bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Characterization of Collagen-Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose-Lidocaine 3D Composites for Wound Management
Authors: Albu Mădălina Georgiana , Ghica Mihaela V. , Stefanescu Geanina Alexandra , Hodorogea Maricica , Marin Minodora Maria , Marin Stefania , Danila Elena , Voicu Stefan , Simonca Alice Geanina , Popa Lacramioara
Published: May 2016

A lot of biomaterials were investigated as suitable scaffolds for wound healing, very high costs being involved for treating their complications and consequences. Among them, a special attention is given to collagen, a natural biopolymer which showed positive effect on soft tissue regeneration. A key factor encountered in wound healing is represented by the pain control. Thus, the purpose of this study was to design and characterize some 3D composites based on collagen and lidocaine hydrochloride as anesthetic drug model with analgesic properties. Type I fibrillar collagen gel (1.40% w/w, 3.5 pH) was extracted from calf hide by the technology currently used in Collagen Department of Division Leather and Footwear Research Institute. The collagen composites were obtained by freeze-drying of gels adjusted at 1% and 7.2 pH, with different sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) (0; 20 and 40%) concentrations (reported to dry gel), with 0.5% and without lidocaine, un-and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (0.5% reported to collagen dry substance). The 3D composites were evaluated through water absorption, FT-IR spectroscopy, and enzymatic degradation. The in vitro release of lidocaine from the tested formulations was performed using a sandwich device adapted to a dissolution equipment. A typical biphasic drug release profiles was recorded, with an important lidocaine burst release effect in the first minutes, ensuring a rapid pain diminution, followed by a prolonged release over next hours. The lidocaine release from the designed formulations showed an anomalous drug transport kinetic mechanism. The composites showed a porous structure, proper swelling behaviour for wound exudates and degradation in time. The collagen-NaCMC-based composites could be a promising solution in wound healing management.
Proposal for a Short Patch Test Series of Dental Materials for Patients with Suspected Oral Contact Allergy
Authors: Popescu Florin Dan , Popescu Sanda Mihaela , Mercuţ Răzvan , Manolea Horia Octavian
Published: May 2016

The selection of patch test haptens contained in oral rehabilitation materials is not an easy task, therefore baseline series and additional dental series are used for screening and to increase the chance for the detection of patient's contact sensitizations. Moreover, the clinical relevance of positive patch tests must be evaluated. We conducted a biomedical literature search, covering a period of thirty years, using the keywords: contact, allergy, dental, allergens, patch, patients, screening, in order to evaluate many studies including large numbers of patients, tested to various hapten series, in different departments, for the detection of the most common contact allergens involved in dental contact hypersensitivity. We propose a short patch test series of oral rehabilitation materials for patients including six metal haptens present in dental alloys for inlays, crowns, bridges and dentures, one monofunctional methacrylate and one epoxy prepolymer present in dental composite resins, dentin bonding agents and prosthetic materials, one epoxy resin type present in root canal sealants, three odorant constituents contained in provisional restorative and root canal filling materials, periodontal dressings and dental impression materials. Contact allergy to dental haptens is a constant studied subject, but the cost of patch testing with screening and additional or extensive series is relevant, therefore the proposal of a shorter dental material series for patients is aimed to promote sustainability of oral rehabilitation and contact hypersensitivity care and to reduce costs in some real-world settings.
Fibrin Sealants in Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Lupescu Olivera , Nagea Mihail , Patru Cristina , Popescu Gheorghe Ion , Marcov Narcis
Published: May 2016

Due to its considerable systemic impact, several local and general methods to control surgical ( intra/perioperative) bleeding have been developed, with particular characteristics adapted to each type of surgery. In orthopaedic procedures, elective or urgent, bleeding is to be seriously considered , since usually both bones and soft tissues are injured or cut, so adapted haemostatic means have to be used. This issue is of particular importance especially when very small vessels are involved, and especially on large surfaces, since ligation or cauterization are useless in these situations. An effective tool in these circumstances is the group of fibrin sealants, which can stop diffuse bleeding on surfaces when produced by very small vessels. The authors present their clinical experience with fibrin sealants, underlining the indications and the limits of the method.
The Influence of Mn Doping on the Dielectric Properties of Ba0.5Sr0.5TiO3 Ceramics
Authors: Zhao Li Ping , Tao Wen Hong , Fu Xing Hua , Cao Wen Zhe , Cheng Guo Yuan , Ma Wen Xin
Published: May 2016

(Ba0.5Sr0.5)1-xMnxTiO3(x=0,0.01,0.03,0.05)ceramics were prepared via a new sol-gel method with titannium oxide, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate and manganous nitrate as raw materials.The effect of Mn doping on the microstructure and dielectric properties of the BST were characterized by field scanning electron microscopy,x-ray diffraction and impedance analyser.It was found that the dopted ions could not alter the basic crystal strcuture and they only improved the material properties as modified ions when x≤0.3.The (Ba0.5Sr0.5)1-xMnxTiO3 ceramics sintered at 1250°C for 2h exhibited good dielectric properties(er=1330,tand=0.03)at room temperature and f=1KHz when x=0.03 and the grains were regular and uniform ,indicating a dense microstrcture.
Comparison of Bonding Performance for CFRP-SPCC Single Lap Joint Using Adhesives and Rivets
Authors: Lee Ok Hyoung , Lee Il Teak , Kang Hee Yong , Yang Sung Mo , Yim Jun Young , Kim Dae Su , Ahn Hyo Jun
Published: May 2016

The recent trend in automotive industry is characterized by the replacement of existing metal materials with composite ones or the combination of both for lightweight parts. This study 1) created single lap joint specimens of SPCC used for automobile frame and four adhesives; epoxy, urethane, acrylic, mixed (urethane and acrylic) and rivets to bind dissimilar materials of CFRP necessary for weight lightening, and 2) performed a tensile shear test on adhesive bonding versus adhesive bonding with rivets. In summary, this study investigated on the bonding performance of different specimens: bonding strength, shapes of the failure surface, and the effect of rivets on bond strength.
The Theoretical Investigation on Critical Buckling Stress of Graphene Nanosheets
Authors: Zhou Li Jun , Guo Jian Gao , Li Bao Long
Published: May 2016

The elastic buckling behaviors of graphene nanosheets are investigated via molecular structural mechanics based finite element method. The size-and chirality-dependent critical buckling stresses of monolayer and bilayer graphene nanosheets are calculated for different geometrical dimensions and boundary constraints, respectively. By analogy with classical buckling theory of elastic plate, the analytical expressions of critical buckling stress are derived for the graphene nanosheets with different boundary constraints, and the comparisons of analytical results with the counterparts obtained by molecular structural mechanics simulation show a good consistency.
Influence of Sintering Temperature on KNN-BF-LS Piezoelectric Ceramic
Authors: Cheng Guo Yuan , Fu Xing Hua , Tao Wen Hong , Zhang Yu , Ma Wen Xin , Zhao Li Ping
Published: May 2016

In this paper, (K0.5Na0.53)0.932Nb0.932O3-0.008BF-0.06LS (abbreviated as KNN-BF-LS) piezoelectric ceramic was prepared by sol-gel method. Structure and properties of ceramics were analyzed.Through analysis of the results, when sintering temperature is 1080°C, ceramic has good perovskite structure. At this temperature, grain size is more uniform, and structure is the most dense. Piezoelectric constant d33, electromechanical coupling coefficient Kp, dielectric constant εr reached the maximum value, respectively, 113pC/N, 0.33, 591. Dielectric loss tanδ reached the minimum 0.11.
An acetone extract of Clausena anisata may be a potential control agent for flies encountered in cutaneous myiasis
Authors: Mukandiwa Lillian , Eloff Jacobus N. , Sibanda Donald R. , Naidoo Vinny
Published: May 2016

Clausena anisata is a medicinal plant used traditionally to treat myiasis and as an insect repellent by various communities. We have previously demonstrated the effects of C. anisata extracts on blowfly feeding and development in our laboratory. The impact of C. anisata leaf extracts on populations of different fly species on farms in Mpumalanga, South Africa was investigated in this study under field conditions. Flies were exposed to liver baits treated with acetone leaf extracts of C. anisata (150 mg/mL). Fly numbers and composition on two farms, with and without C. anisata treated liver, were compared during a period of 12 weeks when fly populations were expected to be high. Observations were made on fly behaviour and development, adult sizes and numbers. The flies exposed to liver treated with the leaf extract of C. anisata had a decreased rate of development, prolonged larval period, smaller body sizes and more sluggish behaviour compared to those subjected to the control treatment. No significant differences were, however, found between the numbers and sizes of flies on the treated and on the control farm, which was most likely due to the limited nature of the baiting programme we followed. The effects of C. anisata extracts on blowfly behaviour and development observed in previous laboratory studies were confirmed in this field evaluation. Although the extracts did not have a significant effect on the overall population size in this experiment, we believe that the C. anisata leaf extract could be useful in integrated pest management based on its effect on larval development. In addition, species such as Lucilia cuprina and Chrysomya marginalis seemed to have been repelled by the C. anisata treated liver; as a result, further work should explore this aspect and how it can be used for the protection of animals.
Theater-Based Community Engagement Project for Veterans Recovering From Substance Use Disorders
Authors: Wasmuth Sally , Pritchard Kevin
Published: May 2016

In this study, we examine the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-wk, interdisciplinary, occupation-based theater project for facilitating community engagement and substance use disorder (SUD) recovery in veterans. All data were collected at baseline, postintervention, and 6-wk and 6-mo follow-up intervals. Of the invited veterans, 24% consented to participate (n = 14), and 50% were retained (n = 7). Average attendance was 91%. Considerable improvements in social and occupational participation were noted at postintervention and at 6-wk follow-up but were not retained at 6 mo. No important change in self-efficacy was noted. Of the participants, 86% remained abstinent for 6 wk following the intervention. Theater provides a feasible and acceptable resource for potentially facilitating SUD recovery. Larger controlled effectiveness studies of theater are needed to examine whether robust and notable recovery outcomes in people with SUDs can be linked to participation in theater.
Una experiencia de Arteterapia con mujeres con sobrepeso y obesidad
Authors: Zalazar Eugenia Beatriz
Published: May 2016

El presente artículo trata del proceso y desarrollo de una experiencia de aplicación de arteterapia con mujeres adultas en el contexto de un programa interdisciplinario de cambio de hábitos para el tratamiento de personas con sobrepeso y obesidad. Son además presentados brevemente, desde distintos autores, algunos antecedentes y puntos de relación entre el enfoque gestáltico y el arte-terapia, sirviendo como discusión que contextualiza la experiencia.
Spirit of Capitalism and Conspicuous Consumption with Social Status in a Neoclassical Growth Trade Model
Authors: Zhang Wei-Bin
Published: May 2016

This study deals with dynamic interactions among social status, conspicuous consumption, spirit of capitalism, global growth, trade patterns, and inequalities in income and wealth between countries. The paper constructs a multi-country growth model with endogenous physical capital, wealth accumulation and social status. The modelling of social status is influenced by the ideas related to economic growth and social status in the literature of economic growth. This study analyzes the role of conspicuous consumption by assuming that social status is enhanced by more consumption and the role of the spirit of capitalism (of some goods) by assuming that social status is enhanced by more wealth. The global economic system consists of any number of countries and each country has one capital goods sector and one consumer goods sector. This study applies an alternative utility function proposed by Zhang to analyze household behavior. The countries differ in preferences, spirits of capitalisms, and productivities. We show that the dynamics of -country world economy is described by  differential equations. We simulate the motion of the model with three countries and carry out comparative dynamic analysis with regard to some parameters.
Stimulating Innovation through Public Procurement: Barriers to Awareness Level of Public Procurement of Innovation
Authors: Peprah James Adu , Nduro Kwabena , Mensah John
Published: May 2016

Public sector procurement is very significant driver of innovation and currently re-emerging as the most sought after instrument of demand-side innovation policies. Progressively, it has been viewed as having imperative potential to drive innovation; there has been an issue of awareness deficit of public procurement as an innovation policy tool among key stakeholders- policy makers, procurement practitioners and academics particularly in Ghana and Africa. It’s in this direction that this study sought to explore the barriers to awareness level of public procurement as an innovation policy tool among the key stakeholders in Ghana. The study adopted both exploratory and cross-sectional survey designs in investigating the barriers. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the sample to help fulfil the predetermined purpose of the study. The study revealed among others the following: low level of education as a major challenge to innovation in Ghana and developing nations, limited budgets for education in training of high-skill specialist for promotion of innovation, lack of coordination across agencies on innovation policies (incoherent public policies), poor governance and business conditions affecting awareness level, lack of public sector support of innovation, no policy direction as to the use of public procurement to stimulate innovation in Ghana. The study also showed a lack of link between science and innovation in Ghana impeding the awareness level among the key stakeholders. The study recommends performance appraisal and institutional performance reviews for management of education to improve the level of education in Ghana and the curriculum for VTE level should be practical-oriented. They should also increase the funding of education in general and VTE in particular. Agencies responsible for STI should be strengthened to coordinate all policies intended to influence innovation in Ghana and put together a coherent policy competent enough to capturing innovation where public procurement policy, R&D policies and innovation policies will be connected together.
Are Dividend Yield and ROE Smart Portfolio Fundamentals? The Recent Case of Japan
Authors: Tsuji Chikashi
Published: May 2016

This paper attempts to test whether dividend yield and ROE are important fundamentals for obtaining positive alpha by using a four factor asset pricing model. As a result, our investigations derive several interesting findings as follows. First, (1) we clarify that for the period from January 2009 to March 2013, our second highest and third highest dividend-yield portfolios deliver statistically significant positive alphas. Second, (2) we also reveal that for the period from January 2009 to March 2013, our second highest and third highest ROE portfolios yield statistically significant positive alphas. Overall, our empirical examinations demonstrate that after the Lehman shock period, dividend yield and ROE are the important fundamentals for constructing smart portfolios in Japan.
Social capital and health – a multilevel analysis of 25 administrative districts in Oslo
Authors: Van der Wel Kjetil A.
Published: May 2016

Background: Studies of place and health have recently gained increased interest among social researchers. This interest has brought society back to the study of health inequalities and drawn attention to the health effects of contextual psychosocial phenomena. Social cohesion, generalised trust, social networks and social participation are seen as being such phenomena in the social environment that affect health. Methods: This study investigates the association between social capital and self reported health in Oslo. I have used data from the Oslo Health Study 2000 (HUBRO), which includes 11,807 respondents residing in 25 administrative districts. For the multilevel analysis, contextual social capital was measured by aggregating the individual variables generalised trust and participation in voluntary organisations. In addition to the individual variables, the association between social capital and health was controlled for median income, economic inequality and educational level in the administrative districts. Results: In the models that only include the individual variables, both contextual trust and organisational participation had significant effects on self reported health. The associations between place, social capital, and health was attenuated and partly rendered insignificant by the other contextual variables. Conclusions: This study concludes that social capital is not associated with health when other contextual variables are taken into account, and suggests that previous findings may be mediated by median income and the educational level in the areas under study. However, strong conclusions cannot be drawn from this study due to low statistical power and the low response rate. None the less, the study supports the hypothesis that place matters for health
Studier av årsaker til medfødte misdannelser basert på Medisinsk fødselsregister
Authors: Lie Rolf T.
Published: May 2016

Studier av årsaker til medfødte misdannelser har helt fra begynnelsen vært et viktig formål med Medisinsk fødselsregister (MFR). Det har sammenheng med at det var Thalidomidkatastrofen med epidemien av medfødte lemmedefekter tidlig på sekstitallet som førte til registerets opprettelse. Her gjennomgåes en rekkestudier basert på data fra MFR gjennom registerets førtiårige historie. Studiene spenner fra risiko knyttet til yrkesforhold, kraftlinjer og nedfall etter Tsjernobylkatastrofen til gjentagelsesmønstre innenfor familier. Oversikten vil ikke gi noe forsøk på endelig konklusjon knyttet til disse faktorene, fordi det ville forutsette en total gjennomgang av studier gjort også utenfor Norge. Oversikten dekker heller ikke alle studier med data fra MFR, men er ment å gi et hovedinntrykk av forskning som har benyttet MFR.Identification of causes of birth defects has been a major purpose of The Norwegian Medical Birth Registry since the registry was started. This has dramatic background in the fact that it was the international epidemic of birth defects caused by the apparently harmless drug Thalidomide that lead to the establishment of the registry in 1967. A review of studies of causes of birth defects based on data from the registry through its 40 year long history is given here. The review spans a variety of studies from studies of occupational exposures, power lines and the Chernobyl fallout to studies of familial recurrence risks. The purpose is not to give a scientific review of current evidence of causal effects but to give an impression of the contribution of the registry to such research over the past 40 years
AS PRÁTICAS DE ENSINO DA EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL EM UM COLÉGIO PÚBLICO E UM PRIVADO DE PONTA GROSSA - PR
Authors: Iensen Valdirene Aparecida , Kostrzevicz Vanessa , Grizio-Orita Edinéia Vilanova
Published: May 2016

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo verificar as práticas de ensino da Educação Ambiental (EA) realizadas em dois colégios da cidade de Ponta Grossa, sendo uma instituição pública e outra privada. Foram levantadas informações dos conteúdos do livro didático referentes ao tema e verificado com os professores se o tempo que eles têm para trabalhá-la é suficiente e se há interdisciplinaridade para o aprendizado do aluno. Para tanto se fez necessária uma pesquisa bibliográfica, aplicação de questionários e observações no ambiente escolar. A pesquisa pautou-se em uma abordagem quali-quantitativa para tratar as informações. Dessa forma foi possível verificar que ambos os colégios realizam práticas ligadas a temática embora de maneira distinta. Constatou-se interdisciplinaridade ao trabalhar este tema, mas o tempo de abordagem do mesmo é insuficiente.Palavras-chave: ensino, interdisciplinaridade, educação ambiental, ambiente escolar. DOI: 10.5902/2236499412406
Engendering the prefigurative: Feminist praxes that bridge a politics of prefigurement and survival
Authors: Lin Cynthia S. , Pykett Alisa A. , Flanagan Constance , Chávez Karma R.
Published: May 2016

Prefigurative politics are typically understood as experiments in living, laboring or provisioning that are alternatives to ‘what is’ and prefigure ‘what could be.’ This paper rethinks prefigurative politics, which scholars have often approached by emphasizing their economic and political structures, not the transformation of social relationships and power in these experiments. Despite this scholarly trend, many collectivities organizing around a politics of survival engage in prefigurative practices. In fact, in the process of resisting domination, they are re-imagining social relationships and power. In this paper, we draw on women of color feminist theory to explore the tensions of practicing principled politics and social justice in the deeply compromised spaces of struggle for those groups that act in the radical in-between of prefigurative politics and the politics of survival. By analyzing a reproductive justice organizing project called ‘We are BRAVE’ as a case study, we re-imagine prefigurative politics through three central elements: relationality, self-determination, and intersectionality.
NASILJE U ŠKOLI
Authors: Martić Milomir V.
Published: May 2016

S priličnom sigurnošću bi se moglo tvrditi da je školsko nasiljepojava koja postoji otkad postoji i škola. Ispravnije je možda reći da je ono što sadanazivamo nasiljem u školi bilo oduvijek prisutno u školama i mnogo puta opažano kaonešto što je normalno i neizbježno. Takav oblik učeničkog ponašanja se zadržao sve do90-ih godina 20. vijeka, kada je naprosto eksplodirao u cijelom svijetu i kada se, na svazvona, počelo govoriti o nasilju u školi. Nasilje u školama i protiv škole je sverasprostranjenije i dobija sve teže oblike, kako u svijetu, tako i kod nas. Nasilje je,inače, najčešća forma kršenja ljudskih prava u društvu.
DIZAJNIRANJE EKOLOŠKO-EKONOMSKIH INSTRUMENATA ZAŠTITE ŽIVOTNE SREDINE
Authors: Adžemović Mesud
Published: May 2016

Politika životne sredine sprovodi mere za poboljšanje stanja iredukciju zagađenja životne sredine, uz istovremenu primenu instrumenataekonomskog razvoja. Fundamentalni razlog za uvođenje ekonomskih instrumenata upolitiku životne sredine jeste supstitucija ekološke štete nastale usled degradaciježivotne sredine i prekomerne eksploatacije resursa. Pravni osnov za uspostavljanjefinansijskih mehanizama i ekonomskih, tržišnih instrumenata, jesu opšteprihvaćeniprincipi ekološkog prava implementirani u praksi kroz zakonske i podzakonske akte.Princip „zagađivač plaća“ predstavlja osnov za definisanje finansijskih mehanizama.Ovaj princip u literaturi često se tretira kao model „recikliranja novčanih sredstava“.Agregacija prikupljenih sredstava i njihovo namensko korišćenje ključni su faktoriekološke politike, čime se omogućava kreiranje „zelenog budžeta“ za finansiranjeprojekata i programa koji imaju za cilj zaštitu, očuvanje i unapređenje životne sredine.
ПРОСTОРНО-ЕКОЛОШКИ УТИЦАЈИ ЕКСПЛОАТАЦИЈЕ РУДА ГВОЖЂА НА РУДНИКУ „ОМАРСКА“
Authors: Цвијић Синиша , Павловић Слободанка
Published: May 2016

Спрјечавање загађења животне средине превентивнимдјеловањем је врло важан дио у разматрањима о заштити животне средине. То серади израдом просторних планова, еколошких студија и студија о утицају наживотну средину.Заштита животне средине на подручју рударских објекaта представљазначајан друштвени проблем. Из тих разлога раде се анализе утицаја којепроизилазе из еколошких студија, што је урађено и за подручје рудника Омарскагдје је на површинским коповима „Мамузе“ и „Језеро“ завршена експлоатација, аотворен је површински коп „Бувач“ чији је еколошки утицај на околину предметовога рада. Анализирана су рјешења у домену унапређења животне средине усмислу дефинисања могућих утицаја на најбитније еколошке категорије, као штосу ваздух, вода, тло, клима, флора, фауна, пејсаж, здравље становништва и др.
Evaluation of the aerosol vertical distribution in global aerosol models through comparison against CALIOP measurements: AeroCom phase II results
Authors: Koffi Brigitte , Schulz Michael , Bréon François‐Marie , Dentener Frank , Steensen Birthe Marie , Griesfeller Jan , Winker David , Balkanski Yves , Bauer Susanne E. , Bellouin Nicolas , Berntsen Terje , Bian Huisheng , Chin Mian , Diehl Thomas , Easter Richard , Ghan Steven , Hauglustaine Didier A. , Iversen Trond , Kirkevåg Alf , Liu Xiaohong , Lohmann Ulrike , Myhre Gunnar , Rasch Phil , Seland Øyvind , Skeie Ragnhild B. , Steenrod Stephen D. , Stier Philip , Tackett Jason , Takemura Toshihiko , Tsigaridis Kostas , Vuolo Maria Raffaella , Yoon Jinho , Zhang Kai
Published: May 2016

The ability of 11 models in simulating the aerosol vertical distribution from regional to global scales, as part of the second phase of the AeroCom model intercomparison initiative (AeroCom II), is assessed and compared to results of the first phase. The evaluation is performed using a global monthly gridded data set of aerosol extinction profiles built for this purpose from the CALIOP (Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) Layer Product 3.01. Results over 12 subcontinental regions show that five models improved, whereas three degraded in reproducing the interregional variability in Zα0–6 km, the mean extinction height diagnostic, as computed from the CALIOP aerosol profiles over the 0–6 km altitude range for each studied region and season. While the models' performance remains highly variable, the simulation of the timing of the Zα0–6 km peak season has also improved for all but two models from AeroCom Phase I to Phase II. The biases in Zα0–6 km are smaller in all regions except Central Atlantic, East Asia, and North and South Africa. Most of the models now underestimate Zα0–6 km over land, notably in the dust and biomass burning regions in Asia and Africa. At global scale, the AeroCom II models better reproduce the Zα0–6 km latitudinal variability over ocean than over land. Hypotheses for the performance and evolution of the individual models and for the intermodel diversity are discussed. We also provide an analysis of the CALIOP limitations and uncertainties contributing to the differences between the simulations and observations.
Reduced admixture of North Atlantic Deep Water to the deep central South Pacific during the last two glacial periods
Authors: Molina‐Kescher Mario , Frank Martin , Tapia Raúl , Ronge Thomas A. , Nürnberg Dirk , Tiedemann Ralf
Published: May 2016

The South Pacific is a sensitive location for the variability of the global oceanic thermohaline circulation given that deep waters from the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Pacific Basin are exchanged. Here we reconstruct the deep water circulation of the central South Pacific for the last two glacial cycles (from 240,000 years ago to the Holocene) based on radiogenic neodymium (Nd) and lead (Pb) isotope records complemented by benthic stable carbon data obtained from two sediment cores located on the flanks of the East Pacific Rise. The records show small but consistent glacial/interglacial changes in all three isotopic systems with interglacial average values of −5.8 and 18.757 for εNd and 206Pb/204Pb, respectively, whereas glacial averages are −5.3 and 18.744. Comparison of this variability of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) to previously published records along the pathway of the global thermohaline circulation is consistent with reduced admixture of North Atlantic Deep Water to CDW during cold stages. The absolute values and amplitudes of the benthic δ13C variations are essentially indistinguishable from other records of the Southern Hemisphere and confirm that the low central South Pacific sedimentation rates did not result in a significant reduction of the amplitude of any of the measured proxies. In addition, the combined detrital Nd and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotope signatures imply that Australian and New Zealand dust has remained the principal contributor of lithogenic material to the central South Pacific.
OAM multiple transmission using uniform circular arrays: Numerical modeling and experimental verification with two digital television signals
Authors: Gaffoglio Rossella , Cagliero Andrea , Vita Assunta De , Sacco Bruno
Published: May 2016

In this work we present the outcomes of a radio frequency orbital angular momentum (OAM) transmission between two antenna arrays performed in a real‐world context. The analysis is supplemented by deep simulative investigations able to provide both a preliminary overview of the experimental scenario and a posteriori validation of the achieved results. As a first step, the far‐field OAM communication link is tested at various frequencies and the corresponding link budget is studied by means of an angular scan generated by the rotation of the receiving system. Then, on the same site, two digital television signals encoded as OAM modes (ℓ = 1 and ℓ =− 1) are simultaneously transmitted at a common frequency of 198.5 MHz with good mode insulation.
Episodicity in phytoplankton dynamics in a coastal region
Authors: Jönsson Bror F. , Salisbury Joseph E.
Published: May 2016

Much is still unknown about the control of oceanic biological production, especially in coastal areas where daily changes can be as large as seasonal variability. Both data scarcity and a lack of methods with sufficient coverage in space and time hinder our progress. Here we present a satellite‐derived proxy for net community production where simulated velocity fields are combined with satellite data to create a comprehensive accounting of spatial and temporal scales of biological production in the Southern California Bight. Statistical analyses show that rare events exert a major influence when estimating mean production over seasonal time scales: about 65% of change in biomass is caused by the 10% highest values in our data set. The results suggest that frequencies of rare events might be as important for biological production as seasonal averages. Our work highlights the need for additional data sets sampled at higher frequencies and shorter spatial scales.
Four‐decade record of pervasive grounding line retreat along the Bellingshausen margin of West Antarctica
Authors: Christie Frazer D. W. , Bingham Robert G. , Gourmelen Noel , Tett Simon F. B. , Muto Atsuhiro
Published: May 2016

Changes to the grounding line, where grounded ice starts to float, can be used as a remotely sensed measure of ice‐sheet susceptibility to ocean‐forced dynamic thinning. Constraining this susceptibility is vital for predicting Antarctica's contribution to rising sea levels. We use Landsat imagery to monitor grounding line movement over four decades along the Bellingshausen margin of West Antarctica, an area little monitored despite potential for future ice losses. We show that ~65% of the grounding line retreated from 1990 to 2015, with pervasive and accelerating retreat in regions of fast ice flow and/or thinning ice shelves. Venable Ice Shelf confounds expectations in that, despite extensive thinning, its grounding line has undergone negligible retreat. We present evidence that the ice shelf is currently pinned to a sub‐ice topographic high which, if breached, could facilitate ice retreat into a significant inland basin, analogous to nearby Pine Island Glacier.
Double‐peak subauroral ion drifts (DSAIDs)
Authors: He Fei , Zhang Xiao‐Xin , Wang Wenbin , Chen Bo
Published: May 2016

This paper reports double‐peak subauroral ion drifts (DSAIDs), which is unique subset of subauroral ion drifts (SAIDs). A statistical analysis has been carried out for the first time with a database of 454 DSAID events identified from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program observations from 1987 to 2012. Both case studies and statistical analyses show that the two velocity peaks of DSAIDs are associated with two ion temperature peaks and two region‐2 field‐aligned currents (R2‐FACs) peaks in the midlatitude ionospheric trough located in the low‐conductance subauroral region. DSAIDs are regional and vary significantly with magnetic local time. DSAIDs can evolve from/to SAIDs during their lifetimes, which are from several minutes to tens of minutes. Comparisons between the ionospheric parameters of DSAIDs and SAIDs indicate that double‐layer region‐2 field‐aligned currents (R2‐FACs) may be the main driver of DSAIDs. It is also found that DSAIDs happen during more disturbed conditions compared with SAIDs.
Identifying the electron diffusion region in a realistic simulation of Earth's magnetotail
Authors: Ashour‐Abdalla Maha , Lapenta Giovanni , Walker Raymond , El‐Alaoui Mostafa , Liang Haoming , Zhou Meng , Berchem Jean , Goldstein Melvyn L.
Published: May 2016

A historic challenge to understanding geomagnetic activity is determining where in Earth's magnetotail magnetic energy is converted into particle energy and heat by magnetic reconnection. Key to unravel this fundamental process is in determining the location and extent of the electron diffusion region (EDR) where the energy conversion is initiated. We have located the EDR during a substorm on 15 February 2008 by using a combination of global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and particle‐in‐cell (PIC) simulations. Solar wind data were used as input into the MHD simulation, which provided the initial and boundary conditions for the PIC calculation. The simulated reconnection rate was episodic with magnetic reconnection occurring every few seconds. The reconnection site moved several Earth radii in a few minutes. A parameter that measures the breakdown of electron gyrotropy about the magnetic field provided the clearest location of the EDR where changes in magnetic topology and particle acceleration are initiated.
A 17 June 2011 polar jet and its presence in the background solar wind
Authors: Yu H.‐S. , Jackson B.V. , Yang Y.‐H. , Chen N.‐H. , Buffington A. , Hick P. P.
Published: May 2016

High‐speed jet responses in the polar solar wind are enigmatic. Here we measure a jet response that emanates from the southern polar coronal hole on 17 June 2011 at the extreme speed of over 1200 km/s. This response was recorded from the Sun‐Earth line in Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) and Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph/C2 and both Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory Extreme Ultraviolet Imager and COR2 coronagraphs when the three spacecraft were situated ~90° from one another. These certify the coronal 3‐D location of the response that is associated with an existing solar plume structure and show its high speed to distances of over 14 RS. This jetting is associated with magnetic flux changes in the polar region as measured by the SDO/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager instrumentation over a period of several hours. The fastest coronal response observed can be tracked to a time near the period of greatest flux changes and to the onset of the brightest flaring in AIA. This high‐speed response can be tracked directly as a small patch of outward moving brightness in coronal images as in Yu et al. (2014) where three slower events were followed from the perspective of Earth. This accumulated jet response has the largest mass and energy we have yet seen in 3‐D reconstructions from Solar Mass Ejection Imager observations, and its outward motion is certified for the first time using interplanetary scintillation observations. This jet response is surrounded by similar high‐speed patches, but these are smoothed out in Ulysses polar measurements, we speculate about how these dynamic activities relate to solar wind acceleration.
Loess Plateau check dams can potentially sequester eroded soil organic carbon
Authors: Zhang Haicheng , Liu Shuguang , Yuan Wenping , Dong Wenjie , Xia Jiangzhou , Cao Yaojun , Jia Yanwei
Published: May 2016

Check dams are special soil and water conservation structures in the Loess Plateau, China. They play an important role in intercepting sediments and soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the decomposition of intercepted SOC and the environmental regulations at check dams have not been investigated. We conducted several paired field experiments at both check dams and slope lands in the Yanhe Watershed of the Loess Plateau to examine the characteristics of SOC decomposition at check dams. On average, the SOC mineralization rate in slope lands was approximately three times higher than in check dams. Increased soil moisture and compaction in check dams can constrain carbon mineralization by limiting the oxygen availability of SOC and can isolate substrate carbon from heterotrophic microorganisms. Our results indicate that check dams display a considerable potential for eroded SOC sequestration via reducing the soil respiration rate and highlight the important implications of lateral carbon redistribution and human engineering projects when estimating regional or global ecosystem carbon cycles.
Incidence, Prevalence, and Survival of Biopsy‐Proven Giant Cell Arteritis in Northern Italy During a 26‐Year Period
Authors: Catanoso Mariagrazia , Macchioni Pierluigi , Boiardi Luigi , Muratore Francesco , Restuccia Giovanna , Cavazza Alberto , Pipitone Nicolò , Mancuso Pamela , Luberto Ferdinando , Salvarani Carlo
Published: May 2016

Objective

To investigate the epidemiology and mortality in patients with biopsy‐proven giant cell arteritis (GCA) in northern Italy.

Methods

All patients with incident temporal‐artery biopsy‐positive GCA, diagnosed between 1986 and 2012 and living in the Reggio Emilia area, were identified by using a pathology register and by reviewing all histopathologic specimens. For each patient, we identified 1 comparison subject from the same geographic area, matched for age and sex. Mortality rates and specific causes of death were reported.

Results

There were 285 incident cases of biopsy‐proven GCA (210 women) during the 26‐year study period. The overall age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence per 100,000 persons ages ≥50 years was 5.8 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.1, 6.5). Incidence was significantly higher in women (7.8 [95% CI 6.7, 8.9]) than in men (3.3 [95% CI 2.6, 4.1]) (P < 0.0001). Annual age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence rates significantly increased by 15.9% per 3 years from 1986 to 2000, then significantly fell by −4.8% per 3 years from 2001–2012. The prevalence of GCA on December 31, 2012 was 87.9 (95% CI 75.8, 101.4). No significant differences in the mortality rates were observed between GCA patients (4.9 per 100 person‐years [95% CI 4.1, 5.8]) and non‐GCA subjects (5.6 [95% CI 4.7, 6.6]). No significant differences in causes of death were observed comparing GCA patients to non‐GCA subjects.

Conclusion

This large population‐based study of biopsy‐proven GCA confirmed the lower incidence of GCA in Mediterranean countries and did not observe any increased mortality risk.
Ferroelectric Self‐Poling, Switching, and Monoclinic Domain Configuration in BiFeO3 Thin Films
Authors: Beekman C. , Siemons W. , Chi M. , Balke N. , Howe J. Y. , Ward T. Z. , Maksymovych P. , Budai J. D. , Tischler J. Z. , Xu R. , Liu W. , Christen H. M.
Published: May 2016

Self‐poling of ferroelectric films, i.e., a preferred, uniform direction of the ferroelectric polarization in as‐grown samples is often observed yet poorly understood despite its importance for device applications. The multiferroic perovskite BiFeO3, which crystallizes in two distinct structural polymorphs depending on applied epitaxial strain, is well known to exhibit self‐poling. This study investigates the effect of self‐poling on the monoclinic domain configuration and the switching properties of the two polymorphs of BiFeO3 (R′ and T′) in thin films grown on LaAlO3 substrates with slightly different La0.3Sr0.7MnO3 buffer layers. This study shows that the polarization state formed during the growth acts as “imprint” on the polarization and that switching the polarization away from this self‐poled direction can only be done at the expense of the sample's monoclinic domain configuration. The observed reduction of the monoclinic domain size is largely reversible; hence, the domain size is restored when the polarization is switched back to its original orientation. This is a direct consequence of the growth taking place in the polar phase (below Tc). Switching the polarization away from the preferred configuration, in which defects and domain patterns synergistically minimize the system's energy, leads to a domain state with smaller (and more highly strained and distorted) monoclinic domains.
Severe sepsis caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus complicated by thrombotic microangiopathy in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: Maezawa Shota , Kudo Daisuke , Asanuma Keiichiro , Takekoshi Daisuke , Egashira Ryuichiro , Kushimoto Shigeki
Published: May 2016

Case

A 61‐year‐old man with an unremarkable medical history was admitted with fever 7 days after being bitten by his dog. On day 3, he showed altered mental status, and laboratory data showed progressive hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, renal dysfunction, coagulopathy, and schistocytosis. Severe sepsis complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus was suspected.

Outcome

Plasma exchange was applied to treat the thrombotic microangiopathy and resulted in platelet count increase and improved renal function, hyperbilirubinemia, and schistocytosis. Blood culture results confirmed the presence of C. canimorsus. The patient was discharged in good condition.

Conclusion

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is rare cause of severe sepsis, and should be suspected even in immunocompetent patients with dog‐bite history. Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection may be complicated by thrombotic microangiopathy, for which plasma exchange should be considered prior to definitive diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathy.
Muscle Biopsy Findings in Combination With Myositis‐Specific Autoantibodies Aid Prediction of Outcomes in Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Authors: Deakin Claire T. , Yasin Shireena A. , Simou Stefania , Arnold Katie A. , Tansley Sarah L. , Betteridge Zoe E. , McHugh Neil J. , Varsani Hemlata , Holton Janice L. , Jacques Thomas S. , Pilkington Clarissa A. , Nistala Kiran , Wedderburn Lucy R. ,   on behalf of the UK Juvenile Dermatomyositis Research Group
Published: May 2016

Objective

Juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare and severe autoimmune condition characterized by rash and proximal muscle weakness. While some patients respond to standard treatment, others do not. This study was carried out to investigate whether histopathologic findings and myositis‐specific autoantibodies (MSAs) have prognostic significance in juvenile DM.

Methods

Muscle biopsy samples (n = 101) from patients in the UK Juvenile Dermatomyositis Cohort and Biomarker Study were stained, analyzed, and scored for severity of histopathologic features. In addition, autoantibodies were measured in the serum or plasma of patients (n = 90) and longitudinal clinical data were collected (median duration of follow‐up 4.9 years). Long‐term treatment status (on or off medication over time) was modeled using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Muscle biopsy scores differed according to MSA subgroup. When the effects of MSA subgroup were accounted for, increased severity of muscle histopathologic features was predictive of an increased risk of remaining on treatment over time: for the global pathology score (histopathologist's visual analog scale [hVAS] score), 1.48‐fold higher odds (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.12–1.96; P = 0.0058), and for the total biopsy score (determined with the standardized score tool), 1.10‐fold higher odds (95% CI 1.01–1.21; P = 0.038). A protective effect was identified in patients with anti–Mi‐2 autoantibodies, in whom the odds of remaining on treatment were 7.06‐fold lower (95% CI 1.41–35.36; P = 0.018) despite muscle biopsy scores indicating more severe disease. In patients with anti–nuclear matrix protein 2 autoantibodies, anti–transcription intermediary factor 1γ autoantibodies, or no detectable autoantibody, increased histopathologic severity alone, without adjustment for the effect of MSA subtype, was predictive of the risk of remaining on treatment: for the hVAS global pathology score, 1.61‐fold higher odds (95% CI 1.16–2.22; P = 0.004), and for the total biopsy score, 1.13‐fold higher odds (95% CI 1.03–1.24; P = 0.013).

Conclusion

Histopathologic severity, in combination with MSA subtype, is predictive of the risk of remaining on treatment in patients with juvenile DM and may be useful for discussing probable treatment length with parents and patients. Understanding these associations may identify patients at greater risk of severe disease.
Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Stroke in Patients With Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's): A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Aviña‐Zubieta J. Antonio , Mai Alice , Amiri Neda , Dehghan Natasha , Ann Tan Ju , Sayre Eric C. , Choi Hyon K.
Published: May 2016

Objective

To assess the relative risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic stroke in patients with newly diagnosed granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA) compared with that in controls from the general population.

Methods

Using a population‐based database from the province of British Columbia, Canada, we conducted a matched cohort study in which each patient with incident GPA was matched for age, sex, and entry time with up to 10 individuals from the general population. Patients in the GPA cohort were required to have received at least 1 prescription for oral glucocorticoids, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, leflunomide, azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, or rituximab within 1 month before or 6 months after the index date. We compared the incidence rates of MI and ischemic stroke between the 2 groups and calculated hazard ratios (HRs), adjusting for confounders.

Results

Among 504 patients with incident GPA (53.4% female, mean age 57.4 years), MI developed in 23 patients, and ischemic stroke developed in 18 patients (incidence rates of 11.7 per 1,000 person‐years and 8.9 per 1,000 person‐years, respectively). The incidence rates among 5,222 subjects without GPA were 5.2 per 1,000 person‐years and 4.3 per 1,000 person‐years, respectively. The multivariable HRs among GPA patients were 1.86 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.05–3.31) for MI and 1.50 (95% CI 0.78–2.89) for ischemic stroke. The age‐, sex‐, and entry time–matched HR for cardiovascular disease (composite outcome of MI or stroke) was highest during the first year after GPA diagnosis (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.37–6.08).

Conclusion

Patients with GPA have a significantly increased risk of MI and a non–statistically significant trend toward an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Monitoring for this complication and vigilance in modifying risk factors are particularly warranted in this patient population, especially early after the diagnosis of GPA.