bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circular hollow section connectors in timber-concrete composite structural elements
Authors: Lacis Raitis
Published: April 2016

This paper presents results of the laboratory tests of timber-concrete structural connectors applicable (but not limited to) road/pedestrian bridges. The tested elements are discrete circular hollow section connectors installed in the pre-drilled slots of a glulam. Symmetrical push-out tests are conducted for two groups of connectors: 1) with wood core not removed; no interlayer between wood and concrete; 2) concrete in-fill core instead of the wood core; waterproofing membrane interlayer between concrete and timber elements. Main structural parameters of the connectors are established including ultimate shear capacity and slip modulus. Relationship between the connector’s stiffness and ultimate shear capacity is established and failure mechanisms are briefly discussed.
Perspectives on using basalt fiber filaments in the construction and rehabilitation of highway pavements and airport runways
Authors: Krayushkina Kateryna , Prentkovskis Olegas , Bieliatynskyi Andrii , Gigineishvili Johny , Skrypchenko Aleksandra , Laurinavičius Alfredas , Gopalakrishnan Kasthurirangan , Tretjakovas Jurijus
Published: April 2016

With the ageing transportation infrastructure, many transportation agencies across the world are focussing on rehabilitating and improving existing pavements. This means more roadwork on pavements open to vehicular traffic. Considering the rapid increase in both traffic volume and intensity in recent years, the work conditions on pavements have become difficult. Thus, there is an important need to design and construct long-lasting pavements that possess high durability, appropriate roughness or smoothness, and that which helps achieve greater time interval between repairs. The use of basalt fibers has shown to improve the durability and mechanical properties of concrete and asphalt mixtures through dispersed reinforcement. This paper presents new data and insights on the use of basalt fibers in concrete and asphalt mixtures acquired from theoretical and experimental research studies that can be useful in the design, construction and rehabilitation of highway pavements and airdrome runways.
UTILIZING SYNTHETIC UV SPECTRA TO EXPLORE THE PHYSICAL BASIS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION OF LAMBDA BOÖTIS STARS
Authors: Cheng Kwang-Ping , Neff James E. , Johnson Dustin M. , Tarbell Erik S. , Romo Christopher A. , Prabhaker Arvind , Steele Patricia A. , Gray Richard O. , Corbally Christopher J.
Published: April 2016

Lambda Boo-type stars are a group of late B to early F-type Population I dwarfs that show mild to extreme deficiencies of iron-peak elements (up to 2 dex), but their C, N, O, and S abundances are near solar. This intriguing stellar class has recently regained the spotlight because of the directly imaged planets around a confirmed Lambda Boo star, HR 8799, and a suggested Lambda Boo star, Beta Pictoris. The discovery of a giant asteroid belt around Vega, another possible Lambda Boo star, also suggests hidden planets. The possible link between Lambda Boo stars and planet-bearing stars motivates us to study Lambda Boo stars systematically. Since the peculiar nature of the prototype Lambda Boötis was first noticed in 1943, Lambda Boo candidates published in the literature have been selected using widely different criteria. In order to determine the origin of Lambda Boo stars’ unique abundance pattern and to better discriminate between theories explaining the Lambda Boo phenomenon, a consistent working definition of Lambda Boo stars is needed. We have re-evaluated all published Lambda Boo candidates and their available ultraviolet and visible spectra. In this paper, using observed and synthetic spectra, we explore the physical basis for the classification of Lambda Boo stars, and develop quantitative criteria that discriminate metal-poor stars from bona fide Lambda Boo stars. Based on these stricter Lambda Boo classification criteria, we conclude that neither Beta Pictoris nor Vega should be classified as Lambda Boo stars.
RESOLVED COMPANIONS OF CEPHEIDS: TESTING THE CANDIDATES WITH X-RAY OBSERVATIONS*
Authors: Evans Nancy Remage , Pillitteri Ignazio , Wolk Scott , Karovska Margarita , Tingle Evan , Guinan Edward , Engle Scott , Bond Howard E. , Schaefer Gail H. , Mason Brian D.
Published: April 2016

We have made XMM-Newton observations of 14 Galactic Cepheids that have candidate resolved (≥5″) companion stars based on our earlier HST Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) imaging survey. Main-sequence stars that are young enough to be physical companions of Cepheids are expected to be strong X-ray producers in contrast to field stars. XMM-Newton exposures were set to detect essentially all companions hotter than spectral type M0 (corresponding to 0.5 M
⊙). The large majority of our candidate companions were not detected in X-rays, and hence are not confirmed as young companions. One resolved candidate (S Nor #4) was unambiguously detected, but the Cepheid is a member of a populous cluster. For this reason, it is likely that S Nor #4 is a cluster member rather than a gravitationally bound companion. Two further Cepheids (S Mus and R Cru) have X-ray emission that might be produced by either the Cepheid or the candidate resolved companion. A subsequent Chandra observation of S Mus shows that the X-rays are at the location of the Cepheid/spectroscopic binary. R Cru and also V659 Cen (also X-ray bright) have possible companions closer than 5″ (the limit for this study) which are the likely sources of X-rays. One final X-ray detection (V473 Lyr) has no known optical companion, so the prime suspect is the Cepheid itself. It is a unique Cepheid with a variable amplitude. The 14 stars that we observed with XMM constitute 36% of the 39 Cepheids found to have candidate companions in our HST/WFC3 optical survey. No young probable binary companions were found with separations of ≥5″ or 4000 au.
THE NANOGRAV NINE-YEAR DATA SET: LIMITS ON THE ISOTROPIC STOCHASTIC GRAVITATIONAL WAVE BACKGROUND
Authors: Arzoumanian Z. , Brazier A. , Burke-Spolaor S. , Chamberlin S. J. , Chatterjee S. , Christy B. , Cordes J. M. , Cornish N. J. , Crowter K. , Demorest P. B. , Deng X. , Dolch T. , Ellis J. A. , Ferdman R. D. , Fonseca E. , Garver-Daniels N. , Gonzalez M. E. , Jenet F. , Jones G. , Jones M. L. , Kaspi V. M. , Koop M. , Lam M. T. , Lazio T. J. W. , Levin L. , Lommen A. N. , Lorimer D. R. , Luo J. , Lynch R. S. , Madison D. R. , McLaughlin M. A. , McWilliams S. T. , Mingarelli C. M. F. , Nice D. J. , Palliyaguru N. , Pennucci T. T. , Ransom S. M. , Sampson L. , Sanidas S. A. , Sesana A. , Siemens X. , Simon J. , Stairs I. H. , Stinebring D. R. , Stovall K. , Swiggum J. , Taylor S. R. , Vallisneri M. , Haasteren R. van , Wang Y. , Zhu W. W. ,   (The NANOGrav Collaboration)
Published: April 2016

We compute upper limits on the nanohertz-frequency isotropic stochastic gravitational wave background (GWB) using the 9 year data set from the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) collaboration. Well-tested Bayesian techniques are used to set upper limits on the dimensionless strain amplitude (at a frequency of 1 yr−1) for a GWB from supermassive black hole binaries of

A

gw

<
1.5
×

10

−
15

. We also parameterize the GWB spectrum with a broken power-law model by placing priors on the strain amplitude derived from simulations of Sesana and McWilliams et al. Using Bayesian model selection we find that the data favor a broken power law to a pure power law with odds ratios of 2.2 and 22 to one for the Sesana and McWilliams prior models, respectively. Using the broken power-law analysis we construct posterior distributions on environmental factors that drive the binary to the GW-driven regime including the stellar mass density for stellar-scattering, mass accretion rate for circumbinary disk interaction, and orbital eccentricity for eccentric binaries, marking the first time that the shape of the GWB spectrum has been used to make astrophysical inferences. Returning to a power-law model, we place stringent limits on the energy density of relic GWs,

Ω

gw

(
f
)

h

2

<
4.2

×

10

−
10

. Our limit on the cosmic string GWB,

Ω

gw

(
f
)

h

2

<
2.2

×

10

−
10

, translates to a conservative limit on the cosmic string tension with

G
μ
<
3.3
×

10

−
8

, a factor of four better than the joint Planck and high-l cosmic microwave background data from other experiments.
Fe–K LINE TIME VARIABILITY AND Ni ABUNDANCE OF DISTANT REFLECTORS IN SEYFERT GALAXIES
Authors: Fukazawa Yasushi , Furui Shun’ya , Hayashi Kazuma , Ohno Masanori , Hiragi Kazuyoshi , Noda Hirofumi
Published: April 2016

We have performed systematic studies of narrow Fe–K line (6.4 keV) flux variability and Ni–K line intensity for Seyfert galaxies, using Suzaku and XMM-Newton archival data. Significant Fe–K line variability of several tens of percent was detected for a pair of observations separated by 1000–2000 days (Cen A, IC 4329 A, NGC 3516, and NGC 4151) and 158 days (NGC 3516). These timescales are larger by a factor of 10–100 than the inner radius of the torus, consistent with the view that X-ray reflection by a torus is a main origin for a narrow Fe–K line. The Ni–K line was detected with a >2σ level for the Circinus galaxy, Cen A, MRK 3, NGC 4388, and NGC 4151. A mean and variance of the Ni–Kα to Fe–Kα line intensity ratios are 0.066 and 0.026, respectively. Comparing this with the Monte-Carlo simulation of reflection, the Ni to Fe abundance ratio is 1.9 ± 0.8 solar. We discuss the results and the possibility of Ni abundance enhancement.
A new species of inseminating seasonal killifish of the Cynopoecilus melanotaenia complex from southern Brazil (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae)
Authors: Costa Wison José Eduardo Moreira da , Fasura de Amorim Pedro , Mattos José Leonardo
Published: April 2016

The Cynopoecilus melanotaenia complex is a morphologically homogeneous killifish group, endemic from an area encompassing southern Brazil and northeastern Uruguay. It presently comprises four valid species: C. melanotaenia, the type species of the genus, and C. fulgens, C. intimus, and C. nigrovittatus.

Cynopoecilus feltrini, n. sp., from the lower Tubarão river basin, southern Brazil, is distinguished from all congeners of the C. melanotaenia complex by having frontal E-scales medially overlapped, branchiostegal region orangish red in males and dorsum with few dark brown spots above opercular region. A phylogenetic tree derived from the analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (681 bp) indicates that C. feltrini is a member of the clade that includes all species of the C. melanotaenia complex except C. melanotaenia, as well as that C. feltrini is the sister group of a clade comprising C. fulgens and C. nigrovittatus.
Nuevos datos sobre distribución y hábitat de Glaphyrus reymondi Kocher, 1958 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Glaphyridae) en el sudeste de Marruecos
Authors: Ruiz J. L. , François A. , García-París M.
Published: April 2016

Se ha localizado una población del endemismo marroquí Glaphyrus reymondi 3 km al noroeste de Aïn Ech Chair (provincia de Figuig, región Oriental, sudeste de Marruecos), en las cercanías de la frontera con Argelia. Esta población se encuentra a unos 150 km al este de la localidad más cercana donde se había registrado (cabecera del Guir: Gourrama), bien separada de la distribución conocida de la especie. Los individuos de G. reymondi se observaron incrustados en los capítulos de Carthamus duvauxii (Asteraceae) en una estepa pedregosa (reg) calcárea, en el Atlas Sahariano occidental, en una zona de bioclima árido inferior. Se aportan datos sobre el hábitat y variabilidad morfológica de la especie.
Technology Studies and the Sociological Debate on Monitoring of Social Interactions
Authors: Odella Francesca
Published: April 2016

The article reviews methodological perspectives adopted in the analysis of social implications of scientific and technical developments and in particular the current sociological debate involving monitoring technologies and social research. A particular attention is devoted to social network analysis, an emergent area of sociological research that focuses on the relational implications of technologies in organizations, small groups and other contexts of social participation. Using case studies and examples of technologies implementation, the article describes the advancements in this field of enquiry and highlights the main elements of the structure of interactions in virtual and technology mediated communications. It also pays attention to the implications of human interaction monitoring technologies such as video surveillance and GPS tracking, and the public role that sociological research can have in advancing ethical and organizational issues related with their adoption.
Information Communication Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired People
Authors: Ang Li-Minn , Seng Kah Phooi , Heng Tee Zhi
Published: April 2016

The information explosion era provides the foundation for a technological solution to enable the visually impaired to more independent living in the community. This paper first provides a review of assistive technologies for visually impaired people. Current technology allows applications to be efficiently distributed and operated on mobile and handheld devices. Thus, this paper also summarizes recent developments of assistive technologies in mobile interaction. It then presents the Wireless Intelligent Assistive Navigation Management System Using SmartGuide Devices for visually impaired people. The “SmartGuide” of the system is built as a standalone portable handheld device. The system is to assist blind and low vision people to walk around independently especially in dynamic changing environments. It also includes a camera sensor network to enhance monitoring capabilities for an extra level of security and reliability. Finally, the paper presents an improved system with some new designs involving mobile interaction.
The Impact of Social Influence, Information Quality and Online Forum Features on the Credibility of Doctors and Hospitals for Medical Tourism Services
Authors: Chen Charlie C. , Nakayama Makoto , Ractham Peter
Published: April 2016

Medical tourism, especially cosmetic surgery to South Korea, is increasingly popular amongst Thai youths. Like many other youths around the world, they can obtain the relevant information from a variety of sources, including web discussion forums. These are the most frequently used information sources that people use to explore the feasibility of having cosmetic surgery overseas. However, it is not empirically clear how much influence these forums have on youth, or what impact social influence, the quality of information and the forum's features (e.g., doctor information, before/after surgery pictures, clinic/hospital information, surgery information and chat rooms) have on the credibility of doctors and hospitals. This study conducted a number of field experiments and collected data from 233 discussion threads on top 3 online discussion forums that were ranked by 207 business school students. The results show that the reliability of web information is critical in enhancing the credibility of both doctors and hospitals. In addition, the credibility of doctors depends on the forum that is used to find information about surgery, as well as social influence. The credibility of hospitals, on the other hand, is not influenced by the social influence of a consumer's peers. Instead, their credibility is increased by the forum's use of before/after surgery pictures, clinical information and information about doctors. Future research may investigate further how different forum features and the web media can have an impact on the credibility of doctors and hospitals.
Red Cell Cytogram in CELL-DYN® Sapphire: A Ready-to-Use Function for Recognizing Thalassemia Trait
Authors: Urrechaga Eloísa , Boveda Ohiane , Hoffmann Johannes J.M.L.
Published: April 2016

Single-cell optical analysis of red blood cells provides information on the cellular hemoglobin concentration and volume of red cells. We evaluated the reliability of the typical profiles of the cytogram hemoglobin concentration/ volume (Mie Map), produced by the CELL-DYN® Sapphire analyzer (Abbott Diagnostics, Santa Clara, CA, USA) in the discrimination of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and thalassemia trait. A total of 380 patients with microcytic anemia were studied: 220 with IDA, 101 β-thalassemia trait, 30 β-thalassemia trait with concomitant iron deficiency, 29 α-thalassemia trait. Three professionals reviewed the Mie maps, with no information regarding the disease of the patient. The observers made a presumptive diagnosis (genetic or acquired anemia) and the percentages of correct classifications were recorded. IDA showed broad shaped shift of the cytogram while carriers presented narrow clustering in the lower microcytic area: 100 % IDA were correctly classified and 96–82% of carriers were recognized. Visual inspection of the Mie map reveals different profiles in IDA and thalassemia trait; those patterns are in concordance with the numerical data Mie map helps in the evaluation of large amounts of data.
Bioinformatics and Molecular Analysis of the Evolutionary Relationship between Bovine Rhinitis A Viruses and Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus
Authors: Rai Devendra K. , Lawrence Paul , Pauszek Steve J. , Piccone Maria E. , Knowles Nick J. , Rieder Elizabeth
Published: April 2016

Bovine rhinitis viruses (BRVs) cause mild respiratory disease of cattle. In this study, a near full-length genome sequence of a virus named RS3X (formerly classified as bovine rhinovirus type 1), isolated from infected cattle from the UK in the 1960s, was obtained and analyzed. Compared to other closely related Aphthoviruses, major differences were detected in the leader protease (Lpro), P1, 2B, and 3A proteins. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RS3X was a member of the species bovine rhinitis A virus (BRAV). Using different codon-based and branch-site selection models for Aphthoviruses, including BRAV RS3X and foot-and-mouth disease virus, we observed no clear evidence for genomic regions undergoing positive selection. However, within each of the BRV species, multiple sites under positive selection were detected. The results also suggest that the probability (determined by Recombination Detection Program) for recombination events between BRVs and other Aphthoviruses, including foot-and-mouth disease virus was not significant. In contrast, within BRVs, the probability of recombination increases. The data reported here provide genetic information to assist in the identification of diagnostic signatures and research tools for BRAV.
Reduction in Serum Uric Acid may be Related to Methotrexate Efficacy in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: Data from the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH)
Authors: Lee Jason J. , Bykerk Vivian P. , Dresser George K. , Boire Gilles , Haraoui Boulos , Hitchon Carol , Thorne Carter , Tin Diane , Jamal Shahin , Keystone Edward C. , Pope Janet E.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

The mechanism of action of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex. It may increase adenosine levels by blocking its conversion to uric acid (UA). This study was done to determine if methotrexate lowers UA in early RA (ERA).

Methods

Data were obtained from Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort, an incident ERA cohort. All ERA patients with serial UA measurements were included, comparing those with methotrexate use vs. no methotrexate exposure (controls). Analyses were exploratory. Patients with concomitant gout or taking UA-lowering therapies were excluded.

Results

In total, 49 of the 2,524 ERA patients were identified with data available for both pre-methotrexate UA levels and post-methotrexate UA levels (300 μmol/L and 273 μmol/L, respectively; P = 0.035). The control group not taking methotrexate had a mean baseline UA level of 280 μmol/L and a follow-up level of 282 μmol/L ( P = 0.448); mean change in UA with methotrexate was -26.8 μmol/L vs. 2.3 μmol/L in the no methotrexate group ( P = 0.042). Methotrexate users with a decrease in UA had a disease activity score of 2.37 for 28 joints when compared with the controls (3.26) at 18 months ( P = 0.042). Methotrexate users with decreased UA had a lower swollen joint count (SJC) of 0.9 at 18 months, whereas methotrexate users without lowering of UA had an SJC of 4.5 ( P = 0.035). Other analyses were not significant.

Conclusions

Methotrexate response is associated with lowering of serum UA in ERA compared to nonusers. This may be due to changes in adenosine levels. Methotrexate response is associated with lower UA and fewer swollen joints compared to nonresponders.
Phosphatidylcholine: Greasing the Cholesterol Transport Machinery
Authors: Lagace Thomas A.
Published: April 2016

Negative feedback regulation of cholesterol metabolism in mammalian cells ensures a proper balance of cholesterol with other membrane lipids, principal among these being the major phospholipid phosphatidylcholine (PC). Processes such as cholesterol biosynthesis and efflux, cholesteryl ester storage in lipid droplets, and uptake of plasma lipoproteins are tuned to the cholesterol/PC ratio. Cholesterol-loaded macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions display increased PC biosynthesis that buffers against elevated cholesterol levels and may also facilitate cholesterol trafficking to enhance cholesterol sensing and efflux. These same mechanisms could play a generic role in homeostatic responses to acute changes in membrane free cholesterol levels. Here, I discuss the established and emerging roles of PC metabolism in promoting intracellular cholesterol trafficking and membrane lipid homeostasis.
Titchmarsh–Weyl theory for Schrödinger operators on unbounded domains
Authors: Behrndt Jussi , Rohleder Jonathan
Published: April 2016

In this paper it is proved that the complete spectral data of selfadjoint Schrödinger operators on unbounded domains can be described with an associated Dirichlet-to-Neumann map. In particular, a characterization of the isolated and embedded eigenvalues, the corresponding eigenspaces, as well as the continuous and absolutely continuous spectrum in terms of the limiting behaviour of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map is obtained. Furthermore, a sufficient criterion for the absence of singular continuous spectrum is provided. The results are natural multidimensional analogs of classical facts from singular Sturm-Liouville theory.
On the spectra of the Sturm–Liouville operator with the fast oscillating potential
Authors: Ismagilov Rais S.
Published: April 2016

A spectral Problem for a Sturm–Liouville operator is considered in the functional Hilbert space on the half axis. The potential is "fast oscillating". The conditions giving a discrete spectra are indicated. The spectral asymptotic is determined.
Hadamard type asymptotics for eigenvalues of the Neumann problem for elliptic operators
Authors: Kozlov Vladimir , Thim Johan
Published: April 2016

This paper considers how the eigenvalues of the Neumann problem for an elliptic operator depend on the domain. The proximity of two domains is measured in terms of the norm of the difference between the two resolvents corresponding to the reference domain and the perturbed domain, and the size of eigenfunctions outside the intersection of the two domains. This construction enables the possibility of comparing both nonsmooth domains and domains with different topology. An abstract framework is presented, where the main result is an asymptotic formula where the remainder is expressed in terms of the proximity quantity described above when this is relatively small. As an application, we develop a theory for the Laplacian in Lipschitz domains. In particular, if the domains are assumed to be

C^{1,\alpha}

regular, an asymptotic result for the eigenvalues is given together with estimates for the remainder, and we also provide an example which demonstrates the sharpness of our obtained result.
Benefits of Family Meals for Children With Special Therapeutic and Behavioral Needs
Authors: DeGrace Beth W. , Foust Ruth E. , Sisson Susan B. , Lora Karina R.
Published: April 2016

Frequency of family meals (FMs) is associated with favorable child outcomes; however, no study to date has examined the relationship between frequency of FMs and outcomes for children with disabilities. Data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health for children with disabilities (N = 4,336) were used. Logistic regression for each dependent variable was completed using frequency of FMs and covariates of age, gender, race, family structure, and poverty level. Each day per week increase in the frequency of FMs increased the likelihood for positive social skills (odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.01, 1.19]) and engagement in school (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.02, 1.16]). Frequency of FMs was not associated with problematic social behaviors or parental aggravation with child. Our findings suggest that children with disabilities whose families participate in frequent FMs have a greater likelihood of positive social and family health outcomes.
Health Literacy in Older Adults With and Without Low Vision
Authors: Warren Mary , DeCarlo Dawn K. , Dreer Laura E.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE. In this study, we investigated whether older adults with low vision (LV) from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) demonstrated lower functional health literacy than older adults without LV.

METHOD. Fifty adults with AMD were matched with adults without LV on age, gender, education, and income. We measured visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and reading speed and administered the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA) using two test time conditions, standard and unlimited, to measure health literacy levels.

RESULTS. The group with LV had considerably lower TOFHLA scores for both time conditions (p < .001) and took notably longer to complete the test (p < .001). Poorer acuity correlated with lower TOFHLA scores in the group with LV.

CONCLUSION. Older adults with LV may take longer to read and understand health information, which has important implications for providing health education to support self-management. Modifying components of the reading task may facilitate reading performance and understanding of health education materials.
Effectiveness of a Handwriting Intervention With At-Risk Kindergarteners
Authors: Zylstra Sheryl Eckberg , Pfeiffer Beth
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE. We examined the effectiveness of an occupational therapist–led handwriting intervention for special education and at-risk kindergarteners.

METHOD. We incorporated a two-group, pretest–posttest design. Both groups consisted of kindergarteners receiving individualized education program (IEP) or Response to Intervention (RtI) support. An occupational therapist provided biweekly group handwriting instruction using the Size Matters Handwriting Program to students in the intervention group (n = 23). The control group (n = 12) received the standard handwriting instruction.

RESULTS. Students in the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater gains in handwriting legibility than students in the control group. Students in the intervention group also demonstrated significantly greater gains in the prereading skills of uppercase letter recognition, lowercase letter recognition, and letter sound recognition.

CONCLUSION. This study provides preliminary support for an occupational therapist–led handwriting intervention to improve writing legibility and letter recognition in kindergarteners receiving RtI and IEP supports.
Motor Function Cutoff Values for Independent Dressing in Stroke Patients
Authors: Fujita Takaaki , Sato Atsushi , Yamamoto Yuichi , Otsuki Koji , Tsuchiya Kenji , Tozato Fusae
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE. This study established motor function cutoff values for dressing independence in inpatients with stroke.

METHODS. Ninety-eight first-time inpatients with stroke were divided into groups on the basis of independence level in dressing, and receiver operating characteristic curves were determined for balance, motor function of affected limbs, trunk function, motor function of unaffected upper limb, and cognitive function.

RESULTS. Area under the curve for the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was highest for the different motor functions. In distinguishing independence group and supervision or less level group, the cutoff value for the BBS was 44 points (sensitivity = 85%, specificity = 93%). In distinguishing supervision or higher level group and dependence group, the cutoff value for the BBS was 32 points (sensitivity = 94%, specificity = 79%).

CONCLUSION. Balance was strongly correlated with the level of dressing independence, and cutoff values for the BBS were indicators of the balance required to reach independent and supervision levels of dressing.
Effectiveness of Interventions to Address Cognitive Impairments and Improve Occupational Performance After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Radomski Mary Vining , Anheluk Mattie , Bartzen M. Penny , Zola Joette
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE. To determine the effectiveness of interventions addressing cognitive impairments to improve occupational performance for people with traumatic brain injury.

METHOD. A total of 37 studies met inclusion criteria: 9 Level I systematic reviews, 14 Level I studies, 5 Level II studies, and 9 Level III studies.

RESULTS. Strong evidence supports use of direct attention training, dual-task training, and strategy training to optimize executive functioning, encoding, and use of memory compensations, including assistive technology. However, in most studies, occupational performance was a secondary outcome, if it was evaluated at all.

CONCLUSION. Although evidence supports many intervention approaches used by occupational therapy practitioners to address cognitive impairments of adults with traumatic brain injury, more studies are needed in which occupational performance is the primary outcome of cognitive intervention.
Effectiveness of Occupation- and Activity-Based Interventions to Improve Everyday Activities and Social Participation for People With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review
Authors: Powell Janet M. , Rich Timothy J. , Wise Elizabeth K.
Published: April 2016

This systematic review presents research on the effectiveness of occupation- and activity-based interventions to improve everyday activities and areas of occupation and social participation for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Nineteen studies identified through a comprehensive database search were reviewed and synthesized into five themes: (1) multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary treatment approaches, (2) community-based rehabilitation programs, (3) treatment approaches using client-centered goals and relevant contexts, (4) social skills training and peer mentoring interventions, and (5) community mobility interventions. Evidence supports the use of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches across a variety of settings, with no single treatment approach or setting clearly superior to another. The specific contributions of occupational therapy practitioners and the nature of occupational therapy interventions have not been well studied, making it difficult to determine the extent to which occupation- and activity-based interventions provided by occupational therapy practitioners improve occupational performance and social participation after TBI.
A Historical Analysis of the US Stock Price Index Using Empirical Mode Decomposition over 1791–2015
Authors: Tiwari Aviral K. , Dar Arif B. , Bhanja Niyati , Gupta Rangan
Published: April 2016

In this paper, the dynamics of Standard and Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) stock price index is analysed within a time-frequency framework over a monthly period 1791:08–2015:05. Using the Empirical Mode Decomposition technique, the S&P 500 stock price index is divided into different frequencies known as intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and one residual. The IMFs and the residual are then reconstructed into high frequency, low frequency and trend components using the hierarchical clustering method. Using different measures, it is shown that the low frequency and trend components of stock prices are relatively important drivers of the S&P 500 index. These results are also robust across various subsamples identified based on structural break tests. Therefore, US stock prices have been driven mostly by fundamental laws rooted in economic growth and long-term returns on investment.
An assessment of the climatological representativeness of IAGOS-CARIBIC trace gas measurements using EMAC model simulations
Authors: Eckstein Johannes , Ruhnke Roland , Zahn Andreas , Neumaier Marco , Kirner Ole , Braesicke Peter
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Measurement data from the long-term passenger aircraft project IAGOS-CARIBIC is often used to derive trace gas climatologies. We investigate to what extent such derived climatologies can be assumed to be representative for the true state of the atmosphere. Using the chemistry-climate model EMAC we sample the modelled trace gases along CARIBIC flight tracks. Different trace gases are considered and climatologies relative to the mid-latitude tropopause are calculated. Representativeness can now be assessed by comparing the CARIBIC sampled model data to the true climatological model state. Three statistical methods are applied for this purpose: the Kolomogorov-Smirnov test, and scores based on the variability and relative differences. Generally, representativeness is expected to decrease with increasing variability and to increase with the number of available samples. Based on this assumption, we investigate the suitability of the different statistical measures for our problem. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test seems too strict and does not identify any climatology as representative – not even long lived well observed trace gases. In contrast, the variability based scores pass the general requirements for representativeness formulated above. In addition, even the simplest metric (relative differences) seems applicable for investigating representativeness. Using the relative differences score we investigate the representativeness of a large number of different trace gases. For our final consideration we assume that the EMAC model is a reasonable representation of the real world and that representativeness in the model world can be translated to representativeness for CARIBIC measurements. This assumption is justified by comparing the model variability to the variability of CARIBIC measurements. Finally, we show how the representativeness score can be translated into a number of flights necessary to achieve a certain degree of representativeness.
Contributions of meteorology and emission to the 2015 winter severe haze pollution episodes in Northern China
Authors: Liu Ting Ting , Gong Sunling , Yu Meng , Zhao Qi Chao , Li Huai Rui , He Jian Jun , Zhang Jie , Li Lei , Wang Xu Guan , Li Shu Li , Lu Yan Li , Du Hai Tao , Wang Ya Qiang , Zhou Chun Hong , Liu Hong Li
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Northern China in the 2015 winter months of November and December has witnessed the most severe air pollution phenomena since the 2013 winter haze events occurred, which triggered the first ever Red Alert in the air pollution control history of Beijing, with an instantaneous PM2.5 concentration over 1 mg m−3. Analysis and modeling results show that the worsening meteorology conditions are the main reason behind this unusual increase of air pollutant concentrations and the emission control measures taken during this period of time have contributed to mitigate the air pollution in the region. This work provides a scientific insight of the emission control measures vs. meteorology impacts for the period.
Influence of Seed Aerosol Surface Area and Oxidation Rate on Vapor-Wall Deposition and SOA Mass Yields: A case study with α-pinene Ozonolysis
Authors: Nah T. , McVay R. C , Zhang X. , Boyd C. M. , Seinfeld J. H. , Ng N. L.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Laboratory chambers, invaluable in atmospheric chemistry and aerosol formation studies, are subject to particle and vapor wall deposition, processes that need to be accounted for in order to accurately determine secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass yields. Although particle wall deposition is reasonably well understood and usually accounted for, vapor wall deposition is less so. The effects of vapor wall deposition on SOA mass yields in chamber experiments can be constrained experimentally by increasing the seed aerosol surface area to promote the preferential condensation of SOA-forming vapors onto seed aerosol. Here, we study the influence of seed aerosol surface area and oxidation rate on SOA formation in α-pinene ozonolysis. The observations are analyzed using a coupled vapor-particle dynamics model to interpret the roles of gas-particle partitioning (quasi-equilibrium vs. kinetically-limited SOA growth) and α-pinene oxidation rate in influencing vapor wall deposition. We find that the SOA growth rate and mass yields are independent of seed surface area within the range of seed surface area concentrations used in this study. This behavior arises when the condensation of SOA-forming vapors is dominated by quasi-equilibrium growth. Faster α-pinene oxidation rates and higher SOA mass yields are observed at increasing O3 concentrations for the same initial α-pinene concentration. When the α-pinene oxidation rate increases relative to vapor wall deposition, rapidly produced SOA-forming oxidation products condense more readily onto seed aerosol particles, resulting in higher SOA mass yields. Our results indicate that the extent to which vapor wall deposition affects SOA mass yields depends on the particular VOC system, and can be mitigated through the use of excess oxidant concentrations.
Soil carbon dioxide emissions controlled by an extracellular oxidative metabolism identifiable by its isotope signature
Authors: Kéraval B. , Lehours A. C. , Colombet J. , Amblard C. , Alvarez G. , Fontaine S.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Soil heterotrophic respiration is a major determinant of carbon (C) cycle and its interactions with climate. Given the complexity of the respiratory machinery it is traditionally considered that oxidation of organic C into carbon dioxide (CO2) strictly results from intracellular metabolic processes. Here we show that C mineralization can operate in soils deprived of all observable cellular forms. Moreover, the process responsible of CO2 emissions in sterilized soils induced a strong C isotope fractionation (up to 50 ‰) incompatible with a respiration of cellular origin. The supply of 13C-glucose in sterilized soil led to the release of 13CO2 suggesting the presence of respiratory-like metabolism (glycolysis, decarboxylation reaction, chain of electron transfer) carried out by soil-stabilized enzymes and by soil mineral and metal catalysts. These findings indicate that CO2 emissions from soils can have two origins: (1) the well-known respiration of soil heterotrophic microorganisms and (2) an extracellular oxidative metabolism (EXOMET) or, at least, catabolism. These two metabolisms should be considered separately when studying effects of environmental factors on the C cycle because they do not likely obey to the same laws and respond differently to abiotic factors.
Spatial Patterns of Phosphorus Fractions in Soils of Temperate Forest Ecosystems with Silicate Parent Material
Authors: Werner Florian , de la Haye Tilman René , Spielvogel Sandra , Prietzel Jörg
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The stage of pedogenesis is a crucial indicator describing phosphorus (P) distribution, but also governing spatial P distribution patterns. Here, we assessed spatial patterns of P fractions and major P binding partners (e.g. organic C, pedogenic Fe and Al minerals) in a geosequence to describe spatial and pedogenetic changes of P distribution and to identify mechanisms for these changes. We found, that the distribution of total P was generally best matched by the distribution pattern of organic P, both showing decreasing content from the top- to the subsoil. Inorganic P was mainly ascribed as bound in unweathered rock at all sites, but with decreasing importance in later stages of pedogenesis. The pedogenetically young soil at Bad Brückenau also showed adsorbed inorganic P in the topsoil, probably due to high mineralization of organic P. Soil organic matter (SOM)-sesquioxide-complexes, as well as Al and Fe oxyhydroxides were identified as main binding partners of organic P at all stages of pedogenesis. With depth, the correlations of various P fractions with SOM decreased, whereas those with pedogenic Fe and Al oxyhydroxides increased. The change of sorbent is due to the mobilization of first Al, and in later stages of pedogenesis, of Fe in the topsoil. Both metals and its oxyhydroxides (Al(OH)i, Fe(OH)i) probably formed strong complexes with SOM and therefore retained P in the pedon. Due to the heterogeneous P distribution, our results suggest a differing ecosystem P nutrition strategy at each of our sites: from acquiring inorganic P from weathered primary rock to minimizing loss of organic P by recycling. We argue that even in early stages of pedogenesis, P recycling is a major driver of ecosystem P nutrition, however not as important as in later stages. We conclude that the stage of pedogenesis in silicate soils, as e.g. visible in degree and state of podzolization, serves as predictor for plant and microbial P nutritional strategies.
Climate anomalies associated to the occurrence of rockfalls at high-elevation in the Italian Alps
Authors: Paranunzio Roberta , Laio Francesco , Chiarle Marta , Nigrelli Guido , Guzzetti Fausto
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Climate change is seriously affecting the cryosphere, in terms, for example of permafrost thaw, alteration of rain/snow ratio, glacier shrinkage. There is concern about the increasing number of rockfalls at high elevation in the last decades. Nevertheless, the impact of climate variables on slope instability at high elevation has not been fully explored yet. In this paper, we investigate 41 rockfalls occurred at high elevation in the Italian Alps between 1997 and 2013 in the absence of an evident trigger. We apply and improve an existing data-based, statistical approach to detect the anomalies of climate parameters (temperature and precipitation) associated to rockfall occurrences. The identified climate anomalies have been related to the spatio-temporal distribution of the events. Rockfalls occurred in association with temperature anomalies in 83 % of our case studies. Temperature represents a key factor contributing to slope failure occurrence in different ways. As expected, warmer temperatures accelerate snowmelt and permafrost thaw; however, surprisingly, negative anomalies are also often associated to slope failures. Interestingly, different regional patterns emerge from the data: higher-than-average temperatures are often associated to rockfalls in the Western Alps, while in the Eastern Alps slope failures are mainly associated to colder-than-average temperatures. The results of this study represent a first step towards the identification of the possible role of climate change in the triggering of slope failures in a mountain environment.
Dual-plane PIV investigation of acoustically excited jets in a swirl nozzle
Authors: Regunath Gavita S. , Zimmerman William B. , Rees Julia M.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. A novel dual-plane dye laser particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique used to analyze helicity and energy dissipation in an unexcited turbulent swirling jet of pressurized cold air has established that regions within the flow field of the jet exhibiting high helicity are correlated regions of high turbulent kinetic energy dissipation. This PIV configuration provides estimates of all components of the velocity gradient tensor, facilitating calculation of the helicity from the vorticity components. Application of this novel dual-plane PIV technique is extended in this study to investigate helical structures in a turbulent swirling jet where the underlying shear flow is subjected to external acoustic sinusoidal forcing in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the jet. It was found that acoustic excitation had a significant effect on the mean velocity profile parallel to the direction of the jet. The horizontal forcing resulted in the generation of vorticity that was skewed with a pitch that favored a distribution of angles around 90° with respect to the velocity vector. The distribution of the time-averaged helicity angle indicated organized helical activity, but such activity is not dominated by large-scale coherent structures of maximal helicity.
Riboto pakaltinamumo kriterijų taikymo analizė asmenims, turintiems šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimus
Authors: Daškevičius Konstantinas , Daškevičienė Jelena
Published: April 2016

Tobulinant šiuolaikinę teisę, didinant jos humanistinį potencialą, įveikiant tradicinį formalistinį-biurokratinį teisės pobūdį, jos abejingumą, mažinant psichotraumuojantį poveikį asmenims, turintiems psichikos sutrikimus, 2000 metais buvo įteisinta riboto pakaltinamumo norma. Tačiau Lietuvos teismo psichiatrinėje ekspertinėje praktikoje ji mažai realizuojama, o asmenims, turintiems šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimus, taikoma itin retai, tik 10 atvejų iš 541 per 3 metus. Mūsų tyrimo duomenimis, iš 223 (100%) šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimus turinčių pakaltinamų asmenų, net 84% atitiko riboto pakaltinamumo kriterijus. Tačiau, atliekant teismo psichiatrijos ekspertizę asmenims, turintiems šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimus, nesiremiama daugiamečiu tiriamojo psichinės būklės sisteminiu vertinimu, o būtent klinikiniu biologiniu, asmenybės psichologiniu ir medicininiu socialiniu, kai svarbią vietą užima retrospektyvinis psichikos sutrikimų gylio nustatymas nusikalstamos veikos momentu. Tyrimo duomenimis, turintiems šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimus asmenims, esant nepsichozinėms būklėms, juridiniu aspektu ypatingą reikšmę turi psichopatologija, kuri pasireiškia integracinėje visumoje, ir gali ją sustiprinti. O tai reiškia, kad atskirų psichopatologinių fenomenų integracija gali riboti asmens elgesio laisvę konkrečioje situacijoje. Vadinasi, ypatingą vaidmenį ekspertizei turi būtent neryškios patologijos elementų suderinimo analizė.