bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stratospheric ozone intrusion events and their impacts on tropospheric ozone in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Greenslade Jesse W. , Alexander Simon P. , Schofield Robyn , Fisher Jenny A. , Klekociuk Andrew K.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Stratosphere-to-troposphere transport (STT) provides an important natural source of ozone to the upper troposphere, but the characteristics of STT events in the Southern Hemisphere extratropics and their contribution to the regional tropospheric ozone budget remain poorly constrained. Here, we develop a quantitative method to identify STT events from ozonesonde profiles. Using this method we estimate the seasonality of STT events and quantify the ozone transported across the tropopause over Davis (69° S, 2006–2013), Macquarie Island (54° S, 2004–2013), and Melbourne (38° S, 2004–2013). STT seasonality is determined by two distinct methods: a Fourier bandpass filter of the vertical ozone profile and an analysis of the Brunt–Väisälä frequency. Using a bandpass filter on 7–9 years of ozone profiles from each site provides clear detection of STT events, with maximum occurrences during summer and minimum during winter for all three sites. The majority of tropospheric ozone enhancements owing to STT events occur within 2.5 and 3 km of the tropopause at Davis and Macquarie Island respectively. Events are more spread out at Melbourne, occurring frequently up to 6 km from the tropopause. The mean fraction of total tropospheric ozone attributed to STT during STT events is  ∼ 1. 0–3. 5 % at each site; however, during individual events, over 10 % of tropospheric ozone may be directly transported from the stratosphere. The cause of STTs is determined to be largely due to synoptic low-pressure frontal systems, determined using coincident ERA-Interim reanalysis meteorological data. Ozone enhancements can also be caused by biomass burning plumes transported from Africa and South America, which are apparent during austral winter and spring and are determined using satellite measurements of CO. To provide regional context for the ozonesonde observations, we use the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model, which is too coarsely resolved to distinguish STT events but is able to accurately simulate the seasonal cycle of tropospheric ozone columns over the three southern hemispheric sites. Combining the ozonesonde-derived STT event characteristics with the simulated tropospheric ozone columns from GEOS-Chem, we estimate STT ozone flux near the three sites and see austral summer dominated yearly amounts of between 5. 7 and 8. 7 × 1017 molecules cm−2 a−1.
The version 3 OMI NO2 standard product
Authors: Krotkov Nickolay A. , Lamsal Lok N. , Celarier Edward A. , Swartz William H. , Marchenko Sergey V. , Bucsela Eric J. , Chan Ka Lok , Wenig Mark , Zara Marina
Published: September 2017

Abstract. We describe the new version 3.0 NASA Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) standard nitrogen dioxide (NO2) products (SPv3). The products and documentation are publicly available from the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (https://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/datasets/OMNO2_V003/summary/). The major improvements include (1) a new spectral fitting algorithm for NO2 slant column density (SCD) retrieval and (2) higher-resolution (1° latitude and 1.25° longitude) a priori NO2 and temperature profiles from the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) chemistry–transport model with yearly varying emissions to calculate air mass factors (AMFs) required to convert SCDs into vertical column densities (VCDs). The new SCDs are systematically lower (by ∼ 10–40 %) than previous, version 2, estimates. Most of this reduction in SCDs is propagated into stratospheric VCDs. Tropospheric NO2 VCDs are also reduced over polluted areas, especially over western Europe, the eastern US, and eastern China. Initial evaluation over unpolluted areas shows that the new SPv3 products agree better with independent satellite- and ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements. However, further evaluation of tropospheric VCDs is needed over polluted areas, where the increased spatial resolution and more refined AMF estimates may lead to better characterization of pollution hot spots.
Practice and philosophy of climate model tuning across six US modeling centers
Authors: Schmidt Gavin A. , Bader David , Donner Leo J. , Elsaesser Gregory S. , Golaz Jean-Christophe , Hannay Cecile , Molod Andrea , Neale Richard B. , Saha Suranjana
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Model calibration (or tuning) is a necessary part of developing and testing coupled ocean–atmosphere climate models regardless of their main scientific purpose. There is an increasing recognition that this process needs to become more transparent for both users of climate model output and other developers. Knowing how and why climate models are tuned and which targets are used is essential to avoiding possible misattributions of skillful predictions to data accommodation and vice versa. This paper describes the approach and practice of model tuning for the six major US climate modeling centers. While details differ among groups in terms of scientific missions, tuning targets, and tunable parameters, there is a core commonality of approaches. However, practices differ significantly on some key aspects, in particular, in the use of initialized forecast analyses as a tool, the explicit use of the historical transient record, and the use of the present-day radiative imbalance vs. the implied balance in the preindustrial era as a target.
Toward seamless hydrologic predictions across spatial scales
Authors: Samaniego Luis , Kumar Rohini , Thober Stephan , Rakovec Oldrich , Zink Matthias , Wanders Niko , Eisner Stephanie , Müller Schmied Hannes , Sutanudjaja Edwin H. , Warrach-Sagi Kirsten , Attinger Sabine
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Land surface and hydrologic models (LSMs/HMs) are used at diverse spatial resolutions ranging from catchment-scale (1–10 km) to global-scale (over 50 km) applications. Applying the same model structure at different spatial scales requires that the model estimates similar fluxes independent of the chosen resolution, i.e., fulfills a flux-matching condition across scales. An analysis of state-of-the-art LSMs and HMs reveals that most do not have consistent hydrologic parameter fields. Multiple experiments with the mHM, Noah-MP, PCR-GLOBWB, and WaterGAP models demonstrate the pitfalls of deficient parameterization practices currently used in most operational models, which are insufficient to satisfy the flux-matching condition. These examples demonstrate that J. Dooge's 1982 statement on the unsolved problem of parameterization in these models remains true. Based on a review of existing parameter regionalization techniques, we postulate that the multiscale parameter regionalization (MPR) technique offers a practical and robust method that provides consistent (seamless) parameter and flux fields across scales. Herein, we develop a general model protocol to describe how MPR can be applied to a particular model and present an example application using the PCR-GLOBWB model. Finally, we discuss potential advantages and limitations of MPR in obtaining the seamless prediction of hydrological fluxes and states across spatial scales.
Application of a two-step approach for mapping ice thickness to various glacier types on Svalbard
Authors: Fürst Johannes Jakob , Gillet-Chaulet Fabien , Benham Toby J. , Dowdeswell Julian A. , Grabiec Mariusz , Navarro Francisco , Pettersson Rickard , Moholdt Geir , Nuth Christopher , Sass Björn , Aas Kjetil , Fettweis Xavier , Lang Charlotte , Seehaus Thorsten , Braun Matthias
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The basal topography is largely unknown beneath most glaciers and ice caps, and many attempts have been made to estimate a thickness field from other more accessible information at the surface. Here, we present a two-step reconstruction approach for ice thickness that solves mass conservation over single or several connected drainage basins. The approach is applied to a variety of test geometries with abundant thickness measurements including marine- and land-terminating glaciers as well as a 2400 km2 ice cap on Svalbard. The input requirements are kept to a minimum for the first step. In this step, a geometrically controlled, non-local flux solution is converted into thickness values relying on the shallow ice approximation (SIA). In a second step, the thickness field is updated along fast-flowing glacier trunks on the basis of velocity observations. Both steps account for available thickness measurements. Each thickness field is presented together with an error-estimate map based on a formal propagation of input uncertainties. These error estimates point out that the thickness field is least constrained near ice divides or in other stagnant areas. Withholding a share of the thickness measurements, error estimates tend to overestimate mismatch values in a median sense. We also have to accept an aggregate uncertainty of at least 25 % in the reconstructed thickness field for glaciers with very sparse or no observations. For Vestfonna ice cap (VIC), a previous ice volume estimate based on the same measurement record as used here has to be corrected upward by 22 %. We also find that a 13 % area fraction of the ice cap is in fact grounded below sea level. The former 5 % estimate from a direct measurement interpolation exceeds an aggregate maximum range of 6–23 % as inferred from the error estimates here.
Blinded by the White: A Comparative Analysis of Jury Challenges on Racial Grounds
Authors: Anthony Thalia , Longman Craig
Published: September 2017

Indigenous peoples in Australia, the United States and Canada are significantly overrepresented as defendants in criminal trials and yet vastly underrepresented on juries in criminal trials. This means that all-white juries mostly determine the guilt of Indigenous defendants or white defendants responsible for harming Indigenous victims. In this article, we explore cases in which Indigenous defendants have perceived that an all-white jury’s prejudice against Indigenous people would prevent them receiving a fair trial. It focuses on Indigenous defendants (often facing charges in relation to protesting against white racism) challenging the array of all-white juries. Across these cases, Australian courts rely on formal notions of fairness in jury selection to dismiss the Indigenous defendant’s perception of bias and foreclose an inquiry into the potential prejudices of white jurors. We compare the Australian judicial ‘colour-blindness’ towards all-white juries with that of the United States and Canada. We argue that the tendency for courts in the United States and Canada to question jurors on their biases provides useful lessons for Australian judiciaries, including in relation to the impending trials of Indigenous defendants in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, accused of committing crimes in response to white racist violence. Nonetheless, across all jurisdictions where there is a challenge to the array based on racial composition, courts consistently uphold all-white juries. We suggest that the judicial view of the racial neutrality of white jury selection misapprehends the substantive biases in jury selection and the injustice perceived by defendants in having a white jury adjudicate an alleged crime that is committed in circumstances involving protest against white prejudice.
Criminalising Institutional Failures to Prevent, Identify or React to Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Crofts Penny
Published: September 2017

Although there is increasing academic recognition of corporations as criminogenic, the criminal legal system has demonstrated difficulties in conceptualising corporate culpability. The current Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse provides ample evidence of why organisations can and should be criminalised for systemic failures. I demonstrate that the emphasis upon individualistic subjective culpability by the criminal legal system does not adequately encapsulate the institutional failings detailed before the Royal Commission. Whilst mandatory reporting offences are important, these offences do not adequately respond to the kinds of organisational failings identified by the Royal Commission. I argue in favour of developing a new institutional offence constructed upon realist concepts of negligence and/or corporate culture that recognises that organisations are capable of wrongdoing and sufficiently blameworthy to justify the imposition of criminal sanctions. I conclude by arguing that the expressive role of criminal law justifies and requires the criminalisation of this kind of organisational wrongdoing.
University Students’ Perceptions of the Use of Digital Technologies in their Formal Learning: A Developing Country Perspective
Authors: Gasaymeh Al-Mothana M. , Al-Tawel1 Adnan M. , Al-Moghrabi Khaldun G. , Al-Ghonmein Ali M.
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to examine university students’ perceptions of the use digital technologies in their formal learning, and (2) to examine differences in the their perceptions of the use of digital technologies in their formal learning, based on their gender, age, major, academic year, perceptions of digital competence, and perceptions of digital dependence. A descriptive survey research method was used; a questionnaire was used to collect data. The participants were students enrolled in different classes in the second semester in the academic year of 2016/2017 at a university in Jordan. The results showed that the participants had positive perceptions of the use digital technologies in their formal learning in affective, cognitive, and conative domains. Students’ perceptions of the use digital technologies in their formal learning did not differ significantly according to gender, age, major, or perceived digital dependency. However, students’ perceptions of the use digital technologies in their formal learning were influenced by their academic year and perceived digital competency. Recommendations based on the findings were presented.
Clinical Impact of Regional Citrate Anticoagulation in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Huguet Maria , Rodas Lida , Blasco Miquel , Quintana Luis F. , Mercadal Jordi , Ortiz-Pérez Jose T. , Rovira Irene , Poch Esteban
Published: September 2017

Background

Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is being used increasingly in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) as a safer alternative to heparin. However, complex metabolic control to avoid side effects have generated discrepancies about its introduction into everyday practice. We aimed to compare both anticoagulation techniques in terms of efficacy, safety and feasibility.

Methods

Observational retrospective study performed in 3 specialized ICUs in patients receiving CVVHDF with RCA between January 2013 and May 2016. Heparin-treated patients matched by age, sex and disease severity treated in the preceding year were selected as historic controls. Filter lifetime, number of filters used, haemorrhagic complications and metabolic complications were recorded.

Results

54 patients (27 treated with RCA and 27 with heparin) were included in the study. Filter lifetimes in the first 72 hours were 55.1 ± 21.8 hours in the RCA group compared to 38.8 ± 24.8 hours in the heparin group, (p = 0.004). In addition, the number of filters used in the first 72 hours was significantly higher in the heparin group (2.4 ± 1.3 vs. 1.5 ± 0.7; p = 0.004). There was a trend toward a lower incidence of bleeding in the RCA group, with a significantly lower red blood cell transfusion rate (p = 0.027) in the citrate group. No clinically significant metabolic disturbances were observed in the RCA group. Regarding outcomes, there were no significant differences between groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the implementation of CVVHDF with RCA using concentrated citrate solutions prolongs filter lifetime, achieves a longer effective hemodiafiltration time and is a safe and feasible method.
Enhanced Liver Fibrosis Test as a Reliable Tool for Assessing Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Clinical Setting
Authors: Miele Luca , De Michele Teresa , Marrone Giuseppe , Isgrò Maria Antonietta , Basile Umberto , Cefalo Consuelo , Biolato Marco , Vecchio Fabio Maria , Rapaccini Gian Lodovico , Gasbarrini Antonio , Zuppi Cecilia , Grieco Antonio
Published: September 2017

Background

Liver fibrosis is the main determinant and predictor of the clinical course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To date, a liver biopsy is still considered the gold standard for staging fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the commercial enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test manufacturer's cutoff value (≥9.8) in identifying severe fibrosis for adult patients with histologically confirmed NAFLD.

Methods

We tested the ELF test in a clinical practice, prospective cohort of 82 consecutive patients who consecutively underwent percutaneous liver biopsy.

Results

All stages of liver fibrosis were represented in our cohort, and severe fibrosis was present in 15 of 82 patients (18.3%). The stage of fibrosis was significantly associated with ELF score (Spearman's rho = 0.483, p<0.001). The commercial ELF test manufacturer's cutoff identified severe fibrosis with good sensitivity (86.7%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.69-1.04) and high specificity (92.5%; 95% CI, 0.86-0.99), with a positive predictive value of 72% and negative predictive value of 97%.

Conclusions

Our data could support the use of the ELF test in clinical practice.
Load-Bearing Capacity and Fracture Behavior of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Composite Cranioplasty Implants
Authors: Piitulainen Jaakko M. , Mattila Riina , Moritz Niko , Vallittu Pekka K.
Published: September 2017

Background

Glass fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) have been adapted for routine clinical use in various dental restorations and are presently also used in cranial implants. The aim of this study was to measure the load-bearing capacity and failure type of glass FRC implants during static loading with and without interconnective bars and with different fixation modes.

Methods

Load-bearing capacities of 2 types of FRC implants with 4 different fixation modes were experimentally tested. The sandwich-like FRC implants were made of 2 sheets of woven FRC fabric, which consisted of silanized, woven E-glass fiber fabrics impregnated in BisGMA-TEGDMA monomer resin matrix. The space between the outer and inner surfaces was filled with glass particles. All FRC implants were tested up to a 10-mm deflection with load-bearing capacity determined at 6-mm deflection. The experimental groups were compared using non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis analysis with Steel-Dwass post hoc test.

Results

FRC implants underwent elastic and plastic deformation until 6-mm deflection. The loading test did not demonstrate any protrusions of glass fibers or cut fiber even at 10-mm deflection. An elastic and plastic deformation of the implant occurred until the FRC sheets were separated from each other. In the cases of the freestanding setup (no fixation) and the fixation with 6 screws, the FRC implants with 2 interconnective bars showed a significantly higher load-bearing capacity compared with the implant without interconnective bars.

Conclusions

FRC implants used in this study showed a load-bearing capacity which may provide protection for the brain after cranial bone defect reconstruction.
Surgery versus Expectant Management in Patients with Endometrioma who Seek Pregnancy
Authors: Muzii Ludovico , Di Tucci Chiara , Di Feliciantonio Mara , D'Amelio Renzo , Rech Francesco , Panici Pierluigi Benedetti
Published: September 2017

Ovarian endometriomas are a common finding in both infertile and non-infertile women. For non-infertile women planning to seek pregnancy in the presence of an ovarian endometrioma, expectant management is a reasonable option, since reassuring data on spontaneous pregnancy rates for non-infertile patient cohorts have been reported. In case of infertile patients, on the other hand, spontaneous pregnancy rates without treatment are disappointing, and surgery, assisted reproductive technology (ART), or a combination of the two, may be suggested. Surgery should be the preferred approach in case of associated pain. Spontaneous pregnancy rates of over 50% have been reported after surgery in infertile patients. If pregnancy does not occur after 12 months, or earlier for older age groups, patients may be referred to ART. Clinical decisions in the scenario of infertility-associated endometriosis are difficult, since many issues have not been properly addressed in randomized clinical trials. The treatment decision should therefore be based on a sound clinical evaluation, tailored to each patient, after careful consideration of various parameters, such as age and ovarian reserve of the patient, previous treatments for the disease, the presence of associated pain, and associated infertility factors.
Longitudinal Dialysis Adequacy and Clinical Performance of the VectorFlow Hemodialysis Catheter: A Prospective Study
Authors: Ross John R. , Puga Tatiana A. , Philbeck Thomas E.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

To report clinical performance and longitudinal assessment of hemodialysis adequacy with the Arrow-Clark VectorFlow catheter, a symmetrical-tip device with a distal lumen configuration designed to reduce platelet shear stress and catheter thrombosis.

Methods and materials

We prospectively enrolled patients who required de novo placement of a chronic tunneled catheter for hemodialysis or exchange of a dysfunctional catheter as part of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocol. Catheter patency, Kt/V, mean blood-flow (Qb), and pump pressures were obtained at baseline and at monthly intervals to 90 days.

Results

Forty-six subjects were enrolled into the study. During the 90-day observation period, maximum blood-flow rate averaged 355-398 mL/minute; mean Qb averaged 333-392 mL/minute. Mean Kt/V values were consistently ≥1.5. Dwell-time was 15-114 days, for a total of 2997 catheter days (mean 71.4 days). Excluding patients who died during the study and those receiving surgical access, overall intervention-free catheter patency rate was 94.9%, 92.2% and 88.8% at days 30, 60, 90, respectively. There were no acute complications. During the follow-up period, three patients developed complications (6.5%). Two catheter infections occurred (0.7/1000 catheter days) and one catheter malfunctioned; a rate of 1.0/ 1000 catheter days for all complications.

Conclusions

The VectorFlow catheter produced safe, effective hemodialysis with Kt/V ≥1.5. A single catheter occlusion occurred and a low rate of infection was seen. Results support the hypothesis that the VectorFlow design reduces thrombogenic risk during clinical performance.
Cystitis and Pelvic Pain Management: Guidelines versus Real-World Practice
Authors: Goddard Jonathan C.
Published: September 2017

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of bladder pain syndrome/chronic pelvic pain aim to help guide clinicians in diagnosing and treating patients they see on a day-to-day basis in the clinic. However, the approaches suggested by current clinical guidelines may not always align with the practicalities of routine clinical practice, where patient expectations must also be taken into consideration.
Clasificación de Suelos de la Zona Noreste y Noroeste de San Pedro Sula
Authors: Morales Fuentes Melvin Joel , Gale Torre Leda Mercedes , Fernández Hernández Raúl Edgardo
Published: September 2017

La investigación tiene como principal objetivo clasificar el suelo del sector Noreste y Noroeste de la ciudad de San Pedro Sula por medio del Método SUCS (Sistema Unificado de Clasificación de Suelos). Se logró dividiendo dichos sectores en nueve cuadrantes, para formar un área total de 9 km2 y así tomar muestras, a cada 0.50m, de suelo hasta llegar a 2 m de profundidad. Se realizaron 92 pruebas de granulometría (ASTM C -136), gravedad específica (ASTM D-558) e hidrometrías (ASTM D-422) para determinar el tipo de suelo que existe por estratos y validar los datos utilizando métodos estadísticos. La hipótesis de investigación planteada es que, en la zona de estudio, según la clasificación SUCS, al menos el 45% del suelo es de tipo SM (arena limosa). En función de ésta se concluyó que las clasificaciones de los suelos presentes en la zona de investigación son: arena mal graduada con limos (SP-SM), arena bien graduada con limos (SW-SM), arena limosa (SM), arena mal graduada (SP), arena bien graduada (SW), grava mal graduada (GP), grava bien graduada (GW), grava limosa (GM). Siendo el tipo arena limosa (SM) el más predominante, obteniendo un 32.61% del total de las muestras.
Reavaliação e Depreciação de Ativos no Setor Público – O Exemplo da Prefeitura de Caçador – SC, em 2014
Authors: De Almeida Flavia Gregorio Lindgren , De Carvalho Raquel Suely , Dos Santos Waldir Jorge Ladeira , De Bezerra Sergio Luis Argolo
Published: September 2017

Esta pesquisa analisou as Normas Brasileiras de Contabilidade Aplicadas ao Setor Público (NBC TSP) referentes a Reavaliação e Depreciação de Ativos e as comparou com os procedimentos adotados pela Prefeitura de Caçador/SC, no ano de 2014. Verificou-se que após a contratação de uma empresa de consultoria para realizar o inventário dos seus bens, o Ativo Imobilizado da Prefeitura apresentou um aumento de R$ 64 milhões em 2014 para R$ 219 milhões em abril de 2015. As diretrizes adotadas pelo Município de Caçador representaram um grande avanço. Contudo, não foram adotadas todas as ações estabelecidas nas NBC TSP para a completa evidenciação do Patrimônio da Prefeitura as quais atenderiam aos usuários da informação contábil.
Editorial
Authors: Costa Flaviano
Published: September 2017

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Expediente
Authors: Editorial Equipe
Published: September 2017

Expediente
Some Influential Elements in Improving Effectiveness of External Audit in Jordanian Audit Offices Field Study from the Point of View of External Auditors
Authors: AlTheebeh Ziad AbdulHalim , Qobu Hamza Yosuf Abu
Published: September 2017

This study aims to identify the impact of the elements represented in the criteria of selecting the auditor, auditor's independence, auditor's fees and professional specialization of auditor in improving effectiveness of external audit in Jordanian audit offices from the point of view of external auditors, the researchers adopted the analytical descriptive approach in this study.The most important findings of this study are that there is an existence of a positive impact of the independent study variables (combined and separated) in enhancing the effectiveness of external audit in Jordanian audit offices. This study presented many recommendations, the most important of these are: the auditors should exercise their profession in accordance with professional specialization and the need to provide the necessary legal protection for the external auditor to maintain his independence.
Packing Properties of Fibres in the Open-Packed Yarn Mode
Authors: Petrulis Donatas , Petrulyte Salvinija
Published: September 2017

Theoretical observations of the packing properties of non-compressible round fibres for two idealized modifications of the open-packed yarn model are discussed. The modifications differ in the method of arrangement of fibres within the cross-sectional ring layer. Modification I has a number of fibres regularly increasing in further layers, and Modification II has the fibres maximum packed in the layers. A procedure for obtaining the number of fibres in the layers of Modification II was proposed. The investigation showed that with the beginning of the 5th layer, the above-mentioned modifications have different packing properties. Because of additional fibres in the layers of Modification II, packing fractions in the layers and yarn obtained were greater if compared with those for Modification I. Analysis of packing properties was made up to 12 layers of the yarn model and also was done for a case of an infinitely large numbers of layers or fibres in a yarn.
Non-contact Method for Measurement of Colour Variation in a Cotton Sample
Authors: Vik Michal , Khan Nayab , Yildirim Bekir , Viková Martina
Published: September 2017

Colour is the visual perceptual property in the cotton grade classification of Universal Cotton Standards. We undertook an experimental study on the variation in cotton colour using the Non-contact method. Rd (degree of reflectance) and +b (yellowness) are globally recognized colour parameters of cotton, which are measured by HVI (High Volume Instrument). The Non-contact method is used for the evaluation of colour variation within cotton samples. The results obtained from the Non-contact method were compared with those of other conventional methods used globally for the color measurement of cotton fibers. Additionally image analysis is interpreted with the variation in cotton colour. Results confirmed a strong co-relation between the Non-contact method and image analysis for the colour variation of cotton.
Effect of a Superabsorbent for the Improvement of Car Seat Thermal Comfort
Authors: Mazari Funda , Mazari Adnan , Havelka Antonin , Wiener Jakub
Published: September 2017

The use of super absorbent polymers (SAP) for moisture absorption and comfort is still unexplored. The aim of this work was to observe the application of super absorbent fibres in car seats for comfort purposes. In this research the efficiency of different SAP fibrous webs were determined under different moisture percentages to examine the sorption and desorption efficiency. A SAP fibrous web with low thickness and high moisture absorption were tested with a multilayer sandwich structure of a car seat cover to determine moisture absorption through the cover material. The standard Cup method was used to determine the moisture permeability of different car seat covers with a superabsorbent layer closed with impermeable polyurethane foam. It was observed that the SAP fibrous layers are very effective in absorbing and desorbing water vapour under extremely high and low moisture percentages. In extreme humid conditions (95%RH), 20g of the SAP layer absorbs nearly 70% of its weight in water vapour, reaching the maximum absorption capacity in 6 hours.
Validated HPLC–DAD Method for the Simultaneous Determination of Six Selected Drugs Used in the Treatment of Glaucoma
Authors: Baker Mostafa M , Belal Tarek S
Published: September 2017

This work presents a simple, sensitive, and generic HPLC–diode-array detection method for the simultaneous determination of six drugs prescribed for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The investigated drugs include brimonidine tartarate (BMN), acetazolamide (AZA), brinzomaide (BZA), dorzolamide HCl (DZA), levobunolol HCl (LVB), and timolol maleate (TIM). Efficient chromatographic separation was achieved using a Thermo Hypersil BDS C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer pH 5 and acetonitrile in a ratio of 78 + 22. The flow rate was 1 mL/min, and quantification was based on measuring peak areas at 298 nm for TIM and 254 nm for the other drugs. Peaks were perfectly resolved, with retention times at 3.06, 3.87, 4.53, 5.78, 7.31, and 10.78 min for BMN, AZA, DZA, TIM, LVB, and BZA respectively. The developed method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines with respect to system suitability, linearity, ranges, accuracy, precision, robustness, and LODs and LOQs. The proposed method showed good linearity in the ranges of 2–80, 2.5–100, 2.5–100, 5–200, 3.75–150, and 1.75–70 µg/mL for BMN, AZA, DZA, TIM, LVB, and BZA, respectively. LODs were 0.20–1.01 μg/mL for the analyzed compounds. Applicability of the proposed method to real-life situations was assessed through the analysis of five different pharmaceutical formulations, and satisfactory results were obtained.
From laboratory to bedside: a case report of a concise and pragmatic approach on heart failure
Authors: Pizzini Andrea , Badinella Martini Marco
Published: September 2017

Heart failure is one of the most common and intensely studied diseases in the world. Nevertheless, it is considered a difficult condition to diagnose and manage.This case report, starting from the description of a brief clinical case, aims to directly and concisely explain the most important steps, from laboratory to bedside, in the diagnosis and management of heart failure disease. Physicians can rely on some laboratory tests (e.g., natriuretic peptides) and instrumental exams to diagnose and manage the patients in everyday medical practice. Finally, this article highlights that a multidisciplinary team management can improve the clinical status and the quality of life, thus preventing hospital admission and reducing mortality in patients with heart failure.
Wittgenstein: Universalismo, Lógica, Gramática e Linguagem
Authors: Tomasini Bassols Alejandro
Published: September 2017

En este ensayo me propongo mostrar que el grave problema que se le plantea a Wittgenstein hacia el final del Tractatus, a saber, que sus proposiciones son simultáneamente elucidatorias y sinsentidos, en el fondo brota de una cierta incomprensión por parte del autor y en el que el Wittgenstein de la madurez ciertamente no incurre. Me refiero a que en el Tractatus Wittgenstein considera a la lógica como lo más universal (es la lógica del mundo y la lógica del lenguaje), cuando lo que emerge de sus disquisiciones es más bien que lo más universal no es la lógica sino el lenguaje. Esto nos da la clave para entender la paradoja del Tractatus. Por otra parte, discuto la distinción, trazada originalmente por J. van Heijenoort, entre la lógica como cálculo y la lógica como lenguaje, tratando de hacer ver que en realidad es una distinción espuria. Examino, asimismo, el peculiar universalismo de Bertrand Russell, el cual concierne a la lógica mas no al lenguaje, y muestro cómo éste parece no haber percibido el problema del que Frege y Wittgenstein sí intentaron dar cuenta, esto es, la imposibilidad de enunciar por medio del lenguaje los propios rasgos lógicos de este último. Finalmente, examino la posición del Wittgenstein maduro que es universalista respecto al lenguaje, pero también relativista. Argumento que lo que Wittgenstein abandona de su primera posición es ante todo su absolutismo, dado que él se fue inclinando cada vez más hacia la idea de que la lógica no es otra cosa que “un montón de cálculos”. La tesis principal de mi trabajo es hacer que la paradoja del Tractatus no se reproduce en el contexto de la filosofía del segundo Wittgenstein.
Teología política y representación en el pensamiento de Carl Schmitt
Authors: Herrero Montserrat
Published: September 2017

Cuando se habla de la teología política de Carl Schmitt, generalmente se hace referencia a la legitimación de la idea de soberanía como el vértice sobre el que gira toda la teoría del poder del jurista alemán. Esta identificación implica una concepción restringida de su idea de teología política, en la que más que un método viene a ser una teología política afirmativa, propositiva o prospectiva. Frente ese reduccionismo el artículo sugiere que además de diseñar un método de investigación como es la teología política, Schmitt desarrolló al menos cuatro teologías políticas, fundadas en cuatro tipos de analogía entre lo jurídico-político y lo teológico. Una de ellas es a la que podemos denominar “teología política de la representación política.” La doctrina de la representación de Schmitt se funda en una analogía teológico política específica no reducible a la teología política del soberano, a saber, aquella entre la figura teológica del mediador, Cristo — y su representación terrena, la iglesia —, y la representación política. El artículo analiza las implicaciones de este tipo de teología política para una teoría de la representación política.
Do corpus mysticum da Igreja à persona mystica do Estado: Carl Schmitt e Ernst Kantorowicz
Authors: Bento António
Published: September 2017

Este artigo compara o tratamento que Carl Schmitt e Ernst Kantorowicz fazem daquela ficção jurídica a que a teologia política medieval cristã chamou o «corpo místico de Cristo». Mediante esta comparação, o artigo discute e analisa os conceitos teológicos de «corporificação» e «mediação» e os conceitos jurídicos de «personificação» e «representação». Apoiada nos contributos de ambos os autores, a elucidação histórica e política destes conceitos permitirá, por sua vez, o esclarecimento contextualizado da noção de «Igreja visível» e o aprofundamento teórico do debate moderno em torno do problema da secularização.
Representação e Transcendência em Catolicismo Romano e Forma Política
Authors: Benjamin Cássio Corrêa
Published: September 2017

Schmitt tem o tema da representação como um dos eixos de suas reflexões. Este tema é desenvolvido principalmente em sua Teoria da Constituição, na qual, a partir da representação, Schmitt elabora sua noção de democracia. Por isso, toda a atenção dada a esse escrito pelos comentadores em geral. Entretanto, em um texto anterior, Catolicismo Romano e Forma Política, o tópico da representação é desenvolvido com detalhes. Nossa hipótese é que neste livro se encontra o que poderíamos considerar a estrutura da representação que Schmitt irá utilizar em suas reflexões posteriores. O objetivo do nosso artigo é explicitar qual seria esta estrutura, a saber, representação, decisionismo e transcendência.
Kant, Kelsen, Carl Schmitt e a Teoria da Fundação Constitucional
Authors: Brum Torres João Carlos
Published: September 2017

O presente artigo compara a perspectiva de Hans Kelsen e de Carl Schmitt, enquanto representantes de uma perspectiva normativista e decisionista da constituição, na sua abordagem da questão da fundação constitucional. Ao contrário de uma abordagem habitual, o presente artigo argumenta que é possível encontrar em Kant uma proximidade insuspeita com o decisionismo de Schmitt.
Deslocamentos da soberania: percursos de um conceitolimite em Carl Schmitt e Giorgio Agamben
Authors: Soares de Moura Costa Matos Andityas , Martoni de Freitas Lorena
Published: September 2017

Jurista e teórico-político, Carl Schmitt foi um dos grandes nomes que se propôs a pensar o problema da soberania a partir do estado de exceção. No turbulento contexto de instabilidade político-econômica que marcou a Europa no período pós Primeira Guerra Mundial, cujos Estados-nação se encontravam até então ancorados na doutrina liberal e seu modelo de governo parlamentar, Schmitt revisita a tradição de estudos acerca da soberania, afirmando a impossibilidade de se neutralizar o político, bem como a subjetividade da autoridade, como almejava o liberalismo político com seu projeto de limitar o exercício de poder soberano por meio da lei. Nesse viés, por meio da paradigmática afirmação “soberano é aquele que decide sobre o estado de exceção”, Schmitt afirma a inescapabilidade do momento decisório acerca, em uma situação excepcional que identifica o inimigo público, momento esse de normalização que conforma tanto a identidade do soberano quanto a da unidade política, consubstanciando-se assim como verdadeiro processo de instituição do direito. Doravante, à medida que a identidade do soberano é definida a partir da decisão sobre a exceção, Schmitt apresenta sua possibilidade de deslocamento para outros campos não-estatais, de modo que mesmo a decisão orientada pelo saber técnico conforma-se como soberana, desde que tenha força suficiente para identificar o inimigo público. É a partir dessa reflexão que Giorgio Agamben, filósofo italiano do século XXI, dará continuidade aos estudos sobre a soberania, radicalizando a possibilidade de seu deslocamento para as relações microfísicas de poder que se perfazem na malha social, na medida em que vê na decisão sobre a exceção não apenas um momento de conformação identitária, mas de inclusão-exclusiva da vida no ordenamento jurídico.
Passos do diálogo católico-judaico: em documentos católicos desde a Nostra aetate (NA)
Authors: De Freitas Cardoso Maria Teresa
Published: September 2017

É importante que cristãos e judeus prossigam na aproximação e no entendimento recíproco, para que se evitem preconceitos, para que sejam fraternos, vivam segundo sua fé e avancem na contribuição que podem dar ao mundo. O presente artigo analisa os principais documentos católicos que mais diretamente dizem respeito ao diálogo católico-judaico desde a Nostra Aetate. O último texto referido no artigo, sobre dons e vocação irrevogáveis, é de dezembro de 2015. Nas dimensões que um artigo permite, é oferecida uma visão ampla e representativa da reflexão e das orientações católicas, que se deseja levar para aprofundamento na teologia.
Onset of human preterm and term birth is related to unique inflammatory transcriptome profiles at the maternal fetal interface
Authors: Bukowski Radek , Sadovsky Yoel , Goodarzi Hani , Zhang Heping , Biggio Joseph R. , Varner Michael , Parry Samuel , Xiao Feifei , Esplin Sean M. , Andrews William , Saade George R. , Ilekis John V. , Reddy Uma M. , Baldwin Donald A.
Published: September 2017

Background

Preterm birth is a main determinant of neonatal mortality and morbidity and a major contributor to the overall mortality and burden of disease. However, research of the preterm birth is hindered by the imprecise definition of the clinical phenotype and complexity of the molecular phenotype due to multiple pregnancy tissue types and molecular processes that may contribute to the preterm birth. Here we comprehensively evaluate the mRNA transcriptome that characterizes preterm and term labor in tissues comprising the pregnancy using precisely phenotyped samples. The four complementary phenotypes together provide comprehensive insight into preterm and term parturition.

Methods

Samples of maternal blood, chorion, amnion, placenta, decidua, fetal blood, and myometrium from the uterine fundus and lower segment (n = 183) were obtained during cesarean delivery from women with four complementary phenotypes: delivering preterm with (PL) and without labor (PNL), term with (TL) and without labor (TNL). Enrolled were 35 pregnant women with four precisely and prospectively defined phenotypes: PL (n = 8), PNL (n = 10), TL (n = 7) and TNL (n = 10). Gene expression data were analyzed using shrunken centroid analysis to identify a minimal set of genes that uniquely characterizes each of the four phenotypes. Expression profiles of 73 genes and non-coding RNA sequences uniquely identified each of the four phenotypes. The shrunken centroid analysis and 10 times 10-fold cross-validation was also used to minimize false positive finings and overfitting. Identified were the pathways and molecular processes associated with and the cis-regulatory elements in gene’s 5′ promoter or 3′-UTR regions of the set of genes which expression uniquely characterized the four phenotypes.

Results

The largest differences in gene expression among the four groups occurred at maternal fetal interface in decidua, chorion and amnion. The gene expression profiles showed suppression of chemokines expression in TNL, withdrawal of this suppression in TL, activation of multiple pathways of inflammation in PL, and an immune rejection profile in PNL. The genes constituting expression signatures showed over-representation of three putative regulatory elements in their 5′and 3′ UTR regions.

Conclusions

The results suggest that pregnancy is maintained by downregulation of chemokines at the maternal-fetal interface. Withdrawal of this downregulation results in the term birth and its overriding by the activation of multiple pathways of the immune system in the preterm birth. Complications of the pregnancy associated with impairment of placental function, which necessitated premature delivery of the fetus in the absence of labor, show gene expression patterns associated with immune rejection.
A modeling approach to evaluate the balance between bioactivation and detoxification of MeIQx in human hepatocytes
Authors: Delannée Victorien , Langouët Sophie , Théret Nathalie , Siegel Anne
Published: September 2017

Background

Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) are environmental and food contaminants that are potentially carcinogenic for humans. 2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) is one of the most abundant HAA formed in cooked meat. MeIQx is metabolized by cytochrome P450 1A2 in the human liver into detoxificated and bioactivated products. Once bioactivated, MeIQx metabolites can lead to DNA adduct formation responsible for further genome instability.

Methods

Using a computational approach, we developed a numerical model for MeIQx metabolism in the liver that predicts the MeIQx biotransformation into detoxification or bioactivation pathways according to the concentration of MeIQx.

Results

Our results demonstrate that (1) the detoxification pathway predominates, (2) the ratio between detoxification and bioactivation pathways is not linear and shows a maximum at 10 µM of MeIQx in hepatocyte cell models, and (3) CYP1A2 is a key enzyme in the system that regulates the balance between bioactivation and detoxification. Our analysis suggests that such a ratio could be considered as an indicator of MeIQx genotoxicity at a low concentration of MeIQx.

Conclusions

Our model permits the investigation of the balance between bioactivation (i.e., DNA adduct formation pathway through the prediction of potential genotoxic compounds) and detoxification of MeIQx in order to predict the behaviour of this environmental contaminant in the human liver. It highlights the importance of complex regulations of enzyme competitions that should be taken into account in any further multi-organ models.
Measuring coral calcification under ocean acidification: methodological considerations for the45Ca-uptake and total alkalinity anomaly technique
Authors: Cohen Stephanie , Krueger Thomas , Fine Maoz
Published: September 2017

As the oceans become less alkaline due to rising CO2levels, deleterious consequences are expected for calcifying corals. Predicting how coral calcification will be affected by on-going ocean acidification (OA) requires an accurate assessment of CaCO3deposition and an understanding of the relative importance that decreasing calcification and/or increasing dissolution play for the overall calcification budget of individual corals. Here, we assessed the compatibility of the45Ca-uptake and total alkalinity (TA) anomaly techniques as measures of gross and net calcification (GC, NC), respectively, to determine coral calcification at pHT8.1 and 7.5. Considering the differing buffering capacity of seawater at both pH values, we were also interested in how strongly coral calcification alters the seawater carbonate chemistry under prolonged incubation in sealed chambers, potentially interfering with physiological functioning. Our data indicate that NC estimates by TA are erroneously ∼5% and ∼21% higher than GC estimates from45Ca for ambient and reduced pH, respectively. Considering also previous data, we show that the consistent discrepancy between both techniques across studies is not constant, but largely depends on the absolute value of CaCO3deposition. Deriving rates of coral dissolution from the difference between NC and GC was not possible and we advocate a more direct approach for the future by simultaneously measuring skeletal calcium influx and efflux. Substantial changes in carbonate system parameters for incubation times beyond two hours in our experiment demonstrate the necessity to test and optimize experimental incubation setups when measuring coral calcification in closed systems, especially under OA conditions.