Temporal Criteria Research Articles

Organ Procurement in Forensic Deaths: Specific Features of Nonheart-Beating Donors.

The need for organs has increased in the recent years, and this shortage will only worsen. In addition to the organs procured from brain-dead donors, a procedure for non-heart-beating donors was therefore developed. When deaths involve legal proceedings, the medical examiner makes the decision of whether or not to remove organs. To assist medical examiner in their decision-making, a number of forensic scientific societies aimed to develop recommendations, and legal adjustments were adopted. Nevertheless, these do present certain limits in special cases of procurement: Maastricht class I and II non-heart-beating donors. The peculiarity of this procedure stems from the urgency of the process. Compliance with temporal criteria would require that the deceased subject be removed from the crime scene even before the arrival of the authorities. This is extremely problematic legally and technically because forensic teams must collect evidence at crime scenes. Developments will have to be made to further minimize the restrictions on donations in forensic deaths.

COMPRESSION AND PROGRESSIVE RETRIEVAL OF MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SENSOR DATA

Since the emergence of sensor data streams, increasing amounts of observations have to be transmitted, stored and retrieved. Performing these tasks at the granularity of single points would mean an inappropriate waste of resources. Thus, we propose a concept that performs a partitioning of observations by spatial, temporal or other criteria (or a combination of them) into data segments. We exploit the resulting proximity (according to the partitioning dimension(s)) within each data segment for compression and efficient data retrieval. While in principle allowing lossless compression, it can also be used for progressive transmission with increasing accuracy wherever incremental data transfer is reasonable. In a first feasibility study, we apply the proposed method to a dataset of ARGO drifting buoys covering large spatio-temporal regions of the world´s oceans and compare the achieved compression ratio to other formats.

COMPRESSION AND PROGRESSIVE RETRIEVAL OF MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SENSOR DATA

Abstract. Since the emergence of sensor data streams, increasing amounts of observations have to be transmitted, stored and retrieved. Performing these tasks at the granularity of single points would mean an inappropriate waste of resources. Thus, we propose a concept that performs a partitioning of observations by spatial, temporal or other criteria (or a combination of them) into data segments. We exploit the resulting proximity (according to the partitioning dimension(s)) within each data segment for compression and efficient data retrieval. While in principle allowing lossless compression, it can also be used for progressive transmission with increasing accuracy wherever incremental data transfer is reasonable. In a first feasibility study, we apply the proposed method to a dataset of ARGO drifting buoys covering large spatio-temporal regions of the world´s oceans and compare the achieved compression ratio to other formats.

Investigating the Changes in Venom-Specific IgE Induced by Wasp Venom Immunotherapy

Patients with systemic reactions (SR) to Hymenoptera stings are successfully treated by venom immunotherapy (VIT), but there is not yet a general agreement on the criteria for stopping VIT. We discuss the importance of the venom-specific IgE levels among these criteria. In particular, the results from a recent study evaluating the IgE changes during a 5-year VIT, in patients stung and protected within the first 3 years (SP 0-3) or in the last 2 years (SP 3-5), and in patients not stung (NS) are considered. A total of 232 yellow jacket venom (YJV) allergic patients were included and divided into the following groups: 84 NS, 72 SP 0-3 and 76 SP 3-5. IgE levels decreased during VIT compared to baseline values (χ2=346.029, p<0.001). Recent vespid stings accounted for significantly higher IgE levels despite clinical protection. IgE levels after 5 years of VIT correlated significantly with Mueller grade (F=2.778, p=0.012) and age (F=6.672, p=0.002). More than one third of the contacted patients had at least one tolerated sting during a prolonged follow-up (up to 10 years) after stopping VIT. The stopping criterion of a duration of 5 years resulted in a decrease of IgE levels ranging from 58% to 70%, but no negative level was detected. This confirms the adequacy of the temporal criterion compared to the immunological criterion of developing negative IgE tests to decide for stopping VIT for vespid venom.

Hydrologic and Water Quality Models: Key Calibration and Validation Topics

As a continuation of efforts to provide a common background and platform for development of calibration and validation (C/V) guidelines for hydrologic and water quality (H/WQ) modeling, ASABE members worked to determine critical topics related to model C/V, perform a synthesis of a previously published special collection of articles and other relevant literature, and provide topic-specific recommendations based on the synthesis as well as personal modeling expertise. This article introduces a special collection of nine research articles covering key topics related to calibration and validation of H/WQ models. The topics include: terminology, hydrologic processes and model representation, spatial and temporal scales, model parameterization, C/V strategies, sensitivity, uncertainty, performance measures and criteria, and documentation and reporting. The main objective of this introductory article is to introduce and summarize key aspects of these topics, including recommendations. Individually, the articles provide model practitioners with detailed topic-specific recommendations related to model calibration, validation, and use. Collectively, the articles present recommendations to enhance H/WQ modeling.

Determinants of venom-specific IgE antibody concentration during long-term wasp venom immunotherapy.

BackgroundVenom immunotherapy (VIT) is an effective treatment for subjects with systemic allergic reactions (SR) to Hymenoptera stings, however there are few studies concerning the relevance of the venom specific IgE changes to decide about VIT cessation. We assessed IgE changes during a 5-year VIT, in patients stung and protected within the first 3 years (SP 0–3) or in the last 2 years (SP 3–5), and in patients not stung (NoS), to evaluate possible correlations between IgE changes and clinical protection.MethodsYellow jacket venom (YJV)-allergic patients who completed 5 years of VIT were retrospectively evaluated. Baseline IgE levels and after the 3rd and the 5th year of VIT were determined; all patients were asked about field stings and SRs.ResultsA total of 232 YJV-allergic patients were included and divided into the following groups: 84 NoS, 72 SP 0–3 and 76 SP 3–5. IgE levels decreased during VIT compared to baseline values (χ2 = 346.029, p < 0.001). Recent vespid stings accounted for significantly higher IgE levels despite clinical protection. IgE levels after 5 years of VIT correlated significantly with Mueller grade (F = 2.778, p = 0.012) and age (F = 6.672, p = 0.002). During follow-up from 1 to 10 years after VIT discontinuation, 35.2 % of the contacted patients reported at least one field sting without SR.ConclusionsThe yellow jacket-VIT temporal stopping criterion of 5 years duration did not result in undetectable IgE levels, despite a long-lasting protection. A mean IgE decrease from 58 to 70 % was observed, and it was less marked in elderly patients or in subjects with higher Mueller grade SR.

“Berlese vs. Winkler”: Comparison of Two Forest Litter Coleoptera Extraction Methods and the Ecoli (Extraction of Coleoptera in Litter) Protocol

Abstract We present results of a comparison between the Winkler (Moczarski) eclector and the Berlese-Tullgren funnel methods for extracting forest litter-dwelling Coleoptera from sifted substrates, with a focus on relevance for taxonomic studies. A review of the history and methodologies of leaf litter arthropod extraction is provided. Repeated, timed trials were performed to compare the relative effectiveness of the two methods using litter samples from various sites across the southern United States. Extraction rates for Winkler and Berlese funnels were evaluated based on temporal and taxonomic criteria by comparing accumulations of Coleoptera specimens and species at timed intervals. In addition, Curculionidae, Staphylinidae, and “rare” species were targeted and evaluated separately. No clear differences in extraction efficiency, either temporally or taxonomically, between Winklers and Berleses were detected. But contrary to current extraction practices, extraction patterns for both Winklers and Berles...

Investigation on MCU Clustering Methodologies for Cross-Section Estimation of RAMs

Various failure scenarios may occur during irradiation testing of SRAMs, which may generate different characteristic Multiple Cell Upset (MCU) error patterns. This work proposes a method based on spatial and temporal criteria to identify them.

The virtual hand illusion is moderated by context-induced spatial reference frames.

The tendency to perceive an artificial effector as part of one’s own body is known to depend on temporal criteria, like the synchrony between stimulus events informing about the effector. The role of spatial factors is less well understood. Rather than physical distance, which has been manipulated in previous studies, we investigated the role of relative, context-induced distance between the participant’s real hand and an artificial hand stimulated synchronously or asynchronously with the real hand. We replicated previously reported distance effects in a virtual reality setup: the perception of ownership increased with decreased distance, and the impact of synchrony was stronger for short distances. More importantly, we found that ownership perception and impact of synchrony were affected by previous distance: the same, medium distance between real and artificial hand induced more pronounced ownership after having experienced a far-distance condition than after a near-distance condition. This suggests that subjective, context-induced spatial reference frames contribute to ownership perception, which does not seem to fit with the idea of fixed spatial criteria and/or permanent body representations as the sole determinants of perceived body ownership.

Assessment of temporal and spatial variations in surface water quality using multivariate statistical techniques: A case study of Nenjiang River basin, China

Assessment of temporal and spatial variations in surface water quality is important to evaluate the health of a watershed and make necessary management decisions to control current and future pollution of receiving water bodies. In this work, surface water quality data for 12 physical and chemical parameters collected from 10 sampling sites in the Nenjiang River basin during the years (2012–2013) were analyzed. The results show that river water quality has significant temporal and spatial variations. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) grouped 12 months into three periods (LF, MF and HF) and classified 10 monitoring sites into three regions (LP, MP and HP) based on the similarity of water quality characteristics. The principle component analysis (PCA)/factor analysis (FA) was used to recognize the factors or origins responsible for temporal and spatial water quality variations. Temporal and spatial PCA/FA revealed that the Nenjiang River water chemistry was strongly affected by rock/water interaction, hydrologic processes and anthropogenic activities. This work demonstrates that the application of HCA and PCA/FA has achieved meaningful classification based on temporal and spatial criteria.

Entropy of space–time outcome in a movement speed–accuracy task

The experiment reported was set-up to investigate the space–time entropy of movement outcome as a function of a range of spatial (10, 20 and 30cm) and temporal (250–2500ms) criteria in a discrete aiming task. The variability and information entropy of the movement spatial and temporal errors considered separately increased and decreased on the respective dimension as a function of an increment of movement velocity. However, the joint space–time entropy was lowest when the relative contribution of spatial and temporal task criteria was comparable (i.e., mid-range of space–time constraints), and it increased with a greater trade-off between spatial or temporal task demands, revealing a U-shaped function across space–time task criteria. The traditional speed–accuracy functions of spatial error and temporal error considered independently mapped to this joint space–time U-shaped entropy function. The trade-off in movement tasks with joint space–time criteria is between spatial error and timing error, rather than movement speed and accuracy.

Spatiotemporal variability of water vapor investigated using lidar and FTIR vertical soundings above the Zugspitze

Abstract. Water vapor is the most important greenhouse gas and its spatiotemporal variability strongly exceeds that of all other greenhouse gases. However, this variability has hardly been studied quantitatively so far. We present an analysis of a 5-year period of water vapor measurements in the free troposphere above the Zugspitze (2962 m a.s.l., Germany). Our results are obtained from a combination of measurements of vertically integrated water vapor (IWV), recorded with a solar Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer on the summit of the Zugspitze and of water vapor profiles recorded with the nearby differential absorption lidar (DIAL) at the Schneefernerhaus research station. The special geometrical arrangement of one zenith-viewing and one sun-pointing instrument and the temporal resolution of both instruments allow for an investigation of the spatiotemporal variability of IWV on a spatial scale of less than 1 km and on a timescale of less than 1 h. The standard deviation of differences between both instruments σIWV calculated for varied subsets of data serves as a measure of variability. The different subsets are based on various spatial and temporal matching criteria. Within a time interval of 20 min, the spatial variability becomes significant for horizontal distances above 2 km, but only in the warm season (σIWV =0.35 mm). However, it is not sensitive to the horizontal distance during the winter season. The variability of IWV within a time interval of 30 min peaks in July and August (σIWV &gt; 0.55 mm, mean horizontal distance = 2.5 km) and has its minimum around midwinter (σIWV &lt; 0.2 mm, mean distance &gt; 5 km). The temporal variability of IWV is derived by selecting subsets of data from both instruments with optimal volume matching. For a short time interval of 5 min, the variability is 0.05 mm and increases to more than 0.5 mm for a time interval of 15 h. The profile variability of water vapor is determined by analyzing subsets of water vapor profiles recorded by the DIAL within time intervals from 1 to 5 h. For all altitudes, the variability increases with widened time intervals. The lowest relative variability is observed in the lower free troposphere around an altitude of 4.5 km. Above 5 km, the relative variability increases continuously up to the tropopause by about a factor of 3. Analysis of the covariance of the vertical variability reveals an enhanced variability of water vapor in the upper troposphere above 6 km. It is attributed to a more coherent flow of heterogeneous air masses, while the variability at lower altitudes is also driven by local atmospheric dynamics. By studying the short-term variability of vertical water vapor profiles recorded within a day, we come to the conclusion that the contribution of long-range transport and the advection of heterogeneous layer structures may exceed the impact of local convection by 1 order of magnitude even in the altitude range between 3 and 5 km.

A Multi-Temporal and Multi-Spectral Method to Estimate Aerosol Optical Thickness over Land, for the Atmospheric Correction of FormoSat-2, LandSat, VENμS and Sentinel-2 Images

The correction of atmospheric effects is one of the preliminary steps required to make quantitative use of time series of high resolution images from optical remote sensing satellites. An accurate atmospheric correction requires good knowledge of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and of the aerosol type. As a first step, this study compares the performances of two kinds of AOT estimation methods applied to FormoSat-2 and LandSat time series of images: a multi-spectral method that assumes a constant relationship between surface reflectance measurements and a multi-temporal method that assumes that the surface reflectances are stable with time. In a second step, these methods are combined to obtain more accurate and robust estimates. The estimated AOTs are compared to in situ measurements on several sites of the AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network). The methods, based on either spectral or temporal criteria, provide accuracies better than 0.07 in most cases, but show degraded accuracies in some special cases, such as the absence of vegetation for the spectral method or a very quick variation of landscape for the temporal method. The combination of both methods in a new spectro-temporal method increases the robustness of the results in all cases.

Ichnotaxonomic review of large ornithopod dinosaur tracks: temporal and geographic implications.

BackgroundLarge ornithopod tracks are known from the Upper Jurassic to the uppermost Cretaceous rocks of all continents but Antarctica. They include the tracks historically called Iguanodon footprints, iguanodontid footprints, hadrosaur/hadrosaurid footprints, and other large ornithopod tracks that have been used to define ichnotaxa. More than 40 ichnospecies based on large ornithopod tracks have been defined, but the validity of many of them is questionable.Methodology/Principal Findings34 ichnogenera and 44 ichnospecies have been analysed in this work. Many of them are considered to be invalid because they have been defined on the basis of poorly preserved tracks without diagnostic features, have an inadequate diagnosis, or are based on temporal and/or geographical criteria. Only eight ichnospecies belonging to the ichnogenera Caririchnium, Iguanodontipus and Hadrosauropodus are here regarded as valid.Conclusions/SignificanceThe monospecific ichnogenus Iguanodontipus (I. burreyi) is characterized by a small, rounded heel and elongate, narrow digit impressions. Its distribution is limited to the Berriasian-Valanginian of Europe. Caririchnium consists of four ichnospecies (C. magnificum [type ichnospecies], C. kortmeyeri, C. billsarjeanti and C. lotus) with a large, rounded heel and short, wide digit impressions. This ichnogenus ranges from the Berriasian-Hauterivian to the Aptian-Albian of South America, North America, Asia and Europe. Finally, Hadrosauropodus (three ichnospecies: H. langstoni [type ichnospecies], H. leonardii and H. kyoungsookimi) shows a large, bilobed heel and short, wide digit impressions. It is known from the Aptian-Albian to the Maastrichtian of North America, Asia and Europe. The ichnofamily Iguanodontipodidae includes large iguanodontian tracks characterized mainly by mesaxonic, tridactyl and subsymmetrical pes tracks that are as wide as (or wider than) long and have one pad impression in each digit and one in the heel. Its distribution is confidently limited to the Cretaceous of Europe, Asia, North America and South America.

Temporal resolution criterion for correctly simulating relativistic electron motion in a high-intensity laser field

Particle-in-cell codes are now standard tools for studying ultra-intense laser-plasma interactions. Motivated by direct laser acceleration of electrons in sub-critical plasmas, we examine temporal resolution requirements that must be satisfied to accurately calculate electron dynamics in strong laser fields. Using the motion of a single electron in a perfect plane electromagnetic wave as a test problem, we show surprising deterioration of the numerical accuracy with increasing wave amplitude a0 for a given time-step. We go on to show analytically that the time-step must be significantly less than λ/ca0 to achieve good accuracy. We thus propose adaptive electron sub-cycling as an efficient remedy.

Thermophysical Characterization of the Southwestern U.S. From 5 Years of MODIS Land Surface Temperature Observations

Five years (2005-2009) of daytime and nighttime 1-km 8-day Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) thermal infrared (TIR) observations have been compiled for the southwestern United States to develop a multitemporal dataset used to map the areal extent of surface thermophysical units, identify anomalous surfaces and weather events, and establish temporal and spatial criteria to map and characterize surfaces in arid regions. Results suggest that weather patterns across the Mojave, Sonoran, and Great Basin desert regions produce spring and fall observations that are consistently cloud-free. Sparsely vegetated and bare soil surfaces display temperature patterns that are highly consistent during much of the year and from year to year. The conditions necessary for reliable quantitative temperatures for thermophysical mapping are both spatially and temporally controlled, and commonly occur for observations in the arid Southwest.

Can HE4 predict platinum response during first-line chemotherapy in ovarian cancer?

Actually, in literature there are not valid tools able to predict the chemotherapy response during first-line ovarian cancer treatment. CA125 and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) levels of consecutive single-institution patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) were measured during first-line chemotherapy and until 6 months follow-up. First, patients were divided into two groups according to a temporal criterion: patients treated during 2009 (group A: training group) and patients treated during 2010 (group B: verification group). At sixth months follow-up, patients were sub-classified, within both groups, as platinum resistant or platinum sensitive/intermediate, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria, and the serum marker courses were further analyzed in each subgroup. Moreover, we performed a logistic regression analysis to choose CA125 and HE4 levels that are best fitted to predict chemoresponse. A total of 76 patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 42) and group B (n = 34). After 6 months of follow-up, 40 patients were classified as platinum sensitive/intermediate and 36 as platinum resistant. At third chemotherapy cycle, in platinum-resistant patients, HE4 levels were >70 pmol/L in 36 of 36 cases, although in platinum-sensitive/intermediate patients, HE4 levels were >70 pmol/L only in six of 40 cases (sensitivity 100 %, specificity 85 %). Moreover, HE4 reduction of almost 47 % at third chemotherapy cycle reached the sensitivity of 83 % with a specificity of 87 % (positive predictive value = 0.86, negative predictive value = 0.85) in predicting chemoresponse. On the contrary, CA125 values during chemotherapy did not result statistically significant in predicting platinum response. Our findings suggest that HE4 values during first-line chemotherapy could predict chemotherapy response in EOC patients.

A mesoscale eddy detection method of specific intensity and scale from SSH image in the South China Sea and the Northwest Pacific

Mesoscale eddies exist almost everywhere in the ocean and play important roles in the ocean circulation of the world. These eddies may cause sound spread singular regions and bring great influences to the upwater ship and underwater aircraft. Due to the lack of hydrographic survey datasets, study of mesoscale eddies has been greatly restricted. Fortunately, satellite altimeter provided an effective way to study mesoscale eddies. An automatic detection algorithm is introduced to detect mesoscale eddies of specific intensity and spatial/temporal scale based on satellite sea surface height (SSH) data and the algorithm is applied in a strong eddy activity region: the South China Sea and the Northwest Pacific. The algorithm includes four steps. The first step is preprocessing of the SSH image, which includes elimination of error SSH data and interpolation. The second step is to detect suspected mesoscale eddies from preprocessed SSH images by dynamic threshold adjustment and morphological method, and the suspected mesoscale eddy detection includes two procedures: suspected mesoscale eddy core region detection and suspected mesoscale eddy brim extraction. The third step is to pick out mesoscale eddies satisfied with specified criteria from suspected mesoscale eddies. The criteria include three items, that is, intensity criterion, spatial scale, criterion and temporal scale criterion. The last step is algorithm performance analysis and verification. The algorithm has the capability of adaptive parameter adjustment, and can extract mesoscale eddies of interested intensity and spatial/temporal scale. The paper can provide a basis for analyzing space-time characteristics of mesoscale eddy in the South China Sea and the Northwest Pacific.

Local vs. external training of neuro-fuzzy and neural networks models for estimating reference evapotranspiration assessed through k-fold testing

The improvement of methods for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ET0) requiring few climatic inputs is crucial, due to the partial or total lack of climatic inputs in many situations. The current paper compares the effect of local and external training procedures in neuro-fuzzy and neural network models for estimating ET0 relying on two input combinations considering k-fold testing. Therefore, different data set configurations were defined based on temporal and spatial criteria allowing for a complete and suitable testing scan of the complete data set. The proposed methodology enabled the comparison in each station of models trained with local data series and models trained with the data series from the remaining stations. Results showed that the external training based on a suitable input choice and a representative pattern collection might be a valid alternative to the more common local training.

Wild Populations of Triatoma infestans Are Highly Connected to Intra-Peridomestic Conspecific Populations in the Bolivian Andes

Triatoma infestans, the major vector of Chagas disease south of the Amazon in South America, has a large distribution of wild populations, contrary to what has previously been stated. These populations have been suspected of being the source of reinfestation of human habitats and could impede the full success of vector control campaigns. This study examined gene flow between intra-peridomestic populations and wild populations collected in the surround areas in three Andean localities in Bolivia. The populations were defined according to temporal, ecological, and spatial criteria. After DNA extraction from the legs of each insect, the samples were analyzed using seven microsatellite markers. First, the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) detected an absence of differentiation between wild and intra-peridomestic populations, although strong structuring was observed between the populations within each environment. Then for some populations, the Bayesian method of assignment to inferred populations showed very similar assignment patterns of the members of wild or intra-peridomestic populations in each locality. Finally, the detection of the first-generation migrants within the different populations provided evidence of insect displacement from the wild to the intra-peridomestic environment. This result indicates that, after control campaigns in the Andes, controlling this new paradigm of vector transmission risk stemming from the invasion of human habitats by wild populations of T. infestans requires long-term maintenance of public monitoring to keep the risk at a minimal level. Since wild populations of T. infestans have also been detected elsewhere in Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile, there is an urgent need to take these populations into account in future monitoring of Chagas disease transmission.