bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software Process Assessment and Improvement Using Multicriteria Decision Aiding - Constructivist
Authors: Ensslin Leonardo , Scheid Luiz Carlos Mesquita , Ensslin Sandra Rolim , Lacerda Rogerio Tadeu de Oliveira
Published: December 2012

Software process improvement and software process assessment have received special attention since the 1980s. Some models have been created, but these models rest on a normative approach, where the decision-maker’s participation in a software organization is limited to understanding which process is more relevant to each organization. The proposal of this work is to present the MCDA-C as a constructivist methodology for software process improvement and assessment. The methodology makes it possible to visualize the criteria that must be taken into account according to the decision-makers’ values in the process improvement actions, making it possible to rank actions in the light of specific organizational needs. This process helped the manager of the company studied to focus on and prioritize process improvement actions. This paper offers an empirical understanding of the application of performance evaluation to software process improvement and identifies complementary tools to the normative models presented today.
Value Creation from Organizational Project Management: A Case Study in a Government Agency
Authors: Oliveira Warlei Agnelo De , De muylder Cristiana fernandes
Published: December 2012

This paper aims to analyze, through a case study based on a construct of the work of Thomas and Mulally (2008), called Researching the Value of Project Management, the relations of the constructs of this conceptual model and to show how they interfere with the organizational values, possibly in programs conducted by a government agency, from the perspective of the senior management directly involved. The analysis of information collected indicated that project management has brought value to the organization, but not all components of the conceptual model used were perceived. Additionally, differences between respondents from outside and inside of this department become evident, indicating a difference in stakeholders ́ interests. Finally, from the perspective of institutional isomorphism, we searched for evidence of an effort to increase the organization's management maturity in project management, indicating by documents the mimetic and coercive isomorphism to ensure the achievement of goals and financial efficiency of the projects analyzed.
Management Practices and Influences on IT Architecture Decisions: A Case Study in a Telecom Company
Authors: Hsing Chen Wen , Souza Cesar Alexandre
Published: December 2012

The study aims to analyze the IT architecture management practices associated with their degree of maturity and the influence of institutional and strategic factors on the decisions involved through a case study in a large telecom organization. The case study allowed us to identify practices that led the company to its current stage of maturity and identify practices that can lead the company to the next stage. The strategic influence was mentioned by most respondents and the institutional influence was present in decisions related to innovation and those dealing with a higher level of uncertainties.
Estratégia de Engenharia de Requisitos para Ambientes de Realidade Aumentada
Authors: Nakamoto Paula Teixeira , Carrijo Gilberto , Cardoso Alexandre , Lopes Ederaldo , Lima Lázaro
Published: December 2012

A Realidade Aumentada (RA) apresenta a vantagem de permitir o uso de ações tangíveis e de operações multimodais, envolvendo voz, gestos, tato, etc. Devido a sua variedade de interfaces é notavelmente maior a complexidade em projetá-las e usá-las. Logo, os projetistas desses sistemas precisam desenvolver um projeto centrado no usuário, se não vários problemas de usabilidade poderão surgir. Para solucionar esse problema, os projetistas de ambientes em RA precisam de orientações, guias e diretrizes para auxiliá-los na construção do projeto. Até a data, guias de projeto para RA que podem ser encontrados na literatura são sugestões bastante estreitas, derivadas de problemas específicos dos pesquisadores. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de apresentar uma investigação que resultou em uma Estratégia de Análise de Requisitos para construção de ambientes com RA. Como resultado dessa estratégia, estão disponíveis para os projetistas guias, atividades da análise do domínio e formulários que o auxiliam na análise de requisitos e na tomada de decisões de como proceder na implementação do sistema. A eficácia da estratégia é verificada com a sua aplicação a um meta-modelo de especificação de requisitos para a construção de um sistema para o auxílio do tratamento da Aracnofobia.
The Effectiveness of Local Gentamicin and Dexamethasone Drops in Posterior Choanoplasty
Authors: Qahtani Bandar Al , Suliman Yazeed Al
Published: December 2012

This prospective study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using local gentamicin and steroid drops as a new technique on the success rate of choanal atresia repair in children. The usage of local gentamicin and steroid drops postoperation seems to increase the success rate of posterior choanoplasty. It is a minimally invasive, easily tolerated by both the patients and the parents. It reduces the time of surgery and patients stay in the hospital and reduces the nasal secretion, crustation and adhesion.

How to cite this article

Al Qahtani B, Al Suliman Y. The Effectiveness of Local Gentamicin and Dexamethasone Drops in Posterior Choanoplasty. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2012;5(3): 87-90.
Morphometric Evaluation of the Middle Turbinate in Relation to Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Sahni Daisy , Aggarwal Anjali , Gupta Tulika
Published: December 2012

Objective

Partial middle turbinectomy during endoscopic sinus surgery is done for better access and to avoid postoperative complications of lateralization of the middle turbinate. There are only few cadaveric studies available in literature describing the middle turbinate morphometry with surgical perspective. Therefore, the present study was planned to record morphometry and relevant surgical distances for the middle turbinate.

Materials and methods

Thirty-two midsagittal sections of cadaver heads from adult males were dissected. Middle turbinate measurements and shapes were taken. Reference distances and angles were measured.

Results

The average length of the middle turbinate was 20.4 ± 3.9 mm, while the height of the middle turbinate was taken at three specific points (13.1, 9.7, 6.1 mm). The most common shape found was the type 2. The mean value for the distance between limen nasi and the anterior and posterior attachments of the middle turbinate was found to be 32.1 ± 3.2 mm, with mean angle of 65o with the horizontal and 43.6 ± 4.2 mm, with mean angle of 39.4o with the horizontal respectively.

Conclusion

This baseline data may aid endoscopic surgeons in better planning and execution of the middle turbinate resection.

How to cite this article

Gupta T, Aggarwal A, Sahni D. Morphometric Evaluation of the Middle Turbinate in Relation to Endoscopic Sinus Surgery. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2012;5(3): 103-106.
Governança corporativa, responsabilidade social corporativa: a visão de atores de uma instituição de ensino superior – IES federal
Authors: Nogueira Maria da Graça Saraiva , Garcia Tania Elisa Morales , Ramos Maria da Graça Gomes
Published: December 2012

Este trabalho busca investigar, junto a uma IES pública, em que aspectos a sua gestão aproxima-se dos elementos componentes da governança corporativa e suas relações com a responsabilidade social da instituição. A metodologia foi uma pesquisa descritiva, de abordagem qualitativa, a coleta de informações foi a de entrevista semi-estruturada, com atores da organização. O registro foi feito através de gravação de áudio e transcrição literal, com a devida leitura e autorização dos entrevistados para o uso de seu conteúdo no artigo aqui apresentado. Para análise dos dados foi utilizada análise de conteúdo. Os principais resultados sobre a GC e sobre a legitimidade, confiabilidade e credibilidade estão presentes na instituição. De acordo com as falas do entrevistado, percebe-se a integração na gestão, nos processos decisórios e no comportamento estratégico que prima pela qualidade e excelência do ensino público e gratuito. Os resultados em relação à RSC identificaram que a IES estudada não apresenta uma política institucional formalizada, voltada para a comunidade. Mesmo assim, a percepção é a de que a IES está caminhando nessa direção e acredita que as instituições que não reagirem de forma proativa em relação às questões sociais, serão cobradas pela própria sociedade.
Aprendendo administração em laboratório: desafios e frustrações de uma experiência
Authors: Santos Jorge Alberto dos , Martins Simone
Published: December 2012

O objetivo deste artigo é relatar a experiência de concepção e implantação de um projeto que aqui chamaremos de Laboratório de Práticas Organizacionais (LPO) no Departamento de Administração e Contabilidade de uma Instituição Federal de Ensino Superior. Nós, os professores idealizadores do projeto, o definimos como um espaço físico e conceitual holístico para a aprendizagem e treinamento de princípios e práticas administrativas e gerenciais nos três níveis de uma organização: operacional, tático e estratégico. Apoiamos nosso projeto na visão construtivista de aprendizado e no desenvolvimento de pesquisas que mostram a necessidade de repensar epistemologicamente o ensino-aprendizagem em administração, tais como os resultados surgidos da pesquisa do ETL Project (Enhancing Teaching-Learning Environments in Undergraduate Courses), (HOUNSELL e ENTWISTLE, 2005). Consideramos que o projeto enfrentou diversos desafios e que alguns de nossos sonhos foram ofuscados, tornando-se frustrações. A principal conclusão de nosso trabalho é que há espaço na Universidade para inovações do tipo que propusemos, desde que estejamos dispostos a enfrentar os desafios e as frustrações inerentes a iniciativas não convencionais de ensino-aprendizagem.
Gestão acadêmica de cursos de graduação em administração: comparação entre um curso presencial e outro a distância
Authors: Silva João Augusto Ramos e , Rocha Elisângela Cintia Martins
Published: December 2012

Discute-se o impacto da Educação a Distância (EaD) nos cursos de Administração, em relação aos tradicionais cursos do ensino presencial de Administração. Parte destas mudanças decorrem cada vez mais da utilização intensiva das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TICs), que alavancadas pela evolução tecnológica, estão potencializando seus usos cada vez mais na Educação. A expansão da EaD no Brasil iniciou-se em 2006, com a criação da Universidade Aberta do Brasil (UAB), que escolheu como projeto de implantação o Curso Piloto de Administração, o que veio a influenciar nas mudanças de cunho acadêmico e de gestão educacional nas universidades públicas brasileiras. Ilustra-se essas implicações pedagógicas e de gestão acadêmica com o estudo de caso dos cursos de Administração de uma universidade estadual brasileira, onde demostra-se uma melhor performance do curso de Administração na modalidade a distância.
Numerical evidence for cloud droplet nucleation at the cloud-environment interface
Authors: Sun J. , Leighton H. , Yau M. K. , Ariya P.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Cumulus clouds have long been recognized as being the results of ascending moist air from below the cloud base. Cloud droplet nucleation is understood to take place near the cloud base and inside accelerating rising cloudy air. Here we describe circumstances under which cloud droplet nucleation takes place at the interface of ascending cloudy air and clear air. Evaporation is normally expected to occur at this interface. However, continuity of moving air requires cloud-free air above the boundary of rising cloudy air to move upwards in response to the gradient force of perturbation pressure. We used a one and half dimensional non-hydrostatic cloud model and the Weather Research and Forecast model to investigate the impacts of this force on the evolution of cloud spectra. Our study shows that expansion and cooling of ascending moist air above the cloud top causes it to become supersaturated with condensation rather than evaporation occurring at the interface. We also confirm that Eulerian models can describe the cloud droplet activation and prohibit spurious activation at this interface. The continuous feeding of newly activated cloud droplets at the cloud summit may accelerate warm rain formation.
Ozone deposition into a boreal forest over a decade of observations: evaluating deposition partitioning and driving variables
Authors: Rannik Ü. , Altimir N. , Mammarella I. , Bäck J. , Rinne J. , Ruuskanen T. M. , Hari P. , Vesala T. , Kulmala M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. This study scrutinizes a decade-long series of ozone deposition measurements in a boreal forest in search for the signature and relevance of the different deposition processes. The canopy-level ozone flux measurements were analysed for deposition characteristics and partitioning into stomatal and non-stomatal fractions, with the main focus on growing season day-time data. Ten years of measurements enabled the analysis of ozone deposition variation at different time-scales, including daily to inter-annual variation as well as the dependence on environmental variables and concentration of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC-s). Stomatal deposition was estimated by using multi-layer canopy dispersion and optimal stomatal control modelling from simultaneous carbon dioxide and water vapour flux measurements, non-stomatal was inferred as residual. Also, utilising the big-leaf assumption stomatal conductance was inferred from water vapour fluxes for dry canopy conditions. The total ozone deposition was highest during the peak growing season (4 mm s−1) and lowest during winter dormancy (1 mm s−1). During the course of the growing season the fraction of the non-stomatal deposition of ozone was determined to vary from 26 to 44% during day time, increasing from the start of the season until the end of the growing season. By using multi-variate analysis it was determined that day-time total ozone deposition was mainly driven by photosynthetic capacity of the canopy, vapour pressure deficit (VPD), photosynthetically active radiation and monoterpene concentration. The multi-variate linear model explained the high portion of ozone deposition variance on daily average level (R2 = 0.79). The explanatory power of the multi-variate model for ozone non-stomatal deposition was much lower (R2 = 0.38). The set of common environmental variables and terpene concentrations used in multivariate analysis were able to predict the observed average seasonal variation in total and non-stomatal deposition but failed to explain the inter-annual differences, suggesting that some still unknown mechanisms might be involved in determining the inter-annual variability. Model calculation was performed to evaluate the potential sink strength of the chemical reactions of ozone with sesquiterpenes in the canopy air space, which revealed that sesquiterpenes in typical amounts at the site were unlikely to cause significant ozone loss in canopy air space. The results clearly showed the importance of several non-stomatal removal mechanisms. Unknown chemical compounds or processes correlating with monoterpene concentrations, including potentially reactions at the surfaces, contribute to non-stomatal sink term.
Production of methyl vinyl ketone and methacrolein via the hydroperoxyl pathway of isoprene oxidation
Authors: Liu Y. J. , Herdlinger-Blatt I. , McKinney K. A. , Martin S. T.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The photo-oxidation chemistry of isoprene (C5H8) was studied in a continuous-flow chamber under conditions such that the reactions of isoprene-derived peroxyl radicals (RO2) were dominated by hydroperoxyl (HO2) pathway. A proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS) with switchable H3O+ and NO+ reagent ions was used for product analysis. The products methyl vinyl ketone (MVK; C4H6O) and methacrolein (MACR; C4H6O) were differentiated using NO+ reagent ions. The MVK and MACR yields were 4.3 ± 0.4% and 3.2 ± 0.3%, respectively, for HO2-dominant conditions at +25 °C and < 2% relative humidity. The respective yields were 41.1 ± 2.2% and 28.8 ± 1.2% for NO-dominant conditions. The yields for HO2-dominant conditions imply a concomitant yield (i.e., recycling factor) of hydrogen oxide radicals (HOx) of 15 ± 0.7% from the reaction of isoprene-derived RO2 with HO2. Other isoprene oxidation products, believed to be organic hydroperoxides, also contributed to the ion intensity at the same mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios as the MVK and MACR product ions, and these products were selectively removed from the gas phase using a variable temperature cold trap (−40 °C) in front of the PTR-TOF-MS. These hydroperoxide products were absent for NO-dominant conditions. When incorporated into regional and global chemical transport models, the yields of MVK and MACR and concomitant HOx yields reported in this study will improve the accuracy of simulations of the HO2 reaction pathway of isoprene, which has been shown to make a significant contribution to the total reactivity of isoprene-derived RO2 radicals on a global scale.
Net radiative forcing and air quality responses to regional CO emission reductions
Authors: Fry M. M. , Schwarzkopf M. D. , Adelman Z. , Naik V. , Collins W. J. , West J. J.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions influence global and regional air quality and global climate change by affecting atmospheric oxidants and secondary species. We simulate the influence of halving anthropogenic CO emissions globally and individually from 10 regions on surface and tropospheric ozone, methane, and aerosol concentrations using a global chemical transport model (MOZART-4 for the year 2005). Net radiative forcing (RF) is then estimated using the GFDL standalone radiative transfer model. We estimate that halving global CO emissions decreases global annual average concentrations of surface ozone by 0.45 ppbv, tropospheric methane by 73 ppbv, and global annual net RF by 36.1 mW m−2, nearly equal to the sum of changes from the 10 regional reductions. Global annual net RF per unit change in emissions and the 100-yr global warming potential (GWP100) are estimated as −0.124 mW m−2 (Tg CO yr−1)−1 and 1.34, respectively, for the global CO reduction, and ranging from −0.115 to −0.131 mW m−2 (Tg CO yr−1)−1 and 1.26 to 1.44 across 10 regions, with the greatest sensitivities for regions in the tropics. The net RF distributions show widespread cooling corresponding to the O3 and CH4 decreases, and localized positive and negative net RFs due to changes in aerosols. The strongest annual net RF impacts occur within the tropics (28° S–28° N) followed by the northern mid-latitudes (28° N–60° N), independent of reduction region, while the greatest changes in surface CO and ozone concentrations occur within the reduction region. Some regional reductions strongly influence the air quality in other regions, such as East Asia, which has an impact on US surface ozone that is 93% of that from North America. Changes in the transport of CO and downwind ozone production clearly exceed the direct export of ozone from each reduction region. The small variation in CO GWPs among world regions suggests that future international climate agreements could adopt a globally uniform metric for CO with little error, or could use different GWPs for each continent. Doing so may increase the incentive to reduce CO through coordinated policies addressing climate and air quality.
Long-term continuous atmospheric CO2 measurements at Baring Head, New Zealand
Authors: Brailsford G. W. , Stephens B. B. , Gomez A. J. , Riedel K. , Mikaloff Fletcher S. E. , Nichol S. E. , Manning M. R.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. We present descriptions of the in situ instrumentation, calibration procedures, intercomparison efforts, and data filtering methods used in a 39-yr record of continuous atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) observations made at Baring Head, New Zealand. Located on the southern coast of the North Island, Baring Head is exposed to extended periods of strong air flow from the south with minimal terrestrial influence resulting in low CO2 variability. The site is therefore well suited for sampling air masses that are representative of the Southern Ocean region. Instrumental precision is better than 0.015 ppm (1-σ) on 1-Hz values. Comparisons to over 600 co-located flask samples, as well as laboratory based flask and cylinder comparison exercises, suggest that over recent decades compatibility with respect to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) CO2 scales has been 0.3 ppm or better.
A cavity ring-down spectroscopy sensor for measurements of gaseous elemental mercury – Part 1: Development for high time resolution measurements in ambient air
Authors: Pierce A. , Obrist D. , Moosmüller H. , Faïn X. , Moore C.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The ability to make high time resolution measurements of gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations in air is imperative for the understanding of mercury cycling. Here we describe further development and field implementation of a laboratory prototype pulsed cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) system for high time resolution, continuous and automated measurement of GEM concentrations in ambient air. In particular, we present use of an external, isotopically enriched Hg cell for automated wavelength locking and wavelength stabilization to maintain laser wavelength on the peak of GEM absorption line in ambient air. We further describe implementation of differential absorption measurements using a piezoelectric tuning element that allows for continuous accounting of system baseline extinction losses needed to calculate GEM absorption coefficients. Data acquisition systems and software programs were modified to acquire high-speed ring-down data at 50 Hz repetition rate as well as process and analyze data in real time. The system was installed in a mobile trailer, and inlet systems and temperature controls were designed to minimize effects of changes in ambient air temperature and ozone (O3) concentration. Data that identify technical challenges and interferences that occurred during measurements, including temperature fluctuations, interferences by ambient O3 and drifts in frequency conversion efficiencies are discussed. Successful development of a CRDS system capable of measuring ambient air GEM concentrations with high time resolution is based on minimizing these interferences.
Modelling the impact of Siboglinids on the biogeochemistry of the Captain Arutyunov mud volcano (Gulf of Cadiz)
Authors: Soetaert K. , van Oevelen D. , Sommer S.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. A 2-Dimensional mathematical reaction-transport model was developed to study the impact of the mud-dwelling frenulate tubeworm Siboglinum sp. on the biogeochemistry of a~sediment (MUC15) at the Captain Arutyunov mud volcano (CAMV). By explicitly describing the worm in its surrounding sediment, we are able to make budgets of processes occurring in- or outside of the worm, and to quantify how different worm densities and biomasses affect the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and sulfide reoxidation (HSox). The model shows that, at the observed densities, the presence of a thin worm body is sufficient to keep the upper 10 cm of sediment well homogenised with respect to dissolved substances, in agreement with observations. By this "bio-ventilation" activity, the worm pushes the sulfate–methane transition (SMT) zone downward to the posterior end of its body, and simultaneously physically separates the sulfide produced during the anaerobic oxidation of methane from oxygen. While there is little scope for AOM to take place in the tubeworm's body, 70% of the sulfide that is produced by sulfate reduction processes or that is advected in the sediment is preferentially shunted via the organism where it is oxidised by endosymbionts providing the energy for the worm's growth. The process of sulfide reoxidation, occurring predominantly in the worm's body is thus very distinct from the anaerobic oxidation of methane, which is a diffuse process that takes place in the sediments in the methane-sulfate transition zone. We show how the sulfide oxidation process is affected by increasing densities and length of the frenulates, and by upward advection velocity. Our biogeochemical model is one of the first to describe tubeworms explicitly. It can be used to directly link biological and biogeochemical observations at seep sites, and to study the impacts of mud-dwelling frenulates on the sediment biogeochemistry under varying environmental conditions. Also, it provides a tool to explore the competition between bacteria and fauna for available energy resources.
Quantitative reconstruction of sea-surface conditions over the last 150 yr in the Beaufort Sea based on dinoflagellate cyst assemblages: the role of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns
Authors: Durantou L. , Rochon A. , Ledu D. , Massé G. , Schmidt S. , Babin M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) assemblages have been widely used over the Arctic Ocean to reconstruct sea-surface parameters on a quantitative basis. Such reconstructions provide insights into the role of anthropogenic vs natural forcings in the actual climatic trend. Here, we present the palynological analysis of a dated 36 cm-long core collected from the Mackenzie Trough in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Dinocyst assemblages were used to quantitatively reconstruct the evolution of sea-surface conditions (temperature, salinity, sea ice) and freshwater palynomorphs fluxes were used as local paleo-river discharge indicators over the last ~ 150 yr. Dinocyst assemblages are dominated by autotrophic taxa (68 to 96%). Cyst of Pentapharsodinium dalei is the dominant species throughout most of the core, except at the top where the assemblages are dominated by Operculodinium centrocarpum. Quantitative reconstructions of sea-surface parameters display a series of relatively warm, lower sea ice and saline episodes in surface waters, alternately with relatively cool and low salinity episodes. Variations of dinocyst fluxes and reconstructed sea-surface conditions may be closely linked to large scale atmospheric circulation patterns such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and to a lesser degree, the Arctic Oscillation (AO). Positive phases of the PDO correspond to increases of dinocyst fluxes, warmer and saltier surface waters, which we associate with upwelling events of warm and relatively saline water from Pacific origin. Freshwater palynomorph fluxes increased in three phases from AD 1857 until reaching maximum values in AD 1991, suggesting that the Mackenzie River discharge followed the same trend when its discharge peaked between AD 1989 and AD 1992. The PDO mode seems to dominate the climatic variations at multi-annual to decadal timescales in the western Canadian Arctic and Beaufort Sea areas.
Sea-ice dynamics strongly promote Snowball Earth initiation and destabilize tropical sea-ice margins
Authors: Voigt A. , Abbot D. S.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The Snowball Earth bifurcation, or runaway ice-albedo feedback, is defined for particular boundary conditions by a critical CO2 and a critical sea-ice cover (SI), both of which are essential for evaluating hypotheses related to Neoproterozoic glaciations. Previous work has shown that the Snowball Earth bifurcation, denoted as (CO2, SI)*, differs greatly among climate models. Here, we study the effect of bare sea-ice albedo, sea-ice dynamics and ocean heat transport on (CO2, SI)* in the atmosphere–ocean general circulation model ECHAM5/MPI-OM with Marinoan (~ 635 Ma) continents and solar insolation (94% of modern). In its standard setup, ECHAM5/MPI-OM initiates a~Snowball Earth much more easily than other climate models at (CO2, SI)* ≈ (500 ppm, 55%). Replacing the model's standard bare sea-ice albedo of 0.75 by a much lower value of 0.45, we find (CO2, SI)* ≈ (204 ppm, 70%). This is consistent with previous work and results from net evaporation and local melting near the sea-ice margin. When we additionally disable sea-ice dynamics, we find that the Snowball Earth bifurcation can be pushed even closer to the equator and occurs at a hundred times lower CO2: (CO2, SI)* ≈ (2 ppm, 85%). Therefore, the simulation of sea-ice dynamics in ECHAM5/MPI-OM is a dominant determinant of its high critical CO2 for Snowball initiation relative to other models. Ocean heat transport has no effect on the critical sea-ice cover and only slightly decreases the critical CO2. For disabled sea-ice dynamics, the state with 85% sea-ice cover is stabilized by the Jormungand mechanism and shares characteristics with the Jormungand climate states. However, there is no indication of the Jormungand bifurcation and hysteresis in ECHAM5/MPI-OM. The state with 85% sea-ice cover therefore is a soft Snowball state rather than a true Jormungand state. Overall, our results demonstrate that differences in sea-ice dynamics schemes can be at least as important as differences in sea-ice albedo for causing the spread in climate models' estimates of the Snowball Earth bifurcation. A detailed understanding of Snowball Earth initiation therefore requires future research on sea-ice dynamics to determine which model's simulation is most realistic.
Interaction of valleys and circulation patterns (CPs) on small-scale spatial precipitation distribution in the complex terrain of southern Germany
Authors: Liu M. , Bárdossy A. , Zehe E.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Topography exerts influence on the spatial precipitation distribution over different scales, known typically at the large scale as the orographic effect, and at the small scale as the wind-drift rainfall (WDR) effect. At the intermediate scale (~ 1–10 km), which is characterized by secondary mountain valleys, topography also demonstrates some effect on the precipitation pattern. This paper investigates such intermediate-scale topographic effect on precipitation patterns, focusing on narrow-steep valleys in the complex terrain in southern Germany, based on the daily observations over a 48-yr period (~ 1960–2007) from a high-density rain-gauge network covering two sub-areas, Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW) and Bayern (BY). Precipitation data at the valley and non-valley stations are compared under consideration of the daily general circulation patterns (CPs) classified by a fuzzy-rule based algorithm. Scatter plots of precipitation against elevation demonstrate a different behavior of valley stations comparing to non-valley stations. A detailed study of the precipitation time series for selected station triplets, each consisting of a valley station, a mountain station and an open station have been investigated by statistical analysis with the Kolmogrov–Smirnov (KS) test supplemented by the one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and a graphical comparison of the means. The results show an interaction of valley orientation and the moisture flow direction of the CPs at the intermediate-scale, i.e. when the valley is shielded from the moisture flow, the precipitation amount within the valley is comparable to that on the mountain crest; when the valley is open to the moisture flow, the precipitation within the valley is much less than that on the mountain. Such a phenomenon, whereby the precipitation is "blind" to the valleys at the intermediate scale conditioned on CPs, is defined as the "narrow-valley effect" in this work, and it cannot be captured by the widely used elevation–precipitation relationship. This implies that the traditional geostatistical interpolation schemes, e.g. ordinary kriging (OK) or external drift kriging (EDK) applying digital elevation model (DEM) as external information are not sufficient. An interpolation experiment applying EDK with orographic surrogate elevation defined in this paper as auxiliary information to account for the valley effects shows improvement for the cross-validation.
Wave-induced extreme water levels in the Puerto Morelos fringing reef lagoon
Authors: Torres-Freyermuth A. , Mariño-Tapia I. , Coronado C. , Salles P. , Medellín G. , Pedrozo-Acuña A. , Silva R. , Candela J. , Iglesias-Prieto R.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Wave-induced extreme water levels in the Puerto Morelos fringing reef lagoon are investigated by means of a phase-resolving non-hydrostatic wave model (SWASH). This model solves the nonlinear shallow water equations including non-hydrostatic pressure. The one-dimensional version of the model is implemented in order to investigate wave transformation in fringing reefs. Firstly, the numerical model is validated with (i) laboratory experiments conducted on a physical model (Demirbilek et al., 2007)and (ii) field observations (Coronado et al., 2007). Numerical results show good agreement with both experimental and field data. The comparison against the physical model results, for energetic wave conditions, indicates that high- and low-frequency wave transformation is well reproduced. Moreover, extreme water-level conditions measured during the passage of Hurricane Ivan in Puerto Morelos are also estimated by the numerical tool. Subsequently, the model is implemented at different along-reef locations in Puerto Morelos. Extreme water levels, wave-induced setup, and infragravity wave energy are estimated inside the reef lagoon for different storm wave conditions (Hs >2 m). The numerical results revealed a strong correlation between the offshore sea-swell wave energy and the setup. In contrast, infragravity waves are shown to be the result of a more complex pattern which heavily relies on the reef geometry. Indeed, the southern end of the reef lagoon provides evidence of resonance excitation, suggesting that the reef barrier may act as either a natural flood protection morphological feature, or as an inundation hazard enhancer depending on the incident wave conditions.
Disasters: contributions of hazardscape and gaps in response practices
Authors: Khan S.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Disasters are frequent, ongoing and very likely to increase in the future with global climate change. Significant investments in hazard mitigation, policies and emergency management have so far failed to stop disasters. Their recurrences suggest that either there are some gaps in the current response or a different perspective is needed on the way hazards have been dealt with to date. This paper views disasters through the lens of hazardscape, which shows the context of both hazard occurrence and response. It finds that one major cause of response failure is inadequate consideration of the local hazardscape in planning. It notes that although globalization of hazard response practices is progressive, it has been less successful in dealing with local variations in vulnerability. This paper presents the conceptual framework of hazardscape, and illustrates various shortcomings of the current responses in relation to the local hazardscapes where they are adopted. It recommends a holistic approach that considers various aspect of the hazardscape in order to plan a response strategy.
Wind storm loss estimations in the Canton of Vaud (Western Switzerland)
Authors: Etienne C. , Beniston M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. A storm loss model that was first developed for Germany is applied to the much smaller geographic area of the canton of Vaud, in Western Switzerland. 24 major wind storms that struck the region during the period 1990–2010 are analysed, and outputs are compared to loss observations provided by an insurance company. Model inputs include population data and daily maximum wind speeds from weather stations. These measured wind speeds are regionalised in the canton of Vaud following different methods, using either basic interpolation techniques from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or by using an existing extreme wind speed map of Switzerland whose values are used as thresholds. A third method considers the wind power, integrating wind speeds temporally over storm duration to calculate losses. Outputs show that the model leads to similar results for all methods, with Pearson's correlation and Spearman's rank coefficients of roughly 0.7. Bootstrap techniques are applied to test the model's robustness. Impacts of population growth and possible changes in storminess under conditions of climate change shifts are also examined for this region, emphasizing high shifts in economic losses related to small increases of input wind speeds.
Nonlinear run-ups of regular waves on sloping structures
Authors: Hsu T.-W. , Liang S.-J. , Young B.-D. , Ou S.-H.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. For coastal risk mapping, it is extremely important to accurately predict wave run-ups since they influence overtopping calculations; however, nonlinear run-ups of regular waves on sloping structures are still not accurately modeled. We report the development of a high-order numerical model for regular waves based on the second-order nonlinear Boussinesq equations (BEs) derived by Wei et al. (1995). We calculated 160 cases of wave run-ups of nonlinear regular waves over various slope structures. Laboratory experiments were conducted in a wave flume for regular waves propagating over three plane slopes: tan α =1/5, 1/4, and 1/3. The numerical results, laboratory observations, as well as previous datasets were in good agreement. We have also proposed an empirical formula of the relative run-up in terms of two parameters: the Iribarren number ξ and sloping structures tan α. The prediction capability of the proposed formula was tested using previous data covering the range ξ ≤ 3 and 1/5 ≤ tan α ≤ 1/2 and found to be acceptable. Our study serves as a stepping stone to investigate run-up predictions for irregular waves and more complex geometries of coastal structures.
Rivalry and Forbearance in the European Airline Industry: Evidence of an Inverted U-Shaped Competitive Pattern1
Authors: Ghertman Michel , Guedri Zied
Published: December 2012

This study develops and tests a theoretical framework which suggests that the relationship between the level of multi-territory (or multi-point) contact and rivalry takes the form of an inverted U-shaped relationship. Drawing on a large sample of European airlines over the period 2001-2006, we provide empirical support for the inverted U-shaped relationship between multi-territory contact and rivalry as reflected by entries into and exits from the territory of a competitor. We conclude that competition between firms exhibits successive periods of rivalry and forbearance, possibly independently of time and institutional settings.
La performance des réseaux : les cas de deux réseaux brésiliens
Authors: Rodrigues Bandeira Lucilene Klenia , Amewokunu Yao , Karuranga Egide
Published: December 2012

Cette recherche examine la relation entre le fonctionnement d’un réseau et sa performance à partir des cas de deux réseaux d’entreprises brésiliens : les réseaux de Campina Grande et de João Pessoa. L’analyse des résultats montre que contrairement au réseau de João Pessoa où les membres sont motivés par des objectifs individuels de court terme, le fonctionnement du réseau de Campina Grande peut être expliqué par quatre variables qui ont une influence sur sa performance : le rôle des institutions, les attentes des membres et une vision collective à long terme, la sélection de partenaires basée sur un ensemble de critères, et le transfert de connaissances à plusieurs niveaux.
Predictors of Pain for Patients With Early Inflammatory Polyarthritis
Authors: Dobkin Patricia L. , Liu Aihua , Abrahamowicz Michal , Carrier Nathalie , de Brum‐Fernandes Artur J. , Cossette Pierre , Boire Gilles
Published: December 2012

Objective

To identify predictors of pain at 1 year in patients with early inflammatory polyarthritis (EIP).

Methods

Using a prospective design, patients were examined by a rheumatologist and completed questionnaires at baseline and at 1 year after symptom onset. Separate regression analyses were run for pain intensity, sensory pain, and affective pain. Age and sex were adjusted in cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses; baseline potential predictors consisted of measures for corresponding pain values and disease activity, depression, coping scores, medication use, rheumatoid arthritis criteria being met, and duration of symptoms.

Results

A total of 211 patients were enrolled in the study (mean ± SD age 58.8 ± 14.2 years, 63% women). There were significant improvements at 1 year for disease activity, instrumental coping, emotional coping, depression, and all 3 pain measures. At baseline, disease activity and depression were positively associated with all types of pain; in addition, instrumental coping was positively associated with sensory pain and palliative coping was positively associated with affective pain. At 1 year, pain intensity was predicted by baseline pain intensity, duration of symptoms, use of disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and emotional coping. Sensory pain was predicted by baseline sensory pain and DMARD use. Affective pain was predicted by baseline affective pain, DMARD use, and emotional coping.

Conclusion

The majority of treated EIP patients can expect improvements in clinical and psychosocial variables over the first year of their illness. Emotional coping at baseline may contribute to pain in the future, and therefore it may be useful for patients to learn other means of dealing with this chronic disease.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Cross‐Sectional Comparative Study
Authors: Halvorsen Silje , V⊘llestad Nina K⊘pke , Provan Sella Arrestad , Semb Anne Grete , van der Heijde Désirée , Hagen Kåre Birger , Dagfinrud Hanne
Published: December 2012

Objective

To investigate the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the level of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and controls.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional comparative study, CRF was measured with a maximal treadmill test for estimation of peak oxygen uptake. Metabolic syndrome (MS), body composition, traditional CV risk factors, and inflammatory markers were assessed. Multivariable linear regression models were used to study the associations between CRF and CV risk factors. All models were adjusted for age, sex, and smoking, and for inflammation when C‐reactive protein (CRP) level or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were not already included as dependent variables.

Results

A total of 126 patients (mean ± SD age 47.9 ± 10.8 years) and 111 controls (mean ± SD age 52.1 ± 11.1 years) were included. There were significant inverse associations between CRF and body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, CRP level, and ESR (P < 0.001–0.03) for patients and controls. Also, significant associations were found between CRF and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (β = 0.03, P < 0.001) and blood pressure (BP; β = −0.9 for systolic and β = −0.6 for diastolic; P < 0.01) in controls, but these associations were not found in patients (β = 0, P = 0.69 for HDL cholesterol; β = −0.04, P = 0.87 for systolic pressure; and β = −0.14, P = 0.34 for diastolic pressure) (additional adjustments for medication). Higher CRF was associated with a lower risk for MS in both patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.91, P = 0.03) and controls (OR 0.89, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

CRF was associated with favorable levels of CV risk factors and lower risk of MS in both AS patients and controls. However, established findings of an association between CRF and BP and HDL cholesterol in healthy adults were not confirmed in AS patients.
Adaptive synchronization of fractional‐order complex networks via pinning control
Authors: Liu Jingui , Huang Lihong , Meng Yimin
Published: December 2012

Adaptive synchronization of a class of fractional‐order complex networks is investigated in this paper. On the basis of the fractional‐order system stability theory, adaptive synchronization criteria of fractional‐order complex networks with 0 < q < 1 is achieved. Furthermore, pinning control method is then suggested to control the networks, and adaptive strategy is employed to tune the control gains and coupling strength. Because the nodes with high degree may not be the center of the networks, a new attempt to choose the pinned nodes on the basis of the closeness centrality scheme is proposed. Finally, numerical simulations are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach based on the closeness centrality scheme. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body mass growth in common marmosets: Toward a model of pediatric obesity
Authors: Tardif Suzette D. , Power Michael L. , Ross Corinna N. , Rutherford Julienne N.
Published: December 2012

While much is known about adult obesity in nonhuman primates, very little is known regarding development of childhood adiposity. As small monkeys that are easy to handle and have a relatively fast life history, common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) offer interesting opportunities to examine the question of fat versus lean mass growth in a nonhuman primate. This article provides an overview of our understanding of early life growth in mass in marmoset monkeys, based primarily upon our past 20 years of research, culminating in our recent findings on early life obesity in this species. Common marmosets display variance in early life growth patterns that is related to both pre‐ and postnatal factors and the marmoset uterine environment is exquisitely designed to reflect resources available for the gestation of multiple offspring, making them an interesting model of developmental programming. We have demonstrated that obesity can be generated in very early life in captive marmosets, with excess adiposity evident by one month of age, making this species a potentially valuable model in which to study pediatric obesity and its sequelae. Birth weight is associated with adiposity in animals vulnerable to obesity. Early life exposure to higher fat diets enhances the chances of postweaning obesity development. However, overall higher food consumption is also associated with obesity development at later ages. One unexpected finding in our studies has been the relatively high body fat percentage of neonatal (12–18%) marmosets suggesting that hypotheses regarding the uniqueness of high human neonatal adiposity merit further examination. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.