bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of phylogenetic incongruence on taxonomy, floral evolution, biogeographical history, and phylogenetic diversity
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Feild Taylor S. , Antonelli Alexandre
Published: April 2015

• Premise of the study: Phylogenetic incongruence between “gene trees” and “species trees” has been widely acknowledged in phylogenetic research. Conflicts may emerge from several processes including paralogy, hybridization, and incomplete lineage sorting. Although phylogenetic incongruence appears common, its impact on many phylogeny‐based analyses remains poorly understood.

• Methods: We examined the occurrence of phylogenetic conflict between nuclear (ribosome ITS) and plastid (rbcL, trnL‐F, rpl20‐rps12, and rps16 intron) loci in the ancient angiosperm family Chloranthaceae. Then we investigated how phylogenetic conflict bears on taxonomic classification within the family as well as on inferences on biogeographical history, floral evolution, and measures of phylogenetic diversity (PD).

• Key results: We found evidence for significant phylogenetic incongruence between plastid and nuclear data in the genus Hedyosmum. Within Hedyosmum, our results did not support previous subgeneric classification of the genus. Division of sections within subgenus Tafalla was supported by the ITS data but not by the plastid data set. As a consequence, we showed that inferring the evolution of key floral characters and geographical history within Hedyosmum depends on the phylogenetic data used. Both data sets yielded similar PD measures across genera, but we found contrasting PD measures in Hedyosmum, even after correcting for rate heterogeneity.

• Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that phylogenetic conflict not only affects the inference of organismal relationships but also impacts our understanding of biogeographical history, morphological evolution, and phylogenetic diversity.
A procedure for the preparation and isolation of nucleoside-5’-diphosphates
Authors: Korhonen Heidi J , Bolt Hannah L , Hodgson David R W
Published: April 2015

Tris[bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium] pyrophosphate (PPN pyrophosphate) was used in the SN2 displacements of the tosylate ion from 5’-tosylnucleosides to afford nucleoside-5’-diphosphates. Selective precipitation permitted the direct isolation of nucleoside-5’-diphosphates from crude reaction mixtures.
Keynes et la tentation du protectionnisme, 1929-1933
Authors: Boughanmi Aymen
Published: April 2015

En 1914, les convictions libérales classiques de Keynes ont subi l’épreuve de la fin de la paix mondiale que promettait le libre-échange. Cette prise de conscience a profondément influencé les solutions économiques qu’il a ensuite élaborées pour répondre aux différents défis auxquels la Grande-Bretagne et le monde devaient faire face. Entre 1929 et 1933, sa pensée exprimait clairement un doute quant à la capacité du libre-échange à préserver la paix. En effet, le laisser-faire, qui n’est jamais collectivement respecté, exacerbe la concurrence et conduit à une sorte de nationalisme économique déguisé. D’où la nécessité d’une action internationale concertée afin de gérer l’interdépendance et d’assurer la stabilité. Puisqu’une telle solution n’était pas envisageable dans une situation de crise mondiale, le chemin le moins risqué était celui de l’intervention de l’État britannique afin d’assurer une gestion intelligente de l’interaction inévitable entre l’économique et le stratégique dans les relations internationales de l’époque. Dans ce sens, Keynes est allé jusqu’à envisager les avantages de l’autosuffisance nationale pour la promotion de la paix. Cet article étudie les raisons, parfois dissimulées, qui l’ont poussé à se rapprocher ainsi du protectionnisme.
De l’usage des concepts dans les mémoires de master des futurs enseignants
Authors: Delarue-Breton Catherine , Crinon Jacques
Published: April 2015

Le mémoire du master « Métiers de l’enseignement, de l’éducation et de la formation » (MEEF) sollicite des concepts et des savoirs en lien avec les questions retenues par son auteur. Quels usages les étudiants y font-ils de ces concepts et de ces savoirs issus de la recherche ? Entre « traduction » permettant de s’approprier des concepts et d’en faire des outils d’analyse de la complexité des situations d’enseignement apprentissage et rabattement vers des doxas, entre usage « créatif » et usage « complaisant », l’analyse de deux mémoires donne à voir deux positionnements cognitifs et énonciatifs contrastés. Ces différences invitent à viser notamment, dans l’accompagnement des mémoires des étudiants de ce master, le développement d’un rapport aux savoirs plus fonctionnel, orienté vers l’analyse, à fortiori quand leurs auteurs se destinent à un métier ayant pour vocation l’appropriation des savoirs par les élèves.
La communication publique de l’Église catholique aux États-Unis pour le respect de la vie
Authors: Dumont Emmanuel
Published: April 2015

Aux États-Unis, entre 1970 et 2000, l’Église catholique a affronté la montée en puissance des promoteurs de l’avortement, puis de l’euthanasie, en investissant sur le terrain de l’éducation et de l’information publique, des services aux personnes et de la mobilisation civique. Pour porter cet engagement moral et spirituel auprès des fidèles et de l’opinion, la Conférence épiscopale a voulu améliorer sa communication pastorale. Son Secrétariat pour les activités « pro-vie » a recouru à des professionnels des relations publiques pour « faire campagne ». Sont présentés ici le contexte, l’évolution et l’impact de cette collaboration qui signale une inculturation originale de la mission ecclésiale dans la rhétorique et l’apologétique de l’ère des médias et du marketing.
Lectures taxinomique et floue appliquées aux noms : quelques réflexions...
Authors: Gerhard-Krait Francine , Vassiliadou Hélène
Published: April 2015

La possibilité pour un nom d’offrir une lecture taxinomique ( X est un Y / une sous-classe de Y ) et une lecture floue ( X ressemble à Y sans être un sous-type de Y ) peut-il constituer un paramètre typologique discriminant ? Tel est le fil conducteur de notre enquête. Chemin faisant, il s’agira de tester différents types de N, des plus standards aux plus atypiques, et de comprendre les mécanismes sémantico-référentiels et catégoriels qui autorisent ou bloquent ces deux lectures. Dans un premier temps, lequel constitue le propos de cet article, l’examen porte sur trois types de N (les N de matière comptables, les N de matière massifs et les N de couleurs) et permet de dégager quelques critères clairement différenciateurs entre catégories approximables et non approximables.
Remarques sur la distribution morphologique des termes basiques de couleur en français
Authors: de Saussure Louis
Published: April 2015

Cet article questionne l’un des critères donnés par Berlin et Kay (1969) pour identifier ce qu’ils appellent les Termes de couleur basiques . Selon eux, ces termes, qui ont la propriété de conceptualiser un champ chromatique de manière abstraite, présentent une distribution morphologique identique. Ils prennent l’exemple du contraste, en anglais, entre les termes permettant la dérivation d’approximation ( red-reddish ) et ceux qui l’interdisent ( chartreuse-*chartreuseish ). Appliquant ce critère au français à la suite de Bloemen et Tasmowski (1983), et en observant également la dérivation verbale, nous tentons d’en observer la pertinence et les limites, et envisageons des termes hybrides, comme orange qui accepte mal ? orangeâtre et roux ou olive qui acceptent bien roussâtre et olivâtre . Notre approche est essentiellement pragmatique, suggérant un ancrage de ces faits non dans le seul arbitraire de la langue mais en cognition.
Sobre el desconocido comitente de Santo di Tito del Pesar ante el Cristo muerto de la Galleria dell’Accademia de Florencia: el español Hernando Sastre
Authors: Plaza Carlos
Published: April 2015

El artículo confirma definitivamente la identidad del comitente español de la obra de Santo di Tito del Pesar ante el Cristo muerto, construyendo también un perfil biográfico que da a conocer su importante papel político y social en la Florencia del Quinientos, esclareciendo así un poco más la realización y el encargo de la importante obra, hoy conservada en la Galleria dell’Accademia de Florencia.
Protective Role of STAT6 in Basophil-Dependent Prurigo-like Allergic Skin Inflammation
Authors: Hashimoto Takashi , Satoh Takahiro , Yokozeki Hiroo
Published: April 2015

Prurigo is a common, but treatment-resistant, skin disease characterized by persistent papules/nodules and severe itching. Prurigo occurs in association with various underlying diseases, such as diabetes, chronic renal failure, and internal malignancies. Atopic dermatitis is occasionally complicated by prurigo lesions. However, the pathology of prurigo is completely undefined. We demonstrate that repeated intradermal administration of Ag to IgE-transgenic mice causes persistent and pruritic papulonodular skin lesions mimicking prurigo. Skin lesions were histopathologically characterized by irregular acanthosis and dermal cellular infiltrates comprising eosinophils, mononuclear cells, and basophils, with epidermal nerve fiber sprouting. In vivo depletion of basophils alleviated skin reactions, indicating that the inflammation is basophil dependent. Unexpectedly, STAT6 signaling was unnecessary for skin lesion development if IgE was present. Moreover, the absence of STAT6 signaling exacerbated the inflammation, apparently as the result of impaired generation of an M2-type anti-inflammatory macrophage response. These results provide novel insights into the pathologic mechanisms underlying prurigo. Although basophils are indispensable for prurigo-like inflammation, Th2 immunity mediated by STAT6 appears to play a protective role, and therapies targeting Th2-type cytokines may risk aggravating the inflammation.
Analysis of patients with chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency and multiple sclerosis: identification of parameters of clinical severity
Authors: Mandolesi Sandro , D’Alessandro Aldo , Ciccone Marco Matteo , Zito Annapaola , Manconi Ettore , Niglio Tarcisio , Orsini Augusto , Mandolesi Dimitri , D’Alessandro Alessandro , Fedele Francesco
Published: April 2015

The aims of this study were: i) analysis of clinical severity evolution in multiple sclerosis patients; ii) identification of temporal indicators for clinical worsening. We investigated by echo-color-Doppler (ECD) 789 patients (490 female plus 299 male), aged 45.4 years, with chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and multiple sclerosis (MS). All patients tested positive for CCSVI by ECD assessment were divided into three groups, namely: type 1 CCSVI (371) presenting an endo-vascular obstacle to the venous drainage; type 2 CCSVI (40) presenting an extra-vascular obstacle to the venous drainage, for external compression of the vessel; type 3 CCSVI (315) presenting both venous endo-vascular and extra-vascular obstructed drains. We analyzed the morphological and hemodynamic data recorded on computerized map (MEM-net). All data were collected by respecting the Italian Privacy Laws and they are available on the National Epidemiological Observatory on CCSVI website (www.osservatorioccsvi.org). We focused in the three main parameters in all studied patients. First parameter was expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score; second parameter was illness duration; third parameter was CCSVI type. The MS duration values stratified by EDSS grouped values in CCSVItype- 1 and CCSVI-type-3 patients shows that the differences were statistical significant by Kruskal-Wallis test: H=44.2829; degree of freedom= 1 for CCSVI-type-1 (P<0.001); and H=37.3036; degree of freedom=1 for CCSVItype- 3 (P<0.001). The present study confirmed and completed scientific literature about relation between CCSVI and MS. On the same time, we found a strong correlation between MS illness duration and severity of EDSS score. In fact there is a clinical severity worsening after 11 years of illness in MS patients with CCSVI type-1 or type-3 (P<0.001). These data may suggest the influence of chronic vascular disease on MS. Further searches need in order to learn more about this new aspect in MS etiology.
Witten's Conjecture for many four-manifolds of simple type
Authors: Feehan Paul M.N. , Leness Thomas G.
Published: April 2015

We prove that Witten's Conjecture [40] on the relationship between the Donaldson and Seiberg-Witten series for a four-manifold of Seiberg-Witten simple type with

b_1=0

and odd

b_2^+\ge 3

follows from our

\operatorname{SO}(3)

-monopole cobordism formula [6] when the four-manifold has

c_1^2\ge \chi_h-3

or is abundant.
A multi-speed Europe: is it viable? A stock-flow consistent approach
Authors: Mazier Jacques , Valdecantos Sebastian
Published: April 2015

Based on the hypothesis that states that the underlying cause of the crisis in the euro area is a combination of exchange-rate misalignments with uncoordinated wage policies, we explore different exchange-rate arrangements that may help to reduce imbalances between surplus and deficit countries. These alternative configurations of the eurozone, which imply abandoning the common currency to a greater or a lesser extent, are tested with a theoretical four-country stock-flow consistent model. We find that although the different alternatives of a multi-speed Europe vary in their stability and macroeconomic effects, in all cases they produce better results compared to the one that has been observed since the introduction of the euro.
Transport of anthropogenic and biomass burning aerosols from Europe to the Arctic during spring 2008
Authors: Marelle L. , Raut J.-C. , Thomas J. L. , Law K. S. , Quennehen B. , Ancellet G. , Pelon J. , Schwarzenboeck A. , Fast J. D.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. During the POLARCAT-France airborne campaign in April 2008, pollution originating from anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions was measured in the European Arctic. We compare these aircraft measurements with simulations using the WRF-Chem model to investigate model representation of aerosols transported from Europe to the Arctic. Modeled PM2.5 is evaluated using European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) measurements in source regions and POLARCAT aircraft measurements in the Scandinavian Arctic. Total PM2.5 agrees well with the measurements, although the model overestimates nitrate and underestimates organic carbon in source regions. Using WRF-Chem in combination with the Lagrangian model FLEXPART-WRF, we find that during the campaign the research aircraft sampled two different types of European plumes: mixed anthropogenic and fire plumes from eastern Europe and Russia transported below 2 km, and anthropogenic plumes from central Europe uplifted by warm conveyor belt circulations to 5–6 km. Both modeled plume types had undergone significant wet scavenging (> 50% PM10) during transport. Modeled aerosol vertical distributions and optical properties below the aircraft are evaluated in the Arctic using airborne lidar measurements. Model results show that the pollution event transported aerosols into the Arctic (> 66.6° N) for a 4-day period. During this 4-day period, biomass burning emissions have the strongest influence on concentrations between 2.5 and 3 km altitudes, while European anthropogenic emissions influence aerosols at both lower (~ 1.5 km) and higher altitudes (~ 4.5 km). As a proportion of PM2.5, modeled black carbon and SO4= concentrations are more enhanced near the surface in anthropogenic plumes. The European plumes sampled during the POLARCAT-France campaign were transported over the region of springtime snow cover in northern Scandinavia, where they had a significant local atmospheric warming effect. We find that, during this transport event, the average modeled top-of-atmosphere (TOA) shortwave direct and semi-direct radiative effect (DSRE) north of 60° N over snow and ice-covered surfaces reaches +0.58 W m−2, peaking at +3.3 W m−2 at noon over Scandinavia and Finland.
Field survey report and satellite image interpretation of the 2013 Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines
Authors: Mas E. , Bricker J. , Kure S. , Adriano B. , Yi C. , Suppasri A. , Koshimura S.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. Three weeks after the deadly Bohol earthquake of Mw 7.2, which claimed at least 222 victims, another disaster struck the Philippines. This time, Super Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, devastated the Eastern Visayas islands on 8 November 2013. Its classification as a super typhoon was based on its maximum sustained 1 min surface wind speed of 315 km h−1, which is equivalent to a strong Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. This was one of the deadliest typhoon events in the Philippines' history, after the 1897 and 1912 tropical cyclones. At least 6268 individuals have been reported dead and 1061 people are missing. In addition, a wide area of destruction was observed in the Eastern Visayas, on Samar and Leyte islands. The International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, has deployed several teams for damage recognition, relief support and collaboration with regard to this disaster event. One of the teams, the hazard and damage evaluation team, visited the affected areas in the Eastern Visayas in mid-January 2014. In this paper, we summarize the rapid damage assessment from satellite imagery conducted days after the event and report on the inundation measurements and the damage surveyed in the field. Damage interpretation results by satellite images were qualitatively confirmed for the Tacloban city area on Leyte Island, the most populated city in the Eastern Visayas. During the survey, significant damage was observed from wind and storm surges on poorly designed housing on the east coast of Leyte Island. Damage, mainly from surface waves and winds, was observed on the east coast of Samar Island.
Evaluation of climate change impact on Blue Nile Basin Cascade Reservoir operation – case study of proposed reservoirs in the Main Blue Nile River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Wondimagegnehu D. , Tadele K.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. This study mainly deals with evaluation of climate change impact on operation of the Blue Nile Basin Cascade Reservoir. To evaluate the impact of climate change, climate change scenarios of evapotranspiration and precipitation were developed for three periods. Output of ECHAM5 with RCM for the A1B emissions scenario were used to develop the future climate change scenarios. A hydrological model, HEC-HMS, was used to simulate current and future inflow volume to the reservoirs. The projected future climate shows an increasing trend in both maximum and minimum temperature and in evapotranspiration, but precipitation shows a fluctuating trend in the next century. Relative to the current condition, the average annual open water evaporation for the Beko-Abo and Mandaya reservoirs show increasing trend whereas the Border Reservoir shows a decreasing trend. Comparison of the base period and the future period average annual inflow volume shows an increase for Beko-Abo and Mandaya, but at Border Reservoir a decrease in volume is observed. The average annual power generation projected using HEC-ReSim also shows an increase at the Beko-Abo and Mandaya hydropower station, whereas a slight decrease occurs for Border hydropower station. On average, the time based and volumetric reliability of the reservoirs was estimated to be more than 90%. The resilience of the reservoirs is below 50% and their vulnerability is less than 50%. Therefore, these performance indices reveal good performance of the reservoirs except regarding the speed of recovery of the reservoirs from failure because the reservoirs will not able to recover rapidly from failure to a safe state.
Efficient management of municipal water: water scarcity in Taiz City, Yemen – issues and options
Authors: Noaman A. , Al-Sharjabe A. W.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The city of Taiz is the third largest city in Yemen, located about 250 km south of Sana'a and about 90 km inland from the Red Sea. Taiz is situated on the foothills and slopes of the Jabal Saber Mountain at elevations between 1100 and 1600 m a.s.l. Its population is rapidly increasing and is expected to grow from about 580 000 in 2012 to over 1 000 000 in 2020. Water supply is the most pressing problem in the city of Taiz today due to the significant shortages of supply (the average consumption is 23 L/d) caused by the depletion of existing water resources and the lack of a clear direction in dealing with the problem. This forces frequent service interruptions (30–40 days) and the service is rarely extended to new users (only 57% of the population are covered). Sanitation is another daunting problem. The (poorly maintained) sewerage network covers only 44% of the population. In several unsewered areas to the north, east and west of the city, raw sewage is disposed of directly into wadis, which causes a health hazard and threatens to contaminate groundwater resources. The proper computation of demand and supply is based on the various fields. It was performed under this study with a particular model: the Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP) developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). WEAP is supported by a geographical information system (GIS). The available and relevant data on poverty and social indicators, water use and sources, surface runoff, surface and groundwater availability, groundwater depletion and management, crop production areas, soil cover, maps, and meteorological information were gathered from a number of sources. There are only two ways to decrease the water deficit: by increasing water supply or decreasing the water demand. Any adaptation project aims at one of the two. Six projects are proposed, with three in each category (1, 2 and 3 to decrease demand, and 4, 5 and 6 to increase supply): − Project 1: Improvement of irrigation methods − Project 2: Improvement of the water distribution network in Taiz City − Project 3: Water re-use − Project 4: Water harvesting − Project 5: Brackish water treatment − Project 6: Desalinization of sea water
Sand mining and morphometric dynamics along Ologe Lagoon
Authors: Thaddeus D. , Odunuga S.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. The study focuses on the sand mining activities and morphometric dynamics of Ologe Lagoon, in Lagos, Nigeria. It determines the sand mining activities and morphometric dynamics of Ologe Lagoon catchment area, the quantity of sand mined per unit time, and the extent of environmental degradation due to the continuous sand mining activities. Topographic maps of the 1985 and 2013 Ikonos satellite imagery were used to identify the morphometric dynamics of the area. Two hypotheses were generated to determine if there are significant differences between the means of the sampled population that lost properties due to flooding, and to determine if there was a correlation between building subsidence and loss of property; it was tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with a correlation coefficient at 0.05 α significance level. The results of geometric measurement of the Ologe Lagoon between the two years interval show that perimeter width and circularity of the basin had reduced and shrunk, while the form factor remains the same at 0.15 km2. The basin elongation increased significantly by 0.01 km2, thus, increasing the rate at which water will be supplied to the lagoon. The ration of the form factor of 0.69/0.5 is close to the unity value R1, which shows a higher peak runoff; the values of the circularity ratio of 3.94/3.13 indicates circularity. This shows that the basin is circular time. The impact of the geometry indicates the development of mud flats and sandy bars, particularly at the lower portion of the lagoon; there is also modification of sediment deposition. The anthropogenic activity of sand mining causes destruction of the riparian forest around the lagoon. There is no significant difference in the means of sampled respondents regarding loss properties due to flooding, while there is a correlation between building subsidence and loss of life. It is recommended that a road map should be developed and implemented by the relevant agency of the government to guide anthropogenic activities around the lagoon to enhance sustainable development.
Anthropocene Futures and Water Security
Authors: Berkhout F.
Published: April 2015

Abstract. A central claim about the Anthropocene is that this new epoch, in which people have become the primary geological force, raises profound questions about the sustainability of human development (Crutzen 2002). Human populations have grown dramatically, especially over the past two centuries; these people have grown on average wealthier, drawing on massively greater natural resources and environmental services, including water (Steffen et al. 2011). A number of ‘planetary boundaries' have been defined (Röckstrom et al. 2009), which point to the most urgent dimensions of the global sustainability problems that flow from the scale and scope of human appropriations and interventions in biophysical Earth Systems. These include by now familiar changes and impacts associated with climate change, ozone depletion, biodiversity loss and land-use change, as well as global freshwater use. Röckstrom et al. (2009) suggest using consumptive water run-off (or blue water use) as a proxy for global freshwater use. Assuming an upper limit of ~12 500–15 000 km3 year−1 of accessible blue water resources, they suggest that consumptive uses above a threshold of 4000–6000 km3 year-1 would represent a significant risk to ecosystems, moisture feedbacks and freshwater/ocean mixing. Given that consumptive use is now at about 2600 km3 year−1 the authors conclude that there appears to be some room for manoeuvre, although there continues to be a trend of rapidly growing consumptive water use at the global scale. In addition, a number of other problems associated with access to resources have been pointed to: peak oil; peak phosphorus; and the resilience of ecosystem services (Steffen 2011). Beyond this, there is the growing awareness of "systemic risks" to global economic, financial and political systems linked to the degradation, failure or transformation of key biophysical and ecological systems. Perhaps one of the most striking claims is that an epoch of relative stability in these systems (the Holocene) has been replaced by a new period of rapid change, instability and continuing transience, with growing risks of thresholds and tipping points (Lenton et al. 2008).
Choice behaviour in online hotel booking
Authors: Masiero Lorenzo , Nicolau Juan L.
Published: April 2015

The objective of this study is to analyse how people process information and make decisions with regard to booking hotel rooms via online booking systems. The authors propose a nested decision process and compare it with the approach of previous literature in analysing the determinants in choosing a hotel. This research attempts to model online hotel bookings in the real market using discrete choice modelling. The methodology is based on the estimates of nested logit models, and the results show that tourists choose a hotel by going through a number of staged decision structures, which is in line with Associative Network Theory and the Cybernetic decision-making model.
Expert identification and calibration for collective forecasting tasks
Authors: Croce Valeria , Wöber Karl , Kester John
Published: April 2015

The widespread use of the Internet and online forecasting systems offer unprecedented opportunities to leverage collective intelligence to produce increasingly accurate forecasts. Forecast support systems also offer the opportunity to address one of the weakest aspects of expert forecasting methods, the identification of experts. In the published literature, significant criticism is addressed to the subjectivity of expert identification methods, as different methods can lead, ceteris paribus, to significantly different results. This article introduces an approach to define objectively levels of expertise in large groups in a panel setting. This information is used to fine-tune panel members’ contribution to the compound forecast in an attempt to improve the accuracy of the aggregated forecast. Tested on prospects collected from the UN World Tourism Organization Panel of Tourism Experts – probably world’s most widely used and influential forecasts for the tourism sector – the proposed approach proves efficient in identifying experts in large groups of individuals. The results also indicate that the method is promising in leveraging their collective knowledge to return more accurate forecasts compared to simpler methods.
‘Moral hazard’ onder slachtoffers van identiteitsfraude? De relatie tussen schadevergoeding bij onterechte bankafschrijvingen en riskant internetgedrag
Authors: Van Wilsem Johan , Paulissen Levy
Published: April 2015

‘Moral hazard’ among victims of identity fraud? The relation between victim compensation for fraudulent bank transfers and risky internet behaviour.

Due to digitalization of modern societies, identity fraud is becoming a serious problem. Until recently, Dutch victims of unauthorized cash withdrawals from their bank accounts were reimbursed by their banks in most instances. Because most victims were not confronted with financial damages, this generous reimbursement policy may have unintendedly stimulated moral hazard among victims, due to a lack of incentives to change risky behavior and avoid future victimization. This paper therefore compares post-victimization changes in Internet activities among reimbursed victims of identity fraud and non-reimbursed victims, as well as non-victims. For this purpose, large-scale, representative victimization survey data were used from the Dutch LISS-panel. Overall, we found no differences in Internet activity change between the distinguished groups, which points to the absence of moral hazard in this specific case.
Begonia yapenensis (sect. Symbegonia, Begoniaceae), a new species from Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Hughes Mark , Barber Sadie , Heatubun Charlie D. , Gagul Janet
Published: April 2015

A new species, Begonia yapenensis M.Hughes, in Begonia section Symbegonia (Begoniaceae) is described and diagnosed against Begonia sympapuana. The new species is endemic to Yapen Island, Papua, Indonesia, and is currently known from a single collection.
Uenighet som demokratisk praksis i måltidsfellesskapet på småbarnsavdeling
Authors: Grindland Berit
Published: April 2015

Title: Disagreement as democratic praxis in mealcommunity in nurseriesAbstract: Children’s participation and democracy are concepts in need of being discussed from several angles in the setting of early childhood education. This paper is based on empirical materials from seven research conversations with four groups of staff in Norwegian nurseries. The conversations keep a focus on the social dimension of the meals in nursery.  The purpose of the paper is to explore how different discourses in the conversations construct episodes where either adults or children, as participants in a meal challenge and break the structures of the meal community. Using concepts from the theory of the Radical Democracy, the paper discusses how two discourses in the conversations can make different conditions for conflicts as democratic processes during meals in nurseries.
Characteristics of indoor rough-and-tumble play (R&T) with physical contact between players in preschool
Authors: Storli Rune
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this paper was to qualitatively identify and categorize the diverse characteristics of rough-and tumble play (R&T) with physical contact between players among 3- to 5-year-old children in preschool. Previous categorization of R&T has been, to a large extent, based on observations of school-age children. Thus, it is interesting to examine how younger children engage in R&T in preschool in order to obtain more descriptive data regarding the forms of physical activity play and the age-related trends through childhood. Analyses show that previous categories of R&T are applicable for indoor R&T in preschool. However, tumbling has emerged as a distinct category. This new insight contributes to the more accurate categorization of younger children’s R&T with physical contact between players, which can support the practitioner’s ability to make informed observations of individuals’ participation in R&T.
The role of the Hall effect in the global structure and dynamics of planetary magnetospheres: Ganymede as a case study
Authors: Dorelli J. C. , Glocer Alex , Collinson Glyn , Tóth Gábor
Published: April 2015

We present high‐resolution Hall MHD simulations of Ganymede's magnetosphere demonstrating that Hall electric fields in ion‐scale magnetic reconnection layers have significant global effects not captured in resistive MHD simulations. Consistent with local kinetic simulations of magnetic reconnection, our global simulations show the development of intense field‐aligned currents along the magnetic separatrices. These currents extend all the way down to the moon's surface, where they may contribute to Ganymede's aurora. Within the magnetopause and magnetotail current sheets, Hall J × B forces accelerate ions to the local Alfvén speed in the out‐of‐plane direction, producing a global system of ion drift belts that circulates Jovian magnetospheric plasma throughout Ganymede's magnetosphere. We discuss some observable consequences of these Hall‐induced currents and ion drifts: the appearance of a sub‐Jovian “double magnetopause” structure, an Alfvénic ion jet extending across the upstream magnetopause, and an asymmetric pattern of magnetopause Kelvin‐Helmholtz waves.
Drivers of decadal variability in the Tasman Sea
Authors: Sloyan Bernadette M. , O'Kane Terence J.
Published: April 2015

In this study, we compare optimally interpolated monthly time series Tasman Sea XBT data and a comprehensive set of ocean data assimilation models forced by atmospheric reanalysis to investigate the stability of the Tasman Sea thermocline and the transport variability of the East Australian Current (EAC), the Tasman Front, and EAC‐extension. We find that anomalously weaker EAC transport at 25°S corresponds to an anomalously weaker Tasman Front and anomalously stronger EAC‐extension. We further show that, post about 1980 and relative to the previous 30 years, the anomalously weaker EAC transport at 25°S is associated with large‐scale changes in the Tasman Sea; specifically stronger stratification above the thermocline, larger thermocline temperature gradients, and enhanced energy conversion. Significant correlations are found between the Maria Island station Sea Surface Temperature (SST) variability and stratification, thermocline temperature gradient, and baroclinic energy conversion suggesting that nonlinear dynamical responses to variability in the basin‐scale wind stress curl are important drivers of decadal variability in the Tasman Sea. We further show that the stability of the EAC is linked, via the South Caledonian Jet, to the stability of the pan‐basin subtropical South Pacific Ocean “storm track.”
Rocky Mountain National Park reduced nitrogen source apportionment
Authors: Thompson Tammy M. , Rodriguez Marco A. , Barna Michael G. , Gebhart Kristi A. , Hand Jennifer L. , Day Derek E. , Malm William C. , Benedict Katherine B. , Collett Jeffrey L. , Schichtel Bret A.
Published: April 2015

Excess wet and dry deposition of nitrogen‐containing compounds are a concern at a number of national parks. The Rocky Mountain Atmospheric Nitrogen and Sulfur Study Part II (RoMANS II) campaign was conducted from November 2008 to November 2009 to characterize the composition of reactive nitrogen and sulfur deposited in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). RoMANS II identified reduced nitrogen as the major contributor to reactive nitrogen deposition in RMNP, making up over 50% of the total. Motivated by this finding, the particulate source apportionment technology within the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with extensions was used here to estimate source apportionment of reduced nitrogen concentrations at RMNP. Source apportionment results suggest that approximately 40% of reduced nitrogen deposition to RMNP comes from ammonia sources within Colorado. However, the model evaluation also suggests that this number could be underrepresenting ammonia sources in eastern Colorado due to the difficulty of capturing upslope airflow on the eastern side of the Continental Divide with meteorological models. Emissions from California, the western model boundary, and the Snake River Valley in Idaho, the next three most influential sources, contribute approximately 15%, 8%, and 7%, respectively, to total reduced nitrogen measured in RMNP. Within Colorado, about 61%, 26%, and 13% of the total Colorado contribution comes from sources to the east of the Continental Divide, sources to the west of the Continental Divide, and from the park itself.
Trace element anomaly in fault rock induced by coseismic hydrothermal reactions reproduced in laboratory friction experiments
Authors: Tanikawa Wataru , Ishikawa Tsuyoshi , Honda Go , Hirono Tetsuro , Tadai Osamu
Published: April 2015

Friction experiments at high velocities (0.1 to 0.4 m/s) at room temperature under high pore fluid pressures (2 or 5 MPa) and trace element analyses of the run products were carried out on simulated fault gouge derived from the Chelungpu fault, Taiwan. The friction coefficient decreased to ~0.1 during sliding, and the slip surface temperature reached 300°C by 6 m of slip displacement. The slip caused a small, but distinct decrease of Li in the deformed gouge when the slip surface temperature exceeded 300°C. The observed Li depletion agreed with calculated results, indicating that it resulted from a hydrothermal reaction at a high temperature produced by short‐duration (up to 40 s) frictional heating. The geochemical data suggest a small fluid/rock ratio and low reaction temperature in the simulated fault, which is explained by higher normal stress or repeated earthquakes which elevated fluid‐rock ratios in the natural fault.
Morphology‐Limited Free Carrier Generation in Donor/Acceptor Polymer Blend Solar Cells Composed of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and Fluorene‐Based Copolymer
Authors: Mori Daisuke , Benten Hiroaki , Ohkita Hideo , Ito Shinzaburo
Published: April 2015

The charge generation and recombination dynamics in polymer/polymer blend solar cells composed of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT, electron donor) and poly[2,7‐(9,9‐didodecylfluorene)‐alt‐5,5‐(4′,7′‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole)] (PF12TBT, electron acceptor) are studied by transient absorption measurements. In the unannealed blend film, charge carriers are efficiently generated from polymer excitons, but some of them recombine geminately. In the blend film annealed at 160 °C, on the other hand, the geminate recombination loss is suppressed and hence free carrier generation efficiency increases up to 74%. These findings suggest that P3HT and PF12TBT are intermixed within a few nanometers, resulting in impure PF12TBT and disordered P3HT domains. The geminate recombination is likely due to charge carriers generated on isolated polymer chains in the matrix of the other polymer and at the domain interface with disordered P3HT. The undesired charge loss by geminate recombination is reduced by both the purification of the PF12TBT‐rich domain and crystallization of the P3HT chains. These results show that efficient free carrier generation is not inherent to the polymer/fullerene domain interface, but is possible with polymer/polymer systems composed of crystalline donor and amorphous acceptor polymers, opening up a new potential method for the improvement of solar cell materials.
Geometrical Dependence of the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital in Bicyclic Systems: π‐Facial Stereoselectivity of Bicyclic and Tricyclic Olefins
Authors: Tsuji Motonori
Published: April 2015

Sterically unbiased bicyclic and tricyclic olefins were reacted with electrophiles to assess the π‐facial stereoselectivity. The stereochemical preference of the reactions of these olefins with electrophiles is attributed to the HOMO, which is derived from the interaction between a higher‐lying π orbital and particular lower‐lying σ orbitals. The selectivity of electrophilic reactions of these olefinic molecules is thought to be controlled by two types of HOMO, which are formed by a combination of different orbitals, depending on the geometrical conditions. A novel interpretation of orbital interactions enabled us to account for the facial selectivity in a unified manner.
Hydrolytic degradation of biodegradable polyesters under simulated environmental conditions
Authors: Muthuraj Rajendran , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty A.K.
Published: April 2015

In this study, the durability of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT), and PBS/PBAT blend was assessed by exposure to 50°C and 90% relative humidity for a duration of up to 30 days. Due to the easy hydrolysis of esters, the mechanical properties of PBS and PBAT were significantly affected with increasing conditioning time. The PBS, PBAT, and PBS/PBAT showed an increase in modulus as well as a decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break with increased exposure time. Furthermore, the impact strength of PBAT remains unaffected up to 30 days of exposure. However, it was clearly observed that the fracture mode of PBS/PBAT changed from ductile to brittle after being exposed to high heat and humid conditions. This may be attributed to the hydrolysis products of PBS accelerating the degradation of PBAT in the PBS/PBAT blend. The differential scanning calorimetry results suggested that the crystallinity of the samples increased after being exposed to elevated temperature and humidity. This phenomenon was attributed to the induced crystallization from low molecular weight polymer chains that occurred during hydrolysis. Therefore, low molecular weight polymer chains are often favored to the crystallinity enhancement. The increase in crystallinity eventually increased the modulus of the conditioned samples. The enhanced crystallinity was further confirmed by polarizing optical microscopy analysis. Moreover, the hydrolysis of the polyesters was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, rheology, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 42189.
Effect of clay type on dispersion and barrier properties of hydrophobically modified poly(vinyl alcohol)–bentonite nanocomposites
Authors: Johansson Caisa , Clegg Francis
Published: April 2015

The oxygen and water vapor permeability at high relative humidity was studied for composite films formed by incorporation of three different bentonites (MMT) into an ethylene‐modified, water‐soluble poly(vinyl alcohol), EPVOH. The oxygen permeability decreased linearly with an increased addition of hydrophilic MMTs. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested a homogeneous distribution in the thickness direction with disordered and probably exfoliated structures for hydrophilic MMTs. In contrast, organophilic modified clay showed an intercalated structure with the clay preferentially located at the lower film surface, a combination which was however efficient in reducing the water vapor‐ and oxygen permeabilities at low addition levels. Composite films of EPVOH and Na+‐exchanged MMT resulted in high resistance to dissolution in water, which was ascribed to strong interactions between the components resulting from matching polarities. Annealing the films at 120°C resulted in enhanced resistance to water dissolution and a further reduction in oxygen permeability. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42229.
Effects of molecular weight and grafted maleic anhydride of functionalized polylactic acid used in reactive compatibilized binary and ternary blends of polylactic acid and thermoplastic cassava starch
Authors: Detyothin Sukeewan , Selke Susan E. M. , Narayan Ramani , Rubino Maria , Auras Rafael A.
Published: April 2015

Polylactic acid (PLA) was reactively functionalized with maleic anhydride (MA) and 2,5‐bis(tert‐butylperoxy)−2,5‐dimethylhexane (Luperox 101 or L101) using a twin screw extruder (TSE). The effects of functionality (grafted MA level) and/or number average molecular weight of functionalized PLA (PLA‐g‐MA) as the reactive polymer pairs (binary blends) and reactive compatibilizer (ternary blends) were investigated. Due to the dominant side reaction during melt free radical grafting, polymer degradation or chain scission, PLA‐g‐MA having a higher grafted MA had lower molecular weights and intrinsic viscosity as well as broader molecular weight distribution values. The thermal, physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of binary blends produced by using the TSE and injection molding at a ratio of 70 wt % PLA‐g‐MA and 30 wt % thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) were analyzed. The reactive blends having grafted MA more than 0.4 wt % had poor tensile strength and elongation at break. Similar trends in morphology and tensile properties were observed in the reactive ternary blends. The use of PLA‐g‐MA strongly impacted the elongation at break but not the modulus or tensile strength. An increase of PLA‐g‐MA's number average molecular weight (
or Mn) improved the tensile properties of the blends. The reactive ternary blend having 0.1 wt % grafted MA on PLA and PLA‐g‐MA basis and PLA‐g‐MA's Mn of 45 kDa offered the highest elongation at break. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42230.
Genipin‐cross‐linked chitosan‐based hydrogels: Reaction kinetics and structure‐related characteristics
Authors: Dimida Simona , Demitri Christian , De Benedictis Vincenzo M. , Scalera Francesca , Gervaso Francesca , Sannino Alessandro
Published: April 2015

The main aim of this work is the synthesis and characterization of cross‐linked chitosan systems. Chitosan hydrogels can be prepared by physical or chemical cross‐linking of polymer chains. Chemical cross‐linking, leading to the creation of hydrogel networks possessing improved mechanical properties and chemical stability, can be achieved using either synthetic agents or natural‐based agents. In this work, the cross‐linker Genipin, a naturally derived compound, was selected because of the lower acute toxicity compared to many other commonly used synthetic cross‐linking reagents. In particular, the chemical stabilization of chitosan through genipin cross‐linking molecules was performed and characterized by calorimetric analyses (differential scanning calorimetry), swelling measurements in different pHs, and ionic strength. The reaction kinetics was carried out by means of rheological measurements, and both the activation energy (Ea) and the reaction order (m) were calculated. The hydrogel analyses were carried out at different concentrations of genipin (GN1 and GN2). The results were used to evaluate the possibility to use the chemical cross‐linked chitosan–genipin hydrogel for biomedical applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42256.
Hydrogen peroxide sensing properties of PVA/TiO2/I2 nanocomposite‐based free standing membranes
Authors: Grover Rakhi , Nanda Omita , Gupta Nidhi , Saxena Kanchan
Published: April 2015

The nanocomposite of titanium‐di‐oxide (TiO2)/iodine (I2) in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix has been explored to be used in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) sensing applications for the first time. The proposed nanocomposite can be easily casted in the form of thin film on glass substrates as well as free standing membranes. These nanocomposite films and membranes exhibit reduced resistance values and easily observable colour changes in the presence of H2O2. The films also exhibit significant quenching in photoluminescence emission properties upon H2O2 exposure. These sensor responses have been attributed to redox reactions at nanocomposite films and H2O2 interface. This study indicates an easy to fabricate, flexible and environmental friendly sensing platform for H2O2. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42257.