bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A “Cold Path” for the Gulf Stream–Troposphere Connection
Authors: Vannière Benoît , Czaja Arnaud , Dacre Helen , Woollings Tim
Published: November 2016

The mechanism by which the Gulf Stream sea surface temperature (SST) front anchors a band of precipitation on its warm edge is still a matter of debate, and little is known about how synoptic activity contributes to the mean state. In the present study, the influence of the SST front on precipitation is investigated during the course of a single extratropical cyclone using a regional configuration of the Met Office Unified Model. The comparison of a control run with a simulation in which SST gradients were smoothed brought the following conclusions: a band of precipitation is reproduced for a single extratropical cyclone, and the response to the SST gradient is dominated by a change of convective precipitation in the cold sector of the storm. Several climatological features described by previous studies, such as surface wind convergence on the warm edge or a meridional circulation cell across the SST front, are also reproduced at synoptic time scales in the cold sector. Based on these results, a simple boundary layer model is proposed to explain the convective and dynamical response to the SST gradient in the cold sector. In this model, cold and dry air parcels acquire more buoyancy over a sharp SST gradient and become more convectively unstable. The convection sets a pressure anomaly over the entire depth of the boundary layer that drives wind convergence. This case study offers a new pathway by which the SST gradient can anchor a climatological band of precipitation.
Observed El Niño SSTA Development and the Effects of Easterly and Westerly Wind Events in 2014/15
Authors: Chiodi Andrew M. , Harrison D. E.
Published: November 2016

The unexpected halt of warm sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) growth in 2014 and development of a major El Niño in 2015 has drawn attention to our ability to understand and predict El Niño development. Wind stress–forced ocean model studies have satisfactorily reproduced observed equatorial Pacific SSTAs during periods when data return from the TAO/TRITON buoy network was high. Unfortunately, TAO/TRITON data return in 2014 was poor. To study 2014 SSTA development, the observed wind gaps must be filled. The hypothesis that subseasonal wind events provided the dominant driver of observed waveguide SSTA development in 2014 and 2015 is used along with the available buoy winds to construct an oceanic waveguide-wide surface stress field of westerly wind events (WWEs) and easterly wind surges (EWSs). It is found that the observed Niño-3.4 SSTA development in 2014 and 2015 can thereby be reproduced satisfactorily. Previous 2014 studies used other wind fields and reached differing conclusions about the importance of WWEs and EWSs. Experiment results herein help explain these inconsistencies, and clarify the relative importance of WWEs and EWSs. It is found that the springtime surplus of WWEs and summertime balance between WWEs and EWSs (yielding small net wind stress anomaly) accounts for the early development and midyear reversal of El Niño–like SSTA development in 2014. A strong abundance of WWEs in 2015 accounts for the rapid SSTA warming observed then. Accurately forecasting equatorial Pacific SSTA in years like 2014 and 2015 may require learning to predict WWE and EWS occurrence characteristics.
Why Do Global Climate Models Struggle to Represent Low-Level Clouds in the West African Summer Monsoon?
Authors: Hannak Lisa , Knippertz Peter , Fink Andreas H. , Kniffka Anke , Pante Gregor
Published: November 2016

Climate models struggle to realistically represent the West African monsoon (WAM), which hinders reliable future projections and the development of adequate adaption measures. Low-level clouds over southern West Africa (5°–10°N, 8°W–8°E) during July–September are an integral part of the WAM through their effect on the surface energy balance and precipitation, but their representation in climate models has received little attention. Here 30 (20) years of output from 18 (8) models participating in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (Year of Tropical Convection) are used to identify cloud biases and their causes. Compared to ERA-Interim reanalyses, many models show large biases in low-level cloudiness of both signs and a tendency to too high elevation and too weak diurnal cycles. At the same time, these models tend to have too strong low-level jets, the impact of which is unclear because of concomitant effects on temperature and moisture advection as well as turbulent mixing. Part of the differences between the models and ERA-Interim appear to be related to the different subgrid cloud schemes used. While nighttime tendencies in temperature and humidity are broadly realistic in most models, daytime tendencies show large problems with the vertical transport of heat and moisture. Many models simulate too low near-surface relative humidities, leading to insufficient low cloud cover and abundant solar radiation, and thus a too large diurnal cycle in temperature and relative humidity. In the future, targeted model sensitivity experiments will be needed to test possible feedback mechanisms between low clouds, radiation, boundary layer dynamics, precipitation, and the WAM circulation.
Ocean–Atmosphere State Dependence of the Atmospheric Response to Arctic Sea Ice Loss
Authors: Osborne Joe M. , Screen James A. , Collins Mat
Published: November 2016

The Arctic is warming faster than the global average. This disproportionate warming—known as Arctic amplification—has caused significant local changes to the Arctic system and more uncertain remote changes across the Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes. Here, an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) is used to test the sensitivity of the atmospheric and surface response to Arctic sea ice loss to the phase of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO), which varies on (multi-) decadal time scales. Four experiments are performed, combining low and high sea ice states with global sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies associated with opposite phases of the AMO. A trough–ridge–trough response to wintertime sea ice loss is seen in the Pacific–North American sector in the negative phase of the AMO. The authors propose that this is a consequence of an increased meridional temperature gradient in response to sea ice loss, just south of the climatological maximum, in the midlatitudes of the central North Pacific. This causes a southward shift in the North Pacific storm track, which strengthens the Aleutian low with circulation anomalies propagating into North America. While the climate response to sea ice loss is sensitive to AMO-related SST anomalies in the North Pacific, there is little sensitivity to larger-magnitude SST anomalies in the North Atlantic. With background ocean–atmosphere states persisting for a number of years, there is the potential to improve predictions of the impacts of Arctic sea ice loss on decadal time scales.
Regional Climate Modeling of Vegetation Feedbacks on the Asian–Australian Monsoon Systems
Authors: Notaro Michael , Chen Guangshan , Yu Yan , Wang Fuyao , Tawfik Ahmed
Published: November 2016

This study explores the hypothesis that subtropical and tropical monsoon regions exhibit unique responses to vegetation feedbacks. Using the Community Climate System Model (CCSM), M. Notaro et al. concluded that reduced vegetation cover led to an earlier subtropical Chinese monsoon and a delayed, weaker tropical Australian monsoon, yet significant climate and leaf area index (LAI) biases obfuscated the hypothesis’s reliability. To address these concerns, the Regional Climate Model, version 4 (RegCM4), likewise coupled to the Community Land Model but with “observed” LAI boundary conditions, is applied across China and Australia. The model matches the observed dominance of crops, grass, and evergreen trees in southern China and grass and shrubs in northern Australia. The optimal model configuration is determined and applied in control runs for 1960–2013. Monsoon region LAI is modified in a RegCM4 ensemble, aimed at contrasting vegetation feedbacks between tropical and subtropical regions. Greater LAI supports reductions in albedo, temperature, wind speed, boundary layer height, ascending motion, and midlevel clouds and increases in diurnal temperature range (DTR), wind stress, evapotranspiration (ET), specific humidity, and low clouds. In response to greater LAI, rainfall is enhanced during Australia’s pre-to-midmonsoon season but not for China. Modified LAI leads to dramatic changes in the temporal distribution and intensity of Australian rain events. Heterogeneous responses to biophysical feedbacks include amplified impacts (e.g., increased ET and DTR) across China’s croplands and Australia’s shrublands. Inconsistencies between China’s monsoonal responses in the present RegCM4 study and prior CCSM study of M. Notaro et al. are attributed to CCSM’s excessive forest cover and LAI, exaggerated roughness mechanism, and deficient ET response.
Internal Tide Convergence and Mixing in a Submarine Canyon
Authors: Waterhouse Amy F. , Mackinnon Jennifer A. , Musgrave Ruth C. , Kelly Samuel M. , Pickering Andy , Nash Jonathan
Published: November 2016

Observations from Eel Canyon, located on the north coast of California, show that elevated turbulence in the full water column arises from the convergence of remotely generated internal wave energy. The incoming semidiurnal and bottom-trapped diurnal internal tides generate complex interference patterns. The semidiurnal internal tide sets up a partly standing wave within the canyon due to reflection at the canyon head, dissipating all of its energy within the canyon. Dissipation in the near bottom is associated with the diurnal trapped tide, while midwater isopycnal shear and strain is associated with the semidiurnal tide. Dissipation is elevated up to 600 m off the bottom, in contrast to observations over the flat continental shelf where dissipation occurs closer to the topography. Slope canyons are sinks for internal wave energy and may have important influences on the global distribution of tidally driven mixing.
Building a Transnational Space for Action
Authors: Laine Jussi
Published: November 2016

While the field of international relations has evolved from its positivist premises—from a single means of understanding world politics towards a more nuanced and holistic approach—it still remains insufficient to understand the big picture. Despite recent efforts to broaden the field, it remains tied to great power politics and its basic unit of analysis remains the state. Independently, it is incapable of explaining the multilevelled and multiscalar processes that take place today. In the EU context, the national territory has been deterritorialized, whereby culture, politics and economies have become more transnational. While the operational preconditions of civil society remain linked with the operations of broader society surrounding it, there is no reason to assume that this should always be understood in the frame of a nation-state. Based on the experience from the Finnish–Russian border, this article argues that while the territorial sovereignty of the nation-states continues to form one of the leading principles upon which international relations are based, transnational relations are run increasingly by actors and organizations whose ability to function do not stop at the political borders. Owing to the changes in the governance modes, the state is no longer the primary actor, nor is the nation-state the only conception of space to be applied in explaining human interactions. The time has come to approach interactions in post-national terms and conceptualize a cross-border space, through civil society actor linkages.
Summer learning that sticks
Authors: Browne Daniel
Published: November 2016

A new RAND Corporation study shows that voluntary summer programs can benefit children from low-income families, particularly those with high attendance. Programs studied in five school districts had several elements in common: a mix of academics and enrichment activities, certified teachers, small class sizes, full-day programming provided five days a week for five to six weeks, at least three hours of instruction in math and English language arts daily, no fee for participation, and free transportation and meals. High attenders outperformed control group students on tests in both math and English language arts after the second summer of participation. RAND offers practical recommendations to districts as they implement summer learning programs.
Detracked — And going strong
Authors: Bavis Peter
Published: November 2016

In 2010, Evanston Township High School in suburban Chicago, Ill., dramatically changed its freshman year for incoming students. The school detracked freshman English, history, and biology courses for the vast majority of students, thus removing barriers for historically under-represented student groups and providing greater access and opportunity to all. Central to the school’s approach was increasing the critical mass of diverse students in AP and honors courses. Five years later, the results are in: On ACT and AP scores, as well as in AP attendance, the school is posting the highest numbers ever.
Strategic accountability is key to making PLCs effective
Authors: Easton Lois Brown
Published: November 2016

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are often criticized for failing to focus on real problems of teaching and learning and for failing to deliver improvement. That’s where accountability comes into play. Strategic accountability distinguishes PLCs that are effective from those that are not. Everyone knows what accountability is, but the strategy used in creating accountability for PLCs is a highly nuanced approach to professional learning leading to action that makes a difference for student learning. Accountability can be both informal and formal. True accountability means transparency about what is going on in PLCs and involves agreements and understandings between participants about responsibilities.
When choice fosters inequality
Authors: Ayscue Jennifer B. , Siegel-Hawley Genevieve , Woodward Brian , Orfield Gary
Published: November 2016

The Civil Rights Project was hired to identify barriers to equitable access in Buffalo (N.Y.) Public Schools’ criteria schools and propose solutions, which, if accepted by both parties, could resolve the civil rights violations and create more equitable access to those schools. The researchers found that students of color, low-income students, and English language learners faced barriers in four areas: information, preparation, admission criteria, and availability of choices. Researchers crafted recommendations about how to make Buffalo’s choice system fair. The school system accepted many proposed changes in its outreach and recruitment process but refused to end its reliance on test scores or expand the supply of high-achieving schools.
Testing
Authors: Sternberg Robert J.
Published: November 2016

IQs increased by about 30 points in the 20th century. Part of this increase may have been the result of increased standardized testing because testing improves the skills on which students are tested. But although these practices may increase general intelligence, they may impede the development of creativity and wisdom. As a result, our society may be achieving short-term increases in well-being at the expense of long-term ones. Instruction and assessment need to better balance the development of intelligence, creativity, and wisdom.
The Editor’s Note
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: November 2016

How schools use time is an evergreen issue in education. No matter what time of year it is, time — or the lack of time — is always up for debate. But we have neglected one of the most crucial areas for using time more effectively: how teachers use their time. The editor proposes that teachers spend half of their work week on instruction and the other half on their own learning, and collaboration with colleagues. She also proposes that teachers work a full year, instead of an abbreviated academic year.
Pronival ramparts
Authors: Hedding David W.
Published: November 2016

Pronival ramparts are debris ridges formed at the downslope margins of perennial or semi-permanent snowbeds beneath bedrock cliffs. These landforms, also previously known as protalus ramparts, are located in periglacial environments, but the apparent simplicity of rampart formation made these landforms far less interesting than other modified forms of talus in cold environments. As a result, limited research, use of supposed relict examples and assumed formative mechanisms led to the misidentification of ramparts, circular arguments regarding genesis and inappropriate palaeo-environmental inferences. Several advances have, however, been made in the past few decades, particularly where actively-forming ramparts have been studied. Thus, this paper provides a review of research on pronival ramparts. In particular, focus is placed on the advances made in our understanding of rampart genesis, identification (diagnostic criteria) and palaeo-environmental significance. Notable advances include the development of a retrogressive model of rampart genesis to supplement the conventional downslope model of development, revised diagnostic criteria for field identification and the use of calibration equations during Schmidt-hammer exposure dating of pronival rampart. The use of pronival ramparts as palaeo-environmental indicators is also examined to determine what relict examples of these landforms may reveal about past climates.
Gordon Matta-Clark: ‘Somewhere Outside the Law’
Authors: Alliez Éric , Mackay Robin
Published: November 2016

‘Nobody could construct buildings the way Gordon destructed them’, we read in the issue of Flash Art published shortly after the artist’s death. In this article the author sets out from the at once physical and social violence of Gordon Matta-Clark’s interventions (their ‘cleanlined brutality’) so as to introduce the relation – and to introduce the negation in the relation – between Matta-Clark and the architects whom he places ‘at opposite ends of the pole’ from his own anarchitectural operation. But Matta-Clark proposes not so much an alternative usage of the enclosure of space as the diagram of a new spatial enunciation which, as the author tries to show, sheds new light on the very terms in which the question of art was posed at the end of the 1960s.
A Fantastic Church? Literature, Politics, and the Afterlives of Afro-Protestantism
Authors: Sorett Josef
Published: November 2016

This essay tracks the evolving tensions between culture and politics in African American life to offer an account of how an idea of “church” shapes contemporary black literature and social activism. Although generally understood as a dramatic reimagining of the black past and as a break from the “Black Church,” specifically, black literature and protest politics in the present moment are not as far removed from the traditions of Afro-Protestantism as they are thought to be. Recognizing the degree to which racial and religious discourses are mutually constitutive, this essay calls attention to how blackness itself (under a variety of names) has circulated as a religious discourse—as a veritable conversation within and without, all around and about, the church.
Human Territoriality and the Downfall of Public Housing
Authors: Cupers Kenny
Published: November 2016

This article examines theories of human territoriality and their historical role in the demise of public housing in Western Europe and North America between the 1960s and the 1980s. The neglect and privatization of the public housing stock and the withdrawal of the state in direct provision in this period are often subsumed under the category of neoliberalism. This article unpacks this narrative by focusing on the intersection between architecture and social science. It argues that the neoliberalization of housing not only constitutes a transformation of housing economics, from public to private funding, or design, from highrise blocks in large estates to semidetached or detached individual dwellings; it also constitutes an epistemological turn, which revolves around the shift from “habitat” to “human territoriality.”
Comparing Tablets and PCs in teaching Mathematics: An attempt to improve Mathematics Competence in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Papadakis Stamatis , Kalogiannakis Michail , Zaranis Nicholas
Published: November 2016

The present study investigates and compares the influence of using computers and tablets, in the development of mathematical competence in early childhood education. For the implementation of the survey, we conducted a 14 weeks intervention, which included one experimental and one control group. Children in both groups were taught Mathematics according to Greek curriculum for early childhood education in conjunction with the use either of the same educational software, which depending on the group, were running on computers or on tablets. In order to evaluate the mathematical performance of children we used the Test of Early Mathematics Ability (TEMA-3). The sample consisted of 256 children in Greece. The results showed that, teaching with tablets comparatively to teaching with computers has contributed significantly to the development of children’s mathematical ability to a greater extent. Moreover, factors such as gender and age did not seem to differentiate the development of mathematical competence of children.
Sex pairing of three highly dimorphic Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Erebiidae) females in French Guyana and description of three new species from Brazil
Authors: Laguerre Michel
Published: November 2016

Following a general survey of the Neotropical Arctiinae using the so-called "barcoding" technique, three highly dimorphic females were identified and associated with their corresponding males. Idalus larissa Druce, 1890 comb. rev. is the male of Idalus albescens (Rothschild, 1909) syn. nov. Euplesia sphingidea (Perty, [1833]) is the male of Delphyre varians Hampson, 1901 syn. nov. and Apiconoma opposita (Walker, 1854) is the male of Delphyre aclytioides Hampson, 1901 syn. nov. Moreover two new species of the genus Apiconoma and one species of the genus Glaucostola, all collected in Brazil, are described: Apiconoma witti sp. nov., Apiconoma mojui sp. nov. and Glaucostola indagata sp. nov. Several distances trees and pictures of all male (and one female) genitalia are provided. Distributions for all new species are discussed.
Resistance or resignation to welfare reform? The activist politics for and against social citizenship
Authors: Edmiston Daniel , Humpage Louise
Published: November 2016

Since 2008, mature welfare states have, to varying degrees, pursued a strategy of welfare reform that has reconfigured the dominant praxis of social citizenship. Drawing on qualitative data from two studies, this paper explores what bearing this has had on the political subjectivity of welfare claimants in the New Zealand context. The findings suggest welfare claimants engage in diverse political struggles for and against social citizenship to resist, reconfigure and resign themselves to the prevailing socio-political settlement. In light of this, conclusions are drawn about the insurgent politics of low-income social security claimants as political agents in the citizenship-making process.
Sticks, Stones, and Stigma: Student Bystander Behavior in Response to Hearing the Word “Retard”
Authors: Albert Avery B. , Jacobs Holly E. , Siperstein Gary N.
Published: November 2016

The present study explored the prevalence of the r-word in schools and students' bystander behavior in response to hearing the word. In total, 2,297 students from 12 high schools across the country participated in this study. Results revealed the r-word was used frequently among high school students, most often toward individuals without intellectual disability (ID). Students were more likely to take an active bystander role when hearing the r-word used toward students with ID than when hearing it used toward students without ID. Students' gender and prosocialness also played a role in determining their bystander behavior in response to the r-word. This study has implications for reducing the use of the r-word and the stigma associated with ID.
Pendeteksian Gerakan Menggunakan Transduser Ultrasound dengan Metoda Pembandingan Pola Gema
Authors: Prajitno Dicky Rianto , Ramdan Ade
Published: November 2016

Pada tulisan ini kami mengusulkan metoda pendeteksi gerakan. Pendeteksian dilakukan dengan cara membandingkan dua buah pola gema dalam interval waktu tertentu dan jeda antara pola gema. Perbedaan pola gema menunjukkan terjadinya gerakan dari benda-benda di area deteksi sensor. Dengan metoda pembandingan ini, sensor menjadi sensitif terhadap gerakan atau perubahan posisi setiap objek yang berada disekitarnya. Hasil yang diperoleh memperlihatkan bahwa sensor ini secara khusus lebih sensitif dibandingkan sensor PIR dalam mendeteksi gerakan-gerakan kecil. Pada prakteknya metoda ini telah mampu mendeteksi beberapa gerakan tubuh manusia seperti: dari mulai berjalan; duduk; berbicara; hingga gerak respirasi tubuh.
Peningkatan Kinerja Skema Estimasi Arah Kedatangan Sinyal dengan Compressive Sensing Sparsitas Sudut dan Sampel Multisnap
Authors: Usman Koredianto , Suksmono Andriyan Bayu , Gunawan Hendra
Published: November 2016

Perkembangan teknik compressive sensing beserta pemanfaatannya digunakan pada berbagai penyelesaian permasalahan. Salah satu pemanfaatannya yang dibahas di sini adalah untuk pengurangan sampel pada skema estimasi arah kedatangan sinyal. Secara umum terdapat tiga skema besar pemanfaatan teknik compressive sensing untuk estimasi arah kedatangan: skema sparsitas frekuensi, skema sparsitas spasial dan skema sparsitas sudut. Dari ketiga teknik ini, skema sparsitas sudut menjadi fokus pada penelitian ini karena keuntungannya dalam mengurangi sampel yang superior dibandingkan dengan dua skema lainnya. Keuntungan lain dari skema ini adalah kesederhanaannya. Kekurangan dari skema ini adalah sensitifitas terhadap noise. Pada lingkungan dengan noise tinggi dengan SNR kurang dari 0 dB, skema ini menderita kesalahan estimasi sudut di atas lima derajat. Tingkat kesalahan estimasi meningkat pada level yang tidak dapat lagi diterima untuk SNR kurang dari -5 dB. Peningkatan ketahanan terhadap noise yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini adalah dengan menggunakan teknik multisnap sampel. Ada dua skema yang diusulkan yaitu teknik multisnap sederhana dan teknik multisnap dengan outliers removal. Hasil simulasi menunjukkan teknik multisnap sederhana meningkatkan akurasi sekitar 2 derajat pada SNR 0 dB. Pada SNR -5 dB terjadi peningkatan akurasi secara signifikan di atas 10 derajat. Pada teknik multisnap dengan outliers removal terjadi peningkatan akurasi lebih lanjut pada SNR kurang dari -5 dB.
Optimasi Pemilihan Emiten Pasar Modal Berdasarkan Aspek Fundamental dengan Menggunakan Algoritma Dynamic Programming
Authors: Sutedy Stanley , Hansun Seng
Published: November 2016

Penelitian ini membahas tentang optimasi dalam pemilihan emiten pasar modal dengan memperhitungkan variabel finansial yang dimiliki setiap emiten. Variabel-variabel ini yang disebut dengan multiple constraints. Dalam analisis fundamental sederhana, nilai fundamental sebuah perusahaan tercermin dari nilai-nilai rasio finansial. Optimasi dilakukan dengan menggunakan algoritma Dynamic Programming untuk solusi optimal pemilihan emiten pasar modal. Optimasi pemilihan dilakukan untuk emiten yang mempunyai bidang bisnis yang sama. Dengan optimasi ini, pengguna hanya cukup memasukkan nilai-nilai rasio finansial tersebut, lalu dilakukan proses optimasi, yang pada akhirnya akan menghasilkan solusi optimal.
Analisis Data Twitter: Ekstraksi dan Analisis Data G eospasial
Authors: Negara Edi Surya , Andryani Ria , Saksono Prihambodo Hendro
Published: November 2016

Data geospasial pada media sosial Twitter dapat dimanfaatkan untuk mengetahui informasi spasial (lokasi) yang merupakan lokasi sumber munculnya persepsi publik terhadap sebuah isu di media sosial. Besarnya produksi data geospasial yang dihasilkan oleh Twitter memberikan peluang besar untuk dapat dimanfaatkan oleh berbagai pihak sehingga menghasilkan informasi yang lebih bernilai melalui proses Twitter Data Analytics. Proses pemanfaatan data geospasial Twitter dimulai dengan melakukan proses ekstraksi terhadap informasi spatial berupa titik koordinat pengguna Twitter. Titik koordinat pengguna Twitter didapatkan dari sharing location yang dilakukan oleh pengguna Twitter. Untuk mengekstrak dan menganalisis data geospasial pada Twitter dibutuhkan pengetahuan dan kerangka kerja tentang social media analytics (SMA). Pada penelitian ini dilakukan ekstraksi dan analisis data geospasial Twitter terhadap suatu isu publik yang sedang berkembang dan mengembangakan prototipe perangkat lunak yang digunakan untuk mendapatkan data geospasial yang ada pada Twitter. Proses ekstraksi dan analisis dilakukan melalui empat tahapan yaitu: proses penarikan data (crawling), penyimpanan (storing), analisis (analyzing), dan visualisasi (vizualizing). Penelitian ini bersifat exploratory yang terfokus pada pengembangan teknik ekstrasi dan analisis terhadap data geospasial twitter
PINÓQUIO E A LEI
Authors: Trindade André Karam , Karam Henriete
Published: November 2016

O artigo, que se inscreve no campo dos estudos de Direitona Literatura, é dedicado à obra As aventuras de Pinóquio,de C. Collodi. Partindo do exame das peculiaridades da literaturainfantil e da fortuna crítica, especialmente as leituras propostas dematiz histórico-político-social, busca-se abordar o processo de humanização do protagonista como condição para a sua submissãoà lei e sua adesão ao pacto social, privilegiando, mediante a análisedos elementos figurativos relacionados aos confrontos de Pinóquiocom a Lei, as representações da administração da justiça e, porconsequência, problematizando o caráter meramente coercitivo dodireito, de modo a questionar a sua eficácia normativa.
REFLEXÕES SOBRE O TRATAMENTO JURÍDICO DA OBSOLESCÊNCIA PROGRAMADA NO BRASIL: IMPLICAÇÕES AMBIENTAIS E CONSUMERISTAS
Authors: Efing Antônio Carlos , Cavalcante Soares Alexandre Araújo , De Paiva Leonardo Lindroth
Published: November 2016

O presente artigo busca discutir a prática da obsolescênciaprogramada empreendida por agentes econômicos, aqual se converte em uma das características da sociedade de consumocontemporânea, porém com implicações indesejáveis doponto de vista social e ambiental. Em específico, o estudo temcomo objetivo discutir, a partir das legislações ambientais e consumeristas, o enfrentamento jurídico do problema que tal práticaincorre. Nesse sentido, avalia-se uma confluência entre os institutos,suscitando uma revisão do direito à informação, com vista apromover os ideais da sustentabilidade a partir do consumo consciente.Em termos metodológicos, a pesquisa pretende revisar adoutrina que embasa o tema e analisar a jurisprudência atinente.Finalmente, evidenciam-se a adequação e a relevância do direitoà informação no tema da obsolescência programada, a partir dainclusão de informações ambientais pertinentes no rol de diretosdo consumidor, e a devida adequação da garantia contratual àdurabilidade dos produtos e serviços.
THE EFFECT OF DEGRADATION PROCESSES ON THE SERVICEABILITY OF BUILDING MATERIALS OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Authors: Witzany Jiří , Čejka Tomáš , Kroftová Klára , Šmidtová Markéta
Published: November 2016

The article presents an analysis of degradation processes and partial results of an experimental research into materials and structures exposed to the effects of external environments with an emphasis on the effects of moisture and chemical degradation processes on major mechanical properties of sandstone.
THREE-PARAMETER CREEP DAMAGE CONSTITUTIVE MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION IN HYDRAULIC TUNNELLING
Authors: Gang Luo
Published: November 2016

Rock deformation is a time-dependent process, generally referred to as rheology. Especially for soft rock strata, design and construction of tunnel shall take full account of rheological properties of adjoining rocks. Based on classic three-parameter HK model (generalized Kelvin model), this paper proposes a three-parameter H-K damage model of which parameters attenuate with increase of equivalent strain, provides attenuation equation of model parameters in the first, second and third stage of creep deformation and introduces equivalent strain threshold value. When the equivalent strain is greater than the threshold value, the third stage of accelerating creep will be conducted. The three-parameter H-K damage model is used for numerical calculation of finite difference method FLAC3D and deformation features of soft rock with time under high ground stress are described based on diversion tunnel project of Jinping Hydropower Station, of which model parameters can be obtained by back analysis according to measured site data and BP neural network.
GROUTING METHODS FOR THE REHABILITATION AND REINFORCEMENT OF MASONRY STRUCTURES DAMAGED BY CRACKS
Authors: Čejka Tomáš , Zigler Radek , Kroftová Klára , Šmidtová Markéta
Published: November 2016

The article sums up the requirements for historic masonry structures whose reinforcement is based on the grouting technology application, the grouting implementation procedure in relation to the extent, type and size of masonry damage. Special focus is put on grouting agents and requirements for their characteristics.
FINITE ELEMENT MODELLING AND ANALYSIS OF CONCRETE CONFINED BY STIRRUPS IN SQUARE RC COLUMNS
Authors: Zeng Xiang
Published: November 2016

Concrete confined by stirrups with greater ductility than unconfined concrete has been used widely in reinforced concrete (RC) structures and its behavior is the classic topic. As the computer power is improving, an increasing number of modelling studies of the confined concrete using finite element (FE) methods have emerged in recent years. Aiming at developing a FE model to evaluate the behavior of concrete confined by stirrups in square RC columns, a new uniaxial compression stress-strain relation of concrete considering the confinement effect of stirrups was proposed. In the FE model, the behavior of confined concrete was described by combining the concrete damaged plasticity model with the proposed uniaxial compression stress-strain relation of confined concrete. Then, tested square RC columns confined by stirrups under axial load were simulated and the details of the FE model were described. Though the comparison between the predicted and measured curves of axial load N versus axial strain, the proposed uniaxial compressive model of confined concrete was verified. Finally, a parametric study of the effects of strength of stirrup and equal strength replacement of stirrups on the behavior of confined concrete was conducted.
Effect Estimation in Point-Exposure Studies with Binary Outcomes and High-Dimensional Covariate Data – A Comparison of Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation and Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting
Authors: Pang Menglan , Schuster Tibor , Filion Kristian B. , Schnitzer Mireille E. , Eberg Maria , Platt Robert W.
Published: November 2016

Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPW) and targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) are relatively new methods proposed for estimating marginal causal effects. TMLE is doubly robust, yielding consistent estimators even under misspecification of either the treatment or the outcome model. While IPW methods are known to be sensitive to near violations of the practical positivity assumption (e. g., in the case of data sparsity), the consequences of this violation in the TMLE framework for binary outcomes have been less widely investigated. As near practical positivity violations are particularly likely in high-dimensional covariate settings, a better understanding of the performance of TMLE is of particular interest for pharmcoepidemiological studies using large databases. Using plasmode and Monte-Carlo simulation studies, we evaluated the performance of TMLE compared to that of IPW estimators based on a point-exposure cohort study of the marginal causal effect of post-myocardial infarction statin use on the 1-year risk of all-cause mortality from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. A variety of treatment model specifications were considered, inducing different degrees of near practical non-positivity. Our simulation study showed that the performance of the TMLE and IPW estimators were comparable when the dimension of the fitted treatment model was small to moderate; however, they differed when a large number of covariates was considered. When a rich outcome model was included in the TMLE, estimators were unbiased. In some cases, we found irregular bias and large standard errors with both methods even with a correctly specified high-dimensional treatment model. The IPW estimator showed a slightly better root MSE with high-dimensional treatment model specifications in our simulation setting. In conclusion, for estimation of the marginal expectation of the outcome under a fixed treatment, TMLE and IPW estimators employing the same treatment model specification may perform differently due to differential sensitivity to practical positivity violations; however, TMLE, being doubly robust, shows improved performance with richer specifications of the outcome model. Although TMLE is appealing for its double robustness property, such violations in a high-dimensional covariate setting are problematic for both methods.
Double-Valued Neutrosophic Sets, their Minimum Spanning Trees, and Clustering Algorithm
Authors: Kandasamy Ilanthenral
Published: November 2016

Neutrosophy (neutrosophic logic) is used to represent uncertain, indeterminate, and inconsistent information available in the real world. This article proposes a method to provide more sensitivity and precision to indeterminacy, by classifying the indeterminate concept/value into two based on membership: one as indeterminacy leaning towards truth membership and the other as indeterminacy leaning towards false membership. This paper introduces a modified form of a neutrosophic set, called Double-Valued Neutrosophic Set (DVNS), which has these two distinct indeterminate values. Its related properties and axioms are defined and illustrated in this paper. An important role is played by clustering in several fields of research in the form of data mining, pattern recognition, and machine learning. DVNS is better equipped at dealing with indeterminate and inconsistent information, with more accuracy, than the Single-Valued Neutrosophic Set, which fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets are incapable of. A generalised distance measure between DVNSs and the related distance matrix is defined, based on which a clustering algorithm is constructed. This article proposes a Double-Valued Neutrosophic Minimum Spanning Tree (DVN-MST) clustering algorithm, to cluster the data represented by double-valued neutrosophic information. Illustrative examples are given to demonstrate the applications and effectiveness of this clustering algorithm. A comparative study of the DVN-MST clustering algorithm with other clustering algorithms like Single-Valued Neutrosophic Minimum Spanning Tree, Intuitionistic Fuzzy Minimum Spanning Tree, and Fuzzy Minimum Spanning Tree is carried out.
Celiac Disease in The Netherlands: Demographic Data of Members of the Dutch Celiac Society
Authors: Van Gils Tom , Rootsaert Bianca , Bouma Gerd , Mulder Chris J.J.
Published: November 2016

Background & Aims: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease induced by the intake of gluten with a female to male ratio of 2-4:1. Female predominance has not been recognized in serological mass screening studies. Limited data are available on gender and age distribution in the daily clinical practice of celiac disease. The aim of this study is to describe differences in gender and age at the time of celiac disease diagnosis in the Netherlands.

Methods: Data was obtained from a prospectively maintained database of members of the Dutch Celiac Society in whom celiac disease was diagnosed between 1980 and August 2015. Design: retrospective database study; Setting: database of members of the Dutch Celiac Society; Participants: out of the total number of 26,986 current and ex-members, the data of 7,886 members could be used for analysis.

Results: Age at celiac disease diagnosis ranged between 0 and 88 years; the minority (36%) were diagnosed in childhood. In children, the majority (52%) were diagnosed before the age of 4 years. Median age did not differ in children when compared for gender (3 years). In adults, median age differed between males (52 years, IQR 41-61) and females (44 years, IQR 32-56), p<0.001. Female to male ratio was 2.4:1.

Conclusion. The majority of celiac disease patients are diagnosed during adulthood, with males diagnosed at an older age. Only one-third of the patients were diagnosed at childhood. Celiac disease is less frequently diagnosed in young adult males. .

Abbreviations: CBS: Statistics Netherlands; CD: celiac disease; GFD: gluten-free diet; HLA: human leukocyte antigen; IQR: interquartile range.
Massive Food Impaction in Achalasia
Authors: Silva Marco , Peixoto Armando , Ramalho Rosa , Macedo Guilherme
Published: November 2016

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A Triple Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Vancomycin in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: a Pilot Study
Authors: Rahimpour Shahab , Nasiri-Toosi Mohsen , Khalili Hossein , Daryani Nasser Ebrahimi , Taromlou Mohammad Kazem Nouri , Azizi Zahra
Published: November 2016

Background & Aim: Recent studies have suggested the therapeutic effect of antimicrobial agents on primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral vancomycin in patients with PSC.

Method: A triple blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 29 patients (2015-2016) in the Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran (NCT02605213). Patients were divided into two groups by simple randomization method: placebo 11 (37.9%)/vancomycin 18 (62.1%) and were treated with oral vancomycin (125 mg, four times a day) for 12 weeks. All patients in both groups simultaneously underwent treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 300 mg, three times a day) before and during the study. Patients’ laboratory data and clinical symptoms were recorded at the beginning, first and third month after starting treatment, and the response to treatment was analyzed.

Results: 29 patients with a mean age of 36.27±10.60 years were included in the study. Primary endpoints were accomplished in the vancomycin group showing a significant decline in the mean level of PSC Mayo risk score (decrease rate 3rd month – baseline = -322.03%, p=0.026) during follow up time. Moreover, the analysis of the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the vancomycin group showed a significant decrease in the third month of treatment as compared to its level in the first month (mean difference 3rd month -1st month = -142.92, Decrease rate= -18.24%, p=0.02). Among secondary endpoints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.005), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (p=0.02) and patients’ symptoms including fatigue, pruritus, diarrhea and anorexia showed a significant decrease in the vancomycin group.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated an acceptable efficacy of vancomycin in the treatment of PSC. 

Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index ; ESR: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate; FIS-P: Fatigue Impact Scale- Persian; IBD: Inflammatory Bowel Disease; LSD: Least significant difference; PSC: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis; RCT: Randomized, Controlled Trial; UDCA: Ursodeoxycholic acid; VAS: Visual Analogue Scale.
A Case of Serous Cystadenoma Communicating with a Stenotic Santorini’s Duct and a Dilated Main Pancreatic Duct
Authors: Matsubayashi Hiroyuki , Oka Yurika , Ito Takaaki , Uesaka Katsuhiko , Sasaki Keiko , Ono Hiroyuki
Published: November 2016

A 59-year-old woman was referred for investigation of a pancreatic cystic lesion. Computed tomography revealed a well-demarcated, multilocular cyst, approximately 4 cm in size, at the pancreas head. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated honeycomb-like components at the cyst margin. The cyst was associated with a widely-dilated upstream main pancreatic duct (MPD). Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography demonstrated a communication between the stenotic Santorini‘s duct and the cyst. Aspiration cytology from the cyst demonstrated clusters of mucinous epithelial neoplasm cells. Branch-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, possibly invading to the MPD, was suspected and pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Surprisingly, pathology of the resected pancreas showed mixed-type serous cystadenoma.

Abbreviations: CA19-9: cancer antigen 19-9; CEA: carcinoembryonic antigen; ERC: endoscopic retrograde cholangiography; ENPD: endoscopic naso-pancreatic drainage ; ERP: endoscopic retrograde pancreatography; EUS: endoscopic ultrasonography; NET: neuroendocrine tumor; FNA: fine needle aspiration; IPMN: intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm; MRCP: magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; MPD: main pancreatic duct; SCA: serous cystic neoplasms.
The Impact of Hypoxaemia on the Outcome in Liver Cirrhosis Andrei
Authors: Voiosu Andrei Mihai , Voiosu Theodor Alexandru , Smarandache Bianca , Rădoi Aurelia , Mateescu Radu Bogdan , Băicuş Cristian Răsvan , Voiosu Mihail Radu , Diculescu Mihai Mircea
Published: November 2016

Background & Aims: Prognostic factors for poor evolution are critical in the setting of limited access to liver transplantation for patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the impact of hypoxaemia on the outcome in cirrhosis and the evolution of arterial oxygen tension during long-term follow-up in these patients.

Methods: Consecutive cirrhotic patients were prospectively enroled and followed-up in our tertiary referral center. Clinical features, biological tests, arterial blood gases, NT-proBNP levels, pulse oximetry measurements, 12-lead ECG, and transthoracic contrast echocardiography were documented on enrolment. The main outcomes were death and decompensation due to liver disease.

Results: 87 cirrhotic patients were included in the analysis and followed-up for a mean of 16 months. At enrolment, 27 (31%) patients were hypoxaemic, 19 had hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), but only 6 of those who were sampled at follow-up had persistent hypoxaemia. During the study period, 22 patients died of liver-related complications. Nine of them (41%) were hypoxaemic on enrolment but none had severe hypoxaemia. Hypoxaemia present at enrollment was not a risk factor for death (p=0.29) or decompensation of liver disease (p=0.7). A higher MELD score at baseline or increase during follow-up was a risk factor for death (p=0.02) and correlated with the presence of hypoxaemia. Normalization of the arterial oxygen levels was accompanied by a significant decrease in NT-proBNP (83 pg/ml vs 0 pg/mL, p=0.023).

Conclusion: Mild and moderate hypoxaemia was frequent in our patients but was not associated with adverse outcome in cirrhosis. Repeated arterial blood gas sampling is advisable, especially in patients diagnosed with hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Abbreviations: AaO2: alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient; IPVDs: intrapulmonary vascular dilations; HBV: hepatitis B virus; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HPS: hepatopulmonary syndrome; MELD: model for end-stage liver disease; NT-proBNP: aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide; PaCO2: arterial carbon dioxide tension; PaO2: arterial oxygen tension.