bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deux écrivains roumains à l’épreuve de la traduction du conte français
Authors: Constantinescu Muguraş
Published: October 2013

La présente contribution propose une analyse critique et comparative portant sur la façon de traduire de deux écrivains-traducteurs roumains, Caragiale et Sadoveanu, qui ont traduit en roumain des contes français et les ont publiés autour de 1910, mais depuis des positions traductives différentes et avec des conséquences variées sur la conversation écriture-traduction.

Nous partons dans cette étude des points communs qui rapprochent les deux auteurs : le premier concerne le choix d’un genre bref, le conte, en l’occurrence, le conte merveilleux de Perrault pour Caragiale et le conte de chasse et le conte fantastique de Maupassant pour Sadoveanu. Un autre point commun est un intérêt marqué pour la traduction très libre, sorte d’adaptation « à sa façon », de quelques contes de Perrault, Poe, Twain, dans le cas de Caragiale, renommé dramaturge roumain, mais également conteur vers la fin de sa carrière; pour la traduction littéraire de grands auteurs et de grandes oeuvres, – Maupassant, Tourgueniev, les Psaumes – dans le cas de Sadoveanu, remarquable prosateur et inégalable conteur. L’analyse comparative du texte traduit et de l’original montre que l’écrivain Caragiale, déjà célèbre à l’époque où il traduit Perrault, élabore une poétique de l’imitation qui lui permet un jeu très libre avec le conte-source auquel il imprime son style, allant jusqu’à l’acclimatation, tandis que Sadoveanu, traduisant en début de carrière, est plus proche de l’original, sans réprimer pour autant quelques marques de son écriture en cours de cristallisation.

Dans le cas des deux écrivains, il s’agit de degrés différents de conversation entre l’écriture et la traduction : entre l’écrivain et le traducteur, où l’écrivain domine, si l’on pense à Caragiale; où l’écrivain se trouve toujours en compétition avec le traducteur, si l’on pense à Sadoveanu.
Antarctic Projects Stymied by the Shutdown
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: October 2013

The U.S. federal government shutdown coincided with the beginning of the Antarctic austral summer research window, and many scientists told Eos they are deeply concerned about the impacts on research there. John Priscu, a lead principal investigator with the Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling (WISSARD) project in West Antarctica, said the government shutdown “threw us a curve that I did not anticipate or plan for.” Pricsu, who has spent 30 seasons working in Antarctica under federal funding, said that a hole in the project's long‐term data set “will have a major impact on the models we are developing to examine climate‐induced changes” in Antarctic ecosystems.
Fostering Accessibility in Geoscience Training Programs
Authors: Atchison Christopher L. , Libarkin Julie C.
Published: October 2013

New insight has emerged over the past decade into mechanisms for improving diversity across the geosciences. Publications and programs associated with the American Geosciences Institute, the U.S. National Science Foundation, and the International Association for Geoscience Diversity (IAGD), as well as technical sessions and diversity receptions at geoscience society meetings, are promoting geoscience diversity. While these efforts to diversify the geoscience workforce have improved awareness and generated programs aimed at increasing graduation rates across genders [Holmes et al., 2008] and ethnicities [O'Connell and Holmes, 2011], people with physical disabilities continue to be underrepresented in the geoscience workforce [Locke, 2005; Atchison and Martinez‐Frias, 2012].
King Receives 2012 Geodesy Section Award: Response
Authors: King Matt A.
Published: October 2013

It is a great honor to receive the AGU section award. After a fairly unpromising start to my undergraduate studies at the University of Tasmania I gained an interest in geodesy under the instruction of Richard Coleman, with whom I later completed a Ph.D. and to whom I give significant credit for this award.
Nyblade Receives 2012 Paul G. Silver Award for Outstanding Scientific Service: Citation
Authors: Shearer Peter M.
Published: October 2013

Andrew Nyblade is the first recipient of AGU's new Paul G. Silver Award for Outstanding Scientific Service. This award is given jointly by the Seismology, Geodesy, and Tectonophysics sections to a section member who has made outstanding contributions to these fields through mentoring of junior colleagues, leadership of community research initiatives, or other forms of unselfish collaboration in research. The award was named for the late Paul Silver as a tribute to the excellence and generosity of his scientific service and the importance of his research on mantle anisotropy, continental evolution, subduction zone dynamics, and earthquake source processes.
Tsai Receives 2012 Keiiti Aki Young Scientist Award: Response
Authors: Tsai Victor C.
Published: October 2013

I am honored to receive the Aki Award, but I would not be receiving this award without the benefit of many collaborations and inspirations as well as extensive mentoring and infrastructural, personal, and financial support. Although there are more individuals to thank than can be listed here, special thanks are due to Jim Rice, Hiroo Kanamori, Dave Stevenson, and Göran Ekström, who have all been irreplaceable mentors. I am also indebted to many other teachers, colleagues, and friends and to my parents, who have inspired in me a curiosity about the world, taught me the importance of hard work and persistence, supported my endeavors, and provided unimaginably rich opportunities throughout my life.
Models should account for correlated observation errors
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: October 2013

Scientists need to account for observation errors in models. In some cases, such as when multiple observations are derived from a single direct measurement, the errors in different observations are correlated. Noting that few groundwater studies have taken into account correlated observational errors, Tiedeman and Green investigated the effect of error correlation on parameter estimates, predictions, and measures of uncertainty in a simple generic inverse model and in a more complex groundwater transport model of denitrification. They compared model results obtained with and without error correlations and found that not accounting for error correlations can significantly affect the results.
Analysis of the vertical structure of the atmospheric heating process and its seasonal variation over the Tibetan Plateau using a land data assimilation system
Authors: Seto Rie , Koike Toshio , Rasmy Mohamed
Published: October 2013

The atmospheric heating process over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in the premonsoon and mature monsoon seasons of 2008 and 2009 was investigated using radiosonde data and a land data assimilation system coupled with a mesoscale model (LDAS‐A), which assimilates microwave brightness temperature and accurately reproduces land and atmospheric states. Focusing on the temperature observed below 200 hPa, we found that there were warming and cooling periods alternately in the premonsoon season within a general warming trend, and the profiles of heating in the two seasons were reversed. Then we identified the vertical structure of each heating component: sensible heat (SH), latent heat (LH), and horizontal advection (Hadv), using the LDAS‐A in each season. The troposphere over the TP in warming periods was divided into three vertical layers in terms of the major heating process: SH transport below 450 hPa, LH from 450 to 250 hPa, and Hadv above 250 hPa. The SH and LH are transported by local convections. In contrast, the heat source for Hadv originated in the southwest of the plateau, related to synoptic‐scale circulations. Latent cooling with cloud evaporation and adiabatic cooling with convection negatively contributed to heating in the upper troposphere. In cooling periods, the vertical structure of each heating component was similar to that in warming periods, but net heating was reversed because of the influence of synoptic‐scale disturbances. In the mature monsoon season, warm Hadv in the upper troposphere rapidly weakened in response to the initial formation of the Tibetan High.
Linking the IR transmittance to size and type of volcanic ash particles
Authors: Scollo S. , Baratta G. A. , Palumbo M. E. , Corradini S. , Leto G. , Strazzulla G.
Published: October 2013

In this work, we applied infrared spectroscopy to investigate the spectral signature of the volcanic ash particles emitted during the 21–24 July 2001 eruption at Mount Etna, in Italy. We used a Bruker Equinox‐55 Fourier transform infrared spectrometer in the range 7000–600 cm−1 (1.43–16.67 µm) and, for every collected spectrum, an image of the volcanic ash particles was recorded in the visible spectral range through the same microscope. These images were then analyzed by standard image analysis software in order to evaluate the main features of the particle: the length of the major and minor axes (Max and Min L), Feret diameter (FD), equivalent diameter (ED), and aspect ratio (AR). We measured transmission spectra in different conditions; spectra of one single particle (Single‐Particle Measurement, SPM), spectra of a number of particles from two to ten (Multi‐Particle Measurements type 1, MPM1) and of more than a hundred particles (Multi‐Particle Measurements type 2, MPM2). For SPM, Max and Min L range between 5 and 24 µm and 3.5 and 15 µm, FD ranges between 5.5 and 25 µm, ED varies between 5 and 19 µm, and AR between 0.45 and 0.95. For MPM1 and MPM2, the mean values of Max and Min L are between 4–17 µm and 3–10 µm, FD and ED between 5 and 19 µm and 3.5 and 23 µm, and AR between 0.3 and 1. The optical depth spectra as a function of the wave number clearly show the presence of the Christiansen effect that produces high transmission at a given frequency in the infrared region (Christiansen frequency). We find that the effect depends on the particle size through a linear relation. Both the Christiansen effect and their relationship with the ash particle effective radius were compared with radiative transfer model simulations using different ash refractive indexes. The combined use of the linear relationship and the spectral position of the Christiansen frequency also indicated the possibility to characterize ash type. All these information can be used to improve the IR remote sensing volcanic ash quantitative estimations.
Behavioral responses to social separation stressor change across development and are dynamically related to HPA activity in marmosets
Authors: Taylor Jack H. , Mustoe Aaryn C. , French Jeffrey A.
Published: October 2013

Psychosocial stressors activate two distinct stress–response systems, a central, behavioral response, and a peripheral, endocrine response. Both behavioral and endocrine responses to stressors are subject to individual and developmental variables, but it is not known whether stressor induced behaviors are stable across development, and how they correspond with changes in the endocrine component of the stress response. We characterized the development and stability of behavioral responses to a mild psychosocial stressor in marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi), and assessed the degree to which the behavioral and endocrine stress–response systems were co‐activated. The behavioral response to stressors was stable within individuals, but only some stressor‐induced behaviors changed as the monkeys developed. Overall, there was more variability in the development of behavioral responses compared to stress‐induced endocrine profiles found previously [French et al., 2012. Horm Behav 61:196–203]. In young marmosets, only increased alarm calling was correlated with increased cortisol reactivity, and in older marmosets increased cage manipulations and motor activity were associated with poorer post‐stressor cortisol regulation. Because these relationships were so few, we conclude that while the behavioral and endocrine systems follow a similar developmental trajectory, each system maintains a level of independence. Furthermore, the relationship between stressor‐induced behaviors and HPA activity changes across development. Am. J. Primatol. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Brief Communication: Timing of spheno‐occipital closure in modern Western Australians
Authors: Franklin Daniel , Flavel Ambika
Published: October 2013

The spheno‐occipital synchondrosis is a craniofacial growth centre between the occipital and sphenoid bones—its ossification persists into adolescence, which for the skeletal biologist, means it has potential application for estimating subadult age. Based on previous research the timing of spheno‐occipital fusion is widely variable between and within populations, with reports of complete fusion in individuals as young as 11 years of age and nonfusion in adults. The aim of this study is, therefore, to examine this structure in a mixed sex sample of Western Australian individuals that developmentally span late childhood to adulthood. The objective is to develop statistically quantified age estimation standards based on scoring the degree of spheno‐occipital fusion. The sample comprises multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of 312 individuals (169 male; 143 female) between 5 and 25 years of age. Each MDCT scan is visualized in a standardized sagittal plane using three‐dimensional oblique multiplanar reformatting. Fusion status is scored according to a four‐stage system. Transition analysis is used to calculate age ranges for each defined stage and determine the mean age for transition between an unfused, fusing and fused status. The maximum likelihood estimates for the transition from open to fusing in the endocranial half is 14.44 years (male) and 11.42 years (female); transition from fusion in the ectocranial half to complete fusion is 16.16 years (male) and 13.62 years (female). This study affirms the potential value of assessing the degree of fusion in the spheno‐occipital synchondrosis as an indicator of skeletal age. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:132–138, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microparticles based on hydrophobically modified chitosan as drug carriers
Authors: Calejo Maria Teresa , Kjøniksen Anna‐Lena , Maleki Atoosa , Nyström Bo , Sande Sverre Arne
Published: October 2013

In this work, a hydrophobically modified (HM) chitosan derivative was prepared by covalent linkage of C12 groups to the chitosan backbone. HM‐chitosan microparticles were prepared according to an emulsification‐solvent evaporation method and naltrexone (NTX) was used as a model drug. For comparison, unmodified chitosan and poly lactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA) microparticles were also tested as carriers for NTX. HM‐chitosan formed viscous semi‐dilute solutions, suggesting a high level of chain entanglements and hydrophobic associations. HM‐chitosan microparticles generally showed higher production yield and encapsulation efficiency, as compared with chitosan and PLGA. The burst release shown by chitosan microparticles was significantly reduced when using the HM‐chitosan derivative. An enhanced control of drug release was observed over at least 50 days. PLGA particles demonstrated inferior controlled release properties as compared to HM‐chitosan subsequent to the initial release stage. These results revealed the potential of hydrophobic modification of chitosan as a means to improve the stability and sustained delivery properties of the polymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40055.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of Novel 1,2,4‐Triazole‐Based Schiff Base Heterocycles
Authors: Aswathanarayanappa Chandrashekar , Bheemappa Eswarappa , Bodke Yadav D. , Krishnegowda Peethambar S. , Venkata Srinivas P. , Ningegowda Raghu
Published: October 2013

A series of 1,2,4‐triazole‐based Schiff base heterocyclic compounds (5a–f and 8a–i) and phenethylamines (7a–h) were synthesized and evaluated for antioxidant properties by free‐radical scavenging, anti‐hemolytic activity, lipid peroxidation, and their protective effects against DNA oxidative damage. Compounds 7c, 7d, 7h, 8b, and 8i showed promising DPPH• radical scavenging activity with the level of inhibition between 86.8% and 94%. Compounds 8a, 8b, 8d, 8g, and 8i were effective against the oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocytes and lipid peroxidation, in a dose‐dependent manner, with IC50 values in the range of 55.7–80.7 and 53.2–81.2 µg/mL, respectively. Compounds 8a and 8b were effective against oxidative damage on erythrocyte ghost membrane proteins, and 8g and 8i were able to protect against DNA oxidative damage.
Self‐Assembled Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles for Live‐Cell Imaging
Authors: Fischer Irén , Petkau‐Milroy Katja , Dorland Yvonne L. , Schenning Albertus P. H. J. , Brunsveld Luc
Published: October 2013

Fluorescent, cell‐permeable, organic nanoparticles based on self‐assembled π‐conjugated oligomers with high absorption cross‐sections and high quantum yields have been developed. The nanoparticles are generated with a tuneable density of amino groups for charge‐mediated cellular uptake by a straightforward self‐assembly protocol, which allows for control over size and toxicity. The results show that a single amino group per ten oligomers is sufficient to achieve cellular uptake. The non‐toxic nanoparticles are suitable for both one‐ and two‐photon cellular imaging and flow cytometry, and undergo very efficient cellular uptake.
Desaturation and/or Consolidation – Limits of Mechanical Deliquoring of Filter Cakes
Authors: Anlauf Harald
Published: October 2013

Die mechanische Entfeuchtung von Filterkuchen kann durch Verringerung des Porenvolumens, Verdrängung der Porenflüssigkeit mittels Gas oder eine Kombination beider Vorgänge erfolgen. Dabei sind dem mechanischen Flüssigkeitsentzug physikalische Grenzen gesetzt. Im Filterkuchen stellt sich nach Ablauf der Entfeuchtungskinetik ein Gleichgewicht ein. Im vorliegenden Beitrag sollen der Stand des Wissens über die Methoden der Bestimmung von mechanischen Entfeuchtungsgrenzen und ihre Beziehungen untereinander zusammengefasst, die zugehörige Labormesstechnik dargestellt, derzeit noch offene Fragen formuliert und technische Beispiele gegeben werden.
Aortic Stiffness Is Associated With Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Controlled Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study
Authors: Roldan Carlos A. , Alomari Ihab B. , Awad Khaled , Boyer Nathan M. , Qualls Clifford R. , Greene Ernest R. , Sibbitt Wilmer L.
Published: October 2013

Background

Aortic stiffness and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction are common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Hypothesis

In SLE, aortic stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction may be associated.

Methods

This 6‐year‐duration, cross‐sectional, and controlled study was conducted in 76 SLE patients (69 women; mean age, 37 ± 12 years) and 26 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to assess LV diastolic function and stiffness of the descending thoracic aorta using the pressure‐strain elastic modulus (PSEM). To validate results using PSEM, aortic strain, stiffness, and distensibility were assessed.

Results

Patients as compared with controls had higher PSEM (8.14 ± 4.25 vs 5.97 ± 2.31 U, P < 0.001) and had lower mitral inflow E/A and septal and lateral mitral annulus tissue Doppler E′/A′ velocity ratios, longer isovolumic relaxation time, lower septal and lateral mitral annulus E′ velocities, and higher mitral E/septal E′ and mitral E/lateral E′ velocity ratios (all P ≤ 0.03), all indicative of LV diastolic dysfunction. In patients, PSEM was correlated with parameters of LV diastolic dysfunction (all P < 0.05), was independently negatively associated with E/A and E′/A′ ratios and E′ velocities, and was positively associated with E/E′ ratios (P ≤ 0.02 for each parameter and P < 0.001 for all parameters as a profile). Aortic strain, stiffness, and distensibility were also worse in patients than in controls (all P < 0.05) and were correlated with parameters of LV diastolic dysfunction (all P ≤ 0.03).

Conclusions

Aortic stiffness is independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in young adult patients with SLE.
Evaluating the “recovery level” of endangered species without prior information before alien invasion
Authors: Watari Yuya , Nishijima Shota , Fukasawa Marina , Yamada Fumio , Abe Shintaro , Miyashita Tadashi
Published: October 2013

For maintaining social and financial support for eradication programs of invasive species, quantitative assessment of recovery of native species or ecosystems is important because it provides a measurable parameter of success. However, setting a concrete goal for recovery is often difficult owing to lack of information prior to the introduction of invaders. Here, we present a novel approach to evaluate the achievement level of invasive predator management based on the carrying capacity of endangered species estimated using long‐term monitoring data. In Amami‐Oshima Island, Japan, where the eradication project of introduced small Indian mongoose is ongoing since 2000, we surveyed the population densities of four endangered species threatened by the mongoose (Amami rabbit, the Otton frog, Amami tip‐nosed frog, and Amami Ishikawa's frog) at four time points ranging from 2003 to 2011. We estimated the carrying capacities of these species using the logistic growth model combined with the effects of mongoose predation and environmental heterogeneity. All species showed clear tendencies toward increasing their density in line with decreased mongoose density, and they exhibited density‐dependent population growth. The estimated carrying capacities of three endangered species had small confidence intervals enough to measure recovery levels by the mongoose management. The population density of each endangered species has recovered to the level of the carrying capacity at about 20–40% of all sites, whereas no individuals were observed at more than 25% of all sites. We propose that the present approach involving appropriate monitoring data of native organism populations will be widely applicable to various eradication projects and provide unambiguous goals for management of invasive species.
Use of reconstituted waters to evaluate effects of elevated major ions associated with mountaintop coal mining on freshwater invertebrates
Authors: Kunz James L. , Conley Justin M. , Buchwalter David B. , Norberg-King Teresa J. , Kemble Nile E. , Wang Ning , Ingersoll Christopher G.
Published: October 2013

In previous laboratory chronic 7-d toxicity tests conducted with the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia, surface waters collected from Appalachian sites impacted by coal mining have shown toxic effects associated with elevated total dissolved solids (TDS). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of elevated major ions in chronic laboratory tests with C. dubia (7-d exposure), a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea; 28-d exposure), an amphipod (Hyalella azteca; 28-d exposure), and a mayfly (Centroptilum triangulifer; 35-d exposure) in 3 reconstituted waters designed to be representative of 3 Appalachian sites impacted by coal mining. Two of the reconstituted waters had ionic compositions representative of alkaline mine drainage associated with mountaintop removal and valley fill-impacted streams (Winding Shoals and Boardtree, with elevated Mg, Ca, K, SO4, HCO3), and a third reconstituted water had an ionic composition representative of neutralized mine drainage (Upper Dempsey, with elevated Na, K, SO4, and HCO3). The waters with similar conductivities but, with different ionic compositions had different effects on the test organisms. The Winding Shoals and Boardtree reconstituted waters were consistently toxic to the mussel, the amphipod, and the mayfly. In contrast, the Upper Dempsey reconstituted water was toxic to the mussel, the amphipod, and the cladoceran but was not toxic to the mayfly. These results indicate that, although elevated TDS can be correlated with toxicity, the specific major ion composition of the water is important. Moreover, the choice of test organism is critical, particularly if a test species is to be used as a surrogate for a range of faunal groups. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2826–2835. © 2013 SETAC
Nineteen‐year oncologic outcomes and the benefit of elective neck dissection in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Lee So‐Yoon , Kim Bo Hwan , Choi Eun Chang
Published: October 2013

Background

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and to confirm the benefits of elective neck dissection.

Methods

We reviewed the records of 61 consecutive patients with ACC. Surgery was performed in all patients.

Results

The occult metastasis rate was 15.38% (4 of 26 patients) and no regional recurrence in the elective neck dissection group was identified. Among 4 clinically node positive (cN+) patients, regional metastasis was identified in 3 through therapeutic neck dissection. Regional recurrence was identified in 4 patients (4 of 31) who had never undergone elective neck treatment of clinically node negative (cN‐) status, exclusively. Overall regional metastases (overall N+) were identified in 11 patients. The overall survival rate was 84.99% at 5 years, 81.13% at 10 and 15 years in (overall N‐) status, contrary to 56.82% at 5 years and 28.41% at 10 years in overall N+ status (p = .025).

Conclusion

Careful follow‐up of regional status is important, and proper therapeutic and elective neck treatment can achieve regional control in ACC. Elective neck dissection is recommendable and can provide valuable staging and prognostic information. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1796–1801, 2014
Absolute monocyte count predicts overall survival in mantle cell lymphomas: correlation with tumour‐associated macrophages
Authors: Koh Young Wha , Shin Su‐Jin , Park Chansik , Yoon Dok Hyun , Suh Cheolwon , Huh Jooryung
Published: October 2013

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is characterized by a variable clinical course in which patients can experience indolent disease or frequent relapses despite a good initial response to conventional therapy. Risk stratification of MCL is most frequently performed using the MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI). Recent studies indicate that the peripheral blood absolute monocyte count (AMC) and tumour‐associated macrophages may reflect the state of the tumour microenvironment in lymphomas. The significance of AMC and tumour‐associated macrophages in the clinical course of MCL is unknown. The prognostic impact of the AMC, of CD68 expression and of CD163 expression was retrospectively examined in 103 MCL samples using the receiver operating characteristic curved. Patients with an AMC ≥ 375 cells/μL at diagnosis were more likely to present with advanced‐stage disease (p = 0.026), leukocytosis (p < 0.001), lymphocytosis (p = 0.01) and granulocytosis (p = 0.003). On univariate analysis, a high AMC (≥375 cells/μL) correlated with poorer overall survival (OS) (p = 0.01). Neither CD68 nor CD163 expression was significantly associated with either OS or event‐free survival. Multivariate analysis showed that a high AMC was a prognostic factor for OS, independent of the MIPI [hazards ratio (HR), 1.811; 95% confidence interval, 1.018–3.223; p = 0.043]. This study demonstrates that the AMC at the time of diagnosis is an independent prognostic factor for OS in MCL, which suggests the possibility that AMC may be used in addition to the MIPI to predict outcome in patients with MCL. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pre-anthropocene mercury residues in North American freshwater fish
Authors: Hope Bruce K , Louch Jeff
Published: October 2013

Mercury (Hg) has been entering the environment from both natural and anthropogenic sources for millennia, and humans have been influencing its environmental transport and fate from well before the Industrial Revolution. Exposure to Hg (as neurotoxic monomethylmercury [MeHg]) occurs primarily through consumption of finfish, shellfish, and marine mammals, and regulatory limits for MeHg concentrations in fish tissue have steadily decreased as information on its health impacts has become available. These facts prompted us to consider 2 questions: 1) What might the MeHg levels in fish tissue have been in the pre-Anthropocene, before significant human impacts on the environment? and 2) How would these pre-Anthropocene levels have compared with current regulatory criteria for MeHg residues in fish tissue? We addressed the first question by estimating pre-Anthropocene concentrations of MeHg in the tissues of prey and predatory fish with an integrated Hg speciation, transport, fate, and food web model (SERAFM), using estimated Hg concentrations in soil, sediment, and atmospheric deposition before the onset of significant human activity (i.e., ≤2000 BCE). Model results show MeHg residues in fish varying depending on the characteristics of the modeled water body, which suggests that Hg in fish tissue is best considered at the scale of individual watersheds or water bodies. We addressed the second question by comparing these model estimates with current regulatory criteria and found that MeHg residues in predatory (but not prey) fish could have approached or exceeded these criteria in some water bodies during the pre-Anthropocene. This suggests that the possibility of naturally occurring levels of Hg in fish below which it is not possible to descend, regardless of where those levels stand with respect to current regulatory limits. Risk management decisions made under these circumstances have the potential to be ineffectual, frustrating, and costly for decision makers and stakeholders alike, suggesting the need for regulatory flexibility when addressing the issue of Hg in fish. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:299–308. © 2013 SETAC

Key Points

Mercury has been entering the environment from natural sources for millennia but regulatory limits for mercury in fish have declined steadily since the 1960s. Because mercury is naturally occurring, is there a level of mercury in fish below which it is not possible to descend, regardless of regulatory imperatives? Modeling suggests that mercury levels in fish preferred by humans could have exceeded current regulatory limits in prehistoric times due solely to naturally occurring mercury. Attempts to manage mercury to below natural levels may thus be ineffectual, frustrating, and costly for both the regulated community and regulators, which suggests the need for watershed-specific regulatory flexibility when addressing mercury in fish.
Iodobenzene‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from Aryl Ketones with mCPBA in Ionic Liquid
Authors: Chang Ya‐Li , Wang Huey‐Min , Hou Rei‐Sheu , Kang Iou‐Jiun , Chen Ling‐Ching
Published: October 2013

Iodobenzene‐catalyzed synthesis of imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from aryl ketones with mCPBA as a cooxidant in ionic liquid is described. The method is simple, rapid and practical, generating Imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines from the aryl ketone without isolation of α‐tosyloxyketones in good to excellent yields.
Thumbs down: a molecular‐morphogenetic approach to avian digit homology
Authors: Čapek Daniel , Metscher Brian D. , Müller Gerd B.
Published: October 2013

Avian forelimb digit homology remains one of the standard themes in comparative biology and EvoDevo research. In order to resolve the apparent contradictions between embryological and paleontological evidence a variety of hypotheses have been presented in recent years. The proposals range from excluding birds from the dinosaur clade, to assignments of homology by different criteria, or even assuming a hexadactyl tetrapod limb ground state. At present two approaches prevail: the frame shift hypothesis and the pyramid reduction hypothesis. While the former postulates a homeotic shift of digit identities, the latter argues for a gradual bilateral reduction of phalanges and digits. Here we present a new model that integrates elements from both hypotheses with the existing experimental and fossil evidence. We start from the main feature common to both earlier concepts, the initiating ontogenetic event: reduction and loss of the anterior‐most digit. It is proposed that a concerted mechanism of molecular regulation and developmental mechanics is capable of shifting the boundaries of hoxD expression in embryonic forelimb buds as well as changing the digit phenotypes. Based on a distinction between positional (topological) and compositional (phenotypic) homology criteria, we argue that the identity of the avian digits is II, III, IV, despite a partially altered phenotype. Finally, we introduce an alternative digit reduction scheme that reconciles the current fossil evidence with the presented molecular‐morphogenetic model. Our approach identifies specific experiments that allow to test whether gene expression can be shifted and digit phenotypes can be altered by induced digit loss or digit gain. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 1–12, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlation between tissue metabolism and cellularity assessed by standardized uptake value and apparent diffusion coefficient in peritoneal metastasis
Authors: Yu Xue , Lee Elaine Yuen Phin , Lai Vincent , Chan Queenie
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation between standardized uptake value (SUV) (tissue metabolism) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) (water diffusivity) in peritoneal metastases.

Materials and Methods

Patients with peritoneal dissemination detected on 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (FDG‐PET/CT) were prospectively recruited for MRI examinations with informed consent and the study was approved by the local Institutional Review Board. FDG‐PET/CT, diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), MRI, and DWI/MRI images were independently reviewed by two radiologists based on visual analysis. SUVmax/SUVmean and ADCmin/ADCmean were obtained manually by drawing ROIs over the peritoneal metastases on FDG‐PET/CT and DWI, respectively. Diagnostic characteristics of each technique were evaluated. Pearson's coefficient and McNemar and Kappa tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Eight patients were recruited for this prospective study and 34 peritoneal metastases were evaluated. ADCmean was significantly and negatively correlated with SUVmax (r = −0.528, P = 0.001) and SUVmean (r = −0.548, P = 0.001). ADCmin had similar correlation with SUVmax (r = −0.508, P = 0.002) and SUVmean (r = −0.513, P = 0.002). DWI/MRI had high diagnostic performance (accuracy = 98%) comparable to FDG‐PET/CT, in peritoneal metastasis detection. Kappa values were excellent for all techniques.

Conclusion

There was a significant inverse correlation between SUV and ADC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:99–105 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A linear programming model for minimum‐cost procurement and operation of marine corps training aircraft
Authors: Bracken Jerome , Burnham Philip R.
Published: October 2013

In military situations of sharply increasing combat activity the Marine Corps is faced with training problems in its expanding aviator corps. Additional training aircraft are required, and procurement decisions must be made. In view of the significant costs involved in procurement and operation of new high performance aircraft, it is very desirable to buy and operate an efficient mix of aircraft necessary for training the pilots to make the Marine Aircraft Wings essentially 100‐percent tactically qualified.

The mathematical model presented here enables computation of a least‐cost mix of training aircraft which satisfies certain specified training requirements. The basic element allowing tradeoffs is the commonality of training available in the F4, RF4, A6, and EA6 types of aircraft. Both airframe oriented and mission oriented training are necessary, but the airframe oriented training can be conducted in either of the aircraft possessing the commonality. Training requirements over a five year period are considered, and the mix of training aircraft has the minimum five year procurement and operating cost.
Note on sequential search
Authors: Klein Morton
Published: October 2013

Optimal distribution of search effort problems for certain kinds of moving targets are considered. It is shown that they can be formulated by the use of appropriate Markovian decision models.
On a new approach to the analysis of stationary inventory problems
Authors: Leneman Oscar A. Z. , Beutler Frederick J.
Published: October 2013

The intent of this paper is to demonstrate that the theory of stationary point processes is a useful tool for the analysis of stationary inventory systems. In conventional inventory theory, the equilibrium distributions for a specified inventory policy are obtained, whenever possible, by recursive or limiting procedures, or both. A different and more direct approach, based on stationary point processes, is proposed here. The time instants at which stock delivery is effected are viewed as points of the stationary point process, which possesses uniform statistical properties on the entire real axis; hence the equilibrium statistics of the inventory process can be calculated directly. In order to best illustrate this approach, various examples are given, including some that constitute new results.
Uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimates of operational readiness and reliability in a two‐state system
Authors: Mazumdar M.
Published: October 2013

This paper obtains the uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimates of two indices of performance of a system which alternates between two states “up” or “down” in accordance with a Markov process. The two indices are (1) operational readiness, which measures the probability that the system will be up when needed; and (2) operational reliability, which measures the probability that the system will be up during the entire time of need. For the purpose of obtaining these estimates, two types of observations are considered: (a) those which reveal only the state of system at isolated time‐points, and (b) those which continuously record the duration of the “up” and “down” times of the system.
War reserve spares kits supplemented by normal operating assets
Authors: Brooks Robin B. S. , Lu John Y.
Published: October 2013

In peacetime, base stock levels of spares are determined on the assumption of normal resupply from the depot. In the event of war, however, a unit must be prepared to operate from stock on hand for a period of time without being resupplied from the depot. This paper describes a mathematical model for determining such war reserve spares (WRS) requirements. Specifically, the model solves the following kind of optimization problem: find the least‐cost WRS kits that will keep the probability of a stockout after K cannibalizations less than or equal to some target objective α. The user of the model specifies the number of allowable cannibalizations, and the level of protection that the kit is supposed to provide.

One interesting feature of this model is that in the probability computation it takes into account the possiblility of utilizing normal base operating assets. Results of a sensitivity analysis indicate that if peacetime levels were explicitly taken into account when designing a WRS kit, a cost saving of nearly 40 percent could be effected without degrading base supply performance in wartime.
A simulated port facility in a theatre of operations
Authors: Davis Reed E. , Faulkender Robert W. , Hines William W.
Published: October 2013

A hypothetical port facility in a theatre of operations is modeled and coded in a special purpose simulation language, for the purpose of conducting simulation experiments on a digital computer. The experiments are conducted to investigate the resource requirements necessary for the reception, discharge, and clearance of supplies at the port. Queue lengths, waiting times, facility utilizations, temporary storage levels, and ship turn‐around times are analyzed as functions of transportation and cargo handling resources, using response surface methodology. The resulting response surfaces are revealing in regard to the sensitivity of port operations to transportation resource levels and the characteristics of the port facility's load factor. Two specific conclusions of significant value are derived. First, the simulation experiments clearly show that the standard procedures for determining discharge and clearance capacities take insufficient account of the effects of variability. Second, the response surfaces for ship turn‐around times and temporary storage levels indicate that an extremely steep gradient exists as a function of troop levels.
On estimation in weibull distributions with random scale parameters
Authors: Harris Carl M. , Singpurwalla Nozer D.
Published: October 2013

Work by the present authors on life distributions derived from stochastic hazard functions [4] is related to certain articles that have appeared in this journal. This relationship is illustrated. The emphasis of this article is upon problems of parameter estimation.
Interactions between the experiment designer and the computer
Authors: Webb Steve
Published: October 2013

Popularized scientific accounts have publicized the use of the computer for solving combinatorial problems associated with the construction of specific kinds of experiment designs, such as sets of orthogonal Latin squares and Hadamard matrices. Historically, the regular combinatorial properties associated with such designs have been required to obviate extremely tedious calculations required for design analysis. Now computers are generally available for performing these computations, so that interest in regular designs is waning. The experiment designer is now free to select a design for its appropriateness to the experiment and its statistical properties. Once again, he interacts with the computer, using it to evaluate the statistical properties of designs, even before the experiment is carried out. Based on such calculations, he may make a selection from a number of ad hoc designs constructed for a given experiment without regard for combinatorial properties.

Although the experiment designer will always be a frequent computer user, the most important interaction between the two will probably be in the application of experiment design to computer simulation. Parametric studies of comprehensive system models that have been programmed for computers can be conducted efficiently and economically with experiment design and the associated analysis techniques. A typical example is given.
An open expanding economy model
Authors: Morgenstern Oskar , Thompson Gerald L.
Published: October 2013

The authors extend the generalized von Neumann model they developed (with J. G. Kemeny) in 1956 to an open model by assuming that there are exogeneously determined export and import prices and that any amount can be exported or imported at these prices. The open model is then characterized by means of seven axioms. It is shown, by applying the theory of linear programming, that if four economically reasonable assumptions hold, the open model has at least one solution in which at least one good with positive export price is exported and at least one good with positive import price is imported. It is also shown that, in general, a continuum of expansion rates can be achieved by varying certain control variables. The choice of these expansion rates gives indirectly the choice of a suitable sub‐economy and also determines the exports and imports of the economy. Other results and examples are discussed.
Locating facilities in three‐dimensional space by convex programming
Authors: Love Robert F.
Published: October 2013

We consider the problem of simultaneously locating any number of facilities in three‐dimensional Euclidean space. The criterion to be satisfied is that of minimizing the total cost of some activity between the facilities to be located and any number of fixed locations. Any amount of activity may be present between any pair of the facilities themselves. The total cost is assumed to be a linear function of the inter‐facility and facility‐to‐fixed locations distances. Since the total cost function for this problem is convex, a unique optimal solution exists. Certain discontinuities are shown to exist in the derivatives of the total cost function which previously has prevented the successful use of gradient computing methods for locating optimal solutions. This article demonstrates the use of a created function which possesses all the necessary properties for ensuring the convergence of first order gradient techniques and is itself uniformly convergent to the actual objective function. Use of the fitted function and the dual problem in the case of constrained problems enables solutions to be determined within any predetermined degree of accuracy.

Some computation results are given for both constrained and unconstrained problems.
A decomposable transshipment algorithm for a multiperiod transportation problem
Authors: Bellmore M. , Eklof W. D. , Nemhauser G. L.
Published: October 2013

A dynamic version of the transportation (Hitchcock) problem occurs when there are demands at each of n sinks for T periods which can be fulfilled by shipments from m sources. A requirement in period t2 can be satisfied by a shipment in the same period (a linear shipping cost is incurred) or by a shipment in period t1 < t2 (in addition to the linear shipping cost a linear inventory cost is incurred for every period in which the commodity is stored). A well known method for solving this problem is to transform it into an equivalent single period transportation problem with mT sources and nT sinks.

Our approach treats the model as a transshipment problem consisting of T, m source — n sink transportation problems linked together by inventory variables.

Storage requirements are proportional to T2 for the single period equivalent transportation algorithm, proportional to T, for our algorithm without decomposition, and independent of T for our algorithm with decomposition. This storage saving feature enables much larger problems to be solved than were previously possible. Futhermore, we can easily incorporate upper bounds on inventories. This is not possible in the single period transportation equivalent.
Quantification of contractor risk
Authors: Marshall Clifford W.
Published: October 2013

This paper presents a quantitative index of the level of risk assumed by a contractor in various contract type situations. The definition includes expression of real world uncertainty and contractor's utility for money. Examples are given for the major contract types and special applications are discussed.
A new storage reduction technique for the solution of the group problem
Authors: Helgason Richard V. , Kennington Jeff L.
Published: October 2013

This paper shows that by making use of an unusual property of the decision table associated with the dynamic programming solution to the goup problem, it is possible to dispense with table storage as such, and instead overlay values for both the objective and history functions. Furthermore, this storage reduction is accomplished with no loss in computational efficiency. An algorithm is presented which makes use of this technique and incorporates various additional efficiencies. The reduction in storage achieved for problems from the literature is shown.
Experiments with linear fractional problems
Authors: Bitran Gabriel R.
Published: October 2013

In this paper we present the results of a limited number of experiments with linear fractional problems. Six solution procedures were tested and the results are expressed in the number of simplex‐like pivots required to solve a sample of twenty problems randomly generated.