bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF BONE MARROW ASPIRATE WITH TREPHINE BIOPSY IN HEMATOLOGICAL DISORDERS AND DETERMINATION OF OPTIMUM TREPHINE LENGTH IN LYMPHOMA INFILTRATION
Authors: Goyal Surbhi , Singh Usha Rani , Rusia Usha
Published: January 2014

Introduction- Bone marrow examination is an indispensable diagnostic tool to evaluate neoplastic and non neoplastic hematological diseases. Aims- To compare bone marrow aspirate with trephine biopsy in hematological disorders. To determine the optimum trephine preprocessing length in lymphoma infiltration. Methods – Diagnostic comparison was done between simultaneous bone marrow aspirates and trephine biopsies in 449 patients. Biopsies were fixed in formalin, decalcified in 5.5% EDTA and routinely processed. Concordance rates and validity parameters for aspirate were calculated. Three deeper sections of trephine biopsy, cut at 0.1–0.2 mm intervals, were assessed for lymphoma involvement. Proportion of biopsies showing marrow infiltration by lymphoma cells was plotted against trephine length and correlation was assessed. Results- Aspirate had a high sensitivity for acute leukemia (89.4%) and multiple myeloma (88.5%), moderate for NHL (67.6%) and nonhematopoietic metastases (58.3%) and low for aplastic anemia (38.5%) and Hodgkin lymphoma (5%). Aspirate has no role in granulomatous myelitis and myelofibrosis. Lymphoma positivity increased with trephine length, with maximum positivity (68.9%) seen in 17-20 mm group and no further gain beyond 20 mm. (lymphoma positivity ≤16mm=40.3% and ≥17mm=66.1%, p=0.0011). Conclusion- Though aspirate has a high specificity, sensitivity depends upon the type of disease. Apart from few conditions, in which aspirate alone is sufficient, biopsy is mandatory in most. Preprocessing trephine length of 17-20 mm examined at multiple deeper levels was found optimal for assessing lymphoma positivity.
TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITORS AND INTERFERON
Authors: Dimou Maria , Panagiotidis Panagiotis
Published: January 2014

The use of interferon-a (INF) in chronic myeloid leukemia, when it started in the 80s, was considered as a breakthrough in the therapy of this disease; INF administered alone or in combination with aracytine was the standard choice for treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) patients unfit for bone marrow transplantation. With the appearance of the first Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) (imatinib) and based on the results of the pivotal IRIS trial, imatinib monotherapy was the new treatment of choice for CML, according to the ELN recommendations. The possibility of combining INF with imatinib, for obtaining better therapeutic responses in CML patients has been already tested and reported. The current challenge is the combined use of second generation TKIs with pegylated –IFN, in order to minimize failures to therapy and increase the number of CML patients with deep molecular responses, who may be able to discontinue lifelong treatment.
MONITORING THE RESPONSE TO TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITOR (TKI) TREATMENT IN CHRONIC MYELOID LEUKEMIA (CML)
Authors: Haznedaroglu Ibrahim C.
Published: January 2014

The aim of oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is to get ideal hematological, cytogenetic, molecular responses at the critical time-points. The depth of the response obtained with TKI and time to achieve this response are important for the prediction of prognosis in the patient with CML. The high efficacy of the TKI treatment of CML has prompted the need for accurate methods to monitor response at levels below the landmark of CCyR. Quantification of BCR-ABL transcripts has proven to be the most sensitive method available and has shown prognostic impact with regard to progression-free survival. European LeukemiaNet (ELN) molecular program harmonized the reporting of results according to the IS (Internatıonal harmonization of Scale) in Europe. The aim of this review is to outline monitoring the response to optimal TKI treatment based on the ELN CML 2013 recommendations from the clinical point of view as a physician. Careful cytogenetic and molecular monitoring could help selecting the most convenient TKI drug and to optimize TKI treatment. Excessive monitoring may have an economical cost but failure to optimize TKI treatment may result in CML disease acceleration and death.
Resident Physician Perspectives on Outpatient Continuity of Care
Authors: Wieland Mark L. , Jaeger Thomas M. , Bundrick John B. , Mauck Karen F. , Post Jason A. , Thomas Matthew R. , Thomas Kris G.
Published: January 2014

Background

The outpatient continuity clinic is an essential component of internal medicine residency programs, yet continuity of patient care in these clinics is suboptimal. Reasons for this discontinuity have been inadequately explored.

Objective

We sought to assess perceived factors contributing to discontinuity in trainee ambulatory clinics.

Methods

The study encompassed 112 internal medicine residents at a large academic medical center in the Midwest. We conducted 2 hours of facilitated discussion with 18 small groups of residents. Residents were asked to reflect on factors that pose barriers to continuity in their ambulatory practice and potential mechanisms to reduce these barriers. Resident comments were transcribed and inductive analysis was performed to develop themes. We used these themes to derive recommendations for improving continuity of care in a resident ambulatory clinic.

Results

Key themes included an imbalance of clinic scheduling that favors access for patients with acute symptoms over continuity, clinic triage scripts that deemphasize continuity, inadequate communication among residents and faculty regarding shared patients, residents' inefficient use of nonphysician care resources, and a lack of shared values between patients and providers regarding continuity of care.

Conclusions

The results offer important information that may be applied in iterative program changes to enhance continuity of care in resident clinics.
Feasibility and Validation of Real-Time Patient Evaluations of Internal Medicine Interns' Communication and Professionalism Skills
Authors: Dine C. Jessica , Ruffolo Stefanie , Lapin Jennifer , Shea Judy A. , Kogan Jennifer R.
Published: January 2014

Background

Residents receive little information about how they interact with patients.

Objective

This pilot study assessed the feasibility and validity of a new 16-item tool developed to assess patients' perspectives of interns' communication skills and professionalism and the team's communication.

Methods

Feasibility was determined by the percentage of surveys completed, the average time for survey completion, the percentage of target interns evaluated, and the mean number of evaluations per intern. Generalizability was analyzed using an (evaluator:evaluatee) × item model. Simulated D studies estimated optimal numbers of items and evaluators. Factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to examine the structure of the items. Scores were correlated with other measures of communication and professionalism for validation.

Results

Most patients (225 of 305 [74%]) completed the evaluation. Each survey took approximately 6.3 minutes to complete. In 43 days over 18 weeks, 45 of 50 interns (90%) were evaluated an average of 4.6 times. Fifty evaluations would be required to reach a minimally acceptable coefficient (0.57). Two factor structures were identified. The evaluation did not correlate with faculty evaluations of resident communication but did correlate weakly (r  =  0.140, P  =  .04) with standardized patient evaluations.

Conclusions

A large number of patient evaluations are needed to reliably assess intern and team communication skills. Evaluations by patients add a perspective in assessing these skills that is different from those of faculty evaluations. Future work will focus on whether this new information adds to existing evaluation systems and warrants the added effort.
The prevalence of problem gambling among substance abusing offenders
Authors: Zorland Jennifer , Kuperminc Gabriel P. , Mooss Angela D. , Gilmore Devin , Emshoff James G.
Published: January 2014

Research suggests that problem gambling is associated with substance and alcohol abuse, criminal activity, and involvement in the criminal justice system. The present study assessed the lifetime prevalence of pathological and problem gambling among a population in which these risk factors are compounded, specifically adults mandated to participate in drug court. A sample of 602 participants completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen. Nearly 72% of the participants were male, and the majority identified as White (53%) or Black (37%). Results indicated that the prevalence and severity of problem gambling may be elevated within this population. Over 30% of respondents were assessed as probable pathological or problem gamblers (20.1% and 10.3%, respectively), and 22% as being at low risk. Results suggest that problem gambling is a salient issue among substance-abusing offenders. Resources should be dedicated to screening and developing evidence based best practices for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.
Identifying STEM Concepts Associated with Junior Livestock Projects
Authors: Wooten Kate , Rayfield John , Moore Lori L.
Published: January 2014

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is intended to provide students with a cross-subject, contextual learning experience. To more fully prepare our nation’s students to enter the globally competitive workforce, STEM integration allows students to make connections between the abstract concepts learned in core subject classrooms and real-world situations. FFA and 4-H programs are intended to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities where abstract core subject princi- ples can be applied and more fully understood. Junior livestock projects through FFA and 4-H can pro- vide rich connections for students between what they learn in school and how it is applied in the real world. Using a modified Delphi technique, this study identified 21 STEM concepts associated with junior livestock projects. According to the panel of experts, math and science concepts were more prevalent in junior livestock projects. Conversely, experts identified fewer technology and engineering concepts as being present within junior livestock projects. The link between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, core subject education, and the concepts present in junior livestock projects should be em- phasized in curricular and programming efforts.
Factors Related to Teachers' Intention to Leave the Classroom Early
Authors: Tippens Abby , Ricketts John C. , Morgan A. Christian , Navarro Maria , Flanders Frank B.
Published: January 2014

The challenge of retaining teachers in the profession of agricultural education is a prevalent and growing problem in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary factors contributing to intention to leave the profession among Georgia agriculture teachers. Teacher-participants responded to a web-based survey which sought to determine the following: the demographics of Georgia agriculture teachers, self-perceived likelihood of leaving the profession, job satisfaction as it relates to working con- ditions, and contributing factors to self-perceived likelihood of leaving the profession. Respondents were generally satisfied with their jobs, and the majority of teachers planned to remain in the profession. Dif- ferences were identified between genders in the area of job satisfaction and self-perceived likelihood of leaving their current position. Teachers were most likely to leave the profession because of retirement, family, and commitments to children. Teachers were most dissatisfied because of burnout.
Exploring Relationships between Presage Variables of Florida Preservice Agricultural Education Teachers Related to Teaching Contextualized Mathematics
Authors: Stripling Christopher T. , Roberts T. Grady
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the relationships between mathematics ability, personal mathematics efficacy, mathematics teaching efficacy, personal teaching efficacy, and back- ground characteristics of preservice agricultural education teachers. Data were collected for two years at the University of Florida. Fourteen moderate associations were found between the variables in this study. In addition, categorical differences in mathematics ability, personal mathematics efficacy, mathe- matics teaching efficacy, and personal teaching efficacy were found related to presage variables of the preservice teachers. Based on the results of this study, further research is warranted to determine the most appropriate means for preparing Florida preservice agricultural education teachers for teaching contextualized mathematics.
Focusing on the Future: Understanding Faculty Intent to Lead the Land Grant System
Authors: Lamm Alexa J. , Lamm Kevan W. , Strickland L. Rochelle
Published: January 2014

Many outside influences are altering higher education including a decline in resources, changes in stu- dent demographics, the impacts of technology, and the shift to an information age. The need for faculty members to become leaders that can handle swift changes to the culture of Colleges of Agriculture within the land-grant system are needed now more than ever. Recognizing the need, colleges and universities have devoted valuable resources to developing future leaders through leadership training. While admin- istrators who see leadership potential often nominate participants of leadership programs, little is known about why individuals choose to volunteer for leadership roles or emerge as leaders. Using the theory of planned behavior, this research explored how attitudes towards leadership training, subjective norms surrounding leadership, and perceived behavioral control over engaging in leadership related to and predicted intent to volunteer for a leadership role. Control, especially over one’s perceived amount of time to develop leadership skills, was the only significant predictor of intent. Recommendations included organizational assistance in the creation of capacity that will allow the faculty member to focus on devel- oping their leadership skills as well as the creation of a support network for the faculty member once they have completed training.
Exploring Science Teaching Efficacy of CASE Curriculum Teachers: A Post-Then-Pre Assessment
Authors: Ulmer Jonathan D. , Velez Jonathan J. , Lambert Misty D. , Thompson Greg W. , Burris Scott , Witt Phillip A.
Published: January 2014

This descriptive-correlational study sought to investigate teachers’ levels of Personal Science Teaching Efficacy (PSTE) and Science Teaching Outcome Expectancy (STOE) using the Science Teaching Efficacy Beliefs Instrument (STEBI). The population included all teachers completing a CASE Institute training session during summer 2010. Assessments were made at two points. First, the participants were as- sessed by using a post-then-pre assessment with a second follow-up assessment after nine months of im- plementing the new curriculum. Demographic characteristics are presented to provide insight into the participants. The teachers experienced gains during the institute on both their personal science teaching efficacy and their science teaching outcome expectancy. However, after nine months of using the curricu- lum, their efficacy remained high while their outcome expectancy returned to the same levels held before attending the professional development. It appears the CASE Institute had a lasting impact on the partic- ipants’ personal efficacy, but not their outcome expectancy beliefs. Recommendations are made for future research.
Factrs Influencing Agricultural Leadershp Students' Behavioral Intentions: Examining the Potental Use of Mobile Technology in Courses
Authors: Strong Robert , Irby Travis L. , Dooley Larry M.
Published: January 2014

Mobile technology is pervasive at institutions across the U.S. The study was framed with self-efficacy theory, self-directed learning theory, and the unified theory for acceptance and use of technology. The purpose of this study was to assess undergraduate students’ behavioral intention towards mobile technol- ogy acceptance in agricultural education courses. The population was undergraduate agricultural lead- ership students (N = 687) in a department of agricultural education at a land-grant university. Random sampling was employed to assist the researchers in answering the study’s objectives and to generalize findings to the target population. Survey research was employed as the data collection method and de- scriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression were implemented to analyze the data. Three hundred forty-four students were surveyed and 88.10% (n = 303) of the sample responded to the survey. Self-efficacy, level of self-directedness, and GPA explained 32% of the variance of students’ behavioral intention to use mobile technology. The data suggested students are accepting the use of mobile technolo- gy in academic settings to enhance learning. By developing a better comprehension of factors that influ- ence student’s behavioral intentions with mobile technology, institutions may improve student learning and better assist institutions achieve strategic objectives through disseminating institutional information with mobile technology.
Classroom Instruction and FFA/SAE Responsibilities Creating the Most Stress for Female Teachers in the Southeast
Authors: King Diana L. , Rucker K. Jill , Duncan Dennis W.
Published: January 2014

Teacher attrition research in agricultural education has found that teachers are at high risk of leaving the profession early in their careers (Kelsey, 2006; Myers, Dyer, & Washburn, 2005; Heath-Camp & Camp, 1990). In addition, female teachers are more likely to leave the profession than male teachers (Kelsey, 2006; Thompson, 1986). Identified dis-satisfiers include lack of administrative support and working long hours (Boone, 2003; Moore & Camp, 1979). Lazarus’s Theory of Psychological Stress in- dicates that once a teacher appraises a stressor they will seek to master, tolerate, or reduce the demands of the stressor (Lazarus, 1991). If mastery is not deemed possible, toleration and/or reduction of stressor demand could result in attrition from the profession. By identifying specific stressors related to classroom instruction and FFA/SAE responsibilities, coping strategies may be developed to aid in reducing stress for female teachers. Results indicated that preparing proficiency applications, planning FFA banquet, preparing CDE teams, paperwork/reports, creating new curriculum, and lack of teaching materials were the FFA/SAE responsibilities and classroom responsibilities creating the highest amount of stress. Time management strategies, especially related to planning spring semester events when FFA banquets are held and applications are due, may be useful for the teachers in this study.
An alternative method estimating hygroscopic growth factor of aerosol light scattering coefficient: a case study in an urban area of Guangzhou, South China
Authors: Lin Z. J. , Zhang Z. S. , Zhang L. , Tao J. , Zhang R. J. , Cao J. J. , Zhang Y. H.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. A method was developed to estimate hygroscopic growth factor (f(RH)) of aerosol light scattering coefficient (bsp), making use of the measured size- and chemically-resolved aerosol samples. Regarding this method, chemical composition of the measured aerosol samples were first reconstructed using the equilibrium model ISOPPORIA II. The model reconstructed chemical composition varies with a varying relative humidity (RH) input, which was then employed to calculate bsp and f(RH) of bsp using Mie Model. Further, the RH dependence of f(RH) of bsp (denoted as f(RH) derived from model calculation was empirically fitted with a two-parameter formula. One of the two parameters was set to be a constant for practical applications. For validation, the developed formula of fsp(RH) was applied to correct the long-term records of measured bsp from the values under comparative dry conditions to the ones under ambient RH conditions. Compared with the original bsp data, the f(RH)-corrected bsp had a higher linear correlation with and a smaller discrepancy from the bsp data derived directly from visibility and absorption measurements. The method described in this paper provides an alternative approach to estimate fsp(RH) and has many potential applications.
Ground based measurements of immersion-freezing in the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Ardon-Dryer K. , Levin Z.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Ice Nuclei were measured in immersion-freezing mode on the Tel Aviv University campus using the FRIDGE-TAU chamber. The sampling was done under different meteorological conditions and air pollution levels and then analyzed in the laboratory using a drop freezing method. The droplets froze from −12 °C down to −29 °C, the average temperature at which 50% of the drops froze occurred at −21 °C. Immersion-Freezing Nuclei (FN) concentrations between 0.32 L−1 to 211 L−1 were found with a~concentration of 1 L−1 observed at −15.5 °C. The measurements were divided into dusty and clean conditions based on their back trajectory maps and aerosol mass concentrations (PM10). Droplets from the dusty days froze at warmer temperatures than from clean days. The Dusty days had higher FN concentrations and active fraction (AF) values than clean days.
Retrieval algorithm for densities of mesospheric and lower thermospheric metal atom and ion species from satellite-borne limb emission signals
Authors: Langowski M. , Sinnhuber M. , Aikin A. C. , von Savigny C. , Burrows J. P.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Meteoroids bombard Earth's atmosphere during its orbit around the Sun, depositing a highly varying and significant amount of matter into the thermosphere and mesosphere. The strength of the material source needs to be characterized and its impact on atmospheric chemistry assessed. In this study an algorithm for the retrieval of metal atom and ion number densities for a two-dimensional (latitude, altitude) grid is described and explained. Dayglow emission spectra of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere are used, which are obtained by passive satellite remote sensing with the SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY) instrument on board Envisat. The limb scans cover the tangent altitude range from 50 to 150 km. Metal atoms and ions are strong emitters in this region and form sharply peaked layers with a FWHM (full width at half maximum) of several 10 km in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere measuring peak altitudes between 90 to 110 km. The emission signal is first separated from the background signal, arising from Rayleigh and Raman scattering of solar radiation by air molecules. A forward radiative transfer model calculating the slant column density (SCD) from a given vertical distribution was developed. This nonlinear model is inverted in an iterative procedure to yield the vertical profiles for the emitting species. Several constraints are applied to the solution for numerical stability reasons and to get physically reasonable solutions. The algorithm is applied to SCIAMACHY limb-emission observations for the retrieval of Mg and Mg+ using emission signatures at 285.2 and 279.6/280.4 nm, respectively. Results are presented for these three lines as well as error estimations and sensitivity tests on different constraint strength and different separation approaches for the background signal.
Updated SAO OMI formaldehyde retrieval
Authors: González Abad G. , Liu X. , Chance K. , Wang H. , Kurosu T. P. , Suleiman R.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. We present and discuss the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) formaldehyde (H2CO) retrieval algorithm for the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) which is the operational retrieval for NASA OMI H2CO. The version of the algorithm described here includes relevant changes with respect to the operational one, including differences in the reference spectra for H2CO, the fit of O2-O2 collisional complex, updates in the high resolution solar reference spectrum, the use of a model reference sector over the remote Pacific Ocean to normalize the retrievals, an updated Air Mass Factor (AMF) calculation scheme, and the inclusion of scattering weights and vertical H2CO profile in the level 2 products. The theoretical basis of the retrieval is discussed in detail. Typical values for retrieved vertical columns are between 4 × 1015 and 4 × 1016 molecules cm−2 with typical fitting uncertainties ranging between 40% and 100%. In high concentration regions the errors are usually reduced to 30%. The detection limit is estimated at 3 × 1015 molecules cm−2. These updated retrievals are compared with previous ones.
Sensitivity of large-aperture scintillometer measurements of area-average heat fluxes to uncertainties in topographic heights
Authors: Gruber M. A. , Fochesatto G. J. , Hartogensis O. K.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Scintillometer measurements allow for estimations of the refractive index structure parameter Cn2 over large areas in the atmospheric surface layer. Turbulent fluxes of heat and momentum are inferred through coupled sets of equations derived from the Monin–Obukhov similarity hypothesis. One-dimensional sensitivity functions have been produced that relate the sensitivity of heat fluxes to uncertainties in single values of beam height over homogeneous and flat terrain. However, real field sites include variable topography and heterogeneous surfaces. We develop here the first analysis of the sensitivity of scintillometer derived sensible heat fluxes to uncertainties in spatially distributed topographic measurements. For large-aperture scintillometers and independent friction velocity u* measurements, sensitivity is shown to be concentrated in areas near the center of the beam path and where the underlying topography is closest to the beam height. Uncertainty may be greatly reduced by focusing precise topographic measurements in these areas. A new two-dimensional variable terrain sensitivity function is developed for quantitative error analysis. This function is compared with the previous one-dimensional sensitivity function for the same measurement strategy over flat and homogeneous terrain. Additionally, a new method of solution to the set of coupled equations is produced that eliminates computational error. The results are produced using a new methodology for error analysis involving distributed parameters that may be applied in other disciplines.
Assessing biogeochemical effects and best management practice for a wheat–maize cropping system using the DNDC model
Authors: Cui F. , Zheng X. , Liu C. , Wang K. , Zhou Z. , Deng J.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Contemporary agriculture is shifting from a single-goal to a multi-goal strategy, which in turn requires choosing best management practice (BMP) based on an assessment of the biogeochemical effects of management alternatives. The bottleneck is the capacity of predicting the simultaneous effects of different management practice scenarios on multiple goals and choosing BMP among scenarios. The denitrification–decomposition (DNDC) model may provide an opportunity to solve this problem. We validated the DNDC model (version 95) using the observations of soil moisture and temperature, crop yields, aboveground biomass and fluxes of net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH3) from a wheat–maize cropping site in northern China. The model performed well for these variables. Then we used this model to simulate the effects of management practices on the goal variables of crop yields, NO emission, nitrate leaching, NH3 volatilization and net emission of greenhouse gases in the ecosystem (NEGE). Results showed that no-till and straw-incorporated practices had beneficial effects on crop yields and NEGE. Use of nitrification inhibitors decreased nitrate leaching and N2O and NO emissions, but they significantly increased NH3 volatilization. Irrigation based on crop demand significantly increased crop yield and decreased nitrate leaching and NH3 volatilization. Crop yields were hardly decreased if nitrogen dose was reduced by 15% or irrigation water amount was reduced by 25%. Two methods were used to identify BMP and resulted in the same BMP, which adopted the current crop cultivar, field operation schedules and full straw incorporation and applied nitrogen and irrigation water at 15 and 25% lower rates, respectively, than the current use. Our study indicates that the DNDC model can be used as a tool to assess biogeochemical effects of management alternatives and identify BMP.
Interpolation methods for Antarctic ice-core timescales: application to Byrd, Siple Dome and Law Dome ice cores
Authors: Fudge T. J. , Waddington E. D. , Conway H. , Lundin J. M. D. , Taylor K.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Antarctic ice cores have often been dated by matching distinctive features of atmospheric methane to those detected in annually dated ice cores from Greenland. Establishing the timescale between these tie-point ages requires interpolation. While the uncertainty at tie points is relatively well described, uncertainty of the interpolation is not. Here we assess the accuracy of three interpolation schemes using data from the WAIS Divide ice core in West Antarctica; we compare the interpolation methods with the annually resolved timescale for the past 30 kyr. Linear interpolation yields large age errors (up to 380 yr) between tie points, abrupt changes in duration at tie points, and an age bias. Interpolation based on the smoothest accumulation rate (ACCUM) or the smoothest annual-layer thickness (ALT) yield timescales that more closely agree with the annually resolved timescale and do not have abrupt changes in duration at the tie points. We use ALT to assess the uncertainty in existing timescales for the past 30 kyr from Byrd, Siple Dome, and Law Dome. These ice-core timescales were developed with methods similar to linear interpolation. Maximum age differences exceed 1000 yr for Byrd and Siple Dome, and 500 yr for Law Dome. For the glacial-interglacial transition (21 to 12 kyr), the existing timescales are, on average, older than ALT by 40 yr for Byrd, 240 yr for Siple Dome, and 150 yr for Law Dome. Because interpolation uncertainty is often not considered, age uncertainties for ice-core records are often underestimated.
RIMBAY – a multi-approximation 3D ice-dynamics model for comprehensive applications: model description and examples
Authors: Thoma M. , Grosfeld K. , Barbi D. , Determann J. , Goeller S. , Mayer C. , Pattyn F.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Glaciers and ice caps exhibit currently the largest cryospheric contributions to sea level rise. Modelling the dynamics and mass balance of the major ice sheets is therefore an important issue to investigate the current state and the future response of the cryosphere in response to changing environmental conditions, namely global warming. This requires a powerful, easy-to-use, versatile multi-approximation ice dynamics model. Based on the well-known and established ice sheet model of Pattyn (2003) we develop the modular multi-approximation thermomechanic ice model RIMBAY, in which we improve the original version in several aspects like a shallow ice–shallow shelf coupler and a full 3D-grounding-line migration scheme based on Schoof's (2007) heuristic analytical approach. We summarise the full Stokes equations and several approximations implemented within this model and we describe the different numerical discretisations. The results are cross-validated against previous publications dealing with ice modelling, and some additional artificial set-ups demonstrate the robustness of the different solvers and their internal coupling. RIMBAY is designed for an easy adaption to new scientific issues. Hence, we demonstrate in very different set-ups the applicability and functionality of RIMBAY in Earth system science in general and ice modelling in particular.
PHOTOGRAMMETRIC MONITORING OF GLACIER MARGIN LAKES
Authors: Mulsow C. , Koschitzki R. , Maas H.-G.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The growing number of glacial margin lakes that have developed due to glacier retreat, have caused an increase of dangerous Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in several regions over the last decade. A GLOF can occur when the water from the lake finds a path underneath the bottom of the glacier and the lake is draining rapidly. This causes normally a flood wave downstream the glacier. Typically such an event takes about 24 hours. GLOF scenarios may be a significant hazard to life, property, nature and infrastructure in the affected areas. Together with our partner institute CECS (Valdivia, Chile), a project was initiated on a pilot study for an early warning system for GLOF events in the Northern Patagonian Icefield. A GLOF is normally characterized by a progressive water level drop. By observing the water level of the lake, an imminent GLOF-event can be identified. Common gauging systems are not suitable for the measurement task, as they may be affected by ice fall or landslides in the lake basin. Therefore, in our pilot study the water level is observed by processing images of a terrestrial camera system. The paper presents the basic principle of a single-camera based GLOF early warning system. Challenges and approaches to solve them are discussed. First results from processed image sequences are presented to show the feasibility of the concept. Water level changes can be determined at decimetre precision. In the first stage of the project, the waterline was measured manually in the images. A promising approach for reliable automation of this task is the use of a camera, which is sensitive for near infrared. The difference in the reflection of water, ice, and rock in this wavelength is more better than in RGB. This will be discussed in the outlook in deep.
ISTSOS, SENSOR OBSERVATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: A REAL CASE APPLICATION OF HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL DATA FOR FLOOD PROTECTION
Authors: Cannata M. , Antonovic M. , Molinari M. , Pozzoni M.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. istSOS (Istituto scienze della Terra Sensor Observation Service) is an implementation of the Sensor Observation Service standard from Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The development of istSOS started in 2009 in order to provide a simple implementation of the Sensor Observation Service (SOS) standard for the management, provision and integration of hydro-meteorological data collected in Canton Ticino (Southern Switzerland). istSOS is entirely written in Python and is based on reliable open source software like PostgreSQL/PostGIS and Apache/mod_wsgi. The authors during this presentation want to illustrate the latest software enhancements together with a real case in a production environment. Latest software enhancement includes the development of a RESTful service and of a Web-based graphical user interface that allows hydrologists a better interaction with measurements. This includes the ability of new services creation, addition of new sensors and relative metadata, visualization and manipulation of stored observations, registration of new measures and setting of system properties like observable properties and data quality codes. The study will show a real case application of the system for the provision of data to interregional partners and to a hydrological model for lake level forecasting and flooding hazard assessment. The hydrological model uses a combination of WPS (Web Processing Service) and SOS for the generation of model input data. This system is linked with a dedicated geo-portal used by the civil protection for the management, alert and protection of population and assets of the Locarno area (Verbano Lake flooding). Practical considerations and technical issues will be presented and discussed.
LIDAR DATA RESOLUTION VERSUS HYDRO-MORPHOLOGICAL MODELS FOR FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT
Authors: Avanzi A. , Frank E. , Righetto M. , Fattorelli S.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Uncertainties in topographic data have a significant influence on hydro-morphological and hydraulic predictions and therefore on flood risk assessment. In this work, the effects of topographic data resolution on the results of hydro-morphologic and hydraulic simulations are analysed using respectively the morphological bi-dimensional curvilinear model MIKE 21C and mono-bidimensional SOBEK. The studies have been carried out in the Torre river, located in Northern Italy. The evaluations on hydro-morphological and hydraulic risk require accurate spatial information for the area of interest. In order to characterize the river morphology, mainly for large areas, the availability of high resolution topography derived by airborne laser scanner represents an effective tool. Nowadays LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) DTM covering large areas are readily available for public authorities, and there is a greater and more widespread interest in the application of such information for the development of automated methods aimed at solving geomorphological and hydrological problems. For the models analysed, high-resolution LiDAR data were used to create the basic topographic information. An additional source for the topography of the Torre river has been provided by river cross-section data. Digital elevation models at different resolution have been created to test the effects of different grid cell sizes on the simulations. The impact of topographic information on hydraulic and morphological model results was evaluated for the area through a comparison of results. Additionally, morphologic variations and position of erosional and depositional zones along the watercourse and variations in flood extent and dynamics have been investigated. The obtained results emphasise the importance of quality of input information for reliable results of hydraulic and sediment transport models. Criteria for selecting the optimal DTM resolution are suggested, based on the quality of available data.
COMPARISONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT INTERPOLATION TECHNIQUES
Authors: Garnero G. , Godone D.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Digital terrain models are key tools in land analysis and management as they are directly employable in GIS systems and other specific applications like hydraulic modelling, geotechnical analyses, road planning, telecommunication, and many others. TIN generation, from different kind of measurement techniques, is ruled by specific regulations. Interpolation techniques to compute a regular grid from a TIN, are, instead, still lacking in specific regulations: a unitary and shared methodology has not already been made compulsory in order to be used in cartographic production while generating digital models. Such ambiguity obviously involves non univocal results and can affect precision, which can lead to divergent analyses on the same territory. In the present study different algorithms will be analysed in order to spot an optimal interpolation methodology. The availability of the recent digital model produced by the Regione Piemonte with airborne LIDAR and the presence of sections of testing realized with higher resolutions and the presence of independent digital models on the same territory allow to set a series of analysis with consequent determination of the best methodologies of interpolation. The analysis of the residuals on the test sites allows to calculate the descriptive statistics of the computed values: all the algorithms have furnished interesting results; all the more interesting, notably for dense models, the IDW (Inverse Distance Weighing) algorithm results to give best results in this study case. Moreover, a comparative analysis was carried out by interpolating data at different input point density, with the purpose of highlighting thresholds in input density that may influence the quality reduction of the final output in the interpolation phase.
APPLICATION OF LASER SCANNING SURVEYING TO ROCK SLOPES RISK ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS
Authors: Corsetti M. , D'Aranno P. J. V. , Marsella M. , Scifoni S. , Sonnessa A.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The methods for understanding rock instability mechanisms and for evaluating potential destructive scenarios are of great importance in risk assessment analysis dedicated to the establishment of appropriate prevention and mitigation actions. When the portion of the unstable rock mass is very large, effective actions to counteract the risks are complex and expensive. In these conditions, an optimal risk management cannot ignore procedures able to faster and accurately acquire i) geometrical data for modeling the geometry of the rock walls and implementing reliable forecasting models and ii) monitoring data able to describe the magnitude and the direction of deformation processes. These data contributes to the prediction of the behavior of a landslide if the measurements are acquired frequently and reliable numerical models can be implemented. Innovative geomatic techniques, based on GPS, Terrestrial Laser Scanning Surveying (TLS), automated total station and satellite and ground SAR Interferometry, have been recently applied to define the geometry and monitoring the displacements of unstable slopes. Among these, TLS is mainly adopted to generate detailed 3D models useful to reconstruct rock wall geometry by contributing to the estimation of geo-mechanical parameters, that is orientation, persistence and apparent spacing of rock discontinuities. Two examples of applications of TLS technique to the analysis of a large front in a quarry and of a rock shoulder of a dam are presented.
EXPERIMENTAL TEST ON CONTROL POINTS MATERIALIZATION FOR THE STUDY OF VERTICAL MOVEMENTS OF SOIL AND ITS INTERACTIONS WITH GROUND WATER CONTENTS
Authors: Vittuari L. , Gottardi G. , Tini M. A.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. In the study of soil vertical movements, one of the techniques most commonly used is the spirit levelling, now flanked by satellite SAR interferometry and by the analysis of time series acquired through permanent GNSS stations. The reliability of control points monuments varies depending both on the geological context and on the structure being representative of the investigated phenomenon. Often due to the high number of desired points or to the need of maintaining a specific areal distribution, they are fixed on existing structures (as in the common case of spirit levelling networks). This aspect is even more evident in the case of SAR interferometric analysis, where the permanent scatterers are identified on the basis of consistency in the radar response, but the points display movements measured by structures with different foundations at different depths. Starting from repeated precision levelling measurements, we verified which is the order of magnitude of movements of control points characterized by shallow foundations in cohesive soils, observing their behaviours at different depths, under simple and very common conditions such as the presence of periods of drought or rainfall. The results point-out movements in the order of 3–7 mm in the first meter of depth occurred in a week, during the transition between the period of summer drought and the first rains.
THE ACCURACY ANALYSIS OF LIDAR-DERIVED ELEVATION DATA FOR THE GEOMETRIC DESCRIPTION OF CROSS-SECTIONS OF A RIVERBED
Authors: Caroti G. , Camiciottoli F. , Piemonte A. , Redini M.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The work stems from a joint study between the Laboratory ASTRO (Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering – University of Pisa), the municipality of Pisa and the province of Arezzo on the advanced analysis and use of digital elevation data. Besides, it is framed in the research carried on by ASTRO about the definition of the priority informative layers for emergency management in the territory, as of PRIN 2008. Specifically, this work is in continuity with other already published results concerning rigorous accuracy checks of LIDAR data and testing of the procedures to transform raw data in formats consistent with CTR and survey data. The analysis of sections of riverbed, derived from interpolation by DTMs featuring different grid density with those detected topographically, is presented. Validation by differential GNSS methodology of the DTMs used showed a good overall quality of the model for open, low-sloping areas. Analysis of the sections, however, has shown that the representation of small or high-sloping (ditches, embankments) morphological elements requires a high point density such as in laser scanner surveys, and a small mesh size of the grid. In addition, the correct representation of riverside structures is often hindered by the presence of thick vegetation and poor raw LIDAR data filtering.
COMPARING DATA ACQUISITION METHODOLOGIES FOR DTM PRODUCTION
Authors: Coppa U. , Guarnieri A. , Pirotti F. , Tarolli P. , Vettore A.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. In this paper we present the results related to several field campaigns conducted in the last three years in a small (4.4 km2) wilderness basin in Carnia, a tectonically active alpine region in northeast Italy. The study area is a typical alpine debris-flow dominated catchment where several landslides, including a significantly large one, were observed and mapped. The field survey carried out in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 were focused on the large landslide of the basins and they consisted in the following steps: 1 – development of an accurate GPS network, 2 – make use of a long range Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) for a detailed and local analysis of landslide movements, 3 – merge the data with an airborne LiDAR for a large scale analysis of the processes. Preliminary analysis consist in the comparison of different high resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) in order to estimate the debris volume that has been triggered during the last movements of the landslides. Achieved results show that the integration between ALS and TSL data allows to produce DTMs of limited extent, with higher quality and level of detail. Such DTMs improve the capabilities for landslides analysis and modelling with respect to the use of LiDAR data only, even in areas providing limited or difficult access for the survey activity.
14 YEARS OF GPS TROPOSPHERIC DELAYS IN THE FRENCH-ITALIAN BORDER REGION: A DATA BASE FOR METEOROLOGICAL AND CLIMATOLOGICAL ANALYSES
Authors: Sguerso D. , Labbouz L. , Walpersdorf A.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. GPS data from 181 permanent stations extracted from different networks covering France and the Italian part of the Alps are used to estimate a homogeneous set of tropospheric parameters over 14 years (from January 1998 to May 2012). The tropospheric zenith delay (ZTD) quantified in the GPS data analysis is closely related to the value of integrated water vapor above each GPS station. GPS ZTD is already successfully used for operational weather prediction and meteorological analyses, providing valuable data to improve our comprehension of the tropospheric water cycle and in particular to improve the prediction of precipitations. Moreover, GPS tropospheric measurements are intrinsically stable, so that long term observations represent a significant contribution to climatological studies. The results of a homogeneous reanalysis of up to 14 years of data with MIT's GAMIT/GLOBK software version 10.4 are presented. The estimated tropospheric parameters are 1 ZTD every 2 hours and one couple of horizontal tropospheric gradients (NS and EW) every 3 hours for each of the 181 stations, simultaneously with a daily positioning solution. A quality check of the tropospheric parameter time series identifies offsets, for example due to instrument changes at individual sites. The resulting verified time series can further be used for meteorological and climatological studies that go beyond the geodetic work presented here. Thanks to the length of the data set in time, a regional climatological approach could permit identifying specific patterns of ZTD variation that are related to severe weather events. The regional GPS stations could then contribute to an early warning system.