bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A história pública e suas vertentes em 'The Public History Reader'
Authors: Santhiago Ricardo
Published: September 2017

Um “reader” pode ser tão somente aquilo que a adoção deste termo exige que ele seja: uma antologia, um compêndio, uma reunião de trabalhos escritos por uma variedade de autores. Mas um “reader” de certa área de conhecimento, propondo-se como tal, pode ter também – e desejavelmente tem – um caráter pedagógico valioso: o de compilar aquilo que se produziu de mais significativo nessa área, embrulhando esse conteúdo numa obra única, amplamente acessível, que contribui, para o bem ou para o mal, para a fixação de um cânone.
Estudio comparativo entre valores característicos experimentales y normativos de madera aserrada de pino silvestre = Comparative study between experimental and normative values of sawnwood of wild pine
Authors: Gómez de la Peña Enrique , Cobo Escamilla Alfonso , Lozano Díez Rafael , López Zaldívar Oscar
Published: September 2017

ResumenEste trabajo realiza un estudio comparativo de caracterización de vigas de madera aserradas y su comparación con la normativa. Para ello se ha utilizado dos tipos de madera muy diferentes, una muy heterogenea, con gran número de defectos, y otra muy homogénea, para comprobar la influencia de los nudos en el comportamiento mecánico de la madera. Para ello se han ensayado un total de 18 vigas de madera y 5 probetas a compresión. Posteriormente se ha realizado una comparativa con la normativa de caracterización, para comprobar su grado de definición. Se ha podido comprobar que dicha norma, se encuentra en el lado de la seguridad en el ámbito de las resistencias, pero que su definición es escasa en cuanto al módulo de elasticidad de la madera.AbstractThis work makes a comparative study of the characterization of sawn timber and its comparison with the standard. For this purpose, two very different types of wood have been used, one very heterogeneous, with a large number of defects, and a very homogeneous one, to verify the influence of the knots on the mechanical behavior of the wood. To this end, a total of 18 wooden beams and 5 test specimens have been tested. Subsequently a comparison has been made with the standardization of characterization, to verify its degree of definition. It has been possible to verify that this norm, is in the side of the security in the field of the resistances, but that its definition is scarce as far as the modulus of elasticity of the wood.
Classification and Prediction of Heart Disease from Diabetes Patients using Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization and Library Support Vector Machine Algorithm
Authors:   Research Scholar, Karpagam University, Coimbatore, c Kalaiselvi , G.M. Nasira ,   Assistant Professor of Department of Computer Applications, Dept of computer science, Chikkanna, Govt Arts College, Tirupur,Tamilnadu
Published: September 2017

The multi-factorial chronicle, severe disease among human is diabetes. As a result of abnormal level of glucose in body leads to heart attack, kidney disease, renal failure, Hyperglycemia and also cancer in organs like liver and pancreas. Many studies have been proved that several types of heart diseases are possible in diabetic patients having a high blood sugar. Many approaches were proposed to diagnose both Diabetes and heart diseases. Most of the diabetes people can also have heart diseases called as Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. The earliest manifestation of diabetic cardiomyopathy is needed certain processes. The objective of the study is to examine the association of heart disease and diabetes. The relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are examined by taking into account of age, sex and associated diabetic and cardiovascular risk factors. The data are collected from patients with diabetes. From these data, features are selected by ant colony optimization and those selected features are given to hybrid PSOLIBSVM to classify abnormal and normal data. This performance is evaluated using performance metrics and proved this classifiers efficiency for detection of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.
Solving Assignment Problem Using L-R Fuzzy Numbers
Authors:   Department of Mathematics, St.Joseph�s college of, K Babu , S JohnsonSavarimuthu ,   Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, St.Joseph�s college of Arts and Science Cuddalore, India.
Published: September 2017

In this paper we determine a new method to solving assignment problem using L-R fuzzy parameters. This method requires finding out the minimal cost reach optimality compared to the existing methods available in the literature. Numerical examples show that the fuzzy assignment ranking method offers an effective way for handling the fuzzy assignment problem.
Evaluation of Land Cover Change and Vegetation Dynamics Using Remote Sensing and DPSIR Framework in Kebbi State, Nigeria
Authors: Muhammad Aliero Mansur , Hasmadi Ismail Mohd , Azani Alias Mohamad , Mohd Sood Alias
Published: September 2017

Assessment of the trends of land cover and vegetation dynamics (VD) using remote sensing (RS) and indicators such as anthropogenic activities and the socio-demographic information is essential in order to make proper planning for sustainable management. This paper attempts to evaluate land cover change (LCC) and VD in Kebbi State, Nigeria using historical Landsat data from 1986-2016 by means of remote sensing. The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework was later employed using both primary and secondary data for a better understanding of the drivers, the state of the environmental condition, the causes as well as the impact of the change. The images were classified into five thematic land cover classes as Dense Vegetation, shrubs/built area, farmland, bare/grassland and water body by means of Maximum likelihood supervised classification technique in accordance with Anderson classification scheme level 1, with acceptable accuracy. Pre-classification and post-classification change detection (CD) methodologies were executed using Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and Image differencing respectively. The study illustrates a steady decline in dense vegetation and shrubs/build areas while farmland and bare/grassland increases, however, water bodies remain unchanged. The DPSIR pin-point that the major drivers of change in the study area have been the pressing need for farming land as the population grows and socioeconomic demands including fuelwood consumption and endemic poverty. Expansion of Farming land, fuelwood consumption and the need for construction materials are identified as the main key elements exerting pressure for the change. The state of the condition indicates a steady decline in dense vegetation and shrubs areas while farmland and bare/grassland are increasing significantly. The impacts include land degradation, the decline in the provision ecosystem goods and services, biodiversity loss through loss of habitats. The study, however, noted that many international and national policies in response to land degradation are channelled toward land restoration and remediating of the environment, through afforestation programs and improving the livelihood of the rural people through providing alternative income sources since they depend heavily on land for sustenance. However, the state governments, communities and individual commonly organized annual tree planting campaign with the main purpose of environmental protection.
Modeling the Effect of Exchange Rate Liberalization on China’s Macro Economy
Authors: Hu Xiaowen ,   School of Economics and Management, Anhui Normal University Wuhu, Anhui, China, Zhou Duanming , Hu Chengchen , Ai Fei
Published: September 2017

The empirical characteristics of domestic and foreign interest rate shocks are obtained by using VAR method: the domestic interest rate regulation is counter-cyclical, and the increase of foreign interest rate leads to the increase of domestic output and inflation. On this basis, we construct a small open dynamic stochastic general equilibrium theory framework which reflects the empirical characteristics, including exchange rate control, to analyze the macroeconomic effects of exchange rate liberalization reform. By volatility simulation, impulse response and social welfare loss function analysis, the empirical results show that: firstly, exchange rate reform would increase volatility of output and exchange rate, but reduce volatility of inflation and interest rate. Secondly, exchange rate reform enhances the impact of domestic interest rate shocks on output and inflation. Which means the reform would improve the control ability of interest rate as a monetary policy tool. Moreover, the reform increases loss of social welfare. The conclusion shows that the exchange rate liberalization should be implemented step by step. The government should accelerate the reform when the external macro economy is stable. Otherwise it will cause a larger economic volatility.
Robustness Analyses and Optimal Sampling Gap of Recurrent Neural Network for Dynamic Matrix Pseudoinversion
Authors: Liao Bolin , Xiang Qiuhong ,   College of Information Science and Engineering, Jishou University Jishou, Hunan 416000, China,   College of Mathematics and Statistics, Jishou University Jishou, Hunan 416000, China
Published: September 2017

This study analyses the robustness and convergence characteristics of a neural network. First, a special class of recurrent neural network (RNN), termed a continuous-time Zhang neural network (CTZNN) model, is presented and investigated for dynamic matrix pseudoinversion. Theoretical analysis of the CTZNN model demonstrates that it has good robustness against various types of noise. In addition, considering the requirements of digital implementation and online computation, the optimal sampling gap for a discrete-time Zhang neural network (DTZNN) model under noisy environments is proposed. Finally, experimental results are presented, which further substantiate the theoretical analyses and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ZNN models for computing a dynamic matrix pseudoinverse under noisy environments.
Reproducing Polynomial Kernel Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Li Yibo , Liu Chao , Zhang Senyue , Tan Wenan , Ding Yanyan ,   School of Automation, Shenyang Aerospace University Shenyang, Liaoning 110136, China,   College of Computer Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Nanjing, Jiangsu 211106, China
Published: September 2017

Conventional kernel support vector machine (KSVM) has the problem of slow training speed, and single kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) also has some performance limitations, for which this paper proposes a new combined KELM model that build by the polynomial kernel and reproducing kernel on Sobolev Hilbert space. This model combines the advantages of global and local kernel function and has fast training speed. At the same time, an efficient optimization algorithm called cuckoo search algorithm is adopted to avoid blindness and inaccuracy in parameter selection. Experiments were performed on bi-spiral benchmark dataset, Banana dataset, as well as a number of classification and regression datasets from the UCI benchmark repository illustrate the feasibility of the proposed model. It achieves the better robustness and generalization performance when compared to other conventional KELM and KSVM, which demonstrates its effectiveness and usefulness.
When Partly Missing Data Matters in Software Effort Development Prediction
Authors: Twala Bhekisipho ,   Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
Published: September 2017

The major objective of the paper is to investigate a new probabilistic supervised learning approach that incorporates “missingness” into a decision tree classifier splitting criterion at each particular attribute node in terms of software effort development predictive accuracy. The proposed approach is compared empirically with ten supervised learning methods (classifiers) that have mechanisms for dealing with missing values. 10 industrial datasets are utilized for this task. Overall, missing incorporated in attributes 3 is the top performing strategy, followed by C4.5, missing incorporated in attributes, missing incorporated in attributes 2, missing incorporated in attributes, linear discriminant analysis and so on. Classification and regression trees and C4.5 performed well in data with high correlations among attributes whilek-nearest neighbour and support vector machines performed well in data with higher complexity (limited number of instances). The worst performing method is repeated incremental pruning to produce error reduction.
Visualizing States of Time-Series Data by Autoregressive Gaussian Process Dynamical Models
Authors: Yamaguchi Nobuhiko ,   Faculty of Science and Engineering, Saga University 1 Honjo, Saga 840-8502, Japan
Published: September 2017

Gaussian process dynamical models (GPDMs) are used for nonlinear dimensionality reduction in time series by means of Gaussian process priors. An extension of GPDMs is proposed for visualizing the states of time series. The conventional GPDM approach associates a state with an observation value. Therefore, observations changing over time cannot be represented by a single state. Consequently, the resulting visualization of state transition is difficult to understand, as states change when the observation values change. To overcome this issue, autoregressive GPDMs, called ARGPDMs, are proposed. They associate a state with a vector autoregressive (VAR) model. Therefore, observations changing over time can be represented by a single state. The resulting visualization is easier to understand, as states change only when the VAR model changes. We demonstrate experimentally that the ARGPDM approach provides better visualization compared with conventional GPDMs.
XCSR Learning from Compressed Data Acquired by Deep Neural Network
Authors: Matsumoto Kazuma , Tatsumi Takato , Sato Hiroyuki , Kovacs Tim , Takadama Keiki ,   The University of Electro-Communications 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan,   The University of Bristol MVB, Woodland Rd., Bristol, BS8 1UB, United Kingdom
Published: September 2017

The correctness rate of classification of neural networks is improved by deep learning, which is machine learning of neural networks, and its accuracy is higher than the human brain in some fields. This paper proposes the hybrid system of the neural network and the Learning Classifier System (LCS). LCS is evolutionary rule-based machine learning using reinforcement learning. To increase the correctness rate of classification, we combine the neural network and the LCS. This paper conducted benchmark experiments to verify the proposed system. The experiment revealed that: 1) the correctness rate of classification of the proposed system is higher than the conventional LCS (XCSR) and normal neural network; and 2) the covering mechanism of XCSR raises the correctness rate of proposed system.
Exemplar-Based Learning Classifier System with Dynamic Matching Range for Imbalanced Data
Authors: Matsushima Hiroyasu , Takadama Keiki ,   The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Tsukuba Center 1, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8560, Japan,   The University of Electro-Communication 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we propose a method to improve ECS-DMR which enables appropriate output for imbalanced data sets. In order to control generalization of LCS in imbalanced data set, we propose a method of applying imbalance ratio of data set to a sigmoid function, and then, appropriately update the matching range. In comparison with our previous work (ECS-DMR), the proposed method can control the generalization of the appropriate matching range automatically to extract the exemplars that cover the given problem space, wchich consists of imbalanced data set. From the experimental results, it is suggested that the proposed method provides stable performance to imbalanced data set. The effect of the proposed method using the sigmoid function considering the data balance is shown.
Supporting the Exploration of the Learning Goals for a Continuous Learner Toward Creative Learning
Authors: Okudo Takato , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Murata Akinori , Tatsumi Takato , Uwano Fumito , Takadama Keiki ,   National Institute of Technology, Nara College 22 Yata-cho, Yamatokoriyama, Nara, Japan,   The University of Electro-Communications 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan
Published: September 2017

This paper proposes a learning goal space that visualizes the distribution of the obtained solutions to support the exploration of the learning goals for a learner. Subsequently, we examine the method for assisting a learner to present the novelty of the obtained solution. We conduct a learning experiment using a continuous learning task to identify various solutions. To assign the subjects space to explore the learning goals, several parameters related to the success of the task are not instructed to the subjects. In the comparative experiment, three types of learning feedbacks provided to the subjects are compared. These are presenting the learning goal space with obtained solutions mapped on it, directly presenting the novelty of the obtained solutions mapped on it, and presenting some value that is slightly related to the obtained solution. In the experiments, the subjects to whom the learning goal space or novelty of the obtained solution is shown, continue to identify solutions according to their learning goals until the final stage in the experiment is attained. Therefore, in a continuous learning task, our supporting method of directly or indirectly presenting the novelty of the obtained solution through the learning goal space is effective.
Geotagged US Tweets as Predictors of County-Level Health Outcomes, 2015–2016
Authors: Nguyen Quynh C. , McCullough Matt , Meng Hsien-wen , Paul Debjyoti , Li Dapeng , Kath Suraj , Loomis Geoffrey , Nsoesie Elaine O. , Wen Ming , Smith Ken R. , Li Feifei
Published: September 2017

Objectives. To leverage geotagged Twitter data to create national indicators of the social environment, with small-area indicators of prevalent sentiment and social modeling of health behaviors, and to test associations with county-level health outcomes, while controlling for demographic characteristics.

Methods. We used Twitter’s streaming application programming interface to continuously collect a random 1% subset of publicly available geo-located tweets in the contiguous United States. We collected approximately 80 million geotagged tweets from 603 363 unique Twitter users in a 12-month period (April 2015–March 2016).

Results. Across 3135 US counties, Twitter indicators of happiness, food, and physical activity were associated with lower premature mortality, obesity, and physical inactivity. Alcohol-use tweets predicted higher alcohol-use–related mortality.

Conclusions. Social media represents a new type of real-time data that may enable public health officials to examine movement of norms, sentiment, and behaviors that may portend emerging issues or outbreaks—thus providing a way to intervene to prevent adverse health events and measure the impact of health interventions.
A Smartphone Application to Reduce Time-to-Notification of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Authors: Cohen Adam Carl , Zimmerman Frederick , Prelip Michael , Glik Deborah
Published: September 2017

Objectives. To measure whether the implementation of Healthvana—an online patient engagement platform and smartphone application—reduced the number of days between sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, notification, and treatment at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Wellness Centers.

Methods. We analyzed the retrospective data for 917 male clients who tested positive and received treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015. We included 8 AHF Wellness Centers from California and Florida in the study. We used regression models to evaluate the relationship between Healthvana implementation (pre-Healthvana vs post-Healthvana) and the number of days between the STI test, notification, and treatment.

Results. Following Healthvana implementation at the AHF Wellness Centers, the mean number of days decreased between the STI test and notification, from 8 to 6 days. The mean number of days between the overall STI test and treatment decreased from 12 to 10 days. Regression models found the reduction in the number of days from STI test to notification to be statistically significant.

Conclusions. Smartphone applications like Healthvana are promising technologies to ensure clients are successfully and immediately notified of their STI test results.
Opportunistic Use of CT Imaging for Osteoporosis Screening and Bone Density Assessment
Authors: Gausden Elizabeth B. , Nwachukwu Benedict U. , Schreiber Joseph J. , Lorich Dean G. , Lane Joseph M.
Published: September 2017

Background:

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical opportunities for the use of computed tomography (CT) imaging for inferring bone quality and to critically analyze the correlation between dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and diagnostic CT as reported in the literature.

Methods:

A systematic review of the MEDLINE database was performed in February 2016 using the PubMed interface. The inclusion criteria were English language, studies performed using living human subjects, studies pertaining to orthopaedics, use of conventional diagnostic CT scans, studies that measured cancellous bone, and studies that reported Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements directly rather than a computed bone mineral density.

Results:

Thirty-seven studies that reported on a total of 9,109 patients were included. Of these, 10 studies correlated HU measurements of trabecular bone with DXA-based bone assessment. Reported correlation coefficients ranged between 0.399 and 0.891, and 5 of the studies reported appropriate threshold HU levels for diagnosing osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Conclusions:

Direct HU measurement from diagnostic CT scans has the potential to be used opportunistically for osteoporosis screening, but in its current state it is not ready for clinical implementation. There is a lack of exchangeability among different machines that limits its broad applicability. Future research efforts should focus on identifying thresholds at specific anatomic regions in high-risk patients in order to have the greatest impact on patients. However, using diagnostic CT to infer region-specific osteoporosis could be extraordinarily valuable to orthopaedic surgeons and primary care physicians, and merits further research.
MRI Findings in Patients After Small-Head Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty with a Minimum Follow-up of 10 Years
Authors: Reiner Tobias , Do Thuy D. , Klotz Matthias C. , Hertzsch Fabian , Seelmann Kirsten , Gaida Matthias M. , Weber Marc-André , Gotterbarm Tobias
Published: September 2017

Update

This article was updated on October 6, 2017, because of a previous error. On pages 1540 and 1545, the author's name that hadread “Matthias C. Klot, MD” now reads “Matthias C. Klotz, MD.”

An erratum has been published: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017 Nov 15;99(22):e124.

Background:

Concern has been raised about the late onset of adverse reactions to metal debris (ARMD) in patients with a small-head metal-on-metal total hip replacement. The aims of this study were to assess the frequency and characteristic appearance of ARMD in patients with a small-head (28-mm) metal-on-metal total hip replacement and elevated blood ion levels (>1 μg/L) after a minimum follow-up of 10 years and to analyze the possible risk factors associated with the prevalence of these lesions.

Methods:

In the present study, we used metal artifact reduction sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MARS MRI) to investigate the cases of 53 patients (66 hips) with a small-head (28-mm) metal-on-metal total hip replacement and elevated blood ion levels at a mean follow-up interval of 15.5 years (range, 10.6 to 19.3 years). Whole blood metal ion levels (cobalt and chromium), clinical outcome scores (Harris hip score), and radiographs were obtained for each patient. Tissue samples from patients who had revision surgery were histologically examined.

Results:

MARS MRI revealed ARMD in 27 hips (41%). Most hips with ARMD (67%) were asymptomatic. ARMD were generally small, with a median lesion size of 2.3 cm3 (range, 0.3 to 71.4 cm3) and predominantly cystic in nature. Multivariate regression analysis revealed positive correlation between cobalt ion levels and the presence of ARMD. In this case series, the risk for the development of ARMD was 2.87 times higher for every 1 μg/L increase of blood cobalt ion concentration (95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 8.17; p = 0.048).

Conclusions:

In this case series, ARMD were seen in 41% of the hips following small-head metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty at long-term follow-up, and most patients with ARMD were asymptomatic. Blood cobalt ion levels could be identified as a risk factor for ARMD. However, ARMD also occurred in patients with low metal ion levels. Further studies are necessary to investigate the role of ARMD in asymptomatic patients with this bearing type.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Trends in the Treatment of Single and Multilevel Cervical Stenosis
Authors: Arrojas Alfredo , Jackson J. Benjamin , Grabowski Gregory
Published: September 2017

Background:

In order to identify any changes in the utilization of new and old techniques, we investigated trends in the operative management of cervical stenosis by orthopaedic surgeons applying for board certification.

Methods:

We queried the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery database from 1998 to 2013 to identify all of the cervical spine procedures for stenosis that had been performed by candidates taking Part II of the licensing examination. Longitudinal trends were determined for the utilized approach, the individual procedures that had been performed, and whether a motion-preserving technique had been employed.

Results:

There were 5,068 cervical spine procedures performed by 1,025 candidates. Procedure totals remained relatively constant until 2011, when a sudden increase of 280% (202 to 768 procedures) was noted. This trend continued, reaching a 460% increase (202 to 1,131 procedures) compared with 2010. The number of candidates only rose by 150% (42 to 105) over the entire study period. The proportion of procedures performed via an anterior approach saw a bimodal distribution; early on, this approach predominated over posterior procedures and was largely driven by the number of corpectomies that were performed. From 2004 to 2011, posterior procedures became more prevalent, but there was a sharp decline in 2011, driven by the large number of anterior cervical discectomies and fusions that were performed. This remained constant through 2013. Lastly, motion-preserving techniques, which included total disc replacement and laminoplasty, had modest increases in utilization from 2005 to 2007. This increased prevalence was short-lived, and it steadily declined through 2014 to <5% utilization.

Conclusions:

The number of candidates performing cervical spine procedures increased more than twofold over a 16-year period. This reflects a larger proportion of the orthopaedic graduates who subspecialize in spine surgery. While the number of surgeons performing spine surgery has increased, the sheer number of procedures that each surgeon performed greatly outpaced the increased number of surgeons. Motion-preserving techniques had their peak utilization in 2007, and have since decreased to <5%, in contrast to fusion techniques, which predominate, comprising >90% of the performed procedures.
Medical Team Training Improves Team Performance
Authors: Carpenter James E. , Bagian James P. , Snider Rebecca G. , Jeray Kyle J.
Published: September 2017

Effective teamwork and communication can decrease medical errors in environments where the culture of safety is enhanced. Health care can benefit from programs that are based on teamwork, as in other high-stress industries (e.g., aviation), with crew resource management programs, simulator use, and utilization of checklists. Medical team training (MTT) with a strong leadership commitment was used at our institution to focus specifically on creating open, yet structured, communication in operating rooms. Training included the 3 phases of the World Health Organization protocol to organize communication and briefings: preoperative verification, preincision briefing, and debriefing at or near the end of the surgical case. This training program led to measured improvements in job satisfaction and compliance with checklist tasks, and identified opportunities to improve training sessions. MTT provides the potential for sustainable change and a positive impact on the environment of the operating room.
Osseointegrated Transtibial Implants in Patients with Peripheral Vascular Disease
Authors: Atallah Robin , Li Jiao Jiao , Lu William , Leijendekkers Ruud , Frölke Jan Paul , Al Muderis Munjed
Published: September 2017

Background:

Osseointegration is an alternative treatment for amputees who are unable to wear or have difficulty wearing a socket prosthesis. Although the majority of limb amputations are due to vascular disease, such amputations have been perceived as a contraindication to osseointegration surgery. We report the outcomes of osseointegrated reconstruction in a series of 5 patients with limb amputation due to peripheral vascular disease.

Methods:

Five patients with transtibial amputation and a history of peripheral vascular disease who received an osseointegration implant from 2014 to 2015 were followed for 12 months. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed, including pain, the amount of time the patient wore the prosthesis, mobility, walking ability, and quality of life. Adverse events, including infection, fracture, implant failure, revision surgery, additional amputation, and death, were monitored and recorded.

Results:

Five transtibial amputees (56 to 84 years of age) followed for 1 year after osseointegration surgery were included in this case series. The mobility of all patients was improved at the time of follow-up. Three patients were wheelchair-bound prior to the surgery but all 5 were able to walk and perform daily activities at the time of follow-up. Four of the 5 patients were pain-free at 12 months postoperatively, and all 5 were using the osseointegrated prosthesis. Two patients had a single episode of superficial soft-tissue infection.

Conclusions:

An osseointegrated implant may be considered a feasible alternative to the conventional socket prosthesis for patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Misconceptions, Misuses, and Misinterpretations of P Values and Significance Testing
Authors: Gagnier Joel J. , Morgenstern Hal
Published: September 2017

Update

This article was updated on October 13, 2017, because of a previous error. On page 1602, in the section titled “Principle 5: ‘A P-Value, or Statistical Significance, Does Not Measure the Size of an Effect or the Importance of a Result,’” the sentence that had read “For example, a mean difference of 20 points on the 100-point SF-36 PCS between treatment groups may yield a small p value and a narrow confidence interval if the sample size is very large” now reads “For example, a mean difference of 2 points on the 100-point SF-36 PCS between treatment groups may yield a small p value and a narrow confidence interval if the sample size is very large.”

An erratum has been published: J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017 Nov 15;99(22):e125.

The interpretation and reporting of p values and significance testing in biomedical research are fraught with misconceptions and inaccuracies. Publications of peer-reviewed research in orthopaedics are not immune to such problems. The American Statistical Association (ASA) recently published an official statement on the use, misuse, and misinterpretation of statistical testing and p values in applied research. The ASA statement discussed 6 principles: (1) “P-values can indicate how incompatible the data are with a specified statistical model.” (2) “P-values do not measure the probability that the studied hypothesis is true, or the probability that the data were produced by random chance alone.” (3) “Scientific conclusions and business or policy decisions should not be based only on whether a p-value passes a specific threshold.” (4) “Proper inference requires full reporting and transparency.” (5) “A p-value, or statistical significance, does not measure the size of an effect or the importance of a result.” (6) “By itself, a p-value does not provide a good measure of evidence regarding a model or hypothesis.” The purpose of this article was to discuss these principles. We make several recommendations for moving forward: (1) Authors should avoid statements such as “statistically significant” or “statistically nonsignificant.” (2) Investigators should report the magnitude of effect of all outcomes together with the appropriate measure of precision or variation. (3) Orthopaedic residents and surgeons must be educated in biostatistics, the ASA principles, and clinical epidemiology. (4) Journal editors and reviewers need to be familiar with and enforce the ASA principles.
Determining the Effect of Drying Time on Phosphorus Solubilization from Three Agricultural Soils under Climate Change Scenarios
Authors: Forber K. J. , Ockenden M. C. , Wearing C. , Hollaway M. J. , Falloon P. D. , Kahana R. , Villamizar M. L. , Zhou J. G. , Withers P. J. A. , Beven K. J. , Collins A. L. , Evans R. , Hiscock K. M. , Macleod C. J. A. , Haygarth P. M.
Published: September 2017

Climate projections for the future indicate that the United Kingdom will experience hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters, bringing longer dry periods followed by rewetting. This will result in changes in phosphorus (P) mobilization patterns that will influence the transfer of P from land to water. We tested the hypothesis that changes in the future patterns of drying–rewetting will affect the amount of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) solubilized from soil. Estimations of dry period characteristics (duration and temperature) under current and predicted climate were determined using data from the UK Climate Projections (UKCP09) Weather Generator tool. Three soils (sieved <2 mm), collected from two regions of the United Kingdom with different soils and farm systems, were dried at 25°C for periods of 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 60, and 90 d, then subsequently rewetted (50 mL over 2 h). The solubilized leachate was collected and analyzed for SRP. In the 2050s, warm period temperature extremes >25°C are predicted in some places and dry periods of 30 to 90 d extremes are predicted. Combining the frequency of projected dry periods with the SRP concentration in leachate suggests that this may result overall in increased mobilization of P; however, critical breakpoints of 6.9 to 14.5 d dry occur wherein up to 28% more SRP can be solubilized following a rapid rewetting event. The precise cause of this increase could not be identified and warrants further investigation as the process is not currently included in P transfer models.

Core Ideas

UK Climate Projections predict long dry hot periods followed by intense rainfall.

Frequency of longer dry periods increase under climate change.

Critical breakpoints of 7–15 dry days have been identified that solubilize more P from soil.

Increased dry period frequency will result in an overall increase in SRP concentration solubilized.
Weighing Lysimeter Data Confirm the Accuracy and Precision of the Heat‐Pulse Technique for Measuring Daily Soil Evaporation
Authors: Wang Yueyue , Ochsner Tyson , Heitman Joshua , Horton Robert , Xue Xuzhang , Ren Tusheng
Published: September 2017

Core Ideas

Multi‐needle heat‐pulse probes are applied for measuring daily evaporation rate.

Measurement accuracy and precision are confirmed with weighing lysimeter data.

The probes provide a new way to monitor daily evaporation rate continuously.

The heat‐pulse technique, which is based on the sensible heat balance, has been developed for measuring soil‐water evaporation (E). The accuracy and precision of the technique has been previously tested with the Bowen ratio method and micro‐lysimeters, which are themselves subject to considerable uncertainties. This study evaluated the accuracy and precision of the heat‐pulse technique using direct, continuous, and nondestructive E measurements from a weighing lysimeter. Multi‐needle heat‐pulse probes were installed in a silt loam soil at four locations in a 22.5‐m3 (3‐m × 3‐m × 2.5‐m) weighing lysimeter to measure soil thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and temperature gradients in the 0‐ to 5‐cm layer. Daily E rates were estimated with sensible heat balance theory. Independent daily E rates obtained directly from a weighing lysimeter were used to evaluate the accuracy of heat‐pulse E estimates during a 10‐d drying period. Potential daily evaporation (E0) was also computed using the Penman–Monteith equation. The E/E0 ratio was >0.9 for the first 4 d but fell sharply thereafter and approached a stable value of 0.4. There was a linear relationship between heat‐pulse values and weighing lysimeter values, with a slope of 0.95 and an offset of 0.09 mm d−1. The absolute error of the heat‐pulse E ranged from −0.02 to 0.29 mm d−1 (or −1 to 8% of the true value), and the RMSE was 0.15 mm d−1. The SD of the heat‐pulse E data ranged from 0.07 to 0.51 mm d−1, and the coefficients of variation ranged from 3 to 14%. We concluded that the heat‐pulse technique can provide daily E measurements with good accuracy and precision.
Rapid Detection of AGs using Microchip Capillary Electrophoresis Contactless Conductivity Detection
Authors: Zhu Gangzhi , Bao Chunjie , Liu Wenfang , Yan Xingxing , Liu Lili , Xiao Jian , Chen Chuanpin
Published: September 2017

Background:

In order to realize current aminoglycosides supervision in food and environment,
our team improved the sensitivity and separation efficiency of the portable ITO detector, based on
the technology of microchip capillary electrophoresis and contactless conductivity detection.

Experiment:

Parameters (the separation voltage, buffer concentration, electrodes gap, elicitation frequency,
elicitation voltage) were optimized for the detection of three aminoglycosides, gentamicin,
kanamycin and streptomycin and the separation of their mixture in background electrolyte consists of
2-(N-Morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid (MES) and L-Histidine (His). The enhanced method was also
applied to other types of aminoglycosides.

Results:

Under optimal conditions, the monitoring of three types of aminoglycosides obtained such a
sensitive response that the limits of detection of gentamicin sulfate, kanamycin sulfate and streptomycin
sulfate were calculated as 3.1 µg/ml, 0.89 µg/ml and 0.96 µg/ml, at signal-to-noise ratio 3, respectively.
In addition they got separated completely from each other only in 40 s. The results of other varieties of
aminoglycosides including tobramycin sulfate and amikacin sulfate also met the standard.

Conclusion:

We successfully proposed here an unprecedentedly portable, miniaturized and rapid
microchip capillary electrophoresis contactless conductivity detection system to realize current
aminoglycosides supervision in food and environment.
The Role of Physical Activity on Mood State and Functional Skills of Elderly Women
Authors: Monteiro-Junior Renato Sobral , Rodrigues Vinicius Dias , Campos Carlos , Paes Flávia , Murillo-Rodriguez Eric , Maranhão-Neto Geraldo A. , Machado Sergio
Published: September 2017

Introduction:

Ageing is associated with several physical, psychological and behavioral changes. These changes are closely related with global health and functional capacity in the elderly. Mood disturbances are common among the elderly and may significantly increase apathy, resulting in decreased habitual physical activity levels.

Materials and Methods:

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the mood state and functional motor capacities of elderly women engaged in a public physical activity program in Brazil and compare them with physically inactive elderly. Thirty elderly women were included in the study and categorized into two groups: physically active group, composed of participants enrolled on a public physical activity program (n = 16, 69±5 years) and physically inactive group (n = 14, 68±4 years). Total mood disturbance was assessed using the Profile of Mood States, whereas functional motor capacity was evaluated with the Sitting and Rising test. Independent t test and Mann-Whitney U] were used to compare groups.

Results:

The physically active group had lower total mood disturbance (p=0.02), confusion (p<0.01), tension (p<0.01), hostility (p=0.05) and fatigue (p=0.01) compared to the physically inactive group. There were no group differences regarding vigor, depression and sitting and rising performance (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

Lack of difference in functional motor capacity between the physically active and inactive elderly may be explained by the absence of exercise systematization in these programs.
Information Security Risk Assessment in Hospitals
Authors: Ayatollahi Haleh , Shagerdi Ghazal
Published: September 2017

Background:

To date, many efforts have been made to classify information security threats, especially in the healthcare area. However, there are still many unknown risks which may threat the security of health information and their resources especially in the hospitals.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the risks threatening information security in the hospitals located in one of the northwest cities of Iran.

Method:

This study was completed in 2014. The participants were information technology managers who worked in the hospitals (n=27). The research instrument was a questionnaire composed of a number of open and closed questions. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed, and the reliability of the closed questions was measured by using the test-retest method (r =0.78).

Results:

The results showed that among the information security risks, fire found to be a high probability/high impact risk factor. Human and physical/environmental threats were among the low probability risk factors. Regarding the information security safeguards used in the hospitals, the results showed that the use of the technical safeguards was the most frequent one (n =22, 91.7%) compared to the administrative (n =21, 87.5%) and the physical safeguards (n =16, 66.7%).

Conclusion:

The high probability risk factors require quick corrective actions to be taken. Therefore, the underlying causes of such threats should be identified and controlled before experiencing adverse effects. It is also important to note that information security in health care systems needs to be considered at a macro level with respect to the national interests and policies.
A Mouse Model of Chronic Pancreatitis Induced by an Alcohol and High Fat Diet
Authors: Clinkinbeard T. , Kline R.H. , Zhang L.P. , McIlwrath S.L. , Watkins J.F. , Westlund K.N.
Published: September 2017

Background/Aims:

Study of acute pancreatitis in chemically-induced rodent models has provided useful data; models of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis have not been available in mice. The aim of the present study was to characterize a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis induced solely with an alcohol and high fat (AHF) diet.

Methods:

Mice were fed a liquid high fat diet containing 6% alcohol as well as a high fat supplement (57% total dietary fat) over a period of five months or as control, normal chow ad libitum. Pain related measures utilized as an index of pain included mechanical sensitivity of the hind paws determined using von Frey filaments and a smooth/rough textured plate. A modified hotplate test contributed information about higher order behavioral responses to visceral hypersensitivity. Mice underwent mechanical and thermal testing both with and without pharmacological treatment with a peripherally restricted μ-opioid receptor agonist, loperamide.

Results:

Mice on the AHF diet exhibited mechanical and heat hypersensitivity as well as fibrotic histology indicative of chronic pancreatitis. Low dose, peripherally restricted opiate loperamide attenuated both mechanical and heat hypersensitivity.

Conclusion:

Mice fed an alcohol and high fat diet develop histology consistent with chronic pancreatitis as well as opioid sensitive mechanical and heat hypersensitivity.
Obtención de Pigmentos Inorgánicos para la Industria Cerámica por Síntesis Alternativa de Combustión en Solución
Authors: Chavarriaga Miranda Edgar Andrés , Restrepo Baena Oscar Jaime
Published: September 2017

En este trabajo se presenta el proceso alternativo de obtención del pigmento inorgánico con estructura espinela CuCr2O4, por medio del método de síntesis conocido como combustión en solución, el cual consiste en una reacción de oxido reducción entre un combustible y un agente oxidante, también se obtuvo la estructura CuCr2O4 por el método de reacción de estado sólido, el cual emplea una  temperatura de 1000 ºC y un tiempo de proceso de 24 h, en este caso también se presenta impurezas de Cr2O3. La estructura cristalina de los polvos sintetizados, se caracterizó por la técnica de difracción de rayos X (DRX). La morfología de los polvos se determinó por microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB). Finalmente, la espectrofotometría visible y la colorimetría CIE La*b* demostraron que los polvos son negros. Se concluye, que la obtención de CuCr2O4 por combustión en solución es energéticamente más eficiente que el método tradicional, ya que en el primer caso se emplearon como condiciones de proceso, una temperatura de 700 ºC y un tiempo de 6h, lo cual mostró que la ruta de combustión en solución es una tecnología alternativa a la utilizada actualmente por la industria de pigmentos inorgánicos.
Seguridad informática organizacional: un modelo de simulación basado en dinámica de sistemas
Authors: Gil Vera Víctor Daniel , Gil Vera Juan Carlos
Published: September 2017

La seguridad informática permite a las organizaciones proteger sus recursos financieros, sistemas de información, reputación, situación legal, y otros bienes tanto tangibles como intangibles. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es desarrollar un modelo de simulación que permita evaluar el nivel óptimo de seguridad que deben tener las organizaciones considerando aspectos relacionados con la reducción del riesgo y la obtención de beneficios empresariales. La técnica empleada para la construcción del modelo fue dinámica de sistemas, la cual permite modelar y analizar el comportamiento de sistemas complejos en el corto, mediano y largo plazo. El modelo fue construido con el software “POWERSIM”, que es un ambiente integrado para la construcción y utilización de modelos de simulación de negocios. Con el desarrollo del modelo se concluye que si las organizaciones no cuentan con un plan director que guíe los esfuerzos de protección de los activos, por mucho dinero que inviertan en seguridad nunca alcanzarán niveles de seguridad satisfactorios.