bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Room Temperature Ferromagnetic, Anisotropic, Germanium Rich FeGe(001) Alloys
Authors: Lungu George , Apostol Nicoleta , Stoflea Laura , Costescu Ruxandra , Popescu Dana , Teodorescu Cristian
Published: February 2013

Ferromagnetic FexGe1−x with x = 2%–9% are obtained by Fe deposition onto Ge(001) at high temperatures (500 °C). Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) investigation evidenced the preservation of the (1 × 1) surface structure of Ge(001) with Fe deposition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) at Ge 3d and Fe 2p core levels evidenced strong Fe diffusion into the Ge substrate and formation of Ge-rich compounds, from FeGe3 to approximately FeGe2, depending on the amount of Fe deposited. Room temperature magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) evidenced ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature, with about 0.1 Bohr magnetons per Fe atom, and also a clear uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with the in-plane easy magnetization axis. This compound is a good candidate for promising applications in the field of semiconductor spintronics.
Is a Pacific Coexistence Between Virus and Host the Unexploited Path That May Lead to an HIV Functional Cure?
Authors: Fior Jonathan
Published: February 2013

The SupT1 cell line supports optimal HIV-1 replication, and prolonged in vitro replication in SupT1 cells renders the virus significantly less virulent. This raises the question of whether the infusion of SupT1 cells could be used as a cell-based therapy to induce a pacific coexistence between the HIV virus and its human host. In a recent study, I investigated this potential therapeutic strategy in vitro. The results suggested that this approach should be further explored in HIV-susceptible animal models. Such studies may lead to the development of a functional cure for HIV infection.
De l'île de Ré à l'ile d'Arros
Authors: Delalande Nicolas , Spire Alexis
Published: February 2013

Résumé Comment expliquer que des responsables politiques puissent conduire des politiques fiscales à l’avantage des plus riches, tout en obtenant l’assentiment de la majorité de la population ? À travers l’étude de la genèse puis de la suppression du bouclier fiscal, entre 2005 et 2011, cet article montre comment ses promoteurs ont su utiliser les symboles, les récits et les statistiques pour maintenir un voile d’ignorance quant à la position sociale des bénéficiaires. D’instrument destiné à protéger les contribuables de l’impôt, ce dispositif est pourtant devenu en quelques années l’incarnation du clientélisme politique. Les symboles offrent des ressources pour la construction des problèmes publics, mais peuvent aussi devenir des stigmates lorsque la réalité se révèle trop éloignée de la fiction imaginée. Cette étude met ainsi en lumière la dimension dynamique et évolutive de la construction des problèmes publics.
Rendre visible et laisser dans l'ombre
Authors: Jouzel Jean-Noël , Dedieu François
Published: February 2013

Résumé En s’intéressant au phénomène de la méconnaissance des effets pathogènes pesticides sur la santé des agriculteurs, les auteurs cherchent à comprendre comment les instruments de connaissance qu’utilisent les politiques publiques peuvent avoir pour conséquence paradoxale d’obscurcir la compréhension des problèmes sociaux. Ils s’appuient pour cela sur les travaux récents portant sur les dynamiques de production organisée de l’ignorance, qu’ils complètent en en soulignant les prolongements politiques et moraux. Ils mettent ainsi en évidence deux facteurs d’invisibilité sociale des maladies induites par les pesticides parmi les travailleurs agricoles : la sous-reconnaissance institutionnalisée des pathologies chroniques causées par les expositions répétées à de faibles doses de pesticides ; la sous-déclaration par les victimes des pathologies aiguës induites par les intoxications ponctuelles à hautes doses.
Repenser les identités régionales par les élargissements
Authors: Bafoil François
Published: February 2013

Résumé L’Association des nations du Sud-Est asiatique (Asean) et l’Union européenne (UE) ont expérimenté des changements considérables en s’élargissant, dans les années 1990 et 2000. Dans les deux régions, l’intégration s’est faite au profit de pays dits « en retard de développement », souvent qualifiés de « faibles ». Néanmoins, le paradoxe de ces élargissements tient au fait que ces pays, loin d’être marginalisés, ont pu réaffirmer leur souveraineté nationale. Par ce biais, ils se sont posés à égalité de leurs nouveaux partenaires, en leur contestant toute capacité d’exercer la moindre hégémonie, notamment en arguant des principes fondateurs de chacune des unions. En reformulant les valeurs et les identités régionales, ils ont su transformer leur « faiblesse » en « force ».
Combined Optical and Atropine Treatment of Children With Residual Amblyopia After Atropine Penalization
Authors: Simon John W. , Sood Arjun B. , Mali Joshua O.
Published: February 2013

The authors studied 5 cases in which combined optical and atropine treatment (COAT) was instituted in children with residual amblyopia after atropine penalization. All 5 amblyopic eyes improved without lasting decrease in the visual acuity of the dominant eyes. Appropriately administered, COAT may rescue atropine failures.
Green and Lean Paradigms Influence on Sustainable Business Development of Manufacturing Supply Chains
Authors: Carvalho Helena , Azevedo Susana Garrido , Duarte Susana , Cruz-Machado V.
Published: February 2013

Green and lean paradigms have been adopted in a supply chain management context, but nearly always separately and with little understanding of their influence on supply chain performance and sustainable business development. This paper proposes a theoretical framework about the influence of green and lean practices on sustainable business development in a supply chain context. Green and lean upstream supply chain practices, supply chain attributes and a performance measurement system, based on the balanced scorecard, are suggested. An exploratory case study was conducted at a Portuguese automotive supply chain to test qualitatively the validity of the proposed theoretical framework.
Strategic Management of Innovation Focusing on Confluence of Continuity and Change
Authors: Bhat J. S. A. , Sushil  , Jain P. K.
Published: February 2013

Production of world-class products and services amidst inevitable changes in business situations calls for a continual balance across current and future areas of focus. While innovation is accepted as an imperative, managing innovation effectively now, more than ever before, calls for a dynamic strategy to manage the resultant diverse forces that are in play at any point of time. The continuity forces, represented largely by elements denoting stability, such as an assured market base, access to technological and financial resources and availability of human capital, need to be balanced constantly versus change forces, represented by agents such as technology changes, environment changes and customer preferences. Literature survey indicates that successful organizations have demonstrated capabilities in adopting effective strategies to meet these different conditions. The attempt is to present the patterns and trends of research on both continuity and change management aspects, particularly in the context of management of innovation. While it has been possible to highlight only some of the exemplary work, the paper identifies significant gaps in research in this context and suggests a practical framework to address this issue.
A Complex Responsive Process Approach to Strategic Management
Authors: Norris Sharon E.
Published: February 2013

Traditional strategic management focuses on securing organizational assets and maximizing resources through top-down leadership and the formation of competitive strategies to advance market position, meet performance objectives, and gain competitive advantage. Top-down bureaucratic paradigms are not well suited for gaining an edge in the knowledge economy, and in many cases, these strategic behaviors are counterproductive. There is a growing need for alternative ways of thinking about strategic management and human resource development. Complexity science provides a new framework for 21st century strategic management. The complex responsive processes approach to strategic management strengthens employee engagement, knowledge creation, and organizational learning, and it improves performance, achievement of long-term competitive advantage, and strengthens intellectual capital.
Human Resource Management for Innovative Capability Development in Malaysia’s New Economic Model
Authors: Intan-Soraya Rosdi , Chew Kok-Wai
Published: February 2013

This chapter spotlights Malaysia’s New Economic Model (NEM), which aims to create a sustainable and robust economy through increased productivity and innovation. An innovation-driven business environment is to transform the Malaysian economy into one of high income and quality growth. Innovation is fueled by knowledge in organizations, and knowledge resides within individual employees. Thus, firms need to bring about knowledge exchange among employees to build on its innovative capability. Specific strategies can be utilized to encourage employees to acquire, share, and apply knowledge to create organizational value. The field of Human Resource Management (HRM) therefore becomes relevant in understanding organizational innovation in Malaysia. However, a comprehensive framework bridging HRM and organizational innovation has yet to be developed. This chapter fills in the gap by proposing a human resource management framework for innovative capability development in organizations for Malaysia’s New Economic Model.
Sustainable Intellectual Capital
Authors: Lungu Camelia Iuliana , Caraiani Chirata , Dascalu Cornelia
Published: February 2013

This chapter introduces and defines the concept of sustainable intellectual capital and proposes an assessment model designed on the base of the key performance indicators required by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The research results presented in this paragraph are debated in relation to companies’ practice. They refer to possible ways of including the information on Intellectual Capital (IC) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting requirements within their corporate strategy. The conclusions enhance the need for companies to be ready to support the integration of information on intellectual capital and corporate social responsibility in the transfer of knowledge in order to develop competitive advantage in the market. This research can contribute in many different ways, such as the extensive development of literatures and studies on relationships between corporate social responsibility and intellectual capital, the development of the new concept: the sustainable intellectual capital, or the projection of corporate strategy. The findings can enlighten organizations that intellectual capital can be an important asset, which is beneficial in conducting corporate social responsibility.
The Role of Human Resource Strategies and Practices in Developing Intellectual Capital for Innovation in Nonprofit Organizations
Authors: Kong Eric
Published: February 2013

Managing Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs) has become much more complex, particularly under the influence of New Public Management (NPM). Like their for-profit and public sector counterparts, NPOs need to utilize their Intellectual Capital (IC) for maintaining humanistic and social values that traditionally characterized the nonprofit sector and yet remain innovative and sustainable in the competitive environment. Today, more research has been conducted to understand the management of IC as a conceptually robust framework for NPOs. Very little research has been done to examine what constitutes the development of IC for innovation in the organizations. Through an analysis of the IC and HRM literature, this chapter argues that human resource strategies and practices play an important role in the IC development in the nonprofit context. A theoretical framework is proposed to illustrate the connections between IC and human resource strategies and practices. Finally, the chapter suggests directions for future research.
Integrating Learning Management Systems in K-12 Supplemental Religious Education
Authors: Hackley Dana C. , Leidman Mary Beth
Published: February 2013

The separation of church and state in the United States brought more reliance on congregations for religious education. As a result, there is a long history of supplemental education within the walls of churches, synagogues, and mosques. However, there is an increasing pressure on American congregations to remain technologically relevant in order to teach digital natives the prayers, traditions, and morals in which their faith is founded and thus continue to grow the community. Yet, in most cases, the integration and adoption of such technology proves exceedingly challenging. The following case study focuses on the challenges specifically faced by Jewish congregational religious schools when adopting e-Learning tools. Discussion encompasses one attempt to integrate the learning management system, Moodle, into a congregational religious curriculum.
Improving the Supervised Learning of Activity Classifiers for Human Motion Data
Authors: Zhao Liyue , Wang Xi , Sukthankar Gita
Published: February 2013

The ability to accurately recognize human activities from motion data is an important stepping-stone toward creating many types of intelligent user interfaces. Many supervised learning methods have been demonstrated for learning activity classifiers from data; however, these classifiers often fail due to noisy sensor data, lack of labeled training samples for rare actions and large individual differences in activity execution. In this chapter, the authors introduce two techniques for improving supervised learning of human activities from motion data: (1) an active learning framework to reduce the number of samples required to segment motion traces, and (2) an intelligent feature selection technique that both improves classification performance and reduces training time. They demonstrate how these techniques can be used to improve the classification of human household activities, an area of particular research interest since it facilitates the development of elder-care assistance systems to monitor household occupants.
Metacognitive awareness of reading strategies of University of Botswana English as Second Language students of different academic reading proficiencies
Authors: Magogwe Joel M.
Published: February 2013

This study explored metacognitive awareness level of University of Botswana students in the Faculty of Social Sciences. It also considered the more recent research focusing on the role of metacognitive awareness in reading and how it relates to proficiency. The following questions are addressed: (1) What are the self-reported reading proficiencies of the University of Botswana students? (2) Are the University of Botswana students aware of their metacognitive reading strategies? (3) What kind of metacognitive reading strategies are frequently used? (4) Is there a difference in metacognitive awareness of reading strategies used by high- and low-proficiency students respectively? The Survey of Reading Strategies Questionnaire (SORS) developed by Mokhtari and Sheorey (2002), and the semi-structured interview technique were used to collect data for this study. The findings indicate that University of Botswana English as Second Language (ESL) students reported high reading proficiency and high use of metacognitive strategies, but there was no vast difference in terms of proficiency. Students who reported their proficiency as high had an edge over low-proficiency ones mainly because their management and monitoring of reading was guided more by the goals they have set themselves than by the tests and assignments they were supposed to write.
Towards a global justice vision for climate law in a time of ‘unreason’
Authors: Lyster Rosemary
Published: February 2013

It seems that there are parallel realities when it comes to the threats that global climate change poses, not only to the sustainable development agenda, but to the survival of the planet. On the one hand, climate science has become ever more compelling. Yet at the international negotiations, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), countries have failed to make the commitments necessary to achieve their stated objective of keeping the rise in global temperatures below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. The Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development concluded in June 2012 with ‘The Future We Want’ as the principal outcome of the Conference. Not surprisingly, ‘The Future We Want’ makes frequent reference to global climate change as being a key disruptor of sustainable development and states ‘that the scale and gravity of the negative impacts of climate change affect all countries and undermine the ability of all countries, in particular, developing countries, to achieve sustainable development and the Millennium Development Goals and threaten the viability and survival of nations’. This article seeks to articulate the reasoning upon which the international community should base its responses to climate change. It will argue that there is an urgent need for a process of impartial public reasoning and discussion on the issue of climate change to emerge, so as to limit the imperatives of national interest and move towards a global justice approach. In so doing it will rely upon Amartya Sen's The Idea of Justice and Stephen Gardiner's A Perfect Moral Storm: Climate Change, Intergenerational Ethics and the Problem of Moral Corruption. In developing this thesis, the author will of necessity refer to a contrary view offered by Eric Posner and David Weisbach in Climate Change Justice where the authors allow national, or local, preferences to dictate the parameters of a climate change treaty.
Human rights and nature: intercultural perspectives and international aspirations
Authors: Gianolla Cristiano
Published: February 2013

What is the impact of human rights on the protection of Nature? Considering the rapid development of international human rights law during the last century and the parallel degradation of the environment leading to climate change, it could be concluded that human rights have had a negative impact on environmental protection, or at least that they have not had a positive impact on it. This article aims to investigate whether this is true, and if so, how the issue can be addressed. The article challenges the mainstream (western) approach to human rights and proposes that intercultural perspectives provide the basis for alternative approaches with the potential to recognize and better protect the environment. The argument focuses on the indigenous peoples of Ecuador and Bolivia and identifies, in respect to environmental justice, a bridging movement between the western and non-western conceptions of human rights. It argues that the protection of Nature would benefit from the evolution of the concept of the ‘common inheritance of Humanity’ into the concept of the ‘living commons’, thereby identifying Nature and Humanity alike as living beings to be protected at the international level. The underlying supposition of the argument is accordingly that Nature is a living being with its own dignity and therefore is a subject rather than an object: Nature should not be reduced to an object and consequently, should not be protected simply due to Nature's instrumental role in relation to the well-being of human beings.
Reducing the model-data misfit in a marine ecosystem model using periodic parameters and linear quadratic optimal control
Authors: El Jarbi M. , Rückelt J. , Slawig T. , Oschlies A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. This paper presents the application of the Linear Quadratic Optimal Control (LQOC) method to a parameter optimization problem for a one-dimensional marine ecosystem model of NPZD (N for dissolved inorganic nitrogen, P for phytoplankton, Z for zooplankton and D for detritus) type. This ecosystem model, developed by Oschlies and Garcon, simulates the distribution of nitrogen, phytoplankton, zooplankton and detritus in a water column and is driven by ocean circulation data. The LQOC method is used to introduce annually periodic model parameters in a linearized version of the model. We show that the obtained version of the model gives a significant reduction of the model-data misfit, compared to the one obtained for the original model with optimized constant parameters. The found inner-annual variability of the optimized parameters provides hints for improvement of the original model. We use the obtained optimal periodic parameters also in validation and prediction experiments with the original non-linear version of the model. In both cases, the results are significantly better than those obtained with optimized constant parameters.
A model for variable phytoplankton stoichiometry based on cell protein regulation
Authors: Bonachela J. A. , Allison S. D. , Martiny A. C. , Levin S. A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The elemental ratios of marine phytoplankton emerge from complex interactions between the biotic and abiotic components of the ocean, and reflect the plastic response of individuals to changes in their environment. The stoichiometry of phytoplankton is, thus, dynamic and dependent on the physiological state of the cell. We present a theoretical model for the dynamics of the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents of a phytoplankton population. By representing the regulatory processes controlling nutrient uptake, and focusing on the relation between nutrient content and protein synthesis, our model qualitatively replicates existing experimental observations for nutrient content and ratios. The population described by our model takes up nutrients in proportions that match the input ratios for a broad range of growth conditions. In addition, there are two zones of single-nutrient limitation separated by a wide zone of co-limitation. Within the co-limitation zone, a single point can be identified where nutrients are supplied in an optimal ratio. The existence of a wide co-limitation zone affects the standard picture for species competing for nitrogen and phosphorus, which shows here a much richer pattern. However, additional comprehensive laboratory experiments are needed to test our predictions. Our model contributes to the understanding of the global cycles of oceanic nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as the elemental ratios of these nutrients in phytoplankton populations.
An online trajectory module (version 1.0) for the non-hydrostatic numerical weather prediction model COSMO
Authors: Miltenberger A. K. , Pfahl S. , Wernli H.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. A module to calculate online trajectories has been implemented into the non-hydrostatic limited-area weather prediction and climate model COSMO. Whereas offline trajectories are calculated with wind fields from model output, which is typically available every one to six hours, online trajectories use the simulated wind field at every model time step (typically less than a minute) to solve the trajectory equation. As a consequence, online trajectories much better capture the short-term temporal fluctuations of the wind field, which is particularly important for mesoscale flows near topography and convective clouds, and they do not suffer from temporal interpolation errors between model output times. The numerical implementation of online trajectories in the COSMO model is based upon an established offline trajectory tool and takes full account of the horizontal domain decomposition that is used for parallelization of the COSMO model. Although a perfect workload balance cannot be achieved for the trajectory module (due to the fact that trajectory positions are not necessarily equally distributed over the model domain), the additional computational costs are fairly small for high-resolution simulations. Various options have been implemented to initialize online trajectories at different locations and times during the model simulation. As a first application of the new COSMO module an Alpine North Föhn event in summer 1987 has been simulated with horizontal resolutions of 2.2 km, 7 km, and 14 km. It is shown that low-tropospheric trajectories calculated offline with one- to six-hourly wind fields can significantly deviate from trajectories calculated online. Deviations increase with decreasing model grid spacing and are particularly large in regions of deep convection and strong orographic flow distortion. On average, for this particular case study, horizontal and vertical positions between online and offline trajectories differed by 50–190 km and 150–750 m, respectively, after 24 h. This first application illustrates the potential for Lagrangian studies of mesoscale flows in high-resolution convection-resolving simulations using online trajectories.
Brief communication "Likelihood of societal preparedness for global change"
Authors: Vogel R. M. , Rosner A. , Kirshen P. H.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Anthropogenic influences on earth system processes are now pervasive, resulting in trends in river discharge, pollution levels, ocean levels, precipitation, temperature, wind, landslides, bird and plant populations and a myriad of other important natural hazards relating to earth system state variables. Thousands of trend detection studies have been published which report the statistical significance of observed trends. Unfortunately, such studies only concentrate on the null hypothesis of "no trend". Little or no attention is given to the power of such statistical trend tests, which would quantify the likelihood that we might ignore a trend if it really existed. The probability of missing the trend if it exists, known as the type II error, informs us about the likelihood of whether or not society is prepared to accommodate and respond to such trends. We describe how the power or probability of detecting a trend if it exists, depends critically on our ability to develop improved multivariate deterministic and statistical methods for predicting future trends in earth system processes. Several other research and policy implications for improving our understanding of trend detection and our societal response to those trends are discussed.
A quality assessment framework for natural hazard event documentations: application to trans-basin flood reports in Germany
Authors: Uhlemann S. , Thieken A. H. , Merz B.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Written sources that aim at documenting and analysing a particular natural hazard event in the recent past are published at vast majority as grey literature (e.g. as technical reports) and therefore outside of the scholarly publication routes. In consequence, the application of event specific documentations in natural hazard research has been constrained by barriers in accessibility and concerns of credibility towards these sources and by limited awareness of their content and its usefulness for research questions. In this study we address the concerns of credibility for the first time and present a quality assessment framework for written sources from a user's perspective, i.e. we assess the documents' fitness for use to enhance the understanding of trans-basin floods in Germany in the period 1952–2002. The framework is designed to be generally applicable for any natural hazard event documentation and assesses the quality of a document addressing accessibility as well as representational, contextual, and intrinsic dimensions of quality. We introduce an ordinal scaling scheme to grade the quality in the single quality dimensions and the Pedigree score which serves as a measure for the overall document quality. We present results of an application of the framework to a set of 133 event specific documentations relevant for understanding trans-basin floods in Germany. Our results show that the majority of flood event specific reports are of a good quality, i.e. they are well enough drafted, largely accurate and objective, and contain a substantial amount of information on the sources, pathways and receptors/consequences of the floods. The validation of our results against assessments of two independent peers confirms the objectivity and transparency of the quality assessment framework. Using an example flood event that occurred in October/November 1998 we demonstrate how the information from multiple reports can be synthesised under consideration of their quality.
Potential flood volume of Himalayan glacial lakes
Authors: Fujita K. , Sakai A. , Takenaka S. , Nuimura T. , Surazakov A. B. , Sawagaki T. , Yamanokuchi T.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Glacial lakes are potentially dangerous sources of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and represent a serious natural hazard in Himalayan countries. Despite the development of various indices aimed at determining the risk of such flooding, an objective evaluation of the thousands of Himalayan glacial lakes has yet to be completed. In this study we propose a single index, based on the depression angle from the lakeshore, which allows the lakes to be assessed using remotely sensed digital elevation models (DEMs). We test our approach on five lakes in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet using images taken by the declassified Hexagon KH-9 satellite before these lakes flooded. All five lakes had a steep lakefront area (SLA), on which a depression angle was steeper than our proposed threshold of 10° before the GLOF event, but the SLA was no longer evident after the events. We further calculated the potential flood volume (PFV); i.e. the maximum volume of floodwater that could be released if the lake surface was lowered sufficiently to eradicate the SLA. This approach guarantees repeatability because it requires no particular expertise to carry out. We calculated PFVs for more than 2000 Himalayan glacial lakes using the ASTER data. The distribution follows a power-law function, and we identified 49 lakes with PFVs of over 10 million m3 that require further detailed field investigations.
Rogue waves, rogue events and extreme wave kinematics in spatio-temporal fields of simulated sea states
Authors: Sergeeva A. , Slunyaev A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. An approach to extensive studying rogue wave occurrence in numerical simulations is presented. As a result of numerical simulations of the unidirectional wave evolution, spatio-temporal fields of wave data of the size 20 min × 10 km are obtained with high resolution in time and space and are used for statistical analysis with the focus on extreme waves. Having the exhaustive information on the wave evolution enables us to capture the detailed picture of individual rogue waves; to detect intermittent rogue wave events, which last for significantly longer time, and hence, to draw the image of a rogue wave. Due to the benefit of owing full wave data, the question of relation between extreme wave kinematics and extremely high waves is discussed in the statistical sense.
Heterocycles [h]-Fused onto 4-Oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic Acid. Part X [1]. Synthesis and X-Ray Structure of a Model 4- Oxo[1,4]benzoxazepino[2,3-h]quinoline-3-carboxylic Ester
Authors: Farrayeh Batool A. , El-Abadelah Mustafa M. , Zahra Jalal A. , Haddad Salim F. , Voelte Wolfgang
Published: February 2013

Direct interaction of salicylaldehyde oxyanion with ethyl 7-chloro-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3- carboxylate (2) delivered the respective 7-(2-formyl-phenoxy)-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic ester 3. Reductive cyclization of 3 furnished the corresponding 4-oxo-[1,4]benzoxazepino[2,3- h]quinoline-3-carboxylic ester 5. Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the esters 3/5 produced the respective acids 4/6. Structural assignments for the new compounds 3 - 6 are supported by microanalytical and spectral (IR, HRMS, NMR) data and confirmed by X-ray structure determination for compound 5. Interestingly, compound 6 exhibited good antifungal activity against C. albicans.
Choosing wisely: The American College of Rheumatology's top 5 list of things physicians and patients should question
Authors: Yazdany Jinoos , Schmajuk Gabriela , Robbins Mark , Daikh David , Beall Ashley , Yelin Edward , Barton Jennifer , Carlson Adam , Margaretten Mary , Zell JoAnn , Gensler Lianne S. , Kelly Victoria , Saag Kenneth , King Charles ,   The American College of Rheumatology Core Membership Group
Published: February 2013

Objective

We sought to develop a list of 5 tests, treatments, or services commonly used in rheumatology practice whose necessity or value should be questioned and discussed by physicians and patients.

Methods

We used a multistage process combining consensus methodology and literature reviews to arrive at the American College of Rheumatology's (ACR) Top 5 list. Rheumatologists from diverse practice settings generated items using the Delphi method. Items with high content agreement and perceived high prevalence advanced to a survey of ACR members, who comprise >90% of the US rheumatology workforce. To increase the response rate, a nested random sample of 390 rheumatologists received more intensive survey followup. The samples were combined and weighting procedures were applied to ensure generalizability. Items with high ratings underwent literature review. Final items were then selected and formulated by the task force.

Results

One hundred five unique items were proposed and narrowed down to 22 items during the Delphi rounds. A total of 1,052 rheumatologists (17% of those contacted) participated in the member‐wide survey, whereas 33% of those in the nested random sample participated; respondent characteristics were similar in both samples. Based on survey results and available scientific evidence, 5 items (relating to antinuclear antibodies, Lyme disease, magnetic resonance imaging, bone absorptiometry, and biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis) were selected for inclusion.

Conclusion

The ACR Top 5 list is intended to promote discussions between physicians and patients about health care practices in rheumatology whose use should be questioned and to assist rheumatologists in providing high‐value care.
A commonly carried genetic variant in the delta opioid receptor gene, OPRD1, is associated with smaller regional brain volumes: Replication in elderly and young populations
Authors: Roussotte Florence F. , Jahanshad Neda , Hibar Derrek P. , Sowell Elizabeth R. , Kohannim Omid , Barysheva Marina , Hansell Narelle K. , McMahon Katie L. , de Zubicaray Greig I. , Montgomery Grant W. , Martin Nicholas G. , Wright Margaret J. , Toga Arthur W. , Jack Clifford R. , Weiner Michael W. , Thompson Paul M. ,   the ADNI
Published: February 2013

Delta opioid receptors are implicated in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders. These receptors play a key role in the reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse, and polymorphisms in OPRD1 (the gene encoding delta opioid receptors) are associated with drug addiction. Delta opioid receptors are also involved in protecting neurons against hypoxic and ischemic stress. Here, we first examined a large sample of 738 elderly participants with neuroimaging and genetic data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. We hypothesized that common variants in OPRD1 would be associated with differences in brain structure, particularly in regions relevant to addictive and neurodegenerative disorders. One very common variant (rs678849) predicted differences in regional brain volumes. We replicated the association of this single‐nucleotide polymorphism with regional tissue volumes in a large sample of young participants in the Queensland Twin Imaging study. Although the same allele was associated with reduced volumes in both cohorts, the brain regions affected differed between the two samples. In healthy elderly, exploratory analyses suggested that the genotype associated with reduced brain volumes in both cohorts may also predict cerebrospinal fluid levels of neurodegenerative biomarkers, but this requires confirmation. If opiate receptor genetic variants are related to individual differences in brain structure, genotyping of these variants may be helpful when designing clinical trials targeting delta opioid receptors to treat neurological disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1226–1236, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new probe of black holes and their environment: Luminous flares from tidally disrupted stars
Authors: Komossa S.
Published: February 2013

The luminous accretion flares from tidally disrupted stars represent a powerful probe of the presence of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in otherwise non-active galaxies, of accretion physics and BH spin, of jet formation, and relativistic effects. Further, the reprocessing of the continuum radiation of the flare into IR, optical and UV emission lines provides us with multiple new diagnostics of the properties of any gaseous material in the vicinity of the SMBH and in the host galaxy itself. While first events were discovered in the course of the ROSAT all-sky survey in X-rays, the last few years have seen the detection of several more flares, including in the UV, optical and radio band and via their emission-line “echoes”. A wealth of applications will become feasible in upcoming years, once flares are detected in large numbers in current and future sky surveys.
Contribution of Advection Process in SOC Model Causing the Appearance of Lognormal Distribution in Emission
Authors: Kunjaya Chatief , Mahasena Putra , Vierdayanti Kiki , Herlie Stefani
Published: February 2013

Emission variability from Black Hole objects like Seyfert Galaxies, Quasars etc. shows a irregular variation with various amplitude and time scale. Further analysis of the emission shows the appearance of the lognormal distribution. Such distribution cannot be explained by conventional Self Organized Criticality (SOC) Model. In this paper a modified SOC model with cellular automaton mechanism combined with advection process is introduced. Simulation shows that lognormal distribution can be resulted, while the other characteristics of PSD and structure function of the original SOC model can be maintained. Incorporation of the advection process is the key factor for the appearance of lognormal distribution.
Atomic Physics of Raman Scattered He IIλ4332
Authors: Lee Hee-Won
Published: February 2013

Raman scattering of far UV photons with atomic hydrogen is important in studying the mass loss and accretion processes in many symbiotic stars. We present basic atomic physical properties for the inelastic scattering of He II 949 with a hydrogen atom, which results in Raman scattered He II 4332 blueward of H gamma. At line center of He II 949, the total scattering cross section is computed to be σtot = 2.5 × 10−22 cm2 and the branching ratio into the level 2s is 0.12. It is proposed that comparisons of broad Balmer wings and Raman scattered He II features may provide an important diagnostic of far UV continuum around H I Lyman series.
The internal loop of fission yeast Ndc80 binds Alp7/TACC-Alp14/TOG and ensures proper chromosome attachment
Authors: Tang Ngang Heok , Takada Hirofumi , Hsu Kuo-Shun , Toda Takashi
Published: February 2013

The Ndc80 outer kinetochore complex plays a critical role in kinetochore–microtubule attachment, yet our understanding of the mechanism by which this complex interacts with spindle microtubules for timely and accurate chromosome segregation remains limited. Here we address this issue using an ndc80 mutant (ndc80-NH12) from fission yeast that contains a point mutation within a ubiquitous internal loop. This mutant is normal for assembly of the Ndc80 complex and bipolar spindle formation yet defective in proper end-on attachment to the spindle microtubule, with chromosome alignment defects and missegregation happening later during mitosis. We find that ndc80-NH12 exhibits impaired localization of the microtubule-associated protein complex Alp7/transforming acidic coiled coil (TACC)-Alp14/tumor-overexpressed gene (TOG) to the mitotic kinetochore. Consistently, wild-type Ndc80 binds these two proteins, whereas the Ndc80-NH12 mutant protein displays a substantial reduction of interaction. Crucially, forced targeting of Alp7–Alp14 to the outer kinetochore rescues ndc80-NH12-mutant phenotypes. The loop was previously shown to bind Dis1/TOG, by which it ensures initial chromosome capture during early mitosis. Strikingly, ndc80-NH12 is normal in Dis1 localization. Genetic results indicate that the loop recruits Dis1/TOG and Alp7/TACC-Alp14/TOG independently. Our work therefore establishes that the Ndc80 loop plays sequential roles in spindle–kinetochore attachment by connecting the Ndc80 complex to Dis1/TOG and Alp7/TACC-Alp14/TOG.
Passive avoidance is linked to impaired fear extinction in humans
Authors: Cornwell Brian R. , Overstreet Cassie , Krimsky Marissa , Grillon Christian
Published: February 2013

Conventional wisdom dictates we must face our fears to conquer them. This idea is embodied in exposure-based treatments for anxiety disorders, where the intent of exposure is to reverse a history of avoidant behavior that is thought to fuel a patient’s irrational fears. We tested in humans the relationship between fear and avoidance by combining Pavlovian differential fear conditioning with a novel task for quantifying spontaneous passive avoidant behavior. During self-guided navigation in virtual reality following de novo fear conditioning, we observed participants keeping their distance from the feared object. At the individual level, passive avoidant behavior was highly associated with maladaptive fear expression (fear-potentiated startle) during late extinction training, indicating that extinction learning was impaired following a brief episode of avoidance. Avoidant behavior, however, was not related to initial acquired fear, raising doubt about a straightforward link between physiological fear and behavioral avoidance. We conclude that a deeper understanding of what motivates avoidance may offer a target for early intervention, before fears transition from the rational to the irrational.
Clinical and genetic characterization of Bardet–Biedl syndrome in Tunisia: defining a strategy for molecular diagnosis
Authors: M'hamdi O. , Redin C. , Stoetzel C. , Ouertani I. , Chaabouni M. , Maazoul F. , M'rad R. , Mandel J.L. , Dollfus H. , Muller J. , Chaabouni H.
Published: February 2013

Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS, OMIM 209900) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by obesity, retinitis pigmentosa, post axial polydactyly, cognitive impairment, renal anomalies and hypogonadism. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive clinical and molecular analysis of a cohort of 11 Tunisian BBS consanguineous families in order to give insight into clinical and genetic spectrum and the genotype–phenotype correlations. Molecular analysis using combined sequence capture and high‐throughput sequencing of 30 ciliopathies genes revealed 11 mutations in 11 studied families. Five mutations were novel and six were previously described. Novel mutations included c.1110G>A and c.39delA (p.G13fs*41) in BBS1, c.115+5G>A in BBS2, c.1272+1G>A in BBS6, c.1181_1182insGCATTTATACC in BBS10 (p.S396Lfs*6). Described mutations included c.436C>T (p.R146*) and c.1473+4A>G in BBS1, c.565C> (p.R189*) in BBS2, deletion of exons 4–6 in BBS4, c.149T>G (p.L50R) in BBS5, and c.459+1G>A in BBS8; most frequent mutations were described in BBS1 (4/11, 37%) and BBS2 (2/11, 18%) genes. No phenotype–genotype correlation was evidenced. This data expands the mutations profile of BBS genes in Tunisia and suggests a divergence of the genetic spectrum comparing Tunisian and other populations.
Making predictions of mangrove deforestation: a comparison of two methods in Kenya
Authors: Rideout Alasdair J R , Joshi Neha P , Viergever Karin M , Huxham Mark , Briers Robert A
Published: February 2013

Deforestation of mangroves is of global concern given their importance for carbon storage, biogeochemical cycling and the provision of other ecosystem services, but the links between rates of loss and potential drivers or risk factors are rarely evaluated. Here, we identified key drivers of mangrove loss in Kenya and compared two different approaches to predicting risk. Risk factors tested included various possible predictors of anthropogenic deforestation, related to population, suitability for land use change and accessibility. Two approaches were taken to modelling risk; a quantitative statistical approach and a qualitative categorical ranking approach. A quantitative model linking rates of loss to risk factors was constructed based on generalized least squares regression and using mangrove loss data from 1992 to 2000. Population density, soil type and proximity to roads were the most important predictors. In order to validate this model it was used to generate a map of losses of Kenyan mangroves predicted to have occurred between 2000 and 2010. The qualitative categorical model was constructed using data from the same selection of variables, with the coincidence of different risk factors in particular mangrove areas used in an additive manner to create a relative risk index which was then mapped. Quantitative predictions of loss were significantly correlated with the actual loss of mangroves between 2000 and 2010 and the categorical risk index values were also highly correlated with the quantitative predictions. Hence, in this case the relatively simple categorical modelling approach was of similar predictive value to the more complex quantitative model of mangrove deforestation. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed, and the implications for mangroves are outlined.
The triradiate sucking pharynx in animal phylogeny
Authors: Nielsen Claus
Published: February 2013

Independent sucking/swallowing pharynges, as found in members of at least ten animal phyla, are pharynges that are opened by muscles that are not attached to the outer body wall. Their musculature is derived from either mesoderm or ectoderm, the latter taking the form of a myoepithelium. I review results of previous work on the morphology of independent sucking/swallowing pharynges among invertebrates and provide new information on the ultrastructure of the pharynx of the cyclostome bryozoan Crisia eburnea. The various morphologies of this type of pharynx have been used in some phylogenetic considerations, but only the myoepithelial sucking pharynx with a triradiate lumen was considered significant in analyses of relationships between phyla. However, I argue that this shape is the only one that makes an efficient suction pump, and this, together with different orientations of the myoepithelial pharyngeal pump and its phylogenetic distribution, indicates that the triradiate myoepithelial pharynx has evolved convergently in a number of lineages.
Kanji Recognition by Second Language Learners: Exploring Effects of First Language Writing Systems and Second Language Exposure
Authors: Matsumoto Kazumi
Published: February 2013

This study investigated whether learners of Japanese with different first language (L1) writing systems use different recognition strategies and whether second language (L2) exposure affects L2 kanji recognition. The study used a computerized lexical judgment task with 3 types of kanji characters to investigate these questions: (a) pseudo‐homophones, (b) pseudo‐homographs, and (c) real words. Three groups of learners participated in the study: (a) beginning‐level learners of Japanese whose L1 was alphabetic, (b) beginning‐level learners of Japanese whose L1 was logographic, and (c) intermediate‐level learners of Japanese whose L1 was alphabetic. The results showed that both levels of learners whose L1 was alphabetic had poor results on the computerized lexical judgment test, possibly due to poor L2 orthographic awareness. The learners with L1 alphabetic knowledge used a poor visual recognition strategy for L2 kanji decoding, whereas those with L1 logographic knowledge were able to access individual kanji characters due to sufficient knowledge of the characters. Some of the learners also preferred phonological coding to recognize kanji characters. In addition, reaction time for the judgment task differed significantly between beginning‐ and intermediate‐level learners. Results indicated that different reading strategies were used by learners of L1 alphabetic or logographic backgrounds and the beginning and intermediate learners who had had different degrees of exposure to the L2.