bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Some New 2,6-Substituted Purines
Authors: Kode Nageswara Rao , Phadtare Shashikant
Published: July 2011

A seriesof twenty four acyclic unsaturated 2,6-substututed purines 5a-20b were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against NCI-60 DTP human tumor cell line screen at 10µMconcentration. N9-[(Z)-4'-chloro-2'-butenyl-1'-yl]-2,6-dichloropurine(5a), N9-[4'-chloro-2'-butynyl-1'-yl]-2,6-dichloropurine(10a), N9-[(E)-2',3'-dibromo-4'-chloro-2'-butenyl-1'-yl]-6-methoxypurine(14)and N9-[4'-chloro-2'-butynyl-1'-yl]-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-purine(19)exhibited highly potent cytotoxic activity with GI50 values in the 1–5 µM range for most human tumor cell lines. Other compounds exhibited moderate activity.
Fliposomes: pH-Sensitive Liposomes Containing a trans-2-morpholinocyclohexanol-Based Lipid That Performs a Conformational Flip and Triggers an Instant Cargo Release in Acidic Medium
Authors: Samoshina Nataliya M. , Liu Xin , Brazdova Barbora , Franz Andreas H. , Samoshin Vyacheslav V. , Guo Xin
Published: July 2011

Incorporation of a pH-sensitive conformational switch into a lipid structure enables a drastic conformational flip upon protonation that disrupts the liposome membrane and causes rapid release of cargo specifically in areas of increased acidity. pH-sensitive liposomes containing the amphiphile (1) with trans-2-morpholinocyclohexanol conformational switch, a phospholipid, and a PEG-lipid conjugate were constructed and characterized. The optimized composition—1/POPC/PEG-ceramide (50/45/5)—could be stored at 4 °C and pH 7.4 for up to 1.5 years, and was stable in blood serum in vitro after 48 h at 37 °C. Liposomes loaded with ANTS/DPX or methotrexate demonstrated an unusually quick content release (in a few seconds) at pH below 5.5, which was independent of inter-liposome contact. The pH-titration curve for the liposome leakage paralleled the curve for the acid-induced conformational flip of 1 studied by 1H-NMR. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy images showed budding and division of the bilayer at pH 5.5. A plausible mechanism of pH-sensitivity involves an acid-triggered conformational flip of 1, shortening of lipid tails, and membrane perturbations, which cause the content leakage. The methotrexate-loaded liposomes demonstrated much higher cytotoxicity in HeLa cells than the free drug indicating that they can serve as viable drug delivery systems.
Mapping Wide Row Crops with Video Sequences Acquired from a Tractor Moving at Treatment Speed
Authors: Sainz-Costa Nadir , Ribeiro Angela , Burgos-Artizzu Xavier P. , Guijarro María , Pajares Gonzalo
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a mapping method for wide row crop fields. The resulting map shows the crop rows and weeds present in the inter-row spacing. Because field videos are acquired with a camera mounted on top of an agricultural vehicle, a method for image sequence stabilization was needed and consequently designed and developed. The proposed stabilization method uses the centers of some crop rows in the image sequence as features to be tracked, which compensates for the lateral movement (sway) of the camera and leaves the pitch unchanged. A region of interest is selected using the tracked features, and an inverse perspective technique transforms the selected region into a bird’s-eye view that is centered on the image and that enables map generation. The algorithm developed has been tested on several video sequences of different fields recorded at different times and under different lighting conditions, with good initial results. Indeed, lateral displacements of up to 66% of the inter-row spacing were suppressed through the stabilization process, and crop rows in the resulting maps appear straight.
Steering a Tractor by Means of an EMG-Based Human-Machine Interface
Authors: Gomez-Gil Jaime , San-Jose-Gonzalez Israel , Nicolas-Alonso Luis Fernando , Alonso-Garcia Sergio
Published: July 2011

An electromiographic (EMG)-based human-machine interface (HMI) is a communication pathway between a human and a machine that operates by means of the acquisition and processing of EMG signals. This article explores the use of EMG-based HMIs in the steering of farm tractors. An EPOC, a low-cost human-computer interface (HCI) from the Emotiv Company, was employed. This device, by means of 14 saline sensors, measures and processes EMG and electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from the scalp of the driver. In our tests, the HMI took into account only the detection of four trained muscular events on the driver’s scalp: eyes looking to the right and jaw opened, eyes looking to the right and jaw closed, eyes looking to the left and jaw opened, and eyes looking to the left and jaw closed. The EMG-based HMI guidance was compared with manual guidance and with autonomous GPS guidance. A driver tested these three guidance systems along three different trajectories: a straight line, a step, and a circumference. The accuracy of the EMG-based HMI guidance was lower than the accuracy obtained by manual guidance, which was lower in turn than the accuracy obtained by the autonomous GPS guidance; the computed standard deviations of error to the desired trajectory in the straight line were 16 cm, 9 cm, and 4 cm, respectively. Since the standard deviation between the manual guidance and the EMG-based HMI guidance differed only 7 cm, and this difference is not relevant in agricultural steering, it can be concluded that it is possible to steer a tractor by an EMG-based HMI with almost the same accuracy as with manual steering.
Nanocrystalline SnO2:F Thin Films for Liquid Petroleum Gas Sensors
Authors: Chaisitsak Sutichai
Published: July 2011

This paper reports the improvement in the sensing performance of nanocrystalline SnO2-based liquid petroleum gas (LPG) sensors by doping with fluorine (F). Un-doped and F-doped tin oxide films were prepared on glass substrates by the dip-coating technique using a layer-by-layer deposition cycle (alternating between dip-coating a thin layer followed by a drying in air after each new layer). The results showed that this technique is superior to the conventional technique for both improving the film thickness uniformity and film transparency. The effect of F concentration on the structural, surface morphological and LPG sensing properties of the SnO2 films was investigated. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction pattern measurements showed that the obtained thin films are nanocrystalline SnO2 with nanoscale-textured surfaces. Gas sensing characteristics (sensor response and response/recovery time) of the SnO2:F sensors based on a planar interdigital structure were investigated at different operating temperatures and at different LPG concentrations. The addition of fluorine to SnO2 was found to be advantageous for efficient detection of LPG gases, e.g., F-doped sensors are more stable at a low operating temperature (300 °C) with higher sensor response and faster response/recovery time, compared to un-doped sensor materials. The sensors based on SnO2:F films could detect LPG even at a low level of 25% LEL, showing the possibility of using this transparent material for LPG leak detection.
Reduction of Image Complexity Explains Aesthetic Preference for Symmetry
Authors: Chen Chien-Chung , Wu Jo-Hsuan , Wu Chia-Ching
Published: July 2011

Symmetric patterns are more appealing to human observers than asymmetric ones. Here, we investigate the visual information processing mechanisms underlying this aesthetic preference. All stimuli were derived from phase scrambled versions of forty face or nature images. In addition to the scrambled images, there were four other types of test image: symmetric, in which one part of the image was a reflection of another around an axis; repetitive, in which one part of the image was a copy of the other; anti-symmetric, similar to symmetric but with the contrast of one side reversed; and interleaved patterns, in which half of the symmetric pattern was replaced by a scrambled image. The number of axes ranged from 1 to 16 for all image types. The task of our 20 observers was to give a preference rating to each image on a 6-point Lickert scale. The preference rating increased with the number of axes for all stimulus types. The observers showed a similar preference for symmetric and repetitive patterns and slightly less preference for anti-symmetric patterns. The preference for interleaved patterns was much less than for other types of stimuli. Preference for an image cannot be explained by either the ecological significance of its content or the slope of its amplitude spectrum. Instead, preference can be accounted for by the complexity of the image.
A Cultural Framing of Nature: Chinese Tourists' Motivations For, Expectations Of, and Satisfaction With, Their New Zealand Tourist Experience
Authors: Fountain Joanna , Espiner Stephen , Xie Xiaoyan
Published: July 2011

The Chinese holiday market has become very important to the New Zealand tourism industry. Understanding Chinese tourists' needs is therefore crucial for the future development of this market. Existing research suggests that for Chinese visitors, like other market segments, the natural
landscape has a strong influence over the decision to travel to New Zealand. There is an emerging concern, however, that the country's tourism product must diversify, and attention is now shifting to utilize the appeal of culture and heritage attractions in New Zealand, particularly Māori
cultural products. This article reports on research into Chinese tourists' motivations, expectations, and behavior with respect to their travel in New Zealand. Particular emphasis is given to an exploration of the relative importance of nature and culture to these Chinese tourists. Findings
suggest that the Chinese market may be particularly suited to a culturally oriented experience of New Zealand, but one based less on Māori culture as it is often portrayed to tourists (e.g., cultural performances, or experiencing a hangi), and more on the opportunities to learn about
Māori stories and legends as part of visiting natural environments. The implications of these findings for shaping the Chinese tourist gaze in New Zealand are discussed.
Swimming with an Endemic and Endangered Species: Effects of Tourism on Hector's Dolphins In Akaroa Harbour, New Zealand
Authors: Martinez Emmanuelle , Orams Mark Bryan , Stockin Karen Ann
Published: July 2011

The South Island Hector's dolphin (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) is both endemic and endangered. It is also subjected to commercial ecotourism operations in Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula. The Hector's dolphin is an attractive species for swim-with-dolphin tourism. It is strictly coastal, resident in well-defined areas, has a low migratory range, and is generally attracted to vessels. In Akaroa Harbour, commercial swim-with-dolphin trips began in 1990 and it is the only place where this type of activity is permitted with this species. This study assessed the effects of such activities on Hector's dolphins, in particular vessel approach and swimmer placement. Effects identified here are similar to those previously reported in other coastal species. Furthermore, although Hector's dolphins showed increased tolerance to swimmers over time, they appear to display a temporal shift in their receptivity to swimmers during the austral summer months. To ensure the sustainability of the local tourism industry, it is recommended that the moratorium on the number of swim permits remains in place. In addition, a reduction in the level of exposure of this population of Hector's dolphins to tourism activities should be considered.
Effects of Emotional Labor on Adventure Tour Leaders' Job Satisfaction
Authors: Torland Monica
Published: July 2011

The aim of this study was to examine the potential effects of two types of emotional labor,surface actinganddeep acting, on the job satisfaction of adventure tour leaders employed within Australia. While surface acting refers to faking feelings that are not really felt, or hiding feelings that are inappropriate to display, deep acting is concerned with aligning one's true feelings with the ones required by the job. An online survey measuring adventure tour leaders' levels of emotional labor and job satisfaction was made available on the Internet for a period of 2 months. A sample of 137 participants responded to this survey. The results show that while deep acting has a statistically significant positive impact on adventure tour leaders' job satisfaction, there is no statistically significant relationship between surface acting and job satisfaction. These findings are consistent with research suggesting that deep acting could help to convey a sense of authenticity and a feeling of achievement in employees, thus leading to higher levels of job satisfaction. This, in turn, has implications for the way adventure tour operators manage their employees in relation to human resource management areas such as recruitment, selection, training, development, performance appraisal, and retention.
A Short Review on the Trend of Mobile Marketing Studies
Authors: Ismail Mohammad , Che Razak Razli
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the major classification of the research in mobile marketing. It provides the trend and common approach in mobile marketing research. The paper aims to highlight the significant area in mobile marketing research and the needs for further understanding of the mobile marketing definition and its phenomenon. This paper has significant implications in terms of understanding the classification and the mobile marketing focusing area. This is a general review based on selected approximately forty-six journal publications which are published between year 2005 until 2010 from selected journals. Based on the selected reviewed literatures, the consumersâ?? adoption research only focuses on a few common areas. There is no agreement among the researchers on definition of mobile marketing and the conceptualization and phenomenon of mobile marketing remain unexplained. The value of this paper is that, it provides the fundamental guidelines for researchers on significant area to focus in the mobile marketing field and it also assists practitioners in identifying the research trend and major classifications which will assist them in designing the product and services to the right target market.
Global Telecommunications Security: Effects of Geomagnetic Disturbances
Authors: McManus D.J. , Carr H.H. , Adams B.M.
Published: July 2011

Global information and communication technologies permeate organizational structures, while questions of security pervade strategic plans of corporations worldwide. From the spectacular to the sublime, the effects of geomagnetic disturbances (i.e., electrical current produced by solar storms) can be as devastating to an organizationâ??s telecommunications systems as a hacker breaching a firewall. Using a dataset spanning 31 years (1978-2009) with 580,000 solar activity records, we investigate the effects and relationships of natural anomalies, specifically solar storms, on the security of corporate telecommunications. The ionosphere is a natural barrier around the earth to protect it from the sun and serve as a shield, but some electrical currents break this barrier causing significant telecommunications outages and security breaches within corporations. In this exploratory empirical study, we present the initial evidence that tracking geomagnetic disturbances can provide vital cautions for business continuity planning. The results of the study should help organizations with strategic planning efforts with respect to their overall security, especially as it relates to telecommunications.
Advances in Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring Systems
Authors: Acharya Debopam , Han Hyo-Joo
Published: July 2011

One of the fastest growing fields of study in defense market currently is Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM). These systems perform collection and analysis of data concerning operating parameters and damage information of vehicles in real-time and periodically send them to the base station for appropriate action. Recent advances in materials and sensor networks and technologies promise development of such systems for land, water, and aerial vehicles. These IVHM systems are of immense use in defense services which require their vehicles and systems to operate normally even under hostile and harsh environments. This work will discuss various issues related to IVHMs and prominent sensor technologies available to build such systems. It will also include the structure of a general purpose IVHM of a vehicle which can be used to monitor its inner operating parameters and damage information of its components.
Learning Mobile App Design from User Review Analysis
Authors: Platzer Elisabeth , Petrovic Otto
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a new learning environment for developers of mobile apps that merges two quite different views of the same topic. Creative design and system engineering are core issues in the development process that are based on diverging principles. This new learning environment aims to address both points of view by not suppressing one of them but trying to benefit from both. User review content analysis is introduced as a tool to generate information that is useful for both aspects.
The important role of interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of a melanocytic skin lesion
Authors: Balato Anna , Raimondo Annunziata , Cantelli Mariateresa , Siano Maria , Lembo Serena , Scalvenzi Massimiliano , Balato Nicola
Published: July 2011

One of the most confounding characteristics, commonly seen in malignant, but even in benign melanocytic nevi, is represented by the regression phenomenon. The identification of regression, through dermoscopical observation, can be predictive of a tricky histopathological examination. Therefore, this feature should be an alert to a meticulous clinical, dermoscopical and histopathological correlation for correct analysis of melanocytic skin lesions. A 26-year-old man was referred to our department for a pigmented skin lesion localized on his trunk. It was clinically and dermoscopically diagnosed as atypical melanocytic nevus with central regression. After 1 year the lesion underwent considerable changes, leading to a nearly complete regression. The lesion was excised and, on the basis of clinical, dermoscopical and histopathological correlation, was interpreted as a junctional melanocytic nevus with regression. In our case the association of clinical, dermoscopical and histopathological experience, resulted an important and useful method, in order to proper interpret and correctly diagnose an atypical melanocytic skin lesion.
Online videos to promote sun safety: results of a contest
Authors: Dawson Annelise Lorelei , Hamstra Ashley A. , Huff Laura Sturgess , Gamble Ryan G. , Howe William , Kane Ilima , Dellavalle Robert P.
Published: July 2011

Seventy-percent of Americans search health information online, half of whom access medical content on social media websites.  In spite of this broad usage, the medical community underutilizes social media to distribute preventive health information.  This project aimed to highlight the promise of social media for delivering skin cancer prevention messaging by hosting and quantifying the impact of an online video contest. In 2010 and 2011, we solicited video submissions and searched existing YouTube videos.  Three finalists were selected and ranked. Winners were announced at national dermatology meetings and publicized via a contest website. Afterwards, YouTube view counts were monitored.  No increase in video viewing frequency was observed following the 2010 or 2011 contest.  This contest successfully identified exemplary online sun safety videos; however, increased viewership remains to be seen.  Social media offers a promising outlet for preventive health messaging. Future efforts must explore strategies for enhancing viewership of online content.
Salvage surgery for a giant melanoma on the back
Authors: Kruijff Schelto , Vink Robert , Klaase Joost
Published: July 2011

We report a case of a giant melanoma on the back with a very extreme Breslow thickness. On physical examination a large odorous and ulcerating tumour was seen adjacent to two large crusted lesions, probably in transit metastases. In the right and left axilla enlarged lymph nodes were palpated. The patient underwent salvage surgery consisting of a complete wide excision of the tumors on the back as well as axillary lymph node dissection on both sides. Histopathology showed a malignant melanoma with a Breslow thickness of 48 mm. Four of fifteen nodes in the right axilla and one of nine nodes in the left axilla, were positive for metastatic disease. Also various in transit and subcutaneous metastases were found in the wide excision specimen. The interest of our observation relies in the rarity of a melanoma with such an extreme Breslow thickness and the difficulty in performing adequate palliative therapy that offers quality of life by means of tumor control.
Bladder and Sexual Dysfunction Following Laparoscopic and Open Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer
Authors: Sajid Muhammad Shafique , Haider Zishan , Siddiqui Mohammed Rafay , Baig Mirza Khurrum
Published: July 2011

The objective of this review is to analyze the bladder and sexual dysfunction after laparoscopic (LTME) and open total mesorectal excision (OTME) for rectal cancer. Electronic databases were searched to find relevant randomized controlled trials and their data were analyzed to generate a summative outcome. Three studies on LTME and OTME encompassing 258 patients were retrieved from the electronic databases. Two studies on 108 patients qualified for this review. There were 53 and 55 patients in LTME and OTME groups respectively. In the both fixed and random effects models, statistically there was no difference in bladder dysfunction, overall sexual dysfunction, overall male sexual dysfunction, overall female sexual dysfunction, male erectile dysfunction and male ejaculatory dysfunction between LTME and OTME. Both LTME and OTME are associated with equal risk of bladder and sexual dysfunction in both genders following resections for rectal cancer.
Description of water depth survey datasets from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Authors: Budkewitsch P , Prévost C , Pavlic G , Pregitzer M
Published: July 2011

Three bathymetric maps of Rankin Inlet area where produced following a short training provided to three staff members of the Nunavut Research Institute by Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) scientists during the summer of 2009. The objective of this
technology transfer exercise was to assist staff from Nunavut Research Institute to apply the methodologies in Nunavut communities where drinking water supply is at risk due to a declining supply and a changing climate.
With support from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) from 2008, a small team of scientists at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) is involved in a project to help characterize the water supply of Nunavut communities. This is a complex task involving the delineation of watersheds and
estimation of the water volume retained by the supply lake of the community. To estimate this water volume, a bathymetric map is produced based on field surveys using a depth sounder equipped with a GPS.
CCRS developed a low cost and easy to use technique to enable such depth surveys to be easily and rapidly carried out. The training provided to Nunavut Research Institute was aimed to allow Nunavut professionals to produce lake depth maps with low cost and easy to use tools and software. The three
depth maps were produced under the ''Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate Program'' of the Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada. These maps were created and from the interpolation of thousands of depth survey points acquired by Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) and the Department of
Community & Government Services (C&GS) staff between
September 29th and October 4th 2009. Three large format paper prints were sent to the Community and Government Services, Kivalliq Region, and Rankin Inlet in March 2010, followed by a second set in April 2010.
This document describes the digital dataset provided to the Community and Government Services Rankin Inlet Office for each of the three water bodies: Nipissar Lake, First Landing Lake, and a bay in Little Meladine Lake.
Description of watershed outline and water depth survey datasets from Geraldine Lake - Iqaluit, Nunavut
Authors: Budkewitsch P , Prévost C , Pavlic G , Pregitzer M
Published: July 2011

A watershed outline map, a bathymetric map, and water related statistics of Geraldine Lake, the Iqaluit water supply reservoir where produced following field work in Iqaluit during the summer of 2008. One objective of this initiative was to develop the
technology for Nunavut scientists and to transfer the methodologies in communities where drinking water supply is at risk due to a declining supply
and a changing climate. With support from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), a small team of scientists from the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) are involved in a project to help characterize the water supply of Nunavut communities. This was a complex task involving the delineation
of watersheds and estimation of the water volume of the supply lake for the community. To estimate this water volume, a bathymetric map was produced based on field surveys using a depth sounder equipped with a GPS.
CCRS developed a low cost and easy to use technique to enable such depth surveys to be rapidly carried out. The technology transfer aspect of the activity was aimed to allow Nunavut professionals to produce lake depth maps with low cost and easy to use tools and software. The enclosed datasets were
produced under the ''Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate Program'' of the Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada. Thousands of depth survey points were acquired between July 25th and August 1st 2008 by CCRS scientists, Nunavut Department of Environment staff, and a teacher of the
Nunavut Arctic College.
Several large format image maps were printed and distributed to the Municipality of Iqaluit, the Department of Community and Government Services offices in all three regions of Nunavut, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, etc., and were presented at several venues.
This document describes the digital dataset of Geraldine Lake provided to the Planning and Lands office of the Municipality of Iqaluit.
Human dignity and biomedical ethics from a Christian theological perspective
Authors: Körtner Ulrich H.J.
Published: July 2011

The argument of human dignity plays an important role in current debates on human rights and their relevance in modern biomedicine. When discussing the contribution of Christian theology to current debates on human dignity and human rights the thesis is not that the modern idea of human dignity depends on a theological grounding. Also, it is not the task of theology to legitimate rights as Christian a posteriori. We do not need to deduce modern human rights from theological doctrines. The theological challenge is to find an access for Christians from their belief to the modern idea of human rights and human dignity and to discuss the contribution which theology and the churches can make to further development of human rights. The Christian image of man, which serves as the foundation for the church position on bioethical topics in the German-speaking context, is a mix of biblical motives, a Kantian interpretation of the concept of human dignity and an interpretation of the German constitutional law inspired by the Catholic tradition of natural law. The following presented theological understanding of human dignity, in contrast, was inspired by the insights of the Pauline doctrine of justification and its Protestant reinterpretation.
Special Issue Introduction
Authors: JOHNSON JANET D.
Published: July 2011

In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die Where you invest your love, you invest your life (Mumford and Sons, “Awake My Soul”)
Validation of MIPAS IMK/IAA temperature, water vapor, and ozone profiles with MOHAVE-2009 campaign measurements
Authors: Stiller G. P. , Kiefer M. , Eckert E. , von Clarmann T. , Kellmann S. , García-Comas M. , Funke B. , Leblanc T. , Fetzer E. , Froidevaux L. , Gomez M. , Hall E. , Hurst D. , Jordan A. , Kämpfer N. , Lambert A. , McDermid I. S. , McGee T. , Miloshevich L. , Nedoluha G. , Read W. , Schneider M. , Schwartz M. , Straub C. , Toon G. , Twigg L. W. , Walker K. , Whiteman D. N.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. MIPAS observations of temperature, water vapor, and ozone in October 2009 as derived with the scientific level-2 processor run by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK) and CSIC, Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia (IAA) and retrieved from version 4.67 level-1b data have been compared to co-located field campaign observations obtained during the MOHAVE-2009 campaign at the Table Mountain Facility near Pasadena, California in October 2009. The MOHAVE-2009 measurement campaign provided measurements of atmospheric profiles of temperature, water vapor/relative humidity, and ozone from the ground to the mesosphere by a suite of instruments including radio sondes, frost point hygrometers, lidars, microwave radiometers and FTIR spectrometers. For MIPAS temperatures (version V4O_T_204), no significant bias was detected in the middle stratosphere; between 22 km and the tropopause MIPAS temperatures were found to be biased low by up to 2 K, while below the tropopause, they were found to be too high by the same amount. Above 12 km up to 45 km, MIPAS water vapor (version V4O_H2O_203) is well within 10 % of the data of all correlative instruments, while a high bias of up to 10 % is found in comparison to ground-based microwave instruments around 45 km. The well-known dry bias of MIPAS water vapor above 50 km due to neglect of non-LTE effects in the current retrievals has been confirmed. Some instruments indicate that MIPAS water vapor might be biased high by 20 to 40 % around 10 km (or 5 km below the tropopause), but a consistent picture from all comparisons could not be derived. MIPAS ozone (version V4O_O3_202) has a high bias of up to +0.9 ppmv around 37 km which is due to a non-identified continuum like radiance contribution. No further significant biases have been detected. Cross-comparison to co-located observations of other satellite instruments (Aura/MLS, ACE-FTS, AIRS) is provided as well.
Temporal and spatial trends for trace metals in streams and rivers across Sweden (1996–2009)
Authors: Huser B. J. , Köhler S. J. , Wilander A. , Johansson K. , Fölster J.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Long term data series (1996 through 2009) for trace metals were analyzed from a large number of streams and rivers across Sweden varying in tributary watershed size from 0.05 to 48 193 km2. The final data set included 139 stream sites with data for arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and vanadium (V). Between 7 % and 46 % of the sites analyzed showed significant trends according to the seasonal Kendall test. However, in contrast to previous studies and depositional patterns, a substantial portion of the trends were positive, especially for V (100 %), As (95 %), and Pb (68 %). Other metals (Zn and Cr) generally decreased, were mixed (Ni and Zn), or had very few trends (Co) over the study period. Trends by region were also analyzed and some showed significant variation between the north and south of Sweden. Regional trends for both Cu and Pb were positive (60 % and 93 %, respectively) in the southern region but strongly negative (93 % and 75 %, respectively) in the northern region. Kendall's τ coefficients were used to determine dependence between metals and potential in-stream drivers including total organic carbon (TOC), iron (Fe), pH, and sulphate (SO42−). TOC and Fe correlated positively and strongly with As, V, Pb, and Co while pH and SO42− generally correlated weakly, or not at all with the metals studied.
Invertebrate fossils from cave sediments: a new proxy for pre-Quaternary paleoenvironments
Authors: Moldovan O. T. , Mihevc A. , Miko L. , Constantin S. , Meleg I. N. , Petculescu A. , Bosák P.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Five samples of clastic sediments from interior cave facies taken in three Slovenian relic caves (Trhlovca, Račiška pečina, and a cave in Črnotiče Quarry, Classical Karst, SW Slovenia) provided invertebrate fossil remains. Most of them belong to Oribatida but sparse individuals of Cladocera and insects were also identified. They represent the first pre-Quaternary invertebrate fossils found in sediments of continental temperate climate. The Pliocene/Pleistocene age of the sediments was determined by paleomagnetic dating chronologically calibrated by micromammal biostratigraphy. Invertebrate fossils could be validated as new proxy for the study of cave sediments due to their suitability for ecological and paleogeographic correlations in caves and outside the caves. They also bring additional information about cave formation and karst hydraulic regime in the area. Although the number of remains was very low, it is evidence that climatic conditions in caves allow a better preservation of fossil remains of some groups as compared to most of the surface habitats. This may open a new direction in the study of cave sediments.
Contribution of the Black Sea observing system to ECOOP
Authors: Korotaev G. K. , Dorofeev V. L. , Motyzhev S. V. , Belokopytov V. N. , Palazov A. , Malciu V. , Zatsepin A. , Nesterov E. , Stanichny S. V. , Ratner Y. B. , Suetin V. S. , Suslin V. V.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Regular observations in the Black Sea basin started in the past century, and quite good multidisciplinary observing system operated in the 70–80ies based on the ship observations. Modern oceanographic observing system in the basin is built according to the GOOS principles. It includes space remote sensing observations, data of free floating buoys and costal observational network. Integration of the observing system and its real-time operation were started within the framework of the FP5 ARENA project and later were improved during the FP6 ASCABOS project. The coastal observing system which includes time series from the coastal platforms and multidisciplinary surveys of the coastal areas fulfilled by the research vessels was set up during the ECOOP. Paper describes all components of the Black Sea observing system operated during the ECOOP project and its applications in the framework of the project.
Geophysical characterisation of two segments of the Møre-Trøndelag Fault Complex, Mid Norway
Authors: Nasuti A. , Pascal C. , Ebbing J. , Tønnesen J. F.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The Møre-Trøndelag Fault Complex (MTFC) has controlled the tectonic evolution of Mid Norway and its shelf for the past 400 Myr through repeated reactivations during Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and perhaps Cenozoic times, the very last phase of reactivation involving normal to oblique-slip faulting. Despite its pronounced signature in the landscape, its deep structure has largely remained unresolved until now. We focused on two specific segments of the MTFC (i.e. the Tjellefonna and Bæverdalen faults) and acquired multiple geophysical datasets (i.e. gravity, magnetic, resistivity and shallow refraction profiles). A 100–200 m-wide zone of gouge and/or brecciated bedrock steeply dipping to the south is interpreted as being the Tjellefonna fault sensu stricto. The fault appears to be flanked by two additional but minor damage zones. A secondary normal fault also steeply dipping to the south but involving indurated breccias was detected ~1 km farther north. The Bæverdalen fault, ~12 km farther north, is interpreted as a ~700 m-wide and highly deformed zone involving fault gouge, breccias and lenses of intact bedrock. As such, it is probably the most important fault segment in the studied area and accommodated most of the strain during presumably Late Jurassic normal faulting. Our geophysical data are indicative of a Bæverdalen fault dipping steeply towards the south, in agreement with the average orientation of the local tectonic grain. Our findings suggest that the influence of Mesozoic normal faulting along the MTFC on landscape development is more complex than previously thought.
Favorable climatic regime for maintaining the present-day geometry of the Gregoriev Glacier, Inner Tien Shan
Authors: Fujita K. , Takeuchi N. , Nikitin S. A. , Surazakov A. B. , Okamoto S. , Aizen V. B. , Kubota J.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. We conducted 2 yr (2005–2007) of in situ meteorological and glaciological observations on the Gregoriev Glacier, a flat-top glacier within the Inner Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan. Relative carrier-phase GPS surveys reveal a vertical lowering at the summit of the glacier. Based on snow density data and an energy-mass balance model, we estimate that the annual precipitation and summer mean temperature required to maintain the glacier in the current state are 289 mm and −3.8 °C at the glacier summit (4600 m a.s.l.), respectively. The good agreement between dynamically derived precipitation and the long-term observed precipitation at a nearby station in the Tien Shan (296 mm at 3614 m a.s.l. for the period 1930–2002) suggests that the glacier has been in a near steady-state in terms of mass supply. The glacier mass-balance, reconstructed based on meteorological data from the Tien Shan station for the past 80 yr, explains the observed fluctuations in glacier extent, particularly the negative mass balance in the 1990s.
Biomechanical Properties of Axially Myopic Cornea
Authors: Altan Cigdem , Demirel Berna , Azman Engin , Satana Banu , Bozkurt Ercüment , Demirok Ahmet , Yilmaz Omer Faruk
Published: July 2011

Purpose

To investigate biomechanical parameters of the cornea measured with ocular response analyzer (ORA) in myopic eyes with high axial length and the relationship between these parameters and axial length (AL).

Methods

A total of 165 eyes of 165 consecutive patients were included. Eyes with AL greater than 26 mm were named group 1 and eyes with AL shorter than 26 mm were named group 2. Axial length and keratometric values were measured by intraocular lens (IOL) Master optical biometry. Metrics of corneal biomechanical properties, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF), were measured with the ORA. The ORA also determined the values of intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc).

Results

The mean age of total subjects was 43.0 ± 15.6 years. Eighty-three eyes were included in group 1; 82 eyes were included in group 2. The CH and CRF of group 1 were significantly lower than group 2. The IOPcc was significantly higher in group 1 than group 2. When group 1 and group 2 were combined for analysis, CH was negatively correlated with age. Both CH and CRF were significantly correlated with SE. However, CH and CRF were negatively correlated with AL. Also, there was significant correlation between AL and IOPcc (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Highly myopic eyes showed decreased CH and CRF. As the AL increased the IOPcc also increased and the CH decreased. We conclude that the biomechanical properties of the cornea change with elongation of the eye and this may have an impact on IOP measurement.
Flushing of Intravascular Access Devices (IVADs) - Efficacy of Pulsed and Continuous Infusions
Authors: Guiffant Gérard , Durussel Jean Jacques , Merckx Jacques , Flaud Patrice , Vigier Jean Pierre , Mousset Patrice
Published: July 2011

Purpose

To compare, under controlled conditions similar to practical situations, the efficacy of pulsed and continuous infusion for flushing IVADs. For both of them different flow rates, flushing volumes, and times were tested.

Methods

The PU catheter lumens were filled with a mixture of fibronectin and bovine albumin to simulate physiologic protein depot. Flushing was performed with normal saline. An adapted pump controlled the flow rates. Efficacy was measured by the amount of albumin recovered from the lumen of the tested devices. Flow rate, volumes, and times tested were based upon values reported and/or measured in nursing practices. We compared: (A) single 10 mL bolus and 6 flushing times, (B) continuous infusion of 500 mL in 24 hours, (C) 10 successive boluses 1 mL flushed in 0.5 s each and 6 different time intervals between each bolus. Statistics were performed using the Mann and Whitney U test.

Results

In group A, the maximum percentage of recovered protein (79.1% was achieved with the 10 mL bolus flushed in 2.5. In group B, 77% of protein was recovered at 24h. In group C: maximum efficacy (90 +/- 3%) was obtained when the time interval between 2 boluses was 0.4 s.

Conclusions

We conclude that hydrodynamics has a determinant effect on the efficacy and that the adjunction of an intermittent component in the flow increases it. Flow type and the time interval between 2 boluses are the 2 critical variables.
Design and Development of a Web-Based Agricultural Economic Information System for Rural Areas
Authors: Kotini I. , Mattas A. , Michailidis A.
Published: July 2011

A Web-based platform to support the economic planning and growth of rural areas is currently being developed as part of the Agricultural Observatory project of a typical Greek region. The main goal is to provide a structural tool for municipality- and community-based groups for the identification and provision of any information needed to residents of rural areas. The application described also has international relevance for other local communities where agriculture is an important component of rural development. Work is now under way to expand the platform to include additional online tools in order to provide new applications to support the economic growth of the study and other areas.
Reverse Osmosis and Membrane Distillation for Desalination of Groundwater: A Review
Authors: Pangarkar Bhausaheb L. , Sane Mukund G. , Guddad Mahendra
Published: July 2011

In recent years, the increasing threat to groundwater quality due to human activities has become a matter of great concern. The groundwater quality problems present today are caused by contamination and by overexploitation, or by combination of both, which are faced by many Indian states. Today, reverse osmosis (RO) membranes are the leading technology for desalination of groundwater because of their strong separation capabilities and exhibiting a great potential for treatment of waters worldwide. However, the RO process had some problems due to the formation of polarization films because high pressure operation and by-products which may generate bacteria and fouling. Also, high energy consumption and brine disposal problem is faced in RO process due to the limited recovery of water. These problems may be overcome by other membrane thermal process such as a membrane distillation (MD). This paper addresses the outline of RO and MD process for desalination. RO has developed over the past 40 years and MD is an emerging technology for brackish water desalination and yet is not fully implemented in industry. The MD is the better alternative to RO for desalination theoretically found in the literature.
Refugiados ambientais, identidade étnica e o direito das mudanças climáticas
Authors: Lima Emanuel Fonseca
Published: July 2011

As mudanças climáticas provocam e provocarão efeitos adversos sobre a qualidade de vida humana, levando pessoas a deixarem suas terras de origem rumo a outros países. Tais deslocamentos populacionais podem recrudescer os conflitos oriundos dos choques de concepções de mundo, já que os refugiados possuem culturas e tradições jurídicas muitas vezes distintas das dominantes nos países hospedeiros. O presente trabalho visa abordar questões relacionadas à preservação da identidade étnica dos refugiados ambientais e os desafios que serão lançados aos ordenamentos estatais, que verão diante de si questões complexas relacionadas à tolerância, valores e à unidade nacional. Sustenta-se a necessidade de uma nova concepção de Direito, capaz de ao mesmo tempo promover medidas de mitigação e adaptação às mudanças climáticas e proteção dos direitos culturais dos refugiados ambientais, criando-se uma sociedade pautada pelo convívio harmônico das diferenças.
A ideia barroca como direito e literatura na obra de Walter Benjamin
Authors: Paulino Virginia Juliane Adami
Published: July 2011

O presente artigo pretende estudar a relação entre direito e literatura, a partir da obra Origem do drama barroco alemão – Trauerspiel, de Walter Benjamin. Para, dessa maneira, pensar como a ideia barroca marcada pela perda de transcendência e pela busca de solução profana, na atuação do Príncipe, influenciou o séc. XVII e o atual, dadas as semelhanças que permitem a rememoração recíproca.
Ciência e direito: disfunções na atuação do Judiciário na efetivação de medidas públicas de saúde no combate à gripe suína
Authors: Oliveira José Aparecido De
Published: July 2011

Este trabalho visa analisar as disfunções e pressões na atuação do poder judiciário na efetivação de medidas públicas de saúde, tomando como base as medidas adotadas pelo Executivo brasileiro para controle da pandemia da gripe Influenza A H1N1, em agosto de 2009, e as consequentes ações impetradas pela Defensoria Pública da União em três estados, visando obrigar o governo a distribuir, indiscriminadamente, o antigripal Tamiflu a todas as pessoas que portassem os sintomas da nova gripe. Os resultados demonstram haver uma assimetria com relação à atuação do poder Judiciário para fazer valer os direitos sociais consagrados positivamente pela Constituição Federal, em descompasso com o demorado tempo da pesquisa científica e a produção de consenso médico sobre a prescrição de medicamentos.
Bioética e Direito: novas realidades; novos olhares
Authors: Brettas Duarte Isabel Cristina
Published: July 2011

O presente artigo busca lançar novos olhares à realidade contextual do mundo jurídico à luz da Bioética, aproximando o compasso entre a ciência e o Direito e também outras áreas do conhecimento, com vistas à constante construção de uma sociedade cujas leis estejam à altura das intensas transformações ocorridas no seio do multiculturalismo que permeia a era biotecnológica vivenciada pela sociedade brasileira. Assim, objetivamos contribuir para a construção de uma prática jurídica reflexiva voltada às necessidades, aos conflitos e aos problemas da vida humana, cuja complexidade apresenta novos desafios ao Direito.
Electric Actuation of Nanostructured Thermoplastic Elastomer Gels with Ultralarge Electrostriction Coefficients
Authors: Kim Bori , Park Youn Duk , Min Kyoungho , Lee Jin Hong , Hwang Seung Sang , Hong Soon Man , Kim Bong Hoon , Kim Sang Ouk , Koo Chong Min
Published: July 2011

Electrostriction facilitates the electric field‐stimulated mechanical actuation of dielectric materials. This work demonstrates that introduction of dielectric mismatched nanodomains to a dielectric elastomer results in an unexpected ultralarge electrostriction coefficient, enabling a large electromechanical strain response at a low electric field. This strong electrostrictive effect is attributed to the development of an inhomogeneous electric field across the film thickness due to the high density of interfaces between dielectric mismatched periodic nanoscale domains. The periodic nanostructure of the nanostructured gel also makes it possible to measure the true electromechanical strain from the dimensional change monitored via in situ synchrotron small angle X‐ray scattering. The work offers a promising pathway to design novel high performance dielectric elastomers as well as to understand the underlying operational mechanism of nanostructured multiphase electrostrictive systems.