bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Online Interaction Between On-Campus and Distance Students
Authors: Miwa Nobue , Wang Yuping
Published: May 2012

This paper addresses postgraduate students’ perspectives toward online interaction between on-campus and distance students through online collaboration tools such as online discussion boards and Wikis. Data were collected from eight interview participants and 29 written survey respondents. Seven interrelated categories capturing the main features of on-campus students’ perspectives were generated from the data using a sequential mixed method approach, namely, a quantitative survey approach both preceded and followed by qualitative interviews. Among these categories, on-campus students’ “unwillingness” to participate in online interaction with their distance peers emerged as the core phenomenon. Drawing on the analysis of these data, this article identifies the major impediments to active online interaction and collaboration and puts forward three recommendations for promoting more frequent interaction between distance and on-campus students.
Developing Intercultural Awareness and Language Speaking Proficiency for Foreign Language Learners through Cross–Cultural Voicemail Exchange
Authors: Wang Amber Yayin , Chang Wan-Jeng
Published: May 2012

To expand global and intercultural communication, the effectiveness of asynchronous online communication devices, especially email, have been discussed in the area of foreign language teaching. A lack of specific research exists that addresses the application of online voicemail. This paper reports on a five month period of voicemail exchanges between 53 EFL learners in Taiwan and 56 CFL learners in the United States. The authors examine the responses of EFL students to this cross–cultural voicemail project and assess their progress in intercultural awareness and English speaking proficiency before and after the project. This study concludes that the use of voicemail creates an impact on the English speaking performance and intercultural awareness of EFL students and increases the motivation of EFL students in using English to express ideas. Further implications for teaching are discussed.
How Wiki-Based Writing Influences College Students’ Collaborative and Individual Composing Products, Processes, and Learners’ Perceptions
Authors: Liou Hsien-Chin , Lee Shiu-Lin
Published: May 2012

Recently, wikis have been claimed to facilitate collaborative-writing projects and bring positive impact on student learning. While most previous exploratory studies conducted in L2 classrooms focused on students’ perceptions and their collaborative process, students’ produced texts have seldom been carefully examined from linguistic perspectives. To aim towards a more comprehensive understanding of wiki-based collaborative writing, this study compares collaboratively and individually produced texts, explores the nature of the two different writing processes, and investigates students’ perspectives. An intact class of eighteen EFL college students participated. They completed two writing tasks collaboratively and individually on wikis. Both qualitative and quantitative measures were adopted to analyze the data in order to probe students’ writing products, composing processes, and perceptions. Results of this study revealed that wiki-based collaborative writing tasks have offered students good opportunities to learn from each other and students believe such collaborative activities improved their writing.
Integrating Technology on Initial Training Courses
Authors: Constantinides Marisa
Published: May 2012

Teacher trainers/educators play a key role in the process of normalisation, as defined by Bax (2003), in the training of foreign language teachers to use technology as a regular part of their practice. This study explores teacher trainer attitudes towards adopting technology, their readiness to use it on teacher training courses, and their current levels of comfort in integrating it on Cambridge CELTA courses, a pre-service course currently followed by approximately 12,000 candidates annually. The results and discussion will stimulate some reflection as to what degree such courses are responsive to the objective of integrating technology in the training of foreign language teachers.
“You’re a Winner”
Authors: Egbert J. , Huff Leslie
Published: May 2012

Pre-service teachers who use the Internet both for course preparation and student resources need to be aware of and also help their future students understand the influences under which the Internet operates. In this paper, the authors explore pre-service teachers’ awareness of Internet hegemonies and investigate whether and how this awareness changes after a classroom lesson, activity, and practice focused on media literacy. Qualitative methods were chosen to deeply explore the teacher education students’ ideas about, perceptions of, and process for considering the issues raised. Seventy teacher education students participated, and the data indicate that even brief exposure to media literacy principles might make a difference in the ways that teachers perceive and use computer-based media. Implications and suggestions for teacher education are noted and proposals for further research included.
Developing Business CAT Teaching System and Course for Chinese Universities
Authors: Wang Lifei , Wan Jianling
Published: May 2012

This paper proposes that business CAT be introduced as the reform of a course in Chinese universities. Firstly, the authors describe the conceptual framework and design of business CAT course and textbook, the newly developed “Computer-Aided Business Translation Teaching System (Business CAT), with a focus on learner translation training and teacher management platforms. Secondly, the authors discuss the constructed “Business English-Chinese Parallel Corpus” that supports the system. Finally, the authors show that business CAT contributes positively to the improvement of college students’ CAT competence and development of CAT education in China.
Do Students Wish to ’Go Mobile’?
Authors: Bibby Simon
Published: May 2012

Handheld devices are increasingly powerful items in terms of both hardware and software. They have ceased being merely tools of mobile telephony, and are now powerful, multi-purpose, mini-PCs. Technology provision within higher education was via clusters of tethered PCs in designated rooms, but an increasing number of universities are trialing the use of handheld devices to deliver mobile learning. The present research study provides a detailed review of the mobile learning literature, and profiles student usage of PCs and cell phones. Student preferences for a homework vehicle are identified. The results demonstrate that students express a clear preference for the cell phone over the PC as a tool of choice, and state a readiness to ‘go mobile’ with their learning.
Segmenting Brand Value Perceptions of Consumers in Virtual Worlds
Authors: Barnes Stuart J. , Mattsson Jan
Published: May 2012

Virtual worlds are emerging as a promising new channel for electronic marketing and brand-related activities. However, like Second Life. This paper examines the spectrum of perceptions of consumers of four major real-life brands (Armani, Dell, Mercedes and Hublot) that have established operations in Second Life. A survey was conducted using an avatar survey bot (n=1,039). Using the FIMIX-PLS procedure (Ringle et al., 2009), an axiological measurement instrument for brand value and formative modeling techniques, the authors identify segments of consumers with different perceptions of value for each brand. The analysis shows a clear difficulty in establishing ‘emotional’ rapport with consumers in Second Life.
Consumer-to-Consumer Internet Auction Models
Authors: Leung Timothy L. Y. , Knottenbelt William J.
Published: May 2012

Internet auctions have become an increasingly common method for exchanging goods and services across the world both among consumers themselves, as well as between businesses and consumers. These Internet auction mechanisms have the scope of incorporating procedures of much greater complexity and variety, and they exhibit characteristics and properties that are quite distinct from conventional auctions. In this paper, the authors provide an experimental study of the performance characteristics and operational behaviour of a number of online auction models, including the fixed time forward auctions, the Vickrey auctions, and models with soft close variable auction times. These online auction models are studied through systematic simulation experiments, based on a series of operational assumptions, which characterize the arrival rate of bids, as well as the distribution from which the private values of buyers are sampled. Suggestions for efficient online auction design and procedures for improving auction performance are given, and the behaviour of the average auction income and average auction duration are quantified and compared.
Comparing Effectiveness of E-Learning Training and Traditional Training in Industrial Safety and Health
Authors: Rozar Norlinda Binti Mohd , Ibrahim Abdullah Bin , Razik Muhammad Ashlyzan Bin
Published: May 2012

In response to the demanding change in work environments, most companies not only depend on traditional training, but also on e-learning and emphasizing it in safety and health. The benefits and cost effectiveness of the benefits of e-learning training are trusted. Nevertheless, accidents still happen at the workplace. This has become an issue to be studied, especially on the effectiveness of e-learning training in comparison to traditional training. In this study, a framework to measure comparative effectiveness between these two learning environments was developed based on Kirkpatrick’s four-level evaluation model and a case study was applied to test all the levels of the framework. These four levels include participant reaction, learning, achievements, behavior of employees, and results. The interview results indicated that there is no difference in the rating of the effectiveness of the two training methods based on Kirkpatrick’s model.
Hotels Pricing at Travel Search Engines
Authors: Economides Anastasios A. , Kontaratou Antonia
Published: May 2012

Web 2.0 applications have been increasingly recognized as important information sources for consumers, including the domain of tourism. In the center of the travelers’ interest is the use of these applications in order to compare and choose hotels for their accommodation at various tourism destinations. It is important to investigate the issues related to the presence of the hotels on some of the most dominant tourism search engines and to the prices that they present. This paper compares the search engines and determines whether the cheapest and to the most complete one can be discovered. This paper focuses on analyzing the hotel prices presented on their official websites and on the following eight tourism search engines: Booking.com, Expedia.com, Hotelclub.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz.com, Priceline.com, Travelocity.com, and Venere.com. The data analysis, by the use of the descriptive statistics, showed that only 23% of the hotels examined are found at all the search engines. Furthermore, the price analysis showed that there are differences among the search engines. Although some search engines statistically give lower prices, there is not a single search engine that always gives the lowest price for every hotel.
Hand Gesture Recognition Using Multivariate Fuzzy Decision Tree and User Adaptation
Authors: Jeon Moon-Jin , Lee Sang Wan , Bien Zeungnam
Published: May 2012

As an emerging human-computer interaction (HCI) technology, recognition of human hand gesture is considered a very powerful means for human intention reading. To construct a system with a reliable and robust hand gesture recognition algorithm, it is necessary to resolve several major difficulties of hand gesture recognition, such as inter-person variation, intra-person variation, and false positive error caused by meaningless hand gestures. This paper proposes a learning algorithm and also a classification technique, based on multivariate fuzzy decision tree (MFDT). Efficient control of a fuzzified decision boundary in the MFDT leads to reduction of intra-person variation, while proper selection of a user dependent (UD) recognition model contributes to minimization of inter-person variation. The proposed method is tested first by using two benchmark data sets in UCI Machine Learning Repository and then by a hand gesture data set obtained from 10 people for 15 days. The experimental results show a discernibly enhanced classification performance as well as user adaptation capability of the proposed algorithm.
System Identification Based on Dynamical Training for Recurrent Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Neural Network
Authors: Lin Tsung-Chih , Chang Yi-Ming , Lee Tun-Yuan
Published: May 2012

This paper proposes a novel fuzzy modeling approach for identification of dynamic systems. A fuzzy model, recurrent interval type-2 fuzzy neural network (RIT2FNN), is constructed by using a recurrent neural network which recurrent weights, mean and standard deviation of the membership functions are updated. The complete back propagation (BP) algorithm tuning equations used to tune the antecedent and consequent parameters for the interval type-2 fuzzy neural networks (IT2FNNs) are developed to handle the training data corrupted by noise or rule uncertainties for nonlinear system identification involving external disturbances. Only by using the current inputs and most recent outputs of the input layers, the system can be completely identified based on RIT2FNNs. In order to show that the interval IT2FNNs can handle the measurement uncertainties, training data are corrupted by white Gaussian noise with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) 20 dB. Simulation results are obtained for the identification of nonlinear system, which yield more improved performance than those using recurrent type-1 fuzzy neural networks (RT1FNNs).
Integrated Circuit Emission Model Extraction with a Fuzzy Logic System
Authors: Lin Tsung-Chih , Kuo Ming-Jen , Boyer Alexandre
Published: May 2012

This paper describes a novel technique for multiple parameter extraction of the S12X TEM cell model using a fuzzy logic system (FLS). The FLS is utilized to capture the circuit information and to extract the circuit parameters based on experiential knowledge. The proposed extraction technique uses both linguistic information (i.e., human-like knowledge and experience) and numerical data of measurement to construct the fuzzy macromodel. The simulation results confirm the validity and estimation performance of the equivalent circuit by the advocated design methodology.
Strategies for Agent-Based Negotiation in E-Trade
Authors: Al-Jaljouli Raja , Abawajy Jemal H.
Published: May 2012

E-negotiation handles negotiation over the Internet without human supervision and has shown effectiveness in concluding verifiable and more favorable agreements in a reasonably short time. In this chapter, the authors discuss the negotiation system and its components with particular emphasis on negotiation strategies. A negotiation strategy defines strategic tactics, which advise on the proper action to select from a set of possible actions that optimizes negotiation outcomes. A strategy should integrate negotiation goals and reactive attitudes. Usually, a fixed strategy is implemented during the course of negotiation regardless of significant decision-making factors including market status, opponent’s profile, or eagerness for a negotiated goods/service. The chapter presents the main negotiation strategies and outlines the different decision-making factors that should be considered. A strategy uses a utility function to evaluate the offer of an opponent and advises on the generation of a counter offer or the best interaction. The authors finally discuss different utility functions presented in the literature.
Managing Network Quality of Service in Current and Future Internet
Authors: Yampolskiy Mark , Fritz Wolfgang , Hommel Wolfgang
Published: May 2012

In this chapter, the authors discuss the motivation, challenges, and solutions for network and Internet quality of service management. While network and Internet service providers traditionally ensured sufficient quality by simply overprovisioning their internal infrastructure, more economic solutions are required to adapt the network infrastructures and their backbones to current and upcoming traffic characteristics and quality requirements with sustained success. The chapter outlines real-world scenarios to analyze both the requirements and the related research challenges, discusses the limitations of existing solutions, and goes into the details of practitioners’ current best practices, promising research results, and the upcoming paradigm of service level management aware network connections. Special emphasis is put on the presentation of the various facets of the quality assurance problem and of the alternative solutions elaborated with respect to the technical heterogeneity, restrictive information sharing policies, and legal obligations encountered in international service provider cooperation.
Spiritualiteit en poësie: Om te ontmoet en te soek
Authors: Spies Lina
Published: May 2012

Spirituality and poetry: To meet and to seek. This article represents a commemoration lecture in honour of Professor Andries van Aarde. In the article, Lina Spies, emerita professor in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch at the University of Stellenbosch, an eminent Afrikaans poet, recounts her spiritual journey as seeker. Spies views her emerging religiosity as the result of her encounters in real life and in poetry. The poem as encounter serves as a dynamic occurrence in which one both searches and finds. The poetry of secular poets like Pablo Neruda receives a religious dimension when they give expression to the ‘vastness of the universe’ as Neruda does in his poem La poesíe (translated as Poetry). For the literary-theoretical foundation of her argument, Spies employs the insights of Camille Paglia, professor of Humanities and Media Studies at The University of Arts in Philadelphia, as especially found in the introduction to her book, Break, blow, burn.Spies’ article focuses on the author’s spirituality as witnessed in her poems and in her translation of the diary of the Holocaust victim, Anne Frank. This spirituality is eschewed from Christian orthodoxy, on the one hand, and simultaneously influenced by the novels of the American-Jewish writer Chaim Potok, which evoked her interest in the American Jewish society and also made her conscious of the Jewishness of Jesus. The author’s spiritual journey of meeting and seeking reaches a peak in her poem Ontdaan (translated as Unsettled), on her reading of Andries van Aarde’s book Fatherless in Galilee: Jesus as child of God.
The effect of the Bt-toxin on the development of Xenopus laevis tadpoles
Authors: Zaayman J.L. , Du Preez L. , Van den Berg Johnie
Published: May 2012

This study evaluates the possible effect of exposure to Bt maize on morphological development ofXenopus laevis tadpoles.
The combined effect of sulphur dioxide and ozone resulted in a decrease in peroxidase activity of Zea maize
Authors: Ryan M. , Berner Jacques M.
Published: May 2012

The objectives for this study was to determine the effect of SO₂ and O₃ on the expression of POD activity in maize plants. SO₂ and O₃ individually induced POD activity but the combined effect failed to induce POD activity.
Nasomaxillary complex in size, position and orientation in surgically treated and untreated individuals with cleft lip and palate: A cephalometric overview
Authors: Khanna Rohit , Tikku Tripti , Wadhwa Jitesh
Published: May 2012

Background: This cross-sectional retrospective cephalometric study was designed to clarify whether the maxillary deficiency seen in surgically treated individuals with non-syndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) is due to inherent growth potential or iatrogenicity. Materials and Methods: 72 adult individuals were randomly selected in the age range of 12-20 years, and were divided into two groups. Group I had 47 untreated individuals. Group II consisted of 25 surgically treated individuals. Lateral and frontal cephalograms of the selected individuals were taken and analysed using Nemoceph software. Results: Group II showed a marked reduction in the cranial base angle, maxillary base length, anterior and posterior maxillary positions, palatal plane angle, maxillary width, maxillary height, occlusal plane height, nasal width and nasal height. Conclusion: Surgical intervention does interfere with growth in the facial region. This could be attributed to the scar tissue in lip and palate region, which has a restraining effect on growth in the facial region. These altered functional matrices play a significant role in determining the growth of facial structures.
Bilateral microvascular second toe transfer for bilateral post-traumatic thumb amputation
Authors: Nehete Rajendra , Nehete Anita , Singla Sandeep , Adhav Harshad
Published: May 2012

In bilateral thumb amputations, the functional impairment is serious and every attempt should be made to reconstruct the thumb. We report a case of bilateral post traumatic thumb amputation, reconstructed with bilateral second toe transfer. Only two such cases have been reported in literature so far. Though there are various modalities for the reconstruction of thumb, microvascular toe transfer has its own merits. The convalescent period is minimal with excellent function. It is bilaterally symmetric and aesthetically superior to the osteoplastic reconstruction. The technical details are discussed, and the long term functional and aesthetic results are presented.
Oncology in Nepal
Authors: Piya Madan K , Acharya Sandhya C
Published: May 2012

Nepal being a developing country is lagging behind in almost all its healthcare services and hence Oncology is also in its primitive stages. In this review, effort is being made to outline the historical perspectives regarding evolution of Oncology in Nepal, with a brief overview of cancer scenario in the country. This review also highlights the challenges, constraints and successes that are associated in initiation and nurturing of Oncology in developing countries. It also emphasizes the history, current status, challenges of academic training in oncology and also portrays the effort of various national and international organisations and government trying to achieve recent advancements and expensive modern technology.
Thyroid cancer in Gardner’s syndrome: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Punatar Sachin B. , Noronha Vanita , Joshi Amit , Prabhash Kumar
Published: May 2012

Gardner′s syndrome is a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis. A multitude of extra-colonic manifestations including various endocrine tumors have been associated with this syndrome, the commonest of which is thyroid cancer. Majority of the patients with thyroid cancer and Gardner′s syndrome are females. Here we describe a male patient with Gardner′s syndrome who subsequently developed thyroid cancer.
Hygroscopic growth and droplet activation of soot particles: uncoated, succinic or sulfuric acid coated
Authors: Henning S. , Ziese M. , Kiselev A. , Saathoff H. , Möhler O. , Mentel T. F. , Buchholz A. , Spindler C. , Michaud V. , Monier M. , Sellegri K. , Stratmann F.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. The hygroscopic growth and droplet activation of uncoated soot particles and such coated with succinic acid and sulfuric acid were investigated during the IN-11 campaign at the Aerosol Interaction and Dynamics in the Atmosphere (AIDA) facility. A GFG-1000 soot generator applying either nitrogen or argon as carrier gas and a miniCAST soot generator were utilized to generate soot particles. Different organic carbon (OC) to black carbon (BC) ratios were adjusted for the CAST-soot by varying the fuel to air ratio. The hygroscopic growth was investigated by means of the mobile Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator (LACIS-mobile) and two different Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzers (HTDMA, VHTDMA). Two Cloud Condensation Nucleus Counter (CCNC) were applied to measure the activation of the particles. For the untreated soot particles neither hygroscopic growth nor activation was observed at a supersaturation of 1%, with exception of a partial activation of GFG-soot generated with argon as carrier gas. Coatings of succinic acid lead to a detectable hygroscopic growth of GFG-soot and enhanced the activated fraction of GFG- (carrier gas: argon) and CAST-soot, whereas no hygroscopic growth of the coated CAST-soot was found. Sulfuric acid coatings led to an OC-content dependent hygroscopic growth of CAST-soot. Such a dependence was not observed for activation measurements. Coating with sulfuric acid decreased the amount of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), which were detected by AMS-measurements in the CAST-soot, and increased the amount of substances with lower molecular weight than the initial PAHs. We assume that these reaction products increased the hygroscopicity of the coated particles in addition to the coating substance itself.
Micrometeorological measurement of hexachlorobenzene and polychlorinated biphenyl compound air-water gas exchange in Lake Superior and comparison to model predictions
Authors: Rowe M. D. , Perlinger J. A.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Air-water exchange fluxes of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) substances are frequently estimated using the Whitman two-film (W2F) method, but micrometeorological flux measurements of these compounds over water are rarely attempted. We measured air-water exchange fluxes of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on 14 July 2006 in Lake Superior using the modified Bowen ratio (MBR) method. Measured fluxes were compared to estimates using the W2F method, and to estimates from an Internal Boundary Layer Transport and Exchange (IBLTE) model that implements the NOAA COARE bulk flux algorithm and gas transfer model. We reveal an inaccuracy in the estimate of water vapor transfer velocity that is commonly used with the W2F method for PBT flux estimation, and demonstrate the effect of use of an improved estimation method. Flux measurements were conducted at three stations with increasing fetch in offshore flow (15, 30, and 60 km) in southeastern Lake Superior. This sampling strategy enabled comparison of measured and predicted flux, as well as modification in near-surface atmospheric concentration with fetch, using the IBLTE model. Fluxes estimated using the W2F model were compared to fluxes measured by MBR. In five of seven cases in which the MBR flux was significantly greater than zero, concentration increased with fetch at 1-m height, which is qualitatively consistent with the measured volatilization flux. As far as we are aware, these are the first reported ship-based micrometeorological air-water exchange flux measurements of PCBs.
The stable isotopic composition of molecular hydrogen in the tropopause region probed by the CARIBIC aircraft
Authors: Batenburg A. M. , Schuck T. J. , Baker A. K. , Zahn A. , Brenninkmeijer C. A. M. , Röckmann T.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. More than 450 air samples that were collected in the upper troposphere – lower stratosphere (UTLS) region by the CARIBIC aircraft (Civil Aircraft for the Regular Investigation of the atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container) have been analyzed for molecular hydrogen (H2) mixing ratios (χ(H2)) and H2 isotopic composition (deuterium content, δD). More than 120 of the analyzed samples contained air from the lowermost stratosphere (LMS). These show that χ(H2) does not vary appreciably with O3-derived height above the thermal tropopause (TP), whereas δD does increase with height. The isotope enrichment is caused by H2 production and destruction processes that enrich the stratospheric H2 reservoir in deuterium (D); the exact shapes of the profiles are mainly determined by mixing of stratospheric with tropospheric air. Tight negative correlations are found between δD and the mixing ratios of methane (χ(CH4)) and nitrous oxide (χ(N2O)), as a result of the relatively long lifetimes of these three species. The correlations are described by δD[‰]=−0.35 · χ(CH4)[ppb]+768 and δD[‰]=−1.90· χ(N2O)[ppb]+745. These correlations are similar to previously published results and likely hold globally for the LMS. Samples that were collected from the Indian subcontinent up to 40° N before, during and after the summer monsoon season show no significant seasonal change in χ(H2), but δD is up to 12.3‰ lower in the July, August and September monsoon samples. This δD decrease is correlated with the χ(CH4) increase in these samples. The significant correlation with χ(CH4) and the absence of a perceptible χ(H2) increase that accompanies the δD decrease indicates that microbial production of very D-depleted H2 in the wet season may contribute to this phenomenon. Some of the samples have very high χ(H2) and very low δD values, which indicates a pollution effect. Aircraft engine exhaust plumes are a suspected cause, since the effect mostly occurs in samples collected close to airports, but no similar signals are found in other chemical tracers to support this. The isotopic source signature of the H2 pollution seems to be on the low end of the signature for fossil fuel burning.
The detailed snowpack scheme Crocus and its implementation in SURFEX v7.2
Authors: Vionnet V. , Brun E. , Morin S. , Boone A. , Faroux S. , Le Moigne P. , Martin E. , Willemet J.-M.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Detailed studies of snow cover processes require models that offer a fine description of the snow cover properties. The detailed snowpack model Crocus is such a scheme, and has been run operationally for avalanche forecasting over the French mountains for 20 yr. It is also used for climate or hydrological studies. To extend its potential applications, Crocus has been recently integrated within the framework of the externalized surface module SURFEX. SURFEX computes the exchanges of energy and mass between different types of surface and the atmosphere. It includes in particular the land surface scheme ISBA (Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere). It allows Crocus to be run either in stand-alone mode, using a time series of forcing meteorological data or in fully coupled mode (explicit or fully implicit numerics) with atmospheric models ranging from meso-scale models to general circulation models. This approach also ensures a full coupling between the snow cover and the soil beneath. Several applications of this new simulation platform are presented. They range from a 1-D stand-alone simulation (Col de Porte, France) to fully-distributed simulations in complex terrain over a whole mountain range (Massif des Grandes Rousses, France), or in coupled mode such as a surface energy balance and boundary layer simulation over the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (Dome C).
Modelling soil temperature and moisture and corresponding seasonality of photosynthesis and transpiration in a boreal spruce ecosystem
Authors: Wu S. H. , Jansson P.-E.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Recovery of photosynthesis and transpiration is strongly restricted by low temperatures in air and/or soil during the transition period from winter to spring in boreal zones. The extent to which air temperature (Ta) and soil temperature (Ts) influence the seasonality of photosynthesis and transpiration of a boreal spruce ecosystem was investigated using a process-based ecosystem model (CoupModel) together with eddy covariance (EC) data from one eddy flux tower and nearby soil measurements at Knottåsen, Sweden. A Monte Carlo based uncertainty method (GLUE) provided prior and posterior distributions of simulations representing a wide range of soil conditions and performance indicators. The simulated results showed sufficient flexibility to predict the measured cold and warm Ts in the moist and dry plots around the eddy flux tower. Moreover, the model presented a general ability to describe both biotic and abiotic processes for the Norway spruce stand. The dynamics of sensible heat fluxes were well described the corresponding latent heat fluxes and net ecosystem exchange of CO2. The parameter ranges obtained are probably valid to represent regional characteristics of boreal conifer forests, but were not easy to constrain to a smaller range than that produced by the assumed prior distributions. Finally, neglecting the soil temperature response function resulted in fewer behavioural models and probably more compensatory errors in other response functions for regulating the seasonality of ecosystem fluxes.
Recommendations for the user-specific enhancement of flood maps
Authors: Meyer V. , Kuhlicke C. , Luther J. , Fuchs S. , Priest S. , Dorner W. , Serrhini K. , Pardoe J. , McCarthy S. , Seidel J. , Palka G. , Unnerstall H. , Viavattene C. , Scheuer S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. The European Union Floods Directive requires the establishment of flood maps for high risk areas in all European member states by 2013. However, the current practice of flood mapping in Europe still shows some deficits. Firstly, flood maps are frequently seen as an information tool rather than a communication tool. This means that, for example, local stocks of knowledge are not incorporated. Secondly, the contents of flood maps often do not match the requirements of the end-users. Finally, flood maps are often designed and visualised in a way that cannot be easily understood by residents at risk and/or that is not suitable for the respective needs of public authorities in risk and event management. The RISK MAP project examined how end-user participation in the mapping process may be used to overcome these barriers and enhance the communicative power of flood maps, fundamentally increasing their effectiveness. Based on empirical findings from a participatory approach that incorporated interviews, workshops and eye-tracking tests, conducted in five European case studies, this paper outlines recommendations for user-specific enhancements of flood maps. More specific, recommendations are given with regard to (1) appropriate stakeholder participation processes, which allow incorporating local knowledge and preferences, (2) the improvement of the contents of flood maps by considering user-specific needs and (3) the improvement of the visualisation of risk maps in order to produce user-friendly and understandable risk maps for the user groups concerned. Furthermore, "idealised" maps for different user groups are presented: for strategic planning, emergency management and the public.
Ocean state indicators from MyOcean altimeter products
Authors: Bessières L. , Rio M. H. , Dufau C. , Boone C. , Pujol M. I.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. The Sea Level Thematic Assembly Center from the MyOcean project provides observations of the ocean dynamic topography from altimeter measurements. Three specific indicators have been developed, based on altimeter data only, in order to monitor the ocean state. The first ocean indicator observes the positive and negative phases of the ENSO events in the Tropical Pacific, the El Niño/La Niña events since 1992. The second ocean indicator checks the contracted or extended state of the Kuroshio Extension. The last ocean indicator is dedicated to the Ionian basin in the Mediterranean Sea and permits to separate "zonal-cyclonic" state (1998–2005 and since 2011 up to now) from the "anticyclonic" state (1993–1996) usually discussed in the literature. In addition it allows identifying a third state in which both the anticyclonic circulation around the northern part of the basin and the strong zonal Mid-Ionian jet co-exist (2008–2010). Besides providing useful indices to monitor the ocean state, these indicators are a new tool to assess the long-term quality of the SLTAC products.
Radar diagnosis of the subglacial conditions in Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica
Authors: Fujita S. , Holmlund P. , Matsuoka K. , Enomoto H. , Fukui K. , Nakazawa F. , Sugiyama S. , Surdyk S.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. In order to better understand the spatial distribution of subglacial environments, ground-based radar sounding data for a total distance of ~3300 km across Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, were analyzed. The relationship between geometrically corrected bed returned power [Pcbed]dB in decibels and ice thickness H was examined. When H is smaller, [Pcbed]dB was found to decrease simply with increasing H, which is explicable by the thickness variation of dielectric attenuation. However, an anomalous increase in [Pcbed]dB at larger H occurred, which was independent of the choice of radar frequencies or radar-pulse widths. We suggest that the existence of water at the ice/substrate interfaces at larger H caused this anomalous increase. We herein propose a new analytical method using these features to delineate frozen and temperate bed areas. Approximately two-thirds of the investigated area was found to have a temperate bed. Basal melting tends to occur when H is larger and the surface elevation is lower. In other words, beds inland of the ice sheet tend to be temperate, with the exception of subglacial high mountains. In contrast, beds of coastal areas tend to be frozen, with the exception of fast-flowing ice at subglacial lowland or troughs. These observations suggest that subglacial water is dominantly produced at the bed of wide inland plateau and that the water is discharged to the sea dominantly through a bed of fast-flowing ice. We also found that a 20-km-wide bed in the subglacial high mountains of an inland plateau near Dome Fuji is frozen, suggesting the existence of very old ice above the bed.
Multipotent Stromal Stem Cells from Human Placenta Demonstrate High Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Nazarov Igor , Lee Jae W. , Soupene Eric , Etemad Sara , Knapik Derrick , Green William , Bashkirova Elizaveta , Fang Xiaohui , Matthay Michael A. , Kuypers Frans A. , Serikov Vladimir B.
Published: May 2012

We describe human chorionic mesenchymal stem cell (hCMSC) lines obtained from the chorion of human term placenta with high therapeutic potential in human organ pathology. hCMSCs propagated for more than 100 doublings without a decrease in telomere length and with no telomerase activity. Cells were highly positive for the embryonic stem cell markers OCT-4, NANOG, SSEA-3, and TRA-1–60. In vitro, cells could be differentiated into neuron-like cells (ectoderm), adipocytes, osteoblasts, endothelial-like cells (mesoderm), and hepatocytes (endoderm)—derivatives of all three germ layers. hCMSCs effectively facilitated repair of injured epithelium as demonstrated in an ex vivo-perfused human lung preparation injured by Escherichia coli endotoxin and in in vitro human lung epithelial cultures. We conclude that the chorion of human term placenta is an abundant source of multipotent stem cells that are promising candidates for cell-based therapies.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Overexpressing Mutant Superoxide Dismutase 1
Authors: Wada Tamaki , Goparaju Sravan K. , Tooi Norie , Inoue Haruhisa , Takahashi Ryosuke , Nakatsuji Norio , Aiba Kazuhiro
Published: May 2012

The generation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease models is an important subject for investigating disease mechanisms and pharmaceutical applications. In transgenic mice, expression of a mutant form of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) can lead to the development of ALS that closely mimics the familial type of ALS (FALS). Although SOD1 mutant mice show phenotypes similar to FALS, dissimilar drug responses and size differences limit their usefulness to study the disease mechanism(s) and identify potential therapeutic compounds. Development of an in vitro model system for ALS is expected to help in obtaining novel insights into disease mechanisms and discovery of therapeutics. We report the establishment of an in vitro FALS model from human embryonic stem cells overexpressing either a wild-type (WT) or a mutant SOD1 (G93A) gene and the evaluation of the phenotypes and survival of the spinal motor neurons (sMNs), which are the neurons affected in ALS patients. The in vitro FALS model that we developed mimics the in vivo human ALS disease in terms of the following: (a) selective degeneration of sMNs expressing the G93A SOD1 but not those expressing the WT gene; (b) susceptibility of G93A SOD1-derived sMNs to form ubiquitinated inclusions; (c) astrocyte-derived factor(s) in the selective degeneration of G93A SOD1 sMNs; and (d) cell-autonomous, as well as non-cell-autonomous, dependent sMN degeneration. Thus, this model is expected to help unravel the disease mechanisms involved in the development of FALS and also lead to potential drug discoveries based on the prevention of neurodegeneration.
Concise Review: Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells for the Treatment of Ischemic Syndromes: Medicinal Product or Cell Transplantation?
Authors: Cuende Natividad , Rico Laura , Herrera Concha
Published: May 2012

In November of 2011, the Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published two scientific recommendations regarding the classification of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) and autologous bone marrow-derived CD133+ cells as advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), specifically tissue-engineered products, when intended for regeneration in ischemic heart tissue on the basis that they are not used for the same essential function (hematological restoration) that they fulfill in the donor. In vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrates that bone marrow cells are physiologically involved in adult neovascularization and tissue repair, making their therapeutic use for these purposes a simple exploitation of their own essential functions. Therefore, from a scientific/legal point of view, nonsubstantially manipulated BM-MNCs and CD133+ cells are not an ATMP, because they have a physiological role in the processes of postnatal neovascularization and, when used therapeutically for vascular restoration in ischemic tissues, they are carrying out one of their essential physiological functions (the legal definition recognizes that cells can have several essential functions). The consequences of classifying BM-MNCs and CD133+ cells as medicinal products instead of cellular transplantation, like bone marrow transplantation, in terms of costs and time for these products to be introduced into clinical practice, make this an issue of crucial importance. Therefore, the recommendations of EMA/CAT could be reviewed in collaboration with scientific societies, in light of organizational and economic consequences as well as scientific knowledge recently acquired about the mechanisms of postnatal neovascularization and the function of bone marrow in the regeneration of remote tissues.
Gold Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle Mediated Protein and DNA Codelivery to Plant Cells Via the Biolistic Method
Authors: Martin‐Ortigosa Susana , Valenstein Justin S. , Lin Victor S.‐Y. , Trewyn Brian G. , Wang Kan
Published: May 2012

The synthesis and characterization of a gold nanoparticle functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticle (Au‐MSN) platform for codelivery of proteins and plasmid DNA to plant tissues using a biolistic particle delivery system is reported. The in vitro uptake and release profiles of fluorescently labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) are investigated. As a proof‐of‐concept demonstration, Au‐MSN with large average pore diameters (10 nm) are shown to deliver and subsequently release proteins and plasmid DNA to the same cell after passing through the plant cell wall upon bombardment. Release of fluorescent eGFP indicates the delivery of active, non‐denatured proteins to plant cells. This advance represents the first example of biolistic‐mediated codelivery of proteins and plasmid DNA to plant cells via gold‐functionalized MSN and provides a powerful tool for both fundamental and applied research of plant sciences.
Formation of a Continuous Solid‐Solution Particle and its Application to Rechargeable Lithium Batteries
Authors: Noh Hyung‐Joo , Myung Seung‐Taek , Jung Hun‐Gi , Yashiro Hitoshi , Amine Khalil , Sun Yang‐Kook
Published: May 2012

High‐energy electrode materials are under worldwide development for rechargeable lithium batteries to be used in electric vehicles and other energy storage applications. High capacity and energy density are readily achievable using Ni‐rich Li[Ni1‐xMx]O2 (x = 0.1–0.2, M = Ni, Co, Mn, and Al) cathodes. Unfortunately, their structural instability is associated with severe capacity fading on cycling, which hinders practical applications. Here, a method is presented for producing a continuous compositional change between Li[Ni0.8Co0.2]O2 (center) and Li[Ni0.8Co0.01Mn0.19]O2 (surface) in a spherical particle, resulting in an average composition of Li[Ni0.8Co0.06Mn0.14]O2. The chemical composition in the particle is gradually altered by decreasing the Co concentration while adding Mn content. The Ni content remains fixed. Coin cells with the solid‐solution cathode deliver a specific capacity over 210 mAh g−1 in the voltage range of 2.7–4.3 V vs. Li/Li+ with capacity retention of 85% over 100 cycles at 25 and 55 °C. The main exothermic temperature upon heating appears at around 250 °C with relatively low heat generation (810 J g−1). The presence of the tetravalent Mn at the particle surface is mainly responsible for the high capacity upon cycling and excellent thermal properties.
Determinants of high weight gain and high BMI status in the first three months in urban Chinese infants
Authors: Zhang Jianduan , Jiang Jingxiong , Himes John H. , Zhang Jing , Liu Guoyan , Huang Xiaona , Guo Yuan , Shi Junxin , Shi Shuhua
Published: May 2012

Objectives:

Investigate the potential factors associated with high weight gain and high BMI status in the first three months of life.

Methods:

Totally, 930 healthy neonates (489 boys and 441 girls) were involved in this community‐based, prospective study in China. Data on body weight and length were collected at birth, and the 1st and 3rd months. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding social demography, gestational status, delivery, and the feeding patterns of children.

Results:

Prevalences of high BMI status (BMI = 85th p, re WHO BMI standards) increased over time in both sexes, reaching 24.5% and 12.0% for boys and girls, respectively. General linear mixed models indicate high BMI status at 3 months is significantly and inversely associated with breastfeeding, as a proportion of feeding occasions [OR 0.74 (95%CI: 0.56–0.98)] and positively with lower birth weight [OR 2.07 (95%CI: 1.23–3.49)]. High weight gain (=85th p, re WHO velocity standards) in the first 3 months is also significantly associated with breastfeeding [OR 0.76 (95%CI: 0.59–0.96)] and sex, with boys at a higher risk than girls [OR 1.44 (95%CI: 1.07–1.97)]. Living in an extended family is associated with both high weight gain and high BMI status, but with marginal statistical significance.

Conclusion:

Analyses indicate an increasing trend of high BMI status in early infancy. Breastfeeding provides a protective effect for both high weight gain and high BMI status. The results concerning birth weight suggests a target for intervention.Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.