bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rural-to-Urban Migration as an Escape from “Harmful Traditional Practices”?: A Study of the Life Stories of Female Household Servants in Addis Ababa
Authors: Shiferaw Abinet , Yosef Dawit , Mihret Melake , Gottowik Volker
Published: November 2018

Most of the young women and girls in Addis Ababa who work as household servants, construction workers or prostitutes are migrants from the Amhara region and other parts of North Ethiopia. They have fled from so-called harmful traditional practices, e.g. early marriage, abduction and rape. This article presents the life stories of young women and girls who have escaped to Addis Ababa, where they try to make a living as female household servants. Their struggle for survival in Ethiopia’s capital is documented, but also their will to take control of their own destiny. These life stories illustrate that their decision to leave their family and migrate to Addis Ababa is a subversive act against structural violence and the above mentioned practices. The discussion of these practices makes it clear that early marriage is a reaction of the Amhara region and other parts of North Ethiopia to economic pressures to which this society in turn responds in a cultural specific way. This interplay of economic and socio-cultural elements has triggered a dynamic with unprecedented consequences not only for the female part of the population but for the society as a whole.
Chronic thyrotoxic myocarditis complicated by myocardial rupture in a patient with autoimmune thyroiditis
Authors: Cherkasova Natalya A. , Zairatyants Georgy O. , Ananitcheva Natalya A. , Kolendo Svetlana E.
Published: November 2018

A case of thyrotoxic myocarditis in a 60-year-old female patient is oresented. With the diagnosis of «Unstable angina» she was admitted to the intensive care unit for patients with myocardial infarction at the Yudin city clinical hospital in Moscow. Earlier, the patient had been treated with tyrosol for thyrotoxicosis, but she independently abolished the drug. She ecperienced pain in the chest for the first time in her life. Emergency, coronaroangiography was performed. No hemodynamically significant damage to the blood vessels of the heart was detected. Later, according to the outpatient blood test for thyroid hormones, a diagnosis was established — «severe thyrotoxicosis». The next day after hospitalization, treatment with tyrosol was started at a dose of 30 mg per day. Sinus tachycardia persisted. A reliable increase in cardiospecific enzymes was detected. The pain in the chest did not recur. Echocardiography did not reveal impairment of local or global myocardial contractility.
On the fifth day of hospital treatment the patient suddenly died of cardiac and respiratory arrest.
The autopsy study revealed autoimmune thyroiditis, thyrotoxic serous-lymphocytic myocarditis, which was complicated by a rupture of the myocardium, and pericardial gemotamponade.
The difficulties of differential diagnosis of myocarditis and acute coronary syndrome and the features of treatment tactics in elderly patients with thyrotoxicosis are discussed.
Extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs in ovarian cancer – design of an integrated NGS-based workflow for the identification of blood-based biomarkers for platinum-resistance
Authors: Kuhlmann Jan Dominik , Chebouti Issam , Kimmig Rainer , Buderath Paul , Reuter Michael , Puppel Sven-Holger , Wimberger Pauline , Kasimir-Bauer Sabine
Published: November 2018

Background

Extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested as promising biomarkers for blood-based cancer diagnosis. However, one of the major limitations for the use of EVs with diagnostic purpose is the lack of standardized EV-profiling techniques. In this regard, the objective of our study was to design an integrated next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based workflow for analyzing the signature of EV-associated miRNA in the plasma of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients.

Methods

For EV-extraction, different enrichment methods were compared (ExoQuick vs. exoRNeasy). NGS was performed with the Illumina platform.

Results

We established an integrated NGS-based workflow, including EV-enrichment with the ExoQuick system, which resulted in an optimal RNA-yield and consistent small RNA libraries. We applied this workflow in a pilot cohort of clinically documented platinum-sensitive (n=15) vs. platinum-resistant (n=15) ovarian cancer patients, resulting in a panel of mature EV-associated miRNAs (including ovarian cancer associated miR-181a, miR-1908, miR-21, miR-486 and miR-223), which were differentially abundant in the plasma of platinum-resistant patients.

Conclusions

This is the first study, analyzing the profile of EV-associated miRNAs in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients. We provide rationale to further validate these miRNA candidates in an independent set of patients, in order to characterize their biomarker potential as predictors for platinum-resistance.
Failure prediction of axi-symmetric cup in deep drawing and expansion processes
Authors: Slota Ján , Šiser Marek , Gajdoš Ivan
Published: November 2018

Presented work deals with the prediction of the forming limit of food can obtained with deep drawing, reverse drawing and expansion operations. Two commonly used materials of TH330 steel and AA5352 aluminium alloy for packaging can production were studied. Finite element simulation (FEM) is an essential tool in the packaging industry to prevent different sheet metal forming difficulties such as failure under complex nonlinear strain paths and plastic anisotropic earing. In order to characterise the material plastic properties and to specify failure criteria, the uniaxial tensile, hydraulic bulge test, as well as the routines for obtaining forming limit curves were carried out. The input material data required for various material models are also described. Utilisation of advanced material models in numerical simulation require a large number of input data. Prediction of failure location in drawing and expansion of axi-symmetric cups were estimated for each material. The FEM results were verified by real experiments.
Green synthesis and structural characterization of novel N1-substituted 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones
Authors: Wang Min , Zhang Shun , Jiang Hong X. , Zhang Hao H.
Published: November 2018

Novel N1-substituted 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one derivatives were synthesized through Biginelli condensation of aromatic aldehydes, β-ketoesters, and monosubstituted (thio)ureas in the presence of copper methanesulfonate at 90°C under solvent-free conditions. The screening of the catalysts showed the copper methanesulfonate was the best. Its catalytic activity remained after three times of use. The products were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, elemental analysis, and X-ray single crystal diffraction technique. A reasonable reaction mechanism was proposed.
Structural characteristics of lignin in pruning residues of olive tree (Olea europaea L.)
Authors: Rencoret Jorge , Gutiérrez Ana , Castro Eulogio , del Río José C.
Published: November 2018

Olive tree pruning (OTP) is an abundant and inexpensive agricultural lignocellulosic residue that is an interesting feedstock for producing bioethanol and other bio-products in the context of lignocellulosic biorefineries. However, the presence of lignin in OTP hinders the transformation processes as it limits the access to cell wall polysaccharides. On the other hand, the aromatic/phenolic structure of the lignin polymer makes it an interesting raw material for producing chemicals, fuels and other commodities that are nowadays produced from fossil fuels. Thus, the knowledge of the OTP lignin structure is crucial to develop tailor-made pretreatments for their removal as well as for additional valorization of the lignin polymer. In this work, the OTP lignin was isolated as milled wood lignin (MWL), a lignin preparation that is considered representative of the native lignin, and characterized by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) and thioacidolysis. The results demonstrated that the lignin is mainly composed of guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) lignin units in similar abundances (S/G ratio of ~1), with minor amounts of p-hydroxyphenyl (H) units. The most abundant lignin inter-unit linkages are β-O-4′ alkyl-aryl ethers (75% of all linkages), followed by the condensed phenylcoumarans (12%) and resinols (8%), and with lower amounts of dibenzodioxocins (2%) and spirodienones (3%). The analysis of the thioacidolysis dimers gave additional information regarding the distribution of the lignin units involved in condensed interunit linkages, including 5-5′, 4-O-5′, β-5′, β-1′ and β-β′. The high lignin content (25%), together with the relatively low S/G ratio and the abundance of condensed (carbon-carbon linked) structures, points to a low reactivity of OTP lignin during delignification pretreatments.
Crystal structure of N′-(1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene)-5-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbohydrazide, C18H17N5O2
Authors: Alotaibi Mohammad Hayal , Mohamed Hanan A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M. , El-Hiti Gamal A.
Published: November 2018

C18H17N5O2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 20.3702(7) Å, b = 7.3482(2) Å, c = 23.2504(10) Å, β = 106.507(4)°, V = 3336.8(2) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0571, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1507, T = 296(2) K.
New AB type monomers from lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Serum Eric M. , Sutton Catherine A. , Renner Anna C. , Dawn Dyuti , Sibi Mukund P.
Published: November 2018

A series of renewable novel bicyclic AB type polyester precursors have been prepared in good overall yield from lignocellulosic biomass. These advancements take full advantage of the differing oxidation states of functional groups in 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural by chemoselective preparation of furanic hydroxy esters and applying benzyne-Diels–Alder cycloaddition/aromatization strategies.
Direct esterification of phosphinic and phosphonic acids enhanced by ionic liquid additives
Authors: Kiss Nóra Zsuzsa , Keglevich György
Published: November 2018

The beneficial combination of microwave (MW) and ionic liquid (IL) additives was exploited in the direct esterification of a series of acyclic phosphinic and phosphonic acids giving rise to phenyl-H-phosphinates/methyl-phenylphosphinates/diphenylphosphinates and phenylphosphonic mono- and diesters, respectively. The latter is the first example for the direct esterification of a phosphonic acid.
The influence of the WC-Co composite microstructure model on stress field heterogeneity at the microstructure level: FEM based study
Authors: Ogierman Witold , Grzegorzek Wojciech
Published: November 2018

The paper is devoted to finite element method based study of stress field heterogeneity at microstructure level of two-phase cemented carbides. Special attention is put on investigation of influence of the microstructure model type on the stress field distributions. Two- and three-dimensional models of the microstructures have been generated. Moreover, two different representations of the microstructure have been considered. The first one assumes uniformly distributed cobalt phase forming continuous boundaries between tungsten carbide particles. The second one assumes that the cobalt phase shape and distribution are created in a way that allows for no differentiation of continuous boundaries between tungsten carbide grains. Finite element analyses have been carried out with different microstructure models. The results of the simulations are stress distributions in each phase of the material. Furthermore, a numerical homogenization has been conducted to investigate the phase properties’ influence on the effective elastic constants of the cemented carbide.
The semiotics of common sense: Patterns of meaning-sharing in the semiosphere
Authors: Leone Massimo
Published: November 2018

That which is usually called “common sense” is nothing but the complex deposit of implicit cognitive, pragmatic, and emotional rules through which the members of a society interact with each other and, simultaneously, affirm their belonging to the group. This sense is called “common” both because it is current – meaning that it permeates the daily life of the group in all its manifestations – and because it is shared: it is something that belongs to the community as a whole and something through which, at the same time, the members of the community can belong.

What is the relation between “sense” and “common sense”? This question is extremely relevant to semiotics, hermeneutics, and the other disciplines and philosophies of interpretation.
Hydrogen Bond Interaction of Ascorbic Acid with Urea: Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Peng Peng , Zhang Ping , Ma Huiting , Zhai Cuiping
Published: November 2018

The interactions of ascorbic acid (AA) with urea were investigated by using the cyclic voltammetry, density functional theory, atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital analyses. The experimental and theoretical results show that the hydrogen bonds are formed between AA and urea, wherein the mainly interaction sites are the hydrogen atoms on enediol of AA and the oxygen atom on carbonyl of urea. The electrochemical behavior of AA was significantly affected by above interactions.
Le sabotier et le linguiste : un texte oral en parler comtois de Saint-Sauveur (Haute-Saône, France) recueilli par Paul Passy à la fin du XIXe siècle
Authors: Chambon Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this article is to give a philological edition of a short oral text in the oïlic dialect of the Franche-Comté (Saint-Sauveur, Haute -Saône), known through a transcription by Paul Passy (1896). The notes aim towards a detailed explanation of the text’s meaning. A brief linguistic analysis shows how influenced by French is the Saint-Sauveur vernacular. The commentary shows that the informant turns upside down his relationship with the linguist.
Effect of pH on solubility of white Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Biodentine: An in vitro study
Authors: Pushpa S , Maheshwari Chakit , Maheshwari Garima , Sridevi N , Duggal Puneeta , Ahuja Puneet
Published: November 2018

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acidic, neutral and alkaline environments on the solubility of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and Biodentine (BD). Methods. Thirty-nine ring molds were randomly divided into three groups of A, B, and C (n = 12) with pH values of 7.4, 4.4 and 10.4, respectively, and an empty mold was used as a control. Each group was further divided into two subgroups (1 and 2) according to the material studied. The samples in groups A, B and C were transferred into synthetic tissue fluid buffered at pH values of 7.4, 4.4 and 10.4, respectively, and kept in an incubator at 37°C with 100% humidity. Daily solubility at 1-, 2-, 5-, 14-, 21-, and 30-day intervals and cumulative solubility up to 5-, 14-, and 30-day intervals were calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out with independent-samples t-test, two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests using SPSS 18. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results. Both WMTA and BD exhibited the highest solubility in acidic pH with 5.4235±0.1834 and 10.7516±0.0639 mean cumulative solubility values at 30-day interval, respectively. At all exposure times, BD was significantly more soluble than WMTA (P<0.001). Conclusion. Acidic periapical environment jeopardized the solubility of both WMTA and BD, affecting their sealing characteristics in clinical applications like perforation repair procedures and blunderbuss canals.
Comparison of Various Permeability Methods Applied upon Clay Concretes–Statistical Evaluation
Authors: Solomon F. , Ekolu S. O.
Published: November 2018

In this article, comparison of different permeability test methods was conducted using data obtained from measurements done on clay concretes. Two raw clay types were used as partial cement replacements for up to 40 % clay and employed to prepare 150-mm cubes of clay concretes at 0.70–0.85 water/cementitious ratios. Cylindrical specimens were cored from the cubes and used to conduct permeability measurements. The different permeability methods conducted include triaxial water permeability, air permeability, oxygen permeability, and water penetration. The tests were conducted using various fluid types consisting of air, gas, or water. Statistical analysis techniques were used to evaluate the permeability test methods. In addition, a leaching study was also conducted. It was found that the use of clay in concrete enhanced leaching of calcium, which, in turn, adversely influenced pore parameters and concrete permeability. Of the various tests used, the triaxial water permeability method was the most sensitive technique towards the influence of clay content in concretes, while the water penetration method was least sensitive and perhaps most suited for permeability testing of clay concretes. Of the methods evaluated, only the water penetration method and triaxial water permeability under a non-steady-state condition of testing were found to be interchangeable.
The Transcriptional Regulator SnoN Promotes the Proliferation of Cerebellar Granule Neuron Precursors in the Postnatal Mouse Brain
Authors: Chen Xiaoying , Chanda Ayan , Ikeuchi Yoshiho , Zhang Xiaoqing , Goodman Jared V. , Reddy Naveen C. , Majidi Shahriyar P. , Wu Dennis Y. , Smith Sarah E. , Godec Abigail , Oldenborg Anna , Gabel Harrison W. , Zhao Guoyan , Bonni Shirin , Bonni Azad
Published: November 2018

Control of neuronal precursor cell proliferation is essential for normal brain development, and deregulation of this fundamental developmental event contributes to brain diseases. Typically, neuronal precursor cell proliferation extends over long periods of time during brain development. However, how neuronal precursor proliferation is regulated in a temporally specific manner remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that conditional KO of the transcriptional regulator SnoN in cerebellar granule neuron precursors robustly inhibits the proliferation of these cells and promotes their cell cycle exit at later stages of cerebellar development in the postnatal male and female mouse brain. In laser capture microdissection followed by RNA-Seq, designed to profile gene expression specifically in the external granule layer of the cerebellum, we find that SnoN promotes the expression of cell proliferation genes and concomitantly represses differentiation genes in granule neuron precursorsin vivo. Remarkably, bioinformatics analyses reveal that SnoN-regulated genes contain binding sites for the transcription factors N-myc and Pax6, which promote the proliferation and differentiation of granule neuron precursors, respectively. Accordingly, we uncover novel physical interactions of SnoN with N-myc and Pax6 in cells. In behavior analyses, conditional KO of SnoN impairs cerebellar-dependent learning in a delayed eye-blink conditioning paradigm, suggesting that SnoN-regulation of granule neuron precursor proliferation bears functional consequences at the organismal level. Our findings define a novel function and mechanism for the major transcriptional regulator SnoN in the control of granule neuron precursor proliferation in the mammalian brain.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study reports the discovery that the transcriptional regulator SnoN plays a crucial role in the proliferation of cerebellar granule neuron precursors in the postnatal mouse brain. Conditional KO of SnoN in granule neuron precursors robustly inhibits the proliferation of these cells and promotes their cycle exit specifically at later stages of cerebellar development, with biological consequences of impaired cerebellar-dependent learning. Genomics and bioinformatics analyses reveal that SnoN promotes the expression of cell proliferation genes and concomitantly represses cell differentiation genesin vivo. Although SnoN has been implicated in distinct aspects of the development of postmitotic neurons, this study identifies a novel function for SnoN in neuronal precursors in the mammalian brain.
“Charaxus Arrived with a Full Ship!” The Poetics of Welcome in Sappho's Brothers Song and the Charaxus Song Cycle
Authors: O'Connell Peter A.
Published: November 2018

By analyzing the parallels between Sappho's Brothers Song and archaic Greek songs of welcome, especially Archilochus fr. 24 West, this essay offers a new interpretation of the Brothers Song. It clarifies that ἔλθην in the first preserved stanza represents an original aorist indicative. The chatterer repeats over and over a welcome song that begins, “Charaxus arrived with a full ship.” The rest of the song continues to engage with the welcome song tradition, anticipating the welcome song that will celebrate Charaxus' return to Mytilene, when and if that occurs. By pointing beyond itself to other, real or notional, songs about Charaxus, the Brothers Song also demonstrates Sappho's nonlinear method of storytelling that relies on her audiences' imaginations.
Association between Circulatory and Plaque Resistin Levels with Carotid Plaque Instability and Ischemic Stroke Events
Authors: Jurin Ivana , Paić Frane , Bulimbašić Stela , Rudež Igor , Đerek Lovorka , Jurin Hrvoje , Knežević Aleksandar , Starcevic Boris , Ajduk Marko
Published: November 2018

ses of ischemic stroke. The risk of ischemic stroke increases with the degree of carotid stenosis and plaque vulnerability. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of circulating and plaque resistin levels with plaque vulnerability and ischemic stroke events in patients with moderate- to high-grade carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: 40 patients with ischemic stroke events and 38 neurologically asymptomatic patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy were recruited for this study. Fasting blood samples for laboratory analysis were collected preoperatively and serum resistin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Carotid endarterectomy specimens were analyzed according to the gold-standard procedure of histological classification. Plaque resistin expression was determined by standard immunohistochemical procedure.

Results: Serum resistin levels and resistin plaque expression were found to be significantly higher in subjects with unstable carotid plaque (P < .001) while significantly higher serum resistin levels were also present in patients with ischemic stroke events (P < .001). In univariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, higher serum resistin levels were significantly associated with plaque instability (OR 2.223, 95% CI 1.488-3.320, P < .0001) and ischemic stroke events (OR 1.237, 95% CI 1.079-1.420, P = .002). There was also a significant association between higher serum and plaque resistin expression (OR 1.663, 95% CI1.332-2.077, P < .0001). These associations remained significant in all models of multivariate logistic regression analysis. High serum and plaque resistin levels were also significantly associated with specific histological features of plaque instability.

Conclusion: The results suggests that serum resistin levels may be used as a potential biomarker of plaque vulnerability and ischemic stroke events in patients with moderate- to high-grade carotid artery stenosis and highlight the possible relationship that plaque resistin expression has with histological features of plaque vulnerability.
Data sharing in qualitative research: opportunities and concerns
Authors: McGrath Cormac , Nilsonne Gustav
Published: November 2018

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Data sharing is increasingly practiced by researchers and mandated by research funders as well as scientific journals. However, data sharing within qualitative research paradigms is less common, and sharing interview data has particular challenges. Earlier debate has pointed to the value of data sharing for discouraging research fraud and permitting critical scrutiny. We elaborate on this discussion by highlighting the value of data sharing for cumulative science, for re-use, and to maximise the value of the participants’ contribution. We review methods and possibilities for sharing interview data, and give concrete recommendations for mitigating risks to the participants. In conclusion, we find that sharing of interview data is possible, valuable, and ethical, and serves a purpose for both journals and researchers.
Artificial or intelligent? Machine learning and medical selection: possibilities and risks
Authors: Tiffin Paul , Paton Lewis
Published: November 2018

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Machine learning approaches form the basis of “artificial intelligence” and have been increasingly applied in health services settings. It has been shown that such approaches may produce more accurate predictions in some contexts, compared to conventional statistical approaches, and may also reduce the costs of decision-making through automation.  Nevertheless, there are both general limitations to developing and implementing machine learning approaches that must be borne in mind. To date, relatively little research has been published on the potential for machine learning to support personnel selection. Moreover, there are particular challenges and issues that need to be considered if such methods are to be used to support decision-making in medical selection scenarios. This article describes some of these potential advantages and challenges and presents an illustrative example, based on real-world data, related to the selection of medical undergraduates.
A quantitative ring recovery analysis of migration in European Water Rails Rallus aquaticus
Authors: Lugg Kristin , Bakken Vidar , Lislevand Terje
Published: November 2018

The Water Rail Rallus aquaticus is generally regarded as a facultative migrant in which migration patterns vary geographically. However, quantitative analyses of migration directions and how migration distances vary across Europe are hitherto lacking. We analysed recoveries of Water Rails ringed in Europe and tested for a general migration direction in this material. From previous literature descriptions we predicted birds to migrate farther the longer north and east they breed. More than half of the birds included in the data set were ringed in Germany (48%) and Hungary (12%) and most winter recoveries came from SW coastal Europe. We found that the migratory direction in autumn was strongly oriented towards SW with no effect of latitude or longitude of the breeding site. There were no differences in migration direction between old (2Y+) and young (1Y) birds, or between males and females, although sample sizes were admittedly small in the latter comparison. As predicted, migration distances were positively correlated with both latitude and longitude of breeding sites. We encourage more trapping and ringing of Water Rails breeding and wintering across Europe in order to improve the ring recovery data. The use of modern tracking devices like light-level geolocators also has a high potential of improving our understanding of migratory ecology in this secretive species.
How Does a Supervised Exercise Program Improve Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer? A Concept Mapping Study Examining Patients' Perspectives
Authors: Sweegers Maike G. , Buffart Laurien M. , van Veldhuizen Wouke M. , Geleijn Edwin , Verheul Henk M.W. , Brug Johannes , Chinapaw Mai J.M. , Altenburg Teatske M.
Published: November 2018

Background

Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses demonstrated beneficial effects of exercise during or following cancer treatment on quality of life (QoL). Aiming to understand how exercise contributes to a patient's QoL, we examined patients' perspectives via a process called concept mapping. This unique method provides structure and objectivity to rich qualitative data.

Methods

Patients with cancer who were participating in an exercise program were invited to enroll. Eleven meetings with 3–10 patients were organized in which patients generated ideas in response to the question “How has participating in a supervised exercise program contributed positively to your QoL?” Next, patients individually clustered (based on similarity) and rated (based on importance) the ideas online. The online assessments were combined, and one concept map was created, visualizing clusters of ideas of how patients perceive that participating in a supervised exercise program improved their QoL. The research team labelled the clusters of ideas, and physiotherapists reflected on the clusters during semistructured interviews.

Results

Sixty patients attended the meetings; of these, one patient was not able to generate an idea in response to the statement. Forty-four patients completed the online clustering and rating of ideas. The resulting concept map yielded six clusters: personalized care, coaching by a physiotherapist, social environment, self-concept, coping, and physical fitness and health. Personalized care was rated as most important. Overall, physiotherapists recognized these clusters in practice.

Conclusion

Patients with cancer reported that participating in a supervised exercise program improved their physical fitness and influenced social, mental, and cognitive factors, resulting in improvements in QoL. These results can be used to increase the awareness of the importance of supervised exercise programs for the QoL of patients with cancer.
aCGH Analysis of Predictive Biomarkers for Response to Bevacizumab plus Oxaliplatin- or Irinotecan-Based Chemotherapy in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Fujita Yoshihiko , Taguri Masataka , Yamazaki Kentaro , Tsurutani Junji , Sakai Kazuko , Tsushima Takahiro , Nagase Michitaka , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Ueda Shinya , Tamura Takao , Tsuji Yasushi , Murata Kohei , Taira Koichi , Denda Tadamichi , Moriwaki Toshikazu , Funai Sadao , Nakajima Takako Eguchi , Muro Kei , Tsuji Akihito , Yoshida Motoki , Suyama Koichi , Kurimoto Takuya , Sugimoto Naotoshi , Baba Eishi , Seki Nobuhiko , Sato Mikio , Shimura Takaya , Boku Narikazu , Hyodo Ichinosuke , Yamanaka Takeharu , Nishio Kazuto
Published: November 2018

Background

The randomized phase III study (WJOG4407G) showed equivalent efficacy between FOLFOX and FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab as the first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We studied whole genome copy number profiles using array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis of tumor tissue samples obtained in this study. The aim of this study was to identify gene copy number alterations that could aid in selecting either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab for patients with mCRC.

Materials and Methods

DNA was purified from 154 pretreatment formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples (75 from the FOLFOX arm and 79 from the FOLFIRI arm) of 395 patients enrolled in the WJOG4407G trial and analyzed by aCGH. Genomic regions greater than 1.2-fold were regarded as copy number gain (CNG).

Results

Patient characteristics between the treatment arms were well balanced except for tumor laterality (left side; 64% in FOLFOX arm and 80% in FOLFIRI arm, p = .07). FOLFIRI showed a trend toward better response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than FOLFOX in the patients with CNG of chromosome 8q24.1 (Fisher's exact test, p = .134 for RR; interaction test, p = .102 for PFS and p = .003 for OS) and 8q24.2 (Fisher's exact test, p = .179 for RR; interaction test, p = .144 for PFS and p = .002 for OS).

Conclusion

Chromosome 8q24.1–q24.2 may contain genes that could potentially serve as predictive markers for selecting either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI in combination with bevacizumab for treatment of patients with mCRC.

Implications for Practice

Bevacizumab has been used as a standard first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in combination with either oxaliplatin-based or irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Until now, there has been no predictive marker to choose between the two combination chemotherapies. This array-based comparative genomic hybridization analysis revealed that the difference in therapeutic effect between the two combination chemotherapies is prominent in patients with mCRC with gene copy number gain in chromosome 8p24.1–p24.2. Such patients showed more favorable response and survival when treated with irinotecan-based combination chemotherapy. Overlapping genes commonly found in this region may be predictive biomarkers of the efficacy of the combination chemotherapy with bevacizumab.
Construction of the Queensferry Crossing and approach roads in Scotland (part 1).
Authors: Climie David , Shackman Lawrence
Published: November 2018

The £1·34 billion Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth in Scotland opened to traffic in 2017. As reported in the authors’ 2016 paper in this journal, three design-and-build contracts for the works were awarded in 2011 varying in size from £13 million to £790 million, all under the original project estimates. The crossing opened within 10 weeks of the contract programme and £250 million under budget despite adverse weather conditions. This paper, published in two parts, covers the construction period and the challenges overcome in delivering the largest Scottish infrastructure project in a generation. This first part covers site mobilisation and the foundations, sub-structure and cable-stayed superstructure.
Effects of biofilm on gas permeability of unsaturated sand
Authors: Ng Charles Wang Wai , So Pui San , Coo Jason Lim , Zhou Chao , Lau Sze Yu
Published: November 2018

Microbial activities may sustainably improve earthen structures such as landfill covers. Typically, after consuming nutrient, bacteria produce hydrated exopolysaccharide to form a biofilm, which may cause bio-clogging in soil. Previous studies have mainly focused on the combined effects of biofilm and nutrient on the water permeability of saturated sand. The present study investigates biofilm effects on gas permeability of unsaturated sand at different degrees of saturation using a flexible wall permeameter. Soils with water (‘Water’), nutrient only (‘Nutrient’) and a mixture of bacteria and nutrient (‘Combined’) were examined with three replicates. Statistical analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were adopted for further interpretation. Compared to ‘Water’, the gas permeabilities of ‘Combined’ and ‘Nutrient’ were consistently lower. The differences increase with decreasing saturation. At around 5% degree of saturation, the gas permeability of the ‘Combined’ and ‘Nutrient’ cases was 22% and 14% lower than the ‘Water’ case, respectively. Statistical analysis reveals that the gas permeability reductions in ‘Combined’ and ‘Nutrient’ cases were significant at a significance level of less than 0·05 (probability > 95%). The reduction was attributed to pore clogging by nutrient precipitation (for ‘Nutrient’) or both biofilm and nutrient precipitation (for ‘Combined’), as evident from the SEM results. The effects of biofilm on reducing soil gas permeability can be overestimated if nutrient effects are ignored.
Los costes sociales del proyecto de la presa El Zapotillo: el caso de Temacapulín
Authors: Lezama Escalante Cecilia
Published: November 2018

En este artículo se abordan los impactos sociales ocasionados por la construcción de una presa que permitirá el trasvase de agua de una cuenca a otra para el suministro urbano de agua a dos ciudades en crecimiento: Guadalajara y León. El trabajo realizado en campo hace énfasis en los costes sociales asociados a la construcción de la presa de El Zapotillo, cuyo embalse amenaza con inundar tres comunidades rurales en los Altos de Jalisco. El propósito es dar testimonio de los costos sociales que conlleva la construcción de grandes obras de infraestructura hidráulica para una población que es forzada a desalojar su territorio y con ello, sus medios de sustento y su patrimonio. Los costos sociales trascienden la pérdida del patrimonio material de las personas afectadas; puesto que también implica la pérdida irreversible del patrimonio cultural tangible e intangible que los pobladores han forjado a lo largo de siglos de historia. Aquí se presenta una descripción etnográfica como un aporte antropológico para entender las verdaderas pérdidas que dan origen al movimiento de resistencia de los  pobladores de Temacapulín.
Paisajes con alma. Inventario de lugares para rezar. Sceneries with soul. Inventory of places to pray. Eduardo Delgado Orusco.
Authors: Almonacid Canseco Rodrigo
Published: November 2018

Reseña de libro
España 92: arquitectura y ciudad. 25 años después. José Ramón Alonso Pereira (Comp.).
Authors: Pascual Rubio Ana
Published: November 2018

Reseña de libro
An Analysis of the Difficulties of Elementary School Students in Python Programming Learning
Authors: So Mi Hyun , Kim JaMee
Published: November 2018

Software education is spreading all over the world; programming education is being implemented in elementary schools in each country using block-programming language. The block programming language provides a novice environment for easy access, but lacks understanding and teaching all the concepts of programming. There seems to be a need for primary education using text-based programming language for elementary school students. However, the difficulties encountered by learners in typing grammars and commands in textual programming languages could not be completely ruled out. This study aims to investigate the difficulties of learners based on grammatical errors frequently encountered in elementary school students. As a result, the most frequent errors in elementary school students in Python programming were errors caused by missing parentheses, followed by incorrect operator use, assignment of variable values that did not fit the data type, incorrect control statement composition, missing quotes Respectively. This study implies that it provided the improved direction of programming education by identifying the difficulties of learners and presenting practical examples and guidance plans and finding appropriate teaching strategies for text type programming education.
Development of a Mind Map System Integrating Full Moodle Function
Authors: Ho Won , Pham Khang N. , Bui Diem L.
Published: November 2018

An LMS is the most basic infrastructure used in e-learning. Various types of LMSs are used, covering open source and commercial software. Moodle is one of the most widely used LMSs today. Moodle has many features that are educationally useful because of its long history and contributions of community. Moodle’s wide variety of functions are sometimes criticized as being too complicated to use. It is necessary to develop an LMS with various functions inside a simple and user-friendly GUI. In this paper, a Moodle GUI has been improved by mapping the main functions of a Moodle course to OKMindmap, which is an open service that runs on the Web, so that learners and teachers can use LMS services in a simple and convenient way. The developed results are demonstrated by applying actual class scenarios with which course activities, supplementary resources, and additional guide information was successfully integrated in a mind map.
An Educational System Design to Support Learning Transfer from Block-based Programming Language to Text-based Programming Language
Authors: Yi Soyul , Lee Youngjun
Published: November 2018

In programming education, novices normally learn block-based programming languages first, then move on to text-based programming languages. The effects of learning transfer on learning two or more languages in programming education has had positive results. However, block-based and text-based programming languages have different figurations and methods, which can occur cognitive confusion or increase cognitive overload for learners. Thus, it is necessary to develop an educational system that supports learning transfer. We suggest using the following design principles: utilization of advanced organizers, problem solving-based learning content, and simple and intuitive user interface and screen layout. Two types of screen composition modes are presented: training mode and practice mode. Future research must implement and apply this design in the educational field to verify its effectiveness.
Semi Non-Standard Trimean Algorithm for Rosenzweig-MacArthur Interaction Model
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Khatim , Othman Noor Ashikin , Abdul Karim Samsul Ariffin , Sulaiman Jumat
Published: November 2018

Most real world natural systems are shows seasonal behaviour due to seasonal environmental or climate change. As a results, many species display seasonal changes in their life history parameters. It is crucial to comprehend how the seasonal forcing controls the behaviour of the population dynamics. The Rosenzweig-MacArthur model is a system with at least two ordinary differential equations used in population dynamics to model the interaction of predator and prey bonding. Rosenzweig-MacArthur model overcome the weakness of Lotka-Volterra model to simulate interaction between two species. In Rosenzweig-MacArthur model, logistic growth rate of prey is resource limited. The model utilizes Holling type II as the functional response representation. The purpose of the study is to construct method to improve simulation on the behaviour of interactions between species and predicting equilibrium point accurately and fast. Current methods seem to predict accurately the equilibrium point if only small mesh size used. Using small mesh size will require long simulation time to predict the equilibrium point. Able to increase the mesh size will increase the speed of predicting the equilibrium point. In this paper, we propose three new semi non-standard trimean algorithms to simulate the behaviour of interaction between species represented by Rosenzweig-MacArthur model. The new algorithms apply a hybrid of semi non-standard approach and trimean to approximate the nonlinear terms in the differential equation model. Two cases of experiment conducted to examine the performance of all three semi non-standard schemes. Result shows that all three new semi non-standards schemes accurately predict the equilibrium point (0.25, 0.46875) even using big mesh size ( and ) for both cases. Thus, all three semi non-standard schemes fulfil the purpose of this study.
Gait Recognition based on Inverse Fast Fourier Transform Gaussian and Enhancement Histogram Oriented of Gradient
Authors: A. Rahman Siti Zaharah , Sheikh Abdullah Siti Norul Huda , Zainol Ariffin Khairul Akram
Published: November 2018

Gait recognition using the energy image representation of the average silhouette image in one complete cycle becomes a baseline in model-free approaches research. Nevertheless, gait is sensitive to any changes. Up to date in the area of feature extraction, image feature representation method based on the spatial gradient is still lacking in efficiency especially for the covariate case like carrying bag and wearing a coat. Although the use of Histogram of orientation Gradient (HOG) in pedestrian detection is the most effective method, its accuracy is still considered low after testing on covariate dataset. Thus this research proposed a combination of frequency and spatial features based on Inverse Fast Fourier Transform and Histogram of Oriented Gradient (IFFTG-HoG) for gait recognition. It consists of three phases, namely image processing phase, feature extraction phase in the production of a new image representation and the classification. The first phase comprises image binarization process and energy image generation using gait average image in one cycle. In the second phase, the IFFTG-HoG method is used as a features gait extraction after generating energy image. Here, the IFFTG-HoG method has also been improved by using Chebyshev distance to calculate the magnitude of the gradient to increase the rate of recognition accuracy. Lastly, K-Nearest Neighbour (k=NN) classifier with K=1 is employed for individual classification in the third phase. A total of 124 people from CASIA B dataset were tested using the proposed IFTG-HoG method. It performed better in gait individual classification as the value of average accuracy for the standard dataset 96.7%, 93.1% and 99.6%compared to HoG method by 94.1%, 85.9% and 96.2% in order. With similar motivation, we tested on Rempit datasets to recognize motorcycle rider anomaly event and our proposed method also outperforms Dalal Method.
A Proposed Bi-layer Crime Prevention Framework Using Big Data Analytics
Authors: Tao Shu Wei , Yang Ooi Chong , Mohamed Salim Mohamed Sahil , Husain Wahidah
Published: November 2018

The future of science and technology sounds very promising. The need to adopt new technologies while navigating towards industry 4.0 has changed the perceptions of law enforcement agency to contend against criminal minds. It is sad but true that the conventional crime prevention system followed by government agencies is not effective for long-term implications. With advanced technologies that constantly generate and exchange data, big data analytics can be applied to predict and prevent crime from happening. However, dealing with the overwhelming amount of complex and heterogeneous crime-related data is never an easy task. Additionally, there are many data analytical techniques and each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses. In order to identify the most efficient techniques, recent literature is reviewed to spotlight the trend as well as to shed light on the research gaps and challenges in various areas. The areas include crime data collection and preprocessing, crime data analysis, crime prediction and crime prevention. These techniques are further analyzed by considering the advantages and disadvantages which then provides insight to propose a bi-layer crime prevention framework. The first layer intends to support the law enforcement agency’s daily operation while the second layer serves as a countermeasure for first layer. Both layers aim to reduce the crime rate by involving law enforcement agency through the utilization of various big data sources and techniques effectively. The proposed crime prevention framework will progressively collect data to deter criminal behavior for city’s environmental design. Ultimately, a safe and secure city is molded in the near future.
Artificial Neural Network Classification for Fatigue Feature Extraction Parameters Based on Road Surface Response
Authors: Mohd Yunoh Mohd Faridz , Abdullah Shahrum , Singh S. S. K.
Published: November 2018

The aim of this paper is for classification for fatigue feature extraction parameters based on road surface response using the artificial neural network (ANN) technique. It is important for classification of the fatigue damage of automotive suspension as it is considers the random strain loading from the road surface contributed from complex variable amplitude loadings. In this study, the proposed method captured that strain signal collected from the car coil spring during the road test. Hence, the prediction of fatigue life need to assess based on actual loading to ensure the prediction results are accurate. The high amplitude segments were extracted from the strain signals using the discrete wavelet transform. This approach provides an advantage in assessing the signals containing random loads for both discontinuities and smooth components for the areas that contain high fatigue damage in the strain signal. From this, three significant fatigue features extraction parameters such as kurtosis, wavelet energy coefficients and fatigue damage were classified based on the similarities using ANN classification technique. This is important in analysing the clustering and classification were used in detection of fatigue damage according to the response of the various road surface condition. The results show the classifications using ANN give the accuracy based on the coefficient of determinant, R= 0.85 for all data. From on the accuracy of the ANN, it can be concluded that the discrete wavelet transform as a pre-processing method to extract the features from the signal for classification level of fatigue damage for the coil spring according to the response of loading based on road surface.