bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance at high temperature of alkali-activated slag pastes produced with silica fume and rice husk ash based activators
Authors: Bernal S. A. , Rodríguez E. D. , Mejía de Gutiérrez R. , Provis J. L.
Published: March 2015

This study assessed the mechanical properties, and structural changes induced by high temperature exposure, of alkali-silicate activated slag cements produced with sodium silicates derived from silica fume (SF) and rice husk ash (RHA). Similar reaction products were identified, independent of the type of silicate used, but with subtle differences in the composition of the C-S-H gels, leading to different strength losses after elevated temperature exposure. Cements produced with the alternative activators developed higher compressive strengths than those produced with commercial silicate. All samples retained strengths of more than 50 MPa after exposure to 600 °C, however, after exposure to 800 °C only the specimens produced with the RHA-based activator retained measurable strength. This study elucidated that silicate-activated slag binders, either activated with commercial silicate solutions or with sodium silicates based on SF or RHA, are stable up to 600 °C.
Diversity and distribution of cetaceans off Mirissa in the southern coast of Sri Lanka II. Relationship with sea surface temperature, salinity and water density
Authors: Thilakarathne EPDN , Pradeep Kumara PBT , Thilakarathna RMGN
Published: March 2015

Lack of proper scientific data on the behaviour of cetaceans is a major constraint in managing whale and dolphin watching activities without affecting cetacean populations in marine waters off Mirissa, where it has become a high income generating tourist activity. Therefore a shipboard surveys were conducted using a special whale watching boat for 43 days from January to April 2012 in an area of about 940 km2 in Mirissa, southern coast of Sri Lanka to identify the environmental parameters that affect the abundance of cetaceans.During this study, 8 cetacean species including 6 toothed whale species (Physeter macrocephalus, Globicephala melas, Peponocephala electra, Orcinus orca, Tursiops truncates and Stenella longirostris) and two baleen whale species (Balaenoptera musculus and Balaenoptera physalus) were identified.Results of the study revealed that relationship between species occurrence and the measured water quality parameters (temperature, salinity and density) was significant (p < 0.05). From the identified species blue whale and melon headed whale can tolerate high density (1.02±0.0) and salinity (blue whale-36.35±0.75; melon headed-35.55±0.51) range while blue whale (28.53±0.89), sperm whale (28.47±0.93) and spinner whale (28.66±1.04) can tolerate wide temperature range.Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 20 (1) (2015): 35-45
Programmed Death Ligand 1 on Burkholderia pseudomallei–Infected Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Impairs T Cell Functions
Authors: Buddhisa Surachat , Rinchai Darawan , Ato Manabu , Bancroft Gregory J. , Lertmemongkolchai Ganjana
Published: March 2015

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are terminally differentiated cells that are involved in innate immune responses and form an early line of defense against pathogens. More recently, it has been shown that PMNs have immunosuppressive abilities on other immune cells. However, the effect of PMNs on T cell responses during bacterial infection remains to be determined. In this report, we examined the interaction of PMNs and T cells in response to infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of human melioidosis. We observed that CD4+ T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production in response to polyclonal activators is significantly inhibited by uninfected PMNs, and to a greater extent B. pseudomallei–infected PMNs. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), a known regulator of T cell activation, is increased in mRNA expression in the blood of patients and upon infection of PMNs in vitro. The increased expression of PD-L1 was correlated with the degree of T cell inhibition in individuals with type 2 diabetes, a major risk factor of melioidosis. In vitro, addition of anti–PD-L1 Abs blocked this inhibitory activity and restored proliferation of CD4+ T cells and IFN-γ production, suggesting that PD-L1 on B. pseudomallei–infected PMNs is a regulatory molecule for the functions of T cells and may be involved in pathogenesis versus control of melioidosis.
CD13 Restricts TLR4 Endocytic Signal Transduction in Inflammation
Authors: Ghosh Mallika , Subramani Jaganathan , Rahman M. Mamunur , Shapiro Linda H.
Published: March 2015

Dysregulation of the innate immune response underlies numerous pathological conditions. The TLR4 is the prototypical sensor of infection or injury that orchestrates the innate response via sequential activation of both cell surface and endocytic signaling pathways that trigger distinct downstream consequences. CD14 binds and delivers LPS to TLR4 and has been identified as a positive regulator of TLR4 signal transduction. It is logical that negative regulators of this process also exist to maintain the critical balance required for fighting infection, healing damaged tissue, and resolving inflammation. We showed that CD13 negatively modulates receptor-mediated Ag uptake in dendritic cells to control T cell activation in adaptive immunity. In this study, we report that myeloid CD13 governs internalization of TLR4 and subsequent innate signaling cascades, activating IRF-3 independently of CD14. CD13 is cointernalized with TLR4, CD14, and dynamin into Rab5+ early endosomes upon LPS treatment. Importantly, in response to TLR4 ligands HMGB1 and LPS, p-IRF-3 activation and transcription of its target genes are enhanced in CD13KO dendritic cells, whereas TLR4 surface signaling remains unaffected, resulting in a skewed inflammatory response. This finding is physiologically relevant as ischemic injury in vivo provoked identical TLR4 responses. Finally, CD13KO mice showed significantly enhanced IFNβ-mediated signal transduction via JAK–STAT, escalating inducible NO synthase transcription levels and promoting accumulation of oxidative stress mediators and tissue injury. Mechanistically, inflammatory activation of macrophages upregulates CD13 expression and CD13 and TLR4 coimmunoprecipitate. Therefore, CD13 negatively regulates TLR4 signaling, thereby balancing the innate response by maintaining the inflammatory equilibrium critical to innate immune regulation.
The STAT5–GATA2 Pathway Is Critical in Basophil and Mast Cell Differentiation and Maintenance
Authors: Li Yapeng , Qi Xiaopeng , Liu Bing , Huang Hua
Published: March 2015

Transcription factor GATA binding protein 2 (GATA2) plays critical roles in hematopoietic stem cell survival and proliferation, granulocyte–monocyte progenitor differentiation, and basophil and mast cell differentiation. However, precise roles of GATA2 in basophil and mast cell differentiation and maintenance have not been delineated. We have identified GATA2 as an essential transcription factor in differentiation of newly identified common basophil and mast cell progenitors into basophils and mast cells. We observed Gata2 haploinsufficiency for mast cell differentiation, but not for basophil differentiation. We examined the precise role of GATA2 in maintaining the expression of a wide range of genes that are important for performing basophil or mast cell functions. The effects of GATA2 on gene expression were broadly based. We demonstrated that GATA2 was required for maintaining Fcer1a mRNA and FcεRIα protein expression on both basophils and mast cells, as well as for maintaining Kit mRNA and c-Kit protein expression on mast cells. GATA2 was required for histamine synthesis and was also critical for Il4 mRNA expression in basophils and Il13 mRNA expression in mast cells. We demonstrate a STAT5–GATA2 connection, showing that the STAT5 transcription factor directly bound to the promoter and an intronic region of the Gata2 gene. Overexpression of the Gata2 gene was sufficient to direct basophil and mast cell differentiation in the absence of the Stat5 gene. Our study reveals that the STAT5–GATA2 pathway is critical for basophil and mast cell differentiation and maintenance.
Management of Radioactive Spills in Nuclear Medicine; Teaching and Assessing with Objectively Structured Assessment of Technical Skills
Authors: Hussain Riffat
Published: March 2015

Routine work in nuclear medicine requires the careful elution of radioactivity and its subsequent, storage and handling. Though all effort is maintained to prevent any "spill" of this radioactivity, accidents are bound to happen. The response to this spill is a methodically worked out a plan that is written and adopted as a "standard operating procedure." This protocol is taught to all involved in the area of working as a mock drill/apprenticeship model. No formal evaluation of learning is in place except for the mock drills. The objectively structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) is a variation on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, which is a form of workplace based assessment. The OSATS is cited in the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education evaluation toolbox on the website as the most desirable evaluation tool for the patient care topics. It is the objective of this paper is to introduce the "OSATS" for teaching, and assessment of the learning, of the protocol for the management of radioactive spill. As a review of the literature on the subject failed to reveal any such teaching protocol/material/document for this important technical skill, we hope that it may act as a landmark for the development of teaching and assessment of other technical skills also.
Molecular Cytogenetics in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Hospital-Based Observational Study
Authors: Pandita Aakash , Harish Rekha , Digra Sanjeev K. , Raina Alok , Sharma Annie Arvind , Koul Ashwani
Published: March 2015

Objective

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in children aged <19 years with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), attending/admitted in the Department of Pediatrics and Radiotherapy, Government Medical College, Jammu. Furthermore, we aimed to study the correlation between the cytogenetic molecular abnormalities and the immediate clinical outcome (induction of remission).

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective study conducted over a period of 2 years (May 2011 to May 2013) in a tertiary care hospital in India. Forty pediatric (1–19 years) patients (18 males, 22 females; M: F = 0.8: 1) with newly diagnosed ALL were studied for molecular cytogenetic analysis. Written consent was obtained from the parents of the patients. Bone marrow aspiration was done for making the diagnosis of ALL. Children lost to follow-up and who failed to give consent were excluded from the survey. Host factors and clinical parameters were obtained from patients.

Results

Bone marrow aspirate samples of 40 diagnosed cases of ALL were subjected to routine cytogenetic analysis, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used for molecular analysis. Well-spread metaphase plates were obtained in 18/40 (45%) cases for analysis. RT-PCR revealed abnormal genes in 20/40 (50%) patients. The results of molecular cytogenetic analysis were correlated with patients’ clinical and hematological parameters for risk stratification and immediate outcome (induction of remission). Eighteen out of 40 (45%) cases revealed no abnormality. Among the remaining 22 cases, 8 had TEL–AML1 (20%), 6 had BCR–ABL (15%), 4 had MLL–AF4 (10%), 2 had E2A–PBX1 (5%) fusion genes, and 2 had hyperdiploidy. To conclude, a higher proportion of cases in this study showed adverse translocations such as t (9;22), t (4;11), and t (1;19) compared to that reported in literature.

Conclusion

RT-PCR assay was useful in detecting the prognostically significant oncogene fusion transcripts. In our study of 40 patients, we found that the pattern and frequency differ from those reported in Western literature. Our study reveals a lower frequency of hyperdiploidy (5%) and a higher frequency of BCR–ABL gene fusion (20%) in childhood ALL. Above all, in contrast to previous studies on childhood ALL, our study showed female predominance, with the male-to-female ratio being 0.8: 1. Apart from the BCR–ABL fusion gene, none other was associated with poor prognosis. It is already well established that the characterization of the genetic entities at diagnosis is crucial for the understanding and the optimal treatment of ALL. Because the aberrations in our population differ significantly from those reported in Western populations, we may be required to tailor our protocols.
Meteorological Conditions Associated with Increased Incidence of West Nile Virus Disease in the United States, 2004–2012
Authors: Hahn Micah B. , Monaghan Andrew J. , Hayden Mary H. , Eisen Rebecca J. , Delorey Mark J. , Lindsey Nicole P. , Nasci Roger S. , Fischer Marc
Published: March 2015

West Nile virus (WNV) is a leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Annual seasonal outbreaks vary in size and location. Predicting where and when higher than normal WNV transmission will occur can help direct limited public health resources. We developed models for the contiguous United States to identify meteorological anomalies associated with above average incidence of WNV neuroinvasive disease from 2004 to 2012. We used county-level WNV data reported to ArboNET and meteorological data from the North American Land Data Assimilation System. As a result of geographic differences in WNV transmission, we divided the United States into East and West, and 10 climate regions. Above average annual temperature was associated with increased likelihood of higher than normal WNV disease incidence, nationally and in most regions. Lower than average annual total precipitation was associated with higher disease incidence in the eastern United States, but the opposite was true in most western regions. Although multiple factors influence WNV transmission, these findings show that anomalies in temperature and precipitation are associated with above average WNV disease incidence. Readily accessible meteorological data may be used to develop predictive models to forecast geographic areas with elevated WNV disease risk before the coming season.
Rainfall and Sloth Births in May, Q Fever in July, Cayenne, French Guiana
Authors: Eldin Carole , Mahamat Aba , Djossou Felix , Raoult Didier
Published: March 2015

Q fever in French Guiana is correlated with the rainy season. We found a 1- to 2-month lagged correlation between Q fever incidence and the number of births of three-toed sloth. This result strengthens the hypothesis that the three-toed sloth is the wild reservoir of Q fever in French Guiana.
Sociocultural and Structural Factors Contributing to Delays in Treatment for Children with Severe Malaria: A Qualitative Study in Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Sundararajan Radhika , Mwanga-Amumpaire Juliet , Adrama Harriet , Tumuhairwe Jackline , Mbabazi Sheilla , Mworozi Kenneth , Carroll Ryan , Bangsberg David , Boum Yap , Ware Norma C.
Published: March 2015

Malaria is a leading cause of pediatric mortality, and Uganda has among the highest incidences in the world. Increased morbidity and mortality are associated with delays to care. This qualitative study sought to characterize barriers to prompt allopathic care for children hospitalized with severe malaria in the endemic region of southwestern Uganda. Minimally structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with guardians of children admitted to a regional hospital with severe malaria. Using an inductive and content analytic approach, transcripts were analyzed to identify and define categories that explain delayed care. These categories represented two broad themes: sociocultural and structural factors. Sociocultural factors were 1) interviewee's distinctions of “traditional” versus “hospital” illnesses, which were mutually exclusive and 2) generational conflict, where deference to one's elders, who recommended traditional medicine, was expected. Structural factors were 1) inadequate distribution of health-care resources, 2) impoverishment limiting escalation of care, and 3) financial impact of illness on household economies. These factors perpetuate a cycle of illness, debt, and poverty consistent with a model of structural violence. Our findings inform a number of potential interventions that could alleviate the burden of this preventable, but often fatal, illness. Such interventions could be beneficial in similarly endemic, low-resource settings.
Synergistic Mortality Caused by Plasmodium falciparum During the 1918 Influenza Pandemic
Authors: Shanks G. Dennis
Published: March 2015

At the end of World War I, British medical officers noted that soldiers infected with malaria were more likely to die during the 1918 influenza pandemic than those without malaria. This synergistic mortality appeared to be specific to Plasmodium falciparum and has not been generally noted since 1920. A possible explanation is that a malaria-induced procoagulant state enhanced the activation of influenza virus to increase inflammation and subsequent severe clinical outcomes. Falciparum proteins bind and likely inhibit antithrombin 3 and other factors. Pathogens interact in ways that may inform pathophysiology studies of remote epidemics.
On the use of satellite derived CH4 / CO2 columns in CH4 flux inversions
Authors: Pandey S. , Houweling S. , Krol M. , Aben I. , Röckmann T.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. We present a new method for assimilating CH4 measurements from satellites, which have been retrieved using the proxy-ratio approach, for inverse modeling of CH4 fluxes. Unlike conventional approaches, in which retrieved CH4 / CO2 ratios are multiplied by model derived total column CO2 and only the resulting CH4 is assimilated, our method assimilates the ratio of CH4 and CO2 directly and is therefore called the ratio method. It is a dual tracer inversion, in which surface fluxes of CH4 and CO2 are optimized simultaneously. The optimization of CO2 fluxes turns the hard constraint of prescribing model derived CO2 fields into a weak constraint on CO2, which allows us to account for uncertainties in CO2. The method has been successfully tested in a synthetic inversion setup using the TM5-4DVAR inverse modeling system. We show that the ratio method is able to reproduce assumed true CH4 and CO2 fluxes starting from a prior, which is derived by perturbing the true fluxes randomly. We compare the performance of the ratio method with that of the traditional proxy approach and the use of only surface measurements for estimating CH4 fluxes. Our results confirm that the optimized CH4 fluxes are sensitive to the treatment of CO2, and that hard constraints on CO2 may significantly compromise results that are obtained for CH4. We see that the relative performance of ratio and proxy methods have a regional dependence. The ratio method performs better than the proxy method in regions where the CO2 fluxes are most uncertain. However, both ratio and proxy methods perform better than the surface measurement-only inversion confirming the potential of space borne measurements for accurately determining fluxes of CH4 and other GHGs.
Extended and refined multi sensor reanalysis of total ozone for the period 1970–2012
Authors: van der A R. J. , Allaart M. A. F. , Eskes H. J.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The ozone multi-sensor reanalysis (MSR) is a multi-decadal ozone column data record constructed using all available ozone column satellite datasets, surface Brewer and Dobson observations and a data assimilation technique with detailed error modelling. The result is a high-resolution time series of 6 hourly global ozone column fields and forecast error fields that may be used for ozone trend analyses as well as detailed case studies. The ozone MSR is produced in two steps. First, the latest reprocessed versions of all available ozone column satellite datasets are collected, and are corrected for biases as function of solar zenith angle, viewing angle, time (trend), and stratospheric temperature using Brewer/Dobson ground measurements from the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre (WOUDC; http://www.woudc.org/). Subsequently the debiased satellite observations are assimilated within the ozone chemistry and data assimilation model TMDAM driven by meteorological analyses of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The MSR2 (MSR version 2) reanalysis upgrade described in this paper consists of an ozone record for the 43 year period 1970–2012. The chemistry-transport model and data assimilation system have been adapted to improve the resolution, error modelling and processing speed. BUV satellite observations have been included for the period 1970–1977. The total record is extended with 13 years compared to the first version of the ozone multi sensor reanalysis, the MSR1. The latest total ozone retrievals of 15 satellite instruments are used: BUV-Nimbus4, TOMS-Nimbus7, TOMS-EP, SBUV-7, -9, -11, -14, -16, -17, -18, -19, GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI and GOME-2. The resolution of the model runs, assimilation and output is increased from 2° x 3° to 1° x 1°. The analysis is driven by three-hourly meteorology from the ERA-interim reanalysis of ECMWF starting from 1979, and ERA-40 before that date. The chemistry parameterization has been updated. The performance of the MSR2 analysis is studied with the help of observation-minus-forecast (OmF) departures from the data assimilation, by comparisons with the individual station observations and with ozone sondes. The OmF statistics show that the mean bias of the MSR2 analyses is less than 1% with respect to debiased satellite observations after 1979.
Dissolved greenhouse gases (nitrous oxide and methane) associated with the naturally iron-fertilized Kerguelen region (KEOPS 2 cruise) in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Farías L. , Florez-Leiva L. , Besoain V. , Sarthou G. , Fernández C.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), were measured in the Kerguelen Plateau region (KPR). The KPR is affected by an annual microalgal bloom caused by natural iron fertilization, and this may stimulate the microbes involved in GHG cycling. This study was carried out during the KEOPS 2 cruise during the austral spring of 2011. Oceanographic variables, including N2O and CH4, were sampled (from the surface to 500 m depth) in two transects along and across the KRP, the north–south (TNS) transect (46°–51° S, ~ 72° E) and the east–west (TEW) transect (66°–75° E, ~ 48.3° S), both associated with the presence of a plateau, polar front (PF) and other mesoscale features. The TEW presented N2O levels ranging from equilibrium (105%) to slightly supersaturated (120%) with respect to the atmosphere, whereas CH4 levels fluctuated dramatically, being highly supersaturated (120–970%) in areas close to the coastal waters of the Kerguelen Islands and in the PF. The TNS showed a more homogenous distribution for both gases, with N2O and CH4 levels ranging from 88 to 171% and 45 to 666% saturation, respectively. Surface CH4 peaked at southeastern stations of the KPR (A3 stations), where a phytoplankton bloom was observed. Both gases responded significantly, but in contrasting ways (CH4 accumulation and N2O depletion), to the patchy distribution of chlorophyll a. This seems to be associated to the supply of iron from various sources. Air–sea fluxes for N2O (from −10.5 to 8.65, mean 1.25 ± 4.04 μmol m−2 d−1) and for CH4 (from 0.32 to 38.1, mean 10.01 ± 9.97 μmol−2 d−1) indicated that the KPR is both a sink and a source for N2O, as well as a considerable and variable source of CH4. This appears to be associated with biological factors, as well as the transport of water masses enriched with Fe and CH4 from the coastal area of the Kerguelen Islands. These previously unreported results for the Southern Ocean suggest an intense microbial CH4 production in the study area.
Riparian and in-stream controls on nutrient concentrations and fluxes in a headwater forested stream
Authors: Bernal S. , Lupon A. , Ribot M. , Sabater F. , Martí E.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Headwater streams are recipients of water sources draining through terrestrial ecosystems. At the same time, stream biota can transform and retain nutrients dissolved in stream water. Yet studies considering simultaneously these two sources of variation in stream nutrient chemistry are rare. To fill this gap of knowledge, we analyzed stream water and riparian groundwater concentrations and fluxes as well as in-stream net uptake rates for nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) along a 3.7 km reach on an annual basis. Chloride concentrations (used as conservative tracer) indicated a strong hydrological connection at the riparian–stream interface. However, stream and riparian groundwater nutrient concentrations showed a moderate to null correlation, suggesting high in-stream biogeochemical processing. In-stream net nutrient uptake (Fsw) was highly variable across contiguous segments and over time, but its temporal variation was not related to the vegetative period of the riparian forest. For NH4+, the occurrence of Fsw > 0 μg N m−1 s−1 (gross uptake > release) was high along the reach, while for NO3−, the occurrence of Fsw < 0 μg N m−1 s−1 (gross uptake < release) increased along the reach. Within segments and dates, Fsw, whether negative or positive, accounted for a median of 6, 18, and 20% of the inputs of NO3−, NH4+, and SRP, respectively. Whole-reach mass balance calculations indicated that in-stream net uptake reduced stream NH4+ flux up to 90%, while the stream acted mostly as a source of NO3− and SRP. During the dormant period, concentrations decreased along the reach for NO3−, but increased for NH4+ and SRP. During the vegetative period, NH4+ decreased, SRP increased, and NO3− showed a U-shaped pattern along the reach. These longitudinal trends resulted from the combination of hydrological mixing with terrestrial inputs and in-stream nutrient processing. Therefore, the assessment of these two sources of variation in stream water chemistry is crucial to understand the contribution of in-stream processes to stream nutrient dynamics at relevant ecological scales.
Thermokarst-lake methanogenesis along a complete talik profile
Authors: Heslop J. K. , Walter Anthony K. M. , Sepulveda-Jauregui A. , Martinez-Cruz K. , Bondurant A. , Grosse G. , Jones M. C.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Thermokarst (thaw) lakes emit methane (CH4) to the atmosphere formed from thawed permafrost organic matter (OM), but the relative magnitude of CH4 production in surface lake sediments vs. deeper thawed permafrost horizons is not well understood. We assessed anaerobic CH4 production potentials from various depths along a 590 cm long lake sediment core that captured the entire sediment package of the talik (thaw bulb) beneath the center of an interior Alaska thermokarst lake, Vault Lake, and the top 40 cm of thawing permafrost beneath the talik. We also studied the adjacent Vault Creek permafrost tunnel that extends through ice-rich yedoma permafrost soils surrounding the lake and into underlying gravel. Our results showed CH4 production potentials were highest in the organic-rich surface lake sediments, which were 151 cm thick (mean ± SD 5.95 ± 1.67 μg C-CH4 g dw−1 d−1; 125.9± 36.2 μg C-CH4 g C−1org d−1). High CH4 production potentials were also observed in recently-thawed permafrost (1.18± 0.61 μg C-CH4g dw−1 d−1; 59.60± 51.5 μg C-CH4 g C−1org d−1) at the bottom of the talik, but the narrow thicknesses (43 cm) of this horizon limited its overall contribution to total sediment column CH4 production in the core. Lower rates of CH4 production were observed in sediment horizons representing permafrost that has been thawed in the talik for longer periods of time. No CH4 production was observed in samples obtained from the permafrost tunnel, a non-lake environment. Our findings imply that CH4 production is highly variable in thermokarst-lake systems and that both modern OM supplied to surface sediments and ancient OM supplied to both surface and deep lake sediments by in situ thaw as well as shore erosion of yedoma permafrost are important to lake CH4 production.
A high-resolution δ18O record and Mediterranean climate variability
Authors: Taricco C. , Vivaldo G. , Alessio S. , Rubinetti S. , Mancuso S.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. A high-resolution, well-dated foraminiferal δ18O record from a shallow-water core drilled from the Gallipoli Terrace in the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea), previously measured over the last two millennia, has been extended to cover 707 BC–AD 1979. Spectral analysis of this series, performed using singular-spectrum analysis (SSA) and other classical and advanced methods, strengthens the results obtained analysing the shorter δ18O profile, detecting the same highly significant oscillations of about 600, 380, 170, 130 and 11 years, respectively explaining about 12, 7, 5, 2 and 2% of the time series total variance, plus a millennial trend (18% of the variance). The comparison with the results of multi-channel singular-spectrum analysis (MSSA) applied to a data set of 26 Northern Hemisphere (NH) temperature-proxy records shows that NH temperature anomalies share with our local record a~long-term trend and a bicentennial (170-year period) cycle. These two variability modes, previously identified as temperature-driven, are the most powerful modes in the NH temperature data set. Both the long-term trends and the bicentennial oscillations, when reconstructed locally and hemispherically, show coherent phases. Furthermore, the corresponding local and hemispheric amplitudes are comparable if changes in the precipitation–evaporation balance of the Ionian sea, presumably associated with temperature changes, are taken into account.
Evidence for the non-influence of salinity variability on the Porites coral Sr/Ca palaeothermometer
Authors: Moreau M. , Corrège T. , Dassié E. P. , Le Cornec F.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Porites coral-based sea surface temperature (SST) reconstructions are obtained from the measurement of skeleton Sr/Ca ratio. However, the influence of salinity in the incorporation of these trace elements in the Porites aragonitic skeleton is still poorly documented. Laboratory experiments indicate that in three different coral species (not including the widely used Porites genus), salinity does not influence the Sr/Ca thermometer. In this study, we test the salinity effect on Porites Sr/Ca-based SST reconstructions at monthly and interannual timescales in open-ocean environmental conditions. We use a large spatial compilation of published Porites data from the Red Sea and Pacific and Indian oceans. Additionally to those published records, we add a new eastern Pacific coral Sr/Ca record from Clipperton Atoll. Using two different salinity products (Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) SSS reanalyses version 2.2.4, Carton and Giese, 2008; and instrumental SSS from the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, France (IRD) Delcroix et al., 2011), we find no evidence of salinity bias on the Sr/Ca SST proxy at monthly and interannual timescales. We conclude that Porites Sr/Ca is a reliable palaeothermometer that is not influenced by salinity variability.
Technical Note: Probabilistically constraining proxy age–depth models within a Bayesian hierarchical reconstruction model
Authors: Werner J. P. , Tingley M. P.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. Reconstructions of the late-Holocene climate rely heavily upon proxies that are assumed to be accurately dated by layer counting, such as measurements of tree rings, ice cores, and varved lake sediments. Considerable advances could be achieved if time-uncertain proxies were able to be included within these multiproxy reconstructions, and if time uncertainties were recognized and correctly modeled for proxies commonly treated as free of age model errors. Current approaches for accounting for time uncertainty are generally limited to repeating the reconstruction using each one of an ensemble of age models, thereby inflating the final estimated uncertainty – in effect, each possible age model is given equal weighting. Uncertainties can be reduced by exploiting the inferred space–time covariance structure of the climate to re-weight the possible age models. Here, we demonstrate how Bayesian hierarchical climate reconstruction models can be augmented to account for time-uncertain proxies. Critically, although a priori all age models are given equal probability of being correct, the probabilities associated with the age models are formally updated within the Bayesian framework, thereby reducing uncertainties. Numerical experiments show that updating the age model probabilities decreases uncertainty in the resulting reconstructions, as compared with the current de facto standard of sampling over all age models, provided there is sufficient information from other data sources in the spatial region of the time-uncertain proxy. This approach can readily be generalized to non-layer-counted proxies, such as those derived from marine sediments.
Efficient performance of the Met Office Unified Model v8.2 on Intel Xeon partially used nodes
Authors: Bermous I. , Steinle P.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. The atmospheric Unified Model (UM) developed at the UK Met Office is used for weather and climate prediction by forecast teams at a number of international meteorological centres and research institutes on a wide variety of hardware and software environments. Over its 25 year history the UM sources have been optimised for better application performance on a number of High Performance Computing (HPC) systems including NEC SX vector architecture systems and recently the IBM Power6/Power7 platforms. Understanding the influence of the compiler flags, Message Passing Interface (MPI) libraries and run configurations is crucial to achieving the shortest elapsed times for a UM application on any particular HPC system. These aspects are very important for applications that must run within operational time frames. Driving the current study is the HPC industry trend since 1980 for processor arithmetic performance to increase at a faster rate than memory bandwidth. This gap has been growing especially fast for multicore processors in the past 10 years and it can have significant implication for the performance and performance scaling of memory bandwidth intensive applications, such as the UM. Analysis of partially used nodes on Intel Xeon clusters is provided in this paper for short- and medium-range weather forecasting systems using global and limited-area configurations. It is shown that on the Intel Xeon-based clusters the fastest elapsed times and the most efficient system usage can be achieved using partially committed nodes.
Classification of geothermal resources by potential
Authors: Rybach L.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. When considering and reporting resources, the term "geothermal potential" is often used without clearly stating what kind of potential is meant. For renewable energy resources it is nowadays common to use different potentials: theoretical, technical, economic, sustainable, developable – decreasing successively in size. In such a sequence, the potentials are progressively realizable and more and more rewarding financially. The theoretical potential describes the physically present energy, the technical potential the fraction of this energy that can be used by currently available technology and the economic potential the time- and location-dependent fraction of the previous category; the sustainable potential constrains the fraction of the economic potential that can be utilized in the long term; the developable potential is the fraction of the economic resource which can be developed under realistic conditions. In converting theoretical to technical potential, the recovery factor (the ratio extractable heat/heat present at depth) is of key importance. An example (global geothermal resources) is given, with numerical values of the various potentials. The proposed classification could and should be used as a kind of general template for future geothermal energy resources reporting.
The Verdesca landslide in the Agri Valley (Basilicata, southern Italy): a new geological and geomorphological framework
Authors: Gueguen E. , Bentivenga M. , Colaiacovo R. , Margiotta S. , Summa V. , Adurno I.
Published: March 2015

Abstract. A landslide, to the west of Montemurro (a small village in Southern Italy), has recently caused damage to buildings and other infrastructures in an urbanized area, as a result the development of new economic activities has been prohibited. The landslide was discovered in the last century and has been studied since the 1990's using classical geotechnical methods, but the sliding body continues to move. In this paper, we will present the results of a study carried out using field surveys, geognostic investigations and TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) measurements in order to reconstruct the stratigraphy of the sediments involved and to further understand the geological and geomorphological context of the slope. This study is part of a larger multidisciplinary project of which the results will also be presented in this paper. The landslide (rotational slide in the upper sector, developing into a translational slide in the lower part) affects Quaternary continental clastic deposits resting on a bedrock formed by Tertiary siliciclastic sediments of the Gorgoglione Flysch. TDR measurements did not show any significant movement during the period monitored (January 2013–January 2014). Slip zone geometries were hypothesized using inclinometric measurements taken from previous studies, stratigraphic data and geomorphological interpretations of topographic scarps. Feedback from monitoring will confirm this hypothesis.
Front Matter
Authors: Fellmeth Scott
Published: March 2015

The Pittsburgh Journal of Environmental and Public Health Law (PJEPHL) is published annually by the University Library System, University of Pittsburgh under the editorial control of students of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 3900 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. PJEPHL can be contacted by email at pjephl@pitt.edu. PJEPHL is freely available to readers worldwide at http://pjephl.law.pitt.edu. PJEPHL is printed by Western Newspaper Publishing Co., Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright for each work contained in this issue is retained by the author and under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Cloud Computing and the NSA: The Carbon Footprint of the Secret Servers
Authors: Story Jasmine N.
Published: March 2015

Edward Snowden took the world by storm when he exposed the data collection practices of the National Security Agency, known to many as the NSA. Much ink has been spilled on the constitutionality of such practices and the scope of its surveillance yet the cloud computing that facilitates such surveillance often goes unmentioned, if not unnoticed.
Analyzing the effects of economic factors on modeling the diffusion of foreign exchange earnings from tourism in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Yun-Huan , Chang William S.
Published: March 2015

While promoting the country’s tourism industry, governments devote significant resources to support the overall economy. In other words, nations’ macroeconomic factors play an important role in governments’ development of tourism industry. This research note focuses on the effects of economic factors that influence the development of tourism industry and foreign-exchange earnings from tourists in Taiwan using a logistics growth curve. The empirical results show that the logistics growth curve has high explanatory power and that macroeconomic factors (gross domestic product and exchange rate) have significant effects on foreign-exchange earnings from tourists. This research note’s contribution to understanding foreign-exchange earnings from tourism lies in the evidence it provides that the logistics growth curve can help in the estimation of expected average consumption per tourist in the longer term.
‘Dozens who thought they knew her’: Finding Vivian Maier?
Authors: Brant Clare
Published: March 2015

It’s not very often that a story comes along to astonish and excite, but the tale of Vivian Maier[M1]  is one such, and of such interest that I would like to alert our life writing community. I describe it through the film version in which I encountered it, though reviewers and others redescribe that tale in condensed ways also of interest as biographical micronarratives. The least you might know is the film’s description by its maker: ‘Finding Vivian Maier is the critically acclaimed documentary about a mysterious nanny, who secretly took over 100,000 photographs that were hidden in storage lockers and, discovered decades later, is now among the 20th century’s greatest photographers. Directed by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel, Maier’s strange and riveting life and art are revealed through never before seen photographs, films, and interviews with dozens who thought they knew her.’ This article was submitted to the European Journal of Life Writing in August 2014 and published on 16 March 2015.
Waarom is er zo weinig wetgevingsonderwijs in de universitaire rechtenopleiding?
Authors: Voermans W.J.M.
Published: March 2015

Waarom is er zo weinig wetgevingsonderwijs in de universitaire rechtenopleiding?

In deze bijdrage wordt de vraag gesteld waarom er zo weinig wetgevingsonderwijs terug te vinden is in de academische opleidingen rechtsgeleerdheid, en dat terwijl wetgeving toch de voornaamste bron van rechtsvorming is. Dat is waarschijnlijk te wijten aan een combinatie van cultuurelementen in de juridische curricula, die juristen opleiden – socialiseren – in redeneer- en argumentatievaardigheden en het rolmodel van de rechtsvindende rechter centraal stellen. Nu de aard van het juridische werk en de rechtswetenschap van karakter veranderen, is er alle aanleiding de juridische academische opleidingen nader te doordenken. Wie die wil herzien, dient zich wel goed rekenschap te geven van de culturele aspecten van de rechtenopleiding.
De postinitiële masteropleiding tot wetgevingsjurist: opzet, resultaten en toekomst
Authors: Florijn N.A.
Published: March 2015

De postinitiële masteropleiding tot wetgevingsjurist: opzet, resultaten en toekomst

De opleiding tot wetgevingsjurist van de Academie voor Wetgeving was ingericht om te voldoen aan een indertijd gevoelde behoefte. De inmiddels behaalde resultaten zijn goed, maar is de opleiding nog steeds nuttig? Er kunnen namelijk vragen worden gesteld over de inhoud van het wetgevingsonderwijs, terwijl ook de rol en functie van wetgevingsjuristen veranderen. Het verdient daarom aanbeveling om opnieuw na te gaan hoe tegenwoordig wetgevingsjuristen feitelijk hun werk doen en resultaten bereiken. Daarna moet worden bepaald in welke opzichten wetgevingsjuristen opleiding behoeven om ervoor te zorgen dat zij hun werk kritisch en constructief kunnen doen. De opleiding kan zich dan tegelijk met de wetgevingsfunctie en de wetenschappelijke studie van wetgeving ontwikkelen en daarmee haar nut voor de toekomst bewijzen.
Ruimte krijgen en ruimte nemen
Authors: de Kok D.R.P.
Published: March 2015

Ruimte krijgen en ruimte nemen. De onwenselijkheid van ruime delegatiebepalingen naar aanleiding van de nieuwe zorgwet

Eind 2014 sneuvelde de nieuwe zorgwet van minister Schippers in de Eerste Kamer. De fractievoorzitters van de coalitiepartijen suggereerden vervolgens dat de regering dan misschien maar een algemene maatregel van bestuur zou moeten opstellen om de beoogde maatregelen alsnog door te voeren. De basis daarvoor zou worden gevormd door een zeer ruim geformuleerde delegatiebepaling in de Zorgverzekeringswet. Deze suggestie leidde tot veel commotie, zowel binnen het parlement als daarbuiten, omdat het parlement blijkbaar zomaar opzij zou kunnen worden gezet door de regering. Dit artikel gaat in op dergelijke algemene delegatiebepalingen aan de hand van twee casus: de delegatiebepaling in de Zorgverzekeringswet en de eveneens zeer algemene vrijstellingsmogelijkheid in de Meststoffenwet. Bij beide casus wordt eerst besproken hoe de desbetreffende bepaling recentelijk dreigde te worden, respectievelijk werd ingezet. Vervolgens wordt bezien hoe deze delegatiebepalingen in de wet terecht zijn gekomen: wat is er in de wetsgeschiedenis over gewisseld. Ten slotte worden conclusies getrokken over de wenselijkheid van dergelijke bepalingen en hoe ermee zou moeten worden omgegaan als ze er eenmaal zijn.
Wat kunnen we leren van de adviezen van de Raad van State?
Authors: Bouwes M.Tj.
Published: March 2015

Wat kunnen we leren van de adviezen van de Raad van State?

De adviezen van de Afdeling advisering van de Raad van State zijn een goede maatstaf voor de kwaliteit van wetsvoorstellen en algemene maatregelen van bestuur die op de ministeries worden voorbereid. Aan de hand van een aantal horizontale thema’s (zoals motivering van stelselwijzigingen of de introductie van nieuwe bevoegdheden, de reactie op externe adviezen of uitvoeringstoetsen, de inschatting van de effectiviteit van het voorstel) is een analyse gemaakt van de adviezen van de Afdeling in 2013 en eerste helft van 2014. In deze bijdrage worden enige algemene lijnen getrokken, gewezen op de risico’s van slechte wetgeving en aangegeven hoe de kwaliteit van wetsvoorstellen en de motivering van gemaakte keuzes kunnen worden verbeterd.
Give Peas a Chance! Spreading Food Literacy One Book at a Time
Authors: Senechal Molly
Published: March 2015

Sylvia Spivens hates spinach. Her parents try coaxing her to sample some. They extol the green leafy vegetable’s nutritional benefits. But she just won’t eat it.Then Sylvia is assigned to sow spinach seeds for her school’s garden. Grow the vegetable she detests? No way! She tries trading seeds with her classmates. No luck: Sylvia is stuck. After planting, watering, and waiting (and waiting, and WAITING), Sylvia finally sees the spinach poking out of the soil. She waits some more, nibbles a leaf and—guess what?—she LIKES it!
Dead Wood? The Forgotten Art of Woodcut Illustrations
Authors: Cummins Julie
Published: March 2015

Is the art of woodcut illustrations in children’s books really dead? Have they been relegated to the trash bin by computer capabilities for creating images? Has digitization usurped the creativity and skill of this hands-on medium? The answer is simple—yes and no.
Understanding Young Consumer Perceptions on Credit Card Usage: Implications for Responsible Consumption
Authors: Lim Weng Marc , Ng Woo Kan , Chin Jin How , Boo Alexander Wei-Xiang
Published: March 2015

The usage of credit cards among young consumers is often irresponsible – they tend to overspend and as a result find themselves in a debt situation. While existing research has often attributed overspending to the availability of advance credit, there remains a dark spot in understanding why consumers are overspending, particularly through the use of credit cards. This study aims to understand consumer perceptions on the usage of credit cards and subsequently provide recommendations to promote the responsible use of credit cards. Fifteen qualitative, in-depth interviews with young consumers were employed to understand their perceptions and considerations toward the usage of credit cards. Findings suggest a change in consumer culture from one which focused on saving first, spending later to one which encourages spending now, thinking later. Various rationales have been identified as motivators that encourage credit card usage, including security trends for a cashless society and as a reflection of social desires. Attractive rewards and poor spending restrictions afforded by credit cards were the main influences that caused young consumers to spend more than what they could afford, thus leading to a situation of overspending. Implications and recommendations from the findings are presented.

Keywords: Credit Cards, Responsible Consumption, Consumer Behaviour

To cite this document: Weng Marc Lim, Woo Kan Ng, Jin How Chin, and Alexander Wei-Xiang Boo, "Understanding Young Consumer Perceptions on Credit Card Usage: Implications for Responsible Consumption", Contemporary Management Research, Vol.10, No.4, pp.287-302, 2014.

Permanent link to this document:
http://dx.doi.org/10.7903/cmr.11657