bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global and regional emissions estimates for N2O
Authors: Saikawa E. , Prinn R. G. , Dlugokencky E. , Ishijima K. , Dutton G. S. , Hall B. D. , Langenfelds R. , Tohjima Y. , Machida T. , Manizza M. , Rigby M. , O'Doherty S. , Patra P. K. , Harth C. M. , Weiss R. F. , Krummel P. B. , van der Schoot M. , Fraser P. J. , Steele L. P. , Aoki S. , Nakazawa T. , Elkins J. W.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. We present a comprehensive estimate of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions using observations and models from 1995 to 2008. High-frequency records of tropospheric N2O are available from measurements at Cape Grim, Tasmania; Cape Matatula, American Samoa; Ragged Point, Barbados; Mace Head, Ireland; and at Trinidad Head, California using the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) instrumentation and calibrations. The Global Monitoring Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Earth System Research Laboratory (NOAA/ESRL) has also collected discrete air samples in flasks and in situ measurements from remote sites across the globe and analyzed them for a suite of species including N2O. In addition to these major networks, we include in situ and aircraft measurements from the National Institute of Environmental Studies (NIES) and flask measurements from the Tohoku University and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) networks. All measurements show increasing atmospheric mole fractions of N2O, with a varying growth rate of 0.1–0.7% per year, resulting in a 7.4% increase in the background atmospheric mole fraction between 1979 and 2011. Using existing emission inventories as well as bottom-up process modeling results, we first create globally gridded a priori N2O emissions over the 37 years since 1975. We then use the three-dimensional chemical transport model, Model for Ozone and Related Chemical Tracers version 4 (MOZART v4), and a Bayesian inverse method to estimate global as well as regional annual emissions for five source sectors from 13 regions in the world. This is the first time that all of these measurements from multiple networks have been combined to determine emissions. Our inversion indicates that global and regional N2O emissions have an increasing trend between 1995 and 2008. Despite large uncertainties, a significant increase is seen from the Asian agricultural sector in recent years, most likely due to an increase in the use of nitrogenous fertilizers, as has been suggested by previous studies.
Hygroscopicity, CCN and volatility properties of submicron atmospheric aerosol in a boreal forest environment during the summer of 2010
Authors: Hong J. , Häkkinen S. A. K. , Paramonov M. , Äijälä M. , Hakala J. , Nieminen T. , Mikkilä J. , Prisle N. L. , Kulmala M. , Riipinen I. , Bilde M. , Kerminen V.-M. , Petäjä T.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. A Volatility-Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer (VH-TDMA) was applied to study the hygroscopicity and volatility properties of submicron atmospheric aerosol particles in a boreal forest environment in Hyytiälä, Finland during the summer of 2010. Aitken and accumulation mode internally mixed particles (50 nm, 75 nm and 110 nm in diameter) were investigated. Hygroscopicity was found to increase with particle size. The relative mass fraction of organics and SO42- is probably the major contributor to the fluctuation of the hygroscopicity for all particle sizes. The Cloud Condensation Nuclei Counter (CCNC)-derived hygroscopicity parameter κ was observed to be slightly higher than κ calculated from VH-TDMA data under sub-saturated conditions, potential reasons for this behavior are discussed shortly. Also, the size-resolved volatility properties of particles were investigated. Upon heating, more small particles evaporated compared to large particles. There was a significant amount of aerosol volume (non-volatile material) left, even at heating temperatures of 280 °C. Using size resolved volatility-hygroscopicity analysis, we concluded that there was always hygroscopic material remaining in the particles at different heating temperatures, even at 280 °C. This indicates that the observed non-volatile aerosol material did not consist solely of black carbon.
Rapid, optical measurement of the atmospheric pressure on a fast research aircraft using open-path TDLAS
Authors: Buchholz B. , Afchine A. , Ebert V.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Because of the high travel speed, the complex flow dynamics around an aircraft and the complex dependency of the fluid dynamics on numerous airborne parameters, it is quite difficult to obtain accurate pressure values at a specific instrument location of an aircraft's fuselage. Complex simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models can in theory computationally "transfer" pressure values from one location to another. However, for long flight patterns, this process is inconvenient and cumbersome. Furthermore these CFD transfer models require a local experimental validation, which is rarely available. In this paper, we describe an integrated approach for a spectroscopic, calibration-free, in-flight pressure determination in an open-path White cell on an aircraft fuselage using ambient, atmospheric water vapour as the "sensor species". The presented measurements are realized with the HAI (Hygrometer for Atmospheric Investigations) instrument, built for multiphase water detection via calibration-free TDLAS (tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy). The pressure determination is based on raw data used for H2O concentration measurement, but with a different post-flight evaluation method, and can therefore be conducted at deferred time intervals on any desired flight track. The spectroscopic pressure is compared in-flight with the static ambient pressure of the aircraft avionic system and a micro-mechanical pressure sensor, located next to the open-path cell, over a pressure range from 150 hPa to 800 hPa, and a water vapour concentration range of more than three orders of magnitude. The correlation between the micro-mechanical pressure sensor measurements and the spectroscopic pressure measurements show an average deviation from linearity of only 0.14% and a small offset of 9.5 hPa. For the spectroscopic pressure evaluation we derive measurement uncertainties under laboratory conditions of 3.2% and 5.1% during in flight operation on the HALO airplane. Under certain flight conditions we quantified for the first time stalling-induced, dynamic pressure deviations of up to 30% (at 200 hPa) between the avionic sensor and the optical and mechanical pressure sensors integrated in HAI. Such severe local pressure deviations from the usually used avionic pressure are important to take into account for other airborne sensors employed on such fast flying platforms as the HALO aircraft.
Satellite-based climate information within the WMO RA VI Regional Climate Centre on Climate Monitoring
Authors: Obregón A. , Nitsche H. , Körber M. , Kreis A. , Bissolli P. , Friedrich K. , Rösner S.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) established Regional Climate Centres (RCCs) around the world to create science-based climate information on a regional scale within the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). The paper introduces the satellite component of the WMO Regional Climate Centre on Climate Monitoring (RCC-CM) for Europe and the Middle East. The RCC-CM product portfolio is based on essential climate variables (ECVs) as defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), spanning the atmospheric (radiation, clouds, water vapour) and terrestrial domains (snow cover, soil moisture). In the first part, the input data sets are briefly described, which are provided by the EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) Satellite Application Facilities (SAF), in particular CM SAF, and by the ESA (European Space Agency) Climate Change Initiative (CCI). In the second part, the derived RCC-CM products are presented, which are divided into two groups: (i) operational monitoring products (e.g. monthly means and anomalies) based on near-real-time environmental data records (EDRs) and (ii) climate information records (e.g. climatologies, time series, trend maps) based on long-term thematic climate data records (TCDRs) with adequate stability, accuracy and homogeneity. The products are provided as maps, statistical plots and gridded data, which are made available through the RCC-CM website (www.dwd.de/rcc-cm).
Investigating uncertainties in global gridded datasets of climate extremes
Authors: Dunn R. J. H. , Donat M. G. , Alexander L. V.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. We assess the effects of different methodological choices made during the construction of gridded datasets of climate extremes, focusing primarily on HadEX2. Using global timeseries of the indices and their coverage, as well as uncertainty maps, we show that the choices which have the greatest effect are those relating to the station network used or which drastically change the values for individual grid boxes. The latter are most affected by the number of stations required in or around a grid box and the gridding method used. Most parametric changes have a small impact, on global and on grid box scales, whereas structural changes to the methods or input station networks may have large effects. On grid box scales, trends in temperature indices are very robust to most choices, especially in areas which have high station density (e.g. North America, Europe and Asia). Precipitation trends, being less spatially coherent, can be more susceptible to methodological changes, but are still clear in regions of high station density. Regional trends from all indices derived from areas with few stations should be treated with care. On a global scale, the linear trends over 1951–2010 from almost all choices fall within the statistical range of trends from HadEX2. This demonstrates the robust nature of HadEX2 and related datasets to choices in the creation method.
Higher statistical moments and an outlier detection technique as two alternative methods that capture long-term changes in continuous environmental data
Authors: Arismendi I. , Johnson S. L. , Dunham J. B.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Central tendency statistics may not capture relevant or desired characteristics about the variability of continuous phenomena and thus, they may not completely track temporal patterns of change. Here, we present two methodological approaches to identify long-term changes in environmental regimes. First, we use higher statistical moments (skewness and kurtosis) to examine potential changes of empirical distributions at decadal scale. Second, we adapt an outlier detection procedure combining a non-metric multidimensional scaling technique and higher density region plots to detect anomalous years. We illustrate the use of these approaches by examining long-term stream temperature data from minimally and highly human-influenced streams. In particular, we contrast predictions about thermal regime responses to changing climates and human-related water uses. Using these methods, we effectively diagnose years with unusual thermal variability, patterns in variability through time, and spatial variability linked to regional and local factors that influence stream temperature. Our findings highlight the complexity of responses of thermal regimes of streams and reveal a differentiated vulnerability to both the climate warming and human-related water uses. The two approaches presented here can be applied with a variety of other continuous phenomena to address historical changes, extreme events, and their associated ecological responses.
Design droughts as planning tool for ecosystem establishment in post-mining landscapes
Authors: Halwatura D. , Lechner A. M. , Arnold S.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Eastern Australia has considerable mineral and energy resources and areas of high biodiversity value co-occurring over a broad range of agro-climatic environments. Water is the primary abiotic stressor for (agro)ecosystems in many parts of Eastern Australia. In the context of mined land rehabilitation quantifying the severity-duration-frequency (SDF) of droughts is crucial for successful ecosystem rehabilitation to overcome challenges of early vegetation establishment and long-term ecosystem resilience. The objective of this study was to quantify the SDF of short-term and long-term drought events of 11 selected locations across a broad range of agro-climatic environments in Eastern Australia by using three drought indices at different time scales: the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), and the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Based on the indices we derived bivariate distribution functions of drought severity and duration, and estimated the recurrence intervals of drought events at different time scales. The correlation between the simple SPI and the more complex SPEI or RDI was stronger for the tropical and temperate locations than for the arid locations, indicating that SPEI or RDI can be replaced by SPI if evaporation plays a minor role for plant available water. Both short-term and long-term droughts were most severe and prolonged, and occurred most frequently in arid regions, but were relatively rare in tropical and temperate regions. Our approach is similar to intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) analyses of rainfall crucial to design infrastructure. In this regard, we propose to apply SDF analyses of droughts to design ecosystem components in post-mining landscapes. Together with design rainfalls, design droughts should be used to assess rehabilitation strategies and ecological management based on drought recurrence intervals, thereby minimising the risk of failure of initial ecosystem establishment due to ignorance of fundamental abiotic and site-specific environmental barriers.
Complexity signatures in the geomagnetic H component recorded by the Tromsø magnetometer (70° N, 19° E) over the last ¼ century
Authors: Hall C. M.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Solar disturbances, depending on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field, typically result in perturbations of the geomagnetic field as observed by magnetometers on the ground. Here, the geomagnetic field's horizontal component, as measured by the ground-based observatory-standard magnetometer at Tromsø (70° N, 19° E) is examined for signatures of complexity. 25 year-long 10 s resolution datasets are analysed, but for fluctuations with timescales less than 1 day. Quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plots are employed first, revealing the fluctuations are better represented by Cauchy rather than Gaussian distributions. Thereafter, both spectral density and detrended fluctuation analysis methods are used to estimate values of the generalized Hurst exponent, α. The results are then compared with independent findings. Inspection and comparison of the spectral and detrended fluctuation analyses reveals that timescales between 1 h and 1 d are characterized by fractional Brownian motion with a generalized Hurst exponent of ~1.4 whereas including timescales as short as 1 min suggests fractional Brownian motion with a generalized Hurst exponent of ~1.6. This is consistent with changes in the position of the auroral electrojet that can be considered rapid during the course of an evening, whereas from minute-to-minute the electrojet moves more persistently in geomagnetic latitude.
Hybrid variational-ensemble assimilation of lightning observations in a mesoscale model
Authors: Apodaca K. , Zupanski M. , DeMaria M. , Knaff J. A. , Grasso L. D.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Lightning measurements from the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) that will be aboard the Goestationary Operational Environmental Satellite – R Series will bring new information that can have the potential for improving the initialization of numerical weather prediction models by assisting in the detection of clouds and convection through data assimilation. In this study we focus on investigating the utility of lightning observations in mesoscale and regional applications suitable for current operational environments, in which convection cannot be explicitly resolved. Therefore, we examine the impact of lightning observations on storm environment. Preliminary steps in developing a lightning data assimilation capability suitable for mesoscale modeling are presented in this paper. World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) data was utilized as a proxy for GLM measurements and was assimilated with the Maximum Likelihood Ensemble Filter, interfaced with the Nonhydrostatic Mesoscale Model core of the Weather Research and Forecasting system (WRF-NMM). In order to test this methodology, regional data assimilation experiments were conducted. Results indicate that lightning data assimilation had a positive impact on the following: information content, influencing several dynamical variables in the model (e.g., moisture, temperature, and winds), improving initial conditions, and partially improving WRF-NMM forecasts during several data assimilation cycles.
Transition of flow regime along a marine-terminating outlet glacier in East Antarctica
Authors: Callens D. , Matsuoka K. , Steinhage D. , Smith B. , Witrant E. , Pattyn F.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. We present results of a multi-methodological approach to characterize the flow regime of West Ragnhild Glacier, the widest glacier in Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. A new airborne radar survey points to substantially thicker ice (>2000 m) than previously thought. With a discharge estimate of 13–14 Gt yr−1, West Ragnhild Glacier thus becomes of the three major outlet glaciers in Dronning Maud Land. Its bed topography is distinct between the upstream and downstream section: in the downstream section (<65 km upstream of the grounding line), the glacier overlies a wide and flat basin well below the sea level, while the upstream region is more mountainous. Spectral analysis of the bed topography also reveals this clear contrast and suggests that the downstream area is sediment covered. Furthermore, bed-returned power varies by 30 dB within 20 km near the bed flatness transition, suggesting that the water content at bed/ice interface increases over a short distance downstream, hence pointing to water-rich sediment. Ice flow speed observed in the downstream part of the glacier (~250 m yr−1) can only be explained through very low basal friction, leading to a substantial amount of basal sliding in the downstream 65 km of the glacier. All the above lines of evidence (sediment bed, wetness and basal motion) and the relatively flat grounding zone give the potential for West Ragnhild Glacier to be more sensitive to external forcing compared to other major outlet glaciers in this region, which are more stable due to their bed geometry (e.g. Shirase Glacier).
A Model for a Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence: A Catalyst for Program Improvement in Developing Institutions
Authors: Roberts Keith J.
Published: May 2014

A focus on the past 20 years has shown an evolution in International Higher Education from the concept of teaching to the concept of learning. As universities in developing nations make the transition to become regional and international in quality it is important to the university administrators and the ministries of education to develop strategies to support this evolution from teaching to learning. This paper argues that an integral piece of this transition is the presence of a center for teaching and learning excellence.
Weighted sharing and uniqueness of memorphic functions with regard to multiplicity
Authors: Sahoo Pulak , Saha Biswajit
Published: May 2014

In the paper we study the uniqueness problems of meromorphic functions whose certain nonlinear differential polynomials share certain value or fixed point with finite weight and obtain two theorems which improve two recent results due to S.S. Bhoosnurmath and S.R. Kabbur [Tamkang J. Math., 44, 11-22, Spring 2013].
Robust Tracking Control Using Fuzzy Disturbance Observer for Wheeled Mobile Robots with Skidding and Slipping
Authors: Kang Hyo-Seok , Hyun Chang-Ho , Kim Seungwoo
Published: May 2014

This paper proposes a robust tracking controller based on the Fuzzy Disturbance Observer (FDO) for a Wheeled Mobile Robot (WMR) with unknown skidding and slipping. The proposed method provides disturbance-free techniques for stability analysis. In our previous work [ 1 ], we proposed an extended state-observer approach to robust tracking control for wheeled mobile robots with skidding and slipping. Even though satisfying performances were shown and the proposed method was verified in [ 1 ], the derivatives of disturbance should go to zero as time passes in order to guarantee performance. This is a very critical assumption. The method proposed in this paper overcomes this problem using universal approximation with a fuzzy model. Thus, the condition that disturbance should disappear with time is not required anymore. Furthermore, the proposed method can be used more widely than that shown in the previous work. This is guaranteed by a Lyapunov-theory-based stability analysis, and performance is verified by simulation results.
Remission of generalized erythematous granuloma annulare after improvement of hyperlipidemia and review of the Japanese literature
Authors: Watanabe Soko , Tanaka Masaru , Kobayashi Ken , Sawada Mizuki , Ishizaki Sumiko , Tsurui Koji , Fujibayashi Mariko
Published: May 2014

Granuloma annulare has been associated with systemic disease including diabetes mellitus. We report a case of a 62-year-old Japanese woman with generalized erythematous granuloma annulare who showed remission after substantial improvement in hyperlipidemia following a strict lipid-lowering diet. The lesion appeared in the lower abdomen one year before current presentation and subsequently spread to other areas of the trunk despite treatment with topical steroid and oral epinastine hydrochloride. Physical examination showed a well-demarcated erythematous plaque measuring 10 cm in diameter with fine scales on the left abdomen, and slightly indurated pinkish plaques of up to 5 cm in diameter on the right side of the abdomen and axillae. Clinical laboratory tests showed mild glucose intolerance (HbA1c 6.2%), mild liver dysfunction (AST: 86 IU/L, ALT: 76 IU/l), slight hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol: 235 mg/dl), and severe hyperlipidemia (triglyceride: 962 mg/ml). Histopathological examination of the lesions showed homogenization of collagen fibers and granulomatous infiltrates between fibers in the upper and middle dermis. A diagnosis of generalized erythematous granuloma annulare was established based on the clinical and histopathological findings, especially with the distribution on more than one anatomic site. A lipid-lowering diet for three months resulted in major improvement of hyperlipidemia and remission of the skin lesions.

A review of generalized erythematous granuloma annulare in the Japanese literature indicated a well-known association of granuloma annulare with diabetes mellitus, however, the relation with hyperlipidemia was described only recently. This case suggests a possible relationship between granuloma annulare and hyperlipidemia, with possible improvement of granuloma annulare with a lipid-lowering diet.
Secondary Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Following Precursor B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Jenny L. Smith  , Albert Kheradpour  , Craig W. Zuppan  , Jun Wang  , Rhett P. Ketterling  , Edward H. Rowsell
Published: May 2014

Although relapse of lymphoma/leukemia is not uncommon, sequential development of a second lymphoma/leukemia of a different cell lineage is rare. We report the case of a 3-year-old girl who initially presented with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), characterized by a cryptic t(12;21) with associated ETV6/RUNX1 fusion, an 11q (MLL) deletion, and a balanced inv(2)(q31q37). She was successfully treated but five years later developedthymicprecursor T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) expressing a completely different phenotypic profile. Fluorescence in situ hybridization testing identified a MLL rearrangement but indicated no ETV6/RUNX1 fusion. Although the marrow was uninvolved, aspirates evaluated by chromosome studies revealed the same inv(2q), suggesting a constitutional abnormality distinct from the somatic alterations associated with her B-ALL and T-LBL. This raisesthe possibilityof a potential tumor suppressor gene or proto-oncogene residing in the region of the inversion breakpoints which could contribute to predisposition to the development of lymphoblastic leukemias/lymphomas. While secondary leukemia may emerge as a therapy-related process and the presence of an MLL rearrangement in the T-LBL represents an interesting abnormality in this regard,athymicpresentation would be exceedingly unusual. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of B-ALL followed by an apparently genetically unrelatedT-LBL.
Le Japon est-il une démocratie multinationale ?
Authors: Steele Jackie F. , Froment-Lebeau Maryse
Published: May 2014

L’objectif de cet article est de dépasser les limites conceptuelles et typologiques de la littérature sur les minorités, le Japon multiculturel, et le Japon multiethnique en menant une réflexion critique quant aux mécanismes politiques, juridiques et discursifs d’exclusion et d’inclusion délimitant les normes de la subjectivité japonaise. À partir d’une analyse féministe de l’intersectionalité de la diversité situant la « race », la culture, le genre et l’hétéro-normativité comme systèmes d’oppressions qui seconstituent mutuellement, nous examinerons également la littérature comparée sur la démocratie multinationale. Une fouille généalogique du passé colonial japonais, et l’étude d’un mariage multinational entre une japonaise et unZainichicoréen nous permet de découvrir et de critiquer les contradictions juridiques et politiques des diverses facettes de la subjectivité et de l’appartenance (nation, diaspora, etc.) que le système du registre familial et la loi sur la nationalité reproduisent constamment.
Cool, Creepy, Moé: Otaku Fictions, Discourses, and Policies
Authors: Lamarre Thomas
Published: May 2014

This essay looks at theotakuphenomenon in terms of the production of consumption (what produces consumption, and what consumption produces) primarily three registers: fictions ofotakuthat stage the repression ofotakudesires and identities in order to form erogenous zones; cultural discourses that pathologizeotakuconsumption; and government policies related to Cool Japan that strive to reconfigureotakuconsumption in terms of markets and self-satisfying subjects. Considering these different registers brings into a focus a neoliberal socius or social being, which allows constant intervention into everyday life in the name of the fragility of the global free market by typologizing and pathologizing consumers.
O lampião da esquina: discussões de gênero e sexualidade no Brasil no final da década de 1970
Authors: Schultz Leonardo , Barros Patrícia Marcondes de
Published: May 2014

O presente artigo tem como objetivo apresentar o estudo realizado sobre as discussões de gênero e sexualidade inseridos no impresso alternativo O Lampião da Esquina (1978-1981), assim como sua relevância para a imprensa brasileira. O jornal foi pioneiro em tratar de temas destinados aos homossexuais em uma fase de cerceamento da liberdade de expressão, decorrente do regime militar de 1964. Como eixo norteador da pesquisa, realizou-se o estudo de quatro edições do jornal, em diferentes épocas, nas quais foram analisados aspectos textuais, gráficos e de discurso. Esse tipo de jornalismo brasileiro do final dos anos dos 70 recebeu influências da contracultura norte-americana e do New Journalism, ao abordar questões comportamentais e sociais com um “novo olhar”, aberto às transformações ocorridas no mundo em todas as instâncias. Surgem, não apenas novos conteúdos, abordados sob a nova forma, advinda da “nova visão”, mas também, um formato e estética própria, numa negação dos padrões de objetividade do jornalismo tradicional, o que permitia o exercício da subjetividade.
Características psicométricas da Escala de Stress Infantil (ESI) para avaliação do stress em crianças cegas
Authors: Filgueiras Alberto , Mendonça Inês , Fontenele Beatriz , Monnerat Fioravanti-Bastos Ana Carolina , Poyares Maria , Tolla de Oliveira Carlo Emmanoel , Saboya Eloísa , Machado Marques Carla Verônica
Published: May 2014

Métodos e instrumentos de avaliação psicológica em crianças cegas são escassos. Com o objetivo.de validar um método confiável na mensuração do stress nessa população, verificamos.as características psicométricas da Escala de Stress Infantil (ESI). Aplicamos o instrumento em 46 crianças cegas congênitas, alunas do Ensino Fundamental do Instituto Benjamin Constant do Rio de Janeiro. A análise fatorial exploratória revelou quatro fatores, conforme esperado, mostrando boa consistência interna das quatro diferentes dimensões da escala. Ao executarmos a análise fatorial confirmatória, detectamos o modelo com um fator como o melhor, como já apontado pela literatura, o que demonstra que as quatro dimensões convergem para um constructo único: stress. A confiabilidade da escala mostrou-se satisfatória, apresentando alfa.de Cronbach de 0,91. Este estudo dá subsídios para a validade da ESI na mensuração do stress em crianças cegas.
Herbal Therapy is Equivalent to Rifaximin for the Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Authors: Chedid Victor , Dhalla Sameer , Clarke John O. , Roland Bani Chander , Dunbar Kerry B. , Koh Joyce , Justino Edmundo , Rn Eric Tomakin, , Mullin Gerard E.
Published: May 2014

Objective:

Patients with small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) have chronic intestinal and extraintestinal symptomatology which adversely affects their quality of life. Present treatment of SIBO is limited to oral antibiotics with variable success. A growing number of patients are interested in using complementary and alternative therapies for their gastrointestinal health. The objective was to determine the remission rate of SIBO using either the antibiotic rifaximin or herbals in a tertiary care referral gastroenterology practice.

Design:

One hundred and four patients who tested positive for newly diagnosed SIBO by lactulose breath testing (LBT) were offered either rifaximin 1200 mg daily vs herbal therapy for 4 weeks with repeat LBT post-treatment.

Results:

Three hundred ninety-six patients underwent LBT for suspected SIBO, of which 251 (63.4%) were positive 165 underwent treatment and 104 had a follow-up LBT. Of the 37 patients who received herbal therapy, 17 (46%) had a negative follow-up LBT compared to 23/67 (34%) of rifaximin users (P=.24). The odds ratio of having a negative LBT after taking herbal therapy as compared to rifaximin was 1.85 (CI=0.77-4.41, P=.17) once adjusted for age, gender, SIBO risk factors and IBS status. Fourteen of the 44 (31.8%) rifaximin non-responders were offered herbal rescue therapy, with 8 of the 14 (57.1%) having a negative LBT after completing the rescue herbal therapy, while 10 non-responders were offered triple antibiotics with 6 responding (60%, P=.89). Adverse effects were reported among the rifaximin treated arm including 1 case of anaphylaxis, 2 cases of hives, 2 cases of diarrhea and 1 case of Clostridium difficile. Only one case of diarrhea was reported in the herbal therapy arm, which did not reach statistical significance (P=.22).

Conclusion:

SIBO is widely prevalent in a tertiary referral gastroenterology practice. Herbal therapies are at least as effective as rifaximin for resolution of SIBO by LBT. Herbals also appear to be as effective as triple antibiotic therapy for SIBO rescue therapy for rifaximin non-responders. Further, prospective studies are needed to validate these findings and explore additional alternative therapies in patients with refractory SIBO.
Climate-mediated cooperation promotes niche expansion in burying beetles
Authors: Sun Syuan-Jyun , Rubenstein Dustin R , Chen Bo-Fei , Chan Shih-Fan , Liu Jian-Nan , Liu Mark , Hwang Wenbe , Yang Ping-Shih , Shen Sheng-Feng
Published: May 2014

The ability to form cooperative societies may explain why humans and social insects have come to dominate the earth. Here we examine the ecological consequences of cooperation by quantifying the fitness of cooperative (large groups) and non-cooperative (small groups) phenotypes in burying beetles (Nicrophorus nepalensis) along an elevational and temperature gradient. We experimentally created large and small groups along the gradient and manipulated interspecific competition with flies by heating carcasses. We show that cooperative groups performed as thermal generalists with similarly high breeding success at all temperatures and elevations, whereas non-cooperative groups performed as thermal specialists with higher breeding success only at intermediate temperatures and elevations. Studying the ecological consequences of cooperation may not only help us to understand why so many species of social insects have conquered the earth, but also to determine how climate change will affect the success of these and other social species, including our own.
Electron properties in inverted‐V structures and their vicinities based on Reimei observations
Authors: Fukuda Y. , Hirahara M. , Asamura K. , Sakanoi T. , Miyoshi Y. , Takada T. , Yamazaki A. , Seki K. , Ebihara Y.
Published: May 2014

This paper reports two event studies on characteristic pitch angle variations of inverted‐V electrons observed by the Reimei satellite. At edges of the inverted‐V structures, the electron pitch angles are collimated between 0° and 20° while the electric field of the potential distribution is commonly depicted perpendicular to the local magnetic field. As Reimei moved toward the center of the inverted‐V regions, the electron pitch angles broadened up to ∼120°, and their energies rapidly increased and continuously changed to those of the energetic inverted‐V component. At the higher latitudes of the inverted‐V structure, diffuse electrons with the isotropic distribution were also observed. Estimations of the electron density and temperature indicate that the source region of the beam electrons is the topside ionosphere by comparison with those of the diffuse electrons and the energetic inverted‐V electrons. For the auroral emissions, in the first event, some horizontal auroral motions were observed which may be accompanied by the horizontal drift motion of the whole structure of the parallel potential drop. This motion could supply electrons in the topside ionosphere into the potential structure, and then the beam electrons are continuously formed at the low altitudes. In the second event, on the other hand, at both edges of the auroral band, the auroral emissions did not expand while the beam electrons were observed. One of the probable reasons to produce the beam electrons is the inertial Alfvén waves although they are inconsistent with previous studies because the velocity dispersions were not observed.
Learning More About and With the Face–Name Mnemonic Strategy
Authors: Carney Russell N. , Levin Joel R.
Published: May 2014

With the face–name mnemonic strategy, choosing and using ‘prominent’ facial features in interactive images can be difficult. The temptation is to stray from less‐than‐distinctive facial features and instead to associate an individual's name clue with an additional concrete detail (e.g., a headband). To examine this issue, undergraduates viewed face photographs with or without additional details under one of three conditions: own best method, fully imposed mnemonic, and partially imposed mnemonic. Experiment 2 examined a somewhat parallel situation that occurs when applying the strategy to abstract artwork (paintings with less familiar, less concrete elements) versus applying it to representational artwork (paintings with more familiar concrete elements). Our findings suggest that some pictorial stimuli (e.g., facial photos with details; representational paintings) are easier to work with mnemonically than are others (e.g., facial photos by themselves; abstract art). Moreover, in both experiments, mnemonic students displayed performance advantages on both immediate and delayed tests. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Carbocyclic Nucleosides via Ring‐Closing Metathesis
Authors: Mulamoottil Varughese A. , Nayak Akshata , Jeong Lak Shin
Published: May 2014

The past decades witnessed the development and the strong potential of nucleoside analogues as therapeutic agents as well as biological tools. Among this, five‐membered carbocyclic nucleosides have shown immense promise in the treatment of cancer and viral infections. The systematic evolution of transition‐metal‐catalyzed CC bond‐forming reactions has widened the scope of olefin metathesis. The development of new catalysts, the selectivity, efficiency, functional‐group compatibility, along with a better know‐how of the catalyst–substrate interactions have encouraged researchers to use this powerful tool for the design of desired target compounds. The aim of this Focus Review is to highlight recently developed synthetic strategies for the synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides involving ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) as a key step.
Copy number variation plays an important role in clinical epilepsy
Authors: Olson Heather , Shen Yiping , Avallone Jennifer , Sheidley Beth R. , Pinsky Rebecca , Bergin Ann M. , Berry Gerard T. , Duffy Frank H. , Eksioglu Yaman , Harris David J. , Hisama Fuki M. , Ho Eugenia , Irons Mira , Jacobsen Christina M. , James Philip , Kothare Sanjeev , Khwaja Omar , Lipton Jonathan , Loddenkemper Tobias , Markowitz Jennifer , Maski Kiran , Megerian J. Thomas , Neilan Edward , Raffalli Peter C. , Robbins Michael , Roberts Amy , Roe Eugene , Rollins Caitlin , Sahin Mustafa , Sarco Dean , Schonwald Alison , Smith Sharon E. , Soul Janet , Stoler Joan M. , Takeoka Masanori , Tan Wen‐Han , Torres Alcy R. , Tsai Peter , Urion David K. , Weissman Laura , Wolff Robert , Wu Bai‐Lin , Miller David T. , Poduri Annapurna
Published: May 2014

Objective

To evaluate the role of copy number abnormalities detectable using chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing in patients with epilepsy at a tertiary care center.

Methods

We identified patients with International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD‐9) codes for epilepsy or seizures and clinical CMA testing performed between October 2006 and February 2011 at Boston Children's Hospital. We reviewed medical records and included patients who met criteria for epilepsy. We phenotypically characterized patients with epilepsy‐associated abnormalities on CMA.

Results

Of 973 patients who had CMA and ICD‐9 codes for epilepsy or seizures, 805 patients satisfied criteria for epilepsy. We observed 437 copy number variants (CNVs) in 323 patients (1–4 per patient), including 185 (42%) deletions and 252 (58%) duplications. Forty (9%) were confirmed de novo, 186 (43%) were inherited, and parental data were unavailable for 211 (48%). Excluding full chromosome trisomies, CNV size ranged from 18kb to 142Mb, and 34% were >500kb. In at least 40 cases (5%), the epilepsy phenotype was explained by a CNV, including 29 patients with epilepsy‐associated syndromes and 11 with likely disease‐associated CNVs involving epilepsy genes or “hotspots.” We observed numerous recurrent CNVs including 10 involving loss or gain of Xp22.31, a region described in patients with and without epilepsy.

Interpretation

Copy number abnormalities play an important role in patients with epilepsy. Because the diagnostic yield of CMA for epilepsy patients is similar to the yield in autism spectrum disorders and in prenatal diagnosis, for which published guidelines recommend testing with CMA, we recommend the implementation of CMA in the evaluation of unexplained epilepsy. Ann Neurol 2014;75:943–958
Oxygen‐Promoted CH Bond Activation at Palladium
Authors: Scheuermann Margaret L. , Boyce David W. , Grice Kyle A. , Kaminsky Werner , Stoll Stefan , Tolman William B. , Swang Ole , Goldberg Karen I.
Published: May 2014

[Pd(P(Ar)(tBu)2)2] (1, Ar=naphthyl) reacts with molecular oxygen to form PdII hydroxide dimers in which the naphthyl ring is cyclometalated and one equivalent of phosphine per palladium atom is released. This reaction involves the cleavage of both CH and OO bonds, two transformations central to catalytic aerobic oxidizations of hydrocarbons. Observations at low temperature suggest the initial formation of a superoxo complex, which then generates a peroxo complex prior to the CH activation step. A transition state for energetically viable CH activation across a Pdperoxo bond was located computationally.
A framework for analyzing and comparing privacy states
Authors: Rubel Alan , Biava Ryan
Published: May 2014

This article develops a framework for analyzing and comparing privacy and privacy protections across (inter alia) time, place, and polity and for examining factors that affect privacy and privacy protection. This framework provides a method to describe precisely aspects of privacy and context and a flexible vocabulary and notation for such descriptions and comparisons. Moreover, it links philosophical and conceptual work on privacy to social science and policy work and accommodates different conceptions of the nature and value of privacy. The article begins with an outline of the framework. It then refines the view by describing a hypothetical application. Finally, it applies the framework to a real‐world privacy issue—campaign finance disclosure laws in the United States and France. The article concludes with an argument that the framework offers important advantages to privacy scholarship and for privacy policy makers.
What kind of knowledge is in Wikipedia? Unsupervised extraction of properties for similar concepts
Authors: Barbu Eduard
Published: May 2014

This article presents a novel method for extracting knowledge from Wikipedia and a classification schema for annotating the extracted knowledge. Unlike the majority of approaches in the literature, we use the raw Wikipedia text for knowledge acquisition. The main assumption made is that the concepts classified under the same node in a taxonomy are described in a comparable way in Wikipedia. The annotation of the extracted knowledge is done at two levels: ontological and logical. The extracted properties are evaluated in the traditional way, that is, by computing the precision of the extraction procedure and in a clustering task. The second method of evaluation is seldom used in the natural language processing community, but it is regularly employed in cognitive psychology.
An automatic method for extracting citations from Google Books
Authors: Kousha Kayvan , Thelwall Mike
Published: May 2014

Recent studies have shown that counting citations from books can help scholarly impact assessment and that Google Books (GB) is a useful source of such citation counts, despite its lack of a public citation index. Searching GB for citations produces approximate matches, however, and so its raw results need time‐consuming human filtering. In response, this article introduces a method to automatically remove false and irrelevant matches from GB citation searches in addition to introducing refinements to a previous GB manual citation extraction method. The method was evaluated by manual checking of sampled GB results and comparing citations to about 14,500 monographs in the Thomson Reuters Book Citation Index (BKCI) against automatically extracted citations from GB across 24 subject areas. GB citations were 103% to 137% as numerous as BKCI citations in the humanities, except for tourism (72%) and linguistics (91%), 46% to 85% in social sciences, but only 8% to 53% in the sciences. In all cases, however, GB had substantially more citing books than did BKCI, with BKCI's results coming predominantly from journal articles. Moderate correlations between the GB and BKCI citation counts in social sciences and humanities, with most BKCI results coming from journal articles rather than books, suggests that they could measure the different aspects of impact, however.
Non‐Rule Based Fuzzy Approach for Adaptive Control Design of Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Wang Yinhe , Luo Liang , Novakovic Branko , Kasac Josip
Published: May 2014

A novel adaptive control approach is presented using extended fuzzy logic systems without any rules. First, the extended fuzzy logic systems without any rules are used to approximate the uncertainties. Then the sliding mode controllers via the proposed extended fuzzy logic systems without any rules are proposed for uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) nonlinear systems. The adaptive laws are used for estimating the approximation accuracies of fuzzy logic systems without any rules, Lipschitz constants of uncertain functions and scalar factor, respectively, which are not directly to estimate the coefficients of basis functions. Finally, a compared simulation example is utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach proposed in this paper.
Biosimilars 101: considerations for U.S. oncologists in clinical practice
Authors: Camacho Luis H. , Frost Craig P. , Abella Esteban , Morrow Phuong K. , Whittaker Sadie
Published: May 2014

Biosimilars of biologics used for cancer treatment and supportive care are expected to enter the U.S. market soon. Biosimilars will be highly similar to their reference products, but unlike generic drugs, not identical. Differences between a biosimilar and its reference product may arise because of the complexity of biologics, and differences in the cell lines and processes used during manufacturing. Biosimilars will be approved in the United States through a regulatory pathway based on comparative analytical and clinical studies for their characterization and demonstration of no clinically meaningful differences from their reference products. Unlike generics, initial approval may not include interchangeability, as additional evidence may be required before a biosimilar could be approved as interchangeable with its reference product; interchangeable designation could allow pharmacy‐level substitution without prescriber intervention. In some cases, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may extrapolate an indication that has not been formally investigated for the biosimilar but that is approved for the reference product. Robust safety monitoring of all biologics is important to track and accurately attribute adverse events, particularly because their inherent complexity and manufacturing differences make them susceptible to structural changes that can affect safety (e.g., immunogenicity). Accuracy of postapproval safety reports will partly depend on the biosimilar naming approach. Potential cost savings should be evaluated in the context of differences in manufacturers' patient‐assistance programs, copayments, and institutional costs. A manufacturer's ability to ensure reliable supply of high‐quality biosimilars should also be considered. Broad understanding of these issues is critical for oncologists preparing for their use in clinical practice.
Yeast Homologous Recombination Cloning Leading to the Novel Peptides Ambactin and Xenolindicin
Authors: Schimming Olivia , Fleischhacker Florian , Nollmann Friederike I. , Bode Helge B.
Published: May 2014

Heterologous production of GameXPeptide A (1), as well as of the novel peptide natural products ambactin (2) and xenolindicins A–C (3 a–c), was achieved by using the “overlap extension PCR‐yeast homologous recombination” (ExRec) method. ExRec cloning is based on the ability of yeast to assemble overlapping DNA fragments into functional plasmids. Here we used this technique to clone a total of 15 biosynthesis gene clusters from Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus with sizes of up to 45 kb. The structures of the novel compounds 2 and 3 a, which were produced in Escherichia coli, were elucidated by detailed MS and bioinformatics analysis, and additionally confirmed by their chemical synthesis.