bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a “Virtual Cocktail Party” for the Measurement of Speech Intelligibility in a Sound Field
Authors: Lilly David J. , Hutter Michele M. , Lewis M. Samantha , Folmer Robert , Shannon Jeffrey
Published: August 2011

This technical report describes an approach to the measurement of speech intelligibility for sentences presented in a sound field in the presence of 16-talker babble. More specifically, we detail our (1) selection and preparation of target speech materials, (2) selection and preparation
of experimental babble, (3) analog instrumentation, (4) software routines for attenuator control, (5) calibration, (6) experimental subjects, and (7) experimental protocol. In the final section of this report we present speech-intelligibility data from 16 young adults (21‐30 yr of age)
with normal hearing sensitivity for pure-tone signals.
Dichotic and Dichoptic Digit Perception in Normal Adults
Authors: Lawfield Angela , McFarland Dennis J. , Cacace Anthony T.
Published: August 2011

Background:Verbally based dichotic-listening experiments and reproduction-mediated response-selection strategies have been used for over four decades to study perceptual/cognitive aspects of auditory information processing and make inferences about hemispheric asymmetries and
language lateralization in the brain. Test procedures using dichotic digits have also been used to assess for disorders of auditory processing. However, with this application, limitations exist and paradigms need to be developed to improve specificity of the diagnosis. Use of matched tasks
in multiple sensory modalities is a logical approach to address this issue. Herein, we use dichotic listening and dichoptic viewing of visually presented digits for making this comparison.Purpose:To evaluate methodological issues involved in using matched tasks of dichotic listening
and dichoptic viewing in normal adults.Research Design:A multivariate assessment of the effects of modality (auditory vs. visual), digit-span length (1‐3 pairs), response selection (recognition vs. reproduction), and ear/visual hemifield of presentation (left vs.
right) on dichotic and dichoptic digit perception.Study Sample:Thirty adults (12 males, 18 females) ranging in age from 18 to 30 yr with normal hearing sensitivity and normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity.Data Collection and Analysis:A computerized, custom-designed program
was used for all data collection and analysis. A four-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) evaluated the effects of modality, digit-span length, response selection, and ear/visual field of presentation.Results:The ANOVA revealed that performances on dichotic listening
and dichoptic viewing tasks were dependent on complex interactions between modality, digit-span length, response selection, and ear/visual hemifield of presentation. Correlation analysis suggested a common effect on overall accuracy of performance but isolated only an auditory factor for a
laterality index.Conclusions:The variables used in this experiment affected performances in the auditory modality to a greater extent than in the visual modality. The right-ear advantage observed in the dichotic-digits task was most evident when reproduction mediated response selection
was used in conjunction with three-digit pairs. This effect implies that factors such as “speech related output mechanisms” and digit-span length (working memory) contribute to laterality effects in dichotic listening performance with traditional paradigms. Thus, the use of multiple-digit
pairs to avoid ceiling effects and the application of verbal reproduction as a means of response selection may accentuate the role of nonperceptual factors in performance. Ideally, tests of perceptual abilities should be relatively free of such effects.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Established Central Auditory Processing Test Batteries in Patients with Documented Brain Lesions
Authors: Musiek Frank E. , Chermak Gail D. , Weihing Jeffrey , Zappulla Megan , Nagle Stephanie
Published: August 2011

Purpose: The sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of commonly used behavioral central auditory processing tests and test batteries were determined for 20 individuals with known lesions of the central auditory nervous system (CANS) and related auditory symptoms.Research
Design: Twenty-nine individuals with no known neurological involvement served as the control group. Both groups were administered dichotic digits (DD), competing sentences (CS), frequency patterns (FP), and low-pass filtered speech (FS) tests.Data Analysis: Diagnostic indices for
individual tests and test batteries comprised of two, three, or four tests were calculated both using a lax criterion in which failure on only one test in a battery led to a positive diagnosis and using a strict criterion in which failure on all tests in the battery was necessary to trigger
a positive diagnosis.Results: The test battery providing the best balance between sensitivity and specificity varied as a function of criterion. The two-test DD-FP battery using a strict criterion demonstrated the best balance.Conclusions: Limitations of particular tests, the
advantages of larger test batteries to more broadly examine multiple auditory processes, the degree to which the present results can be generalized clinically to populations without known brain lesions, and other clinical considerations are discussed.
Adaptation of the BKB-SIN Test for Use as a Pediatric Aided Outcome Measure
Authors: Ng Stella L. , Meston Christine N. , Scollie Susan D. , Seewald Richard C.
Published: August 2011

Background:There is a need for objective pediatric hearing aid outcome measurement and thus a need for the evaluation of outcome measures. We explored a commercially available pediatric sentence-in-noise measure adapted for use as an aided outcome measure.Purpose:The purposes
of the current study were (1) to administer an adapted BKB-SIN (Bamford-Kowal-Bench Speech-in-Noise test) to adults and children who have normal hearing and children who use hearing aids and (2) to evaluate the utility of this adapted BKB-SIN as an aided, within-subjects outcome measure for
amplification strategies.Research Design:We used a mixed within and between groups design to evaluate speech recognition in noise for the three groups of participants. The children who use hearing aids were tested under the omnidirectional, directional, and digital noise reduction (DNR)
conditions. Results from each group were compared to each other, and we compared results of each aided condition for the children who use hearing aids to evaluate the test utility as an aided outcome measure.Study Sample:The study sample consisted of 14 adults with normal hearing (aged
22‐28 yr) and 15 children with normal hearing (aged 6‐18 yr), recruited through word of mouth, and 14 children who use hearing aids (aged 9‐16 yr) recruited from local audiology clinics.Data Collection and Analysis:List pairs of the BKB-SIN test were presented at
50 dB HL as follows: four list pairs to each participant with normal hearing, four list pairs in the omnidirectional condition, and two list pairs in the directional and DNR conditions. Children who use hearing aids were fitted bilaterally with laboratory devices and completed the BKB-SIN
test aided. Data were plotted as mean percent of key words correct at each signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Further, we conducted an analysis of variance for group differences and within-groups for the three aided conditions.Results:Adult participants outperformed children with normal hearing,
who outperformed the children who use hearing aids. SNR-50 (signal-to-noise ratio at which listener can obtain a speech recognition score of 50% correct) scores demonstrated reliability of the adapted test implementation. The BKB-SIN test measured significant differences in performance for
omnidirectional versus directional microphone conditions but not between omnidirectional and DNR conditions.Conclusions:We conclude that the adapted implementation of the BKB-SIN test can be administered reliably and feasibly. Further study is warranted to develop norms for the adapted
implementation as well as to determine if an adapted implementation can be sensitive to age effects. Until such norms are developed, clinicians should refrain from comparing results from the adapted test to the test manual norms and should instead use the adapted implementation as a within-subject
measure.
TLR9 in Peritoneal B-1b Cells Is Essential for Production of Protective Self-Reactive IgM To Control Th17 Cells and Severe Autoimmunity
Authors: Stoehr Alexander D. , Schoen Carolin T. , Mertes Maria M. M. , Eiglmeier Susanne , Holecska Vivien , Lorenz Alexandra K. , Schommartz Tim , Schoen Anna-Lena , Hess Constanze , Winkler André , Wardemann Hedda , Ehlers Marc
Published: August 2011

The role of TLR9 in the development of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus is controversial. In different mouse models of the disease, loss of TLR9 abolishes the generation of anti-nucleosome IgG autoantibodies but at the same time exacerbates lupus disease. However, the TLR9-dependent tolerance mechanism is unknown. In this study, we show that loss of TLR9 is associated with low peritoneal B-1b cell numbers and low levels of protective self-reactive IgM serum autoantibodies in lupus-prone FcγRIIB-deficient mice leading to the uncontrolled accumulation of proinflammatory CD4+ cells and exacerbated autoimmunity. TLR7 signaling was not able to compensate for the loss of TLR9 signaling in peritoneal B-1b cells to induce IgM Abs. Transfer of TLR9-expressing peritoneal B-1b cells from FcγRIIB-deficient mice or of recombinant monoclonal self-reactive IgM Abs was sufficient to reduce the frequency of proinflammatory Th17 cells and lupus disease in FcγRIIB/TLR9 double-deficient mice. Taken together, these data provide evidence for a TLR9-dependent tolerance mechanism of peritoneal B-1b cells generating protective self-reactive IgM in lupus-prone mice to control Th17 cell development and severe autoimmunity.
Dual TCR Expression Biases Lung Inflammation in DO11.10 Transgenic Mice and Promotes Neutrophilia via Microbiota-Induced Th17 Differentiation
Authors: Lemaire Muriel M. , Dumoutier Laure , Warnier Guy , Uyttenhove Catherine , Van Snick Jacques , de Heusch Magali , Stevens Monique , Renauld Jean-Christophe
Published: August 2011

A commonly used mouse model of asthma is based on i.p. sensitization to OVA together with aluminum hydroxide (alum). In wild-type BALB/c mice, subsequent aerosol challenge using this protein generates an eosinophilic inflammation associated with Th2 cytokine expression. By constrast, in DO11.10 mice, which are transgenic for an OVA-specific TCR, the same treatment fails to induce eosinophilia, but instead promotes lung neutrophilia. In this study, we show that this neutrophilic infiltration results from increased IL-17A and IL-17F production, whereas the eosinophilic response could be restored upon blockade of IFN-γ, independently of the Th17 response. In addition, we identified a CD4+ cell population specifically present in DO11.10 mice that mediates the same inflammatory response upon transfer into RAG2−/− mice. This population contained a significant proportion of cells expressing an additional endogenous TCR α-chain and was not present in RAG2−/− DO11.10 mice, suggesting dual antigenic specificities. This particular cell population expressed markers of memory cells, secreted high levels of IL-17A, and other cytokines after short-term restimulation in vitro, and triggered a neutrophilic response in vivo upon OVA aerosol challenge. The relative numbers of these dual TCR lymphocytes increased with the age of the animals, and IL-17 production was abolished if mice were treated with large-spectrum antibiotics, suggesting that their differentiation depends on foreign Ags provided by gut microflora. Taken together, our data indicate that dual TCR expression biases the OVA-specific response in DO11.10 mice by inhibiting eosinophilic responses via IFN-γ and promoting a neutrophilic inflammation via microbiota-induced Th17 differentiation.
Time for Education in Cardiogenetics
Authors: Charron Philippe , Elliott Perry
Published: August 2011

In all emerging fields of medicine, the discovery of new knowledge is followed by a process of translation into clinical practice[...]
Tafazzin Gene Mutations Are Uncommon Causes of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Adults
Authors: Taylor Matthew , Slavov Dobromir , Salcedo Ernesto , Zhu Xiao , Ferguson Deborah , Jirikowic Jean , Di Lenarda Andrea , Sinagra Gianfranco , Mestroni Luisa
Published: August 2011

Barth syndrome is an X-linked genetic condition featuring neutropenia, skeletal myopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy in boys due to tafazzin (TAZ) mutations. Pure dilated cardiomyopathy without other features of Barth syndrome may also result from TAZ mutations and survival into adulthood has been described. Although TAZ testing is routinely included in dilated cardiomyopathy panels in adults, the prevalence of TAZ mutations in the adult population, including women who may be at risk to develop later onset disease due to TAZ mutations, has not been measured. We screened 292 families with dilated cardiomyopathy (209 male and 83 female probands) for TAZ mutations using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and sequence analysis. Putative mutations were evaluated based on standard criteria including screening available relatives and healthy controls and for effects on splicing efficiency in the case of one intronic variant. Two variants suspicious for being pathogenic were found in two unrelated families (c.387T>C, Phe128Ser and c.507C>T, Leu169Leu). The Phe128Ser variant had been previously reported as a pathogenic mutation; however we determined that this variant is instead a rare polymorphism restricted to African Americans. The Leu169Leu variant was detected in a male patient and altered RNA processing in our minigene assay supporting a pathogenic role. No mutations in female subjects were detected. Tafazzin mutations were rare in our population of adults with dilated cardiomyopathy and none were found in females. Our findings indicate that genetic testing for tafazzin should not be routinely performed in dilated cardiomyopathy as suggested by current guidelines. Furthermore, the Phe128Ser variant is not pathogenic, but likely represents a benign polymorphism in persons of African American ancestry.
The Interpretation of Genetic Tests in Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Monserrat Lorenzo , Mazzanti Andrea , Ortiz-Genga Martín , Barriales-Villa Roberto , Garcia-Giustiniani Diego , Gimeno-Blanes Juan Ramon
Published: August 2011

The inherited cardiovascular diseases, including cardiomyopathies, channelopaties and inherited diseases of the aorta are heterogeneous conditions with highly variable morphologic and functional features, clinical presentation, evolution and prognosis. Hundreds of mutations in different genes have been associated with each one of these entities and it is likely that this genetic heterogeneity is one of the main reasons for the variability in their clinical expression. Information from the genetic studies may help the clinicians to diagnose the diseases in early stages, to identify relatives at risk and those who do not require periodic follow up, and may also provide prognostic information. An appropriate and accurate interpretation of the genetic tests is required to get all the potential advantages of these studies. This interpretation is not simple and requires information, specialized knowledge and dedication to the task. The first step is to decide which the appropriate genetic test is. Negative results do not exclude the disease and in that situation we need to decide whether to continue the screening or not. When the genetic study identifies one or multiple genetic variants we will have to evaluate their frequency in the general population (polymorphisms vs. mutations) and their pathogenicity. To establish whether a given variant is associated with the disease we have to integrate both basic and clinical information. When a variant is considered potentially pathogenic we still have to evaluate whether this variant explains the phenotype of the patient and of his/her family (more than one mutation may be present). Finally, we have to analyse all the available information about the consequences of the identified mutations and to integrate this information with all the available clinical data of the patient and family. With this approach, genetic test becomes a very useful tool in the management of all the inherited cardiovascular diseases.
Genetics of Cardiomyopathies in Children
Authors: Vatta Matteo , Towbin Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2011

Cardiomyopathies are diseases of the heart muscle leading to heart failure and/or an increased risk of arrhythmogenic sudden cardiac death. These disorders represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. In childhood forms of cardiomyopathy, genetic etiologies are frequent, but non-genetic or acquired causes, such viral infection, also play a significant role. In the last twenty years, the genetic causes of cardiomyopathies have been increasingly identified and clinical correlations are beginning to be defined. Here we present an overview of the recent advances in our understanding of the genetics of cardiomyopathies in children and what is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these gene-related forms of disease.
A study of Aspects on Gender and Prognosis in Synchronous Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Derwinger Kristoffer , Gustavsson Bengt
Published: August 2011

Aim

To assess differences in demography, pathology and prognosis with tumor multiplicity in colorectal cancer.

Method

A retrospective single centre study of all patients surgically treated for a colorectal cancer during 1999–2008 (n = 2524). Patient characteristics, pathology and follow-up data were retrieved. Survival was assessed by overall and cancer specific survival.

Results

60 (2.4%) patients had a synchronous cancer (SC), associated with right colon, higher age, more assessed lymph nodes but a lower frequency of stage III/IV disease (42% vs. 52%). There was no overall prognostic difference between single or multiple cancer patients but females with SC had better survival than corresponding males ( P < 0.046).

Conclusion

The incidence of synchronous cancers was 2.4% with the second cancer often located in right colon. The SC patients were older than single tumor patients, had a lower frequency of stage III/IV disease and the females with SC had a better survival prognosis than corresponding males.
Upper‐Intermediate‐Level ESL Students' Summarizing in English
Authors: VOROBEL OKSANA , KIM DEOKSOON
Published: August 2011

This qualitative instrumental case study explores various factors that might influence upper‐intermediate‐level English as a second language (ESL) students' summarizing from a socio‐cultural perspective. The study was conducted in a formal classroom setting, during a reading and writing class in the English Language Institute at a university in the southeastern United States. Seven international ESL students provided information through questionnaires and interviews. Additional data were gathered through classroom observation. The findings of the study provide evidence that such personal factors as culturally influenced thinking patterns, content knowledge, motivation and attitude, and native language and second language literacy skills, as well as textual factors, writing style, vocabulary, and grammar, have an effect on ESL students' summarizing.
Observations of hydroxyl and peroxy radicals and the impact of BrO at Summit, Greenland in 2007 and 2008
Authors: Liao J. , Huey L. G. , Tanner D. J. , Brough N. , Brooks S. , Dibb J. E. , Stutz J. , Thomas J. L. , Lefer B. , Haman C. , Gorham K.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. The Greenland Summit Halogen-HOx (GSHOX) Campaign was performed in spring 2007 and summer 2008 to investigate the impact of halogens on HOx (= OH + HO2) cycling above the Greenland Ice Sheet. Chemical species including hydroxyl and peroxy radicals (OH and HO2 + RO2), ozone (O3), nitrogen oxide (NO), nitric acid (HNO3), nitrous acid (HONO), reactive gaseous mercury (RGM), and bromine oxide (BrO) were measured during the campaign. The median midday values of HO2 + RO2 and OH concentrations observed by chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS) were 2.7 × 108 molec cm−3 and 3.0 × 106 molec cm−3 in spring 2007, and 4.2 × 108 molec cm−3 and 4.1 × 106 molec cm−3 in summer 2008. A basic photochemical 0-D box model highly constrained by observations of H2O, O3, CO, CH4, NO, and J values predicted HO2 + RO2 (R = 0.90, slope = 0.87 in 2007; R = 0.79, slope = 0.96 in 2008) reasonably well and under predicted OH (R = 0.83, slope = 0.72 in 2007; R = 0.76, slope = 0.54 in 2008). Constraining the model to HONO observations did not significantly improve the ratio of OH to HO2 + RO2 and the correlation between predictions and observations. Including bromine chemistry in the model constrained by observations of BrO improved the correlation between observed and predicted HO2 + RO2 and OH, and brought the average hourly OH and HO2 + RO2 predictions closer to the observations. These model comparisons confirmed our understanding of the dominant HOx sources and sinks in this environment and indicated that BrO impacted the OH levels at Summit. Although, significant discrepancies between observed and predicted OH could not be explained by the measured BrO. Finally, observations of enhanced RGM were found to be coincident with under prediction of OH.
Quantification of the carbonaceous matter origin in submicron marine aerosol by 13C and 14C isotope analysis
Authors: Ceburnis D. , Garbaras A. , Szidat S. , Rinaldi M. , Fahrni S. , Perron N. , Wacker L. , Leinert S. , Remeikis V. , Facchini M. C. , Prevot A. S. H. , Jennings S. G. , Ramonet M. , O'Dowd C. D.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Dual carbon isotope analysis of marine aerosol samples has been performed for the first time demonstrating a potential in organic matter apportionment between three principal sources: marine, terrestrial (non-fossil) and fossil fuel due to unique isotopic signatures. The results presented here, utilising combinations of dual carbon isotope analysis, provides conclusive evidence of a dominant biogenic organic fraction to organic aerosol over biologically active oceans. In particular, the NE Atlantic, which is also subjected to notable anthropogenic influences via pollution transport processes, was found to contain 80 % organic aerosol matter of biogenic origin directly linked to plankton emissions. The remaining carbonaceous aerosol was of terrestrial origin. By contrast, for polluted air advected out from Europe into the NE Atlantic, the source apportionment is 30 % marine biogenic, 40 % fossil fuel, and 30 % continental non-fossil fuel. The dominant marine organic aerosol source in the atmosphere has significant implications for climate change feedback processes.
The H2O-O2 water vapour complex in the Earth's atmosphere
Authors: Kasai Y. , Dupuy E. , Saito R. , Hashimoto K. , Sabu A. , Kondo S. , Sumiyoshi Y. , Endo Y.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Until recently, abundance estimates for bound molecular complexes have been affected by uncertainties of a factor 10–100. This is due to the difficulty of accurately obtaining the equilibrium constant, either from laboratory experiments or by statistical thermodynamic calculations. In this paper, we firstly present laboratory experiments that we performed in order to determine the molecular structure of H2O-O2. We also derive global abundance estimates for H2O-O2 in the Earth's atmosphere. The equilibrium constant Kp evaluated using the "anharmonic oscillator approach" (AHOA) (Sabu et al., 2005) was employed: the AHOA explains well the structure of the complex obtained by the present experiment. The Kp calculated by this method shows a realistic temperature dependence. We used this Kp to derive global abundance estimates for H2O-O2 in the Earth's atmosphere. The distribution of H2-O2 follows that of water vapour in the troposphere and seems inversely proportional to temperature in the lower stratosphere. Preliminary estimates at the surface show amount of H2O-O2 is comparable to CO or N2O, ranking water vapour complexes among the ten most abundant species in the boundary layer.
Comparison of methods for the determination of NO-O3-NO2 fluxes and chemical interactions over a bare soil
Authors: Stella P. , Loubet B. , Laville P. , Lamaud E. , Cazaunau M. , Laufs S. , Bernard F. , Grosselin B. , Mascher N. , Kurtenbach R. , Mellouki A. , Kleffmann J. , Cellier P.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a known greenhouse gas responsible for impacts on human and animal health and ecosystem functioning. In addition, O3 plays an important role in tropospheric chemistry, together with nitrogen oxides. Flux measurements of these trace gases are a major issue to establish their atmospheric budget and evaluate the ozone impact onto the biosphere. In this study, ozone, nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) fluxes were measured using the aerodynamic gradient method over a bare soil in an agricultural field. Vertical mixing ratio profile measurements were performed with fast response sensors. It was demonstrated that corrections of the aerodynamic gradient for chemical reactions between O3-NO-NO2 appeared to be negligible for O3 fluxes, whereas they accounted for about 10 % on average of the NO and NO2 fluxes. The flux uncertainties were mainly due to uncertainties of the friction velocity. In addition, the use of fast response sensors allowed to reduce the remaining part of the flux uncertainty. The aerodynamic gradient and eddy-covariance methods gave similar O3 fluxes (within 4 %). The chamber NO fluxes were up to 70 % lower than the aerodynamic gradient fluxes probably caused by either the spatial heterogeneity of the soil NO emissions or the environmental perturbation due to the chamber.
Measurement of turbulent water vapor fluxes using a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle system
Authors: Thomas R. M. , Lehmann K. , Nguyen H. , Jackson D. L. , Wolfe D. , Ramanathan V.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. We present here the first application of a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system designed to measure turbulent properties and vertical latent heat fluxes (λE). Such measurements are crucial to improve our understanding of linkages between surface moisture supply and boundary layer clouds and phenomena such as atmospheric rivers. The application of UAVs allows for measurements on spatial scales complimentary to satellite, aircraft, and tower derived fluxes. Key system components are: a turbulent gust probe; a fast response water vapor sensor; an inertial navigation system (INS) coupled to global positioning system (GPS); and a 100 Hz data logging system. We present measurements made in the continental boundary layer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Dryden Research Flight Facility located in the Mojave Desert. Two flights consisting of several horizontal straight flux run legs up to ten kilometers in length and between 330 and 930 m above ground level (m a.g.l.) are compared to measurement from a surface tower. Surface measured λE ranged from −53 W m−2 to 41 W m−2, and the application of a Butterworth High Pass Filter (HPF) to the datasets improved agreement to within ± 12 W m−2 for 86 % of flux runs, by removing improperly sampled low frequency flux contributions. This result, along with power and co-spectral comparisons and consideration of the differing spatial scales indicates the system is able to resolve vertical fluxes for the measurement conditions encountered. Challenges remain, and the outcome of these measurements will be used to inform future sampling strategies and further system development.
Assessment of sea surface temperature changes in the Gulf of Cadiz during the last 30 ka: implications for glacial changes in the regional hydrography
Authors: Penaud A. , Eynaud F. , Voelker A. , Kageyama M. , Marret F. , Turon J. L. , Blamart D. , Mulder T. , Rossignol L.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. New dinocyst analyses were conducted on core MD99-2339 retrieved from the central Gulf of Cadiz. Dinocyst and foraminiferal assemblages from this core are combined with existing data off SW Portugal and NW Morocco to investigate past hydrological and primary productivity regimes in the subtropical NE Atlantic Ocean over the last 30 ka. Our results have revealed highest upwelling intensity during Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS 1) and the Younger Dryas and weaker upwelling cells during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and HS 2, off the SW Iberian and NW Moroccan margins. Similar assemblages between the Gulf of Cadiz and the NW Moroccan margin, and distinct species off Portugal, were observed during the cold climatic extremes that punctuated the last 30 ka. This pattern has been linked to the occurrence of a hydrological structure between SW Iberia and Cadiz during the last glacial period, perhaps similar to the modern Azores Front. This front was probably responsible locally for heterotrophic dinocysts found in the Gulf of Cadiz during the last glacial period, even if this sector is not conductive to upwelling phenomena by Ekman transport. Regional reconstructions of paleo-sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) using dinocyst and foraminiferal transfer functions, as well as alkenones, are also discussed and depict coherent scenarios over the last 30 ka. Seasonal reconstructions of LGM SSTs obtained with this multi-proxy panel are discussed jointly with model outputs in order to contribute to ongoing efforts in model-data comparison.
Using ensemble climate projections to assess probabilistic hydrological change in the Nordic region
Authors: Wetterhall F. , Graham L. P. , Andréasson J. , Rosberg J. , Yang W.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Assessing hydrological effects of global climate change at local scales is important for evaluating future hazards to society. However, applying climate model projections to local impact models can be difficult as outcomes can vary considerably between different climate models, and including results from many models is demanding. This study combines multiple climate model outputs with hydrological impact modelling through the use of response surfaces. Response surfaces represent the sensitivity of the impact model to incremental changes in climate variables and show probabilies for reaching a priori determined thresholds. Response surfaces were calculated using the HBV hydrological model for three basins in Sweden. An ensemble of future climate projections was then superimposed onto each response surface, producing a probability estimate for exceeding the threshold being evaluated. Site specific impacts thresholds were used where applicable. Probabilistic trends for future change in hazards or potential can be shown and evaluated. It is particularly useful for visualising the range of probable outcomes from climate models and can easily be updated with new results as they are made available.
Multi-scale validation of a new soil freezing scheme for a land-surface model with physically-based hydrology
Authors: Gouttevin I. , Krinner G. , Ciais P. , Polcher J. , Legout C.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Soil freezing is a major feature of boreal regions with substantial impact on climate. The present paper describes the implementation of the thermal and hydrological effects of soil freezing in the land surface model ORCHIDEE, which includes a physical description of continental hydrology. The new soil freezing scheme is evaluated against analytical solutions and in-situ observations at a variety of scales in order to test its numerical robustness, explore its sensitivity to parameterization choices and confront its performances to field measurements at typical application scales. It is shown that the appropriate vertical discretization to represent the thermal freezing dynamics is centimetric, and the appropriate freezing window is 1 to 2 °C wide. Furthermore, linear and thermodynamical parameterizations of the liquid water content lead to similar results in terms of water redistribution within the soil as a consequence of freezing. The new soil freezing scheme considerably improves the representation of runoff and river discharge in regions underlain by permafrost and subject to seasonal freezing. A thermodynamical parameterization of the liquid water content appears more appropriate for an integrated description of the hydrological processes at the scale of the vast Siberian basins. The use of a subgrid variability approach and the representation of wetlands could help capturing the features of the Arctic hydrological regime with more accuracy. The modelling of the soil thermal regime is generally improved by the representation of soil freezing processes. In particular, the dynamics of the active layer is captured with an increased accuracy by the soil freezing module, which is of crucial importance in the prospect of simulations involving the response of frozen carbon stocks to future warming. A realistic simulation of the snow cover and its thermal properties, as well as the representation of an organic horizon with specific thermal characteristics, are confirmed to be a pre-requisite for an accurate modelling of the soil thermal dynamics in the Arctic.
pSNOWPACK: a forecasting tool for avalanche warning services
Authors: Bellaire S. , Jamieson J. B. , Fierz C.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Avalanche danger is often estimated based on snow cover stratigraphy and snow stability data. In Canada, single forecasting regions are very large (>50 000 km2) and snow cover data are often not available. To provide additional information on the snow cover and its seasonal evolution the Swiss snow cover model SNOWPACK was therefore coupled with a regional weather forecasting model GEM15. We assess the capability of this model chain (pSNOWPACK) to forecast three key factors of snow cover instability at a single point: new snow amounts, surface hoar formation and crust formation. The output of GEM15 was compared to meteorological data from Mt. Fidelity, British Columbia, Canada, for five winters between 2005 and 2010. Forecasted precipitation amounts were generally over-estimated. The forecasted data were therefore filtered and used as input for the snow cover model. Comparison between the model output and manual observations showed that after pre-processing the input data the snow depth, new snow events and amounts were well modelled. Relevant critical layers, i.e. melt-freeze crusts and surface hoar layers were reproduced. Overall, the model chain pSNOWPACK shows promising potential as a forecasting tool for avalanche warning services in Canadian data sparse areas and could thus well be applied to similarly large regions elsewhere.
The Relationship between Levels of Education of Entrepreneurs and Their Business Success
Authors: Peters Ricardo M. , Brijlal Pradeep
Published: August 2011

The small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sector has been widely recognized as an engine of economic growth in South Africa. The implementation of the National Small Business Strategy (NSBS) in 1995 established important objectives for the sector to address such problems as lack of access to markets and procurement, lack of access to finance and credit, low skills and education levels, lack of access to information and a shortage of effective support institutions. In response, the South African government established institutions and programmes designed to improve access to sources of finance, market opportunities, technology, training and development and education. This paper examines whether there is a relationship between the level of education of SMME owners and the growth of their businesses, using labour force and turnover as success indicators. The study adopted a mixed method approach, including questionnaire surveys, observations and face-to-face interviews. The results indicate that in the two years preceding the study there had been a relationship between the owner/manager's level of education and the business's ability to grow by increasing its labour force and annual turnover. This study, conducted in a developing economy, therefore supports the findings of similar studies in developed economies, that the level of education of an entrepreneur and the success of their business are related.
Motivating Intrapreneurs: The Relevance of Rewards
Authors: de Villiers-Scheepers M.J.
Published: August 2011

A challenge faced by management graduates in promoting intrapreneurship to achieve competitive advantage is the use of motivational techniques that build commitment to entrepreneurial behaviour. Despite the acknowledged importance of rewards to encourage innovation, there is surprisingly little empirical evidence to provide guidance on which rewards motivate intrapreneurs. This paper investigates the rewards that organizations use to motivate intrapreneurs in both service and information and communication technology firms in South Africa. The results indicate that an intrapreneurial reward system tends to focus on formal acknowledgement, social incentives and the organizational freedom of employees. These, rather than monetary incentives, are valued by intrapreneurs and therefore should be incorporated into the teaching curricula of business schools. It is argued that application of these findings will help managers to promote intrapreneurial behaviour and create engaged employees.
Development of a Procurement Management Framework in Ghana
Authors: Owusu-Manu D. , Badu E. , Edwards D.J.
Published: August 2011

Procurement in the corporate world is increasingly complex, multi-faceted and interdisciplinary. This paper explores existing knowledge specifications relating to procurement management competencies and proposes a new procurement management competency framework (PMCF) and a competency-based postgraduate programme for postgraduate students in Ghana. A three-tier iterative and inductive methodology was used to develop the proposed framework and a literature survey and focus group discussions were used to explore the competency requirements for procurement management practice. The reliability, consistency and applicability of the framework were each tested using a modified single-phase Delphi survey. Five logical knowledge constructs were identified as providing the foundations for a modern public procurement system: financial; social; corporate governance; technology and globalization; and research and teamwork. The PMCF combines strategical, managerial and technical competencies and incorporates economic and social dimensions of procurement functions. It is hoped that the research findings will be of use to academics and those in industry involved with the education and training of future generations of procurement professionals.
White and Male? Constructing Student Perceptions of Entrepreneurs as ‘Other’
Authors: Martin Lynn , Schofield Clare , Millman Cindy , Valassis Srikanth Reddy
Published: August 2011

This paper explores perceptions of entrepreneurship and innovation to discover why UK students did not engage with enterprise activities at their universities. A study involving 84 international and national university students identified stereotypical perceptions of terms such as ‘innovator’ and ‘entrepreneur’, ‘entrepreneurship’ and ‘innovation’, associating values and emotions with the development of these constructs often ignored in research on enterprise intent. There were differing perspectives on the drivers affecting engagement across international and UK students. It also emerged that the development of new interactive media technologies had influenced the process of constructing meaning for these terms, creating and reinforcing stereotypes rather than changing them.
Entrepreneurial FDI in Emerging Economies: Russian SME Strategy for Brazil
Authors: Latukha Marina , Panibratov Andrei , Safonova-Salvadori Elena
Published: August 2011

Brazil is perceived by potential investors not only as a country of samba, carnival and beaches, but also as the land of growth and development. Using the example of KGK Global, a small enterprise in the field of technology-intensive services, this case study examines why Russian investors go to Brazil and what kind of obstacles they may face there.
Visual Puzzles, Figure Weights, and Cancellation: Some Preliminary Hypotheses on the Functional and Neural Substrates of These Three New WAIS-IV Subtests
Authors: McCrea Simon M. , Robinson Thomas P.
Published: August 2011

In this study, five consecutive patients with focal strokes and/or cortical excisions were examined with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and Wechsler
Memory Scale—Fourth Editions along with a comprehensive battery of other neuropsychological tasks. All five of the lesions
were large and typically involved frontal, temporal, and/or parietal lobes and were lateralized to one hemisphere. The clinical
case method was used to determine the cognitive neuropsychological correlates of mental rotation (Visual Puzzles), Piagetian
balance beam (Figure Weights), and visual search (Cancellation) tasks. The pattern of results on Visual Puzzles and
Figure Weights suggested that both subtests involve predominately right frontoparietal networks involved in visual working
memory. It appeared that Visual Puzzles could also critically rely on the integrity of the left temporoparietal junction. The
left temporoparietal junction could be involved in temporal ordering and integration of local elements into a nonverbal gestalt.
In contrast, the Figure Weights task appears to critically involve the right temporoparietal junction involved in numerical magnitude
estimation. Cancellation was sensitive to left frontotemporal lesions and not right posterior parietal lesions typical of
other visual search tasks. In addition, the Cancellation subtest was sensitive to verbal search strategies and perhaps object-based attention demands, thereby constituting a unique task in comparison with previous visual search tasks.
Near Integrability in Low Dimensional Gross–Neveu Models
Authors: Christov Ognyan
Published: August 2011

The low-dimensional Gross-Neveu models are studied. For the systems, related to the Lie algebras so(4), so(5), sp(4), sl(3), we prove that they have Birkhoff-Gustavson normal forms which are integrable and non-degenerate in Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser (KAM) theory sense. Unfortunately, this is not the case for systems with three degrees of freedom, related to the Lie algebras so(6) ~ sl(4), so(7), sp(6); their Birkhoff-Gustavson normal forms are proven to be non-integrable in the Liouville sense. The last result can easily be extended to higher dimensions.
Transition Energies of Ytterbium (Z=70)
Authors: Karaçoban Betül , Özdemir Leyla
Published: August 2011

Transition energies of neutral ytterbium (Yb I, Z = 70, belonging to the lanthanide series), including ionization potential, excitation energies, and electron affinity are calculated by the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) method within the framework of the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian and the relativistic Hartree-Fock (HFR) method. Ionization potential and excitation energies of Yb II and Yb III are also reported. The obtained results have been compared with other works.
Squeeze Film Problems of Long Partial Journal Bearings for Non-Newtonian Couple Stress Fluids with Pressure-Dependent Viscosity
Authors: Lin Jaw-Ren , Chu Li-Ming , Hung Chi-Ren , Lu Rong-Fang
Published: August 2011

According to the experimental work of C. Barus in Am. J. Sci. 45, 87 (1893) [1], the dependency of liquid viscosity on pressure is exponential. Therefore, we extend the study of squeeze film problems of long partial journal bearings for Stokes non-Newtonian couple stress fluids by considering the pressure-dependent viscosity in the present paper. Through a small perturbation technique, we derive a first-order closed-form solution for the film pressure, the load capacity, and the response time of partial-bearing squeeze films. It is also found that the non-Newtonian couple-stress partial bearings with pressure-dependent viscosity provide better squeeze-film characteristics than those of the bearing with constant-viscosity situation.
Exact Solutions of the Dirac Equation with Coulomb plus a Novel Angle-Dependent Potential
Authors: Hamzavi Majid , Rajabi A. A.
Published: August 2011

In this paper the Dirac equation is analytically solved for Coulomb plus a novel angle-dependent potential. The Nikiforov-Uvarov method is used to obtain energy eigenvalues and corresponding eigenfunctions. We also discussed the effect of the angle-dependent part on radial solutions.
Magnetohydrodynamic Stagnation Point Flow with a Convective Surface Boundary Condition
Authors: Jafar Khamisah , Ishak Anuar , Nazar Roslinda
Published: August 2011

This study analyzes the steady laminar two-dimensional stagnation point flow and heat transfer of an incompressible viscous fluid impinging normal to a horizontal plate, with the bottom surface of the plate heated by convection from a hot fluid. A uniform magnetic field is applied in a direction normal to the flat plate, with a free stream velocity varying linearly with the distance from the stagnation point. The governing partial differential equations are first transformed into ordinary differential equations, before being solved numerically. The analysis includes the effects of the magnetic parameter, the Prandtl number, and the convective parameter on the heat transfer rate at the surface. Results showed that the heat transfer rate at the surface increases with increasing values of these quantities.
Study of the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Parameters for Copper Ions in Lead Titanate Crystal
Authors: Li Liu , Xie Lin-Hua
Published: August 2011

The electron paramagnetic resonance parameters (g factors g||, g⊥ and hyperfine structure constants A>||, A⊥) of PbTiO3: Cu2+ are calculated from the complete diagonalization method and the perturbation theory method. The calculated results obtained by the complete diagonalization method are close to that obtained by the perturbation theory method, and in good agreement with the experimental values. In the complete diagonalization method, the complete diagonalization procedure is established based on the 3d9 electron system in tetragonal field. From the calculation of the electron paramagnetic resonance parameters, the local defect structure of the [CuO6]-10 cluster can be determined as D4h with Rx = Ry = 0:1952 nm, Rz = 0:2076 nm.
Model of a relativistic oscillator in a generalized Schrödinger picture
Authors: Frick R.A.
Published: August 2011

In a generalized Schrödinger picture, we consider the motion of a relativistic particle in an external field (like in the case of a harmonic oscillator). In this picture the analogs of the Schrödinger operators of the particle are independent of both the time and the space coordinates. These operators induce operators which are related to Killing vectors of the Anti de Sitter (AdS) space. We also consider the nonrelativistic limit.