bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediking oor die koninkryk van God: ’n Uitdaging in ’n nuwe konteks van armoede
Authors: Pieterse Hennie J.C.
Published: March 2009

Preaching on the kingdom of God: A challenge in a new context of povertyThe question addressed by this article has to do with the content of preaching in the context of laws about affirmative action affecting white South Africans. This question results from the findings of previous research by the author regarding the experience of God by people negatively affected by these laws. The article argues that preaching of the parables on the kingdom of God can help people to find hope and a meaningful existence as followers of Jesus. The contemporary understanding by New Testament scholars of how the parables should be interpreted is discussed. Most of the authentic versions of the parables of Jesus are diaphoric metaphors. The kingdom message of Jesus to the subculture of the disreputable poor creates an alternative life world in contrast to the violence, injustice and discrimination of worldly states. The eschatology of the parables in Matthew should be interpreted as ethical eschatology real in nature. Interpreting these parables ethically helps pastors to preach Jesus’ kingdom message anew.
The phenomenology of exception times: Qualitative differences between problem‐focussed and solution‐focussed interventions
Authors: Wehr Thomas
Published: March 2009

Solution‐focussed brief therapy (SFBT) is a prominent psychotherapeutic approach that deals with a positive focus and promises brief interventions. In two experiments, a solution‐focussed technique was compared with a problem‐focussed intervention. By means of a structured questionnaire, subjects were encouraged to think about a standard (Experiment 1) or a facultative topic (Experiment 2). Subsequently, they generated either one or five exceptions or exemplary problem episodes. Dependent variables were confident in coping with the problem, ease of retrieval, psychic comfort and several phenomenological properties of the autobiographical memory. A solution‐oriented intervention increased self‐confidence and established a positive mood. Exception times had a more positive tone and were generally more easily retrieved than problem episodes.The study confirms the claims of the SFBT for empowerment and rapid reduction of current suffering. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Earwitness memory: distortions for voice pitch and speaking rate
Authors: Mullennix John W. , Stern Steven E. , Grounds Benjamin , Kalas Rob , Flaherty Mary , Kowalok Sara , May Eric , Tessmer Brian
Published: March 2009

In two experiments, memory distortions for voice pitch and speaking rate were examined. In both experiments, a significant distortion effect for voice pitch was observed, with listeners biased towards selecting voices lower in pitch than low‐pitch targets and selecting voices higher in pitch than high‐pitch targets. In contrast, for speaking rate there was little evidence for the production of memory distortions. The results are discussed in terms of transient surface properties of speech and how transience may be a factor in producing distortions. The results have implications for how errors arise during earwitness testimony for a suspect's voice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What remains of that day: The survival of children's autobiographical memories across time
Authors: Morris Gwynn , Baker‐Ward Lynne , Bauer Patricia J.
Published: March 2009

In this study we investigated the contributions of the content and the coherence of initial event reports to the survival of autobiographical memories during part of the lifespan eventually obscured by childhood amnesia. Over 100 children reported personal experiences when they were 4, 6 or 8 years old, enabling a determination of age‐related differences in two aspects of narrative coherence: Theme and chronology. Content was assessed separately through the presentation of directed memory probes. After a 1‐year delay, younger children more frequently failed to report target experiences. Multilevel modelling indicated that the survivability of a memory was predicted over and above the child's age by high thematic coherence of the initial memory narrative, but not by the memory content. It is possible that memories described in a highly thematically coherent narrative are indicative of well‐integrated event memories, and thus likely to be cued more often, resulting in their long‐term survival. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Site‐Selective Self‐Assembly of Colloidal Photonic Crystals
Authors: Arpiainen Sanna , Jonsson Fredrik , Dekker James R. , Kocher Gudrun , Khunsin Worawut , Torres Clivia M. Sotomayor , Ahopelto Jouni
Published: March 2009

A scalable method for site‐selective, directed self‐assembly of colloidal opals on topologically patterned substrates is presented. Here, such substrate contains optical waveguides which couple to the colloidal crystal. The site‐selectivity is achieved by a capillary network, whereas the self‐assembly process is based on controlled solvent evaporation. In the deposition process, a suspension of colloidal microspheres is dispensed on the substrate and driven into the desired crystallization sites by capillary flow. The method has been applied to realize colloidal crystals from monodisperse dielectric spheres with diameters ranging from 290 to 890 nm. The method can be implemented in an industrial wafer‐scale process.
Bimolecular Crystals of Fullerenes in Conjugated Polymers and the Implications of Molecular Mixing for Solar Cells
Authors: Mayer A. C. , Toney Michael F. , Scully Shawn R. , Rivnay Jonathan , Brabec Christoph J. , Scharber Marcus , Koppe Marcus , Heeney Martin , McCulloch Iain , McGehee Michael D.
Published: March 2009

The performance of polymer:fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells is heavily influenced by the interpenetrating nanostructure formed by the two semiconductors because the size of the phases, the nature of the interface, and molecular packing affect exciton dissociation, recombination, and charge transport. Here, X‐ray diffraction is used to demonstrate the formation of stable, well‐ordered bimolecular crystals of fullerene intercalated between the side‐chains of the semiconducting polymer poly(2,5‐bis(3‐tetradecylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene. It is shown that fullerene intercalation is general and is likely to occur in blends with both amorphous and semicrystalline polymers when there is enough free volume between the side‐chains to accommodate the fullerene molecule. These findings offer explanations for why luminescence is completely quenched in crystals much larger than exciton diffusion lengths, how the hole mobility of poly(2‐methoxy‐5‐(3′,7′‐dimethyloxy)‐p‐phylene vinylene) increases by over 2 orders of magnitude when blended with fullerene derivatives, and why large‐scale phase separation occurs in some polymer:fullerene blend ratios while thermodynamically stable mixing on the molecular scale occurs for others. Furthermore, it is shown that intercalation of fullerenes between side chains mostly determines the optimum polymer:fullerene blending ratios. These discoveries suggest a method of intentionally designing bimolecular crystals and tuning their properties to create novel materials for photovoltaic and other applications.
Structure–Property Relation of SrTiO3/LaAlO3 Interfaces
Authors: Huijben Mark , Brinkman Alexander , Koster Gertjan , Rijnders Guus , Hilgenkamp Hans , Blank Dave H. A.
Published: March 2009

A large variety of transport properties have been observed at the interface between the insulating oxides SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 such as insulation, 2D interface metallicity, 3D bulk metallicity, magnetic scattering, and superconductivity. The relation between the structure and the properties of the SrTiO3/LaAlO3 interface can be explained in a meaningful way by taking into account the relative contribution of three structural aspects: oxygen vacancies, structural deformations (including cation disorder), and electronic interface reconstruction. The emerging phase diagram is much richer than for related bulk oxides due to the occurrence of interface electronic reconstruction. The observation of this interface phenomenon is a display of recent advances in thin film deposition and characterization techniques, and provides an extension to the range of exceptional electronic properties of complex oxides.
Atomic‐Level Studies of Molecular Self‐Assembly on Metallic Surfaces
Authors: Tomba Giulia , Ciacchi Lucio Colombi , De Vita Alessandro
Published: March 2009

Shrinking devices to the nanoscale, while still maintaining accurate control on their structure and functionality is one of the major technological challenges of our era. The use of purposely directed self‐assembly processes provides a smart alternative to the troublesome manipulation and positioning of nanometer‐sized objects piece by piece. Here, we report on a series of recent works where the in‐depth study of appropriately chosen model systems addresses the two key‐points in self‐assembly: building blocks selection and control of bonding. We focus in particular on hydrogen bonding because of the stability, precision and yet flexibility of nanostructures based on this interaction. Complementing experimental information with advanced atomistic modeling techniques based on quantum formalisms is a key feature of most investigations. We thus highlight the role of theoretical modeling while we follow the progression in the use of more and more complex molecular building blocks, or “tectons”. In particular, we will see that the use of three‐dimensional, flexible tectons promises to be a powerful way to achieve highly sophisticated functional nanostructures. However, the increasing complexity of the assembly units used makes it generally more difficult to control the supramolecular organization and predict the assembling mechanisms. This creates a case for developing novel analysis methods and ever more advanced modeling techniques.
Energy‐Level Alignment at Organic/Metal and Organic/Organic Interfaces
Authors: Braun Slawomir , Salaneck William R. , Fahlman Mats
Published: March 2009

In this Review, we summarize recent work on modeling of organic/metal and organic/organic interfaces. Some of the models discussed have a semiempirical approach, that is, experimentally derived values are used in combination with theory, and others rely completely of calculations. The models are categorized according to the types of interfaces they apply to, and the strength of the interaction at the interface has been used as the main factor. We explain the basics of the models, their use, and give examples on how the models correlate with experimental results. We stress that given the complexity of organic/metal and organic/organic interface formation, it is crucial to know the exact way in which the interface was formed before choosing the model that is applicable, as none of the models presented covers the whole range of interface interaction strengths (weak physisorption to strong chemisorption).
Efficient Hydrogenation of Benzaldehydes Over Mesopolymer‐Entrapped Pt Nanoparticles in Water
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Shen Yali , Song Liying , Wang Hongna , Wu Haihong , Liu Yueming , Wu Peng
Published: March 2009

Trapped! Mesopolymer‐entrapped Pt nanoparticles serve as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of benzaldehydes in water at ambient temperature. In comparison with the commercial Pt/alumina catalyst, the Pt/FDU‐14 catalyst shows superior performance in the hydrogenation reaction. The catalyst afforded high turnover frequencies and was reusable more than nine times without loss of activity or selectivity.

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Pt nanoparticles entrapped in the matrices of FDU‐14 periodic mesoporous organic polymer (abbreviated as mesopolymer), prepared by a simple and facile method, serve as an efficient catalyst for the liquid‐phase hydrogenation of benzaldehydes under mild conditions. Water was confirmed to be a better choice of solvent for the hydrogenation of benzaldehydes on the Pt/FDU‐14 catalyst. The highest activity (turnover frequency) was about 5700 mol mol−1 h−1 for 3‐fluorobenzaldehyde hydrogenation in water and no distinct loss of activity or selectivity was observed after the catalyst was recycled nine times. For the para‐substituted benzaldehydes, the catalytic performance of Pt/FDU‐14 was superior to the commercial Pt/alumina catalyst owing to the more hydrophobic nature of the FDU‐based catalyst.
Unraveling the Secrets of Protein–Metabolite Interactions
Authors: Sieber Stephan A.
Published: March 2009

Saghatelian and colleagues recently introduced a global metabolite‐profiling approach that allows protein–metabolite interactions (PMI) to be identified. This approach represents an excellent strategy and valuable tool for unraveling the many secrets of the metabolome. The key features of the methodology will be summarized here.

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Blue‐Light‐Triggered Photorelease of Active Chemicals Captured by the Flavoprotein Dodecin
Authors: Nöll Gilbert , Trawöger Sibylle , von Sanden‐Flohe Madlene , Dick Bernhard , Grininger Martin
Published: March 2009

Learning from nature: In nature, riboflavin binding proteins are responsible for the transport and release of riboflavin. Here, the development of a molecular photorelease system based on the riboflavin binding protein dodecin is presented. Any drug or active chemical linked to a flavin can be captured by dodecin and transported to a location of interest. Irradiation with blue light results in the release of the ligands.

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State‐dependent correlations of biochemical variables in plants
Authors: Németh Zsolt István , Sárdi Éva , Stefanovits‐Bányai Éva
Published: March 2009

Distributions of biochemical variables in plant foliage are mainly similar to normal distributions. The correlations between two variables belonging to a given sampling time or a given physiological stage are regarded as state‐dependent correlations. The conditions of existence of strong state‐dependent correlation are the dependence of values of the variables from each other and the identity of their distributions. An assumed identity of distributions can manifest itself in the very strong similarity of their empirical distributions. Two distributions with finite number of elements are considered the same in their type when they approximate a characteristic distribution, for example, the normal distribution in the same manner. In this situation, the rank or normal score patterns of the data producing linear correlation are also very similar to each other. On the basis of identity criteria and the interdependence of the variables, an equation for state‐dependent correlation has been derived in theoretical way from standardization of the distributions. Thus, not only statistical but also physical meanings can be attached to the parameters of the regression of experimental results. In this paper, we show that the distinction of plant physiological and/or stress states from each other can be more effective by using the correlation of biochemical variables for their characterizations than by separately statistical comparisons of means of the variables. Covariance analysis (ANCOVA) of linear regressions of state‐dependent correlations is able to distinguish actually various states that, on the basis of the means, seem undistinguishable. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single‐Molecule Fluorescence Studies Reveal Long‐Range Electron‐Transfer Dynamics Through Double‐Stranded DNA
Authors: Kumbhakar Manoj , Kiel Alexander , Pal Haridas , Herten Dirk‐Peter
Published: March 2009

Complex dynamics of combined long‐range fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and short‐range electron transfer (ET) processes in a single double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecule (see figure) reveals that FRET remains almost unaltered in the presence of ET. Present systems also demonstrate the potential for long‐range ET studies through the base stack in single dsDNA molecules.

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Tuneable Control of Interfacial Rheology and Emulsion Coalescence
Authors: Malcolm Andrew S. , Dexter Annette F. , Katakdhond Jayant A. , Karakashev Stoyan I. , Nguyen Anh V. , Middelberg Anton P. J.
Published: March 2009

Breaking point: Switchable peptide surfactants are used to demonstrate that the extent of cross‐linking in an interfacial surfactant layer can control the rate of emulsion coalescence. Pictured is the rupture of an aqueous thin film where the peptide layer lacks sufficient strength to prevent hole formation, but nonetheless dramatically slows the rate of hole expansion.

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Characterizing Pt‐Derived Anticancer Drugs from First Principles: The Case of Oxaliplatin in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Beret Elizabeth C. , Pappalardo Rafael R. , Marx Dominik , Sánchez Marcos Enrique
Published: March 2009

Anionic hydration: Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations help to obtain a microscopic description of the behavior of oxaliplatin anticancer drug in bulk water (see picture). Its hydration structure is closely related to that previously found for PtII aqua ion and derives from the presence of a square‐planar motif around the metal center.

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The molecular compound ethyldiamine‐oxalatoplatinum(II), EDO–Pt, is used as a model to study the oxaliplatin anticancer drug in aqueous solution by means of ab initio computer simulation. Gas‐phase structure optimizations have been performed for both oxaliplatin and its EDO–Pt mimic along with Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations of EDO–Pt in gas phase and in aqueous solution. The coordination of PtII is square‐planar on average, with PtN and PtOI distances of 2.04 Å in solution. The diamine ligand has a bent structure, while the oxalate ligand is planar on average. The complex features a very rigid structure during the simulation and the charge distribution describes a dipole with its negative pole on the oxalate ligand and the positive pole on the Ptdiamine side. The solvation pattern of EDO–Pt is most well‐defined around the amine and oxalate groups and is quantified by means of radial and spatial distribution functions of water molecules around the complex. Decomposition of radial distribution functions into their contributions from different regions (axial and equatorial) reveals an “anionic hydration” pattern of the metal cation by the solvent, which is analogous in nature to the bare PtII aqua ion. A qualitative prediction on the kinetics of ligand exchange in oxaliplatin is derived based on its axial hydration pattern.
Hydrogen Transfer from Supercritical Methanol over a Solid Base Catalyst: A Model for Lignin Depolymerization
Authors: Macala Gerald S. , Matson Theodore D. , Johnson Charles L. , Lewis Robert S. , Iretskii Alexei V. , Ford Peter C.
Published: March 2009

A (super)critical transfer: The consecutive hydrogenolysis and hydrogenation of the lignin model compound dihydrobenzofuran was studied in supercritical methanolic solutions using porous metal oxide catalysts. These catalysts promote H2 production from methanol followed by hydrogenolysis of the ether linkages and reduction of the aromatic rings, leading principally to a mixture of cyclohexanols.

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Improved analogue fault coverage estimation using probabilistic analysis
Authors: Papakostas D. K. , Hatzopoulos A. A.
Published: March 2009

A method for fault detection probability estimation using statistical multi‐parameter circuit simulation is proposed, in order to check circuits for which double or multiple analogue measurements are utilized. Theoretical analysis for the estimation of the fault coverage is given, based on conditional probability calculations. The proposed method can be applied for both test measurement and input stimulus selection. Simulation results from the application of the method on typical analogue circuits—filter and amplifier—are given, showing a sufficient improvement over the fault coverage achieved by single measurements. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trust, public participation and environmental governance in Hong Kong
Authors: Tsang Stephen , Burnett Margarett , Hills Peter , Welford Richard
Published: March 2009

This paper explores the role of trust in environmental governance and its role in facilitating collective action through public participation in making decisions on environmental policies in Hong Kong. Opinions from key stakeholders with regard to the environmental performance of the Hong Kong government and public participation in Hong Kong were collected. Their opinions help to explain the hypothesized ‘trust deficit’ in Hong Kong. A trust‐based framework was used to identify the appropriate stakeholder participation strategy for environmental governance in Hong Kong. Given that the level of trust in experts, trust between stakeholders and trust in government decision‐makers are all low, a deliberation strategy using professional facilitation is recommended in implementing public participation in Hong Kong to rebuild trust. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Towards Antitumor Active trans‐Platinum Compounds
Authors: Aris Sheena M. , Farrell Nicholas P.
Published: March 2009

Substitution of NH3 by a range of amines in trans‐[PtCl2(NH3)2] produces compounds with cytotoxicity significantly improved over the parent transplatin and in many cases equivalent to that of cisplatin. This microreview summarizes the chemistry and biology of trans‐platinum compounds containing principally planar amines and succinctly reviews the current status of anticancer relevance of the trans‐platinum geometry. The nature of bifunctional DNA adducts (intrastrand, interstrand) is remarkably dependent on the nature of the amine. Further, the stability of monofunctional adducts allows for competitive production of DNA–protein cross‐links and overall the results suggest that the trans‐platinum chemotype may offer significant potential for design of selective DNA–protein cross‐linking agents. A subset of proteins known to bind to DNA modified by trans‐platinum is that comprising zinc fingers – model studies show the potential for formation of heteronuclear thiolate‐bridged species as precedent for zinc displacement from the biomolecule.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
An Efficient Approach to Monophenyl‐Functionalized Octasilsesquioxanes
Authors: Liu Hongzhi , Kondo Shin‐ichi , Takeda Nobuhiro , Unno Masafumi
Published: March 2009

By controlling the ratio of N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS) to trichloro(p‐tolyl)silane, [4‐(bromomethyl)phenyl]trichlorosilane and trichloro[4‐(tribromomethyl)phenyl]silane were selectively prepared for the first time. Then, by treating theabove two trichlorosilanes with incompletely condensedsilsesquioxane, R7Si7O9(OH)3, a (monobromomethyl)phenyl‐tethered octasilsesquioxane and (tribromomethyl)phenyl‐tethered octasilsesquioxane were easily obtained. Finally, the resulting two compounds were further hydrolyzed to form a (monohydroxymethyl)phenyl‐ and monocarboxyphenyl‐functionalized octasilsesquioxane, respectively.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Microwave‐Assisted Organometallic Syntheses: Formation of Dinuclear [(Arene)Ru(μ‐Cl)3RuCl(L–L′)] Complexes (L–L′: Chelate Ligands with P‐, N‐, or S‐Donor Atoms) by Displacement of Arene π Ligands (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 8/2009)
Authors: Albrecht Christian , Gauthier Sébastien , Wolf Joffrey , Scopelliti Rosario , Severin Kay
Published: March 2009

The cover picture shows the molecular structure of a dinuclear ruthenium complex, which was obtained by an arene displacement reaction in a microwave oven. Although microwave heating has been used extensively in organic synthesis, there are relatively few reports about its application in preparative organometallic chemistry. On p. 1003 ff, K. Severin et al. describe that [(arene)Ru(μ‐Cl)3RuCl(L?L′)] complexes with a diverse set of chelate ligands L?L′ are easily accessible by microwave heating. It should be mentioned, though, that the instrument used for their experiments was slightly more sophisticated than the one shown on the cover.
[4+2] Annulation – Convenient Synthesis of Substituted Dihydropyranones in Aqueous Media
Authors: Ouyang Yan , Huang Jie , Pan Wei , Liang Yongjiu , Yang Yang , Dong Dewen
Published: March 2009

A facile and convenient synthesis of dihydropyranones has been developed by a formal [4+2] annulation of readily available α‐acetyl ketene S,S‐acetals with various aldehydes, involving a tandem aldol reaction and conjugate addition‐elimination reaction, in the presence of NaOH in water. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Tandem Zn‐Brook Rearrangement/Ene‐Allene Carbocyclization
Authors: Unger Rozalia , Cohen Theodore , Marek Ilan
Published: March 2009

The addition of metalated alkynes to acylsilanes leads to the corresponding α‐propargylsilanol derivatives. On addition of ZnBr2, Zn‐promoted Brook rearrangements take place to produce the propargyl/allenylzinc bromides, which undergo cyclization to give functionalized carbocycles as single diastereoisomers. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Sensitivity of post‐hurricane beach and dune recovery to event frequency
Authors: Houser Chris , Hamilton Stuart
Published: March 2009

The recovery of Santa Rosa Island in northwest Florida is characterized following Hurricane Katrina (September 2005), which was preceded by Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Dennis (2005). Beach and dune recovery were quantified to the east and west of Pensacola Beach through a comparison of LiDAR data collected immediately following Hurricane Katrina and in July 2006 after almost a year of recovery. East of Pensacola Beach (the Santa Rosa Unit), the shoreline retreated by an average of 64 m during the 2004–2005 hurricane season and recovered by an average of 19 m. To the west of Pensacola Beach (the Fort Pickens Unit), the shoreline retreated by an average of 30 m, and while no significant shoreface recovery was observed, the presence of vegetation on low‐profile dunes promoted backshore accretion. It is found that beachface recovery in the Santa Rosa Unit and backshore accretion in the Fort Pickens Unit occurred at the widest sections of the island where the pre‐storm profile volume had been relatively large and overwash penetration was at a minimum. The narrow sections of the island (between cuspate headlands) had a smaller profile volume before the storms, leading to greater overwash penetration and in some cases island breaching in both sections, which limited the volume of sediment available for shoreface recovery. The alongshore variation in recovery is not only related to the island width, but also the offshore bathymetry, height of the pre‐storm dunes and the overwash penetration. If sufficient time is allowed for the return of vegetation and the recovery of the dunes, the variations in storm impact observed during Hurricane Ivan will be reinforced during subsequent storms. In this respect, the level of impact during subsequent storms and the ability of the island to recover will depend on the frequency of storm events. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectrally based remote sensing of river bathymetry
Authors: Legleiter Carl J. , Roberts Dar A. , Lawrence Rick L.
Published: March 2009

This paper evaluates the potential for remote mapping of river bathymetry by (1) examining the theoretical basis of a simple, ratio‐based technique for retrieving depth information from passive optical image data; (2) performing radiative transfer simulations to quantify the effects of suspended sediment concentration, bottom reflectance, and water surface state; (3) assessing the accuracy of spectrally based depth retrieval under field conditions via ground‐based reflectance measurements; and (4) producing bathymetric maps for a pair of gravel‐bed rivers from hyperspectral image data. Consideration of the relative magnitudes of various radiance components allowed us to define the range of conditions under which spectrally based depth retrieval is appropriate: the remotely sensed signal must be dominated by bottom‐reflected radiance. We developed a simple algorithm, called optimal band ratio analysis (OBRA), for identifying pairs of wavelengths for which this critical assumption is valid and which yield strong, linear relationships between an image‐derived quantity X and flow depth d. OBRA of simulated spectra indicated that water column optical properties were accounted for by a shorter‐wavelength numerator band sensitive to scattering by suspended sediment while depth information was provided by a longer‐wavelength denominator band subject to strong absorption by pure water. Field spectra suggested that bottom reflectance was fairly homogeneous, isolating the effect of depth, and that radiance measured above the water surface was primarily reflected from the bottom, not the water column. OBRA of these data, 28% of which were collected during a period of high turbidity, yielded strong X versus d relations (R2 from 0·792 to 0·976), demonstrating that accurate depth retrieval is feasible under field conditions. Moreover, application of OBRA to hyperspectral image data resulted in spatially coherent, hydraulically reasonable bathymetric maps, though negative depth estimates occurred along channel margins where pixels were mixed. This study indicates that passive optical remote sensing could become a viable tool for measuring river bathymetry. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of climate change on runoff from a mid‐latitude mountainous catchment in central Japan
Authors: Shinohara Yoshinori , Kumagai Tomo'omi , Otsuki Kyoichi , Kume Atsushi , Wada Naoya
Published: March 2009

Hydrologic balance in high‐altitude, mid‐latitude mountain areas is important in terms of the water resources available to associated lowlands. This study examined how current and historical shifts in precipitation (P) patterns and concurrent increases in temperature (T) affected runoff (Q) and other hydrologic components in a mid‐latitude mountain catchment of central Japan, using a combination of long‐term data and a simplified hydrologic model, along with their stochastic treatment. The availability of intensive meteorological and hydrological data from the period 1997–2001 allowed the derivation of key relationships for the current climate that tie the forcing term to the parameters or state variables. By using the data recorded in the period 1965–2001, the force for driving the historical simulation was generated. Based on this model and historical shifts in P and T, the probability density functions of Q (pdf(Q)) was computed. A main novelty in this study is that such a stochastic representation, which is useful for considering the influence of projected shifts in environmental factors on the hydrologic budget, was provided. Despite the large increase in the rate of T in winter and spring, pdf(Q) in spring and summer varied appreciably during the time studied mainly because of an increase in snowmelt. An interannual change in whole‐year Q was robust to shifts in T because while Q in spring increased, in summer it decreased, implying a crucial effect of global warming on mountain hydrologic regimes is change in the timing of Q. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy system for combination forecasting of river flow in semiarid mountain regions
Authors: Zhang Lijie , Zhao Wenzhi , He Zhibin , Liu Hu
Published: March 2009

Because of high spatial heterogeneity and the degree of uncertainty about hydrological processes in large‐scale catchments of semiarid mountain areas, satisfactory forecasting of daily discharge is seldom available using a single model in many practical cases. In this paper the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy system (TS) and the simple average method (SAM) are applied to combine forecasts of three individual models, namely, the simple linear model (SLM), the seasonally based linear perturbation model (LPM) and the nearest neighbour linear perturbation model (NNLPM) for modelling daily discharge, and the performance of modelling results is compared in five catchments of semiarid areas. It is found that the TS combination model gives good predictions. The results confirm that better prediction accuracy can be obtained by combining the forecasts of different models with the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy system in semi‐arid mountain areas. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
M5 model tree based modelling of reference evapotranspiration
Authors: Pal Mahesh , Deswal Surinder
Published: March 2009

This paper investigates the potential of M5 model tree based regression approach to model daily reference evapotranspiration using climatic data of Davis station maintained by California irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS). Four inputs including solar radiation, average air temperature, average relative humidity, and average wind speed whereas reference evapotranspiration calculated using a relation provided by the CIMIS was used as output. To compare the performance of M5 model tree in predicting the reference evapotranspiration, FAO–56 Penman–Monteith equation and calibrated Hargreaves–Samani relation was used. A comparison of results suggests that M5 model tree approach works well in comparison to both FAO–56 and calibrated Hargreaves–Samani relations. To judge the generalization capability of M5 model tree approach, model created by using the Davis data set was tested with the datasets of four different sites. Results from this part of the study suggest that M5 model tree could successfully be employed in modeling the reference evapotranspiration. Further, sensitivity analysis with M5 model tree approach suggests the suitability of solar radiation, average air temperature, average relative humidity, and average wind speed as input parameters to model the reference evapotranspiration Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Valuing diversity: a group‐value approach to understanding the importance of organizational efforts to support diversity
Authors: Triana María del Carmen , García María Fernanda
Published: March 2009

Using Leventhal's rules as well as the group‐value model of procedural justice, we first examined how the negative effects of perceived racial discrimination on procedural justice judgments can be attenuated by perceived organizational efforts to support diversity. Secondly, we examine how these effects ultimately impact affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. We found that employees who believe some individuals in the workplace are discriminating against them on the basis of race tend to report lower levels of procedural justice from the organization. However, this negative relationship was attenuated when employees perceived that their organization was making efforts to support diversity. Results suggest that individuals' perceptions of organizational efforts to support diversity can help restore perceptions of procedural justice for employees who experience racial discrimination at work. Improving procedural justice also positively impacts affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior directed at the organization. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
UV and global solar radiation in Łódź, Central Poland
Authors: Podstawczyńska Agnieszka
Published: March 2009

With the overall aim of quantifying urban atmospheric effects on different parts of the solar spectrum, a multi year analysis of data collected at Łódź was undertaken. UV (290–400 nm) and global solar radiation measured by means of a Kipp and Zonen CUV3 radiometer and a Kipp and Zonen CM11 pyranometer in the center of Łódź between 1997 and 2001 are analysed. The mean annual sum of global and UV solar radiation equaled 3710.8 MJ m−2 and 154.1 MJ m−2, respectively. The minimum monthly total of solar energy occurred in December (48.7 M Jm−2—global; 2.1 MJ m−2—UV); however, the maximum monthly total occurred atypically in May (620.9 MJ m−2—global; 25.3 MJ m−2—UV). UV clearness index (Kuv) is approximately half of the clearness index of the global solar radiation, indicating greater attenuation of that part of the spectrum (Kuv 0.14 in December to 0.26 in May). A linear regression model was fitted to the daily values of UV and global (g) solar irradiation (Duv = a + Dgb). The slope coefficient b and the coefficient of determination equal 0.039 and 0.98, respectively. Cloudiness exerts an important control on the solar radiation flux at the ground level and for the relation between UV and global solar radiation. The convective clouds caused an increase of global and UV solar irradiance by about 10–20% compared to clear days, the enhancement resulting from reflections. On clear days, UV comprises 3.3–4% of global solar irradiance (10‐min values) on average, while during cloudy weather it increases to 8%. The results presented have implications for understanding the radiative transfer of UV and global solar radiation in the atmosphere over an urban area and the influence of clouds on transmission of solar radiation flux. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
An analytical framework for estimating the urban effect on climate
Authors: Lamptey Benjamin
Published: March 2009

The surface energy budget has been used to illustrate the influence of urban landscape on both global and regional climate. This was done using empirical as well as remotely sensed data of components of the surface energy equation.

At the global scale, the urban land cover has the least impact on the sensible and latent heat fluxes compared to the other land cover types. Replacing the urban land cover with vegetation did not result in a significant change to the proportionate values of the turbulent fluxes originally due to vegetation. The least impact of current urbanization on the global climate in terms of radiation and surface fluxes is because the urban land cover has the smallest fraction of all the land cover types.

The relative importance of the urban landscape at the regional scale was illustrated using the example of Chester County and surroundings near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the USA. The urban effect becomes more important as the fraction of urban land cover to the total increases. This is illustrated by computing turbulent fluxes for 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993 and 1996 over the Chester County area. Urbanization in Chester County and surrounding areas increased from 11% in 1987 to 19% in 1996. In 1996, urban land cover produced the largest proportionate sensible (21.4 Wm−2) and latent (14.2 Wm−2) heat fluxes during winter. During the 1996 summer, urban and vegetation land cover produced the largest proportionate sensible heat (59.2 Wm−2) while urban land cover produced the second largest proportionate latent heat flux (39.5 Wm−2). The implications of this simple analytical study point to the need to account for the urban landscape particularly in regional studies. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Comparison of different phosphorus‐fertiliser matrices to induce the recovery of phosphorus‐deficient maize plants
Authors: Erro Javier , Zamarreño Angel M , Garcia‐Mina Jose M , Yvin Jean‐Claude
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the capacity of a new type of mineral fertiliser, known as rhizosphere‐controlled fertiliser (RCF), to supply adequate nutrition to plants while minimising nutrient losses. This fertiliser family is based on the presence a phosphoric matrix composed of metal–humic–phosphates, soluble not in water but in the rhizospheric acids released by plant roots as an expression of nutritional needs, principally citric acid. The aim of this study is to investigate the capacity of the RCF matrix and other phosphorus‐containing products to induce the recovery of phosphorus‐deficient maize plants.

RESULTS: The results showed that RCF‐based P fertilisers were able to facilitate plant recovery, measured by the dry root and shoot weights, to the same extent as a water‐soluble P fertiliser (monopotassium phosphate). This fact was well correlated to both the variation pattern of citric and trans‐aconitic acids in the shoot and roots during the treatment, and P shoot and root contents. Likewise the analysis of the variation of P concentration in the nutrient solution during the treatment indicates that plant recovery is associated with the capacity of the plant to mobilise P from the different fertiliser matrices studied.

CONCLUSION: These results confirm the findings obtained in previous in vitro studies and indicate the suitability of RCF strategy for the preparation of mineral fertilisers with a nutrient release pattern more sensitive to plant nutritional needs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of phenolic acids in organically and conventionally grown pac choi (Brassica rapa L. chinensis)
Authors: Zhao Xin , Nechols James R , Williams Kimberly A , Wang Weiqun , Carey Edward E
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND: Field and greenhouse studies were performed to investigate whether organic production methods influenced levels of phenolic acid compounds in pac choi (Brassica rapa L. chinensis cv. Mei Qing Choi) compared with conventional cultivation.

RESULTS: In the field experiment, organic fertilisation (compost + fish emulsion) resulted in significantly higher phenolic concentrations compared with conventional fertilisation (NPK + CaNO3) under both high tunnel and open field environments. Increased phenolics were accompanied by a significant reduction in plant fresh weight and dry weight, probably due to nitrogen deficiency. However, the elevated level of phenolics in organically grown pac choi could also have been due to confounding effects of nitrogen availability, insect attack and pesticide application. A follow‐up greenhouse experiment further demonstrated a significant increase in phenolic compounds and a reduction in yield with organic fertiliser (vermicompost + fish fertiliser) relative to conventional treatment (slow release inorganic fertiliser). Preventive insecticide application did not affect the phenolic levels in pac choi under either organic or conventional fertilisation.

CONCLUSION: Given that higher phenolic content in pac choi was associated with low nitrogen availability and considerable yield reduction, research is needed to determine the extent to which phenolic compounds may differ in organic and conventional pac choi when nutrient levels are adjusted to produce comparable yields. Additional study is also warranted to determine the extent to which insect attack might contribute to elevated phenolic content in organic pac choi. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Nitrogen fertilisation in coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): a review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Carrubba Alessandra
Published: March 2009

Nitrogen (N) fertilisation is one of the most important external inputs in assessing coriander seed yield and plant growth. Recent concerns related to the misuse of N fertilisers in agricultural environments, however, stress the opportunity for a fine‐tuning of N management in order to optimise the use of this element, avoiding losses and reducing environmental hazards. In this study, some results from the literature concerning N fertilisation in coriander are reviewed and, by means of statistical analysis, an attempt is made to derive from them some general suggestions about practices of N fertilisation. In most cases examined, N fertilisation allowed a 10–70% increase in seed yields in comparison with each respective untreated control. The efficiency of use of this element, however, has proven to be greatly dependent on the overall fertility conditions of the growing site. The greatest yield advantages were actually found in more favourable environments, whereas in low‐yielding environments plants reached their maximum yield with a comparatively reduced N supply. In low‐yielding environments a careful risk/benefit assessment of this practice is therefore advisable. No definite conclusion could be drawn at this stage about essential oil yield and composition in relation to N fertilisation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Contribution of the largest events to suspended sediment transport across the USA
Authors: Gonzalez‐Hidalgo J. C. , Batalla R. J. , Cerdà A. , de Luis M.
Published: March 2009

This work analyses the contribution of the largest events to suspended sediment transport on the continental scale. The analysis is based on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Suspended Sediment and Ancillary database. Data were obtained from 1314 catchments, comprising more than 2 500 000 daily events. The total number of days in the dataset amounts to 10 000 years. Catchments are of different sizes and belong to distinct climatic environments; they are distributed for the analysis according to USA hydrological divisions (HDs). The main objective of the research is to examine the effect of the n‐largest event on the total suspended sediment load over recorded periods, and to discuss different behaviour between HDs. To accomplish this, the daily events at each catchment are ranked by magnitude, and then the percentage represented by the n‐largest event (e.g. 3‐largest, 5‐largest, 10‐largest, 15‐largest, 20‐largest, 25‐largest) is calculated from the total accumulated load. Results indicate that suspended sediment transported by the 25‐largest events represents on average more than 50 per cent of the total load. The California HD, mostly under Mediterranean climatic conditions, accounts for the highest percentage of sediment transport across conterminous USA, whatever n‐largest daily events are selected. There, the 3‐largest events contribute, on average, 38 per cent of the total sediment load, the 10‐largest events represent 61 per cent and the 25‐largest events produce more than 76 per cent of the total sediment transport. Overall, the contribution of largest daily events seems not to depend on the climatic conditions in small catchments (<100 km2) and, in addition, the percentage of suspended sediment increases over all HDs, while, at the same time, the catchment size decreases. Finally, we discuss differences between catchments across the USA, according to climatic and historical (i.e. land use) factors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of science in implementing international environmental agreements: The case of desertification
Authors: Grainger Alan
Published: March 2009

A preliminary framework for evaluating the effectiveness of international environmental agreements (IEAs) is described, and applied to the UN Plan of Action to Combat Desertification (PACD) and UN Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD), both of which have proven ineffective. There is good correspondence between the framework's nine criteria and official explanations of the reasons for poor implementation. Most of the criteria were identified in previous studies but opinions are divided on one of them—access to scientific knowledge. Its inclusion does, however, receive support from experiences in the desertification regime. Successive organizations of science‐policy communication in the CCD have lacked many of the ideal features of boundary organizations, with access to scientific knowledge impeded mainly by formal institutions, compared with informal institutions in the PACD. Yet while applying the boundary organization model in a descriptive manner diagnoses the particular deficiencies in science‐policy communication in this regime it cannot explain why they occur. Linking the CCD to a large and diverse scientific network, similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, could improve matters. But this may not be politically feasible, as new knowledge could undermine the viability of the CCD by unravelling its initial rule system. Progress in combating dryland degradation may therefore only be possible in another regime, e.g. in the successor to the Kyoto Protocol, or by devising a new interdisciplinary conceptualization of desertification which does not rely on ambiguity, as is the case at present. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.