bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intertwining of Activin A and TGFβ Signaling: Dual Roles in Cancer Progression and Cancer Cell Invasion
Authors: Loomans Holli , Andl Claudia
Published: December 2014

In recent years, a significant amount of research has examined the controversial role of activin A in cancer. Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily, is best characterized for its function during embryogenesis in mesoderm cell fate differentiation and reproduction. During embryogenesis, TGFβ superfamily ligands, TGFβ, bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and activins, act as potent morphogens. Similar to TGFβs and BMPs, activin A is a protein that is highly systemically expressed during early embryogenesis; however, post-natal expression is overall reduced and remains under strict spatiotemporal regulation. Of importance, normal post-natal expression of activin A has been implicated in the migration and invasive properties of various immune cell types, as well as endometrial cells. Aberrant activin A signaling during development results in significant morphological defects and premature mortality. Interestingly, activin A has been found to have both oncogenic and tumor suppressor roles in cancer. Investigations into the role of activin A in prostate and breast cancer has demonstrated tumor suppressive effects, while in lung and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, it has been consistently shown that activin A expression is correlated with increased proliferation, invasion and poor patient prognosis. Activin A signaling is highly context-dependent, which is demonstrated in studies of epithelial cell tumors and the microenvironment. This review discusses normal activin A signaling in comparison to TGFb and highlights how its dysregulation contributes to cancer progression and cell invasion.
The Challenge of Governing Africa’s New Agricultural Investment Landscapes: An Analysis of Policy Arrangements and Sustainability Outcomes in Ethiopia and Nigeria
Authors: Schoneveld George
Published: December 2014

In the context of globalization, market liberalization, and deregulation, many African governments are embracing the potential of private agricultural investment to address structural issues within their agricultural economies. Sustainably integrating these investments into target landscapes, however, poses a number of governance challenges since it requires careful reconciliation of competing needs, priorities, and land uses. This paper examines the effectiveness of existing policy arrangements in managing these conflicts within two environmentally significant investment landscapes, the Oban-Korup Forest Block, Nigeria, and Lower Baro-Akobo River Basin, Ethiopia. Findings reveal that investments tend to conflict with socially and environmentally valuable land uses, largely as a result of institutional failings. The paper identifies a number of underlying institutional challenges that need to be addressed in order to achieve sustainable development objectives within Africa’s many emerging investment landscapes. Findings have relevance for the development of sustainable landscape governance systems and the alignment of global governance innovations with landscape-level policy arrangements.
Annual Change Detection by ASTER TIR Data and an Estimation of the Annual Coal Loss and CO2 Emission from Coal Seams Spontaneous Combustion
Authors: Du Xiaomin , Peng Suping , Wang Haiyan , Bernardes Sergio , Yang Guang , Li Zhipeng
Published: December 2014

Coal fires, including both underground and coal waste pile fires, result in large losses of coal resources and emit considerable amounts of greenhouse gases. To estimate the annual intensity of greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of coal resources, estimating the annual loss from fire-influenced coal seams is a feasible approach. This study assumes that the primary cause of coal volume loss is subsurface coal seam fires. The main calculation process is divided into three modules: (1) Coal fire quantity calculations, which use change detection to determine the areas of the different coal fire stages (increase/growth, maintenance/stability and decrease/shrinkage). During every change detections, the amount of coal influenced by fires for these three stages was calculated by multiplying the coal mining residual rate, combustion efficiency, average thickness and average coal intensity. (2) The life cycle estimate is based on remote sensing long-term coal fires monitoring. The life cycles for the three coal fire stages and the corresponding life cycle proportions were calculated; (3) The diurnal burnt rates for different coal fire stages were calculated using the CO2 emission rates from spontaneous combustion experiments, the coal fire life cycle, life cycle proportions. Then, using the fire-influenced quantity aggregated across the different stages, the diurnal burn rates for the different stages and the time spans between the multi-temporal image pairs used for change detection, we estimated the annual coal loss to be 44.3 × 103 tons. After correction using a CH4 emission factor, the CO2 equivalent emissions resulting from these fires was on the order of 92.7 × 103 tons. We also discovered that the centers of these coal fires migrated from deeper to shallower parts of the coal seams or traveled in the direction of the coal seam strike. This trend also agrees with the cause of the majority coal fires: spontaneous combustion of coalmine goafs.
Design and Deployment of Low-Cost Plastic Optical Fiber Sensors for Gas Monitoring
Authors: Grassini Sabrina , Ishtaiwi Maen , Parvis Marco , Vallan Alberto
Published: December 2014

This paper describes an approach to develop and deploy low-cost plastic optical fiber sensors suitable for measuring low concentrations of pollutants in the atmosphere. The sensors are designed by depositing onto the exposed core of a plastic fiber thin films of sensitive compounds via either plasma sputtering or via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The interaction between the deposited layer and the gas alters the fiber’s capability to transmit the light, so that the sensor can simply be realized with a few centimeters of fiber, an LED and a photodiode. Sensors arranged in this way exhibit several advantages in comparison to electrochemical and optical conventional sensors; in particular, they have an extremely low cost and can be easily designed to have an integral, i.e., cumulative, response. The paper describes the sensor design, the preparation procedure and two examples of sensor prototypes that exploit a cumulative response. One sensor is designed for monitoring indoor atmospheres for cultural heritage applications and the other for detecting the presence of particular gas species inside the RPC (resistive plate chamber) muon detector of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at CERN in Geneva.
Combining Electrochemical Sensors with Miniaturized Sample Preparation for Rapid Detection in Clinical Samples
Authors: Bunyakul Natinan , Baeumner Antje
Published: December 2014

Clinical analyses benefit world-wide from rapid and reliable diagnostics tests. New tests are sought with greatest demand not only for new analytes, but also to reduce costs, complexity and lengthy analysis times of current techniques. Among the myriad of possibilities available today to develop new test systems, amperometric biosensors are prominent players—best represented by the ubiquitous amperometric-based glucose sensors. Electrochemical approaches in general require little and often enough only simple hardware components, are rugged and yet provide low limits of detection. They thus offer many of the desirable attributes for point-of-care/point-of-need tests. This review focuses on investigating the important integration of sample preparation with (primarily electrochemical) biosensors. Sample clean up requirements, miniaturized sample preparation strategies, and their potential integration with sensors will be discussed, focusing on clinical sample analyses.
Simultaneous Automatic Electrochemical Detection of Zinc, Cadmium, Copper and Lead Ions in Environmental Samples Using a Thin-Film Mercury Electrode and an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Kudr Jiri , Nguyen Hoai , Gumulec Jaromir , Nejdl Lukas , Blazkova Iva , Ruttkay-Nedecky Branislav , Hynek David , Kynicky Jindrich , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene
Published: December 2014

In this study a device for automatic electrochemical analysis was designed. A three electrodes detection system was attached to a positioning device, which enabled us to move the electrode system from one well to another of a microtitre plate. Disposable carbon tip electrodes were used for Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) ion quantification, while Zn(II) did not give signal in this electrode configuration. In order to detect all mentioned heavy metals simultaneously, thin-film mercury electrodes (TFME) were fabricated by electrodeposition of mercury on the surface of carbon tips. In comparison with bare electrodes the TMFEs had lower detection limits and better sensitivity. In addition to pure aqueous heavy metal solutions, the assay was also performed on mineralized rock samples, artificial blood plasma samples and samples of chicken embryo organs treated with cadmium. An artificial neural network was created to evaluate the concentrations of the mentioned heavy metals correctly in mixture samples and an excellent fit was observed (R2 = 0.9933).
Bright photoluminescence from ordered arrays of SiGe nanowires grown on Si(111)
Authors: Lockwood D J , Rowell N L , Benkouider A , Ronda A , Favre L , Berbezier I
Published: December 2014

We report on the optical properties of SiGe nanowires (NWs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in ordered arrays on SiO2/Si(111) substrates. The production method employs Au catalysts with self-limited sizes deposited in SiO2-free sites opened-up in the substrate by focused ion beam patterning for the preferential nucleation and growth of these well-organized NWs. The NWs thus produced have a diameter of 200 nm, a length of 200 nm, and a Ge concentration x = 0.15. Their photoluminescence (PL) spectra were measured at low temperatures (from 6 to 25 K) with excitation at 405 and 458 nm. There are four major features in the energy range of interest (980–1120 meV) at energies of 1040.7, 1082.8, 1092.5, and 1098.5 meV, which are assigned to the NW-transverse optic (TO) Si–Si mode, NW-transverse acoustic (TA), Si–substrate–TO and NW-no-phonon (NP) lines, respectively. From these results the NW TA and TO phonon energies are found to be 15.7 and 57.8 meV, respectively, which agree very well with the values expected for bulk Si1−xGex with x = 0.15, while the measured NW NP energy of 1099 meV would indicate a bulk-like Ge concentration of x = 0.14. Both of these concentrations values, as determined from PL, are in agreement with the target value. The NWs are too large in diameter for a quantum confinement induced energy shift in the band gap. Nevertheless, NW PL is readily observed, indicating that efficient carrier recombination is occurring within the NWs.
National Assessment Approach to Sampling Error Estimation
Authors:   RTI International, Folsom Ralph
Published: December 2014

Beginning in 1969 and continuing through 1982, RTI conducted the first 12 survey years of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). RTI’s role included developing analytic weights and providing technical support for calculating estimates and their standard errors. Ralph Folsom, PhD, led RTI’s effort to evaluate sampling error estimation methodologies appropriate to the complex NAEP design, including a comparison of the Taylor series linearization method and jackknife variance estimation methodology. Later, his work on developing Taylor series standard errors for NAEP balanced effects became a basis for the REGRESS procedure in RTI’s SUDAAN® software. This monograph provides a historical perspective to the continuing evolution of complex survey analysis methods
Cutting Edge: Epigenetic Regulation of Foxp3 Defines a Stable Population of CD4+ Regulatory T Cells in Tumors from Mice and Humans
Authors: Waight Jeremy D. , Takai Shinji , Marelli Bo , Qin Guozhong , Hance Kenneth W. , Zhang Dong , Tighe Robert , Lan Yan , Lo Kin-Ming , Sabzevari Helen , Hofmeister Robert , Wilson Nicholas S.
Published: December 2014

CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for maintaining self-tolerance and function to prevent autoimmune disease. High densities of intratumoral Tregs are generally associated with poor patient prognosis, a correlation attributed to their broad immune-suppressive features. Two major populations of Tregs have been defined, thymically derived natural Tregs (nTregs) and peripherally induced Tregs (iTregs). However, the relative contribution of nTregs versus iTregs to the intratumoral Treg compartment remains controversial. Demarcating the proportion of nTregs versus iTregs has important implications in the design of therapeutic strategies to overcome their antagonistic effects on antitumor immune responses. We used epigenetic, phenotypic, and functional parameters to evaluate the composition of nTregs versus iTregs isolated from mouse tumor models and primary human tumors. Our findings failed to find evidence for extensive intratumoral iTreg induction. Rather, we identified a population of Foxp3-stable nTregs in tumors from mice and humans.
On s-semipermutable or s-quasinormally Embedded Subgroups of Finite Groups
Authors: Kong Qingjun , Guo Xiuyun
Published: December 2014

Suppose that G is a finite group and H is a subgroup of G. H is said to be s-semipermutable in G if HGp = GpH for any Sylow p-subgroup Gp of G with (p, |H|) = 1; H is said to be s-quasinormally embedded in G if for each prime p dividing the order of H, a Sylow p-subgroup of H is also a Sylow p-subgroup of some s-quasinormal subgroup of G. In every non-cyclic Sylow subgroup P of G we fix some subgroup D satisfying 1 < |D| < |P| and study the structure of G under the assumption that every subgroup H of P with |H| = |D| is either s-semipermutable or s-quasinormally embedded in G. Some recent results are generalized and unified.
A Short Note on the Continuous Rokhlin Property and the Universal Coefficient Theorem in E-theory
Authors: Szabó Gábor
Published: December 2014

Let G be a metrizable compact group, A a separable C*-algebra, and α:G → Aut(A) a strongly continuous action. Provided that α satisfies the continuous Rokhlin property, we show that the property of satisfying the UCT in E-theory passes from Ato the crossed product C*-algebra A⋊α G and the ûxed point algebra Aα. This extends a similar result by Gardella for KK-theory in the case of unital C*-algebras but with a shorter and less technical proof. For circle actions on separable unital C*-algebras with the continuous Rokhlin property, we establish a connection between the Etheory equivalence class of A and that of its fixed point algebra Aα.
Influence of garlic extract on antioxidant status of chicken
Authors: Jakubcova Zuzana , Mareš Petr , Zeman Ladislav , Horký Pavel , Jurí­ková Tünde , Mlček Jiří­ , Balla Štefan , Kalhotka Libor , Mrkvicová Eva , Sochor Jiří­
Published: December 2014

In 2006 the European Union banned the feeding of antibiotic growth promoters because of possible risk of drug resistance in human pathogens bacteria. This is the reason for the study of various phytogenic additives and their extracts as a natural source of biologically important compounds. Antimicrobial substances are a commonly included in chicken feed rations. They are used mainly as prevention against various diseases, and also to stimulate growth. The beneficial effects of garlic on animal organism resulting from their antimicrobial, antioxidative and antihypertensive properities. Studies focused on growth, conversion and meat quality of different types of animals indicate its positive effects. In our experiment we studied the influence of garlic extract in a dose of 0, 10 g and 15 g per 1 kg of chicken feed mixture. We focused on weight gains and antioxidant status of an organism. The experiment took 39 days. 54 seven-day-old chickens were included in the experiment. The chickens were weighed once a week, when aged 11, 17, 24, 31 and 38 days, at the same time of the day. The chickens had ad libitum access to feed ration and water. The chickens were taken blood sample at the end of the experiment when 39 days old. Their antioxidant status were measured using ABTS, FRAP and DPPH methods. Our results show that owing to higher concentration of garlic extract in feed ration the antioxidant status of observed chickens was increased. DPPH method showed an increase in antioxidant status of both experimental groups by 38% (a group with a dose of 10 g/kg of mixture) and by 46% (a group with a dose of 15 g/kg of mixture) compared to the control group. When using FRAP method, antioxidant status of both G10 and G15 groups increased by 24%, resp. 16%. No evidential differences in antioxidant activity between the experimental groups and control group were found using ABTS method. The supplement of garlic extract into a feed ration did not have any influence on weight gains of chickens.
Effect of fungicidal treatment on digestibility of mycotoxins in vitro
Authors: Horký Pavel , Cerkal Radim
Published: December 2014

In this experiment, the effect of fungicidal treatment on the release of various mycotoxins was tested in rumen fluid in vitro. The three groups of barley crop with different fungicide treatment were included in the experiment. The first group served as the control one without fungicide treatment. The second group of barley (variant A) was treated with Hutton (0.8 L/ha at BBCH 36) + Zantar (1.5 L/ha at BBCH 65). The third group of barley (variant B) was treated with the combination of Hutton (0.8 L/ha at BBCH 36) + Prosaro EC250 (0.75 L/ha at BBCH 65). In the original mass of barely, ten levels of mycotoxins were established. Subsequently, the samples were incubated in the machine Daisy II for 24 hours. The cellulase and pepsin enzymes were used in the incubation. Following mycotoxins were determined in the incubation fluid such as dexynivalenol, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol. In the variant A, the level of dexynivalenolu was higher by 36%, zearalenone by about 2%, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside by 12%, and 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol by 39%. Low levels of the mycotoxins were found out in the variant B. Deoxynivalenol level was lower by 19%, zearalenone by 30%, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside by 37% (p <0.05). The 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol level was higher by 12% in a comparison with the control group. The obtained results showed that the fungicidal treatment and digestive enzymes could eliminate the transition of mycotoxins into incubative (rumen) liquid, and thereby to reduce the risk of the load of the organism by the mycotoxins. According to the results, it is obvious that low levels of various mycotoxins presented in the barley grains, as well as the transition of these mycotoxins in the incubation fluid were decreased. Some fungicides can play a significant role in the occurrence of mycotoxins barely grain.
Morphological characteristic of fruit, drupes and seeds genotypes of Ziziphus jujuba Mill.
Authors: Grygorieva Olga , Abrahamová Vlasta , Karnatovská Margarita , Bleha Roman , Brindza Ján
Published: December 2014

The aim of this work is to discriminate 28 Ziziphus jujuba Mill. genotypes (ZJ-01 - ZJ-28) based on weight and morphological characteristics of fruit, stones and seeds. These genotypes maintained in a clone repository (Nova Kachovka, Ukraine) were chosen for investigation as potential species for cultivation and use in Slovakia. The fruits were collected at the period of their full maturity (October); their morphometric parameters were following: weight from 2.90 g (ZJ-13) to 28.99 g (ZJ-22), length from 20.73 mm (ZJ-08) to 44.84 mm (ZJ-04), and width from 16.64 mm (ZJ-13) to 38.87 mm (ZJ-22). Isolated stones were also analysed, and their weight was from 0.173 g (ZJ-07) to 0.731 g (ZJ-20), length from 12.84 mm (ZJ-08) to 28.67 mm (ZJ-04), and width from 5.06 mm (ZJ-07) to 9.74 mm (ZJ-01). The weight of the seeds was ranging from 20.00 mg (ZJ-25) to 69.11 mg (ZJ-12), length from 7.24 mm (ZJ-15) to 11.85 mm (ZJ-04), and width was from 3.86 mm (ZJ-05) to 6.84 mm (ZJ-12). Significant differences in the size, shape and color of fruits, stones and seeds were also identified. The pulp, seedless stones and seeds constitute 92.81% (ZJ-26) - 98.32% (ZJ-04), 1.36% (ZJ-04) - 6.27% (ZJ-20), and 0.25% (QA-24, QA-25) - 1.21% (ZJ-16) of the total fruits weight, respectively The shape index of the fruits was found in the range of 1.04 (ZJ-08) to 2.00 (ZJ-12 and ZJ-25). The shape indexes of stones and seeds were found ranging from 1.74 (ZJ-08) to 4.53 (ZJ-05) and from 1.32 (ZJ-23) to 2.74 (ZJ-04), respectively. The relative weight of pulp was determined in the range from 92.76% (ZJ-13) to 98.32% (ZJ-04) and the relative weight of seed was determined in the range of 0.25% (ZJ-24 and ZJ-25) to 1.16% (ZJ-26). The Chinese jujube genotypes of this study were grouped based on hierarchical clustering of the fruit, stone and seed characteristics.
Application of Immunohistochemistry in Thyroid Pathology
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Lin Fan
Published: December 2014

Context

Accurate classification of follicular-patterned thyroid lesions is not always an easy task on routine surgical hematoxylin-eosin–stained or cytologic fine-needle aspiration specimens. The diagnostic challenges are partially due to differential diagnostic criteria that are often subtle and subjective. In the past decades, tremendous advances have been made in molecular gene profiling of tumors and diagnostic immunohistochemistry, aiding in diagnostic accuracy and proper patient management.

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the most commonly studied immunomarkers in the field of thyroid pathology by review of the literature, using the database of indexed articles in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine) from 1976–2013.

Data Sources

Literature review, authors' research data, and personal practice experience.

Conclusions

The appropriate use of immunohistochemistry by applying a panel of immunomarkers and using a standardized technical and interpretational method may complement the morphologic assessment and aid in the accurate classification of difficult thyroid lesions.
Application of Immunohistochemistry in Gastrointestinal and Liver Neoplasms: New Markers and Evolving Practice
Authors: Chen Zongming Eric , Lin Fan
Published: December 2014

Context

Diagnosis of primary gastrointestinal and liver neoplasms is usually straightforward. Immunohistochemistry is most helpful to differentiate metastatic carcinomas with morphologic similarity and to resolve tumors of unknown origin. Recently, several new markers highly sensitive and specific for primary liver and gastrointestinal tumors have been discovered. Their potential diagnostic application has not been widely appreciated by general practicing pathologists. In addition, a new trend in immunohistochemistry application has started, focusing on assessing predictive markers (such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) and mutation-specific markers (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B V600E) to directly guide clinical management. Practicing pathologists need to be aware of and prepared for this evolving trend.

Objectives

To summarize the usefulness of several recently discovered immunohistochemical markers in the study of gastrointestinal and liver tumors; to suggest the most current and effective immunohistochemical panels addressing common diagnostic challenges for these tumors; to share practical experience and useful tips for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 testing in gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B V600E immunohistochemistry in colorectal carcinoma.

Data Sources

Sources include literature review, and authors' research data and practice experience. The cases illustrated are selected from the pathology archives of the Geisinger Medical Center (Danville, Pennsylvania).

Conclusions

Application of immunohistochemistry in gastrointestinal and liver tumors continues to evolve. New tumor-specific markers constantly emerge and help pathologists to further improve diagnostic accuracy. Assessment of predictive and prognostic markers by immunohistochemistry in routine pathologic diagnosis is a new trend and will greatly facilitate the advancement of personalized cancer therapy.
Review and Updates of Immunohistochemistry in Selected Salivary Gland and Head and Neck Tumors
Authors: Zhu Shaobo , Schuerch Conrad , Hunt Jennifer
Published: December 2014

Context

Immunohistochemistry is a useful tool for diagnosing salivary gland and head and neck tumors.

Objective

To review immunohistochemical markers, which can aid in the diagnosis of selected salivary gland and head and neck tumors.

Data Sources

Literature review and authors' personal practice experience.

Conclusions

Salivary gland and head and neck tumors include a large diverse group of tumors with complex and overlapping histologic features. Immunohistochemistry plays an important role in resolving the differential diagnosis of some salivary gland and head and neck tumors and can provide information for the prognosis of certain tumors.
An Update on the Application of Newly Described Immunohistochemical Markers in Soft Tissue Pathology
Authors: Lin George , Doyle Leona A.
Published: December 2014

Context

During the last 5 to 10 years, significant progress has been made in the molecular characterization of soft tissue tumors, predominantly with the identification of recurrent translocations or amplification of certain genes in different tumor types. Alongside this, translational efforts have identified many novel and diagnostically useful immunohistochemical markers for many of these tumor types.

Objective

This article reviews a select group of recently described immunohistochemical markers of particular use in the evaluation of mesenchymal neoplasms; the underlying biology of the protein product, practical utility, and limitations of each marker are discussed in detail.

Data Sources

Literature review, authors' research data, and personal practice experience serve as sources.

Conclusions

There are many diagnostically useful immunohistochemical markers to help confirm the diagnosis of many different soft tissue tumor types, some of which have reduced the need for additional, and more costly, studies, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization. However, no one marker is 100% specific for a given tumor, and knowledge of potential pitfalls and overlap in patterns of staining among other tumor types is crucial to ensure the appropriate application of these markers in clinical practice.
A Survey on Ship Collision Risk Evaluation
Authors: Xu Qingyang , Wang Ning
Published: December 2014

Recently, ship collision avoidance has become essential due to the emergence of special vessels like chemical tankers and VLCCs (very large crude carriers), etc. The information needed for safe navigation is obtained by combining electrical equipment with real-time visual information. However, misjudgements and human errors are the major cause of ship collisions according to research data. The decision support system of Collision avoidance is an advantageous facility to make up for this. Collision risk evaluation is one of the most important problems in collision avoidance decision supporting system. A review is presented of different approaches to evaluate the collision risk in maritime transportation. In such a context, the basic concepts and definitions of collision risk and their evaluation are described. The review focuses on three categories of numerical models of collision risk calculation: methods based on traffic flow theory, ship domain and methods based on dCPA and tCPA.
The Colombian Strategic Freight Transport Model Based on Product Analysis
Authors: Cantillo Victor , Jaller Miguel , Holguín-Veras Jose
Published: December 2014

Freight transport modelling at interregional scale is relevant for planning issues. However, freight modelling processes are complex because it is not easy to define the relevant variables in the analysis, and to obtain the required information on freight movements through the network. These facts raise the need to adapt the modelling framework to each context.This paper proposes a strategic national freight transport modelling framework developed as a variant of the traditional four-step modelling process with additional steps to estimate traffic flows from freight flows and to consider empty trips. The country of Colombia is used as the case study to implement and calibrate the proposed model. The data, data sources, and modelling methodologies used for each step are explained. In addition, data limitations and measures taken to complement the available data are discussed. From the implementation, the authors identify a set of advantages derived from the modelling approaches considered and suggestions for improvement.
Possibility of Applying Business Process Management Methodology in Logistic Processes Optimization
Authors: Božić Diana , Stanković Ratko , Rogić Kristijan
Published: December 2014

Raising the service level and developing new logistic services require better understanding of logistic processes and possibilities of optimization. Different methodologies have been used for that purpose, while the application of Business Process Management (BPM) methodology is outlined in this paper. Identifying parts of logistic processes that could be optimized is facilitated by applying BPM methodology. It also enables more accurate quantification of impacts of the changes introduced in a particular process or activity on the processes as a whole and to other interacting processes. The application of BPM methodology is demonstrated in the case study, where a solution for logistic processes optimization is suggested and the prospective outcomes are simulated. The results of the logistic process comparative analysis have indicated a synergic effect of different improvements in sub-process on the effectiveness of the process as a whole, both on the operative and managerial level. The respective changes in workload distribution among interacting logistic processes have been quantified according to the same methodology.
Volcanic ash layer depth: Processes and mechanisms
Authors: Dacre H. F. , Grant A. L. M. , Harvey N. J. , Thomson D. J. , Webster H. N. , Marenco F.
Published: December 2014

The long duration of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption provided a unique opportunity to measure a widely dispersed volcanic ash cloud. Layers of volcanic ash were observed by the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network with a mean depth of 1.2 km and standard deviation of 0.9 km. In this paper we evaluate the ability of the Met Office's Numerical Atmospheric‐dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME) to simulate the observed ash layers and examine the processes controlling their depth. NAME simulates distal ash layer depths exceptionally well with a mean depth of 1.2 km and standard deviation of 0.7 km. The dominant process determining the depth of ash layers over Europe is the balance between the vertical wind shear (which acts to reduce the depth of the ash layers) and vertical turbulent mixing (which acts to deepen the layers). Interestingly, differential sedimentation of ash particles and the volcano vertical emission profile play relatively minor roles.
Imaging supershear rupture for the 2014 Mw 6.9 Northern Aegean earthquake by backprojection of strong motion waveforms
Authors: Evangelidis C. P.
Published: December 2014

The seismic source spatiotemporal evolution of the Mw 6.9 event on 24 May 2014 in Northern Aegean is imaged by backprojection of strong motion envelopes. The results indicate that the event ruptured on two different fault segments. In the first one, rupture propagated from the hypocenter westward for ∼20 km. In the second delayed segment to the east, rupture propagated eastward for ∼65 km with a supershear velocity (∼5.5 km/s). At the end of this rupture the largest stacking amplitudes are imaged, associated with possible stopping phases from the abrupt cessation of a fast slip. Low‐aftershock seismicity on the supershear segment implies a simple and linear fault geometry there. This is the third large event in the Northern Aegean Trough‐Northern Anatolian Fault zones that has ruptured with supershear speed. This characteristic should be taken into account in studying past events and estimating seismic hazard in this area.
Gravity wave momentum fluxes from MF and meteor radar measurements in the polar MLT region
Authors: Placke Manja , Hoffmann Peter , Latteck Ralph , Rapp Markus
Published: December 2014

Annual cycles of horizontal winds and gravity wave (GW) momentum fluxes in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT) are presented for the medium frequency Doppler radar at Saura (SMF radar, located at 69°N, 16°E) for the first time. Four year mean wind and momentum flux fields for 2008 through 2011 clearly show the coupling and interactions between GWs and the mean flow especially in the summer months. GW breaking at mesopause heights results in momentum flux divergence and affects the wind field by forcing a reversal of the wind profile in summer. Height‐time cross sections for the individual years (2008 to 2011) illustrate the year‐to‐year variation of horizontal winds and the vertical fluxes of zonal and meridional momentum. They show similar annual patterns from year to year which are more consistent in the summer months than during winter and have maximum absolute values in 2009. Furthermore, the precise SMF radar measurements give an excellent possibility to evaluate momentum flux estimates from the colocated meteor radar at Andenes. Both radars have different capabilities, and different techniques are applied to derive momentum fluxes. They show comparable results for the 4 year mean annual cycles of horizontal winds and momentum fluxes especially in summer. This holds for both structure and magnitudes in the overlapping heights, where the SMF radar data provide a wider vertical coverage. The best agreement is found for the zonal components of both radars, whereas there are some larger discrepancies in the meridional components, especially in the vertical flux of meridional momentum.
Superthermal electron magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling in the diffuse aurora in the presence of ECH waves
Authors: Khazanov G. V. , Tripathi A. K. , Singhal R. P. , Himwich E. W. , Glocer A. , Sibeck D. G.
Published: December 2014

There are two main theories for the origin of the diffuse auroral electron precipitation: first, pitch angle scattering by electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic (ECH) waves, and second, by whistler mode waves. Precipitating electrons initially injected from the plasma sheet to the loss cone via wave‐particle interaction processes degrade in the atmosphere toward lower energies and produce secondary electrons via impact ionization of the neutral atmosphere. These secondary electrons can escape back to the magnetosphere, become trapped on closed magnetic field lines, and deposit their energy back to the inner magnetosphere. ECH and whistler mode waves can also move electrons in the opposite direction, from the loss cone into the trap zone, if the source of such electrons exists in conjugate ionospheres located at the same field lines as the trapped magnetospheric electron population. Such a situation exists in the simulation scenario of superthermal electron energy interplay in the region of diffuse aurora presented and discussed by Khazanov et al. (2014) and will be quantified in this paper by taking into account the interaction of secondary electrons with ECH waves.
Long‐duration geomagnetic storm effects on the D region of the ionosphere: Some case studies using VLF signal
Authors: Choudhury Abhijit , De Barin Kumar , Guha Anirban , Roy Rakesh
Published: December 2014

The present work investigates the effects of long‐duration geomagnetic storms on VLF signal during ionospheric sunrise time, commonly known as D Layer Preparation Time (DLPT) depth. The VLF signal at 19.8 kHz transmitted from Northwest Cape, Australia, and received at a low‐latitude station, Tripura, India, is used for the present analysis. The data for the analysis are selected from November 2008 to October 2011. In the active period of the geomagnetic storms, the average DLPT depth is found to have a negative correlation coefficient of 0.91 with geomagnetic Ap index. It is also found that with each 10 unit increase of Ap index, the DLPT depth (the day and night asymmetry level) changes by 1.25 dB. The results are supported with modeled International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) electron density data and DLPT depth at 71 km height for the three positions, namely, receiver position, signal hop position, and the transmitter position along the total Great Circle Path. It is found that the receiver position electron density is the main controlling factor for DLPT depth. The correlation between IRI electron density and DLPT depth increases from −0.13 at transmitter position to −0.33 at the first hop position, to −0.46 at the receiver position, respectively. The percentage change of post storm electron density, at 71 km height, is found to increase by more than 100% at the receiver position. The results are discussed on the basis of the electron density changes over the signal propagation path, mainly caused by the geomagnetic storms.
Measurement and interpretation of subtle deformation signals at Unimak Island from 2003 to 2010 using weather model‐assisted time series InSAR
Authors: Gong W. , Meyer F. J. , Lee C.‐W. , Lu Z. , Freymueller J.
Published: December 2014

A 7 year time series of satellite radar images over Unimak Island, Alaska—site of Westdahl Volcano, Fisher Caldera, and Shishaldin Volcano—was processed using a model‐free Persistent Scatterer Interferometry technique assisted by numerical weather prediction model. The deformation‐only signals were optimally extracted from atmosphere‐contaminated phase records. The reconstructed deformation time series maps are compared with campaign and continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements as well as Small Baseline Subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) results for quality assessment and geophysical interpretation. We observed subtle surface inflation at Westdahl Volcano that can be fit by a Mogi source located at approximately 3.6 km north of Westdahl peak and at depth of about 6.9 km that is consistent with the GPS‐estimated depth for the 1998 to 2001 time period. The magma chamber volume change decays during the period of 2003 to 2010. The deformation field over Fisher Caldera is steadily subsiding over time. Its best fit analytical model is a sill source that is about 7.9 km in length, 0.54 km in width, and located at about 5.5 km below sea level underneath the center of Fisher Caldera with strike angle of N52°E. Very little deformation was detected near Shishaldin peak; however, a region approximately 15 km east of Shishaldin, as well as an area at the Tugamak range at about 30 km northwest of Shishaldin, shows evidence for movement toward the satellite, with a temporal signature correlated with the 2004 Shishaldin eruption. The cause of these movements is unknown.
Dry (Mg,Fe)SiO3 perovskite in the Earth's lower mantle
Authors: Panero Wendy R. , Pigott Jeffrey S. , Reaman Daniel M. , Kabbes Jason E. , Liu Zhenxian
Published: December 2014

Combined synthesis experiments and first‐principles calculations show that MgSiO3‐perovskite with minor Al or Fe does not incorporate significant OH under lower mantle conditions. Perovskite, stishovite, and residual melt were synthesized from natural Bamble enstatite samples (Mg/(Fe + Mg) = 0.89 and 0.93; Al2O3 < 0.1 wt % with 35 and 2065 ppm weight H2O, respectively) in the laser‐heated diamond anvil cell at 1600–2000 K and 25–65 GPa. Combined Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and ex situ transmission electron microscopy analysis demonstrates little difference in the resulting perovskite as a function of initial water content. Four distinct OH vibrational stretching bands are evident upon cooling below 100 K (3576, 3378, 3274, and 3078 cm−1), suggesting four potential bonding sites for OH in perovskite with a maximum water content of 220 ppm weight H2O, and likely no more than 10 ppm weight H2O. Complementary, Fe‐free, first‐principles calculations predict multiple potential bonding sites for hydrogen in perovskite, each with significant solution enthalpy (0.2 eV/defect). We calculate that perovskite can dissolve less than 37 ppm weight H2O (400 ppm H/Si) at the top of the lower mantle, decreasing to 31 ppm weight H2O (340 ppm H/Si) at 125 GPa and 3000 K in the absence of a melt or fluid phase. We propose that these results resolve a long‐standing debate of the perovskite melting curve and explain the order‐of‐magnitude increase in viscosity from upper to lower mantle.
Climatology and variability of trace gases in extratropical double‐tropopause regions from MLS, HIRDLS, and ACE‐FTS measurements
Authors: Schwartz M. J. , Manney G. L. , Hegglin M. I. , Livesey N. J. , Santee M. L. , Daffer W. H.
Published: December 2014

Upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric measurements from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), the Aura High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS), and the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment‐Fourier transform spectrometer (ACE‐FTS) are used to present the first global climatological comparison of extratropical, nonpolar trace gas distributions in double‐tropopause (DT) and single‐tropopause (ST) regions. Stratospheric tracers, O3, HNO3, and HCl, have lower mixing ratios ∼2–8 km above the primary (lowermost) tropopause in DT than in ST regions in all seasons, with maximum Northern Hemisphere (NH) differences near 50% in winter and 30% in summer. Southern Hemisphere winter differences are somewhat smaller, but summer differences are similar in the two hemispheres. H2O in DT regions of both hemispheres shows strong negative anomalies in November through February and positive anomalies in July through October, reflecting the strong seasonal cycle in H2O near the tropical tropopause. CO and other tropospheric tracers examined have higher DT than ST values 2–7 km above the primary tropopause, with the largest differences in winter. Large DT‐ST differences extend to high NH latitudes in fall and winter, with longitudinal maxima in regions associated with enhanced wave activity and subtropical jet variations. Results for O3 and HNO3 agree closely between MLS and HIRDLS, and differences from ACE‐FTS are consistent with its sparse and irregular midlatitude sampling. Consistent signatures in climatological trace gas fields provide strong evidence that transport from the tropical upper troposphere into the layer between double tropopauses is an important pathway for stratosphere‐troposphere exchange.
ROC Analysis of the Verbal Overshadowing Effect: Testing the Effect of Verbalisation on Memory Sensitivity
Authors: Smith Harriet M. J. , Flowe Heather D.
Published: December 2014

This study investigated the role of memory sensitivity versus recognition criterion in the verbal overshadowing effect (VOE). Lineup recognition data were analysed using receiver operating characteristic analysis to separate the effects of verbalisation on memory sensitivity from criterion placement. Participants watched a short crime video, described the perpetrator's facial features and then attempted a lineup identification. Description instructions were varied between participants. There was a standard (free report), forced (report everything) and warning (report accurate information) condition. Control participants did not describe the perpetrator. Memory sensitivity was greater in the control compared with the standard condition. Memory sensitivity was also greater in the warning condition than in the forced and standard conditions. Memory sensitivity did not differ across the forced and standard‐description conditions, although a more conservative lineup decision standard was employed in the forced condition. These results, along with qualitative analyses of descriptions, support both retrieval‐based and criterion‐based explanations of the VOE. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An analytical relationship of concentration‐dependent interfacial solute distribution coefficient for aqueous layer freeze concentration
Authors: Chen Xiao Dong , Wu Winston Duo , Chen Ping
Published: December 2014

Freeze concentration (FC) is a subzero temperature solute concentration procedure, favoring the retention of high quality compounds such as food ingredients and biological materials. It is known that modeling solute inclusion in the ice layers or ice crystals formed in a convective environment requires the solute distribution coefficient function. The fluid flow velocity, ice‐growth rate and solute concentration are influential on this function. Some literature has reported certain expressions of the function, which are relatively complex. Here, an explicit format of this function has been derived for single solute system, and found to be satisfactory in correlating a wide range of experimental data on sucrose solutions for both the controlled flow layer crystallization process (flow in between two cooling plates) as well as the falling film crystallization process. This expression has captured the fundamental aspects of mass transfer, and it is relatively simple which should be very useful for correlating FC parameters and for simulating the layer FC processes. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1334–1344, 2015
Need for an improved vaccination rate in primary immune thrombocytopenia patients exposed to rituximab or splenectomy. A nationwide population‐based study in France
Authors: Moulis Guillaume , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Mahévas Matthieu , Montastruc Jean‐Louis , Sailler Laurent
Published: December 2014

International guidelines on immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) management recommend vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.p.), Haemophilus influenza b (Hib) and Neisseiria meningitidis (N.m.) before splenectomy. French guidelines also recommend these vaccinations before rituximab. The aim of this study was to assess the application of these recommendations. The French Adult ITP: a French pHarmacoepidemiological study (FAITH, n°ENCEPP 4574) is aimed at following in the French national health insurance system database (SNIIRAM) the cohort of all incident and persistent or chronic primary ITP adults treated in France. We assessed vaccine exposure in the 1,106 patients who entered the FAITH cohort between 2009 and 2011. Vaccination was said “recommended” if performed at least 2 weeks before rituximab or splenectomy accordingly with French guidelines. Among the 423 non‐splenectomized patients exposed to rituximab, vaccination rates against S.p., Hib and N.m. were respectively 32.4%, 18.9%, and 3.8%. It was recommended in 12.8%, 6.6%, and 1.2% of the patients, respectively. Among the 178 splenectomized patients, vaccination rates were 70.2%, 47.0%, and 11.9%, respectively (recommended: 60.1%, 35.7%, and 9.5%). Among the splenectomized patients previously exposed to rituximab (n = 67), 53.3% of the vaccinations occurred during the semester following a rituximab infusion that is during the maximal B‐cell depletion period. In multivariate analyses, a disease duration exceeding 3 months was the sole factor associated to recommended vaccination in rituximab‐treated patients as well as in splenectomized patients. This study stresses the need of better and earlier vaccination of ITP patients. Am. J. Hematol. 90:301–305, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.