bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal Colonization with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Hospitalized and Outpatients
Authors: Trajkovska-Dokic Elena , Kaftandzieva Ana , Stojkovska Snezana , Kuzmanovska Aneta , Panovski Nikola
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND: The incidence of infection and intestinal colonization with vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) is increasing in many countries in the last decade. Concerning the difficult antimicrobial treatment of infections caused by VRE, decreasing the incidence and prevalence of these infections is an important factor in VRE-induced morbidity and mortality control.AIM: To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal colonization with vancomycin resistant enterococci in hospitalized and outpatients, and to determine the genetic base of the vancomycin resistance in VRE isolates.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven hundred and eighty stool specimens were investigated for the gastrointestinal carriage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Susceptibility to vancomycin was tested in all isolates by disk-diffusion test and E-test (AB Biodisk, Sweden). Determined vancomycin resistant enterococci were than tested for detection of vanA, vanB and vanC genes by PCR.RESULTS: Vancomycin resistant strains of enterococci were isolated from 46 (16.1 %) of the 285 hospitalized patients and 5 (7.7 %) of the 65 patients living in the community (p < 0.05). The most of the highly resistant enterococci strains to vancomycin (95.2 %), were identified as E. faecium. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to vancomycin in all 39 vanA genotypes of E. faecium and two vanA genotypes of E. fecalis were > 256 mg/ml. Three vanB genotypes of E. faecium and one vanB genotype of E. faecalis had MICs of 32 mg/ml. All six vanC genotypes of E. gallinarum had MICs of 8 mg/ml. All vanA genotypes of VRE were highly resistant to vancomycin, with MICs above 256 mg/ml. Three vanB genotypes of VR E. faecium and one VR E. fecalis were resistant, with MICs 32 mg/ml. vanC genotypes of VR E. gallinarum were intermediate resistant to vancomycin with MICs of 8 mg/ml.CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci in Republic of Macedonia was 2-fold higher in hospitalized than in outpatients. VanA genotype was dominant in isolates of E. faecium and it was highly associated with the MIC values above the 256 mg/ml. Since most of the enterococcal infections are endogenous, there is a need for screening the colonization of patientâ€™s intestinal flora with VRE at the hospital entry. Identification and genotyping of faecal enterococci, together with their susceptibility testing to vancomycin, could be useful marker for the infection control.
De l’eau agricole à l’eau environnementale
Authors: Sans Jaume , Panareda Josep M.
Published: December 2014

Les auteurs de ce chapitre s’intéressent à l’espace actuel du delta du Llobregat (Barcelone) d’un point de vue historique, en prenant en considération les influences économiques et sociales qui ont conduit à sa construction. Situé au sud de la capitale catalane, le delta apparaît, aujourd’hui, comme un laboratoire pour la gestion de la diversité de ses paysages. L’évolution de cet espace est étroitement liée à la présence de l’eau et à son utilisation au fil du temps. Cette utilisation et l’espace du delta du Llobregat sont étroitement liés à l’évolution historique et économique de la ville de Barcelone. Actuellement, nous trouvons une grande diversité de paysages. Beaucoup d’entre eux sont liés à l’utilisation de l’eau. L’avenir de ces paysages variés est menacé par l’expansion urbaine de la grande Barcelone. Cependant, les administrations publiques semblent montrer une réelle volonté de préserver une part de ces espaces issus des interactions nature-sociétés, en particulier, des usages agricoles passés.
De l’eau agricole à l’eau environnementale
Authors: Ruiz Pulpón Ángel Raúl
Published: December 2014

Approuvée en décembre 2000, la directive cadre européenne établit une réglementation commune contraignante pour la politique de l ‘eau dans les États membres de l’Union européenne. Son application effective va dépendre des facteurs techniques et pratiques. D’une part, il s’agit des adaptations de transposition de celle-ci à chaque législation nationale. D’autre part, les facteurs pratiques relèvent des difficultés d’application dans des espaces naturels spécifiques comme celui du parc national de Las Tablas de Daimiel (Espagne). Ce parc est l’un des écosystèmes les plus représentatifs de la formation de zones humides liées au débordement des rivières, dans les zones de plaine. Depuis 1981, il fait partie de la réserve mondiale de biosphère La Mancha Húmeda , dont le processus de dégradation est lié à la surexploitation intensive des eaux souterraines consacrées à l’irrigation. Une étude détaillée de la Directive cadre européenne nous permettra d’analyser certains aspects positifs qui peuvent aider à préserver le parc national. Il s’agit notamment de : la gestion intégrale d’un bassin, l’adoption de stratégies pour prévoir, contrôler et combattre la pollution des eaux et la participation sociale liée à la sensibilisation citoyenne sur les problèmes environnementaux.
De l’eau agricole à l’eau environnementale
Authors: Jacqué Marie
Published: December 2014

Les « contrats de canaux » constituent un nouvel outil de gestion de l’eau agricole fondé sur le principe de la gouvernance. Impulsés par l’Agence de l’eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse, ces contrats visent à permettre, dans un contexte économique et social de diminution de l’activité agricole, et aussi dans un contexte réglementaire européen de maîtrise quantitative de la ressource, une gestion concertée entre les différents usagers de la ressource à l’échelle locale. Les associations syndicales autorisées (ASA), qui assurent l’entretien des canaux et la répartition de la ressource, doivent aujourd’hui composer avec cette nouvelle forme d’action publique en modifiant leurs modes de fonctionnement et de gestion. La « gouvernance territoriale » représente un nouveau cadre de gestion de l’eau agricole. Par des démarches de concertation, elle participe à la redéfinition des usages et de la gestion de l’eau des canaux, non plus à l’échelle du périmètre géré par l’ASA, mais à celle d’un « territoire concerné » par le canal. Cette dynamique participative, essentiellement voulue par les pouvoirs publics, amènent les ASA à déployer de nouvelles stratégies locales afin de maintenir et de pérenniser leur rôle dans la maîtrise de la ressource 1 .
Leadership Skills Beyond the Bedside: Professional Development Classes for the Staff Nurse
Authors: Lannon Susan L.
Published: December 2014

Preparation for advanced leadership roles requires hospital-based staff nurses to develop skills beyond clinical expertise. Non-clinical activities such as poster and oral presentations, article publication, and professional portfolio development are ways to demonstrate these skills. This article discusses how an educational initiative was developed to provide instruction and mentoring for these areas of professional development. In addition, the relationship between this initiative and a clinical advancement ladder is discussed.
Barriers to Screening for Domestic Violence in the Emergency Department
Authors: Yonaka Lisa , Yoder Marian K. , Darrow Janet B. , Sherck John P.
Published: December 2014

The identification of victims of domestic violence is important to prevent further abuse and injury. The purposes of this pilot project were to identify potential barriers emergency department registered nurses encounter in screening patients for domestic violence and to assess nurses’ educational backgrounds for continuing education and training needs. The most significant potential barriers to screening identified were a lack of education and instruction on how to ask questions about abuse, language barriers between nurses and patients, a personal or family history of abuse, and time issues. These findings may benefit other researchers who are trying to determine the continuing education needs of emergency department staffs.
Computer-Assisted Instruction for Novice Nurses in Critical Care
Authors: Travale Irene L.
Published: December 2014

The current worldwide nursing shortage is having the greatest effect on the critical care areas as novice nurses enter these specialty areas in unprecedented numbers. Massive healthcare restructuring, a rapidly aging nursing work force, and high nursing turnover and absenteeism rates have all contributed to a healthcare environment that is struggling to care for critically ill patients. Computer-assisted instruction in the form of interactive computer programs may be used as an adjunct educational resource for these novice practitioners. These programs have the potential to bridge the gap between theory and practice, which may assist the novice nurse in achieving safe, competent clinical practice.
Needs Assessments: An Array of Possibilities
Authors: DeSilets Lynore D.
Published: December 2014

The first step in planning any professional development activity is to assess the learning needs of the target group or individual to determine the structure of the program in terms of objectives, content, and activities. Learning needs can be individual, organizational, or societal and must be clearly defined during the planning process. This article provides an overview of the different types of needs assessments and discusses the importance of triangulation when interpreting data.
Development at the Bedside: Evolutionary Development of the Experienced Registered Nurse
Authors: Schoessler Mary T. , Farish Joyce
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to describe the evolution of skills acquisition required for nurses to develop expertise within their clinical specialty. The goal of the research was to identify a professional career path that could be better supported through institutional infrastructures and educational programs. The results of the study demonstrate that reinforcing developmental and support loops serve as the living foundation for experienced practice and identify blockers and competing forces for skill acquisition. This article presents the nurses’ perspectives of their development and focuses on the implications their responses have for staff development educators.
Natural Antibodies Bridge Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Panda Saswati , Ding Jeak L.
Published: December 2014

Natural Abs, belonging to isotypes IgM, IgG3, and IgA, were discovered nearly half a century ago. Despite knowledge about the role of the polyreactive natural IgM in pathogen elimination, B cell survival and homeostasis, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmunity, there is a lack of clarity about the physiological role of natural IgG and natural IgA because they appear incapable of recognizing Ags on their own and are perceived as nonreactive. However, recent research revealed exciting functions of natural IgG in innate immunity. Natural IgG:lectin collaboration swiftly and effectively kills invading pathogens. These advances prompt further examination of natural Abs in immune defense and homeostasis, with the potential for developing novel therapeutics. This review provides new insights into the interaction between natural Abs and lectins, with implications on how interactions between molecules of the innate and adaptive immune systems bridge these two arms of immunity.
Conservative Surgical Approach and Aesthetic Management of a Focal Gingival Hyperplastic Lesion
Authors: Mohan Anand , Kumar Lokesh , Cholan Priyanka K. , Rajaram Niroshini
Published: December 2014

Focal reactive hyperplastic lesions of the gingiva are quite common soft tissue enlargements of the oral cavity. Presence of local factors, tissue irritation and endocrinal discrepancies contribute to its etiology. The fact that these lesions are caused by diverse pathological conditions and its histo-pathological resemblances poses a great diagnostic challenge. Due to the site predilection of the these lesions to the maxillary anterior region, this article presents a case report of focal gingival hyperplastic lesion in the anterior maxillary region and its conservative management leading to pleasing results and soft tissue esthetics.
OCCURRENCE OF SECONDARY MALIGNANCIES IN CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA DURING THERAPY WITH IMATINIB MESYLATE-SINGLE INSTITUTION EXPERIENCE
Authors: Helbig Grzegorz , Bober Grazyna , Seweryn Marek , Wichary Ryszard , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Sedlak Lech , Oleksy Tomasz , Kyrcz-Krzemien Slawomira
Published: December 2014

Introduction. Imatinib mesylate (IM) remains a treatment of choice for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) showing a remarkable efficacy and providing a perspective for a long disease-free survival. Due to the long-term administration of IM, the questions about the possible impact on the development of secondary malignancies (SM) are raised.Objective. To investigate the frequency and clinical outcome of secondary malignancies during IM therapy for CML.Material and Methods. The records of 221 CML patients treated with IM between 2003-2013 in single institution were reviewed. The Chi-squared test was used for statistic analysis.Results. Secondary malignancies developed in eight out of the 221 patients (3.6%) receiving IM for a median of 61 months (range, 10-137 months). Female/male ratio was 5/3. Two patients were diagnosed with their CML at accelerated phase whereas 6 had chronic phase. The median age at IM initiation was 58 years (range, 31-72 years).  Five of these 8 SM patients received IM after other treatments failure: interferon α (n=5), hydroxyurea (n=4) and cytarabine (n=1). Three patients received IM as a frontline therapy. All patients were on IM at 400mg daily at SM occurrence. The therapy for SM included surgery (n=3); chemotherapy only (n=3); and chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (n=1). One patient did not receive treatment due to disseminated disease. At the time of SM development all patients were in hematologic and cytogenetic remission (CCR) of their CML and all patients continued their IM while receiving treatment for their SM.  Among 8 patients with SM, five patients are alive and remain in CCR on IM whereas 3 patients died due to SM. The observed incidence of SM was found to be comparable with that expected in the age-adjusted population (chi-squared=0.4; p=0.52).Conclusions. The association between IM therapy for CML and SM development has not been found.
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Sickle Cell Patient Transplant Recipient: A Successful Treatment
Authors: Paciaroni Katia , De Angelis Gioia , Gallucci Cristiano , Alfieri Cecilia , Ribersani Michela , Roveda Andrea , Isgrò Antonella , Marziali Marco , Aloi Ivan Pietro , Inserra Alessandro , Gaziev Javid , Sodani Pietro , Lucarelli Guido
Published: December 2014

Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is the most common inherited blood disorder and is associated with severe morbidity and decreased survival. Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative approach. Nevertheless the decision to perform a marrow transplant includes the risk of major complications  and mortality transplant related. The infections represent the main cause of mortality for SCA patients undergoing transplant. Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) is a devastating opportunistic infection and remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in HSCT recipients. Data regarding IPA in the setting of SCA are lacking. In the present report,  we describe a patient with SCA who developed IPA after allogeneic bone marrow transplant. The fungal infection was treated by systemic antifungal therapy in addition to the surgery, despite  mild chronic GVHD and with continuing immunosuppression therapy. This case shows that IPA occurring in bone marrow recipient with SCA can be successful treated
An evaluation of air permeability measurements to characterize the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil reclamation covers
Authors: Huang Mingbin , Rodger Heather , Barbour S. Lee
Published: December 2014

Huang, M., Rodger, H. and Barbour, S. L. 2015. An evaluation of air permeability measurements to characterize the saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil reclamation covers. Can. J. Soil Sci. 95: 15–26. The saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of soil covers used in land reclamation is known to change over time as the result of weathering processes. Guelph permeameter (GP) measurements have been used to track the evolution of Ks for soil covers at an oil sands mine near Ft. McMurray, Alberta. Although successful, the method was time consuming and consequently a rapid method of estimating Ks based on in situ air permeability measurements was developed. The objectives of this study were: (1) to use air permeability measurements to characterize the spatial variations of Ks for typical reclamation soils and (2) to compare air permeability measurements to direct measurements obtained through laboratory and GP measurements. The results highlight that the values of Ks estimated from measured air permeability values were higher than the values of Ks measured directly using the GP. This is likely due to swelling of clay soils or air-entrapment during GP measurements. Although the magnitude was over-estimated, the variability of Ks was captured by the air permeability measurements. Consequently, a limited program of comparative GP and air permeameter measurements could be used to more rapidly characterize the Ks of reclamation covers over time.
Drug Testing Incoming Residents and Medical Students in Family Medicine Training: A Survey of Program Policies and Practices
Authors: Bell Paul F. , Semelka Michael W. , Bigdeli Laleh
Published: December 2014

Background

Despite well-established negative consequences, high rates of substance use and related disorders continue to be reported. Physicians in training are not immune from this, or the associated risks to their health and careers, while impaired physicians are a threat to patient safety.

Objective

We surveyed family medicine residency programs' practices relating to drug testing of medical students and incoming residents. The survey asked about the extent to which residency programs are confronted with trainees testing positive for prohibited substances, and how they respond.

Methods

The survey was sent to the directors of family medicine residency programs. A total of 205 directors (47.2%) completed the survey.

Results

A majority of the responding programs required drug testing for incoming residents (143, 68.9%). Most programs did not require testing of medical students (161, 81.7%). Few programs reported positive drug tests among incoming residents (9, 6.5%), and there was only 1 reported instance of a positive result among medical students (1, 3.3%). Respondents reported a range of responses to positive results, with few reporting that they would keep open training spots or offer supportive services for a medical student who tested positive.

Conclusions

Changing laws legalizing certain drugs may require corresponding changes in the focus on drug testing and associated issues in medical training; however, many residency program directors were not aware of their institution's current policies. Programs will need to reexamine drug testing policies as new generations of physicians, growing up under altered legal circumstances concerning drug use, progress to clinical training.
Milestone-Based Assessments Are Superior to Likert-Type Assessments in Illustrating Trainee Progression
Authors: Bartlett Kathleen W. , Whicker Shari A. , Bookman Jack , Narayan Aditee P. , Staples Betty B. , Hering Holly , McGann Kathleen A.
Published: December 2014

Background

The Pediatrics Milestone Project uses behavioral anchors, narrative descriptions of observable behaviors, to describe learner progression through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies. Starting June 2014, pediatrics programs were required to submit milestone reports for their trainees semiannually. Likert-type scale assessment tools were not designed to inform milestone reporting, creating a challenge for Clinical Competency Committees.

Objective

To determine if milestone-based assessments better stratify trainees by training level compared to Likert-type assessments.

Methods

We compared assessment results for 3 subcompetencies after changing from a 5-point Likert scale to milestone-based behavioral anchors in July 2013. Program leadership evaluated the new system by (1) comparing PGY-1 mean scores on Likert-type versus milestone-based assessments; and (2) comparing mean scores on the Likert-type versus milestone-based assessments across PGY levels.

Results

Mean scores for PGY-1 residents were significantly higher on the prior year's Likert-type assessments than milestone-based assessments for all 3 subcompetencies (P < .01). Stratification by PGY level was not observed with Likert-type assessments (eg, interpersonal and communication skills 1 [ICS1] mean score for PGY-1, 3.99 versus PGY-3, 3.98; P  =  .98). In contrast, milestone-based assessments demonstrated stratification by PGY level (eg, the ICS1 mean score was 3.06 for PGY-1, 3.83 for PGY-2, and 3.99 for PGY-3; P < .01 for PGY-1 versus PGY-3). Significantly different means by trainee level were noted across 21 subcompetencies on milestone-based assessments (P < .01 for PGY-1 versus PGY-3).

Conclusions

Initial results indicate milestone-based assessments stratify trainee performance by level better than Likert-type assessments. Average PGY-level scores from milestone-based assessments may ultimately provide guidance for determining whether trainees are progressing at the expected pace.
‘The Chicago Plan revisited’: a friendly critique
Authors: Fiebiger Brett
Published: December 2014

This paper offers a constructive critique of ‘The Chicago Plan revisited’ published by Jaromir Benes and Michael Kumhof (2012) as an IMF working paper. On the one hand, there are reasons to query the exact details of the proposed reform, including claims of large steady-state output gains. On the other hand, the authors deserve kudos for bringing into the foreground issues which are typically ignored or inferred otherwise by neoliberal academics and those who oversee the monetary system, including the empirical validity of the endogenous money approach and the insight that ‘money’ is a societal construct. The paper concludes that there is merit in revisiting ‘100% Reserves’ as part of the theoretical rationale to expand policymaking space in debt-constrained economies.
Will ‘structural reforms’ of labour markets reduce productivity growth? A firm-level investigation
Authors: Vergeer Robert , Dhondt Steven , Kleinknecht Alfred , Kraan Karolus
Published: December 2014

More ‘flexible’ labour relations significantly reduce labour productivity growth in sectors that tend towards a ‘routinised’ (other than a ‘garage business’) innovation regime. We argue that structural reforms that make firing easier will diminish the loyalty and commitment of workers, making accumulation of (tacit) knowledge more difficult. It also reduces training, increases knowledge-leaking to competitors and favours autocratic management and the growth of management and control bureaucracies. Our results are consistent with findings in macro-level studies that wage-cost saving flexibilisation of labour relations and downward wage flexibility reduce labour productivity growth: a 1 per cent wage change causes a ≈ 0.4 per cent change in value added per labour hour.
Clinical interpretation of opioid tolerance versus opioid-induced hyperalgesia
Authors: Chen, MD Lucy , Sein, MD Michael , Vo, BA Trang , Amhmed, MD Shihab , Zhang, MD Yi , St Hilaire, BA, PhD Kristin , Houghton, BA Mary , Mao, MD, PhD Jianren
Published: December 2014

Opioid analgesics are commonly used to manage moderate to severe pain. However, the long-term use of opioids could lead to opioid tolerance (OT) and opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). Distinguishing OIH from OT would impact the practice of opioid therapy because opioid dose adjustment may differentially influence OT and OIH. Currently, there are no standard criteria of OT versus OIH causing considerable ambiguity in clinical interpretation and management of these conditions. The authors designed a practitioner-based survey consisting of 20 targeted questions. Answering these questions would require responders' actual clinical experiences with opioid therapy. The survey was conducted between 2011 and 2012 through direct mails or e-mails to 1,408 physicians who are currently practicing in the United States. The authors find that certain clinical characteristics (eg, increased pain despite opioid dose escalation) are often used by practitioners to make differential diagnosis of OT and OIH despite some overlap in their clinical presentation. A key difference in clinical outcome is that OT and OIH could be improved and exacerbated by opioid dose escalation, respectively. Our survey results revealed a significant knowledge gap in some responders regarding differential diagnosis and management of OT and OIH. The results also identified several issues, such as opioid dose adjustment and clinical comorbidities related to OT and OIH, which require future patient-based studies.
Dynamical analysis of sea-breeze hodograph rotation in Sardinia
Authors: Moisseeva N. , Steyn D. G.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. This study investigates the diurnal evolution of sea-breeze (SB) rotation over an island at the middle latitudes. Earlier research on sea breezes in Sardinia shows that the onshore winds around various coasts of the island exhibit both the theoretically predicted clockwise rotation as well as seemingly anomalous anticlockwise rotation. A non-hydrostatic fully compressible numerical model (WRF) is used to simulate wind fields on and around the island on previously studied sea-breeze days, and is shown to capture the circulation on all coasts accurately. Diurnal rotation of wind is examined, and patterns of clockwise and anticlockwise rotation are identified. A dynamical analysis is performed by extracting individual forcing terms from the horizontal momentum equations. Analysis of several regions around the island shows that the direction of rotation is a result of a complex interaction between near-surface and synoptic pressure gradient, Coriolis and advection forcings. An idealized simulation is performed over an artificial island with dramatically simplified topography yet similar dimensions and latitude to Sardinia. Dynamical analysis of the idealized case reveals a rather different pattern of hodograph rotation to the real Sardinia, yet similar underlying dynamics. The research provides new insights into the dynamics underlying sea-breeze hodograph rotation, especially in coastal zones with a complex topography and/or coastline.
Reference quality upper-air measurements: GRUAN data processing for the Vaisala RS92 radiosonde
Authors: Dirksen R. J. , Sommer M. , Immler F. J. , Hurst D. F. , Kivi R. , Vömel H.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. The GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) data processing for the Vaisala RS92 radiosonde was developed to meet the criteria for reference measurements. These criteria stipulate the collection of metadata, the use of well-documented correction algorithms, and estimates of the measurement uncertainty. An important and novel aspect of the GRUAN processing is that the uncertainty estimates are vertically resolved. This paper describes the algorithms that are applied in version 2 of the GRUAN processing to correct for systematic errors in radiosonde measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind, as well as how the uncertainties related to these error sources are derived. Currently, the RS92 is launched on a regular basis at 13 out of 15 GRUAN sites. An additional GRUAN requirement for performing reference measurements with the RS92 is that the manufacturer-prescribed procedure for the radiosonde's preparation, i.e. heated reconditioning of the sensors and recalibration during ground check, is followed. In the GRUAN processing however, the recalibration of the humidity sensors that is applied during ground check is removed. For the dominant error source, solar radiation, laboratory experiments were performed to investigate and model its effect on the RS92's temperature and humidity measurements. GRUAN uncertainty estimates are 0.15 K for night-time temperature measurements and approximately 0.6 K at 25 km during daytime. The other uncertainty estimates are up to 6% relative humidity for humidity, 10–50 m for geopotential height, 0.6 hPa for pressure, 0.4–1 m s−1 for wind speed, and 1° for wind direction. Daytime temperature profiles for GRUAN and Vaisala processing are comparable and consistent within the estimated uncertainty. GRUAN daytime humidity profiles are up to 15% moister than Vaisala processed profiles, of which two-thirds is due to the radiation dry bias correction and one-third is due to an additional calibration correction. Redundant measurements with frost point hygrometers (CFH and NOAA FPH) show that GRUAN-processed RS92 humidity profiles and frost point data agree within 15% in the troposphere. No systematic biases occur, apart from a 5% dry bias for GRUAN data around −40 °C at night.
A theoretical study of the effect of subsurface oceanic bubbles on the enhanced aerosol optical depth band over the southern oceans as detected from MODIS
Authors: Christensen M. , Zhang J. , Reid J. S. , Zhang X. , Hyer E. J. , Smirnov A.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Submerged oceanic bubbles, which could have a much longer life span than whitecaps or bubble rafts, have been hypothesized to increase the water-leaving radiance and thus affect satellite based estimates of water-leaving radiance to non-trivial levels. This study explores this effect further to determine if such bubbles are of sufficient magnitude to impact satellite Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) retrievals through perturbation of the lower boundary conditions. Indeed, there has been significant discussion in the community regarding the high positive biases in retrieved AODs in many remote ocean regions. In this study, for the first time, the effects of oceanic bubbles on satellite retrievals of AOD are studied by using a linked Second Simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S) atmospheric and HydroLight oceanic radiative transfer models. The results suggest an insignificant impact on AOD retrievals in regions with near-surface wind speeds of less than 12 m s−1. However, the impact of bubbles on aerosol retrievals could be on the order of 0.02–0.04 for higher wind conditions within the scope of our simulations (e.g., winds < 20 m s−1). This bias is propagated to global scales using one year of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer – Earth (AMSR-E) data to investigate the possible impacts of oceanic bubbles on an enhanced AOD belt observed over the high latitude southern oceans (also called Enhanced Southern Oceans Anomaly, or ESOA) by some passive satellite sensors. Ultimately, this study is supportive of the null hypothesis: submerged bubbles are not the major contributor to the ESOA feature. This said, as retrievals progress to higher and higher resolutions, such as from airborne platforms, in clean marine conditions the uniform bubble correction should probably be separately accounted for against individual bright whitecaps and bubble rafts.
Daily burned area and carbon emissions from boreal fires in Alaska
Authors: Veraverbeke S. , Rogers B. M. , Randerson J. T.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Boreal fires burn carbon-rich organic soils, thereby releasing large quantities of trace gases and aerosols that influence atmospheric composition and climate. To better understand the factors regulating boreal fire emissions, we developed a statistical model of carbon consumption by fire for Alaska with a spatial resolution of 500 m and a temporal resolution of one day. We used the model to estimate variability in carbon emissions between 2001 and 2012. Daily burned area was mapped using imagery from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer combined with perimeters from the Alaska Large Fire Database. Carbon consumption was calibrated using available field measurements from black spruce forests in Alaska. We built two nonlinear multiplicative models to separately predict above- and belowground carbon consumption by fire in response to environmental variables including elevation, day of burning within the fire season, pre-fire tree cover and the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR). Higher belowground consumption occurred later in the season and for mid-elevation regions. Aboveground and belowground consumption also increased as a function of tree cover and the dNBR, suggesting a causal link between the processes regulating these two components of consumption. Between 2001 and 2012, the median fuel consumption was 2.48 kg C m-2 and the median pixel-based uncertainty (SD of prediction error) was 0.38 kg C m-2. There were considerable amounts of burning in other cover types than black spruce and consumption in pure black spruce stands was generally higher. Fuel consumption originated primarily from the belowground fraction (median = 2.30 kg C m-2 for all cover types and 2.63 kg C m-2 for pure black spruce stands). Total carbon emissions varied considerably from year to year, with the highest emissions occurring during 2004 (67 Tg C), 2005 (44 Tg C), 2009 (25 Tg C), and 2002 (16 Tg C) and a mean of 14 Tg C per year between 2001 and 2012. Our analysis highlights the importance of accounting for the spatial heterogeneity within fuels and consumption when extrapolating emissions in space and time. This data on daily burned area and emissions may be useful for in understanding controls and limits on fire growth, and predicting potential feedbacks of changing fire regimes.
Scaling from individuals to ecosystems in an Earth System Model using a mathematically tractable model of height-structured competition for light
Authors: Weng E. S. , Malyshev S. , Lichstein J. W. , Farrior C. E. , Dybzinski R. , Zhang T. , Shevliakova E. , Pacala S. W.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. The long-term and large scale dynamics of ecosystems are in large part determined by the performances of individual plants in competition with one another for light, water and nutrients. Woody biomass, a pool of carbon (C) larger than 50% of atmospheric CO2, exists because of height-structured competition for light. However, most of the current Earth System Models that predict climate change and C cycle feedbacks lack both a mechanistic formulation for height-structured competition for light and an explicit scaling from individual plants to the globe. In this study, we incorporate height-structured competition and explicit scaling from individuals to ecosystems into the land model (LM3) currently used in the Earth System Models developed by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL). The height-structured formulation is based on the Perfect Plasticity Approximation (PPA), which has been shown to accurately scale from individual-level plant competition for light, water and nutrients to the dynamics of whole communities. Because of the tractability of the PPA, the coupled LM3–PPA model is able to include a large number of phenomena across a range of spatial and temporal scales, and still retain computational tractability, as well as close linkages to mathematically tractable forms of the model. We test a range of predictions against data from temperate broadleaved forests in the northern USA. The results show the model predictions agree with diurnal and annual C fluxes, growth rates of individual trees in the canopy and understory, tree size distributions, and species-level population dynamics during succession. We also show how the competitively optimal allocation strategy – the strategy that can competitively exclude all others – shifts as a function of the atmospheric CO2 concentration. This strategy is referred as an evolutionary stable strategy (ESS) in the ecological literature and is typically not the same as a productivity- or growth-maximizing strategy. Model simulations predict that C sinks caused by CO2 fertilization in forests limited by light and water will be down-regulated if allocation tracks changes in the competitive optimum. The implementation of the model in this paper is for temperate broadleaved forest trees, but the formulation of the model is general. It can be expanded to include other growth forms and physiologies simply by altering parameter values.
Seasonal methane accumulation and release from a gas emission site in the central North Sea
Authors: Mau S. , Gentz T. , Körber J. H. , Torres M. , Römer M. , Sahling H. , Wintersteller P. , Martinez R. , Schlüter M. , Helmke E.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Hydroacoustic data document the occurrence of 5 flare clusters and several single flares from which bubbles rise through the entire water column from an active seep site at 40 m water depth in the central North Sea. We investigated the difference in dissolved methane distributions along a 6 km transect crossing this seep site during a period of seasonal summer stratification (July 2013) and a period of well mixed winter water column (January 2014). Dissolved methane accumulated below the seasonal thermocline in summer with a median concentration of 390 nM, whereas during winter, methane concentrations were much lower (median concentration of 22 nM) and punctually elevated due to bubble transport. High resolution methane analysis by an underwater mass-spectrometer confirmed our summer results and were used to document prevailing stratification over the tidal cycle. Although sufficient methane was available, microbial methane oxidation was limited during both seasons. Measured and averaged rate constants (k') using Michaelis Menten kinetics were on the order of 0.01 days-1, equivalent to a turnover time of 100 days. Time series measurements indicated an uptake of only 5–6% of the gas after 4 days, and no known methanotrophs and pmoA-genes were detected. Estimated methane fluxes indicate that horizontal eddy transport rapidly disperses dissolved methane, vertical transport becomes dominant during phases of high wind speeds, and relative to these processes, microbial methane oxidation appears to be comparably low. To bridge the discrete field data we developed a 1-D seasonal model using available year-long records of wind speed, surface temperature and thermocline depth. The model simulations show a peak release of methane at the beginning of fall when the water column becomes mixed. Consistent with our field data, inclusion of microbial methane oxidation does not change the model results significantly, thus microbial oxidation appears to be not sufficient to notably reduce methane during summer stratification before the peak release in fall.
Biological productivity regime and associated N cycling in the vicinity of Kerguelen Island area, Southern Ocean
Authors: Cavagna A. J. , Fripiat F. , Elskens M. , Dehairs F. , Mangion P. , Chirurgien L. , Closset I. , Lasbleiz M. , Flores–Leiva L. , Cardinal D. , Leblanc K. , Fernandez C. , Lefèvre D. , Oriol L. , Blain S. , Quéguiner B.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Although the Southern Ocean is considered a High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll area (HNLC), massive and recurrent blooms are observed over and downstream the Kerguelen Plateau. This mosaic of blooms is triggered by a higher iron supply resulting from the interaction between the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the local bathymetry. Net primary production, N-uptake (NO3− and NH4+), and nitrification rates were measured at 8 stations in austral spring 2011 (October–November) during the KEOPS2 cruise in the Kerguelen area. Iron fertilization stimulates primary production, with integrated net primary production and growth rates much higher in the fertilized areas (up to 315 mmol C m−2 d−1 and up to 0.31 d−1, respectively) compared to the HNLC reference site (12 mmol C m−2 d−1 and 0.06 d−1, respectively). Primary production is mainly sustained by nitrate uptake, with f ratio (corresponding to NO3− uptake/(NO3− uptake + NH4+ uptake)) lying in the upper end of the observations for the Southern Ocean (up to 0.9). Unexpectedly, we report unprecedented rates of nitrification (up to ~3 mmol C m−2 d−1, with ~90% of them <1 mmol C m−2 d−1). It appears that nitrate is assimilated in the upper part of the mixed layer (coinciding with the euphotic layer) and regenerated in the lower parts. We suggest that such high contribution of nitrification to nitrate assimilation is driven by (i) a deep mixed layer, extending well below the euphotic layer, allowing nitrifiers to compete with phytoplankton for the assimilation of ammonium, (ii) extremely high rates of primary production for the Southern Ocean, stimulating the release of dissolved organic matter, and (iii) an efficient food web, allowing the reprocessing of organic N and the retention of nitrogen into the dissolved phase through ammonium, the substrate for nitrification.
The sharp decline of East Asian summer monsoon at mid-Holocene indicated by the lake-wetland transition in the Sanjiang Plain, northeastern China
Authors: Zhang Z. Q. , Wang G. P. , Lv X. G. , Jia H. J. , Xu Q. H.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. The timing of the waxing and wining of the East Asian summer monsoon during the Holocene is still under debate. In present study, we present the high-resolution grain-size and LOI records from a well-dated mud/peat profile to reveal the lake-wetland transition in the Sanjiang Plain and discuss its significance to Holocene monsoon evolutions. The results show that the shallow-water lakes have developed in low-lying areas of the plain before 4600 yr BP, corresponding to the Holocene monsoon maximum. Thereafter, the wetlands began to initiate with the extinction of the paleolakes, marking a lake-shrinking stage with the relative dry climate. Considering the prevalent monsoon climate in the Sanjiang Plain, we suggest the lake-wetland transition at 4600 yr BP indicate a sharp decline of the summer monsoon rather than the basin infilling process. Such a remarkable monsoon weakening event has been widely documented in northern China, and we associated it with the ocean–atmosphere interacting processes in low-latitude regions.
Brief Communication: Understanding disasters and early-warning systems
Authors: Castaños H. , Lomnitz C.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. This paper discusses some methodological questions on understanding disasters. Destructive earthquakes continue to claim thousands of lives. Tsunamis may be caused by recoil of the upper plate. Darwin's twin-epicenter hypothesis is applied to a theory of tsunamis. The ergodicity hypothesis may help to estimate the return periods of extremely rare events. A social science outline on the causation of the Tôhoku nuclear disaster is provided.
Numerical simulation of a rare winter hailstorm event over Delhi, India on 17 January 2013
Authors: Chevuturi A. , Dimri A. P. , Gunturu U. B.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. This study analyzes the cause of the rare occurrence of a winter hailstorm over New Delhi/NCR (National Capital Region), India. The absence of increased surface temperature or low level of moisture incursion during winter cannot generate the deep convection required for sustaining a hailstorm. Consequently, NCR shows very few cases of hailstorms in the months of December-January-February, making the winter hail formation a question of interest. For this study, a recent winter hailstorm event on 17 January 2013 (16:00–18:00 UTC) occurring over NCR is investigated. The storm is simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) microphysics scheme with two different options: hail and graupel. The aim of the study is to understand and describe the cause of hailstorm event during over NCR with a comparative analysis of the two options of GCE microphysics. Upon evaluating the model simulations, it is observed that the hail option shows a more similar precipitation intensity with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) observation than the graupel option does, and it is able to simulate hail precipitation. Using the model-simulated output with the hail option; detailed investigation on understanding the dynamics of hailstorm is performed. The analysis based on a numerical simulation suggests that the deep instability in the atmospheric column led to the formation of hailstones as the cloud formation reached up to the glaciated zone promoting ice nucleation. In winters, such instability conditions rarely form due to low level available potential energy and moisture incursion along with upper level baroclinic instability due to the presence of a western disturbance (WD). Such rare positioning is found to be lowering the tropopause with increased temperature gradient, leading to winter hailstorm formation.
Impact of Socio-Demographics, Fuel Price and Airfare on the Domestic Overnight Travel Decision in Australia
Authors: Pang Kwok Pan
Published: December 2014

Domestic overnight travel is one of the most significant sectors in the Australian tourism industry. Understanding the extent to which the crucial factors influence tourists' choice of overnight trip can be a key to successful marketing and strategic planning in the domestic travel industry. To understand the characteristics of the domestic overnight tourists, this paper analyses the data by means of a proposed new impact analysis approach, which overcomes some limitations of the conventional impact analysis approach. It also investigates how socio-demographic factors, fuel price and domestic airfares affect the probability of tourists opting for domestic overnight trips. Impact analysis is a method for analysing the association of the impact factor with the response variable in terms of estimated probability. This research demonstrates that household income, country of birth, life-cycle stage and home state are four of the most significant categories that generate the highest maximum impact on the overnight trip decision.
AGÊNCIA EXPERIMENTAL COMO PROJETO DE EXTENSÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA
Authors: Martins Juliane
Published: December 2014

Comunicação Institucional da Universidade Federal do Paraná, que busca compartilhar conhecimentos e técnicas da universidade com a sociedade, devolvendo, de alguma forma, o investimento que está sendo feito na formação dos alunos do curso. O destaque do texto é o projeto de extensão elaborado para embasar a agência, cujo objetivo é prestar assessoria a instituições públicas, do terceiro setor e sem fins lucrativos. Nesse sentido, os trabalhos que serão desenvolvidos pela agência também vão ter cunho social, pois será possível auxiliar instituições que nem sempre têm condições de contratar serviços de assessoria em comunicação. Nessa atuação, a agência vai promover a integração teoria-prática de modo interdisciplinar, pela aplicação dos conhecimentos aprendidos pelos discentes em sala de aula em situações reais demandadas pelos públicos-alvo. Além disso, vai se configurar como espaço de aprendizagem, contribuindo na formação e na qualificação profissional dos alunos. A ideia é fazer a captação de jobs, passando à fase de briefing e, por fim, elaborar propostas que ajudem nas práticas de comunicação das instituições atendidas. Metodologicamente, essa implantação pressupõe benchmarking e pesquisa sobre as necessidades de comunicação das instituições citadas, para que se analise o contexto e seja possível divulgar que serviços serão oferecidos. Isso ajudará a estruturar a agência, ou seja, seu próprio planejamento. A rotina de trabalho será orientada nos objetivos do projeto, no atendimento a demandas recebidas, na assessoria fornecida às instituições e na elaboração de relatórios de trabalho.