bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trespassing on Finnish railways: identification of problem sites and characteristics of trespassing behaviour
Authors: Silla Anne , Luoma Juha
Published: December 2008

Introduction

This study identified the sites of frequent trespassing on Finnish railways, investigated trespassing behaviour at selected sites, and explored opinions about preventive measures.

Materials and methods

The study consisted of qualitative and quantitative part. The qualitative part included a survey directed at engine drivers and trespassers interviews whereas the quantitative part was constituted by a more detailed analysis on trespasser behaviour and characteristics of trespassers of selected sites. First, sites with frequent trespassing were explored by a survey directed at engine drivers. In addition, the drivers were also asked for suggestions of potential preventive measures. Second, three locations were chosen for a more detailed investigation which included the counting of trespassers. Third, trespassers at these locations were interviewed.

Results

The results of the survey directed at engine drivers revealed approximately 100 problematic sites. On average about 40 daily trespassers could be observed at selected research sites. The trespassers were typically adults and males. The answers from trespasser interviews showed that the main reason for trespassing is taking a short cut. Half of the respondents assessed that the trespassing is safe and 15% assumed that trespassing is legal. Furthermore, they indicated that the most effective measures to prevent trespassing is fencing the tracks or building an underpass. In fact, the engine drivers usually indicated the same measures.

Discussion

In conclusion, various physical measures should be considered as effective and acceptable preventive measures. However, since many trespassers considered trespassing to be safe and assumed that trespassing is legal, it is worth considering information campaigns as an additional preventive measure.
Ruminal biohydrogenation as affected by tanninsin vitro
Authors: Vasta Valentina , Makkar Harinder P. S. , Mele Marcello , Priolo Alessandro
Published: December 2008

The aim of the present work was to study the effects of tannins from carob (CT;Ceratonia siliqua), acacia leaves (AT;Acacia cyanophylla) and quebracho (QT;Schinopsis lorentzii) on ruminal biohydrogenationin vitro.The tannins extracted from CT, AT and QT were incubated for 12 h in glass syringes in cow buffered ruminal fluid (BRF) with hay or hay plus concentrate as a substrate. Within each feed, three concentrations of tannins were used (0·0, 0·6 and 1·0 mg/ml BRF). The branched-chain volatile fatty acids, the branched-chain fatty acids and the microbial protein concentration were reduced (P < 0·05) by tannins. In the tannin-containing fermenters, vaccenic acid was accumulated (+23 %,P < 0·01) while stearic acid was reduced ( − 16 %,P < 0·0005). The concentration of total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers in the BRF was not affected by tannins. The assay on linoleic acid isomerase (LA-I) showed that the enzyme activity (nmol CLA produced/min per mg protein) was unaffected by the inclusion of tannins in the fermenters. However, the CLA produced by LA-I (nmol/ml per min) was lower in the presence of tannins. These results suggest that tannins reduce ruminal biohydrogenation through the inhibition of the activity of ruminal micro-organisms.
Worldwide variability of insecticide resistance mechanisms in the codling moth, Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Reyes M. , Franck P. , Olivares J. , Margaritopoulos J. , Knight A. , Sauphanor B.
Published: December 2008

The activity of detoxifying enzymes (glutathione-S-transferases (GST), mixed-function oxidases (MFO), and esterases (EST)) and the presence of insensitive variants of target proteins (sodium channel and acetylcholinesterase) were examined in individual male and female codling moths. Twenty-nine populations from 11 countries and two laboratory strains were examined. Populations were classified as either unsprayed or sprayed. The ranges of enzyme activities across field populations varied 15-fold, 485-fold and fourfold for GST, MFO and EST, respectively. MFO was the only enzyme whose activity differed in a binomial classification of orchards based on their spray history. Few differences in enzyme activities were found due to sex among populations; and, in these cases, males had higher GST and lower MFO and EST activities than females. Activities of the three enzymatic systems across all populations were positively correlated. Populations from Greece, Argentina and Uruguay had significant percentages of moths with elevated GST and MFO activities. The co-occurrence of moths expressing both elevated MFO and low EST activities was found in conventional orchards from the Czech Republic and France. Chile was the only country where populations from treated orchards did not include a significant proportion of individuals with enhanced enzyme activity. The kdr mutation was found at significant levels in ten populations from five countries, including all French and Argentinean populations. The mutation in AChE was only detected in the Spanish population.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates thatCulicoides dewulfishould not be considered part of theCulicoides obsoletuscomplex
Authors: Schwenkenbecher J.M. , Mordue (Luntz) A.J. , Piertney S.B.
Published: December 2008

Analysis of DNA sequence data has proven invaluable for defining the relationships among taxa, as well as resolving their evolutionary histories. Here, we analyzed DNA sequence variation of one mitochondrial gene (COI) and two nuclear regions (ITSI and II) to clarify the phylogenetic position ofCulicoides dewulfi, a midge species widely spread in Europe and a suspected vector for bluetongue virus. Various authors have describedC. dewulfieither as part of theCulicoides obsoletus sensu latocomplex or as a separate taxonomic group. A maximum likelihood phylogeny, based upon an optimal model of sequence evolution, placedC. dewulfioutwith theC. obsoletus s.l. complex. Shimodaira-Hasegawa test highlighted that this topology was significantly more likely than any topology that placedC. dewulfianywhere else in the phylogeny. As such,C. dewulfishould not be considered part of theC.obsoletus s.l. complex and instead be treated as a separate group, phylogenetically close to the classical Old World vectorC. imicola.
Seasonal progression of sex ratio and phytoplasma infection in Scaphoideus titanus Ball (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: Lessio F. , Tedeschi R. , Pajoro M. , Alma A.
Published: December 2008

The differences between the seasonal occurrence and likelihood of being infected by FD phytoplasmas, of male and female Scaphoideus titanus Ball, were investigated. Sex ratio (male: female) was calculated by counting males and females sampled by means of yellow sticky traps and sweep-nets and from adults derived from hatched eggs in field-collected grapevine wood. PCR essays were performed to test differences in infection between genders. Overall, the sex ratio on sticky traps was significantly more male biased (1.99:1) if compared to net sweeping (0.62:1) and laboratory rearing (0.60:1). The peak of male presence was recorded in the middle of July in laboratory rearing and sweep net, and in the middle of August on sticky traps; the maximum presence of females was detected at the end of July in laboratory rearing, and at the end of August in sweep net samplings and on sticky traps. The seasonal sex ratio was more male biased at the beginning in laboratory rearing (1.50:1) and sticky traps (9:1), and then decreased in favor of females at the end of the sampling period, both in laboratory rearing (0.17:1) and in sticky traps (0.07:1). This trend was significantly less skewed, although similar, in sweep net samplings that recorded a sex ratio of 1:1 and 0.16:1 at the beginning and at the end of the sampling period, respectively. Concerning phytoplasma detection, an interaction between gender and sampling period was observed, the males showing a peak of infected individuals later in the season (35%). Some possible behavioral explanations of the data obtained are given.
The acquisition of morphosyntax in Italian: A cross-sectional study
Authors: CAPRIN CLAUDIA , GUASTI MARIA TERESA
Published: December 2008

This study provides new evidence concerning the pattern of acquisition of free and bound morphemes in Italian, based on the speech of 59 children recorded through a cross-sectional method. We found that inflectional morphology is mastered before free-standing morphology. Despite the great variety of verb inflections, the analyses showed that children partially master present indicative from early productions. Although free-standing morphemes are used correctly, they are optionally omitted. Here we have explored the use and omission of articles, clitics, the copula, and auxiliaries and have shown that omission is subject to certain constraints. Articles are mainly omitted from the root of the clause, much as null subjects, because from this position the requirement of clausal identification is voided. A higher omission of accusative clitics than dative clitics was observed that has also been explained in terms of the uniqueness checking constraint: accusative, but not dative clitics need to check the D feature twice, because the former, but not the latter, trigger past particle agreement. The uniqueness checking constraint has been adopted to explain the higher omission of auxiliaries with respect to the copula: the former, but not the latter, have to check the T feature twice. Together, these findings suggest that children omit, but in principled ways.
Relation of auditory attention and complex sentence comprehension in children with specific language impairment: A preliminary study
Authors: MONTGOMERY JAMES W. , EVANS JULIA L. , GILLAM RONALD B.
Published: December 2008

We investigated the relation of two dimensions of attentional functioning (sustained auditory attention and resource capacity/allocation) and complex sentence comprehension of children with specific language impairment (SLI) and a group of typically developing (TD) children matched for age. Twenty-six school-age children with SLI and 26 TD peers completed an auditory continuous performance task (ACPT, measure of sustained attention), a concurrent verbal processing-storage task (measure of resource capacity/allocation), and a picture pointing comprehension task. Correlation analyses were run to determine the association between the measures of attention and sentence comprehension. The SLI group performed more poorly than the TD group across all tasks. For the SLI group, even after removing the effects of age, ACPT score and performance on the concurrent processing-storage task still significantly correlated with complex sentence comprehension. Sustained attention also correlated with simple sentence comprehension. Neither attention variable correlated with sentence comprehension in the TD children. For children with SLI, the comprehension of complex grammar appears to involve significant use of sustained attention and resource capacity/allocation. Even simple sentence comprehension requires significant auditory vigilance. In the case of TD children, neither complex nor simple sentence comprehension appears to invoke significant attentional involvement.
The development of vocabulary in English as a second language children and its role in predicting word recognition ability
Authors: JEAN MAUREEN , GEVA ESTHER
Published: December 2008

Do older English as a second language (ESL) children have the same knowledge of word meanings as English as a first language (EL1) children? How important is vocabulary's role in predicting word recognition in these groups? This study sought to answer these questions by examining the profiles of ESL and EL1 upper elementary aged children, for a 2-year period starting in Grade 5. Multivariate analyses revealed that (a) EL1 and ESL groups did not differ on underlying processing components (e.g., phonological awareness [PA], rapid automatized naming [RAN], and working memory [WM]) or on word recognition, but ESL children continued to lag behind their EL1 peers on knowledge of word meanings that correspond approximately to their grade level; and (b) vocabulary knowledge (root words and receptive vocabulary), explained a small proportion of additional variance on word recognition concurrently and longitudinally after accounting for the contributions of PA, RAN, and WM.
The Patterson–Sullivan measure and proper conjugation for Kleinian groups of divergence type
Authors: MATSUZAKI KATSUHIKO , YABUKI YASUHIRO
Published: December 2008

A Kleinian group (a discrete subgroup of conformal automorphisms of the unit ball)Gis said to have proper conjugation if it contains the conjugateαGα−1by some conformal automorphismαas a proper subgroup in it. We show that a Kleinian group of divergence type cannot have proper conjugation. Uniqueness of the Patterson–Sullivan measure for such a Kleinian group is crucial to our proof.
Destroying horseshoes via heterodimensional cycles: generating bifurcations inside homoclinic classes
Authors: DÍAZ L. J. , HORITA V. , RIOS I. , SAMBARINO M.
Published: December 2008

In this paper, we propose a model for the destruction of three-dimensional horseshoes via heterodimensional cycles. This model yields some new dynamical features. Among other things, it provides examples of homoclinic classes properly contained in other classes and it is a model of a new sort of heteroclinic bifurcations we callgenerating.
Conjugacy, orbit equivalence and classification of measure-preserving group actions
Authors: TÖRNQUIST ASGER
Published: December 2008

We prove that if G is a countable discrete group with property (T) over an infinite subgroup H≤G which contains an infinite Abelian subgroup or is normal, then G has continuum-many orbit-inequivalent measure-preserving almost-everywhere-free ergodic actions on a standard Borel probability space. Further, we obtain that the measure-preserving almost-everywhere-free ergodic actions of such a G cannot be classified up to orbit equivalence by a reasonable assignment of countable structures as complete invariants. We also obtain a strengthening and a new proof of a non-classification result of Foreman and Weiss for conjugacy of measure-preserving ergodic almost-everywhere-free actions of discrete countable groups.
Growth rates for geometric complexities and counting functions in polygonal billiards
Authors: GUTKIN EUGENE , RAMS MICHAŁ
Published: December 2008

We introduce a new method for estimating the growth of various quantities arising in dynamical systems. Applying our method to polygonal billiards on surfaces of constant curvature, we obtain estimates almost everywhere on direction complexities and position complexities. As a byproduct, we recover the power bounds of Boshernitzan on the number of billiard orbits between almost all pairs of points in a planar polygon [M. Boshernitzan. Private letter to H. Masur (1986)].
The importance of nomenclature for congenital cardiac disease: implications for research and evaluation
Authors: Strickland Matthew J. , Riehle-Colarusso Tiffany J. , Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Reller Mark D. , Mahle William T. , Botto Lorenzo D. , Tolbert Paige E. , Jacobs Marshall L. , Lacour-Gayet Francois G. , Tchervenkov Christo I. , Mavroudis Constantine , Correa Adolfo
Published: December 2008

Background

Administrative databases are often used for congenital cardiac disease research and evaluation, with little validation of the accuracy of the diagnostic codes.

Methods

Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program surveillance records were reviewed and classified using a version of the International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code. Using this clinical nomenclature as the referent, we report the sensitivity and false positive fraction (1 – positive predictive value) of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Results

We identified 4918 infants and foetuses with congenital cardiac disease from the surveillance records. Using only the International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes, there were 280 records with tetralogy, 317 records with transposition, and 192 records with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Based on the International Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Code, 330 records were classified as tetralogy, 163 records as transposition, and 179 records as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The sensitivity of International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes was 83% for tetralogy, 100% for transposition, and 95% for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The false positive fraction was 2% for tetralogy, 49% for transposition, and 11% for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Conclusions

Analyses based on International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes may have substantial misclassification of congenital heart disease. Isolating the major defect is difficult, and certain codes do not differentiate between variants that are clinically and developmentally different.
The improvement of care for paediatric and congenital cardiac disease across the World: a challenge for the World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery
Authors: Tchervenkov Christo I. , Jacobs Jeffrey Phillip , Bernier Pierre-Luc , Stellin Giovanni , Kurosawa Hiromi , Mavroudis Constantine , Jonas Richard A. , Cicek Sertac M. , Al-Halees Zohair , Elliott Martin J. , Jatene Marcelo B. , Kinsley Robin H. , Kreutzer Christian , Leon-Wyss Juan , Liu Jinfen , Maruszewski Bohdan , Nunn Graham R. , Ramirez-Marroquin Samuel , Sandoval Nestor , Sano Shunji , Sarris George E. , Sharma Rajesh , Shoeb Ayman , Spray Thomas L. , Ungerleider Ross M. , Yangni-Angate Hervé , Ziemer Gerhard
Published: December 2008

The diagnosis and treatment for paediatric and congenital cardiac disease has undergone remarkable progress over the last 60 years. Unfortunately, this progress has been largely limited to the developed world. Yet every year approximately 90% of the more than 1,000,000 children who are born with congenital cardiac disease across the world receive either suboptimal care or are totally denied care.

While in the developed world the focus has changed from an effort to decrease post-operative mortality to now improving quality of life and decreasing morbidity, which is the focus of this Supplement, the rest of the world still needs to develop basic access to congenital cardiac care. The World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery [http://www.wspchs.org/] was established in 2006. The Vision of the World Society is that every child born anywhere in the world with a congenital heart defect should have access to appropriate medical and surgical care. The Mission of the World Society is to promote the highest quality comprehensive care to all patients with pediatric and/or congenital heart disease, from the fetus to the adult, regardless of the patient’s economic means, with emphasis on excellence in education, research and community service.

We present in this article an overview of the epidemiology of congenital cardiac disease, the current and future challenges to improve care in the developed and developing world, the impact of the globalization of cardiac surgery, and the role that the World Society should play. The World Society for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery is in a unique position to influence and truly improve the global care of children and adults with congenital cardiac disease throughout the world [http://www.wspchs.org/].
Cardiac complications associated with the treatment of patients with congenital cardiac disease: consensus definitions from the Multi-Societal Database Committee for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Bacha Emile Antoine , Cooper David , Thiagarajan Ravi , Franklin Rodney C.G. , Krogmann Otto , Deal Barbara , Mavroudis Constantine , Shukla Avinash , Yeh Thomas , Barach Paul , Wessel David , Stellin Giovanni , Colan Steven D.
Published: December 2008

A complication is an event or occurrence that is associated with a disease or a healthcare intervention, is a departure from the desired course of events, and may cause, or be associated with, suboptimal outcome. A complication does not necessarily represent a breech in the standard of care that constitutes medical negligence or medical malpractice. An operative or procedural complication is any complication, regardless of cause, occurring (1) within 30 days after surgery or intervention in or out of the hospital, or (2) after 30 days during the same hospitalization subsequent to the operation or intervention. Operative and procedural complications include both intraoperative/intraprocedural complications and postoperative/postprocedural complications in this time interval.

The MultiSocietal Database Committee for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease has set forth a comprehensive list of complications associated with the treatment of patients with congenital cardiac disease, related to cardiac, pulmonary, renal, haematological, infectious, neurological, gastrointestinal, and endocrinal systems, as well as those related to the management of anaesthesia and perfusion, and the transplantation of thoracic organs. The objective of this manuscript is to examine the definitions of operative morbidity as they relate specifically to the cardiac system. These specific definitions and terms will be used to track morbidity associated with surgical and transcatheter interventions and other forms of therapy in a common language across many separate databases.

The MultiSocietal Database Committee for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease has prepared and defined a near-exhaustive list of cardiac complications, including intraoperative complications and cardiopulmonary bypass-related complications. These cardiac complications are presented in the following subgroups:

1) Cardiac (general)

2) Cardiac – Metabolic

3) Cardiac – Residual and Recurrent cardiac lesions

4) Arrhythmia

5) Cardiopulmonary bypass and Mechanical circulatory support, and

6) Operative/Procedural.

Within each subgroup, complications are presented in alphabetical order. Clinicians caring for patients with congenital cardiac disease will be able to use this list for databases, quality improvement initiatives, reporting of complications, and comparing strategies for treatment.
The Shaykh, the Physical Setting and the Holy Site: the diffusion of the Qādirī path in late medieval Palestine
Authors: EPHRAT DAPHNA
Published: December 2008

This article explores the local context of the prominence of Sufism and sanctity in the late medieval period (1250–1500) through an examination of the diffusion of the Qādirī spiritual path in the spatial frame of Palestine. The geographical spread of the major spiritual paths (ṭarīqas) and the emergence of their shaykhs as charismatic figures in the course of the late medieval period has received considerable attention by historians of Sufism. Although the study of the social historical dimensions of the universal evolution and its nuances and variations is in order, patiently asked questions remain open regarding the establishment of theṭarīqas into locally embedded associations around charismatic shaykhs in particular historical and geographical settings, as well as the role local leaders of theṭarīqas played in shaping a communities' life and space.
The Divine Word Missionaries in Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang, 1922–1953: A Bibliographic Note
Authors: HORLEMANN BIANCA
Published: December 2008

Between 1922 and 1953, the German-Dutch Catholic CongregationSocietas Verbi Divini, SVD, also known as the Divine Word Missionaries or Steyl Missionaries, sent approximately 90 missionaries to Northwest China. During these three decades, the Divine Word Missionaries established some 30 missionary stations (plus about 100 out-stations) in Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang.
Noonan, Costello and cardio–facio–cutaneous syndromes: dysregulation of the Ras–MAPK pathway
Authors: Tidyman William E. , Rauen Katherine A.
Published: December 2008

A class of developmental disorders caused by dysregulation of the Ras-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade (the Ras–MAPK pathway) has emerged. Three of these disorders – Noonan, Costello and cardio–facio–cutaneous syndromes – have overlapping phenotypic features characterised by distinctive facial dysmorphia, cardiac defects, musculoskeletal and cutaneous abnormalities, and neurocognitive delay. The germline mutations associated with these disorders are in genes that encode proteins of the Ras–MAPK pathway. In vitro studies have determined that the overwhelming majority of these mutations result in increased signal transduction down the pathway, but usually to a lesser degree than somatic mutations in the same genes that are associated with cancer. The Ras–MAPK pathway is essential in the regulation of the cell cycle, differentiation, growth and senescence, so it is not surprising that germline mutations that affect its function have profound effects on development. Here we review the clinical consequences of the known molecular lesions associated with Noonan syndrome, Costello syndrome and cardio–facio–cutaneous syndrome, and explore possible therapeutic modalities for treatment.
Farm structural change of a different kind: Alternative dairy farms in Wisconsin—graziers, organic and Amish
Authors: Brock Caroline , Barham Bradford
Published: December 2008

Although the emergence of large confinement operations out of a system previously dominated by mid-sized confinement has been one major structural trend in Wisconsin dairy farming since the 1990s, a second structural trend has been the significant emergence of moderate-sized dairy farms using alternative management strategies: management-intensive rotational grazing (MIRG) (25% of Wisconsin's dairy farms), organic production (3%) and Amish farm production practices (5–7%). This paper presents the first systematic and representative comparative study on the structure, behavior and performance of multiple pasture-based dairy farm strategies. Wisconsin is an ideal site for this study given the prevalence of pasture-based farms, yet many of the findings here should be relevant for other traditional dairy states where similar types of alternative farm management systems are also emerging. Divergence with respect to farm strategy has implications for structure, technology and management adoption patterns as well as farmer satisfaction levels. Our findings suggest that alternative dairy farming systems are likely to become more prevalent on the agricultural landscape of Wisconsin.
A constant goal, changing tactics: The Krusenbaum dairy farm (1996–2005)
Authors: Posner Joshua L. , Frank Gary G. , Nordlund Kenneth V. , Schuler Ronald T.
Published: December 2008

This case study documents the trajectory of a successful alternative dairy farm in southeastern Wisconsin. The 1990s were a difficult period for dairying and the Krusenbaum family entered this shifting field in 1990 with a 37-cow Holstein herd in a stanchion barn, 88 tillable hectares and a vision to gradually develop a biodynamic dairy. Low milk prices and the unrelenting workload associated with conventional dairying forced the family to look for alternative strategies. By 1995 they had converted all their land to 47 rotationally grazed paddocks, increased herd size to 70 cows and their annual net farm income had grown to a solid $54,000. The workload remained very heavy, and during the next few years they introduced a swing-16 milking parlor that approximately doubled their milking efficiency and allowed them to again increase herd size, implemented seasonal dairying and constructed an outwintering shed (1997) that greatly facilitated animal management during the winter. By 2002 the farming system had been, by and large, consolidated and by not focusing solely on milk production and crossbreeding with non-Holstein breeds, the herd benefited from improved reproductive vigor. They were then able to synchronize annual calving and the herd's maximum nutritional needs with the spring flush of their pastures, which resulted in lowered purchased feed costs per cow. By this time, annual milk production was fairly constant [around 7400 kg rolling herd average (RHA)], herd health was good and annual net farm income had grown to $75,600. In 2003, the farm became certified organic. With this change the value of the milk increased dramatically from $0.31 liter−1 to $0.45 liter−1 ($14.27–$20.24 per hundredweight), but feed costs climbed sharply due to the high cost of organic feed, as did labor costs due to the decision to train new farmers in grass-based dairying rather than simply hire employees. Due to very sound farm management, good money management and an entrepreneurial philosophy, this farm, by most performance standards, is now both highly profitable and environmentally sound and the families living on it have a good quality of life.
Praxis der klinisch-psychologischen Diagnostik
Authors: Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter , Baumann Urs
Published: December 2008

In der klinisch-psychologischen Diagnostik lassen sich seit Jahren vielfältige interessante Diskussionen und Weiterentwicklungen erkennen. Neben theoretischen und methodischen Fragen spielen zunehmend auch stärker anwendungsbezogene Themen eine Rolle. Am Beispiel der Computerdiagnostik und der Umsetzung von Konzepten der Qualitätssicherung und des Qualitätsmanagements in die Praxis soll dies aufgezeigt werden.
Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID)
Authors: Kasten Erich , Stirn Aglaja
Published: December 2008

Beschrieben wird ein 48-jähriger Mann, der seit seinem 8.–9. Lebensjahr den Wunsch verspürt, sich ein Bein etwa 25 cm oberhalb des Knies amputieren zu lassen. Der Betroffene wurde testpsychologisch mit diversen Verfahren untersucht und einer Exploration unterzogen. Psychische Auffälligkeiten konnten, abgesehen vom Amputationswunsch, nicht festgestellt werden. Er arbeitet erfolgreich als Akademiker und lebt zufrieden in einer intakten (homosexuellen) Beziehung. Auffällig war, dass der Amputationswunsch während seines Lebens vom linken auf das rechte Bein wechselte, dabei aber immer exakt dieselbe Körperlokalisation betraf. Dies widerspricht der Theorie, dass BIID-Betroffene darunter leiden, ein bestimmtes Körperteil nicht in ihr Körperschema integriert zu haben. Das zugrunde liegende Konzept ist eher das Ideal der «Einbeinigkeit», nicht aber die Ablehnung eines verhassten Körperteils.
Longshore current dislocation on barred beaches
Authors: Barreiro A. K. , Bühler O.
Published: December 2008

We present a numerical investigation of longshore currents driven by breaking waves on barred beaches. Alongshore inhomogeneity in the wave envelope or bathymetry leads to the generation of strong dipolar structures when the waves are breaking. The dynamics of these structures transfer momentum from the bar of the beach into the trough. This study is pursued using a new model that allows long simulation times and realistic wave amplitudes. We study two idealized settings that are expected to produce current dislocation, as observed in field experiments. In one setting the current maximum is dislocated; in the other the current is diffused, but the maximum is not shifted.
An insight into the role of hydraulic history on the volume changes of anisotropic clayey soils
Authors: Romero Enrique , Jommi Cristina
Published: December 2008

Volume changes of natural and compacted soils induced by changes in their water content have many practical implications in the service life of earth dams, river and canal embankments, and waste disposal facilities. An insight into the overall strain response of a clayey soil upon gradual wetting and drying is provided here. Experimental data coming from oedometer and isotropic tests under suction and net stress control are presented for a compacted clay with an initial anisotropic fabric, highlighting the relevant role played by the hydraulic path on collapse, swelling, and shrinkage strains. Irreversible strains could be observed after wetting‐drying paths and the subsequent drying‐wetting cycle. Both stress and hydraulic histories play a role in the evolution of the directional fabric of clayey soils. The experimental data could be reproduced with a rather simple elastic‐plastic constitutive model with a mixed isotropic‐rotational hardening, previously conceived for saturated soils. The model is extended to unsaturated conditions by substituting the saturated effective stress with a measure of the average stress acting on the soil skeleton and by introducing generalized hardening rules governed by both plastic strains and degree of saturation. Coupling between the mechanical and the hydraulic behavior is provided by the water retention curve, in which degree of saturation is adopted as a useful measure of the soil water content.
Quantitative imaging of solute transport in an unsaturated and undisturbed soil monolith with 3‐D ERT and TDR
Authors: Koestel Johannes , Kemna Andreas , Javaux Mathieu , Binley Andrew , Vereecken Harry
Published: December 2008

Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has proved to be a valuable tool for imaging solute transport processes in the subsurface. However, a quantitative interpretation of corresponding ERT results is constrained by a number of factors. One such factor is the nonuniqueness of the ERT inverse problem if no additional constraints are imposed. In the vadose zone, further problems arise from the general ambiguity of the imaged bulk electrical conductivity in terms of water content and solute concentration. In this study we address these issues in detail for a solute tracer experiment conducted in an undisturbed unsaturated soil monolith where the tracer transport was monitored by means of 3‐D smoothness‐constrained ERT and time domain reflectometry (TDR) measurements. The experimental design allowed the determination of solute tracer concentrations directly from imaged bulk electrical conductivity. Independent TDR data and effluent tracer concentrations provided a “ground truth” for the ERT‐derived apparent convection‐dispersion equation transport parameters. The apparent transport velocity calculated from the ERT results was consistent with that based on TDR data and the sampled effluent, independent of the degree of smoothness imposed in the ERT inversion. On the other hand, the apparent dispersivity calculated from the ERT results was larger than that estimated from TDR data but smaller than that estimated from the sampled effluent, with the magnitude of deviations dependent on the degree of smoothing. Importantly, no mass balance problems were observed in the ERT results. We believe that this is largely a consequence of the uniform application of the tracer as a front and of the configuration of the electrode array with respect to the main transport direction. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that ERT can yield unprecedented quantitative information about local‐ and column‐scale solute transport characteristics in natural soils.
A mid‐Holocene transition in the nitrogen dynamics of the western equatorial Pacific: Evidence of a deepening thermocline?
Authors: Kienast M. , Lehmann M. F. , Timmermann A. , Galbraith E. , Bolliet T. , Holbourn A. , Normandeau C. , Laj C.
Published: December 2008

Sedimentary δ15N records from the oligotrophic western equatorial Pacific (WEP) off Mindanao show that late Holocene sedimentary δ15N is substantially lower than that of the early Holocene, following a gradual >3 ‰ decrease that occurred between 7 and 3 kyrs ago. Analyses of modern day nitrate isotope profiles from the same region indicate the sensitivity of the WEP N pools towards (1) the advection of 15N‐enriched nitrate from the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP) by the North Equatorial Current (NEC) and the Mindanao Current in subsurface waters and, (2) at shallow depths, the input of new and 15N‐depleted nitrate through N2 fixation. We suggest that the Holocene decrease in sedimentary δ15N reflects a diminished relative input of 15N‐enriched nitrate to the surface biota, either through an increase of regional nitrogen fixation, a change in nitrate consumption along the advective path of nitrate supply, or a decrease in the vertical supply of 15N‐enriched nitrate from the NEC. The latter mechanism is consistent with a Holocene deepening of the WEP nitracline/thermocline.
Mayotte coral reveals hydrological changes in the western Indian Ocean between 1881 and 1994
Authors: Zinke J. , Pfeiffer M. , Timm O. , Dullo W.‐C. , Kroon D. , Thomassin B. A.
Published: December 2008

We reconstruct the hydrologic history of the tropical western Indian Ocean by calculating the δ18Oseawater from coupled coral Sr/Ca and δ18O measurements in a massive Porites coral from Mayotte (Comoros) between 1881 and 1994. We found that the precipitation‐evaporation balance varies naturally on time scales of 5–6 years and 18–25 years. High (low) SSTs are associated with positive (negative) δ18Oseawater implying that atmospheric variability is linked with remote climate modes in the Indian Ocean and the tropical/extratropical Pacific Ocean. Warm El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events are associated with a negative freshwater balance at Mayotte. This case study demonstrates that a much denser network of δ18Oseawater reconstructions is crucial for understanding the spatial patterns of hydrological conditions.
Preliminary assessment of the scalability of GPS radio occultations impact in numerical weather prediction
Authors: Poli P. , Healy S. B. , Rabier F. , Pailleux J.
Published: December 2008

This work evaluates the scalability of the impact of the GPS radio occultation (GPSRO) measurements on the reduction of Numerical Weather Prediction forecast errors. We first show that the GPSRO bending angles from the eight satellites FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC, CHAMP, and GRACE‐A lead to a reduction in geopotential height and temperature forecast Root Mean Square errors in Météo‐France global data assimilation system of a few percents in the Northern troposphere and larger in the Southern troposphere. As we double the number of GPSRO data assimilated, the forecast mean square error reduction grows by a factor between 1.1–1.8 for humidity and 1.3–2.4 for geopotential height, temperature, and wind. We do not observe any evidence of forecast impact saturation, though hints of leveling are apparent.
PPDF‐based method to account for atmospheric light scattering in observations of carbon dioxide from space
Authors: Oshchepkov Sergey , Bril Andrey , Yokota Tatsuya
Published: December 2008

We present an original method that accounts for thin clouds in carbon dioxide retrievals from space‐based reflected sunlight observations in near‐infrared regions. This approach involves a reasonable, simple parameterization of effective transmittance using a set of parameters that describe the path‐length modification caused by clouds. The complete retrieval scheme included the following: estimation of cloud parameters from the 0.76‐μm O2 A‐band and from the H2O‐saturated absorption area of the 2.0‐μm band; a necessary correction to utilize these parameters at the target CO2 1.58‐μm band using estimated ground surface albedo outside of gas absorption lines in this band; and retrieval of CO2 amount at the 1.58‐μm band using a maximum a posteriori method of inversion. The primary retrieved parameters refer to the CO2 volume mixing ratio vertical profile that is then transformed to an averaged‐column amount under a pre‐defined increment of pressure. A set of numerical simulations with synthetic radiance spectra particular to Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) observations showed that the proposed method provides acceptably accurate CO2 retrievals from an atmosphere that includes thin cirrus clouds. Efficiency of the aerosol and cloud corrections was demonstrated by comparing it with a modified iterative maximum a posteriori‐DOAS (IMAP‐DOAS) that neglects path length modifications due to the scattering effects.
Bias adjustment techniques for improving ozone air quality forecasts
Authors: Kang Daiwen , Mathur Rohit , Rao S. Trivikrama , Yu Shaocai
Published: December 2008

In this study, we apply two bias adjustment techniques to help improve forecast accuracy by postprocessing air quality forecast model outputs. These techniques are applied to modeled ozone (O3) forecasts over the continental United States during the summer of 2005. The first technique, referred to as the hybrid forecast (HF), combines the most recent observed ozone with model‐predicted ozone tendency for the subsequent forecast time period. The second technique applied here is the Kalman filter (KF), which is a recursive, linear, and adaptive method that takes into account the temporal variation of forecast errors at a specific location. Two modifications to the Kalman filter are investigated. A key parameter in the KF approach is the error ratio, which determines the relative weighting of observed and forecast ozone values. This parameter is optimized to improve the prediction of ozone based on time series data at individual monitoring sites in the Aerometric Information Retrieval Now network. The optimal error ratios inherent in the KF algorithm implementation are found to vary across space; however, comparisons of the resultant KF‐adjusted forecasts using a single fixed value of this parameter with those using the optimal values determined for each individual site reveal similar results, suggesting that the uncertainty in the estimation of this parameter does not have a significant impact on the final bias‐adjusted predictions. The KF postprocessing is also combined with the Kolmogorov‐Zurbenko filter, which extracts the intraday variability in the observed ozone time series; the results indicate a significant improvement in the ozone forecasts at locations in the Pacific coast region, but not as much at locations across the rest of the continental U.S. domain. Both HF and KF bias adjustment techniques help significantly reduce the systematic errors in ozone forecasts. For most of the global performance metrics examined, the KF approach performed better than the HF method. For the given model applications, both methods are effective in reducing biases at low ozone mixing ratio levels, but not as well at the high mixing ratio levels. This is due in part to the fact that high ambient ozone levels occur much less frequently than low to moderate levels for which the current model exhibits a systematic high bias. Additionally, the 12 km model grid structure is often unable to adequately capture the magnitude of peak O3 levels. Thus, these extreme events at discrete monitor locations are more difficult to predict.
Dynamical sensitivity of the stratospheric circulation and downward influence of upper level perturbations
Authors: Hardiman Steven C. , Haynes Peter H.
Published: December 2008

The response of the stratospheric circulation to a perturbation to the zonal mean flow applied above some level zc in the extratropical middle or upper stratosphere is considered, focusing in particular on the possibility that there is a significant response in the lower stratosphere (and hence, the troposphere, though the potentially important feedbacks in the troposphere between baroclinic eddies and zonal mean flow are not considered). The response is considered first in one‐dimensional wave‐mean models of Holton‐Mass type, with a steady Rossby wave forcing of amplitude Φ0 applied at the lower boundary, which for small values of Φ0 have a stable steady state and for larger values of Φ0 have stable regular vacillations. The response of the zonally symmetric system with Φ0 = 0 is well known. The results here show that when Φ0 takes moderate values, the response to a perturbation is similar to that in the zonally symmetric case, i.e., downward propagation but with the amplitude of the response decaying exponentially downward. As Φ0 increases, the amplitude of the response at a given level below zc tends to increase, but a more spectacular change occurs when the value of Φ0 is sufficiently large for there to be regular vacillation rather than a steady stage. The response below zc is then significantly larger than for small Φ0. The response is then considered in three‐dimensional models, one with geopotential imposed on an artificial lower boundary and the other with a topographic lower boundary condition. In these models too the response to an imposed upper level perturbation is shown to depend on the amplitude of the wave forcing in the underlying state, but here the existence of steady states and vacillating states is not as straightforward as in the 1‐D case, and it seems clearer to distinguish between dynamically insensitive cases (e.g., small wave forcing) and dynamically sensitive cases (e.g., large wave forcing), with a much stronger low level response to upper level forcing in the latter case.
Possible solar wind effect on the northern annular mode and northern hemispheric circulation during winter and spring
Authors: Lu Hua , Jarvis Martin J. , Hibbins Robert E.
Published: December 2008

Statistically measurable responses of atmospheric circulation to solar wind dynamic pressure are found in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) zonal‐mean zonal wind and temperature, and on the Northern Annular Mode (NAM) in winter and spring. When December to January solar wind dynamic pressure (PswDJ) is high, the circulation response is marked by a stronger polar vortex and weaker sub‐tropical jet in the upper to middle stratosphere. As the winter progresses, the Arctic becomes colder and the jet anomalies shift poleward and downward. In spring, the polar stratosphere becomes anomalously warmer. At solar maxima, significant positive correlations are found between PswDJ and the middle to late winter NAM all the way from the surface to 20 hPa, implying a strengthened polar vortex, reduced Brewer–Dobson circulation and enhanced stratosphere‐troposphere coupling. The combined effect of high solar UV irradiance and high solar wind dynamic pressure in the NH middle to late winter is enhanced westerlies in the extratropics and weaker westerlies in the subtropics, indicating that more planetary waves are refracted toward the equator. At solar minima, there is no correlation in the NH winter but negative correlations between PswDJ and the NAM are found only in the stratosphere during spring. These results suggest possible multiple solar inputs that may cause refraction/redistribution of upward wave propagation and result in projecting the solar wind signals onto the NAM. The route by which the effects of solar wind forcing might propagate to the lower atmosphere is yet to be understood.
Roughness of Hawaiian volcanic terrains
Authors: Morris Aisha R. , Anderson F. Scott , Mouginis‐Mark Peter J. , Haldemann Albert F. C. , Brooks Benjamin A. , Foster James
Published: December 2008

We performed analyses of topographic variation (surface roughness) using a new 2‐D mapping method which shows that understanding the relationship between data resolution, Hurst exponent, y intercept, RMS deviation, and cell size is important for assessing surface processes. We use this new method to assess flows at six field sites in Kilauea caldera, Hawaii, using three data sets at different resolutions, TOPSAR (10 m/pixel), airborne lidar (1 m/pixel), and tripod‐mounted lidar (0.02–0.03 m/pixel). The flows studied include ponded pahoehoe flows, compound pahoehoe flows, and jumbled, slabby pahoehoe. The 2‐D quantification of surface roughness for the Kilauea lava flows indicates that features formed during emplacement and modification of the flows exhibit statistically distinct roughness signatures. The 2‐D method provides a tool for unit mapping based on surface roughness. Key findings indicate that the new 2‐D method provides more robust results than 1‐D methods for surface roughness because of larger 2‐D sample sizes and the removal of 1‐D directional bias leading to a reduction in error. Furthermore, data set resolution relative to the scale of the features under study is important to consider when designing a 2‐D surface roughness study. Future applications to topographic data sets from Mars will provide information on flow emplacement conditions and spatial and temporal evolution of volcanic provinces on Mars.