commercial farms, could prove to be economically very beneficial. Keywords: Automation, Drainage hydrograph, Irrigation control tray, Irrigation scheduling, Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller, Substrate culture.
A Dissolved Oxygen Prediction Method Based on K-Means Clustering and the ELM Neural Network: A Case Study of the Changdang Lake, China
Authors: Huan Juan , Cao Weijian , Liu Xingqiao
Published: August 2017

According to mass data from the internet, prediction is an important application of information processing. Predicting the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) of a water environment is vital and can improve the aquaculture production efficiency. Using water quality and meteorological data for the Changdang Lake (Jiangsu, China) from 2014 to 2016, this study proposes a new strategy for predicting short-term DO based on K-means clustering and extreme learning machine (ELM) neural networks. First, the weights of the environmental factors on the DO are obtained using Pearson correlation analysis, and similar days are defined. Subsequently, according to the defined similarity, the K-means clustering algorithm divides the historical data into several clusters and identifies similar sample sets that have characteristics that are similar to the forecast day. Finally, after the ELM neural network model establishes the training and testing data, the DO is predicted using the similar sample set and the real-time environmental factors of the forecast days as input data. The prediction efficiency of our model was compared to that of others in terms of the mean absolute percentage error and the mean square error. The experimental results showed that our approach had higher forecasting accuracy and faster computation speed, which is beneficial for water management. Keywords: Prediction method, Similar day, K-means clustering, ELM neural network, Dissolved oxygen.