bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morgue, fée de cour ? La féerie courtoise dans le Livre des Visions d'Oger le Dannoys au royaulme de Fairie de François Habert
Authors: Hoernel Alexandra
Published: April 2011

a courtly fairy? The courtly fairy world in the Livre des visions d’Oger le Dannoys au royaulme de Fairie by François Habert Even though fairies do not naturally mix with humans, at the end of the Middle Ages, the world of fairies and that of the court (and of courtoisie ) seem to come together in reciprocal assimilation. From a study of the rewriting of the legend of Ogier the Dane by François Habert in 1542, this article shows that the phenomenon results from two kinds of writing. On the one hand, there is a process of ritualization, which is produced by a spectacular tale integrating the fairy world into a collective ceremonial orchestrated in the real world just as in the fictional one On the other, a degree of rationalization integrates the figures of the fairy world either by turning them into exemplars (as models of courtly relations) or by attributing allegorical value to them (as figures of Fortune). This mix of realistic and magical features then becomes characteristic of a synthesis that materializes, through the image of Morgana, into a fantasy of courtly fairydom.
Transforming the City for Sustainability: The Principles of Green Urbanism
Authors: Lehmann Steffen
Published: April 2011

This paper will first look at the timeline of important publications that have been published on sustainable design and have emerged from different schools of thought, to exemplify how gradually the notion of Green Urbanism evolved. It then identifies the intertwined principles for achieving Green Urbanism.
Acoustical Improvements with Natural Air Ventilation in the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia
Authors: Razavi Zohreh , Richter Max , Hodgson Murray , Khaleghi Alireza
Published: April 2011

Low speech privacy in shared and private offices in one of the early generation of a “green” building resulted in occupants' dissatisfaction. This problem is experienced in Liu institute with a natural-ventilation system. Such a system requires low air-flow resistance which is achieved by large openings which will result in noise transmission between various spaces within the building. The poor acoustical quality in this building resulted in occupants' noise complaints which were further investigated by way of relevant acoustical measurements. CATT-Acoustic software was utilized to modify the acoustical quality of the building without any disturbance to the occupants. The optimized design of the transfer box above the office door was selected based on CATT-Acoustic predictions. The acoustical measurements were conducted after installation of the transfer box above the office door. The measurements' results agreed with the predictions which led to improved speech privacy to an acceptable level between the office and the corridor in Liu Institute. More work should be done to improve the acoustical quality of natural-ventilated building to conform to ANSI standards.1The results of this study strongly support including acoustics in “green” building designs with natural ventilation to avoid users' complaints.
Where Have All the Woodsmen Gone? And Could Sustainable Timber Use in the UK Really Be Sustainable?
Authors: Leaman Adrian
Published: April 2011

We import the vast majority of our construction timber from abroad, some of it from illegally logged sources. Incredibly with our rural economy still in decline we now import even thatching spars from Poland. Meanwhile, many privately owned British woods are used only for tax avoidance, recreation, or firewood and are not producing quality timber. What is the way forward for United Kingdom forestry at a time when even our national forests are vulnerable.
Dopamine D1-Like Receptor Antagonist Attenuates Th17-Mediated Immune Response and Ovalbumin Antigen-Induced Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation
Authors: Nakagome Kazuyuki , Imamura Mitsuru , Okada Hirokazu , Kawahata Kimito , Inoue Tsutomu , Hashimoto Kumiko , Harada Hiroaki , Higashi Takehiro , Takagi Rie , Nakano Kazuhisa , Hagiwara Koichi , Kanazawa Minoru , Dohi Makoto , Nagata Makoto , Matsushita Sho
Published: April 2011

Allergic airway inflammation is generally considered a Th2-type immune response. Recent studies, however, demonstrated that Th17-type immune responses also play important roles in this process, especially in the pathogenesis of neutrophilic airway inflammation, a hallmark of severe asthma. We previously reported that dendritic cells release dopamine to naive CD4+ T cells in Ag-specific cell–cell interaction, in turn inducing Th17 differentiation through dopamine D1-like receptor (D1-like-R). D1-like-R antagonist attenuates Th17-mediated diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and autoimmune diabetes. However, the effect of antagonizing D1-like-R on Th17-mediated airway inflammation has yet to be studied. In this study, we examined whether D1-like-R antagonist suppresses OVA-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation in OVA TCR-transgenic DO11.10 mice and then elucidated the mechanism of action. DO11.10 mice were nebulized with OVA or PBS, and some mice received D1-like-R antagonist orally before OVA nebulization. D1-like-R antagonist significantly suppressed OVA-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation in DO11.10 mice. It also inhibited the production of IL-17 and infiltration of Th17 cells in the lung. Further, D1-like-R antagonist suppressed the production of IL-23 by lung CD11c+ APCs. In contrast, D1-like-R antagonist did not increase Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the lung. D1-like-R antagonist neither suppressed nonspecific LPS-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation nor OVA-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation. These results indicate that D1-like-R antagonist could suppress Th17-mediated neutrophilic airway inflammation, raising the possibility that antagonizing D1-like-R serves as a promising new strategy for treating neutrophil-dominant severe asthma.
Caspase-1–Processed Cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 Promote IL-17 Production by γδ and CD4 T Cells That Mediate Autoimmunity
Authors: Lalor Stephen J. , Dungan Lara S. , Sutton Caroline E. , Basdeo Sharee A. , Fletcher Jean M. , Mills Kingston H. G.
Published: April 2011

IL-1β plays a critical role in promoting IL-17 production by γδ and CD4 T cells. However, IL-1–targeted drugs, although effective against autoinflammatory diseases, are less effective against autoimmune diseases. Conversely, gain-of-function mutations in the NLRP3 inflammasome complex are associated with enhanced IL-1β and IL-18 production and Th17 responses. In this study, we examined the role of caspase-1–processed cytokines in IL-17 production and in induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the immunostimulatory component in CFA used for inducing EAE, stimulated IL-1β and IL-18 production by dendritic cells through activation of the inflammasome complex and caspase-1. Dendritic cells stimulated with M. tuberculosis and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein promoted IL-17 production by T cells and induced EAE following transfer to naive mice, and this was suppressed by a caspase-1 inhibitor and reversed by administration of IL-1β or IL-18. Direct injection of the caspase-1 inhibitor suppressed IL-17 production by CD4 T cells and γδ T cells in vivo and attenuated the clinical signs of EAE. γδ T cells expressed high levels of IL-18R and the combination of IL-18 and IL-23, as with IL-1β and IL-23, stimulated IL-17 production by γδ T cells, but also from CD4 T cells, in the absence of TCR engagement. Our findings demonstrate that caspase-1–processed cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 not only promote autoimmunity by stimulating innate IL-17 production by T cells but also reveal redundancy in the functions of IL-1β and IL-18, suggesting that caspase-1 or the inflammasome may be an important drug target for autoimmune diseases.
Noncanonical K27-Linked Polyubiquitination of TIEG1 Regulates Foxp3 Expression and Tumor Growth
Authors: Peng Dong-Jun , Zeng Minghui , Muromoto Ryuta , Matsuda Tadashi , Shimoda Kazuya , Subramaniam Malayannan , Spelsberg Thomas C. , Wei Wei-Zen , Venuprasad K.
Published: April 2011

Earlier, we demonstrated the essential role of Kruppel-like transcription factor, TIEG1, in TGF-β–induced regulatory T cell (Treg) development. In this article, we demonstrate that IL-6, which promotes Th17 development, abrogated TIEG1 nuclear translocation and inhibited TGF-β–induced Treg development. Tyrosine kinase Tyk2-mediated phosphorylation of TIEG1 at Tyr179 promoted noncanonical K-27–linked polyubiquitination, which inhibited TIEG1 nuclear translocation. To test the role of TIEG1-regulated Treg/Th17 development in antitumor immunity, we analyzed TRAMP-C2 tumor growth in TIEG1−/− mice. The defective Treg development and elevated Th17 response resulted in enhanced immune reactivity in the tumor and inhibition of TRAMP-C2 tumor growth in TIEG1−/− mice. Thus, our results uncovered a novel regulatory mechanism that modulates Tregs and may regulate tumor progression.
Recent US Patterns and Predictors of Prevalent Diabetes among Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Ovbiagele Bruce , Markovic Daniela , Fonarow Gregg C.
Published: April 2011

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) confers high vascular risk and is a growing national epidemic. We assessed clinical characteristics and prevalence of diagnosed DM among patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the US over the last decade.Methods. Data were obtained from all states within the US that contributed to the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. All patients admitted to hospitals between 1997 and 2006 with a primary discharge diagnosis of AMI were included. Time trends in the proportion of these patients with DM diagnosis were computed.Results. The portion of patients with comorbid diabetes among AMI hospitalizations increased substantially from 18% in 1997 to 30% in 2006 (). Absolute numbers of AMI hospitalizations in the US decreased 8% (from 729, 412 to 672, 243), while absolute numbers of AMI hospitalizations with coexisting DM rose 51% ((131, 189 to 198, 044), both (). Women with AMI were significantly more likely to have DM than similarly aged men, but these differences diminished with increasing age.Conclusion. Although overall hospitalizations for AMI in the US diminished over the last decade, prevalence of diabetes rose substantially. This may have important consequences for the future societal vascular disease burden.
Molecular Pathology of Hepatic Neoplasms: Classification and Clinical Significance
Authors: Walther Zenta , Jain Dhanpat
Published: April 2011

Recent technological advances have enabled investigators to characterize the molecular genetics and genomics of hepatic neoplasia in remarkable detail. From these studies, an increasing number of molecular markers are being identified that correlate with clinically important tumor phenotypes. This paper discusses current knowledge relevant to the molecular classification of epithelial primary hepatic tumors that arise in adults, including focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), hepatocellular adenoma (HCA), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma (CC), and combined HCC-CC. Genetic analysis has defined molecular subtypes of HCA that are clinicopathologically distinct and can be distinguished through immunohistochemistry. Gene expression studies have identified molecular signatures of progression from dysplastic nodules (DNs) to early HCC in cirrhosis. Analyses of the mutational spectra, chromosomal aberrations and instability, transcriptomics, and microRNA profiles of HCC have revealed the existence of biologically distinct subtypes of this common malignancy, with prognostic implications. Molecular characterization of biliary and hepatic progenitor cell phenotypes in liver cancer has shed new light on the histogenesis of these tumors and has focused attention on novel therapeutic targets. In coming years, the molecular classification of hepatic neoplasms will be increasingly valuable for guiding patient care, as targeted therapies for liver cancer are developed and brought into clinical practice.
Moral Hazard and Reciprocity
Authors: Castillo Marco , Leo Gregory
Published: April 2011

We investigate the motives behind reciprocal behavior by making selfish acts anonymous and not common knowledge. In one treatment, subjects were assigned to the role of proposer or responder and played a trust game with random matching for 20 rounds. In a second treatment, the modified game, the procedures were the same, but responders were allowed to choose with only 80% probability. With 20% probability, responders were restricted to keep any money passed. Only responders knew whether they were restricted or not. We find that the behavior of responders is different in this modified trust game. The fact that responders can hide selfish acts generates more selfish behavior. This in turn makes proposers less likely to pass money to responders, thereby destroying trust. We find important session effects in the standard trust game but less so in the modified game. Our experiments show that information conveyed in actions is important to subjects' decisions.
Effects of Patent Policy on Income and Consumption Inequality in a R&D Growth Model
Authors: Chu Angus C.
Published: April 2011

To analyze the effects of patent policy on growth and inequality, this article develops a quality‐ladder model with wealth heterogeneity and elastic labor supply. The model predicts that strengthening patent protection increases (a) economic growth by stimulating spending on research and development and (b) income inequality by raising the return on assets. Elastic labor supply creates an additional effect on income inequality. As for consumption inequality, the effect is ambiguous and depends on the elasticity of intertemporal substitution. Calibrating the model to the U.S. data shows that strengthening patent protection increases income inequality by more than consumption inequality, and this pattern is consistent with the data.
Ill‐Defined versus Precise Pre‐Play Communication in the Traveler's Dilemma
Authors: Chakravarty Sujoy , Dechenaux Emmanuel , Roy Jaideep
Published: April 2011

This article reports results from an experiment comparing the effects of vague versus precise pre‐play communication in a highly competitive two‐player game with conflicting interests. In the classic Traveler's Dilemma, non‐binding precise messages about intent of play are pure cheap talk. We conjecture that a form of imprecise pre‐play communication whereby subjects can submit ill‐defined messages may help foster cooperation because of their vagueness. Comparing behavior both across modes of communication and to a baseline case without communication, we find that cooperation is highest when players can communicate using precise numerical messages. When communication with ill‐defined messages is allowed, then conditional on receiving a message, subjects act more cooperatively than when no message is received. However, overall, the ability to exchange ill‐defined messages does not substantially improve cooperation.
Flight Delays and Passenger Preferences: An Axiomatic Approach
Authors: Bishop John A. , Rupp Nicholas G. , Zheng Buhong
Published: April 2011

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) defines a flight as “delayed” if it arrives 15+ minutes late. The DOT “flight counting” delay definition is used to rank airline/airport service quality. An obvious caveat of counting flight delays is that the duration of delay plays no role in the delay count. The purpose of this article is to propose an aggregate delay measure that is sensitive to the distribution of time delayed among passengers. The importance of this work is that our derived delay measure reflects passenger preferences rather than the arbitrary delay cutoff established by the DOT. We model passengers' preference ordering using the criteria that passengers prefer fewer, shorter, and more equal delay times.
Money and Crime in a Cash‐In‐Advance Model
Authors: Choi Hyung Sun
Published: April 2011

A cash‐in‐advance model, in which holding money is risky, is constructed to study the coexistence of multiple means of payment and monetary policy implications. In steady‐state equilibrium, the marginal rate of substitution of cash goods for credit goods depends on the crime rate as well as the nominal interest rate. Credit may be in use, although the return on money is not positive. With theft, a money injection reduces the crime rate and makes cash more preferable for a greater variety of goods. Inflation improves welfare. However, without theft, inflation makes credit more preferable and decreases welfare. In general, the Friedman rule is not optimal.
Central Bank Independence, Wage Bargaining, and Labor Market Performance: New Evidence
Authors: Feldmann Horst
Published: April 2011

Using data on 20 industrial countries over the period 1982 to 2003, this article finds central bank independence to favorably affect both unemployment and employment rates. The size of these effects appears to be substantial, particularly in the long term. In contrast to some of the previous literature, the article finds that the favorable effects of central bank independence do not depend on the degree of wage bargaining centralization or coordination. Furthermore, it finds that higher centralization as well as higher coordination of wage bargaining may also have favorable direct effects on labor market performance.
What Do OECD Countries Cut First When Faced with Fiscal Adjustments?
Authors: Sanz Ismael
Published: April 2011

Following the present scale of fiscal imbalances in developed countries, significant fiscal consolidation will be inevitable in the coming years. Fiscal discipline will require cuts in government expenditure, leading to trade‐offs between different components of government expenditure. In this article, we explore the relationship between components of government expenditure and government size during the period 1970‐2007 for a sample of 25 developed countries to shed light on how fiscal discipline might influence public spending composition in the coming years. Using the Pooled Mean Group estimation we find that fiscal adjustments protect functions that have both a social and productive character, such as education and health spending. In addition, the most productive spending, that related to transport and communications, is also isolated from budgetary cuts. This result shows evidence of governments reacting to the voter's increasing realization that reducing productive expenditures harms long‐term economic growth by striking a balance between utility and economic‐growth‐enhancing expenditure.
Factor Returns and Circular Causality
Authors: Zhou Haiwen
Published: April 2011

The presence of circular causality in a region through factor returns is studied in a general equilibrium model in which firms producing final products engage in oligopolistic competition. The intermediate input is produced by capital and labor with a constant returns to scale technology. If the degree of increasing returns in the production of final products is sufficiently high, the return to a factor can increase with the amount of this factor. Thus a higher amount of a factor in a region leads to a higher return to this factor and attracts additional amount of this factor to move in. Capital movement and labor movement can be reinforcing. This type of circular causality means that unbalanced regional development can persist over time.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty and High Tibial Osteotomy for Treatment of Medial Compartmental Osteoarthritis
Authors: Brown Christopher A , Watters Tyler S , Mather Richard C , Orlando Lori A
Published: April 2011

Background

Interest in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has recently increased in the United States concomitantly with an increase in the prevalence of physiologically active patients presenting with medial compartment osteoarthritis. This study examined the cost-effectiveness of UKA compared with high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis.

Methods

A Markov decision model was constructed with review of literature to conduct a cost-utility analysis of UKA as compared to HTO in a patient population aged 40 years at the time of surgical intervention. Utility values were assigned to health states annually based on the commonly accepted reference values of 1 being “full health” and 0 being “death”. These values are used to estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The Markov decision model was used to evaluate the total accumulated costs and effectiveness, measured in QALYs.

Results

The average cost of the UKA was cheaper by $842 and resulted in a significant incremental effectiveness gain compared to HTO (+ 0.96 QALY). UKA gained 20.05 QALY at a cost-effectiveness (C/E) ratio of $1048/QALY, whereas HTO gained 19.09 QALY at a C/E ratio of $1145/QALY.

Conclusion

Both UKA and HTO are cost-effective procedures but patients treated with UKA may experience an increased net health benefit over their lifetime.

Level of evidence

Economic and decision analysis level II.
Are there gender-related influences on corporate sustainability? A study of women on boards of directors
Authors: Galbreath Jeremy
Published: April 2011

This study sought to investigate if there is a link between women on boards of directors and corporate sustainability. Using a sample of publicly listed firms from Australia, the results suggest some level of support that a link does exist. Boards that have a strong complement of gender diversity are expected to offer more effective monitoring of agents, as well as offer more stringent enforcement of ethical conduct, thereby minimizing affects of subversion of shareholder funds that can be detrimental to their returns. Accordingly, findings confirm a positive link between women on boards and economic growth. Because of their relational abilities, women on boards are more likely able to engage with multiple stakeholders and respond to their needs, resulting in an avenue for demonstrating social responsiveness, which is confirmed by the results. However, due to their backgrounds and work experiences, sex-based biases and stereotyping might exist in boardrooms with men directors discounting input from women directors on issues relating to environmental quality. The results of this study find that women directors are not significantly associated with environmental quality. Discussion is given to these findings along with paths for future research.
Self-efficacy and effort in new venture development
Authors: Trevelyan Rose
Published: April 2011

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that entrepreneurial self-efficacy influences intentions and performance, but little research on ESE and actual activities. In this paper the possible dual impact of ESE on task effort is explored. On the one hand self-efficacy boosts motivation and persistence, but on the other hand high confidence in one's abilities can lead to decision-making shortcuts and reduced effort on key tasks (the overconfidence hypothesis). Propositions about the relationship between self-efficacy and effort on different types of tasks (action and judgment tasks) are developed and tested with a small sample of active entrepreneurs. Results support a positive impact of self-efficacy on effort regardless of the type of task, thereby raising questions about the overconfidence hypothesis. Understanding types of confidence (in one's ability, knowledge, and judgment) and effort (cognitive effort) may explain these results. Further research on these topics, and on entrepreneurial experience and the use of heuristics are suggested.
Multilevel absorptive capacity and interorganizational new product development: A process study
Authors: Newey Lance , Verreynne Martie-Louise
Published: April 2011

The objective of this paper is to deepen our understanding of the role of absorptive capacity in enabling interorganizational new product development (INPD). We contend that despite what is known about the benefits of absorptive capacity to innovating firms, this research is dominated by firm-level analyses using cross-sectional data. The accumulated knowledge about absorptive capacity thus does not help with understanding how absorptive capacity unfolds as a process within and between firms such as when firms collaborate in new product development. Using a longitudinal case study, we build new theory at the INPD system level of analysis that leads us to shed new light on the cross-level interactions between firm- and alliance-level absorptive capacities.
From the shadows into the light: Let's get real about outsourcing
Authors: Hunter James D , Hall Allastair N
Published: April 2011

Despite the continued popularity of outsourcing amongst managers and management researchers alike, signifi cant questions arguably remain as to the adequacy of the typical framing of the outsourcing decision. An extensive review of the literature revealed a skewed, partial and fragmented conceptualisation of the option, further exacerbated by a concerning tendency effectively to rank quantitative outcomes over qualitative outcomes, even ex post. In this article it is argued that a critical analysis of the theoretical frameworks that underlie this body of work suggests a more realistic conceptualisation of outsourcing, both for management researchers and management decision makers.
More similar than different: A study of cooperative product innovation with multiple external stakeholders
Authors: von der Heidt Tania , Scott Don
Published: April 2011

This paper uses a strategy—structure—performance-based model of marketing channel relationship structure to conduct an empirical examination of the involvement of four external stakeholder groups in manufacturing firms' product innovation. The results show that firms' stakeholder orientation (strategy), involvement of stakeholders in product innovation (structure) and quality of stakeholder relationships (performance) are intrinsically linked. Also, the way in which multiple stakeholder groups were involved in manufacturing firms' product innovation was more similar than different.
Onboarding externally hired executives: Avoiding derailment – accelerating contribution
Authors: Guangrong Dai  , De Meuse Kenneth P , Gaeddert Dee
Published: April 2011

Executive onboarding has become a popular technique in the business world during the past decade. However, the demonstrated success of traditional onboarding practices is mixed. We assert in this article that executive onboarding should be strategic, so that it not only prevents executive derailment, but accelerates contribution to optimize strategic achievement. We review the literature and identify six problematic areas externally hired executives often encounter when transitioning in to new organizations. It is recommended that effective onboarding should be tailored to the targeted organizations and executives to address specific transition issues. We propose a conceptual framework to implement onboarding on a strategic basis. It is hoped that such a review and conceptual discussion will enhance the effectiveness of onboarding experiences and increase the likelihood of success for executives hired from outside the organization.
Impression management performances in a Brazilian mining company: The researcher as audience
Authors: Duarte Fernanda P
Published: April 2011

Writing from an autoethnographic perspective, in this paper I re-visit Erving Goffman's ideas to examine impression management tactics used by staff from a large Brazilian mining company. The analysis is based on a 6-week fieldwork trip to Brazil in 2008 for the purpose of gathering qualitative data for a study on corporate social responsibility in the extractivist sector. Post-fieldwork reflections prompted the insight that during the data gathering phase of my research, I was subject to a series of impression management ‘performances’ by my corporate informants, carried out to foster a positive image of their company. In the paper I juxtapose data obtained during fieldwork and my personal reflections with selected excerpts from Goffman'sThe Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.
The distinctiveness of family-firm intangibles: A review and suggestions for future research
Authors: Huybrechts Jolien , Voordeckers Wim , Lybaert Nadine , Vandemaele Sigrid
Published: April 2011

We review the theoretical and empirical literature on the resource-based view in the context of family businesses using a framework of intangible resources. This approach allows us to structure the present research on value-adding resources in family firms into four clearly distinct groups – organizational culture, reputation, human capital and networks – and provides us with the opportunity to examine the interactions of these intangible resources. We use these relationships to offer a future research agenda that is focused on the creation of competitive advantage through the combination and recombination of these resources.
Analysis of number size distributions of tropical free tropospheric aerosol particles observed at Pico Espejo (4765 m a.s.l.), Venezuela
Authors: Schmeissner T. , Krejci R. , Ström J. , Birmili W. , Wiedensohler A. , Hochschild G. , Gross J. , Hoffmann P. , Calderon S.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The first long-term measurements of aerosol number and size distributions in South-American tropical free troposphere (FT) were performed from March 2007 until March 2009. The measurements took place at the high altitude Atmospheric Research Station Alexander von Humboldt. The station is located on top of the Sierra Nevada mountain ridge at 4765 m a.s.l. nearby the city of Mérida, Venezuela. Aerosol size distribution and number concentration data was obtained with a custom-built Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (DMPS) system and a Condensational Particle Counter (CPC). The analysis of the annual and diurnal variability of the tropical FT aerosol focused mainly on possible links to the atmospheric general circulation in the tropics. Considerable annual and diurnal cycles of the particle number concentration were observed. Highest total particle number concentrations were measured during the dry season (January–March, 519 ± 613 cm−3), lowest during the wet season (July–September, 318 ± 194 cm−3). The more humid FT (relative humidity (RH) range 50–95 %) contained generally higher aerosol particle number concentrations (573 ± 768 cm−3 during dry season, 320 ± 195 cm−3 during wet season) than the dry FT (RH < 50 %, 454 ± 332 cm−3 during dry season, 275 ± 172 cm−3 during wet season), indicating the importance of convection for aerosol distributions in the tropical FT. The diurnal cycle in the variability of the particle number concentration was mainly driven by local orography.
New particle formation events in semi-clean South African savannah
Authors: Vakkari V. , Laakso H. , Kulmala M. , Laaksonen A. , Mabaso D. , Molefe M. , Kgabi N. , Laakso L.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. This study is based on 18 months (20 July 2006–5 February 2008) of continuous measurements of aerosol particle size distributions, air ion size distributions, trace gas concentrations and basic meteorology in a semi-clean savannah environment in Republic of South Africa. New particle formation and growth was observed on 69% of the days and bursts of non-growing ions/sub-10 nm particles on additional 14% of the days. This new particle formation frequency is the highest reported from boundary layer so far. Also the new particle formation and growth rates were among the highest reported in the literature for continental boundary layer locations; median 10 nm formation rate was 2.2 cm−3 s−1 and median 10–30 nm growth rate 8.9 nm h−1. The median 2 nm ion formation rate was 0.5 cm−3 s−1 and the median ion growth rates were 6.2, 8.0 and 8.1 nm h−1 for size ranges 1.5–3 nm, 3–7 nm and 7–20 nm, respectively. The growth rates had a clear seasonal dependency with minimum during winter and maxima in spring and late summer. The relative contribution of estimated sulphuric acid to the growth rate was decreasing with increasing particle size and could explain more than 20% of the observed growth rate only for the 1.5–3 nm size range. Also the air mass history analysis indicated the highest formation and growth rates to be associated with the area of highest VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions following from biological activity rather than the highest estimated sulphuric acid concentrations. The frequency of new particle formation, however, increased nearly monotonously with the estimated sulphuric acid reaching 100% at H2SO4 concentration of 6 · 107 cm−3, which suggests the formation and growth to be independent of each other.
Retrieval of macrophysical cloud parameters from MIPAS: algorithm description
Authors: Hurley J. , Dudhia A. , Grainger R. G.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) onboard ENVISAT has the potential to be particularly useful for studying high, thin clouds, which have been difficult to observe in the past. This paper details the development, implementation and testing of an optimal-estimation-type retrieval for three macrophysical cloud parameters (cloud top height, cloud top temperature and cloud extinction coefficient) from infrared spectra measured by MIPAS. A preliminary estimation of a parameterisation of the optical and geometrical filling of the measurement field-of-view by cloud is employed as the first step of the retrieval process to improve the choice of a priori for the macrophysical parameters themselves. Preliminary application to single-scattering simulations indicates that the retrieval error stemming from uncertainties introduced by noise and by a priori variances in the retrieval process itself is small – although it should be noted that these retrieval errors do not include the significant errors stemming from the assumption of homogeneity and the non-scattering nature of the forward model. Such errors are preliminarily and qualitatively assessed here, and are likely to be the dominant error sources. The retrieval converges for 99% of input cases, although sometimes fails to converge for vetically-thin (<1 km) clouds. The retrieval algorithm is applied to MIPAS data; the results of which are qualitatively compared with CALIPSO cloud top heights and PARASOL cloud opacities. From comparison with CALIPSO cloud products, it must be noted that the cloud detection method used in this algorithm appears to potentially misdetect stratospheric aerosol layers as cloud. This algorithm has been adopted by the European Space Agency's "MIPclouds" project.
Volcanic hazard and risk assessment in a multi-source volcanic area: the example of Napoli city (Southern Italy)
Authors: Alberico I. , Petrosino P. , Lirer L.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The possible emplacement of pyroclastic fall and flow products from Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvio represents a threat for the population living in Napoli city. For this area, the volcanic hazard was always partially investigated to define the hazard related to the Campi Flegrei or to the Somma-Vesuvio activity one at a time. A new volcanic hazard and risk assessment, at the municipality scale, as a vital tool for decision-making about territorial management and future planning, is presented here. In order to assess the hazard related to the explosive activity of both sources, we integrated the results of field studies and numerical simulations, to evaluate the future possibility for Napoli to be hit by the products of an explosive eruption. This is defined for the Somma Vesuvio central volcano through the sum of "field frequency" based on the thickness and distribution of past deposits (Lirer et al., 2001), and for the Campi Flegrei volcanic field by suitably processing simulated events based on numerical modelling (Alberico et al., 2002; Costa et al., 2009). Aiming at volcanic risk assessment, the hazard areas were joined with the exposure map, considered for our purposes as the economical value of artefacts exposed to hazard. We defined four risk classes, and argued that the medium and low-very low risk classes have the largest extent in Napoli municipality, whereas only few zones located in the eastern part of the city and in the westernmost coastal area show a high risk, owing to the correspondence of high economical value and high hazard.
Soil liquefaction potential in Eskişehir, NW Turkey
Authors: Tosun H. , Seyrek E. , Orhan A. , Savaş H. , Türköz M.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. Liquefaction is one of the critical problems in geotechnical engineering. High ground water levels and alluvial soils have a high potential risk for damage due to liquefaction, especially in seismically active regions. Eskişehir urban area, studied in this article, is situated within the second degree earthquake region on the seismic hazard zonation map of Turkey and is surrounded by Eskişehir, North Anatolian, Kütahya and Simav Fault Zones. Geotechnical investigations are carried out in two stages: field and laboratory. In the first stage, 232 boreholes in different locations were drilled and Standard Penetration Test (SPT) was performed. Test pits at 106 different locations were also excavated to support geotechnical data obtained from field tests. In the second stage, experimental studies were performed to determine the Atterberg limits and physical properties of soils. Liquefaction potential was investigated by a simplified method based on SPT. A scenario earthquake of magnitude M=6.4, produced by Eskişehir Fault Zone, was used in the calculations. Analyses were carried out for PGA levels at 0.19, 0.30 and 0.47 g. The results of the analyses indicate that presence of high ground water level and alluvial soil increase the liquefaction potential with the seismic features of the region. Following the analyses, liquefaction potential maps were produced for different depth intervals and can be used effectively for development plans and risk management practices in Eskişehir.
Comparison of the fall rate and structure of recent T-7 XBT manufactured by Sippican and TSK
Authors: Kizu S. , Sukigara C. , Hanawa K.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The fall rate of recent T-7 expendable bathythermograph (XBT; 760 m) is evaluated based on a series of concurrent measurement with a calibrated Conductivity Temperature Depth profiler (CTD) in the sea east of Japan. An emphasis is placed on comparing the fall rates of T-7 produced by the two present manufacturers, the Lockheed Martin Sippican Inc., and the Tsurumi Seiki Co. Ltd., which have been believed to be identical but had never been compared directly. It is found that the two manufacturers' T-7 fall at rates different by about 3.5%. The Sippican T-7 falls slower than given by the fall-rate equation (FRE) of Hanawa et al. (1995) by about 2.1%, and the TSK T-7 falls faster by about 1.4%. The fall-rate coefficients estimated based on the sea test by applying the equation of traditional quadratic form, d(t)=at−bt2 where d is depth in meters and t is the time elapsed, in seconds, are a=6.553 (m s−1) and b=0.00221 (m s−2) for the LMS T-7, and a=6.803 (m s−1) and b=0.00242 (m s−2) for the TSK T-7. By detail examination of the probes, we found that the two companies' T-7 have different total weight and many structural differences. Because the difference in the fall rate is about twice larger than the difference in weight (about 2%), it is inferred that the structural differences give sizable impact to the difference in their fall rates. Our results clearly show that the recent T-7 of the two companies needs to be discriminated.
Evaluating Risk Propensity Using an Objective Instrument
Authors: Abad Manuel J. Sueiro , Sánchez-Iglesias Iván , de Tella Alejandra Moncayo
Published: April 2011

Risk propensityis the stable tendency to choose options with a lower probability of success, but greater rewards. Its evaluation has been approached from various perspectives: from self-report questionnaires to objective tests. Self-report questionnaires have often been criticized due to interference from voluntary and involuntary biases, in addition to their lack of predictive value. Objective tests, on the other hand, require resources that make them difficult to administer to large samples. This paper presents an easy-to-administer, 30-itemrisk propensitytest. Each item is itself an objective test describing a hypothetical situation in which the subject must choose between three options, each with a different gain function but equivalent in expected value. To assess its psychometric fit, the questionnaire was administered to 222 subjects, and we performed a test of its reliability as well as exploratory factor analysis. The results supported a three-factor model of risk (Sports and Gambling, Long-term Plans, and Loss Management). After making the necessary adjustments and incorporating a global factor ofrisk propensity, confirmatory factor analysis was done, revealing that the data exhibited adequate goodness of fit.
Spanish Version of the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) for Adolescents
Authors: Lobera Ignacio Jáuregui , Ríos Patricia Bolaños
Published: April 2011

The need to study the positive aspects of body image led to the design of the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS). The aim of the present study was to develop a Spanish adaptation of the BAS for adolescents, testing its factor structure, construct validity and any differences between girls and boys. Participants were 312 adolescents aged between 12 and 20; there were 148 females and 164 males. The validation analysis of the BAS revealed a one-factor structure with adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .908) and construct validity (correlations with body mass index, influence of the body shape model, perceived stress, coping strategies, self-esteem and variables from the Eating Disorders Inventory-2), as well as significant differences between boys and girls (p < .01). The BAS is suitable for administration in a Spanish adolescent population as a way of analysing the positive aspects of body image.
Typical Development of Quantity Comparison in School-Aged Children
Authors: Cañizares Danilka Castro , Pérez Nancy Estévez , Marrero Otmara Pérez
Published: April 2011

Although basic numerical skills have been widely studied in the last years, very few studies have undertaken a developmental approach. The present study evaluated the development of the magnitude comparison basic numerical ability, in children from first, third and sixth grades by means of the subject's response time in numerical tasks presented in symbolic and non-symbolic formats. The results showed a significant decrease on quantities processing speed as age increases, which suggests numerical skills tend to become automatic with instruction. The differences found, concerning the general achievement pattern in each school year, might express the maturational specificities of the numerical representation system through development.
Varying the Valuating Function and the Presentable Bank in Computerized Adaptive Testing
Authors: Barrada Juan Ramón , Abad Francisco José , Olea Julio
Published: April 2011

In computerized adaptive testing, the most commonly used valuating function is the Fisher information function. When the goal is to keep item bank security at a maximum, the valuating function that seems most convenient is the matching criterion, valuating the distance between the estimated trait level and the point where the maximum of the information function is located. Recently, it has been proposed not to keep the same valuating function constant for all the items in the test. In this study we expand the idea of combining the matching criterion with the Fisher information function. We also manipulate the number of strata into which the bank is divided. We find that the manipulation of the number of items administered with each function makes it possible to move from the pole of high accuracy and low security to the opposite pole. It is possible to greatly improve item bank security with much fewer losses in accuracy by selecting several items with the matching criterion. In general, it seems more appropriate not to stratify the bank.
Functional Maturity of Brain Structures in Children Aged 7-8 with Differing Levels of Speech Development
Authors: Sokolova Lyudmila V. , Yemelianova Tatyana V.
Published: April 2011

First graders (aged 7-8) in a public elementary school served as subjects for this study. The structural components of their speech were analyzed to determine speech maturity level; total EEG activity was analyzed to assess the functional maturity of brain structures. Results showed that children with levels of speech below the age norm exhibited abnormal EEG patterns suggesting immaturity of the cerebral cortex and fronto-thalamic regulatory system, as well as impairments in the functioning of the mesodiencephalic structures and nonspecific activation systems. Abnormalities in the functioning of brain regulatory systems and the presence of local abnormalities in EEG activity of deep origin are important factors in determining the severity of functional speech impairments.
Educação geográfica, educação não formal e movimento social: Estudo de caso do Cursinho Comunitário Pimentas em Guarulhos-SP - DOI 10.5216/ag.v4i12.12796
Authors: Pinheiro Antonio Carlos
Published: April 2011

O presente trabalho teve por finalidade analisar as relações existentes entre a educação não formal e os movimentos sociais com base local, em especial um estudo de caso, tendo como sujeito/objeto o Cursinho Comunitário Pimentas, localizado no bairro dos Pimentas na cidade de Guarulhos, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Outro objetivo foi abordar o tema por meio da contextualização geográfica. A educação não formal representa todas as ações educativas realizadas fora do sistema escolar, a qual se pode também denominar de educação não escolar, em suma, todas as formas não institucionalizadas e territorializadas pelo espaço geográfico.
Surface Modification of PET Fabric by Graft Copolymerization with Acrylic Acid and Its Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Abdolahifard M. , Bahrami S. Hajir , Malek R. M.  A.
Published: April 2011

Graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fabrics with the aid of benzoyl peroxide was carried out. The effect of polymerization parameters on the graft yield was studied. Percent grafting was enhanced significantly by increasing benzoyl peroxide (BP) concentrations up to 3.84 g/lit and then decreased upon further increase in initiator concentration. Preswelling of PET leads to changes in its sorption-diffusion properties and favors an increase in the degree of grafting. The antibiotics treated grafted fabrics showed antibacterial properties towards gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms. FTIR and SEM were used to characterize AA-grafted polyester fabrics.
Baller-Gerold Syndrome a Rare Cause of Heart-Hand Syndrome
Authors: Gupta Mohit D. , M. P. Girish , Mukhopadhyay Saibal , Yusuf Jamal , Tyagi Sanjay
Published: April 2011

Heart hand syndromes are characterized by radial abnormalities and associated defects in the heart. We here describe an extremely rare heart hand syndrome known as Baller-Gerold syndrome.
DNA Ligases
Authors: Lohman Gregory J.S. , Tabor Stanley , Nichols Nicole M.
Published: April 2011

The DNA ligase enzyme family catalyzes the formation of a phosphodiester bond between juxtaposed 5′‐phosphate and 3′‐hydroxyl termini in duplex DNA. This activity can seal nicks in duplex DNA or join double‐stranded DNA fragments having either blunt or cohesive ends. DNA ligases are central enzymes in molecular biology, nucleic acid research, and in next‐generation sequencing applications. Reaction conditions and applications for T4 DNA ligase, E. coli DNA ligase, and thermostable DNA ligases are described in this unit. These enzymes differ in their cofactor requirements, substrate specificity, and thermal stability. Curr. Protoc. Mol. Biol. 94:3.14.1‐3.14.7. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.