bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrological, chemical, and isotopic budgets of Lake Chad: a quantitative assessment of evaporation, transpiration and infiltration fluxes
Authors: Bouchez Camille , Goncalves Julio , Deschamps Pierre , Vallet-Coulomb Christine , Hamelin Bruno , Doumnang Jean-Claude , Sylvestre Florence
Published: April 2016

Abstract. In the Sahelian belt, Lake Chad is a key water body for 13 million people, who live on its resources. It experiences, however, substantial and frequent surface changes. Located at the centre of one of the largest endorheic basins in the world, its waters remain surprisingly fresh. Its low salinity has been attributed to a low infiltration flow whose value remains poorly constrained. Understanding the lake's hydrological behaviour in response to climate variability requires a better constraint of the factors that control its water and chemical balance. Based on the three-pool conceptualization of Lake Chad proposed by Bader et al. (2011), this study aims to quantify the total water outflow from the lake, the respective proportions of evaporation (E), transpiration (T), and infiltration (I), and the associated uncertainties. A Bayesian inversion method based on lake-level data was used, leading to total water loss estimates in each pool (E + T + I =  ETI). Sodium and stable isotope mass balances were then used to separate total water losses into E, T, and I components. Despite the scarcity of representative data available on the lake, the combination of these two geochemical tracers is relevant to assess the relative contribution of these three outflows involved in the control of the hydrological budget. Mean evapotranspiration rates were estimated at 2070 ± 100 and 2270 ± 100 mm yr−1 for the southern and northern pools, respectively. Infiltration represents between 100 and 300 mm yr−1 but most of the water is evapotranspirated in the first few kilometres from the shorelines and does not efficiently recharge the Quaternary aquifer. Transpiration is shown to be significant, around 300 mm yr−1 and reaches 500 mm yr−1 in the vegetated zone of the archipelagos. Hydrological and chemical simulations reproduce the marked hydrological change between the normal lake state that occurred before 1972 and the small lake state after 1972 when the lake surface shrunk to a one-tenth of its size. According to our model, shrinking phases are efficient periods for salt evacuation from the lake towards the phreatic aquifer.
Open-source feature-tracking algorithm for sea ice drift retrieval from Sentinel-1 SAR imagery
Authors: Muckenhuber Stefan , Korosov Anton Andreevich , Sandven Stein
Published: April 2016

Abstract. A computationally efficient, open-source feature-tracking algorithm, called ORB, is adopted and tuned for sea ice drift retrieval from Sentinel-1 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images. The most suitable setting and parameter values have been found using four Sentinel-1 image pairs representative of sea ice conditions between Greenland and Severnaya Zemlya during winter and spring. The performance of the algorithm is compared to two other feature-tracking algorithms, namely SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform) and SURF (Speeded-Up Robust Features). Having been applied to 43 test image pairs acquired over Fram Strait and the north-east of Greenland, the tuned ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF) algorithm produces the highest number of vectors (177 513, SIFT: 43 260 and SURF: 25 113), while being computationally most efficient (66 s, SIFT: 182 s and SURF: 99 s per image pair using a 2.7 GHz processor with 8 GB memory). For validation purposes, 314 manually drawn vectors have been compared with the closest calculated vectors, and the resulting root mean square error of ice drift is 563 m. All test image pairs show a significantly better performance of the HV (horizontal transmit, vertical receive) channel due to higher informativeness. On average, around four times as many vectors have been found using HV polarization. All software requirements necessary for applying the presented feature-tracking algorithm are open source to ensure a free and easy implementation.
Reconstructing the annual mass balance of the Echaurren Norte glacier (Central Andes, 33.5° S) using local and regional hydroclimatic data
Authors: Masiokas Mariano H. , Christie Duncan A. , Le Quesne Carlos , Pitte Pierre , Ruiz Lucas , Villalba Ricardo , Luckman Brian H. , Berthier Etienne , Nussbaumer Samuel U. , González-Reyes Álvaro , McPhee James , Barcaza Gonzalo
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Despite the great number and variety of glaciers in southern South America, in situ glacier mass-balance records are extremely scarce and glacier–climate relationships are still poorly understood in this region. Here we use the longest (>  35 years) and most complete in situ mass-balance record, available for the Echaurren Norte glacier (ECH) in the Andes at  ∼  33.5° S, to develop a minimal glacier surface mass-balance model that relies on nearby monthly precipitation and air temperature data as forcing. This basic model is able to explain 78 % of the variance in the annual glacier mass-balance record over the 1978–2013 calibration period. An attribution assessment identified precipitation variability as the dominant forcing modulating annual mass balances at ECH, with temperature variations likely playing a secondary role. A regionally averaged series of mean annual streamflow records from both sides of the Andes between  ∼  30 and 37° S is then used to estimate, through simple linear regression, this glacier's annual mass-balance variations since 1909. The reconstruction model captures 68 % of the observed glacier mass-balance variability and shows three periods of sustained positive mass balances embedded in an overall negative trend over the past 105 years. The three periods of sustained positive mass balances (centered in the 1920s–1930s, in the 1980s and in the first decade of the 21st century) coincide with several documented glacier advances in this region. Similar trends observed in other shorter glacier mass-balance series suggest that the Echaurren Norte glacier reconstruction is representative of larger-scale conditions and could be useful for more detailed glaciological, hydrological and climatological assessments in this portion of the Andes.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Engineering Management Research, Vol. 5, No. 1
Authors: Dou Paige
Published: April 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Engineering Management Research, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2016
Implementation of Cooperative Learning Model in Preschool
Authors: Akçay Nilüfer Okur
Published: April 2016

In this study, the effectivity of jigsaw method, one of the cooperative learning models, on teaching the concepts related to sense organs and their functions to four-five year-old children in nursery class was analyzed. The study is in the semi-experimental design consisting of experimental and control groups and pretest and posttest. The sample of this study consists of 38 children from the nursery class of Ministry of National Education in Ağrı city center, in 2015-2016 academic years. Two groups determined randomly have been formed. These are: Jigsaw Group (JG, N=20) and Control Group (CG, N=18). In the direction of the goals of this study, a data collection tool has been developed by the researcher to collect data. The test prepared by the researcher to determine the knowledge levels of the students about organs like ear, tongue, eye and skin and senses like hearing, smelling, tasting, seeing and sensing has been used. As a result of the obtained data, it has been determined that cooperative learning model is more effective in teaching the sense organs subject to the children compared to the traditional teaching method.
Depressão pós-parto e satisfação conjugal: impacto longitudinal em uma amostra brasileira
Authors: Hollist Cody S , Falceto Olga Garcia , Seibel Bruna Larissa , Springer Paul R , Nunes Nalu A , Fernandes Carmen Luiza Corrêa , Miller Richard B
Published: April 2016

Objetivo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a relação entre a satisfação conjugal e a depressão pós-parto e o impacto destas variáveis nos níveis de satisfação conjugal e depressão futuros, em uma amostra brasileira. Estudos revelam que o conflito conjugal é um antecedente importante no desenvolvimento da depressão e que a depressão pós-parto influencia significativamente a satisfação conjugal. Métodos: Este estudo longitudinal com 99 mulheres brasileiras utilizou análises de regressão múltipla para verificar a associação entre a satisfação conjugal e a depressão. A sintomatologia depressiva foi avaliada pelo instrumento Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). A satisfação conjugal foi verificada a partir de itens sobre a percepção de satisfação conjugal das participantes. Os dados foram coletados 4 meses e 2 anos após o parto. Os dados longitudinais possibilitaram a análise cronológica da interação entre as duas variáveis. Resultados e Conclusões: Os resultados indicam que o modelo teórico que estabelece a relação entre conflito conjugal e depressão é também apropriado para casais brasileiros, sugerindo a utilização potencial da terapia de casal no tratamento da depressão pós-parto no Brasil.
Triagem de hipotireoidismo em crianças - Visão dos médicos da atenção primária à saúde de um município de médio porte
Authors: Chagas Nathália Bordeira , Antoneli Leonardo , Furino Vanessa de Oliveira , Melo Débora Gusmão , Germano Carla Maria Ramos
Published: April 2016

Objetivo: Avaliar quais parâmetros os médicos da atenção primária à saúde do município de São Carlos, SP, Brasil, adotam para realizar triagem de função tireoidiana em crianças e adolescentes, quais exames complementares são solicitados e qual a conduta diante de resultados laboratoriais alterados. Métodos: Estudo transversal descritivo, no qual participaram 26 profissionais, correspondendo a 96,3% de todos os médicos da atenção primária da cidade que atuam no cuidado de crianças e adolescentes. Os participantes responderam por escrito quais as três situações mais frequentes na prática clínica em que indicavam triagem de hipotireoidismo na população pediátrica, quais os exames laboratoriais solicitados nesta avaliação e a qual conduta frente a exames com resultados alterados. Resultados: As situações clínicas mais frequentes apontadas pelos participantes como indicações de avaliação tireoidiana foram: obesidade, com 23 respostas (88,5%); baixa estatura, com 16 (61,5%); e síndrome de Down, com 8 (30,8%). Nove médicos (34,6%) responderam realizar o rastreio pela dosagem de TSH e T4l e outros 9 (34,6%), pela dosagem de TSH isolado. A conduta mais frequente diante de um resultado alterado foi o encaminhamento ao endocrinologista pediátrico, com 14 respostas (53,8%). Conclusão: O cenário encontrado neste estudo mostra que exames de função tireoidiana são solicitados rotineiramente por médicos da atenção primária no acompanhamento de crianças obesas. Como a obesidade infantil tem uma alta prevalência, isso pode determinar aumento importante dos custos do serviço de saúde e sobrecarga nos serviços de atenção especializada.
Perfil de usuários com prescrição de omeprazol em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde do Sul do Brasil: considerações sobre seu uso racional
Authors: Hipólito Priscila , Rocha Bruno Simas da , Oliveira Francisco Jorge Arsego Quadros de
Published: April 2016

Introdução: Os inibidores da bomba de prótons (IBPs) são uma das classes terapêuticas mais prescritas no mundo, sendo omeprazol o representante nas listas de medicamentos essenciais. Estudos indicam que o uso a curto prazo dos IBPs pode ser seguro, apesar de estar relacionado efeitos adversos a longo prazo. Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil dos usuários com prescrição de omeprazol em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde (UBS), relacionando com tempo de uso, dose e indicação. Métodos: Estudo transversal no qual foram avaliados os prontuários de usuários com prescrições de omeprazol atendidas no mês de maio de 2014 pela farmácia de uma UBS. Resultados: Foram incluídos no estudo 349 pacientes, sendo 75,4% do sexo feminino. A média de medicamentos prescritos por pacientes foi de 4,5 e a idade média de 64,6 anos. A dose de 20mg foi encontrada em 69,8% dos usuários, 84,3% tem prescrição mais de seis meses, e a doença do refluxo e a úlcera gástrica foram as indicações mais citadas; 29,5% dos pacientes não tinham registro de motivo de uso do omeprazol. Conclusão: O maior tempo de uso do omeprazol está associado com maior idade e número de medicamentos prescritos, podendo estes fatores estarem relacionados com o uso irracional de omeprazol, por vezes sem justificativa em prontuário e com tempo prolongado de uso.
Perfil sociodemográfico, ocupacional e avaliação das condições de saúde mental dos trabalhadores da Estratégia Saúde da Família em um município do Rio Grande do Sul, RS
Authors: Moreira Izadora Joseane Borrajo , Horta Jorge André , Duro Luciano Nunes , Borges Daniela Teixeira , Cristofari Anderson Berni , Chaves Jéssica , Bassani Débora Cristina Haack , Cerizolli Emanuelle Damo , Teixeira Raquel Montagna
Published: April 2016

Objetivo: Descrever os fatores sociodemográficos e ocupacionais e avaliar a prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns em trabalhadores das Estratégias de Saúde da Família (ESF) em Santa Cruz do Sul, RS. Métodos: Estudo com abordagem epidemiológica, de corte transversal e quantitativo, realizado no período de junho a agosto de 2013. Foram avaliados 83 trabalhadores, entre médicos, enfermeiros, técnicos/auxiliares de enfermagem e agentes comunitários de saúde, atuantes nas 11 unidades de saúde da família do município. O instrumento de pesquisa constituiu-se em um questionário autoaplicável, englobando aspectos sociodemográficos, ocupacionais e questões pertencentes ao Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Resultados: A idade média dos participantes foi de 37,1±8,9 anos, sendo a maioria agentes comunitários de saúde, do sexo feminino, casadas, com filhos, renda per capita de até 2 salários mínimos e ensino médio completo. A prevalência geral de transtorno mental comum foi de 19,7%, estando presente em todas as categorias profissionais, e mais frequente entre os enfermeiros (25%), porém sem diferenças estatísticas. Conclusão: O presente estudo, além de caracterizar a população de trabalhadores das ESF de Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, em seus aspectos sociodemográficos e ocupacionais, identificou que o sofrimento psíquico está presente, embora em graus variados, em todas as categorias profissionais avaliadas. Frente a esses achados relevantes, sugerem-se providências que visem à prevenção e promoção da saúde mental desses profissionais
Alta adesão aos medicamentos prescritos apesar de baixo comparecimento às reuniões de grupo entre pacientes do programa HIPERDIA
Authors: Boszczovski Rafaella , Fronza Dilson , Bolson Mayara Angélica
Published: April 2016

Objetivo: O estudo teve por objetivo avaliar os índices de adesão às reuniões do grupo de hipertensos e diabéticos por meio do Sistema de Cadastramento e Acompanhamento de Hipertensos e Diabéticos (HIPERDIA), bem como o uso efetivo das pela retirada dos medicamentos da Unidade de Saúde da Família. Métodos: Durante o período de outubro de 2013 a março de 2014 foi realizado um estudo longitudinal e prospectivo, compreendendo uma coorte de pacientes de ambos os sexos, residentes na área de abrangência da Unidade de Saúde da Família São Francisco de Assis cadastrados no HIPERDIA. Os pacientes foram acompanhados durante as reuniões mensais nas comunidades, nas quais eram avaliadas as taxas de participação efetiva e a utilização das medicações por meio da checagem da saída mensal da medicação em estoque, vinculada ao paciente. Resultados: Dos 238 pacientes cadastrados no programa HIPERDIA, 226 deles (94%) aderiram ao tratamento, e 12 pacientes (6%) não utilizavam a medicação prescrita pelo médico da Unidade de Saúde. Apenas 34 pacientes (14,3%) participaram das reuniões e retiravam a medicação nos encontros do HIPERDIA. Outros 192 pacientes (80,7%) não participavam das reuniões e retiravam as medicações na Unidade de Saúde em algum momento durante o mês. Doze deles (5%) não participaram das reuniões nem retiraram a medicação junto à Unidade de Saúde. Conclusão: A adesão ao tratamento do diabetes e da hipertensão arterial sistêmica foi considerada satisfatória, apesar do baixo índice de participação dos grupos nas reuniões do HIPERDIA.
Estrogen Receptor and Cytokeratin 5 Are Reliable Markers to Separate Usual Ductal Hyperplasia From Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia and Low-Grade Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Authors: Martinez Anthony P. , Cohen Cynthia , Hanley Krisztina Z. , Li Xiaoxian (Bill)
Published: April 2016

Context.—High–molecular weight cytokeratins, such as cytokeratin 5 (CK5), are helpful to distinguish usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH) from atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) or low-grade ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Few studies have looked at combining CK5 with estrogen receptor (ER) to differentiate UDH from ADH.

Objective.—To evaluate the expression pattern of CK5 and ER as single or combined markers to separate UDH from ADH and low-grade DCIS.

Design.—A total of 23 ADH, 10 low-grade DCIS, and 32 UDH whole-tissue slides were stained for ER, CK5, progesterone receptor (PR), and Bcl-2. Nuclear staining of ER and PR was scored as diffuse (>80%), focal (10%–80%), or negative (<10%). Cytoplasmic staining of CK5 and Bcl-2 was scored as diffuse (>60%), focal (10%–60%), or negative (<10%). Differences in staining patterns were evaluated.

Results.—For ER staining: 94% of ADH/DCIS cases showed a diffuse staining pattern, whereas none of the 32 UDH cases showed diffuse staining. For CK5 staining: 96% of ADH/DCIS cases were negative or focally positive, whereas all 32 UDH cases had diffuse staining. The combination of ER and CK5 increased the sensitivity (94% to 97%). For PR staining: 11 of 23 ADH cases (48%), 6 of 10 DCIS cases (60%), and 4 of 32 UDH cases (13%) showed diffuse staining. Bcl-2 staining showed no statistical significance (P = .73).

Conclusions.—Although morphology remains the gold standard, ER and CK5 are useful makers to differentiate UDH from ADH. Progesterone receptor staining may have limited value, and Bcl-2 staining is not useful.
Margin Status in Shave Biopsies of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers: Is It Worth Reporting?
Authors: Schnebelen Alicia M. , Gardner Jerad M. , Shalin Sara C.
Published: April 2016

Context.—The practice of reporting margin status in biopsies is relatively unique to biopsies of the skin and highly variable among pathologists.

Objective.—To address the accuracy of margin evaluation in shave biopsies of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

Design.—We collected shave biopsies of squamous and basal cell carcinomas that appeared to have uninvolved margins on routine sign out. We obtained deeper levels on corresponding tissue blocks until blocks were exhausted and examined them for tumor at biopsy margins.

Results.—Forty-seven consecutive cases were collected, including 20 squamous cell (43%) and 27 basal cell (57%) carcinomas. Eleven of 47 cases (23%) with negative margins at initial diagnosis demonstrated positive margins upon deeper-level examination. Margins of 8 of 27 basal cell carcinomas (30%) and 3 of 20 squamous cell carcinomas (15%) were erroneously classified as “negative” on routine examination.

Conclusions.—No guidelines exist regarding the reporting of margins in nonmelanoma skin cancer biopsies, and reporting practices vary extensively among pathologists. We found that nearly one-quarter of positive margins in shave biopsies for cutaneous carcinomas are missed on standard histologic examination. Moreover, reporting of a positive margin may also be misleading if the clinician has definitively treated the skin cancer at the time of biopsy. For these reasons, and as routine exhaustion of all tissue blocks is impractical, the decision to include or exclude a comment regarding the margin status should be given conscious consideration, accounting for the clinical intent of the biopsy and any known information regarding postbiopsy treatment.
Influence of Bone and Muscle Injuries on the Osteogenic Potential of Muscle Progenitors: Contribution of Tissue Environment to Heterotopic Ossification
Authors: Molligan Jeremy , Mitchell Reed , Schon Lew , Achilefu Samuel , Zahoor Talal , Cho Young , Loube Jeffery , Zhang Zijun
Published: April 2016

By using surgical mouse models, this study investigated how the tissue environment influences the osteogenic potential of muscle progenitors (m-progenitors) and potentially contributes to heterotopic ossification (HO). Injury was induced by clamping the gluteus maximus and medius (group M) or osteotomy of greater trochanter (group O) on the right hip, as well as combined muscle injury and osteotomy of greater trochanter (group M+O). The gluteus maximus and medius of the operated hips were harvested at days 1, 3, 5, and 10 for isolation of m-progenitors. The cells were cultured in an osteogenic medium for 3 weeks, and osteogenesis was evaluated by matrix mineralization and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. The expression of type I collagen, RUNX2 (runt-related transcription factor 2), and osteocalcin by the m-progenitors of group M+O was significantly increased, compared with groups M and O. Osteogenic m-progenitors in group O increased the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and also bone morphogenetic protein antagonist differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma. On histology, there was calcium deposition mostly in the muscles of group M+O harvested at day 10. CD56, representing myogenic progenitors, was highly expressed in the m-progenitors isolated from group M (day 10), but m-progenitors of group M+O (day 10) exhibited the highest expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFR-α), a marker of muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (M-MSCs). The expressions of PDGFR-α and RUNX2 were colocalized in osteogenic m-progenitors. The data indicate that the tissue environment simulated in the M+O model is a favorable condition for HO formation. Most likely, M-MSCs, rather than myogenic progenitors, in the m-progenitors participate in HO formation.

Significance

The prevalence of traumatic heterotopic ossification (HO) is high in war injury. The pathogenesis of HO is still unknown. This study clarified the contribution of a tissue environment created by bone or muscle injury to the formation of HO. The study also found that muscle-derived mesenchymal stem cells, but not myogenic progenitors, are involved in the formation of HO. The findings of this study could be used to strategize the prevention and treatment of HO.
Violence among the Youth in Turkey: An Assessment of General Strain Theory
Authors: Özbay Özden
Published: April 2016

Most tests of criminological theories have been carried out in the western world, especially the United States. Agnew developed a General Strain Theory and claimed that it could account for deviance/crime in the developing countries. However, the support for the theory was generally mixed at best. The goal of this study is to examine the major theses of general strain theory in relation to youth violence in Nigde, a small city in central part of Turkey. The data came from a random sample of 974 students drawn from the lists of the university students at Nigde University (N= 12,514). Data were analyzed by using logistic regression analysis. The present study focused on three important research questions: Is the influence of strain on violence positive, Is the impact of strain on violence is mediated by anger, and Is the effect of strain on violence moderated by some criminal and non-criminal copings? The results indicated that few strain variables had direct positive impacts on violence. Anger had positive effect on the dependent variable. Few interactions between the strain and coping variables were observed. In short, the overall results gave a limited support for the three major arguments of general strain theory.
Air Passenger Transport and Regional Development: Cause and Effect in Europe
Authors: Van de Vijver Elien , Derudder Ben , Witlox Frank
Published: April 2016

This article scrutinizes the mutual and complex causal relationship between air passenger transport and regional development in the European NUTS2-regions with heterogeneous Granger causality analysis between 2002 and 2011. Employment is used as a relatively robust and measurable indicator of a region’s development and employment in the services sector and in the manufacturing sector is treated separately to discern basic sectoral variances. The proposed methodology allows investigating (i) if air transport in the European regions causally influences employment, (ii) if employment also leads to higher transport levels, and (iii) regional variations in this causal relationship. The results show that both directions of causality occur among the European urban regions, albeit very geographically fragmented. This indicates that air passenger transport is a necessary part of, but not sufficient condition for generating regional development. The more abundant relationships for employment in the services sector confirm the sensitivity of the services industry to air passenger transport.
Towards a Decision-Making Algorithm for Automatic Lane Change Manoeuvre Considering Traffic Dynamics
Authors: Samiee Sajjad , Azadi Shahram , Kazemi Reza , Eichberger Arno
Published: April 2016

This paper proposes a novel algorithm for decision-making on autonomous lane change manoeuvre in vehicles. The proposed approach defines a number of constraints, based on the vehicle’s dynamics and environmental conditions, which must be satisfied for a safe and comfortable lane change manoeuvre. Inclusion of the lateral position of other vehicles on the road and the tyre-road friction are the main advantages of the proposed algorithm. To develop the lane change manoeuvre decision-making algorithm, first, the equations for the lateral movement of the vehicle in terms of manoeuvre time are produced. Then, the critical manoeuvring time is calculated on the basis of the constraints. Finally, the decision is made on the feasibility of carrying out the manoeuvre by comparing the critical times. Numerous simulations, taking into account the tyre-road friction and vehicles’ inertia and velocity, are conducted to compute thecritical times and a model named TUG-LCA is presented based on the corresponding results.
The ribosomal protein Asc1/RACK1 is required for efficient translation of short mRNAs
Authors: Thompson Mary K , Rojas-Duran Maria F , Gangaramani Paritosh , Gilbert Wendy V
Published: April 2016

Translation is a core cellular process carried out by a highly conserved macromolecular machine, the ribosome. There has been remarkable evolutionary adaptation of this machine through the addition of eukaryote-specific ribosomal proteins whose individual effects on ribosome function are largely unknown. Here we show that eukaryote-specific Asc1/RACK1 is required for efficient translation of mRNAs with short open reading frames that show greater than average translational efficiency in diverse eukaryotes. ASC1 mutants in S. cerevisiae display compromised translation of specific functional groups, including cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, and display cellular phenotypes consistent with their gene-specific translation defects. Asc1-sensitive mRNAs are preferentially associated with the translational ‘closed loop’ complex comprised of eIF4E, eIF4G, and Pab1, and depletion of eIF4G mimics the translational defects of ASC1 mutants. Together our results reveal a role for Asc1/RACK1 in a length-dependent initiation mechanism optimized for efficient translation of genes with important housekeeping functions.
Regulation of cell protrusions by small GTPases during fusion of the neural folds
Authors: Rolo Ana , Savery Dawn , Escuin Sarah , de Castro Sandra C , Armer Hannah EJ , Munro Peter MG , Molè Matteo A , Greene Nicholas DE , Copp Andrew J
Published: April 2016

Epithelial fusion is a crucial process in embryonic development, and its failure underlies several clinically important birth defects. For example, failure of neural fold fusion during neurulation leads to open neural tube defects including spina bifida. Using mouse embryos, we show that cell protrusions emanating from the apposed neural fold tips, at the interface between the neuroepithelium and the surface ectoderm, are required for completion of neural tube closure. By genetically ablating the cytoskeletal regulators Rac1 or Cdc42 in the dorsal neuroepithelium, or in the surface ectoderm, we show that these protrusions originate from surface ectodermal cells and that Rac1 is necessary for the formation of membrane ruffles which typify late closure stages, whereas Cdc42 is required for the predominance of filopodia in early neurulation. This study provides evidence for the essential role and molecular regulation of membrane protrusions prior to fusion of a key organ primordium in mammalian development.
Analysis of protein phosphorylation in nerve terminal reveals extensive changes in active zone proteins upon exocytosis
Authors: Kohansal-Nodehi Mahdokht , Chua John JE , Urlaub Henning , Jahn Reinhard , Czernik Dominika
Published: April 2016

Neurotransmitter release is mediated by the fast, calcium-triggered fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic plasma membrane, followed by endocytosis and recycling of the membrane of synaptic vesicles. While many of the proteins governing these processes are known, their regulation is only beginning to be understood. Here we have applied quantitative phosphoproteomics to identify changes in phosphorylation status of presynaptic proteins in resting and stimulated nerve terminals isolated from the brains of Wistar rats. Using rigorous quantification, we identified 252 phosphosites that are either up- or downregulated upon triggering calcium-dependent exocytosis. Particularly pronounced were regulated changes of phosphosites within protein constituents of the presynaptic active zone, including bassoon, piccolo, and RIM1. Additionally, we have mapped kinases and phosphatases that are activated upon stimulation. Overall, our study provides a snapshot of phosphorylation changes associated with presynaptic activity and provides a foundation for further functional analysis of key phosphosites involved in presynaptic plasticity.
ESCRT-III drives the final stages of CUPS maturation for unconventional protein secretion
Authors: Curwin Amy J , Brouwers Nathalie , Alonso Y Adell Manuel , Teis David , Turacchio Gabriele , Parashuraman Seetharaman , Ronchi Paolo , Malhotra Vivek
Published: April 2016

The unconventional secretory pathway exports proteins that bypass the endoplasmic reticulum. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, conditions that trigger Acb1 secretion via this pathway generate a Grh1 containing compartment composed of vesicles and tubules surrounded by a cup-shaped membrane and collectively called CUPS. Here we report a quantitative assay for Acb1 secretion that reveals requirements for ESCRT-I, -II, and -III but, surprisingly, without the involvement of the Vps4 AAA-ATPase. The major ESCRT-III subunit Snf7 localizes transiently to CUPS and this was accelerated in vps4Δ cells, correlating with increased Acb1 secretion. Microscopic analysis suggests that, instead of forming intraluminal vesicles with the help of Vps4, ESCRT-III/Snf7 promotes direct engulfment of preexisting Grh1 containing vesicles and tubules into a saccule to generate a mature Acb1 containing compartment. This novel multivesicular / multilamellar compartment, we suggest represents the stable secretory form of CUPS that is competent for the release of Acb1 to cells exterior.
Self-assembled tin dioxide for forming-free resistive random-access memory application
Authors: Hong Ying-Jhan , Wang Tsang-Hsuan , Wei Shih-Yuan , Chang Pin , Yew Tri-Rung
Published: April 2016

A novel resistive switching structure, tin-doped indium oxide (ITO)/SnO2−

x
(defined as SnO2 with oxygen vacancies)/SnS was demonstrated with a set voltage of 0.38 V, a reset voltage of −0.15 V, a ratio of high resistance to low resistance of 544, and forming-free and nonlinear current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. The interface of the ITO and the self-assembled SnO2−

x
contributed to the resistive switching behavior. This device showed great potential for resistive random access memory (RRAM) application and solving the sneak path problem in cross-bar memory arrays. Furthermore, a nanostructured resistive switching device was demonstrated successfully.
Thermally induced vertical phase separation and photovoltaic characteristics of polymer solar cells for P3HT/PCBM composites
Authors: Nagai Masaru , Wei Huang , Yoshida Yuji
Published: April 2016

The occurrence of vertical phase separation has been reported for various spin-cast polymer films, including bulk-heterojunction films of polymer solar cells (PSCs). Focusing on real-space analysis, we conducted a study on the relationship between the morphology and processing conditions of PSCs for typical poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) cells. Our results demonstrated that spin-casting caused a localized reduction in the P3HT concentration in the bulk center. Thermal annealing after cathode formation enhanced the unevenness in concentration and created a multilayered vertical phase-separated morphology in which the P3HT domains were gathered near the electrodes, leaving only PCBM domains at the center of the film. Cells with this morphology had good power conversion efficiency (∼3%).
Improving source/drain contact resistance of amorphous indium–gallium–zinc-oxide thin-film transistors using an n+-ZnO buffer layer
Authors: Hung Chien-Hsiung , Wang Shui-Jinn , Lin Chieh , Wu Chien-Hung , Chen Yen-Han , Liu Pang-Yi , Tu Yung-Chun , Lin Tseng-Hsing
Published: April 2016

To avoid high temperature annealing in improving the source/drain (S/D) resistance (R
DS) of amorphous indium–gallium–zinc-oxide (α-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) for flexible electronics, a simple and efficient technique using a sputtering-deposited n+-ZnO buffer layer (BL) sandwiched between the S/D electrode and the α-IGZO channel is proposed and demonstrated. It shows that the R
DS of α-IGZO TFTs with the proposed n+-ZnO BL is reduced to 8.1 × 103 Ω as compared with 6.1 × 104 Ω of the conventional one. The facilitation of carrier tunneling between the S/D electrode and the α-IGZO channel through the use of the n+-ZnO BL to lower the effective barrier height therein is responsible for the R
DS reduction. Effects of the chamber pressure on the carrier concentration of the sputtering-deposited n+-ZnO BL and the thickness of the BL on the degree of improvement in the performance of α-IGZO TFTs are analyzed and discussed.
Sunnite-Shiite Polemics in Norway
Authors: Linge Marius
Published: April 2016

As a result of the so-called Islamic State’s expansion in Syria and Iraq, Sunnite-Shiite polarization appears as an increasingly relevant topic, including among Muslims in Europe. Taking into consideration that this is a relatively new manifestation of intolerance in the West, such intra-Islamic tensions remain an under-researched subject and are superficially described as a reproduction of Middle Eastern so-called sectarianism. While this article recognizes the regional origin of exclusivist Islamic narratives and their dissemination by transnational Islamic networks, it also highlights the fact that Sunnite-Shiite polemics are rearticulated in new local contexts. In light of the IS’s anti-Shiism in particular, the public debate in Norway about “Islamic radicalism” is currently being rationalized by many Norwegian Muslims in terms of the “moderate self” versus the “extreme other”, notably across the Sunnite-Shiite divide.
Association between neurological soft signs, temperament and character in patients with schizophrenia and non-psychotic relatives
Authors: Galindo Liliana , Pastoriza Francisco , Bergé Daniel , Mané Anna , Picado Marisol , Bulbena Antonio , Robledo Patricia , Pérez Victor , Vilarroya Oscar , Cloninger Claude Robert
Published: April 2016

The heritability of schizophrenia and most personality traits has been well established, but the role of personality in susceptibility to schizophrenia remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to test for an association between personality traits and Neurological Soft Signs (NSS), a well-known biological marker of schizophrenia, in non-psychotic relatives of patients with schizophrenia. For this purpose, we evaluated the NSS scale and personality measured by the Temperament and Character inventory (TCI-R) in three groups of subjects: 29 patients with schizophrenia, 24 unaffected relatives and 37 controls. The results showed that patients with schizophrenia were more asocial (higher harm avoidance and lower reward dependence), more perseverative (higher persistence), and more schizotypal (lower self-directedness and cooperativeness, higher self-transcendence). The unaffected relatives showed higher harm avoidance, lower self-directedness and cooperativeness than the healthy controls. Higher NSS scores and sub-scores were found in patients and non-psychotic relatives compared with the controls. Among all the patients, total NSS scores were positively correlated with harm avoidance but negatively correlated with novelty seeking and persistence. Total NSS were also correlated with low scores on self-directedness and cooperativeness, which are indicators of personality disorder. Our results show that susceptibility to NSS and to schizophrenia are both related to individual differences in the temperament and character features in non-psychotic relatives of patients with schizophrenia. High harm avoidance, low persistence, low self-directedness and low cooperativeness contribute to both the risk of NSS and schizophrenia. These findings highlight the value of using both assessments to study high risk populations.
Job satisfaction and intention to quit: an empirical analysis of nurses in Turkey
Authors: Masum Abdul Kadar Muhammad , Azad Md. Abul Kalam , Hoque Kazi Enamul , Beh Loo-See , Wanke Peter , Arslan Özgün
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to identify the facets influencing job satisfaction and intention to quit of nurses employed in Turkey. Using a non-probability sampling technique, 417 nurses from six large private hospitals were surveyed from March 2014 to June 2014. The nurses’ demographic data, their job-related satisfaction and turnover intentions were recorded through a self-administered questionnaire. In this study, descriptive and bivariate analyses were used to explore data, and multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. Nurses’ job satisfaction was found at a moderate level with 61% of the nurses intended to quit. Nevertheless, nurses reported a high satisfaction level with work environment, supervisor support, and co-workers among the selected nine facets of job satisfaction. They also reported a low satisfaction level with contingent reward, fringe benefits, and pay. The impact of demographic characteristics on job satisfaction and intention to quit was also examined. The study revealed a negative relationship between job satisfaction and intention to quit the existing employment. Moreover, satisfaction with supervisor support was the only facet that significantly explained turnover intent when controlling for gender, age, marital status, education, and experience. The implications for nurse management were also described for increasing nurses’ job satisfaction and retention. This study is beneficial for hospital management to ensure proper nursing care that would lead to a better quality healthcare service.
Desafios da Ferrovia de Integração do Centro-Oeste no Cerrado
Authors: Vieira Jeferson De Castro
Published: April 2016

Este artigo analisa a importância da construção da Ferrovia de Integração do Centro-Oeste (FICO) para a economia do Cerrado. Destaca a evolução do transporte ferroviário brasileiro e sua retomada no contexto atual do desenvolvimento econômico do país. Enfatiza a programação de investimentos em infraestrutura no Brasil, que precisa ser muito bem definida do ponto de vista econômico e social para minorar numerosos pontos de estrangulamento do desenvolvimento nacional. Apresenta a construção da FICO e de sua integração com as malhas ferroviárias brasileiras como contribuição para o aumento e o escoamento da produção agropecuária desta parte da região do Centro-Oeste. Por fim, recomenda uma agenda de desenvolvimento regional que possa integrar, de forma eficiente, a ferrovia com as forças produtivas e sociais da região em questão.Código JEL | L92; O18; R58.
The interrater reliability of an objective structured practical examination in measuring the clinical reasoning ability of chiropractic students
Authors: Rose Kevin A. , Babajanian Jesika
Published: April 2016

Objective: The objective structured practical examination (OSPE) is a case-based assessment that can be used to assess the clinical reasoning ability of students. The reliability of using an OSPE for this purpose has not been reported in the literature. The objective of this study was to determine the interrater reliability of the OSPE in measuring the clinical reasoning ability of chiropractic students.

Methods: Two examiners tested each student simultaneously when enough were available as a check for interrater reliability. The scores for students over 4 exam administrations were compiled, and we calculated an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) using 1-way random single measures.

Results: Paired scores were available for 133 students. The ICC was .685, showing a fair-to-good level of agreement for faculty in assessing the clinical reasoning ability of chiropractic students using an OSPE.

Conclusion: The OSPE can be a valuable tool for testing clinical reasoning abilities because it can simulate the decision-making process that needs to be implemented in clinical practice. Faculty members at our chiropractic college were able to achieve an acceptable level of reliability in measuring the clinical reasoning abilities of students using an OSPE. Other health professional programs may consider using this tool for assessing the clinical reasoning skills of their students.
Urban enhancement of PM10 bioaerosol tracers relative to background locations in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Rathnayake Chathurika M. , Metwali Nervana , Baker Zach , Jayarathne Thilina , Kostle Pamela A. , Thorne Peter S. , O'Shaughnessy Patrick T. , Stone Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2016

Bioaerosols are well‐known immune‐active particles that exacerbate respiratory diseases. Human exposures to bioaerosols and their resultant health impacts depend on their ambient concentrations, seasonal and spatial variation, and copollutants, which are not yet widely characterized. In this study, chemical and biological tracers of bioaerosols were quantified in respirable particulate matter (PM10) collected at three urban and three background sites in the Midwestern United States across four seasons in 2012. Endotoxins from Gram‐negative bacteria (and a few Gram‐positive bacteria), water‐soluble proteins, and tracers for fungal spores (fungal glucans, arabitol, and mannitol) were ubiquitous and showed significant seasonal variation and dependence on temperature. Fungal spores were elevated in spring and peaked in summer, following the seasonal growing cycle, while endotoxins peaked in autumn during the row crop harvesting season. Paired comparisons of bioaerosols in urban and background sites revealed significant urban enhancements in PM10, fungal glucans, endotoxins, and water‐soluble proteins relative to background locations, such that urban populations have a greater outdoor exposure to bioaerosols. These bioaerosols contribute, in part, to the urban excesses in PM10. Higher bioaerosol mass fractions in urban areas relative to background sites indicate that urban areas serve as a source of bioaerosols. Similar urban enhancements in water‐soluble calcium and its correlation with bioaerosol tracers point toward windblown soil as an important source of bioaerosols in urban areas.
From conservative to reactive transport under diffusion‐controlled conditions
Authors: Babey Tristan , de Dreuzy Jean‐Raynald , Ginn Timothy R.
Published: April 2016

We assess the possibility to use conservative transport information, such as that contained in transit time distributions, breakthrough curves and tracer tests, to predict nonlinear fluid‐rock interactions in fracture/matrix or mobile/immobile conditions. Reference simulated data are given by conservative and reactive transport simulations in several diffusive porosity structures differing by their topological organization. Reactions includes nonlinear kinetically controlled dissolution and desorption. Effective Multi‐Rate Mass Transfer models (MRMT) are calibrated solely on conservative transport information without pore topology information and provide concentration distributions on which effective reaction rates are estimated. Reference simulated reaction rates and effective reaction rates evaluated by MRMT are compared, as well as characteristic desorption and dissolution times. Although not exactly equal, these indicators remain very close whatever the porous structure, differing at most by 0.6% and 10% for desorption and dissolution. At early times, this close agreement arises from the fine characterization of the diffusive porosity close to the mobile zone that controls fast mobile‐diffusive exchanges. At intermediate to late times, concentration gradients are strongly reduced by diffusion, and reactivity can be captured by a very limited number of rates. We conclude that effective models calibrated solely on conservative transport information like MRMT can accurately estimate monocomponent kinetically controlled nonlinear fluid‐rock interactions. Their relevance might extend to more advanced biogeochemical reactions because of the good characterization of conservative concentration distributions, even by parsimonious models (e.g., MRMT with 3–5 rates). We propose a methodology to estimate reactive transport from conservative transport in mobile‐immobile conditions.
Thermodynamic and dynamic controls on changes in the zonally anomalous hydrological cycle
Authors: Wills Robert C. , Byrne Michael P. , Schneider Tapio
Published: April 2016

The wet gets wetter, dry gets drier paradigm explains the expected moistening of the extratropics and drying of the subtropics as the atmospheric moisture content increases with global warming. Here we show, using precipitation minus evaporation (P − E) data from climate models, that it cannot be extended to apply regionally to deviations from the zonal mean. Wet and dry zones shift substantially in response to shifts in the stationary‐eddy circulations that cause them. Additionally, atmospheric circulation changes lead to a smaller increase in the zonal variance of P − E than would be expected from atmospheric moistening alone. The P − E variance change can be split into dynamic and thermodynamic components through an analysis of the atmospheric moisture budget. This reveals that a weakening of stationary‐eddy circulations and changes in the zonal variation of transient‐eddy moisture fluxes moderate the strengthening of the zonally anomalous hydrological cycle with global warming.
Skill improvement of dynamical seasonal Arctic sea ice forecasts
Authors: Krikken Folmer , Schmeits Maurice , Vlot Willem , Guemas Virginie , Hazeleger Wilco
Published: April 2016

We explore the error and improve the skill of the outcome from dynamical seasonal Arctic sea ice reforecasts using different bias correction and ensemble calibration methods. These reforecasts consist of a five‐member ensemble from 1979 to 2012 using the general circulation model EC‐Earth. The raw model reforecasts show large biases in Arctic sea ice area, mainly due to a differently simulated seasonal cycle and long term trend compared to observations. This translates very quickly (1–3 months) into large biases. We find that (heteroscedastic) extended logistic regressions are viable ensemble calibration methods, as the forecast skill is improved compared to standard bias correction methods. Analysis of regional skill of Arctic sea ice shows that the Northeast Passage and the Kara and Barents Sea are most predictable. These results show the importance of reducing model error and the potential for ensemble calibration in improving skill of seasonal forecasts of Arctic sea ice.