bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mladinski turizem in potovalne navade študentov – primer Univerze na Primorskem // Youth tourism and travel habits of students – the case of the University of Primorska
Authors: Pavlič Marko , Koderman Miha
Published: January 2015

Prispevek obravnava problematiko mladinskega turizma, s katerim je po ocenah ekonomistov letno povezana petina vseh opravljenih turističnih potovanj na globalni ravni. V prvem delu članka je opredeljen segment mladinskega turizma, nato pa je podan pregled poglavitnih študij, ki obravnavajo turistično mobilnost slovenskih študentov. Slednjo sta avtorja preučevala na primeru študentov Univerze na Primorskem. Predstavljeni izsledki se nanašajo na potovalne navade študentov, med katerimi so izpostavljena zlasti območja turističnega obiska, trajanje in pogostost potovanj ter organizacijski in finančni vidiki potovanja.The article deals with the issue of youth tourism, a phenomenon which according to the economists yearly generates one fifth of all tourism flows globally. The authors first present the concepts and scope of youth tourism and provide an overview of major studies addressing the tourist mobility of the Slovenian student population. The second part of the article summarizes the main findings of empirical research, conducted among the students of University of Primorska. The presented results refer to the travel habits of students, among which the main areas of tourist visits, duration and frequency of travel as well as organizational and financial aspects of the travel are exposed.
Vrednotenje nekdanje in sedanje proizvodnje nevarnih odpadkov v Ljubljani z vidika obremenjevanja podtalnice // Evaluating former and current production of hazardous waste in Ljubljana from the perspective of threats to groundwater
Authors: Smrekar Aleš , Breg Valjavec Mateja
Published: January 2015

Na osrednjem območju Ljubljane, ki je danes skoraj v celoti vodovarstveno območje pitnih virov, je v osemdesetih letih prejšnjega stoletja delovalo vsaj 170 obratov, ki so proizvajali ali skladiščili okolju nevarne snovi. To so bili predvsem obrati strojne in kovinske dejavnosti (predelava kovin, galvane, lakirnice, izdelava strojev, servisi strojne opreme in vozil), živilske (pivovarne, mlekarne), kemične (proizvodnja zdravil, barv, obrati za kemično čiščenje, proizvodnja in skladiščenje kemikalij) ter ostalih dejavnosti (tekstilna industrija, skladiščenje naftnih derivatov). V raziskavi smo podrobneje raziskali današnjo rabo prostora na znanih območjih nevarnih dejavnosti iz osemdesetih let prejšnjega stoletja. Določili smo 309 poslovnih enot, katerih sedež je prav na območju (zemljiških parcelah) nekdanjih obratov in so glede na primarno dejavnost potencialni onesnaževalci podtalnice kot vira pitne vode. Ugotavljamo, da so na 76 % območij (130 od 170) še vedno prisotne dejavnosti, ki proizvajajo, skladiščijo ali prodajajo nevarne snovi. Prevladujejo večja območja, medtem ko so se manjša pogosteje preobrazila. Njihovo stopnjo okoljskega tveganja smo določili predvsem z vidika podtalnice Ljubljanskega polja, ki je glavni vir pitne vode v prestolnici. Z nadaljnjimi terenskimi analizami tal bo treba preveriti ali so območja dejansko onesnažena in jih lahko označimo kot kontaminirana območja.In the central part of Ljubljana, which today is almost entirely a water-protection area for drinking water, there were at least 170 facilities operating in the 1980s that produced or stored environmentally hazardous substances. These were primarily facilities in the mechanical and metal industries (metal processing, galvanizing, paint shops, machine production, servicing machinery and vehicles), the food industry (brewing, dairy), the chemical industry (producing medicines, paints, dry cleaning, producing and storing chemicals), and other industries (textiles, storing petroleum derivatives). The study investigates in detail today’s use of space at known locations of hazardous industries from the 1980s. We defined 309 business units headquartered at sites (land lots) of former companies (170) whose primary activity created the potential for polluting groundwater as a drinking water source. We determined that at 76% of the sites (130 of 170) activities are still present that produce, store, or sell hazardous substances. These are primarily large sites, whereas small sites have often been transformed. Their level of environmental risk was primarily defined with regard to the groundwater of the Ljubljana Basin, which is the capital’s main source of drinking water. It will be necessary to use further field analysis to check whether the sites are actually polluted and whether they can be defined as contaminated sites.
Pomen obalnih mokrišč za prebivalce slovenske Istre // The importance of coastal wetlands for the people of Slovene Istria
Authors: Brečko Grubar Valentina , Kovačič Gregor
Published: January 2015

Prispevek predstavlja rezultate raziskave, opravljene v letu 2012, v treh zavarovanih mokriščih na slovenski obali (Naravni rezervat Škocjanski zatok, Krajinski park Strunjan in Krajinski park Sečoveljske soline), z namenom ugotoviti, ali so zavarovana območja pomembna kot območja dnevne rekreacije in preživljanja prostega časa za prebivalce obalnih občin ter, ali prispevajo k boljši kakovosti bivalnega okolja. Temeljni nameni vseh treh območij zavarovane narave so: varovanje obstoječega stanja pred uničujočimi posegi, ohranitev ekosistemov in biotske raznovrstnosti. V obdobju intenzivne urbanizacije slovenske obale pa so postala še pomembnejša, ker so to »naravna« okolja v neposredni bližini gosto poseljenih mest Kopra, Izole in Pirana. Raziskava, ki je temeljila na anketiranju obiskovalcev (n = 275) zavarovanih obalnih mokrišč, je potrdila predvidevanja, da z ohranjanjem naravnih ekosistemov obalnih mokrišč, nekdaj opuščena in tudi degradirana območja pridobivajo nove funkcije in pomen. Po mnenju vprašanih nudijo mokrišča dobre pogoje za sprostitev in rekreacijo ter prispevajo h kakovosti njihovega bivalnega okolja. Pogosto naveden vzrok za njihovo obiskovanje je tudi opazovanje narave in sprememb v okolju, kar kaže na vse pomembnejšo izobraževalno vlogo.The paper presents the results of a survey conducted in 2012 in three protected wetlands on the Slovene coast (Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve, Strunjan Landscape Park and Sečovlje Saltpans Landscape Park) in order to determine whether these protected areas play an important role as daily recreation and leisure time areas for the residents of the coastal municipalities, and whether they increase the overall quality of the living environment. The main purposes of all three natural protected areas are to protect the present status against possible devastating human impacts, and to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity. With the intensive urbanization of the Slovene coast, these areas have become even more important because they represent "natural" environments in the close vicinity of the densely populated towns of Koper, Izola and Piran. The study, which was based on a survey among visitors (n = 275) of the protected coastal wetlands, confirmed our presumption that with the conservation of the natural ecosystems of coastal wetlands, formerly abandoned and degraded areas have gained new functions and significance. According to the respondents, these wetlands provide good conditions for relaxation and recreation and further contribute to the quality of their living environment. Often the reason for visiting is also the observation of nature and environmental changes, which indicates the increasing importance of the educational role of these wetlands.
Vprašanje legitimnosti skupne kmetijske politike z vidika okoljske komponente trajnostnega razvoja podeželja // The issue of CAP legitimacy in terms of the environmental component of sustainable rural development
Authors: Goluža Maruša
Published: January 2015

Trajnostni razvoj podeželja je postal eden glavnih ciljev skupne evropske kmetijske politike (SKP). Zaradi ukrepov, ki temeljijo na prostovoljnem sodelovanju kmetov, je uresničitev ciljev močno odvisna od kmetov in njihove okoljske zavesti. Nekatere raziskave kažejo na relativno majhen delež kmetov, ki se za izvajanje okolju prijaznih kmetijskih praks odločijo izključno na podlagi odgovornosti varovanja okolja in s doprinosom k trajnostnemu razvoju podeželja. Kmetje, čeprav glavni uporabniki SKP, veljajo za kritike SKP, saj le-ta ne rešuje povsem njihovih težav. Nezaupanje v SKP kaže na pomanjkanje legitimnosti, česar se zaveda tudi Evropska unija. Rešitev, ki bi lahko rešila ta izziv, je vključevanje participativnega procesa v postopke odločanja in oblikovanja politik.Sustainable rural development has become one of the main objectives of the common European agricultural policy (CAP). Due to the voluntary nature of CAP's measures, its success strongly depends on farmers' environmental awareness. Some studies indicate a relatively limited share of farmers whose decisions to implement environmentally friendly agricultural practices are made solely on the basis of their moral duty to contribute to the sustainable rural development. Despite the main beneficiaries of the CAP, farmers strongly criticize the policy, which does not tackle their problems entirely. Farmers' mistrust in the CAP reveals the lack of legitimacy, which has already been recognized by the European Union. The solution which could solve this challenge is the implementation of a participatory process in policy making.
Geografski opus Rudolfa Badjure // The complete geographical works of Rudolf Badjura
Authors: Geršič Matjaž , Komac Blaž
Published: January 2015

V članku je predstavljeno delo Rudolfa Badjure na širšem področju geografije. Poznani so predvsem njegovi turistični vodniki, nekoliko manj pa knjiga Terenska geografija, v kateri je zbral številne zemljepisne izraze, pomembna pa je tudi z vidika zemljepisnega imenoslovja. Pomembno je njegovo raznotero kartografsko gradivo, v katerem se, predvsem skozi rabo zemljepisnih imen, zrcali njegova domovinska zavest. Čeprav je bil le amaterski zbiralec gradiva, je bil, kljub nekaterim kritikam strokovnjakov, med strokovnjaki zelo cenjen. Njegova dela so pogosto temelj za razreševanje terminoloških vprašanj, številna stara zemljepisna imena pa so se ohranila verjetno tudi po njegovi zaslugi ter njegovem vztrajnem nasprotovanju tujejezičnim imenom in strokovnim ustreznicam.The article gives an overview of Rudolf Badjura's work in the broader area of geography. His guidebooks in particular are well known, as is, to a lesser extent, his book Terenska geografija (“Field Geography”), a collection of numerous geographical terms which is also important from a geonomastic perspective. In addition, he produced a significant volume of cartographical material which reflected his patriotic consciousness, especially through his choice of geographical names. Although only an amateur collector, and despite some academic criticism, he was highly distinguished among experts. His works often serve as a basis for solving terminology questions, and it appears that a number of old geographical names have been preserved to this day thanks to his persistent opposition to the use of foreign names and technical equivalents.
The Use of Social Media for Urban Planning
Authors: Neuhaus Fabian
Published: January 2015

User data created in the digital context has increasingly been of interest to analysis and spatial analysis in particular. Large scale computer user management systems such as digital ticketing and social networking are creating vast amount of data. Such data systems can contain information generated by potentially millions of individuals. This kind of data has been termed big data. The analysis of big data can in its spatial but also in a temporal and social nature be of much interest for analysis in the context of cities and urban areas. This chapter discusses this potential along with a selection of sample work and an in-depth case study. Hereby the focus is mainly on the use and employment of insight gained from social media data, especially the Twitter platform, in regards to cities and urban environments. The first part of the chapter discusses a range of examples that make use of big data and the mapping of digital social network data. The second part discusses the way the data is collected and processed. An important section is dedicated to the aspects of ethical considerations. A summary and an outlook are discussed at the end.
Alkylating Agent Melphalan Augments the Efficacy of Adoptive Immunotherapy Using Tumor-Specific CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Lu Xiaoyun , Ding Zhi-Chun , Cao Yang , Liu Chufeng , Habtetsion Tsadik , Yu Miao , Lemos Henrique , Salman Huda , Xu Hongyan , Mellor Andrew L. , Zhou Gang
Published: January 2015

In recent years, the immune-potentiating effects of some widely used chemotherapeutic agents have been increasingly appreciated. This provides a rationale for combining conventional chemotherapy with immunotherapy strategies to achieve durable therapeutic benefits. Previous studies have implicated the immunomodulatory effects of melphalan, an alkylating agent commonly used to treat multiple myeloma, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. In the present study, we investigated the impact of melphalan on endogenous immune cells as well as adoptively transferred tumor-specific CD4+ T cells in tumor-bearing mice. We showed that melphalan treatment resulted in a rapid burst of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines during the cellular recovery phase after melphalan-induced myelodepletion and leukodepletion. After melphalan treatment, tumor cells exhibited characteristics of immunogenic cell death, including membrane translocation of the endoplasmic reticulum–resident calreticulin and extracellular release of high-mobility group box 1. Additionally, there was enhanced tumor Ag uptake by dendritic cells in the tumor-draining lymph node. Consistent with these immunomodulatory effects, melphalan treatment of tumor-bearing mice led to the activation of the endogenous CD8+ T cells and, more importantly, effectively drove the clonal expansion and effector differentiation of adoptively transferred tumor-specific CD4+ T cells. Notably, the combination of melphalan and CD4+ T cell adoptive cell therapy was more efficacious than either treatment alone in prolonging the survival of mice with advanced B cell lymphomas or colorectal tumors. These findings provide mechanistic insights into melphalan’s immunostimulatory effects and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of combining melphalan with adoptive cell therapy utilizing antitumor CD4+ T cells.
Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis After Surgical or Nonsurgical Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Harris Kyle P. , Driban Jeffrey B. , Sitler Michael R. , Cattano Nicole M. , Balasubramanian Easwaran , Hootman Jennifer M.
Published: January 2015

Objective: 

To determine if surgical or nonsurgical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament rupture affects the prevalence of posttraumatic tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA).

Data Sources: 

Studies published between 1983 and April 2012 were identified via EBSCOhost and OVID. Reference lists were then screened in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Study Selection: 

Studies were included if (a) treatment outcomes focused on a direct comparison of surgical versus nonsurgical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament rupture, (b) the prevalence of tibiofemoral OA was reported, and (c) they were written in English. Studies were excluded if (a) the included patients were treated with cast immobilization after surgery, (b) the mean follow-up was less than 10 years, or (c) the patients underwent anterior cruciate ligament revision surgery.

Data Extraction: 

Two independent investigators reviewed the included articles using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Frequency of OA, surgical procedure, nonsurgical treatments, and participant characteristics were extracted and summarized. We calculated prevalence (%) and 95% confidence intervals for treatment groups for each individual study and overall. We developed 2 × 2 contingency tables to assess the association between treatment groups (exposed had surgery, referent was nonsurgical treatment) and the prevalence of OA.

Data Synthesis: 

Four retrospective studies were identified (140 surgical patients, 240 nonsurgical patients). The mean Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score was 5 (range = 4–6 [of 10] points). Average length of follow-up was 11.8 years (range = 10–14 years). The prevalence of OA for surgically treated patients ranged from 32.6% to 51.2% (overall = 41.4%, 95% confidence interval = 35.0%, 48.1%) and for nonsurgical patients ranged from 24.5% to 42.3% (overall = 30.9%, 95% confidence interval = 24.4%, 38.3%).

Conclusions: 

Although OA prevalence was higher in the surgical treatment group at a mean follow-up of 11.8 years, no definitive evidence supports surgical or nonsurgical treatment after anterior cruciate ligament injury to prevent posttraumatic OA. Current studies have been limited by small sample sizes, low methodologic quality, and a lack of data regarding confounding factors.
Lower Extremity Muscle Activation in Patients With or Without Chronic Ankle Instability During Walking
Authors: Feger Mark A. , Donovan Luke , Hart Joseph M. , Hertel Jay
Published: January 2015

Context

Ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries, and many individuals with ankle sprains develop chronic ankle instability (CAI). Individuals with CAI exhibit proprioceptive and postural-control deficits, as well as altered osteokinematics, during gait. Neuromuscular activity is theorized to play a pivotal role in CAI, but deficits during walking are unclear.

Objective

To compare motor-recruitment patterns as demonstrated by surface electromyography amplitudes between participants with CAI and healthy control participants during walking.

Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting

Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

Fifteen adults with CAI (5 men, 10 women; age = 23 ± 4.2 years, height = 173 ± 10.8 cm, mass = 72.4 ± 14 kg) and 15 matched healthy control adults (5 men, 10 women; age = 22.9 ± 3.4 years, height = 173 ± 9.4 cm, mass = 70.8 ± 18 kg).

Intervention(s)

Participants walked shod on a treadmill while surface electromyography signals were recorded from the anterior tibialis, peroneus longus, lateral gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and gluteus medius muscles.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Preinitial contact amplitude, postinitial contact amplitude, time of activation relative to initial contact, and percentage of activation time across the stride cycle were calculated for each muscle.

Results

Time of activation for all muscles tested occurred earlier in the CAI group than in the control group. The peroneus longus was activated for a longer duration across the entire stride cycle in the CAI group (36.0% ± 10.3%) than the control group (23.3% ± 22.2%; P = .05). No differences were noted between groups for measures of electromyographic amplitude at either preinitial or postinitial contact (P > .05).

Conclusions

We identified differences between the CAI and control groups in the timing of muscle activation relative to heel strike in multiple lower extremity muscles and in the percentage of activation time across the entire stride cycle in the peroneus longus muscle. Individuals with CAI demonstrated neuromuscular-activation strategies throughout the lower extremity that were different from those of healthy control participants. Targeted therapeutic interventions for CAI may need to be focused on restoring normal neuromuscular function during gait.
Investigating Cardiac MRI Based Right Ventricular Contractility as a Novel Non-Invasive Metric of Pulmonary Arterial Pressure
Authors: Menon Prahlad G. , Adhypak Srilakshmi M. , Williams Ronald B. , Doyle Mark , Biederman Robert W. W.
Published: January 2015

Background

We test the hypothesis that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging-based indices of four-dimensional (4D) (three dimensions (3D) + time) right ventricle (RV) function have predictive values in ascertaining invasive pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) measurements from right heart catheterization (RHC) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Methods

We studied five patients with idiopathic PAH and two age and sex-matched controls for RV function using a novel contractility index (CI) for amplitude and phase to peak contraction established from analysis of regional shape variation in the RV endocardium over 20 cardiac phases, segmented from CMR images in multiple orientations.

Results

The amplitude of RV contractility correlated inversely with RV ejection fraction (RVEF; R2 = 0.64, P = 0.03) and PASP ( R2 = 0.71, P = 0.02). Phase of peak RV contractility also correlated inversely to RVEF ( R2 = 0.499, P = 0.12) and PASP ( R2 = 0.66, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

RV contractility analyzed from CMR offers promising non-invasive metrics for classification of PAH, which are congruent with invasive pressure measurements.
Dynamics of unitary operators
Authors: Damanik David , Fillman Jake , Vance Robert
Published: January 2015

We consider the iteration of a unitary operator on a separable Hilbert space and study the spreading rates of the associated discrete-time dynamical system relative to a given orthonormal basis. We prove lower bounds for the transport exponents, which measure the time-averaged spreading on a power-law scale, in terms of dimensional properties of the spectral measure associated with the unitary operator and the initial state. These results are the unitary analog of results established in recent years for the dynamics of the Schrödinger equation, which is a continuum-time dynamical system associated with a self-adjoint operator. We discuss how these general resultsmay be studied by means of subordinacy theory in cases where the unitary operator is given by a CMV matrix. An example of particular interest in which this scenario arises is given by a time-homogeneous quantum walk on the integers. For the particular case of the time-homogeneous Fibonacci quantum walk, we illustrate how these components work together and produce explicit lower bounds for the transport exponents associated with this model.
Rauzy fractals with countable fundamental group
Authors: Jolivet Timo , Loridant Benoît , Luo Jun
Published: January 2015

We prove that every free group of nite rank can be realized as the fundamental group of a planar Rauzy fractal associated with a 4-letter unimodular cubic Pisot substitution. is characterizes all countable fundamental groups for planar Rauzy fractals. We give an explicit construction relying on two operations on substitutions: symbolic splittings and conjugations by free group automorphisms.
Projections of random covering sets
Authors: Chen Changhao , Koivusalo Henna , Li Bing , Suomala Ville
Published: January 2015

We show that, almost surely, the Hausdor dimension s0 of a random covering set is preserved under all orthogonal projections to linear subspaces with dimension

k > s_0

. The result holds for random covering sets with a generating sequence of ball-like sets, and is obtained by investigating orthogonal projections of a class of random Cantor sets.
Resolvents, Poisson operators and scattering matrices on asymptotically hyperbolic and de Sitter spaces
Authors: Vasy András
Published: January 2015

We describe how the global operator induced on the boundary of an asymptotically Minkowski space links two even asymptotically hyperbolic spaces and an even asymptotically de Sitter space, and compute the scattering operator of the linked problem in terms of the scattering operator of the constituent pieces.
Point spectrum for quasi-periodic long range operators
Authors: You Jiangong , Zhang Shiwen , Zhou Qi
Published: January 2015

We generalize Gordon type argument to quasi-periodic operators with finite range interaction and prove that these operators have no point spectrum when the rational approximation rate of the base frequency is relatively large. We also show that, for any irrational frequency, there are operators with infinite range interaction possessing point spectrum. is is a new phenomenon which can not happen in the finite range interaction case.
Square-summable variation and absolutely continuous spectrum
Authors: Lukic Milivoje
Published: January 2015

Recent results of Denisov [5] and Kaluzhny–Shamis [9] describe the absolutely continuous spectrum of Jacobi matrices with coefficients that obey an

\mathcal l^2

bounded variation condition with step

p

and are asymptotically periodic. We extend these results to orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle. We also replace the asymptotic periodicity condition by the weaker condition of convergence to an isospectral torus and, for

p=1

and

p=2

, we remove even that condition.
Uniqueness and stability of Lamé parameters in elastography
Authors: Lai Ru-Yu
Published: January 2015

This paper concerns an hybrid inverse problem involving elastic measurements called Transient Elastography (TE) which enables detection and characterization of tissue abnormalities. In this paper we assume that the displacements are modeled by linear isotropic elasticity system and the tissue displacement has been obtained by the rst step in hybrid methods. We reconstruct Lamé parameters of this system from knowledge of the tissue displacement. More precisely, we show that for a suciently large number of solutions of the elasticity system and for an open set of the well-chosen boundary conditions, Lamé parameters can be uniquely and stably reconstructed. e set of well-chosen boundary conditions is characterized in terms of appropriate complex geometrical optics solutions.
Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Why Punch When You Can Scrape?
Authors: Saab Mario , El Hage Hussein , Charafeddine Khalil , Habib Robert H. , Khalifeh Ibrahim
Published: January 2015

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been introduced to the Leishmania under-endemic Lebanese population in an uncontrolled manner as a result of recent large-scale displacement of refugees from endemic Syria. Accordingly, a quick and reliable method to diagnose CL is essential. Matched punch biopsies and air-dried scrapings on 72 patients were obtained. Scrapings were collected in two forms: thick drop (N = 33) or thin smear (N = 39). Clinical information was recorded. Sections of punch biopsies and scrapings were stained and examined microscopically. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on both scraping forms and biopsies. The diagnostic sensitivity of the tests performed revealed that microscopy in conjunction with PCR on punch biopsies was the most sensitive test (93%) overall. However, taken individually, microscopy and PCR yielded the highest sensitivities when performed on drop scrapings (63% and 85%, respectively), and not smear scrapings (38% and 56%, respectively) as compared with the punch biopsies (44% and 83%, respectively). Microscopic concordance for punch biopsies and drop scrapings was present in 25 of 33 cases. Concordance was predicted only by the high/low parasitic index (PI: 3.1 ± 1.7 and 0.4 ± 0.5, respectively; P < 0.05). Herein, we optimized a novel rapid method for reliable diagnosis of CL based on drop scrapings with good agreement with the gold standard punch biopsy technique.
Larval Habitats Characterization and Species Composition of Anopheles Mosquitoes in Tunisia, with Particular Attention to Anopheles maculipennis Complex
Authors: Tabbabi Ahmed , Boussès Philippe , Rhim Adel , Brengues Cécile , Daaboub Jabeur , Ben-Alaya-Bouafif Nissaf , Fontenille Didier , Bouratbine Aïda , Simard Frédéric , Aoun Karim
Published: January 2015

In Tunisia, malaria transmission has been interrupted since 1980. However, the growing number of imported cases and the persistence of putative vectors stress the need for additional studies to assess the risk of malaria resurgence in the country. In this context, our aim was to update entomological data concerning Anopheles mosquitoes in Tunisia. From May to October of 2012, mosquito larval specimens were captured in 60 breeding sites throughout the country and identified at the species level using morphological keys. Environmental parameters of the larval habitats were recorded. Specimens belonging to the An. maculipennis complex were further identified to sibling species by the ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA)–internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. In total, 647 Anopheles larvae were collected from 25 habitats. Four species, including An. labranchiae, An. multicolor, An. sergentii, and An. algeriensis, were morphologically identified. rDNA-ITS2 PCR confirmed that An. labranchiae is the sole member of the An. maculipennis complex in Tunisia. An. labranchiae was collected throughout northern and central Tunisia, and it was highly associated with rural habitat, clear water, and sunlight areas. Larvae of An. multicolor and An. sergentii existed separately or together and were collected in southern Tunisia in similar types of breeding places.
Ebola Policies That Hinder Epidemic Response by Limiting Scientific Discourse
Authors: Asgary Ramin , Pavlin Julie A. , Ripp Jonathan A. , Reithinger Richard , Polyak Christina S.
Published: January 2015

There is an unprecedented epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in west Africa. There has been a strong response from dedicated health professionals. However, there have also been irrational and fear-based responses that have contributed to misallocation of resources, stigma, and deincentivizing volunteers to combat Ebola at its source. Recently, the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals issued a ban on those coming from affected countries wishing to attend the annual meetings of American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the American Public Health Association, both of which were held in New Orleans. We argue against such policies, question evidence and motivations, and discuss their practical and ethical implications in hampering effective responses to EVD by the scientific community. We aim to shed light on this issue and its implications for the future of public health interventions, reflect on the responsibility of health providers and professional societies as advocates for patients and the public health, and call for health professionals and societies to work to challenge inappropriate political responses to public health crises.
Evaluating the Clinical Learning Environment: Resident and Fellow Perceptions of Patient Safety Culture
Authors: Bump Gregory M. , Calabria Jaclyn , Gosman Gabriella , Eckart Catherine , Metro David G. , Jasti Harish , McCausland Julie B. , Itri Jason N. , Patel Rita M. , Buchert Andrew
Published: January 2015

Background

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has begun to evaluate teaching institutions' learning environments with Clinical Learning Environment Review visits, including trainee involvement in institutions' patient safety and quality improvement efforts.

Objective

We sought to address the dearth of metrics that assess trainee patient safety perceptions of the clinical environment.

Methods

Using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC), we measured resident and fellow perceptions of patient safety culture in 50 graduate medical education programs at 10 hospitals within an integrated health system. As institution-specific physician scores were not available, resident and fellow scores on the HSOPSC were compared with national data from 29 162 practicing providers at 543 hospitals.

Results

Of the 1337 residents and fellows surveyed, 955 (71.4%) responded. Compared with national practicing providers, trainees had lower perceptions of patient safety culture in 6 of 12 domains, including teamwork within units, organizational learning, management support for patient safety, overall perceptions of patient safety, feedback and communication about error, and communication openness. Higher perceptions were observed for manager/supervisor actions promoting patient safety and for staffing. Perceptions equaled national norms in 4 domains. Perceptions of patient safety culture did not improve with advancing postgraduate year.

Conclusions

Trainees in a large integrated health system have variable perceptions of patient safety culture, as compared with national norms for some practicing providers. Administration of the HSOPSC was feasible and acceptable to trainees, and may be used to track perceptions over time.
Airborne in situ vertical profiling of HDO/H216O in the subtropical troposphere during the MUSICA remote sensing validation campaign
Authors: Dyroff C. , Sanati S. , Christner E. , Zahn A. , Balzer M. , Bouquet H. , McManus J. B. , González-Ramos Y. , Schneider M.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Vertical profiles of water vapor (H2O) and its isotope ratio D / H expressed as δ D(H2O were measured in situ by the ISOWAT II diode-laser spectrometer during the MUlti-platform remote Sensing of Isotopologues for investigating the Cycle of Atmospheric water (MUSICA) airborne campaign. We present recent modifications of the instrument design. The instrument calibration on the ground as well as in flight is described. Based on the calibration measurements, the humidity-dependent uncertainty of our airborne data is determined. For the majority of the airborne data we achieved an accuracy (uncertainty of the mean) of Δ(δ D) ≈ 10‰. Vertical profiles between 150 and ~7000 m were obtained during 7 days in July and August 2013 over the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean near Tenerife. The flights were coordinated with ground-based (Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change, NDACC) and space-based (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer, IASI) FTIR remote-sensing measurements of δ D(H2O) as a means to validate the remote sensing humidity and δ D(H2O) data products. The results of the validation are presented in detail in a separate paper (Schneider et al., 2014). The profiles were obtained with a high vertical resolution of around 3 m. By analyzing humidity and δ D(H2O) correlations we were able to identify different layers of airmasses with specific isotopic signatures. The results are discussed.
The Radio Occultation Processing Package ROPP
Authors: Culverwell I. D. , Lewis H. W. , Offiler D. , Marquardt C. , Burrows C. P.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. This paper describes the Radio Occultation Processing Package, ROPP, a product of the EUMETSAT Radio Occultation Meteorology Satellite Application Facility (ROM SAF) developed by a large number of scientists over many years. A brief review of the concepts, functionality and structure of ROPP is followed by more detailed descriptions of its key capabilities. Example results from a full chain of processing using some of the ROPP tools are presented. Some current and prospective uses of ROPP are given. Instructions on how to access the code and its supporting documentation are provided.
A new method of measuring aerosol optical properties from digital twilight photographs
Authors: Saito M. , Iwabuchi H.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. An optimal-estimation algorithm for inferring aerosol optical properties from digital twilight photographs is proposed. The sensitivity of atmospheric components and surface characteristics to brightness and color of twilight sky is investigated, and the results suggest that tropospheric and stratospheric aerosol optical thickness (AOT) are sensitive to condition of the twilight sky. The coarse–fine particle volume ratio is moderately sensitive to the sky condition near the horizon under a clean-atmosphere condition. A radiative transfer model that takes into account a spherical-shell atmosphere, refraction, and multiple scattering is used as a forward model. Error analysis shows that the tropospheric and stratospheric AOT can be retrieved without significant bias. Comparisons with results from other ground-based instruments exhibit reasonable agreement on AOT. A case study suggests that the AOT retrieval method can be applied to atmospheric conditions with varying aerosol vertical profiles and vertically inhomogeneous species in the troposphere.
Design and application of a mobile ground-based observatory for continuous measurements of atmospheric trace-gas and criteria pollutant species
Authors: Bush S. E. , Hopkins F. M. , Randerson J. T. , Lai C.-T. , Ehleringer J. R.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Ground-based measurements of atmospheric trace gas species and criteria pollutants are essential for understanding emissions dynamics across space and time. Gas composition in the surface 50 m has the greatest direct impacts on human health as well as ecosystem processes, hence data at this level is necessary for addressing carbon cycle and public health related questions. However, such surface data are generally associated with stationary measurement towers, where spatial representation is limited due to the high cost of establishing and maintaining an extensive network of measurement stations. We describe here a compact mobile laboratory equipped to provide high-precision, high-frequency, continuous, on-road synchronous measurements of CO2, CO, CH4, H2O, NOx, O3, aerosol, meteorological, and geospatial position data. The mobile laboratory has been deployed across the western USA. In addition to describing the vehicle and its capacity, we present data that illustrate the use of the laboratory as a powerful tool for investigating the spatial structure of urban trace gas emissions and criteria pollutants at spatial scales ranging from single streets to whole ecosystem and regional scales. We identify fugitive urban CH4 emissions and assess the magnitude of CH4 emissions from known point sources. We illustrate how such a mobile laboratory can be used to better understand emissions dynamics and quantify emissions ratios associated with trace gas emissions from wildfire incidents. Lastly, we discuss additional mobile laboratory applications in health and urban metabolism.
Distribution and biophysical processes of beaded streams in Arctic permafrost landscapes
Authors: Arp C. D. , Whitman M. S. , Jones B. M. , Grosse G. , Gaglioti B. V. , Heim K. C.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Beaded streams are widespread in permafrost regions and are considered a common thermokarst landform. However, little is known about their distribution, how and under what conditions they form, and how their intriguing morphology translates to ecosystem functions and habitat. Here we report on a circum-Arctic survey of beaded streams and a watershed-scale analysis in northern Alaska using remote sensing and field studies. We mapped over 400 channel networks with beaded morphology throughout the continuous permafrost zone of northern Alaska, Canada, and Russia and found the highest abundance associated with medium to high ground-ice content permafrost in moderately sloping terrain. In one Arctic coastal plain watershed, beaded streams accounted for half of the drainage density, occurring primarily as low-order channels initiating from lakes and drained lake basins. Beaded streams predictably transition to alluvial channels with increasing drainage area and decreasing channel slope, although this transition is modified by local controls on water and sediment delivery. The comparisons of one beaded channel using repeat photography between 1948 and 2013 indicate a relatively stable landform, and 14C dating of basal sediments suggest channel formation may be as early as the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. Contemporary processes, such as deep snow accumulation in riparian zones, effectively insulate channel ice and allows for perennial liquid water below most beaded stream pools. Because of this, mean annual temperatures in pool beds are greater than 2 °C, leading to the development of perennial thaw bulbs or taliks underlying these thermokarst features that range from 0.7 to 1.6 m. In the summer, some pools thermally stratify, which reduces permafrost thaw and maintains cold-water habitats. Snowmelt-generated peak flows decrease rapidly by two or more orders of magnitude to summer low flows with slow reach-scale velocity distributions ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 m s−1, yet channel runs still move water rapidly between pools. The repeating spatial pattern associated with beaded stream morphology and hydrological dynamics may provide abundant and optimal foraging habitat for fish. Beaded streams may create important ecosystem functions and habitat in many permafrost landscapes and their distribution and dynamics are only beginning to be recognized in Arctic research.
A novel reflectance-based model for evaluating chlorophyll concentrations of fresh and water-stressed leaves
Authors: Lin C. , Popescu S. C. , Huang S. C. , Chang P. T. , Wen H. L.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Water deficits can cause chlorophyll degradation which decreases the total concentration of chlorophyll a and b (Chls). Few studies have investigated the effectiveness of spectral indices under water-stressed conditions. Chlorophyll meters have been extensively used for a wide variety of leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen estimations. Since a chlorophyll meter works by sensing leaves absorptance and transmittance, the reading of chlorophyll concentration will be affected by changes in transmittance as if there were a water deficit in the leaves. The overall objective of this paper was to develop a novel and reliable reflectance-based model for estimating Chls of fresh and water-stressed leaves using the reflectance at the absorption bands of chlorophyll a and b and the red edge spectrum. Three independent experiments were designed to collect data from three leaf sample sets for the construction and validation of Chls estimation models. First, a reflectance experiment was conducted to collect foliar Chls and reflectance of leaves with varying water stress using the ASD FieldSpec spectroradiometer. Second, a chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502) experiment was carried out to collect foliar Chls and meter readings. These two data sets were separately used for developing reflectance-based or absorptance-based Chls estimation models using linear and nonlinear regression analysis. Suitable models were suggested mainly based on the coefficient of determination (R2). Finally, an experiment was conducted to collect the third data set for the validation of Chls models using the root mean squared error (RMSE) and the mean absolute error (MAE). In all of the experiments, the observations (real values) of the foliar Chls were extracted from acetone solution and determined by using a Hitachi U-2000 spectrophotometer. The spectral indices in the form of reflectance ratio/difference/slope derived from the Chl b absorption bands (ρ645 and ρ455) provided Chls estimates with RMSE around 0.40–0.55 mg g−1 for both fresh and water-stressed samples. We improved Chls prediction accuracy by incorporating the reflectance at red edge position (ρREP) in regression models. An effective chlorophyll indicator with the form of (ρ645–ρ455)/ρREP proved to be the most accurate and stable predictor for foliar Chls concentration. This model was derived with an R2 of 0.90 (P < 0.01) from the training samples and evaluated with RMSE 0.35 and 0.38 mg g−1 for the validation samples of fresh and water-stressed leaves, respectively. The average prediction error was within 14% of the mean absolute error.
Late Pleistocene Glacial–Interglacial related shell size isotope variability in planktonic foraminifera as a function of local hydrology
Authors: Metcalfe B. , Feldmeijer W. , de Vringer-Picon M. , Brummer G.-J. A. , Peeters F. J. C. , Ganssen G. M.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. So called "vital effects", a collective noun for a suite of physiological and metabolic induced variability, in oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) isotope ratios of planktonic foraminifer shells hamper precise quantitative reconstruction of past ocean parameters. Correction for potential isotopic offsets from the equilibrium or the expected value is paramount, as too is the ability to define a comparable life-stage for each species that allows for direct comparison. Past research has focused upon finding a specific size range for individual species in lieu of other identifiable features, that allow ocean parameters from a particular constant (i.e. a specific depth or season) to be reconstructed. Single shell isotope analysis of fossil shells from a mid-latitude North Atlantic Ocean piston-core covering Termination III (200 to 250 kyr) highlight the advantage of using a dynamic size range in studies of palaeoclimate. Using this methodology, we show that isotopic offsets between specimens in successive size fractions of G. inflata and G. truncatulinoides are not constant over time, contrary to previous findings. For δ18O in smaller sized globorotalids it is suggested that the offset from other size fractions may reflect a shallower habitat in an early ontogenetic stage. A reduction in the difference between small and large specimens of G. inflata between insolation minima and maxima is interpreted to relate to a prolonged period of reduced water column stratification. For the shallow dwelling species G. bulloides no size isotope difference between size fractions is observed, and the variability in the oxygen isotopic values are shown to correlate well with the seasonal insolation patterns. As such, patterns in oxygen isotope variability of fossil populations may be used successfully for reconstruction of past seasonality changes.
High variability of dissolved iron concentrations in the vicinity of Kerguelen Island (Southern Ocean)
Authors: Quéroué F. , Sarthou G. , Planquette H. F. , Bucciarelli E. , Chever F. , van der Merwe P. , Lannuzel D. , Townsend A. T. , Cheize M. , Blain S. , d'Ovidio F. , Bowie A. R.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Dissolved Fe (dFe) concentrations were measured in the upper 1300 m of the water column in the vicinity of Kerguelen Island as part of the second Kerguelen Ocean Plateau compared Study (KEOPS2). Concentrations ranged from 0.06 nmol L−1 in offshore, Southern Ocean waters, to 3.82 nmol L−1 within Hillsborough Bay, on the north-eastern coast of Kerguelen Island. Direct island runoff, glacial melting and resuspended sediments were identified as important inputs of dFe that could potentially fertilize the northern part of the plateau. A significant deep dFe enrichment was observed over the plateau with dFe concentrations increasing up to 1.30 nmol L−1 close to the seafloor, probably due to sediment resuspension and pore water release. Biological uptake was identified as a likely explanation for the decrease in dFe concentrations between two visits (28 days apart) at a station above the plateau. Our results allowed studying other processes and sources, such as atmospheric inputs, lateral advection of enriched seawater, remineralization processes and the influence of the Polar Front (PF) as a vector for Fe transport. Overall, heterogeneous sources of Fe over and off the Kerguelen Plateau, in addition to strong variability in Fe supply by vertical or horizontal transport, may explain the high variability in dFe concentrations observed during this study.