bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF MOTIVATION AND WORK ENVIRONMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES
Authors: Muchtar Muchtar
Published: July 2017

Abstract.This  aims to determine the factors that affect the performance of employees of the University PGRI RonggolaweTuban. These factors are motivation and work environment. Employees who have a high motivation to work will have a positive impact for the organization, so as to achieve organizational goals. Hypothesis testing is done by spreading the questionnaire as many as 52 employees of the University PGRI RonggolaweTuban. Analysis using multiple linear regression analysis. Results of testing the hypothesis that the value F = 4,312; and p = 0.019 (p <0.05) that there is influence motivation and work environment on employee performance PGRI University RonggolaweTuban. The results of the partial test (t test) on the motivation variable, obtained t = 0.136, p = 0.892 (p> 0.05), meaning that work motivation has no significant effect on employee performance. On the environment variable obtained value t = 2,376; and p = 0.021 (p <0.05), which means that the working environment have a significant effect on employee performance. R2 = 0.115 shows that simultaneously motivated and able to contribute to the environmental performance of 11.5% on the employees of the University of PGRI RonggolaweTuban..
THE EFFECT OF WORK DISCIPLINE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES
Authors: Sarwani Sarwani
Published: July 2017

Abstract.Of the many factors that influence employee performance, this research focuses on work discipline and working environment. Lack of discipline and inadequate working environment in the company, can have an impact on the implementation of the work process becomes inefficient. This study aims to determine the influence of labor discipline and the work environment to employee performance as well as the dominant variable influence on employee performance. The population in this study is an all employees at PT Ardian Putra MandiriSidoarjo totaling 126 people. The analysis model is a linear regression. Hypothesis testing using F test and t test at 5% significance level and supported by econometric tests. The results showed that jointly or in partial, work discipline and the work environment has a significant influence on employee performance. From both the independent variables studied, showed that having a dominant influence on employee performance is the work environment..
The Integration Of Cultural Resources Management In Disaster Management At Special Region Province Of Yogyakarta
Authors: Puspitosari Deffi Ayu , Afriono Rizky
Published: July 2017

The Republic of Indonesia Law number 24 year 2007 on disaster emphasizes that the protection of national assets is in line with Law No. 11 year 2010 on the cultural heritage. Yogyakarta Province has 12 disaster hazards and has five complete archaeological cultural layers in Indonesia. In the event of a disaster, potential damage to the cultural heritage is exposed. The archaeological cultural layer consists of prehistoric, classical, Islamic and colonial. The lack of research related to cultural heritage in the province resulting in increasing vulnerability of cultural heritage and society. Using qualitative method with in-depth interview, the aim of this study is to analyse the management of cultural heritage from the perspective of disaster management. Archaeological cultural layers that embedded into the realm of cultural heritage is defined as a national asset that should be protected. The result shows that the management of cultural resources in the province is not yet integrated with disaster management. However, the results of the archaeological identification of cultural heritage in each cultural layer in Yogyakarta showed the development of community adaptation to the disaster. Utilization of cultural heritage as an element of the panca gatra has been impartial that affected the regional resilience and security in facing the disaster. Both of these problems can be overcome by integrating the cultural resources management and disaster management, the establishment of an emergency response team on cultural preservation, and disaster risk analysis on cultural heritage that annexed by BPBD and Cultural Office of Yogyakarta Province.
The Differences Between Management And Leadership
Authors: Wajdi Barid Nizarudin
Published: July 2017

There are a differences between management and leadership. The aim of this review is to determine the differences between management and leadership. The result of this review showed that management and leadership are two very distinct functions. Although, management and leadership do share many similar duties which consist of working with people and influencing others to achieve goals. Management skills are used to plan, build, and direct organizational systems to accomplish missions and goals, while leadership skills are used to focus on a potential change by establishing direction, aligning people, and motivating and inspiring. Leadership and management must go hand in hand. They are not the same thing. But they are necessarily linked, and complementary. Any effort to separate the two is likely to cause more problems than it solves.
Deregulasi Penerbangan dan Kinerja Perusahaan Penerbangan Niaga Berjadwal di Indonesia
Authors: Setiawan Indra , Nusraningrum Dewi , Pahala Yosi
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the aviation deregulation and performance of the scheduled commercial airlines. Samples used are domestic flights of 17 companies. Using descriptive analytical research methods. Deregulation encourage the emergence of new low-cost airline. Up to 2012 the share of the domestic passenger market in general is as much as 78% controlled by low-cost airline companies. Garuda Indonesia, which has the operating license to fly as a full service airline only gain a market share of 22%. It is concluded that the trend of domestic passengers as much as 78% are choosing low cost airlines.
HANDLING STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE EXPORT DOCUMENT OCEAN FREIGHT
Authors: Ricardianto Prasadja , Setiawan Agus , Pujianto Agus
Published: July 2017

PT Schenker Petrolog Utama is one of the most prominent companies in Indonesia that handle service in domestic cargo delivery. In analyzing the problems in handling Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) especially for export documents, the author uses a tree analysis consisting of problem tree, target tree, and alternative tree. The first analysis is done in the process of handling export documents. After that, analysis on the root of problem in handling export documents by using questionnaires—it successfully identifies four problems: lack of human resources, poor communication among the employees in handling export documents, computer network system which is in problem, and slow response from the customer to confirm the export documents. Subsequently, analysis on the solutions or alternative actions for those problems in handling export documents.
Study on The Cause of Stock Out of Logistic Installation in Harapan Kita Hospital
Authors: Hidayat Didiet Rachmat , Simarmata Juliater , Togas Nelson Len
Published: July 2017

RSAB Harapan Kita has a logistic installation as the facility of goods storage and supply, especially medical stuff (medicines) as well as non-medical ones. The focus in this research is the cause of stock out of that hospital’s non-medical stuff. Meanwhile, to analyze thedata the author uses ishbone analysis which is also known as cause-effect analysis. The result shows ive factors causing the stock out in the installation (warehouse): the irst in the process of procurement contributing 33%, the second in the implementation of SOP contributing 27%, the third in training contributing 20%, the fourth in the coordination contributing 13%, and the last in the budget contributing 7%.
Quality and Purchase Intention Percieved Towards low Cost Energy- Saving Cars
Authors: Setiawan Edhie Budi
Published: July 2017

Low cost car does not mean having low quality. This is the assumption that the producers or sellers of especially energy-saving car want to push away. This research on the desire and expectation of every car producer and dealer in Indonesia who try to be perceived as having the best quality in the eyes of their consumers and on the increase of consumer buying intention is carried out using a qualitative method as well as the concept of perceived service quality—which shows the difference between bibliographic study and the actual condition.
PEMBERDAYAAN KARYAWAN DAN KUALITAS PELAYANAN PADA PERUSAHAAN PELAYARAN
Authors: Kadarisman Muh , Sudewo Gatot Cahyo , Pahala Yosi
Published: July 2017

This research aims to find out the relationship of strategic management, organizational culture and employees’ empowerment with service quality. This research is carried on at PT Sillo Bahari Nusantara using quantitative approach with survey method. The population of this study is the employees at PT Sillo Bahari Nusantara Jakarta 2015. The samples used in this study are 50 respondents which are selected randomly. The data is analyzed using descriptive statistic technic and parametric inferential. Based on data analysis it can be concluded that all the independent variables like strategic management, organizational culture, and employees’ empowerment have a positive and strong relation towards service quality, either partially or simultaneously. Therefore, the service quality can be increased by improving strategic management, organizational culture and employees’ empowerment.
Einige Bemerkungen zur intermedialen Erzähltechnik in der polnischen Übersetzung des Debütromans „Niebo pod Berlinem“ (dt. Himmel unter Berlin - 2004) von Jaroslav Rudiš
Authors: Kowalski Jacek
Published: July 2017

Im theoretischen Teil stellen wir eine historische Tradition des sogenannten Montageeffekts als Beziehung zwischen einem Text und einem Bild vor, die sich auf die Disziplin bezieht, die als Linguistik eines Bildes bekannt ist. Im materiellen Teil analysieren wir die Technik des intermedialen Erzählens am Beispiel einer polnischen Übersetzung eines Quasi-Romans (Debütromans) von Jaroslav Rudis Niebo pod Berlinem, der im Lichte der Kulturtheorie Walter Benjamins untersucht wird.
Pathos und Superlative in der „Krakauer Zeitung“ als Mittel nationalsozialistischer Propaganda 1939–1945
Authors: Lis Radosław
Published: July 2017

In dem Artikel analysieren wir die Sprache der Nazi-Propaganda in ausgewählten Ausgaben der „KrakauerZeitung“ aus den Jahren 1939–1945, der im Krakauer Generalgouvernement (pol. Generalne Gubernatorstwo) erscheinenden Tageszeitung, die eines der wichtigsten Instrumente der Nazi-Manipulation sein sollte unter der polnischen Bevölkerung. Konkret wird versucht, einige der beabsichtigten Propagandaziele hinter ausgewählten sprachlichen Ausdrücken zu identifizieren und zu rekonstruieren, wobei Pathos und Stolz im Mittelpunkt stehen.
Libretto baletowe jako gatunek tekstu?
Authors: Wybraniec Marta
Published: July 2017

Libretto to rodzaj tekstu, kategoria teoretyczna będąca składnikiem kompetencji komunikacyjnej artystów baletu. Tekst ten jest niezależną jednostką komunikacyjną leżącą pomiędzy gatunkami. Zdanie można postrzegać jako rodzaj wypowiedzi zamkniętej, ale sam tekst nie jest zamknięty.
Teaching Polish sign language as a foreign language to people who can hear
Authors: Majkowski Grzegorz , Garncarek Michał
Published: July 2017

Didactics of foreign phonic languages in Europe is often based on the Common European Framework of References for Languages. Teaching Polish Sign Language (PSL) to hearing people is substituted by teaching them Signed Polish, which results in many obstacles in the communication process between deaf and hearing. This article concentrates on different measures to make communication possible and emphasizes the need of teaching PSL to hearing people using standards of Common European Framework of References for Languages.
Words shaping the picture of the world: school prayer in the American system of education
Authors: Zamkowska Iwona
Published: July 2017

Prayer constituted a core element of character and patriotic formation at the outset of the American public education system in the colonial period. Over the years, however, the status of this religious practice has undergone a significant transformation, including a complete ban on school prayer. The article discusses the factors that have had a decisive impact on the status of school prayer, including increasing religious diversity of the American population as well as tensions between dominant and minority religions and non-religion. Both old controversies over state-sponsored and school-run prayer as well as more recent ones surrounding graduation prayer and prayer before sports games will be discussed in more detail on the basis of landmark Supreme Court and lower court cases as well as government regulations, including presidential guidelines and other administrative documents.
xhy公司立体车库由制造向运营延伸的思考
Authors: 张 必民
Published: July 2017

xhy公司作为中国第一批研究制造机械式立体车库的企业，于 2016年提出了机械产业“由机械制造向产业运营、产业链延伸、拓展新市场迈出关键一步”的要求，xhy积极运作，在北京投资建设了新桥家园智能车库项目，实现了由制造向投资运营产业延伸“零”的突破。
关于城镇居民医疗保险缴费方式的探索
Authors: 翟 敏
Published: July 2017

随着医疗保险参保人数的不断增加，现行的医疗保险缴费模式烦琐且落后，已经严重影响了经办机构的工作效率，影响了参保人员正常享受的待遇。论文试对现阶段医疗保险缴费模式存在的问题进行总结，探索更合理有效的缴费模式，实现医疗保险缴费方式的多样化。
Business Development Service Provider Organizations in Micro Entrepreneurship Development in Western Hill, Nepal
Authors: Karki Bir Bahadur
Published: July 2017

Business Development Service Providers Organization (BDSPO) play vital role specially in Micro Entrepreneurship Development (MED) sectors. BDSPO provides various types of services such as skill oriented training, facilitates to establish enterprises, identify sources of raw materials and other equipments, establish market link etc. Major Activities of the BDSPOs includes social mobilization of potential micro entrepreneurs, formation of Micro Enterprise Group (MEG) formation, House-Hold (HH) survey and participants selection, conduct Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) programmes, provides skill training and appropriate technology support, help to establish marketing linkage and product promotion, need assessment of entrepreneurs, identify and provide scale up activities, facilitates micro credit accessibilities, facilitates to formation of cooperatives and product association, facilitation of construction of new Common Facility Centers (CFCs) and examine as well as assess the uses of existing technology. The main objective of MEDEP is “improve the socio economic status hardcore poor and non hard core poor people through Micro Enterprise”. On the response of the question of how do entrepreneur rate the business supportive policies of the other agencies like BDSPOs, 32.5percent entrepreneurs felt that the business supportive policies of the other agencies supportive. By 35.6 percent respondents felt the supportive policies of the other agencies is less supportive. The researches try to examine of the change in self-confidence before participation in EDP and after EDP. Paired t-test between effectiveness before participation in EDP and after EDP has been conducted. This shows a statistically significant influence of EDP on confidence level. Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 5 (December 2016), page: 14-26
Employee Commitment toward Organization and their Career during the Merger of Bishwa Bikas Bank and Fewa Finance
Authors: Adhikari Nabin Bahadur
Published: July 2017

Change is indispensible for the survival of the firm. Managing change become more challenging when it includes massive human involvement. This research paper aims to investigate employee commitment towards organization and own career during the merger. For this hypothesis were set to test under some constraints. The study applied empirical approach in which a survey questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and other statistical techniques like Chi square test, Pearson correlation was applied and conclude that there is no effect of age factor in the determination of employee commitment towards the organization. Moreover the employee commitment towards their career has relative influence to employee commitment towards organization.Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 5 (December 2016), page: 44-55
Accessing Labour, Resources and Institutions: Women Laborers in Brick Kiln of Jamune Bhanjyang, Tanahun , Nepal
Authors: Upadhyay Prakash
Published: July 2017

The key argument of this paper is that the changing nature of women’s involvement in non-agricultural labor force has added a critical dimension in the development process of Nepal. This relationship between involvement and development has been affected by nature of women’s employment, education, family responsibility and state policy. The major objective of this paper is to analyze critical issues, condition, tribulations and options associated with the livelihoods of women labourers working in brick kiln. For meeting the objectives, qualitative and quantitative data from both primary and secondary sources were used. Primary data were collected via self administered questionnaire, interview, observation and case study. The study findings reveal that due to poverty, low education and skills, many rural women are concentrated in low-skilled and low-paid employment in urban brick kilns where they suffer from gender discriminations, exploitations and male chauvinism in salary, working hours, promotion and facilities. Gender relation has been foremost in determining control over and access to labour, resources, institutions and services. Hence, understanding the different role of women and men is critical to understanding how that system affects women labour, reward, punishment, productivity and sustainability in brick kilns. Policies should consider women labourers easy access to education and information on their rights, as well as supportive institutions and legal measures to ensure their safety, gender rights and encourage private sector development in rural areas that can increase job opportunities for rural women hence reducing their brisk migration to urban areas for job.Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 5 (December 2016), page:56-74
Application of differential equation in L-R and C-R circuit analysis by classical method
Authors: Regmi Rajendra Prasad
Published: July 2017

The paper deals with the analysis of L-R and C-R circuit by using linear differential equation of first order. A circuit containing an inductance L or a capacitor C and resistor R with current and voltage variable given by differential equation. The general solution of differential equation have two parts complementary function (C.F) and particular integral(P.I) in which C.F. represent transient response and P.I. represent steady response. The general solution of differential equation represent the complete response of network. In this connection, this paper includes L-R, C-R circuit and ordinary differential equation of first order and its solution. Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 5 (December 2016), page: 114-123
Ozone: A Pollutant and a Protector Gas
Authors: Subedi Thaneshwar
Published: July 2017

The natural balance of ozone in the stratosphere is due to continuous formation of ozone from oxygen and dissociation of it into oxygen in presence UV radiation. Amount of ozone can be determined by colorimetric method. It is poisonous gas near the earth surface in biosphere and protective shield in stratosphere. Depletion of ozone layer and formation of hole in it is due to reaction of CFCS, NOx, OH, H2O with ozone in stratosphere. Direct entrance of UV -B in the biosphere causes skin cancer, cataract, blindness, suppression of immune system degradation of plastics, reduction of food, vegetable & fish production and then alters the overall ecosystem. Protector ozone layer can be saved by replacing CFCS by HCFCS, by reducing supersonic flight & nuclear explosions, by refilling ozone in depleted area and by conducting public awareness about importance of ozone layer.Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 5 (December 2016), page: 124-132
Common Errors, Illusions and Myths in Statistical Procedures
Authors: KC Vikash Kumar
Published: July 2017

Statistical Procedure is one of the prime components of research which facilitates to draw firm inference from sample information. Although it has various advantages and strengths, its application sometimes may be misleading because of its assumptions, illusions and complexities. There are many sources of errors that arise from the application of statistical procedures. For example; errors may arise from planning, preparation of research instruments, basic assumptions, application of different research approaches, common errors also occur while reporting the research outcomes and drawing conclusions. Therefore, a grater care is to be paid while applying statistical procedures. Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 5 (December 2016), page: 133-144
Sex and Salaries at a Canadian University: The Song Remains the Same or the Times They Are a Changin'?
Authors: Brown Laura K. , Troutt Elizabeth
Published: July 2017

We examine whether a sex-based salary gap identified at the University of Manitoba in 1993 and 2003 persists in 2013. We apply decomposition techniques to analyze the factors contributing to the salary gap in each year and to its changes across the two decades. We find that a smaller but substantial 12 percent gap persists in 2013. In contrast to previous years, the 2013 gap is completely explained by sex differences in faculty, experience, and, more important, type of appointment and rank. The distribution of values of these control variables changed considerably between the earlier years and 2013 in ways that influenced the gap.
Are Quebecers More Stressed Out at Work than Others? An Investigation into the Differences between Quebec and the Rest of Canada in Level of Work Stress
Authors: Sedigh Golnaz , Devlin Rose Anne , Grenier Gilles
Published: July 2017

Work stress is costly and decreases productivity. Quebecers are much more likely to report high work stress than other Canadians. Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey spanning 2003–2012, we study the determinants of reported work stress. Chronic disease, mental health, and lifestyle choices all contribute to work stress. Despite including a large variety of influences, living in Quebec is persistently associated with higher work stress. We discuss contextual and cultural factors. No one explanation stands out, but Quebecers are absent from work more often than others, suggesting that the costs of this phenomenon are real.
Cohort Effects and the Returns to Canadian Undergraduate Education
Authors: Ren Feixue , Shannon Mike
Published: July 2017

We use Census and National Household Survey data to generate estimates of the private rate of return to a Canadian bachelor's degree that allow for differences in earnings determination, taxes, and tuition by birth cohort. Log-earnings equation estimates that allow for cohort effects suggest that earnings equations have shifted significantly across cohorts in ways that have increased the returns to education. These effects dominate the effect of changes to taxes and tuition across the 1927–1981 birth cohorts examined. The results suggest that rate-of-return estimates based on a single cross-sectional data set underestimate the rates of return of recent cohorts.
Expanding the endoscopic transpterygoid corridor to the petroclival region: anatomical study and volumetric comparative analysis
Authors: Freeman Jacob L. , Sampath Raghuram , Quattlebaum Steven Craig , Casey Michael A. , Folzenlogen Zach A. , Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Youssef A. Samy
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

The endoscopic endonasal transmaxillary transpterygoid (TMTP) approach has been the gateway for lateral skull base exposure. Removal of the cartilaginous eustachian tube (ET) and lateral mobilization of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are technically demanding adjunctive steps that are used to access the petroclival region. The gained expansion of the deep working corridor provided by these maneuvers has yet to be quantified.

METHODS

The TMTP approach with cartilaginous ET removal and ICA mobilization was performed in 5 adult cadaveric heads (10 sides). Accessible portions of the petrous apex were drilled during the following 3 stages: 1) before ET removal, 2) after ET removal but before ICA mobilization, and 3) after ET removal and ICA repositioning. Resection volumes were calculated using 3D reconstructions generated from thin-slice CT scans obtained before and after each step of the dissection.

RESULTS

The average petrous temporal bone resection volumes at each stage were 0.21 cm3, 0.71 cm3, and 1.32 cm3 (p < 0.05, paired t-test). Without ET removal, inferior and superior access to the petrous apex was limited. Furthermore, without ICA mobilization, drilling was confined to the inferior two-thirds of the petrous apex. After mobilization, the resection was extended superiorly through the upper extent of the petrous apex.

CONCLUSIONS

The transpterygoid corridor to the petroclival region is maximally expanded by the resection of the cartilaginous ET and mobilization of the paraclival ICA. These added maneuvers expanded the deep window almost 6 times and provided more lateral access to the petroclival region with a maximum volume of 1.5 cm3. This may result in the ability to resect small-to-moderate sized intradural petroclival lesions up to that volume. Larger lesions may better be approached through an open transcranial approach.
Nasoseptal flap necrosis: a rare complication of endoscopic endonasal surgery
Authors: Chabot Joseph D. , Patel Chirag R. , Hughes Marion A. , Wang Eric W. , Snyderman Carl H. , Gardner Paul A. , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C.
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

The vascularized nasoseptal flap (NSF) has become the workhorse for skull base reconstruction during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) of the ventral skull base. Although infrequently reported, as with any vascularized flap the NSF may undergo ischemic necrosis and become a nidus for infection. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s experience with NSF was reviewed to determine the incidence of necrotic NSF in patients following EES and describe the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, and risk factors associated with this complication.

METHODS

The electronic medical records of 1285 consecutive patients who underwent EES at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January 2010 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. From this first group, a list of all patients in whom NSF was used for reconstruction was generated and further refined to determine if the patient returned to the operating room and the cause of this reexploration. Patients were included in the final analysis if they underwent endoscopic reexploration for suspected CSF leak or meningitis. Those patients who returned to the operating room for staged surgery or hematoma were excluded. Two neurosurgeons and a neuroradiologist, who were blinded to each other’s results, assessed the MRI characteristics of the included patients.

RESULTS

In total, 601 patients underwent NSF reconstruction during the study period, and 49 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the final analysis. On endoscopic exploration, 8 patients had a necrotic, nonviable NSF, while 41 patients had a viable NSF with a CSF leak. The group of patients with a necrotic, nonviable NSF was then compared with the group with viable NSF. All 8 patients with a necrotic NSF had clinical and laboratory evidence indicative of meningitis compared with 9 of 41 patients with a viable NSF (p < 0.001). Four patients with necrotic flaps developed epidural empyema compared with 2 of 41 patients in the viable NSF group (p = 0.02). The lack of NSF enhancement on MR (p < 0.001), prior surgery (p = 0.043), and the use of a fat graft (p = 0.004) were associated with necrotic NSF.

CONCLUSIONS

The signs of meningitis after EES in the absence of a clear CSF leak with the lack of NSF enhancement on MRI should raise the suspicion of necrotic NSF. These patients should undergo prompt exploration and debridement of nonviable tissue with revision of skull base reconstruction.
Anaplastic meningioma: an analysis of the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2012
Authors: Orton Andrew , Frandsen Jonathan , Jensen Randy , Shrieve Dennis C. , Suneja Gita
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

Anaplastic meningiomas represent 1%–2% of meningioma diagnoses and portend a poor prognosis. Limited information is available on practice patterns and optimal management. The purpose of this study was to define treatment patterns and outcomes by treatment modality using a large national cancer registry.

METHODS

The National Cancer Database was used to identify patients diagnosed with anaplastic meningioma from 2004 to 2012. Log-rank statistics were used to compare survival outcomes by extent of resection, use of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), and use of adjuvant chemotherapy. Least-squares linear regression was used to evaluate the utilization of RT over time. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify predictors of receipt of RT. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to evaluate the effect of RT, gross-total resection (GTR), and chemotherapy on survival.

RESULTS

A total of 755 adults with anaplastic meningioma were identified. The 5-year overall survival rate was 41.4%. Fifty-two percent of patients received RT, 7% received chemotherapy, and 58% underwent GTR. Older patients were less likely to receive RT (OR 0.98, p < 0.01). Older age (HR 1.04, p < 0.01), high comorbidity score (HR 1.33, p = 0.02), and subtotal resection (HR 1.57, p = 0.02) were associated with increased risk of death on multivariate modeling, while RT receipt was associated with decreased risk of death (HR 0.79, p = 0.04). Chemotherapy did not have a demonstrable effect on survival (HR 1.33, p = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Anaplastic meningioma portends a poor prognosis. Gross-total resection and RT are associated with improved survival, but utilization of RT is low. Unless medically contraindicated, patients with anaplastic meningioma should be offered RT.
Management of multiple meningiomas
Authors: Tsermoulas Georgios , Turel Mazda K. , Wilcox Jared T. , Shultz David , Farb Richard , Zadeh Gelareh , Bernstein Mark
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVE

Multiple meningiomas account for 1%–10% of meningiomas. This study describes epidemiological aspects of the disease and its management, which is more challenging than for single tumors.

METHODS

A consecutive series of adult patients with ≥ 2 spatially separated meningiomas was reviewed. Patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2 were excluded. The authors collected clinical, imaging, histological, and treatment data to obtain information on epidemiology, management options, and outcomes of active treatment and surveillance.

RESULTS

A total of 133 consecutive patients were included over 25 years, with a total of 395 synchronous and 53 metachronous meningiomas, and a median of 2 tumors per patient. One hundred six patients had sporadic disease, 26 had radiation-induced disease, and 1 had familial meningiomatosis. At presentation, half of the patients were asymptomatic. In terms of their maximum cross-sectional diameter, the tumors were small (≤ 2 cm) in 67% and large (> 4 cm) in 11% of the meningiomas. Fifty-four patients had upfront treatment, and 31 had delayed treatment after an observation period (mean 4 years). One in 4 patients had ≥ 2 meningiomas treated. Overall, 64% of patients had treatment for 142 tumors—67 with surgery and 18 with radiotherapy alone. The mean follow-up was 7 years, with 13% of treated patients receiving salvage therapy. Approximately 1 in 4 patients who underwent surgery had ≥ 1 WHO Grade II or III meningioma. Meningiomas of different histological subtypes and grades in the same patient were not uncommon.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple meningiomas are often asymptomatic, probably because the majority are small and a significant proportion are induced by radiation. Approximately two-thirds of patients with multiple meningiomas require therapy, but only one-third of all meningiomas need active treatment. The authors recommend surveillance for stable and asymptomatic meningiomas and therapy for those that are symptomatic or growing.
Application of Bender Elements Technique in Testing of Anthropogenic Soil—Recycled Concrete Aggregate and Its Mixture with Rubber Chips
Authors: Gabryś Katarzyna , Sas Wojciech , Soból Emil , Głuchowski Andrzej
Published: July 2017

This paper discusses the application of piezoceramic bender elements (BEs) for measurement of shear wave velocity in the time and frequency domain in a triaxial cell under different isotropic confinement. Different interpretation methods were used in the tests and their results were finally compared with each other. Two types of anthropogenic material were tested: pure Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) and RCA-rubber chips mixtures (15% of rubber addition). Presented study is an attempt to describe dynamic properties, in terms of shear wave velocity (VS), of the aforementioned anthropogenic material using the technique commonly applied for natural soil. Although some research is currently being carried out, in order to evaluate physical, chemical and mechanical properties of RCA and rubber-soil mixtures, still little is known of their dynamic properties. Hence, this work will provide the experimental results of shear wave velocity of RCA and its modified version. The results show that tires chips significantly decrease the VS values of modified RCA. They help to reduce the near field effect, but the received parameters are more incoherent. The VS values were found to be influenced by interpretation technique, mean effective stress and wave’s propagation period. The maximum VS values were obtained mostly from the frequency domain method, although time domain analysis gives the results that are more coherent.
Performance Analysis of a Burst Transmission Mechanism Using Microsleep Operation for Green IEEE 802.11 WLANs
Authors: Palacios-Trujillo Raul , Fonseca Nelson , Alonso-Zarate Jesus , Granelli Fabrizio
Published: July 2017

This paper evaluates the performance of a burst transmission mechanism using microsleep operation to support high energy efficiency in IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). This mechanism is an implementation of the IEEE 802.11ac Transmission Opportunity Power Save Mode (TXOP PSM). A device using the TXOP PSM-based mechanism can switch to a low-power sleep state for the time that another device transmits a burst of data frames to a third one. This operation is called microsleep and its feasibility strongly depends on the time and energy consumption that a device incurs in the transitions from and to the sleep state. This paper accounts for the impact of these transitions in the derivation of an analytical model to calculate the energy efficiency of the TXOP PSM-based mechanism under network saturation. Results obtained show that the impact of the transition requirements on the feasibility of microsleep operation can be significant depending on the selected system parameters, although it can be reduced by using burst transmissions. When microsleep operation is feasible, the TXOP PSM-based mechanism can improve the energy efficiency of other legacy mechanisms by up to 424% under high traffic loads.
Altered Protein Interactions of the Endogenous Interactome of PTPIP51 towards MAPK Signaling
Authors: Brobeil Alexander , Chehab Rajaa , Dietel Eric , Gattenlöhner Stefan , Wimmer Monika
Published: July 2017

Protein–protein interactions play a pivotal role in normal cellular functions as well as in carcinogenesis. The protein–protein interactions form functional clusters during signal transduction. To elucidate the fine calibration of the protein–protein interactions of protein tyrosine phosphatase interacting protein 51 (PTPIP51) a small molecule drug, namely LDC-3, directly targeting PTPIP51 is now available. Therefore, LDC-3 allows for the studying of the regulation of the endogenous interactome by modulating PTPIP51 binding capacity. Small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) experiments show that the modification in PTPIP51 binding capacity is induced by LDC-3. Application of LDC-3 annuls the known regulatory phosphorylation mechanisms for PTPIP51 and consequently, significantly alters the assembly of the PTPIP51 associated protein complexes. The treatment of human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) with LDC-3 induces an altered protein–protein interaction profile of the endogenous interactome of PTPIP51. In addition, LDC-3 stabilizes PTPIP51 within a mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) complex composed of Raf-1 and the scaffold protein 14-3-3, independent of the phosphorylation status of PTPIP51. Of note, under LDC-3 treatment the regulatory function of the PTP1B on PTPIP51 fails to impact the PTPIP51 interaction characteristics, as reported for the HaCaT cell line. In summary, LDC-3 gives the unique opportunity to directly modulate PTPIP51 in malignant cells, thus targeting potential dysregulated signal transduction pathways such as the MAPK cascade. The provided data give critical insights in the therapeutic potential of PTPIP51 protein interactions and thus are basic for possible targeted therapy regimens.
Transgenerational Social Stress Alters Immune–Behavior Associations and the Response to Vaccination
Authors: Hicks-Nelson Alexandria , Beamer Gillian , Gurel Kursat , Cooper Rachel , Nephew Benjamin
Published: July 2017

Similar to the multi-hit theory of schizophrenia, social behavior pathologies are mediated by multiple factors across generations, likely acting additively, synergistically, or antagonistically. Exposure to social adversity, especially during early life, has been proposed to induce depression symptoms through immune mediated mechanisms. Basal immune factors are altered in a variety of neurobehavioral models. In the current study, we assessed two aspects of a transgenerational chronic social stress (CSS) rat model and its effects on the immune system. First, we asked whether exposure of F0 dams and their F1 litters to CSS changes basal levels of IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ, and social behavior in CSS F1 female juvenile rats. Second, we asked whether the F2 generation could generate normal immunological responses following vaccination with Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG). We report several changes in the associations between social behaviors and cytokines in the F1 juvenile offspring of the CSS model. It is suggested that changes in the immune–behavior relationships in F1 juveniles indicate the early stages of immune mediated disruption of social behavior that becomes more apparent in F1 dams and the F2 generation. We also report preliminary evidence of elevated IL-6 and impaired interferon-gamma responses in BCG-vaccinated F2 females. In conclusion, transgenerational social stress alters both immune–behavior associations and responses to vaccination. It is hypothesized that the effects of social stress may accumulate over generations through changes in the immune system, establishing the immune system as an effective preventative or treatment target for social behavior pathologies.
Economic-Environmental Indicators to Support Investment Decisions: A Focus on the Buildings’ End-of-Life Stage
Authors: Fregonara Elena , Giordano Roberto , Ferrando Diego Giuseppe , Pattono Sara
Published: July 2017

The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology for supporting decision making in design activities; in case of new projects or retrofitting of existing buildings. A multidisciplinary approach is adopted; involving Real Estate Appraisal and Economic Evaluation of Project and Building Environmental Design. It is proposed a methodology for selecting the preferable solutions among technological options; considering both economic and environmental aspects; in terms of global performance. Assuming the principles of Life Cycle Thinking and Circular Economy focus is posed at the end-of-life stage. Attention is paid on disposal costs and residual value as relevant items enable to orient investment decisions. This is done through an approach for quantifying environmental indicators related to Life Cycle Assessment (Standard ISO 14040:2006); and economic indicators adopting the Life Cycle Costing (Standard ISO 15686:2008). The paper proposes a conjoint “economic-environmental indicator”. An application of Global Cost calculation is illustrated; including monetized environmental impacts (Embodied energy and Embodied carbon); disposal/dismantling costs and residual value. The result of the Global Cost calculation is expressed through a “synthetic economic-environmental indicator” in order to select; between two different technologies; the most viable solution for a multifunctional building glass façade project; in Northern Italy. The study demonstrates that the initial investment decisions depend on the design solutions; since the early stages; related to the whole building life cycle considering conjointly the construction-management phases and the end-of-life stage.
Seed-in-Soil: Pancreatic Cancer Influenced by Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Lin Huey-Jen , Lin Jiayuh
Published: July 2017

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a fatal malignancy with a five-year survival rate lower than 7%, and most patients dying within six months of diagnosis. The factors that contribute to the aggressiveness of the disease include, but are not limited to: late diagnosis, prompt metastasis to adjacent vital organs, poor response, and resistance to anticancer treatments. This malignancy is uniquely associated with desmoplastic stroma that accounts for 80% of tumor mass. Understanding the biology of stroma can aid the discovery of innovative strategies for eradicating this lethal cancer in the future. This review highlights the critical components in the stroma and how they interact with the cancer cells to convey the devastating tumor progression.
New Biomarkers and Diagnostic Tools for the Management of Fever in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Overview of the Challenges
Authors: Escadafal Camille , Nsanzabana Christian , Archer Julie , Chihota Violet , Rodriguez William , Dittrich Sabine
Published: July 2017

A lack of simple, inexpensive, and rapid diagnostic tests for febrile illnesses other than malaria leads to overtreatment with antibiotics for those who test negative for malaria, and contributes to the global rise in antimicrobial resistance. New tests for the detection of host biomarkers provide promising tools to differentiate bacterial from non-bacterial infections in febrile patients. However, most available biomarker tests are not currently used in resource-limited settings, and very few evaluations have been performed in low- and middle-income country populations with non-severe febrile illness. As a result, our knowledge of the performance of these tests in settings with high prevalence of infectious and poverty-related diseases such as malaria, HIV, malnutrition and intestinal parasites is poor. This paper describes challenges faced during the process of getting to an approved test, including difficulties in selecting the most appropriate fever biomarkers; suitable study designs and sites for test evaluations; lack of available reference tests to evaluate the performance of new tests; and lack of clear regulatory pathways to introduce such tests. As many new biomarker assays are in development, understanding these challenges will better enable those working in this area to address them during product development.
Transfer Entropy for Nonparametric Granger Causality Detection: An Evaluation of Different Resampling Methods
Authors: Diks Cees , Fang Hao
Published: July 2017

The information-theoretical concept transfer entropy is an ideal measure for detecting conditional independence, or Granger causality in a time series setting. The recent literature indeed witnesses an increased interest in applications of entropy-based tests in this direction. However, those tests are typically based on nonparametric entropy estimates for which the development of formal asymptotic theory turns out to be challenging. In this paper, we provide numerical comparisons for simulation-based tests to gain some insights into the statistical behavior of nonparametric transfer entropy-based tests. In particular, surrogate algorithms and smoothed bootstrap procedures are described and compared. We conclude this paper with a financial application to the detection of spillover effects in the global equity market.
High-Precision Spectral Decomposition Method Based on VMD/CWT/FWEO for Hydrocarbon Detection in Tight Sandstone Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Chen Hui , Xu Dan , Zhou Xinyue , Hu Ying , Guo Ke
Published: July 2017

Seismic time-frequency analysis methods can be used for hydrocarbon detection because of the phenomena of energy and abnormal attenuation of frequency when the seismic waves travel across reservoirs. A high-resolution method based on variational mode decomposition (VMD), continuous-wavelet transform (CWT) and frequency-weighted energy operator (FWEO) is proposed for hydrocarbon detection in tight sandstone gas reservoirs. VMD can decompose seismic signals into a set of intrinsic mode functions (IMF) in the frequency domain. In order to avoid meaningful frequency loss, the CWT method is used to obtain the time-frequency spectra of the selected IMFs. The energy separation algorithm based on FWEO can improve the resolution of time-frequency spectra and highlight abnormal energy, which is applied to track the instantaneous energy in the time-frequency spectra. The difference between the high-frequency section and low-frequency section acquired by applying the proposed method is utilized to detect hydrocarbons. Applications using the model and field data further demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively detect hydrocarbons in tight sandstone reservoirs, with good anti-noise performance. The newly-proposed method can be used as an analysis tool to detect hydrocarbons.
Effect of Altitude on the Audible Noise Level of AC Power lines
Authors: He Wangling , Wan Baoquan , Lan Lei , Pei Chunming , Zhang Jiangong , Chen Yuchao , Chen Xiaoyue , Wen Xishan
Published: July 2017

The audible noise (AN) induced by corona discharge of AC transmission lines is more severe at high altitudes than at low altitudes; this has become a crucial limiting factor for the structural design of power lines and their environmental impact assessment. To determine the altitude effect and correction of AN level for AC power lines, a corona cage test system was used to measure the acoustic power level of four bundled conductors at five elevations, namely Wuhan (23 m), Tianshui (1100 m), Xining (2261 m), Gonghe (2943 m), and Yangbajain (4300 m). We obtained the AN characteristics for different altitudes, bundle numbers, and subconductor diameters through a statistical analysis of measured data. The analysis and comparison results indicate that the actual AN correction values are slightly less than the Bonneville Power Administration term of 1 dB/300 m at altitudes below 3200 m. Above 3200 m, the difference increases gradually. A correction term 2.85 dB/1000 m is recommended for more accurate evaluation.