bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DESCENT TRAJECTORY RECOVERY OF CHANG’E-4 LANDER BASED ON DESCENT IMAGES
Authors: Wan W. , Liu Z. , Liu B. , Di K. , Wang J. , Liu C. , Yu T. , Miao Y. , Peng M. , Wang Y. , Gou S.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Chang’e-4 lander, carrying Yutu-2 rover, was successfully landed on the far side of lunar surface in Von Kármán crater inside the South Pole-Aitken basin on January 3rd, 2019. The descent images, captured by the descent camera mounted on the lander, captured the sequential descent images and recorded the scene changes during the entry, descent and landing (EDL) process. This paper proposed a bundle adjustment based geometric processing method for descent and landing trajectory recovery using descent images. A frame camera based self-calibration model was introduced for high precision estimation of interior and exterior parameters of descent images simultaneously in a least squares manners. Evenly distributed GCPs were selected from the landing area in a digital orthophoto map generated from LROC NAC images and SLDEM2015. The experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method in Chang’e-4 descent trajectory recovery.
A GRADIENT-REGION CONSTRAINED LEVEL SET METHOD FOR AUTONOMOUS ROCK DETECTION FROM MARS ROVER IMAGE
Authors: Yang J. , Kang Z.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Rocks are one of the major Martian surface features and yield significant information about the relevant geology process and the life exploration. However, autonomous Martian rock detection is still a challenging task due to the appearance similar to the background, the view and illumination change. Therefore, this paper presents a gradient-region constrained level set method based on mars rover image for automatic Martian rock extraction. In our method, the evolution function of level set consists of the internal energy term for guaranteeing the deviation of the level set function from a signed distance function and the external energy term, where the gradient-based information is integrated with the locally adaptive region-based information, for robustly driving the motion of the zero-level set toward the object boundaries even in images with ununiform grey scale. The resulting evolution of the level set function is based on the minimisation of the overall energy functional using the standard gradient descent method. As a result, those detected Martian surface regions that are most likely to yield valuable scientific discoveries will be further analysed based on two-dimensional shape characterisation. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, experiments were performed on mars rover image under various terrain and illumination conditions. Results demonstrate that the proposed method is robust and efficient for automatically detecting both small-scale and large-scale rocks on Martian surfaces.
RELIEF OF MERCURY AND THE MOON: FROM MORPHOMETRY TO MORPHOLOGICAL MAPPING
Authors: Zharkova A. Y. , Kolenkina M. M. , Kokhanov A. A. , Karachevtseva I. P.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. The MESSENGER mission (2011–2015) gives us an opportunity to gain new knowledge about Mercury which is still the least explored planet of the terrestrial group. The quality of the new data makes it possible to carry out comparative planetological analysis with the Moon – our nearest neighbour and Mercury's most resembling celestial body in Solar System but placed in different conditions. Our work focuses on calculation of morphometric parameters of relief characteristics for Mercury and the Moon, based on the newest DEMs, and creation of morphological maps, which help us to identify common patterns in planetary surface and reveal hidden details like cryptomaria.
CORRECTION OF MOBILE MAPPING TRAJECTORIES IN GNSS-DENIED ENVIRONMENTS USING AERIAL NADIR AND AERIAL OBLIQUE IMAGES
Authors: Fanta-Jende P. , Nex F. , Gerke M. , Lijnen J. , Vosselman G.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Mobile mapping enables highly accurate as well as high-resolution image data capture at low cost and high speed. As a terrestrial acquisition technique predominately employed in urban, and thus built-up areas, non-line-of-sight and multipath effects challenge its absolute positioning capabilities provided by GNSS. In conjunction with IMU drift, the platform’s trajectory has an unknown accuracy, which influences the quality of the data product. By employing a highly accurate co-registration technique for identifying tie correspondences between mobile mapping images and aerial nadir as well as aerial oblique images, reliable ground control can be introduced into an adjustment solution. We exemplify the performance of our registration results by showcasing adjusted mobile mapping trajectories in four different test areas, each with about 100 consecutive recording locations (approx. 500 m length) in the city centre of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The mobile mapping data has been adjusted in different configurations, i.e. with nadir or oblique aerial correspondences only and if possible in conjunction. To compare the horizontal as well as the vertical accuracy before and after the respective adjustments, more than 30 ground control points were surveyed for these experiments. In general, the aim of our technique is not only to correct mobile mapping trajectories in an automated fashion but also to verify their accuracy without the need to acquire ground control points. In most of our test cases, the overall accuracy of the mobile mapping image positions in the trajectory could be improved. Depending on the test area, an RMSE in 3D between 15 and 21 cm and an RMSE in 2D between 11 and 18 cm is achievable.
HYPERBOLIC DISTORTION MODEL FOR RADIAL DISTORTION CORRECTION
Authors: Ikokou G. B. , Smit J.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. When information derived from the imagery is used for metric purposes and not as communication tools the impact of small imaging errors can be significant on the accuracy of derived information. As the number of photogrammetry applications grows and the technology advances, camera calibration becomes more complex. In fact, most lenses suffer from at least one kind of distortion profile such as barrel, pincushion or ‘moustache’ profiles. Commonly observed on wide angle lenses, barrel distortions curve straight lines inwards to give the image shape of barrel, however most lenses are prone to more than one distortion profile. Proposals for lens correction have been made using line-based approaches as well as division and rational models. The limitations of some of the techniques include the very limited number of distortion profiles they can handle due to their mathematical formulations. For example some can only handle distortion with positive coefficients and would exhibit instabilities when dealing with barrel distortions describe by negative distortion coefficients. In this paper we propose a new class of hyperbolic radial distortion model which handles several distortion profiles. The mathematical formulation of the new approach offers stability of the model since it can handle both positive and negative distortion coefficients -an improvement on some of the current techniques. The calibration results show that the approach produced the best distortion coefficients k1 and k2. The model can handle distortions from panorama imagery as well as ‘moustache ’profile produced by wide angle lenses.
DEEP LIDAR ODOMETRY
Authors: Li Q. , Wang C. , Chen S. , Li X. , Wen C. , Cheng M. , Li J.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Most existing lidar odometry estimation strategies are formulated under a standard framework that includes feature selection, and pose estimation through feature matching. In this work, we present a novel pipeline called LO-Net for lidar odometry estimation from 3D lidar scanning data using deep convolutional networks. The network is trained in an end-to-end manner, it infers 6-DoF poses from the encoded sequential lidar data. Based on the new designed mask-weighted geometric constraint loss, the network automatically learns effective feature representation for the lidar odometry estimation problem, and implicitly exploits the sequential dependencies and dynamics. Experiments on benchmark datasets demonstrate that LO-Net has similar accuracy with the geometry-based approach.
MULTI-SOURCE SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS REVEAL EVOLUTION PATTERN OF RIFTS IN THE FILCHNER-RONNE ICE SHELF, ANTARCTICA
Authors: Li R. , Lv D. , Xiao H. , Liu S. , Cheng Y. , Hai G. , Tong X.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. This paper presents a systematic fracturing study of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf (FRIS) in Antarctica based on multisource data dating back to 1973. Two fracture maps of FRIS were extracted from Landsat-8 OLI images of 2014–2015 and MODIS mosaic of Antarctica (MOA) 2008–2009. The evolution pattern and temporal change of two crucial rifts, Rifts T1 and T2 are analysed for their similarities with the Grand Chasm, which directly induced the previous major calving event of Filchner Ice Shelf (FIS) in 1986. The depth temporal change of Rift T2 was also analysed based on ICESat altimetry data and DEMs reconstructed from ZY-3 and WV-2 stereo images. 3D parameters were also extracted and analysed from DEMs, including rift depth, walls, mélange surface roughness, and mélange thickness. In total, 582 new fractures were extracted from 2004 to 2009 and another 752 from 2008 to 2015. Rifts T1 and T2 showed high activeness, which experienced a rapid growth of 82% and reached ∼50 km in length. Based on all the observations of fracture and rift activity, some regions of ice shelf front in RIS and FIS show some important characteristics that can be related back to the previous calving events.
NOISE REDUCTION AND INTERPRETATION OF ICE-PENETRATING RADAR DATA IN ANTARCTIC ICE SHEET BASED ON VARIATIONAL MODE DECOMPOSITION
Authors: Tang X. , Cheng S. , Guo J.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Ice-penetrating radar is an effective method for studying the subglacial bedrock and ice information within the Antarctic ice sheet. Because of the low conductivity of ice and the relatively uniform composition of ice sheets in the polar region, ice-penetrating radar can penetrate deeper part of the ice sheet and collect the following data. However, it is still necessary to suppress the noise from radar data to obtain more accurate and effective data. In this paper, the entirely non-recursive Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) is applied to the data noise reduction of ice-penetrating radar data. VMD is a decomposition method of adaptive and quasi-orthogonal signals, which decomposes airborne radar data into multiple frequency-limited quasi-orthogonal Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). The IMFs containing noise are then removed according to the information distribution in the IMFs component and the remaining IMFs are reconstructed. We implements the method to process the real ice-penetrating radar data, which effectively eliminates the interference noise in the data, improves the signal-to-noise ratio and characterizes the internal layer structure of ice. It is verified that the method can be applied to the noise reduction processing of polar ice-penetrating radar data successful, which provides a better basis for data interpretation. Finally, we present the internal structure within the ice sheet based on VMD denoised radar profile.
MONITORING ALPINE GLACIERS FROM CLOSE-RANGE TO SATELLITE SENSORS
Authors: Yordanov V. , Fugazza D. , Azzoni R. S. , Cernuschi M. , Scaioni M. , Diolaiuti G. A.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. In this paper the use of different types of remote-sensing techniques for monitoring topographic changes of Alpine glaciers is presented and discussed. Close range photogrammetry based on Structure-from-Motion approach is adopted to process images recorded from ground-based and drone-based stations in order to output dense point clouds. These are then directly compared to detect local changes by mean of M3C2 algorithm, while digital elevation models are interpolated to find global ice thinning and retreat. Medium-resolution satellite imagery can be exploited to monitor the glacier evolution at lower resolution but including the development and collapse of large crevasses. A case study concerning the Forni Glacier in the Raethian Alps (Italy) is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach by adopting data sets collected from 2016 to 2018.
FUSION OF HYPERSPECTRAL, MULTISPECTRAL, COLOR AND 3D POINT CLOUD INFORMATION FOR THE SEMANTIC INTERPRETATION OF URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Weinmann M. , Weinmann M.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. In this paper, we address the semantic interpretation of urban environments on the basis of multi-modal data in the form of RGB color imagery, hyperspectral data and LiDAR data acquired from aerial sensor platforms. We extract radiometric features based on the given RGB color imagery and the given hyperspectral data, and we also consider different transformations to potentially better data representations. For the RGB color imagery, these are achieved via color invariants, normalization procedures or specific assumptions about the scene. For the hyperspectral data, we involve techniques for dimensionality reduction and feature selection as well as a transformation to multispectral Sentinel-2-like data of the same spatial resolution. Furthermore, we extract geometric features describing the local 3D structure from the given LiDAR data. The defined feature sets are provided separately and in different combinations as input to a Random Forest classifier. To assess the potential of the different feature sets and their combination, we present results achieved for the MUUFL Gulfport Hyperspectral and LiDAR Airborne Data Set.
A PERSISTENT SCATTERER INTERFEROMETRY PROCEDURE TO MONITOR URBAN SUBSIDENCE
Authors: Crosetto M. , Monserrat O. , Barra A. , Cuevas-González M. , Krishnakumar V. , Mróz M. , Crippa B.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. This paper describes a Persistent Scatterer Interferometry procedure for deformation monitoring. Its more original part concerns an approach to estimate the atmospheric phase component. The procedure can be used to monitor deformation areas that are relatively small and are surrounded by stable areas. The proposed procedure is described step by step. The procedure can be applied using SAR data coming from different sensors. However, in this work we discuss results obtained using Sentinel-1 data. A case study is described, where the deformation is caused by water pumping associated with construction works. In this case study, a stack of 78 Sentinel-1 images were analysed. The main part of the paper concerns the analysis of the atmospheric component. A comprehensive characterization of this component is first described, considering the original non-filtered phases. This is followed by the characterization of the residual filtered phases. This analysis highlights the goodness of the proposed procedure. This is further confirmed by the analysis of two deformation time series. The procedure can work with any type of deformation phenomena, provided that its spatial extension is sufficiently small.
WORKABLE MONITORING SYSTEM BASED ON SPACEBORNE SAR IMAGES FOR MINING AREAS - STINGS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Authors: Yang C. H. , Müterthies A. , Soergel U.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Nowadays monitoring of mining areas, e.g., regarding dam stability, has become increasingly important with rising awareness of safety and environmental protection. An appropriate monitoring scheme is necessitated to legally activate, reactivate, or terminate mining operations. Usually such monitoring relies on in situ surveys, which are unrealistic to cover an extensive mining area. Alternatively, remote sensing based on spaceborne data offers efficient and cost-effective solutions for regular surveillance of large areas. Spaceborne SAR sensors provide images captured rapidly over vast areas at fine spatiotemporal resolution. These sensors are characterized by weather independent and day-and-night vision, which guarantees intensive image series without cloud occlusion. Using multi-temporal SAR images, advanced DInSAR such as PSI and SBAS is a mature technique to evaluate surface deformation at best millimetre level. This technique has been commercialized as a standard service in many Geoinformation companies. Nevertheless, experts from other fields like mining engineers often doubt the information about movement derived from DInSAR. Our duty in industry is to solve these doubts and tailor our techniques for various applications. With the support of STINGS project, we have developed an initial prototype of our monitoring system. The final goal is to launch an interactive GIS-based platform as an early warning system to the public. In this paper, we demonstrate our initial test result using Sentinel-1 images at a mining site in Chile. We also propose the strategies to solve the problems in real applications and discuss how to improve the overall quality.
Probabilistic characteristics of narrow-band long wave run-up onshore
Authors: Gurbatov Sergey , Pelinovsky Efim
Published: June 2019

Abstract. The run-up of random long wave ensemble (swell, storm surge and tsunami) on the constant-slope beach is studied in the framework of the nonlinear shallow-water theory in the approximation of non-breaking waves. If the incident wave approaches the shore from deepest water, runup characteristics can be found in two stages: at the first stage, linear equations are solved and the wave characteristics at the fixed (undisturbed) shoreline are found, and, at the second stage, the nonlinear dynamics of the moving shoreline is studied by means of the Riemann (nonlinear) transformation of linear solutions. In the paper, detail results are obtained for quasi-harmonic (narrow-band) waves with random amplitude and phase. It is shown that the probabilistic characteristics of the runup extremes can be found from the linear theory, while the same ones of the moving shoreline – from the nonlinear theory. The role of wave breaking due to large-amplitude outliers is discussed, so that it becomes necessary to consider wave ensembles with non-Gaussian statistics within the framework of the analytical theory of non-breaking waves. The basic formulas for calculating the probabilistic characteristics of the moving shoreline and its velocity through the incident wave characteristics are given. They can be used for estimates of the flooding zone characteristics in marine natural hazards.
Predicting ocean waves along the US east coast during energetic winter storms: sensitivity to whitecapping parameterizations
Authors: Allahdadi Mohammad Nabi , He Ruoying , Neary Vincent S.
Published: June 2019

Abstract. The performance of two methods for quantifying whitecapping
dissipation incorporated in the Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) wave model is evaluated for waves
generated along and off the US east coast under energetic winter storms
with a predominantly westerly wind. Parameterizing the whitecapping effect
can be done using the Komen-type schemes, which are based on mean spectral
parameters, or the saturation-based (SB) approach of van der Westhuysen (2007), which is based on local wave parameters and the saturation level
concept of the wave spectrum (we use “Komen” and “Westhuysen” to denote
these two approaches). Observations of wave parameters and frequency spectra
at four National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys are used to evaluate simulation results. Model–data
comparisons show that when using the default parameters in SWAN, both Komen
and Westhuysen methods underestimate wave height. Simulations of mean wave
period using the Komen method agree with observations, but those using the
Westhuysen method are substantially lower. Examination of source terms shows
that the Westhuysen method underestimates the total energy transferred into
the wave action equations, especially in the lower frequency bands that
contain higher spectral energy. Several causes for this underestimation are
identified. The primary reason is the difference between the wave growth
conditions along the east coast during winter storms and the conditions used
for the original whitecapping formula calibration. In addition, some
deficiencies in simulation results are caused along the coast by the
“slanting fetch” effect that adds low-frequency components to the 2-D wave
spectra. These components cannot be simulated partly or entirely by
available source terms (wind input, whitecapping, and quadruplet) in models
and their interaction. Further, the effect of boundary layer instability
that is not considered in the Komen and Westhuysen whitecapping wind input
formulas may cause additional underestimation.
Technical note: On the importance of a three-dimensional approach for modelling the transport of neustic microplastics
Authors: Jalón-Rojas Isabel , Wang Xiao-Hua , Fredj Erick
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Understanding and estimating the distribution and transport of
microplastics in marine environments has been recognized as a major global
research issue. Most of the existing research on transport modelling has
focused on low-density particles floating in surface waters, using a 2-D
Lagrangian approach and ignoring the vertical displacement of particles. In
this work, we evaluate to what extent the vertical movement of particles
within surface waters by mixing processes may affect the horizontal transport
and fate of microplastics. The aim is to determine whether a 2-D approach
is sufficient for the accurate modelling of neustic-microplastics transport
or whether a 3-D approach is necessary. For this purpose, we compare visually and
statistically the microplastics transport patterns of three simulations in a
coastal system: one using a 2-D approach; and two using a 3-D approach with
weak and strong vertical turbulence, respectively. The 2-D simulation roughly
reproduced the transport and accumulation patterns, but accurate results
required a 3-D approach. This was particularly important for strong vertical
turbulence and regions characterized by strong vertical current shear.
Moreover, a 2-D approach can lead to errors in the results even with
negligible turbulence due to simplifications in the velocity field. A 3-D
modelling approach is therefore key to an accurate estimation and prediction
of microplastics distribution in coastal systems and consequently for
planning mitigation and cleaning programmes.
Increase in knowledge of the marine gastropod fauna of Lebanon since the 19th century
Authors: Crocetta Fabio , Bitar Ghazi , Zibrowius Helmut , Oliverio Marco
Published: June 2019

We hereby review and update the current state of knowledge on the Lebanese gastropod biota based on published literature and the study of new samples. Review of 1543 published records yielded 237 gastropod taxa. New samples from the Lebanese coast yielded 2414 living specimens and 4003
empty shells, belonging to 188 taxa. Forty-six of the taxa are new records for the Lebanese fauna, bringing the gastropods known from Lebanon to 283 species. Literature records also included 71 nominal gastropod taxa based on type material from Lebanon, including 3 genera, 8 species, and 60
subspecific units. Of these, only 13 are retained as available. Of the 283 gastropod taxa known from Lebanon, 41 are aliens and 7 are cryptogenic. The majority of nonnative taxa were recorded only during the last decades, particularly from 1980 to 2019. Results from the present study question
the common assumption that this region has extremely low native diversity. The flora and fauna of the Lebanese coast remain relatively unexplored and our data support the perception that several formerly abundant species have recently collapsed. Despite these advances, the lack of scientific
data on biodiversity and community structure of Lebanese habitats and geographic zones is likely to hamper conservation actions and legal protection of critical species. We therefore recommend additional field and laboratory research to increase knowledge of both taxonomic composition and
species' distributions in Lebanon and elsewhere in the easternmost Mediterranean Sea.
Efectos del megasismo del 27 de febrero de 2010 en Hospital Regional de Talca: análisis bioético enfocado en la prevención
Authors: Schnettler David
Published: June 2019

Se realiza un análisis desde el punto de vista bioético de los efectos negativos causados en la atención sanitaria de la población usuaria del Hospital Regional de Talca, producto de los serios y extensos daños que este establecimiento sufrió luego del megasismo del 27 de febrero de 2010. Se utiliza un método de tipo deliberativo: análisis de los hechos (vulnerabilidad previa al sismo, daños ocurridos, estándares técnicos de sismo, resistencia de los establecimientos de salud), análisis de los valores involucrados y análisis de deberes, enfatizando la responsabilidad de prevención de daños de los establecimientos hospitalarios producto de terremotos, para así facilitar la condición de posibilidad que permita llevar a cabo la respuesta sanitaria de urgencia y posteriormente las prestaciones habituales posterremoto. Se concluye que debido a la alta sismicidad de nuestro territorio y a la posibilidad técnica de prevenir en gran medida los daños estructurales de los establecimientos hospitalarios, resulta de vital importancia que el Estado y la Sociedad chilena, incorporen como paradigma una Ética de la Responsabilidad, la que teniendo como fin la preocupación por la población vulnerable, aúne esfuerzos para que en lo posible siempre se hagan efectivas las medidas de normalización o de reconstrucción hospitalaria, a priori de los eventos telúricos
Algunas visiones sobre la disciplina, práctica y concepto de la salud pública
Authors: Sarmiento Julio
Published: June 2019

Las definiciones de Salud Pública son múltiples, la OMS establece que son las acciones colectivas e individuales del estado y la sociedad civil, dirigidas a mejorar la salud de la población, pero otros autores han acentuado de manera distinta ciertos aspectos de acuerdo a su contexto político y social. En el siguiente estudio se investigan algunas visiones sobre la salud pública en la Escuela de Salud Pública Dr. Salvador Allende de la Universidad de Chile, con una metodología cualitativa a través de entrevistas en profundidad a siete académicos. Se recogieron aportes de gran diversidad, muy influidos por sus vivencias. Destacaron la necesidad de entender la salud pública vinculada a la comunidad, comprometida con sus problemáticas y orientada hacia los cambios sociales. Señalan además los efectos de la dictadura y dejan ver problemáticas en torno a las  consecuencias de la industria de los medicamentos, el mercado de la enfermedad, la influencia de éste sobre los contenidos de la investigación, las limitaciones para el trabajo interdisciplinario, carencias de la Escuela y la concordancia con la formación que se entrega en el pregrado y el discurso institucional.
He dejado de ser costarricense. Escritores y migración en la Costa Rica de los siglos XIX y XX
Authors: Molina Jiménez Iván
Published: June 2019

This article explores how the experience of migration (temporary or definitive) is a differentiating process among those who have dedicated themselves to Costa Rican literature. With this purpose, the nationalist literary controversy of 1894 is reconsidered from the perspective of the cultural market problematic and its transnational dimension. The main trends are also identifiedin relation to writers of both sexes who for various reasons left Costa Rica from the end of the 19th century and throughout the 20th. Finally, the particular cases of Manuel González Zeledón, Luis Barrantes Molina and Yolanda Oreamuno Unger are analyzed to investigate how the displacement impacted their identity, their literary production and their deliberate memorial undertakings.
Realidad: Revista de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades No. 152, 2018: 125-145
The Degree at Which Administrative Leaderships in Tafila Technical University Practice the Requirements of Organizational Excellence from the Perspective of the Faculty Members
Authors: Al-Amarat Mohammad Salem
Published: June 2019

This study aimed at identifying the degree at which administrative leaderships in Tafila Technical University practicethe requirements of organizational excellence from the perspective of the faculty members. The researcher used thedescriptive approach as well as the questionnaire for data collection, after verifying its validity and reliability. Thestudy sample consisted of (107) faculty members. The results showed that the degree at which administrativeleaderships in the University practice the requirements of organizational excellence was medium, with a mean of(2.71). the results also revealed that there are statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) due to the variable offaculty in favor of the humanitarian faculties, while there are no statistically significant differences at (α≤0.05) due tothe variables of academic rank and years of experience. In the light of the results, the study recommended a numberof recommendations.
Clinico-epidemiologic review of 91 cases of non-odontogenic sarcomas of the orofacial region in a Nigerian population
Authors: AGBARA ROWLAND , FOMETE BENJAMIN , OMEJE KELVIN , ONYEBUCHI POLYCARP
Published: June 2019

Introduction: Sarcomas are a rare group of malignant tumors. This study highlights important findings in 91 cases of non-odontogenic sarcomas of the orofacial region.
Materials and Methods: Patients who presented with orofacial sarcoma at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of a regional University Teaching Hospital between January 1997 and June 2017 were retrospectively studied. Excluded were cases of Kaposi and odontogenic sarcomas. Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results from descriptive statistics were represented in the form of charts.
Results: A total of 91 cases were reviewed and consisted of 51 (56.0%) males and 40 (44.0%) females, with a male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The mandible (n=47; 51.6%) and the maxilla (n=26; 28.6%) were the major sites involved. Osteogenic sarcoma (n=44; 48.4%) and rhabdomyosarcoma (n=16; 17.6%) occurred more frequently. A total of 41 (45.1%) patients had surgery and the common hard tissue procedures were mandibulectomy (n=26; 28.6%) and maxillectomy (n=10; 11.0%). Non-surgical oncological treatment was administered to 32 (35.2%) patients, and this was the only modality of treatment in 8 (8.8%) cases. The period of follow-up Arranged from 1-43 months and within this period; there were 7 (17.1%) recurrences with 1 case of pulmonary metastasis.
Discussion: Most recurrences were noted less than one-year post-treatment. There is a tendency for patients to present late and compliance with follow up review is poor in this environment.
Adaptação transcultural para uso no Brasil do Instrumento Survey of Technology Use (SOTU Br)
Authors: Braccialli Ligia Maria Presumido , Rabadan Gabriele Barbaresco , Malheiros Marina Gouvêa , Scherer Marcia
Published: June 2019

A taxa de abandono ou não uso de recursos de tecnologia assistiva adquirido é considerada alta, apesar dos esforços dos profissionais no momento da prescrição. A literatura tem apontado que o uso de instrumentos de avaliação padronizados e baseados em modelos conceituais tem contribuído para maior aceitabilidade desses recursos. O estudo teve como objetivo traduzir e adequar culturalmente o instrumento Survey of Technology Use (SOTU) que compõe o modelo conceitual Matching Person and Technology (MPT) para utilização no Brasil (SOTU Br). Trata-se de uma pesquisa do tipo metodológica. Participaram do estudo profissionais especialista em dispensação de recursos de tecnologia assisitiva e pessoas com deficiência que fazem uso de tecnologia assistiva. O estudo foi dividido em cinco etapas: 1) tradução para o português; 2) tradução conciliada; 3) retrotradução; 4) análise de equivalência de itens; 5) pré-teste. Os resultados indicaram que a versão traduzida e adaptada para o português do Brasil teve um alto índice de concordância e uma boa aceitabilidade. Conclui-se que a versão em português do SOTU pode ser utilizada por profissionais da educação e da saúde para avaliar a predisposição de uso de tecnologia assistiva e tecnologia de comunicação e informação, de adultos e crianças com deficiência, por meio de suas atitudes e experiências.
Efeito residual da cinza de casca de arroz na disponibilidade de silício e fósforo no solo
Authors: Kath Aline Hernandez , Teixeira Juliana Brito da Silva , Islabão Gláucia Oliveira , Vahl Ledemar Carlos
Published: June 2019

O fósforo (P) é um nutriente limitante para a produção agrícola. Oriundo de fontes não renováveis, estudos que apontem materiais alternativos que forneçam P pode ter grande importância num futuro próximo. Neste sentido, a cinza de casca de arroz surge como uma opção viável devido a sua composição, rica em silício (Si), que pode promover aumento na disponibilidade de P no solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito residual da cinza de casca de arroz na disponibilidade de silício e fósforo no solo. Para tal, foi realizado um experimento de campo constituído por dez dosagens de cinza de casca de arroz 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 e 140 t ha-1 onde foi realizada uma amostragem de solo aos 15 dias após a aplicação (daa) da cinza, nas camadas de 0,00-0,10 m e 0,10-0,20 m. Para a determinação do efeito residual utilizou-se quatro doses de CCA do experimento inicial referentes a 0, 30, 60 e 120 t ha-1 de onde foram realizadas mais quatro coletas aos 211, 400, 517 e 804 daa. O fósforo disponível foi determinado através do método do extrator duplo ácido (Mehlich-1) enquanto que o Si foi determinado pelo método que utiliza o ácido acético como extrator. Os resultados indicaram que a cinza de casca de arroz aumenta as disponibilidades de P e Si no solo; o aumento do Si disponível no solo, extraível pelo ácido acético, equivale a uma fração de no máximo 0,08 % de Si total da CCA; o efeito residual da CCA na disponibilidade de silício é maior do que na disponibilidade de fósforo; como fonte de fósforo o efeito residual da CCA é menor do que o de fertilizantes minerais solúveis como superfosfatos acidulados e, é possível que a CCA promova a lixiviação de fósforo em solos com baixa capacidade de adsorção do nutriente.
Le facteur chinois dans la définition de la politique indienne en Indo-Pacifique
Authors: Levaillant Melissa
Published: June 2019

Cet article explique commentl’accroissement de la rivalité sino-indienne,cristallisée autour de l’opposition de New Delhi auxprojets chinois Nouvelles routes de la soie (Belt and Road Initiative),a amené l’Inde à reconceptualiser son environnementstratégique immédiat et redimensionner ses instruments depolitique étrangère. La politique régionale del’Inde dépasse en effet aujourd’hui le complexe desécurité sud-asiatique conceptualisé par BarryBuzan et Ole Weaver pour s’insérer dans un espacetransrégional, l’espace indopacifique. La construction dece nouvel espace géoéconomique et géopolitique estfavorisée par la convergence stratégique et normativeexistant entre l’Inde, les États-Unis, l’Australieet le Japon. La mise en oeuvre de la politique indienne dansl’espace indopacifique se traduit par une diplomatie active, quivise à garantir la sécurité maritime del’Inde, offrir une option politique et économique auxprojets chinois de route de la soie, et renforcer l’influenceindienne dans la zone.
Threatened plants species of Guinea-Conakry: A preliminary checklist
Authors: Couch Charlotte , Magassouba Sekou , Rokni Saba , Cheek Martin
Published: June 2019

Guinea-Conakry has one of the highest plant diversities in Sub-Saharan West Africa and is part of the Upper Guinean Forest ecoregion and the Guinean Forests of West Africa biodiversity hotspot. Guinea is a major supplier of the world’s bauxite and has significant reserves of high grade iron ore, it also has small reserves of diamonds, gold and uranium. As a result large areas of open cast mining exist in the country and pressure on habitats and vegetation are increasing with the need to bring revenue into the country; this is in addition to unsustainable slash and burn agriculture and a growing population. An initial list of 482 was drawn up from the Flore de Guinée, subsequent discussion and screening reduced the list to 255 which is presented here. It is estimated that c. 10% of the countries flora is threatened. Rediscoveries and new species are being made in Guinea, but they are often already threatened having been discovered as part of Environmental Impact Assessments. A comprehensive red list of threatened species is much needed to support the country’s environmental policy as well as their international obligations.
Slow presynaptic mechanisms that mediate adaptation in the olfactory pathway of Drosophila
Authors: Martelli Carlotta , Fiala André
Published: June 2019

The olfactory system encodes odor stimuli as combinatorial activity of populations of neurons whose response depends on stimulus history. How and on which timescales previous stimuli affect these combinatorial representations remains unclear. We use in vivo optical imaging in Drosophila to analyze sensory adaptation at the first synaptic step along the olfactory pathway. We show that calcium signals in the axon terminals of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) do not follow the same adaptive properties as the firing activity measured at the antenna. While ORNs calcium responses are sustained on long timescales, calcium signals in the postsynaptic projection neurons (PNs) adapt within tens of seconds. We propose that this slow component of the postsynaptic response is mediated by a slow presynaptic depression of vesicle release and enables the combinatorial population activity of PNs to adjust to the mean and variance of fluctuating odor stimuli.
A Novel Spring for Impacted Canine Traction: A New Method presentation
Authors: Kachoei Mojgan , Ghanizadeh Milad , Nastarin Parastou
Published: June 2019

Impacted canines are prevalent and most of the time palatally positioned. Traction of impacted canine is performed by various methods. The aim of this study is to present a new method for impacted canines’ traction which is safe, hygienic and also applying light continuous force. This novel cantilever spring which is made of 0.014-inch stainless steel wire, is beneficial to be used in cases of canine impaction because of its safety and low force/deflection ratio.
Accuracy of MRI Sequences in Detecting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Lesions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Almutairi Abdullah Dhaifallah , Mahmud Rozi , Suppiah Subapriya , Hassan Hasyma Abu
Published: June 2019

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the chronic autoimmune central nervous system disorder that characterized by demyelination of axon in brain cortex and the other grey and white matter regions and it makes several symptoms. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with high sensitivity is the most important preclinical tool for the diagnosis of MS. The aim is to conduct systematic review studies carried out on accuracy of MRI sequences in detecting Multiple Sclerosis (MS) lesions. Methods: This study was systematic review. The related studies accomplished about using MRI in detecting MS lesions in worldwide included by searching in database and journal websites, including PubMed, Google Scholar and Medline. These articles searched by main keywords such as MRI, MS, lesions, sequence, and detecting. Conclusion: Our reviewing study showed that Double Inversion Recovery (DIR) Sequence in MRI has a high sensitivity to detect of lesion of MS. Furthermore, we recommend that the physicians add DIR sequence in routine MR protocols for diagnostic MS in patients.
Refractory Transposing Hyperthyroid Disorder Inducing Tsh-secreting Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Richard Seidu A, , Zheng Songping , Lei Chuanfen , Wei Fu , Yang Xiao , Bowen Cai
Published: June 2019

Introduction: TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas (TSH-sPAs) or thyrotropinomas are very rare forms of pituitary adenomas (PAs). Although several authors have presented single cases or case series on this occurrence, only few authors have indicated that hyperthyroidism heralded the pathogenesis of TSH-sPA. We also present a case of refractory transposing hyperthyroid disorder inducing TSH-sPA. Case Presentation: We present a 47-year-old woman with 20 years’ history hyperthyroidism and a visible anterior neck swelling with normal TSH. She was put on anti-thyroid medications that transposed her hyperthyroid state to hypothyroid state with elevated TSH and a pituitary adenoma (PA). The PA was surgically excised via transsphenoidal approach. Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism or anti-thyroid medications could be responsible for the trigger of a feedback mechanism that led to over-secretion of TSH and subsequently the development of PA.
The Effect of Simultaneous Expression of miR-146a-5p and miR-193a-5p on the Expression of MMP-9 Gene in Colorectal Cancer (HT-29 cell line)
Authors: Noorolyai Saeed , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the worldwide. microRNAs are a group of non-coding small RNAs that inhibit target mRNA translation. miR-146a-5p and miR-193a-5p are known as tumor-suppressors, which down expressed in many cancers. In this study, the purpose was to restore the expression level of miR-146a-5p and miR-193a-5p up to normal level, and to investigate their synergetic effects on MMP-9 gene expression in HT-29 cells. Materials and Methods: The HT-29 cell line from colorectal cancer was cultured in RPMI-1640 culture media. Then, miR-146a and miR-193a were transfected with Jet-PEI reagent.The expression of miR-146a, miR-193a and MMP-9 gene in transfected HT-29 cells and control cells were evaluated by using the qR-PCR technique. Statistical analyzes were performed using GraphPad Prism 6 statistical software. Results: Our results show that the expression levels of miR-193a and miR-146a were increased after transfection, and in comparison with un-transfected cells, the expression level of MMP-9 was decreased. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the simultaneous replacement of miR-146a and miR-193a may act as a potent tumor-suppressor and has an important role in cancer cell migration by influencing molecules such as MMP-9. Thus, simultaneous use of these two microRNAs may be suggested as a potential therapeutic goal in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Interaction of mindfulness disposition and instructional self-talk on motor performance: a laboratory exploration
Authors: Chiu Yi-Hsiang , Lu Frank J.H. , Gill Diane L. , Lin Tzu-Wen , Chang Chiu-Chen , Wu Shu-Ching
Published: June 2019

In considering that high mindfulness disposition individuals possess a unique ability to maintain attention and awareness, and attention is one of the key mechanisms of instructional self-talk, the purpose of this study was to examine the interaction of mindfulness disposition and instructional self-talk on motor performance. Forty-nine college students (M age = 18.96 ± 1.08) with high/low mindfulness disposition (high n = 23; low n = 26) selected out of 126 college students performed a discrete motor task (standing long jump) and a continuous motor task (line tracking task) under instructional and unrelated self-talk conditions. Two separate 2 (self-talk type) X 2 (high/low mindfulness) mixed design ANOVA statistical analyses indicated that mindfulness disposition interacted with unrelated self-talk in the line tracking task. Specifically, low mindfulness participants performed poorer than high mindfulness participants in line tracking task under unrelated self-talk. Further, participants performed better in both standing long jump and line tracking under instructional self-talk than unrelated self-talk. Results not only revealed the triangular relationships among mindfulness, self-talk, and motor performance but also indirectly support the role of attention in self-talk effectiveness. Limitations, future research directions, and practical implications were discussed.
The Management Challenge of Sustaining Competitive Advantage through Innovation in Nigerian Business Environment
Authors: Ogbo Ann , Ezeobi Jesse , Ugbam Charles , Okeke Obinna , Ume Kalu Ebere
Published: June 2019

Organizational learning refers to the sum total of individual and collective learning through training programs, experience, experimentation and work interactions within the organization. Thus, sustainable competitive advantage is the ability to offer superior customer value on an enduring or consistent basis, a situation in which competitors are unable to easily imitate the firm's capacity for value creation. It is worrisome that most literary works have not clearly linked organizational learning with sustainable competitive advantages, as is the case with intellectual capacity (knowledge-based resources) using the resource-based view of the firm. A survey approach was the research design used with particular reference to the South East Zone of Nigeria. Findings revealed that organizational innovation leads to sustained competitive advantage. The Z-statistic value with the corresponding probability value confirms that the organization to a large extent draws its competitive strength jointly from the following factors: creation of new products, changes in way of production, changes in architecture of production, improved ways of sourcing supplies, opening new market opportunities, providing goods and services that others are not yet offering or are not able to copy, being able to offer products of comparable quality at a lower price, maintaining a configuration of resources and capabilities that cannot easily be imitated by competitors, being able to attract customers from competitors due to a positive corporate image and encouraging employees to improve their personal skills. The results total Z-scores in absolute term shows that the listed factors pose challenges to the organization in the process of achieving sustainable competitive advantage through innovation.  For further justification, we proceed to their joint significant analysis adopting the one sample Z-test. The proxies employed in this study for the measurement of sustainability agreed with resource-based view strategies on sustainability of competitive advantage in an unstable business environment.
Human Neural Tissues from Neural Stem Cells Using Conductive Biogel and Printed Polymer Microelectrode Arrays for 3D Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Tomaskovic‐Crook Eva , Zhang Peikai , Ahtiainen Annika , Kaisvuo Heidi , Lee Chong‐Yong , Beirne Stephen , Aqrawe Zaid , Svirskis Darren , Hyttinen Jari , Wallace Gordon G. , Travas‐Sejdic Jadranka , Crook Jeremy M.
Published: June 2019

Electricity is important in the physiology and development of human tissues such as embryonic and fetal development, and tissue regeneration for wound healing. Accordingly, electrical stimulation (ES) is increasingly being applied to influence cell behavior and function for a biomimetic approach to in vitro cell culture and tissue engineering. Here, the application of conductive polymer (CP) poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) pillars is described, direct‐write printed in an array format, for 3D ES of maturing neural tissues that are derived from human neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs are initially encapsulated within a conductive polysaccharide‐based biogel interfaced with the CP pillar microelectrode arrays (MEAs), followed by differentiation in situ to neurons and supporting neuroglia during stimulation. Electrochemical properties of the pillar electrodes and the biogel support their electrical performance. Remarkably, stimulated constructs are characterized by widespread tracts of high‐density mature neurons and enhanced maturation of functional neural networks. Formation of tissues using the 3D MEAs substantiates the platform for advanced clinically relevant neural tissue induction, with the system likely amendable to diverse cell types to create other neural and non‐neural tissues. The platform may be useful for both research and translation, including modeling tissue development, function and dysfunction, electroceuticals, drug screening, and regenerative medicine.