bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Anisotropic Fast Marching Method and its Application to Blood Flow Computation in Phase-contrast MRI
Authors: Hennemuth A. , Fischer B. , Friman O. , Schwenke M.
Published: October 2012

Background: Phase-contrast MRI (PC MRI) can be used to assess blood flow dynamics noninvasively inside the human body. The acquired images can be reconstructed into flow vector fields. Traditionally, streamlines can be computed based on the vector fields to visualize flow patterns and particle trajectories.

Objectives: The traditional methods may give a false impression of precision, as they do not consider the measurement uncertainty in the PC MRI images. In our prior work, we incorporated the uncertainty of the measurement into the computation of particle trajectories.

Methods: As a major part of the contribution, a novel numerical scheme for solving the anisotropic Fast Marching problem is presented. A computing time comparison to state-of-theart methods is conducted on artificial tensor fields. A visual comparison of healthy to pathological blood flow patterns is given.

Results: The comparison shows that the novel anisotropic Fast Marching solver outperforms previous schemes in terms of computing time. The visual comparison of flow patterns directly visualizes large deviations of pathological flow from healthy flow.

Conclusions: The novel anisotropic Fast Marching solver efficiently resolves even strongly anisotropic path costs. The visualization method enables the user to assess the uncertainty of particle trajectories derived from PC MRI images.
HERITAGE OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN LITHUANIA: A THEORETICAL ASPECT / MODERNIOSIOS ARCHITEKTŪROS PAVELDAS LIETUVOJE: TEORINIS ASPEKTAS
Authors: Drėmaitė Marija
Published: October 2012

Evaluation and preservation of modern architecture in contemporary Lithuania is complicated because it is not based on thorough scientific research. However the number of protected buildings and sites is rather numerous and exceeds 350. The list of protected monuments is based on different criteria since it combines “relic” monuments from the Soviet list, and new inscriptions based on momentous research (usually when the building or site is in danger). Therefore the paper is focused on the problem of identification and transmission of the values of modern architecture in Lithuania. It analyses the situation of selection, evaluation and inscription as well as chronological, aesthetic and typological representation of the listed objects. Special attention is paid to the problem of public reception of modern architecture in Lithuania. Santrauka Žvelgiant į moderniosios architektūros vertinimą ir apsaugą šiuolaikinėje Lietuvoje, galima pastebėti, kad LR kultūros vertybių registre išties yra nemažai šio laikotarpio objektų. Tačiau kalbant apie jų verčių identifikavimą ir perteikimą visuomenei susiduriama su dideliu informacijos trūkumu, nes Lietuvoje nėra atliekami sistemingi moderniosios architektūros paveldo tyrimai, o paveldosaugoje nėra šio paveldo interpretacinio diskurso. Siekiant išsiaiškinti, kodėl moderniosios architektūros pastatai ir kompleksai yra (turi būti) saugomi, kam jie atstovauja ir ką „pasakoja“, tyrime pateikiamas teorinis svarstymas apie Lietuvos moderniosios architektūros vertes, analizuojama paveldo atrankos ir apskaitos situacija. Straipsnyje chronologiniu, estetiniu ir tipologiniu požiūriu apžvelgiamas Lietuvos moderniosios architektūros paveldas, diskutuojama terminologijos klausimu.
POST-SOVIET TRANSFORMATIONS OF PUBLIC SPACES IN LITHUANIA: CASES OF ŽIRMŪNAI AND LAZDYNAI RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS / TARYBINIO LAIKOTARPIO VIEŠŲJŲ ERDVIŲ TRANSFORMACIJOS LIETUVOJE. VILNIAUS ŽIRMŪNŲ IR LAZDYNŲ ATVEJIS
Authors: Grunskis Tomas , Šiupšinskas Matas
Published: October 2012

The article deals with the question of public space transformations during the last two decades in Lithuania. It is the part of broader research of the topic. Authors focus on the issue of main public spaces in Žirmūnai and Lazdynai residential districts in Vilnius, which are under the process of structural and spatial development. The article also analizes the problem of post-Soviet urban space quality and its transformations, as well as raises the question of preservation practices of urban (modernistic) heritage from the Soviet period. Authors analize and expose systems of public spaces and their hierarchy in these districts, which have been created according to modernistic principles and now are considered as highly valuable. Structural, compositional, functional and spacial developments of these spaces are analized in detail evaluating negative impact of such developments on the quality of modernistic urban space. Santrauka Straipsnyje aptariama tarybinio laikotarpio viešųjų erdvių kaita per pastarąjį dvidešimtmetį. Jame telkiamas dėmesys į Vilniaus Žirmūnų ir Lazdynų gyvenamųjų rajonų pagrindines viešąsias erdves bei jose esančius visuomeninius kompleksus. Tekste analizuojamos ir apibūdinamos tarybinio laikotarpio urbanistinės erdvės kokybinės kaitos ir urbanistinio paveldo teisinės apsaugos klausimas. Taip pat įvardijamos ir analizuojamos šių gyvenamųjų rajonų viešųjų erdvių sistemos bei jų elementų hierarchijos. Tekste detaliai analizuojama šių viešųjų erdvių kaita urbanistinės struktūros, tūrinės erdvinės kompozicijos ir funkciniu požiūriais. Keliama urbanistinės erdvės, kaip paveldo ir apsaugos objekto, problema.
ŽVELGIANT Į DAUGIABUČIŲ FUNKCINĖS STRUKTŪROS RAIDĄ LIETUVOJE
Authors: Drėmaitė Marija
Published: October 2012

"Book ‘Žvelgiant į daugiabučių funkcinės struktūros raidą Lietuvoje’ review."Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, 36(3), pp. 242-243
LIETUVOS SOVIETINIO LAIKOTARPIO ARCHITEKTŪRA – VIS SAVESNĖ IR ĮDOMESNĖ
Authors: Juocevičiūtė Eglė
Published: October 2012

"Book ‘Lietuvos sovietinio laikotarpio architektūra – vis savesnė ir įdomesnė’ review."Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, 36(3), pp. 239-241
A Phase I, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, 3-Day, Ascending-Dose Study of Gs-9451, An Ns3/4A Protease Inhibitor, in Genotype 1 Hepatitis C Patients
Authors: Lawitz Eric J , Hill John M , Marbury Thomas , DeMicco Michael P , Delaney William , Yang Jenny , Moorehead Lisa , Mathias Anita , Mo Hongmei , McHutchison John G , Rodriguez-Torres Maribel , Gordon Stuart C
Published: October 2012

Background

GS-9451 is a novel inhibitor of the HCV NS3/4A protease and demonstrates potent in vitro suppression of HCV genotype 1 replicons.

Methods

The safety, pharmacokinetics and antiviral efficacy of GS-9451 were evaluated in a Phase I study in treatment-naive, HCV genotype-1-infected patients. Patients were randomized to 3 days of once-daily dosing with placebo ( n=8) or GS-9451 60 mg ( n=8 genotype 1a), 200 mg ( n=8 genotype 1a; n=8 genotype 1b) or 400 mg ( n=9 genotype 1a). Plasma samples were collected up to and on day 14 for pharmacokinetic evaluation, serum HCV RNA quantitation and NS3 sequencing.

Results

No patients interrupted or discontinued dosing because of an adverse event. The median (range) maximal HCV RNA reductions from baseline were -0.88 (-1.24– -0.64), -3.19 (-3.31– -2.94) and -3.64 (-4.08– -3.54) log10 IU/ml in genotype 1a patients receiving 60, 200 and 400 mg/day GS-9451, respectively, and -3.48 (-3.54– -3.03) log10 IU/ml in genotype 1b patients receiving GS-9451 200 mg/day. Median half-life ranged from 14 to 17 h. Day 3 mean concentration at the end of dosing interval was 5.5- and 17-fold above protein-binding adjusted mean 50% effective inhibitory concentration in 200 mg and 400 mg cohorts, respectively. No resistance mutations were detected with GS-9451 60 mg/day. In the 200 mg/day or 400 mg/day groups, predominant mutations were NS3 R155 (R155K) in genotype 1a patients and D168 (D168E, D168V and D168G) in genotype 1b patients.

Conclusions

GS-9451 was well-tolerated. During 3 days of monotherapy, GS-9451 200 mg/day or 400 mg/day demonstrated potent antiviral activity in both HCV genotype 1a- and 1b-infected patients. GS-9451 is currently being evaluated in combination regimens with and without pegylated interferon-α.
La modernización social de la vejez en España
Authors: López Doblas Juan , Díaz Conde María del Pilar
Published: October 2012

En este artículo se reflexiona sobre un aspecto que suele pasar desapercibido en los análisis sociológicos sobre destradicionalización y cambio social: el relevante papel que en este proceso desempeñan las personas mayores, quienes están abandonando actitudes y comportamientos muy arraigados en la sociedad española y desarrollando, en su lugar, formas de pensar y actuar plenamente modernas. Esta tendencia se refleja bien en sus estilos de vida. Aplicando una estrategia metodológica plural (análisis de datos secundarios y grupos de discusión), vincularemos el auge de los hogares unipersonales con la modernización social producida en el mundo occidental y de la que participan, no solo la población juvenil y adulta, sino también la longeva. La expansión de la vida en solitario obedece al reclamo de autonomía de unos individuos, los de edad avanzada, decididos como nunca a gestionar su destino y a evitar delegar en nadie la determinación del cómo vivir.
La sanctification in utero de Joseph : une proposition gersonienne
Authors: Payan Paul
Published: October 2012

à partir de 1413, Jean Gerson se lance dans une véritable campagne de promotion en faveur de Joseph, l’époux de Marie, à un moment où celui-ci est très rarement considéré comme un saint, et intéresse peu les théologiens et les prédicateurs, à l’exception de quelques franciscains. Or, parmi les privilèges et les vertus que le chancelier attribue à Joseph, on est surpris de rencontrer l’idée d’une sanctification in utero, qui rappelle l’immaculée conception de Marie, pour laquelle Gerson s’était battu aux côtés de son maître Pierre d’Ailly. Cette affirmation se fait cependant avec prudence, sous la forme d’une idée à laquelle on peut « croire pieusement ». à l’occasion d’un sermon prononcé au concile de Constance, Gerson précise sa pensée en distinguant la Vierge, totalement préservée du péché originel, de Joseph sanctifié dans le sein de sa mère. La logique est celle d’une comparaison avec Jean-Baptiste, que l’on considère consacré in utero au moment de la Visitation. Comme Gerson tente d’affirmer la supériorité de Joseph sur le Baptiste, il cherche à lui attribuer une grâce au moins comparable. L’enjeu est la reconnaissance de la sainteté de Joseph, dont la définition est délicate puisqu’il est sans doute mort avant la Passion et qu’il ne peut être reconnu comme un martyr.Même si la formulation gersonienne reste très originale, son idée a sans doute été mûrie au contact d’autres admirateurs de l’époux de la Vierge, tels Pierre d’Ailly ou le célestin Pierre Pocquet. Elle s’appuie également sur des sources liturgiques orientales plus délicates à identifier. Néanmoins, sa proposition ne connaîtra pas un grand succès : reprise par quelques auteurs au cours des xve et xvie siècles, elle est finalement explicitement rejetée lorsque s’affirme le culte de Joseph et que sa sainteté n’est plus contestée.Elle reste le témoignage d’un moment particulier d’audace théologique, sur les frontières encore imprécises de l’immaculée conception, de la sanctification et de la consécration, alors que les désordres du Grand Schisme rendaient plus aigu le besoin d’une pureté inaccessible.
L’Immaculée Conception après le concile de Bâle dans les provinces dominicaines et franciscaines de Teutonie et de Saxe : débats et iconographie
Authors: Wehrli-Johns Martina
Published: October 2012

L’essai propose de suivre le fil des débats autour de l’Immaculée Conception dans les pays germaniques à partir du Concile de Bâle jusqu’au début du xvie siècle.Le décret du Concile en faveur de cette doctrine (1439) avait ranimé un désaccord déjà ancien entre les ordres mendiants et particulièrement entre les Franciscains et les Dominicains au sujet de la Vierge immaculée. Les deux traités défendant ce privilège (1444/1445) écrits par l’ancien évêque de Constance, Otto d’Hachberg, sont un premier témoignage de ce conflit en Allemagne. Dès l’avènement du pape franciscain Sixte IV (1471-1484), les disputations publiques et les polémiques littéraires au sujet de l’Immaculée Conception se multiplient. Le point culminant de cette controverse arrive au moment du procès contre le dominicain Wigand Wirt à Rome où l’accusé se voit contraint en 1512 de révoquer ses écrits diffamatoires. L’isolement croissant de l’ordre dominicain dans ce débat semble être aussi la conséquence du thomisme rigide des dominicains observants en Italie et en Allemagne. Ainsi les frères observants de la province de « Teutonie » suivent-ils de près l’opinion de leur confrère Vincent Bandelli de la congrégation observante de Lombardie, déclarant la foi en l’Immaculée Conception comme hérétique. Bien que la bulle Grave nimis (1482) interdise aux partis opposés de se dénoncer mutuellement comme hérétiques, les observants allemands ne manquent pas de faire usage de cette arme, ce qui provoque l’alliance de leurs adversaires (Carmes, Chartreux, Augustiniens, Bénédictins et cercles humanistes de toute couleur) dans le camp des franciscains de l’Observance. L’analyse des traités et des circonstances de cette querelle met donc en lumière les tensions et les constellations intellectuelles du discours religieux dans les décennies avant la Réforme protestante où le raisonnement théologique fait place à la polémique et où l’imprimerie permet d’atteindre un public en dehors du cloître et de l’université. Ainsi les gravures en bois de la Vierge Immaculée trouvent-elles leur place aussi bien dans la campagne des humanistes strasbourgeois autour de Sébastien Brand que dans les illustrations du récit satirique du franciscain Thomas Murner, relatant les différents épisodes de l’affaire Jetzer à Berne.
La Rencontre à la Porte dorée. Image, texte et contexte
Authors: Gay-Canton Réjane
Published: October 2012

À travers l’analyse d’une série de manuscrits allemands illustrés entre le dernier quart du xive siècle et la seconde moitié du xve siècle, l’essai montre que seules de rares images de la Rencontre d’Anne et Joachim à la Porte dorée renvoient à l’Immaculée Conception. Lors de son intégration à la Weltchronik de Heinrich von München et à la Historienbibel, le Marienleben de Bruder Philipp conserve sa position maculiste. Mais dans le second texte, l’image de la Rencontre à la Porte dorée prend une signification différente par l’ajout ou la suppression d’un titulus mentionnant le baiser fécondant. Après avoir observé les résonnances de ces changements sur l’image et souligné l’indépendance de cette dernière face au texte narratif comme à la doctrine théologique, l’essai revient sur l’origine de l’idée du baiser fécondant. Il indique qu’elle n’est ni directement issue des premiers textes littéraires de la conception de Marie que sont les récits apocryphes chrétiens, ni des développements théologiques, mais bien d’un amalgame entre ces deux supports et l’image de la Rencontre à la Porte dorée. L’idée du baiser fécondant reste le propre des illitterati qui trouvèrent en elle un moyen de contourner la théorie augustienne de la transmission du péché originel en attribuant à la future mère de Dieu une conception exempte de toute concupiscence charnelle. Lue sous ce prisme, l’image devient le lieu de projection de l’image mentale. Elle est alors chargée d’un sens nouveau et vient dialoguer avec le texte qu’elle n’illustre plus, mais dont elle offre une lecture parallèle. Au final, seule sa mise en contexte permet de déterminer, au cas par cas, si l’image de la Rencontre renvoie au baiser fécondant et ainsi à l’Immaculée Conception.
L’inscription liturgique de la Conceptio beate Marie dans le calendrier diocésain - Le cas lyonnais (xiie-xvie siècle)
Authors: Collomb Pascal
Published: October 2012

On connaît depuis longtemps la célèbre lettre de saint Bernard aux chanoines de la cathédrale Saint-Jean de Lyon condamnant avec fermeté l’usage liturgique atypique de la fête de la Conception de la Vierge. En revanche, nous sommes particulièrement mal renseignés sur la pratique liturgique locale vécue. Cet article aborde les questions de la liturgie propre mise en place pour cette fête, de sa chronologie, de la forme structurelle de cette liturgie et de sa traduction rituelle à travers l’étude du cas de l’église de Lyon entre le xiie et le xve siècle.
L'office de la Conception composé par Jean de Ségovie au Concile de Bâle
Authors: Ricossa Luca
Published: October 2012

Le Concile de Bâle a été un des évènements historiques les plus importants du xve siècle. Dans le sillon du Grand Schisme d'Occident, il est plutôt connu pour ses idées révolutionnaires concernant la structure de l'Église et le schisme éphémère qu'elles ont entraîné. Sa définition du dogme de l'Immaculée Conception, plusieurs siècles avant celle de Pie IX, est toutefois moins connue, tout comme la personnalité du théologien Jean de Ségovie, une des figures marquantes du Concile. Militant pour les doctrines conciliaristes, il s'est battu aussi et, pourrait-on dire, surtout en faveur de l'Immaculée. Après la définition de 1439 il fut chargé par les pères conciliaires de rédiger un nouvel office liturgique pour la fête. Son travail nous offre un office liturgique complet, un des sommets de l'art musical médiéval. Sa monodie explore tous les chemins de la théorie modale de son temps pour nous donner une réalisation sonore extraordinaire des textes patristiques et dogmatiques choisis comme sources pour les antiennes et les répons où la pureté des lignes mélodiques s'allie à l'expressivité et à la représentation symbolique et rhétorique des textes.
A TLR5 Agonist Enhances CD8+ T Cell-Mediated Graft-versus-Tumor Effect without Exacerbating Graft-versus-Host Disease
Authors: Ding Xilai , Bian Guanglin , Leigh Nicholas D. , Qiu Jingxin , McCarthy Philip L. , Liu Hong , Aygun-Sunar Semra , Burdelya Lyudmila G. , Gudkov Andrei V. , Cao Xuefang
Published: October 2012

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation is an established treatment for hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. Donor-derived immune cells can identify and attack host tumor cells, producing a graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect that is crucial to the effectiveness of the transplantation therapy. CBLB502 is a novel agonist for TLR5 derived from Salmonella flagellin. On the basis of TLR5-mediated immunomodulatory function, we examined the effect of CBLB502 on GVT activity. Using two tumor models that do not express TLR5, and thereby do not directly respond to CBLB502, we found that CBLB502 treatment significantly enhanced allogeneic CD8+ T cell-mediated GVT activity, which was evidenced by decreased tumor burden and improved host survival. Importantly, histopathologic analyses showed that CBLB502 treatment did not exacerbate the moderate graft-versus-host disease condition caused by the allogeneic CD8+ T cells. Moreover, mechanistic analyses showed that CBLB502 stimulates CD8+ T cell proliferation and enhances their tumor killing activity mainly indirectly through a mechanism that involves the IL-12 signaling pathway and the CD11c+ and CD11b+ populations in the bone marrow cells. This study demonstrates a new beneficial effect of CBLB502, and suggests that TLR5-mediated immune modulation may be a promising approach to improve GVT immunity without exacerbating graft-versus-host disease.
The casual, naturalised and invasive alien flora of Zimbabwe based on herbarium and literature records
Authors: Maroyi Alfred
Published: October 2012

Zimbabwe’s casual, naturalised and invasive alien plant species were analysed with regard to their habit, origin, mode or purpose of introduction and their invasion status in the country. This alien flora of 391 taxa belonged to 239 genera and 73 families, corresponding to 6.6% of the total flora of Zimbabwe. Of these, 153 (39.1%) plant species were casual aliens, 154 (39.4%) were naturalised and 84 (21.5%) were invasive species. Most invasions in terms of numbers of alien species were in the central and eastern parts of the country. Asteraceae (53 species), Poaceae (48 species) and Fabaceae sensu lato (49 species) families were prominent in all the floristic regions of the country. Annual and perennial herbaceous species formed the majority of life forms of the casual, naturalised and invasive alien flora of Zimbabwe. Genera with the highest number of alien species were Ipomoea with nine species, Acacia and Euphorbia with eight species each, Chenopodium and Senna with seven species each, Eucalyptus with six species, Oenothera, Physalis and Solanum with five species each. More than 49.6% of the alien plants in Zimbabwe originated primarily from South, Central and North America, followed by Europe (24.6%), Asia (23.8%), Africa (10.5%) and Australasia (5.9%).Conservation implications: This research provides baseline information and historical invasion patterns of casual, naturalised and invasive alien flora in Zimbabwe. This inventory is a crucial starting point in trying to understand and initiate the management of biological invasions. This is also important for monitoring new introductions and management of existing alien plants in Zimbabwe.
The Effect of HIV Infection on the Risk, Frequency, and Intensity of Plasmodium falciparum Parasitemia in Primigravid and Multigravid Women in Malawi
Authors: Nkhoma Ella T. , Bowman Natalie M. , Kalilani-Phiri Linda , Mwapasa Victor , Rogerson Stephen J. , Meshnick Steven R.
Published: October 2012

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common in pregnant women in many malaria-endemic regions and may increase risk of placental parasitemia. Placental malaria is more common in primigravidae than multigravidae, but the relationship between HIV and malaria across gravidities is not well characterized. We recruited pregnant Malawian women during the second trimester and followed them until delivery. Parasitemia was assessed at enrollment, follow-up visits, and delivery, when placental blood was sampled. There was no difference in risk of parasitemia between HIV-positive and HIV-negative primigravidae. Among multigravidae, HIV-infected women had greater than twice the risk of parasitemia as HIV-uninfected women throughout follow-up. Human immunodeficiency virus was also associated with more frequent peripheral parasitemia in multigravidae but not primigravidae. Both HIV and primigravid status were independently associated with higher peripheral and placental parasite densities. Although risk of parasitemia is lower in multigravidae than primigravidae, the HIV effect on risk of malaria is more pronounced in multigravidae.
The size distribution and mixing state of black carbon aerosol over Europe
Authors: Reddington C. L. , McMeeking G. , Mann G. W. , Coe H. , Frontoso M. G. , Liu D. , Flynn M. , Spracklen D. V. , Carslaw K. S.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Black carbon-containing aerosol particles play an important role in the direct and indirect radiative forcing of climate. However, the magnitude and sign of the net radiative effect is strongly dependent on the physical properties of the black carbon (BC) component of the particles, such as mass, number concentration and size distribution. Here we use a global aerosol model combined with aircraft measurements of BC particle number and size from the Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) to assess the realism with which these physical properties are predicted by global models. The comparison reveals a substantial mismatch between the measured and modelled BC size distribution over the size range of the SP2 instrument (90–400 nm BC diameter). The model predicts BC particle number concentrations a factor ~3.5–5.7 higher than measured and a mode diameter that is 40–65 nm smaller than observed. More than 90% of the model particles in the SP2 size range contain BC, while the observations suggest only 21%. These model-observation biases in the BC properties are considerably greater than for the overall particle distribution, suggesting that the discrepancy is associated with model assumptions about the size and mixing state of the emitted carbonaceous particles. We expect the discrepancy in BC size distribution to be common among most global aerosol models, with implications for model estimates of absorption optical depth and direct radiative forcing.
Modeling a typical winter-time dust event over the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea
Authors: Kalenderski S. , Stenchikov G. , Zhao C.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. We used WRF-Chem, a regional meteorological model coupled with an aerosol-chemistry component, to simulate various aspects of the dust phenomena over the Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea during a typical winter-time dust event that occurred in January 2009. The model predicted that the total amount of emitted dust was 18.3 Tg for the entire dust outburst period and that the two maximum daily rates were ~2.4 Tg day−1 and ~1.5 Tg day−1, corresponding to two periods with the highest aerosol optical depth that were well captured by ground- and satellite-based observations. The model predicted that the dust plume was thick, extensive, and mixed in a deep boundary layer at an altitude of 3–4 km. Its spatial distribution was modeled to be consistent with typical spatial patterns of dust emissions. We utilized MODIS-Aqua and Solar Village AERONET measurements of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) to evaluate the radiative impact of aerosols. Our results clearly indicated that the presence of dust particles in the atmosphere caused a significant reduction in the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface during the dust event. We also found that dust aerosols have significant impact on the energy and nutrient balances of the Red Sea. Our results showed that the simulated cooling under the dust plume reached 100 W m−2, which could have profound effects on both the sea surface temperature and circulation. Further analysis of dust generation and its spatial and temporal variability is extremely important for future projections and for better understanding of the climate and ecological history of the Red Sea.
Environmental impacts of shipping in 2030 with a particular focus on the Arctic region
Authors: Dalsøren S. B. , Samset B. H. , Myhre G. , Corbett J. J. , Minjares R. , Lack D. , Fuglestvedt J. S.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. We quantify the concentrations change of atmospheric pollutants and Radiative Forcing (RF) of short-lived components due to shipping emissions of NOx, SOx, CO, NMVOCs, BC and OC. A set of models is used to evaluate the period 2004–2030. This time period reflects expected increasing traffic in the Arctic region. Two datasets for ship emissions are used that may characterize the potential impact from shipping and the degree to which shipping controls may mitigate impacts: A high (HIGH) scenario and a low scenario with Maximum Feasible Reduction (MFR) of black carbon in the Arctic. In MFR, BC emissions in the Arctic are reduced with 70% representing a combination technology performance and/or reasonable advances in single-technology performance. Both scenarios result in moderate to substantial increases in concentrations of pollutants both globally and in the Arctic. Exceptions are black carbon in the MFR scenario, and sulfur species and organic carbon in both scenarios due to the future phase-in of current regulation that reduces fuel sulfur content. In the season with potential transit traffic through the Arctic in 2030 significant increases occur for all pollutants in large parts of the Arctic. Net global RFs from 2004–2030 of 53 mW m−2 (HIGH) and 73 mW m−2 (MFR) are similar to those found for preindustrial to present net global aircraft RF. The found warming contrasts the cooling from historical ship emissions. The reason for this difference and the higher global forcing for the MFR scenario is mainly the reduced future fuel sulfur content resulting in less cooling from sulfate aerosols. Arctic regional forcing is largest in the HIGH scenario because other components become locally more important in polar latitudes. In the HIGH scenario ozone dominates the RF during Arctic summer and the transit season. RF due to BC in air, and snow and ice becomes of significance in Arctic spring. For the HIGH scenario the net Arctic RF during spring is 5 times higher than in winter.
Comparison between MODIS and AIRS/AMSU satellite-derived surface skin temperatures
Authors: Lee Y.-R. , Yoo J.-M. , Jeong M.-J. , Won Y.-I. , Hearty T. , Shin D.-B.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Surface skin temperatures of the Version 5 Level 3 products of MODIS and AIRS/AMSU have been compared in terms of monthly anomaly trends and climatology over the globe during the period from September 2002 to August 2011. The MODIS temperatures in the 50° N–50° S region tend to systematically be ~1.7 K colder over land and ~0.5 K warmer over ocean than the AIRS/AMSU temperatures. Over high latitude ocean the MODIS values are ~5.5 K warmer than the AIRS/AMSU. The discrepancies between the annual averages of the two sensors are as much as ~12 K in the sea ice regions. Both MODIS and AIRS/AMSU show cooling trends from −0.05 ± 0.06 to −0.14 ± 0.07 K (9 yr)−1 over the globe, but warming trends (0.02 ± 0.12–0.15 ± 0.19 K (9 yr)−1) in the high latitude regions. The disagreement between the two sensors results mainly from the differences in ice/snow emissivity between MODIS infrared and AMSU microwave, and also in their observational local times.
Collisionless reconnection: magnetic field line interaction
Authors: Treumann R. A. , Baumjohann W. , Gonzalez W. D.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Magnetic field lines are quantum objects carrying one quantum Φ0 = 2πh/e of magnetic flux and have finite radius λm. Here we argue that they possess a very specific dynamical interaction. Parallel field lines reject each other. When confined to a certain area they form two-dimensional lattices of hexagonal structure. We estimate the filling factor of such an area. Anti-parallel field lines, on the other hand, attract each other. We identify the physical mechanism as being due to the action of the gauge potential field, which we determine quantum mechanically for two parallel and two anti-parallel field lines. The distortion of the quantum electrodynamic vacuum causes a cloud of virtual pairs. We calculate the virtual pair production rate from quantum electrodynamics and estimate the virtual pair cloud density, pair current and Lorentz force density acting on the field lines via the pair cloud. These properties of field line dynamics become important in collisionless reconnection, consistently explaining why and how reconnection can spontaneously set on in the field-free centre of a current sheet below the electron-inertial scale.
A framework for benchmarking land models
Authors: Luo Y. Q. , Randerson J. T. , Abramowitz G. , Bacour C. , Blyth E. , Carvalhais N. , Ciais P. , Dalmonech D. , Fisher J. B. , Fisher R. , Friedlingstein P. , Hibbard K. , Hoffman F. , Huntzinger D. , Jones C. D. , Koven C. , Lawrence D. , Li D. J. , Mahecha M. , Niu S. L. , Norby R. , Piao S. L. , Qi X. , Peylin P. , Prentice I. C. , Riley W. , Reichstein M. , Schwalm C. , Wang Y. P. , Xia J. Y. , Zaehle S. , Zhou X. H.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Land models, which have been developed by the modeling community in the past few decades to predict future states of ecosystems and climate, have to be critically evaluated for their performance skills of simulating ecosystem responses and feedback to climate change. Benchmarking is an emerging procedure to measure performance of models against a set of defined standards. This paper proposes a benchmarking framework for evaluation of land model performances and, meanwhile, highlights major challenges at this infant stage of benchmark analysis. The framework includes (1) targeted aspects of model performance to be evaluated, (2) a set of benchmarks as defined references to test model performance, (3) metrics to measure and compare performance skills among models so as to identify model strengths and deficiencies, and (4) model improvement. Land models are required to simulate exchange of water, energy, carbon and sometimes other trace gases between the atmosphere and land surface, and should be evaluated for their simulations of biophysical processes, biogeochemical cycles, and vegetation dynamics in response to climate change across broad temporal and spatial scales. Thus, one major challenge is to select and define a limited number of benchmarks to effectively evaluate land model performance. The second challenge is to develop metrics of measuring mismatches between models and benchmarks. The metrics may include (1) a priori thresholds of acceptable model performance and (2) a scoring system to combine data–model mismatches for various processes at different temporal and spatial scales. The benchmark analyses should identify clues of weak model performance to guide future development, thus enabling improved predictions of future states of ecosystems and climate. The near-future research effort should be on development of a set of widely acceptable benchmarks that can be used to objectively, effectively, and reliably evaluate fundamental properties of land models to improve their prediction performance skills.
The support of multidimensional approaches in integrate monitoring for SEA: a case of study
Authors: Torre C. M. , Selicato M.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. During centuries, seaside has represented a crucial pole for future human development and civilization. The use of the sea for transport and trade and the overwhelming availability of food derived from coastal waters have encouraged and strengthened the growth of urban settlements. In the same time, the human pressure menaces to destroy coastal habitats, and consequently their carrying capacity that permits to guest many essential functions. Low-impact activities are often replaced on the surface by new intensive others that are attractive in the short term, but that in the long term undermine of reducing the resilience of the coast. It is clear that, in a perspective of sustainable development, economically efficient and socially equitable use of coastal areas need to be supported inside strategies to correct these weaknesses. The definition of such strategies and their implementation in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an essential tool of decision support and of monitoring. The issues of monitoring, more in particular, have been subject of study and modeling by the use of Dynamic Spatial Data Analisys (DSDA), in the case of the SEA of the Coastal Plan of the Italian Apulia Region, as an information instrument for regulating the anthropogenic changes; a possibility to implement the analysis of environmental sensitivity and propensity to Coastal erosion has been explored, in order to control the level of human pressure on land. The monitoring system should provide an automatic "alert" when the dimension and the velocity of change of land use overpass some threshold of environmental pressure.
Response to recharge variation of thin rainwater lenses and their mixing zone with underlying saline groundwater
Authors: Eeman S. , van der Zee S. E. A. T. M. , Leijnse A. , de Louw P. G. B. , Maas C.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. In coastal zones with saline groundwater, fresh groundwater lenses may form due to infiltration of rain water. The thickness of both the lens and the mixing zone, determines fresh water availability for plant growth. Due to recharge variation, the thickness of the lens and the mixing zone are not constant, which may adversely affect agricultural and natural vegetation if saline water reaches the root zone during the growing season. In this paper, we study the response of thin lenses and their mixing zone to variation of recharge. The recharge is varied using sinusoids with a range of amplitudes and frequencies. We vary lens characteristics by varying the Rayleigh number and Mass flux ratio of saline and fresh water, as these dominantly influence the thickness of thin lenses and their mixing zone. Numerical results show a linear relation between the normalised lens volume and the main lens and recharge characteristics, enabling an empirical approximation of the variation of lens thickness. Increase of the recharge amplitude causes increase and the increase of recharge frequency causes a decrease in the variation of lens thickness. The average lens thickness is not significantly influenced by these variations in recharge, contrary to the mixing zone thickness. The mixing zone thickness is compared to that of a Fickian mixing regime. A simple relation between the travelled distance of the centre of the mixing zone position due to variations in recharge and the mixing zone thickness is shown to be valid for both a sinusoidal recharge variation and actual records of daily recharge data. Starting from a step response function, convolution can be used to determine the effect of variable recharge in time. For a sinusoidal curve, we can determine delay of lens movement compared to the recharge curve as well as the lens amplitude, derived from the convolution integral. Together the proposed equations provide us with a first order approximation of lens characteristics using basic lens and recharge parameters without the use of numerical models. This enables the assessment of the vulnerability of any thin fresh water lens on saline, upward seeping groundwater to salinity stress in the root zone.
Maximum entropy production: can it be used to constrain conceptual hydrological models?
Authors: Westhoff M. C. , Zehe E.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. In recent years, optimality principles have been proposed to constrain hydrological models. The principle of Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) is one of the proposed principles and is subject of this study. It states that a steady state system is organized in such a way that entropy production is maximized. However, within hydrology, tests against observations are still missing. The aim of this paper is to test the MEP principle to reduce equifinality of a simple conceptual (bucket) model. We used the principle of maximizing power, which is equivalent to MEP when a constant temperature is assumed. Power is determined by multiplying a flux with its gradient. We thus defined for each flux in the model a gradient and checked if parameter sets that maximize power also reproduce the observed water balance. Subsequently we concluded that with the used model concept, this does not work. It would be easy to reject the MEP hypothesis to explain our findings, but we believe that our test is incomplete. By referring to the flaws in our own model concept, we believe that many issues can be learned about how to use MEP to constrain hydrological models. Among others, the most important are: (1) fluxes should be defined as a gradient divided by a resistance, where the flux feeds back on the gradient; (2) there should be a trade-off between two or more different fluxes, where, in principle, only one resistance can be optimized and (3) each process should have the right degrees of freedom: what are the feedbacks on this flux and what limits the flux?
Using open sidewalls for modelling self-consistent lithosphere subduction dynamics
Authors: Chertova M. V. , Geenen T. , van den Berg A. , Spakman W.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Subduction modelling in regional model domains, in 2-D or 3-D, is commonly performed using closed (impermeable) vertical boundaries. Here we investigate the merits of using open boundaries for 2-D modelling of lithosphere subduction. Our experiments are focused on using open and closed (free slip) sidewalls while comparing results for two model aspect ratios of 3:1 and 6:1. Slab buoyancy driven subduction with open boundaries and free plates immediately develops into strong rollback with high trench retreat velocities and predominantly laminar asthenospheric flow. In contrast, free-slip sidewalls prove highly restrictive on subduction rollback evolution, unless the lithosphere plates are allowed to move away from the sidewalls. This initiates return flows pushing both plates toward the subduction zone speeding up subduction. Increasing the aspect ratio to 6:1 does not change the overall flow pattern when using open sidewalls but only the flow magnitude. In contrast, for free-slip boundaries, the slab evolution does change with respect to the 3:1 aspect ratio model and slab evolution does not resemble the evolution obtained with open boundaries using 6:1 aspect ratio. For models with open side boundaries, we could develop a flow-speed scaling based on energy dissipation arguments to convert between flow fields of different model aspect ratios. We have also investigated incorporating the effect of far-field generated lithosphere stress in our open boundary models. By applying realistic normal stress conditions to the strong part of the overriding plate at the sidewalls, we can transfer intraplate stress to influence subduction dynamics varying from slab roll-back, stationary subduction, to advancing subduction. The relative independence of the flow field on model aspect ratio allows for a smaller modelling domain. Open boundaries allow for subduction to evolve freely and avoid the adverse effects (e.g. forced return flows) of free-slip boundaries. We conclude that open boundaries in combination with intraplate stress conditions are to be preferred for modelling subduction evolution (rollback, stationary or advancing) using regional model domains.
N-Acetylcysteine Lock Solution Prevents Catheter-Associated Bacteremia in Rabbits
Authors: Aslam Saima , Jenne Keith , Reed Sharon , Ghannoum Mahmoud , Mehta Ravindra , Darouiche Rabih
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Indwelling vascular catheters are the most common cause of nosocomial bloodstream infections. One approach to infection prevention is the use of antimicrobial catheter lock solutions, although their widespread use is limited due to concern regarding the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) lock solution in preventing peripheral bacteremia using an in vivo model of catheter-associated infection.

Methods

Twenty-four hours after inoculating a clinical isolate of Staphylococcus aureus into the lumen of tunneled external jugular catheters in rabbits, a catheter lock solution that contained NAC vs. heparinized saline alone was allowed to dwell for two consecutive periods of 72 hours. Surveillance peripheral and centrally collected blood cultures were obtained. Distal intravascular segments of the catheters were removed at day 7 and cultured using a sonication method.

Results

At 7 days after catheter insertion, none of the NAC-treated rabbits (0/8) developed peripheral bacteremia with S. aureus whereas 4/7 controls did (p=0.026). The bacterial yield from catheter tip cultures was not statistically different between the two arms.

Conclusions

These promising data encourage further clinical evaluation of an NAC lock solution for prevention of catheter-associated bacteremia in patients.
A Review on Genetic Resources, Diversity and Agronomy of African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) Harms): A Potential Future Food Crop
Authors: B. Daniel Adewale , N. Celestina Odoh
Published: October 2012

Food-security and sustainability is a serious global concern in the recent times. Many indigenous food crops of Africa which promises to ameliorate nutritional food insecurities are presently neglected and under-utilized. African yam bean (AYB) is one of such crop with tremendous nutritional potentials. The poor awareness about the taxonomy, agronomy, genetics, medicinal value and productive potential of the crop may be due to limited research on it. The subsistence production of the crop may have been occasioned by its poor acceptability as a valuable crop among middle-aged farmers in Africa. Research information on the crop is patchy in old and poorly accessible literature. There is an indisputable threat of irrecoverable loss of information on AYB especially in old archives. Some quality information on the crop was assembled from old books and proceedings, out-of print journals, pamphlets and recent publications. This review tried to congregate the bits and lumps of information on AYB research into a discrete summary which will create awareness about the future research needs on this crop.
Lumbering Activities and Market Equilibrium Analysis of Timber Industry in South Western Nigeria
Authors: K. A. Akanni
Published: October 2012

The local lumbers, without restraints, are continually exploiting the Nigerian forests. This trend causes a massive reduction in the economic, recreational, water purification and other benefits derivable from the forest and forest products. The overall implication of this is that there is a shortfall in the market supply of wood and wood products in South Western Nigeria. This situation poses some challenges to the government, private operators and other stakeholders in timber industry. This study therefore, investigated the implications of the activities of the lumbers and the market equilibrium structure of wood industry in the region. Both the stochastic production frontier and market equilibrium analyses were done. Fuel, credit and trucks’ carrying capacities significantly determined the quantity of output of the lumbers. The estimates of the sigma square, d2 (0.3811) and gamma, g, (0.9001) were positively significant at 1% level. The log likelihood function was large (24.6672) indicating a good fit. Estimated demand elasticity indicated that N1.00 increase in market price produced 14.14 %, 52.73% and 55.12% decrease in the quantities demanded for 2x3x12, 3x4x12 and 2x6x12 wood sizes. To further increase the output level of wood products in the region therefore, it is necessary to stabilize fuel prices and make the product available to the lumbers at the required time and quantities.
Pro-Con Debate: Etomidate or Ketamine for Rapid Sequence Intubation in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Scherzer Daniel , Leder Mark , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: October 2012

When caring for critically ill children, airway management remains a primary determinant of the eventual outcome. Airway control with endotracheal intubation is frequently necessary. Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is generally used in emergency airway management to protect the airway from passive regurgitation of gastric contents. Along with a rapid acting neuromuscular blocking agent, sedation is an essential element of RSI. A significant safety concern regarding sedatives is the risk of hypotension and cardiovascular collapse, especially in critically ill patients or those with pre-existing comorbid conditions. Ketamine and etomidate, both of which provide effective sedation with limited effects on hemodynamic function, have become increasingly popular as induction agents for RSI. However, experience and clinical investigations have raised safety concerns associated with both etomidate and ketamine. Using a pro-con debate style, the following manuscript discusses the use of ketamine versus etomidate in RSI.