bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-Based Calibration of the Inertial Operating Speed to Enhance the Assessment of the Geometric Design Consistency
Authors: Llopis-Castelló David , Bella Francesco , Camacho-Torregrosa Francisco Javier , García Alfredo
Published: June 2018

Road crashes are mainly caused by three concurrent factors: infrastructure, vehicle, and human factors. The interaction between the infrastructure and human factors leads to the concept of geometric design consistency. Recently, a global consistency model was developed based on the difference between the inertial operating speed profile and the operating speed profile. The first was defined as the weighted average operating speed of the previous road section based on distance, and represents drivers’ expectancies, whereas the second represents road behavior. However, drivers’ expectancies are related to short-term memory which declines gradually and depends on time. Thus, a time-based inertial operating speed would allow a more accurate estimation of the phenomenon. This research analyzes different periods of time and weighting distributions to identify how drivers’ expectancies should be estimated. A set of 71 homogeneous road segments located in Italy were considered in the study. As a result, 25 seconds and a convex parabolic distribution should be used to calculate the inertial operating speed profile. This new way of estimating drivers’ expectancies showed better results than those obtained based on distance. Finally, the proposed consistency model was compared with the previous models and was found to be able to assess more accurately the geometric design consistency. Therefore, the proposed consistency model is a useful tool for engineers to estimate the number of crashes so that they can incorporate road safety considerations into the geometric design of either new two-lane rural roads, or improving the existing ones.
A German Passenger Car and Heavy Vehicle Stock Model: Towards an Autonomous Vehicle Fleet
Authors: Hartmann Martin , Vortisch Peter
Published: June 2018

Automated vehicles are becoming a reality. Many pilot projects have already begun demonstrating the technological capabilities, as public authorities now allow the testing of automated vehicles in real traffic. To smooth the transition from a conventional to an automated fleet, effective fiscal and regulatory policies must be developed by governmental agencies. But at what rate will automated vehicles actually be adopted, and what automation technology will be available for use in new cars joining the national fleet? A national vehicle stock model can be used to answer these questions and to observe the aggregate impact of governmental policies on individual vehicle purchase decisions. In this paper, we present a passenger car and heavy vehicle stock cohort model that forecasts the diffusion of automation technology in Germany. The model uses national data on vehicle stock and vehicle utilization patterns on German freeways and predicts market shares of generic automation levels in predefined instances of a trend scenario. Results point toward market saturation of automated vehicles beyond 2050, with almost 90% of the passenger car fleet being classified as at least partially automatized by this date. The results also suggest that technology diffusion will be faster in the heavy vehicle fleet than in the passenger car fleet. This implies a positive correlation between emission-linked road user charges for heavy vehicles on the freeway network and the renewal rate of the heavy vehicle fleet. The forecast shares of automated vehicles can be used as an input for traffic flow simulations or as a basis for those infrastructure measures and traffic policies that are sensitive to the share of automated vehicles.
The Mechanical and Comfort Properties of Sustainable Blended Fabrics of Bamboo With Cotton and Regenerated Fibers
Authors: Basit Abdul , Latif Wasif , Baig Sajjad Ahmad , Afzal Ali
Published: June 2018

The worldwide growing need of cotton but its lower production has boosted the production of regenerated cellulosic fibers. This work compares the thermal comfort and mechanical properties of bamboo rayon fiber blends with cotton and other regenerated fibers. So, bamboo rayon fibers were blended with cotton, tencel lyocell, modal rayon, and viscose rayon. One-hundred-percent pure fabrics of bamboo rayon, cotton, tencel lyocell, modal rayon, and viscose rayon were made. Also, 50:50 blends of bamboo rayon with cotton, tencel lyocell, modal rayon, and viscose rayon were prepared. Plain-woven fabrics were made by using yarns of 20 tex. The thermal comfort and mechanical properties were analyzed. It is found that 100% tencel lyocell fabrics give higher mechanical and comfort properties. Similarly, bamboo rayon:tencel lyocell (50:50)–blended fabric gives better thermal comfort and mechanical properties than bamboo rayon:cotton–, bamboo rayon:modal rayon–, and bamboo rayon:viscose rayon–blended fabrics.
Collective Narcissism: Americans Exaggerate the Role of Their Home State in Appraising U.S. History
Authors: Putnam Adam L. , Ross Morgan Q. , Soter Laura K. , Roediger Henry L.
Published: June 2018

Collective narcissism—a phenomenon in which individuals show excessively high regard for their own group—is ubiquitous in studies of small groups. We examined how Americans from the 50 U.S. states ( N = 2,898) remembered U.S. history by asking them, “In terms of percentage, what do you think was your home state’s contribution to the history of the United States?” The mean state estimates ranged from 9% (Iowa) to 41% (Virginia), with the total contribution for all states equaling 907%, indicating strong collective narcissism. In comparison, ratings provided by nonresidents for states were much lower (but still high). Surprisingly, asking people questions about U.S. history before they made their judgment did not lower estimates. We argue that this ethnocentric bias is due to ego protection, selective memory retrieval processes involving the availability heuristic, and poor statistical reasoning. This study shows that biases that influence individual remembering also influence collective remembering.
A National Overview of Climate Change Education Policy: Policy Coherence between Subnational Climate and Education Policies in Canada (K-12)
Authors: Bieler Andrew , Haluza-Delay Randolph , Dale Ann , Mckenzie Marcia
Published: June 2018

This article analyses the depth of engagement with climate change education policy across all 13 provinces and territories in Canada. A comparative content analysis of 13 climate action plans (CAP) and 90 K-12 education policy documents shows a major gap existing between Canada’s climate and education policies. While subnational climate policy calls for education to contribute substantially to addressing climate change, education policy is not aligned towards this call. Three themes emerged within the overview of the provinces and territories: shallow engagement with climate change within education policies; the predominance of energy efficiency upgrades for schools as a foremost education sector objective; and policy gaps that show a lack of attention to many areas of climate education. Further detailing the climate change education objectives in four provinces identified as playing a leadership role in climate policy, this research suggests that even among these climate leaders, K-12 education policy minimally attends to climate change. Alignment between Canadian and international trends in climate change education is also assessed.
Analysis of a multi-axial quantum informed ferroelectric continuum model: Part 1—uncertainty quantification
Authors: Miles Paul , Leon Lider , Smith Ralph C , Oates William S
Published: June 2018

The uncertainty of phenomenological parameters governing fourth- and sixth-order Landau energy functions and electrostrictive coupling of ferroelectric single crystals is analyzed for lead titanate. Bayesian statistics are used to quantify model parameter uncertainty associated with approximating lattice strain and full-field electron density from density functional theory calculations as a homogenized, electromechanical continuum. The continuum model parameter uncertainty is propagated through the model to obtain prediction and credible intervals when estimating the non-convex energy surface and electrostrictive stresses for lead titanate. The results illustrate the important differences in fourth- and sixth-order Landau energy functions that influence estimations of the crystal phase. In addition, Bayesian statistics provides important insights into varying degrees of uncertainty along different thermodynamic paths associated with polarization rotation versus polarization changes along its spontaneous direction. Methods to reduce this uncertainty via decoupling electromechanical relations are demonstrated. The results provide critical insight into the development of self-consistent models that utilize density functional theory for large-scale continuum model simulations. Furthermore, the results are complementary to Part 2, in which we develop and apply new concepts in model parameter global sensitivity to accelerate uncertainty quantification of correlated parameters using higher order energy functions for a broad range of ferroic materials.
Mapping Out One’s Own Paths Toward Work: Focus on Experiences of Return to Work After Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Holmlund Lisa , Hultling Claes , Asaba Eric
Published: June 2018

Involving persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) as experts in their lives is important for research to design relevant health care interventions. The purpose of this study was to use photovoice methods to explore experiences of barriers and possibilities in return to work among working adults with SCI. The photovoice group consisted of six persons living with SCI that met weekly over 2 months to share and discuss photos related to return to work. Five themes were identified: (a) there is only one way, (b) welcome back—or not, (c) to be like anyone else—or to be perceived as someone else, (d) friction in the absence of clarity, and (e) finding integrated strategies for everyday life with work. Work was experienced as rewarding and viable, but due to lack of societal and workplace support, a need to map out one’s own paths toward work was identified.
Intra-articular Injections in the Treatment of Symptoms from Ankle Arthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vannabouathong Christopher , Del Fabbro Gina , Sales Brendan , Smith Christopher , Li Chuan Silvia , Yardley Darryl , Bhandari Mohit , Petrisor Bradley A.
Published: June 2018

Background:

Intra-articular (IA) injections are commonly used to treat knee arthritis pain; however, whether their efficacy generalizes to ankle arthritis remains debatable. We aimed to evaluate the evidence for IA therapies in the management of this patient population.

Methods:

We performed a literature search for observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Treatments included corticosteroids (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). We extracted study details, patient demographics, treatment characteristics, efficacy outcomes, and safety. When feasible, data from RCTs were meta-analyzed using a random-effects model and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

We identified 27 studies (1085 patients). Ankle OA, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and hemophilic arthropathy populations were examined. The majority of studies were observational (20 studies); the only RCTs were those evaluating HA. Case series demonstrated favorable results in terms of symptomatic relief with CS, HA, PRP, and MSC injections; however, the effects of CS may only be short term and the evidence on MSCs was limited to 1 study with 6 ankle OA patients. Pooled results (3 RCTs, 109 patients) suggested significantly improved Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale scores with HA over saline at 6 months, with a mean difference of 12.47 points (95% CI 1.18-23.77, P = .03).

Conclusion:

Evidence from small trials favors HA and PRP injections for the treatment of pain associated with ankle osteoarthritis. However, the relative efficacy of all injectable therapies is far from definitive and warrants further high-quality comparative trials.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, systematic review.
The road (not) taken? How the indexicality of practice could make or break the ‘New Constructivism’
Authors: Walter Timo
Published: June 2018

The ‘turn to practice’ has become a methodological keystone for the project of a ‘New’ Constructivism within International Relations. This project aims to use the observable level of everyday, practical activities as a prism for making empirically tractable the processes of world-making that constitute international order. In making the logic of practice the starting point for substantive theorizing, this New Constructivism seeks to provide a methodological platform for more empirically grounded, analytically open conceptions of international order. More ‘experience-near’ modes of inquiry would thus allow us to come to terms with the increasingly heterogeneous and unruly nature of the International, and help avert further fissuring of an already divided discipline. While sharing the view that more experience-near modes of inquiry promise much in this regard, this article argues that the New Constructivism is in danger of going down a methodological blind alley that severely undermines its ability to achieve its objectives. It shows that the one-sided, meta-theoretically motivated emphasis on the (alleged) direct observability of practice orders in their natural contexts severely stunts our ability to make their logic explicit in concrete empirical analyses. To highlight these dangers, the article provides a close analysis of the methodological implications of the indexicality of meaning (its dependence on ‘socially organized occasions of its use’). It closely examines how recent applied practice-theoretical work in International Relations is handicapped by a deeply engrained misconception of indexicality. This shows that we need to accept reflexivity as a necessary ingredient for interpretation, and thus for making explicit the practical logics that constitute the International.
Pilot Study: Detection of Gastric Cancer From Exhaled Air Analyzed With an Electronic Nose in Chinese Patients
Authors: Schuermans Valérie N. E. , Li Ziyu , Jongen Audrey C. H. M. , Wu Zhouqiao , Shi Jinyao , Ji Jiafu , Bouvy Nicole D.
Published: June 2018

The aim of this pilot study is to investigate the ability of an electronic nose (e-nose) to distinguish malignant gastric histology from healthy controls in exhaled breath. In a period of 3 weeks, all preoperative gastric carcinoma (GC) patients (n = 16) in the Beijing Oncology Hospital were asked to participate in the study. The control group (n = 28) consisted of family members screened by endoscopy and healthy volunteers. The e-nose consists of 3 sensors with which volatile organic compounds in the exhaled air react. Real-time analysis takes place within the e-nose, and binary data are exported and interpreted by an artificial neuronal network. This is a self-learning computational system. The inclusion rate of the study was 100%. Baseline characteristics differed significantly only for age: the average age of the patient group was 57 years and that of the healthy control group 37 years ( P value = .000). Weight loss was the only significant different symptom ( P value = .040). A total of 16 patients and 28 controls were included; 13 proved to be true positive and 20 proved to be true negative. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 71%, with an accuracy of 75%. These results give a positive predictive value of 62% and a negative predictive value of 87%. This pilot study shows that the e-nose has the capability of diagnosing GC based on exhaled air, with promising predictive values for a screening purpose.
The Lowest Radiation Dose Having Molecular Changes in the Living Body
Authors: Shimura Noriko , Kojima Shuji
Published: June 2018

We herein attempted to identify the lowest radiation dose causing molecular changes in the living body. We investigated the effects of radiation in human cells, animals, and humans. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) formed in cells at γ- or X-ray irradiation doses between 1 mGy and 0.5 Gy; however, the extent of DSB formation differed depending on the cell species. The formation of micronuclei (MNs) and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) was noted at radiation doses between 0.1 and 0.2 Gy. Stress-responsive genes were upregulated by lower radiation doses than those that induced DNA DSBs or MN and NPBs. These γ- or X-ray radiation doses ranged between approximately 10 and 50 mGy. In animals, chromosomal aberrations were detected between 50 mGy and 0.1 Gy of low linear energy transfer radiation, 0.1 Gy of metal ion beams, and 9 mGy of fast neutrons. In humans, DNA damage has been observed in children who underwent computed tomography scans with an estimated blood radiation dose as low as 0.15 mGy shortly after examination. The frequencies of chromosomal translocations were lower in residents of high background areas than in those of control areas. In humans, systemic adaptive responses may have been prominently expressed at these radiation doses.
Distributed and collaborative monocular simultaneous localization and mapping for multi-robot systems in large-scale environments
Authors: Zhang Hui , Chen Xieyuanli , Lu Huimin , Xiao Junhao
Published: June 2018

In this article, we propose a distributed and collaborative monocular simultaneous localization and mapping system for the multi-robot system in large-scale environments, where monocular vision is the only exteroceptive sensor. Each robot estimates its pose and reconstructs the environment simultaneously using the same monocular simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm. Meanwhile, they share the results of their incremental maps by streaming keyframes through the robot operating system messages and the wireless network. Subsequently, each robot in the group can obtain the global map with high efficiency. To build the collaborative simultaneous localization and mapping architecture, two novel approaches are proposed. One is a robust relocalization method based on active loop closure, and the other is a vision-based multi-robot relative pose estimating and map merging method. The former is used to solve the problem of tracking failures when robots carry out long-term monocular simultaneous localization and mapping in large-scale environments, while the latter uses the appearance-based place recognition method to determine multi-robot relative poses and build the large-scale global map by merging each robot’s local map. Both KITTI data set and our own data set acquired by a handheld camera are used to evaluate the proposed system. Experimental results show that the proposed distributed multi-robot collaborative monocular simultaneous localization and mapping system can be used in both indoor small-scale and outdoor large-scale environments.
Combining a hierarchical task network planner with a constraint satisfaction solver for assembly operations involving routing problems in a multi-robot context
Authors: Muñoz-Morera Jorge , Alarcon Francisco , Maza Ivan , Ollero Anibal
Published: June 2018

This work addresses the combination of a symbolic hierarchical task network planner and a constraint satisfaction solver for the vehicle routing problem in a multi-robot context for structure assembly operations. Each planner has its own problem domain and search space, and the article describes how both planners interact in a loop sharing information in order to improve the cost of the solutions. The vehicle routing problem solver gives an initial assignment of parts to robots, making the distribution based on the distance among parts and robots, trying also to maximize the parallelism of the future assembly operations evaluating during the process the dependencies among the parts assigned to each robot. Then, the hierarchical task network planner computes a scheduling for the given assignment and estimates the cost in terms of time spent on the structure assembly. This cost value is then given back to the vehicle routing problem solver as feedback to compute a better assignment, closing the loop and repeating again the whole process. This interaction scheme has been tested with different constraint satisfaction solvers for the vehicle routing problem. The article presents simulation results in a scenario with a team of aerial robots assembling a structure, comparing the results obtained with different configurations of the vehicle routing problem solver and showing the suitability of using this approach.
Barriers and facilitators for implementing the WHO’s safety surgical checklist: A focus group study among nurses
Authors: Georgiou Εvanthia , Mashini Maria , Panayiotou Irene , Efstathiou Georgios , Efstathiou Christina Ioannidou , Charalambous Melanie , Irakleous Iraklis
Published: June 2018

The World Health’s Organization’s safety surgical checklist has been described as a means for increasing patient safety during surgical procedures. However, its full implementation has not yet been achieved worldwide. The aim of this study, via a focus group study among nurses, was to explore the factors that serve as barriers and facilitators for the list’s implementation. Findings reveal that the use of the checklist can be compromised by many factors but also supported by others.
Spatial Representation of the Workspace in Blind, Low Vision, and Sighted Human Participants
Authors: Nelson Jacob S. , Kuling Irene A. , Gori Monica , Postma Albert , Brenner Eli , Smeets Jeroen B. J.
Published: June 2018

It has been proposed that haptic spatial perception depends on one’s visual abilities. We tested spatial perception in the workspace using a combination of haptic matching and line drawing tasks. There were 132 participants with varying degrees of visual ability ranging from congenitally blind to normally sighted. Each participant was blindfolded and asked to match a haptic target position felt under a table with their nondominant hand using a pen in their dominant hand. Once the pen was in position on the tabletop, they had to draw a line of equal length to a previously felt reference object by moving the pen laterally. We used targets at three different locations to evaluate whether different starting positions relative to the body give rise to different matching errors, drawn line lengths, or drawn line angles. We found no influence of visual ability on matching error, drawn line length, or line angle, but we found that early-blind participants are slightly less consistent in their matching errors across space. We conclude that the elementary haptic abilities tested in these tasks do not depend on visual experience.
Withdrawal of prenylamine: perspectives on pharmacological, clinical and regulatory outcomes following the first QT-related casualty
Authors: Shah Rashmi R. , Stonier Peter D.
Published: June 2018

Prenylamine, an antianginal agent marketed since early 1960, became the first casualty of QT interval related proarrhythmias in 1988 when it was withdrawn from the market. The period of its synthesis and marketing is of particular interest since it antedated, first, any serious clinical safety concern regarding drug-induced prolongation of the QT interval which was, in fact, believed to be an efficient antiarrhythmic mechanism; second, the first description of torsade de pointes as a unique proarrhythmia, typically associated with prolonged QT interval; and third, the discovery and recognition of calcium antagonism as an important cardiovascular therapeutic strategy. This review, 30 years almost to the day following its withdrawal, provides interesting perspectives on clinical, pharmacological and regulatory outcomes that followed. Prenylamine underscored torsadogenic potential of other early antianginal drugs on the market at that time and identified QT-related proarrhythmias as a much wider major public health issue of clinical and regulatory concern. This resulted in various guidelines for early identification of this potentially fatal risk. Application of these guidelines would have readily identified its proarrhythmic potential. Prenylamine also emphasized differences in drug responses between men and women which subsequently galvanized extensive research into sex-related differences in pharmacology. More importantly, however, investigations into the mechanisms of its action paved the way to developing modern safe and effective calcium antagonists that are so widely used today in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy.
Remote ischaemic conditioning for myocardial infarction or elective PCI: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised trials
Authors: Haller Paul M , Vargas Kris G , Haller Maria C , Piackova Edita , Wojta Johann , Gyöngyösi Mariann , Gersh Bernard J , Kiss Attila , Podesser Bruno K , Huber Kurt
Published: June 2018

Background:

The efficacy of remote ischaemic conditioning in clinical trials of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or elective percutaneous coronary intervention is controversial. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse whether remote ischaemic conditioning reduces myocardial damage in those patients.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from inception until December 2017 for randomised clinical trials evaluating remote ischaemic conditioning versus a control group. Two independent reviewers extracted data of 23 trials (2118 patients with STEMI; 2048 patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention) which were meta-analysed using random-effects models.

Results:

Remote ischaemic conditioning reduced infarct size in STEMI patients when assessed by imaging (mean difference of infarct size as percentage of left ventricle −2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) –4.37 to −0.48; P=0.01; I2=44%; n=925) or biomarkers related to myocardial injury (peak values of cardiac biomarker release reported as standardised mean difference −0.19, 95% CI −0.37 to −0.02; P=0.03; I2=58%; n=1483) and increased myocardial salvage index (mean difference 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.13; P=0.02; I2=49%; n= 636). Left ventricular ejection fraction was increased when assessed during the first days after STEMI (mean difference 1.53, 95% CI 0.23 to 2.83; P=0.02; I2=28%; n=1192). Remote ischaemic conditioning had no influence on biomarker values after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (standardised mean difference 0.06, 95% CI −0.17 to 0.30; P=0.59).

Conclusions:

Despite a statistically significant reduction of myocardial damage in STEMI patients, the magnitude of the reduction was small and a significant impact on clinical events is unlikely. With respect to elective percutaneous coronary intervention, remote ischaemic conditioning had no influence on myocardial injury and its use is not supported by our analysis.
Brief interventions to address substance use among patients presenting to emergency departments in resource poor settings: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Dwommoh Rebecca , Sorsdahl Katherine , Myers Bronwyn , Asante Kwaku Poku , Naledi Tracey , Stein Dan J. , Cleary Susan
Published: June 2018

Background

There are limited data describing the cost-effectiveness of brief interventions for substance use in resource-poor settings. Using a patient and provider perspective, this study investigates the cost-effectiveness of a brief motivational interviewing (MI) intervention versus a combined intervention of MI and problem solving therapy (MI-PST) for reducing substance use among patients presenting to emergency departments, in comparison to a control group.

Methods

Effectiveness data were extracted from Project STRIVE (Substance use and Trauma InterVention) conducted in South Africa. Patients were randomised to either receive 1 session of MI (n = 113) or MI in addition to four sessions of PST (n = 109) or no intervention [control (n = 110)]. Costs included the direct health care costs associated with the interventions. Patient costs included out of pocket payments incurred accessing the MI-PST intervention. Outcome measures were patients’ scores on the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Use Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).

Results

Cost per patient was low in all three groups; US$16, US$33 and US$11, and for MI, MI-PST and control respectively. Outcomes were 0.92 (MI), 1.06 (MI-PST) and 0.88 (control) for ASSIST scores; and 0.74 (MI), 1.27 (MI-PST) and 0.53 (control) for CES-D scores. In comparison to the control group, the MI intervention costs an additional US$119 per unit reduction in ASSIST score, (US$20 for CES-D); MI-PST in comparison to MI costs US$131 or US$33 per unit reduction in ASSIST or CES-D scores respectively. The sensitivity analyses showed that increasing the number of patients who screened positive and thus received the intervention could improve the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the interventions.

Conclusion

MI or MI-PST interventions delivered by lay counsellors have the potential to be cost-effective strategies for the reduction of substance use disorder and depressive symptoms among patients presenting at emergency departments in resource poor settings. Given the high economic, social and health care cost of substance use disorders in South Africa, these results suggest that these interventions should be carefully considered for future implementation.

Trial registration This study is part of a trial registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201308000591418)
PARASITIC DANGER OF LOWER AND MIDDLE OB CARP FISH AS OBJECTS OF FISHING IN 2016
Authors: Осипов Александр , Osipov Alexander , Смолин Владимир , Smolin Vladimir , Смолина Наталья , Smolina Natalya
Published: June 2018

The most mass commercial carp fish from two fish sites of the Lower Ob and one from the river Middle Ob were investigated in 2016. The maximum infestation of opisthorchis were observed of the Ide with most of the indicators of extensiveness and intensity of infestation, then descending roach and bream. The contamination of an the ide Opisthorchis felineus metatcercaria on the river Middle Ob reached 100 %, in the Northern direction it decreases to 90%. Studies of in Lower Ob the ide and roach, frozen for 7 hours or more at a temperature of minus 40°C showed complete death of opisthorchid larvae
Medios de comunicación e identidad A’uwẽ Xavante: mito, ritual y política en el Brasil central
Authors: Franco Coelho Rafael , Huertas Bailén Amparo
Published: June 2018

En este artículo, presentamos parte de los resultados de una investigación doctoral. La tesis fue el estudio de caso de Aldea Digital, un proyecto de educación mediática e inclusión digital con talleres de formación y capacitación del pueblo A’uwẽ Xavante para la producción de sus propios medios de comunicación. La investigación utilizó múltiples métodos, como entrevistas, grupos focales, investigación-acción, observación participante y etnografía, con destaque del uso de la fotografía y del audiovisual como técnicas de observación en el campo. En el texto, reflexionamos sobre la participación, influencia e impacto de los medios audiovisuales en la construcción de la identidad A’uwẽ Xavante y sus múltiples procesos de identificación: personal, social, político y cultural. Analizamos cómo los A’uwẽ Xavante se representan en los medios audiovisuales y la mediatización entre los A’uwẽ Xavante y los ‘otros’. Además, demostramos cómo las formas tradicionales de autorrepresentación quedan reflejadas en los contenidos mediáticos que crean. Los resultados de la investigación muestran que las transformaciones de la identidad A’uwẽ Xavante en los medios tienen como principio básico la mitología A’uwẽ Xavante y su noción de persona basada en el cambio.
Biodiversidad y cooperación internacional
Authors: Marcovitch Jacques
Published: June 2018

En el contexto actual de los numerosos desafíos para lograr la sostenibilidad, el autor examina críticamente las propuestas a nivel internacional destinadas a mitigar los efectos negativos del desarrollo humano sobre el medio ambiente.
La Constitución de Cádiz: valor histórico y actual
Authors: De Abreu Dallari Dalmo
Published: June 2018

La Constitución española de Cádiz, de 1812, es un documento importante, no solo por su relevancia para la história de España, sino también por ser el testimonio de un momento de transicion, en lo cual nuevas conquistas en materia de derechos fundamentales de la persona y derechos de los pueblos fueran consagrados en un conjunto normativo que, a la vezo que afirmaba la independencia del Estado y su soberania, establecia las regras para la legitimidad del gobierno, su organización y sus limitaciones, consagraba un conjunto de derechos que ni mismo la ley o los gobernantes podrian afrontar. Ha representado avance del constitucionalismo y influencia para que otros pueblos, en especial los de los antiguos territórios coloniales españoles, buscaran en la Constitución la consagración de su independencia y soberania, bien así la afirmación y protección de los derechoos individuales fundamentales. La Constitución española de 1812 tuvo extraordinaria importancia y ha influenciado muchas otras Constituciones elaboradas a partir de entonces.
Der »Blick auf Beowulf«
Authors: Burgenmeister Sophia
Published: June 2018

»Blick auf Beowulf« - In einem in seiner Form einzigartigen Zusammenspiel von Gedichten (Thomas Kling) und Fotografien (Ute Langanky) widmet sich das Künstlerpaar im gleichnamigen Zyklus dem altenglischen Heldenlied Beowulf und dabei indirekt der Frage, wie sich Kunst authentisch auf Vergangenes, teilweise ›Unverzeichnetes‹ beziehen kann. Sophia Burgenmeister zeigt das komplexe Geflecht von (Inter-)Textualität, (Inter-)Medialität und (Inter-)Materialität auf und eröffnet mit ihrer detaillierten Analyse Kling-Forschern und lyrikbegeisterten Laien einen Zugang zum Verständnis der anspielungsreichen, oft als unlesbar missverstandenen Gedichte und dem bisher weitgehend unerforschten bimedialen Zyklus »Blick auf Beowulf«.
The Make to Learn Electric Motor Design Sequence
Authors: Bull Glen , Garofalo Joe , Littman Michael , Hoffman Matthew
Published: June 2018

Make to Learn Invention Kits allow students to reconstruct working models of historic inventions. This design case describes the development of a series of Make to Learn Electric Motor Invention Kits that spans the time frame from development of the first patented electric motor in the United States to contemporary brushless motors. The design process is described and design decisions that led to the final sequence of electric motor kits are summarized.
The Evidence Based Curriculum Design Framework: Leveraging Diverse Perspectives in the Design Process
Authors: Vahey Philip J , Reider David , Orr Jillian , Lewis Presser Ashley , Dominguez Ximena
Published: June 2018

The ubiquity of touchscreen, mobile tablet technology has resulted in a plethora of “apps for learning” yet few leverage the learning sciences as a design driver. This paper describes our approach to integrating the learning sciences with best practices in app design: a design framework that involves researchers and developers in a co-development process to create apps based on research and evidence. Our framework centers around a learning blueprint which is intended to serve as a “boundary object.” This boundary object facilitates a design process that allows the design team to focus on both children’s engagement and learning. Here we describe the challenges that our project team encountered and our approaches to overcome those challenges on the Next Generation Preschool Math (NGPM) project, a development and research effort devoted to creating a supplemental preschool math curriculum supplement with integrated digital apps.
Empowerment and Constraint: Design of a Homecare Worker Training Program
Authors: Gallup Amber , Tomasson Judith , Svihla Vanessa
Published: June 2018

A worker education center in California requested the development of a job training pilot program for 6,000 state-remunerated homecare workers. These workers provide personal care services to Medicaid-eligible adults over 65 years of age and to adults with disabilities, enabling them to remain living at home. In recognition of the homecare workers’ position as a first line of defense against health crises and costly hospitalizations, the center sought to enhance their roles by training them to be more engaged members of the care team and more knowledgeable in health and safety topics. The training design was challenging for two reasons. First, in California, consumers (recipients of care) are the legal employers of their homecare workers and are their designated job trainers. This hard-won right clashed with elements of the center’s training initiative. Second, diverse linguistic backgrounds limited education and low literacy levels among homecare workers led to a non-traditional approach to worker training that required buy-in from diverse stakeholders. The design process was fast-paced and iterative, involving research around themes established by committee, coordination with an illustrator, and numerous revisions in consultation with subject matter experts, including a disability rights advocate who was also a consumer. The result was a hands-on, collaborative design rooted in social constructivist learning theory. After two years, health outcomes among consumers whose homecare workers received training were positive, leading us to infer that both the design and the efforts to address learners’ needs and consumers’ concerns had been effective.
Long-Term Wear Analysis of Retrieved Medially Pivoting TKA Inserts
Authors: Nambu Satya , Timmerman Irina
Published: June 2018

Traditional measurement techniques used to evaluate wear estimates of retrievals are qualitative in nature or lack resolution leading to over- or underestimation of wear volume. The purpose of the study was to utilize new imaging techniques such as three-dimensional laser scanning to measure the tibial insert retrieval wear. In vitro simulator data show that the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in the Medial-Pivot knee has a low wear rate but little data exist to describe the in vivo long-term wear properties of the Medial-Pivot knee. Three-dimensional laser scanning—a nondestructive, high-resolution imaging technique—was used to create articulating surface geometry of the Medial-Pivot tibial inserts retrieved from patients and surface deviation maps to accurately quantify wear. Wear analysis was performed on 20 retrieved inserts. in vivo service life ranged from 0.1 to 11.9 years (average: 4.8 years; standard deviation: 3.7 years). Surface scans of the entire part were obtained using an ExaScan laser scanner (accuracy: 40 µm). Dimensional analysis was performed using Geomagic Qualify®, which compared the scanned data to the computer-aided design model. The dimensional changes between the scanned and computer-aided design models were considered as wear. The wear rate of each retrieved tibial insert was calculated by dividing the maximum wear by the length of the implantation. The average linear wear rates were 0.052 mm/year and 0.030 mm/year for the medial and lateral compartments, respectively. The overall wear rate of both compartments combined was 0.081 mm/year and is on the low end of the range of wear rates reported for several manufacturers in the literature (0.02 mm/year to 0.67 mm/year). The findings from the current study indicate that the Medial-Pivot inserts can achieve low long-term wear rates. The technique used in the current study allows for rapid, accurate analysis of wear across the entire surface of the implant.
Novel Heterodyne Fringe Projection Technique for Measuring Volumetric Wear in Acetabular UHMWPE Retrievals: A Pilot Study
Authors: Medel Francisco J. , Povar María , Santolaria Jorge
Published: June 2018

In this study, a novel heterodyne fringe projection technique was introduced for evaluation of volumetric wear in acetabular insert retrievals. Four historical, gamma irradiated in air, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and eight heat-stabilized Duration™ UHMWPE acetabular liner retrievals were collected during consecutive revision surgeries. Average implantation times were 18.0 years (range: 14 to 21.3 years) and 13.2 years (range: 4.3 to 18.5 years) for the historical and Duration™ cohorts, respectively. The acetabular retrievals were scanned with the use of a structured white light three-dimensional scanner to a volumetric resolution of 75 µm. After generating point clouds and stereolitography models for each retrieval, worn areas were identified and volumetric wear data was computed using three-dimensional metrology software. A never-implanted acetabular liner was included in the study to serve as a control. Direct linear femoral penetration assessments were also conducted to validate the present volumetric wear results. Historical acetabular inserts exhibited an average volumetric wear rate of 66 mm3/year, whereas Duration™ stabilized retrievals had an average volumetric wear rate of 38 mm3/year, about 40 % lower. Volumetric wear results and linear penetration measurements were linearly correlated (p < 0.0001; R2 = 0.95). The fringe projection technique presented here was found to be applicable and suitable to evaluate the volumetric wear of retrieved acetabular liners of historical designs. This method appears promising for evaluating the wear of modern UHMWPE formulations in total joint replacements.
Metformin and JQ1 synergistically inhibit obesity-activated thyroid cancer
Authors: Park Sunmi , Willingham Mark C , Qi Jun , Cheng Sheue-Yann
Published: June 2018

Compelling epidemiological evidence shows a strong positive correlation of obesity with thyroid cancer.In vivostudies have provided molecular evidence that high-fat-diet-induced obesity promotes thyroid cancer progression by aberrantly activating leptin-JAK2-STAT3 signaling in a mouse model of thyroid cancer (ThrbPV/PVPten+/−mice). TheThrbPV/PVPten+/−mouse expresses a dominantly negative thyroid hormone receptor β (denoted as PV) and a deletion of one single allele of thePtengene. TheThrbPV/PVPten+/−mouse spontaneously develops follicular thyroid cancer, which allows its use as a preclinical mouse model to test potential therapeutics. We recently showed that inhibition of STAT3 activity by a specific inhibitor markedly delays thyroid cancer progression in high-fat-diet-induced obeseThrbPV/PVPten+/−mice (HFD-ThrbPV/PVPten+/−mice). Further, metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, blocks invasion and metastasis, but not thyroid tumor growth in HFD-ThrbPV/PVPten+/−mice. To improve efficacy in reducing thyroid tumor growth, we treated HFD-ThrbPV/PVPten+/−with JQ1, a potent inhibitor of the activity of bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) and with metformin. We found that the combined treatment synergistically suppressed thyroid tumor growth by attenuating STAT3 and ERK signaling, resulting in decreased anti-apoptotic key regulators such as Mcl-1, Bcl-2 and survivin and increased pro-apoptotic regulators such as Bim, BAD and cleave caspase 3. Furthermore, combined treatment of JQ1 and metformin reduced cMyc protein levels to suppress vascular invasion, anaplasia and lung metastasis. These findings indicate that combined treatment is more effective than metformin alone and suggest a novel treatment modality for obesity-activated thyroid cancer.
Dar apie 1919 metų Lietuvos Laikinosios Konstitucijos Pamatinius Dėsnius
Authors: Maksimaitis Mindaugas
Published: June 2018

The article holds an argument on the matter of constitutional development of reconstituting state of Lithuaniain 1918–1920: was the second in row temporary constitutional act of 1919 the new edition of the first act of 1918, orshould it be considered as a new constitution.
Costs and effectiveness of standard treatments applied to flexible and rigid pavements: case study in Indiana, USA
Authors: Qiao Yu , Labi Samuel , Fricker Jon , Sinha Kumares C
Published: June 2018

Highway agencies apply rehabilitation and maintenance treatments to restore pavement condition and to reduce the deterioration rate, thereby extending pavement longevity and ultimately deferring reconstruction. Before agencies make decisions regarding the need for some treatment, treatment selection and timing and repair schedule (combination of treatment types and timings), the costs and performance effectiveness associated with each treatment must be known. In addition, agencies seek to identify and comprehend the factors that influence the costs and performance effectiveness of their standard treatments. This paper uses data from a Midwestern state in the USA to develop cost and effectiveness models for a number of treatments. In doing so, this study selects appropriate response variables, determines values of these outcomes for each pavement section under study and estimates the outcome models as a function of attributes related to the pavement and treatment. The paper confirms that treatment effectiveness is influenced by the pre-treatment pavement condition. In addition, the treatment average unit costs are influenced by the project size, road functional class and the pre-treatment pavement condition. The study also quantifies the sensitivity of the cost economy of scale to the dimensions of the treatment project.
Gut_All Cells_Human v1
Authors: James Kylie
Published: June 2018

This protocol has been tested by me on human adult colon samples and given good results for scRNAseq.I suggest that you do an enrichment step afterwards, because the dissociation can be quite variable results in terms of the fraction of immune vs non-immune cells that are retreived.
Diyare ile Başvuran Kırım Kongo Kanamalı Ateşi Olgusu
Authors: Şahin Ahmet
Published: June 2018

Kırım-Kongo kanamalı ateşi (KKKA), viral
hemorajik ateş sendromları arasında yüksek mortalite ile seyredebilen zoonotik bir enfeksiyon
hastalığıdır. Başvuru sırasında kene teması olduğunu bilmeyen, ancak ateş,
halsizlik, baş ağrısı ve ishal ile başvuran 37 yaşındaki erkek hasta takip ve
tedavi amaçlı yatırıldı. Fizik muayenesinde genel durumu stabil ve bilinci açık
olan hastanın batında yaygın hassasiyeti vardı. Laboratuvar tetkiklerinde pansitopeni
ve karaciğer fonksiyon testlerinde yükseklik saptandı. Klinik ve laboratuvar
bulgularla viral hemorajik ateş düşünülen hastanın KKKA polimeraz zincir
reaksiyonu (PCR) testi pozitif saptandı. Destek tedavisi başlanan hasta
yaklaşık iki haftalık  takip  sonrası iyileşti. Son yıllarda ülkemizde endemik
olarak görülen KKKA, bu olguda Çankırı ilinde çobanlık yapan bir kişide
görülmüştür.