bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Boron Addition on Precipitation and Hot Ductility of 1.5Mn-0.1Nb-Ti Carbon Steels in As-Cast Condition
Authors: Komenda Jacek , Martin David , Lönnqvist Johan
Published: November 2016

Twelve experimental steels with a base composition 1.5wt% Mn, 0.01 wt% V and 0.1 wt% Nb and varying C (0.05, 010 and 0.20 wt%), Ti (20 – 260 ppm) and B (0 – 100 ppm) contents have been systematically examined to quantify the effects of composition on precipitation behavio-ur and hot ductility during simulated continuous casting conditions. Nb-rich precipitates were present in the alloys with 0.10 wt-% C and 0.20 wt-% C. Alloys with 0.05, 010 and 0.20wt% C contained 50 – 100 nm size Ti-Nb carbonitrides. Boron was bound in 20 – 100 nm size boronitrides located in prior austenite grain boundaries. A Gleeble 3800 was used to study hot ductility and strain induced precipitation processes in the alloys. Alloys without B and Ti additions exhibited poor hot ductility at 850°C and 950°C, whereas the 0.05 wt-% C and 0.10 wt-% C alloys showed improved hot ductility (reduction in area 40-50%) by the addition of either >50 ppm B or 250 ppm Ti. The 0.2 wt-% C alloys showed no improvement from B or Ti additions. Examination of fracture surfaces of hot ductility specimens showed that boronitrides were located at prior austenite grain boundaries in alloys containing 80 – 100 ppm of B. Compression-relaxation tests showed that alloying with boron caused a noticeable decrease of the start temperature of strain-induced precipitation in the alloys.
New Metallurgy of Additive Manufacturing in Metal: Experiences from the Material and Process Development with Electron Beam Melting Technology (EBM)
Authors: Koptioug Andrey , Rännar Lars Erik , Bäckström Mikael , Shen Zhi Jian
Published: November 2016

Additive manufacturing (AM) is becoming one of the most discussed modern technologies. Significant achievements of the AM in metals today are mainly connected to the unprecedented freedom of component shapes this technology allows. But full potential of these methods lies in the development of new materials designed to be used specifically with AM. Proper understanding of the AM process will open up new possibilities, where material and component properties can be specifically tailored by controlling the parameters throughout the whole manufacturing process. Present paper discusses the issues related to the beam melting technologies AM and electron beam welding (EBW). We are speaking of new direction in material science that can be termed “non-stationary metallurgy”, using the examples from material and process development for EBW, electron beam melting (EBM®) and other additive manufacturing methods.
Type I IFN Inhibits Alternative Macrophage Activation during Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Leads to Enhanced Protection in the Absence of IFN-γ Signaling
Authors: Moreira-Teixeira Lúcia , Sousa Jeremy , McNab Finlay W. , Torrado Egídio , Cardoso Filipa , Machado Henrique , Castro Flávia , Cardoso Vânia , Gaifem Joana , Wu Xuemei , Appelberg Rui , Castro António Gil , O’Garra Anne , Saraiva Margarida
Published: November 2016

Tuberculosis causes ∼1.5 million deaths every year, thus remaining a leading cause of death from infectious diseases in the world. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that type I IFN plays a detrimental role in tuberculosis pathogenesis, likely by interfering with IFN-γ–dependent immunity. In this article, we reveal a novel mechanism by which type I IFN may confer protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the absence of IFN-γ signaling. We show that production of type I IFN by M. tuberculosis–infected macrophages induced NO synthase 2 and inhibited arginase 1 gene expression. In vivo, absence of both type I and type II IFN receptors led to strikingly increased levels of arginase 1 gene expression and protein activity in infected lungs, characteristic of alternatively activated macrophages. This correlated with increased lung bacterial burden and pathology and decreased survival compared with mice deficient in either receptor. Increased expression of other genes associated with alternatively activated macrophages, as well as increased expression of Th2-associated cytokines and decreased TNF expression, were also observed. Thus, in the absence of IFN-γ signaling, type I IFN suppressed the switching of macrophages from a more protective classically activated phenotype to a more permissive alternatively activated phenotype. Together, our data support a model in which suppression of alternative macrophage activation by type I IFN during M. tuberculosis infection, in the absence of IFN-γ signaling, contributes to host protection.
Overexpression of Soluble Fas Ligand following Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Therapy Prevents Retinal Ganglion Cell Death in Chronic and Acute Murine Models of Glaucoma
Authors: Krishnan Anitha , Fei Fei , Jones Alexander , Busto Patricia , Marshak-Rothstein Ann , Ksander Bruce R. , Gregory-Ksander Meredith
Published: November 2016

Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease resulting in the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and irreversible blindness. Glaucoma-associated RGC death depends on the proapoptotic and proinflammatory activity of membrane-bound Fas ligand (mFasL). In contrast to mFasL, the natural cleavage product, soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) inhibits mFasL-mediated apoptosis and inflammation and, therefore, is an mFasL antagonist. DBA/2J mice spontaneously develop glaucoma and, predictably, RGC destruction is exacerbated by expression of a mutated membrane-only FasL gene that lacks the extracellular cleavage site. Remarkably, one-time intraocular adeno-associated virus–mediated gene delivery of sFasL provides complete and sustained neuroprotection in the chronic DBA/2J and acute microbead-induced models of glaucoma, even in the presence of elevated intraocular pressure. This protection correlated with inhibition of glial activation, reduced production of TNF-α, and decreased apoptosis of RGCs and loss of axons. These data indicate that cleavage of FasL under homeostatic conditions, and the ensuing release of sFasL, normally limits the neurodestructive activity of FasL. The data further support the notion that sFasL, and not mFasL, contributes to the immune-privileged status of the eye.
First-in-Human Study in Healthy Subjects with FR104, a Pegylated Monoclonal Antibody Fragment Antagonist of CD28
Authors: Poirier Nicolas , Blancho Gilles , Hiance Maryvonne , Mary Caroline , Van Assche Tim , Lempoels Jos , Ramael Steven , Wang Weirong , Thepenier Virginie , Braudeau Cecile , Salabert Nina , Josien Regis , Anderson Ian , Gourley Ian , Soulillou Jean-Paul , Coquoz Didier , Vanhove Bernard
Published: November 2016

FR104 is a monovalent pegylated Fab′ Ab, antagonist of CD28, under development for treatment of transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. In contrast to CD80/86 antagonists (CTLA4-Ig), FR104 selectively blunts CD28 costimulation while sparing CTLA-4 and PD-L1 coinhibitory signals. In the present work, FR104 has been evaluated in a first-in-human study to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potency of i.v. administrations in healthy subjects. Sixty-four subjects were randomly assigned to four single ascending dose groups, two double dose groups and four single ascending dose groups challenged with keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Subjects were followed up over a maximum of 113 d. Overall, the pharmacokinetics of FR104 after a single and double infusions was approximately linear at doses ≥0.200 mg/kg. CD28 receptor occupancy by FR104 was saturated at the first sampling time point (0.5 h) at doses above 0.02 mg/kg and returned to 50% in a dose-dependent manner, by day 15 (0.020 mg/kg) to 85 (1.500 mg/kg). FR104 was well tolerated, with no evidence of cytokine-release syndrome and no impact on blood lymphocyte subsets. Inhibition of anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin Ab response was dose-dependent in FR104 recipients and was already apparent at a dose of 0.02 mg/kg. Abs to FR104 were detected in 22/46 (48%) of FR104 recipients and only 1/46 (2.2%) was detected during drug exposure. In conclusion, selective blockade of CD28 with FR104 was safe and well tolerated at the doses tested. The observed immunosuppressive activity indicated that FR104 has potential to show clinical activity in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.
Novel Mold-free Fan-out Wafer Level Package using Silicon Wafer
Authors: Kelkar Amit , Sridharan Vivek , Tran Khanh , Ikeuchi Kiyoko , Srivastava Anu , Khandekar Viren , Agrawal Ricky
Published: November 2016

The ever increasing demand for high levels of integration and miniaturization has created new transistor nodes, shrunk redistribution line width/space, and driven a reduction in solder bump pitch. This has created the need for Fan-out packaging. This paper presents a novel Fan-out Wafer level package which does not require use of molding process or materials used typically in such packages. In this technique, silicon is used as the carrier material instead of molding compound. Advantages of silicon include good reliability, high thermal stability, and low cost. This novel Mold-free Fan-out package passes standard reliability tests including temperature cycling (TCT), Drop test (DT), and Convection reflow.
Advantages and limitations of ceramic packaging technologies in harsh applications
Authors: Bartnitzek Thomas , Thelemann Torsten , Apel Stefan , Suphan Karl-Heinz
Published: November 2016

Rising operating temperatures, environmental restrictions, harsh conditions around our electronics, shortage of space, expectations for long-term reliability and cost are some of the driving forces we all have to deal with during electronics design. While microelectronics and semiconductor industries are running in Moore's beat bringing out impressively small analog, digital or MEMS chips, their packaging is more often the actual challenge for developers and system designers. Advancing systems-on-package, smart sensors, modules for signal processing under extreme conditions need special packaging technologies and materials as well. There, at the front of the application sector, the availability of striking silicon dies alone does not automatically deliver solutions for some advanced applications. Some of the drawbacks with traditional PCB's and housings can be resolved using ceramic boards and suitable connection technologies. A good combination of miniaturization potential and advantageous characteristics from ceramic materials is given with ceramic multilayer boards, which are available in various types. The conference lecture will show an overview about advantages and handicaps of materials, components and technologies. Traditional thick film, LTCC and HTCC as well as thin films on ceramic carriers will be illuminated in terms of pro's and con's from compatibility, cost, performance and availability points of view. Finally ceramic packages have to be technologically completed by suitable interconnection techniques, where wire bonding, adhesive bonding and soldering are just a choice of, each of them in many versions that fit to the specific requirements and to best possible connections.
New ferrimagnetic garnets for LTCC-technology circulators
Authors: Qassym Lilia , Cibien Gérard , Lebourgeois Richard , Martin Gilles , Colson Dorothée
Published: November 2016

Yttrium Iron Garnet based ferrites are used in non-reciprocal devices like microwave circulators and isolators. The low dielectric and magnetic losses of those materials provide the required properties. The main drawbacks of circulators are their size and cost, due to complex mechanical assembling of the different materials.

In order to simplify this complex manufacturing process, a possible solution would be to adapt the different materials to a common LTCC (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics) process: the circulators would be produced with an additive multilayer process. We showed that cationic substitutions (bismuth and copper) enable a considerable decrease of the sintering temperature of garnets, from about 1450°C to down to 950°C. Due to bismuth cations, a high permittivity is achieved allowing the reduction of the circulator size. Our most recent results show that it is possible to decrease this temperature down to 880°C, thanks to vanadium substitutions. This significant decrease of the sintering temperature leads to a compatible material for co-firing with gold and in particular with silver (melting point of 1064°C and 962°C respectively). Different assemblies of tapes were studied: ferrite with silver or gold, ferrite with dielectric and ferrite with dielectric and metallization.

Physical analyses are exposed (dilatometry, coefficient of thermal expansion…) and magnetic and dielectric properties are discussed (permittivity and saturation magnetization). Moreover the first results of circulators in LTCC-technology with gold and silver screen printing are presented (transmission, isolation and return loss) and the compatibility of the different elements is analyzed.
Co-Design and Demonstration of a Fully Integrated Optical Transceiver Package Featuring Optical, Electrical, and Thermal Interconnects in Glass Substrate
Authors: Chou Bruce , Sawyer Brett , Vis William , Furuya Ryuta , Liu Fuhan , Sundaram Venky , Tummala Rao
Published: November 2016

This paper presents the design and demonstration of a glass package that emulates a 400 Gbps optical transceiver module. The co-design methodology ensures that requirements for optical, electrical, and thermal interconnects are met. It terms of optics, the integrated turning structure demonstrated last year is refined to reduce coupling loss to <3 dB without adding significant process complexity. 28 Gbps high speed electrical interconnects are fabricated directly on glass for insertion loss < 0.1 dB/mm. Thermal management is enabled by the use of thermal vias, which can modify the equivalent thermal conductivity of glass substrate to provide local heat sinking capability. The integrated design is fabricated utilizing a panel scalable process flow developed by the authors with shared steps. Initial characterization results confirms the electrical performance and the quality of optical turning structures.
Plasma Activated Bonding for an Enhanced Alignment Electrostatic Lens
Authors: Asadollahei Elham Vakil , Gamero-Castaño Manuel
Published: November 2016

This article presents the design and fabrication of an electrostatic lens unit for the focusing of an electrospray beam. In our design, the post fabrication assembly is eliminated when silicon electrodes and glass spacers are permanently bonded using plasma activated wafer bonding. Minimizing fabrication errors and electrodes misalignment are essential in order to minimize geometrical aberration sources such as astigmatism. Our fabrication process allows etching each electrode in a separate step and eliminates aperture size mismatch. The glass standoffs in the lens unit provide a breakdown voltage of up to 22kV for focusing in vacuum.
Fan-Out Wafer-Level-Packaging: Market and Technology Trends
Authors: Azémar Jérôme
Published: November 2016

The semiconductor industry is facing a new era in which device scaling and cost reduction will not continue on the path they followed for the past few decades, with Moore's law in its foundation. Advanced nodes do not bring the desired cost benefit anymore and R&D investments in new lithography solutions and devices below 10nm nodes are rising substantially. In order to answer market demands, the industry seeks further performance and functionality boosts in integration. While scaling options remain uncertain in the shorter term and continue to be investigated, the spotlight turns to advanced packages. Emerging packages such as fan-out wafer level packages and 2.5D/3D IC solutions together with more conventional but upgraded flip chip BGAs aim to bridge the gap and revive the cost/performance curve while at the same time adding more functionality through integration.

Embedded packages are nowadays not anymore just an interesting approach for specific applications. Benefiting from 3D TSV high cost, these packages could fit the high expectations of the industry. Indeed, added value of embedded packages in terms of integration, reliability and even cost at system level is already clear for manufacturers. Embedded packages lacked success until 2013–2014 because of long time of qualification, few players involved and customer convincing time. The situation changed with new product announcements and strong involvement of some key players, lately most notably TSMC.

In this work we will focus on one main type of embedded package of most interest at the moment: Fan-Out wafer level package. The principle of Fan-Out technology is to embed products in a mold compound and allow redistribution layer pitch to be independent from die size. This approach is already mature enough to have high volume products claimed by Nanium and JCET/Stats ChipPAC using eWLB type of Fan-Out, with many other developments from OSATs and an aggressive technology from TSMC (inFO). The market for Fan-Out packages in 2015 almost reached $500M, with potential breakthrough events in store in 2016 that could triple the 2015 market and continue further with more than 30% growth. Understanding the potential of that market and the high demand from telecom industry for a thin and cheap package, other important OSATs like Powertech or Amkor are willing to enter the market with their own technologies. TSMC is also proposing its inFO process to its customers, confirming that foundries could look at the OSATs reserved market through wafer-level packages. Each player has its own view on how to gain market share and meet the challenges such as cost reduction, panel manufacturing, yield improvement, die shift…

The presentation will provide an overview of the products announcements, commercialization roadmaps as well as market forecasts per application. Insights and trends into the different fan-out packaging approaches by applications, business models and major players will be reviewed.
PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY ALIGNMENT MARK TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR LOW COST ADVANCED PACKAGING AND BONDED WAFER APPLICATIONS
Authors: Best Keith , Gardner Steve , Donaher Casey
Published: November 2016

Advanced packaging technologies continue to enable the semiconductor industry to meet the needs for ever thinner, smaller and faster components required in mobile devices and other high performance applications. However, the increase in chip I/O count, driven by Moore's law, and the ability to produce FinFETs below 10nm have presented numerous additional challenges to the existing advanced packaging processes.

Furthermore, unlike Moore's law, which predicted the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit to double approximately every two years, advanced packaging is experiencing an alternate “law”; where instead of the number of transistors increasing, it is the number of functions increasing, within the ever decreasing volume constraints of the final product that drives the technology roadmap.

Inevitably, as functionality increases, so does the process complexity and cost. In this very cost sensitive advanced packaging arena, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test suppliers (OSATs) need to compensate by reducing their manufacturing costs. This requires the OSAT to reduce material costs, increase throughput, yield, and look for new ways to reduce the number of process steps.

One of the ways in which the OSATs have reduced the cost of materials is by removing the silicon wafer from back-end processing altogether; using epoxy mold compound (EMC) to create reconstituted wafers, or by using glass carriers. In the case of glass carriers, it is often the case, that the dice are attached face down on the carrier and subsequent processing prevents the front side patterns from being visible from the top side of the composite stack, even with infrared (IR) imaging. In this particular case, an additional lithography “clear out” window is defined in photoresist over the alignment mark so the opaque film can be etched away from the alignment mark, the resist stripped, and the lithography layer reworked. This additional processing is obviously costly and time consuming.

This paper specifically focuses on the concepts, methodology, and performance of a stepper-based photolithography solution that utilizes a photoresist latent image to provide temporary alignment marks for the lithography process, removing the need for the additional patterning and etching steps. This revolutionary system employs a backside camera, to align to die through the carrier. A separate exposure unit, calibrated to the alignment camera center, exposes temporary latent image targets which are then detected by the system's regular alignment system during the normal stepper lithography operation.

The performance data for the alignment, overlay, and latent image depth control are discussed in detail. The final analysis proves that overlay of < 2μm is readily achievable, with no impact on system throughput.
RXRα is upregulated in first trimester endometrial glands of spontaneous abortions unlike LXR and PPARγ
Authors: Knabl J. , Vattai A. , Hüttenbrenner R. , Hutter S. , Karsten M. , Jeschke U.
Published: November 2016

Nuclear receptors are necessary for uterine invasion of the trophoblast and therefore important for maintaining a viable pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and frequency of LXR, PPARγ and RXRα under physiological circumstances and in spontaneous abortions in endometrial glands and decidual tissue cells. A total of 28 (14 physiologic pregnancies/14 spontaneous abortion) human pregnancies in first trimester were analysed for expression of the nuclear receptors LXR, RXRα and PPARγ. Expression changes were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in decidual tissue and endometrial glands of the decidua. RXRα expression was up-regulated in the endometrial glands of spontaneous abortion (P<0.015). Similar up regulation of RXRα was found in decidual tissue (P<0.05). LXR and PPARγ expression was unchanged in spontaneous abortion. Via Correlation analysis we found a trend to positive correlation of LXR and PPARγ (Spearman correlation coefficient r=0.56 P=0.07) in endometrial glands. In decidual tissue, we found significant negative correlation in the control group, for the combination of RXRα and PPARγ (Spearman correlation coefficient r=0.913, P=0.03).  Our data show that RXRα expression is increased in miscarriage in endometrial glands and correlation analysis showed that negative correlation between RXRα and PPARγ disappears in miscarriage. This shift is supposable responsible for the loss of regular function in trophoblast and embryonic tissue.
Non-invasive imaging demonstrates clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis in a rat adjuvant model: a case study
Authors: Accart N. , Dawson J. , Kolbinger F. , Kramer I. , Beckmann N.
Published: November 2016

Ankylosing spondylitis is a common rheumatic disease involving both inflammatory erosive osteopenia and bony overgrowth. Main disease features are recapitulated in small rodents challenged with complete Freundâ€™s adjuvant. MRI was used to follow longitudinally in vivo changes induced in the rat spine and micro-CT as terminal assessment of bone damage. Histochemistry methods were used to validate these imaging modalities in view of preclinical drug testing and translational applications of spine imaging. Animals were examined using a 3D fat-suppressed gradient-echo sequence, following the injection of gadolinium. At the end of the study, spines were excised for micro-CT and histological examination. Signals reflecting inflammation were detected at levels L5-L6 of the lumbar spine throughout the experimental period, peaking at day 27 after adjuvant. At day 14 the inflammatory response occurred along ligaments but it expanded to nearby soft tissues at later time points. From day 27 onwards inflammation was also detected within the bone, in areas where erosion occurred, and bone-like structures were formed. Micro-CT showed bone remodeling. Histology of isolated spines confirmed the inflammation and bone remodeling observed in vivo. The present study including three complementary approaches clearly demonstrates the potential of imaging for longitudinal assessments of changes in the spine in this animal model in view of preclinical pharmacological studies. The excellent correlation seen between the in vivo images and the histology underlines its fundamental role in the validation of non-invasive imaging readouts.
Numerical simulation of the vertical migration of Microcystis (cyanobacteria) colonies based on turbulence drag
Authors: Zhao Hongru , Zhu Wei , Chen Huaimin , Zhou Xiaohua , Wang Ruochen , Li Ming
Published: November 2016

The vertical migration and accumulation of Microcystis is an important process in water blooms, and colony migration is influenced by colony size and wind-wave disturbance. The vertical migration of Microcystis colonies in turbulence can be simulated in a numerical model. In this study, we model such migration by coupling the colony size and hydrodynamics, including the gravity, colony buoyancy, and the viscous drag force of turbulence. The turbulence intensity was represented by the turbulent kinetic energy (KZ); the larger the KZ, the stronger the wind-wave disturbance. The simulated vertical distribution of Microcystis well agreed with the measured values in a laboratory experiment indicating that our model can simulate the vertical distribution of Microcystis under different hydrodynamic conditions. We also found a size-dependent critical turbulent kinetic energy (TKZ), such that if the turbulent kinetic energy of water exceeds the critical value (i.e., KZ > TKZ), the colonies sink under the drag forces of turbulence; conversely, if KZ < TKZ, the colonies can overcome the turbulent mixing and float. The TKZ of each colony was linearly related to colony diameter. The model is crucial for prediction and prevention of water blooms. The simulated threshold turbulent kinetic energy, at which water blooms disappear in Lake Taihu (a large freshwater lake in the Yangtze Delta, Jiangsu Province, China), was 55.5 cm2 s−2. 
Approximating $L^2$-invariants by their classical counterparts
Authors: Lück Wolfgang
Published: November 2016

In this paper we discuss open problems concerning

L^2

-invariants focusing on approximation by towers of finite coverings.
Performance of Health Workers Using an Electronic Algorithm for the Management of Childhood Illness in Tanzania: A Pilot Implementation Study
Authors: Rambaud-Althaus Clotilde , Shao Amani , Samaka Josephine , Swai Ndeniria , Perri Seneca , Kahama-Maro Judith , Mitchell Marc , D'Acremont Valérie , Genton Blaise
Published: November 2016

In low-resource settings, where qualified health workers (HWs) are scarce and childhood mortality high, rational antimicrobial prescription for childhood illnesses is a challenge. To assess whether smartphones running guidelines, as compared with paper support, improve consultation process and rational use of medicines for children, a pilot cluster-randomized controlled study was conducted in Tanzania. Nine primary health-care facilities (HFs) were randomized into three arms: 1) paper algorithm, 2) electronic algorithm on a smartphone, and 3) control. All HWs attending children aged 2–59 months for acute illness in intervention HFs were trained on a new clinical algorithm for management of childhood illness (ALMANACH) either on 1) paper or 2) electronic support; 4 months after training, consultations were observed. An expert consultation was the reference for classification and treatment. Main outcomes were proportion of children checked for danger signs, and antibiotics prescription rate. A total of 504 consultations (166, 171, and 167 in control, paper, and phone arms, respectively) were observed. The use of smartphones versus paper was associated with a significant increase in children checked for danger signs (41% versus 74%, P = 0.04). Antibiotic prescriptions rate dropped from 70% in the control to 26%, and 25% in paper and electronic arms. The HWs–expert agreement on pneumonia classification remained low (expert's pneumonia identified by HWs in 26%, 30%, and 39% of patients, respectively).Mobile technology in low-income countries is implementable and has a potential to improve HWs' performance. Additional point-of-care diagnostic tests are needed to ensure appropriate management. Improving the rational use of antimicrobial is a challenge that ALMANACH can help to take up.
Poor Validity of Noninvasive Hemoglobin Measurements by Pulse Oximetry Compared with Conventional Absorptiometry in Children in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Bogoch Isaac I. , Coulibaly Jean T. , Rajchgot Jason , Andrews Jason R. , Kovac Jana , Utzinger Jürg , Panic Gordana , Keiser Jennifer
Published: November 2016

Anemia remains a major public health issue in many African communities. We compared a novel, commercially available noninvasive hemoglobin (Hb)–measuring device to direct Hb measurements by finger-prick samples in a pediatric cohort in rural Côte d'Ivoire. Noninvasive Hb measurements were attempted in 191 children 2–15 years of age and obtained in 102 (53.5%) children. The median Hb for the 102 children was 12.0 g/dL (interquartile range [IQR] = 11.3–12.7 g/dL) for conventional absorptiometry and 13.3 g/dL (IQR = 12.1–14.2 g/dL) for noninvasive measurements. A Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated a median bias of +1.1 g/dL (IQR = 0.4–2.0 g/dL), with greater overestimation of Hb by noninvasive testing occurring at low Hb values. This overestimation of the noninvasive Hb–measuring device to direct Hb measurements persisted across preschool- and school-aged children, and both sexes. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.50 for children 4–9 years of age, and 0.33 for children 10–15 years of age. Further study and development of noninvasive Hb devices is necessary prior to implementation in African pediatric populations.
The Emergence of Undergraduate Majors in Global Health: Systematic Review of Programs and Recommendations for Future Directions
Authors: Drain Paul K. , Mock Charles , Toole David , Rosenwald Anne , Jehn Megan , Csordas Thomas , Ferguson Laura , Waggett Caryl , Obidoa Chinekwu , Wasserheit Judith N.
Published: November 2016

Global health education has been expanding rapidly and several universities have created an undergraduate major degree (bachelor's degree) in global heath or global health studies. Because there are currently no national guidelines for undergraduate degrees in global health, each of these programs was developed along individual lines. To guide the development of future global health majors, we conducted a systematic review of undergraduate majors in global health. We identified eight programs and invited program directors or representatives to a symposium at the Consortium of Universities for Global Health 2016 conference to review their existing undergraduate major in global health and to discuss lessons learned and recommendations for other colleges and universities seeking to develop undergraduate degrees in global health. We noted significant diversity among the existing programs in terms of required courses, international field experiences, and thesis research projects. In this review, we describe these global health programs, their student characteristics, as well as the key educational competencies, program requirements, and core global health courses. Based on program reviews and discussions, we identify seven recommendations for the development and expansion of an undergraduate major in global health and discuss issues that have arisen in the curricular development of these programs that warrant further exploration. As the field of global health education continues to expand, following these students after graduation will be essential to ensure that the degree programs in global health both meet student needs and launch students on viable career pathways.
The Association Between Neurocysticercosis and Hippocampal Atrophy is Related to Age
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H. , Issa Naoum P. , Salgado Perla , Del Brutto Victor J. , Zambrano Mauricio , Lama Julio , García Héctor H.
Published: November 2016

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) has been associated with hippocampal atrophy, but the prevalence and pathogenic mechanisms implicated in this relationship are unknown. Using a population-based, case–control study design, residents in a rural village (Atahualpa) aged ≥ 40 years with calcified NCC were identified as cases and paired to NCC-free individuals (control subjects) matched by age, sex, and level of education. Cases and control subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging for hippocampal rating according to the Scheltens' scale for medial temporal atrophy and were interviewed to identify those with a clinical seizure disorder. The prevalence of hippocampal atrophy was compared between cases and control subjects by the use of the McNemar's test for correlated proportions. Seventy-five individuals with calcified NCC and their matched control subjects were included in the analysis. Hippocampal atrophy was noted in 26 (34.7%) cases and nine (12%) control subjects (odds ratio: 4.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.6–14.9, P < 0.0021). Stratification of pairs according to tertiles of age revealed an age-related trend in this association, which became significant only in those aged ≥ 68 years (P = 0.027). Only five cases and one control had recurrent seizures (P = 0.221); three of these five cases had hippocampal atrophy, and the single control subject had normal hippocampi. This study confirms an association between NCC and hippocampal atrophy, and shows that this association is stronger in older age groups. This suggests that NCC-related hippocampal atrophy takes a long time to develop.
Virtual reassembly and completion of a fragmentary drinking vessel
Authors: Tsiafaki Despoina , Koutsoudis Anestis , Arnaoutoglou Fotis , Michailidou Natasa
Published: November 2016

A  key  issue  in  the  study  of  cultural  assets  is theiroften  fragmentary  condition.  This  causes  serious  problems  and questions regarding theirstudy and presentation. Pottery fragments are the most numerous findings in every excavation. Furthermore, pottery plays an essential role for the reconstruction of the past, since it providesinformation for all aspects of  life  (private,  public,  religion,  death,  economy,  society,  trade,etc.). Therefore,a  thorough  study  and  presentation  of pottery fragments contribute to a better knowledge of the past.The focus of this work is the visualisation of an ancient Greek  drinking  vase,  a kantharos,  which  was  unearthed  during  the  excavations  at  the  settlement  of  Karabournaki (ancient Therme) in the area of Thessaloniki (Greece). It dates to the Archaic period (7th-6thc. B.C.) and it was found in fragments  among  the  settlement's  architectural  remains.  The  vase  is  of  great  archaeological  significance  due  to  its peculiarities  in  terms  of  shape,  decoration  and  function. Therefore,its  digital  completion  and  3D  reconstruction  willcontribute to its betterstudy and scholarly publication along with a general contribution to the field of pottery studies.We discuss  on  the  3D  digitisation  of  the kantharosfragments  that  werebased  onStructure from Motion/Multiple  View Stereovision  (SfM/MVS)  and  a  custom  automated  data  collection  system.  A  detailed  description  of  the  digitisation pipeline is given along with details related to the quality of the 3D digital replicas of the sherds. Furthermore, we presentour  manual  virtual  reassembly  and  reconstruction  pipelineof  the kantharosby  describing  the  challenges,  issues  and ambiguities discovered while analysing the geometrical features of each sherd. A number of photorealistic reconstruction visualisations  of  the  artefact  are  presented  in  order  to  question  the  applicability  of  the  solution  for  the  actual reconstruction
3D visibility analysis as a tool to validate ancient theatre reconstructions: the case of the large Roman theatre of Gortyn
Authors: Manzetti Maria Cristina
Published: November 2016

With the diffusion of Virtual Archaeology, many projects in the field of Cultural Heritage attempt to virtually reconstruct historical buildings of different types. Unfortunately, some of these 3D reconstructions still have as principal aim to impress the external users, while the correct interpretation of the buildings modeled is much more important in the domain of archaeological research. Still more critical is the situation when we have to encounter a reconstruction of a monument which is not visible anymore, or which consists only of few architectural remains. The main purpose of this paper is to introduce an innovative methodology to verify hypothetical scenarios of 3D architectural reconstructions, specifically for ancient theatres. In very recent time 3D visibility analysis applied to archaeological context using ArcGIS has been developed, in particular about social-urban studies. In this paper, visibility analysis in 3D contexts is used as an additional instrument to correctly reconstruct architectural elements of the large Roman theatre of Gortyn, in Crete. The results indicate that the level of visibility of the stage, and consequently of the presumed actors, from some of the more representative sectors of the cavea, is of crucial importance for leading to a right reconstruction model of the theatre.
In vitro exposure to isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosol by direct deposition and its effects on COX-2 and IL-8 gene expression
Authors: Arashiro Maiko , Lin Ying-Hsuan , Sexton Kenneth G. , Zhang Zhenfa , Jaspers Ilona , Fry Rebecca C. , Vizuete William G. , Gold Avram , Surratt Jason D.
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Atmospheric oxidation of isoprene, the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbon emitted into Earth's atmosphere primarily from terrestrial vegetation, is now recognized as a major contributor to the global secondary organic aerosol (SOA) burden. Anthropogenic pollutants significantly enhance isoprene SOA formation through acid-catalyzed heterogeneous chemistry of epoxide products. Since isoprene SOA formation as a source of fine aerosol is a relatively recent discovery, research is lacking on evaluating its potential adverse effects on human health. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of isoprene-derived SOA on inflammation-associated gene expression in human lung cells using a direct deposition exposure method. We assessed altered expression of inflammation-related genes in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) exposed to isoprene-derived SOA generated in an outdoor chamber facility. Measurements of gene expression of known inflammatory biomarkers interleukin 8 (IL-8) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in exposed cells, together with complementary chemical measurements, showed that a dose of 0.067 µg cm−2 of SOA from isoprene photooxidation leads to statistically significant increases in IL-8 and COX-2 mRNA levels. Resuspension exposures using aerosol filter extracts corroborated these findings, supporting the conclusion that isoprene-derived SOA constituents induce the observed changes in mRNA levels. The present study is an attempt to examine the early biological responses of isoprene SOA exposure in human lung cells.
Ocean acidification challenges copepod phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Vehmaa Anu , Almén Anna-Karin , Brutemark Andreas , Paul Allanah , Riebesell Ulf , Furuhagen Sara , Engström-Öst Jonna
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Ocean acidification is challenging phenotypic plasticity of individuals and populations. Calanoid copepods (zooplankton) are shown to be fairly plastic against altered pH conditions, and laboratory studies indicate that transgenerational effects are one mechanism behind this plasticity. We studied phenotypic plasticity of the copepod Acartia sp. in the course of a pelagic, large-volume mesocosm study that was conducted to investigate ecosystem and biogeochemical responses to ocean acidification. We measured copepod egg production rate, egg-hatching success, adult female size and adult female antioxidant capacity (ORAC) as a function of acidification (fCO2  ∼  365–1231 µatm) and as a function of quantity and quality of their diet. We used an egg transplant experiment to reveal whether transgenerational effects can alleviate the possible negative effects of ocean acidification on offspring development. We found significant negative effects of ocean acidification on adult female size. In addition, we found signs of a possible threshold at high fCO2, above which adaptive maternal effects cannot alleviate the negative effects of acidification on egg-hatching and nauplii development. We did not find support for the hypothesis that insufficient food quantity (total particulate carbon < 55 µm) or quality (C : N) weakens the transgenerational effects. However, females with high-ORAC-produced eggs with high hatching success. Overall, these results indicate that Acartia sp. could be affected by projected near-future CO2 levels.
Quantification of runoff generation from a combined glacier and páramo catchment within an Ecological Reserve in the Ecuadorian highlands
Authors: Minaya Verónica , Camacho Suarez Vivian , Wenninger Jochen , Mynett Arthur
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Hydrological processes in combined glacier and páramo catchments are vitally important to serve the water needs of communities in the surrounding areas. Previous studies have shown that the melting of glaciers contributes to runoff generation and that the páramo ecosystem acts as a natural sponge, which plays an important role in regulating the runoff during the dry-season. However, not all runoff processes are well-understood in the Andean region due to the high spatial variability of precipitation, young volcanic ash soil properties, soil moisture dynamics and other local factors such as vegetation interception and high radiation that might influence the hydrological behaviour. In addition, there is a lack of evidence of the origin and quantification of the contribution of runoff components in the páramo ecosystem. This study focuses on data collection and experimental investigations in a small catchment (15.2 km2) within an ecological reserve in the Ecuadorian Andean region. The approach consists of the identification of suitable environmental tracers and hydrochemical features to identify the various runoff sources in order to determine their respective contribution during dry and wet conditions. The results show the great importance of the páramo on the contribution to total runoff during baseflow and rainfall conditions.
Sub-basin-scale sea level budgets from satellite altimetry, Argo floats and satellite gravimetry: a case study in the North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Kleinherenbrink Marcel , Riva Riccardo , Sun Yu
Published: November 2016

Abstract. In this study, for the first time, an attempt is made to close the sea level budget on a sub-basin scale in terms of trend and amplitude of the annual cycle. We also compare the residual time series after removing the trend, the semiannual and the annual signals. To obtain errors for altimetry and Argo, full variance–covariance matrices are computed using correlation functions and their errors are fully propagated. For altimetry, we apply a geographically dependent intermission bias [Ablain et al.(2015)], which leads to differences in trends up to 0.8 mm yr−1. Since Argo float measurements are non-homogeneously spaced, steric sea levels are first objectively interpolated onto a grid before averaging. For the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE), gravity fields full variance–covariance matrices are used to propagate errors and statistically filter the gravity fields. We use four different filtered gravity field solutions and determine which post-processing strategy is best for budget closure. As a reference, the standard 96 degree Dense Decorrelation Kernel-5 (DDK5)-filtered Center for Space Research (CSR) solution is used to compute the mass component (MC). A comparison is made with two anisotropic Wiener-filtered CSR solutions up to degree and order 60 and 96 and a Wiener-filtered 90 degree ITSG solution. Budgets are computed for 10 polygons in the North Atlantic Ocean, defined in a way that the error on the trend of the MC plus steric sea level remains within 1 mm yr−1. Using the anisotropic Wiener filter on CSR gravity fields expanded up to spherical harmonic degree 96, it is possible to close the sea level budget in 9 of 10 sub-basins in terms of trend. Wiener-filtered Institute of Theoretical geodesy and Satellite Geodesy (ITSG) and the standard DDK5-filtered CSR solutions also close the trend budget if a glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) correction error of 10–20 % is applied; however, the performance of the DDK5-filtered solution strongly depends on the orientation of the polygon due to residual striping. In 7 of 10 sub-basins, the budget of the annual cycle is closed, using the DDK5-filtered CSR or the Wiener-filtered ITSG solutions. The Wiener-filtered 60 and 96 degree CSR solutions, in combination with Argo, lack amplitude and suffer from what appears to be hydrological leakage in the Amazon and Sahel regions. After reducing the trend, the semiannual and the annual signals, 24–53 % of the residual variance in altimetry-derived sea level time series is explained by the combination of Argo steric sea levels and the Wiener-filtered ITSG MC. Based on this, we believe that the best overall solution for the MC of the sub-basin-scale budgets is the Wiener-filtered ITSG gravity fields. The interannual variability is primarily a steric signal in the North Atlantic Ocean, so for this the choice of filter and gravity field solution is not really significant.
A global high-resolution map of debris on glaciers derived from multi-temporal ASTER images
Authors: Sasaki Orie , Noguchi Omi , Zhang Yong , Hirabayashi Yukiko , Kanae Shinjiro
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Supraglacial debris affects the response of glaciers to climate change by altering the reflectivity of solar radiation and conductive heat flux. To accurately assess the contribution of glacier melts to sea level rise, water resources and natural hazards, it is important to account for the effects of debris. However, due to the practical difficulties of global-scale field measurements, information regarding the spatial distribution of the thickness and thermal properties of debris on glaciers is limited; hence, the effects of debris on glacier melting are not explicitly taken into account in current global glacier models. In this study, we developed a dataset of the thermal resistance of debris on glaciers at 90-m resolution derived from multi-temporal satellite images and satellite-derived radiation data at the global scale, excluding Greenland, Antarctica, and some of the Arctic. We found that supraglacial debris covered 16.8 % of the entire analyzed glacial area. The highest debris cover percentage occurred in New Zealand, and the lowest was in Iceland. The area of thick debris (which suppresses glacier melting) was about two times that of thin debris (which accelerates glacier melting), indicating that the insulation effect of debris to inhibit glacier melting may dominate at the global scale. The distribution of debris was also related to the slope aspect of glaciers. Despite the limitations of this study, the resulting global distribution of the thermal resistance of debris can be incorporated into global glacier models, and hence it provides a solid basis for evaluating the effects of debris on glacial melting.