bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2 obras de Marcel Breuer - U.S.A.- Pequeño edificio de oficinas
Authors: Breuer Marcel , Beckhard Herbert , Nolen.. Swinbume & asociados Arquitectos
Published: May 2015

Las formas escultórico-arquitectónicas logradas mediante la adecuada combinación de superficies planas, textura y color de los diferentes materiales empleados, juegos de luces y sombras, etc., han contribuido poderosa y fundamentalmente a que la composición estética de este edificio administrativo resulte atractiva.
Las fachadas constituyen un bello ejemplo de las posibilidades que ofrece, en la edificación, el empleo de muros de cerramiento resistentes construidos a base de unidades prefabricadas de hormigón.
La nueva estación clasificadora de Lausana – Suiza
Authors: Desponds Roger
Published: May 2015

La considerable y creciente importancia del tráfico de mercancías y su racionalización, así como todo lo referente al movimiento ingente de paquetes, obliga a estudiar concienzudamente los sistemas de clasificación. De igual forma se hace preciso conseguir la separación total de paquetes, mercancías y viajeros, tratando de lograr las velocidades de transporte adecuadas para cada caso. El artículo explica todos los esfuerzos y logros alcanzados en esta importante estación clasificadora.
Características de los principales aditivos químicos para hormigones y morteros y su empleo en la construcción
Authors: Safránez Carlos
Published: May 2015

Partiendo del punto de vista de un técnico de la construcción y sin pretender abarcar todo el complejo de los aditivos para hormigones y morteros, el autor procura facilitar una visión dará de los aditivos i químicos más importantes y de uso más frecuente. Estos se clasifican en pocos grupos claramente definidos, señalando el efecto principal.
Se exponen los efectos de los aditivos y las propiedades que se consiguen, lo mismo en el hormigón fresco que en el hormigón fraguado.
Se destaca la importancia de los efectos de fluidificación, de plastificación y de dispersión del cemento, que producen una mejora muy notable de la calidad del hormigón.
Finalmente, se trata brevemente del aspecto económico de los aditivos.
Estación de invierno en Flaine, Francia
Authors: Breuer M. , Gatje R. F.
Published: May 2015

Dentro de la primera fase del Plan general redactado para esta nueva «ciudad de alta montaña», han sido construidos: un grupo de hoteles, bloques de apartamentos, tiendas y edificios para servicios.
Influyó, de modo decisivo, en las características arquitectónicas de los mismos, la prolongada duración de la estación invernal en esta región, lo que reduce prácticamente la actividad de la construcción a los cuatro meses de verano. Es por lo que los arquitectos decidieron construir los edificios a base de elementos prefabricados de hormigón, con la consiguiente economía de tiempo en obra que ello significaba.
Sus fachadas presentan, en todos los detalles, un aspecto tridimensional; y la textura de sus superficies y la profundidad física de su tratamiento contribuyen a realzar los contrastes de luz y sombra, que Breuer trata como un acreditado maestro.
El pabellón italiano en la Expo-70, de Osaka
Authors: Valle T. , Valle G. , Brusa S.
Published: May 2015

Consta de seis cuerpos, de sección rectangular de 14,5 x 5 m, con su eje inclinado 30° respecto al plano horizontal; y de otros cuatro, de sección también rectangular, de 3 x 4 m e inclinados, asimismo, 30°, pero en posición contraria a la de los precedentes.
Los seis elementos primeros contienen las zonas destinadas a exhibición; y los cuatro últimos albergan: las comunicaciones verticales, las diferentes instalaciones, canalizaciones, tomas de aire, etc.
El organismo estructural creado es la expresión atrayente de una dimensión y de un espacio distinto y estimulante de gran dinamismo y plasticidad.
Pabellón de trasplantes en el hospital general de Edimburgo, Gran Bretaña
Authors: Womersley P.
Published: May 2015

El conjunto construido consta de: un ala médica; un ala administrativa; y un paso ligeramente elevado, que une Nuffield con el Hospital, utilizado para el traslado de pacientes y donantes desde el Hospital al Pabellón.
El cuerpo de edificio, con aspecto de «torre», contiene: la escalera, el ascensor, el depósito de agua, etc.; el semisótano alberga: los equipos mecánicos y los servicios de las instalaciones sanitarias, aire acondicionado, etc.
Ha sido especialmente diseñado para realizar operaciones de trasplante de órganos humanos, en particular de riñon, y satisface adecuadamente las complejas exigencias técnicas que reclamaban los recientes avances en esta rama de la cirugía. Desde el punto de vista estético, el conjunto construido produce en el espectador una sensación segura y etérea, que lo hace sumamente atractivo.
Centro comercial y hotel de lujo en Madrid, España
Authors: Blein J. , Sánchez de León V. , Blein F.
Published: May 2015

El complejo que se describe en este artículo ocupa una manzana completa, en un lugar privilegiado de la capital. Consta de tres cuerpos fundamentales:
1. GRANDES ALMACENES: con 4 plantas para uso público y otras 4 para almacén, aparcamiento e instalaciones.
2. TORRE DE OFICINAS: con 14 plantas sobre la rasante, más las inferiores.
3. HOTEL DE LUJO: con 9 plantas sobre la cota del terreno.
La estructura general es de hormigón armado, salvo en la torre, donde se han empleado también pilares metálicos en fachada.
Toda la composición y el tratamiento exterior e interior presentan una gran dignidad y nobleza, deducidas de un cuidadoso estudio, como correspondía a la categoría del emplazamiento y al uso de la edificación.
Edificio industrial Crane-Fisa, España
Authors: Heredia & Moreno S. A. Ingenieros
Published: May 2015

En este artículo se describe, con claridad, la construcción de un importante edificio industrial en las proximidades de Madrid. Se compone de una gran nave de fabricación y un cuerpo más bajo destinado a oficinas, con estructura metálica, cerramiento a base de paneles de fábrica de ladrillo y cubierta de placas de aluminio-acero. Se han previsto, asimismo, las adecuadas instalaciones de suministro y evacuación de agua, calefacción, ventilación, aire acondicionado, aire comprimido y propano, además de una completísima instalación eléctrica.
Pasarela en el puerto de Wiesbaden- Schierstein, Alemania
Authors: Dyckerhoff & Widmann Building Company
Published: May 2015

Esta elegante obra de ingeniería se construyó para conmemorar el centenario de la fábrica de cemento Dyckerhoff. Se ha realizado por el sistema de voladizos sucesivos a base de hormigón pretensado y empleando hormigones ligeros blancos en su mayor parte. Es muy interesante la utilización de las rampas de acceso como contrapeso del arco, lo que da lugar a un resultado estático original que aligera considerablemente la cimentación, la cual, en este caso, y dadas las malas condiciones del terreno, hubiera resultado costosa en extremo.
Casa en Hasseris – Dinamarca
Authors: Ussing Kjeld
Published: May 2015

Está situada a media ladera y fue diseñada de modo que satisficiese los gustos de sus propietarios, acordes con las tendencias sociales y artísticas propias de una ciudad provinciana.
Su fluido esquema de distribución; la original línea escultural de la edificación, que acusa y vigoriza la de la ladera y constituye un foco de atracción visual —por encima de los árboles del parque del fondo—, y la orientación de las habitaciones para poder disfrutar del paisaje...; son otros tantos aciertos del proyectista.
Corrosión de tuberías
Authors: Del Olmo C.
Published: May 2015

El presente trabajo aborda el tema de la corrosión de las tuberías empleadas en construcción. En él se enuncian unas consideraciones de carácter general sobre corrosión de tuberías, sin entrar ni en la cinética ni en los mecanismos propios de la corrosión, dándose a continuación unas recomendaciones de carácter práctico para evitar en lo posible este fenómeno tan generalizado y que tantas pérdidas ocasiona.
En la segunda parte del trabajo se incluye un cuestionario que consta de una serie de puntos cuyo conocimiento puede servir de base para el comienzo de ima investigación sistemática sobre la causa o causas más probablemente determinantes de la corrosión de las tuberías. Complementan el cuestionario unas notas o comentarios a cada uno de los puntos tratados en el mismo.
Por último se facilitan en un apéndice final unos cuadros orientativos del contenido máximo permitido por la Instrucción para el proyecto y ejecución de obras de hormigón en masa o armado (Decreto 2.987/1968, de 20-IX-68) de los iones perjudiciales desde el punto de vista de la corrosión de las tuberías (sulfatos y cloruros) que habitualmente pueden encontrarse en el mortero u hormigón de cemento portland, haciendo resaltar la necesidad de rebajar estos contenidos si los materiales de construcción han de estar en contacto con tuberías de hierro.
Mobile Banking Adoption in the United States
Authors: Engwanda Michel N.
Published: May 2015

Mobile banking penetration has been relatively low even though smartphones are the most dominant forms of mobile computing in the United States. This quantitative correlational study is focused on how consumers ‘perceptions affect their intention to use mobile banking in the United States. Among U.S. consumers with smartphones, Internet access, and a bank account; 68% used Internet, 33% used telephone-based banking, and only 21% engaged in some type of mobile banking activities in 2011. The web-based survey used in this study was derived from the technology acceptance model extended by the innovation diffusion theory. Data were collected by e-mail from a random sample of 398 people in the United States. The structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was used to analyze data. The results indicated that, perceived compatibility, credibility, and costs were the significant predictors of mobile banking adoption in the United States.
What We Know and Do Not Know About Mobile App Usage and Stickiness
Authors: Furner Christopher P. , Racherla Pradeep , Babb Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2015

Mobile applications (apps) have transformed the way firms and consumers communicate with each other, and have now become integral to firms' marketing strategies. However, in a marketplace characterized by myriad choices, one of the biggest challenges that Marketers face is to foster continued and frequent use, or stickiness. This brings forth two important questions: what factors affect consumers' decision to use and “stick” to apps? What are the key outcomes of stickiness for both consumers and firms? This study maps the conceptual and research issues underlying consumers' decision journey and outcomes with respect to mobile app use. We build a framework based on the central tenets of interactivity combined with the insights gleaned from a survey of interdisciplinary literature. We discuss the implications for research and practice in this emerging area of interest.
Diverse Inflammatory Cytokines Induce Selectin Ligand Expression on Murine CD4 T Cells via p38α MAPK
Authors: Ebel Mark E. , Awe Olufolakemi , Kaplan Mark H. , Kansas Geoffrey S.
Published: May 2015

Selectins are glycan-binding adhesion molecules that mediate the initial steps of leukocyte recognition of endothelium. Cytokines control numerous aspects of CD4 Th cell differentiation, but how cytokines control the induction of ligands for E- and P-selectin on Th cell subsets remains poorly understood. Among 20 cytokines that affect Th cell differentiation, we identified six that induce expression of selectin ligands on murine CD4 T cells above the low levels associated with TCR engagement: IL-12, IL-18, IL-27, IL-9, IL-25, and TGF-β1. Collectively, these six cytokines could potentially account for selectin ligand expression on all of the currently defined nonsessile Th cell lineages, including Th1, Th2, Th9, and Th17 cells, as well as regulatory T cells. Induction of selectin ligand expression by each of these six cytokines was almost completely inhibited by pharmacologic inhibition of p38 MAPK, but not other MAPKs, or by conditional genetic deletion of p38α MAPK. Analysis of the expression of key glycosyltransferase genes revealed that p38α signaling was selectively required for induction of Fut7 and Gcnt1 but not for the induction of St3gal4 or St3gal6. Constitutively active MKK6, an immediate upstream activator of p38 MAPK, induced selectin ligand expression equivalent to that of cytokines, and this induction was completely dependent on the expression of p38α. Our results identify the repertoire of cytokines responsible for selectin ligand induction on CD4 T cells and provide a mechanistic link between Th cell development and T cell migration.
Contribution to the discussion of current state and future perspectives of sensory analysis of balsamic vinegars
Authors: Hatzidimitriou Efimia , Papadopoulou Maria , Lalou Sofia , Tsimidou Maria Z.
Published: May 2015

Not required
IMPORTANCE OF CLASSICAL MORPHOLOGY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME
Authors: Invernizzi Rosangela , Quaglia Federica , Della Porta Matteo Giovanni
Published: May 2015

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by dysplastic, ineffective, clonal and neoplastic hematopoiesis. MDS represent a complex hematological problem: differences in disease presentation, progression and outcome  have necessitated the use of classification systems to improve diagnosis, prognostication and treatment selection. However, since a single biological or genetic reliable diagnostic marker has not yet been discovered for MDS, quantitative and qualitative dysplastic morphological alterations of bone marrow precursors and of peripheral blood cells are still fundamental for diagnostic classification. In this paper World Health Organization (WHO) classification refinements and current minimal diagnostic criteria proposed by expert panels are highlighted and related problematic issues are discussed. The recommendations should facilitate diagnostic and prognostic evaluations in MDS and selection of patients for new effective targeted therapies. Although in the future morphology should be supplemented with new molecular techniques, the morphological approach, at least for the moment, is still the cornerstone for the diagnosis and classification of these disorders.
Cervical cancer screening: Safety, acceptability, and feasibility of a single-visit approach in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Authors: Fallala Muriel S. , Mash Robert
Published: May 2015

Background: Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer amongst African women, and yet preventative services are often inadequate.Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the safety, acceptability and feasibility of visual inspection with acetic acid and cervicography (VIAC) followed by cryotherapy or a loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP) at a single visit for prevention of cancer of the cervix.Setting:The United Bulawayo Hospital, Zimbabwe.Methods: The study was descriptive, using retrospective data extracted from electronic medical records of women attending the VIAC clinic. Over 24 months 4641 women visited the clinic and were screened for cervical cancer using VIAC. Cryotherapy or LEEP was offered immediately to those that screened positive. Treated women were followed up at three months and one year.Results: The rate of positive results on VIAC testing was 10.8%. Of those who were eligible, 17.0% received immediate cryotherapy, 44.1% received immediate LEEP, 1.9% delayed treatment, and 37.0% were referred to a gynaecologist. No major complications were recorded after cryotherapy or LEEP. Amongst those treated 99.5% expressed satisfaction with their experience. Only 3.2% of those treated at the clinic had a positive result on VIAC one year later. The service was shown to be feasible to sustain over time with the necessary consumables. There were no service-related treatment postponements and the clinic staff and facility were able to meet the demand for the service.Conclusion: A single-visit approach using VIAC, followed by cryotherapy or LEEP, proved to be safe, acceptable and feasible in an urban African setting in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Outcomes a year later suggested that treatment had been effective.
Prediction of Early Breast Cancer Metastasis from DNA Microarray Data Using High-Dimensional Cox Regression Models
Authors: Zemmour Christophe , Bertucci François , Finetti Pascal , Chetrit Bernard , Birnbaum Daniel , Filleron Thomas , Boher Jean-Marie
Published: May 2015

Background

DNA microarray studies identified gene expression signatures predictive of metastatic relapse in early breast cancer. Standard feature selection procedures applied to reduce the set of predictive genes did not take into account the correlation between genes. In this paper, we studied the performances of three high-dimensional regression methods – CoxBoost, LASSO (Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator), and Elastic net – to identify prognostic signatures in patients with early breast cancer.

Methods

We analyzed three public retrospective datasets, including a total of 384 patients with axillary lymph node-negative breast cancer. The Amsterdam van't Veer's training set of 78 patients was used to determine the optimal gene sets and classifiers using sensitivity thresholds resulting in misclassification of no more than 10% of the poor-prognosis group. To ensure the comparability between different methods, an automatic selection procedure was used to determine the number of genes included in each model. The van de Vijver's and Desmedt's datasets were used as validation sets to evaluate separately the prognostic performances of our classifiers. The results were compared to the original Amsterdam 70-gene classifier.

Results

The automatic selection procedure reduced the number of predictive genes up to a minimum of six genes. In the two validation sets, the three models (Elastic net, LASSO, and CoxBoost) led to the definition of genomic classifiers predicting the 5-year metastatic status with similar performances, with respective 59, 56, and 54% accuracy, 83, 75, and 83% sensitivity, and 53, 52, and 48% specificity in the Desmedt's dataset. In comparison, the Amsterdam 70-gene signature showed 45% accuracy, 97% sensitivity, and 34% specificity. The gene overlap and the classification concordance between the three classifiers were high. All the classifiers added significant prognostic information to that provided by the traditional prognostic factors and showed a very high overlap with respect to gene ontologies (GOs) associated with genes overexpressed in the predicted poor-prognosis vs. good-prognosis classes and centred on cell proliferation. Interestingly, all classifiers reported high sensitivity to predict the 4-year status of metastatic disease.

Conclusions

High-dimensional regression methods are attractive in prognostic studies because finding a small subset of genes may facilitate the transfer to the clinic, and also because they strengthen the robustness of the model by limiting the selection of false-positive predictive genes. With only six genes, the CoxBoost classifier predicted the 4-year status of metastatic disease with 93% sensitivity. Selecting a few genes related to ontologies other than cell proliferation might further improve the overall sensitivity performance.
Impact of Benznidazole on Infection Course in Mice Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi I, II, and IV
Authors: Gruendling Ana Paula , Massago Miyoko , Teston Ana Paula M. , Monteiro Wuelton M. , Kaneshima Edilson N. , Araújo Silvana M. , Gomes Mônica L. , Barbosa Maria das Graças V. , Toledo Max Jean O.
Published: May 2015

American trypanosomiasis is an emerging zoonosis in the Brazilian Amazon. Studies on benznidazole (BZ) chemotherapy with Trypanosoma cruzi from this region have great relevance, given the different discrete typing units (DTUs) that infect humans in the Amazon and other regions of Brazil. We performed a parasitological, histopathological, and molecular analysis of mice inoculated with strains of T. cruzi I, II, and IV that were BZ-treated during the acute phase of infection. Groups of Swiss mice were inoculated; 13 received oral BZ, whereas the other 13 comprised the untreated controls. Unlike parasitemia, the infectivity and mortality did not vary among the DTUs. Trypanosoma cruzi DNA was detected in all tissues analyzed and the proportion of organs parasitized varied with the parasite DTU. The BZ treatment reduced the most parasitological parameters, tissue parasitism and the inflammatory processes at all infection stages and for all DTUs. However, the number of significant reductions varied according to the DTU and infection phase.
Description of Leprosy Classification at Baseline Among Patients Enrolled at the Uniform Multidrug Therapy Clinical Trial for Leprosy Patients in Brazil
Authors: Moura Rodrigo Scaliante , Penna Gerson Oliveira , Cardoso Ludimila Paula Vaz , de Andrade Pontes Maria Araci , Cruz Rossilene , de Sá Gonçalves Heitor , Fernandes Penna Maria Lúcia , de Araújo Stefani Mariane Martins , Bührer-Sékula Samira
Published: May 2015

The uniform multidrug therapy clinical trial, Brazil (U-MDT/CT-BR), database was used to describe and report the performance of available tools to classify 830 leprosy patients as paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB) at baseline. In a modified Ridley and Jopling (R&J) classification, considering clinical features, histopathological results of skin biopsies and the slit-skin smear bacterial load results were used as the gold standard method for classification. Anti-phenolic glycolipid-I (PGL-I) serology by ML Flow test, the slit skin smear bacterial load, and the number of skin lesions were evaluated. Considering the R&J classification system as gold standard, ML Flow tests correctly allocated 70% patients in the PB group and 87% in the MB group. The classification based on counting the number of skin lesions correctly allocated 46% PB patients and 99% MB leprosy cases. Slit skin smears properly classified 91% and 97% of PB and MB patients, respectively. Based on U-MDT/CT-BR results, classification of leprosy patients for treatment purposes is unnecessary because it does not impact clinical and laboratories outcomes. In this context, the identification of new biomarkers to detect patients at a higher risk to develop leprosy reactions or relapse remains an important research challenge.
High Mortality Associated with Retreatment of Tuberculosis in a Clinic in Kampala, Uganda: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Acuña-Villaorduña Carlos , Ayakaka Irene , Dryden-Peterson Scott , Nakubulwa Susan , Worodria William , Reilly Nancy , Hosford Jennifer , Fennelly Kevin P. , Okwera Alphonse , Jones-López Edward C.
Published: May 2015

The World Health Organization recommends for tuberculosis retreatment a regimen of isoniazid (H), rifampicin (R), ethambutol (E), pyrazinamide (Z), and streptomycin (S) for 2 months, followed by H, R, E, and Z for 1 month and H, R, and E for 5 months. Using data from the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program registry, this study determined the long-term outcome under programmatic conditions of patients who were prescribed the retreatment regimen in Kampala, Uganda, between 1997 and 2003. Patients were traced to determine their vital status; 62% (234/377) patients were found dead. Having ≤ 2 treatment courses and not completing retreatment were associated with mortality in adjusted analyses.
Chemical composition and size distribution of summertime PM2.5 at a high altitude remote location in the northeast of the Qinghai–Xizang (Tibet) Plateau: insights into aerosol sources and processing in free troposphere
Authors: Xu J. Z. , Zhang Q. , Wang Z. B. , Yu G. M. , Ge X. L. , Qin X.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Aerosol filter samples were collected at a high-elevation mountain observatory (4180 m a.s.l.) in the northeastern part of the Qinghai–Xizang (Tibet) Plateau (QXP) during summer 2012 using a low-volume sampler and a micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI). These samples were analyzed for water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIs), organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC), and total organic nitrogen (TON) to elucidate the size-resolved chemical composition of free tropospheric aerosols in the QXP region. The average mass concentration of the sum of the analyzed species in PM2.5 (particle matter) (WSIs + OC + EC + TON) was 3.74 μg sm−3, 36% of which was sulfate, 18% OC, 17 % nitrate, 10% ammonium, 6.6% calcium, 6.4% TON, 2.6% EC, 1.5 % sodium, 0.9% chloride, 0.5% magnesium, and 0.3% potassium. The size distributions of sulfate and ammonium peaked in the accumulation mode (0.32–0.56 μm), whereas the size distributions of both nitrate and calcium peaked in the range of 1.8–3.2 μm, suggesting the formation of nitrate on mineral dust. OC, EC and TON were also predominantly found in the accumulation mode. The bulk chemical composition and the average oxidation degree of water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) were assessed using a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS). WSOM was found to be highly oxidized in all PM2.5 samples with an average oxygen-to-carbon atomic ratio (O / C) of 1.16 and an organic mass-to-organic carbon ratio (OM / OC) of 2.75. The highly oxidized WSOM was likely related to active cloud processing during upslope air mass transport coupled with strongly oxidizing environments caused by snow/ice photochemistry. High average ratios of OC / EC (7.6) and WSOC / OC (0.79) suggested that organic aerosols were primarily made of secondary species. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) was estimated on average accounting for 80% (62–96%) of the PM2.5, indicating that SOA is an important component of free tropospheric aerosols over the northern QXP.
Analysis of isothermal and cooling rate dependent immersion freezing by a unifying stochastic ice nucleation model
Authors: Alpert P. A. , Knopf D. A.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Immersion freezing is an important ice nucleation pathway involved in the formation of cirrus and mixed-phase clouds. Laboratory immersion freezing experiments are necessary to determine the range in temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) at which ice nucleation occurs and to quantify the associated nucleation kinetics. Typically, isothermal (applying a constant temperature) and cooling rate dependent immersion freezing experiments are conducted. In these experiments it is usually assumed that the droplets containing ice nuclei (IN) all have the same IN surface area (ISA), however the validity of this assumption or the impact it may have on analysis and interpretation of the experimental data is rarely questioned. A stochastic immersion freezing model based on first principles of statistics is presented, which accounts for variable ISA per droplet and uses physically observable parameters including the total number of droplets (Ntot) and the heterogeneous ice nucleation rate coefficient, Jhet(T). This model is applied to address if (i) a time and ISA dependent stochastic immersion freezing process can explain laboratory immersion freezing data for different experimental methods and (ii) the assumption that all droplets contain identical ISA is a valid conjecture with subsequent consequences for analysis and interpretation of immersion freezing. The simple stochastic model can reproduce the observed time and surface area dependence in immersion freezing experiments for a variety of methods such as: droplets on a cold-stage exposed to air or surrounded by an oil matrix, wind and acoustically levitated droplets, droplets in a continuous flow diffusion chamber (CFDC), the Leipzig aerosol cloud interaction simulator (LACIS), and the aerosol interaction and dynamics in the atmosphere (AIDA) cloud chamber. Observed time dependent isothermal frozen fractions exhibiting non-exponential behavior with time can be readily explained by this model considering varying ISA. An apparent cooling rate dependence ofJhet is explained by assuming identical ISA in each droplet. When accounting for ISA variability, the cooling rate dependence of ice nucleation kinetics vanishes as expected from classical nucleation theory. The model simulations allow for a quantitative experimental uncertainty analysis for parameters Ntot, T, RH, and the ISA variability. In an idealized cloud parcel model applying variability in ISAs for each droplet, the model predicts enhanced immersion freezing temperatures and greater ice crystal production compared to a case when ISAs are uniform in each droplet. The implications of our results for experimental analysis and interpretation of the immersion freezing process are discussed.
X-ray computed microtomography of sea ice – comment on "A review of air–ice chemical and physical interactions (AICI): liquids, quasi-liquids, and solids in snow", by Bartels-Rausch et al. (2014)
Authors: Obbard R. W.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. This comment addresses a statement made in "A review of air–ice chemical and physical interactions (AICI): liquids, quasi-liquids, and solids in snow" by Bartels-Rausch et al. (2014). Here we rebut the assertion that X-ray computed microtomography of sea ice fails to reveal liquid brine inclusions, by discussing the phases present at the analysis temperature.
Enhanced pH up-regulation enables the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa to sustain growth in aragonite undersaturated conditions
Authors: Wall M. , Ragazzola F. , Foster L. C. , Form A. , Schmidt D. N.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Cold-water corals are important habitat formers in deep-water ecosystems and at high latitudes. Ocean acidification and the resulting change in aragonite saturation are expected to affect these habitats and impact coral growth. Counter to expectations, the impact of saturation changes on the deep water coral Lophelia pertusa has been found to be less than expected, with the species sustaining growth even in undersaturated conditions. However, it is important to know whether such acclimation modifies the skeleton and thus its ecosystem functioning. Here we used Synchrotron X-Ray Tomography and Raman spectroscopy to examine changes in skeleton morphology and fibre orientation. We combined the morphological assessment with boron isotope analysis to determine if changes in growth are related to changes in control of calcification pH. Skeletal morphology is highly variable without clear changes in different saturation states. Raman investigations found no difference in macromorphological skeletal arrangement of early mineralization zones and secondary thickening between the treatments but revealed that the skeletal organic matrix layers were less distinct. The δ11B analyses show that L. pertusa up-regulates the internal calcifying fluid pH (pHcf) during calcification with disregard to ambient seawater pH and suggests that well-fed individuals can sustain a high internal pHcf. This indicates that any extra energetic demand required for calcification at low saturation is not detrimental to the skeletal morphology.
Stability of the vegetation–atmosphere system in the early Eocene climate
Authors: Port U. , Claussen M.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. We explore the stability of the atmosphere–vegetation system in the warm, almost ice-free early Eocene climate and in the interglacial, pre-industrial climate by analysing the dependence of the system on the initial vegetation cover. The Earth system model of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology is initialised with either dense forests or bare deserts on all continents. Starting with desert continents, an extended desert remains in Central Asia in early Eocene climate. Starting with dense forest coverage, this desert is much smaller because the initially dense vegetation cover enhances water recycling in Central Asia relative to the simulation with initial deserts. With a smaller Asian desert, the Asian monsoon is stronger than in the case with a larger desert. The stronger Asian monsoon shifts the global tropical circulation leading to coastal subtropical deserts in North and South America which are significantly larger than with a large Asian desert. This result indicates a global teleconnection of the vegetation cover in several regions. In present-day climate, a bi-stability of the atmosphere–vegetation system is found for Northern Africa only. A global teleconnection of bi-stabilities in several regions is absent highlighting that the stability of the vegetation–atmosphere system depends on climatic and tectonic boundary conditions.
ECCO version 4: an integrated framework for non-linear inverse modeling and global ocean state estimation
Authors: Forget G. , Campin J.-M. , Heimbach P. , Hill C. N. , Ponte R. M , Wunsch C.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. This paper presents the ECCO v4 non-linear inverse modeling framework and its baseline solution for the evolving ocean state over the period 1992–2011. Both components are publicly available and highly integrated with the MITgcm. They are both subjected to regular, automated regression tests. The modeling framework includes sets of global conformal grids, a global model setup, implementations of model-data constraints and adjustable control parameters, an interface to algorithmic differentiation, as well as a grid-independent, fully capable Matlab toolbox. The reference ECCO v4 solution is a dynamically consistent ocean state estimate (ECCO-Production, release 1) without un-identified sources of heat and buoyancy, which any interested user will be able to reproduce accurately. The solution is an acceptable fit to most data and has been found physically plausible in many respects, as documented here and in related publications. Users are being provided with capabilities to assess model-data misfits for themselves. The synergy between modeling and data synthesis is asserted through the joint presentation of the modeling framework and the state estimate. In particular, the inverse estimate of parameterized physics was instrumental in improving the fit to the observed hydrography, and becomes an integral part of the ocean model setup available for general use. More generally, a first assessment of the relative importance of external, parametric and structural model errors is presented. Parametric and external model uncertainties appear to be of comparable importance and dominate over structural model uncertainty. The results generally underline the importance of including turbulent transport parameters in the inverse problem.
State of the world’s tourism statistics and what to do about it
Authors: Frechtling Douglas C. , Hara Tadayuki
Published: May 2015

Analogous to national economic statistics, national tourism statistics communicate the sizes of various tourism activities for individual countries. The World Tourism Organization annually compiles the national tourism statistics for most countries of the world. An analysis of the completeness of country reports discloses how extensive the Systems of Tourism Statistics (STS) are for 209 countries. Reporting countries are grouped into five tiers according to the extent of their STS. The study finds only 11% of countries fall in the most comprehensive STS tier, while 57% fall in the least extensive STS tiers. Logistic regression is employed to identify factors predicting tier membership and 2 among 12 are found to be significant predictor variables: Global Competitiveness and Political Freedom–Civil Liberties. This suggests which countries in higher tiers might assist tiers 4–5 countries in extending their STS. Additional recommendations for improving the extent of the world’s tourism statistics are presented.
Fontes renováveis de energia elétrica e qualidade de vida em comunidades na Ilha do Marajó, Pará
Authors: Borges Fabricio Quadros , Baraúna Nayara Carmona , Chotoe Jonathas Ribeiro
Published: May 2015

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a qualidade de vida de comunidades da Ilha do Marajó, no Estado do Pará, a partir da implantação de fontes renováveis de geração de eletricidade. Diante da demanda de uso sustentável de fontes de geração de eletricidade e da necessidade de inserção socioeconômica de populações com acesso restrito a este insumo, esta investigação questionou até que ponto a implantação de projetos a partir de fontes renováveis de geração de eletricidade na Ilha do Marajó, especialmente de biomassa, solar e eólica, contribuíram para o padrão de vida das comunidades locais. A metodologia baseou-se em uma pesquisa de campo que utilizou entrevistas abertas junto a membros de quatro comunidades que se utilizaram destas fontes alternativas, em um total de 397 entrevistados. O estudo constatou que as comunidades registraram alto grau de satisfação com as novas fontes de geração e perceberam melhorias na qualidade de vida por meio de ganhos relativos na obtenção de renda e de acesso a eletrodomésticos. Porém, o acesso à renda de maneira substancial e permanente ocorreu apenas em uma das comunidades pesquisadas.
“Florestamento” no Pampa Brasileiro: a visão dos pecuaristas familiares do Território do Alto Camaquã/RS
Authors: Azevedo Letícia Fátima de , Verardi Fialho Marco Antônio
Published: May 2015

A economia tradicional do Pampa, baseada na criação extensiva de gado, está sendo ameaçada e perdendo espaço para a introdução de alternativas que descaracterizam a evolução social e biológica do Bioma Pampa. Uma das alternativas em destaque na “Metade Sul” do Rio Grande do Sul é a substituição dos campos naturais por plantios homogêneos de árvores exóticas para obtenção de celulose, configurando-se como o centro de um conflito socioambiental. Este estudo objetiva analisar a percepção dos pecuaristas familiares, pertencentes ao Território do Alto Camaquã/RS, em relação ao processo “florestamento” na região. Para tanto, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, observação direta, diário de campo e revisão bibliográfica sobre a temática em questão. Observou-se que os pecuaristas familiares possuem resistência quanto à implantação de espécies exóticas (“florestamento”) na região, abarcando como principais pontos negativos a descaracterização e a dissociação do indivíduo com seu ambiente local, a redução das fontes de água, aparecimento de animais predadores, especialmente o javali, a destruição da pastagem natural e a diminuição da atividade da pecuária de corte e ovina que é tradicional. Dessa forma, os pecuaristas familiares contribuem para a manutenção da paisagem natural da região e com a tradição da criação de bovinos e ovinos, conservando características ambientais e sociais do Pampa, especialmente no Território do Alto Camaquã - Metade Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Pensando as práticas organizacionais no ambiente: as contribuições da perspectiva do habitar
Authors: Figueiredo Marina Dantas de
Published: May 2015

Este ensaio objetiva esboçar uma forma vivencial de compreender a organização a partir de uma perspectiva incorporada, que privilegie a análise das práticas organizacionais situadas no ambiente. Tomamos a perspectiva do habitar a fim de enriquecer a compreensão do mundo da vida, no qual a percepção ocorre, para esclarecer como o conhecimento emerge das práticas situadas do viver. Este artigo propõe uma abordagem que descreve as práticas do viver com base no entrelaçamento com o mundo da vida, como um processo corporificado (embodied) e situado no ambiente. O trabalho apresenta novas possibilidades de pesquisa sobre a relação entre pessoas e organizações, uma vez que a perspectiva do habitar possibilita a compreensão de que a organização não é apenas um espaço habitado, mas é um espaço de vida. A contribuição se dirige a preencher duas lacunas identificadas nos estudos sobre as práticas nos Estudos Organizacionais: (1) o esforço de resgatar o potencial crítico das práticas em relação aos conceitos positivistas e racionalistas impostos aos estudos organizacionais, e (2) a necessidade de promover uma articulação mais clara do entrelaçamento com o mundo da vida, que é crucial para a análise da prática situada no ambiente.
A sustentável leveza da democracia? Os efeitos da qualidade democrática sobre o desempenho ambiental
Authors: Rodrigues Diego Freitas , Da Silva Júnior José Alexandre , Silva Denisson , Lima Tainá Teixeira Cavalcante
Published: May 2015

Regimes democráticos têm melhor desempenho ambiental? Nossa hipótese é que o nível de democracia dos regimes exerce um efeito positivo e significativo sobre o desempenho ambiental. Para testá-la, utilizamos estatística descritiva, análise de variância e análise de regressão linear simples e múltipla. Os resultados sugerem que: 1) o índice de democracia explica cerca de 45% da variância do índice de desempenho ambiental dos países; 2) democracias plenas têm média de desempenho ambiental maiores; e 3) as variáveis de controle não anulam o efeito do índice democracia sobre o desempenho ambiental.
Prefácio ao primeiro número dos Cadernos de Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente, publicado em 1994
Authors: Raynaut Claude , Zanoni Magda
Published: May 2015

Este texto foi originalmente publicado no Cadernos em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente, volume 1 (1994). Os Cadernos foram criados pelas iniciativa de Magda Zanoni e Claude Raynaut para abrir um debate sobre os fundamentos epistemológicos e metododológicos da interdisciplinaridade no campo ambiental.
A Robust Rigid Skeleton Extraction Method from Noisy Visual Hull Model
Authors: Wu Xiaojun , Xu YiXin
Published: May 2015

The existing skeleton extraction algorithms from a coarse and noisy model cannot achieve a satisfactory skeleton, let alone the joints' central position in a markerless motion capture system (e.g., a rigid skeleton). To solve this problem, we propose a rigid skeleton extraction algorithm from a noisy visual hull model with phantom volumes. Firstly, we reconstruct the subject visual hull and the corresponding volumetric model from a multiple-view synchronized video sequence. Secondly, the curve skeleton of the volume model is computed based on the theory of repulsive force fields. Thirdly, we propose a criterion for linking a curved skeleton to link the different skeleton limbs using a back-tracking method. At the same time, we obtain the distance and angle threshold values adaptively using a binary search algorithm. Finally, after achieving a smooth curve skeleton, we determine the joints' central positions in the skeleton using a priori information of the human body to form a rigid skeleton. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain a desirable rigid skeleton with good robustness, less sensitivity to noise, and using an automatic procedure.
6-REXOS: Upper Limb Exoskeleton Robot with Improved pHRI
Authors: Gunasekara Malin , Gopura Ruwan , Jayawardena Sanath
Published: May 2015

Close interaction can be observed between an exoskeleton robot and its wearer. Therefore, appropriate physical human-robot interaction (pHRI) should be considered when designing an exoskeleton robot to provide safe and comfortable motion assistance. Different features have been used in recent studies to enhance the pHRI in upper-limb exoskeleton robots. However, less attention has been given to integrating kinematic redundancy into upper-limb exoskeleton robots to improve the pHRI. In this context, this paper proposes a six-degrees-of-freedom (DoF) upper-limb exoskeleton robot (6-REXOS) for the motion assistance of physically weak individuals. The 6-REXOS uses a kinematically different structure to that of the human lower arm, where the exoskeleton robot is worn. The 6-REXOS has four active DoFs to generate the motion of the human lower arm. Furthermore, two flexible bellow couplings are attached to the wrist and elbow joints to generate two passive DoFs. These couplings not only allow translational motion in wrist and elbow joints but also a redundancy in the robot. Furthermore, the compliance of the flexible coupling contributes to avoiding misalignments between human and robot joint axes. The redundancy in the 6-REXOS is verified based on manipulability index, minimum singular value, condition number and manipulability ellipsoids. The 6-REXOS and a four-DoF exoskeleton robot are compared to verify the manipulation advantage due to the redundancy. The four-DoF exoskeleton robot is designed by excluding the two passive DoFs of the 6-REXOS. In addition, a kinematic model is proposed for the human lower arm to validate the performance of the 6-REXOS. Kinematic analysis and simulations are carried out to validate the 6-REXOS and human-lower-arm model.
Development of a Minimally Actuated Jumping-Rolling Robot
Authors: Ho Thanhtam , Lee Sangyoon
Published: May 2015

This paper presents development of a hybrid mobile robot in order to take advantage of both rolling and jumping locomotion on the ground. According to the unique design of the mechanism, the robot is able to execute both jumping and rolling skilfully by using only one DC motor. Changing the centre of gravity enables rolling of the robot and storage of energy is utilized for jumping. Mechanism design and control logic are validated by computer simulation. Simulation results show that the robot can jump nearly 1.3 times its diameter and roll at the speed of 3.3 times its diameter per second.
Facile Nanostructured Substrate Preparation Using Gold Nanocuboids for SERS
Authors: Martínez-Torres Pablo Genaro , Martínez-García Monica Monserrat , Cardoso-Ávila Pablo Eduado , Pichardo-Molina Juan Luis
Published: May 2015

In the present work, we report a practical fabrication method of gold-aluminium substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. A commercial aluminium-foil was used to fabricate SERS substrates by depositing gold nanocuboids and faceted particles onto their surfaces using the drop-drying method. The gold nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, while the size and morphology were determined by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The performance of the substrates was investigated using Rhodamine 6G in a water solution where a volume of 3 μl was placed on the surfaces of the SERS substrates, and the Raman spectra were immediately acquired using diode laser excitation at 785 nm. The estimated analytical enhancement factor of the gold-aluminium substrates was 1.8 × 106, using a solution of Rhodamine 6G with a concentration of 1 × 109 (0.4796 ppb). We show that our SERS substrates can be easily fabricated, and that they are reproducible and have suitable surface uniformity, thus allowing one to analyse Rhodamine 6G not only as a dry sample, but also in a solution.
Chromosome mis-segregation and cytokinesis failure in trisomic human cells
Authors: Nicholson Joshua M , Macedo Joana C , Mattingly Aaron J , Wangsa Darawalee , Camps Jordi , Lima Vera , Gomes Ana M , Dória Sofia , Ried Thomas , Logarinho Elsa , Cimini Daniela
Published: May 2015

Cancer cells display aneuploid karyotypes and typically mis-segregate chromosomes at high rates, a phenotype referred to as chromosomal instability (CIN). To test the effects of aneuploidy on chromosome segregation and other mitotic phenotypes we used the colorectal cancer cell line DLD1 (2n = 46) and two variants with trisomy 7 or 13 (DLD1+7 and DLD1+13), as well as euploid and trisomy 13 amniocytes (AF and AF+13). We found that trisomic cells displayed higher rates of chromosome mis-segregation compared to their euploid counterparts. Furthermore, cells with trisomy 13 displayed a distinctive cytokinesis failure phenotype. We showed that up-regulation of SPG20 expression, brought about by trisomy 13 in DLD1+13 and AF+13 cells, is sufficient for the cytokinesis failure phenotype. Overall, our study shows that aneuploidy can induce chromosome mis-segregation. Moreover, we identified a trisomy 13-specific mitotic phenotype that is driven by up-regulation of a gene encoded on the aneuploid chromosome.
The inherent instability of leveed seafloor channels
Authors: Dorrell Robert M. , Burns Alan D. , McCaffrey William D.
Published: May 2015

New analytical models demonstrate that under aggradational flow conditions, seafloor channel‐levee systems are inherently unstable; both channel area and stability necessarily decrease at long timescales. In time such systems must avulse purely through internal (autogenic) forcing. Although autogenic instabilities likely arise over long enough time for additional allogenic forcing to be expected, channel‐levee sensitivity to variations in flow character depends on the prior degree of system evolution. Recalibrated modern Amazon Fan avulsion timings are consistent with this model, challenging accepted interpretations of avulsion triggering.