bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotyping‐by‐Sequencing Enabled Mapping and Marker Development for the By‐2 Potyvirus Resistance Allele in Common Bean
Authors: Hart John P. , Griffiths Phillip D.
Published: February 2015

Since its emergence in 2001, an aphid‐transmitted virus disease complex has caused substantial economic losses to snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production and processing in the Great Lakes Region of the United States. The general ineffectiveness of chemical control measures for nonpersistently transmitted viruses established an urgent need for the development and deployment of cultivars with resistance to the component viruses. Our objectives were to further characterize the inheritance of resistance to Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV), which is conditioned by the By‐2 allele, to adapt genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) to common bean to discover and genotype genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an introgression program, and to enable and validate marker‐assisted selection for By‐2. We optimized ApeKI for GBS in common bean and retained 7530 high‐quality SNPs that segregated in our introgression RILs. A case–control genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was used to discover 44 GBS SNPs that were strongly associated with the resistance phenotype and which delimited a 974 kb physical interval on the distal portion of chromosome 2. Seven of these SNPs were converted to single‐marker Kompetitive Allele‐Specific Polymerase chain reaction (KASP) assays and were demonstrated to be tightly linked to BYMV resistance in an F2 population of 185 individuals. This research enables marker‐assisted selection of By‐2, provides enhanced resolution for fine mapping, and demonstrates the potential of GBS as a highly efficient, high‐throughput genotyping platform for common bean breeding and genetics.
Non-autonomous consequences of cell death and other perks of being metazoan
Authors: Su Tin Tin
Published: February 2015

Drosophila melanogaster remains a foremost genetic model to study basic cell biological processes in the context of multi-cellular development. In such context, the behavior of one cell can influence another. Non-autonomous signaling among cells occurs throughout metazoan development and disease, and is too vast to be covered by a single review. I will focus here on non-autonomous signaling events that occur in response to cell death in the larval epithelia and affect the life-death decision of surviving cells. I will summarize the use of Drosophila to study cell death-induced proliferation, apoptosis-induced apoptosis, and apoptosis-induced survival signaling. Key insights from Drosophila will be discussed in the context of analogous processes in mammalian development and cancer biology.
La región de Metagonia, la estrategia defensiva de Aníbal en Libia y en Iberia, y los primeros tratados entre Cartago y Roma
Authors: Olcoz Yanguas Serafín , Medrano Marqués Manuel
Published: February 2015

Presentamos una interpretación de la información epigráfica transmitida por Polibio de los bronces que contenían los primeros tratados entre Cartago y Roma, y el del templo de Hera Lacinia, acerca de la estrategia defensiva de Aníbal, que permite proponer una hipótesis para reconstruir la organización provincial de Cartago en Libia y en Iberia, en el marco de la lucha por la hegemonía en el Mediterráneo occidental. Esta propuesta también supone un punto de inflexión en el conocimiento de los pueblos prerromanos de la Península Ibérica y creemos que permitirá conocer mejor tanto la situación y organización de Cartago antes de la Segunda Guerra Púnica, como su posición frente a Roma y sus consecutivos procesos de conquista de Iberia.
Los sistemas defensivos del castellum de Tamuda. ¿Torres de planta en abanico?
Authors: Bermejo Meléndez Javier
Published: February 2015

El castellum de Tamuda, ubicado en las proximidades de la actual Tetuán (Marruecos), supone uno de los mejores ejemplos de arquitectura militar romana en las provincias mauritanas tanto por el grado de conservación como por los datos que hasta la fecha se tienen gracias a las campañas de excavación desarrolladas durante el periodo del protectorado español y las que actualmente se están llevando a cabo por parte de la Universidad de Huelva. Uno de los aspectos más novedosos a este respecto son los datos arqueoarquitectónicos que se desprenden del análisis paramental realizado en diversas partes de este campamento, de los cuales tendrán especial relevancia las torres SE y NO tradicionalmente adscritas como de abanico, planteamiento que a día de hoy debe ser modificado dado los nuevos datos con los que se cuentan.
El caballero de las espuelas doradas. Análisis arqueológico de un enterramiento nobiliario medieval del monasterio de Corias
Authors: García Álvarez-Busto Alejandro , Fernández Calderón Noelia
Published: February 2015

En este artículo se analizan unos acicates de hierro dorados recuperados en el enterramiento de un caballero del siglo XIII en el monasterio de Corias (Asturias). En primer lugar se expone una valoración del contexto estratigráfico y una descripción de las piezas; en una segunda parte se establece la cronología de los acicates a partir del análisis comparativo con otros ejemplos recuperados en los diferentes reinos de la península ibérica; y finalmente se lleva a cabo una contextualización política y socioeconómica del orden de los caballeros en la Asturias del siglo XIII.
Mining Efficient Fuzzy Bio-Statistical Rules for Association of Sandalwood in Pachaimalai Hills
Authors: Sonia M Delphin , Robinson P John , Rajasekaran A Sebastian
Published: February 2015

The integration of association rules and correlation rules with fuzzy logic can produce more abstract and flexible patterns for many real life problems, since many quantitative features in real world, especially surveying the frequency of plant association in any region is fuzzy in nature. This paper presents a modification of a previously reported algorithm for mining fuzzy association and correlation rules, defines the concept of fuzzy partial and semi-partial correlation rule mining, and presents an original algorithm for mining fuzzy data based on correlation rule mining. It adds a regression model to the procedure for mining fuzzy correlation rules in order to predict one data instance from contributing more than others. It also utilizes statistical analysis for the data and the experimental results show a very high utility of fuzzy association rules and fuzzy correlation rule mining in modeling plant association problems. The newly proposed algorithm is utilized for seeking close associations and relationships between a group of plant species clustering around Sandalwood in Pachaimalai hills, Eastern Ghats, Tamilnadu.
To Play or to Learn?
Authors: Erickson Joan J.
Published: February 2015

Research evidence of the last two decades indicates positive effects of game-based learning on students' attitude and performance in math education. Game-based Internet math sites are geared to help students stay motivated and master grade-appropriate math concepts. This review presents One) a literature review on game-based learning via instructional design and game design considerations, Two) a tabulated review of 30 Internet math games from a math educator's first-hand experience in playing and critiquing in reference to Grades 6th - 8th players' motivation and cognition. Its educational implications include helping educators (a) select Internet math games with a heightened awareness of Internet games' motivational factors and concept-building potential during gameplay and (b) incorporate game-based technology to foster meaningful immersion when students explore mathematical concepts.
Architecture for an Adaptive and Intelligent Tutoring System that Considers the Learner's Multiple Intelligences
Authors: Hafidi Mohamed , Bensebaa Taher
Published: February 2015

The majority of adaptive and intelligent tutoring systems (AITS) are dedicated to a specific domain, allowing them to offer accurate models of the domain and the learner. The analysis produced from traces left by the users is didactically very precise and specific to the domain in question. It allows one to guide the learner in case of difficulty and to offer her/him some support. This paper's objective was to develop an (AITS), adapted for letting the learners work in several disciplinary fields of the University of the Annaba. In this context, its constraint is threefold: to represent knowledge relative to several disciplinary domains, to propose interactive activities to the learners based on multiple intelligences, and finally, to be able to support student guidance in her/his course by proposing her/him relevant support activities when she/he meets difficulties. The proposed system covers all important properties such as hypertext component, adaptive sequencing, problem-solving support, intelligent solution analysis and adaptive presentation while available systems have only some of them.
A Review of Personalised E-Learning
Authors: O'Donnell Eileen , Lawless Séamus , Sharp Mary , Wade Vincent P.
Published: February 2015

The realisation of personalised e-learning to suit an individual learner's diverse learning needs is a concept which has been explored for decades, at great expense, but is still not achievable by non-technical authors. This research reviews the area of personalised e-learning and notes some of the technological challenges which developers may encounter in creating authoring tools for personalised e-learning and some of the pedagogical challenges which authors may encounter when creating personalised e-learning activities to enhance the learning experience of their students. At present educators who wish to create personalised e-learning activities require the assistance of technical experts who are knowledgeable in the area. Even with the help of an expert the creation of personalised e-learning activities still remains a complex process to authors who are new to the concept of tailoring e-learning to suit learner diversity. Before the successful utilisation of adaptive authoring tools can be realised, academic authors need to learn how to effectively use these tools. All learners come to education with a diverse set of characteristics; educators need to decide which learner characteristic(s) they wish to focus on addressing through the use of personalised e-learning activities. Further investigation, evaluation and analyses of authoring tools is required before personalised e-learning to support learner diversity can be achieved by many academics. Research members of the AMAS (2013) project team are currently involved in developing an authoring tool for adaptive activities for e-learning.
Web-based Public Participation in Urban Planning Competitions
Authors: Eräranta Susa , Kahila-Tani Maarit , Nummi-Sund Pilvi
Published: February 2015

In Finland, planning competitions are used as a way to determine alternatives in the early phase of urban planning. However, the traditional jury-based evaluation process is encountering significant opposition as it does not consider the views of local residents. In recent years, methods of web-based evaluation have been developed and tested to register public opinion in several planning competitions. This paper describes how web-based public participation and GIS-based evaluation tools, such as PPGIS (public participation geographic information system) and public evaluation web pages, are utilised in urban planning competitions. The research focus of this paper is on studying how public participation can be arranged in competition processes and how the competitors use the information produced. In addition, we identify issues that can affect the utilisation of the information. Based on two Finnish case studies, this study indicates that web-based tools can augment public participation in various phases of the competition process.
Capturing Volunteered Historical Information
Authors: Minner Jennifer , Holleran Michael , Roberts Andrea , Conrad Joshua
Published: February 2015

Government agencies are adopting a variety of web-based strategies to improve information systems, increase civic engagement, and enhance decision-making capabilities and planning processes. Within the U.S., a university research team designed a municipal web tool called the Austin Historical Survey Wiki to fill a pragmatic need for information about historic resources to be used for long range planning and development review purposes. The authors situate this web experiment in relation to an array of models for government interaction with citizens via data collection efforts and the application of GIS and web-based technologies. This experiment offers local government agencies and practitioners a replicable model for tracking official data and citizen contributions to a GIS. In addition, this research offers insights into potential barriers to and requirements for collaboration between government agencies and citizens online.
Blogging the City
Authors: Clavel Pierre , Fox Kenneth , Leo Christopher , Quan-Hasse Anabel , Saitta Dean , Winling LaDale
Published: February 2015

Academic blogging has typically been a form of digital scholarship that is under-utilized in academia. Although there are both costs and benefits to blogging at different stages in an academic's career, blogs can provide a rewarding platform for bringing research and academic perspectives to a wide-reaching and broader audience. This note explores the different experiences of each of the co-authors in terms of using blogs for their scholarly communication. The experiences and lessons gained are of particular relevance to urban planners, sociologists, and anthropologists, who study the social, economic, and historical elements of the city. The findings suggest that the motivations and approaches of scholarly blogging are diverse but overall add value to the academic community. Moreover, each testimony in this note provides examples of the benefits of blogging for research, collaboration, and engagement.
Virtual Environments, Online Racial Discrimination, and Adjustment among a Diverse, School-Based Sample of Adolescents
Authors: Tynes Brendesha M. , Rose Chad A. , Hiss Sophia , Umaña-Taylor Adriana J. , Mitchell Kimberly , Williams David
Published: February 2015

Given the recent rise in online hate activity and the increased amount of time adolescents spend with media, more research is needed on their experiences with racial discrimination in virtual environments. This cross-sectional study examines the association between amount of time spent online, traditional and online racial discrimination and adolescent adjustment, including depressive symptoms, anxiety and externalizing behaviors. The study also explores the role that social identities, including race and gender, play in these associations. Online surveys were administered to 627 sixth through twelfth graders in K-8, middle and high schools. Multiple regression results revealed that discrimination online was associated with all three outcome variables. Additionally, a significant interaction between online discrimination by time online was found for externalizing behaviors indicating that increased time online and higher levels of online discrimination are associated with more problem behavior. This study highlights the need for clinicians, educational professionals and researchers to attend to race-related experiences online as well as in traditional environments.
Cases for the Web in Your Pocket (WiPo)
Authors: Dillon Stuart , Rastrick Karyn , Stahl Florian , Vossen Gottfried
Published: February 2015

Web data is abundant. However, situations remain where a user cannot access the Web, due to the likes of server unavailability, bad connectivity, or governmental controls. In this paper, several cases are considered where continual, uninterrupted Web access is impossible due to various constraints. For example, a tourist may travel to a mountainous region without net coverage, yet may want access to information on the scenery, or the most recent weather forecast they obtained before embarking. The authors previously outlined a general approach to cope with such situations, which they have termed “Web in your Pocket” (WiPo). WiPo assumes that the user has a smart device to which appropriate data, ideally in curated form, can be pre-loaded so that it remains accessible offline. The authors here present a proof of concept by studying how WiPo can be used in three distinct cases: tourism, health, and search and rescue. The authors demonstrate the vast potential of WiPo, and give consideration to the practical issues behind its implementation.
The Effects of Using Dynabook to Prepare Special Education Teachers to Teach Proportional Reasoning
Authors: Courey Susan , LePage Pamela , Blackorby Jose , Siker Jody , Nguyen Trang
Published: February 2015

The Dynabook research project was a collaborative effort aimed at developing and evaluating a new interactive Web-based resource for use in teacher education to improve how teachers learn to teach middle-school mathematics. This paper describes the outcomes of research during a three-year project to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of the “Dynabook.” The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand how special education college faculty used the proportional Dynabook and how it affected the learning of teacher candidates in their courses, as it was being designed and modified over a period of three years. In the results, faculty note an improvement in the credential candidates' skills in solving proportional problems and answering pedagogical content knowledge questions, and in their mathematical thinking as measured in complexity of classroom discussions. The candidates also reported feeling more confident in their teaching of proportional reasoning, their implementation of UDL, and understanding of TPACK.
GlobalHUB
Authors: Roumani Ali M. , McNeill Nathan , Patil Lalit , Ouzzani Mourad , Hirleman Edwin Daniel
Published: February 2015

Recently, sustainability of virtual organizations has been receiving increasing attention in the literature. Most of suggested sustainability pieces have been theoretical in nature or based on case studies. The essence of such articles is: build it, and they will come. However, as the authors have discovered in their experience with a virtual organization called GlobalHUB, putting all of the suggested building blocks into place does not necessarily lead, by itself, to sustainability of a virtual organization. The authors argue that sustainability has many complex and dynamic dimensions that need to be addressed in existing models of sustainability for virtual organizations. In this paper the auhtors provide our key learnings in the process of building GlobalHUB as a sustainable online community.
A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for Software Personnel Staffing for HCIM Solutions
Authors: Jiménez-Domingo Enrique , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo , Gómez-Berbís Juan Miguel
Published: February 2015

The pervasive potential of artificial intelligence techniques in business scenarios has gained momentum recently through the combination of traditional software engineering disciplines and cutting-edge computer science research areas such as neural networks or genetic algorithms. Following this approach, MORGANA is a platform to perform competence oriented personnel staffing in software projects by means of a multi-objective genetic algorithm. The system is designed to be part of global human and intellectual capital management solutions. The main goal of MORGANA is to assist software project managers, by providing a comprehensible artificial intelligence-based formal framework to optimize efficiency and improve person-role fit.
Fibroblastic Reticular Cells: Organization and Regulation of the T Lymphocyte Life Cycle
Authors: Brown Flavian D. , Turley Shannon J.
Published: February 2015

The connective tissue of any organ in the body is generally referred to as stroma. This complex network is commonly composed of leukocytes, extracellular matrix components, mesenchymal cells, and a collection of nerves, blood, and lymphoid vessels. Once viewed primarily as a structural entity, stromal cells of mesenchymal origin are now being intensely examined for their ability to directly regulate various components of immune cell function. There is particular interest in the ability of stromal cells to influence the homeostasis, activation, and proliferation of T lymphocytes. One example of this regulation occurs in the lymph node, where fibroblastic reticular cells support the maintenance of naive T cells, induce Ag-specific tolerance, and restrict the expansion of newly activated T cells. In an effort to highlight the varied immunoregulatory properties of fibroblastic reticular cells, we reviewed the most recent advances in this field and provide some insights into potential future directions.
Landing Biomechanics in Participants With Different Static Lower Extremity Alignment Profiles
Authors: Nguyen Anh-Dung , Shultz Sandra J. , Schmitz Randy J.
Published: February 2015

Context

Whereas static lower extremity alignment (LEA) has been identified as a risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament injury, little is known about its influence on joint motion and moments commonly associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Objective

To cluster participants according to combinations of LEA variables and compare these clusters in hip- and knee-joint kinematics and kinetics during the landing phase of a drop-jump task.

Design

Descriptive laboratory study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 141 participants (50 men: age = 22.2 ± 2.8 years, height = 177.9 ± 9.3 cm, weight = 80.9 ± 13.3 kg; 91 women: age = 21.2 ± 2.6 years, height = 163.9 ± 6.6 cm, weight = 61.1 ± 8.7 kg).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Static LEA included pelvic angle, femoral anteversion, quadriceps angle, tibiofemoral angle, genu recurvatum, tibial torsion, and navicular drop. Cluster analysis grouped participants according to their static LEA profiles, and these groups were compared on their hip- and knee-joint kinematics and external moments during the landing phase of a double-legged drop jump.

Results

Three distinct clusters (C1–C3) were identified based on their static LEAs. Participants in clusters characterized with static internally rotated hip and valgus knee posture (C1) and externally rotated knee and valgus knee posture (C3) alignments demonstrated greater knee-valgus motion and smaller hip-flexion moments than the cluster with more neutral static alignment (C2). Participants in C1 also experienced greater hip internal-rotation and knee external-rotation moments than those in C2 and C3.

Conclusions

Static LEA clusters that are positioned anatomically with a more rotated and valgus knee posture experienced greater dynamic valgus along with hip and knee moments during landing. Whereas static LEA contributes to differences in hip and knee rotational moments, sex may influence the differences in frontal-plane knee kinematics and sagittal-plane hip moments.
Calculation of the constant factor in the six-vertex model
Authors: Bleher Pavel , Bothner Thomas
Published: February 2015

We calculate explicitly the constant factor

C

in the large

N

asymptotics of the partition function

Z_N

of the six-vertex model with domain wall boundary conditions on the critical line between the disordered and ferroelectric phases. On the critical line the weights

a,b,c

of the model are parameterized by a parameter

\alpha >1

, as

a=\frac{\alpha-1}{2}

,

b=\frac{\alpha +1}{2}

,

c=1

. The asymptotics of

Z_N

on the critical line was obtained earlier in the paper [8] of Bleher and Liechty:

Z_N=CF^{N^2}G^{\sqrt{N}}N^{1/4}(1+O(N^{-1/2}))

, where

F

and

G

are given by explicit expressions, but the constant factor

C>0

was not known. To calculate the constant

C

, we find, by using the Riemann–Hilbert approach, an asymptotic behavior of

Z_N

in the double scaling limit, as

N

and

\alpha

tend simultaneously to

\infty

in such a way that

\frac{N}{\alpha}\to t\ge 0

. Then we apply the Toda equation for the tau-function to find a structural form for

C

, as a function of

\alpha

, and we combine the structural form of

C

and the double scaling asymptotic behavior of

Z_N

to calculate

C

.
Reduced Physical Fitness in Patients With Heart Failure as a Possible Risk Factor for Impaired Driving Performance
Authors: Alosco Michael L. , Penn Marc S. , Spitznagel Mary Beth , Cleveland Mary Jo , Ott Brian R. , Gunstad John
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVE. Reduced physical fitness secondary to heart failure (HF) may contribute to poor driving; reduced physical fitness is a known correlate of cognitive impairment and has been associated with decreased independence in driving. No study has examined the associations among physical fitness, cognition, and driving performance in people with HF.

METHOD. Eighteen people with HF completed a physical fitness assessment, a cognitive test battery, and a validated driving simulator scenario.

RESULTS. Partial correlations showed that poorer physical fitness was correlated with more collisions and stop signs missed and lower scores on a composite score of attention, executive function, and psychomotor speed. Cognitive dysfunction predicted reduced driving simulation performance.

CONCLUSION. Reduced physical fitness in participants with HF was associated with worse simulated driving, possibly because of cognitive dysfunction. Larger studies using on-road testing are needed to confirm our findings and identify clinical interventions to maximize safe driving.
MAX-DOAS tropospheric nitrogen dioxide column measurements compared with the Lotos-Euros air quality model
Authors: Vlemmix T. , Eskes H. J. , Piters A. J. M. , Schaap M. , Sauter F. J. , Kelder H. , Levelt P. F.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. A 14-month data set of MAX-DOAS (Multi-Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) tropospheric NO2 column observations in De Bilt, the Netherlands, has been compared with the regional air quality model Lotos-Euros. The model was run on a 7×7 km2 grid, the same resolution as the emission inventory used. A study was performed to assess the effect of clouds on the retrieval accuracy of the MAX-DOAS observations. Good agreement was found between modeled and measured tropospheric NO2 columns, with an average difference of less than 1% of the average tropospheric column (14.5 · 1015 molec cm−2). The comparisons show little cloud cover dependence after cloud corrections for which ceilometer data were used. Hourly differences between observations and model show a Gaussian behavior with a standard deviation (σ) of 5.5 · 1015 molec cm−2. For daily averages of tropospheric NO2 columns, a correlation of 0.72 was found for all observations, and 0.79 for cloud free conditions. The measured and modeled tropospheric NO2 columns have an almost identical distribution over the wind direction. A significant difference between model and measurements was found for the average weekly cycle, which shows a much stronger decrease during the weekend for the observations; for the diurnal cycle, the observed range is about twice as large as the modeled range. The results of the comparison demonstrate that averaged over a long time period, the tropospheric NO2 column observations are representative for a large spatial area despite the fact that they were obtained in an urban region. This makes the MAX-DOAS technique especially suitable for validation of satellite observations and air quality models in urban regions.
5 year radar-based rainfall statistics: disturbances analysis and development of a post-correction scheme for the German radar composite
Authors: Wagner A. , Seltmann J. , Kunstmann H.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. A radar-based rainfall statistic demands high quality data that provide realistic precipitation amounts in space and time. Instead of correcting single radar images, we developed a post-correction scheme for long-term composite radar data that corrects corrupted areas, but preserves the original precipitation patterns. The post-correction scheme is based on a 5 year statistical analysis of radar composite data and its constituents. The accumulation of radar images reveals artificial effects that are not visible in the individual radar images. Some of them are already inherent to single radar data such as the effect of increasing beam height, beam blockage or clutter remnants. More artificial effects are introduced in the process of compositing such as sharp gradients at the boundaries of overlapping areas due to different beam heights and resolution. The cause of these disturbances, their behaviour with respect to reflectivity level, season or altitude is analysed based on time-series of two radar products: the single radar reflectivity product PX for each of the 16 radar systems of the German Meteorological Service (DWD) for the time span 2000 to 2006 and the radar composite product RX of DWD from 2005 through to 2009. These statistics result in additional quality information on radar data that is not available elsewhere. The resulting robust characteristics of disturbances, e.g. the dependency of the frequencies of occurrence of radar reflectivities on beam height, are then used as a basis for the post-correction algorithm. The scheme comprises corrections for shading effects and speckles, such as clutter remnants or overfiltering, as well as for systematic differences in frequencies of occurrence of radar reflectivities between the near and the far ranges of individual radar sites. An adjustment to rain gauges is also included. Applying this correction, the Root-Mean-Square-Error for the comparison of radar derived annual rain amounts with rain gauge data decreases from 1181 to 171 mm a−1 (application period: 2005, 2006 and 2009) and from 317 to 178 mm a−1 (validation period: 2007, 2008). The entire correction scheme is applicable on an annual scale. The correction of mean annual rain amounts derived from radar composite data for the whole period leads to an almost undisturbed and homogeneous distribution of rain amounts for Germany.
Exploring water cycle dynamics through sampling multitude stable water isotope pools in a small developed landscape of Germany
Authors: Orlowski N. , Kraft P. , Breuer L.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Conducting a dual stable water isotope (δ2H and δ18O) study in the developed landscape of the Schwingbach catchment (Germany) helped to unravel connectivity and disconnectivity between the different water cycle components. The two-year weekly to biweekly measurements of precipitation, stream, and groundwater isotopes revealed that surface and groundwater are decoupled from the annual precipitation cycle but showed bidirectional interactions between each other. Seasonal variations based on temperature effects were observed in the precipitation signal but neither reflected in stream nor in groundwater isotopic signatures. Apparently, snowmelt played a fundamental role for groundwater recharge explaining the observed differences to precipitation δ-values. A spatially distributed snapshot sampling of soil water isotopes in two soil depths at 52 sampling points across different land uses (arable land, forest, and grassland) revealed that top soil isotopic signatures were similar to the precipitation input signal. Preferential water flow paths occurred under forested soils explaining the isotopic similarities between top and subsoil isotopic signatures. Due to human-impacted agricultural land use (tilling and compression) of arable and grassland soils, water delivery to the deeper soil layers was reduced, resulting in significant different isotopic signatures. However, the land use influence smoothed out with depth and soil water approached groundwater δ-values. Seasonally tracing stable water isotopes through soil profiles showed that the influence of new percolating soil water decreased with depth as no remarkable seasonality in soil isotopic signatures was obvious at depth > 0.9 m and constant values were observed through space and time. Little variation in individual isotope time series of stream and groundwater restricted the use of classical isotope hydrology techniques e.g. mean transit time estimation or hydrograph separation. Still, tracing stable water isotopes through the water cycle was valuable for determining interactions between different water cycle components and gaining catchment specific process understanding in a developed, human-impacted landscape.
Singularity-sensitive gauge-based radar rainfall adjustment methods for urban hydrological applications
Authors: Wang L.-P. , Ochoa-Rodríguez S. , Onof C. , Willems P.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Gauge-based radar rainfall adjustment techniques have been widely used to improve the applicability of radar rainfall estimates to large-scale hydrological modelling. However, their use for urban hydrological applications is limited as they were mostly developed based upon Gaussian approximations and therefore tend to smooth off so-called "singularities" (features of a non-Gaussian field) that can be observed in the fine-scale rainfall structure. Overlooking the singularities could be critical, given that their distribution is highly consistent with that of local extreme magnitudes. This deficiency may cause large errors in the subsequent urban hydrological modelling. To address this limitation and improve the applicability of adjustment techniques at urban scales, a method is proposed herein which incorporates a local singularity analysis into existing adjustment techniques and allows the preservation of the singularity structures throughout the adjustment process. In this paper the proposed singularity analysis is incorporated into the Bayesian merging technique and the performance of the resulting singularity-sensitive method is compared with that of the original Bayesian (non singularity-sensitive) technique and the commonly-used mean field bias adjustment. This test is conducted using as case study four storm events observed in the Portobello catchment (53 km2) (Edinburgh, UK) during 2011 and for which radar estimates, dense rain gauge and sewer flow records, as well as a recently-calibrated urban drainage model were available. The results suggest that, in general, the proposed singularity-sensitive method can effectively preserve the non-normality in local rainfall structure, while retaining the ability of the original adjustment techniques to generate nearly unbiased estimates. Moreover, the ability of the singularity-sensitive technique to preserve the non-normality in rainfall estimates often leads to better reproduction of the urban drainage system's dynamics, particularly of peak runoff flows.
Snow depth mapping in high-alpine catchments using digital photogrammetry
Authors: Bühler Y. , Marty M. , Egli L. , Veitinger J. , Jonas T. , Thee P. , Ginzler C.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Information on snow depth and its spatial distribution is crucial for numerous applications in snow and avalanche research as well as in hydrology and ecology. Today, snow depth distributions are usually estimated using point measurements performed by automated weather stations and observers in the field combined with interpolation algorithms. However, these methodologies are not able to capture the high spatial variability of the snow depth distribution present in alpine terrain. Continuous and accurate snow depth mapping has been successfully performed using laser scanning but this method can only cover limited areas and is expensive. We use the airborne ADS80 optoelectronic scanner, acquiring stereo imagery with 0.25 m spatial resolution to derive digital surface models (DSMs) of winter and summer terrains in the neighborhood of Davos, Switzerland. The DSMs are generated using photogrammetric image correlation techniques based on the multispectral nadir and backward-looking sensor data. In order to assess the accuracy of the photogrammetric products, we compare these products with the following independent data sets acquired simultaneously: (a) manually measured snow depth plots; (b) differential Global Navigation Satellite System (dGNSS) points; (c) terrestrial laser scanning (TLS); and (d) ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data sets. We demonstrate that the method presented can be used to map snow depth at 2 m resolution with a vertical depth accuracy of ±30 cm (root mean square error) in the complex topography of the Alps. The snow depth maps presented have an average accuracy that is better than 15 % compared to the average snow depth of 2.2 m over the entire test site.
Hugh Popenoe Eulogy
Authors: Firebaugh Francille M.
Published: February 2015

No AbstractDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/ceiba.v52i2.1745
Medications Are Associated with Falls in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Cameron Michelle H. , Karstens Lisa , Hoang Phu , Bourdette Dennis , Lord Stephen
Published: February 2015

Background: Medication use is associated with falls in many populations, but the relationship between medications and falls in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is not well understood.

Methods: The number and types of medications used by 248 ambulatory adults with MS in the United States (n = 53) and Australia (n = 195) were assessed. Participants completed fall diaries for 6 months. Associations between number and type of medications reported and falls, adjusting for age, disease severity, comorbidities, sex, and country, were evaluated using multiple logistic regression.

Results: Participants reported taking a median of three medications and two supplements. A total of 143 participants (58%) fell at least once in the 6 months, and 110 (44%) experienced one or more injurious falls. The adjusted relative odds of a fall or an injurious fall increased by 13% (P = .048) and 11% (P = .049), respectively, for each medication and by 43% (P = .015) and 55% (P = .001) for each neurologically active medication. Reported use of MS disease-modifying therapy was associated with 48% decreased odds of falling (P = .035) but not significantly decreased odds of injurious falls.

Conclusions: Reporting use of more medications and more neurologically active medications is associated with falls and injurious falls in people with MS. Close evaluation of the need for each medication, with associated minimization of neurologically active medications in patients with MS, may help prevent falls. Use of MS disease-modifying therapies may be associated with fewer falls. This relationship needs further evaluation.
Relationship of Admissions Variables and College of Osteopathic Medicine Variables to Performance on COMLEX-USA Level 3
Authors: Baker Helen H. , Shuman Victoria L. , Ridpath Lance C. , Pence Lorenzo L. , Fisk Robert M. , Boisvert Craig S.
Published: February 2015

Context: New accreditation standards require that all US colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) publically report the first-time pass rates of graduates on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 3. Little is known about the extent to which admissions variables or COM performance measures relate to Level 3 performance.

Objective: To examine the relationship of admissions variables and COM performance to scores on Level 3 and to assess whether a relationship existed between Level 3 scores and sex, curriculum track, year of graduation, and residency specialty in the first postgraduate year.

Methods: Data were analyzed from 4 graduating classes (2008-2011) of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg. Relationships were examined between first-attempt scores on COMLEX-USA Level 3 and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores; undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs); GPAs in COM year 1, year 2, and clinical rotation years (years 3 and 4); and first-attempt scores on COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation, and Level 2-Performance Evaluation.

Results: Of the 556 graduates during this 4-year period, COMLEX-USA Level 3 scores were available for 552 graduates (99.3%). No statistically significant differences were found in Level 3 scores based on sex, curriculum track, graduating class, or residency specialty. The strongest relationship between Level 3 scores and any admissions variable was with total MCAT score, which accounted for 4.2% of the variation in Level 3 scores. The strongest relationship between Level 3 scores and COM year performance measures was with year 2 GPA, which accounted for 35.4% of the variation in Level 3 scores. Level 1 scores accounted for 38.5% of the variation in Level 3 scores, and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation scores accounted for the greatest percentage of variation (45.7%). The correlation of Level 3 scores with passing the Level 2-Performance Evaluation on the first attempt was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: A weak relationship was found between admissions variables and performance on COMLEX-USA Level 3, suggesting that graduates with lower MCAT scores and undergraduate GPAs may have overcome their early disadvantage. Strong relationships were found between Level 3 scores and year 2 GPAs, as well as scores on COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation.
Sensitivity of liquid clouds to homogenous freezing parameterizations
Authors: Herbert Ross J. , Murray Benjamin J. , Dobbie Steven J. , Koop Thomas
Published: February 2015

Water droplets in some clouds can supercool to temperatures where homogeneous ice nucleation becomes the dominant freezing mechanism. In many cloud resolving and mesoscale models, it is assumed that homogeneous ice nucleation in water droplets only occurs below some threshold temperature typically set at −40°C. However, laboratory measurements show that there is a finite rate of nucleation at warmer temperatures. In this study we use a parcel model with detailed microphysics to show that cloud properties can be sensitive to homogeneous ice nucleation as warm as −30°C. Thus, homogeneous ice nucleation may be more important for cloud development, precipitation rates, and key cloud radiative parameters than is often assumed. Furthermore, we show that cloud development is particularly sensitive to the temperature dependence of the nucleation rate. In order to better constrain the parameterization of homogeneous ice nucleation laboratory measurements are needed at both high (>−35°C) and low (<−38°C) temperatures.
Substorm onset: Current sheet avalanche and stop layer
Authors: Haerendel Gerhard
Published: February 2015

A new scenario is presented for the onset of a substorm and the nature of the breakup arc. There are two main components, current sheet avalanche and stop layer. The first refers to an earthward flow of plasma and magnetic flux from the central current sheet of the tail, triggered spontaneously or by some unknown interaction with an auroral streamer or a suddenly appearing eastward flow at the end of the growth phase. The second offers a mechanism to stop the flow abruptly at the interface between magnetosphere and tail and extract momentum and energy to be partially processed locally and partially transmitted as Poynting flux toward the ionosphere. The stop layer has a width of the order of the ion inertial length. The different dynamics of the ions entering freely and the magnetized electrons create an electric polarization field which stops the ion flow and drives a Hall current by which flow momentum is transferred to the magnetic field. A simple formalism is used to describe the operation of the process and to enable quantitative conclusions. An important conclusion is that by necessity the stop layer is also highly structured in longitude. This offers a natural explanation for the coarse ray structure of the breakup arc as manifestation of elementary paths of energy and momentum transport. The currents aligned with the rays are balanced between upward and downward directions. While the avalanche is invoked for explaining the spontaneous substorm onset at the inner edge of the tail, the expansion of the breakup arc for many minutes is taken as evidence for a continued formation of new stop layers by arrival of flow bursts from the near‐Earth neutral line. This is in line with earlier conclusions about the nature of the breakup arc. Small‐scale structure, propagation speed, and energy flux are quantitatively consistent with observations. However, the balanced small‐scale currents cannot constitute the substorm current wedge. The source of the latter must be located just earthward of the stop layer in the near‐dipolar magnetosphere and be powered by the internal energy of the flow bursts. The stop layer mechanism is in some way the inverse of reconnection, as it converts flow into electromagnetic energy, and may have wide applicability in astrophysical plasmas.
Experimental study on plunging breaking waves in deep water
Authors: Lim Ho‐Joon , Chang Kuang‐An , Huang Zhi‐Cheng , Na Byoungjoon
Published: February 2015

This study presents a unique data set that combines measurements of velocities and void fraction under an unsteady deep water plunging breaker in a laboratory. Flow properties in the aerated crest region of the breaking wave were measured using modified particle image velocimetry (PIV) and bubble image velocimetry (BIV). Results show that the maximum velocity in the plunging breaker reached 1.68C at the first impingement of the overturning water jet with C being the phase speed of the primary breaking wave, while the maximum velocity reached 2.14C at the beginning of the first splash‐up. A similarity profile of void fraction was found in the successive impinging and splash‐up rollers. In the highly foamy splashing roller, the increase of turbulent level and vorticity level were strongly correlated with the increase of void fraction when the range of void fraction was between 0 and 0.4 (from the trough level to approximately the center of the roller). The levels became constant when void fraction was greater than 0.5. The mass flux, momentum flux, kinetic energy, potential energy, and total energy were computed and compared with and without the void fraction being accounted for. The results show that all the mean and turbulence properties related to the air‐water mixture are considerably overestimated unless void fraction is considered. When including the density variation due to the air bubbles, the wave energy dissipated exponentially a short distance after breaking; about 54% and 85% of the total energy dissipated within one and two wavelengths beyond the breaking wave impingement point, respectively.
Glider observations and modeling of sediment transport in Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Miles Travis , Seroka Greg , Kohut Josh , Schofield Oscar , Glenn Scott
Published: February 2015

Regional sediment resuspension and transport are examined as Hurricane Sandy made landfall on the Mid‐Atlantic Bight (MAB) in October 2012. A Teledyne‐Webb Slocum glider, equipped with a Nortek Aquadopp current profiler, was deployed on the continental shelf ahead of the storm, and is used to validate sediment transport routines coupled to the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). The glider was deployed on 25 October, 5 days before Sandy made landfall in southern New Jersey (NJ) and flew along the 40 m isobath south of the Hudson Shelf Valley. We used optical and acoustic backscatter to compare with two modeled size classes along the glider track, 0.1 and 0.4 mm sand, respectively. Observations and modeling revealed full water column resuspension for both size classes for over 24 h during peak waves and currents, with transport oriented along‐shelf toward the southwest. Regional model predictions showed over 3 cm of sediment eroded on the northern portion of the NJ shelf where waves and currents were the highest. As the storm passed and winds reversed from onshore to offshore on the southern portion of the domain waves and subsequently orbital velocities necessary for resuspension were reduced leading to over 3 cm of deposition across the entire shelf, just north of Delaware Bay. This study highlights the utility of gliders as a new asset in support of the development and verification of regional sediment resuspension and transport models, particularly during large tropical and extratropical cyclones when in situ data sets are not readily available.