bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploratory Play in Simulation Sandbox Games
Authors: Tornqvist Dominicus
Published: October 2014

There is a kind of seemingly nonsensical play behavior found in the simulation sandbox game genre. This behavior is very spontaneous and impulsive and associated with self-initiated learning, and here the author seeks to better understand what it is, and why it seems associated with simulation sandbox games. That is: What purpose does it serve, and what might provoke it? This requires a review of the literature on this play behavior, and that of the simulation sandbox genre, respectively. From this review the author concluded firstly that there is strong support that exploratory play is for discovering the structure and behavior of systems, and secondly that the observable characteristics of exploratory play make it a highly probable candidate for the bizarre behavior observed in simulation sandbox games. Moreover, several hypotheses were generated by identifying many characteristics of the genre (e.g. system complexity and responsiveness) that are directly relevant to the theorized motivations for exploratory play, suggesting some directions for future research into what conditions and designs might encourage exploratory play. Knowledge of the relationship between this genre and this form of play could prove invaluable for designing games for learning, because despite being centrally relevant to many studies on game-based learning, exploratory play has been neglected. It has been needlessly isolated in distinct strands of research on its components, which will be unified here to provide a comprehensive account of this behavior and its importance to future research in this area.
Avatar Personalization
Authors: Foshee Cecile M. , Nelson Brian C.
Published: October 2014

The authors explored the influence of avatar personalization on students' competence beliefs in a virtual world-based assessment environment. The avatar personalization options allowed seventh and eighth grade students (n = 110) to customize the appearance of their avatar and provided them with the option to personalize their in-world conversations by choosing a name for their avatar. Based on self-determination theory the authors hypothesized that the personalization in a virtual-world environment would influence students' motivation to engage by stimulating their situational interest and enable positive competence beliefs and deeper engagement. The results indicated that personalization stimulated situational interest and situational interest significantly predicted competence beliefs. This research contributes to the body of literature on the personalization principle by extending this work to a virtual environment. The findings highlight the importance of addressing students' affective needs and illustrate the value of interest; which can potentially influence students' attitudes towards testing and towards science.
Effects of High-Fidelity Virtual Training Simulators on Learners' Self-Efficacy
Authors: Holbrook Heather A. , Cennamo Katherine S.
Published: October 2014

Perceptions of one's ability to perform a task, or self-efficacy, is one aspect of the multifaceted nature of an individual's identity. It is generally accepted that having a high perceived self-efficacy about a certain task can lead to positive performance outcomes. Bandura (1977) has suggested that efficacy influences and expectations can come from four sources: personal performance accomplishments; vicarious experiences; verbal persuasion; and emotional arousal. Trainers and training agencies use a variety of simulations and simulators to provide learners with valuable and necessary training experiences. This mixed methods study explored the influence of one high-fidelity virtual training simulator on the learners' self-efficacy. Participants in this study were recruits enrolled in a law enforcement academy. Data were collected through pre- and post-simulation-use surveys that combined general self-efficacy questions (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995) and task-specific self-efficacy questions (Bandura, 1977, 1997, 2006; Bandura, Adams, Hardy, & Howells, 1980), observations of participants using the simulator, and post simulator interviews. The most prominent theme that emerged from the data was emotional arousal due to the realism of the virtual environment. Emotional arousal seemed to impact both their perceived self-efficacy and task performance; yet, despite the variety of emotional arousal they experienced, the participants perceived their training in the high-fidelity virtual training simulator as valuable.
An Experiment on Anonymity and Multi-User Virtual Environments
Authors: Landers Richard N. , Callan Rachel C.
Published: October 2014

Little prior research has empirically examined anonymity in learning. In this study, we manipulated learner identity by experimentally assigning learners to participate in online discussion either anonymously or using their actual name, crossed with learning medium (OpenSim/Second Life vs. real-time chat), with the goal of determining if anonymous discussion in multi-user virtual environments (MUVE) provides unique value to learning (a 2x2 between-subjects design). Results from a quantitative hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed both main effects: participants who were anonymous scored lower (d = -0.46) and participants discussing in a MUVE scored lower (d = -0.47) on the learning measure without interactive effect, suggesting that anonymizing participants during content-related discussion may reduce learning under certain circumstances. The authors suggest instructors encourage learners to represent themselves authentically in any VEs to maximize learning and also discourage instructors from adopting MUVEs if their only reason to do so is to host synchronous discussion.
The Practical Accomplishment of Location-Based Game-Play
Authors: Guribye Frode , Wake Jo Dugstad , Wasson Barbara
Published: October 2014

Location-based games are believed to be one promising way to exploit the educational potential of mobile technology. In such games, the physical and cultural surroundings become an integrate part of a game space and provide a way to tie content to a game activity and create immersive learning experiences. To explore the properties of such games, and how they are played out in practice we have designed, deployed and analysed a location-based game for learning history embedded in a pedagogical scenario based on collaborative mobile learning. In the video-based, detailed analysis of actual game-play, we study the practical accomplishment of a collaborative gaming activity with mobile technology. In focus are how the participants make use of the resources available in the game space and how these resources, including the historical narrative, feature in the participants' practical accomplishment of the game. In the analysis we identify a number of implications for design of location-based games.
Solving Solid Transportation Problem with Multi-Choice Cost and Stochastic Supply and Demand
Authors: Roy Sankar Kumar , Mahapatra Deshabrata Roy
Published: October 2014

This paper proposes a new approach to analyze the solid transportation problem (STP). This new approach considers the multi-choice programming into the cost coefficients of objective function and stochastic programming which is incorporated in three constraints namely sources, destinations and capacities constraints followed by Cauchy's distribution for solid transportation problem. The multi-choice programming and stochastic programming are combined into solid transportation problem and this new problem is called multi-choice stochastic solid transportation problem (MCSSTP). The solution concepts behind the MCSSTP are based on a new transformation technique which will select an appropriate choice from a set of multi-choice which optimizes the objective function. The stochastic constraints of STP convert into deterministic constraints by stochastic programming approach. Finally, the authors have constructed a non-linear programming problem for MCSSTP and have derived an optimal solution of the specified problem. A realistic example on STP is considered to illustrate the methodology.
Reaching Community Consensus on Reforms for More Sustainable Urban Water Management Systems
Authors: Moore Robyn M. , Mabin Victoria J.
Published: October 2014

Addressing the problem of reaching consensus on water reforms was the motive for this operational research. Living up to its ‘clean and green' image is a significant goal for New Zealand, with high economic value derived from the effects of its globally-recognised environmental credentials on key exports like agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism. A 2009 government task force (Fresh Start for Fresh Water) suggested that a ‘business as usual' approach is undesirable, and water reform should be a priority. This paper is an account of a community-focused systems study undertaken for a Master's thesis in 2008/9. It examines the challenges and opportunities facing Kapiti, a rapidly growing coastal community, with water scarcity and quality constraints that had long prevented them from meeting their sustainable development objectives. The Theory of Constraints (TOC) and a stakeholder typology were used to identify system stakeholders and examine their perspectives, while Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) from Systems Dynamics were constructed to explore and circumvent potential negative outcomes. Thus, a case study in a community resource management setting is described that tests the effectiveness of the combined problem-structuring framework, to explicitly inform urban water management, and water reform, in New Zealand.
The Otaniemi Campus Development and Ecological Sustainability
Authors: Pulkkinen Katri-Liisa , Staffans Aija
Published: October 2014

No building or neighbourhood is an island but a constantly changing complex adaptive system produced by many contemporaneous, mostly interconnected and parallel but sometimes also conflicting processes. By using the development of Aalto University Campus, Finland, as an example of such a complex adaptive system in the course of change processes, the article demonstrates the challenge of transforming the production of our urban environment to truly meet the goals of sustainable development. Ecological sustainability is here understood as the need for regeneration, which is proposed as necessary in the current state of the planet. The article uses the concept of the perceived systemic environment and argues for its paradigmatic role in this context. Perceptions of the systemic environment affect and steer the actual goal setting of the stakeholders/actors in the system and can either enhance or even override the transition towards sustainability. The article suggests a way to steer the change towards a more regenerative perception of the systemic environment.
OOPS! (OntOlogy Pitfall Scanner!)
Authors: Poveda-Villalón María , Gómez-Pérez Asunción , Suárez-Figueroa Mari Carmen
Published: October 2014

This paper presents two contributions to the field of Ontology Evaluation. First, a live catalogue of pitfalls that extends previous works on modeling errors with new pitfalls resulting from an empirical analysis of over 693 ontologies. Such a catalogue classifies pitfalls according to the Structural, Functional and Usability-Profiling dimensions. For each pitfall, we incorporate the value of its importance level (critical, important and minor) and the number of ontologies where each pitfall has been detected. Second, OOPS! (OntOlogy Pitfall Scanner!), a tool for detecting pitfalls in ontologies and targeted at newcomers and domain experts unfamiliar with description logics and ontology implementation languages. The tool operates independently of any ontology development platform and is available online. The evaluation of the system is provided both through a survey of users' satisfaction and worldwide usage statistics. In addition, the system is also compared with existing ontology evaluation tools in terms of coverage of pitfalls detected.
Improving Curated Web-Data Quality with Structured Harvesting and Assessment
Authors: Feeney Kevin Chekov , O'Sullivan Declan , Tai Wei , Brennan Rob
Published: October 2014

This paper describes a semi-automated process, framework and tools for harvesting, assessing, improving and maintaining high-quality linked-data. The framework, known as DaCura1, provides dataset curators, who may not be knowledge engineers, with tools to collect and curate evolving linked data datasets that maintain quality over time. The framework encompasses a novel process, workflow and architecture. A working implementation has been produced and applied firstly to the publication of an existing social-sciences dataset, then to the harvesting and curation of a related dataset from an unstructured data-source. The framework's performance is evaluated using data quality measures that have been developed to measure existing published datasets. An analysis of the framework against these dimensions demonstrates that it addresses a broad range of real-world data quality concerns. Experimental results quantify the impact of the DaCura process and tools on data quality through an assessment framework and methodology which combines automated and human data quality controls.
Decreased Mitogen Inducible Gene 6 (MIG-6) Associated with Symptom Severity in Children with Autism
Authors: Russo AJ
Published: October 2014

Background

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) demonstrate impairment in social interactions and problems in verbal and nonverbal communication. Autism spectrum disorders are thought to affect 1 in 88 children in the US. Recent research has shown that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is associated with nerve cell development and repair. Mitogen inducible gene 6 (MIG-6) is a 58-kDa non-kinase scaffolding adaptor protein consisting of 462 amino-acids, which has been shown to be a negative feedback regulator of EGFR and Met receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling.

Subjects and Methods

In this study, we determined plasma levels of MIG-6, which suppresses the EGFR RTK pathway in autistic children, and compared MIG-6 levels with the EGFR ligand, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the cMET ligand, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). MIG-6 levels were also compared to the symptom severity of 19 different autistic behaviors. Plasma MIG-6 concentration was measured in 40 autistic children and 39 neurotypical, age, and gender similar controls using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma MIG-6 levels were compared to putative biomarkers known to be associated with EGFR and cMET and severity levels of 19 autism related symptoms [awareness, expressive language, receptive language, (conversational) pragmatic language, focus/attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, perseveration, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, hypotonia (low muscle tone), tip toeing, rocking/pacing, stimming, obsessions/fixations, eye contact, sound sensitivity, light sensitivity, and tactile sensitivity].

Results

In this study, we found that plasma MIG-6 levels in autistic children (182.41 ±24.3 pg/ml) were significantly lower than neurotypical controls (1779.76 ± 352.5; P = 1.76E − 5). Decreased MIG-6 levels correlated with serotonin, dopamine, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and urokinase receptor (uPAR) concentration, but not with other tested putative biomarkers. MIG-6 levels also correlated significantly with severity of expressive language, receptive language, tip toeing, rocking/pacing, and hand flapping/stimming.

Conclusions

These results suggest a relationship between decreased plasma MIG-6 levels, biomarkers associated with the EGFR pathway, and symptom severity in autism. A strong correlation between plasma MIG-6 and dopamine and serotonin levels suggest that decreased MIG-6 levels may be associated with abnormal neurotransmitter synthesis and/or action. A strong correlation between MIG-6 and uPAR and the inflammatory marker TNF-alpha suggests that low MIG-6 levels may be associated with the HGF/Met signaling pathway, as well as inflammation in autistic children.
Late-Onset Screw Migration into Iliac Vessels 21 years after Hip Arthrodesis
Authors: Hirai Taishi , Inaba Yutaka , Kobayashi Naomi , Takakagawa Shu , Yukizawa Yohei , Ike Hiroyuki , Saito Tomoyuki
Published: October 2014

Iatrogenic injuries to the vascular system are a rare but serious complication of hip surgery. We report a case of an 83-year-old man who presented with intrapelvic migration of a screw into the space between the external iliac artery and vein 21 years after hip arthrodesis. The patient was treated with laparotomy, and the damaged artery was excised and sutured. This is the first case of a late vascular complication secondary to screw migration after hip arthrodesis.
Spectral Flows of Dilations of Fredholm Operators
Authors: De Nittis Giuseppe , Schulz-Baldes Hermann
Published: October 2014

Given an essentially unitary contraction and an arbitrary unitary dilation of it, there is a naturally associated spectral flow that is shown to be equal to the index of the operator. This result is interpreted in terms of the K-theory of an associated mapping cone. It is then extended to connect Z2 indices of odd symmetric Fredholm operators to a Z2-valued spectral flow.
The asymmetry of the underwater horizontal light field and its implications for mirror‐based camouflage in silvery pelagic fish
Authors: Johnsen Sönke , Gassmann Ewa , Reynolds Rick A. , Stramski Dariusz , Mobley Curtis
Published: October 2014

Many pelagic species, particularly teleost fish, have silvered lateral surfaces that are thought to primarily serve as a form of camouflage. The underlying argument is that the underwater light field is cylindrically symmetrical around the vertical axis; thus a vertical mirror reflects a region of the water column that matches the region directly behind the mirror. However, the degree of symmetry of the underwater light field itself has not been assessed. Modeled underwater radiances from the surface to a depth of 100 m using measured profiles of inherent optical properties and HydroLight radiative transfer software showed that the horizontal light field under sunny conditions was asymmetrical over a wide range of solar elevations. In addition, the maximum asymmetry at 100 m occurred not when the sun was near the horizon, but when it was 45° above it. We validated these modeled results in Hawaiian waters using a modification of a commercial radiometer. Both modeled and measured radiances showed that the inherent contrast of silvery fish was typically higher at longer wavelengths. However, models of the sighting distances of these surfaces showed that sighting distance was greatest at the peak wavelength of the downwelling irradiance (∼480 nm). The modeled and measured asymmetry of the horizontal light field implies that mirror camouflage is not always as successful as originally thought and suggests that there may be further refinements for this form of crypsis that have not been previously considered.
Photosynthetic protein stoichiometry and photophysiology in the high latitude North Atlantic
Authors: Macey A. I. , Ryan‐Keogh T. , Richier S. , Moore C. M. , Bibby T. S.
Published: October 2014

Iron availability influences phytoplankton physiology and growth over more than one‐third of the surface oceans, with recent evidence even indicating iron stress during and following the latter stages of the spring bloom in the high latitude North Atlantic. The mechanistic basis of the phytoplankton physiological responses used for diagnosing iron stress and the broader ecophysiological consequences of iron stress within natural phytoplankton communities still remain unclear. We describe photosynthetic macromolecular and physiological responses of natural phytoplankton communities both in situ and within factorial nutrient‐addition (iron and nitrogen) experiments over a seasonal growth cycle in the subpolar North Atlantic. The abundance of quantified photosynthetic proteins increased under relief of iron stress, with the synthesis of the associated protein catalytic complexes accounting for ∼ 3% of inorganic nitrogen drawdown. However, no significant differences in the stoichiometries of the photosynthetic complexes were observed, suggesting that re‐modeling of the photosynthetic electron transport chain was not a significant influence on the community‐level ecophysiological responses to iron stress. In marked contrast, iron stress resulted in significant increases in the cellular ratios of chlorophyll to the photosynthetic catalysts, including photosystem II (PSII), alongside a marked increase in PSII normalized chlorophyll fluorescence. Characteristic depressions in apparent photosynthetic energy conversion efficiencies in iron‐limited oceanic regions are thus likely driven by a significant accumulation of partially energetically uncoupled chlorophyll‐binding complexes. Such iron‐stress–induced chlorophyll‐binding proteins may contribute ∼ 40% of the total chlorophyll pool during iron‐stressed periods.
Temporal dynamics of nitrogen loss in the coastal upwelling ecosystem off central Chile: Evidence of autotrophic denitrification through sulfide oxidation
Authors: Galán Alexander , Faúndez Juan , Thamdrup Bo , Santibáñez Juan Francisco , Farías Laura
Published: October 2014

Coastal upwelling areas are highly productive marine systems in which the development of oxygen‐depleted conditions and the availability of diverse electron donors (e.g., organic matter, , H2S) favor the processes involved in nitrogen (N) loss. We characterize the temporal and vertical variability of anammox and denitrification over the continental shelf off central Chile (36.5°S), through 15N and 13C tracer experiments, including amendments with H2S and along with measurements of 15N2 and 15N2O production and oceanographic variables during a year (2009 to 2010). Restricted to the bottom waters, both anammox and denitrification contributed similarly (∼ 500 nmol N2 L−1 d−1) to N loss during spring, while a marked decrease in the activity of these processes occurred in summer (103 and 14 nmol N2 L−1 d−1 for anammox and denitrification, respectively). During fall, denitrification was the only contributor to the observed nitrogen deficit (894 nmol N2 L−1 d−1). Interestingly, a substantial increase in the rates of denitrification (∼ 1200 nmol N2 L−1 d−1) and dark 13C assimilation were observed after the addition of H2S, indicating an autotrophic contribution to denitrification, which could be fueled in situ by H2S emitted from sediments or produced in the water column. The observed patterns seem to be controlled (stimulated or inhibited) by the availability of oxygen, organic matter, and H2S. This study establishes the magnitude and co‐occurrence of the different processes responsible for N removal in the coastal upwelling system of central Chile. This linkage of the nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur cycles is relevant to a global climate change scenario.
Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of autotrophic nitrogen cycling in stream ecosystems: Results from a translocation experiment
Authors: Peipoch Marc , Gacia Esperança , Pastor Ada , Ribot Miquel , Riera Joan Ll. , Sabater Francesc , Martí Eugènia
Published: October 2014

We investigated the intrinsic (i.e., metabolic character of autotrophs) and extrinsic (i.e., nutrients and light availability) controls on the variation in autotrophic nitrogen (N) cycling in stream ecosystems based on 15N isotopic incorporation into five autotrophic components (biofilm, filamentous algae, bryophytes, and submerged and emergent macrophytes) differing in structural complexity and metabolic character. Autotrophs from a stream site with depleted 15N signatures and relatively low concentrations of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) were translocated to three reaches downstream of the same stream with higher 15N–DIN signatures and DIN concentrations and different light availability. After the translocation, autotrophs showed an asymptotical increase in their 15N signatures, achieving isotopic equilibrium with the stream water, from which we calculated N uptake and turnover rates for each autotrophic compartment at the three reaches. Uptake rates were highest when both DIN and light availability were also highest. Differences in DIN uptake rates were greater across reaches than among autotrophs, suggesting that autotrophic DIN uptake at both organism and community level is principally controlled by extrinsic factors (e.g., DIN concentration and light incidence). In contrast, variation in N turnover rates was larger among the different autotrophs than among the study reaches, suggesting a stronger control by intrinsic rather than extrinsic factors.
Recent changes in production in oligotrophic Uinta Mountain lakes, Utah, identified using paleolimnology
Authors: Hundey E. J. , Moser K. A. , Longstaffe F. J. , Michelutti N. , Hladyniuk R.
Published: October 2014

We use multiple proxies from lake sediment records of six remote alpine lakes in the Uinta Mountains, Utah, to investigate primary production and potential drivers of changes in trophic status over the last two centuries. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a flux, and percentage of organic matter (determined by loss on ignition) increase beginning in the mid‐20th century in five of the six alpine study lakes, indicating increasing production. These changes tend to coincide with decreasing sedimentary δ15N and increasing abundance of the nitrophilous diatom Asterionella formosa. An earlier, more subtle change in diatom community composition and δ15N indicates that human activities prior to 1950 had measurable effects on these lake ecosystems, although no corresponding increase in primary production was observed at this time. Multiple factors can lead to increased primary production at alpine sites, but the evidence presented shows that enhanced atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and phosphorus explain the recent, more prominent increase in production. Although previous research has suggested that alpine lakes are nitrogen limited, our results suggest nutrient limitation varies spatially and temporally, and is complex in these oligotrophic systems. This and other factors, such as catchment characteristics, will affect the sensitivity of a lake to atmospheric deposition–fertilizing effects. The changes observed show that remote lakes are vulnerable to long‐distance transport of nutrients, and that the risk of eutrophication could be intensified by increased nutrient inputs from expanding mining, fossil fuel combustion, and agriculture and by rapid warming predicted for the southwest.
The Ocean's Biological Carbon pump as part of the global Carbon Cycle
Authors: Neuer Susanne , Iversen Morten , Fischer Gerhard
Published: October 2014

The Biological Carbon Pump includes all those processes in the ocean that cause organic carbon formed photosynthetically by phytoplankton (primary production) in the sunlit surface layer (the euphotic zone) to be removed from contact with the atmosphere. It is a mechanism that sequesters carbon dioxide (CO2) for weeks to hundreds or even millions of years (geological time‐scales). Together with the physical carbon pump, the biological carbon pump constitutes the ocean's CO2 sink, and these two major processes in the global carbon cycle have removed about 2‐ 2.5 Pg Carbon per year (last decade average)(I Pg=1015g). Today, about half of the CO2 emitted from fossil fuel burning and land use changes remains in the atmosphere, and the other half is captured by land sinks and the ocean.

The modern carbon cycle is often completely separated from the short- and long-term carbon cycles of the geological past, and students from biology or biogeochemistry rarely learn about these processes and the respective timescales in a joint lecture. The purpose of this interdisciplinary lecture thus is to cover processes related to the biological carbon pump and how it functions, while paying close attention to the relevant timescales in the global carbon cycle. Note that we focus mainly on the production and sinking of particulates, we do not delve into detailed mechanisms of carbon sequestration due to the removal of dissolved organic matter. Topics will include an introduction to the different carbon pumps (biological, carbonate and physical), followed by a detailed process-oriented introduction to the biological carbon pumps. This will also include the organismal aspects, such as an introduction to phytoplankton, primary production, distribution of primary producers in the global ocean, and the role of zooplankton in the biological carbon pump. More mechanistic aspects follow, such as the concepts of new and export production, the flux attenuation and the role of mineral ballasting. We cover specific aspects of the lecture as modules (Excursions) that give the reader/lecturer the chance to explore some topics in greater detail. These "Excursions" are entitled "Instrumentation: Quantifying Particle Flux", "Particle Sinking and Degradation" and "The Biological Carbon Pump on Geological Timescales".

The lecture is intended for senior undergraduates/graduates students and can be used in courses such as Oceanography, Biogeochemistry, Geology, and Environmental Life Sciences.
Dust aerosol radiative effects during summer 2012 simulated with a coupled regional aerosol–atmosphere–ocean model over the Mediterranean
Authors: Nabat P. , Somot S. , Mallet M. , Michou M. , Sevault F. , Driouech F. , Meloni D. , Di Sarra A. , Di Biagio C. , Formenti P. , Sicard M. , Léon J.-F. , Bouin M.-N.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The present study investigates the effects of aerosols on the Mediterranean climate daily variability during summer 2012. Simulations have been carried out using the coupled regional climate system model CNRM-RCSM5 which includes prognostic aerosols, namely desert dust, sea salt, organic, black-carbon and sulfate particles, in addition to the atmosphere, land surface and ocean components. An evaluation of the dust aerosol scheme of CNRM-RCSM5 has been performed against in-situ and satellite measurements. This scheme shows its ability to reproduce the spatial and temporal variability of aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the Mediterranean region in summer 2012. Observations from the TRAQA/ChArMEx campaign also show that the model correctly represents dust vertical and size distributions. Thus CNRM-RCSM5 can be used for aerosol–climate studies over the Mediterranean. Here we focus on the effects of dust particles on surface temperature and radiation daily variability. Surface shortwave aerosol radiative forcing variability is found to be more than twice higher over regions affected by dust aerosols, when using a prognostic aerosol scheme instead of a monthly climatology. In this case downward surface solar radiation is also found to be better reproduced according to a comparison with several stations across the Mediterranean. Moreover, the radiative forcing due to the dust outbreaks also causes an extra cooling in land and sea surface temperatures. A composite study has been carried out for 14 stations across the Mediterranean to identify more precisely the differences between dusty days and the set of all the days. Observations show that dusty days receive less radiation at the surface and are warmer than average because of southwesterly fluxes often generating dust outbreaks. Only the simulation using the prognostic aerosol scheme is found to reproduce the observed intensity of the dimming and warming on dusty days. Otherwise, the dimming is underestimated and the warming overestimated.
Retrieval of tropospheric column-averaged CH4 mole fraction by solar absorption FTIR-spectrometry using N2O as a proxy
Authors: Wang Z. , Deutscher N. M. , Warneke T. , Notholt J. , Dils B. , Griffith D. W. T. , Schmidt M. , Ramonet M. , Gerbig C.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Tropospheric column-averaged CH4 mole fractions were derived from ground-based column absorption measurements. The method uses stratospheric N2O columns to correct for the stratospheric contribution to the CH4 total column. The method was applied to four Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) sites covering locations from the Northern Arctic to the tropics. It performs well for all sites. The derived tropospheric CH4 concentrations were compared with profiles measured by aircraft at three sites. The results indicate an inter-site consistency within 6 ppb (~0.3%). With aircraft profiles up to 3 km, the seasonal behavior of the derived tropospheric CH4 concentration was also checked, revealing a difference of around 20 ppb. The mean relative uncertainty of the four sites, as estimated from the daily standard deviations, is 0.23%.
Nematode diversity, abundance and community structure 50 years after the formation of the volcanic island of Surtsey
Authors: Ilieva-Makulec K. , Bjarnadottir B. , Sigurdsson B. D.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The soil nematode fauna can give important insights into soil development and other habitat changes that occur during primary succession. We investigated the generic composition, density, distribution and community structure of nematodes 50 years after the formation of a pristine volcanic island, Surtsey, Iceland. Part of the island has received additional nutrient inputs from seagulls breeding there since 1985, while the reminder has been much less affected and is at present found at a different successional sere. In total, 25 genera of nematodes were identified, of which 14 were reported on Surtsey for the first time. Nematode communities were more diverse in the more infertile area outside the gull colony, where 24 genera were found, compared to 18 inside. The trophic structure of the nematode communities showed relatively higher abundance of fungal feeders in the infertile areas, but relatively more bacterial- and plant-feeders inside the colony. Nematode abundance in surface soil was, however, significantly higher within the gull colony, with 16.7 ind. cm−2 compared to 3.6 ind. cm−2 outside. A multivariate analysis indicated that the nematode abundance and distribution on Surtsey were most strongly related to the soil C : N ratio, soil acidity, plant cover and biomass, soil temperature and soil depth.
A global carbon assimilation system based on a dual optimization method
Authors: Zheng H. , Li Y. , Chen J. M. , Wang T. , Huang Q. , Huang W. X. , Li S. M. , Yuan W. P. , Zheng X. , Zhang S. P. , Chen Z. Q. , Jiang F.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Ecological models are effective tools to simulate the distribution of global carbon sources and sinks. However, these models often suffer from substantial biases due to inaccurate simulations of complex ecological processes. We introduce a set of scaling factors (parameters) to an ecological model on the basis of plant functional type (PFT) and latitudes. A global carbon assimilation system (GCAS-DOM) is developed by employing a Dual Optimization Method (DOM) to invert the time-dependent ecological model parameter state and the net carbon flux state simultaneously. We use GCAS-DOM to estimate the global distribution of the CO2 flux on 1° ×1° grid cells for the period from 2000 to 2007. Results show that land and ocean absorb −3.69 ± 0.49 Pg C year−1 and −1.91 ± 0.16 Pg C year−1, respectively. North America, Europe and China contribut −0.96 ± 0.15 Pg C year−1, −0.42 ± 0.08 Pg C year−1 and −0.21 ± 0.28 Pg C year−1, respectively. The uncertainties in the flux after optimization by GCAS-DOM have been remarkably reduced by more than 60%. Through parameter optimization, GCAS-DOM can provide improved estimates of the carbon flux for each PFT. Coniferous forest (−0.97 ± 0.27 Pg C year−1) is the largest contributor to the global carbon sink. Fluxes of once-dominant deciduous forest generated by BEPS is reduced to −0.79 ± 0.22 Pg C year−1, being the third largest carbon sink.
The rarity of gastroliths in sauropod dinosaurs – a case study in the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, western USA
Authors: Wings O.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Occurrences of suspected sauropod geo-gastroliths and "exoliths" (exotic clasts) are compared with authentic finds of stomach stones in the sauropods Diplodocus, Cedarosaurus, and Camarasaurus. Sedimentological and taphonomical evidence from classic sauropod dinosaur localities in the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation (Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Dry Mesa Dinosaur Quarry, Carnegie Quarry/Dinosaur National Monument, Howe Quarry, Como Bluff, and Bone Cabin Quarry) reveals very few sauropod finds with unambiguous gastroliths. The scarcity of clasts in the fine-grained sediments of most of the localities suggests that only a small number of sauropods possessed gastroliths. The occurrence of a hypothetical avian-style gastric mill in sauropods is not supported by taphonomical evidence. Exoliths that are abundant in the Early Cretaceous of the western USA are nearly absent in Late Jurassic sediments. Without an association with fossil bone, there is no convincing evidence that such clasts represent former gastroliths. It is more plausible that most exoliths have been transported in hyperclastic flows or that surface-collected stones are weathering relicts of former conglomerate layers.
Modeling suspended sediment sources and transport in the Ishikari River Basin, Japan using SPARROW
Authors: Duan W. , He B. , Takara K. , Luo P. , Nover D. , Hu M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. It is important to understand the mechanisms that control suspended sediment (SS) fate and transport in rivers as high suspended sediment loads have significant impacts on riverine hydroecology. In this study, the watershed model SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression on Watershed Attributes) was applied to estimate the sources and transport of SS in surface waters of the Ishikari River Basin (14 330 km2), the largest watershed on Hokkaido Island, Japan. The final developed SPARROW model has four source variables (developing lands, forest lands, agricultural lands, and stream channels), three landscape delivery variables (slope, soil permeability, and precipitation), two in-stream loss coefficients including small stream (streams with drainage area < 200 km2), large stream, and reservoir attenuation. The model was calibrated using measurements of SS from 31 monitoring sites of mixed spatial data on topography, soils and stream hydrography. Calibration results explain approximately 95.96% (R2) of the spatial variability in the natural logarithm mean annual SS flux (kg km−2 yr−1) and display relatively small prediction errors at the 31 monitoring stations. Results show that developing-land is associated with the largest sediment yield at around 1006.27 kg km−2 yr−1, followed by agricultural-land (234.21 kg km−2 yr−1). Estimation of incremental yields shows that 35.11% comes from agricultural lands, 23.42% from forested lands, 22.91% from developing lands, and 18.56% from stream channels. The results of this study improve our understanding of sediments production and transportation in the Ishikari River Basin in general, which will benefit both the scientific and the management community in safeguarding water resources.
Debris-flow hazard assessment at regional scale by combining susceptibility mapping and radar rainfall
Authors: Berenguer M. , Sempere-Torres D. , Hürlimann M.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. This work presents a technique for debris flow (DF) hazard assessment able to be used in the framework of DF early warning systems at regional scale. The developed system is applied at subbasin scale and is based on the concepts of fuzzy logic to combine two ingredients: (i) DF subbasin susceptibility assessment based on geomorphological variables, and (ii) the magnitude of the rainfall situation as depicted from radar rainfall estimates. The output of the developed technique is a three-class hazard level ("low", "moderate" and "high") in each subbasin when a new radar rainfall map is available. The developed technique has been applied in a domain in the Eastern Pyrenees (Spain) from May to October 2010. The estimated hazard level stayed "low" during the entire period in 20% of the subbasins, while, in the most susceptible subbasins, the hazard level was at least moderate for up to10 days. Quantitative evaluation of the estimated hazard level was possible in a subbasin where debris flows were monitored during the analysis period. The technique was able to identify the 3 events observed in the catchment (1 debris flow and 2 hyperconcentrated flow events) and produced no false alarm.
Efeitos do treinamento combinado sobre a proteína C-reativa ultrassensível em indivíduos com síndrome metabólica*
Authors: Santos Ramão Rodrigo Stocker dos , Farinha Juliano Boufleur , Azambuja Cati Reckelberg , Dos Santos Daniela Lopes
Published: October 2014

Introdução: O exercício físico tem bons resultados na prevenção e tratamento dos fatores de risco da síndrome metabólica. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos de um programa de exercícios físicos sobre o perfil bioquímico de indivíduos com síndrome metabólica. Métodos: Um grupo de 19 sujeitos com síndrome metabólica realizou atividades de musculação e caminhada (1h 30 min), três vezes na semana; e outro, com 11 indivíduos, frequentou palestras com informações sobre nutrição. Todos foram submetidos a exames sanguíneos, medidas da pressão arterial, antropometria e testes de força e de resistência cardiovascular antes e após o período de 12 semanas de treinamento. Resultados: O grupo submetido ao treinamento apresentou aumento nos níveis de HDL-C e glicose, e uma diminuição nos de hs-PCR, em relação aos níveis basais. Conclusão: A prática de exercícios físicos ocasionou diminuição nos níveis de PCR, e aumento nos de HDL-C colesterol.
Video Games Ativos, equilíbrio e gasto energético em idosos: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Perrier-Melo Raphael José , Coelho Thiago De Aguiar Silva , Brito-Gomes Jorge Luiz , Oliveira Saulo Fernandes Melo de , Costa Manoel Da Cunha
Published: October 2014

Introdução: Verifica-se que Video Games Ativos (VGA) aumentam os níveis de aptidão física em populações diversas, contudo, esses efeitos são controversos em pessoas idosas. Objetivos: Revisar os efeitos dos VGAs no equilíbrio e analisar o gasto energético em idosos. Métodos: Realizou-se busca nas bibliotecas: MedLine, PubMed, Science Direct e Web of Knowledge, utilizando os termos: exergames, older adults, active video games, virtual reality e elderly. Resultados: Nos oito trabalhos analisados, os VGAs apresentaram intensidades de leve à vigorosa, possibilitando gastos energéticos de acordo com as indicações do ACSM. Verificou-se que, na maioria das pesquisas, utiliza-se a frequência cardíaca para estimar o gasto calórico. Os efeitos positivos no equilíbrio foram identificados nos indivíduos com redução dessa capacidade diagnosticada antes das intervenções, bem como naqueles nos quais foram usadas a escala de verificação do equilíbrio de maneira prática. Conclusão: VGAs são capazes de aumentar o gasto energético e melhorar o equilíbrio em idosos.
Efeito da planta medicinal Bauhinia forficata (Link) nos indivíduos diabéticos tipo 2
Authors: Zaccaron Cattia , Rempel Claudete , Guimarães Strohschoen Andreia Aparecida , Morelo Dal Bosco Simone , Moreschi Claudete
Published: October 2014

Introdução: Uma das plantas medicinais utilizadas no tratamento do diabetes é a Bauhinia forficata, popularmente conhecida como pata-de-vaca ou insulida vegetal. Objetivo: Relacionar os níveis de glicemia, pressão arterial e medidas antropométricas de portadores de DM tipo 2 que utilizam chá da planta medicinal Bauhinia forficata. Métodos: Participaram dois grupos: controle e teste (que tomou a infusão de B. forficata). No primeiro e último encontro, tomaram-se as medidas antropométricas e, quinzenalmente, durante 180 dias, realizaram-se avaliações da pressão arterial e da glicemia em jejum de todos os usuários pelo hemoglicoteste. Resultados: Houve diminuição significativa dos valores de hemoglicoteste do grupo teste, comparados aos valores da primeira e última coleta (t = 2,97; p = 0,007). Fato que não ocorreu com o grupo controle (t = 1,93; p = 0,06). Demais análises não demonstraram variações significativas. Conclusão: Os dados demonstraram eficácia desta planta medicinal para tratamento do diabetes mellitus tipo 2.
Orientações domiciliares para mulheres em tratamento do câncer de mama
Authors: Ngomane Awassi Yuphiwa , Meirelles Maria Cristina C. C. , Mendonça Adriana Clemente
Published: October 2014

Introdução: O tratamento do câncer de mama pode acarretar complicações que afetam a qualidade de vida (QV) das mulheres. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência das orientações domiciliares sobre a QV de mulheres em tratamento do câncer de mama. Métodos: Identificaram-se 223 mulheres em tratamento do câncer de mama durante a realização de palestras, destas, 39 preencheram os critérios de inclusão que eram não ter recebido orientações domiciliares ou ter realizado fisioterapia; em seguida, responderam ao questionário de QV (QLQ-BR-23) e foram orientadas. O questionário de QV foi respondido novamente em média seis meses após as orientações, sendo seus escores analisados estatisticamente (p
Avaliação das alterações posturais de atletas de badminton após Stretching Global Ativo
Authors: Dantas Sterllany Vieira , Neves Iziatânia Santana Freitas das , Mota Diego Miranda , Marques Charlanne De Oliveira , Sousa Felipe Aurélio Nunes de , Leal Seânia Santos
Published: October 2014

Alguns esportes determinam a realização de movimentos específicos corporais que podem promover alterações posturais que limitam e comprometem a prática esportiva. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito do Stretching Global Ativo (SGA) sobre as alterações posturais nos atletas de badminton. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de intervenção, prospectivo, analítico e quantitativo, realizado com 23 atletas de badminton, de 6 a 17 anos, de ambos os sexos, efetuado no centro de convivência Ludjan Ladeira em Teresina (PI). Inicialmente, foi realizada avaliação postural por meio da biofotogrametria e, posteriormente, os atletas foram submetidos a dez sessões de SGA, com 45 minutos de duração, todos os dias, por duas semanas. Resultados: Ocorreu melhora significativa nas alterações posturais dos praticantes, todas as medidas dos pontos anatômicos apresentaram p
Eletromiografia do reto femoral e gastrocnêmio durante vibração de todo corpo e agachamento com e sem plantiflexão
Authors: Barbosa Alexandre Carvalho , Pereira Fernanda Coelho , Gonçalves Amanda Roberta , Martins Fábio Luiz Mendonça , Vitorino Débora Fernandes de Melo , Barbosa Michelle Cristina Sales Almeida
Published: October 2014

Objetivo: Comparar a atividade eletromiográfica do reto femoral (RF) e gastrocnêmio medial (GM), submetidos à vibração corporal (VTC), ausência de VTC e plantiflexão de 25o, separada ou conjuntamente. Métodos: Dez voluntários foram submetidos ao agachamento: sem VTC (S1), sem VTC e com plantiflexão (S2), com VTC (S3), com VTC e plantiflexão (S4), monitorados por eletromiografia. O teste Kruskall Wallis foi usado para localizar diferenças, e o coeficiente Spearman, para correlações entre dados (p
Observação da ação com frequência autocontrolada e pré-determinada no acidente vascular cerebral
Authors: Melo Luciana Protásio , Campos Tânia Fernandes
Published: October 2014

Introdução: A observação da ação é uma etapa importante da reabilitação no Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC). Objetivos: Avaliar o desempenho de pacientes pós-AVC na observação da ação de beber água. Métodos: Participaram 20 pacientes (57,9±6,7 anos), e 20 saudáveis (55,4±5,9 anos), sendo divididos em quatro grupos, dois com frequência autocontrolada, que determinava o número de vezes em que quatro sequências da ação eram apresentadas em vídeo; e dois, com frequência pré-determinada de 20 vezes pelo examinador. Para a análise dos dados, foi utilizado o teste Qui-quadrado. Resultados: Os pacientes mostraram desempenho semelhante aos saudáveis ao longo das tentativas. O grupo de pacientes com frequência autocontrolada precisou de menos tentativas para reconhecer corretamente as sequências da ação e estabilizou o desempenho na sexta tentativa. Conclusões: Pacientes com AVC que utilizam a frequência autocontrolada podem se beneficiar dessa técnica com poucas repetições, por isso ela pode ser incluída no tratamento fisioterapêutico desses indivíduos.