Bayesian Surface Warping Approach for Rectifying Geological Boundaries Using Displacement Likelihood and Evidence from Geochemical Assays

This article presents a Bayesian framework for manipulating mesh surfaces with the aim of improving the positional integrity of the geological boundaries that they seek to represent. The assumption is that these surfaces, created initially using sparse data, capture the global trend and provide a reasonable approximation of the stratigraphic, mineralization, and other types of boundaries for mining exploration, but they are locally inaccurate at scales typically required for grade estimation. The proposed methodology makes local spatial corrections automatically to maximize the agreement between the modeled surfaces and observed samples. Where possible, vertices on a mesh surface are moved to provide a clear delineation, for instance, between ore and waste material across the boundary based on spatial and compositional analysis using assay measurements collected from densely spaced, geo-registered blast holes. The maximum a posteriori (MAP) solution ultimately considers the chemistry observation likelihood in a given domain. Furthermore, it is guided by an a priori spatial structure that embeds geological domain knowledge and determines the likelihood of a displacement estimate. The results demonstrate that increasing surface fidelity can significantly improve grade estimation performance based on large-scale model validation.

Neurofibromatosis in Children: Actually and Perspectives

The three types of neurofibromatosis, namely type 1, type 2, and schwannomatosis, are generally associated with various benign tumors affecting the skin and the nervous system. On rare occasions, especially in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), malignant neoplasms may also be present, several of them possessing a more aggressive course than in individuals without this syndrome. As such, a clear delineation between the three variants of neurofibromatosis is crucial to establish the correct diagnosis and management, as well as predict the neoplasm-related outcomes. Neurofibromin, the principal product of the NF1 gene, is a potent inhibitor of cellular proliferation, having been linked to several key signaling pathways involved in tumor growth. Therefore, it may provide a useful therapeutic target for tumor management in these patients. In this article, we want to present the association between deficiency of neurofibromin and the consequences of the lack of this protein leading to different kinds of malignant tumors. The therapy is still uncertain and most therapeutic options are in development or clinical trials.

The Peace of God

Scholars have argued that the politically fractured landscape of medieval Western Europe was foundational to the evolution of constitutionalism and rule of law. In making this argument, Salter and Young (2019) have recently emphasized that the constellation of political property rights in the High Middle Ages was polycentric and hierarchical; holders of those rights were residual claimants to the returns on their governance and sovereign. The latter characteristics—residual claimancy and sovereignty—imply a clear delineation of jurisdictional boundaries and their integrity. However, historians’ description of the “feudal anarchy” that followed the tenth-century disintegration of the Carolingian Empire does not suggest clearly delineated and stable boundaries. In this paper, I highlight the role of the Peace of God movement in the 11th and 12th centuries in delineating and stabilizing the structure of political property rights. In terms of historical political economy, the Peace of God movement provides an important link between the early medieval era and the constitutional arrangements of the High Middle Ages.

Hmong (Forever) on the Margins

Ethnic minorities in Laos form a key part of narratives of the Lao population as the ‘Lao multi-ethnic people’. This involves the creation and clear delineation of ethnic difference in which ethnic difference is celebrated within a framework of lowland Lao hegemony. With specific reference to the Hmong, I argue that the Hmong can never really escape assumptions from the lowland Lao that, were they able to choose, that they would choose to live in an independent state. By making use of Scott’s ideas of Zomia I argue further that the idea of Zomia as an alternative to living in the Lao state may exist in the minds of some Hmong, an idea widely assumed by the Lao state and many lowland Lao to be held by all Hmong. Ethnic minorities continue to have an ambiguous relationship vis-à-vis the Lao state to which they belong, but at the same time, are considered outsiders.

Tracing the usage of the term ‘culture of reading’ in South Africa: A review of national government discourse (2000–2019)

Background: South Africa’s long-standing reading crisis is well recognised. At various stages since 2000, national government has presented the inculcation of a culture of reading as a solution to this crisis.Objectives: This article critically interrogated the term ‘culture of reading’ as used in national government discourse with reference to basic education. By tracing the patterns of use of the term since 2000, it aimed to show the shifts and continuities in the government’s understanding of the term ‘culture of reading’ and how this has shaped the reading landscape.Method: Drawn from a corpus of 331 texts, a sample of 58 texts produced by national government was analysed. Employing discourse and thematic analysis, key themes were extrapolated and their relation to reading within South Africa was explored.Results: The government’s call for a culture of reading occurs predominantly in response to poor literacy results and at launches of campaigns and strategies focused on addressing these results. This occurs repeatedly without clear delineation of the term or justification for recycling failed initiatives. Instead, the term acts as a rhetorical tool to obfuscate the unsuccessful implementation of reading programmes.Conclusion: The government’s failure to clarify what constitutes a culture of reading prohibits a clear picture of its understanding of the term. The frequency with which ‘culture of reading’ is promoted indicates a failure to consider alternative approaches to addressing the reading crisis.Contribution: This article highlights the need for government to re-evaluate its response to the reading crisis, taking cognisance of the South African context.

Peculiarities of legal regulation of ecoturism in Poland: prospects for Ukraine

The scientific article examines the experience of the legal regulation of ecotourism in Poland. Poland is Ukraine's western neighbor and has passed the European integration path, so the application of Poland's positive experience in legal regulation of natural resources for ecotourism will be really useful. In particular, special attention is paid to the issues of clear delineation of the concept of ecotourism (rural green tourism), the purpose of ecotourism is determined. This scientific article directly analyzes the Polish legislation and identifies the main criteria that distinguish ecological / rural green tourism from other types of tourism. In general, it is determined that the experience of Poland in the legal regulation of ecotourism and its use of natural resources for ecotourism is quite progressive, as Polish legislation contains a number of provisions that address various issues that are not regulated in Ukraine. This scientific article highlights some aspects of the legal regulation of ecotourism (rural green tourism) in Poland, which may be useful for Ukraine. This scientific article presents proposals that can be tested by the domestic legislator in the process of formulating legislation on the use of natural resources for ecotourism. Keywords: ecotourism, legal regulation of ecotourism, ecotourism resources, ecotourism legislation of Ukraine, ecotourism legislation of Poland

Fractured basement imaging using random-space-shift reverse-time-migration: a vertical seismic profile survey in Bohai Bay Basin, China

Fractured basements not only are potential reservoirs for hydrocarbon resources but also provide significant storage space for carbon dioxide ( CO2) sequestration and radioactive waste disposal. However, fractured basements are challenging to seismic imaging methods due to the complexities in their fault and fracture networks, strong heterogeneity, highly variable structural dip, and strong impedance contrasts between the basement rocks and the surrounding sediments. We present a case where a walk-away vertical seismic profiling (VSP) survey was conducted at a fractured-basement play located in Bohai Bay Basin, China, to improve the resolution compared to a pre-existing surface seismic profile. Using the advanced random-space-shift (RSS) reverse-time-migration (RTM), we obtain a high-resolution image with a clear delineation of the highly faulted dipping basement. From numerical and field examples, we show that the application of the RSS-RTM improves the final image by mitigating unavoidable errors in the migration velocity model which would otherwise result in an unfocused image using the conventional RTM approach. In addition, we demonstrate the importance of proper wavefield separation using three-component (3C) recordings, which is the key to ensuring the quality of the final image. With an optimized VSP imaging workflow, we provide an enhanced image for the fractured basement to support the geologic interpretations and development decisions.

Healthcare system conversion to a biosimilar: Trials and tribulations

Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose While biologic medications have transformed the care and management of millions of patients, they are a large financial strain on the healthcare system. Biosimilar medications present a great opportunity to improve care affordability. However, despite streamlined approval processes and the potential for cost savings, the acceptance and adaptation of biosimilars have been slow. This descriptive report illustrates the preparation for, challenges, and execution of an enterprise-wide biosimilar conversion within a large healthcare system. The 3 phases of biosimilar conversion utilized at our institution included selection of a biosimilar, pharmacy and therapeutics (P&T) committee approval, and implementation. Summary When selecting a biosimilar, clinical data, medication safety, cost, institutional cost savings, payer coverage, patient assistance programs, and additional patient services should be taken into consideration to ensure patient care is not affected. Understanding and endorsement of biosimilar use by physician leadership, care managers, and pharmacists are crucial before implementation. P&T committee approval with clear delineation of the patient population (naive vs experienced), disease states, and whether the biosimilar would be the preferred medication should be obtained. Transparent communication of clear expectations to patients and coordination with the information technology (IT), contracting, and supply chain departments are necessary before the go-live date. Contracting and IT implementations should ideally take potential changes in biosimilar adaptation into consideration and have enough flexibility to account for these changes. Planned evaluations of patients’ experiences with the change to the biosimilar should be incorporated as part of the implementation plan. Conclusion The barriers to biosimilar adaptation are plentiful. Careful planning, clear communication, and coordination with all affected disciplines can ensure successful biosimilar conversion.

Connecting Marketing and Implementation Research and Library Program Development: A Case Study of the Implementation of National [U.S.] Guidelines and Standards

The American Association of School Librarians developed a detailed plan, with more than 30 specific objectives and more than 75 target audiences, for the implementation of Information Power, the 1998 national guidelines for effective programs. Clear delineation of responsibilities at the national, state, district and school levels was a key part of the plan. Marketing research allowed the Association to increase sources of information for planning and to report that information more clearly and consistently, to reduce error and to manage the Association's marketing program more aggressively. Research from the implementation of change and effective staff development was incorporated in the training for state coordinators. Implementation is now underway with documented achievement of the early objectives.

Comparison of Two Transmission Electron Microscopy Methods to Visualize Drug-Induced Alterations of Gram-Negative Bacterial Morphology

In this study, we optimized and compared different transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods to visualize changes to Gram-negative bacterial morphology induced by treatment with a robenidine analogue (NCL195) and colistin combination. Aldehyde-fixed bacterial cells (untreated, treated with colistin or NCL195 + colistin) were prepared using conventional TEM methods and compared with ultrathin Tokuyasu cryo-sections. The results of this study indicate superiority of ultrathin cryo-sections in visualizing the membrane ultrastructure of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with a clear delineation of the outer and inner membrane as well as the peptidoglycan layer. We suggest that the use of ultrathin cryo-sectioning can be used to better visualize and understand drug interaction mechanisms on the bacterial cell membrane.