bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of long non-coding RNAs in cardiac development and disease
Authors: García-Padilla Carlos , Aránega Amelia , Franco Diego 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCells display a set of RNA molecules at one time point, reflecting thus the cellular transcriptional steady state, configuring therefore its transcriptome. It is basically composed of two different classes of RNA molecules; protein-coding RNAs (cRNAs) and protein non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Sequencing of the human genome and subsequently the ENCODE project identified that more than 80% of the genome is transcribed in some type of RNA. Importantly, only 3% of these transcripts correspond to protein-coding RNAs, pointing that ncRNAs are as important or even more as cRNAs. ncRNAs have pivotal roles in development, differentiation and disease. Non-coding RNAs can be classified into two distinct classes according to their length; i.e., small (<200 nt) and long (>200 nt) noncoding RNAs. The structure, biogenesis and functional roles of small non-coding RNA have been widely studied, particularly for microRNAs (miRNAs). In contrast to microRNAs, our current understanding of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is limited. In this manuscript, we provide state-of-the art review of the functional roles of long non-coding RNAs during cardiac development as well as an overview of the emerging role of these ncRNAs in distinct cardiac diseases.
An audit evidence planning model for the public sector
Authors: Mentz Marian , Barac Karin , Odendaal Elza 
Published: March 2018

Orientation: Auditors have to exercise complex, multi-dimensional evidence-planning judgements. Research purpose: Drawing on social closure theory, the aim of this study is to develop a model to inform the flexible exercise of judgement regarding the types, extent and combinations of audit procedures implemented to gather sufficient appropriate audit evidence to respond to the assessed risks of material misstatement. Motivation for the study: The exercise of considerable judgements by auditors may mean that little consistency is achieved regarding the quantity and quality of the audit evidence obtained, especially in the public sectors of developing countries (which are often plagued by corruption), and where auditors and auditees have limited skills and experience. Research approach, design and method: The study employs a theory-building approach to develop a model intended to guide public sector auditors (following an audit risk approach), to exercise planning judgements for a class of transactions, account balance and/or disclosure. Main findings: The model clarifies the audit evidence decision-making sequences, interrelationships and contingent dependencies of the different audit procedures, and quantifies the compensatory inter-relationships between the types of audit procedures to be performed and the overall levels of assurance desired in response to the assessed risks of material misstatement. Practical and managerial implications: The model could aid public sector auditors to reduce uncertainty, ambiguity and judgement errors during their planning decision-making. Contribution or value-add: The model has been incorporated into the audit methodology of the Auditor-General of South Africa, and has been assessed for compliance with the International Standards on Auditing by the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors in South Africa.
Epidemiological review of childhood cancers in central Sudan
Authors: Elhassan Moawia M.A. , Mohamedani Ahmed A. , Yousif Nada O. , Elhaj Nafessa M. , Qaddoumi Ibrahim , Abuidres Dafalla O. 
Published: March 2018

Background: Epidemiological studies of paediatric cancer incidence in Sudan are rare.Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide baseline information about the epidemiology of childhood cancers in patients treated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Wad Medani, Sudan.Methods: We performed a retrospective health facility–based study of cancer incidence and patient characteristics of children who were treated at the NCI from January 1999 to December 2015. The changing patterns of cancers incidence during the study period were also recorded.Results: Of 15 387 new patients with cancer who were registered at the NCI during the study period, 1159 (7.5%) were children (younger than 15 years). The mean age of the paediatric patients was 7 years, with standard deviation of 5. Most of the patients (36%) were 10 to 15 years old, 33% were 0 to 4 years old and 31% were 5 to 10 years old. Among the study population, 60% were males and 40% were females. Approximately 76% of children lived in rural areas in Sudan. Leukaemias (29%) and lymphomas (26%) comprised 55% of all paediatric cancers. Central nervous system (CNS) tumours constituted 6% of all paediatric tumours, whereas non-CNS embryonal tumours (i.e. nephroblastoma, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma and retinoblastoma) accounted for 20%. The average number of cases per year increased from 42 in 1999–2005 to 75 in 2006–2010 and 106 in 2011–2015.Conclusion: The number of patients seeking treatment for childhood cancers has increased every year in central Sudan. Leukaemias and lymphomas constitute more than half of these cancers. A population-based cancer registry is needed to determine the true incidence of childhood cancers in Sudan.
Using Structured Positive and Negative Reinforcement to Change Student Behavior in Educational Settings in order to Achieve Student Academic Success
Authors: Kelly J. , Pohl B. 
Published: March 2018

<p class="Textoindependiente21">Typically, classroom management approaches for dealing with disruptions and misbehavior from students involve the use of various forms of punishment: removal from the classroom, fines, in-school and out-of- school suspensions, or expulsions (Garret, 2015). However, traditional classroom management methods have yielded very little positive results. Some would even argue that classroom behaviors are escalating out of control. Using research based approaches; this article’s goal is to help teachers discover student-centered approaches that will positively improve discipline inside the classroom.</p>
Observations of fine particulate nitrated phenols in four sites in northern China: concentrations, source apportionment, and secondary formation
Authors: Wang Liwei , Wang Xinfeng , Gu Rongrong , Wang Hao , Yao Lan , Wen Liang , Zhu Fanping , Wang Weihao , Xue Likun , Yang Lingxiao , Lu Keding , Chen Jianmin , Wang Tao , Zhang Yuanghang , Wang Wenxing 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Filter samples of fine particulate matters were collected at four sites in northern China (urban, rural, and mountain) in summer and winter, and the contents of nine nitrated phenols were quantified in the laboratory with the use of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. During the sampling periods, the concentrations of particulate nitrated phenols exhibited distinct temporal and spatial variation. On average, the total concentration of particulate nitrated phenols in urban Jinan in the wintertime reached 48.4 ng m−3, and those in the summertime were 9.8, 5.7, 5.9, and 2.5 ng m−3 in urban Jinan, rural Yucheng and Wangdu, and Mt. Tai, respectively. The elevated concentrations of nitrated phenols in wintertime and in urban areas demonstrate the apparent influences of anthropogenic sources. The positive matrix factorization receptor model was then applied to determine the origins of particulate nitrated phenols in northern China. The five major source factors were traffic, coal combustion, biomass burning, secondary formation, and aged coal combustion plume. Among them, coal combustion played a vital role, especially at the urban site in the wintertime, with a contribution of around 55 %. In the summertime, the observed nitrated phenols were highly influenced by aged coal combustion plumes at all of the sampling sites. Meanwhile, in remote areas, contributions from secondary formation were significant. Further correlation analysis indicates that nitrosalicylic acids were produced mostly from secondary formation that was dominated by NO2 nitration.
Coccolithophore populations and their contribution to carbonate export during an annual cycle in the Australian sector of the Antarctic zone
Authors: Rigual Hernández Andrés S. , Flores José A. , Sierro Francisco J. , Fuertes Miguel A. , Cros Lluïsa , Trull Thomas W. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The Southern Ocean is experiencing rapid and relentless change in its
physical and biogeochemical properties. The rate of warming of the Antarctic
Circumpolar Current exceeds that of the global ocean, and the enhanced
uptake of carbon dioxide is causing basin-wide ocean acidification.
Observational data suggest that these changes are influencing the
distribution and composition of pelagic plankton communities. Long-term and
annual field observations on key environmental variables and organisms are a
critical basis for predicting changes in Southern Ocean ecosystems. These
observations are particularly needed, since high-latitude systems have been
projected to experience the most severe impacts of ocean acidification and
invasions of allochthonous species. Coccolithophores are the most prolific calcium-carbonate-producing
phytoplankton group playing an important role in Southern Ocean
biogeochemical cycles. Satellite imagery has revealed elevated particulate
inorganic carbon concentrations near the major circumpolar fronts of the
Southern Ocean that can be attributed to the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Recent
studies have suggested changes during the last decades in the distribution
and abundance of Southern Ocean coccolithophores. However, due to limited
field observations, the distribution, diversity and state of coccolithophore
populations in the Southern Ocean remain poorly characterised. We report here on seasonal variations in the abundance and composition of
coccolithophore assemblages collected by two moored sediment traps deployed
at the Antarctic zone south of Australia (2000 and 3700 m of depth) for 1 year in 2001–2002. Additionally, seasonal changes in coccolith weights of
E. huxleyi populations were estimated using circularly polarised
micrographs analysed with C-Calcita software. Our findings indicate
that (1) coccolithophore sinking assemblages were nearly monospecific for
E. huxleyi morphotype B/C in the Antarctic zone waters in
2001–2002; (2) coccoliths captured by the traps experienced weight and
length reduction during summer (December–February); (3) the estimated annual
coccolith weight of E. huxleyi at both sediment traps
(2.11 ± 0.96 and 2.13 ± 0.91 pg at 2000 and 3700 m) was
consistent with previous studies for morphotype B/C in other Southern Ocean
settings (Scotia Sea and Patagonian shelf); and (4) coccolithophores accounted
for approximately 2–5 % of the annual deep-ocean CaCO3 flux. Our
results are the first annual record of coccolithophore abundance, composition
and degree of calcification in the Antarctic zone. They provide a baseline
against which to monitor coccolithophore responses to changes in
the environmental conditions expected for this region in coming decades.
Extracting information on the spatial variability in erosion rate stored in detrital cooling age distributions in river sands
Authors: Braun Jean , Gemignani Lorenzo , van der Beek Peter 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. One of the main purposes of detrital thermochronology is to provide
constraints on the regional-scale exhumation rate and its spatial variability in
actively eroding mountain ranges. Procedures that use cooling age
distributions coupled with hypsometry and thermal models have been developed
in order to extract quantitative estimates of erosion rate and its spatial
distribution, assuming steady state between tectonic uplift and erosion. This
hypothesis precludes the use of these procedures to assess the likely
transient response of mountain belts to changes in tectonic or climatic
forcing. Other methods are based on an a priori knowledge of the in situ
distribution of ages to interpret the detrital age distributions. In this
paper, we describe a simple method that, using the observed detrital mineral
age distributions collected along a river, allows us to extract information
about the relative distribution of erosion rates in an eroding catchment
without relying on a steady-state assumption, the value of thermal
parameters or an a priori knowledge of in situ age distributions. The model
is based on a relatively low number of parameters describing lithological
variability among the various sub-catchments and their sizes and only uses
the raw ages. The method we propose is tested against synthetic age
distributions to demonstrate its accuracy and the optimum conditions for it
use. In order to illustrate the method, we invert age distributions collected
along the main trunk of the Tsangpo–Siang–Brahmaputra river system in the
eastern Himalaya. From the inversion of the cooling age distributions we
predict present-day erosion rates of the catchments along the
Tsangpo–Siang–Brahmaputra river system, as well as some of its tributaries.
We show that detrital age distributions contain dual information about
present-day erosion rate, i.e., from the predicted distribution of surface
ages within each catchment and from the relative contribution of any given
catchment to the river distribution. The method additionally allows comparing
modern erosion rates to long-term exhumation rates. We provide a simple
implementation of the method in Python code within a Jupyter Notebook that
includes the data used in this paper for illustration purposes.
Increase in flood risk resulting from climate change in a developed urban watershed – the role of storm temporal patterns
Authors: Hettiarachchi Suresh , Wasko Conrad , Sharma Ashish 
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The effects of climate change are causing more frequent extreme rainfall
events and an increased risk of flooding in developed areas. Quantifying this
increased risk is of critical importance for the protection of life and
property as well as for infrastructure planning and design. The updated
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14
intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) relationships and temporal patterns are
widely used in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for design and planning in
the United States. Current literature shows that rising temperatures as a
result of climate change will result in an intensification of rainfall. These
impacts are not explicitly included in the NOAA temporal patterns, which can
have consequences on the design and planning of adaptation and flood
mitigation measures. In addition there is a lack of detailed hydraulic
modeling when assessing climate change impacts on flooding. The study
presented in this paper uses a comprehensive hydrologic and hydraulic model
of a fully developed urban/suburban catchment to explore two primary
questions related to climate change impacts on flood risk. (1) How do climate
change effects on storm temporal patterns and rainfall volumes impact
flooding in a developed complex watershed? (2) Is the storm temporal pattern
as critical as the total volume of rainfall when evaluating urban flood risk?
We use the NOAA Atlas 14 temporal patterns, along with the expected increase
in temperature for the RCP8.5 scenario for 2081–2100, to project temporal
patterns and rainfall volumes to reflect future climatic change. The model
results show that different rainfall patterns cause variability in flood
depths during a storm event. The changes in the projected temporal patterns
alone increase the risk of flood magnitude up to 35 %, with the
cumulative impacts of temperature rise on temporal patterns and the storm
volume increasing flood risk from 10 to 170 %. The results also show that
regional storage facilities are sensitive to rainfall patterns that are
loaded in the latter part of the storm duration, while extremely intense
short-duration storms will cause flooding at all locations. This study shows
that changes in temporal patterns will have a significant impact on
urban/suburban flooding and need to be carefully considered and adjusted to
account for climate change when used for the design and planning of future storm
water systems.
Primary Health Care Policy Implementation Performance in Bangladesh: Affecting Factors
Authors: Ali Md. Mohoshin 
Published: March 2018

The extent of how health policy implementation performance is taking route at the national level is a very important issue as far as world population levels in relation to the future workforce is concerned. These require properly implementation of health policy by the respective government. This study was tried in unearthing factors related to primary health care policy implementation in Bangladesh. An integrated conceptual framework was developed based on a review of the literature. Primary data were collected from the total population of 424 Upazilla Health and Family Planning Officers (UH&FPO). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis as a tool of the quantitative method was used. The results revealed that four out of seven explanatory variables were statistically significant and had a unique contribution for the relationships with health policy implementation performance ordering as per the strength; Implementer’s Disposition (ID), Clarity of Goals and Objectives (COGAO), Management Dynamics (MD), and Coordination (COORD). The study also envisioned to recommend policy implications as; the policy makers ought to revise the goals and objectives of the health policy that must be specific measurable achievable realistic and timebound (SMART), government should allocate more resources in primary health care, inter-organizational coordination should be strengthened, to prominence on innovation for effective health care delivery using technology, research and development and health and well-being management, to motivate health providers regarding their responsibility, devotion and attitude, to get local support specially from local government and administration, and to ensure gender equality deploying female doctors as UH&FPO. Finally, the findings expected to benefit the society considering the contribution of new knowledge generated in the field of policy implementation.
Relationship between Concentration and Discharge on Storm Events: Case Study at Cakardipa Catchment, Cisukabirus Subwatershed, Upper Ciliwung Watershed, Bogor, West Java
Authors: Heryani Nani , Pawitan Hidayat , Jarwadi Purwanto Mohamad Yanuar , Subagyono Kasdi 
Published: March 2018

River nutrient loadings rates are frequently determined from discharge and hydrochemistry relationships using regression techniques. Unfortunately such methods as a conventional technique are inadequate for dealing with the problem such as differences in shape and direction of loop forming in individual and seasonal storms. Besides the relationships are nonlinear and time-dependent, they also varies from site to site. There is a currently method to study hysteresis between discharge and concentration of hydrochemistry. The relationship between discharge and solute concentration was investigated at Cakardipa catchment, Upper Ciliwung watershed, between the years of 2009-2010. The characteristics of the hysteresis loops were used to evaluate the temporal variation of the relative contribution to stream flow of source waters at Cakardipa Catchment including groundwater (CG), soil water (CSO), and rain water (CR). Chemical water analysis was carried out on 497 water samples on storm event. The chemical analysis of storm event of Februari 14, 2010 was carried out for the concentrations of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, SiO2, SO42-NO3-, Cl-, and HCO3-. Results of the experiment showed that concentrations displayed circular hysteresis loops during the events, highlighting the complex relation among solutes and discharge during storm hydrographs. The solutes of K, Na, and Ca produced concave curvature, anti-clockwise hysteresis loops, and positive trend, so that classified as A2 loops with components ranking were CR> CG> CSO. .The solutes of Mg, SO4, NO3 assumed to come from groundwater produced convex curvature, clockwise hysteresis loops, and positive trend, indicating a concentration component ranking of CG > CR > CSO (C2 model). While Si and Cl produced clockwise hysteresis loops, indicating a concentration component ranking of CG> CSO> CR which was C1 model.
Double-Equivocal HER2 Invasive Breast Carcinomas: Institutional Experience and Review of Literature
Authors: Griffin Brannan B. , Pincus Jennifer L. , Siziopikou Kalliopi P. , Blanco Luis Z. 
Published: March 2018

Context.—HER2 status is a prognostic factor and therapeutic target in invasive breast carcinomas. Reflex testing using an alternate method is recommended on equivocal cases via immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Therapeutic dilemmas arise when both tests are equivocal. The standard chromosome 17 centromere reference probe (CEP17) is in close proximity to the HER2 locus and may be coamplified, leading to equivocal results. Alternate chromosome 17 reference probes may aid in establishing the true HER2 status.Objective.—To describe our institutional experience using D17S122 probe for reflex FISH testing on double-equivocal invasive breast carcinomas and review the literature on alternate reference probes.Data Sources.—Twenty-two patients with double-equivocal invasive breast carcinomas, defined as HER2 immunohistochemistry score 2+ and FISH equivocal per the 2013 guidelines, were reviewed. Reflex FISH was performed with alternate probe D17S122 and the HER2 status classified for 11 cases by using a revised HER2:D17S122 ratio. Seven of 11 cases (63.6%) were ultimately classified as HER2 positive, while 4 cases (36.4%) remained equivocal. The 7 positive cases showed a HER2:D17S122 greater than 2.0.Conclusions.—Alternate probe D17S122 reclassified more than half of our cases as HER2 positive. Alternate probes may establish true HER2 status and direct proper management, as evidenced by our experience and the literature. Additional investigation is needed to determine which alternate probe(s) is(are) best for reflex testing. Finally, the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists guidelines may need to be updated to reflect more specific recommendations for the utilization of appropriate probes in double-equivocal HER2 cases.