bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using visual analytics to combat cyberbullying in New Jersey schools
Authors: Ryan Lindy , Gratale Sierra
Published: October 2017

The rising and rapid adoption of social media has affected numerous digital behavior changes over the past several years, particularly among adolescent users. Among these, cyberbullying has become an increasingly disruptive and dangerous problem, with effects ranging from increased online aggression to psychological distress and negative effects on academic performance. This study explores the impact of school‐level environmental factors such as demographics and unique student populations on cyberbullying behaviors. Specifically, this study utilized a survey and visual analytics to examine cyberbullying among 882 middle and high‐school students (380 boys and 502 girls) in two New Jersey districts. Findings revealed that broad cyberbullying statistics might not be applicable at individual school level behaviors. Specifically, boys may experience more cyberbullying than girls, victimization may occur predictively in peak grades and both genders may underreport, especially in higher grades.
Illuminating human‐rare historic book interaction
Authors: Sonnenwald Diane H. , McElligott Jason
Published: October 2017

This presentation showcases research that is investigating human‐rare historic book interaction in order to develop a theoretical framework that takes into account the materiality of rare books and will form a foundation for technology requirements that will allow individuals to more fully experience rare historic books through the use of virtual or augmented reality technology.
The data sharing practices and challenges in Uganda
Authors: Tomusange Isaac , Yoon Ayoung , Mukasa Norman
Published: October 2017

With the rapid development and increased use of information and communication technology (ICT), the demand for data sharing and reuse is growing even in developing countries. This study aims to contribute to the recently emerging discussions on data sharing in developing countries with a focus on the case of Uganda. The goal of this study is to uncover the current practices of and efforts for data sharing in the public sector in Uganda and to understand the relevant stakeholders' perceptions of data sharing and reuse practices/services.
Data ecosystem in self‐tracking health and wellness apps
Authors: Trace Ciaran B. , Cruz Katherine , Yonemaru Daiki , Zhang Yan
Published: October 2017

To understand information behavior associated with self‐tracking and to facilitate exploration of various issues associated with quantified‐self data, such as data quality and data sharing, to name a few, we logged the data in self‐tracking health and wellness apps. Specifically, we selected 10 of the most popular health and wellness self‐tracking apps for both iOS and Android platforms, used these apps for a period of time, and logged data input into, generated by and exported out of the apps. The data were then grouped into categories and mapped to form a data ecosystem that can be queried to reveal latent research opportunities.
Analyzing patterns of contribution to user‐generated tag hierarchies based on core user types
Authors: Yang Yuyu , Zhang Pengyi
Published: October 2017

Widely applied social tagging systems with semantic relations created by users have not been fully explored. This study aims to explore user types and their contribution during construction of the tag hierarchy of Zhihu.com, a social Q&A website in China. We conducted log analysis on 284,018 log records crawled from the website, conducted statistical analysis, social network and temporal analysis. Results show that there are four user types based on user editing preference: concept creator, concept reviser, relation editor and extensive contributor. Results suggest that there are plenty of differences between the four types, including the amount of contribution, the influence on collaboration and the temporal pattern. It was learned that relation editors play a most important role during the construction and extensive contributors contributed most on average. Besides, concept creators' activity level decreased from the beginning and concept revisers have a relatively stable activity pattern. These findings shed light on user contribution patterns during the collaborative construction of tag hierarchies.
Research collaboration prediction and recommendation based on network embedding in co‐authorship networks
Authors: Zhang Jinzhu
Published: October 2017

In large‐scale datasets, the researchers' multiple features need to be learned automatically instead of manually defined and enumerated, to improve the efficiency and effect of research collaboration prediction and recommendation. This paper applies the network embedding method to learn the context of each researcher by which the semantic similarities among researchers are calculated. Firstly, the co‐authorship network is built in a large‐scale dataset where research collaborations are denoted by co‐authorships. Then the researchers' semantic contexts in the network are learned by the network embedding method based on deep learning, and each researcher's dense, low‐dimensional vector is formed. Finally, the semantic similarities among researchers are calculated through vector similarity indices and quantitatively compared by link prediction. Experiments in the field of library and information science (LIS) verify that the method can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of research collaboration prediction and recommendation.
Consequence modeling at the Eastman Kingsport site
Authors: James Michael , Skelton David
Published: October 2017

The intent of this paper will be to review the methods utilized at the Eastman Kingsport site in determining magnitude of consequences of toxic, thermal, and blast overpressure scenarios. This will include discussion on dispersion modeling, dose‐response methods for toxic, and thermal probits as well as assessing occupant vulnerability through the use of BakerRisk's Explosion Risk Cooperative tools. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 36: 338–352, 2017
Luminescent Characteristics of Needle‐Like Single Crystal Diamonds
Authors: Malykhin Sergey A. , Houard Jonathan , Ismagilov Rinat R. , Orekhov Anton S. , Vella Angela , Obraztsov Alexander N.
Published: October 2017

Luminescent properties of needle‐like single crystal diamonds are investigated in a wide range of wavelength. The luminescent spectra with zero phonon lines centered at 389, 442, 468, 534, 563, 575, and 738 nm are detected using excitation by photons and electrons. Obtained photo‐ and cathodo‐luminescent (PL and CL) spectra indicate presence in the single‐crystal diamond needles of nitrogen‐ and silicon‐vacancy centers as well as substitutional or/and interstitials related to these atomic impurities. The dependencies of PL intensities of the 575 and 738 nm lines (related, correspondingly, to nitrogen‐ and silicon‐vacancy centers) on excitation wavelength are determined. Time‐resolved measurements are performed for the 575 nm PL line. The luminescence decay behavior for this line demonstrates the presence of recombination processes with characteristic times of about 28 ns (on 200 ns time scale) and 2.8 ns (on 20 ns time scale).
A saccular superior vena cava aneurysm with unique diagnostic computed tomography findings
Authors: Yokoyama Tetsuya , Setoguchi Taro , Sakamoto Kazuo , Mashimoto Shun , Eto Daisuke , Wataya Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

A saccular superior vena cava aneurysm is a rare venous aneurysm that presents as mediastinal mass lesions. An evaluation using contrast‐enhanced computed tomography is indispensable for the diagnosis.
Feasibility of infrared tracking of beating heart motion for robotic assisted beating heart surgery
Authors: Mansouri Saeed , Farahmand Farzam , Vossoughi Gholamreza , Ghavidel Alireza Alizadeh , Rezayat Mostafa
Published: October 2017

Background

Accurate tracking of the heart surface motion is a major requirement for robot assisted beating heart surgery.

Method

The feasibility of a stereo infrared tracking system for measuring the free beating heart motion was investigated by experiments on a heart motion simulator, as well as model surgery on a dog.

Results

Simulator experiments revealed a high tracking accuracy (81 μm root mean square error) when the capturing times were synchronized and the tracker pointed at the target from a 100 cm distance. The animal experiment revealed the applicability of the infrared tracker with passive markers in practical heart surgery conditions.

Conclusion

With the current technology, infrared tracking with passive markers might be the optimal solution for accurate, fast, and reliable tracking of heart motion during robot assisted beating heart surgery.
The Effects of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB on Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Mediated Dentin-Pulp Complex Regeneration
Authors: Zhang Maolin , Jiang Fei , Zhang Xiaochen , Wang Shaoyi , Jin Yuqin , Zhang Wenjie , Jiang Xinquan
Published: October 2017

Dentin-pulp complex regeneration is a promising alternative treatment for the irreversible pulpitis caused by tooth trauma or dental caries. This process mainly relies on the recruitment of endogenous or the transplanted dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to guide dentin-pulp tissue formation. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a well-known potent mitogenic, angiogenic, and chemoattractive agent, has been widely used in tissue regeneration. However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of PDGF on dentin-pulp complex regeneration are still unclear. In this study, we tested the effect of PDGF-BB on dentin-pulp tissue regeneration by establishing PDGF-BB gene-modified human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) using a lentivirus. Our results showed that PDGF-BB can significantly enhance hDPSC proliferation and odontoblastic differentiation. Furthermore, PDGF-BB and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted by hDPSCs enhanced angiogenesis. The chemoattractive effect of PDGF-BB on hDPSCs was also confirmed using a Transwell chemotactic migration model. We further determined that PDGF-BB facilitates hDPSCs migration via the activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. In vivo, CM-DiI-labeled hDPSCs were injected subcutaneously into mice, and our results showed that more labeled cells were recruited to the sites implanted with calcium phosphate cement scaffolds containing PDGF-BB gene-modified hDPSCs. Finally, the tissue-engineered complexes were implanted subcutaneously in mice for 12 weeks, the Lenti-PDGF group generated more dentin-like mineralized tissue which showed positive staining for the DSPP protein, similar to tooth dentin tissue, and was surrounded by highly vascularized dental pulp-like connective tissue. Taken together, our data demonstrated that the PDGF-BB possesses a powerful function in prompting stem cell-based dentin-pulp tissue regeneration.
Regression analysis of interval‐censored failure time data with possibly crossing hazards
Authors: Zhang Han , Wang Peijie , Sun Jianguo
Published: October 2017

Interval‐censored failure time data occur in many areas, especially in medical follow‐up studies such as clinical trials, and in consequence, many methods have been developed for the problem. However, most of the existing approaches cannot deal with the situations where the hazard functions may cross each other. To address this, we develop a sieve maximum likelihood estimation procedure with the application of the short‐term and long‐term hazard ratio model. In the method, the I‐splines are used to approximate the underlying unknown function. An extensive simulation study was conducted for the assessment of the finite sample properties of the presented procedure and suggests that the method seems to work well for practical situations. The analysis of an motivated example is also provided.
Assessing students' disciplinary and interdisciplinary understanding of global carbon cycling
Authors: You Hye Sun , Marshall Jill A. , Delgado Cesar
Published: October 2017

Global carbon cycling describes the movement of carbon through atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere; it lies at the heart of climate change and sustainability. To understand the global carbon cycle, students will require interdisciplinary knowledge. While standards documents in science education have long promoted interdisciplinary understanding, our current science education system is still oriented toward single‐discipline‐based learning. Furthermore, there is limited work on interdisciplinary assessment. This article presents the validated Interdisciplinary Science Assessment of Carbon Cycling (ISACC), and reports empirical results of a study of high school and undergraduate students, including an analysis of the relationship between interdisciplinary items and disciplinary items. Many‐faceted Rasch analysis produced detailed information about the relative difficulty of items and estimates of ability levels of students. One‐way ANCOVA was used to analyze differences among three grade levels: high school, college Freshman–Sophomore, college Junior–Senior, with number of science courses as a covariate. Findings indicated significantly higher levels of interdisciplinary understanding among the Freshman–Sophomore group compared to high school students. There was no statistically significant difference between Freshman–Sophomore group and Junior–Senior group. Items assessing interdisciplinary understanding were more difficult than items assessing disciplinary understanding of global carbon cycling; however, interdisciplinary and disciplinary understanding were strongly correlated. This study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary understanding in learning carbon cycling and discusses its potential impacts on science curriculum and teaching practices.
Electronic Waste Generation and Management in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: Algeria as a Case Study
Authors: Hamouda Karima , Adjroudi Rachid
Published: October 2017

Electronic waste (e‐waste) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Notwithstanding increasing concern worldwide, e‐waste has not yet been discussed in depth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study first reviews the literature regarding the estimation of e‐waste in the MENA region. It then gives an estimate of the past and future trends in the generation of obsolete computers in Algeria. For this purpose, the study combines two models: the Carnegie Mellon model and the market supply (distribution delay) model. The Carnegie Mellon model offers the following options for obsolete computers and monitors: the device could be reused, stored, or discarded. The amounts of devices falling into each category were determined based on these options. The outcomes from the market supply (distribution delay) model show that high amounts of computer and monitor waste were registered for the period from 2014 to 2016.
Temporal‐spatial variations of air pollutants in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China, during the spring–summer periods, 2014–2016
Authors: Filonchyk Mikalai , Yan Haowen , Hurynovich Volha
Published: October 2017

In this article, we analyzed the mass concentrations of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers (µm) or less in size (PM2.5), particulate matter 10 µm or less in size (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu province, China. We analyzed monitoring data collected from five air quality monitoring stations during the spring–summer period from 2014 to 2016. Our comparison of contaminant concentrations and average diurnal, daily, monthly, and annual concentrations revealed that the average concentrations of PM2.5and PM10amounted to 128.57 and 46.4 micrograms per cubic meters (µg/m3), respectively, exceeding the Chinese National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). We used the Pearson correlation coefficient to establish connections between particulate matter and gaseous pollutants. The results show significant differences in the concentration levels of airborne pollutants. The Pearson correlation coefficient between PM2.5and PM10had the highest coefficient ofr= 0.842. A correlation between the two particulate matter sizes (PM2.5and PM10) and SO2was PM2.5and SO2r= 0.313; PM10and SO2r= 0.279; and CO and the two particulate matter sizes, PM2.5and COr= 0.304; and PM10and COr= 0.203. The average monthly ratio for the study months of PM2.5to PM10was 0.361. In addition, we used the hybrid single particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory model for tracking sources and pathways of the air pollutants in Lanzhou.
Mainstreaming environmental impact assessment as a tool for environmental management in Ethiopia: Current challenges and directions for future improvements
Authors: Worku Hailu
Published: October 2017

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was first entered into force in the United States of America in 1969 through the National Environmental Policy Act. Since then, the EIA was implemented in many other countries. In Ethiopia, EIA was formally introduced in 2002 by Proclamation No. 299/2002 after the establishment of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in 1995 and the formulation of the Environmental Policy of Ethiopia (EPE) in 1997. This study, which is based on a document review, interviews, and the application of a survey questionnaire, analyzes the procedures and practices of the Ethiopian EIA system, seeks to clarify fundamental information regarding the EIA system and characteristics of the key elements of EIA processes, and finally, offers suggestions that could improve EIA practices in the country. The overall result of this study shows that Ethiopia adopted EIA procedures that are similar to western models; however, despite approximately 15 years of experience, its implementation is still poor to the point that the use of EIA as an instrument of environmental management could be questioned. The challenges identified by this study include institutional, organizational, and professional capacity gaps, which, in turn, have resulted in constraints ranging from improper screening, scoping, and production of EIA reports to ineffective review, monitoring, and post‐project evaluation. Additional challenges to the system include poor governance and corruption, rapid economic growth, and the mushrooming of micro‐ and small‐scale enterprises that cause pollution and environmental degradation. This article also provides comprehensive suggestions to improve EIA practices in Ethiopia.
More than just snowmelt: integrated watershed science for changing climate and permafrost at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory
Authors: Lamoureux Scott F. , Lafrenière Melissa J.
Published: October 2017

The Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory (CBAWO) was established in 2003 to investigate the hydrological processes and impacts associated with climate and permafrost change in the High Arctic. Comprehensive data collection at the paired watersheds has spanned a period containing both the coldest and warmest melt season conditions, including the recent decade that is the warmest on record. Through this period, the hydrological regime has transitioned from a nival (snowmelt) dominated to increased importance of rainfall runoff and baseflow. This hydrological shift and associated environmental changes have altered the seasonality and magnitude of fluxes. Permafrost degradation has resulted in both localized and catchment‐wide soil and runoff perturbations, broadly increasing solute and nutrient flushing, with more intense sediment and solute impacts where physical disturbances have occurred. The recovery time to perturbations diverges with sedimentary systems responding in approximately 5 years, while dissolved fluxes remaining high due to repeated thermal perturbations. Permafrost carbon in this setting is relatively old and labile, both in particulate and dissolved phases. Permafrost degradation has altered microbial activity in soils, and increased nitrification in disturbed settings, which points to complex biogeochemical responses to climate and permafrost change. Sustained research activity at CBAWO has revealed new complexity in the hydrological and biogeochemical functioning of High Arctic watersheds. Long‐term observatories like CBAWO provide critical context to place observations in, especially during periods of change, and are necessary to develop a comprehensive understanding of hydrological change and water security in the region. WIREs Water 2018, 5:e1255. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1255

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes
On the catabolism of amino acids in the yeast Dekkera bruxellensis and the implications for industrial fermentation processes
Authors: Parente Denise Castro , Cajueiro Danielli Batista Bezerra , Moreno Irina Charlot Peña , Leite Fernanda Cristina Bezerra , De Barros Pita Will , De Morais Marcos Antonio
Published: October 2017

In the last years several reports have reported the capacity of the yeast Dekkera (Brettanomyces) bruxellensis to survive and adapt to the industrial process of alcoholic fermentation. Much of this feature seems to relate to the ability to assimilate limiting sources of nutrients, or somehow some that are inaccessible to Saccharomyces cerevisiae, in particular the sources of nitrogen. Among them, amino acids (AA) are relevant in terms of beverage musts, and could also be important for bioethanol. In view of the limited knowledge on the control of AA, the present work combines physiological and genetic studies to understand how it operates in D. bruxellensis in response to oxygen availibility. The results allowed separation of the AA in three groups of preferentiality and showed that glutamine is the preferred AA irrespective of the presence of oxygen. Glutamate and aspartate were also preferred AA in anaerobiosis, as indicated by the physiological data. Gene expression experiments showed that, apart from the conventional nitrogen catabolic repression mechanism that is operating in aerobiosis, there seems to be an oxygen‐independent mechanism acting to overexpress key genes like GAP1, GDH1, GDH2 and GLT1 to ensure adequate anaerobic growth even in the presence of non‐preferential nitrogen source. This could be of major importance for the industrial fitness of this yeast species.
Low Temperature Phases of Na2Ti3Cl8 Revisited
Authors: Hänni Nora , Frontzek Matthias , Hauser Jürg , Cheptiakov Denis , Krämer Karl
Published: October 2017

The low temperature phases of Na2Ti3Cl8 and their phase transitions were investigated by powder neutron diffraction, heat capacity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements between 1.6 K and room temperature. Aside from the previously known high temperature α‐phase (R3m) and low temperature γ‐phase (R3m), a new intermediate temperature β‐phase was detected. It has a k = (1/4,1/4,0) superstructure and its molar volume and χT product are half way between the α‐ and γ‐phases. The β‐phase is observed between 210 K and 190 K on cooling in powder samples. Its formation is kinetically hindered in crystals. Upon heating the β→α transition occurs at 227 K. From the γ‐phase, a γ→α transitions is observed on heating. Only in heat capacity measurements, a shoulder of the peak indicates an intermediate formation of the β‐phase. Strong antiferromagnetic interactions between the Ti2+ ions result in the formation of triangular trimers (Ti3 clusters). In the γ‐phase all Ti2+ ions are part of trimers. For the β‐phase a structural model is proposed, where half of the Ti2+ ions form trimers. No long‐range magnetic order was observed in Na2Ti3Cl8 down to 1.6 K.
Preperitoneal Surgical Approach to Treat Vesicoureteral Anastomotic Leakage, Distal Stenosis or Reflux After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Darius Tom , Buemi Antoine , Coubeau Laurent , Kanaan Nada , Goffette Pierre , Mourad Michel
Published: October 2017

Background

If endourological approaches are not applicable to treat vesicoureteral anastomotic complications after kidney transplantation, the surgical gold standard in many transplant centers is pyeloureterostomy or ureteroureterostomy using the native ureter. We report an original preperitoneal technique that can be used for vesicoureteral reanastomosis in kidney transplant recipients not eligible for endourological treatment.

Methods

Between January 2011 and December 2015, 18 kidney transplant recipients underwent this new surgical procedure. Of this number, 15 subjects with at least 1 year of follow‐up were included in the analysis. The indications were vesicoureteral reflux, anastomotic stenosis, and leakage in 8, 5, and 2 patients, respectively. Briefly, a double J stent was preoperatively inserted into the grafted ureter. Surgery was performed through a Pfannenstiel incision. The preperitoneal space surrounding the bladder was dissected and the distal part of the grafted ureter was identified and mobilized. The anastomotic area was resected and another vesicoureteral anastomosis was performed (Lich–Gregoir technique), keeping the JJ stent in place for three weeks.

Results

This procedure was performed 213 days (range 17–2608) after kidney transplantation. Median surgical duration was 179 minutes (range 112–314) and median hospital stay 8 days (range 4–14). The success rate was 86.7% (13/15), with a median follow‐up of 1148 days (range 517–1808). In two patients, symptomatic recurrence of vesicoureteral reflux required a pyeloureterostomy using the native ureter.

Conclusions

The authors describe a simple technique that avoids transperitoneal dissection, potentially yielding more esthetic results thanks to easy access, as well as excellent outcomes.
Predictors and Time‐Based Hospital Mortality in Patients with Isolated and Polytrauma Brain Injuries
Authors: El‐Menyar Ayman , Consunji Rafael , Abdelrahman Husham , Latifi Rifat , Wahlen Bianca M. , Al‐Thani Hassan
Published: October 2017

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We studied the predictors and time‐based mortality in patients with isolated and polytrauma brain injuries in a rapidly developing country. We hypothesized that TBI‐related 30‐day mortality is decreasing over time.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted for all patients with moderate‐to‐severe TBI who were admitted directly to a level 1 trauma center between 2010 and 2014. Patient’s data were analyzed and compared according to survival (survived vs. not survived), time (early death [2 days], intermediate [3–7 days] versus late [>7 days]) post‐injury, and type (polytrauma vs. isolated TBI). Cox proportional hazards models were performed for the predictors of mortality.

Results

A total of 810 patients were admitted with moderate‐to‐severe TBI with a median age of 27 years. Traffic‐related injury was the main mechanism of TBI (65%). Isolated TBIs represented 22.6% of cases and 56% had head AIS >3. The overall mortality rate was 27%, and most of deaths occurred in the intermediate (40%) and early period (38%). The incidence of TBI was greater in patients aged 21–30 years but the mortality was proportionately higher among elderly. The average annual incidence was 8.43 per 100,000 population with an overall mortality of 2.28 per 100,000 population. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that polytrauma had greater mortality than isolated TBI. However, Cox survival analysis showed that age [Hazard ratio (HR) 1.02], scene GCS (HR 0.86),subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR 1.7), and blood transfusion amount (HR 1.03) were the predictors of mortality regardless of being polytrauma or isolated TBI after controlling for 14 relevant covariates.

Conclusions

The 30‐day survival in patients with TBI is improving over the years in Qatar; however, the mortality remains high in the elderly males. The majority of deaths occurred within a week after the injury. Further studies are needed to assess the long‐term survival in patients with moderate‐to‐severe TBI.
Low-Cloud Feedbacks from Cloud-Controlling Factors: A Review
Authors: Klein Stephen A. , Hall Alex , Norris Joel R. , Pincus Robert
Published: October 2017

The response to warming of tropical low-level clouds including both marine stratocumulus and trade cumulus is a major source of uncertainty in projections of future climate. Climate model simulations of the response vary widely, reflecting the difficulty the models have in simulating these clouds. These inadequacies have led to alternative approaches to predict low-cloud feedbacks. Here, we review an observational approach that relies on the assumption that observed relationships between low clouds and the “cloud-controlling factors” of the large-scale environment are invariant across time-scales. With this assumption, and given predictions of how the cloud-controlling factors change with climate warming, one can predict low-cloud feedbacks without using any model simulation of low clouds. We discuss both fundamental and implementation issues with this approach and suggest steps that could reduce uncertainty in the predicted low-cloud feedback. Recent studies using this approach predict that the tropical low-cloud feedback is positive mainly due to the observation that reflection of solar radiation by low clouds decreases as temperature increases, holding all other cloud-controlling factors fixed. The positive feedback from temperature is partially offset by a negative feedback from the tendency for the inversion strength to increase in a warming world, with other cloud-controlling factors playing a smaller role. A consensus estimate from these studies for the contribution of tropical low clouds to the global mean cloud feedback is 0.25 ± 0.18 W m−2 K−1 (90% confidence interval), suggesting it is very unlikely that tropical low clouds reduce total global cloud feedback. Because the prediction of positive tropical low-cloud feedback with this approach is consistent with independent evidence from low-cloud feedback studies using high-resolution cloud models, progress is being made in reducing this key climate uncertainty.
Difference between the transpiration rates of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forests in a subtropical climate in Taiwan
Authors: Laplace Sophie , Komatsu Hikaru , Tseng Han , Kume Tomonori
Published: October 2017

Bamboo forests have been expanding rapidly in Asian countries for the past 50 years. Whether natural or artificial, this expansion involves the replacement of other vegetation types by bamboo, which could impact the local water cycle. Previous studies in Japan have reported that bamboo forests have higher transpiration than coniferous forests under temperate climates, but it is unknown whether this finding applies to subtropical climates. Thus, we examined whether a Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forest exhibits higher transpiration in a subtropical climate. We used the sap‐flux method to estimate the stand transpiration (E) of Moso bamboo and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forests in Taiwan. As was observed in the Japanese studies, annual E for bamboo (478 mm) was higher than that for cedar (122 mm), although we found a difference in the seasonality of E between the Taiwanese and Japanese sites. Canopy conductance (Gc) for bamboo was higher than that for cedar in Taiwan, which was reported previously for Japan. Gc for bamboo in Taiwan was comparable to that in Japan, despite a difference in the leaf area index (LAI). Gc for cedar in Taiwan was lower than that in Japan. This difference in Gc between Taiwan and Japan corresponded to differences in the sapwood area and LAI. These findings suggest a significant change in E and, therefore, the terrestrial water and carbon cycle, regardless of different climates, when Japanese cedar forests are replaced by Moso bamboo forests.
Influence of Temperature Stress on Lipid Stability of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) Muscle During Frozen Storage
Authors: Dang Huong Thi Thu , Gudjónsdóttir María , Karlsdóttir Magnea G. , Van Nguyen Minh , Romotowska Paulina E. , Tómasson Tumi , Arason Sigurjon
Published: October 2017

Unstable conditions are commonly encountered during industrial storage and transportation of frozen fish. Temperature stress and fluctuations may increase the amount of unfrozen water in the muscle and enzymatic activity and lipid oxidation can thus still take place during frozen storage. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of characteristics of different muscle types of herring at unstable modelled conditions during storage and transportation. Compositional changes, lipid oxidation and lipid hydrolysis were monitored in light and dark muscle of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), during frozen storage, as affected by temperature stress (samples were stored at − 25 °C for 2 months, then stressed at − 12 °C for 1 month, followed by storage at a stable − 25 °C for the remaining storage duration), and compared to samples stored at a stable − 25 °C for 14 months. The dark muscle was more sensitive to lipid oxidation than the light muscle, leading to faster degradation. Increased lipid oxidation and lipid hydrolysis were observed in temperature‐stressed samples of both muscle types. The study demonstrated the importance of avoiding temperature stress during industrial frozen storage and transportation to improve the quality and shelf life of frozen herring products. Removal of dark muscle by deep skinning could benefit both processors and customers regarding the shelf life and nutritional value of the light herring muscle.
The diagnosis of microorganism involved in infective endocarditis (IE) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real‐time PCR: A systematic review
Authors: Faraji Reza , Behjati‐Ardakani Mostafa , Moshtaghioun Seyed Mohammad , Kalantar Seyed Mehdi , Namayandeh Seyedeh Mahdieh , Soltani Mohammadhossien , Emami Mahmood , Zandi Hengameh , Firoozabadi Ali Dehghani , Kazeminasab Mahmood , Ahmadi Nastaran , Sarebanhassanabadi Mohammadtaghi
Published: October 2017

Broad‐range bacterial rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing may be identified as the etiology of infective endocarditis (IE) from surgically removed valve tissue; therefore, we reviewed the value of molecular testing in identifying organisms' DNA in the studies conducted until 2016. We searched Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, PubMed, and Medline electronic databases without any time limitations up to December 2016 for English studies reporting microorganisms involved in infective endocarditis microbiology using PCR and real‐time PCR. Most studies were prospective. Eleven out of 12 studies used valve tissue samples and blood cultures while only 1 study used whole blood. Also, 10 studies used the molecular method of PCR while 2 studies used real‐time PCR. Most studies used 16S rDNA gene as the target gene. The bacteria were identified as the most common microorganisms involved in infective endocarditis. Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were, by far, the most predominant bacteria detected. In all studies, PCR and real‐time PCR identified more pathogens than blood and tissue cultures; moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of PCR and real‐time PCR were more than cultures in most of the studies. The highest sensitivity and specificity were 96% and 100%, respectively. The gram positive bacteria were the most frequent cause of infective endocarditis. The molecular methods enjoy a greater sensitivity compared to the conventional blood culture methods; yet, they are applicable only to the valve tissue of the patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.
Knowledge of the Avalanche Victim Resuscitation Checklist and Utility of a Standardized Lecture in Italy
Authors: Strapazzon Giacomo , Migliaccio Daniel , Fontana Diego , Stawinoga Agnieszka Elzbieta , Milani Mario , Brugger Hermann
Published: October 2017

Introduction

To explore baseline knowledge about avalanche guidelines and the Avalanche Victim Resuscitation Checklist (AVReCh) in Italy and the knowledge acquisition from a standardized lecture.

Methods

Standardized lecture material discussing AVReCh was presented during 8 mountain medicine courses from November 2014 to April 2016 in different regions of Italy. To determine the knowledge acquisition from the lecture, a pre- and postlecture survey was utilized.

Results

A total of 193 surveys were analyzed. More than 50% of the participants had never participated in lectures/courses on avalanche guidelines, and less than 50% of the participants knew about the AVReCh before the lecture. The correct temporal sequence of reportable information in the basic life support section of the AVReCh was selected by 40% of the participants before the lecture and by 75% after the lecture ( P<0.001). Within subgroups analysis, most groups saw significant improvement in performance ( P<0.05). The selection of the correct burial time increased from 36 to 84% ( P<0.05).

Conclusions

Health care providers and mountain rescue personnel are not widely aware of avalanche guidelines. The standardized lecture significantly improved knowledge of the principles of avalanche management related to core AVReCh elements. However, the effect that this knowledge acquisition has on avalanche victim survival or adherence to the AVReCh in the field is yet to be determined.
Assembly and metrology of NIF target subassemblies using robotic systems
Authors: Boehm K.-J. , Alexander N. , Anderson J. , Carlson L. , Farrell M.
Published: October 2017

With European Laser Facilities such as the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) and the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields (HIBEF) scheduled to come online within the next couple of years, General Atomics, as a major supplier of targets and target components for the High Energy Density Physics community in the United States, is gearing up to meet their demand for large numbers of low cost targets. Using the production of a subassembly for the National Ignition Facility’s fusion targets as an example, we demonstrate that through automation of assembly tasks, the design of targets and their experimental setup can be fairly complex while keeping the assembly time and cost as a minimum. A six-axis Mitsubishi robot is used in combination with vision feedback and a force–torque sensor to assemble target subassemblies of different scales and designs with minimal change of tooling, allowing for design flexibility and short assembly setup times. Implementing automated measurement routines on a Nikon NEXIV microscope further reduces the effort required for target metrology, while electronic data collection and transfer complete a streamlined target production operation that can be adapted to a large variety of target designs.
Provider Role in Transmission of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Grabowski Marika E. , Kang Hyojung , Wells Kristen M. , Sifri Costi D. , Mathers Amy J. , Lobo Jennifer M.
Published: October 2017

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the role healthcare providers play in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) acquisition among hospitalized patients.

DESIGN

A 1:4 case-control study with incidence density sampling.

SETTING

Academic healthcare center with regular CRE perirectal screening in high-risk units.

PATIENTS

We included case patients with ≥1 negative CRE test followed by positive culture with a length of stay (LOS) >9 days. For controls, we included patients with ≥2 negative CRE tests and assignment to the same unit set as case patients with a LOS >9 days.

METHODS

Controls were time-matched to each case patient. Case exposure was evaluated between days 2 and 9 before positive culture and control evaluation was based on maximizing overlap with the case window. Exposure sources were all CRE-colonized or -infected patients. Nonphysician providers were compared between study patients and sources during their evaluation windows. Dichotomous and continuous exposures were developed from the number of source-shared providers and were used in univariate and multivariate regression.

RESULTS

In total, 121 cases and 484 controls were included. Multivariate analysis showed odds of dichotomous exposure (≥1 source-shared provider) of 2.27 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–4.15; P=.006) for case patients compared to controls. Multivariate continuous exposure showed odds of 1.02 (95% CI, 1.01–1.03; P=.009) for case patients compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who acquire CRE during hospitalization are more likely to receive care from a provider caring for a patient with CRE than those patients who do not acquire CRE. These data support the importance of hand hygiene and cohorting measures for CRE patients to reduce transmission risk.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1329–1334
The Taipan Galaxy Survey: Scientific Goals and Observing Strategy
Authors: da Cunha Elisabete , Hopkins Andrew M. , Colless Matthew , Taylor Edward N. , Blake Chris , Howlett Cullan , Magoulas Christina , Lucey John R. , Lagos Claudia , Kuehn Kyler , Gordon Yjan , Barat Dilyar , Bian Fuyan , Wolf Christian , Cowley Michael J. , White Marc , Achitouv Ixandra , Bilicki Maciej , Bland-Hawthorn Joss , Bolejko Krzysztof , Brown Michael J. I. , Brown Rebecca , Bryant Julia , Croom Scott , Davis Tamara M. , Driver Simon P. , Filipovic Miroslav D. , Hinton Samuel R. , Johnston-Hollitt Melanie , Jones D. Heath , Koribalski Bärbel , Kleiner Dane , Lawrence Jon , Lorente Nuria , Mould Jeremy , Owers Matt S. , Pimbblet Kevin , Tinney C. G. , Tothill Nicholas F. H. , Watson Fred
Published: October 2017

The Taipan galaxy survey (hereafter simply ‘Taipan’) is a multi-object spectroscopic survey starting in 2017 that will cover 2π steradians over the southern sky (δ ≲ 10°, |b| ≳ 10°), and obtain optical spectra for about two million galaxies out to z < 0.4. Taipan will use the newly refurbished 1.2-m UK Schmidt Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory with the new TAIPAN instrument, which includes an innovative ‘Starbugs’ positioning system capable of rapidly and simultaneously deploying up to 150 spectroscopic fibres (and up to 300 with a proposed upgrade) over the 6° diameter focal plane, and a purpose-built spectrograph operating in the range from 370 to 870 nm with resolving power R ≳ 2000. The main scientific goals of Taipan are (i) to measure the distance scale of the Universe (primarily governed by the local expansion rate, H0) to 1% precision, and the growth rate of structure to 5%; (ii) to make the most extensive map yet constructed of the total mass distribution and motions in the local Universe, using peculiar velocities based on improved Fundamental Plane distances, which will enable sensitive tests of gravitational physics; and (iii) to deliver a legacy sample of low-redshift galaxies as a unique laboratory for studying galaxy evolution as a function of dark matter halo and stellar mass and environment. The final survey, which will be completed within 5 yrs, will consist of a complete magnitude-limited sample (i ⩽ 17) of about 1.2 × 106 galaxies supplemented by an extension to higher redshifts and fainter magnitudes (i ⩽ 18.1) of a luminous red galaxy sample of about 0.8 × 106 galaxies. Observations and data processing will be carried out remotely and in a fully automated way, using a purpose-built automated ‘virtual observer’ software and an automated data reduction pipeline. The Taipan survey is deliberately designed to maximise its legacy value by complementing and enhancing current and planned surveys of the southern sky at wavelengths from the optical to the radio; it will become the primary redshift and optical spectroscopic reference catalogue for the local extragalactic Universe in the southern sky for the coming decade.
Late Quaternary fluvial dynamics and landscape evolution at the lower Shulaveris Ghele River (southern Caucasus)
Authors: von Suchodoletz Hans , Faust Dominik
Published: October 2017

The southern Caucasus was intensively settled through the Neolithic period to present. Studies of late Quaternary fluvial dynamics and landscape development at the lower Shulaveris Ghele River in southeastern Georgia aid understanding of the Quaternary history of this region. Our studies show that following river aggradation to form a fan-shaped alluvial surface during the late Pleistocene, fluvial sedimentation shifted west, leaving a fan surface subject only to local fluvial and colluvial processes as well as late Neolithic settlement. At about 6 ka, the river avulsed to the east and eroded some late Neolithic settlements occupying the eastern portion of the fan. The avulsion was followed by 3 distinct episodes of aggradation at about 6 ka, 3–2 ka, and since 1.0 ka. No such aggradation is evident in the early Holocene. Regional Holocene fluvial activity in this area was apparently influenced by vegetation dynamics, possibly controlled by regional climatic and/or anthropogenic factors, and significantly differs from the eastern Mediterranean region. All late Neolithic settlements were originally built far from an active river, possibly indicating late Neolithic water management systems.
A spatial and temporal analysis of paediatric central nervous system infections from 2005 to 2015 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: HO N. T. , HOANG V. M. T. , LE N. N. T. , NGUYEN D. T. , TRAN A. , KAKI D. , TRAN P. M. , THOMPSON C. N. , NGO M. N. Q. , TRUONG K. H. , NGUYEN H. T. , HA T. M. , NGUYEN C. V. V. , THWAITES G. E. , THAKUR K. T. , HESDORFFER D. , BAKER S.
Published: October 2017

Central nervous system infections (CNSI) are a leading cause of death and long-term disability in children. Using ICD-10 data from 2005 to 2015 from three central hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, we exploited generalized additive mixed models (GAMM) to examine the spatial-temporal distribution and spatial and climatic risk factors of paediatric CNSI, excluding tuberculous meningitis, in this setting. From 2005 to 2015, there were 9469 cases of paediatric CNSI; 33% were ⩽1 year old at admission and were mainly diagnosed with presumed bacterial CNSI (BI) (79%), the remainder were >1 year old and mainly diagnosed with presumed non-bacterial CNSI (non-BI) (59%). The urban districts of HCMC in proximity to the hospitals as well as some outer districts had the highest incidences of BI and non-BI; BI incidence was higher in the dry season. Monthly BI incidence exhibited a significant decreasing trend over the study. Both BI and non-BI were significantly associated with lags in monthly average temperature, rainfall, and river water level. Our findings add new insights into this important group of infections in Vietnam, and highlight where resources for the prevention and control of paediatric CNSI should be allocated.
Households' responses to climate change: contingent behavior evidence from rural South Africa
Authors: Dassanayake Wijaya , Mohapatra Sandeep , Luckert Martin K. , Adamowicz Wiktor
Published: October 2017

We investigate households' decisions regarding livelihood activities in response to future climate change in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. We use the contingent behavior method and account for unobserved heterogeneity in order to overcome problems associated with limited data, collinearity and endogeneity. We characterize the climate change with two types of climate change scenarios: dry-spells and wet-spells. Results show that moderate and extreme increases in dry-spells increase adoption of off-farm activities such as casual labor and small business, and decrease adoption of on-farm activities such as gardening. We find opposite cases for mild or moderate wet-spells. Our results also show that households tend to diversify their livelihood portfolios in response to a moderate increase in dry-spells and a mild increase in wet-spells. Some household characteristics are also important in influencing some types of activities, including household's health status, gender of the household head, and household's prior experience.