bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Various Tools Available to Access Patent Information in India
Authors: Bagga Teena , Vig Shinu
Published: June 2017

The 21st century has seen the emergence of global economy where world has moved from information to knowledge. Innovation and Creativity indeed has become the necessity for organizations to gain competitive advantage. The sustenance of this competitive advantage requires the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) which an individual or an organization possesses. In order to protect their Intellectual Property, Innovators needs to apply for patents. A patent which is an exclusive right granted for an invention needs to be novel. Hence, one of the important steps in patent filing process is “searching”, which is very much required to see whether the concept or product has been already patented and publicly made available before claiming the originality. To get a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application. This information is available from both free and fee-based sources across globe. This chapter attempts to presents different databases and tools available in India for Patent Search.
Long-Term Care Spending Relevant to U.S. Medicaid Expansion
Authors: Schmeida Mary , McNeal Ramona Sue
Published: June 2017

The U.S. population is living longer, placing a demand on long-term care services. In the U.S., Medicaid is the primary player in funding costly long-term care for the aged poor. As a major health reform law, the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, gives financial incentive for states to expand Medicaid, transitioning long-term care services from facilities toward community care. Facing other funding obligations and recent recessions, not all states expanded their Medicaid long-term care program using the financial incentives. Some states continue to spend more dollars on traditional nursing facility care despite legislation. This chapter explores why some states spend more revenue on nursing facility long-term care despite enhanced federal funding to reform, while others are spending more on home and community-based services. Regression analysis and 50 state-level data is used.
Aging in Place
Authors: Fong Ben Yuk Fai , Law Vincent T.
Published: June 2017

Aging is a function of time and is a natural and integral part of the life cycle. Aging process differs among individuals and brings all kinds of changes, affecting not just the physical body and its functions, but also to the social, psychological and financial situations to individuals. Aging in place (AIP) is a common preference among older people for remaining in their local community and maintaining their social networks throughout the aging process. Issues about appropriateness of aging in place, long-term care, and residential homes are discussed. Some models and recommendations are discussed, completed with thoughts on future studies.
Advanced Network Data Analytics for Large-Scale DDoS Attack Detection
Authors: Xylogiannopoulos Konstantinos F. , Karampelas Panagiotis , Alhajj Reda
Published: June 2017

Internet-enabled devices or Internet of Things as it has been prevailed are increasing exponentially every day. The lack of security standards in the manufacturing of these devices along with the haste of the manufacturers to increase their market share in this area has created a very large network of vulnerable devices that can be easily recruited as bot members and used to initiate very large volumetric Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The significance of the problem can be easily acknowledged due to the large number of cases regarding attacks on institutions, enterprises and even countries which have been recently revealed. In the current paper a novel method is introduced, which is based on a data mining technique that can analyze incoming IP traffic details and early warn the network administrator about a potentially developing DDoS attack. The method can scale depending on the availability of the infrastructure from a conventional laptop computer to a complex cloud infrastructure. Based on the hardware configuration as it is proved with the experiments the method can easily monitor and detect abnormal network traffic of several Gbps in real time using the minimum hardware equipment.
A Taxonomy for Distance-Based Spatial Join Queries
Authors: Li Lingxiao , Taniar David
Published: June 2017

Join operation is one of the most used operations in database management systems, including spatial databases. Hence, spatial join queries are very important in spatial database processing. There are many different kinds of spatial join queries, due to the richness in spatial data types and spatial operations. Therefore, it is important to understand the full spectrum of spatial join queries. The aim of this paper is to give a classification to one family type of spatial join, called the Distance-based Spatial Join. In the taxonomy, the authors divide this spatial join into three categories: (i) AllRange, (ii) All-kNN, and (iii) All-RNN. Each of these categories has its own variants. In this taxonomy, the authors confine the discussions to join queries on fixed points.
Co-Production and Co-Creation in Public Services
Authors: Waller Paul
Published: June 2017

Publications continue to affirm that there are no agreed definitions or conceptual frameworks for co-production and co-creation in relation to public services. Consequently, across and within academic and grey literature lie many examples of confusion and contradictions. These hinder insightful discussion and explanatory research. This paper argues that underlying this muddle is a failure to be clear about the nature and structure of public services. The commonly used “service to customers” model from commerce is a misleading oversimplification. To re-frame the discussions on co-creation and co-production, a model is developed of a generic multi-actor, multi-instrument system that helps to identify the real issues associated with governmental and non-governmental actors combining to achieve a social outcome. The system can be assessed in terms of relationships (e.g. degrees of openness and collaboration) and the role of technology (e-government). The essential role of the government is determined to be policy and system design.
Towards the Development of Smart Spaces-Based Socio-Cyber-Medicine Systems
Authors: Zavyalova Yulia V. , Korzun Dmitry G. , Meigal Alexander Yu. , Borodin Alexander V.
Published: June 2017

The concept of Cyber-Medicine System (CMS) is applied to research and development of medical information systems where the Internet is used to integrate medical devices and healthcare services into the system and to connect patients and medical professionals. In this paper, the authors generalize the concept to Socio-CMS, where the social world is added to the fusion of physical and cyber worlds. The social world affects the end-user activity and provides opportunities for collaborative work. A semantic layer is introduced to integrate all system and domain objects from the three digitalized worlds into a smart space: multi-source data, ongoing processes, situation attributes, reasoning rules, and human activity. All objects are dynamically related, leading to such a knowledge-rich structure as a semantic network. Data mining and analytics apply semantic algorithms for this network, including the Big Data case. The derived knowledge feeds construction of advanced healthcare services for supporting medical professionals and for assisting patients.
Effects of density dependent larval competition on the life history traits of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Banerjee Sampa , Pramanik Soujita , Banerjee Soumyajit , Saha Goutam K. , Aditya Gautam
Published: June 2017

Consequences of larval competition at the population level provide explanation for the differences in relative abundance of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in different geographical regions. The outcome of competition is assessed through the estimates of the life history traits as a response to varying density and resource available for larval development. In the present study, variations in the life history traits due to density-dependent intra- and inter- specific competition involving A. aegypti and A. albopictus were assessed following the minimalist model. The instar-I larvae (0-day old F2 generation) of both Aedes species were reared to the adult stages using the initial rearing density of 1, 2, 4 and 6 (individuals/10ml) in multiple replicates. The age at pupation, pupal weight, adult weight and adult wing length of the individuals were considered as the response variables and surrogates of estimating the competitive interactions. Density dependent variations in the competitive interactions were evident for both the mosquitoes with reference to the selected life history traits. In A. aegypti, the life history traits varied with the levels of competition, which was not observed for A. albopictus. Although the density levels considered in the present instance were lower than in earlier studies, the observations were similar, with A. albopictus being competitively superior. It appears that irrespective of the density levels, interspecific competition affects A. aegypti and thus may bear population level consequences and overall abundance in the areas where both species are present.
Building resilience to food insecurity in rural communities: Evidence from traditional institutions in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mavhura Emmanuel
Published: June 2017

Many rural communities that depend on smallholder farming face food insecurity induced by climate-related disasters. In response, some communities are taking the initiative to cope and adapt to climate-related disasters. Using case study material from the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe, this article examines how traditional institutions are enhancing resilience to food insecurity in rural areas. The data were collected through interviews and focus groups involving traditional leaders, ward councillors, village civil protection members and villagers selected in the valley. The findings point to how the Zunde raMambo informal safety net, nhimbe form of collective work and the practice of share-rearing arrangement to access draught power help save lives and alleviate food insecurity induced by flood or drought disasters. The study concludes that the three schemes are evidence of community reorganisation or change in response to food insecurity. They are a form of absorptive capacities enabling the community to cope with food insecurity.
Undiagnosed tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection who present with severe anaemia at a district hospital
Authors: Mntonintshi Mbulelo , O'Mahony Don , Mabunda Sikhumbuzo , Namugenyi Kakia A.F.
Published: June 2017

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of severe anaemia in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in South Africa. However, TB can be difficult to diagnose as it may be extra pulmonary and paucibacillary.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate undiagnosed TB in patients with HIV infection and severe anaemia and to identify the optimal investigations for diagnosing TB.Setting: Mthatha General Hospital, a district hospital.Methods: The study was a case series.Results: Haemoglobin levels ranged from 3.6 g/dL to 7.9 g/dL, the mean CD4 count was 176 cells/μL and 80% of patients had a positive TB symptom screen. Forty-three (86%) patients had either clinical or bacteriologically proven TB of whom 33 had pulmonary TB, 34 had extra pulmonary TB and 24 had both types. The diagnostic yield for TB was: chest X-ray (CXR) 91%; ultrasound (US) abdomen pericardium and lower chest 62%; sputum Xpert MTB/RIF 35%; TB blood culture 21% and TB urine culture 15%. Blood and urine cultures did not identify any additional cases over those identified by CXR and US. The laboratory turnaround times were as follows: sputum Xpert, 1.6 days; blood culture, 20 days and urine culture, 28 days. CXR and US were done within one day of initial patient assessment.Conclusions: The majority of HIV patients with severe anaemia had TB disease, and extra pulmonary TB was as prevalent as pulmonary TB. CXR, US and sputum Xpert were the optimum tests for rapid diagnosis of TB. South African national TB/HIV guidelines should incorporate these specific tests to diagnose TB in patients with HIV and severe anaemia.
Does the Flipped Classroom Improve Learning in Graduate Medical Education?
Authors: Riddell Jeff , Jhun Paul , Fung Cha-Chi , Comes James , Sawtelle Stacy , Tabatabai Ramin , Joseph Daniel , Shoenberger Jan , Chen Esther , Fee Christopher , Swadron Stuart P.
Published: June 2017

Background 

The flipped classroom model for didactic education has recently gained popularity in medical education; however, there is a paucity of performance data showing its effectiveness for knowledge gain in graduate medical education.

Objective 

We assessed whether a flipped classroom module improves knowledge gain compared with a standard lecture.

Methods 

We conducted a randomized crossover study in 3 emergency medicine residency programs. Participants were randomized to receive a 50-minute lecture from an expert educator on one subject and a flipped classroom module on the other. The flipped classroom included a 20-minute at-home video and 30 minutes of in-class case discussion. The 2 subjects addressed were headache and acute low back pain. A pretest, immediate posttest, and 90-day retention test were given for each subject.

Results 

Of 82 eligible residents, 73 completed both modules. For the low back pain module, mean test scores were not significantly different between the lecture and flipped classroom formats. For the headache module, there were significant differences in performance for a given test date between the flipped classroom and the lecture format. However, differences between groups were less than 1 of 10 examination items, making it difficult to assign educational importance to the differences.

Conclusions 

In this crossover study comparing a single flipped classroom module with a standard lecture, we found mixed statistical results for performance measured by multiple-choice questions. As the differences were small, the flipped classroom and lecture were essentially equivalent.
Exploring the scattering directionality and light interaction in nanoparticle dimers of different semiconductors
Authors: Vergaz Benito Ricardo , García-Cámara Braulio , Algorri José Francisco , Cuadrado Alexander , Sánchez-Pena José Manuel
Published: June 2017

Assuming as a starting point our recent work on a dimer of silicon nanoparticles with light scattering directionality, we have explored the light interaction between the incoming and scattered electric fields in dimers made of other different semiconductors. The scattering directionality is achieved by accomplishing Kerker's conditions. By directing the scattered light towards the gap of the dimer, interferential effects can be used to achieve high or low light intensities as a basis of all-optical nanoswitches. A comparison between dimers of different materials is shown. Full Text: PDF ReferencesR. Gómez-Medina, B. García-Cámara, I. Súarez-Lacalle, F. González, F. Moreno, M. Nieto-Vesperias and J.J. Sáenz, "Electric and magnetic dipolar response of germanium nanospheres: interference effects, scattering anisotropy, and optical forces", J. Nanophoton. 5 053512 (2011). CrossRef B. Rolly, B. Stout and N. Bonod, "Boosting the directivity of optical antennas with magnetic and electric dipolar resonant particles", Opt. Express 20 20376 (2012). CrossRef B. García-Cámara, R. Gómez-Medina, J.J. Sáenz, and B. Sepúlveda, "Sensing with magnetic dipolar resonances in semiconductor nanospheres", Opt. Express 21 23007-23020 (2013). CrossRef B. García-Cámara et al., "All-Optical Nanometric Switch Based on the Directional Scattering of Semiconductor Nanoparticles", J. Phys. Chem. C. 119, 19558?19564 (2015). CrossRef A.I. Barreda, H. Saleh, A. Litman, F. González, J-M. Geffrin, and F. Moreno, "Electromagnetic polarization-controlled perfect switching effect with high-refractive-index dimers and the beam-splitter configuration", Nat. Commun. 8, 13910 (2017). CrossRef R. Vergaz et al., "Control of the Light Interaction in a Semiconductor Nanoparticle Dimer Through Scattering Directionality", IEE Phot. Jour., 8(3), 4501410 (2016) CrossRef B. García-Cámara et al., "Size Dependence of the Directional Scattering Conditions on Semiconductor Nanoparticles", IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 27(19), 2059?2062 (2015). CrossRef
Optically-driven switching of a planar nematic liquid crystal cell with parallel rubbing
Authors: Nersesyan Varsenik
Published: June 2017

This letter reports on the switching of a planar nematic liquid crystal cell with parallel rubbing of the alignment layers, under the application of a voltage, when there is initially an optical field. The voltage application over the liquid crystal in such a cell leads normally to the formation of multiple domains because there is the two switching directions are equivalent. However, an incident optical field under an angle will locally reorient the director and break the symmetry between the equivalent switching directions. The subsequent application of a voltage pulse amplifies the tilt angle and leads to the formation of a dominant domain, with an order of magnitude larger size than the optical beam profile. Several switching conditions are demonstrated for different incident angles of the beam. It is shown that the final switching direction of the entire cell is determined by the tilt angle of the optical field. The lensing effects due to the modified director distribution in the domain walls is analyzed qualitatively. Full Text: PDF ReferencesI. C. Khoo, Liquid crystals (2nd ed. Hoboken (NJ), Wiley, 2007) CrossRef A. Zolotko, V. Kitaeva, N. Kroo et al. OCBP. JETP Lett. 32, 158?162 (1980). DirectLink J. Beeckman, K. Neyts, X. Hutsebaut X, et al. "Simulations and experiments on self-focusing conditions in nematic liquid-crystal planar cells", Opt Express, 12, 1011? 1018 (2004). CrossRef M. Peccianti, C. Conti, G. Assanto, et al. "Electrically assisted self-confinement and waveguiding in planar nematic liquid crystal cells", Appl. Phys. Lett. 77, 7 ? 9 (2000). CrossRef N. Kravets, A. Piccardi, A. Alberucci et al, "Bistability with Optical Beams Propagating in a Reorientational Medium", Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 023901 (2014) CrossRef A. Piccardi, N. Kravets, A. Alberucci et al, "Voltage-driven beam bistability in a reorientational uniaxial dielectric", APL Photonics 1, 011302 (2016). CrossRef V. Nersesyan, T. Brans, F. Beunis, R. Drampyan , J. Beeckman, K. Neyts, "Light-controlled reorientation of nematic liquid crystal driven by an electric field", Liquid crystals, 43, 1422-1430 (2016). CrossRef J. Beeckman, K. Neyts, W. Cort, et al. "Non-linear light propagation and bistability in nematic liquid crystals", Proc SPIE 7414, 74140K (2009). CrossRef
A first approximation to the SPOCs-FC in the context of the Supply Chain Management
Authors: Álvarez-Gil Maria Jose , Montes-Sancho Maria J , Tachizawa Elcio M
Published: June 2017

This study provides a first overview of how to combine some of the elements of the blended teaching models, such as SPOCs, with new teaching approaches, like the Flipped Classroom, in the domains of the Supply Chain Management education. Its main goal is to raise the learning rate in a heterogeneous students’ group. The proposal takes into account both classic curricular concerns on the teaching of Supply Chain Management, as in Visich and Khumawala (2006), and its pedagogical new trends, like in Wisner (2017).
Comparison of different ways of computing grades in continuous assessment into the final grade
Authors: Marin-Garcia Juan A. , Maheut Julien , Garcia Sabater Julio J.
Published: June 2017

We present the results of comparing various ways of calculating students' final grades from continuous assessment grades. Traditionally the weighted arithmetic mean has been used and we compare this method with other alternatives: arithmetic mean, geometric mean, harmonic mean and multiplication of the percentage of overcoming of each activi-ty. Our objective is to verify, if any of the alternative methods, agree with the student’s performance proposed by the teacher of the subject, further discriminating the grade be-tween high and low learning outcomes and reducing the number of approved opportunists.

 

[Comparación del efecto de diferentes modos de agregar las califica-ciones de evaluación continua en la nota final]
Dust radiative effects on atmospheric thermodynamics and tropical cyclogenesis over the Atlantic Ocean using WRF-Chem coupled with an AOD data assimilation system
Authors: Chen Dan , Liu Zhiquan , Davis Chris , Gu Yu
Published: June 2017

Abstract. This study investigated the dust radiative effects on atmospheric thermodynamics and tropical cyclogenesis over the Atlantic Ocean using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) coupled with an aerosol data assimilation (DA) system. MODIS AOD (aerosol optical depth) data were assimilated with the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) DA scheme to depict the Saharan dust outbreak events in the 2006 summer. Comparisons with Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET), and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) observations showed that the system was capable of reproducing the dust distribution. Two sets of 180 h forecasts were conducted with the dust radiative effects activated (RE_ON) and inactivated (RE_OFF) respectively. Differences between the RE_ON and RE_OFF forecasts showed that low-altitude (high-altitude) dust inhibits (favors) convection owing to changes in convective inhibition (CIN). Heating in dust layers immediately above the boundary layer increases inhibition, whereas sufficiently elevated heating allows cooling above the boundary layer that reduces convective inhibition. Semi-direct effects in which clouds are altered by thermodynamic changes are also noted, which then alter cloud-radiative temperature (T) changes. The analysis of a tropical cyclone (TC) suppression case on 5 September shows evidence of enhanced convective inhibition by direct heating in dust, but it also suggests that the low-predictability dynamics of moist convection reduces the determinism of the effects of dust on timescales of TC development (days).
Size distribution and source of black carbon aerosol in urban Beijing during winter haze episodes
Authors: Wu Yunfei , Wang Xiaojia , Tao Jun , Huang Rujin , Tian Ping , Cao Junji , Zhang Leiming , Ho Kin-Fai , Han Zhiwei , Zhang Renjian
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) has important impact on climate and environment due to its light absorption ability, which greatly depends on its physicochemical properties including morphology, size and mixing state. The size distribution of the refractory BC (rBC) was investigated in urban Beijing in the late winter of 2014, during which there were frequent haze events, through analysis of measurements obtained using a single-particle soot photometer (SP2). By assuming void-free rBC with a density of 1.8 g cm−3, the mass of the rBC showed an approximately lognormal distribution as a function of the volume-equivalent diameter (VED), with a peak diameter of 213 nm. Larger VED values of the rBC were observed during polluted periods than on clean days, implying an alteration in the rBC sources, as the size distribution of the rBC from a certain source was relative stable, and VED of an individual rBC varied little once it was emitted into the atmosphere. The potential source contribution function analysis showed that air masses from the south to east of the observation site brought higher rBC loadings with more thick coatings and larger core sizes. The mean VED of the rBC presented a significant linear correlation with the number fraction of thickly coated rBC, extrapolating to be  ∼ 150 nm for the completely non-coated or thinly coated rBC. It was considered as the typical mean VED of the rBC from local traffic sources in this study. Local traffic was estimated to contribute 35 to 100 % of the hourly rBC mass concentration with a mean of 59 % during the campaign. Lower local traffic contributions were observed during polluted periods, suggesting increasing contributions from other sources (e.g., coal combustion and biomass burning) to the rBC. Thus, the heavy pollution in Beijing was greatly influenced by other sources in addition to the local traffic.
Contributions of mobile, stationary and biogenic sources to air pollution in the Amazon rainforest: a numerical study with the WRF-Chem model
Authors: Abou Rafee Sameh A. , Martins Leila D. , Kawashima Ana B. , Almeida Daniela S. , Morais Marcos V. B. , Souza Rita V. A. , Oliveira Maria B. L. , Souza Rodrigo A. F. , Medeiros Adan S. S. , Urbina Viviana , Freitas Edmilson D. , Martin Scot T. , Martins Jorge A.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. This paper evaluates the contributions of the emissions from mobile, stationary and biogenic sources on air pollution in the Amazon rainforest by using the Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model. The analyzed air pollutants were CO, NOx, SO2, O3, PM2. 5, PM10 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Five scenarios were defined in order to evaluate the emissions by biogenic, mobile and stationary sources, as well as a future scenario to assess the potential air quality impact of doubled anthropogenic emissions. The stationary sources explain the highest concentrations for all air pollutants evaluated, except for CO, for which the mobile sources are predominant. The anthropogenic sources considered resulted an increasing in the spatial peak-temporal average concentrations of pollutants in 3 to 2780 times in relation to those with only biogenic sources. The future scenario showed an increase in the range of 3 to 62 % in average concentrations and 45 to 109 % in peak concentrations depending on the pollutant. In addition, the spatial distributions of the scenarios has shown that the air pollution plume from the city of Manaus is predominantly transported west and southwest, and it can reach hundreds of kilometers in length.
Technical note: Monte Carlo genetic algorithm (MCGA) for model analysis of multiphase chemical kinetics to determine transport and reaction rate coefficients using multiple experimental data sets
Authors: Berkemeier Thomas , Ammann Markus , Krieger Ulrich K. , Peter Thomas , Spichtinger Peter , Pöschl Ulrich , Shiraiwa Manabu , Huisman Andrew J.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. We present a Monte Carlo genetic algorithm (MCGA) for efficient, automated, and unbiased global optimization of model input parameters by simultaneous fitting to multiple experimental data sets. The algorithm was developed to address the inverse modelling problems associated with fitting large sets of model input parameters encountered in state-of-the-art kinetic models for heterogeneous and multiphase atmospheric chemistry. The MCGA approach utilizes a sequence of optimization methods to find and characterize the solution of an optimization problem. It addresses an issue inherent to complex models whose extensive input parameter sets may not be uniquely determined from limited input data. Such ambiguity in the derived parameter values can be reliably detected using this new set of tools, allowing users to design experiments that should be particularly useful for constraining model parameters. We show that the MCGA has been used successfully to constrain parameters such as chemical reaction rate coefficients, diffusion coefficients, and Henry's law solubility coefficients in kinetic models of gas uptake and chemical transformation of aerosol particles as well as multiphase chemistry at the atmosphere–biosphere interface. While this study focuses on the processes outlined above, the MCGA approach should be portable to any numerical process model with similar computational expense and extent of the fitting parameter space.
Retrieval of optical thickness and droplet effective radius of inhomogeneous clouds using deep learning
Authors: Okamura Rintaro , Iwabuchi Hironobu , Schmidt K. Sebastian
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Three-dimensional (3D) radiative transfer effects are a major source of retrieval errors in satellite-based optical re- mote sensing of clouds. In this study, we present two retrieval methods based on deep learning. We use deep neural networks (DNNs) to retrieve multipixel estimates of cloud optical thickness and column-mean cloud droplet effective radius simultane- ously from multispectral, multipixel radiances. Cloud field data are obtained from large-eddy simulations, and a 3D radiative transfer model is employed to simulate upward radiances from clouds. The cloud and radiance data are used to train and test the DNNs. The proposed DNN-based retrieval is shown to be more accurate than the existing look-up table approach that assumes plane-parallel, homogeneous clouds. By using convolutional layers, the DNN method estimates cloud properties robustly, even for optically thick clouds, and can correct the 3D radiative transfer effects that would otherwise affect the radiance values.
Regional seesaw between the North Atlantic and Nordic Seas during the last glacial abrupt climate events
Authors: Wary Mélanie , Eynaud Frédérique , Swingedouw Didier , Masson-Delmotte Valérie , Matthiessen Jens , Kissel Catherine , Zumaque Jena , Rossignol Linda , Jouzel Jean
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Dansgaard–Oeschger oscillations constitute one of the most enigmatic features of the last glacial cycle. Their cold atmospheric phases have been commonly associated with cold sea-surface temperatures and expansion of sea ice in the North Atlantic and adjacent seas. Here, based on dinocyst analyses from the 48–30 ka interval of four sediment cores from the northern Northeast Atlantic and southern Norwegian Sea, we provide direct and quantitative evidence of a regional paradoxical seesaw pattern: cold Greenland and North Atlantic phases coincide with warmer sea-surface conditions and shorter seasonal sea-ice cover durations in the Norwegian Sea as compared to warm phases. Combined with additional palaeorecords and multi-model hosing simulations, our results suggest that during cold Greenland phases, reduced Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and cold North Atlantic sea-surface conditions were accompanied by the subsurface propagation of warm Atlantic waters that re-emerged in the Nordic Seas and provided moisture towards Greenland summit.
Evapotranspiration seasonality across the Amazon Basin
Authors: Maeda Eduardo Eiji , Ma Xuanlong , Wagner Fabien Hubert , Kim Hyungjun , Oki Taikan , Eamus Derek , Huete Alfredo
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Evapotranspiration (ET) of Amazon forests is a main driver of regional climate patterns and an important indicator of ecosystem functioning. Despite its importance, the seasonal variability of ET over Amazon forests, and its relationship with environmental drivers, is still poorly understood. In this study, we carry out a water balance approach to analyse seasonal patterns in ET and their relationships with water and energy drivers over five sub-basins across the Amazon Basin. We used in situ measurements of river discharge, and remotely sensed estimates of terrestrial water storage, rainfall, and solar radiation. We show that the characteristics of ET seasonality in all sub-basins differ in timing and magnitude. The highest mean annual ET was found in the northern Rio Negro basin (∼ 1497 mm year−1) and the lowest values in the Solimões River basin (∼ 986 mm year−1). For the first time in a basin-scale study, using observational data, we show that factors limiting ET vary across climatic gradients in the Amazon, confirming local-scale eddy covariance studies. Both annual mean and seasonality in ET are driven by a combination of energy and water availability, as neither rainfall nor radiation alone could explain patterns in ET. In southern basins, despite seasonal rainfall deficits, deep root water uptake allows increasing rates of ET during the dry season, when radiation is usually higher than in the wet season. We demonstrate contrasting ET seasonality with satellite greenness across Amazon forests, with strong asynchronous relationships in ever-wet watersheds, and positive correlations observed in seasonally dry watersheds. Finally, we compared our results with estimates obtained by two ET models, and we conclude that neither of the two tested models could provide a consistent representation of ET seasonal patterns across the Amazon.
The importance of terrestrial weathering changes in multimillennial recovery of the global carbon cycle: a two-dimensional perspective
Authors: Brault Marc-Olivier , Matthews H. Damon , Mysak Lawrence A.
Published: June 2017

Abstract. In this paper, we describe the development and application of a new spatially explicit weathering scheme within the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (UVic ESCM). We integrated a dataset of modern-day lithology with a number of previously devised parameterizations for weathering dependency on temperature, primary productivity, and runoff. We tested the model with simulations of future carbon cycle perturbations, comparing a number of emission scenarios and model versions with each other and with zero-dimensional equivalents of each experiment. Overall, we found that our two-dimensional weathering model versions were more efficient in restoring the carbon cycle to its pre-industrial state following the pulse emissions than their zero-dimensional counterparts; however, in either case the effect of this weathering negative feedback on the global carbon cycle was small on timescales of less than 1000 years. According to model results, the largest contribution to future changes in weathering rates came from the expansion of tropical and mid-latitude vegetation in grid cells dominated by weathering-vulnerable rock types, whereas changes in temperature and river runoff had a more modest direct effect. Our results also confirmed that silicate weathering is the only mechanism that can lead to a full recovery of the carbon cycle to pre-industrial levels on multimillennial timescales.
Determinants of Performance in the Wood Industry in Ghana: An Overview
Authors: Quansah Fidelis , Tandoh-Offin Patrick
Published: June 2017

The potential that the wood industry presents for diversifying national economies through improved foreign exchange earnings, increased employment opportunities, and local economic development cannot be underestimated. At the global level, this potential of the wood industry has been deemed to be dependent on factors such as market orientation, firm size, management attitudes, and firm, industry, product and market characteristics. Thus, it is possible for countries and economies at different stages of development, different levels of industrialization and with differing levels of wood or forestry resource endowment to demonstrate or respond differently to the industry’s potential benefits also at the local or domestic level. The wood industry in Ghana contributes significantly in all three areas mentioned above. It also contributes about 4% of the national tax revenue in Ghana. It is clear therefore that the performance of the wood industry depends on the above-mentioned factors. This study aims to determine which factors are the most important for evaluating the performance in Ghana’s wood industry, especially in a global market space where being internationally competitive is essential. The study reviews empirical research that have applied factors that have generally been accepted by researchers to be the determinants of performance in the wood industry as a way to assess the usefulness of such factors in evaluating and making appropriate recommendations for improving performance in the wood industry in Ghana.
Phacoemulsification Outcomes with Different Illumination Techniques
Authors: Yepez Juan B. , Murati Felipe A. , García Félix , Calderon Vivian , de Yepez Jazmin Cedeño , Arévalo J. Fernando
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To compare surgeon experience and the outcomes of phacoemulsification using 2 different illumination techniques for cataract extraction.

Methods

A prospective interventional case series was performed on 20 consecutive patients (20 eyes) with senile cataract who underwent phacoemulsification enhanced with a 23-G endoillumination probe. The main outcome measures were the surgeon's perception of depth of field and quality of visibility of intraocular structures, ease of performance of the surgical procedure, effectiveness, and complications related to the procedure. A surgeon-specific questionnaire was administered at the end of the procedure.

Results

Surgery was successfully performed in all patients without any complications. The surgeon indicated that lateral endoillumination markedly enhanced the details of the lens structures, mainly the posterior capsule visualization, better than the coaxial lighting with the surgical microscope. Lateral endoillumination created an enhanced 3D effect and improved the depth perception of lens intraoperatively.

Conclusions

The lateral illumination technique with a 23-G endoilluminator probe placed in the anterior chamber through a paracentesis creates an enhanced 3D effect and improves depth perception of lens during phacoemulsification. These benefits increase the safety of the procedure.
Predicting miRNA targets for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using an ensemble method
Authors: Gao Hong , Jin Hui , Li Guijun
Published: June 2017

Background:

This study aimed to uncover potential microRNA (miRNA) targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using an ensemble method which combined 3 different methods: Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC), Lasso and a causal inference method (i.e., intervention calculus when the directed acyclic graph (DAG) is absent [IDA]), based on Borda count election.

Methods:

The Borda count election method was used to integrate the top 100 predicted targets of each miRNA generated by individual methods. Afterwards, to validate the performance ability of our method, we checked the TarBase v6.0, miRecords v2013, miRWalk v2.0 and miRTarBase v4.5 databases to validate predictions for miRNAs. Pathway enrichment analysis of target genes in the top 1,000 miRNA–messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions was conducted to focus on significant KEGG pathways. Finally, we extracted target genes based on occurrence frequency ≥3.

Results:

Based on an absolute value of PCC >0.7, we found 33 miRNAs and 288 mRNAs for further analysis. We extracted 10 target genes with predicted frequencies not less than 3. The target gene MYO5C possessed the highest frequency, which was predicted by 7 different miRNAs. Significantly, a total of 8 pathways were identified; the pathways of cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction and chemokine signaling pathway were the most significant.

Conclusions:

We successfully predicted target genes and pathways for HNSCC relying on miRNA expression data, mRNA expression profile, an ensemble method and pathway information. Our results may offer new information for the diagnosis and estimation of the prognosis of HNSCC.
What's in a Word? Falsified/Counterfeit/Fake Medicines - The Definitions Debate
Authors: Isles Mike
Published: June 2017

There is a rising tide of criminal activity to manufacture and distribute falsified, counterfeit, or fake medicines. The exact size of this problem is unknown but estimates vary from US$75 billion to US$200 billion per year, and evidence clearly demonstrates it is on the increase. Depending on the world region, infiltration into the legitimate supply chain versus the illegitimate (e.g., the internet) varies greatly. However, what is certain is that the direction of travel by regulatory agents is to develop supply chains that allow access to medicines via the World Wide Web. Within this context, there has been a long-running debate about how to correctly describe the various forms of medicines that are fraudulently or otherwise manufactured and distributed. This article attempts to describe the evolution of the definitions and recommends that a consensus be formed to describe such medicines that reach the public: • Falsified medicine: This being the term used and defined in the Falsified Medicines Directive and which is primarily concerned with public health. • Counterfeit medicine: This is closely associated and legally defined within intellectual property legislation and concentrates on trademark protection. • Fake medicine: This is the term that best serves to communicate with the public to raise awareness about the phenomenon.
Leiomyoma of the Deferens: A Curious and Extremely Rare Disease
Authors: De Rose Aldo F. , Mantica Guglielmo , Piol Nataniele , Toncini Carlo , Spina Bruno , Terrone Carlo
Published: June 2017

Introduction

Leiomyomas are rare benign tumors that can occur in the male urinary tract. We present a unique case of leiomyoma of the vas deferens.

Case Description

We present the clinical case of a 69-year-old patient with a suspected bulk close to the right epididymis, which turned out to be a leiomyoma of the vas deferens. To our knowledge, it is the fourth case in literature.

Conclusions

A proper identification and the knowledge of this pathology, even if it is a very unusual event, is necessary to avoid a surgical over treatment and preserve the testicle, by removing only the tumor.
‘It’s a pity that they have to choose between French and English’: Language ideologies at a Japanese overseas school in Belgium
Authors: Mogi Yuta
Published: June 2017

This article is based on my doctoral research, a qualitative study of a nihonjingakkō in Belgium where students choose either English or French after primary 3rd year. Nihonjingakkō is a full-time day school for children of Japanese sojourners. The study investigates the complex language ideologies circulating in the school. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the school principal and language teachers, and were supplemented by other datasets such as questionnaires and analysis of teaching materials. Drawing on the conceptual framework of imagined communities (Anderson 1991; Kanno & Norton, 2003), this paper attempts to illuminate the fact that English receives higher language status than French. However, this article will mainly focus on English. To conclude, Japan’s school and university entrance examination system can be seen to make students lose interest in learning foreign languages other than English.
Numerical analysis of the cavitation effect occurring on the surface of steel constructional elements
Authors: Linek T. , Tański T. , Borek W.
Published: June 2017

Purpose: The aim of the work is to present the results of own investigations concerning the
geometric optimisation of constructional elements working in the environment of cavitation
wear together with a computer numerical analysis. The engineering material used for
constructional elements working in the environment of cavitation wear is steel, commonly
used for pressure devices working at elevated temperatures, P265GH, acc. to PN-EN
10028:2010.
Design/methodology/approach: SOLID EDGE ST 7 software, for synchronous designing,
was used for the parametrisation of the shape, distribution, configuration and size of
openings in constructional elements. Five models, with a different spacing and number of
openings, were proposed for the optimisation of internal geometry of the cavitation generator
and for the investigations; the models were then subjected to a numerical analysis using
specialised software, ANSYS FLUENT v.16, employed for modelling the effects associated
with fluid mechanics (Computational Fluid Dynamics - CFD). The data was implemented
for this purpose in the software used, such as: density, yield point, tensile strength, heat
conductivity coefficient for steel P265GH, material surface roughness, medium (water) flow
rate, constant pressure loss of medium, pressure of steam saturation in a medium; and such
data was called boundary conditions.
Findings: The authors’ principal accomplishment is the optimisation of the shape, the
selection of the most appropriate geometry of a constructional element generating the
maximum number of cavity implosions in the environment of a flowing medium (water), with
the use of computer tools dedicated to engineering design: a 3D and numerical computer
analysis of fluid mechanics, CFD. Moreover, an attempt was made in this work to develop
a methodology for characterisation of the phenomena accompanying the environment of
cavitation wear.
Practical implications: A possibility of examining the phenomena and a process of wear
of a constructional element made of P265GH grade steel for pressure devices working at
elevated temperatures. The demonstration and presentation of potential places, areas and
sizes of erosion existing on constructional elements working in the environment of cavitation
wear.
„Už nechceme chodit do školy společně s romskými dětmi“: segregace v obci a slovenském vzdělávacím systému
Authors: Vorlíček Radek
Published: June 2017

Cílem článku je blíže prozkoumat sociální dynamiku marginality a dominance v obci, která se nachází v západním Slovensku. Speciální pozornost je věnována vybraným aspektům mezietnického soužití a procesu konstruování identity. Příspěvek objasňuje některé aspekty rozvoje identity ve školním i mimoškolním prostředí a ukazuje, jak zastupitelé obce svým jednáním ovlivňují  proces konstruovaní hranic mezi Romy a Neromy. Předkládaný text je založen na kvalitativním, induktivním a etnografickém výzkumu. Makrosociálním rámcem výzkumu jsou témata fungování slovenského školství, zejména jeho integrační a segregační tendence.
Choice-of-court Agreements in the E-commerce International Contracts
Authors: Gonçalves Anabela Susana de Sousa
Published: June 2017

The choice-of-court agreements are a common practice in the e commerce international contracts. In the European Union, the choice-of-courts agreements find their legal framework in Article 25 of Regulation No. 1215/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 12 December 2012, on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (Brussels I bis). The purpose of this paper is to analyse the current legal framework, in the European Union, of the jurisdiction agreements in international contracts concluded in e commerce, comparing it to the previous one, and taking into consideration the interpretative options of the European Union Court of Justice (ECJ).
Tank Inspections Back Water Quality
Authors: Clark Thomas F.
Published: June 2017

Disinfection and filtration technologies have advanced to the point where drinking water leaving a water treatment plant should always be microbiologically pure. But even high‐quality finished water can be compromised and the water made unsafe if it passes through a distribution system that includes poorly maintained water storage tanks.
Environmental issues due to organohalogenated compounds diffuse pollution in groundwater. Emerging issue in the Roman area?
Authors: Bonfà Isidoro , La Vigna Francesco , Martelli Simona , Ticconi Lucilla
Published: June 2017

Most of the large urban areas, especially those with a strong industrial vocation, present important contamination of organohlaogenated compunds. Even in the City of Rome, although it has a very limited industrial development, some sites interested by this kind of contamination have been notified in recent years. The distribution of these sites is prevalent in the eastern sector of the city where the few industrial activities present are also located. Concentrations are varied and show both cases of clear point source contamination, where values are very high, and cases where a possible contamination from multiple point sources can be hypothesized. The sites reported fall into a crucial area for the hydrogeology of Rome, that is the "Paleotiber Graben" aquifer, exploited for various uses. To date, there is no proven diffuse contamination of organohalogenated compounds in Rome, nevertheless the purpose of this work is to frame this emerging issue on the basis of the available data.