bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the ungulate prey of the Komodo dragonVaranus komodoensis: distance sampling or faecal counts?
Authors: Ariefiandy Achmad , Purwandana Deni , Coulson Graeme , Forsyth David M. , Jessop Tim S.
Published: July 2013

Monitoring the abundances of prey is important for informing the management of threatened and endangered predators. We evaluated the usefulness of faecal counts and distance sampling for monitoring the abundances of rusa deerRusa timorensis, feral pigSus scrofaand water buffaloBubalus bubalis, the three key prey of the Komodo dragonVaranus komodoensis, at 11 sites on five islands in and around Komodo National Park, eastern Indonesia. We used species‐specific global detection functions and cluster sizes (i.e. multiple covariates distance sampling) to estimate densities of rusa deer and feral pig, but there were too few observations to estimate densities of water buffalo. Rusa deer densities varied from from 2.5 to 165.5 deer/km2with coefficients of variation (CVs) of 15‐105%. Feral pig densities varied from 0.0 to 25.2 pigs/km2with CVs of 25‐106%. There was a positive relationship between estimated faecal densities and estimated population densities for both rusa deer and feral pig: the form of the relationship was non‐linear for rusa deer, but there was similar support for linear and non‐linear relationships for feral pig. We found that faecal counts were more useful when ungulate densities were too low to estimate densities with distance sampling. Faecal count methods were also easier for field staff to conduct than distance sampling. Because spatial and temporal variation in ungulate density is likely to influence the population dynamics of the Komodo dragon, we recommend that annual monitoring of ungulates in and around Komodo National Park be undertaken using distance sampling and faecal counts. The relationships reported here will also be useful for managers establishing monitoring programmes for feral pig, rusa deer and water buffalo elsewhere in their native and exotic ranges.
Footload influences wildlife use of compacted trails in the snow
Authors: Whiteman John P. , Buskirk Steven W.
Published: July 2013

Animals moving across snow surfaces sink to varying depths, increasing the energetic cost of travel. For ease of movement, animals may follow compacted trails created by sports such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing. We tested the assumption that animals less‐adapted to snow travel (i.e. animals with a high footload (body mass/foot surface area)) are more likely to use compacted trails and follow them for greater distances than animals well‐adapted to moving on snow.

We sampled animal movements on compacted and non‐compacted transects in northwestern Wyoming and southeastern Idaho, USA, during two winters. Consistent with our prediction, footload positively influenced the probability of animals following compacted transects, and positively influenced their following distance, although the latter relationship was weaker. Additionally, we found that different snow sports cause similar increases in snow density. We suggest that future researchers experimentally test whether the use of compacted trails by animals with high footloads alters their habitat selection and dispersal, and whether it affects their competitive and predatory success.
Trailing hounds vs foot snares: comparing injuries to pumas Puma concolor captured in Chilean Patagonia
Authors: Elbroch L. Mark , Jansen Brian D. , Grigione Melissa M. , Sarno Ronald J. , Wittmer Heiko U.
Published: July 2013

We compared injuries resulting from two different capture methods, i.e. trailing hounds and foot snares, for pumas Puma concolor in a mixed landscape with open grasslands and limited ‘retreat’ habitat in southern Chilean Patagonia. Injury scores were not significantly different for the two methods, although the small sample size for captures made with snares likely influenced our findings. Based on a potential range of 0‐400, the mean injury score for pumas caught using hounds was 56.3 ± 132.9 (SD). The mean puma injury score for five animals caught in snares was 3.8 ± 1.1. Pumas were injured and/or killed in 86% of captures using trailing hounds. The number of hounds used in a capture attempt did not predict the likelihood of successfully catching a puma (P = 0.35), whereas there was a strong relationship between the number of dogs and the likelihood of a fight with the puma (P < 0.0001). The odds ratio calculation predicted a 14.7% increase in the likelihood of a fight between puma and hounds with the addition of each dog to the chase. Our results highlight the potential risks associated with trailing hounds in open landscapes. We suggest guidelines for the use of hounds in predominantly open landscapes, and that alternative capture methods such as foot snares should be considered as a potentially safer alternative. Lastly, we make recommendations for the development of injury assessment systems more relevant to catch‐and‐release research.
Ottoman Concepts of Empire
Authors: Wigen Einar
Published: July 2013

Empire was never an important concept in Ottoman politics. This did not stop Ottoman rulers from laying claim to three titles that may be called imperial: halife, hakan, and kayser. Each of these pertains to different translationes imperii, or claims of descent from different empires: the Caliphate, the steppe empires of the Huns, Turks, and Mongols, and the Roman Empire. Each of the three titles was geared toward a specific audience: Muslims, Turkic nomads, and Greek-Orthodox Christians, respectively. In the nineteenth century a new audience emerged as an important source of political legitimacy: European-emergent international society. With it a new political vocabulary was introduced into the Ottoman language. Among those concepts was that of empire, which found its place in Ottoman discourse by connecting it with the existing imperial claims.
Reviews
Authors: Cazares Victor , Snir Itay , Rosales José María , Laczó Ferenc , Osiander Anja , Haara Heikki
Published: July 2013

Zachary Sayre Schiffman, The Birth of the Past (Baltimore: The Johns
Hopkins University Press, 2011), xvi + 316 pp.

Sophia Rosenfeld, Common Sense: A Political History (Cambridge, MA:
Harvard University Press, 2011), 337 pp.

Joris Gijsenbergh, Saskia Hollander, Tim Houwen, and Wim de Jong, eds.,
Creative Crises of Democracy (Brussels: Peter Lang, 2012), 444 pp.

Mary L. Dudziak, War Time: An Idea, Its History, Its Consequences (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2012), 221 pp.

Anneli Wallentowitz, “Imperialismus” in der japanischen Sprache am Übergang
vom 19. zum 20. Jahrhundert: Begriffsgeschichte im außereuropäischen Kontext
[“Imperialism” in the Japanese language at the turn of the 20th century:
A history of concepts in a non-European context] (Bonn: Bonn University
Press, 2011), 380 pp., incl. Japanese-German glossary.

Annabel S. Brett, Changes of State: Nature and the Limits of the City in Early
Modern Natural Law (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2011),
242 pp.
Multivariate Analysis of Rangeland Vegetation and Soil Organic Carbon Describes Degradation, Informs Restoration and Conservation
Authors: McGranahan Devan , Engle David , Fuhlendorf Samuel , Miller James , Debinski Diane
Published: July 2013

Agricultural expansion has eliminated a high proportion of native land cover and severely degraded remaining native vegetation. Managers must determine where degradation is severe enough to merit restoration action, and what action, if any, is necessary. We report on grassland degraded by multiple factors, including grazing, soil disturbance, and exotic plant species introduced in response to agriculture management. We use a multivariate method to categorize plant communities by degradation state based on floristic and biophysical degradation associated with historical land use. The variables we associate with degradation include abundance of the invasive cool-season grass, tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub); soil organic carbon (SOC); and heavy livestock grazing. Using a series of multivariate analyses (ordination, hierarchical clustering, and multiple regression), we identify patterns in plant community composition and describe floristic degradation states. We found vegetation states to be described largely by vegetation composition associated primarily with tall fescue and secondarily by severe grazing, but not soil organic carbon. Categorizing grasslands by vegetation states helps managers efficiently apply restoration inputs that optimize ecosystem response, so we discuss potential restoration pathways in a state-and-transition model. Reducing stocking rate on grassland where grazing is actively practiced is an important first step that might be sufficient for restoring grassland with high native species richness and minimal degradation from invasive plants. More severe degradation likely requires multiple approaches to reverse degradation. Of these, we recommend restoration of ecological processes and disturbance regimes such as fire and grazing. We suggest old-field grasslands in North America, which are similar to European semi-natural grassland in composition and function, deserve more attention by conservation biologists.
Gas exchange, growth, and defense responses of invasive Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae) and native Geum vernum (Rosaceae) to elevated atmospheric CO2 and warm spring temperatures
Authors: Anderson Laurel J. , Cipollini Don
Published: July 2013

• Premise of Study: Global increases in atmospheric CO2 and temperature may interact in complex ways to influence plant physiology and growth, particularly for species that grow in cool, early spring conditions in temperate forests. Plant species may also vary in their responses to environmental changes; fast‐growing invasives may be more responsive to rising CO2 than natives and may increase production of allelopathic compounds under these conditions, altering species’ competitive interactions.

• Methods: We examined growth and physiological responses of Alliaria petiolata, an allelopathic, invasive herb, and Geum vernum, a co‐occurring native herb, to ambient and elevated spring temperatures and atmospheric CO2 conditions in a factorial growth chamber experiment.

• Key Results: At 5 wk, leaves were larger at high temperature, and shoot biomass increased under elevated CO2 only at high temperature in both species. As temperatures gradually warmed to simulate seasonal progression, G. vernum became responsive to CO2 at both temperatures, whereas A. petiolata continued to respond to elevated CO2 only at high temperature. Elevated CO2 increased thickness and decreased nitrogen concentrations in leaves of both species. Alliaria petiolata showed photosynthetic downregulation at elevated CO2, whereas G. vernum photosynthesis increased at elevated temperature. Flavonoid and cyanide concentrations decreased significantly in A. petiolata leaves in the elevated CO2 and temperature treatment. Total glucosinolate concentrations and trypsin inhibitor activities did not vary among treatments.

• Conclusions: Future elevated spring temperatures and CO2 will interact to stimulate growth for A. petiolata and G. vernum, but there may be reduced allelochemical effects in A. petiolata.
Effect of Enthesitis on 1505 Brazilian Patients with Spondyloarthritis
Authors: Carneiro Sueli , Bortoluzzo Adriana , Gonçalves Celio , Braga da Silva José Antonio , Ximenes Antonio C. , Bértolo Manoel , Ribeiro Sandra Lúcia , Keiserman Mauro , Skare Thelma , Menin Rita , Azevedo Valderilio , Vieira Walber , Albuquerque Elisa , Bianchi Washington , Bonfiglioli Rubens , Campanholo Cristiano , de Carvalho Hellen Mary , da Costa Izaias , Duarte Ángela , Kohem Charles , Leite Nocy , Lima Sonia A.L. , Meirelles Eduardo S. , Pereira Ivânio A. , Pinheiro Marcelo M. , Polito Elizandra , Resende Gustavo G. , Rocha Francisco Airton C. , Santiago Mittermayer B. , Sauma Maria de Fátima L.C. , Valim Valéria , Sampaio-Barros Percival D.
Published: July 2013

Objective.

To analyze the clinical effect of enthesitis in a large Brazilian cohort of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA).

Methods.

A common protocol of investigation was prospectively applied to 1505 patients with SpA in 29 centers in Brazil. Clinical and demographic variables and disease indexes were investigated. The Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score was used to investigate the enthesitis component. Ankylosing spondylitis was the most frequent disease in the group (65.4%). Others were psoriatic arthritis (18.4%), undifferentiated SpA (6.7%), reactive arthritis (3.3%), and enteropathic arthritis (3.2%).

Results.

At least 1 affected enthesis was observed in 54% of the patients with SpA, with a mean of 2.12 ± 2.98 entheses affected. According to the clinical presentation, enthesitis was significantly more frequent in patients with axial + peripheral joint involvement compared to isolated axial or peripheral involvement (p < 0.001). There was a statistical association between the presence of enthesites and axial symptoms (buttock pain, cervical pain, and hip pain), and peripheral symptoms (lower limb arthritis, number of painful and swollen joints; p < 0.05). Patients with enthesitis also presented higher mean scores of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI; p < 0.001), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (p < 0.001), and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL; p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that BASFI (p < 0.0001; OR 74.839), ASQoL (p = 0.0001; OR 14.645), and Achilles tendonitis (p = 0.0059; OR 7.593) were associated with work incapacity.

Conclusion.

The clinical presence of enthesitis in this large cohort of patients with SpA was frequent and was associated with a significant increase in disease activity and decline in functional capacity and quality of life.
The 15% Rule in Scleroderma: The Frequency of Severe Organ Complications in Systemic Sclerosis. A Systematic Review
Authors: Muangchan Chayawee ,   Canadian Scleroderma Research Group, Baron Murray , Pope Janet
Published: July 2013

Objective.

The prevalence of organ complications in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis; SSc) varies by definition used. This study was done to determine the frequency of several features of SSc.

Methods.

A search of Medline-Ovid/Embase, PubMed, and Scopus databases from 1980 to November 30, 2011, was conducted to identify relevant articles with at least 50 patients with SSc extracting prevalence of each organ complication. Study quality was assessed using the STROBE (Strengthening The Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) checklist. Pooled prevalence was calculated using the random effects method. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2.

Results.

A total of 5916 articles were identified (913 from Medline-Ovid/Embase, 1009 from PubMed, and 3994 from Scopus); 5665 were excluded, leaving 251 articles for full-text review, with 69 included. Where available, frequencies were also included from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group. Many severe complications in SSc occur about 15% of the time, including cardiac involvement (15%, 95% CI 6–24), diastolic dysfunction (16%, 95% CI 14–17), estimated pulmonary artery pressure > 40 mm Hg (18%, 95% CI 14–21), pulmonary arterial hypertension by right heart catheterization (15%, 95% CI 12–17), forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70% predicted (15%, 95% CI 12–17), FVC < 80% predicted (17%, 95% CI 12–21), myositis (13%, 95% CI 10–17), inflammatory arthritis (12%, 95% CI 9–16), Sjögren overlap (13%, 95% CI 10–16), and digital ulcers (DU; 15%, 95% CI 10–20); and 15% of DU have complications (amputations 12%, 95% CI 8–16, and hospitalizations 13%, 95% CI 6–21). Scleroderma renal crisis is uncommon but occurs in almost 15% (12%, 95% CI 5–19) of cases of disseminated cutaneous SSc. There is no 15% rule within skin and gastrointestinal tract for SSc.

Conclusion.

The “15%” rule for frequency of significant organ involvement in SSc is helpful.
Expression of Methotrexate Transporters and Metabolizing Enzymes in Rheumatoid Synovial Tissue
Authors: Stamp Lisa K. , Hazlett Jody , Highton John , Hessian Paul A.
Published: July 2013

Objective.

To determine whether methotrexate (MTX) affects the expression of genes involved in the transport [SLC19A1(RFC1),ABCB1(MDR1),ABCC1(multidrug resistance proteins 1),ABCG2(BCRP)], metabolism [γ-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH), folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS)], and mechanism of action of MTX [thymidylate synthase, MTR, MTRR] in rheumatoid synovium.

Methods.

Synovial tissue samples were obtained from 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Gene expression was undertaken using quantitative real-time PCR.

Results.

All the genes examined were expressed in all samples. Expression ofSLC19A1, GGH, FPGS,ABCC1, andMTRRwas significantly higher in patients receiving MTX compared to those not receiving MTX (p < 0.05). The ratio of FPGS:GGH gene expression was 2.7 ± 0.51 ng/ml GAPDH (range 0.67–9.58).

Conclusion.

Genes involved in the transport, metabolism, and mechanism of action of MTX are expressed in rheumatoid joint synovium. These data provide evidence that MTX has the potential to be polyglutamated within the joint. The higher expression of FPGS compared to GGH in synovial tissue might favor production of long-chain MTX polyglutamates. Thus MTX has the potential to exert its therapeutic effects at the primary site of the inflammatory process in RA.
Coordination Languages and Models for Open Distributed Systems
Authors: Chiang Chia-Chu , Lee Roger
Published: July 2013

Programming open distributed systems will be of rapidly growing importance in the coming decades to the scientists and engineers that will be using these techniques to solve society’s most pressing problems. Even today, the authors see a growing number of critical applications such as MRI spin relaxometry, gene sequence analysis, climate modeling, and molecular modeling of potential bioactive compounds that require massive amounts of computation. The demands for intensive computational power will only grow in the future, as society tackles more complex problems. Existing concurrent programming languages are not well-suited to the development of open distributed systems. Middleware technologies provide the support for the development of open distributed systems. However, the technologies suffer the same problems of existing concurrent programming approaches which the software evolution of the systems are not supported well. The resulting systems are difficult to maintain due to the changes. This has led to the design and implementation of a variety of coordination models and languages for open distributed systems. The main purpose is to separate the concerns of the complexities including communication, coordination, computation, and heterogeneity in the development of open distributed systems. The models manage the concerns to improve the maintenance of the systems.
2-SQUARE
Authors: Lai Alan , Zhang Cui , Busovaca Senad
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a highly flexible and expandable tool called 2-SQUARE in support of the SQUARE methodology for security and privacy requirements engineering developed by the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Security and privacy requirements engineering can be a daunting task even with the proper expertise. 2-SQUARE aims at making it straightforward to perform requirements engineering regardless of expertise by providing flexible workflows and process guidance. 2-SQUARE also facilitates communication between requirements engineers and stakeholders throughout the requirements engineering process.
Speech Synthesis of Emotions Using Vowel Features
Authors: Boku Kanu , Asada Taro , Yoshitomi Yasunari , Tabuse Masayoshi
Published: July 2013

Recently, methods for adding emotion to synthetic speech have received considerable attention in the field of speech synthesis research. For generating emotional synthetic speech, it is necessary to control the prosodic features of the utterances. The authors propose a case-based method for generating emotional synthetic speech by exploiting the characteristics of the maximum amplitude and the utterance time of vowels, and the fundamental frequency of emotional speech. As an initial investigation, they adopted the utterance of Japanese names, which are semantically neutral. By using the proposed method, emotional synthetic speech made from the emotional speech of one male subject was discriminable with a mean accuracy of 70% when ten subjects listened to the emotional synthetic utterances of “angry,” “happy,” “neutral,” “sad,” or “surprised” when the utterance was the Japanese name “Taro.”
An Empirical Study on Novice Programmer’s Behaviors with Analysis of Keystrokes
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Xu Shaochun , Liu Huafu
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a series of two experiments in which programming behaviors were observed and analyzed when they were programming with pressure and without pressure. There were eleven and twenty-four subjects respectively. In both experiments, the authors used a software tool to record the keystroke frequency, designed criteria to evaluation program quality, and conducted a survey after the experiment. The experiment results show that there is no direct relation between the numbers of keystrokes and programmer’s performance when programmers are working without pressure or with pressure. The first experiment results demonstrate while novice programmers are diverse in terms of programming styles, ones with more experiences tend to control code execution in finer granularity. Source code format can be an indicator of programming performance. The second experiment results demonstrate that programmers with higher performance likely have higher keystroke productivity. Programmers are also more productive under pressure in terms of keystrokes.
On the Epistemological, Ontological, Teleological and Methodological Currents in Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Bozkurt Ipek , Padilla Jose J.
Published: July 2013

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) has been used to solve problems, make decisions, and understand complex phenomena. Scholars have tried to understand and formulate the epistemic value of gained insights through models and simulations. Questions such as how insights are considered knowledge, what the tradeoff between perspectives and objectivity is, what kind of purpose models and simulations fulfill, and how M&S is used within a research methodology paradigm are a starting point of discussing the philosophical underpinnings. The epistemological, ontological, teleological and methodological (E/O/T/M) considerations of M&S is the main motivation of this paper. A comprehensive literature review on E/O/T/M considerations provides an initial roadmap to study the nature of M&S leading to the following questions: How can the authors define canons of research for M&S based on E/O/T/M? How can they define an E/O/T/M-based meta-model to characterize models and simulations? And how can the authors study validation of models and simulations based on E/O/T/M considerations?
Platform on Platform (PoP) Model for Meta-Networking
Authors: Saha Debashis , Sridhar Varadharajan
Published: July 2013

In this research essay, the authors envision a Platform-on-Platform (PoP) model to understand the (r)evolutionary nature of future networks, with examples and constructs from the two most pervasive networks, namely the Internet and the mobile cellular networks. First, they articulate how PoP model is conceptualized on the economic principles of n-sided markets and discuss associated network effects for the platforms to attain critical mass for sustainability. Then, the authors attempted to analyze the enablers of the PoP including open systems and standards and their effect on the success of PoP. Next, they apply the principles of PoP to two use cases – Internet of Things and Enterprise Mobility, and indicate the relevant research issues that need to be addressed. The authors concluded with remarks on the importance of security as a platform, which in their opinion has not been given due importance thus far, and the related avenues of research for the reliability and sustainability of future networks.
Human CD1a Deficiency Is Common and Genetically Regulated
Authors: Seshadri Chetan , Shenoy Meera , Wells Richard D. , Hensley-McBain Tiffany , Andersen-Nissen Erica , McElrath M. Juliana , Cheng Tan-Yun , Moody D. Branch , Hawn Thomas R.
Published: July 2013

CD1 proteins evolved to present diverse lipid Ags to T cells. In comparison with MHC proteins, CD1 proteins exhibit minimal allelic diversity as a result of nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, it is unknown if common SNPs in gene regulatory regions affect CD1 expression and function. We report surprising diversity in patterns of inducible CD1a expression on human dendritic cells (DCs), spanning the full range from undetectable to high density, a finding not seen with other CD1 isoforms. CD1a-deficient DCs failed to present mycobacterial lipopeptide to T cells but had no defects in endocytosis, cytokine secretion, or expression of costimulatory molecules after LPS treatment. We identified an SNP in the 5′ untranslated region (rs366316) that was common and strongly associated with low CD1a surface expression and mRNA levels (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively). Using a CD1a promoter-luciferase system in combination with mutagenesis studies, we found that the polymorphic allele reduced luciferase expression by 44% compared with the wild-type variant (p < 0.001). Genetic regulation of lipid Ag presentation by varying expression on human DCs provides a mechanism for achieving population level differences in immune responses despite limited structural variation in CD1a proteins.
Role and identity of ER doctors
Authors: Mengozzi Ubaldo , Casagranda Ivo
Published: July 2013

The article describes the historical evolution of Accident & Emergency departments from 1960 to the present day before analysing the functions and objectives of Emergency Medicine within Italy’s National Health Service today. It continues with an examination of the figure of Emergency Doctors, their role and the quest for an identity that entails the acquisition of skills, institutional acknowledgment and the establishment of a School of Specialisation in Emergency Medicine.
Modelling the predictive performance of credit scoring
Authors: Shen Shi-Wei , Nguyen Tri-Dung , Ojiako Udechukwu
Published: July 2013

Orientation: The article discussed the importance of rigour in credit risk assessment.Research purpose: The purpose of this empirical paper was to examine the predictive performance of credit scoring systems in Taiwan.Motivation for the study: Corporate lending remains a major business line for financial institutions. However, in light of the recent global financial crises, it has become extremely important for financial institutions to implement rigorous means of assessing clients seeking access to credit facilities.Research design, approach and method: Using a data sample of 10 349 observations drawn between 1992 and 2010, logistic regression models were utilised to examine the predictive performance of credit scoring systems.Main findings: A test of Goodness of fit demonstrated that credit scoring models that incorporated the Taiwan Corporate Credit Risk Index (TCRI), micro- and also macroeconomic variables possessed greater predictive power. This suggests that macroeconomic variables do have explanatory power for default credit risk.Practical/managerial implications: The originality in the study was that three models were developed to predict corporate firms’ defaults based on different microeconomic and macroeconomic factors such as the TCRI, asset growth rates, stock index and gross domestic product.Contribution/value-add: The study utilises different goodness of fits and receiver operator characteristics during the examination of the robustness of the predictive power of these factors.
Deconstructing masculinity: Dominant discourses on gender, sexuality and HIV and AIDS from the experience of the adolescent male orphan
Authors: Meyer Juanita
Published: July 2013

As a postfoundational practical theological study, this article is interested in the description of the co-researchers’ experiences, as these are continually informed by various traditions of interpretations. It listens to and describes the current narratives of three co-researchers and deconstructs these narratives by looking at various concepts of masculinity and sexuality. It looks specifically at how these concepts are created and maintained through various socio-cultural dominant narratives related to gender, sexuality, and HIV and AIDS, and how these dominant narratives influence the creation of self- and alternative narratives of the co-researchers. This article employs research methods from the qualitative and case study research design and works from the theoretical viewpoints of a postfoundational practical theology and narrative therapy.
A confirmatory factor analytic study of a self-leadership measure in South Africa
Authors: Mahembe Bright , Engelbrecht Amos S. , De Kock Francois S.
Published: July 2013

Orientation: Self-leadership is considered to be essential for effective individual functioning in occupational and academic contexts. The revised self-leadership questionnaire (RSLQ) is widely utilised for measuring self-leadership, but its psychometric properties have not been established on a South African sample. By implication, important questions also exist about the theoretical structure of self-leadership in the South African context. Research purpose: The research aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and factorial validity of the revised self-leadership questionnaire on a South African sample. In doing so, the results of the research would also provide valuable insights into the latent factor structure of the self-leadership construct. Motivation for the study: On a practical level, the research sought internal validity evidence for the use of the RSLQ in the South African context. On a theoretical level, questions remain about the best conceptual representation of self-leadership as a construct. Research design, approach and method: The revised self-leadership questionnaire was administered to a non-probability sample of 375 South African young adults. The first and second-order factor structure underlying contemporary models of self-leadership using confirmatory factor analytic techniques was tested. Main findings: Results showed that the RSLQ measured self-leadership with suitable reliability and internal validity. All eight subscales had high internal consistency coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the first and second-order models conclusively demonstrated good factorial validity. Practical/managerial implications: The study found that the RSLQ has good measurement properties for a South African context. Academics, practitioners and managers are urged to use the measure in its present form for applications such as leadership development and promoting self-management. Contribution/value-addition: The study extends the body of psychometric evidence supporting the use of the revised self-leadership questionnaire in the South African milieu. The researchers have further indicated that self-leadership can be represented by a hierarchical latent factor structure, where a general factor drives more specific dimensions of self-leadership.
High risk human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 infection in the cervical lesions of women with epithelial cell abnormality in Pap smear: A cytohistomorphologic association in Bangladeshi women
Authors: Banik Urmila , Ahamad M. Shahab Uddin , Bhattacharjee Pradip , Adhikary Arun Kumar , Rahman Zillur
Published: July 2013

Background:

The aim of this study was to find out the extent of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) type 16/18 infection in the cervical tissue of women with epithelial cell abnormality in Pap smear and to establish an association between hrHPV type 16/18 infection and cytohistomorphology.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 1699 patients who went through Pap smear examination. Prevalence of epithelial cell abnormality was calculated. Forty eight of these women underwent routine histopathology and 47 were evaluated for human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16/18 by polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results:

Total 139 women revealed epithelial cell abnormality. Histopathology showed simple inflammation to malignancy. HPV type 16/18 infection was detected in 40.42% (19/47) of the patients. Individually type 16 and 18 were positive in 7 (14.9%) cases each and dual infection with type 16 and 18 were seen in 5 (10.6%) cases. While cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN 1) and < CIN 1 lesions showed 18.75% (3 out of 16) and 35% (7 out of 20) positivity respectively, ≥CIN 2 lesions revealed positivity of 81.82% (9 out of 11). Eighty percent HPV 16/18 positivity was seen in women of < 30 years of age.

Conclusion:

The findings of this study will contribute to HPV 16/18 knowledge in Bangladesh that will be useful in assessing the success of current vaccines with limited type spectra and augmenting cervical cancer screening strategies.
Randomized, Double-Blinded, Phase 2 Trial of WR 279,396 (Paromomycin and Gentamicin) for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Panama
Authors: Sosa Néstor , Capitán Zeuz , Nieto Javier , Nieto Melissa , Calzada José , Paz Hector , Spadafora Carmenza , Kreishman-Deitrick Mara , Kopydlowski Karen , Ullman Diane , McCarthy William F. , Ransom Janet , Berman Jonathan , Scott Charles , Grogl Max
Published: July 2013

In this randomized, double-blinded Phase 2 trial, 30 patients with Leishmania panamensis cutaneous leishmaniasis were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive once daily topical treatment with WR 279,396 (15% paromomycin + 0.5% gentamicin) or Paromomycin Alone (15% paromomycin) for 20 days. The index lesion cure rate after 6 months follow-up was 13 of 15 (87%) for WR 279,396 and 9 of 15 (60%) for Paromomycin Alone (P = 0.099). When all treated lesions were included, the final cure rate for WR 279,398-treated patients was again 87%, but the final cure rate for Paromomycin Alone-treated patients was 8 of 15 (53.3%; P = 0.046). Both creams were well tolerated with mild application site reactions being the most frequent adverse event. The increased final cure rate in the WR 279,396 group in this small Phase 2 study suggests that the combination product may provide greater clinical benefit than paromomycin monotherapy against L. panamensis cutaneous leishmaniasis.
First Genetic Detection of Coxiella burnetii in Zambian Livestock
Authors: Qiu Yongjin , Nakao Ryo , Namangala Boniface , Sugimoto Chihiro
Published: July 2013

Q fever is a widespread zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium. The investigation of C. burnetii infection in Zambian livestock was carried out using molecular detection techniques. A total of 489 cattle and 53 goat blood samples were collected from Chama, Chongwe, Monze, and Petauke districts in Zambia. Molecular screening by polymerase chain reaction was performed using C. burnetii-species-specific primers. In total, 38 cattle and 4 goat samples were positive. The prevalence of C. burnetii differed among the four sites, with Chama (Eastern province) recording the highest, although Monze (Southern province) did not record any case of the bacteria. This study reports the first genetic detection of C. burnetii in Zambia.
Understanding and constraining global secondary organic aerosol amount and size-resolved condensational behavior
Authors: D'Andrea S. D. , Häkkinen S. A. K. , Westervelt D. M. , Kuang C. , Levin E. J. T. , Leaitch W. R. , Spracklen D. V. , Riipinen I. , Pierce J. R.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Recent research has shown that secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are major contributors to ultrafine particle growth to climatically relevant sizes, increasing global cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations within the continental boundary layer. However, there are three recent developments regarding the condensation of SOA that lead to uncertainties in the contribution of SOA to particle growth and CCN concentrations: (1) while many global models contain only biogenic sources of SOA (with annual production rates generally 10–30 Tg yr-1), recent studies have shown that an additional source of SOA around 100 -1 correlated with anthropogenic carbon monoxide (CO) emissions may be required to match measurements. (2) Many models treat SOA solely as semivolatile, which leads to condensation of SOA proportional to the aerosol mass distribution; however, recent closure studies with field measurements show nucleation mode growth can be captured only if it is assumed that a significant fraction of SOA condenses proportional to the Fuchs aerosol surface area. This suggests a very low volatility of the condensing vapors. (3) Other recent studies of particle growth show that SOA condensation deviates from Fuchs surface-area condensation at sizes smaller than 10 nm and that size-dependent growth rate parameterizations (GRP) are needed to match measurements. We explore the significance of these three findings using GEOS-Chem-TOMAS global aerosol microphysics model and observations of aerosol size distributions around the globe. The change in the concentration of particles of size Dp > 40 nm (N40) within the BL assuming surface-area condensation compared to mass-distribution net condensation yielded a global increase of 11% but exceeded 100% in biogenically active regions. The percent change in N40 within the BL with the inclusion of the additional 100 Tg SOA yr-1 compared to the base simulation solely with biogenic SOA emissions (19 Tg yr-1) both using surface area condensation yielded a global increase of 13.7%, but exceeded 50% in regions with large CO emissions. The inclusion of two different GRPs in the additional-SOA case both yielded a global increase in N40 of <1%, however exceeded 5% in some locations in the most extreme case. All of the model simulations were compared to measured data obtained from diverse locations around the globe and the results confirmed a decrease in the model-measurement bias and improved slope for comparing modeled to measured CCN when non-volatile SOA was assumed and the extra SOA was included.
Nutrient dynamics along a precipitation gradient in European beech forests
Authors: Meier I. C. , Leuschner C.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Precipitation as a key determinant of forest productivity influences forest ecosystems also indirectly through alteration of the nutrient status of the soil, but this interaction is not well understood. Along a steep precipitation gradient (from 970 to 520 mm yr−1 over 150 km distance), we studied the consequences of reduced precipitation for the soil and biomass nutrient pools and dynamics in 14 mature European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forests on uniform geological substrate. We tested the hypotheses that lowered summer precipitation (1) is associated with less acid soils and a reduced accumulation of organic matter on the forest floor, and (2) reduces nutrient supply from the soil and leads to decreasing foliar and root nutrient concentrations. Soil acidity, the amount of forest floor organic matter, and the associated organic matter N and P pools decreased to about a half from wet to dry sites; the C/P and N/P ratios, but not the C/N ratio, of forest floor organic matter decreased. Net N mineralization (and nitrification) rate and the available P and K pools in the mineral soil did not change with decreasing precipitation. Foliar P and K concentrations (beech sun leaves) increased while N remained constant, resulting in decreasing foliar N/P and N/K ratios. N resorption efficiency increased toward the dry sites. We conclude that a reduction in summer rainfall significantly reduces the soil C, N and P pools but does not result in decreasing foliar N and P contents in beech. However, more effective tree-internal N cycling and the decreasing foliar N/P ratio towards the dry stands indicate that tree growth may increasingly be limited by N and not by P with decreasing precipitation.
The SURFEXv7.2 land and ocean surface platform for coupled or offline simulation of earth surface variables and fluxes
Authors: Masson V. , Le Moigne P. , Martin E. , Faroux S. , Alias A. , Alkama R. , Belamari S. , Barbu A. , Boone A. , Bouyssel F. , Brousseau P. , Brun E. , Calvet J.-C. , Carrer D. , Decharme B. , Delire C. , Donier S. , Essaouini K. , Gibelin A.-L. , Giordani H. , Habets F. , Jidane M. , Kerdraon G. , Kourzeneva E. , Lafaysse M. , Lafont S. , Lebeaupin Brossier C. , Lemonsu A. , Mahfouf J.-F. , Marguinaud P. , Mokhtari M. , Morin S. , Pigeon G. , Salgado R. , Seity Y. , Taillefer F. , Tanguy G. , Tulet P. , Vincendon B. , Vionnet V. , Voldoire A.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. SURFEX is a new externalized land and ocean surface platform that describes the surface fluxes and the evolution of four types of surfaces: nature, town, inland water and ocean. It is mostly based on pre-existing, well-validated scientific models that are continuously improved. The motivation for the building of SURFEX is to use strictly identical scientific models in a high range of applications in order to mutualise the research and development efforts. SURFEX can be run in offline mode (0-D or 2-D runs) or in coupled mode (from mesoscale models to numerical weather prediction and climate models). An assimilation mode is included for numerical weather prediction and monitoring. In addition to momentum, heat and water fluxes, SURFEX is able to simulate fluxes of carbon dioxide, chemical species, continental aerosols, sea salt and snow particles. The main principles of the organisation of the surface are described first. Then, a survey is made of the scientific module (including the coupling strategy). Finally, the main applications of the code are summarised. The validation work undertaken shows that replacing the pre-existing surface models by SURFEX in these applications is usually associated with improved skill, as the numerous scientific developments contained in this community code are used to good advantage.
Simulation of hydrological processes in the Zhalong wetland within a river basin, Northeast China
Authors: Feng X. Q. , Zhang G. X. , Jun Xu Y.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Zhalong National Nature Preserve is a large wetland reserve on the Songnen Plain in Northeast China. Wetlands in the preserve play a key role in maintaining regional ecosystem function and integrity. Global climate change and intensified anthropogenic activities in the region have raised great concerns over the change of natural flow regime, wetland degradation and loss. In this study, two key hydrologic components in the preserve, water surface area and water volume, as well as their variations during the period 1985–2006, were investigated with a spatially-distributed hydrologic modeling system (SWAT). A wetland module was incorporated into the SWAT model to represent hydrological linkages between the wetland and adjacent upland areas. The modified modeling system was calibrated with streamflow measurements from 1987 to 1989 and was validated for the period 2005–2006. The calibration achieved a Nash efficiency coefficient (Ens) of 0.86, and the validation yielded an Ens of 0.66. In the past 20 yr, water surface area in the Zhalong wetland fluctuated from approximately 200 km2 to 1145 km2 with a rapid decreasing trend through the early 2000s. Consequently, water volume decreased largely in the preserve, especially in the dry seasons. The situation changed following the implementation of a river diversion in 2001. Overall, the modeling yielded plausible estimates of hydrologic changes in this large wetland reserve, building a foundation for assessing ecological water requirements and developing strategies and plans for future water resources management within the river basin.
Using a thermal-based two source energy balance model with time-differencing to estimate surface energy fluxes with day–night MODIS observations
Authors: Guzinski R. , Anderson M. C. , Kustas W. P. , Nieto H. , Sandholt I.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The Dual Temperature Difference (DTD) model, introduced by Norman et al. (2000), uses a two source energy balance modelling scheme driven by remotely sensed observations of diurnal changes in land surface temperature (LST) to estimate surface energy fluxes. By using a time-differential temperature measurement as input, the approach reduces model sensitivity to errors in absolute temperature retrieval. The original formulation of the DTD required an early morning LST observation (approximately 1 h after sunrise) when surface fluxes are minimal, limiting application to data provided by geostationary satellites at sub-hourly temporal resolution. The DTD model has been applied primarily during the active growth phase of agricultural crops and rangeland vegetation grasses, and has not been rigorously evaluated during senescence or in forested ecosystems. In this paper we present modifications to the DTD model that enable applications using thermal observations from polar orbiting satellites, such as Terra and Aqua, with day and night overpass times over the area of interest. This allows the application of the DTD model in high latitude regions where large viewing angles preclude the use of geostationary satellites, and also exploits the higher spatial resolution provided by polar orbiting satellites. A method for estimating nocturnal surface fluxes and a scheme for estimating the fraction of green vegetation are developed and evaluated. Modification for green vegetation fraction leads to significantly improved estimation of the heat fluxes from the vegetation canopy during senescence and in forests. When the modified DTD model is run with LST measurements acquired with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the Terra and Aqua satellites, generally satisfactory agreement with field measurements is obtained for a number of ecosystems in Denmark and the United States. Finally, regional maps of energy fluxes are produced for the Danish Hydrological ObsErvatory (HOBE) in western Denmark, indicating realistic patterns based on land use.
Characteristics of high waves observed at multiple stations along the east coast of Korea
Authors: Oh S.-H. , Jeong W.-M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In recent several years, extremely high waves occasionally visited the Korean coast of the East Sea and caused severe coastal disasters almost every winter season. In this paper, characteristics of such high waves are reported by analyzing wave records collected at multiple stations along the Korean east coast. Meteorological data obtained at relevant weather stations were also used in the analysis. The reason for appearance of the high waves was identified as the strong northeasters due to extra-tropical low pressure systems that had been rapidly developing in the East Sea. The general mechanism concerning the formation and spatial evolution of such strong low pressure systems was more clearly understood through the synthetic analysis of the wave and meteorological data. In particular, the influence of spatio-temporal features of the low pressure system on the resulting characteristics of the high waves was described in more detail in this study. Since the overall wave direction was northeast also, the first wave arrival time on the coastline became later for a wave station whose latitude is lower. At present, however, the arrival time of such high waves on the coast as well as their intrinsic characteristics such as wave height and period are not satisfactorily predicted by the daily weather forecast. Hence, it is necessary to enhance predictability of the high waves by investigating developmental mechanisms of the strong low pressure system in winter season more thoroughly.