bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computer Anxiety and the Older Adult: Relationships with Computer Experience, Gender, Education and Age
Authors: Dyck Jennifer L. , Smither Janan Al-Awar
Published: July 2017

Research in the area of computer anxiety has traditionally concentrated on the younger adult. In this study older adults (55 years and over) were compared to younger adults (30 years and under) on levels of computer anxiety and computer experience. Subjects in the study completed a demographic and computer experience questionnaire, and two computer anxiety scales. Previous research findings indicating a negative relationship between computer anxiety and computer experience was replicated for both young and older adults. Additional findings indicated that older adults were less computer anxious and had less computer experience than younger adults. Furthermore, older subjects indicated more liking for computers than younger subjects. However, while young males liked computers more than young females, no differences between older males and older females were found on the computer liking subscale. Some discrepancies between the two computer anxiety scales suggest further research is needed to validate computer anxiety scales for use with older adults.
The Processing of Synthetic Speech by Older and Younger Adults
Authors: Smither Janan Al-Awar
Published: July 2017

This experiment investigated the demands synthetic speech places on short term memory by comparing performance of old and young adults on an ordinary short term memory task. Items presented were generated by a human speaker or by a text-to-speech computer synthesizer. Results were consistent with the idea that the comprehension of synthetic speech imposes increased resource demands on the short term memory system. Older subjects performed significantly more poorly than younger subjects, and both groups performed more poorly with synthetic than with human speech. Findings suggest that short term memory demands imposed by the processing of synthetic speech should be investigated further, particularly regarding the implementation of voice response systems in devices for the elderly.
Quantifying the Goodness of Mental Representations of Spatial Relationships
Authors: Venturino Michael , Geiselman Eric
Published: July 2017

A fundamental purpose of a display format is to allow the human operator to construct and maintain an accurate representation of reality. In order for display designers to know how to portray spatial information, one must understand how humans represent and use spatial relationships. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective use of four different types of spatial display formats in the performance of a spatial discrimination task. Forty subjects initially viewed a display portraying simulated radar returns representing the relative position of two other aircraft (in formation), and then chose which of two spatial alternatives portrayed the true spatial relationship viewed previously. Results showed that subjects” ability to discriminate between the spatial alternatives was adversely affected by the type of display format used, and the degree of distortion of the true spatial relationships. The results are interpreted in terms of the resolution of one's mental representation of spatial relationships.
Visual Mental Rotation: Different Processes Used by Pilots
Authors: Dror Itiel E.
Published: July 2017

Air Force pilots and control subjects were tested on a visual “mental rotation” task. Nine of the 16 pilots, as well as all of the 16 control subjects, required more time to rotate greater angular distances. The performance of the other 7 pilots was unique: their response time did not increase with greater angular rotations. The results suggest that visual mental rotation can be accomplished by at least two different processes. One process involves incremental object rotations in a multi-step mapping –like an actual physical rotation of an object– going through intermediate stages. This process requires more time to rotate greater angular distances. The other process involves direct translation in a single-step mapping. In this process, the starting position transforms into the final position in one mapping without any intermediate steps, and thus does not require more time to rotate greater angular rotation. The lack of intermediate stages, which may allow small perturbations in location to be corrected, affects the accuracy of this process; this is particularly apparent when more complex stimuli are rotated. The pilots who did not show incremental rotation effects had different and distinct error patterns, their errors increased when rotating the more complex stimuli.
The Effects of Legibility and Display Size on Performance for RAPCOM and Spatial Display Formats
Authors: Joseph Kurt M. , Uhlarik John
Published: July 2017

Information formatting in terms of optimal spatial and temporal parameters has become an important issue with the advent of computer automated displays. One temporal format involving sequential presentation of information, termed RAPCOM (for rapid comunication; cf., Matin and Boff, 1988), has the potential to increase performance in situations involving high information transfer rates. The present study investigated the relative contributions of two spatial parameters comparing RAPCOM with more conventional spatial formats involving simultaneous presentation of information. The parameters of character size and spatial separation were examined because they are important determinants of display legibility and visual search, respectively. Performance was assessed in terms of speed and accuracy for a task that required observers to recall integers presented in either an analog or digital format.

The findings showed that accuracy performance decreased as the information became spatially separated. Specifically, RAPCOM formats produced the best performance and the large spatial separation the worst performance. A different pattern of results was obtained for character size, depending on whether the display indicators were analog or digital. For analog dials, character size had no systematic effect on performance. However, for digital dials, character size produced an interaction in that the fastest and most accurate performance of all conditions was associated with the spatial format consisting of large characters and small spatial separation. In other words, under conditions associated with high legibility and relatively low visual search, more traditional spatial formats exceeded performance levels associated with the RAPCOM format. These findings are relevant for designers when trying to evaluate the relative merits inherent in spatial versus temporal display formats.
Does Secondary Task Measure Outcome Conflict or Resource Allocation?
Authors: Tsang Pamela S. , Shaner Tonya L.
Published: July 2017

The secondary task technique was used to test two alternative explanations of dual task decrement: outcome conflict and resource allocation. Subjects time-shared a continuous tracking task and a discrete Sternberg memory task. The memory probes were presented under three temporal predictability conditions. Dual task performance decrements in both the tracking and memory tasks suggested that the two tasks competed for some common resources, processes, or mechanisms. Although performance decrements were consistent with both the outcome conflict and resource allocation explanations, the two explanations propose different mechanisms by which the primary task could be protected from interference from the concurrent secondary task. The primary task performance could be protected by resource allocation or by strategic sequencing of the processing of the two tasks in order to avoid outcome conflict. In addition to examining the global trial means, moment-by-moment tracking error time-locked to the memory probe was also analyzed. There was little indication that the primary task was protected by resequencing of the processing of the two tasks. This together with the suggestion that predictable memory probes led to better protected primary task performance than less predictable memory probes lend support for the resource explanation.
The Vertical Visual Field and Implications for the Head-Up Display
Authors: Martin-Emerson Robin , Wickens Christopher D.
Published: July 2017

The present study evaluated dual-task performance as a function of the vertical separation between a tracking task and a discrete-response task, to provide data relevant to the positioning of aircraft head-up display (HUD) information. The data were consistent with Sanders” (1970) research on visual scanning where a nonlinear decrease in performance as a function of the horizontal separation between two displays was observed. Performance is equivalent across a range of visual angles from superimposition to 6.4° vertical separation between displays. The cost to performance is increased for moderate vertical separations (9.6° to 22.5°) where visual scanning is required. At larger separations, the performance cost increases linearly with visual angle, where head movements may begin to supplement eye movements in order to access information. The function which describes the cost of vertical separation was observed to be larger at both small and moderate visual angles when the information in the two displays required integration. The data suggest that nonconformal HUD information may be placed a few degrees down from a superimposed position without a significant performance loss.
Multimodal Measures of Mental Workload during Dual-Task Performance: Energetic Demands of Cognitive Processes
Authors: Backs Richard W. , Ryan Arthur M.
Published: July 2017

Fifteen male volunteers participated in a dual-task study in which the central processing load of visual memory and tracking tasks and the physical load of the tracking task were orthogonally manipulated to produce varying levels of task difficulty. Multiple modes of assessment were used to measure mental workload (MWL) across difficulty levels, including: performance, subjective, cardiovascular, and metabolic. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate metabolic change with manipulations of cognitive task difficulty; others have found only baseline-to-task changes. The relation of the metabolic demands of the task to central processing resource utilization provided support for a structural energetic model of attention that may help to explain measure dissociations. The results of the present study indicated that heart period was only sensitive to central manipulations of task difficulty that affected energetic resources. Performance and subjective MWL were sensitive to all cognitive components of the tasks. We suggest that cardiovascular measures will associate with other measures only when the manipulations of task difficulty require energetic adjustment, and would expect these measures to dissociate when energetic adjustment is not required.
The Influence of Frame Rate and Resolution Reduction on Human Performance
Authors: Merryanna Swartz , Wallace Daniel , Tkacz Sharon
Published: July 2017

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used to conduct a variety of reconnaissance missions with human operators interpreting the transmitted imagery at ground stations. Current UAV data link designs require limited capacity which will result in a cost to the operator. Two common techniques to reduce video data rates exist, data compression and simple data reduction such as lowering of frame rate and resolution. The objective of this research was to determine the degree to which data volume can be reduced in terms of frame rate, spatial and grey-scale resolution, while retaining sufficient information to support human performance. Two studies were conducted to examine the influence of frame rate, resolution, and compression trade-offs. Experiment I utilized real mission imagery to assess operator performance in target detection, recognition, and designation. Experiment II used a simulation with dynamically manipulated UAV parameters to assess the influence of frame rate and resolution on target designation and tracking. Results indicate that frame rate has a greater influence than resolution on human performance in all four tasks. Overall, operators can perform tasks at rates reduced to 4 frames per second. Half resolution over the total display does not adversely affect performance except in recognition tasks. When resolution is calculated as a function of dynamically-controlled UAV parameters, 8 TV lines across the target appears to result in the best performance; however, these data are not as consistent as those in Experiment I.
Flying with Dichoptic Displays: The Interplay between Display Characteristics and Attention Control
Authors: Gopher Daniel , Kimchi Ruth , Seagull F. Jacob , Catz Irit , Trainin Ori
Published: July 2017

Interest in the study of attention control under dichoptic conditions is instigated by the contemporary development of night-vision systems based on single-eye helmet-mounted displays. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the concurrent performance of a tracking task and letter classification under dichoptic display conditions. Subjects were required to fly a simulated helicopter path while classifying letter pairs presented intermittently. Experimental instructions in Experiment A specifically emphasized a two-dimensional interpretation of the visual field. Under these instructions, the presentation of a common visual axis to the two eyes provided by the flight-tunnel did not aid subjects, and their performance deteriorated in dichoptic conditions. In Experiment B, the instructions to subjects were changed to advocate a three-dimensional interpretation of the display. Under these instructions, dichoptic performance-levels were substantially improved when the tunnel was present. These results imply that the presence of a common visual axis is not automatically beneficial. In order to improve performance, attention should be intentionally directed to utilize information supporting a three-dimensional frame of mind. These findings have important implications for understanding the dynamics of performance with single-eye helmet-mounted displays, and the training of pilots in their use.
Display Viewing Distance Preferences for Two Structural Configurations
Authors: Trautman Edward , Moskal Patrick
Published: July 2017

This investigation was conducted to more fully define the physical characteristics of individuals engaged in ordinary reading tasks. Eye to display viewing distances were measured for subjects reading from both a handheld configuration and from a structurally fixed configuration which approximated an electronic display. Estimates of each subject's resting point accommodation were also obtained and compared to observed viewing distances. Findings revealed significant differences between handheld and fixed configuration displays. Relationships between display viewing distance and resting point accommodation were not apparent. The resting posture of accommodation and seated posture are discussed as potential contributors to determination of viewing distance preferences.
The Influence of Color, Closure and Correlation on Integral and Separable Performance with Object Displays
Authors: Schmidt Jeffrey , Elvers Greg C
Published: July 2017

Three variables were manipulated in an attempt to determine the conditions of optimal performance using object-like displays. Uniquely color coding the vertices of the object did not appear to cause a significant change in separate or integral task accuracy. The introduction of a display based on the Gestalt law of closure in which the middle third of each side of the object was removed improved separate task accuracy relative to the object display. Separate task accuracy for the closure display was not as good as the bar display. Integration task accuracy was not harmed by this manipulation. The validity of the emergent feature for information integration was manipulated. Lower levels of validity reduce integration task accuracy for all displays equally. Thus, if information integration is the operator's primary task, display designers should consider using the closure display in place of the object display. The usefulness of both object and closure displays may be limited since the emergent feature may be less than 100% valid for the information integration task in many real world situations. This is due to constraints in the geometry of object displays.
Color Coding to Facilitate Performance of Focused Attention Tasks with Object Displays
Authors: Converse Sharolyn A. , Kozar Sandra , Batten David
Published: July 2017

A study was performed to test the hypothesis that color coding can be used to enhance the speed and accuracy of performance on a focused attention task when object displays are employed. Subjects performed both a focused attention and an integration task while viewing a rectangle display that represented the readings of four system parameters. The object displays were presented to subjects in one of four color coding conditions: (1) monochrome; (2) parameter type; (3) parameter state; or (4) system state. Study results indicated that the system state color code significantly reduced integration task response time without degrading integration task accuracy. For the focused attention task, there was no significant difference between monochrome and the remaining color code conditions for either response time or accuracy.
A Profile of the Health Information Manager: A Comparison between Two States in Australia
Authors: Callen Joanne , Craig Janelle
Published: July 2017

The aim of this paper is to present a profile and comparison of demographic, educational and work characteristics of health information managers working in public hospitals in New South Wales and Victoria. A cross-sectional survey was designed to collect data from a sample of 141 health information managers (HIMs) from 41 NSW public hospitals and 165 HIMs from 30 Victorian public hospitals. Before analysis the data were split into responses from ‘managerial HIMs’ and ‘coder HIMs’ to reflect the differences in their respective roles. The results showed that public hospital HIMs are predominantly female, young and mobile. Differences in employment and education between managerial and coder HIMs are presented, as are significant differences between public hospital HIMs in NSW and Victoria. Casemix-based funding and computerisation of clinical information are considered to be the main drivers of change to the role of the HIM.
How Did I Get Here from There?
Authors: Kearsey Irene
Published: July 2017

‘When do you think you'll retire?’ has become a frequently asked question over the last few years, so an invitation to write something about my time as a HIM is just another hint that I've been around for a long time.
Planning to Manage and Managing to Plan: A Seminar
Authors: George Jacinta
Published: July 2017

Recent research in rural workforce issues has identified professional isolation and barriers to further education as major impediments in attracting and retaining skilled staff in a range of professions in the rural health system (Brown 1992; Schofield 1992). The seminar, Planning to manage and managing to plan, organised by the Rural Health Special Interest Group of the NSWHIMA, provided an opportunity to address some of these issues for rural NSW HIMs.
Effects of microstructure on machinability of ductile iron
Authors: Cakir M Cemal , Bayram A , Kircali K Kaan , Ensarioglu C
Published: July 2017

In this paper, ductile irons with different microstructures were machined in a group of experiments using standard testing procedure and the effect of microstructure on the machinability was investigated. Bars (diameter 90mm × 320mm) of ferritic/pearlitic, tempered martensitic, and lower ausferritic microstructures were produced by various heat treatments and then tested to evaluate their machinability. Five groups of ductile iron specimens with various microstructures were tested following ISO 3685: 1993 (E) standard. Specimens were subjected to dry cutting; cutting force, flank wear width, and surface roughness were measured to compare the machining performances. In addition, further turning tests were conducted on the specimens of austempered microstructure at various feed rates (while keeping the cutting speed and depth of cut constant), and both surface roughness and cutting force values were recorded. The influence of feed rate on the machinability of austempered ductile iron was investigated and a correlation between feed rate and machinability, in terms of cutting force and surface roughness, was established. Not only the tangential cutting force component but also the feed force component was taken into consideration in these tests.
Autonomous vehicle control systems — a review of decision making
Authors: Veres S M , Molnar L , Lincoln N K , Morice C P
Published: July 2017

A systematic review is provided on artificial agent methodologies applicable to control engineering of autonomous vehicles and robots. The paper focuses on some fundamentals that make a machine autonomous: decision making that involves modelling the environment and forming data abstractions for symbolic processing and logic-based reasoning. Most relevant capabilities such as navigation, autonomous path planning, path following control, and communications, that directly affect decision making, are treated as basic skills of agents. Although many autonomous vehicles have been engineered in the past without using the agent-oriented approach, most decision making onboard of vehicles is similar to or can be classified as some kind of agent architecture, even if in a naïve form. First the ANSI standard of intelligent systems is recalled then a summary of the fundamental types of possible agent architectures for autonomous vehicles are presented, starting from reactive, through layered, to advanced architectures in terms of beliefs, goals, and intentions. The review identifies some missing links between computer science results on discrete agents and engineering results of continuous world sensing, actuation, and path planning. In this context design tools for ‘abstractions programming’ are identified as needed to fill in the gap between logic-based reasoning and sensing. Finally, research is reviewed on autonomous vehicles in water, on the ground, in the air, and in space with comments on their methods of decision making. One of the main conclusions of this review is that standardization of decision making through agent architectures is desirable for the future of intelligent vehicle developments and their legal certification.
Sub-Continental Majoritarianisms
Authors: Ghosh Papiya
Published: July 2017

[Until her untimely death in late 2006 at her residence in Patna, Professor Papiya Ghosh taught History at Patna University. Her chosen areas of specialisation spanned modern and contemporary Indian history. In particular, she was interested in the critical and complex issues raised by the National movement, the trauma caused by partition, the emergence of the modern nation-state, and in mapping the current socio-political scenario in Bihar—the state she chose to stay in, notwithstanding an environment which was not always conducive to academic pursuits. The article published here, ‘Sub-continental Majoritarianisms’ was written in 2005–2006. It holds up a mirror to some troubling trends, and expresses Professor Ghosh's deep concerns about the likely course of their denouement.—Editor]
Information and communication technology use in asthmatic patients: a cross-sectional study in Latin America
Authors: Calderón Juan , Cherrez Annia , Ramón Germán Darío , Lopez Jove Orlando , Baptist Alan , Matos Edgar , Morfín Maciel Blanca , Calero Erick , Sanchez-Borges Mario , Cherrez Sofia , Simancas-Racines Daniel , Cherrez Ojeda Ivan
Published: July 2017

Rapid diffusion, low cost and broad availability of information and communication technologies (ICTs) make them an attractive platform for managing care, communication and interventions in asthma. There is little information in Latin America about usage frequency of ICTs in asthmatic patients.

The analysis undertaken consisted of an observational, cross-sectional study that aimed to identify the frequency and type of ICTs most often used by asthmatics. The Spanish version of the Michigan questionnaire was employed in five Latin American countries. Age and educational level was categorised. Logistic regression was performed among these groups concerning the frequency of ICT usage and the level of interest shown in seeking and receiving information about asthma.

In total, 673 asthma patients were surveyed. The mean age was 43.44 years. Over two-thirds of the participants were female (68.4%). The most used ICT was the short message service (SMS) (69.9%). SMS and E-mail are useful tools for communicating (i.e.receiving and seeking information) with all asthma patients, irrespective of their age. WhatsApp (61.5%) and Facebook (32.0%) were rated as being the most interesting channels of communication for receiving information. Regression analysis showed that younger asthmatics and asthmatics with higher educational levels were most likely to use almost all forms of ICTs.

ICTs are generally an attractive platform for managing care, communication and interventions to improve asthma care. SMS and E-mail were found to be the preferred ICT forms among users. However, social media forms such as WhatsApp and Facebook may also be appropriate for certain types of patient.
The effect of education on teenage fertility: causal evidence for Argentina
Authors: Alzúa María Laura , Velázquez Cecilia
Published: July 2017

This is the first study exploring the causal effect of education on teenage fertility in Argentina. We exploit an exogenous variation in education from the staggered implementation of the 1993 reform, which increased compulsory schooling from 7 to 10 years. We find a negative overall impact of education on teenage fertility rates, which operates through two complementing channels: a human capital effect (one additional year of schooling causes a decline of 30 births per 1000 girls) and a weaker ‘incapacitation’ effect (a rise of one percentage point in enrollment rate reduces 3 births per 1000 girls).
The neck burn scar contracture: a concept of effective treatment
Authors: Akita Sadanori , Hayashida Kenji , Takaki Satoshi , Kawakami Yoshihisa , Oyama Takuto , Ohjimi Hiroyuki
Published: July 2017

A neck scar contracture can severely and negatively affect the function of mastication, phonic, or breathing and result in neck pain and issues with esthetics. The best way is of course to avoid such contracture by means of non-surgical treatment such as use of a growth factor. The basic fibroblastic growth factor is clinically well proven in decreasing scar formation and improving healing. There are numerous reconstructive methods for neck contracture, especially when the lesions are relatively limited in part of the neck. However, a very severe and full circumferential scar contracture requires extensive reconstruction. The thin groin flap is one of the answers and well matches with the tissue texture and maintains the flexibility. Even with extensive burns and delayed reconstructions due to resuscitation first, the groin area is well preserved and can be safely harvested by dual vasculature systems of the superficial circumflex iliac artery and superficial epigastric artery, which warrant more reliability compared to the perforator flaps in this area. More demanding and stringent forms of the neck burn scar contracture are the sequelae of radiation. A radiation burn or radiation injury can be progressing and hard to heal. Adipose-derived stem cells can reverse the scar contracture as the surrounding tissue is softened and can accelerate wound healing. In this review, different types of neck burn scar contracture and reconstructive methods are summarized, including innovative use of bFGF and ADSCs in the management of difficult wound healing and scar contracture.
Validation of anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) equations to predict total body water in a group of Cameroonian preschool children using deuterium dilution method
Authors: Essa’a Véronique Josette , Dimodi Henriette Thérèse , Ntsama Patricia Marianne , Medoua Gabriel Nama
Published: July 2017

Background

Little information is available on the validity of anthropometry or impedance-based equations for prediction of total body water (TBW) in African children. This study was designed to validate and develop equations to predict total body water in Cameroonian children.

Methods

TBW was measured by deuterium dilution in 102 children between 24 and 60 months of age and compared with the ones predicted by 5 anthropometric and 7 BIA equations. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop prediction equations for TBW from anthropometric parameters.

Results

Unacceptable discrepancies in the estimates of TBW at individual level were noted with all the equations tested. The following new anthropometry and BIA equations for the estimation of TBW were respectively developed: TBW = 6.488 + 0.434 × sex − 0.039 × age + 0.670 × weight − 0.081 × MUAC (cm) − 0.372 × BMI (adjusted R2 = 0.71, RMSE = 3.6), and TBW = −6.206 + 0.0037 × height2/Z − 0.041 × age + 0.265 × weight + 0.1214 × height (adjusted R2 = 0.68, RMSE = 1.4). The cross-validation procedures revealed that the predicted values of TBW compared with measured values are accurate at a group level.

Conclusion

The current published anthropometric and BIA equations are invalid for the estimation of TBW in Cameroonian preschool children. The newly developed anthropometry or BIA prediction equations are valid for use in Cameroonian children aged 24–60 months.
Anthropometric changes caused by hepatitis C treatment with interferon and ribavirin: which patients and which measures are affected?
Authors: Araújo L. F. , Dorna M. S. , Santos L. A. A. , Lima T. B. , Ietsugu M. V. , Nunes H. R. C. , Paiva S. A. R. , Silva G. F. , Qi X. , Romeiro F. G.
Published: July 2017

Background

Chronic hepatitis C causes chronic hepatic inflammation, which can lead to cirrhosis, terminal liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The treatment aims to achieve viral clearance, but the usage of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is linked to side effects such as severe weight loss, which can lead to complications and treatment discontinuation. The aim of this study was to investigate which anthropometric measures were more affected in patients with chronic hepatitis C during 24 weeks of treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Then, the influence of age, sex, hepatic fibrosis stage, and ribavirin doses on each measure was also evaluated.

Methods

Seventy-six patients were included and their weight, triceps skin fold thickness, arm circumference, middle-arm muscle circumference, and corrected arm muscle area were measured before and after 24 weeks of treatment. Epidemiological data and liver biopsy findings were obtained from patients’ records. The sample was divided into two groups: one with advanced hepatic fibrosis and another group with mild to moderate fibrosis. Comparisons into each group were made using Wilcoxon or pairedttests. After that, a linear regression model was applied to estimate the anthropometric changes during the treatment according to age, sex, hepatic fibrosis stage, and ribavirin doses.

Results

The subjects suffered reductions of important anthropometric measures, mainly related to fat mass (p < 0.001). Some decrease of fat-free mass was also observed in subjects with advanced fibrosis. The statistic model showed that age and sex were more associated with the anthropometric changes observed.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the antiviral treatment caused loss of relevant anthropometric measures, and the model proposed was able to estimate some of them.
The prion protein regulates glutamate-mediated Ca2+ entry and mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation in neurons
Authors: De Mario Agnese , Peggion Caterina , Massimino Maria Lina , Viviani Francesca , Castellani Angela , Giacomello Marta , Lim Dmitry , Bertoli Alessandro , Sorgato Maria Catia
Published: July 2017

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) whose conformational misfolding leads to the production of deadly prions, has a still-unclarified cellular function despite decades of intensive research. Following our recent finding that PrPC limits Ca2+ entry via store-operated Ca2+ channels in neurons, we investigated whether the protein could also control the activity of ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). To this end, we compared local Ca2+ movements in primary cerebellar granule neurons and cortical neurons transduced with genetically encoded Ca2+ probes and expressing, or not expressing, PrPC. Our investigation demonstrated that PrPC downregulates Ca2+ entry through each specific agonist-stimulated iGluR and after stimulation by glutamate. We found that, although PrP-knockout (KO) mitochondria were displaced from the plasma membrane, glutamate addition resulted in a higher mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in PrP-KO neurons than in their PrPC-expressing counterpart. This was because the increased Ca2+ entry through iGluRs in PrP-KO neurons led to a parallel increase in Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release via ryanodine receptor channels. These data thus suggest that PrPC takes part in the cell apparatus controlling Ca2+ homeostasis, and that PrPC is involved in protecting neurons from toxic Ca2+ overloads.
Extraction of Essential Oils from the Flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus Using an Ionic Liquid
Authors: Usuki Toyonobu , Munakata Koki
Published: July 2017

The essential oil components linalool, β-ionone, cis- and trans-linalool oxide pyranoid, and trans-linalool oxide furanoid, which are found in the flowers of Osmanthus fragrans var. aurantiacus, were efficiently extracted using a cellulose-dissolving ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylphosphonate ([C2mim][(MeO)(H)PO2]) as an extraction solvent. Investigation of extraction time revealed that the ionic liquid contributed to the efficient extraction of these essential oils over a shorter extraction time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy observations of the flower petals confirmed the efficiency of the ionic liquid in this extraction process.
The yeast noncoding RNA interaction network
Authors: Panni Simona , Prakash Ananth , Bateman Alex , Orchard Sandra
Published: July 2017

This article describes the creation of the first expert manually curated noncoding RNA interaction networks for S. cerevisiae. The RNA–RNA and RNA–protein interaction networks have been carefully extracted from the experimental literature and made available through the IntAct database (www.ebi.ac.uk/intact). We provide an initial network analysis and compare their properties to the much larger protein–protein interaction network. We find that the proteins that bind to ncRNAs in the network contain only a small proportion of classical RNA binding domains. We also see an enrichment of WD40 domains suggesting their direct involvement in ncRNA interactions. We discuss the challenges in collecting noncoding RNA interaction data and the opportunities for worldwide collaboration to fill the unmet need for this data.
Ligand recognition and helical stacking formation are intimately linked in the SAM-I riboswitch regulatory mechanism
Authors: Dussault Anne-Marie , Dubé Audrey , Jacques Frédéric , Grondin Jonathan P. , Lafontaine Daniel A.
Published: July 2017

Riboswitches are noncoding mRNA elements that control gene expression by altering their structure upon metabolite binding. Although riboswitch crystal structures provide detailed information about RNA–ligand interactions, little knowledge has been gathered to understand how riboswitches modulate gene expression. Here, we study the molecular recognition mechanism of the S-adenosylmethionine SAM-I riboswitch by characterizing the formation of a helical stacking interaction involving the ligand-binding process. We show that ligand binding is intimately linked to the formation of the helical stacking, which is dependent on the presence of three conserved purine residues that are flanked by stacked helices. We also find that these residues are important for the formation of a crucial long-range base pair formed upon SAM binding. Together, our results lend strong support to a critical role for helical stacking in the folding pathway and suggest a particularly important function in the formation of the long-range base pair.
Psychologizing of deviant economic behavior of modern law enforcement system of Russia
Authors: Деулин  , Deulin Dmitriy , Богаевский  , Bogaevskiy Vladimir
Published: July 2017

The article discusses the topical problem of psychological image of the employee of law-enforcement system of Russia taking into account various mental disorders, caused by contemporary socio-economic structure of our society. In particular, the authors believe that such widespread phenomena as drug addiction, oniomania, kleptomania, gadget addiction are the result of violations of economic orientations of the modern police officer. The article is replete with views of a wide range of specialists from different areas. The emphasis is on the fact that modern society is the cause of violations of economic behavior of a police officer.
Game—A Carbon Emissions Game
Authors: Frommer Ian D. , Day Robert W.
Published: July 2017

This paper describes a carbon trading game to be played in a classroom setting. The game is modeled on real-world electric power markets with a carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions cap, often referred to as a “cap-and-trade” system. Players assume the roles of competing utilities, each with a fossil fuel plant and a renewable energy plant. Any electricity generated by fossil fuel requires offsetting carbon credits, which are available via auction. Depending on the auction price, it can be cheaper or more expensive to generate electricity with fossil fuel versus renewables. The goals of the game are: for students to become acquainted with cap-and-trade markets; to understand how regulatory policy applied to a market can induce environmental benefits; to discover how to mathematically derive strategies; to get a taste of basic game theory, auctions, and the newsvendor problem; and to meet these objectives in a fun setting. While fairly straightforward and simplified to provide symmetry among student competitors, the game can lead to surprisingly interesting results. This paper describes the game and how to facilitate it, presents strategies, analyzes games that were played, introduces novel quantitative measures to evaluate the quality of game play, and offers a number of suggestions for extending the game.

The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/ited.2017.0171 . The teaching note is available at https://www.informs.org/Publications/Subscribe/Access-Restricted-Materials .
Two Time-Scale Stochastic Approximation with Controlled Markov Noise and Off-Policy Temporal-Difference Learning
Authors: Karmakar Prasenjit , Bhatnagar Shalabh
Published: July 2017

We present for the first time an asymptotic convergence analysis of two time-scale stochastic approximation driven by “controlled” Markov noise. In particular, the faster and slower recursions have nonadditive controlled Markov noise components in addition to martingale difference noise. We analyze the asymptotic behavior of our framework by relating it to limiting differential inclusions in both time scales that are defined in terms of the ergodic occupation measures associated with the controlled Markov processes. Finally, we present a solution to the off-policy convergence problem for temporal-difference learning with linear function approximation, using our results.
The assessment and care of patients with hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Bager Palle
Published: July 2017

This article provides an overview of the metabolic brain dysfunction hepatic encephalopathy (HE). HE is caused by severe liver cirrhosis and patients will often be treated in a liver unit, but patients with symptoms of HE may require nursing care anywhere in the healthcare system. Therefore it is beneficial for all nurses to have a basic knowledge of HE and this article explains the symptoms and treatment. Possible differential diagnoses are presented, as well as factors that can trigger episodes of HE. Both patients' and relatives' experiences are examined. Finally, the nurse's role in caring for patients with HE is described, along with the dilemmas and challenges involved.
Cortrak tube placement part 1: confirming by quadrant may be unsafe
Authors: Taylor Stephen J , Clemente Rowan , Allan Kaylee , Brazier Sophie
Published: July 2017

Gastric confirmation by pH is only achievable in approximately 50% of placements and X-rays are expensive and may be misinterpreted. Bedside electromagnetic (EM) guidance offers real-time confirmation. The authors determined the accuracy of guidance in predicting gastric body position from the EM trace using official Cortrak guidance (the EM trace reaches the bottom left quadrant of the anterior screen) compared with local guidance (detailed anterior-depth description of the GI flexures). X-ray, pH or an EM trace beyond the gastric body were used to independently confirm gastric position. Of 496 EM traces, 49% of tubes were in the oesophagus on entry to the lower left quadrant whereas 12% had already reached the gastric body in the upper left quadrant. Overall, predicting position by quadrant was 70% accurate whereas differentiating the pre-gastro-oesophageal junction (pre-GOJ) from the gastric body flexure was 100% accurate. Confirming gastric position by the anterior trace quadrant appears to be unsafe whereas expert differentiation of the pre-GOJ and gastric body flexures was reliable. The authors invite Corpak Medsystems (now owned by Halyard Health) to update its guidance in view of these findings.
NMC consultation on proficiencies to be met for registration
Authors: Glasper Alan
Published: July 2017

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, from the University of Southampton, discusses the Nursing and Midwifery Council's public consultation on the efficacy of its new draft standards for pre-registration nursing education
Comparing Radiant Heater Performance Using Spatial Modeling
Authors: Linhoss John E , Purswell Joseph L , Davis Jeremiah D , Fan Zhaofei
Published: July 2017

Abstract.

Radiant heaters are the preferred method of providing supplemental heat in poultry houses because they heat the floor and chicks directly to create a suitable microclimate by allowing for a range of thermal comfort options. Heat distribution at the floor is commonly evaluated using infrared thermography, which provides assessments of floor temperature distributions but cannot directly compare energy reaching the floor to energy consumed. The objectives of this study were to develop a system to measure the radiant energy emitted by round radiant heaters that reached the floor (measuring plane), use spatial modeling to estimate total radiant flux output at the measuring plane, and compare heater gross radiant coefficients (GRC). A radiant heater test stand was constructed over a set of linear arrays mounted with thin-film radiant flux sensors. Radiant flux measurements (n=160 per heater) were taken within the heated area of six round radiant heaters with a nominal rated output of 11.72 kW. Radiant flux data were collected at heater canopy elevations of 1.22, 1.52, 1.83, and 1.98 m above the measuring plane. Results from non-linear regression analysis showed that for all heater and elevation combinations, the radial distance from the heater center axis to 95% of the final asymptotic value was 4.71 m or less. Total heated area ranged from 13.90 to 61.46 m2 between 1.22 and 1.83 m canopy elevations. Mean radiant energy reaching the measuring plane was 2.54, 3.00, 3.34, and 4.29 kW for canopy elevations of 1.22, 1.52, 1.83, and 1.98 m, respectively. Mean gross heat input was 10.76 kW and ranged from 9.39 to 13.17 kW across all heaters. GRC ranged from 0.21 to 0.41 and increased with heater elevations. Keywords: Brooding, Gross radiant coefficient, Heater performance, Radiant flux, Radiant heating.
Dry Scrubbing of Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Using Nano Zinc Oxide Coated Glass Beads
Authors: Borhan M S , Rahman Shafiqur , Sarker Niloy Chandra
Published: July 2017

Abstract.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the most toxic and smelly gases emitted from animal production facilities, which also acts as a catalyst poison in many industrial processes. The principal objective of this research was to develop a dry scrubber to adsorb H2S gas efficiently from airstreams mimicking air exhausts of animal and poultry barns at the ambient atmospheric condition. Nano zinc oxide (nZnO) coated 3-mm sized glass beads were investigated to adsorb H2S gas in a vertical dry scrubber setting. Colloids of nZnO were prepared and thin films of nZnO were grown on the surfaces of commercially available glass beads following a sol-gel method. The sizes of nZnO on glass bead surfaces ranged from nm to µm and found to be clustered due to the repeated coatings on the same surfaces. The energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirms the presence of sulfur (S) compound that indicated a conversion of H2S into zinc sulfide (ZnS) on nZnO coated bead surfaces. The highest H2S breakthrough capacity of 2.54 mg H2S g-1 sorbent was observed. Heating the beads at 550°C regenerated glass beads effectively but experienced a gradual loss of reactivity as a number of regeneration cycles progressed. This research demonstrated that nZnO supported on glass beads are promising adsorbents for capturing H2S gas from airstreams at ambient temperature. Keywords: Airstreams, Breakthrough capacity, Hydrogen sulfide, Nano zinc oxide, Regeneration.
Crop and Location Specific Agricultural Drought Quantification: Part II. Case Study
Authors: McDaniel Rachel L. , Munster Clyde , Cothren J. Tom
Published: July 2017

Abstract.

An estimated 70% to 80% of water resources are used for agricultural production. Irrigation helps maintain adequate soil moisture for crops; however, drought can impact both the amount of water required for production and crop yields. Different crops are affected by moisture conditions in different ways, as some can handle lower moisture conditions better than others. There are many drought indices that quantify low-moisture conditions, but they are not crop-specific and therefore do not quantify moisture stress for a given crop. The goal of this study was to evaluate a crop-specific drought index by determining the index’s ability to reflect yield trends due to moisture conditions. The drought index is a weekly index that uses five variables: precipitation, temperature, biomass production, soil moisture, and transpiration. This article presents a case study that examines the effectiveness of the crop-specific drought index in determining moisture stress to crops by comparing the drought index with annual yield values. The site chosen for this study was the upper Colorado River basin (UCRB) in west Texas because it is prone to drought. Cotton is one of the most widely grown row crops in this region and was therefore used in this study. A hydrologic and crop model, the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), was used to determine the biomass production, soil moisture, and transpiration. Observed precipitation and temperature data were also used both in the SWAT model and in the drought index. A multiple linear regression model was created for each week of the growing season because each variable is important during different weeks of the growing season. For example, in the UCRB, soil moisture was found to be more important during the beginning of the growing season, while biomass production was found to be more important during the end of the growing season. Ultimately, the drought index was found to be a good indicator of moisture-related yield conditions, with an R2 of 0.67. This index can be used to assess moisture stress to agricultural crops and aid in management decisions related to irrigation timing. Keywords: Crop modeling, Drought, Drought index, Hydrologic modeling, SWAT, Water conservation, Water management, Water stress.