bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADULT FEAR AND CONTROL: AMBIVALENCE AND DUALITY IN CLIVE BARKER’S THE THIEF OF ALWAYS
Authors: Kristjanson Gabrielle
Published: April 2015

This article considers the relationship between the text and accompanying illustrations in Clive Barker’s children’s novel The Thief of Always: A Fable. This tale of abduction was published in the social background of fear around the child predator of the early 1990s and incorporates ideas of monstrous villainy, loss of childhood innocence, and insatiable desires.  As a fable, Thief is a cautionary tale that not only teaches that childhood years are precious and are not to be wished away or squandered in idle leisure, but also of the dangers that some adults pose to children. Problematically, an honest and frank discussion of adult sexual desires toward children would despoil the very innocence that is trying to be protected; thus, a lesson such as this must be sublimated within the story. Yet, it is the illustrations, and more specifically the way in which the illustrations corroborate and contradict the plot of this story that reveals an underlying ambivalence toward the figure of the child and an echoing duality present in both the child and the child predator.
IMAGINING THE TAR SANDS 1880-1967 AND BEYOND
Authors: Gismondi Mike , Davidson Debra J
Published: April 2015

For much of the history of Alberta’s tar sands, a series of visual conventions have shaped Canadian imaginaries of the resource, the emergence of the non-conventional oil industry, and the mining of oil.  We introduce a series of archival images dating from 1880 until the opening of Great Canadian Oil Sands (Suncor) in 1967, to analyze how visual representations were used to justify government and public support for bitumen mining and refining, to legitimate state research into the separation of oil from the sands, and to ideologically sustain public funding of the development of this unique Canadian resource industry. We conclude that many elements of these early positive normative conceptual frameworks remain in play today, used by corporate and government meaning–makers to blunt contemporary critiques by the public of social and ecological tradeoffs, and ultimately to legitimate Alberta and Canada’s pursuit of non-conventional oil as an acceptable energy future.
EVERYTHING’S GONE GREEN: THE ENVIRONMENT OF BP’S NARRATIVE
Authors: Hitchcock Peter
Published: April 2015

This essay looks at a particularly galling phenomenon for environmentalism, the “green” globalism of an oil conglomerate.  Rather than simply dismiss such gestures as corporate cynicism, the paper suggests that one might usefully pay attention to the narrative modes at stake in these initiatives which here connect the exploitation of modernity to a parabolic logic. BP’s going green is seen as an extension rather than as a contravention of its social being and shows why, even after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, BP’s desire to move “beyond petroleum” means more rather than less oil exploitation.
Introduction
Authors: Laforest Daniel
Published: April 2015

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PERCEPTIONS OF JEWISH FEMALE BODIES THROUGH GUSTAV KLIMT AND PETER ALTENBERG
Authors: Kelley Susanne
Published: April 2015

Gustav Klimt and Peter Altenberg are two figures within Viennese fin-de-siècle cultural production whose art may reveal a perception of local Jewish culture through their different foci on the non-European female body image. Both men have moments in their career, when their attention turns to non-European cultures, through which they inadvertently represent and interpret their own. A selection of these two artists’ most well-known works demonstrate two frameworks in which Viennese Jewishness can be read through an alignment of the female body with Asian and African cultures.
Terrorism and its Legacy in German Visual Culture
Authors: Soltau Noah , Stehle Maria
Published: April 2015

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Da lei em diante: Kafka, Derrida e as marges da normatividade jurídica
Authors: Guimaraes Pedro Henrique Correa
Published: April 2015

O texto Diante da Lei de Franz Kafka é semanticamente muito rico e suscita diversas interpretações. Diante desta pluralidade, proponho a pergunta: como é possível a norma jurídica? Para respondê-la proponho uma aproximação entre Direito e Literatura a partir deste texto de Kakfa e da leitura deste feita por Jacques Derrida.
Notch signaling in pathogenesis of diseases
Authors: ME Christense , BS Carolan
Published: April 2015

The Notch signaling pathway functions on cell fate decisions in a variety of different organizations in multicellular organisms, such as the hematopoietic system, nervous system, vascular system, skin and pancreas. In the majority of cases, Notch signaling blocks cell differentiation towards a primary process, and instead, direct them to a second differentiation. Altering the differentiation program or forcing it to remain in the undifferentiated state, there are several human diseases linked to defects in genes involved in Notch signaling, aberrant Notch signaling has been observed in a number of human cancers, suggesting a possible role of Notch signaling in tumor formation. Further, Recent study demonstrated an essential role for Notch1 in the corneal epithelial barrier recovery after wounding. We systematically searched the electronic PubMed database for research articles about Notch gene polymorphisms and diseases up to October 2013. Revman 5.0 software was adopted to conduct the meta-analysis. Crude odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated by either fixed-effects model or random-effects model. The present meta-analysis suggests that Notch gene polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility of many diseases especially cancer.
Adhesion molecule expression trigger immune-mediated pathology in lupus-nephritis
Authors: Boldron Jens , Caltabiano Simon , Debono Steven , Thompson Robert , Scammells Malcolm , Westover Robert , Wu Ye , Frugier Philip
Published: April 2015

Doxorubicin (Dox) is one of the most potent broad-spectrum antitumor anthracycline antibiotics, its use is limited by the development of life-threatening cardiomyopathy. Doxorubicin generates free radicals and induces oxidative stress associated with cellular injury. Further, it has been shown that free radicals are involved in doxorubicin-induced toxicity. The goal of this study is to investigated the cardio-protective effects of caffeic acid on doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity. The rats were randomized into three equal groups, sham group without treatment, doxorubicin treated group at a dose 3mg/kg IP every other two days and group treated with doxorubicin plus caffeic acid 40mg/day. Two weeks later LV function measurment were performed and blood samples were collected from the heart to measurment plasma levels of cardiac Troponin-I (cTn-I), oxidative stress parameter malondialdehyde (MDA) and high a sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP). The hearts were excised for cardiac tissue cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10) measurement and microscopic examination. Rats in the Dox+caffeic acid group had improved LV function, reduced cytokine expression, decreased myocardial marker injury (cTn-I) and less MDA, hs-CRP levels in comparison with the Dox group. Pathological finding appeared nearly normal in the Dox+caffeic acid without fibrosis. The results of the present study reveal that caffeic acid has a promising cardioprotective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Prostate brachytherapy: the impact of smoking on recurrence and overall survival of localized prostate cancer
Authors: Cohen Edwin , Robinson Justin , Margolis Paul , Gaut Marcia , Alperson Amie , Alperson Amie , Feagin Mary
Published: April 2015

Brachytherapy has been shown to be an efficacious and cost-effective treatment among patients with localized prostate cancer. In this study, we examined the effects of smoking on prostate cancer recurrence and mortality in patients undergoing brachytherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer. The study population consisted of 405 patients with an average age of 73.4 years. Smoking history included 88 (21.7%) patients with no history of smoking, 108(26.6%) patients with one to twenty pack-years, and 209 (51.7%) patients with twenty-one or more pack-years. The impact of smoking history on OS relative to nonsmokers was hazards ratio 1.39 (CI: 0.81-2.64; P<0.05). In conclusion, the era of brachytherapy dose and treatment intensification strategies to improve upon prostate cancer outcomes, our study showed that smoking increases the risk of cancer recurrence and mortality. Patients who have smoked a higher number of pack-years are at increased risk of recurrence and mortality compared to those who smoked less.
Development and Application of Electrical-Joule-Heating Simulator for Heavy-Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Lashgari Hamid R. , Delshad Mojdeh , Sepehrnoori Kamy , de Rouffignac Eric
Published: April 2015

In the electrical-Joule-heating process, the reservoirs are heated in situ by dissipation of electrical energy to reduce the viscosity of oil. In principle, electrical current passes through the reservoir fluids mostly because of the electrical conductivity of saturated fluids such as saline water. The flow of electrical current through the reservoir raises the heat in the reservoir and thereby dramatically reduces the oil viscosity.

In this process, electrical current can flow between electrical-potential sources (electrodes) in wells, and then electrical energy is dissipated to generate the heat. Therefore, the regions around the electrodes in (or around) the wells are extremely heated. Because the wells act as line sources for the electrical potential, greater heating takes place near the wellbore, causing possible vaporization of water in that region. Because steam has very-low electrical conductivity, it can reduce the efficiency of this process significantly. In this process electrical conductivity plays a very important role. To increase efficiency of this type of heating process, the presence of optimum saline-water saturation is an essential factor.

To model the electrical Joule heating in the presence of multiphase-fluid flow, we use three Maxwell classical electromagnetism equations. These equations are simplified and assumed for low frequency to obtain the conservation of the electrical-current equation and Ohm's law. The conservation of electrical current and Ohm's law are implemented by use of a finite-difference method in a four-phase chemical-flooding reservoir simulator (UTCHEM 2011.7). The Joule-heating rate caused by dissipation of electrical energy is calculated and added to the energy equation as a source term.

The formulation and implementation of electrical heating are validated against a reference analytical solution and verified with a reservoir simulator. A typical-reservoir model is built, and constant electrical potential with alternating current is applied to the model to study the efficiency of the electrical-heating process properly. The efficiency of this process is evaluated in the presence of water-saturated fractures and evaporation effect. Results illustrate that water saturation in the presence of fractures and electrical conductivity of saturated rock have an important effect on the Joule-heating process. The importance of the fractures saturated by saline water and operation of such processes below the boiling point are key findings in this paper to obtain high recovery in comparison with other conventional-thermal-recovery methods.
Applying the AcciMap Methodology to Investigate a Major Accident in Offshore Drilling: A Systematic Risk Management Framework for Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Tabibzadeh Maryam , Meshkati Najmedin
Published: April 2015

The investigation of accidents in different complex technological and high-risk industries indicates inadequate management systems and more specifically, ineffective communication as a major contributing cause of those accidents. In the specific case of the BP Deepwater Horizon (DWH) blowout, as the 2011 Chief Counsel's Report of the National Commissions noted, “what the investigation makes clear, above all else, is that management failures, not mechanical failings, were the ultimate source of the disaster.”

This paper adopts the powerful AcciMap methodology, which was originally proposed by Professor Jens Rasmussen in 1997 and used for the analysis of accidents in industries such as transportation, for the risk management of offshore drilling accidents by incorporating associated socio-technical factors into an integrated framework. This graphical representation provides a big-picture to illustrate the context in which an accident occurred as well as the interactions between different levels of a socio-technical system that resulted in that event. In general, analysis of past accidents within the stated framework can define the patterns of hazards within an industrial sector. Such analysis can lead to definition of preconditions for safe operations, which is a main focus of proactive risk management systems.

As a case study in this paper, the AcciMap methodology has been applied to the BP DWH accident in order to analyze the main contributing causes of that major system failure and the interactions of key involved decision-makers and stakeholders, who were involved in that disaster. The analysis of our developed AcciMap framework depicts that aside from influencing external components, organizational factors, among internal elements, were the root contributing causes of the BP DWH blowout. It is noteworthy that investigating previous accidents in oil and gas drilling shows that organizational factors were the root causes of accumulated errors and questionable decisions made by personnel or management. Such statement is generalizable to accidents in the whole oil and gas industry as well as other safety-critical systems such as transportation sector, healthcare industry and nuclear power plants.

Our review of the literature indicates that few studies have applied a robust risk management method to the scope of interactions outside the boundary of an organization, with even more limited applications to the oil and gas industry. It is also noteworthy that although the AcciMap framework has been applied to the BP DWH case study, it is a systematic methodology that can be generalized and applied to other major mishaps in the oil and gas industry, both in upstream and downstream.
Unlocking a Frozen Resource: Horizontal Milestone in Permafrost Drilled at -80°Fahrenheit
Authors: Sayers Zach , Sallee Adam , Burton John , Francis Michael
Published: April 2015

Situated on the central North Slope of Alaska along the Coleville River, Umiat is one of the most frigid places on Earth. The target reservoir, the Lower Grandstand, lies at an average depth of just 470 ft below ground level and is one of the largest untapped oil fields in Alaska bearing light, sweet crude in a low-energy reservoir. Conventional drilling and completions would cripple the development economics and make too large of an environmental impact at the surface. Developing methods to drill horizontally in permafrost, a task never before achieved in Alaska, would enhance Umiat production compared to that from conventional well geometries. However, the subsurface drilling environment presented challenges since the majority of directional drilling would be in permafrost. With limited infrastructure in place for year-round access to the region, Linc Energy built over 100 miles of snow and ice roads to gain access during Alaska's coldest months. This limits access for drilling from January through the initiation of the cold breakup in late April.

During well planning, the bottomhole assemblies for high dogleg and shallow horizontal landing were optimized by applying experience drilling wells in permafrost in other areas across the North Slope. A new mineral-oil-base reservoir drilling fluid was proposed to provide formation compatibility and low mud weight while reducing friction. Close communication with the rig and office teams was established to enable critical decisions to be taken using drilling dynamics measurements to monitor tripping loads and to geosteer the well.

While drilling the well, the directional drilling response was better than expected landing the horizontal. The risk of stuck pipe was greater than anticipated. As anticipated in the modeling, additional weight was added on the top of the drillstring to avoid pipe buckle and to assist with weight transfer. The new reservoir drilling fluid achieved a density just a half-pound per gallon above the pore pressure and produced sufficient lubricity to reach well depth, thus validating the accuracy of the predrill modelling. The first horizontal well in Umiat was a success, achieving an extended reach drilling ratio of 3.23 with 800 BOPD production rates and 0% water cut. The well set two important records as the shallowest horizontal well drilled in Alaska and the first horizontal well drilled and landed entirely in permafrost in Alaska.

The results of these methods and processes demonstrated that horizontal wells can be drilled in permafrost as this was the first such well in Alaska. The lessons learned on this well will be instrumental for future horizontal wells drilled in permafrost and will enable future permafrost reservoirs to be drilled and produced with horizontal geometry worldwide.
Fatal cocaine intoxication in a body packer
Authors: Brajkovic Gordana , Babic Gordana , Jovic-Stosic Jasna , Tomasevic Gordana , Rancic Dragana , Kilibarda Vesna
Published: April 2015

Introduction. ?Body packer? syndrome with severe intoxication or sudden death
may happen in persons who smuggle drugs in their body cavities. In case of
lethal outcome when carrying cocaine, it is important, but sometimes
difficult to determine whether death was due to intoxication or due to other
causes. Therefore, it is necessary not only to quantify cocaine and its
metabolites in biological material, but also based on their distribution in
body fluids and tissues to conclude whether it is acute intoxication. We
described a well-documented case of fatal poisoning in a body packer and post
mortem distribution of the drug in biological samples. Case report. A
26-year-old man was brought to hospital with no vital signs. Resuscitation
measures started at once, but with no success. Autopsy revealed 66 packets of
cocaine in his digestive tract, one of which was ruptured. Hyperemia of the
most of all internal organs and pulmonary and brain edema were found. High
concentrations of cocaine, its metabolites benzoylecgonine and ecgonine
methyl ester, as well as cocaine adulteration levamisole were proven in the
post mortem blood and tissues by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
(LC-MC) method with selective-ion monitoring. Conclusion. The ratio of
cocaine and its metabolites concentrations in the brain and blood obtained by
LC-MS method can be used for forensic confirmation of acute intoxication with
cocaine.
Lip, oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers in the population of the city of Belgrade in the period 1999-2010
Authors: Videnovic Goran , Ilic Danijela , Miljus Dragan , Krasic Dragan , Vlahovic Zoran , Zivkovic Snezana , Pavlovic Aleksandar
Published: April 2015

Background/Aim. Cancers of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx (LOCP) are
frequently grouped together mainly because they have similar risk factors.
The incidence rate of these cancers varies worldwide depending on the
geographic location. The aim of this study was to determine trends in
age-standardized incidence rates of LOCP cancers in the Belgrade population
during a 12-year period, from 1999 to 2010. Methods. From The Serbian Cancer
Registry (The Registry), we extracted all cases of LOCP cancers registered in
Belgrade from January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2010. Joinpoint regression
analysis was used to define trends and annual percentage change (APC).
Results. A total number of 2,025 (1,509 in men and 516 in women) LOCP cancers
were reported to the Registry during the study period. The age standardized
rate (ASR) for the entire period and for all LOCP cancers, was 6.24 per
100,000 persons (10.35 for men and 2.86 for women). ASR for lip cancers
decreased (p < 0.001) during the study period with APC of -8.4%. The ASR for
oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our
results show a significantly decreasing trend of the incidence rate for lip
cancers in the population of the city of Belgrade between 1999 and 2010. On
the contrary, the incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers increased
for both men and women.
Percutaneous implantation of self-expandable aortic valve in high risk patients with severe aortic stenosis: The first experiences in Serbia
Authors: Nedeljkovic Milan , Beleslin Branko , Tesic Milorad , Vukcevic Vladan , Stankovic Goran , Stojkovic Sinisa , Orlic Dejan , Bilbija Ilija , Matkovic Milos , Simic Tijana , Menkovic Nemanja , Mrdovic Igor , Ussia Gian , Perisic Zoran , Babic Momcilo
Published: April 2015

Background/Aim. Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart
disease in elderly people, with rather poor prognosis in symptomatic
patients. Surgical valve replacement is the therapy of choice, but a
significant number of patients cannot undergo surgical procedure. We
presented initial experience of transcatheter aortic valve implantation
(TAVI) performed in Catheterization Laboratory of the Clinic for Cardiology,
Clinical Center of Serbia. Methods. The procedures were performed in 5
patients (mean age 76 ? 6 years, 2 males, 3 female) with severe and
symptomatic AS with contraindication to surgery or high surgical risk. The
decision to perform TAVI was made by the heart team. Pre-procedure screening
included detailed clinical and echocardiographic evaluation, coronary
angiography and computed tomography scan. In all the patients we implanted a
self-expandable aortic valve (Core Valve, Medtronic, USA). Six months
follow-up was available for all the patients. Results. All interventions were
successfully performed without significant periprocedural complications.
Immediate hemodynamic improvement was obtained in all the patients (peak
gradient 94.2 ? 27.6 to 17.6 ? 5.2 mmHg, p < 0.001, mean pressure gradient
52.8 ? 14.5 to 8.0 ? 2.1 mmHg, p < 0.001). None of the patients developed
heart block, stroke, vascular complication or significant aortic
regurgitation. After 6 months, the survival was 100% with New York Heart
Association (NYHA) functional improvement in all the patients. Conclusion.
This successful initial experience provides a solid basis to treat larger
number of patients with symptomatic AS and high surgical risk who are left
untreated.
Benzodiazepine poisoning in elderly
Authors: Perkovic-Vukcevic Natasa , Vukovic-Ercegovic Gordana , Segrt Zoran , Djordjevic Snezana , Jovic-Stosic Jasmina
Published: April 2015

Background/Aim. Benzodiazepines are among the most frequently ingested drugs
in self-poisonings. Elderly may be at greater risk compared with younger
individuals due to impaired metabolism and increased sensitivity to
benzodiazepines. The aim of this study was to assess toxicity of
benzodiazepines in elderly attempted suicide. Methods. A retrospective study
of consecutive presentations to hospital after self-poisoning with
benzodiazepines was done. Collected data consisted of patient's
characteristics (age, gender), benzodiazepine ingested with its blood
concentrations at admission, clinical findings including vital signs and
Glasgow coma score, routine blood chemistry, complications of poisoning,
details of management, length of hospital stay and outcome. According the
age, patients are classified as young (15-40-year old), middle aged
(41-65-year old) and elderly (older than 65). Results. During a 2-year
observational period 387 patients were admitted because of pure
benzodiazepine poisoning. The most frequently ingested drug was bromazepam,
the second was diazepam. The incidence of coma was significantly higher, and
the length of hospital stay significantly longer in elderly. Respiratory
failure and aspiration pneumonia occurred more frequently in old age. Also,
flumazenil was more frequently required in the group of elderly patients.
Conclusion. Massive benzodiazepines overdose in elderly may be associated
with a significant morbidity, including deep coma with aspiration pneumonia,
respiratory failure, and even death. Flumazenil is indicated more often to
reduce CNS depression and prevent complications of prolonged unconsciousness,
but supportive treatment and proper airway management of comatose patients is
the mainstay of the treatment of acute benzodiazepine poisoning.
Determination of flumazenil in serum by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry: Application to kinetics study in acute diazepam overdose
Authors: Djordjevic Snezana , Jovic-Stosic Jasmina , Kilibarda Vesna , Segrt Zoran , Perkovic-Vukcevic Natasa
Published: April 2015

Backgound/Aim. Flumazenil is benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. It has been
studied for a various indications, including reversal of sedation after
surgery or diagnostic procedures, awakening of comatose patients in
benzodiazepine overdose, or for symptomatic treatment of hepatic
encephalopathy. Some drugs, like theophylline, may prolong its elimination
half-life. Considering the long half-life of diazepam and its metabolites,
concomitant use of theophylline may reduce the need for repeated dosing of
flumazenil in patients with acute diazepam poisoning. The aim of this study
was to introduce a reliable and accurate method for determining the
concentration of flumazenil after therapeutic application in patients with
acute poisoning, and using that method to assess whether the kinetics of
flumazenil change in the presence of aminophylline (combination of
theophylline and ethylenediamine in a 2 : 1 ratio) applied as concomitant
therapy. Methods. Blood samples from patients with acute diazepam poisoning
that received flumazenil at the dose of 0.5 mg, or the same dose with 3 mg/kg
of body weight of aminophylline, were collected 1, 3, 10, 30, 60, 120 and 240
min after its intravenous administration. Samples were prepared by
solid-phase extraction on Oasis HLB cartridges with ethylacetate as
extracting agens. Flumazenil was determined by liquid chromatography with
mass spectrometry (LC-MS) in single ion monitoring mode at m/z 304.
Separation of flumazenil from matrix compound was performed on Lichrospher
RP-8 column using the mixture of acidic acetonitrile and 20 mM of ammonium
acetate in water (55 : 45) as a mobile phase. Results. The applied analitycal
method showed excellent recovery (94.65%). The obtained extracts were much
cleaner than the extracts obtained by the same extractant in the process of
liquid-liquid extraction. The limit of detection of the LC-MS method
described in this paper was 0.5 ng/mL and the limit of quantitation was 1
ng/mL. In the patients treated with both flumazenil and aminophylline, the
elimination constant for flumazenil was significantly lower and the
elimination half-life was longer (p < 0.05) in comparison with the same
parameters in the patients who received flumazenil alone. Conclusion. The
applied LC-MS method for the determination of flumazenil in serum samples of
patients with acute diazepam poisoning is rapid, sensitive, precise and
specific. Concomitant use with theophylline significantly prolonged
elimination of flumazenil during the treatment of acute poisonings with
diazepam.
Anomalous 14C Enrichments in the Eastern UK Coastal Environment
Authors: Muir Graham K P , Cook Gordon T , MacKenzie Angus B , MacKinnon Gillian , Gulliver Pauline
Published: April 2015

During the period from 1995 to 2011, radiocarbon measurements from the coast around Hartlepool in NE England have revealed anomalous enrichments in seawater, sediment, and marine biota. These cannot be explained on the basis of atomic weapons testing or authorized nuclear industry discharges, including those from the nearby advanced gas-cooled reactor. Enhanced 14C-specific activities have also been observed since 2005 in biota during routine monitoring at Hartlepool by the Food Standards Agency, but are reported as “likely” originating from a “nearby non-nuclear source.” Studies undertaken in Hartlepool and Teesmouth during 2005 and 2011 suggest that the 14C discharges are in the vicinity of Greatham Creek, with activity levels in biota analogous to those measured at Sellafield, which discharges TBq activities of 14C per annum. However, if the discharges are into Greatham Creek or even the River Tees, it is proposed that they would be much smaller than those at Sellafield and the high specific activities would be due to much smaller dilution factors. The discharge form of the 14C remains unclear. The activity patterns in biota are similar to those at Sellafield, suggesting that initial inputs are dissolved inorganic carbon (DI14C). However, the mussel/seaweed ratios are more akin to those found around Amersham International, Cardiff, which is known to discharge 14C in an organic form. 14C analysis of a sediment core from Seal Sands demonstrated excess 14C to the base of the core (43–44 cm). 210Pb dating of the core (0–32 cm) produced an accumulation rate of 0.7 g cm−2 yr−1, implying that 14C discharges have occurred from the 1960s until the present day.
Efficient Planning of Humanoid Motions by Modifying Constraints
Authors: Sung ChangHyun , Kagawa Takahiro , Uno Yoji
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we propose an effective planning method for whole-body motions of humanoid robots under various conditions for achieving the task. In motion planning, various constraints such as range of motion have to be considered. Specifically, it is important to maintain balance in whole-body motion. In order to be useful in an unpredictable environment, rapid planning is an essential problem. In this research, via-point representation is used for assigning sufficient conditions to deal with various constraints in the movement. The position, posture and velocity of the robot are constrained as a state of a via-point. In our algorithm, the feasible motions are planned by modifying via-points. Furthermore, we formulate the motion planning problem as a simple iterative method with a Linear Programming (LP) problem for efficiency of the motion planning. We have applied the method to generate the kicking motion of a HOAP-3 humanoid robot. We confirmed that the robot can successfully score a goal with various courses corresponding to changing conditions of the location of an obstacle. The computation time was less than two seconds. These results indicate that the proposed algorithm can achieve efficient motion planning.
AIBOStory – Autonomous Robots supporting Interactive, Collaborative Story-telling
Authors: Papadopoulos Fotios , Dautenhahn Kerstin , Ho Wan Ching
Published: April 2015

This article describes the design and evaluation of AIBOStory - a novel, remote interactive story telling system that allows users to create and share common stories through an integrated, autonomous robot companion acting as a social mediator between two remotely located people. The behaviour of the robot was inspired by dog behaviour, including a simple computational memory model. AIBOStory has been designed to work alongside online video communication software and aims to enrich remote communication experiences over the internet. An initial pilot study evaluated the proposed system’s use and acceptance by the users. Five pairs of participants were exposed to the system, with the robot acting as a social mediator, and the results suggested an overall positive acceptance response. The main study involved long-term interactions of 20 participants using AIBOStory in order to study their preferences between two modes: using the game enhanced with an autonomous robot and a non-robot mode which did not use the robot. Instruments used in this study include multiple questionnaires from different communication sessions, demographic forms and logged data from the robots and the system. The data was analysed using quantitative and qualitative techniques to measure user preference and human-robot interaction. The statistical analysis suggests user preferences towards the robot mode.
A Preliminary Study on the Response of Autistic Persons to a Robot Feedback based on Visual Stimuli
Authors: Lee Jaeryoung , Obinata Goro , Stefanov Dimitar , Nagai Chikara
Published: April 2015

Interactive robots are seen as an efficient tool for the improvement of the social communication skills of autistic children. Recent studies show that the effectiveness of the human-robot interaction can be improved further if the robot can provide positive feedback to the child when he/she demonstrates behaviour or social skills as expected. However, there is no clear answer to which visual stimuli and which combination of visual stimuli could attract better attention. In this paper we present initial results from our study of the response of participants with autism traits to four visual stimuli. We conducted a series of experiments where the experimental system provided a visual response to the user’s actions and monitored the user’s performance for each visual stimulus. The experiments were organised as a game and included four groups of participants with different levels of autism. The results showed that a colour tended to be the most effective way for robot interaction with autistic people. The results could help the design of very effective assistive robots for supporting people with autism.
Human activity analysis: a personal robot integrating a framework for robust person detection and tracking and physical based motion analysis
Authors: Granata Consuelo , Bidaud Philippe , Salini Joseph , Ady Ragou
Published: April 2015

The analysis of certain parameters related to cognitive and to motor humans’ activities in everyday life conditions can allow to detect potential behavioral troubles, make diagnoses and assess patients’ progress after a therapy. Within this context, personal robots can provide an autonomous movable platform for embedded sensors allowing to detect and track humans while ensuring an optimal observability of the person’s activity in complex and cluttered environments. This paper presents a framework combining a multimodal human detector based on sensors embedded in a mobile robot and a decisional engine exploiting the fuzzy logic mechanisms to make the robot track humans, maximizing observability and facing losses of detection. The robustness of this framework is evaluated experimentally in home spaces through different scenarios. Such a mobile system provides an effective marker-less motion capture means for sensing human activity in non-invasive fashion. We present a physical model based method exploiting the features of the system and of the embedded Kinect. Its performances are evaluated first comparing the results to those obtained with a precise 3D motion capture marker based system and to data obtained from a dynamic posturography platform. Then an experiment in real life conditions is performed to assess the system sensitivity to some gait disturbances.
Smart-E An Autonomous Omnidirectional Underwater Robot
Authors: Meyer Benjamin , Ehlers Kristian , Osterloh Christoph , Maehle Erik
Published: April 2015

The survey of waterbodies or underwater installations is a challenging task. To reduce the danger for divers, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) can be deployed. These requires a high manoeuvrability and agility in order to provide access in hard-to-reach areas. Smart-E is an omnidirectional AUV designed and developed at the Institute of Computer Engineering of the University of Luebeck. The drive is realized by the minimal configuration of three thrusters that are arranged at 120º to each other. To achieve omnidirectional movement in the 3D space, each motor pivots through 180º around its radial axis with the aid of a servo motor. This leads to a manoeuvrability of six degrees of freedom (DOF). Smart-E is equipped with various sensors like a pressure and temperature sensor, a 360º scanning sonar, an IMU-AHRS system and a tilt camera unit at the bottom. Besides the autonomous behaviors, the main challenge is to control all six DOF of the AUV to achieve a smooth and controllable omnidirectional underwater movement even in rough environments.
Using Augmented Reality to Improve Usability of the User Interface for Driving a Telepresence Robot
Authors: Mosiello Giovanni , Kiselev Andrey , Loutfi Amy
Published: April 2015

Mobile Robotic Telepresence (MRP) helps people to communicate in natural ways despite being physically located in different parts of the world. User interfaces of such systems are as critical as the design and functionality of the robot itself for creating conditions for natural interaction. This article presents an exploratory study analysing different robot teleoperation interfaces. The goals of this paper are to investigate the possible effect of using augmented reality as the means to drive a robot, to identify key factors of the user interface in order to improve the user experience through a driving interface, and to minimize interface familiarization time for non-experienced users. The study involved 23 participants whose robot driving attempts via different user interfaces were analysed. The results show that a user interface with an augmented reality interface resulted in better driving experience.
Stochastic Diffusion Search Review
Authors: al-Rifaie Mohammad Majid , Bishop John Mark
Published: April 2015

Stochastic Diffusion Search, first incepted in 1989, belongs to the extended family of swarm intelligence algorithms. In contrast to many nature-inspired algorithms, stochastic diffusion search has a strong mathematical framework describing its behaviour and convergence. In addition to concisely exploring the algorithm in the context of natural swarm intelligence systems, this paper reviews various developments of the algorithm, which have been shown to perform well in a variety of application domains including continuous optimisation, implementation on hardware and medical imaging. This algorithm has also being utilised to argue the potential computational creativity of swarm intelligence systems through the two phases of exploration and exploitation.
A Methodology for Recognition of Emotions Based on Speech Analysis, for Applications to Human-Robot Interaction. An Exploratory Study
Authors: Rabiei Mohammad , Gasparetto Alessandro
Published: April 2015

A system for recognition of emotions based on speech analysis can have interesting applications in human-robot interaction. In this paper, we carry out an exploratory study on the possibility to use a proposed methodology to recognize basic emotions (sadness, surprise, happiness, anger, fear and disgust) based on phonetic and acoustic properties of emotive speech with the minimal use of signal processing algorithms. We set up an experimental test, consisting of choosing three types of speakers, namely: (i) five adult European speakers, (ii) five Asian (Middle East) adult speakers and (iii) five adult American speakers. The speakers had to repeat 6 sentences in English (with durations typically between 1 s and 3 s) in order to emphasize rising-falling intonation and pitch movement. Intensity, peak and range of pitch and speech rate have been evaluated. The proposed methodology consists of generating and analyzing a graph of formant, pitch and intensity, using the open-source PRAAT program. From the experimental results, it was possible to recognize the basic emotions in most of the cases
A Walking Training System with Customizable Trajectory Designing
Authors: Dong Shiyang , Matsumaru Takafumi
Published: April 2015

This paper shows a novel walking training system for foot-eye coordination. To design customizable trajectories for different users conveniently in walking training, a new system which can track and record the actual walking trajectories by a tutor and can use these trajectories for the walking training by a trainee is developed. We set the four items as its human-robot interaction design concept: feedback, synchronization, ingenuity and adaptability. A foot model is proposed to define the position and direction of a foot. The errors in the detection method used in the system are less than 40 mm in position and 15 deg in direction. On this basis, three parts are structured to achieve the system functions: Trajectory Designer, Trajectory Viewer and Mobile Walking Trainer. According to the experimental results,we have confirmed the systemworks as intended and designed such that the steps recorded in Trajectory Designer could be used successfully as the footmarks projected in Mobile Walking Trainer and foot-eye coordination training would be conducted smoothly.
An optimal cropping plan for increasing crop productivity and farm income in a selected coastal area of Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker FIM Golam Wahed , Jaim WMH
Published: April 2015

This study was undertaken in a selected coastal area of Bangladesh to determine the optimal allocation of farm resources among different crops for increasing crop productivity and farm income. Farm survey method was used to collect data in order to develop linear programming representative farm models. The analysis takes into account crop activities, inputs used, farm size and land types. Optimal plans show mis allocation of existing resources and indicate considerable scope for increasing farm productivity and income by reallocation of existing resources. The mis allocation of resources on large farms was greater than that of small farms. The analysis suggests that by reallocating existing resources, large farms could increase farm income and employment more significantly than the small farms. The research supports the view that the government should maintain a policy that favours optimal allocation of farm resources in coastal area and the extension and NGO workers may provide guidelines to farmers for better allocation of existing farm resources and thus increases crop productivity and farm income in coastal area of Bangladesh.Bangladesh Rice j. 2014, 18(1&2): 65-72
Using the Cancer Risk Management Model to Evaluate Colorectal Cancer Screening Options for Canada
Authors: Coldman A.J. , Phillips N. , Brisson J. , Flanagan W. , Wolfson M. , Nadeau C. , Fitzgerald N. , Miller A.B.
Published: April 2015

Background: Several screening methods for colorectal cancer (CRC) are available, and some have been shown by randomized trials to be effective. In the present study, we used a well-developed population health simulation model to compare the risks and benefits of a variety of screening scenarios. Tests considered were the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. Outcomes considered included years of life gained, CRC cases and deaths prevented, and direct health system costs. Methods: A natural history model of CRC was implemented and calibrated to specified targets within the framework of the Cancer Risk Management Model (CRMM) from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. The CRMM-CRC permits users to enter their own parameter values or to use program-specified base values. For each of 23 screening scenarios, we used the CRMM-CRC to run 10 million replicate simulations. Results: Using base parameter values and some user-specified values in the CRMM-CRC, and comparing our screening scenarios with no screening, all screening scenarios were found to reduce the incidence of and mortality from CRC. The fobt was the least effective test; it was not associated with lower net cost. Colonoscopy screening was the most effective test; it had net costs comparable to those for several other strategies considered, but required more than 3 times the colonoscopy resources needed by other approaches. After colonoscopy, strategies based on the FIT were predicted to be the most effective. In sensitivity analyses performed for the FOBT and FIT screening strategies, FOBT parameter values associated with high-sensitivity formulations were associated with a substantial increase in test effectiveness. The FIT was more cost-effective at the 50 ng/mL threshold than at the 100 ng/mL threshold. Conclusions: The CRMM-CRC provides a sophisticated and flexible environment in which to evaluate CRC control options. All screening scenarios considered in this study effectively reduced CRC mortality, although sensitivity analyses demonstrated some uncertainty in the magnitude of the improvements. Where possible, local data should be used to reduce uncertainty in the parameters.
Use of Bevacizumab as a First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Manso L. , Moreno F. , Márquez R. , Castelo B. , Arcediano A. , Arroyo M. , Ballesteros A.I. , Calvo I. , Echarri M.J. , Enrech S. , Gómez A. , del Val R. González , López–Miranda E. , Martín–Angulo M. , Martínez–Jañez N. , Olier C. , Zamora P.
Published: April 2015

Objective: During clinical practice, it can be challenging, given the lack of response biomarkers, to identify the patients with metastatic breast cancer (mbca) who would benefit most from the addition of bevacizumab to first-line standard chemotherapy. The aim of the present review was to summarize the relevant scientific evidence and to discuss the experience of a group of experts in using bevacizumab to treat mbca. Methods: A panel of 17 Spanish oncology experts met to discuss the literature and their experience in the use of bevacizumab as first-line treatment for mbca. During the meeting, discussions focused on three main issues: the profile of the patients who could benefit most from bevacizumab, the optimal bevacizumab treatment duration, and the safety profile of bevacizumab. Results: The subset of mbca patients who would benefit the most from the addition of bevacizumab to first-line standard chemotherapy are those with clinically defined aggressive disease. Treatment with bevacizumab should be maintained until disease progression or the appearance of unacceptable toxicity. In the mbca setting, the toxicity profile of bevacizumab is well known and can be managed in clinical practice after adequate training. Conclusions: This expert group recommends administering bevacizumab as first-line treatment in patients with clinically aggressive disease.
Consensus Statement: The 16th Annual Western Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; September 5–6, 2014
Authors: Ahmed S. , Bathe O. , Berry S. , Buie D. , Davies J. , Doll C. , Dowden S. , Gill S. , Gordon V. , Hebbard P. , Jones E. , Kennecke H. , Koski S. , Krahn M. , Le D. , Lim H. , Lund C. , Luo Y. , Mcffadden A. , Mcghie J. , Mulder K. , Park J. , Rashidi F. , Sami A. , Tan K.T. , Wong R.
Published: April 2015

The 16th annual Western Canadian Gastrointestinal Cancer Consensus Conference was held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, September 4–5, 2014. The Consensus Conference is an interactive, multidisciplinary event attended by health care professionals from across western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) involved in the care of gastrointestinal cancer. Surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists; pathologists; radiologists; and allied health care professionals participated in presentation and discussion sessions for the purposes of developing the recommendations presented here. This consensus statement addresses current issues in the management of colorectal cancer.
Ethnicity and Breast Cancer Stage at Diagnosis: An Issue of Health Equity
Authors: Lofters A.K.
Published: April 2015

Almost 25 years ago, prominent health researcher Margaret Whitehead, in conjunction with the World Health Organization, developed a definition of the term “health inequities,” which has since become widely used in the international health literature. While health inequality is quite simply a difference in health between groups, health inequity is a normative concept [...]
Physician-Assisted Death Is Not Palliative Care
Authors: Herx L.
Published: April 2015

On February 6, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada made a unanimous decision that it is unconstitutional to prohibit physician-assisted death [...]