bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated nutrient management on weed dynamics of cotton based cropping systems in South India
Authors: Marimuthu S , Subbian P
Published: March 2014

Field experiments were conducted at the farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India during 2007 and 2008 to assess the weed population, dry matter production, weed smothering efficiency and yield of seed cotton in a cotton based cropping system with conjunctive use of NPK and bioinoculants. Cotton intercropped with Sesbania along with application of Azospirillum and Pseudomonas recorded the lowest weed population and weed dry matter production. The maximum weed suppression of 54.5 and 44% was observed in cotton + Sesbania system as compared to pure crop of cotton during both the years. The maximum cotton equivalent yield of 2052 and 1895 kg ha-1 was recorded in cotton + onion system which was at par with cotton + Sesbania system with cotton equivalent yield of 2010 and 1894 kg ha-1 during 2007 and 2008, respectively. Combined application of 100 % recommended dose of NPK and bioinoculants recorded maximum cotton equivalent yield of 2460 and 2190 kg ha-1 during 2007 and 2008, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v11i1.18371 SAARC J. Agri., 11(1): 7-22 (2013)
Growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) as influenced by nitrogen, sulphur and farmyard manure under temperate conditions
Authors: Rasool FU , Hassan B , Jahangir A
Published: March 2014

A field experiment was conducted at the Research farm, Division of Agronomy, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, India for two consecutive rainy (kharif) seasons of 2009 and 2010 to find out the impact of nitrogen, sulphur and farmyard manure (FYM) on growth and yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Application of 120 kg N ha-1 significantly increased all the yield components viz., plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, capitulum diameter, achenes capitulum-1 and 1000-seed weight. Pooled yield increased by 26% with 120 kg N but it was statistically at par with 80 kg N ha-1. With increased N dose, the oil content consistently decreased but the oil yield improved during both years. Sulphur application at the rate of 60 kg ha-1 significantly increased plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production after 25 days of sowing (DAS). All yield contributing characters viz., filled achenes capitulum-1, head diameter and 1000-seed weights were higher with 60 kg S ha-1 over 30 kg S ha-1. Seed and stalk yield with 60 kg S ha-1 were significantly higher than those of 30 kg S ha-1. Similarly, oil content and oil yield with 60kg Sha-1 was 2 and 10.5 % over 30 kg S ha-1. Application of FYM at the rate of 10 and 20 t ha-1 was at par with each other but recorded significant improvement in the plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production of sunflower after 25 days of sowing over no FYM. FYM @10 and 20 t ha-1 increased the oil yield by 11 and 5.4 %, respectively over no application. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v11i1.18386 SAARC J. Agri., 11(1): 81-89 (2013)
P-Glycoprotein and Drug Resistance in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Picchianti-Diamanti Andrea , Rosado Maria , Scarsella Marco , Laganà Bruno , D'Amelio Raffaele
Published: March 2014

Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown etiology characterized by a wide range of abnormalities of the immune system that may compromise the function of several organs, such as kidney, heart, joints, brain and skin. Corticosteroids (CCS), synthetic and biologic immunosuppressive agents have demonstrated the capacity to improve the course of autoimmune diseases. However, a significant number of patients do not respond or develop resistance to these therapies over time. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a transmembrane protein that pumps several drugs out of the cell, including CCS and immunosuppressants; thus, its over-expression or hyper-function has been proposed as a possible mechanism of drug resistance in patients with autoimmune disorders. Recently, different authors have demonstrated that P-gp inhibitors, such as cyclosporine A (CsA) and its analogue Tacrolimus, are able to reduce P-gp expression and or function in SLE, RA and PsA patients. These observations suggest that P-gp antagonists could be adopted to revert drug resistance and improve disease outcome. The complex inter-relationship among drug resistance, P-gp expression and autoimmunity still remains elusive.
Synthesis of New 2,5-Di-substituted 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles Bearing 2,6-Di-tert-butylphenol Moieties and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Shakir Raied , Ariffin Azhar , Abdulla Mahmood
Published: March 2014

Eleven new 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)phenols 5a–k were synthesized by reacting aryl hydrazides with 3,5-di-tert butyl 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride. The resulting compounds were characterized based on their IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and HRMS data. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazide (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to test the antioxidant properties of the compounds. Compounds 5f and 5j exhibited significant free-radical scavenging ability in both assays.
Mapping Crop Cycles in China Using MODIS-EVI Time Series
Authors: Li Le , Friedl Mark , Xin Qinchuan , Gray Josh , Pan Yaozhong , Frolking Steve
Published: March 2014

As the Earth’s population continues to grow and demand for food increases, the need for improved and timely information related to the properties and dynamics of global agricultural systems is becoming increasingly important. Global land cover maps derived from satellite data provide indispensable information regarding the geographic distribution and areal extent of global croplands. However, land use information, such as cropping intensity (defined here as the number of cropping cycles per year), is not routinely available over large areas because mapping this information from remote sensing is challenging. In this study, we present a simple but efficient algorithm for automated mapping of cropping intensity based on data from NASA’s (NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration) MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The proposed algorithm first applies an adaptive Savitzky-Golay filter to smooth Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) time series derived from MODIS surface reflectance data. It then uses an iterative moving-window methodology to identify cropping cycles from the smoothed EVI time series. Comparison of results from our algorithm with national survey data at both the provincial and prefectural level in China show that the algorithm provides estimates of gross sown area that agree well with inventory data. Accuracy assessment comparing visually interpreted time series with algorithm results for a random sample of agricultural areas in China indicates an overall accuracy of 91.0% for three classes defined based on the number of cycles observed in EVI time series. The algorithm therefore appears to provide a straightforward and efficient method for mapping cropping intensity from MODIS time series data.
Regional Water Balance Based on Remotely Sensed Evapotranspiration and Irrigation: An Assessment of the Haihe Plain, China
Authors: Yang Yanmin , Yang Yonghui , Liu Deli , Nordblom Tom , Wu Bingfang , Yan Nana
Published: March 2014

Optimal planning and management of the limited water resources for maximum productivity in agriculture requires quantifying the irrigation applied at a regional scale. However, most efforts involving remote sensing applications in assessing large-scale irrigation applied (IA) have focused on supplying spatial variables for crop models or studying evapotranspiration (ET) inversions, rather than directly building a remote sensing data-based model to estimate IA. In this study, based on remote sensing data, an IA estimation model together with an ET calculation model (ETWatch) is set up to simulate the spatial distribution of IA in the Haihe Plain of northern China. We have verified this as an effective approach for the simulation of regional IA, being more reflective of regional characteristics and of higher resolution compared to single site-specific results. The results show that annual ET varies from 527 mm to 679 mm and IA varies from 166 mm to 289 mm, with average values of 602 mm and 225 mm, respectively, from 2002 to 2007. We confirm that the region along the Taihang Mountain in Hebei Plain has serious water resource sustainability problems, even while receiving water from the South-North Water Transfer (SNWT) project. This is due to the region’s intensive agricultural production and declining groundwater tables. Water-saving technologies, including more timely and accurate geo-specific IA assessments, may help reduce this threat.
Samba: A Real-Time Motion Capture System Using Wireless Camera Sensor Networks
Authors: Oh Hyeongseok , Cha Geonho , Oh Songhwai
Published: March 2014

There is a growing interest in 3D content following the recent developments in 3D movies, 3D TVs and 3D smartphones. However, 3D content creation is still dominated by professionals, due to the high cost of 3D motion capture instruments. The availability of a low-cost motion capture system will promote 3D content generation by general users and accelerate the growth of the 3D market. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a real-time motion capture system based on a portable low-cost wireless camera sensor network. The proposed system performs motion capture based on the data-driven 3D human pose reconstruction method to reduce the computation time and to improve the 3D reconstruction accuracy. The system can reconstruct accurate 3D full-body poses at 16 frames per second using only eight markers on the subject’s body. The performance of the motion capture system is evaluated extensively in experiments.
An Analytical Model for the Performance Analysis of Concurrent Transmission in IEEE 802.15.4
Authors: Gezer Cengiz , Zanella Alberto , Verdone Roberto
Published: March 2014

Interference is a serious cause of performance degradation for IEEE802.15.4 devices. The effect of concurrent transmissions in IEEE 802.15.4 has been generally investigated by means of simulation or experimental activities. In this paper, a mathematical framework for the derivation of chip, symbol and packet error probability of a typical IEEE 802.15.4 receiver in the presence of interference is proposed. Both non-coherent and coherent demodulation schemes are considered by our model under the assumption of the absence of thermal noise. Simulation results are also added to assess the validity of the mathematical framework when the effect of thermal noise cannot be neglected. Numerical results show that the proposed analysis is in agreement with the measurement results on the literature under realistic working conditions.
The Dual Carrier ABSK System Based on a FIR Bandpass Filter
Authors: Chen Zhimin , Wu Lenan , Wang Jiwu
Published: March 2014

The special impacting filter (SIF) with IIR structure has been used to demodulate ABSK signals. The key points of SIF, including the resonance circuit’s high Q value and the “slope-phase discrimination” character of the filter sideband, are demonstrated in the paper. The FIR narrow-band bandpass filtering system, which can also provide the impact-filtering effect, is proposed. A dual carrier system of ABSK signals is designed with the proposed FIR filter as its receiver. The simulation results show that the FIR filter can work well. Moreover, compared to the traditional SIF, the proposed FIR filter can not only achieve higher spectral efficiency, but also give better demodulation performance.
A Tale of Two (or More) Sustainabilities: A Q Methodology Study of University Professors’ Perspectives on Sustainable Universities
Authors: Sylvestre Paul , Wright Tarah , Sherren Kate
Published: March 2014

If change for sustainability in higher education is to be effective, change efforts must be sensitive to the institutional culture in which they will be applied. Therefore, gaining insight into how institutional stakeholders engage with the concept of sustainable universities is an important first step in understanding how to frame and communicate change. This study employed Q methodology to explore how a group of professors conceptualize sustainable universities. We developed a Q sample of 46 statements comprising common conceptions of sustainable universities and had 26 professors from Dalhousie University rank-order them over a quasi-normal distribution. Our analysis uncovered four statistically significant viewpoints amongst the participants: ranging from technocentric optimists who stress the importance of imbuing students with skills and values to more liberal arts minded faculty suspicious of the potential of sustainability to instrumentalize the university. An examination of how these viewpoints interact on a subjective level revealed a rotating series of alignments and antagonisms in relation to themes traditionally associated with sustainable universities and broader themes associated with the identity of the university in contemporary society. Finally, we conclude by discussing the potential implications that the nature of these alignments and antagonisms may hold for developing a culturally sensitive vision of a sustainable university.
Late-onset Neutropenia in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis after Treatment with Rituximab
Authors: Abdulkader Rita , Dharmapalaiah Chethana , Rose Ginny , Shand Lynne M. , Clunie Gavin P. , Watts Richard A.
Published: March 2014

Objective.

Late-onset neutropenia (LON) is an adverse effect of rituximab (RTX) in hematological malignancies, a finding that was recently reported in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of our study was to estimate its incidence in RA.

Methods.

We retrospectively reviewed complete blood (cell) count of patients with RA who received RTX between October 2007 and July 2011 to identify neutropenia (≤ 1.5 × 109) up to 12 months following RTX.

Results.

One hundred eight patients received RTX, median age 64 years (range 25–86). A total of 237 cycles were given. Five patients developed LON after a median of 151 days (71–184). Two developed pneumonia.

Conclusion.

LON occurs infrequently after RTX, but can present with infection.
Predictors of Treatment Resistance and Relapse in Chinese Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Disease
Authors: Cao Yali , Tian Zhigang , Li Wenge , Ma Li , Yu Yongchao , Ren Wenwen
Published: March 2014

Objective.

The prevalence and significance of treatment resistance and relapse in patients from China with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated (ANCA) disease are poorly understood.

Methods.

A total of 98 patients with ANCA vasculitis, diagnosed between January 2003 and December 2009 in the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Results.

Fifteen patients (15.3%) were categorized as having cytoplasmic and/or proteinase 3 (PR3) ANCA and 83 patients (84.7%) had perinuclear and/or myeloperoxidase (MPO) ANCA. After the induction phase treatment, the disease was resistant to therapy in 24 (25%) of the patients. A response to initial treatment occurred in 74 patients (75%). Of these 74 patients, remission was achieved and sustained with or without maintenance therapy in 41 patients (55%). Multivariable logistic regression models revealed that female sex was a statistically significant predictor of treatment resistance (OR 2.85; 95% CI: 1.06–2.86; p = 0.036). Additionally, elevated serum creatinine level, with each increment of 150 μmol/l, predicted resistance (p = 0.002). Among the 74 patients where remission was achieved, Cox proportional hazards models detected that those with PR3 ANCA were 1.31 times more likely to experience a relapse than were patients with MPO ANCA (95% CI: 1.01–5.35; p = 0.0001). Lung involvement was associated with an increased risk of relapse (HR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.12–4.35; p = 0.014). Although not significant, advanced age tended to be associated with relapse (p = 0.08).

Conclusion.

Our findings highlight the important effect of female sex and severity of renal disease at presentation as predictors of treatment resistance, and PR3 ANCA and lung involvement as predictors of relapse.
Causal Attributions about Disease Onset and Relapse in Patients with Systemic Vasculitis
Authors: Grayson Peter C. , Amudala Naomi A. , McAlear Carol A. , Leduc Renée L. , Shereff Denise , Richesson Rachel , Fraenkel Liana , Merkel Peter A.
Published: March 2014

Objective.

Patients vary in their beliefs related to the cause of serious illness. The effect of these beliefs among patients with systemic vasculitis is not known. Our study aimed to describe causal attributions about disease onset and relapse in systemic vasculitis and to examine whether causal beliefs differ by type of vasculitis or are associated with negative health outcomes.

Methods.

Patients with vasculitis were recruited to complete an online questionnaire. Categories of causal beliefs were assessed with the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Differences in beliefs about disease onset versus relapse were compared across different forms of vasculitis. Causal beliefs were assessed in association with several health outcomes including fatigue, functional impairments, and personal understanding of the condition.

Results.

The questionnaire was completed by 692 patients representing 9 forms of vasculitis. The majority (90%) of patients had beliefs about the cause of their illness. Causal attributions were highly variable, but altered immunity and stress were the most commonly agreed-upon causal beliefs. Frequencies of causal beliefs were strikingly similar across different forms of vasculitis, with a few notable exceptions primarily in Behçet disease. Beliefs differed about causes of disease onset versus relapse. Specific beliefs about disease onset and relapse were weakly associated with fatigue, functional impairments, and understanding of the condition.

Conclusion.

Patient beliefs related to the cause of systemic vasculitis are highly variable. Patterns of causal beliefs are associated with important negative health outcomes. Clinicians who care for patients with vasculitis should be mindful of these associations and consider asking about patients’ causal beliefs.
Updating the OMERACT Filter: Core Areas as a Basis for Defining Core Outcome Sets
Authors: Kirwan John R. , Boers Maarten , Hewlett Sarah , Beaton Dorcas , Bingham Clifton O. , Choy Ernest , Conaghan Philip G. , D’Agostino Maria-Antonietta , Dougados Maxime , Furst Daniel E. , Guillemin Francis , Gossec Laure , van der Heijde Désirée M. , Kloppenburg Margreet , Kvien Tore K. , Landewé Robert B.M. , Mackie Sarah L. , Matteson Eric L. , Mease Philip J. , Merkel Peter A. , Ostergaard Mikkel , Saketkoo Lesley Ann , Simon Lee , Singh Jasvinder A. , Strand Vibeke , Tugwell Peter
Published: March 2014

Objective.

The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Filter provides guidelines for the development and validation of outcome measures for use in clinical research. The “Truth” section of the OMERACT Filter presupposes an explicit framework for identifying the relevant core outcomes that are universal to all studies of the effects of intervention effects. There is no published outline for instrument choice or development that is aimed at measuring outcome, was derived from broad consensus over its underlying philosophy, or includes a structured and documented critique. Therefore, a new proposal for defining core areas of measurement (“Filter 2.0 Core Areas of Measurement”) was presented at OMERACT 11 to explore areas of consensus and to consider whether already endorsed core outcome sets fit into this newly proposed framework.

Methods.

Discussion groups critically reviewed the extent to which case studies of current OMERACT Working Groups complied with or negated the proposed framework, whether these observations had a more general application, and what issues remained to be resolved.

Results.

Although there was broad acceptance of the framework in general, several important areas of construction, presentation, and clarity of the framework were questioned. The discussion groups and subsequent feedback highlighted 20 such issues.

Conclusion.

These issues will require resolution to reach consensus on accepting the proposed Filter 2.0 framework of Core Areas as the basis for the selection of Core Outcome Domains and hence appropriate Core Outcome Sets for clinical trials.
Intercultural Collaborative Learning Scenarios in E-Business Education
Authors: Katzlinger Elisabeth , Herzog Michael A.
Published: March 2014

This chapter deals with a learning scenario that has been developed for the acquisition of e-business competencies in various organizations. A constructivist cross-teaching-approach as well as the results of the empirical research derived from of a virtually realized interregional cooperation between a German and an Austrian university concerning business sciences from winter term 2010/11 and summer terms 2012 and 2013 are presented. A teaching-learning situation was created where learners can collaborate in virtual communities that come close to the reality of globalized business. The students worked out an e-business case study in interregional learning groups. The particular interest within the evaluation of this study lies in the virtual collaboration of the interregional study groups and the communication media used but also in the effect the intercultural didactic scenario has on heterogeneous study groups.
Learning Cultures and Multiculturalism
Authors: Teräs Hanna , Leppisaari Irja , Teräs Marko , Herrington Jan
Published: March 2014

In the rapidly globalizing 21st century knowledge society, multicultural understanding plays a major role. However, what do we mean by “culture” in the educational context, what aspects have or should have an impact on our learning environments, and might some of these assumptions direct the development of our learning environments in an unintended and possibly undesirable way? New learning models that differ from traditional learning approaches might cause a type of a “learning culture shock” for some learners. What are the best ways to avoid and overcome cultural clashes in online learning? This chapter discusses the experiences of two cases from multicultural and multidisciplinary online programs for teacher education and professional development. Both of the programs are based on the principles of authentic e-learning framework described by Herrington, Reeves, and Oliver (2010). The aim of the study was to find out how learners with different cultural backgrounds experience the authentic e-learning process, as well as to find out what impact the authentic e-learning model has on the development of the learning culture.
Interactive Multimedia
Authors: Mussoi Eunice Maria , Amaral Érico Marcelo Hoff do , Tarouco Liane Margarida Rockembach , Valdeni de Lima José
Published: March 2014

One of the important characteristics to be considered when developing multimedia educational materials is interactivity. The purpose of this study was to check whether the proposed multimedia's interactivity influenced the performance of 5th graders in a controlled environment and using Portuguese questions from the Brazil Test (Prova Brasil) as inputs. Those assignments were given to two groups of students, where one group had access to activities implemented via software featuring different interactive resources and a second group carried out the same activity in a plain environment, without the aid of multimedia resources. As a result, this chapter compares the performance of each group of students and relates them to the levels of interactivity, thereby demonstrating the latter's influence over the number of correct answers in the activities. Additionally, this chapter provides elements for the preparation of a second study phase.
Operation Bouguer - the final phase of a gravity survey in the northern Cordillera
Authors: Lowe C , Seemann D A , Hearty D B , Halliday D W
Published: March 2014

Reconnaissance gravity mapping of the Canadian Cordillera was completed this year with the acquisition of 1553 new measurements. The measurements, spaced approximately 10 km apart, were acquired in the western and northern Cordillera, in regions of very rugged
relief. Station positions, determined using a Global Positioning System, are considered accurate to ±2.5 m in each of latitude, longitude, and elevation. The new data have been reduced to simple Bouguer anomalies, but terrain corrections remain to be applied. Significant (tens of mGal) terrain
corrections are anticipated for many observations in the St. Elias and Coast Mountains. Once processing is complete the new data will be added to the National Gravity Database in Ottawa and used to upgrade geoid models, improve inertial navigation systems, and aid structural and tectonic
interpretations of the northern Canadian Cordillera.
New sulphide occurrences in the northeastern part of Iskut River map area and southeastern part of Telegraph Creek map area, northwestern British Columbia
Authors: Gunning M H , Patterson K , Green D
Published: March 2014

Six new sulphide occurrences were found during geological mapping of Paleozoic rocks in the More Creek area. A zone more than 100 m long of massive seams and concentrated veinlets of pyrite northeast of Alexander Glacier is named the Broken Antler sulphide
occurrence. It is within one of at least 3 rhyolite bodies in a thick, basalt-dominated, subaqueous volcanic succession believed to be mid-Early Carboniferous or older. Base metal abundances are low, and precious metal and trace element abundances are variable (e.g., <5-200 ppb Au,
2-3980 ppm As, <2-108 ppm Sb). The geological setting and lack of previous work warrant thorough exploration for volcanic-hosted base metal sulphide deposits. An occurrence of auriferous quartz veins in a mid-Carboniferous or older metavolcanic succession, two occurrences of copper
sulphide and gold in mid-Carboniferous or older limestone, and one occurrence of specular hematite and gold in Permian limestone are also described.
Geology and origins of the Zippa Mountain igneous complex with emphasis on the Zippa Mountain pluton, northern British Columbia
Authors: Lueck B A , Russell J K
Published: March 2014

The Zippa Mountain igneous complex comprises three petrologically distinct latest Triassic intrusions: the Zippa Mountain syenite-pyroxenite, Mount Raven diorite, and Seraphim Mountain granite plutons. Zippa Mountain pluton, a concentrically-zoned, silica
undersaturated, bimodal mafic and felsic intrusion intrudes Paleozoic and Triassic rocks of Stikinia and is dominated by syenite, melasyenite, and pyroxenite. Pyroxenite occurs at the pluton margins and grades from mafic syenite to a core of K-feldspar syenite. Aegirine-augite, zoned K-feldspar,
biotite, vishnevite-cancrinite, and melanite (Ti-bearing andradite) are major igneous phases accompanied by accessory titanite and apatite. Vishnevite-cancrinite, a complex sulphate- and carbonate-bearing aluminosilicate solid-solution phase, commonly replaced nepheline or leucite. Trachytic
K-feldspar and aligned aegirine-augite crystals and vishnevite-cancrinite-, melanite-, and pyroxene-rich layers in the syenite and pyroxenite define a widespread fabric which, with associated petrographic textures, are interpreted to be cumulate features.
Northern continuation of the eastern Waddington Thrust Belt and Tyaughton Trough, Tatla Lake-Bussel Creek map areas, west-central British Columbia
Authors: van der Heyden P , Mustard P S , Friedman R
Published: March 2014

Tatla Lake-Bussel Creek map area may contain the northern terminations of East Waddington Thrust Belt (EWTB) and Tyaughton Trough. Foliated plutons and volcanics of the Jura-Cretaceous Coast belt arc are thrust to the northeast over an Upper Triassic arc
succession correlated with Stikine terrane. The arc rocks, in turn, are thrust over marine and nonmarine strata of the Cretaceous Tyaughton Trough, in part derived from a westerly, mixed volcanic-plutonic source. At the northern limit of the thrust belt, the Coast belt is thrust directly on
nonmarine Silverquick formation; marine strata of Tyaughton Trough are absent, and the thrust belt is intruded by the ca. 63-67 Ma Klinaklini and McClinchy plutons. Stikine terrane, including the newly dated ca. 220 Ma Sapeye Creek pluton, may underlie Tyaughton Trough between Yalakom and
Tchaikazan faults. The area northeast of Yalakom fault is underlain by the Eocene Tatla Lake metamorphic core complex.
The geology and structure of the Coryell Batholith, southern British Columbia
Authors: Stinson P , Simony P S
Published: March 2014

The Eocene Coryell Batholith west of Rossland was investigated during the summers of 1992 and 1993. Detailed mapping of the eastern third revealed that it consists of several varieties of syenite and monzonite, as well as fine grained dyke rocks. The shallow dip
of the eastern contacts and a large roof pendant indicate that the level of exposure is in the roof zone. Emplacement related foliations are well developed in the northeast portion of the batholith and weakly developed elsewhere. These are subparallel to the margins. The batholith and its country
rocks are cut by north-trending extensional structures concentrated along the western edge of the study area; gently east-dipping mylonite zones are cut by near-vertical brittle faults. East-side-down movement took place along these structural zones. Both the Coryell Batholith and the
north-trending structures are manifestations of Eocene extensional tectonics.
Preliminary studies of Recent volcanic deposits in southwestern British Columbia using ground penetrating radar
Authors: Stasiuk M V , Russell J K
Published: March 2014

Ground penetrating radar data were collected from traverses over five well-exposed, Recent volcanic rock deposits from Mount Meager volcano and the Cheakamus valley, in southwestern British Columbia. The traverses overlie pyroclastic and lava flow deposits,
including: a thick accumulation of pumice talus, a welded glassy lava breccia, a bed of airfall pumice, a pyroclastic block and ash flow, and a basalt lava flow. The volcanic rocks are dacite and basalt in composition and glassy to holocrystalline. Data were collected via a pulseEKKO IV ground
penetrating radar system with a focused radar signal of 100 MHz. Other experimental conditions varied: i) sample intervals were 0.5 to 1.0 m, ii) ground penetrating radar data was collected with total time windows of 512 or 2048 ns, iii) the number of stacks used was between 64 and 512. Preliminary
results suggest that ground penetrating radar is an effective means of delineating important stratigraphic contacts and can resolve complex internal structures in young volcanic deposits.
Cayoosh Assemblage: regional correlations and implications for terrane linkages in the southern Coast Belt, British Columbia
Authors: Journeay J M , Mahoney J B
Published: March 2014

The Cayoosh Assemblage is an upward-coarsening succession of metamorphosed phyllitic argillite, siltstone, and sandstone that conformably overlies oceanic rocks of the Bridge River Complex. The age and regional distribution of these rocks suggest that the Bridge
River ocean was long-lived, and remained open to marine sedimentation until Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous time. New stratigraphic and paleontological data suggest that outboard terranes, including the Cadwallader and Harrison island arc complexes, may have been linked prior to accretion along
the continental margin. Coarsening-upward clastic successions near the top of the Cayoosh Assemblage overlap these outboard terranes and record the final stages of terrane accretion along the ancestral continental margin.
An overview of the Vancouver-Fraser Valley hydrogeology project, southern British Columbia
Authors: Ricketts B D , Jackson L E
Published: March 2014

A new hydrogeology project aims at delineating and characterizing aquifers and groundwater flow in the Greater Vancouver and lower Fraser Valley regions. Important aspects of the project are summarized, in particular the groundwater database, and experimental
geophysical (ground penetrating radar, seismic and EM) and geochemical techniques. Preliminary sedimentological studies in the Brookswood unconfined aquifer are provided to calibrate the ground penetrating radar data.
A digital database for groundwater data, Fraser Valley, British Columbia
Authors: Woodsworth G J , Ricketts B D
Published: March 2014

We describe a flexible and expandable relational database that is being developed and used in the Cordilleran Division for groundwater data. The database contains location, well details, and driller's logs for about 4000 wells in the Langley and Surrey regions of
the Fraser Valley, British Columbia.
Quaternary geology and terrain inventory, Foothills and adjacent plains, southwestern Alberta: some new insights into the last two glaciations
Authors: Jackson L E
Published: March 2014

The limits of the (last) Erratics Train Glaciation can be easily traced along the Foothills south of Highwood River. Its alpine glaciation was restricted to valley glaciers and cirques in the Plateau Mountain area. Till deposited during the penultimate Willow
Creek Glaciation, however, is restricted to valley bottoms and flat topped ridges. The possibility that these were two distinct glaciations separated by tens or hundreds of thousands of years is strongly suggested by: differences in depths of weathering between tills deposited during the Willow
Creek and Erratics Train glaciations; extensive erosion of Willow Creek till from all but level sites; low relief on till surfaces, abundant ventifacts and paucity of kettle lakes on Willow Creek Glaciation surfaces relative to Erratics Train Glaciation surfaces; and the eroded state of cirques that
fed Willow Creek glaciers in the Foothills. Paleomagnetics and fossil periglacial features are being tested as tools for stratigraphic correlation and demonstration of the significant hiatus between Willow Creek and Erratics Train glaciations.
The state of cell block variation and satisfaction in the era of molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine
Authors: Crapanzano John P. , Heymann Jonas J. , Monaco Sara , Nassar Aziza , Saqi Anjali
Published: March 2014

Background:

In the recent past, algorithms and recommendations to standardize the morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular classification of lung cancers on cytology specimens have been proposed, and several organizations have recommended cell blocks (CBs) as the preferred modality for molecular testing. Based on the literature, there are several different techniques available for CB preparation-suggesting that there is no standard. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of CB preparation techniques utilized in various practice settings and analyze current issues, if any.

Materials and Methods:

A single E-mail with a link to an electronic survey was distributed to members of the American Society of Cytopathology and other pathologists. Questions pertaining to the participants’ practice setting and CBs-volume, method, quality and satisfaction-were included.

Results:

Of 95 respondents, 90/95 (94%) completed the survey and comprise the study group. Most participants practice in a community hospital/private practice (44%) or academic center (41%). On average, 14 CBs (range 0-50; median 10) are prepared by a laboratory daily. Over 10 methods are utilized: Plasma thrombin (33%), HistoGel (27%), Cellient automated cell block system (8%) and others (31%) respectively. Forty of 90 (44%) respondents are either unsatisfied or sometimes satisfied with their CB quality, with low-cellular yield being the leading cause of dissatisfaction. There was no statistical significance between the three most common CB preparation methods and satisfaction with quality.

Discussion:

Many are dissatisfied with their current method of CB preparation, and there is no consistent method to prepare CBs. In today's era of personalized medicine with an increasing array of molecular tests being applied to cytological specimens, there is a need for a standardized protocol for CB optimization to enhance cellularity.
Novel PI3K and mTOR Inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 Radiosensitizes Breast Cancer Cell Lines under Normoxic and Hypoxic Conditions
Authors: Kuger Sebastian , Cörek Emre , Polat Bülent , Kämmerer Ulrike , Flentje Michael , Djuzenova Cholpon S.
Published: March 2014

In the present study, we assessed, if the novel dual phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 radiosensitizes triple negative (TN) MDA-MB-231 and estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 cells to ionizing radiation under various oxygen conditions, simulating different microenvironments as occurring in the majority of breast cancers (BCs). Irradiation (IR) of BC cells cultivated in hypoxic conditions revealed increased radioresistance compared to normoxic controls. Treatment with NVP-BEZ235 completely circumvented this hypoxia-induced effects and radiosensitized normoxic, reoxygenated, and hypoxic cells to similar extents. Furthermore, NVP-BEZ235 treatment suppressed HIF-1α expression and PI3K/mTOR signaling, induced autophagy, and caused protracted DNA damage repair in both cell lines in all tested oxygen conditions. Moreover, after incubation with NVP-BEZ235, MCF-7 cells revealed depletion of phospho-AKT and considerable signs of apoptosis, which were significantly enhanced by radiation. Our findings clearly demonstrate that NVP-BEZ235 has a clinical relevant potential as a radiosensitizer in BC treatment.
Hormonal Therapeutics Enzalutamide and Abiraterone Acetate in the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) Post-docetaxel—an Indirect Comparison
Authors: Tan Pui S. , Haaland Benjamin , Montero Alberto J. , Kyriakopoulos Christos E. , Lopes Gilberto
Published: March 2014

Introduction

This study aims to make an indirect comparison between enzalutamide and abiraterone acetate for mCRPC post-docetaxel.

Methods

A search for published phase 3 trials was performed with PubMed. Indirect comparisons of enzalutamide (AFFIRM) to abiraterone acetate (COU-AA-301) on outcomes overall survival (OS), time to prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) progression, radiographic progression-free survival (PFS), and PSA response were constructed in the context of log-linear regression models.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in OS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.85, 95% CI 0.68–1.07). However, there was some evidence that enzalutamide may outperform abiraterone acetate with respect to secondary outcomes: time to PSA progression (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.30–0.53), radiographic PFS (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.50–0.74), and PSA response rates (RRs) (OR 10.69, 95% CI 3.92–29.20).

Conclusion

While there was no statistically significant difference in OS, enzalutamide may be advantageous for secondary endpoints. Findings of this indirect comparison serve to be hypothesis-generating for future head-to-head trials.
Spectral sets of periodic matrices related to the strong moment problem
Authors: Moale Ionela , Yuditskii Peter
Published: March 2014

The main result of this work is a parametric description of the spectral surfaces of a class of periodic 5-diagonal matrices, related to the strong moment problem. This class is a self-adjoint twin of the class of CMV matrices. Jointly they form the simplest possible classes of 5-diagonal matrices.
Spectral properties of bipolar surfaces to Otsuki tori
Authors: Karpukhin Mikhail
Published: March 2014

The

i

-th eigenvalue

\lambda_i

of the Laplace–Beltrami operator on a surface can be considered as a functional on the space of all Riemannian metrics of unit volume on this surface. Surprisingly only few examples of extremal metrics for these functionals are known. In the present paper a new countable family of extremal metrics on the torus is provided.
The Galerkin method for perturbed self-adjoint operators and applications
Authors: Strauss Michael
Published: March 2014

We consider the Galerkin method for approximating the spectrum of an operator

T+A

where

T

is semi-bounded self-adjoint and

A

satisfies a relative compactness condition. We show that the method is reliable in all regions where it is reliable for the unperturbed problem - which always contains

\mathbb{C}\backslash\mathbb{R}

. The results lead to a new technique for identifying eigenvalues of

T

, and for identifying spectral pollution which arises from applying the Galerkin method directly to

T

. The new technique benefits from being applicable on the form domain.
Predicting East African spring droughts using Pacific and Indian Ocean sea surface temperature indices
Authors: Funk C. , Hoell A. , Shukla S. , Bladé I. , Liebmann B. , Roberts J. B. , Robertson F. R. , Husak G.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. In southern Ethiopia, Eastern Kenya, and southern Somalia, poor boreal spring rains in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011 contributed to severe food insecurity and high levels of malnutrition. Predicting rainfall deficits in this region on seasonal and decadal time frames can help decision makers implement disaster risk reduction measures while guiding climate-smart adaptation and agricultural development. Building on recent research that links more frequent droughts in that region to a stronger Walker Circulation, warming in the Indo-Pacific warm pool, and an increased western Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) gradient, we show that the two dominant modes of East African boreal spring rainfall variability are tied, respectively, to western-central Pacific and central Indian Ocean SST. Variations in these rainfall modes can be predicted using two previously defined SST indices – the West Pacific Gradient (WPG) and Central Indian Ocean index (CIO), with the WPG and CIO being used, respectively, to predict the first and second rainfall modes. These simple indices can be used in concert with more sophisticated coupled modeling systems and land surface data assimilations to help inform early warning and guide climate outlooks.
Coseismic slip inversion based on InSAR arc measurements
Authors: Wang C. , Ding X. , Li Q.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. We present a new method for inverting coseismic slip distribution based on arc measurements of InSAR interferograms. The method only solves the integer ambiguities on the selected arcs so that the challenging task from global unwrapping of low coherence interferograms can be avoided. The simulated experiment results show that the new method recovered the given slip distribution well at different coherence quality levels. However, the conventional method with global interferogram unwrapping fails when the interferogram has some isolated areas. In addition, the new method is capable of using surface rupture offset data gathered in the field. We apply the proposed method to study the 2010 Yushu, China Ms 7.1 earthquake. Inclusion of field data can help to enhance the results of fault slip inversion. It derives a maximum slip of ∼3 m, larger than the published coseismic slip results on this event, but agreeing with the largest offset of 3.2 m from field investigation.
On the glacial and inter-glacial thermohaline circulation and the associated transports of heat and freshwater
Authors: Ballarotta M. , Falahat S. , Brodeau L. , Döös K.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The change of the thermohaline circulation (THC) between the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ≈ 21 kyr ago) and the present day climate are explored using an Ocean General Circulation Model and stream functions projected in various coordinates. Compared to the present day period, the LGM circulation is reorganised in the Atlantic Ocean, in the Southern Ocean and particularly in the abyssal ocean, mainly due to the different haline stratification. Due to stronger wind stress, the LGM tropical circulation is more vigorous than under modern conditions. Consequently, the maximum tropical transport of heat is slightly larger during the LGM. In the North Atlantic basin, the large sea-ice extent during the LGM constrains the Gulf Stream to propagate in a more zonal direction, reducing the transport of heat towards high latitudes and reorganising the freshwater transport. The LGM circulation is represented as a large intrusion of saline Antarctic Bottom Water into the Northern Hemisphere basins. As a result, the North Atlantic Deep Water is shallower in the LGM simulation. The stream functions in latitude-salinity coordinates and thermohaline coordinates point out the different haline regimes between the glacial and interglacial period, as well as a LGM Conveyor Belt circulation largely driven by enhanced salinity contrast between the Atlantic and the Pacific basin. The thermohaline structure in the LGM simulation is the result of an abyssal circulation that lifts and deviates the Conveyor Belt cell from the area of maximum volumetric distribution, resulting in a ventilated upper layer above a deep stagnant layer, and an Atlantic circulation more isolated from the Pacific. An estimation of the turnover times reveal a deep circulation almost sluggish during the LGM, and a Conveyor Belt cell more vigorous due to the combination of stronger wind stress and shortened circulation route.
Effects of nitrogen plasma post-treatment on electrical conduction of carbon nanowalls
Authors: Cho Hyung Jun , Kondo Hiroki , Ishikawa Kenji , Sekine Makoto , Hiramatsu Mineo , Hori Masaru
Published: March 2014

For utilization in future electronic application of graphene materials, nitrogen (N) atom doping into graphene sheets is an important technology. We investigated the electrical conduction of carbon nanowalls (CNWs), consisting of stacks of graphene sheets standing vertically on substrates. By post-treatment for 30 s, the electrical conductivity of CNWs increased. On the other hand, as the post-treatment time increased, the electrical conductivity decreased. According to Hall measurement, the carrier density decreased with increasing post-treatment time, while the carrier mobility increased. Consequently, the electrical conduction of the CNWs was successfully controlled by N2 plasma treatment.
Effects of heat treatment on electrical and electromechanical properties of hydrothermally synthesized epitaxial (K0.51Na0.49)NbO3 films
Authors: Shiraishi Takahisa , Kaneko Noriyuki , Kurosawa Minoru , Uchida Hiroshi , Hirayama Taisei , Funakubo Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

Effects of heat treatment on the electrical and electromechanical properties of hydrothermally synthesized epitaxial (K0.51Na0.49)NbO3 films were investigated. The film composition and crystal structure did not markedly change with heat treatment from 240 to 600 °C in O2 atmosphere. However, the leakage current density drastically decreased from the order of 101 to 10−5 A/cm2 at 50 kV/cm after heat treatment at 240 °C. The relative dielectric constant, remanent polarization, and transverse piezoelectric constant increased with increasing heat treatment temperature from 300 to 600 °C (from 330 to 750 in εr, from 5.4 to 14 µC/cm2 in remanent polarization, and from 41 to 56 pm/V in transverse piezoelectric response). H2O desorption of 12 ppm was detected in epitaxial (K0.51Na0.49)NbO3 films by thermal desorption spectroscopy measurement. Such H2O desorption can be related to the improvement of the electrical and electromechanical properties of the hydrothermally synthesized epitaxial (K0.51Na0.49)NbO3 films.