bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Hydrocarbon Discovery in Pre-Carbonate Clastic Reservoir: Unlocking Deeper Potential in Sarawak Offshore!
Authors: Ali Mohd Firdaus , Nayak Satyabrata , Abd Aziz Anuar , Amir Khan Noorshireen , Zainun Fakhitah , Tukimin Nurmaliza
Published: May 2016

A recent Oil and Gas discovery in an exploratory well in the Balingian Province could be the prelude to a new era of hydrocarbon exploration in deeper stratigraphy (Cycle-I) of the Sarawak offshore. In spite of various hydrocarbon discoveries made previously, only few wells flowed naturally from Cycle-I due to low permeability. Hence, natural oil flow during a DST from the well is a first of its kind in the block and nearby area. With limited data, few well penetrations and poor seismic data quality, Cycle-I exploration remains challenging and less understood. Hence the success is more of a "challenge" to "cherish" story. An extensive regional study, including preparation of time/depth structure maps, regional isopach maps, well penetration charts, play fairway maps and post drill analyses (PDA) of available wells was carried out for the prospect de-risking. Poor seismic data (mainly due to lower frequency in deeper section and shallow gas clouds overlying the objective at the well location) and the uncertainty of reservoir quality (low permeability) observed in the block become the major challenges in finding the best spot to test hydrocarbon prospectivity of Cycle-I. Despite of being low permeability, the reservoir of Cycle-I sand flowed around 400–500 bopd. This flow rate is significant as this is the first recorded data that the Cycle-I reservoir has been production tested in the block and nearby area. Usage of a robust workflow, state-of-art software and cutting edge technology contributed to the success in this well. Apart from various technical studies carried out during the project, the decisive factor behind the success of the well is the "explorer mindset" of the team and full support from the management. The discovery has wider implications for the hydrocarbon exploration of the deeper stratigraphy in this mature basin.

Introduction

The study area is a part of the Balingian Province, which historically has been a prospective area for oil and gas exploration in offshore Sarawak, Malaysia (figure 1). A number of exploration wells have been drilled in the region by various operators since 1970's. Almost without exception, the primary objective was to test hydrocarbon prospectivity of Carbonate and Pre-Carbonate plays. Although hydrocarbon discoveries were made in Pre-Carbonate of Cycle-II and Cycle-III reservoirs, Cycle-I has remained poorly explored till date. With only few well penetrations, limited data, poor – moderate seismic quality, Cycle-I exploration remains challenging and little understood. In February 2013, PCSB took a step further to drill well S1 targeting for Pre-Carbonate reservoirs of Cycle-II and Cycle-I in a faulted anticline. Well S1 well could successfully flow oil naturally from Cycle-I reservoir without any stimulation. The oil discovery in Pre-Carbonate of Cycle-I is significant and key for future exploration of Pre-Carbonate plays.
Data-Driven Modeling and Prediction of the Process for Selecting Runway Configurations
Authors: Avery Jacob , Balakrishnan Hamsa
Published: May 2016

Runway configuration is a key driver of airport capacity at any time. Several factors, such as wind speed and direction, visibility, traffic demand, air traffic controller workload, and the coordination of flows with neighboring airports, influence the selection of the runway configuration. This paper infers the utility functions of the nominal decision-making process of air traffic personnel by using a discrete choice modeling approach. Given operational and weather conditions that have already been reported, such as ceiling and visibility, traffic demand, and current runway configuration, the model produces a probabilistic forecast of the runway configuration on a 15-min horizon. The prediction is then extended to a more realistic 3-h planning horizon. Case studies for San Francisco (SFO), California; LaGuardia (LGA), New York; and Newark (EWR), New Jersey, airports were completed by using this approach. Given the weather and airport arrival demand, the model predicts the correct runway configuration at SFO, LGA, and EWR on a 3-h horizon with accuracies of 81.2%, 81.3%, and 77.8%, respectively.
Typology of Travelers Based on Their Annual Intercity Travel Patterns Developed from 2013 Longitudinal Survey of Overnight Travel
Authors: Bacon Benjamin , LaMondia Jeffrey J.
Published: May 2016

The ability to forecast and to plan proactively for intercity travel patterns is a critical topic for many metropolitan areas. This paper sets forth, for use in travel demand modeling, a new typology of travelers on the basis of their annual intercity travel patterns. The typology was developed by using the 2013 Longitudinal Survey of Overnight Travel, which provided a year’s data and addressed the nonroutine nature of these long-distance trips. Annual summaries of intercity trips were compared, and travelers were categorized into six distinct segments by using the K-means cluster analysis. Each group clearly demonstrated a unique relationship with intercity travel and mode choices. A comparison of the typology with commonly used demographic variables highlighted the fact that such a characterization provided a deeper understanding of traveler preferences and biases than simply using demographics. The distribution of respondent demographics was relatively similar across each cluster and highlighted the need to consider factors beyond basic demographics when factors influencing long-distance travel decisions are being identified. This typology can significantly improve intercity demand models, either as an independent variable in disaggregate intercity travel demand models or as a region-level behavior-based characterization that provides meaningful contributions to the planning process. Specifically, the annual overnight intercity travel typology provides more information on travelers’ motivations and biases than other sociodemographic variables and thereby allows the model to be more responsive to policy and planning analyses and to provide more accurate forecasts.
Value of Extended Time-Based Metering for Optimized Profile Descent–Based Arrival Operations
Authors: Chen Heng , Solak Senay
Published: May 2016

As one of the key components of the implementation plan for the Next-Generation Air Transportation System, time-based metering delivers a more precise trajectory and has been shown to be more efficient than distance-based metering. In addition, by adding metering points upstream in en route space, extended time-based metering can help reduce flight trajectory deviations at metering points. With these advanced metering procedures, a well-designed metering configuration can improve the efficiency of arrival operations such as optimized profile descent (OPD). This paper aims to identify the optimal metering point configurations for OPD operations at airports on the basis of an extended time-based metering concept, as well as the value of such metering in OPD. To this end, the paper adapts a two-phase algorithmic framework to identify the number and locations of metering points under the extended time-based metering setup. Extensive numerical simulations based on OPD implementations at Atlanta (Georgia) International Airport are performed for different extended metering ranges and average arrival rates. Optimal time-based metering configurations are obtained for different extended metering ranges, and corresponding savings are provided. Marginal savings from additional metering ranges are shown to be decreasing, and it may not be value-adding to increase the extended ranges above a certain level. The results are further generalized to the top 10 major airports in the United States, and estimated savings attributable to optimization of extended time-based metering points are calculated to be around $33.4 million, an additional 14% improvement on fuel efficiency over current OPD operations. In addition, the value from usage of extended time-based metering is shown to be around $4.2 million for the top 10 major airports compared with the use of distance-based metering methods.
Opinion Survey to Reduce Uncertainty in Public and Stakeholder Perception of Unmanned Aircraft
Authors: Reddy Lauren Bowers , DeLaurentis Daniel
Published: May 2016

Although providing significant benefits compared with manned aircraft or ground systems, unmanned aircraft also introduce costs and risks. Because of the rapidly increasing number of unmanned aircraft operating in the United States, the air transportation community must develop a framework for maximizing the benefits and minimizing the costs and risks. Public opinion will inevitably shape this framework, but that community’s perception of how the public perceives unmanned aircraft is considerably uncertain. Thus, in this investigation, an opinion survey was administered to assess participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practices about unmanned aircraft. The survey was taken by 400 individuals representing the general public and 135 individuals representing key stakeholder groups. The survey responses illustrate the complexity of stakeholders’ and the general public’s opinions about unmanned aircraft. Most respondents reported that their support or opposition to unmanned aircraft is conditional. Risks, application, environment, and benefits all have a strong impact on support and opposition. A statistical analysis of several questions was completed with a multinomial logit model to determine whether certain demographic or stakeholder groups were more likely to hold a certain position. Some groups with consistent responses to all three questions were identified. In the general public, women were generally less supportive of unmanned aircraft than men, and respondents younger than 36 were more supportive than older respondents. Of the stakeholders, pilots and employees of the airline industry were less supportive. The statistical findings reduce the uncertainty of opinions about unmanned aircraft.
Addressing the Practical and Ethical Issues of Nudging in Environmental Policy
Authors: Hukkinen Janne I.
Published: May 2016

Nudging refers to the subtle design of the context of choice in a way that mobilises the unconscious mind and alters human behaviour predictably. Nudging has been criticised for entailing numerous practical and ethical problems, including manipulation, elitism and cultural insensitivity. To respond to the problems, participatory and deliberative procedures have been proposed that would enable the questioning of the power relations embedded in behavioural governance. Yet participation and deliberation are themselves characterised by unconscious behavioural influences. I argue that awareness of the prevalence of unconscious behavioural influences in environmental governance is a prerequisite for tackling the complex practical and ethical issues of nudging. I show that unconscious behavioural influences permeate environmental governance and outline analytical approaches for revealing them.
The Implications of Psychological Limitations for the Ethics of Climate Change
Authors: Kasperbauer T.J.
Published: May 2016

Most philosophers and psychologists who have explored the psychology of climate change have focused only on motivational issues – getting people to act on what morality requires of them. This is misleading, however, because there are other psychological processes directed not at motivation but rather our ability to grasp the implications of climate change in a general way – what Stephen Gardiner has called the ‘grasping problem'. Taking the grasping problem as my departure point, I draw two conclusions from the relevant psychological literature: 1) ethicists and policy makers should focus less on changing individuals’ behaviours and more on changing policy; and 2) although solutions to climate change must come at the level of policy, progress on this front will be limited by incompatible moral norms.
Bankruptcy linked to early mortality in patients with cancer
Authors: Barton Mary Kay
Published: May 2016

Key Points

Financial distress is common in patients with cancer.

Filing for bankruptcy is a risk factor for early mortality in patients with cancer.

Policy interventions are needed to protect patients, and practitioners need to discuss the financial aspects of care with their patients.
Autologous CD34+ Cell Therapy for Refractory Angina: 2-Year Outcomes from the ACT34-CMI Study
Authors: Henry Timothy D. , Schaer Gary L. , Traverse Jay H. , Povsic Thomas J. , Davidson Charles , Lee Joon Sup , Costa Marco A. , Bass Theodore , Mendelsohn Farrell , Fortuin F. David , Pepine Carl J. , Patel Amit N. , Riedel Norbert , Junge Candice , Hunt Andrea , Kereiakes Dean J. , White Christopher , Harrington Robert A. , Schatz Richard A. , Losordo Douglas W.
Published: May 2016

An increasing number of patients have refractory angina despite optimal medical therapy and are without further revascularization options. Preclinical studies indicate that human CD34+ stem cells can stimulate new blood vessel formation in ischemic myocardium, improving perfusion and function. In ACT34-CMI ( N = 167), patients treated with autologous CD34+ stem cells had improvements in angina and exercise time at 6 and 12 months compared to placebo; however, the longer-term effects of this treatment are unknown. ACT34 was a phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing placebo, low dose (1 × 105 CD34/kg body weight), and high dose (5 × 105 CD34/kg) using intramyocardial delivery into the ischemic zone following NOGA® mapping. To obtain longer-term safety and efficacy in these patients, we compiled data of major adverse cardiac events (MACE; death, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or heart failure hospitalization) up to 24 months as well as angina and quality of life assessments in patients who consented for 24-month follow-up. A total of 167 patients with class III–IV refractory angina were randomized and completed the injection procedure. The low-dose-treated patients had a significant reduction in angina frequency ( p = 0.02, 0.035) and improvements in exercise tolerance testing (ETT) time ( p = 0.014, 0.017) compared to the placebo group at 6 and 12 months. At 24 months, patients treated with both low-and high-dose CD34+ cells had significant reduction in angina frequency ( p = 0.03). At 24 months, there were a total of seven deaths (12.5%) in the control group versus one (1.8%) in the low-dose and two (3.6%) in the high-dose ( p = 0.08) groups. At 2 years, MACE occurred at a rate of 33.9%, 21.8%, and 16.2% in control, low-, and high-dose patients, respectively ( p = 0.08). Autologous CD34+ cell therapy was associated with persistent improvement in angina at 2 years and a trend for reduction in mortality in no-option patients with refractory angina.
Risk of Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis in a Multi-Racial Asian Population
Authors: Ong Loke Meng , Ch'ng Chin Chin , Wee Hong Chin , Supramaniam Premaa , Zainal Hadzlinda , Goh Bak Leong , Bavanandan Sunita , Mushahar Lily , Hooi Lai Seong , Ahmad Ghazali
Published: May 2016

Background

Peritonitis is one of the most common complications of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Understanding the risk factors of peritonitis in a multi-racial Asian population may help to improve outcomes on PD.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study to identify risk factors for PD-related peritonitis over a 1-year period in 15 adult PD centers. All peritonitis episodes were independently adjudicated.

Results

A total of 1,603 participants with a mean age of 51.6 years comprising 52.7% females, 62.6% ethnic Malays, 27.0% Chinese, and 8.1% Indians were recruited. The overall peritonitis rate was 1 episode per 44.0 patient-months with 354 episodes recorded in 282 (17.6%) patients over 15,588 patient-months. Significant risk factors of peritonitis were severe obesity (incidence-rate ratio [IRR] 3.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.30, 8.45), hypoalbuminemia (IRR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.46), Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage (IRR 2.26, 95% CI: 1.46, 3.50), and use of Fresenius system (Fresenius Medical Care North America, Waltham, MA, USA) (IRR 2.49, 95% CI: 1.27, 4.89). The risk of peritonitis was lower in those on automated PD compared with standard PD (IRR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.74), and in centers with a patient-staff ratio of 15 to 29.9 (IRR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.90) and ≥ 30 (IRR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.80). Prevalent patients and exit-site care with topical antibiotics were also protective against peritonitis. Peritonitis rates varied between racial groups. The IRRs of overall peritonitis and gram-positive peritonitis in Chinese versus other racial groups were 0.65 (95% CI: 0.46, 0.90) and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.91), respectively.

Conclusions

Multiple patient, center, and PD-system factors influence the risk of peritonitis. In the Asian population, there are racial differences in the risk of peritonitis.
Risk Factors for Early-Onset Peritonitis in Southern Chinese Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Wu Haishan , Huang Rong , Yi Chunyan , Wu Juan , Guo Qunying , Zhou Qian , Yu Xueqing , Yang Xiao
Published: May 2016

Background

Early peritonitis was confirmed to be associated with a higher risk of early technique failure. However, literature concerning peritonitis within the first 3 months of peritoneal dialysis (PD) initiation is scarce. The present study was to investigate risk factors associated with early-onset peritonitis in PD patients.

Methods

In this retrospective observational cohort study, all incident PD patients from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2013, were recruited and followed up until December 31, 2014. According to time-to-first episode of peritonitis, patients were divided into early-onset (≤ 3 months) peritonitis and late-onset (> 3 months) peritonitis. Baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, as well as episodes of peritonitis, were collected. Risk factors associated with early-onset peritonitis were evaluated using logistic regression model.

Results

Of 1,690 patients on PD, 503 (29.8%) developed at least 1 episode of peritonitis and 118 (7.0%) patients presented the first episodes of peritonitis within the first 3 months. A multivariate logistic analysis showed that higher body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 – 1.15, p = 0.034), hypoalbuminemia (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.11 – 2.78, p = 0.017), and catheter exit-site infection (OR 4.14, 95% CI 2.45 – 7.00, p < 0.001) were risk factors independently associated with early-onset peritonitis. Compared to those with late-onset, patients with early-onset peritonitis had a higher overall peritonitis rate (0.76 vs 0.38 per patient-year, p < 0.001) and worse technique survival ( p < 0.001), while patient survival did not differ significantly between the 2 groups during the long-term follow-up ( p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Higher BMI, hypoalbuminemia, and catheter exit-site infection were the risk factors associated with early-onset peritonitis in PD patients.
New Insights into the Effects of Chronic Kidney Failure and Dialysate Exposure on the Peritoneum
Authors: Vlahu Carmen A. , Aten Jan , de Graaff Marijke , van Veen Henk , Everts Vincent , de Waart Dirk R. , Struijk Dirk G. , Krediet Raymond T.
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Chronic uremia and the exposure to dialysis solutions during peritoneal dialysis (PD) induce peritoneal alterations. Using a long-term peritoneal exposure model, we compared the effects of chronic kidney failure (CKD) itself and exposure to either a ‘conventional’ or a ‘biocompatible’ dialysis solution on peritoneal morphology and function.

Methods

Wistar rats (Harlan, Zeist, the Netherlands) were grouped into: normal kidney function (NKF), CKD induced by 70% nephrectomy, CKD receiving daily peritoneal infusions with 3.86% glucose Dianeal (CKDD), or Physioneal (both solutions from Baxter Healthcare, Castlebar, Ireland) (CKDP). At 16 weeks, a peritoneal function test was performed, and histology, ultrastructure, and hydroxyproline content of peritoneal tissue were assessed.

Results

Comparing CKD with NKF, peritoneal transport rates were higher, mesothelial cells (MC) displayed increased number of microvilli, blood and lymph vasculature expanded, vascular basal lamina appeared thicker, with limited areas of duplication, and fibrosis had developed. All alterations, except lymphangiogenesis, were enhanced by exposure to both dialysis fluids. Distinct MC alterations were observed in CKDD and CKDP, the latter displaying prominent basolateral protrusions. In addition, CKDP was associated with a trend towards less fibrosis compared to CKDD.

Conclusions

Chronic kidney failure itself induced peritoneal alterations, which were in part augmented by exposure to glucose-based dialysis solutions. Overall, the conventional and biocompatible solutions had similar long-term effects on the peritoneum. Importantly, the latter may attenuate the development of fibrosis.
PROBING PLANET FORMING ZONES WITH RARE CO ISOTOPOLOGUES
Authors: Yu Mo , Willacy Karen , Dodson-Robinson Sarah E. , Turner Neal J. , Evans II Neal J.
Published: May 2016

The gas near the midplanes of planet-forming protostellar disks remains largely unprobed by observations due to the high optical depth of commonly observed molecules such as CO and H2O. However, rotational emission lines from rare molecules may have optical depths near unity in the vertical direction, so that the lines are strong enough to be detected, yet remain transparent enough to trace the disk midplane. Here we present a chemical model of an evolving T Tauri disk and predict the optical depths of rotational transitions of 12C16O, 13C16O, 12C17O, and 12C18O. The MRI-active disk is primarily heated by the central star due to the formation of the dead zone. CO does not freeze out in our modeled region within

around a sunlike star. However, the abundance of CO decreases because of the formation of complex organic molecules, producing an effect that can be misinterpreted as the “snow line.” These results are robust to variations in our assumptions about the evolution of the gas-to-dust ratio. The optical depths of low-order rotational lines of C17O are around unity, making it possible to see into the disk midplane using C17O. Combining observations with modeled C17O/H2 ratios, like those we provide, can yield estimates of protoplanetary disks’ gas masses.
THE MASS AND SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF PLANETESIMALS FORMED BY THE STREAMING INSTABILITY. I. THE ROLE OF SELF-GRAVITY
Authors: Simon Jacob B. , Armitage Philip J. , Li Rixin , Youdin Andrew N.
Published: May 2016

We study the formation of planetesimals in protoplanetary disks from the gravitational collapse of solid over-densities generated via the streaming instability. To carry out these studies, we implement and test a particle-mesh self-gravity module for the Athena code that enables the simulation of aerodynamically coupled systems of gas and collisionless self-gravitating solid particles. Upon employment of our algorithm to planetesimal formation simulations, we find that (when a direct comparison is possible) the Athena simulations yield predicted planetesimal properties that agree well with those found in prior work using different numerical techniques. In particular, the gravitational collapse of streaming-initiated clumps leads to an initial planetesimal mass function that is well-represented by a power law,

, with

, which equates to a differential size distribution of

, with

. We find no significant trends with resolution from a convergence study of up to 5123 grid zones and

particles. Likewise, the power-law slope appears indifferent to changes in the relative strength of self-gravity and tidal shear, and to the time when (for reasons of numerical economy) self-gravity is turned on, though the strength of these claims is limited by small number statistics. For a typically assumed radial distribution of minimum mass solar nebula solids (assumed here to have dimensionless stopping time

), our results support the hypothesis that bodies on the scale of large asteroids or Kuiper Belt Objects could have formed as the high-mass tail of a primordial planetesimal population.
HYPERCALIBRATION: A PAN-STARRS1-BASED RECALIBRATION OF THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY PHOTOMETRY
Authors: Finkbeiner Douglas P. , Schlafly Edward F. , Schlegel David J. , Padmanabhan Nikhil , Jurić Mario , Burgett William S. , Chambers Kenneth C. , Denneau Larry , Draper Peter W. , Flewelling Heather , Hodapp Klaus W. , Kaiser Nick , Magnier E. A. , Metcalfe N. , Morgan Jeffrey S. , Price Paul A. , Stubbs Christopher W. , Tonry John L.
Published: May 2016

We present a recalibration of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry with new flat fields and zero points derived from Pan-STARRS1. Using point-spread function (PSF) photometry of 60 million stars with 16 < r < 20, we derive a model of amplifier gain and flat-field corrections with per-run rms residuals of 3 millimagnitudes (mmag) in griz bands and 15 mmag in u band. The new photometric zero points are adjusted to leave the median in the Galactic north unchanged for compatibility with previous SDSS work. We also identify transient non-photometric periods in SDSS (“contrails”) based on photometric deviations co-temporal in SDSS bands. The recalibrated stellar PSF photometry of SDSS and PS1 has an rms difference of {9, 7, 7, 8} mmag in griz, respectively, when averaged over 15′ regions.
TOWARD A NETWORK OF FAINT DA WHITE DWARFS AS HIGH-PRECISION SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC STANDARDS
Authors: Narayan G. , Axelrod T. , Holberg J. B. , Matheson T. , Saha A. , Olszewski E. , Claver J. , Stubbs C. W. , Bohlin R. C. , Deustua S. , Rest A.
Published: May 2016

We present the initial results from a program aimed at establishing a network of hot DA white dwarfs to serve as spectrophotometric standards for present and future wide-field surveys. These stars span the equatorial zone and are faint enough to be conveniently observed throughout the year with large-aperture telescopes. The spectra of these white dwarfs are analyzed in order to generate a non-local-thermodynamic-equilibrium model atmosphere normalized to Hubble Space Telescope colors, including adjustments for wavelength-dependent interstellar extinction. Once established, this standard star network will serve ground-based observatories in both hemispheres as well as space-based instrumentation from the UV to the near IR. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this concept and show how two different approaches to the problem using somewhat different assumptions produce equivalent results. We discuss the lessons learned and the resulting corrective actions applied to our program.
FERMI LAT STACKING ANALYSIS OF SWIFT LOCALIZED GRBs
Authors: Ackermann M. , Ajello M. , Anderson B. , Atwood W. B. , Axelsson M. , Baldini L. , Barbiellini G. , Bastieri D. , Bellazzini R. , Bhat P. N. , Bissaldi E. , Bonino R. , Bottacini E. , Brandt T. J. , Bregeon J. , Bruel P. , Buehler R. , Buson S. , Caliandro G. A. , Cameron R. A. , Caragiulo M. , Caraveo P. A. , Cecchi C. , Charles E. , Chekhtman A. , Chiang J. , Chiaro G. , Ciprini S. , Claus R. , Cohen-Tanugi J. , Conrad J. , Cutini S. , D’Ammando F. , de Angelis A. , de Palma F. , Desiante R. , Di Venere L. , Drell P. S. , Favuzzi C. , Focke W. B. , Franckowiak A. , Funk S. , Fusco P. , Gargano F. , Gasparrini D. , Gehrels N. , Giglietto N. , Giordano F. , Giroletti M. , Godfrey G. , Grenier I. A. , Grove J. E. , Guiriec S. , Hewitt J. W. , Hill A. B. , Horan D. , Jóhannesson G. , Kocevski D. , Kouveliotou C. , Kuss M. , Larsson S. , Li J. , Li L. , Longo F. , Loparco F. , Lovellette M. N. , Lubrano P. , Mayer M. , Mazziotta M. N. , McEnery J. E. , Michelson P. F. , Mizuno T. , Monzani M. E. , Morselli A. , Murgia S. , Nemmen R. , Nuss E. , Ohno M. , Ohsugi T. , Omodei N. , Orienti M. , Orlando E. , Paneque D. , Perkins J. S. , Pesce-Rollins M. , Piron F. , Pivato G. , Porter T. A. , Racusin J. L. , Rainò S. , Rando R. , Razzano M. , Reimer A. , Reimer O. , Schaal M. , Schulz A. , Sgrò C. , Siskind E. J. , Spada F. , Spandre G. , Spinelli P. , Takahashi H. , Thayer J. B. , Tibaldo L. , Tinivella M. , Torres D. F. , Tosti G. , Troja E. , Vianello G. , Kienlin A. von , Werner M. , Wood K. S.
Published: May 2016

We perform a comprehensive stacking analysis of data collected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) of γ-ray bursts (GRBs) localized by the Swift spacecraft, which were not detected by the LAT but which fell within the instrument’s field of view at the time of trigger. We examine a total of 79 GRBs by comparing the observed counts over a range of time intervals to that expected from designated background orbits, as well as by using a joint likelihood technique to model the expected distribution of stacked counts. We find strong evidence for subthreshold emission at MeV to GeV energies using both techniques. This observed excess is detected during intervals that include and exceed the durations typically characterizing the prompt emission observed at keV energies and lasts at least 2700 s after the co-aligned burst trigger. By utilizing a novel cumulative likelihood analysis, we find that although a burst’s prompt γ-ray and afterglow X-ray flux both correlate with the strength of the subthreshold emission, the X-ray afterglow flux measured by Swift’s X-ray Telescope at 11 hr post trigger correlates far more significantly. Overall, the extended nature of the subthreshold emission and its connection to the burst’s afterglow brightness lend further support to the external forward shock origin of the late-time emission detected by the LAT. These results suggest that the extended high-energy emission observed by the LAT may be a relatively common feature but remains undetected in a majority of bursts owing to instrumental threshold effects.
THE UV–OPTICAL COLOR GRADIENTS IN STAR-FORMING GALAXIES AT 0.5 < z < 1.5: ORIGINS AND LINK TO GALAXY ASSEMBLY
Authors: Liu F. S. , Jiang Dongfei , Guo Yicheng , Koo David C. , Faber S. M. , Zheng Xianzhong , Yesuf Hassen M. , Barro Guillermo , Li Yao , Li Dingpeng , Wang Weichen , Mao Shude , Fang Jerome J.
Published: May 2016

The rest-frame UV–optical (i.e., NUV − B) color index is sensitive to the low-level recent star formation and dust extinction, but it is insensitive to the metallicity. In this Letter, we have measured the rest-frame NUV − B color gradients in ∼1400 large (r
e > 0.″18), nearly face-on (b/a > 0.5) main sequence star-forming galaxies (SFGs) between redshift 0.5 and 1.5 in the CANDELS/GOODS-S and UDS fields. With this sample, we study the origin of UV–optical color gradients in the SFGs at z ∼ 1 and discuss their link with the buildup of stellar mass. We find that the more massive, centrally compact, and more dust extinguished SFGs tend to have statistically more negative raw color gradients (redder centers) than the less massive, centrally diffuse, and less dusty SFGs. After correcting for dust reddening based on optical-spectral energy distribution fitting, the color gradients in the low-mass (M
* < 1010
M
⊙) SFGs generally become quite flat, while most of the high-mass (M
* > 1010.5
M
⊙) SFGs still retain shallow negative color gradients. These findings imply that dust reddening is likely the principal cause of negative color gradients in the low-mass SFGs, while both increased central dust reddening and buildup of compact old bulges are likely the origins of negative color gradients in the high-mass SFGs. These findings also imply that at these redshifts the low-mass SFGs buildup their stellar masses in a self-similar way, while the high-mass SFGs grow inside out.
Pour qui roulent les cyclistes ? Un marché du travail en mutation (1950-1990)
Authors: Lefèvre Nicolas
Published: May 2016

Le marché du travail cycliste se construit dès la fin du XIX e siècle dans une relation d’intérêts entre l’univers industriel et celui de la presse. Jusqu’au second conflit mondial, les conditions de travail et de rémunération des coureurs cyclistes sont largement soumises aux logiques imposées par ces deux univers. La transformation de la conjoncture économique d’après-guerre modifie les relations d’emploi, en participant à une libéralisation du cyclisme professionnel. Dès les années 1950, l’arrivée de sponsors issus de secteurs économiques étrangers au secteur du cycle accentue la concurrence entre les organisateurs et déréglemente les pratiques du marché, générant une inflation des grilles de prix et des contrats proposés aux coureurs. Puis, dans les années 1980, c’est l’arrivée massive de capitaux injectés par des patrons d’industrie à la recherche d’une visibilité médiatique importante qui transforme les pratiques salariales et la morphologie du marché du travail. Si les coureurs ont tiré profit de cette libéralisation de l’emploi, celle-ci impose dans le même temps de nouvelles contraintes. L’article montre ainsi que les pratiques économiques des nouveaux acteurs du cyclisme à partir des années 1950 n’ont pas réellement amélioré les conditions d’emploi (statut, contrat, etc.) des coureurs cyclistes, substituant même d’autres formes de domination et de précarité à celles qui préexistaient jusqu’alors.
Suzanne Lenglen et la définition du professionnalisme dans le tennis de l’entre-deux-guerres
Authors: Castan-Vicente Florys
Published: May 2016

En 1926, la championne de tennis Suzanne Lenglen (1899-1938) signe un contrat avec un manager pour jouer des matchs d’exhibition, provoquant des débats houleux sur la question du professionnalisme, dans la presse et au sein de la Fédération française de tennis qui décide de l’exclure. Une analyse de sa carrière avant et après son passage officiel au professionnalisme permet de montrer que dans son cas, malgré les discours de fermeté de la Fédération, les conditions de pratique des deux statuts ne sont pas si différentes. La décision de Suzanne Lenglen de passer professionnelle entraîne de plus une redéfinition du professionnalisme par la Fédération, qui distingue désormais les professeurs des « professionnels exhibition », afin de marginaliser ces derniers. À travers cet exemple, la définition de l’amateurisme et du professionnalisme apparaît davantage comme un enjeu de pouvoir aux mains de la Fédération que comme une catégorisation en accord avec les pratiques.
Contrôler, mettre en ordre et réguler : la réforme des revenus des sportifs soviétiques au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale
Authors: Dufraisse Sylvain
Published: May 2016

Le terme « athlète d’État » a été fréquemment utilisé pour qualifier le mode soviétique de rémunération des sportifs. Or, cette appellation plaque une interprétation exogène sur la situation en URSS, sans rendre compte des réalités sociales et des luttes entre acteurs. Cet article montre comment, au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, un système original de rémunération se met en place. Il vise à réguler un monde sportif marqué par la désorganisation et la faible emprise de l’administration de la culture physique sur des sociétés sportives puissantes. Le tournant vers le sport de compétition amorcé au milieu des années 1930 a favorisé l’émergence d’« espaces de liberté » pour les athlètes et les sociétés sportives : adjonction de primes, emplois fictifs, inflation des gratifications. Au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le sport soviétique se rapproche des fédérations internationales et ces pratiques s’avèrent peu conformes avec leurs règlements. La période est aussi marquée par un grand nombre de réformes sociales économiques. Des bourses, délivrées par le Conseil de Culture physique et les sociétés sportives volontaires, sont distribuées à partir de 1947 pour lutter contre les « excès ». Des directives déterminent les montants et homogénéisent les revenus entre les différents sports. Elles témoignent d’une prise en main affirmée de l’administration centrale sur le mouvement sportif.
Thérapie individuelle dans l’impasse et introduction d’une équipe réfléchissante
Authors: Nussbaumer Nicolas
Published: May 2016

Cet article retrace un processus de thérapie individuelle systémique au long cours qui, à partir du sentiment d’être dans une impasse ressenti par le thérapeute, a poussé celui-ci à proposer un changement de setting à l’homme en thérapie. Durant six mois, une équipe réfléchissante de quatre jeunes thérapeutes systémiciens a permis une nouvelle rencontre entre le patient et son thérapeute par l’utilisation notamment de métaphores ainsi que d’un travail de co-écriture d’une lettre adressée à un personnage significatif de l’histoire de cet homme. Le thérapeute autant que celui-là ont revisité ainsi des paysages oubliés où ils furent transportés : si la psychothérapie a désormais des effets apaisants dans le quotidien du patient, elle a fait resurgir chez le thérapeute une identité partiellement perdue, en relation avec ses propres loyautés familiales.
Novelty Detection in System Monitoring and Control with HONU
Authors: Oswald Cyril , Cejnek Matous , Vrba Jan , Bukovsky Ivo
Published: May 2016

With focus on Higher Order Neural Units (HONUs), this chapter reviews two recently introduced adaptive novelty detection algorithms based on supervised learning of HONU with extension to adaptive monitoring of existing control loops. Further, the chapter also introduces a novel approach for novelty detection via local model monitoring with Self-organizing Map (SOM) and HONU. Further, it is discussed how these principles can be used to distinguish between external and internal perturbations of identified plant or control loops. The simulation result will demonstrates the potentials of the algorithms for single-input plants as well as for some representative of multiple-input plants and for the improvement of their control.
Improving Performance of Higher Order Neural Network using Artificial Chemical Reaction Optimization
Authors: Nayak Sarat Chandra , Misra Bijan Bihari , Behera Himansu Sekhar
Published: May 2016

Multilayer neural networks are commonly and frequently used technique for mapping complex nonlinear input-output relationship. However, they add more computational cost due to structural complexity in architecture. This chapter presents different functional link networks (FLN), a class of higher order neural network (HONN). FLNs are capable to handle linearly non-separable classes by increasing the dimensionality of the input space by using nonlinear combinations of input signals. Usually such network is trained with gradient descent based back propagation technique, but it suffers from many drawbacks. To overcome the drawback, here a natural chemical reaction inspired metaheuristic technique called as artificial chemical reaction optimization (ACRO) is used to train the network. As a case study, forecasting of the stock index prices of different stock markets such as BSE, NASDAQ, TAIEX, and FTSE are considered here to compare and analyze the performance gain over the traditional techniques.
A Theoretical Framework for Parallel Implementation of Deep Higher Order Neural Networks
Authors: Xu Shuxiang , Liu Yunling
Published: May 2016

This chapter proposes a theoretical framework for parallel implementation of Deep Higher Order Neural Networks (HONNs). First, we develop a new partitioning approach for mapping HONNs to individual computers within a master-slave distributed system (a local area network). This will allow us to use a network of computers (rather than a single computer) to train a HONN to drastically increase its learning speed: all of the computers will be running the HONN simultaneously (parallel implementation). Next, we develop a new learning algorithm so that it can be used for HONN learning in a distributed system environment. Finally, we propose to improve the generalisation ability of the new learning algorithm as used in a distributed system environment. Theoretical analysis of the proposal is thoroughly conducted to verify the soundness of the new approach. Experiments will be performed to test the new algorithm in the future.
Some Properties on the Capability of Associative Memory for Higher Order Neural Networks
Authors: Miyajima Hiromi , Yatsuki Shuji , Shigei Noritaka , Miyajima Hirofumi
Published: May 2016

Higher order neural networks (HONNs) have been proposed as new systems. In this paper, we show some theoretical results of associative capability of HONNs. As one of them, memory capacity of HONNs is much larger than one of the conventional neural networks. Further, we show some theoretical results on homogeneous higher order neural networks (HHONNs), in which each neuron has identical weights. HHONNs can realize shift-invariant associative memory, that is, HHONNs can associate not only a memorized pattern but also its shifted ones.
Novel Teleost CD4-Bearing Cell Populations Provide Insights into the Evolutionary Origins and Primordial Roles of CD4+ Lymphocytes and CD4+ Macrophages
Authors: Takizawa Fumio , Magadan Susana , Parra David , Xu Zhen , Korytář Tomáš , Boudinot Pierre , Sunyer J. Oriol
Published: May 2016

Tetrapods contain a single CD4 coreceptor with four Ig domains that likely arose from a primordial two-domain ancestor. Notably, teleost fish contain two CD4 genes. Like tetrapod CD4, CD4-1 of rainbow trout includes four Ig domains, whereas CD4-2 contains only two. Because CD4-2 is reminiscent of the prototypic two-domain CD4 coreceptor, we hypothesized that by characterizing the cell types bearing CD4-1 and CD4-2, we would shed light into the evolution and primordial roles of CD4-bearing cells. Using newly established mAbs against CD4-1 and CD4-2, we identified two bona-fide CD4+ T cell populations: a predominant lymphocyte population coexpressing surface CD4-1 and CD4-2 (CD4 double-positive [DP]), and a minor subset expressing only CD4-2 (CD4-2 single-positive [SP]). Although both subsets produced equivalent levels of Th1, Th17, and regulatory T cell cytokines upon bacterial infection, CD4-2 SP lymphocytes were less proliferative and displayed a more restricted TCRβ repertoire. These data suggest that CD4-2 SP cells represent a functionally distinct population and may embody a vestigial CD4+ T cell subset, the roles of which reflect those of primeval CD4+ T cells. Importantly, we also describe the first CD4+ monocyte/macrophage population in a nonmammalian species. Of all myeloid subsets, we found the CD4+ population to be the most phagocytic, whereas CD4+ lymphocytes lacked this capacity. This study fills in an important gap in the knowledge of teleost CD4-bearing leukocytes, thus revealing critical insights into the evolutionary origins and primordial roles of CD4+ lymphocytes and CD4+ monocytes/macrophages.
Cortisol-Metabolizing Enzymes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Blumenfeld Zeev , Kaidar Gabi , Zuckerman-Levin Nehama , Dumin Elena , Knopf Carlos , Hochberg Ze'ev
Published: May 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the activity of cortisol-metabolizing enzymes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), using a fully quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS) method.

Design

We investigated the glucocorticoid degradation pathways that include llβ-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (llβ-HSD) type 1, 5α-reductase (5α-R) and 5β-reductase (5β-R), 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 20α- and 20β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD and 20β-HSD, respectively) in young nonobese women with PCOS, using a fully quantitative GCMS method.

Setting

This study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital in Israel.

Patients

This study group consisted of 13 young women, aged 20.1 ±2.8 years (mean ± SD), with the body mass index (BMI) of 22.6 ± 3.7 kg/m2, diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria. The control group consisted of 14 healthy young women matched for weight, height, and BMI.

Interventions

Urine samples were analyzed using GCMS. We measured urinary steroid metabolites that represent the products and substrates of the study enzymes and calculated the product/substrate ratios to represent enzyme activity.

Main Outcome Measures

The calculation of enzymatic activity, based on glucocorticoid degradation metabolites, was done by GCMS in PCOS vs. controls.

Results

All glucocorticoid degradation metabolites were higher in the PCOS group than in controls. Of the adrenal enzymes, the activities of 21-hydroxylase and 17α-hydroxylase were reduced, whereas the activity of 17,20-lyase was enhanced in PCOS. Of the degradation enzymes, the activity of 11β-HSD type 1 was reduced in women with PCOS only when calculated from cortoles and cortolones ratios. The activities of 5α-R/5β-R were increased only when calculating the 11-hydroxy metabolites of androgens. The activity of 20α-HSD was elevated in the patients with PCOS and its relation with the substrate levels was lost.

Conclusions

We confirm PCOS association with low 21-hydroxylase activity. PCOS is associated with dysregulation in glucocorticoid degradation. The activity of 5α-R is enhanced only through the backdoor pathway. Marked increase in the activity of 20α-HSD suggests a hitherto unknown derangement in PCOS.
The Effects of Benzodiazepine and Nonbenzodiazepine Agents, Ramelteon, Low-dose Doxepin, Suvorexant, and Selective Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Antagonists and Inverse Agonists on Sleep and Wakefulness
Authors: Monti Jaime M. , Torterolo Pablo , Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R.
Published: May 2016

Several agents are known to improve sleep induction and/or maintenance in patients with insomnia disorder. These include the benzodiazepine (BZD) and non-BZD receptor allosteric modulators, the melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon, low-dose doxepin, and suvorexant. One of the drawbacks of the BZDs is their known reduction in both N3 sleep [also known as slow wave sleep or delta sleep and characterized by the occurrence of slow high amplitude delta (0.5–2 Hz) waves] and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Low-dose doxepin has shown similar association with decrease in REM sleep. By contrast, suvorexant increases REM sleep. The available evidence tends to indicate that irrespective of their mechanisms of action, the selective serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonists and inverse agonists, including volinanserin, pruvanserin, and nelotanserin, when given in isolated administration, increases slow wave sleep in laboratory animals. Wakefulness and REM sleep were decreased in some studies. Moreover, subjects with normal sleep showed significant increase in N3 sleep following the administration of eplivanserin, nelotanerin, and pimavanserin. Nelotanserin has also been shown to augment N3 sleep in patients with chronic insomnia disorder. N2 sleep tended to decrease in most of these studies, while REM sleep showed no significant changes. Taken together, these evidences suggest that the coadministration of a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist or inverse agonist with a hypnotic drug could be a valid clinical strategy for normalizing sleep induction and maintenance and for promoting N3 sleep in patients with insomnia disorder. Additionally, the 5-HT2A receptor agents may have a potential value for improving the cognition and memory deficits in patients with a chronic insomnia disorder as well as elderly patients who show reductions in N3 sleep.