bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Neural Networks as Decision Support Tools in Cytopathology: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Pouliakis Abraham , Karakitsou Efrossyni , Margari Niki , Bountris Panagiotis , Haritou Maria , panayiotides John , Koutsouris Dimitrios , Karakitsos Petros
Published: February 2016

Objective

This study aims to analyze the role of artificial neural networks (ANNs) in cytopathology. More specifically, it aims to highlight the importance of employing ANNs in existing and future applications and in identifying unexplored or poorly explored research topics.

Study Design

A systematic search was conducted in scientific databases for articles related to cytopathology and ANNs with respect to anatomical places of the human body where cytopathology is performed. For each anatomic system/organ, the major outcomes described in the scientific literature are presented and the most important aspects are highlighted.

Results

The vast majority of ANN applications are related to cervical cytopathology, specifically for the ANN-based, semiautomated commercial diagnostic system PAPNET. For cervical cytopathology, there is a plethora of studies relevant to the diagnostic accuracy; in addition, there are also efforts evaluating cost-effectiveness and applications on primary, secondary, or hybrid screening. For the rest of the anatomical sites, such as the gastrointestinal system, thyroid gland, urinary tract, and breast, there are significantly less efforts relevant to the application of ANNs. Additionally, there are still anatomical systems for which ANNs have never been applied on their cytological material.

Conclusions

Cytopathology is an ideal discipline to apply ANNs. In general, diagnosis is performed by experts via the light microscope. However, this approach introduces subjectivity, because this is not a universal and objective measurement process. This has resulted in the existence of a gray zone between normal and pathological cases. From the analysis of related articles, it is obvious that there is a need to perform more thorough analyses, using extensive number of cases and particularly for the nonexplored organs. Efforts to apply such systems within the laboratory test environment are required for their future uptake.
Histone H3 Phosphorylation in Human Skin Histoculture as a Tool to Evaluate Patient's Response to Antiproliferative Drugs
Authors: Ugarte Fernando , Porth Katherine , Sadekova Svetlana
Published: February 2016

Evaluation of patient's response to chemotherapeutic drugs is often difficult and time consuming. Skin punch biopsies are easily accessible material that can be used for the evaluation of surrogate biomarkers of a patient's response to a drug. In this study, we hypothesized that assessment of phosphorylated histone H3 in human skin punch biopsies could be used as a pharmacodynamics biomarker of patient's response to the kinesin spindle protein inhibitor SCH2047069. To test this hypothesis, we used a human skin histoculture technique that allows culturing intact human skin in the presence of the drug. Human melanoma and skin histocultures were treated with SCH2047069, and the effect of the drug was assessed by increasing histone H3 phosphorylation using immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrate that SCH2047069 has a significant effect on cell proliferation in human melanoma and skin histoculture and justify using human skin punch biopsies for evaluation of the pharmacodynamic changes induced by SCH2047069.
Optimal Quotients of Jacobians With Toric
Reduction and Component Groups
Authors: Papikian Mihran , Rabinoff Joseph
Published: February 2016

Let J be a Jacobian variety with toric reduction over a local field K. Let J → E be an optimal quotient defined over K, where E is an elliptic curve. We give examples in which the functorially induced map on component groups of the Néron models is not surjective. This answers a question of Ribet and Takahashi. We also give various criteria under which is surjective and discuss when these criteria hold for the Jacobians of modular curves.
The Role of Cross-Cue Reactivity in Coexisting Smoking and Gambling Habits
Authors: Wulfert Edelgard , Harris Kristen , Broussard James
Published: February 2016

Cigarette smoking is the most common addictive behaviour co-occurring with problem gambling. Based on classical conditioning, smoking and gambling cues may acquire conditioned stimulus properties that elicit cravings for both behaviours. This study examined cross-cue reactivity in 75 men who were regular smokers, poker players or cigarette-smoking poker players. Participants were exposed to discrete cigarette, poker and neutral cues while skin conductance and psychological urges to smoke and gamble were measured. Results showed evidence of cross-cue reactivity based on skin conductance, and subjective response to smoking cues; subjective response to gambling cues was less clear. Smoking gamblers showed greater skin conductance reactivity to cues, and stronger subjective urges to smoke to smoking and gambling cues, compared to individuals who only smoked or only gambled. This study demonstrates evidence for cross-cue reactivity between a substance and a behavioural addiction, and the results encourage further research.
Apresentação
Authors: De Moura Chagas Lilane Maria , Lima dos Santos Bazzo Jilvania
Published: February 2016

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-795X.2014v33n1p17
New insights into the atmospheric mercury cycling in Central Antarctica and implications at a continental scale
Authors: Angot Hélène , Magand Olivier , Helmig Detlev , Ricaud Philippe , Quennehen Boris , Gallée Hubert , Del Guasta Massimo , Sprovieri Francesca , Pirrone Nicola , Savarino Joël , Dommergue Aurélien
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Under the framework of the GMOS project (Global Mercury Observation System) atmospheric mercury monitoring has been implemented at Concordia Station on the high-altitude Antarctic plateau (75°06’ S, 123°20’ E, 3220 m above sea level). We report here the first year-round measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (Hg(0)) in the atmosphere and in snowpack interstitial air on the East Antarctic ice sheet. This unique dataset shows evidence of a continuous oxidation of atmospheric Hg(0) in summer (24-hour daylight) due to the high oxidative capacity of the Antarctic plateau atmosphere at this period of the year. Summertime Hg(0) concentrations exhibited a pronounced daily cycle in ambient air with maximal concentrations around midday. Photochemical reactions and chemical exchange at the air/snow interface were prominent, highlighting the role of the snowpack on the atmospheric mercury cycle. Our observations reveal a 20 to 30 % decrease of atmospheric Hg(0) concentrations from May to mid-August (winter, 24-h darkness). This phenomenon has never been observed elsewhere and likely results from a gas-phase oxidation and/or heterogeneous reactions. We also reveal the occurrence of multi-day to weeklong atmospheric Hg(0) depletion events in summer, not associated with depletions of ozone, and likely due to a stagnation of air masses above the plateau triggering an accumulation of oxidants within the shallow boundary layer. Our observations suggest that the inland atmospheric reservoir is depleted in Hg(0) in summer. Due to katabatic winds flowing out from the Antarctic plateau down the steep vertical drops along the coast and according to observations at coastal Antarctic stations, the striking reactivity observed on the plateau most likely influences the cycle of atmospheric mercury at a continental scale.
Analysis of functional groups in atmospheric aerosols by infrared spectroscopy: sparse methods for statistical selection of relevant absorption bands
Authors: Takahama Satoshi , Ruggeri Giulia , Dillner Ann M.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We present an evaluation of four algorithms for achieving sparsity in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy calibration models. Sparse calibration models exclude unnecessary wavenumbers from infrared spectra during the model building process, permitting identification and evaluation of the most relevant vibrational modes of molecules in complex aerosol mixtures required to make quantitative predictions of various measures of aerosol composition. We study two types of models: one which predicts alcohol COH, carboxylic COH, alkane CH, and carbonyl CO functional group (FG) abundances in ambient samples based on laboratory calibration standards, and another which predicts thermal optical reflectance (TOR) organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) mass in new ambient samples by direct calibration of infrared spectra to a set of ambient samples reserved for calibration. We describe the development and selection of each calibration model, and evaluate the effect of sparsity on prediction performance. Finally, we ascribe interpretation to absorption bands used in quantitative prediction of FGs and TOR OC and EC concentrations.
Responses of two nonlinear microbial models to warming and increased carbon input
Authors: Wang Y. P. , Jiang J. , Chen-Charpentier B. , Agusto F. B. , Hastings A. , Hoffman F. , Rasmussen M. , Smith M. J. , Todd-Brown K. , Wang Y. , Xu X. , Luo Y. Q.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. A number of nonlinear microbial models of soil carbon decomposition have been developed. Some of them have been applied globally but have yet to be shown to realistically represent soil carbon dynamics in the field. A thorough analysis of their key differences is needed to inform future model developments. Here we compare two nonlinear microbial models of soil carbon decomposition: one based on reverse Michaelis–Menten kinetics (model A) and the other on regular Michaelis–Menten kinetics (model B). Using analytic approximations and numerical solutions, we find that the oscillatory responses of carbon pools to a small perturbation in their initial pool sizes dampen faster in model A than in model B. Soil warming always decreases carbon storage in model A, but in model B it predominantly decreases carbon storage in cool regions and increases carbon storage in warm regions. For both models, the CO2 efflux from soil carbon decomposition reaches a maximum value some time after increased carbon input (as in priming experiments). This maximum CO2 efflux (Fmax) decreases with an increase in soil temperature in both models. However, the sensitivity of Fmax to the increased amount of carbon input increases with soil temperature in model A but decreases monotonically with an increase in soil temperature in model B. These differences in the responses to soil warming and carbon input between the two nonlinear models can be used to discern which model is more realistic when compared to results from field or laboratory experiments. These insights will contribute to an improved understanding of the significance of soil microbial processes in soil carbon responses to future climate change.
The effect of using the plant functional type paradigm on a data-constrained global phenology model
Authors: Caldararu Silvia , Purves Drew W. , Smith Matthew J.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Leaf seasonality impacts a variety of important biological, chemical, and physical Earth system processes, which makes it essential to represent leaf phenology in ecosystem and climate models. However, we are still lacking a general, robust parametrisation of phenology at global scales. In this study, we use a simple process-based model, which describes phenology as a strategy for carbon optimality, to test the effects of the common simplification in global modelling studies that plant species within the same plant functional type (PFT) have the same parameter values, implying they are assumed to have the same species traits. In a previous study this model was shown to predict spatial and temporal dynamics of leaf area index (LAI) well across the entire global land surface provided local grid cell parameters were used, and is able to explain 96 % of the spatial variation in average LAI and 87 % of the variation in amplitude. In contrast, we find here that a PFT level parametrisation is unable to capture the spatial variability in seasonal cycles, explaining on average only 28 % of the spatial variation in mean leaf area index and 12 % of the variation in seasonal amplitude. However, we also show that allowing only two parameters, light compensation point and leaf age, to be spatially variable dramatically improves the model predictions, increasing the model's capability of explaining spatial variations in leaf seasonality to 70 and 57 % of the variation in LAI average and amplitude, respectively. This highlights the importance of identifying the spatial scale of variation of plant traits and the necessity to critically analyse the use of the plant functional type assumption in Earth system models.
Combining livestock production information in a process based vegetation model to reconstruct the history of grassland management
Authors: Chang Jinfeng , Ciais Philippe , Herrero Mario , Havlik Petr , Campioli Matteo , Zhang Xianzhou , Bai Yongfei , Viovy Nicolas , Joiner Joanna , Wang Xuhu , Peng Shushi , Yue Chao , Piao Shilong , Wang Tao , Hauglustaine Didier A. , Soussana Jean-Francois
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Grassland management type (grazed or mown) and intensity (intensive or extensive) play a crucial role in the GHG balance and surface energy budget of this biome, both at field scale and at large spatial scale. Yet, global gridded historical information on grassland management intensity is not available. Combining modelled grass biomass productivity with statistics of the grass-biomass demand by livestock, we reconstruct gridded maps of grassland management intensity from 1901 to 2012. These maps include the minimum area of managed vs. maximum area of un-managed grasslands, and the fraction of mown versus grazed area at a resolution of 0.5° by 0.5°. The grass-biomass demand is derived from a livestock dataset for 2000, extended to cover the period 1901–2012. The nature of grass-biomass supply (i.e., forage grass from mown grassland and biomass grazed) is simulated by the process based model ORCHIDEE-GM driven by historical climate change, rising CO2 concentration, and changes in nitrogen fertilization. The global area of managed grassland obtained in this study is simulated to increase from 5.1 × 106 km2 in 1901 to 11 × 106 km2 in 2000, although the expansion pathway varies between different regions. The gridded grassland management intensity maps are model-dependent because they depend on Net Primary Productivity (NPP), which is the reason why specific attention is given to the evaluation of NPP. Namely, ORCHIDEE-GM is calibrated for C3 and C4 grass functional traits, and then evaluated against a series of observations from site-level NPP measurements to two global satellite products of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) (MODIS-GPP and SIF data). The distribution of GPP and NPP with and without management, are evaluated against observations at different spatial and temporal scales. Generally, ORCHIDEE-GM captures the spatial pattern, seasonal cycle and interannual variability of grassland productivity at global scale well, and thus appears to be appropriate for global applications.
Extreme storms during the last 6,500 years from lagoonal sedimentary archives in Mar Menor (SE SPAIN)
Authors: Dezileau L. , Pérez-Ruzafa A. , Blanchemanche P. , Degeai J. P. , Raji O. , Martinez P. , Marcos C. , Von Grafenstein U.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Amongst the most devastating marine catastrophes that can occur in coastal areas, are storms and tsunamis, which may seriously endanger human society. Many such events are known and have been reported for the Mediterranean, a region where high-frequency occurrences of these extreme events coincides with some of the most densely populated coastal areas in the world. In a sediment core from Mar Menor Lagoon (SE Spain), we discovered eight coarse grained layers which document marine incursions during periods of intense storm activity or tsunami events. Based on radiocarbon dating, these extreme events occurred around 5250, 4000, 3600, 3010, 2300, 1350, 650 and 80 years cal B.P.. No comparable events have been observed during the 20th and 21th centuries. The results indicate little likehood of a tsunami origin for these coarse grained layers, although historical tsunami events are recorded in this region. These periods of surge events seem to coincide with the coldest periods in Europe during the late Holocene, suggesting a control by a climatic mechanism for periods of increased storm activity. Spectral analyses performed on the sand % revealed four major periodicities of 1228 ±327, 732 ±80, 562 ±58, and 319 ±16 yr. Amongst the well-known proxies that have revealed a millennial-scale climate variability during the Holocene, the ice-rafted debris (IRD) indices in North Atlantic developed by Bond et al. (1997, 2001) present a cyclicity of 1470 ±500 yr, which matches the 1228 ±327 yr periodicity evidenced in the Mar Menor lagoon, considering the respective uncertainties on the periodicities. Thus, an in-phase storm activity in Western Mediterranean is found with the coldest periods in Europe and to the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation. However, further investigations, such as additional coring, high-resolution coastal imagery, are needed to better constrain the main cause of these multiple-events.
ASHEE-1.0: a compressible, equilibrium–Eulerian model for volcanic ash plumes
Authors: Cerminara M. , Esposti Ongaro T. , Berselli L. C.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. A new fluid-dynamic model is developed to numerically simulate the non-equilibrium dynamics of polydisperse gas–particle mixtures forming volcanic plumes. Starting from the three-dimensional N-phase Eulerian transport equations for a mixture of gases and solid dispersed particles, we adopt an asymptotic expansion strategy to derive a compressible version of the first-order non-equilibrium model, valid for low-concentration regimes (particle volume fraction less than 10−3) and particle Stokes number (St – i.e., the ratio between relaxation time and flow characteristic time) not exceeding about 0.2. The new model, which is called ASHEE (ASH Equilibrium Eulerian), is significantly faster than the N-phase Eulerian model while retaining the capability to describe gas–particle non-equilibrium effects. Direct Numerical Simulation accurately reproduces the dynamics of isotropic, compressible turbulence in subsonic regimes. For gas–particle mixtures, it describes the main features of density fluctuations and the preferential concentration and clustering of particles by turbulence, thus verifying the model reliability and suitability for the numerical simulation of high-Reynolds number and high-temperature regimes in the presence of a dispersed phase. On the other hand, Large-Eddy Numerical Simulations of forced plumes are able to reproduce the averaged and instantaneous flow properties. In particular, the self-similar Gaussian radial profile and the development of large-scale coherent structures are reproduced, including the rate of turbulent mixing and entrainment of atmospheric air. Application to the Large-Eddy Simulation of the injection of the eruptive mixture in a stratified atmosphere describes some of the important features of turbulent volcanic plumes, including air entrainment, buoyancy reversal and maximum plume height. For very fine particles (St → 0, when non-equilibrium effects are negligible) the model reduces to the so-called dusty-gas model. However, coarse particles partially decouple from the gas phase within eddies (thus modifying the turbulent structure) and preferentially concentrate at the eddy periphery, eventually being lost from the plume margins due to the concurrent effect of gravity. By these mechanisms, gas–particle non-equilibrium processes are able to influence the large-scale behavior of volcanic plumes.
Subgrid spatial variability of soil hydraulic functions for hydrological modelling
Authors: Kreye Phillip , Meon Günter
Published: February 2016

Abstract. State of the art hydrological applications require a process-based spatially distributed hydrological model. Runoff characteristics are demanded to be well reproduced by the model. Despite that, the model should be able to describe the processes at a subcatchment scale in a physically credible way. The objective of this study is to present a robust procedure to generate various sets of parameterizations of soil hydraulic functions for the description of soil heterogeneity on a subgrid scale. Relations between ROSETTA generated values of saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and van Genuchten's parameters of soil hydraulic functions were statistically analysed. An universal function that is valid for the complete bandwidth of Ks values could not be found. After concentrating on natural texture classes, strong correlations were identified for all parameters. The obtained regression results were used to parameterize sets of hydraulic functions for each soil class. The methodology presented in this study is applicable on a wide range of spatial scales and does not need input data from field studies. The developments were implemented into a hydrological modelling system and were used successfully in many practical applications and projects.
The sound speed anomaly of Baltic seawater
Authors: von Rohden C. , Weinreben S. , Fehres F.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The effect of the anomalous chemical composition of Baltic seawater on the speed of sound relative to seawater with quasi-standard composition was quantified at atmospheric pressure and temperatures of 1 to 46 °C. Three modern oceanographic time-of-flight sensors were applied in a laboratory setup for measuring the speed-of-sound difference δw in a pure water diluted sample of North Atlantic seawater and a sample of Baltic seawater of the same conductivity, i.e., the same practical salinity (SP = 7.766). The average δw amounts to 0.069 ± 0.014 m s−1, which is significantly larger than the resolution and reproducibility of the sensors and independent of temperature. This magnitude for the anomaly effect was verified with offshore measurements conducted at different sites in the Baltic Sea using one of the sensors. The results from both measurements show values up to 1 order of magnitude smaller than existing predictions based on chemical models.
Discussing the Genesis of Karst Rocky Desertification-research Based on the Correlations between Crop land and Settlement in Typical Peak-cluster Depressions
Authors: Li Yang Bing , Li Qiong Yao , Luo Guang Jie , Bai Xiao Yong , Wang Yong Yan , Wang Shijie , Xie Jing , Yang Guang Bin
Published: February 2016

Abstract. This paper attempts to explain the theoretical reasons why the local farmers took irrational activities such as steep slope land cultivations in order to reveal the mechanism of Karst Rocky Desertification (KRD) through those typical case studies. Firstly, this paper assumes that the low land capacity is the genesis cause of KRD in peak cluster-depression areas. Furthermore, the ecological quality of the peak cluster-depression zone is influenced by the relationship between the area of depressions and the population of residential areas. The results show that, six typical peak cluster-depression areas in Guizhou Province were selected to compare the distribution circumstances of croplands, the characteristics of settlements and the formation of KRD. Also, the results show that there is a negative correlation between the percentage of the cultivated land and the percentage of KRD (including light KRD, moderate KRD and severe KRD at peak cluster-depressions. The relationship could be concluded as three situations of the process of KRD, which are low, middle and upper carrying capacity of land. The severe KRD is only distributed in peak-cluster depression areas with less flatland, low land capacity and high population. The harmonization between population pressure and bearing capacity of land will influence the ecological qualities in the peak cluster depressions. Therefore, the hypothesis suggested by this paper is correct, and this result will contribute to understanding the natural mechanism of KRD and guide the ecological restoration of KRD land.
Traveller Perceptions of Trust in Air Traffic Controllers: A Cultural Comparison between India and the United States
Authors: Mehta Rian , Rice Stephen , Rao Natasha
Published: February 2016

The aim of this research is to determine passengers’ trust in air traffic controllers, based on the age and gender of the controller. The job of an air traffic controller is difficult in terms of the physical and mental stressors involved. The retirement age for controllers was instated in an effort to avoid issues relating to lack of capabilities. Decline in trust in an aging workforce has become a trend in certain areas. Similarly, gender inequality in the workplace and the sentiment that female employees are not as capable as males is an issue experienced the world over. 376 participants from India and the United States were asked to assess their level of trust in an air traffic controller during an emergency situation. The data suggested that the American participants trusted the older controller (55 years old) more than the younger counterparts (25 years old) regardless of gender. However, the Indian participants trusted the younger controllers more than the older counterparts as long as they were male. A mediation analysis found that affect mediated the relationship for the American participants but not for the Indians. This implies that the Americans were basing their trust on emotions.
Pluralistic Conceptualizations of Empathy
Authors: Fagiano Mark
Published: February 2016

This paper addresses recent philosophical debates concerning the moral significance of empathy as well as the problems we face in defining empathy. Noting the practical inefficiencies of narrow conceptualizations of empathy, I argue that we ought to adopt broad notions of empathy that are informed by multiple and pluralistic conceptualizations of this phenomenon as they have been articulated throughout history and within different academic disciplines. Broad definitions of empathy, furthermore, offer us a sufficient amount of generality for observing and analyzing the multidimensionality of empathic experiences within a fundamentally relational world.
Can a Feminist Love the Super Bowl?
Authors: Magada-Ward Mary
Published: February 2016

While there are good reasons to celebrate the Super Bowl, my concern in this essay is with the more worrisome pleasure that we take in the violent aspects of professional football. Is our appreciation of the Super Bowl, including the hitting, a pleasure about which we, as feminists, should feel guilty? In order to address this worry, I set into dialogue Mark Edmundson's memoir Why Football Matters and Bonnie Mann's philosophical analysis Sovereign Masculinity: Gender Lessons from the War on Terror, specifically juxtaposing their respective insights about masculinity and its racialization, courage and shame, and war and its symbolization.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Earth Science Research, Vol. 5, No. 1
Authors: Luo Lesley
Published: February 2016

Reviewer Acknowledgements for Earth Science Research, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2016
The Comparison between Full-Stack Data and Pure P-Wave Data on Deeply Buried Ordovician Paleokarst Reservoir Prediction
Authors: Zhang Yuanyin , Sun Zandong , Jin Zhijun , Fan Chunyan
Published: February 2016

<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 宋体; mso-font-kerning: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;" lang="EN-US">The present burial depth of the paleokarst reservoirs in the Tarim Basin is greater than 5000m, which premises rigorous demands for the data quality for accurate predictions. Although routinely used for reservoir prediction, the conventional full-stack data are often contaminated by the AVO (amplitude versus offset) effects no matter how much signal to noise ratio degree can be enhanced via stacking. This contamination usually changes with different geological deposits, and could reach an inappropriate and unacceptable level for the deeply buried carbonate reservoir in the Tarim Basin. In this paper, the pure P-wave data theoretically inverted through AVO effects removal are employed to improve reservoir prediction, which are illustrated by the comparisons with that of the conventional full-stack data for the classical four AVO models and the field data in the ZG8 area, Tazhong Uplift, central Tarim Basin. The dominant frequency has been improved for 8 Hz from 15 to 23 Hz in the target Yingshan formation, Ordovician through AVO effects removal, and the reflection events of the pure P-wave data are obviously more continuous comparing with that of the full-stack data. The fake potential reservoir caused by AVO effects in the northeast area has been removed, while the integral delineation of paleokarst reservoirs have been significantly improved with a higher fitness with the oil-testing results, which are more beneficial for later on exploration. The pure P-wave data inversion is in essence an important complement to current processing strategy.
Geo Polymerization of Kaolin and Metakaolin Incorporating NaOH and High Calcium Ash
Authors: Abdel Hadi Nafeth Abdel Rahman
Published: February 2016

This research work aims to investigate the possibility to produce Ordinary Portland Cement free construction materials depending on the reactivity of high alkali liquids or solids with rich silica-alumina clay through geo polymerization process. Different mixtures of kaolin, metakaolin, bituminous limestone ash and NaOH were prepared and molded with different ratios. Standard cylindrical samples were prepared from each mixture and cured at ambient laboratory temperature for 28 days to investigate their physical and mechanical properties.

The unconfined compressive strength results of Kaolin-NaOH mixtures have ranged from 19 to 30 kg/cm2 after 24 hours. The unconfined compressive strength results of kaolin ash mixtures have ranged from 23 to 36 kg/cm2 at 28 days. The unconfined compressive strength results of ash-metakaolin mixtures have ranged from 32 to 56 kg/cm2 at 28 days.

Kaolin-NaOH samples revealed various degrees of efflorescence when subjected to wetting and drying conditions, on the other hand, ash –kaolin samples showed efflorescence free surfaces and increasing of strength with increasing the curing time.
Wanbeleid bij Meavita?
Authors: de Groot C.
Published: February 2016

Wanbeleid bij Meavita?

Op 2 november 2015 oordeelde de Ondernemingskamer dat sprake was van wanbeleid bij Meavita. Deze beslissing is gebaseerd op overwegingen over zowel de (operationele) bedrijfsvoering als de governance van het Meavita-concern. De beschikking roept de vraag op of het oordeel dat sprake was van wanbeleid in alle opzichten terecht is.
Dominant role of many-body effects on the carrier distribution function of quantum dot lasers
Authors: Peyvast Negin , Zhou Kejia , Hogg Richard A. , Childs David T. D.
Published: February 2016

The effects of free-carrier-induced shift and broadening on the carrier distribution function are studied considering different extreme cases for carrier statistics (Fermi–Dirac and random carrier distributions) as well as quantum dot (QD) ensemble inhomogeneity and state separation using a Monte Carlo model. Using this model, we show that the dominant factor determining the carrier distribution function is the free carrier effects and not the choice of carrier statistics. By using empirical values of the free-carrier-induced shift and broadening, good agreement is obtained with experimental data of QD materials obtained under electrical injection for both extreme cases of carrier statistics.
Substitution of spreading solvent by a less hazardous one for the fabrication of the Au(dmit)2 Langmuir–Blodgett films
Authors: Miura Yasuhiro F.
Published: February 2016

The Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film based on the ditetradecyldimethylammonium–Au(dmit)2 [2C14N+Me2–Au(dmit)2] salt shows a high room-temperature conductivity of 40 S/cm with a metallic temperature dependence. However, the solvent for spreading the material at the air/water interface is a

mixture of benzene and acetonitrile, which should be substituted by a less hazardous solvent considering the health effects. Here, we report on the substitution of the solvent by a less hazardous one — a

mixture of toluene and acetone; the 2C14N+Me2–Au(dmit)2 LB film fabricated using the mixture also exhibits a high room-temperature conductivity together with a metallic temperature dependence.
Effect of magnesium ion concentration on two-dimensional structure of DNA-functionalized nanoparticles on supported lipid bilayer
Authors: Isogai Takumi , Akada Eri , Nakada Sakiko , Yoshida Naoya , Tero Ryugo , Harada Shunta , Ujihara Toru , Tagawa Miho
Published: February 2016

The effect of divalent cations on lipid-bilayer-assisted DNA-functionalized nanoparticle (DNA-NP) assembly has been studied. We previously reported the lateral diffusion of DNA-NPs on planar lipid bilayer patches, owing to the mobility of lipid molecules in a supported lipid bilayer (SLB), and the resultant two-dimensional (2D) assembly of DNA-NPs. We here report the structural change of the assembled 2D DNA-NP lattices by magnesium ion concentration control on a successfully formed uniform SLB. In the magnesium-free buffer solution, DNA-NPs on SLB loosely assembled into quasi-hexagonal ordered lattices. In buffer solution containing 1 mM magnesium acetate, the interparticle distance of DNA-NPs decreased and the lattice structure became disordered. In buffer solution containing 5 mM magnesium acetate, the structure of DNA-NP arrays changed markedly and square lattices appeared. It is suggested that magnesium ions affected DNA molecules, which linked nanoparticles, and enabled the control of the structure of DNA-NP 2D arrays.
Managers’ Personal Characteristics, Bank Supervision, and Cost Stickiness *
Authors: Liang Shangkun , Zhao Gang , Wang Na
Published: February 2016

Managers are important human capital of firms and their personal characteristics can have direct and significant effects on firms’ decision behaviour and value creation. This paper explores this issue from the perspective of cost stickiness, using data from manufacturing firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges of China over the period 1999 to 2011. The results are the following. (1) The gender and age of a chairperson can significantly affect a firm’s cost stickiness. Firms with a male chairperson or a young chairperson tend to have higher cost stickiness. However, the chairperson’s tenure does not significantly affect cost stickiness. (2) The degree of bank supervision may influence the relationship between gender/age and cost stickiness. When the degree of bank supervision is high, a chairperson’s personal characteristics do not significantly affect a firm’s cost stickiness. (3) The impact of a chairperson’s personal characteristics and bank supervision on a firm’s cost stickiness is reflected mainly in non-labour costs. Further tests show that long-term and short-term bank loans, as well as bank loans for state-owned and non-state-owned listed firms, have good supervision effects. Overall, these results show that managers’ personal characteristics and bank supervision have an important impact on their firms’ cost behaviour.
May arsenic pollution contribute to limitingArtemia franciscanainvasion in southern Spain?
Authors: Sánchez Marta I. , Petit Cathleen , Martínez-Haro Mónica , Taggart Mark A. , Green Andy J.
Published: February 2016

Limited information exists regarding the complex interactions between biological invasions, pollution, and climate change. Most studies indicate that pollution tends to favor invasive species. Here, we provide evidence that arsenic (As) pollution may have a role in limiting the invasion of the exotic brine shrimpArtemia franciscana. We tested As toxicity in natural populations ofArtemia parthenogenetica(a native taxon) andA. franciscanafrom localities in southern Spain with differing degrees of As contamination. Tests were conducted both under current mean temperature conditions (25 °C), and as per a future climate scenario (i.e., an increase in mean temperature of 4 °C). Acute toxicity was estimated on the basis of the median lethal concentration (at 24 h), and chronic toxicity was evaluated by measuringArtemiasurvival and growth under sublethal exposures (after 26 days). At 25 °C, nativeA. parthenogeneticafrom the highly polluted Odiel and Tinto estuary was much more resistant to acute As stress (LC50-24 h, 24.67 mg L−1) thanA. franciscana(15.78 mg L−1) andA. parthenogeneticafrom unpolluted sites (12.04 mg L−1)–suggesting that local adaptation to polluted conditions may occur. At 29 °C, resistance ofA. parthenogeneticafrom Odiel decreased significantly, and there were no statistical differences in sensitivity between the three species/populations, suggesting that climate change may enhance the probability of invasion. Resistance increased with developmental stage from nauplii to adults, and was extremely high in cysts which still hatched at As concentrations of up to 6400 mg L−1. Under sublethal chronic exposureA. franciscanaperformed better (survival and growth) thanA. parthenogenetica, and both species experienced a faster growth when exposed to As, compared with unexposed (control) individuals, probably due to the hormesis. We discuss the ecological implications of our results.
Problems in usingp-curve analysis and text-mining to detect rate ofp-hacking and evidential value
Authors: Bishop Dorothy V.M. , Thompson Paul A.
Published: February 2016

Background.Thep-curve is a plot of the distribution ofp-values reported in a set of scientific studies. Comparisons between ranges ofp-values have been used to evaluate fields of research in terms of the extent to which studies have genuine evidential value, and the extent to which they suffer from bias in the selection of variables and analyses for publication,p-hacking.

Methods.p-hacking can take various forms. Here we used R code to simulate the use of ghost variables, where an experimenter gathers data on several dependent variables but reports only those with statistically significant effects. We also examined a text-mined dataset used by Head et al. (2015) and assessed its suitability for investigatingp-hacking.

Results.We show that when there is ghostp-hacking, the shape of thep-curve depends on whether dependent variables are intercorrelated. For uncorrelated variables, simulatedp-hacked data do not give the “p-hacking bump” just below .05 that is regarded as evidence ofp-hacking, though there is a negative skew when simulated variables are inter-correlated. The wayp-curves vary according to features of underlying data poses problems when automated text mining is used to detectp-values in heterogeneous sets of published papers.

Conclusions.The absence of a bump in thep-curve is not indicative of lack ofp-hacking. Furthermore, while studies with evidential value will usually generate a right-skewedp-curve, we cannot treat a right-skewedp-curve as an indicator of the extent of evidential value, unless we have a model specific to the type ofp-values entered into the analysis. We conclude that it is not feasible to use thep-curve to estimate the extent ofp-hacking and evidential value unless there is considerable control over the type of data entered into the analysis. In particular,p-hacking with ghost variables is likely to be missed.
Responses of microbial community from tropical pristine coastal soil to crude oil contamination
Authors: Morais Daniel , Pylro Victor , Clark Ian M. , Hirsch Penny R. , Tótola Marcos R.
Published: February 2016

Brazilian offshore crude oil exploration has increased after the discovery of new reservoirs in the region known as pré-sal, in a depth of 7.000 m under the water surface. Oceanic islands near these areas represent sensitive environments, where changes in microbial communities due oil contamination could stand for the loss of metabolic functions, with catastrophic effects to the soil services provided from these locations. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of petroleum contamination on microbial community shifts (Archaea, Bacteria and Fungi) from Trindade Island coastal soils. Microcosms were assembled and divided in two treatments, control and contaminated (weathered crude oil at the concentration of 30 g kg−1), in triplicate. Soils were incubated for 38 days, with CO2measurements every four hours. After incubation, the total DNA was extracted, purified and submitted for target sequencing of 16S rDNA, for Bacteria and Archaea domains and Fungal ITS1 region, using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Three days after contamination, the CO2emission rate peaked at more than 20 × the control and the emissions remained higher during the whole incubation period. Microbial alpha-diversity was reduced for contaminated-samples. Fungal relative abundance of contaminated samples was reduced to almost 40% of the total observed species. Taxonomy comparisons showed rise of the Actinobacteria phylum, shifts in several Proteobacteria classes and reduction of the Archaea class Nitrososphaerales. This is the first effort in acquiring knowledge concerning the effect of crude oil contamination in soils of a Brazilian oceanic island. This information is important to guide any future bioremediation strategy that can be required.
Persistent multitiered magma plumbing beneath Katla volcano, Iceland
Authors: Budd David A. , Troll Valentin R. , Dahren Börje , Burchardt Steffi
Published: February 2016

Recent seismic unrest and a persistent Holocene eruption record at Katla volcano, Iceland indicate that a near‐future eruption is possible. Previous petrological investigations suggest that Katla is supplied by a simple plumbing system that delivers magma directly from depth, while seismic and geodetic data also point toward the existence of upper‐crustal magma storage. To characterize Katla's recent plumbing system, we established mineral‐melt equilibrium crystallization pressures from four age‐constrained Katla tephras spanning from 8 kyr BP to 1918. The results point to persistent shallow‐ (≤8 km depth) as well as deep‐crustal (ca. 10 – 25 km depth) magma storage beneath Katla throughout the last 8 kyr. The presence of multiple magma storage regions implies that mafic magma from the deeper reservoir system may become gas‐rich during ascent and storage in the shallow crust and erupt explosively. Alternatively, it might intersect evolved magma pockets in the shallow‐level storage region, and so increase the potential for explosive mixed‐magma ash eruptions.
Evolution of the Smart Distribution Grid
Authors: Yeager Kurt
Published: February 2016

The transformation of distributed electricity service quality to twenty‐first century digital standards is critical to resolving the serious economic and environmental threats facing the world. The smart distribution grid evolution is enabling the global electricity industry to evolve from the traditional huge centralized power plants to a much more customer‐focused diverse electricity generation, asset ownership, and integration of new, clean distributed energy resources. The results will truly electrify the world in the full meaning of the word.

Today's commodity electricity business models of simply lighting and powering captive rate payers have not advanced significantly in over 80 years. Smart twenty‐first century distribution grids will enable consumers to significantly reduce the time, effort, and cost to optimize the use of electricity in every context including economy, environment, and sustainability. This reinvention of the distribution grid will not only be a job‐providing super‐project, but also a protocol for innovation. At the heart of this service equality, transformations are literally thousands of smart microgrids encompassing large buildings, office parks, and entire communities.

The technical areas of innovation to enable a timely smart distribution grid have been identified and are within reach worldwide. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a number of US states are now actively pursuing this initiative, as are many countries worldwide.
Permeation of oil‐in‐water emulsions through coalescing filter: Two‐dimensional simulation based on phase‐field model
Authors: Mino Yasushi , Kagawa Yusuke , Matsuyama Hideto , Ishigami Toru
Published: February 2016

The permeation of an oil‐in‐water emulsion through a coalescing filter is studied numerically. Our simulation model is based on the phase‐field model owing to its simple description of the wetting behavior of oil droplets on versatile surfaces. To realize two‐dimensional (2D) simulations of the coalescing processes, we construct a 2D filter model which describes the cross‐sectional structure of a fibrous filter in a simple manner. We investigate the effects of wettability, permeation flux, and fiber diameter on coalescing behavior. Oil droplets attach to the fibers and coalesce with each other, forming a bridging structure between fibers which promotes droplet coalescence unless the bridging structure blocks the entire flow path. This coalescence‐promoting effect of the bridging structure is observed under conditions where the fluid velocity inside a pore is relatively large. We demonstrate that our numerical model provides useful information to effectively design a coalescing filter and process. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2525–2532, 2016
Predictors of survival in refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RARS‐T) and the role of next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Patnaik Mrinal M. , Lasho Terra L. , Finke Christy M. , Hanson Curtis A. , King Rebecca L. , Ketterling Rhett P. , Gangat Naseema , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: February 2016

Refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RARS‐T) shares overlapping features of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). RARS‐T is characterized by SF3B1 and JAK2 mutations and prognosis is considered to be better than MDS but not as good as MPN. The objective of the study was to identify predictors of survival in RARS‐T. We analyzed clinical and laboratory variables in 82 patients and applied a 27‐gene NGS assay to 48 marrow samples obtained at diagnosis. 94% of patients had ≥1 mutations; common mutations being: SF3B1 85%, JAK2V617F 33%, ASXL1 29%, DNMT3A 13%, SETBP1 13% and TET2 10%. In a multivariable survival analysis (n = 82), anemia (P = 0.02) [HB< 10 gm/dl: HR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.6] and abnormal karyotype (P =.01) [HR 6.1, 95% CI 2.7‐13.8] were independently prognostic for inferior survival. In patients with NGS information (n = 48), univariate analysis showed association between poor survival and presence of SETBP1 (P = 0.04) or ASXL1 (P = 0.08) mutations whereas the absence of these mutations (ASXL1wt/SETBP1wt) was favorable (P = 0.04); the number of concurrent mutations did not provide additional prognostication (P = 0.3). We developed a HR‐weighted prognostic model, with 2 points for an abnormal karyotype, 1 point for either ASXL1 and/or SETBP1 mutations, and 1 point for a HB level < 10 gm/dl, which effectively stratified patients into three risk categories; low (0 points), intermediate (1 point) and high (≥2 points), with median survivals of 80, 42 and 11 months respectively (P = 0.01). In summary, we confirm the unique mutational landscape in RARS‐T and provide a novel mutation‐enhanced prognostic model. Am. J. Hematol. 91:492–498, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.