bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Challenges Facing the Foreign Language Teacher Educator: A Proposed Teacher Education Model for EFL
Authors: Goldfus Carol
Published: April 2012

As a result of the multi-cultural classroom in the 21st century, language teacher educators face new challenges; for example, young learners and those with language-based difficulties. In order to respond to these evolving needs, a new professional approach that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application is proposed. This approach targets what it is that teachers should know about literacy acquisition in at least two languages - a mother tongue and, in this case, English. The contribution of this proposed model to language education is to produce a teacher with declarative knowledge and research tools on the one hand, as well as the ability to cope with a heterogeneous classroom in a multicultural society on the other. This paper also intends to show how pre-service teacher education would benefit from an interdisciplinary approach with a combination of declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge with all teaching being ‘science-based practice’.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v16i1-2.6125 NELTA 2011; 16(1-2): 1-12
Teaching English in a Cross-cultural Context: Challenges and Directions
Authors: Sultana Sharmin
Published: April 2012

English as the foremost medium of international communication at present is called upon to mediate a whole range of cultural and cross-cultural concepts, to a greater extent than in the past. Inevitably human capital has taken a slant to fit in with the globalized world, and the notion of ‘Teaching English in a Cross-cultural Context’ is crucial. Hence, this paper focuses the possibilities and opportunities of multi-cultural education because of the global status of English. Exploring the challenges in teaching English in a cross-cultural context and the way to come out of the deficiency of the learners has been both obscure and controversial since long. What is widely accepted in this regard is English, not being the native language of the learners, triggers some problems. Therefore, the paper highlights core consideration for analyzing the challenges faced by the teachers and learners, and finally, recommends some directions to embrace the challenges. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v16i1-2.6135 NELTA 2011; 16(1-2): 114-122
Digital And Palmar Dermatoglyphics In Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Manara A , Habib MA , Rahman MA , Ayub M , Begum N , Hossain S
Published: April 2012

Introduction: Dermatoglyphics pattern is feature with which human takes birth. As a diagnostic aid, it is now well established in a number of diseases which have a strong hereditary basis. The aetiology of coronary heart diseases is believed to be multi-factorial with genetics playing an important role. Objective: The present study was designed to make an observation of the usefulness of dermatoglyphic pattern in serving as a predictor for myocardial infarction among Bangladeshi male who were non relative to each other. Place of study: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, between October 2003 and February 2005. Method: Inking method was used for taking finger and palm prints. Dermatoglyphic prints of five fingers and palm of both hands of sixty individuals were collected. Of them dermatoglyphic prints of both hands of 30 myocardial infarction (MI) male patients non relative to each other were selected as patients and same of 30 normal male having no myocardial infarction and having no family history of MI were selected as control. The dermatoglyphics of each hand of the patients were compared with those of the controls for: a) frequencies of different finger ridge patterns of the five fingers; b) total finger ridge count (TFRC); c) a-b, b-c, and c-d ridge counts of each hand; d) a-t-d angle; e) frequency of palmar ridge pattern and f) frequencies of different palmar creases. Result: The results of the controls confirmed more or less to the ethnic trends of the normal Bangladeshi. In case of finger dermatoglyphics, the MI patients showed higher frequencies of whorl patterns but lower frequencies of ulnar loop, radial loop and arch patterns than the controls. The mean total finger ridge count of the MI patients was lower than that of the controls (p>0.05). In case of palmar dermatoglyphics a-b, c-d ridge counts was higher and b-c ridge counts was lower in the MI patients than in the controls. Mean a-t-d angle was wider in the MI patients than that of the controls. Palmar patterns and creases showed no significant difference except transitional crease of the right hand that was significantly lower in MI patients than controls. Conclusion: Result of this study may be used to standardize the dermatoglyphic pattern of Bangladeshi population and to identify person susceptible to MI. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i2.10386 JAFMC 2011; 7(2): 4-8
H∞ Based Control for Load Mitigation in Wind Turbines
Authors: De Corcuera Asier Diaz , Pujana-Arrese Aron , Ezquerra Jose M. , Segurola Edurne , Landaluze Joseba
Published: April 2012

This article demonstrates a strategy to design multivariable and multi-objective controllers based on the H∞ norm reduction applied to a wind turbine. The wind turbine model has been developed in the GH Bladed software and it is based on a 5 MW wind turbine defined in the Upwind European project. The designed control strategy works in the above rated power production zone and performs generator speed control and load reduction on the drive train and tower. In order to do this, two robust H∞ MISO (Multi-Input Single-Output) controllers have been developed. These controllers generate collective pitch angle and generator torque set-point values to achieve the imposed control objectives. Linear models obtained in GH Bladed 4.0 are used, but the control design methodology can be used with linear models obtained from any other modelling package. Controllers are designed by setting out a mixed sensitivity problem, where some notch filters are also included in the controller dynamics. The obtained H∞ controllers have been validated in GH Bladed and an exhaustive analysis has been carried out to calculate fatigue load reduction on wind turbine components, as well as to analyze load mitigation in some extreme cases. The analysis compares the proposed control strategy based on H∞ controllers to a baseline control strategy designed using the classical control methods implemented on the present wind turbines.
4-{[(4-Methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-3-hydroxyphenyl 4-(Hexadecanoyloxy)benzoate
Authors: Ha Sie-Tiong , Yeap Guan-Yeow , Boey Peng-Lim
Published: April 2012

A new Schiff base ester, 4-{[(4-methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}-3-hydroxyphenyl 4-(hexadecanoyloxy)benzoate was synthesized and its IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectroscopic data are presented.
Extraction and Characterization of Chitin from the Beetle Holotrichia parallela Motschulsky
Authors: Liu Shaofang , Sun Jie , Yu Lina , Zhang Chushu , Bi Jie , Zhu Feng , Qu Mingjing , Jiang Chen , Yang Qingli
Published: April 2012

Insect chitin was isolated from adult Holotrichia parallela by treatment with 1 M HCl and 1 M NaOH, following by 1% potassium permanganate solution for decolorization. The yield of chitin from this species is 15%. This insect chitin was compared with the commercial a-chitin from shrimp, by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis. Both chitins exhibited similar chemical structures and physicochemical properties. Adult H. parallela is thus a promising alternative source of chitin.
Modification of oligo-Ricinoleic Acid and Its Derivatives with 10-Undecenoic Acid via Lipase-Catalyzed Esterification
Authors: Hayes Douglas G. , Mannam Vinay K. , Ye Ran , Zhao Haizhen , Ortega Salvadora , Montiel M. Claudia
Published: April 2012

Lipases were employed under solvent-free conditions to conjugate oligo-ricinoleic acid derivatives with 10-undecenoic acid, to incorporate a reactive terminal double bond into the resultant product. First, undecenoic acid was covalently attached to oligo-ricinoleic acid using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase (CAL) at a 30% yield. Thirty percent conversion also occurred for CAL-catalyzed esterification between undecenoic acid and biocatalytically-prepared polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR), with attachment of undecenoic acid occurring primarily at free hydroxyls of the polyglycerol moiety. The synthesis of oligo-ricinoleyl-, undecenoyl- structured triacylglycerols comprised two steps. The first step, the 1,3-selective lipase-catalyzed interesterification of castor oil with undecenoic acid, occurred successfully. The second step, the CAL-catalyzed reaction between ricinoleyl-, undecenoyl structured TAG and ricinoleic acid, yielded approximately 10% of the desired structured triacylglycerols (TAG); however, a significant portion of the ricinoleic acid underwent self-polymerization as a side-reaction. The employment of gel permeation chromatography, normal phase HPLC, NMR, and acid value measurements was effective for characterizing the reaction pathways and products that formed.
Variation in intra‐annual wood formation, and foliage and shoot development of three major Canadian boreal tree species
Authors: Zhai Lihong , Bergeron Yves , Huang Jian‐Guo , Berninger Frank
Published: April 2012

• Premise of the study: In a warming climate, boreal trees may have adjusted their growth strategy (e.g., onset and coordination of growth among different organs such as stem, shoot, and foliage, within and among species) to cope with the extended growing seasons. A detailed investigation into growth of different organs during a growing season may help us assess the potential effects of climate change on tree growth in the boreal forest.

• Methods: The intra‐annual growth of stem xylem, shoot tips, and foliage area of Pinus banksiana, Populus tremuloides, and Betula papyrifera was monitored in a boreal forest in Quebec, Canada during the growing season of 2007. Xylem formation was measured at weekly intervals, and shoot elongation and foliage expansion were measured three times per week from May to September. Growth indices for stem, shoot, and foliage were calculated and used to identify any climate–growth dependence.

• Key results: The time periods required for stem growth, branch extension, and foliage expansion differed among species. Of the three species, P. banksiana had the earliest budburst (20 May) yet the latest completion date of the foliage growth (2 August); P. tremuloides had the latest budburst (27 May) yet the earliest completion date of the foliage growth (10 July). Air temperature positively affected shoot extension growth of all three species. Precipitation positively influenced stem growth of the two broadleaf species, whereas growing season temperature positively impacted stem growth of P. banksiana.

• Conclusion: The results show that both the timing of growth processes and environmental dependences differ among co‐occurring species, thereby leading to different adaptive capability of these boreal tree species to climate change.
Jouer les bons citoyens
Authors: Talpin Julien
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le paradigme délibératif, aujourd’hui dominant dans le champ des théories de la démocratie, repose sur une hypothèse anthropologique forte : la délibération aurait pour vertu de modifier les préférences et l’identité des citoyens en les orientant vers le bien commun. Les présupposés épistémologiques de cette approche (inspirée de la psychologie expérimentale et des sciences cognitives, qui mettent l’accent sur le for intérieur des individus) apparaissent néanmoins erronés. Parce que les opinions individuelles sont le fruit de leurs conditions de production et de leur contexte d’expression, et parce que les décisions prises au sein des dispositifs participatifs où se déploie la délibération sont le fruit des arguments effectivement avancés plus que des préférences supposément possédées, l’étude des effets de la délibération doit se concentrer sur le discours des acteurs en situation, sur l’espace d’interaction où les individus discutent, échangent et agissent de concert, et prennent occasionnellement – selon la situation – le rôle collectivement construit de « bons citoyens. » La compétence civique dans des espaces participatifs requiert ainsi de s’exprimer conformément à une grammaire publique délibérative qui, si elle rejette les postures trop ouvertement politisées, n’est pas proprement apolitique puisqu’elle suppose l’expression d’arguments compatibles avec l’intérêt général. Ces règles grammaticales implicites que font respecter les participants réguliers et intégrés poussent les acteurs à modifier leurs arguments et à endosser le rôle de bons citoyens. La participation à des arènes délibératives peut ainsi se traduire par des bifurcations argumentatives et trajectorielles chez certains interactants qui jouent alors pleinement leur rôle de bon citoyen.
Qu'est-ce qu'un « roman moderne » ? Note pour introduire au Surmâle d'Alfred Jarry
Authors: Audi Paul
Published: April 2012

Résumé Le Surmâle d’Alfred Jarry (1902) pose de façon apparemment ludique la question des relations entre le désir, la jouissance et l’amour. Mais le soustitre du roman (« roman moderne ») pose une tout autre question. Car que veut dire ici modernité ? Est-ce seulement parce que son intrigue participe d’une forme de « science-fiction » qu’il est appelé ainsi ? On montrera que c’est en fait au caractère de fiction de la science moderne que le roman de Jarry emprunte sa forme. Et l’on verra ainsi pourquoi, mais aussi et surtout comment, la modernité de ce roman signifie que « l’expérience de pensée », dont tout roman moderne participe en vérité, se présente sous la forme d’une « expérimentation idéale ».
Immunogenicity and Cross-Reactivity of a Representative Ancestral Sequence in Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Burke Kelly P. , Munshaw Supriya , Osburn William O. , Levine Jordana , Liu Lin , Sidney John , Sette Alessandro , Ray Stuart C. , Cox Andrea L.
Published: April 2012

Vaccines designed to prevent or to treat hepatitis C viral infection must achieve maximum cross-reactivity against widely divergent circulating strains. Rational approaches for sequence selection to maximize immunogenicity and minimize genetic distance across circulating strains may enhance vaccine induction of optimal cytotoxic T cell responses. We assessed T cell recognition of potential hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine sequences generated using three rational approaches: combining epitopes with predicted tight binding to the MHC, consensus sequence (most common amino acid at each position), and representative ancestral sequence that had been derived using Bayesian phylogenetic tools. No correlation was seen between peptide–MHC binding affinity and frequency of recognition, as measured by an IFN-γ T cell response in HLA-matched HCV-infected individuals. Peptides encoding representative, consensus, and natural variant sequences were then tested for the capacity to expand CD8 T cell populations and to elicit cross-reactive CD8 T cell responses. CD8+ T cells expanded with representative sequence HCV generally more broadly and robustly recognized highly diverse circulating HCV strains than did T cells expanded with either consensus sequence or naturally occurring sequence variants. These data support the use of representative sequence in HCV vaccine design.
IL-27 Production and STAT3-Dependent Upregulation of B7-H1 Mediate Immune Regulatory Functions of Liver Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells
Authors: Matta Benjamin M. , Raimondi Giorgio , Rosborough Brian R. , Sumpter Tina L. , Thomson Angus W.
Published: April 2012

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are highly specialized APCs that, in addition to their well-recognized role in anti-viral immunity, also regulate immune responses. Liver-resident pDCs are considerably less immunostimulatory than those from secondary lymphoid tissues and are equipped to promote immune tolerance/regulation through various mechanisms. IL-27 is an IL-12 family cytokine that regulates the function of both APCs and T cells, although little is known about its role in pDC immunobiology. In this study, we show that mouse liver pDCs express higher levels of IL-27p28 and EBV-induced protein 3 (Ebi3) compared with those of splenic pDCs. Both populations of pDCs express the IL-27Rα/WSX-1; however, only liver pDCs significantly upregulate expression of the coregulatory molecule B7 homolog-1 (B7-H1) in response to IL-27. Inhibition of STAT3 activation completely abrogates IL-27–induced upregulation of B7-H1 expression on liver pDCs. Liver pDCs treated with IL-27 increase the percentage of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in MLR, which is dependent upon expression of B7-H1. pDCs from Ebi3-deficient mice lacking functional IL-27 show increased capacity to stimulate allogeneic T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production in MLR. Liver but not spleen pDCs suppress delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to OVA, an effect that is lost with Ebi3−/− and B7-H1−/− liver pDCs compared with wild-type liver pDCs. These data suggest that IL-27 signaling in pDCs promotes their immunoregulatory function and that IL-27 produced by pDCs contributes to their capacity to regulate immune responses in vitro and in vivo.
American elder cultivation under cold climates: Potential and limitations
Authors: Drapeau Raynald , Charlebois Denis
Published: April 2012

Drapeau, R. and Charlebois, D. 2012. American elder cultivation under cold climates: Potential and limitations. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 473–484. The hardiness, development, fruit yield and anthocyanin content of six American elder (Sambucus canadensis L.) cultivars from an orchard in a relatively cold area (Normandin, QC) were evaluated over a 7-yr period. Although the study site was located further north than this species’ natural range, the six cultivars tolerated the climatic conditions well and exhibited good growth. Fruit production was moderate in the first 2 yr after planting and then hovered around 5 kg per plant in the following 2 yr for all cultivars except for the wild ecotype. The short growing season under Normandin's climatic conditions limited fruit maturation, however. The fruits produced in Normandin generally had a lower anthocyanin content than their counterparts produced in L'Acadie, in southern Quebec. The selection or development of early cultivars or the production of flowers should therefore be recommended in cold climates. Conversion of the biomass produced during pruning could be considered as an additional source of revenue. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, the production potential of American elder in orchards under climatic conditions comparable with those in the Saguenay–Lac–Saint-Jean region.
Effect of crop residue, nitrogen rate and fungicide application on malting barley productivity, quality, and foliar disease severity
Authors: Turkington T. K. , O'Donovan J. T. , Edney M. J. , Juskiw P. E. , McKenzie R. H. , Harker K. N. , Clayton G. W. , Xi K. , Lafond G. P. , Irvine R. B. , Brandt S. , Johnson E. N. , May W. E. , Smith E.
Published: April 2012

Turkington, T. K., O'Donovan, J. T., Edney, M. J., Juskiw, P. E., McKenzie, R. H., Harker, K. N., Clayton, G. W., Xi, K., Lafond, G. P., Irvine, R. B., Brandt, S., Johnson, E. N., May, W. E. and Smith, E. 2012. Effect of crop residue, nitrogen rate and fungicide application on malting barley productivity, quality, and foliar disease severity. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 577–588. The productivity and quality of the malting barley cultivar AC Metcalfe and leaf disease severity were evaluated under three residue types [barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.)], two nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates (50 or 100% of soil test recommendation for N), and two fungicide treatments (no fungicide or fungicide applied) at seven sites across western Canada from 2006 to 2009. Residue type had a significant effect on leaf disease severity, which was increased when barley was the previous crop compared with canola and field peas. In general, emergence, head counts, grain yield, kernel weight, test weight, kernel plumpness were lowest for barley grown on barley residue compared with canola and field pea residue. Fungicide application reduced leaf disease severity and increased yield, kernel weight, test weight, and kernel plumpness, while decreasing dockage and thins. However, the magnitude of the impact of fungicide on one or more of these parameters was lower compared with planting barley on field pea or canola residue. Overall, increasing the N rate from 50 to 100% had no effect on leaf disease levels and only increased yields slightly compared with not planting barley on barley residue. However, the 100% rate of N did significantly increase grain protein levels. In contrast, planting barley on field pea residue did not result in a consistent increase in grain protein.
Invited review: Engineering aspects of physical treatments to increase fruit and vegetable phytochemical content
Authors: Vigneault Clément , Leblanc Denyse I. , Goyette Bernard , Jenni Sylvie
Published: April 2012

Vigneault, C., Leblanc, D. I., Goyette, B. and Jenni, S. 2012. Engineering aspects of physical treatments to increase fruit and vegetable phytochemical content. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 373–397. The levels of phytochemicals in fruit and vegetables are affected by many preharvest and postharvest factors, such as cultivars, farming practices, environmental conditions, harvest techniques, and postharvest handling and treatment. Postharvest factors are generally the easiest to manage since produce handling takes place mainly under controllable conditions. Although specific physical treatments, such as heat and ultraviolet radiation, have been developed to increase the phytochemical content of horticultural produce, very little information is available on the engineering aspects of these treatments. A review of the engineering aspects related to phytochemical-enhancing physical treatments was undertaken to identify the process parameters required to obtain repeatable results, the basic information required for scale-up of the process, and the key parameters required to ensure appropriate monitoring and control of commercial applications. The uniformity, efficiency, efficacy, ease of control and ease of scale-up of various physical treatments were compared to support the development of a new phytochemical-enhancing treatment for potential commercial application. These treatment methods were considered independently of the physical characteristics of the produce treated (type of produce, size, shape, and positioning) to reduce the number of parameters to be studied with a view to scale-up processes, following identification of the optimal processing conditions through laboratory-scale testing.
Current twisting and nonsingular matrices
Authors: Clay Matt T. , Pettet Alexandra
Published: April 2012

We show that for

k \geq 3

, given any matrix in GL(

k,\mathbb{Z}

), there is a hyperbolic fully irreducible automorphism of the free group of rank

k

whose induced action on

\mathbb{Z}^k

is the given matrix.
Floer homology on the universal cover, Audin’s conjecture and other constraints on Lagrangian submanifolds
Authors: Damian Mihai
Published: April 2012

We establish a new version of Floer homology for monotone Lagrangian embeddings in symplectic manifolds. As applications, we get assertions for monotone Lagrangian submanifolds

L\hookrightarrow M

which are displaceable through Hamiltonian isotopies (this happens for instance when

M=\mathbb{C}^{n}

). We show that when

L

is aspherical, or more generally when the homology of its universal cover vanishes in odd degrees, its Maslov number

N_{L}

equals 2. This is a generalization of Audin’s conjecture. We also give topological characterisations of Lagrangians

L\hookrightarrow M

with maximal Maslov number: when

N_{L}=\dim (L)+1

then

L

is homeomorphic to a sphere; when

N_{L}=n\geq 6

then

L

fibers over the circle and the fiber is homeomorphic to a sphere. A consequence is that any exact Lagrangian in

T^{\ast}S^{2k+1}

whose Maslov class is zero is homeomorphic to

S^{2k+1}

.
Smooth compactness of self-shrinkers
Authors: Colding Tobias H. , Minicozzi II William P.
Published: April 2012

We prove a smooth compactness theorem for the space of embedded self-shrinkers in

\mathbb{R}^3

. Since self-shrinkers model singularities in mean curvature flow, this theorem can be thought of as a compactness result for the space of all singularities and it plays an important role in studying generic mean curvature flow.
Night-time enhanced atmospheric ion concentrations in the marine boundary layer
Authors: Kalivitis N. , Stavroulas I. , Bougiatioti A. , Kouvarakis G. , Gagné S. , Manninen H. E. , Kulmala M. , Mihalopoulos N.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Measurements of atmospheric ions in the size range 0.8–42 nm were conducted at the environmental research station of the University of Crete at Finokalia from April 2008 to April 2009 in the frame of the EUCAARI project. Both positive and negative atmospheric ions were found to have a clear annual cycle, with minimum concentrations in summer. Their concentrations were found to vary with the prevailing meteorology and the abundance of aerosol particles in the atmosphere. High concentrations of ions were observed during new particle formation events. There were 53 nucleation events recorded. It was found that under certain atmospheric conditions enhanced ion concentrations can be observed during night. Overall, 39 night-time events were observed, all of them observed for the negatively charged particles while only 21 were observed for the positively charged particles. Night-time enhanced ion concentrations were more frequent during spring and autumn and no such events were recorded from July to September. A strong anti-correlation was found between air ion concentrations, especially at cluster sizes (1.25–1.66 nm), and condensation and coagulation sinks. Enhanced ion concentrations at night were found to be more frequent when air masses had traveled over the island of Crete, indicating possible association with local biogenic sources.
SCIAMACHY WFM-DOAS XCO2: comparison with CarbonTracker XCO2 focusing on aerosols and thin clouds
Authors: Heymann J. , Schneising O. , Reuter M. , Buchwitz M. , Rozanov V. V. , Velazco V. A. , Bovensmann H. , Burrows J. P.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most important greenhouse gas whose atmospheric loading has been significantly increased by anthropogenic activity leading to global warming. Accurate measurements and models are needed in order to reliably predict our future climate. This, however, has challenging requirements. Errors in measurements and models need to be identified and minimised. In this context, we present a comparison between satellite-derived column-averaged dry air mole fractions of CO2, denoted XCO2, retrieved from SCIAMACHY/ENVISAT using the WFM-DOAS algorithm, and output from NOAA's global CO2 modelling and assimilation system CarbonTracker. We investigate to what extent differences between these two data sets are influenced by systematic retrieval errors due to aerosols and unaccounted clouds. We analyse seven years of SCIAMACHY WFM-DOAS version 2.1 retrievals (WFMDv2.1) using the latest version of CarbonTracker (version 2010). We investigate to what extent the difference between SCIAMACHY and CarbonTracker XCO2 are temporally and spatially correlated with global aerosol and cloud data sets. For this purpose, we use a global aerosol data set generated within the European GEMS project, which is based on assimilated MODIS satellite data. For clouds, we use a data set derived from CALIOP/CALIPSO. We find significant correlations of the SCIAMACHY minus CarbonTracker XCO2 difference with thin clouds over the Southern Hemisphere. The maximum temporal correlation we find for Darwin, Australia (r2 = 54%). Large temporal correlations with thin clouds are also observed over other regions of the Southern Hemisphere (e.g. 43% for South America and 31% for South Africa). Over the Northern Hemisphere the temporal correlations are typically much lower. An exception is India, where large temporal correlations with clouds and aerosols have also been found. For all other regions the temporal correlations with aerosol are typically low. For the spatial correlations the picture is less clear. They are typically low for both aerosols and clouds, but dependent on region and season, they may exceed 30% (the maximum value of 46% has been found for Darwin during September to November). Overall we find that the presence of thin clouds can potentially explain a significant fraction of the difference between SCIAMACHY WFMDv2.1 XCO2 and CarbonTracker over the Southern Hemisphere. Aerosols appear to be less of a problem. Our study indicates that the quality of the satellite derived XCO2 will significantly benefit from a reduction of scattering related retrieval errors at least for the Southern Hemisphere.
Isotopic and lithologic variations of one precisely dated stalagmite across the Medieval/LIA period from Heilong Cave, Central China
Authors: Cui Y. F. , Wang Y. J. , Cheng H. , Zhao K. , Kong X. G.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Lithologic and isotopic changes of one stalagmite (224 mm in length) from Heilong Cave, Central China, are here investigated in order to explore multiple speleothem proxies of monsoon climate. High uranium concentrations (6–10 ppm) ensure Th-230 dates precisely and resultant chronology ranges from ~790 AD to 1780 across the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) to Little Ice Age (LIA). Annually resolved oxygen and carbon isotopic data, gray level and elemental Sr are highly related to macroscopic lithologic changes. A lamination sequence is composed of alternations of white-porous and dark-compact calcite clearly discerned on the polished surface. The dark-compact laminae have low values of gray level, high Sr and δ13C values, indicating periods of low growth rate under dry climate conditions, and vise versa for the white-porous laminae. This suggests that changes in hydrology, matter input of drip water and crystallization process were controlled by cave environments and climates. The alternation of dry and wet periods with a significant periodicity of ~90 yr, as indicated by spectral analysis of the multiple proxies, is further supported by a reconstructed precipitation index by historical documents and instrumental data extending back to 1470 AD. A strong coherence between monsoon proxy of calcite δ18O and the other proxies was observed during the LIA but not during the MWP. This is likely due to changes in atmospheric circulation pattern at the boundary of MWP/LIA. When the Intertropical Convergence Zone shifted southward during the LIA, summer monsoon precipitation at the cave site was probably dominated by the Mei-Yu, resulting in water vapor mainly originated from adjacent oceanic sources.
Validation of FOAM near-surface ocean current forecasts using Lagrangian drifting buoys
Authors: Blockley E. W. , Martin M. J. , Hyder P.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. In this study, the quality of near-surface current forecasts from the FOAM ocean forecasting system is assessed using the trajectories of Lagrangian drifting buoys. A method is presented for deriving pseudo-Eulerian estimates of ocean currents from the positions of Surface Velocity Program drifters and the resulting data are compared to velocities observed by the global tropical moored buoy array. A quantitative analysis of the global FOAM velocities is performed for the period 2007 and 2008 using currents derived from over 3000 unique drifters (providing an average of 650 velocity observations per day). A potential bias is identified in the Southern Ocean which appears to be caused by wind-slip in the drifter dataset as a result of drogue loss. The drifter-derived currents are also used to show how the data assimilation scheme and a recent system upgrade impact upon the quality of FOAM current forecasts.
The Influence of Ethnicity on the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Women with Gestational Diabetes: A Prospective Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Girgis Christian M. , Gunton Jenny E. , Cheung N. Wah
Published: April 2012

As the worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate, the search for susceptible populations likely to benefit from preventative measures becomes more important. One such population is women with a previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In this prospective study of 101 women who had GDM in Australia, ethnicity was a major risk factor for the development of diabetes following a diagnosis of GDM. With a mean followup of 5.5 years after GDM, South Asian women had a significantly higher risk of developing abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) (69%) than women of all other ethnicities (P<0.05). The prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance was also very high amongst other groups: South East and East Asian (11/27, 41%), Middle-Eastern (8/18, 44%), South European backgrounds (5/12, 42%), and Australian-born women 39% (11/28). A review of the literature supports the role of ethnicity in the development of diabetes amongst these women. These findings have implications for South Asian countries and countries such as Australia where there is a population from diverse ethnic backgrounds and where the implementation of targeted measures to stem the growing tide of diabetes is needed.
In-Cell Clean-Up Pressurised Liquid Extraction Method to Determine Pesticides in Mushroom Compost by Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Labarta Patricia , Martínez-Moral María Pilar , Tena María Teresa
Published: April 2012

A fast, simple, and easily automated method for the determination of two insecticides, diazinon and deltamethrin, and two fungicides, iprodione and prochloraz, in mushroom cultivation compost samples, based on selective pressurised liquid extraction (SPLE) and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, is presented. The proposed method integrates extraction and clean-up processes in one single step, by adding a clean-up sorbent into the extraction cell. SPLE variables were thoroughly studied by experimental design. First, different clean-up sorbents and extraction solvents were screened at two temperature levels using a multifactor design; resulting Florisil and 1 : 1 acetone-dichloromethane the best combination. Then, temperature, extraction time, and sample-sorbent mass ratio were optimized by a central composite design. Best recoveries were obtained with a 0.4 sample-sorbent ratio, at 105°C and a 2 min extraction time. The SPLE method was characterized in terms of recovery (with values ranging from 81 to 103%), repeatability and intermediate precision (showing relative standard deviations less than 12% in most cases), and sensitivity (providing detection limits between 0.1 and 6 ng mL–1). However, in spite of the clean-up process a matrix effect was observed and therefore standard addition calibration was recommended.
Pine Nut Processing in Southern California is the Absence of Evidence the Evidence of Absence?
Authors: Gamble Lynn H. , Mattingly Scott
Published: April 2012

Burned rock features that were used for heat, light, the processing of resources, cooking, roasting, ceremonial purposes, and other functions are encountered all over the world. Over 200 prehistoric fire-altered rock (FAR) features have been documented at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, an area ethnographically occupied by the Kumeyaay Indians along the central coast of San Diego County in southern California. These features are more densely concentrated at sites within the boundaries of the reserve than at other nearby coastal locations, suggesting an association with a specific resource in the area. Although many FAR features found in southern California and the Southwest are often interpreted as Agave deserti or Yucca whipplei roasting pits, these species are rare at the reserve; the few that exist there today are believed to be modem introductions. We propose that the FAR features in the project area were probably used to process Torrey pine nuts, a high-ranked resource that was valued by the Kumeyaay.
Working Through Disaster: Re-establishing Mental Health Care After Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Baker Natalie D. , Feldman Martha S. , Lowerson Victoria
Published: April 2012

Objective:Our research explored how mental health care providers continued to work during and after Hurricane Katrina.

Methods:We interviewed 32 practitioners working in the New Orleans mental health care community during and after Hurricane Katrina. Through qualitative data analysis, we developed three temporal periods of disruption: the evacuation period, the surreal period, and the new normal period. We analyzed the actions informants took during these time periods.

Results:The mental health care providers adapted to disruption by displaying two forms of flexibility: doing different tasks and doing tasks differently. How much and how they engaged in these forms of flexibility varied during the three periods.

Conclusions:Informants' actions helped to create system resilience by adjusting the extent to which they were doing different tasks and the ways in which they were doing tasks differently during the three time periods. Their flexibility allowed them to provide basic care and adapt to changed circumstances. Their flexibility also contributed to maintaining a skilled workforce in the affected region.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:311–315)
High‐Throughput, Multiplexed Analysis of 3‐Nitrotyrosine in Individual Proteins
Authors: Jin Hongjun , Zangar Richard C.
Published: April 2012

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are derived as a result of inflammation and oxidative stress and can result in protein modifications. As such, these protein modifications are used as biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, modifications in single‐tissue‐associated proteins released into blood can provide insight into the tissue localization of the inflammation or oxidative stress. We have developed an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay antibody microarray platform to analyze the levels of 3‐nitrotyrosine in specific proteins in a variety of biological samples, including human plasma and sputum. Selective‐capture antibodies are used to immunoprecipitate individual proteins from samples onto isolated spots on the microarray chips. Then, a monoclonal antibody for 3‐nitrotyrosine is used to detect the amount of 3‐nitrotyrosine on each spot. Our studies suggest that this approach can be used to detect trace amounts of 3‐nitrotyrosine in human plasma and sputum. In this paper, we describe our antibody microarray protocol for detecting 3‐nitrotyrosine in specific proteins. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 51:17.15.1‐17.15.16. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Developmental Immunotoxicity (DIT): Assays for Evaluating Effects of Exogenous Agents on Development of the Immune System
Authors: DeWitt Jamie C. , Peden‐Adams Margie M. , Keil Deborah E. , Dietert Rodney R.
Published: April 2012

Developmental immunotoxicity (DIT) occurs when exposure to environmental risk factors prior to adulthood, including chemical, biological, physical, or physiological factors, alters immune system development. DIT may elicit suppression, hyperactivation, or misregulation of immune responses and may present clinically as decreased resistance to pathogens, allergic and autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases. Immunotoxicity testing guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency for adult animals (OPPTS 8703.7800) require functional tests and immunophenotyping that are suitable for detecting immunomodulation, especially immunosuppression. However, evaluating immune function in offspring that are not fully immunocompetent yields results that are challenging to interpret. Therefore, this unit will describe an optimum exposure scenario, reference two assays (immunophenotyping and histopathology) appropriate for detecting immunomodulation in weaning‐age offspring, and reference four assays (immunophenotyping, histopathology, T cell‐dependent antibody responses, and delayed‐type hypersensitivity) appropriate for detecting immunomodulation in immunocompetent offspring. The protocol also will reference other assays (natural killer cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte) with potential utility for assessing DIT. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 51:18.15.1‐18.15.14. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Randomized prospective study of a work place ergonomic intervention for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Baldwin Diana , Johnstone Brick , Ge Bin , Hewett John , Smith Marian , Sharp Gordon
Published: April 2012

Objective

To conduct a longitudinal randomized controlled trial comparing a work place ergonomic intervention versus a control (i.e., provision of written educational materials) for persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) regarding employment, physical, and symptom outcomes.

Methods

Eighty‐nine participants (mean age 50.54 years, 87% women, 38% with RA, 62% with OA) were randomized into the intervention or control group. Seventy‐five participants completed baseline, 12‐month, and 24‐month evaluations. Outcome measures included Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2) physical, symptom (i.e., pain), and role scores (i.e., impact of arthritis on employment); Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS); and Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index. The study design was a 2‐factor (treatment and time) with repeated measures on 1 factor (time) design used with baseline as a covariate for 12‐ and 24‐month data.

Results

Between‐group analyses indicated differences at 24 months for the AIMS2 role score (P < 0.03), with the intervention group reporting less arthritis‐related impact on their work. Within‐group analyses indicated significant improvements for the intervention group in AIMS2 change scores for physical functioning and symptom variables at 12 months (P < 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively) and 24 months (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Job satisfaction (JSS) decreased at 12 months for both the intervention (P < 0.01) and control groups (P < 0.01), and at 24 months for the control group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

An ergonomic work place intervention (versus a control) is associated with decreased arthritis‐related work difficulties over 2 years for individuals with OA and RA, as well as improvements in physical functioning and pain.
Long‐term followup for rheumatoid arthritis patients in a multicenter outcomes study of silicone metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty
Authors: Chung Kevin C. , Burns Patricia B. , Kim H. Myra , Burke Frank D. , Wilgis E. F. Shaw , Fox David A.
Published: April 2012

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often results in deformities at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Patients with severe deformities can be treated by silicone metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty (SMPA). The objective of the study is to prospectively compare long‐term outcomes for an SMPA surgical and a nonsurgical cohort of RA patients.

Methods

A total of 67 surgical and 95 nonsurgical patients with severe subluxation and/or ulnar drift of the fingers at the MCP joints were recruited from 2004–2008 in this multicenter prospective cohort study. Patients could elect to undergo SMPA or not. Outcomes included the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2), grip/pinch strength, Jebsen‐Taylor Test, ulnar deviation, extensor lag, and arc of motion measurements at the MCP joints.

Results

There was no significant difference in the mean age, race, education, and income at baseline between the 2 groups. Surgical subjects had worse MHQ function and functional measurements at baseline. At 3 years, the mean overall MHQ score and the MHQ function, activities of daily living, aesthetics, and satisfaction scores showed significant improvement in the surgical group compared to the nonsurgical group. Ulnar deviation, extensor lag, and arc of motion in the MCP and proximal interphalangeal joints also improved significantly in the surgical group. No improvement was seen in the mean AIMS2 scores and grip/pinch strength. Complications were minimal with a fracture rate of 9.5%.

Conclusion

RA patients with poor baseline functioning showed long‐term improvement in hand function and appearance following treatment with SMPA compared to nonsurgical controls.
N‐Doped Graphene‐SnO2 Sandwich Paper for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Xi , Cao Xinqiang , Bourgeois Laure , Guan Hasigaowa , Chen Shimou , Zhong Yeteng , Tang Dai‐Ming , Li Huiqiao , Zhai Tianyou , Li Liang , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri
Published: April 2012

A new facile route to fabricate N‐doped graphene‐SnO2 sandwich papers is developed. The 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane anion (TCNQ−) plays a key role for the formation of such structures as it acts as both the nitrogen source and complexing agent. If used in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), the material exhibits a large capacity, high rate capability, and excellent cycling stability. The superior electrochemical performance of this novel material is the result from its unique features: excellent electronic conductivity related to the sandwich structure, short transportation length for both lithium ions and electrons, and elastomeric space to accommodate volume changes upon Li insertion/extraction.
Polyglycerol‐Dendronized Perylenediimides as Stable, Water‐Soluble Fluorophores
Authors: Yang Si Kyung , Zimmerman Steven C.
Published: April 2012

The synthesis and photophysical properties of water‐soluble, fluorescent polyglycerol‐dendronized perylenediimides 1–4 are reported. The polyglycerol dendrons, which are known to be highly biocompatible, are found to confer high water‐solubility on the perylenediimide in aqueous media while retaining its excellent fluorescent properties. Furthermore, intramolecular crosslinking of the polyglycerol dendrons using the ring‐closing metathesis reaction not only enhances the photostability but also reduces the size of perylenediimide‐cored dendrimers. The permeability of the various dendritic shells is probed using heavy metal ion quenchers and compared to non‐dendritic but water‐soluble perylenediimide 5.