bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in the electrochemical construction of heterocycles
Authors: Francke Robert
Published: January 2015

Due to the fact that the major portion of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals contains heterocyclic units and since the overall number of commercially used heterocyclic compounds is steadily growing, heterocyclic chemistry remains in the focus of the synthetic community. Enormous efforts have been made in the last decades in order to render the production of such compounds more selective and efficient. However, most of the conventional methods for the construction of heterocyclic cores still involve the use of strong acids or bases, the operation at elevated temperatures and/or the use of expensive catalysts and reagents. In this regard, electrosynthesis can provide a milder and more environmentally benign alternative. In fact, numerous examples for the electrochemical construction of heterocycles have been reported in recent years. These cases demonstrate that ring formation can be achieved efficiently under ambient conditions without the use of additional reagents. In order to account for the recent developments in this field, a selection of representative reactions is presented and discussed in this review.
An improved procedure for the preparation of Ru(bpz)3(PF6)2 via a high-yielding synthesis of 2,2’-bipyrazine
Authors: Schultz Danielle M , Sawicki James W , Yoon Tehshik P
Published: January 2015

There has been a recent surge of interest in the use of transition metal polypyridyl complexes as visible light-absorbing photocatalysts for synthetic applications. Among the most attractive features of this approach is the availability of many known complexes with well-characterized photophysical and electrochemical properties. In particular, Ru(bpz)32+ is a powerful photooxidant that has proven to be uniquely suited for oxidatively induced photoredox transformations. We present here a straightforward and high-yielding route to Ru(bpz)3(PF6)2 that features an improved Pd-catalyzed synthesis of the 2,2’-bipyrazine ligand that is amenable to gram-scale preparations.
Le gaz naturel, nouvel élément structurant du Mare Nostrum
Authors: Furfari Samuele
Published: January 2015

Alors que la transition énergétique est sur toutes les lèvres, c’est bien de gaz naturel que les stratèges mondiaux se préoccupent. Pendant de longues décennies encore, le monde – y compris l’UE – aura besoin de grandes quantités de gaz naturel pour alimenter la machine économique. Tout en restant fortement liée à la Russie pour ses approvisionnements gaziers, l’UE s’intéresse de plus en plus aux ressources sur son front Sud et Sud-Est. La mer Méditerranée devient toujours plus le lieu de passage d’un approvisionnement gazier diversifié mais également un espace de production d’hydrocarbures.
Les Conséquences de la Première Guerre mondiale sur la présence impériale austro-hongroise en Chine
Authors: Gotteland Mathieu
Published: January 2015

Cet article vise à la fois à mettre en lumière la nature de l’impérialisme austro-hongrois en Chine, assez méconnu, et les conséquences de la Première Guerre mondiale sur cet impérialisme. L’établissement d’une concession en propre, « nationale » bien qu’en théorie diarchique, est le symbole et le résultat le plus visible de cet impérialisme. C’est en particulier à cette concession que nous nous intéresserons. Dans un second temps, nous parlerons du « complot » qui en 1917 a visé à envahir la concession avec le soutien de l’Entente, et nous dresserons un bilan de ces dix-sept années d’un impérialisme « expérimental » dans la mesure où la concession de Tianjin fut la seule et unique « colonie » austro-hongroise hors d’Europe.
Les Soldats du Mikado sur le front ouest ? La réaction du Japon face aux appels de ses alliés européens en 1914-1915
Authors: Matsunuma Miho
Published: January 2015

Tout au début de la Grande Guerre, l’idée de faire intervenir l’armée japonaise sur le front européen est lancée en France et suscite un grand intérêt de la part de la presse et du gouvernement dans différents pays. L’objectif de la présente étude est d’analyser la réaction japonaise à cette hypothèse au moyen d’un sondage des journaux du pays. La majorité d’entre eux y sont défavorables. À travers les discours de la presse, aussi bien pro-interventionniste que non-interventionniste, nous observons que les Japonais se montrent très sensibles à la place à laquelle ils sont admis par les puissances occidentales dans l’ordre international. L’enquête éclaire également la circulation et l’interaction globales d’informations via la presse dans le contexte d’une guerre mondiale.
Prise en charge thérapeutique : quand la référence au religieux soigne
Authors: Fournier Claude-Alexandre
Published: January 2015

L’article est le fruit d’une étude exploratoire menée dans la partie francophone de la Suisse sur des prises en charge thérapeutiques dites « alternatives », notamment celles proposées par des rebouteux, magnétiseurs, médiums, néo-chamanes, etc. L’article débute par une description du champ couvert par ces prises en charge, champ compris dans un rapport de tension avec les champs de la santé physique, mentale et « spirituelle ». L’article se poursuit par l’analyse des différentes prises en charge considérées. Elle se fait au travers de l’étude du cadre thérapeutique et des processus qui s’y jouent. L’idée est de montrer comment la mobilisation d’une référence à une dimension religieuse permet un changement. L’analyse pose finalement la question du statut du praticien et de la référence religieuse qu’il mobilise.
Une relecture du cas Daniel Paul Schreber
Authors: Poupart Florent
Published: January 2015

Nous proposons de relire les Mémoires d’un névropathe de Daniel Paul Schreber à la lumière du concept de psychose hystérique, défini comme une résolution psychotique de l’ambivalence hystérique à l’endroit du désir érotique de pénétration dans sa valence passive (la composante « vaginale » de la sexualité). Notre relecture nous amène à discuter les trois principales propositions du postulat freudien relatif à la psychose de Schreber, énoncé voilà un siècle : la nature homosexuelle du désir pathogène, le recours au mécanisme de la projection, et le diagnostic de paranoïa. Nous y confrontons une autre hypothèse, selon laquelle le délire de Schreber est de nature hystérique, et qu’il traduit la réalisation d’un désir prégénital de pénétration sans corps, qui se trouve aboli.
Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA)
Authors: Becker, DDS, FAGD Ray M.
Published: January 2015

This chapter describes Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) technology that assesses pathological changes that can occur within the Temporomandibular joints. Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) uses tissue accelerometers to objectively capture vibrations given off by structurally compromised internal TM Joint anatomy. The structural breakdown leads to altered mandibular movement patterns during chewing function. Different attributes of representative JVA vibrations have been shown to indicate the presence of various disease states often seen within the Temporomandibular Joint complex. After being recorded, the JVA software displays the various vibration waveforms for clinician analysis to determine the specific internal derangement present. This chapter provides an overview of the various vibratory waveforms that indicate TM Joint pathology and illustrates the utility of Joint Vibration Analysis as a Temporomandibular Joint diagnostic adjunct.
Antecedents of Boundary Spanning E-Collaboration
Authors: Akoumianakis Demosthenes
Published: January 2015

Spanning boundaries has emerged as a key topic in the scholarship on distributed organizing. Nonetheless, most of the works are motivated by boundaries designated by static demarcations of time and/or place, while only recently there is some evidence emphasizing the dynamic aspects of boundaries and boundary spanning. Following the latter tradition, the present research attempts to examine the antecedents of boundary spanning in the context of e-collaboration. This is approached using a cross case assessment of two interpretive case studies. The results suggest that cross-organizational e-collaboration can be analyzed in relation to five constructs: (a) representations through which collaborative engagements are attained; (b) the affordances of the (social) medium for reconfiguring agency, both human and non-human; (c) boundary negotiating artifacts; (d) source of togetherness and sense of community; and (e) type of enacted cyber-structures. It turns out that these five constructs can be used to anchor and qualify a range of boundary spanning e-collaboration regimes.
Importance Analysis of a Blog Quality Model for Criteria and Families in Different Blog Categories
Authors: Zain Zuhaira Muhammad , Ghani Abdul Azim Abdul
Published: January 2015

A blog quality model has been proposed for bloggers to promote readers satisfaction. However, the model does not determine whether readers consider some quality criteria important, particularly with respect to different blog categories. In this paper, we employed a Rasch analysis to rank the importance of blog quality criteria for the Personal Diary, Socio-political Commentary, Humor/Entertainment, Lifestyle, and Technology blog categories. The authors identified the most important quality criteria and families for each category. The authors discovered that (1) the importance of quality criteria and/or families depends on the particular category with which a reader engages; (2) some quality criteria and/or families are more important for some categories but less important for others; and (3) certain quality criteria and/or families are equally important for some categories but not for others. The authors provide empirical evidence of the most important criteria bloggers and evaluators can focus on when they examine different blog categories. A blog quality model has been proposed for bloggers to promote readers satisfaction. However, the model does not determine whether readers consider some quality criteria important, particularly with respect to different blog categories. In this paper, a Rasch analysis to rank the importance of blog quality criteria for the Personal Diary, Socio-political Commentary, Humor/Entertainment, Lifestyle, and Technology blog categories. The authors identified the most important quality criteria and families for each category. The authors discovered that (1) the importance of quality criteria and/or families depends on the particular category with which a reader engages; (2) some quality criteria and/or families are more important for some categories but less important for others; and (3) certain quality criteria and/or families are equally important for some categories but not for others. The authors provide empirical evidence of the most important criteria bloggers and evaluators can focus on when they examine different blog categories.
Tsukamurella Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection in a Pediatric Patient with Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Wendorf Kristen A. , Espinosa Claudia M. , LeBar William D. , Weinberg Jason B.
Published: January 2015

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) are important complications in patients with long-term indwelling central venous catheters. In this report, we present the case of a 14-year-old male with pulmonary hypertension treated with continuous treprostinil infusion, who presented with a CR-BSI caused by a Tsukamurella species. This case highlights the potential for this unusual organism to cause infection in immunocompetent patients.
Rhabdomyolysis after Group C Streptococcal Infection
Authors: Nordal Hilde Haugedal , Kittang Bård Reiakvam , Bindoff Laurence Albert
Published: January 2015

We describe a young woman with a group C streptococcal throat infection complicated by rhabdomyolysis. Muscle biopsy from quadriceps was normal, and molecular studies showed no evidence of direct microbial invasion. This is only the second case in which the usually benign group C streptococcus has been linked with muscle destruction.
The First Year of Infectious Disease Reports
Authors: Aronoff David M.
Published: January 2015

Welcome readers to Infectious Disease Reports (IDR)[...]
Trichomonas Vaginalis Screening and Prevention in order to Impact the HIV Pandemic: Isn’t it Time We Take this Infection Seriously?
Authors: Lazenby Gweneth Bratton
Published: January 2015

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) is the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the world. It is associated with significant morbidity in women: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), concurrent vaginitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), post-operative infection, and pregnancy complications. TV infection has been implicated in HIV acquisition and transmission in men and women. There are multiple mechanisms to explain this association. TV is not routinely screened for in asymptomatic patients; however, infected individuals are most often asymptomatic. Due to the association with the spread of HIV infection, screening should not be limited to symptomatic patients or those seeking treatment for STIs. There are a variety of tests available to detect TV. Treatment of TV has demonstrated lower rates of HIV acquisition in at risk women. In HIV positive men and women, treatment decreases the amount of genital HIV shedding and subsequent infectivity. Initiation of an effective TV screening and treatment program in HIV positive and HIV susceptible populations may limit further transmission of HIV.
Advances in the Prevention of Heterosexual Transmission of HIV/AIDS Among Women in the United States
Authors: Chen Nadine E. , Meyer Jaimie P. , Springer Sandra A.
Published: January 2015

Despite recent advances in testing and treatment, the incidence of HIV/AIDS in the United States has remained stagnant with an estimated 56,300 new infections every year. Women account for an increasing proportion of the epidemic. The vulnerability of women to HIV stems from both increased biologic susceptibility to heterosexual transmission and also the social, economic, and structural disadvantages they often confront. This review describes the main reasons for the increased vulnerability of U.S. women to HIV transmission with particular emphasis on specific high-risk groups including: non-Hispanic blacks, women who use drugs, women with a history of incarceration, and victims of intimate partner violence. Although behavioral approaches to HIV prevention may be effective, pragmatic implementation is often difficult, especially for women who lack sociocultural capital to negotiate condoms with their male partners. Recent advances in HIV prevention show promise in terms of female-initiated interventions. These notably include female condoms, non-specific vaginal microbicides, and antiretroviral oral and vaginal pre-exposure prophylaxis. In this review, we will present evidence in support of these new female-initiated interventions while also emphasizing the importance of advocacy and the political support for these scientific advances to be successful.
Hyper-Reactive Malarial Splenomegaly and Splenic Infarct in a Caucasian Toddler
Authors: Lee Anselm Chi-Wai
Published: January 2015

A 4-year-old boy from the United States had been staying in Indonesia for five months when he presented with fever, severe lethargy, progressive weight loss, and abdominal distension. He was first diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax infection in Indonesia and received treatment with chloroquine. However, his condition continued to deteriorate and he required erythrocyte transfusion for severe anemia. Three weeks into his illness, he was found to have low parasitemia with Plasmodium falciparum with massive hepatosplenomegaly in Singapore. A splenic infarct was also documented on computed tomography. Treatment with atovaquone-proguanil resulted in stabilization of the hemoglobin level and rapid reduction in splenic size, with clearance of malarial parasites from the bloodstream. Although reported typically in adult tropical residents, hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly may occasionally be found in the pediatric traveler. Clinicians receiving children returning from the tropical regions should be aware of this potentially life-threatening complication of partially treated malaria.
Pseudomonas Pelvic Osteomyelitis in a Healthy Child
Authors: Akhras Nour , Blackwood Alexander
Published: January 2015

Pediatric pelvic osteomyelitis is a rare entity. The diagnosis is frequently delayed due to difficulty in confirming the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of Pseudomonas pelvic osteomyelitis in a previously healthy adolescent boy. The diagnosis was made radiographically and confirmed by culture. The patient was treated with Levofloxacin and Gentamicin resulting in a complete recovery.
A case of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans endocarditis presenting as quadriceps myositis
Authors: Reid Angeline , Liew Katerina , Stride Peter , Horvath Robert , Hunter Jonathan , Seleem Mostafa
Published: January 2015

An 80 year old female was admitted with an eight week history of fever associated with painful swelling of her right thigh, and a long history of poor dentition. Culture of blood stained fluid aspirated from the abscess grew Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) sensitive to ampicillin and cephalosporins. Transoesophageal echocardiography indicated endocarditis. Four weeks treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone and appropriate dental care was followed by full recovery.
False negative HIV antibody test in HIV infected children who receive early antiretroviral treatment in a resource-limited setting
Authors: Alvarez-Uria Gerardo , Naik Praveen K. , Midde Manoranjan , Kannan Shanmugamari , Reddy Raghuprakash
Published: January 2015

With the implementation of 2010 World Health Organization guidelines, the number of infants from developing countries who will initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) will increase considerably. In this study we describe the HIV antibody tests of 14 HIV infected children who initiated ART at age less than one year in a rural setting of India. The HIV rapid test was negative in seven and indeterminate in two cases, whereas the HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody test was negative in three and indeterminate in one case. In one child who had both negative HIV rapid test and ELISA initially, HIV serology turned positive after having a virological failure to ART, suggesting the possibility of utilizing HIV serology for monitoring ART effectiveness in children who experience HIV seroreversion. In conclusion, HIV seroreversion of children with early initiation of ART is common and should be considered for avoiding misdiagnosis of HIV infection.

 
A rare case of infectious mononucleosis complicated by Guillain-Barre syndrome
Authors: Kennedy Margaret , Apostolova Mariya
Published: January 2015

Infectious mononucleosis is a clinical syndrome characterized by fever, lymphadenopathy and pharyngitis. Neurologic complications of infectious mononucleosis, such as the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome, have been rarely reported and usually present late in the course of the disease. We describe a case of a 29 year old male with no significant past medical history who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome following an infection with Epstein-Barr virus associated infectious mononucleosis. Supportive treatment resulted in full recovery.
Iron Overload in Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia
Authors: Musallam Khaled M.
Published: January 2015

Iron overload due to increased intestinal iron absorption remains a concern in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). A dynamic regulation between ineffective erythropiesis and iron metabolism in these disorders has been recently elucidated. Although the rate of iron loading in NTDT is slower than that observed in regularly transfused patients, the process is cumulative and patients may reach considerably high liver iron concentration levels. The clinical consequences of iron overload in patients with NTDT are various and include hepatic disease, endocrinopathy, bone disease, and vascular outcomes; while cardiac siderosis is less frequently observed. Although serum ferritin levels correlate with LIC in NTDT, they underestimate iron load when compared with transfusion-dependent patients with equivalent LIC. Therefore, direct measurement of LIC is recommended to identify patients at risk and guide iron chelation decisions.
Micromapping of Very Rare Anemias: The Model of CDA
Authors: Heimpel Hermann
Published: January 2015

The congenital dyserythropoietic anemias, first described in 1966 and classified into four distinct types in 1968, are still very rare. However, many cases were described in recent years, mainly in European Countries. The detection of mutations of the CDAN1-gene (Tamary et al. from Israel) in all cases of CDA I and of the SEC23B-gene in almost all cases of CDA II (Schwarz, Iolascon, Heimpel et al. from Germany and Italy, Zanella, Bianchi et al. from Italy) stimulated greater awarness of the CDAs and resulted in many recent reports from all continents. Period prevalance of the the last 50 years in the European countries collated in the German Registry on CDAs were calculated in 2009 and published in 2010. The cumulated incidence of both types combined variedwidely between European regions, with minimal values of 0.08 cases⁄million in Scandinavia and 2.60 cases⁄million in Italy. CDA II is more frequent than CDA I, with an overall ratio of approximately 3.2, but the ratio also varied between different regions. The most likely explanations for the differences are both differences in the availability of advanced diagnostic procedures and different levels of the awarenessfor the diagnosis of the CDAs. The estimations reported here are most probably below the true incidence rates, because of failure to make the correct diagnosis and to underreporting. Limited data did not suggest differing levels of risk in identified ethnic groups. Here, we report the first results of an update of these data and decribe a project to extent epidemiological research to all regions of the world. Based on the experience with the previous attempt to measure, performed in the framework of ENERCA, we discuss the limitations and methodological problems and present the hypothesis, that the CDAs are not dependent from environmental conditions such as malaria or other contagious diseases, but the apparent prevalence data depend rather on factors of the medical system and the rates of consanguinity in different cultures. Since the prognosis of the CDAs depend on appropriate management, consultation by specialized centers of rare diseases, today available in Europe, could improve life expectancy and quality of life of individuals affected by this very rare diseases.
The Deep Project
Authors: Missouri-Khetab Evi
Published: January 2015

ß thalassaemia major is one of the most severe forms of anaemia [...]
Induction of HBF
Authors: Karimi Mehran , Cohan Nader
Published: January 2015

The role of HbF inducers in ameliorating the pathophysiology and severity associated with hemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease and thalassemia is well demonstrated. So many studies have focused on explain the pathways that involved in the re-activation of γ-globin gene expression. The HbF inducers are mainly includes chemotherapeutic agents (e.g. 5-Azacytidine and hydroxyurea), short-chain fatty acid derivatives (e.g. butyrates, valporate, sodium phenylbutyrate) and other HbF inducers like stem cell factor and synthetic gene-targeted transcription factors. These HbF inducers have significant effects on improve clinical manifestations of hemoglobinopathies and decreasing transfusion dependency. But regarding some limitations of these agents, more studies for the investigation of new agents with more safety and effectiveness is needed.
Understanding high wintertime ozone pollution events in an oil- and natural gas-producing region of the western US
Authors: Ahmadov R. , McKeen S. , Trainer M. , Banta R. , Brewer A. , Brown S. , Edwards P. M. , de Gouw J. A. , Frost G. J. , Gilman J. , Helmig D. , Johnson B. , Karion A. , Koss A. , Langford A. , Lerner B. , Olson J. , Oltmans S. , Peischl J. , Pétron G. , Pichugina Y. , Roberts J. M. , Ryerson T. , Schnell R. , Senff C. , Sweeney C. , Thompson C. , Veres P. R. , Warneke C. , Wild R. , Williams E. J. , Yuan B. , Zamora R.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Recent increases in oil and natural gas (NG) production throughout the western US have come with scientific and public interest in emission rates, air quality and climate impacts related to this industry. This study uses a regional-scale air quality model (WRF-Chem) to simulate high ozone (O3) episodes during the winter of 2013 over the Uinta Basin (UB) in northeastern Utah, which is densely populated by thousands of oil and NG wells. The high-resolution meteorological simulations are able qualitatively to reproduce the wintertime cold pool conditions that occurred in 2013, allowing the model to reproduce the observed multi-day buildup of atmospheric pollutants and the accompanying rapid photochemical ozone formation in the UB. Two different emission scenarios for the oil and NG sector were employed in this study. The first emission scenario (bottom-up) was based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Emission Inventory (NEI) (2011, version 1) for the oil and NG sector for the UB. The second emission scenario (top-down) was based on estimates of methane (CH4) emissions derived from in situ aircraft measurements and a regression analysis for multiple species relative to CH4 concentration measurements in the UB. Evaluation of the model results shows greater underestimates of CH4 and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the simulation with the NEI-2011 inventory than in the case when the top-down emission scenario was used. Unlike VOCs, the NEI-2011 inventory significantly overestimates the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), while the top-down emission scenario results in a moderate negative bias. The model simulation using the top-down emission case captures the buildup and afternoon peaks observed during high O3 episodes. In contrast, the simulation using the bottom-up inventory is not able to reproduce any of the observed high O3 concentrations in the UB. Simple emission reduction scenarios show that O3 production is VOC sensitive and NOx insensitive within the UB. The model results show a disproportionate contribution of aromatic VOCs to O3 formation relative to all other VOC emissions. The model analysis reveals that the major factors driving high wintertime O3 in the UB are shallow boundary layers with light winds, high emissions of VOCs from oil and NG operations compared to NOx emissions, enhancement of photolysis fluxes and reduction of O3 loss from deposition due to snow cover.
Exploring the chemical fate of the sulfate radical anion by reaction with sulfur dioxide in the gas phase
Authors: Tsona N. T. , Bork N. , Vehkamäki H.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. The gas phase reaction between SO4−(H2O)n and SO2, n = 0–2, is investigated using ab initio calculations and kinetic modelling. Structures of reactants, transition states and products are reported. Our calculations predict that the SO2SO4−(H2O)n cluster ion, which is formed upon SO2 and SO4−(H2O)n collision, can isomerize to SO3SO3−(H2O)n. The overall reaction is SO2 oxidation by the SO4−(H2O)n anionic cluster. The results show that SO4−(H2O)n is a good SO2 oxidant, especially at low relative humidity, with a reaction rate constant up to 1.5 × 10−10 cm3 molecule−1s−1. At high relative humidity, instead, the re-evaporation of SO2 from the SO2SO
Use of neural networks in ground-based aerosol retrievals from multi-angle spectropolarimetric observations
Authors: Di Noia A. , Hasekamp O. P. , van Harten G. , Rietjens J. H. H. , Smit J. M. , Snik F. , Henzing J. S. , de Boer J. , Keller C. U. , Volten H.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. In this paper, the use of a neural network algorithm for the retrieval of the aerosol properties from ground-based spectropolarimetric measurements is discussed. The neural network is able to retrieve the aerosol properties with an accuracy that is almost comparable to that of an iterative retrieval. By using the outcome of the neural network as first guess in the iterative retrieval scheme, the accuracy of the retrieved fine- and coarse-mode optical thickness is further improved, while for the other parameters the improvement is small or absent. The resulting scheme (neural network + iterative retrieval) is compared to the original one (look-up table + iterative retrieval) on a set of simulated ground-based measurements, and on a small set of real observations carried out by an accurate ground-based spectropolarimeter. The results show that the use of a neural-network-based first guess leads to an increase in the number of converging retrievals, and possibly to more accurate estimates of the aerosol effective radius and complex refractive index.
Comparing OMI UV index to ground-based measurements at two Finnish sites with focus on cloud-free and overcast conditions
Authors: Pitkänen M. R. A. , Arola A. , Lakkala K. , Koskela T. , Lindfors A. V.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Satellite based surface UV product of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument OMI was validated using ground based UV measurements from the two Finnish sites Jokioinen and Sodankylä. The goal was to further investigate the observed positive UV bias of the OMI UV product focusing on how it may be connected to cloudiness during the overpass of the Aura satellite. A total of seven years of summer time data was used to compare OMI UV index to a reference UVI observed on the ground with Solar Light 501 broadband radiometers. Cloudiness during satellite overpass was determined with auxiliary ground based observations on sunshine duration, cloud cover and global radiation as well as the satellite based MODIS cloud cover estimates. The analysis aimed to minimize the error sources from temporal discrepancies and from the differences in the field of view of OMI and its ground based reference data. As a result, OMI UV product was seen to overestimate surface UV index by 21% in average and overcast UV index up to 56%. The study confirms that OMI UV index is overestimated compared to ground based reference, and shows, that the bias is related to cloudiness and is higher during well defined overcast conditions.
Monitoring hillslope moisture dynamics with surface ERT for enhancing spatial significance of hydrometric point measurements
Authors: Hübner R. , Heller K. , Günther T. , Kleber A.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Besides floodplains, hillslopes are basic units that mainly control water movement and flow pathways within catchments of subdued mountain ranges. The structure of their shallow subsurface affects water balance, e.g. infiltration, retention, and runoff. Nevertheless, there is still a gap in the knowledge of the hydrological dynamics on hillslopes, notably due to the lack of generalization and transferability. This study presents a robust multi-method framework of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in addition to hydrometric point measurements, transferring hydrometric data into higher spatial scales to obtain additional patterns of distribution and dynamics of soil moisture on a hillslope. A geoelectrical monitoring in a small catchment in the eastern Ore Mountains was carried out at weekly intervals from May to December 2008 to image seasonal moisture dynamics on the hillslope scale. To link water content and electrical resistivity, the parameters of Archie's law were determined using different core samples. To optimize inversion parameters and methods, the derived spatial and temporal water content distribution was compared to tensiometer data. The results from ERT measurements show a strong correlation with the hydrometric data. The response is congruent to the soil tension data. Water content calculated from the ERT profile shows similar variations as that of water content from soil moisture sensors. Consequently, soil moisture dynamics on the hillslope scale may be determined not only by expensive invasive punctual hydrometric measurements, but also by minimally invasive time-lapse ERT, provided that pedo-/petrophysical relationships are known. Since ERT integrates larger spatial scales, a combination with hydrometric point measurements improves the understanding of the ongoing hydrological processes and better suits identification of heterogeneities.
Effects of fresh and aged biochars from pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization on nutrient sorption in agricultural soils
Authors: Gronwald M. , Don A. , Tiemeyer B. , Helfrich M.
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Leaching of nutrients from agricultural soils causes major environmental problems that may be reduced with biochar amendments to the soils. Biochars are characterised by a high adsorption capacity, i.e., they may retain nutrients such nitrate and ammonium. However, biochar properties strongly depend on feedstock and the production process. We investigated the nutrient retention capacity of biochars derived from pyrolysis (pyrochar) as well as from hydrothermal carbonization (hydrochar; produced at 200 and 250 °C) from three different feedstocks (digestates, Miscanthus, woodchips) mixed into different soil substrates (sandy loam and silty loam). Moreover, we investigated the influence of biochar degradation on its nutrient retention capacity using a seven-month in-situ field incubation of pyrochar and hydrochar. Pyrochars showed the highest ability to retain nitrate, ammonium and phosphate, with pyrochar from woodchips being particularly efficient in nitrate adsorption. Ammonium adsorption of pyrochars was controlled by the soil type of the soil-biochar mixture. We found some ammonium retention on sandy soils, but no pyrochar effect or even ammonium leaching from the loamy soil. The phosphate retention capacity of pyrochars strongly depended on the pyrochar feedstock with large phosphate leaching from digestate-derived pyrochar and some adsorption capacity from woodchip-derived pyrochar. Application of hydrochars to agricultural soils caused small, and often not significant, effects on nutrient retention. In contrast, some hydrochars did increase the leaching of nutrients compared to the non-amended control soil. We found a surprisingly rapid loss of the biochars' adsorption capacity after field application of the biochars. For all sites and for hydrochar and pyrochar, the adsorption capacity was reduced by 60–80% to less or no nitrate and ammonium adsorption. Thus, our results cast doubt on the efficiency of biochar applications to temperate zone soils to minimize nutrient losses via leaching.
María Luisa: Delirios de vida y muerte
Authors: Jordán Juan José
Published: January 2015

Esta propuesta consiste en enjuiciar a través de mi texto dramático María Luisa (Ediciones Unicornio, 2013) a María Luisa Milanés(1893-1919) como figura del Bayamo de la naciente República, que se convierte en figura indiscutible de las letras femeninas cubanas. Tomo como punto de partida su opacado perfil histórico-literario, resultado de un contexto sociocultural hostil, decidido a ignorarla.María Luisa es una invitación, también, para los entendidos en literatura al análisis de un incipiente y malogrado discurso narrativo y un más elaborado discurso lírico. Es una pretensión de rescatar a esta escritora en los‹‹ estudios de género››; que mi texto funcione como marco teórico para una profundización crítica, área que carece de un verdadero juicio literario milanesiano . Es un intento por enriquecer la bibliografía al respecto, con un enfoque sociocultural integrador, donde la proyección intragenérica predominante en la obra de María Luisa Milanés transite desde la historia cultural microsocial hacia el discurso femenino, también conformador de lo nacional.
Health Coaching: An Update on the National Consortium for Credentialing of Health & Wellness Coaches
Authors: Mittelman Michele
Published: January 2015

In September 2014, Global Advances in Health and Medicine editor Michele Mittelman, RN, MPH, interviewed four of the leaders in health and wellness coaching about trends in coaching and the progress of the National Consortium for Credentialing of Health & Wellness Coaches. Following are the transcripts of those interviews. Additionally, videos of the interviews are available at www.gahmj.com .
Food-specific IgG Antibody—guided Elimination Diets Followed by Resolution of Asthma Symptoms and Reduction in Pharmacological Interventions in Two Patients: A Case Report
Authors: Virdee Kulveen , Musset Jeannette , Baral Matthew , Cronin Courtney , Langland Jeffrey
Published: January 2015

Asthma is one of the most common causes of office visits in the primary care and emergency care settings. Individuals are often able to maintain symptomatic control with long-term pharmacological therapy. Exacerbations of asthma commonly occur due to exposure to triggers such as viruses, pollutants, and allergens. While it is widely accepted that exposure to immunoglobulin E food allergens can exacerbate asthma symptoms, there is little evidence examining delayed immunoglobulin G-mediated reactions to food. Here we present two clinical cases of individuals who experienced a reduction in asthma symptoms, decreased dependence on pharmacological therapies, and increased quality of life by eliminating foods that demonstrated reactivity to immunoglobulin G levels identified through serum testing.
Enhancing learning with the social media: student teachers’ perceptions on Twitter in a debate activity
Authors: Tur Gemma , Marín Victoria I.
Published: January 2015

This paper presents research focused on the educational experience of students using the microblogging platform Twitter for debate activities in three groups in different teacher education programmes at the University of the Balearic Islands, Spain. The implementation of this technology-based task in a face-to-face class was introduced as an innovative experience as a way of enhancing student learning and fostering participation in the context of formal learning. The educational objectives of these activities, besides working on the topics of the debate, were to empower student teachers’ Personal Learning Environments, engage student participation and enhance their use of social media and mobile devices for learning. Student perceptions were assessed by means of a questionnaire completed by them at the end of the courses. Tweets related to the debate were also collected in order to obtain some statistical data on student participation. Data collected allowed the researchers to observe student teacher engagement with the use of Twitter for the debate activity and its impact on their learning and understanding of the debate topic. Results also showed positive perceptions towards the use of social media in education and students’ willingness for future use, learning opportunities from Twitter and the use of mobile technology were also envisioned. Finally, conclusions argue the implications for practice of the current study and highlight some issues for further research, such as the exploration of new and innovative uses for teachers’ professional development and the empowerment of new activities and habits in learning on the move.
Analysis of risks in a Learning Management System: A case study in the Spanish National University of Distance Education (UNED)
Authors: Vázquez-Cano Esteban , Sevillano García M. Luisa
Published: January 2015

This article presents a research that examines the university students’ risk perception when using a Learning Management System called “aLF” and implemented by the Spanish National University of Distance Education (UNED) for the development of its university distance studies. The development of comprehensive Learning Management Systems for teaching-learning distance practices in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is a challenge for universities all around Europe. For this reason, it is necessary to analyze not only the benefits that involve these environments but the risks perceived by its users to improve teaching methods and design better user interfaces. Through a quantitative method, we test 588 students’ opinions about their risks perceptions when using this LMS to study the University degree in Pedagogy. Results show that main risks are concentrated in two dimensions: dimension 1 “basic or general” with high incidence of “fear of making mistakes” and “ignorance of the course content; and dimension 2 “own and beyond students’ circumstances” where it is important to stand out the risks not directly controlled by the students: “warning from the authorities for not developing the program”, “isolation from teachers” and “delegation of control”.
Determinants of Internet use for interactive learning: an exploratory study
Authors: Castaño Jonatan , Duart Josep M. , Sancho-Vinuesa Teresa
Published: January 2015

The use of the Internet in higher education teaching can facilitate the interactive learning process and thus improve educational outcomes. The aim of the study presented here is to explore which variables are linked to higher intensity of Internet-based interactive educational practices. The study is based on data obtained from an online survey of students from three different types of universities: a face-to-face university (University of Barcelona, UB), a technological face-to-face university (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. BarcelonaTech, UPC), and a virtual university (Open University of Catalonia, UOC). The data analysis shows that students who indicate high levels of benefit from Internet usage are those who use it most for interactive learning processes. It also shows the existence of other variables that, regardless of benefit, are linked to the intensity of Internet usage for interactive teaching-learning processes.
OIL SPILL RESPONSE PLANNING ON THE COLUMBIA RIVER ESTUARY
Authors: Christopherson Sharon K. , Slyman Paul M.
Published: January 2015

The Columbia River Estuary lies along the Washington-Oregon state boundary on the west coast of the United States. The entire area is environmentally very sensitive with numerous large, shallow bays, exposed mud flats, wetland areas, and central channels having maximum currents of three to four knots. These features make the area very difficult to protect from an oil spill. Spill response is further complicated because of the many different state, federal, and local jurisdictions with mandated responsibilities in oil spill response and environmental protection.

Under the leadership of the U. S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Portland, Oregon, a steering group was established to guide the development of a response plan for the Columbia River Estuary. A concerted effort was made to include representatives from response organizations, natural resource agencies, and resource users from federal, state, and local governments, and commercial sectors in the planning process. The first draft of an operational response plan was completed the summer of 1992 through a combination of technical workshops, field trips, and small working groups meeting with local communities. The Columbia River Estuary Response Plan prioritizes areas to protect; identifies specific response strategies for protecting these areas; and outlines the logistics needed to implement these strategies, including equipment needs, the location of staging areas, and the identification of pre-designated command posts. The local spill response cooperative and oil transportation industry are using the plan to coordinate the purchase of response equipment and the staging of this equipment at numerous locations along the river.

Key to the success of the plan is ensuring that all the groups responding to an event participate in the planning process together. This process has worked well for the Columbia River Estuary and will serve as a model for response planning for other environmentally sensitive areas along the Columbia River and coastal areas of Washington and Oregon.
Enhanced sensitivity of oceanic CO2 uptake to dust deposition by iron‐light colimitation
Authors: Nickelsen Levin , Oschlies Andreas
Published: January 2015

The iron hypothesis suggests that in large areas of the ocean phytoplankton growth and thus photosynthetic CO2 uptake is limited by the micronutrient iron. Phytoplankton requires iron in particular for nitrate uptake, light harvesting, and electron transport in photosynthesis, suggesting a tight coupling of iron and light limitation. One important source of iron to the open ocean is dust deposition. Previous global biogeochemical modeling studies have suggested a low sensitivity of oceanic CO2 uptake to changes in dust deposition. Here we show that this sensitivity is increased significantly when iron‐light colimitation, i.e., the impact of iron bioavailability on light‐harvesting capabilities, is explicitly considered. Accounting for iron‐light colimitation increases the shift of export production from tropical and subtropical regions to the higher latitudes of subpolar regions at high dust deposition and amplifies iron limitation at low dust deposition. Our results reemphasize the role of iron as a key limiting nutrient for phytoplankton.
Breakthrough curve moments scaling in hyporheic exchange
Authors: Bellin A. , Tonina D. , Marzadri A.
Published: January 2015

The interaction between stream flow and bed forms creates an uneven distribution of near‐bed energy heads, which is the driving force of hyporheic exchange. Owing to the large disparity of advection characteristic times in the stream and within the hyporheic zone, solute mass exchange is often modeled by considering the latter as an immobile region. In a recent contribution Gónzalez‐Pinzón et al. (2013) showed that existing models employing this hypothesis are structurally inconsistent with the scaling revealed by the analysis of 384 breakthrough curves collected in 44 streams across five continents. Motivated by this result, we analyze the scaling characteristics of a model that we recently developed by combining the analytical solution of the advective flow within the hyporheic zone with a Lagrangian solute transport model. Results show that similarly to the experimental data our model predicts breakthrough curves with a constant skewness, irrespective of the stream size, and that the scaling of the first three moments observed by Gónzalez‐Pinzón et al. (2013) is also respected. Moreover, we propose regression curves that relate the first three moments of the residence time distribution with the alternate bar dimensionless depth (
), a quantity that is easily measurable in the field. The connection between BTC moments and
opens new possibilities for modeling transport processes at the catchment scale.