bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uma análise da relação entre custos, desempenho e estrutura das unidades escolares da cidade de Cambé/PR
Authors: Lima Marissa Yanara de Godoy , Ruiz Barbara Amarantes , Giacheti Guilherme Godoy Silva , Amâncio-Vieira Saulo Fabiano , Baccaro Thais Accioly
Published: August 2017

Para que os recursos oriundos do governo sejam destinados à educação de maneira igualitária e justa à toda sociedade, é importante que os gestores públicos tomem decisões e medidas que atendam essa necessidade e sejam mais eficazes. Desse modo, existe o entendimento de que mensurar os custos referentes à educação de forma adequada, relacionando tais custos com o desempenho escolar dos alunos é necessário para confirmar que os gastos públicos sejam utilizados exclusivamente para o desenvolvimento educacional. Partindo desta premissa, o artigo em questão tem como objetivo analisar as possíveis relações entre custos, desempenho e estrutura das diferentes unidades escolares de ensino fundamental da cidade de Cambé/PR. Este estudo possui características quantitativas e descritivas e foi realizado a partir da análise da distribuição dos recursos investidos na educação do Ensino Fundamental em um município de pequeno porte no norte do Paraná. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a estatística descritiva, assim como o teste não-paramétrico de correlação. Verificou-se que as escolas que obtiveram maior custo/aluno não necessariamente apresentaram melhor desempenho nos indicadores de qualidade do Índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica (IDEB), onde nota-se há assimetria na relação custo/aluno existente entre as escolas pesquisadas.
Desenvolvimento e Crescimento Econômico: uma análise multivariada dos municípios da microrregião de Cornélio Procópio (Pr- Brasil) para os anos de 2010 a 2013
Authors: Bernardelli Luan Vinicius , Brambilla Marcos Aurélio , Campos Antonio Carlos de
Published: August 2017

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o desenvolvimento e o crescimento econômico, sob o enfoque regional para a microrregião de Cornélio Procópio do Norte Pioneiro do Estado do Paraná, no período de 2010 a 2013. A pesquisa forneceu inicialmente uma discussão conceitual sobre o crescimento e o desenvolvimento econômico, ressaltando a importância deste debate em tempos de estagnação econômica. Com esse intento, foi proposto uma metodologia baseada em uma estatística multivariada, pautando-se em 32 variáveis, para avaliar o desenvolvimento relativo desses municípios, elaborando um indicador que indique as condições de desenvolvimento econômico e possibilite uma ação eficaz das autoridades políticas. O resultado foi relevante, pois evidenciou que, embora o estado do Paraná seja um estado relativamente rico, a microrregião de estudo possui municípios desiguais no tocante do desenvolvimento econômico. Por fim, para verificar a relação do desenvolvimento com a renda, realizou-se uma comparação entre a renda per capita e o escore de desenvolvimento aferido, o qual constatou um alto grau de correlação.
Level of Reflective Practice amongst Saudi Female Postgraduate Students at KSU
Authors: Omar Sozan H. , Al-Kathiri Fatimah A. , Al-Ajmi Sarah A.
Published: August 2017

This paper investigates the level of reflective practice amongst Saudi female postgraduate students at King Saud University. The study is quantitative in nature, whereby a reflective practice self-assessment scale was administered to assess the reflective practice of 201 female postgraduate students at KSU. The scale concentrates on five dimensions; the ability and freedom to reflect, questioning assumptions, considering others’ viewpoints, using reflective methods/tools, and frequency of the refection on events. Findings of this study indicate that Saudi female postgraduate students at KSU reveal a decent level of reflective skills. Findings also display that there are some reflective requirements and skills which are more common in the scientific fields than they are in the literary fields. On the light of these results, recommendations for Saudi postgraduate instructors and program developers are provided accordingly.
Prestatiemetingen en de wet van Goodhart
Authors: Rodenburg Peter
Published: August 2017

Performance measurements and Goodhart’s law

The most relevant part of a discussion is not what is discussed but what cannot be spoken of. The real taboos are those for which it is taboo to call them taboos. The status quo defines itself as non-ideological while denouncing any challenge to itself as radical. Therefore the column ‘De Blinde Vlek’ frames the framers, politicizes the status quo and articulates what is not heard of.
Os benefícios da utilização do Sistema Warehouse Management System na cadeia de logística reversa no Brasil
Authors: Figueira Agostinho Augusto , Buri Marcos Roberto
Published: August 2017

O grande desenvolvimento, e utilização pelas empresas, das vendas diretas, por meio do e-commerce, tem impulsionado o aumento das vendas, acarretando em volumes cada vez maiores de produtos armazenados, visando à agilidade na entrega ao cliente final. Porém, o problema é o gerenciamento desses materiais em larga escala, o que requer a utilização de sistemas específicos de gerenciamento, que ainda não são facilmente encontrados. Neste artigo, discorre-se sobre a implementação e utilização de sistemas de gerenciamento da cadeia de suprimentos reversa para atender à crescente demanda de produtos, inclusive relacionada à logística reversa. Realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva bibliográfica, baseada em referencial teórico coletado, como livros, artigos e manuais específicos. Mediante análise hipotético-dedutiva, objetivou-se apontar possibilidades, importância e abrangência do tema que contribuam para a melhora da área de logística. Observou-se que a adaptação do sistema de armazenamento de armazéns tradicional para WMS, utilizado na logística direta, também tem sido adotada para a logística reversa. Esse sistema possibilitou aumento da produtividade e do aproveitamento de resíduos na cadeia de logística, assim como reduziu custos diretos e indiretos desse processo.
Prokobiecość w kształtowaniu wizerunku pracodawcy
Authors: Bukowska Urszula
Published: August 2017

W artykule ukazano zależność występującą między ułatwieniami oferowanymi kobietom przez pracodawców a  ich wizerunkiem na rynku pracy. Przedstawiono model kształto‑ wania wizerunku pracodawcy. Ukazano także jakie ułatwienia są oferowane kobietom przez pracodawców. Stwierdzono, że pozytywnie wpływają one zarówno na osiąganie przez kobiety równowagi praca – życie jak i na wizerunek pracodawcy. Ważne jednak, by oferowane ułatwienia były zbieżne z oczekiwaniami pracowników, a jak wynika z badań, ten warunek często nie jest spełniony
Procedury personalne kształtujące wizerunek pracodawcy
Authors: Kopeć Jacek
Published: August 2017

O  sukcesie firmy na rynku w  dużym stopniu decydują utalentowani pracownicy.
Przyciągnięcie talentów do firmy jest istotnym wyzwaniem współczesnych organizacji.
Sprostanie temu wyzwaniu jest możliwe dzięki podjęciu działań, związanych z koncepcją
employer branding. W artykule ukazano procedury personalne, które budują pozytywny
wizerunek pracodawcy. Do najważniejszych procedur personalnych w obszarze employer
branding zaliczono: procedurę rekrutacji pracowników, wynagradzania pracowników,
program świadczeń pracowniczych, program rozwoju personelu, program praca – życie,
outplacement, program dla talentów, procedurę zarządzania różnorodnością.
Efektywność mechanizmu dopasowań na rynku pracy w UE
Authors: Idczak Piotr
Published: August 2017

Relacja pomiędzy liczbą wakatów a  bezrobociem, przedstawiona na podstawie krzywej Beveridge’a, wykazała, iż na unijnym rynku pracy nastąpił wzrost nieefektywności funk‑ cjonowania mechanizmu dopasowań w  porównaniu z  okresem sprzed kryzysu. Krzywa Beveridge’a przesunęła się w prawo, co oznacza, że mógł się ukształtować nowy krótko‑ okresowy punkt równowagi rynkowej, charakterystyczny dla okresu spowolnienia gospo‑ darczego, determinowany w znacznej mierze przez czynniki realne o charakterze niecy‑ klicznym. Przyczynami występującego niedopasowania na rynku pracy UE są głównie niewłaściwe przygotowanie zawodowe pracowników, stosunkowo sztywne ramy prawne regulujące funkcjonowanie polityki rynku pracy, a także niska mobilność wewnątrzunijna mieszkańców.
Kompetencje i kwalifikacje w ujęciu sektorowym na przykładzie branży farmaceutycznej
Authors: Trojanowska Monika , Rostkowski Tomasz
Published: August 2017

Głównym celem artykułu jest ukazanie uwarunkowań sektorowych kompetencji i kwalifikacji,
które zostały wyłonione dzięki badaniom empirycznym, dotyczących popytu
i  podaży na kompetencje i  kwalifikacje w  sektorze farmaceutycznym, oraz wybranych
problemów badawczych. Efektem powstania Sektorowych Ram Kwalifikacji (SRK) jest
wyłonienie tych kwalifikacji, które są kluczowe dla realizacji zadań konkretnej branży
gospodarki – w tym przypadku branży farmaceutycznej – mających na celu usprawnienie
funkcjonowania rynku pracy, a zwłaszcza ograniczenie luki pomiędzy programami kształ-
cenia oferowanymi młodzieży i  dorosłym a  rzeczywistymi potrzebami przedsiębiorstw
z poszczególnych sektorów gospodarki1.
Zarządzanie kapitałem ludzkim. Procesy – narzędzia – aplikacje
Authors: Juchnowicz Marta
Published: August 2017

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The effects of educational curricula and training on LGBT‐specific health issues for healthcare students and professionals: a mixed‐method systematic review
Authors: Sekoni Adekemi Oluwayemisi , Gale Nicola K. , Manga‐Atangana Bibiane , Bhadhuri Arjun , Jolly Kate
Published: August 2017

Introduction: Poor access of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to healthcare providers with clinical and cultural competency contributes to health inequalities between heterosexual/cisgender and LGBT people. This systematic review assesses the effect of educational curricula and training for healthcare students and professionals on LGBT healthcare issues.

Methods: Systematic review; the search terms, strategy and process as well as eligibility criteria were predefined and registered prospectively on PROSPERO. A systematic search of electronic databases was undertaken. Screening for eligible studies and data extraction were done in duplicate. All the eligible studies were assessed for risk of bias. The outcome of interest was a change in participants’ knowledge, attitude and or practice.

Results: Out of 1171 papers identified, 16 publications reporting 15 studies were included in the review. Three were non‐randomized controlled studies and 12 had a pre/post‐design; two had qualitative components. Bias was reported in the selection of participants and confounding. Risk reported was moderate/mild. Most studies were from the USA, the topics revolved around key terms and terminology, stigma and discrimination, sexuality and sexual dysfunction, sexual history taking, LGBT‐specific health and health disparities. Time allotted for training ranged from 1 to 42 hours, the involvement of LGBT people was minimal. The only intervention in sub‐Saharan Africa focused exclusively on men who have sex with men. All the studies reported statistically significant improvement in knowledge, attitude and/or practice post‐training. Two main themes were identified from the qualitative studies: the process of changing values and attitudes to be more LGBT inclusive, and the constraints to the application of new values in practice.

Conclusions: Training of healthcare providers will provide information and improve skills of healthcare providers which may lead to improved quality of healthcare for LGBT people. This review reports short‐term improvement in knowledge, attitudes and practice of healthcare students and professionals with regards to sexual and LGBT‐specific healthcare. However, a unified conceptual model for training in‐terms of duration, content and training methodology was lacking.
Applying Nyquist's method for stability determination to solar wind observations
Authors: Klein Kristopher G. , Kasper Justin C. , Korreck K. E. , Stevens Michael L.
Published: August 2017

The role instabilities play in governing the evolution of solar and astrophysical plasmas is a matter of considerable scientific interest. The large number of sources of free energy accessible to such nearly collisionless plasmas makes general modeling of unstable behavior, accounting for the temperatures, densities, anisotropies, and relative drifts of a large number of populations, analytically difficult. We therefore seek a general method of stability determination that may be automated for future analysis of solar wind observations. This work describes an efficient application of the Nyquist instability method to the Vlasov dispersion relation appropriate for hot, collisionless, magnetized plasmas, including the solar wind. The algorithm recovers the familiar proton temperature anisotropy instabilities, as well as instabilities that had been previously identified using fits extracted from in situ observations in Gary et al. (2016). Future proposed applications of this method are discussed.
Nanoscale Heterogeneity of Multilayered Si Anodes with Embedded Nanoparticle Scaffolds for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Haro Marta , Singh Vidyadhar , Steinhauer Stephan , Toulkeridou Evropi , Grammatikopoulos Panagiotis , Sowwan Mukhles
Published: August 2017

A new approach on the synthesis of Si anodes for Li‐ion batteries is reported, combining advantages of both nanoparticulated and continuous Si films. A multilayered configuration prototype is proposed, comprising amorphous Si arranged in nanostructured, mechanically heterogeneous films, interspersed with Ta nanoparticle scaffolds. Particular structural features such as increased surface roughness, nanogranularity, and porosity are dictated by the nanoparticle scaffolds, boosting the lithiation process due to fast Li diffusion and low electrode polarization. Consequently, a remarkable charge/discharge speed is reached with the proposed anode, in the order of minutes (1200 mAh g−1 at 10 C). Moreover, nanomechanical heterogeneity self‐limits the capacity at intermediate charge/discharge rates; as a consequence, exceptional cycleability is observed at 0.5 C, with 100% retention over 200 cycles with 700 mAh g−1. Higher capacity can be obtained when the first cycles are performed at 0.2 C, due to the formation of microislands, which facilitate the swelling of the active Si. This study indicates a method to tune the mechanical, morphological, and electrochemical properties of Si electrodes via engineering nanoparticle scaffolds, paving the way for a novel design of nanostructured Si electrodes for high‐performance energy storage devices.
Fiscal‐Food Policies are Likely Misinformed by Biased Price Elasticities from Household Surveys: Evidence from Melanesia
Authors: Gibson John , Romeo Alessandro
Published: August 2017

Fiscal‐food policies use taxes to alter relative food prices so as to change diets and are suggested for reducing non‐communicable diseases in the Pacific. Price elasticity estimates used by advocates of fiscal‐food policies are often biased and may make policy makers too optimistic about small taxes on unhealthy food and drink inducing big changes in diets. The bias is illustrated using the example of the demand for soft drinks in a household survey from the Solomon Islands, with further evidence from Papua New Guinea. About one‐third of consumer response to soft drink price variation in the Solomon Islands is on the quantity margin, with two‐thirds on the quality margin. If the quality response is wrongly treated as a quantity response to price—as in most studies—the price elasticity of soft drink demand is exaggerated by a factor of two in Papua New Guinea and three in the Solomon Islands.
Sex‐specific effects of COMT Val158Met polymorphism on corpus callosum structure: A whole‐brain diffusion‐weighted imaging study
Authors: El‐Hage Wissam , Cléry Helen , Andersson Frederic , Filipiak Isabelle , Thiebaut de Schotten Michel , Gohier Benedicte , Surguladze Simon
Published: August 2017

Background

Genetic polymorphisms play a significant role in determining brain morphology, including white matter structure and may thus influence the development of brain functions. The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism of Catechol‐O‐Methyltransferase (COMT) gene on white matter connectivity in healthy adults.

Methods

We used a whole‐brain diffusion‐weighted imaging method with Tract‐Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) analysis to examine white matter structural integrity in intrinsic brain networks on a sample of healthy subjects (N = 82).

Results

Results revealed a sex‐specific effect of COMT on corpus callosum (CC): in males only, Val homozygotes had significantly higher fractional anisotropy (FA) compared to Met‐carriers. Volume‐of‐interest analysis showed a genotype by sex interaction on FA in genu and rostral midbody of CC, whereby Val males demonstrated higher FA than Met females.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the key effect of genes by sex interaction, rather than their individual contribution, on the corpus callosum anatomy.
Real‐Time Optimization in the Chemical Processing Industry
Authors: Müller David , Dercks Benedikt , Nabati Ehsan , Blazek Martin , Eifert Tobias , Schallenberg Jörg , Piechottka Uwe , Dadhe Kai
Published: August 2017

The advancements of computation capabilities and efficient flowsheet simulators have led simulation based real‐time optimization (RTO) of continuous processes to become a prominent topic in the last years. This contribution discusses prerequisites to help guarantee the economic viability of an RTO project as well as the deliberations that should be performed prior to its initiation. Additionally, considerations regarding collaborations with various technical fields are highlighted and approaches to alleviate some challenges associated with the implementation of RTO are discussed.
CRUST SEISMIC SCATTERING STRENGTH BENEATH THE MIDDLE‐SOUTH SEGMENT OF THE TANCHENG‐LUJIANG FAULT ZONE
Authors: Xiao‐Ping FAN , Yi‐Cheng HE , Jun‐Fei WANG , Yun YANG
Published: August 2017

Broadband teleseismic waveform data from 10 earthquakes recorded by 134 digital seismic stations were selected to study the seismic scattering strength of the crust in the middle‐south segment of the Tancheng‐Lujiang fault zone by teleseismic fluctuation wave field method. The results show that strong transverse inhomogeneity exists beneath the middle‐south segment of the Tancheng‐Lujiang fault zone, and that the spatial distributions of seismic scattering strength exhibit conformity between the upper and lower crusts. Strong seismic scattering strength is found beneath the north China block and the Qinling‐Dabie fold system, whereas weak seismic scattering strength is found under the Yangtze block. The peak value of seismic scattering strength is mainly distributed in Lu'an, Junan, Jiashan, and Yantai, among others. The tectonic blocks are correlated with seismic scattering strength. Different blocks show different seismic scattering strengths. Seismic scattering strength, which can be divided into three segments, shows a segmental feature along the Tancheng‐Lujiang fault zone. The first segment is from Weifang to Linyi, the second is from Linyi to Jiashan, and the third is from Jianshan to Jiujiang. Earthquake activity is strongly correlated with seismic scattering strength, and the epicenters of moderate earthquakes are located along the gradient zone of seismic scattering strength. Many smaller earthquakes occur along the high gradients of seismic scattering strength throughout the Tancheng‐Lujiang fault zone, such as the segment of Linyi to Jiashan, and the segment of Jianshan to Jiujiang. However, the segment of Linyi to Jiashan with fewer earthquakes shows a low gradient of seismic scattering strength. Seismic scattering strength shows coherency with tectonic blocks, deep fault structure, and earthquake activity. Thus, seismic scattering strength reflects the different physical properties of a medium in the crust and is also related to the physical morphology of the medium, substance migration, and variations in stress‐strain environment in the deep structure.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION AND CHARACTERISTICS ANALYSIS OF DUAL LATEROLOG IN CAVERNOUS RESERVOIRS ON THE BASIS OF 3D‐FEM
Authors: Lei WANG , Yi‐Ren FAN , Yan‐Wu GAO , Zhuo‐Ying FAN , Zhen‐Guan WU
Published: August 2017

Cavernous carbonate formations are characterized by strong heterogeneity, which results in the complex electric logging responses and the difficulty in the logging identification and evaluation. Numerical simulation of electric logging tools is helpful to figure out the logging response characteristics in these formations and could provide theoretical support for cave recognition and evaluation. In this paper, based on three dimensional finite element methods, a local refinement technique is adopted for the accurate discretization and simulation of complex sphere caves. Then, the response characteristics and sensitivity of dual laterolog to caves around and penetrated by wellbore are analyzed, finally the differences of sensitive scope between deep and shallow laterolog are studied. The results show that the dual laterolog response decreases significantly when cave exists. Affected by cave boundary and the investigation depth of dual laterolog tool, the logging response for caves penetrated by wellbore is very complicated, however it exhibits parabolic‐like characteristic for caves around wellbore. Compared with caves around wellbore, the dual laterolog is much more sensitive to caves penetrated by wellbore. For caves around wellbore, the maximum sensitive distance for deep and shallow laterolog between the cave boundary and well wall is 0.5 m and 0.3 m, respectively.
SHALE RESERVOIR CONDUCTIVE MECHANISM SIMULATION BASED ON PERCOLATION NETWORK
Authors: Jun ZHAO , Xin‐Yun DAI , Yi‐Fan LU , Shen‐Hua TANG
Published: August 2017

The shale gas reservoir storage space mainly includes micro pores and cracks of micron and nano scale. Owing to the complex pore network, as well as high content of kerogen and clay minerals in shale matrix and existence of conductive minerals, especially pyrite, the shale reservoir conductive mechanism is quite different from that of conventional reservoir, and the I‐Sw curve obtained by core electricity experiment is non‐linear which makes traditional evaluation models such as Archie's law not suitable. Aiming at these issues, according to actual core experiment and CT scan data, a three dimensional percolation network is established with randomized algorithm and the node voltage and current are calculated through over‐relaxation iteration algorithm. With this network, the reasons for non‐Archie property and the influence factors of shale reservoir are analyzed. Simulation results show that pore structure, shape and size, mineral composition and formation water resistivity have different effects on the reservoir resistivity. By changing the setting value, single‐correlation between the reservoir resistivity and these factors can be built, and percolation correction model is also developed to calculate shale reservoir water saturation. The method has achieved a good effect in a certain shale gas field in Sichuan, China, which presents a good application prospect and provides a new thought on solving complex problems in shale gas field exploration and development with network simulation methods.
CO‐SEISMIC GRAVITATIONAL POTENTIAL ENERGY CHANGE AND ITS TECTONIC IMPLICATIONS: A CASE STUDY IN TIBETAN PLATEAU AREA
Authors: Jiang‐Cun ZHOU , He‐Ping SUN , Jian‐Qiao XU , Xiao‐Ming CUI , Xiao‐Dong CHEN
Published: August 2017

Earthquakes not only release seismic‐wave energy, which decays eventually, but also give rise to permanent deformation in the Earth. This permanent deformation causes gravitational potential energy (GPE) change. Previous researches showed that the GPE change is a good indicator of extensional and compressional tectonics. In this paper, we first proposed an effective method to compute co‐seismic GPE change for a SNREI (spherically symmetric Non‐rotational Elastic Isotropic) Earth according to the point dislocation theory. This method is applicable to both shear and tensile earthquakes. We then applied this method to compute the contributions from earthquakes occurred over Tibetan plateau area from 1976 to 2013 to the crustal GPE change. The results show that earthquakes occurred in central and western part of Tibetan plateau caused the crustal GPE to decrease while those in eastern part caused it to increase, which correspond to extensional and compressional tectonic status, respectively, in this area. Furthermore, the impact of earthquakes occurred from 1999 to 2013 was larger than that of earthquakes occurred from 1976 to 1998.
Genetic conservation and management of the California endemic, Torrey pine (Pinus torreyanaParry): Implications of genetic rescue in a genetically depauperate species
Authors: Hamilton Jill A. , Royauté Raphaël , Wright Jessica W. , Hodgskiss Paul , Ledig F. Thomas
Published: August 2017

Rare species present a challenge under changing environmental conditions as the genetic consequences of rarity may limit species ability to adapt to environmental change. To evaluate the evolutionary potential of a rare species, we assessed variation in traits important to plant fitness using multigenerational common garden experiments. Torrey pine,Pinus torreyanaParry, is one of the rarest pines in the world, restricted to one mainland and one island population. Morphological differentiation between island and mainland populations suggests adaptation to local environments may have contributed to trait variation. The distribution of phenotypic variances within the common garden suggests distinct population‐specific growth trajectories underlay genetic differences, with the island population exhibiting substantially reduced genetic variance for growth relative to the mainland population. Furthermore, F1 hybrids, representing a cross between mainland and island trees, exhibit increased height accumulation and fecundity relative to mainland and island parents. This may indicate genetic rescue via intraspecific hybridization could provide the necessary genetic variation to persist in environments modified as a result of climate change. Long‐term common garden experiments, such as these, provide invaluable resources to assess the distribution of genetic variance that may inform conservation strategies to preserve evolutionary potential of rare species, including genetic rescue.
An improved algorithm for fast resonant Mie scatter correction of infrared spectra of cells and tissues
Authors: Konevskikh Tatiana , Lukacs Rozalia , Kohler Achim
Published: August 2017

Mie scattering effects create serious problems for the interpretation of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy spectra of single cells and tissues. During recent years, different techniques were proposed to retrieve pure absorbance spectra from spectra with Mie distortions. Recently, we published an iterative algorithm for correcting Mie scattering in spectra of single cells and tissues, which we called “the fast resonant Mie scatter correction algorithm.” The algorithm is based on extended multiplicative signal correction (EMSC) and employs a meta‐model for a parameter range of refractive index and size parameters. In the present study, we suggest several improvements of the algorithm. We demonstrate that the improved algorithm reestablishes chemical features of the measured spectra, and show that it tends away from the reference spectrum employed in the EMSC. We suggest strategies for choosing parameter ranges and other model parameters such as the number of principal components of the meta‐model and the number of iterations. We demonstrate that the suggested algorithm optimizes an error function of the refractive index in a forward Mie model. We suggest a stop criterion for the iterative algorithm based on the error function of the forward model.
Ethics of animal research in human disease remediation, its institutional teaching; and alternatives to animal experimentation
Authors: Cheluvappa Rajkumar , Scowen Paul , Eri Rajaraman
Published: August 2017

Animals have been used in research and teaching for a long time. However, clear ethical guidelines and pertinent legislation were instated only in the past few decades, even in developed countries with Judeo‐Christian ethical roots. We compactly cover the basics of animal research ethics, ethical reviewing and compliance guidelines for animal experimentation across the developed world, “our” fundamentals of institutional animal research ethics teaching, and emerging alternatives to animal research. This treatise was meticulously constructed for scientists interested/involved in animal research. Herein, we discuss key animal ethics principles – Replacement/Reduction/Refinement. Despite similar undergirding principles across developed countries, ethical reviewing and compliance guidelines for animal experimentation vary. The chronology and evolution of mandatory institutional ethical reviewing of animal experimentation (in its pioneering nations) are summarised. This is followed by a concise rendition of the fundamentals of teaching animal research ethics in institutions. With the advent of newer methodologies in human cell‐culturing, novel/emerging methods aim to minimise, if not avoid the usage of animals in experimentation. Relevant to this, we discuss key extant/emerging alternatives to animal use in research; including organs on chips, human‐derived three‐dimensional tissue models, human blood derivates, microdosing, and computer modelling of various hues.
Acceleration of Fracture Healing by Overexpression of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in the Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Zhang Hongliang , Kot Alexander , Lay Yu-An E. , Fierro Fernando A. , Chen Haiyan , Lane Nancy E. , Yao Wei
Published: August 2017

In this study, we engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to over-express basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and evaluated its effects on fracture healing. Adipose-derived mouse MSCs were transduced to express bFGF and green fluorescence protein (ADSCbFGF-GFP). Closed-femoral fractures were performed with osterix-mCherry reporter mice of both sexes. The mice received 3 × 105 ADSCs transfected with control vector or bFGF via intramuscular injection within or around the fracture sites. Mice were euthanized at days 7, 14, and 35 to monitor MSC engraftment, osteogenic differentiation, callus formation, and bone strength. Compared to ADSC culture alone, ADSCbFGF increased bFGF expression and higher levels of bFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the culture supernatant for up to 14 days. ADSCbFGF treatment increased GFP-labeled MSCs at the fracture gaps and these cells were incorporated into the newly formed callus. quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) from the callus revealed a 2- to 12-fold increase in the expression of genes associated with nervous system regeneration, angiogenesis, and matrix formation. Compared to the control, ADSCbFGF treatment increased VEGF expression at the periosteal region of the callus, remodeling of collagen into mineralized callus and bone strength. In summary, MSCbFGF accelerated fracture healing by increasing the production of growth factors that stimulated angiogenesis and differentiation of MSCs to osteoblasts that formed new bone and accelerated fracture repair. This novel treatment may reduce the time required for fracture healing.
Proceedings: Regenerative Medicine for Lung Diseases: A CIRM Workshop Report
Authors: Kadyk Lisa C. , DeWitt Natalie D. , Gomperts Brigitte
Published: August 2017

The mission of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is to accelerate treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. In September 2016, CIRM sponsored a workshop held at the University of California, Los Angeles, to discuss regenerative medicine approaches for treatment of lung diseases and to identify the challenges remaining for advancing such treatments to the clinic and market approval. Workshop participants discussed current preclinical and clinical approaches to regenerative medicine in the lung, as well as the biology of lung stem cells and the role of stem cells in the etiology of various lung diseases. The outcome of this effort was the recognition that whereas transient cell delivery approaches are leading the way in the clinic, recent advances in the understanding of lung stem cell biology, in vitro and in vivo disease modeling, gene editing and replacement methods, and cell engraftment approaches raise the prospect of developing cures for some lung diseases in the foreseeable future. In addition, advances in in vitro modeling using lung organoids and “lung on a chip” technology are setting the stage for high quality small molecule drug screening to develop treatments for lung diseases with complex biology.
Evolution of Total Syntheses of β‐Hydroxy‐γ‐Lactones: Cardiobutanolide and Hagen's Gland Lactones
Authors: Fernandes Rodney A. , Kattanguru Pullaiah , Halle Mahesh B. , Kunkalkar Rupesh A.
Published: August 2017

The β‐hydroxy‐γ‐lactones, cardiobutanolide and Hagen's gland lactones have been interesting targets for total synthesis in many laboratories. There are 10 syntheses reported for cardiobutanolide and 19 syntheses for Hagen's gland lactones. These natural products have the β‐hydroxy‐γ‐lactone moiety in common. The evolution of various synthetic strategies to these natural products from chiral pool materials and/or asymmetric catalysis and involving linear sequences, convergent approaches to the de‐novo protecting group free syntheses have been abstracted in this review.
Intrafetal laser ablation for embryo reduction from dichorionic triplets to dichorionic twins
Authors: Chaveeva P. , Peeva G. , Pugliese S. G. , Shterev A. , Nicolaides K. H.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To report the outcome of dichorionic (DC) triplet pregnancies reduced to DC twins by laser ablation of the pelvic vessels of one of the monochorionic (MC) twins.

Methods

Intrafetal laser embryo reduction (ER) from DC triplets to DC twins was carried out in 61 pregnancies at 11 + 0 to 14 + 3 weeks' gestation. Pregnancy outcome was examined.

Results

Intrafetal laser was successfully carried out in all cases, but ultrasound examination within 2 weeks of the procedure demonstrated that the MC cotwin had died in 28 (45.9%) cases and was alive in the other 33 (54.1%). In the DC group, there was one miscarriage at 23 weeks, one neonatal death after delivery at 26 weeks and in the other 31 cases there were two live births at a median gestational age of 35.3 (range, 30.4–38.4) weeks. In the 28 cases in which both MC fetuses died, there was one miscarriage at 16 weeks and in the other 27 cases the separate triplet was liveborn at a median gestation of 38.2 (range, 32.2–42.1) weeks. The overall rate of miscarriage was 3.3% (2/61) and that of preterm birth (PTB) at < 33 weeks was 6.8% (4/59).

Conclusions

In the management of DC triplet pregnancies, ER to DC twins by intrafetal laser ablation is associated with lower rates of miscarriage or early PTB, compared with expectant management or ER by fetal intracardiac injection of potassium chloride. However, about half of the pregnancies result in the birth of one rather than two babies. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Ten‐year meteorological record for an upland research catchment near the summit of Snake Pass in the Peak District, UK
Authors: Clay Gareth D. , Evans Martin G.
Published: August 2017

High elevation meteorological records are sparse in the United Kingdom, due in part to the logistical challenges of setting up and maintaining monitoring stations. These upland regions are also coincident with peatland landscapes, many of which are at the southern limit of temperate peatlands. Given concerns over the long‐term stability of these landscapes, which are currently at risk due to shifts in climatic zones, we present a 10‐year review of meteorological conditions in an upland peatland catchment in the Peak District, UK, which provides baseline data for assessment of change in this area.
Problems of selection and correlation of stratotype sections of the Neocomian in West Siberia in the context of clinoform structure
Authors: Ershov S.V.
Published: August 2017

This paper discusses the problems of selection of stratotype sections and correlation of marker beds in the Neocomian productive complex of West Siberia in the context of its clinoform structure. In this paper we present a conceptual sequence stratigraphic model and a correlation chart for beds from different lithofacies regions of the Berriasian–Lower Aptian deposits of West Siberia.
Reference section of Neogene–Quarternary deposits in the Uimon Basin (Gorny Altai)
Authors: Rusanov G.G. , Deev E.V. , Zolnikov I.D. , Khazin L.B. , Khazina I.V. , Kuz’mina O.B.
Published: August 2017

An extraordinary-thick (400 m) section of the Neogene–Quaternary deposits is for the first time exposed by well No. 1 in the central Uimon Basin. The Miocene–Pliocene lacustrine Tueryk Formation is recognized at the base of the continuous section, verified by new paleontological data (ostracods, spores, and pollen). As assumed, overlaying deposits are represented by the Lower Pleistocene lacustrine-alluvial Beken Formation, Middle Pleistocene alluvial-proluvial Bashkaus Formation, undifferentiated Middle Pleistocene glacial, fluvioglacial, and alluvial deposits, and Upper Pleistocene lacustrine-glacial deposits. The data obtained from the core of well No. 1 undisputably demonstrate that the Uimon Basin had been developed prior the beginning of the Miocene Epoch, when it was characterized by accumulation of the lacustrine Tueryk Formation, incompletely exposed within the studied section. The presence of thick unexposed lower-Ohm interval of sedimentary filling of the basin suggests that the Uimon Basin was developed as early as the Paleogene. Therefore, the tectonic evolution and sedimentation history of the basin are assumed to have features similar to those of the Chuya and Kurai Basins of Gorny Altai.
Empire and Ideology in the Graeco-Roman World
Authors: Isaac Benjamin
Published: August 2017

Benjamin Isaac is one of the most distinguished historians of the ancient world, with a number of landmark monographs to his name. This volume collects most of his published articles and book chapters of the last two decades, many of which are not easy to access, and republishes them for the first time along with some brand new chapters. The focus is on Roman concepts of state and empire and mechanisms of control and integration. Isaac also discusses ethnic and cultural relationships in the Roman Empire and the limits of tolerance and integration, as well as attitudes to foreigners and minorities, including Jews. The book will appeal to scholars and students of ancient, imperial, and military history, as well as to those interested in the ancient history of problems which still resonate in today's societies.
Circadian feeding patterns of 12-month-old infants
Authors: Wee Poh Hui , Loy See Ling , Toh Jia Ying , Tham Elaine Kwang Hsia , Cheung Yin Bun , Godfrey Keith M. , Gluckman Peter D. , Saw Seang Mei , Chong Yap-Seng , Lek Ngee , Chan Jerry Kok Yen , Goh Daniel Yam Thiam , Chong Mary Foong-Fong , Yap Fabian
Published: August 2017

Early life nutrition and feeding practices are important modifiable determinants of subsequent obesity, yet little is known about the circadian feeding pattern of 12-month-old infants. We aimed to describe the 24-h feeding patterns of 12-month-old infants and examine their associations with maternal and infant characteristics. Mothers from a prospective birth cohort study (n 431) reported dietary intakes of their 12-month-old infants and respective feeding times using 24-h dietary recall. Based on their feeding times, infants were classified into post-midnight (00.00–05.59 hours) and pre-midnight (06.00–23.59 hours) feeders. Mean daily energy intake was 3234 (sd 950) kJ (773 (sd 227) kcal), comprising 51·8 (sd 7·8) % carbohydrate, 33·9 (sd 7·2) % fat and 14·4 (sd 3·2) % protein. Mean hourly energy intake and proportion of infants fed were lower during post-midnight than pre-midnight hours. There were 251 (58·2 %) pre-midnight and 180 (41·8 %) post-midnight feeders. Post-midnight feeders consumed higher daily energy, carbohydrate, fat and protein intakes than pre-midnight feeders (all P<0·001). The difference in energy intake originated from energy content consumed during the post-midnight period. Majority (n 173) of post-midnight feeders consumed formula milk during the post-midnight period. Using multivariate logistic regression with confounder adjustment, exclusively breast-feeding during the first 6 months of life was negatively associated with post-midnight feeding at 12 months (adjusted OR 0·31; 95 % CI 0·11, 0·82). This study provides new insights into the circadian pattern of energy intake during infancy. Our findings indicated that the timing of feeding at 12 months was associated with daily energy and macronutrient intakes, and feeding mode during early infancy.
The effect of nature and pressure of ambient environment on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and ablation mechanisms of Si
Authors: Zehra K. , Bashir S. , Hassan S.A. , Ahmed Q.S. , Akram M. , Hayat A.
Published: August 2017

The effect of nature and pressure of ambient environment on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and ablation mechanisms of silicon (Si) have been investigated. A Q-switched Nd-YAG laser with the wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse duration of 10 ns, and pulsed energy of 50 mJ was employed. Si targets were exposed under ambient environments of inert gases of argon, neon, and helium for different pressures ranging from 5 to 760 torr. The influence of nature and pressure of ambient gases on the emission intensity of Si plasma have been explored by using the LIBS spectrometer system. The plasma parameters such as electron temperature and number density were determined by applying Boltzmann plot and Stark broadening method, respectively. Our experimental results suggest that the nature and pressure of ambient environment play a significant role for generation, recombination, and expansion of plasma and consequently affect the excitation temperature as well as electron density of plasma. The surface morphological analysis of laser-irradiated Si was performed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Various kinds of structures, for example laser-induced periodic surface structures or ripples, cones, droplets, and craters have been generated and their density and size are found to be strongly dependent upon the ambient environment. A quantitative analysis of particulate size and crater depth measured from SEM images showed a strong correlation between plasma parameters and the growth of micro/nanostructures on the modified Si surface.
Predictability of tick-borne encephalitis fluctuations
Authors: ZEMAN P.
Published: August 2017

Tick-borne encephalitis is a serious arboviral infection with unstable dynamics and profound inter-annual fluctuations in case numbers. A dependable predictive model has been sought since the discovery of the disease. The present study demonstrates that four superimposed cycles, approximately 2·4, 3, 5·4, and 10·4 years long, can account for three-fifths of the variation in the disease fluctuations over central Europe. Using harmonic regression, these cycles can be projected into the future, yielding forecasts of sufficient accuracy for up to 4 years ahead. For the years 2016–2018, this model predicts elevated incidence levels in most parts of the region.
Biased Visuospatial Attention in Cervical Dystonia
Authors: Chillemi Gaetana , Formica Caterina , Salatino Adriana , Calamuneri Alessandro , Girlanda Paolo , Morgante Francesca , Milardi Demetrio , Terranova Carmen , Cacciola Alberto , Quartarone Angelo , Ricci Raffaella
Published: August 2017

Objectives: There is increasing evidence of non-motor, sensory symptoms, mainly involving the spatial domain, in cervical dystonia (CD). These manifestations are likely driven by dysfunctional overactivity of the parietal cortex during the execution of a sensory task. Few studies also suggest the possibility that visuospatial attention might be specifically affected in patients with CD. Therefore, we asked whether non-motor manifestations in CD might also comprise impairment of higher level visuospatial processing. Methods: To this end, we investigated visuospatial attention in 23 CD patients and 12 matched healthy controls (for age, gender, education, and ocular dominance). The patients were identified according to the dystonia pattern type (laterocollis vs. torticollis). Overall, participants were right-handers, and the majority of them was right-eye dominant. Visuospatial attention was assessed using a line bisection task. Participants were asked to bisect horizontal lines, using their right or left hand. Results: Participants bisected more to the left of true center when using their left hand to perform the task than when using their right hand. However, overall, torticollis patients produced a significantly greater leftward deviation than controls. Conclusions: These data are consistent with preliminary findings suggesting the presence of biased spatial attention in patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia. The presence of an attentional bias in patients with torticollis seem to indicate that alterations of attentional circuits might be implicated in the pathophysiology of this type of CD. (JINS, 2018, 24, 23–32)
Synchrotron X-ray Microtomography with Improved Image Quality by Ring Artifacts Correction for Structural Analysis of Insects
Authors: Yao Shengkun , Zong Yunbing , Fan Jiadong , Sun Zhibin , Zhang Jianhua , Jiang Huaidong
Published: August 2017

Ring artifacts are undesirable and complicate the analysis and interpretation of microstructures in synchrotron X-ray microtomography. Here, we propose a new method to improve the image quality of an object by removing the ring artifacts and investigate the efficiency of this process with tomographic images of a dried Tenebrio molitor. In this method, before the tomographic reconstruction, ring artifacts were identified and located in the sinograms as line artifacts. Then, the identified line artifacts were corrected as single point noise via image processing of the original projections. Eventually, the corresponding line artifacts were removed, resulting in reduced ring artifacts in the reconstructed tomographic images. Simulations verified the efficiency of the proposed method. This method was successfully applied for the structural analysis of the insect T. molitor, showing superior performance in reducing ring artifacts in the tomographic image without noticeable loss of structural information.
Dendritic calcium spikes are clearly detectable at the cortical surface
Authors: Suzuki Mototaka , Larkum Matthew E.
Published: August 2017

Cortical surface recording techniques such as EEG and ECoG are widely used for measuring brain activity. The prevailing assumption is that surface potentials primarily reflect synaptic activity, although non-synaptic events may also contribute. Here we show that dendritic calcium spikes occurring in pyramidal neurons (that we showed previously are cognitively relevant) are clearly detectable in cortical surface potentials. To show this we developed an optogenetic, non-synaptic approach to evoke dendritic calcium spikes in vivo. We found that optogenetically evoked calcium spikes were easily detectable and had an unexpected waveform near the cortical surface. Sensory-evoked dendritic calcium spikes were also clearly detectable with amplitudes that matched the contribution of synaptic input. These results reveal how dendritic calcium spikes appear at the cortical surface and their significant impact on surface potentials, suggesting that long-standing surface recording data may contain information about dendritic activity that is relevant to behavior and cognitive function.