bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living Donor Transplant Education for African American Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Arriola Kimberly R. Jacob , Powell C. Lamonte , Thompson Nancy J. , Perryman Jennie P. , Basu Mohua
Published: December 2014

Context

Despite numerous benefits of live donor kidney transplant (LDKT), patient-level barriers often prevent African Americans from considering LDKT. Educational interventions designed to address patient-level barriers may increase willingness among African American patients with end-stage renal disease to explore LDKT as a treatment option.

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of a culturally sensitive educational intervention called Living ACTS (About Choices in Transplantation and Sharing) that was designed to address patient-level barriers to LDKT among African American patients with end-stage renal disease.

Design/Participants

Patients were randomized to intervention (n = 136) or control (n=132) groups. They completed baseline measures and then viewed either the Living ACTS or control video. Both groups then completed an immediate follow-up measure and a 6-month assessment administered via telephone.

Main Outcome Measures

Self-reported knowledge about LDKT, willingness to talk to the patient's family about LDKT, and perceived benefits of LDKT were measured at 3 time points.

Results

At 6-month follow-up, intervention participants demonstrated a significantly greater increase in knowledge of LDKT than control participants ( F2,229 = 3.08, P = .05). Intervention participants expressed greater willingness to talk to patients' families about LDKT than did control participants from baseline through 6-month follow-up ( F1,230 = 7.11, P= .008). Finally, at immediate follow-up, intervention participants reported greater endorsement of the benefits of LDKT than did control participants ( F2,223 = 14.27, P < .001); however, this effect had disappeared by the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions

Living ACTS is effective at increasing and maintaining knowledge about LDKT among African American patients with end-stage renal disease who are considering transplant.
Schopenhauer e Nietzsche: sobre o conhecimento filosófico
Authors: Ribeiro da Fonseca Eduardo
Published: December 2014

Diante da epígrafe do livro Parerga e Paralipomena, “consagrar a vida à verdade”, Nietzschese pergunta se não seria melhor inverter os termos, dizendo: “consagrar a verdade à vida”.Haveria nisso um elogio à ilusão, que poderia ser também traduzida na concepção quediz que a linha do horizonte é o mais profundo, ou simplesmente um reconhecimentoda impossibilidade de se chegar a uma essência das coisas, que tornaria desnecessária adivisão clássica entre essência e aparência, a qual, em termos kantianos, resolver-se-ia nadicotomia entre fenômeno e coisa em si, e, em termos schopenhauerianos, nos pontosde vista da Vontade e da Representação? Mas, por outro lado, noves fora, não seria maisjusto entendermos o conceito de Vontade como um Real, para falarmos em termos lacanianos,do qual se toma um pouco de cada vez, apesar do inesgotável que representa? Ea Representação como algo que englobaria as categorias do Imaginário e do Simbólico,tal como vemos prefigurado no Freud de Além do Princípio do Prazer?
Disposición afectiva y temporalidad en Martin Heidegger entre 1927 y 1930
Authors: Lythgoe Esteban
Published: December 2014

El presente artículo correlaciona el temple de ánimo utilizado por Heidegger en su análisis ontológico en Ser y tiempo y en el curso sobre Los conceptos fundamentales de la metafísica y la caracterización de la temporariedad que surge de él. Nuestra hipótesis es que la diferencia de su caracterización se debe fundamentalmente a la desaparición en el curso de 1929-30 del comprender y del aislamiento al que conducía la angustia. Aunque el planteo temporal de este curso quede trunco, el contraste con Ser y tiempo aporta elementos de valor para desentrañar la lógica interna de esta obra, así como también para poner de manifiesto de qué modo la caracterización que la analítica existencial hace del Dasein, incide en la caracterización del tiempo.
Freud’s Chows. On transcendental stupidity : a case study
Authors: Rodríguez Federico
Published: December 2014

This text explores the problem of transcendental stupidity in Sigmund Freud, Gilles Deleuze and Jacques Derrida’s works, seeking to combine it with (1) the paradoxical figure of Oedipus (the original complex) in psychoanalytical and philosophical tradition and (2) the symptomatic situation of some important animals (wolf and dog, symbols of wild and domestic life [i.e.: Freud’s Wolfs, Freud’s Chow-Chows]) in analyses and therapies. The case of the Man of the Wolves (der Wolfmann), the case of Mr. Sergei K. Pankejeff described in Aus der Geschichte einer infantilen Neurose, a fundamental dream in contemporary culture history, would be the point of departure.
ESTUDANDO TOM ZÉ: TROPICÁLIA E O LIXO LÓGICO
Authors: Valverde Antonio José Romera
Published: December 2014

O presente ensaio apresenta, inicialmente, uma sondagem acerca da compreensão do Brasil contemporâneo pelo pensamento de seus intérpretes mais expressivos. Em seguida, analisa o último balanço da cultura brasileira operado pela Tropicália, um movimento que revolveu os traumas residuais da cultura brasileira ao inventar um padrão de compreensão sob novas chaves estéticas e políticas — em particular, a produção musical do movimento. Por fim, o ensaio analisa o disco Tropicália lixo lógico de Tom Zé, lançado em 2012, perseguindo a linha de discos experimentais e de tese do músico. Nele, o artista retoma criticamente aspectos da cultura brasileira atual, conjugados com os temas culturais dissecados pela Tropicália desde 1967. Como a maioria dos ensaios, este se move por indícios e análises tópicas do disco em questão, a contextualizar e a problematizar a construção da identidade nacional.
WITTGENSTEIN E MOORE: SOBRE A CERTEZA
Authors: Fatturi Arturo
Published: December 2014

Neste ensaio será analisada a resposta fornecida por George Edward Moore ao questionamento do filósofo cético quanto à existência de objetos exteriores a nós. Num primeiro momento analisar-se-á a resposta oferecida por Moore e sua estrutura. Num segundo momento se faz a análise da efetividade que as respostas de Moore apresentam como soluções à dúvida cética. Após essas análises, passamos a considerar criticamente a empreitada de Moore segundo o ponto de vista da filosofia de Ludwig Wittgenstein exposta em sua obra On Certainty. Nossa conclusão é que as proposições apresentadas por Moore não servem de provas, uma vez que elas não são provenientes de investigações empíricas. Sendo assim, as alegadas proposições de Moore são de fato as estruturas que permitem que toda dúvida e investigação sejam lançadas. A partir disso, examinamos se as proposições de Moore podem ser consideradas conhecimento. Por fim, analisamos o status filosófico da dúvida cética que Moore pretende responder. Nossa intenção é mostrar que a dúvida cética não possui sentido e, por tal razão, apresenta-se como paradoxo ao nosso entendimento. Nossa conclusão é que a análise do ceticismo filosófico, tal como elaborado por Moore e Wittgenstein, possibilita-nos alcançar clareza quanto ao conjunto de proposições que fazem parte do sistema do qual as dúvidas e investigações podem ser levantadas.
Drawing on Related Knowledge to Advance Multiple Sclerosis Falls-Prevention Research
Authors: Ploughman Michelle , Deshpande Nandini , Latimer-Cheung Amy E. , Finlayson Marcia
Published: December 2014

There is much to be learned from falls-related research outside the field of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as from work within the MS field but not specific to falls or falls prevention. This article describes three examples of such bodies of work that have potential to broaden approaches to falls-prevention research: 1) sensory components of postural control among older adults, 2) lessons learned from physical activity promotion among people with spinal cord injury (SCI), and 3) aging among people with MS. Age-related deterioration in visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems or in sensory integration can adversely affect postural control and can contribute to falls in older people. Sensory-specific interventions designed for improving balance in older people could be adapted for preventing falls in individuals with MS. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Action Canada's strategy for disseminating physical activity promotion interventions for adults with SCI has been successful and widely accepted by community partners. Many of the peer-based interventions developed by SCI Action Canada are potentially relevant and could be adapted to the MS population for both physical activity promotion and falls prevention. Considering that older people with MS constitute a growing proportion of the MS population and over 70% of older people with MS report moderate to extreme balance problems, falls prevention should be one of the key components, particularly for MS management in older or more disabled groups. Overall, given people's different ages, symptoms, strengths, and barriers, a tailored MS falls-prevention intervention that includes peer/caregiver support is critical.
Whom to Target for Falls-Prevention Trials
Authors: Cameron Michelle , Coote Susan , Sosnoff Jacob J.
Published: December 2014

Effective falls-prevention approaches for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are needed. A significant challenge in studying falls-prevention programs for people with MS is deciding whom to include in trials. This article presents and discusses potential criteria for selecting participants for trials of falls-prevention interventions in MS. This narrative review reports on the inaugural meeting of the International MS Falls Prevention Research Network (IMSFPRN), which was held in March 2014 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Criteria considered were age, assistive device use, cognition, and fall history. The IMSFPRN reached consensus agreement to recommend that participants of all ages with varying levels of cognitive ability who are able to ambulate with or without assistance and who have a history of falling should be included in their future falls-prevention trials.
Home or Away? Choosing a Setting for a Falls-Prevention Program for People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gunn Hilary , Cattaneo Davide , Finlayson Marcia , Freeman Jennifer , Sosnoff Jacob J.
Published: December 2014

Evidence suggests that choice of setting may be important in influencing the outcomes of rehabilitation programs, as well as optimizing participant satisfaction and adherence. This article aims to examine the factors that may inform the choice of setting for a falls-prevention program tailored to the needs of people with multiple sclerosis, including the influence of setting on program effectiveness, participant engagement, cost, and sustainability. Any new program should ensure that the choice of setting is informed by the intended program outcomes as well as an awareness of the opportunities and challenges presented by each type of setting. Evaluations of falls programs for older people suggest that immediate outcomes are similar regardless of setting; however, long-term outcomes may differ by setting, possibly owing to differential effects on adherence. Programs based away from home may offer benefits in terms of maintaining motivation, providing peer-support opportunities, and allowing regular access to facilitator input, while home-based programs offer unique opportunities for context-based practice and the integration of falls-prevention activities into real life. Additionally, home-based programs may address some of the long-term feasibility issues associated with programs away from home. A “mixed” program incorporating elements of home- and community-based activity may be the most sustainable and effective choice to achieve both long- and short-term goals within a falls-prevention program. However, currently there are significant gaps in knowledge relating to comparative program outcomes, cost, and long-term sustainability.
Incidence and mortality of tuberculosis before and after initiation of antiretroviral therapy: an HIV cohort study in India
Authors: Alvarez‐Uria Gerardo , Pakam Raghavakalyan , Midde Manoranjan , Naik Praveen K
Published: December 2014

Introduction

India has the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world, but the epidemiology of HIV‐associated TB is not well known.

Methods

We describe the incidence and the mortality of TB from HIV diagnosis to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (pre‐ART group) and after ART initiation (on‐ART group) in an HIV cohort study in Anantapur, India. Multivariable analysis of factors associated with TB was performed using competing risk regression and restricted cubic spline methods.

Results

A total of 4590 patients and 3133 person‐years (py) of follow‐up were included in the pre‐ART group, and 3784 patients and 4756 py were included in the on‐ART group. In the pre‐ART group, the incidence of TB was high during the first month after HIV diagnosis and dropped nearly four times soon after. In the on‐ART group, the incidence of TB increased after ART initiation reaching a peak in the third month. The probability of having TB within 30 months was 22.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.1–23.6) in the pre‐ART group and 17.8% (95% CI, 16.3–19.3) in the on‐ART group. In a multivariable analysis, women had a lower risk of TB in both groups. Poor socio‐economical conditions were associated with an increased risk of TB in the pre‐ART group, but not in the group on‐ART. While the association between low CD4 counts and TB was strong in the pre‐ART group, this association was weaker in the on‐ART group, and the highest risk of TB was seen in those patients with CD4 counts around 110 cells/mm3. The cumulative incidence of mortality at 12 months in patients with TB was 29.6% (95% CI, 26.9–32.6) in pre‐ART TB and 34.9% (95% CI, 31–39.1) in on‐ART TB. Half deaths before ART initiation and two thirds of deaths after ART initiation occurred in patients with TB.

Conclusions

The high incidence and mortality of TB seen in this study underscore the urgent need to improve the prevention and diagnosis of HIV‐associated TB in India. We found substantial differences between TB before and after ART initiation.
Time to do something about reproducibility
Authors: Morrison Sean J
Published: December 2014

Individual scientists, scientific communities and scientific journals can do more to assess the publication of irreproducible results, to promote good science, and to increase the efficiency with which the scientific community self-corrects.
RNA virus attenuation by codon pair deoptimisation is an artefact of increases in CpG/UpA dinucleotide frequencies
Authors: Tulloch Fiona , Atkinson Nicky J , Evans David J , Ryan Martin D , Simmonds Peter
Published: December 2014

Mutating RNA virus genomes to alter codon pair (CP) frequencies and reduce translation efficiency has been advocated as a method to generate safe, attenuated virus vaccines. However, selection for disfavoured CPs leads to unintended increases in CpG and UpA dinucleotide frequencies that also attenuate replication. We designed and phenotypically characterised mutants of the picornavirus, echovirus 7, in which these parameters were independently varied to determine which most influenced virus replication. CpG and UpA dinucleotide frequencies primarily influenced virus replication ability while no fitness differences were observed between mutants with different CP usage where dinucleotide frequencies were kept constant. Contrastingly, translation efficiency was unaffected by either CP usage or dinucleotide frequencies. This mechanistic insight is critical for future rational design of live virus vaccines and their safety evaluation; attenuation is mediated through enhanced innate immune responses to viruses with elevated CpG/UpA dinucleotide frequencies rather the viruses themselves being intrinsically defective.
The Evolution of Publishing Agreements at the University of Michigan Library
Authors: Hawkins Kevin S
Published: December 2014

Taking as an example an open-access journal with a single editor, this article discusses the various configurations of rights agreements used by the University of Michigan Library throughout the evolution of its publishing operation, the advantages of the various models, and the reasons for moving from one to another.
Special Issue: Library Publishing
Authors: Davis-Kahl Stephanie , Schlosser Melanie
Published: December 2014

Library publishing is not a new topic in the (digital) pages of JLSC. In volume 2 alone, there have been two articles (McIntyre et al, 2013; Weiner & Watkinson, 2014) and a review (Lally, 2013) focused on different aspects of the topic, and it’s also made appearances in pieces on related issues (for example, in Salo (2013)). This is, however, the first issue dedicated entirely to this rapidly growing area of practice. The issue, in its entirety, provides a current picture of the range of programs and diversity of approaches in library publishing. The three practice articles include an in-depth look at an innovative journal publishing project (Newton, Cunningham, & O’Connell), a report on an in-progress pilot project focused on publishing open textbooks (Sutton & Chadwell), and a review of library-press collaborations (Roh). The rest of the issue consists of selections from the first Library Publishing Forum, held in March of 2014 in Kansas City, MO. The Forum consisted of invited panels and interactive sessions, which were both thought-provoking and lively. The authors included here take a variety of approaches to representing their Forum sessions-- from the practical to the provocative. We also include in this issue the posters from the Forum, which were first made available in May.
Poster Abstracts
Authors: Authors Abstract
Published: December 2014

Abstracts for posters presented at the inaugural Library Publishing Forum in Kansas City, Missouri, March 5-6, 2014. Poster files are linked at the end of each abstract in the PDF.
Integrated Research Approaches to Coastal Zone Management
Authors: Nandini Menon N. , Singh Tanya , Pettersson Lasse H.
Published: December 2014

Coastal zones around the world are extremely vulnerable today because of the unprecedented pressures of industrial and urban development as well as climate change related devastations, such as the growing intensities of cyclonic storms, the rise in sea surface temperature, sea surges, and sea level rise. In India, where about 35% of the population lives within 100 kilometers of the coastline, fisheries are a major driver and safety net for economic development and coastal livelihoods. Coastal ecosystems are closely linked with socio‐economic systems, which require carefully planned coastal zone management (CZM) actions.
Spotlight on Scientific Integrity and Geoethics at the 2014 AGU Fall Meeting
Authors: Gundersen Linda , Geissman John , Goldman Gretchen , Mogk David , Schnepf Neesha , Voss Britta , Weiss Max , Townsend Randy
Published: December 2014

Do you think about the consequences of your geosciences research?
Trapping waves in Earth's plasmasphere
Authors: Betz Eric O.
Published: December 2014

Earth's magnetic field traps donut‐shaped bands of radiation in a belt around the planet that react to solar eruptions by growing and shrinking. The Van Allen belts consist of two rings filled with particles from the solar wind and cosmic rays. Within the outer ring of the Van Allen belt sits the plasmasphere, which is the innermost part of the planet's magnetic field and home to low‐energy charged particles.
What causes nitric oxide to infiltrate the ozone layer?
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: December 2014

At the Earth's poles, energetic particles that are injected into the atmosphere can chemically react and form nitric oxide (NO) molecules, which then descend through the atmosphere and can destroy ozone there. Previous studies have found that intense geomagnetic events lead to the largest descents of NO, but more recent research—following a large flux of NO in a period of quiet geomagnetic activity—suggests that such fluxes can have different origins.
Quake clamps down on slow slip
Authors: Wallace Laura M. , Bartlow Noel , Hamling Ian , Fry Bill
Published: December 2014

Using continuous GPS (cGPS) data from the Hikurangi subduction zone in New Zealand, we show for the first time that stress changes induced by a local earthquake can arrest an ongoing slow slip event (SSE). The cGPS data show that the slip rate in the northern portion of the 2013/2014 Kapiti SSE decreased abruptly following a nearby intraslab earthquake. We suggest that deceleration of the Kapiti SSE in early 2014 occurred due to a tenfold increase in the normal stress relative to shear stress in the SSE source, induced by the nearby Mw 6.3 earthquake, consistent with expectations of rate and state friction. Our observation of an abrupt halting/slowing of the SSE in response to stress changes imposed by a local earthquake has implications for the strength of fault zones hosting SSEs and supports the premise that static stress changes are an important ingredient in triggering (or delaying) fault slip.
Solar wind electron precipitation into the dayside Martian upper atmosphere through the cusps of strong crustal fields
Authors: Xu Shaosui , Liemohn Michael W. , Mitchell David L.
Published: December 2014

Measurements made by the magnetometer/electron reflectometer on board the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft have shown spatially localized enhancements in electron fluxes over the strong crustal fields on both the dayside and night, which are used to identify the cusps in between the closed magnetic fields. This paper provides a comprehensive statistical study on the occurrence rate of dayside solar wind/magnetosheath precipitation over the strong crustal fields. Also, the occurrence rate's dependence on the magnetic elevation angles and the solar zenith angle is presented. A seasonal variation of the precipitation is also expected and found, due to both the tilt and the orbital eccentricity of Mars. The maximum occurrence rate is 40%, when the solar zenith angles are small and the magnetic fields are nearly vertical. Finally, the energy flux deposition of the solar wind electrons is calculated as well, which is 0.1%–2% of solar EUV flux input.
The interplay of Kappa and core populations in the solar wind: Electromagnetic electron cyclotron instability
Authors: Lazar M. , Poedts S. , Schlickeiser R.
Published: December 2014

Recently, a realistic parameterization was proposed for the kinetic anisotropy and the resulting instabilities in the solar wind plasma. This parameterization is based on observations of the particle velocity distribution, which always comprises a Maxwellian population at low energies, viz. the core, and a suprathermal halo in the tail of the distribution which is best described by the Kappa (power law) models. The cyclotron instability, driven by an anisotropic electron halo, was found to be inhibited by the finite thermal spread in the core, and this effect is highly dependent on the halo‐core relative density. In this paper, the interplay between the Kappa and Maxwellian populations is further investigated for more complex (less idealized) situations when both the core and halo temperatures are anisotropic. Growth of this instability is markedly stimulated by the core anisotropy. The wave numbers that are stable for an isotropic core become unstable even for small anisotropies of this population. Just a modest increase of the core anisotropy from Ac=T⊥/T∥=1.2 to 2 causes the growth rates to enhance by 1 order of magnitude, and the range of unstable wave numbers to extend considerably. When the anisotropies in the core and halo are comparable, the growth rate exhibits two distinct peaks, the first driven by the halo at lower wave numbers and the second driven by the core. However, the first peak is inhibited by the suprathermal populations, while the second peak is sustained, suggesting a more intricate connection between the core and Kappa populations.
Effects of tidal forcing, conductivity gradient, and active seeding on the climatology of equatorial spread F over Kwajalein
Authors: Tsunoda Roland T. , Nguyen Trang T. , Le Minh Huy
Published: December 2014

Plasma structure in nighttime equatorial F layer, referred to as equatorial spread F (ESF), displays climatology whose seasonal variation depends on longitude. At longitudes where ESF favors equinoxes, times when maxima occur can be predicted in terms of the day of year, when E region sunset is simultaneous in conjugate hemispheres (i.e., “sunset nodes”). Aside from occurrences around equinoxes, there are only three longitudes where ESF also occurs during a solstice; one is the central Pacific region. Here ESF activity is strong during the June solstice, when solar activity is high. To understand this puzzling behavior, ESF climatology over the Kwajalein Atoll was compared with properties of the postsunset rise (PSSR) of the F layer and seeding activity in the troposphere. The key findings are as follows: (1) Maxima in PSSR velocity (VPSSR) are better aligned with equinoxes than with sunset nodes; hence, seasonal pattern of VPSSR, not only sunset nodes, should be included in interpretation of ESF climatology. (2) The source of VPSSR during solstice appears to differ from that during equinoxes. (3) Equinoctial maxima in VPSSR could be related to a semiannual variation in equatorial electrojet strength and its contribution to polarization of the F region dynamo current. (4) Enhanced VPSSR during the June solstice is interpreted in terms of tidal forcing with a wave number of 2. (5) Displacements of maxima in ESF climatology from maxima in VPSSR are shown to be consistent with deep convective activity.
Microseisms and its impact on the marine‐controlled source electromagnetic signal
Authors: Bhatt Kaushalendra M.
Published: December 2014

The marine‐controlled source electromagnetic method (mCSEM) is employed for studying the electrical characteristics and fluid contents of sedimentary reservoirs. However, the success rate of the method can be improved significantly by finding the sources of electromagnetic noise and addressing the challenge posed by them at larger offsets where the reservoir signal is often weak. I have studied the mCSEM data and reporting an electromagnetic noise. The strength of the noise is observed 1600 times stronger than the seafloor mCSEM signal at 0.1 Hz. Moreover, the noise and the transmitted mCSEM signals are found coherent in interstation recordings. These readings suggest the severity of the noise. The source investigation presuming the observed noise as an infragravity wave failed to match the response. Then, the role of microseisms is investigated. Microseism causes oscillation of the seafloor and produces electromagnetic disturbances by the dynamics of water. I have used various conditions for a proper discrimination of the noise as microseisms. This mechanism is clearly illustrated with the help of a conceptual diagram. The role of the directionality is part of the study, which is argued for having a significant role in the generation of microseisms. In this paper, a new algorithm is presented and is used for calculating the coherency. The algorithm helps in mapping the coherency value simultaneously in time and frequency domains.
Probabilistic short‐term volcanic hazard in phases of unrest: A case study for tephra fallout
Authors: Selva Jacopo , Costa Antonio , Sandri Laura , Macedonio Giovanni , Marzocchi Warner
Published: December 2014

During volcanic crises, volcanologists estimate the impact of possible imminent eruptions usually through deterministic modeling of the effects of one or a few preestablished scenarios. Despite such an approach may bring an important information to the decision makers, the sole use of deterministic scenarios does not allow scientists to properly take into consideration all uncertainties, and it cannot be used to assess quantitatively the risk because the latter unavoidably requires a probabilistic approach. We present a model based on the concept of Bayesian event tree (hereinafter named BET_VH_ST, standing for Bayesian event tree for short‐term volcanic hazard), for short‐term near‐real‐time probabilistic volcanic hazard analysis formulated for any potential hazardous phenomenon accompanying an eruption. The specific goal of BET_VH_ST is to produce a quantitative assessment of the probability of exceedance of any potential level of intensity for a given volcanic hazard due to eruptions within restricted time windows (hours to days) in any area surrounding the volcano, accounting for all natural and epistemic uncertainties. BET_VH_ST properly assesses the conditional probability at each level of the event tree accounting for any relevant information derived from the monitoring system, theoretical models, and the past history of the volcano, propagating any relevant epistemic uncertainty underlying these assessments. As an application example of the model, we apply BET_VH_ST to assess short‐term volcanic hazard related to tephra loading during Major Emergency Simulation Exercise, a major exercise at Mount Vesuvius that took place from 19 to 23 October 2006, consisting in a blind simulation of Vesuvius reactivation, from the early warning phase up to the final eruption, including the evacuation of a sample of about 2000 people from the area at risk. The results show that BET_VH_ST is able to produce short‐term forecasts of the impact of tephra fall during a rapidly evolving crisis, accurately accounting for and propagating all uncertainties and enabling rational decision making under uncertainty.
Multimodel simulations of Arctic Ocean sea surface height variability in the period 1970–2009
Authors: Koldunov Nikolay V. , Serra Nuno , Köhl Armin , Stammer Detlef , Henry Olivier , Cazenave Anny , Prandi Pierre , Knudsen Per , Andersen Ole Baltazar , Gao Yongqi , Johannessen Johnny
Published: December 2014

The performance of several numerical ocean models is assessed with respect to their simulation of sea surface height (SSH) in the Arctic Ocean, and the main patterns of SSH variability and their causes over the past 40 years (1970–2009) are analyzed. In comparison to observations, all tested models broadly reproduce the mean SSH in the Arctic and reveal a good correlation with both tide gauge data and SSH anomalies derived from satellite observations. Although the models do not represent the positive Arctic SSH trend observed over the last two decades, their interannual‐to‐decadal SSH variability is in reasonable agreement with available measurements. Focusing on results from one of the models for a detailed analysis, it is shown that the decadal‐scale SSH variability over shelf areas and deep parts of the Arctic Ocean have pronounced differences that are determined mostly by salinity variations. A further analysis of the three time periods 1987–1992, 1993–2002, and 2003–2009, corresponding to the transition times between cyclonic and anticyclonic regimes of the atmospheric circulation over the Arctic, revealed an unusual increase of SSH in the Amerasian basin during 2003–2009. Results from this model support the recent finding that the increase is caused mainly by changes in freshwater content brought about by the freshwater export through the Canadian Arctic Archiplago and increased Ekman pumping in the Amerasian basin and partly by lateral freshwater transport changes, leading to a redistribution of low‐salinity shelf water. Overall, we show that present‐day models can be used for investigating the reasons for low‐frequency SSH variability in the region.
Adaptive observation in the South China Sea using CNOP approach based on a 3‐D ocean circulation model and its adjoint model
Authors: Li Yineng , Peng Shiqiu , Liu Duanling
Published: December 2014

This study investigates the effect of adaptive (or targeted) observation on improving the midrange (30 days) forecast skill of ocean state of the South China Sea (SCS). A region associated with the South China Sea Western Boundary Current (SCSWBC) is chosen as the “target” of the adaptive observation. The Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation (CNOP) approach is applied to a three‐dimensional ocean model and its adjoint model for determining the sensitive region. Results show that the initial errors in the sensitive region determined by the CNOP approach have significant impacts on the forecast of ocean state in the target region; thus, reducing these initial errors through adaptive observation can lead to a better 30 day prediction of ocean state in the target region. Our results suggest that implementing adaptive observation is an effective and cost‐saving way to improve an ocean model's forecast skill over the SCS.
A neural network‐based four‐band model for estimating the total absorption coefficients from the global oceanic and coastal waters
Authors: Chen Jun , Cui Tingwei , Quan Wenting
Published: December 2014

In this study, a neural network‐based four‐band model (NNFM) for the global oceanic and coastal waters has been developed in order to retrieve the total absorption coefficients a(λ). The applicability of the quasi‐analytical algorithm (QAA) and NNFM models is evaluated by five independent data sets. Based on the comparison of a(λ) predicted by these two models with the field measurements taken from the global oceanic and coastal waters, it was found that both the QAA and NNFM models had good performances in deriving a(λ), but that the NNFM model works better than the QAA model. The results of the QAA model‐derived a(λ), especially in highly turbid waters with strong backscattering properties of optical activity, was found to be lower than the field measurements. The QAA and NNFM models‐derived a(λ) could be obtained from the MODIS data after atmospheric corrections. When compared with the field measurements, the NNFM model decreased by a 0.86–24.15% uncertainty (root‐mean‐square relative error) of the estimation from the QAA model in deriving a(λ) from the Bohai, Yellow, and East China seas. Finally, the NNFM model was applied to map the global climatological seasonal mean a(443) for the time range of July 2002 to May 2014. As expected, the a(443) value around the coastal regions was always larger than the open ocean around the equator. Viewed on a global scale, the oceans at a high latitude exhibited higher a(443) values than those at a low latitude.
Structural diagnostics of the tropopause inversion layer and its evolution
Authors: Gettelman A. , Wang T.
Published: December 2014

The Tropopause Inversion Layer (TIL) is marked by a peak in static stability directly above the tropopause. The TIL is quantitatively defined with new diagnostics using Global Positioning System Radio Occultation temperature soundings and reanalysis data. A climatology of the TIL is developed from reanalysis data (1980–2011) using diagnostics for the position, depth, and strength of the TIL based on the TIL peak in static stability. TIL diagnostics have defined relationships to the synoptic situation in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere. The TIL is present nearly all the time. The TIL becomes hard to define in the subtropics where tropical air overlies midlatitude air, in a region of complex static stability profiles. The mean position of the subtropical TIL gradient is sharp and is co‐located with the subtropical tropopause break. Over the period 1980–2011 the TIL depth below the tropopause has decreased by 5% per decade and increased above the tropical tropopause by a similar percentage. Furthermore, the latitude of the abrupt change in the TIL from tropical to extratropical in the lower stratosphere appears to have shifted poleward in each hemisphere by ∼1° latitude per decade, depending on the diagnostic examined. Reanalysis trends should be treated with caution.
Aerosol transport over the western Mediterranean basin: Evidence of the contribution of fine particles to desert dust plumes over Alborán Island
Authors: Valenzuela A. , Olmo F. J. , Lyamani H. , Granados‐Muñoz M. J. , Antón M. , Guerrero‐Rascado J. L. , Quirantes A. , Toledano C. , Perez‐Ramírez D. , Alados‐Arboledas L.
Published: December 2014

Eight months (June 2011 to January 2012) of aerosol property data were obtained at the remote site of Alborán Island (35.95°N, 3.03°W) in the western Mediterranean basin. The aim of this work is to assess the aerosol properties according to air mass origin and transport over this remote station with a special focus on air mass transport from North Africa. For air masses coming from North Africa, different aerosol properties showed strong contributions from mineral dust lifted from desert areas. Nevertheless, during these desert dust intrusions, some atmospheric aerosol properties are clearly different from pure mineral dust particles. Thus, Angström exponent α(440–870) presents larger values than those reported for pure desert dust measured close to dust source regions. These results combine with α(440, 670) − α(670, 870) ≥ 0.1 and low single scattering albedo (ω(λ)) values, especially at the largest wavelengths. Most of the desert dust intrusions over Alborán can be described as a mixture of dust and anthropogenic particles. The analyses support that our results apply to North Africa desert dust air masses transported from different source areas. Therefore, our results indicate a significant contribution of fine absorbing particles during desert dust intrusions over Alborán arriving from different source regions. The aerosol optical depth data retrieved from Sun photometer measurements have been used to check Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer retrievals, and they show reasonable agreement, especially for North African air masses.
Aircraft‐type dependency of contrail evolution
Authors: Unterstrasser S. , Görsch N.
Published: December 2014

The impact of aircraft type on contrail evolution is assessed using a large eddy simulation model with Lagrangian ice microphysics. Six different aircraft ranging from the small regional airliner Bombardier CRJ to the largest aircraft Airbus A380 are taken into account. Differences in wake vortex properties and fuel flow lead to considerable variations in the early contrail geometric depth and ice crystal number. Larger aircraft produce contrails with more ice crystals (assuming that the number of initially generated ice crystals per kilogram fuel is constant). These initial differences are reduced in the first minutes, as the ice crystal loss during the vortex phase is stronger for larger aircraft. In supersaturated air, contrails of large aircraft are much deeper after 5 min than those of small aircraft. A parameterization for the final vertical displacement of the wake vortex system is provided, depending only on the initial vortex circulation and stratification. Cloud resolving simulations are used to examine whether the aircraft‐induced initial differences have a long‐lasting mark. These simulations suggest that the synoptic scenario controls the contrail cirrus evolution qualitatively. However, quantitative differences between the contrail cirrus properties of the various aircraft remain over the total simulation period of 6 h. The total extinctions of A380‐produced contrails are about 1.5 to 2.5 times higher than those from contrails of a Bombardier CRJ.
Satellite‐based augmentation systems: A novel and cost‐effective tool for ionospheric and space weather studies
Authors: Sunda Surendra , Sridharan R. , Vyas B. M. , Khekale P. V. , Parikh K. S. , Ganeshan A. S. , Sudhir C. R. , Satish S. V. , Bagiya Mala S.
Published: December 2014

Satellite‐Based Augmentation Systems (SBASes) are designed to provide additional accuracy and robustness to existing satellite‐based radio navigation systems for all phases of a flight. However, similar to navigation systems such as GPS which has proven its worth for the investigation of the ionosphere, the SBASes do have certain advantages. In the present paper, we propose and demonstrate SBAS applicability to ionospheric and space weather research in a novel and cost‐effective way. The recent commissioning of the Indian SBAS, named GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN), covering the equatorial and low‐latitude regions centered around the Indian longitudes provides the motivation for this approach. Two case studies involving different ionospheric behavior over low‐latitude regions vindicate the potential of SBAS over extended areas.
A decoupled adaptive control algorithm for global state feedback stabilization of a class of nonlinear systems
Authors: Liu Zhen‐Guo , Wu Yu‐Qiang
Published: December 2014

A decoupled adaptive control algorithm, namely the combined dynamic gain and adaptive homogeneous domination approach, is introduced to solve the global state feedback stabilization problem for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. Compared with the conventional adaptive backstepping/tuning functions approach, the algorithm differs in the way of constructing the estimator and handling the nonlinear drifts, and allows the adaptive control law that is decoupled via a dynamic gain to be designed only by choosing some appropriate constants. The proposed adaptive controller guarantees that all the states of the closed‐loop system are globally bounded and the system solutions converge to zero asymptotically. Both physical and academic examples are provided to demonstrate the validness of the theory. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relevance of Carbon Dioxide Laser to Remove Scratches on Large Fused Silica Polished Optics
Authors: Cormont Philippe , Bourgeade Antoine , Cavaro Sandy , Donval Thierry , Doualle Thomas , Gaborit Gael , Gallais Laurent , Lamaignère Laurent , Rullier Jean‐Luc
Published: December 2014

Scratches at the surface of fused silica optics can be detrimental for the performance of optical systems. A carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is an interesting tool to remove those scratches because it can melt efficiently the silica in a rapid and localized way, without generating debris. In this article, we propose a new process for optical fabrication, which uses a CO2 laser to remove scratches between polishing and finishing steps. This is a linear process with no iterative polishing operations for scratch removal. This process is applied on an optic representative of laser megajoule facility production. Indeed, we succeed in removing a 10 μm deep scratch and we demonstrate that this laser operation increases the laser damage threshold by a factor of three in fluence.
High Performance Three‐Dimensional Chemical Sensor Platform Using Reduced Graphene Oxide Formed on High Aspect‐Ratio Micro‐Pillars
Authors: Duy Le Thai , Kim Duck‐Jin , Trung Tran Quang , Dang Vinh Quang , Kim Bo‐Yeong , Moon Hock Key , Lee Nae‐Eung
Published: December 2014

The sensing performance of chemical sensors can be achieved not only by modification or hybridization of sensing materials but also through new design in device geometry. The performance of a chemical sensing device can be enhenced from a simple three‐dimensional (3D) chemiresistor‐based gas sensor platform with an increased surface area by forming networked, self‐assembled reduced graphene oxide (R‐GO) nanosheets on 3D SU8 micro‐pillar arrays. The 3D R‐GO sensor is highly responsive to low concentration of ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) diluted in dry air at room temperature. Compared to the two‐dimensional planar R‐GO sensor structure, as the result of the increase in sensing area and interaction cross‐section of R‐GO on the same device area, the 3D R‐GO gas sensors show improved sensing performance with faster response (about 2%/s exposure), higher sensitivity, and even a possibly lower limit of detection towards NH3 at room temperature.
Inkjet Technology for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics
Authors: Stüwe David , Mager Dario , Biro Daniel , Korvink Jan G.
Published: December 2014

The world's ever increasing demand for energy necessitates technologies that generate electricity from inexhaustible and easily accessible energy sources. Silicon photovoltaics is a technology that can harvest the energy of sunlight. Its great characteristics have fueled research and development activities in this exciting field for many years now. One of the most important activities in the solar cell community is the investigation of alternative fabrication and structuring technologies, ideally serving both of the two main goals: device optimization and reduction of fabrication costs. Inkjet technology is practically evaluated along the whole process chain. Research activities cover many processes, such as surface texturing, emitter formation, or metallization. Furthermore, the inkjet technology itself is manifold as well. It can be used to apply inks that serve as a functional structure, present in the final device, as mask for subsequent structuring steps, or even serve as a reactant source to activate chemical etch reactions. This article reviews investigations of inkjet‐printing in the field of silicon photovoltaics. The focus is on the different inkjet processes for individual fabrication steps of a solar cell. A technological overview and suggestions about where future work will be focused on are also provided. The great variety of the investigated processes highlights the ability of the inkjet technology to find its way into many other areas of functional printing and printed electronics.
Gold‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 3‐Acylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines via Carbene Oxidation
Authors: Zhan Haiying , Zhao Limin , Liao Jinqiang , Li Naiying , Chen Qinlin , Qiu Shuxian , Cao Hua
Published: December 2014

A convenient gold‐catalyzed strategy for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives has been developed via gold carbene complexes. This transformation opens a new synthetic route to a variety of 3‐carbonyl‐substituted imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines using air as oxidant affording the products in good yields.

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N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Benzoin Strategy for Divergent Synthesis of Cyclitol Derivatives from Alditols
Authors: Kang Bubwoong , Sutou Toshiaki , Wang Yinli , Kuwano Satoru , Yamaoka Yousuke , Takasu Kiyosei , Yamada Ken‐ichi
Published: December 2014

A divergent synthesis of cyclitol derivatives has been developed utilizing an N‐heterocyclic carbene‐catalyzed benzoin‐type cyclization of C2‐symmetrical dialdoses. The resulting inososes are versatile intermediates, which are readily converted into not only inositols but also amino‐, deoxy‐, O‐methyl‐ and C‐methyl‐inositols.

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Mortality of older construction and craft workers employed at department of energy (DOE) nuclear sites: Follow‐up through 2011
Authors: Ringen Knut , Dement John , Welch Laura , Bingham Eula , Quinn Patricia , Chen Anna , Haas Scott
Published: December 2014

Background

The Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed) was established in 1996 to provide occupational medicine screening examinations for construction workers who have worked at US Department of Energy nuclear sites. Workers participating in BTMed between 1998 and 2011 were followed to determine their vital status and mortality experience through December 31, 2011.

Methods

The cohort includes 18,803 BTMed participants and 2,801 deaths. Cause‐specific Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) were calculated based on US death rates.

Results

Mortality was elevated for all causes, all cancers, cancers of the trachea, bronchus, and lung and lymphatic and hematopoietic system, mesothelioma, COPD, and asbestosis.

Conclusions

Construction workers employed at DOE sites have a significantly increased risk for occupational illnesses. Risks are associated with employment during all time periods covered including after 1980. The cancer risks closely match the cancers identified for DOE compensation from radiation exposures. Continued medical surveillance is important. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:152–167, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.