bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative analysis of genetic and epigenetic profiling of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients to identify smoking level relevant biomarkers
Authors: Ma Bidong , Huang Zhiyou , Wang Qian , Zhang Jizhou , Zhou Bin , Wu Jiaohong
Published: October 2019

Background

Incidence and mortality of lung cancer have dramatically decreased during the last decades, yet still approximately 160,000 deaths per year occurred in United States. Smoking intensity, duration, starting age, as well as environmental cofactors including air-pollution, showed strong association with major types of lung cancer. Lung squamous cell carcinoma is a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, which represents 25% of the cases. Thus, exploring the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of lung squamous cell carcinoma plays crucial roles in lung cancer clinical diagnosis and therapy.

Results

In this study, we performed integrative analyses on 299 comparative datasets of RNA-seq and methylation data, collected from 513 lung squamous cell carcinoma cases in The Cancer Genome Atlas. The data were divided into high and low smoking groups based on smoking intensity (Numbers of packs per year). We identified 1002 significantly up-regulated genes and 534 significantly down-regulated genes, and explored their cellular functions and signaling pathways by bioconductor packages GOseq and KEGG. Global methylation status was analyzed and visualized in circular plot by CIRCOS. RNA-and methylation data were correlatively analyzed, and 24 unique genes were identified, for further investigation of regional CpG sites’ interactive patterns by bioconductor package coMET. AIRE, PENK, and SLC6A3 were the top 3 genes in the high and low smoking groups with significant differences.

Conclusions

Gene functions and DNA methylation patterns of these 24 genes are important and useful in disclosing the differences of gene expression and methylation profiling caused by different smoking levels.
DNA extraction for human microbiome studies: the issue of standardization
Authors: Greathouse K. Leigh , Sinha Rashmi , Vogtmann Emily
Published: October 2019

Among the laboratory and bioinformatic processing steps for human microbiome studies, a lack of consistency in DNA extraction methodologies is hindering the ability to compare results between studies and sometimes leading to errant conclusions. The purpose of this article is to highlight the issues related to DNA extraction methods and to suggest minimum standard requirements that should be followed to ensure consistency and reproducibility.
A cross-sectional survey on sleep quality, mental health, and academic performance among medical students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Khani Abdullah Murhaf , Sarhandi Muhammad Ishaque , Zaghloul Mohamed Saddik , Ewid Mohammed , Saquib Nazmus
Published: October 2019

Objective

Adequate sleep is integral to better mental health and facilitates students’ learning. We aimed to assess sleep quality among medical students and to see whether it was associated with their mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress) and academic performance.

Results

A total of 206 responded, and 95 of them had complete data on demography, lifestyle, academic performance, sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales). The prevalence of poor sleep was 63.2%; it was higher among students who were physically inactive and had more screen time. Poor sleepers demonstrated higher academic performance than sufficient sleepers (p = 0.04). The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 42%, 53%, and 31% respectively. Sleep quality was significantly associated with depression (p = 0. 03), anxiety (p = 0.007), and stress (p = 0.01).
Preliminary development of a questionnaire measuring patient views of participation in clinical trials
Authors: Arnetz Judith , Sudan Sukhesh , Goetz Courtney , Arnetz Bengt , Gowland Laura , Manji Suzanne , Ghosh Samiran
Published: October 2019

Objective

This study aimed to develop a questionnaire for measuring patient perceptions of participating in clinical trials. Development was based on earlier research on patient views of involvement in medical care and a literature review. Patients were recruited from an ongoing clinical trial focused on cardiovascular illness and from an outpatient psychiatry department. Factor analysis was conducted on a pilot version of the questionnaire in 2016 and on a revised version in 2017.

Results

A total of 53 patients were recruited for the pilot study and 55 were recruited for the main study, substantially below the goal of 100 participants. Factor analysis revealed six factors measuring aspects of patients’ perceptions of participating in clinical trials, including motivation, risks and benefits, the nature of the trial itself, and practical considerations, such as cost and convenience. Inter-scale correlations ranged between 0.06 and 0.64, indicating acceptable scale independence. Reliability scores (Cronbach’s alphas) ranged from 0.62 to 0.85. Factor analysis results were somewhat unstable, with shared variance for several items across scales. This is likely due to the small sample sizes. In larger, more diverse patient samples, this questionnaire can be useful for measuring and incorporating patients’ views into the design and execution of clinical trials.
Transfer restless multi-armed bandit policy for energy-efficient heterogeneous cellular network
Authors: Modi Navikkumar , Mary Philippe , Moy Christophe
Published: October 2019

This paper proposes a learning policy to improve the energy efficiency (EE) of heterogeneous cellular networks. The combination of active and inactive base stations (BS) that allows for maximizing EE is identified as a combinatorial learning problem and requires high computational complexity as well as a large signaling overhead. This paper aims at presenting a learning policy that dynamically switches a BS to ON or OFF status in order to follow the traffic load variation during the day. The network traffic load is represented as a Markov decision process, and we propose a modified upper confidence bound algorithm based on restless Markov multi-armed bandit framework for the BS switching operation. Moreover, to cope with initial reward loss and to speed up the convergence of the learning algorithm, the transfer learning concept is adapted to our algorithm in order to benefit from the transferred knowledge observed in historical periods from the same region. Based on our previous work, a convergence theorem is provided for the proposed policy. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the proposed algorithms follow the traffic load variation during the day and contribute to a performance jump-start in EE improvement under various practical traffic load profiles. It also demonstrates that proposed schemes can significantly reduce the total energy consumption of cellular network, e.g., up to 70% potential energy savings based on a real traffic profile.
Stability analysis of discrete-time multi-patch Beddington–DeAngelis type predator-prey model with time-varying delay
Authors: Feng Jiqiang , Zhao Zhiqiang
Published: October 2019

This paper is concerned with the stability of a discrete-time multi-patch Beddington–DeAngelis type predator-prey model with time-varying delay, where the dispersal of both predators and prey is considered. A nonstandard finite difference scheme is used to discretize this model. Then, combining the Lyapunov–Krasovskii method with the graph-theoretical technique, a stability criterion is derived, which is closely related to the dispersal topology. And an example with numerical simulation is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
A Hysteretic Constitutive Model for Reinforced Concrete Panel Elements
Authors: Orakcal Kutay , Massone Leonardo M. , Ulugtekin Denizhan
Published: October 2019

A simple yet effective constitutive model-referred to as the “Fixed Strut Angle Model” (FSAM)-is presented in this paper for simulating the nonlinear axial/shear behavior of reinforced concrete membrane (panel) elements subjected to generalized and reversed cyclic loading conditions. In the formulation of the FSAM, normal stresses in cracked concrete are calculated along fixed crack (strut) directions. Shear stresses developing along crack surfaces, which are calculated using a simple friction-based constitutive relationship, are superimposed with the concrete stresses along the struts, for obtaining the total stress field in concrete. Model predictions were compared with panel tests results available in the literature, at various global and local response levels. The model was demonstrated to reasonably capture the overall response characteristics of reinforced concrete panels, including hysteretic shear stress vs. strain behavior, shear stress capacity, hysteretic shear stiffness attributes, ductility, pinching behavior, governing failure mode, principal strain and stress directions, and local deformations.
Spatial distribution and seasonal movement patterns of reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders
Authors: Zhang Lu , Zhao Hu , Willard Scott , Wang Qijun , Jiang Wei , Zhang Hong-Xing , Kouba Andrew
Published: October 2019

Background

Very little is known about the temporal or spatial movement patterns of Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus) due to their rarity, remote habitat and secretive nature. Commercial breeding farms provide a unique opportunity as a source of animals for reintroduction and spatial ecology studies, which will help inform conservation management efforts for this threatened species. We surgically implanted radio transmitters into the body cavity of 31 juvenile giant salamanders, and these salamanders were subsequently released into two small river systems (Donghe and Heihe Rivers) located in the Qinling Mountains of central China and were monitored daily from May 2013 to August 2014.

Results

Only two salamanders survived through the end of the project at the Heihe River compared with 12 at the Donghe River, thus movement data for salamanders released at the Heihe river are described individually. The overall sedentariness (ratio of no movement to all observations) for the two salamanders at the Heihe River was 0.29 and 0.28 compared to the average sedentariness of 0.26 ± 0.01 for the 12 salamanders at the Donghe River. Mean daily movement was 15.4 m ± 0.7 at the Heihe River compared to 9.3 m ± 0.3 at the Donghe River. Overall linear home range (LHR) was 246 m and 392 m for the two salamanders at the Heihe River, compared with a mean LHR of 227.2 m ± 70.5 at the Donghe River. The Donghe salamanders exhibited different movement patterns across seasons, having higher sedentariness, shorter daily movement, and smaller LHR in winter than in summer. Up-stream dispersal and fidelity to release site were recorded at both rivers. The mean dispersal distance for the Donghe River salamanders was 145.3 m ± 61.9, while the two surviving salamanders at the Heihe River had a dispersal distance of 211 m and 205 m.

Conclusions

This project provides important insights on the movement ecology of a large aquatic salamander species, and in particular, our results may assist with reintroduction efforts by developing best management practices on when and where to release animals as a conservation strategy.
Living at This Hour: Jonathan Swift, Edward Said, and the Profession of Literature
Authors: Deutsch Helen
Published: October 2019

This essay examines the living affinity between two complex and charismatic writers, Jonathan Swift and Edward Said, in order to revitalize our understandings of both. Said’s career-long engagement with Swift took the form of a passionate amateurism that has a claim upon us at a moment when the humanities are being asked to justify themselves to opponents within and beyond the university. Reading Said’s humanism through Swift’s inhumane satire, this essay both analyzes and attempts a mode of literary engagement that operates “between the world and the archive,” where Said argued that “Swift lasts.” Beginning with Said’s 1982 polemic against the church of high theory, “Opponents, Audiences, Constituencies, Community,” what follows demonstrates how Swift’s libertine wit, in its daring reconciliation of the human imagination with religious devotion and perhaps even divine power itself, inspired Said’s ideal of the secular intellectual.
Gender, Genre, and Literary Firsts
Authors: Twohig Erin
Published: October 2019

This article questions the conventional wisdom that Ahlam Mosteghanemi’s Dhakirat al-jasad was the first Arabic-language novel written by an Algerian woman. Published more than a decade earlier, Zhor Wanisi’s novel Min yawmiyat mudarrisa hurra received less critical attention, despite representing an important contribution to Algerian literature and women’s life writing. Rather than accepting the “first” novel as an objective category, this article shows how the accolade has obscured works like Wanisi’s from Algerian literary history, reinforced gender and genre binaries, and subjected both authors to biased evaluation. The article draws on a corpus of book reviews, scholarly articles, and monographs to describe how Wanisi’s work was discounted as not a “true” novel, and the related process that brought Mosteghanemi to world fame. The trajectories of Wanisi and Mosteghanemi, placed side by side, suggest new avenues for our understanding of gender, literary genre, and the postcolonial dynamics of world literature.
Anticolonial Colonialism
Authors: Lindsay-Perez Monica
Published: October 2019

Between 1931 and 1936 the democratic Spanish government overthrew the monarchy and established the Second Spanish Republic. It was a volatile period for Spanish-Moroccan relations. Fascists were in favor of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco, whereas Republicans were typically against it. Aurora Bertrana (1892–1974) was a Republican Catalan writer who moved to Morocco in 1935 to write about Muslim women living under the Spanish Protectorate. A close examination of her novel El Marroc sensual i fanàtic (1935) reveals an anticolonialism based on her preoccupation with Spanish nationalist dignity rather than with Moroccan independence. Instead of concluding that Spain’s colonization of Morocco is not good, Bertrana concludes that it is not good enough. Her writing perpetuates centuries-old Spanish Orientalist stereotypes, thus complicating the glorified history of Spanish Republican anticolonialism and feminism in the 1930s.
Identifying population segments for effective intervention design and targeting using unsupervised machine learning: an end-to-end guide
Authors: Engl Elisabeth , Smittenaar Peter , Sgaier Sema K.
Published: October 2019

One-size-fits-all interventions that aim to change behavior are a missed opportunity to improve human health and well-being, as they do not target the different reasons that drive people’s choices and behaviors. Psycho-behavioral segmentation is an approach to uncover such differences and enable the design of targeted interventions, but is rarely implemented at scale in global development. In part, this may be due to the many choices program designers and data scientists face, and the lack of available guidance through the process. Effective segmentation encompasses conceptualization and selection of the dimensions to segment on, which often requires the design of suitable qualitative and quantitative primary research. The choice of algorithm and its parameters also profoundly shape the resulting output and how useful the results are in the field. Analytical outputs are not self-explanatory and need to be subjectively evaluated and described. Finally, segments can be prioritized and targeted with matching interventions via appropriate channels. Here, we provide an end-to-end overview of all the stages from planning, designing field-based research, analyzing, and implementing a psycho-behavioral segmentation solution. We illustrate the choices and critical steps along the way, and discuss a case study of segmentation for voluntary medical male circumcision that implemented the method described here. Though our examples mostly draw on health interventions in the developing world, the principles in this approach can be used in any context where understanding human heterogeneity in driving behavior change is valuable.
Radiation Safety Standards and Basic Health Rules for Radiation Safety: Proposal on the Development of New Versions
Authors: Симаков А. , Simakov A. , Абрамов Ю. , Abramov Yu.
Published: October 2019

The objective of this work is to enhance national Radiation safety standards (NRB) and Basic Health Rules for Radiation Safety (OSPORB). 

This article discusses proposals how to amend new versions of the fundamental regulatory documents – national NRB and OSPORB as regards the interpretation of the term “limit of the annual effective dose of manmade individual exposure” and the health physics limiting the content of artificial radionuclides in solid materials for their unrestricted use.

In current Radiation Safety Standards, NRB-99/2009 (paragraph 3.1.5.), in contrast to the Federal Law of 09.01.1996 No 3-FZ “On the Public Radiation Protection” and provisions of draft International Basic Safety Standards, annual effective dose means gross effective dose of external and internal exposure, received for the calendar year. The article describes the situation where the doses of a conditional worker do not exceed the dose limits in a single calendar year, i.e. < 50 mSv, however, for any arbitrarily taken time interval equal to one year, the annual dose limit of 50 mSv is repeatedly exceeded. Therefore, the following amendment is proposed to be made in new version of the NRB: “Annual effective dose means the sum of the effective external dose received for any arbitrarily taken time interval equal to one year and the ambient effective internal dose due to the intake of radionuclides in the body over the same period”.

In current Basic Health Rules for Radiation Safety, OSPORB 99/2010, Annex 3 “The Specific Activities of Artificial Radionuclides, at which Unrestricted Use of Materials is Permitted” does not include the uranium isotopes 234U, 235U and 238U; this contradicts paragraph 5.2.10 of OSPORB-99/2010, according to which these isotopes should be attributed to manmade radiation sources. 

The article justifies the expediency of establishing the upper value of the specific activity of 1 Bq/g for the main uranium radionuclides in solid materials in case of their unlimited use.

The supplement of Appendix 3 is proposed to the new version of the OSPORB with uranium isotopes 234U, 235U, 238U, setting the standard for their specific activity of 1 Bq/g in solid materials for unlimited use.
Characters of Oncohematological Disease Formation in Long Terms after Acute Radiation Sickness
Authors: Суворова Л. , Suvorova L. , Галстян И. , Galstyan I. , Надежина Н. , Nadejina N. , Нугис В. , Nugis V. , Козлова М. , Kozlova M. , Андрианова И. , Andrianova I. , Мальцев В. , Maltsev V. , Мороз Б. , Moroz B.
Published: October 2019

Purpose: To clarify the frequency, nosological forms, the timing of development and the features of the clinical course of developed oncohematological diseases on the basis of a retrospective analysis of the results of long-term follow-up of patients who underwent acute radiation syndrome (ARS).

Material and methods: An analysis of clinical histories from archives of A.I. Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Center of 157 patients who underwent ARS of varying severity, and some scientific publications. Various oncohematological diseases developed in the long-term period in 8 patients with ARS I–III severity: in 5 patients – myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), in 2 – chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and in 1 – acute myelomonoblastic leukemia (OMML).

Results: The excess absolute risk of developing MDS and leukemia in the group is 7.2×10–4 man-years/Gy. All patients underwent relatively uniform irradiation. MDS developed in 5 patients who underwent ARS as a result of a single acute gamma-beta- and gamma-neutron irradiation at doses of 1.2–5.0 Gy. Nosological forms of MDS: with unilinear dysplasia, with multilinear dysplasia (2 cases), with ringed sideroblasts, with excess blasts. The latency period lasted from 3 to 31 years. Age at the time of irradiation was 28–55 years. CML, Ph-positive form, was detected in 2 patients. Doses of gamma-beta-radiation were 2.0 and 4.3 Gy. Age of patients at the time of irradiation was 22 and 25 years. Diseases developed 3 and 15 years after the undergone ARS and were characterized by a long period of inactive phase (10 and 7 years), which resulted in a blast crisis. OMML in the patient, who suffered during the Chernobyl accident and since 1990 was observed in the URCRM, developed 11.8 years after irradiation at a dose of 3.0 Gy. An analysis of available clinical data makes it possible to question the diagnosis of acute leukemia, and to suppose that chronic myelomonocytic leukemia developed in this patient.

Conclusion: The obtained data indicate that chronic leukemia forms are characteristic for radiation leukemia, often with a long preceding cytopenic stage (MDS). An essential factor in the realization of the leukemogenic effect is the uniformity of the whole body exposure undoubtedly. In addition, it can’t be ruled out that the carriage of hepatitis B and C viruses also played a role in the formation of MDS.
Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Various Forms of Amiodarone-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity
Authors: Яковлева Н. , Yakovleva N. , Амосов В. , Amosov V. , Сперанская А. , Speranskaia A. , Золотницкая В. , Zolotnitskaia V , Ратников В. , Ratnikov V.
Published: October 2019

Purpose: To determine computed tomography subtypes of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity (AIPT).

Material and methods: We included 214 CT exams of 110 patients with history of amiodarone use. AIPT was confirmed in 90 cases. In 81 % of patients we repeat CT exam 2–5 times, observation period till 1 month to 10 years. The mean age of patients was 71 years (21 females, 69 – males). In 52 % of patients lung scintigraphy was done. We included functional lung test, spirometry, heart ultrasound in diagnostic plan.

Results: Only in 3 % of cases we detected acute form of AIPT. In 68 % of patients subacute form was revealed, in that cases we indentified different patterns of lung defeat, which mimic oncology disease, different types of interstitial pneumonias, small vessel pulmonary embolism. In other cases chronic form AIPT was suspected. Unilateral changes and craniocaudal gradient were not pathognomic for AIPT. We did not identify consolidation zones and nodules. Honeycombing was not a typical feature of chronic form of AIPT. Appearance of ground-glass opacity pattern was feature of lung toxicity exaxerbation.

Conclusion: AIPT diagnose of exclusion because of it’s multiple radiological subtypes. There are no specific histological or cytological markers of the disease. Only CT could identify signs of active process and differentiate different subtypes of AIPT.
Radiation Exposure of Medical Personnel Accompanying the Patient during the Procedure of Superficial X-Ray Therapy of Children
Authors: Смолин С. , Smolin S.
Published: October 2019

Purpose: Assessment the radiation situation in the treatment room of superficial x-ray therapy during the irradiation process in order to inform about radiation exposure of medical personnel or a relatives.

Material and methods: In the course of the study, a procedure of superficial radiotherapy was simulated using a tissue equivalent phantom with sizes 250×250×150 mm. The radiation control protocol of measurements on the Roentgen TA-02 apparatus was compiled on the basis of SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03. With the help of a clinical dosimeter DKS-AT1123, the ambient dose-rate of short-term x-rays was measured. In accordance with the requirements for conducting radiation monitoring, measurements were taken directly near the apparatus in areas 60×60 cm at points located at heights corresponding to the head level (160 ± 20 cm), chest level (120 ± 20 cm), gonad level (80 ± 20 cm) and the level of the legs (30 ± 20 cm). On the basis of the obtained data, the value of the effective dose-rate of x-ray radiation for the whole human body was calculated for each area. Taking into account the characteristics of the irradiation regime used in the clinic, the total effective dose received by the medical personnel accompanying the patient for the entire course of radiotherapy was calculated.

Results: A drawn up diagram is illustrating the radiation situation in the treatment room of superficial radiotherapy. Based on the results of calculations, it can be concluded that the radiation exposure on the accompanying person during superficial x-ray therapy of children’s hemangiomas does not exceed the maximum permissible dose specified in paragraph 5.4.4 of SanPiN 2.6.1.2523-09.

Conclusion: In exceptional cases, a parent or medical personnel may be in the treatment room to support the patient.
Results of the 66-th Session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of the Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) (Vienna, 10–14 June, 2019)
Authors: Уйба В. , Uyba V. , Аклеев А. , Akleev A. , Азизова Т. , Azizova T. , Иванов В. , Ivanov V. , Карпикова Л. , Karpikova L. , Киселев С. , Kiselev S. , Михеенко С. , Miheyenko S. , Романов С. , Romanov S. , Тахауов Р. , Takhauova T. , Усольцев В. , Usol'cev V. , Шинкарев С. , Shinkarev S.
Published: October 2019

The current paper is devoted to the outcomes of the 66-th UNSCEAR Session which took place in Vienna during 10–14 June 2018. Within the framework of the meetings of the Working Group and subgroups the documents on the following projects were discussed:

R.733. Evaluation of selected health effects and inference of risk due to radiation exposure.

R.734. Evaluation of medical exposures to ionizing radiation.

R.735. Evaluation of occupational exposures to ionizing radiation.

R.736. Lung cancer from exposure to radon.

R.737. Biological mechanisms relevant for the inference of cancer risks from low-dose radiation.

R.738. Levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station: implications of information published since the 2013 UNSCEAR report.

R.739. Second primary cancer after radiotherapy.

R.740. Epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer.

The Committee also discussed: the future research program; report to the UN General Assembly; implementation of a strategy plan to improve collection, analysis and dissemination of data on radiation exposure; public outreach activity including the strategy for the period 2020–2024.
Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Lymphomas
Authors: Чернов В. , Chernov V. , Дудникова Е. , Dudnikova E. , Гольдберг В. , Goldberg V. , Кравчук Т. , Kravchuk T. , Данилова А. , Danilova A. , Зельчан Р. , Zel'chan R. , Медведева А. , Medvedeva A. , Синилкин И. , Sinilkin I. , Брагина О. , Bragina O. , Белевич Ю. , Belevich Yu. , Королева Е. , Koroleva E.
Published: October 2019

Despite the high efficiency of the use of 18F-FDG PET in the diagnosis, staging, monitoring and prognosis of treatment of lymphomas, the use of this method in our country is limited due to the high cost and the insufficient number of PET-centers. In this regard, it seems relevant to conduct research aimed at using known and developing original radiopharmaceuticals for lymphoma imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In this review, the main radiopharmaceuticals (67Ga-citrate, 201Tl, 199Tl, 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile, 99mTc-tetrofosmin, 111In-octreotide), which are possible for SPECT lymphoma imaging are shown. Also mechanisms of their action, the possibility of their using for various morphological variants of lymphomas and localizations of the lesion are described. In addition, the results of the use of an innovative radiopharmaceutical based on glucose - 99mTc-1-thio-D-glucose, which is promising for diagnostics, staging and monitoring of lymphoproliferative diseases, are presented.
The Evolution of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Component of Treatment of Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Кузьмичев Д. , Kuz'michev D. , Мамедли З. , Mamedli Z. , Анискин А. , Aniskin A. , Полыновский А. , Polynovskiy A. , Мадьяров Ж. , Madyarov J. , Ткачев Сергей , Tkachev Sergey , Егорова А. , Egorova A. , Анискина А. , Aniskina A.
Published: October 2019

The results of numerous single-center and multicenter randomized and non-randomized studies on the treatment of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) over a 70-year period are presented. The sequence of surgical, medicinal, radiation and chemoradiation treatment is represented. The doses and amount of radiation exposure are described, both in mono mode and with the use of various combinations of chemotherapeutic drugs in neoadjuvant and adjuvant regimens. The evolution of complex treatment that has shifted has shifted the emphasis to the use of chemoradiation therapy in the neoadjuvant period, and the introduction of new chemotherapeutic drugs and regimens have significantly increased the survival rates among patients with LARC. The approaches to the treatment of patients with LARC are not static and are constantly being improved. This literature review shows the chronological sequence and major current trends in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant components of the treatment of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.
On “Green Diplomacy” in the Russian Arctic
Authors: Дядик Наталья , Dyadik Natal'ya , Чапаргина А. , Chapargina A.
Published: October 2019

The article deals with the issues of search for a compromise interaction between the state and business in the field of environment in the Arctic. The role of “green diplomacy” within the framework of sustainable development was identified. The main aspects of the legal and economic regulation of environmental activities in Russia and strategic documents of the development of the Russian Arctic into the environment were analyzed. A comparative analysis of the mechanisms and instruments of the economic regulation of environmental activities in the EU countries and Russia, as well as analysis of the costs of business and state for environmental purposes in the Arctic regions have been carried out. The main indicators characterizing the relations between state and business in the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation are calculated. The results of analysis show that in the Russian practice, despite the plethora of legal acts, economic mechanisms and tools, the task of building a constructive partnership has not yet been solved. To solve the problem the authors proposed a “model of green diplomacy”, which allows to find a compromise between the interests of the state and interests of the business. The point of business environmental responsibility, showing the moment of the formation of a new qualitative order in achieving a balance of their interests, has been determined.
Factors of Development of Innovative Potential of Oil and Gas Enterprises in Modern Conditions
Authors: Зубова Е. , Zubova E.
Published: October 2019

The modern system of management in digitalization and innovative development imposes new and more complex requirements to existing and newly created enterprises. Therefore, the key factor of their economic well-being and competitiveness in the modern world is the intensification of innovative activities, the widespread use of innovative technologies, products and services. Being engaged in innovative activity, the enterprise can take the leading positions in the market and, accordingly, to receive more profit that is one of the main purposes of any commercial organization. The purpose of the study is to identify the relevant factors of the development of innovative potential of the oil and gas sector of the country. Research objectives: analysis of the financial condition of oil and gas companies; study of their investment activity in modern conditions; study of innovation in the industry. Research methods: scientific abstraction, expert evaluation method, data comparison method. As a result of the study, the author concludes that there is an innovative potential of oil and gas enterprises, the implementation of which is associated with overcoming various barriers.
Integrated Approach to Assessing the Economic Security of Territories
Authors: Сорокина Наталья , Sorokina Natalia , Беляевская-Плотник Л. , Belyaevskaya-Plotnik L.
Published: October 2019

The work presents the implementation of an integrated approach to assessing the level of economic security of territories. The specificity of the approach is to use the concept of “reference territory” during the normalization procedure, under which it is proposed to understand a conditional territorial entity, in respect of which at a particular time there are no external and internal threats to economically secure, sustainable development. A model scheme for calculating the integral indicator of the state of economic security of the territory is presented, the content of its main stages is disclosed. Implemented the testing of the proposed research approach by calculating the integral indicator of economic security of Russia in 2005-2018, it made a projection for the period up to 2023, the conclusion is that strengthening the economic security of the Russian Federation in the analyzed period and also the conclusion about the sensitivity of the economy to external challenges and threats. It is argued that the proposed approach can be used as a basis for monitoring the state of economic security of territorial systems at different levels — countries, regions, municipalities.
Introduction: 2018 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in the Practice of Advanced Analytics and Operations Research
Authors: Neri Patricia , Labe Russell P.
Published: October 2019

Competition for the 2018 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in the Practice of Advanced Analytics and Operations Research provided the six finalist papers featured in this special issue of the INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics (IJAA). The prestigious Wagner Prize—awarded for achievement in implemented operations research, management science, and advanced analytics—emphasizes quality and originality of mathematical models and clarity of written and oral exposition. If you have ever rented a bike from Motivate, the largest provider of bike-sharing systems in the United States, you have benefited from the analytical work done by the winning team from Cornell University, which improves the allocation of docks to stations and created the Bike Angels program, an incentive scheme to crowdsource rebalancing, thus improving bike availability in San Francisco and New York City. The remaining papers describe work on developing a first-of-a-kind market design for the reallocation of fishing shares in South Wales, using primal-dual algorithms for omni-channel retail fulfillment, improving the seat-allocation process for admissions to engineering colleges in India, using structured and unstructured data in predictive modeling for repairing malfunctioning appliances, and rescuing missing tourists in nature reserves in China.
ESTACIONARIDADE E SIMETRIA DAS DISTRIBUIÇÕES DE UMIDADE DO SOLO E DE VARIÁVEIS DE PRODUÇÃO E SUAS ANÁLISES VARIOGRÁFICAS
Authors: Hara Anderson Takashi , Gonçalves Antônio Carlos Andrade , Oliveira Jhonatan Mondeiro de , Rezende Roberto , Maller André
Published: October 2019

Técnicas geoestatísticas podem se mostrar adequadas à análise e descrição das inter-relações entre estas variáveis, no espaço, tornando-se úteis ao entendimento dos processos envolvidos no desenvolvimento e produção vegetal, em especial no que se refere à oferta de água no solo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da existência de componentes determinísticos e do efeito da transformação de dados das variáveis em estudo, na sua análise variográfica, assim como descrever e avaliar as suas inter-relações espaciais. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental do Departamento de Agronomia da Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), em Maringá, PR. Foram realizadas análises geoestatísticas das variáveis de produção e de número de folhas de rúcula, bem como da umidade do solo da unidade experimental. A remoção do componente determinístico e a logaritmização dos dados não modificou a estrutura espacial das variáveis quando as mesmas apresentaram simetria da distribuição dos dados. A variabilidade espacial da umidade do solo promoveu variabilidade espacial da produção e do número de folhas. A aplicação pontual de água no solo promoveu uma variabilidade espacial da umidade do solo.
ATRIBUTOS QUÍMICOS DE UM NITOSSOLO VERMELHO DISTROFÉRRICO APÓS A APLICAÇÃO DE EFLUENTE DOMÉSTICO
Authors: Scabora Mioto Liliane , Lourenço de Freitas Paulo Sérgio , Marques Voroniak Juliana , Barbieri João Danilo , Sossai Souza Ana Claudia
Published: October 2019

A disposição de efluente doméstico no sistema solo-planta pode minimizar os custos de produção em razão do aporte de água e nutrientes para as plantas, e reduzir o impacto ambiental nos corpos hídricos. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de doses crescentes de efluente doméstico tratado sobre os atributos químicos do solo e sobre a produção de matéria seca de plantas de milho. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, localizada na Universidade Estadual de Maringá. O experimento foi arranjado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas foram avaliadas cinco doses de efluente doméstico (0, 150, 300, 450 e 600 m3.ha-1) e na subparcela foram avaliadas cinco profundidades (0–0,05; 0,05–0,10; 0,10–0,20; 0,20–0,40; 0,40–0,60 m). O milho foi semeado nas unidades experimentais, e 15 dias após a emergência foram aplicados os tratamentos. Os resultados mostraram que a aplicação do efluente não influenciou os valores de pH, fósforo e potássio no solo; entretanto, a concentração de sódio aumentou. Em relação à produção de matéria seca, não se constatou efeito significativo com a aplicação das doses crescentes de efluente doméstico.
AVALIAÇÃO DA VARIAÇÃO ESPECTRAL DO CERRADO POR SENSOR REMOTO PASSIVO
Authors: Jardim Carlos Cesar Silva , Oliveira Alessandra Conceição de , Motomiya Anamari Viegas de Araújo , Santos Rosilene Oliveira dos , Silva Valéria Lima da
Published: October 2019

O Cerrado é a segunda maior cobertura vegetal natural do Brasil, perfazendo cerca de 23% da área total, localizado na maioria de sua extensão no Planalto Central Brasileiro. Para a análise do Cerrado é utilizado o sensoriamento remoto, que está amplamente aplicado para o monitoramento de coberturas vegetais, e principalmente avaliando o desempenho espacial e/ou fisiológico. Os índices de vegetação são técnicas para monitoramento das plantas, sendo os índices utilizados green NDVI, red NDVI, NPCI, PSRI, SAVI, SR analisados com auxílio das imagens do satélite Landsat 8, e o software Arcmap®. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar imagens do satélite Landsat 8 para a caracterização sazonal da vegetação do Cerrado correlacionando com os elementos climáticos de mesmo período, com intuito de verificar a resposta ambiental aos fatores abióticos. A correlação linear de Pearson demonstrou uma forte correlação entre os índices, e a correlação dos índices de vegetação com os dados climáticos demonstraram uma forte correlação com a umidade relativa do ar e uma fraca influência para o balanço hídrico. Conclui-se que as imagens obtidas gratuitamente são eficientes para caracterização do acúmulo de biomassa em vegetações naturais.
Forecasting demand on the Ukrainian electricity market using socio-economic variables
Authors: Krutsyak Mykhailo Orest
Published: October 2019

This paper presents econometric methods and statistical datasets about changing socio-economic factors and their influence on electricity demand (on the example of Ukraine) as the instrument for forecasting electricity demand. For this purpose, based on the results of well-known economists' works in the energy field, we selected linear multiple regression equations as the main method and changes in volumes of gross domestic product, the average price for electricity and the Ukrainian population (adapted to the situation in Ukraine due to the lack of reliable statistical data on part of the territory occupied by the Russian Federation for the period of 2013-2017) as the main factors. In the course of the study, the correlation between the exploring variable factors and the demand for electricity was found to be close (for the period 2000-2017). So, the given variables were used to construct linear regression equations for forecasting electricity demand in Ukraine (for the period up to 2035). As a result, it was possible to obtain the value of demand volumes, comparable to the volumes of demand provided by the profile ministries and agencies of Ukraine.
Modelling the environmental concerns of constructing the Danube-Morava-Vardar-Thessaloniki Canal using General Morphological Analysis
Authors: Hussain Nasir , Popović Dejana Jovanović , Milinčić Miroljub
Published: October 2019

The problem structuring method of General Morphological Analysis was used to explore the factors and uncertainties to be considered in the proposed building of a canal linking the Morava and Vardar Rivers, which in recent years has taken on greater importance given its possible link in China’s one belt initiative. Facilitated workshop sessions identified five main factors – investors, risks, the motivation to invest, type of investment and long-term benefits – and 19 conditional states resulting in 1440 unique scenarios. Using specialist software and input from subject matter specialists from the fields of geography, environment and security, 81 scenarios were isolated. Modelling indicated that over two-thirds of scenarios did not feature the impact on environmental damage such as raised pollution and effect on biodiversity. Interestingly, while financial institutions and the EU did feature because of reputational and ethical reasons, non-EU governments, construction firms and some regional governments did not. The implications of these findings warrant additional research but results of this study suggest that strengthening of governance would be required to mitigate impact on the local environment.
Nutrient Foramen of Fibula in Relation to Distal end, Potential Implications for Vascularised Done Graft Surgery
Authors: Bhatti Amjad N , Smith C
Published: October 2019

Background
Free vascularised fibular bone grafting has gained popularity in various Orthopaedic and Oral & maxillofacial reconstructive surgeries. The objective of the present study was to identify the morphology and topography of nutrient foramina of fibula and to determine the foraminal index (FI) of the fibula using a more surgeon friendly bony landmark.

Methods
The study comprised examination of 100 fibulae specimens. Each bone was divided into 03 parts and topographical analysis was performed on each section. The nutrient foramina were identified macroscopically using size 24-gauge needle. Modified Hughes formula was used to calculate the foraminal index using distance of foramen (DF) from distal end which is easier to palpate in living human beings, total length of fibula (TL); and the formula was DF/TL x100.

Results
With respect to fibulae, 98% had single foramen and foramen was absent in 2%. The mean foraminal index (FI) was 56% for fibulae using modified Hughes’ formula. The majority of the fibulae showed nutrient foramen in the middle 3rd in relation to distal end of fibula.

Conclusion
The study provides information on the morphology of nutrient foramina in relation to easily palpable landmark on living human beings, which can provide guidance to surgeon while performing microvascular bone transfer procedures.
Patterns in Aggregated Human Conflict Behaviour
Authors: Tessaro Lucas
Published: October 2019

Previous works demonstrated that human creative output fluctuates in periods of 500-years, and more importantly that these periods of creative output maxima occurred simultaneous with increased solar activity. Indeed, early works by Chizhevskiy pointed to the correlation between solar-and-lunar geophysical variables and human behaviour. Interestingly, Persinger, and St. Pierre demonstrated increased aggression in rats during increased geophysical activity. Using these studies as a foundation, we explored the CDB90 Battle Dataset to find a pattern or potential periodicity in large scale human aggressive behaviour – war – specifically within the duration of battles. Using the mean duration of battles for various wars from 1600 to 1950 revealed a 7-day periodicity in military conflicts during the 20th Century, with subharmonics at 14, 22, and 29-days. The existence of the 7-day period in large-scale aggregate behaviour may suggest the reflection of biological cycles also of 7-days, whose original entrainment is likely due to solar and lunar influences. Such entrainment may be why attempts to organize human societies with cycles other than 7-days become superseded by circaseptan systems as they reflect a natural, biological pattern.
Private Providers and the Expansion of Collaborative Higher Education in the UK: unintended effects of deregulation?
Authors: Mariampillai John
Published: October 2019

The higher education sector in the UK has witnessed major changes in recent times, including the expansion of private HE provision. Education has a special place in a society, and it plays a major role; it creates productive workforce, offers social mobility and contributes to the economic growth and prosperity of a nation. Therefore, the decision to open-up the higher education market to private providers has met with public debate and scrutiny. This article examines the existence, growth and the approaches adopted by the successive governments since 2010 to organise private provision in the UK higher education.
"Where the Shoe Pinches”: Impediments to Successful Execution of Gender Quota Thresholds in Kenya
Authors: KILELO HELLEN
Published: October 2019

The promulgation of the 2010 Kenyan Constitution inspired me to carry out a research with the objective of identifying the impediments to the successful implementation of gender quotas. This study was carried out in the year 2018 after the second set of County Governments had settled in office. Specifically, I adopted a multiple case study design because I examined perspectives on the implementation of the gender quota threshold in two cases i.e. two Counties. Purposive sampling was used to arrive at the participants. Data for this research was generated using interviews, Focus Group Discussions, and document analysis and the data collected was analyzed thematically. The interviews were conducted with County Public Officers, MCAs and other stakeholders purposively selected in the two Counties and key stakeholders in Nairobi. The main findings to this study were as follows: recruitment mechanisms are riddled with male patronage and bias; there are structural barriers and exclusionary practices that deter successful implementation of gender quotas; there is limited funding for Gender Departments and Gender Committees in the Counties and there are social perceptions that hinder the effectiveness of the gender quota threshold. In conclusion, gender quotas require a perceptual shift. The following recommendations are given in this study: there is need to have incentives that will help promote gender quota thresholds, the need to have a sectoral approach to gender and a strategy for balancing between quantity and quality.