bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec en mouvement
Authors: Gauvin Jean-François , Thach Viriya
Published: September 2024

Cet article présente le processus de réflexion et de création de la stratégie numérique de Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), qui vise à transformer l’accès, la gestion et la préservation du patrimoine documentaire et culturel du Québec. L’article décrit la méthodologie adoptée, basée sur un modèle de maturité numérique organisationnelle, les principes de design qui ont guidé la démarche, les six orientations stratégiques qui ont été définies, ainsi que les publics cibles qui ont été consultés. L’article aborde également les défis et les occasions favorables liés à la mise en oeuvre de la stratégie numérique, notamment en termes de gestion collaborative et de changement, d’expérience usager et d’alignement avec le cadre réglementaire gouvernemental. L’article illustre ainsi comment BAnQ s’est engagée dans une transformation numérique ambitieuse et innovante, qui vise à enrichir et à diffuser le savoir et la culture de tous les Québécois et contribuer à faire du Québec une société apprenante.
Performance of Deep Learning Models on Imputed Time Series Data: A Simulation Study and Application to Leading Airline Companies' Stock Price
Authors: Yenilmez İsmail , Atmaca Kürşat
Published: September 2024

In this study, the validity of imputation techniques for deep learning methods in time series analysis is investigated using datasets based on daily closing data in the stock market. Datasets of daily closing stock prices for Turkish Airlines, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, and Delta Airlines, as well as a simulated dataset, are used. LSTM, GRU, RNN, and Transformer models, which are deep learning models, are employed. The original dataset and datasets with 5%, 15% and 25% missing data are analyzed imputing linear, spline, Stineman, mean and random imputation techniques. The results show that model performance varies depending on the imputation technique and the rate of missing data. GRU and Transformer models are favored for their robustness and excellent performance. For handling missing data, using spline and Stineman imputations is advisable to maintain high model accuracy. This study emphasizes the usability of various imputation techniques and deep learning models in time series analysis. It assesses model performance using both MAPE and RMSE to gain a comprehensive understanding of predictive accuracy and reliability, aiming to guide future research by comparing these methods.
Effects of Spreading Parameters on Powder Bed Quality
Authors: Çoşkun Muhammet Furkan , Önler Recep
Published: September 2024

Powder bed-based additive manufacturing processes such as laser powder bed fusion, binder jetting, and electron beam melting are commonly utilized in various critical areas such as medical, aviation, and energy. Common to all these operations, the powders are first spread onto the build platform in a layer-by-layer fashion and selectively fused or bound with a suitable method. The quality of the process depends on several parameters, including how the powders are spread onto the build platform. The powder spreading operation, which involves spreading powders on a powder bed with a roller or spreader, is an important step in these operations and can affect various process outputs. In this study, powder spreading is numerically investigated using the discrete element method to determine the effects of layer thickness, rotation, and translation velocities, selected as parameters with a powder spreader roller. To account for the relationship between powder spreading parameters and the powder volume packing fraction, as well as the interactions between particles themselves and between the particles and the build plate, the Hertz-Mindlin contact model, including normal tangential forces, as well as the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) contact model, including the effects of surface energy, were added to the numerical model. A Design of Experiment combined with analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to gain a broader understanding of the relationship between process parameters, green density, and dynamic angle of repose.
Optimization of electrical properties and radio frequency applications of GeTe thin film
Authors: Shuai Chen-Yang , Zheng Yue-Jun , Chen Qiang , Ma Yan-Li , Fu Yun-Qi ,   College of Electronic Science and Technology, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Published: September 2024

GeTe belongs to a chalcogenide phase change material, which can dynamically achieve reversible switching between the crystalline state of low resistivity and the amorphous state of high resistivity by utilizing the thermally induced phase change characteristics. The GeTe is an important functional material in the fields of memristors and nonvolatile radio frequency (RF) switches. For RF switch applications, this paper focuses on optimizing the electrical performance of GeTe thin films prepared by magnetron sputtering. By comprehensively analyzing the effects of substrate materials, sputtering conditions, and annealing conditions on the resistivity of crystalline GeTe films, effective conditions for preparing low resistivity GeTe films are explored. Fig. (a) shows that compared with the GeTe film on a SiO2 substrate, the film on an Al2O3 substrate can obtain higher crystallinity and lower resistivity. For the deposition power and pressure shown in Fig. (b), the combination of medium power (50–80 W) and low pressure (2–3 mTorr) is beneficial for low crystalline resistivity of GeTe film. Additionally, Fig. (c) shows that higher annealing temperature (350–400 ℃) can realize lower film resistivity. Finally, the experimental results show that the lowest crystalline resistivity of the prepared GeTe thin film reaches 3.6×10–6 Ω·m, and the resistance ratio is more than 106. Based on rectangular chips of GeTe film, a parallel millimeter-wave switch with zero static power is also constructed. As shown in Fig. (d), the insertion loss is less than 2.4 dB, and the isolation is greater than 19 dB in a 1–40 GHz frequency band, demonstrating the potential application of GeTe thin films in the field of broadband high-performance discrete nonvolatile RF switches.
Algorithm of reconstrucing temperature correction curve of digital thermometer based on pseudo inverse method
Authors: Kang Zhe-Ming , Ji Jin-Long , Kang Pin-Chun , Liu Jun-Jian , Lü Yi-Hui , Guo Lu-Qing ,   Xiamen Institute of Measurement and Testing, Xiamen 361001, China
Published: September 2024

At present, high-precision digital thermometers based on industrial platinum resistance have become a popular research direction and are widely used in environmental monitoring, medical health, industrial automation and other fields. However, due to the influence of materials and manufacturing processes, the measurement accuracy is average. With the increase of service life, it is inevitable that the temperature measurement deviation will be caused by the drift of the resistance value. The algorithm of correcting temperature is an effective method to improve the measurement accuracy of digital thermometers. Traditional compensation function correction algorithms such as polynomial fitting and B-spline fitting have good correction effect, but the problems of resistance drift cannot be solved. The segmented linear correction algorithm is simple and easy to implemente, but it requires multi-point temperature measurements. Because of the nonlinear changes of the temperature correction curve, the correction effect is average, which limits its correction accuracy and universality. Therefore, we propose n algorithm of reconstructing temperature correction curve based on the pseudo inverse method. Firstly, the reconstruction matrix is built by using the original data and multiple characteristic temperature points. Then, the complete temperature correction curve is reconstructed by the characteristic temperature points to be reconstructed and the reconstruction matrix. Finally, the reconstructed temperature correction curve is automatically included in the sample database, which improves the diversity of samples and the correction accuracy of the algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has a better correction effect on nonlinear changes and drifts of the temperature correction curve. And the proposed algorithm is less affected by the number of characteristic temperature points and the selection combination. The complete temperature correction curve is well reconstructed by collecting only 4 characteristic temperature points. Therefore, the proposed algorithm can provide the effective support for improving the measurement accuracy of digital thermometer.
Teaching troubleshooting skills to graduate students
Authors: Partipilo Gina , Gao Yang , Holwerda Alexis J , Lekbach Yassir , Miniel Mahfoud Ismar E , Simmons Trevor R , Tibbett Bailey M , Wilen Rebecca E , Benyamin Marcus S , Keitz Benjamin K
Published: September 2024

Troubleshooting is an important part of experimental research, but graduate students rarely receive formal training in this skill. In this article, we describe an initiative called Pipettes and Problem Solving that we developed to teach troubleshooting skills to graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. An experienced researcher presents details of a hypothetical experiment that has produced unexpected results, and students have to propose new experiments that will help identify the source of the problem. We also provide slides and other resources that can be used to facilitate problem solving and teach troubleshooting skills at other institutions.
Maternal Death Due to Lymphocytic Hypophysitis: A Case Report
Authors: Kwon Jeong-hwa , Park Young-Il , Jang Seon Jung
Published: September 2024

Lymphocytic hypophysitis is a rare condition characterized by lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration, leading to fibrosis and functional impairment of the pituitary gland. Although lymphocytic hypophysitis is associated with pregnancy, its diagnosis may be challenging in pregnant women owing to unclear symptoms of pituitary dysfunction. Lymphocytic hypophysitis can lead to serious complications, including a sudden death; however, no case of maternal death has been reported in Korea. This study presents a case of maternal death after childbirth. The deceased had a history of hypertension, obesity, hypothyroidism, and gestational diabetes and died suddenly the day after the emergency cesarean section. Notably, no other pregnancy-related complications were observed. Histopathological examination of the pituitary gland confirmed lymphocytic hypophysitis. This case report emphasizes the requirement of clinical awareness and underscores the significance of examining the pituitary gland during autopsy investigations of maternal deaths.
Ethylene Glycol Poisoning with Acute Liver Injury Due to Delayed Diagnosis: An Autopsy Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Jang Wooyoung , Kim Yehlim , Kang Tae Mo , Ko Kwang Soo , Choi Jinhyuk
Published: September 2024

Ethylene glycol (EG), commonly used as antifreeze, is frequently ingested accidentally or in suicides, and causes acute renal failure. We report an unusual case of EG poisoning with acute liver injury. After vomiting and loss of consciousness, a 48-year-old male was admitted to the emergency room. Despite prompt conservative treatment for metabolic acidosis, kidney function deteriorated, necessitating the continuous renal replacement therapy. Blood toxicology results, showing EG levels of 510 mg/L, arrived 10 hours after admission. Oral ethyl alcohol therapy commenced 16 hours post-admission. By 36 hours, liver function tests indicated significant liver damage, and the patient died 45 hours upon admission. On autopsy, histological findings were hepatic centrilobular necrosis, cerebral perivascular neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration with calcium oxalate deposition, and renal tubular necrosis with calcium oxalate deposition. EG concentrations in the blood and gastric contents were 18.7 mg/L and 45.0 mg/L, respectively. Glycolic acid and oxalic acid, metabolites of EG produced by alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver, cause metabolic acidosis, renal tubular calcium oxalate deposition, and acute renal failure, leading to death. Generally, because fomepizole or ethyl alcohol block alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver, acute liver injury by EG poisoning is rare. To the best of authors’ knowledge, only one relevant report was found in the literature described a case in which EG caused centrilobular necrosis in liver. In the current case, delays in diagnosis and antidote therapy without gastric lavage allowed continued metabolism of EG which led to acute liver injury and acute renal failure.
Drug Intoxication Associated with Pregabalin: An Autopsy Case
Authors: Ha Hongil , Moon Sungmin , Kang Minji , Kim Jihyun
Published: September 2024

Pregabalin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid analogue; it has been used clinically as an anticonvulsant and analgesic agent. Few documented reports exist of deaths resulting from pregabalin overdose. This report discusses a case of pregabalin intoxication in a 27-year-old male, who was found unconscious in a prison and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. An autopsy and toxicological analysis revealed the presence of pregabalin, alprazolam, diazepam, escitalopram, fluoxetine, lorazepam, bromazepam, flunitrazepam, zolpidem, and piroxicam. The concentrations of pregabalin and alprazolam were 10.3 mg/L and 0.10 mg/L in heart blood, and 11.4 mg/L and 0.08 mg/L in femoral blood, respectively. The other detected drugs were within therapeutic concentrations. Ethyl alcohol was not detected in the blood. Although the pregabalin concentration was within the therapeutic or toxic range, the concomitant use of other drugs, particularly benzodiazepines and zolpidem, likely enhanced its toxicity. Based on the autopsy findings and toxicological results, the cause of death was determined to be multidrug intoxication, including pregabalin. Although pregabalin is generally considered safe and deaths from its use alone are very rare, it can be fatal at relatively low blood concentrations when combined with opioids or other medications. The rising use of pregabalin in Korea increases the risk of overdose deaths, similar to this case. Therefore, in forensic practice, the possibility of such fatalities should be considered when pregabalin is detected.
Medical Investigation into the Alleged Poisoning of Crown Prince Sohyeon: Who Killed Crown Prince Sohyeon?
Authors: Yoo Seong Ho
Published: September 2024

Crown Prince Sohyeon (1612-1645) was the eldest son of King Injo, the 16th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty. Following the defeat in the Manchu Invasion of Korea (1636-1637), he was taken as a hostage to Qing China along with his younger brother, Prince Bongrim (later King Hyojong), and returned to Joseon after eight years in 1645. He died in the same year without ascending to the throne. Allegations of his poisoning emerged based on entries in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, leading to widespread acceptance of the poisoning theory and the creation of various cultural works. Although scholars of traditional Korean medicine have published papers suggesting a disease-related death, no thorough medical analysis has been conducted. This study aims to review historical documents to analyze the medical history of Crown Prince Sohyeon and ascertain his cause of death. The study found that Prince Sohyeon began experiencing respiratory, digestive, and urinary symptoms during his time as a hostage in Qing China. The symptoms included fever, cough, dyspnea, thick saliva, thirst, loss of taste, postprandial fatigue, abdominal pain, and dizziness, which persisted even after he returned to Joseon. He eventually succumbed to what appears to have been a respiratory illness characterized by persistent fever and dyspnea. Based on the documented symptoms, it is hypothesized that the cause of death was sepsis. However, given the chronic nature of the symptoms, an underlying autoimmune or metabolic disorder is also suspected as the primary cause, although this cannot be confirmed from the available historical records.
Effect of waste oyster shell powder as additive on properties and sulfate attack resistance of mortar
Authors: Liu Yu-Wen
Published: September 2024

In this study, the waste oyster shell powder was added in mix design to investigate the properties, sulfate attack resistance and sulfide bacterial of concrete. Add 0%, 1%, 3%, 6% and 9% oyster shell powder to the concrete to replace part of the sand. The study conducted flow tests, compressive strength tests, sulfate corrosion resistance and antibacterial tests. From the results, it was found that adding oyster shell powder improved the resistance to sulfate corrosion and antibacterial properties and became more effective as the substitution ratio increased. In addition, the sulfate attack resistance and antibacterial have a linear relationship of mortar with oyster shell powders.
Evaluating the effective factors of BIM for enhancing the construction interface management
Authors: Sindhu Vaardini U. , Shanmugapriya S.
Published: September 2024

Maintaining the proper interface management among the construction stakeholders is becoming more crucial due to the interconnected nature of construction work. Adopting and implementing building information modelling (BIM) technology can aid in the proper execution of construction projects. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to evaluate the effective factors of BIM using DeLone and McLean’s (DM) model. The DM model's factors evaluate the system or technology in terms of system quality, information quality, service quality, and most importantly, the system's net benefits and user satisfaction. The questionnaire was developed with the expert's opinion and the survey was conducted. As megaprojects have more complicated and various levels of information sharing, this study targeted collecting responses from industrial project practitioners in India. From the survey, a total of 166 responses were obtained. Using these data, the frequency test, reliability test, and the relative importance index (RII) were performed. These effective factors of BIM contribute significantly to project performance improvement through proper interface management and communication among stakeholders. The findings of the study emphasized the importance of user satisfaction and the net benefits of BIM. Thus, this study provides further insights to increase the adoption and implementation of BIM technology.
Potencialidades e desafios da implantação do almoxarifado virtual segundo a perspetiva de servidores numa organização pública
Authors: Nascimento Anselmo Marcos Cavalcanti , Aires Jussara Danielle Martins , Oliveira Hilderline Câmara
Published: September 2024

Considerando a escassez de estudos que discutem aspectos de inovação e empreendedorismo na Administração Pública, propondo trocas, aprendizado e a construção de ferramentas de gestão estratégica replicáveis, este artigo objetiva avaliar as potencialidades e desafios da implantação do Almoxarifado Virtual (AV) numa Organização pública de ensino do Rio Grande do Norte, a partir da perspectiva de servidores administrativos. Para tanto, sob a abordagem qualitativa, utilizou-se como instrumento de coleta de dados, um roteiro semiestruturado de entrevista direcionado eletronicamente a 12 servidores administrativos lotados nas coordenações de Material e Patrimônio da instituição. A técnica de Análise de Conteúdo foi adotada. Desse modo, observou-se que a implantação do AV tem contribuído para a melhoria do desempenho funcional entre diferentes setores e departamentos na organização. Servidores destacaram mais pontos fortes e oportunidades (potencialidades) da implementação do AV do que fraquezas e ameaças (desafios a serem superados). A maioria das forças também se realçam como oportunidades de melhoria, a exemplo da simplicidade e agilidade nas aquisições, a desburocratização, a otimização e a redução de custos e desperdícios. Um plano de ação proposto pôde direcionar novos olhares para a diversificação de produtos, minimização de fragilidades e proteção de ameaças percebidas. Esses resultados e contributos nos permitiram concluir que a promoção do diálogo entre acadêmicos e servidores públicos favoreceu aprendizados mútuos, envolvendo teoria e prática sobre planejamento estratégico para potencializar a inovação.
Succession of Major Pests and Predatory Fauna in Okra
Authors: C Deepak , Patel H. C.
Published: September 2024

Investigations on pest succession in okra crops were carried out during kharif, 2023 at the Department of Entomology, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. Pest succession based on crop growth stages showed that the population of sucking insect-pests viz., jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula Ishida), aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius.) observed from vegetative stage and remained up to crop matured while, red spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus incidence appeared from reproductive stage to maturity stage. Among the lepidopteran pests, the infestation of semi-looper, Anomis flava (Fabricius) started in the second week after germination and remained till maturity of the crop whereas, shoot and fruit borer (Earias insulana Boisd.) and fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick) damaged the crop from the vegetative stage and remained up to crop maturity. Coccinellids and spider activity initiated with sucking insect-pest incidence and remained up to crop maturity. The weather parameters, Bright sunshine hours and maximum minimum temperature had significant relationships with A. biguttula biguttula, T. cinnabarinus, E. vittella and H. armigera. Whereas, relative humidity significantly negatively influenced the activity of red spider mite, E. vittella, H. armigera and positively on predator coccinellids. Furthermore, windspeed had a significant positive association with A. biguttula biguttula and E. vittella (shoot damage) while, negative with H. armigera larva.
The imprint of climate and geology on the residence times of groundwater
Authors: Maxwell Reed M , Condon Laura E , Kollet Stefan J , Maher Kate , Haggerty Roy , Forrester Mary Michael
Published: December 2015

Surface and subsurface flow dynamics govern residence time or water age until discharge, which is a key metric of storage and water availability for human use and ecosystem function. Although observations in small catchments have shown a fractal distribution of ages, residence times are difficult to directly quantify or measure in large basins. Here we use a simulation of major watersheds across North America to compute distributions of residence times. This simulation results in peak ages from 1.5 to 10.5 years, in agreement with isotopic observations from bomb‐derived radioisotopes, and a wide range of residence times—from 0.1 to 10,000 years. This simulation suggests that peak residence times are controlled by the mean hydraulic conductivity, a function of the prevailing geology. The shape of the residence time distribution is dependent on aridity, which in turn determines water table depth and the frequency of shorter flow paths. These model results underscore the need for additional studies to characterize water ages in larger systems.
Imaging the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere with ionospheric tomography using COSMIC GPS TEC
Authors: Pinto Jayawardena Talini S. , Chartier Alex T. , Spencer Paul , Mitchell Cathryn N.
Published: December 2015

GPS‐based ionospheric tomography is a well‐known technique for imaging the total electron content (TEC) between GPS satellites and receivers. However, as an integral measurement of electron concentration, TEC typically encompasses both the ionosphere and plasmasphere, masking signatures from the topside ionosphere‐plasmasphere due to the dominant ionosphere. Imaging these regions requires a technique that isolates TEC in the topside ionosphere‐plasmasphere. Multi‐Instrument Data Analysis System (MIDAS) employs tomography to image the electron distribution in the ionosphere. Its implementation for regions beyond is yet to be seen due to the different dynamics present above the ionosphere. This paper discusses the extension of MIDAS to image these altitudes using GPS phase‐based TEC measurements and follows the work by Spencer and Mitchell (2011). Plasma is constrained to dipole field lines described by Euler potentials, resulting in a distribution symmetrical about the geomagnetic equator. A simulation of an empirical plasmaspheric model by Gallagher et al. (1988) is used to verify the technique by comparing reconstructions of the simulation with the empirical model. The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) is used as GPS receiver locations. The verification is followed by a validation of the modified MIDAS algorithm, where the regions' TEC is reconstructed from COSMIC GPS phase measurements and qualitatively compared with previous studies using Jason‐1 and COSMIC data. Results show that MIDAS can successfully image features/trends of the topside ionosphere‐plasmasphere observed in other studies, with deviations in absolute TEC attributed to differences in data set properties and the resolution of the images.
Vertical structure of boundary layer convection during cold‐air outbreaks at Barrow, Alaska
Authors: Wang Yonggang , Geerts Bart , Chen Yaosheng
Published: December 2015

Boundary layer convection (BLC) is common over high‐latitude oceans and adjacent coastal regions when a cold airmass becomes exposed to a sufficient fetch of open water. The vertical structure of mixed‐phase BLC clouds and precipitation is examined using the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program data set collected at the North Slope of Alaska (NSA) site at Barrow, Alaska. BLC may occur at this location in autumn, when cold air masses originating at higher latitudes advect southward over the still ice‐free coastal waters north of Alaska. This study identifies such BLC and documents its occurrence and characteristics. Instruments used for this study include profiling Ka band radars, a depolarization backscatter profiling lidar, a scanning X band radar, a microwave radiometer, a ceilometer, surface meteorological probes, and radiosondes. Six criteria are applied to objectively identify the BLC events, using data collected between 2004 and 2013. BLC episodes are relatively common at the NSA site, but almost exclusively in the month of October, and most episodes are relatively short, less than 10 h in duration. Liquid water is commonly found in these mixed‐phase BLC clouds, with a typical liquid water path of 150 g/m2, and snowfall rates average ~3 mm h−1 (water equivalent), in some cases over 10 mm h−1, notwithstanding the low cloud echo tops (~1.0–1.5 km). In one rather weak but persistent episode fall speed estimates derived from the profiling Ka band radar indicates the presence of rimed particles, confirming the convective nature of this precipitation.
Mid‐Holocene permafrost: Results from CMIP5 simulations
Authors: Liu Yeyi , Jiang Dabang
Published: December 2015

Distribution of frozen ground and active layer thickness in the Northern Hemisphere during the mid‐Holocene (MH) and differences with respect to the preindustrial (PI) were investigated here using the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) models. Two typical diagnostic methods, respectively, based on soil temperature (Ts based; a direct method) and air temperature (Ta based; an indirect method) were employed to classify categories and extents of frozen ground. In relation to orbitally induced changes in climate and in turn freezing and thawing indices, the MH permafrost extent was 20.5% (1.8%) smaller than the PI, whereas seasonally frozen ground increased by 9.2% (0.8%) in the Northern Hemisphere according to the Ts‐based (Ta‐based) method. Active layer thickness became larger, but by ≤ 1.0 m in most of permafrost areas during the MH. Intermodel disagreement remains within areas of permafrost boundary by both the Ts‐based and Ta‐based results, with the former demonstrating less agreement among the CMIP5 models because of larger variation in land model abilities to represent permafrost processes. However, both the methods were able to reproduce the MH relatively degenerated permafrost and increased active layer thickness (although with smaller magnitudes) as observed in data reconstruction. Disparity between simulation and reconstruction was mainly found in the seasonally frozen ground regions at low to middle latitudes, where the reconstruction suggested a reduction of seasonally frozen ground extent to the north, whereas the simulation demonstrated a slightly expansion to the south for the MH compared to the PI.
Assessment of OMI near‐UV aerosol optical depth over Central and East Asia
Authors: Zhang Wenhao , Gu Xingfa , Xu Hui , Yu Tao , Zheng Fengjie
Published: December 2015

Several essential improvements have been made in recent Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) near‐ultraviolet (UV) aerosol retrieval algorithm version (OMAERUV version 1.4.2), but few regional validations for its aerosol optical depth (AOD) product are conducted. This paper assessed the OMAERUV AOD product over Central and East Asia. The OMAERUV Level 2.0 AOD product was compared with Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Level 2.0 direct Sun AOD measurement over 10 years (2005–2014) at 27 selected AERONET sites. A combined comparison of OMAERUV‐AERONET AOD at 25 (2) sites was carried out and yielded correlation coefficient (ρ) of 0.63 (0.77), slope of 0.53 (0.57), y intercept of 0.18 (0.13), and 50.71% (57.24%) OMAERUV AOD fall within the expected uncertainty boundary (larger by 0.1 or ±30%) at 380 nm (440 nm). The more accurate (ρ > 0.70) OMAERUV retrievals are reported over eastern and northern China and South Korea. The two primary reasons for the underestimation of OMAERUV AOD over China are as follows: (1) the use of single‐channel (388 nm) retrieval method retrieves scattering AOD and not total AOD, and (2) the spectral dependence of the imaginary part of the refractive index in the near‐UV region assumed in the algorithm may not be representative of aerosols found over China. The comparisons for three predominant aerosol types indicate that smoke aerosol exhibits the best performance, followed by dust and nonabsorbing aerosol. It is consistent with the characteristic of near‐UV wavelength that it is more sensitive to absorbent particles. The comprehensive yearly (2005–2014) comparison at 25 sites and comparison between two periods (2005–2006 and 2009–2014) at selected four sites show no discernible decrease of temporal trend, which indicates that the OMAERUV algorithm successfully maintains its quality of aerosol product despite post‐2008 row anomaly instrument problem.
Crustal thickening, Barrovian metamorphism, and exhumation of midcrustal rocks during doming and extrusion: Insights from the Himalaya, NW India
Authors: Jessup M. J. , Langille J. M. , Cottle J. M. , Ahmad T.
Published: December 2015

Rocks exposed in NW India constrain the burial, partial melting, and exhumation history of the Himalayan crust. New microscale and mesoscale structural analysis, combined with pressure‐temperature estimates from the Haimanta Group exposed in the Sutlej Valley, indicate that the rocks were folded by two generations of NW trending folds. Barrovian metamorphism culminated at ~30 Ma with staurolite and kyanite overgrowths of F2 folds. Crustal thickening created a metamorphic field gradient that increases from the garnet zone (499 ± 99°C and 4.5 ± 1.4 kbar to 571 ± 92°C and 7.8 ± 1.4 kbar) to the staurolite‐kyanite zone (567 ± 105°C and 6.7 ± 1.6 kbar). These data are combined with previous studies to modify a two‐stage conceptual model for the thermal and deformation conditions of the middle and upper crust during the Eocene‐Miocene, excluding the late Miocene to recent. In the Miocene (~23 Ma), Barrovian metamorphism was overprinted by decompression during coeval south directed extrusion of the Greater Himalayan Series beneath the Sangla detachment in the foreland and doming during top‐down‐to‐the‐west displacement along the Leo Pargil shear zone in the hinterland. These data demonstrate that shear zones and detachments, such as the South Tibetan detachment that initially formed during crustal thickening (e.g., Eocene‐Oligocene), contributed to the subsequent distribution of rocks that experienced different pressure‐temperature‐time paths, degrees of partial melting, and exhumation histories during the Miocene.
Application of acoustic tomography to reconstruct the horizontal flow velocity field in a shallow river
Authors: Razaz Mahdi , Kawanisi Kiyosi , Kaneko Arata , Nistor Ioan
Published: December 2015

A novel acoustic tomographic measurement system capable of resolving sound travel time in extremely shallow rivers is introduced and the results of an extensive field measurements campaign are presented and further discussed. Acoustic pulses were transmitted over a wide frequency band of 20–35 kHz between eight transducers for about a week in a meandering reach of theBāsen River, Hiroshima, Japan. The purpose of the field experiment was validating the concept of acoustic tomography in rivers for visualizing current fields. The particular novelty of the experiment resides in its unusual tomographic features: subbasin scale (100 m × 270 m) and shallowness (0.5–3.0 m) of the physical domain, frequency of the transmitted acoustic signals (central frequency of 30 kHz), and the use of small sampling intervals (105 s). Inverse techniques with no a priori statistical information were used to estimate the depth‐average current velocity components from differential travel times. Zeroth‐order Tikhonov regularization, in conjunction with L‐curve method deployed to stabilize the solution and to determine the weighting factor appearing in the inverse analysis. Concurrent direct environmental measurements were provided in the form of ADCP readings close to the right and left bank. Very good agreement found between along‐channel velocities larger than 0.2 m/s obtained from the two techniques. Inverted quantities were, however, underestimated, perhaps due to vicinity of the ADCPs to the banks and strong effect of river geometry on the readings. In general, comparing the visualized currents with direct nodal measurements illustrate the plausibility of the tomographically reconstructed flow structures.
Critical Appraisal of the Quality of Literature Evaluating Psychometric Properties of Arthritis Work Outcome Assessments: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alheresh Rawan , Vaughan Molly , LaValley Michael P. , Coster Wendy , Keysor Julie J.
Published: December 2015

Objective

To systematically rate the evidence on the measurement properties of work functioning instruments for people with arthritis and other rheumatologic conditions.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted through a structured search to identify the quality of articles describing studies of assessment development and studies of their psychometric properties. The Consensus‐Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist was used to appraise the included studies. Finally, an evidence synthesis was performed to combine findings.

Results

Nine arthritis‐specific work outcome assessments were identified; 17 articles examining the psychometric properties of these instruments were identified and their quality was reviewed. Quality of studies was highly variable. The evidence synthesis showed that the Work Limitations Questionnaire had the strongest quality evidence of internal consistency and content validity (including structural validity and hypothesis testing), followed by the Work Instability Scale. None of the instruments had strong quality evidence of criterion validity or responsiveness.

Conclusion

Considering the high variability and the low quality of the literature, we recommend that instrument developers integrate a full psychometric assessment of their instruments, including responsiveness and criterion validity, and consult guidelines (i.e., COSMIN) in reporting their findings.
A Comprehensive Study of Osteogenic Calcium Phosphate Silicate Cement: Material Characterization and In Vitro/In Vivo Testing
Authors: Gong Tianxing , Wang Zhiqin , Zhang Yixi , Zhang Yubiao , Hou Mingxiao , Liu Xinwei , Wang Yu , Zhao Lejun , Ruse N. Dorin , Troczynski Tom , Häfeli Urs O.
Published: December 2015

Vertebral compression fractures can be successfully restored by injectable bone cements. Here the as‐yet unexplored in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo biodegradation, and osteoconductivity of a new calcium phosphate silicate cements (CPSC) are studied, where monocalcium phosphate (MCP; 5, 10, and 15 wt%) is added to calcium silicate cement (CSC). Setting rate and compressive strength of CPSC decrease with the addition of MCP. The crystallinity, microstructure, and porosity of hardened CPSC are evaluated by X‐ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and microcomputed tomography (CT). It is found that MCP reacts with calcium hydroxide, one of CSC hydration products, to precipitate apatite. While the reaction accelerates the hydration of CSC, the formation of calcium silicate hydrate gel is disturbed and highly porous microstructures form, resulting in weaker compressive strength. In vitro studies demonstrate that CPSC is noncytotoxic to osteoblast cells and promotes their proliferation. In the rabbit tibia implantation model, clinical X‐ray and CT scans demonstrate that CPSC biodegrades slower and osseointegrates better than clinically used calcium phosphate cement (CPC). Histological studies demonstrate that CPSC is osteoconductive and induces higher bone formation than CPC, a finding that might warrant future clinical studies.
Robust Silver(I) Catalyst for the Carboxylative Cyclization of Propargylic Alcohols with Carbon Dioxide under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Song Qing‐Wen , He Liang‐Nian
Published: December 2015

Inspired by the bulkier bis(triphenylphosphine)–silver cation‐induced mechanism of propargylic alcohols and carbon dioxide through the alkyl carbonate intermediate, a robust dual‐component catalytic system consisting of silver acetate and tetraheptylammonium bromide was rationally developed for the synthesis of α‐methylene cyclic carbonates under ambient conditions without employing any additional organic base and ligand. This is one of the most effective catalysts reported to date for this conversion, with a very high turnover number of up to 6024, probably due to the synergistic effect of Lewis basic and Lewis acidic species for the activation of both propargylic alcohol and carbon dioxide by the formation of the alkyl carbonate with a bulkier counterion. Notably, this catalyst also worked well for the carboxylative cyclization of propargylic amines with carbon dioxide with the highest turnover number of 544.

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Improving Film Formation and Photovoltage of Highly Efficient Inverted‐Type Perovskite Solar Cells through the Incorporation of New Polymeric Hole Selective Layers
Authors: Xue Qifan , Chen Guiting , Liu Meiyue , Xiao Jingyang , Chen Ziming , Hu Zhicheng , Jiang Xiao‐Fang , Zhang Bin , Huang Fei , Yang Wei , Yip Hin‐Lap , Cao Yong
Published: December 2015

Two chemically tailored new conjugated copolymers, HSL1 and HSL2, were developed and applied as hole selective layers to improve the anode interface of fullerene/perovskite planar heterojunction solar cells. The introduction of polar functional groups on the polymer side chains increases the surface energy of the hole selective layers (HSLs), which promote better wetting with the perovskite films and lead to better films with full coverage and high crystallinity. The deep highest occupied molecular orbital levels of the HSLs align well with the valence band of the perovskite semiconductors, resulted in increase photovoltage. The high lying lowest unoccupied molecule orbital level provides sufficient electron blocking ability to prevent electrons from reaching the anode and reduces the interfacial trap‐assisted recombination at the poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/perovskite interface, resulting in a longer charge‐recombination lifetime and shorter charge‐extraction time. In the presence of the HSLs, high‐performance CH3NH3PbI
x
Cl3−

x
perovskite solar cells with a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.6% (V
oc: 1.07 V) and CH3NH3Pb(I0.3Br0.7)
x
Cl3−

x
cells with a PCE of 10.3% (V
oc: 1.34 V) can be realized.
Analysis of the population genetic structure of Hb D‐Los Angeles [β121 (GH4) Glu→Gln GAA→CAA] in Denizli, Turkey; genetic diversity, historical demography and estimation of the mutation rates based on haplotype variation
Authors: Ozturk Onur , Arikan Sanem , Atalay Ayfer , Atalay Erol O.
Published: December 2015

Objective

Understanding the genetic origin of the Hb D‐Los Angeles hemoglobin may elucidate population interactions such as movements, migrations, and environmental effects on mutation mechanisms in human biology throughout history. Our study aimed to understand the genetic origin of Hb D‐Los Angeles based on haplotype data, observed in the Denizli province of Turkey.

Methods

We studied DNA samples from 40 unrelated patients with abnormal hemoglobin Hb D‐Los Angeles and 59 unrelated healthy subjects from our DNA bank. Possible associated haplotypes, HWE, genetic diversity and population differentiation, population genetic structure analysis and historical‐demographic analysis for the two populations were determined by Arlequin ver. 3.5.

Results

Molecular diversity results from the two populations show that both populations are genetically similar as far as development and expansion during the historical period. Historical gene flow results show high gene flow between the two populations. SSD and rg tests failed to reject the null hypothesis of population expansion which is consistent with unimodal distribution. Our estimated τ values show that the average time since the demographic expansion for normal and Hb D‐Los Angeles populations ranged from approximately 42,000–38,000 ybp, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the Hb D‐Los Angeles population originated within the normal population in Denizli, Turkey. Our results support the hypothesis that the Hb D‐Los Angeles mutation may have originated in the Mediterranean area, independent from other populations such as India and China. The evaluation of such data may contribute valuable information to anthropological, paleoclimatic, archaeological, and phylogeographical approaches to human biology throughout the historical period. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:476–483, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BaAka women's health and subsistence practices in transitional conservation economies: Variation with age, household size, and food security
Authors: Jost Robinson Carolyn A. , Remis Melissa J.
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Using ethnographic interviews and biological measures, this article investigates changing health and nutrition of a hunter‐gatherer population transitioning from a forest‐based subsistence system to a horticultural and market‐driven lifestyle.

Methods

This study represents biological and dietary recall data for adult female foragers (18+; n = 60) across two villages, Mossapoula (MS) and Yandoumbé (YDBE), in the Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas (APDS), Central African Republic (CAR). Standard anthropometric measurements (height, weight, skinfolds) and hemoglobin values were collected to assess short‐term nutritional status.

Results

BMI was similar across all three age classes in YDBE, but differed amongst women of MS (ANOVA; F = 6.34, df = 30, P = 0.005).Values were lowest among the older women in older age class 3 who also had the greatest number of dependents. Overall SS values were significantly negatively correlated with the number of biological children (r = −0.33, P = 0.01) in both villages.

Conclusions

Here, we identify older BaAka women, caring for their own children and grandchildren, as particularly vulnerable to economic changes and food insecurity. We found older women, especially those in a community with greater restrictions on access to forest resources to have more dependents, reduced market integration, and low BMI relative to younger women in the population. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:453–460, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Work‐related injuries to animal care workers, Washington 2007–2011
Authors: Fowler Heather , Adams Darrin , Bonauto David , Rabinowitz Peter
Published: December 2015

Background

For workers engaged in animal care, workplace hazards are common and may outnumber those experienced by human healthcare workers.

Methods

We used accepted Washington State workers' compensation claims for the period from January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011 to compare injury rates and types of injuries across animal care occupations.

Results

Work‐related injuries frequently affect veterinary support staff and those working in pet stores, shelters, grooming facilities and kennels. Animal‐related injuries were the most commonly reported injury type experienced by all groups, though the animal source of injury appears to differ by work setting.

Conclusions

Workplace related injuries among animal care workers are common and most often caused by physical insults resulting from worker‐animal interaction. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:236–244, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fighting sinus‐derived Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vitro with a bacteriophage‐derived muralytic enzyme
Authors: Drilling Amanda J. , Cooksley Clare , Chan Chun , Wormald Peter‐John , Vreugde Sarah
Published: December 2015

Background

Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are a nidus for exacerbation of infectious conditions including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Resistance of biofilms to current therapeutics stresses the need for the development of novel anti‐biofilm strategies. The chimeric muralytic enzyme P128 was specifically engineered to target Staphylococcal sp. by combining the cell wall binding domain of lysostaphin and the peptidoglycan‐degrading murein hydrolase derived from phage K. This study assessed the anti‐biofilm activity of P128 against sinus‐derived S. aureus.

Methods

Biofilms from S. aureus ATCC 25923 and 3 sinus‐derived methicillin‐sensitive and methicillin‐resistant CRS clinical isolates were grown for 48 hours and treated with various concentrations of P128 (0 to 100 μg/mL) for 2 and 24 hours, using the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assay and Alamar Blue (AB) assay. Biofilm present on the MBEC pegs was stained with LIVE/DEAD BacLight stain, imaged using confocal scanning laser microscopy and biomass determined by COMSTAT2 computation. In the AB assay, biofilm was measured by assessing the cell viability. Results were assessed using a Kruskal‐Wallis test, with a Wilcoxon post hoc test and Bonferroni correction.

Results

Both the MBEC and AB assay indicated that P128 was effective against in vitro S. aureus biofilms with significant reductions in biofilm of up to 95.5% at concentrations ≥12.5 μg/mL for all tested strains.

Conclusion

The engineered chimeric endolysin P128 was observed to be an effective anti‐biofilm agent against S. aureus. Further study will proceed into the appropriate application of P128 to ensure both an economically and clinically feasible preparation.