Balanced Arrays Research Articles

Increase of Trichoderma harzianum Production Using Mixed-Level Fractional Factorial Design

This research presents the increase of the Trichoderma harzianum production process in a biotechnology company. The NOBA (Near-Orthogonal Balanced arrays) method was used to fractionate a mixed-level factorial design to minimize costs and experimentation times. Our objective is to determine the significant factors to maximize the production process of this fungus. The proposed 213242 mixed-level design involved five factors, including aeration, humidity, temperature, potential hydrogen (pH), and substrate; the response variable was spore production. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the type of substrate, the air supply, and the interaction of these two factors were significant. The maximization of spore production was achieved by using the breadfruit seed substrate and aeration, while it was shown that variations in pH, humidity, and temperature have no significant impact on the production levels of the fungus.

Improving snow depth simulations on Arctic Sea ice by assimilating a passive microwave-derived record

The snow depth can modulate sea ice changes and is a necessary input parameter to obtain altimeter-derived sea ice thickness values. First, we determine the optimal model parameters for simulating snow depth based on a two-layer snow depth model. Then, we use the particle filter (PF) approach to assimilate satellite-derived snow depth observations to improve the snow depth simulations. Next, we generate daily snow depth estimates from 2012 to 2020 at a 50-km resolution. With the use of three airborne Operation IceBridge (OIB) datasets (i.e., the NSIDC OIB quick look product, NSIDC OIB L4 product and NOAA OIB product), this work reveals that compared to the original simulated snow depths, the snow depth estimates are improved, with root mean square error (RMSE) decreases of 0.8 cm (12%), 1.3 cm (22%) and 1.1 cm (15%), respectively, corresponding to the three OIB products. With the use of Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) snow buoy and Snow and Ice Mass Balance Array (SIMBA) buoy data, it can be verified that the application of PF improves snow depth simulations in the Central Arctic. The variations in the monthly and seasonal snow depth estimates retrieved from the proposed method agree well with those in the estimates retrieved from two other existing algorithms. Based on the presented snow depth estimates, we can perform long-term snow depth and sea ice analysis. Snow depth estimates improve the understanding of Arctic environmental change and promote the future development of sea ice models.

Annual evolution of the ice–ocean interaction beneath landfast ice in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica

Abstract. High-frequency observations of the ice–ocean interaction and high-precision estimation of the ice–ocean heat exchange are critical to understanding the thermodynamics of the landfast ice mass balance in Antarctica. To investigate the oceanic contribution to the evolution of the landfast ice, an integrated ocean observation system, including an acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV), conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) sensors, and a sea ice mass balance array (SIMBA), was deployed on the landfast ice near the Chinese Zhongshan Station in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica, from April to November 2021. The CTD sensors recorded the ocean temperature and salinity. The ocean temperature experienced a rapid increase in late April, from −1.62 to the maximum of −1.30 ∘C, and then it gradually decreased to −1.75 ∘C in May and remained at this temperature until November. The seawater salinity and density exhibited similar increasing trends during April and May, with mean rates of 0.04 psu d−1 and 0.03 kg m−3 d−1, respectively, which was related to the strong salt rejection caused by freezing of the landfast ice. The ocean current observed by the ADV had mean horizontal and vertical velocities of 9.5 ± 3.9 and 0.2 ± 0.8 cm s−1, respectively. The domain current direction was ESE (120∘)–WSW (240∘), and the domain velocity (79 %) was 5–15 cm s−1. The oceanic heat flux (Fw) estimated using the residual method reached a peak of 41.3 ± 9.8 W m−2 in April, and then it gradually decreased to a stable level of 7.8 ± 2.9 W m−2 from June to October. The Fw values calculated using three different bulk parameterizations exhibited similar trends with different magnitudes due to the uncertainties of the empirical friction velocity. The spectral analysis results suggest that all of the observed ocean variables exhibited a typical half-day period, indicating the strong diurnal influence of the local tidal oscillations. The large-scale sea ice distribution and ocean circulation contributed to the seasonal variations in the ocean variables, revealing the important relationship between the large-scale and local phenomena. The high-frequency and cross-seasonal observations of oceanic variables obtained in this study allow us to deeply investigate their diurnal and seasonal variations and to evaluate their influences on the landfast ice evolution.

Evaluation of the relationships and uncertainties of airborne and ground-based sea ice surface temperature measurements against remotely sensed temperature records

ABSTRACT Sea ice surface temperature (IST) is an important indicator of environmental changes in the Arctic Ocean. In this study, the relative performance of four mainstream IST records, i.e. airborne IST, infrared radiometer measured IST (IR IST), longwave radiation derived IST (LWR IST), and snow and ice mass balance array buoy derived IST (Buoy IST), were evaluated against the MODIS IST product. Bias, standard deviation (STD), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the data quality. Results revealed that airborne IST had the best accuracy, which was 0.21 K colder than MODIS IST, with STD of 1.46 K and RMSE of 1.47 K. Ground-based ISTs were biased with each other but all warmer than the MODIS IST. The IR IST had the best overall accuracy (bias = 0.55 K; STD = 1.52 K; RMSE = 1.61 K), while the LWR IST was the noisiest measurement with the largest outlier data percent. Besides, co-located IR and LWR ISTs were more consistent than any type of evaluated IST against MODIS IST (correlation coefficient = 0.99). Airborne and IR ISTs are thus the premier choice for monitoring the rapidly changing Arctic sea ice, together with satellite observations.

Measuring changes in financial and ecosystems service outcomes with simulated grassland restoration in a Corn Belt watershed

While provisioning ecosystem services generated through agricultural production are high, this often comes at the expense of other ecosystem services. Approaches that support both farm income and a balanced array of ecosystem services are needed. We employed a landscape modeling approach to demonstrate the financial and ecosystem service outcomes of strategically restoring grassland cover within a Corn Belt agricultural watershed. We assessed potential changes associated with a “Baseline” land use scenario and two alternative scenarios for the Grand River Basin (Iowa and Missouri, USA). In a “Buffered” scenario we simulated the impacts of replacing cropland within 20 m of streams with restored native grassland cover. In a “Productivity-based” scenario we simulated the replacement of annual row crops on poorly performing croplands with native grassland cover. Grasslands comprised 0.4% of the Baseline scenario. Grassland was expanded to 0.8% of the watershed in the Buffered scenario, reducing annual nutrient and sediment loss by 1.44%, increasing soil carbon sequestration by 0.12% over 10 years, and increasing pollinator abundance by 0.01%. The estimated annual value of these enhancements was $1.7 million for nitrogen reduction, $0.1 million for phosphorus reduction, $0.5 million for sediment reduction, and $1.3 million for soil carbon sequestration. Grassland comprised 4.9% of the watershed in the Productivity-based scenario, reduced annual nutrient and sediment loss by 11.50%, increased soil carbon sequestration by 1.13% over 10 years, and increased pollinator abundance by 0.42%. The estimated annual value of enhancements was $18 million for nitrogen reduction, $1.4 million for phosphorus reduction, $2.5 million for sediment reduction, and $14 million for soil carbon sequestration. We also calculated the value of grassland biomass for a potential energy market. The benefit of producing and selling grassland biomass ranged -$445 to $1,291 ha−1 yr−1. Scaled to the watershed, annual revenues ranged -$7.3 million to $21.1 million for the Buffered scenario and -$44.2 million to $128.8 million for the Productivity-based scenario. This study was the first to quantify changes in revenue and the value of ecosystem services associated with grassland restoration in the Grand River Basin and can help inform discussion among watershed stakeholders.

Balanced Arrays Through Symmetrical Regular Group Divisible Designs

An alternative and simple method of construction of balanced array, orthogonal and proportional frequency main effect plans and asymmetrical non-orthogonal main effect plans using incidence matrix of symmetrical regular GD designs has been proposed. The above plans can be constructed by symmetrical regular GD designs only when p is a positive integer.

FFP maintains normal coagulation while Kcentra induces a hypercoagulable state in a porcine model of pulmonary contusion and hemorrhagic shock.

Moderate injury can lead to a coagulopathy. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) corrects coagulopathy by means of a balanced array of clotting factors. We sought to compare the late effects of FFP and a prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) on the coagulopathy of trauma using a porcine model of pulmonary contusion (PC) and hemorrhagic shock (HS) designed to evaluate the organ protective effects of these treatments. Female Yorkshire swine (40-50 kg) were randomized to receive PC + HS or control (instrumented and uninjured). A blunt PC was created using a captive bolt gun. To induce HS, a liver crush injury was performed. Eighty minutes after injury, swine were treated with 25 U·kg-1 PCC, 1 U FFP, or 50 mL lactated Ringer's vehicle in a blinded manner. Arterial blood samples were drawn every 6 hours. Swine were euthanized 48 hours postinjury. Data were analyzed by Pearson χ2, analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests with Tukey's or Mann-Whitney U tests for post hoc analysis. Twenty-seven swine received PC + HS, 3 groups of 9 per group received PCC, FFP, or vehicle. Nine were noninjured controls. When compared with control, PC + HS swine had significantly shortened R time at 6 hours, 36 hours, and 42 hours, decreased LY30 at 12 hours, shortened K time at 30 hours and reduced α angle at 42 hours. PC + HS swine showed significant differences between treatment groups in K and α angle at 3 hours, LY30 at 12 hours and 18 hours, and MA at 12 hours, 18 hours, and 30 hours. Post hoc analysis was significant for higher α angle in PCC versus vehicle at 3 hours, higher MA in vehicle versus PCC at 12 hours and 18 hours, and higher LY30 in PCC versus vehicle at 18 hours (p < 0.012) with no significant differences between FFP and vehicle. Severe injury with HS induced a coagulopathy in swine. While FFP maintained normal coagulation following injury, PCC induced more rapid initial clot propagation in injured animals.

Estimation of thermodynamic and dynamic contributions to sea ice growth in the Central Arctic using ICESat-2 and MOSAiC SIMBA buoy data

The fine spatial resolution of the ICESat-2 (IS2) satellite altimeter allows monitoring the evolution of sea ice thickness with detailed dynamic information (e.g. ridges and leads). In this study, we first assess the ability of IS2 to estimate thermodynamic ice growth and dynamic thickening during the ice-growing season in the central Arctic Ocean. As an indicator of the thermodynamic ice growth, we use 10 thermistor string-based sea ice mass balance array (SIMBA) buoys deployed at a scale of ~50 km from the Icebreaker Polarstern during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition. We collect IS2 data within 20 km buffer distance from the individual buoys, and calculate the mode, median, and mean of the IS2-derived ice thickness. The IS2 modal thickness shows the least bias (−0.169 m) with the buoy ice thickness, representing level ice thickness. In addition, the increasing rate of the IS2 modal thickness is close to the thermodynamic ice growth with a small bias of −0.054 cm/day. However, the increasing rates of the IS2 median and mean thickness are greater than the thermodynamic ice growth by about 0.114 cm/day and 0.198 cm/day, respectively, because they also include ice growth caused by thickness redistribution during dynamic deformation. The dynamic contributions may account for 26.1 ± 10.3% and 34.4 ± 10.1% of the total increase of the IS2 median and mean thickness, respectively. Within a ~ 50 km radius area from the MOSAiC Central Observatory, IS2 measurements exhibit that the ridge fraction increased from <2% in November to ~4% in March (~0.029%/day of average increasing rate) and ridge height increased about 0.047 cm/day during the same period. However, lead formation does not show significant contributions to the dynamic ice thickening because leads are temporary features lasting only 2–3 days. Although there are considerable uncertainties in IS2 ice thickness estimation and IS2-buoy thickness comparison, this study emphasizes the importance of combining measurements by IS2 and SIMBA buoys to explain the regional sea ice mass balance with separating the thermodynamic and dynamic contributions.

Driving health technologies towards performance: a contextualisation within the hospital setting

Purpose: Technology plays a crucial role in determining organisational performance and this is true also in hospitals. Nevertheless, there exists a lack of evidence on how well health technologies are expected to perform in specific hospitals, depending on their managerial characteristics. The aim of this work is to shed light on these dynamics and provide a clear picture of the expected effects of health technologies in hospitals. Methodology: Through multiple literature searches, a theoretical framework linking organisational contextual factors, technology implementation and organisational performance is provided and applied to hospitals. Findings: Contextual factors play a key role in determining performance of health technologies. Performance should be interpreted through a balanced array of dimensions and should be understood in a broader system-perspective. Originality: There emerges the need of a full awareness of the effects that hospital contextual factors exert on the use of health technologies and on their impact on performance.

Air/snow, snow/ice and ice/water interfaces detection from high-resolution vertical temperature profiles measured by ice mass-balance buoys on an Arctic lake

AbstractSnow and ice were monitored by thermistor-string-based Snow and Ice Mass Balance Array (SIMBA) in Lake Orajärvi in northern Finland. An existing automatic SIMBA-algorithm was further developed to derive air/snow, snow/ice and ice/water interfaces based on the SIMBA environment temperature (ET) profiles. The identified interfaces agreed with in situ observations made in 2011/12 winter season. The method was capable to identify upward-moving snow/ice interface that was also visible from SIMBA heating temperature (HT) profiles, which responds to differences in the thermal diffusivities of air, snow, ice and water. The SIMBA data obtained in winters 2017/18 and 2018/19 were used to investigate snow and ice mass balance. An upward-moving snow/ice interface was detected as a result of meteoric ice (snow ice and superimposed ice) formation. Snow contributed to granular lake ice formation up to 40–55% of the total ice thickness on the seasonal mean. Heavy snowfalls and low air temperature in early winter are favourable for granular ice formation. The seasonal mean snow depth on nearby land was 2.7–2.9 times of that on the lake. The estimation of freeboard from snow and ice mass-balance measurement is sensitive to the snow density. Accurate ice freeboard calculation is still a challenge.

Sea ice surface temperature retrieval from Landsat 8/TIRS: Evaluation of five methods against in situ temperature records and MODIS IST in Arctic region

Accurate and high-resolution sea ice surface temperature (IST) data is of great importance for Arctic climate studies. However, the validation of high-resolution IST data using in situ measurements in polar sea ice regions is lacking. This study assesses the accuracy of three split-window (SW) and two single-channel (SC) methods, based on Landsat 8 thermal infrared imagery at 100 m resolution over Arctic sea ice regions. The SW methods are proposed by Jin et al. (2015) (SW-Jin), Jiménez-Muñoz et al. (2014) (SW-JM), and Du et al. (2015) (SW-Du). The SC methods are proposed by Jiménez-Muñoz et al. (2014) (SC-JM) and Barsi et al. (2003, 2005) (SC-Barsi). IST data derived from 58 scenes of the Landsat 8 images were compared with coincident in situ ice skin temperatures and near-surface air temperatures, as measured by a combination of Ice Mass Balance (IMB) buoys, Snow and Ice Mass Balance Array (SIMBA) buoys, and automatic weather stations. SW-Du offers the best accuracy when compared with the skin temperature (bias: −1.06 K; root mean square error (RMSE): 2.08 K) and near-surface air temperature (bias: -0.98 K; RMSE: 2.17 K). SC-Barsi ranks second, with a bias of −1.55 K and RMSE of 2.40 K for the skin temperature. As for precision, IST from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) has best performance (standard deviation (STD): 1.69 K), followed by SW-Du, SW-JM, and SC-Barsi (STD: 1.80 K, 1.82 K, and 1.85 K, respectively). The Landsat IST outperforms the MODIS IST in narrow lead areas, owing to its better spatial resolution, and SW-JM and SC-Barsi methods agree best with the MODIS IST in leads and marginal ice zone scenes, respectively. As all three SW methods are constrained by banding effects with different degrees in a lead scene, they are not recommended to be applied on an image scene with severe banding artifacts. The small bias (1.26 K) and high correlation (0.99) between skin temperature and near-surface air temperature prove the capability of using near-surface air temperature as a substitute for validating a satellite IST data if skin temperature data are not available.

On the optimality of orthogonal and balanced arrays with $$N\equiv 0$$ $$(\text {mod}$$ 9) runs

We investigate the role of orthogonal arrays (OAs) and balanced arrays (BAs) in both full and fractional factorial designs with N runs and m three-level quantitative factors. Firstly, due to the non-existence of the OA(18, 8, 3, 2), we find and construct a BA(18, 8, 3, 2) that represents the E-, A-, D-optimal design with $$N=18$$ runs and $$m=8$$ three-level factors under the main-effect model. Also, we are interested in comparing the OA(N, m, 3, 2)s with the BA(N, m, 3, 2)s, when they represent designs with $$N\equiv 0$$$$(\text {mod}$$ 9) runs and m three-level factors with respect to the E-, A-, D-criteria under the second-order model. We provide a generalized definition of balanced arrays. Moreover, we find and construct the OA(N, m, 3, 2)s and the BA(N, m, 3, 2)s that represent the E-, A-, D-optimal designs with $$N=9$$, 18, 27, 36 runs and $$m=2$$ three-level factors under the second-order model. Furthermore, it is shown that the BA(18, m, 3, 2)s, $$m=3$$, 4 and a BA(27, 3, 3, 2) perform better than the OA(18, m, 3, 2)s, $$m=3$$, 4 and the OA(27, 3, 3, 3), respectively, when they represent the corresponding designs with respect to the E-, A-, D-criteria under the second-order model.

The meaning of leisure to children and young people with significant physical disabilities: Implications for optimising participation

Introduction The facilitation of meaningful leisure participation for children and young people requires an understanding of what leisure means to them. This study aimed to understand meaningful leisure from the perspective of children and young people with complex physical and communication disabilities. Method A hermeneutic phenomenological research design was used. Data was gathered through multiple interviews with six young people supported by photo elicitation, Talking Mats and direct observation. Individual case studies were analysed, together with six autobiographies of people with similar disabilities. Data analysis was iterative and multi-directional, alternating between segments and the whole throughout interpretation. Results Leisure experience meanings were uniquely constructed for each person, based on preferences, personality and circumstances. The tree of leisure emerged as a useful metaphor for three essential features (control, engrossing, enjoyment) and four key meanings (escape, exploration, exchange and expression) of leisure. Children and young people experienced five meaningful outcomes that lasted beyond the leisure activity (restoration, protection, construction, reflection and connection). Conclusion For children and young people with disabilities, a balanced array of diverse leisure experiences provides a powerful and accessible route to wellbeing. Implications for practice include understanding the individual, focusing on the social environment, supporting self-advocacy and promoting opportunities for free movement.

A method for construction of mixed‐level fractional designs

AbstractThis research presents a new method to generate near‐orthogonal balanced mixed‐level fractional designs. The proposed method showed that it is possible to create near‐orthogonal balanced fractions of economic size. The method is based in the analysis of the behavior of the genetic algorithm used to generate the efficient arrays (EAs) developed by Guo; a pattern was detected, and this led to the generation of an algorithm capable of constructing fractions in a simple way. These fractions were called near‐orthogonal balanced arrays (NOBAs). To analyze the properties of the NOBAs and the capabilities of the proposed method, a series of performance indicators were defined. The NOBAs were compared with the EAs developed by Guo; results are provided.

Orthogonal arrays and designs for partial triallel crosses

Some block designs for Partial triallel crosses (PTC) are constructed in this paper using (a) orthogonal arrays (p2, r, p, 2), where p is prime or a power of prime and (b) semi - balanced arrays (p (p − 1)/2, p, p, 2), where p is a prime or power of an odd prime. Designs constructed are optimal in the sense of Kiefer (1975). Some new designs for PTC experiments are also obtained.

Snow depth and ice thickness derived from SIMBA ice mass balance buoy data using an automated algorithm

ABSTRACTAn ice mass balance buoy (IMB) monitors the evolution of snow and ice cover on seas, ice caps and lakes through the measurement of various variables. The crucial measurement of snow and ice thickness has been achieved using acoustic sounders in early devices but a more recently developed IMB called the Snow and Ice Mass Balance Array (SIMBA) measures vertical temperature profiles through the air-snow-ice-water column using a thermistor string. The determination of snow depth and ice thickness from SIMBA temperature profiles is presently a manual process. We present an automated algorithm to perform this task. The algorithm is based on heat flux continuation, limit ratio between thermal heat conductivity of snow and ice, and minimum resolution (±0.0625°C) of the temperature sensors. The algorithm results are compared with manual analyses, in situ borehole measurements and numerical model simulation. The bias and root mean square error between algorithm and other methods ranged from 1 to 9 cm for ice thickness counting 2%–7% of the mean observed values. The algorithm works well in cold condition but becomes less reliable in warmer conditions where the vertical temperature gradient is reduced.

STING-Dependent Signaling Underlies IL-10 Controlled Inflammatory Colitis

Intestinal immune homeostasis is preserved by commensal bacteria interacting with the host to generate a balanced array of cytokines that are essential for wound repair and for combatting infection. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can lead to colitis-associated cancer (CAC), is thought to involve chronic microbial irritation following a breach of the mucosal intestinal epithelium. However, the innate immune pathways responsible for regulating these inflammatory processes remain to be fully clarified. Here, we show that commensal bacteria influence STING signaling predominantly in mononuclear phagocytes to produce both pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as anti-inflammatory IL-10. Enterocolitis, manifested through loss of IL-10, was completely abrogated in the absence of STING. Intestinal inflammation was less severe in the absence of cGAS, possibly suggesting a role for cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) indirectly regulating STING signaling. Our data shed insight into the causes of inflammation and provide a potential therapeutic target for prevention of IBD.

Optimal designs for estimating linear and quadratic contrasts with three level factors, the case N ≡ 0 mod 3

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this paper is to find and construct optimal designs for estimating the standardized linear and quadratic contrasts in fractional factorials with k factors, each at 3 levels, when the number of runs or assemblies is N. The case N=3m is examined, the notion of Balanced Arrays or for short, is introduced and the optimal is specified. It is shown that for N=9m the orthogonal array or for short, is the φ-optimal design. If N=9m+3 and N=9m+6 the optimal designs are which are specified for every value of N and k. In the case N=9m+3 and k=3 the optimal are constructed by augmenting by three rows which are specified. If the does not exist, algorithms are developed to construct the optimal . For N=9m+6 and k=3 the optimal are constructed by augmenting by six rows, which are specified, otherwise algorithms are developed. Under optimal , the estimators of linear and quadratic contrasts are uncorrelated. The cases N=12,15,21,24,30,33 are examined in detail and optimal are presented for different values of the number k of factors.

Cautionary Note on Using Cross-Validation for Molecular Classification.

Purpose Reproducibility of scientific experimentation has become a major concern because of the perception that many published biomedical studies cannot be replicated. In this article, we draw attention to the connection between inflated overoptimistic findings and the use of cross-validation for error estimation in molecular classification studies. We show that, in the absence of careful design to prevent artifacts caused by systematic differences in the processing of specimens, established tools such as cross-validation can lead to a spurious estimate of the error rate in the overoptimistic direction, regardless of the use of data normalization as an effort to remove these artifacts. Methods We demonstrated this important yet overlooked complication of cross-validation using a unique pair of data sets on the same set of tumor samples. One data set was collected with uniform handling to prevent handling effects; the other was collected without uniform handling and exhibited handling effects. The paired data sets were used to estimate the biologic effects of the samples and the handling effects of the arrays in the latter data set, which were then used to simulate data using virtual rehybridization following various array-to-sample assignment schemes. Results Our study showed that (1) cross-validation tended to underestimate the error rate when the data possessed confounding handling effects; (2) depending on the relative amount of handling effects, normalization may further worsen the underestimation of the error rate; and (3) balanced assignment of arrays to comparison groups allowed cross-validation to provide an unbiased error estimate. Conclusion Our study demonstrates the benefits of balanced array assignment for reproducible molecular classification and calls for caution on the routine use of data normalization and cross-validation in such analysis.

FIXED-POINT PROBLEMS IN DISCRETE TOMOGRAPHY: A CASE OF SQUARE WINDOWS

FIXED-POINT PROBLEMS IN DISCRETE TOMOGRAPHY: A CASE OF SQUARE WINDOWS