bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Functional Assessment of Composite Chitosan-Nano-Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Reves Benjamin T. , Jennings Jessica A. , Bumgardner Joel D. , Haggard Warren O.
Published: February 2012

Composite chitosan-nano-hydroxyapatite microspheres and scaffolds prepared using a co-precipitation method have shown potential for use in bone regeneration. The goal of this research was to improve the functional properties of the composite scaffolds by modifying the fabrication parameters. The effects of degree of deacetylation (DDA), drying method, hydroxyapatite content and an acid wash on scaffold properties were investigated. Freeze-dried 61% DDA scaffolds degraded faster (3.5 ± 0.5% mass loss) than air-dried 61% DDA scaffolds and 80% DDA scaffolds, but had a lower compressive modulus of 0.12 ± 0.01 MPa. Air-dried 80% DDA scaffolds displayed the highest compressive modulus (3.79 ± 0.51 MPa) and these scaffolds were chosen as the best candidate for use in bone regeneration. Increasing the amount of hydroxyapatite in the air-dried 80% DDA scaffolds did not further increase the compressive modulus of the scaffolds. An acid wash procedure at pH 6.1 was found to increase the degradation of air-dried 80% DDA scaffolds from 1.3 ± 0.1% to 4.4 ± 0.4%. All of the formulations tested supported the proliferation of SAOS-2 cells.
Localization Algorithms of Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey
Authors: Han Guangjie , Jiang Jinfang , Shu Lei , Xu Yongjun , Wang Feng
Published: February 2012

In Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs), localization is one of most important technologies since it plays a critical role in many applications. Motivated by widespread adoption of localization, in this paper, we present a comprehensive survey of localization algorithms. First, we classify localization algorithms into three categories based on sensor nodes’ mobility: stationary localization algorithms, mobile localization algorithms and hybrid localization algorithms. Moreover, we compare the localization algorithms in detail and analyze future research directions of localization algorithms in UWSNs.
Mesoporous MgTa2O6 thin films with enhanced photocatalytic activity: On the interplay between crystallinity and mesostructure
Authors: Wu Jin-Ming , Djerdj Igor , Graberg Till von , Smarsly Bernd M
Published: February 2012

Ordered mesoporous, crystalline MgTa2O6 thin films with a mesoscopic nanoarchitecture were synthesized by evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) in combination with a sol–gel procedure. Utilization of novel templates, namely the block copolymers KLE (poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)) and PIB6000 (CH3C(CH3)2(CH2C(CH3)2)107CH2C(CH3)2C6H4O(CH2CH2O)100H), was the key to achieving a stable ordered mesoporous structure even upon crystallization of MgTa2O6 within the mesopore walls. The effect of the calcination temperature on the ability of the mesoporous films to assist the photodegradation of rhodamine B in water was studied. As a result, two maxima in the photocatalytic activity were identified in the calcination temperature range of 550–850 °C, peaking at 700 °C and 790 °C, and the origin of this was investigated by using temperature-dependent X-ray scattering. Optimal activity was obtained when the mesoporous film was heated to 790 °C; at this temperature, crystallinity was significantly high, with MgTa2O6 nanocrystals of 1.6 nm in size (averaged over all reflections), and an ordered mesoporous structure was maintained. When considering the turnover frequency of such photocatalysts, the optimized activity of the present nanoarchitectured MgTa2O6 thin film was ca. four times that of analogous anatase TiO2 films with ordered mesopores. Our study demonstrated that high crystallinity and well-developed mesoporosity have to be achieved in order to optimize the physicochemical performance of mesoporous metal-oxide films.
Clinical Research on the Ophthalmic Factors Affecting 3D Asthenopia
Authors: Kim Seung-Hyun , Suh Young-Woo , Song Jong-Suk , Park Ji-Hye , Kim Yong Yeon , Huh Kuhl , Son Jaebum , Kham Keetaek , Jeong Taeuk , Pyo Kyung Soo
Published: February 2012

Purpose:

Watching three-dimensional (3D) images is known to induce ocular and non-ocular symptoms, such as eye discomfort, fatigue, headache, and nausea, which can be referred to as “3D asthenopia”. This study investigated ophthalmic factors associated with 3D asthenopia.

Methods:

One hundred fifteen volunteers, aged 18 to 55 years, were enrolled in this study. 3D images were shown to all volunteers with 3D high-definition television for 90 minutes. Subjects who felt eyestrain were assigned to the asthenopia group (14 subjects) and subjects without symptoms were assigned to the control group (22 subjects). Ophthalmic factors including visual acuity, refractive errors, interpupillary distance, intraocular pressure, tear break-up time, near point of accommodation, presence of strabismus, stereoacuity, and retinal abnormalities were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

Results:

Six subjects in the asthenopia group had exophoria and 1 subject in the control group had constant exotropia. None of these participants had previously noticed symptoms of strabismus. Only the presence of strabismus was significantly different between the groups (
P
= .008).

Conclusion:

The presence of exophoria may be a risk factor for 3D asthenopia, and 3D television may induce asthenopia by exacerbating this latent problem.
The Incidence of Metabolic Risk Factors in an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting
Authors: Coakley Catherine , Bolton Paula , Flaherty Linda , Kopeski Lynne M. , Slifka Karen , Sutherland Melissa A.
Published: February 2012

Our study examines risk factors for metabolic syndrome on admission to an acute psychiatric facility and the incidence of medical referrals at discharge. Data on demographics, risk factors for metabolic syndrome, other health risk factors, medications, related diagnoses, and primary care providers and referrals were collected from 125 psychiatric patient charts. Comparison analysis was done for two groups: those with two or more risk factors for metabolic syndrome and those with less than two risk factors. Differences between groups were statistically significant for age, waist circumference, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and fasting glucose levels. Few patients were referred to their primary care provider for follow-up care. This study has clinical implications for improving assessment of psychiatric patients at risk for developing metabolic syndrome, for designing interventions to help patients adopt lifestyle changes to mitigate these risks, and for working toward fuller integration of psychiatric and primary care.
Effective Medication Management
Authors: Howland Robert H.
Published: February 2012

The effectiveness of a drug treatment is based on its efficacy, tolerability, safety, and acceptability. Effective medication management implies that the process of selecting and managing prescribed drugs results in an optimal patient outcome. Effectively prescribing medications includes gaining a mastery of drug knowledge, learning the nuts and bolts of treatment using medication, and appreciating the fundamental importance of psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational processes in medication management. Nurses have an essential role in providing effective medication management, given their direct level of patient contact and their collaborative relationship with physicians.
Religión y espiritualidad, ¿dos modelos enfrentados?. Trayectorias poscatólicas entre budistas Soka Gakkai
Authors: Cornejo Mónica
Published: February 2012

En el contexto de la privatización de lo religioso aún en curso, muchas biografías religiosas contemporáneas parecen estar motivadas por la búsqueda individualista de una religiosidad alternativa a los repertorios de creencias, rituales e instituciones religiosas tradicionales. Siguiendo el uso creciente de este término por parte de numerosos actores sociales, al menos desde la década de los sesenta del siglo XX, una parte de la Sociología de la Religión se ha referido a esta religiosidad alternativa como “espiritualidad” (Wood 2009) (Heelas 2008) (McGuire 2008) (Flanagan 2007) (Giordan 2007). Los nuevos modelos de espiritualidad dan cuenta del decaimiento de aquellas formas de religiosidad en las que primaba la comunidad de fe, la participación en la ritualidad colectiva, la membresía como referente identitario. mientras se abre paso a una atomización, un subjetivismo y relativismo tales, que la reconstitución de una religiosidad colectiva parece imposible, como han sostenido Steve Bruce (1996) o daniele Hervieu-Leger (2003). Para explorar las posibilidades de este marco teórico se propone aquí el análisis de los discursos y prácticas de conversos budistas que previamente han desarrollado un extenso itinerario espiritual por diversas variedades de la llamada Nueva Era, referente por antonomasia de la fragmentación religiosa y de la revolución subjetiva de lo religioso.
What Can We Expect from the “Cadillac Tax” in 2018 and Beyond?
Authors: Herring Bradley , Lentz Lisa Korin
Published: February 2012

One controversial aspect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the provision to impose a 40% excise tax on insurance benefits above a certain threshold, commonly referred to as the “Cadillac tax.” We use the Employer Health Benefits Survey, sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust, to examine the number and characteristics of plans that likely will be affected. We estimate that about 16% of plans will incur the tax upon implementation in 2018, while about 75% of plans will incur the tax a decade later due to the indexing of the tax thresholds with the Consumer Price Index. If the Cadillac tax is ultimately implemented as written, we find that it will likely reduce private health care benefits by .7% in 2018 and 3.1% in 2029, and will likely raise about $931 billion in revenue over the ensuing 10-year budget window from 2020 to 2029.
Diurnal variations of reactive chlorine and nitrogen oxides observed by MIPAS-B inside the January 2010 Arctic vortex
Authors: Wetzel G. , Oelhaf H. , Friedl-Vallon F. , Kirner O. , Kleinert A. , Maucher G. , Nordmeyer H. , Orphal J. , Ruhnke R.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The winter 2009/2010 was characterized by a strong Arctic vortex with extremely cold mid-winter temperatures in the lower stratosphere associated with an intense activation of reactive chlorine compounds (ClOx). In order to assess the capacities of state-of-the-art chemistry models to predict polar stratospheric chemistry, stratospheric limb emission spectra were recorded during a flight of the balloon version of the Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS-B) from Kiruna (Sweden) on 24 January 2010 inside the Arctic vortex. Several fast limb sequences of spectra (in time steps of about 10 min) were measured from nighttime photochemical equilibrium to local noon allowing the retrieval of chlorine- and nitrogen-containing species which change quickly their concentration around the terminator between night and day. Mixing ratios of species like ClO, NO2, and N2O5 show significant changes around sunrise, which are temporally delayed due to shadowing of the lower stratosphere by upper tropospheric and polar stratospheric clouds. ClO variations were derived for the first time from MIPAS-B spectra. Daytime ClO values of up to 1.6 ppbv are visible in a broad chlorine activated layer below 26 km correlated with low values (close to zero) of its reservoir species ClONO2. Observations are compared and discussed with calculations performed with the 3-dimensional Chemistry Climate Model EMAC (ECHAM5/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry). Mixing ratios of the species ClO, NO2, and N2O5 are fairly well reproduced by the model during photochemical equilibrium. However, since the model assumes cloudless illumination, simulated concentration changes around sunrise start earlier but less quickly compared to the observed variation of the species concentration.
A multi-model study of impacts of climate change on surface ozone in Europe
Authors: Langner J. , Engardt M. , Baklanov A. , Christensen J. H. , Gauss M. , Geels C. , Hedegaard G. B. , Nuterman R. , Simpson D. , Soares J. , Sofiev M. , Wind P. , Zakey A.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The impact of climate change on surface ozone over Europe was studied using four offline regional chemistry transport models (CTMs) and one online regional integrated climate-chemistry model (CCM) driven by the same global projection of future climate under the SRES A1B scenario. Anthropogenic emissions of ozone precursors from RCP4.5 for year 2000 were used for simulations of both present and future periods in order to isolate the impact of climate change and to assess the robustness of the result across the different models. The sensitivity of the simulated surface ozone to changes in climate between the periods 2000–2009 and 2040–2049 differs among the models, but the general pattern of change with an increase in southern Europe and decrease in northern Europe is similar across different models. Emissions of isoprene differ substantially between different CTMs ranging from 1.6 to 8.0 Tg yr−1 for the current climate, partly due to differences in horizontal resolution of meteorological input data. Also the simulated change in isoprene emissions varies substantially across models explaining part of the different response. Average model changes in summer mean ozone and mean of daily maximum ozone exceed 1 ppb(v) in parts of the land area in southern Europe. Corresponding changes of 95-percentiles of hourly ozone exceed 2 ppb(v) in the same region. Over land areas in northern Europe ensemble mean changes in all these measures are mostly negative.
Strongly sheared stratocumulus convection: an observationally based large-eddy simulation study
Authors: Wang S. , Zheng X. , Jiang Q.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Unusually large wind shears across the inversion in the stratocumulus-topped marine boundary layer (MBL) were frequently observed during VOCALS-REx. To investigate the impact of wind shear on the MBL turbulence structure, a large-eddy simulation (LES) model is used to simulate the strongly sheared MBL observed from Twin-Otter RF 18 on 13 November 2008. The LES simulated turbulence statistics agree in general with those derived from the measurements, with the MBL exhibiting a decoupled structure characterized by an enhanced entrainment and a turbulence intensity minimum just below the clouds. Sensitivity simulations show that the shear tends to reduce the dynamic stability of the inversion, enhance the entrainment mixing, and decrease the cloud water. Consequently, the turbulence intensity in the MBL is significantly weakened by the intense wind shear. The inversion thickens considerably and the MBL top separates from the cloud top, creating a finite cloud-free sublayer of 10–50 m thickness within the inversion, depending on the shear intensity. The wind shear enhances the turbulence buoyant consumption within the inversion, and simultaneously weakens the buoyant production in the cloud layer. These effects may result in different heating rates between the cloud and subcloud layer, leading to a process that tends to decouple the cloud from the subcloud layer. The decoupling process occurs even without solar radiation in the case of an intense wind shear similar to the observations.
OH reactivity measurements in a coastal location in Southwestern Spain during DOMINO
Authors: Sinha V. , Williams J. , Diesch J. M. , Drewnick F. , Martinez M. , Harder H. , Regelin E. , Kubistin D. , Bozem H. , Hosaynali-Beygi Z. , Fischer H. , Andrés-Hernández M. D. , Kartal D. , Adame J. A. , Lelieveld J.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. In this study air masses are characterized in terms of their total OH reactivity which is a robust measure of the "reactive air pollutant loading". The measurements were performed during the DOMINO campaign (Diel Oxidant Mechanisms In relation to Nitrogen Oxides) held from 21 November 2008 to 8 December 2008 at the Atmospheric Sounding Station – El Arenosillo (37.1° N–6.7° W, 40 m a.s.l.). The site was frequently impacted by marine air masses (arriving at the site from the southerly sector) and air masses from the cities of Huelva (located NW of the site), Seville and Madrid (located NNE of the site). OH reactivity values showed strong wind sector dependence. North eastern "continental" air masses were characterized by the highest OH reactivities (average: 31.4 ± 4.5 s−1; range of average diel values: 21.3–40.5 −1), followed by north western "industrial" air masses (average: 13.8 ± 4.4 s−1; range of average diel values: 7–23.4 s−1) and marine air masses (average: 6.3 ± 6.6 s−1; range of average diel values: below detection limit −21.7 s−1), respectively. The average OH reactivity for the entire campaign period was ~18 s−1 and no pronounced variation was discernible in the diel profiles with the exception of relatively high values from 09:00 to 11:00 UTC on occasions when air masses arrived from the north western and southern wind sectors. The measured OH reactivity was used to constrain both diel instantaneous ozone production potential rates and regimes. Gross ozone production rates at the site were generally limited by the availability of NOx with peak values of around 20 ppbV O3 h−1. Using the OH reactivity based approach, derived ozone production rates indicate that if NOx would no longer be the limiting factor in air masses arriving from the continental north eastern sector, peak ozone production rates could double. We suggest that the new combined approach of in-situ fast measurements of OH reactivity, nitrogen oxides and peroxy radicals for constraining instantaneous ozone production rates, could significantly improve analyses of upwind point sources and their impact on regional ozone levels.
Precipitation response to regional radiative forcing
Authors: Shindell D. T. , Voulgarakis A. , Faluvegi G. , Milly G.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Precipitation shifts can have large impacts on human society and ecosystems. Many aspects of how inhomogeneous radiative forcings influence precipitation remain unclear, however. Here we investigate regional precipitation responses to various forcings imposed in different latitude bands in a climate model. We find that several regions show strong, significant responses to most forcings, but the magnitude and even the sign depends upon the forcing location and type. Aerosol and ozone forcings typically induce larger responses than equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2) forcing, and the influence of remote forcings often outweighs that of local forcings. Consistent with this, ozone and especially aerosols contribute greatly to precipitation changes over the Sahel and South and East Asia in historical simulations, and inclusion of aerosols greatly increases the agreement with observed trends in these areas, which cannot be attributed to either greenhouse gases or natural forcings. Estimates of precipitation responses derived from multiplying our Regional Precipitation Potential (RPP; the response per unit forcing relationships) by historical forcings typically capture the actual response in full transient climate simulations fairly well, suggesting that these relationships may provide useful metrics. The strong sensitivity to aerosol and ozone forcing suggests that although some air quality improvements may unmask greenhouse gas-induced changes in temperature, they have large benefits for reducing regional disruption of the hydrologic cycle.
First intercalibration of column-averaged methane from the Total Carbon Column Observing Network and the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change
Authors: Forster F. , Sussmann R. , Rettinger M. , Deutscher N. M. , Griffith D. W. T. , Jones N. , Patra P. K.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. We present the intercalibration of dry-air column-averaged mole fractions of methane (XCH4) retrieved from solar FTIR measurements of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) in the mid-infrared (MIR) versus near-infrared (NIR) soundings from the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). The study uses multi-annual quasi-coincident MIR and NIR measurements from the stations Garmisch, Germany (47.48° N, 11.06° E, 743 m a.s.l.) and Wollongong, Australia (34.41° S, 150.88° E, 30 m a.s.l.). Direct comparison of the retrieved MIR and NIR time series shows a phase shift in XCH4 seasonality, i.e. a significant time-dependent bias leading to a standard deviation (stdv) of the difference time series (NIR-MIR) of 8.4 ppb. After eliminating differences in a prioris by using ACTM-simulated profiles as a common prior, the seasonalities of the (corrected) MIR and NIR time series agree within the noise (stdv = 5.2 ppb for the difference time series). The difference time series (NIR-MIR) do not show a significant trend. Therefore it is possible to use a simple scaling factor for the intercalibration without a time-dependent linear or seasonal component. Using the Garmisch and Wollongong data together, we obtain an overall calibration factor MIR/NIR = 0.9926(18). The individual calibration factors per station are 0.9940(14) for Garmisch and 0.9893(40) for Wollongong. They agree within their error bars with the overall calibration factor which can therefore be used for both stations. Our results suggest that after applying the proposed intercalibration concept to all stations performing both NIR and MIR measurements, it should be possible to obtain one refined overall intercalibration factor for the two networks. This would allow to set up a harmonized NDACC and TCCON XCH4 data set which can be exploited for joint trend studies, satellite validation, or the inverse modeling of sources and sinks.
Database of diazotrophs in global ocean: abundances, biomass and nitrogen fixation rates
Authors: Luo Y.-W. , Doney S. C. , Anderson L. A. , Benavides M. , Bode A. , Bonnet S. , Boström K. H. , Böttjer D. , Capone D. G. , Carpenter E. J. , Chen Y. L. , Church M. J. , Dore J. E. , Falcón L. I. , Fernández A. , Foster R. A. , Furuya K. , Gómez F. , Gundersen K. , Hynes A. M. , Karl D. M. , Kitajima S. , Langlois R. J. , LaRoche J. , Letelier R. M. , Marañón E. , McGillicuddy D. J. , Moisander P. H. , Moore C. M. , Mouriño-Carballido B. , Mulholland M. R. , Needoba J. A. , Orcutt K. M. , Poulton A. J. , Raimbault P. , Rees A. P. , Riemann L. , Shiozaki T. , Subramaniam A. , Tyrrell T. , Turk-Kubo K. A. , Varela M. , Villareal T. A. , Webb E. A. , White A. E. , Wu J. , Zehr J. P.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Marine N2 fixing microorganisms, termed diazotrophs, are a key functional group in marine pelagic ecosystems. The biological fixation of dinitrogen (N2) to bioavailable nitrogen provides an important new source of nitrogen for pelagic marine ecosystems and influences primary productivity and organic matter export to the deep ocean. As one of a series of efforts to collect biomass and rates specific to different phytoplankton functional groups, we have constructed a database on diazotrophic organisms in the global pelagic upper ocean by compiling about 12 000 direct field measurements of cyanobacterial diazotroph abundances (based on microscopic cell counts or qPCR assays targeting the nifH genes) and N2 fixation rates. Biomass conversion factors are estimated based on cell sizes to convert abundance data to diazotrophic biomass. The database is limited spatially, lacking large regions of the ocean especially in the Indian Ocean. The data are approximately log-normal distributed, and large variances exist in most sub-databases with non-zero values differing 5 to 8 orders of magnitude. Lower mean N2 fixation rate was found in the North Atlantic Ocean than the Pacific Ocean. Reporting the geometric mean and the range of one geometric standard error below and above the geometric mean, the pelagic N2 fixation rate in the global ocean is estimated to be 62 (53–73) Tg N yr−1 and the pelagic diazotrophic biomass in the global ocean is estimated to be 4.7 (2.3–9.6) Tg C from cell counts and to 89 (40–200) Tg C from nifH-based abundances. Uncertainties related to biomass conversion factors can change the estimate of geometric mean pelagic diazotrophic biomass in the global ocean by about ±70%. This evolving database can be used to study spatial and temporal distributions and variations of marine N2 fixation, to validate geochemical estimates and to parameterize and validate biogeochemical models. The database is stored in PANGAEA (http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.774851).
Wavelet-based spatial comparison technique for analysing and evaluating two-dimensional geophysical model fields
Authors: Saux Picart S. , Butenschön M. , Shutler J. D.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Complex numerical models of the Earth's environment, based around 3-D or 4-D time and space domains are routinely used for applications including climate predictions, weather forecasts, fishery management and environmental impact assessments. Quantitatively assessing the ability of these models to accurately reproduce geographical patterns at a range of spatial and temporal scales has always been a difficult problem to address. However, this is crucial if we are to rely on these models for decision making. Satellite data are potentially the only observational dataset able to cover the large spatial domains analysed by many types of geophysical models. Consequently optical wavelength satellite data is beginning to be used to evaluate model hindcast fields of terrestrial and marine environments. However, these satellite data invariably contain regions of occluded or missing data due to clouds, further complicating or impacting on any comparisons with the model. This work builds on a published methodology, that evaluates precipitation forecast using radar observations based on predefined absolute thresholds. It allows model skill to be evaluated at a range of spatial scales and rain intensities. Here we extend the original method to allow its generic application to a range of continuous and discontinuous geophysical data fields, and therefore allowing its use with optical satellite data. This is achieved through two major improvements to the original method: (i) all thresholds are determined based on the statistical distribution of the input data, so no a priori knowledge about the model fields being analysed is required and (ii) occluded data can be analysed without impacting on the metric results. The method can be used to assess a model's ability to simulate geographical patterns over a range of spatial scales. We illustrate how the method provides a compact and concise way of visualising the degree of agreement between spatial features in two datasets. The application of the new method, its handling of bias and occlusion and the advantages of the novel method are demonstrated through the analysis of model fields from a marine ecosystem model.
Promoting interdisciplinary education − the Vienna Doctoral Programme on Water Resource Systems
Authors: Blöschl G. , Carr G. , Bucher C. , Farnleitner A. H. , Rechberger H. , Wagner W. , Zessner M.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The Vienna Doctoral Programme on Water Resource Systems (DK-WRS) is a programme that aims to educate students in interdisciplinary water science through cutting edge research at an international level. It is funded by the Austrian Science Fund and designed to run over a period of 12 yr during which 80 doctoral students are anticipated to graduate. This paper reports on our experiences of setting up and implementing the Programme. We identify three challenges: integrating the disciplines, maintaining depth in an interdisciplinary programme, and teaching subjects remote to each student's core expertise. To address these challenges we adopt a number of approaches. We use three levels of instruments to foster integration across the disciplines: joint groups (e.g. a joint study programme), joint science questions (e.g. developed in annual symposia), and joint study sites. To maintain depth we apply a system of quality control including regular feedback sessions, theses by journal publications and international study exchange. For simultaneously teaching students from civil and environmental engineering, biology, geology, chemistry, mathematics we use visually explicit teaching, learning by doing, extra mentoring and by cross relating associated subjects. Our initial assessment of the Programme shows some very positive outcomes. Joint science questions formed between students from various disciplines indicate integration is being achieved. The number of successful publications in top journals suggests that depth is maintained. Positive feedback from the students on the variety and clarity of the courses indicates the teaching strategy is working well. Our experiences have shown that implementing and running an interdisciplinary doctoral programme has its challenges and is demanding in terms of time and human resources but seeing interactions progress and watching people grow and develop their way of thinking in an interdisciplinary environment is a valuable reward.
Moving beyond traditional model calibration or how to better identify realistic model parameters: sub-period calibration
Authors: Gharari S. , Hrachowitz M. , Fenicia F. , Savenije H. H. G.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Conceptual hydrological models often rely on calibration for the identification of their parameters. As these models are typically designed to reflect real catchment processes, a key objective of an appropriate calibration strategy is the determination of parameter sets that reflect a "realistic" model behavior. Previous studies have shown that parameter estimates for different calibration periods can be significantly different. This questions model transposability in time, which is one of the key conditions for the set-up of a "realistic" model. This paper presents a new approach that selects parameter sets that provide a consistent model performance in time. The approach consists of confronting model performance in different periods, and selecting parameter sets that are as close as possible to the optimum of each individual sub-period. While aiding model calibration, the approach is also useful as a diagnostic tool, illustrating tradeoffs in the identification of time consistent parameter sets. The approach is demonstrated in a case study where we illustrate the multi-objective calibration of the HyMod hydrological model to a Luxembourgish catchment.
Parameterization and quantification of recharge in crystalline fractured bedrocks in Galicia-Costa (NW Spain)
Authors: Raposo J. R. , Molinero J. , Dafonte J.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Quantification of groundwater recharge in crystalline rocks presents great difficulties due to high heterogeneity. Traditionally these rocks have been considered with very low permeability, and their groundwater resources have been usually neglected, although they can have local importance when the bedrock presents a net of fractures well developed. Current European Water Framework Directive requires an efficient management of all groundwater resources, which begins with a proper knowledge of the aquifer and accurate recharge estimation. In this study, an assessment of groundwater resources in the Spanish hydrologic district of Galicia-Costa, with a geology mainly dominated by granitic and metasedimentaty rocks, was carried out. A water-balance modeling approach was used for estimating recharge rates in nine pilot catchments representatives of both geologic materials, and results were cross-validated with an independent technique as Chloride mass balance (CMB). A relation among groundwater recharge and total precipitation according to two different logistic curves was found for granites and metasedimentary rocks, which allows the parameterization of recharge by means of few hydrogeological parameters. Total groundwater resources in Galicia-Costa were estimated in 4427 Hm3 yr−1. An analysis of spatial and temporal variability of recharge was also carried out.
The 2007 flood in the Sahel: causes, characteristics and its presentation in the media and FEWS NET
Authors: Samimi C. , Fink A. H. , Paeth H.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. During the rainy season in 2007, reports about exceptional rains and floodings in the Sahel were published in the media, especially in August and September. Institutions and organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) and FEWS NET put the events on the agenda and released alerts and requested help. The partly controversial picture was that most of the Sahel faced a crisis caused by widespread floodings. Our study shows that the rainy season in 2007 was exceptional with regard to rainfall amount and return periods. In many areas the event had a return period between 1 and 50 yr with high spatial heterogeneity, with the exception of the Upper Volta basin, which yielded return periods of up to 1200 yr. Despite the strong rainfall, the interpretation of satellite images show that the floods were mainly confined to lakes and river beds. However, the study also proves the difficulties in assessing the meteorological processes and the demarcation of flooded areas in satellite images without ground truthing. These facts and the somewhat vague and controversial reports in the media and FEWS NET demonstrate that it is crucial to thoroughly analyze such events at a regional and local scale involving the local population.
Factors selection in landslide susceptibility modelling on large scale following the gis matrix method: application to the river Beiro basin (Spain)
Authors: Costanzo D. , Rotigliano E. , Irigaray C. , Jiménez-Perálvarez J. D. , Chacón J.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. A procedure to select the controlling factors connected to the slope instability has been defined. It allowed us to assess the landslide susceptibility in the Rio Beiro basin (about 10 km2) over the northeastern area of the city of Granada (Spain). Field and remote (Google EarthTM) recognition techniques allowed us to generate a landslide inventory consisting in 127 phenomena. To discriminate between stable and unstable conditions, a diagnostic area had been chosen as the one limited to the crown and the toe of the scarp of the landslide. 15 controlling or determining factors have been defined considering topographic, geologic, geomorphologic and pedologic available data. Univariate tests, using both association coefficients and validation results of single-variable susceptibility models, allowed us to select the best predictors, which were combined for the unique conditions analysis. For each of the five recognised landslide typologies, susceptibility maps for the best models were prepared. In order to verify both the goodness of fit and the prediction skill of the susceptibility models, two different validation procedures were applied and compared. Both procedures are based on a random partition of the landslide archive for producing a test and a training subset. The first method is based on the analysis of the shape of the success and prediction rate curves, which are quantitatively analysed exploiting two morphometric indexes. The second method is based on the analysis of the degree of fit, by considering the relative error between the intersected target landslides by each of the different susceptibility classes in which the study area was partitioned. Both the validation procedures confirmed a very good predictive performance of the susceptibility models and of the actual procedure followed to select the controlling factors.
Large surface meltwater discharge from the Kangerlussuaq sector of the Greenland ice sheet during the record-warm year 2010 explained by detailed energy balance observations
Authors: van As D. , Hubbard A. L. , Hasholt B. , Mikkelsen A. B. , van den Broeke M. R. , Fausto R. S.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. This study uses data from six on-ice weather stations, calibrated MODIS-derived albedo and proglacial river gauging measurements to drive and validate an energy balance model. We aim to quantify the record-setting positive temperature anomaly in 2010 and its effect on mass balance and runoff from the Kangerlussuaq sector of the Greenland ice sheet. In 2010, the average temperature was 4.9 °C (2.7 standard deviations) above the 1974–2010 average in Kangerlussuaq. High temperatures were also observed over the ice sheet, with the magnitude of the positive anomaly increasing with altitude, particularly in August. Simultaneously, surface albedo was anomalously low in 2010, predominantly in the upper ablation zone. The low albedo was caused by high ablation, which in turn profited from high temperatures and low winter snowfall. Surface energy balance calculations show that the largest melt excess (∼170%) occurred in the upper ablation zone (above 1000 m), where higher temperatures and lower albedo contributed equally to the melt anomaly. At lower elevations the melt excess can be attributed to high atmospheric temperatures alone. In total, we calculate that 6.6 ± 1.0 km3 of surface meltwater ran off the ice sheet in the Kangerlussuaq catchment in 2010, exceeding the reference year 2009 (based on atmospheric temperature measurements) by ∼150%. During future warm episodes we can expect a melt response of at least the same magnitude, unless a larger wintertime snow accumulation delays and moderates the melt-albedo feedback. Due to the hypsometry of the ice sheet, yielding an increasing surface area with elevation, meltwater runoff will be further amplified by increases in melt forcings such as atmospheric heat.
Greenland ice sheet albedo feedback: thermodynamics and atmospheric drivers
Authors: Box J. E. , Fettweis X. , Stroeve J. C. , Tedesco M. , Hall D. K. , Steffen K.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Greenland ice sheet mass loss has accelerated in the past decade responding to combined glacier discharge and surface melt water runoff increases. During summer, absorbed solar energy, modulated at the surface primarily by albedo, is the dominant factor governing surface melt variability in the ablation area. Using satellite observations of albedo and melt extent with calibrated regional climate model output, we determine the spatial dependence and quantitative impact of the ice sheet albedo feedback in twelve summer periods beginning in 2000. We find that while the albedo feedback is negative over 70 % of the ice sheet, concentrated in the accumulation area above 1500 m, positive feedback prevailing over the ablation area accounts for more than half of the overall increase in melting. Over the ablation area, year 2010 and 2011 absorbed solar energy was more than twice as large as in years 2000–2004. Anomalous anticyclonic circulation, associated with a persistent summer North Atlantic Oscillation extreme since 2007 enabled three amplifying mechanisms to maximize the albedo feedback: (1) increased warm (south) air advection along the western ice sheet increased surface sensible heating that in turn enhanced snow grain metamorphic rates, further reducing albedo; (2) increased surface downward solar irradiance, leading to more surface heating and further albedo reduction; and (3) reduced snowfall rates sustained low albedo, maximizing surface solar heating, progressively lowering albedo over multiple years. The summer net radiation for the high elevation accumulation area approached positive values during this period.
Impact of spatial resolution on the modelling of the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance between 1990–2010, using the regional climate model MAR
Authors: Franco B. , Fettweis X. , Lang C. , Erpicum M.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. With the aim to force an ice dynamical model, the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) surface mass balance (SMB) was modelled at different spatial resolutions (15–50 km) for the period 1990–2010, using the regional climate model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional) forced by the ERA-INTERIM reanalysis. This comparison revealed that (i) the inter-annual variability of the SMB components is consistent within the different spatial resolutions investigated, (ii) the MAR model simulates heavier precipitation on average over the GrIS with diminishing spatial resolution, and (iii) the SMB components (except precipitation) can be derived from a simulation at lower resolution with an ''intelligent'' interpolation. This interpolation can also be used to approximate the SMB components over another topography/ice sheet mask of the GrIS. These results are important for the forcing of an ice dynamical model, needed to enable future projections of the GrIS contribution to sea level rise over the coming centuries.
Nutrition Support for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Chemoradiotherapy: How Often and How Long?
Authors: Ishiki Hiroto , Onozawa Yusuke , Kojima Takashi , Hironaka Shuichi , Fukutomi Akira , Yasui Hirofumi , Yamazaki Kentaro , Taku Keisei , Machida Nozomu , Boku Narikazu , Hashimoto Takayuki , Nishimura Tetsuo
Published: February 2012

Background. Oral intake of many patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) decrease during chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Although prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is recommended, not a few patients complete CRT without using PEG tube. Patients and Methods. The subjects were patients with LAHNC who received CRT. We retrospectively investigated the incidence and duration of nutritional support during and after CRT, and predicting factors of nutritional support. For patients who required nutritional support, we also checked the day of initiation and the duration of nutritional support. Results. Of 53 patients, 29 patients (55%) required nutritional support during and/or after CRT. While no clear relation between requirement of nutritional support and variables including age, T stage, N stage, clinical stage and chemotherapy regimen, there could be some relationships between tumor primary sites and the requirement and duration of nutritional support. 17 (77%) of 22 patients with oropharynx cancer(OP) required nutritional support and prolonged for 4.4 months, and 11 (46%) of 24 patients with hypopharynx cancer(HP) required nutritional support and prolonged for 21.9 months. Conclusion. Nutritional support is indicated many HNC patients treated with CRT and primary sites may have some relation to its indication and duration.
An Integrated Multiscale Mechanistic Model for Cancer Drug Therapy
Authors: Tang Lei , Su Jing , Huang De-Shuang , Lee Daniel Y. , Li King C. , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we established a multiscale mechanistic model for studying drug delivery, biodistribution, and therapeutic effects of cancer drug therapy in order to identify optimal treatment strategies. Due to the specific characteristics of cancer, our proposed model focuses on drug effects on malignant solid tumor and specific internal organs as well as the intratumoral and regional extracellular microenvironments. At the organ level, we quantified drug delivery based on a multicompartmental model. This model will facilitate the analysis and prediction of organ toxicity and provide important pharmacokinetic information with regard to drug clearance rates. For the analysis of intratumoral microenvironment which is directly related to blood drug concentrations and tumor properties, we constructed a drug distribution model using diffusion-convection solute transport to study temporal/spatial variations of drug concentration. With this information, our model incorporates signaling pathways for the analysis of antitumor response with drug combinations at the extracellular level. Moreover, changes in tumor size, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis induced by different drug treatment conditions are studied. Therefore, the proposed multi-scale model could be used to understand drug clinical actions, study drug therapy-antitumor effects, and potentially identify optimal combination drug therapy. Numerical simulations demonstrate the proposed system's effectiveness.
The "Spring of the Year" (2 Chronicles 36:10) and the Chronicler's Sources
Authors: Avioz Michael
Published: February 2012

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State estimation for asynchronous multirate multisensor nonlinear dynamic systems with missing measurements
Authors: Yan Liping , Xiao Bo , Xia Yuanqing , Fu Mengyin
Published: February 2012

This paper is concerned with the state estimation for a kind of nonlinear multirate multisensor asynchronous sampling dynamic system. There are N sensors observing a single target independently at multiple sampling rates, and the dynamic system is formulated at the highest sampling rate. Observations are obtained asynchronously, and each sensor may lose data randomly at a certain probability. The fused state estimate is generated using multiscale system theory and the modified sigma point Kalman filter. It is shown that our main results improve and extend the existing sigma point Kalman filter for which the samples are obtained multirate nonuniformly. Measurements randomly missing with Bernoulli distribution could also be allowed in this paper. Finally, the feasibility and efficiency of the presented algorithm is illustrated by a numerical simulation example.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: 2012 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew
Published: February 2012

Disease overview:Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are myeloproliferative neoplasms primarily characterized by erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis, respectively. Other disease features include leukocytosis, splenomegaly, thrombohemorrhagic complications, vasomotor disturbances, pruritus, and a small risk of disease progression into acute myeloid leukemia or myelofibrosis.

Diagnosis:Almost all patients with PV harbor aJAK2mutation. When PV is suspected, the presence of aJAK2mutation confirms the diagnosis and its absence, combined with normal or increased serum erythropoietin level, excludes the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis of ET had to include chronic myelogenous leukemia and prefibrotic myelofibrosis. AJAK2mutation is found in approximately 60% of patients with ET.

Risk stratification:Current risk stratification in PV and ET is designed to estimate the likelihood of thrombotic complications: high‐risk is defined by the presence of age >60 years or presence of thrombosis history; low‐risk is defined by the absence of both of these two risk factors. Presence of extreme thrombocytosis (platelet count >1,000 × 109/L) might be associated with acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AvWS) and, therefore, risk of bleeding. Risk factors for shortened survival in both PV and ET include advanced age, leukocytosis, and history of thrombosis.

Risk‐adapted therapy:Survival is near‐normal in ET and reasonably long in PV. The 10‐year risk of leukemic/fibrotic transformation is <1%/1% in ET and <3%/10% in PV. In contrast, the risk of thrombosis exceeds 20%. The main goal of therapy is therefore to prevent thrombohemorrhagic complications and this is effectively and safely accomplished by the use of low‐dose aspirin (PV and ET), phlebotomy (PV) and hydroxyurea (high risk PV and ET). Treatment with busulfan or interferon‐α is usually effective in hydroxyurea failures. Screening for clinically significant AvWS is recommended before administrating aspirin in the presence of extreme thrombocytosis. Am. J. Hematol. 87:285–293, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.