bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognition and Management of the Distinctions of Harsh Environment FPSO Project Design and Management
Authors: Larson Andrew , Leitko Scott
Published: December 2012

The extreme conditions and harsh environment for which FPSO's andhydrocarbon gathering facilities are being considered introduces distinctchallenges to effective and efficient project management and execution. The presentation is based on the experiences gathered during the design phasesof two contemporary harsh environment FPSO's and the associated subsea, flowline, pipeline and riser systems (Chevron Rosebank and GAZPROMShtokman). This presentation will focus on the adjustments that must beconsidered to " standard" project execution and management in order toincorporate the elemental distinctions without sacrificing efficiency, logicalsequencing, safety or project schedule. Specifically, the presentationwill focus on the following:Incorporation of severe environment conditions into element design and theassociated effects on project execution planning and sequencing,Recognizing operational adjustments and the influence on design sequenceand basis,Incorporation of weatherization techniques and the effects on layout anddesign sequence, safety (hazards and benefit opportunities),Understanding the distinctive impacts to interface definition and designmanagement, and,Understanding the impacts of narrow weather windows with regard toinstallation, operation and maintenance on design, execution and contractingstrategies.

The paper is intended to inform the audience as to the distinctivecharacteristics of harsh environment design management contrasted with the morefamiliar benign environment design projects.
Near-Real-Time Tracking and Integrated Forecasting of Arctic Ice Floes
Authors: Anno P. , Soofi K. , Cobb B. , Santosuosso J. , Yetsko C. , Glover D.
Published: December 2012

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Arctic environment will very much depend onour ability to continuously track ice floes and forecast ice events that maygenerate dangerous loads on exploration and production infrastructure. Wepresent a first-of-its-kind computational framework which is centered aroundnear-real-time satellite imagery and incorporates real-time metocean data, providing automated analysis of such hazards in regions where moving ice ispresent. Our automated framework carries out several ongoing operations: icedetection and classification from satellite images, floe tracking from oneimage to the next, forecasting of floe trajectories beyond the observed tracks, and estimation of an uncertainty cone around the trajectory forecast. Weutilized the IBM InfoSphere™ Streams real-time analytics platform to deploy oursoftware, which made it possible for us to concentrate exclusively onprototyping algorithms, taking for granted the streaming infrastructure neededfor real-time data ingestion and flow between operators. Given our experiencedeveloping this prototype we conclude that a production-worthy, automatedtracking and forecasting capability is computationally feasible and within ourreach.

Introduction

Exploration in the Arctic will lean heavily on our ability to continuouslytrack ice floes and to forecast ice events that may generate dangerous loads ondrilling and production infrastructure. The engineering challengesnotwithstanding of deploying data acquisition systems in the Arctic, in thisproject we investigated analytical problems that surround continuous trackingand forecasting of ice floe trajectories. Here we introduce a first-of-its-kindcomputational prototype for real-time analysis of ice floes and icebergs. Ourprototype centers around our proven ability to acquire near-real-time satellite(Synthetic Aperture Radar) imagery and to incorporate real-time metocean datastreams, a powerful combination of data for automated analysis and modeling ofhazards in regions that feature moving ice. Key metocean data streams forforecasting ice movement include wind velocity measurements and forecasts, aswell as water current models and velocity measurements. We collected both SARand metocean data over a ConocoPhillips block in the Beaufort Sea (Figure 1)for this investigation. Our near-real-time SAR imagery stream over theblock (Figure 2) provided the primary data for tracking.
HVDC Enables Subsea Active Production Technology
Authors: Voight Richard
Published: December 2012

A growing number of projects are employing some form of subsea processing. Integrated system approaches to subsea processing, commonly known as SubseaActive Processing Technologies (SAPT), can require a great deal of power. Subsea boosting and/or separation pumps can easily reach 3 MW each; withmultiple pump installations quickly adding up to a substantial demand on a hostfacility. When the power transmission distances approach 100 km or more, ACpower distribution becomes less and less practical. For this reason, powerindustry leaders envision the future installation of offshore electricalutility infrastructures based on High Voltage DC (HVDC) TransmissionTechnology, just as they are presently employed for land based utilities. Taking advantage of these large HVDC offshore power grids for small, isolatedsubsea installations requiring only moderate power levels calls for adaptingHVDC technology to a scale sized to the power requirements of theseinstallations. The HVDC Power Buoy concept, proposed for isolated SAPTinstallations requiring subsea power in the range of 10 to 20 MW, is one suchadaptation. This paper will present the HVDC Power Buoy concept and its keycomponents; the benefits and drivers for its development; the perceivedqualification challenges as well as the target applications for thetechnology.

Introduction

To introduce the HVDC Power Buoy concept, a subsea completion, with subseaprocessing included, with a tieback distance of 150 km and a total subsea powerrequirement of 15MVA @ 0.7 PF (10.5 MW) is used as a demonstrative test case. First, the case of providing AC power to the subsea completion is considered toillustrate the issues associated with AC power transmission. Then, as analternative, an HVDC Power Buoy with a HVDC power transmission link ispresented to show the advantages of this approach. Since the HVDC PowerBuoy is a new concept, the technical gaps are then identified with suggestedpaths forward to mitigate said gaps. By enabling the use of HVDC powertransmission, the HVDC Power Buoy concept is expected to make Subsea ActiveProcessing Technology practical for many isolated and otherwise stranded subseafields.
Effective Stakeholder Identification across Arctic Alaska
Authors: Dunham W. Jon
Published: December 2012

Stakeholder engagement is a key component of the development of projects inArctic Alaska. Identification of key stakeholders is critical to ensurethe public engagement is effective and will aid in:Collection of Traditional Knowledge used to shape the approach todevelopment;Addressing regulatory issues with local cultural, wildlife, and marinemammal commissions as well as planning boards;Developing a plan that incorporates participation in the project successthrough local employment and giving to the affected communities; andBalancing the local benefits with the burdens of project development inAlaska.

This paper will be based on a review of projects in Alaska over the last 15years that have received local community acceptance based on effectivelyidentifying key stakeholders.

Application:

Possible applications of this information include methods for developing andcollecting key stakeholder data and ways to implement this data. This mayalso have application to other communities with similar characteristics ofInuit.

Results, Observations, and Conclusions:

Identifying key stakeholders and effectively addressing issues raised bythese key stakeholders can help shape acceptance of a development project inAlaska. With the stakeholder information becoming more wide-ranging andless specific, the importance of finding informed individuals and groups thatauthoritatively speak for an interest group or community can focus thestakeholder data collection effort.
Handling a crisis via a combination of human initiative and godly direction: Insights from the Book of Ruth
Authors: Branch Robin Gallaher
Published: December 2012

The biblical text introduces Ruth, a Moabite woman, at a time of personal crisis. She faces destitution. Life has handed her multiple blows, amongst them widowhood and childlessness. Her single asset? Naomi, a cranky, elderly but endearing mother-in-law. Naomi, an Israelite and also widowed, is now quite determined to go home to Bethlehem. Ruth joins Naomi’s journey, but for Ruth it is a pilgrimage, for it is at this time that she switches allegiance from the gods of Moab to the God of Israel. As an immigrant facing change on every level – a new culture, a new religion, no friends and no job – Ruth nonetheless triumphs. Within only a couple of months, not only does she marry a prominent and prosperous bachelor, Boaz, but also wins the hearts of her mother-in-law’s friends, the women of Bethlehem. This analysis of her successful pilgrimage offers contemporary guidelines for facing dramatic changes. Using literary method, this article examines one of the Bible’s accounts of how a personal crisis is resolved via a combination of God’s providence and human initiative and courage.Die hantering van ’n krisis deur ’n kombinasie van menslike inisiatief en goddelike bestuur: Insigte uit die boek Rut. Die bybelse teks stel die leser voor aan Rut, ’n Moabitiese vrou, tydens ‘n persoonlike krisis in haar lewe. Sy is ’n weduwee, kinderloos en staar dus armoede in die gesig. Haar enigste pluspunt is Naomi, haar bejaarde, ietwat verbitterde dog innemende skoonmoeder. Naomi, ’n Israeliet en ook ’n weduwee, is vasbeslote om na haar huis in Betlehem terug te keer. Rut vergesel haar en dit word vir Rut ’n pelgrimstog na die God van Israel, weg van die afgode van Moab af. As immigrant wat ’n vreemde kultuur en godsdiens, ’n toekoms sonder vriende en werkloosheid moet verwerk, seëvier Rut uiteindelik. Sy trou binne ‘n paar maande met Boas, ’n prominente en welvarende vrygesel en wen ook die harte van haar skoonmoeder se vriendinne, die vroue van Bethlehem. Die ontleding van Rut se suksesvolle pelgrimstog bied tydgenootlike riglyne aan diegene wat voor groot veranderinge in hulle lewens te staan kom. Met behulp van die literêre metode ondersoek hierdie artikel ’n bybelse mededeling wat aantoonhoedat ’n persoonlike krisis deur middel van God se voorsienigheid en menslike inisiatief en moed opgelos kan word.
PERCEPTIONS REGARDING PLANNING ACTIVITIES AND SUPERVISION STRATEGIES FOR SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS
Authors: Swortzel Kirk A.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of the study was to describe the perceptions of Tennessee agriculture teachers regarding planning activities and supervision strategies for supervised agricultural experience programs (SAEP). Data were collected via a mailed questionnaire from 150 randomly selected teachers. Agriculture teachers who taught in multiple teacher departments, subscribed to The Agricultural Education Magazine, and counted their students SAEPs as part of their grade in agricultural education classes had more positive perceptions regarding planning activities. Agriculture teachers who were not enrolled in agricultural education courses while high school students, counted their students SAEPs as part of their grade in agricultural education classes, and had a class period during the school day for SAEP supervision had more positive perceptions regarding supervision strategies. Recommendations include encouraging local school systems to consider having multiple teacher agricultural education departments, conducting research to determine if there are benefits of counting students' SAEPs as part of their grade in agricultural education, and determining of there are benefits of providing teachers with a period for SAEP supervision during the school day.
Perceptions of Teaching Ability During the Student Teaching Experience in Agricultural Education
Authors: Krysher Sheyenne , Robinson J. Shane , Montgomery Diane , Edwards M. Craig
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study was to describe the views student teachers in agricultural education at Oklahoma State University had regarding their 12–week student teaching internship. Using Q– methodology as a research approach, 28 interns rank–ordered a Q–set of 36 statements describing various aspects of teacher responsibilities and performance. The completed Q–sorts were factor analyzed resulting in three distinct teaching views found in the sample: Emerging Teacher, Self–Assured Teacher, and Determined Teacher. The Emerging Teacher view recognized areas needed for growth and development but also recognized their progress toward becoming a professional. The Self–Assured Teacher view had a high level of comfort and confidence in their teaching ability, which extended to their views on developing lessons and teaching across the agricultural education curriculum. The Determined Teacher view recognized confidence but not comfort in their teaching ability. Teaching did not always come easy for them, but they recognized they were getting better. Study results suggested all three groups attained their views from different sources of self–efficacy. Recommendations were made to provide continued training and/or professional development tailored to each view, as well as, to seek the viewpoints of the cooperating teachers.
Perceptions of North Carolina High School Agricultural Educators Regarding Students with Special Needs Participating in Supervised Agricultural Experience and FFA Activities
Authors: Johnson Lendy , Wilson Elizabeth , Flowers Jim , Croom Barry
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of North Carolina high school agricultural educators toward including students with special needs when implementing Supervised Agricultural Experience and participating in FFA activities. The population was all high school agricultural educators in North Carolina with 12 month employment (N = 307). A simple random sample of 172 was selected with a response rate of 45.9%. Participants completed a questionnaire that measured teachers’ perceptions and collected demographic information. Data analysis indicated that teachers had positive perceptions toward including students with special needs when implementing SAE. Teachers perceived that FFA participation was beneficial for students with special needs, but there were more limitations for these students than for other students. Teachers most frequently perceived student ability as a barrier to working with these students in SAE and the FFA.
An Assessment of Students’ Perceptions Toward Factors Influencing Supervised Agricultural Experience Participation
Authors: Lewis Lauren J. , Rayfield John , Moore Lori L.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate student perceptions toward factors influencing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) participation. This descriptive study was conducted in 120 randomly selected agricultural education programs throughout four purposively selected states representative of the National FFA regions. Within each state the programs randomly selected to participate were from FFA divisions characterized as having urban city–centers with outlying rural/suburban areas. Students in the programs completed a questionnaire assessing perceptions toward factors influencing SAE participation. According to findings of this study, each state had three prominent types of school SAE resources perceived available for student use. Almost all students with a SAE project believed their teacher encouraged every student to have a SAE, and most received SAE help from a teacher monthly. Factors such as agricultural education courses, parental and teacher support and encouragement, resources (money and facilities), and opportunities for awards and recognition did not seem to influence student SAE participation. Students did believe skill development from SAE participation would be beneficial to their future. Contrary to previous research, involvement in community and school activities did not seem to decrease student SAE participation.
Program Evaluation Competencies of Extension Professionals: Implications for Continuing Professional Development
Authors: McClure Megan M. , Fuhrman Nicholas E. , Morgan A. Christian
Published: December 2012

As states face tough economic times, extension organizations are increasingly emphasizing the importance of evaluation data to show program value. However, little is known about the evaluation skills and abilities of extension professionals expected to collect such data. This knowledge would help inform professional development opportunities designed to target evaluation–related deficiencies. A needs assessment was conducted with Georgia extension professionals to determine the evaluation competencies that provided the greatest opportunity for professional development. Results highlighted competencies within two constructs, analyzing questionnaire data and disseminating evaluation findings, which accounted for seven of the top 10 competencies with the greatest need. The continuing professional development needs of agents varied based on primary program area and experience level, indicating a need for even more targeted continuing professional development. Agents with five or fewer years of experience needed the most professional development in the areas of data collection whereas agents with more experience needed assistance with data analysis and reporting. Continuing professional development to build evaluation competencies in Georgia extension educators should also vary depending on the primary programming responsibilities of the participating extension professional. Although extension professionals with primary responsibilities in Agriculture and Natural Resources needed the most assistance with analyzing questionnaire data, those with primarily 4–H responsibilities needed help disseminating evaluation findings in reports.
A Content Analysis of Teaching Philosophy Statements of Award Winning Colleges of Agriculture Professors
Authors: Sankey Laura L. , Foster Daniel D.
Published: December 2012

As our economy calls for improved employment skills, educational institutions must provide quality teaching to prepare students for success. Researchers purport that an important factor in determining student learning is the teacher, and that one of the most prominent factors in student achievement is teacher quality. The search for the attributes, dispositions, knowledge, and instructional skills that define effective teachers continues as scholars seek to discover the teacher variables that lead to student achievement. The purpose of the descriptive research was to identify themes present in the teaching philosophy statements of the United States Department of Agriculture Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences award recipients. Content analysis technique was utilized in reviewing the provided espoused philosophy statements of award winners from 2000 – 2010. Findings include identification of eleven emergent themes. Future recommendations would include a study to determine if a disconnect exists between the stated teaching philosophy of award winning professors and their actual teaching practice. Further application would be to analyze the classroom practice of award winning professors and the impact had on student learning
The Influence of School Culture on Environmental Education Integration: A Case Study of an Urban Private School System
Authors: Shumacher Stephanie L. , Fuhrman Nicholas E. , Duncan Dennis W.
Published: December 2012

As a discipline, environmental education (EE) has been criticized for lacking empirical evidence on the behavioral outcomes of its programs. While the behavioral outcomes of EE activities are often associated with the youth learner, teachers are one target audience of EE training programs who have received increasing attention with regards to behavior change. Previous research has identified numerous barriers to teaching EE in the classroom. Barriers include a lack of natural spaces to conduct EE activities, little administrative support, limited time, and lack of teacher comfort and confidence with science. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how Trinity School’s culture has influenced EE integration. A number of domains emerged from the data regarding characteristics of the school which have influenced EE integration, including: administration, freedom in curriculum and exploration, and collaboration among teachers. A series of domains also emerged regarding barriers to teaching EE, including: comfort, lack of time, lack of interest among teachers, politics, and dangers and safety concerns.
Effects of Inquiry–based Agriscience Instruction on Student Scientific Reasoning
Authors: Thoron Andrew C. , Myers Brian E.
Published: December 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of inquiry–based agriscience instruction on student scientific reasoning. Scientific reasoning is defined as the use of the scientific method, inductive, and deductive reasoning to develop and test hypothesis. Developing scientific reasoning skills can provide learners with a connection to the scientific process by creating knowledge through evidence–based or authentic investigations. Higher reasoning scores indicate the learners’ ability to change a nonscientific belief based on factual evidence. This quasi–experimental study investigated the effect of two teaching methods (inquiry–based instruction and the subject matter approach) on agriscience student scientific reasoning. Fifteen agriscience education classes confined within seven secondary schools across the United States participated in the study. Utilizing univariate analysis of covariance, there was a statistically significant difference between groups based on scientific reasoning. Those students taught through inquiry–based instruction were reported as having higher scientific reasoning than students taught through the subject matter approach.
Validation of an hourly resolved global aerosol model in answer to solar electricity generation information needs
Authors: Schroedter-Homscheidt M. , Oumbe A.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Solar energy applications need global aerosol optical depth (AOD) information to derive historic surface solar irradiance databases from geostationary meteorological satellites reaching back to the 1980's. This paper validates the MATCH/DLR model originating in the climate community against AERONET ground measurements. Hourly or daily mean AOD model output is evaluated individually for all stations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East – an area highly interesting for solar energy applications being partly dominated by high aerosol loads. Overall, a bias of 0.02 and a root mean square error of 0.23 are found for daily mean AOD values, while the RMSE increases to 0.28 for hourly mean AOD values. Large differences between various regions and stations are found providing a feedback loop for the aerosol modelling community. The difference in using daily means versus hourly resolved modelling with respect to hourly resolved observations is evaluated. Nowadays state of the art in solar resource assessment relies on monthly turbidity or AOD climatologies while at least hourly resolved irradiance time series are needed by the solar sector. Therefore, the contribution of higher temporally modelled AOD is evaluated.
Fluxes of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Dissolved Organic Carbon in the inflow of the Lehnmühle reservoir (Saxony) as compared to streams draining three main land-use types in the catchment
Authors: Benning R. , Schua K. , Schwärzel K. , Feger K. H.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of land-use on inputs of nitrogen, phosphorus, and DOC into the inflow of the Lehnmühle reservoir (drinking water supply). Land-use in the study area is dominated by forest, with smaller proportions of grassland and crops. Water quality was analyzed for the hydrological years 2010 and 2011 at the outlets of three small catchments with homogenous land-use (crops, grassland and forest) and at the outlet of the watershed. The highest nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were observed in the streams draining the agricultural areas, and the lowest concentrations were found in the forest catchment. The DOC concentration was highest at the outlet of the watershed whereas the concentrations in the small homogeneous catchments were lower. The information collected about the land-use dependent matter exports in these study areas will be used for climate change impact modeling with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool.
Hydrological simulation of extreme flood scenarios for operational flood management at the Middle Elbe river
Authors: Helms M. , Ihringer J. , Mikovec R.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Operational flood management at the Middle Elbe river requires comprehensive knowledge about the magnitude and characteristics of possible extreme flood events. Since these events are not sufficiently included in available historical records, an extended sample of extreme flood events was generated by hydrological scenario simulation. Present paper emphasises simulations in the German part of the catchment of the Middle Elbe river and introduces the stochastic-conceptual precipitation-runoff model which was developed for this task. After validation of this model and its coupling with the weather forecast model COSMO and hydraulic-numerical models, a set of 25 flood scenarios could be simulated and provided for a planning of flood protection measures. Analysis of simulated scenarios reveal that extreme flood events at the Mulde and Middle Elbe rivers may have a wide spectrum of characteristics and may considerably exceed the magnitude of past flood events (e.g., those of August 2002).
Physical and biogeochemical forcing of oxygen changes in the tropical eastern South Pacific along 86° W: 1993 versus 2009
Authors: Llanillo P. J. , Karstensen J. , Pelegrí J. L. , Stramma L.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Temporal changes of the water mass distribution and biogeochemical cycling in the tropical eastern South Pacific are investigated based on the extended Optimum Multi-Parameter (OMP) method. Two ship occupations of a meridional section along 85°50´ W, from 14° S to 1° N, are analysed, one during a relatively warm (El Niño/El Viejo, March 1993) and the other during a cold (La Niña/La Vieja, February 2009) upper-ocean phase. The largest El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impact was found in the water properties and water mass distribution in the upper 250 m. The most prominent change is the vertical motion of the Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) associated to the hypoxic Equatorial Subsurface Water (ESSW). During a cold phase the core of the ESSW is found at shallower layers, replacing the shallow (top 250 m) Subtropical Surface Water (STW) and allowing an intrusion of oxygen-rich and nutrient-poor Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) in the depth range of 300 to 600 m. The shift in the vertical location of the intrusion of AAIW in the OMZ induces changes in oxygen advection and respiration, the largest the oxygen supply the greatest the respiration and the lowest the nitrate loss by denitrification. Changes in the intensity of the zonal currents in the Equatorial Current System, that ventilate the OMZ from the west, are used to explain the patchy latitudinal changes of seawater properties observed along the repeated section. Given that changes down to 800 m depth are observed, not only interannual (ENSO) but also decadal variability (Pacific Decadal Oscillation) is a potential driver for the observed changes.
A test of numerical instability and stiffness in the parametrizations of the ARPÉGE and ALADIN models
Authors: Tudor M.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Meteorological numerical weather prediction (NWP) models solve a system of partial differential equations in time and space. Semi-lagrangian advection scheme in the model dynamics allows for long time-steps. These longer time-steps can result in instabilities occurring in the model physics. A system of differential equations in which some solution components decay more rapidly than others is stiff. In this case it is stability rather than accuracy that restricts the time-step. The vertical diffusion parametrization can cause fast non-meteorological oscillations around the slowly evolving true solution (fibrillations). These are treated with an anti-fibrillation scheme. But small oscillations remain in an operational weather forecasts using ARPÉGE and ALADIN models. It is needed to test of the complete model formulation, as implemented in the operational forecast. In this paper, a simple test is designed. The test reveals if the formulation of particular physical parametrization is a stiff problem or potentially numerically unstable in combination with any other part of the model. When the test is applied to a stable scheme, the solution remains stable. But, applying the test to a potentially unstable scheme yields a solution with fibrillations of substantial amplitude. The parametrizations of a NWP model ARPÉGE were tested one by one to see which one may be the source of unstable model behaviour. The test has identified the stratiform precipitation scheme (a diagnostic Kessler type scheme) as a stiff problem, particularly the term that describes the evaporation of snow.
An opportunity of application of excess factor in hydrology
Authors: Kovalenko V. , Gaidukova E. , Kachalova A.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. In last few years in hydrology an interest to excess factor has appeared as a reaction to unsuccessful attempts to simulate and predict evolving hydrological processes, which attributive property is statistical instability. The article shows, that the latter has a place at strong relative multiplicative noises of probabilistic stochastic model of a river flow formation, phenomenological display of which are "the thick tails" and polymodality, for which the excess factor "answers", by being ignored by a modern hydrology in connection to the large error of its calculation because of insufficient duration of lines of observation over a flow. However, it is found out, that the duration of observation of several decades practically stabilizes variability of the excess factor, the error of which definition appears commensurable with an error of other calculated characteristics used in engineering hydrology.
Snow spectral albedo at Summit, Greenland: comparison between in situ measurements and numerical simulations using measured physical and chemical properties of the snowpack
Authors: Carmagnola C. M. , Domine F. , Dumont M. , Wright P. , Strellis B. , Bergin M. , Dibb J. , Picard G. , Morin S.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The albedo of surface snow is determined both by the near-surface profile of the physical and chemical properties of the snowpack and by the spectral and angular characteristics of the incident solar radiation. Simultaneous measurements of the physical and chemical properties of snow were carried out at Summit Camp, Greenland (72°36´ N, 38°25´ W, 3210 m a.s.l.) in May and June 2011, along with spectral albedo measurements. One of the main objectives of the field campaign was to test our ability to predict snow albedo comparing measured snow spectral albedo to the albedo calculated with a radiative transfer model. To achieve this goal, we made daily measurements of the snow spectral albedo in the range 350–2200 nm and recorded snow stratigraphic information down to roughly 80 cm. The snow specific surface area (SSA) was measured using the DUFISSS instrument (DUal Frequency Integrating Sphere for Snow SSA measurement, Gallet et al., 2009). Samples were also collected for chemical analyses including black carbon (BC) and trace elements, to evaluate the impact of light absorbing particulate matter in snow. This is one of the most comprehensive albedo-related data sets combining chemical analysis, snow physical properties and spectral albedo measurements obtained in a polar environment. The surface albedo was calculated from density, SSA, BC and dust profiles using the DISORT model (DIScrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer, Stamnes et al., 1988) and compared to the measured values. Results indicate that the energy absorbed by the snowpack through the whole spectrum considered can be inferred within 1.35%. This accuracy is only slightly better than that which can be obtained considering pure snow, meaning that the impact of impurities on the snow albedo is small at Summit. In the visible region, the discrepancies between measured and simulated albedo are mostly due to the lack of correction of the cosine collector deviation from a true cosine response. In the near-infrared, minor deviations up to 0.014 can be due the accuracy of SSA measurements and to the surface roughness, whereas deviations up to 0.05 can be explained by the vertical resolution of measurements of surface layer physical properties. At 1430 and around 1800 nm the discrepancies are larger and independent of the snow properties; they may be due to the uncertainties in the ice refractive index at these wavelengths. This work contributes to the development of physically-based albedo schemes in detailed snowpack models, and to the improvement of retrieval algorithms for estimating snow properties from remote sensing data.
Intra-Articular Psoas Tendon Release Alters Fluid Flow during Hip Arthroscopy
Authors: Hanypsiak Bryan T. , Stoll Marc A. , Gerhardt Michael B. , DeLong Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2012

While not proven definitively, the hypothesis that intra-articular psoas tendon release allows fluid to track into the retroperitoneal space has been widely accepted. This study attempts to identify the path through which fluid enters the pelvis and retroperitoneal space.

Six hemi-pelvis human cadaveric specimens were utilized for this study. 3 specimens underwent a capsulotomy and psoas tendon release, while 3 had only a capsulotomy. Arthroscopy fluid was combined with Barium and Methylene blue, and fluid was run at 50 mmHg for 2 hours. A gross dissection was performed at the end of the arthroscopy and the path of fluid flow into the pelvis and throughout the thigh was identified.

All 6 specimens showed extravasation of fluid into the pelvis at the 5 minute mark. Specimens with a psoas tendon release showed an altered pattern of fluid flow. In all three of these specimens, the psoas muscle belly was bright blue, along with the remaining tendon. Two of the 3 specimens showed tracking of fluid along the vasculature in both directions. The volume of fluid tracking into the pelvis was increased following a psoas release.

Arthroscopy fluid rapidly enters the pelvis following the initiation of hip arthroscopy, regardless of the status of the psoas tendon. Release of the psoas tendon allows fluid to diffuse into the psoas muscle and anterior medial thigh, tracking both proximally and distally along the neurovascular structures, and the volume of fluid tracking into the pelvis is increased following a psoas release.
Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors in Sleep-Related Epilepsy: Studies in Integrative Biology
Authors: Becchetti Andrea
Published: December 2012

Although Mendelian diseases are rare, when considered one by one, overall they constitute a significant social burden. Besides the medical aspects, they propose us one of the most general biological problems. Given the simplest physiological perturbation of an organism, that is, a single gene mutation, how do its effects percolate through the hierarchical biological levels to determine the pathogenesis? And how robust is the physiological system to this perturbation? To solve these problems, the study of genetic epilepsies caused by mutant ion channels presents special advantages, as it can exploit the full range of modern experimental methods. These allow to extend the functional analysis from single channels to whole brains. An instructive example is autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE), which can be caused by mutations in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.In vitro, such mutations often produce hyperfunctional receptors, at least in heterozygous condition. However, understanding how this leads to sleep-related frontal epilepsy is all but straightforward. Several available animal models are helping us to determine the effects of ADNFLE mutations on the mammalian brain. Because of the complexity of the cholinergic regulation in both developing and mature brains, several pathogenic mechanisms are possible, which also present different therapeutic implications.
Immunotherapy of Malignant Disease Using Chimeric Antigen Receptor Engrafted T Cells
Authors: Maher John
Published: December 2012

Chimeric antigen receptor- (CAR-) based immunotherapy has been under development for almost 25 years, over which period it has progressed from a new but cumbersome technology to an emerging therapeutic modality for malignant disease. The approach involves the genetic engineering of fusion receptors (CARs) that couple the HLA-independent binding of cell surface target molecules to the delivery of a tailored activating signal to host immune cells. Engineered CARs are delivered most commonly to peripheral blood T cells using a range of vector systems, most commonly integrating viral vectors. Preclinical refinement of this approach has proceeded over several years to the point that clinical testing is now being undertaken at several centres, using increasingly sophisticated and therapeutically successful genetic payloads. This paper considers several aspects of the pre-clinical and clinical development of CAR-based immunotherapy and how this technology is acquiring an increasing niche in the treatment of both solid and haematological malignancies.
Bipartite Graphs Related to Mutually Disjoint S-Permutation Matrices
Authors: Yordzhev Krasimir
Published: December 2012

Some numerical characteristics of bipartite graphs in relation to the problem of finding all disjoint pairs of S-permutation matrices in the general case are discussed in this paper. All bipartite graphs of the type , where or , are provided. The cardinality of the sets of mutually disjoint S-permutation matrices in both the and cases is calculated.
Cytological Aspects on the Effects of a Nasal Spray Consisting of Standardized Extract of Citrus Lemon and Essential Oils in Allergic Rhinopathy
Authors: Ferrara Lydia , Naviglio Daniele , Armone Caruso Arturo
Published: December 2012

In this paper, a new formulation of nasal spray was set up based on the extract of lemon pulp, obtained by using a new solid-liquid technology of extraction, added to pure Aloe juice, soluble propoli, and essential oils of Ravensara and Niaouly. It was tested in a clinical study in which 100 subjects were recruited for a period of one month. Nasal scraping was used for collecting samples and after the application of the May-Grünwald Giemsa standard technique, glass slides were analysed by using optical microscope with a 1000x oil immersion. A control group constituted of ten people was recruited as control and this group was administered with physiological solution (saline solution). The comparison of results obtained before and after the application of nasal spray showed a total reduction of eosinophils granulocytes and mast cells; clinical data were confirmed by improvement of clinical pictures of patients. The lemon-based nasal spray was a good alternative to conventional medicine for the treatment of perennial and seasonal allergic and vasomotor rhinopathy.
Differences in Expression, Content, and Activity of 11β-HSD1 in Adipose Tissue between Obese Men and Women
Authors: Torres A. , Iñiguez G. , Ferrario M. , Mericq V.
Published: December 2012

Cortisol production in adipose tissue is regulated by 11β-HSD1. Objective. To determine whether there are differences in gene expression, enzyme activity, and protein content of the 11β-HSD1 enzyme in VAT (visceral adipose tissue) and SAT (subcutaneous adipose tissue) from obese compared to nonobese adults. Methods. VAT and SAT samples were obtained from 32 obese subjects (BMI>30 Kg/m2) who underwent bariatric surgery and 15 samples from controls submitted to elective surgery. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, and lipids were measured. The expression of 11β-HSD1 was determined by RT-PCR, the enzyme activity by thin-layer chromatography, and the protein content by Western blot. Results. Obese patients had higher cholesterol, insulin, and HOMA-IR compared to nonobese. There were no differences in VAT or SAT expression of 11β-HSD1 between obese and nonobese patients. However, we found lower 11β-HSD1 activity and protein content in VAT, in obese women versus nonobese women (P<0.05). BMI and 11β-HSD1 enzyme activity and protein content in VAT correlated inversely in women. Conclusions. Regulation of 11β-HSD1 activity in VAT from obese subjects appears to be gender specific, suggesting the existence of a possible protective mechanism modulating this enzyme activity leading to a decrease in the production of cortisol in this tissue.
Modelling, Design, and Performance Comparison of Triple Gate Cylindrical and Partially Cylindrical FinFETs for Low-Power Applications
Authors: Rai Sanjeev , Sahu Jyotsna , Dattatray Wanjul , Mishra R. A. , Tiwari Sudarshan
Published: December 2012

The FinFETs recently have been the rallying point for the engineers as far as the development of the technology is concerned. The authors here have tried successfully to compare the performance of 30 nm conventional triple gate (Conv) FinFET structure with that of partially cylindrical (PC) FinFET. In PC-FinFET the fin is divided into two regions. Region I is partially cylindrical and has curvature of half of the fin width, and Region II is like a conventional FinFET (having flat region). The results show that there is considerable improvement in Ion, Ioff, and subsequent suppression of short channel effects, that is, subthreshold slope, DIBL, self heating effect, and so forth. The improvement has also been felt in series resistance in PC-FinFET as compared to C-FinFET. It is noteworthy also to mention that in PC-FinFET the corner of fin is rounded thus reducing the side wall area which further reduces the gate capacitance reducing the intrinsic delay. The DC and transient analysis of CMOS inverter using C-FinFET and PC-FinFET have been done which shows that PC-FinFET inverter has reduced propagation delay as compared to C-FinFET.
Interaction of 5′-Guanosine Monophosphate with Organotin(IV) Moieties: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Nath Mala , Singh Hitendra , Eng George , Song Xueqing
Published: December 2012

Reaction(s) of 5′-guanosine monophosphate (5′GMP) with di- and triorganotin(IV) chloride(s) led to formation of organotin(IV) derivatives of general formulae, [R2Sn(5′-GMP)·H2O]n and [(R′3Sn)2(5′-GMP)·H2O]n, where R = Me, n-Bu, and Ph; R′ = Me, i-Pr, n-Bu, and Ph; (5′-GMP)2− = 5′-guanosine monophosphate. An attempt has been made to prove the structures of the resulting derivatives on the basis of FT-IR, multinuclear 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR and 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies. These investigations suggest that both di- and triorganotin(IV)-5′-guanosine monophosphates are polymeric in which (5′-GMP)2− is bonded through phosphate group resulting in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around tin. The ribose conformation in all of the derivatives is C3′-endo, except diphenyltin(IV) and tri-i-propyltin(IV) derivatives where it is C2′-endo. All of the studied derivatives exhibited mild-to-moderate anti-inflammatory activity (~15.64–20.63% inhibition) at 40 mg kg−1 dose and LD50 values > 400 mg kg−1 in albino rats.
The Role of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Primary Adult High Grade Gliomas: Assessment of Patients for These Treatment Approaches and the Common Immediate Side Effects
Authors: Philip-Ephraim E. E. , Eyong K. I. , Williams U. E. , Ephraim R. P.
Published: December 2012

Gliomas are the commonest primary brain tumours in adults. They are usually classified and graded according to the criteria by the World Health Organisation. High-grade gliomas are the most malignant primary brain tumours. Conventional therapies include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The tumours often demonstrate high levels of resistance to these conventional therapies, and in spite of treatment advances the prognosis remains poor.
Changes in Lipids and Lipoprotein Indices in Relation to the Severity of Hypertension in Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Nigerians
Authors: Onwubuya E. I. , Anisiuba B. C. , Osuji C. U. , Ahaneku J. E.
Published: December 2012

Hypertension and dyslipidaemia are important components of metabolic syndrome and both are known to complicate each other. Materials and Methods. A total of 149 subjects consisting of 107 hypertensive patients, grouped into 3 (of 37, 35, and 35 patients categorized based on the grade of hypertension as grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3, resp.) and 42 controls, were recruited for this study. Each subject had a recording of the bio- and anthropometric data comprising of the age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal circumference (AC). The blood pressure was also recorded. Fasting blood was collected and serum was used for the estimation of the lipids: total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG), while low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and VLDL were estimated using Friedewald formula. Findings. Patients with hypertension had higher lipid and lipoprotein levels than the controls and the values became more significant with increasing severity of hypertension. The difference was statistically significant for TC, LDL-C, and VLDL-C (P<0.05). Conclusion. This study showed that lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol abnormalities exist and even worsen with severity of hypertension. It is important that investigations in patients with hypertension should include a lipid profile.
Activated and Nonactivated Date Pits Adsorbents for the Removal of Copper(II) and Cadmium(II) from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Hilal Nora M. , Ahmed Inas A. , El-Sayed Ragaa E.
Published: December 2012

The present study aims to investigate the adsorption behavior of Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions from wastewater onto low-cost adsorbents either raw date pits (RDP), cheap agricultural and nontoxic materials, or chemically activated carbon (ADP) prepared by modified date pits using phosphoric acid. A series of experiments were conducted in a batch system to evaluate the effect of system variables. The adsorption process is affected by various parameters such as solution pH, contact time, initial concentrations of metals, and adsorbent dose. The optimum pH required for maximum adsorption was found to be . The experimental data were tested using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm equations. It was observed that the adsorption capacity of date pits increased after treatment with phosphoric acid. The maximum uptake capacities () were 7.40 and 33.44 mg copper(II) per gram of RDP and ADP, respectively, while 6.02 and 17.24 mg cadmium(II) per gram of RDP and ADP, respectively. The results showed that although the equilibrium data could be described by the three models used, Langmuir model gave slightly better results while Freundlich model gave better results when using raw and activated date pits.