bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxygen ion energization by waves in the high altitude cusp and mantle
Authors: Waara M. , Nilsson H. , Slapak R. , André M. , Stenberg G.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We present a comparative study of low frequency electric field spectral densities and temperatures observed by the Cluster spacecraft in the high altitude cusp/mantle region. We compare the relation between the O+ temperature and wave intensity at the oxygen gyrofrequency at each measurement point and find a clear correlation. The trend of the correlation agrees with the predictions by both an asymptotic mean-particle theory and a test-particle approach. The perpendicular to parallel temperature ratio is also consistent with the predictions of the asymptotic mean-particle theory. At times the perpendicular temperature is significantly higher than predicted by the models. A simple study of the evolution of the particle distributions (conics) at these altitudes indicates that enhanced perpendicular temperatures would be observed over many RE after heating ceases. Therefore, sporadic intense heating is the likely explanation for cases with high temperature and comparably low wave activity. We observe waves of sufficient amplitude to explain the highest observed temperatures, while the theory in general overestimates the temperature associated with the highest observed wave activity, indicating that such high wave activity is very sporadic.
A simple method for air/sea gas exchange measurement in mesocosms and its application in carbon budgeting
Authors: Czerny J. , Schulz K. G. , Ludwig A. , Riebesell U.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Mesocosms as large experimental vessels principally provide the opportunity of performing elemental budget calculations e.g. to derive net biological turnover rates. However, the system is in most cases not closed at the water surface and gases can exchange with the atmosphere. Previous attempts to budget carbon pools in mesocosms relied on educated guesses concerning the exchange of CO2 with the atmosphere. Nevertheless, net primary production rates derived from these budget calculations were, despite large uncertainties in air/sea gas exchange, often more reasonable than cumulative extrapolations of bioassays. While bioassays have limitations representing the full spectrum of trophic levels and abiotic conditions inside the mesocosms, calculating dissolved inorganic carbon uptake inside the mesocosms has the potential to deliver net community production rates representative of the enclosed system. Here, we present a simple method for precise determination of air/sea gas exchange velocities in mesocosms using N2O as a deliberate tracer. Beside the application for carbon budgeting, exchange velocities can be used to calculate exchange rates of any gas of known concentration, e.g. to calculate aquatic production rates of climate relevant trace gases. Using an arctic (Kiel Off Shore Mesocosms for future Ocean Simulation) mesocosm experiment as an exemplary dataset, it is shown that application of the presented method largely improves accuracy of carbon budget estimates. Methodology of manipulation, measurement, data processing and conversion to CO2 fluxes are explained. A theoretical discussion of prerequisites for precise gas exchange measurements provides a guideline for the applicability of the method under various experimental conditions.
Modelling and climatic interpretation of the length fluctuations of Glaciar Frías (north Patagonian Andes, Argentina) 1639–2009 AD
Authors: Leclercq P. W. , Pitte P. , Giesen R. H. , Masiokas M. H. , Oerlemans J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We explore the climatic information contained in the record of length fluctuations of Glaciar Frías, in the north Patagonian Andes of Argentina. This record is one of the longest and most detailed glacier records in southern South America, starting in 1639. In order to interpret the length variations of Glaciar Frías since the maximum Little Ice Age extent, we use a combination of a simplified surface energy-balance model to calculate the glacier mass balance, and a flowline model to account for the dynamical response of the glacier to changes in the climatic forcing. The overall retreat of the glacier observed over 1639–2009 is best explained by an annual mean temperature increase of 1.2 °C or a decrease in annual precipitation of 34%, most of which would have occurred during the 20th century. The glacier model is also forced with two independent tree-ring and multi-proxy reconstructions of precipitation and temperature. The uncertainties in these reconstructions are rather large, leading to a wide range in the modelled glacier length that includes most of the observations. However, in both reconstructions, the mid-17th century seems to be too cold and the early 19th century too warm to explain the observed glacier lengths with the glacier model forced with the reconstructions. Forcing with reconstructed precipitation and temperature separately shows that the influence of historical variations in precipitation on the glacier fluctuations of Glaciar Frías is smaller than that of the temperature fluctuations. This suggests that the observed 1639–2009 retreat could be best explained by a warming close to 1.2 °C.
An open-access database of grape harvest dates for climate research: data description and quality assessment
Authors: Daux V. , Garcia de Cortazar-Atauri I. , Yiou P. , Chuine I. , Garnier E. , Le Roy Ladurie E. , Mestre O. , Tardaguila J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We present an open-access dataset of grape harvest dates (GHD) series that has been compiled from international, French and Spanish literature and from unpublished documentary sources from public organizations and from wine-growers. As of June 2011, this GHD dataset comprises 380 series mainly from France (93% of the data) as well as series from Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Luxemburg. The series have variable length (from 1 to 479 data, mean length of 45 data) and contain gaps of variable sizes (mean ratio of observations/series length of 0.74). The longest and most complete ones are from Burgundy, Switzerland, Southern Rhône valley, Jura and Ile-de-France. The most ancient harvest date of the dataset is in 1354 in Burgundy. The GHD series were grouped into 27 regions according to their location, to geomorphological and geological criteria, and to past and present grape varieties. The GHD regional composite series (GHD-RCS) were calculated and compared pairwise to assess their reliability assuming that series close to one another are highly correlated. Most of the pairwise correlations are significant (p-value < 0.001) and strong (mean pairwise correlation coefficient of 0.58). As expected, the correlations tend to be higher when the vineyards are closer. The highest correlation (R = 0.91) is obtained between the High Loire Valley and the Ile-de-France GHD-RCS. The strong dependence of the vine cycle on temperature and, therefore, the strong link between the harvest dates and the temperature of the growing season was also used to test the quality of the GHD series. The strongest correlations are obtained between the GHD-RCS and the temperature series of the nearest weather stations. Moreover, the GHD-RCS/temperature correlation maps show spatial patterns similar to temperature correlation maps. The stability of the correlations over time is explored. The most striking feature is their generalised deterioration at the late 19th–early 20th century. The possible effects on GHD of the phylloxera crisis, which took place at this time, are discussed. The median of all the standardized GHD-RCS was calculated. The distribution of the extreme years of this general series is not homogenous. Extremely late years all occur during a two-century long time window from the early 17th to the early 19th century, while extremely early years are frequent during the 16th and since the mid-19th century.
Accumulation and modeling of particles in drinking water pipe fittings
Authors: Neilands K. , Bernats M. , Rubulis J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. The effect of pipe fittings (mainly T-pieces) on particle accumulation in drinking water distribution networks were shown in this work. The online measurements of flow and turbidity for cast iron, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride pipe sections were linked with analysis of pipe geometry. Up to 0.29 kg of the total amount mobilized in T-pieces ranging from DN 100/100–DN 250/250. The accumulated amount of particles in fittings was defined as J and introduced into the existing turbidity model PODDS (prediction of discoloration in distribution systems) proposed by Boxall et al. (2001) which describes the erosion of particles leading to discoloration events in drinking water network viz sections of straight pipes. However, this work does not interpret mobilization of particles in pipe fittings which have been considered in this article. T-pieces were the object of this study and depending of the diameter or daily flow velocity, the coefficient J varied from 1.16 to 8.02. The study showed that pipe fittings act as catchment areas for particle accumulation in drinking water networks.
The impact of model variation in CO2 and temperature impulse response functions on emission metrics
Authors: Olivié D. J. L. , Peters G. P.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Emission metrics are necessary to determine the relative climate effect of emissions of different species, such as between CO2 and CH4. Most emission metrics are based on Impulse Response Functions (IRFs) derived from singe models. There is currently very little understanding on how IRFs vary across models, and how the model spread propagates into the metric values. In this study, we first derive three CO2 IRF distributions from Carbon-Cycle models in the inter-comparison projects C4MIP and LTMIP, and three temperature IRF distributions from AOGCMs in the inter-comparison projects CMIP3 and CMIP5. Each distribution is based on the behaviour of several models, and takes into account their spread. The derived IRF distributions differ considerably, which is partially related to differences among the underlying models, but also to the specific scenarios (experimental setup) used in the inter-comparison exercises. For example, the very high emission pulse in LTMIP leads to considerably higher CO2 IRFs, while the abrupt forcing scenario in CMIP5 leads to a relatively high temperature IRF the first four to five years. The spreads within the different IRF distributions are however rather similar. In a second part of the study, we investigate how differences among the IRFs then impact GWP, GTP and iGTP emission metric values for time horizons up to 100 yr. The spread in the CO2 IRFs causes rather similar impacts in all three metrics. The LTMIP IRF gives 20–35% lower metric values, while the C4MIP IRFs give up to 40% higher values for short time horizons shifting to lower values for longer time horizons. Within each derived CO2IRF distribution, underlying model differences give similar spreads on the metrics in the range of −15% to 25% (10–90% spread). The GTP and iGTP metrics are also impacted by spread in the temperature IRFs, and this impact differs strongly between both metrics. For GTP, the impact of the spread is rather strong for species with a short life time. For BC, depending on the time horizon, 50% lower to 85% higher values can be found using the CMIP5 IRF, and slightly lower variations are found when using the CMIP3 IRFs (10% lower to 40% higher). For CH4 the impact from spread in the temperature IRF is still considerable, but it becomes small for longer-lived species. On the other hand, the impact from spread in the temperature IRF on iGTP is very small for all species for time horizons up to 100 yr as it is an integrated metric. Finally, as part of the spread in IRFs is caused by the specific setup of the inter-comparison exercises, there is a need for dedicated inter-comparison exercises to derive CO2 and temperature IRFs.
First-order estimate of the planktic foraminifer biomass in the modern ocean
Authors: Schiebel R. , Movellan A.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Planktic foraminifera are heterotrophic mesozooplankton of global marine abundance. The position of planktic foraminifers in the marine food web is different compared to other protozoans and ranges above the base of heterotrophic consumers. Being secondary producers with an omnivorous diet, which ranges from algae to small metazoans, planktic foraminifers are not limited to a single food source, and are assumed to occur at a balanced abundance displaying the overall marine biological productivity at a regional scale. With a new non-destructive protocol developed from the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method and nano-photospectrometry, we have analysed the protein-biomass, along with test size and weight, of 754 individual planktic foraminifers from 21 different species and morphotypes. From additional CHN analysis, it can be assumed that protein-biomass equals carbon-biomass. Accordingly, the average individual planktic foraminifer protein- and carbon-biomass amounts to 0.845 μg. Samples include symbiont bearing and symbiont-barren species from the sea surface down to 2500 m water depth. Conversion factors between individual biomass and assemblage-biomass are calculated for test sizes between 72 and 845 μm (minimum test diameter). Assemblage-biomass data presented here include 1128 sites and water depth intervals. The regional coverage of data includes the North Atlantic, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Caribbean as well as literature data from the eastern and western North Pacific, and covers a wide range of oligotrophic to eutrophic waters over six orders of magnitude of planktic-foraminifer assemblage-biomass (PFAB). A first order estimate of the average global planktic foraminifer biomass production (>125 μm) ranges from 8.2–32.7 Tg C yr−1 (i.e. 0.008–0.033 Gt C yr−1), and might be more than three times as high including neanic and juvenile individuals adding up to 25–100 Tg C yr−1. However, this is a first estimate of regional PFAB extrapolated to the global scale, and future estimates based on larger data sets might considerably deviate from the one presented here. This paper is supported by, and a contribution to the Marine Ecosystem Data project (MAREDAT). Data are available from http://www.pangaea.de (http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.777386).
Development of stroboscopic muography
Authors: Tanaka H. K. M.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Conventional muon radiography has concentrated on non-destructive studies of stationary objects with relatively long exposure times required to achieve sufficient muon statistics. A muon detection system with real time readings and a high spatial resolution detector, enables the investigation of dynamic processes in a stroboscopic mode, where image frames are synchronized with the phases of the dynamic target. Although the natural cosmic-ray muon flux is quite low for imaging a rapid process, repetitive processes can still be studied with high time resolution by integrating a large number of frames synchronized to the process. In this paper we demonstrate the stroboscopic imaging capabilities of cosmic-ray muon radiography with scintillation counters and the muon readout module. The dynamics of a chemical and melting process in an electric furnace with a size of 30 m water equivalent in diameter was investigated as an example, and stroboscopic images were obtained for hourly changes, with acquisition frames of 400 h each. The results of these experiments demonstrate the future potential for muon radiography of repetional process, such as magma flow in a conduit.
Calibration of non-ideal thermal conductivity sensors
Authors: Kömle N. I. , Macher W. , Kargl G. , Bentley M. S.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. A popular method for measuring the thermal conductivity of solid materials is the transient heated needle method. It allows to evaluate the thermal conductivity of a solid or granular material to be evaluated simply by combining a temperature measurement with a well-defined electrical current flowing through a resistance wire enclosed in a long and thin needle. Standard laboratory sensors that are typically used in laboratory work consist of very thin steel needles with a large length-to-diameter ratio. This type of needles is convenient since it is mathematically easy to derive the thermal conductivity of a soft granular material from a simple temperature measurement. However, such a geometry often results in a mechanically weak sensor, which can bend or fail when inserted into a material that is harder than expected. For deploying such a sensor on a planetary surface, with often unknown soil properties, it is necessary to construct more rugged sensors. These requirements can lead to a design which differs substantially from the ideal geometry, and additional care must be taken in the calibration and data analysis. In this paper we present the performance of a prototype thermal conductivity sensor designed for planetary missions. The thermal conductivity of a suite of solid and granular materials was measured both by a standard needle sensor and by several customized sensors with non-ideal geometry. We thus obtained a calibration curve for the non-ideal sensors. The theory describing the temperature response of a sensor with such unfavorable length-to-diameter ratio is complicated and highly nonlinear. However, our measurements reveal that over a wide range of thermal conductivities there is an almost linear relationship between the result obtained by the standard sensor and the result derived from the customized, non-ideal sensors. This allows to measure thermal conductivity values for harder soils, which are not easily accessible when using standard needle sensors.
Setup of the PMIP3 paleoclimate experiments conducted using an Earth System Model, MIROC-ESM
Authors: Sueyoshi T. , Ohgaito R. , Yamamoto A. , Chikamoto M. O. , Hajima T. , Okajima H. , Yoshimori M. , Abe M. , O'ishi R. , Saito F. , Watanabe S. , Kawamiya M. , Abe-Ouchi A.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. The importance of climate model evaluation using paleoclimate simulations for better future climate projections has been recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. In recent years, Earth System Models (ESMs) were developed to investigate carbon-cycle climate feedback, as well as to project the future climate. Paleoclimate events, especially those associated with the variations in atmospheric CO2 level or land vegetation, provide suitable benchmarks to evaluate ESMs. Here we present implementations of the paleoclimate experiments proposed by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5/Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP5/PMIP3) using an Earth System Model, MIROC-ESM. In this paper, experimental settings and procedures of the mid-Holocene, the Last Glacial Maximum, and the Last Millennium experiments are explained. The first two experiments are time slice experiments and the last one is a transient experiment. The complexity of the model requires various steps to correctly configure the experiments. Several basic outputs are also shown.
Inclusion of Ash and SO2 emissions from volcanic eruptions in WRF-CHEM: development and some applications
Authors: Stuefer M. , Freitas S. R. , Grell G. , Webley P. , Peckham S. , McKeen S. A.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. We describe a new functionality within the Weather Research and Forecasting model with coupled Chemistry (WRF-Chem) that allows simulating emission, transport, dispersion, transformation and sedimentation of pollutants released during volcanic activities. Emissions from both an explosive eruption case and relatively calm degassing situation are considered using the most recent volcanic emission databases. A preprocessor tool provides emission fields and additional information needed to establish the initial three-dimensional cloud umbrella/vertical distribution within the transport model grid, as well as the timing and duration of an eruption. From this source condition, the transport, dispersion and sedimentation of the ash-cloud can be realistically simulated by WRF-Chem using its own dynamics, physical parameterization as well as data assimilation. Examples of model validation include a comparison of tephra fall deposits from the 1989 eruption of Mount Redoubt (Alaska), and the dispersion of ash from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland. Both model applications show good coincidence between WRF-Chem and observations.
Physical models for classroom teaching in hydrology
Authors: Rodhe A.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Hydrology teaching benefits from the fact that many important processes can be illustrated and explained with simple physical models. A set of mobile physical models has been developed and used during many years of lecturing at basic university level teaching in hydrology. One model, with which many phenomena can be demonstrated, consists of a 1.0-m-long plexiglass container containing an about 0.25-m-deep open sand aquifer through which water is circulated. The model can be used for showing the groundwater table and its influence on the water content in the unsaturated zone and for quantitative determination of hydraulic properties such as the storage coefficient and the saturated hydraulic conductivity. It is also well suited for discussions on the runoff process and the significance of recharge and discharge areas for groundwater. The flow paths of water and contaminant dispersion can be illustrated in tracer experiments using fluorescent or colour dye. This and a few other physical models, with suggested demonstrations and experiments, are described in this article. The finding from using models in classroom teaching is that it creates curiosity among the students, promotes discussions and most likely deepens the understanding of the basic processes.
Calibration and evaluation of a semi-distributed watershed model of Sub-Saharan Africa using GRACE data
Authors: Xie H. , Longuevergne L. , Ringler C. , Scanlon B. R.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Irrigation development is rapidly expanding in mostly rainfed Sub-Saharan Africa. This expansion underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of water resources beyond surface water. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites provide valuable information on spatio-temporal variability in water storage. The objective of this study was to calibrate and evaluate a semi-distributed regional-scale hydrologic model based on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) code for basins in Sub-Saharan Africa using seven-year (July 2002–April 2009) 10-day GRACE data and multi-site river discharge data. The analysis was conducted in a multi-criteria framework. In spite of the uncertainty arising from the tradeoff in optimising model parameters with respect to two non-commensurable criteria defined for two fluxes, SWAT was found to perform well in simulating total water storage variability in most areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, which have semi-arid and sub-humid climates, and that among various water storages represented in SWAT, water storage variations in soil, vadose zone and groundwater are dominant. The study also showed that the simulated total water storage variations tend to have less agreement with GRACE data in arid and equatorial humid regions, and model-based partitioning of total water storage variations into different water storage compartments may be highly uncertain. Thus, future work will be needed for model enhancement in these areas with inferior model fit and for uncertainty reduction in component-wise estimation of water storage variations.
Trends in timing and magnitude of flow in the Upper Indus Basin
Authors: Sharif M. , Archer D. R. , Fowler H. J. , Forsythe N.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. River flow is a reflection of the input of moisture and its transformation in storage and transmission over the catchment. In the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), since high altitude climate measurement and observations of glacier mass balance are weak or absent, analysis of trends in magnitude and timing in river flow provides a window on trends and fluctuations in climate and glacier outflow. Trend analysis is carried out using a Mann-Kendall nonparametric trend test on records extending from 1960 to 1998. High level glacial catchments show a falling trend in runoff magnitude and a declining proportion of glacial contribution to the main stem of the Indus. Elsewhere annual flow has predominantly increased with several stations exhibiting statistically significant positive trends. Analysis of timing using spring onset date (SOT) and centre of volume date (CoV) indicated no clear trends – in direct contrast to what has been observed in Western North America. There is, however, a consistent relationship between CoV and annual runoff volume. A consistently positive correlation was also found between SOT and CoV for all the stations implying that initial snowpack conditions before the onset of runoff influence timing throughout the season. The results of the analysis presented here indicate that the magnitude and timing of streamflow hydrograph is influenced both by the initial snowpack and by seasonally varied trends in temperature. The study contributes to the understanding of the links between climate trends and variability and river runoff and glacier mass balance and runoff. The Upper Indus Basin is predominantly influenced by winter precipitation; similar trend analysis applied to summer monsoon dominated catchments of the Central Himalaya is recommended.
Urban modelling for seismic prone areas: the case study of Vila Franca do Campo (Azores Archipelago, Portugal)
Authors: Martins V. N. , Cabral P. , Sousa e Silva D.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Seismic risk mitigation comprises of land-use planning policies that enable risk reduction in areas exposed to earthquakes. Thus, the assessment of land-use plans regarding urban growth in seismic prone areas is very important. This article analyses the urban expansion of Vila Franca do Campo (island of S. Miguel, Azores, Portugal) from 1994 to 2005 based on ortophotomaps interpretations and simulates a scenario of urban growth for the year 2016 with a Land-use and Cover-Change (LUCC) model (Geomod). The goal is to evaluate the potential impact of land-use plans in managing urban growth and promoting seismic risk mitigation. Results indicate that the urban expansion, between 1994 and 2005, was done according to the Municipal Master Plan (MMP) restrictions. The scenario modelled for the year 2016 is potentially stricter for urban growth because it adds to the previous plan the constraints defined by the South Coast Management Plan (SCMP) that entered into force in 2007. In both time periods, a continuing urban growth towards seismic areas was identified. The absence of seismic risk mitigation policies and measures on both plans may contribute to increase the seismic hazard exposure and vulnerability. The results of this study strongly suggest the reformulation of future land-use plans to include seismic risk mitigation goals and policies.
How does internal variability influence the ability of CMIP5 models to reproduce the recent trend in Southern Ocean sea ice extent?
Authors: Zunz V. , Goosse H. , Massonnet F.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Observations over the last 30 yr have shown that the sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean has slightly increased since 1979. Mechanisms responsible for this positive trend have not been well established yet and climate models are generally unable to simulate correctly this expansion. In this study, we focus on two related hypotheses that could explain the misrepresentation of the positive trend in sea ice extent by climate models: an unrealistic internal variability and an inadequate initialization of the system. For that purpose, we analyze the evolution of sea ice around the Antarctic simulated by 24 different general circulation models involved in the 5th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). On the one hand, historical simulations, driven by external forcing and initialized without observations, are examined. They provide information about the mean state, the variability and the trend in sea ice extent simulated by each model. On the other hand, decadal prediction experiments, driven by external forcing and initialized with some observed fields, allow us to assess the impact of the representation of the observed initial state on the quality of model predictions. Our analyses show that CMIP5 models respond to the forcing, including the one induced by stratospheric ozone depletion, by reducing the sea ice cover in the Southern Ocean. Some simulations display an increase in sea ice extent. However, models strongly overestimate the variability of sea ice extent and the initialization methods currently used in models do not improve systematically the simulated trends in sea ice extent. On the basis of those results, a critical role of the internal variability in the observed increase in the sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean could not be ruled out but current models results appear inadequate to test more precisely this hypothesis.
Developing a school based model for optimising the professional development of Canadian primary school teachers
Authors: Pitt Jonathan William , Merwe Hettie van der
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to develop a school based model for optimizing the professional development of Canadian primary school teachers. This study focused on the role of the school principal in teacher development and improving learner achievement data. This study utilised a literature review covering a comprehensive review of existing models of teacher development, the school as a professional learning community and the role of the school principal. The empirical investigation was based on a mixed methods approach using a quantitative questionnaire with a sample of 145 out of a possible 200 (representing a 73% return rate) and twenty (10 school principals & 10 teachers) qualitative semi-structured in-depth individual interviews to gather data from both a teacher group and a school management group from a teacher education faculty at a local university and a selected English Public school district in Canada in the province of Ontario.
A Primer on the LAW in the United States: Part III Scope of Liability in Product Liability Cases
Authors: Hunter Jr. Richard J. , Amoroso Henry J. , Shannon John H.
Published: September 2012

In Part III of our study, the authors describe the types of transactions that are most common in products liability cases and also delineate the parties to the transaction.  This article concludes by discussing some “special topics” in modern product liability law: enterprise liability, alternative liability, and market share liability.  The article relies on references to the Uniform Commercial Code, the Restatement of the Law of Torts, and cites the major common law cases that have impacted on these important issues. Key Words:  Products Liability; Bailments; Franchising; Used Goods; Enterprise Liability; Market Share; Alternative Liability
Inter-Disciplinary Approach to Developing Curriculum for Peace
Authors: Wodi S.W.
Published: September 2012

This paper discusses the issues of peace building in our cotemporary society and highlights the importance of peaceful co-existence in a multi-plural configuration like Nigeria. In this article, peace is viewed more in terms of ideological inclination at solving societal problems rather than merely chronicling incidence of war and other conflicts that might be a time bomb for resolving political, economic, social as well as religious differences in society. The paper emphases the value of peace in a democracy as this has the mechanism and the capacity to resolve global and regional issues that might give rise to conflict situation arising from lack of justice, equity and fairness in human interaction. Finally this paper sees a clear link between developing a positive attitude towards peace and peaceful co-existence and the obvious need to gradually tailor our curriculum along that direction.
The Imperatives of Successful Policy Implementation: A Case Study of the Hollings National Institute of Standards and Technology-Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST-MEP) Program’s Implementation in Arkansas
Authors: Frazier Russell M.
Published: September 2012

The Arkansas Science and Technology Authority established the Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions program to serve as an effective diffusion of innovation delivery system, via interagency cooperation, for the small-to-medium sized manufacturing sector in Arkansas. The policy analysis considers the extent to which imperative elements exist to encourage interagency cooperation in the program environment.The Janet Weiss (1987) cooperation framework is applied as a single exploratory case study. The results indicate that multiple factors contributed to the participation of state agencies. Those factors include: (1) random external influences; (2) systematic external influences; (3) shared problems/goal congruence; (4) resources; and (5) capacity.
Social Power and Textual Strategies
Authors: Alami Manizheh , Khosrofar Nayera , Sabbah Maryam
Published: September 2012

Language is a crystal being shaped by the society and the rules in a society are mostly under the control of power. Language is a complex system having lots of choices for negotiating meaning which are motivated by the social rules specifically by power. According to Hudson (1980) and Wardhaugh(1986) power can directly be embodied in the choice of pronouns (tu vs. vous) , address forms (name only, title and last name) and some other choices from lexicogrammar. The way power is reflected in everyday use of language is crucial and this study attempts to underscore some of the methods the speakers manipulate to express themselves hinting their degree of power to their addressee(s). In order to find the interrelationship between social power and textual strategies this study tries to examine a novelette entitles" The short happy life of Francis Macomber" written by Earnest Hemingway on the basis of Halliday's Systemic-Functional Grammar (1994) and observe the number and length of utterances and turns. In detail the novelette is analyzed according to the number of special process types, the preferred mode type and the length of turns each character with varying degree of power interacts in the story. The analysis shows that the dominant character manipulates more material process type and imperative mode types, makes utterances and takes longer turns than the dominated one. Key Words: Power- Negotiation of meaning- Halliday's Systemic_ Functional Grammar- Ideational function- Interpersonal function – Material process- Imperative mode
Interaction Effect of Sex, Locality and Self-Confidence on Emotional Intelligence among Prospective Teachers
Authors: Srivastava Prem Shankar
Published: September 2012

The present study has been carried out to assess the interaction effect of sex, locality and self-confidence on Emotional Intelligence on a sample of 100 prospective teachers both male and female belonging to urban and rural localities by applying a (2x2x2) three way factorial design. The data has been collected with the help of Self – Confidence Scale (Bhawlkar, 1992) and Emotional Intelligence Scale (Kumar, 2000). It has been revealed that the main effects of sex and self – confidence are found to be significant whereas the main effects of locality as well as the various interactions are found to be non – significant.
Investigating Organizational Commitment as the Outcome of Job Satisfaction: A Study of Banking Sector of Pakistan
Authors: Hashmi Maryam Saeed , Naqvi Dr. Imran Haider
Published: September 2012

This study aims to elaborate the role of job satisfaction in committing employees with organization. This study tested the effect of both components of job satisfaction (intrinsic and extrinsic) of on organizational commitment in banking sector of Pakistan. Data was gathered from employees working in banks of Pakistan. The study has uses descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) to identify sample characteristics and inferential statistics (multiple linear regression) to find out the relationship between variables. Results showed the significant and positive effect of both components of job satisfaction on organizational commitment. This study is a contribution to theory and practice with an increased understanding on importance of job satisfaction in committing the employees with the organization.   Keywords: Intrinsic Job Satisfaction, Extrinsic Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment
The Necessity of Creativity Development in Adult Learners for Lifelong Learning
Authors: Tsai Kuan Chen
Published: September 2012

Attaining a creative achievement is not a one-shot affair; it is instead a life span trajectory. This necessity implies that creative action is a lifelong learning. The concept of creativity has been well documented in the literature. Research illustrated that creativity activities could enrich psychological states of adults, which in turn improves quality of life and well being. Therefore, it is hypothesized that, especially for adult educators, the conceptualization of creativity could serve as a useful adult pedagogy to promote lifelong learning in adults. Being equipped with creative thinking, adults could compensate for or accommodate the unavoidable age-related losses, which in turn explore their unfinished journeys with satisfaction.
Effect of Teacher Administration Conflict on Students Academic Achievement
Authors: Nafees Muhammad , Masood Kamran , Tahirkheli Shaheen Ashraf
Published: September 2012

Education is the best way of bringing the disordered society on the right path or track; and the source to apply this in education is the Head of the institution and teacher. The purpose of this study was to find out the reasons of conflict among teachers and between teachers and principals and their effects on the student’s achievement. The objective of this research study was to facilitate the students to understand the knowledge structure in peaceful atmosphere. The researcher developed two questionnaires as a research tool: one for principals and other for the teachers. All the questionnaires were delivered and received personally. This research study will be helpful for both the principals and teacher to become able to familiarize themselves with the reasons of conflict and try to establish a healthy relationship between principals and teaching staff by eradicating these reasons.Keywords: Administration, Conflict, Achievement
Impact of Workers’ Training on Industrial Strikes in Nigeria
Authors: Idowu Akintayo Dayo
Published: September 2012

This study investigated the impact of workers` training programmes on industrial strike reduction among industrial workers in Nigeria. This is for the purpose of ascertaining the relevance of workers` training programmes, as an alternative approach to human capital formation, to industrial strike reduction among industrial workers in Nigeria. A total of 230 respondents were selected for the study using stratified sampling technique to reflect the two strata of public and private organizations. Two sets of questionnaire, with three subscales, titled ‘Workers Training Programmes Scale (WTPS) and Industrial Strike Reduction Scale (CRS) were used for data collection. All the hypothesized research questions were examined using Regression Analysis and t-test statistical methods at 0.05 alpha levels. The finding revealed that workers` training programmes (taken together) had significantly influenced industrial strike reduction among industrial workers. It was also found that only three independent variables (conflict skill, communication skill and interpersonal relations skill training programmes) have significantly influenced industrial strike reduction. However, it was found that management skill and computer skill training programmes were not as significant in influencing industrial strike reduction in selected work organizations. Also, there was no significant difference in the level of female and male workers` participation in workers` training programmes in both public and private organizations selected for the study. Based on the findings of study, it is recommended that workers` training programmes should be given priority by all establishments in order to forestall industrial peace for all levels of workers. Also, training needs of the organization as well as that of workers must be identified before making recommendations for training. This will possibly foster specialization and encourage technical-driven training in work organizations. Key Words: Workers, Training Programmes, Industrial strike reduction, Organizations,Nigeria
Preventing Microbial Contamination during Long-Term In Vitro Culture of Human Granulosa-Lutein Cells: An Ultrastructural Analysis
Authors: Campos C. O. , Bernuci M. P. , Vireque A. A. , Campos J. R. , Silva-de-Sá M. F. , Jamur M. C. , Rosa-e-Silva A. C. J. S.
Published: September 2012

Purpose. To investigate whether the addition of antibiotic/antimycotic during human granulosa-lutein cells (GLCs) isolation and cell-plating procedures prevents microbial contamination after 144 h of culture and also evaluate the effects of contamination on GLCs ultrastructure and steroid secretion. Methods. GLCs obtained from five women submitted to assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) were isolated with PBS supplemented with antibiotic/antimycotic or PBS nonsupplemented and cultured for 144 h. GLCs were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) secretion was assayed by chemiluminescence. Results. Although no contaminating microorganisms were identified by light microscopy, TEM analyses revealed several bacterial colonies in culture dishes of GLCs isolated with only PBS. Bacterial contamination disrupted the adherence of the GLCs to the culture plate interfering with monolayer formation affecting the growth pattern of GLCs. Various cellular debris and bacteria were observed, and no organelles were found in the cytoplasm of infected cells. While bacterial contamination decreased estradiol media levels, it increased progesterone, as compared with noncontaminated group. Conclusion. Taken together, our data showed that the addition of a high dose of antibiotic/antimycotic during the isolation and cell-plating procedures prevents microbial contamination of long-term GLCs culture as its effects on cells growth and function in vitro.
Amatoxin: A Review
Authors: Allen Brandon , Desai Bobby , Lisenbee Nate
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a comprehensive review of amatoxin poisoning. The paper discusses the biochemistry of amatoxin, as well as the clinical manifestations of amatoxin ingestion. In addition, the evaluation of the patient with amatoxin ingestion is discussed, along with the treatment—including newer therapy—and the ultimate prognosis of the syndrome.
Inner Membrane Protein YhcB Interacts with RodZ Involved in Cell Shape Maintenance in Escherichia coli
Authors: Li Gaochi , Hamamoto Kentaro , Kitakawa Madoka
Published: September 2012

Depletion of YhcB, an inner membrane protein of Escherichia coli, inhibited the growth of rodZ deletion mutant showing that the loss of both YhcB and RodZ is synthetically lethal. Furthermore, YhcB was demonstrated to interact with RodZ as well as several other proteins involved in cell shape maintenance and an inner membrane protein YciS of unknown function, using bacterial two-hybrid system. These observations seem to indicate that YhcB is involved in the biogenesis of cell envelope and the maintenance of cell shape together with RodZ.
Cow’s Milk Allergy Is a Major Contributor in Recurrent Perianal Dermatitis of Infants
Authors: El-Hodhod Mostafa Abdel-Aziz , Hamdy Ahmad Mohamed , El-Deeb Marwa Talaat , Elmaraghy Mohamed O.
Published: September 2012

Background. Recurrent perianal inflammation has great etiologic diversity. A possible cause is cow’s milk allergy (CMA). The aim was to assess the magnitude of this cause.Subjects and Methods. This follow up clinical study was carried out on 63 infants with perianal dermatitis of more than 3 weeks with history of recurrence. Definitive diagnosis was made for each infant through medical history taking, clinical examination and investigations including stool analysis and culture, stool pH and reducing substances, perianal swab for different cultures and staining forCandida albicans. Complete blood count and quantitative determination of cow’s milk-specific serum IgE concentration were done for all patients. CMA was confirmed through an open withdrawal-rechallenge procedure. Serum immunoglobulins and CD markers as well as gastrointestinal endoscopies were done for some patients.Results. Causes of perianal dermatitis included CMA (47.6%), bacterial dermatitis (17.46%), moniliasis (15.87%), enterobiasis (9.52%) and lactose intolerance (9.5%). Predictors of CMA included presence of bloody and/or mucoid stool, other atopic manifestations, anal fissures, or recurrent vomiting.Conclusion. We can conclude that cow’s milk allergy is a common cause of recurrent perianal dermatitis. Mucoid or bloody stool, anal fissures or ulcers, vomiting and atopic manifestations can predict this etiology.
Traveling-Wave Solution of Modified Liouville Equation by Means of Modified Simple Equation Method
Authors: Salam Md. Abdus
Published: September 2012

We construct the traveling wave solutions involving parameters of modified Liouville equation by using a new approach, namely the modified simple equation method. The proposed method is direct, concise, and elementary and can be used for many other nonlinear evolution equations.
Allelopathic Activity of the Hydrolate and Water Decoction of Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Plant Parts on the Germination of Four Tropical Leguminous Species
Authors: Ribeiro Roberta Cristiane , de Carvalho Mário Geraldo , Lopes Higino Marcos , Rossiello Roberto Oscar Pereyra , Barbieri Junior Élio
Published: September 2012

Knowledge of allelopathic interactions between grasses and legumes can contribute for the successful establishment of mixed tropical pastures in Brazil. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of the hydrolate and water decoction of Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) plant parts (root, shoot, and seeds) on four tropical forage legumes Stylosanthes spp. cv. Campo Grande, Macrotyloma axillare, Calopogonium mucunoides, Desmodium ovalifolium, and on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), this last species used as a sensitivity standard in allelopathic bioassays. The results obtained for roots and shoots showed, in the case of hydrolate, the highest inhibitory effect on germination rates of the receiving species, while seed hydrolates had a stimulating effect depending on the legume species. In contrast, water decoction extracts had the highest inhibitory effects on root and seed fraction, and the lowest on the shoot fraction. Regarding the receiving species, germination percentages of M. axillare showed higher tolerance to inhibitory effects of the aqueous extracts of B. humidicola, while D. ovalifolium showed the highest sensitivity.