bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil acidification and liming in grassland production and grassland soil fertility in Slovenia
Authors: ČOP Jure
Published: October 2014

This paper reviews the evidences on grassland soil acidity and liming in relation to soil processes and herbage production. There is also an outline of the present state of soil acidity and acidity-related traits – contents of organic matter (OM), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in Slovene grassland. In grassland, soil acidification is an ongoing process under humid climate conditions. It is mainly driven by leaching of nutrients, net loss of cations due to retention in livestock products, use of physiologically acid fertilizers, acid rain and N2 fixation. This process is reduced by strong pH buffering capacity of the soil and by physiologically basic fertilizers. Acid grassland soils in Slovenia are widely distributed in spite of the fact that 44% of the total land has developed from a carbonate parent material. Of the 1713 grassland soil samples analysed during 2005-2007 45% were regarded as acid ones (pH < 5.5; in KCl), 57% as soils with very low P status (˂ 6 mg P2O5/100 g soil) and 22% as soils with very low K status (˂ 10 mg K2O/100 soil). Increased content of soil organic matter was identified for alpine pastures (˃ 10 % OM in 44% of samples), mainly as a result of low decomposition rate. Liming of acid grassland soils did not always reflect in a higher herbage yield. The cause for this inefficiency is plant composition of grassland. Thus, many grassland plants with relatively high production potential have adapted to acid soil conditions. To illustrate the inconsistent liming effect three researches are reviewed. In the first two researches liming along with fertilizer application did not increase the yield comparing to the fertilized control while in the third research the increase amounted 26 %. Liming improves considerably botanical composition of the acid grassland (e.g. sward where Common Bent – Agrostis tenuis Sibth. – prevails) and thus indirectly affects palatability and nutritive value of herbage. Grassland liming has a weak direct effect on herbage quality – it usually increases content of Ca and sometimes decreases Mg in herbage. The latter effect is rare. In Slovenia, ameliorative liming is advised for grassland soils with pH < 5.0 and maintenance liming for grassland soils with pH < 6.0 (pH in KCl or CaCl2).
Model-based Development and Performance Analysis for Evolving Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Kowal Matthias , Prehofer Christian , Schaefer Ina , Tribastone Mirco
Published: October 2014

Manufacturing systems and their control software exhibit a large number of variants, which evolve over time in order to meet changing functional and non-functional requirements.
To handle the resulting complexity, we propose a multi-perspective modeling approach with different viewpoints regarding workflow, architecture and component behavior.
We combine it with delta modeling to seamlessly capture variability and evolution by the same means on each of the viewpoints.
We show how the separation in different viewpoints enables early performance analysis as well as code generation. The approach is illustrated using a case study.
Methoden zur Modellierung ordnungs- und strukturvariabler Antriebssysteme
Authors: Herchenhan Michael
Published: October 2014

Erratum to http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/auto-2014-1110.
Stock market’s reaction to money supply: a nonparametric analysis
Authors: Taamouti Abderrahim
Published: October 2014

We empirically investigate the link between monetary policy measures and stock market prices. We document the following stylized facts about stock market’s reaction to money supply and examine the effect across the entire distribution of stock returns. Using a
Regional matching (in)efficiency on the Croatian labour market
Authors: Tomić Iva
Published: October 2014

This article investigates the efficiency of the matching process by panel stochastic frontier estimation of the matching function in Croatia. The empirical analysis is conducted on a regional level using regional office-level monthly data obtained from the Croatian Employment Service for 2000–2011. The results suggest that the efficiency of the matching process is rising over time, although with significant regional variations. In order to explore these variations, structural characteristics of the labour market together with some policy variables are included in the second-stage estimation. Various structural variables have different impact on the matching efficiency, while policy variables are mostly positively correlated with it. For instance, both active labour market programs and the number of high-skilled employees in regional employment offices positively affect matching efficiency. Additionally, when regional income per capita is included in the model, it shows positive impact on the matching efficiency, indicating that demand fluctuations predominantly affect the matching process. Finally, in order to get consistent estimates, panel stochastic frontier model transformation is applied. The obtained results show that there is no major difference in estimated mean technical efficiency coefficients in comparison to the original estimation.
Commitment profiles in special groups of employees in Hungary: The role of deliberate commitment
Authors: Krajcsák Zoltán , Jónás Tamás
Published: October 2014

We wish to introduce the concept of the five-factor model of employee commitment while proving that in addition to the factors of the three dimensional model of organisational commitment (affective, normative, and continuance), relevant organisational behaviour and attitude to work are also influenced by professional commitment and the so-called deliberate commitment; these appear mostly as a consequence of the crisis that is also a drawn-out phenomenon in Hungary. Our other aim is to define commitment profiles for some specific employee groups (the previously unemployed, Generation Y individuals in their first jobs, and teleworkers) once their members have been characterised, using the five commitment factors. The resulting commitment profiles are then compared to the commitment profile of the reference group. The results of this empiric research are based on the commitment attitude of 661 Hungarian employees.
Effectiveness of Trastuzumab in First-Line HER2+ Metastatic Breast Cancer After Failure in Adjuvant Setting: A Controlled Cohort Study
Authors: Negri Eva , Zambelli Alberto , Franchi Matteo , Rossi Marta , Bonifazi Martina , Corrao Giovanni , Moja Lorenzo , Zocchetti Carlo , La Vecchia Carlo
Published: October 2014

Background.

The evidence supporting the use of trastuzumab (T) in a metastatic setting comes from studies that included (almost) only patients who never received prior T. We investigated the effectiveness of T as first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in women previously treated with T in the adjuvant setting.

Materials and Methods.

By using record linkage of five administrative health care databases of Lombardy, Italy, we identified 2,046 women treated with T for early breast cancer (eBC) in 2006–2009, 96 of whom developed a metastasis and were retreated with T in first-line treatment for mBC (treatment group). We compared the overall survival (OS) of these women with that of 197 women treated with T in first-line treatment for mBC, who were treated with therapies other than T for early disease (control group). We computed Kaplan-Meier 2-year OS and used a proportional hazard model to estimate the multivariate hazard ratio (HR) of death in the intervention group compared with the control group, adjusted by age, use of endocrine therapy, and site of metastasis.

Results.

Two-year OS was 60.0% in the treatment group and 59.5% in the control group. The adjusted HR of death in the treatment group compared with the control group was 0.79 (95% confidence interval, 0.50–1.26).

Conclusion.

Our data provide convincing evidence that the outcome of women receiving first-line T treatment for mBC after T failure in the adjuvant setting is comparable to that of women not receiving T for eBC. These data are of specific interest, given the unavailability of data from randomized clinical trials.
On the distinct phenomena of suffusion and suffosion
Authors: Fannin R. J. , Slangen P.
Published: October 2014

Seepage-induced internal instability is a phenomenon whereby fine particles are transported from a non-plastic soil. A distinction can readily be made between a washed-out soil structure that remains intact and one in which some form of destruction or collapse of the structure accompanies the migration of fine particles. The three variables of a measured value of mass loss, a measured value of volume change and a value of change in hydraulic conductivity, deduced from measurements of hydraulic gradient and flow rate, are sufficient to quantify, and hence distinguish between, seepage-induced internal instability phenomena. The term ‘suffusion’ is advocated to describe the non-destructive response, which may be quantified by a mass loss, no change in volume and an increase in hydraulic conductivity. The term ‘suffosion’ is recommended to describe the instability phenomenon whereby the transport of fine particles by seepage flow is accompanied by a collapse of the soil structure. Accordingly, this distinct internal instability phenomenon may be quantified by a mass loss, a volumetric contraction and a change in hydraulic conductivity.
Signatures of human impact: size distributions and spatial organization of wetlands in the Prairie Pothole landscape
Authors: Van Meter Kimberly J. , Basu Nandita B.
Published: October 2014

More than 50% of global wetland area has been lost over the last 200 years, resulting in losses of habitat and species diversity as well as decreased hydrologic and biogeochemical functionality. Recognition of the magnitude of wetland loss as well as the wide variety of ecosystem services provided by wetlands has in recent decades led to an increased focus on wetland restoration. Restoration activities, however, often proceed in an ad hoc manner, with a focus on maximizing the total restored area rather than on other spatial attributes of the wetland network, which are less well understood. In this study, we have addressed the question of how human activities have altered the size distribution and spatial organization of wetlands over the Prairie Pothole Region of the Des Moines Lobe using high‐resolution LIDAR data. Our results show that as well as the generally accepted 90% loss of depressional wetland area, there has been a preferential loss of smaller wetlands, with a marked alteration of the historical power‐law relationship observed between wetland size and frequency and a resulting homogenization of the wetland size distribution. In addition, our results show significant decreases in perimeter‐to‐area ratios, increased mean distances between wetlands, particularly between smaller wetlands, and a reduced likelihood that current wetlands will be located in upland areas. Such patterns of loss can lead to disproportionate losses of ecosystem services, as smaller wetlands with larger perimeter‐to‐area ratios have been found to provide higher rates of biogeochemical processing and groundwater recharge, while increased mean distances between wetlands hinder species migration and thus negatively impact biodiversity. These results suggest the need to gear restoration efforts toward understanding and recreating the size distribution and spatial organization of historical wetlands, rather than focusing primarily on an increase in overall area.
Effect of Short‐term Exposure of Selected Aromatic Nitrogen Compounds on Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Guo Jia , Sims Atreyee , Gajaraj Shashikanth , Wu Donglei , Hu Zhiqiang
Published: October 2014

The biodegradation of melamine and p‐nitrophenol (PNP) and their impact on wastewater treatment was evaluated after a short‐term individual chemical loading in activated sludge treatment systems. Melamine was not degraded and quickly washed out of the system. PNP was degraded, but it led to a prolonged period of nitrification inhibition and deterioration of effluent quality. Both melamine and PNP loadings increased the effluent nitrogen concentrations, with their main contributors being melamine and NH4+, respectively. Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira were dominant in the activated sludge. Melamine did not affect the nitrifying assemblages, whereas PNP led to a reduced Nitrosomonas population size and complete washout of Nitrobacter. The results suggest that melamine is an inert compound if it enters the treatment facility for a short duration. Although the short‐term exposure of melamine or PNP decreased effluent water quality, the impact of such aromatic nitrogen compounds on wastewater treatment performance may vary significantly.
Multivariate Analyses for Monitoring EDCs and PPCPs in a Lake Water
Authors: Park Minji , Reckhow David , Lavine Michael , Rosenfeldt Erik , Stanford Benjamin , Park Mi‐Hyun
Published: October 2014

The analysis of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCP), present at trace level in surface waters, is often expensive, time‐consuming, and complex. Implementing effective monitoring strategies for these compounds is essential to determine the types of analytes, sampling locations, and sampling frequencies. Multivariate analyses were used to investigate the patterns of EDCs and PPCPs in Lake Mead, Nevada, for these purposes. The results of cluster analysis and principal component analysis to identify the patterns among compounds demonstrated that selected pharmaceuticals tended to be present together with each other, whereas hormones did not show patterns with other compounds. The results of cluster analysis and discriminant analysis to investigate the spatial variation of EDCs and PPCPs eliminated redundant sampling locations, verifying the current selection of sampling locations in Lake Mead. The results of autocorrelation provided optimal sampling frequencies for EDCs and PPCPs, suggesting either monthly or quarterly monitoring of these compounds in Lake Mead. The patterns of the compounds could be site specific, depending on weather and hydrological conditions of the water systems, but this study's approaches will facilitate effective assessment and monitoring of EDCs and PPCPs in surface water.
Examination of Prior Experience with Telehealth and Comfort with Telehealth Technology as a Moderator of Treatment Response for PTSD and Depression in Veterans
Authors: Price Matthew , Gros Daniel F.
Published: October 2014

Objective:

Telehealth is a method to expand the reach of clinical care for PTSD treatment. However, those with limited prior exposure to telehealth or limited confidence using telehealth may have poorer treatment response. The present study examined familiarity with telehealth as a moderator of treatment response for a behavioral treatment delivered via telehealth.

Method:

Fifty-nine combat veterans completed eight sessions of exposure-based treatment via telehealth. Familiarity with telehealth and confidence in the technology were assessed at baseline.

Results:

PTSD and depression symptoms decreased as a result of treatment administered via telehealth. Familiarity with the technology and confidence in the technology were unrelated to symptom change. The lack of a significant relation was maintained after controlling for age.

Conclusions:

Perceptions of telehealth are unrelated to outcomes for mental health treatment. Clinicians should be confident in using this approach with patients, regardless of their familiarity or comfort with the technology.
Video Game Preservation in the UK: A Survey of Records Management Practices
Authors: Bachell Alasdair , Barr Matthew
Published: October 2014

Video games are a cultural phenomenon; a medium like no other that has become one of the largest entertainment sectors in the world. While the UK boasts an enviable games development heritage, it risks losing a major part of its cultural output through an inability to preserve the games that are created by the countryâ€™s independent games developers. The issues go deeper than bit rot and other problems that affect all digital media; loss of context, copyright and legal issues, and the throwaway culture of the â€˜nextâ€™ game all hinder the ability of fans and academics to preserve video games and make them accessible in the future. This study looked at the current attitudes towards preservation in the UKâ€™s independent (â€˜indieâ€™) video games industry by examining current record-keeping practices and analysing the views of games developers. The results show that there is an interest in preserving games, and possibly a desire to do so, but issues of piracy and cost prevent the industry from undertaking preservation work internally, and from allowing others to assume such responsibility. The recommendation made by this paper is not simply for preservation professionals and enthusiasts to collaborate with the industry, but to do so by advocating the commercial benefits that preservation may offer to the industry.
A numerical study of energetic BEM-FEM applied to wave propagation in 2D multidomains
Authors: Aimi A. , Desiderio L. , Diligenti M. , Guardasoni C.
Published: October 2014

Starting from a recently developed energetic space-time weak formulation of
boundary integral equations related to wave propagation problems defined on
single and multidomains, a coupling algorithm is presented, which allows a
flexible use of finite and boundary element methods as local discretization
techniques, in order to efficiently treat unbounded multilayered media.
Partial differential equations associated to boundary integral equations will
be weakly reformulated by the energetic approach and a particular emphasis
will be given to theoretical and experimental analysis of the stability of
the proposed method.
An algebraic exposition of umbral calculus with application to general linear interpolation problem: A survey
Authors: Costabile Francesco , Longo Elisabetta
Published: October 2014

A systematic exposition of Sheffer polynomial sequences via determinantal
form is given. A general linear interpolation problem related to Sheffer
sequences is considered. It generalizes many known cases of linear
interpolation. Numerical examples and conclusions close the paper.
Trigonometric multiple orthogonal polynomials of semi-integer degree and the corresponding quadrature formulas
Authors: Milovanovic Gradimir , Stanic Marija , Tomovic Tatjana
Published: October 2014

An optimal set of quadrature formulas with an odd number of nodes for
trigonometric polynomials in Borges? sense [Numer. Math. 67 (1994), 271-288],
as well as trigonometric multiple orthogonal polynomials of semi-integer
degree are defined and studied. The main properties of such a kind of
orthogonality are proved. Also, an optimal set of quadrature rules is
characterized by trigonometric multiple orthogonal polynomials of semiinteger
degree. Finally, theoretical results are illustrated by some numerical
examples.
Rabies surveillance in the United States during 2013
Authors: Dyer Jessie L. , Yager Pamela , Orciari Lillian , Greenberg Lauren , Wallace Ryan , Hanlon Cathleen A. , Blanton Jesse D.
Published: October 2014

Summary—During 2013, 53 reporting jurisdictions reported 5,865 rabid animals and 3 human rabies cases to the CDC, representing a 4.8% decrease from the 6,162 rabid animals and 1 human case reported in 2012. Ninety-two percent of reported rabid animals were wildlife. Relative contributions by the major animal groups were as follows: 1,898 raccoons (32.4%), 1,598 bats (27.2%), 1,447 skunks (24.7%), 344 foxes (5.9%), 247 cats (4.2%), 86 cattle (1.5%), and 89 dogs (1.5%). One human case was reported from Maryland. The infection was determined to have been transmitted via organ transplantation. Infection in the organ donor, a North Carolina resident, was retrospectively diagnosed. Both the organ donor and the organ recipient were infected with the raccoon rabies virus variant. The third human case, reported by Texas, involved a Guatemalan resident who was detained while crossing the US border. The infection was determined to be caused by a canine rabies virus variant that circulates in Central America.
Noncombat-related injuries or illnesses incurred by military working dogs in a combat zone
Authors: Takara Matt S. , Harrell Karyn
Published: October 2014

Objective—To determine the most common types of noncombat-related injuries or illnesses in military working dogs in a combat zone.

Design—Retrospective descriptive study.

Sample—1,350 patient encounters with military working dogs evaluated for noncombat-related reasons.

Procedures—Data regarding noncombat-related veterinary visits were collected on a weekly basis from 13 forward operating bases throughout Iraq from January 2009 through August 2010. Reporting facility location, patient identification, reason for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment were recorded, and descriptive data were summarized.

Results—The most common noncombat-related disease processes or injuries identified were related to the dermatologic system (ie, primary [inflammatory] dermatologic disease; 338/1,350 [25.0%]), soft tissue trauma (284 [21.0%]), alimentary system (231 [17.1%]), or musculoskeletal system (193 [14.3%]).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Veterinary Corps officers need to be proficient not only in the management of combat-related injuries but also in the treatment of routine illnesses and injuries. Knowledge of noncombat-related diseases and injuries commonly incurred by military working dogs can be used for targeted training for individuals responsible for medical care of these animals as well as for equipment selection and protocol development.
Prognostic role of the product of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in dogs with chronic kidney disease: 31 cases (2008–2010)
Authors: Lippi Ilaria , Guidi Grazia , Marchetti Veronica , Tognetti Rosalba , Meucci Valentina
Published: October 2014

Objective—To investigate serum calcium-phosphorus concentration product (sCaPP) as a predictor of mortality rate in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design—Retrospective case-control study.

Animals—31 dogs with definitive CKD and 35 apparently healthy dogs.

Procedures—All dogs had been referred for nephrological consultation between December 2008 and December 2010. Dogs with CKD had stable disease for ≥ 3 months. On the basis of glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/m2, 13 of the 35 apparently healthy dogs were subsequently classified as having early CKD. Disease stage among dogs was determined on the basis of plasma creatinine concentration as follows: stage 1, < 123.7 μmol/L (n = 13), stage 2, 123.7 to 176.8 μmol/L (7); stage 3, 185.6 to 442 μmol/L (13); or stage 4, > 442 μmol/L (11). For each dog, serum concentrations of ionized and total calcium and phosphorus were evaluated once; the latter 2 variables were used to determine sCaPP.

Results—The sCaPP differed significantly between the 22 healthy dogs and dogs with stage 3 or stage 4 CKD. The proportion of dogs with sCaPP > 70 mg2/dL2 increased with stage of disease. Mortality rate among the 24 dogs with sCaPP > 70 mg2/dL2 was higher than that among the 42 dogs with sCaPP ≤ 70 mg2/dL2. Dogs with sCaPP > 70 mg2/dL2 had a comparatively lower survival rate, and risk of death was 4.2 times as high as risk for dogs with sCaPP ≤ 70 mg2/dL2.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—For dogs with CKD, sCaPP > 70 mg2/dL2 appeared to be a negative prognostic indicator, which was not influenced by the concomitant serum concentrations of phosphorus and total or ionized calcium.
Recent evidence of underestimated circulation of hepatitis C virus intergenotypic recombinant strain RF2k/1b in the Rhône-Alpes region, France, January to August 2014: implications for antiviral treatment
Authors: Ramière C , Tremeaux P , Caporossi A , Trabaud M A , Lebossé F , Bailly F , Thélu M A , Nana J , Leroy V , Morand P , André P , Larrat S
Published: October 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
An exact solution for a steady, flowline marine ice sheet
Authors: Bueler Ed
Published: October 2014

G. Böðvarsson’s 1955 plug-flow solution for an Icelandic glacier problem is shown to be an exact solution to the steady form of the simultaneous stress-balance and mass-continuity equations widely used in numerical models of marine ice sheets. The solution, which has parabolic ice thickness and constant vertically integrated longitudinal stress, solves the steady shallow-shelf approximation with linear sliding on a flat bed. It has an elevation-dependent surface mass-balance rate and, in the interpretation given here, a contrived location-dependent ice hardness distribution. By connecting Böðvarsson’s solution to the Van der Veen (1983) solution for floating ice, we construct an exact solution to the ‘rapid-sliding’ marine ice-sheet problem, continuously across the grounding line. We exploit this exact solution to examine the accuracy of two numerical methods, one grid-free and the other based on a fixed, equally spaced grid.
Sex Differences in Physiological Acclimatization after Transfer in Wistar Rats
Authors: Arts Johanna , Kramer Klaas , Arndt Saskia , Ohl Frauke
Published: October 2014

Most laboratory animals used in research are vendor-bred and transferred to research facilities. Transfer procedures might have considerable and unintended effects on research results. In the present study we compared physiological and behavioral parameters before and after external and internal transfer, as well as between transferred and non-transferred Wistar rats. The impact of both external and internal transfer on body weight, plasma corticosterone levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and locomotor activity was studied in both male and female Wistar rats, taking into account the sex differences in stress responsivity. External transfer was found to decrease body weight, increase plasma corticosterone, increase activity, increase heart rate in female rats, but decrease heart rate in male rats. Parameters showed differences between the sexes and light phases. This study shows that acclimatization after transfer is sex-specific and researchers should take the sex into consideration when determining the acclimatization period. It is recommended to allow for acclimatization of at least 8 days in males and two weeks in females after external transfer and timely (2 days before starting experiments) transfer the animals internally to the testing room.
Weak n-Ary Relational Products in Allegories
Authors: Zieliński Bartosz , Maślanka Paweł
Published: October 2014

Allegories are enriched categories generalizing a category of sets and binary relations. Accordingly, relational products in an allegory can be viewed as a generalization of Cartesian products. There are several definitions of relational products currently in the literature. Interestingly, definitions for binary products do not generalize easily to n-ary ones. In this paper, we provide a new definition of an n-ary relational product, and we examine its properties.
Hospital Clowning as Play Stimulus in Healthcare
Authors: Anes Laura , Obi Marianne
Published: October 2014

A serious illness, a chronic medical condition or a hospital bed should not deny any child her/his basic right to play, a right essential for children’s development and general wellbeing. In fact, it is in these frightening and anxious moments that play and the stimulus that it provides can help the most. This article will focus on the impacts and benefits of professional hospital clowning for the wellbeing and recovery process of ill and hospitalized children. Our experience has shown that through interactive play and humor, “clowndoctors” can create an enabling and supportive environment that facilitates children’s adaptation to the hospital setting and improves their acceptance of medical procedures and staff. While moving from bedside to bedside, RED NOSES clowndoctors encourage children’s active participation and support their natural instinct to play, fully including them in the interaction, if the children wish to do so. Therefore, clowndoctor performances offer ill children much needed stimulus, self-confidence and courage, elements fundamental to reducing their vulnerability. In this piece, a special emphasis will be put on the various approaches used by RED NOSES clowndoctors to bond and reach out to children suffering from different medical conditions.
A Load Balancing Algorithm Based on Maximum Entropy Methods in Homogeneous Clusters
Authors: Chen Long , Wu Kehe , Li Yi
Published: October 2014

In order to solve the problems of ill-balanced task allocation, long response time, low throughput rate and poor performance when the cluster system is assigning tasks, we introduce the concept of entropy in thermodynamics into load balancing algorithms. This paper proposes a new load balancing algorithm for homogeneous clusters based on the Maximum Entropy Method (MEM). By calculating the entropy of the system and using the maximum entropy principle to ensure that each scheduling and migration is performed following the increasing tendency of the entropy, the system can achieve the load balancing status as soon as possible, shorten the task execution time and enable high performance. The result of simulation experiments show that this algorithm is more advanced when it comes to the time and extent of the load balance of the homogeneous cluster system compared with traditional algorithms. It also provides novel thoughts of solutions for the load balancing problem of the homogeneous cluster system.
Why Do Some Evergreen Species Keep Their Leaves for a Second Winter, While Others Lose Them?
Authors: Grubb Peter , Thompson Christine , Harper Geoffrey
Published: October 2014

In subtropical montane semi-moist forest in SW China (SMSF), a large majority of evergreen tree and tall shrub species was found to have only one cohort of old leaves in early spring. In contrast, almost all species of evergreen tree and tall shrub in warm temperate rain forest (WTRF) in Japan and sclerophylls in Mediterranean-climate forest (MSF) of the Mediterranean Basin have two or more cohorts of old leaves in early spring; they drop their oldest cohort during or soon after leaf outgrowth in spring. Japanese WTRF has no dry season and MSF a dry summer. SMSF has a dry winter. On four evergreen Rhododendron species from SW China with only one cohort of old leaves in spring when in cultivation in Scotland, the majority of leaves in the senescing cohort fell by the end of December. We hypothesize that with dry winters, there is an advantage to dropping older leaves in autumn, because there is a low chance of appreciable positive assimilation in winter and a high chance of desiccation, reducing the resorption of dry mass and mineral nutrients from ageing leaves. Our hypothesis may be extended to cover evergreens at high altitude or high latitude that experience cold soils in winter.
Condorcet Completion Methods that Inhibit Manipulation through Exploiting Knowledge of Electorate Preferences
Authors: Potthoff Richard
Published: October 2014

This paper attacks a problem like the one addressed in an earlier work (Potthoff, 2013) but is more mathematical. The setting is one where an election is to choose a single winner from m (> 2) candidates, it is postulated that voters have knowledge of the preference profile of the electorate, and preference cycles are limited. Both papers devise voting systems whose two key goals are to select a Condorcet winner (if one exists) and to resist manipulation. These systems entail equilibrium strategies where everyone votes sincerely, no group of voters sharing the same preference ordering can gain by deviating given that no one else deviates, and the Condorcet candidate wins. The present paper uses two unusual ballot types. One asks voters to rank the candidates with respect both to their own preferences and to their discerned order of preference of the entire electorate. The other just asks voters for their own preference ranks plus approval votes. Novel mathematical elements distinguish this paper. Its Condorcet completion methods examine all candidate triples, sometimes analyze loop(s) of some of those triples, and order candidates in a set by first determining the last-place candidate. Its non-manipulability proofs involve mathematical induction on m.
Music and Alterity Processes
Authors: Martí Josep
Published: October 2014

The concept of alterity constitutes an important issue in anthropological research and, therefore, in the study of musical practices, as well. Without it, we could hardly understand other kinds of music situated in different spaces and time from the observer. In order to effectively approach these musical practices, we have to develop strategies to help us reduce as much as possible that which distorts the vision of the other. However, beyond the strictly epistemological and methodological issues, the study of music cannot ignore the ethical question related to the manner in which Western thought has understood and treated the other: through a hierarchical and stereotypical type of thinking based on the condition of otherness. Throughout the article, different alterity procedures are presented and discussed, such as synecdochization, exoticization, undervaluation, overvaluation, misunderstanding and exclusion. Taking these different alterity strategies into account may help us to better understand how the musical other is constructed, used and ultimately instrumentalized.
Simulating Water Resource Availability under Data Scarcity—A Case Study for the Ferghana Valley (Central Asia)
Authors: Radchenko Iuliia , Breuer Lutz , Forkutsa Irina , Frede Hans-Georg
Published: October 2014

Glaciers and snowmelt supply the Naryn and Karadarya rivers, and about 70% of the water available for the irrigated agriculture in the Ferghana Valley. Nineteen smaller catchments contribute the remaining water mainly from annual precipitation. The latter will gain importance if glaciers retreat as predicted. Hydrological models can visualize such climate change impacts on water resources. However, poor data availability often hampers simulating the contributions of smaller catchments. We tested several data pre-processing methods (gap filling, MODAWEC (MOnthly to DAily WEather Converter), lapse rate) and their effect on the performance of the HBV (Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenavdelning)-light model. Monte Carlo simulations were used to define parameter uncertainties and ensembles of behavioral model runs. Model performances were evaluated by constrained measures of goodness-of-fit criteria (cumulative bias, coefficient of determination, model efficiency coefficients (NSE) for high flow and log-transformed flow). The developed data pre-processing arrangement can utilize data of relatively poor quality (only monthly means or daily data with gaps) but still provide model results with NSE between 0.50 and 0.88. Some of these may not be accurate enough to directly guide water management applications. However, the pre-processing supports producing key information that may initiate rigging of monitoring facilities, and enable water management to respond to fundamentally changing water availability.
Roles of rhizobial symbionts in selenium hyperaccumulation inAstragalus(Fabaceae)
Authors: Alford Élan R. , Lindblom Stormy D. , Pittarello Marco , Freeman John L. , Fakra Sirine C. , Marcus Matthew A. , Broeckling Corey , Pilon‐Smits Elizabeth A. H. , Paschke Mark W.
Published: October 2014

•Premise of the study:Are there dimensions of symbiotic root interactions that are overlooked because plant mineral nutrition is the foundation and, perhaps too often, the sole explanation through which we view these relationships? In this paper we investigate how the root nodule symbiosis in selenium (Se) hyperaccumulator and nonaccumulatorAstragalusspecies influences plant selenium (Se) accumulation.

•Methods:In greenhouse studies, Se was added to nodulated and nonnodulated hyperaccumulator and nonaccumulatorAstragalusplants, followed by investigation of nitrogen (N)–Se relationships. Selenium speciation was also investigated, using x‐ray microprobe analysis and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS).

•Key results:Nodulation enhanced biomass production and Se to S ratio in both hyperaccumulator and nonaccumulator plants. The hyperaccumulator contained more Se when nodulated, while the nonaccumulator contained less S when nodulated. Shoot [Se] was positively correlated with shoot N in Se‐hyperaccumulator species, but not in nonhyperaccumulator species. The x‐ray microprobe analysis showed that hyperaccumulators contain significantly higher amounts of organic Se than nonhyperaccumulators. LC‐MS ofA. bisulcatusleaves revealed that nodulated plants contained more γ‐glutamyl‐methylselenocysteine (γ‐Glu‐MeSeCys) than nonnodulated plants, while MeSeCys levels were similar.

•Conclusions:Root nodule mutualism positively affects Se hyperaccumulation inAstragalus. The microbial N supply particularly appears to contribute glutamate for the formation of γ‐Glu‐MeSeCys. Our results provide insight into the significance of symbiotic interactions in plant adaptation to edaphic conditions. Specifically, our findings illustrate that the importance of these relationships are not limited to alleviating macronutrient deficiencies.
Genome and metagenome sequencing: Using the human methyl‐binding domain to partition genomic DNA derived from plant tissues
Authors: Yigit Erbay , Hernandez David I. , Trujillo Joshua T. , Dimalanta Eileen , Bailey C. Donovan
Published: October 2014

• Premise of the study: Variation in the distribution of methylated CpG (methyl‐CpG) in genomic DNA (gDNA) across the tree of life is biologically interesting and useful in genomic studies. We illustrate the use of human methyl‐CpG‐binding domain (MBD2) to fractionate angiosperm DNA into eukaryotic nuclear (methyl‐CpG‐rich) vs. organellar and prokaryotic (methyl‐CpG‐poor) elements for genomic and metagenomic sequencing projects.

• Methods: MBD2 has been used to enrich prokaryotic DNA in animal systems. Using gDNA from five model angiosperm species, we apply a similar approach to identify whether MBD2 can fractionate plant gDNA into methyl‐CpG‐depleted vs. enriched methyl‐CpG elements. For each sample, three gDNA libraries were sequenced: (1) untreated gDNA, (2) a methyl‐CpG‐depleted fraction, and (3) a methyl‐CpG‐enriched fraction.

• Results: Relative to untreated gDNA, the methyl‐depleted libraries showed a 3.2–11.2‐fold and 3.4–11.3‐fold increase in chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), respectively. Methyl‐enriched fractions showed a 1.8–31.3‐fold and 1.3–29.0‐fold decrease in cpDNA and mtDNA, respectively.

• Discussion: The application of MBD2 enabled fractionation of plant gDNA. The effectiveness was particularly striking for monocot gDNA (Poaceae). When sufficiently effective on a sample, this approach can increase the cost efficiency of sequencing plant genomes as well as prokaryotes living in or on plant tissues.
What Is Important for Hearing Aid Satisfaction? Application of the Expectancy-Disconfirmation Model
Authors: Meyer Carly , Hickson Louise , Khan Asad , Walker David
Published: October 2014

Background:Between 68.1‐89.5% of clients report that they are satisfied with their hearing aids. Two variables that are thought to contribute to dissatisfaction with hearing aids are product performance, and a mismatch between performance and client prefitting expectations
about hearing-aid performance (i.e., disconfirmation). A focus on variables related to satisfaction is relevant to improving hearing rehabilitation services.Purpose:The aim of this study was to determine if measures of hearing-aid performance and disconfirmation, specifically related
to hearing ability and hearing-aid problems, were associated with overall hearing-aid satisfaction among a sample of hearing-aid users.Research Design:A retrospective research design was employed.Study Sample:A total of 123 individuals participated in the study (57% male; mean
age: 72 yr). All participants owned hearing aids.Data Collection and Analysis:A personal details questionnaire and the Profile of Hearing Aid Consumer Satisfaction questionnaire (Wong et al, 2009) were completed by participants, 3‐12 mo after they obtained hearing aids. Overall
hearing-aid satisfaction was a dichotomized variable (satisfaction vs. dissatisfaction); therefore, logistic regression modeling was applied to the data to determine which variables were associated with overall hearing-aid satisfaction.Results:Sixty-one percent of the sample reported
that they were satisfied with their hearing aids. Hearing-aid satisfaction was associated with the ability to hear with hearing aids and better-than-expected performance in this same area; fewer hearing-aid problems; and fewer problems with hearing-aid manipulation, hearing-aid appearance,
and wearer discomfort than were anticipated before hearing-aid fitting.Conclusions:It is recommended that to improve hearing-aid satisfaction, clinicians should ensure optimal hearing-aid benefit in the listening situations that the person with hearing impairment most wants to hear
better; reduce the likelihood of hearing-aid problems occurring; and promote positive disconfirmation (performance exceeds expectations) with respect to both hearing ability and hearing-aid performance through the education of clients about the likely benefits of hearing aids in a variety
of listening environments, and the potential problems they could face with hearing-aid manipulation and wearer discomfort.
The Effects of Aging on Speech Perception in Noise: Comparison between Normal-Hearing and Cochlear-Implant Listeners
Authors: Jin Su-Hyun , Liu Chang , Sladen Douglas P.
Published: October 2014

Background:Speech understanding in noise is comparatively more problematic for older listeners with and without hearing loss, and age-related changes in temporal resolution might be associated with reduced speech recognition in complex noise.Purpose:The purpose of this
study was to investigate the effects of aging on temporal processing and speech perception in noise for normal-hearing (NH) and cochlear-implant (CI) listeners.Research Design:All participants completed three experimental procedures: (1) amplitude modulation (AM) detection thresholds,
(2) sentence recognition in quiet, and (3) speech recognition in steady or modulating noise.Study Sample:Four listener groups participated in the study: 11 younger (≤ 30 yr old, YNH) listeners and 12 older (> 60 yr old, ONH) listeners with NH and 7 younger (< 55 yr old, YCI)
and 6 older (> 60 yr old, OCI) CI users. CI listeners have been wearing their device either monaurally or binaurally at least 1 yr.Data collection and Analysis:For speech recognition testing, there were eight listening conditions in noise (4 modulation frequencies × 2 signal-to-noise
ratios) and one in quiet for each listener. For modulation detection testing, a broadband noise with a duration of 500 msec served as the stimuli at three temporal modulation frequencies of 2, 4, and 8 Hz, which were used to modulate the noise in the speech recognition experiment. We measured
AM detection thresholds using a two-interval, two-alternative, forced-choice adaptive procedure. We conducted a series of analysis of variance tests to examine the effect of aging on each test result and measured the correlation coefficient between speech recognition in noise and modulation
detection thresholds.Results:Although older NH and CI listeners performed similar to the younger listeners with the same hearing status for sentence recognition in quiet, there was a significant aging effect on speech recognition in noise. Regardless of modulation frequency and signal-to-noise
ratio, speech recognition scores of the older listeners were poorer than those of the younger listeners when hearing status was matched. We also found a significant effect of aging on AM detection at each modulating frequency and a strong correlation between speech recognition in modulating
noise and AM detection thresholds at 2 and 4 Hz.Conclusions:Regardless of differences in hearing status, the degree and pattern of aging effect on auditory processing of the NH listener groups were similar to those of the CI listener groups. This result suggests that age-related declines
in speech understanding are likely multifactorial, including peripheral and central factors. Although the age cutoff of the current older age group was 10 yr less than in previous studies (Dubno et al, 2002; Lin et al, 2011), we still found the age-related differences on two auditory tasks.
This study extends the knowledge of age-related auditory perception difficulties to CI listeners.
ARG (Alternate Reality Games). Contributions, Limitations, and Potentialities to the Service of the Teaching at the University Level
Authors: Piñeiro-Otero Teresa , Costa-Sánchez Carmen
Published: October 2014

Education’s gamification has represented an opportunity to boost students’ interaction, motivation and participation. ARG (Alternate Reality Games) offer a new highly immersive tool that can be implemented in educational achievements. One of the strongest points of these immersive games is based on applying the sum of students participating efforts and resources (so called collective intelligence) for problem resolution. In addition, ARG combine online and offline platforms a factor that improves the realism on the game experience. In this regard, this present work aims to summarise ARG potentialities, limitations and challenges of these immersive games in higher and further education context. In terms of methodology, this research draws from an appropriate theoretical corpus and, analyses the educational potential of AGR that, in fields like marketing or corporate communication, has already started successfully, but it has still not been studied in depth in education. This study compiles, also, best practices developed in several subjects and academic degrees all around the world and not easily traceable. It concludes that, given the antecedents, potentialities and the exposed analysis, the possibility of incorporating alternate reality games into the university teaching practice in the frame of an educational strategy that determines its aims and more suitable system of evaluation, has to be considered.

La ludificación de la educación ha representado una oportunidad para fomentar la interacción, la motivación y la participación del alumnado. Los ARG (las siglas inglesas de juegos de realidad alternativa) ofrecen una nueva herramienta altamente inmersiva que puede implementarse en el logro de los objetivos docentes. Uno de sus puntos fuertes consiste en la suma de esfuerzos y recursos (la llamada inteligencia colectiva) aplicada a la resolución de problemas. A esto se añade su combinación de plataformas en los entornos online y offline, lo que favorece el «realismo» de la experiencia. En este sentido, el presente trabajo pretende condensar las potencialidades, limitaciones y retos de los ARG al servicio de la educación universitaria. Basándose, a nivel metodológico, en la elaboración de un corpus teórico relevante y adecuado, analiza el potencial educativo de esta herramienta que, en ámbitos como el marketing o la comunicación corporativa ya ha despegado con éxito, pero que en el área educativa todavía no había sido abordada en profundidad. Recopila, además, ejemplos satisfactorios que se han desarrollado en diversas disciplinas académicas en otros países y que no resultan fácilmente localizables. Se concluye que, dados los antecedentes, potencialidades y análisis expuesto, debe valorarse la posibilidad de incorporar los juegos de realidad alternativa a la práctica de la docencia universitaria en el marco de una estrategia educativa que determine sus objetivos y sistema de evaluación más adecuado.