bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transient Brugada phenocopy during evolving ischemic right bundle branch block
Authors: Ferrando-Castagnetto Federico , Rivara Alvaro , Vignolo Gustavo , Ricca-Mallada Roberto , Baranchuk Adrián
Published: November 2016

A “Brugada phenocopy” (BrP) is a clinical presentation exhibiting the same electrocardiographic characteristics of true Brugada syndrome (BrS) in different clinical scenarios. We report the clinical case of a 59-year-old male patient with acute chest pain depicting BrP followed by extensive convex ST-segment elevation due to proximal thrombosis of the left descending coronary artery. Following successful percutaneous intervention and drug-eluting stent implantation, a classical right bundle branch block pattern emerged.  We discussed possible mechanism and clinical implications of this unusual electrical sequence during acute myocardial injury.
The Relationship Between the Possibility of a Hidden Variable in Time, Possible Photon Mass, Particle's Energy, Momentum and Special Relativity
Authors: Brodet Eyal
Published: November 2016

In this paper we will discuss the relationship between a possible hidden variable in time, f_r, and possible photon mass, particle energy, momentum and special relativity. One of the implications of the possibility of a hidden variable in time that may explains the origin of unstable particle decay time distributions, is the possible existence of f_r for stable particle such as photons. It will be discussed, that f_r may be linked to the photons spin and wave function, which may lead to the conclusion that the photon has a rest mass. More specifically, it will be argued that in order to explain the photon's large energy range, the photon may have a set of masses. Following the above, a correction to the energy and momentum's expressions given by special relativity will be presented. Possible experimental ways to test the above will be discussed.
Las llamadas políticas pasivas
Authors: Miguélez Lobo Fausto
Published: November 2016

Este artículo analiza las políticas pasivas, es decir, las prestaciones y subsidios a los desempleados entre 2007 y 2014 en España. Se compara el periodo de expansión (2007) con el periodo de crisis. Las cuestiones más importantes son: la tasa de cobertura y las condiciones requeridas para cobrar las prestaciones. En este último aspecto, se compara la situación de España con varios países de la UE.
Desempleo y política de “ingresos adecuados” en España e Italia
Authors: Martín Artiles Antonio , Molina Romo Oscar , Godino Pons Alejandro
Published: November 2016

Las políticas de austeridad han reducido significativamente los márgenes de negociación de la política social en el contexto del diálogo social tripartito. De esta manera, los gobiernos de España e Italia han seguido una política de transferencia del riesgo hacia el ámbito territorial y local. Es precisamente en estos ámbitos donde se implementan las políticas de ingresos dirigidas a amortiguar situaciones de pobreza severa. Como resultado de esto, en la actualidad el  sistema de ingresos mínimos está desarticulado y fragmentado, caracterizado por una escasa coordinación vertical (entre los diferentes niveles de gobierno) y horizontal (entre los actores), tanto en España como Italia. En cualquier caso, se observa como el discurso  de la “inclusión activa” se ha extendido en los dos países, aunque con diferente énfasis. La política de ingresos mediante subsidios y ayudas ha estado ligada a la condicionalidad de la activación de los desempleados. El principio de condicionalidad es una tendencia vinculada a la exigencia de formación,  disponibilidad y de aceptación de cualquier oferta de trabajo. La devaluación competitiva de los salarios y la condicionalidad son dos poderosos instrumentos de disciplina social orientada hacia la reducción del coste laboral y de la protección social.
Trayectorias laborales y capital social en la población joven. Elementos para analizar la precariedad laboral juvenil más allá de los grandes focos
Authors: Verd Pericàs Joan Miquel , Yepes Cayuela Lidia , Vacchiano Mattia
Published: November 2016

El artículo presenta el análisis de tres cuestiones de gran relevancia para el estudio de la situación de la población juvenil en el mercado de trabajo: la evolución de las trayectorias laborales considerando la simultaneidad de actividades que las componen, el impacto de la crisis económica sobre la articulación de estas mismas actividades, y el uso del capital social como mecanismo de acceso al empleo. Para ello, se explotan los datos obtenidos mediante una encuesta de redes personales de carácter híbrido, en qué se ha priorizada el detalle y amplitud de la información en relación con cuestiones que usualmente no se recogen en las estadísticas oficiales. De este modo, se obtiene un dibujo diferente del habitualmente ofrecido por la mayoría de estudios que han tratado el empleo juvenil, aunque no contradictorio con él.
Associations Between Bladder Dysfunction and Falls in People with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Zelaya Jaime E. , Murchison Charles , Cameron Michelle
Published: November 2016

Background:

Bladder dysfunction and falls are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but associations between these problems are unclear. We sought to clarify the association between specific types of bladder dysfunction and prospectively recorded falls in people with MS.

Methods:

Fifty-one people aged 18 to 50 years with relapsing-remitting MS and mild-to-moderate disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤6.0) completed a self-report questionnaire regarding urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency at baseline and then prospectively recorded their falls daily for 3 months using fall calendars. Participants were classified as recurrent fallers (two or more falls) or nonrecurrent fallers (fewer than 2 falls) for one regression model and then as fallers (one or more falls) or nonfallers (no falls) for another regression model. Associations between baseline bladder dysfunction and faller status were assessed using logistic regression adjusted for the potential confounders of age, sex, and disability.

Results:

Fifteen participants were recurrent fallers, 36 were nonrecurrent fallers, 32 were fallers, and 19 were nonfallers. After adjusting for age, sex, and disability, there was a significant association between urinary urgency with incontinence and recurrent falls in the 3 months after baseline (odds ratio, 57.57; 95% CI, 3.43–966.05; P = .005).

Conclusions:

Urinary urgency with incontinence is associated with recurrent falls in people with relapsing-remitting MS with mild-to-moderate disability. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this association and to evaluate the effect of bladder management programs on falls.
Decoupling of the minority PhD talent pool and assistant professor hiring in medical school basic science departments in the US
Authors: Gibbs Kenneth D , Basson Jacob , Xierali Imam M , Broniatowski David A
Published: November 2016

Faculty diversity is a longstanding challenge in the US. However, we lack a quantitative and systemic understanding of how the career transitions into assistant professor positions of PhD scientists from underrepresented minority (URM) and well-represented (WR) racial/ethnic backgrounds compare. Between 1980 and 2013, the number of PhD graduates from URM backgrounds increased by a factor of 9.3, compared with a 2.6-fold increase in the number of PhD graduates from WR groups. However, the number of scientists from URM backgrounds hired as assistant professors in medical school basic science departments was not related to the number of potential candidates (R2=0.12, p>0.07), whereas there was a strong correlation between these two numbers for scientists from WR backgrounds (R2=0.48, p<0.0001). We built and validated a conceptual system dynamics model based on these data that explained 79% of the variance in the hiring of assistant professors and posited no hiring discrimination. Simulations show that, given current transition rates of scientists from URM backgrounds to faculty positions, faculty diversity would not increase significantly through the year 2080 even in the context of an exponential growth in the population of PhD graduates from URM backgrounds, or significant increases in the number of faculty positions. Instead, the simulations showed that diversity increased as more postdoctoral candidates from URM backgrounds transitioned onto the market and were hired.
Psychological Distress in Norwegian Nurses and Teachers over Nine Years
Authors: Nerdrum Per , Geirdal Amy Østertun , Høglend Per Andreas
Published: November 2016

Psychological distress have been found to be high and influence negatively nurses’ and teachers’ work. In this nine-year project, we present the first longitudinal study comparing psychological distress from 1467 students and young professionals in nursing and teaching. Psychological distress was measured with GHQ 12 at the start and the end of their studies and three and six years after graduation. Both descriptive statistics and estimated models were used to assess psychological distress over time. Psychological distress increased significantly in both groups during education. The reduction of psychological distress was significant among the nurses, and they clearly showed a “healthy worker effect” when coming into clinical work. The teachers had a small and non-significant reduction in the same period and did not show a positive effect after starting pedagogical work.
Ficolin-2 inhibitors are present in sera after prolonged storage at −80 °C
Authors: Geno Kimball Aaron , Kennedy Richard E. , Sawyer Patricia , Brown Cynthia J. , Nahm Moon H.
Published: November 2016

Ficolins can activate the lectin pathway of the complement system that provides innate immune protection against pathogens, marks host cellular debris for clearance, and promotes inflammation. Baseline inflammation increases with aging in a phenomenon known as “inflammaging.” Although IL-6 and C-reactive protein are known to increase with age, contributions of many complement factors, including ficolins, to inflammaging have been little studied.

Ficolin-2 is abundant in human serum and can recognize many target structures; therefore, ficolin-2 has potential to contribute to inflammaging. We hypothesized that inflammaging would alter ficolin-2 levels among older adults and examined 360 archived sera collected from older individuals. We found that these sera had apparently reduced ficolin-2 levels and that 84.2% of archived sera exhibited ficolin-2 inhibitors, which suppressed apparent amounts of ficolin-2 detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fresh serum samples were obtained from donors whose archived sera showed inhibitors, but the fresh sera did not have ficolin-2 inhibitors. Ficolin-2 inhibitors were present in other long-stored sera from younger persons. Furthermore, noninhibiting samples and fresh sera from older adults had apparently normal amounts of ficolin-2. Thus, ficolin-2 inhibitors may arise as an artifact of long-term storage of serum at −80 °C.
Detecting sedimentation impacts to coral reefs resulting from dredging the Port of Miami, Florida USA
Authors: Miller Margaret W. , Karazsia Jocelyn , Groves Carolyn E. , Griffin Sean , Moore Tom , Wilber Pace , Gregg Kurtis
Published: November 2016

The federal channel at Port of Miami, Florida, USA, was dredged between late 2013 and early 2015 to widen and deepen the channel. Due to the limited spatial extent of impact-assessment monitoring associated with the project, the extent of the dredging impacts on surrounding coral reefs has not been well quantified. Previously published remote sensing analyses, as well as agency and anecdotal reports suggest the most severe and largest area of sedimentation occurred on a coral reef feature referred to as the Inner Reef, particularly in the sector north of the channel. A confounding regional warm-water mass bleaching event followed by a coral disease outbreak during this same time frame made the assessment of dredging-related impacts to coral reefs adjacent to the federal channel difficult but still feasible. The current study sought to better understand the sedimentation impacts that occurred in the coral reef environment surrounding Port of Miami, to distinguish those impacts from other regional events or disturbances, and provide supplemental information on impact assessment that will inform discussions on compensatory mitigation requirements. To this end, in-water field assessments conducted after the completion of dredging and a time series analysis of tagged corals photographed pre-, during, and post-dredging, are used to discern dredging-related sedimentation impacts for the Inner Reef north. Results indicate increased sediment accumulation, severe in certain times and places, and an associated biological response (e.g., higher prevalence of partial mortality of corals) extended up to 700 m from the channel, whereas project-associated monitoring was limited to 50 m from the channel. These results can contribute to more realistic prediction of areas of indirect effect from dredging projects needed to accurately evaluate proposed projects and design appropriate compliance monitoring. Dredging projects near valuable and sensitive habitats subject to local and global stressors require monitoring methods capable of discerning non-dredging related impacts and adaptive management to ensure predicted and unpredicted project-related impacts are quantified. Anticipated increasing frequency and intensity of seasonal warming stress also suggests that manageable- but- unavoidable local stressors such as dredging should be partitioned from such seasonal thermal stress events.
Solar geoengineering economics: From incredible to inevitable and half‐way back
Authors: Harding Anthony , Moreno‐Cruz Juan B.
Published: November 2016

Solar geoengineering technologies are unique in many ways, and the economic incentives they could unleash are just as interesting. Since their introduction as a potential alternative, economists have been intrigued by the potential of these technologies to dramatically alter the way we think about climate policy. As our scientific understanding of the technologies evolve, so does the way economists think about them. In this paper, we document the evolution of economic thinking around these technologies since before Crutzen (2006) until today and provide some fruitful areas for further research.
DC and low‐frequency double probe electric field measurements in space
Authors: Mozer F. S.
Published: November 2016

The double probe technique for measuring DC and low‐frequency electric fields in space plasmas is described with an emphasis on uncertainties in the measurements, data analysis techniques, and methods for improving the electric field measurements in future missions.
Ionosonde observations of daytime spread F at low latitudes
Authors: Jiang Chunhua , Yang Guobin , Liu Jing , Yokoyama Tatsuhiro , Komolmis Tharadol , Song Huan , Lan Ting , Zhou Chen , Zhang Yuannong , Zhao Zhengyu
Published: November 2016

Spread F on ionograms has been considered to be a phenomenon mainly occurred at nighttime. This study presented a case study of daytime spread F observed by the ionosonde installed at Puer (PUR; 22.7°N, 101.05°E; dip latitude 12.9°N), where daytime spread F that lasted for more than 2 h (about 08:30 LT~10:45 LT) was observed on 14 November 2015. To investigate the possible mechanism, ionograms recorded at PUR and Chiang Mai (18.76°N, 98.93°E; dip latitude 9.04°N) were used in this study. We found that traveling ionospheric disturbances were observed before the occurrence of daytime spread F. Meanwhile, the movement of the peak height of the ionosphere was downward. We suggested that downward vertical neutral winds excited by traveling atmospheric disturbances/atmospheric gravity waves might play a significant role in forming daytime spread F over PUR during geomagnetic storms.
Impacts of SABER CO2‐based eddy diffusion coefficients in the lower thermosphere on the ionosphere/thermosphere
Authors: Salinas Cornelius Csar Jude H. , Chang Loren C. , Liang Mao‐Chang , Yue Jia , Russell James , Mlynczak Martin
Published: November 2016

This work estimates global‐mean Kzz using Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry/Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics monthly global‐mean CO2 profiles and a one‐dimensional transport model. It is then specified as a lower boundary into the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIE‐GCM). Results first show that global‐mean CO2 in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region has annual and semiannual oscillations (AO and SAO) with maxima during solstice seasons along with a primary maximum in boreal summer. Our calculated AO and SAO in global‐mean CO2 are then modeled by AO and SAO in global‐mean Kzz. It is then shown that our estimated global‐mean Kzz is lower in magnitude than the suggested global‐mean Kzz from Qian et al. (2009) that can model the observed AO and SAO in the ionosphere/thermosphere (IT) region. However, our estimated global‐mean Kzz is similar in magnitude with recent suggestions of global‐mean Kzz in models with explicit gravity wave parameterization. Our work therefore concludes that global‐mean Kzz from global‐mean CO2 profiles cannot model the observed AO and SAO in the IT region because our estimated global‐mean Kzz may only be representing eddy diffusion due to gravity wave breaking. The difference between our estimated global‐mean Kzz and the global‐mean Kzz from Qian et al. (2009) thus represents diffusion and mixing from other nongravity wave sources not directly accounted for in the TIE‐GCM lower boundary conditions. These other sources may well be the more dominant lower atmospheric forcing behind the AO and SAO in the IT region.
Global distribution and variability of quasi 2 day waves based on the NOGAPS‐ALPHA reanalysis model
Authors: Pancheva Dora , Mukhtarov Plamen , Siskind David E. , Smith Anne K.
Published: November 2016

This study presents the analysis of 14 months (January 2009 to February 2010) of continuous hourly Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System‐Advanced Level Physics High Altitude reanalysis data used for examining the quasi 2 day wave (QTDW). The global structure and seasonal variability of the eastward and westward traveling QTDWs in all meteorological fields (geopotential height, zonal and meridional wind, and temperature) have been studied. The use of hourly reanalysis data allows a comprehensive understanding of the global spatial‐temporal QTDW distribution by simultaneous separations of all tides and planetary waves. The wave characteristics (amplitudes and phases) are presented in latitude range ±80° and altitudes from 15 to 95 km. Two different types of eastward traveling waves are identified: (i) waves at middle and high latitudes with zonal wave numbers 2 and 3, which are observed in the local winters, and (ii) waves observed predominantly over the equator with zonal wave number 2, which do not have a well‐defined seasonal variability but show some enhancement between June and August. While the first type waves are seen in all meteorological fields, the second ones are not seen in the meridional wind and belong to the ultrafast Kelvin waves. Two different types of westward traveling waves have been identified as well: (i) waves at middle and high latitudes with zonal wave numbers 2, 3, and 4, which are observed mainly in summer hemisphere, and (ii) waves observed predominantly over the equator with zonal wave numbers 1, 2, and 3, enhanced predominantly at both solstices but are seen in other seasons as well. While the first type waves are seen in all meteorological fields, the second ones are observed in the meridional wind and are Rossby‐gravity normal modes.
Effects of soil‐type datasets on regional terrestrial water cycle simulations under different climatic regimes
Authors: Zheng H. , Yang Z.‐L.
Published: November 2016

Hydrological simulations play an important role in estimating terrestrial water budgets and monitoring extreme events such as floods. This study investigates how these simulations are affected by soil‐type datasets and characterizes how these effects vary with climate. We study the differences between two ensemble simulations in China with the Noah‐MP land surface model using two soil datasets from the Food and Agriculture Organization and Beijing Normal University. The differences in ensemble means are analyzed over a 10 year period from 2003 to 2012 with respect to estimated soil moisture, the partition of precipitation between evapotranspiration and runoff, and a flood magnitude index. Results show that the hydrological simulations using sandier soil types result in lower soil moisture, lower evapotranspiration, and higher subsurface runoff. Each of these effects varies uniquely with aridity. The changes in soil moisture decrease with increasing aridity, while the changes in water balance components (evapotranspiration and runoff) peak in the transitional zone between humid and arid regions. The flood magnitude, expressed as the maximum daily flow normalized by annual flow, is also substantially influenced by the input soil type. Soil types with more clay and less sand content yield significantly bigger floods, especially in arid regions.
Comparison of simulated and observed convective gravity waves
Authors: Kalisch S. , Chun H.‐Y. , Ern M. , Preusse P. , Trinh Q. T. , Eckermann S. D. , Riese M.
Published: November 2016

Gravity waves (GWs) from convection have horizontal wavelengths typically shorter than 100 km. Resolving these waves in state‐of‐the‐art atmospheric models still remains challenging. Also, their time‐dependent excitation process cannot be represented by a common GW drag parametrization with static launch distribution. Thus, the aim of this paper is to investigate the excitation and three‐dimensional propagation of GWs forced by deep convection in the troposphere and estimate their influence on the middle atmosphere. For that purpose, the GW ray tracer Gravity‐wave Regional Or Global Ray Tracer (GROGRAT) has been coupled to the Yonsei convective GW source model. The remaining free model parameters have been constrained by measurements. This work led to a coupled convective GW model representing convective GWs forced from small cells of deep convection up to large‐scale convective clusters. In order to compare our simulation results with observed global distributions of momentum flux, limitations of satellite instruments were taken into account: The observational filter of a limb‐viewing satellite instrument restricts measurements of GWs to waves with horizontal wavelengths longer than 100 km. Convective GWs, however, often have shorter wavelengths. This effect is taken into account when comparing simulated and observable GW spectra. We find good overall agreement between simulated and observed GW global distributions, if superimposed with a nonorographic background spectrum for higher‐latitude coverage. Our findings indicate that parts of the convective GW spectrum can indeed be observed by limb‐sounding satellites.
Impact of North American intense fires on aerosol optical properties measured over the European Arctic in July 2015
Authors: Markowicz K. M. , Pakszys P. , Ritter C. , Zielinski T. , Udisti R. , Cappelletti D. , Mazzola M. , Shiobara M. , Xian P. , Zawadzka O. , Lisok J. , Petelski T. , Makuch P. , Karasiński G.
Published: November 2016

In this paper impact of intensive biomass burning (BB) in North America in July 2015, on aerosol optical and microphysical properties measured in the European Arctic, is discussed. This study was made within the framework of the Impact of Absorbing aerosols on Radiating forcing in the European Arctic project. During the BB event aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 500 nm exceeded 1.2 in Spitsbergen and 0.7 in Andenes (Norway). Angstrom exponent exceeded 1.4, while the absorbing Angstrom exponent varied between 1 and 1.25. BB aerosols were observed in humid atmosphere with a total water vapor column between 2 and 2.5 cm. In such conditions aerosols are activated and may produce clouds at different altitudes. Vertical structure of aerosol plumes over Svalbard, obtained from ceilometers and lidars, shows variability of range‐corrected signal between surface and middle and upper troposphere. Aerosol backscattering coefficients show values up to 10−5 m−1 sr−1 at 532 nm. Aerosol surface observations indicate chemical composition typical for biomass burning particles and very high single scattering properties. Scattering and absorption coefficients at 530 nm were up to 130 and 15 Mm−1, respectively. Single scattering albedo at the surface varied from 0.9 to 0.94. The averaged values over the entire atmospheric column ranged from 0.93 to 0.99. Preliminary statistics of model and Sun photometer data as well as previous studies indicate that this event, in the Arctic region, must be considered extreme (such AOD was not observed in Svalbard since 2005) with a significant impact on energy budget.
The intraannual variability of land‐atmosphere coupling over North America in the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM5)
Authors: Yang Kam Wing G. , Sushama L. , Diro G. T.
Published: November 2016

This study investigates the intraannual variability of soil moisture‐temperature coupling over North America. To this effect, coupled and uncoupled simulations are performed with the fifth‐generation Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM5), driven by ERA‐Interim. In coupled simulations, land and atmosphere interact freely; in uncoupled simulations, the interannual variability of soil moisture is suppressed by prescribing climatological values for soil liquid and frozen water contents. The study also explores projected changes to coupling by comparing coupled and uncoupled CRCM5 simulations for current (1981–2010) and future (2071–2100) periods, driven by the Canadian Earth System Model. Coupling differs for the northern and southern parts of North America. Over the southern half, it is persistent throughout the year while for the northern half, strongly coupled regions generally follow the freezing line during the cold months. Detailed analysis of the southern Canadian Prairies reveals seasonal differences in the underlying coupling mechanism. During spring and fall, as opposed to summer, the interactive soil moisture phase impacts the snow depth and surface albedo, which further impacts the surface energy budget and thus the surface air temperature; the air temperature then influences the snow depth in a feedback loop. Projected changes to coupling are also season specific: relatively drier soil conditions strengthen coupling during summer, while changes in soil moisture phase, snow depth, and cloud cover impact coupling during colder months. Furthermore, results demonstrate that soil moisture variability amplifies the frequency of temperature extremes over regions of strong coupling in current and future climates.
Constraints on oceanic methane emissions west of Svalbard from atmospheric in situ measurements and Lagrangian transport modeling
Authors: Pisso I. , Myhre C. Lund , Platt S. M. , Eckhardt S. , Hermansen O. , Schmidbauer N. , Mienert J. , Vadakkepuliyambatta S. , Bauguitte S. , Pitt J. , Allen G. , Bower K. N. , O'Shea S. , Gallagher M. W. , Percival C. J. , Pyle J. , Cain M. , Stohl A.
Published: November 2016

Methane stored in seabed reservoirs such as methane hydrates can reach the atmosphere in the form of bubbles or dissolved in water. Hydrates could destabilize with rising temperature further increasing greenhouse gas emissions in a warming climate. To assess the impact of oceanic emissions from the area west of Svalbard, where methane hydrates are abundant, we used measurements collected with a research aircraft (Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements) and a ship (Helmer Hansen) during the Summer 2014 and for Zeppelin Observatory for the full year. We present a model‐supported analysis of the atmospheric CH4 mixing ratios measured by the different platforms. To address uncertainty about where CH4 emissions actually occur, we explored three scenarios: areas with known seeps, a hydrate stability model, and an ocean depth criterion. We then used a budget analysis and a Lagrangian particle dispersion model to compare measurements taken upwind and downwind of the potential CH4 emission areas. We found small differences between the CH4 mixing ratios measured upwind and downwind of the potential emission areas during the campaign. By taking into account measurement and sampling uncertainties and by determining the sensitivity of the measured mixing ratios to potential oceanic emissions, we provide upper limits for the CH4 fluxes. The CH4 flux during the campaign was small, with an upper limit of 2.5 nmol m−2 s−1 in the stability model scenario. The Zeppelin Observatory data for 2014 suggest CH4 fluxes from the Svalbard continental platform below 0.2 Tg yr−1. All estimates are in the lower range of values previously reported.
Linear Programming
Authors: Fontana Roberto
Published: November 2016

This article contains a new section on the use of integer programming techniques in design of experiments for fractional factorial designs generation.
Multivariate Regression
Authors: Kshirsagar Anant M. , Khattree Ravindra
Published: November 2016

We briefly review the theory of multivariate regression under normality and elaborate on various statistical modeling aspects of the multivariate regression models. Various extensions and applications of these models have been touched upon.
Bayesian Measures of Goodness of Fit
Authors: Rice Kenneth , Boone Edward L.
Published: November 2016

While determining the goodness of fit of a model is not a necessary step in a traditional Bayesian analysis, in practice, one should verify if the model proposed is indeed a good fit to the data. A review of methods for critical assessment of the appropriateness of fitted Bayesian models is considered in this work. This is done for situations where no particular alternative model is specified and where the discrepancy between model and data is measurable in a user‐defined way. Methods for testing goodness of fit in nonhierarchical models are discussed before discussing hierarchical models. These methods are done in light of MCMC sampling with its abilities and challenges.
Hydrological Extremes
Authors: Katz Richard W.
Published: November 2016

An accurate estimation of the probability of occurrence of an extreme hydrological event is often required for the effective development and management of water resources. There are two basic approaches to the statistical analysis of hydrological extremes: (i) the block maxima approach, in which the generalized extreme‐value distribution is fitted to maxima (e.g., annual peak flow), and (ii) the peaks over threshold approach, in which the generalized Pareto distribution is fitted to excesses over a high threshold (e.g., for daily precipitation amounts). The point process representation serves to unify these two approaches. Issues receiving increased attention in recent years include the statistical modeling of the spatial dependence of hydrological extremes and statistical methods for analyzing hydrological extremes under nonstationarity.
Remote Sensing
Authors: Shao Guofan , Tang Lina
Published: November 2016

Remote sensing has evolved from airborne to spaceborne since the 1960s. Recent advances in drone remote sensing represent a more flexible and affordable option. A variety of sensors are used to record both visible and invisible, such as infrared, parts of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. Depending on the number of spectral bands used, remote sensing includes panchromatic (one band), multispectral (several bands), and hyperspectral (dozens to hundreds of bands) remote sensing; depending on the source of energy/radiation, remote sensing consists of passive and active remote sensing. The ultimate goal of remote sensing is to extract information from remotely sensed data about the material properties of the Earth's surface and the atmosphere and provide the information to solve real‐world problems. Numerous approaches are available to derive maps from remotely sensed data/imagery. Any thematic maps derived with remote sensing methods contain errors, which can be assessed with reference data. It is important to use thematic maps with relatively high classification accuracy to avoid map‐error‐caused wrong conclusions or decision making.
Dimension Reduction in Clustering
Authors: Marbac Matthieu , McNicholas Paul D.
Published: November 2016

Similar to many other statistical methods, clustering approaches can fail when data dimensionality increases. This so‐called curse of dimensionality has led statisticians to develop specific models for dealing with higher dimensional data. Broadly, this review covers two frameworks for dimension reduction in model‐based clustering: methods based on variable transformation and methods based on variable selection.
Modeling and analysis of the Lurgi‐type methanol to propylene process: Optimization of olefin recycle
Authors: Huang Xun , Li Hu , Li Hui , Xiao Wen‐De
Published: November 2016

This work proposed a strategy to improve the yield of light olefins of industrial methanol to propylene process by reducing the olefins recycled back into the main reactor and appending an olefin cracking reactor. The heterogeneous fixed‐bed model was employed to simulate the reactors with a robust mathematical procedure developed to determine the reactor configuration and the recycle flow rates of the olefins. Two methods were proposed for the modulation: the recycle ratio and species of the olefins, respectively. Results show that the yield of C2–C3 olefins can be improved up to 70% from the basement of about 60% when the ratio is reduced from 100% to less than 23% or when only butene apart from pentene and hexene is recycled back into the main reactor, and the latter method is more effective as its catalyst requirement is seven times less than the former's in the appended cracking reactor. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 306–313, 2017
A multi‐isotope investigation of diet and subsistence amongst island and mainland populations from early medieval western Britain
Authors: Hemer Katie A. , Lamb Angela L. , Chenery Carolyn A. , Evans Jane A.
Published: November 2016

Objectives

This is the first investigation of dietary practices amongst multiple early medieval populations (AD 500–1000) from Wales and the Isle of Man using carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis. The analysis will illuminate similarities or differences between the diets and subsistence strategies of populations occupying different geographical regions, specifically those living in marginal coastal regions in comparison to inland populations well‐connected to ecclesiastical centres and high‐status settlements.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and two human skeletons were sampled for carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis, and 69 human skeletons were sampled for sulphur isotope analysis from nine cemetery sites from western Britain (Isle of Man = 3, southwest Wales = 4, southeast Wales = 2). Thirteen faunal skeletons from St Patrick's Chapel (southwest Wales) were sampled for carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope analysis.

Results

Human δ13C values range from −19.4‰ to −21.2‰ (δ13C mean=−20.4 ±0.4‰, 1σ, n = 86), and δ15N values range from 9.1‰ to 13.8‰ (δ15N mean = 10.8 ± 0.9‰, 1σ, n = 86). δ34S values range from 1.2‰ to 18.4‰ (δ34S mean = 11.6 ± 4.5‰, 1σ, n = 66). Significant differences were noted between the mean δ13C, δ15N and δ34S values according to geographic region: Isle of Man (δ13C = −20.7 ± 0.4‰, δ15N = 11.4 ±0.6‰, n = 13/86; δ34S mean = 17.1 ±0.6, n = 4/66), southwest Wales (δ13C = −20.5 ± 0.4‰, δ15N = 11.0 ±1‰, n = 32/86; δ34S = 16.1 ± 2.1, n = 21/66), and southeast Wales (δ13C =−20.3 ±0.4‰, δ15N = 10.4 ±0.7‰, n = 41/86; δ34S= 8.8 ±3‰, n = 41/66). Faunal δ13C values range from −23.1‰ to −21.2‰ (δ13C mean= −22.1 ±0.5‰, 1σ, n = 13), and δ15N values range from 6.3‰ to 9.8‰ (δ15N mean = 7.3 ± 1.1‰, 1σ, n = 13). δ34S values range from 4.7‰ to 18.4‰ (δ34S mean= 16.3 ± 3.6‰, 1σ, n = 13).

Conclusions

The data reveal a reliance on terrestrial protein, however differences are observed between the resource consumption of populations from southwest Wales and the Isle of Man in comparison to the populations from southeast Wales. Populations from the west coast have a marine sulphur signature that reflects their coastal proximity and may also include a reliance on seaweed as a fertiliser/food source. Populations in the southeast were connected to ecclesiastical centres and high‐status settlements and had access to inland‐grown produce. The data add support to the suggestion that δ34S can be used as a mobility indicator.
Paranasal sinus size is decreased in CFTR heterozygotes with chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Calton Joshua B. , Koripella Pradeep C. , Willis Amanda L. , Le Christopher H. , Chiu Alexander G. , Chang Eugene H.
Published: November 2016

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) heterozygotes with a single mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene are at significantly higher risk to develop chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However the reasons why remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that CFTR heterozygotes would have smaller sinus volumes than healthy controls. To exclude sinus disease as a confounding factor we also assessed paranasal sinus volume in those with CRS, but without known CFTR mutations.

Methods

A total of 131 adults of white Northern European and Latino origin were recruited: 81 diagnosed with CRS and 50 healthy controls. Subjects were genotyped for 9 common CFTR mutations covering >80% of mutation prevalence. Those with CRS were separated by CFTR mutational status and matched demographically to healthy controls. Three‐dimensional sinus volume, mucosal opacification, and skull volume were quantified to obtain the percentage of pneumatization and extent of mucosal disease in each sinus. Twenty‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐20) and endoscopy scores were also analyzed.

Results

In individuals diagnosed with CRS we identified 7 CFTR heterozygotes (8.64%); no CFTR mutations were identified in our healthy controls. There were no significant differences between the 3 matched groups other than sinus pneumatization. The frontal and maxillary sinuses were significantly smaller in CFTR heterozygotes with CRS compared to CFTR wild‐type subjects with or without disease.

Conclusion

CFTR heterozygotes with CRS have significantly smaller frontal and maxillary sinus size compared to those without mutations, irrespective of disease state. This sinus hypoplasia may contribute to impaired mucus clearance and chronic sinus disease development.
A Germylene Stabilized by Homoconjugation
Authors: Dong Zhaowen , Reinhold Crispin R. W. , Schmidtmann Marc , Müller Thomas
Published: November 2016

The synthesis of a bicyclic germylene from the reaction of a germole dianion with hafnocene dichloride is reported. This germylene is stabilized by a homoconjugative interaction of the dicoordinated germanium atom with a remote C=C double bond. First reactivity studies revealed its nucleophilic character and resulted in the synthesis of bimetallic hafnium/iron and hafnium/tungsten complexes with a germylene group linker.
Preparation of a functional reduced graphene oxide and carbon nanotube hybrid and its reinforcement effects on the properties of polyimide composites
Authors: Ma Lang , Wang Guojian , Dai Jinfeng
Published: November 2016

The homogeneous dispersion and strong interfacial interactions of carbon nanomaterials are vital factors on enhancing the properties of polymer composites. Two‐dimensional reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and one‐dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were first grafted by 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA). The successful grafting of ODA onto the rGO and CNTs were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hybrid carbon nanomaterials of the functionalized CNTs and rGO with different ratios were prepared via a solution‐mixing method, and their dispersion state was investigated. The hybrid carbon nanomaterials with good stability were introduced to polyimide (PI) via in situ polymerization. The morphology and properties of the polymer composites were studied. The results show that much better mechanical and electrical properties of the composites could be achieved in comparison with those of the neat PI. An improvement of 100.7% on the tensile strength and eight orders for the electrical conductivity were achieved at only a 1.0 wt % hybrid content. A significant enhancement effect was attributed to the homogeneous dispersion of the filler, filler–matrix strong interfacial interactions, and unique structure of the hybrid carbon nanomaterials in the composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44575.
Analysis of ribosomal inter‐subunit sites as targets for complementary oligonucleotides
Authors: Thoduka Sapna G. , Zaleski Paul A. , Dąbrowska Zofia , Równicki Marcin , Stróżecka Joanna , Górska Anna , Olejniczak Mikołaj , Trylska Joanna
Published: November 2016

The bacterial ribosome has many functional ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sites. We have computationally analyzed the rRNA regions involved in the interactions between the 30S and 50S subunits. Various properties of rRNA such as solvent accessibility, opening energy, hydrogen bonding pattern, van der Waals energy, thermodynamic stability were determined. Based on these properties we selected rRNA targets for hybridization with complementary 2′‐O‐methyl oligoribonucleotides (2′‐OMe RNAs). Further, the inhibition efficiencies of the designed ribosome‐interfering 2′‐OMe RNAs were tested using a β‐galactosidase assay in a translation system based on the E. coli extract. Several of the oligonucleotides displayed IC50 values below 1 μM, which were in a similar range as those determined for known ribosome inhibitors, tetracycline and pactamycin. The calculated opening and van der Waals stacking energies of the rRNA targets correlated best with the inhibitory efficiencies of 2′‐OMe RNAs. Moreover, the binding affinities of several oligonucleotides to both 70S ribosomes and isolated 30S and 50S subunits were measured using a double‐filter retention assay. Further, we applied heat‐shock chemical transformation to introduce 2′‐OMe RNAs to E. coli cells and verify inhibition of bacterial growth. We observed high correlation between IC50 in the cell‐free extract and bacterial growth inhibition. Overall, the results suggest that the computational analysis of potential rRNA targets within the conformationally dynamic regions of inter‐subunit bridges can help design efficient antisense oligomers to probe the ribosome function.
Cholestyramine as a promising, strong anion exchange resin for direct capture of genetic biomarkers from raw pancreatic fluids
Authors: Hilmer Andrew J. , Jeffrey R. Brooke , Park Walter G. , Khosla Chaitan
Published: November 2016

The ability to capture cell‐free DNA from the gastrointestinal tract, in a minimally invasive manner, could enhance our ability to diagnose gastrointestinal disease, or gain a better understanding of the spatial mapping of the intestinal microbiota. We, therefore, sought to identify a class of capture agents that could directly and efficiently sequester genetic material from intestinal fluids. As a particular case study, we examined the ability to capture DNA from pancreatic secretions, for potential application in enabling the sequestration of early, genetic biomarkers of pancreatic disease. We hypothesized that the cholestyramine series of strong cation exchange resins, which are FDA approved for the treatment of high cholesterol, may be capable of capturing DNA from pancreatic secretions. We identified a particular cholestyramine resin, DOWEX 1 × 2 100–200 mesh, which is able to efficiently capture and purify DNA from pancreatic fluid. Using only 200 μL of pancreatic secretions, we are able to recover 247 ± 182 ng of amplifiable human DNA, giving an estimated pancreatic fluid DNA content of 1.23 ± 0.91 ng/μL. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a material that can effectively capture and purify DNA directly from untreated pancreatic fluids. Thus, our approach could hold high utility for the in vivo capture of DNA and disease biomarkers if incorporated into an appropriate sampling device. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 934–938. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a high yielding E. coli periplasmic expression system for the production of humanized Fab' fragments
Authors: Ellis Mark , Patel Pareshkumar , Edon Marjory , Ramage Walter , Dickinson Robert. , Humphreys David P.
Published: November 2016

Humanized Fab′ fragments may be produced in the periplasm of Escherichia coli but can be subject to degradation by host cell proteases. In order to increase Fab′ yield and reduce proteolysis we developed periplasmic protease deficient strains of E. coli. These strains lacked the protease activity of Tsp, protease III and DegP. High cell density fermentations indicated Tsp deficient strains increased productivity two fold but this increase was accompanied by premature cell lysis soon after the induction of Fab′ expression. To overcome the reduction in cell viability we introduced suppressor mutations into the spr gene. The mutations partially restored the wild type phenotype of the cells. Furthermore, we coexpressed a range of periplasmic chaperone proteins with the Fab′, DsbC had the most significant impact, increasing humanized Fab′ production during high cell density fermentation. When DsbC coexpression was combined with a Tsp deficient spr strain we observed an increase in yield and essentially restored “wild type” cell viability. We achieved a final periplasmic yield of over 2.4g/L (final cell density OD600 105), 40 h post Fab′ induction with minimal cell lysis.The data suggests that proteolysis, periplasm integrity, protein folding and disulphide bond formation are all potential limiting steps in the production of Fab′ fragments in the periplasm of E. coli. In this body of work, we have addressed these limiting steps by utilizing stabilized protease deficient strains and chaperone coexpression. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:212–220, 2017
Insertion of single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) peptide linker improves surface display of influenza hemagglutinin (HA1) on non‐recombinant Lactococcus lactis
Authors: Jee Pui‐Fong , Chen Fez‐Shin , Shu Meng‐Hooi , Wong Won Fen , Abdul Rahim Raha , AbuBakar Sazaly , Chang Li‐Yen
Published: November 2016

Heterologous protein displayed on the surface of Lactococcus lactis using the binding domain of N‐acetylmuramidase (AcmA) has a potential application in vaccine delivery. In this study, we developed a non‐recombinant L. lactis surface displaying the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 hemagglutinin (HA1). Three recombinant proteins, HA1/L/AcmA, HA1/AcmA, and HA1 were overexpressed in Escherichia coli, and purified. In the binding study using flow cytometry, the HA1/L/AcmA, which contained the single‐chain variable fragment (scFv) peptide linker showed significantly higher percentage of binding counts and mean fluorescence binding intensity (MFI) (51.7 ± 1.4% and 3,594.0 ± 675.9, respectively) in comparison to the HA1/AcmA without the scFv peptide linker (41.1 ± 1.5% and 1,652.0 ± 34.1, respectively). Higher amount of HA1/L/AcmA (∼2.9 × 104 molecules per cell) was displayed on L. lactis when compared to HA1/AcmA (∼1.1 × 104 molecules per cell) in the immunoblotting analysis. The HA1/L/AcmA completely agglutinated RBCs at comparable amount of protein to that of HA1/AcmA and HA1. Computational modeling of protein structures suggested that scFv peptide linker in HA1/L/AcmA kept the HA1 and the AcmA domain separated at a much longer distance in comparison to HA1/AcmA. These findings suggest that insertion of the scFv peptide linker between HA1 and AcmA improved binding of recombinant proteins to L. lactis. Hence, insertion of scFv peptide linker can be further investigated as a potential approach for improvement of heterologous proteins displayed on the surface of L. lactis using the AcmA binding domain. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:154–162, 2017