bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The connection between solar wind charged particles and tornadoes: Case analysis
Authors: Radovanovic Milan , Milovanovic Bosko , Pavlovic Mila , Radivojevic Aleksandar , Stevancevic Milan
Published: April 2013

The temperature of charged particles coming from the Sun ranges from several
hundred thousands to several millions ?C, in extreme cases. Theoretical
possibilities of the hydrodynamic air mass seizing by charged particles, i.
e. solar wind, are discussed in this paper. On one hand, they are
characterized by extremely high temperatures, on the other, by the
compression of cold air at an approximate altitude of 90 km towards the top
of the cloud of the cyclone, they influence the phenomenon of extremely low
temperatures. By using the Mann-Whitney U test we have tried to determine the
potential link between certain indicators of solar activity and resulting
disturbances in the atmosphere. Analyzed data refer to global daily values
for the 2004-2010 period. Our results confirm the possibility of coupling
between the charged particles and the vortex air mass movements, based on
which a more detailed study of the appearance of a tornado near Sombor on May
12th, 2010, was carried out. It has also been proven that there are grounds
for a causality between the sudden arrival of the solar wind charged
particles, i. e. protons, and the appearance of a tornado. Based on the
presented approach, elements for an entirely novel prediction model are
given.
Feasibility study of a current mode gamma radiation dosimeter based on a commercial pin photodiode and a custom made auto-ranging electrometer
Authors: Andjelkovic Marko , Ristic Goran
Published: April 2013

An experimental study has been conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a
current mode gamma radiation dosimeter, consisting of a commercial PIN
photodiode as a radiation sensor, and a custom made auto-ranging electrometer
for real-time measurement of the PIN photodiode?s response under radiation
exposure. The radiation induced direct current response for single PIN
photodiodes with different active areas, as well as for multiple PIN
photodiodes connected in parallel, has been investigated. Three types of
commercial silicon PIN photodiodes have been chosen for evaluation - S1223,
BPW34, and PS100-6-CER2 PIN. During the experiment, five samples have been
tested - three samples made of single PIN photodiodes (one sample of each
photodiode type) and two samples formed by connecting multiple photodiodes in
parallel (two BPW34 photodiodes in parallel and four BPW34 photodiodes in
parallel). The samples have been irradiated with a 60Co gamma ray source and
the relations between the induced photocurrent and the dose rate, and between
the accumulated charge and the absorbed dose, have been determined. For
measuring the photodiodes response, a custom made auto-ranging electrometer
controlled by a personal computer, and capable of measuring direct currents
from 50 pA to 10 mA with relative error less than 2.5%, has been used.
Obtained results have shown very good linearity between the dose rate and the
induced photocurrent for dose rates ranging from 0.93 Gy/h to 67 Gy/h. Also,
very good linearity has been observed between the accumulated charge and the
absorbed dose for all tested samples, within the investigated range of
absorbed doses from 472 mGy to 3.3 Gy. On the basis of the obtained results,
a simple model has been derived, enabling the estimation of the photodiode?s
current response as a function of the dose rate and the photodiode?s geometry
(active area and depletion layer width).
Improvement possibilities of the I-V characteristics of PIN photodiodes damaged by gamma irradiation
Authors: Nikolic Dejan , Vasic Aleksandra , Lazarevic Djordje , Obrenovic Marija
Published: April 2013

This paper presents the behavior of PIN photodiodes after combined gamma and
neutron irradiation. Different types of PIN photodiodes have been exposed
first to gamma and then to neutron irradiation. I-V characteristics (current
dependence on voltage) of photodiodes have been measured after each of these
irradiations. It has been noted that the photocurrent level after the neutron
irradiation is higher than before it, which is not consistent with the
current theories about the effects of neutron radiation on semiconductors. In
order to explain this behavior of the photodiodes, the Monte Carlo simulation
of photon transport through the material has been used. It is proposed that a
possible cause for current enhancement are defects in semiconductor created
by gamma irradiation and effects of neutron irradiation on these defects. The
results can be explained by an intercentre transfer of charge between defects
in close proximity to each other. The aim of this paper is to investigate the
improvement possibilities of the I-V characteristics of PIN photodiodes, and
photodetectors in general, damaged by gamma irradiation.
The method for recalibration of thoron concentration reading of RAD7 and obtaining the thoron exhalation rate from soil surface
Authors: Tan Yanliang , Xiao Detao
Published: April 2013

Thoron exhalation rate can be obtained through the combination of the
?accumulation chamber? technique and RAD7. Thoron?s rapid decay causes the
intake path and the air flow rate to become important factors in calibration.
In field conditions, since the flow rate of the internal pump in RAD7 will
change as the voltage of the battery decreases, the big drying tube is more
suitable for a long measurement than the small drying tube. We developed the
method for recalibration of the thoron concentration reading of RAD7 based on
the calibration factor for 222Rn, and obtained the thoron exhalation rate
from soil surface near by the Radon Laboratory of the University of South
China. This method can be applied to develop and improve instruments for
measuring the radon exhalation rate.
The analysis of SuperWASP photometric data for the overcontact binary QW Gem
Authors: Cséki A.
Published: April 2013

The paper presents an analysis of photometric observations of the eclipsing
binary QW Gem. The orbital and physical parameters of the system are derived
using the modeling code by G. Djurasevic. Photometric observations are
obtained from the SuperWASP public archive and the spectroscopic elements
are adopted from a recently published radial velocity study. The results
suggest that QW Gem is a binary in overcontact configuration, consisting of
two stars of similar surface brightness but in different evolutionary stages.
Historical Research in Comparative Education: A Discussion of Some Methodological Issues
Authors: Li Aisi
Published: April 2013

In this article the author discusses some issues with conducting historical research, rooted in her own experiences. She focuses on four main points: minimising one's own biases, choosing a suitable research question, evaluating the quality of the sources and providing a balanced interpretation of events. She argues that using a historical approach to understand an educational phenomenon is both a fact-finding process and an opportunity to revisit one's own values, and is an important way to confirm or reinterpret what we know about current educational practices.
Learner Success Stories: What Constitutes, and Contributes to, Success in Tertiary Vocational Training Courses?
Authors: Harlow Ann
Published: April 2013

In this article, adult learner experiences of embedded literacy and numeracy within vocational programmes in New Zealand are explored and described to identify what these learners felt had contributed to their success as learners. The embedded approach is a distinctive feature of the adult literacy and numeracy education infrastructure in New Zealand. Two models of data collection were used: in one model, literacy and numeracy events were recorded through photos taken by learners of their own use of literacy and numeracy practices. A follow-up interview was held where the learner explained the significance of the photos to the researcher; in the other model, focus-group interviews were held with two to six adult learners about their learning. The transcripts from both models were collated and then interrogated for themes across the stories. Learners above all valued the support they were given that enabled them to become successful – this support came from tutors, peer group, friends and families. In a few cases, learners had determined they would succeed in spite of their home circumstances and had needed extra support from the institution. Since being enrolled in a vocational course where the focus was on literacy and numeracy, within a meaningful context that offered them entry into gainful employment, these learners had grown in confidence and self-directedness, and had developed a determination to succeed. They had gained literacy and numeracy skills at the same time as developing vocational skills. Their success had led to a changed attitude and disposition towards lifelong learning.
The Face of Private Tutoring in Russia: Evidence from Online Marketing by Private Tutors
Authors: Kozar Olga
Published: April 2013

Private tutoring is a common and worldwide phenomenon. However, there is a dearth of up-to-date research on private tutoring compared with that on institutional one-to-one teaching, which could be explained by challenges associated with data collection. This article proposes using publicly available online advertisements of private tutors as a method of acquiring data on private tutoring practices. It describes a two-stage study which employed this technique to investigate private tutoring practices in Moscow city. The first stage of the study looks at the subjects which are commonly offered for tuition in Moscow city, and the second part qualitatively analyses 32 profiles of top-ranking tutors in order to identify potential attributes of a ‘high-ranking’ tutor. The particular focus is made on the demographics and self-presentation style of private tutors in Moscow. The findings show that while the majority of tutoring services in Moscow seem to target school students preparing for the Unified State Examination, the most frequently offered subject is English for Speakers of Other Languages, possibly due to a larger target clientele (both school students and adult learners). Other findings include a difference in self-presentation style between two groups of private tutors: those who offer school-curriculum subjects, and those who tutor foreign languages.
Does Financial Constraint Affect the Relation between Shareholder Taxes and the Cost of Equity Capital?
Authors: Dai Zhonglan , Shackelford Douglas A. , Zhang Harold H. , Chen Chongyang
Published: April 2013

We argue that reductions in shareholder taxes should lower the cost of equity capital more for financially constrained firms than for other companies. Consistent with this prediction, we find that, following the 1997 (TRA) and the 2003 (JGTRRA) cuts in U.S. individual shareholder taxes, financially constrained firms enjoyed larger reductions in their cost of equity capital than did other firms. The results are consistent with the incidence of the tax reductions falling mostly on firms with both pressing needs for capital and disproportionate ownership by individuals, the only shareholders who benefited from the legislations. The paper provides a partial explanation for the seemingly puzzling finding that, following the unprecedented 2003 reduction in dividend tax rates, non-dividend-paying firms outperformed dividend-paying firms. The results suggest that it was not dividend status that mattered, but financial constraint, a common attribute of non-dividend-paying companies.

Data Availability: Data are available from public sources identified in the study.
What—and Why—the Pathologist Should Know about Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: de Paepe Monique E. , Luks Francois I.
Published: April 2013

Approximately 20% of all twin pregnancies are monochorionic. Between 9% and 15% of all monochorionic twin gestations are complicated by severe chronic twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), characterized by a gradual shift of blood volume from the donor twin to the recipient twin through placental vascular connections [ 1 – 3 ]. The prognosis of severe, untreated chronic TTTS diagnosed in midtrimester fetuses is extremely poor, with mortality rates exceeding 70% [ 4 ]. Since publication of the results of the Eurofoetus trial in 2004, laser photocoagulation of the intertwin anastomoses has become accepted as the optimal first-line therapy for severe TTTS diagnosed before 26 weeks of gestation. While laser treatment of vascular communications was initially limited to selected fetal treatment centers, its increasingly widespread use has resulted in the exposure of more pathologists, even in less specialized institutions, to laser-treated placentas. Furthermore, the surge in laser coagulation has revived the general medical, scientific, and public interest in the placental and choriovascular findings in monochorionic twin placentas. The pathologist's understanding of the pathophysiology of TTTS and of TTTS-associated placental pathology, including the findings related to laser ablation of the anastomoses, can be of great benefit to the involved obstetric/neonatal/surgical team and, ultimately, to the patients. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the placental contributions to TTTS and other complications of monochorionic twinning and describe the strengths and limitations of placental examination in these settings. It is our expectation that overviews such as this may serve as a template to generate consensus guidelines for standardized and evidence-based pathologic evaluation of monochorionic twin placentas.
Freeze-fracture Shadow-casting (FreSCa) Cryo-SEM as a Tool to Investigate the Wetting of Micro- and Nanoparticles at Liquid–Liquid Interfaces
Authors: Isa Lucio
Published: April 2013

Since the seminal work of Pickering and Ramsden more than a century ago, adsorption of solid micro- and nanoparticles at the interface between two fluids has been recognized as a means to enormously improve emulsion stability against coalescence. Despite their long-standing use in a
vast range of practical applications, several key issues regarding the behavior of small objects at liquid interfaces still remain unresolved. In particular, current techniques fail to investigate the properties of individual particles smaller than 500 nm. An exception to this scenario is
a technique that we have recently developed, based on freeze-fracture cryo-SEM, which for the first time makes it possible to measure the wetting properties of single nanoscale objects through a metal shadow-casting protocol. In this work we present additional details and results which showcase
the potential of this novel tool as the benchmark for in situ characterization of particles at interfaces.
Temporal coherence shaping based on spectral-domain destructive interference of pulses with different self-phase modulations
Authors: Wei D. , Takamasu K. , Matsumoto H.
Published: April 2013

We show via a numerical simulation that the temporal coherence function (TCF) can be shaped by the destructive interference of pulses characterized by different amounts of self-phase modulation (SPM) in the spectral domain. We find that pulse spectra destructively interfering with one another can yield a TCF with distinct peaks. Numerical investigation demonstrates that the shape of the TCF is changeable not only by broadening the spectrum but also by overlapping spectra of the pulses that have experienced different amounts of SPM.
Direct machining of curved trenches in silicon with femtosecond accelerating beams
Authors: Mathis A. , Froehly L. , Furfaro L. , Jacquot M. , Dudley J. M. , Courvoisier F.
Published: April 2013

Control of the longitudinal profile of ablated structures during laser processing is a key technological requirement. We report here on the direct machining of trenches in silicon with circular profiles using femtosecond accelerating beams. We describe the ablation process based on an intensity threshold model, and show how the depth of the trenches can be predicted in the framework of a caustic description of the beam.
Books of Interest
Authors: Steinhauser Michael , McIntire  , Brennan Margaret , Leonard Ellen
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, historical, and theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: McWilliam Joanne
Published: April 2013

With this issue the Toronto Journal of Theology completes ten years of publication. The temptation to look back-and forward-is irresistible.
Books of Interest
Authors: Oakman Douglas , Wiebe  , Shepherd Loraine Mackenzie
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: Schner George
Published: April 2013

All four articles presented in this volume take their place within the broad range of writings concerning the critique of modernity and its theological significance. Studies of recent Western literature alert us to these themes, as do systematic theological efforts to generate typologies of theology which evaluate the effectiveness and authenticity of contemporary Christian self-description. As well, biblical and pastoral studies are engaging in reconsideration of well-accepted notions which owe their origin to the modern period. It would be fair to say that no simple solution is in evidence, but rather a convergence of questions.
Books of Interest
Authors: Knowles Michael , Batten Alicia , Crawford Galea Kate
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in theological scholarship.
Introduction
Authors: Airhart Phyllis , Hutchinson Roger
Published: April 2013

What does religious faith have to do with public life? A century ago that question was raised by Christians in Canada who assumed that churches had a significant role to play in shaping the life of the nation. They joined those in other countries as near as the United States and as far away as Australia in campaigning for the cause of "Christianizing the social order." But developments in Canada were unique in an important respect: here the impulse to "Christianize the social order" was joined to the creation of a new denomination, the United Church of Canada. Its founding vision assumed a link between spiritual formation as Christians and political formation as citizens. The United Church regarded itself (and came to be regarded by others) as the "conscience ofthe nation."
Editorial
Authors: Schner George
Published: April 2013

This issue of the Toronto Journal of Theology embodies a moment of transition for three scholars associated with its life. On behalf of the other editors and of the readership of the journal I offer a word of thanks to John Kloppenborg who has completed his work as acting managing editor. As well, in the past year, our Toronto colleague, John Webster, has taken up his new labours as Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Christ Church, Oxford. We are grateful that John K. continues as part of the editorial board, and, as is evidenced by his article in this issue, John W. continues as a lively member of Canadian scholarship. Finally, we bid farewell to our colleague and former editor of TJT, Michael Fahey, who has accepted the invitation of Marquette University to be the first holder of its Emmett Doerr Chair of Theology. As professor, administrator, editor and scholar, Michael has generously and convivially contributed for the past twenty-one years to the enrichment of the life and work of Canadian scholarship-for which a chorus of voices from coast to coast offers a heartfelt thanks.
Books of Interest
Authors: Corley Kathleen , O'Donovan Theresa , Ascough Richard , Lindsey William , Hayes Alan
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: Farris Stephen
Published: April 2013

David Cunningham, in his important essay in this edition of TJT, describes the Trinity as "relationship without remainder." One cannot, of course, apply to essays in a theological journal a description which properly belongs only to the Trinity! Indeed, at first sight, there seems precious little relationship among the contributions to this edition of our journal. The "remainder" is far more clearly in view. This is not a matter of anxiety since TJT, unlike some other theological journals, only occasionally runs theme issues. Still, there does run a certain thread of relationship even through the disparate materials of the present issue.
Books of Interest
Authors: Derrenbacker Robert , Jensen Gordon
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: Schner George
Published: April 2013

Reading contemporary theology we have become used to encountering the new theological language of liberation and spirituality, contextualization and ecotheology and social scientific exegesis. Such terms and phrases are beginning to have a brief history of their own, taking their place with the vocabulary of other ages and cultures-salvation and grace, providence and creation, prayer and the Word of God. Whichever vocabulary we might find ourselves more at home with, scholars continue to pose the perennial questions of Christian life and worship. This present issue of the Toronto Journal of Theology has a modestly unified theme exploring in quite contemporary ways and venues one of those perduring questions: how can we live the human freedom which comes as a gift from God?
Editorial
Authors: Schner George
Published: April 2013

The articles in this issue of the Journal are not presented as a special "end of the millennium" reflection (though the remarks on postmodernism and eschatology might be considered our nod in that direction), nor do they have a single imposed thematic concern (as will our next issue, a special one with guest editors and a very special purpose, which I will leave as a surprise for our readers).
Editorial
Authors: D'Angelo Mary Rose
Published: April 2013

This volume was conceived to honour the research and writing, the paedagogy and mentoring of Ellen M. Leonard. Her abiding interest in Christology and feminism and, in particular, her concern with women and ministry, inspired the topic. The reference to the "Crossroads" of the title is both literal and local: all the contributors have been in some way learners from and teachers to the Faculty of Theology at the University of Saint Michael's College. Many of us, like Ellen herself, received degrees from Saint Michael's; those of us who taught on the faculty, or who taught its students (as did Margaret Brennan), learned much from them.
Editorial
Authors: Neelands David
Published: April 2013

Although the articles in this issue came to us through entirely separate channels, as it turns out there is a common thread. All four have taken a new look at an old matter, and have found that the new perspective exhibits an important feature of what was familiar.
Editorial
Authors: Mercier Ronald
Published: April 2013

The emerging interest in spirituality in the academy has spawned a renewed dedication to understanding the meaning and structure of conversion within the human person and within cultures. As is so often the case, this research has revealed the complex and compelling meaning of both the term and the phenomenon of conversion. The articles for this volume of TJT highlight the dramatic ways in which conversion manifests itself, with varying results and with important consequences.
Books of Interest
Authors: Deller Walter , Airhart Phyllis , Starkloff Carl , Somfai Bela
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, historical, and theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: Stoeber Michael
Published: April 2013

There is a marked Canadian accent to this issue of TJT, not only in terms of the national and institutional associations of the authors, but also in the theme of Christian inculturation: Myroslaw Tataryn, associate professor at St. Thomas More College in Saskatoon, explores the origins of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada; Harris Athanasiadis, lecturer at Knox College in Toronto, outlines the spirituality at the heart of the political philosophy of the Canadian Anglican philosopher, George Grant; and Ovey Mohammed, SJ., professor at Regis College in Toronto, traces official Roman Catholic teaching on interreligious dialogue, a topic crucial to our highly multicultural Canadian milieu. Moreover, these Canadian scholars represent well this cultural diversity. Mohammed and Athanasiadis and Tataryn are all immigrants: Indo-Trinidadian, Armenian-Greek, and British-Ukrainian respectively.
Editorial
Authors: Dadosky John
Published: April 2013

Carl Starkloff, S.l has spent over thirty years addressing questions concerning evangelization, mission, inculturation and syncretism. Therefore, it is appropriate that a festschrift dedicated to his life and work should address these themes. Those who have had the privilege to know and work with Carl know that his humility borders on self-deprecation. Few outside his field are aware of his prolific writing in these areas, particularly his two most recent books on syncretism and Joseph Lafitau.
Editorial
Authors: Khan Abrahim
Published: April 2013

The four essays in this issue point to resources in the Christian tradition to nurture hope in the midst of fragmentation experienced within the boundary of a civil society.
Editorial
Authors: Khan Abrihim
Published: April 2013

Each of the four essays in this issue is, in its own way, intellectually challenging. Though methodologically and thematically quite different, they cohere by advancing positions that together deepen understanding of aspects of the life of faith. How so?
Editorial
Authors: Khan Abrahim
Published: April 2013

If the proper subject matter of theology is the divine life and its saving acti~ity, then the four essays in this volume are updating reflections on precisely thattheology. They update our understanding on aspects of the divine life or activity and the corresponding or fitting human response to unconditional love. They take the reader from the premodern to the modem, from the historical to the contemporary, from Augustine to Jüngel and Krötke, and to the mission of the church. They leave one with an assured sense that theology as engagement with that subject matter is hardly a frail, sickly or jaded activity, but one quite vibrant and pulsing.
Editorial
Authors: Hayes Alan
Published: April 2013

The. five articles appearing here demonstrate the rewards of doing Christian scholarship in an ecumenical setting. They all take account of a diversity of Christian experience and perspective, and they all make wonderfully helpful connections with several confessional and, sometimes, non-confessional perspectives. Otherwise, they reflect quite divergent interests; approaches, and points of view.
Books of Interest
Authors: Sheppard Gerald , Hogan Brian , Wilson Paul Scott , Cormie Lee
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, historical, and theological scholarship.
Books of Interest
Authors: Humphries Raymond , McWilliam Joanne , Farris Stephen , Laport Jean-Marc
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, historical, and theological scholarship.
Books of Interest
Authors: Sheppard Gerald , Hays Alan , Farris Stephen , Mohammed Ovey
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, historical, and theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: Steinhauser Michael
Published: April 2013

This issue of the Toronto Journal of Theology marks the completion of five successful and exciting years of publication. We, the editors, wish to thank our readers from Canada and abroad for their enthusiastic support. Also we wish to thank the member colleges of the Toronto School of Theology for their generous fiscal patronage, and the director of the school, Dr. E. James Reed, for his unwavering encouragement.
Books of Interest
Authors: Kolarcik Michael , Clarke Brian , Stairs M. Jean , Webster John
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, historical, and theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: Kloppenborg John
Published: April 2013

Voices from the world's great cultures, ancient and modern, have filled Heinz Guenther's career - voices that have been embraced and nurtured into conversation. I recall many stories of such voices: those of a young Protestant theology student and the French Catholic priests at whose rectories he occasionally stayed during the chaos of post-war Europe, when Catholics seemed strange and foreign; the voices of the best of German and American theological scholarship emanating from Union Theological Seminary in New York; the voice of a German professor of theology teaching Latin to Japanese, and in the process learning the delicate ballet of Japanese culture and sensibility; the voices of a tourist and an NV A soldier conversing about religion and Marx by means of Chinese characters written on the ground of French-occupied Vietnam; and the voices filling Heinz Guenther's classrooms and office as he conversed with students and colleagues - Canadian, American, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Nigerian, Namibian, Brazilian - about texts in Greek, Latin, Coptic and Hebrew.
Books of Interest
Authors: Plevnick Josef , Tyndale Carrington , Leonard Ellen
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, and theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: WaLters Stanley
Published: April 2013

When we got married and were appointed to a small congregation in East Orange, New Jersey, the Canadian half of the couple became a 'resident alien,' going to the post office annually to register; the government could thus keep track of possible subversives, however improbable. When we moved to Toronto, the American half of the couple became a 'landed immigrant.' We hadn't clambered out of a ship in Halifax (we actually entered by auto at Sarnia), but we had arrived.
Books of Interest
Authors: Quast Kevin , Mason Steve , Wilson Paul Scott , Slater Peter
Published: April 2013

Recent books of interest in biblical, pastoral, historical, and theological scholarship.
Editorial
Authors: Mom Gijs , Clarsen Georgine , Merriman Peter , Seiler Cotten , Sheller Mimi , Weber Heike
Published: April 2013

In the middle of last year, a large survey in the Netherlands revealed that the average Dutch person dedicates seven hours per day to “media consumption.” That is the gross value, the surveyors assure us. The net value is 5.5, meaning that 1.5 hours are spent multitasking, such as watching TV and surfing on the net, or “tweeting” (on Twitter) during a football match. Remarkably, using the cell phone while driving would not qualify as multitasking as the car is not considered to be a medium. Users know better, as we will see in this issue, and mobility researchers are devising conceptual frameworks that are adequate to the complex and multiple relations between diverse media.
Concurrent occurrence of primary intracranial Epstein-Barr virus–associated leiomyosarcoma and Hodgkin lymphoma in a young adult
Authors: Takei Hidehiro , Powell Suzanne , Rivera Andreana
Published: April 2013

Although Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been known to be associated with a heterogeneous group of malignancies including Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), its association with smooth-muscle tumors (SMTs) has recently been described. Of these SMTs, a primary intracranial EBV-associated leiomyosarcoma (EBV-LMS) is extremely rare, and most of the reported cases were of immunocompromised and/or pediatric patients.

A neurologically asymptomatic, previously healthy 27-year-old man was found to have a PET-positive brain lesion during a staging workup for his recently diagnosed HL. Subsequent MRI revealed a 2.6 × 4.0 × 3.3–cm inhomogeneously enhancing tumor with marked surrounding edema in the right anterior frontal lobe. He was serologically HIV negative. He underwent a right frontal lobectomy with gross-total resection of the tumor. Intraoperatively, the tumor had fairly discrete margins and appeared to arise from the anterior falx (that is, it was dural based).

Microscopically, the tumor was composed of interlacing fascicles of spindle cells with brisk mitotic activity and multiple foci of necrosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for caldesmon and smooth-muscle actin and negative for desmin, CD34, CD99, bcl-2, S100 protein, and GFAP. A Ki-67 labeling index was up to 30%. Epstein-Barr virus–encoded RNA in situ hybridization demonstrated strong diffuse positivity with more than 90% of tumor cells staining. Most of the Reed-Sternberg cells in HL were also labeled with Epstein-Barr virus–encoded RNA.

This is the first case of a concurrent occurrence of rare intracranial EBV-LMS and HL in a seemingly “immunocompetent” adult patient (immunocompetence determined by routine laboratory data and clinical history). We should be aware of EBV-SMT as a differential diagnosis of dural-based spindle cell neoplasm in this setting given that patients with HL, even at presentation, exhibit a persistent defect in cellular immunity.
Radiation exposure in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a quality improvement target
Authors: Wong Judith M. , Ho Allen L. , Lin Ning , Zenonos Georgios A. , Martel Christopher B. , Frerichs Kai , Du Rose , Gormley William B.
Published: April 2013

Object

The care of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has improved dramatically over the last decades. These gains are the result of improved microsurgical, endovascular, and medical management techniques. This intensive management subjects patients to multiple radiographic studies and thus increased radiation exposure. As greater understanding of the risks of radiation exposure develops, physicians must be better equipped to balance the need for optimal SAH management with the minimization of patient exposure to radiation from imaging studies. The goal in the current study was to determine if there is an opportunity for a reduction in radiation dose without a change in the quality of treatment in patients with SAH.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all patients hospitalized for SAH at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in the period from January 1, 2009, to August 31, 2010, was performed. The authors calculated cumulative and imaging study–specific radiation doses, determined the time of day that imaging studies were performed, and surveyed neurosurgeons regarding issues surrounding imaging-related radiation exposure.

Results

The data for 77 patients were analyzed. The mean cumulative radiation dose during hospitalization was 2.76 Gy per patient (range 0.46–8.32 Gy). The mean radiation exposure from each CT, CT angiography (CTA), and angiography study was 0.08, 0.29, and 0.77 Gy (ranges 0.02–0.40, 0.15–0.99, and 0.11–4.36 Gy, respectively). Subgroup analysis of the top quartile of patients in terms of total radiation dose revealed a mean cumulative radiation dose of 4.78 Gy (range 3.42–8.32 Gy), mean cumulative number of CT and CTA scans of 14, and mean CT or CTA scan per day of 0.5 (maximum 0.8). Seventeen percent of the noncontrast head CT studies were performed just prior to morning rounds, more than double the 8% expected rate at random. Thirty-four percent of the repeat noncontrast head CTs did not show any change between scans, as documented on radiology reports. When surveyed, a majority of neurosurgeons incorrectly estimated the radiation dose typically received from CT, CTA, and angiography studies, and 65% asserted that radiation exposure is “not important” or only “somewhat important” when considering whether to order an imaging study.

Conclusions

Study findings suggested that patients with SAH have significant imaging-related exposure to radiation. The authors believe it is possible to continue the current improved outcomes in SAH with a significant reduction in radiation exposure from imaging studies. This analysis highlights the significance of accurate assessment of radiation exposure as a quality improvement target.
The 2008/09 surge of central Yulinchuan glacier, northern Tibetan Plateau, as monitored by remote sensing
Authors: Guo Wanqin , Liu Shiyin , Wei Junfeng , Bao Weijia
Published: April 2013

The 2008/09 surge of central Yulinchuan glacier (CYG) on the northwestern slope of Muztag mountain, Tibetan Plateau, is studied based on satellite remote sensing. The widely used cross-correlation feature-tracking method was used to collect satellite image control points and validate their geometric accuracies, as well as to derive glacier surface velocity. Changes in glacier length and area were also retrieved. Results show that the surge of CYG initiated in May 2008 and terminated in July 2009. Two diffluent glacier termini advanced 590 ± 26 m (5.1 ± 0.2% of the 2004 length) and 182 ± 26m (1.8 ± 0.3%), respectively, and glacier area increased by ∼1.41 ± 0.11 km2 (4.6 ± 0.4% of the 2004 area) during this period. The most significant surge period was October 2008 to March 2009, when most of the terminus advances and area increases occurred. The glacier surface drastically crevassed during this time, as much as 1657 ± 297 m of horizontal surface displacements were produced by surge ice, and maximum surface speed reached 13 ± 1.5 m d-1. Results of transverse and longitudinal velocity profiles revealed two surge waves during this surge of CYG.
What We Can Learn about Ultrashort Pulses by Linear Optical Methods
Authors: Borzsonyi Adam , Kovacs Attila , Osvay Karoly
Published: April 2013

Spatiotemporal compression of ultrashort pulses is one of the key issues of chirped pulse amplification (CPA), the most common method to achieve high intensity laser beams. Successful shaping of the temporal envelope and recombination of the spectral components of the broadband pulses need careful alignment of the stretcher-compressor stages. Pulse parameters are required to be measured at the target as well. Several diagnostic techniques have been developed so far for the characterization of ultrashort pulses. Some of these methods utilize nonlinear optical processes, while others based on purely linear optics, in most cases, combined with spectrally resolving device. The goal of this work is to provide a review on the capabilities and limitations of the latter category of the ultrafast diagnostical methods. We feel that the importance of these powerful, easy-to-align, high-precision techniques needs to be emphasized, since their use could gradually improve the efficiency of different CPA systems. We give a general description on the background of spectrally resolved linear interferometry and demonstrate various schematic experimental layouts for the detection of material dispersion, angular dispersion and carrier-envelope phase drift. Precision estimations and discussion of potential applications are also provided.
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Droughts in Semi-Arid Regions by Using Meteorological Drought Indices
Authors: Shahabfar Alireza , Eitzinger Josef
Published: April 2013

Six meteorological drought indices including percent of normal (PN), standardized precipitation index (SPI), China-Z index (CZI), modified CZI (MCZI), Z-Score (Z), the aridity index of E. de Martonne (I) are compared and evaluated for assessing spatio-temporal dynamics of droughts in six climatic regions in Iran. Results indicated that by consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the mentioned drought predictors in Iran, the Z-Score, CZI and MCZI could be used as a good meteorological drought predictor. Depending on the month, the length of drought and climatic conditions of the region, they are an alternative to the SPI that has limitations both because of only a few available long term data series in Iran and its complex structure.
St. Augustine’s Reflections on Memory and Time and the Current Concept of Subjective Time in Mental Time Travel
Authors: Manning Liliann , Cassel Daniel , Cassel Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2013

Reconstructing the past and anticipating the future, i.e., the ability of travelling in mental time, is thought to be at the heart of consciousness and, by the same token, at the center of human cognition. This extraordinary mental activity is possible thanks to the ability of being aware of ‘subjective time’. In the present study, we attempt to trace back the first recorded reflections on the relations between time and memory, to the end of the fourth century’s work, the Confessions, by the theologian and philosopher, St. Augustine. We concentrate on Book 11, where he extensively developed a series of articulated and detailed observations on memory and time. On the bases of selected paragraphs, we endeavor to highlight some concepts that may be considered as the product of the first or, at least, very early reflections related to our current notions of subjective time in mental time travel. We also draw a fundamental difference inherent to the frameworks within which the questions were raised. The contribution of St. Augustine on time and memory remains significant, notwithstanding the 16 centuries elapsed since it was made, likely because of the universality of its contents.
A Preliminary Evaluation of Lyophilized Gelatin Sponges, Enhanced with Platelet-Rich Plasma, Hydroxyapatite and Chitin Whiskers for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Rodriguez Isaac , Sell Scott , McCool Jennifer , Saxena Gunjan , Spence Andrew , Bowlin Gary
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to perform a number of preliminary in vitro evaluations on an array of modified gelatin gel sponge scaffolds for use in a bone graft application. The gelatin gels were modified through the addition of a number of components which each possess unique properties conducive to the creation and regeneration of bone: a preparation rich in growth factors (PRGF, a bioactive, lyophilized form of platelet-rich plasma), hydroxyapatite, and chitin whiskers. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is an emerging practice that has proven effective in a number of clinical applications, including enhancing bone repair through improved deposition of new bony matrix and angiogenesis. As such, the inclusion of PRGF in our gelatin scaffolds was intended to significantly enhance scaffold bioactivity, while the addition of hydroxyapatite and chitin whiskers were anticipated to increase scaffold strength. Additionally, the gelatin sponges, which readily dissolve in aqueous solutions, were subjected to 1-Ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) cross-linking, either during or post-gelation, to control their rate of degradation. Scaffolds were evaluated in vitro with respect to compressive strength, mass loss/degradation, protein release, and cellular interaction, with results demonstrating the potential of the gelatin gel sponge scaffold for use in the regeneration of bone.
Time Reversibility, Correlation Decay and the Steady State Fluctuation Relation for Dissipation
Authors: Searles Debra , Johnston Barbara , Evans Denis , Rondoni Lamberto
Published: April 2013

Steady state fluctuation relations for nonequilibrium systems are under intense investigation because of their important practical implications in nanotechnology and biology. However the precise conditions under which they hold need clarification. Using the dissipation function, which is related to the entropy production of linear irreversible thermodynamics, we show time reversibility, ergodic consistency and a recently introduced form of correlation decay, called T-mixing, are sufficient conditions for steady state fluctuation relations to hold. Our results are not restricted to a particular model and show that the steady state fluctuation relation for the dissipation function holds near or far from equilibrium subject to these conditions. The dissipation function thus plays a comparable role in nonequilibrium systems to thermodynamic potentials in equilibrium systems.
Phase-Space Position-Momentum Correlation and Potentials
Authors: Laguna Humberto , Sagar Robin
Published: April 2013

Solutions to the radial Schr¨odinger equation of a particle in a quantum corral are used to probe how the statistical correlation between the position, and The momentum of the particle depends on the effective potential. The analysis is done via the Wigner function and its Shannon entropy. We show by comparison to the particle-in-a-box model that the attractive potential increases the magnitude of the correlation, while a repulsive potential decreases the magnitude of this correlation. Varying the magnitude of the repulsive potential yields that the correlation decreases with a stronger repulsive potential.
Decomposition Analysis of Energy-Related Industrial CO2 Emissions in China
Authors: Chen Liang , Yang Zhifeng , Chen Bin
Published: April 2013

Based on the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) approach, this paper presents a decomposition analysis of China’s energy-related industrial CO2 emissions from 1985 to 2007, as well as a comparative analysis of differential influences of various factors on six sectors. Via the decomposition, five categories of influencing factors are included: (1) Per capita GDP (PCG) was the largest positive driving factor for industrial CO2 emissions growth for all sectors in China, with the largest cumulative contribution value; Population (P), economic structure (YS) and energy structure (ES) also played a positive driving role, but with weak contributions. As the only negative inhibiting factor, energy intensity (EI) significantly reduced the energy-related CO2 emissions from industrial sectors. Meanwhile, CO2 emissions reduction based on the efficiency of energy use still held a large space. (2) Various influencing factors imposed differential impacts on CO2 emissions of six sectors.
Melatonin-Based Therapeutics for Neuroprotection in Stroke
Authors: Shinozuka Kazutaka , Staples Meaghan , Borlongan Cesar
Published: April 2013

The present review paper supports the approach to deliver melatonin and to target melatonin receptors for neuroprotection in stroke. We discuss laboratory evidence demonstrating neuroprotective effects of exogenous melatonin treatment and transplantation of melatonin-secreting cells in stroke. In addition, we describe a novel mechanism of action underlying the therapeutic benefits of stem cell therapy in stroke, implicating the role of melatonin receptors. As we envision the clinical entry of melatonin-based therapeutics, we discuss translational experiments that warrant consideration to reveal an optimal melatonin treatment strategy that is safe and effective for human application.
IETF Standardization in the Field of the Internet of Things (IoT): A Survey
Authors: Ishaq Isam , Carels David , Teklemariam Girum , Hoebeke Jeroen , Abeele Floris , Poorter Eli , Moerman Ingrid , Demeester Piet
Published: April 2013

Smart embedded objects will become an important part of what is called the Internet of Things. However, the integration of embedded devices into the Internet introduces several challenges, since many of the existing Internet technologies and protocols were not designed for this class of devices. In the past few years, there have been many efforts to enable the extension of Internet technologies to constrained devices. Initially, this resulted in proprietary protocols and architectures. Later, the integration of constrained devices into the Internet was embraced by IETF, moving towards standardized IP-based protocols. In this paper, we will briefly review the history of integrating constrained devices into the Internet, followed by an extensive overview of IETF standardization work in the 6LoWPAN, ROLL and CoRE working groups. This is complemented with a broad overview of related research results that illustrate how this work can be extended or used to tackle other problems and with a discussion on open issues and challenges. As such the aim of this paper is twofold: apart from giving readers solid insights in IETF standardization work on the Internet of Things, it also aims to encourage readers to further explore the world of Internet-connected objects, pointing to future research opportunities.