bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Interactive Mixed Reality Ray Tracing Rendering Mobile Application of Medical Data in Minimally Invasive Surgeries
Authors: Abou El-Seoud Samir , Mady Amr , Rashed Essam
Published: March 2019

Visualization of patient’s anatomy is the most important pre-operation process in surgeries, minimally invasive surgeries are among these types of medical operations that counts totally on medical visualization before operating on a patient. However, medicine has a problem in visualizing patients’ through looking through multiple slices of scans, trying to understand the three-dimensional (3D) anatomical structure of patients. With Mixed Reality (MR) the developments in medicine visualization will become much easier and creates a better environment for surgeries. This will help reduce the excessive effort and time spent by surgeons to locate where the problem lies with patients without looking through multiple of two-dimensional (2D) slices, but to see patients’ bodies in 3D in front of them augmented in their reality, and to interact with it whatever pleases them. Moreover, this will reduce the number of scans that doctors will ask their patient’s for, which will result in less harmful x-ray dosages for both the patient and the radiologist. Biomedical development in medical visualization is an active research topic as it provides the physicians with required devices for clinically feasible way for diagnosis, follow-up and take decisions in different disease life line. Current clinical imaging facility can provide a 3D imaging that can be used to guide different interventional procedures. The main challenge is how to map the information presented in the digital image with the real object. This is commonly implemented by mental processing that requires skills from the medical doctor. This paper contributes to this problem by providing a mixed reality system to merge the digital image of the patient anatomy with the patient visual image. Anatomical image obtained from Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is mapped over the patient body using virtual reality (VR) head-mounted device (HMD).
The Impact of Technology Platform Change on the Information Seeking Behavior of Academicians in Amhara
Authors: Liyew Chalachew Muluken , Ayalew Sertse Abebe , Bayih Yibeltal Tafere
Published: March 2019

This study empirically measures the information seeking behavior of academician on the rapid technology platform change environment in the technology institutes found in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The questionnaire was prepared and distributed to the academicians of technology institutes to collect information about the medium which was used for seeking information. The questions were how devices helped to seek information, the purpose of the information, and challenges faced while seeking information and measure of satisfaction level for the digital library in the institutes. Hence, the study reveals that users used portable devices to seek information from the internet and the digital library rather than using printed copies of information for their academic, research and community service activities. The results show that the information dissemination medium should be changed to electronic information due to the rapid growth of information and communication technology that impacts the information seeking behavior of users, and provide continuous support and training to use the electronic resources.
Stromal Interaction Molecule Deficiency in T Cells Promotes Spontaneous Follicular Helper T Cell Development and Causes Type 2 Immune Disorders
Authors: Oh-hora Masatsugu , Lu Xiuyuan , Shiokawa Moe , Takayanagi Hiroshi , Yamasaki Sho
Published: March 2019

Appropriate T cell responses are controlled by strict balance between activatory and inhibitory pathways downstream of TCR. Although mice or humans with impaired TCR signaling develop autoimmunity, the precise molecular mechanisms linking reduced TCR signaling to autoimmunity are not fully understood. Engagement of TCR activates Ca2+ signaling mainly through store-operated Ca2+ entry activated by stromal interaction molecule (Stim) 1 and Stim2. Despite defective T cell activation, mice deficient in both Stim1 and Stim2 in T cells (conditional double knockout [cDKO]) developed lymphoproliferative disorders and skin inflammation with a concomitant increase in serum IgG1 and IgE levels. In cDKO mice, follicular helper T (Tfh) cells were dramatically increased in number, and they produced IL-4 spontaneously. These inflammatory symptoms were abolished by the deletion of IL-4 in cDKO mice. Tfh development and inflammatory symptoms in cDKO mice were abrogated by further deletion of NFAT2 in T cells. These findings suggest that Tfh cells spontaneously developed in the absence of Ca2+ signaling and caused unregulated type 2 responses.
Relationship between lipid droplets size and integrated optical density
Authors: Boschi Federico , Rizzatti Vanni , Zoico Elena , Montanari Tommaso , Zamboni Mauro , Sbarbati Andrea , Colitti Monica
Published: March 2019

Lipid accumulation is largely investigated due to its role in many human diseases. The attention is mainly focused on the lipid droplets (LDs), spherical cytoplasmic organelles, which are devoted to the storage of the lipids. The amount of lipid content is often evaluated by measuring LDs size and/or the integrated optical density (IOD) in cultured cells. Both evaluations are directly associated to the lipid content and therefore they are correlated to each other, but a lack of theoretical relationship between size and IOD was observed in literature. Here we investigated the size-IOD relationship of LDs observed in microscopical images of cultured cells. The experimental data were obtained from immature and differentiated 3T3-L1 murine cells, which have been extensively used in studies on adipogenesis. A simple model based on the spherical shape of the LDs and the Lambert-Beer law, which describes the light absorption by an optical thick material, leads to a mathematical relationship. Despite only light rays’ absorption was considered in the model, neglecting their scattering, a very good agreement between the theoretical curve and the experimental data was found. Moreover, a computational simulation corroborates the model indicating the validity of the mathematically theoretical relationship between size and IOD. The theoretical model could be used to calculate the absorption coefficient in the LDs population and it could be applied to seek for morphologically and functionally LDs subpopulations. The identification of LDs dynamic by measuring size and IOD could be related to different pathophysiological conditions and useful for understand cellular lipid-associated diseases.
Canine parvovirus detected from a serval (Leptailurus serval) in South Africa
Authors: Oosthuizen Almero , Brettschneider Helene , Dalton Desire L. , Du Plessis Elizabeth C. , Jansen Raymond , Kotze Antoinette , Mitchell Emily P.
Published: March 2019

Canine parvovirus first emerged in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), most likely as a variant of the feline panleucopaenia virus. Relatively recently, canine parvovirus-2a and canine parvovirus-2b infections have been identified in both symptomatic and asymptomatic domestic cats, while canine parvovirus infections have also been demonstrated in wild felids. This report documents the first known case of canine parvovirus-2b detected in unvaccinated serval (Leptailurus serval) from South Africa. The serval presented with clinical signs of vomiting, anorexia and diarrhoea that responded to symptomatic treatment. Two weeks later, severe leucopaenia, thrombocytopenia and death occurred. Typical enteric histological lesions of parvovirus infection were not observed on histopathological examination of the small intestine; however, histological lesions consistent with septicaemia were present. Canine parvovirus was detected in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded small intestine using polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of the canine parvovirus viral capsid protein gene showed similarities between the sample from the serval and canine parvovirus-2b isolates from domestic dogs in Argentina and South Africa. A case of canine parvovirus-2b in a domestic dog from South Africa in 2012 that fell within the same clade as the serval sample appears distantly related because of the long branch length. The significance of these findings is explored. More extensive surveys of canine parvovirus in domestic and wild felids and canids are needed to understand the epidemiology of canine parvovirus in non-domestic felids in South Africa.
Эквивалентность тригонометрической системы и ее возмущений в пространствах $L^p$ и $C$
Authors: Sedletskii Anatolii Mechislavovich
Published: March 2019

Пусть $B=B[-\pi,\pi]$ - какое-нибудь из пространств $L^p(-\pi,\pi)$, $1\leq p<\infty$, $p\neq 2$, $C[-\pi,\pi]$, пусть $B_a=B[-\pi+a, \pi+a]$, $a\in\mathbb{R}$. Получен ряд условий (как необходимых, так и достаточных) для того, чтобы "возмущенная тригонометрическая система" $e^{i(n+\alpha_n)t}$, $n\in\mathbb{Z}$, была эквивалентна тригонометрической системе $e^{int}$, $n\in\mathbb{Z}$, в $B_a$ при любом $a\in\mathbb{R}$. В частности, показано, что если $(\alpha_n)\in l^s$, где $1/s=|1/p-1/2|$, то указанная эквивалентность имеет место, причем показатель $s$ является точным. С использованием (в том числе) этого результата доказано существование в $L^p(-\pi,\pi)$, $1<p<2$, базисов из экспонент, не являющихся эквивалентными тригонометрическому базису.
Доказательства основаны на применении мультипликаторов Фурье.
Библиография: 18 названий.
Сходимость процессов сплайн-интерполяции и обусловленность систем уравнений построения сплайнов
Authors: Volkov Yuriy Stepanovich
Published: March 2019

Работа продолжает исследования по изучению сходимости процессов интерполяции классическими полиномиальными сплайнами нечетной степени. Доказано, что вопрос о хорошей обусловленности системы уравнений для построения интерполяционного сплайна через коэффициенты разложения $k$-й производной по $B$-сплайнам эквивалентен вопросу сходимости процесса интерполяции для $k$-й производной сплайна в классе функций с непрерывной $k$-й производной. Установлено, что при интерполяции сплайнами степени $2n-1$ условия ограниченности проекторов, соответствующих производным порядков $k$ и $2n-1-k$, эквивалентны.
Библиография: 26 названий.
Основания $(2n, k)$-многообразий
Authors: Buchstaber Victor Matveevich , Terzic Svjetlana
Published: March 2019

В центре внимания работы система аксиом, на основе которых вводятся структурные данные $(2n,k)$-многообразий $M^{2n}$, где $M^{2n}$ - гладкое компактное $2n$-мерное многообразие с гладким эффективным действием $k$-мерного тора $T^k$. Дана конструкция в терминах этих данных модельного пространства $\mathfrak{E}$ с действием тора $T^k$ такого,
что имеет место $T^k$-эквивариантный гомеоморфизм $\mathfrak{E} \to M^{2n}$,
индуцирующий гомеоморфизм $\mathfrak{E}/T^k \to M^{2n}/T^k$.
Число $d=n-k$ называется сложностью $(2n,k)$-многообразия.
Наша теория охватывает торическую геометрию и торическую топологию при $d=0$. Показано, что класс однородных пространств $G/H$ компактных групп Ли, где $\operatorname{rk} G=\operatorname{rk} H$, содержит $(2n,k)$-многообразия ненулевой сложности.
Результаты продемонстрированы на комплексных многообразиях Грассмана $G_{k+1,q}$ с эффективным действием тора $T^k$.
Библиография: 23 названия.
Polo naval e offshore de Rio Grande: da formação ao princípio da decadência
Authors: Cunha Ricardo Borges da , Rückert Aldomar Arnoldo
Published: March 2019

A formação do Polo Naval Offshore de Rio Grande envolve um conjunto de processos, políticos econômicos e sociais. A elaboração de programas de expansão da frota de apoio às operações da Petrobras foi fundamental para o lançamento das políticas nacionais para o setor naval. Entretanto foi a descoberta do pré-sal que a indústria naval expandiu para diferentes regiões do país, como nos município de Rio Grande e São José do Norte. A instalação de 4 estaleiros, destinados a construção e manutenção de plataformas de petróleo  e navios de apoio naval, impactaram em todo estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A construção do maior dique-seco da América-latina consolidou a região no cenário nacional de produção naval. Entretanto alterações nas políticas do setor decretou a falência da construção naval na região, gerando a imediata redação na mão de obra e abandono das estruturas construídas.
Os efeitos das concessões aeroportuárias no Brasil entre os anos de 2012 a 2018
Authors: Silveira Márcio Rogério , Quintilhano Diogo
Published: March 2019

Este artigo tem o objetivo de analisar as transformações da aviação civil brasileira a partir da ótica das concessões aeroportuárias à iniciativa privada, iniciadas no ano de 2012. O vertiginoso crescimento da demanda por serviços aéreos no Brasil nos últimos anos (2003 – 2017), resultado positivo do desempenho da economia doméstica, demonstrou deficiências infraestruturais no setor aeroviário. Nesse sentido, foram realizadas cinco grandes rodadas de leilões, em que o modelo de concessão adotado nas 1ª, 2ª e 3ª Rodadas, do Governo Dilma Rousseff manteve a participação da estatal Infraero, entretanto, a partir da 4ª e 5ª Rodadas, já no governo de Michel Temer, a estatal ficou de fora. Os resultados preliminares apontaram contínuo crescimento da receita tarifária ao longo dos últimos cinco anos, porém, as concessionárias gestoras privadas aumentaram as tarifas de embarque, estão com obras de ampliação atrasadas e descumprindo o pagamento das outorgas ao Estado brasileiro.
The Shangri-Las’ Golden Hits of the Shangri-Las
Authors: Wolin Ada
Published: March 2019

Of the many girl-groups that came out of the 1960s, none is more idiosyncratic and influential than the Shangri-Las. They subverted pop standards and foreshadowed a generation of tough women in music. Critically, they are not lauded in the way of the Ronettes, and they are certainly not a household name like the Supremes. This book examines the yet elusive validation of ‘60s girl-groups of a whole, but also paradoxically aims to free the Shangri-Las from that category, viewing them instead with the sort of individuality traditionally afforded to rock groups
Novitates Gabonenses 91: additions to the grass flora of Gabon
Authors: Sosef Marc S.M. , Bidault Ehoarn , Boupoya Archange , Lachenaud Olivier , Stévart Tariq
Published: March 2019

Background – The number of vascular plant species known to occur in Gabon rises quickly due to renewed collecting and inventory activities, often in little-known or previously uncollected areas.Methods – Herbarium material from BR, BRLU and WAG was studied.Results – Two genera (Alloteropsis, Entolasia), eleven species and one variety of grasses are recorded from Gabon for the first time (Alloteropsis paniculata, Cenchrus echinatus, Elionurus platypus, Entolasia olivacea, Eragrostis patens, Hyparrhenia diplandra var. mutica, Leersia triandra, Loudetia annua, Oryza longistaminata, Rottboellia purpurascens, Sacciolepis africana and Setaria geminata), while information on two erroneous species reports is provided. This brings the total number of grass species known to occur in Gabon to 190. Finally, new records of four rare species (Elionurus hensii, Guaduella macrostachys, Paratheria prostrata and Puelia schumanniana) are discussed.
Quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with indacaterol
and/or glycopyrronium: a real-world Polish observational study
Authors: Płusa Tadeusz
Published: March 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of routinely administered treatment with indacaterol and/or glycopyrronium on quality of life and level of dyspnoea of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a real-life setting.

Material and methods

It was an observational, non-interventional study in patients with stable, symptomatic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease initiating treatment with indacaterol and/or glycopyrronium as part of routine care. The primary outcomes included a change in quality of life measured using the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) and level of dyspnoea evaluated using the modified Medical Research Council scale (mMRC). Patients were followed up for 6 months after initiation of treatment.

Results

Analysis included baseline data from 586 patients. At 6 months 82.5% (n = 483) of patients were continuing initiated treatment. Improvement of mMRC and CCQ scores was observed in all treatment arms. The mean total CCQ score ± SD changed after 6 months from 2.2 ±0.9 to 1.2 ±0.9 in the indacaterol group (p < 0.001), from 2.1 ±1.0 to 1.0 ±0.9 (p < 0.001) in the glycopyrronium group and 2.6 ±1.1 at baseline to 1.3 ±1.0 (p < 0.001) in the indacaterol/glycopyrronium group. The mean mMRC ± SD decreased from 2.1 ±0.9 to 1.4 ±0.9 (p < 0.001) in the indacaterol group, from 2.1 ±0.9 to 1.2 ±1.0 (p < 0.001) in the glycopyrronium group, and from 2.3 ±0.8 to 1.4 ±0.9 (p < 0.001) in the indacaterol/glycopyrronium group.

Conclusions

Use of indacaterol and/or glycopyrronium improved quality of life and breathlessness in patients with stable COPD, efficiently reducing the symptoms burden.
Identification of potential genomic regions and candidate genes for egg albumen quality by a genome-wide association study
Authors: Qu Liang , Shen Manman , Guo Jun , Wang Xingguo , Dou Taocun , Hu Yuping , Li Yongfeng , Ma Meng , Wang Kehua , Liu Honglin
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Albumen
quality is a leading economic trait in the chicken industry. Major studies have paid
attention to genetic architecture underlying albumen quality. However, the putative
quantitative trait locus (QTL) for this trait is still unclear. In this genome-wide
association study, we used an F2 resource population to study longitudinal albumen
quality. Seven single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci were found to be significantly
(p<8.43×10-7) related to albumen quality by univariate analysis,
while 11 SNPs were significantly (p<8.43×10-7) associated with
albumen quality by multivariate analysis. A QTL on GGA4 had a pervasive function on
albumen quality, including a SNP at the missense of NCAPG, and a SNP at the
intergenic region of FGFPB1. It was further found that the putative QTLs at
GGA1, GGA2, and GGA7 had the strongest effects on albumen height (AH) at 32 weeks, Haugh
units (HU) at 44 weeks, and AH at 55 weeks. Moreover, novel SNPs on GGA5 and GGA3 were
associated with AH and HU at 32, 44, and 48 weeks of age. These results confirmed the
regions for egg weight that were detected in a previous study and were similar with QTL
for albumen quality. These results showed that GGA4 had the strongest effect on albumen
quality. Only a few significant loci were detected for most characteristics probably
reflecting the attributes of a pleiotropic gene and a minor-polygene in quantitative
traits.
Urban source term estimation for mercury using a boundary-layer budget method
Authors: Denzler Basil , Bogdal Christian , Kern Cyrill , Tobler Anna , Huo Jing , Hungerbühler Konrad
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Mercury is a heavy metal of particular concern due to its adverse effects on
human health and the environment. Recognizing this problem, the UN
Minamata Convention on Mercury was recently adopted, where signatory
countries agreed to reduce anthropogenic mercury emissions. To evaluate the
effectiveness of the convention, quantitative knowledge on mercury emissions
is crucial. So far, bottom-up approaches have successfully been applied to
quantify mercury emission – especially for point sources. Distributed
sources make up a large share of the emission; however, they are still
poorly characterized. Here, we present a top-down approach to estimate
mercury emissions based on atmospheric measurements in the city of Zurich,
Switzerland. While monitoring the atmospheric mercury concentrations during
inversion periods in Zurich, we were able to relate the concentration
increase to the mercury emission strength of the city using a box model. By
means of this boundary-layer budget approach, we succeeded in narrowing down
the emissions of Zurich to range between 41±8 kg a−1 (upper bound) and 24±8 kg a−1 (lower bound). Thereby, we could quantify emissions from
mixed, diffuse and point-like sources and derive an annual mercury per capita
emission of 0.06 to 0.10 g a−1. The approach presented here has the
potential to support authorities in setting up inventories and to validate
emission estimations derived from the commonly applied bottom-up approaches.
Furthermore, our method is applicable to other compounds and to a wide range
of cities or other areas, where sources or sinks for mercury and
other atmospheric pollutants are presumed.
Links of climate variability in Arctic sea ice, Eurasian teleconnection pattern and summer surface ozone pollution in North China
Authors: Yin Zhicong , Wang Huijun , Li Yuyan , Ma Xiaohui , Zhang Xinyu
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Summer surface O3 pollution has rapidly
intensified in China in the recent decade, damaging human and ecosystem
health. In 2017, the summer mean maximum daily average 8 h concentration of
ozone was greater than 150 µg m−3 in North
China. Based on the close relationships between the O3
concentration and the meteorological conditions, a daily surface O3
weather index was constructed, which extends the study period to the
historical period before 2007 and the projected future. Here, we show that in
addition to anthropogenic emissions, the Eurasian teleconnection
pattern (EU), a major globally atmospheric teleconnection pattern, influences
surface O3 pollution in North China on a timescale of climate. The
local meteorological conditions associated with the EU positive phase
supported intense and efficient photochemical reactions to produce more
surface O3. The associated southerlies over North China transported
surrounding O3 precursors to superpose local emissions. Increased
solar radiation and high temperatures during the positive EU phase
dramatically enhanced O3 production. Furthermore, due to the close
connection between the preceding May Arctic sea ice (SI) and summer EU
pattern, approximately 60 % of the interannual variability in
O3-related weather conditions was attributed to Arctic sea ice to
the north of Eurasia. This finding will aid in understanding the interannual
variation in O3 pollution, specifically the related meteorological
conditions.
Biogenic and Anthropogenic sources of Arctic Aerosols
Authors: Nielsen Ingeborg E. , Skov Henrik , Massling Andreas , Eriksson Axel C. , Dall'Osto Manuel , Junninen Heikki , Sarnela Nina , Lange Robert , Collier Sonya , Zhang Qi , Cappa Christopher D. , Nøjgaard Jacob K.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. There are limited measurements of the chemical composition, abundance, and sources of black carbon (BC) containing particles in the high Arctic. To address this, we report 93 days of Soot Particle Aerosol Mass Spectrometer (SP-AMS) data collected in the high Arctic. The period spans from February 20th until May 23rd 2015 at Villum Research Station (VRS) in Northern Greenland (81°36' N). Particulate sulfate (SO42−) accounted for 66 % of the non-refractory PM1, which amounted to 2.3 µg m−3 as an average value observed during the campaign. The second most abundant species was organic matter (24 %), averaging 0.55 µg m3. Both organic aerosol (OA) and PM1, estimated from the sum of all collected species, showed a marked decrease throughout May in accordance with Arctic haze leveling off. The refractory black carbon (rBC) concentration averaged 0.1 µg m−3 over the entire campaign. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) of the OA mass spectra yielded three factors: (1) a Hydrocarbon-like Organic Aerosol (HOA) factor, which was dominated by primary aerosols and accounted for 12 % of OA mass; (2) an Arctic haze Organic Aerosol (AOA) factor, which accounted for 64 % of the OA and dominated until mid-April while being nearly absent from the end of May; and (3) a more oxygenated Marine Organic Aerosol (MOA) factor, which accounted for 22 % of OA. AOA correlated significantly with SO42−, suggesting the main part of that factor being secondary OA. The MOA emerged late at the end of March, where it increased with solar radiation and reduced sea ice extent, and dominated OA for the rest of the campaign until the end of May. Important differences are observed among the factors, including the highest O/C ratio (0.95) and S/C ratio (0.011) for MOA – the marine related factor. Our data supports current understanding of the Arctic summer aerosols, driven mainly by secondary aerosol formation, but with an important contribution from marine emissions. In view of a changing Arctic climate with changing sea-ice extent, biogenic processes, and corresponding source strengths, highly time-resolved data are urgently needed in order to elucidate the components dominating aerosol concentrations.
The FireWork v2.0 air quality forecast system with biomass burning
emissions from the Canadian Forest Fire Emissions Prediction System
v2.03
Authors: Chen Jack , Anderson Kerry , Pavlovic Radenko , Moran Michael D. , Englefield Peter , Thompson Dan K. , Munoz-Alpizar Rodrigo , Landry Hugo
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Biomass burning activities can produce large quantities of smoke and result in adverse air quality conditions in regional environments. In Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) operational FireWork air quality forecast system incorporates near-real-time biomass burning emissions to forecast smoke plumes from fire events. The system is based on the ECCC operational Regional Air Quality Deterministic Prediction System (RAQDPS) augmented with near-real-time wildfire emissions using inputs from the Canadian Forest Service's (CFS) Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS). Recent improvements to the representation of fire behaviour and fire emissions have been incorporated into the CFS Canadian Forest Fire Emissions Prediction System (CFFEPS). This is a bottom-up system linked to CWFIS in which hourly changes in biomass fuel consumption are parameterized with hourly forecasted meteorology at fire locations. CFFEPS has now also been connected to FireWork. In addition, a plume-rise parameterization based on fire energy thermodynamics is used to define the smoke injection height and the distribution of emissions within a model vertical column. The new system, FireWork-CFFEPS, has been evaluated over North America for July–September 2017 and June–August 2018, both periods when western Canada experienced historical levels of fire activity with poor air quality conditions in several cities as well as other fires affecting northern Canada and Ontario. Forecast results were evaluated against hourly surface measurements for the three pollutant species used to calculate the Canadian Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), namely PM2.5, O3, and NO2, and benchmarked against the operational FireWork system (FireWork-Ops). This comparison shows improved forecast performance and predictive skills for the FireWork-CFFEPS system. Modelled fire plume injection heights from CFFEPS based on fire energy thermodynamics show higher plume injection heights and larger variability. The changes in predicted fire emissions and injection height reduced the consistent over-predictions of PM2.5 and O3 seen in FireWork-Ops. On the other hand, there were minimal fire emission contributions to surface NO2, and results from FireWork-CFFEPS do not degrade NO2 forecast skill compared to the RAQDPS. Model performances statistics are slightly better for Canada than for the U.S., with lower errors and biases. The new system is still unable to capture the hourly variability of the observed values for PM2.5, but it captured the observed hourly variability for O3 concentration adequately. FireWork-CFFEPS also improves upon FireWork-Ops categorical scores for forecasting the occurrence of elevated air pollutant concentrations in terms of false alarm ratio (FAR), and critical success index (CSI).
Exploring the relationship between avalanche hazard and large-scale terrain choices at a helicopter skiing operation – Insight from run list ratings
Authors: Sterchi Reto , Haegeli Pascal , Mair Patrick
Published: March 2019

Abstract. While guides in mechanized skiing operations use a well-established terrain selection process to limit their exposure to avalanche hazard and keep the residual risk at an acceptable level, the relationship between the open/closed status of runs and environmental factors is complex and has so far only received limited attention from research. Using a large data set of over 25 000 operational run list codes from a mechanized skiing operation, we applied a general linear mixed effects model to explore the relationship between acceptable skiing terrain (i.e., status open) and avalanche hazard conditions. Our results show that the magnitude of the effect of avalanche hazard on run list codes depends on the type of terrain that is being assessed by the guiding team. Ski runs in severe alpine terrain with steep lines through large avalanche slopes are much more susceptible to increases in avalanche hazard than less severe terrain. However, our results also highlight the strong effects of recent skiing on the run coding and thus the importance of prior first-hand experience. Expressing these relationships numerically provides an important step towards the development of meaningful decision aids, which can assist commercial operations to manage their avalanche risk more effectively and efficiently.
Do China’s Environmental Gains at Home Fuel Forest Loss Abroad?: A Cross-National Analysis
Authors: Shandra John M , Restivo Michael , Sommer Jamie M
Published: March 2019

The theory and empirical research on ecologically unequal exchange serves as the starting point for this study. We expand the research frontier it in a novel way by applying the theory to China and empirically testing if forestry export flows from low-and middle-income nations to China  are related to increased forest loss in the exporting nations. In doing so, we analyze data for 75 low-and middle-income nations using ordinary least squares regression and find support for our main hypothesis.
Fintech Adoption Choices of Small Businesses: A Technology Organization Environment (TOE) Framework study
Authors: Varma Ashish
Published: March 2019

Financial technology or “FinTech” is an amalgam of the use of technology for financial transactions and processes. Fintech adoption for business processes by small businesses largely remains unexplored in the context of emerging markets. This study was conducted during late 2018 using a sample of 117 owner and managers of small businesses in India, for exploring the fintech adoption through the Technology Organization Environment (TOE) framework. The method applied for data analysis was partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). It was found that perceived direct benefits of fintech had a significant effect on fintech adoption. Counter-intuitively, the perceived cost of fintech adoption was not a significant factor in fintech adoption.  These results have significant managerial and academic relevance for understanding fintech adoption agenda of small businesses in the emerging markets.
Total Quality Management (TQM) Implementation in the Manufacturing Sector in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alofi Khalid , Younes Ahmed
Published: March 2019

Objective: Despite the widespread adoption of Total Quality Management (TQM) and its theoretical applicability within the institutional framework, in the Middle East, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the rhetoric in TQM has weakened the practical application and foundation of TQM as a quality management framework. There is also a scarcity of empirical evidence to support the various theoretical meanings.Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify, critically evaluate, and understand the findings of current high-quality TQM implementation literature within the manufacturing sector in Saudi Arabia.Results: The paper highlights that the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)9000 is the most implemented model within the manufacturing sector. However, this sector is still facing numerous challenges in the adoption of TQM such as; the disagreement as per the importance of TQM, the difference in the professional and technical know-how, weaknesses in the training and development systems, and the limitations that plague the institutional frameworks. Furthermore, there is a lack of financial resources to invest in the TQM processes, as well as the negative implications of the development model.Conclusions: This study provides a systematic review of TQM implementation in the manufacturing sector in Saudi Arabia. The study reveals that ISO 9000 has been the adoptable model in this sector. This systematic review contributes to the understanding of what has been done recently in the field of TQM model implementation, its development and validation in the manufacturing sector in Saudi Arabia. Also, it uncovers eminent study gaps for future research.
Analysis of the Status of Women Directors: A Study on the Listed Financial Institutions of Bangladesh
Authors: Ferdous Chowdhury Saima , Rahman Habiba
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates the status of women directors of Bangladesh using all the listed financial institutions of this country. Particularly, the paper considers three issues: the number of women working as directors, their qualification; and their recruitment process. Using a mixed method, the overall findings of the study reveals a very dissatisfactory status of the women in the top position in the Financial Institutions of Bangladesh. It also indicated that, though the number of qualified women is increasing but the rate of growth is slow like many other countries. The patriarchal society and the socio-cultural factors are still dominating the recruitment process of women as a director. Though the overall findings show a sluggish growth of the status of women at the top position, the findings of this study indicate the gap in understanding of the policy makers and also among women, which will help in developing effective policies for ensuring gender diversity at the board level.
Critical Thinking Skills in Elementary School Curricula in some Arab Countries—A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Bahatheg Raja Omar
Published: March 2019

This study aims to analyze and compare school subjects to determine the extent to which critical thinking skills are being engaged in school subjects’ questions and activities in public education. Five Arab countries are included in this paper; Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Arab Republic of Egypt, and The Tunisian Republic, in elementary school levels (first, second, and third grades.)The study found that all Arab countries focus on operating inductive reasoning skills in their subjects, followed by reasoning and observation, sequentially, while dismissing credibility and assumptions skills. Saudi Arabia focused on developing critical thinking skills in science textbooks for the past three academic years, while Kuwait had the same focus on their Arabic language classes. Both the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Egypt have paid a measurable attention to engaging critical thinking skills in Mathematics and the Arabic language, as well as Tunisia in their science textbooks. The least effective subjects in operating critical thinking skills were the Arabic language in Saudi Arabia, science in Kuwait, Domestic Economics in Egypt, and Islamic education in Jordan and Tunisia.
Investigation of the Perceptions of Students Who Participate in Sports Organizations in Universities Regarding the Term “Sports”
Authors: MURATHAN Fatih
Published: March 2019

The main aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of students who participate in sports organizations in universities regarding the term “sports”. With this main aim, the perception of the term was explained by metaphors. The study group includes 108 female and 112 male volunteer students, who studied in various departments of Adıyaman University during the 2017-2018 education period. For the data collection tools in the study, a short personal information form and the form that asks to complete the sentence, “Sports are like … Because …” In the data analysis, with the SPSS 24.00 package software, individual variables were classified and four steps were followed in the analysis of the metaphors. These steps are naming the metaphors, elimination and refinement, compilation and categorization, and the findings were obtained by validity and reliability analyses. As a result of the research, it was determined that 88.7% of the students who participated in sports organizations in universities developed positive metaphors while 11.3 developed negative metaphors. Additionally, it was concluded that these metaphors created significant differences according to students’ genders, and the departments and programs of study. As a result of the study, it can be concluded that university students participating in sports activities voluntarily have a perception of “sports” as improving health, regarding as a profession and gaining social prestige and this result affects their future life positively.
The Lutsk Karaites and the Cultural and Educational Activities of the Karaite Minority in Poland in the Interwar Period
Authors: Sulimowicz Anna
Published: March 2019

Of the four Karaite communities lying within the borders of newly independent Poland the Lutsk community was the smallest. However, it was here that efforts to preserve the Karaim language and identity were most intense, as a consequence of which Lutsk became in the 1930s a major centre of Karaite intellectual and cultural life. Lutsk activists, such as the writer and editor Aleksander Mardkowicz and the poet Sergiusz Rudkowski, strove to preserve the Karaim language and strengthen ethnic self-identity. Their efforts served as inspiration for similar endeavours in other Karaite communities. The present paper endeavours to shed light on the circumstances that led to this cultural eudaimonia in Lutsk.
Efforts to Get a Polish Priest for the Pastoral Work in Moravia (1927–1931) in the Light of August Hlond’s (the Primate of Poland) Correspondence
Authors: Gołdyn Piotr
Published: March 2019

in the Light of August Hlond's (the Primate of Poland) Correspondence At Archdiocesean Archive in Gniezno, at the Archive of the primate of Poland a correspondence was preserved. It was a correspondence between him, his office and other various entities – the Consulate of Poland in Ostrava, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Motherland School for Cieszyn Silesia and the others, which were seeking a Polish priest for Moravia Poles asked the primate for the priest who not only celebrated services, granted sacraments, but also taught Polish children religion and cared about the national identity of Poles in Czechoslovakia. This correspondence became a base of dissertations taken in this article.
Guarantee of Religious Practices as a Part of the Cultural Security of Polish-Speaking Catholics Living in Germany
Authors: Urbanek Arkadiusz , Pelczar Marek
Published: March 2019

The paper deals with three problematic threads, i.e.: defining cultural security, the issue of legal guarantees due to a national minority in a foreign country, and the results of a research conducted among the Polish community in Germany. Field research was conducted using a technique of questionnaire interviews in the community associated with two Polish diaspora organizations: Polish Catholic Mission in Hamburg and Gazeta Polska ("Polish Newspaper") in Hamburg. The aim of the discussion is to answer the following question: do Polish-speaking Catholics, representing the national minority in Germany, perceive threats to their own religious practices? The results of the research have highlighted the perspective of representatives with extreme and moderate views on the right to manifest religious identity in Germany.
Going Over the Test
Authors: Nirode Wayne
Published: March 2019

To address student misconceptions and promote student learning, use discussion questions as an alternative to reviewing assessments.
Who Can Excel in Mathematics?
Authors: Sole Marla A.
Published: March 2019

Change the misconception that many students have that mathematical aptitude is innate.
Apparatus for Characterizing Gas-Phase Chemical Precursor Delivery for Thin Film
Deposition Processes
Authors: Maslar James E. , Kimes William A. , Sperling Brent A.
Published: March 2019

Thin film vapor deposition processes, e.g., chemical vapor deposition, are
widely used in high-volume manufacturing of electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Ensuring desired film properties and maximizing process yields require control of
the chemical precursor flux to the deposition surface. However, achieving the
desired control can be difficult due to numerous factors, including delivery system
design, ampoule configuration, and precursor properties. This report describes an
apparatus designed to investigate such factors. The apparatus simulates a single
precursor delivery line, e.g., in a chemical vapor deposition tool, with flow
control, pressure monitoring, and a precursor-containing ampoule. It also
incorporates an optical flow cell downstream of the ampoule to permit optical
measurements of precursor density in the gas stream. From such measurements, the
precursor flow rate can be determined, and, for selected conditions, the precursor
partial pressure in the headspace can be estimated. These capabilities permit this
apparatus to be used for investigating a variety of factors that affect delivery
processes. The methods of determining the pressure to (1) calculate the precursor
flow rate and (2) estimate the headspace pressure are discussed, as are some of the
errors associated with these methods. While this apparatus can be used under a
variety of conditions and configurations relevant to deposition processes, the
emphasis here is on low-volatility precursors that are delivered at total pressures
less than about 13 kPa downstream of the ampoule. An important goal of this work is
to provide data that could facilitate both deposition process optimization and
ampoule design refinement.
Targeted degradation of aberrant tau in frontotemporal dementia patient-derived neuronal cell models
Authors: Silva M Catarina , Ferguson Fleur M , Cai Quan , Donovan Katherine A , Nandi Ghata , Patnaik Debasis , Zhang Tinghu , Huang Hai-Tsang , Lucente Diane E , Dickerson Bradford C , Mitchison Timothy J , Fischer Eric S , Gray Nathanael S , Haggarty Stephen J
Published: March 2019

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by aberrant forms of tau protein accumulation leading to neuronal death in focal brain areas. Positron emission tomography (PET) tracers that bind to pathological tau are used in diagnosis, but there are no current therapies to eliminate these tau species. We employed targeted protein degradation technology to convert a tau PET-probe into a functional degrader of pathogenic tau. The hetero-bifunctional molecule QC-01–175 was designed to engage both tau and Cereblon (CRBN), a substrate-receptor for the E3-ubiquitin ligase CRL4CRBN, to trigger tau ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. QC-01–175 effected clearance of tau in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patient-derived neuronal cell models, with minimal effect on tau from neurons of healthy controls, indicating specificity for disease-relevant forms. QC-01–175 also rescued stress vulnerability in FTD neurons, phenocopying CRISPR-mediated MAPT-knockout. This work demonstrates that aberrant tau in FTD patient-derived neurons is amenable to targeted degradation, representing an important advance for therapeutics.
Translating the hemodynamic response: why focused interdisciplinary integration should matter for the future of functional neuroimaging
Authors: Cinciute Sigita
Published: March 2019

The amount of information acquired with functional neuroimaging techniques, particularly fNIRS and fMRI, is rapidly growing and has enormous potential for studying human brain functioning. Therefore, many scientists focus on solving computational neuroimaging and Big Data issues to advance the discipline. However, the main obstacle—the accurate translation of the hemodynamic response (HR) by the investigation of a physiological phenomenon called neurovascular coupling—is still not fully overcome and, more importantly, often overlooked in this context. This article provides a brief and critical overview of significant findings from cellular biology and in vivo brain physiology with a focus on advancing existing HR modelling paradigms. A brief historical timeline of these disciplines of neuroscience is presented for readers to grasp the concept better, and some possible solutions for further scientific discussion are provided.
Dual effects of biochar and hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. on the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil
Authors: Li Kang , Yang Baoshan , Wang Hui , Xu Xiaohan , Gao Yongchao , Zhu Yidan
Published: March 2019

Biochar was widely developed for the soil amendment and remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil. The Cd hyperaccumulator, Solanum nigrum L., has been paid much more attention with the wide application of phytoremediation. The effects of biochar on the growth and accumulation capacity of Solanum nigrum L. in Cd contaminated soil have not been explored so far. The objectives of this study were to explore the dual effects of biochar addition on available Cd in the soil and hyperaccumulation of Cd in Solanum nigrum L. under different Cd contaminated levels. The correlations of soil physicochemical and biochemical properties and Cd absorption of Solanum nigrum L. were analyzed after a 60-day pot experiment under three biochar doses (0%, 1% and 5%) and four Cd concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg kg−1). The availability of Cd obtained by DTPA extraction significantly decreased after biochar application (P = 0.003, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001 under 1% biochar addition for 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1 Cd concentrations, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001 under 5% biochar addition for 25, 50, and 100 mg kg−1 Cd concentrations, n ≥ 3). The 1% biochar dose significantly increased leaf dry weight (P = 0.039, P = 0.002 for the Cd concentrations of 50 and 100 mg kg−1, n ≥ 3) compared with the control in higher Cd concentrations (50 and 100 100 mg kg−1). In the presence of biochar, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) increased under the Cd concentrations of 50 and 100 mg kg−1. The translocation factors (TF) decreased with the biochar doses under the Cd concentration of 100 mg kg−1. The dose of 5% biochar significantly increased the urease activity by 41.18% compared to the 1% biochar addition in the Cd contaminated soil of 50 mg kg−1 concentration. The activities of acid phosphatase were inhibited by 1% biochar dose in all the Cd contaminated soils. The dry weight of the root of Solanum nigrum L. was significantly negatively correlated with acid phosphatase activity and BCF, respectively, indicating acid phosphatase in the rhizosphere soil of Solanum nigrum L. were repressed by Cd toxicity despite of biochar amendment. Biochar had no negative effect on Cd accumulation ability of Solanum nigrum L. Two-way ANOVA analysis showed that both biochar and Cd significantly affected the height of Solanum nigrum L. and the dry weight of leaf and stem. This study implied that biochar addition does not limit the absorption of hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. in the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil. This study implied that the simultaneous application of biochar and hyperccumulator Solanum nigrum L. is promising during the remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.