bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Sustainable Economic Growth: A Spatial Panel Data Analysis of Regional Income Convergence in US BEA Economic Areas
Authors: Lim Up , Kim Donghyun
Published: July 2015

A question fundamental to sustainable economic growth is whether a poor region tends to grow faster than a rich one, such that the poor region catches up with the rich region in terms of the level of per capita income. In this article, we apply the spatial panel data approach to the analysis of regional income convergence across 177 economic areas in the contiguous US states over the period from 1969 to 2009. Using data on per capita incomes in the functionally defined economic areas, we find that the absolute value of the estimated coefficient of the initial per capita income decreases in the spatial and time-period fixed effects spatial lag model and increases in the spatial and time-period fixed effects spatial error model. This result implies that the growth rate in a specific economic area will be not only directly affected by an exogenous shock introduced into that economic area but also be impacted more by both the indirect effects of the first-order neighboring economic areas and the induced effects of the higher-order neighboring economic areas. This gives helpful hints on the issue of spatial interaction and regional policy coordination to start a virtuous circle of sustainable economic growth.
Expected Risk Assessment—Annual Report versus Social Responsibility
Authors: Böcskei Elvira , Fenyves Veronika , Zsidó Emese , Bács Zoltán
Published: July 2015

Global economic, social and environmental changes are inspiring companies to behave responsibly towards the environment, not only in the interest of others, but also in that of the future of their companies. It is crucial that companies are able to recognize any lack in their ability to grow values in a timely manner, because issues at companies require immediate intervention. A key factor in maintaining operations is the time interval required for companies to adjust to challenges. Are Annual Reports capable of indicating problems or possibly to inform decision-makers that a company is entering a period of decline? Such information can be gathered from the notes to the financial statement. Are annually prepared statements capable of indicating problems? Definitely, yes. Do yearly once due statements provide enough information? The answer must be no, as we are not living in a static economic environment. The more dynamic our economic environment is, the greater the role played by the question of time. Thanks to improvements in accounting and technology, we are able to create up-to-date analyses, based on accounting statements. However, in order to be effective, teamwork inside the company is essential and controllers should play a key role.
Functional Characterization of New Polyketide Synthase Genes Involved in Ochratoxin A Biosynthesis in Aspergillus Ochraceus fc-1
Authors: Wang Liuqing , Wang Yan , Wang Qi , Liu Fei , Selvaraj Jonathan , Liu Lingna , Xing Fuguo , Zhao Yueju , Zhou Lu , Liu Yang
Published: July 2015

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a potentially carcinogenic mycotoxin which contaminates grains, is produced by several Aspergillus species. A comparative sequence analysis of the OTA-producing Aspergillus ochraceus fc-1 strain and other Aspergillus species was performed. Two new OTA-related polyketide synthase (PKS) (AoOTApks) genes were identified. The predicted amino acid sequence of AoOTApks-1 displayed high similarity to previously identified PKSs from OTA-producing A. carbonarius ITEM 5010 (67%; [PI] No. 173482) and A. niger CBS 513.88 (62%; XP_001397313). However, the predicted amino acid sequence of AoOTApks-2 displayed lower homology with A. niger CBS 513.88 (38%) and A. carbonarius ITEM 5010 (28%). A phylogenetic analysis of the β-ketosynthase and acyl-transferase domains of the AoOTApks proteins indicated that they shared a common origin with other OTA-producing species, such as A. carbonarius, A. niger, and A. westerdijkiae. A real-time reverse-transcription PCR analysis showed that the expression of AoOTApks-1 and -2 was positively correlated with the OTA concentration. The pks gene deleted mutants ∆AoOTApks-1 and ∆AoOTApks-2 produced nil and lesser OTA than the wild-type strain, respectively. Our study suggests that AoOTApks-1 could be involved in OTA biosynthesis, while AoOTApks-2 might be indirectly involved in OTA production.
Deoxynivalenol & Deoxynivalenol-3-Glucoside Mitigation through Bakery Production Strategies: Effective Experimental Design within Industrial Rusk-Making Technology
Authors: Generotti Silvia , Cirlini Martina , Malachova Alexandra , Sulyok Michael , Berthiller Franz , Dall'Asta Chiara , Suman Michele
Published: July 2015

In the scientific field, there is a progressive awareness about the potential implications of food processing on mycotoxins especially concerning thermal treatments. High temperatures may cause, in fact, transformation or degradation of these compounds. This work is aimed to study the fate of mycotoxins during bakery processing, focusing on deoxynivalenol (DON) and deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON3Glc), along the chain of industrial rusk production. Starting from naturally contaminated bran, we studied how concentrations of DON and DON3Glc are influenced by modifying ingredients and operative conditions. The experiments were performed using statistical Design of Experiment (DoE) schemes to synergistically explore the relationship between mycotoxin reduction and the indicated processing transformation parameters. All samples collected during pilot plant experiments were analyzed with an LC-MS/MS multimycotoxin method. The obtained model shows a good fitting, giving back relevant information in terms of optimization of the industrial production process, in particular suggesting that time and temperature in baking and toasting steps are highly relevant for minimizing mycotoxin level in rusks. A reduction up to 30% for DON and DON3Glc content in the finished product was observed within an acceptable technological range.
Temporomandibular Myofacial Pain Treated with Botulinum Toxin Injection
Authors: Mor Niv , Tang Christropher , Blitzer Andrew
Published: July 2015

This article reviews the diagnoses and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and outlines of the role of botulinum toxin (BoNT) in the treatment of myofacial TMD. This manuscript includes a brief history of the use of BoNT in the treatment of pain, the mechanism of action of BoNT, and the techniques for injections, adverse effects and contraindications when using BoNT to treat mayofacial pain caused by TMD.
Identifying the Physical Properties of Showers That Influence User Satisfaction to Aid in Developing Water-Saving Showers
Authors: Okamoto Minami , Sato Minoru , Shodai Yoshihiko , Kamijo Masayoshi
Published: July 2015

This research was conducted with the goal of clarifying the required conditions of water-saving showerheads. In order to this, the research analyzes the mutual relationship between water usage flow, the level of satisfaction and the physical properties of spray of showerheads. The physical properties of spray were measured using physical properties test apparatus of standard or scheme for water-saving showerheads issued in several water-saving countries, and satisfaction evaluation data was acquired through bathing experiments. The evaluated showerheads were separated into three groups according to usage water flow and the level of satisfaction. The relationships between usage water flow, the level of satisfaction and physical properties were compared. The results identified that Spray Force and Spray Force-per-Hole were physical properties that influence usage water flow. Spray force-per-hole, water volume ratio in Spray Patterns within φ 100 and φ 150, Temperature Drop and Spray Angle were identified as physical properties that influenced the level of satisfaction. The level of satisfaction and usage water flow has a spurious correlation through the physical properties of Spray Force-per-Hole and Temperature Drop. It is possible to improve the level of satisfaction independent of amount of water usage through designs that set an appropriate value for water volume ratio and Spray Angle for Spray Patterns within φ 100 and φ 150.
Handling disruptive innovations in HE: lessons from two contrasting case studies
Authors: Powell Stephen , Olivier Bill , Yuan Li
Published: July 2015

This article aims to show how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can recognise and best respond to a disruptive innovation. A disruptive innovation creates a new business model using a new process and usually a new technology to offer a product or service with new features and/or lower cost and initially addresses a group of people who are either unserved or overserved by existing offerings. By contrast, a sustaining innovation may use the same technology, but enhance an existing business model. To illustrate this, we set out two case studies that each implement the same innovative model of work-focussed learning differently: one in an autonomous sub-unit of an HEI, while the other sought to embed the same model in existing faculty activities in another HEI. The theory of disruptive innovation (Bower and Christensen 1995) is set out and used to understand types of innovation, from sustaining to disruptive, and to identify the model of work-focussed learning as a disruptive innovation. We then used this to analyse the subsequent trajectories and different outcomes of the two case studies. Our aims then were (1) to show how disruptive innovation theory can be used to recognise different types of innovation and (2) to suggest the appropriate way to organisationally structure disruptive educational innovations as semi-autonomous enterprises. We also note potential constraints that government policy may place on HEIs attempting to respond to disruptive innovations.Keywords: disruptive innovation; business model; online distance education; organisational change; higher education(Published: 24 July 2015)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2015, 23: 22494 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v23.22494
The chemical behavior of terminally tert-butylated polyolefins
Authors: Klein Dagmar , Hopf Henning , Jones Peter G , Dix Ina , Hänel Ralf
Published: July 2015

The chemical behavior of various oligoenes 2 has been studied. The catalytic hydrogenation of diene 3 yielded monoene 4. Triene 7 was hydrogenated to diene 8, monoene 9 and saturated hydrocarbon 10. Bromine addition to 3 and 7 yielded the dibromides 17 and 18, respectively, i.e., the oligoene system has been attacked at its terminal olefinic carbon atoms. Analogously, the higher vinylogs 19 and 20 yielded the 1,8- and 1,10-bromine adduts 23 and 24, respectively, when less than 1 equivalent of bromine was employed. Treatment of tetraene 19 with excess bromine provided tetrabromide 25. In epoxidation reactions, both with meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA) and dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) two model oligoenes were studied: triene 7 and tetraene 19. Whereas 7 furnished the rearrangement product 31 with MCPBA, it yielded the symmetrical epoxide 32 with DMDO. Analogously, 19 was converted to mono-epoxide 33 with MCPBA and to 34 with DMDO. Diels–Alder addition of 7 with N-phenyltriazolinedione (PTAD) did not take place. Extension of the conjugated π-system to the next higher vinylog, 19, caused NPTD-addition to the symmetrical adduct 37 in good yield. Comparable results were observed on adding NPTD (equivalent amount) to pentaene 20 and hexaene 21. Using 36 in excess provided the 2:1-adduct 40 from 21 and led to a complex mixture of adducts from heptaene 22. With tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) as the dienophile, tetraolefin 19 yielded the symmetrical adduct 43, although the reaction temperature had to be increased. Pentaene 20 and hexaene 21 led to corresponding results, adducts 44 and 45 being produced in acceptable yields. With nonaene 42 and TCNE the 2:1-adduct 48 was generated according to its spectroscopic data. Exploratory photochemical studies were carried out with tetraene 19 as the model compound. On irradiation this reacted with oxygen to the stable endo-peroxide 52.
A Note on the History of Gender Economics and Feminist Economics
Authors: Becchio Giandomenica
Published: July 2015

The aim of this paper is to show the differences between Gender Economics (GE) and Feminist Economics (FE). The first part will deal with a historical reconstruction of these differences. The central part of this chapter will specifically illustrate Gender Economics, Feminist Economics, Feminine Economics, and the Austrian approaches to gender studies within economics. Gender Economics is an approach mainly focused on the role of gender in social and economic problems of the public life (such as labor, migration, household, laws, civil rights) as well as in a private contest (housekeeping, sexuality, and so on). Feminist Economics, Feminine Economics and Austrian economics develop in different ways a much more challenging perspective: they promote a deep revision of the mainstream economic theory founded on the optimization of an expected utility function that has been shaped into a masculine perspective.
Money of Her Own and the Politics of Women's Empowerment
Authors: Dutt Shushmita Chatterji
Published: July 2015

The impact of micro finance initiatives on poor (often illiterate) women is discussed in this paper. The way women begin to understand market forces and negotiate the best terms for themselves is examined. This seems to link to increasing confidence, a stronger voice and finally negotiating a space for themselves. It is observed that if planned empowerment inputs of any type are also provided, the gains are exponential and go much deeper. This paper draws examples from three initiatives: 1. A micro finance scheme for women introduced in one district of the state of Rajasthan, India; 2. An initiative that was introduced as a subsidiary activity for an agricultural intensification scheme supported by IFAD in four districts of Bangladesh; 3. The profile of one woman in the state of Chhattisgarh, India who has worked with the State Administration to change her own life and that of many other women.
Economic Empowerment of Women in Pakistan
Authors: Idris Sofia
Published: July 2015

This chapter gives an account of the situation on the status of women in Pakistan. It studies the various steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to empower the women. It also studies the various ways to empower women in Pakistan. The chapter only studies the empowerment of women in economic sphere due to the limited time and resources of the author. Moreover, the chapter focuses on the problems of women to participate in economic affairs, the hindrances in achieving economic uplift/empowerment and equality of women in Pakistan and the existing laws and policies of the government regarding women's empowerment and their implementation. Furthermore, it gives a brief comparison of women's economic empowerment with the neighboring countries, India and Bangladesh as these countries have a similar institutional structure as Pakistan. It then seeks to learn from the successful examples of the countries mentioned regarding the matter.
The Case for Group Heterogeneity
Authors: Margetts Teigan , Holland Elise
Published: July 2015

In this chapter, the case for group heterogeneity in organisations, from a gender perspective, will be put forward. The chapter will argue that diversity within top management teams (TMTs) and boards is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the group decision-making process, and also to increase innovation across the firm. Whilst gender is not a dichotomous variable, females do bring a level of difference to any given group. For decision-making, this level of difference is critical to prevent groupthink, cascades and polarisation. The chapter will also argue that ‘diversity' cannot mean the ‘token' introduction of one female, rather, diversity is most valuable when equality is achieved. Given that incremental increases are associated with diversity for innovation, the chapter will also argue that equality leads to better innovation. Overall, the chapter will aim to demonstrate that group heterogeneity and gender diversity results in better decisions, better innovations, and better overall performance for organisations.
Women in Transition
Authors: Zachorowska-Mazurkiewicz Anna
Published: July 2015

The chapter describes institutional and gender relations in the society and the economy, the influence of institutions and the state that may lead to the institutional change, which is understood as an adaptation of habits of thought to changing circumstances. The situation of women in Poland has been chosen to illustrate this phenomenon. Poland, as a country, has gone through major social, political and economic transformations in the last 25 years, and they have had important impacts on people's lives. The analysis of the impact of major transformations in Poland's post-war political economy enables the distinguishing factors (policies, institutions) that guarantee certain continuity in a society, and the ones that lead to institutional changes. Knowledge about the mechanisms of institutional change in the context of gender relations is helpful in designing policies aiming at promoting gender equality in societies as well as economies.
Gender and Industrial Creativity in Poland
Authors: Wisła Rafał
Published: July 2015

The chapter deals with the problem of seeking possibilities to utilise patent databases in the research on dynamics and development directions in science, technology, innovation activity as well as on structural changes in economy, taking into account gender aspect. The key research objectives include: drawing a statistical picture of creative industry activity in Poland in the years 1995 - 2013, taking into account gender aspect; assessing the convergence as regards the patents obtained by men and women; identifying technological areas where women are present. The chapter, for the first time, presents a statistical picture of industrial creativity of men and women in Poland in the period of economic transformation, based on patent statistics.
Vredemakers as kinders van God (Matt 5:9): ’n Pragmaties-linguïstiese lesing
Authors: Van Aarde Andries G.
Published: July 2015

Peacemakers as children of God (Mt 5:9): A pragmatic-linguistic reading. The article investigates different options of the pragmatic meaning (implicature) of the beatitude in the Gospel of Matthew, ‘blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God’ (Mt 5:9). It also explores this Jesus logion’s seemingly contradiction with Jesus’ remark in die Matthean mission discourse, ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword’ (Mt 10:34). The pragmatic use of the concept ‘peace’ in Matthew is probed against the background of scribal activity in the context of the restoration of villages in north-Galilee and south-Syria after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. The pax Romana and Josephus’ appeal to the inhabitants of these villages to collaborate with the Romans is described as the context of these Matthean Jesus-logia. It argues that Matthew interprets Jesus as a ‘Mosaic Joshua’ in continuum with the Judaic tradition of Solomon as the ‘king of peace’, especially 1 Chronicles 22:5-11. The macarism about the ‘peacemakers as children of God’ is interpreted in correlation with the macarism ‘blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted’ (Mt 5:4). The article concludes with the finding that the sword-motif in Matthew 10:4 does not contradict the beatitude on peace in Matthew 5:9.
Johannine research in Africa, part 1: An analytical survey
Authors: Van der Watt Jan G.
Published: July 2015

This article is the first of two parts that contribute to the history of African biblical research. Africa’s theological ‘awakening’, following the colonial period, includes the discipline of New Testament studies. In this article the contributions of theologians working in Africa on the field of Johannine studies are surveyed and evaluated. In certain areas theologians from Africa performed very well, whilst other areas should receive more attention.Johannese navorsing in Afrika, deel 1: ’n Analitiese oorsig. Hierdie artikel is die eerste van twee, wat saam ’n bydrae tot die geskiedenis van Bybelnavorsing in Afrika wil lewer. Afrika se teologiese bewuswording wat op die koloniale periode volg, sluit die dissipline van Nuwe-Testamentiese navorsing in. In hierdie artikel word die bydrae van teoloë wat in Afrika werk, ondersoek en ge-evalueer. In sekere areas het die teoloë uit Afrika besonder goed gevaar, maar ander areas behoort meer aandag te geniet.
Endovascular treatment of isolated arterial pulmonary malinosculation
Authors: Mammen Suraj , Keshava Shyamkumar N , Moses Vinu , Chiramel George Koshy , Irodi Aparna , Gnanamuthu Birla Roy
Published: July 2015

We report the endovascular management of a series of four cases of isolated systemic supply to normal lung or isolated arterial pulmonary malinosculation of the left lung. In these cases, the basal segments of the left lung lacked normal pulmonary arterial supply and instead received systemic arterial blood from the descending thoracic aorta. The relevant anatomy and literature are also reviewed.
Carpal boss in chronic wrist pain and its association with partial osseous coalition and osteoarthritis - A case report with focus on MRI findings
Authors: Poh Feng
Published: July 2015

The carpal boss is a bony prominence at the dorsal aspect of the 2 nd and/or 3 rd carpometacarpal joint, which has been linked to various etiologies, including trauma, os styloideum, osteophyte formation, and partial osseous coalition. It may result in symptoms through secondary degeneration, ganglion formation, bursitis, or extensor tendon abnormalities by altered biomechanics of wrist motion. We present a case of symptomatic carpal boss with the finding of a partial osseous coalition at the 2 nd carpometacarpal (metacarpal-trapezoid) joint and highlight the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of carpal boss impingement and secondary osteoarthritis. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report in the literature describing the imaging findings of partial osseous coalition and degenerative osteoarthritis in relation to carpal boss.
Review: Shifting patterns in plant cultivar protection for field crops in Canada
Authors: Carew R. , Florkowski W. J. , DePauw R.
Published: July 2015

Carew, R., Florkowski, W. J. and DePauw, R. 2015. Review: Shifting patterns in plant cultivar protection for field crops in Canada. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 813–829. In an era of increased globalization of agricultural trade and rapid biotechnology advances in developing crops with multiple traits, public and private institutions are facing increasing pressure to protect their technologies and develop partnerships to fund research. Under the auspices of international intellectual property rights agreements, Canada adopted stronger intellectual property rights policies to protect new plant cultivars and reward owners for their innovative efforts. This paper illustrates how Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) applications for agriculture field crop (cereals, oilseeds, pulses) cultivars and registered cultivars by the Canadian Variety Registration Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (VROCFIA) have evolved over the past 20 yr in response to changes in domestic and international plant cultivar protection policies. The paper also examines the patenting pattern for plant-related traits and technologies. The paper found the bulk of PBR applications for field crops were accounted for by oilseeds followed by cereal and pulse crops such as field pea. In contrast to wheat and canola, which are protected by PBR and registered by the Canadian VROCFIA, pulse crops such as lentil have been developed by Canadian universities and funded by producer levies and released to growers without PBR protection. Among plant-related patents, most of them were credited to corn followed by canola and soybean. The Canadian public sector filed plant patents mainly for canola and concentrated on traits such as insect and disease resistance. The bulk of canola or soybean PBRs applications were by multinational life science seed companies, while the majority of wheat and barley were credited to public institutions such as the Canadian federal department of agriculture and universities.
Mormonism
Authors: Millet Robert L. , Hopkin Shon D.
Published: July 2015

Mormonism: A Guide for the Perplexed explains central facets of the Mormon faith and way of life for those wishing to gain a clearer understanding of this rapidly growing world religion. As The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to grow in the United States and especially in other countries (with a total membership of over 15 million, more than 50% of which is outside the US), and as theologians and church leaders wrestle with whether Mormonism is in fact a valid expression of modern Christianity, this distinctive religious tradition has become increasingly an object of interest and inquiry.

This book is the ideal companion to the study of this perplexing and often misunderstood religion. Covering historical aspects, this guide takes a careful look at the whole of Mormonism, its tenets and practices, as well as providing an insight into a Mormon life.
Particulate matter, air quality and climate: lessons learned and future needs
Authors: Fuzzi S. , Baltensperger U. , Carslaw K. , Decesari S. , Denier van der Gon H. , Facchini M. C. , Fowler D. , Koren I. , Langford B. , Lohmann U. , Nemitz E. , Pandis S. , Riipinen I. , Rudich Y. , Schaap M. , Slowik J. G. , Spracklen D. V. , Vignati E. , Wild M. , Williams M. , Gilardoni S.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The literature on atmospheric particulate matter (PM), or atmospheric aerosol, has increased enormously over the last 2 decades and amounts now to some 1500–2000 papers per year in the refereed literature. This is in part due to the enormous advances in measurement technologies, which have allowed for an increasingly accurate understanding of the chemical composition and of the physical properties of atmospheric particles and of their processes in the atmosphere. The growing scientific interest in atmospheric aerosol particles is due to their high importance for environmental policy. In fact, particulate matter constitutes one of the most challenging problems both for air quality and for climate change policies. In this context, this paper reviews the most recent results within the atmospheric aerosol sciences and the policy needs, which have driven much of the increase in monitoring and mechanistic research over the last 2 decades. The synthesis reveals many new processes and developments in the science underpinning climate–aerosol interactions and effects of PM on human health and the environment. However, while airborne particulate matter is responsible for globally important influences on premature human mortality, we still do not know the relative importance of the different chemical components of PM for these effects. Likewise, the magnitude of the overall effects of PM on climate remains highly uncertain. Despite the uncertainty there are many things that could be done to mitigate local and global problems of atmospheric PM. Recent analyses have shown that reducing black carbon (BC) emissions, using known control measures, would reduce global warming and delay the time when anthropogenic effects on global temperature would exceed 2 °C. Likewise, cost-effective control measures on ammonia, an important agricultural precursor gas for secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA), would reduce regional eutrophication and PM concentrations in large areas of Europe, China and the USA. Thus, there is much that could be done to reduce the effects of atmospheric PM on the climate and the health of the environment and the human population. A prioritized list of actions to mitigate the full range of effects of PM is currently undeliverable due to shortcomings in the knowledge of aerosol science; among the shortcomings, the roles of PM in global climate and the relative roles of different PM precursor sources and their response to climate and land use change over the remaining decades of this century are prominent. In any case, the evidence from this paper strongly advocates for an integrated approach to air quality and climate policies.
Formation and aging of secondary organic aerosol from toluene: changes in chemical composition, volatility, and hygroscopicity
Authors: Hildebrandt Ruiz L. , Paciga A. L. , Cerully K. M. , Nenes A. , Donahue N. M. , Pandis S. N.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) is transformed after its initial formation, but this chemical aging of SOA is poorly understood. Experiments were conducted in the Carnegie Mellon environmental chamber to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from the photo-oxidation of toluene and other small aromatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of NOx under different oxidizing conditions. The effects of the oxidizing condition on organic aerosol (OA) composition, mass yield, volatility, and hygroscopicity were explored. Higher exposure to the hydroxyl radical resulted in different OA composition, average carbon oxidation state (OSc), and mass yield. The OA oxidation state generally increased during photo-oxidation, and the final OA OSc ranged from −0.29 to 0.16 in the performed experiments. The volatility of OA formed in these different experiments varied by as much as a factor of 30, demonstrating that the OA formed under different oxidizing conditions can have a significantly different saturation concentration. There was no clear correlation between hygroscopicity and oxidation state for this relatively hygroscopic SOA.
EARLINET Raman Lidar PollyXT: the neXT generation
Authors: Engelmann R. , Kanitz T. , Baars H. , Heese B. , Althausen D. , Skupin A. , Wandinger U. , Komppula M. , Stachlewska I. S. , Amiridis V. , Marinou E. , Mattis I. , Linné H. , Ansmann A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The atmospheric science community demands for autonomous and quality-assured vertically resolved measurements of aerosol and cloud properties. For this purpose, a portable lidar called Polly was developed at TROPOS in 2003. The lidar system was continuously improved with gained experience from EARLINET, worldwide field campaigns and institute collaborations within the last 10 years. Here we present recent changes of the setup of our portable multiwavelength Raman and polarization lidar PollyXT and the improved capabilities of the system by means of a case study. Our latest developed system includes an additional near-range receiver unit for Raman measurements of the backscatter and extinction coefficient down to 120 m above ground, a water-vapor channel, and channels for simultaneous measurements of the particle linear depolarization at 355 and 532 nm. Quality improvements were achieved by following consequently the EARLINET guidelines and own developments. A modified ship radar ensures measurements in agreement with air-traffic safety regulations and allows 24/7 monitoring of the atmospheric state with PollyXT.
The SASSCAL contribution to climate observation, climate data management and data rescue in Southern Africa
Authors: Kaspar F. , Helmschrot J. , Mhanda A. , Butale M. , de Clercq W. , Kanyanga J. K. , Neto F. O. S. , Kruger S. , Castro Matsheka M. , Muche G. , Hillmann T. , Josenhans K. , Posada R. , Riede J. , Seely M. , Ribeiro C. , Kenabatho P. , Vogt R. , Jürgens N.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. A major task of the newly established "Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management" (SASSCAL; www.sasscal.org) and its partners is to provide science-based environmental information and knowledge which includes the provision of consistent and reliable climate data for Southern Africa. Hence, SASSCAL, in close cooperation with the national weather authorities of Angola, Botswana, Germany and Zambia as well as partner institutions in Namibia and South Africa, supports the extension of the regional meteorological observation network and the improvement of the climate archives at national level. With the ongoing rehabilitation of existing weather stations and the new installation of fully automated weather stations (AWS), altogether 105 AWS currently provide a set of climate variables at 15, 30 and 60 min intervals respectively. These records are made available through the SASSCAL WeatherNet, an online platform providing near-real time data as well as various statistics and graphics, all in open access. This effort is complemented by the harmonization and improvement of climate data management concepts at the national weather authorities, capacity building activities and an extension of the data bases with historical climate data which are still available from different sources. These activities are performed through cooperation between regional and German institutions and will provide important information for climate service related activities.
Spatial patterns of European droughts under a moderate emission scenario
Authors: Spinoni J. , Naumann G. , Vogt J.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Meteorological drought is generally defined as a prolonged deficiency of precipitation and is considered one of the most relevant natural hazards as the related impacts can involve many different sectors. In this study, we investigated the spatial patterns of European droughts for the periods 1981–2010, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100, focusing on the projections under a moderate emissions scenario. To do that, we used the outputs of the KNMI-RACMO2 model, which belongs to the A1B family and whose spatial resolution is 0.25° × 0.25°. By means of monthly precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (PET), we computed the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at the 12-month accumulation scale. Thereafter, we separately obtained drought frequency, duration, severity, and intensity for the whole of Europe, excluding Iceland. According to both indicators, the spatial drought patterns are projected to follow what recently characterized Europe: southern Europe, who experienced many severe drought events in the last decades, is likely to be involved by longer, more frequent, severe, and intense droughts in the near future (2041–2070) and even more in the far future (2071–2100). This tendency is more evident using the SPEI, which also depends on temperature and consequently reflects the expected warming that will be highest for the Mediterranean area in Europe. On the other side, less severe and fewer drought events are likely to occur in northern Europe. This tendency is more evident using the SPI, because the precipitation increase is projected to outbalance the temperature (and PET) rise in particular in Scandinavia. Regarding the mid-latitudes, the SPEI-based analyses point at more frequent drought events, while the SPI-based ones point at less frequent events in these regions.
Thermokarst lake methanogenesis along a complete talik profile
Authors: Heslop J. K. , Walter Anthony K. M. , Sepulveda-Jauregui A. , Martinez-Cruz K. , Bondurant A. , Grosse G. , Jones M. C.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Thermokarst (thaw) lakes emit methane (CH4) to the atmosphere formed from thawed permafrost organic matter (OM), but the relative magnitude of CH4 production in surface lake sediments vs. deeper thawed permafrost horizons is not well understood. We assessed anaerobic CH4 production potentials from various depths along a 590 cm long lake sediment core that captured the entire sediment package of the talik (thaw bulb) beneath the center of an interior Alaska thermokarst lake, Vault Lake, and the top 40 cm of thawing permafrost beneath the talik. We also studied the adjacent Vault Creek permafrost tunnel that extends through ice-rich yedoma permafrost soils surrounding the lake and into underlying gravel. Our results showed CH4 production potentials were highest in the organic-rich surface lake sediments, which were 151 cm thick (mean ± SD: 5.95 ± 1.67 μg C–CH4 g dw−1 d−1; 125.9 ± 36.2 μg C–CH4 g C−1org d−1). High CH4 production potentials were also observed in recently thawed permafrost (1.18 ± 0.61 μg C–CH4g dw−1 d−1; 59.60± 51.5 μg C–CH4 g C−1org d−1) at the bottom of the talik, but the narrow thicknesses (43 cm) of this horizon limited its overall contribution to total sediment column CH4 production in the core. Lower rates of CH4 production were observed in sediment horizons representing permafrost that has been thawing in the talik for a longer period of time. No CH4 production was observed in samples obtained from the permafrost tunnel, a non-lake environment. Our findings imply that CH4 production is highly variable in thermokarst lake systems and that both modern OM supplied to surface sediments and ancient OM supplied to both surface and deep lake sediments by in situ thaw and shore erosion of yedoma permafrost are important to lake CH4 production.
The WAIS Divide deep ice core WD2014 chronology – Part 2: Annual-layer counting (0–31 ka BP)
Authors: Sigl M. , Fudge T. J. , Winstrup M. , Cole-Dai J. , Ferris D. , McConnell J. R. , Taylor K. C. , Welten K. C. , Woodruff T. E. , Adolphi F. , Bisiaux M. , Brook E. J. , Buizert C. , Caffee M. W. , Dunbar N. W. , Edwards R. , Geng L. , Iverson N. , Koffman B. , Layman L. , Maselli O. J. , McGwire K. , Muscheler R. , Nishiizumi K. , Pasteris D. R. , Rhodes R. H. , Sowers T. A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. We present the WD2014 chronology for the upper part (0–2850 m, 31.2 ka BP) of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Divide ice core. The chronology is based on counting of annual layers observed in the chemical, dust and electrical conductivity records. These layers are caused by seasonal changes in the source, transport, and deposition of aerosols. The measurements were interpreted manually and with the aid of two automated methods. We validated the chronology by comparing to two high-accuracy, absolutely dated chronologies. For the Holocene, the cosmogenic isotope records of 10Be from WAIS Divide and 14C for Intcal13 demonstrated WD2014 was consistently accurate to better than 0.5 % of the age. For the glacial period, comparisons to the Hulu Cave chronology demonstrated WD2014 had an accuracy of better than 1 % of the age at three abrupt climate change events between 27 and 31 ka. WD2014 has consistently younger ages than Greenland ice-core chronologies during most of the Holocene. For the Younger Dryas-Preboreal transition (11 546 ka BP, 24 years younger) and the Bølling-Allerød Warming (14 576 ka, 7 years younger) WD2014 ages are within the combined uncertainties of the timescales. Given its high accuracy, WD2014 can become a reference chronology for the Southern Hemisphere, with synchronization to other chronologies feasible using high quality proxies of volcanism, solar activity, atmospheric mineral dust, and atmospheric methane concentrations.
Flexibility oriented design of a horizontal wrapping machine
Authors: Giberti H. , Pagani A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Flexibility and high production volumes are very important requirements in modern production lines. In most industrial processes, in order to reach high production volumes, the items are rarely stopped into a production line and all the machining processes are executed by synchronising the tools to the moving material web. "Flying saw" and "cross cutter" are techniques widely used in these contexts to increase productivity but usually they are studied from a control point of view. This work highlights the kinematic and dynamic synthesis of the general framework of a flying machining device with the emphasis on the driving system chosen and the design parameter definition, in order to guarantee the required performance in terms of flexibility and high production volumes. The paper develops and applies a flexibility oriented design to an horizontal wrapping machine.
PROGRESS ON ANTIMICROBIAL SURGICAL GLOVES: A REVIEW
Authors: Babadi Arman Amani , Bagheri Samira , Hamid Sharifah Bee Abdul
Published: July 2015

Surgical gloves provide a protective blockade for patients and members of the surgical team. Glove integrity is critical in an era of blood-borne pathogens. Therefore, the need for improved means for prevention and also gloving and appropriate hand hygiene in a hospital setting is ostensible. This perspective highlights the progress on antimicrobial surgical gloves in deducting the microbial passage after a glove puncture in a model of wound contamination. Moreover, traditional methods to avoid microbes in the hospital and various antimicrobial agents, such as metal ions and antiseptic dyes, are reviewed.
Anti-Semitism as Colonialism
Authors: Magid Shaul
Published: July 2015

In this essay I examine the “ethics of violence” of Rabbi Meir Kahane, iconoclastic American rabbi, Israeli Parliamentarian, and founder of both the Jewish Defense League in America and the KACH political party in Israel. While much has been written about Kahane's career in Israel, almost nothing has been written about his critique of American Judaism, which I maintain is crucial to understanding his life's work. In particular Kahane developed what I call an “ethics of violence” based on selected classical sources and a theory of perennial anti-Semitism that I argue is similar to colonialism. While Kahane was not conversant in contemporary philosophy or neocolonial literature, I argue his thinking corresponds and contrasts in interesting ways with postcolonial theory. In this essay I attempt to contextualize Kahane's “ethics of violence,” reading him with Jean Paul Sartre, Hannah Arendt, Frantz Fanon, and Slavoj Zizek. Framing Kahane's understanding of anti-Semitism as colonialism, I try to offer a coherent case, although certainly not a justification, as to why Kahane was an advocate of violence.
“The Foremost Amongst the Divine Attributes Is to Hate the Vulgar Power of Violence”
Authors: Cohen Aryeh
Published: July 2015

In this paper I am trying to recover Tamares for contemporary ethical discourse by putting his nonviolence and pacifism in dialogue with Levinas's “pacifism” in Totality and Infinity. They share a common aim of eradicating war and violence, or for Levinas, war and “bad” violence. However, they come to this end from very different philosophical places. Tamares's thought starts with a religious humanism which holds that being created in the Divine Image means that humans are at the center of creation and that the purpose of creation is to bring an excellence to human beings. For Levinas it is a basic recognition of the transcendence of another person, which leads to the impossibility of using or harming another person and only leaves open the possibility of responding to their needs, which is the path of peace.
Chosenness and the Imperative of Nonviolence: A Response to Aryeh Cohen on Tamares and Levinas
Authors: Flescher Andrew
Published: July 2015

This essay evaluates the connection Aryeh Cohen innovatively draws between the relatively unheralded early twentieth-century rabbi and critic of Zionism from the Russian province of Grodno, Aharon Shmuel Tamares, and the midcentury French Judaic philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas. While endorsing Cohen's view that both figures progressively and somewhat provocatively interpret the covenantal exhortation in Exodus 19:5 to seek peace also entails an injunction to resist rather than match the tactics of domineering powers, it moves beyond Cohen to argue that Tamares and Levinas, both, could arguably be construed as critics of contemporary day Israel's too easy acquiescence to military options in defending its interests. In due course, the essay draws out the implications of Cohen's comparison of Tamares's “ethics of galut” (exile) to Levinas's alter-centric philosophy. Ultimately the essay suggests that Tamares and Levinas can be seen as critics of “Jewish nationalism,” and in specific, critics of the notion that tribal identity, often construed as the core such a nationalism, can ever serve as a justification for employing violent means to defend a Jewish homeland.
A research about job satisfaction of medical secretaries working in a public hospital in the city center of Diyarbakir, Turkey
Authors: Gumus Rojan , Sahin Arif
Published: July 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of job satisfaction among medical secretaries and to identify the major predictors that affect their complaints about work.Methods: The data were obtained from 115 medical secretaries working in a public hospital. We didn’t use any sampling method but tried to reach the whole population in the hospital. As a survey method, Spector Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS, 1985) has been used. JSS is a 36 item, nine facet scale (pay, promotion, supervision, fringe benefits, contingent rewards, operating conditions, coworkers, nature of work and communication) in order to assess employee attitudes about the job and aspects of the job. Its reliability has been measured by the Cronbach Alpha test. Employees were compared according to their gender, age, marital status, education, working status (official-employed by government/ casual staff-employed by firms), working experience (years) and working position (administrative-clinical). Descriptive statistics, significance tests and confidence tests were gained by SPSS 16.0.Results: Findings showed that gender and marital status affect satisfaction but age doesn’t play a big role. Male participants were more satisfied in terms of promotion (χ2 = 27.506, p < .001) and supervision (X2= 29.852, p < .001) facets. In terms of pay (X2 = 15.764, p < .01), fringe benefits (X2 = 24.948, p < .001), and contingent rewards (X2 = 26.396, p < .001) single participants were more satisfied relative to married ones. Also, participants who had working experience over 10 years were more satisfied. The highest significance levels were seen in working position (administrative/clinical) and working status (official-casual). Participants working official and at administrative positions were more satisfied on various facets.Conclusions: Based on outcomes of this study, it is observed that lowest satisfaction levels were found in pay, promotion, and communication facets. Participants were more satisfied with nature of work, supervision and fringe benefits. Participants working at administrative positions were more satisfied in terms of supervision, coworkers, and nature of work facets. In clinics health workers have more work to do and this may lead to dissatisfaction in relationships with coworkers and supervisors. Because of the fact that working casually means inconsistency of work, hard working conditions, lower payments and impossibility of promotion, participants working casually were dissatisfied in terms of pay, supervision, coworkers, communication and nature of work facets. It is obviously seen that the government has deficiency about describing responsibilities and rights of medical secretaries. The status of work should be strengthened and their future at work should be taken under assurance.