bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Delivery of Survivorship Care Plans for South Asian Female Breast Cancer Survivors Residing in Canada
Authors: Singh-Carlson S. , Wong F. , Oshan G.
Published: August 2018

Background: This paper focuses on phase III of a study evaluating the development and implementation of a survivorship care plan (SCP) that could ultimately improve post-treatment quality of life for South Asian (SA) breast cancer survivors (BCSS). Evaluating the utility of the SCP was important to understand how sociocultural influences might affect uptake of the SCP by SA BCSS, especially as they transition from treatment to community care. Methods: Post-treatment discharge planning using an individualized SCP at discharge for SA female breast cancer patients with stage I or II disease was offered as a pilot service to oncologists at BC Cancer’s Fraser Valley and Abbotsford centres. A longitudinal study using a mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the utility of that service at 1 year after discharge. Results: Participants (n = 16) completed a survey about their SCP delivery experience, and a 1-year post implementation survey about the SCP content and its utility. Most participants reported the discharge appointments to be extremely or very helpful with respect to post-treatment care questions. All have visited their family physicians for follow-up as recommended. The three major sources of support were family, faith, and family physician. Qualitative responses from the health care professionals who developed or implemented the SCPS identified two challenges in SCP delivery: engaging patients or family members in relationship, and translating key information through interpreters. Conclusions: It is important to evaluate the utility of SCPS for SA female survivors, who might differ from the general bcs population because of a different understanding of the disease; language barriers; strong influence of family members; societal stigmas; and personal, social, cultural, and religious beliefs and values. A formal nurse-led discharge appointment with discussions about follow-up care and an individualized SCP outlining the short- and long-term effects of treatment are recommended. Particular attention has to be paid to the practical and psychosocial needs of SA BCSS and their supporting family members.
Real-World Patient- and Caregiver-reported Outcomes in Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Lambert-Obry V. , Gouault-Laliberté A. , Castonguay A. , Zanotti G. , Tran T. , Mates M. , Lemieux J. , Chabot P. , Prady C. , Couture F. , Lachaine J.
Published: August 2018

Background: Advanced breast cancer (abc) represents a substantial burden for patients and caregivers. In the present study, we aimed to estimate quality of life (qol), utility, productivity loss, pain, health care resource utilization, and costs for patients with abc, and qol, utility, and productivity loss for their caregivers. Methods: This multicentre prospective non-interventional study was conducted in Canada. Eligible participants were postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor–positive, her2-negative unresectable abc and their caregivers. Validated questionnaires were used to measure qol, utility, productivity loss, and pain. Patients and caregivers were classified into 4 health states typically used in oncology economic modelling: first-line progression-free (1l-pf), first-line progressive disease (1l-pd), second- or subsequent-line progression-free (≥2l-pf), and second- or subsequent-line progressive disease (≥2l-pd). Results: Most patients and caregivers accepted to participate, with total recruitment of 202 patients and 78 caregivers. Compared with patients in pf, patients in pd had lower mean qol scores (52.9 ± 29.9 for 1l-pd vs. 68.2 ± 23.2 for 1l-pf, and 54.0 ± 23.6 for ≥2l-pd vs. 66.0 ± 22.1 for ≥2l-pf), lower mean utility values (0.64 ± 0.22 for 1l-pd vs. 0.73 ± 0.20 for 1l-pf, and 0.65 ± 0.25 for ≥2l-pd vs. 0.74 ± 0.18 for ≥2l-pf), and greater productivity loss (39.4 ± 27.7 for 1l-pd vs. 27.5 ± 30.1 for 1l-pf, and 37.6 ± 29.2 for ≥2l-pd vs. 32.0 ± 29.0 for ≥2l-pf). Compared with caregivers of patients in pf, caregivers of patients in pd had lower qol scores and utility values, and greater productivity loss. Conclusions: Study results indicate that, for patients and caregivers, pd health states are associated with a deterioration of qol and utility and a decrease in productivity in both 1l and ≥2l.
Engaging Cancer Patients in Clinical Practice Guideline Development: A Pilot Study
Authors: Brouwers M.C. , Vukmirovic M. , Spithoff K. , Zwaal C. , McNair S. , Peek N.
Published: August 2018

Background: Patient engagement is a key quality component of cancer guideline development; however, the optimal strategy for engaging patients in guideline development remains unclear. The feasibility and efficacy of two patient engagement models was tested by Cancer Care Ontario’s cancer guideline development program, the Program in Evidence-Based Care (PEBC). Methods: In model 1, patients participated in the guideline development process as active members of a working group. In model 2, patients formed a separate consultation group to review project plans and recommendations generated by multiple working groups. Training included online resources (model 1) and an in-person orientation (model 2). The PEBC’s standard patient engagement process acted as a control. The study was conducted for 1 year. Surveys measured the satisfaction of patients and members of the guideline working groups with the process and the outcome of each model. Results: Three guideline projects used model 1 to engage patients, six projects used model 2 to receive feedback, and one project was used as a control group (14 patients total). Most participants, whatever the model, reported satisfaction with their experience. Key challenges to implementation included patient recruitment and long wait times between meetings (model 1), and difficulty focusing on the discussion topic and poor meeting attendance on the part of patients (model 2). Conclusions: The pilot study demonstrated that, although both models are feasible and effective for the engagement of patients in cancer guideline development, modifications are required to optimize their continued interest. The PEBC will use the study results to inform the implementation of a patient engagement strategy for its program.
An Automated Tool to Detect Variable Sources in the Vista Variables in the Vía Láctea Survey: The VVV Variables (V4) Catalog of Tiles d001 and d002
Authors: Medina N. , Borissova J. , Bayo A. , Kurtev R. , Navarro Molina C. , Kuhn M. , Kumar N. , Lucas P. W. , Catelan M. , Minniti D. , Smith L. C.
Published: August 2018

Time-varying phenomena are one of the most substantial sources of astrophysical information, and their study has led to many fundamental discoveries in modern astronomy. We have developed an automated tool to search for and analyze variable sources in the near-infraredKsband using the data from the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) ESO Public Large Survey. This process relies on the characterization of variable sources using different variability indices calculated from time series generated with point-spread function (PSF) photometry of sources under analysis. In particular, we used two main indices, the total amplitudeand the eta indexη, to identify variable sources. Once the variable objects are identified, periods are determined with generalized Lomb–Scargle periodograms and the information potential metric. Variability classes are assigned according to a compromise between comparisons with VVV templates and the period of the variability. The automated tool is applied on VVV tiles d001 and d002 and led to the discovery of 200 variable sources. We detected 70 irregular variable sources and 130 periodic ones. In addition, nine open-cluster candidates projected in the region are analyzed, and the infrared variable candidates found around these clusters are further scrutinized by cross-matching their locations against emission star candidates from VPHAS+ survey Hαcolor cuts.
Hard X-Ray Constraints on Small-scale Coronal Heating Events
Authors: Marsh Andrew J. , Smith David M. , Glesener Lindsay , Klimchuk James A. , Bradshaw Stephen J. , Vievering Juliana , Hannah Iain G. , Christe Steven , Ishikawa Shin-nosuke , Krucker Säm
Published: August 2018

Much evidence suggests that the solar corona is heated impulsively, meaning that nanoflares may be ubiquitous in quiet and active regions (ARs). Hard X-ray (HXR) observations with unprecedented sensitivity >3 keV are now enabled by focusing instruments. We analyzed data from the Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI) rocket and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) spacecraft to constrain properties of AR nanoflares simulated by the EBTEL field-line-averaged hydrodynamics code. We generated model X-ray spectra by computing differential emission measures for homogeneous nanoflare sequences with heating amplitudes H
0, durations τ, delay times between events t

N
, and filling factors f. The single quiescent AR observed by FOXSI-2 on 2014 December 11 is well fit by nanoflare sequences with heating amplitudes 0.02 erg cm−3 s−1 <H
0 < 13 erg cm−3 s−1 and a wide range of delay times and durations. We exclude delays between events shorter than ∼900 s at the 90% confidence level for this region. Three of five regions observed by NuSTAR on 2014 November 1 are well fit by homogeneous nanoflare models, while two regions with higher fluxes are not. Generally, the NuSTAR count spectra are well fit by nanoflare sequences with smaller heating amplitudes, shorter delays, and shorter durations than the allowed FOXSI-2 models. These apparent discrepancies are likely due to differences in spectral coverage between the two instruments and intrinsic differences among the regions. Steady heating (t

N
 = τ) was ruled out with >99% confidence for all regions observed by either instrument.
Spatial Damping of Kink MHD Waves in the Presence of Magnetic Twist and Plasma Flow
Authors: Bahari Karam
Published: August 2018

Propagating kink magnetohydrodynamic waves in magnetic flux tubes with incompressible plasma have been studied. The plasma has been assumed to flow along the magnetic field lines, and the magnetic field lines have been assumed to be twisted. Both the flow and the magnetic twist reduce the symmetry of the dispersion curves of the kink waves. The magnetic twist modifies the the properties of the forward and backward waves with positive and negative azimuthal wavenumbers, which are under Kelvin–Helmholtz instability due to plasma flow, in different manners. The effect of the magnetic twist on the spatial resonant damping of kink waves depends on the direction of the propagation and azimuthal wavenumber of the wave, and also on the direction of the plasma flow. Our conclusion is that the magnetic twist modifies the properties of the propagating kink waves depending on the wavenumbers of the wave and the direction of the plasma flow.
Verifications of Scaling Relations Useful for the Intrinsic Alignment Self-calibration
Authors: Meng Xian-guang , Yu Yu , Zhang Pengjie , Jing Yipeng
Published: August 2018

The galaxy intrinsic alignment (IA) is a major challenge of weak lensing cosmology. To alleviate this problem, Zhang proposed a self-calibration method, independent of IA modeling. This proposal relies on several scaling relations between two-point clustering of IA and matter/galaxy fields, which were previously only tested with analytical IA models. In this paper, these relations are tested comprehensively with an N-body simulation of 30723 simulation particles and boxsize 600h
−1 Mpc. They are verified at the accuracy level of

over angular scales and source redshifts of interest. We further confirm that these scaling relations are generic, insensitive to halo mass, weighting in defining halo ellipticities, photo-z error, and misalignment between galaxy ellipticities and halo ellipticities. We also present and verify three new scaling relations on the B-mode IA. These results consolidate and complete the theory side of the proposed self-calibration technique.
Un parent seul, ça n’existe pas !
Authors: Coum Daniel
Published: August 2018

L’engouement récent pour la pratique de « groupe de parole pour les parents », né avec le développement des politiques et des dispositifs d’aide à la parentalité, conduit à s’interroger sur les principes épistémologiques qui peuvent utilement orienter les modalités de mise en œuvre et d’animation de telles instances cliniques. L’expérience que l’auteur en a depuis désormais plus de vingt ans à Parentel légitime qu’il rende compte d’une expérience originale en la matière et des enseignements qu’on peut en tirer. Il apparaît que, situés au carrefour de la prévention et du soin, les groupes de parole pour les parents mettent en scène efficacement, pour autant que l’on veuille bien correctement le prendre en compte, les enjeux fondamentaux de la fonction parentale. Là encore, la psychanalyse peut orienter une pratique clinique, mise en œuvre par des psychologues, en tant qu’elle prend en compte la dimension intersubjective, c’est-à-dire sociale, de la psychè.
L’alliance thérapeutique en psychanalyse de l’enfant
Authors: Houzel Didier
Published: August 2018

Le cadre d’une psychanalyse d’enfant est essentiellement psychique. L’alliance thérapeutique, nouée au cours des entretiens préliminaires, est un des éléments de ce cadre, elle en constitue un point d’ancrage. Alliance thérapeutique avec les parents, mais aussi avec l’enfant. L’auteur, spécialiste de la psychanalyse de l’enfant, propose de l’alliance thérapeutique une définition précise et en illustre le processus et l’enjeu par un exemple clinique. Il est essentiel que l’enfant sente que ses symptômes ont un sens latent et qu’il existe quelqu’un qui peut l’aider à les déchiffrer et par là même l’aider à vaincre la souffrance psychique qu’ils expriment.
Un cadre aménagé pour accueillir la souffrance : groupe expérientiel en Nouvelle-Calédonie… avec des filles-mères kanak
Authors: Wamo Albert , Tisserant Bernard
Published: August 2018

La clinique décrite par les auteurs de cet article, psychologues à l’Aide sociale à l’enfance, expérimente un dispositif qui rassemble un groupe de filles-mères célibataires kanak de Nouvelle-Calédonie et une équipe pluridisciplinaire. Pour recueillir et traiter les souffrances traumatiques, celui-ci propose trois axes de travail : un espace de rencontres ritualisées par des expériences sensorielles, une adaptation de l’objet médiation Photolangage © aux résonances spécifiques de l’altérité et enfin une posture professionnelle associant bienveillance et respect. Il explore les liens avec la terre, le prénom kanak et l’oncle utérin. Avec le bouleversement des repères, ces liens peuvent assurer une fonction tantôt structurante étayée sur la transmission des valeurs familiales, tantôt déstructurante quand elle s’appuie sur des secrets et vides destructeurs.
L’enveloppe familiale à l’épreuve de l’expatriation
Authors: Drweski Philippe
Published: August 2018

Cet article propose une réflexion sur le travail de l’enveloppe familiale dans le cadre de l’expatriation. Le concept d’enveloppe est ici utilisé afin d’appréhender le passage entre différents espaces, caractéristique de l’expatriation. L’hypothèse est que l’expatriation est un moment critique dans le travail des enveloppes, affectant ainsi le cadre thérapeutique des familles prises en charge. Après une définition de la notion d’enveloppe est proposée l’illustration clinique d’une thérapie familiale. Cette analyse illustre le travail de l’enveloppe familiale et de ses qualités plastiques dans le contexte de la mobilité. Il apparaît ainsi que l’expatriation peut être utilisée comme une manière de réguler le fonctionnement du groupe familial grâce à la mise à distance de certains éléments traumatiques de l’histoire de la famille.
Devenir adulte avec une maladie chronique : les différents niveaux de transition
Authors: Banovic Ingrid , Rebelo Teresa , Drieu Didier
Published: August 2018

La transition pour le jeune atteint de maladie chronique vient s’inscrire dans un processus adolescent et de renégociation des places intrafamiliales et modes d’alliances. À partir d’un cas clinique, les enjeux de la transition sont d’abord décrits dans leur inscription dans le processus de fin d’adolescence. Les dimensions relationnelles aussi bien avec l’équipe de soin qu’avec la famille sont ensuite abordées via les changements dans la place et le rôle de chacun et dans les difficultés rencontrées. Apparaît en conclusion l’importance de définir et d’articuler clairement les objectifs et enjeux de la transition dans une perspective centrée sur l’individu et son environnement soignant, psychosocial et affectif afin d’en apporter une modélisation conceptuelle et opérationnelle.
Os castros no tempo das villae. Funcións non militares dos castros no val do Sarria na Alta Idade Media
Authors: Lixó Gómez Carlos
Published: August 2018

La densidad y las particularidades que los poblados de la Edad del Hierro tienen en Galicia los han convertido en elementos estructuradores del territorio y portadores de una fortísima carga simbólica a lo largo de los siglos, hasta hoy. El duradero e irregular proceso de desaparición del modelo castral hacia una red campesina de asentamientos abiertos en los valles y llanuras parece haberse culminado en la Alta Edad Media, cuando las villae, predecesoras de las aldeas y parroquias de época feudal, son ya la célula de población hegemónica. En el presente trabajo analizaremos el papel social que tenían los castros en el valle del Sarria en esa altura basándonos en el análisis de los documentos del tumbo de Samos y en el estudio histórico del paisaje.

[gl] A densidade e as particularidades que os poboados da Idade do Ferro teñen en Galiza convertéronos en elementos estruturadores do territorio e portadores dunha fortísima carga simbólica ao longo dos séculos, até hoxe. O duradeiro e irregular proceso de desaparición do modelo castral cara a unha rede campesiña de asentamentos abertos nos vales e chairas parece terse culminado na Alta Idade Media, cando as villae, predecesoras das aldeas e parroquias de época feudal, son xa a célula de poboación hexemónica. No presente traballo analizaremos o papel social que tiñan os castros no val do Sarria nesa altura baseándonos na análise dos documentos do tombo de Samos e no estudo histórico da paisaxe.
A representación das soldadeiras nas cantigas de escarnio galego-portuguesas e na cultura visual románica
Authors: Vázquez García Tania
Published: August 2018

Las soldadeiras fueron personajes femeninos que tradicionalmente se consideraron acompañantes de los trovadores y juglares en su performance. En las cantigas de escarnio son frecuentes las burlas de estas mujeres, ridiculizadas por sus gustos desmedidos por el juego y la lujuria, de modo que en los estudios literarios se asimilaron con las prostitutas. El objetivo es realizar una investigación interdisciplinar, en la que están presentes el análisis literario y artístico a partir del estudio de la descriptio física y moral que se realiza exclusivamente de aquellas mujeres que fueron denominadas como “soldadeiras” en las cantigas, así como de su representación en el arte románico gallego. Si bien la caracterización literaria refleja una visión negativa de estas figuras, la posición privilegiada que adquiere su figuración en los tímpanos de algunas iglesias, como la de San Miguel del Monte (Chantada, Lugo) o Santa María de Ucelle (Coles, Ourense), confirma que las lecturas literales de las cantigas de escarnio no pueden ser sustentadas, pues su finalidad era buscar la risa del auditorio mediante la presentación grotesca de la sociedad del momento.

[gl] As soldadeiras foron personaxes femininas que tradicionalmente se consideraron acompañantes dos trobadores e xograres na súa performance. Nas cantigas de escarnio son comúns as mofas a estas mulleres, ridiculizadas polos seus gustos desmedidos polo xogo e a luxuria, de modo que nos estudos literarios se tenderon a asimilar coas prostitutas. O obxectivo é realizar unha investigación interdisciplinar, na que están presentes a análise literaria e artística a partir do estudo da descriptio física e moral que se realiza exclusivamente daquelas mulleres que foron denominadas como “soldadeiras” nas cantigas, así como da súa representación na arte románica galega. Se ben a caracterización literaria reflicte unha visión negativa destas figuras, a posición privilexiada que adquire a súa figuración nos tímpanos dalgunhas igrexas, como a de San Miguel do Monte (Chantada, Lugo) ou Santa María de Ucelle (Coles, Ourense), confirma que as lecturas literais das cantigas de escarnio non poden ser sostidas, pois a súa finalidade era buscar o riso do auditorio mediante a presentación grotesca da sociedade do momento.
La evolución de los escenarios del consumo urbano. El caso de la calle San Andrés en la ciudad de A Coruña
Authors: Fernández Ignacio Samuel
Published: August 2018

En este trabajo de investigación se exploran los escenarios de la ciudad contemporánea atendiendo a la relación que existe entre las identidades urbanas y los elementos de iconografía más representativos de esos lugares. La identidad social que asumen los individuos se genera en la dinámica de la compleja trama de interacciones que se desarrolla dentro de un contexto cultural determinado. Desde la aparición del urbanismo decimonónico, las ciudades modernas se han reconfigurado según las necesidades espaciales derivadas de las actividades económicas que la burguesía industrial y comercial ha liderado. La evolución de los mercados internacionales, la deslocalización de gran parte de la industria y la lógica cultural inserta en la producción de mercancías en las sociedades del capitalismo avanzado han impulsado el fenómeno global de las marcas corporativas. Compitiendo entre ellas por atraer a inversores, ciudadanos y turistas, las ciudades, convertidas en mercancías, han rediseñado sus identidades recurriendo al fetiche de la marca.

[gl] Neste traballo de investigación explóranse os escenarios da cidade contemporánea atendendo á relación que existe entre as identidades urbanas e os elementos de iconografía máis representativos deses lugares. A identidade social que asumen os individuos xérase na dinámica da complexa trama de interaccións que se desenvolve dentro dun contexto cultural determinado. Desde a aparición do urbanismo decimonónico, as cidades modernas reconfiguráronse segundo as necesidades espaciais derivadas das actividades económicas que a burguesía industrial e comercial ten liderado. A evolución dos mercados internacionais, a deslocalización da meirande parte da industria e a lóxica cultural inserida na produción de mercadorías nas sociedades do capitalismo avanzado impulsou o fenómeno global das marcas corporativas. Competindo entre si por atraer investidores, cidadáns e turistas, as cidades, agora convertidas en mercadorías, redeseñaron as súas identidades recorrendo ao fetiche da marca.
Influence Estimation and Opinion-Tracking Over Online Social Networks
Authors: Castro Luis E. , Shaikh Nazrul I.
Published: August 2018

This article presents a restricted maximum likelihood-based algorithm to estimate who influences whose opinions and to what degree when agents share their opinions over large online social networks such as Twitter. The proposed algorithm uses multi-core processing and distributed computing to provide a scalable solution as the optimization problems are large in scale; a network with 10,000 agents and average connectivity of 100 requires estimates of about 1 million parameters. A computational study is then used to show that the estimates are efficient and robust when the full rank conditions for the covariance matrix are met. The results also highlight the importance of the quantity of the information being shared over the social network for the inference of the influence structure.
Innovating Service Delivery Through a Community-Based B2B2C Platform
Authors: Gou Juanqiong , Li Jiayao , Xiang Jing , Zhang Justin
Published: August 2018

The continuous evolution of e-business has demanded firms to seek innovative business models to collect and integrate information from electronic marketplaces. The authors present a case study of Card Union to investigate how companies can develop innovative models of service delivery at different stages to adapt to the changing environments of electronic business. Their analysis demonstrates that B2B2C models allow firms to extend their product and service varieties through information integration and delivery so as to obtain the benefits of long-tail effects and economies of scope. The authors' research provides valuable insights about the evolution of B2B2C models and practical guidance for managers to effectively design and deploy their e-business models.
Cloud ERP Systems for Small-and-Medium Enterprises
Authors: Zadeh Amir Hassan , Akinyemi Bolaji Akinsola , Jeyaraj Anand , Zolbanin Hamed M.
Published: August 2018

Organizations recognize the need to adopt Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in order to become more competitive, efficient, and productive, although the adoption and implementation of an ERP system is a costly and risky endeavor. Recently, cloud computing has become a viable and competitive means by which most organizations, especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), can implement an ERP system in a short time frame and cost-effective way. The authors' research examines the feasibility of cloud-based ERP systems for SMEs through a case study. The case emphasizes the potential of cloud-based ERP systems for SMEs as well as some of the challenges and peculiarities involved in their efforts to obtain an affordable and versatile ERP system. Their findings can potentially guide SMEs to make well-informed decisions throughout their cloud-based ERP adoption process.
A Novel Team Productivity Model for XP Teams
Authors: Tavakoli Farzaneh , Gandomani Taghi Javdani
Published: August 2018

Team productivity is one of the issues that always been considered in the software development teams. In software development process, as a team-oriented process, team productivity is a serious issue in software competitive industry that always gets high attention. Several studies have been conducted on various aspects of team productivity, but because of role of employed methodologies, providing a unified model in this regard is not possible. This article is specifically aimed to focus on team productivity in XP methodology and provide a productivity model dedicated for this method. The proposed model is developed based on the most influential features affecting team productivity. This model evaluated and gained enough acceptance. The article also shows the most effective XP practices that positively impact team productivity in XP projects.
Evaluating Intercultural Sensibility in Compulsory Secondary Education
Authors: No-Gutiérrez Paloma , Rodríguez-Conde María-José , Torrecilla-Sánchez Eva-María
Published: August 2018

The heterogeneity in the Spanish educational system has made it essential to develop certain skills to be a model citizenship. One of those is intercultural sensitivity. But before establishing a program to develop it, it is crucial to know its level in the students. Conscious of this social reality a research was done to study the level of intercultural sensitivity in students in the level of Secondary Compulsory Education of two schools in the region of Salamanca (Spain). The sample consisted of 220 people from two different schools, one public and one private. One of the main objectives is to see if there are significant differences in the answers given depending on the variables gender, ownership of the school and nationality (differentiating between native and foreign). On a first review, it was discovered, in general, there were not significant differences on the answers depending on type of school, gender or nationality.
Extraction of Blood Vessels in Retina
Authors: Thamer Mitib Al Sariera  , Rangarajan Lalitha
Published: August 2018

This article presents a novel method to extract retinal vascular tree automatically. The proposed method consists of four steps; smoothing image using low pass spatial filter to reduce spurious noise in the image; extracting candidate borders of the vessels based on a local window property; tracking process, starting with a candidate pixel and following in the optimum direction with monitoring the connectivity of the vessel twin border; constructing the whole tree of retinal blood vessels by connecting the vessel segments based on their spatial locations, widths and directions. The algorithm was trained with 20 images from the DRIVE dataset, and tested using the remaining 20 images.
IRAK1 Limits TLR3/4- and IFNAR-Driven IL-27 Production through a STAT1-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Bruni Daniela , Dignam Adam , Dunne Susan , Wall-Coughlan Devlin , McCrudden Aisling , O’Connell Karen , Lyons Caitriona , McGuigan Christopher , Tubridy Niall , Butler Marion P.
Published: August 2018

IL-27 is a cytokine exerting pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects on a broad spectrum of immune cells. Optimal IL-27 production downstream of TLR3/4 ligand stimulation relies on autocrine type I IFN signaling, defining a first and second phase in IL-27 production. This work shows that IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) limits TLR3/4- and IFNAR-induced IL-27 production. At the mechanistic level, we identified IRAK1 as a novel regulator of STAT1, IRF1, and IRF9. We found hyperactivation of STAT1 together with increased nuclear levels of IRF1 and IRF9 in IRAK1-deficient murine macrophages compared with control cells following stimulation with LPS and poly(I:C). IRAK1-deficient human microglial cells showed higher basal levels of STAT1 and STAT2 compared with control cells. Blocking the kinase activity of TBK1/IKKε in IRAK1 knockdown human microglial cells reduced the high basal levels of STAT1/2, uncovering a TBK1/IKKε kinase–dependent mechanism controlling basal levels of STAT1/2. Stimulating IRAK1 knockdown human microglial cells with IFN-β led to increased IL-27p28 expression compared with control cells. In IRAK1-deficient murine macrophages, increased IL-27 levels were detected by ELISA following IFN-β stimulation compared with control macrophages together with increased nuclear levels of p-STAT1, IRF1, and IRF9. Treatment of wild-type and IRAK1-deficient murine macrophages with fludarabine similarly reduced TLR3/4-induced IL-27 cytokine levels. To our knowledge, this work represents the first report placing IRAK1 in the IFNAR pathway and identifies IRAK1 as an important regulator of STAT1, controlling IL-27 production downstream of TLR3/4 and IFNAR signaling pathways.
Differential Induction of IFN-α and Modulation of CD112 and CD54 Expression Govern the Magnitude of NK Cell IFN-γ Response to Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Kronstad Lisa M. , Seiler Christof , Vergara Rosemary , Holmes Susan P. , Blish Catherine A.
Published: August 2018

In human and murine studies, IFN-γ is a critical mediator immunity to influenza. IFN-γ production is critical for viral clearance and the development of adaptive immune responses, yet excessive production of IFN-γ and other cytokines as part of a cytokine storm is associated with poor outcomes of influenza infection in humans. As NK cells are the main population of lung innate immune cells capable of producing IFN-γ early in infection, we set out to identify the drivers of the human NK cell IFN-γ response to influenza A viruses. We found that influenza triggers NK cells to secrete IFN-γ in the absence of T cells and in a manner dependent upon signaling from both cytokines and receptor–ligand interactions. Further, we discovered that the pandemic A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) strain elicits a seven-fold greater IFN-γ response than other strains tested, including a seasonal A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2) strain. These differential responses were independent of memory NK cells. Instead, we discovered that the A/Victoria/361/2011 influenza strain suppresses the NK cell IFN-γ response by downregulating NK-activating ligands CD112 and CD54 and by repressing the type I IFN response in a viral replication–dependent manner. In contrast, the A/California/07/2009 strain fails to repress the type I IFN response or to downregulate CD54 and CD112 to the same extent, which leads to the enhanced NK cell IFN-γ response. Our results indicate that influenza implements a strain-specific mechanism governing NK cell production of IFN-γ and identifies a previously unrecognized influenza innate immune evasion strategy.
You really are too kind: implications regarding friendly submissiveness in trainee therapists
Authors: Cain Lylli , Perkey Hana , Widner Sabina , Johnson J. Aaron , Hoffman Zachary , Slavin-Mulford Jenelle
Published: August 2018

To facilitate patient growth, therapists must immerse themselves in the patient’s world while also being able to see what is needed for change. This process requires finding a delicate balance between supporting and pushing patients. Therapists in training are additionally tasked with incorporating supervisors’ suggestions with their own views on what is needed to help their patients. Beginning therapists with tendencies to be overly accommodating may struggle to reconcile these competing demands. Thus, the aim of the present work is to explore how trainee friendly submissiveness (FS) interfaces with psychotherapy. Prior to training, clinical graduate trainee (n = 35) FS was assessed using the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32. Process and outcome data were then collected from each therapist’s first training case. Specifically, each trainee was assigned an undergraduate student volunteer with whom they had four non-manualized therapy sessions over the academic semester. After the third session, patients and trainees completed questionnaires assessing session impact and the working alliance, and two expert raters coded third session videotapes for techniques. Following termination, patients rated the overall helpfulness of the therapy. Trainee FS was significantly negatively associated with patient-rated depth, alliance, and overall helpfulness with moderate effects. Findings from a mediation analysis further suggested that trainees with higher FS struggled to focus the therapy in a way that felt productive to patients. Implications for clinical training are discussed.
Investigating environmental management practices within the Northern Cape wine supply chain
Authors: Trollip Elize G.
Published: August 2018

Background: Environmental management systems and practices have become a necessity in wine supply chains, given their vulnerability to climate change. Climate change could lead to a 55% loss of wine-cultivating land in South Africa by 2050, which would harm the first two tiers of the wine supply chain.Objectives: The objective was to investigate the current environmental systems and practices applied in the first two tiers of the Northern Cape wine supply chain.Method: This qualitative exploratory study was conducted by semi-structured interviews to determine the various environmental management systems and practices adopted by role players. The data collected were analysed by thematic analysis.Results: The results indicated the implementation of an environmental management tool, namely the Integrated Production of Wine scheme. Supportive practices such as water- and energy-wise approaches, soil management and waste management were also identified. Furthermore, a sincere relationship between farmers, cellars and viticulturists results in collaboration based on mutual information sharing and cooperation between role players to reduce their environmental impact.Conclusion: The various environmental management practices and the collaborative approach between role players can serve as an example to other agricultural supply chains.
Computed Tomography Evaluation of the Arterial Supply to Segment 4 of the Liver
Authors: Putta Tharani , John Reetu Amrita , Eapen Anu , Chandramohan Anuradha , Simon Betty , Rymbai Manbha L , Joseph Philip
Published: August 2018

Introduction:

In a setting of living-donor liver transplant and patients undergoing extended hepatic resections for both primary and metastatic liver tumors, preoperative assessment of hepatic arterial anatomy is very important because of the risk of ischemic complications in the event of inadvertent injury to the arterial supply. Anatomical variations in hepatic arterial supply to the liver are very common and seen in nearly half the population. Identifying anomalous origin of segment 4 hepatic artery is vital since this vessel can cross the transection plane and can result in liver ischemia and liver failure. The purpose of our study is to study the variations in hepatic arterial anatomy to segment 4 of the liver in the Indian population.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective evaluation of 637 consecutive computed tomography (CT) angiograms over a period of 1 year was performed, and we analyzed the arterial supply to segment 4 of the liver.

Results:

We found that the arterial supply to segment 4 of the liver originated from left hepatic artery (LHA) in majority of cases, 76.3%. LHA along with the accessory LHA supplied this segment in 6.4%, whereas the accessory LHA solely supplied this segment in 0.4%. The right hepatic artery (RHA) was seen to supply this segment in 10.2%. Dual supply with branches from the RHA and LHA was seen in 6.6% of patients.

Conclusion:

Preoperative mapping of segment 4 hepatic arterial supply using CT angiography will act as a roadmap to surgeons as they attempt to carefully dissect and preserve this segments' arterial supply. Depending on the anatomical variation, surgical techniques will vary to ensure safety of segment 4 arterial supply.
Adding Value to the Magnetic Resonance Examination in a Case of Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy
Authors: Dsouza Ajay Prashanth , Tandon Sachin , Gundogan Munire , Abdalla Abdalla Ali
Published: August 2018

We report a case of brachial plexus birth palsy in an infant with the inability to move the left upper limb since birth. There was neither history of birth trauma nor any complications during delivery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brachial plexus showed postganglionic injury with musculoskeletal abnormalities. The child underwent surgical repair of the plexus and is on physical rehabilitation. In this case report, we discuss the utility of a single MRI examination with an elaborate discussion on various MRI signs of brachial plexus injury including secondary musculoskeletal manifestations. The case reiterates the significance of two-in-one approach while imaging these cases with MRI. Apart from reporting the damage to the brachial plexus, the radiologist should actively search for glenohumeral dysplasia. Awareness of classification and assessment of glenohumeral dysplasia should be routinely included as an integral part of imaging report as it adds incremental value to the overall patient management and functional outcome.
The “Lightning bolt” Sign on Computed Tomography during Percutaneous Renal Mass Cryoablation
Authors: Yu Qian , Raissi Driss
Published: August 2018

Ice-ball fracture is a rare and often overlooked entity that may lead to intraprocedural hemorrhage after percutaneous cryoablation of renal masses. There is scant literature on ice-ball fractures associated with percutaneous renal cryoablation. Immediate recognition of the lightning bolt sign during intraprocedural computed tomography can help identify patients who may have developed this complication.
Cabergoline treatment in prolactinoma
Authors: Binar M , Karakoc O , Haymana C , Arslan H
Published: August 2018

A 44-year-old male patient was admitted to the otolaryngology department with a history of progressive snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and reduced libido for the last 6 months. Polysomnography demonstrated the presence of moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 24.6 events/h, consisting of 77 obstructive and 59 central apneas. The marked number of central apneas in the sleep study and urologic complaints prompted the performance of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which indicated a pituitary macroadenoma (prolactinoma). Three months after treatment with cabergoline, a control MRI showed a significant reduction in the size of the macroadenoma. The AHI was also significantly decreased (to 11.6 events/h), as were the numbers of obstructive and central apneas. The patient's complaints regarding libido were also regressed. During this treatment period, CPAP therapy has not been tolerated by the patient. Cabergoline treatment reduced the severity of both obstructive and central sleep apneas in this patient.
Stretch Formability Behaviour of Glass Fibre Reinforced Nanoclay on Fiber Metal Laminated Composites
Authors: Logesh K. , Bupesh Raja V.K , Krishnaraj C.
Published: August 2018

Innovations and research in material processing have brought forward new and improvised materials that are applied in body panels of automobiles, aircraft cabins and railway wagons. These materials are used widely is because of their good mechanical properties and their high strength to weight ratio. In this paper Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) were added with organo modified montmorillonite (MMT) commonly known as nanoclay along with epoxy resin. The homogeneous dispersion of nanoclay in epoxy resin is accomplished by a hand stirrer dispersion method in ethanol. The FML material was processed by hand layup method. In this study the aluminium alloy 5052-H32 was used as a skin material and glass fibre (woven roving) used as core material which is bounded by epoxy with 5 wt.% nano clay (closet 30B). The fabricated sandwich material was cut by using water jet machine as per IS standards for testing. The fabricated material subjected to erichsen cupping test and was observed under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results from SEM image analysis indicated that the FML had fibre pull out and surface cracks were obtained in the skin material. Progressive loading resulted in ductile fracture which is absorbed in the specimen. Fibres came across brittle failure and the skin through ductile fracture. Non-uniform distribution of reinforcement is observed in the material, SEM micrographs revealed fibre cracks which were oriented in line to the direction of crack growth on the skin material. This study shows that these fibre metal laminates can be safely applied in automotive field.
Pitch and Depth Control of Underwater Glider using LQG and LQR via Kalman Filter
Authors: Ullah B. , Ovinis M. , Baharom M.B. , Ali S.S.A , Javaid M.Y.
Published: August 2018

Underwater gliders are adversely affected by ocean currents because of their low speed, which is compounded by an inability to make quick corrective manoeuvres due to limited control surface and weak buoyancy driven propulsion system. In this paper, Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) robust controllers are presented for pitch and depth control of an underwater glider. The LQR and LQG robust control schemes are implemented using MATLAB/Simulink. A Kalman filter was designed to estimate the pitch of the glider. Based on the simulation results, both controllers are compared to show the robustness in the presence of noise. The LQG controller results shows good control effort in presence of external noise and the stability of the controller performance is guaranteed.
Surface Characterization of Incoloy 825 Ni-Based Alloy/2507 Super Duplex Stainless Steel Dissimilar Friction Stir Welds
Authors: Kangazian Jalal , Shamanian Morteza , Ashrafi Ali
Published: August 2018

Surface features of a dissimilar friction stir weld between Incoloy 825 Ni-based alloy and SAF 2507 super duplex stainless steel were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, microhardness test, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The surface of the weldment showed lower general corrosion resistance in comparison to the base metals. Areas under the weld shoulder exhibited weak pitting resistance because of the deformed structure and/or chromium nitride precipitates. Incoloy 825 located under the shoulder also displayed the highest susceptibility to pit growth because of the austenite matrix containing titanium nitride phases. Overall, the obtained results demonstrated that the friction stir welding method could significantly deteriorate the surface corrosion behavior of the processed regions.
2010–2016 methane trends over Canada, the United States, and Mexico observed by the GOSAT satellite: contributions from different source sectors
Authors: Sheng Jian-Xiong , Jacob Daniel J. , Turner Alexander J. , Maasakkers Joannes D. , Benmergui Joshua , Bloom A. Anthony , Arndt Claudia , Gautam Ritesh , Zavala-Araiza Daniel , Boesch Hartmut , Parker Robert J.
Published: August 2018

Abstract. We use 7 years (2010–2016) of methane column observations from the
Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) to examine trends in atmospheric
methane concentrations over North America and infer trends in emissions.
Local methane enhancements above background are diagnosed in the GOSAT data
on a 0.5∘×0.5∘ grid by estimating the local background as
the low (10th–25th) percentiles of the
deseasonalized frequency distributions of the data for individual years.
Trends in methane enhancements on the 0.5∘×0.5∘ grid are
then aggregated nationally and for individual source sectors, using
information from state-of-science bottom-up inventories. We find that US
methane emissions increased by 2.5±1.4  % a−1 (mean ± 1 standard deviation) over the 7-year period, with contributions from both
oil–gas systems (possibly unconventional oil–gas production) and from
livestock in the Midwest (possibly swine manure management). Mexican
emissions show a decrease that can be attributed to a decreasing cattle
population. Canadian emissions show year-to-year variability driven by
wetland emissions and correlated with wetland areal extent. The US emission
trends inferred from the GOSAT data account for about 20 % of the observed
increase in global methane over the 2010–2016 period.