bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employee Resourcing and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogunyomi Paul Olusiji , Ojikutu Rasheed Kola
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study is to investigate if employee resourcing can be used to predict the performance of Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos State, Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research design. Sources of data for the study were primary, secondary, and tertiary. The instruments for the study were in-depth interview and self developed questionnaire using a 4-point Likert scale. A sample of owners/managers of SMEs was drawn from the target population using stratified random sampling techniques. Of the 450 copies of questionnaire administered, 257 copies were returned representing 57 per cent response rate. The reliability test (Cronbach’s Alpha) of the instrument yielded 0.60. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The major finding of the study is that although there is a mild association (0.113) between employee resourcing and performance, it is not strong enough to predict the performance of the sampled SMEs. Most of the owners/managers interviewed opined that retaining employees was one of their greatest challenges but not strong enough to determine the level of their performance as they have always envisaged that some of their staff can leave the organization. Hence, adequate provision is made for skilled manpower shortage. Therefore it is recommended that recruitment and selection should be outsourced to firms which specialize in recruiting employees
Customer loyalty and switching behavior of customer for Pepsi in Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Khadim , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2014

Intention to switch from one service provider to another, leads to switching behaviour, which results in the decrease of profits of the company. Switching behaviour helps in creating relationship between consumer and producer. In this research we study and investigate the effect of switching behaviour, customer satisfaction, habit, and utilitarian values on customer loyalty. The customer satisfaction, habit and utilitarian value were determined to be input variables, switching behaviour were determined to be intervening variables; and customer loyalty was determined to be the output variable. The model was designed to explain the factors affecting the customer loyalty. Our study based on a self-administered survey that was conducted in Bahawalpur setting. Data were collected from the randomly selected 150 Pepsi product consumers. Our study results provide a better understanding about the role played by each factor in the development customer loyalty and highlights the key role played by affective factors.
The Determinants of Purchase Intention towards Counterfeit Mobile Phones in Pakistan
Authors: Raza Muhammad Ali , Ahad Muhammad Abdul , Shafqat Muhammad Adeel , Aurangzaib Muhammad , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2014

This study intends to examine the relationship of Brand image, Brand attachment, low price, past experience, and attitude on consumer purchase intentions in the context of counterfeit mobile phones in Pakistan. A sample of 153 students with the help of a questionnaire containing 28 statements related beliefs about counterfeited mobiles was taken. The data were analyzed using linear regression using SPSS. The findings support the significant influence of past experience and low price on attitude towards counterfeit mobile phones. Positive association between past experience, Low price and attitude towards counterfeit mobile phones were found and there is also a positive association of attitude with young consumer’s purchase intentions. Strangely, low price was not significant in influencing the purchase intentions. Brand image and Brand attachment were also found no significant in influencing purchase intention of customer. For both practitioners and academics, the findings of this study hold important implications. The paper guides the policy makers and academics about the main predictors of consumer’s attitude towards counterfeit mobile phones.
The Anglo-Norman “Hugo de Lincolnia”:
Authors: Dahood Roger
Published: July 2014

This edition makes available a critical text with an annotated translation of the Anglo-Norman verse narrative “Hugo de Lincolnia,” one of the Boy Crucifixion sources of the Prioress's Tale. The Anglo-Norman text has heretofore been available in print only in a flawed nineteenth-century edition. “Hugo de Lincolnia” dates to the third quarter of the thirteenth century. It is the only extant contemporary vernacular account of the death of “Little Saint Hugh,” a Christian boy said to have been crucified by Lincoln Jews in 1255 in mockery of Christ's Passion. In its author's superior familiarity with the Lincoln setting, the poem supplements the better-known contemporary accounts in Latin prose by Matthew Paris and the anonymous monastic chroniclers of Burton and Waverley.
The “Dialect” of Chaucer's Reeve
Authors: Knox Philip
Published: July 2014

In the Canterbury Tales, the prologue to the Reeve's Tale contains some unusual linguistic forms, which have been interpreted as features of the Reeve's dialect, associating him with his native Norfolk. Through a comprehensive reappraisal of the grounds for associating these forms with a particular region, this article argues that the evidence identifying the Reeve's speech with the speech of East Anglia is much more tenuous than has been supposed. The responses of different scribes to these forms, including the Hengwrt-Ellesmere scribe, are analyzed and assessed. Drawing comparisons with the only other occurrence of the Reeve's unusual ik in late Middle English (in the mouth of the figure of Covetise in Piers Plowman), some alternative readings of the Reeve's language are posited, while the suggestion that the Reeve's words constitute a verisimilar representation of an actual dialect is contested.
A Mixed Methods Approach to Investigating Food Safety Behavior in a Sample of Native American and Hispanic Caregivers of Young Children
Authors: Siebert Margaret M. , Perry Christina , O'Connell Lindsay , Albrecht Julie , Stenger Kristen , Vlasin-Marty Kara
Published: July 2014

Foodborne illness (FBI) disproportionately affects children and minority populations in the U.S. A mixed methods convergence model design was used to explore the food safety knowledge and behavior of Native American (NA) and Hispanic (Hisp) caregivers in New Mexico who prepare food for young children in the home. Quantitative and qualitative research methods (a validated food safety knowledge survey (r=.793) and focus group interviews) were implemented in parallel within each ethnic group, the datasets were analyzed separately per group and the results were converged at the point of interpretation. Equal priority was given to each dataset type. The Health Belief Model was used as a theoretical framework to guide qualitative inquiry. An integrative summary of the quantitative and qualitative results was created and meta-inferences identified contradictory and confirmatory elements of the evidence across both groups. A purposeful sample of fifty-five participants in New Mexico (28 NA; 27 Hisp) completed the food safety knowledge survey and participated in focus groups. Quantitative composite mean scores for the Native American (NA) group (M=66%) and Hispanic (His) group (M=65%) indicated low food safety knowledge. A MANOVA conducted to compare the two groups’ mean knowledge scores found no significant difference between groups on the food safety subscales [Wilks’ ? = .852, F(6,44) = 1.278, p = .287, ?2 = .162].The lowest scoring subscale for both groups was ‘cook’, addressing proper cooking methods (NA=.61, Hisp=.55). Mixed methods analyses revealed that participants overall perceived moderate to high self-efficacy regarding safe food preparation, food purchasing, cooking food, and storing of food, however, the related food safety knowledge item scores were low. Food safety knowledge was often inconsistent with reported food safety practices. Moderate/high self-efficacy may provide a false sense of low risk for FBI.
Eficiência do uso da radiação solar por plantas Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. cultivadas sob sombreamento e a pleno sol
Authors: Caron Braulio Otomar , Schmidt Denise , Manfron Paulo Augusto , Behling Alexandre , Eloy Elder , Busanello Carlos
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814563A Eficiência de Conversão da Radiação Solar los fitomassa E UMA Variável frequentemente utilizada los modelos de Simulação do Crescimento das Culturas, POIs uma Produção de biomassa ESTA relacionada com a Eficiência com Opaco UMA planta Converte Energia radiante los química, dada Pelo Processo da Fotossíntese. Dessa Maneira, o Objetivo dEste Trabalho was determinar a Eficiência de Conversão da Radiação Solar fotossinteticamente Ativa interceptada (RFAI) EM fitomassa aérea de Ilex paraguariensis , Cultivada los consórcio ( Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil. e Pinus elliottii Engelm) e solteira. Para Tanto, FORAM determinados a Radiação Solar fotossinteticamente Ativa interceptada (RFAI), o indice de área foliar ea fitomassa seca das erveiras soluçar sombreamento ea Pleno sol, Sendo entao, a Eficiência de Conversão da RFAI los fitomassa seca produzida calculada POR Meio da Relação Entre a Produção de fitomassa Acumulada ea RFAI envolvida. Para hum MESMO valor de Radiação RFAI, obteve-se Maior Eficiência de uso da Radiação não acúmulo los Matéria seca aérea de Ilex paraguariensis Cultivada los consórcio. A Eficiência de Conversão (ε b ) de fitomassa seca aérea de Plantas de Ilex paraguariensis los Relação à QUANTIDADE de Radiação Solar fotossinteticamente interceptada Ativa Acumulada was de 0,83 g MJ -1 nenhum Sistema consórcio e de 0,23 g MJ-1 não Sistema Solteiro. Apesar Disso, a Produção de fitomassa aérea POR planta de erva-mate FOI Maior não Solteiro Sistema.
Condutividade hidráulica de raiz e capacidade fotossintética de mudas clonais de eucalipto com indução de deformações radiculares
Authors: Figueiredo Fábio Afonso Mazzei Moura de Assis , Carneiro José Geraldo de Araújo , Penchel Ricardo Miguel , Campostrini Eliemar , Thiebaut José Tarcísio de Lima , Barroso Deborah Guerra
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814566A redução do ganho em biomassa de lenho em árvores tem sido atribuída à ocorrência de deformações radiculares ainda na fase de viveiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a condutividade hidráulica do sistema radicular, trocas gasosas e a eficiência fotoquímica de mudas clonais de eucalipto com e sem indução de deformações radiculares. Os tratamentos foram: 1 – mudas sem a indução de deformações radiculares (produzidas de acordo com metodologia operacional do viveiro da Fibria Celulose S.A.) e 2 – mudas com indução de deformações radiculares. A indução da deformação radicular não resultou em queda no volume radicular. Contudo, deformações radiculares provocaram redução na condutividade hidráulica do sistema radicular, assim como foram verificadas quedas na taxa fotossintética das mudas ao longo do dia. A queda da taxa fotossintética em mudas com indução de deformações radiculares está associada a fatores estomáticos e não estomáticos.
Variabilidade na dormência relativa dos diásporos de Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Eng.
Authors: Berger Ana Paula de Aguiar , Ranal Marli A. , Santana Denise Garcia de
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814570A grande diversidade na morfologia dos diásporos da família Anacardiaceae repercute nos processos de germinação e emergência e gera comportamento diferenciado entre as espécies. Dentro dessa família há algumas espécies que apresentam dormência física, outras mecânica, algumas que não exibem dormência e há também espécies cuja informação não está explícita na literatura disponível. Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Eng. é uma das espécies que hoje se encontra em posição duvidosa quanto à dormência. Em razão disso, objetivou-se avaliar o processo de germinação e emergência de plântulas provenientes de diásporos da espécie, coletados no Vale do Rio Araguari, MG, bem como quantificar a variabilidade na intensidade da dormência existente entre diferentes indivíduos da população. Os diásporos foram coletados em outubro e novembro de 2004 e 2005, a partir de seis matrizes, sendo instalados dois experimentos, o de germinação, montado sob condições controladas, e outro de emergência, em estufa semiaberta. A coleta dos dados foi realizada a cada 24 horas, observando-se a protrusão do embrião no experimento montado em laboratório e a emergência do hipocótilo da plântula acima do substrato no experimento mantido em estufa. Em ambos os experimentos, os diásporos oriundos da matriz de número dois se destacaram em alguma medida, tendo qualidade fisiológica superior em relação aos demais (tempo médio entre 4 e 22 dias; velocidade média entre 0,042 e 0,0217 dias-1; incerteza entre 1,62 e 3,5 bits e sincronia entre 0,04 e 0,381). Os altos valores de incerteza e os baixos valores de sincronia indicam que os processos de germinação e emergência de plântulas de L. molleoides são espalhados no tempo, o que permite caracterizá-los como portadores de dormência relativa, embora sua intensidade seja variável entre indivíduos de uma mesma população. Probabilidades baixas, porém, não nulas para germinar ou emergir, mesmo aos 150 e 60 dias após a semeadura, respectivamente, revelam a capacidade de sobrevivência temporal dos diásporos da espécie e reforçam a presença de dormência relativa.
Organogênese indireta a partir de explantes foliares e multiplicação in vitro de brotações de Eucalyptus benthamii X Eucalyptus dunnii
Authors: Oliveira-Cauduro Yohana de , Adamuchio Laís Gomes , Degenhardt-Goldbach Juliana , Bespalhok Filho João Carlos , Dibax Roberson , Quoirin Marguerite
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814572Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar diferentes meios de cultura na organogênese indireta e na multiplicação in vitro de brotos de Eucalyptus benthamii x Eucalyptus dunnii. Para organogênese, explantes foliares foram excisados no sentido transversal e cultivados in vitro, sendo os seguintes fatores testados: dois meios de cultura (MS N/2 e JADS) adicionados de 0,1 μM de ANA, duas concentrações de thidiazuron (0,1 e 0,5 μM) e presença ou não de PVP-40 (250 mg L-1). Após 70 dias de cultivo foram avaliadas as porcentagens de explantes oxidados totalmente, formando calo, produzindo antocianina, formando gema, formando brotações e o número de brotações formadas por explante regenerando. No experimento de multiplicação, brotações isoladas foram cultivadas em meio MS, JADS e WPM, adicionados de 1,11 μM de BAP. Foram realizados quatro subcultivos a cada 28 dias e em cada subcultivo foram avaliados: a porcentagem de oxidação, de explantes apresentando clorose total ou parcial, massa fresca e número médio de brotos por explante. O meio de cultura MS N/2 suplementado com 0,1 μM de ANA, 0,5 μM de TDZ e PVP-40 promoveu a maior taxa de organogênese (8,3%). No meio de cultura MS com 1,11 μM de BAP, a taxa de multiplicação foi maior que nos outros meios, no primeiro e segundo subcultivos (9,28 e 9,24 por mês), não havendo diferença entre os três meios nos demais subcultivos.
Crescimento inicial e qualidade de mudas de Pterogyne nitens Tull. conduzidas sob diferentes níveis de restrição luminosa artificial
Authors: César Fábio Ricardo Coutinho Fontes , Matsumoto Sylvana Naomi , Viana Anselmo Eloy Silveira , Bonfim Joice Andrade
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814573Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o comportamento de plantas de Pterogyne nitens Tull. sob diferentes níveis de restrição luminosa durante seu desenvolvimento inicial. O estudo foi conduzido no período de março a junho de 2008, no campo agropecuário da Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia – UESB, em Vitória da Conquista, BA. Sete experimentos foram definidos por níveis de 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% e 70% de restrição luminosa e plantas mantidas a pleno sol. Cada um dos experimentos foi organizado em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições e parcelas constituídas por 12 plantas. Durante o período de 15 a 75 dias após a emergência das plântulas, em intervalos de 15 dias, foram avaliadas as características morfológicas e quantitativas de crescimento e o índice de qualidade Dickson (IQD). Os gradientes de restrição de luz induziram a alterações morfológicas como elevação da altura e aumento da área foliar individual e total das plantas. Reduções de massa do sistema radicular ocorreram em detrimento de tais modificações. Invariavelmente, os maiores índices de IQD foram verificados para as plantas mantidas sob 36,5% de restrição luminosa.
Psychotria nuda (Cham. & Schltdl.) Wawra: ROOTING OF STOCK PLANTS IN DIFFERENT PHENOPHASES AND ENVIRONMENTS
Authors: Ferreira Bárbara Guerreira Alpande , Zuffellato-Ribas Katia Christina , Wendling Ivar , Koehle Henrique Soares , Reissmann Carlos Bruno
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814574Psychotria nuda (Cham. & Schltdl.) Wawra (Rubiaceae) is a native species from the Dense Ombrophylous Forest (dense tropical rain forest), typical in the low altitude areas of the forest, with occurrence in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina. Due to the presence of yellow flowers with red receptacle and anise colored fruits, the plant has an ornamental potential, such as a pharmaceutical potential, thanks to the variety of alkaloids that have already been isolated demonstrating structural diversity of its active components. This work aimed to verify the effect on stem cuttings rooting of different collection environments and of different phenophases of Psychotria nuda stock plants at the time of collection, and to verify what is the correlation between variables defined as percentage of rooted cuttings, number of roots per cutting and average length of the three longest roots per each cutting (cm) with permanence of two half leaves and formation of callus. Phenophases are intended as different times of the year in which stock plants presented distinct phenological characteristics. In the two phenophases studied (phenophases 1 and 2) canopy sprouts were collected in Antonina, Paraná state, from two different environments (plain and hillside) of the Dense Ombrophylous Forest (dense tropical rain forest). Cuttings were prepared with 10 to 13 cm length and two halved leaves. After 60 days in a greenhouse, the percentage of cuttings with roots, with callus, alive, dead, the number of roots per cutting and the length of the three longer roots per each rooted cutting were evaluated. The collection environments and the phenophases at the time of collection influenced the percentage of rooting, such that the phenophase 1 and the hillside environment were the conditions that resulted in the best rooting percentage (90%). The permanence of leaves during rooting period helped, in most cases, the formation of adventitious roots. Anticipated formation of callus supported rooting in phenophase 2, while in phenophase 1 the formation of adventitious roots was independent from callus formation.
EFFECTS OF PRE-GERMINATION TREATMENTS AND STORAGE ON GERMINATION OF Astronium fraxinifolium SCHOTT (ANACARDIACEAE) DIASPORES
Authors: Braga Lílian de Lima , Rodrigues Priscyla Maria Silva , Nunes Yule Roberta Ferreira , Veloso Maria das Dores Magalhães
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814577The goal of this study was to evaluate the germination and the storage capacity of Astronium fraxinifolium diaspores. Six pre-germination treatments were used in the experiment: control treatment (intact diaspores); diaspores immersed in water at room temperature (25º C) for 5 min; diaspores immersed in water at 70° C for 5 min; diaspores immersed in water at 100° C for 5 min; diaspores immersed in sodium hypochlorite solution (1:1000) for 2 min; and diaspores mechanically scarified with sandpaper #80. To evaluate storage conditions, we tested two different types of packaging (permeable paper bag and transparent glass jar) and two environmental conditions (cold chamber and room conditions), resulting in four treatments. The germination tests were performed for zero (control) and 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 days after storage. The effects of different treatments on germination and storage of diaspores were evaluated by ANOVA, followed by Tukey test. Regarding to pre-germination treatments, high germination rates were observed in the hypochlorite (98.0 ± 4.22%), control (97.0 ± 4.83%), water at room temperature (96.0 ± 6.99%) and water at 70º C (83.0 ± 29.08%) treatments. Thus, Astronium fraxinifolium diaspores do not present dormancy. During storage, the diaspores remained viable throughout the study period with high germination rates, except for the treatment in paper bags placed in the cold chamber, in which the diaspores lost their viability in the eighth month of storage. Therefore, this is not a recommended storage method for this species.
Relação da razão do quociente diâmetro e área basal com o autodesbaste em povoamentos equiâneos de Pinus taeda L.
Authors: Schneider Paulo Sérgio Pigatto , Finger César Augusto Guimarães , Schneider Paulo Renato
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814584Este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a relação do diâmetro médio e da área basal no momento do autodesbaste, o crescimento diamétrico e a ocorrência do autodesbaste, o momento de autodesbaste com base na proporção de diâmetro-área basal, a taxa de autodesbaste comparando-a com a lei da potência -3/2 em povoamentos de Pinus taeda L., em vários espaçamentos, manejado em densidade completa. O modelo de Tang foi empregado relacionando o número de árvores por hectare com o diâmetro médio, a partir de dados de parcelas permanentes, medidas anualmente até os 18 anos em experimento de espaçamento. O modelo de autodesbaste mostrou ótima precisão e elevada eficiência, porém, apresentou coeficiente angular de -1,65 com inclinação diferente da preconizada na lei de autodesbaste de -3/2. No momento da ocorrência do autodesbaste, as árvores atingiram diâmetros 14 e 17 cm, nos espaçamento de 2 x 2 e 3 x 2 m, com áreas basais de 38,8 e 47,5 m2/ha, respectivamente. Em todos os espaçamentos a área basal máxima foi de 78 m2/ha, aos 18 anos de idade, apresentando ainda tendência ascendente. Nesses espaçamentos, o quociente do diâmetro pela área basal no momento de ocorrência do autodesbaste foram 0,36 e 0,37, respectivamente.
Nucleação: concepção biocêntrica para a restauração ecológica
Authors: Reis Ademir , Bechara Fernando Campanhã , Tres Deisy Regina , Trentin Bruna Elisa
Published: July 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509814591O conflito homem vs. natureza será uma nova síntese para processos de restauração? Quais modelos e técnicas usam-se para entender e fazer restauração? Quai as implicações que decorrem da escolha de um paradigma para o processo de restauração? Para o desenvolvimento da raça humana sobre o planeta Terra houve a necessidade de drásticas mudanças nas paisagens, estrutura e funcionalidade dos ecossistemas. Técnicas de produtividade foram responsáveis para a manutenção da sociedade, mas no mínimo, não são as adequadas para os processos de restituição da natureza, pois restauração da biodiversidade não é sinônimo de produtividade. Uma nova tendência de restauradores prima por resgatar modelos de conservação da biofuncionalidade e resgate de interações entre organismos do sistema. A nucleação representa uma oportunidade de incorporar os princípios-chave da metáfora do “fluxo da natureza” à prática da restauração ecológica. A proposta do modelo de nucleação é biocêntrica: auxiliar a natureza em núcleos que recobrem em torno de 10 a 30% da área degradada e permitir que nos demais espaços seja restabelecida uma complexa rede de interações entre os organismos e uma heterogeneidade sucessional, nos quais o ecossistema poderá convergir para múltiplos pontos de equilíbrio no espaço e no tempo.
Roe deer reintroduction in central Portugal: a tool for Iberian wolf conservation
Authors: Cruz Tamira , Fonseca Carlos , Carvalho João , Oliveira Bruno , Torres Rita T.
Published: July 2014

Species reintroduction is an increasingly important tool for species recovery programs and habitat restoration initiatives worldwide. Roe deer Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) densities are very low in central west Portugal (the Freita, Arada, and Montemuro mountains). This area is inhabited by the endangered Iberian wolf Canis lupus signatus Cabrera, 1907, whose numbers have dramatically decreased since the 20th century. An important step in a roe deer reintroduction program is to establish suitable reintroduction sites. The aim of the study was to identify such sites in central Portugal. An Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in combination with a GIS was applied to develop a habitat suitability model, which integrated empirical models and expert knowledge. The variables used in the model included land use, hydrographic network, asphalted roads, population/villages, and relief. Three reintroduction sites suitable for roe deer were identified as potential habitats for their future natural expansion. Those sites were considered as preliminary ones. Finally, future goals and actions are discussed in relation to the promotion of the ecological and social conditions that would favour the survival of roe deer and Iberian wolf in central Portugal.
High-dose-rate Three-dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy Combined with Active Breathing Control for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy of Early-stage Non-small-cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Ruozheng , Yin Yong , Qin Yonghui , Yu Jinming
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of using high-dose-rate three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combined with active breathing control (ABC) for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) of patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Eight patients with early-stage NSCLC underwent CT scans under standard free-breathing (FB) and moderately deep inspiration breath-hold (mDIBH) with ABC. Two high-dose-rate 3D-CRT plans (1000 Mu/min) were designed based on the CT scans with FB and mDIBH. The maximal dose (D1%), minimal dose (D99%), conformity index (CI), and homogeneity index (HI) of the planning target volume (PTV), and dose-volume indices of the organs at risk between each plan were compared. The mean PTV volume decreased from 158.04 cm3 with FB to 76.90 cm3 with mDIBH ( p < 0.05). When mDIBH was used, increases in the affected lung volume (by 47%), contralateral lung volume (by 55%), and total lung volume (by 50%) were observed compared to FB ( p < 0.05). The V5–V40 of the affected lung (Vx represented the percentage volume of organs receiving at least the x Gy), V5–V40 and the mean dose for the total lung, V5–V40 and mean dose of the chest wall, and the maximum dose of the spinal cord were less for mDIBH than FB ( p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in CI, HI, D1%, or D99% for the PTV between the plans. In conclusion, high-dose-rate 3D-CRT combined with ABC reduced the radiation dose to the lungs and chest wall without affecting the dose distribution in SBRT of early-stage NSCLC patients.
Excellent Cancer Outcomes Following Patient-adapted Robotic Lung SBRT But a Case for Caution in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Bahig Houda , Filion Edith , Vu Toni , Roberge David , Lambert Louise , Bouchard Myriam , Lavoie Caroline , Doucet Robert , Nadeau Dominic Béliveau , Chalaoui Jean , Campeau Marie-Pierre
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study is to report outcomes and prognostic factors for early stage non-small cell lung cancer treated with patient-adapted Cyberknife stereotactic body radiotherapy. A retrospective analysis of 150 patients with T1-2N0 non-small cell lung cancer treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy was conducted. An algorithm based on tumor and patient’s characteristics was used to orient patients towards soft tissue (Xsight Lung), fiducials or adjacent bone (Xsight Spine) tracking. Median biological effective dose without correction for tissue inhomogeneities was 180 Gy10 for peripheral tumors and 113 Gy10 for central tumors. Median follow-up was 22 months. Actuarial 2 years local control, overall survival and disease-specific survival were respectively 96%, 87% and 95%. Every 1 cm increase in tumor diameter was associated with a relative risk for regional or distant relapse of 2 (95%CI = 1.2-3.6, p = 0.009). With doses ≥132 Gy10 and <132 Gy10, local control was 98% vs. 82% ( p = 0.07), disease-specific survival 97% vs. 78% ( p = 0.02) and overall survival 93% vs. 76% ( p = 0.01), respectively. Better disease-specific survival and a trend for better overall survival was observed for peripheral vs. central tumors (96% vs. 79%, p = 0.05 and 92% vs. 74%, p = 0.08, respectively). A higher Charlson comordibity score (≥4) predicted lower overall survival (79% vs. 98%, p = 0.01). Toxicities included 3 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis who developed grade 5 pneumonitis and 2 patients with grade 3 pneumonitis. We therefore report excellent local control and disease-specific survival following patient-adapted Cyberknife lung stereotactic body radiotherapy. Although toxicities were in general minimal, patients with pulmonary fibrosis might be at greater risk of severe complications. Small size, peripheral location, dose ≥ 132 Gy10 and a low Charlson co-morbidity score seem to be associated with better outcomes.
Transneuronal Circuit Analysis with Pseudorabies Viruses
Authors: Card J. Patrick , Enquist Lynn W.
Published: July 2014

Our ability to understand the function of the nervous system is dependent upon defining the connections of its constituent neurons. Development of methods to define connections within neural networks has always been a growth industry in the neurosciences. Transneuronal spread of neurotropic viruses currently represents the best means of defining synaptic connections within neural networks. The method exploits the ability of viruses to invade neurons, replicate, and spread through the intimate synaptic connections that enable communication among neurons. Since the method was first introduced in the 1970s, it has benefited from an increased understanding of the virus life cycle, the function of viral genome, and the ability to manipulate the viral genome in support of directional spread of virus and the expression of transgenes. In this unit, we review these advances in viral tracing technology and the way in which they may be applied for functional dissection of neural networks. Curr. Protoc. Neurosci. 68:1.5.1‐1.5.39. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Resources for Small Regulatory RNAs
Authors: Bell George W. , Lewitter Fran
Published: July 2014

Over the past twenty years, new classes of regulatory RNAs have been discovered, previously hidden in the transcriptome mostly due to their small size. These small regulatory RNAs include small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and Piwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs). Numerous databases have been developed to store information about these small regulatory RNAs, and many tools have been developed to work with the data. This overview introduces the reader to the many resources available for working with small regulatory RNAs. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 107:19.8.1‐19.8.14. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
CRISPR/Cas9‐Directed Genome Editing of Cultured Cells
Authors: Yang Luhan , Yang Joyce L. , Byrne Susan , Pan Joshua , Church George M.
Published: July 2014

Human genome engineering has been transformed by the introduction of the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas (CRISPR‐associated) system found in most bacteria and archaea. Type II CRISPR/Cas systems have been engineered to induce RNA‐guided genome editing in human cells, where small RNAs function together with Cas9 nucleases for sequence‐specific cleavage of target sequences. Here we describe the protocol for Cas9‐mediated human genome engineering, including construct building and transfection methods necessary for delivering Cas9 and guide RNA (gRNA) into human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and HEK293 cells. Following genome editing, we also describe methods to assess genome editing efficiency using next‐generation sequencing and isolate monoclonal hiPSCs with the desired modifications for downstream applications. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 107:31.1.1‐31.1.17. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Application of Flow‐FISH for Dynamic Measurement of Telomere Length in Cell Division
Authors: Borisov Vyacheslav I. , Korolkova Olga Y. , Kozhevnikov Vladimir S.
Published: July 2014

This method makes it possible to measure the fluorescence of a DNA probe in cells with known division number and targeted surface antigen. In fact, this method is a combination or consistent application of three other methods: cell tracking by vital dye, surface immunophenotyping, and flow‐FISH. The idea in developing this method was to study telomere length changes in cells with known surface antigen after every new cell division. First, the in vitro cell culturing and staining with CFSE vital dye are performed. Then, cells are stained with surface MAbs labeled with biotin, followed by incubation with streptavidin‐labeled fluorochrome. After that, cells are fixed with BS3 reagent followed by the flow‐FISH procedure with PNA‐probe complementary to telomere DNA repeats. Finally, in one tube, it is possible to determine telomere length in surface antigen–labeled cells that have made the exact same number of divisions after incubation. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 69:8.14.1‐8.14.10. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A multiparameter aerosol classification method and its application to retrievals from spaceborne polarimetry
Authors: Russell Philip B. , Kacenelenbogen Meloë , Livingston John M. , Hasekamp Otto P. , Burton Sharon P. , Schuster Gregory L. , Johnson Matthew S. , Knobelspiesse Kirk D. , Redemann Jens , Ramachandran S. , Holben Brent
Published: July 2014

Classifying observed aerosols into types (e.g., urban‐industrial, biomass burning, mineral dust, maritime) helps to understand aerosol sources, transformations, effects, and feedback mechanisms; to improve accuracy of satellite retrievals; and to quantify aerosol radiative impacts on climate. The number of aerosol parameters retrieved from spaceborne sensors has been growing, from the initial aerosol optical depth (AOD) at one or a few wavelengths to a list that now includes AOD, complex refractive index, single scattering albedo (SSA), and depolarization of backscatter, each at several wavelengths, plus several particle size and shape parameters. Making optimal use of these varied data products requires objective, multidimensional analysis methods. We describe such a method, which makes explicit use of uncertainties in input parameters. It treats an N‐parameter retrieved data point and its N‐dimensional uncertainty as an extended data point, E. It then uses a modified Mahalanobis distance, DEC, to assign an observation to the class (cluster) C that has minimum DEC from the point. We use parameters retrieved from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) to define seven prespecified clusters (pure dust, polluted dust, urban‐industrial/developed economy, urban‐industrial/developing economy, dark biomass smoke, light biomass smoke, and pure marine), and we demonstrate application of the method to a 5 year record of retrievals from the spaceborne Polarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances 3 (POLDER 3) polarimeter over the island of Crete, Greece. Results show changes of aerosol type at this location in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, which is influenced by a wide variety of aerosol sources.
Surface Drifters Track the Fate of Greenland Ice Sheet Meltwater
Authors: Hauri Claudine , Truffer Martin , Winsor Peter , Lennert Kunuk
Published: July 2014

Understanding the fate and influence of glacial meltwater in heavily ice‐covered fjord systems has proven difficult because previous measurement platforms were con­strained to deeper water to keep instrumentation safe from drifting icebergs. Now, using novel, satellite‐tracked devices that can with­ stand multiple collisions with ice blocks (see Figure 1) without incurring much damage, scientists have obtained new and detailed data about the role of Greenland Ice Sheet meltwater and its trajectories through God­thåbsfjord in western Greenland.
Highlights of the 2014 Ocean Sciences Meeting
Authors: Sharp Jonathan , Briscoe Melbourne , Itsweire Eric
Published: July 2014

The 2014 Ocean Sciences Meeting was the 17th biennial gathering since the inception of ocean sciences meetings in 1982. A joint venture of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), The Oceanography Society (TOS), and the Ocean Sciences section of AGU, the meeting was by far the largest ever: More than 5600 attendees made this meeting more than 30% larger than any previous one. Forty percent of attendees live outside the United States, hailing from 55 countries, showing the importance of this meeting as an international gathering of ocean scientists.
Updated global data set tracks sea ice from 1850 to 2007
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: July 2014

For more than a century and a half, scientists, sailors, pilots, and others have collected measurements of everything from sea ice extent to temperature to atmospheric pressure, using a range of procedures, tools, and techniques. To reconstruct a clear global picture and create the long‐term data sets that underlie much of modern climate science, researchers need to bring these parts together, correcting for biases and gaps in the data.
Ice melt rates during explosive subglacial eruptions
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: July 2014

Volcanic eruptions occurring under glaciers melt cavities in the overlying ice, and this meltwater may drain out in a large, sudden flood known as a jökulhlaup. Observations show that ice melts rapidly in liquid‐filled subglacial cavities when these eruptions occur, but until now scientists have not had a quantitative description of the heat transfer processes involved.
Electric currents of a substorm current wedge on 24 February 2010
Authors: Connors Martin , McPherron Robert L. , Anderson Brian J. , Korth Haje , Russell Christopher T. , Chu Xiangning
Published: July 2014

The three‐dimensional “substorm current wedge” (SCW) was postulated by McPherron et al. (1973) to explain substorm magnetic perturbations. The origin and coherence as a physical system of this important paradigm of modern space physics remained unclear, however, with progress hindered by gross undersampling, and uniqueness problems in data inversion. Complementing AMPERE (Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment) space‐derived radial electric currents with ground magnetic data allowing us to determine currents from the ionosphere up, we overcome problems of uniqueness identified by Fukushima (1969, 1994). For a substorm on 24 February 2010, we quantify SCW development consistently from ground and space data. Its westward electrojet carries 0.5 MA in the more poleward part of the auroral oval, in Region 1 (R1) sense spanning midnight. The evening sector electrojet also feeds into its upward current. We thus validate the SCW concept and obtain parameters needed for quantitative study of substorms.
Crustal deformation and stress transfer during a propagating earthquake sequence: The 2013 Cook Strait sequence, central New Zealand
Authors: Hamling I. J. , D'Anastasio E. , Wallace L. M. , Ellis S. , Motagh M. , Samsonov S. , Palmer N. , Hreinsdóttir S.
Published: July 2014

The 2013 Cook Strait earthquake sequence began on 18 July 2013 with two foreshocks of Mw 5.7 and Mw 5.8 and culminated in the Mw 6.6 Cook Strait and Lake Grassmere events on 21 July and 16 August, respectively. Located ∼50 km south of New Zealand's capital, Wellington, the earthquakes generated the most significant ground shaking in the Wellington and Marlborough regions in recent decades. During the first event, located under Cook Strait, continuously recording GPS instruments across central New Zealand recorded up to 5 cm of horizontal displacement. Modeling suggests that the rupture was 25 km long with up to 90 cm of dextral strike slip. The second event, located 20 km to the southwest, caused displacements of up to 25 cm at GPS sites located around the Clifford bay area. In addition, two interferograms from RADARSAT‐2 and TerraSAR‐X showed up to 30 cm of line‐of‐sight displacement in the vicinity of Lake Grassmere. Modeling indicates predominantly dextral strike slip of up to 2.1 m. Coulomb Stress changes induced by the earlier foreshocks suggest that the Cook Strait event was triggered by the preceding events and that the Lake Grassmere event was subsequently triggered by the Cook Strait earthquake.
Reliability of regional and global climate models to simulate precipitation extremes over India
Authors: Mishra Vimal , Kumar Devashish , Ganguly Auroop R. , Sanjay J. , Mujumdar Milind , Krishnan R. , Shah Reepal D.
Published: July 2014

Extreme precipitation events over India have resulted in loss of human lives and damaged infrastructures, food crops, and lifelines. The inability of climate models to credibly project precipitation extremes in India has not been helpful to longer‐term hazards resilience policy. However, there have been claims that finer‐resolution and regional climate models may improve projections. The claims are examined as hypotheses by comparing models with observations from 1951–2005. This paper evaluates the reliability of the latest generation of general circulation models (GCMs), Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), specifically a subset of the better performing CMIP5 models (called “BEST‐GCM”). The relative value of finer‐resolution regional climate models (RCMs) is examined by comparing Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) South Asia RCMs (“CORDEX‐RCMs”) versus the GCMs used by those RCMs to provide boundary conditions, or the host GCMs (“HOST‐GCMs”). Ensemble mean of BEST‐GCMs performed better for most of the extreme precipitation indices than the CORDEX‐RCMs or their HOST‐GCMs. Weaker performance shown by ensemble mean of CORDEX‐RCMs is largely associated with their high intermodel variation. The CORDEX‐RCMs occasionally exhibited slightly superior skills compared to BEST‐GCMs; on the whole RCMs failed to significantly outperform GCMs. Observed trends in the extremes were not adequately captured by any of the model ensembles, while neither the GCMs nor the RCMs were determined to be adequate to inform hydrologic design.
Phenology and its role in carbon dioxide exchange processes in northern peatlands
Authors: Kross Angela S. E. , Roulet Nigel T. , Moore Tim R. , Lafleur Peter M. , Humphreys Elyn R. , Seaquist Jonathan W. , Flanagan Lawrence B. , Aurela Mika
Published: July 2014

Ecosystem phenology plays an important role in carbon exchange processes and can be derived from continuous records of carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange data. In this study we examined the potential use of phenological indices for characterizing cumulative annual CO2 exchange in four contrasting northern peatland ecosystems. We used the approach of Jonsson and Eklundh (2004) to derive a set of phenological indices based on the daily time series of gross primary production (GPP), ecosystem respiration (Re), and net ecosystem production (NEP) measured in the four peatland sites. The main objectives of this study were (a) to examine the variation in phenological indices across sites and (b) to determine the relationships among phenological indices, environmental conditions, and cumulative annual CO2 exchange. The phenological index used to define the “start of the growing season” showed good potential for differentiation among sites based on their average annual site GPP. Sites with earlier growing seasons had the highest average annual site GPP. The “peak CO2 exchange rate” phenological index performed best in reflecting variations among sites and for estimating annual values of GPP, Re, and NEP (Pearson correlation coefficients ranged between 0.77 and 0.99, p < 0.05 for all.). The phenological indices and annual GPP, Re, and NEP were sensitive to winter (January–March) and summer (July–September) temperature and precipitation, but correlations, though significant, were weak.
Snow depth, density, and SWE estimates derived from GPS reflection data: Validation in the western U. S.
Authors: McCreight James L. , Small Eric E. , Larson Kristine M.
Published: July 2014

Geodetic‐quality GPS systems can be used to measure average snow depth in the ∼1000 m2 area around the GPS antenna, a sensing footprint size intermediate between in situ and satellite observations. SWE can be calculated from density estimates modeled on the GPS‐based snow depth time series. We assess the accuracy of GPS‐based snow depth, density, and SWE data at 18 GPS sites via comparison to manual observations. The manual validation survey was completed around the time of peak accumulation at each site. Daily snow depth derived from GPS reflection data is very similar to the mean snow depth measured manually in the ∼1000 m2 scale area around each antenna. This comparison spans site‐averaged depths from 0 to 150 cm. The GPS depth data exhibit a small negative bias (−6 cm) across this range of snow depths. Errors tend to be smaller at sites with more usable GPS ground tracks. Snow bulk density is modeled using the GPS snow depth time series and model parameters are estimated from nearby SNOTEL sites. Modeled density is within 0.02 g cm−3 of the density measured in a single snow pit at the validation sites, for 12 of 18 comparisons. GPS‐based depth and modeled density are multiplied to estimate SWE. SWE estimates are very accurate over the range observed at the validation sites, from 0 to 60 cm (R2 = 0.97 and bias = −2 cm). These results show that the near real‐time GPS snow products have errors small enough for monitoring water resources in snow‐dominated basins.
Country, sex, and parent occupational status: Moderators of the continuity of aggression from childhood to adulthood
Authors: Kokko Katja , Simonton Sharon , Dubow Eric , Lansford Jennifer E. , Olson Sheryl L. , Huesmann L. Rowell , Boxer Paul , Pulkkinen Lea , Bates John E. , Dodge Kenneth A. , Pettit Gregory S.
Published: July 2014

Using data from two American and one Finnish long‐term longitudinal studies, we examined continuity of general aggression from age 8 to physical aggression in early adulthood (age 21–30) and whether continuity of aggression differed by country, sex, and parent occupational status. In all samples, childhood aggression was assessed via peer nominations and early adulthood aggression via self‐reports. Multi‐group structural equation models revealed significant continuity in aggression in the American samples but not in the Finnish sample. These relations did not differ by sex but did differ by parent occupational status: whereas there was no significant continuity among American children from professional family‐of‐origin backgrounds, there was significant continuity among American children from non‐professional backgrounds. Aggr. Behav. 40:552–567, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.