bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Security and Surveillance in Times of Globalization
Authors: Melgaço Lucas
Published: April 2014

Brazilian geographer Milton Santos is among the most influential theorists in Brazil and in the rest of Latin America yet his work has not until now been popularized in Anglo-American scholarship. Santos created a solid theoretical framework composed by a set of articulated concepts, some of which are discussed in this paper: technical-scientific and informational milieu, technical unicity, convergence of moments, enlargement of contexts, knowability of the planet, contemporary acceleration, psycho-sphere, techno-sphere and counter-rationalities. This article also presents Santos' conception of globalization as fable, perversity and possibility. Through a review of the author's main works, particularly the book Toward an Other Globalization, and through the application of some of his concepts to the analysis of contemporary events, this article intends to offer an introduction to Santos to the Anglo world and to demonstrate how his conceptual framework can contribute to the literature on surveillance and urban security.
Privatization of Security and the Production of Space in Mexico City
Authors: Zamorano Claudia , Capron Guénola
Published: April 2014

By observing the process of privatization of public security in Mexican cities, the authors focus on the social production of the urban space. It was defined by Lefebvre (1991) as the set of practices carried out by the State and civil society throughout history that gradually form and transform cities. The authors argue that the intervention of private agents in the production of security services not only weakens the State's monopoly on the use of force and exacerbates segregation, but it also diminishes the State's capacity to intervene in questions of urban (e-planning).
Domain-Based Approaches to Prediction and Analysis of Protein-Protein Interactions
Authors: Hayashida Morihiro , Akutsu Tatsuya
Published: April 2014

Protein-protein interactions play various essential roles in cellular systems. Many methods have been developed for inference of protein-protein interactions from protein sequence data. In this paper, the authors focus on methods based on domain-domain interactions, where a domain is defined as a region within a protein that either performs a specific function or constitutes a stable structural unit. In these methods, the probabilities of domain-domain interactions are inferred from known protein-protein interaction data and protein domain data, and then prediction of interactions is performed based on these probabilities and contents of domains of given proteins. This paper overviews several fundamental methods, which include association method, expectation maximization-based method, support vector machine-based method, linear programming-based method, and conditional random field-based method. This paper also reviews a simple evolutionary model of protein domains, which yields a scale-free distribution of protein domains. By combining with a domain-based protein interaction model, a scale-free distribution of protein-protein interaction networks is also derived.
Biological and Medical Big Data Mining
Authors: Tzanis George
Published: April 2014

This paper discusses the concept of big data mining in the domain of biology and medicine. Biological and medical data are increasing at very rapid rates, which in many cases outpace even Moore's law. This is the result of recent technological development, as well as the exploratory attitude of human beings, that prompts scientists to answer more questions by conducting more experiments. Representative examples are the advances in sequencing and medical imaging technologies. Challenges posed by this data deluge, and the emerging opportunities of their efficient management and analysis are also part of the discussion. The major emphasis is given to the most common biological and medical data mining applications.
Data Quality Assessment
Authors: Kulikowski Juliusz L.
Published: April 2014

A state-of-the-art in the domain of data quality assessment and maintaining in modern information systems is presented in the paper. A short historical view on the development of this problem is given. Particular attention is paid to the development of the idea of multi-aspect data quality assessment. The problem of extension of single data quality assessment on higher-level data structures is considered. The methods of multi-aspect data quality measures ordering for comparison is analyzed and its solution based on the concept of semi-ordering in linear vector (Kantorovitsh) space is proposed. Remarks on organizational and technological tools for data quality maintenance in organizations are given. Expected future trends in the development of data quality assessment and maintenance methods are suggested.
Optimisation of key performance measures in air cargo demand management
Authors: May Alexander , Anslow Adrian , Ojiako Udechukwu , Wu Yue , Marshall Alasdair , Chipulu Maxwell
Published: April 2014

This article sought to facilitate the optimisation of key performance measures utilised for demand management in air cargo operations. The focus was on the Revenue Management team at Virgin Atlantic Cargo and a fuzzy group decision-making method was used. Utilising intelligent fuzzy multi-criteria methods, the authors generated a ranking order of ten key outcome-based performance indicators for Virgin Atlantic air cargo Revenue Management. The result of this industry-driven study showed that for Air Cargo Revenue Management, ‘Network Optimisation’ represents a critical outcome-based performance indicator. This collaborative study contributes to existing logistics management literature, especially in the area of Revenue Management, and it seeks to enhance Revenue Management practice. It also provides a platform for Air Cargo operators seeking to improve reliability values for their key performance indicators as a means of enhancing operational monitoring power.
The diabetic patient in Ramadan
Authors: Chamsi-Pasha Hassan , Aljabri Khalid S
Published: April 2014

During the month of Ramadan, all healthy, adult Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan involves abstaining from food, water, beverages, smoking, oral drugs, and sexual intercourse. Although the Quran exempts chronically ill from fasting, many Muslims with diabetes still fast during Ramadan. Patients with diabetes who fast during the month of Ramadan can have acute complications. The risk of complications in fasting individuals with diabetes increases with longer periods of fasting. All patients with diabetes who wish to fast during Ramadan should be prepared by undergoing a medical assessment and engaging in a structured education program to undertake the fast as safely as possible. Although some guidelines do exist, there is an overwhelming need for better designed clinical trials which could provide us with evidence-based information and guidance in the management of patients with diabetes fasting Ramadan.
Differential Expression of Cysteine Dioxygenase 1 in Complex Karyotype Liposarcomas
Authors: Shaker Mohammed , Pascarelli Kara M. , Plantinga Matthew J. , Love Miles A. , Lazar Alexander J. , Ingram Davis R. , Von Mehren Margaret , Lev Dina , Kipling David , Broccoli Dominique
Published: April 2014

Altered cysteine dioxygenase 1 (CDO1) gene expression has been observed in several cancers but has not yet been investigated in liposarcomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate CDO1 expression in a cohort of liposarcomas and to determine its association with clinicopathological features. Existing microarray data indicated variable CDO1 expression in liposarcoma subtypes. CDO1 mRNA from a larger cohort of liposarcomas was quantified by real time-PCR, and CDO1 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in more than 300 tumor specimens. Well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLSs) had significantly higher CDO1 gene expression and protein levels than dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLSs) ( P < 0.001). Location of the tumor was not predictive of the expression level of CDO1 mRNA in any histological subtype of liposarcoma. Recurrent tumors did not show any difference in CDO1 expression when compared to primary tumors. CDO1 expression was upregulated as human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) undergo differentiation into mature adipocytes. Our results suggest that CDO1 is a marker of liposarcoma progression and adipogenic differentiation.
Des images et des sciences
Authors: Drouin Anne-Marie
Published: April 2014

De las imágenes y de las ciencias

Las ciencias tanto en su presentación vulgarizada que en su transmisión entre pares o en su fase de elaboración, utilizan largamente las imágenes.

La enseñanza de la ciencias como la mayor parte de las enseñanzas, se sirve de los esquemas explicativos, de diagramas y curvas, que ilustran los manuales o que los alumnos son incitados a construir.

Abordar el papel de las imágenes en las ciencas no excluye un análisis de la imágen por ella misma. En efecto, las reglas del código y el descifrado, la relación entre lo conceptual y lo figurado, el poder y los límites de la esquematización, la distancia controlada entre lo real y su imagen fotografiada o dibujada, todo esto existe y se analiza, sin tener en cuenta el tipo de contenido. Queda que por las ciencias, en tren de hacerse o mostrando sus resultados, las imágenes juegan roles diversos e importantes, contradictorias algunas veces, pero necesarias, y del cuál sera importante poder hacer aparecer el papel específico.
Adaptation et théorie de l'évolution
Authors: Lacombe Geneviève
Published: April 2014

Adaptación y teoría de la evolución Geneviève Lacombe

La autora nos propone un análisis critico de los programas de biología de segundo ciclo, poniendo en evidencia la falta de perspectiva evolucionista. Otros países se baten por ensebar o no enseríar las teorías de la evolución. El problema no se plantea en Francia : nuestra enseñanza en el liceo es absolutamente no evolucionista (y de ese hecho fijista ?) guardando de las teorías de la evolución solamente la noción de adatación.

El texto remarca la reducción positivista de la noción de adaptación a través la presentación de los manuales del liceo.
Travail autonome au lycée et élaboration du concept de respiration
Authors: Guyon Jeanine
Published: April 2014

Trabajo autónomo y elaboración del concepto de respiración

La innovación pedagógica conducida en el liceo, que es descripta aquí, articulaba en un proyecto de elaboración colectiva del concepto des respiración, diversos modalidades de trabajo. Los alumnos han conducido un trabajo de investigación en equipos, ellos pusieron en relación los resultados aportados por cada equipo, el profesor dió las informaciones complementarias. Todo este trabajo ha permitido una estructuración de conocimientos por el conjunto de la clase.

El objetivo del profesor era esencialmente de facilitar la adquisición personal de conocimientos. Es por eso que el acento fue puesto en el análisis sobre la evolución de las concepciones de los alumnos en relación a la respiración.
Use of Eyeglasses among Children in Elementary School: Perceptions, Behaviors, and Interventions Discussed by Parents, School Nurses, and Teachers during Focus Groups
Authors: Kodjebacheva Gergana Damianova , Maliski Sally , Coleman Anne L.
Published: April 2014

Purpose.

To investigate the perceptions, behaviors, and recommendations that parents, school nurses, and teachers have regarding children's use of eyeglasses.

Approach.

Focus groups with parents, school nurses, and teachers were conducted.

Setting.

The study took place in one Southern California school district.

Participants.

There were 39 participants, including 24 parents, seven school nurses, and eight teachers.

Method.

An experienced moderator guided the focus group discussions. Transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory techniques.

Results.

Participants perceive visual impairment as a serious problem in the development of children. The lack of eyeglasses may lead to problems such as tiredness, headaches, inability to focus on school work, and decreased reading speed. Participants experienced disappointment, unhappiness, worry, and concern when they realized they needed eyeglasses at a young age. Negative societal perceptions toward eyeglasses, lack of eye doctors in minority communities, parental perceptions that children do not need eyeglasses, and peer bullying of children wearing eyeglasses are key obstacles to children's use of eyeglasses. Participants suggest school and national campaigns featuring respected public figures who wear eyeglasses to promote positive attitudes toward eyeglasses.

Conclusion.

Parents and teachers who closely follow the academic development of children have observed that visual impairment has negative consequences for the scholastic achievement of children. They recommend interventions to promote the attractiveness of eyeglasses in society. The participants discuss the need for a national preventative message for eye care similar to the message for dental care. The public health message should emphasize the importance of embracing and respecting differences among individuals.
Developing Clinical Decision Support within a Commercial Electronic Health Record System to Improve Antimicrobial Prescribing in the Neonatal ICU
Authors: Cato K. , Sheehan B. , Patel S. , Duchon J. , DeLaMora P. , Ferng Y.H. , Graham P. , Vawdrey D.K. , Perlman J. , Larson E. , Saiman L. , Hum R.S.
Published: April 2014

Objective: To develop and implement a clinical decision support (CDS) tool to improve antibiotic prescribing in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and to evaluate user acceptance of the CDS tool.

Methods: Following sociotechnical analysis of NICU prescribing processes, a CDS tool for empiric and targeted antimicrobial therapy for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) was developed and incorporated into a commercial electronic health record (EHR) in two NICUs. User logs were reviewed and NICU prescribers were surveyed for their perceptions of the CDS tool.

Results: The CDS tool aggregated selected laboratory results, including culture results, to make treatment recommendations for common clinical scenarios. From July 2010 to May 2012, 1,303 CDS activations for 452 patients occurred representing 22% of patients prescribed antibiotics during this period. While NICU clinicians viewed two culture results per tool activation, prescribing recommendations were viewed during only 15% of activations. Most (63%) survey respondents were aware of the CDS tool, but fewer (37%) used it during their most recent NICU rotation. Respondents considered the most useful features to be summarized culture results (43%) and antibiotic recommendations (48%).

Discussion: During the study period, the CDS tool functionality was hindered by EHR upgrades, implementation of a new laboratory information system, and changes to antimicrobial testing methodologies. Loss of functionality may have reduced viewing antibiotic recommendations. In contrast, viewing culture results was frequently performed, likely because this feature was perceived as useful and functionality was preserved.

Conclusion: To improve CDS tool visibility and usefulness, we recommend early user and information technology team involvement which would facilitate use and mitigate implementation challenges.

Citation: Hum RS, Cato K, Sheehan B, Patel S, Duchon J, DeLaMora P, Ferng YH, Graham P, Vawdrey DK, Perlman J, Larson E, Saiman L. Developing clinical decision support within a commercial electronic health record system to improve antimicrobial prescribing in the neonatal ICU. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 368–387 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2013-09-RA-0069
Factors controlling variability in the oxidative capacity of the troposphere since the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Murray L. T. , Mickley L. J. , Kaplan J. O. , Sofen E. D. , Pfeiffer M. , Alexander B.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The oxidative capacity of past atmospheres is highly uncertain. We present here a new climate–biosphere–chemistry modeling framework to determine oxidant levels in the present and past troposphere. We use the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model driven by meteorological fields from the NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies (GISS) ModelE, with land cover and fire emissions from dynamic global vegetation models. We present time-slice simulations for the present day, late preindustrial era (AD 1770), and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 19–23 ka), and we test the sensitivity of model results to uncertainty in lightning and fire emissions. We find that most preindustrial and paleo climate simulations yield reduced oxidant levels relative to the present day. Contrary to prior studies, tropospheric mean OH in our ensemble shows little change at the LGM relative to the preindustrial era (0.5 ± 12 %), despite large reductions in methane concentrations. We find a simple linear relationship between tropospheric mean ozone photolysis rates, water vapor, and total emissions of NOx and reactive carbon that explains 72 % of the variability in global mean OH in 11 different simulations across the last glacial–interglacial time interval and the industrial era. Key parameters controlling the tropospheric oxidative capacity over glacial–interglacial periods include overhead stratospheric ozone, tropospheric water vapor, and lightning NOx emissions. Variability in global mean OH since the LGM is insensitive to fire emissions. Our simulations are broadly consistent with ice-core records of Δ17O in sulfate and nitrate at the LGM, and CO, HCHO, and H2O2 in the preindustrial era. Our results imply that the glacial–interglacial changes in atmospheric methane observed in ice cores are predominantly driven by changes in its sources as opposed to its sink with OH.
Regional modeling of tropospheric NO2 vertical column density over East Asia during the period 2000–2010: comparison with multisatellite observations
Authors: Itahashi S. , Uno I. , Irie H. , Kurokawa J.-I. , Ohara T.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Satellite observations of the tropospheric NO2 vertical column density (VCD) are closely correlated to, and thus can be used to estimate, surface NOx emissions. In this study, the NO2 VCD simulated by a regional chemical transport model with emissions data from the updated Regional Emission inventory in ASia (REAS) version 2.1 were validated through comparison with multisatellite observations during the period 2000–2010. Rapid growth in NO2 VCD (~11% year−1) driven by the expansion of anthropogenic NOx emissions was identified above the central eastern China (CEC) region, except for the period during the economic downturn. In contrast, slightly decreasing trends (~2% year−1) were identified above Japan accompanied by a decline in anthropogenic emissions. To systematically compare the modeled NO2 VCD, we estimated sampling bias and the effect of applying the averaging kernel information, with particular focus on the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) data. Using the updated REAS, the modeled NO2 VCD reasonably reproduced annual trends observed by multisatellites, suggesting that the rate of increase of NOx emissions estimated by the updated REAS inventory would be robust. Province-scale revision of emissions above CEC is needed to further refine emission inventories. Based on the close linear relationship between modeled and observed NO2 VCD and anthropogenic NOx emissions, NOx emissions in 2009 and 2010, which were not covered by the updated REAS inventory, were estimated. NOx emissions from anthropogenic sources in China in 2009 and 2010 were determined to be 26.4 and 28.5 Tg year−1, respectively, indicating that NOx emissions increased more than twofold between 2000 and 2010. This increase reflected the strong growth of anthropogenic emissions in China following the rapid recovery from the economic downturn from late 2008 until mid-2009. Our method consists of simple estimations from satellite observations and provides results that are consistent with the most recent inventory of emissions data for China.
Anthropogenic and natural methane fluxes in Switzerland synthesized within a spatially explicit inventory
Authors: Hiller R. V. , Bretscher D. , DelSontro T. , Diem T. , Eugster W. , Henneberger R. , Hobi S. , Hodson E. , Imer D. , Kreuzer M. , Künzle T. , Merbold L. , Niklaus P. A. , Rihm B. , Schellenberger A. , Schroth M. H. , Schubert C. J. , Siegrist H. , Stieger J. , Buchmann N. , Brunner D.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. We present the first high-resolution (500 m × 500 m) gridded methane (CH4) emission inventory for Switzerland, which integrates 90 % of the national emission totals reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and recent CH4 flux studies conducted by research groups across Switzerland. In addition to anthropogenic emissions, we also include natural and semi-natural CH4 fluxes, i.e., emissions from lakes and reservoirs, wetlands, wild animals as well as uptake by forest soils. National CH4 emissions were disaggregated using detailed geostatistical information on source locations and their spatial extent and process- or area-specific emission factors. In Switzerland, the highest CH4 emissions in 2011 originated from the agricultural sector (150 Gg CH4 yr−1), mainly produced by ruminants and manure management, followed by emissions from waste management (15 Gg CH4 yr−1) mainly from landfills and the energy sector (12 Gg CH4 yr−1), which was dominated by emissions from natural gas distribution. Compared with the anthropogenic sources, emissions from natural and semi-natural sources were relatively small (6 Gg CH4 yr−1), making up only 3% of the total emissions in Switzerland. CH4 fluxes from agricultural soils were estimated to be not significantly different from zero (between −1.5 and 0 Gg CH4 yr−1), while forest soils are a CH4 sink (approx. −2.8 Gg CH4 yr−1), partially offsetting other natural emissions. Estimates of uncertainties are provided for the different sources, including an estimate of spatial disaggregation errors deduced from a comparison with a global (EDGAR v4.2) and an European (TNO/MACC) CH4 inventory. This new spatially explicit emission inventory for Switzerland will provide valuable input for regional-scale atmospheric modeling and inverse source estimation.
A satellite data driven biophysical modeling approach for estimating northern peatland and tundra CO2 and CH4 fluxes
Authors: Watts J. D. , Kimball J. S. , Parmentier F. J. W. , Sachs T. , Rinne J. , Zona D. , Oechel W. , Tagesson T. , Jackowicz-Korczyński M. , Aurela M.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The northern terrestrial net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) is contingent on inputs from vegetation gross primary productivity (GPP) to offset the ecosystem respiration (Reco) of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions, but an effective framework to monitor the regional Arctic NECB is lacking. We modified a terrestrial carbon flux (TCF) model developed for satellite remote sensing applications to evaluate wetland CO2 and CH4 fluxes over pan-Arctic eddy covariance (EC) flux tower sites. The TCF model estimates GPP, CO2 and CH4 emissions using in situ or remote sensing and reanalysis-based climate data as inputs. The TCF model simulations using in situ data explained > 70% of the r2 variability in the 8 day cumulative EC measured fluxes. Model simulations using coarser satellite (MODIS) and reanalysis (MERRA) records accounted for approximately 69% and 75% of the respective r2 variability in the tower CO2 and CH4 records, with corresponding RMSE uncertainties of ≤ 1.3 g C m−2 d−1 (CO2) and 18.2 mg C m−2 d−1 (CH4). Although the estimated annual CH4 emissions were small (< 18 g C m−2 yr−1) relative to Reco (> 180 g C m−2 yr−1), they reduced the across-site NECB by 23% and contributed to a global warming potential of approximately 165 ± 128 g CO2eq m−2 yr−1 when considered over a 100 year time span. This model evaluation indicates a strong potential for using the TCF model approach to document landscape-scale variability in CO2 and CH4 fluxes, and to estimate the NECB for northern peatland and tundra ecosystems.
Sedimentary and atmospheric sources of iron around South Georgia, Southern Ocean: a modelling perspective
Authors: Borrione I. , Aumont O. , Nielsdóttir M. C. , Schlitzer R.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. In high-nutrient low-chlorophyll waters of the western Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, an intense phytoplankton bloom is observed annually north of South Georgia. Multiple sources, including shallow sediments and atmospheric dust deposition, are thought to introduce iron to the region. However, the relative importance of each source is still unclear, owing in part to the scarcity of dissolved iron (dFe) measurements in the South Georgia region. In this study, we combine results from a recently published dFe data set around South Georgia with a coupled regional hydrodynamic and biogeochemical model to further investigate iron supply around the island. The biogeochemical component of the model includes an iron cycle, where sediments and dust deposition are the sources of iron to the ocean. The model captures the characteristic flow patterns around South Georgia, hence simulating a large phytoplankton bloom to the north (i.e. downstream) of the island. Modelled dFe concentrations agree well with observations (mean difference and root mean square errors of ~0.02 nM and ~0.81 nM) and form a large plume to the north of the island that extends eastwards for more than 800 km. In agreement with observations, highest dFe concentrations are located along the coast and decrease with distance from the island. Sensitivity tests indicate that most of the iron measured in the main bloom area originates from the coast and very shallow shelf-sediments (depths < 20 m). Dust deposition exerts almost no effect on surface chlorophyll a concentrations. Other sources of iron such as run-off and glacial melt are not represented explicitly in the model, however we discuss their role in the local iron budget.
Field-based observations of regional-scale, temporal variation in net primary production in Tibetan alpine grasslands
Authors: Shi Y. , Wang Y. , Ma Y. , Ma W. , Liang C. , Flynn D. F. B. , Schmid B. , Fang J. , He J.-S.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Net primary production (NPP) is a fundamental process of natural ecosystems. Temporal variation of NPP not only reflects how communities respond to environmental fluctuations, but it also has important implications for regional carbon assessment. Unfortunately, studies based on field measurements to directly address this issue in the extreme environment of alpine grasslands are rare. In this study, we measured aboveground NPP (ANPP) and species richness in 40 sites across the Tibetan alpine grasslands from 2006 to 2009 to investigate the regional pattern of temporal variation in ANPP and to quantify the effects of climate fluctuation and biodiversity on this variation. The results showed that, during the 4-year period, the average ANPP varied 1.5-fold, from 83.9 to 125.7 g m−2, with a mean coefficient of variation of temporal variation of 36.6% across the 40 sites. Compared with other studies, alpine grasslands are not more sensitive to climate fluctuations than other grassland types. Aboveground NPP exhibited synchronous temporal variation and consistent spatial patterns over the 4-year period due to the regionally similar climatic fluctuations caused by monsoon-dominated plateau climate. Surprisingly, rainfall fluctuation had a more profound effect on the ANPP dynamics than temperature variation, which suggests that production in the Tibetan alpine grasslands is primarily driven by precipitation. Therefore, ANPP in the Tibetan alpine grasslands are mainly constrained by water availability. Finally, we found a reduction in interannual variation (i.e., CV) in ANPP with increasing species richness of plant communities, suggesting that diversity can stabilize community production in high-altitude grasslands.
Quantitative reconstruction of East Asian summer monsoon precipitation during the Holocene based on oxygen isotope mass-balance calculation in the East China Sea
Authors: Kubota Y. , Tada R. , Kimoto K.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The δ18O of seawater (δ18Ow), an indirect indicator of sea surface salinity, in the northern East China Sea (ECS) was reconstructed for the last 7 kyr using paired Mg/Ca ratio and δ18O of planktic foraminiferal tests. According to modern observation, interannual variations in sea surface salinity during summer in the northern part of the ECS are mainly controlled by the discharge from the Changjiang (Yangtze River), which reflects summer rainfall in the drainage area of the Changjiang. Thus, changes in the summer sea surface salinity in the northern ECS are interpreted as reflecting variations in the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) precipitation in South China. This interpretation is confirmed by the strong relationship between salinity in the northern ECS and the discharge from the Changjiang during wet season (May–October) based on the observational salinity data from 1951 to 2000. On the other hand, it is difficult to estimate absolute salinity value in the past with high accuracy, because there are large uncertainties in salinity-δ18Ow regression slope, end-member salinity, and δ18Ow values. For this reason, in order to reconstruct the discharge in the past, we conducted δ18Ow mass-balance calculation to estimate freshwater contribution to the surface water of the northern ECS during the Holocene. We assumed a simple mixing between two end-members: the seawater and the freshwater from the Changjiang. Temporal variations in the relative contribution of the freshwater from the Changjiang indicates that there was no long-term decreasing trend in the Changjiang freshwater discharge since the middle Holocene, but centennial to millennial scale variations were predominant. This suggests that changes in summer insolation in the Northern Hemisphere did not mainly control the changes in summer precipitation in the South China. Our results also indicate that variability of the Changjiang freshwater during the Holocene on sub-millennial timescale was much lower than interannual time scale, but similar to decadal time scale.
Holocene climate change, permafrost, and cryogenic carbonate formation: insights from a recently deglaciated, high-elevation cave in the Austrian Alps
Authors: Spötl C. , Cheng H.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Cryogenically formed carbonate particles represent a rather new class of speleothems whose origin is directly linked to the presence of perennial ice in the subsurface. Recent studies concluded that dating these deposits provides important time constraints on the presence and the thickness of permafrost e.g. during the last glacial period. More precisely, these carbonates require the coexistence of water and ice and hence record episodes of permafrost thawing. To shed more light on the origin of the coarsely crystalline variety of these cryogenic cave carbonates – CCCcoarse for short – we examined a high-elevation cave site in the western part of the Austrian Alps which is located in an area dominated by permafrost features and transformed from an ice cave into an essentially ice-free cave during the past decade. Two side chambers of the main gallery revealed cryogenic calcite deposits whose isotopic composition indicates that they formed in individual pools of water carved in ice which underwent very slow freezing under closed-system conditions, i.e. enclosed in ice. 230Th dating shows that most of these carbonates formed ca. 2600 yr BP. Based on comparisons with other palaeoclimate archives in the Alps this thawing episode did not occur during a climate optimum, nor did CCCcoarse form in this cave during e.g. the Roman or the Medieval Warm Periods. Our results suggest that the occurrence of CCCcoarse, at least in mountain regions characterized by discontinuous permafrost, may be more stochastic than previously thought. Given the inherent heterogeneity of karst aquifers and the important role of localized water infiltration in modifying the thermal structure of the subsurface we caution against attributing CCCcoarse occurrences solely to peak warming conditions, while confirming the unique significance of these deposits in providing robust age constraints on permafrost thawing episodes.
A new mobile and portable scanning lidar for profiling lower troposphere
Authors: Chiang C.-W. , Das S. K. , Chiang H.-W. , Nee J.-B. , Sun S.-H. , Chen S.-W. , Lin P.-H. , Chu J.-C. , Su C.-S. , Su L.-S.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. We present and discuss on an indigenously developed mobile and portable 3-D scanning lidar system. The system utilizes a stimulated Raman-scattering technique for the continuous observation of atmospheric aerosols, clouds and trace gases. The system provides fast scanning technique with a high speed data acquisition, which permits the real-time measurement of air pollutant mobility. The temporal resolution of data retrieval is every one min. The scanning lidar system provides typical horizontal coverage of about 8–10 km when scanning, while the vertical range can be up to 20 km depending upon the laser power and sky conditions. This versatile lidar system has also overcome the drawbacks which are popular in the other scanning lidar system such as complicated operation; overlapping height between laser beam and telescope field of view; and damage of optic detectors for long duration measurement by using an integral coaxial transmitter and receiver. Some of the initial results obtained from the scanning lidar system are also presented. We have shown that the developed 3-D scanning lidar system can resolve the boundary layer structure and land-sea breeze circulation. Discussion is also made on the application of scanning lidar system to measure pollutant over industrial areas.
Improving subtropical boundary layer cloudiness in the 2011 NCEP GFS
Authors: Fletcher J. K. , Bretherton C. S. , Xiao H. , Sun R. , Han J.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. The current operational version of National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecasting System (GFS) shows significant low cloud bias. These biases also appear in the Coupled Forecast System (CFS), which is developed from the GFS. These low cloud biases degrade seasonal and longer climate forecasts, particularly of shortwave cloud radiative forcing, and affect predicted sea-surface temperature. Reducing this bias in the GFS will aid the development of future CFS versions and contributes to NCEP's goal of unified weather and climate modelling. Changes are made to the shallow convection and planetary boundary layer parametrisations to make them more consistent with current knowledge of these processes and to reduce the low cloud bias. These changes are tested in a single-column version of GFS and in global simulations with GFS coupled to a dynamical ocean model. In the single column model, we focus on changing parameters that set the following: the strength of shallow cumulus lateral entrainment, the conversion of updraught liquid water to precipitation and grid-scale condensate, shallow cumulus cloud top, and the effect of shallow convection in stratocumulus environments. Results show that these changes improve the single-column simulations when compared to large eddy simulations, in particular through decreasing the precipitation efficiency of boundary layer clouds. These changes, combined with a few other model improvements, also reduce boundary layer cloud and albedo biases in global coupled simulations.
Relationships between environmental governance and water quality in a growing metropolitan area of the Pacific Northwest, USA
Authors: Chang H. , Thiers P. , Netusil N. R. , Yeakley J. A. , Rollwagen-Bollens G. , Bollens S. M. , Singh S.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. We investigate relationships between environmental governance and water quality in two adjacent growing metropolitan areas in the western US. While the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington metro areas share many common biophysical characteristics, they have different land development histories and water governance structures, providing a unique opportunity for examining how differences in governance might affect environmental quality. We conceptualize possible linkages in which water quality influences governance directly, using monitoring efforts as a metric, and indirectly by using the change in the sale price of single-family residential properties. Governance may then influence water quality directly through riparian restoration resulting from monitoring results and indirectly through land use policy. We investigate evidence to substantiate these linkages. Our results showed that changes in monitoring regimes and land development patterns differed in response to differences in growth management policy and environmental governance systems. Our results also showed similarities in environmental quality responses to varying governance systems. For example, we found that sales prices responded positively to improved water quality (e.g., increases in DO and reductions in bacteria counts) in both cities. Furthermore, riparian restoration efforts improved over time for both cities, indicating the positive effect of governance on this land-based resource that may result in improved water quality. However, as of yet, there were no substantial differences across study areas in water temperature over time, despite an expansion of these urban areas of more than 20 % over 24 years. The mechanisms by which water quality was maintained was similar in the sense that both cities benefited from riparian restoration, but different in the sense that Portland benefited indirectly from land use policy. A combination of long-term legacy effects of land development, and a relatively short history of riparian restoration in both the Portland and Vancouver regions, may have masked any subtle differences between study areas. An alternative explanation is that both cities exhibited combinations of positive indirect and direct water quality governance that resulted in maintenance of water quality in the face of increased urban growth. These findings suggest that a much longer-term water quality monitoring effort is needed to identify the effectiveness of alternative land development and water governance policies.
A multi-scale risk assessment for tephra fallout and airborne concentration from multiple Icelandic volcanoes – Part 2: Vulnerability and impact
Authors: Scaini C. , Biass S. , Galderisi A. , Bonadonna C. , Folch A. , Smith K. , Hoskuldsson A.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. We perform a multi-scale impact assessment of tephra fallout and dispersal from explosive volcanic activity in Iceland. A companion paper (Biass et al., 2014) introduces a multi-scale probabilistic assessment of tephra hazard from 4 Icelandic volcanoes (Hekla, Askja, Eyjafjallajökull and Katla) and presents probabilistic hazard maps for tephra accumulation in Iceland and tephra dispersal across Europe. Here, we present the subsequent vulnerability and impact assessment, that accounts the relevance of single features at national and European levels and considers several vulnerability indicators for tephra dispersal and deposition. At national scale, we focus on physical, systemic and economic vulnerability of Iceland to tephra fallout, whereas at European scale we focus on the systemic vulnerability of the air traffic system to tephra dispersal. Results include vulnerability maps for Iceland and European airspace and allow identifying the expected impacts of the different eruptive scenarios considered. Results at national scale show that tephra accumulation from the considered eruptive scenarios can disrupt main electricity network, in particular in case of eruption at Askja volcano. Results also show that if eruptive scenarios occurred at Hekla, Askja and Katla volcanoes, many power plants would be affected, causing a substantial systemic impact due to their importance for the Icelandic economy. Moreover, the considered scenarios at Askja and Katla could produce substantial impact on agricultural activities (crops and pastures). At European scale, tephra dispersal from explosive volcanic activity at Askja and Katla volcanoes is likely to produce substantial impacts at European level and, in particular, at Keflavik and London Flight Information Regions (FIRs), but also at FIRs above France, Germany and Scandinavia, in particular for long-lasting activity at Katla volcano. Explosive activity at Hekla volcano is likely to produce high impacts at Keflavik FIR and London FIRS, but in case of higher magnitude scenario, can impact also France FIRs. Results could support land use and emergency planning at national level and risk management strategies of the European air traffic system. Although we focus on Iceland, the proposed methodology could be applied to other active volcanic areas, enhancing the long-term tephra risk management.
Biochar as growing media additive and peat substitute
Authors: Steiner C. , Harttung T.
Published: April 2014

Abstract. Environmental concerns raised the demand for alternative growing media substituting sphagnum peat. However growing media formulations still depend on peat and alternatives are limited. Biochar is carbonized plant material and could be an appropriate additive or even substitute for sphagnum peat. Freshly produced, it is free from pathogens, has a low nutrient content (if produced from nutrient poor feedstock), a very high structural stability and likely other favourable properties such as air capacity and water holding capacity. Preliminary tests were conducted to compare biochar with other growing media and growing media additives. The growth of a miniature sunflower, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) was measured in different growing media such as biochar, perlite, clay granules, sphagnum peat and peat mixed with biochar in the ratios 1 : 4, 1 : 1 and 4 : 1 (25, 50 and 75%, by volume). Fresh biochar has a similar EC than peat which is even lower after rinsing with water. Due to the relatively high pH of biochar, it could be added to peat instead of lime in a concentration of up to 75%. The growth of the sunflower was similar in all growing media. Only the plant weight was slightly higher of plants that grew in perlite or peat. There is a large potential for optimization such as selection of particle size and feedstock for biochar production and growing media formulations for specific plant requirements.
Factorizations of negatively subscripted balancing and Lucas-balancing numbers
Authors: Ray Prasanta Kumar
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we  find some tridigonal matrices whose determinant and permanent are equal to the negatively subscripted balancing and Lucas- balancing numbers. Also using the First and second kind of Chebyshev polynomials, we obtain the factorization of these numbers.
Influence of weakly H-subgroups of minimal subgroups on the structure of finite groups
Authors: Al-Shomrani Mohammed Mosa
Published: April 2014

Let G be a finite group. A subgroup H of G is called an H-subgroup in G if NG(H) \ Hg H for all g in G. A subgroup H of G is called a weakly H-subgroup in G if there exists a normal subgroup K of G such that G = HK and  H \ K is an H-subgroup in G. In this paper, we use weakly H-subgroup condition on minimal subgroups to study the structure of the finite group G. Some earlier results are improved and extend.
Biharmonic curves according to parallel transport frame in E⁴
Authors: Körpınar Talat , Turhan Essin
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we study biharmonic curves according to parallel transport frame in E⁴. We give some characterizations for curvatures of a biharmonic curve in E⁴.
Parallel surfaces to normal ruled surfaces of general helices in the sol space Sol³
Authors: Körpinar Talat , Turhan Essin
Published: April 2014

In this paper, parallel surfaces to normal ruled surface of general helices in the Sol³ are studied. Also, explicit parametric equations of parallel surfaces to normal ruled surface of general helices in the Sol³ are found.
b-Smarandache tm₂ curves of biharmonic new type b-slant helices according to Bishop frame in the Sol space Sol³
Authors: Körpinar Talat , Turhan Essin
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we study b-Smarandache tm₂ curves of biharmonic new type b-slant helix in the Sol³. We characterize the b-Smarandache tm₂ curves in terms of their Bishop curvatures. Finally, we find out their explicit parametric equations in the Sol³.
Poetry Is Theft
Authors: Galvin Rachel
Published: April 2014

This article explores poetic practices of copying and recycling that follow a “cannibalistic” logic. Taking a cue from theories of literary relationality elaborated by Edward Said, Haroldo De Campos, Oswald De Andrade, Édouard Glissant, Jorge Luis Borges, and Marcus Boon, I examine innovations in the work of poets such as Mónica de la Torre, Timothy Donnelly, Terrance Hayes, Mark McMorris, Haryette Mullen, M. NourbeSe Philip, and Wendy Walker. While it is unusual to read North American poetry in connection with postcolonial and Latin American literary theory, my article's method enacts the same kind of poetic circuit that I am interested in exploring. Seeking to build on recent comparative approaches to twentieth-century poetry I argue that tracing dialogues and conceptual affinities across linguistic and regional boundaries is crucial for understanding the development of experimental poetics in the American Hemisphere.
English Before Engrish:
Authors: Fickle Tara
Published: April 2014

This article interrogates the limits of the “playful” genre that Timothy Yu has recently defined as Asian American experimental or avant-garde poetry. Through the work of John Yau, Brian Kim Stefans, Fred Wah, and others, I demonstrate the centrality of Wittgensteinian poetics to the aesthetic innovations of contemporary Asian North American poets whose language games challenge normative assumptions about the relationship between language, literature, and identity.
Civil Rights Religion?
Authors: Booker Vaughn
Published: April 2014

This article explores the historiography of the modern civil rights movement at the point where African American religious history and American political history intersect. Several scholars who have written about African American religion and politics during the 1950s and 1960s have wrestled with the significance of the appearance, characteristics, and motives of religions as expressions of political activism. By engaging how some scholars have created narrative portraits of organized African American religious women and men, I examine their stated and implicit definitions of African American religiosity, arguing that these definitions produce a historiographic portrait of religion as activism that refracts religious beliefs and practices through the lenses of social and political activism, thereby limiting the scholarly landscape of African American religious thought and expression in this period. I suggest the inclusion of recent works to broaden our sense of this period's religious landscape without dismissing the era's important politics.
Real-Life Motor Training Modifies Spatial Performance: The Advantage of Being Drummers
Authors: PELLICANO ANTONELLO , IANI CRISTINA , RUBICHI SANDRO , RICCIARDELLI PAOLA , BORGHI ANNA M. , NICOLETTI ROBERTO
Published: April 2014

We compared the performance of skilled drummers with that of nondrummers and nonmusicians in the Simon and spatial stimulus—response compatibility (SRC) tasks to investigate whether and to what extent spatial performance can be modified by motor behaviors acquired in real life. Drummers were chosen because, compared with other musicians and the general population, their efficient performance depends mainly on the processing of spatial information. Although the Simon effect was equivalent for the three groups, the spatial SRC effect was less pronounced in drummers. The advantage was present even when feet were used as responding effectors, suggesting a central locus of the effect. These results suggest that spatial stimulus—response translations are influenced by real-life motor training, with drummers’ training speeding up the intentional stimulus—response translations when stimulus and response locations are on opposite sides.