bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Proterozoic Dessert Lake Red Bed Basin, target for uranium exploration - an update
Authors: Bleeker W , LeCheminant A N
Published: July 2012

The Dessert Lake red beds comprise a largely concealed sedimentary basin outlier of Proterozoic sandstones to the west of Great Slave Lake (Bleeker and LeCheminant, 2007). These sandstones are intruded by Mackenzie age diabase and thus older than 1270 Ma. They
overlie and geophysically mask Archean to Paleoproterozoic basement rocks of the southwesternmost Slave craton and adjacent Great Bear Magmatic Zone. Only one outcrop of these sandstones is known, on the western shore of Great Slave Lake, the rest of the basin outlier being concealed underneath thin
but geophysically transparent Paleozoic platform rocks. Although much remains to be learned about this weakly tilted but otherwise undeformed sandstone sequence, it likely represents an erosional remnant of a much more extensive Proterozoic red sandstone cover that may have been present across much
of the western Canadian Shield. Closest analogues and possibly direct correlatives are the Athabasca Basin to the southeast and the Hornby Bay Basin to the north.
Given these likely correlations, and its proximity to Yellowknife, the shores of Great Slave Lake, and the main highway (NWT Highway 3) between Fort Providence and Rae-Edzo, the basin remnant is of some interest to uranium exploration companies. In recent years, much of the basin was staked and a
number of exploratory holes were drilled. Several important questions remained however:
1) What is the age of this red bed sequence?
2) How thick is this basin remnant, and is the basal unconformity within reach of drilling and exploration?
3) How far does this basin remnant extend to the west?
4) And finally, does this basin extend far enough west to have been imaged on the regional seismic reflection line of LITHOPROBE's SNORCLE Transect (e.g., Cook et al., 1999).
Having identified the eastern edge of this basin with some confidence, including the one outcrop on Great Slave Lake, our initial hypothesis was that the red bed sequence may correspond with a shallow subhorizontal reflector on the SNORCLE reflection profile. Re-investigation of drill core cuttings
from several old oil and gas exploration drill holes in the area now rule out this possibility: cuttings at the bottom of several drill holes in proximity to Highway 3 show Paleozoic platformal rocks directly overlying a variety of granitoid rocks. From this we can conclude two things:
1) The Dessert Lake red bed basin wedges out (faulted?) somewhere to the east of Highway 3.
And 2) consequently, the major subhorizontal reflector on the SNORCLE seismic profile (at ~2-3 km depth), between Rae-Edzo and Fort Providence, cannot be the basal unconformity of these red beds. Given that it forms a marked, laterally persistent reflector in apparently transparent granitoid
basement, we now interpret this major reflector as a large diabase sill of either Hottah (ca. 780 Ma) or Mackenzie (ca. 1270 Ma) age. If the red beds continue to the west, they likely do so, discontinuously, along a northwesterly trend parallel to the North Arm of Great Slave
Lake.
Rock-Eval/TOC data for selected samples from five boreholes from Liard Plateau, Yukon (Mount Martin map area NTS 095-C/01)
Authors: Obermajer M , Lane L S , Osadetz K G , Potter J
Published: July 2012

Over 400 Rock-Eval/TOC analyses are given for samples from five petroleum exploration wells in Liard Plateau, Yukon.
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Clinical and computed tomography findings in predicting in-hospital mortality in Central Africans
Authors: Tshikwela Michel Lelo , Longo-Mbenza Benjamin
Published: July 2012

Background and Purpose: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) constitutes now 52% of all strokes. Despite of its deadly pattern, locally there is no clinical grading scale for ICH-related mortality prediction. The first objective of this study was to develop a risk stratification scale (Kinshasa ICH score) by assessing the strength of independent predictors and their association with in-hospital 30-day mortality. The second objective of the study was to create a specific local and African model for ICH prognosis. Materials and Methods: Age, sex, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), smoking, alcohol intake, and neuroimaging data from CT scan (ICH volume, Midline shift) of patients admitted with primary ICH and follow-upped in 33 hospitals of Kinshasa, DR Congo, from 2005 to 2008, were analyzed using logistic regression models. Results: A total of 185 adults and known hypertensive patients (140 men and 45 women) were examined. 30-day mortality rate was 35% (n=65). ICH volume>25 mL (OR=8 95% CI: 3.1-20.2; P<0.0001), presence of coma (OR=6.8 95% CI 2.6-17.4; P<0.0001) and left hemispheric site of ICH (OR 2.6 95% CI: 1.1-6; P=0.027) were identified as significant and independent predictors of 30-day mortality. Midline shift > 7 mm, a consequence of ICH volume, was also a significant predictor of mortality. The Kinshasa ICH score was the sum of individual points assigned as follows: Presence of coma coded 2 (2 × 2 = 4), absence of coma coded 1 (1 × 2 = 2), ICH volume>25 mL coded 2 (2 × 2=4), ICH volume of ≤25 mL coded 1(1 × 2=2), left hemispheric site of ICH coded 2 (2 × 1=2), and right hemispheric site of hemorrhage coded 1(1 × 1 = 1). All patients with Kinshasa ICH score ≤7 survived and the patients with a score >7 died. In considering sex influence (Model 3), points were allowed as follows: Presence of coma (2 × 3 = 6), absence of coma (1 × 3 = 3), men (2 × 2 = 4), women (1 × 2 = 2), midline shift ≤7 mm (1 × 3 = 3), and midline shift >7 mm (2 × 3 = 6). Patients who died had the Kinshasa ICH score ≥16. Conclusion: In this study, the Kinshasa ICH score seems to be an accurate method for distinguishing those ICH patients who need continuous and special management. It needs to be validated among large African hypertensive populations with a high rate of 30-day in–hospital mortality.
Epidural steroid injection in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Kawu Ahidjo A
Published: July 2012

Objective: This prospective-controlled observational study looked at well-matched patients with spinal pain and radicular symptoms, caused by lumbar intervertebral disc herniation to compare the short-term clinical outcome of transforaminal and interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ESI) in a resource challenged tertiary institution in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: 49 patients with radicular symptoms who were matched for age, symptom duration, magnetic resonance imaging findings, and pre-injection revised Oswentry Disability Index (ODI) score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were assigned into ESI technique. The ODI and VAS score were analyzed immediately after an injection and upon follow-up (average 178.5 days), also with the need for repeated injections and surgical interventions over a 1-year follow-up interval. Result: In the transforaminal group (25 patients), there was a statistically significant improvement in the ODI scores from before the injection (ODI mean 62.4) to immediately after the injection (ODI mean 24.4, P < 0.01), and upon follow-up (ODI mean 20.8, P < 0.01). 9 patients (18.4%) required 1 or 2 repeated injections, 3 (6.1%) patients underwent surgery and 2 (4%) patients lost to follow-up. In the interlaminar group (24 patients), there was a statistically significant improvement in the ODI scores from before the injection (ODI mean 60.7) to immediately after the injection (ODI mean 30.1, P < 0.01), but not upon follow-up (ODI mean 43.2, P = 0.09). 11 (22.4%) patients required 1 or 2 repeated injection, 4 (8%) patients underwent surgery and 3 (6.1%) patients were lost to follow-up. There is an average of 2 fold improvement of transforaminal ESI over interlaminar ESI in a 40 point scale of ODI score on follow-up, which was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The VAS showed similar pattern with the ODI scores in the study. Conclusion: Transforaminal ESI to treat symptomatic lumbar disc herniation resulted in better short-term pain improvement and fewer long-term surgical interventions compared to interlaminar ESI.
Lamotrigine effects sensorimotor gating in WAG/Rij rats
Authors: Celikyurt Ipek Komsuoglu , Ulak Guner , Mutlu Oguz , Akar Furuzan Yildiz , Erden Faruk , Komsuoglu Sezer Sener
Published: July 2012

Introduction: Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a measurable form of sensorimotor gating. Disruption of PPI reflects the impairment in the neural filtering process of mental functions that are related to the transformation of an external stimuli to a response. Impairment of PPI is reported in neuropsychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s diseases, Tourette syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, and temporal lobe epilepsy with psychosis. Absence epilepsy is the most common type of primary generalized epilepsy. Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug that is preferred in absence epilepsy and acts by stabilizing the voltage-gated sodium channels. Aim: In this study, we have compared WAG-Rij rats (genetically absence epileptic rats) with Wistar rats, in order to clarify if there is a deficient sensorimotor gating in absence epilepsy, and have examined the effects of lamotrigine (15, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) on this phenomenon. Materials and Methods: Depletion in PPI percent value is accepted as a disruption in sensory-motor filtration function. The difference between the Wistar and WAG/Rij rats has been evaluated with the student t test and the effects of lamotrigine on the PPI percent have been evaluated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) post-hoc Dunnett’s test. Results: The PPI percent was low in the WAG/Rij rats compared to the controls (P<0.0001, t:9,612). Although the PPI percent value of the control rats was not influenced by lamotrigine, the PPI percent value of the WAG/Rij rats was raised by lamotrigine treatment (P<0.0001, F:861,24). Conclusions: As a result of our study, PPI was disrupted in the WAG/Rij rats and this disruption could be reversed by an antiepileptic lamotrigine.
Prognostic significance of age in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Dhandapani S S , Manju D , Sharma B S , Mahapatra A K
Published: July 2012

Background: Age is a strong prognostic factor following traumatic brain injury (TBI), with discrepancies defining the critical prognostic age threshold. This study was undertaken to determine the impact of various age thresholds on outcome after TBI. Materials and Methods: The ages of patients admitted with TBI were prospectively studied in relation to mode of injury, Glasgow coma score (GCS), CT category and surgical intervention. Mortality was assessed at 1 month, and neurological outcome was assessed at 6 months. Appropriate statistical analyzes (details in article) were performed. Results: Of the total 244 patients enrolled, 144 patients had severe, 38 patients had moderate and 62 patients had mild TBI, respectively. Age had significant association with grade of injury, CT category and surgical intervention (P < 0.01). Mortality at 1 month was significantly associated with increasing age with patients dead at 1 month being 15% for age < 18, 44% for age between 18 and 59 years, and 52% in the age group > 59 years respectively (P < 0.001). Unfavorable outcome showed significant association with an increase in age, every decade (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, there was stepwise increase in the odds of unfavorable outcome across age groups centered on 40 years, independent of confounding factors. The adjusted odds ratios for unfavorable outcome with regard to age thresholds 30, 40 and 50 years were 11.3, 53.3 and 1171, respectively (P < 0.005). Moreover, there was significant association of unfavorable outcome with age > 40 years in all subgroups, based on GCS and surgical intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In patients with TBI, age demonstrates independent association with unfavorable outcome at 6 months, in stepwise manner centered on a threshold of 40 years.
Effect of fluoride exposure on the intelligence of school children in Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Saxena Sudhanshu , Sahay Anjali , Goel Pankaj
Published: July 2012

Objective: To assess the relationship between exposure to different drinking water fluoride levels and children’s intelligence in Madhya Pradesh state, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 12-year-old school children of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The children were selected from low (< 1.5 parts per million) and high (≥1.5 parts per million) fluoride areas. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the children’s personal characteristics, residential history, medical history, educational level of the head of the family, and socioeconomic status of the family. Levels of lead, arsenic, and iodine in the urine and the levels of fluoride in the water and urine were analyzed. The children’s intelligence was measured using Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices. Data analysis was done using the chi-square, one way analysis of variance, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regression tests. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Differences in participant’s sociodemographic characteristics, urinary iodine, urinary lead, and urinary arsenic levels were statistically not significant (P>0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the urinary fluoride levels (P 0.000). Reduction in intelligence was observed with an increased water fluoride level (P 0.000). The urinary fluoride level was a significant predictor for intelligence (P 0.000). Conclusion: Children in endemic areas of fluorosis are at risk for impaired development of intelligence.
Cervical disc herniation manifesting as a Brown-Sequard syndrome
Authors: Yokoyama Kunio , Kawanishi Masahiro , Yamada Makoto , Kuroiwa Toshihiko
Published: July 2012

Brown-Sequard syndrome is commonly seen in the setting of spinal trauma or an extramedullary spinal neoplasm. The clinical picture reflects hemisection of the spinal cord. We report a rare case of Brown-Sequard syndrome caused by a large cervical herniated disc. A 63-year-old man presented with progressive right hemiparesis and disruption of pain and temperature sensation on the left side of the body. Magnetic resonance imaging showed large C3-C4 disc herniation compressing the spinal cord at that level, with severe canal stenosis from C4 through C7. Decompressive cervical laminoplasty was performed. After surgery, complete sensory function was restored and a marked improvement in motor power was obtained.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Gene Polymorphism and Breast Cancer Risk among Arab Omani Women: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Al-Ajmi Kawthar , Ganguly Shyam S. , Al-Ajmi Adil , Mandhari Zahid Al , Al-Moundhri Mansour S.
Published: July 2012

Breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide with significant global burden. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is an important regulator of cellular growth, differentiation, and apoptosis and mitogenic and antiapoptotic activities. Some studies suggested an association between cytosine adenine (CA) repeats gene polymorphisms of IGF1 and the risk of developing breast cancer while other studies did not find such an association. This study aims investigate the role of IGF1 (CA) repeats gene polymorphisms in the risk of developing breast cancer among Omani women.

Methods

We analyzed (CA) repeats gene polymorphisms of IGF1 by extraction of genomic DNA from the peripheral blood of 147 patients with breast cancer and 134 control participants and performed genotyping using DNA sequencing.

Results

Approximately 46% of patients carried the IGF (CA)19 repeat allele, with 31.3% carrying two copies of this allele and 50% of controls carried the IGF (CA)19 repeat allele with 30.1% carrying two copies of this allele. The difference of the IGF CA repeat groups was significant between cases and controls with ( P = 0.02). In contrast, there was no difference in the distribution of (CA)19 repeat allele, (CA)18 repeat allele and (CA)19 repeat allele between cases and controls. The difference of the CA groups was significant between cases and controls among postmenopausal women with ( P = 0.026), whereas no difference was observed among postmenopausal subjects ( P = 0.429). In both pre- and postmenopausal groups there was no difference in the distribution of (CA)19 repeat allele, (CA)18 repeat allele and (CA)20 repeat allele between patients and control subjects. On further IGF1 genotypes classification, we found an association between progesterone receptor status and the genotypes group where the non carrier of (CA)19 repeat group was compared to (CA)19 repeat carrier group (OR = 2.482; 95% CI = 1.119–5.503; P value = 0.023).

Conclusion

Overall there was no association between the IGF (CA)19 repeat and breast cancer in Omani females.
Predictors of Clinician Tobacco Intervention Counseling in Six North Carolina Free Clinics
Authors: Spangler John G. , Song Eun-Young , Pockey Jessica Richardson , Sutfin Erin L. , Helme Donald W. , Jones Cindy , Foley Kristie L.
Published: July 2012

While the poor and the uninsured are at increased risk for tobacco use, up to two thirds of these patients express interest in near-term quitting. Nonetheless, tobacco counseling rates remain low in clinics serving these patients. As part of a larger tobacco intervention project in North Carolina free clinics, we gathered baseline data on patient characteristics in six randomly selected facilities affiliated with the North Carolina Association of Free Clinics. An exit interview was completed by 231 patients; 126 (54%) were tobacco users. Among all patients, 71% had been asked by a clinician about tobacco use in the past 3 months. Among tobacco users, 68% had received at least one other counseling step (assessment; advice; or assistance). Patients with asthma and current tobacco users had a two-fold increase in being asked about tobacco use. Patients' diagnoses–-in particular asthma–-can remind clinicians of tobacco intervention.
On Minimal and Maximal p-operator Space Structures
Authors: Öztop Serap , Spronk Nico
Published: July 2012

We show that L∞(µ), in its capacity as multiplication operators on Lp(µ), is minimal as a p-operator space for a decomposable measure μ. We conclude that L1(μ) has a certain maximal type p-operator space structure that facilitates computations with L1(μ) and the projective tensor product.
Product Placement and Brand Equity
Authors: Corniani Margherita
Published: July 2012

Product placement is the planned insertion of a brand within a movie, a fiction, etc. It can be used with other communication tools (i.e. advertising, sales promotions, etc.) in order to disseminate brand awareness and characterize brand image, developing brand equity. In global markets, product placement is particularly useful for improving brand equity of brands with a well established brand awareness.
Governance and Management in the Business of Sport
Authors: Cafferata Roberto
Published: July 2012

Sport activities and the environment around them are widely considered as being important examples of the emerging service economy, which cultivates strong ties with both the financial and the industrial sectors. Sports are social economic activities where developments indicate the existence of a dynamic process. In the global competitive context, sport organisations no longer require generalist managers who can turn their hands to everything, but rather they need managers with the ability to co-ordinate and control complex administration, delegate functions and motivate people. The role of marketing is steadily growing within a sport organisation’s business strategies.
Evaluating transport in the WRF model along the California coast
Authors: Yver C. , Graven H. , Lucas D. D. , Cameron-Smith P. , Keeling R. , Weiss R.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. This paper presents a step in the development of a top-down method to complement the bottom-up inventories of halocarbon emissions in California using high frequency observations, forward simulations and inverse methods. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography high-frequency atmospheric halocarbon measurement sites are located along the California coast and therefore the evaluation of transport in the chosen Weather Research Forecast (WRF) model at these sites is crucial for inverse modeling. The performance of the transport model has been investigated by comparing the wind direction and speed at four locations along the coast using aircraft weather reports. Different planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes, nesting options and two meteorological datasets have been tested. Finally, simulated concentration of an inert tracer has been briefly investigated. All the PBL schemes present similar results that generally agree with observations, except in summer when the model sea breeze is too strong. At the coarse 12 km resolution, using ERA-interim (ECMWF Re-Analysis) as initial and boundary conditions leads to improvements compared to using the North American Model (NAM) dataset. Adding higher resolution nests also improves the match with the observations. However, no further improvement is observed from increasing the nest resolution from 4 km to 0.8 km. Once optimized, the model is able to reproduce tracer measurements during typical winter California large-scale events (Santa Ana). Furthermore, with the WRF/CHEM chemistry module and the European Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) version 4.1 emissions for HFC-134a, we find that using a simple emission scaling factor is not sufficient to infer emissions, which highlights the need for more complex inversions.
Comparison of global 3-D aviation emissions datasets
Authors: Olsen S. C. , Wuebbles D. J. , Owen B.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Aviation emissions are unique from other transportation emissions, e.g., from road transportation and shipping, in that they occur at higher altitudes as well as at the surface. Aviation emissions of carbon dioxide, soot, and water vapor have direct radiative impacts on the Earth's climate system while emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC) impact air quality and climate through their effects on ozone, methane, and clouds. The most accurate estimates of the impact of aviation on air quality and climate utilize three-dimensional chemistry-climate models and gridded four dimensional (space and time) aviation emissions datasets. We compare five available aviation emissions datasets currently and historically used to evaluate the impact of aviation on climate and air quality: NASA-Boeing 1992, NASA-Boeing 1999, QUANTIFY 2000, Aero2k 2002, and AEDT 2006 and aviation fuel usage estimates from the International Energy Agency. Roughly 90% of all aviation emissions are in the Northern Hemisphere and nearly 60% of all fuelburn and NOx emissions occur at cruise altitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. While these datasets were created by independent methods and are thus not strictly suitable for analyzing trends they suggest that commercial aviation fuelburn and NOx emissions increased over the last two decades while HC emissions likely decreased and CO emissions did not change significantly. The bottom-up estimates compared here are consistently lower than International Energy Agency fuelburn statistics although the gap is significantly lower in the more recent datasets. Overall the emissions distributions are quite similar for fuelburn and NOx while for CO and HC there are relatively larger differences. There are however some distinct differences in the altitude distribution of emissions in certain regions for the Aero2k dataset.
Montreal Protocol benefits simulated with CCM SOCOL
Authors: Egorova T. , Rozanov E. , Gröbner J. , Hauser M. , Schmutz W.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Ozone depletion is caused by the anthropogenic increase of halogen containing species in the atmosphere, which results in the enhancement of the concentration of reactive chlorine and bromine in the stratosphere. To reduce the influence of anthropogenic ozone-depleting substances (ODS), the Montreal Protocol was agreed by Governments in 1987, with several Amendments adopted later. In order to assess the benefits of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments (MPA) on ozone and UV radiation, two different runs of the chemistry-climate model (CCM) SOCOL have been carried out. The first run was driven by the emission of ozone depleting substances (ODS) prescribed according to the restrictions of the Montreal Protocol and all its Amendments. For the second run we allow the ODS to grow by 3% annually. We find that the MPA would have saved up to 80% of the global annual total ozone by the end of the 21st century. Our calculations also show substantial changes in surface temperature and precipitations that could occur in the world without MPA implementations. To illustrate the changes in UV radiation at the surface and to emphasize certain features which can only be seen for some particular regions if the influence of the cloud cover changes is accounted for, we calculate geographical distribution of the erythemally weighted irradiance (Eery). For the no Montreal Protocol simulation Eery increases by factor of 4 to 16 between the 1970s and 2100. For the scenario including the Montreal Protocol it is found that UV radiation starts to decrease in 2000, with continuous decline of 5% to 10% at middle latitudes in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Seven years of global retrieval of cloud properties using space-borne data of GOME
Authors: Lelli L. , Kokhanovsky A. A. , Rozanov V. V. , Vountas M. , Sayer A. M. , Burrows J. P.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. We present a global and regional multi-annual (June 1996–May 2003) analysis of cloud properties (spherical cloud albedo – CA, cloud optical thickness – COT and cloud top height – CTH) of optically thick (COT > 5) clouds, derived using measurements from the GOME instrument on board the ESA ERS-2 space platform. We focus on cloud top height, which is obtained from top-of-atmosphere backscattered solar light measurements in the O2 A-band using the Semi-Analytical CloUd Retrieval Algorithm SACURA. The physical framework relies on the asymptotic equations of radiative transfer. The dataset has been validated against independent ground- and satellite-based retrievals and is aimed to support trace-gases retrievals as well as to create a robust long-term climatology together with SCIAMACHY and GOME-2 ensuing retrievals. We observed the El Niño-Southern Oscillation anomaly in the 1997–1998 record through CTH values over the Pacific Ocean. The global average CTH as derived from GOME is 5.6 ± 3.2 km, for a corresponding average COT of 19.1 ± 13.9.
On-orbit radiometric calibration of SWIR bands of TANSO-FTS onboard GOSAT
Authors: Yoshida Y. , Kikuchi N. , Yokota T.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) was launched on 23 January 2009 to monitor global distributions of carbon dioxide and methane. The Thermal And Near-infrared Sensor for carbon Observation-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) onboard GOSAT measures short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, and its radiometric accuracy directly influences the accuracy of the retrieved greenhouse gas concentrations. From a 2.5-yr retrieval analysis of GOSAT data, we found that the minimum of the mean-squared value of the residuals (the difference between observed and fitted spectra) and the radiance adjustment factor (one of the ancillary parameter to be retrieved with the gas concentrations for adjusting the radiance level between the bands) changed with time, possibly due to inaccurate degradation correction. In this study, the radiometric degradation of TANSO-FTS was evaluated from the on-orbit solar calibration data and modeled as a function of time and wavenumber for each spectral band. The radiometric degradation of TANSO-FTS Band 1 (centered at 0.76 μm) after the launch was evaluated to be about 4 to 6%, varying with wavenumber, whereas the other two bands (Band 2: 1.6 μm and Band 3: 2.0 μm) showed about 1% degradation and small wavenumber dependency. When we applied the new degradation model in the retrieval analysis, the above-mentioned issues disappeared.
Identification of two organic bands showing different chemical composition within the skeleton of Porites lutea: a confocal Raman microscopy study
Authors: Wall M. , Nehrke G.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Confocal Raman microscopy mapping was used to investigate the organic matrix distribution within the skeleton of the coral Porites lutea. Two types of growth lines could be identified: one corresponds to the well-known incremental growth layers, whereas the second type of growth lines showed an elemental composition that differed from the incremental growth layers. The position and shape of the latter growth lines resemble either denticle finger-like structures (most likely traces of former spines) or former skeletal surfaces. We hypothesize that these lines are involved in the three-dimensional arrangement of skeletal elements and represent the outer skeletal surface before another growth cycle of elongation, infilling and thickening of skeletal components continues. We show that high spatial resolution mapping can significantly improve our understanding of skeletal growth patterns in coral skeletons.
Identification of climatic state with limited proxy data
Authors: Annan J. D. , Hargreaves J. C.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. We investigate the identifiability of the climate by limited proxy data. We test a data assimilation approach through perfect model pseudoproxy experiments, using a simple likelihood-based weighting based on the particle filtering process. Our experimental set-up enables us to create a massive 10 000-member ensemble at modest computational cost, thus enabling us to generate statistically robust results. We find that the method works well when data are sparse and imprecise, but in this case the reconstruction has a rather low accuracy as indicated by residual RMS errors. Conversely, when data are relatively plentiful and accurate, the estimate tracks the target closely, at least when considering the hemispheric mean. However, in this case, our prior ensemble size of 10 000 appears to be inadequate to correctly represent the true posterior, and the regional performance is poor. Using correlations to assess performance gives a more encouraging picture, with significant correlations ranging from about 0.3 when data are sparse to values over 0.7 when data are plentiful, but the residual RMS errors are substantial in all cases. Our results imply that caution is required in interpreting climate reconstructions, especially when considering the regional scale, as skill on this basis is markedly lower than on the large scale of hemispheric mean temperature.
Transport of warm Upper Circumpolar Deep Water onto the western Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf
Authors: Martinson D. G. , McKee D. C.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Five thermistor moorings were placed on the continental shelf of the western Antarctic Peninsula (between 2007 and 2010) in an effort to identify the mechanism(s) responsible for delivering warm Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW) onto the broad continental shelf from the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) flowing over the adjacent continental slope. Historically, four mechanisms have been suggested: (1) eddies shed from the ACC, (2) flow into the cross-shelf-cutting canyons with overflow onto the nominal shelf, (3) general upwelling, and (4) episodic advective diversions of the ACC onto the shelf. The mooring array showed that for the years of deployment, the dominant mechanism is eddies; upwelling may also contribute but to an unknown extent. Mechanism 2 played no role, though the canyons have been shown previously to channel UCDW across the shelf into Marguerite Bay. Mechanism 4 played no role independently, though eddies may be advected within a greater intrusion of the background flow.
Support to oil spill emergencies in the Bonifacio Strait, western Mediterranean
Authors: Cucco A. , Ribotti A. , Olita A. , Fazioli L. , Sorgente B. , Sinerchia M. , Satta A. , Perilli A. , Borghini M. , Schroeder K. , Sorgente R.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. An innovative forecasting system of the coastal marine circulation has been implemented in the Bonifacio Strait area, between Corsica and Sardinia, using a numerical approach to facilitate the rapid planning and coordination of remedial actions for oil spill emergencies at sea by local authorities. Downscaling and nesting techniques from regional to coastal scale and a 3-D hydrodynamic numerical model, coupled with a wind wave model, are the core of the integrated Bonifacio Strait system. Such a system is capable of predicting operationally the dispersion of hydrocarbon spills in the area, both in forward and backward mode, through an easy-to-use graphical user interface. A set of applications are described and discussed including both operational applications aimed at providing rapid responses to local oil spill emergences and managing applications aimed at mitigating the risk of oil spill impacts on the coast.
On the influence of wind and waves on underwater irradiance fluctuations
Authors: Hieronymi M. , Macke A.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The influence of various wind and wave conditions on the variability of downwelling irradiance Ed (490 nm) in water is subject of this study. The work is based on a two-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer model with high spatial resolution. The model assumes conditions that are ideal for wave focusing, thus simulation results reveal the upper limit for light fluctuations. Local wind primarily determines the steepness of capillary-gravity waves which in turn dominate the irradiance variability near the surface. Down to 3 m depth, maximum irradiance peaks that exceed the mean irradiance Ed by a factor of more than 7 can be observed at low wind speeds up to 5 m s−1. The strength of irradiance fluctuations can be even amplified under the influence of higher ultra-gravity waves; thereby peaks can exceed 11 Ed. Sea states influence the light field much deeper; gravity waves can cause considerable irradiance variability even at 100 m depth. The simulation results show that under realistic conditions 50% radiative enhancements compared to the mean can still occur at 30 m depth. At greater depths, the underwater light variability depends on the wave steepness of the characteristic wave of a sea state; steeper waves cause stronger light fluctuations.
Laboratory study of initial sea-ice growth: properties of grease ice and nilas
Authors: Naumann A. K. , Notz D. , Håvik L. , Sirevaag A.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. We investigate initial sea-ice growth in an ice-tank study by freezing an NaCl solution of about 29 g kg−1 in three different setups: grease ice grew in experiments with waves and in experiments with a current and wind, while nilas formed in a quiescent experimental setup. In this paper we focus on the differences in bulk salinity, solid fraction and thickness between these two ice types. The bulk salinity of the grease-ice layer in our experiments remained almost constant until the ice began to consolidate. In contrast, the initial bulk-salinity evolution of the nilas is well described by a linear decrease of about 2.1 g kg−1 h−1 independent of air temperature. This rapid decrease can be qualitatively understood by considering a Rayleigh number that became maximum while the nilas was still less than 1 cm thick. Comparing three different methods to measure solid fraction in grease ice based on (a) salt conservation, (b) mass conservation and (c) energy conservation, we find that the method based on salt conservation does not give reliable results if the salinity of the interstitial water is approximated as being equal to the salinity of the underlying water. Instead the increase in salinity of the interstitial water during grease-ice formation must be taken into account. In our experiments, the solid fraction of grease ice was relatively constant with values of 0.25, whereas it increased to values as high as 0.50 as soon as the grease ice consolidated at its surface. In contrast, the solid fraction of the nilas increased continuously in the first hours of ice formation and reached an average value of 0.55 after 4.5 h. The spatially averaged ice thickness was twice as large in the first 24 h of ice formation in the setup with a current and wind compared to the other two setups, since the wind kept parts of the water surface ice free and therefore allowed for a higher heat loss from the water. The development of the ice thickness can be reproduced well with simple, one dimensional models that only require air temperature or ice surface temperature as input.
Putting the “war” in cyberwar: Metaphor, analogy, and cybersecurity discourse in the United States
Authors: Lawson Sean
Published: July 2012

Public policy discourse about cyber security in the United States is dominated by a metaphor of war and analogies to the Cold War. This essay critically evaluates the contradictory tendency within U.S. cyber war discourse to see cyber conflict as simultaneously revolutionary and unprecedented, but also amenable to the tenets of Cold War nuclear deterrence. This contradiction points to an ongoing crisis of effectively identifying and understanding what is old and new, the same and different about cyber conflict. The first tendency overemphasizes the new/different aspects of cyber conflict while the second simultaneously overemphasizes the old/same aspects. This essay argues that current contradictory tendencies are unproductive and even potentially dangerous. It argues that the war metaphor and nuclear deterrence analogy are neither natural nor inevitable and that abandoning them would open up new possibilities for thinking more productively about the full spectrum of cyber security challenges, including the as-yet unrealized possibility of cyber war.
Materializing information: 3D printing and social change
Authors: Ratto Matt , Ree Robert
Published: July 2012

Digital desktop fabrication technologies such as 3D printing are currently being lauded in the popular press as a potentially socially transformative technology. We somewhat agree, arguing that 3D printing holds great socioeconomic implications, but also that more sustained attention should be paid to the ways in which 3D printing is entering into our creative environments. Our focus in this article is on the use of rapid prototyping by creatives such as architects, designers, and DIY advocates, since it is within these contexts where the popular themes of 3D printing are currently most concrete. To this end, in section one we provide some background for desktop digital fabrication, contextualizing 3D printing within industrial processes and Maker subcultures. In section two, we summarize our environmental scan of relevant popular and academic literature, using this to identify key trends in this area. We supplement this discussion in section three using our analysis of a ‘critical making’ session that took participants through a process of designing and printing simple objects as well as follow–up interviews with these participants. In the concluding section, we target four areas in need of future research.
The danger of big data: Social media as computational social science
Authors: Oboler Andre , Welsh Kristopher , Cruz Lito
Published: July 2012

Social networking Web sites are amassing vast quantities of data and computational social science is providing tools to process this data. The combination of these two factors has significant implications for individuals and society. With announcements of growing data aggregation by both Google and Facebook, the need for consideration of these issues is becoming urgent. Just as Web 2.0 platforms put publishing in the hands of the masses, without adequate safeguards, computational social science may make surveillance, profiling, and targeting overly accessible.

The academic study of computational social science explains the field as an interdisciplinary investigation of the social dynamics of society with the aid of advanced computational systems. Such investigation can operate at the macro level of global attitudes and trends, down to the personal level of an individual’s psychology. This paper uses the lenses of computation social science to consider the uses and dangers that may result from the data aggregation social media companies are perusing. We also consider the role ethics and regulation may play in protecting the public.
What happens to my data? A novel approach to informing users of data processing practices
Authors: Van den Berg Bibi , Van der Hof Simone
Published: July 2012

Citizens increasingly use the Internet to buy products or engage in interactions with others, both individuals and businesses. In doing so they invariably share (personal) data. While extensive data protection legislation exists in many countries around the world, citizens are not always aware (enough) of their rights and obligations with respect to sharing (personal) data. To remedy this gap, users ought to become better informed of companies’ data processing practices. In the past, various research groups have attempted to create tools to this end, for example through the use of icons or labels similar to those used in nutrition. However, none of these tools have gained extensive adoption, mostly because it turns out that capturing privacy legislation in simple, accessible graphics is a complicated task. Moreover, we believe that the tools that were developed so far do not align closely enough with the preferences and understanding of ordinary users, precisely because they are too ‘legalistic’.

In this paper we discuss a user study conducted to gain a better understanding of the kinds of information users would wish to receive with respect to companies’ data processing practices, and the form this information ought to take. On the basis of this user study we found a new approach to communicating this information, in which we return to the OECD’s Fair Information Principles, which formed the basis for (almost all) data protection legislation. We end the paper with a rudimentary proposal for an end user tool to be used on companies’ Web sites.
The implementation of reproductive function of Vietnamese families at present time
Authors: Binh Nguyen Thanh
Published: July 2012

From the sociological point of view, the family is a special social institution. Because the family performs vital functions for the survival and development of society. One of the most important functions of the family is reproductive function. It can be said that there are no social institutions could undertake this function of family officially except for institution of the family. Based on the result of census in recent years, the article analyzes some aspects of the implementation of reproductive function in Vietnamese families. Specifically, Vietnamese households’ fertility rate have substantially declined and reached the sub-replacement fertility rate over the past years. The fertility rate in rural areas decreases faster than in urban area, but it is still higher. The proportion of women having a third child decreases yearly. However, in some geographic regions, this rate tends to increase. The abortion rate in Vietnam has been likely to rise for recent years. In rural area, this rate is a bit higher than in urban one. Young age groups’ abortion rate is relatively high and often higher than older age groups. The abortion of people at low education level is relatively high. The Northwest had the highest abortion rate, the lowest rate belonged to the South Central Coast. The highest abortion rate is of couples with 1 or 2 alive children. The most widely used contraceptive method in Vietnam is intrauterine device (IUDs). The next are methods of menstrual cycle and using condoms. Other methods as male or female sterilization, withdrawal are less chosen by couples. The age using contraceptive methods is likely to increase and women at the age of 35 - 39 reach the top rate, then this rate has the declining trend when women get much older. Education level is always considered as one of the factors affecting individuals’ behavior. Couples’ current number of children affects the choice of contraceptive methods, as well.
Students Evaluation & Teachers Trust: A Fear of Insignificance
Authors: Manzoor Sheikh Raheel , Shah Syed Habib , Ullah Hafiz , Ahmad Zulqarnain Muhammad , Ullah Inam
Published: July 2012

This research study analyzes the teacher trust on student’s evaluation about the staff members of Peshawar University and Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Province of Pakistan. Total 250 sets of questionnaires were personally delivered on random basis to the lecturers, assistant professors and professors of KUST and Peshawar University. The collected information was regarding teacher’s perception on student’s evaluation. Results of the study were interpreted through simple bar chart and frequency distribution table to analyze the different responses of the respondents. There is clear evidence that the respondents highly trust on student’s evaluation. Keywords: Teacher Grade, Teacher Leniency, Teacher Evaluation
The Effects of Different Adhesive Agents on the Shear Bond Strength of a Self-Adhesive Resin Cement
Authors: Pekperdahci Tolga , Turkoz Yuksel , Ozan Oguz , Seker Emre
Published: July 2012

Purpose

To compare the clinical success of a self-adhesive resin cement used in combination with different adhesive bonding systems with that of a conventional dual-cure resin cement.

Methods

The study was performed with 136 freshly extracted molars embedded in acrylic resin blocks and 136 IPS e.max Press discs. Teeth and discs were randomly divided into four equal groups and cemented together using either RelyX ARC (ARC), RelyX Unicem (Unicem), RelyX Unicem+Adper-Prompt L-pop (L-pop), or RelyX and Unicem+Total-etch (Total-etch). Shear bond strength measurements were obtained before and after thermocycling. Following bond testing, the surfaces of one sample per subgroup (thermocycled and non-thermocycled), were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results

Among the non-thermocylced subgroups, ARC exhibited the highest bond strength values, followed by Total Etch, Unicem and L-pop. ARC also exhibited the highest bond strength values among the thermocycled subgroups, followed by Unicem, Total-etch, and L-pop. SEM analysis clearly revealed the negative effects of thermo-cycling on the mechanical properties of adhesive agents.

Conclusions

RelyX Unicem may be preferable in many cases because of its simplified application and reduced technique-sensitivity.
Characterization of the Mechanical and Biological Properties of a New Alumina Scaffold
Authors: Batista Patrícia SP. , Rodrigues Miguel AA. , Silva Daniela Mr. , Morgado Patrícia IC. , Henriques Joaquim P. , Almeida Maria O. , Silva Abílio P. , Correia Ilídio J
Published: July 2012

Purpose

In this work, an alumina scaffold was produced through a new method to be used in a near future as a bone substitute.

Methods

In vitro and in vivo studies were performed in order to characterize the mechanical and biological properties of the scaffold.

Results

The results obtained showed that this scaffold has high mechanical resistance and a porous surface that allows human osteoblast cells to adhere and proliferate. The in vivo studies revealed no systemic reaction.

Conclusions

The alumina scaffold produced herein has the mechanical and biological properties that are compatible with its application in bone therapy.