bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between ascending aortic diameter and coronary artery dilation: a demographic data analysis
Authors: Hatemi Ali Can , Tongut Aybala , Özyedek Zeki , Çerezci İsmail , Özgöl İlhan , Perk Gürün Hande
Published: November 2016

Objective

Coronary artery dilations (CDs), a subgroup of coronary artery anomalies (CAAs), are relatively rare but important cardiac pathologies. They are considered to be linked to coronary atherosclerosis in most cases.

Methods

The demographic data, multi-slice computed tomographic coronary angiography data, coronary calcium score, and ascending aortic diameter (AAD) of 1538 patients were reviewed. In total, 197 (12.8%) patients (166 men, 31 women; age 15 – 84 years; mean 55.78 ± 12.32 years) with CAAs were identified, and 81 (5.3%) patients (70 men, 11 women; age 27 – 80 years; mean 56.63 ± 12.06 years) had CDs. Multiple regression and correlation analyses were performed in all 1538 patients to predict the association between the AAD and the presence of CD and thus their correlation with atherosclerosis.

Results

The AAD was significantly larger in patients with than without CAAs and CDs. Male sex was significantly more prevalent in patients with CAAs and CDs. According to the multiple logistic regression model, male sex increased the risk of CD by 2.650 and the risk of CAA by 2.017, while hyperlipidaemia decreased the risk of CAA by 0.681. While a moderately weak correlation between the AAD and age was observed in patients with CDs, no correlation was found between the AAD and coronary calcium score.

Conclusion

Although the natural history and physiopathology of CDs is not yet fully understood, the present study shows an association between the AAD and the presence of CDs but a lack of association between atherosclerosis and CDs.
Association between telomere length and diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Jianfei , Dong Xu , Cao Li , Sun Yangyang , Qiu Yu , Zhang Yi , Cao Ruoqiong , Covasa Mihai , Zhong Li
Published: November 2016

Objective

We investigated the relationship between diabetes and telomere length by meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched five popular databases for articles published between 1990 and 2015 using “diabetes” and “telomere” as search terms. Data were processed with RevMan5, and random- or fixed-effects meta-analysis was applied. The effects of geographical region, diabetes type, body mass index (BMI), age and sex were examined. Funnel plots were applied to evaluate publication bias.

Results

Seventeen articles were obtained from 571 references. We identified a significant association between telomere length and diabetes mellitus (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −3.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −4.01, −2.80; heterogeneity, I2 = 99%) by comparing 5575 patients with diabetes and 6349 healthy individuals. The pooled SMD by geographic region indicated a significant association between shortened telomere length and diabetes mellitus (SMD: −3.41; 95% CI: −4.01, −2.80; heterogeneity, I2 = 99%). In addition, telomere length was significantly associated with age (SMD: −3.41; 95% CI: −4.01, −2.80), diabetes type (SMD: −3.41; 95% CI: −4.01, −2.80), BMI (SMD: −1.61; 95% CI: −1.98, −1.23) and sex (SMD: −4.94; 95% CI: −9.47, −0.40).

Conclusions

The study demonstrated a close relationship between diabetes mellitus and telomere length, which was influenced by region, age, diabetes type, BMI and sex.
Pluralizing field analysis: Toward a relational understanding of the field of power
Authors: Schmitz Andreas , Witte Daniel , Gengnagel Vincent
Published: November 2016

A crucial yet often-overlooked starting point for any Bourdieusian field analysis is to relate the field under consideration to the ‘field of power’, so as to enable an examination of its relative autonomy or heteronomy, i.e. its relation to other fields of society and to society as a whole. However, Bourdieu and his successors did not implement this key conceptual consideration systematically, or did so peripherally at best. For this reason both the theoretical and the empirical status of the field of power remain, for the most part, unclear. The fundamental philosophy of ‘methodological relationism’ has not been systematically applied, of all things, to a core element of Bourdieu’s theory of society which basically is a theory of power relations. We argue that a relational approach to the field of power is essential for theorizing the relation between (a) fields and (b) fields and the social space.
The Gender Gap in Charter School Enrollment
Authors: Corcoran Sean P. , Jennings Jennifer
Published: November 2016

Many studies have investigated whether students in charter schools differ systematically from those in traditional public schools with respect to prior achievement, special education, or English Language Learner status. None, however, has examined gender differences in charter school enrollment. Using data for all U.S. public schools over 11 years, we find charters enroll a higher fraction of girls, a gap that has grown steadily over time and is larger in secondary grades and KIPP schools. We then analyze longitudinal student-level data from North Carolina to examine whether differential rates of attrition explain this gap. We find boys are more likely than girls to exit charters once enrolled, and gender differences in attrition are larger than in traditional schools. However, the difference is not large enough to explain the full enrollment gap between charter and traditional schools in North Carolina, suggesting gaps exist from initial matriculation.
Concurrent editing of automotive styling and structure with wireframe-pair
Authors: Li Baojun , Yang Lei , Jiang Hui , Sun Weixue , Hu Ping
Published: November 2016

A constant demand in engineering design is to couple aesthetics and functionality of design. In this paper, a method is proposed to rapidly update the structural analysis models given the modifications made in the styling/packaging designs, forming a concurrent mechanism for developing the automotive styling and body structure. The seemingly disparate domains are represented by and thus coupled through a pair of wireframes. A joint mapping based on the hard points in packaging and a part mapping encoding local influences between wireframes are established. The deformation transfer from one of the wireframes to the other is solved as an optimization with constraints obtained from the two mappings. Finally, the finite element mesh model is adapted in accordance with the deformed structural wireframe, using a mesh morphing method based on the free-form deformation technique. Numerical results validate the proposed method and demonstrate its effectiveness.
A control-oriented model of turbulent jet ignition combustion in a rapid compression machine
Authors: Song Ruitao , Gentz Gerald , Zhu Guoming , Toulson Elisa , Schock Harald
Published: November 2016

Turbulent jet ignition combustion is a promising concept for achieving high thermal efficiency and low NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions. A control-oriented turbulent jet ignition combustion model with satisfactory accuracy and low computational effort is usually a necessity for optimizing the turbulent jet ignition combustion system and developing the associated model-based turbulent jet ignition control strategies. This article presents a control-oriented turbulent jet ignition combustion model developed for a rapid compression machine configured for turbulent jet ignition combustion. A one-zone gas exchange model is developed to simulate the gas exchange process in both pre- and main-combustion chambers. The combustion process is modeled by a two-zone combustion model, where the ratio of the burned and unburned gases flowing between the two combustion chambers is variable. To simulate the influence of the turbulent jets on the rate of combustion in the main-combustion chamber, a new parameter-varying Wiebe function is proposed and used for the mass fraction burned calculation in the main-combustion chamber. The developed model is calibrated using the least-squares fitting and optimization procedures. Experimental data sets with different air-to-fuel ratios in both combustion chambers and different pre-combustion chamber orifice areas are used to calibrate and validate the model. The simulation results show good agreement with the experimental data for all the experimental data sets. This indicates that the developed combustion model is accurate for developing and validating turbulent jet ignition combustion control strategies. Future work will extend the rapid compression machine combustion model to engine applications.
Perceptions of Group Versus Individual Service Failures and Their Effects on Customer Outcomes
Authors: Albrecht Arne K. , Walsh Gianfranco , Beatty Sharon E.
Published: November 2016

A service failure and its negative effects can involve multiple customers at the same time, which suggests the need to understand the psychological mechanisms that underlie differential perceptions of group service failures (GSFs) versus individual service failures (ISFs) as well as their related outcomes. With an attributional framework, this article reports on two experiments that varied in their blame-attribution ambiguity. The results reveal that customers experience greater anger and show higher negative word-of-mouth and complaint intentions after a GSF versus an ISF. These differential effects are mediated by blame attributions, such that GSFs cause customers to blame the service provider more than ISFs. Customer entitlement also moderates the effect of the failure context (GSF vs. ISF) on blame attribution, contingent on perceptions of whether the service provider or customer violated an existing rule. Thus, we find that customers respond differently to service failures depending on the context. Managerial implications include separating customers from each other when GSFs are likely to take place, using techniques to redirect customer’s blame attributions to sources other than the service provider after a GSF and using customer scripts to minimize the occurrence of customer-induced service failures.
Shape of the feline cerebellum and occipital bone related to breed on MRI of 200 cats
Authors: Huizing Xander , Sparkes Andy , Dennis Ruth
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The MRI features of the feline cerebellum and occipital bone have not previously been described in the literature. The aims of this study were three-fold. Firstly, to document variations in cerebellar shape on MRI in neurologically normal cats to support our hypothesis that crowding of the contents of the caudal fossa or herniation of the cerebellar vermis through the foramen magnum occurs frequently as an anatomical variant. Secondly, to document variations in the morphology of the occipital bone. Thirdly, to see whether these variations in shape of the feline cerebellum and occipital bone could be associated with head conformation, such as brachycephaly.

Methods

The imaging records of the small animal clinic at the Animal Health Trust between 2000 and 2013 were searched retrospectively to identify adult cats that had undergone high-field (1.5 T) MRI investigation which included the brain. Exclusion criteria included evidence of intracranial disease or the presence of cervical syringomyelia. Midline sagittal T2-weighted and transverse images were used to assess the occipital bone morphology and cerebellar shape, and to measure the width to length ratio of the cranial cavity.

Results

Fourteen different breeds were represented. A cerebellar shape consistent with crowding of the contents of the caudal fossa, or herniation through the foramen magnum was present in 40% of the entire population. Persians (recognised as a brachycephalic breed) had a higher proportion of cerebellar crowding or herniation than all other breeds. There was no significant difference in the distribution of occipital bone morphology between these breed groups.

Conclusions and relevance

It is important to recognise morphological variations of the feline cerebellum and occipital bone in order to avoid false-positive diagnoses of raised intracranial pressure and pathological herniation on MRI.
Quantification of cerebral lateral ventricular volume in cats by low- and high-field MRI
Authors: Przyborowska Paulina , Adamiak Zbigniew , Zhalniarovich Yauheni
Published: November 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate variations in lateral ventricles in the examined feline population with the use of quantitative analysis methods to determine whether sex or body weight influenced the size of the ventricles, and to identify any significant differences in the results of low- and high-field MRI.

Methods

Twenty healthy European Shorthair cats, aged 1–3 years, with body weights ranging from 2.85–4.35 kg, were studied. MRI of brain structures was performed in a low- and a high-field MRI system. The height of the brain and lateral ventricles at the level of the interthalamic adhesion, and volume of the lateral ventricles were determined in T2-weighted images in the transverse plane. The degree of symmetry of lateral ventricles was analysed based on the ratio of right to left ventricular volume. The measured parameters were processed statistically to determine whether sex and body weight were significantly correlated with variations in ventricular anatomy. The results of low- and high-field MRI were analysed to evaluate for any significant differences.

Results

The average brain height was determined to be 27.79 mm, and the average height of the left and right ventricles were 2.98 mm and 2.89 mm, respectively. The average ventricle/brain height ratio was 10.61%. The average volume of the left ventricle was 134.12 mm3 and the right ventricle was 130.49 mm3. Moderately enlarged ventricles were observed in two cats. Moderate ventricular asymmetry was described in four cats. Sex and body weight had no significant effect on the evaluated parameters. The differences in the results of low- and high-field MRI were not statistically significant.

Conclusions and relevance

This study has determined reference intervals for ventricular volume in a population of European Shorthair cats without brain disease, which will facilitate the interpretation of MRI images and the characterisation of brain abnormalities in cats with neurological disease. Further research involving larger animal populations, including other breeds, is required to compare the measured parameters between breeds and to determine reference values for other breeds.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Fernández-Ruiz V. E. , Armero-Barranco D. , Xandri-Graupera J. M. , Paniagua-Urbano J. A. , Solé-Agustí M. , Mulero J.
Published: November 2016

Background:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the gold standard for gastric bypass, displaying better results for metabolic disorders than other surgical procedures over the long term. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of bariatric surgery, in particular the RYGB technique, on metabolic syndrome (MS) and other biochemical parameters implicit in the comorbid conditions associated with obesity, as well as to explore the influence of this surgical procedure on psychiatric comorbidity in the study population.

Method:

An observational retrospective cohort study based on 146 clinical records of patients having undergone RYGB between January 1, 2011, and January 1, 2014, was performed. Data related to metabolic and psychiatric comorbidity were gathered at three stages: prior to surgery and at 3 and 9 months following surgery.

Results:

There was a progressive and statistically significant reduction of all biochemical parameters analyzed at 3 and 9 months following surgery except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which significantly increased (beneficial) in value. These changes imply a remission of >90% for all metabolic disorders and the consequent tendency toward a reduction in prescribed pharmacological treatments, with MS found in only one subject at 9 months. There was, however, no significant reduction in pharmacological treatments for psychiatric comorbidities.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest that RYGB is an effective treatment for MS and other metabolic disorders but not for psychiatric comorbidities accompanying MS.
Q&A with Book Author
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kapil Kumar
Published: November 2016

S. A. Gunaratne, M. Pearson, S. Senarath. Mindful Journalism and News Ethics in the Digital Era: A Buddhist Approach. New York: Routledge Research in Journalism, Routledge. 2015. 252 pages [Hardcover] $94 (hard cover) $57 (Kindle)
Peace Journalism: Preparing Aspiring Journalists to Value Culture of Peace
Authors: Abunales Daniel
Published: November 2016

This article takes off from the findings of the author’s postgraduate study on the best practices of peace journalism (PJ) as reflected in the reportage of Inquirer.net and MindaNews.com of the Bangsamoro peace process in the Philippines. The author confirmed through content and discourse analysis that the conflict between the government and Muslim rebels in Mindanao is still often reported in a manner that is biased against the Muslims, especially when it escalates to violence. Articles that scored high on PJ indicators were written by senior journalists who are proponents of PJ. Younger reporters wrote none of such articles. This implies that knowledge and application of PJ can help reduce, if not remove, bias in reporting conflicts. This article argues that PJ training should go beyond media practitioners and encompass journalism and communication students in university programmes.
Dynamic performance analysis of a noncircular cylindrical floating ring bearing
Authors: Soni Sandeep , Vakharia DP
Published: November 2016

The performance of a noncircular cylindrical floating ring bearing under the laminar flow condition has been analyzed. The noncircular cylindrical floating ring bearing is a modified version of the plain cylindrical floating ring bearing in which the outer bearing of the cylindrical floating ring bearing is changed in the form of lobed pattern. The noncircular patterns are known for its better stability and stiffness behavior according to the magnitude of applied loads. The finite element analysis has been used to solve the classical Navier–Stokes equations in the cylindrical coordinates of the modified form along with the continuity equation that represents the fluid flow field in the clearance space of the noncircular cylindrical floating ring bearing. The numerical data are for a proposed bearing with the length to diameter ratio of 1.0, and values of the ratio of film clearances of 0.70 and 1.30. Performance characteristics of a finite noncircular cylindrical floating ring bearing has been studied in terms of the inner and outer film eccentricity ratio, Sommerfeld number, attitude angle, stiffness and damping coefficients, equivalent support stiffness coefficient, whirl frequency ratio, and critical journal mass at various values of the outer film eccentricity ratios. The proposed analysis disseminates that the dynamic performance parameters of the noncircular cylindrical floating ring bearing are much better than the plain cylindrical floating ring bearing.
Using geographic variation in unplanned ambulatory care sensitive condition admission rates to identify commissioning priorities: an analysis of routine data from England
Authors: Busby John , Purdy Sarah , Hollingworth William
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To use geographic variation in unplanned ambulatory care sensitive condition admission rates to identify the clinical areas and patient subgroups where there is greatest potential to prevent admissions and improve the quality and efficiency of care.

Methods

We used English Hospital Episode Statistics data from 2011/2012 to describe the characteristics of patients admitted for ambulatory care sensitive condition care and estimated geographic variation in unplanned admission rates. We contrasted geographic variation across admissions with different lengths of stay which we used as a proxy for clinical severity. We estimated the number of bed days that could be saved under several scenarios.

Results

There were 1.8 million ambulatory care sensitive condition admissions during 2011/2012. Substantial geographic variation in ambulatory care sensitive condition admission rates was commonplace but mental health care and short-stay (<2 days) admissions were particularly variable. Reducing rates in the highest use areas could lead to savings of between 0.4 and 2.8 million bed days annually.

Conclusions

Widespread geographic variations in admission rates for conditions where admission is potentially avoidable should concern commissioners and could be symptomatic of inefficient care. Further work to explore the causes of these differences is required and should focus on mental health and short-stay admissions.
Developing conceptual understanding of sarcasm in L2 English through explicit instruction
Authors: Kim Jiyun , Lantolf James P.
Published: November 2016

This article reports on a pedagogical project aimed at helping second language (L2) learners of English develop the ability to detect and appropriately interpret spoken sarcasm. The study used a pre- and posttest procedure to assess the development of learners’ ability to both detect sarcasm and impute appropriate speaker intentions and attitudes conveyed through sarcastic utterances as result of a 10-week instructional program. The study also used interviews to gauge changes in learners’ conceptual understanding of English sarcasm. Beyond improving learners’ ability in the L2, a side effect of the project was that learners reported an enhanced awareness of the use and functions of sarcasm in their first language (L1), Korean.
Drawing links between the autism cognitive profile and imagination: Executive function and processing bias in imaginative drawings by children with and without autism
Authors: Ten Eycke Kayla D , Müller Ulrich
Published: November 2016

Little is known about the relation between cognitive processes and imagination and whether this relation differs between neurotypically developing children and children with autism. To address this issue, we administered a cognitive task battery and Karmiloff-Smith’s drawing task, which requires children to draw imaginative people and houses. For children with autism, executive function significantly predicted imaginative drawing. In neurotypically developing controls, executive function and cognitive-perceptual processing style predicted imaginative drawing, but these associations were moderated by mental age. In younger (neurotypically developing) children, better executive function and a local processing bias were associated with imagination; in older children, only a global bias was associated with imagination. These findings suggest that (a) with development there are changes in the type of cognitive processes involved in imagination and (b) children with autism employ a unique cognitive strategy in imaginative drawing.
Simultaneous efficiency improvement of pump and turbine modes for a counter-rotating type pump-turbine
Authors: Kim Jin-Woo , Suh Jun-Won , Choi Young-Seok , Lee Kyoung-Yong , Kim Joon-Hyung , Kanemoto Toshiaki , Kim Jin-Hyuk
Published: November 2016

This article presents a multi-objective optimization to improve the hydrodynamic performance of a counter-rotating type pump-turbine operated in pump and turbine modes. The hub and tip blade angles of impellers/runners with four blades, which were extracted through a sensitivity test, were optimized using a hybrid multi-objective genetic algorithm with a surrogate model based on Latin hypercube sampling. Three-dimensional steady incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the shear stress transport turbulence model were discretized via finite volume approximations and solved on a hexahedral grid to analyze the flow in the pump-turbine domain. For the major hydrodynamic performance parameters, the pump and turbine efficiencies were selected as the objective functions. Global Pareto-optimal solutions were searched using the response surface approximation surrogate model with the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm, which is a multi-objective genetic algorithm. The trade-off between the two objective functions was determined and described with regard to the Pareto-optimal solutions. As a result, the pump and turbine efficiencies for the arbitrarily selected optimum designs in the Pareto-optimal solutions were increased as compared with the reference design.
Development of a sub-shift control algorithm for an agricultural tractor with hydro-mechanical transmission
Authors: Ahn Sunghyun , Choi Jingyu , Kim Suchul , Lee Jinwoong , Kim Hyunsoo
Published: November 2016

A sub-shift control algorithm was proposed for an agricultural tractor with hydro-mechanical transmission. The hydro-mechanical transmission investigated in this study consists of a hydro-static unit and planetary gear sets which provide a continuously variable transmission function and four sub-shift gears. The sub-shift needs to be carried out at the hydro-static unit stroke where the speed of the off-going and on-coming clutches is synchronized. To reduce the hydro-static unit stroke error due to the nonlinear characteristic, the hysteresis characteristic was investigated in the test bench and a hysteresis compensator was developed. Using the compensator in the feedforward loop, a hydro-static unit stroke control algorithm was proposed and validated via experiment. To prevent the torque interruption during the sub-shift, a time delay of the off-going clutch was proposed. In addition, a hydro-static unit stroke duration which maintains the target stroke during the sub-shift was suggested to reduce the speed difference between the clutch plates. The sub-shift control algorithm including the hysteresis compensation, time delay of the off-going clutch, and hydro-static unit stroke duration was evaluated via experiment. It was found from the experimental results that the sub-shift was performed smoothly without the torque interruption, even in the acceleration state when large inertial torque change occurred.
Experimental investigation of unsteady characteristics of ventilated cavitation flow around an under-water vehicle
Authors: Zhang Xiaoshi , Wang Cong , Wei Yingjie , Sun Tiezhi
Published: November 2016

The objective of this article is to investigate the flow structure of the ventilated cavitation around an under-water vehicle. In the experiments, a high-speed camera system is used to observe cavity evolution of the unsteady cavitation flow, the velocity field is measured by the particle image velocimetry technique, and dynamic pressure measurement systems are used to measure pressure fluctuations under different cavitation numbers. We seek to investigate the mechanism of the re-entrant flow and shock wave phenomenon during the cavity evolution. The study concludes that the ventilated cavity is insufficient to overcome the re-entrant jet intrusion and the re-entrant jet moves upstream straightly as well as curvilinearly. Then, the vortex structure rotating clockwise forms on the vehicle surface and the cavity area with low velocity represents the vortex. The re-entrant jet rolls back after the re-entrant jet reaches the front of the cavity. The experimental results also show that the pressure signals at different instants destabilize on the vehicle surface; fluctuant pressure peak is detected at the closure region of the cavity and pressure peak increases as the cavitation number is decreased. Surface pressure fluctuations travel on the vehicle surface from the collapse of cloud cavitation. The variation in shedding frequency for different cavitation numbers is discussed at the end of the article.
Leadership, absenteeism acceptance, and ethical climate as predictors of teachers’ absence and citizenship behaviors
Authors: Shapira-Lishchinsky Orly , Raftar-Ozery Tehila
Published: November 2016

The goal of this study was to explore the mediating role of ‘absenteeism acceptance’ between different leadership styles and school ethical climate (SEC) on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) and voluntary absence among Israeli teachers. 304 teachers were randomly selected from 304 different mainstream and special-education schools. The model was analyzed using AMOS 18.0 software. We found that ‘absenteeism acceptance’ partially mediated the relationship between transactional leadership, SEC and OCB, and also found that SEC and transactional leadership positively predict OCB. The theoretical contribution of this study is rooted in its integrative approach. While most previous studies focused on a single leadership style, this study focused on the role of ‘absenteeism acceptance’ as a mediator between ethical aspects such as: SEC; leadership styles; and teachers’ behaviors like voluntary absence and OCB. The practical contribution may include developing school principals’ training programs, focusing on transactional leadership and SEC in order to increase teachers’ OCB in schools.
Scoring Body Condition in Wild Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) Using Camera Traps and Opportunistic Photographic Material
Authors: Pérez-Flores Jonathan , Calmé Sophie , Reyna-Hurtado Rafael
Published: November 2016

Body condition score (BCS) systems have been used in wild animals as a technique for evaluating the health status of species that are difficult to capture but can be observed in their habitat. In this study, our goal was to enable scoring the BC of wild Baird’s tapir ( Tapirus bairdii) without the need for direct observation, using camera trap and opportunistic photographic records. First, we modified a BCS assessment that was created for other tapir species, using captive Baird’s tapirs. Second, we applied it to a set of photographs of wild Baird’s tapir that were obtained over six consecutive years in a protected area in southern Mexico. We compared morphometric measurements and muscle and fat deposited in several anatomical regions. We also evaluated changes in BC between seasons for individuals photographed on several occasions. We show that neck and thorax circumferences are significantly correlated with all BCSs associated with these anatomical regions, whereas abdominal circumference is correlated only with half of the BCS. BCS of captive tapirs that we evaluated averaged 24.93 ± 5.61, which was higher than that of wild tapirs (22.63 ± 3.68). No significant difference in BC was apparent between rainy and dry seasons in our study site; wild tapirs were able to maintain good BC throughout the year. Camera trap records and opportunistic photographs were a useful tool to track changes in BC over time.
Sociology of Religion and Religious Studies: Institutional Contexts and Intellectual Concerns
Authors: Williams Rhys H
Published: November 2016

This concluding comment draws upon the common themes articulated by the preceding contributors about how Sociology of Religion and Religious Studies can influence each other, as well as considering some of the obstacles to that. It concludes with some intellectual suggestions for furthering some of our common interests.
Understanding Comprehensive Learning Requirements in the Light of al-Zarnūjī’s Ta‘līm al-Muta‘allim
Authors: Huda Miftachul , Yusuf Jibrail Bin , Azmi Jasmi Kamarul , Zakaria Gamal Nasir
Published: November 2016

This article examines the requirements for quality learning in Islam from the perspective of al-Zarnūjī and according to his book, Ta‘līm al-Muta‘allim. This book has been a source of reference for both students and teachers in many educational institutions in Muslim countries, particularly, the Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia. The article attempts to understand the students’ learning requirements proposed by al-Zarnūjī in the above treatise. It is, therefore, a library-based research. The research tackles many issues. It addresses the need for a broad-based learning process and analyzes the requirements in the light of the modern day learning circumstances. It was found that al-Zarnūjī’s theory of quality learning is conditional on six main principles which are, indeed, determinants of quality student outcomes. These are intelligence or high learning ability; high motivation for learning; patience, emotional stability, and commitment to the learning process; availability of financial support; inspiration of the teachers; and disposition to time management in the learning process. The notion of quality education is fundamental to the classical perspective of learning in Islam.
Adivasi Women, Agrarian Change and Forms of Labour in Neo-liberal India
Authors: Prasad Archana
Published: November 2016

This article elaborates the different dimensions of the gendered nature of semi-proletarianization and proletarianization of the adivasi social groups after the period of neo-liberal reforms. It shows that the integration of the adivasis in general, and adivasi women in particular, has been a result of agrarian distress and macro-economic trends that have structured the patterns of dispossession, displacement and urbanization in the last two decades. In doing so, the article contradicts the view which holds that communitarian structures have been playing an important part in the division of labour within adivasi communities. This article also contests the view that there is an autonomous sphere of existence of the subsistence economy of the adivasis and that the role of the adivasi women is largely confined to unpaid labour within the sphere of subsistence. As the analysis here shows, the blurred boundaries between subsistence and commercial activities have ensured that there is hardly autonomous space for the adivasi households to carry out their activities, which has several implications for the life of adivasi women. Lastly, the article counters the oft-repeated proposition that communities and communitarian structures can stand in opposition to the labour market and protect the interests of the adivasi women if they are democratized. It is shown here that both matrilineal and patrilineal communities have similar degrees of semi-proletarianization and proletarianization of adivasi women, although such a process is influenced by regional trends and landholding patterns. Thus, the thesis that communitarian production and distribution systems guide the class formation process does not, in fact, hold in the case of most adivasi regions. Rather, the labour market is guided by macro-economic processes that often neutralize the influence of these structures.
Controlled stem cell amplification by HOXB4 depends on its unique proline-rich region near the N terminus
Authors: Cusan Monica , Vegi Naidu M. , Mulaw Medhanie A. , Bamezai Shiva , Kaiser Lisa M. , Deshpande Aniruddha J. , Greif Philipp A. , Quintanilla-Fend Leticia , Göllner Stefanie , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Humphries Keith R. , Armstrong Scott A. , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Feuring-Buske Michaela , Buske Christian
Published: November 2016

Key Points

The conserved proline-rich region is essential for HOXB4 to amplify long-term hematopoietic stem cells without loss of homeostasis. Loss of this region increases leukemogenicity of HOXB4, altering its DNA-binding properties.
Distinct signaling programs control human hematopoietic stem cell survival and proliferation
Authors: Knapp David J. H. F. , Hammond Colin A. , Aghaeepour Nima , Miller Paul H. , Pellacani Davide , Beer Philip A. , Sachs Karen , Qiao Wenlian , Wang WeiJia , Humphries R. Keith , Sauvageau Guy , Zandstra Peter W. , Bendall Sean C. , Nolan Garry P. , Hansen Carl , Eaves Connie J.
Published: November 2016

Key Points

Human HSCs show higher tonic signaling activity in multiple pathways than MPPs. Growth factor–activated AKT and β-catenin in human HSCs regulate their survival and mitogenesis.
LSCplus: a fast solution for improving long read accuracy by short read alignment
Authors: Hu Ruifeng , Sun Guibo , Sun Xiaobo
Published: November 2016

Background

The single molecule, real time (SMRT) sequencing technology of Pacific Biosciences enables the acquisition of transcripts from end to end due to its ability to produce extraordinarily long reads (>10 kb). This new method of transcriptome sequencing has been applied to several projects on humans and model organisms. However, the raw data from SMRT sequencing are of relatively low quality, with a random error rate of approximately 15 %, for which error correction using next-generation sequencing (NGS) short reads is typically necessary. Few tools have been designed that apply a hybrid sequencing approach that combines NGS and SMRT data, and the most popular existing tool for error correction, LSC, has computing resource requirements that are too intensive for most laboratory and research groups. These shortcomings severely limit the application of SMRT long reads for transcriptome analysis.

Results

Here, we report an improved tool (LSCplus) for error correction with the LSC program as a reference. LSCplus overcomes the disadvantage of LSC’s time consumption and improves quality. Only 1/3–1/4 of the time and 1/20–1/25 of the error correction time is required using LSCplus compared with that required for using LSC.

Conclusions

LSCplus is freely available at http://www.herbbol.org:8001/lscplus/. Sample calculations are provided illustrating the precision and efficiency of this method regarding error correction and isoform detection.
Walk for life ‐ the National Clubfoot Project of Bangladesh: the four‐year outcomes of 150 congenital clubfoot cases following Ponseti method
Authors: Evans Angela Margaret , Chowdhury Mohommad Mamun Hossen , Kabir Mohommad Humayun , Rahman Md Fashiur
Published: November 2016

Background

Congenital clubfoot deformity can cause significant disability, and if left untreated, may further impoverish those in developing countries, like Bangladesh. The Ponseti method has been strategically introduced in Bangladesh by a non‐government organisation, Walk For Life (WFL). WFL has provided free treatment for over 17,500 Bangladeshi children with clubfeet since 2009, sustained by local ownership, and international support. This study assesses the 4‐year results in children for whom treatment began before the age of 3 years.

Methods

A centrally located WFL clinic at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), representative of the larger WFL clinics, which treats >100 cases annually, was reviewed. In 2015, 99 of the 147 eligible subjects who had begun treatment in 2011 were available for follow up. Specific assessment tools enabled evaluation of parent satisfaction, gait function, and relapse cases.

Results

Results for 99/147 cases were returned after four years: 72 males, 27 females. Typical clubfeet comprised 98/99 of cases, and 55/99 were bilateral. The tenotomy rate was 80 %. Brace use after 3 months was 90 %, at 12 months was 65 %, and at 4 years post treatment was 40 %. Functionally, 98/99 of children could walk and run (99 %). Relapsing deformity was found in 13 %. Relapse severity varied: eight were flexible and partial, five were rigid. Half of the children lost to follow were due to changed phone numbers. While parents were very happy with their child's feet (97 %), a materials cost of 3000 Taka ($US40) was deemed unaffordable by 60 %.

Conclusions

The 4‐year outcomes after Ponseti treatment for clubfoot deformity, showed that 99 % of children available for follow up, were walking independently. The relapse rate was low. Parent satisfaction was high, but those whose children required further treatment were less satisfied.
Adult human pancreas-derived cells expressing stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 differentiate into Sox9-expressing and Ngn3-expressing pancreatic ducts in vivo
Authors: Lee Song , Lee Chan Mi , Kim Song Cheol
Published: November 2016

Background

Tissue-specific stem/progenitor cells are found in various adult tissues and may have the capacity for lineage-specific differentiation, facilitating applications in autologous transplantation. Stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 (SSEA-4), an early embryonic glycolipid antigen, is expressed in cells derived from adult human pancreas exocrine tissue. Here, we examined the characteristics and lineage-specific differentiation capacity of SSEA-4+cells.

Methods

Human adult partial pancreas tissues were obtained from different donors and cultured in vitro. SSEA-4+and CA19-9+cells were isolated from adult human pancreas exocrine cells using magnetic-activated cell sorting, and gene expression was validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To confirm in-vivo differentiation, SSEA-4+and CA19-9+cells were transplanted into the dorsal subcutaneous region of mice. Finally, morphological features of differentiated areas were confirmed by immunostaining and morphometric analysis.

Results

SSEA-4-expressing cells were detected in isolated pancreas exocrine cells from adult humans. These SSEA-4+cells exhibited coexpression of CA19-9, a marker of pancreatic duct cells, but not amylase expression, as shown by immunostaining and flow cytometry. SSEA-4+cells exhibited higher relative expression ofOct4,Nanog,Klf4,Sox2, andc-MycmRNAs than CA19-9+cells. Pancreatic intralobular ducts (PIDs) were generated from SSEA-4+or CA19-9+cells in vivo at 5 weeks after transplantation. However, newly formed PIDs from CA19-9+cells were less abundant and showed an incomplete PID morphology. In contrast, newly formed PIDs from SSEA-4+cells were abundant in the transplanted area and showed a crowded morphology, typical of PIDs. Sox9 and Ngn3, key transcription factors associated with pancreatic development and regeneration, were expressed in PIDs from SSEA-4+cells.

Conclusions

SSEA-4-expressing cells in the adult human pancreas may have the potential for regeneration of the pancreas and may be used as a source of stem/progenitor cells for pancreatic cell lineage-specific differentiation.
Porosity-permeability relationship in dual-porosity carbonate analogs
Authors: El Husseiny Ammar , Vanorio Tiziana
Published: November 2016

We have investigated the effect of micrite content and macroporosity on the porosity-permeability relationship of dual-porosity carbonates using analog samples created in the laboratory. Specifically, we control the micrite-to-coarse-grains ratio to produce samples in which the micrite content is the only parameter changing. We also introduce into the microstructures controlled volumes of an acetone-soluble solid material (camphor) at the expense of the micrite aggregates, which functions as macropores after being dissolved. With regard to the effect of micrite on the porosity-permeability relationship, our results indicated that adding micrite to samples exhibiting a grain-supported microstructure reduces porosity and permeability drastically. By increasing the micrite content up to approximately 30%, the sample becomes micrite supported, at which point adding more micrite increases the porosity but no longer affects the permeability significantly. Samples characterized by a high micrite content were found to have lower permeability at any given porosity. When macropores are introduced at the expense of micrite aggregates, permeability increases drastically with porosity. The rate of increase in permeability decreases, however, as the micrite content of the original microstructure increases. Additionally, at any given micrite content, the permeability increases as the percentage of macropores increases because such pores do contribute more significantly to fluid flow as compared with the micropores characterizing micrite aggregates. We used the varying micrite-to-coarse-grains ratio and its effect on the porosity-permeability relationship to inform the Kozeny-Carman relation for a pack of spheres. Our analysis determined that micrite affects the porosity-permeability relationship of carbonates by reducing the effective particle size and increasing the percolation porosity. Additionally, incorporating the content of micrite and macropores into the analysis of the porosity-permeability relationship increased the coefficient of determination ([Formula: see text]) from 0.24 to 0.78. We concluded that knowledge of micrite content and macroporosity is of paramount importance to interpret and model porosity-permeability relationships in carbonates.
Seismic analysis of paleotopography and stratigraphic controls on total organic carbon: Rich sweet spot distribution in the Woodford Shale, Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Infante-Paez Lennon , Cardona Luis-Felipe , McCullough Brenton , Slatt Roger
Published: November 2016

The Devonian Woodford Shale is a prolific unconventional resource shale for oil and gas. Like many such shales, the Woodford sits atop an unconformity on the surface of underlying carbonate rocks (mainly the Hunton Group in this case). There is variable topographic relief on the unconformity surface due to incised valleys, cave collapse, and/or karst formation during periods of subaerial exposure resulting from eustatic sea-level fluctuations. Anomalously high thicknesses of the Woodford, with relatively high total organic carbon (TOC), can form within topographic depressions on the unconformity surface, giving rise to potential “sweet spots” as drilling targets. It is likely that the topographic relief that formed during subaerial exposure created areas of restricted marine circulation (or possibly hypersaline lakes) during an early fall in the sea level, and thus, localized anoxic depositional environments conducive to preservation of organic matter (TOC). Seismic analysis, calibrated with well logs and cuttings, of two areas on the Cherokee Platform in Oklahoma were completed to test the discontinuous and isolated distribution, vertically and horizontally, of the TOC. In one area, the TOC ranged up to 10 wt.% and in the other area, up to 13 wt.%. Seismic inversion and attribute analysis demonstrated the patchy distribution of the TOC vertically and laterally in both areas. These patchy, discontinuous distribution spotlights areas where TOC was preserved (in the minibasins), and point to potential sweet-spot locations. The delineation of organic-rich sweet spots was accomplished by integrating geologic, geochemical, and geophysical data in probabilistic neural networks obtaining seismic impedance-derived TOC that was mapped across different locations in the Cherokee Platform.