bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of NCEP Multisensor Precipitation Estimates with Independent Gauge Data over the Eastern United States
Authors: Wootten Adrienne , Boyles Ryan P.
Published: September 2014

Gauge-calibrated radar estimates of daily precipitation are compared with daily observed values of precipitation from National Weather Service (NWS) Cooperative Observer Network (COOP) stations to evaluate the multisensor precipitation estimate (MPE) product that is gridded by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) for the eastern United States (defined as locations east of the Mississippi River). This study focuses on a broad evaluation of MPE across the study domain by season and intensity. In addition, the aspect of precipitation type is considered through case studies of winter and summer precipitation events across the domain. Results of this study indicate a north–south gradient in the error of MPE and a seasonal pattern with the highest error in summer and autumn and the lowest error in winter. Two case studies of precipitation are also considered in this study. These case studies include instances of intense precipitation and frozen precipitation. These results suggest that MPE is less able to estimate convective-scale precipitation as compared with precipitation variations at larger spatial scales. In addition, the results suggest that MPE is subject to errors related both to the measurement gauges and to the radar estimates used. Two case studies are also included to discuss the differences with regard to precipitation type. The results from these case studies suggest that MPE may have higher error associated with estimating the liquid equivalent of frozen precipitation when compared with NWS COOP network data. The results also suggest the need for more analysis of MPE error for frozen precipitation in diverse topographic regimes.
A Conceptual Model of Ocean Heat Uptake under Climate Change
Authors: Marshall David P. , Zanna Laure
Published: September 2014

A conceptual model of ocean heat uptake is developed as a multilayer generalization of Gnanadesikan. The roles of Southern Ocean Ekman and eddy transports, North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation, and diapycnal mixing in controlling ocean stratification and transient heat uptake are investigated under climate change scenarios, including imposed surface warming, increased Southern Ocean wind forcing, with or without eddy compensation, and weakened meridional overturning circulation (MOC) induced by reduced NADW formation. With realistic profiles of diapycnal mixing, ocean heat uptake is dominated by Southern Ocean Ekman transport and its long-term adjustment controlled by the Southern Ocean eddy transport. The time scale of adjustment setting the rate of ocean heat uptake increases with depth. For scenarios with increased Southern Ocean wind forcing or weakened MOC, deepened stratification results in enhanced ocean heat uptake. In each of these experiments, the role of diapycnal mixing in setting ocean stratification and heat uptake is secondary. Conversely, in experiments with enhanced diapycnal mixing as employed in “upwelling diffusion” slab models, the contributions of diapycnal mixing and Southern Ocean Ekman transport to the net heat uptake are comparable, but the stratification extends unrealistically to the sea floor. The simple model is applied to interpret the output of an Earth system model, the Second Generation Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM2), in which the atmospheric CO2 concentration is increased by 1% yr−1 until quadrupling, where it is found that Southern Ocean Ekman transport is essential to reproduce the magnitude and vertical profile of ocean heat uptake.
Advanced Two-Moment Bulk Microphysics for Global Models. Part II: Global Model Solutions and Aerosol–Cloud Interactions*
Authors: Gettelman A. , Morrison H. , Santos S. , Bogenschutz P. , Caldwell P. M.
Published: September 2014

A modified microphysics scheme is implemented in the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5). The new scheme features prognostic precipitation. The coupling between the microphysics and the rest of the model is modified to make it more flexible. Single-column tests show the new microphysics can simulate a constrained drizzling stratocumulus case. Substepping the cloud condensation (macrophysics) within a time step improves single-column results. Simulations of mixed-phase cases are strongly sensitive to ice nucleation. The new microphysics alters process rates in both single-column and global simulations, even at low (200 km) horizontal resolution. Thus, prognostic precipitation can be important, even in low-resolution simulations where advection of precipitation is not important. Accretion dominates as liquid water path increases in agreement with cloud-resolving model simulations and estimates from observations. The new microphysics with prognostic precipitation increases the ratio of accretion over autoconversion. The change in process rates appears to significantly reduce aerosol–cloud interactions and indirect radiative effects of anthropogenic aerosols by up to 33% (depending on substepping) to below 1 W m−2 of cooling between simulations with preindustrial (1850) and present-day (2000) aerosol emissions.
On the Climatology of Precipitable Water and Water Vapor Flux in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States
Authors: Ryu Young-Hee , Smith James A. , Bou-Zeid Elie
Published: September 2014

The seasonal and diurnal climatologies of precipitable water and water vapor flux in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States are examined. A new method of computing water vapor flux at high temporal resolution in an atmospheric column using global positioning system (GPS) precipitable water, radiosonde data, and velocity–azimuth display (VAD) wind profiles is presented. It is shown that water vapor flux exhibits striking seasonal and diurnal cycles and that the diurnal cycles exhibit rapid transitions over the course of the year. A particularly large change in the diurnal cycle of meridional water vapor flux between spring and summer seasons is found. These features of the water cycle cannot be resolved by twice-a-day radiosonde observations. It is also shown that precipitable water exhibits a pronounced seasonal cycle and a less pronounced diurnal cycle. There are large contrasts in the climatology of water vapor flux between precipitation and nonprecipitation conditions in the mid-Atlantic region. It is hypothesized that the seasonal transition of large-scale flow environments and the change in the degree of differential heating in the mountainous and coastal areas are responsible for the contrasting diurnal cycle between spring and summer seasons.
Using Temporal Changes in Drought Indices to Generate Probabilistic Drought Intensification Forecasts
Authors: Otkin Jason A. , Anderson Martha C. , Hain Christopher , Svoboda Mark
Published: September 2014

In this study, the potential utility of using rapid temporal changes in drought indices to provide early warning of an elevated risk for drought development over subseasonal time scales is assessed. Standardized change anomalies were computed each week during the 2000–13 growing seasons for drought indices depicting anomalies in evapotranspiration, precipitation, and soil moisture. A rapid change index (RCI) that encapsulates the accumulated magnitude of rapid changes in the weekly anomalies was computed each week for each drought index, and then a simple statistical method was used to convert the RCI values into drought intensification probabilities depicting the likelihood that drought severity as analyzed by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) would worsen in subsequent weeks. Local and regional case study analyses revealed that elevated drought intensification probabilities often occur several weeks prior to changes in the USDM and in topsoil moisture and crop condition datasets compiled by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statistical analyses showed that the RCI-derived probabilities are most reliable and skillful over the central and eastern United States in regions most susceptible to rapid drought development. Taken together, these results suggest that tools used to identify areas experiencing rapid changes in drought indices may be useful components of future drought early warning systems.
Nearly 500 years and still Counting: The Reformation in Recent Scholarship and Debates
Authors: Cameron Euan
Published: September 2014

The sixteenth-century Reformation remains important to historians and theologians. Over the past 15 years new and revised accounts have appeared, both textbooks and more speculative pieces. Digitization of key texts is impacting the discipline. The ‘cultural turn’ has opened up Reformation history beyond ideas, politics and economics to include gender, the emotions, architecture and the arts (including music). It has identified psychological needs that the reformers had to address. Literary scholars have joined in Reformation studies. The vitality of the pre-Reformation church is now generally recognized; the question of how far the Reformation adumbrated ‘modernity’ remains controversial. New fronts in intellectual history are opening up in historiography, and biblical scholarship and exegesis.
Socioeconomic Impact Assessment in Ex Ante Evaluations
Authors: Vidueira Pablo , Díaz-Puente José M. , Rivera María
Published: September 2014

Background:

Ex ante impact assessment has become a fundamental tool for effective program management, and thus, a compulsory task when establishing a new program in the European Union (EU).

Objective:

This article aims to analyze benefits from ex ante impact assessment, methodologies followed, and difficulties encountered. This is done through the case study on the rural development programs (RDPs) in the EU. Results regarding methodologies are then contrasted with the international context in order to provide solid insights to evaluators and program managing authorities facing ex ante impact assessment.

Research design:

All European RDPs from the period 2007 through 2013 (a total of 88) and their corresponding available ex ante evaluations (a total of 70) were analyzed focusing on the socioeconomic impact assessment.

Results:

Only 46.6% of the regions provide quantified impact estimations on socioeconomic impacts in spite of it being a compulsory task demanded by the European Commission (EC). Recommended methods by the EC are mostly used, but there is a lack of mixed method approaches since qualitative methods are used in substitution of quantitative ones. Two main difficulties argued were the complexity of program impacts and the lack of needed program information.

Conclusions:

Qualitative approaches on their own have been found as not suitable for ex ante impact assessment, while quantitative approaches—such as microsimulation models—provide a good approximation to actual impacts. However, time and budgetary constraints make that quantitative and mixed methods should be mainly applied on the most relevant impacts for the program success.
A Revival of the Succession Narrative and the Case against It
Authors: Van Seters John
Published: September 2014

This article questions Joseph Blenkinsopp's recent defence of the ‘Succession Narrative’ against John Van Seters's views, set forth in The Biblical Saga of King David (2009). In this debate with Blenkinsopp, Van Seters discusses the extent of the literary work that includes within it both the ‘Succession Narrative’ and the ‘Story of David's Rise’, the genre that is most appropriate for this work—whether history of a recent past or saga of another age—and the social and historical setting in which it was written. Van Seters defends his view that the David Saga was a story written in the fourth century BCE about David's reign, a work of literature which was critical of the monarchy and any hope of its messianic restoration.
Why ‭רינ‬ in Kings?
Authors: Schreiner David B.
Published: September 2014

Assuming the philological work of those who suggest that the ‭רינִ‬ passages of Kings should not be rendered ‘light’ or ‘lamp’, this article discusses why ‭רינִ‬ is used in Kings in light of R. Polzin's commentary, which suggests wordplay between these passages and the ‭רנֵ‬ passages of Samuel. Stemming from a methodological discussion that considers synchronic and diachronic issues, this article partially accepts Polzin's proposal. It is reasonable to conclude that there is a paranomastic purpose behind the use of ‭רינֵ‬ in Kings and that these passages were composed with 2 Sam. 21.17 in mind, which bears witness to an archaic ideological element within the Davidic tradition. This article also concludes that 1 Sam. 3.3a can be understood as a deft redactional insertion that imported a sense of ironic critique into the original rhetorical complex.
L’usage des émotions négatives en communication de santé publique : Etude des effets de la peur, la culpabilité et la honte
Authors: Becheur Imène , Valette-Florence Pierre
Published: September 2014

Ce travail examine les effets de l’utilisation de trois émotions négatives, à savoir la peur, la culpabilité et la honte dans les messages de lutte contre l’abus d’alcool. Les perceptions de deux types de menace physique et sociale créent des émotions négatives liées à la peur, à la honte et à la culpabilité, qui à leur tour ont un impact sur la persuasion. Plus de 1000 jeunes étudiants ont été sujets à des expérimentations manipulant les trois émotions négatives étudiées. Les résultats montrent qu’à l’instar de la peur, la culpabilité et la honte augmentent la persuasion. Plus particulièrement, l’étude plaide en faveur de l’utilisation de la honte dans les messages de lutte contre l’abus d’alcool destinés aux jeunes. La honte résultant de l’exposition à une menace sociale liée au regard des pairs et leur jugement du comportement de la personne, a eu l’impact le plus important sur la persuasion, en comparaison aux deux autres émotions. Par ailleurs, certaines variables individuelles telles que l’intensité affective et l’efficacité personnelle perçue favoriseraient la persuasion.
Reconsidérer la discrétisation des variables quantitatives : Vers une nouvelle analyse de modération en recherche expérimentale
Authors: Cadario Romain , Parguel Béatrice
Published: September 2014

En recherche expérimentale, les chercheurs en marketing discrétisent souvent les variables quantitatives pour tester leur caractère modérateur. Cet article pédagogique explique les limites d’une telle pratique et illustre les étapes des analyses spotlight et floodlight à conduire suivant que la variable modératrice considérée présente ou non des valeurs focales signifiantes.
Workplace Spirituality Facilitation: A Person–Organization Fit Approach
Authors: Vallabh Priyanka , Singhal Manish
Published: September 2014

The article proposes a framework utilizing the Person–Organization (P–O) fit approach to facilitate spirituality in the workplace. The article argues that spirituality can be described on a continuum varying from low to high at both individual and organizational levels. The interaction of the two continuums is then used to suggest a model to facilitate workplace spirituality. Thus, the approach is to first consider the interaction of person (individual) and situation (organization) factors and then depending on the (in)compatibility of these two factors, look for specific ways to facilitate spirituality at work. Various suggestions and examples are included to illustrate the practical implementation of our recommendations.
Ethics in Teaching
Authors: Suar Damodar
Published: September 2014

This article discusses (i) teaching as a profession, (ii) norms of teaching and (iii) ethics in teaching, particularly in Indian higher education. Like other professions, teachers possess specialized skills, knowledge and attitudes in area of their expertise, work in lieu of rewards and recognition and are guided by formal rules and informal conventions. The norms governing the teaching profession include higher-order values like integrity, empathy, respect and justice. The ethics in the teaching are conceptualized in the context of teachers, students, parents and communities surrounding the college/university. The first two are more important in higher education than the last two. Accordingly, ethics in teaching of higher education cover: content and pedagogical competency, fair assessment, respect to stakeholders, professional conduct, student development, reasonable pay, perks and leaves, avoidance of dual relationships, counselling to students and parents and involvement in community development.
Integrating Principles of Care, Compassion and Justice in Organizations: Exploring Dynamic Nature of Organizational Justice
Authors: Shahzad Khuram , Murad Hassan Sohaib , Kitchlew Naveda , Zia Shahid A.
Published: September 2014

This article aims to respond to the long-lived perceived incompatibility between care and compassion and justice in organizational literature. It is argued that principles of care and compassion and principles of justice are compatible with each other and can be integrated in organizations in such a way that both will supplement each other. Previous researches tend to view concepts of care and compassion and justice either as competing or inheriting some fundamental trade-offs. This article argues that the highlighted incompatibility between care and compassion and justice is mainly due to the limited understanding about the nature of organizational justice. Care and compassion carry elements of subjectivity and are dynamic in nature, whereas literature on organizational justice has described justice as an objective, static and linear construct due to which an incompatibility between these two very important phenomena is prevailing. This incompatibility can be removed by changing the way of looking at organizational justice and by exploring its dynamic nature.
Book Review: Ananta Kumar Giri, Sociology and Beyond: Windows and Horizons
Authors: Thakur Manish
Published: September 2014

Ananta Kumar Giri, Sociology and Beyond: Windows and Horizons, 2012, New Delhi: Rawat Publications, pp. 442, ₹1,295.
Formulating a New Three Energy Framework of Personality for Conflict Analysis and Resolution based on Triguna Concept of Bhagavad Gita
Authors: Modh Satish
Published: September 2014

Theories of interpersonal conflict analysis and resolution originate from sociology, social psychology and political science. These theories took shape during twentieth century after World War I and World War II. Some of the prominent conflict resolution theories are Burton’s ‘human needs theory’, Roger Fisher’s ‘principled-negotiation’ and Lederach’s ‘Conflict transformation’. Conflict is an inevitable part of living because it is related to situations of scarce resources, division of functions, power relations and role-differentiation. In the organizational environment, awareness of each employee’s nature is critical to success. When such employees are self-aware, workplace conflict can be minimized and can become productive to the organization.

 This study develops a new three energy framework of personality for conflict analysis and resolution. This framework is based on the ‘ guna’ concept of Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu scripture. The term ‘ guna’ indicates the ‘inherent energy’ with which the human mind functions. These three energies are: Positive Energy ( sattva), Dynamic Energy ( rajas) and Potential Energy ( tamas). People work under influence of these three energies all the time and go through various physical, emotional and intellectual experiences. The quality and quantity of these experiences determines their personality, pattern of behaviours and conduct.
On Unenlightened Altruism
Authors: D’Souza Jeevan F. , Adams C. Kelly
Published: September 2014

Altruism is generally accepted to be the practice of unselfish concern for the well-being of others coupled with an associated measure of personal cost. Altruism as an actionable treatise for living aims to benefit society. While altruistic acts have traditionally been viewed as virtuous, in some cases, positive outcomes might not be forthcoming if the actor is not enlightened about the consequences of specific courses of action. While this precept has been argued extensively in historical commentary, no formal definition exists for it. This article terms this concept as ‘unenlightened altruism’. The article reviews the scant extant discourse on ‘unenlightened altruism’ in scholarly literature, provides a formal definition for the ideology, opines consequentialist implications and correlates it to related ethical constructs. From the consequentialist standpoint, it is argued that it might be more ethical not to act than to act out of unenlightened altruism.
The absurdity of sin and the creaturely life of faith in Karl Barth's theological epistemology
Authors: Morgan Brandon L.
Published: September 2014

This article critically takes up the reaffirmation of Barth's reaction to the analogia entis in the recent work of Keith L. Johnson in order to question Johnson's appeal to human sin as the pivotal factor in Barth's rejection of the Catholic doctrine. By explicating what I call Barth's ‘theological particularism’, it will become more apparent that Johnson's reference to sin in Barth functions abstractly in the very ‘as such’ way that Barth sought to methodologically foreclose while also conflating ordinary creaturely knowledge and being with a view of sin that places God and creatures in epistemic and ontological contradiction. By filling out Johnson's missing account of Barth's view of the shadow of sin, a positive account of creatureliness has the chance to emerge that highlights faith and prayer as the fulfillment of creaturely life in the life of God.
The congregation in a pluralist society: Rereading Newbigin for missional churches today
Authors: Cronshaw Darren , Taylor Steve
Published: September 2014

Lesslie Newbigin sought to engage the gospel with western culture. A re-reading of Newbigin’s work offers insights for mission and communicating the gospel in the 21st-century western world, including the need to grapple with religious pluralism. For Newbigin, ‘the only hermeneutic of the gospel, is a congregation of men and women who believe it and live by it’. How plausible is the Newbigin thesis? Can congregations today believe and live the gospel, especially in a pluralistic context? This article is an appeal for attentiveness to the place and priority of the congregation, for the sake of mission in our pluralist society. It is grounded in the experience of two congregational case studies, which opens up conversation with Newbigin’s The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Methodologically, it applies Neil Ormerod’s understanding of ecclesiology as grounded in ‘historical ecclesial communities’ to test both the groundedness and plausibility of Newbigin’s congregational hermeneutic.
Investigation on WC–Al composite coatings of AZ91 alloy by mechanical alloying
Authors: Zuo M. , Zhao D. G. , Wang Z. Q. , Geng H. R.
Published: September 2014

In this paper, WC–Al composite coatings of AZ91 alloy prepared by mechanical alloying have been investigated in detail. It was found that the premixing process of composite powders has no significant effect in promoting the formation of uniform coating of WC–Al powders. Under the optimised conditions, i.e. the composition of composite powders of (10 g WC–6·5 g Al–3 g AZ91–0·5 g Mg), ball-to-powder weight ratio of 14∶1 and milling duration of 12 h, the average thickness of composite coating can be remarkably increased to 38·01 μm. Compared with the bare substrate, the Brinell hardness of the specimen with WC–Al composite coating can be significantly increased by about 90·01.
Palygorskite genesis through silicate transformation in Tunisian continental Eocene deposits
Authors: Jamoussi F. , Ben Aboud A. , López-Galindo A.
Published: September 2014

The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of Eocene continental sediments in south central Tunisia (Chebket Bouloufa and Jebel Hamri) and in north central Tunisia (Jebel Lessouda and Jebel Rhéouis), which contain considerable amounts of palygorskite, were studied. The clay fraction of the sediments also comprises illite, kaolinite, Mg smectite and Al smectite, together with carbonates (calcite and/or dolomite), quartz, gypsum and feldspars, all of which are present in extremely variable proportions.

The textural characteristics of the samples containing most palygorskite, as well as the chemical composition of the fibres and the contents of certain trace and rare earth elements suggest that the genesis of this fibrous clay is intimately linked to the diagenetic transformation of illite, mixedlayered minerals and/or Al smectite, as has also been observed in contemporaneous deposits in Morocco.
Clay minerals in the Namacotche Pegmatite Group from Zambezia Province, Mozambique: main constituents of late-stage secondary paragenesis
Authors: Sequeira Braga M. A. , Leal Gomes C. , Duplay J. , Paquet H.
Published: September 2014

Namacotche gem-bearing pegmatites of Alto Ligonha pegmatite district are heterogeneous, strongly fractionated, and have large Li and Ta and extremely large Cs contents. Clay samples were collected in fracture infillings and dilation cavities with gemstones and were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarized light microscope, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and chemical analyses. The <2 μm fraction contains cookeite, illite, illite-smectite and suggested irregular mixed-layer cookeite-smectite, beidellite, montmorillonite, kaolinite and goethite.The XRD patterns of chlorite and their d values suggest the presence of ‘di-trioctahedral chlorite’ similar to cookeite-Ia polytype. Cookeite chemical analyses show that Li contents range from 0.82 to 1.08 atoms per half unit cell.

A close relationship has been established between occurrences of gemstones and clay minerals. Some important textures and crystal chemistry are discussed.The main gemstones related to the Namacotche Pegmatite are: morganite (pink cesian beryl), kunzite (spodumene) and elbaite tourmaline. As the mechanisms responsible for the gemstone formation take place at low temperature, the clay minerals paragenesis cookeite ± cookeite-smectite interstratification ± beidellite + montmorillonite ± illite-smectite interstratification, represents a late-stage secondary paragenesis, generated by hydrothermal alteration.
Effect of sulfur hexafluoride gas and post-annealing treatment for inductively coupled plasma etched barium titanate thin films
Authors: Wang Cong , Li Yang , Yao Zhao , Kim Hong-Ki , Kim Hyung-Jun , Kim Nam-Young
Published: September 2014

Aerosol deposition- (AD) derived barium titanate (BTO) micropatterns are etched via SF6/O2/Ar plasmas using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching technology. The reaction mechanisms of the sulfur hexafluoride on BTO thin films and the effects of annealing treatment are verified through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, which confirms the accumulation of reaction products on the etched surface due to the low volatility of the reaction products, such as Ba and Ti fluorides, and these residues could be completely removed by the post-annealing treatment. The exact peak positions and chemicals shifts of Ba 3d, Ti 2p, O 1 s, and F 1 s are deduced by fitting the XPS narrow-scan spectra on as-deposited, etched, and post-annealed BTO surfaces. Compared to the as-deposited BTOs, the etched Ba 3d

5/2
, Ba 3d

3/2
, Ti 2p

3/2
, Ti 2p

1/2
, and O 1 s peaks shift towards higher binding energy regions by amounts of 0.55, 0.45, 0.4, 0.35, and 0.85 eV, respectively. A comparison of the as-deposited film with the post-annealed film after etching revealed that there are no significant differences in the fitted XPS narrow-scan spectra except for the slight chemical shift in the O 1 s peak due to the oxygen vacancy compensation in O2-excessive atmosphere. It is inferred that the electrical properties of the etched BTO film can be restored by post-annealing treatment after the etching process. Moreover, the relative permittivity and loss tangent of the post-annealed BTO thin films are remarkably improved by 232% and 2,695%, respectively.
Magnetic liposomes for colorectal cancer cells therapy by high-frequency magnetic field treatment
Authors: Hardiansyah Andri , Huang Li-Ying , Yang Ming-Chien , Liu Ting-Yu , Tsai Sung-Chen , Yang Chih-Yung , Kuo Chih-Yu , Chan Tzu-Yi , Zou Hui-Ming , Lian Wei-Nan , Lin Chi-Hung
Published: September 2014

In this study, we developed the cancer treatment through the combination of chemotherapy and thermotherapy using doxorubicin-loaded magnetic liposomes. The citric acid-coated magnetic nanoparticles (CAMNP, ca. 10 nm) and doxorubicin were encapsulated into the liposome (HSPC/DSPE/cholesterol = 12.5:1:8.25) by rotary evaporation and ultrasonication process. The resultant magnetic liposomes (ca. 90 to 130 nm) were subject to characterization including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, and fluorescence microscope. In vitro cytotoxicity of the drug carrier platform was investigated through 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using L-929 cells, as the mammalian cell model. In vitro cytotoxicity and hyperthermia (inductive heating) studies were evaluated against colorectal cancer (CT-26 cells) with high-frequency magnetic field (HFMF) exposure. MTT assay revealed that these drug carriers exhibited no cytotoxicity against L-929 cells, suggesting excellent biocompatibility. When the magnetic liposomes with 1 μM doxorubicin was used to treat CT-26 cells in combination with HFMF exposure, approximately 56% cells were killed and found to be more effective than either hyperthermia or chemotherapy treatment individually. Therefore, these results show that the synergistic effects between chemotherapy (drug-controlled release) and hyperthermia increase the capability to kill cancer cells.
Ferromagnetism and optical properties of La1 − xAl
x
FeO3 nanopowders
Authors: Janbutrach Yutana , Hunpratub Sitchai , Swatsitang Ekaphan
Published: September 2014

La1 − x
Al
x
FeO3 (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5) nanopowders were prepared by polymerization complex method. All prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and UV-vis spectrophotometry (UV-vis). The magnetic properties were investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The X-ray results of all samples show the formation of an orthorhombic phase with the second phase of α-Fe2O3 in doped samples. The crystallite sizes of nanoparticles decreased with increasing Al content, and they are found to be in the range of 58.45 ± 5.90 to 15.58 ± 4.64 nm. SEM and TEM images show the agglomeration of nanoparticles with average particle size in the range of 60 to 75 nm. The FT-IR spectra confirm the presence of metal oxygen bonds of O-Fe-O and Fe-O in the FeO6 octahedra. The UV-vis spectra show strong absorption peaks at approximately 285 nm, and the calculated optical band gaps are found to be in the range of 2.05 to 2.09 eV with increasing Al content. The M-H loop of the pure sample is antiferromagnetic, whereas those of the doped samples tend to be ferromagnetic with increasing Al content. The magnetization, remanent magnetization, and coercive field of the Al-doped sample with x = 0.5 are enhanced to 1.665 emu/g, 0.623 emu/g, and 4,087.0 Oe, respectively.
Fe effect on the optical properties of TiO2:Fe2O3 nanostructured composites supported on SiO2 microsphere assemblies
Authors: Peña-Flores Jesús I , Palomec-Garfias Abraham F , Márquez-Beltrán César , Sánchez-Mora Enrique , Gómez-Barojas Estela , Pérez-Rodríguez Felipe
Published: September 2014

The effect of Fe ion concentration on the morphological, structural, and optical properties of TiO2 films supported on silica (SiO2) opals has been studied. TiO2:Fe2O3 films were prepared by the sol-gel method in combination with a vertical dip coating procedure; precursor solutions of Ti and Fe were deposited on a monolayer of SiO2 opals previously deposited on a glass substrate by the same procedure. After the dip coating process has been carried out, the samples were thermally treated to obtain the TiO2:Fe2O3/SiO2 composites at the Fe ion concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs show the formation of colloidal silica microspheres of about 50 nm diameter autoensembled in a hexagonal close-packed fashion. Although the X-ray diffractograms show no significant effect of Fe ion concentration on the crystal structure of TiO2, the μ-Raman and reflectance spectra do show that the intensity of a phonon vibration mode and the energy bandgap of TiO2 decrease as the Fe+3 ion concentration increases.
The sheep KAP8-2 gene, a new KAP8 family member that is absent in humans
Authors: Gong Hua , Zhou Huitong , Dyer Jolon M , Hickford Jon GH
Published: September 2014

The keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are fundamental components of hair and wool fibres, and are believed to in part be responsible for some of the properties of these fibres. KAPs can be divided into three groups: the high sulphur (HS) KAPs, the ultra-high sulphur (UHS) KAPs and the high glycine-tyrosine (HGT) KAPs. KAP8 is a HGT-KAP family and was believed to be coded for by a single gene in both humans and sheep. However, the recent identification of a KAP8-2 gene in goats led us to investigate whether a KAP8-2 gene exists in sheep.

A BLAST search of the Ovine Genome Assembly v2.0 using the coding sequence of caprine KRTAP8-2 identified a homologous region on sheep chromosome 1 (OAR1:123005473_123005664; E = e-101). This region was clustered with a number of previously identified KAP genes including (in order from the centromere) KRTAP11-1, KRTAP7-1, KRTAP8-1, KRTAP6-2, KRTAP6-1, KRTAP13-3 and KRTAP24-1. PCR-SSCP analysis of the notional gene revealed two dissimilar PCR-SSCP banding patterns, representing two DNA sequences. A single nucleotide difference 21 bp upstream of the TATA box was identified. The two sequences did not have great homology with known ovine KRTAP sequences, but high sequence identity was found with KRTAP8-2 from goats and reindeer. These results suggest that sheep possess a KAP8-2 gene and that this gene is polymorphic.

The notional KAP8-2 protein is comprised of 63 amino acid residues and is rich in glycine and tyrosine, but has a low cysteine content. In contrast to other HGT-KAPs, ovine KAP8-2 contains more acidic amino acid residues, and this would likely result in a lower isoelectric point (pI) of 6.3.
Pre-service ultrasonic and manual evaluation of the reproductive organs of dairy cows presumed to be in estrus
Authors: Hansar Endris , Lemma Alemayehu , Yilma Tefera
Published: September 2014

Manual and ultrasonic evaluation of the the reproductive organs of 62 dairy cows and heifers belonging to smallholder farms was conducted. The objective was to assess the efficiency of visual estrus detection method in the dairy animals that were presented for artificial insemination. Data were collected on reproductive status, body condition, estrus signs, and findings of rectal examination. Thirty-three animals were inseminated after ultrasonic evaluation while 29 animals were inseminated after manual evaluation through rectal palpation. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed using ultrasound 30 days post insemination. The most frequently observed estrus signs by the dairy owners were mucus discharge (83.9%) and mounting (67.7%) while the most frequently confirmed physical signs of estrus by rectal examination were cervical opening (88.7%), and uterine turgidity (82.3%). The overall mean (±SD) diameter of the largest follicle was 12.9 ± 3.4 mm with an average number of 3.5 follicles per ovary. The overall pregnancy rate was 29%. Evaluation of post-insemination records showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the diameter of largest follicle between the pregnant (14.7 mm) and non-pregnant (12.1 mm) animals. The mean (±SD) time interval between the first observed estrus sign to service were 10.5 ± 7.0 hrs and 14.5 ± 10.0 hrs for pregnant and non-pregnant, respectively. The low pregnancy rate, delayed time of insemination, and the difference in the size of dominant follicle indicate the incompatibility between visual estrus detection and optimal time of insemination. This confirms the significance of improving estrus detection and the need for combining estrus signs with pre-service evaluation of the reproductive organs either manually or using ultrasound.
Affirmative action and university fit: evidence from Proposition 209
Authors: Arcidiacono Peter , Aucejo Esteban , Coate Patrick , Hotz V Joseph
Published: September 2014

Proposition 209 banned the use of racial preferences in admissions at public colleges in California. We analyze unique data for all applicants and enrollees within the University of California (UC) system before and after Prop 209. After Prop 209, minority graduation rates increased by 4.35 percentage points. We present evidence that certain institutions are better at graduating more-prepared students while other institutions are better at graduating less-prepared students and that these matching effects are particularly important for the bottom tail of the qualification distribution. We find that Prop 209 led to a more efficient sorting of minority students, explaining 18% of the graduation rate increase in our preferred specification. Further, there appears to have been behavioral responses to Prop 209, by universities and/or students, that explain between 23% and 64% of the graduation rate increase.

JEL codes

I28; J15
The role of mitochondrial function in gold nanoparticle mediated radiosensitisation
Authors: Taggart Laura E , McMahon Stephen J , Currell Fred J , Prise Kevin M , Butterworth Karl T
Published: September 2014

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs), have been demonstrated as effective preclinical radiosensitising agents in a range of cell models and radiation sources. These studies have also highlighted difficulty in predicted cellular radiobiological responses mediated by GNPs, based on physical assumptions alone, and therefore suggest a significant underlying biological component of response. This study aimed to determine the role of mitochondrial function in GNP radiosensitisation. Using assays of DNA damage and mitochondrial function through levels of oxidation and loss of membrane potential, we demonstrate a potential role of mitochondria as a central biological mechanism of GNP mediated radiosensitisation.
Circulating tumor cells as early predictors of metastatic spread in breast cancer patients with limited metastatic dissemination
Authors: Giuliano Mario , Giordano Antonio , Jackson Summer , De Giorgi Ugo , Mego Michal , Cohen Evan N , Gao Hui , Anfossi Simone , Handy Beverly C , Ueno Naoto T , Alvarez Ricardo H , De Placido Sabino , Valero Vicente , Hortobagyi Gabriel N , Reuben James M , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Traditional factors currently used for prognostic stratification do not always adequately predict treatment response and disease evolution in advanced breast cancer patients. Therefore, the use of blood-based markers, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), represents a promising complementary strategy for disease monitoring. In this retrospective study, we explored the role of CTC counts as predictors of disease evolution in breast cancer patients with limited metastatic dissemination.

Methods

A total of 492 advanced breast cancer patients who had a CTC count assessed by CellSearch prior to starting a new line of systemic therapy were eligible for this analysis. Using the threshold of 5 CTCs/7.5 ml of blood, pretreatment CTC counts were correlated in the overall population with metastatic site distribution, evaluated at baseline and at the time of treatment failure, using Fisher’s exact test. Time to visceral progression and time to the development of new metastatic lesions and sites were estimated in patients with nonvisceral metastases and with single-site metastatic disease, respectively, by the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival times were compared between groups according to pretreatment CTC count by logrank test.

Results

In the overall population, a pretreatment level ≥5 CTCs/7.5 ml was associated with an increased baseline number of metastatic sites compared with <5 CTCs/7.5 ml (P = 0.0077). At the time of treatment failure, patients with ≥5 CTCs/7.5 ml more frequently developed new metastatic lesions and sites compared with those with <5 CTCs/7.5 ml (development of new lesions: P = 0.0002; development of new sites: P = 0.0031). Among patients with disease originally confined to nonvisceral sites, ≥5 CTCs/7.5 ml was associated with remarkably shorter time to visceral metastases (P = 0.0021) and overall survival (P = 0.0006) compared with <5 CTCs/7.5 ml. In patients with single-site metastatic disease, ≥5 CTCs/7.5 ml was associated with a significant reduction of the time to development of new metastatic sites (P = 0.0051) and new lesions (P = 0.0002) and with worse overall survival (P = 0.0101).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that baseline CTC counts can be used as an early predictor of metastatic potential in breast cancer patients with limited metastatic dissemination.
The Angelina Jolie effect: how high celebrity profile can have a major impact on provision of cancer related services
Authors: Evans D Gareth R , Barwell Julian , Eccles Diana M , Collins Amanda , Izatt Louise , Jacobs Chris , Donaldson Alan , Brady Angela F , Cuthbert Andrew , Harrison Rachel , Thomas Sue , Howell Anthony ,   The FH02 Study Group,   RGC teams, Miedzybrodzka Zosia , Murray Alex
Published: September 2014

Introduction

It is frequent for news items to lead to a short lived temporary increase in interest in a particular health related service, however it is rare for this to have a long lasting effect. In 2013, in the UK in particular, there has been unprecedented publicity in hereditary breast cancer, with Angelina Jolie’s decision to have genetic testing for the BRCA1 gene and subsequently undergo risk reducing mastectomy (RRM), and a pre-release of the NICE guidelines on familial breast cancer in January and their final release on 26th June. The release of NICE guidelines created a lot of publicity over the potential for use of chemoprevention using tamoxifen or raloxifene. However, the longest lasting news story was the release of details of film actress Angelina Jolie’s genetic test and surgery.

Methods

To assess the potential effects of the ‘Angelina Jolie’ effect, referral data specific to breast cancer family history was obtained from around the UK for the years 2012 and 2013. A consortium of over 30 breast cancer family history clinics that have contributed to two research studies on early breast surveillance were asked to participate as well as 10 genetics centres. Monthly referrals to each service were collated and increases from 2012 to 2013 assessed.

Results

Data from 12 family history clinics and 9 regional genetics services showed a rise in referrals from May 2013 onwards. Referrals were nearly 2.5 fold in June and July 2013 from 1,981 (2012) to 4,847 (2013) and remained at around two-fold to October 2013. Demand for BRCA1/2 testing almost doubled and there were also many more enquiries for risk reducing mastectomy. Internal review shows that there was no increase in inappropriate referrals.

Conclusions

The Angelina Jolie effect has been long lasting and global, and appears to have increased referrals to centres appropriately.
A systematic review of cognitive decline in dementia with Lewy bodies versus Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Breitve Monica H , Chwiszczuk Luiza J , Hynninen Minna J , Rongve Arvid , Brønnick Kolbjørn , Janvin Carmen , Aarsland Dag
Published: September 2014

Introduction

The aim of this review was to investigate whether there is a faster cognitive decline in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) than in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) over time.

Methods

PsycINFO and Medline were searched from 1946 to February 2013. A quality rating from 1 to 15 (best) was applied to the included studies. A quantitative meta-analysis was done on studies with mini mental state examination (MMSE) as the outcome measure.

Results

A total of 18 studies were included. Of these, six (36%) reported significant differences in the rate of cognitive decline. Three studies reported a faster cognitive decline on MMSE in patients with mixed DLB and AD compared to pure forms, whereas two studies reported a faster decline on delayed recall and recognition in AD and one in DLB on verbal fluency. Mean quality scores for studies that did or did not differ were not significantly different. Six studies reported MMSE scores and were included in the meta-analysis, which showed no significant difference in annual decline on MMSE between DLB (mean 3.4) and AD (mean 3.3).

Conclusions

Our findings do not support the hypothesis of a faster rate of cognitive decline in DLB compared to AD. Future studies should apply recent diagnostic criteria, as well as extensive diagnostic evaluation and ideally autopsy diagnosis. Studies with large enough samples, detailed cognitive tests, at least two years follow up and multivariate statistical analysis are also needed.
Maximizing time from the constraining European Working Time Directive (EWTD): The Heidelberg New Working Time Model
Authors: Schimmack Simon , Hinz Ulf , Wagner Andreas , Schmidt Thomas , Strothmann Hendrik , Büchler Markus W , Schmitz-Winnenthal Hubertus
Published: September 2014

Background

The introduction of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) has greatly reduced training hours of surgical residents, which translates into 30% less surgical and clinical experience. Such a dramatic drop in attendance has serious implications such compromised quality of medical care. As the surgical department of the University of Heidelberg, our goal was to establish a model that was compliant with the EWTD while avoiding reduction in quality of patient care and surgical training.

Methods

We first performed workload analyses and performance statistics for all working areas of our department (operation theater, emergency room, specialized consultations, surgical wards and on-call duties) using personal interviews, time cards, medical documentation software as well as data of the financial- and personnel-controlling sector of our administration. Using that information, we specifically designed an EWTD-compatible work model and implemented it.

Results

Surgical wards and operating rooms (ORs) were not compliant with the EWTD. Between 5 pm and 8 pm, three ORs were still operating two-thirds of the time. By creating an extended work shift (7:30 am-7:30 pm), we effectively reduced the workload to less than 49% from 4 pm and 8 am, allowing the combination of an eight-hour working day with a 16-hour on call duty; thus, maximizing surgical resident training and ensuring patient continuity of care while maintaining EDTW guidelines.

Conclusion

A precise workload analysis is the key to success. The Heidelberg New Working Time Model provides a legal model, which, by avoiding rotating work shifts, assures quality of patient care and surgical training.