bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resident and Faculty Attitudes Toward Osteopathic-Focused Education
Authors: Hempstead Laura K. , Rosemergey Beth , Foote Steven , Swade Kelly , Williams Karen B.
Published: March 2018

Context

The transition period for the single accreditation system for graduate medical education under the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) began on July 1, 2015, and will end June 30, 2020. As of February 5, 2018, 82.6% of residency programs accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) have applied for or achieved ACGME accreditation and 160 programs have applied for or achieved osteopathic recognition.

Objective

To assess baseline attitudes of osteopathic and allopathic faculty and residents in AOA-accredited and dually accredited residency programs regarding the value of osteopathic-focused educational curricula and mentors.

Methods

A survey was emailed to 60 program directors of AOA-accredited programs and dually accredited residency programs, some of which had obtained ACGME osteopathic recognition. The survey was to be completed by residents and faculty. Items were formulated to obtain baseline measurements regarding the level of awareness of osteopathic principles and practice (OPP), attitudes regarding osteopathic culture, and the weighted importance of aspects of the osteopathic curriculum. Principal components analysis with Varimax rotation was used. Comparison analysis was accomplished by either independent t tests for subscale scores or Mann-Whitney U tests for item-level scores.

Results

A total of 327 people responded to the survey (115 faculty members, 211 residents, and 1 no response). Of the 60 program directors contacted, 53 replied with at least 1 program representative. One hundred twenty-nine of all 211 residents (61.7%), including 107 of 134 osteopathic family medicine residents (79.9%), agreed that they intended to use OMT when in practice. The curricular component item with the lowest total survey score, indicating the highest-ranked level of importance, was the ability to work with osteopathic faculty (mean [SD], 1.98 [0.98]). Of the items measuring osteopathic awareness, statements with the strongest level of agreement from all respondents were “I have seen OMT performed on a patient or a peer” and “I am familiar with the basic tenets of OPP.”

Conclusion

Residents in AOA-accredited programs value osteopathic mentors and OMT, and they generally intend to use OMT when in practice. Respondents from programs with osteopathic recognition had more favorable attitudes toward osteopathic culture and curriculum than did respondents from programs without osteopathic recognition.
The Leuven Embedded Figures Test (L-EFT): measuring perception, intelligence or executive function?
Authors: Huygelier Hanne , Van der Hallen Ruth , Wagemans Johan , de-Wit Lee , Chamberlain Rebecca
Published: March 2018

Performance on the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) has been interpreted as a reflection of local/global perceptual style, weak central coherence and/or field independence, as well as a measure of intelligence and executive function. The variable ways in which EFT findings have been interpreted demonstrate that the construct validity of this measure is unclear. In order to address this lack of clarity, we investigated to what extent performance on a new Embedded Figures Test (L-EFT) correlated with measures of intelligence, executive functions and estimates of local/global perceptual styles. In addition, we compared L-EFT performance to the original group EFT to directly contrast both tasks. Taken together, our results indicate that performance on the L-EFT does not correlate strongly with estimates of local/global perceptual style, intelligence or executive functions. Additionally, the results show that performance on the L-EFT is similarly associated with memory span and fluid intelligence as the group EFT. These results suggest that the L-EFT does not reflect a general perceptual or cognitive style/ability. These results further emphasize that empirical data on the construct validity of a task do not always align with the face validity of a task.
Pollination implications of the diverse diet of tropical nectar-feeding bats roosting in an urban cave
Authors: Lim Voon-Ching , Ramli Rosli , Bhassu Subha , Wilson John-James
Published: March 2018

Background

Intense landscaping often alters the plant composition in urban areas. Knowing which plant species that pollinators are visiting in urban areas is necessary for understanding how landscaping impacts biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. The cave nectar bat,Eonycteris spelaea, is an important pollinator for many plants and is often recorded in human-dominated habitats. Previous studies of the diet ofE. spelaearelied on morphological identification of pollen grains found in faeces and on the body of bats and by necessity disregarded other forms of digested plant material present in the faeces (i.e., plant juice and remnants). The main objective of this study was to examine the diet of the nectarivorous bat,E. spelaea,roosting in an urban cave at Batu Caves, Peninsular Malaysia by identifying the plant material present in the faeces of bats using DNA metabarcoding.

Methods

Faeces were collected under the roost ofE. spelaeaonce a week from December 2015 to March 2016. Plant DNA was extracted from the faeces, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified atITS2andrbcLregions and mass sequenced. The resultant plant operational taxonomic units were searched against NCBI GenBank for identification.

Results

A total of 55 species of plants were detected from faeces ofE. spelaeaincludingArtocarpus heterophyllus, Duabanga grandifloraandMusaspp. which are likely to be important food resources for the cave nectar bat.

Discussion

Many native plant species that had not been reported in previous dietary studies ofE. spelaeawere detected in this study includingBauhinia strychnoideaandUrophyllum leucophlaeum, suggesting thatE. spelaearemains a crucial pollinator for these plants even in highly disturbed habitats. The detection of many introduced plant species in the bat faeces indicates thatE. spelaeaare exploiting them, particularlyXanthostemon chrysanthus,as food resources in urban area. Commercial food crops were detected from all of the faecal samples, suggesting thatE. spelaeafeed predominantly on the crops particularly jackfruit and banana and play a significant role in pollination of economically important plants. Ferns and figs were also detected in the faeces ofE. spelaeasuggesting future research avenues to determine whether the ‘specialised nectarivorous’E. spelaeafeed opportunistically on other parts of plants.
Electrophysiological characterization of a mitochondrial inner membrane chloride channel in rat brain
Authors: Drummond‐Main Christopher D. , Rho Jong M.
Published: March 2018

Mitochondria are an essential component of cellular integrity and homeostasis, and their functions and pathological processes are highly dependent on mitochondrial ion channels. Anion channels of the inner mitochondrial membrane have been described by direct patch‐clamp electrophysiological methods in mitoplasts prepared in cardiac, liver, and brown adipose tissue, but not in brain. Here, using acutely isolated rat brain mitoplasts, we describe the properties of a large conductance, voltage‐gated, pH‐sensitive, outwardly rectifying chloride channel with conductances of 98 pS and 129 pS at negative and positive membrane potentials, respectively. While the molecular identity of this chloride conductance is unknown, it is unlikely to be a CLIC channel due to differences in the observed electrophysiological properties.
Historical Trends in pH and Carbonate Biogeochemistry on the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System
Authors: Fowell S. E. , Foster G. L. , Ries J. B. , Castillo K. D. , de la Vega E. , Tyrrell T. , Donald H. K. , Chalk T. B.
Published: March 2018

Coral reefs are important ecosystems that are increasingly negatively impacted by human activities. Understanding which anthropogenic stressors play the most significant role in their decline is vital for the accurate prediction of future trends in coral reef health and for effective mitigation of these threats. Here we present annually resolved boron and carbon isotope measurements of two cores capturing the past 90 years of growth of the tropical reef‐building coral Siderastrea siderea from the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The pairing of these two isotope systems allows us to parse the reconstructed pH change into relative changes in net ecosystem productivity and net ecosystem calcification between the two locations. This approach reveals that the relationship between seawater pH and coral calcification, at both a colony and ecosystem level, is complex and cannot simply be modeled as linear or even positive. This study also underscores both the utility of coupled δ11B‐δ13C measurements in tracing past biogeochemical cycling in coral reefs and the complexity of this cycling relative to the open ocean.
Land Use Change Increases Streamflow Across the Arc of Deforestation in Brazil
Authors: Levy M. C. , Lopes A. V. , Cohn A. , Larsen L. G. , Thompson S. E.
Published: March 2018

Nearly half of recent decades' global forest loss occurred in the Amazon and Cerrado (tropical savanna) biomes of Brazil, known as the arc of deforestation. Despite prior analysis in individual river basins, a generalizable empirical understanding of the effect of deforestation on streamflow across this region is lacking. We frame land use change in Brazil as a natural experiment and draw on in situ and remote sensing evidence in 324 river basins covering more than 3 × 106 km2 to estimate streamflow changes caused by deforestation and agricultural development between 1950 and 2013. Deforestation increased dry season low flow by between 4 and 10 percentage points (relative to the forested condition), corresponding to a regional‐ and time‐averaged rate of increase in specific streamflow of 1.29 mm/year2, equivalent to a 4.08 km3/year2 increase, assuming a stationary climate. In conjunction with rainfall and temperature variations, the net (observed) average increase in streamflow over the same period was 0.76 mm/year2, or 2.41 km3/year2. Thus, net increases in regional streamflow in the past half century are 58% of those that would have been experienced with deforestation given a stationary climate. This study uses a causal empirical analysis approach novel to the water sciences to verify the regional applicability of prior basin‐scale studies, provides a proof of concept for the use of observational causal identification methods in the water sciences, and demonstrates that deforestation masks the streamflow‐reducing effects of climate change in this region.
The Widespread Influence of Great Lakes Microseisms Across the Midwestern United States Revealed by the 2014 Polar Vortex
Authors: Anthony R. E. , Ringler A. T. , Wilson D. C.
Published: March 2018

During the winter of 2014, a weak polar vortex brought record cold temperatures to the north‐central (“Midwest”) United States, and the Great Lakes reached the highest extent of ice coverage (92.5%) since 1979. This event shut down the generation of seismic signals caused by wind‐driven wave action within the lakes (termed “lake microseisms”), giving an unprecedented opportunity to isolate and characterize these novel signals through comparison with nonfrozen time periods. Using seismic records at 72 broadband stations, we observe Great Lakes microseism signals at distances >300 km from the lakes. In contrast to conventional oceanic microseisms, there is no clear relationship between the frequency content of the seismic signals (observed from ~0.5–5‐s period) and the dominant swell period or resonance periods of the lakes based on their bathymetric profiles. Thus, the exact generation mechanism is not readily explained by conventional microseism theory and warrants further investigation.
Modulation of Extreme Flood Levels by Impoundment Significantly Offset by Floodplain Loss Downstream of the Three Gorges Dam
Authors: Mei Xuefei , Dai Zhijun , Darby Stephen E. , Gao Shu , Wang Jie , Jiang Weiguo
Published: March 2018

River flooding—the world's most significant natural hazard—is likely to increase under anthropogenic climate change. Most large rivers have been regulated by damming, but the extent to which these impoundments can mitigate extreme flooding remains uncertain. Here the catastrophic 2016 flood on the Changjiang River is first analyzed to assess the effects of both the Changjiang's reservoir cascade and the Three Gorges Dam (TGD), the world's largest hydraulic engineering project on downstream flood discharge and water levels. We show that the Changjiang's reservoir cascade impounded over 30.0 × 103 m3/s of flow at the peak of the flood on 25 July 2016, preventing the occurrence of what would otherwise have been the second largest flood ever recorded in the reach downstream of the TGD. Half of this flood water storage was retained by the TGD alone, meaning that impoundment by the TGD reduced peak water levels at the Datong hydrometric station (on 25 July) by 1.47 m, compared to pre‐TGD conditions. However, downstream morphological changes, in particular, extensive erosion of the natural floodplain, offset this reduction in water level by 0.22 m, so that the full beneficial impact of floodwater retention by the TGD was not fully realized. Our results highlight how morphological adjustments downstream of large dams may inhibit their full potential to mitigate extreme flood risk.
Composition of 1–128 keV Magnetospheric ENAs
Authors: Valek P. W. , Delmonico E. , McComas D. J. , Goldstein J. , Allegrini F. , Livi S.
Published: March 2018

The Two Wide‐angle Imaging Neutral‐atom Spectrometers (TWINS) mission has observed the inner magnetosphere since 2008. TWINS flies energetic neutral atom (ENA) cameras aboard two spacecraft in separate Molniya orbits. TWINS images the ENA emissions from the inner magnetosphere across a broad range of energies (1 to 128 keV for H, 16 to 128 keV for O, and higher energies for total ENAs). This allows TWINS to observe the evolution, on minute timescales, of the trapped and precipitating particles that dominate storm time dynamics. Presented here are ENA observations over this broad energy range of the large storm of 17 March 2015 (Dst < −223)—the St. Patrick's Day storm. The ENA observations are presented with a 15‐min cadence for improved counting statistics. During the St. Patrick's Day storm the flux of ENAs and the concentration of O+/H+ increased significantly during the main phase. The concentration increased to a value of 1.0 for the 16 keV ions, and the temperature in the inner magnetosphere dropped during the time between the prestorm phase and the main phase. Comparing the results from this storm to a moderate storm on 22 July 2009, and a collection of nine other large storms, we find that the most energetic O+ ions in the ring current occur before the peak of the storm.
Measurements of Ion‐Neutral Coupling in the Auroral F Region in Response to Increases in Particle Precipitation
Authors: Kiene A. , Bristow W. A. , Conde M. G. , Hampton D. L.
Published: March 2018

Neutral winds are a key factor in the dynamics of the ionosphere‐thermosphere system. Previous observations have shown that neutral and ion flows are strongly coupled during periods of auroral activity when ion drag forcing can become the dominant force driving neutral wind flow. This is primarily due to increases in ion density due to enhanced particle precipitation as well as associated increases the strength of the electric fields that drive ion motions. Due to this strong coupling, numerical simulations of neutral dynamics have difficulty reproducing neutral wind observations when they are driven by modeled precipitation and modeled convection. It is therefore desirable whenever possible to have concurrent coincident measurements of auroral precipitation and ion convection. Recent advancements in high‐resolution fitting of Super Dual Auroral Radar Network ion convection data have enabled the generation of steady maps of ion drifts over Alaska, coinciding with several optics sites. The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network measurements are compared with scanning Doppler imager neutral wind measurements at similar altitude, providing direct comparisons of ion and neutral velocities over a wide field and for long periods throughout the night. Also present are a digital all‐sky imager and a meridian spectrograph, both of which provide measurements of auroral intensity on several wavelengths. In this study, we combine these data sets to present three case studies that show significant correlation between increases in F region precipitation and enhancements in ion‐neutral coupling in the evening sector. We investigate the time scales over which the coupling takes place and compare our findings to previous measurements.
Combining Multiphase Groundwater Flow and Slope Stability Models to Assess Stratovolcano Flank Collapse in the Cascade Range
Authors: Ball J. L. , Taron J. , Reid M. E. , Hurwitz S. , Finn C. , Bedrosian P.
Published: March 2018

Hydrothermal alteration can create low‐permeability zones, potentially resulting in elevated pore‐fluid pressures, within a volcanic edifice. Strength reduction by rock alteration and high pore‐fluid pressures have been suggested as a mechanism for edifice flank instability. Here we combine numerical models of multiphase heat transport and groundwater flow with a slope‐stability code that incorporates three‐dimensional distributions of strength and pore‐water pressure to address the following questions: (1) What permeability distributions and contrasts produce elevated pore‐fluid pressures in a stratovolcano? (2) What are the effects of these elevated pressures on flank stability? (3) Finally, what are the effects of magma intrusion on potential flank failure in an edifice? Simulation results show that under a range of plausible parameters, water tables in a stratovolcano can be elevated or perched. These elevated water tables result in universally lower stability (lower factor of safety) compared with equivalent dry edifices, indicating a higher likelihood of flank collapse. Low‐permeability (<1 × 10−17 m2) layers such as altered pyroclastic deposits or breccias can result in locally saturated regions (perched water) and lower factors of safety near the ground surface but may actually reduce liquid water saturation and pore pressures in the core of the edifice and thus may favor small, shallow collapses over larger, deeper collapses. Magma intrusion into the base of the edifice increases pore‐fluid pressures and decreases the factor of safety. However, the shear strength of edifice rocks also exerts a significant control on stability, so both mechanical properties and pore‐fluid pressures are important for stability assessments.
Bomb‐14C Peak in the North Pacific Recorded in Long‐Lived Bivalve Shells (Mercenaria stimpsoni)
Authors: Kubota Kaoru , Shirai Kotaro , Murakami‐Sugihara Naoko , Seike Koji , Minami Masayo , Nakamura Toshio , Tanabe Kazushige
Published: March 2018

The excess radiocarbon produced by nuclear bomb testing in the atmosphere in the 1950s–1960s (bomb‐14C) is used as a tracer in the surface ocean, extending our understanding of geophysics and biogeochemical cycles. However, there is no bomb‐14C record for the high‐latitude western North Pacific Ocean because of the paucity of long‐lived marine calcifying organisms equivalent to reef‐building corals. The shells of Stimpson's hard clam, Mercenaria stimpsoni, potentially provide such a record because the clam's lifespan is very long (>100 years). We analyzed 14C in six live‐caught M. stimpsoni shells from the western North Pacific (39.4°N, 142°E) and report, for the first time, the bomb‐14C record with robust calendar ages based on annual growth increments. The value was constant in 1934–1952 (Δ14C = −66‰), with a sudden increase in 1959, a peak in 1974 (107‰), which was 60‰ lower than that of the Kuroshio Current, a gradual decline after 1974, and a current value of 16–18‰, which is ∼10‰ higher than the atmospheric value. The bomb‐14C values are between the Kuroshio Current (the northwestern subtropical gyre) and Oyashio Current (the Western Subarctic Gyre) values, suggesting that the Tsugaru Current, downstream from the Kuroshio Current, mixes with the Oyashio Current after passing through Tsugaru Strait.
Quantifying Growth of Pancake Sea Ice Floes Using Images From Drifting Buoys
Authors: Roach Lettie A. , Smith Madison M. , Dean Samuel M.
Published: March 2018

New sea ice in the polar regions often begins as small pancake floes in autumn and winter that grow laterally and weld together into larger floes. However, conditions in polar oceans during freezeup are harsh, rendering in situ observations of small‐scale sea ice growth processes difficult and infrequent. Here we apply image processing techniques to images obtained by drifting wave buoys (SWIFTs) deployed in the autumn Arctic Ocean to quantify these processes in situ for the first time. Small pancake ice floes were observed to form and grow gradually in freezing, low‐wave conditions. We find that pancake floe diameters are limited by the wave field, such that floe diameter is proportional to wavelength and amplitude over time. Floe welding correlates well with sea ice concentration, and the observations can be used to estimate a key model parameter for floe size evolution. There is some agreement between observed lateral growth rates and those predicted using a theoretical model based on heat flux balance, but the model lateral growth rates are too conservative in these conditions. These results will be used to inform description of lateral floe growth and floe welding in new models that evolve sea ice floe size distribution.
A New Approach to Estimating Coccolithophore Calcification Rates From Space
Authors: Hopkins Jason , Balch William M.
Published: March 2018

The production and ultimate fate of calcium carbonate in the global ocean has implications for the efficiency of the biological carbon and alkalinity pumps. Historically, sediment trap flux data and/or mass balance equations have been used to estimate the rate of particulate inorganic carbon production in the ocean. More recently, satellite data have been used to provide a more comprehensive global overview of this important biogeochemical process based on relationships determined from multilinear regression of measured calcification rates against a number of measurable variables. Here we describe a simple model to estimate calcification rate based around elements of coccolithophore physiology that can be easily parametrized with satellite ocean color data. The model output conforms to our understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution of coccolithophores and performs relatively well at reproducing global rates that are of the correct order of magnitude, while capturing the variability in such a complex, natural process when compared to field calcification rate measurements (slope = 0.98; R2 = 0.28; p < 0.05; RMSE = 0.53 mg C · m−3 · day−1). Average, global, euphotic zone depth‐integrated calcification rate is estimated to be 1.42 ± 1.69 Pg particulate inorganic carbon/year with the oceanic gyres contributing the greatest influence.
Modeled Influence of Land Ice and CO2on Polar Amplification and Paleoclimate Sensitivity During the Past 5 Million Years
Authors: Stap L. B. , van de Wal R. S. W. , de Boer B. , Köhler P. , Hoencamp J. H. , Lohmann G. , Tuenter E. , Lourens L. J.
Published: March 2018

Polar amplification and paleoclimate sensitivity (S) have been the subject of many paleoclimate studies. While earlier studies inferred them as single constant parameters of the climate system, there are now indications that both are conditioned by the type of forcing. Moreover, they might be affected by fast feedback mechanisms that have different strengths depending on the background climate. Here we use the intermediate complexity climate model CLIMBER‐2 to study the influence of land ice and CO2on polar amplification andS. We perform transient 5‐Myr simulations, forced by different combinations of insolation, land ice, and CO2. Our results provide evidence that land ice and CO2changes have different effects on temperature, both on the global mean and the meridional distribution. Land ice changes are mainly manifested in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. They lead to higher northern polar amplification, lower southern polar amplification, and lowerSthan more homogeneously distributed CO2forcing in CLIMBER‐2. Furthermore, toward colder climates northern polar amplification increases and consequently southern polar amplification decreases, due to the albedo‐temperature feedback. As an effect, a global average temperature change calculated from high‐latitude temperatures by using a constant polar amplification would lead to substantial errors in our model setup. We conclude that to constrain feedback strengths and climate sensitivity by paleoclimate data, the underlying forcing mechanisms and background climate states have to be taken into consideration.
Regional Extreme Precipitation Events: Robust Inference From Credibly Simulated GCM Variables
Authors: Farnham David J. , Doss‐Gollin James , Lall Upmanu
Published: March 2018

General circulation models (GCMs) have been demonstrated to produce estimates of precipitation, including the frequency of extreme precipitation, with substantial bias and uncertainty relative to their representation of other fields. Thus, while theory predicts changes in the hydrologic cycle under anthropogenic warming, there is generally low confidence in future projections of extreme precipitation frequency for specific river basins. In this paper, we explore whether a GCM simulates large‐scale atmospheric circulation indices that are associated with regional extreme precipitation (REP) days more accurately than it simulates REP days themselves, and thus whether conditional simulation of the precipitation events based on the circulation indices may improve the simulation of REP events. We show that a coupled Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory GCM simulates too many springtime REP days in the Ohio River Basin in historical (1950–2005) simulations. The GCM, however, does credibly simulate the distributional and persistence properties of several indices (which represent the large‐scale atmospheric pressure features, local atmospheric moisture content, and local vertical velocity) that are shown to modulate the likelihood of REP occurrence in the reanalysis/observational record. We show that simulation of REP events based on the GCM‐based atmospheric indices greatly reduces the bias of GCM REP frequency relative to the observed record. The simulation is conducted via a Bayesian regression model by imposing the empirical relationship between observed REP occurrence and the reanalysis‐based atmospheric indices. Application of this model to future (2006–2100) representative concentration pathway 8.5 scenario suggests an increasing trend in springtime REP incidence in the study region. The proposed approach of simulating precipitation events of interest, particularly those poorly represented in GCMs, with a statistical model based on climate indices that are reasonably simulated by GCMs could be applied to subseasonal to seasonal forecasts as well as future projections.
Intercomparison and Uncertainty Assessment of Nine Evapotranspiration Estimates Over South America
Authors: Sörensson Anna A. , Ruscica Romina C.
Published: March 2018

This study examines the uncertainties and the representations of anomalies of a set of evapotranspiration products over climatologically distinct regions of South America. The products, coming from land surface models, reanalysis, and remote sensing, are chosen from sources that are readily available to the community of users. The results show that the spatial patterns of maximum uncertainty differ among metrics, with dry regions showing maximum relative uncertainties of annual mean evapotranspiration, while energy‐limited regions present maximum uncertainties in the representation of the annual cycle and monsoon regions in the representation of anomalous conditions. Furthermore, it is found that land surface models driven by observed atmospheric fields detect meteorological and agricultural droughts in dry regions unequivocally. The remote sensing products employed do not distinguish all agricultural droughts and this could be attributed to the forcing net radiation. The study also highlights important characteristics of individual data sets and recommends users to include assessments of sensitivity to evapotranspiration data sets in their studies, depending on region and nature of study to be conducted.
Magnetic Reconnection, Turbulence, and Particle Acceleration: Observations in the Earth's Magnetotail
Authors: Ergun R. E. , Goodrich K. A. , Wilder F. D. , Ahmadi N. , Holmes J. C. , Eriksson S. , Stawarz J. E. , Nakamura R. , Genestreti K. J. , Hesse M. , Burch J. L. , Torbert R. B. , Phan T. D. , Schwartz S. J. , Eastwood J. P. , Strangeway R. J. , Le Contel O. , Russell C. T. , Argall M. R. , Lindqvist P.‐A. , Chen L. J. , Cassak P. A. , Giles B. L. , Dorelli J. C. , Gershman D. , Leonard T. W. , Lavraud B. , Retino A. , Matthaeus W. , Vaivads A.
Published: March 2018

We report observations of turbulent dissipation and particle acceleration from large‐amplitude electric fields (E) associated with strong magnetic field (B) fluctuations in the Earth's plasma sheet. The turbulence occurs in a region of depleted density with anti‐earthward flows followed by earthward flows suggesting ongoing magnetic reconnection. In the turbulent region, ions and electrons have a significant increase in energy, occasionally >100 keV, and strong variation. There are numerous occurrences of |E| >100 mV/m including occurrences of large potentials (>1 kV) parallel to B and occurrences with extraordinarily large J · E (J is current density). In this event, we find that the perpendicular contribution of J · E with frequencies near or below the ion cyclotron frequency (fci) provide the majority net positive J · E. Large‐amplitude parallel E events with frequencies above fci to several times the lower hybrid frequency provide significant dissipation and can result in energetic electron acceleration.
A Deep Learning Algorithm of Neural Network for the Parameterization of Typhoon‐Ocean Feedback in Typhoon Forecast Models
Authors: Jiang Guo‐Qing , Xu Jing , Wei Jun
Published: March 2018

Two algorithms based on machine learning neural networks are proposed—the shallow learning (S‐L) and deep learning (D‐L) algorithms—that can potentially be used in atmosphere‐only typhoon forecast models to provide flow‐dependent typhoon‐induced sea surface temperature cooling (SSTC) for improving typhoon predictions. The major challenge of existing SSTC algorithms in forecast models is how to accurately predict SSTC induced by an upcoming typhoon, which requires information not only from historical data but more importantly also from the target typhoon itself. The S‐L algorithm composes of a single layer of neurons with mixed atmospheric and oceanic factors. Such a structure is found to be unable to represent correctly the physical typhoon‐ocean interaction. It tends to produce an unstable SSTC distribution, for which any perturbations may lead to changes in both SSTC pattern and strength. The D‐L algorithm extends the neural network to a 4 × 5 neuron matrix with atmospheric and oceanic factors being separated in different layers of neurons, so that the machine learning can determine the roles of atmospheric and oceanic factors in shaping the SSTC. Therefore, it produces a stable crescent‐shaped SSTC distribution, with its large‐scale pattern determined mainly by atmospheric factors (e.g., winds) and small‐scale features by oceanic factors (e.g., eddies). Sensitivity experiments reveal that the D‐L algorithms improve maximum wind intensity errors by 60–70% for four case study simulations, compared to their atmosphere‐only model runs.
Evidence for Neutrals‐Foreshock Electrons Impact at Mars
Authors: Mazelle C. X. , Meziane K. , Mitchell D. L. , Garnier P. , Espley J. R. , Hamza A. M. , Halekas J. , Jakosky B. M.
Published: March 2018

Backstreaming electrons emanating from the bow shock of Mars reported from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN/Solar Wind Electron Analyzer observations show a flux fall off with the distance from the shock. This feature is not observed at the terrestrial foreshock. The flux decay is observed only for electron energy E ≥ 29 eV. A reported recent study indicates that Mars foreshock electrons are produced at the shock in a mirror reflection of a portion of the solar wind electrons. In this context, and given that the electrons are sufficiently energetic to not be affected by the interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations, the observed flux decrease appears problematic. We investigate the possibility that the flux fall off with distance results from the impact of backstreaming electrons with Mars exospheric neutral hydrogen. We demonstrate that the flux fall off is consistent with the electron‐atomic hydrogen impact cross section for a large range of energy. A better agreement is obtained for energy where the impact cross section is the highest. One important consequence is that foreshock electrons can play an important role in the production of pickup ions at Mars far exosphere.
Interseismic Coupling‐Based Earthquake and Tsunami Scenarios for the Nankai Trough
Authors: Baranes H. , Woodruff J. D. , Loveless J. P. , Hyodo M.
Published: March 2018

Theoretical modeling and investigations of recent subduction zone earthquakes show that geodetic estimates of interseismic coupling and the spatial distribution of coseismic rupture are correlated. However, the utility of contemporary coupling in guiding construction of rupture scenarios has not been evaluated on the world's most hazardous faults. Here we demonstrate methods for scaling coupling to slip to create rupture models for southwestern Japan's Nankai Trough. Results show that coupling‐based models produce distributions of ground surface deformation and tsunami inundation that are similar to historical and geologic records of the largest known Nankai earthquake in CE 1707 and to an independent, quasi‐dynamic rupture model. Notably, these models and records all support focused subsidence around western Shikoku that makes the region particularly vulnerable to flooding. Results imply that contemporary coupling mirrors the slip distribution of a full‐margin, 1707‐type rupture, and Global Positioning System measurements of surface motion are connected with the trough's physical characteristics.
Vertical and Oblique Ionosphere Sounding During the 21 August 2017 Solar Eclipse
Authors: Bullett Terence , Mabie Justin
Published: March 2018

On 21 August 2017, a total solar eclipse crossed North America. Two Vertical Incident Pulsed Ionospheric Radar ionosondes were operated, one deployed under totality at Lusk, Wyoming, and another south of totality, 313 km away from the geomagnetic meridian in Boulder, Colorado. The two Vertical Incident Pulsed Ionospheric Radar systems were synchronized for precise observation of both vertical and oblique group and phase paths. Hand‐scaled values of virtual heights and critical frequencies are presented. Arrival angles were computed using phase interferometry and used to compute equivalent vertical critical frequencies at the oblique midpoint. Oblique propagation geometry and horizontal gradients allowed measurement of F2 layer during ionosphere G condition where foF1 exceed foF2 after totality.
Coral‐Derived Western Pacific Tropical Sea Surface Temperatures During the Last Millennium
Authors: Chen Tianran , Cobb Kim M. , Roff George , Zhao Jianxin , Yang Hongqiang , Hu Minhang , Zhao Kuan
Published: March 2018

Reconstructions of ocean temperatures prior to the industrial era serve to constrain natural climate variability on decadal to centennial timescales, yet relatively few such observations are available from the west Pacific Warm Pool. Here we present multiple coral‐based sea surface temperature reconstructions from Yongle Atoll, in the South China Sea over the last ~1,250 years (762–2013 Common Era [CE]). Reconstructed coral Sr/Ca‐sea surface temperatures indicate that the “Little Ice Age (1711–1817 CE)” period was ~0.7°C cooler than the “Medieval Climate Anomaly (913‐1132 CE)” and that late 20th century warming of the western Pacific is likely unprecedented over the past millennium. Our findings suggest that the Western Pacific Warm Pool may have expanded (contracted) during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (Little Ice Age), leading to a strengthening (weakening) of the Asian summer monsoon, as recorded in Chinese stalagmites.
Energetic Electron Pitch Angle Distributions During the Cassini Final Orbits
Authors: Carbary J. F. , Mitchell D. G. , Kollmann P. , Krupp N. , Roussos E. , Dougherty M. K.
Published: March 2018

Pitch angle distributions (PADs) of very energetic electrons (110–365 keV) are examined during the ring‐grazing and proximal orbits of the Cassini spacecraft, from day 320 2016 (15 November) to day 257 2017 (14 September). These repeating orbits allowed a statistical evaluation of the PADs within the magnetopause on the nightside of Saturn. Along L‐shells (i.e., equatorial crossing distances of magnetic field lines) near and outside that of Titan and north of the equator, the electron fluxes were unidirectionally field‐aligned going away from Saturn. Along L‐shells inside Titan's and south of the equator, the electrons had bidirectional or pancake (trapping) PADs. This behavior suggests that the field lines within Titan's L‐shell are generally closed, while those outside of that L‐shell are generally open. This result strictly applies only to the nightside local times sampled during the final Cassini orbits, but one may infer a similar behavior at other times.
The effect of micro credit on life restoration and community formation in resettlement households affected by the tsunami – A Study on Resettlement with Housing Relocation in Sri Lanka after the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004 Part 3
Authors: Maeda Masahiro , Takada Mitsuo
Published: March 2018

This paper analyzed the effect of micro credits in resettlement sites from the perspectives of the NGO staff and residents who participated in micro credit groups. The results are listed below. (i) Micro credits have economic effects for reconstructing life by providing loans for economic activities in resettlement sites in which economic activities are difficult due to the geographical and spatial features. (ii) Micro credits have social effects on community formations through micro credit activity and reorganizing household relationships in resettlement sites. NGO staff and residents organized micro credit groups through neighborhood and family/relative relationships, which succeeded from a previous settlement. Moreover, they created new relationships in addition to these existing relationships. (iii) These results show that micro credits may be a method for sustainable residence in resettlement sites that arise after natural disasters.
Comparative analysis of respiratory motion tracking using Microsoft Kinect v2 sensor
Authors: Silverstein Evan , Snyder Michael
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To present and evaluate a straightforward implementation of a marker‐less, respiratory motion‐tracking process utilizing Kinect v2 camera as a gating tool during 4DCT or during radiotherapy treatments.

Methods

Utilizing the depth sensor on the Kinect as well as author written C# code, respiratory motion of a subject was tracked by recording depth values obtained at user selected points on the subject, with each point representing one pixel on the depth image. As a patient breathes, specific anatomical points on the chest/abdomen will move slightly within the depth image across pixels. By tracking how depth values change for a specific pixel, instead of how the anatomical point moves throughout the image, a respiratory trace can be obtained based on changing depth values of the selected pixel. Tracking these values was implemented via marker‐less setup. Varian's RPM system and the Anzai belt system were used in tandem with the Kinect to compare respiratory traces obtained by each using two different subjects.

Results

Analysis of the depth information from the Kinect for purposes of phase‐ and amplitude‐based binning correlated well with the RPM and Anzai systems. Interquartile Range (IQR) values were obtained comparing times correlated with specific amplitude and phase percentages against each product. The IQR time spans indicated the Kinect would measure specific percentage values within 0.077 s for Subject 1 and 0.164 s for Subject 2 when compared to values obtained with RPM or Anzai. For 4DCT scans, these times correlate to less than 1 mm of couch movement and would create an offset of 1/2 an acquired slice.

Conclusion

By tracking depth values of user selected pixels within the depth image, rather than tracking specific anatomical locations, respiratory motion can be tracked and visualized utilizing the Kinect with results comparable to that of the Varian RPM and Anzai belt.
Venous Thromboembolic Events in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy: Occurrence and Relation to Disease Onset
Authors: Antovic Aleksandra , Notarnicola Antonella , Svensson John , Lundberg Ingrid E. , Holmqvist Marie
Published: March 2018

Objective

To assess the incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), to compare the incidence of VTEs in IIM to the incidence in the general population, and to identify patient categories at high risk and investigate the development of risk in relation to a diagnosis of IIM.

Methods

Using nationwide registers, we identified a cohort of 440 individuals with newly diagnosed IIM and 4,459 individuals from the general population. Patients with IIM were diagnosed between 2005 and 2011. The start of follow‐up was the date of IIM diagnosis and the corresponding date in the general population. VTE was defined as hospital care with an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision code indicating VTE, with a filled prescription for anticoagulant medication. Incidence rates including 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated, and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the risk of VTE in patients with IIM to the risk in the general population.

Results

The incidence of VTEs was higher in patients with IIM than in the general population and was highest in patients who previously had cancer, who were ages >71 years when diagnosed with IIM, or who had dermatomyositis. The overall hazard ratio (HR) of VTE comparing the IIM cohort to the general population was 7.81 (95% CI 4.74, 12.85). The HR was highest the first year after IIM diagnosis, with HR 26.6 (95% CI 10.4, 68.0).

Conclusion

Patients with IIM are at increased risk of VTE compared to the general population, especially during the first year after the diagnosis. Preventive measures should be focused on patients who previously have had cancer, who are ages >71 years when diagnosed, or who have dermatomyositis.
Nonfullerene Electron Transporting Material Based on Naphthalene Diimide Small Molecule for Highly Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Exceeding 20%
Authors: Jung Su‐Kyo , Heo Jin Hyuck , Lee Dae Woon , Lee Seung‐Chul , Lee Seung‐Heon , Yoon Woojin , Yun Hoseop , Im Sang Hyuk , Kim Jong H. , Kwon O‐Pil
Published: March 2018

This study reports a new nonfullerene electron transporting material (ETM) based on naphthalene diimide (NDI) small molecules for use in high‐performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). These solar cells simultaneously achieve high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of over 20% and long‐term stability. New NDI‐ID (N,N′‐Bis(1‐indanyl)naphthalene‐1,4,5,8‐tetracarboxylic diimide) consisting of an N‐substituted indane group having simultaneous alicyclic and aromatic characteristics is synthesized by a low‐cost, one‐step reaction, and facile purification method. The partially flexible characteristics of an alicyclic cyclopentene group on indane groups open the possibility of low‐temperature solution processing. The conformational rigidity and aromaticity of phenyl and alicyclic groups contribute to high temporal stability by strong secondary bonds. NDI‐ID has herringbone packed semiconducting NDI cores that exhibit up to 0.2 cm2 V−1 s−1 electron mobility in field effect transistors. The inverted PSCs based on CH(NH2)2PbI3–xBrx with NDI‐ID ETM exhibit very high PCEs of up to 20.2%, which is better than that of widely used PCBM (phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester) ETM‐based PSCs. Moreover, NDI‐ID‐based PSCs exhibit very high long‐term temporal stability, retaining 90% of the initial PCE after 500 h at 100 °C with 1 sun illumination without encapsulation. Therefore, NDI‐ID is a promising ETM for highly efficient, stable PSCs.
Atmospheric Plasma Deposition of Methacrylate Layers Containing Catechol/Quinone Groups: An Alternative to Polydopamine Bioconjugation for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Czuba Urszula , Quintana Robert , De Pauw‐Gillet Marie‐Claire , Bourguignon Maxime , Moreno‐Couranjou Maryline , Alexandre Michael , Detrembleur Christophe , Choquet Patrick
Published: March 2018

Bioconjugation of enzymes on coatings based on polydopamine (PDA) layers is an appealing approach to control biological responses on biomedical implant surfaces. As alternative to PDA wet deposition, a fast, solvent‐free, and dynamic deposition approach based on atmospheric‐pressure plasma dielectric barrier discharge process is considered to deposit on metallic surfaces acrylic‐based interlayers containing highly chemically reactive catechol/quinone groups. A biomimetic approach based on covalent immobilization of Dispersin B, an enzyme with antibiofilm properties, shows the bioconjugation potential of the novel plasma polymer layers. The excellent antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis is comparable to the PDA‐based layers prepared by wet chemical methods with slow deposition rates. A study of preosteoblastic MG‐63 human cell line viability and adhesion properties on plasma polymer layers demonstrates early interaction required for biomedical applications.
Neutrophil‐Based Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Chu Dafeng , Dong Xinyue , Shi Xutong , Zhang Canyang , Wang Zhenjia
Published: March 2018

White blood cells (WBCs) are a major component of immunity in response to pathogen invasion. Neutrophils are the most abundant WBCs in humans, playing a central role in acute inflammation induced by pathogens. Adhesion to vasculature and tissue infiltration of neutrophils are key processes in acute inflammation. Many inflammatory/autoimmune disorders and cancer therapies have been found to be involved in activation and tissue infiltration of neutrophils. A promising strategy to develop novel targeted drug delivery systems is the targeting and exploitation of activated neutrophils. Herein, a new drug delivery platform based on neutrophils is reviewed. There are two types of drug delivery systems: neutrophils as carriers and neutrophil‐membrane‐derived nanovesicles. It is discussed how nanoparticles hijack neutrophils in vivo to deliver therapeutics across blood vessel barriers and how neutrophil‐membrane‐derived nanovesicles target inflamed vasculature. Finally, the potential applications of neutrophil‐based drug delivery systems in treating inflammation and cancers are presented.