bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperspectral Pansharpening Based on Intrinsic Image Decomposition and Weighted Least Squares Filter
Authors: Dong Wenqian , Xiao Song , Li Yunsong , Qu Jiahui
Published: March 2018

Component substitution (CS) and multiresolution analysis (MRA) based methods have been adopted in hyperspectral pansharpening. The major contribution of this paper is a novel CS-MRA hybrid framework based on intrinsic image decomposition and weighted least squares filter. First, the panchromatic (P) image is sharpened by the Gaussian-Laplacian enhancement algorithm to enhance the spatial details, and the weighted least squares (WLS) filter is performed on the enhanced P image to extract the high-frequency information of the P image. Then, the MTF-based deblurring method is applied to the interpolated hyperspectral (HS) image, and the intrinsic image decomposition (IID) is adopted to decompose the deblurred interpolated HS image into the illumination and reflectance components. Finally, the detail map is generated by making a proper compromise between the high-frequency information of the P image and the spatial information preserved in the illumination component of the HS image. The detail map is further refined by the information ratio of different bands of the HS image and injected into the deblurred interpolated HS image. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method achieves better fusion results than several state-of-the-art hyperspectral pansharpening methods. This demonstrates that a combination of an IID technique and a WLS filter is an effective way for hyperspectral pansharpening.
Sustainable Development of China’s Industrial Economy: An Empirical Study of the Period 2001–2011
Authors: Li Huijun , Zhang Jianhua , Osei Edward , Yu Mark
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we investigate the implications of continued industrial economic growth on environmental pollution in China in order to inform strategic policies to achieve sustainable development of the industrial sector. We calculate green total factor productivity (TFP) for each industrial sector by estimating the Global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) index using a Slacks-based Measure Directional Distance Function (SBM-DDF). We find that the green TFP increased at an average annual rate of approximately 6% over the 11-year period. A slightly greater portion of this growth is attributable to technological progress (57%) rather than technical efficiency (43%). To investigate the relationship between industrial economic growth and pollutant levels, we first adopt a hierarchical clustering procedure to group all industrial sectors into green-intensive, intermediate and extensive clusters based on the contribution of green TFP to industrial economic growth within respective industries. Based on an econometric estimation of the relationship between pollutant levels and industrial GDP per capita, we find clear evidence in favor of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory only with wastewater as the primary pollutant of interest and only with industrial sectors that are already relatively pollution intensive. We find no evidence in support of the EKC theory when sulfur dioxide or solid waste is the pollutant of major concern. In general, blindly accelerating industrial economic growth will likely worsen environmental quality, unless reasonable environmental policy interventions are implemented.
Corporate Social-Environmental Performance versus Financial Performance of Banks in Central and Eastern European Countries
Authors: Fijałkowska Justyna , Zyznarska-Dworczak Beata , Garsztka Przemysław
Published: March 2018

Developed market economies demonstrate a growing interest in issues concerning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its effects, confirmed by the sizeable theoretical and empirical literature on this issue. A substantial research proves also the positive relation between CSR commitment and financial results of banks in mature markets. However, there is less evidence on CSR existence and its impact in other geographical areas, especially in the research concerning Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). In our study we analyze the interrelation between being socially responsible and tangible financial outcome (Corporate Financial Performance—CFP) of banks in the CEEC. The aim is also to empirically verify the relation between efficiency of corporate social-environmental performance (CSP) and the efficiency of CFP for CEEC banks. In our study, we analyze the financial and CSP data of the biggest public banks in CEEC. The researched period is 2012–2016. The empirical part analyzes the interrelation between CSP and CFP based on the panel regression. Moreover, in order to evaluate the CSP efficiency and the CFP efficiency we use the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach. The empirical results reveal that in case of banks in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region being socially responsible is not reflected in the bottom line. The financial condition of the banks also does not impact the CSR engagement. Our study confirms, however, that CEEC banks with better financial efficiency have higher efficiency of CSR activities. The conclusions may lead to the improved decision-making processes concerning CSR activities and their communication in banks in CEEC.
Evaluation of a Disposable-Diaper Collection Trial in Korea through Comparison with an Absorbent-Hygiene-Product Collection Trial in Scotland
Authors: Kim Kyung-Shin , Kim Kyoung
Published: March 2018

This study was designed to analyze the feasibility of economic aspects assuming that the policy of diaper recycling is necessary. With respect to economic feasibility, the collection and transportation of the diaper waste, which accounts for much of the cost, need to be optimized. Starting with the results of a collection trial in Scotland (2012), the method used in a collection trial in Korea (2014) was analyzed to identify problems incurring additional costs. This paper targeted daycare centers in Nowon-Gu, Seoul—because of the quantity of waste diapers they produce and the efficiency of collection—to identify the problems and to predict the cost of collection. This study evaluated multiple scenarios in light of their collection costs, discovering factors that could improve the system and reduce the cost and created the most economically feasible and optimized collection model. This paper will serve as empirical evidence proving the economics of diaper collection when the regulation is revised or amended in the future.
Marketing Research for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Sustainability: Lessons from the Field
Authors: Cerquetti Mara , Ferrara Concetta
Published: March 2018

This paper investigates the contribution of marketing research to cultural heritage conservation and sustainability, based on the assumption that the comprehension of the meaning of cultural heritage by new and extended audiences is a prerequisite for the future survival of tangible and intangible heritage. After discussing steps and achievements in the scientific debate on museum marketing, current gaps and possible further developments are considered. Since the early 1980s, marketing research has investigated visitors’ profiles, motivations, and behaviors, and has progressively focused on improving the experience of cultural heritage, especially through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in museums and heritage sites. A literature review suggests that scant attention has been paid to qualitative research that is aimed at investigating the knowledge and skills of visitors and non-visitors and their understanding of the value of cultural heritage. Moving from these results, and taking into account recent data about the attitudes and opinions of people in Europe on cultural heritage, the field research focuses on the perception and communication of local cultural heritage among young generations. The results of six focus groups conducted in 2016 with undergraduate and postgraduate students (University of Macerata, Italy) are analyzed. The research findings reveal a number of difficulties and limitations with regard to communicating and understanding the value of heritage. In order to better investigate these gaps, the outcomes of this preliminary study could be tested and put to cross-analysis using different methods. However, they do provide useful evidence for understanding the link between audience development and cultural heritage sustainability.
Disentangling the Complex Effects of Socioeconomic, Climatic, and Urban Form Factors on Air Pollution: A Case Study of China
Authors: Liu Yupeng , Wu Jianguo , Yu Deyong
Published: March 2018

China’s tremendous economic growth during the past three decades has resulted in worsening air quality in most of its cities. However, the spatiotemporal patterns and underlying drivers of air pollution in China remain poorly understood. To address this issue, we used stepwise regression to identify major socioeconomic, climatic, and urban form factors influencing air pollution in 69 major cities across China. Our results showed that social factors such as population size and density were positively correlated with emissions of PM2.5, PM10, NOx, and SO2. Economic factors such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP of secondary industry were positively correlated with industry and transportation emissions but negatively correlated with residential emissions of air pollutants. Urban form attributes such as measures of urban fragmentation and contiguity were important in explaining patterns of emissions from residential, power generation, and transportation sectors. As for climatic factors, higher precipitation, higher wind speed, and higher temperatures were all negatively correlated with air pollution levels. We also found that the effects of socioeconomic, climatic, and urban from factors on air pollution levels varied considerably among seasons and between the annual and seasonal scales. Our findings have useful implications for urban planning and management for controlling air pollution in China and beyond.
Multi-Environment Evaluation and Genetic Characterisation of Common Bean Breeding Lines for Organic Farming Systems
Authors: Caproni Leonardo , Raggi Lorenzo , Tissi Carlo , Howlett Sally , Torricelli Renzo , Negri Valeria
Published: March 2018

It is recognised that one of the main causes for the relative low yields under organic conditions is the use of modern cultivars which are bred for high-input management systems. The work described here aimed to study and test possible breeding strategies to produce cultivars of common bean for organic agriculture. To this purpose, crosses between a traditional Italian landrace named “Gnocchetto” and a cultivar were carried out. The F1 plants obtained were either backcrossed or self-fertilised and the obtained materials subjected to selection for quality traits at different development stages. The resulting lines were tested under four different environmental conditions for three years in order to determine their potential performance. The resulting data were analysed using a Multi-Environment Trial Analysis (MET) approach and different visualisations of the GGE biplot were generated. Furthermore, to assess the level of genetic similarity, the lines were characterised using 25 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) molecular markers. Results showed that the breeding approach applied allowed to select lines with the same technological and agronomic characteristics as commercially available cultivars, but with different adaptation abilities that make them suitable for organic agriculture.
A Review of Last Mile Logistics Innovations in an Externalities Cost Reduction Vision
Authors: Ranieri Luigi , Digiesi Salvatore , Silvestri Bartolomeo , Roccotelli Michele
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a review of the recent scientific literature contributions on innovative strategies for last mile logistics, focusing on externalities cost reduction, is presented. Transport is causing problems in urban areas, in particular in freight transport: modern cities need solutions to reduce externalities costs such as congestion, pollution and others, which have increased in the last few years, especially due to the growth of goods delivery. Online sales and globalization lead to new trends in freight transport, and moreover, a larger quantity of goods is expected to be delivered in the next future. In this context, most of the delivered goods end up in the city centers. Last mile logistics is the least efficient stage of the supply chain and comprises up to 28% of the total delivery cost. Therefore, the improvement of last mile logistics and a significant externalities reduction are very important challenges for researchers. New technologies and transport means, innovative techniques and organizational strategies allow handling in a more effective way the last mile delivery in urban areas. Based on the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, recent papers that significantly contributed, with original proposals, to the reduction of externalities in urban logistics are identified and analyzed in this work. Furthermore, a classification of the papers dealing with the externality reduction problem is presented. It is consistent with a general formulation proposed to evaluate external costs in urban area. The innovative contributions are classified into five main categories: innovative vehicles, proximity stations or points, collaborative and cooperative urban logistics, optimization of transport management and routing, innovations in public policies and infrastructures. The new paradigm of smart logistics is based on the combination of these concepts and on the proposed innovations.
Symmetric Agency Graphs Facilitate and Improve the Quality of Virtual Network Embedding
Authors: Zhao Chenggui , Parhami Behrooz
Published: March 2018

Virtual network embedding (VNE) is a key technology in network virtualization. Advantages of network symmetry are well known in the design of load-balanced routing algorithms and in network performance analysis. Our work in this paper shows that benefits of graph symmetry also extend to the domain of network embedding. Specifically, we propose an efficient VNE method based on modular and structured agency guidance, a regular graph function. The proposed method, which is based on symmetric intermediate graphs, offers two main advantages. Firstly, characteristics of the intermediate structures enhance the computational efficiency of the VNE process. Secondly, the static agency network modeled with such intermediate structures improves the quality of the resulting embedding. These two advantages of our method are elaborated upon and verified by examples and simulations, respectively. In addition, we present a theoretical analysis explaining the reasons behind the benefits offered by such middleware.
Socially Assistive Robotics: Robot Exercise Trainer for Older Adults
Authors: Lotfi Ahmad , Langensiepen Caroline , Yahaya Salisu
Published: March 2018

Physical activities have tremendous benefit to older adults. A report from the World Health Organization has mentioned that lack of physical activity contributed to around 3.2 million premature deaths annually worldwide. Research also shows that regular exercise helps the older adults by improving their physical fitness, immune system, sleep and stress levels, not to mention the countless health problems it reduces such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, obesity, joint pains, etc. The research reported in this paper is introducing a Socially Assistive Robot (SAR) that will engage, coach, assess and motivate the older adults in physical exercises that are recommended by the National Health Services (NHS) in the UK. With the rise in the population of older adults, which is expected to triple by 2050, this SAR will aim to improve the quality of life for a significant proportion of the population. To assess the proposed robot exercise trainer, user’s observational evaluation with 17 participants is conducted. Participants are generally happy with the proposed platform as a mean of encouraging them to do regular exercise correctly.
“French Phage Network”—Third Meeting Report
Authors: Ansaldi Mireille , Debarbieux Laurent , Gandon Sylvain , Petit Marie-Agnès , Tavares Paulo , Boulanger Pascale
Published: March 2018

In its third year of existence, the French Phage Network (Phages.fr) is pursuing its expansion. With more than 25 groups, mostly based in France, working on the various aspects of phage research, the network has increased its visibility, interactivity, and activity. The third meeting of the Phages.fr network, held on November 2017 at the Gif-sur-Yvette Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) campus, was a great opportunity for many young scientists to present their work and interact with more senior scientists, amongst which several were invited from abroad. Here we provide a summary of the work presented at this occasion during the oral presentations and poster sessions.
Estimating Erodibility Parameters for Streambanks with Cohesive Soils Using the Mini Jet Test Device: A Comparison of Field and Computational Methods
Authors: Mahalder Badal , Schwartz John S. , Palomino Angelica M. , Zirkle Jon
Published: March 2018

The jet test device has been predominantly used for in situ critical shear stress (τc) and erodibility coefficient (kd) measurements of cohesive streambanks/beds using three analytical procedures: the Blaisdell method (BM), the iterative approach (IP), and the scour depth approach (SDP). Existing studies have reported that τc and kd estimates can be influenced by the computational procedure, time intervals for scour-hole depth measurements, and the pressure head selection. This study compared estimates of τc and kd among the three computational procedures using single and multiple pressure settings (SPS, MPS). A new method is introduced applying incrementally increasing pressure heads, hypothesizing depth-averaged erodibility parameters would be generated that better represent bank and fluvial erosion. Estimates of τc applying the MPS-BM procedure were greater by 17% to 100% compared with SPS-BM procedures and kd estimates were lower with less variability (σ = 3.54) compared with other procedures from 126 jet tests among 21 Tennessee stream sites. This finding supports the hypothesis of increasing τc and decreasing kd with greater soil depths into the bank, suggesting the MPS-BM procedure can improve the estimation of τc and kd using the mini-jet test device. Overall, this study demonstrates the need to standardize field and computational procedures.
Enzyme-free genetic copying of DNA and RNA sequences
Authors: Sosson Marilyne , Richert Clemens
Published: March 2018

The copying of short DNA or RNA sequences in the absence of enzymes is a fascinating reaction that has been studied in the context of prebiotic chemistry. It involves the incorporation of nucleotides at the terminus of a primer and is directed by base pairing. The reaction occurs in aqueous medium and leads to phosphodiester formation after attack of a nucleophilic group of the primer. Two aspects of this reaction will be discussed in this review. One is the activation of the phosphate that drives what is otherwise an endergonic reaction. The other is the improved mechanistic understanding of enzyme-free primer extension that has led to a quantitative kinetic model predicting the yield of the reaction over the time course of an assay. For a successful modeling of the reaction, the strength of the template effect, the inhibitory effect of spent monomers, and the rate constants of the chemical steps have to be determined experimentally. While challenges remain for the high fidelity copying of long stretches of DNA or RNA, the available data suggest that enzyme-free primer extension is a more powerful reaction than previously thought.
Evidence for Precursors of the Coronal Hole Jets in Solar Bright Points
Authors: Bagashvili Salome R. , Shergelashvili Bidzina M. , Japaridze Darejan R. , Kukhianidze Vasil , Poedts Stefaan , Zaqarashvili Teimuraz V. , Khodachenko Maxim L. , Causmaecker Patrick De
Published: March 2018

A set of 23 observations of coronal jet events that occurred in coronal bright points has been analyzed. The focus was on the temporal evolution of the mean brightness before and during coronal jet events. In the absolute majority of the cases either single or recurrent coronal jets (CJs) were preceded by slight precursor disturbances observed in the mean intensity curves. The key conclusion is that we were able to detect quasi-periodical oscillations with characteristic periods from sub-minute up to 3–4 minute values in the bright point brightness that precedes the jets. Our basic claim is that along with the conventionally accepted scenario of bright-point evolution through new magnetic flux emergence and its reconnection with the initial structure of the bright point and the coronal hole, certain magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) oscillatory and wavelike motions can be excited and these can take an important place in the observed dynamics. These quasi-oscillatory phenomena might play the role of links between different epochs of the coronal jet ignition and evolution. They can be an indication of the MHD wave excitation processes due to the system entropy variations, density variations, or shear flows. It is very likely a sharp outflow velocity transverse gradients at the edges between the open and closed field line regions. We suppose that magnetic reconnections can be the source of MHD waves due to impulsive generation or rapid temperature variations, and shear flow driven nonmodel MHD wave evolution (self-heating and/or overreflection mechanisms).
Herbarium collection of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (RB), Brazil
Authors: Lanna João , da Silva Luís Alexandre , Morim Marli , Leitman Paula , Queiroz Natália , Filardi Fabiana , Dalcin Eduardo , Oliveira Felipe , Forzza Rafaela
Published: March 2018

This paper provides a quantitative and general description of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden herbarium (RB) dataset. Created over a century ago, the RB currently comprises ca. 750,000 mounted specimens, with a strong representation of Brazilian flora, mainly from the Atlantic and Amazon forests. Nearly 100% of these specimens have been entered into the database and imaged and, at present, about 17% have been geo-referenced. This data paper is focused exclusively on RB's exsiccatae collection of land plants and algae, which is currently increasing by about twenty to thirty thousand specimens per year thanks to fieldwork, exchange and donations. Since 2005, many national and international projects have been implemented, improving the quality and accessibility of the collection. The most important facilitating factor in this process was the creation of the institutional system for plants collection and management, named JABOT. Since the RB is continuously growing, the dataset is updated weekly on SiBBr and GBIF portals.

The most represented environments are the Atlantic and Amazon forests, a biodiversity hotspot and the world's largest rain forest, respectively. The dataset described in this article contains the data and metadata of plants and algae specimens in the RB collection and the link to access the respective images. Currently, the RB data is publicly available online at several biodiversity portals, such as our institutional database JABOT, the Reflora Virtual Herbarium, the SiBBr and the GBIF portal. However, a description of the RB dataset as a whole is not available in the literature.
Occurrence of the millipede genus Tonkinosoma Jeekel, 1953 in China, with the description of the first presumed troglobitic species of this genus (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae)
Authors: Liu Weixin , Golovatch Sergei
Published: March 2018

The genusTonkinosomaJeekel, 1953 has hitherto been known to contain only two species, both from northern Vietnam.T. flexipesJeekel, 1953, the type species of the genus, is recorded from Guangxi, southern China, for the first time.T. tianisp. n., a presumed troglobite, is described from caves in Guizhou, southwestern China. A key is presented to all three species of the genus.
rIgG1 Fc Hexamer Inhibits Antibody-Mediated Autoimmune Disease via Effects on Complement and FcγRs
Authors: Spirig Rolf , Campbell Ian K. , Koernig Sandra , Chen Chao-Guang , Lewis Bonnie J. B. , Butcher Rebecca , Muir Ineke , Taylor Shirley , Chia Jenny , Leong David , Simmonds Jason , Scotney Pierre , Schmidt Peter , Fabri Louis , Hofmann Andreas , Jordi Monika , Spycher Martin O. , Cattepoel Susann , Brasseit Jennifer , Panousis Con , Rowe Tony , Branch Donald R. , Baz Morelli Adriana , Käsermann Fabian , Zuercher Adrian W.
Published: March 2018

Activation of Fc receptors and complement by immune complexes is a common important pathogenic trigger in many autoimmune diseases and so blockade of these innate immune pathways may be an attractive target for treatment of immune complex-mediated pathomechanisms. High-dose IVIG is used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and several studies demonstrate that the therapeutic effects of IVIG can be recapitulated with the Fc portion. Further, recent data indicate that recombinant multimerized Fc molecules exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the biochemical and biological properties of an rFc hexamer (termed Fc-μTP-L309C) generated by fusion of the IgM μ-tailpiece to the C terminus of human IgG1 Fc. Fc-μTP-L309C bound FcγRs with high avidity and inhibited FcγR-mediated effector functions (Ab-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, respiratory burst) in vitro. In addition, Fc-μTP-L309C prevented full activation of the classical complement pathway by blocking C2 cleavage, avoiding generation of inflammatory downstream products (C5a or sC5b-9). In vivo, Fc-μTP-L309C suppressed inflammatory arthritis in mice when given therapeutically at approximately a 10-fold lower dose than IVIG, which was associated with reduced inflammatory cytokine production and complement activation. Likewise, administration of Fc-μTP-L309C restored platelet counts in a mouse model of immune thrombocytopenia. Our data demonstrate a potent anti-inflammatory effect of Fc-μTP-L309C in vitro and in vivo, likely mediated by blockade of FcγRs and its unique inhibition of complement activation.
Inter- and intra-rater reliability of a technique assessing the length of the Latissimus Dorsi muscle
Authors: Dawood Muhammad , Becker Pieter J. , Van Rooijen Agatha J. , Korkie Elzette
Published: March 2018

Background: Evidence-based practice requires the use of objective, valid and reliable tests for measuring the length of a muscle. Latissimus Dorsi is a muscle which undergoes length changes (loss of extensibility) and this muscle has a functional role in many aspects of sport and rehabilitation. The loss of extensibility may result in a decreased range of motion at the glenohumeral joint leading to dysfunction.Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of a technique adapted by Comerford and Mottram in 2012 for assessing the length of Latissimus Dorsi (LD) muscle.Method: Fifty-six students from a university’s physiotherapy department participated in this study. Four physiotherapists with clinical experience varying between 10 and 30 years independently performed the test for assessing the length of LD. The test was performed twice by each physiotherapist on every participant during two reading sessions.Results: The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) as determined in a mixed-effects, generalised least squares regression analysis was used to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability of the LD length test. A 0.05 level of significance was employed. A sample of 56 participants provided an ICC that varied between 0.76 and 0.55, which is regarded as moderate to poor reliability. The ICC between the experienced raters was found to be 0.48, with a novice rater having an ICC of 0.48 as well. The ICC between all the raters was 0.33, which constituted poor reliability.Conclusion: The poor to moderate reliability of the technique testing the length of LD test is not suitable for application in a research setting.Clinical implications: The small differences noted between Reading 1 and Reading 2 regarding the standard deviation of all the raters combined suggests that the LD length test may still prove to be useful in quantifying dysfunction in a clinical setting.
Evaluation of Orthopedic Metal Artifact Reduction Application in Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstruction of Spinal Instrumentation: A Single Saudi Center Experience
Authors: Ali Amir Monir
Published: March 2018

Aim of the Study:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the commercially available orthopedic metal artifact reduction (OMAR) technique in postoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) reconstruction studies after spinal instrumentation and to investigate its clinical application.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and twenty (120) patients with spinal metallic implants were included in the study. All had 3DCT reconstruction examinations using the OMAR software after obtaining the informed consents and approval of the Institution Ethical Committee. The degree of the artifacts, the related muscular density, the clearness of intermuscular fat planes, and definition of the adjacent vertebrae were qualitatively evaluated. The diagnostic satisfaction and quality of the 3D reconstruction images were thoroughly assessed.

Results:

The majority (96.7%) of 3DCT reconstruction images performed were considered satisfactory to excellent for diagnosis. Only 3.3% of the reconstructed images had rendered unacceptable diagnostic quality.

Conclusion:

OMAR can effectively reduce metallic artifacts in patients with spinal instrumentation with highly diagnostic 3DCT reconstruction images.
Endoscopic Diagnosis of Cholecystogastric Fistula
Authors: Bodh Vishal , Sharma Rajesh , Sharma Brij
Published: March 2018

Biliary fistulas occur in 3%–5% of patients with gallstones. Duodenum is the most common site of fistulation. We report a case of elderly female with chronic calculous cholecystitis complicated by cholecystogastric fistula. The diagnosis of cholecystogastric fistula was made incidentally on esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Application of 2015 American Gastroenterological Association Guidelines On a Retrospective Cohort of Patients with Asymptomatic Pancreatic Cysts: Can We Truly Forego Endoscopic Ultrasound?
Authors: Kumar Krishnan , Anam Omer , Ali Raza , Ross Miller A , Dina Mody R , Kumar Krishnan
Published: March 2018

Objective: Asymptomatic pancreatic cysts are frequently diagnosed on cross-sectional imaging. Recently, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has put forth guidelines regarding management of these cysts. To date, there is no strong data to indicate whether these guidelines will accurately identify malignancy and mitigate unnecessary endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures. The aim of this investigation was to apply the 2015 AGA guidelines to a retrospective cohort of asymptomatic pancreatic cysts in a large regional referral center. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with asymptomatic pancreatic cysts who underwent EUS with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) over a 3-year period. We applied current AGA guidelines to determine how many EUS procedures would be avoided, and further assessed whether the guidelines adequately identified cases of malignancy. Results: Forty-five patients were identified who underwent EUS FNA for an asymptomatic pancreatic cyst from 2011 to 2014. The mean age was 65 years, and the mean size cyst size was 2.8 cm. According to the 2015 AGA guidelines, EUS was indicated in 13 of the 45 patients and surveillance imaging in the remaining 32 patients. 3 of these 32 patients had atypical cytology on EUS FNA, and final histology showed adenocarcinoma in 2 patients and IMPN with high-grade dysplasia in 1 patient. Conclusion: Applying AGA guidelines in this study cohort would have prevented 32 out of 45 (71%) EUS procedures; however, 3 of these 32 patients had early occult malignancy. This data suggest that additional strategies are needed to identify those patients at high risk.
On the Role of Switching Costs and Decision Reversibility in Information Technology Adoption and Investment
Authors: Chulkov Dmitriy V
Published: March 2018

Managerial decisions on the adoption of innovative technologies by a firm are made under conditions of uncertainty and must account for network externalities that imply the benefit of a technology is received not only from its intrinsic payoff, but also from the size of the network of other adopters. The theoretical model presented in this study demonstrates that for firms evaluating information technology investment with network effects key determinants of the technology selection pattern are adoption reversibility and switching costs. If switching costs are sufficiently high to make technology adoption irreversible then safer established technologies have an advantage as choosing a riskier untested technology opens the firm to the risk of being stranded without a network of followers. With lower switching costs, the technology adoption decision is reversible which provides an advantage to riskier untested technologies.
A discussion of empirical evidence on adoption patterns in information technology provides application for the theoretical model.
Information Token Driven Machine Learning For Electronic Markets: Performance Effects In Behavioral Financial Big Data Analytics.
Authors: Samuel Jim
Published: March 2018

Conjunct with the universal acceleration in information growth, financial services have been immersed in an evolution of information dynamics. It is not just the dramatic increase in volumes of data, but the speed, the complexity and the unpredictability of ‘big-data’ phenomena that have compounded the challenges faced by researchers and practitioners in financial services. Math, statistics and technology have been leveraged creatively to create analytical solutions. Given the many unique characteristics of financial bid data (FBD) it is necessary to gain insights into strategies and models that can be used to create FBD specific solutions. Behavioral finance data, a subset of FBD, is seeing exponential growth and this presents an unprecedented opportunity to study behavioral finance employing big data analytics methodologies. The present study maps machine learning (ML) techniques and behavioral finance categories to explore the potential for using ML techniques to address behavioral aspects in FBD. The ontological feasibility of such an approach is presented and the primary purpose of this study is propositioned: ML based behavioral models can effectively estimate performance in FBD. A simple machine learning algorithm is successfully employed to study behavioral performance in an artificial stock market to validate the propositions.
Transport of Asian trace gases via eddy shedding from the Asian summer monsoon
anticyclone and associated impacts on ozone heating rates
Authors: Fadnavis Suvarna , Roy Chaitri , Chattopadhyay Rajib , Sioris Christopher E. , Rap Alexandru , Müller Rolf , Kumar K. Ravi , Krishnan Raghavan
Published: March 2018

Abstract. The highly vibrant Asian Summer Monsoon (ASM) anticyclone plays an important role in efficient transport of Asian tropospheric air masses to the extratropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). In this paper, we demonstrate long-range transport of Asian trace gases via eddy shedding events using MIPAS (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding) satellite observations, ERA-Interim re-analysis data and the ECHAM5–HAMMOZ global chemistry–climate model. Model simulations and observations consistently show that the Asian boundary layer trace gases are lifted to UTLS altitudes in the monsoon anticyclone and are further transported horizontally eastward and westward by eddies detached from the anticyclone. We present an event of eddy shedding during 1–8 July 2003 and discuss a 1995–2016 climatology of eddy shedding events. Our analysis indicates that eddies detached from the anticyclone are instrumental in distributing the Asian trace gases away from the Asian region to the West-Pacific (20°–30° N; 120°–150° E) and West-Africa (20°–30° N, 0°–30° E). Over the last two decades, the estimated frequency of eddy shedding is ~ 68 % towards West-Africa and ~ 25 % towards the West-Pacific. Model sensitivity experiments for a 10 % reduction in Asian emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were performed with ECHAM5–HAMMOZ to understand the impact of Asian emissions on the UTLS. The model simulations show that transport of Asian emissions due to eddy shedding significantly affects the chemical composition of the upper troposphere (~ 100–400 hPa) and lower stratosphere (~ 100–80 hPa) over West-Africa and the West-Pacific. The 10 % reduction of NMVOCs and NOx Asian emissions leads to decreases in peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) (2–10 % near 200–80 hPa), ozone (1–4.5 % near ~ 150 hPa) and ozone heating rates (0.001–0.004 K•day−1 near 300–150 hPa) in the upper troposphere over West-Africa and the West-Pacific.
Characteristics of vertical velocities estimated from drop size and fall velocity spectra of a Parsivel disdrometer
Authors: Kim Dong-Kyun , Song Chang-Keun
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Vertical air velocities were estimated from drop size and fall velocity spectra observed by Parsivel disdrometers during intensive field observations from 13 June to 3 August 2016 around Mt. Jiri (1915 m above sea level) in the southern Korean Peninsula. Rainfall and wind velocity data measured by Parsivel disdrometers and ultrasonic anemometers, respectively, were analyzed for an orographic rainfall event associated with a stationary front over Mt. Jiri on 1 July 2016. In this study, a new technique was developed to estimate vertical air velocities from drop size and fall velocity spectra measured by the Parsivel disdrometers and investigate characteristics of up-/downdrafts and related microphysics in the windward and leeward side of the mountain. To validate results from this technique, vertical air velocities between the Parsivel and anemometer were compared and were in quite good agreement each other. It was shown that upward motions were relatively more dominant in the windward side and even during periods of heavy rainfall. On the contrast, downward motions were more dominant in the leeward side even when heavy rain occurred. Occurrences of upward and downward motions were digitized as percentage values as they are divided by the total rainfall period. In the windward (leeward) side, the percentages of upward (downward) motion were larger than those of downward (upward) motion. Rainfall intensity in the leeward side was relatively stronger than in the windward side, suggesting that the increase in rainfall in the leeward side was more affected by the downward motions.
A global space-based stratospheric aerosol climatology: 1979–2016
Authors: Thomason Larry W. , Ernest Nicholas , Millán Luis , Rieger Landon , Bourassa Adam , Vernier Jean-Paul , Manney Gloria , Luo Beiping , Arfeuille Florian , Peter Thomas
Published: March 2018

Abstract. We describe the construction of a continuous 38-year record of stratospheric
aerosol optical properties. The Global Space-based Stratospheric Aerosol
Climatology, or GloSSAC, provided the input data to the construction of the
Climate Model Intercomparison Project stratospheric aerosol forcing data set
(1979–2014) and we have extended it through 2016 following an identical
process. GloSSAC focuses on the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment
(SAGE) series of instruments through mid-2005, and on the Optical
Spectrograph and InfraRed Imager System (OSIRIS) and the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar
and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) data thereafter. We
also use data from other space instruments and from ground-based, air, and
balloon borne instruments to fill in key gaps in the data set. The end result
is a global and gap-free data set focused on aerosol extinction coefficient
at 525 and 1020 nm and other parameters on an “as available” basis. For
the primary data sets, we developed a new method for filling the
post-Pinatubo eruption data gap for 1991–1993 based on data from the
Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer. In addition, we developed a new
method for populating wintertime high latitudes during the SAGE period
employing a latitude-equivalent latitude conversion process that greatly
improves the depiction of aerosol at high latitudes compared to earlier
similar efforts. We report data in the troposphere only when and where it is
available. This is primarily during the SAGE II period except for the most
enhanced part of the Pinatubo period. It is likely that the upper troposphere
during Pinatubo was greatly enhanced over non-volcanic periods and that
domain remains substantially under-characterized. We note that aerosol levels
during the OSIRIS/CALIPSO period in the lower stratosphere at mid- and high
latitudes is routinely higher than what we observed during the SAGE II
period. While this period had nearly continuous low-level volcanic activity,
it is possible that the enhancement in part reflects deficiencies in the data
set. We also expended substantial effort to quality assess the data set and
the product is by far the best we have produced. GloSSAC version 1.0 is
available in netCDF format at the NASA Atmospheric Data Center at
https://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/. GloSSAC users should cite this paper and
the data set DOI (https://doi.org/10.5067/GloSSAC-L3-V1.0).
TOAST 1.0: Tropospheric Ozone Attribution of Sources with
Tagging for CESM 1.2.2
Authors: Butler Tim , Lupascu Aurelia , Coates Jane , Zhu Shuai
Published: March 2018

Abstract. A system for source attribution of tropospheric ozone produced from both NOx and VOC precursors is described, along with its implementation in the Community Earth System Model (CESM) version 1.2.2 using CAM4. The user can specify an arbitrary number of tag identities for each NOx or VOC species in the model, and the tagging system rewrites the model chemical mechanism and source code to incorporate tagged tracers and reactions representing these tagged species, as well as ozone produced in the stratosphere. If the user supplies emission files for the corresponding tagged tracers, the model will produce tagged ozone tracers which represent the contribution of each of the tag identities to the modelled total tropospheric ozone. Our tagged tracers preserve Ox. The size of the tagged chemical mechanism scales linearly with the number of specified tag identities. Separate simulations are required for NOx and VOC tagging, which avoids the sharing of tag identities between NOx and VOC species. Results are presented and evaluated for both NOx and VOC source attribution. We show that northern hemispheric surface ozone is dominated year-round by anthropogenic emissions of NOx, but that the mix of corresponding VOC precursors changes over the course of the year; anthropogenic VOC emissions contribute significantly to surface ozone in winter-spring, while biogenic VOC are more important in summer. The system described here can provide important diagnostic information about modelled ozone production, and could be used to construct source-receptor relationships for tropospheric ozone.
Implementation of an Immersed Boundary Method in the Meso-NH
model: Applications to an idealized urban-like environment
Authors: Auguste Franck , Réa Géraldine , Paoli Roberto , Lac Christine , Masson Valery , Cariolle Daniel
Published: March 2018

Abstract. This study describes the numerical implementation, veriﬁcation and validation of an Immersed Boundary Method (IBM) in the atmospheric solver Meso-NH for applications to urban ﬂow modelling. The IBM represents the ﬂuid-solid interface by means of a LevelSet Function and models the obstacles as part of the resolved scales. The IBM is implemented with a three-steps procedure: ﬁrst, an explicit-in-time forcing is developed based on a novel Ghost-Cell Technique that uses several image points instead of the classical one mirror point. The second step consists in an implicit step projection where the right-hand side of the Poisson equation is modiﬁed by means of a Cut-Cell Technique to satisfy the incompressibility constraint. The condition of non-permeability is achieved at the embedded ﬂuid-solid interface by an iterative procedure applied on such modiﬁed Poisson equation. In the ﬁnal step, the turbulent ﬂuxes and the wall model used for Large-Eddy-Simulations (LES) are corrected and a wall model is proposed to ensure consistency of the subgrid scales with the IBM treatment. In the second of part of the paper, the IBM is veriﬁed and validated for several analytical and benchmark test cases of ﬂows around single bluff bodies with increasing level of complexity. The analysis showed that MNH-IBM reproduces the expected physical features of the ﬂow, which are also found in the atmosphere at much larger scales. Finally the IBM is validated in the LES mode against the Mock Urban Setting (MUST) ﬁeld experiment, which is characterized by strong roughness caused by the presence of a set of obstacles placed in the atmospheric boundary layer in nearly-neutral stability conditions. The Meso-NH IBM-LES reproduces with reasonable accuracy both the mean ﬂow and turbulent ﬂuctuations observed in this idealized urban environment.
Technical note: False low turbidity readings from optical probes during high suspended-sediment concentrations
Authors: Voichick Nicholas , Topping David J. , Griffiths Ronald E.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Turbidity, a measure of water clarity, is monitored for a variety of purposes
including (1) to help determine whether water is safe to drink, (2) to
establish background conditions of lakes and rivers and detect pollution
caused by construction projects and stormwater discharge, (3) to study
sediment transport in rivers and erosion in catchments, (4) to manage
siltation of water reservoirs, and (5) to establish connections with aquatic
biological properties, such as primary production and predator–prey
interactions. Turbidity is typically measured with an optical probe that
detects light scattered from particles in the water. Probes have defined
upper limits of the range of turbidity that they can measure. The general
assumption is that when turbidity exceeds this upper limit, the values of
turbidity will be constant, i.e., the probe is “pegged”; however, this
assumption is not necessarily valid. In rivers with limited variation in the
physical properties of the suspended sediment, at lower suspended-sediment
concentrations, an increase in suspended-sediment concentration will cause
a linear increase in turbidity. When the suspended-sediment concentration in
these rivers is high, turbidity levels can exceed the upper measurement limit
of an optical probe and record a constant “pegged” value. However, at
extremely high suspended-sediment concentrations, optical turbidity probes do
not necessarily stay “pegged” at a constant value. Data from
the Colorado
River in Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, and a laboratory experiment both
demonstrate that when turbidity exceeds instrument-pegged conditions,
increasing suspended-sediment concentration (and thus increasing turbidity)
may cause optical probes to record decreasing “false” turbidity values that
appear to be within the valid measurement range of the probe. Therefore,
under high-turbidity conditions, other surrogate measurements of turbidity
(e.g., acoustic-attenuation measurements or suspended-sediment samples) are
necessary to correct these low false turbidity measurements and accurately
measure turbidity.