bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software-Defined Networks (SDN)
Authors: Bilal Rabia , Khan Bilal Muhammad
Published: March 2019

Software-defined networks (SDN) are a new paradigm shift in the world of network centralized command and control, providing network omniscience and separates control and data planes. Most of the research work till date focuses on increasing efficiency and manageability of computational and storage resources which results in emergence of current virtualization technologies. The feasibility and applications of SDN in current datacenters and network infrastructures is being studied by academia, industry, and the standardization bodies. This chapter explains SDN concepts and its difference from legacy networking, interrelated terminologies, protocols, programming languages, benefits, and shortcomings. Moreover, exploration of current research areas and techniques along with in-depth analysis and future research directions will be presented.
O impacto da formação profissional ofertada, por meio do programa Pronatec, para a ocupação de vagas de postos formais de trabalho, entre 2011 e 2015
Authors: Biavatti Joanna Adelia , Deitos Roberto Antonio
Published: March 2019

Entre os anos de 2011 e 2015, o Pronatec mobilizou cerca de 9,4 milhões de matrículas e mais de 13 bilhões de reais, o que caracterizou o programa como a Política Pública de Educação Profissional de maior grandiosidade, considerando, além dos números citados, os subprogramas por ele abarcados e os ministérios e secretarias mobilizados. Entretanto, embora seu saldo apresente números vultosos, pouco foi o impacto da formação profissional ofertada, por meio do Pronatec, para a ocupação de vagas de postos formais de trabalho no mesmo período. O estudo analisou as vagas disponíveis na Agência do Trabalhador, no município de Cascavel, estado do Paraná, e as entrelaçou com as ofertas dos cursos do Pronatec na mesma região. Essa análise constatou que, embora mais de sete mil profissionais tenham sido capacitados no referido município, não houve queda no número de vagas em aberto na Agência do Trabalhador.
Metastatic disease of skeleton
Authors: Hewage L. S. A.
Published: March 2019

Bone metastasis is a catastrophic complication for most patients with cancer and can cause significant morbidity to a patient. It stands 3rd most common site secondary to liver and lungs. Prostate and breast are more common to cause bone metastasis. They can be osteolytic, osteoblastic or a combination of both. Vertebrae are commonly involved (50-70%). Proximal femur, ribs, sternum, pelvis, and skull are other common sites. Only 10% of patients get symptoms. Pain, pathological fractures, spinal cord compression syndromes and hypercalcaemia are common presentations. Precise mechanism of metastasis is not understood. Establishment of skeletal metastasis involves interactions between the tumor cell and the cellular elements in the bone microenvironment. Majority of patients need non operative conservative treatment. Principles of treatment include control of local symptoms; maintain function and mobility and prevention of pathological fractures.
Limb revascularization after segmental femur fracture in children
Authors: Niroshana G. A. L. , Fonseka W. R. D. , Kandeepan K. , Punchihewa G. L.
Published: March 2019

A 10-year-old girl after a road traffic accident presented with an open displaced segmental fracture of left femur (mid-shaft and supracondylar fractures) with acute lower limb ischaemia. The leg was clinically viable. Intra-operative femoral arteriogram which performed after immediate skeletal stabilization with Kuntscher nailing and Kirschner wire fixation, showed occlusion of superficial femoral artery at mid-shaft level with good run-off. A 3 cm contused and thrombosed segment of the superficial femoral artery was excised and repaired with reversed saphenous vein interposition graft. Good distal circulation was established. Prophylactic left leg fasciotomy showed viable all three muscle compartments. She was discharged after two weeks with healed wounds and full weight bearing started after eight weeks at follow up.Among uncommon paediatric limb injuries, femur fracture is the most common major traumatic injury in children. Flexible intra-medullary nailing or fixation with Kuntscher nails with supplementary Kirschner wires are the treatment options in case of a segmental fracture of femur in children. Peripheral vascular injuries in children are rare. Vascular injuries associated with femur fractures can give rise to devastating complications, if unrecognized, therefore require prompt early intervention. Only one case of vascular repair in children with venous interposition graft is reported in literature. Limb revascularization following segmental femur fracture in children has never been reported and requires urgent attention of radiological, orthopaedic and vascular surgical teams.
Essentials of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM)
Authors: Kumanan T.
Published: March 2019

No abstract available
Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Keshavaraj A.
Published: March 2019

The diabetic polyneuropathy (DN) is a common disorder with diverse clinical presentations depending on the type and duration of diabetes, number of nerve fibers affected and its glycemic control. They progress in length-dependent pattern causing severe sensory-motor deficit, more common in distal lower limbs than in upper limbs. In addition, small fiber polyneuropathy has been identified in vast majority of patients affecting sensory and autonomic system in distal limbs. Excruciating pain, trophic changes in the feet, abnormal sweating and numbness are the main manifestations of small fiber DN. Occasionally diabetic neuropathy can present with focal and multifocal neuropathies of cranial, truncal and peripheral nerves among patients with long standing diabetes and age over 50. The length dependent DN hardly improves over period of time when compared to focal or multifocal neuropathy which is usually self-limiting after a course of few relapses. Therefore, adequate attention should be paid on early clinical diagnosis, identifying sub types and complications to tailor the appropriate treatment or to initiate preventive measures to avoid the devastating consequences of DN.
Crouzon’s syndrome: Case report and literature review
Authors: Gajawathana S. , Suganthan N. , Kumanan T. , Malaravan M. , Selvaratnam G.
Published: March 2019

Crouzon’s syndrome is one of the hereditary syndromes of craniofacial dystosis. Patients with these syndromes may be presented to multiple specialties with various presentations such as misshapen head, ocular abnormalities, oro-maxillary defects or even with obstructive sleep apnea or difficulty in breathing due to facial deformities1,2. Here, we describe a female who was diagnosed as Crouzon’s syndrome in her 5th decade with classical anatomical malformations. She is a 42 year-old unmarried female presented with blurring of vision of left eye for 3 months duration. Her past medical history revealed that she was noticed to have prominent bulging of eyes since birth. When she presented to us, she has flatten occiput with frontal prominence, abnormal contour of head (brachycephaly) and shallow orbit with bilateral pseudoproptosis. She has no hand deformities such as syndactyly or polydactyl as seen with other hereditary craniofacial dystosis syndromes.
Paléomagnétisme des collines Montérégiennes, sud-est du Québec
Authors: Larochelle A
Published: March 2019

The Monteregian Hills, a series of seven plugs of basic rocks intruding Paleozoic sediments, lie roughly along a curved line extending about 50 miles eastward from Montreal, Quebec. Airborne magnetometer surveys indicate negative anomalies over parts of most of
the hills, although strong positive anomalies generally delineate the borders of the intrusive bodies. Attempts to correlate the negative anomalies with the topography of the hills or with petrological boundaries within the igneous masses were fruitless. Remnant magnetization measurements were
carried out for a suite of oriented specimens collected from the igneous cores of most of the hills and from the nearby altered sediments. The unstable component of viscous magnetization was removed from the rocks by the slowly decreasing alternating field technique of 'magnetic washing'. After this
treatment, the direction of the remnant magnetic moment in the rocks was found to be slightly different from that of the present earth's field or diametrically opposite to it. The cause of the stable reverse polarization was investigated with the aid of polished sections and Curie point
determinations. It was concluded from these results and from the reverse polarization of the altered sediments collected near the igneous contacts that the reverse polarity of parts of the igneous bodies is related to reversals of the former geomagnetic dipole field rather than to a self- reversal
mechanism inherent in the rocks. A comparison of the position of the geomagnetic pole for the period during which the rocks were formed with those derived from well-dated sedimentary and volcanic rocks collected elsewhere in North America suggests that the basic rocks of the Monteregian Hills were
intruded during the Jurassic or later. This result is in agreement with the K /Ar datings of the Monteregian Hills intrusions.
Distribution of various histopathological types of ovarian tumors: A study of 212 cases from a tertiary care center of Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Gupta Neha , Yadav Mahima , Gupta Vikas , Chaudhary Deepshikha , Patne Shashikant C. U.
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND: Ovarian tumors are one of the leading cancers in females with variable pathological types. This study describes the distribution, clinical and pathological details of various histopathological types of ovarian tumors in a tertiary care hospital in North India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective data of 3 years were collected for ovarian tumors submitted to the pathology department of a tertiary care hospital. Data were classified according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) Classification into epithelial tumors, germ cell tumors, sex cord–stromal tumors, and others.

RESULTS: A total of 212 cases of ovarian tumors were studied, 186 were unilateral and 26 were bilateral. Resection specimen, part of specimen, and block review formed 80.2%, 15.1%, 4.7%, respectively. Epithelial tumors formed the majority in 71.7% of cases followed by germ cell tumors (22.2%), sex cord–stromal tumors (3.8%) and others (2.3%). Maximum number of cases in the respective groups occurred in the age groups 31–40, 21–30, 51–60, and 41–50 years, respectively. Overall, benign tumors were 63.7%, malignant tumors were 31.1%, and borderline were 5.2%. The most common histopathological type of benign and malignant tumor was benign serous cystadenoma (18.8%) and serous carcinoma (9.9%), respectively.

CONCLUSION: In the present study, ovarian tumors were classified according to the WHO classification, epithelial and germ cell tumors were the major types of ovarian tumors. Benign epithelial tumor formed the majority with 46.2% cases. Serous cystadenoma and mature cystic teratoma were the predominant type of epithelial and germ cell tumors, respectively.
Etiological agents of diarrhea in hospitalized pediatric patients with special emphasis on diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in North India
Authors: Verma Sheetal , Venkatesh Vimala , Kumar Rashmi , Kashyap Saurabh , Kumar Manoj , Maurya Anand Kumar , Dhole T. N. , Singh Mastan
Published: March 2019

INTRODUCTION: Infectious diarrhea is leading infectious cause of childhood morbidity, hospitalizations, and mortality particularly in children living in developing countries like India. The etiological agents differ depending on geographical area, and recent data suggest increase in drug resistance to various enteropathogens.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate emerging diarrheal agents and antimicrobial resistance profile of bacterial pathogens from children (<12 years of age) hospitalized with acute diarrhea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, hospital-based observational study was conducted over 1 year in which 100 children <12 years who were hospitalized due to diarrhea were recruited. Diarrhea was defined as the passage of three or more liquid stools in a 24-h period using the World Health Organization guidelines. Samples were processed for detection of various bacterial, viral, and parasitic agents by standard microbiological, serological, and molecular tests. Antimicrobial resistance testing was performed with the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. ELISA was performed for Rotavirus and Escherichia coli O157. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction test was performed to detect diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC).

RESULTS: Pathogenic diarrheal agents were found in 63% patients. Rotavirus was identified in 52.5%, DEC in 29%, Vibrio cholerae in 4%, Shigella flexneri in 3%, Aeromonas sp. in 1%, Giardia lamblia in 4%, and Entamoeba histolytica in 1% cases. Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in 19 (65.5%) cases was the most common agent followed by Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) in 5 (17.2%), Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) in 2 (6%), and Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) in 3 (10.3%) cases. Resistance rates of DEC to first-line therapeutic drugs were high, 97.3% to ampicillin and 95.95% to co-trimoxazole. DEC was susceptible to chloramphenicol in 58.11%, gentamicin in 48.19%, and amikacin in 58.11% cases. Shigella sp. and V. cholerae isolates were 100% sensitive to gentamicin and ofloxacin.

CONCLUSION: EPEC is the most common DEC pathotype and EAEC, ETEC, and EIEC are also emerging as dominant diarrheal agents. Rotavirus was the most common causative agents of diarrhea especially in children <5 years. Most of the bacterial isolates showed high level of drug resistance to first-line empirical drugs and were multidrug resistant making them unsuitable for empiric treatment. Laboratory monitoring of drug susceptibility of stool isolates appears necessary to formulate antibiotic policy for treating diarrheal illness at the local level. There is an urgent need to strengthen diarrheal surveillance to monitor susceptibility to commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Background Heterogeneity and Other Uncertainties in
Estimating Urban Methane Flux: Results from the
Indianapolis Flux (INFLUX) Experiment
Authors: Balashov Nikolay V. , Davis Kenneth J. , Miles Natasha L. , Lauvaux Thomas , Richardson Scott J. , Barkley Zachary R. , Bonin Timothy A.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. As natural gas extraction and use continues to increase, the need to quantify emissions of methane (CH4), a powerful greenhouse gas, has grown. Large discrepancies in Indianapolis CH4 emissions have been observed when comparing inventory, aircraft mass-balance, and tower inverse modeling estimates. Four years of continuous CH4 mole fraction observations from a network of nine tower-based cavity ring-down spectrometers measuring atmospheric CH4 mole fractions at 39 to 136 m above ground as part of the Indianapolis Flux Experiment (INFLUX) are utilized to investigate four possible reasons for the abovementioned inconsistencies: (1) differences in definition of the city domain, (2) a highly temporally variable and spatially non-uniform CH4 background, (3) temporal variability in CH4 emissions, and (4) the presence of unknown CH4 sources. Reducing the Indianapolis urban domain size to be consistent with the inventory domain size decreases the CH4 emission estimation of the inverse modeling methodology by about 35 % and thereby lessens the discrepancy by bringing total city flux within an error range of one of the inventories. Nevertheless, the inverse modeling estimate still remains about 40 % higher than the inventory value. Hourly urban background CH4 mole fractions are shown to be heterogeneous and temporally variable. Statistically significant, long-term biases in background mole fractions of 2–5 ppb are found from single point observations from most wind directions. Random errors in single point background mole fractions observed for a few hours are 20–30 ppb, but decrease substantially when data are averaged over multiple days. Boundary layer budget estimates suggest that Indianapolis CH4 emissions did not change significantly when comparing 2014 to 2016. However, it appears that CH4 emissions may follow a diurnal cycle with daytime emissions (12–16 LST) approximately twice as large as nighttime emissions (20–5 LST). The strongest CH4 source in Indianapolis is the South Side Landfill. Other point sources, perhaps leaks from the natural gas distribution system, are localized and transient, and do not appear to be a consistently large source of CH4 emissions in Indianapolis. Long-term averaging, spatially-extensive upwind mole fraction observations, mesoscale atmospheric modeling of the regional emissions environment, and careful treatment of the times of day and areal representation of emission estimates is recommended for precise and accurate quantification of urban CH4 emissions.
Flexible approach for quantifying average long-term changes and seasonal cycles of tropospheric trace species
Authors: Parrish David D. , Derwent Richard G. , O'Doherty Simon , Simmonds Peter G.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. We present an approach to derive a systematic mathematical representation of the statistically significant features of the average long-term changes and seasonal cycle of concentrations of trace tropospheric species. The results for two illustrative data sets (time series of baseline concentrations of ozone and N2O at Mace Head, Ireland) indicate that a limited set of seven or eight parameter values provides this mathematical representation for both example species. This method utilizes a power series expansion to extract more information regarding the long-term changes than can be provided by oft-employed linear trend analyses. In contrast, the quantification of average seasonal cycles utilizes a Fourier series analysis that provides less detailed seasonal cycles than are sometimes represented as twelve monthly means; including that many parameters in the seasonal cycle representation is not usually statistically justified, and thereby adds unnecessary noise to the representation and prevents a clear analysis of the statistical uncertainty of the results. The approach presented here is intended to maximize the statistically significant information extracted from analyses of time series of concentrations of tropospheric species regarding their mean long-term changes and seasonal cycles, including non-linear aspects of the long-term trends. Additional implications, advantages and limitations of this approach are discussed.
Assessing the peatland hummock-hollow classification framework using high-resolution elevation models: Implications for appropriate complexity ecosystem modelling
Authors: Moore Paul A. , Lukenbach Maxwell , Thompson Dan K. , Kettridge Nick , Granath Gustaf , Waddington James M.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. The hummock-hollow classification framework used to categorize peatland ecosystem microtopography is pervasive throughout peatland experimental designs and current peatland ecosystem modelling approaches. However, identifying what constitutes a representative hummock-hollow pair within a site and characterizing hummock-hollow variability within or between peatlands remains largely unassessed. Using structure-from-motion (SfM), high resolution digital elevation models (DEM) of hummock-hollow microtopography were used to: 1) examined how much area needs to be sampled to characterize site-level microtopographic variation; and 2) examine the potential role of microtopographic shape/structure on biogeochemical fluxes using data from 9 norther peatlands. To capture 95 % of site-level microtopographic variability, on average an aggregate sampling area of 32 m2 composed of ten randomly located plots with vegetation removed was required. We further present non-destructive transect-based results as an alternative to the SfM approach. Microtopography at the plot-level was often found to be non-bimodal, as assessed using a Gaussian mixture model (GMM). Our findings suggest that the non-bimodal distribution of microtopography at the plot-level may result in an under-sampling of intermediate topographic position. Extended to the modelling domain, an under-representation of intermediate microtopographic positions is shown to lead to large flux biases over a wide range of water table positions for ecosystem processes which are non-linearly related to water and energy availability at the moss surface. A range of tools examined herein can be used to easily parameterize peatland models, from GMMs used as simple transfer functions, to spatially explicit fractal landscapes based on simple power law relations between microtopographic variability and scale.
A reduced-order Kalman smoother for (paleo-)ocean state estimation: assessment and application to the LGM
Authors: Breitkreuz Charlotte , Paul André , Mulitza Stefan , García-Pintado Javier , Schulz Michael
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Combining ocean models and proxy data via data assimilation is a powerful means to obtain more reliable estimates of past ocean states, but studies using data assimilation for paleo-ocean state estimation are rare. A few studies used the adjoint method, also called 4D-Var, to estimate the state of the ocean during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The adjoint method, however, requires the adjoint of the model code, which is not easily obtained for most models. The method is computationally very demanding and does not readily provide uncertainty estimates. Here, we present a new and computationally very efficient technique to obtain ocean state estimates. We applied a state reduction approach in conjunction with a finite difference sensitivity-iterative Kalman smoother (FDS-IKS) to estimate spatially varying atmospheric forcing fields and to obtain an equilibrium model simulation in consistency with proxy data. We tested the method in synthetic pseudo-proxy data experiments. The method is capable of very efficiently estimating 16 control variables and reconstructing a target ocean circulation from sea surface temperature (SST) and oxygen isotopic composition of seawater data at LGM coverage. The method is advantageous over the adjoint method regarding that it is very easy to implement, it requires substantially less computing time and provides an uncertainty estimate of the estimated control variables. The computing time, however, depends linearly on the size of the control space limiting the number of control variables that can be estimated. We used the method to investigate the constraint of data outside of the Atlantic Ocean on the Atlantic overturning circulation. Our results indicate that while data from the Pacific or Indian Ocean aid in correctly estimating the Atlantic overturning circulation, they are not as crucial as the Atlantic data. We additionally applied the method to estimate the LGM ocean state constrained by a global SST reconstruction and data on the oxygen isotopic composition of calcite from fossil benthic and planktic foraminifera. The LGM estimate shows a large improvement compared to our first guess, but model-data misfits remain after the optimization due to model errors that cannot be corrected by the control variables. The estimate shows a shallower North Atlantic Deep Water and a weaker Atlantic overturning circulation compared to today in consistency with previous studies. The combination of the FDS-IKS and the state reduction approach is a step forward in making ocean state estimation and data assimilation applicable for complex and computationally expensive models and to models where the adjoint is not available.
A multi-collocation method for coastal zone observations with applications to Sentinel-3A altimeter wave height data
Authors: Schulz-Stellenfleth Johannes , Staneva Joanna
Published: March 2019

Abstract. In many coastal areas there is an increasing number and variety
of observation data available, which are often very heterogeneous in their temporal and
spatial sampling characteristics. With the advent of new systems, like the radar
altimeter on board the Sentinel-3A satellite, a lot of questions arise concerning the
accuracy and added value of different instruments and numerical models. Quantification of
errors is a key factor for applications, like data assimilation and forecast improvement.
In the past, the triple collocation method to estimate systematic and stochastic
errors of measurements and numerical models was successfully applied to different data
sets.
This method relies on the assumption that three independent data sets provide estimates of the same quantity.
In coastal areas with strong gradients even small distances between measurements can lead
to larger differences and this assumption can become critical. In this study the
triple collocation method is extended in different ways with the specific
problems of the coast in mind. In addition to nearest-neighbour approximations considered
so far, the presented method allows for use of a large variety of interpolation
approaches to take spatial variations in the observed area into account. Observation and
numerical model errors can therefore be estimated, even if the distance between the
different data sources is too large to assume that they measure the same quantity. If the
number of observations is sufficient, the method can also be used to estimate error
correlations between certain data source components. As a second novelty, an estimator
for the uncertainty in the derived observation errors is derived as a function of the
covariance matrices of the input data and the number of available samples. In the first step, the method is assessed using synthetic observations and Monte Carlo
simulations. The technique is then applied to a data set of Sentinel-3A altimeter
measurements, in situ wave observations, and numerical wave model data with a focus on
the North Sea. Stochastic observation errors for the significant wave height, as well as
bias and calibration errors, are derived for the model and the altimeter. The analysis
indicates a slight overestimation of altimeter wave heights, which become more pronounced
at higher sea
states. The smallest stochastic errors are found for the in situ measurements. Different observation geometries of in situ data and altimeter tracks are furthermore
analysed, considering 1-D and 2-D interpolation approaches. For example, the geometry of
an altimeter track passing between two in situ wave instruments is considered with model
data being available at the in situ locations. It is shown that for a sufficiently large
sample, the errors of all data sources, as well as the error correlations of the model,
can be estimated with the new method.
Synergy between in situ and altimetry data to observe and study Northern Current variations (NW Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Carret Alice , Birol Florence , Estournel Claude , Zakardjian Bruno , Testor Pierre
Published: March 2019

Abstract. During the last 15 years, substantial progress has been achieved
in altimetry data processing, now providing data with enough accuracy to
illustrate the potential of these observations for coastal applications. In
parallel, new altimetry techniques improve data quality by reducing
land contamination and enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio. Satellite
altimetry provides more robust and accurate measurements ever closer to the
coast and resolve shorter ocean signals. An important issue is now to learn
how to use altimetry data in conjunction with other coastal observing
techniques. Here, we cross-compare and combine the coastal currents provided by large
datasets of ship-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs), gliders,
high-frequency (HF) radars and altimetry. We analyze how the different
available observing techniques, with a particular focus on altimetry, capture
the Northern Current variability at different timescales. We also study the
coherence, divergence and complementarity of the information derived from the
different instruments considered. Two generations of altimetry missions and
both 1 Hz and high-rate measurements are used: Jason-2 (nadir Ku-band radar)
and SARAL/AltiKa (nadir Ka-band altimetry); their performances are compared. In terms of mean speed of the Northern Current, a very good spatial
continuity and coherence is observed at regional scale, showing the
complementarity among the types of current measurements. In terms of
current variability, there is still a good spatial coherence but the Northern
Current amplitudes derived from altimetry, glider, ADCP and HF radar data
differ, mainly because of differences in their respective spatial and
temporal resolutions. If we consider seasonal variations, 1 Hz altimetry
captures ∼60 % and ∼55 % of the continental slope current
amplitude observed by the gliders and by the ADCPs, respectively. For
individual dates this number varies a lot as a function of the
characteristics of the Northern Current on the corresponding date, with no
clear seasonal tendency observed. Compared to Jason-2, the SARAL altimeter
data tend to give estimations of the NC characteristics that are closer to in
situ data in a number of cases. The much noisier high-rate altimetry data
appear to be more difficult to analyze but they provide current estimates
that are generally closer to the other types of current measurements. Thus,
satellite altimetry provides a synoptic view of the Northern Current
circulation system and variability, which helps to interpret the other
observations. Its regular sampling allows for the observation of many features
that may be missed by irregular in situ data.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy for a Patient with Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wang Dominic , Riggs Jamie
Published: March 2019

A case of clinically localized prostate cancer is resected using robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. Routine prostate screening guidelines using PSA and alternative treatment options (including traditional surgical approaches) as well as additional considerations of robotic-assisted procedures including cost and conflicts with current medical education are discussed.
Big Data Analytics
Authors: Bourne Shawna , Rihal Tarun
Published: March 2019

Utilizing big data to guide decision-making for environmental health outcomes can provide the next level of health outcome improvements on a population basis.

Historical shifts in overall health and longevity came with environmental health interventions such as safe food and water supplies, the treatment of waste and the establishment of standards that have reduced acute illnesses in the population.

Big data analysis approaches have the potential to have a similar impact on quality and length of life by analyzing the factors leading to chronic illness in the population, and improving outcomes. Through the use of big data and machine learning, we can learn more about the environmental factors affecting population health. This article presents an opportunity to utilize pre-existing data to explore a novel way of assessing the impact of known health hazards. This is demonstrated by using drinking water test results as a case example. We demonstrate how big data analytics can be used in such a scenario to identify environmental public health risk. This approach is beginning to be used to collect new and better organized data with the intent of improving population health outcomes.
The role of robotic technology in cardiac surgery
Authors: Quint Elise , Sivakumar Gayathri
Published: March 2019

Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed in order to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. These minimally invasive techniques have been applied to numerous fields, including cardiac surgery. Currently, mitral valve repair and coronary artery bypass grafting are the most common procedures performed robotically. Numerous studies have shown that robotic technology provides similar outcomes to traditional surgery, which is much more invasive. However, there are numerous barriers to performing robotic surgery, including the cost of robotic systems and the steep learning curve associated with these systems. It is predicted that the indications for robotic cardiac surgery will increase as these limitations are addressed.
Social capital as a theoretical approach in Strategic Management
Authors:   Departamento de Administración de Empresas. Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales. Cobertizo San Pedro Mártir, s/n, 45071 Toledo (España). Beatriz.Ortiz@uclm.es, Ortiz García Navas Beatriz , Donate Manzanares Mario Javier ,   Departamento de Administración de Empresas. Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales. Ronda de Toledo, s/n. 13071 Ciudad Real (España). MarioJavier.Donate@uclm.es, Guadamillas Gómez Fátima ,   Departamento de Administración de Empresas. Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales. Cobertizo San Pedro Mártir, s/n, 45071 Toledo (España). Fatima.Guadamillas@uclm.es
Published: March 2019

The objective of this research paper is to investigate, from a theoretical point of view, the strategic relevance of social capital. In recent years, academic literature in this field has witnessed remarkable growth, recognizing social capital as a key element for companies, due to its contribution to the creation of competitive advantages. However, it might be said that its development is still emerging, given the number of discrepancies among researchers regarding its definition, measurement, and its positive or negative impact on other variables. For this reason, a set of empirical studies that show the social capital effect on diverse types of organizational results have been reviewed, taking as a reference the definition and dimensions proposed by Nahapiet and Ghoshal (1998). Additionally, different theoretical links between social capital and four related Strategic Management approaches are presented, such as the Intellectual Capital-Based View, the Knowledge-Based View, the Resource-Based View and the Dynamic Resource-Based View. A main conclusion drawn from this review is that social capital, being a knowledge-based resource, enables access to both internal and external resources and thus a firm’s competitive advantage and, consequently, its value creation can be generated from the combination of both areas. Going in depth and clarifying this strategic linkage are thus a challenge to address in future studies.
Festes a Santa Eulàlia a la Barcelona barroca (1686): relacions escrites i obres d'art; escenes martirials i el perfil de la ciutat
Authors: Fontcuberta Famadas Cristina
Published: March 2019

El 1686 es van celebrar grans festes a Barcelona en honor a santa Eulàlia per commemorar l’extensió del res de la patrona decretat pel papa Innocenci XI. A partir de la relació, de llenguatge retòric, que descriu la processó que va recórrer la ciutat encapçalada pels consellers i en què participaren els diferents ordes religiosos, aquí es proposa una reconstrucció d’aquelles obres d’art que s’hi exhibiren. Si bé la majoria d’obres eren efímeres, altres es poden identificar amb peces que han perviscut, de manera que totes elles amplien el nostre coneixement del passat artístic. A més de remarcar-ne les característiques properes a l’estètica barroca en voga, l’interès d’aquestes obres rau en la representació del martiri de la santa i la presència del relleu de la ciutat de Barcelona al fons. Aquestes característiques s’inscriuen alhora en una promoció contrareformista dels sants locals.
Demokracja nieliberalna jako projekt polityczny
Authors: Antoszewski Andrzej
Published: March 2019

Illiberal democracy seems to be one of the most important topics for political scientists studying the process of post­communist democratisation. It may be – and often has been – considered as a real alternative for models of democracy developing in the Western political hemisphere. This article focuses on the sources of crisis of liberal democracy and possible political consequences of its replacing by an illiberal vision of political system. Author hypothesises that making illiberal democracy real requires the reinterpretation of main democratic principles, such as representation or separation of powers, as well as abandoning of political consensus, present in consolidated West European democracies after the Second World War, and, in effect, fundamental change of patterns of political behaviour. The question of the future of illiberal democracy is also posed and three possible scenarios are considered.
E-voting w wyborach parlamentarnych w Belgii
Authors: Kużelewska Elżbieta
Published: March 2019

Belgium has been a federal state since 1993, divided into linguistic communities, regions and language regions. The cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic differences of the inhabitants of Belgium led to the adoption of the federal structure of the state. The federal parliament consists of two chambers. The composition of the Senate reflects the diversity of Belgium. The ethnic and linguistic distinctiveness of the Belgians are also included in the electoral system of the federal parliament of Belgium. Worthy of note is the pioneering attitude of Belgium with regard to the introduction of mandatory voting throughout the country in 1893 and electronic voting in the early 1990s.
Deregulation of the immune system in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Skórka Katarzyna , Kot Marlena , Knap Joanna , Giannopoulos Krzysztof
Published: March 2019

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) constitutes the most common leukemia in adults living in western countries. The clinical course of the disease is extremely heterogeneous and pathogenesis is still unknown. Immune system disorders in CLL patients are observed in the early stages of the disease and worsen during clinical observation. On the one hand, CLL patients are characterized by immunosupresion and on the other hand, autoimmune processes. The immunosuppression observed in patients with CLL is associated with disorders of non‑specific immune response as well as T‑cell and B‑cell response, leading to frequent and severe infections. The immune system of patients with CLL could be also inhibited by many immunosuppressive factors occurred in tumor microenvironment, including populations of immune cells, which include myeloid‑derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), T regulatory cells (Treg) and the newly described B regulatory cells (Breg). It was shown that CLL cells can regulate immune response and escape from the surveillance of the immune system through the PD‑1/PD‑L signalling pathway. Interestingly, reduced immune response in CLL patients may be accompanied by autoimmune processes clinically manifested as autoimmune cytopenias. The secondary autoimmune cytopenias complicating the course of the disease include autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and autoimmune granulocytopenia (AG). Identification of immunological disorders in patients with CLL is necessary to understand the biology of the disease and to select appropriate treatment patterns based on modulation of the immune system.
Sclerostin, periostin and microRNA as potential markers of osteoporosis
Authors: Mielnik Jakub , Świętochowska Elżbieta , Ostrowska Zofia
Published: March 2019

In recent years, people have had high hopes for the possibility of using measurements of the so-called modern bone turnover markers in diagnosis, diagnostics of the course and the prediction of the occurrence of complications of bone metabolic diseases, especially osteoporosis. So far, several diagnostic markers of bone turnover have been identified, particular importance attached to PINP and CTx. However, many studies have highlighted that their use in the diagnosis of osteoporosis is rather limited due to their inter-individual and intra-individual variability, tissue non-specificity, the inability to evaluate individual bone tissue compartments, and the ability to assess metabolic activity of only osteoblasts and/or osteoclasts without osteocytes. The data presented in the thesis indicates the potential usefulness of sclerostin measurements, primarily associated with metabolic activity of osteocytes, periostin, as the indicator of metabolic activity of periosteum and microRNAs as the group of specific markers in the early detection of osteoporosis. All of the above-mentioned candidates could possibly become a predictor of osteoporotic fractures: sclerostin in patients with type 2 diabetes; periostin, especially in non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women and microRNA in early prediction of these fractures. However, many of the studies underline some of the limitations associated with their use in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Ambiguous results of the presented studies may be primarily due to population selection, population size, type of fractures and duration of the observation itself. An objective judgement will be made when an adequate number of standardized and independent studies will allow for the exclusion or validation of each of them in clinical practice.
‘Just Knocking out Pills’: An Ethnography of British Drug Dealers in Ibiza
Authors: Turner Tim
Published: March 2019

Background: Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork with British seasonal workers and tourists, this paper provides an extensive overview of the methodological processes of researching drug users and drug dealers within the international nightlife resort of Ibiza. In an innovative application of Bryman’s (2004) Disneyization framework, it is argued that seasonal workers are engaged in a deep form of performative labour. As mediators of Ibiza’s hedonistic atmosphere, this social group are revealed to be deeply immersed in the island’s renowned drug market. Methods: Ethnographic fieldwork employing a grounded theory design was undertaken over three summers in tourist locations across Ibiza, including: nightclubs; bars and cafes; beaches; airports and hotels. Field notes from participant observation were supplemented with data from semi-structured interviews (n=56). Documentary photography was also employed, with 580 images taken during fieldwork. Results and Conclusion: Many British seasonal workers in Ibiza are rapidly enmeshed within the drug market associated with the island’s hedonistic nightlife. Participants in this study were invariably engaged in high levels of illicit drug use, and unlike their tourist counterparts, this was drawn out over several months. As a consequence of the fragile nature of employment within the legal economy, many seasonal workers in Ibiza rely on income from drug dealing. In a social context where drug use is woven into the consumer space, it seems the multiple risks associated with the drug trade are obfuscated. The paper demonstrates that ethnographic immersion within bounded play spaces is essential if researchers are to generate theoretical insight into the complex intersections between illicit drug use, dealing and social context.
A IMPRENSA E OS ASPECTOS DA HISTÓRIA DA EDUCAÇÃO DE UMA CIDADE DO
INTERIOR PAULISTA (1928-1930)
Authors: de Novaes Conceição Aline
Published: March 2019

Present, research results carried out with the general aim of contributing to the preservation of
memory and the production history of education in Marilia / SP (city state of São Paulo). For this,
focus is the education aspects of the people on texts, published in the journal The High Cafezal
between 1928 and 1933, respectively year older text located and Year text published before the
District of facility in the city. By historical approach, focused on documentary and bibliographical
research, it designed the texts document on education in newspapers marilienses the City
Council's collection of Marilia / SP (city state of São Paulo) (1928-1933): a research tool. The
analysis of this document possible to see that there was an increase in the publication of texts on
education in the journal numbers of Marilia / SP and the mariliense press was used to claim and
register interests of the population including education
Panama: Higher Education is Key
Authors: Altbach Philip G. , Svenson Nanette A.
Published: March 2019

TBD
Forced Internationalization of Higher Education: An Emerging Phenomenon
Authors: Ergin Hakan , De Wit Hans , Leask Betty
Published: March 2019

A growing number of forced migrants are knocking on the doors of universities today. This paper argues that it is time for universities across the world to increase their efforts to provide access to higher education to forced migrants. Welcoming international disadvantaged groups into higher education is not only consistent with the traditional four rationales for internationalization (academic, sociocultural, political, and economic), it is also important for humanitarian reasons. Using the example of “forced migrants” from Syria in Turkey, we can see that this new phenomenon of “forced internationalization” creates uncommon challenges for institutions on a scale never seen before. However, it also creates opportunities for institutions and national systems seeking to internationalize, as well as for the many displaced scholars and students in the world today.
Internationalization of Indonesian Higher Education: Recent Initiatives and their Problems
Authors: Sutrisno Agustian
Published: March 2019

While the Indonesian higher education sector is relatively inward looking in comparison with those of its neighbors in Southeast Asia, the government has been proposing new initiatives to speed up internationalization in an attempt to increase the sector’s quality. However, problems existing in the government policy direction and organizational factors within the universities may mean that Indonesian higher education will remain insular for quite some time. Adapting effective policies implemented in other Asian countries may help Indonesia transform its higher education sector.
India Takes Slow Steps toward Internationalization
Authors: Pushkar P
Published: March 2019

The Indian government and some universities have belatedly recognized the importance of internationalization and started to take measures to bring larger numbers of international students and faculty to Indian universities. While it seems unlikely that these first steps—such as the launch of the “Study in India” portal—will yield immediate results, India has finally taken the path of internationalization.
Challenges to Higher Education in Laos and Cambodia
Authors: Hayden Martin
Published: March 2019

The higher education systems in Laos and Cambodia have been expanding rapidly over recent years, but with increasing reliance on a teaching-only private higher education sector, the quality of which is extremely variable. Public-sector higher education institutions, though generally considered more prestigious to attend, are severely constrained by a lack of institutional autonomy and limited budgets, and so their quality is also a matter for concern.
Kenyan Universities: On the Brink of Financial Insolvency
Authors: Munene Ishmael
Published: March 2019

The financial crisis engulfing Kenyan universities has impacted operations and raised doubts about long-term sustainability. This crisis has a double impetus: at the national level, policy changes impacting the entire system, and at the institutional level, challenges in terms of financial governance. A short-term solution requires an immediate infusion of cash, but a long-term strategy entails a multipronged reform in the financing of higher education at national and institutional levels.
Development of the Credit System in Kazakhstan
Authors: Ilyassova-Schoenfeld Aray Kozyevna
Published: March 2019

Since independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has had the aim to increase the quality of its higher education. The system has a strong Soviet educational legacy. By constantly reforming its educational system, Kazakhstan has attempted to become a part of both the European and the American systems. The credit system employed at Kazakhstani universities is unique. It evolved from a time when graduates of the Soviet educational system were required to prove their qualifications and degrees by calculating or converting their learning hours into international grading systems. It took a long journey before Kazakhstan introduced its own credit system model, preserving the country’s political, ideological, economic, social and cultural background.