bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engajamento do estudante no ensino superior como indicador de avaliação
Authors: Martins Letícia Martins de , Ribeiro José Luis Duarte
Published: April 2017

Resumo: O engajamento é um fator já estudado e avaliado internacionalmente, assim como é utilizado como um indicador para avaliar a qualidade de oferta no ensino. Nesse sentido este artigo pretende apresentar uma revisão da literatura internacional sobre o engajamento do estudante. Inicialmente é definido o conceito de engajamento, a seguir a relação de engajamento do estudante e sucesso acadêmico. O artigo também busca apresentar os modelos de avaliação do engajamento encontrados na literatura internacional, assim como as práticas institucionais e o engajamento do estudante. Por fim, são traçadas as considerações finais do artigo.
Economic viability of ultra high-performance fiber reinforced concrete in prestressed concrete wind towers to support a 5 MW turbine
Authors: GAMA P. V. C. N. , BITTENCOURT T. N.
Published: April 2017

Abstract The Ultra-High Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete is a material with remarkable mechanical properties and durability when compared to conventional and high performance concrete, which allows its use even without the reinforcement. This paper proposes the design of prestressed towers for a 5 MW turbine, through regulatory provisions and the limit states method, with UHPFRC and the concrete class C50, comparing the differences obtained in the design by parametric analysis, giving the advantages and disadvantages of using this new type of concrete. Important considerations, simplifications and notes are made to the calculation process, as well as in obtaining the prestressing and passive longitudinal and passive transverse reinforcement, highlighting the shear strength of annular sections comparing a model proposed here with recent experimental results present in the literature, which was obtained good agreement. In the end, it is estimated a first value within the constraints here made to ensure the economic viability of the use of UHPFRC in a 100 m prestressed wind tower with a 5 MW turbine.
Imagens da simultaneidade e os impasses da narrativa - O caso da Synopsis historiae universalis (1766) de Johann Christoph Gatterer
Authors: Araújo André de Melo
Published: April 2017

Resumo No contexto acadêmico em que o pensamento histórico moderno se cientificiza, Johann Christoph Gatterer (1727-1799) publica um conjunto de seis tábuas históricas reunidas sob o título Synopsis historiae universalis (1766). Por meio delas, o autor procura apresentar uma visão geral da simultaneidade dos acontecimentos históricos e, assim, solucionar os impasses de representação narrativa da história universal. Ao analisar os seis fólios publicados por Gatterer, este artigo identifica nas tábuas de 1766 tanto a retomada de um gênero historiográfico já bastante difundido na época das Luzes, quanto sua reconfiguração feita em nome de uma nova semântica visual científica. Desse modo, leituras fundamentalmente logocêntricas do pensamento histórico moderno encontram limites ante a tese segundo a qual a informação visual deve ser considerada como um elemento importante no processo de cientifização da história na segunda metade do século XVIII.
Dosing Three-Drug Combinations That Include Targeted Anti-Cancer Agents: Analysis of 37,763 Patients
Authors: Nikanjam Mina , Liu Sariah , Yang Jincheng , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: April 2017

Background

Combining targeted and cytotoxic agents has the potential to improve efficacy and attenuate resistance for metastatic cancer. Information regarding safe starting doses for clinical trials of novel three-drug combinations is lacking.

Materials and Methods

Published phase I–III adult oncology clinical trials of three-drug combinations involving a targeted agent were identified by PubMed search (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013). A dose percentage was calculated to compare the dose used in combination to the single agent recommended dose: (U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved/recommended phase II dose/maximum tolerated dose). The additive dose percentage was the sum of the dose percentages for each drug in the combination.

Results

A total of 37,763 subjects and 243 drug combinations were included. Only 28% of studies could give each of the three agents at 100%. For combinations involving two targeted agents and a cytotoxic agent, the lowest starting additive dose percentage was 133%, which increased to 250% if two antibodies were included. For combinations of one targeted agent and two cytotoxic agents, the lowest additive safe dose percentage was 137%. When both cytotoxic agents were held at 100%, as occurred in 56% of studies (which generally used cytotoxic doublets with known combination safety dosing), the lowest safe dose percentage was 225% (providing that a histone deacetylase inhibitor was not the targeted agent).

Conclusion

These findings serve as a safe starting point for dosing novel three-drug combinations involving a targeted agent in clinical trials and practice.
Produção de pimentão amarelo sob lâminas de água e coberturas de solo em ambiente protegido
Authors: Rodrigues Domingos , Goto Rumy
Published: April 2017

Compararam-se diferentes lâminas de água e diferentes coberturas de solo na cultura do pimentão, para estabelecer uma quantidade de água racional e cobertura de solo adequada para a produtividade e qualidade dos frutos de pimentão em ambiente protegido. O experimento foi realizado em São Manuel/SP, no período de maio a dezembro. O delineamento experimental adotado foi parcelas subdivididas com quatro blocos. As lâminas foram comparadas nas parcelas e as coberturas de solo nas subparcelas. Utilizaram-se quatro lâminas de água com 120, 100, 80 e 50% do volume de água evapotranspirada, para os respectivos tratamentos. O controle da irrigação foi feito baseado na evaporação do tanque classe A. As coberturas de solo foram: C1- solo  sem cobertura (testemunha); C2-cobertura de solo com bagacilho de cana; C3- cobertura de solo com filme de polietileno da cor preta; C4- cobertura de solo com filme de polietileno da cor prata, C5- cobertura de solo com filme de polietileno da cor laranja e C6 - cobertura de solo  com filme de polietileno da cor verde. As coberturas de solo com filmes plásticos de cor preta e cor verde proporcionaram maiores temperaturas do solo, controle de plantas invasoras, maior desenvolvimento das plantas e maior produtividade. Utilizando-se a cobertura de solo com filmes plásticos, as lâminas de água calculada com 80% e 100% de reposição de água proporcionaram maior número de frutos e produtividade.
In the Red Canoe by L. Davidson
Authors: Skow Kerstin
Published: April 2017

Davidson, Leslie A. In The Red Canoe, illustrated by Laura Bifano. Orca Book Publishers, 2016.“In the Red Canoe” is a fictional picture book written by Leslie A. Davidson and illustrated by Laura Bifano. This beautiful story takes place by a lakeside cottage and follows the magical exploration of nature by a grandfather and his grandchild. As they paddle along the lake in a red canoe, they are surrounded by the many delightful elements of nature including vibrant flowers, elusive frogs and soaring birds. Written in first person through the eyes of a young child, this book engages all readers who may have grown up with a family cottage and stimulates the curiosity of readers who may have not yet had the chance to explore nature.The poetic pattern of this text is presented in a smooth, rhythmic way. The descriptive language is delicate and the beauty of nature is captured through strong imagery. The author’s chosen words of “We don’t say much we mostly look” represent the magic of this book as the elegance of this story could have been depicted solely with the images.The vivid illustrations of this story capture the breathtaking scenery that exists in the outdoors and celebrate the personal connection of grandparent and grandchild through painted images of physical and emotional closeness. The pictures do not clearly specify the gender of the grandchild which make this story easy for most children to connect with.Highly Recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Kerstin SkowKerstin Skow is a grade 2 french immersion teacher with Edmonton Public Schools and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at the University of Alberta. Kerstin was an avid reader growing up and enjoys fostering a love of reading in her students.
Multi-Optimization of Performance Parameters in Turn-Boring for Difficult-to-Cut Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Hwang Shen-Jenn , Li Xin-Tang
Published: April 2017

The present study propose an innovative turn-boring operation method and focuses on finding optimal turn-boring process parameters for Ti-6Al-4V by considering multiple performance characteristics using Taguchi orthogonal array with the grey relational analysis, the effect of machining variables such as, feed rate, depth of cut and cutting speed are optimized with considerations of multiple performance characteristics namely surface roughness, roundness error, material removal rate and power consumption the optimal values were found out from the Grey relational grade. The result of the Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) is shown that the most significant factor is cutting speed, followed by feed rate, radial depth of cut. Finally, confirmation tests were carried out to make a comparison between the experimental results. Experimental results have shown that machining performance in the turn-boring process can be improved effectively through this approach.
Accelerated Attenuation of Pre-formed Cholesterol Gallstones by Dietary Tender Cluster Beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in Mice
Authors: Raghavendra Chikkanna K. , Srinivasan Krishnapura
Published: April 2017

Dietary soluble fibre-rich tender cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) (CB) is previously shown to reduce the susceptibility for cholesterol gallstone (CGS) formation in experimental mice. The present study evaluated if dietary CB could also accelerate dissolution of pre-formed CGS in mice. The possible additive influence of dietary fibre-rich CB and sulfur compounds-rich garlic in dissolving CGS was also evaluated. CGS was induced with a high-cholesterol diet for ten weeks. CB (10%) and garlic (1%) were included individually and in combination in the diet of gallstoneinduced mice for another ten weeks. CB, garlic, and CB+garlic reduced the preestablished CGS by 61, 50, and 72%, respectively, in 10 weeks as compared to 27% regression observed with the control diet. There was a reduction in cholesterol saturation index and ratios of cholesterol: bile acid and cholesterol: phospholipid in the bile, facilitating the desaturation of cholesterol. mRNA expression of CYP7A was up-regulated in CB-fed animals. CB+garlic produced a higher up-regulation of mRNA expression of CYP7A and CYP27. These results corroborate with the observed increase in the bile acid pool as a result of these dietary interventions. Acceleration of the regression of preformed CGS is complimentary to the previously reported CGSpreventive influence of dietary CB.
Assessment of Eating Attitudes and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Female Students Studying Nutrition and Dietetics
Authors: Alkan Senay Burcin , Ersoy Nesli , Eskici Gunay , Ersoy Gulgun
Published: April 2017

The study seeks to assess eating attitudes and healthy lifestyle behaviors of female students studying Nutrition and Dietetics, a field where dieticians who give right messages about healthy diet are trained. The research was conducted on a total number of 160 female students studying Nutrition and Dietetics. The data were collected through face-to-face interview using questionnaire form. The questionnaire included questions about the socioeconomic features, feeding habits and physical activity levels of students. Then anthropometric measurements were taken and Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale (HLBS) were administered. SPSS 15.0 software was used to statistically analyze the data. Students' EAT- 40 score average is 13.6±7.4. The prevalence of those with high eating disorder risk is low (2.5%) and their total HLBS score average was found to have an intermediate level (124.1±16). EAT-40 score which shows a potential eating disorder in eating behaviors were found to be significantly high in students who were diagnosed with an illness (p=0.017), those following a diet (p=0.022) and those dissatisfied with their body weight (p=0.00). Total HLBS score on the other hand is significantly higher among students diagnosed with an illness (p=0.03). In conclusion, the study has found that eating disorder prevalence among female students studying Nutrition and Dietetics is low and that their score average from HLBS has an intermediate level.
Role of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Causing Severe Malnourishment among Children - Evidence from a Case-Controlled Study in Central Indian District
Authors: Pandey Pavan , Bajpai Prashant , Sharma Arushi
Published: April 2017

This study was conducted with an aim to determine the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related practices in families having one or more severely malnourished child and comparing them with that of families with non-malnourished children as control. A community based unmatched case-control study was conducted involving 169 cases and 338 controls. Data on different practices related to water, sanitation, and hygiene followed by families of cases and controls were collected. The questions included source, storage and pre treatment of drinking water, hand washing practices, vector protection methods and method of disposing of various kinds of wastes. A multi variable analysis of selected variables was undertaken. The proportion of males and females among cases was 46.7 and 54.3% respectively. The proportion of families of cases and control which practised any kind of disinfection of drinking water was 38.5 and 78.1% respectively. Strongest factor which increased the odds of being severely malnourished were lack of water, disinfection before drinking, no hand washing before feeding a child, not using disinfectant solution for mopping the floor and defecating in the open. To counter severe malnutrition it is necessary need to broaden the focus and move from nutrition based intervention to include water, sanitation and hygienic practices into the prospect of malnutrition elimination.
Effect of Spice Extracts on the Biochemical, Textural and Sensory Attributes of Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) Chunks during Ice Storage
Authors: Jeyakumari A. , Roy Reeshma , Ninan George , Renuka V.
Published: April 2017

Aqueous extracts of ginger (Zingber officinale), mint (Mentha arvensis) and green chilli (Capsicum annuum) were examined for their antioxidant activity by using DPPH assay and total phenolic assay. Mint extract showed the highest phenolic content (87.33± 2.74 mg phenolics / 100 g) and DPPH Radical scavenging activity (89.61±0.30 %). Effect of spice extracts (20%) on the quality of pangasius fish chunks were evaluated up to 15 days under iced condition. Fish chunks treated with spice extracts had lower total volatile base nitrogen content (TVB-N) than the control. Similar trend was also observed for peroxide (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. Fish chunks treated with ginger and chilly extracts had an improved texture than mint extracts and control. Sensory evaluation revealed that fish chunks had a shelf life up to 9th, 12th and 15th day for control, chilli extract treated, mint and ginger extracts treated sample respectively. Results indicated that the spice extracts could improve the shelf life of pangasius fish chunks at the selected concentration and demonstrated the potential to use as an alternative for synthetic preservatives.
US Public Opinion on Carrying Firearms in Public Places
Authors: Wolfson Julia A. , Teret Stephen P. , Azrael Deborah , Miller Matthew
Published: April 2017

Objectives. To estimate US public opinion, overall and by gun ownership status, about the public places where legal gun owners should be allowed to carry firearms.

Methods. We fielded an online survey among 3949 adults, including an oversample of gun owners and veterans, in April 2015. We used cross-tabulations with survey weights to generate nationally representative estimates.

Results. Fewer than 1 in 3 US adults supported gun carrying in any of the specified venues. Support for carrying in public was consistently higher among gun owners than among non–gun owners. Overall, support for carrying in public was lowest for schools (19%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.7, 21.1), bars (18%; 95% CI = 15.9, 20.6), and sports stadiums (17%; 95% CI = 15.0, 19.5).

Conclusions. Most Americans, including most gun owners, support restricting public places legal gun owners can carry firearms. These views contrast sharply with the current trend in state legislatures of expanding where, how, and by whom guns can be carried in public. Recent state laws and proposed federal legislation that would force states to honor out-of-state concealed carry permits are out of step with American public opinion.
How California Prepared for Implementation of Physician-Assisted Death: A Primer
Authors: Petrillo Laura A. , Dzeng Elizabeth , Harrison Krista L. , Forbes Lindsay , Scribner Benjamin , Koenig Barbara A.
Published: April 2017

Physician-assisted death is now legal in California, and similar laws are being considered in many other states. The California law includes safeguards, yet health care providers will face practical and ethical issues while implementing physician-assisted death that are not addressed by the law.

To help providers and health care facilities in California prepare to provide optimal care to patients who inquire about physician-assisted death, we brought together experts from California, Oregon, and Washington. We convened a conference of 112 stakeholders in December 2015, and herein present their recommendations.

Themes of recommendations regarding implementation include (1) institutions should develop and revise physician-assisted death policies; (2) legal physician-assisted death will have implications for California’s culturally and socioeconomically diverse population, and for patients from vulnerable groups; (3) conscientious objection and moral distress for health care providers must be considered; and (4) palliative care is essential to the response to the law. The expert conference participants’ insights are a valuable guide, both for providers and health care facilities in California planning or revising their response, and for other jurisdictions where physician-assisted death laws are being considered or implemented.
State Preemption: A Significant and Quiet Threat to Public Health in the United States
Authors: Pomeranz Jennifer L. , Pertschuk Mark
Published: April 2017

State and local governments traditionally protect the health and safety of their populations more strenuously than does the federal government. Preemption, when a higher level of government restricts or withdraws the authority of a lower level of government to act on a particular issue, was historically used as a point of negotiation in the legislative process.

More recently, however, 3 new preemption-related issues have emerged that have direct implications for public health. First, multiple industries are working on a 50-state strategy to enact state laws preempting local regulation. Second, legislators supporting preemptive state legislation often do not support adopting meaningful state health protections and enact preemptive legislation to weaken protections or halt progress. Third, states have begun adopting enhanced punishments for localities and individual local officials for acting outside the confines of preemption.

These actions have direct implications for health and cover such topics as increased minimum wages, paid family and sick leave, firearm safety, and nutrition policies. Stakeholders across public health fields and disciplines should join together in advocacy, action, research, and education to support and maintain local public health infrastructures and protections.
Innovations in Population Health Surveillance: Using Electronic Health Records for Chronic Disease Surveillance
Authors: Perlman Sharon E. , McVeigh Katharine H. , Thorpe Lorna E. , Jacobson Laura , Greene Carolyn M. , Gwynn R. Charon
Published: April 2017

With 87% of providers using electronic health records (EHRs) in the United States, EHRs have the potential to contribute to population health surveillance efforts. However, little is known about using EHR data outside syndromic surveillance and quality improvement. We created an EHR-based population health surveillance system called the New York City (NYC) Macroscope and assessed the validity of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, obesity, depression, and influenza vaccination indicators. The NYC Macroscope uses aggregate data from a network of outpatient practices. We compared 2013 NYC Macroscope prevalence estimates with those from a population-based, in-person examination survey, the 2013–2014 NYC Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

NYC Macroscope diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and obesity prevalence indicators performed well, but depression and influenza vaccination estimates were substantially lower than were survey estimates. Ongoing validation will be important to monitor changes in validity over time as EHR networks mature and to assess new indicators.

We discuss NYC’s experience and how this project fits into the national context. Sharing lessons learned can help achieve the full potential of EHRs for population health surveillance.
KARAKTER MORFOLOGIS DAN FISIOLOGIS TANAMAN NILAM DI BAWAH NAUNGAN DAN TANPA NAUNGAN
Authors: Setiawan NFN , Sukamto NFN
Published: April 2017

Nilam (Pogostemon cablin) merupakan tanaman semak yang dapat tumbuh di tempat ternaungi maupun terbuka. Namun perubahan karakter morfologis dan fisiologis tanaman pada naungan 55% yang mempengaruhi hasil belum diketahui. Penelitian dilaksanakan sejak April sampai September 2015 di Kebun Percobaan Cimanggu, Bogor. Penelitian bertujuan untuk membandingkan perubahan karakter morfologis dan fisiologis tanaman nilam yang mempengaruhi produksi dan mutu minyak nilam yang ditanam di bawah naungan 55% dan tanpa naungan. Penelitian menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok dengan 20 ulangan. Parameter yang diamati adalah morfologi (jumlah daun, luas daun spesifik, tinggi tanaman dan jumlah cabang) dan fisiologi (kandungan air nisbi, jumlah klorofil, laju fotosintesis dan transpirasi), serta produksi terna dan hasil minyak. Data dikumpulkan dari masing-masing 20 sampel tanaman, dianalisis rata-rata dan standard error untuk menguji perbedaan antar perlakuan dan diuji lebih lanjut dengan analisis berganda Spearman untuk mengetahui hubungan antara parameter dengan hasil. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tanaman nilam yang ditanam di bawah naungan 55% memiliki tinggi 87,05 cm, jumlah daun (576 helai), kandungan klorofil total (0,62 mg g-1), luas daun spesifik (191,57 g cm-2) dan laju fotosintesis (12,2 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1) lebih tinggi dan berbeda nyata dibandingkan dengan tanaman nilam yang ditanam tanpa naungan. Produksi terna kering 131,9 g tanaman-1 meningkat 300% dibandingkan dengan tanpa naungan, dengan kadar minyak 2,3%.
POTENSI EKSTRAK GAMBIR, SIRIH-SIRIHAN DAN SAMBILOTO UNTUK MENGENDALIKAN Aphis schneideri PADA TANAMAN Klausena
Authors: Idris Herwita , Nurmansyah NFN
Published: April 2017

Pestisida yang berasal dari tanaman relatif aman terhadap organisme bukan sasaran dan ramah lingkungan dibandingkan dengan pestisida berbahan aktif kimia sintetik. Gambir, sirih-sirihan dan sambiloto merupakan tanaman potensial sebagai sumber pestisida nabati. Tanaman-tanaman tersebut mengandung senyawa fenolik, minyak atsiri dan metabolit lainnya yang belum dieksplorasi pemanfaatannya. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengobservasi potensi ekstrak tanaman gambir, sirih-sirihan, dan sambiloto dalam menanggulangi serangga hama Aphis schneideri yang sering menyerang tanaman klausena. Penelitian menggunakan rancangan acak lengkap, empat ulangan. Perlakuan yang diuji terdiri dari ekstrak gambir, sambiloto, dan sirih-sirihan, masing-masing dengan tingkat konsentrasi yang berbeda (8, 12, dan 16 ml l-l) serta kontrol (tanpa perlakuan). Penelitian dilaksanakan di Rumah Kaca Kebun Percobaan Balai Penelitian Tanaman Rempah dan Obat Laing, Solok dari Februari sampai Agustus 2015.  Parameter yang diamati adalah persentase kematian (mortalitas) nimfa dan imago. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak tanaman gambir, sirih-sirihan, dan sambiloto bersifat insektisidal terhadap serangga hama A. schneideri. Ekstrak gambir pada konsentrasi 16 ml l-l mampu mengendalikan nimfa dan imago A. schneideri 100% pada 6 jam setelah aplikasi, sedangkan ekstrak sambiloto pada tingkat konsentrasi yang sama dengan gambir memerlukan waktu 36 jam setelah aplikasi untuk mencapai mortalitas 100%. Ekstrak sirih-sirihan memiliki efikasi terendah dibanding gambir dan sambiloto dengan tingkat mortalitas hanya mencapai 63,83% (nimfa) dan 65,44% (imago) pada 36 jam setelah aplikasi. Ekstrak gambir paling potensial sebagai pestisida nabati untuk mengedalikan A. schneideri dibandingkan dengan ekstrak sirih-sirihan dan sambiloto. Perlu pengujian lapangan untuk mengetahui keefektifan ekstrak gambir dalam mengendalikan serangan hama A. schneideri pada tanaman klausena.
Field Screening of Primary and Secondary Tritipyrum Genotypes using Selection Indices based on BLUP under Saline and Normal Conditions
Authors: Roudbari Zahra , Mohammadi‐Nejad Ghasem , Shahsavand‐Hassani Hossein
Published: April 2017

This is the first report of secondary tritipyrum recombinant inbred lines derived from Iranian wheat cultivars (Triticum durum Desf./Triticum aestivum L. × Thinopyrum bessarabicum Savul. & Rayss). An experiment was performed under normal (1 dS m−1) and saline (12 dS m−1) conditions during the 2013 to 2015 growing seasons in Kerman, Iran (29.48° N, 57.64° E) to evaluate the potential of tritipyrum, a new salt‐tolerant cereal. The genotypes examined were 13 non‐Iranian primary tritipyrum lines (NIPTLs, 2n = 6x = 42; AABBEbEb), 144 new Iranian secondary tritipyrum lines (ISTLs) derived by crossing NIPTLs with four Iranian bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, two tetraploid wheat varieties, and six Iranian wheat cultivars. The agronomic traits were measured and the results showed spikes in the weight per plant and 1000‐grain weight that can be used as index traits for NIPTLs and ISTLs for selection under normal as well as saline conditions. Although the Smith–Hazel and Pesek–Baker indices indicated that the best response of the ISTLs to selection was related to the number of sterile florets and grains per spike under normal conditions, under saline conditions, the most effective trait was the number of fertile tillers. The breeding value for the NIPTLs and ISTLs were the best linear unbiased prediction values calculated using the results of the selection indices. The ISTLs crosses ‘Roshan’ × (Az/b), ‘Niknejad’ × (Ka/b)(Cr/b), and ‘Omid’ × (Ka/b)(Cr/b) showed the highest average breeding value and are suitable for use in breeding programs for new ISTLs that are salt‐tolerant cultivars with high yield potential in saline soil and brackish water.
Soil Organic Carbon Changes to Increasing Cropping Intensity and No‐Till in a Semiarid Climate
Authors: Engel Richard E. , Miller Perry R. , McConkey Brian G. , Wallander Roseann
Published: April 2017

Core Ideas

After 10‐yr, NT annual cropping systems resulted in greater soil organic C mass relative to tilled fallow‐wheat.

Cropping system intensity was more important to SOC mass than tillage.

Changes in SOC mass were directly related to NPP and total C inputs.

Annual cropping with NT management resulted in greater SOC mass (0–30 cm) than F‐W systems.

SOC accretion was greatest in the CRP system.

Soil organic C (SOC) in the semiarid Northern Great Plains (NGP) can benefit from increasing cropping intensity. We evaluated the effect of annual cropping on stocks of SOC adjusted for equivalent mass (SOCEM; 0–30 cm) and the change in SOC adjusted for equivalent mass (ΔSOCEM) over 10‐yr at a field site (45°40′N, 111°09′ W) near Bozeman, MT. The experiment consisted of two fallow‐wheat (Triticum aestivum L.; F‐W) rotations under till and no‐till (NT), and five annual cropping systems under NT factored with two N levels (moderate and high), and alfalfa–perennial grass system (Conservation Reserve Program, CRP). After 10‐yr, we found SOCEM of five NT annual cropping ( = 37.4 Mg ha–1) was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than NT F‐W (35.1 Mg ha–1), and till F‐W (33.7 Mg ha–1). The greatest SOCEM was found in CRP (39.9 Mg ha–1). Accretion of SOCEM was observed in three systems with the largest gains occurring in the CRP (0.24 Mg ha–1 yr–1), followed by NT continuous wheat (0.13 Mg ha–1 yr–1) and NT pea (Pisum sativum L.)/oil seed–wheat (0.09 Mg ha–1 yr–1). Soil organic C loss was observed in all other systems with the largest loss in the till F‐W (–0.29 Mg ha–1 yr–1). Among the cropping systems, ∆SOCEM was directly related to net primary productivity (NPP; r2 = 0.73) and total C (TC; shoot + root + rhizodeposit) inputs (r2 = 0.86). We found SOCEM was maintained at 7.0 Mg ha–1 yr–1 of net primary productivity (NPP) and 2.6 Mg ha–1 yr–1 of TC inputs with accretion and loss occurring above and below these thresholds.
Clinical aspects of demodecosis in veterinary and human medicine
Authors: Jańczak Dawid , Ruszczak Anna , Kaszak Ilona , Gołąb Elżbieta , Barszcz Karolina
Published: April 2017

Mites from the genus Demodex are ectoparasites of many mammals, including humans. There are over 100 Demodex species, which demonstrate strong specificity in host selection [Table 1]. The mites are common in humans. It has been estimated that up to 60% of adults may be infected, but in most cases no symptoms of the disease are present. Demodex multiplication inside sebaceous glands and hair follicles can lead to skin disease in both humans and animals. In humans, the main problem is ocular demodecosis, which can cause chronic conjunctivitis and blepharitis. In this paper, we present the biology and epidemiology of Demodex species in humans as well as in domestic and farm animals. Characteristic lesions, diagnostics and treatment of demodecosis are also described
A cooperação federativa em recursos hídricos: diagnóstico da Bacia do Rio Tramandaí
Authors: GOVONI Bruna , OLIVEIRA Celmar Corrêa de
Published: April 2017

A água é um bem circulante, fazendo perceptível a interdependência hidrológica, de tal forma que o uso indevido a montante prejudica os usuários a jusante de um corpo hídrico. A gestão dos recursos hídricos alinhada às normas constitucionais e integrada à gestão ambiental tem como foco resolver as questões de escassez relativa desses recursos e assegurar a oferta de água com qualidade à população compatibilizando as demandas qualitativas e quantitativas com os limites da disponibilidade hídrica e preservando as funções dos ecossistemas. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar como o emprego da cooperação na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Tramandaí pode contribuir na minimização de impactos ambientais e equacionar as questões de escassez desses recursos. Na pesquisa, optou-se por desenvolver um estudo qualitativo, partindo da hipótese de que a cooperação institucional é subutilizada na área de recursos hídricos, sendo possível considerar o emprego de novas formas de gestão. Adotou-se como referência a metodologia proposta em “Gestão dos Recursos Hídricos Transfronteiriços” (WATKINS, 2006), em especial, os critérios utilizados para identificar a interdependência hidrológica e os requisitos necessários para a cooperação. Como resultados foram identificados dois problemas: a singularidade negativa do balanço hídrico quantitativo nos meses de dezembro a março e a poluição da Lagoa do Marcelino Ramos. Com a aplicação do método, a cooperação mediante consórcio público e convênio de cooperação mostrou uma relação custo-benefício desfavorável.  Ações dos Órgãos ambientais de fiscalização mostram-se necessárias para que obras de tratamento do esgoto doméstico e a despoluição da Lagoa do Marcelino sejam realizadas.
This exhibition is an island
Authors: Kit Hammonds
Published: April 2017

Based around my catalogue essay for Yu-Chen Wang's exhibition 'Nostalgia for the Future' (Taipei Fine Art Museum and Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Manchester, 2016), I consider how exhibition narratives are formed. As an experiment in 'curatorial writing', the essay draws from the evolution of science fiction. The method is discussed as reflective rather than explanatory of the artist's practice.
On generating functions for the special polynomials
Authors: Simsek Yilmaz
Published: April 2017

The aim of this paper is to investigate and give a new family of Apell type
polynomials, which are related to the Euler, Frobenius-Euler and
Apostol-Bernoulli polynomials and numbers and also the generalized Stirling
numbers of the second kind etc. The results presented in this paper are
based upon the theory of the generating functions. By using functional
equations of these generating functions, we drive some identities and
relations for these numbers and polynomials. Moreover, we give a computation
algorithm these numbers.
Administrative mass data linking minimal/zero false positives
Authors: Povey Chris
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

ObjectivesPart of eHealth project in Scotland to assign a health index to all electronic patient records. One off extracts from live and historical records were posted to a record linkage department where deterministic and Newcombe probability mass matching was performed to assign the Scottish GP registration (CHI) number. These were real world administrative matches with emphasis on minimal false positives rather than maximum acceptable match rates.

ApproachEarly investigations examined the causes of false positive matching. A running window of incomer match scores, instead of only the highest pair score indicated that highest pair Binit scores, even well above acceptance threshold yielded spurious matches and that lower scoring pair matches for the same incomer were more acceptable. A single threshold would not work. The customers were invited to clerically check the matches; their heuristic strategies were observed and incorporated into an automated partitioning exercise.

ResultsDeterministic match rates below 70% were considered very poor. 70-80% poor, 80-85% average, 85-90% good, >90% excellent. The residual unmatched incomers were processed using Newcombe methods, then through the partitioning exercise. 90-95% (deterministic+residual) match rates were viewed as average, 95-98 % as good, 98-100% as excellent. Several deterministic match runs were passed through the residue process early in the exercise, any false positive thrown up by this caused a change in the deterministic process to eradicate errors. Roughly 1000 linkage exercises were done for the eHealth project.

ConclusionsThis was a joint exercise where the linkage department delivered potential match pairs to the customer. The customer then decided on the partitions they were willing to accept. All the potential pairs were sent with a checking engine to view the outcome. Most elected to accept only deterministic matches. Some accepted linkage department advice; often the linkers would clerically flag accepted and rejected pair matches for the customers to review. There was a pilot administrative matching project to assign the health index to social service data in Scotland called eCare which started after the eHealth exercise; in both, the customers were requested to alert us with any false positives - no alerts were received. The same methods were used in the recent exercise to de-duplicate and merge all Glasgow's hospital records; the customer was very used to the methodology, so more checking work by the linker was accepted to achieve higher match rates. A method to estimate false positive rates is proposed.
New Zealand’s Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI): Value to date and future opportunities
Authors: Atkinson June , Blakely Tony
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

ObjectivesStatistics New Zealand, the official statistics agency of the New Zealand (NZ) Government, has developed an Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI). We aimed to review the value of the IDI to date from a research perspective and to consider the opportunities it provides.

ApproachWe considered recent projects in which we have been involved: the New Zealand Census-Mortality and CancerTrends studies (NZCMS/CT), a Suicide Mortality Review Committee (SuMRC) feasibility trial, and a study on cardiovascular disease costs in NZ. We also considered IDI-related work published by other agencies and the views expressed at IDI meetings involving health and social sector personnel.

ResultsSince 1993 in NZ, it has been possible to link all official health datasets using the National Health Index (NHI) number. However it was much more difficult to link health data with data from other sources. Studies often involved much ad hoc data linkage, with different versions of the same data being stored in multiple sites resulting in data integrity and security issues. The IDI provides one place to securely link the various data sources then make the anonymised data available for research for public good.

The IDI provides the following advantages:

Administrative data sources are available in one place nationally rather than many data silos.

Health data can be linked with other administrative data eg, tax, education, crime, migration, welfare, housing, population census. 

It facilitates collaboration between agencies and the sharing of code and associated documentation.

Increased use of these data means there is more feedback to the source government agencies around data collection standards and data quality issues. 

It allows for nationally-standardised processes for ensuring that only responsible and capable researchers with appropriate research questions have access to the relevant anonymised data.

Perhaps the greatest long-term research potential is with the repeated measures data, allowing analyses with greater potential causal inference than previously available.

All the above reduce the cost of doing research as well as assisting government departments with evaluation and costing studies.

ConclusionsNZ is making good progress with integration of administrative data from the health and social sectors. The IDI is a valuable tool for advancing research that provides government departments and academic researchers with new insights into complex social issues such as crime and vulnerable children. It allows government to target limited resources to those areas where the greatest long-term benefit might be made.
Zone design for statistical disclosure control in administrative and linked microdata
Authors: Robards James , Martin David , Gale Chris
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACT

ObjectivesTo explore the application of automated zone design tools to protect record-level datasets with attribute detail and a large data volume in a way that might be implemented by a data provider (e.g. National Statistical Organisation/Health Service Provider), initially using a synthetic microdataset. Successful implementation could facilitate the release of rich linked record datasets to researchers so as to preserve small area geographical associations, while not revealing actual locations which are currently lost due to the high level of geographical coding required by data providers prior to release to researchers. Data perturbation is undesirable because of the need for detailed information on certain spatial attributes (e.g. distance to a medical practitioner, exposure to local environment) which has driven demand for new linked administrative datasets, along with provision of suitable research environments. The outcome is a bespoke aggregation of the microdata that meets a set of design constraints but the exact configuration of which is never revealed. Researchers are provided with detailed data and suitable geographies, yet with appropriately reduced disclosure risk.

ApproachUsing a synthetic flat file microdataset of individual records with locality-level (MSOA) geography codes for England and Wales (variables: age, gender, economic activity, marital status, occupation, number of hours worked and general health), we synthesize address-level locations within MSOAs using 2011 Census headcount data. These synthetic locations are then associated with a range of spatial measures and indicators such as distance to a medical practitioner. Implementation of the AZTool zone design software enables a bespoke, non-disclosive zone design solution, providing area codes that can be added to the research data without revealing their true locations to the researcher.

ResultsTwo sets of results will be presented. Firstly, we will explain the spatial characteristics of the new synthetic dataset which we propose may have broader utility. Secondly, we will present results showing changing risk of disclosure and utility when coding to spatial units from different scales and aggregations. Using the synthetic dataset will therefore demonstrate the utility of the approach for a variety of linked and administrative data without any actual disclosure risk.

ConclusionsThis approach is applicable to a variety of datasets. The ability to quantify the zone design solution and security in relation to statistical disclosure control will be discussed. Provision of parameters from the zone design process to the data user and the implications of this for security and data users will be considered.
Evaluating the Completness of Physician Billing Claims: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Lix Lisa , Kuwornu John Paul , Kephart George , Sikdar Khokan , Smith Mark , Kroeker Kristine , Quan Hude
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesAn increasing number of physicians are remunerated by alternative forms of payment, instead of conventional fee-for-service (FFS) payments. Changes in physician remuneration methods can to influence the completeness of physician billing claims databases, because physicians on alternative payments may not consistently complete billing records. However, there is no established technique to estimate the magnitude of data loss. This proof-of-concept study estimated completeness of physician claims by comparing them with prescription drug records. We applied the method to estimate completeness of non-fee-for-service (NFFS) and FFS physician claims data over time in Manitoba, Canada.

ApproachOur method uses information on the date of patient initiation of a new prescription medication, payment method of the prescribing physician, and presence/absence of a physician billing claim prior to the medication initiation date. A billing claim within 7 days of the medication initiation date was defined as a captured claim; if there was no claim in this observation window, it was classified as missed. Our method was applied to annual patient cohorts who initiated a common prescription medication (i.e., anti-hypertensives) between fiscal years 1998/99 and 2012/13. A sensitivity analysis used a 21-day observation window to identify captured/missing claims. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression models tested patient and prescriber characteristics associated with missing claims.

ResultsThe cohort consisted of 274, 462 individuals with a new anti-hypertensive prescription medication. A total of 9.2% of the cohort had a NFFS prescribing physician in 1998/99; this increased to 20.2% in 2012/13 (linear trend p-value < .0001). The percentage of NFFS prescribers almost doubled, from 10.0% to 17.8%. The percentage of the annual cohorts with a FFS prescribing physician and a missing claim remained close to 13.0%. However, the percentage of the annual cohorts with a NFFS prescribing physician and a missing claim increased from 15.6% to 23.3% (linear trend p-value < .0001), and was always higher than the FFS percentage. Patient age, sex, and comorbidity and physician specialty and practice location were associated with the odds of a missing claim.

ConclusionThe percentage of missing claims was higher for patients with NFFS than FFS prescribing physicians, demonstrating the impact of physician remuneration on database completeness. The trend of greater data loss in later than earlier years suggests that completeness of physician billing claims data may be decreasing. Our method can be applied across jurisdictions to compare the impact of physician payment methods on data quality.
How different administrative databases change the size of a potential palliative care population
Authors: Brameld Kate , Spilsbury Katrina , Rosenwax Lorna , Murray Kevin , Semmens James
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluate how the size and characteristics of potential palliative care populations vary depending on which administrative data sources are used to identify them and how inclusion criteria are applied.ApproachPopulation-based studies in palliative care have used a range of administrative databases including death certificate data and linked hospital admissions data to identify people who received or could have benefited from palliative care. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked hospital admissions and mortality data from the Western Australian Data Linkage System to evaluate how the size and distribution of the potential palliative care populations varied according to the data sources, whether linked data were used and how inclusion criteria were applied. Our cohort consisted of 23,852 people aged 20 years and over who died in Western Australia between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010 after excluding those whose deaths related to pregnancy or trauma. Within this cohort, the number, proportion and characteristics of people who died from one or more of 10 medical conditions considered amenable to palliative care were identified using different information sources.ResultsOf the 23,852 people who died, a total of 10,445 (43%) people had a condition potentially amenable to palliative care recorded as the underlying cause of death on their death certificate. This increased to 15,064 (63%) people when including one of these conditions listed anywhere on their death certificate. When hospital admission records from the last year of life and death records were used to identify people who might potentially have benefited from palliative care, there were 17,384 (73%) people identified with at least one of these conditions. The median age at death varied by up to 12 years between data sources depending on condition. The sex distribution of the decedents, which was measured in terms of the proportion of males dying from the condition, showed variations of up to 30% depending on the data source.ConclusionsThe use of different data sources to identify conditions that might benefit from palliative care will result in differing frequency of conditions and age and sex distribution of the population. This is a result of many people having multiple conditions and the method in which these are recorded in different data sources. It is important to be aware of the characteristics of the individual data sources when the data are used for health service planning.