bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personal Liability and Human Free Will in the Background of Emerging Neuroethical Issues
Authors: Di Carlo Angela , Stradella Elettra
Published: July 2014

In this chapter, the authors analyse the issues connected to emerging neurotechnologies, in particular their effects on (legal) concepts like capacity, liability, testimony, and evidence, and also on fundamental constitutional rights and freedoms like the right to autonomy and the right not to be treated without consent (in the general framework of the principle of human dignity). Starting from preliminary remarks on the key concepts of neuroethics/technoethics, neurolaw/technolaw, the authors investigate how personal liability is changing in the framework of new scientific developments. The chapter underlines that neurolaw challenges some of the traditional legal institutions in the field of law (e.g., criminal law). From the point of view of ethics, the chapter concludes that neuroethics is not challenged by the data coming from the use of emerging neurotechnologies, but human self-perception is strongly affected by it.
The Legal Challenges of the Information Revolution and the Principle of “Privacy by Design”
Authors: Pagallo Ugo
Published: July 2014

The chapter examines how the information revolution impacts the field of data protection in a twofold way. On the one hand, the scale and amount of cross-border interaction taking place in cyberspace illustrate how the information revolution affects basic tenets of current legal frameworks, such as the idea of the law as a set of rules enforced through the menace of physical sanctions and matters of jurisdiction on the Internet. On the other hand, many impasses of today's legal systems on data protection, liability, and jurisdiction can properly be tackled by embedding normative constraints into information and communication technologies, as shown by the principle of privacy by design in such cases as information systems in hospitals, video surveillance networks in public transports, or smart cards for biometric identifiers. Normative safeguards and constitutional constraints can indeed be embedded in places and spaces, products and processes, so as to strengthen the rights of the individuals and widen the range of their choices. Although it is unlikely that “privacy by design” can offer the one-size-fits-all solution to the problems emerging in the field, it is plausible that the principle will be the key to understanding how today's data protection issues are being handled.
Ethics, Media, and Reasoning
Authors: Eid Mahmoud
Published: July 2014

Due to the rapidly changing norms and constant developments in technology, media and communication educators and practitioners are expected to (re)evaluate the functioning of ethics and reasoning in this field. This chapter discusses the relationship between ethics, reasoning, and the media, and the integral role of ethical reasoning education for communication and media professionals. Ethical systems and theories are discussed to inform the debate on the importance of ethics and reasoning education. Globalization and the growing interconnectivity of global media systems are presented, providing insight on how different media systems function around the world. The large impact that the media have on society necessitates the possession of rational and ethical skills; thus, the connection between reasoning and ethics is explained.
Shaping Digital Democracy in the United States
Authors: Baarda Rachel , Luppicini Rocci
Published: July 2014

Ethical challenges that technology poses to the different spheres of society are a core focus within the field of technoethics. Over the last few years, scholars have begun to explore the ethical implications of new digital technologies and social media, particularly in the realms of society and politics. A qualitative case study was conducted on Barack Obama's campaign social networking site, my.barackobama.com, in order to investigate the ways in which the website uses or misuses digital technology to create a healthy participatory democracy. For an analysis of ethical and non-ethical ways to promote participatory democracy online, the study included theoretical perspectives such as the role of the public sphere in a participatory democracy and the effects of political marketing on the public sphere. The case study included a content analysis of the website and interviews with members of groups on the site. The study's results are explored in this chapter.
Online Flood Information System
Authors: Chen Xiannian , Ye Xinyue , Carroll Michael C. , Li Yingru
Published: July 2014

This paper implements a cyber-platform which visualizes and analyzes spatial patterns of flooding with a user-oriented spatial intelligence. The paper is organized from three perspectives: first, why representation and modeling of flooding data set is vital; second, how the design of flooding analysis involves spatial intelligence; third, why flooding analysis should be integrated into Cyber-infrastructure. The flood is one of the most common and devastative disasters. Flood disasters bring huge damages to the affected communities and beyond. Hence, a fast and effective flood information inquiry system is critical to reduce the loss. REST-based Web Service illustrates its great advantages in web map re-rendering, attribute information retrieving, and advanced GIS functions. This research introduces how to use REST-based Web Service to build a user-friendly online flood information inquiry system.
Using Semantic Search and Knowledge Reasoning to Improve the Discovery of Earth Science Records
Authors: Liu Kai , Yang Chaowei , Li Wenwen , Gui Zhipeng , Xu Chen , Xia Jizhe
Published: July 2014

Web resources exploration is increasingly driven by semantic web technologies with automated processing. Earth science communities generate large amounts of datasets described in hundreds of millions of metadata records. It is critical to discover the accurate data from the millions of data records based on the end user's searching intent. However, the big challenge is how to ensure that catalogs and Spatial Web Portals can understand end user's intents. To enable portals effectively ‘understand' the meaning of user's queries and to provide a better searching experience for end users, we collaborated with Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) to develop such a capability through a semantic Testbed. We implemented a reasoning engine using similarity calculations to facilitate the meaningful discovery of Earth science data and to improve the accuracy of searching results.
Spatial Intelligence for Regional Analysis
Authors: Zhang Chenfeng , Bao Shuming , She Bing , Zhu Xinyan , Zhang Xu
Published: July 2014

With the announcement of open information policy by the Chinese government, there has been lots of development in government statistics, Census data, and GIS data. That information provides rich reference for regional analysis in China. The primary challenges under rapid data growth include how to efficiently integrate those space-time data, provide methodology for different research targets, and promote their applications in different fields. This report will present some recent developments of spatial intelligence technologies for spatial data integration, data analysis, as well as their applications. The report will introduce the newly developed spatial explorer (China Geo-Explorer) as a joint effort by the University of Michigan China Data Center and Wuhan University. It will demonstrate how space-time data of different formats and sources can be integrated, visualized, analyzed and reported in a web based system. Some applications in disaster assessment, environment and health, cultural and religious studies will be discussed for China and global studies.
Object Identification in Binary Tomographic Images Using GPGPUs
Authors: Preto Bruno , Birra Fernando , Lopes Adriano , Medeiros Pedro
Published: July 2014

The authors present a hybrid OpenCL CPU/GPU algorithm for identification of connected structures inside black and white 3D scientific data. This algorithm exploits parallelism both at CPU and GPGPU levels, but the work is predominantly done in GPUs. The underlying context of this work is the structural characterization of composite materials via tomography. The algorithm allows us to later infer location and morphology of objects inside composite materials. Moreover, execution times are very low thus allowing us to process large data sets, but within acceptable running times. Intermediate solutions are computed independently over a partition of the spatial domain, following the data parallelism paradigm, and then integrated both at GPU and CPU levels, using parallel multi-cores. The authors consistently explore parallelism both at the CPU level, by allowing the CPU stage to run in multiple concurrent threads, and at the GPU level with massive parallelism and concurrent data transfers and kernel executions.
A Virtual Reality Solution to Handle Social Anxiety
Authors: Cláudio Ana Paula , Carmo Maria Beatriz , Pinheiro Tânia , Esteves Francisco
Published: July 2014

Anxiety is an increasingly common feeling in our society; it can be very debilitating and, if not properly treated, can evolve to more serious health problems. This paper describes a low-cost Virtual Reality solution to support the treatment of social anxiety, more specifically the anxiety of speaking in front of an audience. Our application involves: i) a simulation that takes place in a virtual auditorium inhabited by animated virtual humans with controllable behaviours; ii) an interface which allows the therapist to control these behaviors and a set of features and events of the simulation, inducing different levels of distress in the patients. The use of Virtual Reality environments for the treatment of phobias emerged in the 90s and usually implies expensive special purpose hardware. Our challenge was to conceive a low-cost solution, easy to install and use for people without expertise in informatics.
A Study on Real/Virtual Relationships Through a Mobile Augmented Reality Application
Authors: Fedeli Laura , Rossi Pier Giuseppe
Published: July 2014

The increasing adoption of mobile devices and their impact on the processes of conceptualization are affecting the educational field enhancing interest in the educational use of these devices and, specifically, in the potentialities of augmented reality applications. Several studies have recently been developed to investigate this area and the gap that currently exists between technological development, the conceptualization of the real/virtual relationship and the reflection on the way in which these applications impact different learning contexts. A qualitative research study was developed by the Department of Education, Cultural Heritage and Tourism of the University of Macerata along with a primary school teacher following a collaborative model framed in a naturalistic paradigm. The overall research goal was to make explicit the nature of “mixed reality” in which the student acts within the real-virtual continuum, and the role played by technological means in such a process. Specifically, a mobile augmented reality application, “Point at”, was investigated. Once installed on iPads, the application allows the recognition of physical objects and activates a web resource connected to the object.
A FCM-Based Dynamic Modeling of ERP Implementation Critical Failure Factors
Authors: Ravasan Ahad Zare , Mansouri Taha
Published: July 2014

Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) is a complex and costly process which usually results in serious failures. Numerous factors affect these projects implementation due to their size, complexity and high chance of failure. Therefore, identifying these factors in ERP projects is a critical issue. The majority of previous studies and research projects have been conducted in identifying ERP Critical Success Factors (CSFs) rather than Critical Failure Factors (CFFs). In order to help practitioners, this paper studies the CFFs in this kind of projects. Unfortunately, the implications of interdependency among failure factors are usually underestimated by project managers and decision makers since they are difficult to model and analyze. With this in mind, the authors have built Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) of failure factors in ERP implementation projects. The main advantage of FCM lies in them being capable of modeling complex phenomena based on the experts' perceptions. This tool models uncertainty and related events, imitating human reasoning. Moreover, FCMs enable the developing of forecasting exercises through simulations. Practitioners would thus assess the joint influence of ERP implementation failure factors on project outcomes. The results make known to practitioners which problems will arise if the failure factors are not treated, and how these will impact on the outcomes of projects. Therefore, the tool proposed would help them to manage ERP implementation projects in a more effective and proactive way.
Conceptualizing Dimensions of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Success
Authors: Nair Jessy , Reddy D. Bhanu Sree , Samuel Anand A
Published: July 2014

The success of implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system has substantial benefits to an organization due to its large scale tangible and intangible benefits. However, the failure of ERP system implementation is a considerable challenge since it poses significant intervention on internal stakeholders, internal organization, business processes and technology. Though literature recognizes that these interventions bring about technological change during ERP implementation, hardly any article has conceptualized these interventions in evaluating its performance. Drawing on the Process-Variance (PV) and Adapted Socio Technical (AST) system perspectives, the objective of this article is to conceptualize the interventions through socio-technical perspective and develop a comprehensive conceptual model to assess the success or failure of ERP system implementation. The conceptual model, Process-Variance and Adapted SocioTechnical (PVAST) proposed in this article will enable decision makers and practitioners to measure ERP project performance at every stage of its life cycle in a coherent method and adopt corrective measures.
Investigating the Role of Attitude in the Adoption of Mobile Data Services
Authors: Tobbin Peter
Published: July 2014

The present study proposed an extended theory of planned behavior, which includes the attitude construct in its original multidimensional sub groups of cognitive, affective and intention. The author adopted the salient beliefs of Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use from Technology Acceptance Model as the antecedents of the cognitive attitude; and Pleasure, and Arousal aspects of emotion as the antecedents of Affective attitude. The extended TPB model was empirically tested using a utilitarian (mobile money) mobile data services. The author analyzed the data using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the strength of the relationship between the constructs. The results indicate that the extended TPB provides a satisfactory explanation of the role of attitude in predicting the behavioral intentions of users of mobile data services.
A Framework for Assessing Governmental Websites Quality
Authors: Zare Mohammad Amin , Ravasan Ahad Zare
Published: July 2014

E-government has provided the state-run sector with numerous opportunities to offer a variety of services through websites to citizens and the private sector. These websites have been launched in order to provide easy access to government services, boost the efficacy of the government-run sector and reduce operational costs. Given the point that many of these websites have gradually been developed and have scarcely been standardized to meet the requirements of site visitors, it is necessary to develop models for quality assessment of such websites. In this study, an information systems quality assessment (ISQA) based method along with fuzzy analytic network process (ANP) has been exploited to assess the quality of governmental websites. In order to validate the proposed model, it is applied to portals in six Iranian free trade zones. Finally, the assessment results are discussed.
Effect of Epicenter Data Inconsistency in Determining Bandwidth and its Subsequent Use in Hazard Analysis for Chennai Using Kernel Smoothing Approach
Authors: Ramanna C. K. , Dodagoudar G. R.
Published: July 2014

The most important parameter in the kernel density estimator is the bandwidth or spread or window width. The bandwidth of the kernel density estimator, which follows the power law, is determined using the nearest neighborhood technique for the earthquake catalog which is divided into bins. For reliable hazard estimates, the magnitude bins used in developing the power law and estimating the spatial activity rate density function should be the same. It is important that consistency be maintained between the earthquake epicenters used in determining the bandwidth and the epicenters to which the bandwidth is applied subsequently. In this paper, the effect of epicenter data inconsistency on hazard estimates for various return periods for Chennai is evaluated. Two methods of binning are used, one in which the epicenters used in deriving the bandwidth is in line with the epicenters used in arriving at the spatial activity rate and the other where the epicenters used in deriving the bandwidth are just grouped by dividing the catalogue into equal bins. Seismic hazard estimations are compared using these two approaches of forming the magnitude bins for Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) values obtained from Binning Methods 1 and 2 for 475 years return period are 0.0955g and 0.0802g respectively. The difference in PGA and peak spectral acceleration (PSA) from the two binning methods ranges from 20 to 10% with respect to Binning Method 1 for the return periods of 72 to 2475 years.
A Study of the Lagged Response Effect in the Indian IT Industry
Authors: Gangopadhyay Aryya
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this paper is to study the nature of information technology issues and trends in less developed countries, and compare and contrast them with those in developed countries. We propose a framework, called the lagged response effect, for predicting and justifying the differences. The lagged response effect is based on technological and economic interactions between a developed and a less developed country. We propose several hypotheses on the various effects of these interactions. These are tested with empirical data obtained through questionnaires, published literature, and interviews with executives in the information technology sector of the Indian industry.
Differential Requirement for the IKKβ/NF-κB Signaling Module in Regulating TLR- versus RLR-Induced Type 1 IFN Expression in Dendritic Cells
Authors: Wang Xingyu , Wang Junmei , Zheng Hong , Xie Mengyu , Hopewell Emily L. , Albrecht Randy A. , Nogusa Shoko , García-Sastre Adolfo , Balachandran Siddharth , Beg Amer A.
Published: July 2014

Host innate-immune responses are tailored by cell type to control and eradicate specific infectious agents. For example, an acute RNA virus infection can result in high-level expression of type 1 IFNs by both conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), but whereas cDCs preferentially use RIG-I–like receptor (RLR) signaling to produce type 1 IFNs, pDCs predominantly use TLRs to induce these cytokines. We previously found that the IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/NF-κB pathway regulates early IFN-β expression, but not the magnitude of type 1 IFN expression following RLR engagement. In this study, we use IKKβ inhibition and mice deficient in IKKβ or canonical NF-κB subunits (p50, RelA/p65, and cRel) to demonstrate that the IKKβ/NF-κB axis is critical for virus-induced type 1 IFN expression in pDCs, but not in cDCs. We also reveal a crucial and more general requirement for IKKβ/NF-κB in TLR- but not RLR-induced expression of type 1 IFNs and inflammatory cytokines. Together, these findings reveal a previously unappreciated specificity of the IKKβ/NF-κB signaling axis in regulation of antimicrobial responses by different classes of pattern recognition receptors, and therefore by individual cell types reliant on particular pattern recognition receptors for their innate-immune transcriptional responses.
Zfp318 Regulates IgD Expression by Abrogating Transcription Termination within the Ighm/Ighd Locus
Authors: Pioli Peter D. , Debnath Irina , Weis Janis J. , Weis John H.
Published: July 2014

The protein Zfp318 is expressed during the transition of naive B cells from an immature to mature state. To evaluate its role in mature B cell functions, a conditional gene deficiency in Zfp318 was created and deleted in bone marrow lineages via Vav-Cre. B cell development was minimally altered in the absence of the protein, although transitional 2 (T2) B cell populations were depressed in the absence of Zfp318. Intriguingly, the analysis of IgM and IgD expression by maturing and mature naive B cells demonstrated an elevated level of IgM gene products and a virtual loss of IgD products. Transcriptome analysis of Zfp318-deficient B cells revealed that only two gene products showed altered expression in the absence of Zfp318 (Ighd and Sva), demonstrating a remarkable specificity of Zfp318 action. In the absence of Zfp318, Ighm/Ighd transcripts, which would normally encode IgM and IgD from heterogeneous nuclear RNA transcripts via alternative splicing, lack intron and exon sequences from the IgD (Ighd)–encoding region. This finding indicates that Zfp318, in a novel manner, functions by repressing recognition of the transcriptional termination site at the 3′ end of the terminal IgM-encoding exon, allowing for synthesis of the complete Ighm/Ighd heterogeneous nuclear RNA.
Teaching as an act of stewardship: Theology in practice
Authors: Botha Carolina S.
Published: July 2014

The concept of stewardship has evolved from merely being significant in the financial contribution that people make towards their church to an all-encompassing decision that dictates people’s lives. It is not a feeling of urgency that someone is born with, but rather a decision and commitment made on a daily basis. Teachers thus find themselves in the perfect situation to be stewards in their classrooms on a daily basis. Furthermore, this tendency is noticed in teachers who work towards turning their schools into stewardship-driven institutions that aim to develop an environment driven by a calling to teach; therefore, theology is offered a leading role in the way the school is managed.
Women Living with HIV in Rural Areas. Implementing a Response using the HIV and AIDS Risk Assessment and Reduction Model
Authors: Bandali Sarah
Published: July 2014

The global fight against HIV is progressing; however, women living in rural areas particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continue to face the devastating consequences of HIV and AIDS. Lack of knowledge and geographical barriers to HIV services are compounded by gender norms often limiting the negotiation of safe sexual practices among women living in rural areas. This paper discusses findings from a qualitative study conducted in rural areas of Mozambique examining factors that influenced women to engage in HIV risk-reduction practices. The findings from this study led to the emergence of an HIV and AIDS risk assessment and reduction (HARAR) model, which is described in detail. The model helps in understanding gender-related factors influencing men and women to engage in risk-reduction practices, which can be used as a framework in other settings to design more nuanced and contextual policies and programs.
Lifting Representations of Finite Reductive Groups I: Semisimple Conjugacy Classes
Authors: Adler Jeffrey D. , Lansky Joshua M.
Published: July 2014

Suppose that is a connected reductive group defined over a field k, and ┌ is a finite group acting via k-automorphisms of satisfying a certain quasi-semisimplicity condition. Then the identity component of the group of -fixed points in is reductive. We axiomatize the main features of the relationship between this fixed-point group and the pair (,┌) and consider any group G satisfying the axioms. If both and G are k-quasisplit, then we can consider their duals *and G*. We show the existence of and give an explicit formula for a natural map from the set of semisimple stable conjugacy classes in G*(k) to the analogous set for *(k). If k is finite, then our groups are automatically quasisplit, and our result specializes to give a map of semisimple conjugacy classes. Since such classes parametrize packets of irreducible representations of G(k) and (k), one obtains a mapping of such packets.
Changes in Severity Distribution after Subsequent Fires on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA
Authors: Hoff Valentijn , Teske Casey C. , Riddering James P. , Queen Lloyd P. , Gdula Eric G. , Bunn Windy A.
Published: July 2014

Understanding the distribution of fire severity patches across a landscape is of critical importance to managers and researchers. Of particular interest are those areas that burn multiple times. Understanding the complexity of these “multiple entry, mixed severity” patches is an important component of managing the landscape. We investigated the role that initial fire severity might play on subsequent fire severity (for a given re-burned area) to assess whether high severity patch distribution was impacted by initial burn conditions. In our study area, the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, USA, the fire severity patch distribution of one fire had little influence on the fire severity distribution of a subsequent fire and second entry severity patches were distributed on top of the first entry severity patches in a close to random distribution. Of all areas that burned twice between 2000 and 2011 on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, 48 % burned with equal severity, 26 % burned with a lower severity, and 26 % burned with a higher severity in the second fire. The majority of the agreement can be attributed to a similarity in the proportions of each severity class and not to a match in the spatial allocation of the equal severity patches on first and second entry fires. The distribution of high severity patches showed little change when comparing post-first entry and post-second entry distributions. The mean and the standard deviation of the high severity patch size did not change after a second fire entry. The total area of high severity did increase; this was due to both the addition of new patches as well the growth of existing patches. These findings can help to inform land managers about the roles that fire-on-fire events play on the landscape and how those interactions may impact management goals and decisions.
Modeling Climate-Fire Connections within the Great Basin and Upper Colorado River Basin, Western United States
Authors: Arnold James D. , Brewer Simon C. , Dennison Philip E.
Published: July 2014

The specific temporal patterns of antecedent conditions associated with fire occurrence in the Great Basin and Upper Colorado River Basin are poorly understood. Using 25 years of combined fire and climate data, we identified unique antecedent patterns of climate conditions prior to fires in the Great Basin and Upper Colorado River Basin. Five distinct antecedent patterns of climate related to fire were found within the region; with these antecedent patterns we were able to construct models of fire danger. The occurrence of these antecedent patterns varies both spatially and temporally, and appears to be driven by drought severity. We used a Maximum Entropy approach to model the spatial extent and strength of these fire-climate patterns, and the associated fire danger. This approach provides land managers with a practical way to assess fire danger at a relatively fine spatial scale and also gives researchers a tool for assessing future fire danger.
Student Wildland Fire Groups: Common Challenges and Shared Solutions
Authors: Godwin Daniel S. , Ferrarese Jena
Published: July 2014

Student fire groups, collegiate-level groups explicitly organized around topics related to wildland fire, are widespread across the country. Student fire groups are at times participants in wildland fire-oriented experiential education but are often limited by access to training, legal hurdles, and equipment costs. We assess these barriers and suggest practical ways to overcome them.
Outcome of Intrauterine Injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin before Embryo Transfer in Patients with Previous Ivf/Icsi Failure: A Randomized Study
Authors: Dutta Dilip Kumar , Bhat Vidya V , Dutta Indranil , Gcitha MD
Published: July 2014

Aim

To evaluate the effect of intrauterine injection of 500 IU hCG before embryo transfer in patients with previous ICSI failure.

Background

The implantation process is the most important part of pregnancy, a lot of factors are responsible for implantation, it is well known that majority of pregnancies are lost during the implantation phase and often is undetected. It is known that hCG has an important function in angiogenesis and reduces the inflammatory response which in turn favor the implantation process. hCG is secreted early during the pregnancy, hence plays an important role.

Methods

A prospective randomized study was conducted in Radhakrishna Multispecialty Hospital and IVF Centre, Bengaluru, India. Total patients for ICSI cycle was 83(n). Out of which 32 patients were recruited in this study. The study group (n = 16) received intrauterine administration of 500 IU hCG before ET. The control group (n = 16) underwent ET without hCG.

Results

In both the groups, the mean age of the patients was around 29, the estradiol level mean was around 2569 ± 895 and in control group around 2467 ± 906. It was noted that fertilization rate in test group was around 88% and in control group around 75% hence showing that injection hCG proved its beneficial. It was noted that maximum embryos was from nondonor in test group, donor fresh embryos were around 3.

Conclusion

The intrauterine injection of 500 IU hCG before embryo transfer statistically improved the implantation rates and pregnancy rates with good outcome.

How to cite this article

Bhat VV, Dutta I, Dutta DK, Gcitha MD. Outcome of Intrauterine Injection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin before Embryo Transfer in Patients with Previous Ivf /Icsi Failure: A Randomized Study. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2014;6(1):15-17.
Corrosion Inhibitors for Steel★
Authors: PALMER W. G.
Published: July 2014

Many inhibitors, added to water or chloride solution in amounts insufficient to stop attack altogether, produce localized attack, which is more intense than the general corrosion met with in the absence of an inhibitor. Inhibitors which are free from this danger are, in most cases, inefficient. It is believed that the danger is connected with the formation of blister-like membranes over the sensitive points, which prevent the access of the inhibitor to those very points where it is required. By using, suitable mixtures of phosphate and chromate (or phosphate and persulphate), so that any substance precipitated will not be ferrous phosphate but ferric phosphate a crystalline non-membranous body), the danger can be avoided. Even if the mixture is added to an amount too small to stop corrosion altogether, no intensified corrosion or pitting is observed.
Combating Corrosion in a Chemical Plant With Magnesium Anodes★
Authors: OSBORN OLIVER
Published: July 2014

Cathodic protection of steel and cast iron in a chemical plant is economically justified and feasible from an engineering point of view under certain conditions. Magnesium anodes are useful under conditions which meet are restrictive as to space and accessibility. Principal use of magnesium anodes for cathodic protection of portions of the Dow Chemical Company's Freeport, Texas, plant were in structures handling large volumes of sea water and brine both static and in motion. Studies indicate the cost of the remedial measures is much less than would be the cost of replacing structures corroded to destruction, even when considerations of uninterrupted service, loss of production from down time and other factors are disregarded. Experimental installations are being studied and new aspects of the possibilities are constantly being investigated.
Hygroscopic properties of newly formed ultrafine particles at an urban site surrounded by deciduous forest (Sapporo, northern Japan) during the summer of 2011
Authors: Jung J. , Kawamura K.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. To investigate the hygroscopic properties of ultrafine particles during new particle formation events, the hygroscopic growth factors of size-segregated atmospheric particles were measured at an urban site in Sapporo, northern Japan, during the summer of 2011. The hygroscopic growth factor at 85 % relative humidity [g(85%)] of freshly formed nucleation mode particles was 1.11 to 1.28 (average: 1.16 ± 0.06) at a dry particle diameter (Dp) centered on 20 nm, which is equivalent to 1.17 to 1.35 (1.23 ± 0.06) at a dry Dp centered on 100 nm after considering the Kelvin effect. These values are comparable with those of secondary organic aerosols, suggesting that low-volatility organic vapors are important to the burst of nucleation mode particles. The equivalent g(85%) at a dry Dp of 100 nm for nucleated particles that have grown to Aitken mode sizes (1.24 to 1.34; average: 1.30 ± 0.04) were slightly higher than those of newly formed nucleation mode particles, suggesting that the growth of freshly formed nucleation mode particles to the Aitken mode size can be subjected to condensation of not only low-volatility organic vapors, but also water-soluble inorganic species. Based on this result, and previous measurement of radiocarbon in aerosols, we suggest that the burst of nucleation mode particles and their subsequent growth were highly affected by biogenic organic emissions at this measurement site, which is surrounded by deciduous forest. Gradual increases in mode diameter after the burst of nucleation mode particles were observed under southerly wind conditions, with a dominant contribution of intermediately hygroscopic particles. However, sharp increases in mode diameter were observed when the wind direction shifted to northwesterly or northeasterly, with a sharp increase in the highly hygroscopic particle fraction of the Aitken mode particles, indicating that the hygroscopic growth factor of newly formed particles is perturbed by the local winds that deliver different air masses to the measurement site.
Assimilation of GNSS radio occultation observations in GRAPES
Authors: Liu Y. , Xue J.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. This paper reviews the development of the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) observations assimilation in the Global/Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System (GRAPES) of China Meteorological Administration, including the choice of data to assimilate, the data quality control, the observation operator, the tuning of observation error, and the results of the observation impact experiments. The results indicate that RO data have a significantly positive effect on analysis and forecast at all ranges in GRAPES not only in the Southern Hemisphere where conventional observations are lacking but also in the Northern Hemisphere where data are rich. It is noted that a relatively simple assimilation and forecast system in which only the conventional and RO observation are assimilated still has analysis and forecast skill even after nine months integration, and the analysis difference between both hemispheres is gradually reduced with height when compared with NCEP (National Centers for Enviromental Prediction) analysis. Finally, as a result of the new onboard payload of the Chinese FengYun-3 (FY-3) satellites, the research status of the RO of FY-3 satellites is also presented.
Atmospheric Water Soluble Organic Nitrogen (WSON) over marine environments: a global perspective
Authors: Violaki K. , Sciare J. , Williams J. , Baker A. R. , Martino M. , Mihalopoulos N.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. To obtain a comprehensive picture on the spatial distribution of water soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) in marine aerosols, samples were collected during research cruises in the tropical and south Atlantic Ocean and during a one year period (2005) over the southern Indian Ocean (Amsterdam island). Samples have been analyzed for both organic and inorganic forms of nitrogen and the factors controlling their levels have been examined. Fine mode WSON was found to play a significant role in the remote marine atmosphere with enhanced biogenic activity, with concentrations of WSON (11.3 ± 3.3 nmol N m–3) accounting for about 84% of the total dissolved nitrogen (TDN). Such levels are similar to those observed in the polluted marine atmosphere of the eastern Mediterranean (11.6 ± 14.0 nmol N m–3). Anthropogenic activities were found to be an important source of atmospheric WSON as evidenced by the ten times higher levels in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) than in the remote Southern Hemisphere (SH). Furthermore, the higher contribution of WSON to TDN (40%) in the SH, compared to the NH (20%), underlines the important role of organic nitrogen in remote marine areas. Finally, Sahara dust was also identified as a significant source of WSON in the coarse mode aerosols of the NH.
Beaded streams of Arctic permafrost landscapes
Authors: Arp C. D. , Whitman M. S. , Jones B. M. , Grosse G. , Gaglioti B. V. , Heim K. C.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Beaded streams are widespread in permafrost regions and are considered a common thermokarst landform. However, little is known about their distribution, how and under what conditions they form, and how their intriguing morphology translates to ecosystem functions and habitat. Here we report on a Circum-Arctic inventory of beaded streams and a watershed-scale analysis in northern Alaska using remote sensing and field studies. We mapped over 400 channel networks with beaded morphology throughout the continuous permafrost zone of northern Alaska, Canada, and Russia and found the highest abundance associated with medium- to high-ice content permafrost in moderately sloping terrain. In the Fish Creek watershed, beaded streams accounted for half of the drainage density, occurring primarily as low-order channels initiating from lakes and drained lake basins. Beaded streams predictably transition to alluvial channels with increasing drainage area and decreasing channel slope, although this transition is modified by local controls on water and sediment delivery. Comparison of one beaded channel using repeat photography between 1948 and 2013 indicate relatively stable form and 14C dating of basal sediments suggest channel formation may be as early as the Pleistocene–Holocene transition. Contemporary processes, such as deep snow accumulation in stream gulches effectively insulates river ice and allows for perennial liquid water below most beaded stream pools. Because of this, mean annual temperatures in pool beds are greater than 2 °C, leading to the development of perennial thaw bulbs or taliks underlying these thermokarst features. In the summer, some pools stratify thermally, which reduces permafrost thaw and maintains coldwater habitats. Snowmelt generated peak-flows decrease rapidly by two or more orders of magnitude to summer low flows with slow reach-scale velocity distributions ranging from 0.1 to 0.01 m s−1, yet channel runs still move water rapidly between pools. This repeating spatial pattern associated with beaded stream morphology and hydrological dynamics may provide abundant and optimal foraging habitat for fish. Thus, beaded streams may create important ecosystem functions and habitat in many permafrost landscapes and their distribution and dynamics are only beginning to be recognized in Arctic research.
Complex networks and waveforms from acoustic emissions in laboratory earthquakes
Authors: Ghaffari H. O. , Thompson B. D. , Young R. P.
Published: July 2014

Abstract. Understanding the physics of acoustic excitations emitted during the cracking of materials is one of the long-standing challenges for material scientists and geophysicists. In this study, we report novel results of applications of functional complex networks on acoustic emission waveforms emitted during the evolution of frictional interfaces. Our results show that laboratory faults at microscopic scales undergo a sequence of generic phases, including strengthening, weakening or fast slip and slow slip, leading to healing. For the first time we develop a formulation on the dissipated energy due to acoustic emission signals in terms of short-term and long-term features (i.e., networks' characteristics) of events. We illuminate the transition from regular to slow ruptures. We show that this transition can lead to the onset of the critical rupture class similar to the direct observations of this phenomenon in the transparent samples. Furthermore, we demonstrate the detailed submicron evolution of the interface due to the short-term evolution of the rupture tip. As another novel result, we find that the nucleation phase of most amplified events follows a nearly constant timescale, corresponding to the initial strengthening or locking of the interface. This likely indicates that a thermally activated process can play a crucial role near the moving crack tip.
Methanol Extract of Barringtonia asiatica, Kurz. Quite Effective Induce Mortality Of Spodopthera litura, Fabr. Larvae on soybean plants
Authors: Tanor Meity N , Abadi Abdul Latief , Raharjo Bambang Tri , Pelealu Jantje
Published: July 2014

This study aim was to examine the effectiveness of methanol extract derived from keben seed (B. asiatica) on mortality of Spodopthera litura larvae on soyben plant. The instar II larvae of S. litura were treated by the methanol extract with various concentrations i.e. 0.0 ppm (Control), 0.2 ppm, 0.4 ppm, 0.8 ppm and 1.0 ppm using pre-investment and post-investment. The mortality of larvae S. litura was counted after 24-hours of the treatment. The B. asiatica seed extract was quite effective in suppressing the intensity of damage in leaves caused by the attack of S. litura F. on soybean plants. The finding on pre-investment showed that after 24-hour treatment of methanol extract showed to have a significant impact on the mortality of S. litura instar II. The methanol extract dose 0.2 ppm, 0.4 ppm, 0.8 ppm, and 1.0 ppm had all been able to affect larvae mortality of S. litura there are 33.33%, 48.89%, 66.67%, and 88.89% respectively. Morover, post-investment experiment showed that the methanol extract also induced mortality of S. litura in all doses, i.e  0.2 ppm, 0.4 ppm, 0.8 ppm and 1.0 ppm  caused 44.44% (53.33%) ( 55.56%), (71.11%) mortality, respectively.
The Ongoing Impact of the US-China Air Services Agreements (ASAs) on Air Passenger Markets
Authors: Ke Jian-yu “Fisher” , Windle Robert J.
Published: July 2014

Previous research has indicated that liberal air services agreements (ASAs) lead to more passengers. Using time-series regression models, this study extends those findings by looking more closely at the evolving ASAs between the United States and China during 1996–2009. Our results indicate that while liberal ASAs generally lead to increased passengers, the extent of this impact depends on the general state of liberalization when the agreement is signed. In addition, this study shows that the benefits of liberalization may not be evenly apportioned between the two countries of carriers.
Merger Activity and Short-Run Financial Performance in the US Airline Industry
Authors: Manuela Wilfred S. , Rhoades Dawna L.
Published: July 2014

This article examines the announcement and post-merger effects of three US airline mergers—America West and US Airways, Delta and Northwest, and United and Continental. The time series data consist of daily and cumulative abnormal returns using the Standard and Poor's 500 as the benchmark index. The event study methodology uses ±60 trading days around the announcement and merger dates. The share prices of United and America West increased while Delta's decreased due to the slowing US economy at the time of its merger with Northwest. The impact of the merger announcement on target airlines is positive except for Northwest due to the weakening demand for air transport as the US economy faltered at the time of its merger with Delta. The share prices of acquiring and target airlines increased around the merger completion date, suggesting that new information is available as the merger nears completion.
Qatar biomedical and cancer publications in PubMed between 2000 and 2012
Authors: Zeeneldin Ahmed A. , Taha Fatma Mohamed
Published: July 2014

Background: The aim of this work was to analyse the past trends of biomedical and cancer publications from Qatar listed on PubMed for the years 2000–2012. These findings were then compared with the corresponding global number of publications. Methods: PubMed was searched for cancer publications, clinical trials, publications on humans or other species. Searching for “Qatar*” in the “Affiliation” field yielded the lowest number of publications; searching for “Qatar*” in the “Affiliation” or in “Title/Abstract” yielded a moderate number of results and searching for “Qatar*” in the “Affiliation” or “Title/Abstract” or “Text Word” fields yielded the highest number of publications. The annual percentage change (APC) from one year to the next was calculated for the population and each type of publication. Information on the population of Qatar was gathered from the website of Qatar Statistics Authority to determine the correlation of papers published per 1000 population. Results: The number of publications retrieved from PubMed was not particularly different for each variation of search carried out. However, the most representative number of publications was retrieved upon searching for “Qatar*” in the “Affiliation” or in “Title/Abstract” fields. Between the years 2000 and 2012, the total number of biomedical publications from Qatar increased 24 times with an average APC of 33.4%, which was found to be more than the APC of the population in Qatar which averaged at 9%. The number of biomedical publications per 1000 population increased from 0.02 in 2000 to 0.15% in 2012. Most publications retrieved were humans studies and occasionally were for other animal species. Cancer publications in Qatar represented 16.9% of the total publications and the number of cancer publications per 1000 population increased from 0% in 2000 to 0.02% in 2012. Publications classified as clinical trials represented 4.6% of Qatar biomedical publications. Publication of cancer clinical trials were very rare (0.4%). Conclusions: Despite the obvious increase in Qatar biomedical and cancer publications in PubMed, the absolute numbers were relatively small. While strategies are in place, leaders of Qatar biomedical research need to consider increasing cancer research and clinical trials to meet the country's needs. Linking research output to researchers, research facilities and research funding is needed.
Ecologia política: onde está a política?
Authors: Walker Peter A.
Published: July 2014

Quanta diferença prática a ecologia política realmente faz? Quais poderiam ser os obstáculos para uma ecologia política mais construtivamente comprometida – para uma ecologia política mais plenamente política? Estas são questões que este artigo levanta de forma breve, mas não tem a pretensão de responder de nenhuma maneira substancial. Antes, espera-se e acredita-se que estas questões serão minuciosamente discutidas em encontros futuros.