bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Lyngbyatoxin from the Hawaiian Cyanobacterium Moorea producens
Authors: Jiang Weina , Zhou Wei , Uchida Hajime , Kikumori Masayuki , Irie Kazuhiro , Watanabe Ryuichi , Suzuki Toshiyuki , Sakamoto Bryan , Kamio Michiya , Nagai Hiroshi
Published: May 2014

Lyngbyatoxin A from the marine cyanobacterium Moorea producens (formerly Lyngbya majuscula) is known as the causative agent of “swimmer’s itch” with its highly inflammatory effect. A new toxic compound was isolated along with lyngbyatoxin A from an ethyl acetate extract of M. producens collected from Hawaii. Analyses of HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopies revealed the isolated compound had the same planar structure with that of lyngbyatoxin A. The results of optical rotation and CD spectra indicated that the compound was a new lyngbyatoxin A derivative, 12-epi-lyngbyatoxin A (1). While 12-epi-lyngbyatoxin A showed comparable toxicities with lyngbyatoxin A in cytotoxicity and crustacean lethality tests, it showed more than 100 times lower affinity for protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) using the PKCδ-C1B peptide when compared to lyngbyatoxin A.
Two Polycyclic Geranylhydroquinone-Derived Metabolites from Roots of Arnebia hispidissima (Lehm.) DC.
Authors: Ahmed Atallah , Saad Hassan-Elrady , El-Karim Eman
Published: May 2014

A phytochemical investigation of the least polar organic extracts of Arnebia hispidissima (Lehm.) DC. roots has led to the isolation of two unique polycyclic geranylhydroquinone-derived metabolites, arnebacene (1) and arnebidin (2), along with some known phenolic metabolites viz., arnebin-7 (3) and vanillic acid (4). The chemical identification of the new isolated compounds, including their relative stereochemistry, was achieved via spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR, and spectral comparison with related compounds. A biosynthetic pathway is proposed for the new compounds on the basis of their structure-relationship with previously isolated metabolites.
Urinary Metabolite Profiles in Premature Infants Show Early Postnatal Metabolic Adaptation and Maturation
Authors: Moltu Sissel , Sachse Daniel , Blakstad Elin , Strømmen Kenneth , Nakstad Britt , Almaas Astrid , Westerberg Ane , Rønnestad Arild , Brække Kristin , Veierød Marit , Iversen Per , Rise Frode , Berg Jens , Drevon Christian
Published: May 2014

Objectives: Early nutrition influences metabolic programming and long-term health. We explored the urinary metabolite profiles of 48 premature infants (birth weight < 1500 g) randomized to an enhanced or a standard diet during neonatal hospitalization. Methods: Metabolomics using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was conducted on urine samples obtained during the first week of life and thereafter fortnightly. Results: The intervention group received significantly higher amounts of energy, protein, lipids, vitamin A, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid as compared to the control group. Enhanced nutrition did not appear to affect the urine profiles to an extent exceeding individual variation. However, in all infants the glucogenic amino acids glycine, threonine, hydroxyproline and tyrosine increased substantially during the early postnatal period, along with metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (succinate, oxoglutarate, fumarate and citrate). The metabolite changes correlated with postmenstrual age. Moreover, we observed elevated threonine and glycine levels in first-week urine samples of the small for gestational age (SGA; birth weight < 10th percentile for gestational age) as compared to the appropriate for gestational age infants. Conclusion: This first nutri-metabolomics study in premature infants demonstrates that the physiological adaptation during the fetal-postnatal transition as well as maturation influences metabolism during the breastfeeding period. Elevated glycine and threonine levels were found in the first week urine samples of the SGA infants and emerged as potential biomarkers of an altered metabolic phenotype.
The Production of a Framework of Competences for Pharmacy Practice in the European Union
Authors: Atkinson Jeffrey , Rombaut Bart , Pozo Antonio , Rekkas Dimitrios , Veski Peep , Hirvonen Jouni , Bozic Borut , Skowron Agnieska , Mircioiu Constantin , Marcincal Annie , Wilson Keith
Published: May 2014

The goal of the PHAR-QA (quality assurance in European pharmacy education and training) project is the production of a European framework for a quality assurance system based on competences for pharmacy practice. The PHAR-QA framework will be European, consultative and will encompass the various aspects of pharmacy practice. In this review, we describe the methodology to be used in the project and the first stage in the development of this framework. Using the proposals for competences produced by our previous PHARMINE (Pharmacy education in Europe) project, together with those of other sources, three university professors of pharmacy (Authors 2 through 4) produced a list of three major competency domains that reflect the activities of practitioners: Patient Care Competences, Personal Competences and Management and Organizational Structure Competences. Each domain was subdivided into nine, nine and eight competencies, respectively, for a total of 27 major competencies that were further subdivided into an average of five supporting competences per major competence, giving a total of 140 proposals for competences for pharmacy practice. The 27 and 140 proposals were ranked by an expert panel of seven university professors of pharmacy (Authors 5 through 11). The panel also commented on the proposed competences. On the basis of the ranks and comments, a list of 68 proposals for competences was produced. This list was then examined by the expert panel and a new version based on their comments produced. The latter process was repeated twice based on Delphi methodology. This review presents this process and the 68 proposals. We invite the pharmacy community to participate in the second stage of the elaboration of the PHAR-QA competence framework for pharmacy practice by ranking the proposals and adding comments. It is anticipated that this survey will stimulate a productive discussion on pharmacy education and practice by the various stakeholders (department staff and students, community, hospital and industrial pharmacists, as well as pharmacists working in clinical biology and other branches, together with representatives of chambers and associations).
Optical Backplane Based on Ring-Resonators: Scalability and Performance Analysis for 10 Gb/s OOK-NRZ
Authors: Rizzelli Giuseppe , Siracusa Domenico , Maier Guido , Magarini Maurizio , Alam Mehmood , Melloni Andrea
Published: May 2014

The use of architectures that implement optical switching without any need of optoelectronic conversion allows us to overcome the limits imposed by today’s electronic backplane, such as power consumption and dissipation, as well as power supply and footprint requirements. We propose a ring-resonator based optical backplane for router line-card interconnection. In particular we investigate how the scalability of the architecture is affected by the following parameters: number of line cards, switching-element round-trip losses, frequency drifting due to thermal variations, and waveguide-crossing effects. Moreover, to quantify the signal distortions introduced by filtering operations, the bit error rate for the different parameter conditions are shown in case of an on-off keying non-return-to-zero (OOK-NRZ) input signal at 10 Gb/s.
Tree Stem and Height Measurements using Terrestrial Laser Scanning and the RANSAC Algorithm
Authors: Olofsson Kenneth , Holmgren Johan , Olsson Håkan
Published: May 2014

Terrestrial laser scanning is a promising technique for automatic measurements of tree stems. The objectives of the study were (1) to develop and validate a new method for the detection, classification and measurements of tree stems and canopies using the Hough transformation and the RANSAC algorithm and (2) assess the influence of distance to the scanner on the measurement accuracy. Tree detection and stem diameter estimates were validated for 16 circular plots with 20 m radius. The three dominating tree species were Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and birch (Betula spp.). The proportion of detected trees decreased as the distance to the scanner increased and followed the trend of decreasing visible area. Within 10 m from the scanner, the proportion of detected trees was 87% on average for the plots and the diameter at breast height was estimated with a relative root-mean-square-error (RMSE) of 14%. The most accurate diameter measurements were obtained for pine, which had a RMSE of 7% for all the full 20 m radius plots. The RANSAC algorithm reduced noise and made it possible to obtain reliable estimates.
Assessment of Methods for Land Surface Temperature Retrieval from Landsat-5 TM Images Applicable to Multiscale Tree-Grass Ecosystem Modeling
Authors: Vlassova Lidia , Perez-Cabello Fernando , Nieto Hector , Martín Pilar , Riaño David , De la Riva Juan
Published: May 2014

Land Surface Temperature (LST) is one of the key inputs for Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere transfer modeling in terrestrial ecosystems. In the frame of BIOSPEC (Linking spectral information at different spatial scales with biophysical parameters of Mediterranean vegetation in the context of global change) and FLUXPEC (Monitoring changes in water and carbon fluxes from remote and proximal sensing in Mediterranean “dehesa” ecosystem) projects LST retrieved from Landsat data is required to integrate ground-based observations of energy, water, and carbon fluxes with multi-scale remotely-sensed data and assess water and carbon balance in ecologically fragile heterogeneous ecosystem of Mediterranean wooded grassland (dehesa). Thus, three methods based on the Radiative Transfer Equation were used to extract LST from a series of 2009–2011 Landsat-5 TM images to assess the applicability for temperature input generation to a Landsat-MODIS LST integration. When compared to surface temperatures simulated using MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission 5 (MODTRAN 5) with atmospheric profiles inputs (LSTref), values from Single-Channel (SC) algorithm are the closest (root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) = 0.50 °C); procedure based on the online Radiative Transfer Equation Atmospheric Correction Parameters Calculator (RTE-ACPC) shows RMSD = 0.85 °C; Mono-Window algorithm (MW) presents the highest RMSD (2.34 °C) with systematical LST underestimation (bias = 1.81 °C). Differences between Landsat-retrieved LST and MODIS LST are in the range of 2 to 4 °C and can be explained mainly by differences in observation geometry, emissivity, and time mismatch between Landsat and MODIS overpasses. There is a seasonal bias in Landsat-MODIS LST differences due to greater variations in surface emissivity and thermal contrasts between landcover components.
Daily Evaporative Fraction Parameterization Scheme Driven by Day–Night Differences in Surface Parameters: Improvement and Validation
Authors: Lu Jing , Tang Ronglin , Tang Huajun , Li Zhao-Liang , Zhou Guoqing , Shao Kun , Bi Yuyun , Labed Jelila
Published: May 2014

In a previous study, a daily evaporative fraction (EF) parameterization scheme was derived based on day–night differences in surface temperature, air temperature, and net radiation. Considering the advantage that incoming solar radiation can be readily retrieved from remotely sensed data in comparison with surface net radiation, this study simplified the daily EF parameterization scheme using incoming solar radiation as an input. Daily EF estimates from the simplified scheme were nearly equivalent to the results from the original scheme. In situ measurements from six Ameriflux sites with different land covers were used to validate the new simplified EF parameterization scheme. Results showed that daily EF estimates for clear skies were consistent with the in situ EF corrected by the residual energy method, showing a coefficient of determination of 0.586 and a root mean square error of 0.152. Similar results were also obtained for partly clear sky conditions. The non-closure of the measured energy and heat fluxes and the uncertainty in determining fractional vegetation cover were likely to cause discrepancies in estimated daily EF and measured counterparts. The daily EF estimates of different land covers indicate that the constant coefficients in the simplified EF parameterization scheme are not strongly site-specific.
A High-Sensitivity Current Sensor Utilizing CrNi Wire and Microfiber Coils
Authors: Xie Xiaodong , Li Jie , Sun Li-Peng , Shen Xiang , Jin Long , Guan Bai-ou
Published: May 2014

We obtain an extremely high current sensitivity by wrapping a section of microfiber on a thin-diameter chromium-nickel wire. Our detected current sensitivity is as high as 220.65 nm/A2 for a structure length of only 35 μm. Such sensitivity is two orders of magnitude higher than the counterparts reported in the literature. Analysis shows that a higher resistivity or/and a thinner diameter of the metal wire may produce higher sensitivity. The effects of varying the structure parameters on sensitivity are discussed. The presented structure has potential for low-current sensing or highly electrically-tunable filtering applications.
Gender Socialization and Identity Theory
Authors: Carter Michael
Published: May 2014

Gender socialization is examined through a social psychological lens by applying identity theory and identity control theory. Current research from the fields of family and sociological social psychology are surveyed to provide a better conception of how the family operates as agents of socialization, and how identities that are cultivated and fostered in youth provide meaning throughout the life course and maintain the social order. The application of identity theory shows how gender is a diffuse status characteristic, which is salient in person, role, and social (group) identities, and also across social situations. Identity control theory is applied to show how emotions operate within an internal control system to stabilize gendered identities and perpetuate the social structure. Both theories are specifically applied to understand socialization dynamics that exist for children and families.
Filarial Nematode Infection in Ixodes scapularis Ticks Collected from Southern Connecticut
Authors: Namrata Pabbati , Miller Jamie , Shilpa Madari , Reddy Patlolla , Bandoski Cheryl , Rossi Michael , Sapi Eva
Published: May 2014

It was recently demonstrated that the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum could harbor filarial nematodes within the genus Acanthocheilonema. In this study, Ixodes scapularis (deer) ticks collected from Southern Connecticut were evaluated for their potential to harbor filarial nematodes. Non-engorged nymphal and adult stage Ixodes scapularis ticks were collected in Southern Connecticut using the standard drag method. In situ hybridization with filarial nematode specific sequences demonstrated the presence of filarial nematodes in Ixodes ticks. Filarial nematode specific DNA sequences were amplified and confirmed by direct sequencing in Ixodes nymphal and adult ticks using either general filarial nematode or Onchocercidae family specific PCR primers. Phylogenetic analysis of the 12S rDNA gene sequence indicated that the filarial nematode infecting Ixodes scapularis ticks is most closely related to the species found in Amblyoma americanum ticks and belongs to the genus of Acanthocheilonema. Our data also demonstrated that infection rate of these filarial nematode in Ixodes ticks is relatively high (about 22% and 30% in nymphal and adult Ixodes ticks, respectively). In summary, the results from our studies demonstrated that filarial nematode infection was found in Ixodes ticks similar to what has been found in Amblyomma americanum ticks.
Individual Thresholding of Voxel-based Functional Connectivity Maps
Authors: Baglio F. , Laganà M. M. , Preti M. G. , Cecconi P. , Clerici M. , Nemni R. , Baselli G. , Griffanti L.
Published: May 2014

Introduction: This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on “Biosignal Interpretation: Advanced Methods for Neural Signals and Images”.

Background: Voxel-based functional connectivity analysis is a common method for resting state fMRI data. However, correlations between the seed and other brain voxels are corrupted by random estimate errors yielding false connections within the functional connectivity map (FCmap). These errors must be taken into account for a correct interpretation of single-subject results.

Objectives: We estimated the statistical range of random errors and propose two methods for an individual setting of correlation threshold for FCmaps.

Methods: We assessed the amount of random errors by means of surrogate time series and described its distribution within the brain. On the basis of these results, the FCmaps of the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) from 15 healthy subjects were thresholded with two innovative methods: the first one consisted in the computation of a unique (global) threshold value to be applied to all brain voxels, while the second method is to set a different (local) threshold of each voxel of the FCmap.

Results: The distribution of random errors within the brain was observed to be homogeneous and, after thresholding with both methods, the default mode network areas were well identifiable. The two methods yielded similar results, however the application of a global threshold to all brain voxels requires a reduced computational load. The inter-subject variability of the global threshold was observed to be very low and not correlated with age. Global threshold values are also almost independent from the number of surrogates used for their computation, so the analyses can be optimized using a reduced number of surrogate time series.

Conclusions: We demonstrated the efficacy of FCmaps thresholding based on random error estimation. This method can be used for a reliable single-subject analysis and could also be applied in clinical setting, to compute individual measures of disease progression or quantitative response to pharmacological or rehabilitation treatments.
Shoulder joint hemiarthroplasty for treatment of a severe osteochondritis dissecans lesion in a dog
Authors: Sparrow T. , Meswania J. , Blunn G. , Fitzpatrick N.
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Partial resurfacing of the humeral head has been reported in humans to treat humeral osteochondritis dissecans. The aim is to describe a custom-made humeral resurfacing prosthesis for treatment of severe humeral head osteochondritis dissecans in a dog.

Case report: A seven-month-old female entire St. Bernard dog was presented with a 10 week history of severe left thoracic limb lameness. Radiography, arthroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed an extensive osteochondritis dissecans lesion affecting the caudal, medial and central regions of the humeral head. A prosthesis designed from computed tomography (CT) images was manufactured in polished stainless steel alloy with a hydroxyapatite coated base and central finned humeral stem for cementless insertion. A standard caudal approach to the shoulder was used to place the prosthesis following reaming of the caudal humeral head.

Results: Radiography and CT imaging revealed appropriate topographical placement on the humerus. Force plate analysis demonstrated initial reduction in ground reaction force at six weeks, followed by gradual improvement at three months. There was no radiographic evidence of implant loosening and the range of shoulder joint motion was comparable to the contralateral joint at three months; these findings were maintained to final follow-up at 24 months.

Clinical significance: Placement of a humeral head resurfacing prosthesis was an effective technique for the management of severe osteochondritis dissecans-related shoulder lameness. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of the clinical use of shoulder hemiarthroplasty in a dog.
Technology-enabled services: imporTance and role of Technology readiness
Authors: Wang Ying , Sparks Beverley
Published: May 2014

Set in the tourism/hospitality context, this study explores consumer perceptions of technology-enabled services (TESs) and their relationship to technology readiness (TR). Data were collected through a web-based survey from air travelers and hotel patrons. The results suggest that customers
generally separate TESs into three categories: peripheral, standard, and network access related, with standard TESs being most important. The perceived importance of TESs is found to be positively associated with consumers' technology readiness, and the strength of this association is stronger
in the airline case, suggesting a moderation effect of service category on the relationship between perceived importance of TESs and TR. The findings of this study should help organizations make technology-related decisions and develop the right technological infrastructure for achieving competitiveness
and customer satisfaction.
Stakeholders' Perspective of Sustainability in an Arctic Region: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Chen Joseph S. , Johnson Colin , Wang Wei , Chen Ya-Ling
Published: May 2014

This research evaluates perspectives towards sustainable management among key groups of tourism stakeholders including tourism businesses, local residents, and tourists themselves. The extant literature is largely composed of quantitative studies using descriptive and regressive statistical
methods along with structural modeling to highlight significant issues affecting sustainability. In contrast, this study takes a qualitative approach in an attempt to garner rich insights not always obtained from quantitative studies. The study setting is a Norwegian Arctic region, Finnmark,
which is considered one of the most visited Arctic destinations in Europe. In total 68 in-depth interviews and three focus group surveys are conducted, involving tourists, tourism professionals, and local residents in several cities and towns in the Finnmark region. This study finds that participants
all agree environmental and cultural issues are the key considerations in sustaining tourism development in the region. Furthermore, tourism businesses are inclined to advocate eco-friendly agendas in compliance with the concept of sustainability. Moreover, concerning stakeholders' recommendations
toward sustainable practices, this research notices that implementation of educational policies is vital for the success of sustainable practices. Relevance implications and suggestions for future study are provided in the conclusion section.
Effects of Channel, Timing, and Bundling on Destination Advertising Response
Authors: Stienmetz Jason L. , Fesenmaier Daniel R.
Published: May 2014

This research investigates the relationships between advertisement channels, the timing of travel decision making, and the interaction of individual travel decisions based on the destination advertising response (DAR) model. Using a sample of 5,472 American travelers, this study finds
that neither the timing of travel decision making nor the channel of advertisement significantly correlates with the advertising response for most trip decisions. However, strong interactions are found between advertising response and restaurant and shopping trip decisions, and between the
attractions and events trip decisions. These findings are important in that they suggest that destination marketing programs should bundle these aspects of the trip together when developing their promotional efforts.
Website Processing Fluency: Its Impacts on Information Trust, Satisfaction, and Destination Attitude
Authors: Tang Liang (Rebecca) , Jang Soocheong (Shawn) , Chiang Lanlung (Luke)
Published: May 2014

Processing fluency is an important concept in social cognition, which describes the ease with which externally presented messages are internally processed. This study is one of the first to investigate the processing fluency of destination websites and to identify the beneficial consequences of processing fluency, including trusting the travel information (information trust), satisfaction with that travel information (information satisfaction), and destination attitude. The results indicate that processing fluency has significant impacts on information trust and information satisfaction, and information satisfaction positively influences destination attitude. Tourism marketers are advised to consider the processing fluency of their website design to ensure that the website is effectively persuasive. The study suggests a new angle for future studies assessing the performance of marketing materials in the tourism industry.
Tourism as a Catalyst for Economic Development in Latin America: Setting an Agenda for Policy and Research
Authors: Peterson Ryan R. , Cardenas David , Harrill Rich
Published: May 2014

Latin America has seen impressive developments in the late 1990s and 2000s, and the forecasts for the next decade seem to be brightening after the global economic crisis. Yet despite the overall success of Latin America, research shows that wide regional disparities remain. This research
note addresses the key barriers affecting the sustainable economic growth of Latin America as well as provides an agenda for policy and research. To achieve encompassing and sustainable progress, the Latin American economy will need to improve and enhance tourism capabilities in terms of institutional,
infrastructural, and innovation capabilities.
In Search of Social Intelligence
Authors: Dornelas Jairo Simião , Falk James Anthony
Published: May 2014

How many new concepts have or will appear around the concept of intelligence? It is this question that this chapter strives to answer. To this end, it seeks to establish a consistent track on the various uses of the term intelligence in today's organizations. It takes the seminal concept of intelligence as its starting point and adapts it in an organizational sphere, the so-called business intelligence (BI), in all its apparatus of technologies and associations. After this, it seeks to establish a visible and viable relationship between both business intelligence and organizational intelligence, anchored in knowledge management. Once a connection between these “intelligences” is developed, the chapter redirects itself towards the subject of collective intelligence. This concept is born from individuals, groups and organizations supposedly intelligent, and is in a transfer process to the collective use of information technology featured in social communities. Finally, after the mention of communities, and the spread and practice of social networks throughout communities, the outbreak of social intelligence is suggested as a possible next step for the insertion of the concept of intelligence into the organizational world and within the scope of information technology.
Web Strategy in the Digital Economy
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Chung Chih-Hung
Published: May 2014

The Internet, for many businesses, has become as invaluable as human resources, equipment, and distribution channels. Continued current use and implementation of new Internet tools will further enhance business and continue to improve the business model and the return on investment. A good Web strategy works with an organizations' business strategy to design and implement a Website that meets the goals of its business strategy. After building a Web presence, the thought process is on continuous improvement of the business model and its value chain. The Web strategy, as explored in this chapter, includes enhancement of the online community, personalization, content, ecommerce, extranets, and intranets.
Model-Driven Reverse Engineering of Open Source Systems
Authors: Perez-Castillo Ricardo , Piattini Mario
Published: May 2014

Open source software systems have poor or inexistent documentation and contributors are often scattered or missing. The reuse-based composition and maintenance of open source software systems therefore implies that program comprehension becomes a critical activity if all the embedded behavior is to be preserved. Program comprehension has traditionally been addressed by reverse engineering techniques which retrieve system design models such as class diagrams. These abstract representations provide a key artifact during migration or evolution. However, this method may retrieve large complex class diagrams which do not ensure a suitable program comprehension. This chapter attempts to improve program comprehension by providing a model-driven reverse engineering technique with which to obtain business processes models that can be used in combination with system design models such as class diagrams. The advantage of this approach is that business processes provide a simple system viewpoint at a higher abstraction level and filter out particular technical details related to source code. The technique is fully developed and tool-supported within an R&D project about global software development in which collaborate two universities and five companies. The automation of the approach facilitates its validation and transference through an industrial case study involving two open source systems.
A Traditional Organization Towards a New Dimension of Labour
Authors: Ferreira Maria João , Moreira Fernando , Seruca Isabel
Published: May 2014

Organizations have suffered a large (r)evolution at the social, economic and technological levels. A change of paradigm in the information systems and technologies (IST) used in the day-to-day life of every citizen cannot sustain such a transformation by itself; a change of culture and behaviour is therefore necessary. The use of IST in an appropriate and integrated way with the organization's processes will depend on an individual and collective effort. The younger generation, accustomed to sharing personal information on Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms,often through mobile devices, enters the job market looking for similar tools. These new “social tools” allow the production, sharing and management of information and knowledge within the organization between peers and other stakeholders, eliminating the barriers of communication and sharing. Taking advantage of these technologies for organizations within the context of Social Business, in particular nomadic workers, requires a comprehension exercise in how to demonstrate its usefulness with regard to the creation, access and sharing of contents in a safe way. To this end, this chapter provides a comprehensive view of a new context of labour faced by traditional organizations (i.e. social business supported by mobile IST – m_CSDT) in order to improve the well-being of these organizations through the collective intelligence and agility dimensions.
Social Resilience in Action
Authors: Braga Adriana , Logan Robert K.
Published: May 2014

Recent statistics about the mobile phone market in Brazil state that for every 100 inhabitants there are 130 mobile phones. Despite the euphoria that those numbers bring to business, the social uses of mobile technology in Brazil tells a lot about Brazilian society and culture itself, and show a more complex picture than merely a marketing phenomenon. The authors examine subversive cell phone use in Brazil against the background of the cell phone use worldwide and the social implications of that cell phone use. As soon as a technology is implemented in a culture, it is possible to observe uses that were not intended by the inventors or producers of that technology. People create different strategies to take advantage of the new resource. Using social interaction theories and an ethnographic approach in the natural setting of cell phone use in Brazil, the authors observed how people use the mobile phone technology for interpersonal communication. This chapter addresses three subversive uses of mobile technology, namely, i.) strategies of mobile phone coding; ii) SIM card management; and iii) criminal uses of mobile phones.
Effect of the Work Environment on Using Time at Work to Exercise
Authors: Bale Jeffrey M. , Gazmararian Julie A. , Elon Lisa
Published: May 2014

Purpose.

To determine whether workload, job satisfaction, and flexible schedules are predictive of using time at work to exercise.

Design.

The study design was the quantitative analysis of the time at work to exercise intervention of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Setting.

The study took place at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Subjects.

Subjects comprised 188 full- and part-time faculty and staff (57% female).

Intervention.

Employees were randomized into different intervention groups, and analysis focused on employees who were provided 30 minutes of time at work to exercise.

Measures.

Time at work to exercise at was measured 9 months, and work environment characteristics were measured at baseline.

Analysis.

Logistic regression modeling using generalized estimating equation analysis was used to account for departmental clustering.

Results.

Time at work to exercise was used by 45% of participants. Participants who felt comfortable taking time off work to exercise were 2.8 times more likely to use time to exercise than those who did not feel comfortable taking time off (95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 6.1). Participants who reported too much work were .3 times less likely to exercise (95% confidence interval: 0.2 to 0.7). Job satisfaction and the ability to take time off for personal matters were not significantly associated with using time to exercise.

Conclusion.

The results support the hypothesis that individuals with a supportive work environment would be more likely to use time at work to exercise. Workload and having time during the day are more important than job satisfaction.
Factors Facilitating the Implementation of Church-Based Heart Health Promotion Programs for Older Adults: A Qualitative Study Guided by the Precede-Proceed Model
Authors: Banerjee Ananya Tina , Strachan Patricia H. , Boyle Michael H. , Anand Sonia S. , Oremus Mark
Published: May 2014

Purpose.

To describe the factors facilitating the implementation of heart health promotion programs for older adults in Anglican, United, and Catholic churches.

Design.

The study used qualitative methods comprising semistructured interviews and focus groups.

Setting.

The interviews and focus groups were conducted in Anglican, Catholic, and United churches located in the Canadian cities of Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario.

Participants.

Twelve ordained pastors and 21 older parishioners who attended church regularly and who had no health conditions were recruited to best explain how churches could be suitable locations for health promotion activities targeting older adults.

Methods.

Twelve semistructured interviews with the pastors and three focus groups with the 21 parishioners were undertaken. A component of the Precede-Proceed model (a model for planning health education and health promotion programs and policies) was applied to the findings after direct content analysis of the data.

Results.

Participants identified pastor leadership, funding for a parish nurse, community-focused interventions, secured infrastructure, and social support from congregation members as pertinent factors required for implementing health promotion programs in Anglican, United, and Catholic churches.

Conclusion.

The findings have particular relevance for health promotion and public health because they suggest factors that would be necessary to design church-based heart health promotion programs for older adults at risk of chronic diseases.
Growth of climate change commitments from HFC banks and emissions
Authors: Velders G. J. M. , Solomon S. , Daniel J. S.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the primary cause of ozone depletion, and they also contribute to global climate change. With the global phaseout of CFCs and the coming phaseout of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the substitute hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are increasingly used. While CFCs were originally used mainly in applications such as spray cans and were released within a year after production, concern about the ozone layer led to reductions in rapid-release applications, and the relative importance of slower-release applications grew. HFCs are now mainly used in refrigerators and air conditioners (AC) and are released over years to a decade after production. Their containment in such equipment represents banks, which are building up as production grows. A key finding of our work is that the increases of HFC banks represent a substantial unseen commitment to further radiative forcing of climate change also after production of the chemicals ceases. We show that earlier phaseouts of HFCs would provide greater benefits for climate protection than previously recognized, due to the avoided buildup of the banks. If, for example, HFC production were to be phased out in 2020 instead of 2050, not only could about 91–146 GtCO2-eq of cumulative emission be avoided from 2020 to 2050, but an additional bank of about 39–64 GtCO2-eq could also be avoided in 2050. Choices of later phaseout dates lead to larger commitments to climate change unless growing banks of HFCs from millions of dispersed locations are collected and destroyed.
Impact of biomass burning on haze pollution in the Yangtze River delta, China: a case study in summer 2011
Authors: Cheng Z. , Wang S. , Fu X. , Watson J. G. , Jiang J. , Fu Q. , Chen C. , Xu B. , Yu J. , Chow J. C. , Hao J.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Open biomass burning is an important source of air pollution in China and globally. Joint observations of air pollution were conducted in five cities (Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou and Nanjing) of the Yangtze River delta, and a heavy haze episode with visibility 2.9–9.8 km was observed from 28 May to 6 June 2011. The contribution of biomass burning was quantified using both ambient monitoring data and the WRF/CMAQ (Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ)) model simulation. It was found that the average and maximum daily PM2.5 concentrations during the episode were 82 and 144 μgm−3, respectively. Weather pattern analysis indicated that stagnation enhanced the accumulation of air pollutants, while the following precipitation event scavenged the pollution. Mixing depth during the stagnant period was 240–399 m. Estimation based on observation data and CMAQ model simulation indicated that biomass open burning contributed 37% of PM2.5, 70% of organic carbon and 61% of elemental carbon. Satellite-detected fire spots, back-trajectory analysis and air quality model simulation were integrated to identify the locations where the biomass was burned and the pollutants transport. The results suggested that the impact of biomass open burning is regional, due to the substantial inter-province transport of air pollutants. PM2.5 exposure level could be reduced 47% for the YRD region if complete biomass burning is forbidden and significant health benefit is expected. These findings could improve the understanding of heavy haze pollution, and suggest the need to ban open biomass burning during post-harvest seasons.
Surface currents and upwelling in Kerguelen Plateau regions
Authors: Zhou M. , Zhu Y. , d'Ovidio F. , Park Y.-H. , Durand I. , Kestenare E. , Sanial V. , Van-Beek P. , Queguiner B. , Carlotti F. , Blain S.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Mean currents, horizontal diffusivity and upwelling on the Kerguelen Plateau and the deep basin east of the Kerguelen Islands were studied using 48 World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) Standard Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifters deployed during the 2011 austral spring KEOPS II (KErguelen Ocean Plateau compared Study II) cruise. These drifter data were analyzed based on autocovariances for temporal scales, least-squares fitted streamfunctions for estimating mesoscale mean currents, wind stress fields and Ekman pumping, and Taylor's single particle diffusivity for estimating horizontal dispersion of surface waters. The results have revealed the shelfbreak current on the southern and eastern shelf slopes of the Kerguelen Islands, transport of surface waters from the Kerguelen–Heard shelf basin crossing the shelf slope into the deep basin off the plateau east of the Kerguelen Islands, and upwelling driven by wind stress curl in both the plateau and deep basin regions. The estimated volume transports off the Plateau in the upper 50 m based on surface drifters and below the mixed layer based on wind stress curl are 0.5 and 1.7 Sv, respectively, the mean and standard deviation of vertical velocities driven by wind stress curl averaged in the plateau and deep basin regions up to 3.2 ± 7.4 m d−1, and the upwelling fluxes in the surveyed plateau and deep basin regions are approximately 0.7 and 1.1 Sv, respectively. These physical transport processes can have significant effects on balances between biogeochemical elements and their recycling processes.
A conceptual model of check dam hydraulics for gully control: efficiency, optimal spacing and relation with step-pools
Authors: Castillo C. , Pérez R. , Gómez J. A.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. There is little information in scientific literature regarding the modifications induced by check dam systems in flow regimes within restored gully reaches, despite it being a crucial issue for the design of gully restoration measures. Here, we develop a conceptual model to classify flow regimes in straight rectangular channels for initial and dam-filling conditions as well as a method of estimating efficiency in order to provide design guidelines. The model integrates several previous mathematical approaches for assessing the main processes involved (hydraulic jump, impact flow, gradually varied flows). Ten main classifications of flow regimes were identified, producing similar results when compared with the IBER model. An interval for optimal energy dissipation (ODI) was observed when the steepness factor c was plotted against the design number (DN, ratio between the height and the product of slope and critical depth). The ODI was characterized by maximum energy dissipation and total influence conditions. Our findings support the hypothesis of a maximum flow resistance principle valid for a range of spacing rather than for a unique configuration. A value of c = 1 and DN ~ 100 was found to economically meet the ODI conditions throughout the different sedimentation stages of the structure. When our model was applied using the same parameters to the range typical of step-pool systems, the predicted results fell within a similar region to that observed in field experiments. The conceptual model helps to explain the spacing frequency distribution as well as the often-cited trend to lower c for increasing slopes in step-pool systems. This reinforces the hypothesis of a close link between stable configurations of step-pool units and man-made interventions through check dams.
Surface depressions (Lacunas) on Bering Glacier, Alaska: a product of downwasting through differential ablation
Authors: Fleisher P. J.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Bering Glacier lacunas are steep-sided, flat-floored hollows ranging in size from 40 to 60 m wide, 80 to 120 m long, and 35 to 50 m in deep. They are confined within a band of clean ice (1.5 km wide, 5 km long) paralleling the eastern margin of the Bering piedmont lobe. The 1993–1995 surge displaced the lacuna band several kilometers onto the foreland. Specifically significant is the formation of a new band of lacunas 5–6 years later in the same location occupied by the displaced band prior to the surge. Conditions essential to lacuna formation were initiated during the surge as overriding ice was thrust into position across the trend of a subglacial trough, leading to stagnation of ice within the trough. Stagnation combined with saturation at depth altered ice texture and density. Exposure of this ice through normal ablation led to areas of differential ablation and the formation of lacunas.
Applications of Matlab optimization capabilities in the design of N-continuous stirred tank bioreactors connected in series
Authors: Abu-Reesh Ibrahim M.
Published: May 2014

The optimal design (variable volume) of continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR's), in series, performing biological conversion of organic materials, was derived. The optimal design was based on the minimum overall reactor volume required for a certain degree of substrate conversion, and the number of reactors. In this study, it was assumed that cell growth kinetics follows the Contois model with endogenous decay. This unstructured kinetic model has been used by many researchers to describe biodegradation of organic materials, especially in the food industries and industrial wastewater treatment. The optimization problem was formulated as a nonlinear constrained mathematical programming problem, and solved using the Matlab function “fmincon”. The effect of operating parameters such as; substrate concentration in the feed to the first reactor, substrate conversion, and number of CSTR's in series for the optimum design was investigated. Using the optimum design is beneficial only at high substrate conversion. The substrate concentration in the feed to the first reactor has little effect on the total required reactor volume. Up to 5 CSTRs in series were used in this study.
Envisioning the future of a university through environment scanning
Authors: Pervez Tasneem , Ba-Omar Taher , Al-Busaidi Kamla , Ercil Cengiz
Published: May 2014

Long-term thinking is a difficult task that must be undertaken to challenge ourselves to imagine future research, educational and developmental needs. It is difficult but extremely important to imagine the environment for university students and faculty yet to be born, and to think outside the constraints of next year's syllabus or next week's committee meeting. This approach provides us the freedom to think beyond the burdens of problems and challenges knocking the door.

Scanning the future environment, studying the characteristics of the leading comprehensive universities, gathering the opinion of stakeholders and the experience of peers will help to develop and adopt for unpredicted future. This paper focuses on scanning the environment, which the university and its inhabitants will face in the decades to come. Seven environmental scan factors have been identified and summarized based on the imaginative thoughts of futurists gathered through reports, magazine articles, journal papers and web-based materials.
An investigation into specific skills requiring enhancement in Qatari high school students to succeed in an engineering education
Authors: Al-Qahtani Huda , Aqeel Souad , Barnieh Hind , Gouba Asma , Hjeij Dawood , Salem Mohamed , Zourob Mohamed , Ahmed Beena , Salama Ghada , Kerr Tricia
Published: May 2014

Freshmen students at Texas A&M University at Qatar (TAMUQ), take a compulsory course called “Fundamentals of Engineering I”. It mainly focuses on five engineering principles: problem solving, analysis, design, team work and technology. An investigation of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are being taught in Qatari high schools was conducted to determine the limitations students have in the aforementioned principles. Surveys of students and teachers from eight Qatari high schools were conducted, and the teaching process was observed in the classrooms. It was detected that the most drawbacks in the investigated engineering principles were team work, design and use of technology. The purpose of this paper is to showcase the major results obtained from the surveys and observations. Possible solutions are suggested in order to increase the exposure of the Qatari high school students to the main engineering principles and hence make them better prepared for college engineering courses.