bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Research Ethics Capacity in the Middle East: Experience and Challenges of a Fogarty-Sponsored Training Program
Authors: Silverman Henry , Edwards Hillary , Shamoo Adil , Matar Amal
Published: January 2014

We describe the research ethics capacity needs of the countries from the Middle East region. Against this background, we relate the experience of an international training program focused on providing long-term training in research ethics to individuals from low- and middle-income countries in the Middle East area. We describe our pedagogical approach to training, program changes to address challenges faced, and accomplishments of trainees. Many former trainees developed research ethics curricula in their home institutions, established or enhanced their institutions' research ethics committees, provided leadership to national research ethics systems, and conducted research in research ethics. Based on our analysis, we make recommendations for how trainees can further address current regional research ethics needs in the Middle East and conduct future research. This paper is part of a collection of papers analyzing the Fogarty International Center's International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development program.
Mentoring International Research Ethics Trainees: Identifying Best Practices
Authors: Loue Sana , Loff Bebe
Published: January 2014

Mentoring is an important component of training in the basic and clinical sciences due to the increasing complexities associated with establishing a career. Data relating to 466 long-term trainees in research ethics training programs were obtained from the Fogarty International Center's database. Data were supplemented with survey data (n = 17) and telephone interviews (n = 10) of the 21 principal investigators whose programs offered long-term training. The programs most successful with mentoring involved (1) the provision of an orientation for the trainees at the commencement of training; (2) a highly structured process of mentoring that required regular meetings and task achievement timelines; (3) intensive, frequent contact with the PI; and (4) support with personal issues that were troublesome to trainees. This paper is part of a collection of papers analyzing the Fogarty International Center's International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development program.
An Analysis of Online Courses in Research Ethics in the Fogarty-Sponsored Bioethics Training Programs
Authors: Silverman Henry , Strosberg Martin , Luna Florencia , Philpott Sean , Hemmerle Cheryl A.
Published: January 2014

Several training programs sponsored by the NIH/Fogarty International Center's International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development Program offer online graduate-level courses in research ethics to participants in low- and middle-income countries. This paper describes the evaluation of four of these online courses and recommendations for improvements to achieve the highest-quality design and delivery. We used an evaluation matrix consisting of 95 criteria based on recommended best practices in eLearning. Our results showed that these courses are developing or meeting nearly 73% of the criteria, while they are not meeting approximately 21% of the criteria. Together, one or more of the courses are developing or meeting 89 of the 95 criteria. These results suggest that the necessary skills and expertise exist in these programs to bring all of the eLearning courses close to 100% proficiency by sharing a common set of best practices. This paper is part of a collection of articles analyzing the Fogarty International Center's International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development Program.
A Bibliometric Analysis of an International Research Ethics Trainee Program
Authors: Fix Jonathan , Odell Jere , Sina Barbara , Meslin Eric M. , Goodman Ken , Upshur Ross
Published: January 2014

We used bibliometric analysis to evaluate the citations associated with publications by trainees in the Fogarty International Center's International Research Ethics Education and Curriculum Development program. Papers published between 2004 and 2008 were identified for analysis. The outcome measures were total citations, h-index, and i-10. A total of 328 manuscripts were identified, with a yearly average of 66 publications and 363 citations. The median number of citations per paper is 3 (IQR Q1–Q3:6). 12.6% (n = 53) of papers were cited over 10 times and the h-index is 22, indicating that 22 papers had been cited at least 22 times. The data indicate that trainees have been productive and contributed to the scholarly literature. Future studies to benchmark this performance with other bioethics education programs are required to make interpretation of citation analysis more meaningful.
Bernstein-type operators which preserve exactly two test functions
Authors: Pop Ovidiu , Bǎrbosu Dan , Braica Petru
Published: December 2013

A general class of linear and positive operators dened by nite sum is constructed. Some of their approximation properties, including a convergence theorem and a Voronovskaja-type theorem are established. Next, the operators of the considered class which preserve exactly two test functions from the set {e0,e1,e2} are determined. It is proved that the test functionse0ande1are preserved only by the Bernstein operators, the test functionse0ande2only by the King operators while the test functionse1ande2only by the operators recently introduced by P. I. Braica, O. T. Pop and A. D. Indrea in [4].
Empirical results on distance of two-dimensional samples
Authors: Noszály Csaba
Published: December 2013

The distance of two-dimensional samples is studied. The distance of two samples is based on the optimal matching method. Simulation results are obtained when the samples are drawn from normal and uniform distributions.
On the distribution of \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{upgreek} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage{bbm} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \(\sqrt p\) \end{document} modulo one involving primes of special type
Authors: Cai Yingchun
Published: December 2013

Let Pr denote an almost-prime with at most r prime factors, counted according to multiplicity. In this paper we show that the inequality \documentclass{aastex}
\usepackage{amsbsy}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{bm}
\usepackage{mathrsfs}
\usepackage{pifont}
\usepackage{stmaryrd}
\usepackage{textcomp}
\usepackage{upgreek}
\usepackage{portland,xspace}
\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra}
\usepackage{bbm}
\pagestyle{empty}
\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6}
\begin{document}
$$\left\{ {\sqrt p } \right\} < p^{ - \tfrac{1}
{{15.5}}}$$
\end{document} has infinitely many solutions in primes p such that p + 2 = P4.
The beta generalized half-normal geometric distribution
Authors: Ramires Thiago , Ortega Edwin , Cordeiro Gauss , Hamedani Gholamhoss
Published: December 2013

The beta generalized half-normal distribution is commonly used to model lifetimes. We propose a new wider distribution called the beta generalized half-normal geometric distribution, whose failure rate function can be decreasing, increasing or upside-down bathtub. Its density function can be expressed as a linear combination of beta generalzed half-normal density functions. We derive quantile function, moments and generating unction. We characterize the proposed distribution using a simple relationship between wo truncated moments. The method of maximum likelihood is adapted to estimate the model parameters and its potentiality is illustrated with an application to a real fatigue data set. Further, we propose a new extended regression model based on the logarithm of the new distribution. This regression model can be very useful for the analysis of real data and provide more realistic fits than other special regression models.
Monolayers of silver nanoparticles obtained by chemical reduction methods
Authors: Oćwieja Magdalena , Adamczyk Zbigniew
Published: January 2014

Charge-stabilized silver particle suspensions were prepared by the chemical reduction of silver nitrate using various organic and inorganic reducing agents such as gallic acid, tannin, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, hypophospite, sodium hexametaphosphate, borohydride and trisodium citrate. The control of the size of nanoparticles was achieved by varying the stoichiometric ratio of reagents, resulting in monodisperse nanoparticles with the diameter in the range of 13–17 nm. Surface properties of obtained nanoparticles were determined by electrophoretic measurements over a wide range of ionic strength and pH. Knowing the mobility and size of particles, their effective electrokinetic charge and 2D electrokinetic charge densities were calculated. It was also confirmed by dynamic light scattering measurements that these sols were stable for ionic strength up to 0·03 M, and in the case of tannin, up to 0·1 M. Using these negatively charged suspensions, monolayers of silver particles on poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-covered mica were prepared by a diffusion controlled self-assembly process. The kinetics of monolayer formation was quantitatively determined by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy imaging of deposited nanoparticles. These experimental results were interpreted in terms of the theoretical modeling based on the random sequential adsorption approach.
Fine‐grained climate data alters the interpretation of a trait‐based cline
Authors: Gollan J. R. , Ashcroft M. B. , Ramp D.
Published: December 2013

Investigating responses to climate often rely on macroclimatic models. This is problematic because of the potential to miss or wrongly attribute relationships. Here we compare the explanatory power of macroclimatic models and near‐surface topoclimatic models. Body‐size measurements of the ant species, Iridomyrmex purpureus, were collected from separate colonies spanning a range of climatic conditions in a large region (∼75,000 km2) of Australia. Regional regression was used to derive two topoclimatic variables, while ANUCLIM was used to derive macroclimatic variables. Relationships were tested using linear mixed‐effect models with Akaike information criterion used as an indication of the relative goodness of fit for each model. Significant trends for both topoclimatic variables with body size were detected but only one of the three macroclimatic variables showed a significant trend. Although the significant macroclimatic variable was correlated with one of the topoclimatic variables, the topoclimatic variable had greater explanatory power. Few studies have considered climatic data accuracy or the effects of inaccurately quantified climatic data on ecological theory. This cannot continue to be ignored. As we show in this study, there is potential for important trends to go undetected and interpretation of results to be completely different.
Reliability and Validity of the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician–Nurse Collaboration for Nurse Practitioners
Authors: Jones Ellen D. , Letvak Susan , McCoy Thomas P.
Published: January 2014

Background: The Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Physician–Nurse Collaboration (JSATPNC) has been used to measure attitudes regarding nurse–physician collaboration. However, psychometric evaluation is lacking for the nurse practitioner (NP) population. Purpose: This study details a confirmatory approach in testing the factor analytic structure of the JSATPNC against previously reported structures. Methods: A Web survey invited 4,673 licensed NPs where 915 responded. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to assess factorial validity. Results: A previously proposed 3-factor model based had significantly better fit compared to a 1-factor structure (Δχ2 = 165.3, Δdf = 3, p < .0001). Cronbach’s alpha for the 3 subscales were 0.61, 0.62, and 0.54. Reliability with all 15 items was .72. Conclusions: Three collaboration subscales could have use in measuring attitudes toward physician–NP collaboration.
Rates of First Episode of Psychosis in a Defined Catchment Area in Greece
Authors: Peritogiannis Vaios , Mantas Christos , Tatsioni Athina , Mavreas Venetsanos
Published: January 2014

This is the first Greek study presenting epidemiologic data on first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients in a defined catchment area. Data for first episode psychotic patients during a two-year period (2008 and 2009) were obtained by all the mental health providers in the area, public or private. A total of 132 FEP patients were examined in the 2-year period in the catchment area. Most of the patients (61.4%) were diagnosed and treated by private practicing psychiatrists. Statistical analysis showed no differences between the two sectors in terms of patients’ age, gender, family and social status, profession and duration of untreated psychosis (median duration 6 months). Patients who were abusing substances and had no family psychiatric history were less likely been treated in the public sector. Immigrants comprised only a small proportion of the patients, probably because they have difficulties in accessing the mental health system.
A Short Survey on Genetic Sequences, Chou’s Pseudo Amino Acid Composition and its Combination with Fuzzy Set Theory
Authors: Georgiou D.N. , Karakasidis T.E. , Megaritis A.C.
Published: January 2014

The study of genetic sequences is of great importance in biology and medicine. Sequence analysis and
taxonomy are two major fields of application of bioinformatics. In this survey, we present results concerning genetic
sequences and Chou's pseudo amino acid composition as well as methodologies developed based on this concept along
with elements of fuzzy set theory, and emphasize on fuzzy clustering and its application in analysis of genetic sequences.
QSAR and its Role in Target-Ligand Interaction
Authors: Singh Dr. Anamika , Singh Dr. Rajeev
Published: January 2014

Each molecule has its own specialty, structure and function and when these molecules are combined together
they form a compound. Structure and function of a molecule are related to each other and QSARs (Quantitative Structure–
Activity relationships) are based on the criteria that the structure of a molecule must contain the features responsible for
its physical, chemical, and biological properties, and on the ability to represent the chemical by one, or more, numerical
descriptor(s). By QSAR models, the biological activity of a new or untested chemical can be inferred from the molecular
structure of similar compounds whose activities have already been assessed. QSARs attempt to relate physical and
chemical properties of molecules to their biological activities. For this there are so many descriptors (for example,
molecular weight, number of rotatable bonds, Log P) and simple statistical methods such as Multiple Linear Regression
(MLR) are used to predict a model. These models describe the activity of the data set and can predict activities for further
sets of (untested) compounds. These types of descriptors are simple to calculate and allow for a relatively fast analysis.
3D-QSAR uses probe-based sampling within a molecular lattice to determine three-dimensional properties of molecules
(particularly steric and electrostatic values) and can then correlate these 3D descriptors with biological activity.
Physicochemical descriptors, include hydrophobicity, topology, electronic properties, and steric effects etc. These
descriptors can be calculated empirically, statistically or through more recent computational methods. QSARs are
currently being applied in many disciplines, with many pertaining to drug design and environmental risk assessment.
Pathophysiology of Early Vascular Ageing-Opportunities for Treatment
Authors: Kotsis Vasilios , Antza Christina , Stabouli Stella
Published: January 2014

The story of vascular ageing was first described in the seventeenth century when Thomas Sydenham wrote that
‘A man is as old as his arteries’. This aphorism was returned to publicity lately when Peter Nilsson reintroduced the concept
of early vascular ageing. As vascular ageing is described a gradual process involving biochemical, enzymatic, and
cellular changes of the vasculature and modification of the signals that modulate them. In susceptible individuals this
process appears to be accelerated, leading to features that comprise a condition characterized as early vascular aging
(EVA). Early vascular ageing represents the acceleration of the vascular ageing process.
Behaviour-based identification of student communities in virtual worlds
Authors: Gonzalez-Pardo Antonio , Rosa Angeles , Camacho David
Published: January 2014

VirtualWorlds (VW) have gained popularity in the last years in domains like
training or education mainly due to their highly immersive and interactive
3D characteristics. In these platforms, the user (represented by an avatar)
can move and interact in an artificial world with a high degree of freedom.
They can talk, chat, build and design objects, program and compile their own
developed programs, or move (flying, teleporting, walking or running) to
different parts of the world. Although these environments provide an
interesting working place for students and educators, VW platforms (such as
OpenCobalt or OpenSim amongst others) rarely provide mechanisms to
facilitate the automatic (or semi-automatic) behaviour analysis of users
interactions. Using a VW platform called VirtUAM, the information extracted
from different experiments are used to analyse and define students
communities based on their behaviour. To define the individual student
behaviour, different characteristics are extracted from the system, such as
the avatar position (in form of GPS coordinates) and the set of actions
(interactions) performed by students within the VW. Later this information
is used to automatically detect behavioural patterns. This paper shows how
this information can be used to group students in different communities
based on their behaviour. Experimental results show how community
identification can be successfully perform using K-Means algorithm and
Normalized Compression Distance. Resulting communities contains users
working in near places or with similar behaviours inside the virtual world.
IG20/MADDPlays a Critical Role in Glucose-Induced Insulin Secretion
Authors: Li Liang-cheng , Wang Yong , Carr Ryan , Haddad Christine Samir , Li Ze , Qian Lixia , Oberholzer Jose , Maker Ajay V. , Wang Qian , Prabhakar Bellur S.
Published: December 2013

Pancreatic β-cell dysfunction is a common feature of type 2 diabetes. Earlier, we had cloned IG20 cDNA from a human insulinoma and had shown that IG20/MADD can encode six different splice isoforms that are differentially expressed and have unique functions, but its role in β-cell function was unexplored. To investigate the role of IG20/MADD in β-cell function, we generated conditional knockout (KMA1ko) mice. Deletion of IG20/MADD in β-cells resulted in hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance associated with reduced and delayed glucose-induced insulin production. KMA1ko β-cells were able to process insulin normally but had increased insulin accumulation and showed a severe defect in glucose-induced insulin release. These findings indicated that IG20/MADD plays a critical role in glucose-induced insulin release from β-cells and that its functional disruption can cause type 2 diabetes. The clinical relevance of these findings is highlighted by recent reports of very strong association of the rs7944584 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IG20/MADD with fasting hyperglycemia/diabetes. Thus, IG20/MADD could be a therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes, particularly in those with the rs7944584 SNP.
RNA Sequencing Identifies Dysregulation of the Human Pancreatic Islet Transcriptome by the Saturated Fatty Acid Palmitate
Authors: Cnop Miriam , Abdulkarim Baroj , Bottu Guy , Cunha Daniel A. , Igoillo-Esteve Mariana , Masini Matilde , Turatsinze Jean-Valery , Griebel Thasso , Villate Olatz , Santin Izortze , Bugliani Marco , Ladriere Laurence , Marselli Lorella , McCarthy Mark I. , Marchetti Piero , Sammeth Michael , Eizirik Décio L.
Published: December 2013

Pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and death are central in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Saturated fatty acids cause β-cell failure and contribute to diabetes development in genetically predisposed individuals. Here we used RNA sequencing to map transcripts expressed in five palmitate-treated human islet preparations, observing 1,325 modified genes. Palmitate induced fatty acid metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Functional studies identified novel mediators of adaptive ER stress signaling. Palmitate modified genes regulating ubiquitin and proteasome function, autophagy, and apoptosis. Inhibition of autophagic flux and lysosome function contributed to lipotoxicity. Palmitate inhibited transcription factors controlling β-cell phenotype, including PAX4 and GATA6. Fifty-nine T2D candidate genes were expressed in human islets, and 11 were modified by palmitate. Palmitate modified expression of 17 splicing factors and shifted alternative splicing of 3,525 transcripts. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis of modified transcripts and genes confirmed that top changed functions related to cell death. Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) analysis of transcription factor binding sites in palmitate-modified transcripts revealed a role for PAX4, GATA, and the ER stress response regulators XBP1 and ATF6. This human islet transcriptome study identified novel mechanisms of palmitate-induced β-cell dysfunction and death. The data point to cross talk between metabolic stress and candidate genes at the β-cell level.
Vegetation changes and human activity around Lake Łańskie (Olsztyn Lake District, NE Poland) from the mid Holocene, based on palynological study
Authors: Madeja Jacek
Published: January 2014

Bottom sediments of Lake Łańskie in NE Poland (Olsztyn Lake District) were studied by pollen analysis, and vegetation changes from ca 4800 BC to modern times were reconstructed based on the results. Due to rapid sedimentation the changes in plant cover are recorded with high resolution. The variation of pollen spectra composition reflects changing shares of deciduous trees and the continuous dominance of pine forest. Nowadays the surroundings of Lake Łańskie are also heavily forested but as early as 1100 AD the deciduous trees began to be eliminated. On the basis of pollen data, five phases of increased human activity were distinguished. Based on the available archaeological chronology of local settlements, the first stage is connected with para-Neolithic groups of Ząbie-Szestno type and the Lusatian culture. They are followed by the West Baltic Barrow culture, Wielbark culture and Early Medieval Prussian tribes. The pollen record shows low intensity of exploitation of the terrain around Lake Łańskie, probably attributable to the brevity of episodes of human occupation in the near vicinity of the lake. The last phase, covering part of the Middle Ages (since ca 1000 AD) and modern times, is reflected in the most distinct vegetation changes on the pollen diagram, caused by increased intensity of settlement. In spite of the distinct diminution of forest cover around the lake the scale of deforestation was much lower than at other sites in NE Poland.

The main aims of this paper were to describe the changes in the palaeoenvironment which took place around Lake Łańskie (Olsztyn Lake District) and to find those changes in the plant cover which were the effect of human activity, and to confirm whether the changes of palaeoenvironment around Lake Łańskie were noted at the same time in adjacent areas.
Design and Optimization of Levenberg-Marquardt based Neural Network Classifier for EMG Signals to Identify Hand Motions
Authors: Ibn Ibrahimy Muhammad , Ahsan Rezwanul , Khalifa Othman Omran
Published: January 2014

This paper presents an application of artificial neural network for the classification of single channel EMG signal in the context of hand motion detection. Seven statistical input features that are extracted from the preprocessed single channel EMG signals recorded for four predefined hand motions have been used for neural network classifier. Different structures of neural network, based on the number of hidden neurons and two prominent training algorithms, have been considered in the research to find out their applicability for EMG signal classification. The classification performances are analyzed for different architectures of neural network by considering the number of input features, number of hidden neurons, learning algorithms, correlation between network outputs and targets, and mean square error. Between the Levenberg-Marquardt and scaled conjugate gradient learning algorithms, the aforesaid algorithm shows better classification performance. The outcomes of the research show that the optimal design of Levenberg-Marquardt based neural network classifier can perform well with an average classification success rate of 88.4%. A comparison of results has also been presented to validate the effectiveness of the designed neural network classifier to discriminate EMG signals.
Efficacy of Mometasone Furoate and Fluticasone Furoate on Persistent Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis
Authors: Aneeza W. Hamizan , Husain Salina , Rahman Roslenda Abdul , Van Dort Dexter , Abdullah Asma , Gendeh Balwant S.
Published: December 2013

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis denotes both nasal and ocular manifestation of allergy, which may be solely treated with intranasal steroid. This study compares the efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray (NS) and fluticasone furoate NS in treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The secondary objective is to study the severity of baseline ocular symptoms in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Seventy-eight patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were assessed subjectively and objectively using twice-daily symptom scores for nasal (reflective total nasal symptom score [rTNSS] and instantaneous TNSS [iTNSS]) and ocular (reflective total ocular symptom score [rTOSS] and instantaneous TOSS [iTOSS]) symptoms, rhinoconjunctivitis quality-of-life questionnaires (RQOLQs), and acoustic rhinometry. All measurements were taken at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Sixty-three patients who were randomized into the mometasone furoate group (n = 36) and the fluticasone furoate group (n = 27) completed the study. Seventy-six percent of patients had mild ocular symptoms, 20.5% had moderate symptoms, and only 2.6% had severe symptoms at baseline based on the iTOSS; 65.1% had mild nasal symptoms and 3% had severe nasal symptoms. There was significant reduction in the symptom scores after 1 week (p < 0.05). Both groups had significant improvement in RQOLQ scores after 1 month, which further improved at 2 months (p < 0.05). The nasal dimensions also improved in both groups (p < 0.05) but there was no statistically significant difference between groups. Both mometasone furoate and fluticasone furoate are effective as single-modality treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. The majority of patients manifest mild ocular symptoms that may be solely treated with intranasal steroids.
Stent Hypersensitivity and Infection in Sinus Cavities
Authors: Kounis Nicholas G. , Soufras George D. , Hahalis George
Published: December 2013

Persistent mucosal inflammation, granulation tissue formation, hypersensitivity, and multifactorial infection are newly described complications of retained drug-eluting stents from endoscopic sinus surgery for refractory rhinosinusitis. In an important report published in Allergy and Rhinology, a 45-year-old male patient suffering from recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery and was found, for the first time, to have steroid-eluting catheters that were inadvertently left in the ethmoid and frontal sinuses. The retained catheters had caused persistent mucosal inflammation and formation of granulation tissue denoting hypersensitivity reaction. These consequences had induced perpetuation of symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis. Meticulous removal of the retained stents with the nitinol wings from inflamed tissues of the frontal, ethmoidal, and sphenoethmoidal recesses in which they were completely imbedded was successfully performed without polypoid regrowth. Cultures of specimens taken from both left and right stents showed heavy growth of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and moderate growth of Klebsiella oxytoca, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, and beta-hemolytic Streptococcus anginosus. Fungal infection was not detected. The current knowledge and experience regarding stent hypersensitivity and infection in relation with the use of stents in sinus cavities is reviewed.
After Kandahar: Canadian Theatre’s Engagement with the War in Afghanistan
Authors: Jones Matt
Published: January 2014

The returned soldier has been a central figure in the first wave of Canadian plays to deal with the War in Afghanistan. Returned soldiers emerge as protagonists in Pierre-Michel Tremblay’s Au Champ de Mars, Hannah Moscovitch’s This Is War, and George F. Walker’s Dead Metaphor while Evan Webber and Frank Cox-O’Connell Little Iliad deals with a soldier about to be dispatched to Afghanistan. The returned soldier, a damaged warrior and a witness to acts of unspeakable evil, is a liminal figure, connecting the passive humdrum of Canadian life to the brutality of the war zone far away. This paper looks at how such stories of the trauma of soldiers alternately participate in and critique a view of Canadian foreign policy as a series of innocent interventions in conflicts with violent, irrational enemies.
Competitiveness of High-Speed Rail
Authors: Barreira Álvaro , Reis Vasco , Macário Rosário
Published: December 2013

This research study had two main objectives: (a) to examine the potential of high-speed rail (HSR) to compete against other transport modes currently operating between Lisbon, Portugal, and Madrid, Spain, and (b) to analyze the capacity of intermodal solutions that incorporate HSR to compete with other transport modes when included in air transport systems. Thus, more than an evaluation of the competition capacity of HSR in point-to-point trips, this study assessed how attractive intermodal solutions were in trips to medium- and long-haul destinations. The analysis was based on discrete choice models calibrated with data collected through a web stated-preference survey. Furthermore, scenarios were used to explore the results obtained by the models. The results obtained suggest that high-speed trains will not only be able to compete with other modes in a point-to-point trip from Lisbon to Madrid but will also be part of an intermodal chain to destinations beyond. Within the business segment, the medium-haul market was found to set the limit of the attractiveness of intermodal transport solutions. Within the leisure segment, however, this limit might be extended to the long-haul market, depending on the pricing strategy. These conclusions were supported by the attractiveness of each transport mode.
Impacts of Short-Term Land Use by High-Speed Rail on Large Metropolises
Authors: Shen Yu , Martínez L. Miguel , de Abreu e Silva João
Published: December 2013

An accessibility-based approach was used to find the short-term impacts of high-speed rail (HSR) on metropolitan areas. The impacts of Spanish HSR on Madrid from 2006 to 2009 were studied by the integration of geographic information system technology and spatial discrete choice models. Besides the socioeconomic variables, both local and regional transport network development and accessibility growth were considered to isolate the impacts on the changes of land use types brought about by different sources of accessibility. The results from the model reveal that in large metropolitan cities such as Madrid, the impacts of HSR were shadowed by other external factors. With a focus on the land typologies that shifted the land use types during the years studied, the growth of regional accessibility by inauguration of new HSR lines was found to be an important incentive. This growth of regional accessibility may lead to the upgrade of land occupation. However, this finding does not imply that such an increase can be a sufficient factor to drive the change in land use patterns because in a comparison with the whole metropolitan region, the proportion of land cells that changed each year was relatively small.
System for in Situ Measurement of Neutral Temperature in Continuous-Welded Rail
Authors: Nucera Claudio , Phillips Robert , di Scalea Francesco Lanza , Fateh Mahmood , Carr Gary
Published: December 2013

Research has been focused on developing a system for in situ measurement of stress in continuous-welded rail to use as a basis for the determination of neutral temperature (NT). Continuous-welded rail is known to break in cold weather and buckle in hot weather because of thermally induced stresses. The need for a reliable technique for determination of NT (rail temperature with zero thermal stress) has been an ongoing challenge for railroads since the advent of continuous-welded rail more than 40 years ago. Railroads need to know the level of stress in the rail to schedule slow-order mandates properly and prevent derailments. A prototype (Rail-NT) was developed for wayside rail NT measurement based on nonlinear ultrasonic guided waves. Numerical models were first developed to identify optimum guided wave modes and frequencies for maximum sensitivity to the thermal stresses in the rail web, with minimal influence of the rail head and rail foot. Experiments indicated a rail NT measurement accuracy of a few degrees. The first field tests of the Rail-NT prototype were performed in June 2012 at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado, in collaboration with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. The results of these field tests were encouraging; the tests indicated an accuracy for NT measurement of 5°F at worst on both wood and concrete ties. One of the issues that remains to be investigated is the effect of passing trains on the rail NT measurements.
Ultrasonic Tomography for Three-Dimensional Imaging of Internal Rail Flaws
Authors: di Scalea Francesco Lanza , Rizzo Piervincenzo , Salamone Salvatore , Bartoli Ivan , Al-Nazer Leith
Published: December 2013

Proof-of-principle numerical simulations demonstrate the technology of ultrasonic tomography for three-dimensional (3-D) imaging of internal rail flaws. New technologies are needed to quantify internal rail flaws so as to ensure increased safety of rail transportation and reduced rail maintenance costs. The technique of ultrasonic tomography was applied to the detection of a 5% head area transverse defect in the rail head. Finite element models of ultrasonic tomographic arrays on a flawed rail were built, followed by an algorithm designed to perform the tomographic imaging of the internal rail flaw in three dimensions. The results showed excellent 3-D imaging performance. The work confirms the potential of ultrasonic tomography for the quantitative verification of internal rail flaws.
Field and Software Evaluation of Illuminance from LED Luminaires for Roadway Applications
Authors: Medina Juan C. , Avrenli Kivanc A. , Benekohal Rahim (Ray) F.
Published: December 2013

Field measurements and lighting analysis software were used to conduct an evaluation of the illuminance of LED roadway luminaires. Three sets of recently developed LEDs and one set of high-pressure sodium luminaires were installed in the field, and data were collected separately for each luminaire according to Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) LM-50-99. Photometric characteristics provided by the manufacturers of the luminaires were used to assess their performance with AGi32 lighting analysis software, and the results were compared with the field illuminance data. Results showed that field illuminance was sometimes lower than the illuminance indicated by the software; these differences varied in both magnitude and location, depending on the LED luminaire. Multiplicative factors to describe the differences were estimated and ranged from 0.96 (relatively small) to 0.57 (relatively large). Larger differences were located near the light poles and at the middle and third points of the span. These findings suggest that quick checks can be performed by taking illuminance measurements at key points along the span to provide an approximation of the differences between field and software data. Discrepancies between software and field data may be very important in the selection of luminaires for a given road and pedestrian conflict classification, as the field illuminance may not reach minimum levels required by public agencies. This point is illustrated with an example that uses minimum requirements from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Full sets of repeated field data points for state-of-the-art LED roadway luminaires, collected according to IESNA LM-50-99, are presented.
Severity of Injuries to Motor Vehicle Drivers at Highway–Rail Grade Crossings in the United States
Authors: Hao Wei , Daniel Janice R.
Published: December 2013

There are approximately 240,000 highway–rail grade crossings in the United States. High crash frequencies at these locations have led to continued research in safety modeling. Existing crash models for highway–rail grade crossings can be classified into two categories: models for predicting accident frequency and models of the severity of driver injuries. The majority of these studies have focused on the first category. Few studies have focused on the severity of injuries to motor vehicle drivers at highway–rail grade crossings. The objective of this study was to determine the contributing factors that influence the severity of driver injuries in accidents at highway–rail grade crossings. Probit models showed that the following factors were significant: whether the crash occurred during the peak hour, weather, visibility, vehicle type, vehicle speed, annual average daily traffic, train speed, driver age and gender, area type, and type of highway pavement. A marginal effects analysis was also conducted to quantitatively interpret the marginal effects of the contributing factors on each severity level for the highway driver.
Effects of Three Advanced Devices on Preventing Crashes and Gate-Breaking Incidents at Highway–Rail Grade Crossings
Authors: Hu Shou-Ren , Lin Jhy-Pyng
Published: December 2013

This study investigated the effects of three advanced (i.e., engineering-based) devices—the obstacle detector, the LED train approaching indicator, and the law enforcement camera—on the prevention and reduction of specific types of traffic incidents at highway–rail grade crossings (HRGXs). The before-and-after effects of these three warning–control devices on the reduction of traffic collision and gate-breaking rates were evaluated. The interaction effects of these advanced devices in improving the safety of HRGXs were analyzed to identify the pure effect of each device and of different combinations of the devices. The empirical study used a 15-year data set on crashes and crossing inventory data that included the installation history of the three advanced devices. The numerical analysis results indicated that both the LED train approaching indicator and the law enforcement camera had different degrees of positive influence on improving the safety of an HRGX. The obstacle detector was found to be less effective in preventing traffic collisions, especially with regard to cost-effectiveness. Policy implications are discussed and future research directions are recommended.
The Collapsing Platform for Pastoralism: Land Sales and Land Loss in Kajiado County, Kenya
Authors: Galaty John G.
Published: December 2013

Although promises of tenure security have been used to justify land privatization, land reform has rarely benefitted the pastoral inhabitants of the East African rangelands. Pastoralists lose land due to corruption and illicit allocations at the moment of enclosure and subdivision of rangelands, as well as through land sales after they have received land titles. This article examines how the process of pastoralist land sales following titling occurs along the major road through Kajiado County, Kenya, along which land values have risen. Examining case studies of sales by members of various Maasai territorial sections, the article discusses how financial need as well as inheritance dynamics stimulate land sales.
Territoriality through Migration: Cases among the Tubu Teda Guna (Niger)
Authors: Musch Tilman
Published: December 2013

The present article discusses whether migration can be a means in order to realize territoriality. It is based on pre-colonial, colonial and recent cases found among the Tubu Teda who live in eastern Niger and western Chad. It will be argued here that migration, in these cases, does not mean the uprooting of persons and the loss of a territory, but can lead to the amelioration of the territorial situation for the migrating group, including the enhancement of its socio-political status and economic situation.
Uncertainty and agreement in the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Darsaut Tim E. , Estrade Laurent , Jamali Sara , Bojanowski Michel W. , Chagnon Miguel , Raymond Jean
Published: January 2014

Object

The management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms remains controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical community agreement in decision making regarding unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Methods

A portfolio of 41 cases of unruptured intracranial aneurysms with angiographic images, along with a short description of the patient presentation, was sent to 28 clinicians (16 radiologists and 12 surgeons) with varying years of experience in the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Five senior clinicians responded twice at least 3 months apart. Nineteen cases (46%) were selected from patients recruited in the Canadian UnRuptured Endovascular versus Surgery trial, an ongoing randomized comparison of coil embolization and clip placement. For each case, the responder was to first choose between 3 treatment options (observation, surgical clip placement, or endovascular coil embolization) and then indicate their level of certainty on a quantitative 0–10 scale. Agreement in decision making was studied using κ statistics.

Results

Decisions to coil were more frequent (n = 612, 53%) than decisions to clip (n = 289, 25%) or to observe (n = 259, 22%). Interjudge agreement was only fair (κ = 0.31 ± 0.02) for all cases and all judges, despite substantial intrajudge agreement (range 0.44–0.83 ± 0.10), with high mean individual certainty levels for each case (range 6.5–9.4 ± 2.0 on a scale of 0–10). Agreement was no better within specialties (surgeons or radiologists), within capability groups (those able to perform endovascular coiling alone, surgical clipping alone, or both), or with more experience. There was no correlation between certainty levels and years of experience. Agreement was lower when the cases were taken from the randomized trial (κ = 0.19 ± 0.2) compared with nontrial cases (κ = 0.35 ± 0.2).

Conclusions

Individuals do not agree regarding the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, even when they share a background in the same specialty, similar capabilities in aneurysm management, or years of practice. If community equipoise is a necessary precondition for trial participation, this study has found sufficient uncertainty and disagreement among clinicians to justify randomized trials.
Initial Gamma Knife radiosurgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas
Authors: Lee Cheng-Chia , Kano Hideyuki , Yang Huai-Che , Xu Zhiyuan , Yen Chun-Po , Chung Wen-Yuh , Pan David Hung-Chi , Lunsford L. Dade , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: January 2014

Object

Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) are the most common type of pituitary adenoma and, when symptomatic, typically require surgical removal as an initial means of management. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients whose comorbidities substantially increase the risks of resection. In this report, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of initial GKRS for NFAs.

Methods

An international group of three academic Gamma Knife centers retrospectively reviewed outcome data in 569 patients with NFAs.

Results

Forty-one patients (7.2%) underwent GKRS as primary management for their NFAs because of an advanced age, multiple comorbidities, or patient preference. The median age at the time of radiosurgery was 69 years. Thirty-seven percent of the patients had hypopituitarism before GKRS. Patients received a median tumor margin dose of 12 Gy (range 6.2–25.0 Gy) at a median isodose of 50%. The overall tumor control rate was 92.7%, and the actuarial tumor control rate was 94% and 85% at 5 and 10 years postradiosurgery, respectively. Three patients with tumor growth or symptom progression underwent resection at 3, 3, and 96 months after GKRS, respectively. New or worsened hypopituitarism developed in 10 patients (24%) at a median interval of 37 months after GKRS. One patient suffered new-onset cranial nerve palsy. No other radiosurgical complications were noted. Delayed hypopituitarism was observed more often in patients who had received a tumor margin dose > 18 Gy (p = 0.038) and a maximum dose > 36 Gy (p = 0.025).

Conclusions

In this study, GKRS resulted in long-term control of NFAs in 85% of patients at 10 years. This experience suggests that GKRS provides long-term tumor control with an acceptable risk profile. This approach may be especially valuable in older patients, those with multiple comorbidities, and those who have endocrine-inactive tumors without visual compromise due to mass effect of the adenoma.
Stereotactic placement of depth electrodes in medically intractable epilepsy
Authors: Gonzalez-Martinez Jorge , Mullin Jeffrey , Vadera Sumeet , Bulacio Juan , Hughes Gwyneth , Jones Stephen , Enatsu Rei , Najm Imad
Published: January 2014

Object

Despite its long-reported successful record, with almost 60 years of clinical use, the technical complexity regarding the placement of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) depth electrodes may have contributed to the limited widespread application of the technique in centers outside Europe. The authors report on a simplified and novel SEEG surgical technique in the extraoperative mapping of refractory focal epilepsy.

Methods

The proposed technique was applied in patients with medically refractory focal epilepsy. Data regarding general demographic information, method of electrode implantation, time of implantation, number of implanted electrodes, seizure outcome after SEEG-guided resections, and complications were prospectively collected.

Results

From March 2009 to April 2012, 122 patients underwent SEEG depth electrode implantation at the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center in which the authors' technique was used. There were 65 male and 57 female patients whose mean age was 33 years (range 5–68 years). The group included 21 pediatric patients (younger than 18 years). Planning and implantations were performed in a single stage. The time for planning was, on average, 33 minutes (range 20–47 minutes), and the time for implantation was, on average, 107 minutes (range 47–150 minutes). Complications related to the SEEG technique were observed in 3 patients. The calculated risk of complications per electrode was 0.18%. The seizure-free rate after SEEG-guided resections was 62% in a mean follow-up period of 12 months.

Conclusions

The authors report on a safe, simplified, and less time-consuming method of SEEG depth electrode implantation, using standard and widely available surgical tools, making the technique a reasonable option for extraoperative monitoring of patients with medically intractable epilepsy in centers lacking the Talairach stereotactic armamentarium.