bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified Eshelby tensor for an anisotropic matrix with interfacial damage
Authors: Lee Sangryun , Lee Jinyeop , Ryu Seunghwa
Published: October 2018

We derive a simple tensor algebraic expression of the modified Eshelby tensor for a spherical inclusion embedded in an arbitrarily anisotropic matrix in terms of three tensor quantities (the fourth-order identity tensor, the elastic stiffness tensor, and the Eshelby tensor) and two scalar quantities (the inclusion radius and interfacial spring constant), when the interfacial damage is modelled as a linear-spring layer of vanishing thickness. We validate the expression for a triclinic crystal involving 21 independent elastic constants against finite element analysis.
Applying Systems Thinking to Coastal Infrastructure Systems
Authors: Pezza David A. , Pinto C. Ariel
Published: October 2018

Coastal communities have an uncertain future as municipalities grapple with an increase in the frequency of coastal flooding. This article offers a simple approach to make decisions based on systems thinking. The objective of this article is to explore how to represent the coast as a system, how to apply systems thinking to coastal infrastructure, and to offer a framework to employ an integrated systems approach. The framework aids a community to map its future in the face of the changing coastal waters and a way to assess if they are moving toward a solution. It also provides a disciplined way of structured thinking to judge a problem and determine whether a hard or soft systems approach is appropriate. This kind of thinking is necessary for a community to plan capital improvement investments that are compatible with an uncertain future brought about by climate change.
Beneficial Effects of Electroacupuncture on Neuropathic Pain Evoked by Spinal Cord Injury and Involvement of PI3K-mTOR Mechanisms
Authors: Wang Yujie , Zhao Yu , Ma Xiaohui , Li Jing , Hou Junling , Lv Xiaohong
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on neuropathic pain evoked by spinal cord injury (SCI) and determine the underlying molecular mechanisms of these effects. SCI was induced in rats. Behavioral tests were performed to examine pain responses induced by mechanical and thermal stimulation. Western blot analysis was used to measure the protein expression of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), mTOR-mediated phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1 (p-S6K1), and phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (p-4E-BP1) in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We showed that SCI increased the expression of p-mTOR, p-S6K1, and p-4E-BP1. The EA intervention attenuated the upregulation of mTOR signaling and alleviated mechanical and thermal pain responses in SCI rats. Blocking spinal mTOR by intrathecal injection of rapamycin also inhibited mechanical and thermal pain. In addition, blocking spinal phosphorylated phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K) pathway attenuated p-mTOR pathways and mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in SCI rats. EA also decreased the enhanced p-PI3K in the superficial dorsal horn of SCI rats. In conclusion, findings revealed specific signaling pathways that lead to neuropathic pain in response to SCI, including activation of PI3K-mTOR signaling. Further, results link the beneficial role of EA in alleviating SCI-induced neuropathic pain to its effect on these molecular mechanisms.
The effect of tunnel length and position on postoperative corneal astigmatism: An optical coherence tomographic study
Authors: Sonmez Serap , Karaca Cagatay
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of variation in tunnel length of same-sized clear corneal phacoemulsification incisions on the generation of surgically induced astigmatism and corneal astigmatism.

Methods:

A total of 126 cataract patients treated in four study groups based on location and tunnel length of the clear corneal incisions (superior long, superior short, temporal long, temporal short) were reviewed. In the short tunnel groups, a 2.8 mm keratome was used with a motion parallel to the iris surface, while in the long tunnel groups, the same keratome was advanced in the corneal stroma until the mark on the keratome was reached. The surgically induced astigmatism and the corneal astigmatism were measured with corneal topography. The tunnel lengths were determined by anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Results:

The tunnel lengths of the long tunnel groups were significantly longer than the short tunnel groups. The total and anterior corneal surgically induced astigmatism of the superior long group was significantly higher than the other groups. Posterior corneal surgically induced astigmatism was similar. The postoperative total and anterior corneal astigmatism values of the superior long group was significantly higher than the other groups. No difference was observed for mean change in corneal astigmatism between the groups.

Conclusion:

The tunnel length of a clear corneal incision is a significant determinant of surgically induced astigmatism for superior placed corneal incisions. Therefore, for superiorly positioned clear corneal incision, the incision should be rectangular with a shorter tunnel to keep the surgically induced astigmatism to a minimum. For squarer-shaped clear corneal incision, limbal-temporal incisions may be performed for astigmatic neutrality.
Hand-clapping to the rhythm of newly learned words improves L2 pronunciation: Evidence from training Chinese adolescents with French words
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Baills Florence , Prieto Pilar
Published: October 2018

Though research has shown that rhythmic training is beneficial for phonological speech processing, little empirical work has been carried out to assess whether rhythmic training in the classroom can help to improve pronunciation in a second language. This study tests the potential benefits of hand-clapping to the rhythm of newly learned French words for the acquisition of pronunciation patterns by Chinese adolescents. In a between-subjects training experiment with a pretest/posttest design, 50 Chinese adolescents either repeated new French words while clapping out their rhythmic structure (clapping condition) or only repeated the words (non-clapping condition). Participants’ oral production before and after training was (1) perceptually rated for accentedness by two French native speakers and (2) acoustically analysed for final syllable duration. While the results showed an only near-significant improvement from pretest to posttest in accentedness ratings for the clapping group, a significant improvement was obtained for acoustic durational measures. Individual musical abilities did not interact significantly in either of the two analyses, and working memory interacted significantly only with accentedness. These results show that a short training session in which clapping is used to highlight the prosodic structure of words can help improve pronunciation in a foreign language.
Cardiovascular Ultrasound Contrast Agent and Microembolic Signals on Transcranial Doppler
Authors: Moore Anne , Nguyen Winnie , Reynolds Drew , Kim Louis , Sekhar Laligam , Longstreth W. T.
Published: October 2018

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring of the intracranial vessels is useful for the detection of microembolic signals (MES), which can help with risk stratification and evaluation of therapies. The presence of any emboli during a TCD exam is concerning and treatment is controversial. In this case, an unusual high count of emboli were detected in all vessels, which prompted a change in clinical management. It is now believed that the injectable cardiovascular ultrasound contrast agent (Definity®) was the cause of the large number of MES. Ramanathan reported a similar case in which an unusual amount of MES were detected during emboli monitoring (EM) and were felt to be contamination from Definity® contrast injected 2 hours prior to the EM exam. When unexpectedly faced with numerous MES, practitioners should consider other factors that can influence the results of TCD with EM.
Generalizing the per-protocol treatment effect: The case of ACTG A5095
Authors: Lu Haidong , Cole Stephen R , Hall H Irene , Schisterman Enrique F , Breger Tiffany L , K Edwards Jessie , Westreich Daniel
Published: October 2018

Background

Intention-to-treat comparisons of randomized trials provide asymptotically consistent estimators of the effect of treatment assignment, without regard to compliance. However, decision makers often wish to know the effect of a per-protocol comparison. Moreover, decision makers may also wish to know the effect of treatment assignment or treatment protocol in a user-specified target population other than the sample in which the trial was fielded. Here, we aimed to generalize results from the ACTG A5095 trial to the US recently HIV-diagnosed target population.

Methods

We first replicated the published conventional intention-to-treat estimate (2-year risk difference and hazard ratio) comparing a four-drug antiretroviral regimen to a three-drug regimen in the A5095 trial. We then estimated the intention-to-treat effect that accounted for informative dropout and the per-protocol effect that additionally accounted for protocol deviations by constructing inverse probability weights. Furthermore, we employed inverse odds of sampling weights to generalize both intention-to-treat and per-protocol effects to a target population comprising US individuals with HIV diagnosed during 2008–2014.

Results

Of 761 subjects in the analysis, 82 dropouts (36 in the three-drug arm and 46 in the four-drug arm) and 59 protocol deviations (25 in the three-drug arm and 34 in the four-drug arm) occurred during the first 2 years of follow-up. A total of 169 subjects incurred virologic failure or death. The 2-year risks were similar both in the trial and in the US HIV-diagnosed target population for estimates from the conventional intention-to-treat, dropout-weighted intention-to-treat, and per-protocol analyses. In the US target population, the 2-year conventional intention-to-treat risk difference (unit: %) for virologic failure or death comparing the four-drug arm to the three-drug arm was −0.4 (95% confidence interval: −6.2, 5.1), while the hazard ratio was 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.70, 1.34); the 2-year risk difference was −0.9 (95% confidence interval: −6.9, 5.3) for the dropout-weighted intention-to-treat comparison (hazard ratio = 0.95, 95% confidence interval: 0.68, 1.32) and −0.7 (95% confidence interval: −6.7, 5.5) for the per-protocol comparison (hazard ratio = 0.96, 95% confidence interval: 0.69, 1.34).

Conclusion

No benefit of four-drug antiretroviral regimen over three-drug regimen was found from the conventional intention-to-treat, dropout-weighted intention-to-treat or per-protocol estimates in the trial sample or target population.
How the mode of organ donation affects family behaviour at the time of organ donation
Authors: Prescott Joel , Gardiner Dale , Hogg Lorraine , Harvey Dan
Published: October 2018

Introduction

End of life and organ donation discussions come at a time of acute emotional unrest for grieving relatives. Their attitudes and eventual decisions regarding consent to organ donation are shaped by multiple factors during these stressful periods. At our tertiary centre intensive care unit, we anecdotally observed that the mode of organ donation affects family behaviour as to whether families stay until transfer to theatre for organ recovery, or leave after consenting for donation. We sought to ascertain if this observation was true and then to hypothesise reasons for why this may be the case.

Methods

Records of patients consented for deceased organ donation between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2017 at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust were reviewed and analysed.

Results

After exclusion criteria were applied, 91 patient cases were included in the final analysis (donation after brainstem death (DBD), 36; donation after circulatory death (DCD), 55). Thirty-six per cent of DBD families stayed until the point of organ recovery compared to 80% of DCD families (p < 0.00001).

Discussion

We hypothesise that this family behaviour may be indicative of an acceptance in DBD of the patient's death, and therefore that the patient has moved beyond further harm. For this reason, the family may feel able to leave after consent for donation. A greater understanding of how family behaviours differ depending on the mode of organ donation may aid how these families are best cared for in the intensive care unit.
Healthy Universities. The development and implementation of a holistic health promotion intervention programme especially adapted for staff working in the higher educational sector: the ARK study
Authors: Innstrand Siw Tone , Christensen Marit
Published: October 2018

Underpinned by the Healthy Universities settings concept, this paper presents a holistic intervention approach, called ARK, to improve the health and well-being of academic staff. ARK (a Norwegian acronym for work environment and climate study) has been conducted in 18 universities and university colleges in Norway. The survey has collected information on employees’ perceptions of the psychosocial work environment, well-being, and health from over 15,000 respondents. Further, it has provided valuable information and experiences on organizational development processes on how to successfully implement a health-promoting intervention programme. The aim of this paper is to present the ARK project and provide suggestions on how to conduct a health-promoting intervention programme in a university setting based on the experience and knowledge acquired from ARK. This understanding can inform and inspire the planning of future Health Promoting University initiatives to meet the distinctive needs of its employees.
The Link Between Seminal Cytokine Interleukin 18, Female Circulating Regulatory T Cells, and IVF/ICSI Success
Authors: Nikolaeva Marina , Babayan Alina , Stepanova Elena , Arefieva Alla , Dontsova Tatiana , Smolnikova Veronika , Kalinina Elena , Krechetova Lubov , Pavlovich Stanislav , Sukhikh Gennady
Published: October 2018

Seminal plasma (SP) is thought to be a crucial factor which affects the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in female reproductive tract during embryo implantation. We propose that seminal transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 is responsible for local accumulation of circulating Tregs, which manifests as changes in Treg frequency in peripheral blood, whereas seminal interleukin (IL) 18 interferes with TGF-β1-dependent cellular reactions. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether the frequency of circulating Tregs is associated with the levels of seminal cytokines and pregnancy establishment in women exposed to partner’s SP during in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle. Twenty-nine women were exposed to SP via timed intercourse before the day of ovum pickup (day-OPU) and also subjected to intravaginal SP application just after OPU. Measurements of seminal TGF-β1 and IL-18 were made by FlowCytomix technology. The percentage of CD4+CD25+CD127low+/– Tregs among total circulating CD4+T cells was determined by flow cytometry and the difference between Treg values on the day of embryo transfer and day-OPU was calculated. The percentage of Tregs on the day-OPU, identified as a predictive factor of clinical pregnancy after IVF/ICSI, showed a positive correlation with IL-18 concentration and content of this cytokine per ejaculate ( P < .001 and P < .004, respectively) and negative correlation with the TGF-β1/IL-18 ratio ( P < .014).These findings indicate that the adverse effect of seminal IL-18 excess on implantation may be realized by the prevention of postcoital TGF-β1-related migration of circulating Tregs, which clearly manifests as elevated level of Treg frequency in peripheral blood.
Mangrove Productivity and Phenology in Relation to Hydroperiod and Physical–Chemistry Properties of Water and Sediment in Biosphere Reserve, Centla Wetland, Mexico
Authors: Torres Jony R. , Barba Everardo , Choix Francisco J.
Published: October 2018

Mangrove is the dominant vegetation in the estuaries, river deltas, and coastal lagoons of tropical and subtropical regions. A number of factors affect the structure and productivity of mangrove forests, including hydrology, soil salinity, and soil type. In this study, litter production in the Centla Wetland Biosphere Reserve in Tabasco, Mexico, was evaluated as a function of the physical–chemical properties of water and sediments. The study cycle was from June 2015 to June 2016. Litterfall was measured, and water samples were collected at the surface, interstitial, and subterranean level to estimate the physical–chemical parameters. Sediment samples were also collected to determine the texture, pH, organic matter, bulk density, and moisture content. The mangrove was composed of Rhizophora mangle (L.), Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn, and Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn. The pH was presented in a range of 5.3 to 7.4, and spatially, the texture of sediment varied significantly, with high values of sand in Playa (73.7% ± 3.4%) and high content of clay (57.2% ± 1.4%) and organic matter (41% ± 2% average) in mangrove riverine type. The highest salinity of interstitial water was encountered at Beach (29 ± 3.0 PSU) and of groundwater (36.4 ± 1.5 PSU). Overall, the average estimated litter fall was 10.45 ton·ha−1·year−1. These results indicate that the litter production is related to the response of the mangrove to the variation of the environmental conditions of each site (substrate texture, hydroperiod, soil moisture, water salinity, water redox potential, and soil organic matter).
Is mycophenolate mofetil combined with low-dose prednisone a treatment option for advanced IgA nephropathy? A 10-year follow-up case and brief literature review
Authors: Wan Qijun , He Yongcheng , Chen Hongtao , Liu Hongping , Luan Saodong , Li Tong , Xu Yi , Xu Huili , Liao Ying , Dong Xu , Song Haiying
Published: October 2018

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is now widely recognized as the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide, especially in China. The immunosuppressive treatment option for IgAN is still controversial. Previously, we proved that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; Shanghai Roche, China) combined with low-dose prednisone was an effective and safe option for biopsy-proven mild to moderate IgAN patients in a short term of follow-up. This article we first reported the safety and efficacy of this regimen in a 42-year-old male biopsy-proven advanced 10-year follow-up IgAN case (Lee’s Class V; the patient was biopsied 10 years ago, so the Oxford Mesangial hypercellularity Endocapillary hypercellularity Segmental glomerulosclerosis Tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (MEST) classification was not used). The mycophenolate and prednisone were only given for a limited time. The other main medications included calcium channel blockers and antiplatelet agents. Clinical and laboratory indexes were aperiodic assessed during the 10-year follow-up. The serum creatinine decreased from 356 to around 210 μmol/L and urine excretion protein reduced from 3.4 g/d to about 0.5 g/d after 6 months of the initiation of this regimen, respectively. These perfect treatment effects could maintain well during the whole follow-up period. No obvious complications were observed.
Psychometric Testing of the Effort-Reward Imbalance–Short Form Among Blue-Collar Workers Employed in Small Industrial Settings in Korea
Authors: Hwang Won Ju , Hong Oi Saeng , Kang Dae Ryong
Published: October 2018

The Effort Reward Imbalance tool is a measure of psychosocial work characteristics used to identify work-related stress. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the effort-reward imbalance–short form (ERI-SF) in industrial workers. The Korean version of ERI-SF was tested among 250 blue-collar workers. The reliability, content validity, and construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis, as well as interaction terms were analyzed. Reliability assessed by Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were satisfactory for all three subscales: effort 0.75, reward 0.74, and over-commitment 0.72. Confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable model fit with the three component theoretical structure (root mean square error of approximation = 0.07, comparative fit index = 0.84). Content validity was assessed with respect to a measure of perceived health. In addition, a significant synergistic interaction of ERI and over-commitment on job strain was found. In conclusion, the ERI-SF demonstrated good psychometric properties with Korean industrial workers. The ERI-SF is ideal for examining work-related stress in the workplace by occupational health professionals. This shorter version makes it easier to administer and score in the occupational health setting.
The Nursing Now Campaign
Authors: Randolph Susan A.
Published: October 2018

Nursing Now is a 3-year global campaign (2018-2020) to improve health by raising the profile and status of nursing. Nurses are urged to use their knowledge and skills to the fullest and be leaders and decision makers to provide quality health care.
A Mind–Body Skills Course Among Nursing and Medical Students: A Pathway for an Improved Perception of Self and the Surrounding World
Authors: van Vliet Marja , Jong Miek C. , Jong Mats
Published: October 2018

Despite increased recognition of self-care and self-awareness as core competences for health care professionals, little attention is paid to these skills during their education. Evidence suggests that a Mind–Body (MB) skills course has the potential to enhance self-care and self-awareness among medical students. However, less is known about the meaning of this course for students and how it affects their personal and professional life. Therefore, we examined the lived experiences with an MB skills course among Dutch medical and Swedish nursing students. This course included various MB techniques, such as mindfulness meditation and guided imagery. Guided by a phenomenological hermeneutical method, three main themes were identified: “ ability to be more present,” “ increased perception and awareness of self,” and “ connection on a deeper level with others.” Overall, participation in the MB skills course served as a pathway to inner awareness and supported connecting with others as well as with the surrounding world.
Experiencing Organizational Change Through the Change Management Simulation: Power and Influence
Authors: Lovelace Kathi J. , Dyck Loren R.
Published: October 2018

This resource review describes the web-based Change Management Simulation: Power and Influence by Harvard Business Publishing and discusses its application in both undergraduate and graduate courses. The simulation focuses on personal and organizational change factors that influence the adoption of a sustainability initiative within a manufacturing firm. Students experience leading strategic change in different contexts given the instructor’s ability to assign different authority levels and change urgencies. We provide an overview of the simulation and suggestions for introducing, playing, and debriefing the simulation. We also briefly discuss the strengths and limitations of this supplemental pedagogy.
Evaluating Alternative Designs of a Multilevel HIV Intervention in Maharashtra, India: The Impact of Stakeholder Constraints
Authors: Patel Anik R. , Ruggles Kelly V. , Nucifora Kimberly , Zhou Qinlian , Schensul Stephen , Schensul Jean , Bryant Kendall , Braithwaite R. Scott
Published: October 2018

Background. Multilevel interventions combine individual component interventions, and their design can be informed by decision analysis. Our objective was to identify the optimal combination of interventions for alcohol-using HIV+ individuals on antiretroviral drug therapy in Maharashtra, India, explicitly considering stakeholder constraints. Methods. Using an HIV simulation, we evaluated the expected net monetary benefit (ENMB), the probability of lying on the efficiency frontier (PEF), and annual program costs of 5,836 unique combinations of 15 single-focused HIV risk-reduction interventions. We evaluated scenarios of 1) no constraints (i.e., maximize expected value), 2) short-term budget constraints (limits on annual programmatic costs of US$200,000 and $400,000), and 3) a constraint stemming from risk aversion (requiring that the strategy has >50% PEF). Results. With no constraints, the combination including long individual alcohol counseling, text-message adherence support, long group counseling for sex-risk, and long individual counseling for sex-risk (annual cost = $428,886; PEF ∼27%) maximized ENMB and would be the optimal design. With a cost constraint of $400,000, the combination including long individual alcohol counseling, text-message adherence support, brief group counseling for sex-risk, and long individual counseling for sex-risk (annual cost = $374,745; PEF ∼4%) maximized ENMB. With a cost constraint of $200,000, the combination including long individual alcohol counseling, text-message adherence support, and brief group counseling for sex-risk (annual cost = $187,335; PEF ∼54%) maximized ENMB. With the risk aversion constraint, the same configuration ( long individual alcohol counseling, text-message support, and brief group counseling for sex-risk) maximized health benefit. Conclusion. Evaluating the costs, risks, and projected benefits of alternatives supports informed decision making prior to initiating study; however, stakeholder constraints should be explicitly included and discussed when using decision analyses to guide study design.
Evaluation of two strategies for debriefing simulation in the development of skills for neonatal resuscitation: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gamboa Oscar Andrés , Agudelo Sergio Iván , Maldonado María Jose , Leguizamón Diana C. , Cala Sandra M.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To evaluate two debriefing strategies for the development of neonatal resuscitation skills in health professionals responsible for the critical newborn care in a high-complexity university Hospital.

Results

A simple blind randomized clinical trial was conducted. Twenty-four professionals (pediatricians, nurses, and respiratory therapists) were randomly assigned for two interventions; one group received oral debriefing and the other oral debriefing assisted by video. Three standardized clinical scenarios that were recorded on video were executed. A checklist was applied for the evaluation, administered by a reviewer blinded to the assignment of the type of debriefing. The two debriefing strategies increased the technical and behavioral neonatal resuscitation skills of the participants, without one being superior to the other. The coefficient of the difference in the compliance percentage between the two types of debriefing was − 3.6% (95% CI − 13.77% to 6.47%). When comparing the development of technical and behavioral skills among the professionals evaluated, no significant differences were found between the types of debriefing. The two debriefing strategies increase compliance percentages, reaching or approaching 100%.

Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03606278. July 30, 2018. Retrospectively registered
CuQ-RTM: A CUDA-based code package for stable and efficient Q-compensated reverse time migration
Authors: Wang Yufeng , Zhou Hui , Zhao Xuebin , Zhang Qingchen , Zhao Poru , Yu Xiance , Chen Yangkang
Published: October 2018

Reverse time migration (RTM) in attenuating media should take absorption and dispersion effects into consideration. The latest proposed viscoacoustic wave equation with decoupled fractional Laplacians facilitates separate amplitude compensation and phase correction in [Formula: see text]-compensated RTM ([Formula: see text]-RTM). However, intensive computation and enormous storage requirements of [Formula: see text]-RTM prevent it from being extended into practical application, especially for large-scale 2D or 3D cases. The emerging graphics processing unit (GPU) computing technology, built around a scalable array of multithreaded streaming multiprocessors, presents an opportunity for greatly accelerating [Formula: see text]-RTM by appropriately exploiting GPUs architectural characteristics. We have developed the cu[Formula: see text]-RTM, a CUDA-based code package that implements [Formula: see text]-RTM based on a set of stable and efficient strategies, such as streamed CUDA fast Fourier transform, checkpointing-assisted time-reversal reconstruction, and adaptive stabilization. The cu[Formula: see text]-RTM code package can run in a multilevel parallelism fashion, either synchronously or asynchronously, to take advantages of all the CPUs and GPUs available, while maintaining impressively good stability and flexibility. We mainly outline the architecture of the cu[Formula: see text]-RTM code package and some program optimization schemes. The speedup ratio on a single GeForce GTX760 GPU card relative to a single core of Intel Core i5-4460 CPU can reach greater than 80 in a large-scale simulation. The strong scaling property of multi-GPU parallelism is demonstrated by performing [Formula: see text]-RTM on a Marmousi model with one to six GPU(s) involved. Finally, we further verified the feasibility and efficiency of the cu[Formula: see text]-RTM on a field data set.
S-wave velocity prediction of marine-continental transitional coal measure rocks using multipole array sonic logs and the rock-matrix modulus extraction method
Authors: Wang Siqi , Zhang Jianguo , Yin Shuai , Han Chao
Published: October 2018

Accurate prediction of the S-wave velocity of highly heterogeneous coal measure strata using high-resolution logging can effectively identify high-quality reservoirs. We have used multipole array sonic logs to predict the S-wave velocity of coal measure strata based on the conventional empirical method (CEM), multiple regression method (MRM), and rock-matrix modulus extraction (MME) method. Moreover, we used a complex multiple parameter iterative computational method of forward calculation and inversion in the MME method. Our results indicate that the MME method can effectively extract several rock modulus parameters. There are good binomial relationships between the extracted rock modulus parameters ([Formula: see text]) and between the extracted modulus parameters and the P-wave impedance ([Formula: see text]). The average relative errors of the S-wave velocities predicted by the CEM, MRM, and MME methods are 7.58%, 5.64%, and 2.31%, respectively. The MME method can effectively extract and couple effective information from different types of conventional well logs and perform high-precision S-wave time difference prediction.
The thickness imaging of channels using multiple-frequency components analysis
Authors: Ye Yan , Zhang Bo , Niu Cong , Qi Jie , Zhou Huailai
Published: October 2018

Blending of different frequency components of seismic traces is a common way to estimate the relative time thickness of the formation. Red, blue, and green (RGB) color blending is one of the most popular blending models in analyzing multiple seismic attributes. Geologists and geophysicist interpreters typically associate low-frequency components (formations with the largest thickness value) with a red color, medium-frequency components (formations with a medium thickness value) with a green color, and high-frequency components (formations with the smallest thickness value) with a blue color for the thickness estimation of thin beds using frequency components. However, we found that the same result of RGB blending may come from different sets of three frequency components. As a result, the same blended color may correspond to several different time thicknesses. It is also very difficult to interpret the corresponding thickness of the blended colors such as white and yellow. To avoid the ambiguity of time-thickness estimation using RGB blending, we have estimated the time thickness of the thin beds using all of the frequency components in a user-defined frequency band instead of only three frequency components. Our workflow begins with the normal seismic spectral decomposition. Considering that the different reflectivity pairs with a different time thickness have a different amplitude spectrum, we then use the self-organizing map to cluster the decomposed amplitude spectra of seismic traces. We finally assign each cluster with a relative thickness by comparing the clustered results with well logs.
Revisiting Marcuse’s “Habilitation Odyssey” in the Light of Heidegger’s “Black Notebooks”
Authors: Immanen Mikko
Published: October 2018

At the turn of the 1930s the German Jewish philosopher Herbert Marcuse wrote his habilitation study for Martin Heidegger, in which he appropriated Heidegger’s 1927 Being and Time to provocatively cast G. W. F. Hegel as the originator of the problematic of “being and time.” However, what took off as a fruitful collaboration between Germany’s new philosophical star and the soon-to-be Frankfurt School thinker ended up in Heidegger’s rejecting Marcuse’s study. The article argues that much can be said about the philosophical dimension of the topic if Marcuse’s Hegel study is placed in dialogue with Heidegger’s overlooked Hegel lectures. Furthermore, that extraphilosophical factors played a major role in Heidegger’s decision finds support in his recently published “black notebooks,” filled with toxic anti-Semitism. Taken together with Heidegger’s rare remarks on Marcuse—which are both anti-Semitic and anti-Marxist—there are three plausible lines of interpretation for Heidegger’s decision: philosophical objections, anti-Marxism, and anti-Semitism.
Prp8 regulates oncogene-induced hyperplastic growth in Drosophila
Authors: Fernández-Espartero Cecilia H. , Rizzo Alberto , Fulford Alexander D. , Falo-Sanjuan Julia , Goutte-Gattat Damien , Ribeiro Paulo S.
Published: October 2018

Although developmental signalling pathways control tumourigenic growth, the cellular mechanisms that abnormally proliferating cells rely on are still largely unknown. Drosophila melanogaster is a genetically tractable model used to study how specific genetic changes confer advantageous tumourigenic traits. Despite recent efforts, the role of deubiquitylating enzymes in cancer is particularly understudied. We performed a Drosophila in vivo RNAi screen to identify deubiquitylating enzymes that modulate RasV12-induced hyperplastic growth. We identified the spliceosome core component Prp8 as a crucial regulator of Ras-, EGFR-, Notch- or RET-driven hyperplasia. Loss of prp8 function alone decreased cell proliferation, increased cell death and affected cell differentiation and polarity. In hyperplasia, Prp8 supported tissue overgrowth independently of caspase-dependent cell death. prp8 depletion efficiently blocked Ras-, EGFR- and Notch-driven tumours but, in contrast, enhanced tumours driven by oncogenic RET, suggesting a context-specific role in hyperplasia. These data show, for the first time, that Prp8 regulates hyperplasia and extend recent observations on the potential role of the spliceosome in cancer. Our findings suggest that targeting Prp8 could be beneficial in specific tumour types.
LCP1 preferentially binds clasped αMβ2 integrin and attenuates leukocyte adhesion under flow
Authors: Tseng Hui-yuan , Samarelli Anna V. , Kammerer Patricia , Scholze Sarah , Ziegler Tilman , Immler Roland , Zent Roy , Sperandio Markus , Sanders Charles R. , Fässler Reinhard , Böttcher Ralph T.
Published: October 2018

Integrins are α/β heterodimers that interconvert between inactive and active states. In the active state the α/β cytoplasmic domains recruit integrin-activating proteins and separate the transmembrane and cytoplasmic (TMcyto) domains (unclasped TMcyto). Conversely, in the inactive state the α/β TMcyto domains bind integrin-inactivating proteins, resulting in the association of the TMcyto domains (clasped TMcyto). Here, we report the isolation of integrin cytoplasmic tail interactors using either lipid bicelle-incorporated integrin TMcyto domains (α5, αM, αIIb, β1, β2 and β3 integrin TMcyto) or a clasped, lipid bicelle-incorporated αMβ2 TMcyto. Among the proteins found to preferentially bind clasped rather than the isolated αM and β2 subunits was L-plastin (LCP1, also known as plastin-2), which binds to and maintains the inactive state of αMβ2 integrin in vivo and thereby regulates leukocyte adhesion to integrin ligands under flow. Our findings offer a global view on cytoplasmic proteins interacting with different integrins and provide evidence for the existence of conformation-specific integrin interactors.
Syncing Exercise With Meals and Circadian Clocks
Authors: Heden Timothy D. , Kanaley Jill A.
Published: October 2018

Circadian rhythms, meals, and exercise modulate energy metabolism. This review explores the novel hypothesis that there is an optimal time of day to exercise to improve 24 h glycemia and lipemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Athletes With Versus Without Leg Amputations: Different Biomechanics, Similar Running Economy
Authors: Beck Owen N. , Grabowski Alena M.
Published: October 2018

Athletes with transtibial amputations use carbon-fiber prostheses to run. Compared with biological legs, these devices differ in structure and function, and consequently yield affected leg running biomechanics that are theoretically more economical than those of nonamputees. However, experimental data indicate that athletes with unilateral and bilateral transtibial amputations exhibit running economy values that are well within the range of nonamputee values.
Post-transcriptional control of miRNA biogenesis
Authors: Michlewski Gracjan , Cáceres Javier F.
Published: October 2018

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression that bind complementary target mRNAs and repress their expression. Precursor miRNA molecules undergo nuclear and cytoplasmic processing events, carried out by the endoribonucleases DROSHA and DICER, respectively, to produce mature miRNAs that are loaded onto the RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex) to exert their biological function. Regulation of mature miRNA levels is critical in development, differentiation, and disease, as demonstrated by multiple levels of control during their biogenesis cascade. Here, we will focus on post-transcriptional mechanisms and will discuss the impact of cis-acting sequences in precursor miRNAs, as well as trans-acting factors that bind to these precursors and influence their processing. In particular, we will highlight the role of general RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) as factors that control the processing of specific miRNAs, revealing a complex layer of regulation in miRNA production and function.
Splashing out the rainy day arts
Authors: Francis-Pester Dawn
Published: October 2018

As a life-giving force, rain is not nearly celebrated enough. Here are some ideas for indoor and outdoor rain-inspired activities that will leave you wishing for more watery weather.
Machaon: the first trauma surgeon in Western history?
Authors: Koutserimpas Christos , Samonis George
Published: October 2018

Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, written between 800–700 BC, offer valuable information about what medical practice meant at that time. Descriptions of injuries and care given can be found among the 26,000 verses of these poems. During the Trojan War many warriors possessed empirical knowledge of wound care. However, Machaon and his brother Podalirius were the chief medical officers of the Greek army as it besieged Troy. Machaon was acting mainly as a trauma surgeon, while Podalirius was a physician. The original texts of the Iliad and Odyssey, as well as relevant literature and references, were methodically studied for extraction of adequate information about the life and work of Machaon. He provided medical care to injured soldiers and officers, and performed small operations. He treated the wound of King Menelaus of Sparta, the co-chief of the Greek army and many others. He was also a talented warrior, participating in many battles around the walls of Troy. When he was injured, the Greeks rallied around him so that he would not be taken or killed by the enemy. Since he had the knowledge and the ability to save lives, his life was considered equal to that of many men. Future generations would worship him as god protector of surgery. Machaon's techniques and skills can be considered to constitute the origins of modern surgery and trauma management at the dawn of western civilisation
Short Communication: Biodiversity of weeds in Ilmen State Reserve, Russia
Authors: MASHKOVA IRINA V. , KRUPNOVA TATYANA G. , KOSTRYUKOVA ANASTASIYA M. , VLASOV NIKITA E.
Published: October 2018

Mashkova IV, Krupnova TG, Kostryukova AM, Vlasov NE. 2018. Short Communication: Biodiversity of weeds in Ilmen State Reserve, Russia. Biodiversitas 19: 106-111. Weeds are a synanthropic flora. Human exposure to the natural landscape leads to the spread of synanthropic plant species, so weeds begin to occupy a significant place in the structure of ecosystem biodiversity. The aim of this study was to investigate the weeds biodiversity structure and to assess the extent of invasion of weeds into the territory of the Ilmen State Reserve in South Urals, Russia. This paper presents the results of study of weeds during the vegetation period in 2013–2017. Fifty one species of weeds distributed in four genera and six families were found on the territory of the Southern Forestry of the Ilmen State Reserve. Besides, the differences between species diversity of weeds on three types of roads (gravel, earth and foot) and on two types of forests (birch and pine) were also discovered in this study . The greatest degree of invasion was discovered for foot roads. It was noted that pine forest is the most resistant the invasion of weeds.
The diversity of aroids (Araceae) in Bogor Botanic Gardens, Indonesia: Collection, conservation and utilization
Authors: YUZAMMI YUZAMMI
Published: October 2018

Yuzammi. 2018. The diversity of aroids (Araceae) in Bogor Botanic Gardens, Indonesia: Collection, conservation and utilization. Biodiversitas 19: 140-152. Bogor Botanic Gardens is an ex-situ conservation centre, covering an area of 87 ha, with 12,376 plant specimens, collected from Indonesia and other tropical countries throughout the world. One of the richest collections in the Gardens comprises members of the aroid family (Araceae). The aroids are planted in several garden beds as well as in the nursery. They have been collected from the time of the Dutch era until now. These collections were obtained from botanical explorations throughout the forests of Indonesia and through seed exchange with botanic gardens around the world. Several of the Bogor aroid collections represent ‘living types’, such as Scindapsus splendidus Alderw., Scindapsus mamilliferus Alderw. and Epipremnum falcifolium Engl. These have survived in the garden from the time of their collection up until the present day. There are many aroid collections in the Gardens that have potentialities not widely recognised. The aim of this study is to reveal the diversity of aroids species in the Bogor Botanic Gardens, their scientific value, their conservation status, and their potential as ornamental plants, medicinal plants and food. The methods of the research include direct observation in the garden and nursery collections, analysis of the Gardens’ long-term registration database, as well as herbarium studies in both the Herbarium Bogoriense and the Gardens’own herbarium. A total of 130 species of aroids belonging to 36 genera have been cultivated in the Bogor Botanic Gardens. It is estimated that the gardens has 29% of the total number of genera in the world (21 genera are native to Indonesia). The aroid collection consists of terrestrial plants, aquatic plants and climbing plants (61 species, 12 species and 57 species, respectively). Amorphophallus paeoniifolius has developed further as a food plant. Genera such as Aglaonema, Alocasia, Apoballis, Rhaphidophora and Scindapsus have long been used as ornamental plants. Futhermore, some Homalomena species can be extracted for essential oils, while Epipremnum pinnatum has application in the treatment of cancer. Descriptions of some endemic, rare and high value species are discussed in this paper.
Collection and agro morphological characterization of Algerian accessions of lentil (Lens culinaris)
Authors: GAAD DJOUHER , LAOUAR MERIEM , ABDELGUERFI AISSA , GABOUN FATIMA
Published: October 2018

Gaad D, Laouar M, Gaboun F, Abdelguerfi A. 2018. Collection and agro morphological characterization of Algerian accessions of lentil (Lens culinaris). Biodiversitas 19: 183-193. Lentil is one of the important pulse crops in Algeria. The narrow genetic base of local cultivars and the disappearance of many local accessions contribute to the loss of lentil biodiversity. Therefore, collection, characterization and preservation of existing local accessions of lentils are important. Lentil accessions were collected across different agro-ecological zones of Algeria. From 10 regions (Departments), 15 villages were surveyed and 30 accessions were collected. Eighteen local accessions and 26 references collection have been used for agro morphological evaluation. The assessment was performed in two locations, sub-humid and semi-arid conditions, based on 12 quantitative characters. The result of variance analysis shows a significant effect of the interaction genotype x location for six quantitative traits. Three macrosperma Algerian accessions characterized by a high number of pod/plant, number of seed/plant and seed yield/plant were positioned on PCA1. The remaining Algerian accessions were positioned on PCA2 and were characterized by later flowering and maturity with high plant stature and height of the lowest pods. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the accessions into five distinct clusters independently of the accessions origins and revealed the distribution of Algerian accessions in all of the groups. This study will help breeders to better select accessions to be used in lentil breeding program.
The diversity of indoor airborne molds growing in the university libraries in Indonesia
Authors: RAHMAWATI RAHMAWATI , SEMBIRING LANGKAH , ZAKARIA LATIFFAH , RAHAYU ENDANG S.
Published: October 2018

Rahmawati, Sembiring L, Zakaria L, Rahayu ES. 2018. The diversity of indoor airborne molds growing in the university libraries in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 194-201. Airborne mold is potentially causing respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of indoor airborne molds isolated from some libraries in Universitas Gadjah Mada (Gadjah Mada University), Yogyakarta, Indonesia based on morphological characteristics. Sampling was conducted in six libraries at Universitas Gadjah Mada (Libraries of Food and Nutrition at Inter-University Center or Pusat Antar Universitas (PAU), Biotechnology at PAU, Faculty of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Master of Management, and Faculty of Geography) by non-volumetric air sampling method. Isolation of indoor airborne molds was conducted by using two petri dishes containing Dichloran 18% Glycerol Agar (DG 18) for each room. Morphological identification of isolates of indoor airborne molds was based on macromorphological and micromorphological characteristics. Isolation and identification were conducted in Laboratory of Microbiology of Food and Nutrition of PAU at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The result showed the diversity of indoor airborne molds, identified to be members of genera Alternaria, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Byssochlamys, Cadophora, Chaetomium, Chrysonilia, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Emericella, Epicoccum, Eurotium, Fusarium, Geomyces, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Rhizomucor, Stemphylium, Scopulariopsis, Wallemia, and Xeromyces. Members of genera Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium were the most dominant molds. The results of this study indicate that the presence of molds potentially causes illness for the library users.