bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outbreak of caprine abortion by Toxoplasma gondii in Midwest Brazil
Authors: Caldeira Flávio Henrique Bravim , Ubiali Daniel Guimarães , Godoy Isabela de , Dutra Valéria , Aguiar Daniel Moura de , Melo Andréia Lima Tomé , Riet-Correa Franklin , Colodel Edson Moleta , Pescador Caroline A.
Published: December 2011

An outbreak of abortion by Toxoplasma gondii in goats on a farm in the Brazilian Midwest is reported. Gross lesions were not observed in seven aborted fetuses submitted to the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, Federal University of Mato Grosso, for necropsy investigation. The main histologic lesions were mononuclear cell pneumonia and necrotizing encephalitis in varying degrees of intensity. PCR for Brucella abortus and Neospora caninum and aerobic cultures were negative in all cases. Antibody titles against T. gondii varying from 1:1024 to 1:32.768 were detected in serum samples from four aborted goats. Nested-PCR assay for T. gondii were positive in brain samples of all cases submitted. These findings indicate that T. gondii infection should be considered in the diagnosis of abortion in goats in Midwest Brazil.
Estudo morfológico dos órgãos genitais masculinos do guaxinim (Procyon cancrivorus)
Authors: Martucci Mariane Ferracin , Mançanares Celina Almeida , Ambrósio Carlos Eduardo. , Franciolli André Luis Rezende , Miglino Maria Angélica , Rosa Ricardo Alexandre , Carvalho Ana Flávia de
Published: December 2011

Foram utilizados três animais, sendo um proveniente da Universidade de São Paulo e dois encaminhados pelo IBAMA (Proc. 02027.000.286/2004-92), excedente populacional de zoológico. Os aparelhos reprodutores masculinos "ex situ" foram fixados por imersão e dissecados. Foram retirados fragmentos de cada órgão e glândula anexa do aparelho reprodutor, os quais foram processados e incluídos pelas técnicas de inclusão em paraplast. Cada bloco foi cortado e os cortes foram corados por HE, picrosírius, reação de PAS com fundo de hematoxilina e tricromo de masson para a observação das estruturas ao microscópio óptico. Macroscopicamente, a região inguinal era composta pela uretra, músculo isquiocavernoso, músculos bulboesponjoso e bulbo cavernoso, músculo retrator do pênis, um par de testículos e o osso peniano ou báculo e ânus. A glande do pênis apresentou uma dilatação proximal (bulbo da glande) constituída pela parte dilatada do báculo. A posição dos testículos, dentro do escroto, era horizontal. A próstata apresentou-se com formato globoso, circundando a uretra. Microscopicamente, os testículos eram envoltos por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo denso, a túnica albugínea testicular. O ducto epididimário era provido de um epitélio pseudoestratificado com estereocílios. A uretra peniana apresentou-se circundada pelo corpo esponjoso e no restante do pênis apresentou o corpo cavernoso (tecido erétil). Os resultados macro e microscópicos encontrados até o momento são semelhantes aos achados no Canis familiaris (cão doméstico).
Bond strength of HEMA-containing versus HEMA-free self-etch adhesive systems to dentin
Authors: Felizardo Klíssia Romero , Lemos Letícia Vargas Freire Martins , Carvalho Rodrigo Varella de , Gonini Junior Alcides , Lopes Murilo Baena , Moura Sandra Kiss
Published: December 2011

This study analyzed the bond strength (BS) of HEMA versus HEMA-free self-etch adhesive systems to dentin. The occlusal surface of 20 third molars was removed and the dentin was abraded with 600-grit silicon carbide paper. The teeth were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=5) and restored with GO, Adper SE Plus, OptiBond All-In-One, and Clearfil 3S Bond adhesive systems and Filtek Z350 composite. After light curing (600 mW/cm²), the teeth were stored in distilled water at 37ºC for 24 h and were sectioned in the mesiodistal and buccolingual directions to obtain sticks (0.8 mm²). The sticks were subjected to tensile force using a universal testing machine (0.5 mm/min), and the modes of failure were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and classified as adhesive, cohesive, or mixed. The BS data (in MPa) were treated using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests at 5% significance. GO presented the lowest mean bond strength value (10.57 ± 3.72) and differed significantly from the other materials (p=0.001), which, in turn, presented statistically similar results (p>0.05) among themselves: Adper SE Plus (29.08 ± 8.93), OptiBond All-In-One (28.36 ± 6.49), and Clearfil 3S Bond (28.62 ± 6.97). Mixed fractures were the most prevalent. It was concluded that the influence of HEMA on BS to dentin was material dependent.
Tradução e adaptação cultural para a língua portuguesa do questionário scoring of patellofemoral disorders: estudo preliminar
Authors: Aquino Victor da Silva , Falcon Sandra Fiumana Martins , Neves Laura Maria Tomazi , Rodrigues Reynaldo Costa , Sendín Francisco Alburquerque
Published: December 2011

OBJETIVO: Traduzir e adaptar culturalmente para língua portuguesa o questionário Scoring of Patellofemoral Disorders. MÉTODOS: 40 participantes foram selecionados entre fisioterapeutas e indivíduos leigos. O procedimento de tradução para língua portuguesa foi baseado em métodos padronizados. A escala original passou por 7 etapas até se obter a versão final em português da Escala de Desordens Patelofemorais. Em cada teste participaram 40 indivíduos, sendo 20 indivíduos leigos e 20 fisioterapeutas. O nível de não compreensão aceitável foi de até 10% dos entrevistados. RESULTADOS: No 1º teste apenas as questões 3 não foram compreendidas por mais de 10% dos participantes entrevistados, ocasionando a reaplicação do questionário. Já no 2° teste, apenas duas questões foram compreendidas por 90% dos entrevistados e as demais questões compreendidas por mais de 90%, não ocorrendo dúvidas entre os fisioterapeutas. Utilizou-se então a 2ª versão em português como versão final para a Escala de Desordens Patelofemorais. CONCLUSÃO: A escala Scoring of Patellofemoral Disorders foi traduzida e a adaptada culturalmente para língua portuguesa, tendo como título em português, Escala de Desordens Patelofemorais. Nível de Evidência II. Estudos diagnósticos, Investigação de um exame para diagnóstico.
Artrodese do quadril: estudo retrospectivo com mais de 20 anos de seguimento
Authors: Vicente José Ricardo Negreiros , Ulhoa Carlos Antonio Soares , Leonhardt Marcos Camargo , Pires André Fernandes , Ejnisman Leandro , Croci Alberto Tesconi
Published: December 2011

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados a longo prazo de setenta pacientes submetidos à artrodese do quadril pela técnica original descrita por Davis. MÉTODOS: Realizamos um estudo clínico retrospectivo com 70 pacientes, operados entre 1982 e 1995. A presença de sintomas sobre a coluna lombar, joelho ipsilateral e quadril contralateral foi aferida assim como o sucesso da consolidação da artrodese, o posicionamento da mesma e a eventual indicação para conversão à artroplastia total do quadril. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de seguimento foi 21,6 anos. Uma consolidação satisfatória foi constatada em 48 pacientes (85,7%). A dor lombar foi presente em 11 pacientes (19,6%) e osteoartrite dolorosa do joelho em quatro pacientes (7,1%). Discussão: Dois trabalhos com seguimento superior ao nosso estudo ( 35 e 38 anos) apresentaram repercussões sobre a coluna lombar mais prevalentes (57% e 62%), assim como dor no joelho homolateral (45% e 57%) e indicação para conversão em artroplastia total do quadril (17% e 28%). CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que a artrodese do quadril pela técnica de Davis apresenta resultados satisfatórios até o vigésimo ano, porém a presença de dor lombar é mais frequente com o passar dos anos e a dor no joelho homolateral sugere associação com a posição inicial em abdução do quadril artrodesado. Nivel de Evidência III, estudo clinico.
Interferências de estímulos visuais na produção escrita de escolares ouvintes sem queixas de alterações na escrita
Authors: Casemiro Juliana Ramos , Ribeiro Karen Barros , Matta Tatiana Ribeiro Gomes da , Soares Aparecido José Couto , Cárnio Maria Silvia
Published: December 2011

OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência de estímulos visuais na produção escrita de escolares do ensino fundamental sem queixas de alterações de leitura e escrita. MÉTODOS: Participaram 25 crianças sem queixa de leitura e escrita, que cursavam a 3ª e 4ª série (4º e 5º ano atuais) do ensino fundamental de uma escola pública. Adotaram-se como critérios de inclusão: respostas a 20 dBNA nas frequências de 500 Hz a 4 kHz na triagem auditiva; frequentar a referida escola por dois anos e possuir nível alfabético ou ortográfico de escrita. Os participantes foram separados em grupos pequenos e em dois dias realizaram as produções escritas que foram analisadas segundo critérios adaptados com base em um estudo sobre as competências comunicativas (genérica, enciclopédica e linguística). Os dados receberam análise estatística. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença quanto ao tempo de elaboração da escrita, independente do estimulo visual. Quanto à competência genérica o tipo de discurso predominante foi o narrativo. Em relação à competência enciclopédica houve indícios de maior intertextualidade para a figura de ação. No que concerne à competência linguística, os textos foram longos, com pontuação inadequada, erros ortográficos e coesão global parcial. CONCLUSÃO: Os estímulos visuais apresentados não interferiram na produção escrita dos escolares do ensino fundamental em relação às competências comunicativas.
Análise dos benefícios relacionais observados por usuários de serviços
Authors: Mota Márcio de Oliveira , Freitas Ana Augusta Ferreira
Published: December 2011

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar as relações entre os benefícios relacionais percebidos por consumidores e seus antecedentes e conseqüentes no contexto de serviços. O estudo compreendeu uma pesquisa descritiva, do tipo survey, de natureza quantitativa. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada com 415 consumidores que informaram o tipo de serviço analisado. Os dados coletados foram submetidos a testes estatísticos por meio da técnica de modelagem em equações estruturais, no intuito de testar o modelo proposto. Ressalte-se o ineditismo do modelo proposto, pois, neste estudo, foi feita uma avaliação da relação dos benefícios relacionais e seus antecedentes e conseqüentes. Este estudo concluiu que os benefícios relacionais são percebidos pelos consumidores independentemente do grau de customização dos serviços ou da intensidade de contato. Foram encontradas significativas associações entre satisfação com os empregados e os demais construtos, portanto pôde-se inferir a importância do elo entre empregados e consumidores.
Recruitment and Retention of Scholarship Recipient Nursing Students and Staff
Authors: Tucker Susan K. , Sherrod Roy A.
Published: December 2011

Few problems are more relevant in health care today than nurse recruitment and retention. The purpose of this study was to identify job satisfaction factors for nurse and nursing student education scholarship recipients, as well as examine the relationship of these factors to the intent to complete contractual agreements. Findings revealed that job satisfaction and a positive image of nursing were influential factors in intent to complete contractual agreements. Results may prove valuable information to recruit nursing students and increase job satisfaction.
Are Entry Threats Always Credible?
Authors: Dasgupta Utteeyo
Published: December 2011

This paper studies the efficacy of entry threats in a contestable environment using experiments. It is hypothesized here that the entrant firm’s home market profits influence the entrant’s competitive behavior even when entry is costless and completely reversible. In the experiment, entrants and incumbents tacitly collude when each has its own monopoly market. In contrast, an entrant from a competitive market practices hit-and-run entry whenever such opportunities exist, forcing the incumbent monopolist to price at average cost. The experiment results suggest that the usefulness of hit-and-run competitive threat in a contestable environment depends crucially on the relative profits in the entrant’s and the incumbent’s home and entry markets.
PCAOB Inspections and Large Accounting Firms
Authors: Church Bryan K. , Shefchik Lori B.
Published: December 2011

SYNOPSIS

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the PCAOB's inspection reports of large, annually inspected accounting firms. The inspection reports identify audit deficiencies that have implications for audit quality. By examining the inspection reports in detail, we can identify the nature and severity of audit deficiencies; we can track the total number of deficiencies over time; and we can pinpoint common, recurring audit deficiencies. We focus on large accounting firms because they play a dominant role in the marketplace (i.e., they audit public companies that comprise approximately 99 percent of U.S.-based issuer market capitalization). We document a significant, downward linear trend in the number of deficiencies from 2004 to 2009. We also identify common, recurring audit deficiencies, determine the financial statement accounts most often impacted by audit deficiencies, and isolate the primary emphasis of the financial statement impacted. Our findings generally are consistent comparing Big 4 and second-tier accounting firms, though a few differences emerge. In addition, we make comparisons with findings that have been documented for small, triennially inspected firms.

Data Availability: The data are available from public sources.
Negative-Book-Value Firms and Their Valuation
Authors: Jan Ching-Lih , Ou Jane A.
Published: December 2011

SYNOPSIS

We document a phenomenon that, along with the increasing trend of negative earnings, the frequency and the magnitude of negative book value of equity have also grown substantially over time. Although negative-book-value firms are commonly perceived as financially distressed, we find that the majority of these firms survive for a long time, and that many continue to report negative book value for several years. Over the most recent decade of our 30-year test period, 1976–2005, we find that based on per-dollar of assets, the market, on average, prices negative-book-value firms higher than positive-book-value firms. In addition, we discover that the correlation between market value and book value for negative-book-value firms is negative. Searching for explanations of these phenomena, we examine R&D expenditures of negative-book-value firms. Our results indicate that R&D, especially R&D accumulated over time, not only contributes to the increasing trend of negative-book-value incidences, but also plays an important role in the market's valuation of firms that concurrently report negative earnings and negative book value.

Data Availability: The authors will make their data available for use by others in extending or replicating results reported in this article.
Measuring Accounting Professionals' Attitudes Regarding Alternative Work Arrangements
Authors: Johnson Eric N. , Lowe D. Jordan , Reckers Philip M. J.
Published: December 2011

Drawing on the work-life balance and organizational justice literatures, we developed a 20-item scale of individual attitudes and beliefs regarding alternative work arrangements (AWAs) in public accounting. We administered the scale to 412 highly experienced accounting professionals (primarily managers) from two Big 4 firms and two large national firms. Principal components analysis of scale responses yielded three identifiable dimensions regarding AWA attitudes and beliefs: (1) ideals and benefits of AWAs, (2) costs and inequities related to AWAs at the office level (organization-level or procedural justice issues), and (3) costs and inequities related to individuals' use of AWAs (person-level or distributive justice issues). Scale responses were significantly influenced by gender and AWA participation. In addition, the principal components were related in a predictable pattern to hypothetical performance evaluation judgments related to AWA use. Implications of these findings for the accounting profession and future research are discussed.

Data Availability: Data used in this study are available from the authors upon request.
In GAAP We Trust: Examining How Trust Influences Nonprofessional Investor Decisions Under Rules-Based and Principles-Based Standards
Authors: Bailey Wendy J. , Sawers Kimberly M.
Published: December 2011

In this study, we investigate whether and how trust in our current, more rules-based financial reporting system and type of accounting standard affects nonprofessional investor decision making. In an experiment, 151 nonprofessional investors analyzed two companies that were economically identical except for a single underlying financial reporting difference that allowed one company to more positively report its financial results. By itself, the type of standard (rules-based, principles-based) did not affect investment choices or allocation decisions. However, when trust was considered, nonprofessional investors who are less trusting of our current financial reporting system chose to invest in a company with more positive financial results only when evaluating principles-based financial statements. Conversely, the type of standard did not affect investor decision making for nonprofessional investors who trust our current financial reporting system. These results have implications for standard setters as we move to a more principles-based accounting system.

Data Availability: Available on request.
NF-kappaB in Lung Tumorigenesis
Authors: Cai Zhenjian , Tchou-Wong Kam-Meng , Rom William N.
Published: December 2011

The development of lung cancer in humans can be divided into three steps: initiation, promotion and progression. This process is driven by alterations in related signal transduction pathways. These pathways signal the aberrant activation of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes important for lung tumorigenesis. Our current knowledge about the role of the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in the development of lung cancer has been bolstered by animal models demonstrating the connection between K-ras and tobacco induced lung transformation with NF-kappaB. Activation of downstream genes leads to cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, invasion, and metastasis.
Use of Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysis on the Remediation of Model Textile Wastewaters Containing Azo Dyes
Authors: Saggioro Enrico Mendes , Oliveira Anabela Sousa , Pavesi Thelma , Maia Cátia Gil , Ferreira Luis Filipe Vieira , Moreira Josino Costa
Published: December 2011

The photocatalytic degradation of two commercial textile azo dyes, namely C.I Reactive Black 5 and C.I Reactive Red 239, has been studied. TiO2 P25 Degussa was used as catalyst and photodegradation was carried out in aqueous solution under artificial irradiation with a 125 W mercury vapor lamp. The effects of the amount of TiO2 used, UV-light irradiation time, pH of the solution under treatment, initial concentration of the azo dye and addition of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were investigated. The effect of the simultaneous photodegradation of the two azo dyes was also investigated and we observed that the degradation rates achieved in mono and bi-component systems were identical. The repeatability of photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst was also tested. After five cycles of TiO2 reuse the rate of colour lost was still 77% of the initial rate. The degradation was followed monitoring the change of azo dye concentration by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results show that the use of an efficient photocatalyst and the adequate selection of optimal operational parameters may easily lead to a complete decolorization of the aqueous solutions of both azo dyes.
The spatially concentrated settlement of ethnic Germans (Aussiedler) - an opportunity for integration? Experience from a model project in Brandenburg / Le rassemblement géographique des Allemands ethniques (Aussiedler) : une chance d'intégration ? L'expérience d'un projet modèle au Brandebourg
Authors: Bauer Ute , Bürkner Hans-Joachim
Published: December 2011

In the beginning of the mass immigration of Ethnic Germans (commonly called Aussiedler) from the former Soviet Union, only the Western lands of the Federal Republic of Germany were confronted with rising numbers of them. From the early 1990s on, however, the new lands of Eastern Germany were impacted, too. The governments of the lands as well as the local communities were forced to deal with intense problems of accommodating the newcomers. In view of empty treasuries, the social integration of Aussiedler was a serious task which was made more difficult in a time of increasing hostility against foreigners. Only a few new concepts of social integration were developed during the following years. One of them draws on the idea of bringing about integration by means of concentrated settlements of this minority. The article first gives a short view of the legal, political and social situation of the Aussiedler population living in the province of Brandenburg. Then it presents preliminary results from a field study on the social and economic effects of a new settlement project for Aussiedler in Brandenburg. The housing estate in question is located in geographical isolation close to a small town, some 80 kilometres south of Berlin. A description is given of the difficult economic and social situation of Aussiedler living in an area where unemployment rates have reached more than 20 percent. Especially, their social contacts to both indigenous Germans and other Aussiedler are regarded. Also, social structures inside of the settlement are analysed, showing a strong isolation and tendencies of retreat to close circles of contact. Finally, the main advantages and disadvantages of the settlement project - from the point of view of the Aussiedler - are discussed.
Les densités : introduction à la géographie de l'Afrique orientale ?
Authors: Calas Bernard
Published: December 2011

Le très fort accroissement démographique de l'Afrique orientale ne bouleverse fondamentalement pas la distribution des populations ni la répartition des densités. Cependant, cet accroissement pousse les sociétés paysannes à des ajustements spatiaux internes par la conquête de nouveaux terroirs, des ajustements spatiaux externes par la conquête de nouveaux finages et l'exode rural, des ajustements politico-fonciers et des ajustements négatifs par la violence. La fréquence des situations de crise souligne les blocages d'évolution de sociétés confinées dans des territoires trop étroits, des systèmes techniques trop rudimentaires et/ou des systèmes politico-fonciers trop inégalitaires. Cette analyse fournit une grille de lecture qui fonde une typologie régionale des régions en fonction de leurs aptitudes à assumer l'entassement en cours.
D'un espace ouvert à un espace saturé. Dynamique foncière et démographique dans le département de Kouka (Burkina Faso)
Authors: Paré Lacinan , Tallet Bernard
Published: December 2011

From an open Space to a saturated one. Land and Population Dynamics in the Kouka Department, Burkina Faso.

In the department of Kouka, the population density increased from 12 to 43,5 inhabitants/km2 between 1952 and 1993. This strong demographic increase is mostly due to a strong migratory flow. A very flexible land system allowing the settlement of foreigners contributed to the migratory dynamics. Nowadays, the land pressure increases and shortage of available land leads to modifications in land rules. The opportunities for tensions or conflicts linked to land access rules grow in number while the numerical and economical suprematy of migrants - representing 73 % of the population - is consolidated.
Les déplacements domicile-travail au sein du Bassin parisien. Une approche statistique
Authors: Zaninetti Jean-Marc
Published: December 2011

Les migrants alternants sont particulièrement nombreux dans le Bassin parisien. L'exploitation exhaustive des DADS permet de faire le point sur la situation à la fin de 1995. Un modèle de gravité mesure l'interaction spatiale entre ces bassins d'emploi. Un modèle de régression logistique distingue les facteurs individuels qui guident le choix de résider loin de son lieu de travail. Les navettes reflètent l'équilibre actuel entre une fonction centripète du temps et une fonction centrifuge d'appropriation de l'espace. En effet, la distance est le principal obstacle à l'allongement des navettes. Leur répartition spatiale dépend surtout de la concentration des postes salariés dans la métropole parisienne. Cependant la distance des navettes est proportionnelle au revenu. Les ménages accordent en moyenne plus d'importance aux qualités de leur environnement résidentiel qu'aux avantages relationnels du centre-ville. Ceci entraîne une corrélation positive entre la croissance économique et le développement des déplacements domicile-travail.
Nouvelle forme de migration vers des espaces touristiques en reconversion
Authors: Francis Pierre
Published: December 2011

Depuis une dizaine d'années la Wallonie est confrontée à une nouvelle forme de migration. Les nouveaux migrants quittent les centres urbains pour vivre de manière permanente dans des sites touristiques tels que les campings, parcs résidentiels de week-end et villages de vacances situés majoritairement dans le monde rural. Si ce choix semble dans de nombreux cas guidé par la recherche d'un meilleur cadre de vie et d'une certaine resocialisation, les raisons principales en sont le désir d'accéder à la propriété à bon prix et celui d'obtenir un rapport qualité de vie/prix du logement plus intéressant qu'en ville. Toutefois cette nouvelle forme d'habitat pose de nombreux problèmes, tant du point de vue légal que de celui de l'inadaptation des équipements touristiques à une résidence permanente.
La pratique de l'espace urbain des populations marginales : l'exemple des « binners » de Vancouver
Authors: Raoulx Benoît
Published: December 2011

Drop out Populations' practical Experience : the Example of «Binners» in Vancouver.

This article explores the experience of urban space by the scavengers of Vancouver (Canada). These «binners» - as they are called colloquially - are marginal people who collect bottles, cans and other used items from garbage bins. This activity contributes to their being confined to a marginal position. Most of them live in Downtown Eastside, the city's poorest neighbourhood. By "binning", individuals develop some skills ; they render a service to the city ; social relationships develop between the rich and the poor.
Investment-led migration and the distribution of Japanese in Germany and Great Britain / Les investissements et la migration: la distribution de la population japonaise en Allemagne et en Grande Bretagne
Authors: Glebe Günther , Hurdley Louise , Montag Birgit , White Paul
Published: December 2011

Les investissements et la migration : la distribution de la population japonaise en Allemagne et Grande-Bretagne.

Les processus de globalisation ne mettent pas en mouvement que les investissements, mais aussi les personnels de gestion. La participation des compagnies japonaises en Europe, surtout durant les deux dernières décennies, induit un accroissement important des communautés japonaises. Les plus grandes se trouvent en Allemagne et en Grande-Bretagne, presque exclusivement sur les sites des investissements. En Grande-Bretagne elles confirment l'importance de Londres comme place financière ; cependant les politiques régionales se sont efforcées d'attirer les investissements japonais dans plusieurs villes nouvelles de province. En Allemagne, la hiérarchie urbaine, plus diffuse, a entraîné une distribution plus uniforme dans les grandes villes, dont en premier lieu Düsseldorf. Dans les deux pays l'installation des Japonais se dissocie aujourd'hui de plus en plus de celle des compagnies.
Phylogenetic analyses using molecular markers reveal ecological lineages inMedetera(Diptera: Dolichopodidae)
Authors: Pollet Marc , Germann Christoph , Bernasconi Marco Valerio
Published: December 2011

MedeteraFischer von Waldheim is the most speciose genus in the Medeterinae, with a nearly ubiquitous global distribution. Phylogenetic relationships withinMedeteraand betweenMedeteraand four other medeterine genera were investigated using mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and nuclear (18S) markers to test morphological hypotheses. Our results confirm most of Bickel's hypotheses.ThrypticusGerstäcker shows a sister-group relationship withMedetera+DolichophorusLichtwardt. TheMedeteraspecies included here split into two clades. One clade corresponds to theM. diademaL. –velesLoew species groupsensuBickel. The second clade is largely composed of theM. apicalis(Zetterstedt) species groupsensuBickel and theM. aberransWheeler species groupsensuBickel +Dolichophorus. Although most Medeterinae are associated with plants (mainly trees), species in at least two separate lineages demonstrate a secondary return to terrestrial habitats. The implication of this evolutionary phenomenon is briefly discussed.
Efferia okanagana, a new species of robber fly (Diptera: Asilidae) from the grasslands of southern British Columbia, Canada, with notes on taxonomy, biology, distribution, and conservation status
Authors: Cannings Robert A.
Published: December 2011

Efferia okanagana sp. nov. is described from specimens collected in the grasslands of the southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, mainly the Okanagan Valley. The male and female genitalia are described and illustrated. The existing key to species of Efferia Coquillett is modified to enable identification of male and female E. okanagana. The species belongs to the E. arida species group and perhaps is most closely related to E. arida (Williston) and E. pinali Wilcox. Efferia coulei Wilcox is the closest sympatric relative. Sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I gene (DNA barcode) for E. okanagana and E. coulei show distinct clusters for each species that are approximately 7.0% divergent (uncorrected p distance). Efferia okanagana has an early flight period (May and June) and lives in low-elevation grasslands dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Á. Löve) (Poaceae), especially where the soil is gravelly. It is considered a potential species at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.
The genus Calamoncosis in the Nearctic region (Diptera: Chloropidae)
Authors: Taillefer Amélie Grégoire , Wheeler Terry A.
Published: December 2011

The Nearctic fauna of the genus Calamoncosis Enderlein is reviewed. Five species are present in eastern North America: C. carncrossi Nartshuk was recently described from New York; the Palearctic species C. aprica (Meigen) and C. glyceriae Nartshuk are newly recorded, and two new species, C. brooksi and C. munda, are described from eastern North America. A sixth species present in the Nearctic Region is represented by one female specimen and is not identifiable. Most Nearctic specimens were collected in peatlands or marshes in Quebec, but there are scattered records from other grass-dominated habitats in Ontario, Manitoba, New York, and Texas. A key to the described species of Calamoncosis in the Nearctic Region is given.
Coeliac disease and granulomatous ileocolitis: an association or chance occurrence?
Authors: Johns CE , Topping JH , Bloxham C , Dhar A
Published: December 2011

Enteric granulomatous inflammation can be caused by a number of conditions including Crohn’s disease, sarcoidosis, enteric infections, chronic granulomatous disease and also by drug reactions. Granulomas have also been described in microscopic colitis associated with certain medications and autoimmune diseases. The association of granulomatous ileocolitis with coeliac disease is not common. We present a case of coeliac disease with granulomatous ileocolitis with follow-up and repeat histology on a gluten-free diet. We discuss the pathological mechanisms leading to the association of granulomatous ileocolitis with coeliac disease as well as other conditions.
Women and Medicine
Authors: Dacre J
Published: December 2011

To date, women have been a minority of the medical workforce. Recent data have shown that this situation will soon change, with the numbers of women in medical practice exceeding the numbers of men in the near future. This article outlines the history of women in medicine; it explores some of the data published by the Royal College of Physicians of London report Women and Medicine: The Future,1 and other recent reports to highlight some key issues, in order to support sensible and appropriate policy decisions in relation to the changing demographic of the medical workforce.
Karl Gebhardt (1897–1948): A lost man
Authors: Silver JR
Published: December 2011

Karl Gebhardt (1897–1948) had a distinguished career as professor of sports medicine before the Second World War. He developed sports for the disabled at a specialised orthopaedic clinic at Hohenlychen and was President of the Red Cross in Germany. During the war, Gebhardt also acted as Heinrich Himmler’s personal physician and was responsible for medical experimentation on prisoners in the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Ravensbrück. In his capacity as SS consultant surgeon, he treated Reinhard Heydrich (a high ranking Nazi official, also known as ‘the Hangman’1) after an attempt was made on his life. When Heydrich died, Gebhardt was accused of failing to treat him with sulphonamides. To prove his innocence he carried out a series of experiments on Ravensbrück concentration camp prisoners, breaking their legs and infecting them with various organisms in order to prove the worthlessness of the drugs in treating gas gangrene. He also attempted to transplant the limbs from camp victims to German soldiers wounded on the Russian front. He was tried after the war and executed for these crimes in 1948. This paper explores the paradox of a gifted doctor who was also the perpetrator of inhuman crimes.
Aeolian nutrient fluxes following wildfire in sagebrush steppe: implications for soil carbon storage
Authors: Hasselquist N. J. , Germino M. J. , Sankey J. B. , Ingram L. J. , Glenn N. F.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Pulses of aeolian transport following fire can profoundly affect the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in semi-arid and arid ecosystems. Our objective was to determine horizontal nutrient fluxes occurring in the saltation zone during an episodic pulse of aeolian transport that occurred following a wildfire in a semi-arid sagebrush steppe ecosystem in southern Idaho, USA. We also examined how temporal trends in nutrient fluxes were affected by changes in particle sizes of eroded mass as well as nutrient concentrations associated with different particle size classes. In the burned area, total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fluxes were as high as 235 g C m−1 d−1 and 19 g N m−1 d−1 during the first few months following fire, whereas C and N fluxes were negligible in an adjacent unburned area throughout the study. Temporal variation in C and N fluxes following fire was largely attributable to the redistribution of saltation-sized particles. Total N and organic C concentrations in the soil surface were significantly lower in the burned relative to the unburned area one year after fire. Our results show how an episodic pulse of aeolian transport following fire can affect the spatial distribution of soil C and N, which, in turn, can have important implications for soil C storage. These findings demonstrate how an ecological disturbance can exacerbate a geomorphic process and highlight the need for further research to better understand the role aeolian transport plays in the biogeochemical cycling of C and N in recently burned landscapes.
Spatio-temporal variability of the CO2 system on the Scotian Shelf
Authors: Shadwick E. H. , Thomas H. , Prowe A. E. F. , Horne E.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Relative to their surface areas, coastal oceans and continental shelves host a disproportionately large fraction of ocean productivity. The Scotian Shelf is a biologically productive coastal region of the Northwestern Atlantic Ocean. This subpolar region is influenced by the outflow of the St. Lawrence Estuary system and acts as an annual source for atmospheric CO2. As part of the Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), total alkalinity, and surface CO2 partial pressure measurements were made throughout the Scotian Shelf in 2007. A shelf-wide assessment of the spatio-temporal variability of the inorganic carbon system was made relying on observations in April and September. Between these periods, biological production results in a significant drawdown of inorganic nutrients and DIC in the surface mixed-layer, while hydrographic controls also influence seasonal changes in DIC. Net community production (NCP) over the spring and summer seasons was estimated on the basis of inorganic carbon data. We find significant spatial variability in NCP with the largest values in the Southwestern Browns Bank region and a general trend of increasing NCP with distance offshore. A bulk seasonal carbon budget suggests that along-shore and cross-shelf transport may result in the export of subsurface DIC from this region.
Influence of initial heterogeneities and recharge limitations on the evolution of aperture distributions in carbonate aquifers
Authors: Hubinger B. , Birk S.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Karst aquifers evolve where the dissolution of soluble rocks causes the enlargement of discrete pathways along fractures or bedding planes, thus creating highly conductive solution conduits. To identify general interrelations between hydrogeological conditions and the properties of the evolving conduit systems the aperture-size frequency distributions resulting from generic models of conduit evolution are analysed. For this purpose, a process-based numerical model coupling flow and rock dissolution is employed. Initial protoconduits are represented by tubes with log-normally distributed aperture sizes with a mean μ0 = 0.5 mm for the logarithm of the diameters. Apertures are spatially uncorrelated and widen up to the metre range due to dissolution by chemically aggressive waters. Several examples of conduit development are examined focussing on influences of the initial heterogeneity and the available amount of recharge. If the available recharge is sufficiently high the evolving conduits compete for flow and those with large apertures and high hydraulic gradients attract more and more water. As a consequence, the positive feedback between increasing flow and dissolution causes the breakthrough of a conduit pathway connecting the recharge and discharge sides of the modelling domain. Under these competitive flow conditions dynamically stable bimodal aperture distributions are found to evolve, i.e. a certain percentage of tubes continues to be enlarged while the remaining tubes stay small-sized. The percentage of strongly widened tubes is found to be independent of the breakthrough time and decreases with increasing heterogeneity of the initial apertures and decreasing amount of available water. If the competition for flow is suppressed because the availability of water is strongly limited breakthrough of a conduit pathway is inhibited and the conduit pathways widen very slowly. The resulting aperture distributions are found to be unimodal covering some orders of magnitudes in size. Under these suppressed flow conditions the entire range of apertures continues to be enlarged. Hence, the number of tubes reaching aperture sizes in the order of centimetres or decimetres continues to increase with time and in the long term may exceed the number of large-sized tubes evolving under competitive flow conditions. This suggests that conduit development under suppressed flow conditions may significantly enhance the permeability of the formation, e.g. in deep-seated carbonate settings.
A fault and seismicity based composite simulation in northern California
Authors: Yıkılmaz M. B. , Heien E. M. , Turcotte D. L. , Rundle J. B. , Kellogg L. H.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. We generate synthetic catalogs of seismicity in northern California using a composite simulation. The basis of the simulation is the fault based "Virtual California" (VC) earthquake simulator. Back-slip velocities and mean recurrence intervals are specified on model strike-slip faults. A catalog of characteristic earthquakes is generated for a period of 100 000 yr. These earthquakes are predominantly in the range M = 6 to M = 8, but do not follow Gutenberg-Richter (GR) scaling at lower magnitudes. In order to model seismicity on unmapped faults we introduce background seismicity which occurs randomly in time with GR scaling and is spatially associated with the VC model faults. These earthquakes fill in the GR scaling down to M = 4 (the smallest earthquakes modeled). The rate of background seismicity is constrained by the observed rate of occurrence of M > 4 earthquakes in northern California. These earthquakes are then used to drive the BASS (branching aftershock sequence) model of aftershock occurrence. The BASS model is the self-similar limit of the ETAS (epidemic type aftershock sequence) model. Families of aftershocks are generated following each Virtual California and background main shock. In the simulations the rate of occurrence of aftershocks is essentially equal to the rate of occurrence of main shocks in the magnitude range 4 < M < 7. We generate frequency-magnitude and recurrence interval statistics both regionally and fault specific. We compare our modeled rates of seismicity and spatial variability with observations.
Influence of the nonlinearity on statistical characteristics of long wave runup
Authors: Denissenko P. , Didenkulova I. , Pelinovsky E. , Pearson J.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Runup of long irregular waves on a plane beach is studied experimentally in the water flume at the University of Warwick. Statistics of wave runup (displacement and velocity of the moving shoreline and their extreme values) is analyzed for the incident wave field with the narrow band spectrum for different amplitudes of incident waves (different values of the breaking parameter Brσ). It is shown experimentally that the distribution of the shoreline velocity does not depend on Brσ and coincides with the distribution of the vertical velocity in the incident wave field as it is predicted in the statistical theory of nonlinear long wave runup. Statistics of runup amplitudes shows the same behavior as that of the incident wave amplitudes. However, the distribution of the wave runup on a beach differs from the statistics of the incident wave elevation. The mean sea level at the coast rises with an increase in Brσ causing wave set-up on a beach, which agrees with the theoretical predictions. At the same time values of skewness and kurtosis for wave runup are similar to those for the incident wave field and they might be used for the forecast of sea floods at the coast.
Forcing the snow-cover model SNOWPACK with forecasted weather data
Authors: Bellaire S. , Jamieson J. B. , Fierz C.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Avalanche danger is often estimated based on snow cover stratigraphy and snow stability data. In Canada, single forecasting regions are very large (>50 000 km2) and snow cover data are often not available. To provide additional information on the snow cover and its seasonal evolution the Swiss snow cover model SNOWPACK was therefore coupled with a regional weather forecasting model GEM15. The output of GEM15 was compared to meteorological as well as snow cover data from Mt. Fidelity, British Columbia, Canada, for five winters between 2005 and 2010. Precipitation amounts are most difficult to predict for weather forecasting models. Therefore, we first assess the capability of the model chain to forecast new snow amounts and consequently snow depth. Forecasted precipitation amounts were generally over-estimated. The forecasted data were therefore filtered and used as input for the snow cover model. Comparison between the model output and manual observations showed that after pre-processing the input data the snow depth and new snow events were well modelled. In a case study two key factors of snow cover instability, i.e. surface hoar formation and crust formation were investigated at a single point. Over half of the relevant critical layers were reproduced. Overall, the model chain shows promising potential as a future forecasting tool for avalanche warning services in Canadian data sparse areas and could thus well be applied to similarly large regions elsewhere. However, a more detailed analysis of the simulated snow cover structure is still required.
Morphological and organoleptic nature of Ziziphus jujuba Mill.
Authors: Brindza Ján , Karmatovská Margita , Grygorieva Olga , Vietoris Vladimí­r , Kucelová Lucia , Erdélyová Gabriela
Published: December 2011

Aim of the experiment was to determine morphological and sensory differences between selected Ziziphus jujube Mill. genotypes. For experimental study were used 19 seed  grown  genotypes planted in experimental garden of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. In our laboratories were analysed quantitative and qualitative traits of matured fruits. In the collection of genotypes were identified by morphological analysis the average weight in range from 4.68 to 0.66 grams,  length of 21.67 to 0.77 mm, and width of 16.97 to 0.67 mm. Mass weight ratio of fresh pulp to total fruit were determined in the range 57-79%. In the group of selected genotypes were identified significant differences in the pulp and pericarp pigmentation. With stones was determined the average weight in the range 0.90-0.24 g, length from 14.35-0.58 mm and width 8.32-0.34 mm. Significant differences has ben found in stones shape and color of analyzed genotypes as well. For the evaluation of sensory analysis was applied the 9 point scale. By sensory analysis were evaluated the dried fruit pulp samples of five genotypes (A, B, C, D, E) and 8 genotypes (AV, BV, CV,DV, EV, PV , GV, HV) samples of dried flesh for  60 minutes boiled in water and then extracted. Among the samples were identified significant differences in taste too. Gained experience and results can be used for expansion of jujube specific genotypes  in Slovakia with primary orientation on organic agriculture and/or for other applications in practice as well.
Radiation-Conduction Interaction of Steady Streamwise Surface Temperature Variations on Vertical Free Convection
Authors: Uddin Md. Kutub , Mondal Rabindra Nath
Published: December 2011

The combined effects of the steady free convective boundary-layer flow induced by a vertical heated surface in the presence of sinusoidal surface temperature variations about a constant mean value with the effect of radiation are examined. The problem is studied using fully numerical techniques. The surface rate of heat transfer eventually alternates in sign with distance from the leading edge, but no separation occurs unless the amplitude of the thermal modulation is sufficiently high. Numerical results are obtained for different values of the physical parameters, the radiation parameter Rd, the Prandtl number Pr, and the surface temperature wave amplitude a. It is found that both the local shear stress and the rate of heat transfer decrease when values of Rd increase.