bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of Public Training in a University Setting
Authors: Morolong Bantu , Lekoko Rebecca , Magang Veronica
Published: July 2015

The case presented in this chapter submits a general consensus about the role of leadership in a university public training program. Focusing on short training programs provided by the Centre for Continuing Education of the University of Botswana, there are some indications that the effectiveness of these training is compromised by a number of issues. Emerging from reflective evaluations and experiences from coordinators are issues of relevance, feedback loop, inclusiveness and training goals. In the light of our understanding of different goals of training, it becomes clear that current public training at the University of Botswana focus more on the conceptual understanding along with occupational at the expense of other areas of public training. The analysis reveals some shortcomings in a number of aspects that calls for a multi-task, multi-skilled leader who can serve well as a strategic decision-maker, partner with clients; skilled designer and marketer of training programs.
Model of the Empirical Distribution Law for Syntactic and Link Words in “Perfect” Texts
Authors: Makagonov Pavel
Published: July 2015

The measure of perfection of the contents and semantic value of an integrated text is connected with the indicators of perfection in the distribution of content words. This criterion is the coordination of their “frequency-rank” distribution with the Zipf or Zipf-Mandelbrot law. In this chapter the hypothesis verified is that a perfect system should have not only perfect distribution of its elements - objects, but also perfect connections between them. A model is suggested in which the degree of the text perfection from the point of view of the quality of connections between significative words is determined by the quality of distribution of syntactic and link words in the “rank - frequency” representation. As a simplified criterion the ratio of the significant and syntactic words used in the analyzed text and the degree of the closeness of this ratio to the “golden section” is considered.
Semantics of Techno-Social Spaces
Authors: Maruev Sergey , Stefanovskyi Dmitry , Troussov Alexander
Published: July 2015

Nowadays, most of the digital content is generated within techno-social systems like Facebook or Twitter where people are connected to other people and to artefacts such as documents and concepts. These networks provide rich context for understanding the role of particular nodes. It is widely agreed that one of the most important principles in the philosophy of language is Frege's context principle, which states that words have meaning only in the context of a sentence. This chapter puts forward the hypothesis that semantics of the content of techno-social systems should be also analysed in the context of the whole system. The hypothesis is substantiated by the introduction of a method for formal modelling and mining of techno-social systems and is corroborated by a discussion on the nature of meaning in philosophy. In addition we provide an overview of recent trends in knowledge production and management within the context of our hypothesis.
Machine Translation within Commercial Companies
Authors: Hudík Tomáš
Published: July 2015

This chapter gives a short introduction to machine translation (MT) and its use within commercial companies with special focus on the localization industry. Although MT is not a new field, many scientists and researchers are still interested in this field and are frequently coming up with challenges, discoveries and novel approaches. Commercial companies need to keep track with them and their R&D departments are making good progress with the integration of MT within their complicated workflows as well as minor improvements in core MT in order to gain a competitive advantage. The chapter describes differences in research within university and commercial environments. Furthermore, there will be given the main obstacles in the deployment of new technologies and typical way in which a new technology can be deployed in corporate environment.
A Corpus-Stylistic Approach of the Treatises of Great Athanasius About Idolatry
Authors: Alexandropoulos Georgios
Published: July 2015

This research focuses on the corpus stylistic analysis of the treatises of Great Athanasius. In this interdisciplinary study classical texts are approached through linguistic tools and the main purpose is to describe the style of Great Athanasius in these treatises, after having extracted all these quantitative data utilizing computational tools. The language Great Athanasius uses is a language that expresses intensely his speculations on the achievement of religious change and restructuration. His language expresses his religious ideology. His speeches are persuasive, ideological and represent the rhetorician's opinion. They are based on the speaker's intentionality; it directs him to the specific rhetorical framework, since he aims at one and unique inspirational result, that is, persuasion.
Andragogy in the Appalachians
Authors: Keefe Dennis
Published: July 2015

In the field of adult education, one of the better known concepts is that of the Six Assumptions of Malcolm Knowles. These assumptions, according to Knowles, divide the world of pedagogy, defined as the art and science of teaching children, from that of andragogy, conceived as the art and science of helping adults learn. In the realm of education for older learners, myriad schools and programs dot the educational landscape, but one particularly unorthodox institution of adult education, the Highlander Folk School, led by activist educator Myles Horton, stands out for its teaching roles in the Union Labor Movement of the 1930s and 1940s, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. This paper looks at Myles Horton of the Highlander Folk School, his background, education and preparation for establishing his lifelong dream of using alternative education among the “common uncommon people” for learning how to solve social and economic justice problems, and this paper then focuses on the extent to which the philosophy and teaching actions of Horton correspond to the Six Assumption Framework of andragogy as delineated by Malcolm Knowles.
Shifts in Student Motivation during Usage of a Multi-User Virtual Environment for Ecosystem Science
Authors: Metcalf Shari , Chen Jason , Kamarainen Amy , Frumin Kim , Vickrey Trisha , Grotzer Tina , Dede Chris
Published: July 2015

In incorporating technology in science education, some have expressed concern that the value added by technology is primarily due to the novelty or excitement about using the devices, resulting in no lasting effect on student motivation or learning in science. This research addresses this concern through evaluation of student motivation during a two-week, multi-user virtual environment (MUVE)-based curriculum for middle school ecosystems science. Analysis of multiple surveys at the beginning, middle, and end of the curriculum found that students continued to find the activity engaging from beginning to end, while student value of its utility in helping them learn science increased significantly. Furthermore, while initial student engagement resided primarily at the technology interface level, with time and experience students became increasingly engaged in the student-led, collaborative inquiry experiences afforded by the embedded scientific investigation.
Construct Validation of an Online Reading Strategy Inventory for Use in Iran
Authors: Hassaskhah Jaleh , Gaskari Seyedeh Mona
Published: July 2015

Significant departure from reliance upon print texts is requiring teachers and researchers to redefine online reading processes for diverse contexts, and participants. To bring the significant role of the participants into the reading research limelight, the present study explores the processes involved in the online reading strategy use of Iranian EFL college readers. 270 participants responded to a 46-item instrument (a=0.85) called Online Reading Strategy Inventory (ORSI). The exploratory factor analysis of the responses indicated three major types of online reading strategies: 1) General Reading Strategy, 2) Online Specific Reading Strategy, and 3) Metacognitive Strategy, which implies that that the participants' online reading behavior is not identical to their offline reading practice. The factorial validity of the instrument, along with evidence for a significant relationship between students' responses on the instrument, and their online reading comprehension process suggests further considerations for providing the due digital literacy assistance.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor– and TCR-Modified T Cells Enter Main Street and Wall Street
Authors: Barrett David M. , Grupp Stephan A. , June Carl H.
Published: July 2015

The field of adoptive cell transfer (ACT) is currently comprised of chimeric Ag receptor (CAR)– and TCR-engineered T cells and has emerged from principles of basic immunology to paradigm-shifting clinical immunotherapy. ACT of T cells engineered to express artificial receptors that target cells of choice is an exciting new approach for cancer, and it holds equal promise for chronic infection and autoimmunity. Using principles of synthetic biology, advances in immunology, and genetic engineering have made it possible to generate human T cells that display desired specificities and enhanced functionalities. Clinical trials in patients with advanced B cell leukemias and lymphomas treated with CD19-specific CAR T cells have induced durable remissions in adults and children. The prospects for the widespread availability of engineered T cells have changed dramatically given the recent entry of the pharmaceutical industry to this arena. In this overview, we discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that face the field of ACT.
IL-17–Mediated Immunity to the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Conti Heather R. , Gaffen Sarah L.
Published: July 2015

IL-17 (IL-17A) has emerged as a key mediator of protection against extracellular microbes, but this cytokine also drives pathology in various autoimmune diseases. Overwhelming data in both humans and mice reveal a clear and surprisingly specific role for IL-17 in protection against the fungus Candida albicans, a commensal microbe of the human oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive mucosa. The IL-17 pathway regulates antifungal immunity through upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, neutrophil-recruiting chemokines (e.g., CXCL1 and CXCL5), and antimicrobial peptides (e.g., defensins), which act in concert to limit fungal overgrowth. This review focuses on diseases caused by C. albicans, the role of IL-17–mediated immunity in candidiasis, and the implications for clinical therapies for both autoimmune conditions and fungal infections.
Upper Proterozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks of northwestern Baffin Island
Authors: Jackson G D , Iannelli T R , Narbonne G M , Wallace P J
Published: July 2015

About 15 000-20 OOO feet ( 4600-6100 m) of Neohelikian strata consisting of quartzarenites, shales, carbonate strata commonly containing stromatolites and/or bioherms, greywackes, arkoses and conglomerates outcrop east of Admiralty Inlet, Baffin Island. These
strata were deposited in environments that ranged from fluvial to subtidal and may include a submarine channel-{ an complex in the upper part. Paleocurrent trends for all but the uppermost formation indicate westerly transport, whereas easterly transport is indicated for the uppermost formation.
About 300-500 feet (90-150 m) of tholeiitic plateau basalts occur near the base of the sequence. Faulting was active during deposition that took place in a rift zone which (according to Olson) may be an aulacogen related to early development of the Franklinian Geosyncline.
Commuting and communication: An investigation of taxi drivers’ experiences, attitudes and beliefs about passengers with communication disorders
Authors: Green Sianne , Mophosho Munyane , Khoza-Shangase Katijah
Published: July 2015

Background: One of the most popular means of public transport within South Africa is mini-bus taxis.Objectives: As South Africa is made up of diverse cultures, religions and beliefs, the aim of this study was to explore Johannesburg based taxi drivers’ experiences of beliefs about, and attitudes towards passengers who have a communication disability.Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 mini-bus taxi drivers.Results: Interviews revealed that almost all the taxi drivers had encountered passengers with a communication disability, and had an awareness of passengers with a hearing disability as opposed to a speech disability. Furthermore mini-bus taxi drivers generally held a positive view of their passengers with a communication disability.Conclusion: Study findings contribute to existing literature within the fields of speech pathology and audiology, advocacy groups and policy makers, particularly research studies on participation experiences of persons with communication disabilities related to transportation access. The results of the study should also provide a foundation for disability policy development initiatives with the aim of increasing levels of public awareness.[Full article text to follow.]
Acceptability of neonatal circumcision by pregnant women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Phili Rogerio , Karim Quarraisha A.
Published: July 2015

Background: Studies on voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) have provided convincing evidence on its efficacy to provide partial protection against female-to-male HIV transmission in circumcised men. The World Health Organization and UNAIDS subsequently formulated recommendations for VMMC implementation that included implementation of neonatal medical male circumcision (NMMC) to all infants up to two months old. Knowledge regarding the acceptability of NMMC by pregnant women who are candidates for granting of consents for NMMC procedures or its ideal placement within health programmes is low.Objectives: We sought to establish NMMC acceptability by pregnant women and the feasibility of its integration within Maternal, Child and Women’s Health (MCWH) programmes to inform implementation guidelines.Method: Nurses and counsellors at two public health facilities were trained to provide NMMC counselling and offer NMMC to 1778 pregnant women presenting for antenatal care services. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed on data collected on NMMC acceptance and refusals. Thematic analysis was also performed on qualitative reasons for refusals.Results: Acceptability of NMMC by women was high (82.9%). Refusals resulted from the need for consultations with partners and/or family members prior to consenting (41.3%), fear of the procedure (23.8%), cultural reasons (15.9%) and no reasons given (15.3%).Conclusion: The acceptability of NMMC by pregnant women and its integration with MCWH services was feasible. However socio-cultural factors, including the need for further consultation prior to consenting for NMMC procedures and preference of traditional circumcision by some women, need to be addressed in order to increase uptakes.
A theology of the Greek version of Proverbs
Authors: Cook Johann
Published: July 2015

This contribution demonstrates that it is possible to formulate a theology of LXX Proverbs. It limits itself to a pilot study of three passages, Chapters 1, 2 and 8. A contextual approach is followed and the following conclusions, that have implications for a theology, are reached:1. 1:1–7 indicates what Proverbs is not, i.e. speculative philosophical ideas 2. Chapter 2 demonstrates that the wisdom is foreign wisdom – the Hellenism of the day 3. Sophia in chapter 8 has a subordinate role in relation to God.
Baptist identity and mission in a rainbow nation: Distilling imperatives from mixed-methods research within the Baptist Union of Southern Africa (1994–2012)
Authors: Henry Desmond , Niemandt Cornel J.P.
Published: July 2015

The Baptist Union of Southern Africa’s (hereafter BUSA) future is conspicuous unless it understands the context within which it ministers in our ‘rainbow nation’. As a union of churches, BUSA faces significant challenges that have been highlighted through a mixed methods research approach. Through many months of data collection at the Baptist Union archives, an online survey and informal interviews spanning many parts of South Africa, the researcher practically demonstrates the importance of the cumulative results for the future of BUSA. This article highlights, in overview fashion, a few of the major challenges that need to be urgently addressed in the light of BUSA’s historic ecclesiological presuppositions that have their roots in the missional ministry of Hugo Gutshe who saw each of his Baptist congregants as missionary, and expanded the influence of BUSA in South Africa.
Living in a digital culture: The need for theological reflection
Authors: Cloete Anita L.
Published: July 2015

Today our lives are filled with technology through which we communicate, work, play and even engage with for making meaning. This implies the pervasive presence of digital media as an integral part of our everyday life. Although studies on media are mostly done by sociology and communication students, living in a digital age has significant implications for theological reflections. Despite this being the case there is gap in terms of a religious response to technology. In response to this, the aim of this article is to stimulate theological reflections with regard to living in a digital culture. This is achieved by raising theological questions in the hope that theology could take a proactive role in these discussions. The implications of living in a digital culture are quite vast; therefore, the focus will be limited to how a community is formed and sustained, and the possible implications for the church as community.
Finding guidelines on social change in the two-tiered narrative and diakonia in the Gospel of John
Authors: Breed Gert
Published: July 2015

It is shown in this article that the Gospel of John describes a battle between darkness and light, life and death, chaos and God’s new order. Although the certainty is given right at the beginning of the Gospel that the darkness will not overcome the light, God does not take the possibility of darkness away. Darkness in John is darkness of the mind, not seeing the light, not comprehending, not accepting and not believing the Word. The battle between light and darkness is described at two levels – the visible level that you can see with your eyes and the invisible level that only those who have been regenerated by the Spirit can see. Although it may seem that the contrary is true, God is in control of both levels. Jesus made the invisible visible with his words and deeds and, eventually, with his resurrection. The diakonoi (servants) of Jesus are called to follow him in his task to honour the father by speaking the words of the father and doing the work of the father. In doing this, they will make the invisible God visible by their diakonia (service). Real social change will take place in God’s time, and he will use the diakonia of his children to bring order in the chaos, like he did in the beginning when he created the heavens and the earth. The results of the research are used to suggest guidelines on social change in South Africa.
Daniel 6: There and back again – A deity’s tale
Authors: De Bruyn Joseph J.
Published: July 2015

This article states that, with his narrative, the author of Daniel 6 creates the presence of Elohim outside Jerusalem and Israel, within non-Israelite environments. Applying a body-space frameset to the texts of Daniel 6 helps to read the text as a construction of concepts. With his narrative the author creates the presence of Elohim outside Jerusalem and Israel, within non-Israelite environments. Furthermore, a spatial frameset shows that the story of Daniel 6 can be read as a conclusion to a larger narrative that stretches from Daniel 1–6. In this narrative the author utilises spatial concepts such as the character of Daniel; the lion’s den; Jerusalem and King Darius, to establish the omnipresence of the God of Israel. In constructing this presence of-God reality the author conveys a message of hope and trust in the authority of the God of Israel. In this regard Daniel 6 is not just a story about the character Daniel being persecuted for his faith; rather it is a story about the God of Israel establishing his presence and his ability to act through and within space and time.
Poems
Authors: Ullyatt Tony
Published: July 2015

No abstract available.
Wild rights: A tribute to wolves
Authors: Maritz Patricia G.
Published: July 2015

No abstract available.
Nelson Mandela – Madiba, ‘Infirmary: Another prison… another island’
Authors: Maritz Patricia G.
Published: July 2015

No abstract available.
Nostalgiese rit deur die verlede
Authors: Van Niekerk Jacomien
Published: July 2015

Geen abstrak beskikbaar.
The death of Keats
Authors: Mann Chris M.
Published: July 2015

No abstract available.
Breast hamartoma: Is this an uncommon or an under-recognised lesion?
Authors: Miller Sharon
Published: July 2015

A hamartoma is a disorganised focus of a mature overgrowth of cells composed of tissue elements of the organ in which it is found, and it can occur anywhere in the body. A breast hamartoma is a rare, benign tumour consisting of fat, glandular and fibrous tissue, and is known by various names such as lipofibroadenoma or fibroadenolipoma, depending on the dominant tissue found within the lesion. The reported incidence is low (0.1% – 0.7%), but is increasingly thought to be because of under-diagnosis of the condition.
Two unusual cases of external rotator muscle pathology producing hip pain
Authors: Thompson Graeme
Published: July 2015

Two unusual cases of inflammation of the external rotator muscles of the hip are presented. In each case, the patient presented with acute hip pain. The diagnoses of acute calcific periarthritis involving the gluteus medius muscle, and pyomyositis of the obturator internus muscle secondary to a perianal fistula, were made with the aid of diagnostic imaging and histology. The importance of reviewing the pelvic viscera is highlighted.
Atmospheric nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) at Dome C, East Antarctica, during the OPALE campaign
Authors: Frey M. M. , Roscoe H. K. , Kukui A. , Savarino J. , France J. L. , King M. D. , Legrand M. , Preunkert S.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Mixing ratios of the atmospheric nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 were measured as part of the OPALE (Oxidant Production in Antarctic Lands & Export) campaign at Dome C, East Antarctica (75.1° S, 123.3° E, 3233 m), during December 2011 to January 2012. Profiles of NOx mixing ratios of the lower 100 m of the atmosphere confirm that, in contrast to the South Pole, air chemistry at Dome C is strongly influenced by large diurnal cycles in solar irradiance and a sudden collapse of the atmospheric boundary layer in the early evening. Depth profiles of mixing ratios in firn air suggest that the upper snowpack at Dome C holds a significant reservoir of photolytically produced NO2 and is a sink of gas-phase ozone (O3). First-time observations of bromine oxide (BrO) at Dome C show that mixing ratios of BrO near the ground are low, certainly less than 5 pptv, with higher levels in the free troposphere. Assuming steady state, observed mixing ratios of BrO and RO2 radicals are too low to explain the large NO2 : NO ratios found in ambient air, possibly indicating the existence of an unknown process contributing to the atmospheric chemistry of reactive nitrogen above the Antarctic Plateau. During 2011–2012, NOx mixing ratios and flux were larger than in 2009–2010, consistent with also larger surface O3 mixing ratios resulting from increased net O3 production. Large NOx mixing ratios at Dome C arise from a combination of continuous sunlight, shallow mixing height and significant NOx emissions by surface snow (FNOx). During 23 December 2011–12 January 2012, median FNOx was twice that during the same period in 2009–2010 due to significantly larger atmospheric turbulence and a slightly stronger snowpack source. A tripling of FNOx in December 2011 was largely due to changes in snowpack source strength caused primarily by changes in NO3− concentrations in the snow skin layer, and only to a secondary order by decrease of total column O3 and associated increase in NO3− photolysis rates. A source of uncertainty in model estimates of FNOx is the quantum yield of NO3− photolysis in natural snow, which may change over time as the snow ages.
The impact of parameterising light penetration into snow on the photochemical production of NOx and OH radicals in snow
Authors: Chan H. G. , King M. D. , Frey M. M.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Snow photochemical processes drive production of chemical trace gases in snowpacks, including nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) and hydrogen oxide radical (HOx = OH + HO2), which are then released to the lower atmosphere. Coupled atmosphere–snow modelling of theses processes on global scales requires simple parameterisations of actinic flux in snow to reduce computational cost. The disagreement between a physical radiative-transfer (RT) method and a parameterisation based upon the e-folding depth of actinic flux in snow is evaluated. In particular, the photolysis of the nitrate anion (NO3-), the nitrite anion (NO2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in snow and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the snowpack interstitial air are considered. The emission flux from the snowpack is estimated as the product of the depth-integrated photolysis rate coefficient, v, and the concentration of photolysis precursors in the snow. The depth-integrated photolysis rate coefficient is calculated (a) explicitly with an RT model (TUV), vTUV, and (b) with a simple parameterisation based on e-folding depth, vze. The metric for the evaluation is based upon the deviation of the ratio of the depth-integrated photolysis rate coefficient determined by the two methods, vTUV/vze, from unity. The ratio depends primarily on the position of the peak in the photolysis action spectrum of chemical species, solar zenith angle and physical properties of the snowpack, i.e. strong dependence on the light-scattering cross section and the mass ratio of light-absorbing impurity (i.e. black carbon and HULIS) with a weak dependence on density. For the photolysis of NO2, the NO2- anion, the NO3- anion and H2O2 the ratio vTUV/vze varies within the range of 0.82–1.35, 0.88–1.28, 0.93–1.27 and 0.91–1.28 respectively. The e-folding depth parameterisation underestimates for small solar zenith angles and overestimates at solar zenith angles around 60° compared to the RT method. A simple algorithm has been developed to improve the parameterisation which reduces the ratio vTUV/vze to 0.97–1.02, 0.99–1.02, 0.99–1.03 and 0.98–1.06 for photolysis of NO2, the NO2- anion, the NO3- anion and H2O2 respectively. The e-folding depth parameterisation may give acceptable results for the photolysis of the NO3- anion and H2O2 in cold polar snow with large solar zenith angles, but it can be improved by a correction based on solar zenith angle and for cloudy skies.
On the interpretation of the loading correction of the aethalometer
Authors: Virkkula A. , Chi X. , Ding A. , Shen Y. , Nie W. , Qi X. , Zheng L. , Huang X. , Xie Y. , Wang J. , Petäjä T. , Kulmala M.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Aerosol optical properties were measured with a 7-wavelength aethalometer and a 3-wavelength nephelometer at the suburban site SORPES in Nanjing, China, in September 2013–January 2015. The aethalometer compensation parameter k, calculated with the Virkkula et al. (2007) method depended on the backscatter fraction, measured with the independent method, the integrating nephelometer. At λ = 660 nm the daily-averaged compensation parameter k ≈ 0.0017 ± 0.0002 and 0.0042 ± 0.0013 when backscatter fraction at λ = 635 nm was in the ranges of 0.100 ± 0.005 and 0.160 ± 0.005, respectively. Also the wavelength dependency of the compensation parameter depended on the backscatter fraction: when b(λ = 525 nm) was less than approximately 0.13 the compensation parameter decreased with wavelength and at larger b it increased with wavelength. This dependency has not been considered in any of the algorithms that are currently used for processing aethalometer data. The compensation parameter also depended on single-scattering albedo ω0 so that k decreased with increasing ω0. For the green light (λ = 520 nm) in the ω0 range 0.870 ± 0.005 the average (± standard deviation) k ≈ 0.0047 ± 0.006 and in the ω0 range 0.960 ± 0.005 k ≈ 0.0028 ± 0.0007. This difference was larger for the near-infrared light (λ = 880 nm): in the ω0 range 0.860 ± 0.005 k ≈ 0.0055 ± 0.0023 and in the ω0 range 0.960 ± 0.005 k ≈ 0.0019 ± 0.0011. The negative dependence of k on ω0 was also shown with a simple theoretical analysis.
Impact of seawater carbonate chemistry on the calcification of marine bivalves
Authors: Thomsen J. , Haynert K. , Wegner K. M. , Melzner F.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Bivalve calcification, particularly of the early larval stages, is highly sensitive to the change in ocean carbonate chemistry resulting from atmospheric CO2 uptake. Earlier studies suggested that declining seawater [CO32−] and thereby lowered carbonate saturation affect shell production. However, disturbances of physiological processes such as acid-base regulation by adverse seawater pCO2 and pH can affect calcification in a secondary fashion. In order to determine the exact carbonate system component by which growth and calcification are affected it is necessary to utilize more complex carbonate chemistry manipulations. As single factors, pCO2 had no effects and [HCO3-] and pH had only limited effects on shell growth, while lowered [CO32−] strongly impacted calcification. Dissolved inorganic carbon (CT) limiting conditions led to strong reductions in calcification, despite high [CO32−], indicating that [HCO3-] rather than [CO32−] is the inorganic carbon source utilized for calcification by mytilid mussels. However, as the ratio [HCO3-] / [H+] is linearly correlated with [CO32−] it is not possible to differentiate between these under natural seawater conditions. An equivalent of about 80 μmol kg−1 [CO32−] is required to saturate inorganic carbon supply for calcification in bivalves. Below this threshold biomineralization rates rapidly decline. A comparison of literature data available for larvae and juvenile mussels and oysters originating from habitats differing substantially with respect to prevailing carbonate chemistry conditions revealed similar response curves. This suggests that the mechanisms which determine sensitivity of calcification in this group are highly conserved. The higher sensitivity of larval calcification seems to primarily result from the much higher relative calcification rates in early life stages. In order to reveal and understand the mechanisms that limit or facilitate adaptation to future ocean acidification, it is necessary to better understand the physiological processes and their underlying genetics that govern inorganic carbon assimilation for calcification.
The abiotic contribution to total CO2 flux for soils in arid zone
Authors: Ma J. , Li Y. , Liu R.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. As an important component of ecosystem carbon budgets, soil carbon dioxide (CO2) flux is determined by a combination of a series of biotic and abiotic processes. Although there is evidence that the abiotic component can be important in total soil CO2 flux, its relative importance has never been systematically assessed. In this study, the total soil CO2 flux (Rtotal) was partitioned into biotic (Rbiotic) and abiotic (Rabiotic) components over eight typical landscapes in a desert–oasis ecotone, including cotton field, hops field, halophyte garden, reservoir edge, native saline desert, alkaline soil, dune crest and interdune lowland in the Gurbantunggut Desert, and the relative importance of these two components was analyzed. Results showed that Rabiotic always contributed to Rtotal for the eight landscapes, but the degree of contribution varied greatly. In the cotton and hops fields, the ratio of Rabiotic to Rtotal was extremely low (< 10 %); whereas Rabiotic was dominant in the alkaline soil and dune crest. Statistically, Rabiotic/Rtotal decreased logarithmically with rising Rbiotic, suggesting that Rabiotic strongly affected Rtotal when Rbiotic was low. This pattern confirms that soil CO2 flux is predominantly biological in most ecosystems, but Rabiotic can dominate when biological processes are weak. On a diurnal basis, Rabiotic resulted in no net gain or loss of carbon but its effect on instantaneous CO2 flux was significant. Temperature dependence of Rtotal varied among the eight landscapes, determined by the predominant components of CO2 flux: with Rbiotic driven by soil temperature and Rabiotic regulated by the rate of change in temperature. Namely, declining temperature resulted in negative Rabiotic (CO2 went into soil), while rising temperature resulted in a positive Rabiotic (CO2 released from soil). Furthermore, without recognition of Rabiotic, Rbiotic would have been either overestimated (for daytime) or underestimated (for nighttime). Thus, recognition that abiotic component in total soil CO2 flux is ubiquitous in soils has widespread consequences for the understanding of carbon cycling. While the abiotic flux will not change net daily soil CO2 exchange and not likely directly constitute a carbon sink, it can alter transient soil CO2 flux significantly, either in magnitude or in its temperature dependency.
Carbon dynamics in boreal peat-lands of the Yenisey region, Western Siberia
Authors: Schulze E. D. , Lapshina E. , Filippov I. , Kuhlmann I. , Mollicone D.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Here we investigate the vegetation history and peat accumulation at the eastern boarder of the West Siberian plain, near the river Yenisey, south of permafrost. In this region peat started to accumulate 15 000 yr ago as gyttia of shallow lakes in ancient river valleys. This peat is older than previously reported mainly due to separating particulate organic carbon (POC) from dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which was 1900 to 6500 yr younger than POC. The probability to finding peat layers older than 12 000 yr is about 2 %. Peat accumulated as fen-peat at a constant rate of 0.2 mm yr−1 and 0.01 kg C m2 yr−1. The accumulation was higher in ancient river valley environments. Since 2000 yr these bogs changed into Sphagnum mires which accumulate up to about 0.1 kg C m2 yr−1 until present. The long-lasting fen stage, which makes the Yenisey bogs distinct from the West Siberian bogs is discussed as a consequence of the local hydrology. The high accumulation rate of peat in un-frozen mires is taken as an indication that thawing of permafrost peat may change northern peatlands also into long-lasting carbon sinks.
Terrigeneous material supply to the Peruvian central continental shelf (Pisco 14° S) during the last 1100 yr: paleoclimatic implications
Authors: Briceño Zuluaga F. , Sifeddine A. , Caquineau S. , Cardich J. , Salvatteci R. , Gutierrez D. , Ortlieb L. , Velazco F. , Boucher H. , Machado C.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. In the Eastern Pacific, lithogenic input to the ocean is a response of the atmospheric and ocean system variability and their teleconnections over different timescales. Atmospheric (e.g., wind fields, precipitation), hydrological (e.g., fresh water plumes) and oceanic (e.g., currents) conditions determine the transport mode and the amount of lithogenic material transported from the continent to the continental shelf. Here, we present the grain size distribution of a composite record of two laminated sediment cores retrieved in the Peruvian continental shelf, covering the last ~1100 yr at sub-decadal to centennial time-series resolution. We then discuss the paleo-environmental significance and the climatic mechanisms involved. Four grain size modes were identified. Two are linked to aeolian inputs (M3: 53.0 μm and M4: 90.8 μm on average), the third is interpreted as a marker of sediment discharge (M2: 9.4 μm on average), and the last is without an associated origin (M1: ~3 μm). The coarsest components (M3 and M4) dominated during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and Current Warm Period (CWP) periods, suggesting that aeolian transport increased as consequence of wind stress intensification. In contrast, M2 displays an opposite behavior, exhibiting an increase in fluvial terrigenous input during the Little Ice Age (LIA), in response to more humid conditions. Comparison with other South American paleoclimate records indicates that the observed changes are driven by interactions between meridional displacement of the Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and of the South Pacific Sub-tropical High (SPSH) at decadal and centennial time scales.
Lichen preservation in amber: morphology, ultrastructure, chemofossils, and taphonomic alteration
Authors: Hartl C. , Schmidt A. R. , Heinrichs J. , Seyfullah L. J. , Schäfer N. , Gröhn C. , Rikkinen J. , Kaasalainen U.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The fossil record of lichens is scarce and many putative fossil lichens do not show an actual physiological relationship between mycobionts and photobionts or a typical habit, and are therefore disputed. Amber has preserved a huge variety of organisms in microscopic fidelity, and so the study of amber fossils is promising for elucidating the fossil history of lichens. However, so far it has not been tested as to how amber inclusions of lichens are preserved regarding their internal characters, ultrastructure, and chemofossils. Here, we apply light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy to an amber-preserved Eocene lichen in order to gain information about the preservation of the fossil. The lichen thallus displays lifelike tissue preservation including the upper and lower cortex, medulla, photobiont layer, apothecia, and soredia. SEM analysis revealed globular photobiont cells in contact with the fungal hyphae, as well as impressions of possible former crystals of lichen compounds. EDX analysis permitted the differentiation between halite and pyrite crystals inside the lichen which were likely formed during the later diagenesis of the amber piece. Raman spectroscopy revealed the preservation of organic compounds and a difference between the composition of the cortex and the medulla of the fossil.
Representing icebergs in the iLOVECLIM model (version 1.0) – a sensitivity study
Authors: Bügelmayer M. , Roche D. M. , Renssen H.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Recent modelling studies have indicated that icebergs play an active role in the climate system as they interact with the ocean and the atmosphere. The icebergs' impact is due to their slowly released meltwater, which freshens and cools the ocean and consequently alters the ocean stratification and the sea-ice conditions. The spatial distribution of the icebergs and their meltwater depends on the atmospheric and oceanic forces acting on them as well as on the initial icebergs' size. The studies conducted so far have in common that the icebergs were moved by reconstructed or modelled forcing fields and that the initial size distribution of the icebergs was prescribed according to present-day observations. To study the sensitivity of the modelled iceberg distribution to initial and boundary conditions, we performed 15 sensitivity experiments using the iLOVECLIM climate model that includes actively coupled ice sheet and iceberg modules, to analyse (1) the impact of the atmospheric and oceanic forces on the iceberg transport, mass and melt flux distribution, and (2) the effect of the initial iceberg size on the resulting Northern Hemisphere climate including the Greenland ice sheet, due to feedback mechanisms such as altered atmospheric temperatures, under different climate conditions (pre-industrial, high/low radiative forcing). Our results show that, under equilibrated pre-industrial conditions, the oceanic currents cause the icebergs to stay close to the Greenland and North American coast, whereas the atmospheric forcing quickly distributes them further away from their calving site. Icebergs remaining close to Greenland last up to 2 years longer as they reside in generally cooler waters. Moreover, we find that local variations in the spatial distribution due to different iceberg sizes do not result in different climate states and Greenland ice sheet volume, independent of the prevailing climate conditions (pre-industrial, warming or cooling climate). Therefore, we conclude that local differences in the distribution of their melt flux do not alter the prevailing Northern Hemisphere climate and ice sheet under equilibrated conditions and continuous supply of icebergs. Furthermore, our results suggest that the applied radiative forcing scenarios have a stronger impact on climate than the initial size distribution of the icebergs.
Upscaling with the dynamic two-layer classification concept (D2C): TreeMig-2L, an efficient implementation of the forest-landscape model TreeMig
Authors: Nabel J. E. M. S.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Models used to investigate impacts of climatic changes on spatio-temporal vegetation dynamics need to balance required accuracy with computational feasibility. To enhance the computational efficiency of these models, upscaling methods are required that maintain key fine-scale processes influencing vegetation dynamics. In this paper, an adjustable method – the dynamic two-layer classification concept (D2C) – for the upscaling of time- and space-discrete models is presented. D2C aims to separate potentially repetitive calculations from those specific to single grid cells. The underlying idea is to extract processes that do not require information about a grid cell's neighbourhood to a reduced-size non-spatial layer, which is dynamically coupled to the original two-dimensional layer. The size of the non-spatial layer is thereby adaptive and depends on dynamic classifications according to pre-specified similarity criteria. I present how D2C can be used in a model implementation on the example of TreeMig-2L, a new, efficient version of the intermediate-complexity forest-landscape model TreeMig. To discuss the trade-off between computational expenses and accuracy, as well as the applicability of D2C, I compare different model stages of TreeMig-2L via simulations of two different application scenarios. This comparison of different model stages demonstrates that applying D2C can strongly reduce computational expenses of processes calculated on the new non-spatial layer. D2C is thus a valuable upscaling method for models and applications in which processes requiring information about the neighbourhood constitute the minor share of the overall computational expenses.
Estimating Fitness Bias in Body Mass Index of Middle School Students
Authors: Erfle Stephen E.
Published: July 2015

Since muscle is more dense than fat, athletes tend to have greater mass and BMI than similarly sized non-athletes. Comparing direct adiposity measures and BMI confirms that BMI is a biased proxy for adiposity for elite athletes. A similar bias should exist for non-elite athletes as well as fit individuals.

This paper provides a methodology for indirectly estimating the size of the fitness bias in BMI using median physical activity performances. Approximately 30% of females and 33% of males are fit using this definition.

Using data from 9 062 students, regressions suggest 3.1, 95% CI [0.9, 5.3], of a female’s BMI percentile of 85, and 3.6% of her weight, CI [1.6%, 5.6%], is due to being fit, but 5.6, CI [3.3, 7.9], of a male’s BMI percentile of 85, and 5.9% of his weight, CI [3.9%, 7.9%], is due to being fit. These increases in weight are smaller than, but consistent with, the bias of more than 20% for elite athletes.

Strong performance on individual physical activities decreases BMI percentile and BMI, but doing well on multiple physical activities has the reverse effect. This provides evidence of a fitness bias. BMI report cards should include the caveat that BMI may overstate the adiposity status of fit children.
Studies in Rheoencephalography (REG)
Authors: Bodo Michael
Published: July 2015

This article presents an overview of rheoencephalography (REG) – electrical impedance measurements of the brain – and summarizes past and ongoing research to develop medical applications of REG for neuro-critical care and for primary prevention of stroke and cardiovascular disease. The availability of advanced electronics and computation has opened up the potential for use of REG technology as a noninvasive, continuous and inexpensive brain monitor for military and civilian applications. The clinical background information presented here introduces physiological and clinical environments where REG has potential for use in research and clinical settings.

REG studies over the past three decades have involved in vitro and in vivo groups (animal and human), including more than 1500 measurements and related electronic and computational results and practical applications. In vitro studies helped researchers understand the flow/volume relationship between Doppler ultrasound and electrical impedance signals and supported development of REG data processing methods. In animal studies, REG was used to monitor the lower limit of cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation (AR) using a newly developed algorithm. These animal studies also confirmed correlations between REG and measurements of carotid flow (CF) and intracranial pressure (ICP). Human studies confirmed the applicability of REG for detecting cerebrovascular alteration, demonstrating the usefulness of REG in the field of stroke/cardio-vascular disease prevention. In these studies, REG was compared to known stroke risk factors and to results obtained using carotid ultrasound measurements. An intelligent REG system (Cerberus) has been developed for primary stroke prevention. In these studies, the biologically relevant variables of the REG signal were pulse amplitude (minimum – maximum distance) and duration of the anacrotic (rising) portion of the REG pulse wave.

The principal limitation of REG for clinical application is the lack of pathological and physiological correlations. The studies presented here have initiated such inquiries, but many clinical questions about the pathophysiological background of REG remain unanswered.

These results demonstrate that REG development is a multidisciplinary subject with relevance for medicine (vascular neurology and neurosurgery intensive care); electronic engineering; mathematics, and computer science (data processing). It is hoped that information presented in this article will provide assistance to those involved in REG research, particularly in development and clinical applications.
Testing miniaturized electrodes for impedance measurements within the β-dispersion – a practical approach
Authors: Pliquett Uwe , Frense Dieter , Schönfeldt Markus , Frätzer Christian , Zhang Yong , Cahill Brian , Metzen Michael , Barthel Andreas , Nacke Thomas , Beckmann Dieter
Published: July 2015

Miniaturized electrodes are introduced in life sciences in a great number and variety. They are often designed for a special purpose without the need of quantitative analysis, such as for detecting cells or water droplets in a fluid channel. Other developments aim in monitoring a single quantity in a process where all other factors held constant.

To use miniaturized electrodes for quantitative measurements, their behavior should be known in detail and stable over time in order to allow a mathematical correction of the data measured.

Here we show test procedures for evaluating macroscopic but also microscopic electrodes. The most important quality parameters for electrode systems used in life science are the electrode impedance, its stability, the useful frequency range as well as the limits for applied stimulus without driving the electrode system into a non-linear region of the current/voltage relation. Proper electrode design allows a bandwidth from 100 Hz up to some MHz for impedances ranging over decades from 50 Ω up to several MΩ.