bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Cervical Interbody Cage Morphology, Material Composition, and Substrate Density on Cage Subsidence
Authors: Suh Paul B. , Puttlitz Christian , Lewis Chad , Bal B. Sonny , McGilvray Kirk 
Published: December 2016

Background:
Interbody cages used in spinal fusion surgery can subside into the adjacent vertebral bodies after implantation, leading to loss of spinal height, malalignment, and possible radicular symptoms. Several factors may contribute to cage subsidence.

Methods:
This in vitro investigation examined the possible contribution of substrate density, cage contact area (ie, cage footprint), cage filling, cage end plate surface texture, and cage material composition on the magnitude of subsidence. Commercially available cervical interbody cages of two sizes (16 × 12 mm and 17 × 14 mm) were implanted between foam blocks of two different densities and were cyclically loaded. Cages were made of titanium alloy (Ti4Al6V), silicon nitride ceramic (Si3N4), or polyether ether ketone (n = 8 cages of each material type). Additional testing was performed on Si3N4 cages of the smaller size with nontextured surfaces and with filled cores.

Results:
Subsidence measurements showed that lower foam density had the greatest influence on subsidence, followed by smaller cage footprint. Cage material had no effect on subsidence. In the additional testing of small-footprint Si3N4 cages, the cages in which the core was filled with a load-bearing porous material had less subsidence in lower-density foam than the cages with an empty core had, whereas cage end plate surface texture had no effect on subsidence.

Conclusion:
Ranking of the relative impact of these factors indicated that substrate density had the greatest contribution to the measured subsidence (approximately 1.7 times and approximately 67 times greater than the contributions of cage footprint area and material, respectively). The contribution of cage footprint area to subsidence was found to be 40 times greater than the contribution of cage material to subsidence.
The Effect of Perceived Factors of Decision Support Systems on Actual Usage: Behavioral Intention of Using Decision Support Systems as a Mediating Variable: “An Empirical Study of Jordanian Higher Education Institutions”
Authors: Al-Momani Bilal Mohammed Salem 
Published: December 2016

Decision support systems (DSS) are interactive computer-based systems that provide information, modeling, and manipulation of data. DSS are clearly knowledge-based information systems to capture, Processing and analysis of information affecting or aims to influence the decision making process, performed by people in scope professional job appointed by a user. Hence, this study describes briefly the key concepts of decision support systems such as perceived factors with a focus on quality of information systems and quality of information variables, behavioral intention of using DSS, and actual DSS use by adopting and extending the technology acceptance model (TAM) of Davis (1989); and Davis, Bagozzi and Warshaw (1989).There are two main goals, which stimulate the study. The first goal is to combine Perceived DSS factors and behavioral intention to use DSS from both the social perspective and a technology perspective with regard to actual DSS usage, and an experimental test of relations provide strategic locations to organizations and providing indicators that should help them manage their DSS effectiveness. Managers face the dilemma in choosing and focusing on most important factors which contributing to the positive behavioral intention of use DSS by the decision makers, which, in turn, could contribute positively in the actual DSS usage by them and other users to effectively solve organizational problems. Hence, this study presents a model which should provide the useful tool for top management in the higher education institutions- in particular-to understand the factors that determine using behaviors for designing proactive interventions and to motivate the acceptance of TAM in order to use the DSS in a way that contributes to the higher education decision-making plan and IT policy.To accomplish or attain the above mentioned objectives, the researcher developed a research instrument (questionnaire) and distributed it amongst the higher education institutions in Jordan to collect data in order to empirically study hypothesis testing (related to the objectives of study). 341 questionnaires were returned from the study respondents. Data were analyzed by utilizing both SPSS (conducted descriptive analysis) and AMOS (conducting structural equation modelling).Findings of the study indicate that some hypotheses were supported while the others were not. Contributions of the study were presented. In addition, the researcher presented some recommendations. Finally, this study has identified opportunities for further study which has progressed greatly advanced understanding constantly of DSS usage, that can help formulate powerful strategies Involving differentiation between DSS perceived factors.
Plantar Pressure During Gait in Pregnant Women
Authors: Bertuit Jeanne , Leyh Clara , Rooze Marcel , Feipel Véronique 
Published: December 2016

Background: During pregnancy, physical and hormonal modifications occur. Morphologic alterations of the feet are found. These observations can induce alterations in plantar pressure. This study sought to investigate plantar pressures during gait in the last 4 months of pregnancy and in the postpartum period. A comparison with nulliparous women was conducted to investigate plantar pressure modifications during pregnancy.Methods: Fifty-eight women in the last 4 months of pregnancy, nine postpartum women, and 23 healthy nonpregnant women (control group) performed gait trials on an electronic walkway at preferred speeds. The results for the three groups were compared using analysis of variance.Results: During pregnancy, peak pressure and contact area decreased for the forefoot and rearfoot. These parameters increased significantly for the midfoot. The gait strategy seemed to be lateralization of gait with an increased contact area of the lateral midfoot and both reduced pressure and a later peak time on the medial forefoot. In the postpartum group, footprint parameters were modified compared with the pregnant group, indicating a trend toward partial return to control values, although differences persisted between the postpartum and control groups.Conclusions: Pregnant women had altered plantar pressures during gait. These findings could define a specific pattern of gait footprints in late pregnancy because plantar pressures had characteristics that could maintain a stable and safe gait.
Moho depth and crustal thinning in the Marmara Sea region from gravity data inversion
Authors: Kende J. , Henry P. , Bayrakci G. , Özeren M. S. , Grall C. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe free‐air gravity in the Marmara Sea reveals that the low density of sedimentary basins is partly compensated in the lower crust. We compiled geophysical upper crust studies to determine the sediment basin geometries in and around the Marmara Sea and corrected the gravity signal from this upper crust geology with the Parker method. Then, assuming long wavelength anomalies in the residual gravity signal is caused by variations in the Moho topography, we inverted the residual to build the Moho topography. The result shows that the Moho is uplifted on an area greater than the Marmara Sea with a maximum crust thinning beneath the basins where the Moho is at about 25 km, 5 km above the reference depth. We then evaluated the Neogene extension by comparing the surface covered by our 3‐D thinned model with the surface covered by an unthinned model with same crustal volume. Comparing this surface with areal extension rate from GPS data, we found a good compatibility indicating that the extension rate averaged over the Sea of Marmara area probably remained close to its present‐day value during major changes of tectonic regime, as the incursion of the North Anatolian Fault system during the Pliocene leads to the establishment of the dominantly strike‐slip present‐day system. We also show that crustal extension is distributed over a wider domain in the lower crust than in the upper crust, and that this may be accounted for by a relatively minor component of lower crustal ductile flow.
The futures of climate engineering
Authors: Low Sean 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis piece examines the need to interrogate the role of the conceptions of the future, as embedded in academic papers, policy documents, climate models, and other artifacts that serve as currencies of the science–society interface, in shaping scientific and policy agendas in climate engineering. Growing bodies of work on framings, metaphors, and models in the past decade serve as valuable starting points, but can benefit from integration with science and technology studies work on the sociology of expectations, imaginaries, and visions. Potentially valuable branches of work to come might be the anticipatory use of the future: the design of experimental spaces for exploring the future of an engineered climate in service of responsible research and innovation, and the integration of this work within the unfolding context of the Paris Agreement.
Local atmospheric forcing driving an unexpected California Current System response during the 2015–2016 El Niño
Authors: Frischknecht Martin , Münnich Matthias , Gruber Nicolas 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe 2015–2016 El Niño contributed to large anomalies across the California Current System (CalCS), but these anomalies ceased unexpectedly in late 2015. Here we use a suite of three hindcast simulations with the Regional Oceanic Modeling System to assess the responsible mechanisms for this development. We find that the early buildup was primarily driven by the early onset of this event in the tropical Pacific, driving anomalies in the CalCS through the propagation of coastally trapped waves. In contrast, the abrupt end in the central CalCS was caused by the unusual onset of upwelling favorable winds in the fall of 2015, which offset the continuing remote forcing through the coastal waveguide. Nevertheless, low‐nutrient anomalies persisted, causing anomalously low phytoplankton abundance in the upwelling season of 2016. This is a recurring pattern for all El Niño events over the last 37 years, suggesting predictive skill on seasonal timescales.
Biomass burning aerosol impact on surface winds during the 2010 Russian heat wave
Authors: Baró R. , Lorente‐Plazas R. , Montávez J. P. , Jiménez‐Guerrero P. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis paper elucidates the impact of biomass burning aerosols (BB) on surface winds for the Russian fires episode during 25 July to 15 August 2010. The methodology consists of three Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) simulations over Europe differing in the inclusion (or not) of aerosol‐radiation and aerosol‐cloud interactions. The presence of BB reduces the 10 m wind speed over Russia during this fire event by 0.2 m s−1 (10%). Aerosol interactions imply a decrease of the shortwave downwelling radiation at the surface leading to a reduction of the 2 m temperature. This decrease reduces the turbulence flux, developing a more stable planetary boundary layer. Moreover, cooling favors an increase of the surface pressure over Russian area and also it extends nearby northern Europe.
Mercury's cross‐tail current sheet: Structure, X‐line location and stress balance
Authors: Poh Gangkai , Slavin James A. , Jia Xianzhe , Raines Jim M. , Imber Suzanne M. , Sun Wei‐Jie , Gershman Daniel J. , DiBraccio Gina A. , Genestreti Kevin J. , Smith Andy W. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe structure, X‐line location, and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stress balance of Mercury's magnetotail were examined between −2.6 < XMSM < −1.4 RM using MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) measurements from 319 central plasma sheet (CPS) crossings. The mean plasma β in the CPS calculated from MESSENGER data is ~ 6. The CPS magnetic field was southward (i.e., tailward of X‐line) ~ 2–18% of the time. Extrapolation of downtail variations in BZ indicates an average X‐line location at −3 RM. Modeling of magnetic field measurements produced a cross‐tail current sheet (CS) thickness, current density, and inner CS edge location of 0.39 RM, 92 nA/m2 and −1.22 RM, respectively. Application of MHD stress balance suggests that heavy planetary ions may be important in maintaining stress balance within Mercury's CPS. Qualitative similarities between Mercury's and Earth's magnetotail are remarkable given the differences in upstream conditions, internal plasma composition, finite gyro‐radius scaling, and Mercury's lack of ionosphere.
The underthrusting Indian crust and its role in collision dynamics of the Eastern Himalaya in Bhutan: Insights from receiver function imaging
Authors: Singer J. , Kissling E. , Diehl T. , Hetényi G. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMost of the convergence rate between the Indian and Eurasian plate is assumed to be absorbed along a major basal thrust beneath the Himalaya, the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT). Deformation along this basal thrust in combination with frontal accretion results in the formation of the upper crustal fold‐thrust belt. The role of the underthrusting Indian crust and its impact on the long‐term growth of the Himalaya are only poorly understood, partly due to the lack of high‐resolution seismic images of the crust. To improve the imaging of lithospheric structures, we developed a 3‐D migration scheme for receiver functions using seismic data from the temporary GANSSER network in Bhutan. Extending the 2‐D high‐frequency ray approximation and common conversion point stacking to 3‐D including linear phase weighting and a quality assessment, we reveal significant along‐strike differences in the lithospheric structure beneath Bhutan. In western Bhutan, the Moho geometry shows an increased dip south of the Higher Himalaya reaching almost 70 km depth thereafter, whereas in eastern Bhutan the Moho is almost subhorizontal at 50 km depth across our network. The appearance of distinct listric structures beneath the MHT indicates intracrustal deformation up to crustal imbrication down to the lower crust. We propose that these variations, in the crustal thickness and in intracrustal structures, influence the upper crustal kinematics of the Bhutan Himalayan orogeny and are primarily driven by an Indian mantle‐slab northwest of Bhutan, and its absence northeast of Bhutan.
Joint impact of North and South Pacific extratropical atmospheric variability on the onset of ENSO events
Authors: Ding Ruiqiang , Li Jianping , Tseng Yu‐heng , Sun Cheng , Xie Fei 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPrevious studies have indicated that boreal winter subtropical and extratropical sea surface pressure (SLP) anomalies over both the North and South Pacific are significantly related to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) state in the following boreal winter. Here we use observational data and model simulations to show that the ability of the boreal winter North Pacific SLP anomalies to initiate ENSO events a year later may strongly depend on the state of the simultaneous South Pacific SLP anomalies and vice versa. When the boreal winter North Pacific SLP anomalies are of the opposite sign to the simultaneous South Pacific anomalies, the correlation of the North or South Pacific anomalies with the following ENSO state becomes much weaker, and the strength of the ENSO events also tends to be weaker. One possible reason for this is that when the boreal winter North and South Pacific SLP anomalies have the opposite sign, the westerly anomalies over the western‐central equatorial Pacific during the following boreal summer are greatly reduced by the interference between the antecedent North and South Pacific SLP anomalies, thereby not favoring the development of ENSO events. Further analysis indicates that a combination of North and South Pacific precursor signals may serve to enhance the ENSO prediction skill.
Ultrafine particle number fluxes over and in a deciduous forest
Authors: Pryor S. C. , Barthelmie R. J. , Larsen S. E. , Sørensen L. L. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractUltrafine particles (UFP, particles with diameters (Dp) < 100 nm) play a key role in climate forcing; thus, there is interest in improved understanding of atmosphere‐surface exchange of these particles. Long‐term flux measurements from a deciduous forest in the Midwestern USA (taken during December 2012 to May 2014) show that although a substantial fraction of the data period indicates upward fluxes of UFP, on average, the forest is a net sink for UFP during both leaf‐active and leaf‐off periods. The overall mean above‐canopy UFP number flux computed from this large data set is −4.90 × 106 m−2 s−1 which re‐emphasizes the importance of these ecosystems to UFP removal from the atmosphere. Although there remain major challenges to accurate estimation of the UFP number flux and in drawing inferences regarding the actual surface exchange from measurements taken above the canopy, the above the canopy mean flux is shown to be downward throughout the day (except at 23.00) with largest‐magnitude fluxes during the middle of the day. On average, nearly three quarters of the total UFP capture by this ecosystem occurs at the canopy. This fraction increases to 78% during the leaf‐active period, but the over‐storey remains dominant over the subcanopy even during the leaf‐off period.
The topography of a continental indenter: The interplay between crustal deformation, erosion, and base level changes in the eastern Southern Alps
Authors: Robl J. , Heberer B. , Prasicek G. , Neubauer F. , Hergarten S. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe topography of the eastern Southern Alps (ESA) reflects indenter tectonics causing crustal shortening, surface uplift, and erosional response. Fluvial drainages were perturbed by Pleistocene glaciations that locally excavated alpine valleys. The Late Miocene desiccation of the Mediterranean Sea and the uplift of the northern Molasse Basin led to significant base level changes in the far field of the ESA and the Eastern Alps (EA), respectively. Among this multitude of mechanisms, the processes that dominate the current topographic evolution of the ESA and the ESA‐EA drainage divide have not been identified. We demonstrate the expected topographic effects of each mechanism in a one‐dimensional model and compare them with observed channel metrics. We find that the normalized steepness index increases with uplift rate and declines from the indenter tip in the northwest to the foreland basin in the southeast. The number and amplitude of knickpoints and the distortion in longitudinal channel profiles similarly decrease toward the east. Changes in slope of χ‐transformed channel profiles coincide spatially with the Valsugana‐Fella fault linking crustal stacking and uplift induced by indenter tectonics with topographic evolution. Gradients in χ across the ESA‐EA drainage divide imply an ongoing, north directed shift of the Danube‐ESA watershed that is most likely driven by a base level rise in the northern Molasse basin. We conclude that the regional uplift pattern controls the geometry of ESA‐EA channels, while base level changes in the far field control the overall architecture of the orogen by drainage divide migration.
Timescales of landscape response to divide migration and drainage capture: Implications for the role of divide mobility in landscape evolution
Authors: Whipple K. X. , Forte A. M. , DiBiase R. A. , Gasparini N. M. , Ouimet W. B. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractEfforts to extract information about climate and tectonics from topography commonly assume that river networks are static. Drainage divides can migrate through time, however, and recent work has shown that divide mobility can potentially induce changes in river profiles comparable to changes caused by variation in rock uplift, climate, or rock properties. We use 1‐D river profile and 2‐D landscape evolution simulations to evaluate how mobile divides influence the interpretation of river profiles in tectonically active settings. We define a nondimensional divide migration number, NDm, as the ratio of the timescale of channel profile response to a change in drainage area (TdA) to the timescale of divide migration (TDm). In simulations of headward divide migration, NDm is much less than unity with no measurable perturbation of channel profiles. Only in simulations configured to induce rapid lateral divide migration are there occasional large stream capture events and zones where localized drainage area loss is fast enough to support NDm values near unity. The rapid response of channel profiles to changes in drainage area ensures that under most conditions profiles maintain quasi‐equilibrium forms and thus generally reflect spatiotemporal variation in rock uplift, climate, or rock properties even during active divide migration. This implies that channel profile form may not reliably record divide mobility, so we evaluate alternate metrics of divide mobility. In our simulations and an example in Taiwan, we find that simple measures of cross‐divide contrasts in topography are more robust metrics of divide mobility than measures of drainage network topology.
Comparison of predictive estimates of high‐latitude electrodynamics with observations of global‐scale Birkeland currents
Authors: Anderson Brian J. , Korth Haje , Welling Daniel T. , Merkin Viacheslav G. , Wiltberger Michael J. , Raeder Joachim , Barnes Robin J. , Waters Colin L. , Pulkkinen Antti A. , Rastaetter Lutz 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTwo of the geomagnetic storms for the Space Weather Prediction Center Geospace Environment Modeling challenge occurred after data were first acquired by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE). We compare Birkeland currents from AMPERE with predictions from four models for the 4–5 April 2010 and 5–6 August 2011 storms. The four models are the Weimer (2005b) field‐aligned current statistical model, the Lyon‐Fedder‐Mobarry magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation, the Open Global Geospace Circulation Model MHD simulation, and the Space Weather Modeling Framework MHD simulation. The MHD simulations were run as described in Pulkkinen et al. (2013) and the results obtained from the Community Coordinated Modeling Center. The total radial Birkeland current, ITotal, and the distribution of radial current density, Jr, for all models are compared with AMPERE results. While the total currents are well correlated, the quantitative agreement varies considerably. The Jr distributions reveal discrepancies between the models and observations related to the latitude distribution, morphologies, and lack of nightside current systems in the models. The results motivate enhancing the simulations first by increasing the simulation resolution and then by examining the relative merits of implementing more sophisticated ionospheric conductance models, including ionospheric outflows or other omitted physical processes. Some aspects of the system, including substorm timing and location, may remain challenging to simulate, implying a continuing need for real‐time specification.