bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explicit Versus Tacit Knowledge in Mathematics
Authors: Archibald Tom , Peiffer Jeanne , Schappacher Norbert
Published: November 2012

This workshop aimed to bring together an international group of historians of mathematics to reflect upon the role played by tacit knowledge in doing mathematics at various times and places. The existence of tacit knowledge in contemporary mathematics is familiar to anyone who has ever been given an idea of how a particular proof or theory “works” by a verbal analogy or diagrammatic explanation that one would never consider publishing. Something of it is felt by every student of mathematics, when the process of learning mathematics often amounts to training the right reflexes. In more advanced contexts, the tacit understanding that a particular technique, instrument or approach is “the one to use” in a given circumstance gives another familiar instance. Tacit knowledge, a term introduced by the philosopher M. Polanyi, contrasts with the explicit knowledge that in almost all historical mathematical cultures is associated with mathematical text. The workshop invited a use of the categories of tacit and explicit knowledge to achieve a better knowledge of how mathematical creation proceeds, and also of how cultural habits play a tacit role in mathematical production. The meeting intended to offer the possibility of significant innovation and enrichment of historical method, as well as new and compelling insight into the process of creating mathematics in different times and places. The meeting was intended to afford the opportunity for a presentation of selected case studies by leading experts and new scholars. In retrospect, as we hope these abstracts show, the results promise to be of significant interest not only to historians, but to the mathematical community more broadly.
Interplay of Analysis and Probability in Physics
Authors: König Wolfgang , Mörters Peter , Peletier Mark A. , Zimmer Johannes
Published: November 2012

The main purpose of this workshop was to foster interaction between researchers in the fields of analysis and probability with the aim of joining forces to understand difficult problems from physics rigorously. 52 researchers of all age groups and from many parts of Europe and overseas attended. The talks and discussions evolved around five topics on the interface between analysis and probability. The main goal of the workshop, the systematic encouragement of intense discussions between the two communities, was achieved to a high extent.
The Mathematics and Statistics of Quantitative Risk Management
Authors: Davis Richard A. , Embrechts Paul , Mikosch Thomas
Published: November 2012

It was the aim of this workshop to gather a multidisciplinary and international group of scientists at the forefront of research in areas related to the mathematics and statistics of quantitative risk management. The main objectives of this workshop were to break down disciplinary barriers that often limit collaborative research in quantitative risk management, and to communicate the state of the art research from the different disciplines, and to point towards new directions of research.
Computability Theory
Authors: Ambos-Spies Klaus , Downey Rodney G. , Lempp Steffen , Merkle Wolfgang
Published: November 2012

Computability is one of the fundamental notions of mathematics, trying to capture the effective content of mathematics. Starting from Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem, it has now blossomed into a rich area with strong connections with other areas of mathematical logic as well as algebra and theoretical computer science.
Advanced Computational Engineering
Authors: Allix Olivier , Carstensen Carsten , Schröder Jörg , Wriggers Peter
Published: November 2012

The finite element method is the established simulation tool for the numerical solution of partial differential equations in many engineering problems with many mathematical developments such as mixed finite element methods (FEMs) and other nonstandard FEMs like least-squares, nonconforming, and discontinuous Galerkin (dG) FEMs. Various aspects on this plus related topics ranging from order-reduction methods to isogeometric analysis has been discussed amongst the pariticpants form mathematics and engineering for a large range of applications.
Theory and Applications of Discontinuous Galerkin Methods
Authors: Brenner Susanne C. , Hoppe Ronald H.W. , Rivière Béatrice
Published: November 2012

The workshop was organized by Susanne C. Brenner (Louisiana State University), Ronald Hoppe (University of Houston, Augsburg University) and Béatrice Rivière (Rice University). There were twenty-one lectures. The meeting was well attended with participants from Europe, England, North America and India. Both theoretical and computational talks on state-of-the-art discontinuous Galerkin methods were given by leading experts as well as by promising young mathematicians. The workshop addressed important issues in the development of discontinuous Galerkin methods. These issues include (but are not limited to) the formulation of more efficient methods with fewer number of degrees of freedom, the formulation of methods for coupled problems, the analysis of guaranteed a posteriori error estimation, and faster and accurate solvers. Scientific discussions continued in the evening among smaller groups of participants.
Inverse Problems for Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Hanke-Bourgeois Martin , Kirsch Andreas , Rundell William , Lassas Matti
Published: November 2012

This workshop brought together mathematicians engaged in different aspects of inverse problems for partial differential equations. Classical topics such as the inverse problems of impedance tomography and scattering theory as well as new developments such as interior transmission eigenvalues were discussed.
Enveloping Algebras and Geometric Representation Theory
Authors: Kumar Shrawan , Littelmann Peter , Soergel Wolfgang
Published: November 2012

The workshop brought together experts investigating algebraic Lie theory from the geometric and combinatorial points of view.
Representations of Finite Groups
Authors: Chuang Joseph , Linckelmann Markus , Malle Gunter , Rickard Jeremy
Published: November 2012

The workshop "Representations of Finite Groups" was organised by Joseph Chuang (London), Markus Linckelmann (Aberdeen), Gunter Malle (Kaiserslautern) and Jeremy Rickard (Bristol). It covered a wide variety of aspects of the representation theory of finite groups and related objects like Hecke algebras.
Cross-Sectional Study of Leptospira Seroprevalence in Humans, Rats, Mice, and Dogs in a Main Tropical Sea-Port City
Authors: Romero-Vivas Claudia M. E. , Cuello-Pérez Margarett , Agudelo-Flórez Piedad , Thiry Dorothy , Levett Paul N. , Falconar Andrew K. I.
Published: November 2012

Samples were collected from 128 symptomatic humans, 83 dogs, 49 mice, and 20 rats (Rattus rattus: 16; Rattus norvegicus: 4) in neighborhoods where human leptospirosis have been reported within the principal sea-port city of Colombia. Seroprevalences were assessed against 19 pathogenic, 1 intermediate pathogenic, and 1 saprophytic Leptospira serogroups. Pathogenic Leptospira were confirmed using conventional Leptospira-specific polymerase chain-reaction and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis was used for serovar identification. Seroprevalences of 20.4%, 12.5%, 25.0%, 22.9%, and 12.4% were obtained against one to seven different serogroups in mice, R. rattus, R. norvegicus, dogs, and humans, respectively. The DNA was confirmed to be from pathogenic Leptospira by detecting the lipL32 gene in 12.5%, 3.7%, and 0.03% of the R. rattus, dog, and human samples, respectively. The first genetically typed Colombian isolate was obtained from a rat and identified as Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae/Copenhageni.
Decreasing Intestinal Parasites in Recent Northern California Refugees
Authors: Chang Alicia H. , Perry Sharon , Du Jenny N. T. , Agunbiade Abdulkareem , Polesky Andrea , Parsonnet Julie
Published: November 2012

Beginning in 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the overseas presumptive treatment of intestinal parasites with albendazole to include refugees from the Middle East. We surveyed the prevalence of helminths and protozoa in recent Middle Eastern refugees (2008–2010) in comparison with refugees from other geographical regions and from a previous survey (2001–2004) in Santa Clara County, California. Based on stool microscopy, helminth infections decreased, particularly in Middle Eastern refugees (0.1% versus 2.3% 2001–2004, P = 0.01). Among all refugees, Giardia intestinalis was the most common protozoan found. Protozoa infections also decreased somewhat in Middle Eastern refugees (7.2%, 2008–2010 versus 12.9%, 2001–2004, P = 0.08). Serology for Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma spp. identified more infected individuals than stool exams. Helminth infections are increasingly rare in refugees to Northern California. Routine screening stool microscopy may be unnecessary in all refugees.
Dengue Virus Type 2 Modulates Endothelial Barrier Function through CD73
Authors: Patkar Chinmay , Giaya Kris , Libraty Daniel H.
Published: November 2012

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is characterized by a unique vascular leakage syndrome. The mechanisms of endothelial barrier dysfunction in dengue hemorrhagic fever are not well understood. We examined the modulation of endothelial barrier function in dengue virus type 2 (DENV2) infections using primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We demonstrated that the increase in endothelial barrier function within 72 hours after DENV2 infection is mediated by type I interferon–dependent CD73 up-regulation. After 72 hours, DENV2 slowed the recovery of endothelial barrier function in response to tumor necrosis factor-α or vascular endothelial growth factor. This phenomenon was likely caused by type I interferon receptor signaling inhibition and lower CD73 levels in DENV2-infected endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that during DENV2 infection, endothelial barrier homeostasis is maintained by a balance between pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic cytokines, and type I interferon–dependent CD73 expression and activity.
Controlled Human Malaria Infections by Intradermal Injection of Cryopreserved Plasmodium falciparum Sporozoites
Authors: Roestenberg Meta , Bijker Else M. , Sim B. Kim Lee , Billingsley Peter F. , James Eric R. , Bastiaens Guido J. H. , Teirlinck Anne C. , Scholzen Anja , Teelen Karina , Arens Theo , van der Ven André J. A. M. , Gunasekera Anusha , Chakravarty Sumana , Velmurugan Soundarapandian , Hermsen Cornelus C. , Sauerwein Robert W. , Hoffman Stephen L.
Published: November 2012

Controlled human malaria infection with sporozoites is a standardized and powerful tool for evaluation of malaria vaccine and drug efficacy but so far only applied by exposure to bites of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf)-infected mosquitoes. We assessed in an open label Phase 1 trial, infection after intradermal injection of respectively 2,500, 10,000, or 25,000 aseptic, purified, vialed, cryopreserved Pf sporozoites (PfSPZ) in three groups (N = 6/group) of healthy Dutch volunteers. Infection was safe and parasitemia developed in 15 of 18 volunteers (84%), 5 of 6 volunteers in each group. There were no differences between groups in time until parasitemia by microscopy or quantitative polymerase chain reaction, parasite kinetics, clinical symptoms, or laboratory values. This is the first successful infection by needle and syringe with PfSPZ manufactured in compliance with regulatory standards. After further optimization, the use of such PfSPZ may facilitate and accelerate clinical development of novel malaria drugs and vaccines.
Geography of Multinational Corporations and Functional Specialization in Chinese Cities
Authors: He Canfei , Xiao Xiaojun
Published: November 2012

There has been a transformation of urban structure from mainly sectoral to functional specialization. This transformation is inextricably interrelated with changes in firms’ organization. Some cities host upstream functions of the value chain while others attract production and assembly. This paper investigates the tendency toward functional specialization in Chinese cities by exploring divisions in multinational corporations’ (MNC) business operations in China. Based on data from Fortune Global 500 MNCs during 1979-2008, the study finds that MNCs have gradually expanded in China, both functionally and geographically. In that process, similar functions tend to agglomerate in certain cities while complementary functions co-agglomerate in others. The analysis indicates that Chinese cities may start to move toward functional specialization, with upstream functions clustering in the top tier cities of the political and economic urban hierarchy.
Shopping Centres and Intangible Consumption in Global Cities
Authors: Corniani Margherita
Published: November 2012

In global markets, shopping centres are becoming important agents, defining the kind and quality of intangible features of supplies, not only establishing the assortments, but also affecting the consumption behaviour atmosphere that they determine in all its aspects. In this way, shopping malls are responsible for the quality of the intangible consumption process which has a profound impact on people and on the community that people live in. That is why shopping centres, both physical and virtual (i.e. e-commerce sites and other kinds of virtual marketplaces), are significant in big towns, where commercial density is high. By defining the intangible aspects of consumption, shopping centres determine the development of a particular geographical area (normally surrounding a big city) because they are able to concentrate demand, and they play an active role in establishing the choice alternatives, which means forging the consumption habits and expectations of populations and cities.
Ouverture de ‘Global Cities and Knowledge Management - 2’
Authors: Brondoni Silvio M.
Published: November 2012

World cities are boosted by Nation-States to encourage and control the innovation processes, developing specific attractiveness factors for companies focused on knowledge production. The role of world cities as a knowledge hub is linked to the one of knowledge production-city, since in global cities there are high-knowledge producers, consumers and workers. It is possible to identify three models of global urban development, each one differing from the other for the degree of knowledge production and intangible consumption attracted and promoted within the city: the model of no-knowledge production; the model of low-knowledge production and the model of high-knowledge production.
Growth, Consumption and Knowledge Cities
Authors: Riccardo Cappellin
Published: November 2012

Cities are important centres of service activities and hubs of new knowledge. The changing structure of production and consumption in post-industrial cities has been analysed by building on the recent economic literature in three related fields, such as: the ‘endogenous development’ of industrial clusters, the regional development of knowledge intensive business services and the regional factors of innovation and knowledge creation. The increasing interaction between users and producers for the development of new services within cities creates the internal aggregate demand, which is mainly concentrated within cities, and can be a powerful driver of national growth and the new motor or the drivers of the economy in a modern city.
Which Future? Strategic Visions For American Cities
Authors: Raffaella Nanetti
Published: November 2012

The deep and widespread financial and economic crisis that started in 2007 has spawned powerful protest movements across the US. Some of the protest grass root movements are pushed forward by the crisis in giving up on that very notion by embracing a no growth and wealth redistribution approach. Other movements that are ideologically critical of public policies have been prompted by the crisis to return to an even more pronounced free market approach and to the anti-city posture . A distinctive lack of vision for the future of cities has become the common denominator of both movements. A constructive thinking for the future of American cities suggests a positive role with regard to cities so that they can continue to be the levers of knowledge production for a sustainable development.
Large Cities, Intangible Consumption and Knowledge Production
Authors: Lara Penco
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this paper is to present the characteristics of the city in the knowledge era. In the knowledge era, we argue that a successful city assumes the role of: A) knowledge hub, because large cities host high tech industries, higher education and research institutions, knowledge intensive business services (KIBS); B) consumer hub, which generates consumption, especially of an intangible nature such as services, culture, entertainment, products which spread culture and knowledge (e.g. fashion and design products). This paper aims to provide a conceptual framework to understand the key-factors - implicit and explicit - useful to the development and success of the city.
Assessing Urban Environmental Management Practice with a Scalar Approach. The Shanghai Case
Authors: Wei Tu
Published: November 2012

Shanghai’s urban environmental management in the past three decades has been focused primarily on the environmental problems at the intra-urban level. While this ‘end of pipe’ approach greatly mitigated domestic and industrial pollution, progresses were much slower in dealing with environmental impacts both at a smaller (i.e., those related to people’s daily activities) scale and at a larger (i.e., those related to inter-urban/regional or global issues) scale. Urban environmental management policies in Shanghai and China should prioritize and address urban environmental impacts at continuous geographic scales to achieve long-term ‘triple bottom line’ sustainability.
Calibration and validation of the advanced E-Region Wind Interferometer
Authors: Kristoffersen S. K. , Ward W. E. , Brown S. , Drummond J. R.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The advanced E-Region Wind Interferometer (ERWIN II) combines the imaging capabilities of a CCD detector with the wide field associated with field widened Michelson interferometry. This instrument is capable of simultaneous multi-directional wind observations for three different airglow emissions (oxygen green line (O(1S)), the PQ(7) and PP(7) emission lines in the O2(0–1) atmospheric band and P1(3) emission line in the (6,2) hydroxyl Meinel band) on a three minute cadence. In each direction, for 45 s measurements for typical airglow brightness the instrument is capable of line-of-sight wind precisions of ~ 1 m s−1 for hydroxyl and O(1S) and ~ 4 m s−1 for O2. This precision is achieved using a new data analysis algorithm which takes advantage of the imaging capabilities of the CCD detector along with knowledge of the instrument phase variation as a function of pixel location across the detector. This instrument is currently located in Eureka, Nunavut as part of the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL). The details of the physical configuration, the data analysis algorithm, the measurement calibration and validation of the observations are described. Field measurements which demonstrate the capabilities of this instrument are presented. To our knowledge, the wind determinations with this instrument are the most accurate and have the highest observational cadence for airglow wind observations of this region of the atmosphere and match the capabilities of other wind measuring techniques.
A cost-efficient method to assess carbon stocks in tropical peat soil
Authors: Warren M. W. , Kauffman J. B. , Murdiyarso D. , Anshari G. , Hergoualc'h K. , Kurnianto S. , Purbopuspito J. , Gusmayanti E. , Afifudin M. , Rahajoe J. , Alhamd L. , Limin S. , Iswandi A.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Estimation of belowground carbon stocks in tropical wetland forests requires funding for laboratory analyses and suitable facilities, which are often lacking in developing nations where most tropical wetlands are found. It is therefore beneficial to develop simple analytical tools to assist belowground carbon estimation where financial and technical limitations are common. Here we use published and original data to describe soil carbon density (kgC m−3; Cd) as a function of bulk density (gC cm−3; Bd), which can be used to rapidly estimate belowground carbon storage using Bd measurements only. Predicted carbon densities and stocks are compared with those obtained from direct carbon analysis for ten peat swamp forest stands in three national parks of Indonesia. Analysis of soil carbon density and bulk density from the literature indicated a strong linear relationship (Cd = Bd × 495.14 + 5.41, R2 = 0.93, n = 151) for soils with organic C content > 40%. As organic C content decreases, the relationship between Cd and Bd becomes less predictable as soil texture becomes an important determinant of Cd. The equation predicted belowground C stocks to within 0.92% to 9.57% of observed values. Average bulk density of collected peat samples was 0.127 g cm−3, which is in the upper range of previous reports for Southeast Asian peatlands. When original data were included, the revised equation Cd = Bd × 468.76 + 5.82, with R2 = 0.95 and n = 712, was slightly below the lower 95% confidence interval of the original equation, and tended to decrease Cd estimates. We recommend this last equation for a rapid estimation of soil C stocks for well-developed peat soils where C content > 40%.
A model for simulating the timelines of field operations at a European scale for use in complex dynamic models
Authors: Hutchings N. J. , Reinds G. J. , Leip A. , Wattenbach M. , Bienkowski J. F. , Dalgaard T. , Dragosits U. , Drouet J. L. , Durand P. , Maury O. , de Vries W.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Complex dynamic models of carbon and nitrogen are often used to investigate the consequences of climate change on agricultural production and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. These models require high temporal resolution input data regarding the timing of field operations. This paper describes the Timelines model, which predicts the timelines of key field operations across Europe. The evaluation of the model suggests that while for some crops a reasonable agreement was obtained in the prediction of the times of field operations, there were some very large differences which need to be corrected. Systematic variations in the date of harvesting and in the timing of the first application of N fertiliser to winter crops need to be corrected and the prediction of soil workability and trafficability might enable the prediction of ploughing and applications of solid manure in preparation for spring crops. The data concerning the thermal time thresholds for sowing and harvesting underlying the model should be updated and extended to a wider range of crops.
Stratigraphy and paleoenvironments of the early to middle Holocene Chipalamawamba Beds (Malawi Basin, Africa)
Authors: Van Bocxlaer B. , Salenbien W. , Praet N. , Verniers J.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. We describe the Chipalamawamba Beds, early to middle Holocene deposits at the southern margin of long-lived Lake Malawi. The beds are exposed because of downcutting of the upper Shire River. The Chipalamawamba sediments are medium to coarse, yellow to brown sands deposited in lenses varying in horizontal extent from a few meters to several hundreds of meters. Four units are recognized; the first three mainly contain lacustrine sediments deposited during lake high stands about 10.6–9.7 cal ka BP (Unit 1), 7.6–6.5 cal ka BP (Unit 2) and 5.9–5.3 cal ka BP (Unit 3). Sediments of Unit 4 overlay Units 1 to 3, are coarser and display regular foresets and oblique-bedding, suggesting deposition in riverine environments after installation of the Shire River (~ 5.5–5.0 ka BP). Freshwater mollusk assemblages and bioturbation regularly occur in the lacustrine sediments, but are largely absent from Unit 4. Diverse and often contradicting hypotheses on the lake levels of Lake Malawi have been proposed for the early and middle Holocene. The Chipalamawamba Beds allow straightforward recognition of water levels and provide strong evidence for oscillating lake levels during this period, rather than continuous high or low levels. Sedimentation rates have been high and individual shell beds have typically been deposited during a few decades. Because the Chipalamawamba Beds contain a sequence of mollusk assemblages with intervals between subsequent shell beds ranging from a century to a few millennia, they enable paleontological analysis of the fauna with an unusually high temporal resolution. That some mollusk lineages inhabiting Lake Malawi are in the early stages of diversification and radiation increases the paleobiological relevance of these beds.
Spatial resolution and regionalization of airborne flux measurements using environmental response functions
Authors: Metzger S. , Junkermann W. , Mauder M. , Butterbach-Bahl K. , Trancón y Widemann B. , Neidl F. , Schäfer K. , Wieneke S. , Zheng X. H. , Schmid H. P. , Foken T.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The goal of this study is to characterize the sensible (H) and latent (LE) heat exchange for different land covers in the heterogeneous steppe landscape of the Xilin River Catchment, Inner Mongolia, China. Eddy-covariance flux measurements at 50–100 m above ground were conducted in July 2009 using a weight-shift microlight aircraft. Wavelet decomposition of the turbulence data enables a spatial discretization of 90 m of the flux measurements. For a total of 8446 flux observations during 12 flights, MODIS land surface temperature (LST) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) in each flux footprint are determined. Boosted regression trees are then used to infer an environmental response function (ERF) between all flux observations (H, LE) and biophysical- (LST, EVI) and meteorological drivers. Numerical tests show that ERF predictions covering the entire Xilin River Catchment (≈ 3670 km2) are accurate to ≤ 18%. The predictions are then summarized for each land cover type, providing individual estimates of source strength (36 W m−2 < H < 364 W m−2, 46 W m−2 < LE < 425 W m−2) and spatial variability (11 W m−2 < σH < 169 W m−2, 14 W m−2 < σLE < 152 W m−2) to a precision of ≤ 5%. Lastly, ERF predictions of land cover specific Bowen ratios are compared between subsequent flights at different locations in the Xilin River Catchment. Agreement of the land cover specific Bowen ratios to within 12 ± 9% emphasizes the robustness of the presented approach. This study indicates the potential of ERFs for (i) extending airborne flux measurements to the catchment scale, (ii) assessing the spatial representativeness of long-term tower flux measurements, and (iii) designing, constraining and evaluating flux algorithms for remote sensing and numerical modelling applications.
Coarsely crystalline cryogenic cave carbonate – a new archive to estimate the Last Glacial minimum permafrost depth in Central Europe
Authors: Žák K. , Richter D. K. , Filippi M. , Živor R. , Deininger M. , Mangini A. , Scholz D.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Cryogenic cave carbonate (CCC) represents a specific type of speleothem whose precipitation is triggered by freezing of mineralized karst water. Coarsely crystalline CCC, which formed during slow freezing of water in cave pools, has been reported from 20 Central European caves located in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. All these caves are situated in an area which was glacier-free during the Weichselian. Whereas the formation of usual types of speleothems in caves of this region usually ceased during the glacials, coarsely crystalline CCC precipitation was restricted to glacial periods. Since this carbonate type represents a novel, useful paleoclimate proxy, data from its Weichselian occurrences in caves in Central Europe were collected, including their C and O stable isotope values, U-series ages and depth below the surface. When using only the CCC data from caves with limited cave ventilation, the permafrost depths of the Weichselian can be estimated to be at least 65 m in the lowlands and uplands. An isolated CCC find indicates that Weichselian permafrost penetrated to a depth of at least 285 m in the High Tatra mountains, Slovakia. A model of the formation of coarsely crystalline CCC assumes its formation especially during periods of permafrost thawing. U-series data confirm that permafrost depth changed and CCC precipitation in deep caves occurred repeatedly in the studied area during marine isotope stages 4, 3 and 2. One important phase of coarsely crystalline CCC formation related to permafrost thawing occurred between 40 and 21 ka BP, and the last phase of its formation was related to the final permafrost destruction between 17 and 12 ka BP.
Technology and human purpose: the problem of solids transport on the Earth's surface
Authors: Haff P. K.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Displacement of mass of limited deformability ("solids") on the Earth's surface is opposed by friction and (the analog of) form resistance – impediments relaxed by rotational motion, self-powering of mass units, and transport infrastructure. These features of solids transport first evolved in the biosphere prior to the emergence of technology, allowing slope-independent, diffusion-like motion of discrete objects as massive as several tons, as illustrated by animal foraging and movement along game trails. However, high-energy-consumption technology powered by fossil fuels required a mechanism that could support fast advective transport of solids, i.e., long-distance, high-volume, high-speed, unidirectional, slope-independent transport across the land surface of materials like coal, containerized fluids, minerals, and economic goods. Pre-technology nature was able to sustain regional- and global-scale advection only in the limited form of piggybacking on geophysical flows of water (river sediment) and air (dust). The appearance of a mechanism for sustained advection of solids independent of fluid flows and gravity appeared only upon the emergence of human purpose. Purpose enables solids advection by, in effect, simulating a continuous potential gradient, otherwise lacking, between discrete and widely separated fossil-fuel energy sources and sinks. Invoking purpose as a mechanism in solids advection is an example of the need to import anthropic principles and concepts into the language and methodology of modern Earth system dynamics. As part of the emergence of a generalized solids advection mechanism, several additional transport requirements necessary to the function of modern large-scale technological systems were also satisfied. These include spatially accurate delivery of advected payload, targetability to essentially arbitrarily located destinations (such as cities), and independence of structure of advected payload from transport mechanism. The latter property enables the transport of an onboard power supply and delivery of persistent-memory, high-information-content payload, such as technological artifacts ("parts").
Simulation of the microwave emission of multi-layered snowpacks using the dense media radiative transfer theory: the DMRT-ML model
Authors: Picard G. , Brucker L. , Roy A. , Dupont F. , Fily M. , Royer A.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. DMRT-ML is a physically-based numerical model designed to compute the thermal microwave emission of a given snowpack. Its main application is the simulation of brightness temperatures at frequencies in the range 1–200 GHz similar to those acquired routinely by space-based microwave radiometers. The model is based on the Dense Media Radiative Transfer (DMRT) theory for the computation of the snow scattering and extinction coefficients and on the Discrete Ordinate Method (DISORT) to numerically solve the radiative transfer equation. The snowpack is modeled as a stack of multiple horizontal snow layers and an optional underlying interface representing the soil or the bottom ice. The model handles both dry and wet snow conditions. Such a general design allows the user to account for a wide range of snow conditions. Hitherto, the model has been used to simulate the thermal emission of the deep firn on ice sheets, shallow snowpacks overlying soil in Arctic and Alpine regions, and overlying ice on the large ice-sheet margins and glaciers. DMRT-ML has thus been validated in three very different conditions: Antarctica, Barnes Ice Cap (Canada) and Canadian tundra. It has been recently used in conjunction with inverse methods to retrieve snow grain size from remote sensing data. The model is written in Fortran90 and available to the snow remote sensing community as an open-source software.
A regional and multi-faceted approach to postgraduate water education – the WaterNet experience in Southern Africa
Authors: Jonker L. , van der Zaag P. , Gumbo B. , Rockström J. , Love D. , Savenije H. H. G.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. This paper reports the experience of a regional network of academic departments involved in water education that started as a project and evolved, over a period of 12 yr, into an independent network organisation. The paper pursues three objectives. First, it argues that it makes good sense to organise postgraduate education and research on water resources on a regional scale and presents the WaterNet experience as an example that a regional approach can work. Second, it presents preliminary findings and conclusions that the regional approach presented by WaterNet did make a contribution to the capacity needs of the region both in terms of management and research capacity. Third, it draws two generalised lessons from the WaterNet experience. Lesson one pertains to the importance of legitimate ownership and an accountability structure for network effectiveness. Lesson two is related to the financial and intellectual resources required to jointly developing educational programmes through shared experience.
Does Prophylactic Anticoagulation Reduce the Risk of Femoral Tunneled Dialysis Catheter-related Complications?
Authors: Herrington William G. , Nye Helen J. , Haynes Richard J. , Winearls Christopher G. , Vaux Emma C.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To determine the incidence and predictors of femoral tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC)-related complications and whether prophylactic anticoagulation is associated with reduced catheter-related deep vein thrombosis (CRT) or prolonged patency.

Methods

A retrospective review of femoral TDCs inserted for maintenance hemodialysis in patients from two dialysis units that have used two different strategies to reduce thrombotic complications. One center routinely considered all femoral TDCs for prophylactic anticoagulation, whilst the other restricted anticoagulation to TDCs that had required repeated treatment with urokinase locks to maintain patency. Survival analyses were performed to establish complication rates, identify predictors of complications and assess the effect of prophylactic anticoagulation use.

Results

Of the 194 femoral TDCs identified, 178 (92%) were associated with at least one complication. Approximately three quarters did not provide adequate small solute clearance; one half were not in use by three months; one quarter had at least one catheter-related infection (2.3 per 1000 catheter days); and one in ten developed a CRT (1.1 per 1000 catheter days). Prophylactic anticoagulation was not associated with significant improvements in rates of catheter occlusion, CRT, catheter-related infection or dialysis adequacy. A previous ipsilateral femoral TDC was identified as a statistically significant predictor of a CRT (adjusted hazard ratio 3.7 [95% confidence interval 1.4-9.8]; P=.007).

Conclusions

Femoral TDCs are associated with poor patency rates and high complication rates; reusing femoral veins for TDCs should be avoided where possible, and this study provides no evidence to support routine prophylactic anticoagulation in all patients with femoral TDCs.
Vegetation Productivity/Stability and Other Possible Ecological Invariant Relationships Demonstrated in a Microplot Multispecies Pasture Sward
Authors: Scott David
Published: November 2012

The relationship between vegetation functional characteristics of production, stability and descriptive characteristic of species diversity or dominance, and other possible compositional invariants were investigated in 2400 micro-plot sward of 20 species at randomly assigned positions and using different matrix sizes of adjacent plots and four harvest to derive a combination of “vegetations” of differing species configurations.Within the highest frequency section of the data there was little relationship between productivity and stability (deviance) and either species diversity or dominance (% contribution of 1st ranked species). However, considering all data, productivity increased with increasing dominance and was unrelated to species diversity, while stability increased with diversity. Of single parameters combining diversity and dominance, the gradient of the log abundance/rank relationship was superior to Shannon H, with both showing productivity increasing with dominance rather than diversity. The fate of individual micro-plots from a mixed species stand through successive harvests was consistent with the −3/2 thinning rule, though with species cumulative yields. The abundance/rank relationship was compared with many models. Where there was simultaneous fitting to both density and biomass relationships, self-thinning random particle packing models were best and offered an explanation of the process. The positive correlation between regional and local frequency was related to sample area in a random placement model. Observed species composition and mortality was simulated by consideration of plant size related growth and mortality, initial establishment, growth potential and variation in plant size.
Carotid Artery Disease and Stroke: Assessing Risk with Vessel Wall MRI
Authors: Kerwin William S.
Published: November 2012

Although MRI is widely used to diagnose stenotic carotid arteries, it also detects characteristics of the atherosclerotic plaque itself, including its size, composition, and activity. These features are emerging as additional risk factors for stroke that can be feasibly acquired clinically. This paper summarizes the state of evidence for a clinical role for MRI of carotid atherosclerosis.
DNA Extraction Protocol for Plants with High Levels of Secondary Metabolites and Polysaccharides without Using Liquid Nitrogen and Phenol
Authors: Sahu Sunil Kumar , Thangaraj Muthusamy , Kathiresan Kandasamy
Published: November 2012

Mangroves and salt marsh species are known to synthesize a wide spectrum of polysaccharides and polyphenols including flavonoids and other secondary metabolites which interfere with the extraction of pure genomic DNA. Although a plethora of plant DNA isolation protocols exist, extracting DNA from mangroves and salt marsh species is a challenging task. This study describes a rapid and reliable cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) protocol suited specifically for extracting DNA from plants which are rich in polysaccharides and secondary metabolites, and the protocol also excludes the use of expensive liquid nitrogen and toxic phenols. Purity of extracted DNA was excellent as evident by A260/A280 ratio ranging from 1.78 to 1.84 and A260/A230 ratio was >2, which also suggested that the preparations were sufficiently free of proteins and polyphenolics/polysaccharide compounds. DNA concentration ranged from 8.8 to 9.9 μg μL−1. The extracted DNA was amenable to RAPD, restriction digestion, and PCR amplification of plant barcode genes (matK and rbcl). The optimized method is suitable for both dry and fresh leaves. The success of this method in obtaining high-quality genomic DNA demonstrated the broad applicability of this method.
Variations in Functional and Anatomical Outcomes and in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Rate along a Prospective Collaborative Study on Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments: The Retina 1 Project—Report 4
Authors: Pastor J. Carlos , Fernández Itziar , Coco Rosa M. , Sanabria María R. , Rodríguez de la Rúa Enrique , Piñon Rosa M. , Martinez Vicente , Sala-Puigdollers Anna , Gallardo José M. , Velilla Sara
Published: November 2012

Purpose. To analyse variations in the anatomical and functional outcomes and in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) rate of a prospective multicentric study that was primarily designed for identification of clinical risk factors for PVR. Methods. 1,046 retinal detachment (RD) cases were analysed. Cases were divided into two series based upon variation in PVR rate determined by logistic regression analysis. Series 1 (S1) included RD treated during 2004-2005 (n=481) and Series 2 (S2) during 2006–2008 (n=565). Pre-, intra-, and postoperative characteristics were recorded. Results. There were few differences in the preoperative characteristics. S2 had more vitrectomies and scleral bands and fewer explants and associated cataract extractions than S1. Anatomic reattachment improved from 87.9% to 92.9% in S1 and S2, respectively, (P=0.006). Visual acuity at 3 months ≥20/40 increased from 36.5% of S1 to 44.2% in S2 (P=0.049). PVR rate diminished from 14.1% in S1 to 8.1% in S2 (P=0.002). Centres with higher rates of PVR in S1 showed the greatest reductions in S2. Conclusion. An improvement in anatomical and functional outcome and PVR rate occurred in participating centres cannot be attributed to the learning curve of surgeons. We speculated that it could be an effect of their participation in the study.
Insulin Therapy and Cancer in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Mannucci Edoardo
Published: November 2012

Despite the availability of many other agents, insulin is widely used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. In vitro, insulin stimulates the growth of cancer cells, through the interaction with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors and its own receptors. In observational surveys on type 2 diabetes, insulin therapy is associated with an increased incidence of several forms of cancer, although it is difficult to discriminate the effect of confounders from that of insulin itself. Randomized trials do not confirm the increased risk associated with insulin therapy, although they do not allow to rule out some negative effects on specific forms of cancer, at least at higher doses. Among insulin analogues, glargine has a higher affinity for the IGF-1 receptor and a greater mitogenic potency in vitro than human insulin, but it is extensively metabolized in vitro to products with low IGF-1 receptor affinity. Overall, epidemiological studies suggest a possible increase of risk with glargine, with respect to human insulin, only at high doses and for some forms of cancer (i.e., breast). Data from clinical trials do not confirm, but are still insufficient to totally exclude, such increased risk. However, beneficial effects of insulin outweigh potential cancer risks.
Photosynthesis and Nitrogen Metabolism ofNepenthes alatain Response to InorganicNO3-and Organic Prey N in the Greenhouse
Authors: He Jie , Zain Ameerah
Published: November 2012

This study investigates the relative importance of leaf carnivory onNepenthes alataby studying the effect of different nitrogen (N) sources on its photosynthesis and N metabolism in the greenhouse. Plants were given either inorganicNO3-, organic N derived from meal worms,Tenebrio molitor, or bothNO3-and organic N for a period of four weeks. Leaf lamina (defined as leaves) had significant higher photosynthetic pigments and light saturation for photosynthesis compared to that of modified leaves (defined as pitchers). Maximal light saturated photosynthetic rates (Pmax) were higher in leaves than in pitchers. Leaves also had a higher light utilization than that of pitchers. Both leaves and pitchers of plants that were supplied with both inorganicNO3-and organic prey N had a similar photosynthetic capacity and N metabolism compared to plants that were given only inorganicNO3-. However, adding organic prey N to the pitchers enhanced both photosynthetic capacity and N metabolism when plants were grown underNO3-deprivation condition. These findings suggest that organic prey N is essential forN. alatato achieve higher photosynthetic capacity and N metabolism only when plants are subjected to an environment where inorganic N is scarce.
The Story of Equine Atypical Myopathy: A Review from the Beginning to a Possible End
Authors: Votion Dominique-Marie
Published: November 2012

Atypical myopathy (AM) is a frequently fatal seasonal pasture myopathy that emerges in Europe. Outbreaks are of an acute and unexpected nature and practitioners should be prepared to handle these critically ill patients. This review retraces the history of AM and describes results of epidemiological investigations that were conducted to raise hypotheses concerning the etiology of this devastating disease as well as to be able to suggest potential preventive measures. Also, clinical studies have contributed to a better definition and recognition of the syndrome, whereas elucidation of the pathological process, identified as a multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD), was a great step forward improving medical management of AM and guiding the search for the etiological agent towards toxins that reproduce the identified defect. Treatment plans can be extrapolated from the described clinical signs and metabolic problems, but they remain limited to supportive care until the causative agent has been identified with certainty. Since treatment is still unsuccessful in the majority of cases, the main emphasis is currently still on prevention. This paper aims at being a practical support for equine clinicians dealing with AM and is based on discussion and comparison of the currently available scientific data.
Comparison of Fetal Cerebellum and Cisterna Magna Length by 2D and 3D Ultrasonography between 18 and 24 Weeks of Pregnancy
Authors: de Barros Fernanda Silveira Bello , Bussamra Luiz Cláudio de Silva , Araujo Júnior Edward , Freitas Leonardo da Silva Valladão de , Nardozza Luciano Marcondes Machado , Moron Antonio Fernandes , Aldrighi José Mendes
Published: November 2012

To compare the fetal cerebellum and cisterna magna length measurements by means of two- (2DUS) and three-dimensional (3DUS) ultrasonography using the three-dimensional extended imaging (3D XI), a cross-sectional study with 69 healthy pregnant women between 18 and 24 weeks was performed. For the measurements by 2DUS, the axial planes were used and for the 3DUS a sequence of adjacent axial slices (multislice view). To evaluate the difference between the two techniques, we used the Wilcoxon test. To evaluate the correlation between the cerebellum and cisterna magna length measurements and the gestational age, we used the Spearman correlation coefficient (r). For the calculation of reproducibility, we used the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The mean of the transverse and anterior-posterior diameter of cerebellum and cisterna magna by 3DUS was 9.23 and 6.62 mm, respectively. It was observed that the average of the measurements obtained by 3DUS was significantly higher, 0.76 and 1.02 mm for the length of the cerebellum and cisterna magna, respectively (P<0.001). There was a high correlation between the length measurement of the cerebellum 3D (r=0.940, P<0.001), but low correlation of cisterna magna 3D (r=0.462, P=0.080) with the gestational age. There was good intra- and interobserver reproducibility for the cerebellum and cisterna magna 3D with ICC=0.792
, 0.668, 0.691, and 0.287, respectively. The measurements of the fetal cerebellum and cisterna magna length by 3DUS using the software 3D XI were significantly higher than those obtained by 2DUS.