bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPITZER OBSERVATIONS CONFIRM AND RESCUE THE HABITABLE-ZONE SUPER-EARTH K2-18b FOR FUTURE CHARACTERIZATION
Authors: Benneke Björn , Werner Michael , Petigura Erik , Knutson Heather , Dressing Courtney , Crossfield Ian J. M. , Schlieder Joshua E. , Livingston John , Beichman Charles , Christiansen Jessie , Krick Jessica , Gorjian Varoujan , Howard Andrew W. , Sinukoff Evan , Ciardi David R. , Akeson Rachel L.
Published: January 2017

The recent detections of two transit events attributed to the super-Earth candidate K2-18b have provided the unprecedented prospect of spectroscopically studying a habitable-zone planet outside the solar system. Orbiting a nearby M2.5 dwarf and receiving virtually the same stellar insolation as Earth, K2-18b would be a prime candidate for the first detailed atmospheric characterization of a habitable-zone exoplanet using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Here, we report the detection of a third transit of K2-18b near the predicted transit time using the Spitzer Space Telescope. The Spitzer detection demonstrates the periodic nature of the two transit events discovered by K2, confirming that K2-18 is indeed orbited by a super-Earth in a 33 day orbit, ruling out the alternative scenario of two similarly sized, long-period planets transiting only once within the 75 day Kepler Space Telescope (K2) observation. We also find, however, that the transit event detected by Spitzer occurred 1.85 hr (

7
σ

) before the predicted transit time. Our joint analysis of the Spitzer and K2 photometry reveals that this early occurrence of the transit is not caused by transit timing variations, but the result of an inaccurate ephemeris due to a previously undetected data anomaly in the K2 photometry. We refit the ephemeris and find that K2-18b would have been lost for future atmospheric characterizations with HST and JWST if we had not secured its ephemeris shortly after the discovery. We caution that immediate follow-up observations as presented here will also be critical for confirming and securing future planets discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), in particular if only two transit events are covered by the relatively short 27-day TESS campaigns.
Un bouleversement du secteur des complémentaires fondé sur une approche erronée du rôle des acteurs
Authors: Roux Emmanuel
Published: January 2017

La mandature qui s’achève aura bouleversé de manière profonde le secteur des complémentaires santé. Leur intégration dans une politique publique d’accès aux soins s’est accompagnée d’une volonté explicite de contrôle et d’étatisation, comme en témoigne, notamment, la mise à contribution fiscale du secteur. Le quinquennat qui s’achève a délibérément écarté le traitement de la question des aides fiscales et sociales au secteur, dont chacun reconnaît pourtant le caractère inefficace et peu équitable. Mais, plus grave, le dirigisme des cinq dernières années s’est traduit de manière paradoxale par une segmentation accrue du risque. Au dirigisme réglementaire s’est ajoutée en effet une mise en concurrence administrée des opérateurs, faisant ainsi jouer à plein des mécanismes de marché au cœur même du domaine de la santé. Ce mélange de dirigisme réglementaire et d’intensification de la pression concurrentielle, avec le triple effet de sur-réglementation, de fragilisation du modèle économique et de moindre mutualisation, peut même être considéré comme la marque de fabrique de la politique des complémentaires déployée depuis 2012. La prochaine mandature devra en tirer les leçons.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Treatment of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
Authors: De Ranieri Deirdre , Fenny Nana Sarkoah
Published: January 2017

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used as antibody replacement therapy in primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs) for more than 50 years. Its role as a therapeutic agent has expanded over the past couple of decades as its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory mechanisms of action have been elucidated. It is now used “off-label” to treat other autoimmune diseases. This article focuses on the role of IVIG in the treatment of PIDDs characterized by absent or deficient antibody production. Replacement doses are given on a monthly basis in these conditions as a prophylactic measure to prevent acute and serious bacterial infections.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2017;46(1):e8–e12.]
Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Pediatric Rheumatology: When to Use It and What Is the Evidence
Authors: Rodriguez Martha M. , Wagner-Weiner Linda
Published: January 2017

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is given to children with a variety of rheumatologic illnesses. The mechanism of action by which it exerts therapeutic effects is not well understood and likely differs in the medical conditions for which it is given. IVIG is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is the standard of care for Kawasaki disease, but most IVIG use in pediatric rheumatology is “off-label. “ The literature supports the use of IVIG for juvenile dermatomyositis, although it is unclear whether its use should be limited to those children with more severe or refractory disease. It appears efficacious in the treatment of autoimmune thrombocytopenia secondary to lupus, but its use may be limited by transient responses. Treatment of other categories of pediatric rheumatologic diseases, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis and non-Kawasaki vasculitides, is not well-established in the literature. This review focuses on current use of IVIG in the treatment of pediatric rheumatologic disorders.

[
Pediatr Ann.
2017;46(1):e19–e24.]
Human Papillomavirus and the HPV Vaccine: Where Are We Today?
Authors: Khan Leah
Published: January 2017

Vaccine discussions are an important part of the general pediatrician's day. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, in particular, has been slow to gain acceptance by the general public. It has recently gained momentum (both positive and negative) on social media, which has led to an increase in questions and concerns from families. It is important that providers are equipped to address these concerns, answer questions, and provide quality information for families to help guide them in their vaccination decisions. Not only is it crucial to be knowledgeable about the vaccines themselves, but providers should also be informed about HPV and its potential disease burden. The HPV vaccine recommendations are also evolving, so it is important to stay abreast with current data to provide the best care for all patients.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2017;46(1):e2–e5.]
Pratiques d'apprentissage à distance dans une formation hybride en Lansad – Le juste milieu entre contrôle et autonomie
Authors: Freund Frédérique
Published: January 2017

Face au constat d'un certain désengagement chez des apprenants spécialistes d'autres disciplines (Lansad) dans le mode distanciel d'une formation hybride en anglais, une recherche-action a été initiée qui a abouti, grâce à un travail de réingénierie, à la mise en place d'une démarche visant l'autonomisation et la responsabilisation des apprenants. L'objectif de l'étude présentée dans cet article est d'analyser les pratiques d'apprentissage à distance dans le dispositif remanié au moyen d'une méthode mixte, centrée sur des études de cas. L'analyse révèle que ces pratiques sont notamment déterminées par les compétences en autonomie et le profil motivationnel des apprenants. Sur la base de ces résultats, des pistes d'amélioration didactique sont proposées qui prennent en compte les aspects à la fois contextuels et psychologiques liés à la situation d'apprentissage.
Inventory Models for Spare Parts Management: A Review
Authors: Bounou Oumaima , El Barkany Abdellah , El Biyaali Ahmed
Published: January 2017

The spare parts inventory is a necessity to ensure the continuity of services. Unwanted service interruptions caused by failures can have serious consequences for human and financial levels. Analytical models begin to look to the random nature of inventory problems. Despite the existence of a wide variety of inventory management models, inventory management of spare parts is a major challenge for organizations. Some authors have integrated the principle of risk of shortage in their different models based on probabilistic and graphical models. This article is in the form of a literature review on models of spare parts management. In this article, we have presented first methods of identification and classification of parts, the approaches of estimation and identification of spare parts needs. Afterwards, we have moved to probabilistic models for spare parts management, among these models, there are models that take aim minimize and master the risk of shortages.
О свободных энергиях модели Поттса на дереве Кэли
Authors: Rozikov Utkir Abdulloevich , Rahmatullaev Muzaffar Muhammadjanovich
Published: January 2017

Для модели Поттса на дереве Кэли получены некоторые явные формулы для свободных энергий и энтропий в случае векторнозначных граничных условий. Эти условия включают в себя трансляционно-инвариантные, периодические граничные условия, подобные граничным условиям Добрушина, а также граничные условия, соответствующие слабо периодическим мерам Гиббса.
Решение дифференциальных уравнений эволюционного типа и физических задач с использованием операторного метода
Authors: Zhukovsky Konstantin
Published: January 2017

Представлен общий операторный метод решения широкого круга задач, описываемых некоторыми классами дифференциальных уравнений, на основе развитой техники оператора обратной производной. Сконструированы и применены обратные дифференциальные операторы для решения ряда дифференциальных уравнений. Получены операторные тождества с участием оператора обратной производной, интегральных преобразований и обобщенных форм ортогональных полиномов и специальных функций. Приведены примеры построения решений уравнений, содержащих линейные и квадратичные формы от пары операторов, удовлетворяющих соотношениям типа Гейзенберга, и решения различных модификаций уравнений в частных производных типа теплопроводности Фурье, Фоккера-Планка, Блэка-Шоулза и др. с помощью операторного метода. Продемонстрировано применение операторной техники для решения ряда физических задач, связанных с движением зарядов в рамках квантовой механики, распространением тепла и динамикой пучков в ускорителях.
Lokalno podnebje in topoklimatska karta Jezerskega
Authors: Ogrin Darko , Koželj Tanja , Vysoudil Miroslav
Published: January 2017

V prispevku so prikazane osnovne topoklimatske značilnosti Jezerskega, ki so rezultat splošnih podnebnih potez in specifičnih lokalnih razmer. Prostorsko najbolj razširjene topoklimatske enote so posledica razlik v osončenosti ter součinkovanja lokalnih reliefnih danosti in rabe tal. Prikazane so na pregledni topoklimatski karti v merilu 1 : 25.000.
Mesto ponoči (na primeru Maribora)
Authors: Drozg Vladimir
Published: January 2017

Prispevek obravnava mesto v nočnem času. Posebnost obravnavane tematike je časovna razsežnost prostora ter območja – kraji, ki »živijo« ponoči. Noč ima ekonomsko, kulturno, oblikovno in socialno vsebino in prav te lastnosti določajo spoznavanje mesta v nočnem času. Izpostavljene so naslednje teme: kraji potrošnje, kraji dela, kraji zabave, kraji nočne podobe mesta ter kraji družbeno nesprejemljivega, delikventnega vedenja. Empirični del se nanaša na mesto Maribor.
Rekonstrukcija ozemelj prazgodovinskih skupnosti na prostoru severnega in srednjega Velebita z uporabo GIS-ov
Authors: Glavaš Vedrana , Grlj Aleš
Published: January 2017

Prispevek obravnava metodo rekonstrukcije ozemelj prazgodovinskih skupnosti z uporabo geografskih informacijskih sistemov (GIS-ov). Osredotočili smo se na železnodobne skupnosti severnega in srednjega Velebita na Hrvaškem, vendar je materialnih ostankov, ki bi neposredno dokazovali njihov obseg, zelo malo. Ozemlja predantičnih skupnosti smo modelirali z uporabo GIS-a glede na reliefne značilnosti in časovno oddaljenost dveh ur hoje od osrednjih gradišč z uporabo Toblerjeve enačbe.
Alexander Georg Supan – v Sloveniji spregledan geograf slovenskega rodu
Authors: Cigale Dejan , Ogrin Darko
Published: January 2017

Prispevek predstavlja življenje in delo Alexandra Supana, geografa slovenskega rodu ter njegov vpliv na svetovno in slovensko geografijo. Sodil je med pomembnejše geografe druge polovice 19. in začetka 20. stoletja. Njegovo znanstveno delo je potekalo, za razliko od geografov, delujočih na Slovenskem, v skladu s takratnimi modernimi usmeritvami. Kariero je zgradil na tujem, začel pa jo je v Ljubljani. Zaradi tega in njegovega rodu ga lahko upravičeno uvrščamo med pomembnejše člene zgodovine moderne geografije na Slovenskem.
An efficient approach for treating composition-dependent diffusion within organic particles
Authors: O'Meara Simon , Topping David O. , Zaveri Rahul A. , McFiggans Gordon
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Mounting evidence demonstrates that under certain conditions the rate of component partitioning between the gas- and particle-phase in atmospheric organic aerosol is limited by particle-phase diffusion. To date, however, particle-phase diffusion has not been incorporated to regional atmospheric models. An analytical rather than numerical solution to diffusion through organic particulate matter is desirable because of its comparatively small computational expense in regional models. Current analytical models assume diffusion to be independent of composition, and therefore use a constant diffusion coefficient. To realistically model diffusion, however, it should be composition-dependent (e.g. due to the partitioning of components that plasticise, vitrify or solidify). This study assesses the modelling capability of an analytical solution to diffusion corrected to account for composition dependence against a numerical solution. Results show reasonable agreement when the gas-phase saturation ratio of a partitioning component is constant and particle-phase diffusion limits partitioning rate (
Enhanced hydrophobicity and volatility of submicron aerosols under
severe emission control conditions in Beijing
Authors: Wang Yuying , Zhang Fang , Li Zhanqing , Tan Haobo , Xu Hanbing , Ren Jingye , Zhao Jian , Du Wei , Sun Yele
Published: January 2017

Abstract. A series of strict emission control measures were implemented in Beijing and the surrounding seven provinces to ensure good air quality during the 2015 China Victory Day parade, rendering a unique opportunity to investigate anthropogenic impact of aerosol properties. Submicron aerosol hygroscopicity and volatility were measured during and after the control period using a hygroscopic and volatile tandem differential mobility analyzer (H/V-TDMA) system. Three periods, namely, the control clean period (Clean1), the non-control clean period (Clean2), and the non-control pollution period (Pollution), were selected to study the effect of the emission control measures on aerosol hygroscopicity and volatility. Aerosol particles became more hydrophobic and volatile due to the emission control measures. The hygroscopicity parameter (κ) of 40–200 nm particles decreased by 32.0 %–8.5 % during the Clean1 period relative to the Clean2 period, while the volatile shrink factor (SF) of 40–300 nm particles decreased by 7.5 %–10.5 %. The emission controls also changed the diurnal variation patterns of both the probability density function of κ (κ-PDF) and the probability density function of SF (SF-PDF). During Clean1 the κ-PDF showed one nearly-hydrophobic (NH) mode for particles in the nucleation mode, which was likely due to the dramatic reduction in industrial emissions of inorganic trace gases. Compared to the Pollution period, particles observed during the Clean1 and Clean2 periods exhibited a more significant non-volatile (NV) mode throughout the day, suggesting a more externally-mixed state particularly for the 150 nm particles. Aerosol hygroscopicities increased as particle sizes increased, with the greatest increases seen during the Pollution period. Accordingly, the aerosol volatility became weaker (i.e., SF increased) as particle sizes increased during the Clean1 and Clean2 periods, but no apparent trend was observed during the Pollution period. Based on a correlation analysis of the number fractions of NH and NV particles, we found that a higher number fraction of hydrophobic and volatile particles during the emission control period.
Transient dynamics of terrestrial carbon storage: mathematical foundation and its applications
Authors: Luo Yiqi , Shi Zheng , Lu Xingjie , Xia Jianyang , Liang Junyi , Jiang Jiang , Wang Ying , Smith Matthew J. , Jiang Lifen , Ahlström Anders , Chen Benito , Hararuk Oleksandra , Hastings Alan , Hoffman Forrest , Medlyn Belinda , Niu Shuli , Rasmussen Martin , Todd-Brown Katherine , Wang Ying-Ping
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Terrestrial ecosystems have absorbed roughly 30 % of anthropogenic CO2 emissions over the past decades, but it is unclear whether this carbon (C) sink will endure into the future. Despite extensive modeling and experimental and observational studies, what fundamentally determines transient dynamics of terrestrial C storage under global change is still not very clear. Here we develop a new framework for understanding transient dynamics of terrestrial C storage through mathematical analysis and numerical experiments. Our analysis indicates that the ultimate force driving ecosystem C storage change is the C storage capacity, which is jointly determined by ecosystem C input (e.g., net primary production, NPP) and residence time. Since both C input and residence time vary with time, the C storage capacity is time-dependent and acts as a moving attractor that actual C storage chases. The rate of change in C storage is proportional to the C storage potential, which is the difference between the current storage and the storage capacity. The C storage capacity represents instantaneous responses of the land C cycle to external forcing, whereas the C storage potential represents the internal capability of the land C cycle to influence the C change trajectory in the next time step. The influence happens through redistribution of net C pool changes in a network of pools with different residence times. Moreover, this and our other studies have demonstrated that one matrix equation can replicate simulations of most land C cycle models (i.e., physical emulators). As a result, simulation outputs of those models can be placed into a three-dimensional (3-D) parameter space to measure their differences. The latter can be decomposed into traceable components to track the origins of model uncertainty. In addition, the physical emulators make data assimilation computationally feasible so that both C flux- and pool-related datasets can be used to better constrain model predictions of land C sequestration. Overall, this new mathematical framework offers new approaches to understanding, evaluating, diagnosing, and improving land C cycle models.
Uncertainties in the national inventory of methane emissions from rice cultivation: field measurements and modeling approaches
Authors: Zhang Wen , Sun Wenjuan , Li Tingting
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Uncertainties in national inventories originate from a variety of sources, including methodological failures, errors, and insufficiency of supporting data. In this study, we analyzed these sources and their contribution to uncertainty in the national inventory of rice paddy methane emissions in China and compared the differences in the approaches used (e.g., direct measurements, simple regressions, and more complicated models). For the 495 field measurements we collected from the scientific literature, the area-weighted 95 % CI (confidence interval) ranged from 13.7 to 1115.4 kg CH4 ha−1, and the histogram distribution of the measurements agreed well with parameterized gamma distributions. For the models, we compared the performance of methods of different complexity (i.e., the CH4MOD model, representing a complicated method, and two less complex statistical regression models taken from literature) to evaluate the uncertainties associated with model performance as well as the quality and accessibility of the regional datasets. Comparisons revealed that the CH4MOD model may perform worse than the comparatively simple regression models when no sufficient input data for the model is available. As simulated by CH4MOD with data of irrigation, organic matter incorporation, and soil properties of rice paddies, the modeling methane fluxes varied from 17.2 to 708.3 kg CH4 ha−1, covering 63 % of the range of the field measurements. When applying the modeling approach to the 10 km  ×  10 km gridded dataset of the model input variables, the within-grid variations, made via the Monte Carlo method, were found to be 81.2–95.5 % of the grid means. Upscaling the grid estimates to the national inventory, the total methane emission from the rice paddies was 6.43 (3.79–9.77) Tg. The fallacy of CH4MOD contributed 56.6 % of the total uncertainty, with the remaining 43.4 % being attributed to errors and the scarcity of the spatial datasets of the model inputs. Our analysis reveals the dilemma between model performance and data availability when using a modeling approach: a model with better performance may help in reducing uncertainty caused by model fallacy but increases the uncertainty caused by data scarcity since greater levels of input are needed to improve performance. Reducing the total uncertainty in the national methane inventory depends on a better understanding of both the complexity of the mechanisms of methane emission and the spatial correlations of the factors that influence methane emissions from rice paddies.
The effect of drought on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release from peatland soil and vegetation sources
Authors: Ritson Jonathan P. , Brazier Richard E. , Graham Nigel J. D. , Freeman Chris , Templeton Michael R. , Clark Joanna M.
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Drought conditions are expected to increase in frequency and severity as the climate changes, representing a threat to carbon sequestered in peat soils. Downstream water treatment works are also at risk of regulatory compliance failures and higher treatment costs due to the increase in riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) often observed after droughts. More frequent droughts may also shift dominant vegetation in peatlands from Sphagnum moss to more drought tolerant species. This paper examines the impact of drought on the production and treatability of DOC from four vegetation litters (Calluna vulgaris, Juncus effusus, Molinia caerulea and Sphagnum spp.) and a peat soil. We found that mild droughts caused a 39.6 % increase in DOC production from peat and that this DOC was harder to remove by conventional water treatment processes (coagulation/flocculation). Drought had no effect on DOC production from vegetation litters, however large variation was observed between typical peatland species (Sphagnum and Calluna) and drought tolerant grassland species (Juncus and Molinia), with the latter producing more DOC per unit weight. This would therefore suggest the increase in riverine DOC often observed post-drought is due entirely to soil microbial processes and DOC solubility rather than litter-layer effects. Long term shifts in species diversity may, therefore, be the most important impact of drought on litter layer DOC flux, whereas more immediate effects are observed in peat soils. These results provide evidence in support of catchment management which increases the resilience of peat soils to drought, such as ditch-blocking to raise water-tables.
Benthic foraminiferal Mn / Ca ratios reflect microhabitat preferences
Authors: Koho Karoliina A. , de Nooijer Lennart J. , Fontanier Christophe , Toyofuku Takashi , Kazumasa Oguri , Kitazato Hiroshi , Reichart Gert-Jan
Published: January 2017

Abstract. The Mn / Ca of carbonate tests of living (rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminifera (Elphidium batialis, Uvigerina spp., Bolivina spissa, Nonionellina labradorica and Chilostomellina fimbriata) were determined in relation to pore water manganese (Mn) concentrations for the first time along a bottom water oxygen gradient across the continental slope along the NE Japan margin (western Pacific). The local BWO gradient differs from previous field study sites focusing on foraminiferal Mn / Ca and redox chemistry, therefore allowing disentangling of previously observed trends. The Mn / Ca ratios were analyzed using laser ablation ICP-MS, allowing single-chamber determination of Mn / Ca. Incorporation of Mn into the carbonate tests reflects environmental conditions and is not influenced by ontogeny. The inter-species variability in Mn / Ca varied as a function of their in-sediment habitat preferences and associated pore water chemistry, but also shows large interspecific differences in Mn partitioning. At each station, the Mn / Ca concentrations were always lower in the shallow infaunal E. batialis compared to those in the intermediate infaunal Uvigerina spp. The highest Mn / Ca was always recorded by the deep infaunal species N. labradorica and C. fimbriata. These results suggest that although partitioning differs, Mn / Ca ratios in the intermediate infaunal taxa are promising tools for paleoceanographic reconstructions as their microhabitat exposes them to higher variability in pore water Mn, thereby making them relatively sensitive recorders of redox conditions and/or bottom water oxygenation.
Improvement of Soil Respiration Parameterization in a Dynamic Global Vegetation Model and Its Impact on the Simulation of Terrestrial Carbon Fluxes
Authors: Kim Dongmin , Lee Myong-In , Seo Eunkyo
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Soil decomposition is one of the critical processes for maintaining a terrestrial ecosystem and the global carbon cycle. The sensitivity of soil respiration (Rs) to temperature, the so-called Q10 value, is required for parameterizing the soil decomposition process and is assumed to be a constant in conventional numerical models, while realistically it is not in cases of spatiotemporal heterogeneity. This study develops a new parameterization method for determining Q10 by considering the soil respiration dependence on soil temperature and moisture obtained by multiple regression. This study further investigates the impacts of the new parameterization on the global terrestrial carbon flux. Our results show that non-uniform spatial distribution of Q10 tends to represent the dependence of the soil respiration process on heterogeneous surface vegetation type compared with the control simulation using a uniform Q10. Moreover, it tends to improve the simulation of the observed relationship between soil respiration and soil temperature and moisture, particularly over cold and dry regions. The new parameterization improves the simulation of gross primary production (GPP). It leads to a more realistic spatial distribution of GPP, particularly over high latitudes (60–80 N) where the original model has a significant underestimation bias. In addition, overestimation bias of GPP in the tropics and the midlatitudes is significantly reduced. Improvement in the spatial distribution of GPP leads to a substantial reduction of global mean bias of GPP from +9.11 to +1.68 GtC yr−1 compared with the FLUXNET-MTE observation data.
Global fire emissions estimates during 1997–2015
Authors: van der Werf Guido R. , Randerson James T. , Giglio Louis , van Leeuwen Thijs T. , Chen Yang , Rogers Brendan M. , Mu Mingquan , van Marle Margreet J. E. , Morton Douglas C. , Collatz G. James , Yokelson Robert J. , Kasibhatla Prasad S.
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Climate, land use, and other anthropogenic and natural drivers have the potential to influence fire dynamics in many regions. To develop a mechanistic understanding of the changing role of these drivers and their impact on atmospheric composition, long term fire records are needed that fuse information from different satellite and in-situ data streams. Here we describe the fourth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) and quantify global fire emissions patterns during 1997–2015. The modeling system, based on the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford-Approach (CASA) biogeochemical model, has several modifications from the previous version and uses higher quality input datasets. Significant upgrades include: 1) new burned area estimates with contributions from small fires, 2) a revised fuel consumption parameterization optimized using field observations, 3) modifications that improve the representation of fuel consumption in frequently burning landscapes, and 4) fire severity estimates that better represent continental differences in burning processes across boreal regions of North America and Eurasia. The new version has a higher spatial resolution (0.25°) and uses a different set of emission factors that separately resolves trace gas and aerosol emissions from temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Global mean carbon emissions using the burned area dataset with small fires (GFED4s) were 2.2 x 1015 grams carbon per year (Pg C yr-1) during 1997–2015, with a maximum in 1997 (3.0 Pg C yr-1) and minimum in 2013 (1.8 Pg C yr-1). These estimates were 11 % higher than our previous estimates (GFED3) during 1997–2011, when the two datasets overlapped. This increase was the result of a substantial increase in burned area (37 %), mostly due to the inclusion of small fires, and a modest decrease in mean fuel consumption (–19 %) to better match estimates from field studies, primarily in savannas and grasslands. For trace gas and aerosol emissions, differences between GFED4s and GFED3 were often larger due to the use of revised emission factors. If small fire burned area was excluded (GFED4 without the "s" for small fires), average emissions were 1.5 Pg C yr-1. The addition of small fires had the largest impact on emissions in temperate North America, Central America, Europe, and temperate Asia. Our improved dataset provides an internally consistent set of burned area and emissions that may contribute to a better understanding of multi-decadal changes in fire dynamics and their impact on the Earth System. GFED data is available from http://www.globalfiredata.org.
Generation and propagation of stick-slip waves over a fault with rate-independent friction
Authors: Karachevtseva Iuliia , Dyskin Arcady V. , Pasternak Elena
Published: January 2017

Abstract. Stick-slip sliding is observed at various scales in fault sliding and the accompanied seismic events. It is conventionally assumed that the mechanism of stick-slip over geomaterials lies in the rate dependence of friction. However, the movement resembling the stick-slip could be associated with elastic oscillations of the rock around the fault, which occurs regardless of rate properties of the friction. In order to investigate this mechanism, two simple models were considered: a mass-spring model of Burridge and Knopoff type (BK model) and a one-dimensional (1D) model an infinite elastic rod driven by elastic shear spring. The results show that frictional sliding in the case of BK model demonstrates stick-slip-like motion even when the friction coefficient is constant. The 1D rod model predicts that any initial disturbance moves with a p-wave velocity, that is supersonically with the amplitude of disturbances decreasing with time. This effect might provide an explanation to the observed supersonic rupture propagation over faults.
An International Comparison of the Construction of the "Educational Research Quality/ Indicator Scheme"
Authors: Yang Shen-Keng
Published: January 2017

The proposed presentation will investigate deeply into the construction of  ”Educational Research Quality/ Indicator Scheme” in EU, OECD and in the USA, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia . Based on the results of one of the sub-projects of Integrated Joint Research Project financed by Science Council in Taiwan , this paper will focus on the process and construction of an “educational research quality standard/indicator scheme” through international comparison. The implications of the results of comparison for improving education research generally will be carefully examined with a view to developing a suitable "Educational Research Quality Standard/Indicator Scheme" for future use in assessing the input and output of research projects funded by governmental or non-governmental agencies.
EFFECT OF PROTEIN ADDITION ON PROPERTIES OF GUAYULE NATURAL RUBBER
Authors: Lhamo Dhondup , McMahan Colleen
Published: January 2017

Parthenium argentatum, commonly known as guayule, is a desert shrub cultivated as a domestic source of natural rubber in the semi-arid southwestern United States. Guayule natural rubber (GR) may be used to replace petroleum-based rubber or in place of Hevea natural rubber (NR), but substitution must take into consideration differences in physical and chemical properties. Currently, Hevea NR is required in tire applications, especially aircraft and truck tires, because of its high oxidative resistance, rapid cure rate, and exceptional stress–strain response. These outstanding features are attributed to the presence of nonrubber constituents, mainly proteins and lipids, which cause the rubber to gel, and they contribute to strain-induced crystallization. In contrast, GR is low in proteins and is thus deprived of some attributes of Hevea. Addition of amino acids and proteins to guayule could potentially improve performance and thereby widen the range of applications for use. In a previous study, amino acids blended with GR latex improved thermo-oxidative stability, served as plasticizers and cure accelerators, and enhanced green strength slightly, but tensile strength was not improved. Here, a series of bio-based commercial proteins (gelatin, soy, albumin, casein, zein, gliadin, and gluten) were added to GR as a latex blend. In general, protein addition reduced bulk viscosity and improved thermo-oxidative stability. The gel content and green strength of the polymer–protein blends were increased, with the exception of gliadin, but not to levels observed for Hevea. Effects on vulcanization and mechanical properties in compounds were surprisingly influenced by the choice of antioxidants used. Our results demonstrate the potential of proteins as bio-based rubber compounding additives.
Recurrent anteroinferior glenohumeral instability resulting from a proximal humerus osteochondroma
Authors: Sabo Marlis T. , French Stephen J.
Published: January 2017

Shoulder instability is a common clinical event, with most causes due to capsulolabral pathology within the shoulder joint. We present a case of a young male with chronic recurrent anteroinferior instability due to impingement of a proximal humerus osteochondroma on the glenoid during shoulder range of motion. Excision of the osteochondroma and repair of the anteroinferior capsule to the humeral neck successfully treated the instability and enabled a rapid improvement in patient function.
Families as hospital care givers: A pilot in Turkey
Authors: Cebeci Fatma , Bektaş Hicran Aydın , Dağ Gülten Sucu , Karazeybek Ebru
Published: January 2017

Objective: It is a common tradition that families as caregivers have been in the hospital in order to support patients. This study describes the services performed by family caregivers in surgical and medical wards of hospital.Methods: This is a descriptive study. The study includes 442 family caregivers selected by the simple random sampling, who agreed to participate in, and who have been providing care for their relatives at least 48 hours in a university hospital. Data were collected through a questionnaire conducted during face-to-face interviews and were analyzed by descriptive statistics methods.Results: It has been found out that family caregivers met almost all needs of hospitalized patients with their own will. The results show that family caregivers met the care needs of their hospitalized relatives mainly upon their own and patients’ will (relatively 51%, 22.9%). It has also been observed that some of these requirements were met upon doctors’ and nurses’ demands.Conclusions: It is important to know the requirements met by family caregivers at the hospital in terms of defining boundaries of care which can be provided by family caregivers and evaluating its results. Our findings could influence future plans of nursing managers, policy makers and/or health authorities.
Le synovialosarcome primitif de la verge
Authors: Saadi Ahmed , Bouzouita Abderrazak , Kerkeni Walid , Ayed Haroun , Sabbegh Znaidi Nadia , Ben Miled Aicha , Messai Taha , Cherif Mohamed , Ben Slama Riadh , Rammeh Soumaya , Mnif Najla , Maalej Mongi , Derouiche Amine , Chebil Mohamed
Published: January 2017

Le synovialosarcome représente un sous-type rare des sarcomes des tissus mous. Son apparition au niveau de la verge est exceptionnelle et seulement deux cas ont été rapportés dans la littérature auparavant. Nous rapportons un nouveau cas de synovialosarcome de la verge chez un jeune patient de 27 ans, en essayant par l’entremise d’une revue de la littérature de discuter des aspects radiologiques, histologiques, immuno-histochimiques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques de cette tumeur exceptionnelle.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in cystic renal masses
Authors: Balyemez Fikret , Aslan Ahmet , Inan Ibrahim , Ayaz Ercan , Karagöz Vildan , Özkanlı Sıdıka Şeyma , Acar Murat
Published: January 2017

Introduction: We aimed to introduce the diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for distinguishing benign and malignant renal cystic masses.Methods: Abdominal DWI-MRIs of patients with Bosniak categories 2F, 3, and 4 cystic renal masses were evaluated retrospectively. Cystic masses were assigned as benign or malignant according to histopathological or followup MRI findings and compared with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values.Results: There were 30 patients (18 males and 12 females, mean age was 59.23 ± 12.08 years [range 38‒83 years]) with cystic renal masses (eight Bosniak category 2F, 12 Bosniak category 3, 10 Bosniak category 4). Among them, 14 cysts were diagnosed as benign and 16 as malignant by followup imaging or histopathological findings. For the malignant lesions, the mean ADC values were lower than for benign lesions (p=0.001). An ADC value of ≤2.28 x10-6 mm2/s or less had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 92.86% for detecting malignancy.Conclusions: ADC can improve the diagnostic performance of MRI in the evaluation of complex renal cysts when used together with conventional MRI sequences.
Retroperitoneal hematoma following radical orchiectomy: Two cases
Authors: Glicksman Rachel , Hamilton Robert J. , Chung Peter
Published: January 2017

Treatment of testicular cancer is dependent on the stage of disease at presentation. Stage 1 testicular cancer is treated with radical orchiectomy, followed by active surveillance, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Occasionally, unusual and unexpected postoperative changes can be seen on computed tomography (CT), and may raise concern for metastatic disease.Here, we present two cases of testicular cancer patients who developed retroperitoneal hematomas post-radical orchiectomy, one as a classical clinical presentation, and the other as an atypicalradiological entity only. The first is a case of a 38-year-old male with a non-seminoma testicular cancer, who developed severe flank pain, hemodynamic instability, and progressive anemia from a retroperitoneal hematoma in the immediate (<24 hours) postoperative period, requiring urgent surgical evacuation. The second is a case of a 33-year-old male with a testicular seminoma who had a large, suspicious retroperitoneal mass on a staging CT scan concerning for metastatic disease, which was later diagnosed asa retroperitoneal hematoma. These cases reveal the clinical variability with which a retroperitoneal hematoma post-radical orchiectomy may present. In addition, the second case demonstrates the importance of recognizing radiological postoperative changes and ensuring that these findings are not mistaken for and treated as metastatic disease.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 8, No. 1
Authors: John Albert
Published: January 2017

International Journal of Chemistry wishes to acknowledge the following individuals for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Their help and contributions in maintaining the quality of the journal is greatly appreciated.Many authors, regardless of whether International Journal of Chemistry publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Reviewers for Volume 8, Number 1 Adel F. ShoukryAhmad GaladimaAna Sanches-SilvaGreg PetersHo Soon MinJiajue ChaiK. Ishara SilvaKhaldun Al AzzamLeiming WangMadduri SrinivasaraoPankaj SharmaPraveen KumarQun YeRabia RehmanSaroj Kumar PandaSeverine QueyroySie-Tiong HaSitaram AcharyaVahid HejaziZhixia Liu           Albert JohnOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of ChemistryCanadian Center of Science and Education
Designing a Portfolio Based On Risk and Return of Various Asset Classes
Authors: Soni Rashmi
Published: January 2017

Every investor’s dream is to maximize return with minimum risk. Since this is practically impossible, the target is to optimize the risk and return. Different asset classes perform differently at different points of time. The performance is affected by the business as well as other local and global macroeconomic parameters. Crude oil, real estate, gold etc. have given very high returns previously but have turned unattractive in recent times. Equity market has over a long term returned handsome benefits but is highly volatile and hence fraught with risks. The risk free investments like fixed, on the other hand, fall in the low-risk low-return category. The purpose of this study is to analyze the returns of various asset classes and correlate these with their risk characteristics in order to verify whether there is always a positive relation between risk and return across all asset classes and to find out the portfolio mix of the various asset classes corresponding to the desired return and risk.
Effect of F Score on Stock Performance: Evidence from Indian Equity Market
Authors: Tripathy Trilochan , Pani Bijon
Published: January 2017

This study seeks to examine whether value investing strategy based on F Score when applied to high book to market firms can significantly shift the current and future stock performance in favour of the investor in the Indian market. The study engages the panel data model to analyse the impact of high F Score on contemporaneous and future stock returns (Rt and Rt+1), return on equity (ROEt and ROEt+1) and market to book value (MTBVt and MTBVt+1) as stock performance measures. The study concludes that high book to market firms with high F Score can shift the distribution of contemporaneous and future stock performances in favour of investors in the Indian market. However such observation is most prominent and statistically significant at higher level when applied to future stock valuation measures than the future stock return as measures of stock performance. The outcome of the study would no doubt help the individual value investors, mutual fund managers and value investing strategists who have presence in the Indian market.
Phylogenetic Relationship of Indonesian Water Yam (Dioscorea alata L.) Cultivars Based on DNA Marker Using ITS-rDNA Analysis
Authors: Purnomo Purnomo , Daryono Budi Setiadi , Shiwachi Hironobu
Published: January 2017

Research on genetic diversity and intra-species classification of Indonesian Dioscorea alata L. based on morphological characters has been done, and the result shows that there are 4 sub-groups of green cultivars group, and 5 sub-groups of purplish-red cultivars group. The objectives of this study are to determine the phylogenetic relationship cultivars of D. alata Indonesia compared to D. bulbifera as nearest species as well as 3 cultivars from GenBank. The young leaves of 18 water yam cultivar accessions were collected from Java, Madura, South Sumatera, South Kalimantan, Centre Celebes (Sulawesi), Ternate, West Papua, and Nusa Tenggara islands of Indonesia. DNA Isolation was conducted using Phytopure reagent. DNA amplification was conducted using thermocycler, predenaturation at 95 oC 5 minutes, denaturation at 95 oC 1 minutes, annealing at 60 oC 3 minutes, and elongation at 72 oC 2 minutes along with 30 cycles. The PCR products were electrophoresed in 1.5% agarose and visualized under UV transiluminator. Fifty-five µl of PCR products with positive targeted band between 700-800 bp were sent to 1st Base Singapore for purification and sequencing of 18S, ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2, and 28S rDNA. The DNA sequences were compared and aligned by BioEdit program (version 7.0.5.2) and MEGA programs. Comparison of entire sequences of the tested samples were aligned by software ClustalW (version 1.83). Phylogenetic trees were based on hierarchical clustering of the alignments of 18S, ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2, and 28S rDNA and produced by Neigbor-Joining using MEGA 5 software of the bootstrap values (1000 replicates). The study result shows that D. alata cultivars have high genetic variability on ITS-1, 5.8S, and ITS-2 rDNA region. Groups of green and purplish red cultivars formed based on morphological characters are not formed based on ITS-rDNA markers. Sub-groups were formed based on ITS-rDNA molecular markers derived from both the green and purplish-red cultivar groups. This result revealed that two cultivar groups are not similar with RAPD and morphological characters.
Factors Affecting Farmer’s Chemical Fertilizers Consumption and Water Pollution in Northeastern Iran
Authors: Mohammadi Hosein , Mohammadi Abdolhamid Moarefi , Nojavan Solmaz
Published: January 2017

Pollution by fertilizers containing nitrogen is one of the most significant sources of water pollution, and agriculture sector has a considerable share in this type of pollution. In this study, factors affecting the level of contamination of surface and underground water resources by agricultural activities were examined. Data of 254 wheat farmers in the plain of Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi province in Iran were used for investigating the effect of some explanatory variables on the level of water pollution utilizing Ordered Logit Regression Model. The results show that main activity of farmers, years of experience, the level of education, awareness of organic farming, level of income, price of fertilizers and irrigation method have significant effect on the amount of fertilizers utilized by farmers and hence the level of water resources pollution. Efforts for decreasing pollution of water resources require strategies such as changing the main activity of farmers, increase the cost of using chemical fertilizers, create economic incentives for organic farming, and increase general information and knowledge of farmers.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 9, No. 2
Authors: Brown Anne
Published: January 2017

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 9, No. 2, 2017.