bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
User Authentication based on Dynamic Keystroke Recognition
Authors: Fouad Khaled Mohammed , Hassan Basma Mohammed , Hassan Mahmoud F.
Published: July 2016

Biometric identification is a very good candidate technology, which can facilitate a trusted user authentication with minimum constraints on the security of the access point. However, most of the biometric identification techniques require special hardware, thus complicate the access point and make it costly. Keystroke recognition is a biometric identification technique which relies on the user behavior while typing on the keyboard. It is a more secure and does not need any additional hardware to the access point. This paper presents a developed behavioral biometric authentication method which enables to identify the user based on his Keystroke Static Authentication (KSA) and describes an authentication system that explains the ability of keystroke technique to authenticate the user based on his template profile saved in the database. Also, an algorithm based on dynamic keystroke analysis has been presented, synthesized, simulated and implemented on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The proposed algorithm is tested on 25 individuals, achieving a False Rejection Rate (FRR) about 4% and a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) about 0%. This performance is reached using the same sampling text for all the individuals. In this paper, two methods are used to implement the proposed approach: method one (H/W based Sorter) and method two (S/W based Sorter) are achieved execution time about 50.653 ns and 9.650 ns, respectively. Method two achieved a lower execution time; the time in which the proposed algorithm is executed on FPGA board, compared to some published results. As the second method achieved a small execution time and area utilization so it is the preferred method to be implemented on FPGA.
A Traitor Identification Technique for Numeric Relational Databases with Distortion Minimization and Collusion Avoidance
Authors: Mohanpurkar Arti Arun , Joshi Madhuri Satish
Published: July 2016

An enormous growth in internet usage has resulted into great amounts of digital data to handle. Data sharing has become significant and unavoidable. Data owners want the data to be secured and perennially available. Data protection and any violations thereby become crucial. This work proposes a traitor identification system which securely embeds the fingerprint to provide protection for numeric relational databases. Digital data of numeric nature calls for preservation of usability. It needs to be done so by achieving minimum distortion. The proposed insertion technique with reduced time complexity ensures that the fingerprint inserted in the form of an optimized error leads to minimum distortion. Collusion attack is an integral part of fingerprinting and a provision to mitigate by avoiding the same is suggested. Robustness of the system against several attacks like tuple insertion, tuple deletion etc. is also depicted.
Leveraging Process Innovation with Business Analytics
Authors: Valadares de Oliveira Marcos Paulo , Cavalcanti Claudia Xavier , Ladeira Marcelo Bronzo , McCormack Kevin P
Published: July 2016

Although recognized as increasingly relevant, the relationships between analytical orientation and process innovation are still unclear, specifically the role of analytical resources and capabilities in this association. This paper presents the results of empirical research conducted to investigate these complex links. The empirical data was drawn from 81 companies of different sectors in Brazil. Data analysis was mainly based on path analysis with structural equation modeling. The findings of this study indicate that analytical orientation can leverage process innovation. Moreover, information quality is somehow a more valuable resource to analytical orientation than information technology, and that analytical capabilities, especially analytical leadership, were proven to be more important to sustain analytical orientation than companies' analytical resources. Another important result, also with considerable repercussion in future research on the theme, was the predictive relevance of analytical capabilities for analytical orientation. This was much higher than the predictive relevance shown by analytical resources.
Modeling Loyalty Intention and Word-of-Mouth Behavior towards Fast Moving Technology Products (FMTP)
Authors: Chatterjee Swagato
Published: July 2016

Fast moving technology products (FMTP), for instance mobile applications, have been characterized as a category which has a high churning rate. This makes customer loyalty one of the major concerns for FMTP marketers. The current study develops and validates an integrated model of loyalty intentions and word-of-mouth (WOM) behavior towards FMTPs using the theories of TAM, planned behavior, social diffusion and satisfaction–loyalty links. The models have been tested in two datasets. Android-based mobile applications (apps) have been used as a sample product from the FMTP category. While SEM has been used to build the structural model of loyalty intention using a survey dataset, 3SLS analysis has been performed on a dataset of consumers' actions obtained from web-scrapping to model loyalty behavior in terms of WOM. The results suggest the comparative importance of various design and marketing aspects of an app that impacts consumer loyalty intentions and WOM behavior.
Semantic Similarity Measurement Using Knowledge-Augmented Multiple-prototype Distributed Word Vector
Authors: Lu Wei , Shi Kailun , Cai Yuanyuan , Che Xiaoping
Published: July 2016

Recent years, textual semantic similarity measurements play an important role in Natural Language Processing. The semantic similarity between concepts or terms can be measured by various resources like corpora, ontologies, taxonomies, etc. With the development of deep learning, distributed vector models are constructed for extracting the latent semantic information from corpora. Most of existing models create a single prototype vector to represent the meaning of a word such as CBOW. However, due to lexical ambiguity, encoding word meaning with a single vector is problematic. In this work, the authors propose a knowledge-augmented multiple-prototype model by using corpora and ontologies. Based on the distributed word vector learned by the CBOW model, the authors append the concept definition and the relational knowledge vector into the target word vector to enrich the semantic information of the word. Finally, the authors perform the experiments on well-known datasets to verify the efficiency of the authors' approach.
Application of Hadoop in the Document Storage Management System for Telecommunication Enterprise
Authors: Liao Wenzhe
Published: July 2016

In view of the information management processor a telecommunication enterprise, how to properly store electronic documents is a challenge. This paper presents the design of a document storage management system based on Hadoop, which uses the distributed file system HDFS and the distributed database HBase, to achieve efficient access to electronic office documents in a steel structure enterprise. This paper also describes an automatic small files merge method using HBase, which simplifies the process of artificial periodic joining of small files, resulting in improved system efficiency.
Research on Cache Timing Attack Against RSA with Sliding Window Exponentiation Algorithm
Authors: Chen Caisen , Xiang Yangxia , Yuqin DengLiu  , Zhou Zeyun
Published: July 2016

The vulnerabilities of the RSA cryptographic algorithm are analyzed, and it is not securely implemented. As the simultaneous multithreading could enable multiple execution threads to share the execution resources of a superscalar between the chipper process and the spy process, the shared access to memory caches provides an easily used high bandwidth covert channel between threads, allowing that a malicious thread can monitor the execution of another thread. This paper targets at RSA algorithm which is implemented with sliding window exponentiation algorithm via OpenSSL, the attacker can monitor the cryptographic thread by executing a spy thread, recording the timing characteristic during the RSA decryption when reading the Cache. The attacker can recover the original key via analyzing these timing measurements. Finally, the authors provide some countermeasures of how this attack could be mitigated or eliminated entirely.
Towards An Objective Assessment Framework for Linked Data Quality
Authors: Assaf Ahmad , Senart Aline , Troncy Raphaël
Published: July 2016

Ensuring data quality in Linked Open Data is a complex process as it consists of structured information supported by models, ontologies and vocabularies and contains queryable endpoints and links. In this paper, the authors first propose an objective assessment framework for Linked Data quality. The authors build upon previous efforts that have identified potential quality issues but focus only on objective quality indicators that can measured regardless on the underlying use case. Secondly, the authors present an extensible quality measurement tool that helps on one hand data owners to rate the quality of their datasets, and on the other hand data consumers to choose their data sources from a ranked set. The authors evaluate this tool by measuring the quality of the LOD cloud. The results demonstrate that the general state of the datasets needs attention as they mostly have low completeness, provenance, licensing and comprehensibility quality scores.
Intended Continued Use Social Networking Sites
Authors: Kock Ned , Moqbel Murad , Barton Kevin , Bartelt Valerie
Published: July 2016

Hedonic information systems are those that are used primarily for pleasure. Previous research has established that the intention to use hedonic information systems is explained mainly by perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment, with perceived usefulness to one's job being given less importance. Facebook could be seen as a hedonic information system. This paper employs a cross-sectional survey of 178 professionals who used Facebook to various degrees. Predictably, the authors' empirical results show that perceived enjoyment is indeed a much stronger determinant of intended continued Facebook use than ease of use or usefulness to one's job, explaining a considerable proportion of variance in continued use behavior. The authors also find that ease of use is a strong determinant of perceived enjoyment. Interestingly, their results suggest that intended continued Facebook use is significantly and positively associated with job performance, both directly and indirectly via job satisfaction.
Evaluating the Business Impacts of Social Media Use with System Dynamics and Agent-Based Modeling
Authors: Pirttilä Olli , Kärkkäinen Hannu , Jussila Jari J.
Published: July 2016

Social media has been widely adopted as a useful business tool, especially in the domain of business to consumer marketing. However, the deployment of social media tools to business processes is hindered by the lack of concrete indicators of the effects its use has on the business process. Computer based modeling has been widely used to simulate and predict business effects in other streams of study, but relatively little in the evaluation of social media impacts. This paper argues that System Dynamics and Agent-Based Modeling have been and should be utilized in measuring social media and its impacts in business context in general, as well as in the context of business ecosystems. The authors review the current state of the use of these simulation methods in the evaluation of social media business impacts by conducting a systematic literature review.
Towards Modelling the Impact of Security Policy on Compliance
Authors: Yaokumah Winfred , Brown Steven , Dawson Alex Ansah
Published: July 2016

This study develops a model, based on the controls present in ISO/IEC 27002 framework, to integrate the role of technical and administrative security controls. The model provides better understanding of how security policy can influence security compliance and the pathway through which this effect is generated. Data were collected from 223 IT security and management professionals. Using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and testing hypotheses, the study finds that information security policy has significant indirect influence on information security compliance. The effect of security policy is fully mediated by security roles and responsibilities, operations security activities, and security monitoring and review activities. Security policy strongly influences operations security activities and has the greatest effect on security roles and responsibilities. Among the three mediating variables, monitoring and reviews has the most significant influence on security compliance. Conversely, the impact of security policy on compliance is not significant.
User Opinion and Differentiated Attribute based Ranking in Federated Cloud
Authors: Rajarajeswari C. S. , Aramudhan M.
Published: July 2016

Cloud computing is an innovative technology which provides services to users on-demand and pay per use. Since there are many providers in cloud, users get confused in selecting the optimal service provider for their tasks. To overcome this limitation, federated cloud management architecture was proposed. The proposed work provides a new federated cloud mechanism, in which Broker Manager takes the responsibility of providing optimal and ranked service provider for user requirements. To rank the service providers in the federated cloud, Differentiated Priority based Ranking algorithm is implemented at the level of BM. Attributes are differentiated based on their weights assigned by a user. Service providers are discovered and ranked based on the differentiated attributes. The proposed algorithm chooses the cloud service provider for execution, not only based on the rank list generated by the BM; but also based on the suggestion given by the user. The experimental result shows that the proposed algorithm improves the performance of resource provisioning than the existing model by 13%.
A Combined Smart-Materials Approach for Next-Generation Airfoils
Authors: Scheller Johannes , Jodin Gurvan , Rizzo Karl Joseph , Duhayon Eric , Rouchon Jean François , Triantafyllou Michael , Braza Marianna
Published: July 2016

This article will present a morphing wing actuated using both surface embedded Shape memory alloys (SMAs) and trailing edge Macro-fiber composites (MFCs). This combination enables the airfoil to simultaneously achieve large scale deformations at low frequencies as well as rapid actuation with a limited amount of displacement. Thereby not only can the shape of the airfoil be optimized in function of the current mission profile but also the shear layer can be influenced. Each actuator is modelled using both a finite element and/or an analytical model and the results will be verified experimentally.
Investigation of Application Possibilities of Re-Ni Alloy Powder to Tungsten Heavy Alloys Production
Authors: Majewski Tomasz , Leszczyńska-Sejda Katarzyna
Published: July 2016

The experiments results connected to possibilities of use of Re-Ni alloy powder for tungsten heavy alloys production were presented in the paper. This powder was obtained by nickel (II) perrhenate reduction under dissociated ammonia atmosphere. The optimal conditions for the thermal reduction for nickel (II) perrhenate were determined. The production process of investigated sinters contained, among others, cold isostatic pressing and two-staged sintering. Selected results of microstructure investigation and mechanical properties of obtained sinters were shown. Performed research indicated that the application of nickel (II) perrhenate to manufacture tungsten heavy alloys resulted in material with the microstructure typical of tungsten heavy alloys and characterized by high mechanical properties.
Design and Numerical Analysis of a Roof-Mounted Bicycle Carrier
Authors: Ptak Mariusz , Karliński Jacek , Derlukiewicz Damian , Działak Paulina
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this paper is to present the design process and subsequent numerical analysis calculations of a new roof-mounted bicycle carrier for vehicles. The bicycle carrier is mounted on the vehicles longitudinal bars. The designed construction is subjected to both static and dynamic load sets to check if it meets the requirements of ISO 11154 norm – which specifies the minimum safety requests for roof load carrier intended for mounting on the roof of passengers cars and light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized total mass up to 3,5t. To fulfil the specifications associated to safety, standards and traffic laws test four different software packages were used: CATIA V5 and NACA airfoil generator for designing, Cambridge Engineering Selector for choosing the most suitable materials and Abaqus CAE for Finite Element Analysis.
Friction and Slip Property Investigation of Nanostructured Metal Surface Coatings
Authors: Lungevics Janis , Rudzitis Janis , Gerins Eriks , Leitans Armands
Published: July 2016

In this study authors tests whether on inclined plane principle based simple experimental slip property estimation device which is modified with optical sensors for sample sliding time measurements can be effectively used for surface static sliding friction coefficient (COF) and dynamic slip property investigation. Parameters measured with the device allows to compare how different types of surface treatments (including nanostructured coatings) influence surface tribological parameters thus allowing to determine most efficient treatment technology. In order to verify slip property estimation device effectiveness in real life situation prototype was fabricated and experiments with 5 samples (1 polished stainless steel sample and 4 titanium-containing nanocoatings sputtered on same polished stainless steel substrates) were formed. Collected experiment data approved that such device can be effectively used for both COF and dynamic slip property investigation.
Experimental Investigation on the Friction Stir Spot Welding Process of Non-Ferrous Metals
Authors: Krasauskas Povilas , Kilikevičius Sigitas , Česnavičius Ramūnas , Jaloveckas Julius
Published: July 2016

This article presents an experimental investigation of the friction stir spot welding process in thin-walled plates by using a special HSS tool. A review of the literature dealing with the analyzed problem was conducted and the experimental setup for FSSW experiments was described. The experiments were carried out on non-ferrous 5754 aluminum alloy, copper M2 and brass CuZn37. Variations of experimental axial force were obtained.
Characteristics of Processing Water-Soluble Crystals
Authors: Vilkelis Rimantas , Jurevičius Mindaugas , Švagždytė Ieva
Published: July 2016

Method of processing water-soluble potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP, KH2PO4) crystal is presented in this article. Diamond wire cutting machine “RTS 440“ was used for cutting. Only one of cutting parameters – vertical feed rate of diamond wire – was varied during experiments. Other cutting parameters (speed and strain of wire, cutting method, cutting angle) were constant. Original kerosene cooling system was designed and produced. Results are presented as graphs of dependence of arithmetic average surface profile deviation Ra of KDP and cutting time on vertical feed rate. Optimal interval of feed rates was obtained.
Model Based Determination of Gait Parameters Using IMU Sensor Data
Authors: Loose Harald , Orlowski Katja
Published: July 2016

The paper deals with the determination of gait parameters using inertial measurement units (IMU). An IMU sensor incorporates three microelectromechanical sensors - triple-axis gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer. A standard experimental setup for the observation of the locomotion system using seven Xsens MTw sensors was developed. They are applied to the lower limbs and the pelvis of the subject. The synchronization of data from all sensor components (gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer) as well as the onboard estimation of the orientation is provided by the Xsens and Adwinda hard-and software. The strapped down data are received with a rate of 60 Hz. The output data of a single IMU sensor allow motion analysis of the sensor unit itself as well as the motion of the limb where the sensor is mounted to. Stable and reliable algorithms processing the gait data and calculating gait features of a single sensor are developed and evaluated. These algorithms are based on precise determination of each gait cycle. In the middle of stance phase the foot is not moving. It stands on the floor and, following, the initial conditions for the calculation of foot velocities and distances by integration are predetermined. Various features of the gait cycle as well as e.g. dependencies in between features or on the gait velocities are investigated. The application of seven sensors to the limbs of the locomotion system provides measurements of their 3D motion observed in an inertial coordinate system. The limbs are parts of skeleton and interconnected by joints. Introducing a skeleton model, the quality of measurements is evaluated and improved. Joint angles, symmetry ratios and other gait parameters are determined. These results can be used for analysis of the gait of any subject as well as of any cohort.
Investigation of High Frequency Mechanical Vibrations in PMN-32%PT Crystals by Laser Interferometry
Authors: Kazys Rymantas Jonas , Sliteris Reimondas , Sestoke Justina , Zienius Marius
Published: July 2016

Lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) single crystal has first been successfully grown in 1990 by the Bridgman method using PbO as a flux. These single crystals have excellent piezoelectric properties. The PMN-PT crystals with different vibration modes may be used for development of novel high efficiency ultrasonic transducers due to high piezoelectric properties.
Netrin-1 Augments Chemokinesis in CD4+ T Cells In Vitro and Elicits a Proinflammatory Response In Vivo
Authors: Boneschansker Leo , Nakayama Hironao , Eisenga Michele , Wedel Johannes , Klagsbrun Michael , Irimia Daniel , Briscoe David M.
Published: July 2016

Netrin-1 is a neuronal guidance cue that regulates cellular activation, migration, and cytoskeleton rearrangement in multiple cell types. It is a chemotropic protein that is expressed within tissues and elicits both attractive and repulsive migratory responses. Netrin-1 has recently been found to modulate the immune response via the inhibition of neutrophil and macrophage migration. However, the ability of Netrin-1 to interact with lymphocytes and its in-depth effects on leukocyte migration are poorly understood. In this study, we profiled the mRNA and protein expression of known Netrin-1 receptors on human CD4+ T cells. Neogenin, uncoordinated-5 (UNC5)A, and UNC5B were expressed at low levels in unstimulated cells, but they increased following mitogen-dependent activation. By immunofluorescence, we observed a cytoplasmic staining pattern of neogenin and UNC5A/B that also increased following activation. Using a novel microfluidic assay, we found that Netrin-1 stimulated bidirectional migration and enhanced the size of migratory subpopulations of mitogen-activated CD4+ T cells, but it had no demonstrable effects on the migration of purified CD4+CD25+CD127dim T regulatory cells. Furthermore, using a short hairpin RNA knockdown approach, we observed that the promigratory effects of Netrin-1 on T effectors is dependent on its interactions with neogenin. In the humanized SCID mouse, local injection of Netrin-1 into skin enhanced inflammation and the number of neogenin-expressing CD3+ T cell infiltrates. Neogenin was also observed on CD3+ T cell infiltrates within human cardiac allograft biopsies with evidence of rejection. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that Netrin-1/neogenin interactions augment CD4+ T cell chemokinesis and promote cellular infiltration in association with acute inflammation in vivo.
Ubiquitination of RORγt at Lysine 446 Limits Th17 Differentiation by Controlling Coactivator Recruitment
Authors: He Zhiheng , Wang Fei , Ma Jian , Sen Subha , Zhang Jing , Gwack Yousang , Zhou Yu , Sun Zuoming
Published: July 2016

The transcription factor retinoid acid–related orphan receptor γ t (RORγt) directs the differentiation of Th17 cells. Th17 cells mediate pathological immune responses responsible for autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Previous studies focused on RORγt target genes and their function in Th17 differentiation. In this study, we assessed posttranscriptional regulation of RORγt and identified a functional ubiquitination site, K446. Mutation of K446 to arginine to prevent ubiquitination greatly enhanced recruitment of steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC1), a coactivator critical for RORγt activity. Correspondingly, the K446 to arginine mutation potentiated Th17 differentiation. We also showed that ubiquitin-specific protease (USP)15 interacted with RORγt, removed ubiquitin from K446, and stimulated RORγt activity by enhancing coactivator SRC1 recruitment. Knockdown of USP15 or expression of inactive USP15 impaired Th17 differentiation, suggesting a positive role for USP15-mediated deubiquitination of RORγt in Th17 differentiation. Therefore, ubiquitination of K446 limits RORγt-mediated Th17 differentiation by inhibiting the recruitment of coactivator SRC1. Our study will inform the development of treatments that target RORγt ubiquitination pathways to limit Th17-mediated autoimmunity.
Investigation of echo sounding parameters for the characterisation of bottom sediments in a sub-tropical reservoir
Authors: Hilgert Stephan , Wagner Adrian , Kiemle Lisa , Fuchs Stephan
Published: July 2016

The increasing number of reservoirs around the world today reaches a surface area of around 500,000 km², equaling one third of that of non-artificial surface water bodies. By impounding rivers through the construction of dams, riverine systems and biochemical cycles are disrupted. Different types of transported materials are trapped behind the dams and form layers of sediment. A method to characterise the spatially extensive sediment volumes with an EA 400 echo sounder was tested in the Vossoroca reservoir in the southeast of Brazil, Paraná State. A number of core and grab samples was taken and analysed for a variety of chemical and physical parameters. These data served as ground truthing for the hydro-acoustic assessment of the sediment. Eight hydro-acoustic parameters were derived from the echo signals using the Sonar5-Pro software. The major objective of defining the optimal survey parameters for the echo sounder as well as determining the difference between core and grab samples was reached by correlating the various single parameters and identifying the best combinations. Density and grain size distribution represented the best detectable sediment features with r-values of 0.94 and 0.95. The lower 38 kHz frequency generally had a better performance than the 200 kHz frequency. Results show that core samples reached a significantly higher quality of correlation for sediment characterisation. Additionally, it is was found that shorter pulse lengths yield a better characterisation. The results underline the potential of single beam echo sounders for extensive sediment characterisation. This methodology may be used for future mass balance estimations of large reservoirs.
Effect of starvation and subsequent feeding on glycogen concentration, behavior and mortality in the golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) (Bivalvia: Mytilidae
Authors: Cordeiro Nelmara I.S. , Andrade Jennifer T.M. , Montresor Lângia C. , Luz Dalva M.R. , Martinez Carlos B. , Darrigran Gustavo , Pinheiro Jairo , Vidigal Teofânia H.D.A.
Published: July 2016

The success of Limnoperna fortunei as an invasive species is related to its physiological plasticity that allows them to endure adverse environmental conditions. Starvation tolerance is considered to be an important trait associated with bivalve invasiveness. In natural ecosystems, food resources can vary during the year, exposing mussels to variable periods of starvation or limited food availability. Thus, mussels have developed physiological strategies to tolerate and survive fluctuations in food availability. Glycogen concentration has been used in different monitoring studies as an indicator of the nutritional condition of bivalves. The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological responses of L. fortunei based on the glycogen concentrations of specimens under four treatments, comprising different combinations of feeding and starvation, during 125 days. The experiment was carried out in two phases. In the phase I, mussels were divided in two treatments: starvation (S) and feeding (F). After 100 days, tissue samples were collected to quantify glycogen concentrations and, each phase I group was divided in two subgroups: starvation (S) and feeding (F), resulting in four treatments. In the phase II, that lasted 25 days, starvation specimens (S) from phase I were allowed to feed (starvation-feeding treatment , or S-F), or continued to undergo starvation (starvation-starvation treatment , or S-S) and the feeding specimens (F) continued feeding (feeding-feeding group, or F-F), or were subjected to starvation (feeding-starvation treatment , or F-S). Behavior (valve-closing) and mortality were recorded in 24 h intervals. After the 25 days (phase II) all specimens were killed, and their soft tissue was removed to quantify glycogen concentrations. The glycogen concentration of the S-F treatment was lower than that of the F-S treatment, which was initially allowed to feed (phase I) and then subjected to starvation (phase II). Stability in the glycogen concentrations was observed when the phase II feeding conditions were maintained during the experiments, as observed in the S-S (continued starvation) and F-F (continued feeding) treatments. Based on our glycogen concentrations results, the golden mussel shows a higher tolerance to starvation (125 days) than has previously been published, which suggests that its tolerance strongly influences its invasive behavior.
Organizing the Donation of Convalescent Plasma for a Therapeutic Clinical Trial on Ebola Virus Disease: The Experience in Guinea
Authors: Delamou Alexandre , Haba Nyankoye Yves , Mari-Saez Almudena , Gallian Pierre , Ronse Maya , Jacobs Jan , Camara Bienvenu Salim , Kadio Kadio Jean-Jacques Olivier , Guemou Achille , Kolie Jean Pe , Crop Maaike De , Chavarin Patricia , Jacquot Chantal , Lazaygues Catherine , Weggheleire Anja De , Lynen Lutgarde , van Griensven Johan
Published: July 2016

Although convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion was prioritized among potential Ebola treatments by the World Health Organization, there were concerns on the feasibility of its implementation. We report on the successful organization of donor mobilization and plasma collection as part of the Ebola-Tx clinical trial from November 2014 to July 2015 in Conakry, Guinea. Project implementation registers, tools and reports, mission reports, and minutes of research team meetings were used to reconstruct the sequence of events on how donor mobilization was organized, plasmapheresis was set up, and how effective this approach was in collecting CP. An initial needs assessment of the Guinean National Blood Transfusion Center resulted in targeted training of staff on site, resulting in autonomy and independent production of CP within 3 months. The Conakry Ebola Survivors Association played a direct role in donor mobilization and organization of CP donations. A total of 98 Ebola survivors were screened for plasma donation, of which 84 were found eligible for plasmapheresis. Of these, 26 (30.9%) were excluded. The remaining 58 donors made a total of 90 donations, corresponding to 50.9 L of CP. This sufficed to treat the 99 eligible patients enrolled in the trial. Within a poor resource emergency context, transfusion capacity could be rapidly improved through the strengthening of local capacities and gradual transfer of skills coupled with active involvement of Ebola survivors. However, large-scale plasma collection or multisite studies may require further adaptations of both strategy and logistics. The Ebola-Tx trial was funded by the European Union and others.
Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Outbreak Among a High School Football Team at an Outdoor Education Camping Trip, Arizona, 2014
Authors: Jones Jefferson M. , Hranac Carter R. , Schumacher Mare , Horn Kim , Lee Darlene M. , Terriquez Joel , Engelthaler David M. , Peoples Marie , Corrigan Jennifer , Replogle Adam , Souders Nina , Komatsu Kenneth K. , Nieto Nathan C.
Published: July 2016

During August 2014, five high school students who had attended an outdoor education camp were hospitalized with a febrile illness, prompting further investigation. Ten total cases of tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) were identified—six cases confirmed by culture or visualization of spirochetes on blood smear and four probable cases with compatible symptoms (attack rate: 23%). All patients had slept in the campsite's only cabin. Before the camp, a professional pest control company had rodent proofed the cabin, but no acaricides had been applied. Cabin inspection after the camp found rodents and Ornithodoros ticks, the vector of TBRF. Blood samples from a chipmunk trapped near the cabin and from patients contained Borrelia hermsii with identical gene sequences (100% over 630 base pairs). Health departments in TBRF endemic areas should consider educating cabin owners and pest control companies to apply acaricides during or following rodent proofing, because ticks that lack rodents for a blood meal might feed on humans.
Genetic Characterization of Northwestern Colombian Chikungunya Virus Strains from the 2014–2015 Epidemic
Authors: Rodas Juan D. , Kautz Tiffany , Camacho Erwin , Paternina Luis , Guzmán Hilda , Díaz Francisco J. , Blanco Pedro , Tesh Robert , Weaver Scott C.
Published: July 2016

Chikungunya fever, an acute and often chronic arthralgic disease caused by the mosquito-borne alphavirus, chikungunya virus (CHIKV), spread into the Americas in late 2013. Since then it has caused epidemics in nearly all New World countries, the second largest being Colombia with over 450,000 suspected cases beginning in September, 2014, and focused in Bolivar Department in the north. We examined 32 human sera from suspected cases, including diverse age groups and both genders, and sequenced the CHIKV envelope glycoprotein genes, known determinants of vector host range. As expected for Asian lineage CHIKV strains, these isolates lacked known Aedes albopictus–adaptive mutations. All the Colombian strains were closely related to those from the Virgin Islands, Saint Lucia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, consistent with a single, point-source introduction from the southeast Asia/Pacific region. Two substitutions in the E2 and E1 envelope glycoprotein genes were found in the Colombian strains, especially E1-K211E involving a residue shown previously to affect epistatically the penetrance of the E1-A226V A. albopictus–adaptive substitution. We also identified two amino acid substitutions unique to all American CHIKV sequences: E2-V368A and 6K-L20M. Only one codon, 6K-47, had a high nonsynonymous substitution rate suggesting positive selection.
Plasmodium falciparum Drug-Resistant Haplotypes and Population Structure in Postearthquake Haiti, 2010
Authors: Morton Lindsay Carol , Huber Curtis , Okoth Sheila Akinyi , Griffing Sean , Lucchi Naomi , Ljolje Dragan , Boncy Jacques , Oscar Roland , Townes David , McMorrow Meredith , Chang Michelle A. , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Barnwell John W.
Published: July 2016

Chloroquine (CQ) remains the first-line treatment of malaria in Haiti. Given the challenges of conducting in vivo drug efficacy trials in low-endemic settings like Haiti, molecular surveillance for drug resistance markers is a reasonable approach for detecting resistant parasites. In this study, 349 blood spots were collected from suspected malaria cases in areas in and around Port-au-Prince from March to July 2010. Among them, 121 samples that were Plasmodium falciparum positive by polymerase chain reaction were genotyped for drug-resistant pfcrt, pfdhfr, pfdhps, and pfmdr1 alleles. Among the 108 samples that were successfully sequenced for CQ resistant markers in pfcrt, 107 were wild type (CVMNK), whereas one sample carried a CQ-resistant allele (CVIET). Neutral microsatellite genotyping revealed that the CQ-resistant isolate was distinct from all other samples in this study. Furthermore, the remaining parasite specimens appeared to be genetically distinct from other reported Central and South American populations.
Credit supply, credit demand and unemployment in the mode of Augusto Graziani
Authors: Davanzati Guglielmo Forges
Published: July 2016

Evidence shows that, in most European countries, both credit restriction on the part of banks and reduction of the demand for credit on the part of firms are in operation. This is particularly intense in Italy. The aim of this paper is to show that both phenomena ultimately depend on the decline of aggregate demand, insofar as it negatively affects firms’ current and expected profits. A macroeconomic schema is presented, based on Graziani's view that the operation of the credit market can trigger economic crises. Keynesian and Institutional arguments are also considered in order to analyse the links existing between the dynamics of the credit market and the path of wages and employment.
Relative humidity-dependent viscosity of secondary organic material from
toluene photo-oxidation and possible implications for organic particulate
matter over megacities
Authors: Song Mijung , Liu Pengfei F. , Hanna Sarah J. , Zaveri Rahul A. , Potter Katie , You Yuan , Martin Scot T. , Bertram Allan K.
Published: July 2016

Abstract. To improve predictions of air quality, visibility, and climate change, knowledge of the viscosities and diffusion rates within organic particulate matter consisting of secondary organic material (SOM) is required. Most qualitative and quantitative measurements of viscosity and diffusion rates within organic particulate matter have focused on SOM particles generated from biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as α-pinene and isoprene. In this study, we quantify the relative humidity (RH)-dependent viscosities at 295 ± 1 K of SOM produced by photo-oxidation of toluene, an anthropogenic VOC. The viscosities of toluene-derived SOM were 2  ×  10−1 to  ∼  6  ×  106 Pa s from 30 to 90 % RH, and greater than  ∼  2  ×  108 Pa s (similar to or greater than the viscosity of tar pitch) for RH  ≤  17 %. These viscosities correspond to Stokes–Einstein-equivalent diffusion coefficients for large organic molecules of  ∼  2  ×  10−15 cm2 s−1 for 30 % RH, and lower than  ∼  3  ×  10−17 cm2 s−1 for RH  ≤  17 %. Based on these estimated diffusion coefficients, the mixing time of large organic molecules within 200 nm toluene-derived SOM particles is 0.1–5 h for 30 % RH, and higher than  ∼  100 h for RH  ≤  17 %. As a starting point for understanding the mixing times of large organic molecules in organic particulate matter over cities, we applied the mixing times determined for toluene-derived SOM particles to the world's top 15 most populous megacities. If the organic particulate matter in these megacities is similar to the toluene-derived SOM in this study, in Istanbul, Tokyo, Shanghai, and São Paulo, mixing times in organic particulate matter during certain periods of the year may be very short, and the particles may be well-mixed. On the other hand, the mixing times of large organic molecules in organic particulate matter in Beijing, Mexico City, Cairo, and Karachi may be long and the particles may not be well-mixed in the afternoon (15:00–17:00 LT) during certain times of the year.
Aerosol source apportionment from 1-year measurements at the CESAR tower
in Cabauw, the Netherlands
Authors: Schlag Patrick , Kiendler-Scharr Astrid , Blom Marcus Johannes , Canonaco Francesco , Henzing Jeroen Sebastiaan , Moerman Marcel , Prévôt André Stephan Henry , Holzinger Rupert
Published: July 2016

Abstract. Intensive measurements of submicron aerosol particles and their chemical composition were performed with an Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) at the Cabauw Experimental Site for Atmospheric Research (CESAR) in Cabauw, the Netherlands, sampling at 5 m height above ground. The campaign lasted nearly 1 year from July 2012 to June 2013 as part of the EU-FP7-ACTRIS project (Q-ACSM Network). Including equivalent black carbon an average particulate mass concentration of 9.50 µg m−3 was obtained during the whole campaign with dominant contributions from ammonium nitrate (45 %), organic aerosol (OA, 29 %), and ammonium sulfate (19 %). There were 12 exceedances of the World Health Organization (WHO) PM2.5 daily mean limit (25 µg m−3) observed at this rural site using PM1 instrumentation only. Ammonium nitrate and OA represented the largest contributors to total particulate matter during periods of exceedance. Source apportionment of OA was performed season-wise by positive matrix factorization (PMF) using the multilinear engine 2 (ME-2) controlled via the source finder (SoFi). Primary organic aerosols were attributed mainly to traffic (8–16 % contribution to total OA, averaged season-wise) and biomass burning (0–23 %). Secondary organic aerosols (SOAs, 61–84 %) dominated the organic fraction during the whole campaign, particularly on days with high mass loadings. A SOA factor which is attributed to humic-like substances (HULIS) was identified as a highly oxidized background aerosol in Cabauw. This shows the importance of atmospheric aging processes for aerosol concentration at this rural site. Due to the large secondary fraction, the reduction of particulate mass at this rural site is challenging on a local scale.
Direct assimilation of Chinese FY-3C Microwave Temperature Sounder-2
radiances in the global GRAPES system
Authors: Li Juan , Liu Guiqing
Published: July 2016

Abstract. FengYun-3C (FY-3C) is an operational polar-orbiting satellite carrying the new-generation microwave sounding instruments in China. This paper describes the assimilation of the FY-3C Microwave Temperature Sounder-2 (MWTS-2) radiances in the Global and Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System (GRAPES) of China Meteorological Administration. A quality control (QC) procedure for the assimilation of MWTS-2 radiance is proposed. Extensive monitoring before assimilation shows that MWTS-2 observations exhibit a clear striping pattern. A technique combining principal component analysis (PCA) and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) is applied to the observations to remove the striping noise. Cloudy field-of-views (FOVs) are identified by applying the Visible and InfrarRed Radiometer (VIRR) cloud fraction threshold of 76 %. Other QC steps are conducted in the follow order: (i) coastal FOVs are removed, (ii) eight outmost FOVs are not used, (iii) channel 5 data over sea ice and land are not used, (iv) channel 6 observations are not used if the terrain altitudes are higher than 500 m, and (v) outliers with large differences between observations and model simulations are removed. Approximately 83, 75, 40, and 40 % of the observations are removed by the proposed QC for channels 5–8, respectively. After QC, the global biases and standard deviations are reduced significantly. The assimilation of the MWTS-2 radiances shows a positive impact when the control experiment assimilates only conventional observations. The experiments also show that the analysis and forecast errors are slightly reduced when the striping noise is removed from the observations. The quality control scheme of extracting the striping noise may contribute to the analysis and forecast accuracy. The impact of MWTS-2 is neutral when the conventional data and other satellite data are all assimilated.
On the temporal variability of the surface solar radiation by means of spectral representations
Authors: Bengulescu Marc , Blanc Philippe , Wald Lucien
Published: July 2016

Abstract. This work deals with the temporal variability of daily means of the global broadband surface solar irradiance (SSI) impinging on a horizontal plane by studying a decennial time-series of high-quality measurements recorded at a BSRN ground station. Since the data have a non-linear and non-stationary character, two time-frequency-energy representations of signal processing are compared in their ability to resolve the temporal variability of the pyranometric signal. First, the continuous wavelet transform is used to construct the wavelet power spectrum of the data. Second, the adaptive, noise-assisted empirical mode decomposition is employed to extract the intrinsic mode functions of the signal, followed by Hilbert spectral analysis. In both spectral representations, the temporal variability of the SSI is portrayed having clearly distinguishable features: a plateau between scales of two days and two-three months that has decreasing power with increasing scale, a large spectral peak corresponding to the annual variability cycle, and a low power regime in between the previous two. It is shown that the data-driven, noise-assisted method yields a somewhat more sparse representation and that it is a suitable tool for inspecting the temporal variability of SSI measurements.
Retrieval of the thickness of undeformed sea ice from simulated C-band compact polarimetric SAR images
Authors: Zhang Xi , Dierking Wolfgang , Zhang Jie , Meng Junmin , Lang Haitao
Published: July 2016

Abstract. In this paper we introduce a parameter for the retrieval of the thickness of undeformed first-year sea ice that is specifically adapted to compact polarimetric (CP) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The parameter is denoted as the "CP ratio". In model simulations we investigated the sensitivity of the CP ratio to the dielectric constant, ice thickness, ice surface roughness, and radar incidence angle. From the results of the simulations we deduced optimal sea ice conditions and radar incidence angles for the ice thickness retrieval. C-band SAR data acquired over the Labrador Sea in circular transmit and linear receive (CTLR) mode were generated from RADARSAT-2 quad-polarization images. In comparison with results from helicopter-borne measurements, we tested different empirical equations for the retrieval of ice thickness. An exponential fit between the CP ratio and ice thickness provides the most reliable results. Based on a validation using other compact polarimetric SAR images from the same region, we found a root mean square (rms) error of 8 cm and a maximum correlation coefficient of 0.94 for the retrieval procedure when applying it to level ice between 0.1 and 0.8 m thick.
Consumo de álcool no padrão binge e suas consequências em usuários de drogas em tratamento
Authors: Raimundo Maria Fernanda Rosa de Almeida , Pegoraro Natália Priolli Jora , Domingos Josélia Benedita Carneiro , Gonçalves Angélica Martins de Souza , Santos Jessica Adrielle Teixeira , Pillon Sandra Cristina
Published: July 2016

O objetivo foi avaliar o uso de álcool no padrão binge e suas consequências em usuários de drogas. Estudo descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido com 140 indivíduos de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial – Álcool e Drogas. Foram aplicados: um formulário de informações sociodemográficas, a escala de gravidade de dependência de álcool e escala de severidade do uso de drogas. A amostra caracterizou-se por serem adultos do sexo masculino (76,4%), solteiros (77,1%), de cor negra/parda, com baixo nível de escolaridade (57,1%) e religião católica (55,8%). Eram usuários de crack (38,6%), de múltiplas drogas (32,1%) e de cocaína (29,3%), a maioria (80,7%) fez uso de álcool no padrão binge e apresentou níveis severos de dependência alcoólica (93,8%). Ameaça, agressividade e brigas foram evidenciadas na amostra. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de oferecer estratégias interventivas mais intensivas para controle do uso de álcool nesse segmento vulnerável da população, visando minimizar danos.
OPINIONS AND ATTITUDES OF CONSUMERS RELATED TO THE PURCHASE OF POTATOES AND REPERCUSSION ON THE OFFER OF FRENCH CULTIVARS
Authors: RIBEIRO RITA DE CÁSSIA , SANT'ANA HELENA MARIA PINHEIRO , DE PÁDUA JOAQUIM GONÇALVES , CHAVES JOSÉ BENÍCIO PAES
Published: July 2016

ARTIGO RITA DE CÁSSIA