bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An empirical evaluation on textual results clustering for web search
Authors: Pu Hsiao‐Tieh , Chen Sih‐Ying , Kuo Pei‐Yi
Published: January 2010

Clustering web search results into dynamic clusters and cluster hierarchies has been shown to be promising in reducing the information overload typically found in the ranked list search engines. The study compared sixteen participants' search performance and subjective satisfaction level in using textual clustering and ranked list search interfaces towards conducting assigned and self‐designated search tasks. The results show participants searched slightly faster, better, and were more satisfied using the ranked list interface. However, it is worth noting that participants performed slightly well in easy type of questions with the clustering interface, and obtained non‐repetitive relevant results not found from using the ranked list interface. The study shows the clustering interface provides the values of highlighting prominent concepts and offering richer context for exploring, learning and discovering related concepts; yet it also induces certain degree of information uncertainty, lost, and anxiety. Discussions on the contrast view of clustering search and suggestions for future studies are also provided.
Information access across languages on the web: From search engines to digital libraries
Authors: Chen Jiangping , Bao Yu
Published: January 2010

Information access across languages challenges researchers and practitioners in many disciplines, especially machine translation (MT) and Cross‐language Information Retrieval (CLIR). Google's cross‐language search is a model that integrates MT and CLIR technologies to help users find information on the Web that is not written in their familiar languages. This paper overviews the functions of Google's cross‐language search and its performance. It proposes strategies that digital libraries can apply for implementing multilingual information access through the discussion of the cases of five bilingual or multilingual digital libraries.
Universal abstracting
Authors: Strotmann Andreas
Published: January 2010

Abstracts are brief summaries of the content of a work, and they have long been used to improve international accessibility and/or dissemination, e.g., in the form of English abstracts for articles published in non‐English languages.

Universal abstracts are similar in that they summarize the meaning of a work, but the indexer creates them in a special lingua franca that makes them available in any language, not just, say, English.

Universal abstracting is performed by an indexer using a piece of software that guides him or her in creating a language‐independent summary of the abstracted work. The abstract is written in a stylized form of the indexer's own language; internally, a knowledge representation that combines multilingual controlled vocabularies with a universal grammar based on the Montague Semantics for natural language is created. This form enables high‐quality automatic translation – the internal representation is universal and localizes to any language or mode of communication.
To search is to believe? A comparative study of health information use by internet users
Authors: Liu Chang , Liu Ying‐Hsang , Xu Tao
Published: January 2010

This study was designed to characterize health information seekers on the Internet using relatively large‐scale survey data. The primary goals are to (1) ascertain whether the information seekers' credibility assessment of online health information varies by levels of Web searching activities, and (2) identify specific impacts of online health information on decision‐making. Using a national survey by Pew Internet & American Life Project (2006) (N = 2,928), we conducted TwoStep cluster analysis focusing on the health‐related topics. We successfully identified and labeled the two clusters of health information users as ‘active’ and ‘less active’ users. The data suggests that active users were more likely to evaluate the credibility of online health information resources than less active users; types of users did not make a difference in searches on behalf of others. More importantly, between active and less active users online health information had strong impacts on three specific aspects of decision‐making: (1) the treatment on an illness or condition, (2) the overall approach and (3) asking new questions. The results advance our understanding of users' credibility assessment of online health information sources. Given these findings we provide avenues for future research.
Multiple interpretations: Implications of FRBR as a boundary object
Authors: Floyd Ingbert
Published: January 2010

IFLA's Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) is a model of the bibliographic universe. Any brief, critical review of the FRBR literature quickly shows that there is no clear consensus on the nature of the FRBR Group 1 entities. This situation becomes more complicated when one looks at theoretical attempts to operationalize FRBR by researchers and practitioners with different motivations and experience: each has its own flavor. Given the recognition that these different understandings are unlikely to be unified or reconciled, this paper performs an exploratory analysis of FRBR using technological frames and boundary objects as theoretical lenses to reveal implications for future research and practice.
A hybrid retrieval approach for library reference question/answer databank
Authors: Bui Yen
Published: January 2010

Library Reference service can benefit from the retrieval from a question/answer (Q/A) databank where previously answered reference questions can be reused, either directly or with some modifications. However, the majority of search engines rely heavily on keyword matching, and we believe there are situations in the library reference environment where the relevancy or usefulness of a retrieved item may not be limited to whether there are some linguistic similarities between the queries and entries in the databank. For example, a user who wants to find the answer to a question regarding criticisms or reviews of a particular contemporary author (such as “John Smith”) may not find a good answer readily available from doing a keyword search using the author's name. However, if the search returns recommendations for reliable information resources regarding reviews or criticisms of contemporary authors (e.g. the NY Times Review Archive of Contemporary Authors), the user can go to these resources to search for this particular author “John Smith”. In this paper, an alternative retrieval system that offers a new way of finding useful information for library reference service is presented and discussed. An experiment is conducted where the retrieval engine searches for similar and/or useful question/answer pairs in a knowledge bank in response to a new query.
Results overlap among the GYM (Google‐Yahoo‐MSN live) search engines
Authors: Efthimiadis Efthimis N. , Eichbaum W. (Max) , Luckey Evan
Published: January 2010

This research investigates the overap in the results found in the three major search engines: Google‐Yahoo‐MSN Live (GYM). Overlap was measured on per query basis and also by pooling all the indexed URLs retrieved by each engine for all the queries searched. Relevance of returned results was not evaluated.

Using a random sample of 65,000 queries from the AOL query log data set, searches were conducted in the three major search engines (Google‐Yahoo‐MSN Live) using the search engine APIs. Each query was passed to the search engine and the first 10 results were stored along with an search engine identifier. Before comparing the sets we developed processes to reliably compare the individual pairs of URLs in the sets. We considered three approaches to this issue: domain matches, exact matches, and relative matches. The results in each result set were evaluated by considering them as a (a) ranked (ordered) list, and (b) unordered list. To evaluate the similarity of the result sets first we compared across all three engines, then we conducted pairwise comparisons of the three search engines.
Visualization relevance analysis for weight control‐related subjects
Authors: Zhang Jin , An Lu
Published: January 2010

The component plane analysis method in conjunction with the SOM method was used to investigate relevance among one group of health subjects. A transaction log from a public health portal was employed for the study. The subjects from a health subject directory in the portal were extracted and the traversal activities among these subjects were analyzed. The focus theme ‘weight control’ was selected and the related subjects to weight control were analyzed in the visual contexts of the subject component planes. The findings of this study can be used to optimize the health subject directories, and understand users' medical information seeking behavior.
Adoption of open source software (OSS) for Uganda: A social construction perspective
Authors: Muwanguzi Samuel
Published: January 2010

Drawing from the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) perspective (Pinch & Bijker, 1986), this exploratory study will examine the multiple perspectives of the various stakeholders in the proposed formulation of a new legal framework for Uganda to adopt Open Source Software (OSS) as alternative to proprietary software AND as a means of propelling the country into the information society.
Rehabilitation therapists' clinical questions: Preliminary results of an exploratory study
Authors: Kloda Lorie A. , Bartlett Joan C.
Published: January 2010

The objective of this study is to explore rehabilitation therapists' (physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech‐language pathologists) clinical questions in the context of evidence‐based patient care. Specifically, this research attempts to answer the following questions: How do rehabilitation therapists articulate their information needs? Does the evidence‐based practice framework's clinical question structure of problem – intervention – comparison – outcome adequately represent the information needs of rehabilitation therapists? Why do rehabilitation therapists pursue some of their clinical questions and not others?

Taking a qualitative approach, this research will employ self‐report journaling followed by semi‐structured interviews of approximately fifteen rehabilitation therapists working in stroke care. Informants will be asked to record their clinical questions for a period of one or two weeks, after which interviews will be conducted to elicit more specific information about their clinical questions, and to determine reasons for pursuing some of these and not others.

We will report the preliminary findings of this study. It is anticipated that results will reveal types of clinical questions asked by rehabilitation therapists working in stroke care as well as patterns in the structure of these questions. In addition, factors influencing the decision to pursue certain types of questions will be identified.
The social construction of volunteer non‐governmental organization worker identities: Preliminary analysis of effects and implications for information behaviors
Authors: Reed Kathleen
Published: January 2010

Based on a case study of volunteers working on information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives through Openmind Projects (OMP), a Stockholm Challenge finalist and UNESCO‐supported organization based in rural Thailand, this poster presents initial findings of my current research project. Based on social positioning theory, this study seeks to find out how social roles are taken up, assigned and deployed in the non‐governmental organization (NGO) environment, and what effects and implications these roles have on information behavior.
Gender perspective, information behaviors, and Wikipedia
Authors: Lim Sook , Kwon Nahyun
Published: January 2010

The purpose of this study is to examine potential differences between the genders amongst college student's information behaviors of Wikipedia use. Particularly, this study explores the following research questions:

Is there a difference between male and female college students in their use of Wikipedia?

Are there motivational differences between male and female use of Wikipedia?

Is there a difference between male and female perceptions of the information quality of Wikipedia?

Is there a difference between male and female confidence in evaluating the quality of the information from Wikipedia?

Finally, what factors affect male and female students' use of Wikipedia?

The importance of the study lies in the following: first, it provides new knowledge of gender differences of uses, perceptions, motivations and confidence in evaluating information from Wikipedia, which may enhance our understanding of gender perspectives of information behavior in the web environment. Second, this study's findings may help educators understand gender gaps in their web information behaviors, which may aid the development of appropriate educational interventions.

Data were collected using two web surveys at two time points of the summer of 2007 and the spring of 2008. The population consisted of undergraduate students at a large public university in the mid‐western United States. A total of 237 students participated in the study. The measurements of the study were developed or modified based on the literature of the Uses and Gratifications (U&G) approach, news credibility and self‐efficacy. This poster session will present the major findings of the study.
Finding explanations online: Easy queries AND trustworthy answers
Authors: Buckland Michael , Larson Ray , Shaw Ryan
Published: January 2010

Web search engines provide easy access to a huge range of web‐accessible resources but the most trustworthy explanations are often in hard‐to‐search resources in the deep web. The literature on information literacy reflects widespread concern that people tend not to use complex online digital versions of traditional reference works and instead depend heavily on easy‐to‐use resources of questioned reliability, notably Google and the Wikipedia. The proper response lies in better design to combine ease of search with trustworthy resources. We will report on efforts to demonstrate how that could be done.
Categorizing music mood in social context
Authors: Hu Xiao
Published: January 2010

Music mood is an emerging metadata type of music, but there are no well‐accepted mood categories. This research proposes a new method to categorize music mood in the social context of music listening. This method combines the strength of social tags, linguistic resources and human experts. Preliminary results show that the proposed method is promising in identifying mood categories that better reflect users' actual music information behaviors.
Proposing a case study on tacit knowledge transfer within a pharmaceutical company
Authors: Lai Ling‐Ling , Chuang Hui‐Han
Published: January 2010

Applying the principles of knowledge organization originating from library and information science, the purpose of the study is to explore how knowledge organization assists employees to share and store their tacit knowledge. An international pharmaceutical company in Taiwan, JavaMed (pseudonym), will be the case for this study. In‐depth interviews will be used to uncover how employee training and knowledge transfer in JavaMed are carried out. Furthermore, the study will examine the role of knowledge organization, such as knowledge map, knowledge base, and yellow page, in facilitating knowledge transfer and achieving the goal of knowledge management. The main contribution of this study will be to identify the interrelationship among knowledge transfer, knowledge organization, and human resource management. The proposed study applies the concepts originated from library and information science to the area of business management. The researchers expect that the interdisciplinary nature of the study will shed light on both fields.
Online disclosure neither now nor never: When would a “later” button work?
Authors: Kramer‐Duffield Jacob , Russell Terrell
Published: January 2010

The combination of personal demographic data, taste preferences, public disclosure of friend networks and now increasing usage of tools for instantly updating status (e.g., Twitter, Facebook) has fundamentally altered users' understanding of the temporality of information and its (semi‐)permanence. A recent exploratory study found users were more willing to share items as time passed, and a major finding included a latent willingness (40% of sharing scenarios) to disclose information at a later date, neither “now” nor “never”. This study further explicates these findings by examining in greater detail the nature of the role of temporality in disclosure willingness.
Building an institutional repository in a time of very tight budgets
Authors: Holt Michael , Oguz Fatih , Davis Debra
Published: January 2010

This poster presents an overview of an exploratory initiative to examine and assess the viability of developing an institutional repository system at a teaching‐oriented mid‐size university with minimal monetary commitment. A need has been identified for an institutional repository and necessary steps have been taken to implement it. Faculty and staff from several departments worked together to create a prototype Institutional Repository using DSpace, an open source repository software. This repository represents a unique endeavor, in that it has been instituted at a non‐research based university, and the creators have chosen to involve students in the planning, design, implementation, and documentation stages of the project. In addition, the university's Library Science students will also be involved in creating and maintaining collections. This poster focuses on the steps taken to set up and maintain a quality Institutional Repository at Valdosta State University without placing a large demand on the institution's resources.
Answering the unanswered question? Contextualizing a holistic theoretical framework for cross‐genre music information retrieval
Authors: Neal Jason , Neal Diane
Published: January 2010

This proposed exploratory study seeks to contextualize music information retrieval (MIR) in relation to similarities across genre. Drawing upon relevant MIR studies, we propose a holistic theoretical framework that future researchers could utilize to develop systems that facilitate cross‐genre music information retrieval (CGMIR).
PatientsLikeMe: Social norms and information values in an online health support group
Authors: Burnett Gary , Lustria Mia Liza A. , Cortese Juliann , Kazmer Michelle , Frost Jeana , Kim Ji‐Hyun , Ma Jinxuan
Published: January 2010

Reports on a qualitative study of an asynchronous discussion forum hosted by PatientsLikeMe (PLM), an online community supporting 2,300 patients with chronic diseases like ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Examines selected posts marked as “of particular interest” by the researchersas the basis of an analysis of the PLM group's social norms and information values, as reflected by the content of participants' posts.
Opinions on the use and value of social tagging
Authors: Normore Lorraine , Blaylock Brandy
Published: January 2010

The use of social tagging as a mechanism for enhancing access to information on social networking sites has been widely discussed. This study explores this issue by examining the views of students in two introductory information organization classes on participation in social networks, tag generation and the value of tagging.
The appraisal of FBI records: Random destruction of evidence or statistically valid sampling method?
Authors: Blaha Craig
Published: January 2010

With “over six million criminal, civil, security, applicant and administrative case files” (Bradsher 1988, 53) in 1979, the FBI faced not only the challenges of determining which files are culturally and historically significant and which should be retained for legal liability purposes, but a more mundane problem faced regularly by Archives; the problem of space. The National Archives and Records Administration developed a new approach to appraising records based on a combination of historical methods, theories and approaches. Is the final result a valid approach to appraisal?
Digital media internships: LIS Education 2.0
Authors: Alekson Tania , Bezanson Maureen , Lai Adrienne , Li Xuemei , Cho Allan , Freund Luanne , Neame Simon , Rasmussen Edie
Published: January 2010

The one year Digital Media Intern Project was funded by a grant from UBC's Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund to support four SLAIS Interns (students in the MLIS program). Theywere charged with developing and delivering educational modules related to Web 2.0 for UBC students. A total of 16 workshops were offered, as well as training through a “This is Your Life 2.0” blog on which a series of mini‐modules was posted. The project demonstrates that the dynamic and evolving nature of the Learning Centre is a perfect laboratory for educating information professionals for their changing roles in a new information environment, while the Learning Centre benefits from dynamic programs delivered by students for students.
How similar is similar? An evaluation of “related articles” applications among health literature portals
Authors: Peterson Gabriel , Graves Rebecca S.
Published: January 2010

This study is a comparison of the relative effectiveness of similarity‐based search features from multiple online health information portals. Similarity searching is the practice of retrieving potentially related information online by identifying a known relevant datum and taking advantage of a utility whose function is to find “related” online information. In the case of online health information resources, use of these applications produces varied results. Online literature retrieval services offer users the ability to identify articles in the biomedical literature that are deemed to be similar or related in some way. Among such portals, there appears to be considerable variability in the degree of precision and recall among documents retrieved using this technique. Retrieval of related articles from Medline through various interfaces produced non‐identical lists of articles. This research describes the systematic comparison of similarity functions offered by multiple online health information resources and calculates precision, recall and overlap in order to identify the most effective similarity‐searching application using ANOVA analysis.
PA66/PA12/clay based nanocomposites: structure and thermal properties
Authors: Besco Stefano , Lorenzetti Alessandra , Roso Martina , Modesti Michele
Published: January 2010

In a previous paper the structure and the physical properties of melt mixed polyamide 66 (PA66)/polyamide 12 (PA12) blends characterized by different compositions have been investigated by means of morphological and physical analyses. A low amount of organically‐modified layered silicate (OMLS, 4 wt%) was introduced in order to evaluate its effect on blends structure and components miscibility. This paper completes the characterization of these materials investigating their thermal properties by means of standard and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC, MDSC), dynamic‐mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The partial miscibility of PA66 and PA12, with phase separation depending on blend composition, has been confirmed by analyzing the glass transition temperature (Tg) dependence on composition as well as the existence of strong segmental interactions between polymer components. A compatibilizing action of OMLS has been observed because of a lowering of interfacial tension avoiding coalescence phenomena between particles during melt mixing process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of pregnancies with trisomy 2 cells in chorionic villi
Authors: Sifakis Stavros , Staboulidou Ismini , Maiz Nerea , Velissariou Voula , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: January 2010

Objective

To describe the outcome of pregnancies with trisomy 2 in cultures of first‐trimester chorionic villous samples (CVS) and determine whether amniocentesis is necessary in the management of such cases.

Methods

Cultures of chorionic villi were performed at 11–13 weeks in 37 474 pregnancies. In those with trisomy 2 cells, amniocentesis was performed at 16 weeks. Pregnancy outcome was obtained from maternity records.

Results

Trisomy 2 cells in CVS cultures were observed in 45 of 37 474 pregnancies (1.2 per 1000). In 43 cases ultrasound examination at 16–20 weeks showed no fetal abnormalities, amniocentesis demonstrated the presence of only normal cells, and all 43 pregnancies ended in normal healthy live births. The birth weight was below the 5th centile in six neonates (13.9%). There was a significant association between the birth weight centile and the percentage of trisomic cells in the CVS culture (r = 0.409, p = 0.010). In one case, there was fetal death at 15 weeks. In a second case, amniocentesis showed one cell with trisomy 2 in a total of 53 cells, and ultrasound examination at 18 weeks showed severe fetal growth restriction and coarctation of the aorta.

Conclusion

In at least 95% of cases with trisomy 2 in CVS cultures there is confined placental mosaicism (CPM). The prognosis is good, but in about 15% of cases there is fetal growth restriction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐management for men surviving prostate cancer: a review of behavioural and psychosocial interventions to understand what strategies can work, for whom and in what circumstances
Authors: Cockle‐Hearne Jane , Faithfull Sara
Published: January 2010

Objective: In the context of increasing prostate cancer survivorship, evidence of unmet supportive care needs and growing economic health‐care restraints, this review examined and evaluated best approaches for developing self‐management programmes to meet men's survivorship needs.

Methods: A search of international literature published in the last 12 years was conducted. Only randomised controlled trials were included in the analysis. Key components of the interventions were evaluated to determine what has been offered, and which elements are most beneficial in improving health outcomes. Methodological issues were also considered.

Results: Targeting participant need and promoting motivation to participate and maintain programme adherence were the most important factors to emerge in ensuring positive health outcomes. Both need and motivation are multi‐faceted, the components of which are identified and evaluated. Guidance was also identified in relation to delivery design, theoretical mechanisms for change, modes of delivery and facilitator issues.

Conclusion: Self‐management is a viable and appropriate way of providing health‐care solutions to ameliorate men's functional and emotional problems associated with increased prostate cancer survivorship. Integration into clinical practice will require training, resources and commitment and, in addition, economic viability will be difficult to assess since cost comparison with current provision is not straightforward. Nevertheless, from the psychosocial and behavioural studies reviewed there is convincing evidence that can be used to design, implement and evaluate future self‐management programmes for men surviving prostate cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological distress in patients with pancreatic cancer—an understudied group
Authors: Clark Karen L. , Loscalzo Matthew , Trask Peter C. , Zabora James , Philip Errol J.
Published: January 2010

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer‐related death in the United States, unsuccessful in significantly improving 5‐year survival. A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer may be associated with increased psychological distress, yet remarkably little is known about the degree of psychological distress experienced by these patients at the time of diagnosis and treatment.

Method: In a cross‐sectional study, 304 patients with pancreatic cancer and 7749 patients with other cancer diagnoses completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) or the Brief Symptom Inventory‐Shortened Version (BSI‐18) and the Problem Common Checklist (PCL) during outpatient registration. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected from patients' clinical files.

Results: A higher percentage of pancreatic cancer patients reported elevated distress across each subscale of the BSI and BSI‐18 when compared with those diagnosed with other cancer diagnoses as a group. The most notable difference was established on the depression subscale, with 28.8% of pancreatic patients reporting elevated depression compared with 18.5% of other cancer diagnoses. In pancreatic patients, a significant difference was also found in the percentage of males endorsing high depression levels when compared with females (34.0 vs 22.6%, p<0.05).

Conclusions: Pancreatic cancer patients demonstrate elevated levels of psychological distress. This should alert providers to be vigilant in evaluating patients for distress and to provide appropriate referrals. The endorsement of fatigue and pain, along with the observed gender differences, suggest that early distress management interventions may need to include components targeted to these issues. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unusual binding interactions in PDZ domain crystal structures help explain binding mechanisms
Authors: Elkins Jonathan M. , Gileadi Carina , Shrestha Leela , Phillips Claire , Wang Jing , Muniz João R.C. , Doyle Declan A.
Published: January 2010

PDZ domains most commonly bind the C‐terminus of their protein targets. Typically the C‐terminal four residues of the protein target are considered as the binding motif, particularly the C‐terminal residue (P0) and third‐last residue (P‐2) that form the major contacts with the PDZ domain's “binding groove”. We solved crystal structures of seven human PDZ domains, including five of the seven PDLIM family members. The structures of GRASP, PDLIM2, PDLIM5, and PDLIM7 show a binding mode with only the C‐terminal P0 residue bound in the binding groove. Importantly, in some cases, the P‐2 residue formed interactions outside of the binding groove, providing insight into the influence of residues remote from the binding groove on selectivity. In the GRASP structure, we observed both canonical and noncanonical binding in the two molecules present in the asymmetric unit making a direct comparison of these binding modes possible. In addition, structures of the PDZ domains from PDLIM1 and PDLIM4 also presented here allow comparison with canonical binding for the PDLIM PDZ domain family. Although influenced by crystal packing arrangements, the structures nevertheless show that changes in the positions of PDZ domain side‐chains and the αB helix allow noncanonical binding interactions. These interactions may be indicative of intermediate states between unbound and fully bound PDZ domain and target protein. The noncanonical “perpendicular” binding observed potentially represents the general form of a kinetic intermediate. Comparison with canonical binding suggests that the rearrangement during binding involves both the PDZ domain and its ligand.
A physical basis for the interannual variability of rainfall in the Sahel
Authors: Nicholson Sharon E. , Webster Peter J.
Published: January 2010

A major factor in rainfall variability over Sahelian West Africa is the latitudinal location of the tropical rainbelt. When it is displaced abnormally far northward, the Sahel experiences a wet year. An anomalous southward displacement results in drought. In this paper we examine the question of what controls the location during the boreal summer, hypothesizing that inertial instability plays a role. An analysis of surface pressure and temperature fields, wind fields, divergence and vertical motion show that the criteria for inertial instability are satisfied in wet Augusts but not in dry ones. The key determinant appears to be the surface pressure gradient between the continent and the equatorial Atlantic. When this is large, inertial instability results in the development of a low‐level westerly jet. The presence of this jet enhances the horizontal and vertical shear, and displaces the African Easterly Jet northwestward. Associated with this situation is strong vertical motion over the Sahel and subsidence over the Guinea Coast, producing dry conditions over the latter. The result is a rainfall dipole, one of two major modes of variability over West Africa. Important factors include sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the equatorial Atlantic and pressure in the South Atlantic. The first of these factors suggests a link with the Atlantic Niño mode of tropical Atlantic variability; while the second suggests a possible link with the Pacific and the extratropical South Atlantic. Overall, our study relates the well‐known SST influence on Sahel rainfall to atmospheric dynamics over the continent. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Flow‐adaptive moderation of spurious ensemble correlations and its use in ensemble‐based data assimilation
Authors: Bishop Craig H. , Hodyss Daniel
Published: January 2010

Many ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation (DA) schemes reduce the effect of spurious ensemble correlations caused by small ensemble size by multiplying the correlations by moderation functions. Moderation functions envelop true error correlation functions. Ideal moderation functions would adapt to variations in the movement and width of true error correlation functions. Here, we describe a new method in which flow‐dependent moderation functions are built from powers of smoothed ensemble correlations. The approach imparts to the moderation function movement and width information retained by the smoothed ensemble correlations. Spurious smoothed ensemble correlations are attenuated by raising them to a power. Simple systems were used to compare DA performance using such Smoothed ENsemble COrrelations Raised to a Power (SENCORP) moderation functions against DA performance using optimally tuned but non‐adaptive moderation functions. The simple systems considered feature propagating error correlation functions and error correlation functions with variable width. It was found that when significant spatio‐temporal variations in the true error correlation function are present, SENCORP moderation functions are superior to non‐adaptive moderation functions. In the absence of spatio‐temporal variations, the DA performance of SENCORP moderation functions was found to be statistically indistinguishable from the DA performance of non‐adaptive moderation functions. An example using a primitive equation global model is given to illustrate how the method could be used to improve the performance of a local ensemble Kalman filter/smoother, particularly when larger observation volumes are used, to better account for error propagation and/or observations that represent vertically averaged variables. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Winter jet stream trends over the Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Strong Courtenay , Davis Robert E.
Published: January 2010

Trends in the speed and probability of winter jet stream cores over the Northern Hemisphere were measured for 1958–2007, and related changes in the thermal structure of the troposphere were identified. Eddy‐driven jet (EDJ) core speeds and probabilities increased over the midlatitudes (40–60°N), with changes as large as 15% (speed) and 30% (probability). These increasing trends are collocated with increases in baroclinicity driven by a spatially heterogeneous pattern of height change consisting of large‐scale warming with cooling centres embedded poleward of 60°N. The cooling centres reduced high‐latitude baroclinicity, making jet cores poleward of 60°N less frequent and weaker. Over the west and central Pacific, subtropical jet stream (STJ) core probabilities remained relatively constant while core speeds increased by as much as 1.75 m/s decade−1 in association with Hadley cell intensification. The STJ shifted poleward over the east Pacific and Middle East, and an equatorward shift and intensification of the STJ were found over the Atlantic basin–contributing to an increased separation of the EDJ and STJ. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Temporal distribution and taxonomic composition differences of larval fish in a large navigable river: A comparison of artificial dike structures and natural habitat
Authors: Niles Jonathan M. , Hartman Kyle J.
Published: January 2010

Distributions of larval fish in a regulated river were determined by sampling 15 sites in 2003 using larval fish light traps. Typical of large river systems in the Mississippi River drainage, collections in the Kanawha River were dominated (>93%) by Cyprinidae and Percidae species. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) along artificial dike structures were higher than CPUE along other shoreline sites, indicating the importance of these structures as nurseries. Taxonomic richness within artificial dike structures was greater than or equal to normal shoreline reference sites. Cyprinidae (Pimphales type and Notropis type) were collected significantly more on artificial structures than reference sites (p < 0.01). We collected higher numbers and observed greater CPUE of some sport fishes (Percidae) at the artificial dike structures. Percidae CPUE was significantly higher (p < 0.01) on artificial dike structures than reference sites. Percidae distribution appears to be positively influenced by the introduction of artificial dike structures in comparison to other abundant fish groups. Artificial dike structures encouraged taxonomic and larval fish diversity, and positively influenced some game fish species. The results of this study suggest that artificial dike structures are habitats that increase larval fish diversity in large, navigable rivers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Institutions and policy processes: the means to the ends of adaptation
Authors: Dovers Stephen R. , Hezri Adnan A.
Published: January 2010

Institutions and institutional change are mentioned often but rarely specified in discussions of climate adaptation. Policy change is proposed, but the detail of policy processes less often discussed. Adaptation to increased climate change and variability will require policy interventions to change behaviors across multiple sectors, requiring policy processes constrained or enabled by institutional settings. Detailed discussion of how to redesign policy processes and institutions are especially rare at the crucial jurisdictional scales of national and sub‐national policy and planning. We review coverage of policy and institutions in the adaptation literature and clarify key issues by drawing on the domains of public policy, institutional change, and sustainable development. The distinction between, but close dependencies among, institutions, institutional systems, organizations, policy processes, policy instruments, and management are emphasized. We propose that the climate policy literature has rapidly become large enough that a tendency of self‐referencing has developed, and that insights can be gained from other areas. Within existing parameters of law, politics, and governance, options are identified that could embed considerations of climate adaptation into policy processes and institutional systems, with focus on enabling cross‐sectoral policy integration (‘mainstreaming’), decision making under conditions of uncertainty, vertical (‘cross‐scale’) policy coordination, issues of capacity and devolution, and policy evaluation and learning. The value of seeking lessons from past policy interventions and from cognate policy sectors is explored. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation
A novel simplified tone reservation combined with cross antenna rotation and inversion to reduce PAPR for MIMO‐OFDM system
Authors: He Xiaofan , Jiang Tao , Zhu Guangxi
Published: January 2010

In this paper, we first propose a simplified tone reservation (STR) method with low computational complexity which is based on the Fourier series expansion. Then, we analyze how to combine the STR method with the cross antenna rotation and inversion method to reduce the peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR) for multi‐input multi‐output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO‐OFDM) system. To validate the analytical results, extensive simulations are conducted and the numerical results show the efficiency of the proposed schemes including the PAPR reduction and low computational complexity for MIMO‐OFDM system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A verification system for concurrent programs based on the Boyer-Moore prover
Authors: Russinoff David M.
Published: January 2010

We describe a mechanical proof system for concurrent programs, based on a formalization of the temporal framework of Manna and Pnueli as an extension of the computational logic of Boyer and Moore. The system provides a natural representation of specifications of concurrent programs as temporal logic formulas, which are automatically translated into terms that are subject to verification by the Boyer-Moore prover. Several specialized derived rules of inference are introduced to the prover in order to facilitate the verification of invariance (safety) and eventuality (liveness) properties. The utility of the system is illustrated by a correctness proof for a two-process program that computes binomial coefficients.
Calculate categorically!
Authors: Fokkinga Maarten M.
Published: January 2010

Diagram chasing is an established proof technique in Category Theory.
Algebraic calculation
is a good alternative; made possible thanks to a
notation
for various unique arrows and a suitable
formulation
of initiality, and the calculational properties brought forward by initiality.
A security flow control algorithm and its denotational semantics correctness proof
Authors: Mizuno Masaaki , Schmidt David
Published: January 2010

We derive a security flow control algorithm for message-based, modular systems and prove the algorithm correct. The development is noteworthy because it is completely rigorous: the flow control algorithm is derived as an abstract interpretation of the denotational semantics of the programming language for the modular system, and the correctness proof is a proof by logical relations of the congruence between the denotational semantics and its abstract interpretation. Effectiveness is also addressed: we give conditions under which an abstract interpretation can be computed as a traditional iterative data flow analysis, and we prove that our security flow control algorithm satisfies the conditions. We also show that symbolic expressions (that is, data flow values that contain unknowns) can be used in a convergent, iterative analysis. An important consequence of the latter result is that the security flow control algorithm can analyse individual modules in a system for well formedness and later can link the analyses to obtain an analysis of the entire system.
Akt isoforms regulate intermediate filament protein levels in epithelial carcinoma cells
Authors: Fortier Anne-Marie , Van Themsche Céline , Asselin Éric , Cadrin Monique
Published: January 2010

Keratin 8 and 18 are simple epithelial intermediate filament (IF) proteins, whose expression is differentiation‐ and tissue‐specific, and is maintained during tumorigenesis. Vimentin IF is often co‐expressed with keratins in cancer cells. Recently, IF have been proposed to be involved in signaling pathways regulating cell growth, death and motility. The PI3K/Akt pathway plays a pivotal role in these processes. Thus, we investigated the role of Akt (1 and 2) in regulating IF expression in different epithelial cancer cell lines. Over‐expression of Akt1 increases K8/18 proteins. Akt2 up‐regulates K18 and vimentin expression by an increased mRNA stability. To our knowledge, these results represent the first indication that Akt isoforms regulate IF expression and support the hypothesis that IFs are involved in PI3K/Akt pathway.
Intrahepatic cholesterol influences progression, inhibition and reversal of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis in hyperlipidemic mice
Authors: Wouters Kristiaan , van Bilsen Marc , van Gorp Patrick J. , Bieghs Veerle , Lütjohann Dieter , Kerksiek Anja , Staels Bart , Hofker Marten H. , Shiri-Sverdlov Ronit
Published: January 2010

Hepatic inflammation is the key factor in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and promotes progression to liver damage. We recently identified dietary cholesterol as the cause of hepatic inflammation in hyperlipidemic mice. We now show that hepatic transcriptome responses are strongly dependent on cholesterol metabolism during diet‐induced NASH and its inhibition by fenofibrate. Furthermore, we show that, despite doubling hepatic steatosis, pharmacological LXR activation reverses hepatic inflammation, in parallel with reversing hepatic cholesterol levels. Together, the results indicate a prominent role of cholesterol during the development, inhibition and reversal of hepatic inflammation in NASH and reveal potential new therapeutic strategies against NASH.
Land and Power in Late Medieval Ferrara
Authors: Dean Trevor
Published: January 2010

Among the many states of late medieval Italy, one stands out for its unfamiliarity to an English audience and for its neglect in historical research: that of the Este family, lords (later Dukes) of the cities of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio in northern Italy. This book is the first modern attempt to provide a detailed analysis of the political structure of this state based on archive sources. Much of the book is concerned with the ways by which the Este used their vast landed resources in and around Ferrara to build up and reinforce their personal political authority both within and outside their dominions. Among the major themes examined are the continuing presence of political feudalism in the relations between the Este and their supporters, the place of the court in Ferrarese noble society, and the violent imposition of Este authority over the powerful nobles of the Apennine hills.
Arithmetic of Diagonal Hypersurfaces over Finite Fields
Authors: Gouvêa Fernando Q. , Yui Noriko
Published: January 2010

There is now a large body of theory concerning algebraic varieties over finite fields, and many conjectures exist in this area that are of great interest to researchers in number theory and algebraic geometry. This book is concerned with the arithmetic of diagonal hypersurfaces over finite fields, with special focus on the Tate conjecture and the Lichtenbaum–Milne formula for the central value of the L-function. It combines theoretical and numerical work, and includes tables of Picard numbers. Although this book is aimed at experts, the authors have included some background material to help non-specialists gain access to the results.
The Distribution of the Galaxies
Authors: Saslaw William C.
Published: January 2010

This topical volume examines one of the leading problems in astronomy - how galaxies cluster in our Universe. This book, first published in 2000, describes gravitational theory, computer simulations and observations related to galaxy distribution functions. It embeds distribution functions in a broader astronomical context, including other exciting contemporary topics such as correlation functions, fractals, bound clusters, topology, percolation and minimal spanning trees. Key results are derived and the necessary gravitational physics provided to ensure the book is self-contained. Throughout the book, theory, computer simulation and observation are carefully interwoven and critically compared. The book also shows how future observations can test the theoretical models for the evolution of galaxy clustering at early times in our Universe. This clear and authoritative volume is written at a level suitable for graduate students, and will be of key interest to astronomers, cosmologists, physicists and applied statisticians.