bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low serum vitamin A is prevalent in underfive children with severe malaria and is associated with increased risk of death
Authors: Lawal Olubunmi Adeola , Adegoke Samuel Ademola , Oseni Saheed Babatunde , Oyelami Oyeku A.
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in developing countries and may influence vulnerability to diseases particularly malaria and its severity. This study investigated serum vitamin A profile of under-five children with severe malaria (SM) in South-western, Nigeria and to determine its association with degree of malaria parasitaemia, types of SM and eventual outcome.

Methodology: Using HPLC, serum vitamin A concentrations of 170 under-five children with SM and 170 age- and gender-matched controls were determined. Parasite species identification and density were also determined. Association between serum vitamin A levels and the degree of parasitaemia, type of SM and patients’ outcome were examined by both bivariate and logistic regression analyses.

Results: Thirty-five (20.6%) of the children with SM compared with 3 (1.8%) of the controls had hypovitaminosis A, p <0.001, OR = 14.4, 95% Confidence Interval = 4.4 – 47.8. The mean serum vitamin A concentration was also lower in the patients (45.23µg/dL vs. 87.28µg/dL; p <0.001). There was inverse correlation between serum vitamin A levels and malaria parasite density (r = - 0.103, p = 0.027). Higher proportions of children with SM and hypovitaminosis A presented with metabolic acidosis and cerebral malaria (p <0.001 and 0.032 respectively). Children with SM and hypovitaminosis A were 9.1 times more likely to die compared to those without low serum vitamin A levels, OR = 9.1, 95% Confidence Interval = 2.2–38.1, p = 0.002.

Conclusion: Children with SM had reduced serum vitamin A and significantly contributed to increased morbidity and mortality.
Pathogen killing pathogen: antimicrobial substance from Acinetobacter active against foodborne pathogens
Authors: Conceição Cinara Souza da , Souza Barbara Victor , Vieira Jessica Manya Bittencourt Dias , Nascimento Janaína dos Santos
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Antimicrobial substances (AMS) produced by bacteria may reduce or prevent the growth of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in food. In this study, 16 isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii/calcoaceticus (ABC) complex, previously obtained from reconstituted infant milk formula (IMF) samples and the preparation and distribution utensils from the nursery of a public hospital, were used to screen for AMS production.

Methodology: Antimicrobial substance production and spectrum of activity assays were performed by agar-spot assay. Optimization of growth conditions for AMS production was also evaluated.

Results: Three (17.6%) isolates, namely JE3, JE4, and JE6, produced AMS against the principal indicator strain Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Typhi ATCC 19214. JE6 was also able to inhibit strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, and Bacillus cereus, a Gram-positive bacteria. Remarkably, JE6 was able to inhibit all the tested resistant and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of the ABC complex and Shigella dysenteriae associated with IMF and utensils, indicating a potentially valuable application. AMS produced by JE6 does not appear to be affected by proteolytic enzymes and the producer strain showed specific immunity to its own AMS.

Conclusion: This study highlights AMS produced by Acinetobacter with applications against MDR spoilage and foodborne pathogens - some of them, infectious disease causing agents - which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described.
A review of the Delia interflua group with descriptions of two new species (Diptera, Anthomyiidae)
Authors: Du Jing , Xue Wanqi
Published: June 2018

The Deliainterflua group is reviewed to include 16 species. Two new species are described, namely Deliasubnemostylata Xue & Du, sp. n., Delianigeriposticrus Xue & Du, sp. n. A catalogue and amended key to new species of this group are also included.
Taxonomic revision proves Trachusa pubescens (Morawitz, 1872) sensu lato to be a complex of allopatric and sympatric species in South-Eastern Europe and Western Asia (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Anthidiini)
Authors: Kasparek Max
Published: June 2018

Trachusapubescens(Morawitz, 1872) s. l. has a distribution extending from south-eastern Europe over Anatolia and the Caucasus to Iran and Turkmenistan, and was formerly regarded as a species with high intraspecific variation. By means of an examination of 208 specimens from all parts of the distribution area, covering structural features of the head (mandibles, clypeus), the apical terga and the genitalia, the colouration pattern as well as a morphometric analysis of 26 body measurements with multivariate statistical methods (Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Analysis), it was possible to assign the material to five species of which two are new to science (Trachusabalcanicasp. n.andT.hakkariensissp. n.). Two taxa which had previously been described as “variations” or subspecies are elevated to species rank:T.verhoeffi(Mavromoustakis, 1955),stat. n.andT.maxima(Friese, 1931),stat. n.Additionally, some populations can be distinguished by their colouration pattern or by subtle differences in size or body shape, but these features are apparently of no taxonomic significance at the species level.Trachusabalcanicasp. n. andT.verhoeffihave distribution areas which do not overlap with any of the other members of the species group and can thus be characterised as allospecies. By contrast, the distribution areas of the other three species,T.pubescens,T.maximaandT.hakkariensissp. n., overlap to a certain extent and they co-exist at least to some degree in sympatry. While they have been found in the same region, they have so far never been found together at exactly the same location and it is suggested that species divergence occurred in parallel with ecological differentiation. Niche partitioning such as flower preferences is a mechanism which may be invoked to explain this. Some specimens with intermediate characters were found, particularly in contact zones, and it is thought that some hybridisation may occur. A partly melanistic individual ofT.balcanicasp. n.was found, which is probably the first described melanistic individual in the tribe Anthidiini.
Postmodernité et psychanalyse
Authors: Mappa Sophia
Published: June 2018

À l’instar des autres disciplines des sciences humaines, la psychanalyse subit de plein fouet les mutations anthropologiques des sociétés postmodernes. Comme les autres disciplines, elle est appelée à se redéfinir. En d’autres termes, elle doit quitter sa « splendide isolation » et le repli sur soi et s’ouvrir à la société et aux autres disciplines : la philosophie, l’anthropologie, la sociologie, l’histoire, mais aussi aux pratiques thérapeutiques concurrentes. Ces dernières, souffrant de mêmes problèmes que la psychanalyse, ne sauraient faire l’économie de leur remise en question et de leur ouverture au monde et aux autres disciplines.
État de l’humanité
Authors: Dupont Judith
Published: June 2018

Il semble que l’humanité tout entière vit actuellement dans un état de bouleversement émotionnel marqué par la peur, qui pousse de grands groupes humains et certains de leurs dirigeants à des actes totalement irrationnels et autodestructeurs. Plus ou moins consciente des dangers qui la menacent si elle continue à évoluer sur la même voie (écologique, climatique, nucléaire…), elle ne sait pas comment arrêter cette tendance.
Psychanalyse et engagement citoyen : compatibilité ou antagonisme ?
Authors: Pitici Colette
Published: June 2018

Cet article interroge la « neutralité bienveillante » du psychanalyste face aux formes actuelles de psychopathologie. Ce dernier n’a-t-il pas à s’engager dans un double registre de praticien et de citoyen ? L’auteure s’appuie sur sa clinique auprès de précaires, qui semblent n’avoir d’autres demandes que celles qui touchent à la survie. Au-delà des modes de défenses mis en place, une approche analytique reste à inventer. Une situation clinique est proposée comme paradigmatique de ce débat.
La réparation de Jocaste : l’élément féminin et l’appel à la paix dans les produits culturels
Authors: Liviatan Gili
Published: June 2018

La psychanalyse a traité des processus psychiques à l’œuvre chez les instigateurs de guerre, mais elle a rarement étudié ses aspects de genre, en dépit du fait que la guerre est manifestement un phénomène de genre. Les théories féministes soulignent les aspects ambivalents de la pensée féminine et la peur du féminin. Cet article examine à travers une perspective de genre la question de Freud « Pourquoi la guerre ? », en relation avec la question « Pourquoi Œdipe ? » formulée par Bollas. Je propose l’idée que la compréhension de la réalité psychique de la guerre et de son empêchement suggère de considérer le modèle œdipien comme une intériorisation des relations de genre dans lesquelles la mère/Jocaste représente la multiplicité, tandis que le père/Laïos représente l’unicité/l’absolu. La prédisposition à la guerre s’explique par une relation œdipienne triangulaire où la femme/mère est intériorisée comme étant soumise au père/homme et le féminin est réduit au silence. Pour argumenter mon propos, j’examine les représentations féminines des produits culturels qui suivent une guerre. Une nouvelle de Brecht et le film d’Adler Bethlehem (2013) montreront la perception de la traîtrise féminine ; le film de Villeneuve Incendies (2010), décrivant la guerre vue par une femme dans un espace patriarcal, fournira une plus large plateforme pour la lecture du mythe œdipien. Je suggère que Villeneuve présente une position éthique, la réparation de Jocaste, en tant que voix représentative du chaos interne et de son endiguement. Dans ce contexte, il se peut que le « Terrifiant » décrit par Fornari (1974) soit en fait ce même chaos intérieur révélé à Œdipe (selon Bollas). Examiner l’appel pour la paix est particulièrement pertinent en Israël, toujours au bord de la guerre. Je soutiens que l’appel à la paix en Israël est perçu comme féminin et j’affirme que la double perception du féminin et les anxiétés qu’il évoque sont pertinentes pour comprendre la difficulté du défi psychologique de la paix, lequel n’est pas moins intimidant que la guerre.
Le mariage chez l’homme et le savant Sigmund Freud (1)
Authors: Kamieniak Jean-Pierre
Published: June 2018

Si le savant Freud est devenu le champion du travail psychique, n’est-ce pas aussi parce que l’ homme Freud s’engagea corps et âme dans l’austère épreuve du mariage, seul lien autorisant l’accès aux relations sexuelles ? Une lecture de la correspondance et des textes qui lui sont consacrés met en effet en évidence un souci conjugal majeur et constant du couple Freud – la quête d’une méthode contraceptive inoffensive – contraignant le chercheur à user de l’abstinence : une conduite qui, si elle est génératrice de troubles nerveux ainsi qu’il le démontre très tôt dans ses travaux clinico-théoriques, ouvre également la voie à l’élaboration, celle de l’excitation pulsionnelle, qu’il emprunte douloureusement et dont il découvre la complexité.
Variations sur le mythe de Narcisse dans l’œuvre de Francis Bacon
Authors: Derouiche El Kamel Salma
Published: June 2018

Rejetant radicalement la tradition occidentale de la figuration, la peinture de Francis Bacon, peintre irlandais du xx e siècle (1900-1992), nous met face à des corps liquéfiés, transpercés, contorsionnés, déliquescents. La toile devient ainsi un lieu de projection d’un corps douloureux en perpétuelle décomposition, ce qui met en question le propre narcissisme du peintre. Si Narcisse reste extasié devant son reflet à en mourir, Francis Bacon donne à voir dans ses autoportraits un visage informe, disloqué, qui suggère l’horreur et la laideur. En se référant au mythe de Narcisse, l’un des mythes fondateurs de la psychanalyse, nous proposons dans le présent article une lecture de l’œuvre de Bacon comme une illustration du narcissisme dans son versant négatif, un narcissisme où le sujet, rongé par la douleur, n’est pas contemplatif d’un soi magnifique et grandiose.
Londres, New York et la dynamique des places financières internationales, fin xix e -début xxi e siècle
Authors: Cassis Youssef
Published: June 2018

Cet article analyse les conditions dans lesquelles New York a pris le relais de Londres en tant que centre financier international, mais aussi les rapports entretenus entre ces deux villes et avec les autres grandes places financières d’Europe et plus tard d’Asie, de la fin du xix e au début du xxi e siècle. Les interactions entre places financières, faites de concurrence et de coopération, sont étudiées dans le cadre de leur rôle dans les flux internationaux des capitaux, en tenant compte de la capacité financière des grandes puissances, de l’architecture financière des principales places et du contexte politique et économique international.
The Rise of International Financial Centres after the Breakdown of Bretton Woods
Authors: Mourlon-Druol Emmanuel
Published: June 2018

Cet article analyse le développement de Bahreïn en tant que centre financier international dans les années 1970 et 1980. Il aborde les raisons qui permettent d’expliquer le développement soudain et spectaculaire de Bahreïn en tant que centre financier international. Il examine ensuite jusqu’à quel point Bahreïn est un centre de dimension réellement internationale, en particulier comparé à Beyrouth et Singapour. Enfin, il étudie les raisons qui peuvent expliquer pourquoi aucune crise bancaire ne s’est développée sur l’île, malgré un développement financier rapide qui aurait pu laisser penser à la formation de bulles spéculatives.
La Banque de Tokyo, 1947-1995 : des logiques impériales et internationales aux stratégies globales
Authors: Yago Kazuhiko
Published: June 2018

Cet article vise à retracer l’évolution de la Banque de Tokyo, une banque japonaise spécialisée dans les échanges extérieurs. Fondée à la suite de la dissolution de la Yokohama Specie Bank (1880-1947), une grande banque internationale de l’Empire nippon, la Banque de Tokyo fusionne avec la Banque Mitsubishi en 1996 pour devenir la Banque de Tokyo-Mitsubishi, aujourd’hui la Banque de Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, l’une des plus importantes banques commerciales dans le monde. Née après la chute de l’Empire nippon, prospère sous le régime de Bretton Woods et réorganisée lors de la crise financière globale, la Banque de Tokyo incarne la transformation de la stratégie bancaire japonaise contemporaine. L’article postule une continuité entre les « logiques impériales » et les « stratégies globales », en se focalisant sur les dimensions organisationnelles et microstratégiques plutôt que sur les dimensions politiques ou macroéconomiques.
Le sens de la mondialisation : surveillance bancaire et globalisation financière du xx e au xxi e siècle
Authors: Drach Alexis , Feiertag Olivier
Published: June 2018

La surveillance des banques est généralement présentée comme un accident de l’histoire. Elle s’expliquerait par les guerres ou les crises financières. L’histoire globale de la surveillance des banques par les États s’inscrit, au contraire, dans le temps long, du xx e au xxi e siècle. Mais ses modalités et ses objectifs changent comme l’indique le passage du contrôle à la supervision bancaire. Cette évolution traduit, en dernière analyse, les évolutions de la mondialisation, processus de longue durée qui oppose de manière dialectique les dynamiques du marché global aux régulations des États-nations.
La persistance du conflit angolais entre 1991 et 2002
Authors: Koné Amadou
Published: June 2018

Cet article entend revenir sur la responsabilité du Mouvement populaire de libération de l’Angola (MPLA), de l’Union nationale pour l’indépendance totale de l’Angola (UNITA) et de la communauté internationale dans le retour à la guerre après le scrutin sous tension de 1992, et après la signature des accords de Lusaka en 1994. Malgré l’intervention de l’ONU dans les deux processus de paix, les deux camps choisirent l’option militaire. Cela s’explique en partie par le manque de neutralité des observateurs de la Troïka, et la complicité de nombreux pays qui aidèrent l’UNITA à contourner les embargos et le gouvernement à se réarmer. Ainsi, l’affaiblissement politique et militaire de l’UNITA permit au MPLA de démanteler ce mouvement en éliminant son chef.
Revisión taxonómica del género Briza (Poaceae) en la Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares
Authors: Isabel M. , Quintanar A. , Medina L.
Published: June 2018

Se presenta un tratamiento taxonómico para las especies del género Briza (Poaceae) en la Península Ibérica e Islas Baleares, en el ámbito del proyecto Flora iberica. Este tratamiento se fundamenta en la revisión de 2494 especímenes que proceden de diversos herbarios, tanto españoles como del resto de Europa, y en el estudio comparativo de caracteres morfológicos asociados a 112 especímenes conservados en MA, mediante el análisis de variables biométricas. Reconocemos un total de tres especies en el territorio mencionado. Además de las descripciones morfológicas, se incluye información adicional sobre su distribución, hábitat y número cromosomático, además de una clave para la determinación de las especies tratadas y una ilustración de Briza media.
Cimetières et rites funéraires juifs dans l’Est de la France du Moyen Âge à nos jours
Authors: Decomps Claire
Published: June 2018

De tradition ashkénaze, l’Alsace et la Lorraine concentrent aujourd’hui près de cent quarante cimetières juifs, aux traits très spécifiques, d’autant que trois départements annexés par l’Allemagne entre 1871 et 1919 n’ont pas été touchés par les grandes lois laïques de la IIIe République. Représentant les trois quarts des juifs de France lors de la Révolution mais considérés jusque-là comme une nation « étrangère », leurs cimetières témoignent après l’émancipation d’un effort de concilier particularismes religieux et intégration au modèle national. Ce franco-judaïsme est remis en cause au xxe siècle par l’arrivée de nombreux juifs étrangers, puis par la Shoah.
Sépulture et appartenances : les pratiques funéraires dans les familles immigrées d’origine maghrébine en question
Authors: Cuzol Valérie
Published: June 2018

L’article interroge les pratiques funéraires d’immigrés maghrébins et de leurs descendants à partir d’une enquête menée à Chalon-sur-Saône. Il s’agit de mesurer la force des « prérogatives mortuaires » du (ou des) groupe(s) d’appartenance dans le choix du lieu d’inhumation alors que, dans le même temps, ce choix semble de plus en plus répondre à des motivations personnelles et familiales. Comment peut-il être un indicateur de l’individuation des projets funéraires alors que le rapatriement de la dépouille mortelle demeure la norme ? À moins qu’il ne soit le symptôme de quelque chose de plus complexe et nous éclaire sur les enjeux sociopolitiques et identitaires du mourir pour les familles immigrées de confession musulmane ?
Mental Informatics and Agricultural Issues
Authors: Gere Attila , Radványi Dalma , Sciacca Richard , Moskowitz Howard
Published: June 2018

This chapter presents an approach to understanding the importance of connected aspects of a topic, such as the relevance of issues for global change or for sustainable agriculture. The approach, Mind Genomics, identifies a specific topic, creates a battery of related questions which in concert “tell a story,” requires the researcher to provides several alternative answers to those questions, and then tests the answers as combinations, as vignettes. Respondents rate the vignettes on judgmental attributes, such as the degree to which the respondent “agrees” with the story being told by the vignette, or the emotion that the respondent feels when reading the vignette. The analysis of such data shows the impact of each of the answers, the “communication elements,” as a drive of “agreement with the values of the respondent,” and the linkage of each element to a set of emotions. Mind Genomics provides a new tool to understand responses to agricultural issues, creating in its wake the possibility of a new “mental informatics.”
New Design Approach to Handle Spatial Vagueness in Spatial OLAP Datacubes
Authors: Edoh-Alove Elodie , Bimonte Sandro , Pinet François , Bédard Yvan
Published: June 2018

Spatial OLAP (SOLAP) technologies are dedicated to multidimensional analysis of large volumes of (spatial) data. Spatal data are subject to different types of uncertainty, in particular spatial vagueness. Although several researches propose new models to cope with spatial vagueness, their integration in SOLAP systems is still in an embryonic state. Also, analyzing multidimensional data with metadata brought by the exploitation of the new models can be too complex and demanding for decision makers. To help reduce spatial vagueness consequences on the exactness of SOLAP analysis queries, the authors present a new approach for designing SOLAP datacubes based on end-users' tolerance to the risks of misinterpretation of fact data. An experimentation of the new approach on agri-environmental data is also proposed.
Discriminating Biomass and Nitrogen Status in Wheat Crop by Spectral Reflectance Using ANN Algorithms
Authors: Kapp Jr. Claudio , Caires Eduardo Fávero , Guimarães Alaine Margarete
Published: June 2018

Precision agriculture has the goal of reducing cost which is difficult when it is related to fertilizer application. Nitrogen (N) is the nutrient absorbed in greater amounts by crops and the N fertilizer application presents significant costs. The use of spectral reflectance sensors has been studied to identify the nutritional status of crops and prescribe varying N rates. This study aimed to contribute to the determination of a model to discriminating biomass and nitrogen status in wheat through two sensors, GreenSeeker and Crop Circle, using the resilient propagation and backpropagation artificial neural networks algorithms. As a result, a strong correlation to the sensor readings with the aboveground biomass production and N extraction by plants was detected. For both algorithms a satisfactory model for estimating wheat dry biomass production was established. The best backpropagation and resilient propagation models defined showed better performance for the GreenSeeker and Crop Circle sensors, respectively.
Discovering Regularity Patterns of Mobility Practices Through Mobile Phone Data
Authors: Tagliolato Paolo , Manfredini Fabio
Published: June 2018

The chapter addresses the issue of analyzing and mapping mobility practices by using different kinds of mobile phone network data that provide geo-located information on mobile phone activity at a high spatial and temporal resolution. The authors present and discuss major findings and drawbacks based on an application carried out on the Milan urban region (Lombardy, Northern Italy) and suggest possible implications for policies.
Fuzzy Logic Based Path Planning for Industrial Robot
Authors: Sahu Supriya , Choudhury Bibhuti Bhusan
Published: June 2018

This article describes how industrial robots are generally used to perform different tasks in industries, such as pick and place, and many more operations in industries. Among these, pick and place is a very common and frequently used task. Path planning is the most important thing in order to make any process more economical. The main focus of the research is to design a fuzzy control system for path planning for industrial robots using artificial intelligence using fuzzy logic. For the analysis, ten different tasks are tested. For fuzzy logic systems, three membership functions are analyzed and compared to find the best result. From the research, it has been found that a Gaussian membership function gives more accurate result in comparison to the other two membership functions.
Geometrically Non-Linear Frequency Response of Axially Functionally Graded Beams Resting on Elastic Foundation Under Harmonic Excitation
Authors: Lohar Hareram , Mitra Anirban , Sahoo Sarmila
Published: June 2018

This article presents geometrically nonlinear forced vibration analysis of an axially functionally graded (AFG) non-uniform beam resting on an elastic foundation. The mathematical formulation is displacement based and derivation of governing equations is accomplished following Hamilton's principle. The foundation has been mathematically incorporated into the analysis as a set of linear springs. According to the basic assumption of the present method force equilibrium condition is satisfied at a maximum excitation amplitude value. Thus, the dynamic problem is equivalently represented as a static one, which is solved by following a numerical implementation of the Broyden method. It is a method that utilizes the Jacobian matrix and subsequent correction of the initial Jacobian to solve a system of nonlinear equations. The large amplitude dynamic behaviour of the system in terms of non-dimensional frequency response curves is validated against established results and new results are furnished for a parabolic tapered AFG beam on a linear elastic foundation.
Institutionalizing Inclusive Markets as a Prerequisite to Inclusive Growth
Authors: Issaoui Fakhri , Ben Abdelghaffar Mohamed
Published: June 2018

This article questions the contemporary definitions given to the concept of inclusive growth, which is assumed to be an effective solution to the problems of exclusion (marginalization, unemployment, poverty, inequality, etc.), without designing new growth models and without putting in place the tools necessary for inclusion (regulation, institutions, capacities, etc.). In the authors' view, the current exclusionary model is far from generating real inclusion as long as it fails to promote the necessary institutions to produce real inclusion and the ability to deal with the different forms of “exclusion.”
A Study on the Establishment of a System to Remove/Reduce Technical Barriers to Trade (TBTs) in Central and South America
Authors: Kim Yong-Jae
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this article is to analyze and investigate, to find out the appropriate way to remove/reduce TBT when exporting goods between Korea and Central & South America. The elimination strategy of TBT with aid of technical regulations or standards is beyond this article scope and only the conformity assessment shall be considered as the strategic measure of eliminating TBT. The scope of this article is in accord with the international standards corresponding to countries technical regulations and standards, every membership countries must prevent TBT-related Specific Trade Concern (STC) to WTO. This article analyzes international rules & systems with following research methodology. First, the article makes use of reviewing 2nd data analysis and focuses on a group interview, and then compares with an analysis of the international rules and systems, such as customs system, technical regulation, and standards through test & certification procedures and inspections. Second, this article reviews electric/electronic tests, certifications, and calibration. Third, through analyzing MRA between Korea and Central & South America, the article focuses on SDOC, Mutual Acceptance of International tests & certification and the IEC CB scheme. The results show that it is important to promote multi-track agreements with the countries that need a short-term promotion. Moreover, it is necessary to conclude an agreement with the leading countries in the Middle East and Central & South America. This article intends to draw a conclusion and make implication as follows. Through the reviews and analysis, the importance of promotion in FTA and MRA with the efforts to remove/reduce the obstacles and promote to make a remove/reduce TBT by MRA between Korea and Central & South America is shown.
Personalized Recommendation Based on Contextual Awareness and Tensor Decomposition
Authors: Liu Zhenjiao , Wang Xinhua , Li Tianlai , Guo Lei
Published: June 2018

In order to solve users' rating sparsely problem existing in present recommender systems, this article proposes a personalized recommendation algorithm based on contextual awareness and tensor decomposition. Via this algorithm, it was first constructed two third-order tensors to represent six types of entities, including the user-user-item contexts and the item-item-user contexts. And then, this article uses a high order singular value decomposition method to mine the potential semantic association of the two third-order tensors above. Finally, the resulting tensors were combined to reach the recommendation list to respond the users' personalized query requests. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively improve the effectiveness of the recommendation system. Especially in the case of sparse data, it can significantly improve the quality of the recommendation.
How to Reinforce the Regional Employment Agencies' Network
Authors: Lee Young-Min , Lim Jung-Yeon
Published: June 2018

The objective of this article is to examine the present status and networking issues among Korea's regional employment agencies in order to prepare for a future job crisis and weakened national competitiveness caused by pressure from a super-aged society and the expected fourth industrial revolution. The results are as follows. First, in addition to government departments and regional governments, many employment agencies in Busan are also part of this community such as the regional human resource development (HRD) committee, training institutions, industrial councils, management groups, schools, companies, and research centers. Second, many of the agencies participate in low-level networking, however, on a scale of networking intensity, as the intensity increases, the number of agencies participating decreases. Third, according to degree centrality and eigenvector centrality, Busan and the Busan Regional Job Center play a central role in regional employment. Fourth, the Busan HRD Committee, the vocational training institutions, and the employment service agencies act as facilitators.
Application of Sequential Pattern Mining Algorithm in Commodity Management
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Wang Fang , Yan Shi , Liu ZhanBo
Published: June 2018

This article describes how by analyzing historical sales data of supermarkets, once data is cleaned, sampled and put through a series of operations, it can be transformed into a sequence database. Finally, the data is used in the SPM of Map-Reduce algorithm to data mining. This experiment has two stages. In the first stage, the sequences of product categories are mined to place the product categories. In the second stage, the products are mined for each category, add profit targets for calculating sequential pattern values. This is so that it can reorder the results to find the most profit products. Thus, readers can adjust products placement and improve the profits of the supermarket.
KİTAP DEĞERLENDİRMESİ KÜRESELLEŞME BÜYÜK HAYAL KIRIKLIĞI, İSTANBUL, 4.BASKI, PLAN B YAYINLARI, 2004, 315 SAYFA
Authors: IŞIK Volkan
Published: June 2018

Ç alışmada Joseph Stiglitz’in Küreselleşme Büyük Hayal Kırıklığı kitabının incelemesi yapılarak, Stiglitz’in mesleki deneyimlerinden hareketle yaptığı neo-liberalizmin özeleştirisi tartışılmıştır. Kitap incelemesi yönteminin kullanıldığı çalışmada kitabın genel çerçevesi ve Stiglitz’in görüşleri ortaya konularak, bu görüşlerin hangi argümanlarla desteklendiği açıklanmıştır. Kitapta yer alan görüşlere yönelik eleştirilerin ortaya konulması ile sonuçlanan çalışma, Stiglitz’in neoliberal küreselleşme sürecine ve küreselleşmenin enstrümanlarına bakış açısını inceleme amacındadır.
‘Listening’ as prerequisite for preaching in the 21st century
Authors: Brunsdon Alfred R.
Published: June 2018

No abstract available.
Hypertriglyceridaemia and the risk of pancreatitis six months post lopinavir/ritonavir initiation
Authors: Greffrath Wilhelm P. , Du Plessis Jesslee M. , Viljoen Michelle , Cockeran Marike
Published: June 2018

Background: Hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) is an important risk factor for pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), depending on severity. Hypertriglyceridaemia is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is also a common complication of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r).Objectives: To evaluate the risk of pancreatitis associated with HTG in patients six months post initiation of LPV/r-based therapy in a regional public hospital.Methods: Triglyceride (TG), serum amylase (s-amylase) and CD4+ count values were retrospectively investigated six months post LPV/r-based initiation. Age, gender, previous antiretroviral regimen and period since HIV diagnosis were also recorded.Results: The final sample consisted of 194 patients, 50 males and 144 females; mean (± standard deviation [s.d.]) age was 39.52 (± 9.98) years, and the mean (± s.d.) period since HIV diagnosis was 91.32 (± 25.18) months. Normal TG levels (< 1.70 mmol/L) were detected in only 55% of patients and the rest presented with some degree of HTG. The mean (± s.d.) TG for the entire sample was elevated at 1.94 (± 1.30) mmol/L with the mean (± s.d.) of the males at 2.36 (± 1.74) – statistically higher compared to the females at 1.79 (± 1.08) mmol/L (p = 0.034). No cases of pancreatitis were recorded and the time since HIV diagnosis did not indicate any statistically significant differences in the means of the TG, serum amylase or CD4 count values.Conclusion: Triglyceride levels were not substantially elevated to induce pancreatitis at six months post initiation of LPV/r, but were elevated above the accepted upper normal limit of 1.70 mmol/L which may have implications for cardiovascular risk.
Psychosocial and behavioural interventions towards HIV risk reduction for serodiscordant couples in Africa: A systematic review
Authors: Mashaphu Sibongile , Burns Jonathan K. , Wyatt Gail E. , Vawda Naseema B.
Published: June 2018

Background: Sexual transmission of HIV frequently occurs in the context of a primary relationship between two partners; however, HIV prevention interventions generally focus on individuals at risk, rather than specifying couples as a unit of change and analysis, neglecting the crucial role that partners may play in sexual behaviour. This article reviews published scientific literature addressing couple-oriented HIV counselling and testing and other behavioural interventions using an online search for peer-reviewed papers.Methods: A systematic review was conducted to evaluate what has been published on psychosocial interventions in HIV serodiscordant couples in Africa. Electronic databases were searched from January 1990 to December 2015. Quality assessment of included studies was conducted using the Systematic Appraisal of Quality in Observational Research tool.Results: The electronic database searches initially retrieved 493 records; after cross-referencing, removing duplicates and applying strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, only eight papers were included in this review. All the studies under review showed that couples-focused counselling and educational programmes were associated with positive outcomes including reduced HIV transmission, reduced unprotected sex, increased rates of status disclosure and high levels of treatment adherence.Conclusions: The literature on interventions for HIV serodiscordant couples is sparse. However, most interventions indicate that couples-focused interventions are effective in HIV risk reduction. In spite of the limited available data and repeated recommendations by different health authorities, couple-centred approaches to HIV prevention have not been implemented on a large scale.
From Uganda to Baltimore to Alexandra Township: How far can Ainsworth’s theory stretch?
Authors: Dawson Nicola K.
Published: June 2018

Introduction: After extensive observation of mother-infant dyads in two diverse contexts, Ainsworth developed the construct of maternal sensitivity to explain the nature of mother-infant interactions that lead to infant attachment security. She believed this construct to be universally applicable. Since Ainsworth’s publications, her theory has been adapted and extended, particularly by theorists working in North American and Western European countries. These developments have been largely uninterrogated in relation to their universal cultural relevance, despite the fact that parenting practices differ greatly across cultural groups. Those who have begun to interrogate the cultural universality of current conceptualisation of maternal sensitivity highlight important areas of cultural disagreement.Method: This article provides a critical theoretical argument regarding the cultural universality of maternal sensitivity, extending comment to the cultural and contextual relevance of developments in its operationalisation.Results: Particular aspects of current theoretical and operational use of the construct of maternal sensitivity that are potentially culturally specific (as opposed to culturally universal) are noted, namely the inclusion of positive affect, the centrality of parent-infant play, verbal responsiveness, the inclusion of learning in parent-infant interactions and the shift towards a more proactive (rather than reactive) role for the parent in parent-infant interactions.Conclusion: This article suggests that the evolution of the concept of maternal sensitivity has failed to account for cultural differences.
Urban Rodent Surveillance, Climatic Association, and Genomic Characterization of Seoul Virus Collected at U.S. Army Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 2006–2010
Authors: Kim Heung-Chul , Kim Won-Keun , No Jin Sun , Lee Seung-Ho , Gu Se Hun , Chong Sung-Tae , Klein Terry A. , Song Jin-Won
Published: June 2018

Rodent-borne pathogens pose a critical public health threat in urban areas. An epidemiological survey of urban rodents was conducted from 2006 to 2010 at the U.S. Army Garrison (USAG), Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK), to determine the prevalence of Seoul virus (SEOV), a rodent-borne hantavirus. A total of 1,950 rodents were captured at USAG, Yongsan, near/in 19.4% (234/1,206) of the numbered buildings. Annual mean rodent infestation rates were the highest for food service facilities, e.g., the Dragon Hill Lodge complex (38.0 rodents) and the Hartell House (18.8 rodents). The brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, accounted for 99.4% (1,939/1,950) of all the rodents captured in the urban area, whereas only 0.6% (11/1,950) of the rodents was house mice (Mus musculus). In November 2006, higher numbers of rats captured were likely associated with climatic factors, e.g., rainfall and temperatures as rats sought harborage in and around buildings. Only 4.7% (34/718) of the rodents assayed for hantaviruses was serologically positive for SEOV. A total of 8.8% (3/34) R. norvegicus were positive for SEOV RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, of which two SEOV strains were completely sequenced and characterized. The 3′ and 5′ terminal sequences revealed incomplete complementary genomic configuration. Seoul virus strains Rn10-134 and Rn10-145 formed a monophyletic lineage with the prototype SEOV strain 80-39. Seoul virus Medium segment showed the highest evolutionary rates compared with the Large and Small segments. In conclusion, this report provides significant insights into continued rodent-borne disease surveillance programs that identify hantaviruses for analysis of disease risk assessments and development of mitigation strategies.
Rickettsial Infections among Cats and Cat Fleas in Riverside County, California
Authors: Mullins Kristin E. , Maina Alice N. , Krueger Laura , Jiang Ju , Cummings Robert , Drusys Allan , Williams Greg , Dhillon Major , Richards Allen L.
Published: June 2018

Presently, few studies have investigated the role of domestic cats (Felis catus) in the recrudescence of flea-borne rickettsioses in California and the southern United States. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of Rickettsia typhi or Rickettisa felis in domestic cats (F. catus) and the fleas (primarily Ctenocephalides felis, the cat flea) associated with these cats in Riverside County, California. Thirty cats and 64 pools of fleas collected from these cats were investigated for rickettsial infections. Three cats and 17 flea pools (from 10 cats) tested positive for rickettsial infections. polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing indicated that one of the cats was positive for R. felis infections, whereas two were positive for Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis infection. In addition, 12 of the flea pools were positive for R. felis, whereas five were positive for Ca. R. senegalensis. By contrast, no cats or their associated fleas tested positive for R. typhi. Finally, eight sera from these cats contained spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) antibodies. The detection of R. felis and SFGR antibodies and the lack of R. typhi and TGR antibodies support R. felis as the main rickettsial species infecting cat fleas. The detection of Ca. R. senegalensis in both fleas and cats also provides additional evidence that cats and their associated fleas are infected with other R. felis–like organisms highlighting the potential risk for human infections with R. felis or R. felis–like organisms.
A Community-Designed Play-Yard Intervention to Prevent Microbial Ingestion: A Baby Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Pilot Study in Rural Zambia
Authors: Reid Brie , Seu Rie , Orgle Jennifer , Roy Khrist , Pongolani Catherine , Chileshe Modesta , Fundira Dadirai , Stoltzfus Rebecca
Published: June 2018

Malnourished children in low-income contexts usually suffer from environmental enteric dysfunction, which is damage to the intestines caused by chronic exposure to bacterial pathogens from feces hypothesized to contribute to stunting. Many intervention studies are piloting “Baby water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)” to help rural farming families reduce infant and young children’s (IYC’s) exposure to human and free-range livestock feces. One proposed Baby WASH intervention is a play-yard, which consists of a baby-proofed structure (i.e., playpen) that caregivers can place IYC into while doing chores around the household yard. This article describes the pilot development and assessment of a community-built Baby WASH play-yard and a plastic play-yard intervention with 21 caregivers of 6- to 24-month-old IYC in rural Zambia. A modified Trials of Improved Practices approach was used to conduct three visits in each household: an introductory visit during which play-yard use was explained, a second visit consisting of a semi-structured interview and a session of behavioral counseling, and a final visit which included a 2-hour observation of play-yard use. The second and final visits also included 24-hour recalls, and all three visits included spot observations of play-yard use. Reports from caregivers suggest that the community-built play-yard protected IYC from ingesting soil and livestock feces. Barriers to intervention use included caregivers’ WASH beliefs and practices, community reactions, and play-yard maintenance. More work is needed to examine the role of women’s time use in their home environment, community reactions to the intervention, and the biological efficacy to reduce microbial ingestion.
Arboviral Surveillance among Pediatric Patients with Acute Febrile Illness in Houston, Texas
Authors: Sahni Leila C. , Fischer Rebecca S. B. , Gorchakov Rodion , Berry Rebecca M. , Payne Daniel C. , Murray Kristy O. , Boom Julie A.
Published: June 2018

We instituted active surveillance among febrile patients presenting to the largest Houston-area pediatric emergency department to identify acute infections of dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV). In 2014, 1,063 children were enrolled, and 1,015 (95%) had blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid specimens available for DENV, WNV, and CHIKV testing. Almost half (49%) reported recent mosquito bites, and 6% (N = 60) reported either recent international travel or contact with an international traveler. None were positive for acute WNV; three had false-positive CHIKV results; and two had evidence of DENV. One DENV-positive case was an acute infection associated with international travel, whereas the other was identified as a potential secondary acute infection, also likely travel-associated. Neither of the DENV-positive cases were clinically recognized, highlighting the need for education and awareness. Health-care professionals should consider the possibility of arboviral disease among children who have traveled to or from endemic areas.
Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Negative Microscopic Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Rural Peru
Authors: Lamm Ryan , Alves Clark , Perrotta Grace , Murphy Meagan , Messina Catherine , Sanchez Juan F. , Perez Erika , Rosales Luis Angel , Lescano Andres G. , Smith Edward , Valdivia Hugo , Fuhrer Jack , Ballard Sarah-Blythe
Published: June 2018

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic to South America where diagnosis is most commonly conducted via microscopy. Patients with suspected leishmaniasis were referred for enrollment by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Lima, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, and several rural areas of Peru. A 43-question survey requesting age, gender, occupation, characterization of the lesion(s), history of leishmaniasis, and insect-deterrent behaviors was administered. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on lesion materials at the Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 in Lima, and the results were compared with those obtained by the MoH using microscopy. Factors associated with negative microscopy and positive PCR results were identified using χ2 test, t-test, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Negative microscopy with positive PCR occurred in 31% (123/403) of the 403 cases. After adjusting for confounders, binary multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that negative microscopy with positive PCR was associated with patients who were male (adjusted odds ration [OR] = 1.93 [1.06–3.53], P = 0.032), had previous leishmaniasis (adjusted OR = 2.93 [1.65–5.22], P < 0.0001), had larger lesions (adjusted OR = 1.02 [1.003–1.03], P = 0.016), and/or had a longer duration between lesion appearance and PCR testing (adjusted OR = 1.12 [1.02–1.22], P = 0.017). Future research should focus on further exploration of these underlying variables, discovery of other factors that may be associated with negative microscopy diagnosis, and the development and implementation of improved testing in endemic regions.
Differential Effects of Temperature and Mosquito Genetics Determine Transmissibility of Arboviruses by Aedes aegypti in Argentina
Authors: Ciota Alexander T. , Chin Pamela A. , Ehrbar Dylan J. , Micieli Maria Victoria , Fonseca Dina M. , Kramer Laura D.
Published: June 2018

Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) have a global distribution and are the primary vector of a number of mosquito-borne viruses responsible for epidemics throughout the Americas. As in much of South America, the threat from pathogens including dengue virus (DENV; Flaviviridae, Flavivirus) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV; Togaviridae, Alphavirus) has increased in Argentina in recent years. The complexity of transmission cycles makes predicting the occurrence and intensity of arbovirus outbreaks difficult. To gain a better understanding of the risk of DENV and CHIKV in Argentina and the factors influencing this risk, we evaluated the role of population and temperature in the vector competence and vectorial capacity (VC) of Ae. aegypti from geographically and ecologically distinct locations. Our results demonstrate that intrinsic and extrinsic factors including mosquito population, viral species, and temperature significantly influence both vector competence and overall VC of Ae. aegypti in Argentina, yet also that the magnitude of these influences is highly variable. Specifically, results suggest that CHIKV competence is more dependent on mosquito genetics than is DENV competence, whereas temperature has a greater effect on DENV transmission. In addition, although there is an overall positive correlation between temperature and competence for both viruses, there are exceptions to this for individual virus–population combinations. Together, these data establish large variability in VC for these pathogens among distinct Ae. aegypti populations in Argentina and demonstrate that accurate assessment of arbovirus risk will require nuanced models that fully consider the complexity of interactions between virus, temperature, mosquito genetics, and hosts.