bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WHICH Epeak? THE CHARACTERISTIC ENERGY OF GAMMA-RAY BURST SPECTRA
Authors: Preece Robert , Goldstein Adam , Bhat Narayana , Stanbro Matthew , Hakkila Jon , Blalock Dylan
Published: April 2016

A characteristic energy of individual gamma-ray burst (GRB) spectra can in most cases be determined from the peak energy of the energy density spectra (

), called “

.” Distributions of

have been compiled for time-resolved spectra from bright GRBs, as well as time-averaged spectra and peak flux spectra for nearly every burst observed by the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Burst And Transient Source Experiment and the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM). Even when determined by an instrument with a broad energy band, such as GBM (8 keV to 40 MeV), the distributions themselves peak at around 240 keV in the observer’s frame, with a spread of roughly a decade in energy.

can have considerable evolution (sometimes greater than one decade) within any given burst, as amply demonstrated by single pulses in GRB 110721A and GRB 130427A. Meanwhile, several luminosity or energy relations have been proposed to correlate with either the time-integrated or peak flux

. Thus, when discussing correlations with

, the question arises, “Which

?” A single burst may be characterized by any of a number of values for

that are associated with it. Using a single-pulse simulation model with spectral evolution as a proxy for the type of spectral evolution observed in many bursts, we investigate how the time-averaged

emerges from the spectral evolution within a single pulse, how this average naturally correlates with the peak flux derived

in a burst, and how the distribution in

values from many bursts derives its surprisingly narrow width.
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION OF HOT JUPITERS: DAYSIDE–NIGHTSIDE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES
Authors: Komacek Thaddeus D. , Showman Adam P.
Published: April 2016

The full-phase infrared light curves of low-eccentricity hot Jupiters show a trend of increasing dayside-to-nightside brightness temperature difference with increasing equilibrium temperature. Here, we present a three-dimensional model that explains this relationship, in order to provide insight into the processes that control heat redistribution in tidally locked planetary atmospheres. This three-dimensional model combines predictive analytic theory for the atmospheric circulation and dayside–nightside temperature differences over a range of equilibrium temperatures, atmospheric compositions, and potential frictional drag strengths with numerical solutions of the circulation that verify this analytic theory. The theory shows that the longitudinal propagation of waves mediates dayside–nightside temperature differences in hot Jupiter atmospheres, analogous to the wave adjustment mechanism that regulates the thermal structure in Earth’s tropics. These waves can be damped in hot Jupiter atmospheres by either radiative cooling or potential frictional drag. This frictional drag would likely be caused by Lorentz forces in a partially ionized atmosphere threaded by a background magnetic field, and would increase in strength with increasing temperature. Additionally, the amplitude of radiative heating and cooling increases with increasing temperature, and hence both radiative heating/cooling and frictional drag damp waves more efficiently with increasing equilibrium temperature. Radiative heating and cooling play the largest role in controlling dayside–nightside temperature differences in both our analytic theory and numerical simulations, with frictional drag only being important if it is stronger than the Coriolis force. As a result, dayside–nightside temperature differences in hot Jupiter atmospheres increase with increasing stellar irradiation and decrease with increasing pressure.
Le genre de la contraception : représentations et pratiques des prescripteurs en France et en Angleterre
Authors: Ventola Cécile
Published: April 2016

Cet article interroge, à travers l’analyse des pratiques et des représentations des prescripteurs, la place différentielle qu’occupent les méthodes masculines dans les usages contraceptifs en France et en Angleterre. Ce travail s’appuie sur une étude comparative institutionnelle et historique et des entretiens semi-directifs réalisés avec les praticiens et praticiennes des deux pays. Si l’ensemble des professionnel∙le∙s partage des représentations genrées des responsabilités contraceptives, ces dernières ont un impact sur les pratiques de recommandation contraceptive différent dans chaque pays, en fonction de l’encadrement institutionnel de la profession médicale. Les prescripteurs anglais recommandent ainsi plus facilement les méthodes masculines du fait d’un protocole strict encadrant leurs pratiques, alors que celles-ci ne sont proposées que rarement et de manière aléatoire par les prescripteurs français  1 .
The Choice of Effective Methods and Approaches to the Design of an Online Course
Authors: Didenko A. V. , Aksenova Natalia , Loginova A. V.
Published: April 2016

The main purpose of this work is to show the importance of using process cards and Bloom’ Taxonomy that allow to raise efficiency of on-line courses. It analyses existing on-line courses and demand of such courses in its dynamics. Application of process cards and Bloom’s Taxonomy will encourage good design practice in projecting and implementing on-line courses thus improving educational results retention rate.
Engaging Virtual Learning Environment System to Enhance Communication and Collaboration Skills among ASEAN Higher Education Learners
Authors: Khlaisang Jintavee , Mingsiritham Kemmanat
Published: April 2016

The study aims to design and develop a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) system to enhance the communication and collaboration skills of higher education learners in the ASEAN cultural community. The system was developed based on a literature review of ASEAN to identity its educational goals for 2015, as well as the subjects of open learning, VLE, active learning, activity based learning, ASEAN cultural community, and collaboration and communication skills in 21st century. The results of the literature review were developed into a questionnaire for 400 higher education instructors. The survey results were then tabulated using G* Power and were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) to find the core elements to be developed to be an appropriate VLE system. The resulting system was tested using a sample group of 30 volunteer undergraduate students from 5 ASEAN member countries. Data analysis using t-test dependent indicated that there was statistical difference between pre and post self-assessment scores of the 21st century skills in communication and collaboration at a 0.05 level of significance. The result was consistent with the results of behavior and trace observations and the quality of project assignments produced using the system. The system developed consisted of four elements was approved by experts in the education field.
Persistence of Triploid Grass Carp in Devils Lake, Oregon
Authors: Clemens Benjamin J. , Spangler John J. , Robertson Paul L. , Galovich Gary M. , Banner Craig R. , Gunckel Stephanie L. , Ketchum Lindsay L. , Bowden R. Kanani , Spagnoli Sean T. , Kent Michael L. , Kirk James P.
Published: April 2016

Grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella are sometimes used as a biological tool for managing aquatic vegetation in reservoirs. Sterile, triploid fish were stocked in Devils Lake, Oregon, during 1986, 1987, and 1993 to control aquatic vegetation. We present a case study for using multiple measures on the same fish to determine whether illegal stocking of fertile, diploid grass carp occurred. An investigation into the estimated age of a dead grass carp found in Devils Lake suggested that it was significantly younger than would otherwise be expected, given the only stocking events occurred during 1986, 1987, and 1993. To determine whether illegal stocking or reproduction by presumed sterile grass carp had occurred in Devils Lake, we conducted a study that balanced the needs of lethally sampling grass carp for biological measures with the socially and politically sensitive sentiment of the pro–grass carp citizenry of Devils Lake. These considerations, in combination with a low catch per-unit effort, resulted in a modest sample size for grass carp. We sampled grass carp and recorded multiple measures for each fish. Ploidy testing of blood samples indicated the grass carp were all triploid. Based on gonadal histopathology, six fish were male, two were female, and two were sex-indeterminate with severe gonadal dysgenesis. Age estimates from lapillus otoliths were consistent with fish originating from the legal stocking events in Devils Lake. The grass carp were 21–30 y old, and we were unable to find published reports of grass carp anywhere else in the world that are older. The grass carp were significantly smaller than much younger fish from other regions. The small size of these grass carp relative to their age in Devils Lake suggests food limitations that stunted growth. The dead grass carp that was the impetus for this study was aged by anatomical structures that we have since found to be unreliable. This suggests that the dead grass carp was probably in fact older and originated from the legal stockings. The use of multiple biological measurements on a modest sample size of grass carp, combined with the knowledge that no juvenile grass carp have been observed since legal stocking occurred, lead us to conclude that the grass carp in Devils Lake are sterile fish that originated from legal stocking events.
Green Energy in Data Centers
Authors: Mardamutu Kanahavalli , Ponnusamy Vasaki , Zaman Noor
Published: April 2016

Green energy paradigm has been gaining popularity in the computing system from the software, hardware, infrastructure and application perspectives. Within that concept, data center greening is of utmost importance at the moment since data centers are one of the most energy conserving elements. Data centers are seen as the technology era's black energy-swallowing secret. Reducing energy consumption at data centers can reduce carbon footprint effect tremendously. Not addressing the issue immediately will lead to significant energy usage by data centers and will hinder the growth of data centers. The call for sustainable energy efficient data center leads to venturing into data center green computing. The green computing concept can be achieved by using several methods adopted by researchers including renewable energy, virtualization through cloud computing, proper cooling system, identifying suitable location to harvest energy whilst reducing the need for air-conditioning and employing suitable networking and information technology infrastructure. This paper focuses into several approaches used by researches to reduce energy consumption at data centers while deploying efficient database management system. This paper differs from others in the literature by giving some suitable solutions by looking into a hybrid model for green computing in data centers.
Projective Visualization
Authors: Cocchiarella Luigi
Published: April 2016

We will basically deal with three issues. Firstly, talking about visualization in relation to Design seems to be matter of the present era while talking about projection mostly pushes our feelings back to the past, despite even advanced digital visualizations are projection-based, or better, they are projective visualizations. Secondarily, these projective visualizations are not only mere supports to show design results but, mainly, they are irreplaceable thinking-and-operational tools for design development. Third, given their semantic wideness, these visualizations work as very customized tools in the various branches of Architectural, Engineering, or Product Design and so forth, as we also discussed in a cycle of seminars on The Visual Language of Technique Between Science and Art organized by the author during the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Politecnico di Milano (Cocchiarella, 2015). Last, in order to connect the abovementioned issues we will remark the combined power of Geometry and Graphics, friendly called The Ghost and The Ghost-Buster and their roles over time.
Oblique Perspectives and CAD Software
Authors: Cabezos-Bernal Pedro M. , Cisneros-Vivó Juan J.
Published: April 2016

The great advances in the field of computer graphic design, have led to the development of more powerful applications, which have become an essential tool for the designer and have revolutionized the teaching of Descriptive Geometry. However, design software is not perfect, as there are some limitations that have to be overcome. This chapter focuses on solving the problem of obtaining oblique perspectives from a 3D model, as it is a common trouble in most of CAD software, since they only provide orthogonal projections and perspectives from a 3D model. This obstacle has led to the fact that the use of oblique projections, such as military and cavalier perspectives, has been drastically reduced.
Body Movement Based Architecture
Authors: Fabio Bianconi , Filippucci Marco , Verdecchia Chiara
Published: April 2016

The aim of this research is to investigate the connections between Visual Computing, which is oriented towards the representation of complex surfaces, and Geometrical Design Tools, which intercept the movement created through dance, itself understood to be the art and technique of composing forms in space. Through investigating the tight link between perception and representation, this studio has the heuristic aim of capturing the new messages that come from the utilization of digital media, though always the value of experience is considered fundamental to conceptualization and the teachings of history are kept at the fore.
Free Form Architecture Engineering
Authors: Bartoli Gianni , Biagini Carlo , Pellis Davide
Published: April 2016

Free form architecture involves many problems of a geometric, structural and construction nature. In order to reach a feasible and affordable solution some optimization phases are required. The development of powerful tools such as parametric and algorithmic design software is allowing great freedom for shape design and remarkable control in managing large amounts of data. With these tools structural and construction factors can be integrated as rules for geometrical generation and optimization. The chapter presents a methodology for free form architecture engineering and an applied example, starting from a physical model of an arbitrary shape to a construction-aware detailed project.
Systematic Literature Review on Empirical Results and Practical Implementations of Healthcare Recommender Systems
Authors: Afolabi Adekunle Oluseyi , Toivanen Pekka , Haataja Keijo , Mykkänen Juha
Published: April 2016

This systematic literature review is aimed at examining empirical results and practical implementations of healthcare recommender systems. While fundamentally many of the development of recommender systems in medical and healthcare are based on theory and logic, the performance is always measured in terms of empirical results and practical implementations from evaluation of such systems. Besides, the ultimate judgment of the effectiveness of the methods and algorithms used is often based on the empirical results of recommender systems. Robustness, efficiency, speed, and accuracy are also best determined by empirical results. Extensive search was carried out in some major databases. Literature were grouped into three categories namely core, related, and relevant. The core papers were subjected to further analysis. The result shows that most work reviewed were partially evaluated and have a promising future. Moreover, a yet-to-be explored novel proposal for integration of a recommender system into smart home care is presented.
Context-Based Scene Understanding
Authors: Zolghadr Esfandiar , Furht Borko
Published: April 2016

Context plays an important role in performance of object detection. There are two popular considerations in building context models for computer vision applications; type of context (semantic, spatial, scale) and scope of the relations (pairwise, high-order). In this paper, a new unified framework is presented that combines multiple sources of context in high-order relations to encode semantical coherence and consistency of the scenes. This framework introduces a new descriptor called context relevance score to model context-based distribution of the response variables and apply it to two distributions. First model incorporates context descriptor along with annotation response into a supervised Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) built on multi-variate Bernoulli distribution called Context-Based LDA (CBLDA). The second model is based on multi-variate Wallenius' non-central Hyper-geometric distribution and is called Wallenius LDA (WLDA). WLDA incorporates context knowledge as bias parameter. Scene context is modeled as a graph and effectively used in object detection framework to maximize semantical consistency of the scene. The graph can also be used in recognition of out-of-context objects. Annotation metadata of Sun397 dataset is used to construct the context model. Performance of the proposed approaches was evaluated on ImageNet dataset. Comparison between proposed approaches and state-of-art multi-class object annotation algorithm shows superiority of presented approach in labeling of scene content.
Accurate Image Retrieval with Unsupervised 2-Stage k-NN Re-Ranking
Authors: Li Dawei , Chuah Mooi Choo
Published: April 2016

Many state-of-the-art image retrieval systems include a re-ranking step to refine the suggested initial ranking list so as to improve the retrieval accuracy. In this paper, we present a novel 2-stage k-NN re-ranking algorithm. In stage one, we generate an expanded list of candidate database images for re-ranking so that lower ranked ground truth images will be included and re-ranked. In stage two, we re-rank the list of candidate images using a confidence score which is calculated based on, rRBO, a new proposed ranking list similarity measure. In addition, we propose the rLoCATe image feature, which captures robust color and texture information on salient image patches, and shows superior performance in the image retrieval task. We evaluate the proposed re-ranking algorithm on various initial ranking lists created using both SIFT and rLoCATe on two popular benchmark datasets along with a large-scale one million distraction dataset. The results show that our proposed algorithm is not sensitive for different parameter configurations and it outperforms existing k-NN re-ranking methods.
Audiovisual Facial Action Unit Recognition using Feature Level Fusion
Authors: Meng Zibo , Han Shizhong , Chen Min , Tong Yan
Published: April 2016

Recognizing facial actions is challenging, especially when they are accompanied with speech. Instead of employing information solely from the visual channel, this work aims to exploit information from both visual and audio channels in recognizing speech-related facial action units (AUs). In this work, two feature-level fusion methods are proposed. The first method is based on a kind of human-crafted visual feature. The other method utilizes visual features learned by a deep convolutional neural network (CNN). For both methods, features are independently extracted from visual and audio channels and aligned to handle the difference in time scales and the time shift between the two signals. These temporally aligned features are integrated via feature-level fusion for AU recognition. Experimental results on a new audiovisual AU-coded dataset have demonstrated that both fusion methods outperform their visual counterparts in recognizing speech-related AUs. The improvement is more impressive with occlusions on the facial images, which would not affect the audio channel.
Environmental Immunology: Lessons Learned from Exposure to a Select Panel of Immunotoxicants
Authors: Kreitinger Joanna M. , Beamer Celine A. , Shepherd David M.
Published: April 2016

Exposure to environmental contaminants can produce profound effects on the immune system. Many classes of xenobiotics can significantly suppress or enhance immune responsiveness depending on the levels (i.e., dose) and context (i.e., timing, route) of exposure. Although defining the effects that toxicants can have on the immune system is a valuable component to improving public health, environmental immunology has greatly enhanced our understanding of how the immune system functions and has provided innovative avenues to explore new immunotherapies. This Brief Review focuses on three examples of how immunotoxicology has benefitted the field of immunology, presenting information on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway, the immunomodulatory effects of nanomaterials, and the impact of xenobiotic exposure on the developing immune system. Collectively, contributions from immunotoxicology have significantly enhanced public health and spurred seminal advances in both basic and applied immunology.
The intuitive nurse in critical care practice: a phenomenological study
Authors: Hassani Parkhide , Abdi Alireza , Jalali Rostam , Salari Nader
Published: April 2016

Intuition in clinical practice is the ability to experience the elements of a clinical situation as a whole, and to solve a problem or reach a decision with limited concrete information. Benner theorized that the expert nurse acts on intuition, but that he/she also deals with some ambiguities. However, there is a lack of studies about intuitive nursing in the critical care arena, where more critically ill patients are admitted. So, this study was conducted to explore the features of the intuitive nurse in critical care practice. In a descriptive-phenomenological study, twelve nurses employed in critical care units of the hospitals affiliated to Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences were recruited to the study, as purposive, a semi-structured interview was administered to them, then written down verbatim. The data was managed by MAXQDA 10 software (VERBI GmbH, Berlin, Germany) and analyzed as qualitative through the seven-stage approach of Colaizzi. Of the 12 nurses who participated in the study, seven (58.3%) were female and married, 88.3% (10 people) had a Bachelor of Nursing and the mean and standard deviations of the participants’ age, job experience and critical care experience were 36.66±7.01, 13.75±6.82 and 7.66±3.36 years, respectively. From the qualitative analysis of the data, we extracted three main themes, including proficiency, connection and benevolence, and ten sub-themes. The intuitive nurses were substantially proficient in terms of knowledge, skill and experience, and relationships to patients. They desired to help the patients based on their consciences.
Good outcome after delayed surgery for orbitocranial non-missile penetrating brain injury
Authors: Caporlingua Alessandro , Caporlingua Federico , Lenzi Jacopo
Published: April 2016

Nonmissile orbitocranial penetrating brain injuries are uncommonly dealt with in a civilian context. Surgical management is controversial, due to the lack of widely accepted guidelines. A 52-year-old man was hit in his left eye by a metallic foreign body (FB). Head computed tomography (CT) scan showed a left subcortical parietal FB with a considerable hemorrhagic trail originating from the left orbital roof. Surgical treatment was staged; an exenteratio oculi and a left parietal craniotomy to extract the FB under intraoperative CT guidance were performed at post trauma day third and sixth, respectively. A postoperative infectious complication was treated conservatively. The patient retained a right hemiparesis (3/5) and was transferred to rehabilitation in good clinical conditions at day 49th. He had suspended antiepilectic therapy at that time. A case-by-case tailored approach is mandatory to achieve the best outcome in such a heterogeneous nosological entity. Case reporting is crucial to further understand its mechanism and dynamics.
Supratentorial endodermal cysts - Report of two cases
Authors: Rangarajan Vithal , Mahore Amit , Patil Manoj , Shendarkar Ashwini
Published: April 2016

We describe two rare cases of frontal cystic lesions presenting with symptoms and signs of raised intracranial pressure. Both had a preoperative diagnosis of an arachnoid cyst and were subjected to a craniotomy with marsupialization of the cyst. However, the histology confirmed them to be an endodermal cyst (EC) on both occasions. Both the patients have been closely followed with no recurrence of symptoms. ECs of the central nervous system are usually reported in the spinal canal, mid-line posterior fossa, and the suprasellar regions. Supratentorial and non-midline ECs are rare, with only about 22 cases previously reported in literature. We discuss both the cases and review the relevant literature.
Cerebellospinal hemangioblastoma with bilateral pheochromocytoma and hepatic cyst: A rare entity
Authors: Bhuyan Mrinal , Dutta Deep , Baishya Basanta , Hussain Zakir
Published: April 2016

A 45-year-old gentleman presented with headache, dizziness, and unsteadiness of gait. On imaging, he was found to have a cerebellar and a spinal intramedullary hemangioblastoma. To rule out Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) disease, we did screening of the whole abdomen with ultrasonography followed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen, and surprisingly, the patient was having bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma and a hepatic cyst. A diagnosis of VHL disease was made on this basis. The patient was operated and he made a very good recovery. We are reporting this interesting case because of its typical findings and its rarity. Disease management and review of literature were also discussed at the end.
Multiple primary cancers: An enigma
Authors: Jena Amitabh , Patnayak Rashmi , Lakshmi Amancharla Yadagiri , Manilal Banoth , Reddy Mandyam Kumaraswamy
Published: April 2016

Background: Incidence of multiple primary cancers though uncommon, is being frequently reported now-a-days owing to better diagnostic techniques, the prolonged life span and the increased incidence of long-term survival of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study. Cases of multiple malignancies diagnosed histopathologically were retrieved from the archives of department of surgical oncology. Clinical data were obtained from the medical records. They were categorized as synchronous malignancies if the interval between them was less or equal to 6 months and metachronous, if the interval was more than 6 months. Results: A total of 13 cases were encountered in the 5 year study period. Out of them two were in the metachronous category and the rest were synchronous as the 2nd malignancy was detected mostly during clinical evaluation of the patients for the primary malignancy. There was female predominance with age range being 43-68 years. Majority of the cases were in the 7th decade. The most common organ involved was breast, followed by cervix. Apart from bilateral breast malignancies, there were combinations like breast with uterine endometrial carcinoma, cervical carcinoma and even papillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusion: Detection of multiple primary malignancies is becoming increasingly common in day-to-day practice. Greater awareness of this is required among both cancer patients and their treating clinicians.
Simultaneous Treatment with Subcutaneous Injection of Golimumab and Intra-articular Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (K-Method) in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Undergoing Switching of Biologics: Retrospective Case–Control Study
Authors: Kanbe Katsuaki , Chiba Junji , Inoue Yasuo , Taguchi Masashi , Yabuki Akiko , Deguchi Tomohiko
Published: April 2016

Background

Tight control of severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with high disease activity, even when using biologics, is sometimes difficult using a treat-to-target strategy. Switching from one biologic to another is associated with lower efficacy than that in treatment-naive cases. We developed the K-method that involves simultaneous treatment with golimumab and intra-articular joint injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in patients undergoing switching of biologics. We performed this retrospective case–control study to investigate the efficacy of achieving an immediate treatment response using the K-method.

Methods

This study involved 20 patients with RA (control group, 10 patients; K-method group, 10 patients). Patients in the control group were switched to golimumab from other biologics without intra-articular injection of TA. The K-method involved injection of 1 mL of TA (40 mg/mL) and 2 mL of 1% lidocaine hydrochloride into swollen or painful joints on the same day as golimumab treatment. A quick response one day after treatment was compared between the two groups according to the disease activity score 28 based on C-reactive protein (DAS28 CRP), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), simplified disease activity index (SDAI), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response, and remission rate. These parameters were investigated for 24 weeks.

Results

The K-method group showed significant improvements in DAS28 CRP, CDAI, and SDAI at one day, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks compared with the control group. The number of swollen and tender joints and the patient and doctor global visual analog scale scores were also significantly different between the two groups. The remission rates based on DAS28 CRP were 30% at one day, 50% at 12 weeks, and 60% at 24 weeks in the K-method group. The EULAR good/moderate response rates were 80% at one day, 90% at 12 weeks, and 90% at 24 weeks in the K-method group; however, these rates were only 10%, 40%, and 40%, respectively, in the control group. No adverse events occurred in either group.

Conclusion

Simultaneous treatment with biologics and intra-articular injection of TA is useful for cases involving switching of biologics for RA. This strategy is safe and practical for RA treatment.
Familial Dysalbuminemic Hyperthyroxinemia in a Japanese Man Caused by a Point Albumin Gene Mutation (R218P)
Authors: Osaki Yoshinori , Hayashi Yoshitaka , Nakagawa Yoshinori , Yoshida Katsumi , Ozaki Hiroshi , Fukazawa Hiroshi
Published: April 2016

Familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) is a familial autosomal dominant disease caused by mutation in the albumin gene that produces a condition of euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia. In patients with FDH, serum-free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentrations as measured by several commercial methods are often falsely increased with normal thyrotropin (TSH). Therefore, several diagnostic steps are needed to differentiate TSH-secreting tumor or generalized resistance to thyroid hormone from FDH. We herein report a case of a Japanese man born in Aomori prefecture, with FDH caused by a mutant albumin gene (R218P). We found that a large number of FDH patients reported in Japan to date might have been born in Aomori prefecture and have shown the R218P mutation. In conclusion, FDH needs to be considered among the differential diagnoses in Japanese patients born in Aomori prefecture and showing normal TSH levels and elevated FT4 levels.
Universal measurability and the Hochschild class of the Chern character
Authors: Carey Alan L. , Rennie Adam , Sukochev Fedor , Zanin Dmitriy
Published: April 2016

We study notions of measurability for singular traces, and characterise universal measurability for operators in Dixmier ideals. This measurability result is then applied to improve on the various proofs of Connes’ identication of the Hochschild class of the Chern character of Dixmier summable spectral triples.

The measurability results show that the identication of the Hochschild class is independent of the choice of singular trace. As a corollary we obtain strong information on the asymptotics of the eigenvalues of operators naturally associated to spectral triples

\mathcal A, H, D

and Hochschild cycles for

\mathcal A

.
Effectiveness of Interventions to Address Visual and Visual–Perceptual Impairments to Improve Occupational Performance in Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Berger Sue , Kaldenberg Jennifer , Selmane Romeissa , Carlo Stephanie
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE. Visual and visual–perceptual impairments occur frequently with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and influence occupational performance. This systematic review examined the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy to improve occupational performance for adults with visual and visual–perceptual impairments as a result of TBI.

METHOD. Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, OTseeker, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched, and 66 full text articles were reviewed. Sixteen articles were included in the review.

RESULTS. Strong evidence supports the use of scanning, limited evidence supports the use of adaptive strategies, and mixed evidence supports the use of cognitive interventions to improve occupational performance for adults with TBI. Evidence related to vision therapy varies on the basis of the specific intervention implemented.

CONCLUSION. Although the strength of the research varied, implications are discussed for practice, education, and research.
Changes in Upper-Extremity Functional Capacity and Daily Performance During Outpatient Occupational Therapy for People With Stroke
Authors: Doman Caitlin A. , Waddell Kimberly J. , Bailey Ryan R. , Moore Jennifer L. , Lang Catherine E.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE. This study explored how upper-extremity (UE) functional capacity and daily performance change during the course of outpatient rehabilitation in people with stroke.

METHOD. Fifteen participants receiving outpatient occupational therapy services for UE paresis poststroke were enrolled. UE motor capacity was measured with the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and UE performance was measured using bilateral, wrist-worn accelerometers. Measurements were taken at or near the start of therapy, at every 10th visit or every 30 days throughout the duration of services, and at discharge.

RESULTS. Three patterns were observed: (1) increase in ARAT scores and more normalized accelerometry profiles, (2) increase in ARAT scores but no change in accelerometry profiles, and (3) no change in ARAT scores or in accelerometry profiles.

CONCLUSION. UE performance in daily life was highly variable, with inconsistencies between change in UE capacity and change in UE performance. UE capacity and performance are important constructs to assess separately during rehabilitation.
Potential sensitivity of photosynthesis and isoprene emission to direct radiative effects of atmospheric aerosol pollution
Authors: Strada Susanna , Unger Nadine
Published: April 2016

Abstract. A global Earth system model is applied to quantify the impacts of direct anthropogenic aerosol effective radiative forcing on gross primary productivity (GPP) and isoprene emission. The impacts of different pollution aerosol sources (anthropogenic, biomass burning, and non-biomass burning) are investigated by performing sensitivity experiments. The model framework includes all known light and meteorological responses of photosynthesis, but uses fixed canopy structures and phenology. On a global scale, our results show that global land carbon fluxes (GPP and isoprene emission) are not sensitive to pollution aerosols, even under a global decline in surface solar radiation (direct + diffuse) by  ∼ 9 %. At a regional scale, GPP and isoprene emission show a robust but opposite sensitivity to pollution aerosols in regions where forested canopies dominate. In eastern North America and Eurasia, anthropogenic pollution aerosols (mainly from non-biomass burning sources) enhance GPP by +5–8 % on an annual average. In the northwestern Amazon Basin and central Africa, biomass burning aerosols increase GPP by +2–5 % on an annual average, with a peak in the northwestern Amazon Basin during the dry-fire season (+5–8 %). The prevailing mechanism varies across regions: light scattering dominates in eastern North America, while a reduction in direct radiation dominates in Europe and China. Aerosol-induced GPP productivity increases in the Amazon and central Africa include an additional positive feedback from reduced canopy temperatures in response to increases in canopy conductance. In Eurasia and northeastern China, anthropogenic pollution aerosols drive a decrease in isoprene emission of −2 to −12 % on an annual average. Future research needs to incorporate the indirect effects of aerosols and possible feedbacks from dynamic carbon allocation and phenology.
A Lagrangian description on the troposphere-to-stratosphere transport changes associated with the stratospheric water drop around the year 2000
Authors: Hasebe Fumio , Noguchi Taisuke
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The sudden decrease in stratospheric water vapor at around the year 2000 to 2001 is relatively well accepted in spite of the difficulty to quantify the long-term variations. This stepwise change is studied by examining the entry value of water to the stratosphere ([H2O]e) and some Lagrangian diagnostics of dehydration taking place in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). The analysis is made using the backward kinematic trajectories initialized every  ∼ 10 days from January 1997 to December 2002 at 400 K potential temperature surface in the tropics. The [H2O]e is estimated by the ensemble mean value of the water saturation mixing ratio (SMR) at the Lagrangian cold point (LCP) where SMR becomes minimum (SMRmin) in the TTL before reaching the 400 K surface. The drop in [H2O]e is identified to have occurred in September 2000. The horizontal projection of September trajectories, tightly trapped by anticyclonic circulation around the Tibetan high, shows eastward expansion since the year 2000. Associated changes are measured by three-dimensional bins, each having the dimension of 10° longitude by 10° latitude within the TTL. The probability distribution of LCPs shows an appreciable change exhibiting a composite pattern of two components: (i) the dipole structure consisting of the decrease over the Bay of Bengal and Malay Peninsula and the increase over the northern subtropical western Pacific and (ii) the patterns of the decrease over the equatorial western Pacific and the increase over the central Pacific that are almost symmetric with respect to the Equator. The SMRmin shows a general decrease in the tropics with some enhancement in the central Pacific. The expectation values, defined by the multiple of the probability of LCP events and the ensemble mean values of SMRmin, are calculated on each bin for both periods prior and posterior to the drop. These values are the spatial projection of [H2O]e on an individual bin. The results indicate that the drop is brought about by the decrease in water transport borne by the air parcels that have experienced the LCP over the Bay of Bengal and the western tropical Pacific. The former is related to the eastward expansion of the anticyclonic circulation around the weakened Tibetan high, while the latter would be linked to the eastward expansion of western tropical warm water to the central Pacific. This oceanic surface forcing may be responsible also for the modulation of dehydration efficiency in the successive northern winter. The drop in September 2000 and the sustained low values thereafter of [H2O]e are thus interpreted as being driven by the changes in thermal forcing from the continental and oceanic bottom boundaries.
Icelandic grasslands as long-term C sinks under elevated N inputs
Authors: Leblans Niki I. W. , Sigurdsson Bjarni D. , Aerts Rien , Vicca Sara , Magnússon Borgthór , Janssens Ivan A.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. About 10 % of the anthropogenic CO2 emissions have been absorbed by northern terrestrial ecosystems during the past decades. It has been hypothesized that part of this increasing carbon (C) sink is caused by the alleviation of nitrogen (N) limitation by increasing anthropogenic N inputs. However, little is known about this N-dependent C sink. Here, we studied the effect of chronic seabird-derived N inputs (47–67 kg N ha−1 yr−1) on the net soil organic C (SOC) storage rate of unmanaged Icelandic grasslands on the volcanic Vestmannaeyjar archipelago by using a stock change approach in combination with soil dating. We studied both early developmental soils (50 years) and mature soils (1,600 years), and for the latter we separated between decadal (topsoil) and millennial (total soil profile) responses, where the SOC stocks in the topsoil accorded to 40–50 years of net SOC storage and those in the total soil to 1,600 years of net SOC storage. We found that enhanced N availability – either from accumulation over time, or seabird derived – increased the net SOC storage rate. Under low N inputs, the early developmental soils were weak decadal C sinks (0.018 ton SOC ha−1 yr−1), but this increased quickly under elevated N inputs to 0.29 ton SOC ha−1 yr−1, thereby equaling the decadal SOC storage rate of the unfertilized mature site. Furthermore, at the mature site, chronic N inputs not only stimulated the decadal SOC storage rate, but also the millennial SOC storage was consistently higher at the high N input site. Hence, our study suggests that Icelandic grasslands, if not disturbed, can remain C sinks for many centuries under current climatic conditions and that chronically elevated N inputs can induce a permanent strengthening of this sink.
Permafrost thaw and release of inorganic nitrogen from polygonal tundra soils in eastern Siberia
Authors: Beermann Fabian , Langer Moritz , Wetterich Sebastian , Strauss Jens , Boike Julia , Fiencke Claudia , Schirrmeister Lutz , Pfeiffer Eva-Maria , Kutzbach Lars
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The currently observed climate warming will lead to substantial permafrost degradation and mobilization of formerly freeze-locked matter. Based on recent findings, we assume that there are substantial stocks of inorganic nitrogen (N) within the perennially frozen ground of arctic ecosystems. We studied eleven soil profiles down to one meter depth below surface at three different sites in arctic eastern Siberia, covering polygonal tundra and river floodplains, to assess the amount of inorganic N stores in arctic permafrost-affected soils. Furthermore, we modeled the potential thickening of the seasonally unfrozen uppermost soil (active) layer for these sites, using the CryoGrid2 permafrost model and representation concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The first scenario, RCP4.5, is a stabilization pathway that reaches plateau atmospheric carbon concentrations early in the 21st century; the second, RCP8.5, is a business as usual emission scenario with increasing carbon emissions. The modeled increases in active layer thickness (ALT) were used to estimate potential annual N mobilization from permafrost-affected soils in the course of climate-induced active-layer deepening. We observed significant stores of inorganic ammonium in the perennially frozen ground of all investigated soils, up to 40-fold higher than in the active layer. The modeled ALT increase until 2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario was between 19 ± 3 cm and 35 ± 6 cm, depending on the location. Under the RCP4.5 scenario, the ALT remained stable in all investigated soils. Our estimated mean annual N release under the RCP8.5 scenario is between 8 ± 3 mg m−2 and 81 ± 14 mg m−2 for the different locations, which reaches values up to the order of magnitude of annual fixation of atmospheric N in arctic soils. However, the thawing induced release of N represents only a small flux in comparison with the overall ecosystem N cycling.
Leaf nitrogen from first principles: field evidence for adaptive variation with climate
Authors: Dong Ning , Prentice Iain Colin , Evans Bradley J. , Caddy-Retalic Stefan , Lowe Andrew J. , Wright Ian J.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Nitrogen content per unit leaf area (Narea) is a key variable in plant functional ecology and biogeochemistry. Narea comprises a structural component, which scales with leaf mass per area (LMA), and a metabolic component, which scales with Rubisco capacity. The co-ordination hypothesis, as implemented in LPJ and related global vegetation models, predicts that Rubisco capacity should be directly proportional to irradiance but should decrease with ci:ca and temperature because the amount of Rubisco required to achieve a given assimilation rate declines with both. We tested these predictions using LMA, leaf δ13C and leaf N measurements on complete species assemblages sampled at sites on a North-South transect from tropical to temperate Australia. Partial effects of mean canopy irradiance, mean annual temperature and ci:ca (from δ13C) on Narea were all significant and their directions and magnitudes were in line with predictions. Over 80 % of the variance in community-mean (ln) Narea was accounted for by these predictors plus LMA. Moreover, Narea could be decomposed into two components, one proportional to LMA (slightly steeper in N-fixers), the other to predicted Rubisco activity. Trait gradient analysis revealed ci:ca to be perfectly plastic, while species turnover contributed about half the variation in LMA and Narea. Interest has surged in methods to predict continuous leaf-trait variation from environmental factors, in order to improve ecosystem models. Our results indicate that Narea has a useful degree of predictability, from a combination of LMA and ci:ca – themselves in part environmentally determined – with Rubisco activity, as predicted from local growing conditions. This is consistent with a 'plant-centred' approach to modelling, emphasizing the adaptive regulation of traits. Models that account for biodiversity will also need to partition community-level trait variation into components due to phenotypic plasticity and/or genotypic differentiation within species, versus progressive species replacement, along environmental gradients. Our analysis suggests that variation in Narea is about evenly split between these two modes.
Naujagimio nužudymo teisiniai ir medicininiai aspektai
Authors: Aliukonienė Rita , Navickas Alvydas , Bareikytė Aurėja
Published: April 2016

Tarptautinė bendruomenė iš visų prigimtinių žmogaus teisių prioritetu laiko žmogaus teisę į gyvybę. Dėl šios priežasties daugumos valstybių baudžiamuosiuose įstatymuose numatyti atskiri skyriai, skirti nusikaltimams žmogaus gyvybei reglamentuoti. Taigi ir Lietuvos Respublikos baudžiamasis kodeksas (toliau tekste – BK), įsigaliojęs nuo 2003 m. gegužės 1 d., saugo ir gina kiekvieno žmogaus teisę į gyvybę kaip visų kitų teisių pagrindą, nes jei nėra gyvybės, beprasmės tampa ir visos kitos žmogaus teisės [1]. Naujajame Lietuvos baudžiamajame įstatyme įtvirtinta plati vertybių ir prioritetų sistema, todėl suprantama, kad kai kurių BK normų taikymas teismų praktikoje kelia probleminių klausimų, reikalaujančių gilesnės analizės. Vienas iš tokių probleminių klausimų – naujagimio nužudymo (BK 131 str.), padaryto ribotai pakaltinamos motinos, teisingas atribojimas nuo savo kūdikio nužudymo (BK 129 str. 2 d. 3 p.), kurį padaro psichikos sutrikimų neturinti ir pakaltinama motina. Medicininės, teisinės literatūros studijos bei baudžiamųjų bylų medžiagos ir jose esančios teismo psichiatrinės – psichologinės ekspertizės leido padaryti išvadą, kad vienas iš pagrindinių kriterijų, suteikiančių teisę patraukti kaltininką baudžiamojon atsakomybėn už privilegijuotą nužudymą (BK 131 str.), yra nustatymas, kad savo naujagimio nužudymą veikė motinos nulemta gimdymo būsena.