bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Detection of Pseudomonas spp. in Commercial Amazonian Fish
Authors: Ardura Alba , Linde Ana , Garcia-Vazquez Eva
Published: August 2013

Brazilian freshwater fish caught from large drainages like the River Amazon represent a million ton market in expansion, which is of enormous importance for export to other continents as exotic seafood. A guarantee of bacteriological safety is required for international exports that comprise a set of different bacteria but not any Pseudomonas. However, diarrhoea, infections and even septicaemia caused by some Pseudomonas species have been reported, especially in immune-depressed patients. In this work we have employed PCR-based methodology for identifying Pseudomonas species in commercial fish caught from two different areas within the Amazon basin. Most fish caught from the downstream tributary River Tapajòs were contaminated by five different Pseudomonas species. All fish samples obtained from the River Negro tributary (Manaus markets) contained Pseudomonas, but a less diverse community with only two species. The most dangerous Pseudomonas species for human health, P. aeruginosa, was not found and consumption of these fish (from their Pseudomonas content) can be considered safe for healthy consumers. As a precautionary approach we suggest considering Pseudomonas in routine bacteriological surveys of imported seafood.
Increased Chondrocyte Apoptosis Is Associated with Progression of Osteoarthritis in Spontaneous Guinea Pig Models of the Disease
Authors: Zamli Zaitunnatakhin , Adams Michael , Tarlton John , Sharif Mohammed
Published: August 2013

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease characterised by degradation of articular cartilage and bone remodelling. For almost a decade chondrocyte apoptosis has been investigated as a possible mechanism of cartilage damage in OA, but its precise role in initiation and/or progression of OA remains to the determined. The aim of this study is to determine the role of chondrocyte apoptosis in spontaneous animal models of OA. Right tibias from six male Dunkin Hartley (DH) and Bristol Strain 2 (BS2) guinea pigs were collected at 10, 16, 24 and 30 weeks of age. Fresh-frozen sections of tibial epiphysis were microscopically scored for OA, and immunostained with caspase-3 and TUNEL for apoptotic chondrocytes. The DH strain had more pronounced cartilage damage than BS2, especially at 30 weeks. At this time point, the apoptotic chondrocytes were largely confined to the deep zone of articular cartilage (AC) with a greater percentage in the medial side of DH than BS2 (DH: 5.7%, 95% CI: 4.2–7.2), BS2: 4.8%, 95% CI: 3.8–5.8), p > 0.05). DH had a significant progression of chondrocyte death between 24 to 30 weeks during which time significant changes were observed in AC fibrillation, proteoglycan depletion and overall microscopic OA score. A strong correlation (p ≤ 0.01) was found between chondrocyte apoptosis and AC fibrillation (r = 0.3), cellularity (r = 0.4) and overall microscopic OA scores (r = 0.4). Overall, the rate of progression in OA and apoptosis over the study period was greater in the DH (versus BS2) and the medial AC (versus lateral). Chondrocyte apoptosis was higher at the later stage of OA development when the cartilage matrix was hypocellular and highly fibrillated, suggesting that chondrocyte apoptosis is a late event in OA.
Citrus Leaf Volatiles as Affected by Developmental Stage and Genetic Type
Authors: Azam Muhammad , Jiang Qian , Zhang Bo , Xu Changjie , Chen Kunsong
Published: August 2013

Major volatiles from young and mature leaves of different citrus types were analyzed by headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME)-GC-MS. A total of 123 components were identified form nine citrus cultivars, including nine aldehydes, 19 monoterpene hydrocarbons, 27 oxygenated monoterpenes, 43 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, eight oxygenated sesquiterpenes, two ketones, six esters and nine miscellaneous. Young leaves produced higher amounts of volatiles than mature leaves in most cultivars. The percentage of aldehyde and monoterpene hydrocarbons increased, whilst oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes compounds decreased during leaf development. Linalool was the most abundant compound in young leaves, whereas limonene was the chief component in mature ones. Notably, linalool content decreased, while limonene increased, during leaf development in most cultivars. Leaf volatiles were also affected by genetic types. A most abundant volatile in one or several genotypes can be absent in another one(s), such as limonene in young leaves of lemon vs. Satsuma mandarin and β-terpinene in mature leaves of three genotypes vs. the other four. Compositional data was subjected to multivariate statistical analysis, and variations in leaf volatiles were identified and clustered into six groups. This research determining the relationship between production of major volatiles from different citrus varieties and leaf stages could be of use for industrial and culinary purposes.
PCA3 and PCA3-Based Nomograms Improve Diagnostic Accuracy in Patients Undergoing First Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Ruffion Alain , Devonec Marian , Champetier Denis , Decaussin-Petrucci Myriam , Rodriguez-Lafrasse Claire , Paparel Philippe , Perrin Paul , Vlaeminck-Guillem Virginie
Published: August 2013

While now recognized as an aid to predict repeat prostate biopsy outcome, the urinary PCA3 (prostate cancer gene 3) test has also been recently advocated to predict initial biopsy results. The objective is to evaluate the performance of the PCA3 test in predicting results of initial prostate biopsies and to determine whether its incorporation into specific nomograms reinforces its diagnostic value. A prospective study included 601 consecutive patients addressed for initial prostate biopsy. The PCA3 test was performed before ≥12-core initial prostate biopsy, along with standard risk factor assessment. Diagnostic performance of the PCA3 test was evaluated. The three available nomograms (Hansen’s and Chun’s nomograms, as well as the updated Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial risk calculator; PCPT) were applied to the cohort, and their predictive accuracies were assessed in terms of biopsy outcome: the presence of any prostate cancer (PCa) and high-grade prostate cancer (HGPCa). The PCA3 score provided significant predictive accuracy. While the PCPT risk calculator appeared less accurate; both Chun’s and Hansen’s nomograms provided good calibration and high net benefit on decision curve analyses. When applying nomogram-derived PCa probability thresholds ≤30%, ≤6% of HGPCa would have been missed, while avoiding up to 48% of unnecessary biopsies. The urinary PCA3 test and PCA3-incorporating nomograms can be considered as reliable tools to aid in the initial biopsy decision.
Stock Returns and Risk: Evidence from Quantile
Authors: Chiang Thomas , Li Jiandong
Published: August 2013

This paper employs weighted least squares to examine the risk-return relation by applying high-frequency data from four major stock indexes in the US market and finds some evidence in favor of a positive relation between the mean of the excess returns and expected risk. However, by using quantile regressions, we find that the risk-return relation moves from negative to positive as the returns’ quantile increases. A positive risk-return relation is valid only in the upper quantiles. The evidence also suggests that intraday skewness plays a dominant role in explaining the variations of excess returns.
Modelling the Effects of Oil Prices on Global Fertilizer Prices and Volatility
Authors: Chen Ping-Yu , Chang Chia-Lin , Chen Chi-Chung , McAleer Michael
Published: August 2013

The main purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of crude oil price on global fertilizer prices in both the mean and volatility. The endogenous structural breakpoint unit root test, ARDL model, and alternative volatility models, including GARCH, EGARCH, and GJR models, are used to investigate the relationship between crude oil price and six global fertilizer prices. The empirical results from ARDL show that most fertilizer prices are significantly affected by the crude oil price while the volatility of global fertilizer prices and crude oil price from March to December 2008 are higher than in other periods.
Technical Efficiency and Port Competition: Revisiting the Bohai Economic Rim, China
Authors: Wang Grace , Gao Chen
Published: August 2013

The Bohai Economic Rim plays an important role in supporting China’s economic growth. For this research, we selected nine main ports in the region to study whether intra-port competition or corporatization would improve efficiency. Using a panel fixed effect model and stochastic frontier model, we found that the technical efficiency of selected ports is significantly influenced by the time of the initial public offering than by regional competition. The results are supportive and encouraging for policy makers to move toward the decentralized port governance in China.
From High-Throughput Microarray-Based Screening to Clinical Application: The Development of a Second Generation Multigene Test for Breast Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Brase Jan , Kronenwett Ralf , Petry Christoph , Denkert Carsten , Schmidt Marcus
Published: August 2013

Several multigene tests have been developed for breast cancer patients to predict the individual risk of recurrence. Most of the first generation tests rely on proliferation-associated genes and are commonly carried out in central reference laboratories. Here, we describe the development of a second generation multigene assay, the EndoPredict test, a prognostic multigene expression test for estrogen receptor (ER) positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) negative (ER+/HER2−) breast cancer patients. The EndoPredict gene signature was initially established in a large high-throughput microarray-based screening study. The key steps for biomarker identification are discussed in detail, in comparison to the establishment of other multigene signatures. After biomarker selection, genes and algorithms were transferred to a diagnostic platform (reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR)) to allow for assaying formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples. A comprehensive analytical validation was performed and a prospective proficiency testing study with seven pathological laboratories finally proved that EndoPredict can be reliably used in the decentralized setting. Three independent large clinical validation studies (n = 2,257) demonstrated that EndoPredict offers independent prognostic information beyond current clinicopathological parameters and clinical guidelines. The review article summarizes several important steps that should be considered for the development process of a second generation multigene test and offers a means for transferring a microarray signature from the research laboratory to clinical practice.
Recent Declines in Warming and Vegetation Greening Trends over Pan-Arctic Tundra
Authors: Bhatt Uma , Walker Donald , Raynolds Martha , Bieniek Peter , Epstein Howard , Comiso Josefino , Pinzon Jorge , Tucker Compton , Polyakov Igor
Published: August 2013

Vegetation productivity trends for the Arctic tundra are updated for the 1982–2011 period and examined in the context of land surface temperatures and coastal sea ice. Understanding mechanistic links between vegetation and climate parameters contributes to model advancements that are necessary for improving climate projections. This study employs remote sensing data: Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) Maximum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (MaxNDVI), Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) sea-ice concentrations, and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) radiometric surface temperatures. Spring sea ice is declining everywhere except in the Bering Sea, while summer open water area is increasing throughout the Arctic. Summer Warmth Index (SWI—sum of degree months above freezing) trends from 1982 to 2011 are positive around Beringia but are negative over Eurasia from the Barents to the Laptev Seas and in parts of northern Canada. Eastern North America continues to show increased summer warmth and a corresponding steady increase in MaxNDVI. Positive MaxNDVI trends from 1982 to 2011 are generally weaker compared to trends from 1982–2008. So to better understand the changing trends, break points in the time series were quantified using the Breakfit algorithm. The most notable break points identify declines in SWI since 2003 in Eurasia and 1998 in Western North America. The Time Integrated NDVI (TI-NDVI, sum of the biweekly growing season values of MaxNDVI) has declined since 2005 in Eurasia, consistent with SWI declines. Summer (June–August) sea level pressure (slp) averages from 1999–2011 were compared to those from 1982–1998 to reveal higher slp over Greenland and the western Arctic and generally lower pressure over the continental Arctic in the recent period. This suggests that the large-scale circulation is likely a key contributor to the cooler temperatures over Eurasia through increased summer cloud cover and warming in Eastern North America from more cloud-free skies.
A Noncontact Force Sensor Based on a Fiber Bragg Grating and Its Application for Corrosion Measurement
Authors: Pacheco Clara , Bruno Antonio
Published: August 2013

A simple noncontact force sensor based on an optical fiber Bragg grating attached to a small magnet has been proposed and built. The sensor measures the force between the magnet and any ferromagnetic material placed within a few millimeters of the sensor. Maintaining the sensor at a constant standoff distance, material loss due to corrosion increases the distance between the magnet and the corroded surface, which decreases the magnetic force. This will decrease the strain in the optical fiber shifting the reflected Bragg wavelength. The measured shift for the optical fiber used was 1.36 nm per Newton. Models were developed to optimize the magnet geometry for a specific sensor standoff distance and for particular corrosion pit depths. The sensor was able to detect corrosion pits on a fuel storage tank bottom with depths in the sub-millimeter range.
Integrated Assessment of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Situation in Haitian Schools in the Time of Emergency
Authors: Giardina Daniela , Prandini Fausta , Sorlini Sabrina
Published: August 2013

This study examines the water, sanitation and hygiene situation in 42 schools in Haiti after the earthquake of January 12, 2010, by using a comprehensive approach, which includes participatory assessment tools and formal surveys. By conducting a detailed assessment of school water and sanitation infrastructure conditions and of the perceptions of students and professors, a series of recommendations are provided to support further project implementation towards more sustainable results. Direct observations showed that schools lack safe drinking water, appropriate sanitation and hand washing facilities. The main constraints to improve the water, sanitation and hygiene services were found to be related to lack of funding and infrastructure losses after the earthquake. Moreover, hygiene education is commonly not part of the school curriculum. Providing schools with adequate access to water and sanitation facilities and supporting the implementation of hygiene promotion programs, including a disaster risk preparedness plan, can play significant roles for a sustainable recovery phase.
Zinc–gold cooperative catalysis for the direct alkynylation of benzofurans
Authors: Li Yifan , Waser Jérôme
Published: August 2013

The direct alkynylation of benzofurans was achieved for the first time using the hypervalent iodine reagent 1-[(triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl]-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one (TIPS-EBX) based on the cooperative effect between a gold catalyst and a zinc Lewis acid. High selectivity was observed for C2-alkynylation of benzofurans substituted with alkyl, aryl, halogen and ether groups. The reaction was also successful in the case of the more complex drug 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP).
ICT for Sustainable Growth and Development
Authors: Louca Soulla
Published: August 2013

The world is in the midst of a knowledge upheaval, complemented by opening up an entirely new panorama in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The social and economical dividends of ICT appear to be endless with the potential to contribute in achieving significant economic, social, and environmental benefits to challenge the economic recession the world is currently experiencing. Recent and projected developments in the fields of ICT are indeed revolutionary in nature. Their impact in areas such as science and technology, commerce and industry, business, administration, governance, and education will further revolutionize our society. One of the main challenges, however, is in the adoption of these new technologies. This chapter addresses some of these challenges for achieving technological diffusion and for shaping the experience of ICTs and technological innovation that would contribute to a global green economy and a sustainable future. It points to the important role ICT can play in creating employment opportunities, contributing to sustainability, and addressing environmental challenges associated with production, use of, and disposal of products. It is a working hypothesis calling for action by policy-makers, researchers, donors, and entrepreneurs, including social enterprises, to grasp the promises of ICT and conduct further research, policy dialogues, or pilot implementations for contributing to sustainable development and growth enabled by ICT.
ICT
Authors: Briz Julián , Duran José María , Felipe Isabel , Briz Teresa
Published: August 2013

Agriculture is facing new challenges in rural and urban areas, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) may play a significant role. In this chapter, there is a background description of the ICT sector in the interface of urban and rural communities within the framework of agriculture. It describes some case analyses focused in agronomy and social sciences. In agronomy, the focuses are environment, food production, and pollution. In socioeconomics, there is a brief identification of ICT applications such as the collaboration between the university and firms. Considering the heterogeneousness of the analysis, the future research directions include different methods of studies for ICT programs (house of quality, structural organization, and others).
Wellbeing and Rural Excellences
Authors: Misso Rosa
Published: August 2013

Wellbeing is a fundamental theme today. The economic global crisis and the worsening of the general living conditions push territorial systems with rural vocation to define strategies of development able to ensure more and more sustainable processes of socio-economic and environmental wellbeing creation. In particular, the chapter aims to highlight the role that e-innovation plays in the activation of the mechanisms of responsible valorisation of the territorial systems with rural vocation, focusing on the actions on the excellences of these systems and on the need to aim for more effective and efficient strategies for the territorial organization based on ICTs. Moreover, it proposes a survey on two different rural systems of the Campania region, such as to indicate the difference in the relative levels of well-being and quality of life in relation to the different propensity to the use of ICTs in the territorial organization.
Local Web-Based Networks in Rural Municipalities
Authors: Owsiński Jan W. , Pielak Aneta M. , Sęp Krzysztof , Stańczak Jarosław
Published: August 2013

An analysis of networks formed by the links originating from the local authorities’ Websites and then from the successor nodes was performed for 30 municipalities in Poland. This analysis accounted for all links contained on the given local authorities’ Websites, with the links being classified into global and national (like those towards the global www services or the national ministries), regional (pointing, generally, towards the entities from the same province), local (within the municipality in question or the neighbouring municipalities), and internal (i.e. referring to various elements of the same municipality’s Website). Of primary interest in the study were the regional and local links, which potentially form networks of relevance for local development. For these local and regional links originating from the municipality Websites, the respective Websites were, in turn, investigated. For these Websites, again, the local and regional links were analysed. Such networks of depth two were established for each municipality considered. The chapter shows the results of this empirical work and draws conclusions of a broader nature, related to the significance and role of Web-based networks in the economic and social sustainability of the respective communities, especially during a crisis. The hypothesis is that networks in general facilitate survival, sustainability, and development of local communities.
Strategies for the Development of New Products in the Spanish Agri-Food Industry
Authors: Alarcón Silverio , Polonio Luis González , Sánchez Mercedes
Published: August 2013

The objective of this study is to identify the resources and strategies associated with the introduction of new products in the Spanish agri-food industry. The source of information used is the Encuesta sobre Estrategias Empresariales, ESEE (Survey of Business Strategies). From this survey, innovation inputs and outputs have been extracted for the years 2000-2008. The results show that the efforts made by firms to invest in capital goods, R&D, and ICTs produced positive results. Nevertheless, little use has been made of other innovation resources such as technological cooperation with other businesses and/or institutions in the Spanish agri-food industry, and greater efforts in this direction would improve its competitive position. Moreover, while SMEs have made important efforts in recent years to adopt ICTs, there still remains a big gap between them and large firms. The efforts being made could lead to improvements in competiveness due to the positive impact of ICTs on economic growth and on productivity.
Environmental Sustainability Initiatives in the Agrifood Supply Chain
Authors: Manikas Ioannis , Ieromonachou Petros , Bochtis Dionysis
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study is to identify a wide range of environmentally sustainable initiatives in food supply chain operations and activities. Data for this pilot study were collected through a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire consisted of nine questions. The survey was distributed through email, both as an online link as well as an electronic document that could be returned via email or in hardcopy. A total of 214 UK-based companies involved in the Agrifood products distribution sector were contacted. A correlation analysis shows that company perceptions about factors affecting decisions for the implementation of sustainable practices shares a relationship with the company’s expectations when applying sustainable initiatives. Further research built on this preliminary study will lead to the development of a model that will enable adoption of sustainable measures based on a needs and strengths analysis of the companies.
Comprehensive Assessment and Network Analysis of the Emerging Genetic Susceptibility Landscape of Prostate Cancer
Authors: Hicks Chindo , Miele Lucio , Koganti Tejaswi , Vijayakumar Srinivasan
Published: August 2013

Background

Recent advances in high-throughput genotyping have made possible identification of genetic variants associated with increased risk of developing prostate cancer using genome-wide associations studies (GWAS). However, the broader context in which the identified genetic variants operate is poorly understood. Here we present a comprehensive assessment, network, and pathway analysis of the emerging genetic susceptibility landscape of prostate cancer.

Methods

We created a comprehensive catalog of genetic variants and associated genes by mining published reports and accompanying websites hosting supplementary data on GWAS. We then performed network and pathway analysis using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-containing genes to identify gene regulatory networks and pathways enriched for genetic variants.

Results

We identified multiple gene networks and pathways enriched for genetic variants including IGF-1, androgen biosynthesis and androgen signaling pathways, and the molecular mechanisms of cancer. The results provide putative functional bridges between GWAS findings and gene regulatory networks and biological pathways.
Antioxidant status and inflammatory response in weanling piglets fed diets supplemented with arginine and zinc
Authors: Bergeron Nadia , Robert Claude , Guay Frédéric
Published: August 2013

Bergeron, N., Robert, C. and Guay, F. 2014. Antioxidant status and inflammatory response in weanling piglets fed diets supplemented with arginine and zinc. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 87–97. Dietary supplementation with zinc oxide (Zn oxide) and arginine (Arg) is known to improve growth in weanling piglets. The mechanism of action is not yet well understood, although antioxidant effects and inflammatory responses may be involved. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Zn and Arg supplementation on the antioxidant status and inflammatory response of piglets. Thirty-two 20-d-old weanling piglets were placed for 12 d on diets supplemented or not with Zn (2500 mg Zn oxide kg−1) and Arg (1%), designated ZN0ARG0, ZN2500ARG0, ZN0ARG1 and ZN2500ARG1. On day 12, blood samples were taken before and 3 h after intra-peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10 µg kg−1). The piglets were euthanized just after the second blood sample, and samples of mucosae were taken from the jejunum and ileum for determination of mRNA expression and morphological observation. Zn supplementation decreased plasma malondialdehyde measured before LPS injection (P<0.05). Arg supplementation increased the ferric-reducing ability of plasma (indicator of antioxidant status) measured after LPS injection (P<0.05). Piglets fed Zn-supplemented diets had lower total plasma superoxide-dismutase (SOD) activity (P<0.05) but higher plasma tumour necrosis factor-α (P<0.05) after LPS injection. Zinc-supplemented diets increased metallothionein-1 expression and total antioxidant capacity in the ileum and jejunum (P<0.05) and decreased interleukin-10 expression (P<0.05) in the ileum. In the jejunum, the combination of Zn and Arg supplementation increased villus height (Arg×Zn, P<0.05). These results indicate that Zn may reduce systemic oxidation and improve the antioxidant status in the jejunal and ileal mucosae. However, Zn and Arg supplementation did not appear to act synergistically to enhance antioxidant status or reduce inflammation in weanling piglets.
Invited Review: Ethanol co-products for dairy cows: there goes our starch … now what?
Authors: Paz H. A. , Castillo-Lopez E. , Ramirez-Ramirez H. A. , Christensen D. A. , Klopfenstein T. J. , Kononoff P. J.
Published: August 2013

Paz, H. A., Castillo-Lopez, E., Ramirez-Ramirez, H. A., Christensen, D. A., Klopfenstein, T. J. and Kononoff, P. J. 2013. Invited Review: Ethanol co-products for dairy cows: there goes our starch … now what? Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 407–425. The rise of the grain-ethanol industry has resulted in a dramatic increase in the availability of feed co-products namely, distillers’ grains with solubles (DG). The cost of feeds that have traditionally been used for energy continues to increase and there is a need to understand the potential impact of replacing these feeds with DG on milk yield and composition. Using the Dairy National Research Council (2001) model and data from a total of 25 published studies (81 observations), we used a meta-analytical procedure to evaluate the impact of feeding corn milling co-products on lactating dairy cows. Based on our model, the inclusion of DG did not affect dry matter intake (P=0.35) but a trend for an increase in milk yield was observed (P=0. 10). Additionally, the percentages of milk fat and protein in the milk were not affected (P=0.24 and 0.25, respectively). The modeled daily rumen outflow of Lys in grams was significantly (P<0.01) reduced and Met was not affected (P=0.79) when DG were included. The error associated with net energy of lactation allowable milk averaged 5.0±1.0 kg d−1and was not affected by DG (P=0.79) but the error associated with metabolizable protein allowable milk tended (P=0.10) to be higher for cows consuming DG by 1.4±1.2 kg d−1.
A climatology of the diurnal variations of stratospheric and mesospheric ozone over Bern, Switzerland
Authors: Studer S. , Hocke K. , Schanz A. , Schmidt H. , Kämpfer N.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The ground-based radiometer GROMOS, stationed in Bern (47.95° N, 7.44° E), Switzerland, has a unique dataset: it obtains ozone profiles from November 1994 to present with a time resolution of 30 min and equal quality during night- and daytime. Here, we derive a monthly climatology of the daily ozone cycle from 17 yr of GROMOS observation. We present the diurnal ozone variation of the stratosphere and mesosphere. Characterizing the diurnal cycle of stratospheric ozone is important for correct trend estimates of the ozone layer derived from satellite observations. The diurnal ozone cycle from GROMOS is compared to two models: The Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) and the Hamburg Model of Neutral and Ionized Atmosphere (HAMMONIA). Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (Aura/MLS) ozone data, from night- and daytime overpasses over Bern, have also been included in the comparison. Generally, observation and models show good qualitative agreement: in the lower mesosphere, daytime ozone is for both GROMOS and models around 25% less than nighttime ozone (reference is 22:30–01:30). In the stratosphere, ozone reaches its maximum in the afternoon showing values several percent larger than the midnight value. It is important that diurnal ozone variations of this order are taken into account when merging different data sets for the derivation of long-term ozone trends in the stratosphere. Further, GROMOS and models indicate a seasonal behavior of daily ozone variations in the stratosphere with a larger afternoon maximum during daytime in summer than in winter. At 0.35 hPa, observations from GROMOS and Aura/MLS show a seasonal pattern in diurnal ozone variations with larger relative amplitudes during daytime in winter (−25 ± 5%) than in summer (−18 ± 4%) (compared to mean values around midnight). For the first time, a time series of the diurnal variations in ozone is presented: 17 yr of GROMOS data show strong interannual variations in the diurnal ozone cycle for both the stratosphere and the mesosphere. There are some indications that strong temperature tides can suppress the diurnal variation of stratospheric ozone via the anticorrelation of temperature and ozone. That means the spatio-temporal variability of solar thermal tides seems to affect the diurnal cycle of stratospheric ozone.
Microphysical properties and high ice water content in continental and oceanic Mescoscale Convective Systems and potential implications for commercial aircraft at flight altitude
Authors: Gayet J.-F. , Shcherbakov V. , Bugliaro L. , Protat A. , Delanoë J. , Pelon J. , Garnier A.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Two complementary case studies are conducted to analyse convective system properties in the region where strong cloud-top lidar backscatter anomalies are observed as reported by Platt et al. (2011). These anomalies were reported for the first time using in-situ microphysical measurements in an isolated continental convective cloud over Germany during the CIRCLE2 experiment (Gayet et al., 2012). In this case, quasi collocated in situ observations with CALIPSO, CloudSat and Meteosat-9/SEVIRI observations confirm that regions of backscatter anomalies represent the most active and dense convective cloud parts with likely the strongest core updrafts and unusual high values of the particle concentration, extinction and ice water content (IWC), with the occurrence of small ice crystal sizes. Similar spaceborne observations are then analyzed in a maritime mesoscale cloud system (MCS) on 20 June 2008 located off the Brazil coast between 0° and 3° N latitude. Near cloud-top backscatter anomalies are evidenced in a region which corresponds to the coldest temperatures with maximum cloud top altitudes derived from collocated CALIPSO/IIR and Meteosat-9/SEVIRI infrared brightness temperatures. The interpretation of CALIOP data highlights significant differences of microphysical properties from those observed in the continental isolated convective cloud. Indeed, SEVIRI retrievals in the visible confirm much smaller ice particles near-top of the isolated continental convective cloud, i.e. effective radius (Reff) ~15 μm against 22–27 μm in the whole MCS area. 94 GHz Cloud Profiling Radar observations from CloudSat are then used to describe the properties of the most active cloud regions at and below cloud top. The cloud ice water content and effective radius retrieved with the CloudSat 2B-IWC and DARDAR inversion techniques, show that at usual cruise altitudes of commercial aircraft (FL 350 or ~10 700 m level), high IWC (i.e. up to 2 to 4 g m−3) could be identified according to specific IWC-Z relationships. These values correspond to a maximum reflectivity factor of +18 dBZ (at 94 GHz). Near-top cloud properties also indicate signatures of microphysical characteristics according to the cloud-stage evolution as revealed by SEVIRI images to identify the development of new cells within the MCS cluster. It is argued that the availability of real time information of the km-scale cloud top IR brightness temperature decrease with respect to the cloud environment would help identify MCS cloud areas with potentially high ice water content and small particle sizes against which onboard meteorological radar may not be suitable to provide timely warning.
Column water vapor determination in night period with a lunar photometer prototype
Authors: Barreto A. , Cuevas E. , Damiri B. , Romero P. M. , Almansa F.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. In this paper we present the preliminary results of atmospheric column-integrated precipitable water vapor (PWV) obtained with a new Lunar Cimel photometer (LC) at the high mountain Izaña Observatory in the period July–August 2011. We have compared quasi-simultaneous nocturnal PWV from LC with PWV from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and nighttime radiosondes (RS92). LC data have been calibrated using the Lunar Langley method (LLM). We complemented this comparative study using quasi-simultaneous daytime PWV from Cimel AERONET (CA), GPS and RS92. Comparison of daytime PWV from CA shows differences between GPS and RS92 up to 0.18 cm. Two different filters, with and approximate bandwidth of 10 nm and central wavelengths at 938 nm (Filter#1) and 937 nm (Filter#2), were mounted onto the LC. Filter#1 is currently used in operational AERONET sun photometers. PWV obtained with LC-Filter#1 showed an overestimation above 0.18 and 0.25 cm compared to GPS and RS92, respectively, and root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) up to 0.27 cm and 0.24 cm, respectively. Filter#2, with a reduced out-of-band radiation, showed very low differences compared with the same references (≤ 0.05 cm) and RMSE values ≤ 0.08 cm in the case of GPS precise orbits. These results demonstrate the ability of the new lunar photometer to obtain accurate and continuous PWV measurements at night, and the remarkable influence of the filter's transmissivity response to PWV determination at nighttime. The use of enhanced bandpass filters in lunar photometry, which is affected by more important inaccuracies than sun photometry, is necessary to infer PWV with similar precision to AERONET.
Ground-based all-sky mid-infrared and visible imagery for purposes of characterizing cloud properties
Authors: Klebe D. I. , Blatherwick R. D. , Morris V. R.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. This paper describes the All Sky Infrared Visible Analyzer (ASIVA), a multi-purpose visible and infrared sky imaging and analysis instrument whose primary function is to provide radiometrically calibrated imagery in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) atmospheric window. This functionality enables the determination of diurnal hemispherical cloud fraction (HCF) and estimates of sky/cloud temperature from which one can derive estimates of cloud emissivity and cloud height. This paper describes the calibration methods and performance of the ASIVA instrument with particular emphasis on data products being developed for the meteorological community. Data presented here were collected during a field campaign conducted at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) Climate Research Facility from 21 May to 27 July 2009. The purpose of this campaign was to determine the efficacy of IR technology in providing reliable nighttime HCF data. Significant progress has been made in the analysis of the campaign data over the past several years and the ASIVA has proven to be an excellent instrument for determining HCF as well as several other important cloud properties.
Interpretation of Cluster WBD frequency conversion mode data
Authors: Pickett J. S. , Christopher I. W. , Kirchner D. L.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. The Cluster Wide-Band Data (WBD) plasma wave receiver mounted on each of the four Cluster spacecraft obtains high time resolution waveform data in the frequency range of ~70 Hz to 577 kHz. In order to make measurements above 77 kHz, it uses frequency conversion to sample the higher frequency waves at one of three different conversion frequencies (~125, 250 and 500 kHz, where these frequencies are the base frequency of the frequency range being sampled) in one of three different filter bandwidths (9.5, 19 and 77 kHz). Within the WBD instrument a down conversion technique, built around quadrature mixing, is used to convert these data to baseband (0 kHz) in order to reduce the sample rate for telemetry to the ground. We describe this down conversion technique and illustrate it through data obtained in space. Because these down converted data sometimes contain pulses, which can be indicative of nonlinear physical structures (e.g., electron phase space holes and electron density enhancements and depletions), it is necessary to understand what effects mixing and down conversion have on them. We present simulations using constructed signals containing pulses, nonlinear wave packets, sinusoids and noise. We show that the pulses and impulsive wave packets, if of sufficient amplitude and of appropriate width, survive the down conversion process, sometimes with the same pulse shape but usually with reduced amplitude, and have time scales consistent with the filter bandwidth at the base frequency. Although we cannot infer the actual time scale of the pulses and impulsive wave packets as originally recorded by the WBD instrument before mixing and down conversion, their presence indicates nonlinear processes occurring at or somewhat near the location of the measurement. Sinusoidal waves are represented in the down conversion time scale as sinusoids of nearly the same amplitude and at frequencies adjusted down by the conversion frequency. The original input waveforms, regardless of their shape, whether pulses or sinusoids, can never be recovered from the down converted waveforms.
A comparison between remotely-sensed and modelled surface soil moisture (and frozen status) at high latitudes
Authors: Gouttevin I. , Bartsch A. , Krinner G. , Naeimi V.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. In this study, the combined surface status and surface soil moisture products retrieved by the ASCAT sensor within the ESA-DUE Permafrost project are compared to the hydrological outputs of the land surface model ORCHIDEE over Northern Eurasia. The objective is to derive broad conclusions as to the strengths and weaknesses of hydrological modelling and, to a minor extent, remote sensing of soil moisture over an area where data is rare and hydrological modelling is though crucial for climate and ecological applications. The spatial and temporal resolutions of the ASCAT products make them suitable for comparison with model outputs. Modelled and remotely-sensed surface frozen and unfrozen statuses agree reasonably well, which allows for a seasonal comparison between modelled and observed (liquid) surface soil moisture. The atmospheric forcing and the snow scheme of the land surface model are identified as causes of moderate model-to-data divergence in terms of surface status. For unfrozen soils, the modelled and remotely-sensed surface soil moisture signals are positively correlated over most of the study area. The correlation deteriorates in the North-Eastern Siberian regions, which is consistent with the lack of accurate model parameters and the scarcity of meteorological data. The model shows a reduced ability to capture the main seasonal dynamics and spatial patterns of observed surface soil moisture in Northern Eurasia, namely a characteristic spring surface moistening resulting from snow melt and flooding. We hypothesize that these weak performances mainly originate from the non-representation of flooding and surface ponding in the model. Further identified limitations proceed from the coarse treatment of the hydrological specificities of mountainous areas and spatial inaccuracies in the meteorological forcing in remote, North-Eastern Siberian areas. Investigations are currently underway to determine to which extent plausible inaccuracies in the satellite data could also contribute to the diagnosed model-to-data discrepancies.
El-Masri v. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Eur. Ct. H.R.)
Authors: Cerna Christina M.
Published: August 2013

On December 13, 2012, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (the Court) issued a final judgment in the case of El-Masri v. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It found that Macedonia, as a State party to the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention), was responsible for torturing El-Masri while he was in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRM) The El-Masri judgment is the first time in which an international court has ruled on the U.S. practice of secret forced renditions. It follows the rationale of Soering v. United Kingdom, that a State can be held responsible for facilitating a violation by a State outside the Council of Europe, and places it in a modern war on terror context.
Rubin v. Eurofinance SA (U.K. Sup. Ct.)
Authors: Camp Charles , Bowman Theresa
Published: August 2013

In October 2012, the United Kingdom Supreme Court (the Court), by a 4-1 majority, signaled a sweeping return to a more traditional approach to the enforceability of foreign judgments in avoidance in Rubin v. Eurofinance SA. The Court rejected the more liberal rule previously advocated by the Court of Appeal, which gave English courts discretion to allow enforcement of in personam judgments in avoidance where they were related to insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings. The central issue in Rubin v. Eurofinance was whether an in personam judgment, entered in default but made as part of, or pursuant to, insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings abroad could be enforced at English common law. The Court held that the American default judgment at issue in Rubin was not enforceable in English courts.
Renewing the Spirit of the Liberal Arts
Authors: Noddings Nel
Published: August 2013

The spirit of the liberal arts has been undermined by overspecialization, and it has been further damaged by the increase in emphasis on the economic purpose of education. The spirit might be renewed by using the aims of the liberal arts to develop every course we teach.
Integrated General Education and the Extent of Interdisciplinarity
Authors: Hothem Thomas
Published: August 2013

The University of California–Merced's Core 1 has potential to foster genuine interdisciplinary thinking by asking students to conceptualize knowledge across fields of inquiry. Core 1 introduces students to the range of scholarly inquiry at the university all in the span of one semester-long, writing-intensive, integrated curriculum that encourages them to make their own connections among the disciplines while practicing both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Examining Core 1 in the context of general education literature affords new insights into tensions between general education course delivery and content and the meaning of general education for contemporary university students.
Beyond the “Ivory Tower”
Authors: Cantor Nancy , Englot Peter
Published: August 2013

We in higher education have allowed the balance of the private and public purposes of liberal education to become skewed in our angst over fully embracing a central role in restoring prosperity and preparing our increasingly diverse population for the evolving responsibility of mending our fraying democracy. As we consider how best to reshape general education for our time and for the future, we would do well to recall our public purpose and to rethink where and how that education occurs.
General Education
Authors: White Eric R.
Published: August 2013

The component of the baccalaureate degree referred to as general education is at risk. General education is losing traction in the curriculum, as calls for graduate students on a faster time schedule and a desire to produce readily employable graduates head the list of higher education objectives. Little attention is paid to how students come to understand the nature and purpose of the education they have chosen for themselves. As one of few endeavors in higher education with the capacity to reach all students, academic advising can ensure that general education is valued as essential by students who experience it.
Quantifying Learning in Critical Thinking
Authors: Fliegel Richard , Holland John
Published: August 2013

This article describes a three-year study assessing change in critical thinking demonstrated in essays written for regular class assignments. A rubric was designed and scorers trained to assess critical thinking holistically without knowledge of the writing prompt or author's status. The longitudinal improvement in scores earned by freshmen over three years was significantly related (p < .01) to the difference in scores awarded to freshmen and juniors at a single moment in time. This method can be used to provide an “academic snapshot” of a program, using authentic course work to quantify learning in critical thinking over the undergraduate experience.
Assistência social e cidadania: Um diálogo necessário
Authors: Almeida Érica T. Vieira de
Published: August 2013

A tese de um conjunto de assistentes sociais sobre a assistência como um direito social e conquista da cidadania, publicada na metade dos anos 80, tornou-se hegemônica no serviço social brasileiro, na medida em que se apresentava como uma alternativa tanto ao serviço social alternativo quanto às práticas conservadoras e assistencialistas. No entanto, formulada no calor do processo de redemocratização política, esta tese carecia não apenas de uma teoria da cidadania, como também de uma análise mais profunda da conjuntura de transição, sobretudo dos limites econômicos e políticos impostos à efetivação da cidadania no Brasil com o processo de mundialização do capital e o ajuste estrutural. É exatamente esta a proposta deste artigo.
O aproveitamento da cinza de caldeira na construção civil
Authors: Vasconcellos Cláudia Barroso , Leal Cláudio Luiz Dias , França Marcelo Pereira , Castro Protasio Ferreira e
Published: August 2013

Esse trabalho apresenta um estudo do potencial de aproveitamento de cinza de caldeira. No Brasil, o volume desse resíduo industrial tem aumentado significativamente devido à implementação da política de fontes geradoras de energia elétrica, que enfatiza o uso de usinas termelétricas e mais especificamente a aplicação do gás natural. O programa experimental foi desenvolvido por meio da aplicação de cinza em misturas asfálticas e em argamassas de cimento Portland. A análise estatística dos resultados dos ensaios permite afirmar que a cinza de caldeira possui potencial para ser aplicada em misturas de cimento asfáltico de petróleo e de cimento Portland.