bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kritisch Mediaonderwijs: Een Gat in de Markt
Authors: Meeus Wil , T’Sas Jan , Van Ouytsel Joris , Driesen Aleksander
Published: June 2016

Critical Media Education: a Commercial Opportunity

The speed of the digital revolution makes it more and more a challenge to exploit its opportunities while avoiding its adverse consequences. Therefore the call for media wisdom (media literacy) increases and the responsibility of education is stressed. The role of the media industry in education is underexposed although it can be seen as an essential part of media education. In this article, we attempt to briefly specify the position of the media industry in society. Then we translate this into potential standards for education. We think it’s important for pupils to understand the complex reality in which the media industry deploys its activities, and the consequences for the quality of media content.
Onderpresterende vastbenoemde leraren door de ogen van schoolleiders
Authors: Van Den Ouweland Loth , Vanhoof Jan , Roofthooft Nadia
Published: June 2016

Underperforming tenured teachers through the eyes of school leaders. An exploratory, qualitative study of their views on underperformance, actions and perceived obstacles

The performance of teachers largely determines the quality of schools. However, research shows that teachers’ underperformance is not always (adequately) addressed by school leaders. The legal protection of tenured teachers is frequently mentioned as an important obstacle. To obtain more insight in how Flemish primary school leaders deal with underperforming tenured teachers, we interviewed 14 school leaders about their views on teacher underperformance, the actions they take with tenured teachers and the obstacles they come across. The results show that school leaders describe underperformance as a prolonged failing towards students, the team and the school. Causes of underperformance are found in teachers’ attitudinal problems, physical and psychological problems, lack of expertise and lacking professional growth. School leaders adopt a phased and differentiated approach. At first, they offer help and support. If necessary, they proceed to confrontation and try to put pressure on the teacher. Underperforming teachers are also being moved to other positions within and outside the school and sometimes their workload is temporarily alleviated. Furthermore, school leaders are prepared to give them negative evaluations. Yet, for underperforming tenured teachers, they do not believe in the possibility of official sanctions and dismissal. Other obstacles in dealing with tenured underperformers include emotional and relational obstacles, time constraints, limited competencies of school leaders, a negative school climate, a lack of clear evaluation criteria and denial by the teacher. We conclude that school leaders need more support and training to adequately deal with underperforming tenured teachers and discuss the implications of our findings for follow-up research and practice.
Sexual Violence in the ‘Manosphere’: Antifeminist Men’s Rights Discourses on Rape
Authors: Gotell Lise , Dutton Emily
Published: June 2016

This paper explores the role that men’s rights activism (MRA) is playing in a contemporary backlash to feminist anti-rape activism. We engage in a discourse analysis of popular MRA websites to reveal a set of interrelated claims, including: that sexual violence, like domestic violence, is a gender-neutral problem; that feminists are responsible for erasing men’s experiences of victimization; that false allegations are widespread; and that rape culture is a feminist-produced moral panic. We argue that sexual violence is emerging as a new focus of the men’s rights movement, competing with a longstanding emphasis on fathers’ rights. The subject of MRA activism has shifted and is becoming less familial and more sexual. MRAs appear to be using the issue of rape to mobilize young men and to exploit their anxieties about shifting consent standards and changing gender norms.
Special Edition: Fighting Feminism – Organised Opposition to Women’s Rights; Guest Editors’ Introduction
Authors: Dragiewicz Molly , Mann Ruth M
Published: June 2016

This special issue presents a series of papers by scholars who participated in a workshop entitled ‘Men's Groups: Challenging Feminism’, which was held at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, 26-27 May 2014. The workshop was organised by Susan B Boyd, Professor of Law and Chair in Feminist Legal Studies at the UBC Faculty of Law, and was sponsored by the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies at UBC, the Peter A Allard School of Law, the Centre for Feminist Legal Studies at UBC, and the Canadian Journal of Women and the Law. The aim of the workshop was to bring together feminist scholars from multiple disciplines and multiple national contexts to explore a source of resistance to feminism that has been largely overlooked in scholarly research: the growing number of nationally situated and globally linked organisations acting in the name of men's rights and interests which contend that men are discriminated against in law, education and government funding, and that feminism is to blame for this. This special edition presents eight papers inspired by the workshop, authored by scholars from Canada, New Zealand, Poland, Sweden and the United States. A second special issue comprised of eight other papers inspired by the workshop was published in the Canadian Journal of Women and the Law as volume 28(1) in 2016.To find out more about this special edition, download the PDF file from this page.
A Reflexive Law Approach and Accessibility Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the Virtual World: Seeking the Midas Touch of Corporations
Authors: Pathakji Neha
Published: June 2016

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities undeniably made a paradigm shift in the discourse and construction of ‘disability’. It seeks to recognise the inherent dignity, value and autonomy of persons with disabilities as members of human society and their right to live in the world in an inclusive and participatory manner on an equal basis with others. The right to live in the world encompasses the right to live in the virtual world. This necessitates ensuring accessibility to the Internet. Whereas international human rights law recognises the state as directly responsible for ensuring accessibility, it is private corporations that effectively function as the gatekeepers of the Internet. Unless corporations are proactively engaged, the virtual world cannot be made inclusive for persons with disabilities. The complexity of this issue requires looking beyond conventional forms of command-control anti-discrimination laws. This article explores a reflexive law approach to create a dialogic web between seemingly differentiated subsystems in society (with their own norms and values) in order to attain accessibility rights for persons with disabilities.
Terminal Sedation – Good Medicine? Good Ethics? Good Law?
Authors: McLean Sheila
Published: June 2016

The use of sedation at the end of life is becoming increasingly common, yet its ethics and lawfulness have not been as widely discussed as might have been expected.  In this article, the primary focus is on what is known as ‘terminal sedation’, with particular reference to the use of sedation without the provision of assisted nutrition and hydration (‘ANH’). It is argued that, where ANH is not contraindicated by patient wellbeing itself, close scrutiny of the practice is required.  There are both ethical and legal reasons why a move towards appropriate regulation is appropriate.  The urgency of doing this is evidenced by the variety in practices throughout the world, with some commentators suggesting that the decision whether or not to instigate terminal sedation may be influenced by more than clinical indications for its use (in which case, it may be perilously close to a form of euthanasia).  Indeed, it may be argued that there is little that differentiates terminal sedation from a form of euthanasia. Moreover, the relatively common exclusion of existential suffering as an indication for terminal sedation is questioned.  Were this also to be accepted as a valid indicator for terminal sedation (without the provision of ANH) it becomes even more urgent that an adequate regulatory framework is developed and that the ethics of the practice are appropriately explored and clarified.
GDP Official Exchange Rate and GDP Purchasing Power Parity Comparison: East African Community (EAC): A Comparative Study
Authors: Nkurunziza Fabrice
Published: June 2016

The strength of the book is that it is comprehensive, well written and accessible to students who don’t have an in depth- understanding of formal economics.”(Matthew Cole, Birmingham University)The main objectives of this Review paper is to answer three questions in easy and soft language for an in depth understanding. which country is more advanced in East African community (EAC) using comparison of GDP Official exchange rate (GDP OER) and GDP Purchasing power party (GDP PPP), Is Rwanda contributing more to global Economy than other countries member of EAC, and the last one is the average person income or wealthier in Rwanda compared to other countries member of East African community, all these issues are being addressed in this review paper. The methodology used in this paper was a Descriptive study, where EAC members where described based on historical data published from world bank, IMF, NISR, and then compared where comparison was based on GDP official exchange rate, PPP, expenditures partners, Trade per capita, exports, imports and worldwide governance indicators.  The result showed that Kenya is the most advanced country in EAC members, with highest Nominal GDP in US dollar, times more than one point five of Tanzania, two point five times of Uganda, seven times of Rwanda and twenty times of Burundi. Even though country like Kenya is one step ahead of Tanzania in terms of GDP per capita, Tanzania had spent much in gross fixed capital formation compared to Kenya and all other EAC members. And in terms of governance Rwanda is a head of its counterparts EAC members. Kenyans are wealthier in EAC and Kenya contributes more in global economy in terms of exports and imports.  Key words: GDP OER, GDP PPP, EAC, Global economy, Governance and Advanced.
Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Scan Analysis of Anatomical Variations in the Hepatic Veins
Authors: Xu Wenli , Li Chonghui , Duan Weidong , Dong Jiahong
Published: June 2016

Hepatic venous anatomy is a significant component of liver segmental anatomy, and its high variability is a challenge for hepatobiliary surgeons. This was a retrospective study of 98 consecutive patients with no cirrhosis or malignant tumors. IQQA-Liver software was used to display and analyze three-dimensional (3D) images of the hepatic veins and their branches and variations. The average liver volume was 1272.65 ± 322.04 mL; the left hepatic veins drained the smallest parts (21.13 ± 5.41%) of the liver compared with the right (35.58 ± 12.41%) and middle hepatic veins (34.64 ± 8.76%). The most common pattern was that the left hepatic veins shared a common trunk with the middle hepatic veins in 51cases (52.0%). The visualization rate of the inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV) was 43.9%, and its drainage volume was 179.27 ± 128.79 mL. In 11.2% of patients, the drainage volume for the IRHV was larger than for the right hepatic vein (RHV). The patterns of the left hepatic and middle hepatic veins were also observed and classified. Umbilical hepatic veins appeared in 75 cases (76.5%), and anterior fissure hepatic veins appeared in 74 cases (75.5%).The rate of the presence of a separate segment 4 vein was 15.3%, and 77 patients had obvious superficial veins. There was a statistically significant correlation between the diameter of the IRHVs and the drainage volume of the IRHVs and RHVs. More detailed information about the anatomical features and variations of hepatic venous veins in Chinese people was provided using 3D reconstructions, and this will assist in more precise liver surgeries.
Reexamination of tropical cyclone heat potential in the western North Pacific
Authors: Wada Akiyoshi
Published: June 2016

Tropical cyclone heat potential (TCHP), a measure of the oceanic heat content from the surface to the 26°C isotherm depth, has been widely used for tropical cyclone (TC) forecasting and climatological studies. This study reexamines TCHP and the relation to TCs in the western North Pacific in view of the importance of the oceanic reference isothermal depth. Original TCHP is not applicable around the Kuroshio and Kuroshio Extension regions because the value is zero where sea surface temperature is below 26°C. Therefore, this study proposes an improved version of TCHP as new TCHP under relatively weak baroclinic conditions in the atmospheric environment during the TC season from July to November. The alternative oceanic reference isothermal temperature (TRef24) used to calculate new TCHP is determined based on 2 m dew point temperature or 24°C when it is lower than 24°C. We examine the relationship between TCHPs and changes in best track central pressures during the previous 6 h from 2002 to 2012. Relatively high new TCHP is associated with deep oceanic isotherm depth and the decrease in TRef24 around the Kuroshio region from September to November. Case studies for Typhoons Maemi (2003), Songda (2004), and Roke (2011) reveal that TCs could intensify/redevelop around the Ryukyu Islands over warm eddies revealed by high new TCHP, where original TCHP is relatively low. The results indicate that new TCHP can be a metric for TC intensification caused by wind‐induced surface heat exchange processes associated with atmospheric temperature and moisture near the surface and upper ocean stratification.
Surface dimming by the 2013 Rim Fire simulated by a sectional aerosol model
Authors: Yu Pengfei , Toon Owen B. , Bardeen Charles G. , Bucholtz Anthony , Rosenlof Karen H. , Saide Pablo E. , Da Silva Arlindo , Ziemba Luke D. , Thornhill Kenneth L. , Jimenez Jose‐Luis , Campuzano‐Jost Pedro , Schwarz Joshua P. , Perring Anne E. , Froyd Karl D. , Wagner N. L. , Mills Michael J. , Reid Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2016

The Rim Fire of 2013, the third largest area burned by fire recorded in California history, is simulated by a climate model coupled with a size‐resolved aerosol model. Modeled aerosol mass, number, and particle size distribution are within variability of data obtained from multiple‐airborne in situ measurements. Simulations suggest that Rim Fire smoke may block 4–6% of sunlight energy reaching the surface, with a dimming efficiency around 120–150 W m−2 per unit aerosol optical depth in the midvisible at 13:00–15:00 local time. Underestimation of simulated smoke single scattering albedo at midvisible by 0.04 suggests that the model overestimates either the particle size or the absorption due to black carbon. This study shows that exceptional events like the 2013 Rim Fire can be simulated by a climate model with 1° resolution with overall good skill, although that resolution is still not sufficient to resolve the smoke peak near the source region.
The effect of pore structure on ebullition from peat
Authors: Ramirez Jorge A. , Baird Andy J. , Coulthard Tom J.
Published: June 2016

The controls on methane (CH4) bubbling (ebullition) from peatlands are uncertain, but evidence suggests that physical factors related to gas transport and storage within the peat matrix are important. Variability in peat pore size and the permeability of layers within peat can produce ebullition that ranges from steady to erratic in time and can affect the degree to which CH4 bubbles bypass consumption by methanotrophic bacteria and enter the atmosphere. Here we investigate the role of peat structure on ebullition in structurally different peats using a physical model that replicates bubble production using air injection into peat. We find that the frequency distributions of number of ebullition events per time and the magnitude of bubble loss from the physical model were similar in shape to ebullition from peatlands and incubated peats. This indicates that the physical model could be a valid proxy for naturally occurring ebullition from peat. For the first time, data on bubble sizes from peat were collected to conceptualize ebullition, and we find that peat structure affects bubble sizes. Using a new method to measure peat macrostructure, we collected evidence that supports the hypothesis that structural differences in peat determine if bubble release is steady or erratic and extreme. Collected pore size data suggest that erratic ebullition occurs when large amounts of gas stored at depth easily move through shallower layers of open peat. In contrast, steady ebullition occurs when dense shallower layers of peat regulate the flow of gas emitted from peat.
An effective method for incoherent scattering radar's detecting ability evaluation
Authors: Lu Ziqing , Yao Ming , Deng Xiaohua
Published: June 2016

Ionospheric incoherent scatter radar (ISR), which is used to detect ionospheric electrons and ions, generally, has megawatt class transmission power and hundred meter level antenna aperture. The crucial purpose of this detecting technology is to get ionospheric parameters by acquiring the autocorrelation function and power spectrum of the target ionospheric plasma echoes. Whereas the ISR's echoes are very weak because of the small radar cross section of its target, estimating detecting ability will be significantly instructive and meaningful for ISR system design. In this paper, we evaluate the detecting ability through signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). The soft‐target radar equation is deduced to be applicable to ISR, through which we use data from International Reference Ionosphere model to simulate signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of echoes, and then comparing the measured SNR from European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association and Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar with the simulation. The simulation results show good consistency with the measured SNR. For ISR, the topic of this paper is the first comparison between the calculated SNR and radar measurements; the detecting ability can be improved through increasing SNR. The effective method for ISR's detecting ability evaluation provides basis for design of radar system.
Compressional wave dispersion due to rock matrix stiffening by clay squirt flow
Authors: Ba Jing , Zhao Jianguo , Carcione José M. , Huang Xingxing
Published: June 2016

The standard Biot‐Gassmann theory of poroelasticity fails to explain strong compressional wave velocity dispersion experimentally observed in 12 tight siltstone with clay‐filled pores. In order to analyze and understand the results, we developed a new double‐porosity model of clay squirt flow where wave‐induced local fluid flow occurs between the micropores in clay aggregates and intergranular macropores. The model is validated based on the combined study of ultrasonic experiments on specimens at different saturation conditions and theoretical predictions. The presence of a sub‐pore‐scale structure of clay micropores contained in intergranular macropores, where the fluid does not have enough time to achieve mechanical equilibrium at ultrasonic frequencies and thus stiffens the rock matrix, provides a suitable explanation of the experimental data. Moreover, the model provides a new bound for estimating the compressional wave velocity of tight rocks saturated with two immiscible liquids. The theoretical predictions indicate that the velocity variation between gas‐ and liquid‐saturated specimens is predominantly induced by the clay squirt stiffening effect on the rock matrix and not by fluid substitution. The effect contributes more than 90% to the variation in the porosity range of 0–5%. Thus, clay squirt flow dominates the relationships between compressional wave velocity and pore fluid in tight rocks.
Using timing of ice retreat to predict timing of fall freeze‐up in the Arctic
Authors: Stroeve Julienne C. , Crawford Alex D. , Stammerjohn Sharon
Published: June 2016

Reliable forecasts of the timing of sea ice advance are needed in order to reduce risks associated with operating in the Arctic as well as planning of human and environmental emergencies. This study investigates the use of a simple statistical model relating the timing of ice retreat to the timing of ice advance, taking advantage of the inherent predictive power supplied by the seasonal ice‐albedo feedback and ocean heat uptake. Results show that using the last retreat date to predict the first advance date is applicable in some regions, such as Baffin Bay and the Laptev and East Siberian seas, where a predictive skill is found even after accounting for the long‐term trend in both variables. Elsewhere, in the Arctic, there is some predictive skills depending on the year (e.g., Kara and Beaufort seas), but none in regions such as the Barents and Bering seas or the Sea of Okhotsk. While there is some suggestion that the relationship is strengthening over time, this may reflect that higher correlations are expected during periods when the underlying trend is strong.
How long does precipitation inhibit wind erosion in the Sahel?
Authors: Bergametti G. , Rajot J. L. , Pierre C. , Bouet C. , Marticorena B.
Published: June 2016

Simultaneous measurements of saltation, wind speed, and rainfall performed in Niger before, during, and after 18 rain events are used to investigate how rain events affect wind erosion in the Sahel. The results show that the inhibition of saltation is rapid but progressive after the beginning of a rain event. The decrease of sand transport during the rain event is better linked to the time elapsed from the beginning of the rain event rather than to the cumulative rainfall. In the Sahel, after a rain event, less than 12 h is necessary to almost fully restore the sand transport potential. Our results suggest that assuming that no sand transport and dust emission occur during the 12 h following the end of a rain event could be a reasonable alternative to existing parameterizations of the influence of soil moisture on the wind erosion threshold, at least for the Sahelian conditions.
Paleofluvial landscape inheritance for Jakobshavn Isbræ catchment, Greenland
Authors: Cooper M. A. , Michaelides K. , Siegert M. J. , Bamber J. L.
Published: June 2016

Subglacial topography exerts strong controls on glacier dynamics, influencing the orientation and velocity of ice flow, as well as modulating the distribution of basal waters and sediment. Bed geometry can also provide a long‐term record of geomorphic processes, allowing insight into landscape evolution, the origin of which may predate ice sheet inception. Here we present evidence from ice‐penetrating radar data for a large dendritic drainage network, radiating inland from Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland's largest outlet glacier. The size of the drainage basin is ∼450,000 km2 and accounts for about 20% of the total land area of Greenland. Topographic and basin morphometric analyses of an isostatically uplifted (ice‐free) bedrock topography suggests that this catchment predates ice sheet initiation and has likely been instrumental in controlling the location and form of the Jakobshavn ice stream, and ice flow from the deep interior to the margin, now and over several glacial cycles.
Stochastic convective parameterization improving the simulation of tropical precipitation variability in the NCAR CAM5
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhang Guang J. , Craig George C.
Published: June 2016

The Plant‐Craig (PC) stochastic convective parameterization scheme is implemented into the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) to couple with the Zhang‐McFarlane deterministic convection scheme. To evaluate its impact on tropical precipitation simulation, two experiments are conducted: one with the standard CAM5 and the other with the stochastic scheme incorporated. Results show that the PC stochastic parameterization decreases the frequency of weak precipitation and increases the frequency of strong precipitation, resulting in better agreement with observations. The most striking improvement is in the probability distribution function (PDF) of precipitation intensity, with the well‐known too‐much‐drizzle problem in CAM5 largely eliminated. In the global tropical belt, the precipitation intensity PDF from the simulation agrees remarkably well with that of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission observations. The stochastic scheme also yields a similar magnitude of intraseasonal variability of precipitation to observations and improves the simulation of the eastward propagating intraseasonal signals of precipitation and zonal wind.
The borehole dilatometer network of Mount Etna: A powerful tool to detect and infer volcano dynamics
Authors: Bonaccorso A. , Linde A. , Currenti G. , Sacks S. , Sicali A.
Published: June 2016

A network of four borehole dilatometers has been installed on Etna in two successive phases (2010–2011 and 2014). The borehole dilatometers are installed in holes drilled at depths usually greater than 100 m, and they measure the volumetric strain of the surrounding rock with a nominal precision up to 10−11 in a wide frequency range (10−7–25 Hz). Here we describe the characteristics of the network and the results of the in situ calibrations obtained after the installations by different methods. We illustrate short‐term strain changes recorded during several lava fountains erupted by Etna during 2011–2013, and we also show signal changes recorded at all four stations during the lava fountain on 28 December 2014. Analytical and numerical computations constrained the eruptions source depth and also its volume change that is related to the magma volume emitted. Finally, we show the potential of the signal in the medium term to reveal strain changes related to different phases of the volcanic activity.
A 1DVAR retrieval applied to GMI: Algorithm description, validation, and sensitivities
Authors: Duncan David I. , Kummerow Christian D.
Published: June 2016

A fully physical, 1‐D variational inversion algorithm (1DVAR) has been developed to simultaneously retrieve total precipitable water (TPW), 10 m wind speed, and cloud liquid water path (CLWP) over ocean. Results presented are for the Global Precipitation Measurement Microwave Imager (GMI), but the algorithm is adaptable to any microwave imager. The Colorado State University 1DVAR is novel in that the observation error covariances are not assumed to be zero and empirical orthogonal functions are utilized to retrieve the structure of the water vapor profile, aided by GMI's high‐frequency channels. Validation against radiosonde and ocean buoy observations demonstrates a near zero bias for wind speed and a small positive bias for water vapor, respectively, with RMS errors that rival those of benchmark products. RMS errors against validation are 2.6 mm and 1.2 m/s for TPW and wind speed. No calibration adjustments were made to achieve these results, and no “truth” data were used to train the algorithm. The advantages of this fully physical inversion are its adaptability, transparency, and full description of retrieval errors. Sensitivities of the algorithm are explored in detail.
Seasonality of global and Arctic black carbon processes in the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme models
Authors: Mahmood Rashed , von Salzen Knut , Flanner Mark , Sand Maria , Langner Joakim , Wang Hailong , Huang Lin
Published: June 2016

This study quantifies black carbon (BC) processes in three global climate models and one chemistry transport model, with focus on the seasonality of BC transport, emissions, wet and dry deposition in the Arctic. In the models, transport of BC to the Arctic from lower latitudes is the major BC source for this region. Arctic emissions are very small. All models simulated a similar annual cycle of BC transport from lower latitudes to the Arctic, with maximum transport occurring in July. Substantial differences were found in simulated BC burdens and vertical distributions, with Canadian Atmospheric Global Climate Model (CanAM) (Norwegian Earth System Model, NorESM) producing the strongest (weakest) seasonal cycle. CanAM also has the shortest annual mean residence time for BC in the Arctic followed by Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute Multiscale Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry model, Community Earth System Model, and NorESM. Overall, considerable differences in wet deposition efficiencies in the models exist and are a leading cause of differences in simulated BC burdens. Results from model sensitivity experiments indicate that convective scavenging outside the Arctic reduces the mean altitude of BC residing in the Arctic, making it more susceptible to scavenging by stratiform (layer) clouds in the Arctic. Consequently, scavenging of BC in convective clouds outside the Arctic acts to substantially increase the overall efficiency of BC wet deposition in the Arctic, which leads to low BC burdens and a more pronounced seasonal cycle compared to simulations without convective BC scavenging. In contrast, the simulated seasonality of BC concentrations in the upper troposphere is only weakly influenced by wet deposition in stratiform clouds, whereas lower tropospheric concentrations are highly sensitive.
Saharan dust outbreaks and iberulite episodes
Authors: Diaz‐Hernandez Jose L. , Sanchez‐Navas Antonio
Published: June 2016

Mineral dust aerosols coming from the arid and semiarid regions of the world can aggregate and form microspherulites under special atmospheric conditions. This is the case for iberulites, formed in the atmosphere from Saharan dust intrusions into the southern Iberian Peninsula during the summer, prompting a noteworthy case of dust accretion unique in the world. This study consists of a long‐term monitoring of Saharan dust outbreaks producing haze that reaches the southern Iberian Peninsula. Aerosol concentration, relative humidity, and temperature time series available at the ground stations in this area indicate sharp variations of these atmospheric variables during the iberulite‐forming events. Most of these events occurred during the summer (60%), with 65 episodes for the period 2005–2013, in which 107 plumes reached the Iberian Peninsula. Iberulite episodes lasted 5 days on average, during which an initial increase of particulate matter (PM) levels and temperature, accompanied by a decrease in relative humidity, was registered until the third day. These trends reversed when the plume began to abate. Our data also indicate that iberulites form during dusty episodes when a minimum threshold in the content of large aerosol particles (PM10) reached concentrations above 15 µg × m−3. Surface evaporation due to the sharply rising air temperatures give rise to clouds associated with the plume, where the water droplets that formed from condensation capture large amounts of aerosols as they fall. In this sense, muddy raindrop impacts with variable water:dust ratios recorded during red‐rain episodes are interpreted as the precursor of the iberulites. A singular process of dust aggregation is here proposed for the formation of iberulites.
Astronomical calibration and global correlation of the Santonian (Cretaceous) based on the marine carbon isotope record
Authors: Thibault N. , Jarvis I. , Voigt S. , Gale A. S. , Attree K. , Jenkyns H. C.
Published: June 2016

High‐resolution records of bulk carbonate carbon isotopes have been generated for the Upper Coniacian to Lower Campanian interval of the sections at Seaford Head (southern England) and Bottaccione (central Italy). An unambiguous stratigraphic correlation is presented for the base and top of the Santonian between the Boreal and Tethyan realms. Orbital forcing of carbon and oxygen isotopes at Seaford Head points to the Boreal Santonian spanning five 405 kyr cycles (Sa1 to Sa5). Correlation of the Seaford Head time scale to that of the Niobrara Formation (Western Interior Basin) permits anchoring these records to the La2011 astronomical solution at the Santonian‐Campanian (Sa/Ca) boundary, which has been recently dated to 84.19 ± 0.38 Ma. Among the five tuning options examined, option 2 places the Sa/Ca at the 84.2 Ma 405 kyr insolation minimum and appears as the most likely. This solution indicates that minima of the 405 kyr filtered output of the resistivity in the Niobrara Formation correlate to 405 kyr insolation minima in the astronomical solution and to maxima in the filtered δ13C of Seaford Head. We suggest that variance in δ13C is driven by climate forcing of the proportions of CaCO3 versus organic carbon burial on land and in oceanic basins. The astronomical calibration generates a 200 kyr mismatch of the Coniacian‐Santonian boundary age between the Boreal Realm in Europe and the Western Interior, due either to diachronism of the lowest occurrence of the inoceramid Cladoceramus undulatoplicatus between the two regions or to remaining uncertainties of radiometric dating and cyclostratigraphic records.
A suggested vital function for eIF‐5A and dhs genes during murine malaria blood‐stage infection
Authors: Kersting David , Krüger Mirko , Sattler Julia M. , Mueller Ann‐Kristin , Kaiser Annette
Published: June 2016

The biological function of the post‐translational modification hypusine in the eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (EIF‐5A) in eukaryotes is still not understood. Hypusine is formed by two sequential enzymatic steps at a specific lysine residue in the precursor protein EIF‐5A. One important biological function of EIF‐5A which was recently identified is the translation of polyproline‐rich mRNA, suggesting its biological relevance in a variety of biological processes. Hypusinated eIF‐5A controls the proliferation of cancer cells and inflammatory processes in malaria. It was shown that pharmacological inhibition of the enzymes involved in this pathway, deoxyhypusine synthase (DHS) and the deoxyhypusine hydroxylase (DOHH), arrested the growth of malaria parasites. Down‐regulation of both the malarial eIF‐5A and dhs genes by in vitro and in vivo silencing led to decreased transcript levels and protein expression and, in turn, to low parasitemia, confirming a critical role of hypusination in eIF‐5A for proliferation in Plasmodium. To further investigate whether eIF‐5A and the activating enzyme DHS are essential for Plasmodium erythrocytic stages, targeted gene disruption was performed in the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Full disruption of both genes was not successful; instead parasites harboring the episome for eIF‐5A and dhs genes were obtained, suggesting that these genes may perform vital functions during the pathogenic blood cell stage. Next, a knock‐in strategy was pursued for both endogenous genes eIF‐5A and dhs from P. berghei. The latter resulted in viable recombinant parasites, strengthening the observation that they might be essential for proliferation during asexual development of the malaria parasite.
A balanced translocation disrupting BCL2L10 and PNLDC1 segregates with affective psychosis
Authors: Bouwkamp Christian G. , Kievit Anneke J. A. , Olgiati Simone , Breedveld Guido J. , Coesmans Michiel , Bonifati Vincenzo , Kushner Steven A.
Published: June 2016

Affective psychoses are a group of severe psychiatric disorders, including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar I disorder, together affecting ∼1% of the population. Despite their high heritability, the molecular genetics and neurobiology of affective psychosis remain largely elusive. Here, we describe the identification of a structural genetic variant segregating with affective psychosis in a family with multiple members suffering from bipolar I disorder or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. A balanced translocation involving chromosomes 6 and 15 was detected by karyotyping and fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH). Using whole‐genome sequencing, we rapidly delineated the translocation breakpoints as corresponding intragenic events disrupting BCL2L10 and PNLDC1. These data warrant further consideration for BCL2L10 and PNLDC1 as novel candidates for affective psychosis. © 2016 The Authors. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Common variants in CACNA1C and MDD susceptibility: A comprehensive meta‐analysis
Authors: Rao Shuquan , Yao Yao , Zheng Chuan , Ryan Joanne , Mao Canquan , Zhang Fuquan , Meyre David , Xu Qi
Published: June 2016

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders with a relatively high heritability (35–40%). Though rs1006737 in the CACNA1C gene showed significant association with MDD in a British large‐scale candidate association study, most of the replication analyses with relatively small sample size reported negative association. Moreover, this locus has never been identified in previous genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) for MDD. Here, we conducted a comprehensive meta‐analysis of the association between CACNA1C variants and MDD risk by combining all published data. Genetic data from one European GWAS and five individual follow‐up studies, which include up to 12,629 patients of MDD and 28,653 controls, that is, the largest sample size on CACNA1C to date, were collected. Rs1006737 showed significant association with MDD in the fixed‐effect model (Z = 2.56, P = 0.011, OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 1.04–1.12) and the association remained after reanalyzing the data according to ethnicity. We additionally analyzed other 25 SNPs, genotyped in only one replication study, across the CACNA1C locus, and found that two SNPs, rs4765905 (P = 0.041, OR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.00–1.09) and rs4765937 (P = 0.025, OR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.01–1.09) showed nominal association with MDD, while rs2239073 (P = 0.002, OR = 1.07, 95%CI 1.02–1.11) exhibited significant association with MDD, which survived from multiple corrections. Our study provides support for positive association between CACNA1C and MDD; however, the current data suggest the necessity of replication analyses in a larger‐scale sample. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Highly selective sulfonated poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene)/poly(ether sulfone) blend proton exchange membranes for direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Devi Appadurai Uma , Neelakandan Sivasubramaniyan , Nagendran Alagumalai
Published: June 2016

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) based on blends of poly(ether sulfone) (PES) and sulfonated poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (sPVdF‐co‐HFP) were prepared successfully. Fabricated blend membranes showed favorable PEM characteristics such as reduced methanol permeability, high selectivity, and improved mechanical integrity. Additionally, these membranes afford comparable proton conductivity, good oxidative stability, moderate ion exchange capacity, and reasonable water uptake. To appraise PEM performance, blend membranes were characterized using techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, AC impedance spectroscopy; atomic force microscopy, and thermogravimetry. Addition of hydrophobic PES confines the swelling of the PEM and increases the ultimate tensile strength of the membrane. Proton conductivities of the blend membranes are about 10−3 S cm−1. Methanol permeability of 1.22 × 10−7cm2 s−1 exhibited by the sPVdF‐co‐HFP/PES10 blend membrane is much lower than that of Nafion‐117. AFM studies divulged that the sPVdF‐co‐HFP/PES blend membranes have nodule like structure, which confirms the presence of hydrophilic domain. The observed results demonstrated that the sPVdF‐co‐HFP/PES blend membranes have promise for possible usage as a PEM in direct methanol fuel cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43907.
Dual release kinetics of antimalarials from soy protein isolate‐carbopol‐polyacrylamide based hydrogels
Authors: Aderibigbe Blessing Atim , Mhlwatika Zandile
Published: June 2016

The currently used antimalarials suffer from drug resistance which is hampering the global management of malaria infection. To overcome drug resistance, they are administered as combination therapies which involve combination of two or more antimalarials. In this study, chloroquine diphosphate and curcumin were encapsulated onto prepared soy protein isolate‐carbopol‐polyacrylamide based hydrogels. The hydrogels were pH sensitive and exhibited enhanced swelling capability at pH 7.4. The hydrogels were biodegradable which was observed by their SEM images after drug release. The release mechanisms of both drugs were influenced by the degree of crosslinking of the soy protein isolate in the hydrogel network and the presence of the other drug in the network. The release mechanisms of both drugs from the hydrogel networks followed super case transport II. These results suggested that the hydrogels were potential dual drug delivery systems for antimalarials whereby both drugs could work over different period of time and hence, have the potential to overcome drug resistance that is common with the presently used antimalarials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43918.
Going beyond intention: Integrating behavioral expectation into the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology
Authors: Maruping Likoebe M. , Bala Hillol , Venkatesh Viswanath , Brown Susan A.
Published: June 2016

Research on information technology (IT) adoption and use, one of the most mature streams of research in the information science and information systems literature, is primarily based on the intentionality framework. Behavioral intention (BI) to use an IT is considered the sole proximal determinant of IT adoption and use. Recently, researchers have discussed the limitations of BI and argued that behavioral expectation (BE) would be a better predictor of IT use. However, without a theoretical and empirical understanding of the determinants of BE, we remain limited in our comprehension of what factors promote greater IT use in organizations. Using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology as the theoretical framework, we develop a model that posits 2 determinants (i.e., social influence and facilitating conditions) of BE and 4 moderators (i.e., gender, age, experience, and voluntariness of use) of the relationship between BE and its determinants. We argue that the cognitions underlying the formation of BI and BE differ. We found strong support for the proposed model in a longitudinal field study of 321 users of a new IT. We offer theoretical and practical IT implications of our findings.
The effect of social network site use on the psychological well‐being of cancer patients
Authors: Erfani Seyedezahra Shadi , Abedin Babak , Blount Yvette
Published: June 2016

Social network sites (SNSs) are growing in popularity and social significance. Although researchers have attempted to explain the effect of SNS use on users' psychological well‐being, previous studies have produced inconsistent results. In addition, most previous studies relied on healthy students as participants; other cohorts of SNSs users, in particular people living with serious health conditions, have been neglected. In this study, we carried out semistructured interviews with users of the Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA) Facebook to assess how and in what ways SNS use impacts their psychological well‐being. A theoretical model was proposed to develop a better understanding of the relationships between SNS use and the psychological well‐being of cancer patients. Analysis of data collected through a subsequent quantitative survey confirmed the theoretical model and empirically revealed the extent to which SNS use impacts the psychological well‐being of cancer patients. Findings showed the use of OCA Facebook enhances social support, enriches the experience of social connectedness, develops social presence and learning and ultimately improves the psychological well‐being of cancer patients.
Hypertext configurations: Genres in networked digital media
Authors: Finnemann Niels Ole
Published: June 2016

The article presents a conceptual framework for distinguishing different sorts of heterogeneous digital materials. The hypothesis is that a wide range of heterogeneous data resources can be characterized and classified due to their particular configurations of hypertext features such as scripts, links, interactive processes, and time scalings, and that the hypertext configuration is a major but not sole source of the messiness of big data. The notion of hypertext will be revalidated, placed at the center of the interpretation of networked digital media, and used in the analysis of the fast‐growing amounts of heterogeneous digital collections, assemblages, and corpora. The introduction summarizes the wider background of a fast‐changing data landscape.
A functionally integrated thermoplastic microdevice for one‐step solid‐phase‐based nucleic acid purification and isothermal amplification for facile detection of foodborne pathogen
Authors: Ha Minh Luan , Zhang Yu , Lee Nae Yoon
Published: June 2016

In this study, we fabricate a functionally integrated monolithic thermoplastic microdevice for continuous operation of nucleic acid purification and amplification using polycarbonate (PC). A solid‐phase‐based purification and subsequent isothermal amplification, specifically, thermal helicase‐dependent amplification (tHDA), was performed in a single operation in a valve‐free manner. PC microdevice was assembled using modified thermal bonding process under relatively low temperature and pressure condition, realized by surface chemical modification of PC into hydrophilic property using amine‐bearing polyethyleneimine (PEI). After the device sealing, only the microchannel parts were selectively modified to be hydrophobic, using epoxy‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) (epoxy–PDMS) on amine‐coated surface for stepwise introduction of multiple reagents in a valve‐free manner. Using the integrated PC microdevice, nucleic acids from genetically modified Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 were captured inside a chamber bearing amine functionality, by electrostatic interaction, and were subsequently amplified isothermally in the same chamber. Purified DNA captured inside the microchamber was detected directly inside the chamber by fluorescence measurement, and a 92‐bp long EaeA gene, inserted into the E. coli O157:H7, was successfully amplified using the integrated PC microdevice in less than 90 min, paving the way for facile identification of foodborne pathogens with simple operation and reduced peripheral operations applicable for portable healthcare purposes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2614–2623. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the N‐terminal role of a heterologous protein in secreting out of Escherichia coli
Authors: Gao Dongfang , Luan Yaqi , Liang Quanfeng , Qi Qingsheng
Published: June 2016

Escherichia coli is commonly used as a host for the extracellular production of proteins. However, its secretion capacity is often limited to a frustratingly low level compared with other expression hosts, because E. coli has a complex cell envelope with two layers. In previous report, we identified that the catalytic domain of a cellulase (Cel‐CD) from Bacillus subtilis can be secreted into the medium from recombinant E. coli in large quantities without its native signal peptide. In this study, we proved the N‐terminal sequence of the full length Cel‐CD played a crucial role in transportation through both inner and outer membranes. By subcellular location analysis, we verified that the secretion was a two‐step process via the SecB‐dependent pathway through the inner membrane and an unknown pathway through the outer membrane. However, the N‐terminal region of Cel‐CD is polar and hydrophilic, which showed no similarities to other typical signal sequences. Random mutagenesis experiment suggested that the N‐terminal sequence is a compromising result of transportation through inner and outer membranes. This is the first report that a “non‐classical signal peptide” can guide recombinant proteins out of the cells from cytoplasm. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2561–2567. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.