bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subungual Osteoid Osteoma of the Distal Phalanx of the Great Toe
Authors: Mohsen Mona , Ilaslan Hakan , Davis Alan , Sundaram Murali
Published: June 2015

A 32-year-old woman presented with progressive enlargement of the distal phalanx of her great left toe and associated mild to moderate pain.
Revision of Failed Hip Resurfacing and Large Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty Using Dual-Mobility Components
Authors: Snir Nimrod , Park Brian K. , Garofolo Garret , Marwin Scott E.
Published: June 2015

Revision of metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hip resurfacing is associated with high complication rates. The authors propose dual-mobility components as a surgical option and present short- to mid-term results of MoM hips revised with dual-mobility components. Eighteen consecutive hips that underwent revision of MoM THA or hip resurfacing using dual-mobility components were identified. At final follow-up (mean, 17.5 months), the visual analog scale, modified Harris Hip Score, and SF-12 scores had all improved (
P
<.05,
P
<.01, and
P
<.05, respectively). There were no dislocations or other complications. Revision of failed MoM THA or hip resurfacing using a dual-mobility device is an effective strategy. [
Orthopedics.
2015; 38(6):369–374.]
Canal-to-Diaphysis Ratio as an Osteoporosis-Related Risk Factor for Hip Fractures
Authors: Rostislav Novak , Nahum Rosenberg , David Nikomarov , Yaron Berkovich , Sergey Mazin , Doron Norman , Yaniv Keren
Published: June 2015

Prevention of osteoporosis is essential to health, quality of life, and independence in the elderly. The accepted diagnostic method for evaluation of fracture risk after osteopenia and osteoporosis is the measurement of bone mineral density with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). This method is limited because of its low accessibility, high capital costs, and low sensitivity. This study evaluated whether canal diameter is a reliable indicator as a major risk factor for hip fracture in the elderly. The canal-to-diaphysis ratio was measured on plain radiographs in 38 patients with trochanteric hip fracture and compared with this ratio in 39 age-matched patients with no hip fracture. Comparison was done with the Shapiro-Wilk test and the likelihood ratio test. Measurements where taken twice with an interval of 1 week apart by the same investigator and then validated by 2 orthopedic consultants from the authors’ institution to ensure inter- and intraobserver reliability. The canal-to-diaphysis ratio was significantly increased (
P
<.001) in patients with trochanteric hip fracture compared with control subjects without fracture. An index of 0.62 represents a risk of intertrochanteric hip fracture of 85.8%. Inter- and intraobserver reliability analysis showed very high reproducibility of the test. An inexpensive and widely accessible tool, such as evaluation of the radiographic canal-to-diaphysis ratio, can be considered as a simple method for the stratification of risk factors for hip fracture in the elderly. A cutoff is suggested to classify patients with a canal-to-diaphysis ratio of more than 0.62 who are at high risk for hip fracture. [
Orthopedics.
2015; 38(6):e457–e461.]
Limited Medial and Lateral Approaches to Treat Stiff Elbows
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Shen , Jiang Shi-chao , Ruan Hong-jiang , He Ning , Fan Cun-yi
Published: June 2015

Open arthrolysis is an effective way to treat elbow stiffness. However, previous approaches led to significant surgical trauma. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the outcome of open arthrolysis with limited medial and lateral approaches combined with hinged external fixation to treat elbow stiffness. A total of 18 patients (18 elbows) with elbow stiffness were retrospectively reviewed. The same inclusion and exclusion criteria were used for all patients. Preoperatively, the mean flexion arc was 43°±28° and the mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 62 points. Limited medial and lateral approaches were used to provide safe and complete arthrolysis. The other protocols included ulnar nerve transposition, medial epicondyle osteotomy, radial head resection, ligament repair, and hinged external fixation. Patients were encouraged to begin early rehabilitation 24 hours after surgery. At a mean follow-up of 20 months, the flexion arc improved to 130°±11° and the mean Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 97 points (15 excellent, 3 good). One patient had elbow instability, but function met the requirements of his daily life. Transient ulnar nerve palsy without infection occurred in 4 patients. With limited medial and lateral approaches, elbow stiffness can be treated effectively with open arthrolysis. This method is trauma controlled. Furthermore, a hinged external fixator can provide sufficient and safe rehabilitation. The use of open arthrolysis with limited medial and lateral approaches combined with hinged external fixation is an effective and safe method to treat elbow stiffness. [
Orthopedics.
2015; 38(6):e477–e484.]
Influence of Rod Contouring on Rod Strength and Stiffness in Spine Surgery
Authors: Demura Satoru , Murakami Hideki , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Kato Satoshi , Yoshioka Katsuhito , Yokogawa Noriaki , Ishii Takayoshi , Igarashi Takashi , Fang Xiang , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: June 2015

For spinal fusion or the correction of spine deformity at multiple levels, intraoperative rod contouring is required to realign the spine. A French bender is the most common contouring tool used. There are several reports on the mechanical properties of various rods with manufactured straight rod; however, few reports describe the changes in a rod’s mechanical properties after rod contouring. The authors investigated the influences of rod contouring on rod strength and stiffness. A 3-point bending test was conducted. Each 18-cm rod was loaded at a rate of 10 mm/min with a load applicator. Three different rod diameters (5.5, 6.0, and 6.35 mm) and 2 types of materials (titanium [Ti] alloy and cobalt-chromium [CoCr] alloy) were assessed. Different rod curvatures were evaluated: (1) a no-preparation rod of 0° (control); (2) a 0° rod bent at one point to make tangential angles of 10° and then bent back from the opposite side; (3) a bent rod with tangential angles of 20°; and (4) a 40° bent rod. The yield strength in all types of rod materials and diameter decreased after rod contouring using a French bender. The extent of decrease depended on the degree of bend. The bending stiffness of each rod also decreased. The CoCr rod showed higher bending stiffness than the Ti rod of the same diameter. Rod contouring using a French bender reduced the yield strength and stiffness in all types of rods. Decrease of yield strength correlated to the degree of bend. In the comparison of 20° and 40° contoured rods, the 6.0-mm CoCr rod showed the highest reduction force. This study found that rod contouring procedures reduced rod yield strength and stiffness. [
Orthopedics.
2015; 38(6):e520–e523.]
Melatonin, Liraglutide, and Naltrexone/Bupropion for the Treatment of Obesity and Medication-Related Weight Gain
Authors: Howland Robert H.
Published: June 2015

Overweight and obesity are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This is a known problem among individuals with psychiatric illness, which may be partly due to the adverse metabolic effects of certain psychotropic drugs. Melatonin, liraglutide, and naltrexone/bupropion are examples of drugs with different mechanisms of action that have favorable effects on obesity or medication-related weight gain. Melatonin is appropriate to consider for any patient who will be started on a psychotropic drug that is potentially associated with weight gain or other adverse metabolic effects. Liraglutide should also be considered appropriate for use in overweight or obese psychiatric patients, including those with medication-associated weight gain. The use of naltrexone/bupropion may be problematic in patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because of the potential adverse effects of the bupropion component of the combination. All three drugs deserve further dedicated studies in psychiatric patient populations. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 53
(6), 19–22.]
The Role of Micro-Blogging in Responding to Corporate Controversy
Authors: Lambert Megan , Vie Stephanie
Published: June 2015

Over the past two decades, social media has transformed personal and professional communication. The distributed nature of social media has contributed to its widespread dissemination, enabling individuals to discover, share, and comment on social issues and events happening around the world. In particular, the affordances of micro-blogging have enabled frequent and accessible communication between corporations and their consumers; thus, crisis response is an especially important use of micro-blogging sites such as Twitter for corporations. This chapter explores ways micro-blogging can be used to respond to corporate controversies and the public outrage brought on by such controversy as expressed through social media. Using the official Twitter accounts of corporations dealing with controversy as sites of analysis, the authors analyze how these corporations use their official Twitter accounts to respond to controversy and provide insight into the roles micro-blogging can play in responding to corporate crisis.
Tweeting for Service
Authors: Pozza Ilaria Dalla , Wood Natalie T. , Burkhalter Janée N.
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the use of Twitter as a communication channel for customer service interactions. The authors discuss the topic of multichannel communication outlets and how popular social media platforms such as Twitter influence the channel choice patterns of today's customers. The chapter presents the findings of in-depth interviews with 50 customers of a major European telecommunications provider aimed at understanding their motivation to use Twitter for service interactions and how Twitter impacts their use of traditional communication channels including telephones and in-person customer representative interactions. Findings reveal that Twitter is a complement for traditional channels. Further, the number of different channels a customer engages with during a particular purchase process is a function of the customer's knowledge for both the channel and the product/service in question.
Immunology of a Transmissible Cancer Spreading among Tasmanian Devils
Authors: Woods Gregory M. , Howson Lauren J. , Brown Gabriella K. , Tovar Cesar , Kreiss Alexandre , Corcoran Lynn M. , Lyons A. Bruce
Published: June 2015

Devil facial tumor disease (DFTD) is a transmissible cancer that has killed most of the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrissii) population. Since the first case appeared in the mid-1990s, it has spread relentlessly across the Tasmanian devil’s geographic range. As Tasmanian devils only exist in Tasmania, Australia, DFTD has the potential to cause extinction of this species. The origin of DFTD was a Schwann cell from a female devil. The disease is transmitted when devils bite each other around the facial areas, a behavior synonymous with this species. Every devil that is ‘infected’ with DFTD dies from the cancer. Once the DFTD cells have been transmitted, they appear to develop into a cancer without inducing an immune response. The DFTD cancer cells avoid allogeneic recognition because they do not express MHC class I molecules on the cell surface. A reduced genetic diversity and the production of immunosuppressive cytokines may also contribute.
Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells and Fixed Immune Surveillance in Nonlymphoid Organs
Authors: Carbone Francis R.
Published: June 2015

T cell immunity is often defined in terms of memory lymphocytes that use the blood to access a range of organs. T cells are involved in two patterns of recirculation. In one, the cells shuttle back and forth between blood and secondary lymphoid organs, whereas in the second, memory cells recirculate between blood and nonlymphoid tissues. The latter is a means by which blood T cells control peripheral infection. It is now clear that there exists a distinct memory T cell subset that is absent from blood but found within nonlymphoid tissues. These nonrecirculating tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells develop within peripheral compartments and never spread beyond their point of lodgement. This review examines fixed immune surveillance by TRM cells, highlighting features that make them potent controllers of infection in nonlymphoid tissues. These features provide clues about TRM cell specialization, such as their ability to deal with sequestered, persisting infections confined to peripheral compartments.
Cold-Water Immersion for Hyperthermic Humans Wearing American Football Uniforms
Authors: Miller Kevin C. , Swartz Erik E. , Long Blaine C.
Published: June 2015

Context

Current treatment recommendations for American football players with exertional heatstroke are to remove clothing and equipment and immerse the body in cold water. It is unknown if wearing a full American football uniform during cold-water immersion (CWI) impairs rectal temperature (Trec) cooling or exacerbates hypothermic afterdrop.

Objective

To determine the time to cool Trec from 39.5°C to 38.0°C while participants wore a full American football uniform or control uniform during CWI and to determine the uniform's effect on Trec recovery postimmersion.

Design

Crossover study.

Setting

Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 18 hydrated, physically active, unacclimated men (age = 22 ± 3 years, height = 178.8 ± 6.8 cm, mass = 82.3 ± 12.6 kg, body fat = 13% ± 4%, body surface area = 2.0 ± 0.2 m2).

Intervention(s)

Participants wore the control uniform (undergarments, shorts, crew socks, tennis shoes) or full uniform (control plus T-shirt; tennis shoes; jersey; game pants; padding over knees, thighs, and tailbone; helmet; and shoulder pads). They exercised (temperature approximately 40°C, relative humidity approximately 35%) until Trec reached 39.5°C. They removed their T-shirts and shoes and were then immersed in water (approximately 10°C) while wearing each uniform configuration; time to cool Trec to 38.0°C (in minutes) was recorded. We measured Trec (°C) every 5 minutes for 30 minutes after immersion.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Time to cool from 39.5°C to 38.0°C and Trec.

Results

The Trec cooled to 38.0°C in 6.19 ± 2.02 minutes in full uniform and 8.49 ± 4.78 minutes in control uniform (t17 = −2.1, P = .03; effect size = 0.48) corresponding to cooling rates of 0.28°C·min−1 ± 0.12°C·min−1 in full uniform and 0.23°C·min−1 ± 0.11°C·min−1 in control uniform (t17 = 1.6, P = .07, effect size = 0.44). The Trec postimmersion recovery did not differ between conditions over time (F1,17 = 0.6, P = .59).

Conclusions

We speculate that higher skin temperatures before CWI, less shivering, and greater conductive cooling explained the faster cooling in full uniform. Cooling rates were considered ideal when the full uniform was worn during CWI, and wearing the full uniform did not cause a greater postimmersion hypothermic afterdrop. Clinicians may immerse football athletes with hyperthermia wearing a full uniform without concern for negatively affecting body-core cooling.
Kinesio Tape and Shoulder-Joint Position Sense
Authors: Aarseth Lindsay M. , Suprak David N. , Chalmers Gordon R. , Lyon Lonnie , Dahlquist Dylan T.
Published: June 2015

Context

 Joint position sense (JPS) is a key neuromuscular factor for developing and maintaining control of muscles around a joint. It is important when performing specialized tasks, especially at the shoulder. No researchers have studied how Kinesio Tape (KT) application affects JPS.

Objective

 To investigate the effects of KT application and no tape on shoulder JPS at increasing shoulder elevations in athletes.

Design

 Cross-sectional study.

Setting

 University laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

 A total of 27 healthy athletes who did not participate in overhead sports (age = 20.44 ± 1.05 years, height = 175.02 ± 11.67 cm, mass = 70.74 ± 9.65 kg) with no previous pathologic shoulder conditions volunteered for the study. All participants were from 1 university.

Intervention(s)

 Shoulder JPS was assessed at increasing elevations with and without KT application. Participants attempted to actively replicate 3 target positions with and without the KT and without visual guidance.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

 We examined absolute and variable repositioning errors at increasing shoulder-elevation levels with and without KT application.

Results

 Data revealed an interaction between tape and position for absolute error (F2,52 = 4.07, P = .02); simple effects revealed an increase in error, with KT demonstrating a 2.65° increase in error at 90° of elevation compared with no tape (t26 = 2.65, P = .01). The effect size was medium (ω2 = .135). Variable error showed no interaction of tape and position (F2,52 = .709, P = .50). Further analysis of simple effects was not needed. However, we still calculated the effect size and observed small effect sizes for tape (ω2 = .002), position (ω2 = .072), and tape by position (ω2 = .027).

Conclusions

 At 90° of elevation, shoulder JPS was impaired by the application of KT.
Ubuntu and the quest for land reform in South Africa
Authors: Holtzhausen Herman
Published: June 2015

In this article, I ask the question how we can relate ubuntu to South African land reform from a practical-theological point of view. I will look at researchers� efforts to understand ubuntu and how these efforts do and do not integrate into the conversation around land reform.Referring to land reform, I will focus on two private narratives as opposed to dominant public narratives. An in-depth discussion on legislation and research on perspectives of land ownership therefore falls outside of the ambit of this article. In conclusion, I will argue that the relationship between a landowner and his or her dispossessed coworkers can be the fertile soil which ubuntu requires to find sustainable local answers to land reform.
Fiber cell development and fiber yield of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) affected by the seasonal temperature pattern
Authors: Du Guang-Hui , Liu Fei-Hu , Rowland Gordon
Published: June 2015

Du, G.-H., Liu, F.-H. and Rowland, G. 2015. Fiber cell development and fiber yield of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) affected by the seasonal temperature pattern. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1215–1220. Three fiber flax cultivars ‘Ariane’, ‘Argos’ and ‘Viking’ were cultured in growth chambers under three seasonal temperature patterns (STPs) [parabolic (P), anti-parabolic (AP) and quasi-horizontal (QH) configurations]. The effect of STP was studied on fiber cell development and on fiber yield. The results indicated that, compared with the quasi-horizontal seasonal temperature pattern (QH-STP), the size of fiber cell cavity (SFCC) and fiber content (FC) decreased under parabolic seasonal temperature pattern (P-STP). However, the size of fiber cell (SFC) and SFCC decreased, but the number of fiber cells per bundle (NFCB) increased under anti-parabolic seasonal temperature pattern (AP-STP). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between fiber weight (FW) and width of fiber bundle (WFB), also between FC and NFCB. Considering the response of fiber flax cultivars to the different STPs, ‘Ariane’ had smaller SFC and SFCC, thinner thickness of fiber cell wall (TFCW) under AP-STP, and smaller SFCC and thicker TFCW under P-STP than under QH-STP, while ‘Argos’ had smaller SFC and SFCC, and higher NFCB under AP-STP, and smaller SFC under P-STP than under QH-STP. However, STPs had little effect on the fiber cell development of ‘Viking’. All three cultivars had high FC under AP-STP than under P-STP. These observations indicate that the fiber cell development and fiber yield of flax were related to the STP and suggest that AP-STP are the most favorable temperature conditions for fiber flax growth.
Consistency of performance of early-maturing maize cultivars in Striga-infested and Striga-free environments
Authors: Badu-Apraku Baffour , Yallou Chabi , Oyekunle Muhyideen , Akinwale Richard , Aweke G. , Kamara Alpha
Published: June 2015

Badu-Apraku, B., Yallou, C., Oyekunle, M., Akinwale, R., Aweke, G. and Kamara, A. 2015. Consistency of performance of early-maturing maize cultivars in Striga-infested and Striga-free environments. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1073–1084. Despite the immense potential of maize (Zea mays L.) in savannas of West and Central Africa (WCA), production and productivity is constrained by Striga hermonthica parasitism. Sixteen early-maturing cultivars were evaluated at two locations in Nigeria and three locations in the Republic of Benin from 2007 to 2009 to assess the grain yield, stability and the consistency of the rankings of the cultivars under Striga-infested and Striga-free environments. The combined analysis of variance showed significant (P<0.01) cultivar and cultivar×environment interactions for grain yield and other traits under Striga-infested and Striga-free environments. The test of concordance was significant (P<0.001) for grain yield (W=0.68), number of emerged Striga plants (W=0.74) and Striga damage (W=0.56) under Striga infestation, indicating stability of resistance in the cultivars developed from diverse sources under artificial S. hermonthica infestation across environments. There was high consistency of the rankings of the cultivars for grain yield and other Striga-resistance traits under Striga-infested and Striga-free environments in Benin and Nigeria. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) biplot analysis for grain yield revealed POOL15SR/ACR94TZECOMP5-W/ACR94TZECOMP5-W and 2004 TZE-Y Pop DT STR C4 as the most stable cultivars with above-average mean grain yield in Striga-infested environments and they can be combined with other crop management options to control the parasite in the Striga endemic environments. Cultivars TZE Comp 5-W C7F2 and TZE Comp5-Y C6 S6 (Set B) had less Striga damage and number of emerged Striga plants across test environments. These cultivars could therefore serve as unique sources of favorable alleles for improving Striga resistance in maize in different production environments and farming systems.
AAC Liscard maple pea
Authors: Bing Deng-Jin , Beauchesne Don , Vera Cecil , Balasubramanian Parthiba
Published: June 2015

Bing, D.-J., Beauchesne, D., Vera, C. and Balasubramanian, P. 2015. AAC Liscard maple pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1279–1281. AAC Liscard is a semi-leafless maple pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lacombe Research Centre, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. It is a high-yielding cultivar with excellent standability. AAC Liscard is resistant to powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi Syd. It has early maturity and medium seed size in the maple pea class. AAC Liscard is adapted to the field pea growing regions in western Canada.
AAC Barrhead field pea
Authors: Bing Deng-Jin , Beauchesne Don , McLaren Debbie , Vera Cecil
Published: June 2015

Bing, D.-J., Beauchesne, D., McLaren, D. and Vera, C. 2015. AAC Barrhead field pea. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1277–1278. AAC Barrhead is a semi-leafless, yellow cotyledonary field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar developed at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Lacombe Research Centre, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. It is a high-yielding cultivar with excellent standability. AAC Barrhead is resistant to powdery mildew caused by Erysiphe pisi Syd. It has medium maturity and is adapted to all field growing regions in western Canada.
Unusual stratospheric ozone anomalies observed in 22 years of measurements from Lauder, New Zealand
Authors: Nedoluha G. E. , Boyd I. S. , Parrish A. , Gomez R. M. , Allen D. R. , Froidevaux L. , Connor B. J. , Querel R. R.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. The Microwave Ozone Profiling Instrument (MOPI1) has provided ozone (O3) profiles for the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) at Lauder, New Zealand (45.0° S, 169.7° E), since 1992. We present the entire 22-year data set and compare with satellite O3 observations. We study in detail two particularly interesting variations in O3. The first is a large positive O3 anomaly that occurs in the mid-stratosphere (~ 10–30 hPa) in June 2001, which is caused by an anticyclonic circulation that persists for several weeks over Lauder. This O3 anomaly is associated with the most equatorward June average tracer equivalent latitude (TrEL) over the 36-year period (1979–2014) for which the Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis is available. A second, longer-lived feature, is a positive O3 anomaly in the mid-stratosphere (~ 10 hPa) from mid-2009 until mid-2013. Coincident measurements from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) show that these high O3 mixing ratios are well correlated with high nitrous oxide (N2O) mixing ratios. This correlation suggests that the high O3 over this 4-year period is driven by unusual dynamics. The beginning of the high O3 and high N2O period at Lauder (and throughout this latitude band) occurs nearly simultaneously with a sharp decrease in O3 and N2O at the equator, and the period ends nearly simultaneously with a sharp increase in O3 and N2O at the equator.
On retrieving refractive index of dust-like particles using shape distributions of ellipsoids
Authors: Kemppinen O. , Nousiainen T. , Merikallio S. , Räisänen P.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Ellipsoid-based retrievals are widely used for investigating optical properties of non-ellipsoidal atmospheric particles, such as dust. In this work, the applicability of ellipsoids for retrieving the refractive index of dust-like target model particles from scattering data is investigated. This is a pure modeling study, where stereogrammetrically retrieved model dust shapes are used as targets. The primary objective is to study whether the refractive index of these target particles can be inverted from their scattering matrices using ellipsoidal model particles. To achieve this, first scattering matrices for the target model particles with known refractive indices are computed. On one hand, a non-negative least squares fitting is performed, separately for different scattering matrix elements, for a set of 46 differently shaped ellipsoids by using different assumed refractive indices. Then, the fitting error is evaluated to establish whether the ellipsoidal base best matches the target scattering matrix elements when the correct refractive index is assumed. On the other hand, we also test whether the ellipsoids best match the target data with the correct refractive index, if a predefined (uniform) shape distribution for ellipsoids is assumed, instead of optimizing the shape distribution separately for each tested refractive index. The results show that for both of these approaches using the ellipsoids with the true refractive index produces good results, but also that for each element even better results are acquired by using wrong refractive indices. In addition, the best agreement is found for different scattering matrix elements using different refractive indices. The findings imply that the inversion of refractive index of non-ellipsoidal particles may not be reliable using ellipsoids. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the differences in single-scattering albedo and asymmetry parameter between the best-match ellipsoid ensemble and the target particles may give rise to major differences in simulated aerosol radiative effects.
Influence of mesoscale eddies on the distribution of nitrous oxide in the eastern tropical South Pacific
Authors: Arévalo-Martínez D. L. , Kock A. , Löscher C. R. , Schmitz R. A. , Stramma L. , Bange H. W.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Recent observations in the eastern tropical South Pacific (ETSP) demonstrated the key role of meso- and submesoscale processes (e.g. eddies) in shaping its hydrographic and biogeochemical properties. Off Peru, elevated primary production from coastal upwelling in combination with sluggish ventilation of subsurface waters fuels a prominent oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). Given that nitrous oxide (N2O) production/consumption processes on the water column are sensitive to oxygen (O2) concentrations, the ETSP is a region of particular interest to investigate its source-sink dynamics. To date, no detailed surveys linking mesoscale processes and N2O distributions as well as their relevance to nitrogen (N) cycling are available. In this study, we present the first measurements of N2O across three mesoscale eddies (two mode water or anticyclonic and one cyclonic) which were identified, tracked and sampled during two surveys carried out in the ETSP in November-December 2012. A "two peak" structure was observed for N2O, wherein the two maxima coincide with the upper and lower boundaries of the OMZ, indicating active nitrification and partial denitrification. This was further supported by the abundances of the key gene for nitrification amoA and the gene marker for N2O production during denitrification, nirS. Conversely, we found strong N2O depletion in the core of the OMZ (O2 < 5 μmol L−1) to be consistent with nitrite (NO2−) accumulation and low levels of nitrate (NO3−), thus suggesting active denitrification. N2O depletion within the OMZ's core was substantially higher in the center of mode water eddies, supporting the view that eddy activity enhances N-loss processes off Peru, in particular near the shelf break where nutrient-rich, productive waters from upwelling are trapped before being transported offshore. Analysis of eddies during their propagation towards the open ocean showed that, in general, "aging" of mesoscale eddies tends to decrease N2O concentrations through the water column in response to reduced supply of material to fuel N-loss, although hydrographic variability might also significantly impact the pace of the production/consumption pathways for N2O. Our results demonstrate the relevance of mode water eddies for N2O distribution, thereby improving our understanding of the N-cycling processes, which are of crucial importance in times of climate change and ocean deoxygenation.
Rainfall and land use empirically coupled to forecast landslides in the Esino river basin, central Italy
Authors: Gioia E. , Carone T. , Marincioni F.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. A coupled empirical approach to highlight relationships between rainfall, vegetation segmentation, and landslide occurrence is discussed. To reveal such links, two important rainfall events, which occurred over the Esino river basin in central Italy in November 2013 and May 2014, were analysed. The correlation between rainfall and landslides was evaluated by applying an intensity–duration (ID) threshold method, whereas the correlation between vegetation segmentation and landslides was investigated using morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA). This coupled approach represents an attempt to find both timing and location of landslide occurrence through an empirical (black box) analysis. Results showed: (i) the ID minimum threshold proposed in a previous study (Gioia et al., 2015) to be verified as an effective equation to assess the rainfall conditions likely to trigger landslides in the study area ("when"), and (ii) the core areas and the fragmented vegetation structures defined by the MSPA to be the most affected by slope failures ("where"). These encouraging findings prompt additional testing and the application of such a coupled empirical approach so that it is possible to achieve an integrated basis for landslide forecasting.
COMBINED NUMERICAL FINITE ELEMENT AND EXPERIMENTAL OPTIMIZATION APPROACH IN THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF MEDIUM-VOLTAGE, RUBBER-INSULATED ELECTRIC CABLES VULCANIZED WITH STEAM WATER. PART 2: NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS AND INVERSE ANALYSES
Authors: Milani G. , Milani F.
Published: June 2015

A comprehensive, combined, numerical model is presented, based on genetic algorithm (GA) optimization and heat-transfer finite-element computations. The numerical analyses were carried out to evaluate the final cross-linking degree of a medium-voltage electric cable subjected to industrial peroxide reticulation. The difference between numerically predicted and experimentally determined cross-linking degree along the thickness of the insulator is then minimized, when a variable steam-temperature profile along the pipe length is assumed to explain the unexpected undervulcanization of the cable in the internal layers. To minimize the gap between the experimentally determined degree of curing and numerical predictions, a GA optimization is used for best fit, instead of the steepest-descendent, standard least-squares, which is not applicable in this case because the objective function is not analytically known. The cable was supposedly vulcanized under four different conditions. The degree of cross-linking is experimentally obtained by determining the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the nondecomposed peroxide from the external layer to the core of the cable. The proposed GA approach exploits a specifically crafted, zooming strategy, consisting of the subdivision of the population at each iteration into two subgroups, depending on the individual's grade of fitness (elitist strategy). The integrated, numerical, experimental approach allows optimization of the amount of peroxide in the compound and comparison of the performances of different peroxide mixtures. The degree of cross-linking compliance can be obtained as a function of the temperature gradient measured in the steam pipe. Production conditions can be automatically calculated according to the cable parameters, by increasing the quality reliability and reducing the scraps.
Determinants of FDI in Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Olatunji Lateef Ademola , Shahid Muhammad Sadiq
Published: June 2015

Although it may seem natural to argue that foreign direct investment (FDI) can convey great advantages to host countries. This paper finds that FDI flows to Sub-Saharan Africa economies unaffected by conflict and political instability exceed those with crisis. For FDI to strive in these countries, it must introduce sound economic policies and make the country investor friendly. There must be political stability, sound economic management and well developed infrastructure.
“The Shadows of the Evening Stretched Out”
Authors: Angell Stephen W.
Published: June 2015

Richard Robinson was an important and neglected figure in the early history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The AME Church's success in its first forty-six years of existence should be attributed partly to Robinson's wise, patient, and steady long-term leadership. This study examines his conversion and call to the ministry. It closely analyzes his interest in transnational ministry, especially his mission work in Haiti. In addition, it pays attention to his role as a pastor and mentor to other clergy, the limitations to which his lack of literacy subjected him, his cautious antislavery activity, and the impetus to civil rights activity caused by Robinson's sudden demise while riding a segregated Philadelphia streetcar. The article also examines methodological limitations relating to working with illiterate subjects. Robinson's combination of idealism in education, commitment to transnational ministry, and pragmatism in politics helped to shape the AME Church for generations to come.
James Baldwin's Decolonial Love as Religious Orientation
Authors: Drexler-Dreis Joseph
Published: June 2015

In this article, I use the concept of decolonial love to synthesize the religious and theological dimensions of James Baldwin's work. I argue that Baldwin's decolonial love functions as an ultimate orientation within his work, and that decolonial love is an orientation and a praxis that is a form of revelation. The revelatory capacity of decolonial love, which particularly comes out of the lived experiences on the underside of Western modernity, catalyzes what Baldwin refers to as salvation. I show this, first, by engaging Baldwin's decolonial love as a response to the way coloniality manifests itself in the United States and, second, by engaging Baldwin's response to coloniality—that is, decolonial love—as a religious response.
The Violence of Translation
Authors: Jefferson-Tatum Elana
Published: June 2015

The study of African religious cultures has long been hindered by inadequate “translational resources,” to use Robin Horton's phrase, that privilege Western and Christian normative social standards over local ideologies. Biased Western translational practices not only reflect the problems inherent to interpreting the Other but also do discursive violence to African embodied experiences. Tracing this violence of translation through a case-study analysis of Edna Bay's Wives of the Leopard (1998), this article interrogates Bay's assertion that “prostitution” was an institutionalized practice in the precolonial Dahomean kingdom. Through an analysis of primary documents, linguistic studies, and secondary historical and theoretical sources, this study finds that Euro-Western gender assumptions may conceal the inner workings of African social institutions and that European travelers' musings about African “whores” are inadequate evidence of “prostitution.” Devising an alternative interpretation of the Dahomean royal social institution, this article instead suggests the operation of an indigenous matrimony system.
Keeping the Actors in the Organic System Learning: The Role of Organic Farmers’ Experiments
Authors: Vogl Christian R. , Kummer Susanne , Leitgeb Friedrich , Schunko Christoph , Aigner Magdalena
Published: June 2015

The creative process that leads to farmers’ innovations is rarely studied or described precisely in agricultural sciences. For academic scientists, obvious limitations of farmers’ experiments are e.g. precision, reliability, robustness, accuracy, validity or the correct analysis of cause and effect. Nevertheless, we propose that ‘farmers’ experiments’ underpin innovations that keep organic farming locally tuned for sustainability and adaptable to changing economic, social and ecological conditions. We first researched the structure and role of farmers’ experiments by conducting semi-structured interviews of 47 organic farmers in Austria and 72 organic/agroecology farmers in Cuba in 2007 and 2008. Seventysix more structured interviews explored the topics and methods used by Austrian farmers that were ‘trying something’. Farmers engaged in activities that can be labelled as farmers experiments because these activities include considerable planning, manipulating variables, monitoring effects and communicating results. In Austria and Cuba 487 and 370 individual topics, respectively, were mentioned for experimenting by the respondents. These included topics like the introduction of new species or varieties, testing various ways of commercialization or the testing of alternative remedies. Two thirds (Austria) and one third (Cuba) of the farmers who experimented had an explicit mental or written plan before starting. In both countries, the majority of the farmers stated that they set up their experiments first on a small scale and expanded them if the outcome of the experiments was satisfactory. Repetitions were done by running experiments in subsequent years and the majority of the farmers monitored the experiments regularly. In both countries, many experiments were not discrete actions but nested in time and space. For further research on learning and innovation in organic farming we propose an explicit appreciation of farmers’ experiments, encouraging further in-depth research on the details of the farmers’ experimental process and encouraging the inclusion of farmers’ experiments in strategies for innovation in organic and non organic farming. Strategic research and innovation agendas for organic farming would benefit from including organic farmers as co-researchers in all steps of the research process in order to encourage co-learning between academic scientists and organic farmers.
Over de rol van leemtes in de wet bij de ontwikkeling van concordante rechtspraak
Authors: Lewin G.C.C.
Published: June 2015

Over de rol van leemtes in de wet bij de ontwikkeling van concordante rechtspraak

In welke gevallen ontwikkelt de burgerlijk rechter in het Caribische deel van het Koninkrijk concordante rechtspraak? Schr. onderzoekt deze vraag aan de hand van rechtspraak over de begrippen ‘leemte in de wet’ en ‘concordantie van rechtspraak’. De conclusie is dat leemtes in de wet er in soorten en maten zijn en dat de aard van de leemte in de wet in sommige gevallen direct of indirect gezichtspunten kan opleveren die van belang zijn bij de beoordeling van deze vraag.
Doorwerking van het Europees recht in de Arubaanse rechtsorde
Authors: Luk N.C.
Published: June 2015

Doorwerking van het Europees recht in de Arubaanse rechtsorde. Over de personele werking van de VEU en VWEU in verhouding tot het Nederlanderschap op Aruba

In dit artikel verdedigt de auteur het standpunt dat het Europees recht doorwerkt in de rechtsordes van landen en gebieden overzee. Aan de hand van twee argumenten – de personele werking van het Europees burgerschap en de uniforme toepassing van de RWN – wordt deze doorwerking onderbouwd voor het Nederlanderschap op Aruba. Verder wordt aangetoond dat deze doorwerking belangrijke gevolgen heeft voor de Arubaanse rechtsorde. In het bijzonder wordt gewezen op de bijkomende bevoegdheid van Arubaanse rechters om prejudiciële vragen te stellen aan het Hof van Justitie van de Europese Unie.
De tolk in het strafproces op Aruba
Authors: Paul S.V.V.
Published: June 2015

De tolk in het strafproces op Aruba: aanbevelingen voor de wetgever en de praktijk

Het recht van een verdachte op kosteloze bijstand van een tolk is van groot belang, aangezien de Arubaanse samenleving zeer multicultureel is en taalbarrières in de rechtszaal frequent voorkomen. Vragen die in dit artikel besproken worden zijn onder andere: wie is een tolk, welke stukken moeten voor de verdachte vertolkt/vertaald worden en vanaf wanneer ontstaat het recht van de verdachte op kosteloze bijstand van een tolk? De conclusie die wordt getrokken is dat de regeling van de kosteloze bijstand van een tolk in artikel 348 lid 1 ASv slechts in beperkte mate voldoet aan de eisen van artikel 6 EVRM. De wetgever is aan zet om dit recht in het nieuwe Wetboek van Strafvordering van Aruba op afdoende wijze te codificeren.
Toerekening van kennis van een gevolmachtigde - een verkenning van artikel 3:66 lid 2 BW
Authors: Katan B.M.
Published: June 2015

Toerekening van kennis van een gevolmachtigde – een verkenning van artikel 3:66 lid 2 BW

Over de toepassing van de leer van het grootste aandeel, zoals vervat in artikel 3:66 lid 2 BW, bestaat veel onduidelijkheid. De auteur geeft antwoord op zes vragen over de werking van artikel 3:66 lid 2 BW en signaleert onjuiste toepassingen van deze bepaling in de rechtspraak.
Tegen fraude is geen bankgarantie opgewassen
Authors: Spanjaard J.H.M.
Published: June 2015

Tegen fraude is geen bankgarantie opgewassen

De bankgarantie is een verbintenisrechtelijke zekerheidsfiguur, die de begunstigde aanspraak geeft jegens een bank op uitbetaling van een doorgaans door een derde verschuldigd bedrag. Indien aan de voorwaarden van de bankgarantie is voldaan, is de bank in beginsel gehouden tot uitkering over te gaan. De bank mag uitkering weigeren op grond van de beperkende werking van de redelijkheid en billijkheid, voornamelijk indien sprake is van bedrog of willekeur. In het Amstelpark-arrest, dat in deze bijdrage centraal staat, oordeelde de Hoge Raad dat bedrog of willekeur niet uitsluitend door de opdrachtgever of begunstigde hoeft te zijn bewerkstelligd, maar dat ook bedrog of willekeur van een betrokken derde tot weigering van uitkering kan leiden.
Law and Functionalism: The Limited Function of Law
Authors: van Roermund Bert
Published: June 2015

Law and Functionalism: The Limited Function of Law

This paper raises two methodological questions from a philosophical perspective: (i) what is involved in a functionalist approach to law and (ii) what should be the focus of such an approach? To answer these questions, I will take two steps with both. To begin with, I argue that Pettit’s view on functionalist approaches may be made relevant for law; functionalist accounts target a virtual mechanism that explains why a system will be resilient under changes in either the system or its environment. Secondly, I make a distinction between two interpretations of his key-concept ‘resilience’, one in mechanical, the other in teleological terms. With regard to the second question I will take two steps as well. I argue why it does not make sense to ascribe wide functions to law, followed by a plea for a limited view on the function of law. This limited view is based on a teleological understanding of the law’s resilience. I argue that these two modes are interrelated in ways that are relevant for the interdisciplinary study of law.
Validação de instrumento quantitativo sobre consumo de exclusividade em uma tribo urbana em Porto Alegre
Authors: Lübeck Rafael Mendes , Santini Fernando De Oliveira , Sampaio Cláudio Hoffmann , Leonhardt Bruna Castaman
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a study for revalidation and adjustment of an instrument for data collection on uniqueness through consumption – CNFU (Consumer Need for Uniqueness)–  applied to the Brazilian context within a group of people who use bicycles not only as a means of transportation (like a car) but as a symbolic means to represent their individuality, distinction and nonconformity with the “automobile society”. These individuals are part of an urban tribe that grows concurrently to both the increased number of cars in major cities and the consequent traffic problems in the urban space. The data collection occurred through the application of 230 questionnaires via Facebook,as well as during public gatherings of cyclists in Porto Alegre, and 199 out of these questionnaires were considered valid. Data analysis was performed using factor analysis, which reduced the number of variables of the original model, generating a data collection instrument adjusted to the studied reality.
How Can We Plan for Progression in Primary School History?
Authors: Cooper Hilary
Published: June 2015

This paper addresses issues concerning planning for and assessing progression in children’s thinking in primary school history. It argues that it is necessary to assess progression within the framework of constructivist learning theories, applied to the processes of historical enquiry. First, it discusses early research into children’s ability to understand concepts of time, historical sources and interpretations. Next, it describes the structure of the English National Curriculum, introduced in 1989, in which pupils are required to apply the processes of historical enquiry to content, in increasingly complex ways. The problem of what is meant by progression in history led to a large-scale research project attempting to identify patterns of development. It is argued that this proved problematic, and the level descriptors for the English History Curriculum have subsequently been removed. The article concludes that, at the moment, progression can be best planned for based on small-scale case studies, which apply constructivist theories to historical enquiries. Finally, suggestions are given for how teachers can plan and evaluate both their own practice and their pupils’ progress.