bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes-Based Education Integration in Home Economics Program: An Evaluative Study
Authors: Limon Mark Raguindin , Vallente John Paul Castillo
Published: May 2016

This study examined the factors that affect the integration of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) in the Home Economics (HE) education curriculum of the Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) program of a State University in the northern part of the Philippines. Descriptive survey and qualitative design were deployed to gather, analyze, and interpret data, which were deemed significant to the study. These research methods involved questionnaires, interviews, observations, and document investigations. The unit of analysis, which was purposively selected, was the students and faculty of the HE department under the TLE program. Results disclosed that there is little understanding of the new paradigm shift—OBE; there are limited instructional resources for the faculty; laboratory equipment were inadequate; and physical facilities available do not maximize the competencies required by OBE. Therefore, the researchers proposed the formulation of a new set of educational objectives, and the design of an action plan for the succeeding five years, in order to solicit necessary budget allocation from the government funding agency. This effort will address the identified gaps in the delivery of the OBE curriculum, specifically in upgrading physical resources and instructional materials. In addition, personnel involved in curriculum implementation should undergo seminars and trainings so that they could translate theories and concepts into practical skills and lifelong learning, which are needed for global marketability in the 21st century.
Recurrent Lacrimal Gland Choristoma of the Ciliary Body in an Infant Mimicking a Medulloepithelioma
Authors: Tauziède-Espariat Arnault , Roche Olivier , Dufier Jean-Louis , Putterman Marc
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Choristoma is a congenital tumor made up of ectopic normal tissue. Different histopathologic subtypes have been described. Among them, lacrimal gland choristoma is found mainly in infants and can affect the iris, the ciliary body, or the choroid and epibulbar region. Our aims were to report a case of lacrimal gland choristoma, review the published cases, and present the main differential diagnoses.

Methods

A local resection of a limited mass of the ciliary body was performed on a 12-month-old girl who had a 6-month history of visual loss, leukocoria, and pupillary deformation.

Results

Histopathologically, we observed a well-demarcated lesion involved under the epithelium of the ciliary body. It was composed of acini delineated by a well-differentiated epithelium without atypia and mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the lacrimal nature with the expression of epithelial markers (cytokeratin 7 positive and cytokeratin 20 negative) and neuron-specific enolase without immunoreactivity for other neuronal markers. Two years later, a local recurrence appeared and was resected. It showed nearly the same histopathologic features.

Conclusions

Lacrimal gland choristoma is a very rare lesion of the infant. Diagnosis is based on a histopathologic analysis with immunohistochemical studies to exclude other differential diagnoses such as a more common malignant tumor in childhood, medulloepithelioma. This observation shows an atypical clinical presentation of this benign lesion characterized by local recurrences.
Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty using 3rd Generation Ceramic-on-Ceramic Articulation
Authors: Seo Beom H. , Ryu Dong J. , Kang Joon S. , Moon Kyoung H.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) is currently a popular bearing combination in young patients in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic results and complications of cementless THA with 3rd generation CoC articulation.

Materials and methods

From April 2001 to January 2008, 310 primary THAs were performed in 300 patients using 3rd generation CoC articulation. The mean follow-up period was 8.9 years and the mean age at index surgery was 54.6 years. Patient clinical outcome was evaluated with the Harris Hip Score. Radiographic evaluations was performed to analyse osteolysis, implant fixation and loosening.

Results

Mean Harris Hip Score at last follow-up was 95.4 (76-100). Radiographic analysis demonstrated no evidence of stem or cup loosening and there were no cases of osteolysis. Ceramic wear was not detectable on the plain radiograph. Complications requiring revision occurred in 12 cases; 2 ceramic head fractures, 4 dislocations, 2 deep infections and 4 cases of periprosthetic fracture. The cohort had an overall revision rate of 3.9%.

Conclusions

Clinical outcomes using cementless THA with 3rd generation CoC articulation were satisfactory. Although the mechanical properties of ceramic materials have improved, there are still problems such as ceramic fracture and squeaking. More clinical study and investigation for alternative bearing are necessary to reduce complications. 4th generation CoC or ceramic on cross linked polyethylene may address some of these issues.
Soft Tissues Contribution to HIP Joint Kinematics and Biomechanics
Authors: Zaffagnini Stefano , Signorelli Cecilia , Bonanzinga Tommaso , Lopomo Nicola , Raggi Federico , Roberti Di Sarsina Tommaso , Grassi Alberto , Marcheggiani Muccioli Giulio Maria , Marcacci Maurilio
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To quantitatively describe the kinematic behaviour of the hip joint with particular interest in the contribution of the periarticular soft tissues to the stability. To quantitatively assess the sealing function of the acetabular labrum of an intact labrum, the effect of a labral-chondral separation and different surgical approaches. The biomechanics of the joint during specific clinical examinations was also assessed.

Methods

All the kinematics tests, manually performed, have been acquired using a navigation systems. For the first part of the study, 4 hemi-corpse specimens were evaluated with the hip in 36 different positions with all the soft tissues intact, after removal of skin and muscles and after partial capsulectomy. During the second and the third part of the analysis 8 fresh frozen hips were analysed. They were tested during 3 different positions used for femeroacetabular impingement (FAI) diagnosis, during pivoting motion and distraction test. Contact area between acetabulum and femoral head, range of movement (RoM) and hip joint centre (HJC) displacement were evaluated.

Results

Femoral head displacement occured in all 3 directions and increased as more tissue was removed. Considering both pivoting motion and distraction test there was an increase of the HJC displacement after labral tear. Analogously, the tested surgical approaches showed different results compared to intact condition. Our analysis confirmed that the hip position with Hyperextension-External Rotation is specific for the analysis of the posteriorsuperior region of the acetabulum.

Conclusions

The study showed that hip joint does not act as a true ball-and-socket joint and the femoral head anatomical displacement is strongly affected by the removal of periarticular soft tissues, labral repair as well as labrectomy.
Substantivní teorie vojenského převratu: příčinné faktory
Authors: Martinák Lukáš
Published: May 2016

The review article provides an analysis of Anglo-Saxon literature specialized in military coup research, especially that which focused on substantive theories of military coup inception and execution. The main goal of the article is to present previous military coup research and to minimize the conceptual gap between Anglo-Saxon and Czech political science with regard to the understanding of such a significant phenomenon. Starting with a definition of the military coup, the article’s goal is to describe and critically analyze ten separate substantive theories (such as the theory of military centrality, the theory of the coup trap, contagion theory, or linkage and leverage theory). From a Central European perspective, these theories offer a sufficient basis for additive coup research focused on European or Middle Eastern conditions. However, from the perspective of the requirements of a generally applicable formal theory, substantive theories provide limited conceptual instruments, which should be used carefully with respect to the specifications of particular cases.
Kvalita voleb do Poslanecké sněmovny Parlamentu ČR
Authors: Jarabinský Ivan
Published: May 2016

This text focuses on the integrity of elections to the lower chamber of the Parliament of the Czech Republic between 1998 and 2013. Its descriptive nature allows the following two main questions to be answered: What are the problems associated with Czech parliamentary elections? Can we identify any trend in the quality of these elections? The analysis employs a framework based on a “policy accountability” model of democracy previously used by Sarah Birch (2011). The analysis is based on various kinds of sources, mainly international observers’reports, laws, secondary analyses, and local news. The overall assessment of the quality of the analyzed elections is quite positive: Between 1998 and 2006 the quality of elections improved, and while it slightly deteriorated in 2010, it quickly returned back to the 2006 levels. The ability to provide equal information and the effective adjudication of disputes are identified as the most problematic aspects. Other parts of the electoral process are well-managed, with only negligible problems on the levels of electoral rules and electoral practice. The overall results differ little from the outcomes of available quantitative studies; however, they offer a deeper insight into the actual realization of demoratic electoral standards.
Přemysl Rosůlek: Politický secesionismus & etické teorie. Allen Buchanan a jeho kritici
Authors: Blažek Jan
Published: May 2016

Knižní recenze / Book review.
Halloween treats
Authors: Edgar Stacie
Published: May 2016

Each month this section of the Problem Solvers department features a new challenge for students. Autumn is always an exciting time of year. The October problem encourages students to think in terms of groups and fair sharing.
Bring ▀ Do ▀ Leave: Nurturing Reasoning and Sense Making
Authors: Rigelman Nicole R.
Published: May 2016

This planning guide supports teachers in thinking through instructional moves prior to lesson delivery, enabling a classroom culture rich in thinking and discourse.
How many bees? How many flies?
Authors: Davis Alexandra
Published: May 2016

Descriptive narratives and teacher reflections highlight children's mathematical thinking and learning. Watching children's actions and gestures, as well as listening to their mathematical conversations as they work, gives adults insight about interesting strategies, alternative representations, and sources of difficulty.
The Drosophila HNF4 nuclear receptor promotes glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and mitochondrial function in adults
Authors: Barry William E , Thummel Carl S
Published: May 2016

Although mutations in HNF4A were identified as the cause of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young 1 (MODY1) two decades ago, the mechanisms by which this nuclear receptor regulates glucose homeostasis remain unclear. Here we report that loss of Drosophila HNF4 recapitulates hallmark symptoms of MODY1, including adult-onset hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). These defects are linked to a role for dHNF4 in promoting mitochondrial function as well as the expression of Hex-C, a homolog of the MODY2 gene Glucokinase. dHNF4 is required in the fat body and insulin-producing cells to maintain glucose homeostasis by supporting a developmental switch toward oxidative phosphorylation and GSIS at the transition to adulthood. These findings establish an animal model for MODY1 and define a developmental reprogramming of metabolism to support the energetic needs of the mature animal.
Mitochondrial genetic diversity, selection and recombination in a canine transmissible cancer
Authors: Strakova Andrea , Ní Leathlobhair Máire , Wang Guo-Dong , Yin Ting-Ting , Airikkala-Otter Ilona , Allen Janice L , Allum Karen M , Bansse-Issa Leontine , Bisson Jocelyn L , Castillo Domracheva Artemio , de Castro Karina F , Corrigan Anne M , Cran Hugh R , Crawford Jane T , Cutter Stephen M , Delgadillo Keenan Laura , Donelan Edward M , Faramade Ibikunle A , Flores Reynoso Erika , Fotopoulou Eleni , Fruean Skye N , Gallardo-Arrieta Fanny , Glebova Olga , Häfelin Manrique Rodrigo F , Henriques Joaquim JGP , Ignatenko Natalia , Koenig Debbie , Lanza-Perea Marta , Lobetti Remo , Lopez Quintana Adriana M , Losfelt Thibault , Marino Gabriele , Martincorena Inigo , Martínez Castañeda Simón , Martínez-López Mayra F , Meyer Michael , Nakanwagi Berna , De Nardi Andrigo B , Neunzig Winifred , Nixon Sally J , Onsare Marsden M , Ortega-Pacheco Antonio , Peleteiro Maria C , Pye Ruth J , Reece John F , Rojas Gutierrez Jose , Sadia Haleema , Schmeling Sheila K , Shamanova Olga , Ssuna Richard K , Steenland-Smit Audrey E , Svitich Alla , Thoya Ngoka Ismail , Vițălaru Bogdan A , de Vos Anna P , de Vos Johan P , Walkinton Oliver , Wedge David C , Wehrle-Martinez Alvaro S , van der Wel Mirjam G , Widdowson Sophie AE , Murchison Elizabeth P
Published: May 2016

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a clonally transmissible cancer that originated approximately 11,000 years ago and affects dogs worldwide. Despite the clonal origin of the CTVT nuclear genome, CTVT mitochondrial genomes (mtDNAs) have been acquired by periodic capture from transient hosts. We sequenced 449 complete mtDNAs from a global population of CTVTs, and show that mtDNA horizontal transfer has occurred at least five times, delineating five tumour clades whose distributions track two millennia of dog global migration. Negative selection has operated to prevent accumulation of deleterious mutations in captured mtDNA, and recombination has caused occasional mtDNA re-assortment. These findings implicate functional mtDNA as a driver of CTVT global metastatic spread, further highlighting the important role of mtDNA in cancer evolution.
Ca2+ entry into neurons is facilitated by cooperative gating of clustered CaV1.3 channels
Authors: Moreno Claudia M , Dixon Rose E , Tajada Sendoa , Yuan Can , Opitz-Araya Ximena , Binder Marc D , Santana Luis F
Published: May 2016

CaV1.3 channels regulate excitability in many neurons. As is the case for all voltage-gated channels, it is widely assumed that individual CaV1.3 channels behave independently with respect to voltage-activation, open probability, and facilitation. Here, we report the results of super-resolution imaging, optogenetic, and electrophysiological measurements that refute this long-held view. We found that the short channel isoform (CaV1.3S), but not the long (CaV1.3L), associates in functional clusters of two or more channels that open cooperatively, facilitating Ca2+ influx. CaV1.3S channels are coupled via a C-terminus-to-C-terminus interaction that requires binding of the incoming Ca2+ to calmodulin (CaM) and subsequent binding of CaM to the pre-IQ domain of the channels. Physically-coupled channels facilitate Ca2+ currents as a consequence of their higher open probabilities, leading to increased firing rates in rat hippocampal neurons. We propose that cooperative gating of CaV1.3S channels represents a mechanism for the regulation of Ca2+ signaling and electrical activity.
At the mercy of viruses
Authors: Wilke Claus O , Sawyer Sara L
Published: May 2016

Viruses are responsible for many of the adaptive mutations in the human genome.
Partners for life
Authors: Eliasson Lena , Wendt Anna
Published: May 2016

The hormones insulin and glucagon both play important roles in the development of diabetes.
Electron density change of atmospheric-pressure plasmas in helium flow depending on the oxygen/nitrogen ratio of the surrounding atmosphere
Authors: Tomita Kentaro , Urabe Keiichiro , Shirai Naoki , Sato Yuta , Hassaballa Safwat , Bolouki Nima , Yoneda Munehiro , Shimizu Takahiro , Uchino Kiichiro
Published: May 2016

Laser Thomson scattering was applied to an atmospheric-pressure plasma produced in a helium (He) gas flow for measuring the spatial profiles of electron density (n
e) and electron temperature (T
e). Aside from the He core flow, the shielding gas flow of N2 or synthesized air (

) surrounding the He flow was introduced to evaluate the effect of ambient gas components on the plasma parameters, eliminating the effect of ambient humidity. The n
e at the discharge center was 2.7 × 1021 m−3 for plasma generated with N2/O2 shielding gas, 50% higher than that generated with N2 shielding.
Constructing higher order DNA origami arrays using DNA junctions of anti-parallel/parallel double crossovers
Authors: Ma Zhipeng , Park Seongsu , Yamashita Naoki , Kawai Kentaro , Hirai Yoshikazu , Tsuchiya Toshiyuki , Tabata Osamu
Published: May 2016

DNA origami provides a versatile method for the construction of nanostructures with defined shape, size and other properties; such nanostructures may enable a hierarchical assembly of large scale architecture for the placement of other nanomaterials with atomic precision. However, the effective use of these higher order structures as functional components depends on knowledge of their assembly behavior and mechanical properties. This paper demonstrates construction of higher order DNA origami arrays with controlled orientations based on the formation of two types of DNA junctions: anti-parallel and parallel double crossovers. A two-step assembly process, in which preformed rectangular DNA origami monomer structures themselves undergo further self-assembly to form numerically unlimited arrays, was investigated to reveal the influences of assembly parameters. AFM observations showed that when parallel double crossover DNA junctions are used, the assembly of DNA origami arrays occurs with fewer monomers than for structures formed using anti-parallel double crossovers, given the same assembly parameters, indicating that the configuration of parallel double crossovers is not energetically preferred. However, the direct measurement by AFM force-controlled mapping shows that both DNA junctions of anti-parallel and parallel double crossovers have homogeneous mechanical stability with any part of DNA origami.
Discharge of viscous UV-curable resin droplets by screen printing for UV nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Tanabe Akira , Uehara Takuya , Nagase Kazuro , Ikedo Hiroaki , Hiroshiba Nobuya , Nakamura Takahiro , Nakagawa Masaru
Published: May 2016

We demonstrated a coating method of screen printing for discharging droplets of a high-viscosity resin on a substrate for ultraviolet (UV) nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Compared with a spin-coated resin film on a silicon substrate, discharged resin droplets on a silicon substrate were effective in terms of the uniformity of residual layer thickness (RLT) in contact with a mold with various pattern densities. Fluorescence microscope observations with a fluorescent-dye-containing UV-curable resin enabled the evaluation of the shapes of resin droplets discharged on a substrate surface. Widely used screen mesh plates composed of a stainless mesh covered with a patterned emulsion film caused defects of undischarged parts, whereas defects-free resin droplets with a narrow size distribution were discharged by mesh-free plates prepared with laser ablation. The pitch-to-diameter ratio in the configuration of 10-µm-diameter holes needs to be larger than 2.5 times for printing a resin having a viscosity of 12,800 mPa s.
Simulation study for lifetime distribution of middle-of-line time-dependent dielectric breakdown affected by global and local spacing variations
Authors: Yokogawa Shinji
Published: May 2016

The impact of process fluctuations for the lifetime distribution of middle-of-line time-dependent dielectric breakdown was investigated by Monte-Carlo simulation. Global and local variations were simulated using a doubly truncated normal distribution. A goodness of fit to the generated data was determined statistically in terms of the Weibull distribution and clustering model. A change in the standard deviation of the global variation shows a large contribution to lifetime variation. However, it does not affect the average lifetime. A change in the standard deviation of the local variation contributes to both the average lifetime and the distribution variation. The upper limit of the process variation induces the convex upward shape of the lifetime distribution on the Weibull plot. The clustering model well explains the distribution shape.
Nest site selection and nutritional provision through excreta: a form of parental care in a tropical endogeic earthworm
Authors: Ortiz-Ceballos Angel I. , Pérez-Staples Diana , Pérez-Rodríguez Paulino
Published: May 2016

Nest construction is a common form of parental care in soil organisms. However, it is unknown whether the tropical earthwormPontoscolex corethrurusproduces nests in soils with low nutritional quality habitat. Here we studied the reproductive behaviour and nest site selection ofP. corethrurus, and tested the hypothesis whetherP. corethrurusproduces more cocoons in habitats with low nutritional quality. In bidimensional terrariums we evaluated the combined effect of the nutritional quality of habitat: (Poor Quality Habitat = PQH, Medium Quality Habitat = MQH, High Quality Habitat = HQH) and soil depth (Shallow, Intermediate, Deep) in a factorial 32design. The number and biomass of cocoons, progeny and the production of internal and external excreta were evaluated. The quality habitat and depth of soil and their interaction had a significant effect on nest site construction and the deposition of internal excreta. Pontoscolex corethrurus built a higher amount of nests in the PQH-Intermediate and MQH-Intermediate treatments while more internal excreta were found in the HQH-Intermediate treatment. Offspring biomass was positively associated with internal excreta in the PQH (soil only) and MQH (soil + grass) treatments, suggesting that this could be a form of parental care. SinceP. corethrurusproduces more cocoons in low and medium quality habitats, while produces more internal excreta at high quality habitats, there does not seem to be an association between number of offspring and parental care. We suggestP. corethruruscould have two reproductive strategies that act as diversified bet-hedging (do not put all cocoons in one basket) behavior in unpredictable environment, and thus build a higher amount of nests in low and medium quality habitats; and another where they produce more internal excreta as a form of parental care in high quality habitats. Parental care in the form of internal excreta may be particularly important in poor and medium quality habitats where offspring biomass increased with internal excreta. Further research is needed on the ecological conditions that favour the evolution of parental care in earthworms according to their ecological category (anecic, endogeic and anecic).
Influencia de la Cantidad y el Nombre de las Unidades Gráficas en el Reconocimiento y la Diferenciación Precoz Entre Dibujo, Escritura y Numerales
Authors: Salsa Analía Marcela , Gariboldi María Belén
Published: May 2016

Este estudio investigó la influencia de la cantidad y el nombre de las unidades gráficas en el reconocimiento y la diferenciación entre dibujo, escritura y numerales en niños de 2, 3 y 4 años. Se asignó a una muestra por conveniencia de 90 niños de 4 jardines de infantes de Rosario, Argentina, a 2 condiciones para resolver una tarea de clasificación con tarjetas: una condición experimental con un dibujo, palabras de 3 letras distintas y numerales de un dígito, y una condición control con 3 unidades gráficas distintas en cada representación. Análisis de varianza y la prueba t de Student muestran que los niños podrían discriminar dibujo de escritura y numerales a los 2 años, con un mejor desempeño en la condición experimental. Los niños de 3 años estarían elaborando las diferencias entre los sistemas arbitrarios: reconocieron escritura y numerales de un dígito, pero también eligieron numerales en vez de letras y viceversa. A los 4 años la discriminación entre los sistemas fue clara y no estuvo asociada con el conocimiento del nombre de las unidades de los sistemas arbitrarios.
Detectability of change in winter precipitation within mountain landscapes: Spatial patterns and uncertainty
Authors: Silverman N. L. , Maneta M. P.
Published: May 2016

Detecting long‐term change in seasonal precipitation using ground observations is dependent on the representativity of the point measurement to the surrounding landscape. In mountainous regions, representativity can be poor and lead to large uncertainties in precipitation estimates at high elevations or in areas where observations are sparse. If the uncertainty in the estimate is large compared to the long‐term shifts in precipitation, then the change will likely go undetected. In this analysis, we examine the minimum detectable change across mountainous terrain in western Montana, USA. We ask the question: What is the minimum amount of change that is necessary to be detected using our best estimates of precipitation in complex terrain? We evaluate the spatial uncertainty in the precipitation estimates by conditioning historic regional climate model simulations to ground observations using Bayesian inference. By using this uncertainty as a null hypothesis, we test for detectability across the study region. To provide context for the detectability calculations, we look at a range of future scenarios from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) multimodel ensemble downscaled to 4 km resolution using the MACAv2‐METDATA data set. When using the ensemble averages we find that approximately 65% of the significant increases in winter precipitation go undetected at midelevations. At high elevation, approximately 75% of significant increases in winter precipitation are undetectable. Areas where change can be detected are largely controlled by topographic features. Elevation and aspect are key characteristics that determine whether or not changes in winter precipitation can be detected. Furthermore, we find that undetected increases in winter precipitation at high elevation will likely remain as snow under climate change scenarios. Therefore, there is potential for these areas to offset snowpack loss at lower elevations and confound the effects of climate change on water resources.
Plasma transport driven by the Rayleigh‐Taylor instability
Authors: Ma X. , Delamere P. A. , Otto A.
Published: May 2016

Two important differences between the giant magnetospheres (i.e., Jupiter's and Saturn's magnetospheres) and the terrestrial magnetosphere are the internal plasma sources and the fast planetary rotation. Thus, there must be a radially outward flow to transport the plasma to avoid infinite accumulation of plasma. This radial outflow also carries the magnetic flux away from the inner magnetosphere due to the frozen‐in condition. As such, there also must be a radial inward flow to refill the magnetic flux in the inner magnetosphere. Due to the similarity between Rayleigh‐Taylor (RT) instability and the centrifugal instability, we use a three‐dimensional RT instability to demonstrate that an interchange instability can form a convection flow pattern, locally twisting the magnetic flux, consequently forming a pair of high‐latitude reconnection sites. This process exchanges a part of the flux tube, thereby transporting the plasma radially outward without requiring significant latitudinal convection of magnetic flux in the ionosphere.
Regional influence of climate patterns on the wave climate of the southwestern Pacific: The New Zealand region
Authors: Godoi Victor A. , Bryan Karin R. , Gorman Richard M.
Published: May 2016

This work investigates how the wave climate around New Zealand and the southwest Pacific is modulated by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), Zonal Wave‐number‐3 Pattern (ZW3), and Southern Annular Mode (SAM) during the period 1958–2001. Their respective climate indices were correlated with modeled mean wave parameters extracted from a 45 year (1957–2002) wave hindcast carried out with the WAVEWATCH III model using the wind and ice fields from the ERA‐40 reanalysis project. The correlation was performed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient and the wavelet spectral analysis. Prior to that, mean annual and interannual variabilities and trends in significant wave height (Hs) were computed over 44 years (1958–2001). In general, higher annual and interannual variabilities were found along the coastline, in regions dominated by local winds. An increasing trend in Hs was found around the country, with values varying between 1 and 6 cm/decade at the shoreline. The greatest Hs trends were identified to the south of 48°S, suggesting a relationship with the positive trend in the SAM. Seasonal to decadal time scales of the SAM strongly influenced wave parameters throughout the period analyzed. In addition, larger waves were observed during extreme ENSO and IOD events at interannual time scale, while they were more evident at seasonal and intraseasonal time scales in the correlations with the ZW3. Negative phases of the ZW3 and ENSO and positive phases of the IOD, PDO, and SAM resulted in larger waves around most parts of New Zealand.
Determining soil moisture and soil properties in vegetated areas by assimilating soil temperatures
Authors: Dong Jianzhi , Steele‐Dunne Susan C. , Ochsner Tyson E. , van de Giesen Nick
Published: May 2016

This study addresses two critical barriers to the use of Passive Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) for large‐scale, high‐resolution monitoring of soil moisture. In recent research, a particle batch smoother (PBS) was developed to assimilate sequences of temperature data at two depths into Hydrus‐1D to estimate soil moisture as well as soil thermal and hydraulic properties. However, this approach was limited to bare soil and assumed that the cable depths were perfectly known. In order for Passive DTS to be more broadly applicable as a soil hydrology research and remote sensing soil moisture product validation tool, it must be applicable in vegetated areas. To address this first limitation, the forward model (Hydrus‐1D) was improved through the inclusion of a canopy energy balance scheme. Synthetic tests were used to demonstrate that without the canopy energy balance scheme, the PBS estimated soil moisture could be even worse than the open loop case (no assimilation). When the improved Hydrus‐1D model was used as the forward model in the PBS, vegetation impacts on the soil heat and water transfer were well accounted for. This led to accurate and robust estimates of soil moisture and soil properties. The second limitation is that, cable depths can be highly uncertain in DTS installations. As Passive DTS uses the downward propagation of heat to extract moisture‐related variations in thermal properties, accurate estimates of cable depths are essential. Here synthetic tests were used to demonstrate that observation depths can be jointly estimated with other model states and parameters. The state and parameter results were only slightly poorer than those obtained when the cable depths were perfectly known. Finally, in situ temperature data from four soil profiles with different, but known, soil textures were used to test the proposed approach. Results show good agreement between the observed and estimated soil moisture, hydraulic properties, thermal properties, and observation depths at all locations. The proposed method resulted in soil moisture estimates in the top 10 cm with RMSE values typically <0.04
. This demonstrates the potential of detecting the spatial variability of soil moisture and properties in vegetated areas from Passive DTS data.
Analysis of a Precambrian resonance‐stabilized day length
Authors: Bartlett Benjamin C. , Stevenson David J.
Published: May 2016

During the Precambrian era, Earth's decelerating rotation would have passed a 21 h period that would have been resonant with the semidiurnal atmospheric thermal tide. Near this point, the atmospheric torque would have been maximized, being comparable in magnitude but opposite in direction to the lunar torque, halting Earth's rotational deceleration, maintaining a constant day length, as detailed by Zahnle and Walker (1987). We develop a computational model to determine necessary conditions for formation and breakage of this resonant effect. Our simulations show the resonance to be resilient to atmospheric thermal noise but suggest a sudden atmospheric temperature increase like the deglaciation period following a possible “snowball Earth” near the end of the Precambrian would break this resonance; the Marinoan and Sturtian glaciations seem the most likely candidates for this event. Our model provides a simulated day length over time that resembles existing paleorotational data, though further data are needed to verify this hypothesis.
Estimation of magnetospheric plasma ion composition for 1956–1975 by using high time resolution geomagnetic field data created from analog magnetograms
Authors: Yamamoto K. , Nosé M. , Mashiko N. , Morinaga K. , Nagamachi S.
Published: May 2016

This study addresses the ion composition in the magnetosphere before the satellite era. We estimate the plasma ion mass for 1956–1975 from the period of low‐latitude Pi2 pulsations found in digital geomagnetic field data that are created from analog magnetograms at Kakioka. The period of investigation covers most of solar cycle 19 and the whole solar cycle 20. To consider long‐term variation, the moving average of the estimated plasma ion mass is calculated with a 1 year time window. We find that 1 year moving average of the plasma ion mass changed by a factor of ∼2 during one solar cycle (i.e., between ∼1.1 amu and ∼2.4 amu for solar cycle 19 and between ∼1.1 amu and ∼2.0 amu for solar cycle 20). The correlation coefficient between the 1 year moving average of the plasma ion mass and that of the F10.7 index is 0.86. This result supports the idea that in long‐term variation, solar radiation increases the density and the temperature of O+ ions in the ionosphere, leads to the outflow of O+ ions, and contributes to the enhancement of the plasma ion mass in the nightside magnetosphere. The digital data created from analog magnetograms provide an important clue to know the space environment in old days and are advantageous for studies of the space weather and space climate.
Light beam attenuation and backscattering properties of particles in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea with relation to biogeochemical properties
Authors: Wang Shengqiang , Qiu Zhongfeng , Sun Deyong , Shen Xiaojing , Zhang Hailong
Published: May 2016

This study reports the first results of the variability in light beam attenuation and the backscattering properties of particles and their controlling factors during the summer in the Bohai Sea (BS) and Yellow Sea (YS), which are two typical shallow and semienclosed seas. We observe large variations in the particulate beam attenuation (cp) and backscattering coefficients (bbp); such variations are mainly attributed to changes in the total suspended matter, while the cross‐sectional area concentration shows tighter relationships with both cp and bbp. The mass‐specific beam attenuation (
) and backscattering coefficients (
) vary more widely over about two orders of magnitude. The attenuation (Qce) and backscattering efficiencies (Qbbe) are important factors that control
and
, which clearly separate all the samples into two types. Type 1 samples show low Qce and Qbbe and contain relatively high proportions of organic or large particles, while type 2 samples have high Qce and Qbbe and mainly contain relatively small mineral particles. The majority of the variability in
and
within each type is related to the inverse of the product of particle apparent density (ρa) and mean diameter (DA); ρa plays a major role, while DA exerts only a slight impact. Overall, this study provides general knowledge of particulate beam attenuation and the backscattering properties in the BS and YS, which may improve our understanding of underwater radiative transfer processes, marine biogeochemical processes and ocean color algorithms.
Research Career Persistence for Solar and Space Physics PhD
Authors: Moldwin Mark B. , Morrow Cherilynn
Published: May 2016

Results from a recent graduate student survey found unsurprisingly that Solar and Space Physics (S&SP) PhD graduate students almost all aspire to have research careers in Solar and Space Physics. This study reports on the research career persistence over the first decade of the new millennium for S&SP PhDs. We used publication of science citation indexed articles as the indicator for persistence in a research career. We found that nearly two thirds (64%) of PhDs who graduated between 2001 and 2009 published refereed papers in 2012 or 2013, while 17% of PhDs never published another paper beyond the year they received their PhD. The remaining 19% of PhDs stopped publishing within three years of receiving their PhD. We found no gender difference between research persistence. We also found that though there is statistically no difference on persistence of publishing research between graduates of the largest programs compared to all other programs, there are significant differences between individual programs. This study indicates that a majority of S&SP PhDs find research careers but that a significant fraction pursue careers where publishing in science citation indexed journals is not required. Graduate programs, advisors, and potential graduate students can use these data for career planning and developing mentoring programs that meet the career outcomes of all of their graduates.
Combined use of thermal methods and seepage meters to efficiently locate, quantify, and monitor focused groundwater discharge to a sand‐bed stream
Authors: Rosenberry Donald O. , Briggs Martin A. , Delin Geoffrey , Hare Danielle K.
Published: May 2016

Quantifying flow of groundwater through streambeds often is difficult due to the complexity of aquifer‐scale heterogeneity combined with local‐scale hyporheic exchange. We used fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing (FO‐DTS), seepage meters, and vertical temperature profiling to locate, quantify, and monitor areas of focused groundwater discharge in a geomorphically simple sand‐bed stream. This combined approach allowed us to rapidly focus efforts at locations where prodigious amounts of groundwater discharged to the Quashnet River on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, northeastern USA. FO‐DTS detected numerous anomalously cold reaches one to several m long that persisted over two summers. Seepage meters positioned upstream, within, and downstream of 7 anomalously cold reaches indicated that rapid groundwater discharge occurred precisely where the bed was cold; median upward seepage was nearly 5 times faster than seepage measured in streambed areas not identified as cold. Vertical temperature profilers deployed next to 8 seepage meters provided diurnal‐signal‐based seepage estimates that compared remarkably well with seepage‐meter values. Regression slope and R2 values both were near 1 for seepage ranging from 0.05 to 3.0 m d−1. Temperature‐based seepage model accuracy was improved with thermal diffusivity determined locally from diurnal signals. Similar calculations provided values for streambed sediment scour and deposition at subdaily resolution. Seepage was strongly heterogeneous even along a sand‐bed river that flows over a relatively uniform sand and fine‐gravel aquifer. FO‐DTS was an efficient method for detecting areas of rapid groundwater discharge, even in a strongly gaining river, that can then be quantified over time with inexpensive streambed thermal methods.
Stable Estimation
Authors: Lad Frank
Published: May 2016

The principle of stable estimation, or precise measurement, specifies that when a likelihood function is sharply peaked in an interval over which a prior density is relatively flat, the posterior density does not differ much from the normed likelihood function. The measurement itself is considered to be precise, irrespective of the fine detail of the prior.
Fatigue Models
Authors: Leiva Víctor , Vivanco Juan F.
Published: May 2016

In this article, we introduce fatigue models and provide a review of some basic and recent ideas on the topic. We mention certain realistic engineering aspects associated with fatigue models. In addition, we discuss fatigue data sets for different types of materials and an implementation of related‐distributions in theRsoftware using experimental fatigue‐life data with and without considering a stress factor.
Density Estimation Including Examples
Authors: Müller Hans‐Georg , Petersen Alexander
Published: May 2016

In this brief review, we focus on nonparametric density estimation, a well‐established methodology that has found many applications over the last 60 years. Density estimation includes the time‐honored methods of histograms and kernel density estimation. Several other nonparametric approaches, such as penalized maximum likelihood and density estimation via nonparametric regression, are also reviewed. We include some illustrative examples for one‐dimensional and multivariate density estimation and discuss various extensions.
Taguchi Method for Off‐Line Quality Control
Authors: Ben‐Gal Irad E. , Dror Shuki
Published: May 2016

Three decades ago, Taguchi developed a systematic approach to off‐line quality control and process design that is now known as theTaguchi method. Although some of the statistical aspects of the method are arguable, there is no dispute that it has been widely applied to various processes and industries and gained enormous attention. In this article, we summarize the main concepts of the Taguchi method and cover some of its implementations.
Public Opinion Polls
Authors: Warren Kenneth F.
Published: May 2016

People have always been interested in finding out what people think about various matters, so polling people was inevitable. Early “straw polls” were unscientific and not very accurate. However, George Gallup, experimenting with scientific polling, used his polling to predict the winner of the 1936 presidential election. This gave credibility to scientific polling leading to the growth of a giant, multibillion dollar polling industry.

Although scientific pollsters from the mid‐1930s through the early 1950s used mostly face‐to‐face interviews combined with quota sampling, their failure to predict accurately the winner of the 1948 election discredited quota sampling. Soon, pollsters adopted random sampling, helped enormously by the growing use of landline phones. By the 1960s, random phone interviewing became the gold standard in polling.

Pollsters have used various polling methods, including face‐to‐face, mail, phone, exit, and Internet interviews. Each method has its pros and cons. However, random landline phone interviews, once the gold standard in polling for getting a representative sample, has been severely compromised by the use of cell phones and phone screening devices. Pollsters are now struggling to find another new way to obtain representative samples.
Epidemic Models, Stochastic
Authors: Gani Joe
Published: May 2016

The role of stochastic modeling in describing the growth of epidemics is surveyed. This article describes the most commonly used stochastic epidemic models. For discrete time, the Greenwood and Reed–Frost chain binomials are outlined, and the importance of embedded Markov chains is noted. In continuous time, the simple SI, the general SIR, and the carrier‐borne CSR models are discussed, and Whittle's threshold theorem is stated. A general framework for stochastic models is sketched and its relation to deterministic models is noted. This article concludes with some references to recent literature.
Genetic Correlations and Covariances
Authors: Hopper John L.
Published: May 2016

In 1918, Fisher devised a theoretical basis for making inferences about genetic and environmental causes of variation in continuous traits. This synthesized Mendelian inheritance with Darwinian evolution through selection and overcame problems with blending inheritance. He showed that the genetic covariance, and hence correlation, between relatives can be expressed in terms of additive and dominance variance components, which can be expressed in terms of identity coefficients and extended to polygenic inheritance. A more general model can include environmental variances, the latter including environmental factors shared by or common to (classes of) relatives. Cohabitation effects can depend on living together and apart, and the type of relationship. The combined effects of genetic, common environmental and individual‐specific environmental factors can be modeled in numerous ways, and extended to include gene–environment interactions and covariation, and multiple traits. It can include effects on the mean, and on the covariance between relatives, of measured genetic and environmental factors. While comparisons of observed and predicted correlations are used to make infer about reality, care must be taken. These models describe causes of variation, not causes
per se
. A model is only an approximation, model assumptions need to be addressed, and there is strong negative confounding between the genetic and shared environment components of variance. A pattern of correlations consistent with a given explanation does not prove that explanation is the true or only explanation and the “best fitting model” is not necessarily close to the true model. Attention should be paid to falsifying models.
Phase‐Type and Generalized Phase‐Type Distributions in Survival Analysis
Authors: Huzurbazar Aparna V. , Aalen Odd O.
Published: May 2016

Consider a finite‐state, time‐continuous, homogeneous Markov chain with an absorbing state. The time to absorption in such a state is said to have a phase‐type distribution. Markov models are useful because they may incorporate an understanding of how a phenomenon, for example, a disease, moves through different stages. However, for tractability and to maintain the Markov property, the stages are modeled with exponential waiting times. Aalen[1]introduced such phase‐type distributions based on Markov processes for modeling disease progression in survival analysis. Huzurbazar[2]extended this work by generalizing these models to semi‐Markov processes with nonexponential waiting times, calledgeneralized phase‐type distributions. The generalization allows more realistic modeling of the stages of the disease where the Markov property and exponential waiting times may not hold. Flowgraph models are used to provide a closed‐form solution for the distributions in situations where involving nonexponential waiting times. Flowgraph models are a tool that aid in the analysis of semi‐Markov processes. Densities and hazard rates of phase‐type distributions can be calculated from standard Markov chain theory.
Computer‐Based Test Designs
Authors: Zenisky April L.
Published: May 2016

Among the decisions to be made in implementing a computer‐based test, the choice of test design is one of the most important. A test design is the manner by which individual items are selected for presentation to examinees during administration. The importance of evaluating test design options is critical because it concerns not only test administration but also basic activities in the test‐development process and the quality and precision of scores to be obtained for a specified testing purpose. Essentially, conceptualizing the test design options for computerized testing first hinges on the property of being adaptive or not, and then there are varied approaches within each of those two groupings. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of selected test designs, adaptive and otherwise, while highlighting certain measurement advantages and concerns associated with each.