bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bi-Criteria Optimization for Finding the Optimal Replacement Interval for Maintaining the Performance of the Process Industries
Authors: Garg Harish
Published: March 2016

The optimization of the maintenance decision making can be defined as an attempt to resolve the conflicts of decision situation in such a way that variable under the control of the decision maker take their best possible value. One of the most important controllable parameters is the time interval between maintenance. Most of the researchers have kept the fact that whenever the suitable maintenance interval is reached, the system is replaced with the original one. However the improvement of a system life not only depends on the replacement of deteriorated components, but also on the effectiveness of the maintenance. Taking care about this fact, the effects of maintenance of a multi-component system by combining the three main different PM actions, namely (1a), (1b) and (2p)-maintenance actions. Thus, the main purpose of an effective maintenance program is to present a technique for finding the optimal maintenance interval for the system by considering the multiple goals of the organization viz. maximum availability, minimum maintenance cost.
Gravitational Search Algorithm
Authors: Nezamabadi-Pour Hossein , Barani Fatemeh
Published: March 2016

During the last decades, several metaheuristics have been developed to solve complex engineering optimization problems which most of them have been inspired by natural phenomena and swarm behaviors. Metaheuristics are the most selected techniques to find optimal solution intelligently in many areas of scheduling, space allocation, decision making, pattern recognition, document clustering, control objectives, image processing, system and filter modeling, etc. These algorithms have promised better solutions in single and multi-objective optimization. Gravitational search algorithm (GSA) is one of the recent created metaheuristic search algorithms, which is inspired by the Newtonian laws of gravity and motion. GSA was first proposed by Rashedi et al. and in the short time it became popular among the scientific community and researchers resulting in a lot of variants of the basic algorithm with improved performance. This chapter book presents a detailed review of the basic concepts of GSA and a comprehensive survey of its advanced versions. We propose a number of suggestions to the GSA community that can be undertaken to help move the area forward.
Single Batch-Processing Machine Scheduling Problem with Fuzzy Due-Dates
Authors: Niroomand Sadegh , Mahmoodirad Ali , Molla-Alizadeh-Zavardehi Saber
Published: March 2016

This paper focuses on a problem of minimizing total weighted tardiness of jobs in a real-world single batch-processing machine (SBPM) scheduling in existence of fuzzy due date. In this paper, first a fuzzy mixed integer linear programming model is developed. Then, due to the complexity of the problem, which is NP-hard, we design two hybrid metaheuristics called GA-VNS and VNS-SA applying the advantages of genetic algorithm (GA), variable neighborhood search (VNS) and simulated annealing (SA) frameworks. Besides, we propose three fuzzy earliest due date heuristics to solve the given problem. Through computational experiments with several random test problems, a robust calibration is applied on the parameters. Finally, computational results on different-scale test problems are presented to compare the proposed algorithms.
Solving Non-Linear Bi-Level Programming Problem Using Taylor Algorithm
Authors: Hosseini Eghbal , Kamalabadi Isa Nakhai , Daneshfar Fatemah
Published: March 2016

In recent years the bi-level programming problem (BLPP) is interested by many researchers and it is known as an appropriate tool to solve the real problems in several areas such as economic, traffic, finance, management and so on. Also it has been proved that the general BLPP is an NP-hard problem. The literature shows a few attempts for using approximate methods. In this chapter we attempt to develop an effective approach based on Taylor theorem to obtain an approximate solution for the non-linear BLPP. In this approach using the Karush-Kuhn–Tucker, the BLPP has been converted to a non-smooth single problem, and then it is smoothed by the Fischer – Burmeister function. Finally the smoothed problem is solved using an approach based on Taylor theorem. The presented approach achieves an efficient and feasible solution in an appropriate time which is evaluated by comparing to references and test problems.
Determinants of and Obstacles to the Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards in Africa
Authors: Stainbank Lesley , Tauringana Venancio
Published: March 2016

This chapter investigates the determinants of and obstacles to the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) in Africa. Specifically we investigate whether English as an official language, educational levels, existence of a capital market, economic openness and economic growth are associated with the probability of a country adopting IFRSs with a sample of 46 African countries. Binary logistics regression was used to analyze the data. The results suggest that only English as one of the official languages was associated with the likelihood of a country adopting IFRSs. Through an examination of the Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes of the World Bank, we document that the major obstacles to adopting IFRSs are the lack of enabling legislation for its adoption and a lack of capacity in all aspects of the accounting supply chain. The chapter concludes that more research is needed at a continent level given that most of the determinants we investigated are not associated with the likelihood of a country adopting IFRSs.
IFRS Adoption in Poland in the Light of Empirical Research
Authors: Grabiński Konrad , Kędzior Marcin , Krasodomska Joanna
Published: March 2016

The aim of this chapter is to present Polish experience of the IFRS adoption process. The first part characterizes a cultural background of the Polish society. Using Hofstede and Inglehart cultural dimensions Poland is compared to other European countries. The impact of time on national culture is taken into consideration as well as its influence on financial reporting. The authors believe that the culture has a profound impact on the accounting practice and, therefore it can impede or ease the process of the IFRS adoption. In the second part the history of Polish accounting is presented as well as the evolution of an accounting regulatory framework. A special emphasis is put on the scope of the IFRS application in Poland and the issue of IFRS vs. Polish GAAP comparability. The last and the most extensive part is devoted to the positive and negative consequences of the IFRS application in Poland from the perspective of empirical research.
International Accounting Standards
Authors: El-Firjani Essa R , Faraj Shamsaddeen M.
Published: March 2016

This chapter aims, to highlight a review of IAS history, followed by approaches of accounting regulations. The development of accounting regulation within developing countries is also highlighted and discussed in the context of cultural diversity. It also aims to shed light into the motives that drive the adoption and implementation of IASs/IFRS. The political nature of lobbying and accounting standards setting process is also discussed in this chapter. In addition, the chapter discusses those factors that may be perceived as challenges which may delay or even block the convergence into the IASs/IFRS. Finally the authors provide key remarks about the IASs and venues for future research.
The Determinants and Financial Statement Effects of IFRS Adoption in Nigeria
Authors: Odia J. O.
Published: March 2016

The chapter examines the determinants and financial statement effect s of IFRS adoption in Nigeria. It also investigate into the impact of effect of the adoption of IFRS on accounting figures and ratios in the financial statements of 50 companies quoted in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The determinants considered include firm's characteristics (firm size, operating cash flow, leverage, turnover, growth in turnover, profitability, liquidity and earnings quality) and corporate governance variables (board size, board independence and audit type). The data were obtained from the annual reports of companies listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange between 2011 and 2013 and was analyzed using the ordinary least square (OLS) and logistic regression which were used to test for determinants of IFRS adoption while the independent t-test was used to examine the financial statement effects. With regard to the determinants, the empirical result indicates only profitability and earnings quality have significant but negative association with IFRS adoption. Moreover, IFRS adoption has significant effect on the return on equity.
Struggle for the Universe
Authors: Martens Sjors
Published: March 2016

The Assassin's Creed franchise mainly consists of video games but has over the years created a narrative universe spanning different media. Seeing how the traversal from the individual installment Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag into the narrative universe of Assassin's Creed changes player engagement with the franchise allows one to understand audience interaction with different media products in a transmedia and convergent culture. Seen as a performed possible world, the individual installment is shown, through a three part gameplay analysis, to function as an unfinished commodity. This implies striking a balance between an individually satisfying experience and a plot-hole ridden incentive for further activity. When the individual installment incites traversal into a narrative universe, the player can construct the universe from installments through a hyperdiegetic, intermedia, or crossmedia engagement, depending on the reliance on medium specificity. Ultimately, this article provides a model for audience interaction in the transmedia age.
A Novel Approach for Crawling the Opinions from World Wide Web
Authors: Bhatia Surbhi , Sharma Manisha , Bhatia Komal Kumar
Published: March 2016

Due to the sudden and explosive increase in web technologies, huge quantity of user generated content is available online. The experiences of people and their opinions play an important role in the decision making process. Although facts provide the ease of searching information on a topic but retrieving opinions is still a crucial task. Many studies on opinion mining have to be undertaken efficiently in order to extract constructive opinionated information from these reviews. The present work focuses on the design and implementation of an Opinion Crawler which downloads the opinions from various sites thereby, ignoring rest of the web. Besides, it also detects web pages which frequently undergo updation by calculating the timestamp for its revisit in order to extract relevant opinions. The performance of the Opinion Crawler is justified by taking real data sets that prove to be much more accurate in terms of precision and recall quality attributes.
An Intelligent Web Search Using Multi-Document Summarization
Authors: Takale Sheetal A. , Kulkarni Prakash J. , Shah Sahil K.
Published: March 2016

Information available on the internet is huge, diverse and dynamic. Current Search Engine is doing the task of intelligent help to the users of the internet. For a query, it provides a listing of best matching or relevant web pages. However, information for the query is often spread across multiple pages which are returned by the search engine. This degrades the quality of search results. So, the search engines are drowning in information, but starving for knowledge. Here, we present a query focused extractive summarization of search engine results. We propose a two level summarization process: identification of relevant theme clusters, and selection of top ranking sentences to form summarized result for user query. A new approach to semantic similarity computation using semantic roles and semantic meaning is proposed. Document clustering is effectively achieved by application of MDL principle and sentence clustering and ranking is done by using SNMF. Experiments conducted demonstrate the effectiveness of system in semantic text understanding, document clustering and summarization.
E-Lance Enabled Network Exchanges within Supply Chains
Authors: Hooker Robert E. , Lewis Carmen C. , Wasko Molly M. , Worrell James L. , Yoon Tom
Published: March 2016

E-business based e-lance networks can impact the coordination and completion of work within organizations and improve efficiencies in global supply chains. This may be particularly true for organizations mitigating sudden demand spikes, or lacking internal expertise and bandwidth. However, little is known about what governance and social control mechanisms impact network success. Utilizing data from 14,644 projects, this research tests a theory of network governance specific to this new emerging e-lance economy by integrating transaction cost economics with the concepts of social controls. For transaction costs, findings indicate that higher average project values lead to more projects and more money being exchanged, but more bids leads to less monetary exchange. For social controls, restricting access by sealing bids and not disclosing budget amounts leads to less bidding, but not disclosing budgets is associated with more projects being posted. The authors further find that the best predictor of e-lance success across all measures is the number of projects posted in the prior time period.
Analysis of the effects of agricultural land use change on rural environment and landscape through historical cartography and GIS tools
Authors: Statuto Dina , Cillis Giuseppe , Picuno Pietro
Published: March 2016

The human activities and the social and economic transformations occurred during the last century led modifications in the agro-forestry areas. This paper shows a study case study in which the dynamics of land use are analysed using a geographic information system applied to historical maps in order to evaluate the consequences of these land transformations over the last 179 years on the rural environment and landscape. The use of three-dimensional reconstructions, obtained through the creation of different digital terrain model, has allowed to appreciate the landscape modifications, in term of morphological and vegetation variation, determining its aesthetic quality. The analysis shows a common dynamic present in many rural areas of Southern Italy, i.e., the increase of agricultural areas replacing forested surfaces in an older period followed by the further phenomenon of spontaneous re-naturalisation of many of these areas, due to the abandonment of extensive cultivated areas. Moreover, through comparison with historical documents, it was possible to analyse how the agricultural activities influenced the quality of the forest ecosystem. The methodology employed in this study allows a detailed analysis of the processes that occurred in different rural context and the creation of appropriate tools for sustainable land management.
Fast measurement by infrared spectroscopy as support to woody biofuels quality determination
Authors: Duca Daniele , Pizzi Andrea , Mancini Manuela , Rossini Giorgio , Mengarelli Chiara , Ilari Alessio , Lucesoli Giulia , Toscano Giuseppe , Foppa Pedretti Ester
Published: March 2016

The increase in the demand for energy supply during the past few decades has brought and will bring to a growth in the utilisation of renewable resources, in particular of solid biomasses. Considering the variability in the properties of biomass and the globalisation of the timber market, a chemical and physical characterisation is essential to determine the biomass quality. The specific international standards on solid biofuels (ISO 17225 series) describe proper specification and classification of wood chip and pellet, to ensure appropriate quality. Moreover, standard requires information about origin and source of the biomass, normally only to be declared by the producers. In order to fulfill the requirements for the biomass quality, the origin and the source should be assessed, even if currently is hard to determine, in particular on milled or densified biomass. Infrared spectroscopy can provide information on the biomass at the chemical level, directly linked also to its origin and source. This technique is fast and not destructive thus suitable also for online monitoring along the biofuel production chain. In this study, 60 samples belonging to 8 different species were collected and related spectra were acquired using a Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectrometer equipped with a module for solid analysis and analysed by principal component analysis. The results obtained show that the method is very efficient in the identification between coniferous and deciduous wood (99% confidence level) and good results were obtained in the recognition of coniferous/deciduous mixtures, too. Nevertheless, some clear differences have been also noted among intra-class grouping, but additional tests should be carried out. This technique can provide useful information to solid biofuel stakeholders about wood quality and origin, important especially for sustainability issues. Further work will be oriented to the development of IR methodologies for the fast measurement of other important biomass parameters (e.g., ash content, high calorific value, nitrogen content, etc.).
Seasonal variability of surface and column carbon monoxide over megacity Paris, high altitude Jungfraujoch and Southern Hemispheric Wollongong stations
Authors: Té Yao , Jeseck Pascal , Franco Bruno , Mahieu Emmanuel , Jones Nicholas , Paton-Walsh Clare , Griffith David W. T. , Buchholz Rebecca R. , Hadji-Lazaro Juliette , Hurtmans Daniel , Janssen Christof
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an atmospheric key species due to its toxicity and its impact on the atmospheric oxidizing capacity, both factors affecting air quality. The paper studies the altitude dependent seasonal variability of CO at the three different sites Paris, Jungfraujoch and Wollongong, with an emphasis on establishing a link between the CO vertical distribution and the nature of CO emission sources. The CO seasonal variability obtained from the total columns and from the free tropospheric partial columns shows a maximum around March-April and a minimum around September-October in the Northern Hemisphere (Paris and Jungfraujoch). In the Southern Hemisphere (Wollongong) this seasonal variability is shifted by about 6 months. Satellite observations by IASI-MetOp and MOPITT instruments confirm this seasonality. Ground-based FTIR is demonstrated to provide useful complementary information due to good sensitivity in the boundary layer. In situ surface measurements of CO volume mixing ratios in Paris and at Jungfraujoch reveal a time-lag of the near surface seasonal variability of about 2 months with respect to the total column variability at the same sites. The chemical transport model GEOS-Chem is employed to interpret our observations. GEOS-Chem sensitivity runs allow identifying the emission sources influencing the seasonal cycle of CO. In Paris and on top of Jungfraujoch, the surface seasonality is mainly driven by anthropogenic emissions, while the total column seasonality is also controlled by air masses transported from distant sources. In the case of Wollongong, where the CO seasonality is mainly affected by biomass burning, no time shift is observed between surface and above the boundary layer.
Isotopic partitioning of nitrogen in PM2.5 at Beijing and a background site of China
Authors: Wang Yan-Li , Liu Xue-Yan , Song Wei , Yang Wen , Han Bin , Dou Xiao-Yan , Zhao Xu-Dong , Song Zhao-Liang , Liu Cong-Qiang , Bai Zhi-Peng
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Using isotope mixing model (IsoSource) and natural δ15N method, this study evaluated contributions of major sources to N of PM2.5 at Beijing (collected during a severe haze episode of January 22nd–30th, 2013) and a background site (Menyuan, Qinghai province; collected from September to October of 2013) of China. At Beijing, δ15N values of PM2.5 (−4.1 – +13.5 ‰; mean = +2.8 ± 6.4 ‰) distributed within the range reported for major anthropogenic sources (including NH3 and NO2 from coal combustion, vehicle exhausts and domestic wastes/sewage). However, δ15N values of PM2.5 at the background site (+8.0 – +27.9 ‰; mean = +18.5 ± 5.8 ‰) were significantly higher than that of potential sources (including NH3 and NO2 from biomass burning, animal wastes, soil N cycle, fertilizer application, and organic N of soil dust). Evidences from molecular ratios of NH4+ to NO3− and/or SO42− in PM2.5, NH3 to NO2 and/or SO2 in ambient atmosphere suggested that the equilibrium of NH3 ↔ NH4 + caused apparent 15N enrichment only in NH4 + of PM2.5 at the background site due to more abundant NH3 than SO2 and NO2. Therefore, a net 15N enrichment (33 ‰) was assumed for NH3 sources of background PM2.5 when fractional contributions were estimated by IsoSource model. Results showed that 41 %, 30 % and 14 % of N in PM2.5 of Beijing originated from coal combustion, vehicle exhausts and domestic wastes/sewage, respectively. Background PM2.5 derived N mainly from biomass burning (58 %), animal wastes (15 %) and fertilizer application (9 %). These results revealed the regulation of the stoichiometry between ammonia and acidic gases on δ15N signals in PM2.5. Emissions of NO2 from coal combustion and NH3 from urban transportation should be strictly controlled to advert the risk of haze episodes in Beijing.
Imager-to-radiometer in-flight cross calibration: RSP radiometric comparison with airborne and satellite sensors
Authors: McCorkel Joel , Cairns Brian , Wasilewski Andrzej
Published: March 2016

Abstract. This work develops a method to compare the radiometric calibration between a radiometer and imagers hosted on aircraft and satellites. The radiometer is the airborne Research Scanning Polarimeter (RSP), which takes multi-angle, photo-polarimetric measurements in several spectral channels. The RSP measurements used in this work were coincident with measurements made by the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS), which was on the same aircraft. These airborne measurements were also coincident with an overpass of the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI). First we compare the RSP and OLI radiance measurements to AVIRIS since the spectral response of the multispectral instruments can be used to synthesize a spectrally equivalent signal from the imaging spectrometer data. We then explore a method that uses AVIRIS as a transfer between RSP and OLI to show that radiometric traceability of a satellite-based imager can be used to calibrate a radiometer despite differences in spectral channel sensitivities. This calibration transfer shows agreement within the uncertainty of both the various instruments for most spectral channels.
Combining cross-hole geophysical and vadose zone monitoring systems for vadose zone characterization at industrial contaminated sites
Authors: Fernández de Vera Natalia , Beaujean Jean , Jamin Pierre , Caterina David , Vanclooster Marnik , Dassargues Alain , Dahan Ofer , Nguyen Frédéric , Brouyère Serge
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Water flow and solute transport through a fractured vadose zone underneath an industrial contaminated site in Belgium were studied with a new methodological concept. The Vadose Zone Experimental Setup (VZES) combines a vadose zone monitoring system (VMS) with cross-borehole geophysics. The VMS provides continuous chemical and hydraulic information at multiple depths in the vadose zone. When combining such information with multidirectional subsurface imaging from geophysical measurements, flow and transport can be characterized at a scale that covers the spatial variability of the subsurface. The setup was installed on site and monitoring was carried out under natural recharge conditions. Results reveal quick rises in water content as a response to rainfall events in the upper and intermediate part of the vadose zone (down to 3.65 m depth). Macropore, micropore, matrix and preferential flow mechanisms are identified at these depth ranges. At greater depths, flow dynamics is slower and dominated by matrix flow. The governance of water flow mechanisms at different directions is controlled by the heterogeneous distribution of geological materials. Results from sampled waters across the vadose zone reveal that the chemistry of water collected from matrix is different from that collected from fractures. In addition, analysis of heavy metals indicates that Ni is leaching across the vadose zone, and its release might be a consequence of pyrite oxidation from backfilled materials. Results obtained from VZES indicate that the combination of different techniques providing in situ quantitative and qualitative information improves conceptual models of flow and transport in a heterogeneous subsurface.
Evaluation of Ex-PRESS Mini Glaucoma Shunt Implantation with Preoperative Intracameral Bevacizumab Injection in Refractory Neovascular Glaucoma
Authors: Guven Yilmaz Suzan , Yildirim Seyda , Degirmenci Cumali , Ates Halil
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma shunt implantation with preoperative intracameral bevacizumab injection in eyes with refractory neovascular glaucoma.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients with medically uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma who had received 50-µL intracameral bevacizumab (1.25 mg) before undergoing Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma shunt implantation was performed. Success was defined as a postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) between 5 and 21 mm Hg without (complete success) or with or without (qualified success) glaucoma medications and no additional glaucoma surgery, or loss of light perception.

Results

In total, 33 eyes of 33 patients (15 female, 18 male) were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the study population was 61.2 years (range 36-78). The mean IOP decreased from 41.0 mm Hg (range 24-72) to 17.6 mm Hg (range 8-28) over a mean follow-up of 20.9 months (range 6-60) (p<0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Complete and qualified success rates were 36.4% and 66.7%, respectively. The average number of antiglaucoma medications decreased from 3.5 (range 2-4) preoperatively to 1.8 (range 1-4) postoperatively (p<0.001; Wilcoxon signed rank test). In 81.8% of cases, the decrease in IOP was 30% or more postoperatively.

Conclusions

Ex-PRESS mini glaucoma shunt implantation with preoperative bevacizumab injection may be an effective alternative procedure for refractory neovascular glaucoma.
Multifocal Choroiditis with Panuveitis in an 8-Year-Old Boy with Long-Standing Idiopathic Acute Anterior Uveitis
Authors: Grixti Andre , Hagan Richard , Nayak Harish , Chandna Arvind
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To report successful treatment of a rare case of sight-threatening pediatric multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis (MFCPU) and the use of electrophysiology to confirm return of macular function.

Methods

Case report.

Results

An 8-year-old boy with a history of bilateral recurrent non-juvenile idiopathic arthritis acute anterior uveitis (AAU) presented with new-onset blurry vision and floaters in both eyes. Visual acuity had deteriorated to 20/200 right eye and 20/100 left eye. Cells were observed in the anterior chamber and vitreous of both eyes. Ophthalmoscopy showed multiple active small cream-colored chorioretinal lesions and cystoid macular edema (CME) in both eyes in the absence of systemic disease, suggestive of idiopathic MFCPU. Successful rapid visual recovery and resolution of CME confirmed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was achieved with prompt intensive systemic steroid therapy followed by early introduction of methotrexate. After 9 months, his visual acuities improved to 20/32, and pattern reversal visual evoked potentials and 19 hexagon multifocal electroretinography posttreatment were normal, showing recovery of macular function.

Conclusions

Multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis is rare in children and has not been documented in the presence of previous longstanding recurrent AAU. Onset of floaters in children should alert the clinician to early stages of posterior pole involvement and progression to reduction in vision due to CME requires prompt aggressive steroid therapy monitored by clinical examination, SD-OCT, and electrophysiology, followed by early introduction of immunosuppressive drugs for long-term stability and to avoid steroid-induced adverse effects in children.
Presumed Bilateral Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion Related to Relapsing White Dot Syndrome
Authors: Beato João , Fígueira Luís , Penas Susana , Santos-Silva Renato , Falcão Manuel , Carneiro Ângela , Reis Fernando Falcão
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To report a presumed case of bilateral asynchronous cilioretinal occlusion associated with white dot syndrome.

Methods

A 19-year-old woman presented with decreased vision in the right eye. Cilioretinal occlusion was diagnosed and multimodal imaging was performed.

Results

Laboratory workup was negative. Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography revealed an inflammatory choroidopathy in the right eye. Spectral-domain coherence tomography (OCT) initially showed internal retinal layer edema followed by atrophy in the papillomacular bundle. Left eye presented asymptomatic decreased visual acuity and OCT findings were compatible with previous cilioretinal occlusion.

Conclusions

Cilioretinal occlusion findings were present in both eyes. Multimodal fundus imaging allowed idiopathic inflammatory choroidopathy diagnosis in the right eye, suggesting that a recurrent inflammatory process caused an asynchronous vascular occlusion.
Evaluation of Apically Extruded Debris during Root Canal Retreatment with Two Different Rotary Systems Followed by a Self-Adjusting File
Authors: Cakici Fatih , Cakici Elif B. , Küçükekenci Funda Fundaoglu
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To compare the amount of apically extruded debris during root canal retreatment using ProTaper retreatment system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), ProTaper retreatment system with Self-Adjusting File (SAF) system (ReDent-Nova, Ra'anana, Israel), Mtwo retreatment system (VDW, Munich, Germany), Mtwo retreatment system with SAF instruments.

Methods

In total, 72 extracted human mandibular incisor teeth were used. All root canals were prepared with ProTaper universal (Dentsply Maillefer) up to F2 file and filled with gutta percha and AH plus sealer using cold lateral condensation before being assembled randomly into 4 groups (n = 18 each). Root canal filling materials were removed using the ProTaper retreatment system, the ProTaper retreatment system followed by SAF system, Mtwo retreatment system and Mtwo retreatment system followed by SAF system. Debris extruded apically during the removal of canal filling material was collected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes. The tubes were then stored in an incubator at 70°C for 5 days. The weight of the dry extruded debris was established by subtracting the preretreatment and postretreatment weight of the Eppendorf tubes for each group. The data obtained were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results

All retreatment techniques caused the apical extrusion of debris. There was no significant difference between the groups statistically (p>0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this study showed that SAF system after Mtwo retreatment system and ProTaper retreatment system for improving retreatment has no significant effect on the amount of debris extruded apically.
Toward Catecholamine Responsiveness in Cardiogenic Shock: Insights from the CRASH Score
Authors: Champion Sébastien
Published: March 2016

Purpose

To model a prognostic score in patients with cardiogenic shock that incorporates catecholamine responsiveness and hemodynamics.

Methods

Assessment of the best accuracy of the score (CRASH score: Catecholamine Refractoriness and Assistance guide based on cardiogenic Shock Hemodynamics) to predict in-hospital mortality and/or extracorporeal life support, based on a retrospective study performed in a medical-surgical intensive care unit. We included 66 patients with cardiogenic shock from various etiologies. We modeled the CRASH score to be a simple score with the best accuracy to predict in-hospital mortality and/or extracorporeal life support. The CRASH score was defined as the cardiac power index (CPI) divided by the square root of 1 + inotropic score (IS, sum of different catecholamines pondered with their variable efficiency): CRASH score = CPI/square root (IS + 1).

Results

A CRASH score <0.0375 predicted death and/or extracorporeal life support with a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 92%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.851, achieving an overall accuracy of 0.833. The CRASH score had improved accuracy when compared with Simplified Acute Physiology, Sleeper, and CardSHOCK scores (p<0.05 for all). With a threshold of 0.300 we found even higher specificity (95%) at the price of decreased sensibility (52%) and accuracy.

Conclusions

In patients with cardiogenic shock, the CRASH score (= CPI/square root (IS + 1)) <0.0375 allowed patients at high risk of adverse outcome to be identified.
MicroRNAs as Noninvasive Biomarkers in Bladder Cancer Detection: A Diagnostic Meta-Analysis Based on qRT-PCR Data
Authors: Xiao Shuhui , Wang Jinfeng , Xiao Ning
Published: March 2016

Objective

As the diagnostic significance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the detection of bladder cancer is controversial, we aimed to perform a meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the diagnostic value of miRNAs in blood and urine for detecting bladder cancer.

Methods

A systematic literature search of public databases was conducted to obtain qualified studies. Sensitivity was utilized to plot the summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve against specificity and the area under the SROC curve (AUC) was generated to evaluate the pooled diagnostic efficiency. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were applied to investigate the underlying sources of heterogeneity. The STATA 12.0 software was used to perform all statistic analyses.

Results

A total of 58 studies from 22 articles comprising 4,558 bladder cancer patients and 4,456 controls were included in our meta-analysis. MiRNAs in blood and urine manifested relatively good diagnostic efficiency in detecting bladder cancer, with a sensitivity of 0.74, a specificity of 0.78, and an AUC of 0.83. Multiple-miRNA assays were more accurate than single-miRNA ones in bladder cancer diagnosis. Blood-based miRNA assays displayed better diagnostic performance than urine-based ones. In addition, miRNAs showed reduced diagnostic value in bladder cancer among Caucasians compared with Asians.

Conclusions

MiRNAs in blood and urine, especially the combination of multiple miRNAs, may serve as hopeful noninvasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of bladder cancer. Further extensive prospective research is needed to verify their clinical significance in bladder cancer diagnosis.
Surgical and Endovascular Revision of Brachio-Basilic Vein Fistula
Authors: Kakkos Stavros K. , Kouri Anastasia K. , Tsolakis Ioannis A. , Haddad Georges K. , Lampropoulos George C. , Karnabatidis Dimitrios
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The brachio-basilic vein fistula (BBVF) is currently the third vascular access option for patients on hemodialysis, following radio-cephalic and brachio-cephalic arterio-venous fistulas. Like all types of hemodialysis vascular access, a variety of procedures may have to be performed in order to maintain long-term use of the BBVF. The aim of the present study was to perform a literature review of endovascular or surgical revisions of BBVFs.

Methods

On Pubmed search, 676 records were obtained and reviewed for relevance with the aim of the search.

Results

A variety of endovascular and surgical revision techniques has been described to manage BBVF poor maturation, dysfunction manifested as failing BBVF (most often the result of a stenosis at the transposed/swing segment), thrombosis, aneurysm formation and hemodialysis access-induced hand ischemia (steal syndrome). The role of revision is crucial in BBVF maintenance, taking into account that around 70% of these fistulas will require some intervention by 18 months and as a result of revision, secondary patency is preserved in the vast majority, according to the results of one study. Endovascular revision is the treatment of choice for most cases of BBVF dysfunction or thrombosis, with redo surgery reserved for failures of endovascular techniques or other specific indications.

Conclusions

BBVF revision, more often in the form of endovascular surgery, plays a crucial role in BBVF maintenance and its continued use for hemodialysis, necessary for reducing graft and catheter use and the associated morbidity.
Optimization of Dialysis Catheter Function
Authors: Gallieni Maurizio , Giordano Antonino , Rossi Umberto , Cariati Maurizio
Published: March 2016

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are essential in the management of hemodialysis patients, but they also carry unintended negative consequences and in particular thrombosis and infection, adversely affecting patient morbidity and mortality. This review will focus on the etiology, prevention, and management of CVC-related dysfunction, which is mainly associated with inadequate blood flow. CVC dysfunction is a major cause of inadequate depuration. Thrombus, intraluminal and extrinsic, as well as fibrous connective tissue sheath (traditionally indicated as fibrin sheath) formation play a central role in establishing CVC dysfunction. Thrombolysis with urokinase or recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) can be undertaken in the dialysis unit, restoring adequate blood flow in most patients, preserving the existing catheter, and avoiding an interventional procedure. If thrombolytics fail, mainly because of the presence of fibrous connective tissue sheath, catheter exchange with fibrin sheath disruption may be successful and preserve the venous access site. Prevention of CVC dysfunction is important for containing costly pharmacologic and interventional treatments, which also affect patients’ quality of life. Prevention is based on the use of anticoagulant and/or thrombolytic CVC locks, which are only partially effective. Chronic oral anticoagulation with warfarin has also been proposed, but its use for this indication is controversial and its overall risk-benefit profile has not been clearly established.
Early Cannulation Graft: Acuseal
Authors: Glickman Marc
Published: March 2016

Aim

To review the published literature on the early cannulation graft, Acuseal.

Methods

235 reported cases have been published and reviewed. These cases are both prospective and retrospective, from either multicenter or single centers. Patency rates and complication rates were reviewed. Economic value of early cannulation grafts were also analyzed.

Results

Over 135 patients were cannulated within 2.5 days after implantation. No increase in complications were noted and similar primary and secondary patency rates were observed compared to the literature. Economic evaluation both in the UK and US demonstrate benefit of this graft when compared to catheters, fistulas and other grafts.

Conclusion

Early stick grafts demonstrate similar patency and complication rates when compared to published literature of standard grafts. Economic benefit is also noted using this graft.
Going beyond the economic impact of a regional folk festival for tourism
Authors: Mahadevan Renuka
Published: March 2016

This article shows how the social worth of a regional festival can be measured for tourism purposes by including the valuation of the festival’s non-attendees, an aspect often ignored in the literature. The finding that the festival’s social worth was 1.46 times that of the economic impact provides practitioners with an important tool for consideration. In addition, evidence on the differences between visitors and potential future visitors sheds new light on regional festival marketing. The sense of well-being associated with attending the festival, the acknowledgement of the festival’s importance to the local community, and how it nurtures and supports new talent were also found to influence people’s valuation. These findings highlight the need for a policy rethink towards increased government funding to sustain regional festivals.
Re-visiting the Concept of Mens Rea: Challenging the Common Approaches Employed under Islamic Jurisprudence and Statute Law
Authors: Ahadi Fatemeh
Published: March 2016

In the present paper the traditional and customary perspectives on the concept of Mens Rea are challenged and a new definition of the same is put forward. The challenge is based on the idea that the concepts in criminal law need evolution in order to keep their function and practicality. Such an evolution demands such a condition wherein, while granting the characteristics of adaptability with the contextual conditions and principles of criminal law, the maintenance of the same is ensured. The mens rea is customarily defined as ‘culpable state of mind of the accused when committing an offence under criminal law and ‘rebellion intent’ under Islamic Jurisprudence. Both definitions of the concept have the capability to undergo evolution and, thus, a new definition of the same is envisaged herein as such that the mens rea constitutes ‘the culpable linkage of mind with the forbidden conduct’. Two changes are observable in the new definition compared with the existing one: first, the ‘state of mind’ is replaced with ‘linkage of mind’; second, the interpretation of the term ‘culpable’ as an independent constituent shall differ as per the common sense and the contextual conditions. The new definition grants dynamism to the concept and resolves the problems long associated with the definition of the mens rea under the criminal law.
Ensino da língua portuguesa no ensino médio a partir da pedagogia de projetos
Authors: Sousa Filho Sinval Martins de , Furtado Baú Maria de Fátima
Published: March 2016

A partir da descrição e análise iniciais de um projeto intitulado Projeto Minha Autoria, desenvolvido em uma turma de segundo ano do Ensino Médio de uma escola pública da região Oeste de Goiânia, objetivamos descrever e analisar aspectos preliminares da proposta de ensino Pedagogia de Projetos aplicada ao estudo do gênero discursivo conto para o desenvolvimento do curso de língua portuguesa numa escola da rede estadual de ensino do Estado de Goiás. Serviram de orientação ao estudo conceitos tais como Pedagogia de Projetos, dialogismo, educação bancária, educação problematizadora, linguagem, oralidade/escuta, leitura, escrita, análise linguística, gênero do discurso, os quais foram evidenciados dentro de uma abordagem dialógica, pautada nos estudos de Freire, Bakthtin e Vygotsky. A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa-ação colaborativa. Os dados que serviram de referência para as considerações foram coletados durante a realização do Projeto Minha Autoria, o qual foi realizado no quarto bimestre de 2013. A análise demonstra que os alunos retomam as orientações dadas pelas professoras aos grupos durante as tarefas e, por isso, dependem da mediação efetiva do docente. Também, fica evidente que a intervenção das professoras durante o processo de preparação bem como no momento da produção verbal – em suas diversas modalidades - é necessária para que os objetivos sejam atingidos.
Agência social do professor: modos de interação e suas implicações nos processos de autoformação no local de trabalho
Authors: De Grande Paula Baracat , Kleiman Angela
Published: March 2016

O artigo analisa eventos de letramento formativos em reuniões de corpo docente com o objetivo de discutir as estruturas e modos interacionais e  seus impactos nos conteúdos construídos pelas participantes e no seu engajamento e agência no processo de autoformação no local de trabalho. Para isso, utilizamos na microanálise da estrutura dos eventos e do fluxo de interação as contribuições da Sociolinguística Interacional e Análise da Conversa, combinadas à análise enunciativo-discursiva conhecida como o método sociológico de Bakhtin. As análises fazem parte da pesquisa de doutorado de De Grande (2015), que tinha como meta compreender as práticas de letramento formativas do professor em seu local de trabalho, e mostram que as professoras construíram dois tipos de eventos bastante distintos quanto ao exercício coletivo de agência no tempo oficialmente dedicado à sua formação no local de trabalho. As diferenças interacionais nas estruturas de participação de cada tipo de evento, nas relações entre as participantes e em suas identidades construídas na interação têm reflexos nos temas (BAKHTIN, 2003) desenvolvidos.
Ressignificando o conceito de alfabetização: uma contribuição para o ensino da língua materna na contemporaneidade
Authors: Ramos de Andrade Maria de Fátima , Moço Aparício Ana Sílvia
Published: March 2016

RESUMO

O presente texto se propõe a discutir a ampliação do conceito de alfabetização, considerando a expansão da escrita no contexto cultural da atualidade. Para isso, apresentamos inicialmente alguns aspectos relevantes da história da escrita, procurando destacar os diferentes sistemas de representação construídos pelo homem. Na sequência, discutimos o conceito de alfabetização, na perspectiva da escrita alfabética, ainda bastante recorrente nas orientações e práticas de ensino e aprendizagem da língua escrita. Por fim, discutimos as escritas contemporâneas e suas influências na cultura e no pensamento da sociedade atual e o conceito de alfabetização semiótica.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Alfabetização semiótica.  Processos comunicacionais. Escritas contemporâneas.
A poesia de Yeda Prates Bernis
Authors: Leão Ângela Vaz
Published: March 2016

O artigo pretende realizar uma leitura sucinta da poesia de Yeda Prates Bernis, publicada em onze livros, no período de mais ou menos quatro decénios, entre 1976 e 2013. A metodologia adotada não tem nenhuma relação com as atuais correntes críticas da Teoria Literária. Inspira-se apenas na tradicional explicação de textos de origem francesa, sem se esquecer do obrigatório recurso a numerosas citações textuais.

Palavras-chave: Yeda Prates Bernis. Explicação de textos. Citações literárias.
Conversa de bois: uma fábula de João Guimarães Rosa
Authors: Abreu Alexandre Veloso de
Published: March 2016

Este artigo apresenta o conto “Conversa de Bois” de João Guimaraes Rosa em uma perspectiva fabular. O conceito de fábula abarca um grande espectro de significações, que vai desde: resumo, intriga, conjunto, construção, até o conceito mais formalista, que lhe dá um sentido mais material.  No entanto, imprimiu-se no gênero como característica principal, o cumprimento de uma ação e o uso do antropomorfismo (quando animais assumem características humanas). Na verdade, essa característica é que define o gênero fábula, pois as personagens principais são animais.  O termo fábula vem do latim, fari, que significa falar ou do grego, phao,significando contar algo.  A narrativa tem uma natureza simbólica e/ou alegórica, retratando uma situação vivida por animais, remetendo-se à situação humana, com o objetivo de transmitir certa moralidade.  Lembrando a estrutura proppiana entende-se que ao explorar a fábula, o autor mineiro recusa o estado efêmero do fazer literário, entendendo-o como constante e cíclico, um eterno exercício de reconhecimento. Não há como encerrar algo essencialmente inclinado a se perpetuar.  A obra literária se emancipa de seu tempo, contexto e espaço, seguindo como expressão autônoma que é. A conversa é de bois e os ouvintes são os humanos.  A literatura e o sertão são do mundo.