bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity, Specificity, and Public-Health Utility of Clinical Case Definitions Based on the Signs and Symptoms of Cholera in Africa
Authors: Nadri Johara , Sauvageot Delphine , Njanpop-Lafourcade Berthe-Marie , Baltazar Cynthia S. , Banla Kere Abiba , Bwire Godfrey , Coulibaly Daouda , Kacou N’Douba Adele , Kagirita Atek , Keita Sakoba , Koivogui Lamine , Landoh Dadja E. , Langa Jose P. , Miwanda Berthe N. , Mutombo Ndongala Guy , Mwakapeje Elibariki R. , Mwambeta Jacob L. , Mengel Martin A. , Gessner Bradford D.
Published: February 2018

During 2014, Africa reported more than half of the global suspected cholera cases. Based on the data collected from seven countries in the African Cholera Surveillance Network (Africhol), we assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of clinical cholera case definitions, including that recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) using culture confirmation as the gold standard. The study was designed to assess results in real-world field situations in settings with recent cholera outbreaks or endemicity. From June 2011 to July 2015, a total of 5,084 persons with suspected cholera were tested for Vibrio cholerae in seven different countries of which 35.7% had culture confirmation. For all countries combined, the WHO case definition had a sensitivity = 92.7%, specificity = 8.1%, positive predictive value = 36.1%, and negative predictive value = 66.6%. Adding dehydration, vomiting, or rice water stools to the case definition could increase the specificity without a substantial decrease in sensitivity. Future studies could further refine our findings primarily by using more sensitive methods for cholera confirmation.
A Prospective Hospital Study to Evaluate the Diagnostic Accuracy of Rapid Diagnostic Tests for the Early Detection of Leptospirosis in Laos
Authors: Dittrich Sabine , Boutthasavong Latsaniphone , Keokhamhoung Dala , Phuklia Weerawat , Craig Scott B. , Tulsiani Suhella M. , Burns Mary-Anne , Weier Steven L. , Dance David A. B. , Davong Viengmon , Vongsouvath Manivanh , Mayxay Mayfong , Phetsouvanh Rattanaphone , Newton Paul N. , Woods Kate
Published: February 2018

Leptospirosis is a globally important cause of acute febrile illness, and a common cause of non-malarial fever in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Simple rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are needed to enable health-care workers, particularly in low resource settings, to diagnose leptospirosis early and give timely targeted treatment. This study compared four commercially available RDTs to detect human IgM against Leptospira spp. in a head-to-head prospective evaluation in Mahosot Hospital, Lao PDR. Patients with an acute febrile illness consistent with leptospirosis (N = 695) were included in the study during the 2014 rainy season. Samples were tested with four RDTs: (“Test-it” [Life Assay, Cape Town, South Africa; N = 418]; “Leptorapide” [Linnodee, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland; N = 492]; “Dual Path Platform” [DPP] [Chembio, Medford, NY; N = 530]; and “SD-IgM” [Standard Diagnostics, Yongin, South Korea; N = 481]). Diagnostic performance characteristics were calculated and compared with a composite reference standard combining polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (rrs), microscopic agglutination tests (MATs), and culture. Of all patients investigated, 39/695 (5.6%) were positive by culture, PCR, or MAT. The sensitivity and specificity of the RDTs ranged greatly from 17.9% to 63.6% and 62.1% to 96.8%, respectively. None of the investigated RDTs reached a sensitivity or specificity of > 90% for detecting Leptospira infections on admission. In conclusion, our investigation highlights the challenges associated with Leptospira diagnostics, particularly in populations with multiple exposures. These findings emphasize the need for extensive prospective evaluations in multiple endemic settings to establish the value of rapid tools for diagnosing fevers to allow targeting of antibiotics.
Dome effect of black carbon and its key influencing factors: a one-dimensional modelling study
Authors: Wang Zilin , Huang Xin , Ding Aijun
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) has been identified to play a critical role in
aerosol–planetary boundary layer (PBL) interaction and further
deterioration of near-surface air pollution in megacities, which has
been referred to as the “dome effect”. However, the impacts of key
factors that influence this effect, such as the vertical
distribution and aging processes of BC, as well as the underlying land
surface, have not been quantitatively explored yet. Here, based on
available in situ measurements of meteorology and atmospheric
aerosols together with the meteorology–chemistry online coupled
model WRF-Chem, we conduct a set of parallel simulations to
quantify the roles of these factors in influencing the BC dome
effect and surface haze pollution. Furthermore, we discuss the main implications
of the results to air pollution mitigation in China. We found that
the impact of BC on the PBL is very sensitive to the altitude of aerosol
layer. The upper-level BC, especially that near the capping
inversion, is more essential in suppressing the PBL height and
weakening the turbulent mixing. The dome effect of BC tends to be
significantly intensified as BC mixed with scattering
aerosols during winter haze events, resulting in a decrease in PBL
height by more than 15 %. In addition, the dome effect is more
substantial (up to 15 %) in rural areas than that in the urban
areas with the same BC loading, indicating an unexpected regional
impact of such an effect to air quality in countryside. This
study indicates that China's regional air pollution would greatly
benefit from BC emission reductions, especially those from
elevated sources from chimneys and also domestic combustion
in rural areas, through weakening the aerosol–boundary layer
interactions that are triggered by BC.
Fire intensity impacts on post-fire temperate coniferous forest net primary productivity
Authors: Sparks Aaron M. , Kolden Crystal A. , Smith Alistair M. S. , Boschetti Luigi , Johnson Daniel M. , Cochrane Mark A.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Fire is a dynamic ecological process in forests and impacts the carbon (C) cycle through direct combustion emissions, tree mortality, and by impairing the ability of surviving trees to sequester carbon. While studies on young trees have demonstrated that fire intensity is a determinant of post-fire net primary productivity, wildland fires on landscape to regional scales have largely been assumed to either cause tree mortality, or conversely, cause no physiological impact, ignoring the impacted but surviving trees. Our objective was to understand how fire intensity affects post-fire net primary productivity in conifer-dominated forested ecosystems on the spatial scale of large wildland fires. We examined the relationships between fire radiative power (FRP), its temporal integral (fire radiative energy – FRE), and net primary productivity (NPP) using 16 years of data from the MOderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) for 15 large fires in western United States coniferous forests. The greatest NPP post-fire loss occurred 1 year post-fire and ranged from −67 to −312 g C m−2 yr−1 (−13 to −54 %) across all fires. Forests dominated by fire-resistant species (species that typically survive low-intensity fires) experienced the lowest relative NPP reductions compared to forests with less resistant species. Post-fire NPP in forests that were dominated by fire-susceptible species were not as sensitive to FRP or FRE, indicating that NPP in these forests may be reduced to similar levels regardless of fire intensity. Conversely, post-fire NPP in forests dominated by fire-resistant and mixed species decreased with increasing FRP or FRE. In some cases, this dose–response relationship persisted for more than a decade post-fire, highlighting a legacy effect of fire intensity on post-fire C dynamics in these forests.
Greenland Ice Mapping Project: Ice Flow Velocity Variation at submonthly
to decadal time scales
Authors: Joughin Ian , Smith Ben E. , Howat Ian
Published: February 2018

Abstract. We describe several new ice velocity maps produced by the Greenland Ice Sheet Mapping Project (GIMP) using Landsat 8 and Copernicus Sentinel 1A/B data. We then focus on several sites where we analyse these data in conjunction with earlier data from this project, which extend back to the year 2000. At Jakobshavn Isbrae and Koge Bugt, we find good agreement when comparing results from different sensors. In a change from recent behaviour, Jakobshavn Isbrae began slowing substantially in 2017, with a mid-summer peak that was even slower than some previous winter minimums. Over the last decade, we identify two major slowdown events at Koge Bugt that coincide with short-term advances of the terminus. We also examined populations of glaciers in northwest and southwest Greenland to produce a record of speedup since 2000. Collectively these glaciers continue to speed up, but there are regional differences in the timing of periods of peak speedup. In addition, we computed trends for much of the southwest margin of the ice sheet where other work has suggested slowing ice flow in response to increased melting. Contrary to the earlier results, we find no evidence for a slowdown distributed over a wide area. Finally, although consistency of the data generally is good through time and across sensors, our analysis indicates substantial differences can arise in regions with high strain rates (e.g., shear margins) where sensor resolution can become a factor. For applications such as constraining model inversions, users should factor in the impact that the data's resolution has on their results.
Processos produtivos de sinais nocionalmente Nomes na libras
Authors: Lima Hildomar José
Published: February 2018

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar considerações sobre sinais utilizados pela Língua de Sinais Brasileira (Libras) que se correlacionam nocionalmente com nomes no português brasileiro. As observações se deram com base nas características semânticas prototípicas para a definição da categoria lexical “nome”, propostas por Givón (2001). Ao considerar especialmente a modalidade visuoespacial dessa língua, imagina-se a dimensão como critério semântico de relevância, pois é através dela que são descritas diversas entidades. Sugerem-se três processos produtivos de sinais nocionalmente nomes nessa língua, com base em suas características semânticas: a representação espacial das entidades, sinais que inserem a letra inicial da palavra em português na sua forma, e a datilologia como recurso para a formação de sinais.
Os contos literários infantis como recurso didático na construção do imaginário do aluno surdo
Authors: Lopes Wanuse Souza
Published: February 2018

Crianças surdas aprendem de forma análoga às crianças ouvintes. O meio em que a criança está inserida influencia sua capacidade de comunicação e linguagem, que pode ser facilitada e enriquecida com a oferta de contos literários infantis. A possibilidade de comunicação precoce da criança ouvinte torna-a mais avançada cognitivamente em relação à criança surda, pois as carências comunicativas dos surdos dificultam a aprendizagem. O texto literário infantil pode ser um recurso didático para incitar o imaginário do surdo, levando-o a criar, significar e ressignificar situações e emoções, enriquecendo também seu vocabulário. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a importância da literatura infantil como recurso didático na construção do imaginário do indivíduo surdo, a partir das reflexões de teóricos como Piaget, Chomsky e Vygotsky.
Língua brasileira de sinais: uma reflexão acerca da relação entre assimetria de informação e bem estar
Authors: Duarte Leydiane Ribeiro , Casari Priscila
Published: February 2018

Este artigo relata alguns dos resultados do trabalho realizado em um curso profissionalizante de Língua de Sinais. Apresenta uma breve discussão acerca do termo assimetria de informação, relacionando-o com o bem-estar, discorrendo também acerca da criação de leis sobre, além de apontar alguns dos benefícios relatados por alunos de Libras, com o aprendizado da Língua Brasileira de Sinais. As aulas fazem parte de um projeto da Secretaria do Trabalho e ocorreram na Faculdade Delta na cidade de Goiânia. A maioria das pesquisas apresenta as dificuldades que permeiam a comunicação do sujeito surdo; neste relato, porém, o objetivo é mostrar que a falta de conhecimento da língua, também acarreta desconforto para os ouvintes. A relevância do trabalho justifica-se pela necessidade da criação de políticas públicas que incentivem a divulgação e ampliação do uso da Língua de Sinais no país, como fator crucial na quebra de barreiras lingüísticas entre surdos e ouvintes.
A língua de sinais e o guia-intérprete como mediador na educação da pessoa com surdocegueira
Authors: Almeida Wolney Gomes , Souza Jeremias Barreto
Published: February 2018

Refletir sobre a pessoa com surdocegueira e, sobretudo, o atendimento direcionado ao surdocego no contexto socioeducacional, constitui uma necessidade acadêmica, seja quanto à produção de conhecimentos teóricos, como às intervenções práticas. Essa problemática configura os caminhos percorridos pelo presente artigo, a fim de investigar a importância da atuação do profissional Guia-intérprete no atendimento a pessoas com surdocegueira, a partir das práticas comunicativas com surdocegos e caracterizando os fatores e aspectos que interferem em sua atuação profissional enquanto mediadores para a socialização do surdocego. A partir das contribuições teóricas sócio-interacionistas, este trabalho pauta suas reflexões pela compreensão de que a relação do sujeito surdocego com o meio constitui fator essencial para o desenvolvimento desses indivíduos. A pesquisa de caráter bibliográfico permite a análise sobre a falta de informações e de conhecimentos específicos sobre a deficiência como um fator determinante para o surgimento de barreiras de ordem estrutural, programática, atitudinal, arquitetônica, que atingem tanto a qualidade dos serviços prestados ao surdocego, quanto a realidade social desse indivíduo, uma realidade excludente e de segregação.
Direitos humanos à educação: surdos na escola
Authors: Galvão Marcus Vinicius Alves , Camilo Christiane De Holanda
Published: February 2018

A educação do surdo é um tema recorrente que nos últimos anos tem sido abordado, tanto de maneira isolada, quanto de forma interdisciplinar, por áreas diversas. Este artigo objetiva investigar, a partir da fala de profissionais que lidam diretamente com o surdo no ambiente escolar, como está ocorrendo sua inclusão, tendo em vista os Direitos Humanos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal, qualitativa, com aplicação de entrevistas semi-estruturadas a gestoras e intérprete de Libras de duas escolas públicas do município de Goiânia. Observou-se que esforços têm sido feitos para a inclusão dos surdos, mas esses ainda relatam dificuldades no acolhimento, que é falho no que diz respeito à dignidade humana. Os resultados desta pesquisa mostram que a inclusão do educando surdo está acontecendo apenas em nível social e não em nível cognitivo, o que não deveria acontecer, pois incluir é proporcionar condições para o acesso, a permanência e a saída do educando da escola.
A influência da língua portuguesa na produção da Libras na perspectiva de translinguagem
Authors: Oliveira-Silva Claudney Maria de , Chaveiro Neuma
Published: February 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é trazer reflexões sobre a influência da língua portuguesa na produção da libras na perspectiva da translinguagem, uma vez que o contato dessas línguas resulta em uma produção que excede os limites conceituais tradicionais sobre os fenômenos de línguas em contato. É um estudo de caso de caráter interpretativista realizado por meio da análise de um texto escrito em língua portuguesa por duas alunas surdas falantes de libras. Os resultados revelaram a influência da língua portuguesa na libras por meio de elementos linguísticos, próprios da língua portuguesa e inexistentes ou não aparentes na libras, incluídos nas falas das alunas durante as discussões para a produção do texto. A análise das discussões também revelou que as alunas, além de escolher usar a modalidade mais apropriada (escrita ou sinalizada) e mesclar as línguas, se envolveram em práticas discursivas múltiplas para construírem conjuntamente significados e identidades sociais em seus mundos bilíngues, ou simplesmente, translinguaram.
Marcadores discursivos em libras
Authors: Silva Lídia Da , Strazzi Thayse Goulart
Published: February 2018

Os marcadores discursivos da Língua Brasileira de Sinais são mecanismos linguísticos utilizados na expressão sinalizada e podem ter função textual, interacional ou de acompanhamento discursivo. Com base em Risso e McNeill, estudamos esse fenômeno, utilizando os dados de uma narrativa contada por graduandos surdos (que têm a Libras como primeira língua) e ouvintes (para os quais Libras é segunda língua) do curso de licenciatura em Letras Libras. O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever os marcadores discursivos presentes na narrativa e analisar semelhanças e diferenças em relação à produção em primeira e segunda língua. Nossos resultados apontam para uso semelhante entre surdos e ouvintes, no caso de marcadores discursivos textuais e interacionais, mas no emprego de recursos mais refinados, como gestos de acompanhamento, o mecanismo está mais presente na narrativa contada por surdos.
Using Canopy Hyperspectral Reflectance to Predict Root Biomass Carbon and Nitrogen Content
Authors: Peterson Brekke L. , Starks Patrick J. , Sadowsky Cooper , Scott Trey
Published: February 2018

Full assessment of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools is necessary for long-term sustainability of agricultural production and provides information on plant health and nutrient cycling. A major component of nutrient cycling is plant root C and N. Although root C and N contribute to nutrient cycling, determination of these quantities is laborious and tedious and is, therefore, not commonly done. In this study we attempt to determine the feasibility of using remotely sensed canopy reflectance as a proxy to determine root C and N data of live, standing forages. The study site was the United States Department of Agriculture-Grazinglands Research Laboratory located in El Reno, Oklahoma. Twelve plots in each of two sites (a native, tallgrass prairie and an improved, Old World Bluestem pasture) were used for collection and measurement of root C and root N and measurement of canopy reflectance using a field portable hyperspectral spectroradiometer. Root and soil samples were then taken from under the remote sensed area for total C and N analysis using the combustion method. The results of this study indicated that it is feasible to predict root C and N, but further study is required to improve model accuracy.
A Dynamic View of Marketing Capabilities for SMEs’ Export Performance
Authors: Moretta Tartaglione Andrea , Formisano Vincenzo
Published: February 2018

The aim of this paper is to analyse marketing capabilities, through the dynamic capabilities framework, in order to increase understanding of how gradual global SMEs operating in traditional sectors can improve their export performance.The work is based on the exploratory, descriptive, qualitative method of a case study. An Italian SME has been selected on the basis of its export performance and marketing activities. The study has been conducted through secondary data analysis and a semi-structured in-depth interview with the CEO, with the aim of highlighting the relevance of emerging dynamic marketing capabilities connected with international performance.The results show that a SME, which lacks resources for international expansion, can improve its export performance by adapting, integrating, building, and reconfiguring its existing internal and external marketing capabilities for international markets.The principal limitation of this work is that, by analysing a company belonging to the alcoholic beverage sector, where price decisions are often left to importers, it was not possible to analyse dynamic pricing capabilities. This paper offers a contribution to the discussion of the internationalization of gradual global SMEs from the perspective of marketing and dynamic capabilities, missing from the literature, which is mainly focused on the study of multinational and born global enterprises.
The Influence of Perceived Organizational Support and Work Adjustment on the Employee Performance of Expatriate Teachers in Thailand
Authors: Na-Nan Khahan , Joungtrakul Jamnean , Dhienhirun Auemporn
Published: February 2018

This study investigated the influence of perceived organizational support (POS) and work adjustment (WA) on the employee performance (EP) of expatriate English teachers in Thailand. A quantitative method was used; self-evaluation data were collected from 210 expatriate English teachers working in Thailand. The results of the study confirm the hypothesized positive correlational effect of POS and WA on EP. The empirical results confirm the model of investigation consisting of POS, WA and EP developed for testing in the context of Thailand. It also challenges the established connection of POS and WA of EP in a well-understood context of antecedence and is relevant for policymakers, workers, and managers, with implications for future research.
Padrões Fractais: Conectando Matemática e Arte
Authors: Faria Rejane Waiandt Schuwartz , Maltempi Marcus Vinicius
Published: February 2018

Nesse artigo, que tem por objetivo apresentar o conceito de Padrão Fractal e seu potencial no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de conteúdos matemáticos, com ênfase em aspectos visuais e artísticos, discutimos a ideia de que tanto a Matemática quanto a Arte estão atreladas às atividades humanas com manifestações oriundas da inteligência, dos anseios, das ideias e das necessidades de expressão. Essas formas de expressão nos remetem ao dinamismo, rigor, criatividade, estética, harmonia, simetria e a muitos outros conceitos que estão presentes na Arte, na Matemática e nos Padrões Fractais. Todos os Padrões Fractais possuem as propriedades autossimilaridade e complexidade infinita que são visuais e proporcionam a sensação de surpresa e a contemplação da estética nas regularidades presentes na aparente irregularidade desses padrões.
Sabotage of Development: Subverting the Censorship of Renegade Research
Authors: Wilson Japhy
Published: February 2018

In 2014, a prominent radical publishing house released a book about the influential development economist Jeffrey Sachs. The published version was one chapter shorter than the final proofs. This chapter had been removed after the publisher sought legal advice on content pertaining to fieldwork conducted in Uganda on Sachs’s Millennium Villages Project (MVP), an international development programme financed by some of the wealthiest individuals and most powerful corporations in the world. In contrast to the MVP’s remarkable claims of success, the censored chapter documented allegations of mismanagement and corruption, and told the story of the author’s detention, his pursuit by secret police on suspicion of ‘sabotage of development’, and subsequent threats of legal action made against him by the lawyers of Sachs’s philanthropic foundation. This article presents the censored chapter in its entirety, as an example of the stakes involved in transgressing ‘ethical research’ protocols that function to shield power from scrutiny. The chapter is prefaced with a discussion of the MVP and the state-capital-academia nexus, and is followed by a postscript, which sets out the principles of ‘renegade research’.
La Evolución del Concepto de Patrimonio: Oportunidades para la Enseñanza de las Ciencias
Authors: Morón-Monge Hortensia , Morón Monge Mª del Carmen
Published: February 2018

En la primera parte del artículo se analiza el concepto del patrimonio (natural y geológico), atendiendo a tres documentos legislativos del estado español desde una conceptualización del patrimonio compleja, relativa y cambiante como referente para su enseñanza. En la segunda parte, tras los resultados del análisis se observa una tendencia evolutiva-conceptual del patrimonio y su enseñanza, en la que aparentemente no existe un único concepto y una única perspectiva educativa. Finalmente, a modo de reflexión, se plantean una serie de oportunidades didácticas para la enseñanza de las ciencias a partir del patrimonio, encaminadas a fomentar actitudes activas sobre los problemas socio-ambientales.
Aplicación del modelo 5E para aprender mecánica a través de la indagación en educación secundaria
Authors: González Bértoa Ana , Crujeiras-Pérez Beatriz
Published: February 2018

En este trabajo se examina el proceso de resolución de una actividad de indagación sobre las leyes de Newton que consiste en diseñar un montaje con el cuál averiguar qué superficie es la más adecuada para arrastrar cajas de ropa en un almacén. Los participantes son 22 estudiantes de 4º de ESO. Para la toma de datos se recogen sus respuestas escritas relativas al diseño del dispositivo, a la toma de datos, interpretación de resultados y establecimiento de conclusiones. Para el análisis se examinan utilizando como herramienta el modelo de instrucción 5E. Los resultados principales apuntan a ciertas dificultades en los desempeños del alumnado relativos a la elaboración del montaje y a la explicación de su utilización.
High variability of dung beetle diversity patterns at four mountains of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt
Authors: Arriaga-Jiménez Alfonsina , Rös Matthias , Halffter Gonzalo
Published: February 2018

Insect diversity patterns of high mountain ecosystems remain poorly studied in the tropics. Sampling dung beetles of the subfamilies Aphodiinae, Scarabaeinae, and Geotrupinae was carried out at four volcanoes in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) in the Mexican transition zone at 2,700 and 3,400 MASL, and on the windward and leeward sides. Sampling units represented a forest–shrubland–pasture (FSP) mosaic typical of this mountain region. A total of 3,430 individuals of 29 dung beetle species were collected. Diversity, abundance and compositional similarity (CS) displayed a high variability at all scales; elevation, cardinal direction, or FSP mosaics did not show any patterns of higher or lower values of those measures. The four mountains were different regarding dispersion patterns and taxonomic groups, both for species and individuals.Onthophagus chevrolatidominated all four mountains with an overall relative abundance of 63%. CS was not related to distance among mountains, but whenO. chevrolatiwas excluded from the analysis, CS values based on species abundance decreased with increasing distance. Speciation, dispersion, and environmental instability are suggested as the main drivers of high mountain diversity patterns, acting together at different spatial and temporal scales. Three species new to science were collected (>10% of all species sampled). These discoveries may indicate that speciation rate is high among these volcanoes—a hypothesis that is also supported by the elevated number of collected species with a restricted montane distribution. Dispersion is an important factor in driving species composition, although naturally limited between high mountains; horizontal colonization events at different time scales may best explain the observed species composition in the TMVB, complemented by vertical colonization events to a lesser extent. Environmental instability may be the main factor causing the high variability of diversity and abundance patterns found during sampling. Together, we interpret these results as indicating that species richness and composition in the high mountains of the TMVB may be driven by biogeographical history while variability in diversity is determined by ecological factors. We argue that current conservation strategies do not focus sufficiently on protecting high mountain fauna, and that there is a need for developing and applying new conservation concepts that take into account the high spatial and temporal variability of this system.
Framing Climate Goals in Terms of Cumulative CO2‐Forcing‐Equivalent Emissions
Authors: Jenkins S. , Millar R. J. , Leach N. , Allen M. R.
Published: February 2018

The relationship between cumulative CO2 emissions and CO2‐induced warming is determined by the Transient Climate Response to Emissions (TCRE), but total anthropogenic warming also depends on non‐CO2 forcing, complicating the interpretation of emissions budgets based on CO2 alone. An alternative is to frame emissions budgets in terms of CO2‐forcing‐equivalent (CO2‐fe) emissions—the CO2 emissions that would yield a given total anthropogenic radiative forcing pathway. Unlike conventional “CO2‐equivalent” emissions, these are directly related to warming by the TCRE and need to fall to zero to stabilize warming: hence, CO2‐fe emissions generalize the concept of a cumulative carbon budget to multigas scenarios. Cumulative CO2‐fe emissions from 1870 to 2015 inclusive are found to be 2,900 ± 600 GtCO2‐fe, increasing at a rate of 67 ± 9.5 GtCO2‐fe/yr. A TCRE range of 0.8–2.5°C per 1,000 GtC implies a total budget for 0.6°C of additional warming above the present decade of 880–2,750 GtCO2‐fe, with 1,290 GtCO2‐fe implied by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 median response, corresponding to 19 years' CO2‐fe emissions at the current rate.
Low‐Fe(III) Greenalite Was a Primary Mineral From Neoarchean Oceans
Authors: Johnson Jena E. , Muhling Janet R. , Cosmidis Julie , Rasmussen Birger , Templeton Alexis S.
Published: February 2018

Banded iron formations (BIFs) represent chemical precipitation from Earth's early oceans and therefore contain insights into ancient marine biogeochemistry. However, BIFs have undergone multiple episodes of alteration, making it difficult to assess the primary mineral assemblage. Nanoscale mineral inclusions from 2.5 billion year old BIFs and ferruginous cherts provide new evidence that iron silicates were primary minerals deposited from the Neoarchean ocean, contrasting sharply with current models for BIF inception. Here we used multiscale imaging and spectroscopic techniques to characterize the best preserved examples of these inclusions. Our integrated results demonstrate that these early minerals were low‐Fe(III) greenalite. We present potential pathways in which low‐Fe(III) greenalite could have formed through changes in saturation state and/or iron oxidation and reduction. Future constraints for ancient ocean chemistry and early life's activities should include low‐Fe(III) greenalite as a primary mineral in the Neoarchean ocean.
Skilful Seasonal Predictions of Summer European Rainfall
Authors: Dunstone Nick , Smith Doug , Scaife Adam , Hermanson Leon , Fereday David , O'Reilly Chris , Stirling Alison , Eade Rosie , Gordon Margaret , MacLachlan Craig , Woollings Tim , Sheen Katy , Belcher Stephen
Published: February 2018

Year‐to‐year variability in Northern European summer rainfall has profound societal and economic impacts; however, current seasonal forecast systems show no significant forecast skill. Here we show that skillful predictions are possible (r ~0.5, p < 0.001) using the latest high‐resolution Met Office near‐term prediction system over 1960–2017. The model predictions capture both low‐frequency changes (e.g., wet summers 2007–2012) and some of the large individual events (e.g., dry summer 1976). Skill is linked to predictable North Atlantic sea surface temperature variability changing the supply of water vapor into Northern Europe and so modulating convective rainfall. However, dynamical circulation variability is not well predicted in general—although some interannual skill is found. Due to the weak amplitude of the forced model signal (likely caused by missing or weak model responses), very large ensembles (>80 members) are required for skillful predictions. This work is promising for the development of European summer rainfall climate services.
Stature, body mass, and body proportions
Authors: Vercellotti Giuseppe
Published: February 2018

Stature and body mass are measures of body size that provide anthropologists with useful information on terminal growth outcomes of individuals and populations. Stature, or standing height, is extremely sensitive to environmental perturbations experienced early in life, and is therefore often used to reconstruct life conditions in the past. Body mass, or weight, allows determining and comparing relative organ size, metabolic requirements, and postcranial robusticity between taxa. Body proportions, that is, the relative dimensions of different anatomical districts, are known to vary in relation to ecogeographic factors, as well as timing and severity of growth insults. They can complement stature in reconstructing more detailed accounts of early life conditions of past populations.
K
issinger,
H
enry (1923–)
Authors: Schwartz Thomas A.
Published: February 2018

Henry Kissinger (1923–) was the most famous, powerful, and controversial American diplomat of the twentieth century. Identified with the foreign policy of
realpolitik,
Kissinger was the national security adviser and the first Jewish and naturalized citizen to become secretary of state. With President Richard Nixon, Kissinger transformed American foreign policy, implementing détente with the Soviet Union, the opening to China, and ending American involvement in the Vietnam War. In the wake of the Watergate scandal, Kissinger directed the American response to the 1973 Middle East war and then engaged in “shuttle diplomacy,” producing the first agreements between Israel and Egypt and Syria. Kissinger remained as powerful under President Gerald Ford, although the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975 and controversies surrounding his role in covert actions towards Chile and Cambodia diminished his reputation. He left public office in 1977, wrote his memoirs, and founded an international consulting company, but he remained an influential commentator.
It's more than skin‐deep: The relationship between social victimization and telomere length in adolescence
Authors: Guarneri‐White Maria E. , Arana Allyson A. , Boyd Erin Q. , Jensen‐Campbell Lauri A.
Published: February 2018

This study examined the relationship between peer victimization and telomere length (TL), an indicator of biological aging that is associated with stressors (Epel, 2009). It was predicted that social victimization would have a greater impact upon TL, as well as the frequency and severity of health complaints than physical victimization. Adolescents (Mage = 15.91 years, SDage = 1.65) and their parents completed measures of peer victimization and physical health problems; adolescents also submitted a DNA sample for telomere analysis. Greater instances of being socially, but not physically, victimized were associated with shorter telomeres, as well as more frequent and severe health complaints. TL was also negatively related to both the frequency and severity of health problems, even after controlling for BMI, age, and sex of participant. The relationship between social victimization and health complaints via TL held only at higher levels of social victimization. These findings are the first to find an association between peer victimization and shortened telomeres.
High Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerator by Hot Embossing on Self‐Assembled Micro‐Particles
Authors: Saadatnia Zia , Esmailzadeh Ebrahim , Naguib Hani E.
Published: February 2018

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a novel technology for energy harvesting and active sensing which shows a great potential toward extracting the ambient kinetic energy. The surface morphology of triboelectric layers is one of the most important elements for enhancing the output of TENG devices. Current surface modification methods mostly require complicated, long term, size limited, and costly processes. This paper presents a cost effective, facile, repeatable, and fast method for large scale surface modification of triboelectric layers which significantly enhance the performance of TENG devices. This method simply utilizes the hot‐embossing of polymers on self‐assembled micro‐particles to create semi‐ordered micro‐sized structures on the surfaces. The modified surfaces increase the output performance of the TENG such as open circuit voltage and short circuit current for more than four times. As the presence of water degrades the output of TENG, this technique is very beneficial to remarkably improve the hydrophobicity of the contact layers. The proposed method can be applied to a variety of polymers with an area scalable fabrication toward the use of TENG in real world industrial applications.
Water Transport through Ultrathin Polyamide Nanofilms Used for Reverse Osmosis
Authors: Jiang Zhiwei , Karan Santanu , Livingston Andrew G.
Published: February 2018

Thin‐film composite membranes comprising a polyamide nanofilm separating layer on a support material are state of the art for desalination by reverse osmosis. Nanofilm thickness is thought to determine the rate of water transport through the membranes; although due to the fast and relatively uncontrolled interfacial polymerization reaction employed to form these nanofilms, they are typically crumpled and the separating layer is reported to be ≈50–200 nm thick. This crumpled structure has confounded exploration of the independent effects of thickness, permeation mechanism, and the support material. Herein, smooth sub‐8 nm polyamide nanofilms are fabricated at a free aqueous–organic interface, exhibiting chemical homogeneity at both aqueous and organic facing surfaces. Transfer of these ultrathin nanofilms onto porous supports provides fast water transport through the resulting nanofilm composite membranes. Manipulating the intrinsic nanofilm thickness from ≈15 down to 8 nm reveals that water permeance increases proportionally with the thickness decrease, after which it increases nonlinearly to 2.7 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 as the thickness is further reduced to ≈6 nm.
Lipase‐Triggered Water‐Responsive “Pandora's Box” for Cancer Therapy: Toward Induced Neighboring Effect and Enhanced Drug Penetration
Authors: Wang Cheng , Chen Shaoqing , Wang Yunxin , Liu Xuerong , Hu Fuqiang , Sun Jihong , Yuan Hong
Published: February 2018

Insufficient drug release as well as poor drug penetration are major obstacles for effective nanoparticles (NPs)‐based cancer therapy. Herein, the high aqueous instability of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is employed to construct doxorubicin (DOX) preloaded and monostearin (MS) coated “Pandora's box” (MS/ACC–DOX) NPs for lipase‐triggered water‐responsive drug release in lipase‐overexpressed tumor tissue to induce a neighboring effect and enhance drug penetration. MS as a solid lipid can prevent potential drug leakage of ACC–DOX NPs during the circulatory process, while it can be readily be disintegrated in lipase‐overexpressed SKOV3 cells to expose the ACC–DOX core. The high aqueous instability of ACC will lead to burst release of the encapsulated DOX to induce apoptosis and cytotoxicity to kill the tumor cells. The liberated NPs from the dead or dying cells continue to respond to the ubiquitous aqueous environment to sufficiently release DOX once unpacked, like the “Pandora's box”, leading to severe cytotoxicity to neighboring cells (neighboring effect). Moreover, the continuously released free DOX molecules can readily diffused through the tumor extracellular matrix to enhance drug penetration to deep tumor tissue. Both effects contribute to achieve elevated antitumor benefits.
Performance Improvement of Graphene/Silicon Photodetectors Using High Work Function Metal Nanoparticles with Plasma Effect
Authors: Hu Ming , Yan Yucong , Huang Kun , Khan Afzal , Qiu Xiaodong , Xu Dikai , Zhang Hui , Yu Xuegong , Yang Deren
Published: February 2018

Graphene/silicon (Gr/Si) photodetectors have attracted much attention recently for their simple fabrication and satisfactory performance. However, the responsivity is relatively low compared to other visible detectors. Herein, plasma effects are induced to enhance the photon absorption by covering random platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) on top of the devices. Consequently, a stronger built‐in electric field in the Gr/Si photodetectors is generated due to the high work function of Pt. Their responsivity can reach up to 1.68 × 107 AW−1, which is one order of magnitude higher than the pristine devices. Furthermore, the response time is found to be less than 180 ns because of low trap states density at interface. The obtained results suggest a facile and universal way to optimize the performance of Gr/Si photoelectric devices.
Gold‐catalyzed Cycloisomerization of 2‐Aryl‐2‐(arylamino)‐3‐butyn‐1‐ols toward 2‐(2′‐Aminoaryl)‐2,5‐dihydrofurans
Authors: Yang Jianlin , Wu Yuanhua , Zhang Ming , Zhu Dunru , Shen Ruwei
Published: February 2018

An interesting and highly selective gold‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of 2‐aryl‐2‐(arylamino)‐3‐butyn‐1‐ols to afford 2‐(2′‐aminoaryl)‐2,5‐dihydrofurans has been reported. The reaction is atom economic and highly efficient, and tolerates many functional groups including the cyano and allyl groups. A plausible mechanism for this new cycloismerization is also proposed.

magnified image
Measurements of horizontal three‐phase solid‐liquid‐gas slug flow: Influence of hydrate‐like particles on hydrodynamics
Authors: Rosas Luis M. M. , Bassani Carlos L. , Alves Rafael F. , Schneider Fábio A. , Marcelino Neto Moisés A. , Morales Rigoberto E. M. , Sum Amadeu K.
Published: February 2018

Gas hydrate formation is a main flow assurance concern in oil and gas production. Understanding the effects of the introduction of solid particles in the slug flow is essential to improve the efficiency and safety of multiphase production. The purpose of the present work is the experimental characterization of solid‐liquid‐gas slug flow with the presence of dispersed hydrate‐like particles. Experimental tests were carried out with inert polyethylene particles of 0.5‐mm diameter with density similar to gas hydrates (938 kg/m3). The test section comprised a 26‐mm ID, 9‐m length horizontal duct of transparent Plexiglas. High Speed Imaging and resistivity sensors was used to analyze the slug flow unit cell behavior due to the introduction of the solid particles and to measure the unit cell translational velocity, the slug flow frequency, the bubble and slug lengths, and the phase fractions. Two distinct concentrations of solid particles were tested (6 and 8 g/dm3). © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 2864–2880, 2018
Relationships of working conditions, health problems and vehicle accidents in bus rapid transit (BRT) drivers
Authors: Gómez‐Ortiz Viviola , Cendales Boris , Useche Sergio , Bocarejo Juan P.
Published: February 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to estimate accident risk rates and mental health of bus rapid transit (BRT) drivers based on psychosocial risk factors at work leading to increased stress and health problems.

Methods

A cross‐sectional research design utilized a self‐report questionnaire completed by 524 BRT drivers.

Results

Some working conditions of BRT drivers (lack of social support from supervisors and perceived potential for risk) may partially explain Bogota's BRT drivers’ involvement in road accidents. Drivers’ mental health problems were associated with higher job strain, less support from co‐workers, fewer rewards and greater signal conflict while driving.

Conclusions

To prevent bus accidents, supervisory support may need to be increased. To prevent mental health problems, other interventions may be needed such as reducing demands, increasing job control, reducing amount of incoming information, simplifying current signals, making signals less contradictory, and revising rewards.
A challenge‐response endoscopic sinus surgery specific checklist as an add‐on to standard surgical checklist: an evaluation of potential safety and quality improvement issues
Authors: Sommer Doron D. , Arbab‐Tafti Sadaf , Farrokhyar Forough , Tewfik Marc , Vescan Allan , Witterick Ian J. , Rotenberg Brian , Chandra Rakesh , Weitzel Erik K. , Wright Erin , Ramakrishna Jayant
Published: February 2018

Background

The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate the impact of an aviation‐style challenge and response sinus surgery–specific checklist on potential safety and equipment issues during sinus surgery at a tertiary academic health center. The secondary goal was to assess the potential impact of use of the checklist on surgical times during, before, and after surgery. This initiative is designed to be utilized in conjunction with the “standard” World Health Organization (WHO) surgical checklist. Although endoscopic sinus surgery is generally considered a safe procedure, avoidable complications and potential safety concerns continue to occur. The WHO surgical checklist does not directly address certain surgery‐specific issues, which may be of particular relevance for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Methods

This prospective observational pilot study monitored compliance with and compared the occurrence of safety and equipment issues before and after implementation of the checklist. Forty‐seven consecutive endoscopic surgeries were audited; the first 8 without the checklist and the following 39 with the checklist. The checklist was compiled by evaluating the patient journey, utilizing the available literature, expert consensus, and finally reevaluation with audit type cases. The final checklist was developed with all relevant stakeholders involved in a Delphi method.

Results

Implementing this specific surgical checklist in 39 cases at our institution, allowed us to identify and rectify 35 separate instances of potentially unsafe, improper or inefficient preoperative setup. These incidents included issues with labeling of topical vasoconstrictor or injectable anesthetics (3, 7.7%) and availability, function and/or position of video monitors (2, 5.1%), endoscope (6, 15.4%), microdebrider (6, 15.4%), bipolar cautery (6, 15.4%), and suctions (12, 30.8%).

Conclusion

The design and integration of this checklist for endoscopic sinus surgery, has helped improve efficiency and patient safety in the operating room setting.
Rasterkraftmikroskopie für die molekulare Strukturaufklärung
Authors: Gross Leo , Schuler Bruno , Pavliček Niko , Fatayer Shadi , Majzik Zsolt , Moll Nikolaj , Peña Diego , Meyer Gerhard
Published: February 2018

Mit der Rastersondenmikroskopie kann man auf einer Oberfläche adsorbierte Moleküle individuell und mit hoher Auflösung untersuchen. Die Technik, die bei tiefen Temperaturen und im Ultrahochvakuum durchgeführt wird, liefert Informationen über Struktur, Konfiguration, Ladungszustand, Aromatizität und die Beteiligung von Resonanzstrukturen. Durch Funktionalisierung der Spitze eines Rasterkraftmikroskops mit einem CO‐Molekül können Einzelmoleküle mit atomarer Auflösung abgebildet werden, ihre Adsorptionsgeometrie kann gemessen und die Bindungsordnungen im Molekül können bestimmt werden. Mit der Rastertunnelmikroskopie und der Kelvinsondenkraftmikroskopie kann man zudem die Elektronendichte der molekularen Grenzorbitale bzw. die Ladungsverteilung innerhalb des Moleküls kartieren. In Kombination ergeben diese Methoden ein hochauflösendes Verfahren zur Identifizierung und Charakterisierung von Einzelmolekülen. Die Empfindlichkeit auf Einzelmoleküle sowie die Option, durch Manipulation von Atomen mit der Spitze des Mikroskops chemische Reaktionen auszulösen, eröffnen einzigartige chemische Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und heben die Rastersondenmikroskopie von den klassischen Methoden zur molekularen Strukturaufklärung heraus. Somit kann die Rasterkraftmikroskopie nicht nur bei der Identifizierung von schwer zu bestimmenden Naturstoffen helfen, sondern sie ist auch ein leistungsstarkes und besonders gut geeignetes Instrument, um Oberflächenreaktionen zu untersuchen und Radikale und molekulare Mischungen zu charakterisieren. In diesem Aufsatz zeigen wir auf, welche Entwicklung die hochauflösende Rastersondenmikroskopie mit funktionalisierter Spitze bei der molekularen Strukturaufklärung und ‐charakterisierung in den vergangenen Jahren genommen hat, und erörtern die Herausforderungen der kommenden Jahre.