bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating Place-Based Education to Cultivate Watershed Literacy
Authors: Hensley Nathan
Published: March 2014

This chapter explores the theoretical underpinnings and practical application of Place-Based Watershed Education. More specifically, it describes an experiential approach to teaching about stormwater and sustainable stormwater management while working to advance the “watershed literacy” of students in an Auburn University Honors Introduction to Sustainability undergraduate course. The value of learning about watersheds (and specifically stormwater) from direct encounters is explored. Also, the importance of cultivating a hydrological sense of place will be discussed in conjunction with an effort to provide a point of entry for educators of diverse disciplinary backgrounds to consider the value of using a form of place-based watershed education in their local bioregion.
Sustainability in Photography Can Change the World
Authors: Scott Rowena H.
Published: March 2014

Photography plays important, but undervalued and misunderstood, roles in how modern urban humans relate to nature and how nature is mediated to us, forming our perceptions and national identity. Typically landscape photography depicts nature aesthetically as sublime, picturesque and beautiful. Photographs have been powerful raising awareness of sustainability and communicating political messages. The chapter reviews the influence of two great Australian wilderness photographers, Olegas Truchanas and Peter Dombrovskis, as well as Edith Cowan University's (ECU) Photography for Environmental Sustainability Competition. In conjunction with World Environment Day, the university invited students to submit photographs that showcase the principles and practices of environmental sustainability. This chapter describes the history, purposes and impact of photography and the competition. Starting as an engagement partnership between the environment coordinator, academics and the Perth Centre for Photography, it is now an international competition across Australia and New Zealand, not exclusive to photography students, hosted by Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS).
Learning about the Different Dimensions of Sustainability by Applying the Product Test Method in Science Classes
Authors: Burmeister Mareike , von Döhlen Janine , Eilks Ingo
Published: March 2014

This chapter reflects upon the development of a new pedagogy for secondary level science education: the product test method. This method mimics the authentic societal evaluation practice performed by professional product-testing agencies. The design of this particular pedagogy is tied directly to the three most prominent dimensions occurring in contemporary sustainability models: ecological, economic and societal sustainability. Application of this method focuses on learning about the evaluation of competing industrial products with regard to sustainability criteria. This chapter reflects upon the underlying theoretical framework of the consumer test method. It also illustrates its application in the classroom based on a lesson plan for the evaluation of different sorts of plastics. Experiences and feedback from teachers and students are discussed, based on the cyclical development process by Participatory Action Research. They reveal that the lesson plan has great potential for contributing to higher levels of student motivation and learner perception regarding issues of sustainable development.
Communities of Practice (CoP) as a Model for Integrating Sustainability into Higher Education
Authors: Murray Sandra , Salter Susan
Published: March 2014

The University of Tasmania (UTas), Australia, made the commitment to adopt a plan for incorporating environmental literacy and sustainability into teaching and learning practices for all undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as within research, operational activities, and the community. The systematic goal was Education for Sustainability (EfS). To move towards this goal, a Community of Practice (CoP) in EfS was established in 2011. This chapter describes the establishment process for this CoP along with key milestones from 2011 through 2013. Paramount among these is the impact of the CoP on EfS at UTas and beyond and the phases involved—from initiation to maturation to ongoing regeneration—are explored. The diverse membership of the CoP, which includes students, academics, professional/operational staff, and community members, is elaborated upon in this chapter to ensure each role is understood as well as the challenges that arise from such diverse initiatives (60+ members).
Learning about Sustainability in a Non-Formal Laboratory Context for Secondary Level Students
Authors: Garner Nicole , Lischke Maria de Lourdes , Siol Antje , Eilks Ingo
Published: March 2014

This chapter discusses a project of curriculum development for the non-formal educational sector. The project aims at student learning about sustainability issues in a chemistry-related context. For this purpose, non-formal laboratory-based learning environments are developed. The learning environments center round half- or one-day visits of secondary school students in a university laboratory and are networked with the formal school syllabus in chemistry and science education respectively. All modules integrate the non-formal laboratory event about issues of sustainability with teaching materials for preparation and assessment tasks in school to fulfill part of the school curriculum in chemistry or science teaching. This chapter discusses the project of developing respective modules, the structure thereof, and initial findings from their application. The discussion is illustrated by a module on environmental problems connected to the chemistry of the atmosphere, namely climate change, the hole in the ozone layer, and the phenomenon of summer smog.
A System-Wide School-Based Program for Sustainability
Authors: Buchanan John , Aubusson Peter , Schuck Sandy
Published: March 2014

This chapter reports on an external evaluation of a statewide Education for Sustainability program conducted in Australia. The Climate Clever Energy Savers Program, conducted by the NSW Department of Education and Communities, invited students in primary and secondary schools (from Years 3 to 10), to participate in projects with their teachers' support, aimed at reducing their school's electricity consumption and costs. The chapter describes the Program in the context of the importance of sustainability development, and the centrality of education in achieving this. The ongoing evaluation investigates outcomes of the school-based projects, as well as teachers' views on the available support. This chapter investigates three case studies of the Program, examining outcomes, commonalities and differences across these sites. It describes the use of the Sustainability Action Process as a framework for guiding projects' progress. The chapter concludes with implications for practice and further research emerging from the case study investigations.
Systems Thinking about Severe Storms in Social Studies Education
Authors: Chandler Thomas , Crocco Margaret , Marri Anand R.
Published: March 2014

Systems thinking provides a powerful cognitive and pedagogical tool for considering problems related to sustainability. This chapter pays particular attention to critical conceptual aspects of systems thinking as manifest in the use of a curriculum guide addressing Hurricane Katrina called Teaching the Levees: A Curriculum for Democratic Dialogue and Civic Engagement. The three educators in this study used the Teaching the Levees curriculum guide in order to focus on a specific disciplinary aspect of social studies education. The educators also integrated a variety of social, ecological, economic, and political issues in their lessons. The inclusion of these disciplines supports the perspective that the educators were engaged in systems thinking, particularly in how they conceived of the patterns in which events emerged, the interconnectedness of discrete elements, and the impact of feedback loops within the system. The chapter also addresses ramifications of systems thinking within social studies education.
Implementing an Interfaculty Elective “Sustainable Development”
Authors: Hübner Renate , Rauch Franz , Dulle Mira
Published: March 2014

A university is a place of organized scientific rationality, but as a social institution it is also committed to future generations. Therefore, it can be argued that universities should act as “models for sustainability”. It is thus not sufficient to spend public funds efficiently in achieving their educational mission. Beyond that, the social and the environmental effects of their actions also have to be considered. Having this in mind, the status quo of sustainability in research, teaching, and administration at the Alpen-Adria University Klagenfurt in Austria was examined in 2010. Results showed that although important approaches and several internationally acknowledged contributions in research and teaching do exist, at the same time a concise and focused strategy for these actions is missing. However, there was some commitment that a coherent strategy would strengthen our University. The major challenge is that a system based on individual freedom in research and teaching needs to intervene in order to create, implement and live such a strategy. The conception and implementation of an interdisciplinary elective open for all Master and PhD students seemed to be a first appropriate step to implement sustainability at the University across disciplinary and structural borders. To increase general acceptance of such an intervention and to cause impacts towards sustainability at the university as a whole an interfaculty approach was chosen. The corresponding processes and challenges are described in this chapter.
Digital Textbook in Personal Learning Portfolios
Authors: Railean Elena
Published: March 2014

This chapter investigates a case of interdisciplinary pedagogical innovation for sustainability: digital textbooks in personal learning portfolios. In particular, its aim to provide a mean by which the metasystems learning design approach can be applied in sustainable development of user engaged in a powerful learning environment. Indeed, it is suggested that learning is a complex process within the learning environment and is composed of information/communication, cognitive activity and environmental assessment. The analysis of learning requires a complex investigation of the educational system based on understanding the inputs, outputs and process charactersitics and theirs trends. These can be done on the basis of interdisciplinary pedagogical innovation for sustainability. Such innovation could be achieved if learning outcomes will be designed according to core crossprinciples and their norms of application. The chapter is motivated by the fact that Google Drive provides a useful service for the metasystems learning design approach, allowing to store, personalise, peer review and access files anywhere. These results highlight how both core concepts and metasystems learning design principles need to be considered in tandem in order to create a powerful learning environment that will guarantee the learning outcomes.
Characterisation of attacks made by the mountain pine beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) during its endemic population phase
Authors: Bleiker K.P. , O'Brien M.R. , Smith G.D. , Carroll A.L.
Published: March 2014

Mountain pine beetle (MPB) Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) attacks and overwhelms the defences of vigorous trees during outbreaks by attacking en masse. Low or endemic populations are regulated by host resistance and restricted to colonising weakened trees, where there is a potential trade off between tree defences and habitat quality. Mountain pine beetle populations are typically in the endemic population phase, but MPB attack behaviour and brood productivity in this phase are poorly understood. We located attacks made by beetles from endemic populations in north-central Alberta, Canada and examined galleries constructed on these trees. The distribution of gallery starts on trees was clustered relative to height on the tree, but not related to aspect on the tree bole. We found no Allee effect associated with mate location as over 99% of galleries were constructed by mated females. Productivity was generally low and brood development rarely reached the pupal stage, with one exception that suggests that endemic populations are capable of rapid increase in certain hosts. Egg galleries constructed by unmated females differed in morphology from galleries created by mated females. To understand the dynamics of this eruptive species, we need to identify the conditions under which endemic populations can persist and periodically increase to densities that result in coordinated mass attacks on healthy trees and lead to outbreaks.
Regulation of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by TPL-2 Kinase
Authors: Sriskantharajah Srividya , Gückel Eva , Tsakiri Niki , Kierdorf Katrin , Brender Christine , Ben-Addi Abduelhakem , Veldhoen Marc , Tsichlis Philip N. , Stockinger Brigitta , O’Garra Anne , Prinz Marco , Kollias George , Ley Steven C.
Published: March 2014

Tumor progression locus 2 (TPL-2) expression is required for efficient polarization of naive T cells to Th1 effector cells in vitro, as well as for Th1-mediated immune responses. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of TPL-2 in Th17 cells. TPL-2 was found to be dispensable for Th17 cell differentiation in vitro, and for the initial priming of Th17 cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a Th17 cell–mediated disease model for multiple sclerosis. Nevertheless, TPL-2–deficient mice were protected from EAE, which correlated with reduced immune cell infiltration, demyelination, and axonal damage in the CNS. Adoptive transfer experiments demonstrated that there was no T cell–intrinsic function for TPL-2 in EAE, and that TPL-2 signaling was not required in radiation-sensitive hematopoietic cells. Rather, TPL-2 signaling in radiation-resistant stromal cells promoted the effector phase of the disease. Importantly, using a newly generated mouse strain expressing a kinase-inactive form of TPL-2, we demonstrated that stimulation of EAE was dependent on the catalytic activity of TPL-2 and not its adaptor function to stabilize the associated ubiquitin-binding protein ABIN-2. Our data therefore raise the possibility that small molecule inhibitors of TPL-2 may be beneficial in multiple sclerosis therapy.
CCL3 Production by Microglial Cells Modulates Disease Severity in Murine Models of Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Kohno Hideo , Maeda Tadao , Perusek Lindsay , Pearlman Eric , Maeda Akiko
Published: March 2014

Many degenerative retinal diseases illustrate retinal inflammatory changes that include infiltration of microglia and macrophages into the subretinal space. In this study, we examined the role of chemokines in the Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mouse model of Stargardt disease and the Mertk−/− mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. PCR array analysis of 84 chemokines and related molecules revealed 84.6-fold elevated expression of Ccl3 (MIP-1a) 24 h after light exposure in Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice. Only MIP-1 chemokines, including Ccl3 and Ccl4, displayed peak expression 24 h after light exposure, and peaked earlier than the other chemokines. Secretion of Ccl3 was documented only in microglia, whereas both microglia and retinal pigment epithelium cells produced Ccl2. Exposure of Cx3Cr1gfp/ΔAbca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice to intense light resulted in the appearance of Cx3Cr1GFP+ monocytes in the subretinal space. To address the in vivo role of CCL3 in retinal degeneration, Ccl3−/−Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice and Ccl3−/−Mertk−/− mice were generated. Following intense light exposure, Ccl3−/−Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice displayed persistent retinal inflammation with appearance of Iba-1+ cells in the subretinal space, severe photoreceptor cell death, and increased Ccl4 expression compared with Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice. In contrast, Ccl3−/−Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice exhibited a milder retinal inflammation and degeneration than Abca4−/−Rdh8−/− mice did in age-related chronic retinal degeneration under room light conditions. The deficiency of Ccl3 also attenuated the severity of retinal degeneration in Mertk−/− mice. Taken together, our results indicate that Ccl3 has an essential role in regulating the severity of retinal inflammation and degeneration in these mouse models.
Chemokine Cooperativity Is Caused by Competitive Glycosaminoglycan Binding
Authors: Verkaar Folkert , van Offenbeek Jody , van der Lee Miranda M. C. , van Lith Lambertus H. C. J. , Watts Anne O. , Rops Angelique L. W. M. M. , Aguilar David C. , Ziarek Joshua J. , van der Vlag Johan , Handel Tracy M. , Volkman Brian F. , Proudfoot Amanda E. I. , Vischer Henry F. , Zaman Guido J. R. , Smit Martine J.
Published: March 2014

Chemokines comprise a family of secreted proteins that activate G protein–coupled chemokine receptors and thereby control the migration of leukocytes during inflammation or immune surveillance. The positional information required for such migratory behavior is governed by the binding of chemokines to membrane-tethered glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which establishes a chemokine concentration gradient. An often observed but incompletely understood behavior of chemokines is the ability of unrelated chemokines to enhance the potency with which another chemokine subtype can activate its cognate receptor. This phenomenon has been demonstrated to occur between many chemokine combinations and across several model systems and has been dubbed chemokine cooperativity. In this study, we have used GAG binding-deficient chemokine mutants and cell-based functional (migration) assays to demonstrate that chemokine cooperativity is caused by competitive binding of chemokines to GAGs. This mechanistic explanation of chemokine cooperativity provides insight into chemokine gradient formation in the context of inflammation, in which multiple chemokines are secreted simultaneously.
Critical Roles for PU.1, GATA1, and GATA2 in the Expression of Human FcεRI on Mast Cells: PU.1 and GATA1 Transactivate FCER1A, and GATA2 Transactivates FCER1A and MS4A2
Authors: Inage Eisuke , Kasakura Kazumi , Yashiro Takuya , Suzuki Ryuyo , Baba Yosuke , Nakano Nobuhiro , Hara Mutsuko , Tanabe Atsushi , Oboki Keisuke , Matsumoto Kenji , Saito Hirohisa , Niyonsaba François , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Ogawa Hideoki , Okumura Ko , Shimizu Toshiaki , Nishiyama Chiharu
Published: March 2014

The high-affinity IgE receptor, FcεRI, which is composed of α-, β-, and γ-chains, plays an important role in IgE-mediated allergic responses. In the current study, involvement of the transcription factors, PU.1, GATA1, and GATA2, in the expression of FcεRI on human mast cells was investigated. Transfection of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against PU.1, GATA1, and GATA2 into the human mast cell line, LAD2, caused significant downregulation of cell surface expression of FcεRI. Quantification of the mRNA levels revealed that PU.1, GATA1, and GATA2 siRNAs suppressed the α transcript, whereas the amount of β mRNA was reduced in only GATA2 siRNA transfectants. In contrast, γ mRNA levels were not affected by any of the knockdowns. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that significant amounts of PU.1, GATA1, and GATA2 bind to the promoter region of FCER1A (encoding FcεRIα) and that GATA2 binds to the promoter of MS4A2 (encoding FcεRIβ). Luciferase assay and EMSA showed that GATA2 transactivates the MS4A2 promoter via direct binding. These knockdowns of transcription factors also suppressed the IgE-mediated degranulation activity of LAD2. Similarly, all three knockdowns suppressed FcεRI expression in primary mast cells, especially PU.1 siRNA and GATA2 siRNA, which target FcεRIα and FcεRIβ, respectively. From these results, we conclude that PU.1 and GATA1 are involved in FcεRIα transcription through recruitment to its promoter, whereas GATA2 positively regulates FcεRIβ transcription. Suppression of these transcription factors leads to downregulation of FcεRI expression and IgE-mediated degranulation activity. Our findings will contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches for FcεRI-mediated allergic diseases.
Involvement of the 4-1BB/4-1BBL Pathway in Control of Monocyte Numbers by Invariant NKT Cells
Authors: Cole Suzanne L. , Benam Kambez H. , McMichael Andrew J. , Ho Ling-Pei
Published: March 2014

4-1BB is expressed on invariant (i)NKT cells, but its role is unclear. We showed previously that iNKT cells are involved in control of monocyte numbers during influenza A virus (IAV) infection and now question the role of the 4-1BB costimulatory pathway in the cross-talk between these cells. We found that iNKT cells and monocytes interact to promote expression of 4-1BB and 4-1BBL, respectively. Blockade of 4-1BB/L pathway under resting coculture conditions increased apoptosis of iNKT cells and monocytes. However, activation of iNKT cells overrides this survival signal, causing marked apoptosis of monocytes independent of 4-1BB/L. Blocking 4-1BBL in alpha-galactosylceramide-activated iNKT–monocyte cocultures reduced iNKT proliferation and abrogated monocytic IL-12 production. In vivo, expression of 4-1BB and 4-1BBL is increased on iNKT cells and Ly6Chi monocytes, respectively, during IAV infection, and there were lower frequencies of apoptosing Ly6Chi monocytes in the blood of iNKT knockout mice and higher numbers of monocytes in lungs compared with infected wild-type mice. Adoptive transfer of iNKT cells into the lungs of these mice reduced lung Ly6Chi monocytes levels, even when iNKT cells were preincubated with 4-1BB blocking Abs. These findings suggest that under resting conditions, 4-1BB/L engagement during iNKT–monocyte interaction promotes survival of these cells. When iNKT cells are activated, whether by alpha-galactosylceramide or during IAV infection, iNKT cells induced apoptosis of monocytes via a 4-1BB/L–independent mechanism, reducing monocyte numbers. 4-1BB/L costimulation amplified monocyte-mediated proliferation of iNKT cells, indirectly providing a method for monocytes to control their own numbers during infection.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Sensitizes Apoptosis-Resistant Melanomas to Cytotoxic Human T Lymphocytes through Regulation of TRAIL/DR5 Pathway
Authors: Jazirehi Ali R. , Kurdistani Siavash K. , Economou James S.
Published: March 2014

Modern immune therapies (PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 checkpoints blockade and adoptive cell transfer) have remarkably improved the response rates of metastatic melanoma. These modalities rely on the killing potential of CTL as proximal mediator of antimelanoma responses. Mechanisms of tumor resistance to and the predominant cytotoxic pathway(s) used by melanoma-reactive CTL are important outcome determinants. We hypothesized that downmodulation of death receptors (DRs) in addition to aberrant apoptotic signaling might confer resistance to death signals delivered by CTL. To test these two hypotheses, we used an in vitro model of MART CTL–resistant melanoma sublines. TCR-transgenic and patient-derived CTLs used the TRAIL cytotoxic pathway through DR5. Furthermore, recombinant human TRAIL and drozitumab (anti-DR5 agonistic mAb) were used to explicitly verify the contribution of the DR5/TRAIL pathway in killing melanomas. CTL resistance was due to DR5 downregulation and an inverted ratio of pro- to antiapoptotic molecules, both of which were reversed by the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxanic acid. Apoptosis negative (c-IAP-2 and Bcl-xL) and positive (DR5) regulators were potential incriminators partly regulating CTL sensitivity. These preclinical findings suggest that exposure to this chromatin remodeling drug of immune-resistant melanomas can skew toward an intracellular proapoptotic milieu, increase DR expression, and overcome acquired immune resistance.
CCL2 Shapes Macrophage Polarization by GM-CSF and M-CSF: Identification of CCL2/CCR2-Dependent Gene Expression Profile
Authors: Sierra-Filardi Elena , Nieto Concha , Domínguez-Soto Ángeles , Barroso Rubén , Sánchez-Mateos Paloma , Puig-Kroger Amaya , López-Bravo María , Joven Jorge , Ardavín Carlos , Rodríguez-Fernández José L. , Sánchez-Torres Carmen , Mellado Mario , Corbí Ángel L.
Published: March 2014

The CCL2 chemokine mediates monocyte egress from bone marrow and recruitment into inflamed tissues through interaction with the CCR2 chemokine receptor, and its expression is upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines. Analysis of the gene expression profile in GM-CSF– and M-CSF–polarized macrophages revealed that a high CCL2 expression characterizes macrophages generated under the influence of M-CSF, whereas CCR2 is expressed only by GM-CSF–polarized macrophages. Analysis of the factors responsible for this differential expression identified activin A as a critical factor controlling the expression of the CCL2/CCR2 pair in macrophages, as activin A increased CCR2 expression but inhibited the acquisition of CCL2 expression by M-CSF–polarized macrophages. CCL2 and CCR2 were found to determine the extent of macrophage polarization because CCL2 enhances the LPS-induced production of IL-10, whereas CCL2 blockade leads to enhanced expression of M1 polarization-associated genes and cytokines, and diminished expression of M2-associated markers in human macrophages. Along the same line, Ccr2-deficient bone marrow–derived murine macrophages displayed an M1-skewed polarization profile at the transcriptomic level and exhibited a significantly higher expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) in response to LPS. Therefore, the CCL2-CCR2 axis regulates macrophage polarization by influencing the expression of functionally relevant and polarization-associated genes and downmodulating proinflammatory cytokine production.
Hepatic Stellate Cells Orchestrate Clearance of Necrotic Cells in a Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α–Dependent Manner by Modulating Macrophage Phenotype in Mice
Authors: Mochizuki Akie , Pace Aaron , Rockwell Cheryl E. , Roth Katherine J. , Chow Aaron , O’Brien Kate M. , Albee Ryan , Kelly Kara , Towery Keara , Luyendyk James P. , Copple Bryan L.
Published: March 2014

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is activated in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by hypoxia and regulates genes important for tissue repair. Whether HIF-1α is activated in HSCs after acute injury and contributes to liver regeneration, however, is not known. To investigate this, mice were generated with reduced levels of HIF-1α in HSCs by crossing HIF-1α floxed mice with mice that express Cre recombinase under control of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter (i.e., HIF-1α-GFAP Cre+ mice). These mice and control mice (i.e., HIF-1α-GFAP Cre− mice) were treated with a single dose of carbon tetrachloride, and liver injury and repair were assessed. After carbon tetrachloride, HIF-1α was activated in HSCs. Although liver injury was not different between the two strains of mice, during resolution of injury, clearance of necrotic cells was decreased in HIF-1α-GFAP Cre+ mice. In these mice, the persistence of necrotic cells stimulated a fibrotic response characterized by extensive collagen deposition. Hepatic accumulation of macrophages, which clear necrotic cells from the liver after carbon tetrachloride, was not affected by HIF-1α deletion in HSCs. Conversion of macrophages to M1-like, proinflammatory macrophages, which have increased phagocytic activity, however, was reduced in HIF-1α-GFAP Cre+ mice as indicated by a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines and a decrease in the percentage of Gr1hi macrophages. Collectively, these studies have identified a novel function for HSCs and HIF-1α in orchestrating the clearance of necrotic cells from the liver and demonstrated a key role for HSCs in modulating macrophage phenotype during acute liver injury.
Calcific periarthritis of the elbow presenting as acute tennis elbow
Authors: Jawad F , Jawad ASM
Published: March 2014

A 28-year-old woman presented with sudden acute lateral epicondylitis. There was no history of preceding trauma or repetitive use of the arm. Because of the acute onset and signs of acute inflammation, an X-ray was arranged. The X-ray showed a hyperdense calcified elongated globule distal to the lateral epicondyle. A diagnosis of calcific periarthritis (calcium apatite) of the elbow was made. Calcific periarthritis has rarely been reported as a cause of acute elbow pain.
Interpretation of the full blood count in systemic disease – a guide for the physician
Authors: Leach M
Published: March 2014

The full blood count (FBC) is perhaps the single most common investigation performed in medical patients. It has the potential, when interpreted carefully and in relation to the clinical history, to provide very useful information to assist in diagnosis and management. Clinicians are often alerted to the presence of a primary haematological disorder by abnormalities in the FBC. For the purpose of this review these diseases will not be discussed in detail but the reader will be alerted to pointers which might indicate primary blood disorders throughout the text. The haematology laboratory in large teaching hospitals will often provide up to 1,500 automated FBC analyses each day. These are individually checked for ‘flags’ provided by the analyser which indicate values outside the normal range. It is clearly essential that clinical information is provided with the request as this will influence how the result is handled by scientific and medical staff. Furthermore, significant abnormalities will generate a blood film request and the report will be most useful when interpreted in light of the patient’s working diagnosis. In cases where a diagnosis is not yet known, even brief information on presentation, for example ‘collapse with hypotension’, ‘fever on return to UK’, ‘weight loss and anorexia’, can all be important and help the lab provide clinicians with guidance.

This short review aims to provide physicians with a workable guide to the interpretation of some of the commoner findings in the full blood count. Some of these will be very familiar to you but some will not. This review is not meant to be exhaustive as the rare minutiae will obscure the essential core material. Your haematology colleagues are always happy to help and available for assistance in difficult or problematic cases. I have not specified normal ranges in relation to each entity as these will be defined by your local laboratory.
Oral direct inhibitors of coagulation
Authors: Watson HG
Published: March 2014

For the first time in 50 years new oral anticoagulants of proven efficacy and with acceptable safety profiles are available for patients with atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. Here is a brief overview of the benefits and possible disadvantages of using these drugs.
Things that go bump in the night: diagnosing sleep-related movement disorders without a sleep laboratory
Authors: Reading P
Published: March 2014

It is common for general physicians to experience diagnostic doubt and trepidation whenever faced with patients who exhibit abnormal nocturnal behaviours or excessive movements at night. There is also a perception that expensive and often poorly available overnight tests are usually required for diagnostic precision. In fact, the majority of conditions, whether they be parasomnias or, more rarely, nocturnal seizures, can be reliably diagnosed from a directed history, if available. Although the evidence base for treating parasomnias and sleep-related movement disorders remains minimal, accurate recognition is important for a variety of reasons.

This review covers the diagnostic features of the full range of parasomnias and movement disorders that might present to a multidisciplinary adult sleep clinic. Throughout, it will be argued that the recognition of key or salient features obtained from a good history is the most important diagnostic tool. Indeed, when diagnostic doubt remains after a thorough sleep history, it is relatively rare for detailed tests to add much in the way of useful information.
A “dor do crescimento”: um estudo sobre o nível de estresse em pós-graduandos de contabilidade
Authors: Altoé Stella Maris Lima , Fragalli Adriana Casavechia , Espejo Márcia Maria dos Santos Bortolocci
Published: March 2014

O aumento do número de Programas de pós-graduação Scricto Sensu em Ciências Contábeis tem impulsionado os discentes a ingressarem no ambiente acadêmico. Em paralelo a esta inserção constata-se que o conceito dos Programas, definido pela CAPES, está principalmente vinculado ao número de publicação em eventos e periódicos, o que por sua vez, faz com que os Programas de pós-graduação, em busca de boas avaliações, exerçam pressão em seus alunos a trabalharem intensamente no desenvolvimento de pesquisas. Neste sentido o propósito deste estudo é identificar o nível de estresse em estudantes de mestrado e doutorado em Contabilidade no Brasil, no sentido de constatar em qual estágio de estresse se encontram, conforme prevê o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress de Lipp. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva com abordagem quantitativa realizada com 265 pós-graduandos em Ciências Contábeis no Brasil. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se um instrumento específico com questões relativas as características pessoais e questões referentes ao Inventário de Sintomas de Stress de Lipp, que foi disponibilizado à população alvo durante o mês de Janeiro de 2013, por meio do aplicativo eletrônico Google Docs. Após a análise descritiva e estatística com uso do Microsoft Excel e SPSS, concluiu-se que os sintomas de estresse mais apresentados foram: tensão muscular; insônia; cansaço constante; esquecimento; angústia ou ansiedade diária; e irritabilidade sem causa aparente. Dentre os pós-graduandos que apresentaram estresse, a maioria são mestrandos, sendo as mulheres mais estressadas do que os homens.
Mudanças estratégicas em universidade comunitária: um estudo desenvolvido no Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Silva Andressa Hennig , Tavares Carlos Eduardo , Moura Gilnei Luiz de , Silveira Marçal
Published: March 2014

Influenciadas pelo ambiente competitivo contemporâneo, as universidades, especialmente as comunitárias e particulares, necessitam acelerar o processo de mudança. Nesse sentido, este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar as mudanças estratégicas ocorridas em uma universidade comunitária localizada no interior do Rio Grande do Sul, no período compreendido entre 2005 até 2011. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo de caso. O levantamento dos dados ocorreu através de entrevistas semiestruturadas com gestores da instituição de ensino. A partir da analise e interpretação dos dados, foi verificado que houve, aproximadamente, seis mudanças estratégicas significativas no período estudado. As causas dessas mudanças se deram por diversos motivos, tais como, a necessidade de reorganizar a estrutura de gestão, redimensionamento da infraestrutura da instituição a realidade de mercado. Conclui-se que as mudanças ocorreram a partir da percepção dos gestores da época, a cerca da necessidade de modificar a postura da Universidade, ou seja, a necessidade de desenvolver uma nova mentalidade institucional, reorganizando e redirecionando suas estratégias. Observou-se também que a instituição necessitou reorganizar sua gestão, ampliando o processo de participação comunitária nas tomadas de decisões da organização, tendo em vista a característica institucional comunitária.
Universidades-Fundação: a empresarialização da educação superior em Portugal
Authors: Araújo Joaquim Filipe Ferraz Esteves de , Tavares António Fernando Freitas , Rocha Rudimar Antunes da
Published: March 2014

O artigo trata do modelo de gestão pública do ensino superior para averiguar se há avanços no processo e na estrutura das universidades portuguesas transformadas em fundação, em relação à gestão do ensino superior público tradicional. No território lusitano, a adesão ao regime fundacional é regulamentada pela Lei nº 62/2007, de 10 Setembro de 2007, tendo sido transformadas em fundação três universidades. O tipo de pesquisa foi de multicasos (TRIVIÑOS, 2006) ou estudos de casos (YIN, 2005) e a técnica de levantamento de dados histórico-documental (MINAYO, 2001; SELLTIZ; WRIGHTSMAN; COOK, 2001), à luz da abordagem da pesquisa básica (LAKATOS; MARCONI, 1991). A análise foi qualitativa-descritiva (KERLINGER, 1980) e realizada no segundo semestre de 2012 e primeiro semestre de 2013. O estudo conclui que o modelo de gestão pública das Universidades-Fundação é uma tentativa de empresarialização do ensino superior com o objectivo de introduzir uma gestão mais profissional e eficiente, com o recurso à contratação. Este novo modelo introduziu alterações importantes na governação das universidades portuguesas estudadas com reflexo no processo de tomada de decisão.
Suppression of new particle formation from monoterpene oxidation by NOx
Authors: Wildt J. , Mentel T. F. , Kiendler-Scharr A. , Hoffmann T. , Andres S. , Ehn M. , Kleist E. , Müsgen P. , Rohrer F. , Rudich Y. , Springer M. , Tillmann R. , Wahner A.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The impact of nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) on new particle formation (NPF) and on photochemical ozone production from real plant volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions was studied in a laboratory setup. At high NOx conditions ([BVOC] / [NOx] < 7, [NOx] > 23 ppb) new particle formation was suppressed. Instead, photochemical ozone formation was observed resulting in higher hydroxyl radical (OH) and lower nitrogen monoxide (NO) concentrations. When [NO] was reduced back to levels below 1 ppb by OH reactions, NPF was observed. Adding high amounts of NOx caused NPF to be slowed by orders of magnitude compared to analogous experiments at low NOx conditions ([NOx] ~300 ppt), although OH concentrations were higher. Varying NO2 photolysis enabled showing that NO was responsible for suppression of NPF. This suggests that peroxy radicals are involved in NPF. The rates of NPF and photochemical ozone production were related by power law dependence with an exponent approaching −2. This exponent indicated that the overall peroxy radical concentration must have been similar when NPF occurred. Thus, permutation reactions of first-generation peroxy radicals cannot be the rate limiting step in NPF from monoterpene oxidation. It was concluded that permutation reactions of higher generation peroxy-radical-like intermediates limit the rate of new particle formation. In contrast to the strong effects on the particle numbers, the formation of particle mass was substantially less sensitive to NOx concentrations. If at all, yields were reduced by about an order of magnitude only at very high NOx concentrations.
A global 3-D CTM evaluation of black carbon in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: He C. , Li Q. B. , Liou K. N. , Zhang J. , Qi L. , Mao Y. , Gao M. , Lu Z. , Streets D. G. , Zhang Q. , Sarin M. M. , Ram K.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. We evaluate the black carbon (BC) simulations for 2006 over the Tibetan Plateau by a global 3-D chemical transport model using surface observations of BC in surface air and in snow and BC absorption aerosol optical depth (AAOD). Using updated Asian anthropogenic BC emissions (Lu et al., 2011; Zhang et al., 2009) and global biomass burning emissions (Randerson et al., 2012; van der Werf et al., 2010), model results of both surface BC and BC in snow are statistically in good agreement with observations (biases < 15%). Model results capture the seasonal variation of surface BC concentration, but the observed wintertime high values at rural sites in the Indo-Gangetic Plain are absent in the model. Model results are in general agreement with observations (within a factor of two) at remote sites. Model simulated BC concentrations in snow are spatiotemporally consistent with observations at most sites. We find that modeled BC AAOD are significantly lower than observations to the northwest of the Plateau and along the southern slopes of the Himalayas during winter and spring, reflecting model deficiencies in emissions, topography and BC mixing state. We find that anthropogenic emissions strongly affect surface BC concentration and AAOD, while the BC aging mainly affects BC in snow over the Plateau.
The influence of physical state on shikimic acid ozonolysis: a case for in situ microspectroscopy
Authors: Steimer S. S. , Lampimäki M. , Coz E. , Grzinic G. , Ammann M.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Atmospheric soluble organic aerosol material can become solid or semi-solid. Due to increasing viscosity and decreasing diffusivity, this can impact important processes such as gas uptake and reactivity within aerosols containing such substances. This work explores the dependence of shikimic acid ozonolysis on humidity and thereby viscosity. Shikimic acid, a proxy for oxygenated reactive organic material, reacts with O3 in a Criegee-type reaction. We used an environmental microreactor embedded in a Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope (STXM) to probe this oxidation process. This technique facilitates in situ measurements with single micron-sized particles and allows to obtain Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectra with high spatial resolution. Thus, the chemical evolution of the interior of the particles can be followed under reaction conditions. The experiments show that the overall degradation rate of shikimic acid is depending on the relative humidity in a way that is controlled by the decreasing diffusivity of ozone with decreasing humidity. This decreasing diffusivity is most likely linked to the increasing viscosity of the shikimic acid-water mixture. The degradation rate was also depending on particle size, most congruent with a reacto-diffusion limited kinetic case where the reaction progresses only in a shallow layer within the bulk. No gradient in the shikimic acid concentration was observed within the bulk material at any humidity indicating that the diffusivity of shikimic acid is still high enough to allow its equilibration throughout the particles on the time scale of hours at higher humidity and that the thickness of the oxidized layer under dry conditions, where the particles are solid, is beyond the resolution of STXM.
Genotyping an Emiliania huxleyi (Prymnesiophyceae) bloom event in the North Sea reveals evidence of asexual reproduction
Authors: Krueger-Hadfield S. A. , Balestreri C. , Schroeder J. , Highfield A. , Helaouët P. , Allum J. , Moate R. , Lohbeck K. T. , Miller P. I. , Riebesell U. , Reusch T. B. H. , Rickaby R. E. M. , Young J. , Hallegraeff G. , Brownlee C. , Schroeder D. C.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Due to the unprecedented rate at which our climate is changing, the ultimate consequence for many species is likely to be either extinction or migration to an alternate habitat. Certain species might, however, evolve at a rate that could make them resilient to the effects of a rapidly changing environment. This scenario is most likely to apply to species that have large population sizes and rapid generation times, such that the genetic variation required for adaptive evolution can be readily supplied. Emiliania huxleyi (Lohm.) Hay and Mohler (Prymnesiophyceae) is likely to be such a species as it is the most conspicuous extant calcareous phytoplankton species in our oceans with generation times of 1 day−1. Here we report on a validated set of microsatellites, in conjunction with the coccolithophore morphology motif genetic marker, to genotype 93 clonal isolates collected from across the world. Of these, 52 came from a single bloom event in the North Sea collected on the D366 UK Ocean Acidification cruise in June-July 2011. There were 26 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) encountered only once in the North Sea bloom and 8 MLGs encountered twice or up to six times. Each of these repeated MLGs exhibited Psex values of less than 0.05 indicating each repeated MLG was the product of asexual reproduction and not separate meiotic events. In addition, we show that the two most polymorphic microsatellite loci, EHMS37 and P01E05, are reporting on regions likely undergoing rapid genetic drift during asexual reproduction. Despite the small sample size, there were many more repeated genotypes than previously reported for other bloom-forming phytoplankton species, including a previously genotyped E. huxleyi bloom event. This study challenges our current assumption that sex is the predominant mode of reproduction during bloom events. Whilst genetic diversity is high amongst extant populations of E. huxleyi, the root cause for this diversity and ultimate fate of these populations still requires further examination. Nonetheless, we show that certain CMM genotypes are found everywhere; while others appear to have a regional bias.
Modelling of sedimentation processes inside Roseires Reservoir (Sudan)
Authors: Omer A. Y. A. , Ali Y. S. A. , Roelvink J. A. , Dastgheib A. , Paron P. , Crosato A.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Roseires Reservoir, located on the Blue Nile River, in Sudan, is the first trap to the sediments coming from the upper catchment in Ethiopia, which suffers from high erosion and desertification problems. The reservoir lost already more than one third of its storage capacity due to sedimentation in the last four decades. Appropriate management of the eroded area in the upper basin could mitigate this problem. In order to do that, the areas providing the highest sediment volumes to the river have to be identified, since they should have priority with respect to the application of erosion control practices. This requires studying the sedimentation record inside Roseires Reservoir, with the aim of identifying when and how much sediment from a certain area is deposited. The identification of deposition time is derived from soil stratification inside the reservoir. This requires expensive coring campaigns that need to be optimized. The most promising sampling coring areas were therefore selected beforehand by combining bathymetric data and the results of a depth-averaged morphodynamic model able to record vertical stratification in sediment deposits. The model allowed recognising the areas that are potentially neither subject to net erosion nor to bar migration during the life span of the reservoir. Verification of these results was carried out by analysing sediment stratification from the data collected in subsequent field campaign.
A linear algorithm for solving non-linear isothermal ice-shelf equations
Authors: Sargent A. , Fastook J. L.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. A linear non-iterative algorithm is suggested for solving nonlinear isothermal steady-state Morland–MacAyeal ice shelf equations. The idea of the algorithm is in replacing the problem of solving the non-linear second order differential equations for velocities with a system of linear first order differential equations for stresses. The resulting system of linear equations can be solved numerically with direct methods which are faster than iterative methods for solving corresponding non-linear equations. The suggested algorithm is applicable if the boundary conditions for stresses can be specified. The efficiency of the linear algorithm is demonstrated for one-dimensional and two-dimensional ice shelf equations by comparing the linear algorithm and the traditional iterative algorithm on derived manufactured solutions. The linear algorithm is shown to be as accurate as the traditional iterative algorithm but significantly faster. The method may be valuable as the way to increase the efficiency of complex ice sheet models a part of which requires solving the ice shelf model as well as to solve efficiently two-dimensional ice-shelf equations.