bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Cultivation and Moral Choice
Authors: Maskivker Julia
Published: May 2013

Philosophical luminaries including Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, David Hume, and John Stuart Mill have all theorized that our human capacity of reason calls us to become the best that we can be by developing our “natural abilities.” This article explores the thesis that the development of our talents is not a moral duty to oneself and suggests that it may be avoided for other reasons than failures of rationality. In the face of the opportunity-costs associated with different life-goals, resistance to developing our powers may spring from an informed and perfectly rational choice in favor of an equally valuable alternative to talent development as a way of life. Thus, the arguments in this essay suggest that the predominant, rationalistic view in defense of a duty to develop one’s talents ignores a distinctively human capacity, namely, the capacity for reasoned moral choice. The paper argues, however, that we do well in viewing the development of one’s talents as worthwhile. In other words, it is correct to sustain that the individual would be acting in a morally deficient manner if she declined to develop her abilities for the wrong reasons even if no duty to self to avoid that course of action exists.
The Demise of China’s Overseas Chinese State Farms
Authors: Xiaorong Han
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Based on published sources and information gathered from oral interviews, this article traces the origins and evolution of the overseas Chinese state farms and analyzes the reasons for and results of their recent localization. The author argues that some major changes that have taken place in China since the late 1970s, including the transition from planned to market economy, the rapid transformation of rural China, the changing dynamics between the central and local governments, and the overall shift in the Chinese Communist Party’s policy orientations made localization of the overseas Chinese state farms imperative and inevitable. He asserts that despite some serious problems, localization ultimately will benefĳit the state farm residents and eventually lead to the disappearance of overseas Chinese state farms and the further assimilation of returned overseas Chinese into larger society.
Bituminaria basaltica (Fabaceae), a new species from Italy
Authors: MINISSALE PIETRO , BRULLO CRISTIAN , BRULLO SALVATORE , DEL GALDO GIANPIETRO GIUSSO , SCIANDRELLO SAVERIO
Published: May 2013

Bituminaria basaltica is described and illustrated from Filicudi, an islet of the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). This new species, belonging to a small genus of Fabaceae occurring in the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands, is morphologically distinct from the other taxa in the following features: leaf shape and size, inflorescence size, petal colour, size and shape of flowers, pods and seeds. Its relationships with the known species of Bituminaria are examined and a key to the genus is provided.
A new species of Szelenyiopria Fabritius (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), larval parasitoid of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Brazil
Authors: LOIÁCONO MARTA , MARGARÍA CECILIA , MOREIRA DENISE D.O.
Published: May 2013

Szelenyiopria talitae sp. nov. is described and illustrated. This species is shown to be a larval parasitoid of Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus (Forel).
Taxonomic study on the planthopper genus Macrocixius Matsumura (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae) with descriptions of two new species from China
Authors: ZHANG PEI , CHEN XIANG-SHENG
Published: May 2013

The cixiid planthopper genus Macrocixius Matsumura, 1914 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Cixiidae: Cixiini) is known to from two species: M. giganteus Matsumura, 1914 and M. grossus Tsaur & Hsu, 1991 which are redescribed and illustrated. Two new species, M. rarimaculatus sp. nov. and M. unispinus sp. nov. from south China, are described and illustrated. The generic characteristics are redefined and a key to the species is provided.
Cloud-State-Dependent Sampling in AIRS Observations Based on CloudSat Cloud Classification
Authors: Yue Qing , Fetzer Eric J. , Kahn Brian H. , Wong Sun , Manipon Gerald , Guillaume Alexandre , Wilson Brian
Published: May 2013

The precision, accuracy, and potential sampling biases of temperature T and water vapor q vertical profiles obtained by satellite infrared sounding instruments are highly cloud-state dependent and poorly quantified. The authors describe progress toward a comprehensive T and q climatology derived from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) suite that is a function of cloud state based on collocated CloudSat observations. The AIRS sampling rates, biases, and center root-mean-square differences (CRMSD) are determined through comparisons of pixel-scale collocated ECMWF model analysis data. The results show that AIRS provides a realistic representation of most meteorological regimes in most geographical regions, including those dominated by high thin cirrus and shallow boundary layer clouds. The mean AIRS observational biases relative to the ECMWF analysis between the surface and 200 hPa are within ±1 K in T and from −1 to +0.5 g kg−1 in q. Biases because of cloud-state-dependent sampling dominate the total biases in the AIRS data and are largest in the presence of deep convective (DC) and nimbostratus (Ns) clouds. Systematic cold and dry biases are found throughout the free troposphere for DC and Ns. Somewhat larger biases are found over land and in the midlatitudes than over the oceans and in the tropics, respectively. Tropical and oceanic regions generally have a smaller CRMSD than the midlatitudes and over land, suggesting agreement of T and q variability between AIRS and ECMWF in these regions. The magnitude of CRMSD is also strongly dependent on cloud type.
A Numerical Study of Salt Fluxes in Delaware Bay Estuary
Authors: Aristizábal María , Chant Robert
Published: May 2013

The results of a numerical study of Delaware Bay using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) are presented. The simulations are run over a range of steady river inputs and used M2 and S2 tidal components to capture the spring–neap variability. Results provide a description of the spatial and temporal structure of the estuarine exchange flow and the salinity field, as well the along-channel salt flux in the estuary. The along-channel salt flux is decomposed into an advective term associated with the river flow, a steady shear dispersion Fe associated with the estuarine exchange flow, and a tidal oscillatory salt flux Ft. Time series of Fe and Ft show that both are larger during neap tide than during spring. This time variability of Ft, which is contrary to existing scalings, is caused by the lateral flows that bring velocity and salinity out of quadrature and the stronger stratification during neap tide, which causes Ft to be enhanced relative to spring tide. A fit for the salt intrusion length L with river discharge Q for a number of isohalines is performed. The functional dependences of L with Q are significantly weaker than Q−1/3 scaling. It is concluded that the response of the salt field with river discharge is due to the dependence of Fe and Ft with Q and the relative importance of Ft to the total upstream salt flux: as river discharge increases, Fe becomes the dominant mechanism. Once Fe dominates, the salt field stiffens because of a reduction of the vertical eddy viscosity with increasing Q.
Observations of Barotropic Oscillations and Their Influence on Mixing in the Faroe Bank Channel Overflow Region
Authors: Darelius E. , Ullgren J. E. , Fer I.
Published: May 2013

Observations of hydrography, currents, and microstructure are presented together with sea surface height (SSH) patterns from concurrent satellite tracks to describe the subinertial oscillations in the region downstream of the Faroe Bank Channel overflow. Energetic oscillations with a dominant 3–5-day period have previously been observed in the dense bottom layer and found to be consistent with topographic Rossby waves. Here, the authors present evidence that the oscillations extend over the whole water column and are connected to a wave-like pattern in SSH along the continental slope. The waves are observed in two satellite tracks running parallel to the slope and indicate a wavelength of 50–75 km, an amplitude of about 5 cm, and a phase speed of 15–20 cm s−1. The pattern extends at least 450 km along the slope. Repeat occupations of a section through a 4-day period show a barotropic velocity anomaly that is associated with an increase in plume transport [from 0.5 to 2.5 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1)] and interface height (from 100 to 200 m) as well as changes in dissipation rates and mixing. Estimates of entrainment velocity wE vary with a factor of 102 over the oscillation period, and there is an inverse relation between wE and plume thickness, that is, mixing is most intense when the dense bottom layer is thin. High values of wE coincide with a large percentage of critical Richardson numbers in the interfacial layer. The rotational motion, or the horizontal “stirring,” is observed to bring water from the south, traceable because of its low oxygen concentrations, into the plume.
Assessment of Sea Surface Wind from NWP Reanalyses and Satellites in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Li Ming , Liu Jiping , Wang Zhenzhan , Wang Hui , Zhang Zhanhai , Zhang Lin , Yang Qinghua
Published: May 2013

Reanalysis projects and satellite data analysis have provided surface wind over the global ocean. To assess how well one can reconstruct the variations of surface wind in the data-sparse Southern Ocean, sea surface wind speed data from 1) the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–Department of Energy reanalysis (NCEP–DOE), 2) the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim), 3) National Climate Data Center (NCDC) blended sea winds, and 4) cross-calibrated multiplatform (CCMP) ocean surface velocity are evaluated. First, the accuracy of sea surface wind speed is validated with quality-controlled in situ measurements from research vessels. The results show that the CCMP value is closer to the ship observations than other products, whereas the NCEP–DOE value has the largest systematic positive bias. All four products show large positive biases under weak wind regimes, good agreement with the ship observations under moderate wind regimes, and large negative biases under high wind regimes. Second, the consistency and discrepancy of sea surface wind speed across different products is examined. The intercomparisons suggest that these products show encouraging agreement in the spatial distribution of the annual-mean sea surface wind speed. The largest across-data scatter is found in the central Indian sector of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which is comparable to its respective interannual variability. The monthly-mean correlations between pairs of products are high. However, differing from the decadal trends of NCEP–DOE, NCDC, and CCMP that show an increase of sea surface wind speed in the Antarctic Circumpolar region, ERA-Interim has an opposite sign there.
Improvements to the Operational Tropical Cyclone Wind Speed Probability Model
Authors: DeMaria Mark , Knaff John A. , Brennan Michael J. , Brown Daniel , Knabb Richard D. , DeMaria Robert T. , Schumacher Andrea , Lauer Christopher A. , Roberts David P. , Sampson Charles R. , Santos Pablo , Sharp David , Winters Katherine A.
Published: May 2013

The National Hurricane Center Hurricane Probability Program, which estimated the probability of a tropical cyclone passing within a specific distance of a selected set of coastal stations, was replaced by the more general Tropical Cyclone Surface Wind Speed Probabilities in 2006. A Monte Carlo (MC) method is used to estimate the probabilities of 34-, 50-, and 64-kt (1 kt = 0.51 m s−1) winds at multiple time periods through 120 h. Versions of the MC model are available for the Atlantic, the combined eastern and central North Pacific, and the western North Pacific. This paper presents a verification of the operational runs of the MC model for the period 2008–11 and describes model improvements since 2007. The most significant change occurred in 2010 with the inclusion of a method to take into account the uncertainty of the track forecasts on a case-by-case basis, which is estimated from the spread of a dynamical model ensemble and other parameters. The previous version represented the track uncertainty from the error distributions from the previous 5 yr of forecasts from the operational centers, with no case-to-case variability. Results show the MC model provides robust estimates of the wind speed probabilities using a number of standard verification metrics, and that the inclusion of the case-by-case measure of track uncertainty improved the probability estimates. Beginning in 2008, an older operational wind speed probability table product was modified to include information from the MC model. This development and a verification of the new version of the table are described.
Promoting an occupational perspective in public health
Authors: Moll Sandra E. , Gewurtz Rebecca E. , Krupa Terry M. , Law Mary C.
Published: May 2013

Background

Although the value of occupation for health and well-being is fundamental to the occupational therapy profession, this view is not well recognized in the field of public health.

Purpose

In this article, we argue that occupational therapists have a unique and valuable perspective to bring to the field of public health, particularly with respect to the importance of occupational engagement in promoting the health and well-being of Canadians.

Key Issues

There are many compelling reasons for public health advocacy, including the need to increase awareness of the health benefits and risks of occupational engagement for individuals and communities. Challenges that lie ahead, however, include issues related to terminology, the complexity of occupation, the need to consider multidimensional outcomes, and diversity of evidence.

Implications

To move forward, the profession of occupational therapy in Canada needs to position health promotion messaging in a way that clearly captures the complexity and value of occupation and resonates with Canadians of all ages and abilities.
Oral Arginine Metabolism May Decrease the Risk for Dental Caries in Children
Authors: Nascimento M.M. , Liu Y. , Kalra R. , Perry S. , Adewumi A. , Xu X. , Primosch R.E. , Burne R.A.
Published: May 2013

Arginine metabolism by oral bacteria via the arginine deiminase system (ADS) increases the local pH, which can neutralize the effects of acidification from sugar metabolism and reduce the cariogenicity of oral biofilms. To explore the relationship between oral arginine metabolism and dental caries experience in children, we measured ADS activity in oral samples from 100 children and correlated it with their caries status and type of dentition. Supragingival dental plaque was collected from tooth surfaces that were caries-lesion-free (PF) and from dentinal (PD) and enamel (PE) caries lesions. Regardless of children’s caries status or type of dentition, PF (378.6) had significantly higher ADS activity compared with PD (208.4; p < .001) and PE (194.8; p = .005). There was no significant difference in the salivary arginolytic activity among children with different caries status. Mixed-model analysis showed that plaque caries status is significantly associated with ADS activity despite children’s age, caries status, and dentition ( p < .001), with healthy plaque predicting higher ADS activity compared with diseased plaque. Plaque arginine metabolism varies greatly among children and tooth sites, which may affect their susceptibility to caries.
Neuropsychological and Intellectual Differences Between Types of Murderers
Authors: Hanlon Robert E. , Brook Michael , Stratton John , Jensen Marie , Rubin Leah H.
Published: May 2013

The notion that affective/impulsive violence and predatory/instrumental violence constitute distinct behavioral phenotypes has been supported in the forensic literature. Prior research suggests that offenders committing affective/impulsive homicide exhibit differing patterns of anomalous regional brain activation and decreased executive functions relative to predatory/instrumental homicide offenders. However, no prior research has examined the extent to which murderers who kill impulsively versus those who kill as the result of the execution of a premeditated strategic plan differ with regard to other neuropsychological functions and intelligence. Based on established criteria, we classified 77 murderers into affective/impulsive and predatory/instrumental groups, and compared their performance on standardized measures of intelligence and neuropsychological functioning. Results revealed significant differences between the affective/impulsive group (mean Full Scale IQ = 79) and the predatory/instrumental group (mean Full Scale IQ = 93) on indices of intelligence, memory, attention, and executive functioning. Most differences remained significant after controlling for relevant background factors.
Characteristics of American Young Adults With Increased Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Cha EunSeok , Umpierrez Guillermo , Kim Kevin H. , Bello Morenike K. , Dunbar Sandra B.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of American young adults with increased risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Participants ages 18 to 29, overweight/obese, and sedentary were recruited from the metro Atlanta area in the United States. Variables included demographics, anthropometric and clinical variables, and physical activity. Of 107 participants, 3 participants had undiagnosed diabetes and 1 participant did not complete the modifiable activity questionnaire. Thus, 103 young adults remained for the final data analysis.

Results

Most participants were females and African Americans. About 30% of participants had prediabetes, either impaired fasting glucose, an A1C of 5.7% to 6.4%, or both. Overall, prediabetes young adults were heavier and did less physical activity than Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) trial participants. In addition, these young adults had a higher prevalence of parental T2D history and lower level of physical activity compared to young adults with normoglycemia.

Conclusions

Physical activity and parent T2D history are key risk factors for identifying young adults with prediabetes. Multilevel strategies are necessary to raise awareness of diabetes risk and to prevent T2D in young adults.
Cost Collection and Analysis for Health Economic Evaluation
Authors: Smith Kristine A. , Rudmik Luke
Published: May 2013

Objective

To improve the understanding of common health care cost collection, estimation, analysis, and reporting methodologies.

Data Sources

Ovid MEDLINE (1947 to December 2012), Cochrane Central register of Controlled Trials, Database of Systematic Reviews, Health Technology Assessment, and National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database.

Review Methods

This article discusses the following cost collection methods: defining relevant resources, quantification of consumed resources, and resource valuation. It outlines the recommendations for cost reporting in economic evaluations and reviews the techniques on how to handle cost data uncertainty. Last, it discusses the controversial topics of future costs and patient productivity losses.

Conclusion

Health care cost collection and estimation can be challenging, and an organized approach is required to optimize accuracy of economic evaluation outcomes.

Implications for Practice

Understanding health care cost collection and estimation techniques will improve both critical appraisal and development of future economic evaluations.
Exploring Parenting as a Predictor of Criminogenic Thinking in College Students
Authors: Gonzalez Rose , Mandracchia Jon T. , Nicholson Bonnie , Dahlen Eric
Published: May 2013

Crime-promoting cognitions and attitudes, globally labeled as criminogenic thinking, are shown to perpetuate maladaptive and antisocial behavior in criminals and nonoffenders. In the nonoffender population, these thinking patterns may not lead to illegal behavior, but can result in irresponsible or maladaptive behavioral consequences. Theories suggest that early childhood parent–child interactions may be partly responsible for the development of criminogenic thinking. While the relationship between parenting and antisocial behavior is well documented, the connection between parenting and the development of criminogenic thinking styles has not yet been explored. The current study examined the nature of the relationship between exposure to parenting behaviors and subsequent criminogenic thoughts in a nonoffender, college population. The sample included 119 undergraduates. Results indicate that parenting may affect general criminogenic thinking as well as specific types of criminogenic thinking styles. Relevance and importance of the findings with regard to clinical work and parenting are also discussed.
Racial profiling and the ‘French exception’
Authors: Keaton Trica Danielle
Published: May 2013

‘The “exceptional” nature of the French cultural and political tradition’, as scholar Catherine Raissiguier sees it ‘resides … in its ability to foreground a strong discourse of universal inclusion and equality along with its unique resistance to acknowledging exclusionary and discriminatory discourses and practices both in its past and in its present’ (2010: 1). In keeping with Raissiguier’s conceptualisation, les contrôles au faciès (which translates as ‘racial profiling’) fit squarely within this model at this moment when politicised discourse racialises diversity and defines it as a threat to personal and national security. The French Republican model functions in this context as an authoritarian mode of assimilation and universalism that seeks to destroy difference at the expense of equality and inclusion. These ‘controls’ are only, however, the surface of a deeper and more insidious problem in French society that continues to go misnamed and thus mishandled: race.
Internationalising Experiential Learning for Sustainable Development Education
Authors: Lee Young S. , Schottenfeld Matthew A.
Published: May 2013

The article discusses the internationalising of informal experiential learning as a pedagogical intervention for sustainable development education in the curriculum of built environment disciplines in the United States (US). A group of American students in the School of Planning, Design and Construction at Michigan State University participated in an overseas study incorporating a visit to the World Expo 2010 held in Shanghai, China. The analysis of the impact of the experience points to the need for a transnational perspective as an effective pedagogical intervention for sustainability education in the curriculum of built environment disciplines.
Underreporting of conflicts of interest in clinical practice guidelines: cross sectional study
Authors: Bindslev Julie Bolette Brix , Schroll Jeppe , Gøtzsche Peter C , Lundh Andreas
Published: May 2013

Background

Conflicts of interest affect recommendations in clinical guidelines and disclosure of such conflicts is important. However, not all conflicts of interest are disclosed. Using a public available disclosure list we determined the prevalence and underreporting of conflicts of interest among authors of clinical guidelines on drug treatments.

Methods

We included up to five guidelines published from July 2010 to March 2012 from each Danish clinical specialty society. Using the disclosure list of the Danish Health and Medicines Authority, we identified author conflicts of interest and compared them with the disclosures in the guidelines. For each guideline we extracted methodological characteristics of guideline development.

Results

Forty-five guidelines from 14 specialty societies were included. Of 254 authors, 135 (53%) had conflicts of interest, corresponding to 43 of the 45 guidelines (96%) having one or more authors with a conflict of interest. Only one of the 45 guidelines (2%) disclosed author conflicts of interest. The most common type of conflict of interest (83 of the 135) was being a consultant, an advisory board member or a company employee. Only 10 guidelines (22%) described the methods used for guideline development, 27 (60%) used references in the text and 11 (24%) graded the types of evidence.

Conclusions

Conflicts of interest were common, but disclosures were very rare. Most guidelines did not describe how they were developed and many did not describe the evidence behind specific recommendations. Publicly available disclosure lists may assist guideline issuing bodies in ensuring that all conflicts are disclosed.
Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B masquerading as inflammatory myopathy: case report
Authors: Jethwa Hannah , Jacques Thomas S , Gunny Roxanna , Wedderburn Lucy R , Pilkington Clarissa , Manzur Adnan Y
Published: May 2013

Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B is a rare subtype of muscular dystrophy, the predominant feature of which is muscle weakness. The disease is caused by an autosomal recessively inherited reduction/absence of muscle dysferlin due to a mutation in dysferlin gene at 2p12-14. We report a 10 year old boy who presented with severe non-transient right knee pain and swelling, which later became bilateral. His pain was worst in the morning and during rest. Blood tests revealed markedly raised creatine kinase values (highest 22, 297 U/l), raising the possibility of an inflammatory myositis. MRI showed bilateral asymmetrical muscle involvement of thighs and calves with oedematous changes mimicking the imaging appearances of inflammatory myositis. CRP and ESR levels were consistently within normal limits. Over several months his knee pain worsened and limited walking. Muscle biopsy revealed a severe reduction of dysferlin immunostaining, indicating the diagnosis, which was confirmed by 2 compound heterozygous pathogenic mutations in the dysferlin gene. It is not unusual for this subtype of the disease to mimic myositis: however, significant pain is a rare presenting symptom. Given the significant overlap between this form of muscular dystrophy and inflammatory myopathies, a high index of suspicion is needed to ensure an accurate and timely diagnosis. Furthermore, characteristic inflammatory-related morning pain should not rule out consideration of non-inflammatory causes.
Photo-fermentative bacteria aggregation triggered by L-cysteine during hydrogen production
Authors: Xie Guo-Jun , Liu Bing-Feng , Xing De-Feng , Nan Jun , Ding Jie , Ren Nan-Qi
Published: May 2013

Background

Hydrogen recovered from organic wastes and solar energy by photo-fermentative bacteria (PFB) has been suggested as a promising bioenergy strategy. However, the use of PFB for hydrogen production generally suffers from a serious biomass washout from photobioreactor, due to poor flocculation of PFB. In the continuous operation, PFB cells cannot be efficiently separated from supernatant and rush out with effluent from reactor continuously, which increased the effluent turbidity, meanwhile led to increases in pollutants. Moreover, to replenish the biomass washout, substrate was continuously utilized for cell growth rather than hydrogen production. Consequently, the poor flocculability not only deteriorated the effluent quality, but also decreased the potential yield of hydrogen from substrate. Therefore, enhancing the flocculability of PFB is urgent necessary to further develop photo-fermentative process.

Results

Here, we demonstrated that L-cysteine could improve hydrogen production of Rhodopseudomonas faecalis RLD-53, and more importantly, simultaneously trigger remarkable aggregation of PFB. Experiments showed that L-cysteine greatly promoted the production of extracellular polymeric substances, especially secretion of protein containing more disulfide bonds, and help for enhancement stability of floc of PFB. Through formation of disulfide bonds, L-cysteine not only promoted production of EPS, in particular the secretion of protein, but also stabilized the final confirmation of protein in EPS. In addition, the cell surface elements and functional groups, especially surface charged groups, have also been changed by L-cysteine. Consequently, absolute zeta potential reached a minimum value at 1.0 g/l of L-cysteine, which obviously decreased electrostatic repulsion interaction energy based on DLVO theory. Total interaction energy barrier decreased from 389.77 KT at 0.0 g/l of L-cysteine to 127.21 kT at 1.0 g/l.

Conclusions

Thus, the strain RLD-53 overcame the total energy barrier and flocculated effectively. After a short settlement, the biomass rush out will be significantly reduced and the effluent quality will be greatly improved in the continuous operation. Furthermore, aggregation of PFB could enable high biomass hold-up of photobioreactor, which allows the photobioreactor to operate at low hydraulic retention time and high organic loading rate. Therefore, the described flocculation behaviour during photo-hydrogen production is potentially suitable for practicable application.
Effectiveness of interventions in reducing pain and maintaining physical activity in children and adolescents with calcaneal apophysitis (Sever's disease): a systematic review
Authors: James Alicia M , Williams Cylie M , Haines Terry P
Published: May 2013

Background

Calcaneal apophysitis, also commonly known as sever's disease, is a condition seen in children usually aged between 8–15 years. Conservative therapies, such as taping, heel lifts and orthotic intervention are accepted management practices for calcaneal apophysitis, though there is very little high quality research examining the efficacy of such treatment modalities. Previous narrative literature reviews and opinion pieces provide some evidence for the use of heel raises or orthoses. The aim of this manuscript was to complete a systemic review on the treatment options for calcaneal apophysitis as measured by pain reduction and maintenance of physical activity.

Methods

A search strategy completed by two reviewers examined nine databases from inception to May 2012. Search terms included heel pain, children, adolescent, calcaneal apophysitis, sever's disease, treatment, and management (full text publications, human studies). Systematic reviews, randomised control trials, case series, and case studies were included. The reference lists of the selected articles were also examined. The methodology, quality and risk of bias was examined and assessed using the PEDro scale.

Results

Nine articles were retrieved including three clinical trials involving randomisation, two case series, two retrospective case reviews, and two case reports. Effect size calculations and a meta analysis were unable to be completed due to the limited data reported within the literature. Numerous treatment options were reported throughout the literature, though few were examined against a control or alternate treatment option in well‐designed trials. The limited evidence indicated that orthoses provided greater short‐term pain relief than heel raises. Health practitioners should view these results with caution, as there were apparent methodological problems with the employed study design and limited follow‐up of participants.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence to support the use of heel raises and orthoses for children who have heel pain related to calcaneal apophysitis. Further research is needed to generate higher quality evidence with larger sample sizes, and validated measures of pain and function to establish effective treatment approaches for children with calcaneal apophysitis.
Inferring the potential risks of H7N9 infection by spatiotemporally characterizing bird migration and poultry distribution in eastern China
Authors: Shi Benyun , Xia Shang , Yang Guo-Jing , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Liu Jiming
Published: May 2013

Background

In view of the rapid geographic spread and the increasing number of confirmed cases of novel influenza A(H7N9) virus infections in eastern China, we developed a diffusion model to spatiotemporally characterize the impacts of bird migration and poultry distribution on the geographic spread of H7N9 infection.

Methods

Three types of infection risks were estimated for 12 weeks, from February 4 to April 28, 2013, including (i) the risk caused by bird migration, (ii) the risk caused by poultry distribution, and (iii) the integrated risk caused by both bird migration and poultry distribution. To achieve this, we first developed a method for estimating the likelihood of bird migration based on available environmental and meteorological data. Then, we adopted a computational mobility model to estimate poultry distribution based on annual poultry production and consumption of each province/municipality. Finally, the spatiotemporal risk maps were created based on the integrated impacts of both bird migration and poultry distribution.

Results

In the study of risk estimation caused by bird migration, the likelihood matrix was estimated based on the 7-day temperature, from February 4 to April 28, 2013. It was found the estimated migrant birds mainly appear in the southeastern provinces of Zhejiang, Shanghai and Jiangsu during Weeks 1 to 4, and Week 6, followed by appearing in central eastern provinces of Shandong, Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin during Weeks 7 to 9, and finally in northeastern provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang during Weeks 10 to 12.

In the study of risk caused by poultry distribution, poultry distribution matrix was created to show the probability of poultry distribution. In spite of the fact that the majority of the initial infections were reported in Shanghai and Jiangsu, the relative risk of H7N9 infection estimated based on the poultry distribution model predicted that Jiangsu may have a slightly higher likelihood of H7N9 infection than those in Zhejiang and Shanghai, if we only take the probability of poultry distribution into consideration.

In the study of integrated risk caused by both bird migration and poultry distribution, the higher risk in southeastern provinces occurred during the first 8 weeks, and that in central eastern provinces appeared during Weeks 8 to 12, and that in northeastern provinces since Week 12. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the poultry markets as long as the poultry-to-poultry transmission is not so well understood.

Conclusion

With reference to the reported infection cases, the demonstrated risk mapping results will provide guidance in active surveillance and control of human H7N9 infections by taking intensive intervention in poultry markets.
The effect of silver and aluminum oxide nanoparticles on thermophysical properties of nanofluids
Authors: Maddah Heydar , Rezazadeh Mahdokht , Maghsoudi Mojtaba , NasiriKokhdan Syamak
Published: May 2013

The present paper describes experimental and theoretical aspects of the effective thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and viscosity of nanofluids. The thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and viscosity of nanofluids increase with the nanoparticle volume fraction. The nanofluid was prepared by synthesizing Al2O3 and Ag nanoparticles using microwave-assisted chemical precipitation method and then dispersed in distilled water using a sonicator. Water nanofluid with nominal diameters of 20 and 40 nm at various volume concentrations (0.25% to 5%) at a temperature of 15°C was used for the investigation. The thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and viscosity of nanofluids were measured, and it was found that the viscosity and electrical conductivity increase is substantially higher than the increase in thermal conductivity. The pure base fluid thermal conductivity displayed a Newtonian behavior at 15°C; it transformed to a non-Newtonian fluid with the addition of a small amount of nanoparticles φ > 3%.
Estimating Brown-Korringa constants for fluid substitution in multimineralic rocks
Authors: Mavko Gary , Mukerji Tapan
Published: May 2013

Brown and Korringa extended Gassmann’s equations for fluid substitution in rocks to allow for arbitrarily mixed mineralogy. This extension was accomplished by adding just one additional constant—replacing the mineral bulk modulus with two less intuitive constants. Even though virtually all rocks have mixed mineralogy, the Brown and Korringa equations are seldom used because values for the constants are unknown. We estimate plausible values for the Brown-Korringa constants, based on effective medium models. The self-consistent formulation is used to describe a rock whose mineral and pore phases are randomly distributed ellipsoids—a plausible representation of randomly mixed mineral grains, as with dispersed clay in sandstone. Using the self-consistent model, the two constants are predicted to be nearly identical, justifying the use of an average mineral modulus in Gassmann’s equations. For small contrasts in mineral stiffness, the Brown-Korringa constants are approximately equal to the Voigt-Reuss-Hill average of the individual mineral bulk moduli. In a second approach, a multilayered spherical shell model is used to describe a rock where a particular solid phase preferentially coats grains or lines pores. In this case, the constants can differ substantially from each other, demonstrating the need for the Brown-Korringa equation. A third model represents weak pore-lining or pore-filling clay within an arbitrary pore geometry. The clay-fluid mix can be replaced exactly with an average fluid or “mud.” When the nonclay minerals have similar moduli, then the replacement of the clay-fluid mix causes the Brown-Korringa equation to revert to Gassmann’s equation.
Dynamic estimation of reflectivity by minimum-delay seismic trace decomposition
Authors: Porsani Milton J. , Ursin Bjørn , Silva Michelângelo G.
Published: May 2013

Spiking deconvolution corrects for the effect of the seismic wavelet, assumed to be minimum delay, by applying an inverse filter to the seismic trace to get an estimate of reflectivity. To compensate for propagation and absorption effects, one may use time-varying deconvolution, in which a different inverse filter is computed and applied for each output sample position. We modified this procedure by estimating a minimum-delay wavelet for each time-sample position of the seismic trace. This gives a decomposition of the seismic trace as a sum of minimum-delay wavelets, each multiplied by a reflectivity coefficient. The data vector is equal to a lower triangular wavelet matrix, with element 1 on the diagonal, multiplied by the seismic reflectivity vector. Recursive solution of this equation provides an estimate of reflectivity. The reflectivity estimation is a single-trace process that is sensitive to nonwhite noise, and it does not take into account lateral continuity of reflections. Therefore, we have developed a new data processing strategy by combining it with adaptive singular value decomposition (SVD) filtering. The SVD filtering process is applied to the data in two steps: (1) in a sliding spatial window on NMO-corrected CMP or common shot gathers (2) next, after local dip estimation and correction, on local patches in common-offset panels. After the SVD filtering, we applied the new reflectivity estimation procedure. The SVD filtering removes noise and improves lateral continuity, whereas the reflectivity estimation increases the high-frequency content in the data and improves vertical resolution. The new data processing strategy was successfully applied to land seismic data from northeast Brazil. Improvements in data quality are evident in prestack data panels, velocity analysis, and the stacked section.
Mineral Exploration using CSAMT data: Application to Longmen region metallogenic belt, Guangdong Province, China
Authors: Hu Xiangyun , Peng Ronghua , Wu Guiju , Wang Weiping , Huo Guangpu , Han Bo
Published: May 2013

A controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) survey has been carried out to investigate potential iron (Fe) and polymetallic (Pb-Zn-Cu) deposits in Longmen region, which is one of the main metallogenic belts in southern China. Conducting geophysical surveys in this area is quite difficult due to mountainous terrain, dense forest, and thick vegetation cover. A total of 560 CSAMT soundings were recorded along twelve surveying lines. Two-dimensional Occam’s inversion scheme was used to interpret these CSAMT data. The resulting electric resistivity models showed that three large-scale highly conductive bodies exist within the surveying area. By integrated interpretation combined with available geologic, geophysical, and geochemical data in this area, three prospective mineral deposits were demarcated. Based on the CSAMT results, a borehole penetrating approximately 250-m depth was drilled at the location of 470 m to the northwest end of line 06, defined with a massive pyrite from the depth of 52–235 m with 7%–16% Fe content, as well as locally high-grade Pb-Zn- and Ag-Ti-bearing ores.
Reliability of Bridges under Tsunami Hazards: Emphasis on the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake
Authors: Akiyama Mitsuyoshi , Frangopol Dan M. , Arai Megumi , Koshimura Shunichi
Published: May 2013

The probabilistic estimation of tsunami impact on bridges and the evaluation of potential tsunami risk are important topics, but they are still in very early stages of development. First, this paper presents the damage of bridges during the great Tohoku-oki earthquake and giant tsunami of 11 March 2011 based on the field damage investigation. The damage conditions and the possible failure mechanisms of bridges due to tsunami are particularly discussed. Second, tsunami fragility curves are presented. Empirical tsunami fragility curves based on the utilization of damage data associated with past tsunami disasters have been developed. In this paper, the tsunami fragility curves are established based on simulations. Bridge failure probability can be estimated using the tsunami hazard and fragility curves. Finally, an illustrative example of the reliability estimation of a bridge exposed to tsunami hazard is presented.
Tohoku Tsunami-Induced Building Failure Analysis with Implications for U.S. Tsunami and Seismic Design Codes
Authors: Chock Gary , Carden Lyle , Robertson Ian , Olsen Michael , Yu Guangren
Published: May 2013

The structural details of numerous damaged buildings in the Tohoku region were documented soon after the 11 March 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake and tsunami by a reconnaissance team sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Tsunami flow depths and velocities were determined based on analysis of video records and the observed effects on simple benchmark structures in the flow. Equations for various conditions of fluid loading were then validated through failure analyses completed for several buildings, using finite element modeling and LiDAR scans. These analysis tools were applied full-scale to buildings with clearly identified failure mechanisms to validate methodologies to be included in a new chapter on “Tsunami Loads and Effects” in the ASCE 7-2016 Standard, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. These findings, together with an analysis of the inherent seismic inelastic capacities of mid-rise buildings, are relevant for establishing the loadings and performance objectives proposed for the new chapter on “Tsunami Loads and Effects” in the ASCE 7 Standard.
Implications of the Mw9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake for Ground Motion Scaling with Source, Path, and Site Parameters
Authors: Stewart Jonathan P. , Midorikawa Saburoh , Graves Robert W. , Khodaverdi Khatareh , Kishida Tadahiro , Miura Hiroyuki , Bozorgnia Yousef , Campbell Kenneth W.
Published: May 2013

The Mw9.0 Tohoku-oki Japan earthquake produced approximately 2,000 ground motion recordings. We consider 1,238 three-component accelerograms corrected with component-specific low-cut filters. The recordings have rupture distances between 44 km and 1,000 km, time-averaged shear wave velocities of VS30 = 90 m/s to 1,900 m/s, and usable response spectral periods of 0.01 sec to >10 sec. The data support the notion that the increase of ground motions with magnitude saturates at large magnitudes. High-frequency ground motions demonstrate faster attenuation with distance in backarc than in forearc regions, which is only captured by one of the four considered ground motion prediction equations for subduction earthquakes. Recordings within 100 km of the fault are used to estimate event terms, which are generally positive (indicating model underprediction) at short periods and zero or negative (overprediction) at long periods. We find site amplification to scale minimally with VS30 at high frequencies, in contrast with other active tectonic regions, but to scale strongly with VS30 at low frequencies.
Japan's Earthquake Early Warning System on 11 March 2011: Performance, Shortcomings, and Changes
Authors: Fujinawa Yukio , Noda Yoichi
Published: May 2013

A well-developed public earthquake early warning (EEW) system has been operating in Japan since October 2007. At the time of the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake and tsunami (also known as 3.11), several million people near the epicenter received the EEW about 15 to 20 seconds before the most severe shaking occurred, and many more people in surrounding districts had greater lead time before less severe shaking started. Some 90% of these people were able to take advance actions to save their own lives and those of family members or to take other actions according to prior planning. Some actions were taken based on intuitive responses to the alerts. This high rate of effectiveness is assured to be the result of education regarding the EEW system, both in schools and in society at large. In spite of some shortcomings, the proven effectiveness of EEW has led Japan to strengthen the already extensive seismic- and tsunami-monitoring networks offshore, east of the Japan island arc at 150 sites, and to provide a special terminal for advanced uses of EEW in schools with more than 53,000 students. Efforts are also underway to improve analysis and dissemination schemes.
Performance of Seismic Protection Technologies during the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake
Authors: Kasai Kazuhiko , Mita Akira , Kitamura Haruyuki , Matsuda Kazuhiro , Morgan Troy A. , Taylor Andrew W.
Published: May 2013

Many buildings in the Tohoku and Kanto area were strongly shaken during the Tohoku-oki earthquake on 11 March 2011. Soon after the earthquake, the Japan Society of Seismic Isolation (JSSI) established committees to investigate the performance of structures where modern seismic protection methods were used. Since response-control technologies are relatively new, few systems had been validated with actual earthquakes. Generally, the various buildings performed well, and there were no failures of superstructures of base-isolated or supplementally damped buildings. Failures of numerous expansion joints and lead dampers in base-isolated buildings are described. Acceleration records of both base-isolated and supplementally damped buildings are analyzed and their seismic performance characteristics are discussed.