bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embedded Systems Security
Authors: Farooq-i-Azam Muhammad , Ayyaz Muhammad Naeem
Published: June 2013

Not long ago, it was thought that only software applications and general purpose digital systems i.e. computers were prone to various types of attacks against their security. The underlying hardware, hardware implementations of these software applications, embedded systems, and hardware devices were considered to be secure and out of reach of these attacks. However, during the previous few years, it has been demonstrated that novel attacks against the hardware and embedded systems can also be mounted. Not only viruses, but worms and Trojan horses have been developed for them, and they have also been demonstrated to be effective. Whereas a lot of research has already been done in the area of security of general purpose computers and software applications, hardware and embedded systems security is a relatively new and emerging area of research. This chapter provides details of various types of existing attacks against hardware devices and embedded systems, analyzes existing design methodologies for their vulnerability to new types of attacks, and along the way describes solutions and countermeasures against them for the design and development of secure systems.
New Tools in Hardware and Software Design Applied for Remote Photovoltaic Laboratory
Authors: Cotfas Petru A. , Cotfas Daniel T. , Ursutiu Doru , Samoila Cornel , Iordache Dragos
Published: June 2013

This chapter aims to present a system for remote laboratories dedicated to solar cells in the context of contemporary research development in the field of renewable energy. The system is based on the NI ELVIS rapid prototyping platform, the LabVIEW graphical programming language, remote control techniques, and an original add-on for studying solar cells developed for the platform. The completed NI ELVIS add-on, called SolarLab, is a modular board, which allows users to perform eighteen different lab experiments. Using the developed driver, users can create their own applications according to their needs. Thus, SolarLab can be used for both education and research purposes.
A Comparative Analysis of Software Engineering Approaches for Sequence Analysis
Authors: Ahmad Muneer , Jung Low Tang , Zaman Noor
Published: June 2013

DNA is considered the building block of living species. DNA sequence alignment and analysis have been big challenges for the scientists for many years. This research presents a comparative analysis of state of the art software engineering approaches for sequence analysis, i.e. genome sequences in particular. Sequence analysis problems are NP hard and need optimal solutions. The underlying problems stated are duplicate sequence detection, sequence matching by relevance, and sequence analysis by approximate comparison in general and by using tools, i.e. Matlab and multi-lingual sequence analysis. The usefulness of these operations is also highlighted, and future expectations are described. The proposal describes the concepts, tools, methodologies, and algorithms being used for sequence analysis. The sequences contain the precious information that needs to be mined for useful purposes. There is high concentration required to model the optimal solution. The similarity and alignments concepts cannot be addressed directly with one technique or algorithm; a better performance is achieved by the comprehension of different concepts.
E-Mentoring in Global Software Development Teams
Authors: Colomo-Palacios Ricardo , Mishra Alok , Casado-Lumbreras Cristina , Soto-Acosta Pedro
Published: June 2013

Global Software Development (GSD) teams face communication and coordination problems due to spatial, temporal, and cultural separation between team members. Cultural diversity and cross-cultural management are significant issues among GSD teams. In software development projects, mentoring dramatically reduces the learning curve for novice human resources. Due to the large amount of electronic communication instruments, a remarkable number of different e-Mentoring concepts have emerged, which provides opportunity for mentoring that would not otherwise be possible. This chapter presents key success factors to enable e-Mentoring as a tool to develop a common culture in GSD scenarios. These success factors enable the correct application of mentoring programmes and the use of this to build a common culture in organizations that perform GSD.
Software Development Using Service Syndication based on API Handshake Approach between Cloud-Based and SOA-Based Reusable Services
Authors: Singh Vishav Vir
Published: June 2013

Reusability in the software development realm is a momentous cornerstone in deciding the success of an organization. The quantum leap in reusability was provided by object-orientation, which fundamentally altered the manner of thinking of software architects. The notion of the object and the installation of reusability as one of the central tenets is a critical requisite. Components that represented bigger and better software aggregates easily utilized by businesses to gain instant execution for their business services have made great strides. This gave way to the ultimate notion of a service which took software aggregates in components to fine and sharpened streams of software execution called services. This has been another inflection point in the overall curve of reusability, and most importantly, in agility and turnaround time for software production. The notion of services mandated the birth of a secure and trusted public interface to a service, which is called the Application Programming Interface (API). APIs represent a directory of services that a given enterprise offers.
Innovative Strategies for Secure Software Development
Authors: Bedi Punam , Gandotra Vandana , Singhal Archana
Published: June 2013

This chapter discusses adoption of some proactive strategies in threat management for security of software systems. Security requirements play an important role for secure software systems which arise due to threats to the assets from malicious users. It is therefore imperative to develop realistic and meaningful security requirements. A hybrid technique has been presented in this chapter evolved by overlapping the strengths of misuse cases and attack trees for elicitation of flawless security requirements. This chapter also discusses an innovative technique using fuzzy logic as a proactive step to break the jinx of brittleness of present day security measures based on binary principle. In this mechanism, partially secure state evolved between safe state and failed state using fuzzy logic provides an alert signal to take appropriate additional preventive measures to save the system from entering into the failed state to the extent possible.
BIM Integrated Workflow Management and Monitoring System for Modular Buildings
Authors: Seeam Amar , Zheng Tianxin , Lu Yong , Usmani Asif , Laurenson David
Published: June 2013

The authors are collaborating with a manufacturer of custom built steel frame modular units which are then transported for rapid erection onsite (volumetric building system). As part of its strategy to develop modular housing, Enemetric, is taking the opportunity to develop intelligent buildings, integrating a wide range of sensors and control systems for optimising energy efficiency and directly monitoring structural health. Enemetric have recently been embracing Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve workflow, in particular cost estimation and to simplify computer aided manufacture (CAM). By leveraging the existing data generated during the design phases, and projecting it to all other aspects of construction management, less errors are made and productivity is significantly increased. Enemetric may work on several buildings at once, and scheduling and priorities become especially important for effective workflow, and implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The parametric nature of BIM is also very useful for improving building management, whereby real-time data collection can be logically associated with individual components of the BIM stored in a local Building Management System performing structural health monitoring and environmental monitoring and control. BIM reuse can be further employed in building simulation tools, to apply simulation assisted control strategies, in order to reduce energy consumption, and increase occupant comfort.
Risk Management Research Design Ideologies, Strategies, Methods and Techniques
Authors: Strang Kenneth David
Published: June 2013

The researcher interviewed 11 doctoral students and 12 International Disaster Conference attendees to understand how research guidelines could be improved to help these emerging scholars achieve more publications. Empirical studies were cited to substantiate the need for better research method guidance. A research design model was then created as a top-down typology based on a literature review and practitioner experience. The design model consisted of four components: research ideology, unit and level of analysis strategy, formal research method, and analysis techniques. The discussion illustrated how all researcher philosophies can be simplified into one of three ideologies: post-positivist, pragmatic or social-constructivist. Additionally, the author explained how the level and unit of analysis goals are developed into an analysis strategy with research questions or hypotheses. Inquire strategy was integrated with formal research method and ideology, to facilitate the selection of data collection sampling and analysis techniques. Numerous research methods thought leaders were cited to direct new scholars towards best practices. A unique feature of the model was its simplicity and application across all the generally accepted research philosophies, methods and techniques as well as disciplinary fields. Although the study was directed toward risk management practitioners, it applies to any field or industry.
Integration of Knowledge Management Approach to the Planning Stage of Freight Villages
Authors: Wu Jiani , Haasis Hans-Dietrich
Published: June 2013

Freight village (FV) is a logistics phenomenon with broad economic, social and environmental consequences. A well organized and knowledge-based planning process is critical to realize sustainable development of FVs, due to its capability to avoid negative phenomena (e.g., unnecessary FV projects, high vacancy rates, unsuitable sites, disturbance to local residents, air and water pollutions) from the beginning. Sustainability-oriented FV planning depends largely on the identification, interpretation, creation and use of involved knowledge. Knowledge management (KM) is a planned, structured approach of systematically and actively managing knowledge for achieving the expected objectives. Thus, this paper aims at integrating KM approach to FVs planning stage for sustainable development. This paper starts with the research background. Then, it proposes a schema for FVs planning steps towards sustainable development. In particular, “sense-making KM model” is used as a guide for FVs planning process following the route: sense making - knowledge creation - decision making.
Using Emotional Intelligence in Training Crisis Managers
Authors: Mackinnon Lachlan , Bacon Liz , Cortellessa Gabriella , Cesta Amedeo
Published: June 2013

Multi-agency crisis management represents one of the most complex of real-world situations, requiring rapid negotiation and decision-making under extreme pressure. However, the training offered to strategic planners, called Gold Commanders, does not place them under any such pressure. It takes the form of paper-based, table-top exercises, or expensive, real-world, limited-scope simulations. The Pandora project has developed a rich multimedia training environment for Gold Commanders, based on a crisis scenario, timeline-based, event network, with which the trainees and their trainer interact dynamically. Pandora uses the emotional intelligence of the trainees, through a behavioural modelling component, to support group dynamic and decision-making. It applies systemic emotional intelligence, based on inferred user state and rule-based affective inputs, to impact the stress levels of the trainees. Pandora can impose variable stress on trainees, to impact their decision-making, and model their behaviour and performance under stress, potentially resulting in more effective and realisable strategies.
Virtual Teams Demystified
Authors: Caya Olivier , Mortensen Mark , Pinsonneault Alain
Published: June 2013

Virtual teams have been researched intensely in the last ten years and there is a growing body of literature on the topic. At this point, the authors need an integrative theory-driven framework through which they can conceptualize the notion of virtual teams and organize and make sense of prior research. This can help them better understand what drives virtual team dynamics and ultimately effectiveness and can guide future research on the topic. Drawing on models of team effectiveness and emergent processes and states, the authors developed a framework for understanding virtual team dynamics. They then use this framework to review and synthesize one hundred and twenty-one empirical studies of virtual teams published since 1990. The authors analyzed the direct and indirect antecedents of virtual team effectiveness and identify key gaps in both their knowledge of, and approach to studying, virtual teams. They outlined areas for future research and discuss, the implications for the authors’ paper for practice and for the study of virtual and traditional teams.
The Effects of Rationale Awareness on Individual Reflection Processes in Virtual Group Activities
Authors: Xiao Lu , Carrol John M.
Published: June 2013

Reflection is an important part of professional work. Researchers and education practitioners have explored various ways of promoting the reflective thinking process towards educating reflective practitioners. Although group work and group learning activities have become increasingly important in modern society and education systems, an insufficient amount of effort has been put towards cultivating reflective thinking processes in the group setting. In addressing this research gap, they examined one reflection technique, namely, the technique of documenting and sharing rationales, in a virtual workspace for group learning. The authors studied the impact of this technique on the group activities through an exploratory classroom study focusing on the effects of one’s awareness of the others’ rationales, i.e., rationale awareness. In this paper, they reported the findings about the effects of rationale awareness on individual reflection processes in the activities. The authors’ findings suggest that when rationales are articulated and shared in such an explicit manner (e.g., having a dedicated group space to present shared rationales), the development of individual members’ reasoning skills seems to be very much influenced by the other members’ capability or willingness to reason.
The Consistency of Virtual Organizations Enabling Capabilities and Improvements in Knowledge Management Performance
Authors: Moeini Ali , Farahani Alireza Farmahini , Ravasan Ahad Zare
Published: June 2013

The success of a virtual organization (VO) largely depends on the effective collaboration of its members in orchestrating their knowledge, skills, core competences and resources. It enables the VOs to enhance competitive capabilities and respond better to business opportunities. Most previous studies have focused on the influence of some contingent factors on Knowledge Management (KM) process/ outcome and neglect the interacting relationships among these contingent factors. The objective of this study is to explore the interacting patterns among a VO enabling capabilities from a covariation perspective on Knowledge Management Performance (KMP). The authors introduce the concept of “consistency” which helps them investigate the impact of the VO enabling capabilities on KMP. The results from a field survey of 95 Iranian IT/ engineering firms which implement KM processes show that the “consistency” among these enabling capabilities has a significant positive impact on KMP. The novel point in this paper is to consider the following factors in a virtual context simultaneously: focus on core competence, network cooperation, integration, trust in the network, and ICT usage. The results of this study have provided a very useful reference for scholars and managers to identify the relevant issues of KM projects in VOs.
Group Process Losses in Agile Software Development Decision Making
Authors: Coyle Sharon , Conboy Kieran , Acton Thomas
Published: June 2013

The importance of effective decision making in organisations has been well documented. Despite the many benefits associated with groupwork, groups are often subjected to process losses such as groupthink, which in turn have a negative impact on group decision making. Limited prior research has suggested that such process losses may be even more prevalent in agile software development characterised by highly cohesive, self-managing teams. This study is one of the first to rigorously investigate the group process losses most prevalent in agile software development teams and assesses how the implementation of agile practices can reduce the impact or occurrence of such losses.
A Comparative Analysis of the Integration of SOA Elements in Widely-Used Enterprise Architecture Frameworks
Authors: Alwadain Ayed , Fielt Erwin , Korthaus Axel , Rosemann Michael
Published: June 2013

In recent years, enterprise architecture (EA) has captured increasing interest as a means to systematically consolidate and manage various enterprise artefacts in order to provide holistic decision support for business/IT alignment and business/IT landscapes management. To provide a holistic perspective on the enterprise over time, EA frameworks need to co-evolve with the changes in the enterprise and its IT over time. In this paper the authors focus on the emergence of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). There is a need to integrate SOA with EA to keep EA relevant and to use EA products to help drive successful SOA. This paper investigates and compares the integration of SOA elements in five widely used EA frameworks: Archimate, The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF), Department of Defence Architecture Framework (DoDAF) and the Ministry of Defence Architecture Framework (MODAF). It identifies what SOA elements are considered and their relative position in the overall structure. The results show that services and related elements are far from being well-integrated constructs in current EA frameworks and that the different EA frameworks integrated SOA elements in substantially different ways. The results can support the academic EA and SOA communities with a closer and more consistent integration of EA and SOA and support practitioners in identifying an EA framework that provides the SOA support that matches their requirements.
Investing in Sustainability
Authors: Beckers Christoph , Marz Oliver , Kolbe Lutz M.
Published: June 2013

Given the increased stakeholder focus on sustainability, companies are facing the challenge of systematically collecting and processing sustainability information. Identifying sustainability indicators will become imperative for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), especially in the extremely segmented and highly specialized food industry – entailing opportunities, but also costs and risks. This article is a management approach and a basis for discussing the classification of sustainability reporting systems in existing Information Technology (IT) infrastructures from an economical point of view. Supported by a case study from the meat industry, the authors discuss to what extent sustainability information is reflected by an existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System, or which investments would be required for companies to facilitate the communication of sustainability data. Additionally and as a result, the article gives a schematic explanation how process changes can be evaluated economically by capturing and processing sustainability information, and thus how to decide in favor of or against a certain level of IT-based environmental information processing functionality.
Mitigating Type Confusion on Java Card
Authors: Dubreuil Jean , Bouffard Guillaume , Thampi Bhagyalekshmy N. , Lanet Jean-Louis
Published: June 2013

One of the challenges for smart card deployment is the security interoperability. A smart card resistant to an attack on a given platform should be able to guarantee the same behavior on another platform. But the current implementations do not comply with this requirement. In order to improve such standardization the authors propose a framework based on annotations with an external pre-processing to switch the Java Card Virtual Machine (JCVM) into a secure mode by activating a set of countermeasures. An example has been proposed in this paper for implementing a countermeasure against type confusion with a fault attack. Smart cards are often the target of software, hardware or combined attacks. In recent days most of the attacks are based on fault injection which can modify the behavior of applications loaded onto the card, changing them into mutant applications. This countermeasure requires a transformation of the original program byte codes which remain semantically equivalent. It needs a modification of the JCVM which stays backward compatible and a dedicated framework to deploy these applications. Thus, the proposed platform can resist to a fault enabled mutant.
Perceived Website Aesthetics by Users and Designers
Authors: Koutsabasis Panayiotis , Istikopoulou Theano G.
Published: June 2013

The set up of practical methods for evaluation of web site aesthetics from the user perspective and the provision of useful feedback to designers is an open issue in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The paper presents an evaluation study of aesthetic attributes of two web sites from the user perspective and compares the results to the design team. The study initially involved the formulation of a set of aesthetic attributes and their appreciation by a user group of 111 users for two web sites, following a traditional user testing approach. The user evaluation was then compared to the design team’s appreciation of these aesthetic attributes for their own designs. The main results of this test was that: (a) the two groups have a similar view about the presence of a considerable number of the selected aesthetic attributes; (b) users have rated most aesthetic attributes significantly lower than designers; (c) different aesthetic attributes become important for different objects of study for both groups. The design team found the evaluation informative and inspiring; however they identified the need for further explanation of user responses in terms of suggested design patterns and examples. Also, a number of recommendations towards an evaluation method of aesthetics in HCI are identified and discussed
Cutting Edge: ABIN-1 Protects against Psoriasis by Restricting MyD88 Signals in Dendritic Cells
Authors: Callahan Joseph A. , Hammer Gianna E. , Agelides Alexander , Duong Bao H. , Oshima Shigeru , North Jeffrey , Advincula Rommel , Shifrin Nataliya , Truong Hong-An , Paw Jonathan , Barrera Julio , DeFranco Anthony , Rosenblum Michael D. , Malynn Barbara A. , Ma Averil
Published: June 2013

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The Tnip1 gene encodes A20 binding and inhibitor of NF-κB-1 (ABIN-1) protein and is strongly associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in humans. ABIN-1, a widely expressed ubiquitin-binding protein, restricts TNF- and TLR-induced signals. In this study, we report that mice lacking ABIN-1 specifically in dendritic cells (DCs), ABIN-1fl CD11c-Cre mice, exhibit perturbed immune homeostasis. ABIN-1–deficient DCs display exaggerated NF-κB and MAPK signaling and produce more IL-23 than do normal cells in response to TLR ligands. Challenge of ABIN-1fl CD11c-Cre mice with topical TLR7 ligand leads to greater numbers of Th17 and TCRγδ T cells and exacerbated development of psoriaform lesions. These phenotypes are reversed by DC-specific deletion of the TLR adaptor MyD88. These studies link ABIN-1 with IL-23 and IL-17, and they provide cellular and molecular mechanisms by which ABIN-1 regulates susceptibility to psoriasis.
Feasibility Study: Honey for Treatment of Cough in Children
Authors: Ahmed Naveed , Sutcliffe Alastair , Tipper Claire
Published: June 2013

Respiratory tract infections are an important health problem because of high incidence and economic costs. The World Health Organization identifies honey as a potential demulcent treatment for cough. The aim of this study is to determine: i) patient public perceptions towards a proposed randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effects of honey to placebo for treatment of cough in children; ii) potential participation rates for proposed trial; iii) whether age and gender of parent or child impacts on proposed cough assessment tools. Forty adult participants with children age 1-6 years presenting with an upper respiratory tract infection were enrolled. They underwent a structured interview regarding the proposed trial and assessed their child’s cough using two validated questionnaires. Eighty-eight percent of those recruited were willing to participate in the proposed trial. The two independently validated cough scores correlated well. A relationship between age and gender of child or parent with cough assessment score was not found. We conclude that a RCT to determine the effects of honey versus placebo is feasible. The public find the outcome measures and trial design acceptable.
Volcanic SO2 fluxes derived from satellite data: a survey using OMI, GOME-2, IASI and MODIS
Authors: Theys N. , Campion R. , Clarisse L. , Brenot H. , van Gent J. , Dils B. , Corradini S. , Merucci L. , Coheur P.-F. , Van Roozendael M. , Hurtmans D. , Clerbaux C. , Tait S. , Ferrucci F.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) fluxes of active degassing volcanoes are routinely measured with ground-based equipment to characterize and monitor volcanic activity. SO2 of unmonitored volcanoes or from explosive volcanic eruptions, can be measured with satellites. However, remote-sensing methods based on absorption spectroscopy generally provide integrated amounts of already dispersed plumes of SO2 and satellite derived flux estimates are rarely reported. Here we review a number of different techniques to derive volcanic SO2 fluxes using satellite measurements of plumes of SO2 and investigate the temporal evolution of the total emissions of SO2 for three very different volcanic events in 2011: Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (Chile), Nyamulagira (DR Congo) and Nabro (Eritrea). High spectral resolution satellite instruments operating both in the ultraviolet-visible (OMI/Aura and GOME-2/MetOp-A) and thermal infrared (IASI/MetOp-A) spectral ranges, and multispectral satellite instruments operating in the thermal infrared (MODIS/Terra-Aqua) are used. We show that satellite data can provide fluxes with a sampling of a day or less (few hours in the best case). Generally the flux results from the different methods are consistent, and we discuss the advantages and weaknesses of each technique. Although the primary objective of this study is the calculation of SO2 fluxes, it also enables us to assess the consistency of the SO2 products from the different sensors used.
Constraints on aerosol processes in climate models from vertically-resolved aircraft observations of black carbon
Authors: Kipling Z. , Stier P. , Schwarz J. P. , Perring A. E. , Spackman J. R. , Mann G. W. , Johnson C. E. , Telford P. J.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Evaluation of the aerosol schemes in current climate models is dependent upon the available observational data. In-situ observations from flight campaigns can provide valuable data about the vertical distribution of aerosol that is difficult to obtain from satellite or ground-based platforms, although they are localised in space and time. Using single-particle soot-photometer (SP2) measurements from the HIAPER Pole-to-Pole Observations (HIPPO) campaign, which consists of many vertical profiles over a large region of the Pacific, we evaluate the meridional and vertical distribution of black carbon (BC) aerosol simulated by the HadGEM3–UKCA and ECHAM5–HAM2 models. Both models show a similar pattern of overestimating the BC column burden compared to that derived from the observations, in many areas by an order of magnitude. However, by sampling the simulated BC mass mixing ratio along the flight track and comparing to the observations, we show that this discrepancy has a rather different vertical structure in the two models: in HadGEM3–UKCA the discrepancy is dominated by excess aerosol in the tropical upper troposphere, while in ECHAM5–HAM2 areas of discrepancy are spread across many different latitudes and altitudes. Using this methodology, we conduct sensitivity tests on two specific elements of the models: biomass-burning emissions and scavenging by convective precipitation. We show that, by coupling the convective scavenging more tightly with convective transport, both the column burden and vertical distribution of BC in HadGEM3–UKCA are much improved with respect to the observations, with a substantial and statistically significant increase in correlation – this demonstrates the importance of a realistic representation of this process. In contrast, updating from GFED2 to GFED3.1 biomass-burning emissions makes a more modest improvement in both models, which is not statistically significant. By comparing our results with a more traditional approach using regional- and monthly-mean vertical profile curves, we show that the point-by-point analysis allows the model improvements to be demonstrated more clearly. We also demonstrate the important role that nudged simulations (where the large-scale model dynamics are continuously relaxed towards a reanalysis) can play in this type of evaluation, allowing statistically significant differences between configurations of the aerosol scheme to be seen where the differences between the corresponding free-running simulations would not be significant.
The Arctic summer atmosphere: an evaluation of reanalyses using ASCOS data
Authors: Wesslén C. , Tjernström M. , Bromwich D. H. , de Boer G. , Ekman A. M. L. , Bai L.-S. , Wang S.-H.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The Arctic has experienced large climate changes over recent decades, the largest for any region on Earth. To understand the underlying reasons for this climate sensitivity, reanalysis is an invaluable tool. The Arctic System Reanalysis (ASR) is a regional reanalysis, forced by ERA-Interim at the lateral boundaries and incorporating model physics adapted to Arctic conditions, developed to serve as a state-of-the-art high-resolution synthesis tool for assessing Arctic climate variability and monitoring Arctic climate change. We use data from Arctic Summer Cloud-Ocean Study (ASCOS) to evaluate the performance of ASR and ERA-Interim for the Arctic Ocean. The ASCOS field experiment was deployed on the Swedish icebreaker Oden north of 87° N in the Atlantic sector of the Arctic during August and early September 2008. Data were collected during the transits from and to Longyearbyen and a three-week ice drift with Oden moored to a drifting multi-year ice floe. This data is independent and detailed enough to evaluate process descriptions. The reanalyses captures basic meteorological variations coupled to the synoptic scale systems, but have difficulties in estimating clouds and atmospheric moisture. While ERA-Interim has a systematic warm bias in the lowest troposphere, ASR has a cold bias of about the same magnitude on average. The results also indicate that more sophisticated descriptions of cloud microphysics in ASR did not significantly improve the modeling of cloud properties, compared to ERA-Interim. This has consequences for the radiation balance, and hence the surface temperature, and illustrate how a modeling problem in one aspect of the atmosphere, here the clouds, feeds back to other parameters, especially near the surface and in the boundary layer.
Influence of downscaling methods in projecting climate change impact on hydrological extremes of upper Blue Nile basin
Authors: Taye M. T. , Willems P.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Methods from two statistical downscaling categories were used to investigate the impact of climate change on high rainfall and flow extremes of the upper Blue Nile basin. The main downscaling differences considered were on the rainfall variable while a generally similar method was applied for temperature. The applied downscaling methods are a stochastic weather generator, LARS-WG, and an advanced change factor method, the Quantile Perturbation Method (QPM). These were applied on 10 GCM runs and two emission scenarios (A1B and B1). The downscaled rainfall and evapotranspiration were input into a calibrated and validated lumped conceptual model. The future simulations were conducted for 2050s and 2090s horizon and were compared with 1980–2000 control period. From the results all downscaling methods agree in projecting increase in temperature for both periods. Nevertheless, the change signal on the rainfall was dependent on the climate model and the downscaling method applied. LARS weather generator was good for monthly statistics although caution has to be taken when it is applied for impact analysis dealing with extremes, as it showed a deviation from the extreme value distribution's tail shape. Contrary, the QPM method was good for extreme cases but only for good quality daily climate model data. The study showed the choice of downscaling method is an important factor to be considered and results based on one downscaling method may not give the full picture. Regardless, the projections on the extreme high flows and the mean main rainy season flow mostly showed a decreasing change signal for both periods. This is either by decreasing rainfall or increasing evapotranspiration depending on the downscaling method.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation on Electrochemically Modified Titanium: An Optimized Approach for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Tunesi Marta , Bossio Caterina , Tonna Noemi , Valle Cinzia Della , Bianco Fabio , Giordano Carmen , Chiesa Roberto
Published: June 2013

Purpose

To speed up the osteointegration process, surface-treated titanium has been widely used in dental and orthopedic applications. The present work describes a new silicon-based anodic spark deposition (ASD) treatment and investigates the properties of the surfaces obtained, focusing on their capability to modulate the osteogenic differentiation potential of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Methods

The surfaces examined were obtained from commercially pure grade 2 titanium by a single-step ASD (SUM) eventually followed by a thermal treatment in alkali solution (SUMNa), while acid-etched titanium (AE; NextMaterials s.r.l.) was selected as a control. Their morphology, elemental composition, crystallographic structure of the TiO2 layer, wettability and topography were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thin-film X-ray diffraction, contact angle measurements and laser profilometry, respectively. MSCs' response to surface properties was assessed by examining cell morphology and viability by scanning electron microscopy and Alamar Blue™ assay, while their osteogenic differentiation potential was investigated by evaluating the levels of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the degree of calcium accumulation by Alizarin Red-S (AR-S) staining.

Results

The proposed ASD treatment has allowed the obtaining of surfaces with round-shaped micrometric pores, enriched in calcium, phosphorus and silicon and significantly more wettable than controls; furthermore, the treatment has been shown to promote MSC proliferation and the degree of in vitro mineralization.

Conclusions

The described ASD treatment may be an effective technique to modify the surface cues of titanium implants, aiming at enhancing the conveying of osteoprogenitor cells and their functional differentiation in bone cells.
Seed treatment for control leaf spot diseases of spring wheat
Authors: Krzyzińska Barbara , Głazek Mariola , Mączyńska Agnieszka
Published: June 2013

In the years 2001 and 2002 at the Institute of Plant Protection Branch in Sooenicowice research work was performed on seed treatment with fungicides against leaf diseases of spring wheat cv. Ismena caused by pathogenic fungi: Blumeria graminis, Phaeasphaeria nodorum, Puccinia recondita i Pyrenophora tritici-repentis. Two variants of protection were included in the experiment: seed dressing with fungicides or seed dressing and single application of foliar spray at GS 49. At early growth stages of spring wheat a very high biological activity against powdery mildew, septoria leaf spot, brown rust and tan spot was recorded for seed dressing containing triticonazole+prochloraz. In the case of triadimenol+imazalil+fuberidazole only a weak, but long-lasting effect against brown rust and septoria leaf spot was observed. Leaf infection as well as 1000 grain mass and yield, in the experimental combination with using triticonazole+prochloraz were on the same level as in the experimental variant where after seed dressing with triadimenol+imazalil+fuberidazole plots were sprayed with tridemorf+epoxykonazole at GS 49. It was concluded that seed dressing preparation containing triticonazole+prochloraz constituted a good base for protection of spring wheat against foliar diseases.
Microscopical observations of Sphaerellopsis filum, a parasite of Puccinia recondita
Authors: Płachecka Agnieszka
Published: June 2013

Sphaerellopsis filum is a well-known parasite associated with many species of rust fungi. It is of frequent occurrence as parasite of cereal rusts: Puccinia recondita, P. coronata, P. graminis, P. hordei and P. striiformis. Uredial sori of Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici infected with Sphaerellopsis filum were examined by light and scanning microscope to determine morphology of hyperparasite as well as the parasite-hyperparasite contact. The microscopical examination of infected uredinia clearly showed the intimate connection of S. filum with its rust host.
Races of Pyrenophora tritici-repentis in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šárová J. , Hanzalová A. , Bartoš P.
Published: June 2013

Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, causal agent of tan spot, is one of the most important wheat leaf spot pathogens worldwide. The race structure of P. tritici-repentis isolates obtained from wheat (except one from noncereal grass species) in the Czech Republic was studied. The 86 monosporic isolates of P. tritici-repentis originated from different parts of the Czech Republic were grouped into five known races based on necrosis/chlorosis induction on standard differentials (Katepwa, Glenlea, 6B365, Salamouni). The isolates recovered from wheat were races 1, 2 and 4. Race 1 was the most frequent (50%), races 2 and 4 were found rarely (3% and 5% respectively). The isolate of P. tritici-repentis recovered from noncereal grass species was determined as race 4 which seems to be typical for noncereal hosts. The reaction of 30 isolates (42%) was difficult to be compared to reactions of so far identified P. tritici-repentis races. They have to be tested again on additional wheat genotypes.
Use of molecular and conventional techniques to identify and analyze genetic variability of Rhizoctonia spp. isolates
Authors: Irzykowska Lidia , Żółtańska Ewa , Bocianowski Jan
Published: June 2013

In this study the pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia spp. isolates towards wheat seedlings in laboratory and greenhouse conditions was evaluated. In both experiments seven features were examined: plant height, roots weight, the percentage of infected stems and leaf sheaths and also the degree of stem and leaf sheaths infection. Isolates R1, R29, R39 and R59 were the most pathogenic. Percentage of infected stems ranged from 25.3 to 82.5 and roots from 35 to 82.3. The amplification of internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) between 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNA genes and sequence analysis of these regions have been shown to be sufficiently variable to resolve two Rhizoctonia species. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used to assess genetic variability among isolates. The suitability of RAPD method for isolates differentiation at intraspecific level was shown. Using seven arbitrary primers in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) thirty-three RAPD markers were generated. Clustering analysis from RAPD data resolved two groups of R. cerealis isolates at the 36% similarity level. Moreover, significant associations between molecular markers and pathogenicity of R. cerealis isolates were found.
ß-glycosidase and peroxidase activity in yellow lupin seedling infected by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lupini
Authors: Rybus-Zając Magdalena , Morkunas Iwona
Published: June 2013

Lupine diseases caused by pathogenic fungi constitute a serious problem in agriculture. They lead to partial yield loss and deterioration of crop quality through the changes in biochemical composition of seeds or their contamination with mycotoxins. Some of common lupine diseases are fusarioses caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lupini. Morphometric and metabolic changes were investigated in yellow lupine seedlings infected with F. oxysporum f. sp. lupini. It was found that infection caused temporary inhibition of seedling growth, overcome at later development, and activation of ß-glycosidase and peroxidases. The changes in enzymes activity indicate the induction of defense mechanism against F. oxysporum f. sp. lupini and inhibition of pathogen spread.
The Effect of Post-Culture liquids of Antagonistic Fungi on the Healthiness and Yielding of Soybean
Authors: Pastucha Alina , Patkowska Elżbieta
Published: June 2013

The objective of the paper was to establish the protective effect of post-culture liquids of Trichoderma harzianum G 227 and Gliocladium fimbriatum G 156 for soybean against the soil-borne fungi. The use of those liquids for studies had a positive effect on the number, healthiness and yielding of soybean plants. Soybean seedlings were mainly infected by Pythium irregulare, Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani, while plants at anthesis were affected by Fusarium spp., Phoma exigua var. exigua, Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The use of post-culture liquids reduced the infection of plants by these pathogens.
Characteristics of Phoma strasseri isolates not reported in Poland pathogen of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.)
Authors: Zimowska Beata , Machowicz-Stefaniak Zofia
Published: June 2013

The studies on occurrence and some morphology elements of Phoma strasseri, the species not reported in Poland till now were carried out. The cultures of fungus were isolated from the stems and rhizomes of two-year-old plants showing symptoms of necrosis and softening of tissues. The morphology of conidia and pycnidia, character of the colonies growth and biochemical features of the examined isolates were the case for regarding this fungus as P. strasseri.
Infestation of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) with Neotyphodium coenophialum and its influence on growth of chosen microorganisms in vitro
Authors: Pańka Dariusz
Published: June 2013

Occurrence of Neotyphodium coenophialum in tall fescue cultivars cultivated in Poland and determination an endophyte inhibition effect on mycelium growth of chosen microorganisms in vitro were investigated. Seventeen seed lots of 11 cultivars of tall fescue were examined. The endophyte mycelium was dyed with bengal rose and microscopically examined to detect N. coenophialum. Occurrence of endophyte was checked with PCR method. Influence of endophyte on growth of 15 microorganisms was established in the laboratory conditions on Petri dishes with PDA medium at 10, 20 and 30°C. Neotyphodium coenophialum occurred only in two seed lots, 'Barrocco' - 42% and Terros - 2%. Living mycelium of endophyte was isolated only from 'Barrocco'. The highest mycelium growth inhibition of Bipolaris sorokiniana, Fusarium avenaceum, F. equiseti, Microdochium nivale and Gaeumannomyces graminis by endophyte at 30°C was recorded. The highest width of growth inhibition zone (4mm) was detected for the last pathogen. Mycelium growth of B. sorokiniana and M. nivale was not inhibited at 10°C, and for F. avenaceum at 10 and 20°C.
Parasitic fungi of the genera Betula and Salix
Authors: Adamska Iwona
Published: June 2013

In the years 2001-2004, the occurrence of parasitic fungi of plants of the genera Betula and Salix growing in the Słowiński National Park was investigated. The plant species examined included B. pubescens, B. pendula, S. aurita, S. caprea, S. cinerea, S. fragilis, and S. repens. Plants of the genus Betula were affected by 9 species of parasiting fungi. In Poland, three of them (Microsphaera ornata var. europaea, Phyllactinia guttata, Melampsoridium betulinum) occur commonly, five (Asteroma leptothyrioides, Discula betulina, Fusicladium betulae, Phyllosticta betulina, Septoria betulina) are rare, and Septoria betulae-odoratae has not been recorded to date. Three species, Asteroma leptothyrioides, Fusicladium betulae, Phyllosticta betulina), were found on new plant hosts. Plants of the genus Salix were attacked by 8 species of parasiting fungi. Four of them (Melampsora allii-fragilis, M. caprearum, M. epitea, Uncinula adunca var. adunca) are common in Poland, four (Marssonina salicicola, Phyllosticta salicicola, Septoria salicicola, Trimmatostroma betulinum) rarely occur here. Uncinula adunca var. adunca, Marssonina salicicola, Phyllosticta salicicola, Septoria salicicola and Trimmatostroma betulinum were associated with the plant species not reported earlier to be their hosts.
The soil fungi communities of peat soils in the Narew National Park
Authors: Tyszkiewicz Zofia
Published: June 2013

The study was conducted in the years 2003-2004 on four low peatland peat soil profiles located in the Narew National Park. All studied soils were sedge peat soils sampled from various habitats. The recognition of the soil fungi communities and their stratification in the studied profiles were the aim of the study. The 214 isolates were made, which were represented by 45 species. The reason for little differentiation of quantitative-qualitative structures of soil fungi communities in peat soils is their high moisture. The distinct differentiation among the soil fungi communities was observed. These results suggest that not only the soil-forming process affects the soil fungi communities development but also the soil properties, which were under influence in the past and have been still affected by the habitat conditions, are very important to the development process of soil fungi communities.
2012 Haida Gwaii Quake: Insight Into Cascadia's Subduction Extent
Authors: Szeliga Walter
Published: June 2013

The limits of Cascadia were first defined to contain nearly the entire margin of the Pacific Northwest, from Cape Mendocino through the Alaska Panhandle [Schuchert, 1910; Schuchert and Barrell, 1914]. Since that time, the boundary of Cascadia has shrunk to become essentially synonymous with the region where the Juan de Fuca plate subducts beneath the North American plate. As a consequence, seismic hazard assessments in the Pacific Northwest have conventionally focused on the potential for large megathrust earthquakes along the interface of the Juan de Fuca and North American plates.