bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Massively Parallel Sequencing in the Clinical Diagnostic Testing of Inherited Cardiac Conditions
Authors: Leong Ivone , Skinner Jonathan , Love Donald
Published: June 2014

Sudden cardiac death in people between the ages of 1–40 years is a devastating event and is frequently caused by several heritable cardiac disorders. These disorders include cardiac ion channelopathies, such as long QT syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and Brugada syndrome and cardiomyopathies, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Through careful molecular genetic evaluation of DNA from sudden death victims, the causative gene mutation can be uncovered, and the rest of the family can be screened and preventative measures implemented in at-risk individuals. The current screening approach in most diagnostic laboratories uses Sanger-based sequencing; however, this method is time consuming and labour intensive. The development of massively parallel sequencing has made it possible to produce millions of sequence reads simultaneously and is potentially an ideal approach to screen for mutations in genes that are associated with sudden cardiac death. This approach offers mutation screening at reduced cost and turnaround time. Here, we will review the current commercially available enrichment kits, massively parallel sequencing (MPS) platforms, downstream data analysis and its application to sudden cardiac death in a diagnostic environment.
Effect of Instant Cooked Giant Embryonic Rice on Body Fat Weight and Plasma Lipid Profile in High Fat-Fed Mice
Authors: Chung Soo , Kim Tae , Rico Catherine , Kang Mi
Published: June 2014

The comparative effects of instant cooked rice made from giant embryo mutant or ordinary normal rice on body weight and lipid profile in high fat-fed mice were investigated. The animals were given experimental diets for seven weeks: normal control (NC), high fat (HF), and HF supplemented with instant normal white (HF-NW), normal brown (HF-NB), giant embryonic white (HF-GW), or giant embryonic brown (HF-GB) rice. The HF group showed markedly higher body weight, body fat, plasma and hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations, and atherogenic index relative to NC group. However, instant rice supplementation counteracted this high fat-induced hyperlipidemia through regulation of lipogenesis and adipokine production. The GB rice exhibited greater hypolipidemic and body fat-lowering effects than the GW or NB rice. These findings illustrate that the giant embryo mutant may be useful as functional biomaterial for the development of instant rice with strong preventive action against high fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia and obesity.
Bioavailability of Zinc in Wistar Rats Fed with Rice Fortified with Zinc Oxide
Authors: Della Lucia Ceres , Santos Laura , Da Cruz Rodrigues Kellen , Da Cruz Rodrigues Vivian , Martino Hércia , Sant'Ana Helena
Published: June 2014

The study of zinc bioavailability in foods is important because this mineral intake does not meet the recommended doses for some population groups. Also, the presence of dietary factors that reduce zinc absorption contributes to its deficiency. Rice fortified with micronutrients (Ultra Rice®) is a viable alternative for fortification since this cereal is already inserted into the population habit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioavailability of zinc (Zn) in rice fortified with zinc oxide. During 42 days, rats were divided into four groups and fed with diets containing two different sources of Zn (test diet: UR® fortified with zinc oxide, or control diet: zinc carbonate (ZnCO3)), supplying 50% or 100%, respectively, of the recommendations of this mineral for animals. Weight gain, food intake, feed efficiency ratio, weight, thickness and length of femur; retention of zinc, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the femur and the concentrations of Zn in femur, plasma and erythrocytes were evaluated. Control diet showed higher weight gain, feed efficiency ratio, retention of Zn and Zn concentration in the femur (p < 0.05). However, no differences were observed (p > 0.05) for dietary intake, length and thickness of the femur, erythrocyte and plasmatic Zn between groups. Although rice fortified with zinc oxide showed a lower bioavailability compared to ZnCO3, this food can be a viable alternative to be used as a vehicle for fortification.
Disposable Screen Printed Electrochemical Sensors: Tools for Environmental Monitoring
Authors: Hayat Akhtar , Marty Jean
Published: June 2014

Screen printing technology is a widely used technique for the fabrication of electrochemical sensors. This methodology is likely to underpin the progressive drive towards miniaturized, sensitive and portable devices, and has already established its route from “lab-to-market” for a plethora of sensors. The application of these sensors for analysis of environmental samples has been the major focus of research in this field. As a consequence, this work will focus on recent important advances in the design and fabrication of disposable screen printed sensors for the electrochemical detection of environmental contaminants. Special emphasis is given on sensor fabrication methodology, operating details and performance characteristics for environmental applications.
Occupancy Grid Mapping in Urban Environments from a Moving On-Board Stereo-Vision System
Authors: Li You , Ruichek Yassine
Published: June 2014

Occupancy grid map is a popular tool for representing the surrounding environments of mobile robots/intelligent vehicles. Its applications can be dated back to the 1980s, when researchers utilized sonar or LiDAR to illustrate environments by occupancy grids. However, in the literature, research on vision-based occupancy grid mapping is scant. Furthermore, when moving in a real dynamic world, traditional occupancy grid mapping is required not only with the ability to detect occupied areas, but also with the capability to understand dynamic environments. The paper addresses this issue by presenting a stereo-vision-based framework to create a dynamic occupancy grid map, which is applied in an intelligent vehicle driving in an urban scenario. Besides representing the surroundings as occupancy grids, dynamic occupancy grid mapping could provide the motion information of the grids. The proposed framework consists of two components. The first is motion estimation for the moving vehicle itself and independent moving objects. The second is dynamic occupancy grid mapping, which is based on the estimated motion information and the dense disparity map. The main benefit of the proposed framework is the ability of mapping occupied areas and moving objects at the same time. This is very practical in real applications. The proposed method is evaluated using real data acquired by our intelligent vehicle platform “SeTCar” in urban environments.
Improving Short Term Instability for Quantitative Analyses with Portable Electronic Noses
Authors: Macías Miguel , Agudo J. , Manso Antonio , Orellana Carlos , Velasco Horacio , Caballero Ramón
Published: June 2014

One of the main problems when working with electronic noses is the lack of reproducibility or repeatability of the sensor response, so that, if this problem is not properly considered, electronic noses can be useless, especially for quantitative analyses. On the other hand, irreproducibility is increased with portable and low cost electronic noses where laboratory equipment like gas zero generators cannot be used. In this work, we study the reproducibility of two portable electronic noses, the PEN3 (commercial) and CAPINose (a proprietary design) by using synthetic wine samples. We show that in both cases short term instability associated to the sensors’ response to the same sample and under the same conditions represents a major problem and we propose an internal normalization technique that, in both cases, reduces the variability of the sensors’ response. Finally, we show that the normalization proposed seems to be more effective in the CAPINose case, reducing, for example, the variability associated to the TGS2602 sensor from 12.19% to 2.2%.
Freshwater-Borne Bacteria Isolated from a Malaysian Rainforest Waterfall Exhibiting Quorum Sensing Properties
Authors: Tan Wen-Si , Yunos Nina , Tan Pui-Wan , Mohamad Nur , Adrian Tan-Guan-Sheng , Yin Wai-Fong , Chan Kok-Gan
Published: June 2014

One obvious requirement for concerted action by a bacterial population is for an individual to be aware of and respond to the other individuals of the same species in order to form a response in unison. The term “quorum sensing” (QS) was coined to describe bacterial communication that is able to stimulate expression of a series of genes when the concentration of the signaling molecules has reached a threshold level. Here we report the isolation from aquatic environment of a bacterium that was later identified as Enterobacter sp.. Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Escherichia coli [pSB401] were used for preliminary screening of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) production. The Enterobacter sp. isolated was shown to produce two types of AHLs as confirmed by analysis using high resolution tandem mass spectrometry. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation of an Enterobacter sp. that produced both 3-oxo-C6-HSL and 3-oxo-C8-HSL as QS signaling molecules.
“Maternal Devices”, Social Media and the Self-Management of Pregnancy, Mothering and Child Health
Authors: Johnson Sophia
Published: June 2014

In recent years the smartphone has revolutionised lay people’s management of health and illness, particularly in regards to pregnancy and parenting. This article analyses smartphone applications, or apps, and social media platforms as mediating technologies which act as performative devices. These devices encourage particular enactments of subjectivity and technologies of the self which combine the expert patient ideal with ideologies of mothering. Some apps and social media can be disciplinary and invoke biological responsibility in various ways including the monitoring of specific behaviours via “push responsibilisation”. Apps claim to allow for greater convenience, connectivity, flexibility, efficiency, and what will be characterised in this article as the “tidbitisation” of information. This article suggests the ways in which health-conscious pregnant or maternal subjects are likely to view apps and social media sites as a means to improve and monitor their pregnancies, health, and their children’s development and health.
Electronic Spatial Assistance for People with Dementia: Choosing the Right Device
Authors: Schneider Cornelia , Henneberger Stefan
Published: June 2014

The demographic change and ageing in Europe will lead to a growing number of people suffering from dementia. Consequently, costs for public health will increase because people become more and more reliant on care and gradually lose their independence and mobility. In the case of dementia, remedial measures could be provided by assistive technology to support independent living at home for as long as possible. Current assistance systems are often limited to actively raising an alert (i.e., electronic panic buttons) or location tracking. Due to this small range of functions these systems are poorly accepted by the target group. Thus, this paper reports on a selection process for a spatial data collection device allowing the development of a new so-called mobility safeguarding assistance system for people with dementia which combines features of different systems. In particular, the wearability as an everyday object is a key issue when it comes to identifying an adequate gadget for elderly people. The proposed methodology considers user requirements as well as technical requirements when it comes to finding a suitable device. Based on these requirements, several different devices were reviewed and tested in order to find most suitable potential device as part of the selection process. The device selected shows that the proposed process on how to choose the right device performed well.
Comparison of Selected Methods for Individual Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents
Authors: Capoun Tomas , Krykorkova Jana
Published: June 2014

This study addresses the individual decontamination of chemical warfare agents (CWA) and other hazardous substances. The individual decontamination applies to contaminated body surfaces, protective clothing and objects immediately after contamination, performed individually or by mutual assistance using prescribed or improvised devices. The article evaluates the importance of individual decontamination, security level for Fire and Rescue Service Units of the Czech Republic (FRS CR) and demonstrates some of the devices. The decontamination efficiency of selected methods (sorbent, glove and sponge, two-chamber foam device and wiping with alcohol) was evaluated for protective clothing and painted steel plate contaminated with O-ethyl-S-(diisopropylaminoethyl)-methylthiophosphonate (VX), sulfur mustard, o-cresol and acrylonitrile. The methods were assessed from an economic point of view and with regard to specific user parameters, such as the decontamination of surfaces or materials with poor accessibility and vertical surfaces, the need for a water rinse as well as toxic waste and its disposal.
Therapeutic Vaccine Strategies against Human Papillomavirus
Authors: Khallouf Hadeel , Grabowska Agnieszka , Riemer Angelika
Published: June 2014

High-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause over 500,000 cervical, anogenital and oropharyngeal cancer cases per year. The transforming potential of HPVs is mediated by viral oncoproteins. These are essential for the induction and maintenance of the malignant phenotype. Thus, HPV-mediated malignancies pose the unique opportunity in cancer vaccination to target immunologically foreign epitopes. Therapeutic HPV vaccination is therefore an ideal scenario for proof-of-concept studies of cancer immunotherapy. This is reflected by the fact that a multitude of approaches has been utilized in therapeutic HPV vaccination design: protein and peptide vaccination, DNA vaccination, nanoparticle- and cell-based vaccines, and live viral and bacterial vectors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of completed and ongoing clinical trials in therapeutic HPV vaccination (summarized in tables), and also highlights selected promising preclinical studies. Special emphasis is given to adjuvant science and the potential impact of novel developments in vaccinology research, such as combination therapies to overcome tumor immune suppression, the use of novel materials and mouse models, as well as systems vaccinology and immunogenetics approaches.
Intercommunalité et projets territoriaux : la micro-région de Mohacs en Transdanubie méridionale (Local government's co-operation and territorial development projects : the micro-region of Mohacs in Southern Transdanubia)
Authors: Maurel Marie-Claude
Published: June 2014

L' intercommunalité est un cadre institutionnel au sein duquel les acteurs sociaux cherchent à articuler les ressources locales à des dynamiques de développement fonctionnant à d'autres niveaux de l'organisation territoriale. L'analyse porte sur le cadre législatif hongrois de l'intercommunalité, les modalités de mobilisation des acteurs locaux, les ressources disponibles et les formes revêtues par les projets territoriaux de développement. Le cadre géographique retenu est celui de la micro-région de Mohacs dans le département de Baranya, en Transdanubie méridionale.
Lac Sevan (Arménie) : des héritages soviétiques aux réalités d'aujourd'hui (Lake Sevan (Armenia) : from soviet heritage to present realities)
Authors: Ardillier-Carras Françoise , Khoetsyan Ashot
Published: June 2014

Since 1930, throughout the Soviet period, this lakeside system was plundered for over 30 years and it is this plundering that is now at the heart of economic and environmental concerns. The disasterous management of lake Sevan in Armenia has led to the water level being lowered by 20 metres and a subsequent reduction in the potential of the lake.

Ever since indépendance this environmental damage has been the basis for a huge program of rehabilitation, led by the World Bank. However, this debate has exceeded the boundaries of ecological interests. During the post-Soviet transition period and in a conflictual geopolitical context (blockades, breaks in energy supplies) and as the closing down of the Medzamor nuclear centre (which supplies the majority of the internal energy requirements) begins, how much weight do the environmental aspects and the rehabilitation of a lakeside system really carry when the future of the country as a whole is at stake ?
Le bilan sédimentaire en lac : l'influence de la course du vent sur l'érosion (Lake sedimentary balance : the fetch influence on the erosion)
Authors: Papon Pierre , Maleval V. , Nedjaï Rachid
Published: June 2014

Parmi les critères déterminant l'impact du vent sur l'hydrodynamique d'un plan d'eau, la course du vent, peu souvent prise en compte, est un paramètre important. Plus la distance parcourue par le vent sur le plan d'eau est longue, plus les vagues prennent de l'ampleur. Ces dernières, en venant se briser contre les berges, jouent alors un rôle prépondérant dans l'érosion rivulaire. Au-delà d'une simple mesure du fetch, cette étude propose le croisement cartographique avec les données météorologiques. Ainsi voit-on apparaître le rôle de la périodicité et de la force des épisodes venteux dans le processus d'érosion des berges.
Méthodologies de délimitation des zones humides : de l'image satellitale à l'analyse terrain (Methodology of wetlands delimitation : from sensed data to field works)
Authors: Gramond Delphine , Savy Benoît , Graffouillère Matthieu , Bartout Pascal
Published: June 2014

Délimiter des zones humides (marécages, étangs,...) dans un but de recensement et/ou de suivi pose la question des méthodes et des outils les mieux adaptés pour une échelle d'observation donnée. Cet article montre qu'il est nécessaire, dans le cadre d'une démarche emboîtée, de combiner images satellitales, photographies aériennes et analyse de terrain pour appréhender ces milieux de l'échelle régionale à l'échelle parcellaire.
Les métropoles, moteurs de la dématérialisation du système productif urbain français : une lecture sectorielle et fonctionnelle (1982-1999) (Metropolitan regions, driving force of the french urban productive system's dematerialisation : a sector and function based study (1982-1999))
Authors: Halbert Ludovic
Published: June 2014

Cet article interroge la relation entre dynamiques économiques et métropolisation. Il s'agit pour nous de mesurer le rôle des principales régions métropolitaines sur la transformation du système productif urbain français. Nous insistons tout d'abord sur la nécessité méthodologique de dépasser une approche simplement sectorielle grâce à la lecture fonctionnelle permise par l'usage des outils réactualisés de l'équipe Strates. Nous montrons alors à partir de la qualification des profils économiques des Aires Urbaines françaises, l'intensité des transformations du système productif. Au-delà de la tertiarisation des économies, l'essor des fonctions collectives et la dématérialisation des métiers de la production s 'imposent. Dans ce contexte de refonte durable du système productif, nous soulignons le rôle moteur des principales métropoles françaises. Ces dernières témoignent d'une capacité à amplifier les dynamiques, approfondissant le déclin des fonctions d'exécution et accélérant la croissance des métiers de la Production Immatérielle.
MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION IN MAGNETIC RECORDING
Authors: Munoz Ana Isabel , Tello Jose Ignacio
Published: June 2014

The head-tape interaction in magnetic recording is described in the literature by a coupled system of partial differential equations. In this paper we study the limit case of the system which reduces the problem to a second order nonlocal equation on a one-dimensional domain. We describe the numerical method of resolution of the problem, which is reformulated as an obstacle one to prevent head-tape contact. A finite element method and a duality algorithm handling Yosida approximation tools for maximal monotone operators are used in order to solve numerically the obstacle problem. Numerical simulations are introduced to describe some qualitative properties of the solution. Finally some conclusions are drawn.
ON ONSET OF CHAOTIC CONVECTION IN COUPLE-STRESS FLUIDS
Authors: Jawdat Jadallah M. , Hashim Ishak , Bhadauria Beer S. , Momani Shaher
Published: June 2014

The effect of couple-stress fluid field on chaotic convection in a fluid layer heated from below was studied in this paper based on the theory of dynamical systems. A low-dimensional, Lorenz-like model was obtained using Galerkin truncated approximations. The fourth-order Runge–Kutta method was employed to solve the nonlinear system. The results show that inhibition of chaotic convection depends strongly on the couple-stress parameter.
MULTIPLE POSITIVE SOLUTIONS OF BVPS FOR SINGULAR FRACTIONAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH NON-CARATHEODORY NONLINEARITIES
Authors: Liu Yuji
Published: June 2014

In this article, the existence of multiple positive solutions of boundary-value problems for nonlinear singular fractional order elastic beam equations is established. Here f depends on x, x′ and x″, f may be singular at t = 0 and t = 1 and f is non-Caratheodory function. The analysis relies on the well known Schauder fixed point theorem and the five functional fixed point theorems in the cones.
ON SOLVABILITY OF THE DAMPED FUČÍK TYPE PROBLEM WITH INTEGRAL CONDITION
Authors: Sergejeva Natalija
Published: June 2014

The solvability results are established for the boundary value problem with a damping term , x(0) = 0, where x + = max{x, 0}, x - = max{-x, 0}, h is a bounded nonlinearity, µ, λ real parameters. The existence results are based of the knowledge of the Fučík type spectrum for the problem with h ≡ 0
Enjoying elephant watching: a study on social carrying capacity of Kawdulla National Park in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake R. M. W. , Gunawardena U. A. D. P.
Published: June 2014

The goal of this study was to investigate the social carrying capacity (SCC) of Kawdulla National Park (KNP) in terms of vehicle crowding. Crowding was considered as the social norm to estimate the standards for SCC. The normative theory approach was applied in this study and a social norm curve was prepared. Based on the hypothesis visitor acceptability or tolerance influenced by vehicle crowding, images with different number of vehicles were generated. The crowding standard for SCC was estimated as 9 vehicles within 25 m radius by asking each respondent whether the presented scenarios were acceptable or not. Statistically, it was proven that socio economic status of visitors mainly affect on the acceptability of vehicle crowding. The average visitor acceptability for enjoying elephant watching has decreased with the increasing number of vehicles (crowding). Therefore the results of the present study could be applied in decision making to diversify the tourism activities in order to maintain the visitor satisfaction on enjoying elephant watching. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v12i1.6984 Sabaragamuwa University Journal 2013; V. 12 No. 1 pp 23-39
Awareness and participation of farmers in extension activities of agricultural media resources and extension centre in Ogun state
Authors: Fawole O. P. , Tijani S. A.
Published: June 2014

This study assessed the extension activities of Agricultural Media Resources and Extension Centre (AMREC) of University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State. Five villages that were in active collaboration with the centre were targeted. Ten percent (10%) of registered farmers were selected from each village given the sample size of 170 respondents. Data based on respondents awareness and participation in the extension activities of AMREC were collected through structured questionnaire and analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that 69.6% of the respondents were between 31-50years of age, 68.3% were males, 88.8% were married and 62.7% of the respondents have one form of education or the other. Majority (82.6%) were full time farmers with 44.7% cultivating 1-2hectares while 95.0% had technical background before the inception of AMREC in the area. Greater percentage (59.0%) of the respondents had been having contacts with extension agents once in 2 weeks. All the respondents were aware of AMREC research activities but 95% had more awareness on market research. Respondents were aware of extension services of AMREC more than research activities and almost all the respondents were aware of input supply services of AMREC. Meanwhile, participation of respondents in research activities of AMREC was occasional while that of extension and input supply activities was regular. There is significant relationship between gender, marital status, level of education and level of participation in AMREC activities (χ2= 20.31, p<0.05; χ2= 6.92, p<0.05 and χ2= 21.58, p< 0.05). Positive relationship exists between respondents’ awareness of all AMREC activities and participation in the extension activities. It can be concluded that most of the participants in AMREC activities were small scale farmers and their awareness and participation in AMREC extension and input supply activities were more than research activities. More female farmers and farmers with large hectares of land should be involved. Also, AMREC should ensure that their research work is disseminated to all farmers within their coverage areas irrespective of the specific target audience.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v12i1.6990 Sabaragamuwa University Journal 2013; V. 12 No. 1 pp 41-51
How can terrorism be prevented?: special reference to “Kotiyagala village” in Monaragala district of Sri –Lanka from 1995 - 2009
Authors: Ranjith H. , Palliyaguruge Ravindra Chandrasiri
Published: June 2014

This paper is going to examine what the effective method of terrorism prevention. Identification of terrorism and role of the civil society in the counter terrorist measures were the objectives of this research. The research was based on primary data gathered from 150 interviewees using structured questionnaires. Random Sampling Method was used to collect primary data. In addition to using a structured questionnaire, the officers such as Army, Police, teachers, lecturers, farmers were interviewed. Except lecturers, the other interviewees were selected from “kotiyagala village” at “siyabalanduwa” additional secretariat in Monaragala District. Kotiyagala is a village which has been victimized since 1983 by the LTTE. Our research was referenced the “KOTIYAGALA VILLAGE” in the Monaragala district in Sri – Lanka. It is not a land which had to born terrorism or so called “Border Village”. But intimidation of terrorism had been on there. The villagers have been victimized three times since 1995. Even thou terrorist suppression methods that have been succeed in other areas; they could not suitable for KOTIYAGALA. The villages insisted on the necessary of armed weapons to face terrorist, armed training for both male and female. They said that if they could organize as small groups with arms, they can guard their village. In this sense they implied that the necessity of volunteer armed groups for each village. The research explore that even thou terrorism had been defeated it would not be able to prevent without the active participate of civil societies. Terrorism emerges on the base of factors that had been created by the society through its injustice societal activities. According to the study, root causes which will be led to the emergence of terrorism want to be eradicated to prevent terrorism. There is an active participation of civil society, the terrorism prevention would be fruitful. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/suslj.v12i1.7000 Sabaragamuwa University Journal 2013; V. 12 No. 1 pp 53-60
CEU test
Authors: DeVito, Jr. Richard A.
Published: June 2014

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The role of gap analyses in energy assurance planning
Authors: Shea, JD Katherine
Published: June 2014

Energy-related emergencies, such as power outages or interruptions to other energy supplies, can arise from a number of factors. Common causes include severe weather events—such as snowstorms, hurricanes, or summer storms with strong winds—as well as energy infrastructure that is overburdened, aging, or in need of repair. As past experience indicates, jurisdictions will continue to experience severe weather events, as well as confront infrastructure issues that make future power outages likely. As a result, state and local governments have turned to energy assurance planning, an energy-specific form of planning that helps jurisdictions prepare for and recover from energy emergencies. Energy assurance recognizes that power loss/disruption cannot be eradicated completely, but jurisdictions can mitigate the impact of power loss through effective planning. This article discusses the role of energy assurance planning and provides a description of what energy assurance means and why developing such plans at the state and local levels is important. In addition, this article discusses the role of statutory gap analyses in energy assurance planning and discusses how a gap analysis can be used by planners to identify trends and gaps in energy assurance. To provide context, a recently conducted statutory gap analysis analyzing national emergency backup power trends is provided as a case study. A summary of this project and key findings is included. Finally, this article briefly touches on legislation as an alternative to energy assurance planning, and provides summaries of recent legislative proposals introduced in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Contingency planning at the flotilla level in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary: Flotilla 81—A case study
Authors: Schooley, PhD Shawn Erik
Published: June 2014

This article presents a case study of United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 81. Flotilla 81 created its first formal, single agency contingency plan. The research question addressed is “How can a flotilla successfully develop a contingency plan?” Five emergent themes are identified. They are offered as suggested promising practices for other flotillas in need of creating a contingency plan. Findings suggest successful contingency planning is a result of effective collaboration with community partners. Network management theory is a key to an effective contingency planning process.
An oil spill surveillance program for Lake Pontchartrain
Authors: Boyd, PhD Ezra , Pereira, PhD Joao F. , Retana, PhD Gabriel , Baker, MS Andy , Lopez, PhD John , McCorquodale, PhD Alex
Published: June 2014

This article describes an oil spill surveillance strategy implemented in response to BP’s 2010 MC252 oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. A three-pronged strategy consisted of Geographic Information System (GIS) monitoring of the surface slick, hydrodynamic modeling of the potential movement of the slick within the Basin, and weekly field reconnaissance. Our analysis was completed in near real time during the event and the results and predictions helped local responders minimize oiling impacts in Lake Pontchartrain. No prior planning was undertaken before this crisis response, and this article reports our support activities as they happened. For the GIS component, a remote sensing derived surface slick outline layer was obtained to produce near daily maps showing the slick’s proximity to Lake Pontchartrain along with weather conditions and deployed response assets. This regular monitoring of the slicks’ location was complemented by hydrodynamic numerical modeling that simulated the currents that determined the trajectories of oil particles. These data were ground-truthed through weekly reconnaissance trips that assessed the potential routes of oil penetration into Lake Pontchartrain for the presence of sheen, tarballs, and other oil constituents. Despite the ad hoc design and on-the-fly implementation, these three assessments provided consistent and actionable information.
Public health-specific personal disaster preparedness training: An academic-practice collaboration
Authors: Kohn, MPH Sivan , Semon, MSEd Natalie , Hedlin, PhD Haley K. , Thompson, MS, MBA Carol B. , Marum, MHS Felicity , Jenkins, RN Sebra , Slemp, MD, MPH Catherine C. , Barnett, MD, MPH Daniel J.
Published: June 2014

Objectives: To measure the following three relevant outcomes of a personal preparedness curriculum for public health workers: 1) the extent of change (increase) in knowledge about personal preparedness activities and knowledge about tools for conducting personal preparedness activities; 2) the extent of change (increase) in preparedness activities performed post-training and/or confidence in conducting these tasks; and 3) an understanding of how to improve levels of personal preparedness using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) framework. Design: Cross-sectional preinterventional and postinterventional survey using a convenience sample. Setting: During 2010, three face-to-face workshops were conducted in three locations in West Virginia.Participants: One hundred thirty-one participants (baseline survey); 69 participants (1-year resurvey)—representing West Virginia local health department (LHD) and State Health Department employees.Interventions: A 3-hour interactive, public health-specific, face-to-face workshop on personal disaster preparedness.Main outcome measure(s): Change in 1) knowledge about, and tools for, personal preparedness activities; 2) preparedness activities performed post-training and/or confidence in conducting these activities; and 3) the relationship of EPPM categories to personal preparedness activities.Results: One year postworkshop, 77 percent of respondents reported having personal emergency kits (40 percent at baseline) and 67 percent reported having preparedness plans (38 percent at baseline) suggesting some participants assembled supply kits and plans postworkshop. Within the context of EPPM, respondents in high-threat categories agreed more often than respondents in low-threat categories that severe personal impacts were likely to result from a moderate flood. Compared to respondents categorized as low efficacy, respondents in high-efficacy categories perceived confidence in their knowledge and an impact of their response on their job success at higher rates.Conclusions: Personal disaster preparedness trainings for the LHD workforce can yield gains in relevant preparedness behaviors and attitudes but may require longitudinal reinforcement. The EPPM can offer a useful threat and efficacy-based lens to understand relevant perceptions surrounding personal disaster preparedness behaviors among LHD employees.
Variations of oxygen-18 in West Siberian precipitation during the last 50 years
Authors: Butzin M. , Werner M. , Masson-Delmotte V. , Risi C. , Frankenberg C. , Gribanov K. , Jouzel J. , Zakharov V. I.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Global warming is associated with large increases in surface air temperature in Siberia. Here, we apply the isotope-enabled atmospheric general circulation model ECHAM5-wiso to explore the potential of water isotope measurements at a recently opened monitoring station in Kourovka (57.04° N, 59.55° E) in order to successfully trace climate change in western Siberia. Our model is constrained to atmospheric reanalysis fields for the period 1957–2013 to facilitate the comparison with observations of δD in total column water vapour from the GOSAT satellite, and with precipitation δ18O measurements from 15 Russian stations of the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation. The model captures the observed Russian climate within reasonable error margins, and displays the observed isotopic gradients associated with increasing continentality and decreasing meridional temperatures. The model also reproduces the observed seasonal cycle of δ18O, which parallels the seasonal cycle of temperature and ranges from −25 ‰ in winter to −5 ‰ in summer. Investigating West Siberian climate and precipitation δ18O variability during the last 50 years, we find long-term increasing trends in temperature and δ18O, while precipitation trends are uncertain. During the last 50 years, winter temperatures have increased by 1.7 °C. The simulated long-term increase of precipitation δ18O is at the detection limit (<1 ‰ per 50 years) but significant. West Siberian climate is characterized by strong interannual variability, which in winter is strongly related to the North Atlantic Oscillation. In winter, regional temperature is the predominant factor controlling δ18O variations on interannual to decadal timescales with a slope of about 0.5 ‰ °C−1. In summer, the interannual variability of δ18O can be attributed to short-term, regional-scale processes such as evaporation and convective precipitation. This finding suggests that precipitation δ18O has the potential to reveal hydrometeorological regime shifts in western Siberia which are otherwise difficult to identify. Focusing on Kourovka, the simulated evolution of temperature, δ18O and, to a smaller extent, precipitation during the last 50 years is synchronous with model results averaged over all of western Siberia, suggesting that this site will be representative to monitor future isotopic changes in the entire region.
Compilation and evaluation of gas-phase diffusion coefficients of inorganic reactive trace gases in the atmosphere
Authors: Tang M. J. , Cox R. A. , Kalberer M.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Diffusion of gas molecules to the surface is the first step for all gas-surface reactions. Gas phase diffusion can influence and sometimes even limit the overall rates of these reactions; however, there is no database of the gas phase diffusion coefficients of atmospheric reactive trace gases. Here we compile and evaluate, for the first time, the diffusivities (pressure-independent diffusion coefficients) of atmospheric inorganic reactive trace gases reported in the literature. The measured diffusivities are then compared with estimated values using a semi-empirical method developed by Fuller et al. (1966). The diffusivities estimated using Fuller's method are typically found to be in good agreement with the measured values within ±30%, and therefore Fuller's method can be used to estimate the diffusivities of trace gases for which experimental data are not available. The two experimental methods used in the atmospheric chemistry community to measure the gas phase diffusion coefficients are also discussed.
China's Beech Forests in the Pre-Quaternary
Authors: Yu-Sheng L. , Wei-Ming W. , Momohara A.
Published: June 2014

Fagus in China is never dominant in Late Cretaceous and Tertiary floras although it might reach its highest diversity in the Miocene. The genus Fagus was more widely distributed during the Palaeogene than in the Neogene. Furthermore, the ecological requirements of Fagus in the Palaeogene seem much broader than those in the Neogene onwards. This is because the Palaeogene floras containing Fagus lived in various conditions from an arid and hot climate to a humid and warm habitat. Additionally, Fagus then coexisted with many kinds of hygrophilous, thermophilous and xerophilous plants. However, the wide distribution, broad ecological adaptation and species composition changed greatly in the Neogene. The Neogene Fagus-containing floras are slightly more similar to the modern beech forests than the Palaeogene ones, although a big difference remains. Chinese fossil data document the post-Tertiary development of the modern beech forests.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010111
Determination Methods for the Exoskeletal Remains of Early Vertebrates
Authors: Karatajute-Talimaa V.
Published: June 2014

The exoskeleton, consisting of micromeric elements (odontodes) and their derivatives, is characteristic of the most ancient vertebrates. Great morphological and histological variability of discrete exoskeletal microremains makes it difficult to identify them. It is necessary to study not only separate scales or tesserae, but also to get a picture of the squamation in general, because species determined from discrete elements are understood as an assemblage of morphological types. For determination of discrete exoskeletal elements, their morphology, internal structure, defined tissue types of crown and basal plate, types (way) of their growth, system of vascular canals should be studied in addition changes occuring during ontogenetic development of both the dermal skeletal elements and the squamation should be taken in consideration. The material of different groups of early vertebrates (astraspids, tesakoviaspids, heterostracans, thelodonts, mongolepids, chondrichthyans and acanthodians), which were widely distributed in the Early Palaeozoic, are used as examples.

 Ein Hautskelett aus mikromerischen Elementen (Odontodes) und davon abgeleiteten Formen ist für die meisten frühen Vertebraten kennzeichnend. Große morphologische und histologische Variabilität der einzelnen Mikroreste des Hautskeletts bereitet bei ihrer Bestimmung Schwierigkeiten. Es ist notwendig, nicht nur isolierte Schuppen und Tesserae zu untersuchen, sondern man muß sich eine Vorstellung der der gesamten Beschuppung verschaffen, da Arten bestimmt auf isoliertem Material als eine Ansammlung von morphologischen Typen verstanden werden müssen. Bei der Bestimmung isolierter Elemente des Enskeletts sollte man deren Morphologie, innere Struktur, Gewebetypen der Krone und Basalplatte, Arten des Wachstums, Anordnung der Gefäßkanäle und Veränderungen während des Wachstums des Einzelelements und der Gesamtbeschuppung berücksichtigen. Hautskelett-Elemente der verschiedenen Gruppen früher Vertebraten (Astraspiden, Tesakoviaspiden, Heterostraken, Thelodontier, Mongolepiden, Chondrichthyer und Acanthodier), die im frühen Paläozoikum weit verbreitet sind, werden als Beispiele benutzt.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.19980010103
Tournaisian (Early Carboniferous/Mississippian) ammonoids from the Ma'der Basin (Anti-Atlas, Morocco)
Authors: Ebbighausen V. , Bockwinkel J.
Published: June 2014

Three succeeding assemblages of Early Tournaisian (Mississippian) ammonoids are described from Fezzou (Ma'der) in the Anti-Atlas of Morocco; they are, in ascending order, composed of the following genera: (1) Gattendorfia-Eocanites Assemblage: Acutimitoceras, Costimitoceras, Imitoceras, Kornia, Gattendorfia, Kazakhstania, and Eocanites; (2) Gattendorfia-Kahlacanites Assemblage: Acutimitoceras, Hasselbachia, Gattendorfia, Becanites, and Kahlacanites; and (3) Goniocyclus-Protocanites Assemblage: Globimitoceras, Imitoceras, Gattendorfia, Goniocyclus, Eocanites, and Protocanites. The following taxa are newly described: Globimitoceras rharrhizense n. sp., Acutimitoceras sarahae n. sp., A. endoserpens n. sp., A. pentaconstrictum n. sp., Costimitoceras aitouamar n. sp., Hasselbachia arca n. sp., Kornia citrus n. gen. n. sp., Gattendorfia lhceni n. sp., and G. gisae n. sp.

 Drei aufeinander folgende Vergesellschaftungen von Ammonoideen aus dem Tournaisium (Mississippium) werden von Fezzou (Ma'der) im Anti-Atlas von Marokko beschrieben; diese werden, in aufsteigender Reihenfolge, durch die folgenden Gattungen zusammen gesetzt: (1) Gattendorfia-Eocanites Assemblage: Acutimitoceras, Costimitoceras, Imitoceras, Kornia, Gattendorfia, Kazakhstania und Eocanites; (2) Gattendorfia-Kahlacanites Assemblage: Acutimitoceras, Hasselbachia, Gattendorfia, Becanites und Kahlacanites; und (3) Goniocyclus-Protocanites Assemblage: Globimitoceras, Imitoceras, Gattendorfia, Goniocyclus, Eocanites und Protocanites. Die folgenden Taxa werden neu beschrieben: Globimitoceras rharrhizense n. sp., Acutimitoceras sarahae n. sp., A. endoserpens n. sp., A. pentaconstrictum n. sp., Costimitoceras aitouamar n. sp., Hasselbachia arca n. sp., Kornia citrus n. gen. n. sp., Gattendorfia lhceni n. sp. und G. gisae n. sp.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700003
Revision of the supposed Triassic, in fact Silurian genus Triadophyllum Weissermel, 1925 (Anthozoa, Rugosa)
Authors: Weyer D.
Published: June 2014

The only existing type specimen of Triadophyllum posthumum Weissermel, 1925 is not a Middle Triassic (middle Anisian, Pelsonian) Scleractinia, but a Silurian Rugosa collected from a Pleistocene erratic boulder of Baltoscandian origin. First serial cross sections demonstrate a synonymy of Triadophyllum Weissermel, 1925 with the worldwide distributed ahermatypic genus Palaeocyathus Foerste, 1888 (including also Enterolasma Simpson, 1900) known from Llandoverian/Wenlockian – Eifelian times. The species Palaeocyathus posthumus as well as the genus are still unknown in the classical Silurian sequences of Gotland and Estonia, which may be the possible origin of the glacial drift. At present, a more precise age determination within the Llandoverian, Wenlockian, or Ludlovian can not be achieved. The nearest certain occurrence of the genus is the early Wenlockian Palaeocyathus conicus (Bul'vanker, 1952) of Podolia (Ukraine), situated likewise on the southwestern margin of the ancient Baltoscandian shield; other records such as the Ludlovian Palaeocyathus bohemicus (Počta, 1902) from the Barrandian (Czech Republic) and Palaeocyathus radiatus (Münster, 1839) from Upper Franconia (Saxothuringia, Germany) are more distant on Gondwana-derived terranes.

 Das allein existierende Holotypus-Polypar von Triadophyllum posthumum Weissermel, 1925 ist kein Scleractinia-Vertreter der Mittel-Trias (mittleres Anis, Pelson), sondern ein silurisches Rugosa-Taxon, das aus einem Pleistozän-Geschiebe baltoskandischen Ursprungs gesammelt wurde. Eine erste Querschliffserie belegt die Synonymie von Triadophyllum Weissermel, 1925 mit dem weltweit verbreiteten ahermatypischen Genus Palaeocyathus Foerste, 1888 (einschließlich Enterolasma Simpson, 1900), das aus dem Zeitraum Llandovery/Wenlock – Eifel bekannt ist. Die Art Palaeocyathus posthumus und auch das Genus wurden in den klassischen Silur-Schichtfolgen von Gotland und Estland noch nicht gefunden, die als Herkunftsgebiete der glazialen Drift in Betracht kommen. Momentan lässt sich keine präzisere Altersbestimmung innerhalb des Llandovery, Wenlock oder Ludlow erreichen. Das nächste Vorkommen der Gattung, das ebenfalls am SW-Rand des alten Baltoskandischen Schildes liegt, ist Palaeocyathus conicus (Bul'vanker, 1952) im unteren Wenlock von Podolien (Ukraine). Andere Nachweise wie Palaeocyathus bohemicus (Počta, 1902) aus dem Ludlov des Barrandium (Tschechische Republik) und Palaeocyathus radiatus (Münster, 1839) aus dem Ludlow von Oberfranken (Saxothuringikum, Deutschland) gehören zu primär entfernteren Terranes, die von Gondwana herkommen.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700006
Bransonelliformes – a new order of the Xenacanthimorpha (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii)
Authors: Hampe O. , Ivanov A.
Published: June 2014

The order Bransonelliformes is erected for the genera Bransonella Harlton, 1933 and Barbclabornia Johnson, 2003 based on the distinct characters of an inverted "V"-nested pattern of ornamentation preliminary on the labial aspect at the tooth cusps, the presence of labial foramina, and the occasional occurrence of a centrally positioned lingual opening of a main nutrient canal at the bases of the teeth. The Bransonelliformes comprises the primitive sister group to the Xenacanthiformes within the Xenacanthimorpha.

 Für die Gattungen Bransonella Harlton, 1933 und Barbclabornia Johnson, 2003 wird die neue Ordnung Bransonelliformes eingeführt basierend auf den Merkmalen von bevorzugt auf der labialen Seite der Zahnspitzen auftretenden, dachziegelartig ineinander geschachtelten Skulpturleisten, dem Vorhandensein labialer Foramina sowie dem häufigen Auftreten einer größeren lingualen Öffnung an der Zahnbasis, dem Durchtritt eines zentralen Nährkanals. Die Bransonelliformes stellen die ursprünglichere Schwestergruppe zu den Xenacanthiformes innerhalb der Xenacanthimorpha dar.

 doi:10.1002/mmng.200700005