bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ética del discurso: ¿un marco filosófico para la neuroética?
Authors: Cortina Adela
Published: August 2013

La Neuroética necesita un marco de ética filosófica desde el que interpretar, integrar y criticar el progreso neurocientífico en el ámbito moral. Este artículo intenta: 1) Mostrar en qué medida este marco es necesario. 2) Abordar la cuestión del método adecuado para construirlo. 3) Compilar los principales tópoi de las neurociencias que el marco debería interpretar e integrar. 4) Mostrar cómo la ética del discurso puede ser un marco adecuado para la neuroética. 5) Señalar algunas insuficiencias de ese marco y sugerir para superarlas una ética de la razón cordial.
Gobernanza, riesgo y sistema financiero: el escándalo de la LIBOR
Authors: García Fronti Javier , Castro Spila Javier
Published: August 2013

La actual crisis financiera nos ha impactado de tal forma que es imposible escapar a una reflexión sobre el sistema financiero global y sus efectos sociales. La conciencia política puede ser radicalmente alterada a través de experiencias catastróficas, dándonos la posibilidad de pensar en una transformación del orden establecido. En este trabajo, nos proponemos reflexionar sobre las relaciones financieras regionales y globales a la luz del reciente escándalo de la LIBOR.
Es fundamental que las organizaciones intergubernamentales, las organizaciones no gubernamentales, los Estados democráticos, las empresas y la sociedad civil se involucren en procesos de innovaciones financieras responsables en un contexto de gobernanza sostenible global.
Trabajo y ciudadanía en la filosofía política de Fichte
Authors: Damiani Alberto Mario
Published: August 2013

El objetivo de este trabajo es explicar la conexión entre trabajo y ciudadanía en la filosofía política de Fichte. El trabajo comienza con un examen de las nociones de cultura humana y revolución política. Luego el derecho a vivir del propio trabajo es presentado en el marco de la teoría fichteana del contrato social. Por último, las regulaciones estatales del trabajo humano se muestran como condiciones de la ciudadanía.
RANDOM INTERPOLATION AVERAGE FOR ECG SIGNAL DENOISING USING MULTIPLE WAVELET BASES
Authors: Yang Ying , Wei Yusen
Published: August 2013

The random interpolation average (RIA) is a simple yet good denoising method. It firstly employed several times of random interpolations to a noisy signal, then applied the wavelet transform (WT) denoising to each interpolated signal and averaged all of the denoised signals to finish the denoising process. In this paper, multiple wavelet bases and the level-dependent threshold estimator were used in the RIA scheme so that it can be more suitable for the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal denoising. The synthetic ECG signal, real ECG signal and four types of noise were used to perform comparison experiments. The results show that the proposed method can provide the best signal to noise ratio (SNR) improvement in the deoising applications of the synthetic ECG signal and the real ECG signals. For the real ECG signals denoising, the average SNR improvement is 5.886 dB, while the result of the RIA scheme with single wavelet basis (RIAS), the fully translation-invariant [TI (fully)] and the WT denoising using hard thresholding [WT (hard)] are 5.577, 5.274 and 3.484 dB, respectively.
Virtual Machine Allocation in Cloud Computing Environment
Authors: Ezugwu Absalom E. , Buhari Seyed M. , Junaidu Sahalu B.
Published: August 2013

Virtual machine allocation problem is one of the challenges in cloud computing environments, especially for the private cloud design. In this environment, each virtual machine is mapped unto the physical host in accordance with the available resource on the host machine. Specifically, quantifying the performance of scheduling and allocation policy on a Cloud infrastructure for different application and service models under varying performance metrics and system requirement is an extremely challenging and difficult problem to resolve. In this paper, the authors present a Virtual Computing Laboratory framework model using the concept of private cloud by extending the open source IaaS solution Eucalyptus. A rule based mapping algorithm for Virtual Machines (VMs) which is formulated based on the principles of set theoretic is also presented. The algorithmic design is projected towards being able to automatically adapt the mapping between VMs and physical hosts’ resources. The paper, similarly presents a theoretical study and derivations of some performance evaluation metrics for the chosen mapping policies, these includes determining the context switching, waiting time, turnaround time, and response time for the proposed mapping algorithm.
A New User Segmentation Model for E-Government
Authors: Tang Ran , Zhang Zhenji , Guan Xiaolan , Wang Lida
Published: August 2013

E-government in China has entered the development stage of personalized services, and user segmentation has become an urgent demand. On the basis of systematic interpretation of e-government development stages, in this article, the authors introduce CRM and customer segmentation concept into e-government areas, construct e-government user segmentation model, and obtain user segmentation results by empirical analysis. Comparing with existing segmentation methods based on experience, because of the introduction of customer segmentation concept and K-means algorithm, e-government user segmentation model presented makes segmentation more scientific and reasonable and can adjust dynamically as the user needs change, continuously improving.
IT-Supported Business Performance and E-Commerce Application in SMEs
Authors: Chen Qing-yi , Zhang Ning
Published: August 2013

As E-commerce is developing in China, using E-commerce becomes more important to small and medium enterprise (SMEs). The small business has several advantages, including low cost and the ability to begin on a part-time basis. E-business technology can strengthen these advantages. In this paper, the authors introduce the ECRM and E-business strategy in enterprise and use VAR model to analyze how E-Business Application affects business performance in emerging countries like China. The results show that E-business application can improve the sales performance of small business, and E-business is an important factor to success.
Convergence of Interoperability of Cloud Computing, Service Oriented Architecture and Enterprise Architecture
Authors: Sutherland Susan
Published: August 2013

The research identifies the gap that there is a convergence of interoperability of Cloud Computing (CC), Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Enterprise Architecture (EA). Furthermore, it outlines the existing non dynamic links between EA and SOA that are currently practiced in the industry and confirmed by scholarly articles; and provides a state of art of the link that could exist in practice between cloud computing and SOA as researched from the published scholarly material. This researched paper also refers to the planned research to test this theory first by developing a logical architectural model of such a feasibility followed by a Proof of Concept
Modeling Uncertain and Dynamic Casualty Health in Optimization-Based Decision Support for Mass Casualty Incident Response
Authors: Wilson Duncan T. , Hawe Glenn I. , Coates Graham , Crouch Roger S.
Published: August 2013

When designing a decision support program for use in coordinating the response to Mass Casualty Incidents, the modelling of the health of casualties presents a significant challenge. In this paper we propose one such health model, capable of acknowledging both the uncertain and dynamic nature of casualty health. Incorporating this into a larger optimisation model capable of use in real-time and in an online manner, computational experiments examining the effect of errors in health assessment, regular updates of health and delays in communication are reported. Results demonstrate the often significant impact of these factors.
Design Games for In-Situ Design
Authors: Kristiansen Erik
Published: August 2013

The mobile culture has spawned a host of context-based products, like location-based and tag-based applications. This presents a new challenge for the designer. There is a need of design methods that acknowledge the context and allows it to influence the design ideas. This article focuses on a design problem where an in-situ design practice may further the early design process: the case of designing a pervasive game. Pervasive games are computer games, played using the city as a game board and often using mobile phones with GPS. Some contextual design methods exist, but the author proposes an approach that calls for the designer to conceptualise and perform ideas in-situ, that is on the site, where the game is supposed to be played. The problem was to design a creativity method that incorporated in-situ design work and which generated game concepts for pervasive games. The proposed design method, called sitestorming, is based on a game using Situationistic individual exploration of the site and different types of game cards, followed by a joint evaluation of the generated ideas. A series of evaluations showed that the designers found the method enjoyable to use, that the method motivated idea generation, and that using in-situ design influenced their design ideas.
MagiThings
Authors: Ketabdar Hamed , Haji-Abolhassani Amin , Roshandel Mehran
Published: August 2013

The theory of around device interaction (ADI) has recently gained a lot of attention in the field of human computer interaction (HCI). As an alternative to the classic data entry methods, such as keypads and touch screens interaction, ADI proposes a touchless user interface that extends beyond the peripheral area of a device. In this paper, the authors propose a new approach for around mobile device interaction based on magnetic field. Our new approach, which we call it “MagiThings”, takes the advantage of digital compass (a magnetometer) embedded in new generation of mobile devices such as Apple’s iPhone 3GS/4G, and Google’s Nexus. The user movements of a properly shaped magnet around the device deform the original magnetic field. The magnet is taken or worn around the fingers. The changes made in the magnetic field pattern around the device constitute a new way of interacting with the device. Thus, the magnetic field encompassing the device plays the role of a communication channel and encodes the hand/finger movement patterns into temporal changes sensed by the compass sensor. The mobile device samples momentary status of the field. The field changes, caused by hand (finger) gesture, is used as a basis for sending interaction commands to the device. The pattern of change is matched against pre-recorded templates or trained models to recognize a gesture. The proposed methodology has been successfully tested for a variety of applications such as interaction with user interface of a mobile device, character (digit) entry, user authentication, gaming, and touchless mobile music synthesis. The experimental results show high accuracy in recognizing simple or complex gestures in a wide range of applications. The proposed method provides a practical and simple framework for touchless interaction with mobile devices relying only on an internally embedded sensor and a magnet.
Escape-Keyboard
Authors: Banovic Nikola , Yatani Koji , Truong Khai N.
Published: August 2013

Mobile text entry methods traditionally have been designed with the assumption that users can devote full visual and mental attention on the device, though this is not always possible. The authors present their iterative design and evaluation of Escape-Keyboard, a sight-free text entry method for mobile touch-screen devices. Escape-Keyboard allows the user to type letters with one hand by pressing the thumb on different areas of the screen and performing a flick gesture. The authors then examine the performance of Escape-Keyboard in a study that included 16 sessions in which participants typed in sighted and sight-free conditions. Qualitative results from this study highlight the importance of reducing the mental load with using Escape-Keyboard to improve user performance over time. The authors thus also explore features to mitigate this learnability issue. Finally, the authors investigate the upper bound on the sight-free performance with Escape-Keyboard by performing theoretical analysis of the expert peak performance.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D–Mediated Blockade of Regulatory T Cells within Tumors Is Induced by Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Udagawa Takeshi , Narumi Kenta , Suzuki Koji , Aida Kouichirou , Miyakawa Reina , Ikarashi Yoshinori , Makimoto Atsushi , Chikaraishi Tatsuya , Yoshida Teruhiko , Aoki Kazunori
Published: August 2013

Lymphopenia-induced homeostatic proliferation of T cells after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) skews the T cell repertoire by engaging tumor-associated Ags, leading to an induction of antitumor immunity. However, how HSCT alters the immunosuppressive microenvironment in the tumors is unknown. In this study, we first analyzed the kinetics of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumors after syngeneic HSCT. Unexpectedly, the frequency of CD4+ cells expressing Foxp3 was increased in the spleens, whereas the frequency was clearly decreased in the tumors after HSCT. The origin of reconstituted CD4+ and Foxp3+ cells in the tumors was mainly from the expansion of transferred splenic T cells. Then, to examine the mechanism of Treg suppression after HSCT, we isolated CD11c+ cells from tumors. A large amount of Treg-inhibitory cytokine IL-6 was secreted from the CD11c+ cells in the tumors, but not in the spleens in the recipient mice. Furthermore, to understand what factor affects the activity of CD11c+ cells in the tumors after HSCT, we analyzed the expression of various cytokines/chemokines with mouse cytokine Ab arrays, and noticed that VEGF-D concentration was increased in the tumors in the early period after HSCT. The CD11c+ cells produced IL-6 in response to VEGF-D stimulation, and an administration of VEGF receptor-3 neutralizing Ab significantly suppressed the production of IL-6 from CD11c+ cells accompanied with the increase of Tregs in the tumors of HSCT recipients. Autologous HSCT creates an environment that strongly supports the enhancement of antitumor immunity in reconstituted lymphopenic recipients through the suppression of Tregs.
Phosphatase Wip1 Is Essential for the Maturation and Homeostasis of Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells in Mice
Authors: Sun Lina , Li Hongran , Luo Haiying , Zhang Lianjun , Hu Xuelian , Yang Tao , Sun Chenming , Chen Hui , Zhang Lianfeng , Zhao Yong
Published: August 2013

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are a key cell type in the thymic microenvironment essential for T cell development. However, intrinsic molecular mechanisms controlling TEC differentiation and activities are poorly defined. In this study, we found that deficiency of p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) in mice selectively caused severe medullary TEC (mTEC) maturation defects in an intrinsic manner. Wip1 knockout (KO) mice had decreased mature epithelial cell adhesion molecule+Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 (UEA-1)+ mTECs, including UEA-1+MHC class IIhigh, UEA-1+CD80+, UEA-1+CD40+, and UEA-1+Aire+ cells, but not decreased numbers of cortical epithelial cell adhesion molecule+BP-1+ TECs, in the postnatal stage but not in the fetal stage. Wip1-deficient mTECs express fewer tissue-restricted Ags and UEA-1+involucrin+ terminal-differentiated cells. Animal models, including grafting fetal Wip1-deficient thymic tissue into T cell–deficient nude mice and reconstitution of lethally irradiated Wip1KO mouse recipients with wild-type bone marrow cells, also showed the impaired mTEC components in Wip1KO thymi, indicating the intrinsic regulatory role of Wip1 in mTEC maturation. Furthermore, thymus regeneration was significantly less efficient in adult Wip1KO mice than in wild-type mice after cyclophosphamide treatment. Wip1 deficiency resulted in elevated p38 MAPK activity in mTECs. Activated p38 MAPK has the ability to suppress CD40 expression on mTECs. Wip1-deficient thymi displayed poor response to CD40L in the fetal thymus organ culture system. Thus, Wip1 positively controls mTEC maturation, homeostasis, and regeneration through limiting the p38 MAPK pathway.
Guanine Modification of Inhibitory Oligonucleotides Potentiates Their Suppressive Function
Authors: Römmler Franziska , Jurk Marion , Uhlmann Eugen , Hammel Monika , Waldhuber Anna , Pfeiffer Lavinia , Wagner Hermann , Vollmer Jörg , Miethke Thomas
Published: August 2013

Inhibitory TLR7 and/or TLR9 oligonucleotides (inhibitory oligonucleotide [INH-ODN]) are characterized by a phosphorothioate backbone and a CC(T)XXX3–5GGG motif, respectively. INH-ODN 2088 is a prototypic member of this class of INH-ODN and acts as a TLR7 and TLR9 antagonist. It contains a G quadruple that leads to higher order structures by the formation of G tetrads. These structures are unfavorable for the prediction of their pharmacological and immunological behavior. We show in this study that modification of Gs within the G quadruple by 7-deaza-guanine or 7-deaza-2′-O-methyl-guanine avoids higher order structures and improves their inhibitory potential. Whereas TLR9-induced TNF-α secretion of bone marrow–derived macrophages and conventional dendritic cells was equally inhibited by INH-ODN 2088 and G-modified INH-ODNs such as INH-ODN 24888, TLR7-induced TNF-α release and TLR7- and TLR9-induced IL-12p40 release were significantly more impaired by G-modified INH-ODNs. Similarly, the IL-6 release of B cells from wild-type and autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice was more efficiently impaired by G-modified INH-ODNs. Surprisingly, INH-ODN 2088 stimulated B cells to proliferate when used in higher doses. Finally, in vivo, in wild-type and autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice, G-modified INH-ODN 24888 was significantly more efficient than unmodified INH-ODN 2088. In summary, G modification allows the development of INH-ODNs with superior inhibitory potency for inflammatory diseases with high medical need such as systemic lupus erythematosus.
Volcanoes and volcanic hazards
Authors: Hickson C J , Edwards B R
Published: August 2013

In Canada, potentially active volcanoes are found only in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory, where they represent cinder cones, shield volcanoes, and stratovolcanoes. Magma composition controls how a volcano erupts. Low-viscosity magmas (basalt) erupt
effusively and represent a low-level hazard. Magmas with higher viscosity (dacite) often erupt explosively, creating significant, far-reaching hazards. The explosion creates small rock fragments or ash that is often carried high above the volcano. These abrasive particles, caught in high-altitude
winds, are carried for hundreds of kilometres and affect equipment with moving parts. Hot avalanches of semi-molten rock, or pyroclastic flows, can destroy large areas around the volcano. Additionally, when they descend snow-covered flanks, they can lead to catastrophic melting, sending mud and
water cascading into surrounding drainage systems. Even long after an eruption, denuded slopes and unstable rock faces can make the area prone to floods and rock avalanches.
Geo-mapping Frontiers: Updated information on the regions covered by Operations Baker, Bathurst, Keewatin, Northern Keewatin, Thelon and Wager; Nunavut and Northwest Territories: geophysics
Authors: Harris J R , Hillary E M , Percival J A , Buller G , Buenviaje R , Bazor D , Baer S , Kiessling G M , Pehrsson S J , Davis W , Berman R G , Wodicka N , Beauchemin M , Coyne M , Therriault A M
Published: August 2013

The Geo-mapping Frontiers project was initiated to improve geoscience knowledge in the least understood parts of Canada's north. Open File 7434 is part of a series of open files, 7434 to 7448, produced during the Geo-mapping Frontiers project. The series contains
legacy geology data and remote predictive mapping information for a large part of eastern mainland Nunavut, collected over 2 years. The derived data products from this work are presented in 15 separate thematic packages to keep the downloads to a manageable size, between 1 and 4 GB. ArcGIS users
(version 9.3 and above) can download OF 7434 and any of the georeferenced raster data in the rest of the series. Users not interested in geodatabases will find data in shape files in Open Files 7434 and 7435, or in georeferenced raster data in the rest of the series. This series of publications
represents a compilation of available data sets for four regions, and their surrounding areas, that encompass a large part of eastern mainland Nunavut. Several interpretive Remote Predictive Mapping (RPM) layers are included. The data sets include airborne geophysics, LANDSAT 7 imagery, lake
sediment analyses, as well as legacy mapping and sample data from the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) archives. This series is the first of a group of reports for the Geo-mapping Frontiers project, and is intended to provide a basis of knowledge for the entire region.
Geo-mapping Frontiers: Updated information on the regions covered by Operations Baker, Bathurst, Keewatin, Northern Keewatin, Thelon and Wager; Nunavut and Northwest Territories: legacy traverse maps, NTS 55 and 56
Authors: Harris J R , Hillary E M , Percival J A , Buller G , Buenviaje R , Bazor D , Baer S , Kiessling G M , Pehrsson S J , Davis W , Berman R G , Wodicka N , Beauchemin M , Coyne M , Therriault A M
Published: August 2013

The Geo-mapping Frontiers project was initiated to improve geoscience knowledge in the least understood parts of Canada's north. Open File 7434 is part of a series of open files, 7434 to 7448, produced during the Geo-mapping Frontiers project. The series contains
legacy geology data and remote predictive mapping information for a large part of eastern mainland Nunavut, collected over 2 years. The derived data products from this work are presented in 15 separate thematic packages to keep the downloads to a manageable size, between 1 and 4 GB. ArcGIS users
(version 9.3 and above) can download OF 7434 and any of the georeferenced raster data in the rest of the series. Users not interested in geodatabases will find data in shape files in Open Files 7434 and 7435, or in georeferenced raster data in the rest of the series. This series of publications
represents a compilation of available data sets for four regions, and their surrounding areas, that encompass a large part of eastern mainland Nunavut. Several interpretive Remote Predictive Mapping (RPM) layers are included. The data sets include airborne geophysics, LANDSAT 7 imagery, lake
sediment analyses, as well as legacy mapping and sample data from the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) archives. This series is the first of a group of reports for the Geo-mapping Frontiers project, and is intended to provide a basis of knowledge for the entire region.
Geo-mapping Frontiers: Updated information on the regions covered by Operations Baker, Bathurst, Keewatin, Northern Keewatin, Thelon and Wager; Nunavut and Northwest Territories: National Reference Collection maps and tables, NTS 55 and 56
Authors: Harris J R , Hillary E M , Percival J A , Buller G , Buenviaje R , Bazor D , Baer S , Kiessling G M , Pehrsson S J , Davis W , Berman R G , Wodicka N , Beauchemin M , Coyne M , Therriault A M
Published: August 2013

The Geo-mapping Frontiers project was initiated to improve geoscience knowledge in the least understood parts of Canada's north. Open File 7434 is part of a series of open files, 7434 to 7448, produced during the Geo-mapping Frontiers project. The series contains
legacy geology data and remote predictive mapping information for a large part of eastern mainland Nunavut, collected over 2 years. The derived data products from this work are presented in 15 separate thematic packages to keep the downloads to a manageable size, between 1 and 4 GB. ArcGIS users
(version 9.3 and above) can download OF 7434 and any of the georeferenced raster data in the rest of the series. Users not interested in geodatabases will find data in shape files in Open Files 7434 and 7435, or in georeferenced raster data in the rest of the series. This series of publications
represents a compilation of available data sets for four regions, and their surrounding areas, that encompass a large part of eastern mainland Nunavut. Several interpretive Remote Predictive Mapping (RPM) layers are included. The data sets include airborne geophysics, LANDSAT 7 imagery, lake
sediment analyses, as well as legacy mapping and sample data from the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) archives. This series is the first of a group of reports for the Geo-mapping Frontiers project, and is intended to provide a basis of knowledge for the entire region.
Does a Structured Gardening Programme Improve Well-Being in Young-Onset Dementia? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Hewitt Peter , Watts Claire , Hussey Jacqueline , Power Kath , Williams Tim
Published: August 2013

Introduction:

Young-onset dementia affects about 1 in 1500 people aged under 65 years in the United Kingdom (UK). It is associated with loss of employment, independence and an increase in psychological distress. This project set out to identify the benefits of a 2 hours per week structured activity programme of gardening for people with young-onset dementia.

Method:

A mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) study of therapeutic gardening for people with young-onset dementia, measuring outcomes for both participants with young-onset dementia and their carers, was used. Twelve participants were recruited from a county-wide mental health service for older adults, based on onset of dementia being before the age of 65 years (range 43–65 years). Of these, two participants dropped out and one died during the project. Measures included the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Bradford Well-Being Profile, Large Allen Cognitive Level Screen (LACLS) and Pool Activity Level (PAL).

Findings:

Over a 1-year period the carers of the people with young-onset dementia found that the project had given participants a renewed sense of purpose and increased well-being, despite cognitive functioning continuing to decline during this period.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that a meaningful guided activity programme can maintain or improve well-being in the presence of cognitive deterioration.
The Social Impact of Living with Developmental Coordination Disorder as a 13-year-old
Authors: Payne Sally , Ward Gillian , Turner Andrew , Taylor M Clare , Bark Chris
Published: August 2013

Introduction:

Children with developmental coordination disorder are frequently referred to an occupational therapist. However, while there is a growing body of research about developmental coordination disorder, there is a paucity of research from the perspective of adolescents living with the condition.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of teenagers living with developmental coordination disorder from their own perspective. This article presents findings from interviews with teenagers aged 13 years.

Method:

The research adopted an interpretive phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were carried out to examine the personal experiences of six individuals diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using in-depth ideographic, inductive and interrogative techniques.

Findings:

All participants felt that the visible and hidden effects of their condition had an impact on their relationships with peers and family members. Three sub-themes emerged: (1) relationships with peers; (2) relationships with parents and (3) relationships with siblings.

Conclusion:

Participants described how their personal attributes, shared interests and the attitudes of others affected their relationships and social participation at home, at school and in the community. Understanding the issues that matter to teenagers with developmental coordination disorder will help occupational therapists to offer advice and meaningful interventions that increase teenagers' social confidence and participation.
Seeking, Delaying, and Avoiding Routine Health Care Services: Patient Perspectives
Authors: Green Carla A. , Johnson Kim M. , Yarborough Bobbi Jo H.
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

To explore/identify patient perspectives regarding seeking, delaying, and avoiding health care services, particularly barriers and facilitators.

Design.

Face-to-face interviews with health plan survey respondents.

Setting.

An integrated health plan providing comprehensive care to 480,000 people in Oregon and Washington.

Participants.

Willing respondents randomly selected to maximize heterogeneity within the following strata: gender, health care utilization, and self-reported alcohol consumption (indicator of health practices). Participants were 75 men and 75 women (150 total), 21 to 64 years old, with ≥ 12 months of health plan membership.

Method.

Participants were recruited by letter (52.5% agreed). Data collection stopped when planned interviews were completed; saturation (the point at which additional interviews were not producing novel information) was achieved for key study questions. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Reviews of codes related to care seeking and feelings/attitudes about providers produced common themes.

Results.

Facilitators of care seeking included welcoming staff, collaborative relationships with providers, and education about the value of preventive care. Barriers included costs, time needed for appointments, and cumbersome processes. Some participants delayed procedures, some avoided care until absolutely necessary, others framed care as routinely necessary.

Conclusion.

Increasing comfort, improving appointment and visit-related processes, having positive patient-physician relationships, and enhancing communication and clinician-provided education may facilitate appropriate use of preventive services. Further research is needed with larger, representative samples to evaluate findings.
Network Analysis of Bogotá's Ciclovía Recreativa, a Self-Organized Multisectorial Community Program to Promote Physical Activity in a Middle-Income Country
Authors: Meisel Jose D. , Sarmiento Olga L. , Montes Felipe , Martinez Edwin O. , Lemoine Pablo D. , Valdivia Juan A. , Brownson Ross C. , Zarama Roberto
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

Conduct a social network analysis of the health and non–health related organizations that participate in Bogotá's Ciclovía Recreativa (Ciclovía).

Design.

Cross-sectional study.

Setting.

Ciclovía is a multisectoral community-based mass program in which streets are temporarily closed to motorized transport, allowing exclusive access to individuals for leisure activities and physical activity.

Subjects.

Twenty-five organizations that participate in the Ciclovía.

Measures.

Seven variables were examined by using network analytic methods: relationship, link attributes (integration, contact, and importance), and node attributes (leadership, years in the program, and the sector of the organization).

Analysis.

The network analytic methods were based on a visual descriptive analysis and an exponential random graph model.

Results.

Analysis shows that the most central organizations in the network were outside of the Health sector and include Sports and Recreation, Government, and Security sectors. The organizations work in clusters formed by organizations of different sectors. Organization importance and structural predictors were positively related to integration, while the number of years working with Ciclovía was negatively associated with integration.

Conclusion.

Ciclovía is a network whose structure emerged as a self-organized complex system. Ciclovía of Bogotá is an example of a program with public health potential formed by organizations of multiple sectors with Sports and Recreation as the most central.
An Implementation Model to Increase the Effectiveness of Alcohol Control Policies
Authors: Jones-Webb Rhonda , Nelson Toben , McKee Patricia , Toomey Traci
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

Public policies that reduce the availability of alcohol in communities can reduce consumption and related harms. In this article, we propose a practical model to guide alcohol policy implementation.

Approach.

The conceptual model is informed by a case study of three U.S. cities that adopted restrictions on high-alcohol malt liquor sales.

Setting.

The three cities included Seattle, Washington; Santa Ana, California; and Washington, D.C.

Participants.

Participants (n = 39) represented neighborhood groups, city officials, local police, Alcohol Beverage Control (board members and enforcement personnel), alcohol retailers, alcohol industry representatives, and advocacy and service organizations.

Method.

We conducted key informant interviews with participants in each city. We coded and analyzed the data by using a grounded theory approach. Findings were used to identify and illustrate model components.

Results.

Implementation components include building public awareness and educating stakeholders, monitoring and enforcing compliance, evaluating process and outcomes, and institutionalizing the policy. The experiences of study cities illustrate the importance of these activities in maintaining policy effectiveness; for example, a lack of enforcement resources appeared to contribute to the erosion of compliance over time.

Conclusion.

The model addresses an important gap in alcohol policy research. It is intended to spur further research on the subject, provide a guide for policy practitioners, and ultimately improve the long-term effectiveness of alcohol control policies.
Costs of a Work-Family Intervention: Evidence from the Work, Family, and Health Network
Authors: Barbosa Carolina , Bray Jeremy W. , Brockwood Krista , Reeves Daniel
Published: August 2013

Purpose.

To estimate the cost to the workplace of implementing initiatives to reduce work-family conflict.

Design.

Prospective cost analysis conducted alongside a group-randomized multisite controlled experimental study, using a microcosting approach.

Setting.

An information technology firm.

Subjects.

Employees (n = 1004) and managers (n = 141) randomized to the intervention arm.

Intervention.

STAR (Start. Transform. Achieve. Results.) to enhance employees' control over their work time, increase supervisor support for employees to manage work and family responsibilities, and reorient the culture toward results.

Measures.

A taxonomy of activities related to customization, start-up, and implementation was developed. Resource use and unit costs were estimated for each activity, excluding research-related activities.

Analysis.

Economic costing approach (accounting and opportunity costs). Sensitivity analyses on intervention costs.

Results.

The total cost of STAR was $709,654, of which $389,717 was labor costs and $319,937 nonlabor costs (including $313,877 for intervention contract). The cost per employee participation in the intervention was $340 (95% confidence interval: $330–$351); $597 ($561–$634) for managers and $300 ($292–$308) for other employees (2011 prices).

Conclusion.

A detailed activity costing approach allows for more accurate cost estimates and identifies key drivers of cost. The key cost driver was employees' time spent on receiving the intervention. Ignoring this cost, which is usual in studies that cost workplace interventions, would seriously underestimate the cost of a workplace initiative.
Investigating the Effect of Water Content in Supercritical CO2 as Relevant to the Corrosion of Carbon Capture and Storage Pipelines
Authors: Sim S. , Bocher F. , Cole I.S. , Chen X.-B. , Birbilis N.
Published: August 2013

Steel coupons were exposed to a supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) environment in which water contamination was deliberately added over the range from 100 ppmw to 50,000 ppmw. Exposure was carried out in a laboratory scale autoclave at 8 MPa and 40°C for 7 days. Contaminant water in CO2 permits the speciation of carbonic acid (H2CO3), which can itself be a threat to durability, but also permit further contaminants to segregate to the aqueous acid phase. A systematic investigation of corrosion in supercritical CO2 over a range of water concentrations is lacking in the literature, despite being a significant elementary issue. Herein, weight-loss tests were performed, and subsequent scanning electron microscopy suggested all specimens displayed some extent of corrosion. The main corrosion mechanism observed was uniform corrosion. Supplementary optical profilometry suggested that water concentration has a small effect on any pitting corrosion that occurred. In general, increased mass loss was observed with an increase in water concentration beyond ~1,000 ppmw H2O, concomitant with a rate of change in the H2CO3 concentration.
Technical Note: Hot Corrosion Resistance of Nano-Structured Sol-Gel Alumina-Coated 9Cr-1Mo Ferritic Steel in Air/Salt Environments
Authors: Ruhi G. , Modi O.P. , Singh M. , Khare A.K. , Singh I.B.
Published: August 2013

Synthesized boehmite (AlO[OH]) sol was deposited on 9Cr-1Mo ferritic steel substrates using a dip coating technique. The coated substrates were heat-treated at 300°C to obtain a precursor-free alumina coating. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of the coated surfaces confirmed the presence of nano-sized alumina particles (8 nm to 12 nm) in the coating. The alumina-coated and uncoated samples were subjected to a hot corrosion test in lithium chloride-sodium chloride (LiCl-NaCl) and sodium sulfate-potassium sulfate (Na2SO4-K2SO4) salt mixtures separately at 650°C and 850°C, respectively. Oxidation kinetics study has indicated a significant improvement in the hot corrosion resistances of the coated substrates. Microstructural examinations of the oxidized substrates have revealed the presence of comparatively compact and less porous oxide scale at the coated specimens, whereas relatively very thick scale filled with cracks and voids were noticed on the uncoated oxidized specimens.
Self-limited uptake of α-pinene oxide to acidic aerosol: the effects of liquid–liquid phase separation and implications for the formation of secondary organic aerosol and organosulfates from epoxides
Authors: Drozd G. T. , Woo J. L. , McNeill V. F.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The reactive uptake of α-pinene oxide (αPO) to acidic sulfate aerosol was studied under humid conditions in order to gain insight into the effects of liquid–liquid phase separation on aerosol heterogeneous chemistry and to elucidate further the formation of secondary organic aerosol and organosulfates from epoxides. A continuous flow environmental chamber was used to monitor changes in diameter of monodisperse, deliquesced, acidic sulfate particles exposed to αPO at 25% and 50% RH (relative humidity). In order to induce phase separation and probe potential limits to particle growth from acidic uptake, αPO was introduced over a wide range of concentrations, from 200 ppb to 5 ppm. Uptake was observed to be highly dependent on initial aerosol pH. Significant uptake of αPO to aerosol was observed with initial pH < 0. When exposed to 200 ppb αPO, aerosol with pH = -0.5 showed 23% growth, and 6% volume growth was observed at pH = 0. Aerosol with pH = 1 showed no growth. The extreme acidity required for efficient αPO uptake suggests that this chemistry is typically not a major route to formation of aerosol mass or organosulfates in the atmosphere. Effective partition coefficients (Kp, eff) were in the range of (0.1–2) x 10-4 m3μg-1 and were correlated to initial particle acidity and particle organic content; particles with higher organic content had lower partition coefficients. Effective uptake coefficients (γeff) ranged from 0.1 to 1.1 x 10-4 and are much lower than recently reported for uptake to bulk solutions. In experiments in which αPO was added to bulk H2SO4 solutions, phase separation was observed for mass loadings similar to those observed with particles, and product distributions were dependent on acid concentration. Liquid–liquid phase separation in bulk experiments, along with our observations of decreased uptake to particles with the largest growth factors, suggests an organic coating forms upon uptake to particles, limiting reactive uptake.
Recommendations for reporting "black carbon" measurements
Authors: Petzold A. , Ogren J. A. , Fiebig M. , Laj P. , Li S.-M. , Baltensperger U. , Holzer-Popp T. , Kinne S. , Pappalardo G. , Sugimoto N. , Wehrli C. , Wiedensohler A. , Zhang X.-Y.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Although black carbon (BC) is one of the key atmospheric particulate components driving climate change and air quality, there is no agreement on the terminology that considers all aspects of specific properties, definitions, measurement methods, and related uncertainties. As a result, there is much ambiguity in the scientific literature of measurements and numerical models that refer to BC with different names and based on different properties of the particles, with no clear definition of the terms. The authors present here a recommended terminology to clarify the terms used for BC in atmospheric research, with the goal of establishing unambiguous links between terms, targeted material properties and associated measurement techniques.
Overview of a prescribed burning experiment within a boreal forest in Finland
Authors: Virkkula A. , Levula J. , Pohja T. , Aalto P. P. , Keronen P. , Schobesberger S. , Clements C. B. , Pirjola L. , Kieloaho A.-J. , Kulmala L. , Aaltonen H. , Patokoski J. , Pumpanen J. , Rinne J. , Ruuskanen T. , Pihlatie M. , Manninen H. E. , Aaltonen V. , Junninen H. , Petäjä T. , Backman J. , Dal Maso M. , Nieminen T. , Olsson T. , Grönholm T. , Kerminen V.-M. , Schultz D. M. , Kukkonen J. , Sofiev M. , de Leeuw G. , Bäck J. , Hari P. , Kulmala M.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. A prescribed burning of a boreal forest was conducted on 26 June 2009 in Hyytiälä, Finland, to study aerosol and trace gas emissions from wildfires and the effects of fire on soil properties in a controlled environment. A 0.8 ha forest near the SMEAR II was cut clear; some tree trunks, all tree tops and branches were left on the ground and burned. The amount of burned organic material was ~46.8 t (i.e., ~60 t ha−1). The flaming phase lasted 2 h 15 min, the smoldering phase 3 h. Measurements were conducted on the ground with both fixed and mobile instrumentation, and from a research aircraft. In the middle of the burning area, CO2 concentration peaks were around 2000–3000 ppm above the baseline and peak vertical flow velocities were 6 ± 3 m s−1, as measured a 10-Hz 3-D sonic anemometer placed within the burn area. Peak particle number concentrations were approximately 1–2 × 106 cm−3 in the plume at a distance of 100–200 m from the burn area. The geometric mean diameter of the mode with the highest concentration was at 80 ± 1 nm during the flaming phase and in the middle of the smoldering phase but at the end of the smoldering phase the largest mode was at 122 nm. In the volume size distributions geometric mean diameter of the largest volume mode was at 153 nm during the flaming phase and at 300 nm during the smoldering phase. The lowest single-scattering albedo of the ground-level measurents was 0.7 in the flaming-phase plume and ~0.9 in the smoldering phase. The radiative forcing efficiency was negative above dark surfaces, in other words, the particles cool the atmosphere. Elevated concentrations of several VOCs (including acetonitrile which is a biomass burning marker) were observed in the smoke plume at ground level. The forest floor (i.e., richly organic layer of soil and debris, characteristic of forested land) measurements showed that VOC fluxes were generally low and consisted mainly of monoterpenes, but a clear peak of VOC flux was observed after the burning. After one year, the fluxes were nearly stabilised close to the level before the burning. The clearcutting and burning of slash increased the total long-term CO2 release from the soil, altered the soil's physical, chemical and biological properties such as increased the available nitrogen contents of the soil, which in turn, affected the level of the long-term fluxes of greenhouse gases.
Evaluation of GEOS-5 sulfur dioxide simulations during the Frostburg, MD 2010 field campaign
Authors: Buchard V. , da Silva A. M. , Colarco P. , Krotkov N. , Dickerson R. R. , Stehr J. W. , Mount G. , Spinei E. , Arkinson H. L. , He H.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a major atmospheric pollutant with a strong anthropogenic component mostly produced by the combustion of fossil fuel and other industrial activities. As a precursor of sulfate aerosols that affect climate, air quality, and human health, this gas needs to be monitored on a global scale. Global climate and chemistry models including aerosol processes along with their radiative effects are important tools for climate and air quality research. Validation of these models against in-situ and satellite measurements is essential to ascertain the credibility of these models and to guide model improvements. In this study the Goddard Chemistry, Aerosol, Radiation, and Transport (GOCART) module running on-line inside the Goddard Earth Observing System version 5 (GEOS-5) model is used to simulate aerosol and SO2 concentrations. Data taken in November 2010 over Frostburg, Maryland during an SO2 field campaign involving ground instrumentation and aircraft are used to evaluate GEOS-5 simulated SO2 concentrations. Preliminary data analysis indicated the model overestimated surface SO2 concentration, which motivated the examination of mixing processes in the model and the specification of SO2 anthropogenic emission rates. As a result of this analysis, a revision of anthropogenic emission inventories in GEOS-5 was implemented, and the vertical placement of SO2 sources was updated. Results show that these revisions improve the model agreement with observations locally and in regions outside the area of this field campaign. In particular, we use the ground-based measurements collected by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) for the year 2010 to evaluate the revised model simulations over North America.