bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spheroidal and spherical geopotential approximations
Authors: Staniforth Andrew 
Published: January 2014

It is customary in atmospheric modelling to approximate the equi‐geopotential surfaces of apparent gravity as spheres, and to use spherical polar coordinates to represent the global atmosphere. However Earth's mean surface is more accurately approximated by a spheroid of revolution than by a sphere, and therefore the geopotential surfaces are better represented as spheroidal surfaces than spherical ones. Several authors have considered how to develop a spheroidal coordinate system. The keystone for this is a sufficiently accurate, yet simple and flexible, mathematical approximation of the geopotential for a spheroidal Earth. Geopotential approximation is a compromise between the extremes of being either too simple, with deficient representation of the essentials of the underlying physics, or too complicated, leading to overly complicated coordinate systems.A new spheroidal geopotential approximation is proposed herein. It is relatively simple, and analytically tractable, yet properly represents the underlying physics. Using this new approximation, a new, relatively simple, quasi‐orthogonal spheroidal coordinate system is developed. It is then straightforward to obtain the customary spherical geopotential approximation, with its associated use of spherical polar coordinates, as an asymptotic limit of this new formulation. This confirms a previous finding, obtained using a different quasi‐orthogonal coordinate system. The spheroidal geopotential approximation, and quasi‐orthogonal coordinate system, proposed herein are however much simpler, yet no less accurate. They thereby lead to a much simpler, more direct, yet equally rigorous, justification for the spherical geopotential approximation. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Multi‐user detection for the ARGOS satellite system
Authors: Escrig Benoît , Fares Fares , Boucheret Marie‐Laure , Calmettes Thibaud , Guillon Hervé 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYIn this paper, we evaluate several multiuser detection (MUD) architectures for the reception of asynchronous beacon signals in the ARGOS satellite system. The case of synchronous signals is studied first. Though impractical, this case provides useful guidance on the second part of the study, that is, the design of MUD receivers for asynchronous users. This paper focuses more particularly on successive interference cancellation (SIC) receivers because they have been shown to achieve a good performance complexity trade‐off. Several Eb ∕ N0 degradation curves are obtained as a function of channel parameters. With these curves, a performance analysis is presented in order to determine in which conditions it is possible to successfully decode none, one, or more beacon signals. We show that SIC receivers can improve the percentage of served beacons from 50% to more than 67% for a population of 37,600 beacons. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vulnerability‐constrained multiple minimum cost paths for multi‐source wireless sensor networks
Authors: An Wei , Ci Song , Luo Haiyan , Han Yanni , Lin Tao , Tang Ding , Qi Ying 
Published: January 2014

AbstractIn wireless sensor networks, one of the primary requirements is that sensor data acquired from the physical world can be interchanged with all interested collaborative entities in a secure, reliable manner. Because of highly unpredictable nature of the environments caused by malicious attacks or potential threats, minimizing transmission cost between source and sink nodes with jointly considering the security of the whole network is a critical issue. This paper considers two optimization problems of deriving the minimum cost paths from multiple source nodes to the sink node under the guaranteed level of the vulnerability. The link or node vulnerability is defined as a metric, which characterizes the degree of link or node sharing among paths. With the defined link vulnerability, the link vulnerability‐constrained minimum cost paths problem is first formulated, and two polynomial‐time algorithms are developed for deriving the optimal paths. For the node‐vulnerability‐constrained minimum cost paths problem, we adopt the network conversion and then achieve the optimal solution with previous proposed algorithms. The necessary condition for solution existence, the optimality of the proposed algorithms, and the related properties of tree network are further theoretically analyzed. Extensive simulations show the significant performance improvements achieved by our proposed algorithms.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential Effects of Molecular Testing of Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy on Thyroidectomy Volume
Authors: Dedhia Priya H. , Rubio Gustavo A. , Cohen Mark S. , Miller Barbra S. , Gauger Paul G. , Hughes David T. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackground
Increasing utilization of genetic expression profiling (GEP) for thyroid nodules with indeterminate fine needle aspiration (FNA) results will potentially decrease the number of patients requiring diagnostic thyroidectomy. This study sought to determine the potential effects of GEP for indeterminate thyroid FNA results on thyroidectomy volume.MethodsA retrospective review of thyroidectomy procedures performed over 1 year at the University of Michigan in the endocrine surgery division evaluated the indications for thyroidectomy, FNA Bethesda classification, and final surgical pathology to determine how application of GEP on indeterminate FNA results would affect decision for surgery and subsequent thyroidectomy volume.ResultsDuring the study period, 358 thyroidectomies were performed. The indication for procedure included: FNA findings, n = 122; symptomatic multinodular goiter, n = 85; nodule >4 cm, n = 30; Graves’, n = 26; other, n = 95. FNA was performed in 231 patients. Bethesda classification included: benign, n = 69; malignant, n = 55; follicular lesion of undetermined significance, n = 59; follicular neoplasm, n = 20; suspicious for malignancy, n = 16; nondiagnostic, n = 12. If standard GEP was performed for all indeterminate FNA results, it would have influenced the decision for surgery in 68 (19 %) patients. Assuming 38 % of indeterminate FNA specimens will have benign results on genetic profiling, 27 patients would not have undergone thyroidectomy, translating into a 7.2 % decrease in overall thyroidectomy volume over a year.ConclusionsIn an academic endocrine surgery program, the most common indication for thyroidectomy is an FNA result; however, standard application of GEP for all indeterminate thyroid FNAs would result in a minimal reduction in overall thyroidectomy volume.
Next Generation Sequencing is the Impetus for the Next Generation of Laboratory‐Based Genetic Counselors
Authors: Swanson Amy , Ramos Erica , Snyder Holly 
Published: January 2014

AbstractNext generation sequencing (NGS) is dramatically increasing the number of clinically available genetic tests and thus the number of patients in which such testing may be indicated. The complex nature and volume of the reported results requires professional interpretation of the testing in order to translate and synthesize the meaning and potential benefit to patients, and genetic counselors are uniquely suited to provide this service. The increased need for genetic counselors in this role, coupled with the time required and a limited number of trained and available counselors presents a challenge to current models for making genetic testing available to patients and their healthcare providers effectively and efficiently. The employment of genetic counselors at genetic/genomic laboratories is one model to expand the resources for providing this service. In this article, we briefly review the advent of NGS and its clinical applications, examine the core skills of genetic counselors and delineate the expanding roles and responsibilities of laboratory‐based genetic counselors. We also propose changes to the genetic counseling training program curriculum to account for the increasing opportunities for genetic counselors to contribute and thrive within genetic testing laboratories.
Comparison of Protein Concentrate, Protein Isolate and Wet Sieving Processes for Enriching DDGS Protein
Authors: Li Song , Liu Wei , Rausch Kent D. , Tumbleson M. E. , Singh Vijay 
Published: January 2014

AbstractDistillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is a coproduct of the dry grind ethanol process. Due to its high fiber content, use of DDGS is limited as an ingredient in ruminant animal diets. Reducing fiber and increasing protein content will increase the value of DDGS. Further increase in protein content and decrease in fiber content can be achieved by removing oligosaccharides and other soluble carbohydrates from DDGS. Two DDGS samples were produced: one using the conventional dry grind process (conventional DDGS) and another using a modified dry grind process (E‐Mill DDGS). Three protein enrichment processes were used on E‐Mill and conventional DDGS. These enrichment processes were protein concentrate and isolate processes, adapted from soybean industry, and a wet sieving process. For E‐Mill DDGS, protein contents of protein concentrate, protein isolate and sieved coproducts were 48, 52 and 51 % (db), respectively, compared to 42 % (db) for E‐Mill DDGS. For conventional DDGS, protein contents of protein concentrate, protein isolate and sieved coproducts were 33, 37 and 40 % (db), respectively compared to 34 % (db) for conventional DDGS. Among the three processes, the wet‐sieving process resulted in the highest protein content for conventional and E‐Mill DDGS samples.
Improvements in metabolic abnormalities among overweight schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients
Authors: Ventriglio A. , Gentile A. , Baldessarini R.J. , Martone S. , Vitrani G. , La Marca A. , Bellomo A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPurposeAs weight-gain and metabolic abnormalities during treatment with psychotropic drugs are of great concern, we evaluated effects of psycho-education and medical monitoring on metabolic changes among severely mentally ill patients.Materials and methodsDuring repeated, systematic psycho-education about general health among 66 consecutive patients diagnosed with DSM-IV-TR schizophrenia (n = 33) or type-I bipolar disorder (n = 33), we evaluated (at intake 1, 2, 3, and 6 months) clinical psychiatric status, treatments and doses, recorded physiological parameters, and assessed attitudes about medication.ResultsAt intake, patients with schizophrenia vs bipolar disorder were receiving 3–7 times more psychotropic medication, with 14% higher initial body-mass index (BMI: 29.1 vs 25.6 kg/m2), 12 times more obesity, and significantly higher serum lipid concentrations. During 6-months follow-up, among bipolar disorder patients, polytherapy and serum lipid concentrations declined more than among schizophrenia patients (e.g., total cholesterol + triglycerides, by 3.21 vs 1.75%/month). BMI remained stable. Declining lipid levels were associated with older age, bipolar disorder, being unemployed, higher antipsychotic doses, and lower initial BPRS scores (all P ≤ 0.001).ConclusionsPsychotropic treatments were more complex, and metabolic measures more abnormal among bipolar disorder than schizophrenia patients. Intensive psycho-education, clinical monitoring, and encouragement of weight-control for six months were associated with improvements in metabolic measures (but not to BMI), and more realistic attitudes about medication.
The network dimensions of intra-organizational social capital
Authors: Nonino Fabio 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe article provides the results of research carried out within the organizational social capital theory and the network theory of organizations. The research contributes to these theories by identifying, through an analysis of the literature, 10 informal network sources of intra-organizational social capital. A model for representing and measuring intra-organizational social capital based on the 10 informal organizational networks identified and on three different conceptual perspectives (structural, relational and cognitive) is subsequently proposed. The model is validated through an empirical study conducted within five divisions of a knowledge-intensive company. The research results suggest that among the 10 informal relationships studied, the accessibility of individuals primarily predicts the emergence of more informal relationships, which are the real source of intra-organizational social capital through resource exchange and combination. Furthermore a continuous working cooperation and the willingness of colleagues to make themselves available for cooperation also create a shared organizational culture in terms of language, norms and values and maintain a stable working information flow within organizations.
A study of CEO power, pay structure, and firm performance
Authors: Tien Chengli , Chen Chien-Nan , Chuang Cheng-Min 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study has extended existing research on CEO power, pay structure, and firm performance, offering models based mainly on agency theory and managerial power theory, and testing hypotheses using data from 112 companies across a five-year span (2001–2005) in computer-related industry groups in the United States. The results indicated that power from executive directorship positively impacts a firm's return on assets and return on equity, and that CEO power from duality negatively impacts CEO long-term pay and total pay, while CEO power from tenure positively impacts CEO long-term pay and pay leverage, and composite power negatively impacts short-term pay. Evidence for CEO pay as a mediator between CEO power and firm performance revealed that CEO short-term pay positively impacts a firm's return on assets and international performance but negatively impacts its market value, regardless of which source of power is being controlled. CEO total pay positively impacts a firm's return on assets and international performance, with power from CEO duality, directorship, or composite power being controlled. Hence, and in general, CEO pay fails to significantly mediate the relationships between CEO power and firm performance. The contributions include a multiple-perspective study of CEO power, compensation, and firm performance to comprehensively discover each of their respective relationships. This study has further extended the debate over agency perspectives with stewardship perspectives to fill knowledge and theoretical gaps. Thus, evidence-based findings provide boards of directors with practical knowledge for sound governance with another avenue for future research in corporate governance.
Internal resources, local externalities and export performance: An application in the Iberian ham cluster
Authors: Díez-Vial Isabel , Fernández-Olmos Marta 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis research aims to complement resource-based view with a cluster approach in identifying which elements, both internal to the firm and locally available, improve firms’ export performance. While in the resource-based view exporting firms are contingent upon the development of intangible resources, from a cluster approach exporters exploit local externalities, mainly related to local information, knowledge and resource spillovers. We present empirical evidence from the Iberian ham cluster in Spain, which confirms the relevance of intangibles such as R&D and marketing promotion, but also of cluster linkages with local institutions – technological centres, universities and use of Designation of Origins – in improving export performance. Contrary to expectations, employee education, organizational experience, and information and knowledge-based spillovers from proximate exporters have no significant effect. These findings suggest that an augmented framework may improve the predictive elements of export performance in clusters.
HEALTH AND BODY MASS INDEX CHANGES AMONG ITALIAN CONSCRIPTS BORN IN 1951 AND 1980
Authors: LANARI DONATELLA 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThis paper investigates changes in BMI in the second half of the twentieth century, focusing on two cohorts of Italian conscripts born in 1951 and 1980, and examines how the correlates of high and low BMI have changed over time. Data from conscript cohorts taken from the archives of Italian military districts show that younger conscripts exposed to the rising prevalence of immune-allergological and psychological diseases and metabolic dysfunctions underwent substantial increases in weight. These results are evidenced by quantile regression models, the largest BMI gains being found in diabetic conscripts at the 75th and 90th percentiles.
Effects of a latency period between pre-stimulation and teat cup attachment and periodic vacuum reduction on milking characteristics and teat condition in dairy cows
Authors: Vetter Anna , van Dorland H. Anette , Youssef Mohammed , Bruckmaier Rupert M. 
Published: January 2014

The goal of the present study was to examine the suitability of a short pre-stimulation (P) for 15 s followed by a latency period (L) of 30 s before cluster attachment for machine milking. In addition we tested the effect of a periodic reduction of the vacuum under the teat (VR) during the massage phase from 43 kPa to 12–15 kPa on milking characteristics and teat tissue condition. The study was carried out in 9 cows in a cross-over design. Animals were milked twice daily, and each of the 4 treatment combinations was used for six subsequent milkings (P+L vs. continuous P, and standard pulsation vs. VR, respectively). Milk flow was recorded during all experimental milkings. Longitudinal ultrasound cross sections of the teat were performed by B-mode ultrasound after the last milking of each treatment at 0, 5, and 15 min after the end of milking, respectively. None of the evaluated milking characteristics (total milk yield, main milking time, peak flow rate, average milk flow) differed between treatments. Teat measures as obtained by ultrasound cross sections showed no significant difference if individual treatments were compared at the three time points individually. However, teat wall thickness (TWT) tended to be smaller in VR vs. non-VR treatments at 5 min after milking (P=0·05). In conclusion, teat preparation consisting of a short stimulation followed by a latency period represents a similarly efficient pre-stimulation as a continuous pre-stimulation. VR seems to reduce the load on the teat tissue during milking and thus reduces the development of oedema and hence a less pronounced increase of TWT while milking characteristics are similar with or without VR.
Growth, mortality and hatch-date distributions of striped sea bream Lithognathus mormyrus inhabiting the Çanakkale Strait, Turkey
Authors: Ayyildiz Hakan , Ozen Ozcan , Altin Aytac 
Published: January 2014

This paper studies age, growth and hatch date distributions of young of the year striped sea bream Lithognathus mormyrus from Canakkale near shores by using a beach seine during September 2006–December 2007. Using otolith microstructure analysis, a total of 416 specimens ranging from 20 to 103 mm LT were aged and found to be between 30 and 307 days old. Average growth rates were estimated to 0.325 mm d−1. The juvenile instantaneous mortality coefficient was found to be 0.0219, which corresponds to a daily mortality of 2.16%. The hatching period of the striped sea bream was determined to occur between April and January, with relatively higher hatching frequency in August.
Emergency Medicine Systems Advancement through Community-based Development
Authors: Bloem Martha M. , Bloem Christina M. , Rosentsveyg Juliana , Arquilla Bonnie 
Published: January 2014

AbstractHumanitarian health programs frequently focus on immediate relief and are supply side oriented or donor driven. More emphasis should be placed on long-term development projects that engage local community leaders to ensure sustainable change in health care systems. With the Emergency Medicine Educational Exchange (EMEDEX) International Rescue, Recover, Rebuild initiative in Northeast Haiti as a model, this paper discusses the opportunities and challenges in using community-based development to establish emergency medical systems in resource-limited settings.BloemMM, BloemCM, RosentsveygJ, ArquillaB. Emergency medicine systems advancement through community-based development. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(1):1-5.
Importance of soil organic matter for the diversity of microorganisms involved in the degradation of organic pollutants
Authors: Neumann Dominik , Heuer Anke , Hemkemeyer Michael , Martens Rainer , Tebbe Christoph C 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Many organic pollutants are readily degradable by microorganisms in soil, but the importance of soil organic matter for their transformation by specific microbial taxa is unknown. In this study, sorption and microbial degradation of phenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) were characterized in three soil variants, generated by different long-term fertilization regimes. Compared with a non-fertilized control (NIL), a mineral-fertilized NPK variant showed 19% and a farmyard manure treated FYM variant 46% more soil organic carbon (SOC). Phenol sorption declined with overall increasing SOC because of altered affinities to the clay fraction (soil particles &lt;2 mm in diameter). In contrast, DCP sorption correlated positively with particulate soil organic matter (present in the soil particle fractions of 63–2000 μm). Stable isotope probing identified Rhodococcus, Arthrobacter (both Actinobacteria) and Cryptococcus (Basidiomycota) as the main degraders of phenol. Rhodococcus and Cryptococcus were not affected by SOC, but the participation of Arthrobacter declined in NPK and even more in FYM. 14C-DCP was hardly metabolized in the NIL variant, more efficiently in FYM and most in NPK. In NPK, Burkholderia was the main degrader and in FYM Variovorax. This study demonstrates a strong effect of SOC on the partitioning of organic pollutants to soil particle size fractions and indicates the profound consequences that this process could have for the diversity of bacteria involved in their degradation.
Humboldt’s spa: microbial diversity is controlled by temperature in geothermal environments
Authors: Sharp Christine E , Brady Allyson L , Sharp Glen H , Grasby Stephen E , Stott Matthew B , Dunfield Peter F 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Over 200 years ago Alexander von Humboldt (1808) observed that plant and animal diversity peaks at tropical latitudes and decreases toward the poles, a trend he attributed to more favorable temperatures in the tropics. Studies to date suggest that this temperature–diversity gradient is weak or nonexistent for Bacteria and Archaea. To test the impacts of temperature as well as pH on bacterial and archaeal diversity, we performed pyrotag sequencing of 16S rRNA genes retrieved from 165 soil, sediment and biomat samples of 36 geothermal areas in Canada and New Zealand, covering a temperature range of 7.5–99 °C and a pH range of 1.8–9.0. This represents the widest ranges of temperature and pH yet examined in a single microbial diversity study. Species richness and diversity indices were strongly correlated to temperature, with R2 values up to 0.62 for neutral–alkaline springs. The distributions were unimodal, with peak diversity at 24 °C and decreasing diversity at higher and lower temperature extremes. There was also a significant pH effect on diversity; however, in contrast to previous studies of soil microbial diversity, pH explained less of the variability (13–20%) than temperature in the geothermal samples. No correlation was observed between diversity values and latitude from the equator, and we therefore infer a direct temperature effect in our data set. These results demonstrate that temperature exerts a strong control on microbial diversity when considered over most of the temperature range within which life is possible.