bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Determination of Age of Air Trends from Atmospheric Trace Species
Authors: Garcia Rolando R. , Randel William J. , Kinnison Douglas E.
Published: September 2010

Trace chemical species have been used in numerical models to calculate the age of air (AOA), which is a measure of the strength of the mean meridional circulation. The trend in the AOA has also been computed and found to be negative in simulations where greenhouse gases increase with time, which is consistent with the acceleration of the mean meridional circulation calculated under these conditions. This modeling result has been tested recently using observations of SF6, a very long lived species whose atmospheric concentration has increased rapidly over the last half century, and of CO2, which is also very long lived and increasing with time. Surprisingly, the AOA estimated from these gases exhibits no significant trend over the period 1975–2005. Here the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) is used to derive estimates of the AOA from SF6 and CO2 over the period 1965–2006. The calculated AOA yields trends that are smaller than the trend derived from a synthetic, linearly growing tracer, even after accounting for the nonlinear growth rates of SF6 and CO2. A simplified global transport model and analytical arguments are used to show that this follows from the variable growth rate of these species. It is also shown that, when AOA is sampled sparsely as in the observations, the resulting trends have very large error bars and are statistically undistinguishable from zero. These results suggest that trends in the AOA are difficult to estimate unambiguously except for well-sampled tracers that increase linearly and uniformly. While such tracers can be defined in numerical models, there are no naturally occurring species that exhibit such idealized behavior.
Changes in the Subduction of Southern Ocean Water Masses at the End of the Twenty-First Century in Eight IPCC Models
Authors: Downes Stephanie M. , Bindoff Nathaniel L. , Rintoul Stephen R.
Published: September 2010

A multimodel comparison method is used to assess the sensitivity of Subantarctic Mode Water (SAMW) and Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) formation to climate change. For the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change A2 emissions scenario (where atmospheric CO2 is 860 ppm at 2100), the models show cooling and freshening on density surfaces less than about 27.4 kg m−3, a pattern that has been observed in the late twentieth century. SAMW (defined by the low potential vorticity layer) and AAIW (defined by the salinity minimum layer) warm and freshen as they shift to lighter density classes. Heat and freshwater fluxes at the ocean surface dominate the projected buoyancy gain at outcrop regions of SAMW and AAIW, whereas the net increase in the Ekman flux of heat and freshwater contributes to a lesser extent. This buoyancy gain, combined with shoaling of the winter mixed layer, reduces the volume of SAMW subducted into the ocean interior by a mean of 8 Sv (12%), and the subduction of AAIW decreases by a mean of 14 Sv (23%; 1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). Decreases in the projected subduction of the key Southern Ocean upper-water masses imply a slow down in the Southern Ocean circulation in the future, driven by surface warming and freshening. A reduction in the subduction of intermediate waters implies a likely future decrease in the capacity of the Southern Ocean to sequester CO2.
Subseasonal Characteristics of Diurnal Variation in Summer Monsoon Rainfall over Central Eastern China
Authors: Yuan Weihua , Yu Rucong , Chen Haoming , Li Jian , Zhang Minghua
Published: September 2010

Subseasonal characteristics of the diurnal variation of the summer monsoon rainfall over central eastern China (25°–40°N, 110°–120°E) are analyzed using hourly station rain gauge data. Results show that the rainfall in the monsoon rain belt is dominated by the long-duration rainfall events (≥7 h) with early-morning peaks. The long-duration rainfall events and early-morning diurnal peaks experience subseasonal movement that is similar to that of the monsoon rain belt. When the monsoon rainfall is separated into the active and break periods, the long-duration early-morning precipitation dominates the active period, which is in sharp contrast to the short-duration (≤6 h) rainfall with leading late-afternoon diurnal peaks during the break period. The combination of different diurnal features of monsoon rainfall in the active and break monsoon periods also explains the less coherent diurnal phases of summer mean rainfall over central eastern China. The cause of the early-morning peak of rainfall during the active monsoon period is discussed.
Geometrical Characterization of Precipitation Patterns
Authors: AghaKouchak Amir , Nasrollahi Nasrin , Li Jingjing , Imam Bisher , Sorooshian Soroosh
Published: September 2010

Satellite estimates and weather forecast models have made it possible to observe and predict precipitation over large spatial scales. Despite substantial progress in observing patterns of precipitation, characterization of spatial patterns is still a challenge. Quantitative assessment methods for spatial patterns are essential for future developments in prediction of the spatial extent and patterns of precipitation. In this study, precipitation patterns are characterized using three geometrical indices: (i) a connectivity index, (ii) a shape index, and (iii) a dispersiveness index. Using multiple examples, the application of the proposed indices is explored in pattern analysis of satellite precipitation images and validation of numerical atmospheric models with respect to geometrical properties. The results indicate that the presented indices can be reasonably employed for a relative comparison of different patterns (e.g., multiple fields against spatial observations) with respect to their connectivity, organization, and shape.
A Spar Buoy for High-Frequency Wave Measurements and Detection of Wave Breaking in the Open Ocean
Authors: Pascal Robin W. , Yelland Margaret J. , Srokosz Meric A. , Moat Bengamin I. , Waugh Edward M. , Comben Daniel H. , Cansdale Alex G. , Hartman Mark C. , Coles David G. H. , Chang Hsueh Ping , Leighton Timothy G.
Published: September 2010

Waves and wave breaking play a significant role in the air–sea exchanges of momentum, sea spray aerosols, and trace gases such as CO2, but few direct measurements of wave breaking have been obtained in the open ocean (far from the coast). This paper describes the development and initial deployments on two research cruises of an autonomous spar buoy that was designed to obtain such open-ocean measurements. The buoy was equipped with capacitance wave wires and accelerometers to measure surface elevation and wave breaking, downward-looking still and video digital cameras to obtain images of the sea surface, and subsurface acoustic and optical sensors to detect bubble clouds from breaking waves. The buoy was free drifting and was designed to collect data autonomously for days at a time before being recovered. Therefore, on the two cruises during which the buoy was deployed, this allowed a variety of sea states to be sampled in mean wind speeds, which ranged from 5 to 18 m s−1.
Global Transport on a Spherical Multiple-Cell Grid
Authors: Li Jian-Guo
Published: September 2010

Second- and third-order upstream nonoscillatory (UNO) advection schemes are applied on a spherical multiple-cell (SMC) grid for global transport. Similar to the reduced grid, the SMC grid relaxes the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) restriction of the Eulerian advection time step on the conventional latitude–longitude grid by zonally merging cells toward the poles. Round polar cells are introduced to remove the polar singularity of the spherical coordinate system. The unstructured feature of the SMC grid allows unused cells to be removed out of memory and transport calculations. Solid-body rotation and deformation flow tests are used for comparison with other transport schemes. Application on the global ocean surface is used to demonstrate the flexibility of the SMC grid by removing all land points and making possible the extension of global ocean surface wave models to cover the Arctic in response to the retreating sea ice in recent summers. Numerical results suggest that UNO schemes on the SMC grid are suitable for global transport.
A Technique for Dynamically Downscaling Daily-Averaged GCM Datasets Using the Conformal Cubic Atmospheric Model
Authors: Thatcher Marcus , McGregor John L.
Published: September 2010

In this paper the authors dynamically downscale daily-averaged general circulation model (GCM) datasets over Australia using the Conformal Cubic Atmospheric Model (CCAM). The technique can take advantage of the wider range of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3) daily-averaged GCM datasets than is available using 3-hourly datasets. The daily-averaged host GCM atmospheric data are fitted to a time interpolation formula and then differentiated in time to produce a first-order estimate of the atmosphere at 0000 UTC on each simulation day. The processed GCM data are forced into CCAM using a scale-selective filter with an 18° radius. Since this procedure is unable to account for the diurnal cycle, the forcing data are only applied to winds and air temperatures once per day between 800 and 100 hPa. Lateral boundary conditions are not required since CCAM employs a variable-resolution global grid. The technique is evaluated by downscaling daily-averaged 2.5° NCEP reanalyses over Australia at 60-km resolution from 1971 to 2000 and comparing the results to downscaling the 6-hourly reanalyses and to simulating with sea surface temperature (SST)-only forcing. The results show that the daily-averaged downscaling technique can simulate average seasonal maximum and minimum screen temperatures and rainfall similar to those obtained downscaling 6-hourly reanalyses. Some implications for regional climate projections are considered by downscaling four daily-averaged GCM datasets from the twentieth-century climate in coupled models (20C3M) experiment over Australia.
Crossing Global Boundaries: Beyond Intercultural Communication
Authors: Herrington TyAnna K.
Published: September 2010

This article analyzes the benefits of experiential learning in cross-disciplinary global learning environments by recounting work in the Global Classroom Project, which electronically links students and professors from Russia and America. The author asserts that students learn by experience what cannot be taught and claims that they benefit from synthesizing the viewpoints, ideologies, and frames of reference of diverse co-participants. In doing so, students prepare for a future in which synthetic thinking that leads to innovative, imaginative problem solving and invention will be desirable and necessary.
Coping With Psychological Distress Associated to Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: A Brief Cognitive Behavioral Intervention
Authors: Hatzipetrou Luke , Tian Po Oei
Published: September 2010

This case study examined the assessment, treatment, and outcomes of a 53-year-old man presenting with chronic paranoid schizophrenia. This individual presented with significant anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms resulting from his inability to cope with persistent and persecutory auditory hallucinations and delusions. The treatment approach was drawn from principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, in particular the Coping Strategy Enhancement Approach (CSE; Yusupoff & Tarrier, 1996). This approach is used for people suffering from persistent hallucinations and delusions. The CSE aims to assist the individual develop adaptive coping strategies in the physiological, cognitive, and behavioral domains. Findings suggested a reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress reported during the course of the interview despite the persistent and significant positive symptoms. Furthermore, the participant reported increased confidence in managing these symptoms and developed simple and reportedly effective coping skills. As results supported the use of the cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) approach, the findings were moderate. There were several factors contributing to these results, such as lack of consistent carer support and the intellectual impairments associated with the illness. These factors are described in the study, with recommendations for future interventions.
An Enriched Environment Improves Sensorimotor Function Post-Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Janssen Heidi , Bernhardt Julie , Collier Janice M. , Sena Emily S. , McElduff Patrick , Attia John , Pollack Michael , Howells David W. , Nilsson Michael , Calford Mike B. , Spratt Neil J.
Published: September 2010

Objective. An enriched environment (EE) refers to conditions that facilitate or enhance sensory, cognitive, motor, and social stimulation relative to standard (laboratory) conditions. Despite numerous published studies investigating this concept in animal stroke models, there is still debate around its efficacy. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of an EE on neurobehavioral scores, learning, infarct size, and mortality in animal models of ischemic stroke. Methods. Systematic review of controlled studies of the use of an EE in experimental stroke was conducted. Data extracted were analyzed using weighted mean difference meta-analysis. For pooled tests of neurobehavioral scores, a random effects standardized method was used. Results. Animals recovering in an EE poststroke had mean neurobehavioral scores 0.9 standard deviations (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5-1.3; P < .001) above the mean scores of animals recovering in standard conditions and showed a trend toward improvement in learning (25.1% improvement; 95% CI = 3.7-46.6; P = .02). There was no significant increase in death. Animals exposed to an EE had 8.0% larger infarcts than control animals (95% CI = 1.8-14.1; P = .015). Conclusions. The results indicate significant improvements in sensorimotor function with EE poststroke but suggest a small increase in infarct volume. Clarification of the underlying mechanisms requires further study but should not overshadow the observed functional improvements and their application to clinical trials during stroke rehabilitation.
Microstructure characterisation and CTE study of Fe—42Ni—Nb invar alloys
Authors: Xu P. Q. , Zhao X. J. , Xu G. X. , Li L. N. , Yu Z. S.
Published: September 2010

Invar alloy has low coefficient of thermal expansion; however, the week strength always limits its application. To circumvent this problem, the authors have designed Fe—42Ni—Nb invar alloy using midfrequency vacuum induction melting technique. The microstructures of this alloy were characterised by means of XRD, SEM and TEM. The multicomponent composition (NiFeCMnNb) is chosen such that upon chill casting of the alloy the liquid undergoes a metastable reaction, forming a strengthening NbC precipitated phase on γ-(Fe, Ni) solid solution. As a result, the alloy achieves the low coefficient of thermal expansion α30–100=6·14 × 10−6 K−1 ranged from room temperature to 100°C. The results show: in NiFe invar alloys, the primary phases are γ-(NiFe), FeNi3) Ni and Fe2C; and with the addition of carbon, manganese and rare earth niobium, NiFeCMnNb invar alloy achieves such primary phases as γ-(NiFe) and NbyCx; and TEM structure consists of superfine structure and its matrix is γ-(NiFe).
The Secret beyond White Patriarchal Power: Race, Gender, and Freedom in the Last Days of Colonial Saint-Domingue
Authors: Liu Tessie P.
Published: September 2010

This essay locates Leonora Sansay's novel Secret History; or, The Horrors of St. Domingo in the circum-Atlantic discussions on race and colonial insurgency during the Napoleonic period. Sansay critiques white Creole society and French colonial domination through the violence suffered by Clara, a seductive American woman, whose liaison with a metropolitan French general unleashed the rage of her rich planter husband. In a society in which the power relations of slavery dominate, Clara's “vilely bartered” marriage suggests parallels between the enslavement of blacks and women's bondage in matrimony. But Sansay denies this analogy. Instead, and especially after the black victory, she represents the freedom of white women as conditional on their obligation to refuse the “horrors” of miscegenation. In this way the novel contributes to the growing negrophobia of the era by introducing fears of black patriarchal power as a path to rejecting black sovereign political power.

Cette étude analyse le roman, Secret History; or, The Horrors of St. Domingo, par rapport aux discussions sur l'esclavage et l'insurrection coloniale pendant la période napoléonienne. L'auteur, Leonora Sansay, construit sa critique de la société coloniale autour d'une histoire d'amour violente et malheureuse entre Clara, une femme américaine séduisante, son époux, un riche planteur, et son amant, un général français métropolitain. Dans une société où les relations de pouvoir d'esclavage dominent toutes relations sociales, le mariage « vilement troqué » de Clara suggère des analogies entre l'asservissement des noirs et le servage nuptial des femmes. Mais Sansay nie cette comparaison. Au lieu de cela, et surtout après la victoire noire, Sansay dispute l'idée que la liberté des femmes blanches dépend de leur droit obligatoire de rejeter les « horreurs » du métissage. Ainsi, le roman contribue au racisme croissant de l'époque en introduisant la crainte du pouvoir patriarcal noir en tant que manière de refuser le pouvoir politique souverain des noirs.
The Moralizing Role of Distance in Adam Smith:The Theory of Moral Sentimentsas Possible Praise of Commerce
Authors: Paganelli Maria Pia
Published: September 2010

The Theory of Moral Sentiments can be read as a book praising commerce. In The Theory of Moral Sentiments, Adam Smith claims that viewing oneself from a distance decreases the natural tendency toward self-deception and increases the propriety of one's behavior. In front of strangers and distant acquaintances, an individual would generally restrain the more self-indulgent and excessive passions and be more composed than in front of family and close friends. Frequent exposure to strangers fosters the habit of propriety—the basis of moral behavior. Commerce increases one's opportunities to interact with strangers and introduces distance in interpersonal relationships. Commercial societies are therefore the environments that most facilitate and are amenable to proper and moral behavior. According to this reading of The Theory of Moral Sentiments, for Smith, commerce facilitates not just material prosperity but also moral development.
On the Similarities between the 1932 Harvard Memorandum and the Chicago Antidepression Recommendations
Authors: Ahiakpor James C. W.
Published: September 2010

Both the 1932 Harvard and Chicago recommendations for dealing with the Great Depression include vigorous open market purchases by the Fed; federal government deficit spending, including public works, financed by new money creation; reduction in tariffs; and the cancellation of inter-allied debts. The similarities are no coincidence, since both documents draw mostly from well-known classical and early neoclassical monetary analysis and free trade principles, and partially from Keynes's pre-1936 work. The classical principles are embodied in then-familiar texts by John Stuart Mill, Alfred Marshall, Irving Fisher, and Frank Taussig. Memoranda typically do not spell out their theoretical sources.
Harvard, the Chicago Tradition, and the Quantity Theory: A Reply to James Ahiakpor
Authors: Laidler David , Sandilands Roger
Published: September 2010

James Ahiakpor's critique of our 2002 work on the relationship between a certain 1932 Harvard memorandum on antidepression policies and the 1932 Harris Foundation manifesto dealing with the same issues misses the significance of these documents, and of the relationships between them, both for the literature of the time, and for later debates about the origins of 1930s Chicago ideas about monetary economics. He is correct to locate these documents in a more general quantity theoretic tradition, but his discussion here is marred by a serious misunderstanding of the so-called forced saving doctrine and its place in that tradition. Finally, Ahiakpor fails to appreciate that the absence of positive policy proposals from the 1934 Harvard studies of The Economics of the Recovery Program, a point that he himself notes, is a major contributing factor to that book's mediocrity.
Novel Bis-fused π-Electron Donor Composed of Tetrathiafulvalene and Tetraselenafulvalene
Authors: Ashizawa Minoru , Ishidzu Ken-ichi , Watanabe Masaki , Tanahashi Tetsuhiko , Shirahata Takashi , Kawamoto Tadashi , Mori Takehiko , Misaki Yohji
Published: September 2010

A new donor (ST-STP), in which tetrathiafulvalene and tetraselenafulvalene are fused, has been synthesized. This donor shows unexpectedly large on-site Coulomb repulsion compared with other bis-fused TTF systems. In (ST-STP)ReO4, intramolecular charge disproportionation is suggested by the crystal structure and transport properties.
Spontaneous Nanoaggregate Formation of Amphiphilic Poly(amide acid)s in Water
Authors: Hamada Takashi , Takayama Toshio , Kudo Kazuaki
Published: September 2010

Alicyclic poly(amide acid) triethylammonium salts having alkyl ester side chains spontaneously self-assembled to form nanoaggregates in water. The nanoaggregates of poly(amide acid)s encapsulated a hydrophobic guest molecule, Nile red, within their apolar microenvironment. The size of the aggregates and the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) were considerably affected by both side chain length and Mw, of the polymers.
Measurement of Gas Permeability in Geosynthetic Clay Liners in Transient Flow Mode
Authors: Pitanga Heraldo Nunes , Pierson Patrick , Vilar Orencio Monje
Published: September 2010

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are often selected as a part of the barrier layer for cover systems in solid waste landfills to prevent infiltration of rainfall and migration of biogas into the atmosphere. To address the ability of GCLs to mitigate gas flow through cover layers, this paper presents an apparatus and testing method to measure the gas permeability of non-saturated and strained GCLs in the laboratory. The test is performed following a transient gas flow regime, and the test results are interpreted using a simple analytical solution. A series of gas permeability tests was performed on a needle-punched GCL with a degree of saturation between 32 % and 47 %. The specimens were tested under a 20 kPa load and 1.3 % strain in the radial direction, whereas the gas flow was induced by a gas differential pressure of less than 4 kPa. The results show that both the apparatus and the testing method can provide a reliable, fast, and simple method to measure the gas permeability of GCLs.
Hemodynamics and Fluid-Structure-Interaction in a Virtual Heart
Authors: Schenkel Torsten , Krittian Sebastian , Mühlhausen Mark-Patrick , Oertel Herbert
Published: September 2010

Modeling the function of the human heart is of growing importance in a time when surgical treatment becomes the predominant therapy option. The hemodynamics of ventricular and vascular flow is closely linked to other disciplines like structural mechanics of myocardial and vascular tissue, electro-dynamical excitation, etc. A multi-disciplinary approach is therefore needed to describe it. While a monolithic solution of the underlying differential equations in one set is thinkable, a partitioned approach can take into account the specifics of the single disciplines and profit from specialized models and algorithms. We show how by coupling specialized solvers for fluid and solid mechanics a coupled model of ventricular flow can be created that gives insight into the hemodynamics in a way that is more than the sum of its parts.
Patient-Specific Planning for Radio-Frequency Ablation of Tumors in the Presence of Uncertainty
Authors: Preusser Tobias , Peitgen Heinz-Otto
Published: September 2010

The radio frequency (RF) ablation is a promising minimally invasive form of treatment for hepatic metastases and primary tumors. Thereby a needle like applicator, which is interstitially placed into the lesion, induces an electric current that causes heating and consequent destruction of the tissue due to its Ohmic resistance. In order to be a true alternative to the standard surgical resection, RF ablation must lead to a result similar to R0 resections. Here, patient specific mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of the bio-physical processes lead to a valuable support of the therapy planning, because they allow for an a priori estimation of the success as well as an optimization of the therapy parameters. In this article we discuss a mathematical model of partial differential equations (PDEs) for the patient specific numerical simulation of RF ablation. A particular focus lies on the consideration of uncertainties in the material properties, the underlying image data as well as the computational results. We discuss a stochastic PDE model, which allows for a sensitivity analysis of the computational results with respect to perturbations in the material properties. Furthermore a method for the fast estimation of the thermal necrosis is shown, which bases on the separation of non patient specific pre-calculations and patient specific computations, leading to an interactive real-time simulation tool.
Simulation and “Virtual Patient” in Radiotherapy
Authors: Sakas Georgios , Baltas Dimos , Zamboglou Nikolaos
Published: September 2010

CT simulators are software systems used in the radiotherapy clinics for simulating the radiation beams of a radiotherapy treatment plan. They use acquired Computed Tomography (CT) data set of the patient, including the external patient´s skin landmarks, instead of the physical patient. The implemented high-end visualization techniques allow the users to simulate every function of the treatment machine including the mechanical component movements, radiation beam projection and fluoroscopy. The virtual simulation concept provides the physicians with ergonomic volume definition and anatomy navigation tools.
Towards Insurable Network Architectures
Authors: Böhme Rainer
Published: September 2010

The author summarizes his interdisciplinary research to employ actuarial risk models for the evaluation of system architectures with regard to their insurability. Insurability is argued to be a precondition for improving the resilience of distributed systems against catastrophic failures and malicious attacks. This essay introduces three obstacles that hinder the development of a market for cyber-insurance in practice, and refers to a novel modeling framework in which the obstacles can be analyzed jointly. Open research questions and possible ways to overcome these obstacles are discussed.
Assistência domiciliar a idosos: fatores associados, características do acesso e do cuidado
Authors: Thumé Elaine , Facchini Luiz Augusto , Tomasi Elaine , Vieira Lúcia Azambuja Saraiva
Published: September 2010

OBJETIVO: Avaliar fatores associados à assistência domiciliar recebida pela população idosa e suas características, segundo modelos de atenção Estratégia Saúde da Família e modelo tradicional. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional, com amostra representativa de 1.593 indivíduos com 60 anos ou mais, residentes na região urbana de Bagé, RS, em 2008. A amostragem foi realizada em múltiplos estágios. Os dados foram coletados em entrevistas individuais. Foram analisadas as formas de acesso aos serviços, participação dos profissionais, satisfação e situação de saúde dos usuários após o atendimento. Foi utilizado modelo de regressão de Poisson para estimar as razões de prevalência bruta e ajustada, os respectivos intervalos com 95% de confiança e p-valor (teste de Wald). RESULTADOS: Assistência domiciliar foi estatisticamente associada à história prévia de acidente vascular cerebral, à presença de sinais de demência e à incapacidade para as atividades da vida diária. A família foi responsável por 75% das solicitações de cuidado. Nas áreas da atenção tradicional, os médicos responderam pela maior promoção de cuidados, enquanto nas áreas da Estratégia Saúde da Família destacou-se a participação da equipe de enfermagem. Aproximadamente 78% das solicitações foram atendidas em até 24 horas e 95% dos usuários avaliaram positivamente o cuidado recebido. Dois terços dos idosos referiram melhora nas condições de saúde. CONCLUSÕES: As variáveis associadas ao recebimento de assistência domiciliar reiteram os indicadores de fragilidade destacados na Política Nacional de Saúde da Pessoa Idosa e fortalecem a importância da estratégia na promoção da eqüidade no cuidado dos idosos. A avaliação positiva e o impacto na situação de saúde afirmam o domicílio como ambiente terapêutico.
Efecto de la infección submicroscópica o policlonal de Plasmodium falciparum sobre la madre y el producto de la gestación: revisión sistemática
Authors: Arango Eliana , Maestre Amanda , Carmona-Fonseca Jaime
Published: September 2010

ANTECEDENTES: La malaria gestacional es causa importante de morbi-mortalidad materno-infantil y puede transcurrir con parasitemias no detectadas con microscopía; además, por la diversidad genética parasitaria, es común encontrar infecciones policlonales. OBJETIVOS: Conocer la frecuencia de infecciones submicroscópicas (ISM) y/o policlonales (IP) durante la gestación y analizar el impacto que tienen en la presentación clínica y el desarrollo de inmunidad y sus consecuencias en la madre y el producto de gestación. METODOLOGÍA: Se hizo búsqueda en Medline con los términos (MeSH) "pregnancy", "malaria", "PCR", "microscopy", "genotype", "clones". Se seleccionaron los estudios que diagnosticaron la infección por microscopía y PCR. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 16 estudios, todos realizados en África. El promedio ponderado (PP) de ISM en el total de mujeres fue del 36% y según fuese la infección microscópica (IM), submicroscópica o negativa, los PP de anemia materna y bajo peso al nacer (BPN) fueron 51%, 42% y 33% y 19%, 16% y 11%, respectivamente. Con referencia al grupo sin infección, los riesgos (OR) fueron: a) para anemia materna 2,12 en IM y 1,48 en ISM; b) para BPN 1,89 en IM y 1,56 en ISM. El PP de IP fue 75% y el promedio de clones por muestra fue tres. CONCLUSIONES: Las ISM y policlonales con P. falciparum son muy comunes durante la gestación, pero poco estudiadas y su impacto debe evaluarse en cada región, porque depende de la intensidad y estabilidad de la transmisión, la edad y paridad maternas, entre otras variables, que son influenciadas por las condiciones socioeconómicas y ambientales específicas.
Acesso a serviços de saúde na Baixada Santista de pessoas portadoras de hipertensão arterial e ou diabetes
Authors: Bersusa Ana Aparecida Sanches , Pascalicchio Áurea Eleutério , Pessoto Umberto Catarino , Escuder Maria Mercedes Loureiro
Published: September 2010

A Hipertensão Arterial (HA) e o Diabetes Mellitus (DM) são consideradas uma epidemia mundial, o que torna o controle desses agravos um desafio para os sistemas de saúde e são vistos como prioridade pela Estratégia da Saúde da Família. Nesse cenário, buscou-se verificar o acesso do paciente portador de HA e/ou DM à rede de assistência à saúde e a medicamentos nos municípios da Baixada Santista. Realizou-se um inquérito domiciliar em cinco municípios da Baixada Santista com mais de 100 mil habitantes, com diferentes coberturas de ESF com amostra probabilística autoponderada, adotando-se sorteio primário dos setores censitários e posteriormente de domicílios. Foram entrevistadas 6.815 pessoas, entre as quais encontrou-se uma prevalência referida em torno de 26,3% para HA e 8,8 para DM, sendo a HA mais prevalente em mulheres do que em homens. Para análise da qualidade da atenção à saúde recebida por esses pacientes, estudou-se a prevalência da mensuração da pressão arterial (85,3%) e do teste de glicemia (70,2%) nos últimos 6 meses. A maioria indicou que o medicamento foi prescrito pelo médico (99,4%), sendo que 62,8% adquirem em farmácia privada o medicamento para HA e 57,9% dos diabéticos o adquirem no posto de saúde. A atividade de grupos educativos praticamente inexiste para mais de 90%. Em relação às visitas domiciliares 78% dos hipertensos e 92,5% dos diabéticos não foram beneficiados com este serviço. Os achados indicam a necessidade de o cuidado da HA e do DM ter seu enfoque central na atenção básica.
Decentralised Wastewater Treatment and Recycling in Urban Villages
Authors: Anda M. , Mohamed R. M. S. R. , Mathew K. , Dallas S. , Ho G. E.
Published: September 2010

Decentralised wastewater recycling and irrigation systems have been established with industry partners in Perth urban villages. The project is now monitoring and evaluating these systems for performance and reliability to meet regulatory standards, effects on soil and vegetation, pathogen disinfection, nutrients prevented from infiltration to groundwater or infiltrated and recycled, maintenance issues of the systems and the effective amount of scheme and bore water saved in the long term. Three trial sites were established for the Premier's Water Foundation (PWF) (Bridgewater Lifestyle Village 389 household greywater recycling; Timbers Edge Resort Village 260 houses to common greywater recycling; Banksia Tourist Village 162 park homes to common wastewater treatment) The research team continues to conduct research on other promising sites (Somerville Ecovillage with 104 houses on dry composting toilets and greywater recycling and Tuart Lakes Lifestyle Village with 415 park homes to common wastewater treatment). This paper provides an overview of the results to date from five research topics: completed are a new regulatory framework, a technical elements model, and a new water balance and efficiency rating tool. For the fourth topic, trials found that mosquito control measures are effective. Fifthly, early monitoring results for a “zero emissions nutrients” (ZEN) model for urban land developments are promising with nutrient leaching within prescribed limits.
Effective Measures for CO2 Reduction Harnessing the Potential Water Energy Present in the Water Service Industry
Authors: Yoshihiro Ohbuchi , Takanori Sasaki , Hiroaki Sumitomo , Susumu Saito , Yoshiaki Tanaka
Published: September 2010

Sapporo Waterworks Bureau's (SWB's) measures for CO2 reduction started in 1982 with a hydropower project at the Moiwa Water Purification Plant (MWPP) (cap. 155,000 m3/day). Operation of the generator was temporarily discontinued in 2001 for full-scale reconstruction of the water purification plant (WPP); after the completion of the reconstruction, the power generation equipment was renewed, and the operation resumed as a joint project with a private company in 2007.

Power generation is on-site since the hydropower generator within the MWPP area provides energy consumed at the MWPP and the adjoining Waterworks Museum. This power generation is expected to create an energy saving effect equivalent to 1,500 tons of CO2 and over 10 million yen of annual net benefit. In order to increase the usage rate of low-cost, clean energy like hydropower at the WPP, SWB has made a series of adjustments to the operating methods of the plant. Then, as a result, the generation covers 97% of the energy used on-site at present.

Furthermore, SWB is considering introducing other hydropower facilities of this kind that harness water transmission energy from the Shiraikawa WPP (cap. 650,000 m3/day) to the major distribution reservoirs.
Treatment of Sugar Containing-Low Strength Wastewater at 20°C by Anaerobic Granular Sludge Bed Reactor
Authors: Yoochatchaval W. , Kubota K. , Kawai T. , Yamaguchi T. , Syutsubo K.
Published: September 2010

To investigate the feasibility of anaerobic wastewater treatment technology for low strength sugar refinery wastewater (0.4 - 0.5 g COD/L), an 8.8 L volume of anaerobic granular sludge bed reactor was operated at 20°C for 400 days. The operation mode was combination of one pass flow (UASB, 50 min) and effluent-recirculation (EGSB, 10 min) mode. The aerobic down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor was installed as a post-treatment. During the started-up period, reactors were fed with synthetic wastewater at overall HRT of 3 hours (anaerobic 2 hours, aerobic 1 hour). After day 85, feed was changed to real wastewater together with supplement of nutrients, trace elements and NaHCO3. The sufficient COD removal efficiency (85% SD±6.2) and stable process performance were elicited from the granular sludge bed reactor.Also, post-treatment (DHS reactor) offered good quality of effluent (45 mg COD/L, 7 mg BOD/L) and it achieved the discharge standard. Increasing of sulfate concentration of wastewater caused higher contribution of sulfate reducing bacteria for COD removal. The sludge concentration and settleability were well maintained thoroughly. However, floatation of large size granule was observed in the later part of experiment. This phenomenon may attribute to the high growth yield of retained sludge at 20°C.
Fluoride Removal from Ground Water by γ-Alumina Coated Ceramic Honeycomb
Authors: Dash K. , Hareesh U. S. , Johnson R. , Arunachalam J.
Published: September 2010

Studies have been carried out on defluoridation of ground water using gamma alumina coatings on a ceramic honeycomb. The sol gel coated gamma alumina adsorbent was found to adsorb fluoride rapidly and effectively. Coatings on ceramic honeycomb were prepared using a sol of dispersible precursor of boehmite (γ-AlOOH). The boehmite coating, on calcination at 500°C transformed to γ-alumina. The fluoride removal performance was investigated as a function of the fluoride concentration and flow rate. It was observed that fluoride removal is low at higher flow rate. The specific fluoride uptake capacity was 15400mg of F− removed /kg of coated γ-alumina on the ceramic honeycomb from de-ionized water, whereas in case of ground water, the capacity was 11080 mg of F− per kg of coated alumina. The regeneration was effected by passing a dilute solution of aluminum sulfate solution. A fluoride removal kit consisting of five ceramic honeycombs in series was evaluated to defluoridate ground water. Around 200 liters of ground water (initial F− conc. of 5 ppm) could be defluoridated to permissible level of F− concentration. It is much easier and convenient to regenerate the alumina coated on the honeycombs due to open channel structures of the honeycomb.
Nitrogen Removal in a Real-Time Controlled Sequencing Batch Membrane Bioreactor
Authors: Chang Cheng-Nan , Lee Li-Ling , Huang Han-Hsien , Chiu Ying-Chih
Published: September 2010

The performance of a real-time controlled Sequencing Batch Membrane Bioreactor (SBMBR) for removing organic matter and nitrogen from synthetic wastewater has been investigated in this study under two specific ammonia loadings of 0.0086 and 0.0045g NH4+-N gVSS−1 day−1. Laboratory results indicate that both COD and DOC removal are greater than 97.5% (w/w) but the major benefit of using membrane for solid-liquid separation is that the effluent can be decanted through the membrane while aeration is continued during the draw stage. With a continued aeration, the sludge cake layer is prevented from forming thus alleviating the membrane clogging problem in addition to significant nitrification activities observed in the draw stage. With adequate aeration in the oxic stage, the nitrogen removal efficiency exceeding 99% can be achieved with the SBMBR system. Furthermore, the SBMBR system has also been used to study the occurrence of ammonia valley and nitrate knee that can be used for real-time control of the biological process. Under appropriate ammonia loading rates, applicable ammonia valley and nitrate knee are detected. The real-time control of the SBMBR can be performed based on on-line ORP and pH measurements.
Distributed vs. Concentrated Storage Options for Controlling CSO Volumes and Pollutant Loads
Authors: Piro P. , Carbone M. , Garofalo G.
Published: September 2010

The Best Management Practices (BMPs), the volume control and pollutant mass removal operated with a stormwater tanks are investigated in the present work. Data collected in 2007 during two monitoring campaigns was used to this aim. During the first monitoring campaign were observed six rainfall-runoff events, and was collected hydrological and quality data that were used to calibrate and to validate the SWMM (Storm Water Management Model – by USEPA) parameters. Ten rainfall-runoff events were observed during the second monitoring campaign, and the data were used to simulate, with SWMM, five different scenarios. Each scenario was characterized by a different tanks distribution on urban catchment surface. The results was analyzed in terms of overflow volume and overall pollutant mass in the receiving water body. The results obtained indicated a good efficiency of CSO volume control and pollutant mass removal for the scenarios characterized by multiple storage tanks implemented at specific locations.
Artificial neural network prediction of the psychometric activities of phenylalkylamines using DFT-calculated molecular descriptors
Authors: Haghdadi Mina , Fatemi Mohammad
Published: September 2010

In the present work, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)
method was used to predict the psychometric activity values (as mescaline
unit, log MU) of 48 phenylalkylamine derivatives from their density
functional theory (DFT) calculated molecular descriptors and an artificial
neural network (ANN). In the first step, the molecular descriptors were
obtained by DFT calculation at the 6-311G
Development of dynamic kinetic resolution on large scale for (±)-1-phenylethylamine
Authors: Thalén Lisa K , Bäckvall Jan-E
Published: September 2010

Candida antarcticalipase B (CALB) and racemization catalyst4were combined in the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of (±)-1-phenylethylamine (1). Several reaction parameters have been investigated to modify the method for application on multigram scale. A comparison of isopropyl acetate and alkyl methoxyacetates as acyl donors was carried out. It was found that lower catalyst loadings could be used to obtain (R)-2-methoxy-N-(1-phenylethyl)acetamide (3) in good yield and high ee when alkyl methoxyacetates were used as acyl donors compared to when isopropyl acetate was used as the acyl donor. The catalyst loading could be decreased to 1.25 mol % Ru-catalyst4and 10 mg CALB per mmol1when alkyl methoxyacetates were used as the acyl donor.
Does KM Governance = KM Success?
Authors: Zyngier Suzanne
Published: September 2010

This chapter examines factors that contribute to KM success by differentiating between KM leadership through management and through governance. We look at governance as a structural mechanism that both embeds KM into organizational activity, and lifts it from a series of initiatives to a structured program of activities that are subject to authority, policy, risk management, financial fiduciary duty, and evaluation. Using evidence from 214 respondents to a global internet based KM survey; we find that having a recognized and defined authority for KM that is well-resourced leads to strategically aligned benefits realized from investment in KM. We demonstrate that governance through assigned authority strongly contributes to strategic KM success.
An Evaluation of Factors that Influence the Success of Knowledge Management Practices in US Federal Agencies
Authors: Rhoads Elsa , O’Sullivan Kevin J. , Stankosky Michael
Published: September 2010

This chapter investigates the status of knowledge management practices implemented across federal agencies of the U.S. government. It analyzes the extent to which this status is influenced by the size of the agency, whether or not the agency type is a Cabinet-level Department or Independent Agency, the longevity of KM Practices implemented in the agency, whether or not the agency has adopted a written KM policy or strategy, and whether the primary responsibility for KM Practices in the agency is directed by a CKO or KM unit versus other functional locations in the agency. The research also tests for possible KM practitioner bias, since the survey was directed to members of the Knowledge Management Working Group of the Federal CIO Council and KM practitioners in federal agencies.
Assessing Knowledge Management
Authors: Asoh Derek Ajesam , Belardo Salvatore
Published: September 2010

With growing interest in KM-related assessments and calls for rigorous assessment tools, the objective of this study was to apply SEM techniques to refine and cross-validate the KMI, a metric to assess the degree to which organizations are engaged in knowledge management (KM). Unlike previous KM metrics research that has focused on scales, we modeled the KMI as a formative latent variable, thereby extending knowledge on formative measures and index creation from other fields into the KM field. The refined KMI metric was tested in a nomological network and found to be robust and stable when cross-validated; thereby demonstrating consistent prediction results across independent data sets. The study also verified the hypothesis that the KMI is positively correlated with organizational performance (OP). Research contributions, managerial implications, limitations of the study, and direction for further research are discussed.
The Effect of Organizational Trust on the Success of Codification and Personalization KM approaches
Authors: Ribière Vincent M.
Published: September 2010

Knowledge Management (KM) initiatives are expanding across all types of organizations worldwide. However, not all of them are necessarily successful mainly due to an unfriendly organizational culture. Organizational trust is often mentioned as a critical factor facilitating knowledge sharing. For this research we took an empirical approach to validate this assumption. The purpose of this research is to explore the relationships between organizational trust, a knowledge management strategy (codification vs. personalization) and its level of success. This study was conducted among 97 US companies involved in knowledge management. A survey tool was developed and validated to assess the level of trust, the level of success and the dominant KM strategy deployed by an organization. Nine main research hypotheses and a conceptual model were tested. The findings show the impact of trust on the choice of the KM strategy as well as on the level of success.
Advancing the Success of Collaboration Centered KM Strategy
Authors: Bragge Johanna , Kivijärvi Hannu
Published: September 2010

Knowledge is today more than ever the most critical resource of organizations. At the same time it is, however, also the least-accessible resource that is difficult to share, imitate, buy, sell, store, or evaluate. Organizations should thus have an explicit strategy for the management of their knowledge resources. In this chapter we pay special attention to a KM strategy called collaboration centered strategy. This strategy builds on the assumption that a significant part of personal knowledge can be captured and transferred, and new knowledge created through deep collaboration between the organization’s members. A critical element in the collaboration centered KM strategy is the facilitation process that involves managing relationships between people, tasks and technology. We describe how the Collaboration Engineering approach with packaged facilitation techniques called ThinkLets is able to contribute to this endeavour.
Simulation Games and Emotive, Affective and Social Issues
Authors: Fregola Cesare
Published: September 2010

This chapter presents a reflection on the subject of the skills teachers can use to intentionally influence the affective area so that this can positively influence the math learning process. Simulation games represent a learning environment in which the teacher’s relational skills can be guided by models within the field of pedagogy, albeit also making use of insights from social psychology.