bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of magma activation beneath the Lunayyir basaltic field (Saudi Arabia) from attenuation tomography
Authors: Koulakov I. , El Khrepy S. , Al-Arifi N. , Sychev I. , Kuznetsov P.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. We present a seismic attenuation model for the crust beneath the Cenozoic basaltic field of Lunayyir (western Saudi Arabia), where a strong seismic swarm occurred in 2009. The tomography inversion uses the envelope shape of the S wave seismograms from over 300 strong events (M > 3.5). The resulting attenuation structures appear to be consistent with the distribution of seismic velocities. The obtained 3-D attenuation model distinguishes the low-attenuation zones down to 5 km depth corresponding to the rigid basaltic cover. At greater depths, we detect a high-attenuation anomaly coinciding with the main seismicity cluster. We propose that this zone corresponds to the upper part of the conduit area ascending from deeper magma sources. According to the distributions of local events, fluids and melts from this conduit appear to reach a depth of ~2 km, but were not able to reach the surface and cause the eruption in 2009.
Surface kinematics of periglacial sorted circles using structure-from-motion technology
Authors: Kääb A. , Girod L. , Berthling I.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Sorted soil circles are a form of periglacial patterned ground that is commonly noted for its striking geometric regularity. They consist of an inner fine domain bordered by gravel rings that rise some decimetres above the fine domain. Field measurements and numerical modelling suggest that these features develop from a convection-like circulation of soil in the active layer of permafrost. The related cyclic burial and exhumation of material is believed to play an important role in the soil carbon cycle of high latitudes. The connection of sorted circles to permafrost conditions and its changes over time make these ground forms potential palaeoclimatic indicators. In this study, we apply for the first time photogrammetric structure-from-motion technology (SfM) to large sets of overlapping terrestrial photos taken in August 2007 and 2010 over three sorted circles at Kvadehuksletta, western Spitsbergen. We retrieve repeat digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthoimages with millimetre resolution and precision. Changes in microrelief over the 3 yr are obtained from DEM differencing and horizontal displacement fields from tracking features between the orthoimages. In the fine domain, surface material moves radially outward at horizontal rates of up to ~2 cm yr−1. The coarse stones on the inner slopes of the gravel rings move radially inward at similar rates. A number of substantial deviations from this overall radial symmetry, both in horizontal displacements and in microrelief, shed new light on the spatio-temporal evolution of sorted soil circles, and potentially of periglacial patterned ground in general.
Producer Organizations, Family Farms and Market Connection
Authors: Dal Belo Leite João Guilherme , Bijman Jos , van Ittersum Martin K. , Slingerland Maja
Published: June 2014

Producer organizations (POs) are often recognized as a pathway to boost rural development by enhancing farmers' access to market opportunities. Smallholder production and marketing of new crops (such as those for biodiesel feedstock) are constrained as farmers and buyers face high transaction costs. By investigating cases of POs outside the biofuel industry, the authors explore the extent to which POs could reduce transaction costs. The findings indicate that POs are capable of linking farmers effectively to markets in cases in which high value is added to farm products and/or farmers are highly specialized. However, the scope for POs in linking farmers to biodiesel markets is limited due to organization-specific characteristics, the low value added of the feedstock, plus multiple trade-offs with current farm activities.
Economic Profitability Analysis of Rainfed Organic Farming in SW Spain
Authors: Pardo Gabriel , Perea Francisco , Martínez Yolanda , Urbanoa José María
Published: June 2014

The economic importance of organic production systems is growing year on year. Producers who wish to convert their farms to organic farming face significant transition costs due to changes in management, work organization and lifestyle. The aim of this study was to compare the yield and economic outputs of a conventional and an organic farming system in south-west Spain, a region characterized by a subhumid climate. The organic rotation of wheat–sunflower–peas–faba bean (green manure) was compared with a conventional rotation of wheat–sunflower over four cropping seasons. Economic analysis showed that organic farming was 62% more profitable, assuming current organic premium prices, and 36% more profitable when selling products in conventional markets. However, without the Common Agricultural Policy and regional payments and with conventional prices, the profitability of organics falls below that of conventional production.
Assessing Managerial Efficiency on Olive Farms in Greece
Authors: Fousekis Panos , Kourtesi Sofia , Polymeros Apostolos
Published: June 2014

This study assesses the managerial efficiency of olive farming in Greece by employing a robust technical efficiency estimator and method proposed by Badin et al (2012) which allows the ranking of production units on the basis of management ability and effort in a theoretically consistent way. The empirical results, based on 478 Farm Accountancy Data Network observations, suggest that managerial efficiency and effort make an important contribution to overall productive efficiency. Managerial efficiency and effort are positively associated with the ratio of family labour to total labour and the degree of intensification of production, and negatively associated with the ratio of owned land to total land. Public policies should therefore focus on improving managerial efficiency by investing in human capital and facilitating the further integration of olive-growing farms into input markets.
Research Note: A Study of the Business Cycle of the Hotel Industry in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Ming-Hsiang , Wu Kun Lun , Su Hung-Jen
Published: June 2014

This paper exploits a Markov regime-switching model to study the business cycle of the hotel industry (BCHI) in Taiwan from January 1999 to September 2011. The aggregate hotel room sales earnings are used to examine the business cycle of the Taiwanese hotel industry. The Markov regime-switching model detects two distinct regimes of the BCHI: a high-growth regime (HGR) and a low-growth regime (LGR). The average growth rate of HGR (LGR) is 4.12% (0.35%). The corresponding standard deviation in the two regimes is 5.60% and 0.30%, implying that LGR is more stable than HGR. The probability of the hotel industry staying in LGR (HGR) is 97% (66%) and the expected duration of HGR (LGR) is about 3 (39) months. Moreover, this study shows that the tourism market growth is significant in causing the hotel industry to stay in the HGR. The empirical findings provide useful information and policy implications for government tourism policymakers and tourist hotel managers.
Stability of Input—Output Coefficients by Capacity Utilization for Short-Term Tourism Demand Fluctuation
Authors: Sun Ya-Yen , Wong Kam-Fai
Published: June 2014

The ability to portray accurately the regional economic impacts of short-term tourism demand rests on the resemblances between the long-run input–output (IO) technical coefficients and a short-term production function of business sectors. The purpose of this research was to investigate the stability of cost structure by capacity utilization in the tourism industry, using the accommodation sector in Taiwan as an example. Panel data consisting of firm-level financial information based on 13 individual cost categories from 2000 to 2009 were analysed to reveal the magnitude and direction of cost structure changes with respect to occupancy rate. The results indicated that income multipliers and profit multipliers fluctuated substantially but compensated for each other, while IO technical coefficients were very stable. In a situation involving a tourism event, type I and type II sales multipliers and the value added multipliers of the accommodation sector remained relatively stable, but the standard income multipliers were greatly overestimated, or underestimated for tourism recession scenarios. Applying a regional IO model to estimate short-term tourism demand should therefore take into consideration the substitution pattern between personal income and business profits.
De zoektocht naar de juiste interpretatie van opvolgend werkgeverschap na Van Tuinen/Wolters
Authors: Palm S.
Published: June 2014

De zoektocht naar de juiste interpretatie van opvolgend werkgeverschap na Van Tuinen/Wolters

Dit artikel beantwoordt de vraag waarom de Hoge Raad bij de uitleg van artikel 7:668a lid 2 Burgerlijk Wetboek heeft gekozen voor aansluiting bij zijn maatstaf uit de proeftijdjurisprudentie en daarnaast of de regering in het voorstel Wet werk en zekerheid op terechte gronden heeft besloten de koers van de Hoge Raad niet te volgen. De auteur stelt vast dat aansluiting bij de proeftijdjurisprudentie tot op zekere hoogte een compromis is en niet in alle gevallen goed toepasbaar is. De door de regering voorgestelde koerswijziging maakt de toepassing van het leerstuk opvolgend werkgeverschap echter nog complexer. Daarom volgt een suggestie voor een andere interpretatie van het leerstuk opvolgend werkgeverschap.
The Economics and Empirics of Tax Competition: A Survey and Lessons for the EU
Authors: Baskaran Thushyanthan , Lopes da Fonseca Mariana
Published: June 2014

The Economics and Empirics of Tax Competition: A Survey and Lessons for the EU

We survey the theoretical and empirical literature on local and international tax competition in Economics. On the basis of this survey, we discuss whether EU countries should harmonise tax policies to prevent a race to the bottom. Much of the evidence suggests that tax competition does not lead to significant reductions in tax revenues. Therefore, we conclude that tax coordination is in all likelihood unnecessary to prevent inefficiently low levels of taxation in the EU. But since the evidence against the adverse effects of tax competition is not unambiguous, we also discuss whether intergovernmental transfers might be a less invasive means than outright tax harmonisation to prevent a race to the bottom.
De rol van de advocaat tijdens detentie en verhoor op het politiebureau
Authors: Hodgson J.
Published: June 2014

The role of lawyers during police detention and questioning. A comparative study

Drawing on the findings of a recent empirical study conducted across four jurisdictions, this article considers the ways in which legal assistance is provided to suspects who are held in police custody for formal questioning. It sets out, very briefly, the legal framework developed by the European Court of Human Rights and now the EU, and the legal provisions in place in the four jurisdictions post Salduz. It then goes on to consider the kinds of factors that, in practice, promote or constrain the provision of effective legal assistance. These include the occupational cultures of police and lawyers and the availability of human and financial resources. Whilst the criminal processes of the four jurisdictions are different, there are many similarities in the working practices of police and lawyers and a lack of agreement among police and lawyers, as to the value of legal assistance to suspects before and during police interrogation.
Stroomverleggingen in de Nederlandse geschilbeslechtingsdelta
Authors: Klijn A.
Published: June 2014

Flow diversions in the Dutch dispute resolution delta. Looking back and ahead with two interlocutors

What do citizens do when they think they have a problem that involves the law? Just like 40 years ago the main bottleneck in such a situation is where to find good advice on which steps to take. However, the difference compared to 40 years ago is the existence of more and a greater variety of organisations offering legal advice. This article describes the evolution of legal aid in the Netherlands, supplemented by comments of two people who have been personally involved in this development, Peter van den Biggelaar and Maurits Barendrecht. Mr Van den Biggelaar is director of the Dutch Board for Legal Aid, while Mr Barendrecht is research director of Hiil Innovating Justice and law professor at the University of Tilburg.
Beoordeling ziekenhuisfusies door ACM: staat de consument wel echt centraal?
Authors: Loozen Edith , Varkevisser Marco , Schut Erik
Published: June 2014

Beoordeling ziekenhuisfusies door ACM: staat de consument wel echt centraal?

De Nederlandse ziekenhuissector consolideert in rap tempo. Onder meer omdat de Autoriteit Consument & Markt (ACM) tot op heden alle ziekenhuisfusies goedkeurt. In dit artikel wordt aan de hand van een recent goedkeuringsbesluit, dat exemplarisch is voor de huidige toepassingspraktijk, uiteengezet dat de wijze waarop ACM ziekenhuisfusies beoordeelt niet aan de rechtmatigheidsvereisten van artikel 41 lid 2 Mw voldoet.
Regiomaatschappen in de zorg
Authors: Croes Ramsis , Duman Murat , Mikkers Misja
Published: June 2014

Regiomaatschappen in de zorg

Medisch specialisten hebben een bijzondere positie in ons zorgstelsel. Iets minder dan de helft van de specialisten werkt in loondienst, de anderen werken als vrijgevestigde specialisten in een maatschap. Voor deze laatste groep zijn de verhoudingen met het ziekenhuis vastgelegd in de toelatingsovereenkomsten. Steeds vaker fuseren maatschappen van medisch specialisten tot ziekenhuis overstijgende regiomaatschappen. De regiomaatschappen zijn maatschappen waarvan de aangesloten specialisten voor meerdere ziekenhuizen tegelijk werken. Specialisten geven aan dat kwaliteit een belangrijk motief is om regiomaatschappen te vormen. In deze bijdrage laten wij zien dat de vorming van regiomaatschappen leidt tot een toename van marktmacht. Daarnaast bespreken we de mogelijkheden om de eventuele negatieve gevolgen via het (sector specifieke) mededingrecht aan te pakken.
Gezocht: rol voor de advocatuur bij ZSM
Authors: van den Brûle Ineke
Published: June 2014

Wanted: participation of defense lawyers in new procedure of Public Prosecution Service: A.S.A.P.

ASAP: As Soon (or Selective, Smart) As Possible is meant to be a form of summary justice, in March 2011 introduced by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (PPS). ASAP is meant to handle common criminality more rapidly and more effectively. So far, so good. However, the PPS seems to direct all efforts to velocity instead of quality. ASAP was established without interference of defense lawyers. Lawyers, criminal law scientists and National Ombudsman have been criticizing ASAP since its introduction. Values of legal protection, accuracy and sustainability are ignored by velocity. Nowadays, the PPS desires cooperation with defense lawyers in the ASAP method. First of all: it is not easy to climb aboard a driving train. Suspects must be advised and acquainted by lawyers, not by prosecutors or police officers. Equality of arms must be guaranteed. A quick access to the criminal file is one of the demands for a serious and active role of lawyers in the ASAP approach.
Europese regelgevende agentschappen op drift?
Authors: van Gestel R.A.J.
Published: June 2014

Europese regelgevende agentschappen op drift?

De EU kent geen duidelijk verdragsrechtelijk of formeel-wettelijk kader met betrekking tot de oprichting, taken en bevoegdheden van agentschappen, terwijl de afgelopen jaren steeds belangrijkere regelgevende en uitvoerende taken aan deze agentschappen zijn toegekend. De oprichting van drie ‘European supervisory agencies’ verantwoordelijk voor het micro-prudentiële toezicht op financiële instellingen vormt het meest actuele voorbeeld daarvan. Aan deze agentschappen zijn belangrijke regulerende bevoegdheden toegekend, zoals die tot het ontwerpen van technische standaarden ter harmonisatie van regels betreffende het financiële toezicht. Deze regulerende standaarden dienen weliswaar formeel nog door de Europese Commissie te worden goedgekeurd, maar het is duidelijk dat het zwaartepunt voor het ontwerpen van de inhoud ervan de facto bij de agentschappen ligt. In een recente zaak bij het Hof van Justitie van de EU heeft het Verenigd Koninkrijk fundamentele bezwaren geuit tegen de mate waarin en wijze waarop regelgevende en uitvoerende taken aan deze Europese agentschappen zijn toegekend.
Uitleg van een uitsluitingsclausule
Authors: Reinhartz B.E.
Published: June 2014

Uitleg van een uitsluitingsclausule

In deze bijdrage wordt uiteengezet hoe een uitsluitingsclausule bij uiterste wilsbeschikkingen en giften moet worden uitgelegd. Het onderscheid tussen de Haviltex- en de CAO-norm wordt nader uitgewerkt. Bepleit wordt een geobjectiveerde toepassing van de Haviltex-norm bij de uitleg van giften.
Godsdienstonderwijs in Nederland en Duitsland
Authors: de Wildt Kim , Plum Rob
Published: June 2014

Religious education in the Netherlands and Germany. A balancing act between religion and state

This article compares the situation of religious education in the Dutch and German school systems against the background of the relationship between church and state. In the Netherlands most schools are confessional schools, whereas in Germany most schools are public schools. The way in which the school subject of religious education is taught differs in its form. In both countries difficulties arise in relation to religious education which leads to the future of the Dutch school system of public and confessional private schooling being disputed and in Germany the school subject of confessional religious education being under pressure. Despite laws concerning religion and education the theme of religious education is still debated in the public domain.
Sociale gerechtigheid kan niet zonder barmhartigheid
Authors: de Vries Jurn P.
Published: June 2014

No social justice without mercy

Government and church both have to practice mercy, but there is a difference in the way they can do this. That is explained proceeding from theological ethics. The social care of the government cannot relieve every need, because it has to act conform the principles of good governance. Therefore particular charity and social assistance of the church stay necessary.
Uitgaansgeweld en de morele setting van het uitgaan in Amsterdam
Authors: van der Land Marco , de Groot Ilse , Boutellier Hans , Visser Rutger
Published: June 2014

Nightlife violence and the moral setting of urban nightlife

Nightlife violence is gaining increasing attention and is a substantial part of all violent incidents. In this article we explore the assumption that going out in metropolitan clubs and bars creates a specific moral setting, where the aim is to let yourself go. The main question in this article is to what extent the moral setting of going out contributes to nightlife related violence. We explored this issue by analyzing the case of Amsterdam, in particular the two famous squares, Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, and de Wallen (red light district). With regard to the moral setting we distinguish between physical, social, professional and normative aspects of the moral setting. Each of these aspects has been described in academic literature as potentially contributing to violence. On that basis a checklist has been developed that was used for observations in nightlife venues that are known for either a high or low disproportionate amount of violent incidents. By comparing the two categories we were able to identify elements of the moral setting which, supported by the literature, can be expected to contribute to the prevalence of nightlife violence. Elements which we discovered that occur more frequently in venues where many incidents occur are visitor density, the loudness of the music, the presence of smokers, the overall comfort, the opportunity to dance, the presence of drunken visitors and their degree of intoxication, overtly sexually charged behavior, opportunities for the staff to observe, security at the exit, the number of bouncers, and whether visitors were searched or not before they entered the venue. Whether situations actually developed into violent conflict depended on one of three possible causes, namely miscommunication, conflict with authority or unsolicited advances. Policymakers can use these insights in order to try to manipulate violence stimulating factors.
Aandachtslocaties transportveiligheid in beeld gebracht door combinatie van openbare gegevensbestanden
Authors: Rosmuller Nils , Tonnaer Clemon
Published: June 2014

Transportation safety hot spots in the Netherlands: An inventory based upon combining publicly available data bases

Safety authorities in The Netherlands have the obligation to develop so-called risk-profiles. Risk profiles are probability-consequences schemes of all kinds of hazards (ranging from earth quakes to transportation and from floodings to fires in high rise buildings). To develop such schemes, various data sources could be useful. In this paper, we describe an approach to make use of existing database to reveal ‘new’ kinds of transportation-related risks. To this end, we combined publicly available public and private databases related to: hazardous materials transportation and Natura 2000 areas; congested areas and large scale public events; hazardous materials transportation and multi-functional areas.

Our approach makes clear that combination of existing databases has great potential for the safety authorities to develop their risk profiles, do their business intelligence and creating steering dash-boards for their own budget allocations.
Lessons to be learned?
Authors: van Stokkom Bas , Greven Henk , Boutellier Hans
Published: June 2014

Lessons to be learned? The local embedment of the police in England & Wales and the Netherlands

In England & Wales the coalition-government has opted for a localisation of the police service. The government dissociates itself from the New Labour policy of centrally-imposed targets, aims to reconnect the police and the people, and carries out a radical democratic renewal: since 2012 citizens have the possibility to choose their own Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in their region. This new administrator is reigning over police chiefs and is responsible for the management of security policies in the region. That is the main reason why the English police reform diverges fundamentally from developments in other European countries in which centralizing tendencies prevail. The question is whether the radical changes in England & Wales have a beneficial impact on the local embedment of the police. Are citizens more willing to commit themselves with the local police? In the first part of this paper we examine which developments have taken place in the English police, what the localisation-agenda has achieved so far, and which problems it faces. In the second part we discuss the question which lessons can be learned from the English renewals. Would it be a good idea to introduce PCC’s in the Netherlands? Is democratization the best way to strengthen community involvement? How to stimulate local accountability?
L’enfantalité en situation familiale complexe : regarder la famille du point de vue des enfants
Authors: Ganne Claire
Published: June 2014

Le terme « parentalité » connait une expansion importante dans les champs politique, sociologique et psychologique. S’il est aujourd’hui admis que le fait d’être parent engage des dimensions symbolique, juridique, psychologique et pratique, et peut donc prendre plusieurs formes, qu’en est-il des enfants? Comment définissent-ils ce qui fait famille, et quels sont les adultes qu’ils considèrent comme leurs parents? En particulier, dans des situations complexes, quelles dimensions les enfants mobilisent-ils pour se définir comme l’enfant d’un adulte ou d’un groupe? Tout comme la parentalité, l’enfantalité ne passe pas uniquement par la filiation biologique, mais également par des représentations, un quotidien partagé, un cadre juridique…Dans le cadre d’une recherche sur le devenir d’enfants ayant bénéficié d’interventions socioéducatives, nous avons rencontré vingt-trois enfants âgés de sept à douze ans. Du fait de leur parcours spécifique, ils connaissent des situations familiales variées : certains vivent avec leurs deux parents biologiques, d’autres, dans une famille monoparentale, recomposée, dans la famille élargie, dans une famille d’accueil… Leur discours met en évidence les enjeux liés à l’appartenance à plusieurs familles et à la nomination des différents protagonistes (l’enfant, ses parents, beaux-parents, grands-parents, parents d’accueil…), et permet d’esquisser un modèle de l’enfantalité. Dans certains cas, on pourrait être simultanément l’enfant de plusieurs parents ou de plusieurs familles, de différentes façons.
La réactualisation du lien de filiation chez les Vietnamiens de France à partir du bouddhisme
Authors: Gidoin Jérôme
Published: June 2014

À partir d’une étude ethnologique de terrain consacrée au culte des ancêtres des Vietnamiens en France, réinterprété à partir du bouddhisme, cet article traite des nouvelles modalités de transmission intergénérationnelle de l’identité ethnicoreligieuse vietnamienne. De plus en plus de familles, qui ont le sentiment de ne plus parvenir à transmettre les valeurs de la « vietnamité », délèguent par commodité leur culte des ancêtres domestique aux moines de certaines pagodes vietnamiennes de la région parisienne. Ce phénomène marque l’érosion d’un modèle ritualiste de la transmission. L’affiliation à une pagode permet d’entretenir certains éléments essentiels d’une trame éthique en cours de redéfinition. On constate que les jeunes se réapproprient volontiers la « vietnamité » à partir du référent bouddhiste, sans pour autant que cela passe par une perpétuation du ritualisme familial traditionnel. Pour eux, souvent, le bouddhisme est un choix. On observe alors une nouvelle manière d’appréhender les références collectives, et corrélativement, une redéfinition de l’affiliation à la mémoire léguée par les parents, toute culture étant amenée à s’adapter au changement, notamment dans le contexte postmigratoire.
De la mère « normale ». Normes, expertises et justice en protection de la jeunesse
Authors: Bernheim Emmanuelle , Lebeke Claire
Published: June 2014

Les « compétences parentales » sont au coeur de l’intervention en protection de la jeunesse. Notion controversée et indéterminée, les compétences parentales font l’objet de l’interprétation d’une variété d’experts aux formations et aux méthodes de travail diverses. Alors que la force probante des expertises sur le comportement est mise en cause par de nombreux juristes, les tribunaux continuent systématiquement d’y avoir recours. L’absence d’examen des compétences et des méthodes de travail des experts a pour effet la formalisation d’un système de critères qui s’est mis en place au fil du temps, de manière insidieuse. Un contexte par lequel l’activité judiciaire contribue à la formalisation d'une norme de la mère normale.
Handicap, famille et soutien. Regard croisé Québec-Suisse
Authors: Piérart Geneviève , Tétreault Sylvie , Marier Deschênes Pascale , Blais-Michaud Sophie
Published: June 2014

Ce texte propose une analyse croisée du soutien aux familles d’enfants handicapés au Québec et en Suisse romande. Il présente, pour chaque région, les principales législations en lien avec la politique familiale et le handicap, les dispositifs de sécurité sociale ainsi que l’organisation des services sociaux, scolaires et de santé. Les deux territoires possèdent un héritage historique commun ancré dans une approche caritative du handicap. Dans les années 1970, les revendications des mouvements associatifs ont permis, de part et d’autre, une professionnalisation de l’accompagnement des personnes handicapées et de leurs proches. Actuellement, le système québécois s’inscrit dans une perspective ambulatoire, tandis que les institutions spécialisées jouent encore un rôle important en Suisse romande. Dans ces deux parties francophones d’États fédéralistes, des besoins importants subsistent au sein des familles d’enfants handicapés, malgré le développement de solutions innovantes.
Hidden synaptic differences in a neural circuit underlie differential behavioral susceptibility to a neural injury
Authors: Sakurai Akira , Tamvacakis Arianna N , Katz Paul S
Published: June 2014

Individuals vary in their responses to stroke and trauma, hampering predictions of outcomes. One reason might be that neural circuits contain hidden variability that becomes relevant only when those individuals are challenged by injury. We found that in the mollusc, Tritonia diomedea, subtle differences between animals within the neural circuit underlying swimming behavior had no behavioral relevance under normal conditions but caused differential vulnerability of the behavior to a particular brain lesion. The extent of motor impairment correlated with the site of spike initiation in a specific neuron in the neural circuit, which was determined by the strength of an inhibitory synapse onto this neuron. Artificially increasing or decreasing this inhibitory synaptic conductance with dynamic clamp correspondingly altered the extent of motor impairment by the lesion without affecting normal operation. The results suggest that neural circuit differences could serve as hidden phenotypes for predicting the behavioral outcome of neural damage.
Three pools of plasma membrane cholesterol and their relation to cholesterol homeostasis
Authors: Das Akash , Brown Michael S , Anderson Donald D , Goldstein Joseph L , Radhakrishnan Arun
Published: June 2014

When human fibroblasts take up plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL), its cholesterol is liberated in lysosomes and eventually reaches the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where it inhibits cholesterol synthesis by blocking activation of SREBPs. This feedback protects against cholesterol overaccumulation in the plasma membrane (PM). But how does ER know whether PM is saturated with cholesterol? In this study, we define three pools of PM cholesterol: (1) a pool accessible to bind 125I-PFO*, a mutant form of bacterial Perfringolysin O, which binds cholesterol in membranes; (2) a sphingomyelin(SM)-sequestered pool that binds 125I-PFO* only after SM is destroyed by sphingomyelinase; and (3) a residual pool that does not bind 125I-PFO* even after sphingomyelinase treatment. When LDL-derived cholesterol leaves lysosomes, it expands PM's PFO-accessible pool and, after a short lag, it also increases the ER's PFO-accessible regulatory pool. This regulatory mechanism allows cells to ensure optimal cholesterol levels in PM while avoiding cholesterol overaccumulation.
A survey of interprofessional education in chiropractic continuing education in the United States
Authors: Bednarz Edward M. , Lisi Anthony J.
Published: June 2014

Objective

The purpose of this study is to describe the state of chiropractic continuing education vis-à-vis interprofessional education (IPE) with medical doctors (MD) in a survey of a sample of US doctors of chiropractic (DC) and through a review of policies.

Methods

Forty-five chiropractors with experience in interprofessional settings completed an electronic survey of their experiences and perceptions regarding DC-MD IPE in chiropractic continuing education (CE). The licensing bodies of the 50 US states and the District of Columbia were queried to assess the applicability of continuing medical education (CME) to chiropractic relicensure.

Results

The majority (89.1%) of survey respondents who attend CE-only events reported that they rarely to never experienced MD-IPE at these activities. Survey respondents commonly attended CME-only events, and 84.5% stated that they commonly to very commonly experienced MD-IPE at these activities. More than half (26 of 51) of the licensing bodies did not provide sufficient information to determine if CME was applicable to DC relicensure. Thirteen jurisdictions (25.5%) do not, and 12 jurisdictions (23.5%) do accept CME credits for chiropractic relicensure.

Conclusion

The majority of integrated practice DCs we surveyed reported little to no IPE occurring at CE-only events, yet significant IPE occurring at CME events. However, we found only 23.5% of chiropractic licensing bodies allow CME credit to apply to chiropractic relicensure. These factors may hinder DC-MD IPE in continuing education.
First evidence of detecting surface nuclear magnetic resonance signals using a compact B‐field sensor
Authors: Davis Aaron C. , Dlugosch Raphael , Queitsch Matthias , Macnae James C. , Stolz Ronny , Müller‐Petke Mike
Published: June 2014

The noninvasive detection and characterization of subsurface aquifer structures demands geophysical techniques. Surface nuclear magnetic resonance (SNMR) is the only technique that is directly sensitive to hydrogen protons and, therefore, allows for unambiguous detection of subsurface water. Traditionally, SNMR utilizes large surface coils for both transmitting excitation pulses and recording the groundwater response. Recorded data are thus a voltage induced by the time derivative of the secondary magnetic field. For the first time, we demonstrate that the secondary magnetic field in a SNMR experiment can be directly detected using a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. Conducting measurements at a test site in Germany, we demonstrate not only the ability to detect SNMR signals on the order of femtoTesla but also we are able to satisfy the observed data by inverse modeling. This is expected to open up completely new applications for this exciting technology.
Finite‐fault slip model of the 2011 Mw5.6 Prague, Oklahoma earthquake from regional waveforms
Authors: Sun Xiaodan , Hartzell Stephen
Published: June 2014

The slip model for the 2011 Mw5.6 Prague, Oklahoma, earthquake is inferred using a linear least squares methodology. Waveforms of six aftershocks recorded at 21 regional stations are used as empirical Green's functions (EGFs). The solution indicates two large slip patches: one located around the hypocenter with a depth range of 3–5.5 km; the other located to the southwest of the epicenter with a depth range from 7.5 to 9.5 km. The total moment of the solution is estimated at 3.37 × 1024 dyne cm (Mw5.65). The peak slip and average stress drop for the source at the hypocenter are 70 cm and 90 bars, respectively, approximately one half the values for the Mw5.8 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake. The stress drop averaged over all areas of slip is 16 bars. The relatively low peak slip and stress drop may indicate an induced component in the origin of the Prague earthquake from deep fluid injection.
Electric fields associated with dipolarization fronts
Authors: Sun Wei‐Jie , Fu Suiyan , Parks George K. , Pu Zuyin , Zong Qiu‐Gang , Liu Jiang , Yao Zhonghua , Fu Huishan , Shi Quanqi
Published: June 2014

Electric fields associated with dipolarization fronts (DFs) have been investigated in the magnetotail plasma sheet using Cluster observations. We have studied each term in the generalized Ohm's law using data obtained from the multispacecraft Cluster. Our results show that in the plasma flow frame, electric fields are directed normal to the DF in the magnetic dip region ahead of the DF as well as in the DF layer but in opposite directions. Case and statistical studies show that the Hall electric field is important while the electron pressure gradient term is much smaller. The ions decouple from the magnetic field in the DF layer and dip region (E + Vi×B ≠ 0), whereas electrons remain frozen‐in (E + Ve×B=∇pe/nee).
Field testing of the universal calibration function for determination of soil moisture with cosmic‐ray neutrons
Authors: McJannet David , Franz Trenton , Hawdon Aaron , Boadle Dave , Baker Brett , Almeida Auro , Silberstein Richard , Lambert Trish , Desilets Darin
Published: June 2014

The semitheoretical universal calibration function (UCF) for estimating soil moisture using cosmic‐ray neutron sensors was tested by comparing to field measurements made with the same neutron detector across a range of climates, soil, latitude, altitude, and biomass. There was a strong correlation between neutron intensity and the total amount of hydrogen at each site; however, the relationship differed from that predicted by the UCF. A linear fit to field measurements explained 99% of the observed variation and provides a robust empirical means to estimate soil moisture at other sites. It was concluded that measurement errors, neutron count corrections, and scaling to remove altitudinal and geomagnetic differences were unlikely to explain differences between observations and the UCF. The differences may be attributable to the representation of organic carbon, biomass or detector geometry in the neutron particle code, or to differences in the neutron energy levels being measured by the cosmic‐ray sensor and modeled using the particle code. The UCF was derived using simulations of epithermal neutrons; however, lower energy thermal neutrons may also be important. Using neutron transport code, we show the differences in response of thermal and epithermal neutrons to the relative size of the hydrogen pool. Including a thermal neutron component in addition to epithermal neutrons in a modified UCF provided a better match to field measurements; however, thermal neutron measurements are needed to confirm these results. A simpler generalized relationship for estimating soil moisture from neutron counts was also tested with encouraging results for low biomass sites.
Skin findings in Williams syndrome
Authors: Kozel Beth A. , Bayliss Susan J. , Berk David R. , Waxler Jessica L. , Knutsen Russell H. , Danback Joshua R. , Pober Barbara R.
Published: June 2014

Previous examination in a small number of individuals with Williams syndrome (also referred to as Williams–Beuren syndrome) has shown subtly softer skin and reduced deposition of elastin, an elastic matrix protein important in tissue recoil. No quantitative information about skin elasticity in individuals with Williams syndrome is available; nor has there been a complete report of dermatologic findings in this population. To fill this knowledge gap, 94 patients with Williams syndrome aged 7–50 years were recruited as part of the skin and vascular elasticity (WS‐SAVE) study. They underwent either a clinical dermatologic assessment by trained dermatologists (2010 WSA family meeting) or measurement of biomechanical properties of the skin with the DermaLab™ suction cup (2012 WSA family meeting). Clinical assessment confirmed that soft skin is common in this population (83%), as is premature graying of the hair (80% of those 20 years or older), while wrinkles (92%), and abnormal scarring (33%) were detected in larger than expected proportions. Biomechanical studies detected statistically significant differences in dP (the pressure required to lift the skin), dT (the time required to raise the skin through a prescribed gradient), VE (viscoelasticity), and E (Young's modulus) relative to matched controls. The RT (retraction time) also trended longer but was not significant. The biomechanical differences noted in these patients did not correlate with the presence of vascular defects also attributable to elastin insufficiency (vascular stiffness, hypertension, and arterial stenosis) suggesting the presence of tissue specific modifiers that modulate the impact of elastin insufficiency in each tissue. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gold‐Catalyzed Diastereoselective Cycloisomerization of Alkylidene‐Cyclopropane‐Bearing 1,6‐Diynes
Authors: Zheng Hongchao , Adduci Laura L. , Felix Ryan J. , Gagné Michel R.
Published: June 2014

An unprecedented gold‐catalyzed diastereoselective cycloisomerization of 1,6‐diynes bearing an alkylidene cyclopropane moiety has been developed. This methodology enables rapid access to a variety of 1,2‐trimethylenenorbornanes, which are important building blocks in the preparations of abiotic and sesquiterpene core structures.
Chinese Assistance in the Pacific: Agency, Effectiveness and the Role ofPacificIsland Governments
Authors: Dornan Matthew , Brant Philippa
Published: June 2014

Chinese development assistance in thePacific has attracted increasing attention since the 1stChina‐PacificIslandCountriesEconomicDevelopment andCooperationForum in 2006, at whichChina announcedUS$492 million in concessional loans to the region. AnotherUS$1 billion in concessional loans was announced at the 2ndChina‐PacificForum in 2013. This article explores how Pacific island governments negotiate and oversee the implementation ofChinese official development assistance in fourPacificIsland case study countries where assistance has been significant:Tonga,Vanuatu,Samoa and theCookIslands. We argue that the way in which governments have pursued, overseen and implemented projects has differed considerably, and is an important determinant of the effectiveness and developmental impact ofChinese assistance.
Broad‐scale habitat classification variables predict maximum local abundance for native but not non‐native trout in New York streams
Authors: Alexiades Alexander V. , Fisher William L.
Published: June 2014

Predicting species distributions at the landscape level has many applications in fish ecology, management, and conservation, yet generating accurate predictions remains a challenge to fish ecologists. Areas of the landscape with higher environmental suitability should have higher relative abundance, although the predictive capability of this relationship might be limited because environmental suitability ignores other factors such as biotic interactions and stochastic events. These factors could contribute to a species being absent or at low abundance in a site with high environmental suitability.

Owing to the potential influence of non‐environmental and stochastic factors on relative abundance, modelled environmental suitability should be a better predictor of maximum abundance (i.e. the ceiling of scattered data) than mean relative abundance because ecosystem complexities often preclude a simple monotonic response.

To evaluate this assumption, environmental suitability was predicted for 55 944 stream reaches in New York State using native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and non‐native brown trout (Salmo trutta) occurrence data and a suite of four broad‐scale habitat factors. Estimates of suitability were then used to test the relationship with the upper limits of abundance using quantile regression.

As predicted, there was a significant positive relationship with maximum abundance for native brook trout at the upper quantiles; however, this relationship did not extend to non‐native brown trout. These findings indicate that broad‐scale habitat factors can predict maximum abundance of a native stream‐dwelling trout and produced environmental suitability maps that could be useful for brook trout conservation.

These findings could be used to predict trout occurrence in unsurveyed stream reaches with the highest abundance limits, which could be used to set conservation priorities and provide benchmarks of habitat potential for monitoring programmes as well as identify threats to environmental suitability from anthropogenic sources.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applied neuroanatomy elective to reinforce and promote engagement with neurosensory pathways using interactive and artistic activities
Authors: Dao Vinh , Yeh Pon‐Hsiu , Vogel Kristine S. , Moore Charleen M.
Published: June 2014

One in six Americans is currently affected by neurologic disease. As the United States population ages, the number of neurologic complaints is expected to increase. Thus, there is a pressing need for more neurologists as well as more neurology training in other specialties. Often interest in neurology begins during medical school, so improving education in medical neural courses is a critical step toward producing more neurologists and better neurology training in other specialists. To this end, a novel applied neuroanatomy elective was designed at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) to complement the traditional first‐year medical neuroscience course and promote engagement and deep learning of the material with a focus on neurosensory pathways. The elective covered four neurosensory modalities (proprioception/balance, vision, auditory, and taste/olfaction) over four sessions, each with a short classroom component and a much longer activity component. At each session, students reviewed the neurosensory pathways through structured presentations and then applied them to preplanned interactive activities, many of which allowed students to utilize their artistic talents. Students were required to complete subjective pre‐course and post‐course surveys and reflections. The survey results and positive student comments suggest that the elective was a valuable tool when used in parallel with the traditional medical neuroscience course in promoting engagement and reinforcement of the neurosensory material. Anat Sci Educ 8: 166–174. © 2014 American Association of Anatomists.
“Potentialities or possibilities”: Towards quantum information science?
Authors: Bawden David , Robinson Lyn , Siddiqui Tyabba
Published: June 2014

The use of quantum concepts and formalisms in the information sciences is assessed through an analysis of published literature. Five categories are identified: use of loose analogies and metaphors between concepts in quantum physics and library/information science; use of quantum concepts and formalisms in information retrieval; use of quantum concepts and formalisms in studying meaning and concepts; quantum social science, in areas adjacent to information science; and the qualitative application of quantum concepts in the information disciplines. Quantum issues have led to demonstrable progress in information retrieval and semantic modelling, with less clear‐cut progress elsewhere. Whether there may be a future “quantum turn” in the information sciences is debated, the implications of such a turn are considered, and a research agenda outlined.
Assessment of journal similarity based on citing discipline analysis
Authors: Wang Feifei , Wolfram Dietmar
Published: June 2014

This study compares the range of disciplines of citing journal articles to determine how closely related journals assigned to the same Web of Science research area are. The frequency distribution of disciplines by citing articles provides a signature for a cited journal that permits it to be compared with other journals using similarity comparison techniques. As an initial exploration, citing discipline data for 40 high‐impact‐factor journals assigned to the “information science and library science” category of the Web of Science were compared across 5 time periods. Similarity relationships were determined using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis to compare the outcomes produced by the proposed citing discipline and established cocitation methods. The maps and clustering outcomes reveal that a number of journals in allied areas of the information science and library science category may not be very closely related to each other or may not be appropriately situated in the category studied. The citing discipline similarity data resulted in similar outcomes with the cocitation data but with some notable differences. Because the citing discipline method relies on a citing perspective different from cocitations, it may provide a complementary way to compare journal similarity that is less labor intensive than cocitation analysis.