bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Human Capital Expenditure on the Profitability of Quoted Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria
Authors: Olowolaju Philip Segun , Oluwasesin Olayemi Deborah
Published: November 2016

The study examined the effect of human capital on the profitability of quoted manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The study aimed at determining if expenditure on human has influence on the profitability of listed manufacturing companies on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. A sample of 10 listed manufacturing companies on the Nigeria Stock Exchange was used for the study. This study used data mainly from secondary sources and the analysis of data collected was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics include mean, standard deviation, kurtosis, skewness while inferential statistics that was used in testing the hypotheses include panel regression and correlation. The study revealed that all the explanatory variables have positive relationship with profitability, however, expenditure on health contributed more to the profitability of the firms with a beta value of 27.8609 than expenditures on salaries and wages, training and contributory pension with beta values of 0.3107, 2.6752 and 3.4519 respectively. The study also found that that only expenditure on health can significantly predict net profit at 5% level of significance. The study concluded that human capital expenditure significantly influenced profitability of manufacturing companies quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and companies that place more emphasis on human capital, maintaining it and treating it as a pure asset will have motivated work force.
Examination of the Thermal Neutrality for Residents of a Warm-Humid Urban Environment
Authors: Adunola Adewale Oluseyi
Published: November 2016

The paper examined the applicability of thermal neutrality equations to the thermal responses of residents in a field study within a tropical warm-humid urban environment in Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 528 houses were selected for the survey using systematic random sampling within twelve neighborhoods selected by stratified random sampling in the metropolis. For each selected building, an adult resident filled a questionnaire indicating the adaptive thermal response at different periods of the day using the ASHRAE thermal comfort scale. Measurement of indoor and outdoor air temperature and other thermal comfort parameters was done in representative buildings in the neighborhoods. It was found that the residents’ thermal neutrality was higher than values predicted by applied thermal neutrality equations inferring opportunities for sustainable comfort. It was concluded that there is essentially a climatic and contextual basis for the application of thermal neutrality equations.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus in patients who undergo hemodialysis in Antalya province, Turkey
Authors: Kizilates Filiz , Berk Hande , Coban Melahat , Seyman Derya , Sarikaya Metin , Sari Funda , Oztoprak Nefise
Published: November 2016

Background

Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo hemodialysis (HD).

Objectives

To define seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in patients who underwent HD in Antalya province, Turkey.

Methods

We included 1347 patients with end-stage renal failure who underwent HD at one of the 23 centers in Antalya province from January 01 to March 31, 2014 in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV seropositivity were assessed clinically using a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HBV DNA and HCV RNA were determined in HBsAg positive and anti- HCV positive HD patients respectively.

Results

Of the patients included, 805 (59.8%) were male. Mean age (± standard deviation) of the patients was 53.9 ± 17.0 (range 17–89) years. The sera of 2.4% patients was positive for HBsAg, and the sera of 5.5% of the patients was positive for anti-HCV. The sera of 56% of patients positive for HBsAg was also positive for HBV DNA, and the sera of 43% of patients positive for anti-HCV was also positive for HCV RNA. Coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HCV was 1.02%.

Conclusions

The present study showed that the prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV infection in patients who underwent HD in Antalya province was moderate-to-low for Turkey. Compliance of HD centers with infection control rules, isolation of HBsAg positive patients, isolation of the equipment used for HBV susceptible patients, and active surveillance of the HD patients may have resulted in lower prevalence rates.
Detection of masses and microcalcifications in digital mammogram images using fuzzy logic
Authors: Langarizadeh Mostafa , Mahmud Rozi , Bagherzadeh Rafat
Published: November 2016

Background

Detection of small breast lesions is a challenging task for radiologists. Computer aided detection (CAD) systems are implemented to aid radiologists in detecting masses and microcalcifications. This has the potential to raise the level of sensitivity in breast cancer detection.

Objectives

To evaluate a new system to detect suggestions of suspicious small lesions.

Methods

Small samples were extracted from different tissue types. Texture features were calculated, and the best features were selected using Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) software. Subsequently, 7 selected features were used to form a decision tree. To reduce false negative cases, fuzzy logic was used. In the implementation phase, input images were divided into 8 pixel ´ 8 pixel tiles. For each tile, all selected features were computed as fuzzy inputs.

Results

To evaluate the technique, the suggested system was applied to 326 images obtained from the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. Based on this application, results showed that the suggested system has an acceptable sensitivity of 85.6% and specificity of 90.7%.

Conclusions

The fuzzy system is a promising technique for early detection of breast cancer.
Comparison of the knowledge, attitudes toward, and practices of contraception between Thai Muslim women living in Bangkok and those living in the southernmost provinces of Thailand
Authors: Saelim Jureeporn , Santibenchakul Somsook , Jaisamrarn Unnop
Published: November 2016

Background

There are limited data on the use of contraception by Thai Muslim women.

Objectives

To compare and explore the knowledge, attitudes toward, and practices (KAP) of contraception between Thai Muslim women living in Bangkok and those living in the Southernmost provinces. Variables associated with KAP were also examined.

Methods

This was a community-based cross-sectional study, which was conducted in the Muslim communities in Bangkok and those in the southernmost provinces of Thailand including Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. A multistage, cluster sampling technique was used to identify participants. Only literate Thai Muslim women who lived in their hometown, and aged between 15–49 years were included in the analysis. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess participants’ KAP of contraception.

Results

Data from 423 participants were analyzed. Knowledge and attitude scores between the two groups were comparable. A higher proportion of women from the southernmost provinces used contraceptives. However, when a multivariate regression model was used to adjust for other variables, women’s geographical residence was not associated with higher knowledge and attitude scores, or contraceptive practices. College-level education and higher income level were independent factors associated with contraceptive knowledge. A higher knowledge score was independently related to a positive attitude towards contraception. Only number of children and income level were independently associated with contraceptive practices.

Conclusions

For Thai Muslim women, geographical residence was not significantly associated with KAP of contraception. The educational level, income level, and number of children of the women played major roles in KAP of contraception.
Feasibility of withholding dexamethasone premedication for hypersensitivity reactions associated with paclitaxel administration
Authors: Tanpipattanakul Walailuk , Poovorawan Nattaya , Rattananupong Thanapoom , Laoitthi Poranee , Sithidetphaiboon Piyada , Thanasanvimon Suebpong , Sriuranpong Virote , Parinyanitikul Napa
Published: November 2016

Background

Premedication with dexamethasone is crucial to prevent hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) associated with administration of taxanes. However, high dose and prolonged exposure to dexamethasone may cause adverse effects.

Objectives

To determine the incidence of HSR in patients with early breast cancer who did or did not receive dexamethasone prophylaxis for weekly paclitaxel infusions.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of a cohort of patients with early breast cancer who received paclitaxel weekly from January 2012 through March 2015 at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. All patients received a standard premedication protocol including dexamethasone before their first paclitaxel infusion. Dexamethasone was omitted in later cycles in some patients at the discretion of the attending physician. Data concerning the baseline characteristics of the patient, details of the premedication protocol, including dose and schedule of dexamethasone, and HSR events were collected in this observational study.

Results

Data were drawn from 86 breast cancer patients (median age 52.6 years) treated with a total of 984 cycles of paclitaxel chemotherapy. No patient had any history of allergy or HSR to taxanes. Dexamethasone was omitted in 617 later cycles. Six patients had grade II-III HSR (7.0%), which occurred mostly during the first 6 cycles (5/6, 83.3%). The incidence of HRS was 3/367 cycles (0.82%) with dexamethasone premedication (P = 0.99) and 5/617 (0.81%) without.

Conclusions

Withholding dexamethasone premedication for paclitaxel chemotherapy was feasible, and did not result in a higher incidence of HSR. However, an optimal schedule for dexamethasone warrants investigation in a prospective manner.
Incidence and outcomes of acute lung injury in the surgical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Chaiwat Onuma , Suwannasri Worawan , Sak-aroonchai Jedsadayoot , Kanavitoon Sawita , Piriyapathsom Annop , Sirisatjawat Chainida , Kulana Nusara
Published: November 2016

Background

Although the pathophysiology and treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are well established, the incidence and outcomes of ALI have not been extensively reported. Variations in healthcare systems, demographics, socioeconomics, and levels of intensive care units (ICU) may explain remarkable differences in outcomes reported.

Objectives

To evaluate the incidence and outcomes of ALI/ARDS at the surgical ICU (SICU) at Siriraj Hospital of Mahidol University, Bangkok.

Methods

We included patients aged ≥18 years admitted to the general SICU between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2013 in this prospective, cohort observational study. All patients required ≥24 h of ventilatory support. The study outcomes were the incidence of ALI/ARDS, SICU length of stay, and mortality rate.

Results

Of 2523 patients admitted to the SICU, 495 (20%) required ≥24 h ventilatory support, and 15 (3%) developed ALI/ARDS. ALI/ARDS occurred on day 2 of ventilatory support. ARDS was caused by sepsis and pneumonia. The patients who developed ALI/ARDS had a higher APACHE II score (P = 0.001) and end-stage renal disease (P = 0.01). Pneumonia and acute kidney injury were more severe in patients with ALI and ARDS (40% vs 9%, P = 0.002; 33% vs 10%, P = 0.02, respectively). Ventilatory support duration, SICU lengths of stay and hospital mortality were higher in the ALI/ARDS group.

Conclusions

The incidence of ALI/ARDS in the SICU was low, but the mortality rate was high. A larger sample size is necessary to identify independent risk factors for ALI/ARDS.
Incidencia de las prácticas evaluativas en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje en la asignatura matemática dos, en la Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería UNI-RUACS, Estelí, Nicaragua, 2015
Authors: Fuentes Leiva Daniel , Solís Zúniga Franklin Jesús
Published: November 2016

La evaluación de los aprendizajes continúa siendo un tema de gran interés, porque esta se constituye en estímulo para el aprendizaje, cada acto de evaluación da un mensaje a las y los estudiantes acerca de lo que deberían estar aprendiendo y cómo deberían hacerlo. Los cambios educativos buscan distanciar la evaluación de los aprendizajes de su intención sumativa hacia una posición más intervencionista, que incida en mejorar el proceso de enseñanza – aprendizaje en matemática dos, utilizando estrategias de evaluación más integradoras facilitando la construcción de aprendizajes significativos, alejados de la memorización y repetición como se hace en la actualidad. El objetivo del estudio fue valorar la incidencia de las prácticas evaluativas en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, de la asignatura matemática dos, en la UNI - RUACS, Estelí, período 2015.Se utilizó el enfoque mixto de investigación, con predominio cualitativo, la población fue 5 docentes y 266 estudiantes, la muestra 5 docentes y 135 estudiantes, las técnicas de recolección de la información fueron: entrevista, encuesta, listado libre, observación y el análisis documental. Los principales resultados muestran que las prácticas evaluativas en matemática dos, se han modificado muy poco, las y los docentes conciben la evaluación de los aprendizajes como un proceso, pero en la práctica es utilizada al final, en función de obtener una nota y medir conocimientos. La autoevaluación y coevaluación están ausentes en el proceso de evaluación limitando la construcción de aprendizajes significativos. Se espera que el estudio contribuya a ampliar aspectos del tema y sea referencia de futuras investigaciones.
Tecnología de la Información y Comunicación (TIC) como estrategias de marketing y su contribución a la competitividad del sector turístico hotelero de la Ciudad de Estelí, Nicaragua, en el I semestre del 2016
Authors: Alonso Valenzuela Samaria Ilú , Lanuza Flor Idalia , Golovina Natalia
Published: November 2016

La presente investigación se realizó en la Ciudad de Estelí, año 2016. Participaron turistas y gerentes y/o propietarios de los hoteles inscritos en el Instituto Nicaragüense de Turismo, delegación de Estelí. El objetivo de la investigación ha sido evaluar el uso y aplicación de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TICs) como estrategias de Marketing y su contribución a la competitividad del sector turístico hotelero de la cuidad. Para ello, se realizó una caracterización del sector turístico hotelero; así mismo se identificó y valoró la aplicación de las TICs en el sector, lo cual permitió analizar la contribución a la competitividad. Con los resultados obtenidos se realizó un FODA, que sirvió de insumo para elaborar la propuesta de estrategias. El estudio se justificó por su conveniencia dado que cuenta con valor teórico, utilidad práctica, y relevancia social. Metodológicamente aborda la perspectiva desde un enfoque cuantitativo, analiza y vincula datos con su aportación teórica, de tipo aplicada, se basa en un paradigma pragmático, de corte transversal y muestreo no probabilístico; el universo constó de 50 turistas y 19 propietarios y/o gerentes. La información se recolectó mediante encuestas a los turistas y a los propietarios y/o gerentes, se procesaron haciendo uso del programa SPSS versión 20.0. Los resultados indican que la mayoría de los hoteles hacen uso y aplican alguna estrategia de marketing digital, la cual aporta a su competitividad. Se presentan debilidades como fortalezas que se pueden mejorar y optimizar para aprovechar y contrarrestar las oportunidades y amenazas provenientes del entorno.
Reflexión sobre el desarrollo y sus implicaciones en el mundo contemporáneo
Authors: Báez Osegueda José Ramón
Published: November 2016

Este ensayo se basa en una reflexión sobre la conferencia “El desarrollo y sus implicaciones en el mundo contemporáneo”, realizada por la Dra. Tahina Ojeda Medina en el año 2015 organizado por la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociología de la Universidad de Granada (UGR) de España en el marco del Ciclo de Conferencias: “Cooperación Internacional y Desarrollo: Reflexiones Críticas”.
Faster than Light: Again on the Lorentz Transformations
Authors: Cataldo Carmine
Published: November 2016

The Lorentz transformations can be considered, without any doubt whatsoever, as the backbone of the theory of Special Relativity. Nonetheless, both the conventional derivation of the transformations and the meaning commonly assigned to them have been often savagely criticized, to the extent that, despite an alleged empirical evidence, the whole Special Relativity, in several occasions, has been brought into question. This paper is finalized to more thoroughly discuss a line of reasoning, elsewhere used in order to carry out an alternative deduction of the mass – energy equivalence, that may lead, amongst other things, towards the assignment of a new meaning to the Lorentz transformations, without any loss of formal validity. The transformations can be alternatively deduced once assumed some noteworthy hypotheses concerning our Universe, among which the existence of at least a further spatial dimension stands out. It is fundamental to underline that time is supposed as being absolute.
On the Nature of Space and the Emergence of the New Physics Some Speculations
Authors: Tattersall Philip J.
Published: November 2016

In reflecting on the emergent ideas of Stochastic Electrodynamics (SED) the author suggests that the zero point activity, also termed ‘vacuum noise,’ is not only a fundamental aspect of space, but is space itself.

Recent experiments are discussed in which electromagnetic radiation has been shown to cause changes in gravitational effects. This essay speculates that the zero point energy may be responsible.
La garantía de empleo de las personas de edad. Su concreción en el ámbito internacional y en la Unión Europea
Authors: Pérez Amorós Francesc , Rojo Torrecilla Eduardo
Published: November 2016

El artículo aborda la regulación de la protección del empleo de las personas de edad avanzada en el ámbito internacional y en el de la Unión Europea. En primer lugar, realiza una aproximación general a la situación de las personas de edad avanzada en  el mercado de trabajo y los problemas que tienen para su permanencia en el mismo. A continuación son objeto de atención las normas dictadas por la Organización Internacional del Trabajo y por la Unión Europea. Se presta igualmente atención a las orientaciones generales de política de empleo de la UE por el impacto que tienen sobre los trabajadores de mayor edad.
La relegación de la formación en el nuevo modelo de políticas activas de empleo
Authors: Lope Peña Andreu
Published: November 2016

Este trabajo forma parte de la investigación "Diagnóstico socio-económico sobre las políticas de empleo en España: 2012-2014". Dirigida por Fausto Miguélez ha contado con la financiación de la Fundació La Caixa y sus resultados pueden consultarse en http://ddd.uab.cat/record/142865. La investigación ha utilizado datos estadísticos, fundamental aunque no únicamente de la EPA, del SEPE y de Eurostat. Se han realizado 15 entrevistas a responsables de los servicios de empleo del estado (SEPE) y de Catalunya (SOC), de sindicatos y patronales, así como a técnicos locales. También se ha desarrollado un Delphi en el que han participado 78 expertos en políticas de empleo.Se presentan dos de los aspectos abordados por el autor en la citada investigación, actualizando en la medida de lo posible los datos disponibles al finalizarla. Por una parte se trata el nuevo modelo de políticas activas de empleo (PAE), introducido en 2013; del cual se analizan sus prioridades y objetivos, en el marco de las restricciones presupuestarias derivadas de la orientación de las políticas gubernamentales para afrontar la crisis económica y del empleo.El segundo aspecto analizado es la evolución de la formación, en tanto que elemento primordial de las PAE; especialmente la formación continua y la ocupacional, que debieran configurarse como instrumentos eficaces para mejorar las posibilidades de empleo de las personas desempleadas, o para ampliar las cualificaciones de las que están ocupadas. Además, la formación es un aspecto clave en la denominada sociedad del conocimiento, en la que se fundamentan los criterios de la Estrategia Española de Activación que, a su vez, sirven para diseñar las PAE. Sin embargo, la hipótesis de la investigación en este orden es que la formación para el empleo no está ganando relevancia y los resultados la apoyan, en especial para la formación ocupacional, al tiempo que cuestionan las bases del nuevo modelo de políticas activas.
The Effects of Classical Trapping on the Control of Malaria Transmission
Authors: Zhenbu Zhang  , Tor A. Kwembe  , Xing Yang
Published: November 2016

This paper investigates the effects of classical trapping on the control of malaria transmission. The Ross-Macdonald model is modified and a trapping probability function is introduced to construct a partial differential equation (PDE) system. The proof of existence and uniqueness of solution of density functions to the PDE system is given, numerical simulation results based on Gaussian distribution and exponential distribution are obtained for the solutions, and graphical representations of solutions are shown and interpreted.
The Role of Sound in Film Translation: Subtitling Embodied Aural Experience in Aki Kaurismäki’s Lights in the Dusk
Authors: Kokkola Sari
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, by adopting a film studies-oriented approach to AVT it seeks to build common ground between translation studies and film studies—two disciplines that have remained curiously distant from each other, even though the film and translation industries are closely interrelated at the practical level. Second, by introducing study of the aural dimension of audiovisual texts—in particular film sound—to AVT, this article presents a new concept of text for AVT research that allows for the analysis of audiovisual texts as dynamic entities consisting of the visual, the aural and the verbal. These are seen as equally important constituent parts of audiovisual texts; they do not simply coexist but transform each other at the moment of perception. The role of sound in film translation is examined by applying phenomenologically informed theories of film sound, mainly Michel Chion’s (1994) theory of audio-vision, to the context of film subtitling. According to Chion, film viewing is based on cross-modal perception, i.e. synchronous sound and image are experienced as a unit, a “synchresis” (ibid., p. 63). Chion argues that filmic image and sound transform each other at the moment of perception, producing added value (ibid., p. 5). These audiovisual combinations not only address the viewer at the conceptual level but also contribute to the intensity and flow of the viewing experience that is to a large extent conveyed non-verbally. This paper argues that the translator’s decisions influence the added value created by image and sound and direct the viewer’s perception of a film, often overemphasizing the verbal element, thus narrowing the film’s non-verbally conveyed meanings and decreasing its emotional and esthetic appeal. These points are illustrated by presenting examples of the English and German subtitled versions of Aki Kaurismäki’s film Laitakaupungin valot (Lights in the Dusk).
La bande animée coréenne peut-elle rester animée en français ?
Authors: Jeanmaire Guillaume
Published: November 2016

La bande dessinée coréenne (manhwa) est « animée » par l’omniprésence d’iconotermes imitant non seulement des sons (onomatopées), mais aussi des mouvements qui peuvent être tant physiques (gestes, mimiques, déplacements) que sensoriels ou psychiques (émotions, états d’âme), ou qui peuvent suggérer un aspect, une texture. Elle prend ainsi une dimension à la fois sonore, cinétique, voire émotionnelle. Face à ces idéophones, plusieurs stratégies s’offrent aux traducteurs : outre l’omission pure et simple, communément pratiquée, et la transcription phonétique en lettres latines, souvent opaque, certains leur substituent un mot ou un syntagme ; le rendu est alors trop sémantique et explicite. Le recours à un iconoterme (souvent une onomatopée) permet de restituer de manière plus suggestive et imagée, au-delà du sens, toute la force expressive ou iconique de l’idéophone d’origine, activant ainsi en sourdine l’imagination sonore, voire visuelle et émotionnelle, du lecteur-déchiffreur dans un environnement du tout-à-l’image. Or, c’est là une des spécificités, un des attraits du manhwa et de ses idéophones. Lorsque ces stratégies ne suffisent pas, la solution que nous proposons est le simple report si l’on « dessine » le sens, l’évoquant par sa disposition graphique (calligrammes).
Suppositions de traducteurs : les pseudo-traductions d’Andreï Makine
Authors: Lievois Katrien
Published: November 2016

Si les pseudo-traductions ne sont pas de véritables traductions, elles doivent cependant en reproduire toutes les caractéristiques et dévoilent donc un grand nombre d’idées (préconçues) sur la traduction en raison de la tromperie même sur laquelle elles se basent. Ce procédé avant tout littéraire mérite l’attention des traductologues dans la mesure où il constitue un lieu où s’expriment bien des principes concernant le sens, les enjeux et l’importance de la traduction, et qu’il remet immanquablement en question de nombreux axiomes traductionnels. Dans cette contribution, il s’agira de recontextualiser un cas concret pour en étudier les caractéristiques, les raisons et les effets : les deux premiers romans d’Andrei Makine, La fille d’un héros de l’Union soviétique et Confession d’un porte-drapeau déchu (1992).
La place de la rhétorique dans l’opération traduisante de la publicité
Authors: Ventura Daniela , Vega y Vega Jorge Juan
Published: November 2016

Jusqu’ici, et suivant une approche descriptive, on a cherché à répondre à la question « Comment traduit-on une publicité ? » en oubliant la nature intrinsèque du discours publicitaire. Et pourtant, pour pouvoir adapter un message publicitaire, l’opération que réalise le traducteur suppose et implique en amont la connaissance et la compréhension de la nature rhétorique de la publicité. Nous entendons ici par rhétorique la technique de la communication et du discours persuasif. La question qui se pose d’emblée pour le traducteur du domaine publicitaire n’est donc pas tellement « Comment traduit-on une publicité ? », mais plutôt « Que traduit-on dans une publicité ? » Suivant une approche prescriptive, nous analysons dans cet article le discours publicitaire en tant qu’acte perlocutoire, en nous concentrant sur l’argumentation et ses modèles les plus élémentaires. Nous proposons ainsi un survol théorique à l’usage du traducteur et fondé sur la théorie de l’argumentation appliquée à la publicité et à sa traduction.
Evolution of corundum-structured III-oxide semiconductors: Growth, properties, and devices
Authors: Fujita Shizuo , Oda Masaya , Kaneko Kentaro , Hitora Toshimi
Published: November 2016

The recent progress and development of corundum-structured III-oxide semiconductors are reviewed. They allow bandgap engineering from 3.7 to ∼9 eV and function engineering, leading to highly durable electronic devices and deep ultraviolet optical devices as well as multifunctional devices. Mist chemical vapor deposition can be a simple and safe growth technology and is advantageous for reducing energy and cost for the growth. This is favorable for the wide commercial use of devices at low cost. The III-oxide semiconductors are promising candidates for new devices contributing to sustainable social, economic, and technological development for the future.
DC–17-GHz CMOS single-pole-eight-throw switching matrix for radar-based image detection
Authors: Azhari Afreen , Sugitani Takumi , Xiao Xia , Kikkawa Takamaro
Published: November 2016

A new 65-nm-thick single-pole-eight-throw CMOS integrated switching matrix has been developed to control a multiple-input–multiple-output radar-based imaging system, and it can replace the conventional mechanical switching system. The switch has a minimum input and output matching bandwidth of 0–17 GHz with an average insertion loss of 3 to 10 dB from 2 to 17 GHz. A wide bandwidth was designed for the transmission of the 8-GHz-center-frequency, 16-GHz-bandwidth Gaussian monocycle pulse with low distortion. A bandwidth from 0–20 GHz of the switch on the printed circuit board was achieved by flip chip mounting, quarter-wave (λ/4)-length microstrip line impedance matching, and optimization of the board dielectric constant and thickness. With the utilization of two of these switching matrices on the PCB, it became possible to control 16 antennas in a 16-antenna-array breast cancer detection system to detect an aluminum target of 10 × 10 mm2 at a depth of 20 mm.
Capsular polysaccharide production and serum survival of Vibrio vulnificus are dependent on antitermination control by RfaH
Authors: Garrett Shana B. , Garrison‐Schilling Katherine L. , Cooke Jeffrey T. , Pettis Gregg S.
Published: November 2016

The human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus undergoes phase variation among colonial morphotypes, including a virulent opaque form which produces capsular polysaccharide (CPS) and a translucent phenotype that produces little or no CPS and is attenuated. Here, we found that a V. vulnificus mutant defective for RfaH antitermination control showed a diminished capacity to undergo phase variation and displayed significantly reduced distal gene expression within the Group I CPS operon. Moreover, the rfaH mutant produced negligible CPS and was highly sensitive to killing by normal human serum, results which indicate that RfaH is likely essential for virulence in this bacterium.
Delay‐induced rebounds in CO2 emissions and critical time‐scales to meet global warming targets
Authors: Manoli Gabriele , Katul Gabriel G. , Marani Marco
Published: November 2016

While climate science debates are focused on the attainment of peak anthropogenic CO2 emissions and policy tools to reduce peak temperatures, the human‐energy‐climate system can hold “rebound” surprises beyond this peak. Following the second industrial revolution, global per capita CO2 emissions (cc) experienced a punctuated growth of about 100% every 60 years, mainly attributable to technological development and its global spread. A model of the human‐energy‐climate system capable of reproducing past punctuated dynamics shows that rebounds in global CO2 emissions emerge due to delays intrinsic to the diffusion of innovations. Such intrinsic delays in the adoption and spread of low‐carbon emitting technologies, together with projected population growth, upset the warming target set by the Paris Agreement. To avoid rebounds and their negative climate effects, model calculations show that the diffusion of climate‐friendly technologies must occur with lags one‐order of magnitude shorter (i.e., ∼6 years) than the characteristic timescale of past punctuated growth in cc. Radically new strategies to globally implement the technological advances at unprecedented rates are needed if the current emission goals are to be achieved.
Effect of the planet shine on the corona: Application to the Martian hot oxygen
Authors: Chaufray J.‐Y. , Deighan J. , Stewart A. I. F. , Schneider N. , Clarke J. , Leblanc F. , Jakosky B.
Published: November 2016

Systematic observations of the Martian hot oxygen corona by Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrograph on Mars Atmosphere and Volatile and EvolutioN can be used to constrain estimates of the current neutral oxygen escape rate. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the photons emitted from the thermosphere and lower exosphere on the emissivity of the hot oxygen corona at 130.4 nm. We compare this source of illumination, generally neglected, to the direct solar illumination used to convert the O I 130.4 triplet brightness into line‐of‐sight column density. This study is performed using a radiative transfer model with two Maxwellian oxygen populations, assuming spherical symmetry for the cold and hot oxygen densities. Contribution to the corona from the illumination of the exosphere by the sunlit atmosphere depends on the amount of cold oxygen and varies with altitude and solar zenith angle. An analytic formulation to take into account variations of this effect with respect to the hot oxygen kinetic temperature is proposed. The effect of the atmosphere sunlit should be general and occur on other planets for other very optically thick resonance lines.
Seasonal and solar activity variations ofF3layer and quadruple stratification (StF‐4) near the equatorial region
Authors: Tardelli A. , Fagundes P. R. , Pezzopane M. , Venkatesh K. , Pillat V. G.
Published: November 2016

The study of multiple stratification of theFlayer has the initial records in the midtwentieth century. Since then, many studies were focused onF3layer. The diurnal, seasonal, and solar activity variations of theF3layer characteristics have been investigated by several researchers. Recently, investigations on multiple stratifications ofFlayer received an important boost after the quadruple stratification (StF‐4) was observed at Palmas (10.3°S, 48.3°W; dip latitude 6.6°S—near‐equatorial region), Brazil. The present study reports the latest findings related with the seasonal and solar activity characteristics of theF3layer and StF‐4 near the equatorial region during the period from 2002 to 2006. A significant connection between StF‐4 andF3layer has been noticed, since the StF‐4 is always preceded and followed by aF3layer appearance. However, theF3layer and the StF‐4 present different seasonal and solar cycle variations. At a near‐equatorial station Palmas, theF3layer shows the maximum and minimum occurrences during summer and winter seasons, respectively. On the contrary, the StF‐4 presents the maximum and minimum occurrences during winter and summer seasons, respectively. While theF3layer occurrence is not affected by solar cycle, the StF‐4 appearance is instead more frequent during high solar activity.
Seismic structure and magmatic construction of crust at the ultraslow‐spreading Southwest Indian Ridge at 50°28'E
Authors: Jian Hanchao , Chen Yongshun John , Singh Satish C. , Li Jiabiao , Zhao Minghui , Ruan Aiguo , Qiu Xuelin
Published: November 2016

We present a three‐dimensional crustal structure of a magmatically robust segment of the ultraslow‐spreading Southwest Indian Ridge at 50°28'E based on tomographic inversions of an ocean bottom seismometer data set. Our results show an upper crustal low‐velocity band in the axial zone, which is attributed to increased porosities due to active extensions, leading to anisotropy in the upper crust with a fast direction subperpendicular to the spreading direction. In the lower crust, the results reveal a round‐shaped low‐velocity anomaly at the segment center, indicative of high temperatures and/or a small amount of melt, suggestive of the presence of an axial magma chamber. At the midcrustal depth, an along‐axis asymmetry is observed with respect to the segment center. While a small low‐velocity anomaly indicates lateral magma redistribution toward the western segment end, the deep‐penetrating low velocities and high velocity gradients toward the eastern end suggest that the crust is colder and contains a thicker fractured layer. This asymmetry occurs very close to the axial magma chamber (<5 km) and seems to be related to the fact that the oblique‐spreading domain at the eastern end offsets the ridge axis by a larger distance than that at the western end. We suggest that an along‐axis deep‐penetrating hydrothermal circulation develops on the east side of the axial magma chamber, in response to the rapid change from orthogonal‐ to oblique‐spreading domains and cools the crust.
Comment on “Sr‐Nd isotope composition and clay mineral assemblages in Eolian dust from the central Philippine Sea over the last 600 kyr: Implications for the transport mechanism of Asian dust” by Seo et al.
Authors: Xu Zhaokai , Li Tiegang , Clift Peter D. , Wan Shiming , Cai Mingjiang , Chen Hongjin
Published: November 2016

Key Points

Seo et al. (2014) incorrectly reflects the dominant Asian dust transporter in the western Philippine Sea during the middle‐late Quaternary

The conclusion derived from their low‐resolution clay mineral data conflicts with their Sr‐Nd isotopic data

Eastern Asian deserts are the major dust source in the western Philippine Sea during the middle‐late Quaternary
Polarimetric radar characteristics of storms with and without lightning activity
Authors: Mattos Enrique V. , Machado Luiz A. T. , Williams Earle R. , Albrecht Rachel I.
Published: November 2016

This paper analyzes the cloud microphysics in different layers of storms as a function of three‐dimensional total lightning density. A mobile X‐band polarimetric radar and very high frequency (VHF) sources from Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) observations during the 2011/2012 Brazil spring‐summer were used to determine the microphysical signatures of radar vertical profiles and lightning density. This study quantified the behavior of 5.3 million vertical profiles of the horizontal reflectivity (ZH), differential reflectivity (ZDR), specific differential phase (KDP), and correlation coefficient (ρHV). The principal changes in the polarimetric variables occurred only for VHF source rate density greater than 14 VHF sources per km2 in 4 min. These storms showed an enhanced positive KDP in the mixed 1 layer (from 0 to −15°C) probably associated with supercooled liquid water signatures, whereas regions with negative ZDR and KDP and moderate ZH in the mixed 2 layer (from −15 to −40°C) were possibly associated with the presence of conical graupel. The glaciated (above −40°C) and upper part of the mixed 2 layers showed a significant trend to negative KDP with an increase in lightning density, in agreement with vertical alignment of ice particle by the cloud electric field. A conceptual model that presents the microphysical signatures in storms with and without lightning activity was constructed. The observations documented in this study provide an understanding of how the combinations of polarimetric variables could help to identify storms with different lightning density and vice versa.
Bellingshausen Sea ice extent recorded in an Antarctic Peninsula ice core
Authors: Porter Stacy E. , Parkinson Claire L. , Mosley‐Thompson Ellen
Published: November 2016

Annual net accumulation (An) from the Bruce Plateau (BP) ice core retrieved from the Antarctic Peninsula exhibits a notable relationship with sea ice extent (SIE) in the Bellingshausen Sea. Over the satellite era, both BP An and Bellingshausen SIE are influenced by large‐scale climatic factors such as the Amundsen Sea Low, Southern Annular Mode, and Southern Oscillation. In addition to the direct response of BP An to Bellingshausen SIE (e.g., more open water as a moisture source), these large‐scale climate phenomena also link the BP and the Bellingshausen Sea indirectly such that they exhibit similar responses (e.g., northerly wind anomalies advect warm, moist air to the Antarctic Peninsula and neighboring Bellingshausen Sea, which reduces SIE and increases An). Comparison with a time series of fast ice at South Orkney Islands reveals a relationship between BP An and sea ice in the northern Weddell Sea that is relatively consistent over the twentieth century, except when it is modulated by atmospheric wave patterns described by the Trans‐Polar Index. The trend of increasing accumulation on the Bruce Plateau since ~1970 agrees with other climate records and reconstructions in the region and suggests that the current rate of sea ice loss in the Bellingshausen Sea is unrivaled in the twentieth century.
Permutation Tests: Multivariate
Authors: Pesarin Fortunato
Published: November 2016

This article deals with the multivariate methodology of permutation (or randomization) tests. Three different situations are met: (i) the first assumes that a single overall statistic is available; (ii) the second takes into consideration a unidimensional transformation ofq‐dimensional responses; (iii) in the third a single overall statistic is not available, or is too difficult to justify, or a single derived variable is not sufficient to capture all aspects of interest for the analysis. Testing problems in (i) and (ii) are equivalent to unidimensional ones. Problems in (iii) require recurs to the permutation testing principle provided that the global hypotheses are broken down into a finite set of subhypotheses, each provided with an unbiased partial test, and solution is found by acting in accordance with Roy's union‐intersection (UI) principle.

The methodological tool to cope with these problems is the nonparametric combination (NPC) of dependent permutation tests (PTs). To illustrate the potential of UI‐NPC, two examples with multivariate data and restricted alternatives are briefly discussed. One important feature of the UI‐NPC methodology is that it frees researchers from the necessity to model and to estimate the dependence coefficients on responses and on partial tests.
Mallows'CP, Applications
Authors: Özkale M. Revan
Published: November 2016

MallowsCpstatistic is useful as a criterion for discriminating between models and its extensions to biased estimators of regression coefficients are in usage for selecting the shrinkage parameter of the related estimator. Shrinkage parameter that results in low value ofCpindicates improvement in the predictive performance of a linear regression model when multicollinearity is present.
Cooperative Heart Disease Trials Sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Authors: Geller Nancy L. , Waclawiw Myron A. , Friedman Lawrence M.
Published: November 2016

This article of multicenter trials in heart disease sponsored by the United States NHLBI of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) illustrates some design and biostatistical advances that selected trials have developed or utilized effectively to answer important public health questions. Many of the design, organizational characteristics, and methods for monitoring modern clinical trials were implemented as a result of the Greenberg Report completed in 1967 and were first used in the Coronary Drug Project during the 1960s. While more recent studies employed more efficient organization, newer trial designs, and novel monitoring guidelines, the genesis of multicenter clinical trial practice in heart disease was outlined in the 1960s and that early structure has endured the test of time.
Groundwater Monitoring, Detection, and Compliance
Authors: Gibbons Robert D. , Bhaumik Dulal K. , Aryal Subhash
Published: November 2016

An overview of statistical issues and methods is provided relevant to the analysis of groundwater detection and compliance‐monitoring problems. The rich methodology that has been used in this area goes well beyond groundwater monitoring applications to many other areas of interest in environmental monitoring and statistics. First, we provide an overview of statistical prediction limits for normal, lognormal, and gamma random variables, as well as nonparametric alternatives. Issues related to multiple comparisons, censored data, nonnormality, and verification sampling (i.e., sequential testing) are considered in the statistical developments. Second, we provide an overview of statistical methods that are relevant for compliance monitoring, where interest is often focused on whether on‐site average concentrations exceed a health‐based regulatory standard. This leads to discussion of a variety of statistical approaches based on confidence limits for normal and nonnormal distributions and nonparametric alternatives. A distinction is made between assessment monitoring where the null hypothesis is that contaminationis notpresent and corrective action monitoring where the null hypothesis is that contaminationispresent.
Bayesian Ordinal Regression Modeling
Authors: Albert James H.
Published: November 2016

This article provides an introduction to Bayesian modeling of an ordinal regression model, including the latent variable representation, choice of priors, and fitting by a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. This article describes several extensions of the model, including hierarchical modeling, multivariate responses, and alternate latent data representations.
Analysis of Medical Claims Data
Authors: Gibbons Robert D.
Published: November 2016

With the availability of large‐scale medical claims data containing complete prescription and diagnostic information for a hundred million covered lives comes considerable challenges related to design and analysis of drug safety studies based on those data. This article presents an overview of these challenges and directs the readers to experimental strategies and statistical models that hold promise for deriving unbiased estimates from these large‐scale observational data. The article considers both between‐ and within‐subject designs and analyses for cross‐sectional and longitudinal adverse drug reactions.
Effectiveness Research Using Electronic Health Records (
EHRs
)
Authors: Li Xiaochun , Shen Changyu , Li Lingling
Published: November 2016

We describe the scope of effective research with the focus on issues and challenges in conducting observational studies using electronic health records for establishing or assessing effectiveness. We believe that good practice guidelines of comparative effectiveness research will help researchers in enhancing the quality of their research, in transparency, reproducibility, relevance, and credibility.
Anisotropic Materials for Skeletal‐Muscle‐Tissue Engineering
Authors: Jana Soumen , Levengood Sheeny K. Lan , Zhang Miqin
Published: November 2016

Repair of damaged skeletal‐muscle tissue is limited by the regenerative capacity of the native tissue. Current clinical approaches are not optimal for the treatment of large volumetric skeletal‐muscle loss. As an alternative, tissue engineering represents a promising approach for the functional restoration of damaged muscle tissue. A typical tissue‐engineering process involves the design and fabrication of a scaffold that closely mimics the native skeletal‐muscle extracellular matrix (ECM), allowing organization of cells into a physiologically relevant 3D architecture. In particular, anisotropic materials that mimic the morphology of the native skeletal‐muscle ECM, can be fabricated using various biocompatible materials to guide cell alignment, elongation, proliferation, and differentiation into myotubes. Here, an overview of fundamental concepts associated with muscle‐tissue engineering and the current status of muscle‐tissue‐engineering approaches is provided. Recent advances in the development of anisotropic scaffolds with micro‐ or nanoscale features are reviewed, and how scaffold topographical, mechanical, and biochemical cues correlate to observed cellular function and phenotype development is examined. Finally, some recent developments in both the design and utility of anisotropic materials in skeletal‐muscle‐tissue engineering are highlighted, along with their potential impact on future research and clinical applications.