bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Think or Not to Think about Trauma? An Experimental Investigation into Unconscious Thought and Intrusion Development
Authors: Krans Julie , Bos Maarten W.
Published: June 2012

The present study tested whether unconscious thought (versus conscious thought) would reduce frequency of intrusions from an analogue trauma film. Participants viewed a distressing film and were subsequently instructed to think about the film deliberately (conscious thought), to perform a demanding task while knowing that the film information was important later on the experiment (unconscious thought), or to perform the task while believing the experiment had ended (control condition). Afterwards, sequence memory and intrusions of the film were measured. In line with predictions, the results showed significant lower intrusion frequency in the unconscious thought condition compared to both conscious thought and mere distraction. As there were no differences in sequence memory for the film, it remains unclear what mechanism was responsible for this effect. These results encourage further research into a new and exciting area.
The Effects of Repeated Imagery Practice on Self-Concept, Anxiety and Performance in Socially Anxious Participants
Authors: Stopa Lusia , Brown Mike A. , Hirsch Colette R.
Published: June 2012

Current cognitive models of social phobia, all stress the importance of negative self-perceptions in maintaining social anxiety (Moscovitch, 2009, Hofmann, 2007; Rapee & Heimberg, 1997; Clark & Wells, 1995). In some models, (Clark & Wells, 1995) negative self-perceptions are embodied in the form of a visual image. In this study, 58 socially anxious participants were assigned to either a positive (n =19) or a negative (n =19) self-imagery condition and we tested the impact of repeated imagery practice on self-concept (self-esteem and self-concept clarity), and on anxiety and performance in a conversation with a stooge. Participants in each condition practiced holding either a positive or a negative self-image in mind over eight days while at the same time imagining themselves in a series of increasingly challenging social situations. After the final imagery practice, participants took part in a conversation with a stooge. We hypothesised that repeated practice with a positive image would produce higher levels of self-esteem, more self-concept clarity, and would lead to less anxiety and better ratings of performance than holding a negative image. The hypotheses were partially supported. Positive self- imagery practice led to higher self-esteem ratings and higher self-concept clarity on a computerised measure of self-concept clarity, but not on a self-report measure. Positive self-imagery practice also produced better performance ratings in the social test (in both subjective and objective assessments of performance) and a trend towards reduced anxiety. The results are discussed in relation to Conway and Pleydell-Pearce's (2000) self-memory model and the clinical implications are considered.
Imagery Rescripting as a Therapeutic Technique: Review of Clinical Trials, Basic Studies, and Research Agenda
Authors: Arntz Arnoud
Published: June 2012

Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) is a therapeutic technique addressing specific memories of earlier experiences associated with present problems. By imagining that the course of events is changed in a more desired direction, powerful therapeutic effects have been found. The interest in and applications of ImRs are quickly increasing. This review discusses clinical studies assessing effects of ImRs, as well as possible processes underlying ImRs, and laboratory studies examining these underlying processes. It is concluded that although research into ImRs is still in its infancy, and many studies have their methodological limitations, results are promising. Therefore a research agenda is sketched, suggesting the next steps in both clinical and fundamental research.
High molecular weight SOA formation during limonene ozonolysis: insights from ultrahigh-resolution FT-ICR mass spectrometry characterization
Authors: Kundu S. , Fisseha R. , Putman A. L. , Rahn T. A. , Mazzoleni L. R.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The detailed molecular composition of laboratory generated limonene ozonolysis secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was studied using ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. Approximately 1200 molecular formulas were identified in the SOA over the mass range of 140 to 850 Da. Four characteristic groups of high relative abundance species were observed; they indicate an array of accretion products that retain a large fraction of the limonene skeleton. The identified molecular formulas of each of the groups are related to one another by CH2, O and CH2O homologous series. The CH2 and O homologous series of the low molecular weight (MW) SOA (m/z < 300) are explained with a combination of functionalization and fragmentation of radical intermediates and reactive uptake of gas-phase carbonyls. They include isomerization and elimination reactions of Criegee radicals, reactions between alkyl peroxy radicals, and scission of alkoxy radicals resulting from the Criegee radicals. The presence of compounds with 10–15 carbon atoms in the first group (e.g. C11H18O6) provides evidence for SOA formation by the reactive uptake of gas-phase carbonyls during limonene ozonolysis. The high MW compounds (m/z > 300) were found to constitute a significant number fraction of the identified SOA components. The formation of high MW compounds was evaluated by molecular formula trends, fragmentation analysis of select high MW compounds and a comprehensive reaction matrix including the identified low MW SOA, hydroperoxides and Criegee radicals as building blocks. Although the formation of high MW SOA may occur via a variety of radical and non-radical reaction channels, the combined approach indicates a greater importance of the non-condensation reactions over aldol and ester condensation reaction channels. Among these hemi-acetal reactions appear to be most dominant followed by hydroperoxide and Criegee reaction channels.
Aerosol mixing-state, hygroscopic growth and cloud activation efficiency during MIRAGE 2006
Authors: Lance S. , Raatikainen T. , Onasch T. , Worsnop D. R. , Yu X.-Y. , Alexander M. L. , Stolzenburg M. R. , McMurry P. H. , Smith J. N. , Nenes A.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Observations of aerosol hygroscopic growth and CCN activation spectra for submicron particles are reported for the T1 ground site outside of Mexico City during the MIRAGE 2006 campaign. κ-Köhler theory is used to evaluate the characteristic water uptake coefficient, κ*, for the CCN active aerosol population using both size-resolved HTDMA and size-resolved CCNc measurements. Organic mass fractions, forg, are evaluated from size-resolved aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements, from which κAMS is inferred and compared against κ*. Strong diurnal profiles of aerosol water uptake parameters and aerosol composition are observed. We find that new particle formation (NPF) events are correlated with an increased κ* and CCN-active fraction during the daytime, with greater impact on smaller particles. During NPF events, the number concentration of 40 nm particles acting as CCN can surpass by more than a factor of two the concentrations of 100 nm particles acting as CCN, at supersaturations of 0.51% ± 0.06%. We also find that at 06:00–08:00 in the morning throughout the campaign, fresh traffic emissions result in substantial changes to the chemical distribution of the aerosol, with on average 65% externally-mixed fraction for 40 nm particles and 30% externally-mixed fraction for 100 nm particles, whereas at midday nearly all particles of both sizes can be described as internally-mixed. Average activation spectra and growth factor distributions are analyzed for different time periods characterizing the daytime (with and without NPF events), the early morning "rush hour", and the entire campaign. We show that κ* derived from CCNc measurements decreases as a function of size during all time periods, while the CCN-active fraction increases as a function of size. Size-resolved AMS measurements do not predict the observed trend for κ* versus particle size, which can be attributed to unresolved mixing-state and the presence of refractory material not measured by the AMS. Measured κ* typically ranges from 0.2 to 0.35, and organics typically make up 60–85% of the aerosol mass in the size range studied. Despite some disagreement between κAMS and κCCNc, we show that κAMS is able to describe CCN concentrations reasonably well, especially at the highest CCN concentrations. This is consistent with other CCN studies carried out in urban environments, and is partly due to the fact that the highest CCN concentrations occur during the daytime when the aerosol is internally-mixed and the organic fraction is relatively low. During the early morning rush hour, however, failing to account for the aerosol mixing-state often results in systematic overestimation of CCN concentrations by 50–100%.
Activity and diversity of methane-oxidizing bacteria in glacier forefields on siliceous and calcareous bedrock
Authors: Nauer P. A. , Dam B. , Liesack W. , Zeyer J. , Schroth M. H.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The global methane (CH4) cycle is largely driven by methanogenic archaea and methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB), but little is known about their activity and diversity in pioneer ecosystems. We conducted a field survey in forefields of 13 receding Swiss glaciers on both siliceous and calcareous bedrock to investigate and quantify CH4 turnover based on soil-gas CH4 concentration profiles, and to characterize the MOB community by sequencing and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of pmoA. Methane turnover was fundamentally different in the two bedrock categories. Of the 36 CH4 concentration profiles from siliceous locations, 11 showed atmospheric CH4 consumption at concentrations of ~1–2 μL L−1 with soil-atmosphere CH4 fluxes of –0.14 to –1.1 mg m−2 d−1. Another 11 profiles showed no apparent activity, while the remaining 14 exhibited slightly increased CH4 concentrations of ~2–10 μL L−1 , most likely due to microsite methanogenesis. In contrast, all profiles from calcareous sites suggested a substantial, yet unknown CH4 source below our sampling zone, with soil-gas CH4 concentrations reaching up to 1400 μL L−1. Remarkably, most soils oxidized ~90 % of the deep-soil CH4, resulting in soil-atmosphere fluxes of 0.12 to 31 mg m−2 d−1. MOB showed limited diversity in both siliceous and calcareous forefields: all identified pmoA sequences formed only 5 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the species level and, with one exception, could be assigned to either Methylocystis or the as-yet-uncultivated Upland Soil Cluster γ (USCγ). The latter dominated T-RFLP patterns of all siliceous and most calcareous samples, while Methylocystis dominated in 4 calcareous samples. Members of Upland Soil Cluster α (USCα) were not detected. Apparently, USCγ adapted best to the oligotrophic cold climate conditions at the investigated pioneer sites.
Temperature dependence of Arctic zooplankton metabolism and excretion stoichiometry
Authors: Alcaraz M. , Almeda R. , Saiz E. , Calbet A. , Duarte C. M. , Agustí S. , Santiago R. , Alonso A.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. We assessed the relationship between zooplankton metabolism (respiration and inorganic N and P excretion) and "in situ" temperature through a grid of stations representing a range of natural temperature variation during the ATOS-Arctic cruise (July 2007). The objective was to explore not only the direct effects of temperature on O2 consumption and NH4-N and PO4-P excretion, but also to investigate the possible relationships between temperature and the stoichiometry of the metabolic products. Zooplankton metabolic rates increased according to the rising temperature conditions, following the Arrhenius equation. However, the activation energy differed for the various metabolic processes considered. Respiration was the metabolic activity less affected by temperature, followed by NH4-N and PO4-P excretion, and as a consequence the values of the C : N, C : P and N : P quotients of the metabolic products were inversely related to temperature. The effects of temperature on the stoichiometry of the excretion products would contribute to modify the nutrient pool available for phytoplankton and induce qualitative and quantitative shifts in the characteristics of primary producers that could possibly translate into the whole Arctic marine food web.
The importance of riparian zones on stream carbon and nitrogen export in a temperate, agricultural dominated landscape
Authors: Wohlfart T. , Exbrayat J.-F. , Schelde K. , Christen B. , Dalgaard T. , Frede H.-G. , Breuer L.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The surrounding landscape of a stream has crucial impacts on the aquatic environment. This study pictures the hydro-biogeochemical situation of the Tyrebaekken creek catchment in central Jutland, Denmark. The intensively managed agricultural landscape is dominated by rotational croplands. One northern and one southern stream run through the catchment before converging to form a second order brook. The small catchments mainly consist of sandy soil types besides organic soils along the riparian zone of the streams. The aim of the study was to characterise the relative influence of soil type and land use on stream water quality. Nine snapshot sampling campaigns were undertaken during the growing season of 2009. On each sampling day, 20 points along the stream were sampled as well as eight drain outlets and two groundwater wells. Total dissolved nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were measured and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) was calculated for each grabbed sample. Electro-conductivity, pH and flow velocity were measured during sampling. Statistical analyses showed significant differences between the northern, southern and converged stream parts, especially for nitrate concentrations with average values of 9.6 mg N l−1, 1.4 mg N l−1 and 3.0 mg N l−1, respectively. Furthermore, throughout the sampling period DON concentrations increased from 0.1 mg N l−1 to 2.8 mg N l−1 and from 0.1 mg N l−1 to 0.8 mg N l−1in the northern and southern streams, respectively. This corresponded to a contribution of up to 81% to total dissolved nitrogen. Multiple-linear regression analyses performed between chemical data and landscape charateristics showed a significant negative influence of organic soils on instream N concentrations and corresponding losses in spite of their overall minor share of the agricultural land (12.9%). On the other hand, organic soil frequency was positively correlated to the corresponding dissolved organic carbon concentrations. Croplands also had a significant influence but with weaker correlations. For our case study we conclude that soil types and corresponding biogeochemical properties have a major influence on stream water chemistry. Meanwhile, the contribution of dissolved organic nitrogen to the total nitrogen budget was substantial in this agricultural dominated landscape.
Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi) biomass distribution, fire regime and post-fire recovery in northeastern Siberia
Authors: Berner L. T. , Beck P. S. A. , Loranty M. M. , Alexander H. D. , Mack M. C. , Goetz S. J.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Climate change and land-use activities are increasing fire activity across much of the Siberian boreal forest, yet the climate feedbacks from forest disturbances remain difficult to quantify due to limited information on forest biomass distribution, disturbance regimes, and post-disturbance ecosystem recovery. Our primary objective here was to analyze post-fire accumulation of Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr.) aboveground biomass for a 100 000 km2 area of open forest in far northeastern Siberia. In addition to examining effects of fire size and topography on post-fire larch aboveground biomass, we assessed regional fire rotation and density, as well as performance of burned area maps generated from MODIS satellite imagery. Using Landsat imagery, we mapped 116 fire scar perimeters that dated ca. 1969–2007. We then mapped larch aboveground biomass by linking field biomass measurements to tree shadows mapped synergistically from WorldView-1 and Landsat 5 satellite imagery. Larch aboveground biomass tended to be low during early succession (≥ 25 yr, 271 ± 26 g m−2, n=66 [mean ± SE]) and decreased with increasing elevation and northwardly aspect. Larch aboveground biomass tended to be higher during mid-succession (33–38 yr, 746 ± 100 g m−2, n=32), though was highly variable. The high variability was not associated with topography and potentially reflected differences in post-fire density of tree regrowth. Neither fire size nor latitude were significant predictors of post-fire larch aboveground biomass. Fire activity was considerably higher in the Kolyma Mountains (fire rotation = 110 yr, fire density = 1.0 ± 1.0 fires yr−1 × 104 km−2 than along the forest-tundra border (fire rotation = 792 yr, fire density = 0.3 ± 0.3 fires yr−1 × 104 km−2. The MODIS burned area maps underestimated the total area burned in this region from 2000–2007 by 40%. Tree shadows mapped jointly using high and medium resolution satellite imagery were strongly associated (r2≈0.9) with field measurements of forest structure, which permitted spatial extrapolation of aboveground biomass to a regional extent. Better understanding of forest biomass distribution, disturbances, and post-disturbance recovery is needed to improve predictions of the net climatic feedbacks associated with landscape-scale forest disturbances in northern Eurasia.
How much are households willing to contribute to the cost recovery of drinking water supply? Results from a household survey
Authors: Tarfasa S.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Improving existing drinking water supply services in developing countries depends crucially on available financial resources. Cost recovery rates of these services are typically low, while demand for more reliable services is high and rapidly growing. Most stated preference based demand studies in the developing world apply the contingent valuation method and focus on rural areas. This study examines the willingness of households to pay for improved water supply services employing a choice model (CM) in an urban area in Ethiopia, a country with the lowest water supply coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa. The design of the choice model allows the estimation of the values of both drinking water reliability and safety. The estimated economic values can be used in policy appraisals of investment decisions. Despite significant income constraints, households are willing to pay up to 60% extra for improved levels of water supply over and above their current water bill, especially households living in the poorest part of the city with the lowest service levels. Women value the improvement of water quality most, while a significant effect is found for averting behavior and expenditures.
Estimated impact of global population growth on future wilderness extent
Authors: Dumont E.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Wilderness areas in the world are threatened by the environmental impacts of the growing global human population. This study estimates the impact of birth rate on the future surface area of biodiverse wilderness and on the proportion of this area without major extinctions. The following four drivers are considered: human population growth (1), agricultural efficiency (2), groundwater drawdown by irrigation (3), and non-agricultural space used by humans (buildings, gardens, roads, etc.) (4). This study indicates that the surface area of biodiverse unmanaged land will reduce with about 5.4% between 2012 and 2050. Further, it indicates that the biodiverse land without major extinctions will reduce with about 10.5%. These percentages are based on a commonly used population trajectory which assumes that birth rates across the globe will reduce in a similar way as has occurred in the past in many developed countries. Future birth rate is however very uncertain. Plausible future birth rates lower than the expected rates lead to much smaller reductions in surface area of biodiverse unmanaged land (0.7% as opposed to 5.4%), and a reduction in the biodiverse land without major extinctions of about 5.6% (as opposed to 10.5%). This indicates that birth rate is an important factor influencing the quality and quantity of wilderness remaining in the future.
Lidar signal simulation for the evaluation of aerosols in chemistry-transport models
Authors: Stromatas S. , Turquety S. , Menut L. , Chepfer H. , Péré J. C. , Cesana G. , Bessagnet B.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. We present an adaptable tool, the OPTSIM (OPTical properties SIMulation) software, for the simulation of optical properties and lidar attenuated backscattered profiles (β') from aerosol concentrations calculated by chemistry-transport models (CTM). It was developed to support model evaluation using an original approach based on the lidar Level 1 observations (β'), avoiding the use of Level 2 aerosol retrievals which include specific assumptions on aerosol types that may not be in agreement with the CTM. In addition to an evaluation of the aerosol loading and optical properties, active remote sensing allows the analysis of aerosols' vertical structures. An academic case study for two different species (black carbon and dust) is presented and shows the consistency of the simulator. Illustrations are then given through the analysis of dust events in the Mediterranean region during the summer 2007. These are based on simulations by the CHIMERE regional CTM and observations from the CALIOP space-based lidar, and highlight the potential of this approach to evaluate the concentration, size and vertical structure of the aerosol plumes.
Improving runoff estimates from regional climate models: a performance analysis in Spain
Authors: González-Zeas D. , Garrote L. , Iglesias A. , Sordo-Ward A.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. An important step to assess water availability is to have monthly time series representative of the current situation. In this context, a simple methodology is presented for application in large-scale studies in regions where a properly calibrated hydrologic model is not available, using the output variables simulated by regional climate models (RCMs) of the European project PRUDENCE under current climate conditions (period 1961–1990). The methodology compares different interpolation methods and alternatives to generate annual times series that minimise the bias with respect to observed values. The objective is to identify the best alternative to obtain bias-corrected, monthly runoff time series from the output of RCM simulations. This study uses information from 338 basins in Spain that cover the entire mainland territory and whose observed values of natural runoff have been estimated by the distributed hydrological model SIMPA. Four interpolation methods for downscaling runoff to the basin scale from 10 RCMs are compared with emphasis on the ability of each method to reproduce the observed behaviour of this variable. The alternatives consider the use of the direct runoff of the RCMs and the mean annual runoff calculated using five functional forms of the aridity index, defined as the ratio between potential evapotranspiration and precipitation. In addition, the comparison with respect to the global runoff reference of the UNH/GRDC dataset is evaluated, as a contrast of the "best estimator" of current runoff on a large scale. Results show that the bias is minimised using the direct original interpolation method and the best alternative for bias correction of the monthly direct runoff time series of RCMs is the UNH/GRDC dataset, although the formula proposed by Schreiber (1904) also gives good results.
Scale effect on overland flow connectivity at the plot scale
Authors: Peñuela A. , Javaux M. , Bielders C. L.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. A major challenge in present-day hydrological sciences is to enhance the performance of existing distributed hydrological models through a better description of subgrid processes, in particular the subgrid connectivity of flow paths. The relative surface connection function (RSC) was proposed by Antoine et al. (2009) as a functional indicator of runoff flow connectivity. For a given area, it expresses the percentage of the surface connected to the outflow boundary (C) as a function of the degree of filling of the depression storage. This function explicitly integrates the flow network at the soil surface and hence provides essential information regarding the flow paths' connectivity. It has been shown that this function could help improve the modeling of the hydrogram at the square meter scale, yet it is unknown how the scale affects the RSC function, and whether and how it can be extrapolated to other scales. The main objective of this research is to study the scale effect on overland flow connectivity (RSC function). For this purpose, digital elevation data of a real field (9 × 3 m) and three synthetic fields (6 × 6 m) with contrasting hydrological responses were used, and the RSC function was calculated at different scales by changing the length (l) or width (w) of the field. Border effects, at different extents depending on the microtopography, were observed for the smaller scales, when decreasing l or w, which resulted in a strong decrease or increase of the maximum depression storage, respectively. There was no scale effect on the RSC function when changing w. On the contrary, a remarkable scale effect was observed in the RSC function when changing l. In general, for a given degree of filling of the depression storage, C decreased as l increased. This change in C was inversely proportional to the change in l. This observation applied only up to approx. 50–70% (depending on the hydrological response of the field) of filling of depression storage, after which no correlation was found between C and l. The results of this study help identify the minimal scale to study overland flow connectivity. At scales larger than the minimal scale, the RSC function showed a great potential to be extrapolated to other scales.
DOC concentrations and spectroscopic characteristics in surface runoff from contrasting wetland ecosystems: a case study in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China
Authors: Wang L. L. , Song C. C. , Yang G. S.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a significant component of carbon and nutrient cycling in fluvial ecosystems. Natural wetlands, as important DOC sources for river and ocean ecosystems, have experienced extensive natural and anthropogenic disturbances such as climate change, hydrological variations and land use change in recent years. In this study, we examined the concentrations and spectroscopic characteristics of DOC in surface runoff from contrasting wetlands along the lower Amur River Basin in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeastern China. Surface runoff from seven sites (two natural phialiform wetlands, three natural riparian wetland, one degraded wetland, and one artificial wetland i.e. rice paddy) were monitored during the growing seasons of 2009 and 2010. Surface runoff from the natural wetland sites exhibited a wide range of DOC concentrations (10.06–48.73 mg l−1) during the two-year sampling period. The specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) and color values of DOC in surface runoff were also highly variable at different natural wetland sites. Our analysis also found that DOC values were significantly lower in the surface runoff at the artificial wetland site compared with those from surface runoff at the five natural wetland sites and one degraded wetland site (P < 0.01). The colour per carbon unit (C / C) ratio in surface runoff at the artificial wetland site was one to three times lower, while the E4 / E6 ratio (Abs465 / Abs665) was reduced by 42.07% to 55.36%, compared to those from runoff water at the five natural wetland sites. The C / C ratios in surface runoff at the natural wetland sites were higher than that from surface runoff at the degraded wetland, which in turn has greater values than that from surface runoff at the artificial wetland site. Meanwhile, the E4 / E6 ratio in the surface runoff from the artificial wetland was lower compared to that in surface runoff at the degraded wetland site (P < 0.05). This implies that disturbance to DOC concentrations and spectroscopic characteristics in surface runoff is stronger from natural wetland conversion to rice paddy land than that from wetland degradation. The dataset from this study can provide insightful points for understanding the underlying mechanisms of aquatic DOC dynamics from wetland ecosystems, and improve land use policy and management strategies in the future.
Severe wind gust thresholds for Meteoalarm derived from uniform return periods in ECA&D
Authors: Stepek A. , Wijnant I. L. , van der Schrier G. , van den Besselaar E. J. M. , Klein Tank A. M. G.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. In this study we present an alternative wind gust warning guideline for Meteoalarm, the severe weather warning website for Europe. There are unrealistically large differences in levels and issuing frequencies of all warning levels currently in use between neighbouring Meteoalarm countries. This study provides a guide for the Meteoalarm community to review their wind gust warning thresholds. A more uniform warning system is achieved by using one pan-European return period per warning level. The associated return values will be different throughout Europe because they depend on local climate conditions, but they will not change abruptly at country borders as is currently the case for the thresholds. As return values are a measure of the possible danger of an event and its impact on society, they form an ideal basis for a warning system. Validated wind gust measurements from the European Climate Assessment and Dataset (ECA&D, http://www.ecad.eu) were used to calculate return values of the annual maximum wind gust. The current thresholds are compared with return values for 3 different return periods: 10 times a year return periods for yellow warnings, 2 yr periods for orange and 5 yr periods for red warnings. So far 10 countries provide wind gust data to ECA&D. Due to the ECA&D completeness requirements and the fact that some countries provided too few stations to be representative for that country, medians of the return values of annual maximum wind gust could be calculated for 6 of the 10 countries. Alternative guideline thresholds are presented for Norway, Ireland, The Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic and Spain and the need to distinguish between coastal, inland and mountainous regions is demonstrated. The new thresholds based on uniform return periods differ significantly from the current ones, particularly for coastal and mountainous areas. We are aware of other, sometimes binding factors (e.g. laws) that prevent participating counties from implementing this climatology based warning system.
Combining inflation-free and iterative ensemble Kalman filters for strongly nonlinear systems
Authors: Bocquet M. , Sakov P.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The finite-size ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF-N) is an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) which, in perfect model condition, does not require inflation because it partially accounts for the ensemble sampling errors. For the Lorenz '63 and '95 toy-models, it was so far shown to perform as well or better than the EnKF with an optimally tuned inflation. The iterative ensemble Kalman filter (IEnKF) is an EnKF which was shown to perform much better than the EnKF in strongly nonlinear conditions, such as with the Lorenz '63 and '95 models, at the cost of iteratively updating the trajectories of the ensemble members. This article aims at further exploring the two filters and at combining both into an EnKF that does not require inflation in perfect model condition, and which is as efficient as the IEnKF in very nonlinear conditions. In this study, EnKF-N is first introduced and a new implementation is developed. It decomposes EnKF-N into a cheap two-step algorithm that amounts to computing an optimal inflation factor. This offers a justification of the use of the inflation technique in the traditional EnKF and why it can often be efficient. Secondly, the IEnKF is introduced following a new implementation based on the Levenberg-Marquardt optimisation algorithm. Then, the two approaches are combined to obtain the finite-size iterative ensemble Kalman filter (IEnKF-N). Several numerical experiments are performed on IEnKF-N with the Lorenz '95 model. These experiments demonstrate its numerical efficiency as well as its performance that offer, at least, the best of both filters. We have also selected a demanding case based on the Lorenz '63 model that points to ways to improve the finite-size ensemble Kalman filters. Eventually, IEnKF-N could be seen as the first brick of an efficient ensemble Kalman smoother for strongly nonlinear systems.
Attribution Theory, Personality Traits, and Gender Differences among EFL Learners
Authors: Hosseini Fatemi Azar , Asghari Arezoo
Published: June 2012

This study was designed to determine whether there is any association between learners' personality traits and their sets of attributions in learning English as a foreign language, regarding their gender differences. To this aim, 216 lower intermediate English language learners, 111 male and 105 female, studying in Shokouh English language institutes in Mashhad took part in the study. They completed NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and Attribution questionnaire (ATFLL). The results of the correlational study in male and female groups indicated significant relationships between some of personality traits and sub-scales of attribution theory. The result of t-test showed that the difference between means was not significant in any of the attribution sub-constructs between male and female learners. Regarding personality factors, results showed that the difference between the means was significant only for Agreeableness and Conscientiousness.
Strategies-Based ESP Instruction (SBI) of Reading Comprehension: Male vs. Female Students
Authors: Kashef Seyyed Hossein , Damavand Ayoob , Viyani Azizollah
Published: June 2012

The present study aimed at exploring the effect of a Strategies-Based Instruction (SBI) on improving male and female students' reading comprehension ability in an ESP context. The main assumption was that SBI would be more successful in developing reading comprehension of females compared to male students through using effective strategies and skills delivered in SBI method. The participants, within the age range of 18-22, included 24 male and 26 female students who were an intact experimental group. Following a pretest, treatment (15 weeks, 2 sessions per week), and a posttest, the obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA to examine the effects of the independent variables, namely, method of instruction and gender. The results of the analysis showed that although the teaching intervention had a significant effect on students' reading comprehension, gender’s effect was not significant. The findings are discussed in relation to effective reading comprehension instruction through the use of cognitive and metacognitive strategies in ESP teaching contexts.
The Role of Historically Black Colleges or Universities in Today's Higher Education Landscape
Authors: Knight Linda , Davenport Elizabeth , Green- Powell Patricia , A. Hilton Adriel
Published: June 2012

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are effective in graduating African American students who are poised to be competitive in the corporate, research, academic, governmental and military arenas. Specifically, over half of all African American professionals are graduates of HBCUs. Nine of the top ten colleges that graduate the most African Americans who go on to earn PhDs are from HBCUs. More than 50% of the nation’s African American public school teachers and 70% of African American dentists earned degrees at HBCUs. Finally, both Spelman and Bennett Colleges produce over half of the nation’s African American female doctorates in all science fields. This article discusses the importance of HBCUs in today’s higher education landscape.
Study on the Guidance Consultants’ Training Needs, Based on the ‘Support Plan for Socially Vulnerable Groups’ in Greece
Authors: Papadaki Kyriaki , Kyridis Argyris
Published: June 2012

The present study attempts to investigate the training needs (in terms of guidance, methodology, responsiveness to specific group - target) of Vocational Consulting, who worked in the "Plan Support of Socially Vulnerable Groups," held by the Prefectural Committee for Adult Education (NELE) Larissa from September 2006 until September 2008. Firstly, it investigates the knowledge of the Executive Advisory body to the meaning and role of the Advisory as a science. Subsequently, it investigates the awareness of training needs specifying areas and linking those needs with the requirements of the group and the target which is supported. The analysis of the results and their connection to the research questions suggests that the Consultants consider their role especially important, realizing the essence and importance of the process and, moreover, that a further training in counselling skills is needed. This is a view expressed both by the most experienced executives, who have been involved in the process of training at least once, and the younger executives, who have not ever attended a training program in counselling.
Comparative study of the oospore morphology of two populations of a rare species Chara baueri A. Braun in Cedynia (Poland) and Batzlow (Germany)
Authors: Pukacz Andrzej , Boszke Patrycja , Pełechaty Mariusz J. , Raabe Uwe
Published: June 2012

Morphological features of oospores of Chara baueri A. Braun, one of the rarest charophyte species worldwide, were studied based on 100 oospores collected from a small and temporarily dried mid-field pond near Cedynia, Western Poland. This is the first Polish and fifth presently known locality of this species. For comparison 67 oospores from a German population (similar pond localized near Batzlow, Germany) were also measured. So far, data on morphology of C. baueri oospores as well as the species ecology are limited. The only more detailed study of oospores for this species was earlier performed on 15 oospores from Kazakhstan. Largest polar axis (LPA, length), largest equatorial diameter (LED, width), isopolarity index (ISI = LPA/LED × 100), number of ridges, width of fossa, distance from apical pole to LED (AND) and anisipolarity index (ANI = AND/LPA × 100) were measured. The comparative analysis revealed that the oospores from Poland are generally bigger and more prolate than the Ger­man ones. The differences for most of studied parameters were statistically significant. The finding is discussed in the context of habitat differentiation of both studied sites. Moreover, the results obtained of oospore measurements for both populations differs from most of the data known so far from the literature.
Targeting Mantle Cell Lymphoma with Anti-SYK Nanoparticles
Authors: Ingrid Cely  , Seang Yiv  , Qian Yin  , Anoush Shahidzadeh  , Li Tang  , Jianjun Cheng  , Fatih M. Uckun
Published: June 2012

The pentapeptide mimic 1,4-bis(9-O-dihydroquinidinyl)phthalazine / hydroquinidine 1,4-phathalazinediyl diether ("compound 61") (C-61) is the first reported inhibitor targeting the P-site of SYK. Here we report a nanotechnology platform to target C-61 to mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) cells. Liposomal nanoparticles (NP) loaded with C-61 were prepared using the standard thin film evaporation method. The entrapment of C-61 was obtained using the pH gradient procedure with lactobionic acid (LBA) being used as a low pH buffer inside the NP. Formulation F6A was selected as a lead candidate for further biological testing. The average diameter, zeta potential and C-61 content of the F6A NP was 40 nm, 0.1 mV, and 12.6 mg/ml, respectively. F6A induces apoptosis in SYK+ but not SYK- leukemia/lymphoma cells. We also evaluated the cytotoxic activity of F6A in the context of an in vitro artificial bone marrow assay platform based on a 3D scaffold with inverted colloidal crystal geometry mimicking the structural topology of actual bone marrow matrix. The ability of C-61 to induce apoptosis in ALL-1 cells was not adversely affected by the scaffolds. F6A, but not the drug-free NP formulation F6B, caused apoptosis of MCL cell lines MAVER-1 and MINO within 24h. Further development of rationally designed SYK inhibitors and their nanoscale formulations may provide the foundation for therapeutic innovation against a broad spectrum of lymphoid malignancies, including MCL.
Innovations in Analytical Oncology - Status quo of Mass Spectrometry-Based Diagnostics for Malignant Tumor
Authors: Takeda Sen , Kentaro Yoshimura  , Hiraoka Kenzo
Published: June 2012

Recent innovations in mass spectrometry make it possible to diagnose malignant tumors through a rapid, non-destructive and less-expensive way. One of the important facets in this achievement lies in the development of several superior ionization techniques that are essentially derivatives of two authentic methods; matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI). In this review article, we introduce a novel cancer diagnostic system based on probe electrospray ionization (PESI) and logistic regression algorithm. This method uses a very fine needle with a tip diameter of several hundreds nm, which serves as a sampling as well as ionization device. Only a few picolitre (pL) of sample are sufficient to acquire mass spectra for making a diagnosis. Furthermore, as this method does not require any sample pre-treatments that often disorganize the original molecular composition of samples, it has a potential in delineating substances that have been missed by conventional analytical methods. By implementing this technology, we have successfully made in situ diagnosis of malignant tumors in human tissues and in living animals. On the other hand, there are two promising and competitive diagnostic methods; one is desorption ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS), and the other is rapid evaporation ionization mass spectrometry (REI-MS) coupled with electrical surgical knife. They are also promising technologies in the new era of analytical oncology. We compare these three methods briefly and attempt to give a new perspective in cancer diagnostics.
Effect of Culture on the Management of a Pregnant Fulani Woman with Ovarian Cyst: A Case Report
Authors: S.K. Hembah-Hilekaan
Published: June 2012

Interactions between clinicians and patients towards pain assessment and management can present a problem due to some differences in perceptions between orthodox medicine and lay beliefs and practices seen in different cultural groups. The Fulani people found in Northern Nigeria and all over West Africa present a unique group in cultural pain perception, in both the male and women folk. This is the report on a case of a large (>24cm) right ovarian cyst seen in a sixteen-year-old teenage woman of Fulani descent, presenting with abdominal pain in her sixth month of pregnancy. She had right cystectomy without conservation of the ovary on that side. Histopathological diagnosis was serous cystadenoma. She however, had abortion on the third postoperative day without any warning signs of labour. Although postoperative abortions may be seen at this stage, they are more common in the first trimester of pregnancy. The early diagnosis and treatment or follow-up of ovarian cystic lesions is necessary for the detection of malignant changes (2% to 5% of cysts) and the prevention of other complications involving either the ovary or foetus, in the presence of pregnancy. However, the culture of the Fulani that forbids the expression of pain may complicate the early diagnosis and treatment of both benign and malignant ovarian disease and other similar conditions seen in and out of pregnancy. The objective of this paper is therefore, to help practising clinicians and oncologists, especially Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, towards the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of these conditions by paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal communication of pain, when dealing with this and other monocultural group of people. This may also serve as the basis for further research on cancer and non-cancer pain management among different cultures in our environment.
Experience with Lexicomp® Online Drug Database for Medication Review and Drug-Drug Interaction Analysis within a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Elderly Cancer Patients
Authors: Lies Pottel  , Michelle Lycke  , Tom Boterberg  , Lore Ketelaars  , Hans Pottel  , Laurence Goethals  , Nele Van den Noortgate  , Fréderic Duprez  , Wilfried De Neve  , Sylvie Rottey  , Kurt Geldhof  , Koen Van Eygen  , Khalil Kargar-Samani  , Véronique Ghekiere  , Anne Verhaeghe  , Philip R. Debruyne
Published: June 2012

Background: We studied the use of Lexicomp®, an online drug information database, for adequate identification of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) within Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Data of 149 onco-geriatric patients were reviewed. Sixty-three percent participated in an observational study recruiting head and neck cancer patients (H&N-group), 37% in a registry recruiting general oncology patients (GO-group). Baseline drug information was collected by a health professional, through the medical interview within CGA. Drug class usage was quantified and potential DDIs were assessed and categorized (risk rating "C": monitor therapy, "D": consider therapy modification, "X": avoid combination) with Lexicomp®. Results: On average, H&N and GO-patients took 5 and 8 prescription drugs at presentation, respectively. An average of 4 drugs were added in both groups as part of their proposed therapy. Potential DDIs (n=211 H&N; n=247 GO) were detected by Lexicomp® in 64.9% (85.3% "C", 14.7% "D", 0% "X") and 83.6% (83.4% "C", 15.8% "D", 0.8% "X") of H&N and GO patients, respectively, at therapy start. Administration of cancer-therapy-related drugs lead to additional DDIs (n=75 H&N; n=68 GO) in 73.7% and 58.3% of H&N and GO cases, respectively. DDIs occurred mainly with supportive drugs (100% H&N and 83.8% GO). Sixteen percent of potential DDIs were identified with anti-neoplastic drugs in the GO-group. In 28.7% and 60.0% of H&N and GO patients, respectively, at least one drug was not recognized by Lexicomp®. Conclusions: Use of Lexicomp® drug database within CGA is feasible. It could reduce the administration of inappropriate drugs, and in that way improve the quality of patient-individualized therapy.