bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organisation of German livestock production from the bottom up: a new institutional economic analysis of dairy cattle breeding
Authors: Höhler J. , Kühl R.
Published: September 2015

Cooperatives operate in many different parts of the agri-food chain. Animal breeding, as one of these areas, has not yet been subject to intensive research. In the literature, cooperatives are often claimed to produce a lower quality product than comparable investor-owned firms. Is this the case in dairy cattle breeding as well? In order to address this question, we examine the inter- and intra-organisational coordination and structure of the supply chain for cattle breeding in Germany by means of a property rights model. In a short-term perspective, the profit maximisation of the cooperative member follows the model of perfect competition. In addition, we show the existence of a quality coordination problem in breeding associations in the long run. This problem is presumed to be counteracted by the dual system of price-setting which allows the cooperative to provide incentives to its members.
Mechanical Ventilation Antioxidant Trial
Authors: Howe Kimberly P. , Clochesy John M. , Goldstein Lawrence S. , Owen Hugh
Published: September 2015

Background

Many patients each year require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Inflammatory processes may prevent successful weaning, and evidence indicates that mechanical ventilation induces oxidative stress in the diaphragm, resulting in atrophy and contractile dysfunction of diaphragmatic myofibers. Antioxidant supplementation might mitigate the harmful effects of the oxidative stress induced by mechanical ventilation.

Objective

To test the clinical effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation in reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation.

Methods

A randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled double-blind design was used to test whether enterally administered antioxidant supplementation would decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation, all-cause mortality, and length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital. Patients received vitamin C 1000 mg plus vitamin E 1000 IU, vitamin C 1000 mg plus vitamin E 1000 IU plus N-acetylcysteine 400 mg, or placebo solution as a bolus injection via their enteral feeding tube every 8 hours.

Results

Clinical and statistically significant differences in duration of mechanical ventilation were seen among the 3 groups (Mantel-Cox log rank statistic = 5.69, df = 1, P = .017). The 3 groups did not differ significantly in all-cause mortality during hospitalization or in the length of stay in the intensive care unit or hospital.

Conclusions

Enteral administration of antioxidants is a simple, safe, inexpensive, and effective intervention that decreases the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill adults.
Perceptions Related to Falls and Fall Prevention Among Hospitalized Adults
Authors: Twibell Renee Samples , Siela Debra , Sproat Terrie , Coers Gena
Published: September 2015

Background

Prevention of falls during hospitalization depends in part on the behaviors of alert patients to prevent falls. Research on acutely ill patients’ intentions to behave in ways that help prevent falls and on the patients’ perceptions related to falls is limited.

Objective

To explore hospitalized adults’ perceptions related to risk for falling, fear of falling, expectations of outcomes of falling, and intention to engage in behaviors to prevent falls.

Methods

Adult, alert, acutely ill inpatients (N = 158) at risk for falling completed a survey consisting of 4 scales and 3 single items. Nurses’ assessments and patients’ perceptions of the risk for falling were compared.

Results

Decreased intentions to engage in behaviors to prevent falls were correlated with patients’ increased confidence in their ability to perform high-risk behaviors without help and without falling (P < .001), decreased fear of falling (P < .001), and decreased perceived likelihood of adverse outcomes if they did fall (P < .001). Although nurses’ assessments indicated a risk for falls, 55.1% of the patients did not perceive a high likelihood of falling while hospitalized. Whereas 75% of patients intended to ask for help before getting out of bed, 48% were confident that they could get out of bed without help and without falling.

Conclusions

Although assessments may indicate a risk for falling, acutely ill inpatients may not perceive they are likely to fall. Patients’ intentions to engage in behaviors to prevent falls vary with the patients’ fall-related perceptions of confidence, outcomes, and fear related to falling.
Novel Toll/IL-1 Receptor Homologous Region Adaptors Act as Negative Regulators in Amphioxus TLR Signaling
Authors: Peng Jian , Tao Xin , Li Rui , Hu Jingru , Ruan Jie , Wang Ruihua , Yang Manyi , Yang Rirong , Dong Xiangru , Chen Shangwu , Xu Anlong , Yuan Shaochun
Published: September 2015

Studies have shown that the basal chordate amphioxus possesses an extraordinarily complex TLR system, including 39 TLRs and at least 40 Toll/IL-1R homologous region (TIR) adaptors. Besides homologs to MyD88 and TIR domain-containing adaptor molecule (TICAM), most amphioxus TIR adaptors exhibit domain architectures that are not observed in other species. To reveal how these novel TIR adaptors function in amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense (bbt), four representatives, bbtTIRA, bbtTIRB, bbtTIRC, and bbtTIRD, were selected for functional analyses. We found bbtTIRA to show a unique inhibitory role in amphioxus TICAM-mediated pathway by interacting with bbtTICAM and bbt receptor interacting protein 1b, whereas bbtTIRC specifically inhibits the amphioxus MyD88-dependent pathway by interacting with bbtMyD88 and depressing the polyubiquitination of bbt TNFR-associated factor 6. Although both bbtTIRB and bbtTIRD are located on endosomes, the TIR domain of bbtTIRB can interact with bbtMyD88 in the cytosol, whereas the TIR domain of bbtTIRD is enclosed in endosome, suggesting that bbtTIRD may be a redundant gene in amphioxus. This study indicated that most expanded TIR adaptors play nonredundant regulatory roles in amphioxus TLR signaling, adding a new layer to understanding the diversity and complexity of innate immunity at basal chordate.
Gut Microbial Dysbiosis Due to Helicobacter Drives an Increase in Marginal Zone B Cells in the Absence of IL-10 Signaling in Macrophages
Authors: Ray Avijit , Basu Sreemanti , Gharaibeh Raad Z. , Cook Lydia C. , Kumar Ranjit , Lefkowitz Elliot J. , Walker Catherine R. , Morrow Casey D. , Franklin Craig L. , Geiger Terrence L. , Salzman Nita H. , Fodor Anthony , Dittel Bonnie N.
Published: September 2015

It is clear that IL-10 plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis in the gut in response to the microbiome. However, it is unknown whether IL-10 also facilitates immune homeostasis at distal sites. To address this question, we asked whether splenic immune populations were altered in IL-10–deficient (Il10−/−) mice in which differences in animal husbandry history were associated with susceptibility to spontaneous enterocolitis that is microbiome dependent. The susceptible mice exhibited a significant increase in splenic macrophages, neutrophils, and marginal zone (MZ) B cells that was inhibited by IL-10 signaling in myeloid, but not B cells. The increase in macrophages was due to increased proliferation that correlated with a subsequent enhancement in MZ B cell differentiation. Cohousing and antibiotic treatment studies suggested that the alteration in immune homeostasis in the spleen was microbiome dependent. The 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that susceptible mice harbored a different microbiome with a significant increase in the abundance of the bacterial genus Helicobacter. The introduction of Helicobacter hepaticus to the gut of nonsusceptible mice was sufficient to drive macrophage expansion and MZ B cell development. Given that myeloid cells and MZ B cells are part of the first line of defense against blood-borne pathogens, their increase following a breach in the gut epithelial barrier would be protective. Thus, IL-10 is an essential gatekeeper that maintains immune homeostasis at distal sites that can become functionally imbalanced upon the introduction of specific pathogenic bacteria to the intestinal track.
ERK1-Based Pathway as a New Selective Mechanism To Modulate CCR5 with Natural Antibodies
Authors: Venuti Assunta , Pastori Claudia , Siracusano Gabriel , Riva Agostino , Sciortino Maria Teresa , Lopalco Lucia
Published: September 2015

Natural human Abs, recognizing an epitope within the first extramembrane loop of CCR5 (the main HIV coreceptor), induce a long-lasting internalization (48 h) of the protein, whereas all known CCR5 modulating molecules show a short-term kinetics (60–90 min). Despite extensive studies on the regulation of CCR5 signaling cascades, which are the effect of concomitant CCR5 internalization by exogenous stimuli such as Abs, downstream signaling continues to be poorly understood. In this article, we report a hitherto unrecognized mechanism of CCR5 modulation mediated by G protein–dependent ERK1 activity. We further demonstrate that ERK1 is localized mainly in the cytoplasmic compartment and that it interacts directly with the CCR5 protein, thus provoking possible CCR5 degradation with a subsequent de novo synthesis, and that re-expression of CCR5 on the cell membrane required several days. In contrast, the RANTES treatment induces a recovery of the receptor on the cell membrane in short-term kinetics without the involvement of de novo protein synthesis. The said new pathway could be relevant not only to better understand the molecular basis of all pathologic conditions in which CCR5 is involved but also to generate new tools to block viral infections, such as the use of recombinant Abs.
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Mitigate the Effects of Complement Attack by Endocytosis of C5b-9
Authors: Georgiannakis Apostolos , Burgoyne Tom , Lueck Katharina , Futter Clare , Greenwood John , Moss Stephen E.
Published: September 2015

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell death is a hallmark of age-related macular degeneration. The alternative pathway of complement activation is strongly implicated in RPE cell dysfunction and loss in age-related macular degeneration; therefore, it is critical that RPE cells use molecular strategies to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of complement attack. We show that the terminal complement complex C5b-9 assembles rapidly on the basal surface of cultured primary porcine RPE cells but disappears over 48 h without any discernable adverse effects on the cells. However, in the presence of the dynamin inhibitor dynasore, C5b-9 was almost completely retained at the cell surface, suggesting that, under normal circumstances, it is eliminated via the endocytic pathway. In support of this idea, we observed that C5b-9 colocalizes with the early endosome marker EEA1 and that, in the presence of protease inhibitors, it can be detected in lysosomes. Preventing the endocytosis of C5b-9 by RPE cells led to structural defects in mitochondrial morphology consistent with cell stress. We conclude that RPE cells use the endocytic pathway to prevent the accumulation of C5b-9 on the cell surface and that processing and destruction of C5b-9 by this route are essential for RPE cell survival.
INFLUENCE OF SICKLE CELL GENE ON THE ALLELIC DIVERSITY AT THE MSP-1 LOCUS OF PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH SEVERE MALARIA
Authors: Patel Dilip Kumar , Mashon Ranjeet Singh , Purohit Prasanta , Patel Siris , Meher Satyabrata , Dehury Snehadhini , Marndi Chhatray , Das Kishalaya , Kullu Bipin Kishore , Das Padmalaya
Published: September 2015

Although several studies have supported that sickle cell trait (HbAS) protects against falciparum malaria, the exact mechanism by which sickle gene confers protection is unclear. Further, there is no information on the influence of sickle gene on parasitic diversity of P. falciparum population in severe symptomatic malaria.  This study was undertaken to assess the effect of the sickle gene on the parasite densities and diversities in hospitalized adult patients with severe falciparum malaria. The study was carried out in 166 adult hospitalized subjects with severe falciparum malaria at Sickle Cell Clinic and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla, Odisha, India . They were divided into three groups on the basis of hemoglobin variants HbAA (n=104), HbAS (n=30) and HbSS (n=32). The msp-1 loci was genotyped using a PCR based methodology. The parasite densities were significantly high in HbAA compared to HbAS and HbSS. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) and multiclonicity for msp-1 were significantly low in HbSS and HbAS compared to HbAA. The prevalence of K1 (p<0 .0001) and MAD20 (p=0.0003) alleles were significantly high in HbAA. The RO33 allele was detected at a higher frequency in HbSS and HbAS, compared to K1 and MAD20. Sickle gene was found to reduce both the parasite densities and diversity of P. falciparum in adults with severe malaria.
THE DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF PULSED WAVE TISSUE DOPPLER IMAGING IN ASYMPTOMATIC BETA- THALASSEMIA MAJOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS ; RELATION TO CHEMICAL BIOMARKERS OF LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION AND IRON OVERLOAD .
Authors: Ragab Seham
Published: September 2015

Background: Cardiac iron toxicity is the leading cause of death among  β-halassaemia major (TM)  patients.  Once  heart failure becomes overt , it will be  difficult to reverse . Objectives: To investigate non overt cardiac dysfunctions  in TM patients using  pulsed wave Tissue Doppler  Imaging (TD I) and its relation to the iron overload and brain natruritic peptide (BNP). Methods: Thorough  clinical , conventional echo and  pulsed  wave TDI  parameters were compared between  asymtomatic 25 β-TM  patients  and 20 age and gender matched individuals. Serum ferritin and plasma BNP  levels were assayed by  ELISA .  Results: TM patients had significant higher mitral inflow early diastolic (E) wave and  non significant other conventional echo  parameters. Pulsed wave TDI revealed systolic and diastolic dysfunctions in the form of significant higher  isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) , ejection time ( E T) and  isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) with significantly lower  mitral annulus  early diastolic velocity E` (12.07 ±2.06 vs 15.04±2.65 ,P= 0.003)  in patients compared to  controls. Plasma BNP was higher in patients compared to the controls.  Plasma BNP and serum ferritin had significant correlation with each other and with pulsed wave conventional and TDI indices of systolic and diastolic functions.  Patients with E/E` ≥ 8 had  significant higher  serum ferritin  and plasma BNP levels compared to those with E/E` ratio < 8 without difference in Hb levels .Conclusion:  Pulsed wave TDI  is an  important diagnostic tool for latent cardiac dysfunction in iron loaded TM patients and is related to iron overload and BNP .
Spatial Patterns of Plasmodium falciparum Clinical Incidence, Asymptomatic Parasite Carriage and Anopheles Density in Two Villages in Mali
Authors: Sissoko Mahamadou S. , van den Hoogen Lotus L. , Samake Yacouba , Tapily Amadou , Diarra Adama Z. , Coulibaly Maimouna , Bouare Madama , Gaudart Jean , Knight Philip , Sauerwein Robert W. , Takken Willem , Bousema Teun , Doumbo Ogobara K.
Published: September 2015

Heterogeneity in malaria exposure is most readily recognized in areas with low-transmission patterns. By comparison, little research has been done on spatial patterns in malaria exposure in high-endemic settings. We determined the spatial clustering of clinical malaria incidence, asymptomatic parasite carriage, and Anopheles density in two villages in Mali exposed to low- and mesoendemic-malaria transmission. In the two study areas that were < 1 km2 in size, we observed evidence for spatial clustering of Anopheles densities or malaria parasite carriage during the dry season. Anopheles density and malaria prevalence appeared associated in some of our detected hotspots. However, many households with high parasite prevalence or high Anopheles densities were located outside the identified hotspots. Our findings indicate that within small villages exposed to low- or mesoendemic-malaria transmission, spatial patterns in mosquito densities and parasite carriage are best detected in the dry season. Considering the high prevalence of parasite carriage outside detected hotspots, the suitability of the area for targeting control efforts to households or areas of more intense malaria transmission may be limited.
Human Coronavirus-Associated Influenza-Like Illness in the Community Setting in Peru
Authors: Razuri Hugo , Malecki Monika , Tinoco Yeny , Ortiz Ernesto , Guezala M. Claudia , Romero Candice , Estela Abel , Breña Patricia , Morales Maria-Luisa , Reaves Erik J. , Gomez Jorge , Uyeki Timothy M. , Widdowson Marc-Alain , Azziz-Baumgartner Eduardo , Bausch Daniel G. , Schildgen Verena , Schildgen Oliver , Montgomery Joel M.
Published: September 2015

We present findings describing the epidemiology of non-severe acute respiratory syndrome human coronavirus-associated influenza-like illness from a population-based active follow-up study in four different regions of Peru. In 2010, the prevalence of infections by human coronaviruses 229E, OC43, NL63, or HKU1 was 6.4% in participants with influenza-like illness who tested negative for influenza viruses. Ten of 11 human coronavirus infections were identified in the fall–winter season. Human coronaviruses are present in different regions of Peru and are relatively frequently associated with influenza-like illness in Peru.
Typhoid Fever Complicated by Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Rhabdomyolysis
Authors: Non Lemuel R. , Patel Rupa , Esmaeeli Amir , Despotovic Vladimir
Published: September 2015

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and rhabdomyolysis are rare complications of typhoid fever from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Herein, we describe the clinical features in a 21-year-old female from India who presented to the intensive care unit with fever, severe pancytopenia, and rhabdomyolysis.
Sensitivity of the recent methane budget to LMDz sub-grid-scale physical parameterizations
Authors: Locatelli R. , Bousquet P. , Saunois M. , Chevallier F. , Cressot C.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. With the densification of surface observing networks and the development of remote sensing of greenhouse gases from space, estimations of methane (CH4) sources and sinks by inverse modeling are gaining additional constraining data but facing new challenges. The chemical transport model (CTM) linking the flux space to methane mixing ratio space must be able to represent these different types of atmospheric constraints for providing consistent flux estimations. Here we quantify the impact of sub-grid-scale physical parameterization errors on the global methane budget inferred by inverse modeling. We use the same inversion setup but different physical parameterizations within one CTM. Two different schemes for vertical diffusion, two others for deep convection, and one additional for thermals in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) are tested. Different atmospheric methane data sets are used as constraints (surface observations or satellite retrievals). At the global scale, methane emissions differ, on average, from 4.1 Tg CH4 per year due to the use of different sub-grid-scale parameterizations. Inversions using satellite total-column mixing ratios retrieved by GOSAT are less impacted, at the global scale, by errors in physical parameterizations. Focusing on large-scale atmospheric transport, we show that inversions using the deep convection scheme of Emanuel (1991) derive smaller interhemispheric gradients in methane emissions, indicating a slower interhemispheric exchange. At regional scale, the use of different sub-grid-scale parameterizations induces uncertainties ranging from 1.2 % (2.7 %) to 9.4 % (14.2 %) of methane emissions when using only surface measurements from a background (or an extended) surface network. Moreover, spatial distribution of methane emissions at regional scale can be very different, depending on both the physical parameterizations used for the modeling of the atmospheric transport and the observation data sets used to constrain the inverse system. When using only satellite data from GOSAT, we show that the small biases found in inversions using a coarser version of the transport model are actually masking a poor representation of the stratosphere–troposphere methane gradient in the model. Improving the stratosphere–troposphere gradient reveals a larger bias in GOSAT CH4 satellite data, which largely amplifies inconsistencies between the surface and satellite inversions. A simple bias correction is proposed. The results of this work provide the level of confidence one can have for recent methane inversions relative to physical parameterizations included in CTMs.
Trends in concentrations of atmospheric gaseous and particulate species in rural eastern Tennessee as related to primary emission reductions
Authors: Tanner R. L. , Bairai S. T. , Mueller S. F.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Air quality measurements at Look Rock, Tennessee – on the western edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – were begun in 1980 and expanded during the 1980s to a National Park Service (NPS) IMPROVE network station. Measurements were expanded again by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA, 1999–2007) to examine the effects of electric generating unit (EGU) emission reductions of SO2 and NOx on air quality at the station. Analysis of temporal trends (1999–2013) has been conducted at the site in collaboration with activities related to the 2013 Southeast Atmosphere Study (SAS) at Look Rock and other southeastern US locations. Key findings from these trend studies include the observation that primary pollutant levels have consistently tracked emission reductions from EGUs and other primary sources in the region, but reductions in secondary pollutants such as particulate sulfate and, specifically, ozone have been smaller compared to reductions in primary emissions. Organic carbonaceous material (OM) remains a major contributor (30–40 % in the period 2009–2013) to fine particulate mass at the site, as confirmed by ACSM measurements at the site in 2013. A large portion (65–85 %) of carbon in OM derives from modern carbon sources based on 14C measurements. Important parameters affecting ozone levels, fine mass, and visibility also include the specific diurnal meteorology at this ridge-top site, its location in a predominantly mixed-deciduous forest, and the presence of primary sources of precursors at distances of 50–500 km from the site in all directions.
Climate changes since the mid-Holocene in the Middle Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Nourelbait M. , Rhoujjati A. , Benkaddour A. , Carré M. , Eynaud F. , Martinez P. , Cheddadi R.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. The Holocene climate is known to be rather stable although with few abrupt changes that lasted few decades. The present study is related the climate changes and their environmental impacts during the last 6000 years from a fossil record collected in the Middle Atlas, Morocco. Reconstruction of three climate variables (January temperature (Tjan), annual precipitation (Pann) and a precipitation seasonal index (SI)) was based on pollen data and analyzed various bio and geo-chemical elements. Then we evaluated the relationships between all the environmental variables. Climate over the last 6000 years was rather stable with a smooth trend of aridity towards the present. Tjan has varied within about 2 °C range and Pann within less than 100 mm yr−1. Despite such overall climate stability, after ca. 3750 cal BP some important changes were observe in the ecosystem composition, the carbon isotopic contents of organic matter in lake sediments (δ13C), the total organic carbon and nitrogen amount and the carbon to nitrogen ratio (C / N). These environmental changes are related to the transition in the conifer forest between the Atlas cedar, which expanded after 3750 cal BP, and the pine forest. These vegetation changes have impacted the sedimentation type and composition into the lake. Between 5500 and 5000 cal BP an abrupt change is recorded in all bio and geo-chemical indicators as well as in the pollen data. The multi-proxy analysis, taking into account the climate variables, tends to indicate that it was mainly a decrease in temperature without a significant change in the overall amount of precipitation. In summary, the present study confirms the overall climate stability over the last 6000 years and highlights the presence of short and abrupt climate events.
Late Holocene vegetation changes in relation with climate fluctuations and human activities in Languedoc (Southern France)
Authors: Azuara J. , Combourieu-Nebout N. , Lebreton V. , Mazier F. , Müller S. D. , Dezileau L.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Holocene climate fluctuations and human activities since the Neolithic have shaped present-day Mediterranean environments. Separating anthropogenic effects from climatic impacts to reconstruct Mediterranean paleoenvironments over the last millennia remains a challenging issue. High resolution pollen analyses were undertaken on two cores from the Palavasian lagoon system (Hérault, southern France). These records allow reconstruction of vegetation dynamics over the last 4500 years. Results are compared with climatic, historical and archeological archives. A long-term aridification trend is highlighted during the Late Holocene and three superimposed arid events are recorded at 4600–4300, 2800–2400 and 1300–1100 cal BP. These periods of climatic instability coincide in time with the rapid climatic events depicted in the Atlantic Ocean (Bond et al., 2001). From the Bronze Age (4000 cal BP) to the end of the Iron Age (around 2000 cal BP), the spread of evergreen taxa and loss of forest cover result from anthropogenic impact. The Antiquity is characterized by a major reforestation event related to the concentration of rural activities and populations in coastal plains leading to forest recovery in the mountains. A major regional deforestation occurred at the beginning of the High Middle Ages. Around 1000 cal BP, forest cover is minimal while cover of olive, chestnut and walnut expands in relation to increasing human influence. The present day vegetation dominated by Mediterranean shrubland and pines has been in existence since the beginning of the 20th century.
Prediction of cloud condensation nuclei activity for organic compounds using functional group contribution methods
Authors: Petters M. D. , Kreidenweis S. M. , Ziemann P. J.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. A wealth of recent laboratory and field experiments demonstrate that organic aerosol composition evolves with time in the atmosphere, leading to changes in the influence of the organic fraction to cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectra. There is a need for tools that can realistically represent the evolution of CCN activity to better predict indirect effects of organic aerosol on clouds and climate. This work describes a model to predict the CCN activity of organic compounds from functional group composition. The model combines Köhler theory with semi-empirical group contribution methods to estimate molar volumes, activity coefficients and liquid-liquid phase boundaries to predict the effective hygroscopicity parameter, kappa. Model evaluation against a selected database of published laboratory measurements demonstrates that kappa can be predicted within a factor of two. Simulation of homologous series is used to identify the relative effectiveness of different functional groups in increasing the CCN activity of weakly functionalized organic compounds. Hydroxyl, carboxyl, aldehyde, hydroperoxide, carbonyl, and ether moieties promote CCN activity while methylene and nitrate moieties inhibit CCN activity. The model can be incorporated into scale-bridging testbeds such as the Generator of Explicit Chemistry and Kinetics of Organics in the Atmosphere to evaluate the evolution of kappa for a complex mix of organic compounds and to develop suitable parameterizations of CCN evolution for larger scale models.
A review of applications of satellite SAR, optical, altimetry and DEM data for surface water modelling, mapping and parameter estimation
Authors: Musa Z. N. , Popescu I. , Mynett A.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Hydrological data collection requires deployment of physical infrastructure like rain gauges, water level gauges, as well as use of expensive equipment like echo sounders. Many countries around the world have recorded a decrease in deployment of physical infrastructure for hydrological measurements; developing countries especially have less of this infrastructure and, where it exists, it is poorly maintained. Satellite remote sensing can bridge this gap, and has been applied by hydrologists over the years, with the earliest applications in water body and flood mapping. With the availability of more optical satellites with relatively low temporal resolutions globally, satellite data are commonly used for mapping of water bodies, testing of inundation models, precipitation monitoring, and mapping of flood extent. Use of satellite data to estimate hydrological parameters continues to increase due to use of better sensors, improvement in knowledge of and utilization of satellite data, and expansion of research topics. A review of applications of satellite remote sensing in surface water modelling, mapping and parameter estimation is presented, and its limitations for surface water applications are also discussed.
Reviving the Ganges Water Machine: why?
Authors: Amarasinghe U. A. , Mutuwatte L. , Surinaidu L. , Anand S. , Jain S. K.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. The Ganges River Basin may have a major pending water crisis. Although the basin has abundant surface water and groundwater resources, the seasonal monsoon causes a mismatch between supply and demand as well as flooding. Water availability and flood potential is high during the 3–4 months of the monsoon season. Yet, the highest demands occur during the 8–9 months of the non-monsoon period. Addressing this mismatch requires substantial additional storage for both flood reduction and improvements in water supply. Due to hydrogeological, environmental, and social constraints, expansion of surface storage in the Ganges River Basin is problematic. A range of interventions that focus more on the use of subsurface storage (SSS), and on the acceleration of surface–subsurface water exchange, have long been known as the "Ganges Water Machine". One approach for providing such SSS is through additional pumping prior to the onset of the monsoon season. An important necessary condition for creating such SSS is the degree of unmet water demand. This paper highlights that an unmet water demand ranging from 59 to 119 Bm3 exists under two different irrigation water use scenarios: (i) to increase Rabi and hot weather season irrigation to the entire irrigable area, and (ii) to provide Rabi and hot weather season irrigation to the entire cropped area. This paper shows that SSS can enhance water supply, and provide benefits for irrigation and other water use sectors. In addition, it can buffer the inherent variability in water supply and mitigate extreme flooding, especially in the downstream parts of the basin. It can also increase river flow during low-flow months via baseflow or enable the re-allocation of irrigation canal water. Importantly, SSS can mitigate the negative effects of both flooding and water scarcity in the same year, which often affects the most vulnerable segments of society – women and children, the poor and other disadvantaged social groups.
The environmental balance of the Alta Val d'Agri: a contribution to the evaluation of the industrial risk and strategic sustainable development
Authors: Loperte S. , Cosmi C.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. This study presents the preliminary environmental balance of the Alta Val d'Agri (Basilicata Region, Southern Italy), an area of great naturalistic interest characterized by the presence of huge oil and gas fields. The Driving Forces-Pressure-State-Impact-Responses (DPSIR) methodology was used to outline the background in terms of environmental impacts mainly caused by oil extraction activities, as well as potential existing responses. The study aims at providing stakeholders with an exhaustive framework to identify the existing data, the main sources of pollution, their potential impacts, the associated industrial risks and the existing policy strategies. Moreover, the DPSIR approach allows the identification of the vulnerable areas and the definition of targeted actions for a sustainable development of the area.
Closer View at the Stock Market Liquidity: A Literature Review
Authors: Kumar Gaurav , Misra Arun Kumar
Published: September 2015

Liquidity is said to be the lifeblood of stock markets. It has prominent implications for traders, regulators, stock exchanges and the listed firms. In recent years a huge amount of literature has emerged that deals with liquidity. This article classifies and organises the literature and provides a critical review of the frameworks currently available for modelling liquidity and its macroeconomic and firm specific drivers. Commonality and intraday behaviour of liquidity in various markets is discussed under the umbrella of market microstructures.  Subsequently, liquidity risk as a factor in Asset pricing is analysed taking various models in to consideration. Finally, the study reviewed the impact of liquidity on corporate finance decisions viz. dividends, firm valuation, stock split, capital structure etc.
EFL Learners’ Perspectives upon Creating Contextual English for Specific Purposes
Authors: Chen Ai-Hwa
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine students’ perspectives on taking the specific course entitled, Escort English, and reveal the effects of creating contextual English through the use of project-based learning techniques. The course was an elective two credit hours a semester and was offered two semesters consecutively in the Applied English Department at a technological university located in the center of Taiwan. It was the first semester while this study was being conducted. Thirty-two junior students participated in this course. In addition to attending the regular class meetings, students were asked to do a group project after school. Based on specific topics designated by the instructor, students needed to write a contextual dialogue and do role-play at a real or simulated location accompanied by a video making. After that, students shared their creative works and gave peer evaluation to one another in the class. In the findings, many students indicated that they had learned operations in the field of business and many useful vocabulary words and phrases relevant to the business which they had not learned from other courses taken previously. Most impressively, they claimed that they had learned the skills of making the videos by themselves. However, although all the students indicated that they had learned some English for specific purposes and became aware of this new knowledge which might be helpful for their future career because of conducting the extra group project, a number of the students did not take its subsequent course in the following semester. Student feedbacks complained that they spent too much time and efforts for the class. This implies that pursuing knowledge and English in specific fields is less important than engaging in easier coursework in students’ studies.
The Determinants of Cost/Profit Efficiency of Islamic Banks Before, During and After the Subprime Crisis Using SFA Approach
Authors: Mghaieth Asma , Khanchel Imen
Published: August 2015

In this paper we estimate the determinants of cost and profit efficiency of Islamic banks using the stochastic frontier approach SFA. We use 62 Islamic banks in sixteen countries of the MENA and South-East Asia regions during the period 2004-2010. We compare the efficiency between Islamic banks during the subprime crisis phases. Moreover, we examine the variables specific to the banks which can explain the sources of inefficiency and those let us decline the scores of cost and profit efficiency on a specific number of variables (total assets, capital adequacy, profitability, credit risk, operational costs). Results reveal that, Islamic banks in our study are more efficient in the generation of the profits rather than in the control of the costs. Thus, only the total assets and the operational costs represent the determinants of cost efficiency of the Islamic banks. Finally, for the profit efficiency our results indicate that the Islamic banks with high equities and high ratio of profitability are efficient in terms of profit.
Self-Regulatory Policy of Accounting and Auditing Profession and Its Effect on Audit Expectation Gap in Nigeria
Authors: Onulaka Paul N.
Published: August 2015

From the very beginning, auditing is pretty much a self-regulated profession and has some ethical rules of thumb to follow in practice. But the plethora of corporate failures and scandals in recent past where auditors’ instrumental role is evident in many instances raise question about the validity and suitability of “self-regulation” in auditing, especially in Nigeria and some other parts of the world where auditors need to perform auditing in ever complex risk management process. However, to restore the public confidences within and outside the auditing profession and to raise the overall audit quality, many countries are establishing some super regulatory bodies to set accounting and auditing standards and regulate the activities of auditors with a view to reducing audit expectation gap. The reason for this paradigm shift is because events over the last decades has shown that an inverse relationship appears to be existing between efforts being made to reduce audit expectations gap by accounting and auditing profession and the actual number of audit failures.  This study adopted a cross sectional survey design. This was designed to investigate whether there is a relationship between the self-regulation of accounting and auditing profession in Nigeria and audit expectation gap.  Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used for data analysis.  The finding shows a strong relationship between self-regulation and audit expectation gap and the deficient standard gap is not only associated with selfregulation but other legal pronouncements which the respondents considered obsolete and need to be revamped.
Sorghum Accessions for Use as Cover Crops and Biofuel Feedstocks
Authors: Bicksler Abram Jared , Masiunas John B
Published: August 2015

Phenotypes of sorghum species (Sorghum sp.) have characteristics making them valuable summer annual cover crops and/or biofuel feedstocks for temperate climates. In field studies conducted at Urbana, IL, USA, fourteen USDA sorghum landrace accessions and three commercial sorghum accessions were evaluated for their growth habits and regrowth potential. In Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) analysis, the first two canonical variates were significant and accounted for 86% of the among-accession variability. Unmown tiller number, regrowth tiller number, and regrowth biomass best discriminated between accessions in CDA and scattergrams. The accessions clustered into three subgroups. Three multi-stemmed accessions (two commercial varieties and one USDA accession) with an ability to regrow clustered away from the bulk of the USDA sorghums. Multi-stemmed accessions are useful for breeding improved summer annual cover crops that are tall, produce copious amounts of biomass, and rapidly regrow after defoliation; although propensity to lodging and poor germination of accessions will need attention. Additionally, landrace sorghum accessions in the USDA germplasm collection are useful for breeding cover crop and biofuel feedstocks, due to their great height and biomass production, although it will be necessary to select for improved regrowth potential. Crosses between USDA landraces and the commercially available multi-stemmed accessions could lead to a sorghum cover crop and biofuel plant with great biomass and height and ability to regrow following defoliation.
Performance Management in Government Internal Audits: Critical Success Factors
Authors: Aikins Stephen Kwamena
Published: August 2015

This study investigates the factors that impact successful performance management in government internal audit units. Studies show that besides formal compliance with statutory and administrative mandates such as compilation and reporting, public sector performance measures are not utilized for managerial decision making, budgetary allocation and accountability. The National Performance Management Advisory Commission has identified in the Performance Management Framework for State and Local Government, activities that constitute key factors for sustaining performance management. Using 2012 benchmarking data from the Association of Local Government Auditors,  this study analyzed the extent to which the uses of government internal audit performance reports, as well as audit performance of the activities identified as key factors in the above-mentioned framework,  impact successful audit performance management. Results show that successful performance management is a function of audit oversight body’s commitment, audit staff accountability, availability of adequate resources, as well as the use of audit performance report to monitor achievement against performance objectives, and to coordinate efforts within government. The results also generally confirm both the literature on the low utilization of performance measures and many key factors outlined in the performance management framework.
A Comparative Study on the Customers’ Motivation to Deal with E-Commerce through E-Banking Services in Saudi Islamic and Conventional Banks
Authors: Alotaibi Mohammed Naif , Asutay Professor Mehmet
Published: August 2015

Purpose -The aim of this paper is to investigate the customers’ motivation to deal with e-commerce through e-banking servicesaccording to the perceptions of their customers.Design / methodology / approach - This paper presents the initial findings with the objective of developing an efficient understanding of customers’ preferences based on their opinions and perceptions expressed through a questionnaire survey.Findings - The findings are based on a sample of 198 customers and indicate that the majority of the respondents from both types of banks tend to be equally motivated to deal with e-commerce through e-banking services. The paper also finds that both groups of banks encourage their customers to deal with e-commerce using facilities in Saudi banks.Research limitation / implications - The study has considered only six banks out of the total of 12 in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the research is based on a limited selection of bank customers in three main regions of Saudi Arabia, covering 65.5% of the Saudi population.Practical implications - With reference to practical implications, the findings suggest that the customers’ motivation to deal with e-commerce through e-banking servicescan play an essential rolein expanding dealing with e-commerce in Saudi Arabia.Originality/value – This is the first paper in the area of customers’ motivation to deal with e-commercethrough e-banking serviceson a comparative analysis of Islamic and conventional banks in Saudi Arabia. The findings and implications of the research offers invaluable information to the industry and policy-makers.
Las técnicas geomáticas aplicadas en la agricultura: el catastro agrícola en Cuba
Authors: Ponvert Delisles DR , Kelly F Samuel , Reyes I
Published: August 2015

Las técnicas geomáticas, geoinformáticas o de geoinformación, como se prefiera nombrarlas, son un conjunto de tecnologías geoespaciales así como programas informáticos especializados para el análisis de los datos y su representación espacial. Entre las más importantes destacan la teledetección, los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), los Sistemas de Posicionamiento Global (GPS) y la cartografía, así como el software para el procesamiento digital y representación CAD, entre otros. Hoy en día sería casi imposible gestionar los procesos agrarios sin recurrir al empleo de alguna de estas técnicas. Una de las herramientas cartográficas temáticas fundamentales son los mapas catastrales, definidos como documentos cartográficos que representan los bienes inmuebles de un área agrícola con suficiente detalle espacial para facilitar la gestión a nivel de parcelas, sub-parcelas e incluso a escala intraparcelaria. Precisamente el trabajo tiene como objetivo demostrar la necesidad e importancia del empleo de las herramientas catastrales para lograr una gestión agraria y territorial eficiente. Para ello se hace analiza el avance del catastro como sistema en Cuba, llegando a la concepción contemporánea y se particulariza en los catastros especializados para el sector, mostrando un ejemplo concreto que permite a los directivos y especialistas de las pymes apreciar sus bondades.Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 2 Otoño, 2015; 11-28
Pautas para la medición de la estructura de la ciudad actual, en el marco del modelo urbano disperso, utilizando el catastro de urbana. Aplicación al municipio suburbano de Getafe, Madrid
Authors: Santos Preciado José Miguel
Published: August 2015

La realidad de nuestras grandes urbes muestra cómo la ciudad compacta se está transformando en una ciudad cada vez más dispersa y fragmentada, con periferias más extensas y límites más difusos. La dispersión de la ciudad por el territorio ha estado acompañada, en general, de cierta pérdida de su tradicional complejidad, debido a la similitud funcional y separación espacial de las diversas partes que conforman su estructura urbana.En este contexto, el uso del catastro de urbana, como repositorio de datos espaciales, resulta de gran interés en la investigación funcional de la ciudad. El trabajo que presentamos tiene como objetivo definir una metodología aproximativa a la identificación tipológica de unidades estructurales básicas de la ciudad actual, en el municipio suburbano de Getafe (Madrid), a partir de la combinación potencial de los usos del suelo existentes en cada parcela catastral.Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 2 Otoño, 2015; 59-79
La visualización del tiempo: de los sistemas de información geográfica a la animación cartográfica
Authors: Hruby Florian , Castillo Aja María Del Rocío , Valdivia Ornelas Luis
Published: August 2015

El trabajo propuesto pretende discutir el potencial de visualizaciones del tiempo desde una perspectiva teórica y práctica. Las preguntas teóricas abarcan las características del tiempo, la ampliación de las variables visuales de Bertin (1967) con las variables dinámicas de DiBiase et al. (1992) y una tipología de animaciones para estructurar el factor “tiempo” exhaustivamente. A partir de estas bases teóricas podemos analizar, cómo los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) permiten actualmente la visualización de datos temporales. Sin embargo, este análisis no se limita en una descripción de avances y limitaciones de los SIG, sino que intenta mostrar cómo datos espaciales exportados desde un SIG pueden ser enriquecidos mediante el tratamiento con software de autoría multimedia para la realización de visualizaciones animadas de procesos dinámicos. La actualización del Atlas de riesgos por fenómenos naturales del Estado de Jalisco se usará para ilustrar aspectos tanto teóricos como prácticos del presente artículo.Revista Ciencias Espaciales, Volumen 8, Número 2 Otoño, 2015; 97-112