bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Production of Bio-Combustibles from Pyrolysis of Agro-Industrial Wastes
Authors: Volpe Maurizio , D'Anna Carmelo , Messineo Simona , Volpe Roberto , Messineo Antonio
Published: November 2014

Evaluation of the sustainability of biomass pyrolysis requires a thorough assessment of the product yields and energy densities. With this purpose, a laboratory scale fixed bed reactor (FBR) was adapted from the standard Gray-King (GK) assay test on coal to conduct fixed bed pyrolysis experiments on agricultural and agro-industrial by-products. The present study provides results on the pyrolysis of two types of biomass: chipped olive tree trimmings (OT) and olive pomace (OP). Solid (char) and liquid (tar) product yields are reported. Mass yields are determined and compared with values obtained in similar works. Results indicate that char yield decreases from 49% (OT-db) and 50% (OP-db) at 325 °C to 26% (OT db) and 30% (OP-db) at 650 °C. Tar yield is almost constant (42%) at different reaction temperatures for OT, while it decreases slightly from 42% to 35% for OP. Energy density of the products at different peak temperatures is almost constant for OT (1.2), but slightly increases for OP (from a value of 1.3 to a value of 1.4).
Variations psychanalytiques sur les aventures de Harry Potter
Authors: Durieux Marie-Paule , Matot Jean-Paul
Published: November 2014

Dans cet article, les auteurs analysent la saga de Harry Potter au fil des sept tomes du roman de J.K. Rowling sous deux angles principaux : -Les relations et aventures des différents personnages, dans un monde magique parallèle au monde réel, peuvent être lues comme une description métaphorique des processus développementaux et défensifs au cours de la période adolescente de 11 à 18 ans. A travers les destins enchevêtrés de Harry et Lord Voldemort, les auteurs envisagent la clinique du processus adolescentaire lorsqu’il y a eu un passé traumatique marqué par des deuils précoces et des carences affectives, une transmission transgénérationnelle aliénante et des secrets familiaux. L’impact de leurs histoires infantiles, familiales et trangénérationnelles aura pour l’un et pour l’autre des issues différentes, affrontement d’un noyau mélancolique pour Harry, et développement d’une psychose paranoïaque pour Voldemort.
Gérer l'histoire de sa naissance
Authors: Lannoy Pierre
Published: November 2014

Cet article étudie la composition des récits de la naissance de Volkswagen par les services autorisés de l’entreprise. Le fabricant allemand a pour particularité de devoir sa fondation et son produit industriel à un régime politique unanimement considéré comme condamnable, le nazisme. Comment, chez Volkswagen, parle-t-on alors de sa propre naissance ? L’article décrit les évolutions du lexique, de l’iconographie et de la composition de ces récits, et montre qu’ils rejouent à chaque période la mise en scène du pouvoir dans l’entreprise, en vue de répondre aux enjeux internes et externes du moment.
Les usages institués et stratégiques du passé d'une organisation bancaire
Authors: Moulévrier Pascale , Suaud Charles
Published: November 2014

Les usages que le Crédit Mutuel fait de ses origines relèvent d’une pédagogie à double face : objectivée, sous la forme de connaissances transmises, et incorporée. Tout au long de l’histoire de l’entreprise, les responsables sont, pour leur part, tenus d’incarner les valeurs mutualistes afin de maintenir une position originale dans l’espace bancaire. Du côté des salariés, cet esprit des origines est efficace au prix d’une sélection qui retient des agents disposés à se mettre au service d’une clientèle de « petites gens ». Enfin, le rapport au passé est un moyen de gérer les évolutions d’une banque qui demande, non sans tensions, d’accepter les injonctions financières sans déroger à ses principes fondateurs.
Novice Designer Performance Comparison Between the Entity Relationship Event Network and the Event-Based Logical Relational Design Techniques
Authors: Batra Dinesh , Wishart Nicole
Published: November 2014

Previous information systems (IS) research has established that novice database designers experience cognitive overload when faced with many interacting entities in modeling relationships. The authors contend that this problem occurs mainly when events are involved. Results of an initial study provide support that novice database designers indeed have difficulty recognizing and modeling events. They propose two techniques that can address the difficulties encountered by novices when modeling events using the entity-relationship model. Entity-relationship event network (EREN) is a top-down and template-driven technique. Event-based logical relational design (ELRD) is a bottom-up and heuristic-driven technique. Employing the cognitive load theory (CLT) to guide the hypotheses, the authors compare the usability of EREN and ELRD for novice designers. Results indicate that both techniques facilitate satisfactory designer performance when modeling events. Overall, the ELRD technique leads to better designer performance. There is an interaction effect between technique and task complexity as the significant performance advantage of ELRD at the lower-complexity task gets mitigated at the higher-complexity task. The two techniques do not differ significantly on the constructs of behavioral intention to use, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and self-efficacy. Overall, the ELRD technique is recommended for modeling events.
Improving Business Intelligence Traceability and Accountability
Authors: Chee Chin-Hoong , Yeoh William , Gao Shijia , Richards Gregory
Published: November 2014

A Business Intelligence (BI) system provides users with multi-dimensional information (a so-called ‘BI product') to support decision-making. However, existing BI systems overlook the lineage metadata which supports individual data quality dimensions such as data believability and ease of understanding. Using a design science research paradigm, this paper proposes and develops an integrated framework (known as BI Product and Metacontent Map - ‘BIP-Map') to facilitate the traceability and accountability of BI products. Specifically, the business workflow layer of the integrated framework is modelled using business process modelling notation, and an information product map is used to model the second layer's information manufacturing process, whilst the third layer represents the metacontent detail of the data validation stage, from source system through to ETL, to the data warehousing stage. Also, the authors develop a BIP-Map informed prototype in collaboration with an online job advertising firm, the framework then being validated by key BI stakeholders of the firm. The integrated framework addresses individual-related data quality issues and builds user confidence by enhancing the traceability and accountability of a BI product.
Privacy-Preserving Outsourced Similarity Search
Authors: Kozak Stepan , Novak David , Zezula Pavel
Published: November 2014

The general trend in data management is to outsource data to 3rd party systems that would provide data retrieval as a service. This approach naturally brings privacy concerns about the (potentially sensitive) data. Recently, quite extensive research has been done on privacy-preserving outsourcing of traditional exact-match and keyword search. However, not much attention has been paid to outsourcing of similarity search, which is essential in content-based retrieval in current multimedia, sensor or scientific data. In this paper, the authors propose a scheme of outsourcing similarity search. They define evaluation criteria for these systems with an emphasis on usability, privacy and efficiency in real applications. These criteria can be used as a general guideline for a practical system analysis and we use them to survey and mutually compare existing approaches. As the main result, the authors propose a novel dynamic similarity index EM-Index that works for an arbitrary metric space and ensures data privacy and thus is suitable for search systems outsourced for example in a cloud environment. In comparison with other approaches, the index is fully dynamic (update operations are efficient) and its aim is to transfer as much load from clients to the server as possible.
Hydroxyapatite/ Chitosan Biocomposite for Remazol Blue Dyes Removal
Authors: Hamzah Sofiah , Salleh M.F.M.
Published: November 2014

This study aimed to synthesis and characterized hydroxyapatite/ chitosan biocomposite for Remazol Blue Dyes Removal. Hydroxyapatite was extracted from egg shell and incooporated with commercial chitosan to improve its mechanical strength and adsorption capacity. The prepared adsorbent was characterized in term of morphology using scanning electron microscope and the presence of funtional group in this biocomposite were confirmed by ATR-FTIR. Performance of hydroxyapatite/ chitosan was evaluted by its efficiency for remazol blue dyes removal. The observed results show that the developed adsorbent achieved the highest adsorption capacity for about 95 % dyes removal. The findings in this study perhaps can be used as a fundamental knowledge for the development of dyes wastewater treatment mainly in textile industry.
Use of Imaging Techniques for Viewing the Internal Structure of Rubberised Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Hassan Norhidayah Abdul , Airey Gordon , Jaya Ramadhansyah Putra , Mahmud Mohd Zul Hanif , Mashros Nordiana
Published: November 2014

This paper presents the application of different imaging techniques for viewing the internal structure of rubberized asphalt mixture as road materials. Two imaging techniques were used to capture the internal structure images of its compacted samples i.e. X-ray Computed Tomography (non-destructive method) and Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM (destructive method). Since a lot of previous researchers have produced extensive works on the mechanical properties, therefore, this study is an attempt to introduce the microstructure of rubberized asphalt mixtures produced using dry process method. Two types of dry mixed rubberized asphalt mixture were prepared by modifying a Hot Rolled Asphalt Mixture (HRA 60/20) with different crumb rubber sizes. A mixture of conventional HRA 60/20 was also scanned for comparison. The illustrations are aimed to provide the researchers more information regarding their internal structure distribution.Keywords: Imaging techniques, X-ray Computed Tomography, Scanning Electron Microscope, Rubberised Asphalt Mixture
Microstructure and Properties of Ti(C,N)-Based Cermets
Authors: Xiao Shui Qing , Wu Shang Hua
Published: November 2014

The present review will try to sum up the research on the microstructure and properties of the Ti(C,N)-based cermets materials in recent years. Firstly, the development history, the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets, and the relationship between Ti(C,N)-based cermets microstructure and their properties were introduced respectively. Secondly, Compared with different microstructure and properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets material which were made by different composite constituent. Furthermore, the relationship between mechanical properties of Ti(C,N)-based cermets and sintering method was introduced. Results show that the high performance products can be produced by means of fast sintering techniques at low temperature successfully, such as spark plasma sintering technology. However, the most widely used way is vacuum sintering method. Lastly, the development trend of Ti(C,N)-based cermets were included.
Solid biofuels production from agricultural residues and processing by-products by means of torrefaction treatment: the case of sunflower chain
Authors: Duca Daniele , Riva Giovanni , Foppa Pedretti Ester , Toscano Giuseppe , Mengarelli Chiara , Rossini Giorgio
Published: November 2014

The high heterogeneity of some residual biomasses makes rather difficult their energy use. Their standardisation is going to be a key aspect to get good quality biofuels from those residues. Torrefaction is an interesting process to improve the physical and chemical properties of lignocellulosic biomasses and to achieve standardisation. In the present study torrefaction has been employed on residues and by-products deriving from sunflower production chain, in particular sunflower stalks, husks and oil press cake. The thermal behaviour of these materials has been studied at first by thermogravimetric analysis in order to identify torrefaction temperatures range. Afterwards, different residence time and torrefaction temperatures have been tested in a bench top torrefaction reactor. Analyses of raw and torrefied materials have been carried out to assess the influence of the treatment. As a consequence of torrefaction, the carbon and ash contents increase while the volatilisation range reduces making the material more stable and standardised. Mass yield, energy yield and energy densification reach values of about 60%, 80% and 1.33 for sunflower stalks and 64%, 85% and 1.33 for sunflower oil press cake respectively. As highlighted by the results, torrefaction is more interesting for sunflower stalks than oil cake and husks due to their different original characteristics. Untreated oil press cake and husks, in fact, already show a good high heating value and, for this reason, their torrefaction should be mild to avoid an excessive ash concentration. On the contrary, for sunflower stalks the treatment is more useful and could be more severe.
Daily exposure to hand arm vibration by different electric olive beaters
Authors: Calvo Angela , Deboli Roberto , Preti Christian , De Maria Antonino
Published: November 2014

The electric hand held olive harvesters have a low weight (about 2 kg) and cause the fruit pick up by means of impacts produced by their vibrational tools: for this reason they transmit elevated vibration doses to the operator’s hand arm system during the work. In this paper electric beaters of different manufacturers and different models were considered, to analyse their vibrational behaviour in field, during the olive harvesting campaign in a site located in Northern Italy. One operator did the tests, to avoid the operator’s uncertainty on the obtained results. All the five examined beaters gave high acceleration values (in a range from 10 to 26 ms–2), but the most restricting data were the daily vibration exposures, calculated considering the real working duration time acquired in field, almost ranged between 10 and 18 ms–2. Also the operator posture during the work (with the arms over the shoulders) may set health problems, related to upper limb disorders, other than the already known musculoskeletal, nervous and vascular pathologies.
Effectiveness of alternative management scenarios on the sediment load in a Mediterranean agricultural watershed
Authors: Abdelwahab Ossama M. M. , Bingner Ronald L. , Milillo Fabio , Gentile Francesco
Published: November 2014

The Annualised Agricultural Non-point Source model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of different management practices to control the soil erosion and sediment load in the Carapelle watershed, a Mediterranean medium-size watershed (506 km2) located in Apulia, Southern Italy. The model was previously calibrated and validated using five years of runoff and sediment load data measured at a monitoring station located at Ordona - Ponte dei Sauri Bridge. A total of 36 events were used to estimate the performance of the model during the period 2007-2011. The model performed well in predicting runoff, as the high values of the coefficients of efficiency and determination during the validation process showed. The peak flows predictions were satisfactory especially for the high flow events; the prediction capability of sediment load was good, even if a slight over-estimation was observed. Simulations of alternative management practices show that converting the most eroding cropland cells (13.5% of the catchment area) to no tillage would reduce soil erosion by 30%, while converting them to grass or forest would reduce soil erosion by 36.5% in both cases. A crop rotation of wheat and a forage crop can also provide an effective way for soil erosion control as it reduces erosion by 69%. Those results can provide a good comparative analysis for conservation planners to choose the best scenarios to be adopted in the watershed to achieve goals in terms of soil conservation and water quality.
Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Adherence challenges in environments of low socio-economic status
Authors: Steyl Tania , Phillips Julie
Published: November 2014

Background: The efficacy of treatment for clients with diabetes is highly dependent on the individual’s ability to manage the disease. Several constraints, such as poverty, illiteracy and insufficient resources (finances and specialised healthcare professionals), especially communities of low socio-economic status, could influence clients’ ability to manage their disease.Aim: The main aim of this study was to outline the obstacles encountered by individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus from an urban community with regard to management of their disease.Setting: The study was conducted at a primary health care facility in the Western Cape, South Africa.Methods: Ethical clearance was obtained from all relevant authorities. Eight (8) conveniently selected clients with type 2 diabetes mellitus per participating community healthcare centre (six approved centres in total) were invited to take part in focus group discussions. Twenty six clients, 15 females and 11 males, with a mean age of 58.92 years (SD = 7.33), agreed to participate. Audiotaped data were transcribed verbatim followed by content analysis and identification of themes.Results: Themes that emerged were challenges with: a healthy eating plan, physical activity, financial constraints, other people’s understanding of the disease, and service received at the community healthcare centre. Verbatim quotes were used to exemplify the themes.Conclusion: Clients with type 2 diabetes mellitus experienced several challenges in the management of their disease. These challenges should be addressed to assist with better glycaemic control and to curb the emergence of diabetic complications and their attendant cost implications.
Partial thickness autologus calvarial bone orbitocranioplasty for a sphenorbital encephalocele presenting as pulsatile exophthalmos
Authors: Trivedi Adarsh , Garg Amrish , Hiran Subodh
Published: November 2014

Basal encephalocele accounts only 1.5% of all encephaloceles. But Sphenorbital encephalocele is the rarest cause of herniation of brain into orbit leading to pulsatile exphothalmos. Authors presenting a case of sphenorbital encephalocele in a 16 yrs old girl successsfully managed by orbitcranioplasty by partilal thickness autologus calvarial bone graft.
Hydrocephalus associated with spinal intramedullary pilocytic astrocytoma
Authors: Bansal Sumit , Borkar Sachin , Mahapatra Ashok
Published: November 2014

Hydrocephalus secondary to intraspinal tumors is a well-known but rare condition. We report a case of holocord intramedullary pilocytic astrocytoma associated with hydrocephalus in a 29-year-old male patient. He underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt followed by subtotal resection of the tumor.
Usefulness of navigated O-arm® in a teaching center for spinal trauma
Authors: Agrawal Deepak
Published: November 2014

Background: There is a relatively high incidence of screw misplacement during spinal instrumentation due to distortion of normal anatomy following spinal trauma.
Aims and Objectives: To evaluate and share the initial experience with the use of neuro-navigated 3D O-arm® (Medtronic, USA) as compared to traditional 2D fluoroscopy in atrauma center in India. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, consecutive patients of spinal injury who underwent screw fixation under O-arm guidance over nine-month period (July 2010 till March 2011) were evaluated for accuracy of screw placement. An equal number of consecutive patients prior to March 2011 who underwent screw fixation in 2D fluoroscopy were included for comparison. Patient demographics and radiology were reviewed and spinal injury was assessed using the ASIA grading in both the groups. Screw placement was assessed by postoperative CT scans of the relevant spine and accuracy of screw placement and breach of the medial or lateral cortex of the pedicle were recorded for each case. Results: In the O-arm group, there were 57 patients in whom 210 screws were inserted. None of the patients had screw mal-placement. In 2D fluoroscopy group, 57 patients had 268 screws insertions. 10 (3.73%) screws were found to be malpositioned in the postoperative CT scans (8 in thoracic spine and 2 in odontoid fractures). The malposition rate was highly significant in 2D fluoroscopy thoracolumbar (P = 0.0015) subgroup. One patient had neurological deterioration and three patients required repositioning of the screws.
Conclusion: In a teaching center with multiple surgeons, the O-armâ imaging ensures accurate placement of screws as compared to traditional 2D fluoroscopy.
Localized reversible high signal intensities on diffusion-weighted MRI in hypoglycemia: A study of 70 cases
Authors: Katoh Masahito , Yoshino Masami , Aoki Takeshi , Abumiya Takeo , Imamura Hiroyuki , Aida Toshimitsu
Published: November 2014

Introduction: It is well-known that localized reversible high signal intensities in the splenium of the corpus callosum or the basal ganglia appear on diffusion-weighted MRI in the presence of hypoglycemia. The aim of this study was to clarify the incidence and significance of such high signal intensity lesions. Results: We analyzed 70 cases of hypoglycemia with consciousness disturbance referred to our outpatient office. Localized reversible high signal intensities on diffusion-weighted MRI were noted in 6 cases (8.6%). They were at the splenium of the corpus callosum in four cases (5.7%), and right frontal cortex and bilateral frontal white matter in one each. Convulsions were noted in five cases, and right hemiparesis was noted in three. None of the three cases of hemiparesis showed localized reversible high signal intensities on diffusion-weighted MRI. These lesions are reversible if the patients undergo treatment without delay. Conclusion: The significance of these lesions is still unclear. However, when a high signal intensity lesion that is not reasonable for the symptom is detected on diffusion-weighted MRI, an immediate check of the blood sugar level is mandatory.
An Explicit Second-Order Numerical Scheme to Solve Decoupled Forward Backward Stochastic Equations
Authors: Fu Yu , Zhao Weidong
Published: November 2014

An explicit numerical scheme is proposed for solving decoupled forward backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDE) represented in integral equation form. A general error inequality is derived for this numerical scheme, which also implies its stability. Error estimates are given based on this inequality, showing that the explicit scheme can be second-order. Some numerical experiments are carried out to illustrate the high accuracy of the proposed scheme.
Correlation Between Mesh Geometry and Stiffness Matrix Conditioning for Nonlocal Diffusion Models
Authors: Kim Jibum
Published: November 2014

Nonlocal diffusion models involve integral equations that account for nonlocal interactions and do not explicitly employ differential operators in the space variables. Due to the nonlocality they might look different from classical partial differential equation (PDE) models, but their local limit reduces to partial differential equations. The effect of mesh element anisotropy mesh refinement and kernel functions on the conditioning of the stiffness matrix for a nonlocal diffusion model on 2D geometric domains is considered, and the results compared with those obtained from typical local PDE models. Numerical experiments show that the condition number is bounded by(wherecis a constant) for an integrable kernel function, and is not affected by the choice of the basis function. In contrast to local PDE models, mesh anisotropy and refinement affect the condition number very little.
Surveillance for Dengue and Dengue-Associated Neurologic Syndromes in the United States
Authors: Waterman Stephen H. , Margolis Harold S. , Sejvar James J.
Published: November 2014

Autochthonous dengue virus transmission has occurred in the continental United States with increased frequency during the last decade; the principal vector, Aedes aegypti, has expanded its geographic distribution in the southern United States. Dengue, a potentially fatal arboviral disease, is underreported, and US clinicians encountering patients with acute febrile illness consistent with dengue are likely to not be fully familiar with dengue diagnosis and management. Recently, investigators suggested that an outbreak of dengue likely occurred in Houston during 2003 based on retrospective laboratory testing of hospitalized cases with encephalitis and aseptic meningitis. Although certain aspects of the Houston testing results and argument for local transmission are doubtful, the report highlights the importance of prospective surveillance for dengue in Aedes-infested areas of the United States, the need for clinical training on dengue and its severe manifestations, and the need for laboratory testing in domestic patients presenting with febrile neurologic illness in these regions to include dengue.
Artemether-Lumefantrine Compared to Atovaquone-Proguanil as a Treatment for Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Travelers
Authors: Grynberg Shirly , Lachish Tamar , Kopel Eran , Meltzer Eyal , Schwartz Eli
Published: November 2014

Atovaquone-proguanil (AP) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) are both treatments for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but comparative clinical trials are lacking. We performed a retrospective analysis, comparing treatment failure and fever clearance time in non-immune travelers with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, treated with AP or AL. Sixty-nine patients were included during 2001–2013: 44 in the AP group and 25 in the AL group. Treatment failure was observed in 6 of 44 (13.6%) and 1 of 25 (4.0%) patients in the AP and AL groups, respectively. Six treatment failures were observed in travelers from West Africa. Fever clearance time was 44 ± 23 h in AL group versus 77 ± 28 h in AP group, (P < 0.001). Hospitalization time was significantly shorter in the AL group; 3.8 + 1.3 versus 5.1 + 2.8 days in the AP group (P = 0.04) In conclusion, travelers with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria recover faster on AL than on AP. The AL should probably be the drug of choice for this population.
Dengue Among American Missionaries Returning from Jamaica, 2012
Authors: Moncayo Abelardo C. , Baumblatt Jane , Thomas Dana , Harvey Kira A. , Atrubin David , Stanek Danielle , Sotir Mark , Hunsperger Elizabeth , Muñoz-Jordan Jorge L. , Jentes Emily S. , Sharp Tyler M. , Arguello D. Fermin
Published: November 2014

Dengue is an acute febrile illness caused by any of four mosquito-transmitted dengue virus (DENV) types. Dengue is endemic in Jamaica, where an epidemic occurred in 2012. An investigation was conducted by multiple agencies for 66 missionaries traveling from nine US states to Jamaica after 1 missionary from the group was confirmed to have dengue. Travelers were offered diagnostic testing, and a survey was administered to assess knowledge, behaviors, and illness. Of 42 survey respondents, 9 (21%) respondents reported an acute febrile illness during or after travel to Jamaica. Of 15 travelers that provided serum specimens, 4 (27%) travelers had detectable anti-DENV immunoglobulin M antibody, and 1 traveler also had DENV-1 detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Recent or past infection with a DENV was evident in 93% (13 of 14) missionaries with available sera. No behavioral or demographic factors were significantly associated with DENV infection. This investigation shows that even trips of short duration to endemic areas present a risk of acquiring dengue.
The Development and Implementation of a Competency-Based Curriculum for Training in Global Health Research
Authors: Ton Thanh G. N. , Gladding Sophia P. , Zunt Joseph R. , John Chandy , Nerurkar Vivek R. , Moyer Cheryl A. , Hobbs Nicole , McCoy Molly , Kolars Joseph C.
Published: November 2014

The Fogarty International Center (FIC) Global Health Fellows Program provides trainees with the opportunity to develop research skills through a mentored research experience, increase their content expertise, and better understand trends in global health research, funding organizations, and pathways to generate support. The Northern Pacific Global Health Fellows Research and Training Consortium, which hosts one of the FIC Global Health Programs, sought to enhance research training by developing, implementing, and evaluating a competency-based curriculum that uses a modular, asynchronous, web-based format. The curriculum has 8 core competencies, 36 learning objectives, and 58 assignments. Nineteen trainees completed their 11-month fellowship, engaged in the curriculum, and provided pre- and post-fellowship self-assessments. Self-assessed scores significantly improved for all competencies. Trainees identified the curriculum as one of the strengths of the program. This competency-based curriculum represents a first step toward creating a framework of global health research competencies on which further efforts could be based.
Correlation Between Diarrhea Severity and Oocyst Count via Quantitative PCR or Fluorescence Microscopy in Experimental Cryptosporidiosis in Calves
Authors: Operario Darwin J. , Bristol Lauren S. , Liotta Janice , Nydam Daryl V. , Houpt Eric R.
Published: November 2014

Cryptosporidium is an important diarrhea-associated pathogen, however the correlation between parasite burden and diarrhea severity remains unclear. We studied this relationship in 10 experimentally infected calves using immunofluorescence microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) (N = 124 fecal samples). The qPCR data were corrected for extraction/amplification efficiency and gene copy number to generate parasite counts. The qPCR and microscopic oocyst quantities exhibited significant correlation (R2 = 0.33, P < 0.05), however qPCR had increased sensitivity. Upon comparison with diarrhea severity scores (from 0 to 3), a PCR-based count of ≥ 2.6 × 105 parasites or an immunofluorescence microscopy count of ≥ 4.5 × 104 oocysts were discriminatory predictors of moderate-to-severe diarrhea (versus no-to-mild diarrhea), with accuracies and predictive values of 72–82%. In summary, a quantitative approach for Cryptosporidium can refine predictive power for diarrhea and appears useful for distinguishing clinical cryptosporidiosis versus subclinical infection.
Capitalizing Religion
Authors: Martin Craig
Published: November 2014

Talk of 'spirituality' and 'individual religion' is proliferating both in popular discourse and scholarly works. Increasingly people claim to be 'spiritual but not religious,' or to prefer 'individual religion' to 'organized religion.' Scholars have for decades noted the phenomenon - primarily within the middle class - of individuals picking and choosing elements from among various religious traditions, forming their own religion or spirituality for themselves.

While the topics of 'spirituality' and 'individual religion' are regularly treated as self-evident by the media and even some scholars of religion, Capitalizing Religion provides one of the first critical analyses of the phenomenon, arguing that these recent forms of spirituality are in many cases linked to capitalist ideology and consumer practices. Examining cases such as Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, and Karen Berg's God Wears Lipstick, Craig Martin ultimately argues that so-called 'individual religion' is a religion of the status quo or, more critically, 'an opiate of the bourgeoisie.'

Capitalizing Religion: Ideology and Opiate of the Bourgeoisie is a landmark publication in critical religious studies.
Composition of 15–85 nm particles in marine air
Authors: Lawler M. J. , Whitehead J. , O'Dowd C. , Monahan C. , McFiggans G. , Smith J. N.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. The chemical composition of 15–85 nm diameter particles was measured at Mace Head, Ireland, during May 2011 using the TDCIMS (thermal desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometer). Measurable levels of chloride, sodium, and sulfate were present in essentially all collected samples of these particles at this coastal Atlantic site. Acetaldehyde and benzoic acid were also frequently detected. Concomitant particle hygroscopicity observations usually showed a sea-salt mode and a lower hygroscopicity mode with growth factors near to that of ammonium sulfate. There were many periods lasting from hours to about 2 days during which the 10–60 nm particle number increased dramatically in polar oceanic air. These periods were correlated with the presence of benzoic acid in the particles and an increase in the number of lower hygroscopicity mode particles. Very small (< 10 nm) particles were also present, suggesting that new particle formation contributed to these nanoparticle enhancement events.
Evaluation of OMI operational standard NO2 column retrievals using in situ and surface-based NO2 observations
Authors: Lamsal L. N. , Krotkov N. A. , Celarier E. A. , Swartz W. H. , Pickering K. E. , Bucsela E. J. , Gleason J. F. , Martin R. V. , Philip S. , Irie H. , Cede A. , Herman J. , Weinheimer A. , Szykman J. J. , Knepp T. N.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. We assess the standard operational nitrogen dioxide (NO2) data product (OMNO2, version 2.1) retrieved from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) onboard NASA's Aura satellite using a combination of aircraft and surface in~situ measurements as well as ground-based column measurements at several locations and a bottom-up NOx emission inventory over the continental US. Despite considerable sampling differences, NO2 vertical column densities from OMI are modestly correlated (r = 0.3–0.8) with in situ measurements of tropospheric NO2 from aircraft, ground-based observations of NO2 columns from MAX-DOAS and Pandora instruments, in situ surface NO2 measurements from photolytic converter instruments, and a bottom-up NOx emission inventory. Overall, OMI retrievals tend to be lower in urban regions and higher in remote areas, but generally agree with other measurements to within ± 20%. No consistent seasonal bias is evident. Contrasting results between different data sets reveal complexities behind NO2 validation. Since validation data sets are scarce and are limited in space and time, validation of the global product is still limited in scope by spatial and temporal coverage and retrieval conditions. Monthly mean vertical NO2 profile shapes from the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) chemistry-transport model (CTM) used in the OMI retrievals are highly consistent with in situ aircraft measurements, but these measured profiles exhibit considerable day-to-day variation, affecting the retrieved daily NO2 columns by up to 40%. This assessment of OMI tropospheric NO2 columns, together with the comparison of OMI-retrieved and model-simulated NO2 columns, could offer diagnostic evaluation of the model.
On direct passive microwave remote sensing of sea spray aerosol production
Authors: Savelyev I. B. , Anguelova M. D. , Frick G. M. , Dowgiallo D. J. , Hwang P. A. , Caffrey P. F. , Bobak J. P.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. This study addresses and attempts to mitigate persistent uncertainty and scatter among existing approaches for determining the rate of sea spray aerosol production by breaking waves in the open ocean. The new approach proposed here utilizes passive microwave emissions from the ocean surface, which are known to be sensitive to surface roughness and foam. Direct, simultaneous, and collocated measurements of the aerosol production and microwave emissions were collected aboard the FLoating Instrument Platform (FLIP) in deep water ~ 150 km off the coast of California over a period of ~ 4 days. Vertical profiles of coarse-mode aerosol (0.25–23.5 μm) concentrations were measured with a forward-scattering spectrometer and converted to surface flux using dry deposition and vertical gradient methods. Back-trajectory analysis of eastern North Pacific meteorology verified the clean marine origin of the sampled air mass over at least 5 days prior to measurements. Vertical and horizontal polarization surface brightness temperature were measured with a microwave radiometer at 10.7 GHz frequency. Data analysis revealed a strong sensitivity of the brightness temperature polarization difference to the rate of aerosol production. An existing model of microwave emission from the ocean surface was used to determine the empirical relationship and to attribute its underlying physical basis to microwave emissions from surface roughness and foam within active and passive phases of breaking waves. A possibility of and initial steps towards satellite retrievals of the sea spray aerosol production are briefly discussed in concluding remarks.
A critical evaluation of proxy methods used to estimate the acidity of atmospheric particles
Authors: Hennigan C. J. , Izumi J. , Sullivan A. P. , Weber R. J. , Nenes A.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Given significant challenges with available measurements of aerosol acidity, proxy methods are frequently used to estimate the acidity of atmospheric particles. In this study, four of the most common aerosol acidity proxies are evaluated and compared: (1) the ion balance method, (2) the molar ratio method, (3) thermodynamic equilibrium models, and (4) the phase partitioning of ammonia. All methods are evaluated against predictions of thermodynamic models and against direct observations of aerosol-gas equilibrium partitioning acquired in Mexico City during the MILAGRO study. The ion balance and molar ratio methods assume that any deficit in inorganic cations relative to anions is due to the presence of H+; and that a higher H+ loading and lower cation/anion ratio both correspond to increasingly acidic particles (i.e., lower pH). Based on the MILAGRO measurements, no correlation is observed between H+ levels inferred with the ion balance and aerosol pH predicted by the thermodynamic models and ammonia–ammonium (NH3–NH4+) partitioning. Similarly, no relationship is observed between the cation / anion molar ratio and predicted aerosol pH. Using only measured aerosol chemical composition as inputs without any constraint for the gas phase, the Extended Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM) and ISORROPIA-II thermodynamic equilibrium models tend to predict aerosol pH levels that are inconsistent with the observed NH3–NH4+ partitioning. The modeled pH values from both models run with gas + aerosol inputs agreed well with the aerosol pH predicted by the phase partitioning of ammonia. It appears that (1) thermodynamic models constrained by gas + aerosol measurements, and (2) the phase partitioning of ammonia provide the best available predictions of aerosol pH. Furthermore, neither the ion balance nor the molar ratio can be used as surrogates for aerosol pH, and published studies to date with conclusions based on such acidity proxies may need to be reevaluated. Given the significance of acidity for chemical processes in the atmosphere, the implications of this study are important and far reaching.
The MOPITT Version 6 product: algorithm enhancements and validation
Authors: Deeter M. N. , Martínez-Alonso S. , Edwards D. P. , Emmons L. K. , Gille J. C. , Worden H. M. , Sweeney C. , Pittman J. V. , Daube B. C. , Wofsy S. C.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. The Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) Version 6 (V6) product for carbon monoxide (CO) incorporates several enhancements which will benefit many users of MOPITT data. V6 algorithm improvements are described in detail, and V6 validation results are presented. First, a geolocation bias related to the orientation of the MOPITT instrument relative to the TERRA platform was characterized and eliminated. Second, the variable a priori for CO concentrations for V6 is based on simulations performed with the chemical transport model Community Atmosphere Model with Chemistry (CAM-chem) for the years 2000–2009 instead of the model-derived climatology for 1997–2004 used for V5. Third, meteorological fields required for V6 retrieval processing are extracted from the MERRA (Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis For Research And Applications) reanalysis. Finally, a significant latitude-dependent retrieval bias in the upper troposphere in Version 5 products has been substantially reduced.
Biogeography of jellyfish in the North Atlantic, by traditional and genomic methods
Authors: Licandro P. , Blackett M. , Fischer A. , Hosia A. , Kennedy J. , Kirby R. R. , Raab K. , Stern R. , Tranter P.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Scientific debate on whether the recent increase in reports of jellyfish outbreaks is related to a true rise in their abundance, have outlined the lack of reliable records of Cnidaria and Ctenophora. Here we describe different data sets produced within the EU program EUROBASIN, which have been assembled with the aim of presenting an up to date overview of the diversity and standing stocks of jellyfish in the North Atlantic region. Using a net adapted to sample gelatinous zooplankton quantitatively, Cnidaria and Ctenophora were collected in the epipelagic layer during spring-summer 2010–2013, in inshore and offshore waters between 59–68° N Lat and 62° W–5° E Long. Jellyfish were also identified and counted in samples opportunistically collected by other sampling equipment in the same region and at two coastal stations in the Bay of Biscay and in the Gulf of Cadiz. Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) samples collected in 2009–2012 were re-analysed with the aim of identifying the time and location of Cnidarian blooms across the North Atlantic basin. Overall the data show high variability in jellyfish abundance and diversity, mainly in relation with different water masses and with the bathymetry. Higher densities were generally recorded on the shelves, where populations tend to be more diversified due to the presence of meropelagic medusae. Comparisons of net records from the G.O. Sars transatlantic cruise show that information on jellyfish diversity differs significantly depending on the sampling gear utilised. Indeed, the big trawls mostly collect relatively large scyphozoan and hydrozoan species, while small hydrozoans and early stages of ctenophora are only caught by smaller nets. Based on CPR data from 2009–2012, blooms of Cnidarians occurred in all seasons across the whole North Atlantic basin. Molecular analysis revealed that, in contrast with what was previously hypothesized, the CPR is able to detect blooms of meroplanktonic and holoplanktonic hydrozoans and scyphozoans. Combining different types of data, key jellyfish taxa for the spring-summer period were identified in the northern North Atlantic regions. Key species for the central and southern North Atlantic could be inferred based on Cnidarian blooms identified by the CPR survey, although this should be confirmed further by comparison with quantitative data. The identification by DNA barcoding of 23 jellyfish specimens collected during the EUROBASIN cruises contributes to increasing the still very limited number of jellyfish sequences available on GenBank. All observations presented here can be downloaded from PANGAEA (http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.835732).
Thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rock formations during glacial advance
Authors: Selvadurai A. P. S. , Suvorov A. P. , Selvadurai P. A.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. The paper examines the coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) processes that develop in a fractured rock region within a fluid-saturated rock mass due to loads imposed by an advancing glacier. This scenario needs to be examined in order to assess the suitability of potential sites for the location of deep geologic repositories for the storage of high-level nuclear waste. The THM processes are examined using a computational multiphysics approach that takes into account thermo-poroelasticity of the intact geological formation and the presence of a system of sessile but hydraulically interacting fractures (fracture zones). The modeling considers coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical effects in both the intact rock and the fracture zones due to contact normal stresses and fluid pressure at the base of the advancing glacier. Computational modelling provides an assessment of the role of fractures that can modify the pore pressure generation within the entire rock mass.
Inundation and groundwater dynamics for quantification of evaporative water loss in tropical wetlands
Authors: Schwerdtfeger J. , Johnson M. S. , Couto E. G. , Amorim R. S. S. , Sanches L. , Campelo J. H. , Weiler M.
Published: November 2014

Abstract. Characterizing hydrological processes within tropical wetlands is challenging due to their remoteness, complexity and heterogeneity. In particular, estimates of evaporative water loss are inherently uncertain. In view of the large influence on the local and regional climate, the quantification of evaporation is essential for the determination of the water balance of permanent and intermittent water bodies. Data for tropical wetlands are scarce where their remoteness impedes direct evaporation measurements. Seasonal inundation dynamics affect evaporation processes in tropical wetlands, which can be analysed in two stages: the first stage during the wet season and the second stage during the dry season. As yet no adequate method exists for determining second-stage evaporation in a data-scarce environment that additionally allows for a transfer of simulated actual evaporation (AET) to other locations. Our study aimed at developing a process-based model to simulate first- and second-stage evaporation in tropical wetlands. We selected a set of empirical potential evaporation (PET) models of varying complexity, each based on different assumptions and available data sets, and evaluated the models with pan evaporation observations in the Pantanal of South America, one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world. We used high-resolution measurements of surface and groundwater levels at different locations to determine the water available for evaporation. AET was derived by constraining simulated PET based on available water. The model of best fit was applied to different types of water bodies with varying hydroperiods to capture first- and second-stage evaporation across a range of wetland types. With our new model we could quantify evaporative water loss in the dry and the wet season for different locations in the Pantanal. This new spatially explicit approach represents an improvement in our understanding of the role of evaporation in the water balance of the Pantanal. We recommend the application of this model in other remote tropical wetlands, since only a minimum of input data is necessary.