bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study of A Causality Relationship between Profitability and Firm Value: A Comparison between European Countries
Authors: Hatem Ben Said
Published: May 2017

The aim of our paper is to test for a causality interdependence between profitability and firm value. To this end, we examined a sample of two European countries: Italy and Poland. Our samples contain 200 firms from each country studied over a period of 4 years from 2007 to 2010. As a measure of firm performance, we use two ratios; return on assets and return on equity. Regarding firm value, we used two ratios; Tobin’s Q calculated as long-term debt increased by short-term debt divided by total assets, and Market To Book ratio calculated as market capitalization divided by shareholder’s equity. The descriptive statistics show that Italian firms have higher market values. We obtained mean values of 1,123 and 2,0698 of Tobin’s Q and MTB, respectively. However, firms of Poland are more profitable than firms of Italy. Using a data panel method, we concluded that for firms of Italy, there is a causality relationship between profitability, approximated by return on assets and return on equity and firm value, measured by Tobin’s Q. For firms of Poland, a causality relationship is also found.
The Impact of Silk Road Economic Belt on Economic Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan: The Case of Khorgos City
Authors: Islamjanova Aigul , Iddrisu Issah , Suy Rathny , Bekbauova Dinara , Suleiman Amran Said
Published: May 2017

The project “Silk Road Economic Belt” (丝绸之路经济带) launched by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 at Astana, Kazakhstan is the most single largest economic project in the world. It is the largest in terms of volume and participation of countries. This paper therefore seeks to examine some of the strategic aspects and possible economic impact to the participation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study focused on the various aspects of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) which have an influence on economic development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It also analyzed the implementation of the Silk Road Economic Belt project using Kazakhstan’s Khorgos city economic development as a case. The approach used in this paper is based on an analysis of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) in terms of strengths, opportunities and challenges for the future of China-Kazakhstan Economic Cooperation. The project therefore has many in stock for the economy of Kazakhstan when the necessary measures are put in place to tab the opportunities available.
A giant soft tissue lesion of the male perineum: Unusual presentation of a cellular angiofibroma
Authors: Leung Kenneth , Ezekian Brian , Galeotti Jonathan , Cardona Diana , Blazer Dan G.
Published: May 2017

Cellular angiofibromas (CAF) are rare, benign, soft tissue/stromal lesions first described by Nucci et al. in 1997. These masses are well circumscribed, typically small (< 6 cm), and occur mainly in the vulvar region in women and the inguinoscrotal region in men. We present a case of a 60-year-old male who was found to have a very large (20 cm × 13.5 cm × 6 cm) lesion occupying the deep pelvis bridging the pelvic outlet and involving the perineum. Because of diagnostic uncertainty and significant symptomatology, the mass was ultimately resected en bloc with the rectum and anus. Final pathology revealed a large multi-lobulated CAF. This tumor is the largest CAF reported in the literature to date. Furthermore, this mass involved the deep male pelvis with extension between two anatomic compartments which has not been previously described.
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome: Experience in a Belgian university hospital and review of the literature
Authors: Sels Liza , Calster Joachim Van , Vanderschueren Steven , Henckaerts Liesbet
Published: May 2017

Introduction: The Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKHS) is rare in Europe. Bilateral panuveitis is the defining characteristic, but the disease can affect other tissues containing melanin, such as the inner ear, the meninges, and the skin. Therefore, patients may present not only to ophthalmologists, but also to internists, dermatologists, ENT-physicians and neurologists. Early and aggressive immunosuppressive treatment is necessary in order to prevent permanent visual loss or systemic complications.Objective: We retrospectively studied 12 patients diagnosed and treated in a specialized uveitis clinic in Leuven (Belgium) between 2005 and 2013, and we compared our data with literature.Results:  The most common extra-ocular manifestations were neurological, with headache (100%) and lymphocytic meningitis (75%) as main findings. Tinnitus was present in 50%, and vertigo in 42%. Vitiligo was the most frequent dermatological manifestation and present in 42%. Uveitis recurred in 67% of patients with 1 to 4 relapses per patient and a median time to recurrence of 6 months (range 1-11). Normal visual acuity was seen in 75% of patients at the end of follow-up (5 to 60 months), but 3 patients had at least some degree of permanent visual impairment in at least one eye.Conclusion: VKHS is a rare, multisystem disorder, characterized by bilateral uveitis and variable neurologic, auditory and skin symptoms. A lumbar puncture increases the diagnostic yield. A fast diagnosis allows timely initiation of adequate therapy, and If treated correctly, VKHS has a favorable prognosis. It is unclear if initial intravenous therapy improves frequency and time to remission.
Comparing health workforce forecasting approaches for healthcare planning: The case for ophthalmologists
Authors: Ansah John P. , Koh Victoria , De Korne Dirk , Bayer Steffen , Pan Chong , Thiyagarajan Jayabaskar , Matchar David B. , Quek Desmond
Published: May 2017

Health workforce planning is essential in the provision of quality healthcare. Several approaches to planning are customarily used and advocated, each with unique underlying assumptions. Thus, a thorough understanding of each assumption is required in order to make an informed decision on the choice of forecasting approach to be used. For illustration, we compare results for eye care requirements in Singapore using three established workforce forecasting approaches – workforce-to-population-ratio, needs based approach, utilization based approach – and a proposed robust integrated approach to discuss the appropriateness of each approach under various scenarios. Four simulation models using the systems modeling methodology of system dynamics were developed for use in each approach. These models were initialized and simulated using the example of eye care workforce planning in Singapore, to project the number of ophthalmologists required up to the year 2040 under the four different approaches. We found that each approach projects a different number of ophthalmologists required over time. The needs based approach tends to project the largest number of required ophthalmologists, followed by integrated, utilization based and workforce-to-population ratio approaches in descending order. The four different approaches vary widely in their forecasted workforce requirements and reinforce the need to be discerning of the fundamental differences of each approach in order to choose the most appropriate one. Further, health workforce planning should also be approached in a comprehensive and integrated manner that accounts for developments in demographic and healthcare systems.
The outpatient assessment of patients with anemia by a general internal medicine service
Authors: McFadgen H. , Couban S. , Doucette S. , Kreuger-Naug A. , Shivakumar S.
Published: May 2017

At the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2,400-2,800 new outpatient referrals for hematology consultation are received annually and approximately 10% of these referrals are specifically for isolated anemia. In recent years, such referrals have been sent from hematology to general internal medicine (GIM) for assessment and management. A retrospective chart review was conducted of a cohort of 99 patients from 2013 to describe the demographics, assessment, management and outcome of these patients, as well as to inform whether this practice should continue. The median age of patients was 60.3 years (min 19.4, max 97.6) and 62% were female. The median hemoglobin level was 109.0 g/L (min 66, max 137) at the time of referral and the median wait time was 53 days (min 8 days, max 171 days). Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that those with lower hemoglobin levels were seen more quickly. The patients had an additional 2.8 comorbidities on average, and were significantly more likely to receive non-anemia related adjustment to care with increasing number of comorbidities. A small proportion of patients (n = 5, 5.1%) were referred from GIM back to hematology, whereas 21% were referred to gastroenterology. A small number of patients (n = 5, 5.1%) underwent a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy. The most common diagnoses identified in the initial clinic letters were iron deficiency anemia (n = 59, 59.6%) and anemia of chronic disease (n = 8, 8.1%). 26.3% did not have a diagnosis identified. These findings support our practice to have patients with an isolated anemia evaluated by a general internist rather than a hematologist. Most of these patients had iron deficiency anemia or the anemia of chronic disease and received additional care for their comorbid conditions in the GIM clinic. Further work will help to define how such patients can be most effectively assessed and treated.
Theoretical and ethical issues using Heidegger’s hermeneutics in a research project with children living with physical, intellectual or social disabilities
Authors: Laforest Marie-Eve , Krol Pawel J. , Leblanc Nancy
Published: May 2017

Hermeneutic phenomenology can contribute to the understanding of the lived experience of various health phenomenon of nursing. Although hermeneutic phenomenology is gaining importance in nursing research, it remains important to discuss the theoretical and ethical issues that may be encountered when using such methodology with children living with disabilities. A critical discussion on the use of Heidegger’s hermeneutics when studying the lived experience of children living with disabilities, will help us gain insight on the issues that we may come across as researchers. This article begins with an insightful overview of the core concept of Heidegger Hermeneutic Phenomenology (HHP) followed by a discussion on theoretical and ethical issues that may arise when doing research with children living with disabilities – the topic as example. In light of this discussion, we suggest some innovator implications for nursing practices and nursing research.
A Case Study of Chinese Mongolian Students in ELT under the Background of MOOCs
Authors: Zhao Lili
Published: May 2017

In response to the current reform of college English teaching, a case study of Chinese Mongolian students in Englishlanguage teaching under the influence of MOOCs is carried out in an attempt to examine the efficacy of theintegration of information technology into English language teaching .After a brief introduction of the teaching modeof MOOCs, this paper points out the constraints of the present English teaching, and then a case study of Englishlanguage teaching following the principles of MOOCs is conducted with the purpose of finding out the appropriateteaching methods to motivate students. Through a careful design of the course, the relatively satisfactory teachingand learning outcomes are achieved.
Clinical, Research, and Public Health Implications of Poor Measurement of Vitamin D Status
Authors: Lucas Robyn M , Gorman Shelley , Black Lucinda , Neale Rachel E
Published: May 2017

There is widespread concern about the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency amid evidence to support that such a state may increase the risk of a wide range of adverse health outcomes. Estimating the prevalence of deficiency, as well as establishing linksto health outcomes, requires the accurate and precise measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in serum or plasma. Accurate measurement of 25(OH)D underlies the definitions of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency and, thus, prevalence estimates. Imprecise measurement of 25(OH)D in epidemiological research can result in incorrect null findingsof associations with disease. When associations withdisease are found, the inaccuracy of measurement forestalls defining the absolute level of 25(OH)D thatis associated with increased risk. For the clinician,both inaccuracy and imprecision are problematic, because clinical care is most often based on a single measurement to define vitamin D status. New initiatives to develop a standard reference method and the assignment of “true” values to samples provide a solution to these problems. The use of standardized assays in large population studies will allow comparisons to be made between populations and over time that have not previously been possible and will improve our understanding of the role of vitaminD in health and disease.
Simplified 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Standardization and Optimization in Dried Blood Spots by LC-MS/MS
Authors: Makowski Andrew J , Rathmacher John A , Horst Ronald L , Sempos Christopher T
Published: May 2017

Previous studies have assessed vitamin D status based on the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration measured in samples from dried blood spots (DBSs). In 40 individuals participating in a clinical study, we compared 25(OH)D levels measured from DBSs and in serum using an LC-MS/MS reference procedure in collaboration with the Vitamin D Standardization Program. The main objective was to simplify and optimize current methods to produce an assay that can be used as a screening tool for 25(OH)D concentration assessment without derivatization. The DBS 25(OH)D levels, compared to serum concentrations, were found to have 101% accuracy overall, and the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.83 (P < 0.0001), with a significant linear relationship. Free 25(OH)D and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) were assessed in the serum samples for potential correlations to the DBS calculations: the levels of free 25(OH)D had moderate to strong correlation to DBS and serum concentrations, with r values of 0.67 (P < 0.0001) and 0.76 (P < 0.0001), respectively. VDBP and hematocrit had no significant correlation to either DBS or serum sample types, with r values <0.1. In conclusion, the useof two DBSs and an increase in DBS sample size improved overall sample representation without the need for derivatization, and produced an accurate and robust method that can be used to screen 25(OH)D levels.
PROCESSOS INDIVIDUAIS DE APROPRIAÇÃO TECNOLÓGICA E PEDAGÓGICA: UMA ANÁLISE DE NARRATIVAS PESSOAIS
Authors: Guerra Francismara Fernandes , Balbino Carlito Arlindo dos Santos , Santos Andrea De Castro Araujo Silva dos
Published: May 2017

Este trabalho busca entender os motivos pelos quais a apropriação tecnológica no ensino demora efetivar-se. Para tanto, foram coletados depoimentos de profissionais da educação sobre o seu conhecimento tecnológico, a forma de aquisição e as tecnologias frequentemente usadas em suas práticas pedagógicas, bem como o que tem sido feito para aprimorar seus conhecimentos. Percebeu-se que esses profissionais ainda não apresentam o nível apropriado de familiaridade e de domínio dos recursos tecnológicos, o que dificulta acompanhar a expectativa do aluno atual, membro de uma geração da era digital em uma sociedade bastante que se modifica a todo o momento em detrimento da velocidade das inovações tecnológicas. As dificuldades mais apontadas foram: falta de tempo; pouco contato com as tecnologias, o que gera receio no uso de novos aplicativos; falta de recursos na escola e falta de cursos de capacitação para o uso das tecnologias nas aulas. E, apesar disso, percebeu-se, por esta pesquisa, haver a necessidade e a vontade de vencer esse desafio educacional, tendo em vista a concepção de que a apropriação acerca do conhecimento das tecnologias digitais da informação e da comunicação é essencial para o trabalho docente, assim como uma exigência da sociedade.
A INFÂNCIA NO CONTEXTO DA OBRA DA USINA HIDRELÉTRICA – UHE DE BELO MONTE
Authors: Freitas Léia Gonçalves de , Nery Vitor Sousa Cunha
Published: May 2017

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as infâncias no contexto da obra da Usina Hidrelétrica-UHE de Belo Monte, com vista a compreender de que forma as crianças vivenciam seu cotidiano sociocultural a partir das mudanças sofridas em seus modos de ser e estar em diferentes lugares, em função do reordenamento urbano, que está acontecendo no município de Altamira1 no estado do Pará. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, apoiada em narrativas infantis. As técnicas observação e atividades lúdicas como brincadeiras e desenhos, foram utilizadas a fim de compreender os modos de ressignificar a vida das crianças no acesso a diferentes pessoas e espaços de vivências convencionadas pelas condicionantes da UHE de Belo Monte, especialmente nos bairros que surgem para os chamados “remanejados” de UHE Belo Monte. Neste interim, nos interessou saber como as crianças “remanejadas” vivenciam a plasticidade, criatividade, convivência e experiência de infância no ambiente (social e institucional) pensado/planejado nos bairros de reassentamentos construídos pela UHE de Belo Monte? Os resultados alcançados nos indicaram que: 1)as crianças remanejadas vivem um cotidiano sociocultural emaranhado por costumes e valores regionais que misturam vida real com vida imaginária; 2) que no reassentamento urbano – RUC Jatobá suas vivências infantis foram modificadas negativamente em função dos novos arranjos espaciais e da mudança de seu grupo social e familiar, e; 3) que suas experiências, criatividade e plasticidade de infância altamirense foram alteradas e demudadas o que impactou sobremaneira nas produções culturais.
The Welfare Quality® assessment protocol: how can it be adapted to family farming dual purpose cattle raised under extensive systems in tropical conditions?
Authors: Hernandez A , Berg C , Eriksson S , Edstam L , Orihuela A , Leon H , Galina C
Published: May 2017

Family farming is still the main source of income for many people in the tropical regions of the world. At the same time, modern society is quickly becoming more aware of the welfare of animals for human consumption. The main objective of this study was to illustrate the need to modify certain aspects of the original Welfare Quality® (WQ) protocols developed by the EU-funded WQ project, under the conditions of small community farmers in the tropics. Thirty-four dual purpose farms in the State of Chiapas, Mexico, which had their main production focus on milk but for whom beef production was also of significant value, were evaluated utilising a merged version of the WQ protocols for dairy and beef cattle. Based on their average score, the farms obtained at least an acceptable level in each indicator of welfare. However, after merging indicators from the dairy and beef cattle protocols of WQ in order to adjust it to the prevailing conditions in the tropics, a number of sections are not applicable. This is particularly true of the section related to good housing, where most of the items do not apply due to the absence of infrastructure; the farms obtained a very high score in this section but further studies to verify whether this reflects an accurate assessment of the welfare status should be carried out. In general, the approach of the WQ protocol was useful, however certain aspects are quite different from the conventional intensive farming systems predominantly used in Europe and there is a need to implement a number of modifications.
Assessing dairy cow welfare at the beginning and end of the indoor period using the Welfare Quality® protocol
Authors: de Graaf S , Ampe B , Tuyttens FAM
Published: May 2017

The Welfare Quality® (WQ) project developed protocols as international standards for farm animal welfare assessment. For dairy cattle, the WQ protocol may be performed any time during the indoor period when the herd has no access to pasture. However, timing of welfare assessments during the indoor period might influence the outcome, as pasture access influences many welfare aspects and such effects are likely to carry over to the beginning of the indoor period. In order to test this hypothesis, we assessed ten herds at both the beginning and end of the same indoor period. Assessment at the end of the indoor period resulted in a higher prevalence of the following welfare measures: severely lame cows, mild integument alterations, coughs per cow per hour, diarrhoea, and vulvar discharge. In addition, at the end of the indoor period, the mortality rate was higher and the Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) score was worse, but there were fewer cows with dirty udders and mean time to lie down was lower. This led to worse scores on the criterion and principle levels of WQ integration, but resulted in a lower welfare categorisation for one of the herds only. The better scores for several aspects of health and for the QBA at the beginning of the indoor period not only confirm the carryover of positive effects of access to pasture, but also imply a need for careful consideration of the timing and frequency of WQ assessments of herds that are housed outdoors for part of the year.
« Coïncidence secrète » : les premiers recueils d’Andrée Lacelle, d’Hélène Dorion et de Dyane Léger
Authors: Lepage Élise
Published: May 2017

Cet article propose une analyse comparée des premières oeuvres d’Andrée Lacelle (Ontario), d’Hélène Dorion (Québec) et de Dyane Léger (Acadie). Dès l’entrée dans la modernité des littératures acadienne et franco-ontarienne, ces auteures de premier plan se sont inscrites dans ce courant. On montre que les lectures critiques qui ont longtemps existé se sont focalisées, en Acadie et en Ontario, sur les thèmes de l’appartenance identitaire et culturelle et sur l’institutionnalisation de ces nouvelles littératures. Au Québec, l’écriture féministe de la longue décennie 1970 est traitée comme une veine littéraire distincte, tantôt placée à la proue, tantôt à la poupe des avant-gardes littéraires de l’époque. Or les oeuvres de Lacelle, de Dorion et de Léger ne coïncident avec aucune de ces lectures. De façon paradoxale, elles ont été chaleureusement accueillies dès leur publication, même si la critique de l’époque était incapable de produire un discours en mesure de leur rendre justice. En raison de la longévité de leurs oeuvres, il importe de revenir à ces premiers recueils pour faire émerger un discours critique qui souligne leurs convergences esthétiques, en se penchant sur le rapport au temps, au désir ainsi que sur la posture lyrique adoptée.
Bolcheviquismo isleño: Rusia y la Tercera Internacional en los imaginarios revolucionarios puertorriqueños, 1919-1936
Authors: Pujals Sandra
Published: May 2017

This article explores the meaning of the Bolshevik Revolution and the founding of the Communist International (Comintern) as revolutionary icons for the “workerist” environment in Puerto Rico between 1919 and 1936. The analysis focuses on the constructions, discursive mechanisms and allegorical references to these topics through a selection of items from the local internationalist-oriented workers press, covering three stages (1919-1921, 1927, 1934-1936) in the development of local communist radicalism. It presents examples on the construction of the concepts of bolshevism and international communism beyond the ideological and political context, suggesting an evolution from an anarchistic type of workers culture to one increasingly based on class struggle. The sources, taken from both the radical workers press and official Communist Party publications, provide a preliminary picture of revolutionary attitudes and dreams that would serve as the cultural and genealogical basis for local communism at a crucial stage in the island’s process of ideological and political formation.
Germinal center B cell development has distinctly regulated stages completed by disengagement from T cell help
Authors: Zhang Ting-ting , Gonzalez David G , Cote Christine M , Kerfoot Steven M , Deng Shaoli , Cheng Yuqing , Magari Masaki , Haberman Ann M
Published: May 2017

To reconcile conflicting reports on the role of CD40 signaling in germinal center (GC) formation, we examined the earliest stages of murine GC B cell differentiation. Peri-follicular GC precursors first expressed intermediate levels of BCL6 while co-expressing the transcription factors RelB and IRF4, the latter known to repress Bcl6 transcription. Transition of GC precursors to the BCL6hi follicular state was associated with cell division, although the number of required cell divisions was immunogen dose dependent. Potentiating T cell help or CD40 signaling in these GC precursors actively repressed GC B cell maturation and diverted their fate towards plasmablast differentiation, whereas depletion of CD4+ T cells promoted this initial transition. Thus while CD40 signaling in B cells is necessary to generate the immediate precursors of GC B cells, transition to the BCL6hi follicular state is promoted by a regional and transient diminution of T cell help.
The Role of Oral Communicative Tasks (OCT) in Developing the Spoken Proficiency of Engineering Students
Authors: Shantha S. , Mekala S.
Published: May 2017

The mastery of speaking skills in English has become a major requisite in engineering industry. Engineers are expected to possess speaking skills for executing their routine activities and career prospects. The article focuses on the experimental study conducted to improve English spoken proficiency of Indian engineering students using task-based approach. Tasks are activities that concentrates on the learners in providing the main context and focus for learning. Therefore, a task facilitates the learners to use language rather than to learn it. This article further explores the pivotal role played by the pedagogical intervention in enabling the learners to improve their speaking skill in L2. The participants of the study chosen for control and experimental group were first year civil engineering students comprising 38 in each group respectively. The vital tool used in the study is oral communicative tasks administered to the experimental group. The oral communicative tasks enabled the students to think and generate sentences on their own orally. The‘t’ Test was computed to compare the performance of the students in control and experiment groups.The results of the statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant level of improvement in the oral proficiency of the experimental group.
On the Relationship between the IELTS Listening and Listening in Academic English Programs
Authors: Khalili Sabet Masood , Babaei Hamid Reza
Published: May 2017

The challenge for many teachers teaching in academic English programs is, on the one hand, to actualize the objectives of their course and on the other hand, prepare their students for the important international tests such as IELTS and TOEFLE. The current study seeks to reconcile this challenge by drawing on the relationship between the IELTS listening and listening in academic English programs. The requirements of the two domains were compared through a semi – structured interview with five participating academic English instructors from two state universities of Iran. It was found that whilst IELTS listening bears a little bit of resemblance to the one aspect of academic listening - the literal understanding, there are also some very significant differences. The findings suggests that the type of listening the IELTS requires is different from academic listening in terms of pragmatic understanding, the integration of skills, multiplicity of texts for listening, information literacy and the concept of construct irrelevant variance. The findings also indicate the overall usefulness of the IELTS preparation practices within academic English courses.
Mobile-Assisted Vocabulary Learning: A Review Study
Authors: Afzali Parichehr , Shabani Somayeh , Basir Zohreh , Ramazani Mohammad
Published: May 2017

Mobile phones are becoming more acceptable toolkits to learn languages. One aspect of English language which has been subject to investigation in mobile assisted language learning (MALL) is vocabulary. This study reviewed some of the studies conducted in various contexts on the effect of MALL on vocabulary learning. We investigated some of the most prominent databases such as Science Direct, Wiley, Scopus and Oxford to find these studies; believing that this study can have pedagogical implications for future researchers and language teachers. We selected studies done in different countries such as Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, China, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey. Thirty studies were selected purposively in this way. Some of the main features of these studies are elaborated on in the discussion section. Pedagogical implications are discussed.
A Fast Peak‐Searching Algorithm for Ultrasonic Elastography
Authors: Chen Si , Wang Wenxia , Zhang Hui , Wang Jiajun
Published: May 2017

Tissue axial strain estimation with ultrasound elastography has become a hot field in recent years. However, for keypoints tracking–based elastography algorithms, locating extrema in multimodal ultrasonic radiofrequency signals is still a challenging problem. In this paper, a new method is proposed to locate the local maxima and minima of the RF signals directly without derivation operation. This algorithm can accurately locate extrema even if disturbed peaks resulting from different noise exist. Furthermore, the new algorithm can speed up approximately 79% of the implementation process as compared with the standard cross‐correlation method on the same computing platform. In addition, the elastographic signal‐to‐noise ratio and the contrast‐to‐noise ratio are also significantly improved with this new method.
Diamagnetic depression observations at Saturn's magnetospheric cusp by the Cassini spacecraft
Authors: Jasinski Jamie M. , Arridge Christopher S. , Coates Andrew J. , Jones Geraint H. , Sergis Nick , Thomsen Michelle F. , Krupp Norbert
Published: May 2017

The magnetospheric cusp is a region where shocked solar wind plasma can enter a planetary magnetosphere, after magnetic reconnection has occurred at the dayside magnetopause or in the lobes. The dense plasma that enters the high‐latitude magnetosphere creates diamagnetic effects whereby a depression is observed in the magnetic field. We present observations of the cusp events at Saturn's magnetosphere where these diamagnetic depressions are found. The data are subtracted from a magnetic field model, and the calculated magnetic pressure deficits are compared to the particle pressures. A high plasma pressure layer in the magnetosphere adjacent to the cusp is discovered to also depress the magnetic field, outside of the cusp. This layer is observed to contain energetic He++ (up to ∼100 keV) from the solar wind as well as heavy water group ions (W+) originating from the moon Enceladus. We also find a modest correlation of diamagnetic depression strength to solar wind dynamic pressure and velocity; however, unlike at Earth, there is no correlation found with He++ counts.
Formation mechanisms of neutral Fe layers in the thermosphere at Antarctica studied with a thermosphere‐ionosphere Fe/Fe+ (TIFe) model
Authors: Chu Xinzhao , Yu Zhibin
Published: May 2017

With a thermosphere‐ionosphere Fe/Fe+ (TIFe) model developed from first principles at the University of Colorado, we present the first quantitative investigation of formation mechanisms of thermospheric Fe layers observed by lidar in Antarctica. These recently discovered neutral metal layers in the thermosphere between 100 and 200 km provide unique tracers for studies of fundamental processes in the space‐atmosphere interaction region. The TIFe model formulates and expands the TIFe theory originally proposed by Chu et al. that the thermospheric Fe layers are produced through the neutralization of converged Fe+ layers. Through testing mechanisms and reproducing the 28 May 2011 event at McMurdo, we conceive the lifecycle of meteoric metals via deposition, transport, chemistry, and wave dynamics for thermospheric Fe layers with gravity wave signatures. While the meteor injection of iron species is negligible above 120 km, the polar electric field transports metallic ions Fe+ upward from their main deposition region into the E‐F regions, providing the major source of Fe+ (and accordingly Fe) in the thermosphere. Atmospheric wave‐induced vertical shears of vertical and horizontal winds converge Fe+ to form dense Fe+ layers. Direct electron‐Fe+ recombination is the major channel to neutralize Fe+ layers to form Fe above ~120 km. Fe layer shapes are determined by multiple factors of neutral winds, electric field, and aurora activity. Gravity‐wave‐induced vertical wind plays a key role in forming gravity‐wave‐shaped Fe layers. Aurora particle precipitation enhances Fe+ neutralization by increasing electron density while accelerating Fe loss via charge transfer with enhanced NO+ and O2+ densities.
Spatial dependence of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves triggered by solar wind dynamic pressure enhancements
Authors: Cho J.‐H. , Lee D.‐Y. , Noh S.‐J. , Kim H. , Choi C. R. , Lee J. , Hwang J.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, using the multisatellite (the Van Allen Probes and two GOES satellites) observations in the inner magnetosphere, we examine two electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave events that are triggered by Pdyn enhancements under prolonged northward interplanetary magnetic field quiet time preconditions. For both events, the impact of enhanced Pdyn causes EMIC waves at multiple points. However, we find a strong spatial dependence that EMIC waves due to enhanced Pdyn impact can occur at multiple points (likely globally but not necessarily everywhere) but with different wave properties. For Event 1, three satellites situated at a nearly same dawnside zone but at slightly different L shells see occurrence of EMIC waves but in different frequencies relative to local ion gyrofrequencies and with different polarizations. These waves are found inside or at the outer edge of the plasmasphere. Another satellite near noon observes no dramatic EMIC wave despite the strongest magnetic compression there. For Event 2, the four satellites are situated at widely separated magnetic local time zones when they see occurrence of EMIC waves. They are again found at different frequencies relative to local ion gyrofrequencies with different polarizations and all outside the plasmasphere. We propose two possible explanations that (i) if triggered by enhanced Pdyn impact, details of ion cyclotron instability growth can be sensitive to local plasma conditions related to background proton distributions, and (ii) there can be preexisting waves with a specific spatial distribution, which determines occurrence and specific properties of EMIC waves depending on satellite's relative position after an enhanced Pdyn arrives.
Pitfalls in modeling mantle convection with internal heat production
Authors: Korenaga Jun
Published: May 2017

The mantle of the Earth, and probably of other terrestrial planets as well, is heated from below and within. The heating mode of mantle convection is thus mixed heating, and it is also time dependent because the amount of heat‐producing isotopes in the mantle is steadily decreasing by radioactive decay and because the basal heat flux originating in the cooling of the core can vary with time. This mode of transient mixed heating presents its own challenges to the study of mantle convection, but such difficulties are not always appreciated in the recent literature. The purpose of this tutorial is to clarify the issue of heating mode by explaining relevant concepts in a coherent manner, including the internal heating ratio, the Urey ratio, secular cooling, and the connection between the thermal budget of the Earth and the geochemical models of the Earth. The importance of such basic concepts will be explained with some illustrative examples in the context of the thermal evolution of the Earth, and a summary of common pitfalls will be provided, with a possible strategy for how to avoid them.
Toward a robust workflow for deep crustal imaging by FWI of OBS data: The eastern Nankai Trough revisited
Authors: Górszczyk Andrzej , Operto Stéphane , Malinowski Michał
Published: May 2017

Crustal‐scale imaging by the full‐waveform inversion (FWI) of long‐offset seismic data is inherently difficult because the large number of wavelengths propagating through the crust makes the inversion prone to cycle skipping. Therefore, efficient crustal‐scale FWI requires an accurate starting model and a stable workflow minimizing the nonlinearity of the inversion. Here we attempt to reprocess a challenging 2‐D ocean‐bottom seismometer (OBS) data set from the eastern Nankai Trough. The starting model is built by first‐arrival traveltime tomography (FAT), which is FWI assisted for tracking cycle skipping. We iteratively refine the picked traveltimes and then reiterate the FAT until the traveltime residuals remain below the cycle‐skipping limit. Subsequently, we apply Laplace‐Fourier FWI, in which progressive relaxation of time damping is nested within frequency continuation to hierarchically inject more data into the inversion. These two multiscale levels are complemented by a layer‐stripping approach implemented through offset continuation. The reliability of the FWI velocity model is assessed by means of source wavelet estimation, synthetic seismogram modeling, ray tracing modeling, dynamic warping, and checkerboard tests. Although the viscoacoustic approximation is used for wave modeling, the synthetic seismograms reproduce most of the complexity of the data with a high traveltime accuracy. The revised FWI scheme produces a high‐resolution velocity model of the entire crust that can be jointly interpreted with migrated images derived from multichannel seismic data. This study opens a new perspective on the design of OBS crustal‐scale experiments amenable to FWI; however, a further assessment of the optimal OBS spacing is required for reliable FWI.
Reconstruction of the electron diffusion region observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale spacecraft: First results
Authors: Hasegawa H. , Sonnerup B. U. Ö. , Denton R. E. , Phan T.‐D. , Nakamura T. K. M. , Giles B. L. , Gershman D. J. , Dorelli J. C. , Burch J. L. , Torbert R. B. , Russell C. T. , Strangeway R. J. , Lindqvist P.‐A. , Khotyaintsev Y. V. , Ergun R. E. , Cassak P. A. , Kitamura N. , Saito Y.
Published: May 2017

We present first results of the reconstruction of the electron diffusion region (EDR) based on a two‐dimensional, incompressible, and inertialess version of the electron magnetohydrodynamics equations. The method is applied to 30 ms resolution magnetic field, and electron moments data taken when the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft observed an EDR of near‐antiparallel magnetopause reconnection on 16 October 2015. An X‐type magnetic field configuration and quadrupolar Hall fields, consistent with the electron inflow and outflow, are successfully recovered. While MMS encountered a region of significant energy dissipation on the magnetospheric side of the sub‐ion‐scale current sheet, the reconstructions show that the MMS tetrahedron missed the X line by a distance of a few kilometers (~2 electron inertial lengths). The estimated reconnection electric field is 0.42–0.98 mV/m, equivalent to the dimensionless reconnection rate of 0.11–0.25. Signatures of three‐dimensional structures and/or time‐dependent processes are also identified.
Scanning SQUID microscopy of a ferromanganese crust from the northwestern Pacific: Submillimeter scale magnetostratigraphy as a new tool for age determination and mapping of environmental magnetic parameters
Authors: Noguchi A. , Oda H. , Yamamoto Y. , Usui A. , Sato M. , Kawai J.
Published: May 2017

Ferromanganese crusts record long‐term deep‐sea environmental changes. Thus, providing their reliable high‐resolution age models is important. We applied a magnetostratigraphic technique to estimate the growth rate of a ferromanganese crust using scanning SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) microscope (SSM). SSM is designed to map the magnetic field across thin sections with submillimeter resolution. The crust sample was taken from the Takuyo‐Daigo Seamount, northwestern Pacific, and recorded a limited supply of dust and sediment from continents. After drift correction and removal of spike noises, the magnetic field values were stacked within the areas of high signal‐to‐noise ratios. By correlating the obtained profiles with a standard geomagnetic polarity timescale, we obtained an average growth rate of 3.37 ± 0.06 mm/Ma, which is consistent with that obtained by 10Be/9Be geochronology (2.93 ± 0.15 mm/Ma). S ratio mapping shows low values after ~3 Ma, associated with voids between columnar structures.
First measurement of ice‐bedrock interface of alpine glaciers by cosmic muon radiography
Authors: Nishiyama R. , Ariga A. , Ariga T. , Käser S. , Lechmann A. , Mair D. , Scampoli P. , Vladymyrov M. , Ereditato A. , Schlunegger F.
Published: May 2017

The shape of the bedrock underneath alpine glaciers bears vital information on the erosional mechanism related to the flow of ice. So far, several geophysical exploration methods have been proposed to map the bedrock topography though with limited accuracy. Here we illustrate the first results from a technology, called cosmic ray muon radiography, newly applied in glacial geology to investigate the bedrock geometry beneath the Aletsch Glacier situated in the Central Swiss Alps. For this purpose we installed new cosmic muon detectors made of emulsion films at three sites along the Jungfrau railway tunnel and measured the shape of the bedrock under the uppermost part of Aletsch Glacier (Jungfraufirn). Our results constrain the continuation of the bedrock‐ice interface up to a depth of 50 m below the surface, where the bedrock underneath the glacier strikes NE‐SW and dips at 45° ± 5°. This documents the first successful application of this technology to a glaciated environment.
A viscous‐to‐brittle transition in eruptions through clay suspensions
Authors: Schmid Diana , Scheu Bettina , Wadsworth Fabian B. , Kennedy Ben M. , Jolly Arthur , Dingwell Donald B.
Published: May 2017

Volcanic lakes are often associated with active geothermal circulation, mineral alteration, and precipitation, each of which can complicate the analysis of shallow magma physics, geophysical signals, and chemical signals. The rheology of the lake and associated hydrothermal system affects the eruptive activity as bubbles ascend and burst through the lake producing distinct ejection behavior. We investigate such phenomena by conducting scaled experiments in which heated water‐clay suspensions are decompressed rapidly from relevant pressures. After a jet phase of expanding vapor, the suspensions break up into ejecta that are either angular or droplet geometry. We parameterize these regimes and find a universal clay volume fraction of 0.28 below which the ejecta are form droplets and above which the ejecta are angular. We propose a regime diagram for optical observations of active lakes, which allows rheological characterization and informs volcanic monitoring.
Modeling the daytime energy balance of the topside ionosphere at middle latitudes
Authors: Hsu Chih‐Te , Heelis Roderick A.
Published: May 2017

Recently reported measurements from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) indicate that the O+ temperature in the topside ionosphere is dependent on the fractional H+ density. This finding indicates that the mass‐dependent energy exchange rate between O+ and H+ plays an important role in the thermal balance of the topside ionosphere. In this study we utilize the SAMI2 model to retrieve both TH+ and TO+ and verify the previously observed dependence of ion temperature on ion composition. The model shows that in the topside at middle latitudes when a single ion is dominant, O+ or H+ is heated by electron collisions and cooled by conduction as expected. However, in the intervening altitude region where both O+ and H+ are present, O+ is heated by collisions with H+ and cooled by conduction, while H+ is heated by collisions with electrons and cooled by collisions with O+.
Equatorial and low‐latitude ionospheric response to the 17–18 March 2015 great storm over Southeast Asia longitude sector
Authors: Jiang Chunhua , Yang Guobin , Liu Jing , Yokoyama Tatsuhiro , Liu Tongxin , Lan Ting , Zhou Chen , Zhang Yuannong , Zhao Zhengyu , Komolmis Tharadol , Supnithi Pornchai , Yatini Clara Y.
Published: May 2017

This study mainly investigates equatorial and low‐latitude ionospheric response to a great geomagnetic storm that occurred on 17 March 2015. We found that there were some interesting ionospheric phenomena, e.g., short‐term ionospheric positive effect, daytime spread F, and morning Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) in the topside ionosphere, emerged at equatorial and low‐latitude region along the longitude of about 100°E. Ground‐based ionosondes and in situ satellite (Swarm) were utilized to study the possible mechanisms for these ionospheric phenomena. We found that vertical downward transport of plasma or neutral induced by traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) or traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) might make a contribution to the short‐term ionospheric positive effect at the main stage of this great storm. Additionally, results suggested that the occurrence of daytime spread F at low latitudes might be due to the diffusion of equatorial ionospheric irregularities in the topside ionosphere along geomagnetic field lines. Moreover, observational evidence shows that TIDs also might be the main driver for morning EIA‐like feature recorded by Swarm B satellite in the topside ionosphere. These ionospheric phenomena mentioned above could make us gain a better understanding of ionospheric storm effects at equatorial and low‐latitude region.
Nitric Oxide Synthase‐Like Activities in Plants
Authors: Yamasaki Hideo , Itoh Ryuuichi D. , Bouchard Josée N. , Dghim Ata Allah , Hossain Khurshida K. , Gurung Sushma , Cohen Michael F.
Published: May 2017

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous radical molecule that has long been considered to be a harmful air pollutant produced through anthropogenic activities. The finding in the late 1980s that the gas is synthesized in animal cells by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) led to a paradigm shift in bioscience. NO is now recognized as an endogenous signalling molecule involved in diverse physiological processes. Plants and algae also produce NO, but the mechanism of synthesis remains controversial. A number of inhibitor experiments have suggested the presence of NOS‐like activities in plants and algae. To date, however, there is no conclusive evidence for the presence of NOS enzymes in these organisms. This chapter provides an overview of plant NOS research, along with a description of possible arginine‐dependent signal transduction mechanisms in plants.
Morphological Adaptations of

A
rabidopsis

Roots to Nitrogen Supply
Authors: Zhang Hanma , Pilbeam David J.
Published: May 2017

Higher plants display complex morphological adaptations in their root system to nitrogen availability. In
Arabidopsis
, four such adaptations have been well characterized, which include a stimulatory effect of a localized nitrate supply on lateral root elongation, a systemic inhibitory effect of high nitrate supply on lateral root development, the suppression of lateral root (LR) initiation by high C–N ratios and glutamate‐induced regulation of root system architecture. Studies of these adaptations have revealed valuable insights about their underlying mechanisms, in particular those related to N sensing and root development, and also novel regulatory properties of nitrate transporters. The future challenges are to fully understand the mechanisms of the N‐related morphological adaptations and to establish whether the adaptations found in
Arabidopsis
and their regulatory mechanisms are conserved in other plants and also the biological significance of the adaptations.