bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical outcomes in hybrid repair procedures for pathologies involving the aortic arch
Authors: Zerwes Sebastian , Leissner Giesbert , Gosslau Yvonne , Jakob Rudolf , Bruijnen Hans-Kees , Oertl Frank , Woelfle Klaus
Published: March 2014

Objective

Fifty patients with complex aortic disease, who received hybrid treatment of the aortic arch with supra-aortic debranching and endovascular stent-graft repair, were evaluated in regard to events of primary (survival and technical success) and secondary (procedure-related complications) interest.

Methods

The single-center study was conducted over an eight-year period from December 2004 to December 2012. Treated medical conditions included 23 aortic aneurysms (46%), 21 aortic dissections (42%), and six penetrating aortic ulcers (12%). Procedures were divided into groups of elective, urgent, and emergent.

Results

Twenty-eight (56%) patients were operated electively, 15 (30%) urgently, and seven (14%) emergently. Sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest were required in 12 (24%) patients. The primary technical success rate was 86% and raised to 92% ( n = 46) of secondary technical success rate after therapy of three type I endoleaks. The 30-day mortality added up to 16.0%, and the mean time of survival was 49.3 months. In a total of eight (16%) patients, an endoleak occurred (five endoleaks type I, three endoleaks type II), while nine (18%) of patients suffered a perioperative stroke.

Conclusions

In severely ill patients with complex aortic diseases, hybrid therapy may offer a promising alternative to conventional open repair.
Understanding the Experiences of Gifted Education Teachers and Fidelity of Implementation in Rural Schools
Authors: Azano Amy Price , Callahan Carolyn M. , Missett Tracy C. , Brunner Marguerite
Published: March 2014

Approximately one quarter of American students attend rural schools; however, the needs of these students are often overlooked in education policy despite well-documented limited financial resources and pervasive poverty. Relatively little is known about the experiences of gifted students in rural areas and even less about the teachers serving this population. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the rural-specific context to identify factors associated with rural teachers’ instructional decisions to deliver gifted curriculum with fidelity. More specifically, the study examined the experiences for teachers in rural schools when implementing a research-based language arts curriculum and how these experiences relate to fidelity of implementation. Findings suggest that rural-specific characteristics of gifted programming, limited resources, and time challenges present unique challenges for these gifted education teachers.
Brand Revitalization
Authors: Dev Chekitan S. , Keller Kevin Lane
Published: March 2014

In this essay, we discuss brand revitalization in the context of a revitalization process undertaken by of one of India’s iconic hotel brands: The Park Hotels. The leadership team of The Park Hotels, in collaboration with well-known brand-consulting firm Landor, undertook a two-year process to revitalize an already well-established brand in the face of severe competitive threat and changing customer tastes. This article presents a seven-step process for The Park’s brand revitalization effort, which begins with strategy and ends with implementation. The seven steps are (1) conduct a comprehensive brand audit, (2) determine the brand position, (3) develop the brand platform, (4) establish the brand beliefs, (5) evoke the brand experience, (6) develop the brand voice, and (7) launch the new brand. This essay, the first ever to lift the veil on a proprietary hospitality branding project, depicts how The Park addressed its particular strategic approach of tying together a set of distinctive boutique hotels with a unifying and inspiring brand position.
Proton exchange fuel cell membranes of poly(benzimidazole-amide)/sulfonated polystyrene/titania nanoparticles-grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kausar Ayesha
Published: March 2014

In this study, we have reported poly(benzimidazole-amide) containing flexible moieties such as ether, fluoro, and siloxane. The poly(benzimidazole-amide) synthesis was carried out by the condensation of 4‐(3,4-diaminophenoxy)benzene-1,2-diamine, bis(carboxypropyl)-tetramethyldisiloxane, and 2,2-bis(4-aminophenyl)hexafluoropropane in the presence of polyphosphoric acid at 160℃. Afterwards, poly(benzimidazole-amide) was blended with sulfonated polystyrene and 0.1–2 wt.% titania nanoparticles- grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the formation of hybrid proton exchange membranes for fuel cell (poly(benzimidazole-amide)/sulfonated polystyrene/titania nanoparticles- grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes) for fuel cell. Inclusion of titania modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes influenced the membrane performance by modifying the microstructure, mechanical properties, as well as water retention and proton conductivity properties of proton exchange membranes (PEM). The hybrid membranes were doped with phosphoric acid before subjecting to various characterizations. Field emission scanning electron microscopic study depicted typical blend morphology in which titania nanoparticles- grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes were partially embedded in the matrix and seemed to be pulled out of the matrix surface during fracturing. The phase separated structure was accountable for the water retention and higher proton conductivity. The tensile stress and modulus of acid doped poly(benzimidazole-amide)/sulfonated polystyrene/titania nanoparticles- grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites increased from 65.1 to 72.5 MPa and 9.5 to 15.2 GPa, respectively, with the increasing titania nanoparticles- grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes loading (0.1–2 wt.%). The glass transition temperature of phosphoric acid doped poly(benzimidazole-amide)/sulfonated polystyrene/titania nanoparticles-grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes 0.1–2 membranes increased from 227 to 236 C. They also had higher ion exchange capacity of 2.5–3.7 mmol/g and proton conductivity of 2.3–3.1 S/cm at 80℃ (higher than perfluorinated Nafion®117 membrane 1.1 × 10−1S/cm). A H2/O2 fuel cell using poly(benzimidazole-amide)/sulfonated polystyrene/titania nanoparticles- grafted-multi-walled carbon nanotubes 2 (ion exchange capacity 3.7 mmol/g) showed better performance than that of Nafion® 117 at 40℃ and 30% relative humidity.
Regulating Corporate Responsibility in the American Market: A Comparative Analysis of Voluntary Certifications
Authors: Raynolds Laura T. , Long Michael A. , Murray Douglas L.
Published: March 2014

Voluntary standard and certification systems are proliferating in the United States and around the world. While the majority of certification research draws on case studies, we pursue a cross-sectional empirical analysis of an original database of 108 certifications operating in the United States. We analyse the rise and configuration of private regulatory initiatives, variations in programme breadth and focus, and variations in programme participation and oversight requirements. We highlight the predominance of international and multi-stakeholder initiatives in the United States. Our research identifies substantial convergence in the ecological and social priorities of certification programmes and even greater convergence in their assessment and oversight procedures. Statistical analysis helps explain the prevalence of multi-stakeholder initiatives, but we find no significant differences between these and industry-led initiatives in their foci or procedures. We argue that there is a standardization of certification norms and practices which may mask important programme differences.
Structural Adjustment and Neoliberal Convergence in Labour Markets and Welfare: The Impact of the Crisis and Austerity Measures on European Economic and Social Models
Authors: Hermann Christoph
Published: March 2014

Varieties of capitalism (VoC) scholars assume that countries tend to respond differently to common challenges such as globalization and economic crisis. In this view the responses largely reflect institutional complementarities and new compromises reached by rationally acting political and economic actors. This article challenges this view. Based on a review of national responses to the current crisis in 11 EU member states, it argues that structural adjustments in welfare and labour markets amount to a convergence of national economic and social models along the lines of neoliberal policy prescriptions. Furthermore, it argues that VoC scholars have ignored the role of (neoliberal) ideology and class interests in imposing a particular solution on an economic problem even if it causes widespread misery and fails to generate growth. This is underpinned by the impact of European integration, and the introduction of the euro in particular.
New Developmentalism and the Origins of Methodological Nationalism
Authors: Pradella Lucia
Published: March 2014

This article analyses the origins of the methodological nationalism that characterizes the new developmental economics by examining Friedrich List's work. It argues that the international sphere had a primary importance in political economy from the sixteenth century onwards, and that classical political economists elaborated, although contradictorily, elements of a theory of uneven and combined development. List reinforced a vision of development as non-antagonistic, invoking extra-economic factors in order to present late industrialization as beneficial for the nation as a whole. Affirming the centrality of labour, Marx's critique of List offers deep insights into the political economy of development.
FXa takes center stage in vascular inflammation
Authors: Ruf Wolfram
Published: March 2014

In this issue of Blood, Sparkenbaugh et al identify coagulation factor Xa (FXa), the target for new protease-selective oral anticoagulants, as a crucial mediator for both coagulation abnormalities and chronic vascular inflammation that characterize sickle cell disease.1
Development and psychometric testing of a scale assessing the sharing of medical information and interprofessional communication: the CSI scale
Authors: Anthoine Emmanuelle , Delmas Christelle , Coutherut Julie , Moret Leïla
Published: March 2014

Background

Interprofessional collaboration is essential in creating a safer patient environment. It includes the need to develop communication and coordination between professionals, implying a better sharing of medical information. Several questionnaires exist in the literature, but none of them have been developed in the French context. The objective was to develop and test the psychometric properties of the communication and sharing information (CSI) scale which assesses specifically interprofessional communication, especially the sharing of medical information and the effectiveness of communication between members of the team.

Methods

The questionnaire construction process used a literature review and involved a panel of voluntary professionals. A list of 32 items explored the quality of shared information delivered to patients and the effectiveness of interprofessional communication. The study was conducted in 16 voluntary units in a University Hospital (France), which included medical, surgical, obstetrics, intensive care, pediatrics, oncology and rehabilitation care. The scale-development process comprised an exploratory principal component analysis, Cronbach’s α-coefficients and structural equation modeling (SEM).

Results

From these 16 units, a total of 503 health professionals took part in the study. Among them, 23.9% were physicians (n = 120), 43.9% nurses (n = 221) and 32.2% nurse assistants (n = 162).

The validated questionnaire comprised 13 items and 3 dimensions relative to “the sharing of medical information” (5 items), “communication between physicians” (4 items) and “communication between nurses and nurse assistants” (4 items). The 3 dimensions accounted for 63.7% of the variance of the final questionnaire. Their respective Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.80, 0.87 and 0.81. SEM confirmed the existence of the 3 latent dimensions but the best characteristics were obtained with a hierarchical model including the three latent factors and a global “communication between healthcare professionals” latent factor, bringing the 8 items linked to communication together. All the structural coefficients were highly significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This self-perception CSI scale assessing several facets of interprofessional communication is the first one developed in the French context. The development study exhibited excellent psychometric properties. Further psychometric analysis is needed to establish test-retest reliability, sensibility to change and concurrent validity.
ZnO nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress triggers apoptosis by activating JNK signaling pathway in cultured primary astrocytes
Authors: Wang Jieting , Deng Xiaobei , Zhang Fang , Chen Deliang , Ding Wenjun
Published: March 2014

It has been documented in in vitro studies that zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are capable of inducing oxidative stress, which plays a crucial role in ZnO NP-mediated apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of apoptosis in neurocytes induced by ZnO NP exposure was not fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the potential mechanisms of apoptosis provoked by ZnO NPs in cultured primary astrocytes by exploring the molecular signaling pathways triggered after ZnO NP exposure. ZnO NP exposure was found to reduce cell viability in MTT assays, increase lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, stimulate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and elicit caspase-3 activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Apoptosis occurred after ZnO NP exposure as evidenced by nuclear condensation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP) cleavage. A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) with a concomitant increase in the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio suggested that the mitochondria also mediated the pathway involved in ZnO NP-induced apoptosis. In addition, exposure of the cultured cells to ZnO NPs led to phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK). Moreover, JNK inhibitor (SP600125) significantly reduced ZnO NP-induced cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 expression, but not ERK inhibitor (U0126) or p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580), indicating that JNK signaling pathway is involved in ZnO NP-induced apoptosis in primary astrocytes.
A probabilistic method to estimate the burden of maternal morbidity in resource-poor settings: preliminary development and evaluation
Authors: Fottrell Edward , Högberg Ulf , Ronsmans Carine , Osrin David , Azad Kishwar , Nair Nirmala , Meda Nicolas , Ganaba Rasmane , Goufodji Sourou , Byass Peter , Filippi Veronique
Published: March 2014

Background

Maternal morbidity is more common than maternal death, and population-based estimates of the burden of maternal morbidity could provide important indicators for monitoring trends, priority setting and evaluating the health impact of interventions. Methods based on lay reporting of obstetric events have been shown to lack specificity and there is a need for new approaches to measure the population burden of maternal morbidity. A computer-based probabilistic tool was developed to estimate the likelihood of maternal morbidity and its causes based on self-reported symptoms and pregnancy/delivery experiences. Development involved the use of training datasets of signs, symptoms and causes of morbidity from 1734 facility-based deliveries in Benin and Burkina Faso, as well as expert review. Preliminary evaluation of the method compared the burden of maternal morbidity and specific causes from the probabilistic tool with clinical classifications of 489 recently-delivered women from Benin, Bangladesh and India.

Results

Using training datasets, it was possible to create a probabilistic tool that handled uncertainty of women’s self reports of pregnancy and delivery experiences in a unique way to estimate population-level burdens of maternal morbidity and specific causes that compared well with clinical classifications of the same data. When applied to test datasets, the method overestimated the burden of morbidity compared with clinical review, although possible conceptual and methodological reasons for this were identified.

Conclusion

The probabilistic method shows promise and may offer opportunities for standardised measurement of maternal morbidity that allows for the uncertainty of women’s self-reported symptoms in retrospective interviews. However, important discrepancies with clinical classifications were observed and the method requires further development, refinement and evaluation in a range of settings.
Evaluation of hippocampus dose for patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Khodayari B , Michaud A L , Stanic S , Wooten O H , Dublin A , Purdy J A , Chen A M
Published: March 2014

Objective:

To evaluate the dose received by the hippocampus among patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal cancer.

Methods:

10 patients with biopsy-proven, locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer constituted the study population. The total prescribed dose to the planning target volume (PTV) was 70 Gy (D95%) delivered in 2.12-Gy daily fractions using IMRT. Using established anatomical guidelines, MRI co-registration and the assistance of a board-certified neuroradiologist, the right and left hippocampi were delineated on axial imaging from the CT scan obtained at simulation for each patient beginning at the most anterior portion of the lateral ventricle. IMRT treatment plans were generated without dose–volume constraints to the hippocampus. A range of dose–volume statistics was calculated.

Results:

The mean hippocampus volume was 6.01 ± 2.61 cm3. The mean V20 was 72.2%; V40 was 22.0%; V50 was 10.2%; and V60 was 5.5%. The average mean, minimum and maximum hippocampus doses were 30.27 Gy (range, 19.08–47.99 Gy); 17.54 Gy (range, 11.66–33.17 Gy); and 54.95 Gy (range, 35.59–75.57 Gy), respectively. The hippocampus received a maximum dose exceeding 70 Gy in 30% of cases.

Conclusion:

Our dosimetric analysis suggests that, for patients undergoing IMRT for nasopharyngeal cancer, the hippocampus routinely receives significantly high doses.

Advances in knowledge:

The hippocampus receives a fair amount of incidental radiation during treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer. Given the importance of this structure with respect to memory and neurocognitive function, consideration should be given to identifying the hippocampus as a critical organ at risk in the IMRT optimization process.
Econometric Models in Resident Value of Investment
Authors: Kliber Paweł , Stefański Artur
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study is to analyze what is the impact of: analyze period, resident value estimation method, discount rate and economic sector of the investor on the level of resident value to initial value of investment ratio. In the article, basing on 43 investments made by investors form MSP sector whose purpose was to purchase truck car of capacity to 3,5t, four econometric models were prepared: logit, probit, tobit, and logit-tobit to explain the dependence described in the aim of the study. All models are statistically important. In all models only one independent variable is always statistically important – analyze period. The longer analyze period is, the smaller resident value to initial value of investment ratio is. In order to compare models: MSE, RMSE, MAE, MAPE ratios were used. The best adaptation to data was observed when logit-tobit model is used
Legal and Methodological Aspects of Environmental Impact Assessment of Investments in Transport Infrastructure
Authors: Łatuszyńska Małgorzata , Strulak-Wójcikiewicz Roma
Published: March 2014

Modernization and construction of new transport infrastructure is a key element of economic and social development, on which depends the sustainability of economic growth in the regional and local scale. The development of transport infrastructure, however, has the negative effects. The continuous increase in the volume of transport services and the increasing volume of traffic leads to more and more serious environmental threats. A tool that allows for rather complete and objective identification of possible risks is the environmental impact assessment (EIA). Article closers the issue of the EIA procedure in the context of legal and methodological considerations. Its main aim is to prove, that the use of computer simulation to generate information for the EIA can greatly facilitate and enrich the existing methodology.
Developing Competitive Advantage on the Example of Internationalized SMEs in the Food Sector of Greater Poland Region
Authors: Budzyńska Agata
Published: March 2014

Omnipresent globalization engulfs more and more areas of life, which is why one of the most important processes in today's economy is shaping the socalled global village. Both globalization and the consequent internationalization constitute some of the biggest challenges for Polish companies. In addition, the intensity of competitive businesses in the global market forces companies to seek competitive advantages and improve their abilities in the process. The article contains the results of empirical research conducted in the years 2010-2011 in Greater Poland as part of the project titled "Determinants of competitive advantage of Greater Poland's food processing companies in the international market." This paper also contains data from both theoretical and empirical evidence on building competitive advantage in international markets provided by the analyzed group of internationalized SMEs. The aim of this study is to identify the factors determining the formation of competitive advantage of food processing companies from Greater Poland, which in turn contributed to the internationalization of those businesses. Secondary sources were used in pursuing the goal - theoretical implications were based on studies of literature, and they were verified by surveys. In addition, the following methods were used: description, visualization and statistical techniques. The time range of the undertaken work covers the years 2008-2011.
Silver Consumers and Their Shopping Specifics
Authors: Lesakova Dagmar
Published: March 2014

Seniors constitute large and constantly growing group of consumers. These „silver consumers“ form a potentially significant market segment for the near future. An ageing population has implications for pension policy, healthcare policy, but also market policy. In spite of the scope of senior´s group, little attention was paid to this segment from the retail industry in Slovakia, and more research to identify their shopping behaviour is required in order to suggest relevant actions. Considering the need for understanding this market segment, the objective of our paper is to identify the specifics in shopping behaviour of the seniors market, with the emphasis on grocery products. Two main goals were stated as the key for our research: the identification of preference factors in the choice of a shopping place by seniors, and the factors influencing seniors decisions in grocery stores. To explore views and opinions of silver consumers in relation to a preferred place of shopping, focus groups were created. Questions regarding the patterns of shopping, decision factors and motives were also raised. A total of 126 participants took part in the focus groups. Because the seniors are rather multidimensional and very complex segment, in order to indicate the key characteristics in the shopping behaviour of seniors, three age subgroupings in the large segment of seniors were formed: seniors aged 60-69, seniors aged 70-79, seniors aged 80+. The principal purpose of the focus groups interviewing was to determine the factors affecting store choice and shopping behaviour of older people. Recommendations on how the retail industry could respond best to silver consumers were developed based on the empirical outcomes.
Technology Ecosystem Governance
Authors: Wareham Jonathan , Fox Paul B. , Cano Giner Josep Lluís
Published: March 2014

Technology platform strategies offer a novel way to orchestrate a rich portfolio of contributions made by the many independent actors who form an ecosystem of heterogeneous complementors around a stable platform core. This form of organising has been successfully used in smartphone, gaming, commercial software, and industrial sectors. Technology ecosystems require stability and homogeneity to leverage common investments in standard components, but they also need variability and heterogeneity to meet evolving market demand. Although the required balance between stability and evolvability in the ecosystem has been addressed conceptually in the literature, we have less understanding of its underlying mechanics or appropriate governance. Through an extensive case study of a business software ecosystem consisting of a major multinational manufacturer of enterprise resource planning software at the core and a heterogeneous system of independent implementation partners and solution developers on the periphery, our research identifies three salient tensions that characterize the ecosystem: standard–variety, control–autonomy, and collective–individual. We then highlight the specific ecosystem governance mechanisms designed to simultaneously manage desirable and undesirable variance across each tension. Paradoxical tensions may manifest as dualities, where tensions are framed as complementary and mutually enabling. Alternatively, they may manifest as dualisms, where actors are faced with contradictory and disabling “either…or” decisions. We identify conditions where latent, complementary tensions become manifest as salient, contradictory tensions. By identifying conditions in which complementary logics are overshadowed by contradictory logics, our study further contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of technology ecosystems, as well as the effective design of technology ecosystem governance that can explicitly embrace paradoxical tensions toward generative outcomes.
Cruz Roja Española: el trabajo con refugiados desde Cruz Roja Alicante
Authors: Martínez Sánchez Mar
Published: March 2014

Cruz Roja surge a raíz de un conflicto bélico con la finalidad de socorrer a las víctimas del mismo y localizar, mediante voluntarios, a los familiares de éstas. Con el paso de los años, la respuesta de Cruz Roja se institucionaliza y se amplia a las diferentes necesidades que emergen de la sociedad. Para uno de los colectivos más vulnerables, como son los refugiados, se crea un Programa específico para dar cobertura a sus necesidades más básicas durante el proceso de protección internacional, acompañándolos en las diferentes dificultades que se les plantea para alcanzar su integración en la ciudad.
Genetic diversity and structure of the endangered Betula pendula subsp. fontqueri populations in the south of Spain
Authors: Martín Carmen , Parra Teresa , Clemente-Muñoz Margarita , Hernández-Bermejo Esteban
Published: March 2014

Betula pendula subsp. fontqueri, present in the south of Spain, has been considered in danger of extinction and, for this reason, some regional governments in Spain have included their populations in conservation programmes. In order to establish the genetic structure of the Betula pendula subsp. fontqueri populations, a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was carried out. Two B. pubescens populations were included in the study as taxonomic controls. B. pendula subsp. fontqueri populations were clearly differentiated through UPGMA, and showed significant pairwise genetic distance (Î¦) values between all pairs of populations obtained by AMOVA. Genetic diversity found between populations was not correlated to geographical distances. The significant differences among populations must be due to progressive isolation of Betula populations along their paleogeographical history, and more recently to the drastic fragmentation and reduction of some of these populations. The results obtained in this work show clear genetic differences which could be considered in the management of conservation strategies for Betula pendula subsp. fontqueri in its Iberian meridional distribution.ST
Forest owners' decision support in voluntary biodiversity-protection projects
Authors: Kurttila Mikko , Leskinen Pekka , Pykäläinen Jouni , Ruuskanen Tiina
Published: March 2014

New forest-biodiversity-protection instruments based on temporary protection periods and non-industrial private forest ownersâ voluntary participation have been recently introduced and tested in pilot areas located in Southern Finland. Thanks to their several benefits, the use of voluntary instruments is becoming more common in many other countries as well. Voluntary protection here means that forest owners voluntarily set aside tracts of forest to be protected and define their compensation fees. Depending on the objectives of the forest owners, the compensation fee reflects the forest ownersâ (positive) attitude towards biodiversity, scenic beauty, recreational values and/or the existence of long-term cutting possibilities. When a forest owner decides to offer part of his/her forest holding to be temporarily protected, the owner faces a new decision problem related to definition of the compensation fee, which should be based on diverse information concerning stand- and holding-level opportunity costs as well as on the biodiversity value of the stand. This article introduces three decision-support elements for assisting forest owners in defining their compensation fees. The first element relates to the assessment of the potential stand-level loss of timber harvesting income that the temporary protection of the stand may cause. The second element sets the holding-level opportunity cost of protection by utilizing the forest ownersâ holding level goals, the holdingsâ production possibilities and optimization methods. The third element describes the biodiversity value of the stand by means of a multi-criteria expert model. Case study material collected from the area of Central Karelia Herb-rich Forests Network pilot project is used to illustrate the characteristics of the decision-support elements and to point out some development needs for the future use of these elements.
Estimating cavity tree abundance using Nearest Neighbor Imputation methods for western Oregon and Washington forests
Authors: Temesgen Hailemariam , Barrett Tara , Latta Greg
Published: March 2014

Cavity trees contribute to diverse forest structure and wildlife habitat. For a given stand, the size and density of cavity trees indicate its diversity, complexity, and suitability for wildlife habitat. Size and density of cavity trees vary with stand age, density, and structure. Using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data collected in western Oregon and western Washington, we applied correlation analysis and graphical approaches to examine relationships between cavity tree abundance and stand characteristics. Cavity tree abundance was negatively correlated with site index and percent composition of conifers, but positively correlated with stand density, quadratic mean diameter, and percent composition of hardwoods. Using FIA data, we examined the performance of Most Similar Neighbor (MSN), k nearest neighbor, and weighted MSN imputation with three variable transformations (regular, square root, and logarithmic) and Classification and Regression Tree with MSN imputation to estimate cavity tree abundance from stand attributes. There was a large reduction in mean root mean square error from 20% to 50% reference sets, but very little reduction in using the 80% reference sets, corresponding to the decreases in mean distances. The MSN imputation using square root transformation provided better estimates of cavity tree abundance for western Oregon and western Washington forests. We found that cavity trees were only 0.25 percent of live trees and 13.8 percent of dead trees in the forests of western Oregon and western Washington, thus rarer and more difficult to predict than many other forest attributes. Potential applications of MSN imputation include selecting and modeling wildlife habitat to support forest planning efforts, regional inventories, and evaluation of different management scenarios.
Fifteen-year response of weed control intensity and seedling type on Norway spruce survival and growth on arable land
Authors: Hytönen Jyrki , Jylhä Paula
Published: March 2014

The effects of seedling type (2-year-old container seedlings vs. 4-year-old bare-rooted seedlings) and post-planting vegetation control intensity on the growth and survival of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were compared based on 15-year data from a field experiment established on arable land. Vegetation control treatments with terbuthylazine and glyphosate were carried out 1â3 times on successive years, either as overall or spot applications. The highest stand volumes were obtained with the combination of large bare-rooted seedlings and effective vegetation control. Volume of bare-rooted seedlings was greater than that of container seedlings in all treatments (e.g. on the control plots 9.5 m/ha vs. 4.1 m/ha). The best results were obtained with the most intensive weed control treatments (spot treatment repeated twice and overall application repeated three times). These treatments increased both bare-rooted and containerised seedlingsâ survival by 33â40% units and their height, breast height diameter, and volume by 45â49%, 17â47%, and 249â279%, respectively. In terms of survival, the container seedlings, in due part to their smaller size, benefited from vegetation control more than the bare-rooted seedlings. Successive early summer frosts damaged the seedlings and significantly retarded their growth. The frequency of frost damage was not affected by vegetation control nor was it attributed to seedling type.33
Adaptive and neutral variation of the resprouter Nothofagus antarctica growing in distinct habitats in north-western Patagonia
Authors: Steinke Lina , Premoli Andrea , Souto Cintia , Hedrén Mikael
Published: March 2014

N. antarctica occurs in the widest range of habitat types among all South American Nothoâfagus. The aim of this study is to investigate adaptive responses by variation in morphological (tree form and leaf characters), and environmental traits (soils) of the polymorphic N. antâarctica. Also we analyze the effect of genetic drift and limited gene flow in such predominantly apomict by means of neutral variation (isozymes). We studied four potentially different morphological variants each associated with a separate habitat 1) an arboreal variant growing in optimal environments; 2) a sparsely branched variant of temporarily flooded basins or flats; 3) a dwarf variant growing at high elevation, and 4) a shrub-like variant inhabiting matorral environments. The study was restricted latitudinally to Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina. For each habitat type we investigated two sites. Nothofagus antarctica shows locally occurring phenotypes. The forest and the high elevation variants were morphologically distinct from the matorral and the basin types. The latter were undistinguishable except for more profuse branching in the matorral type as a result of sprouting due to recent fires. Isozyme evidence indicates a great deal of within-population genetic diversity which is maintained by outcrossing and significant among-site divergence (F = 18%) that reflects limited gene flow.The apparent high phenotypic and genetic variability in N. antarctica is due to both plasticity and genotypic effects as a result of stable population structure and long periods of isolation which may be reinforced by selection at diverse biotopes.ST
Establishing forest inventory reference definitions for forest and growing stock: a study towards common reporting
Authors: Vidal Claude , Lanz Adrian , Tomppo Erkki , Schadauer Klemens , Gschwantner Thomas , di Cosmo Lucio , Robert Nicolas
Published: March 2014

International agreements such as the Kyoto protocol and Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), as well as, criteria and indicator processes require reports on the status of nationsâ forests. Any comparison of the current status and trends of forest resources among nations presumes that the nationsâ applied definitions and concepts produce comparable estimates of the status of forests. In spite of this, the FAO has already collected global information for 60 years and made noticeable efforts in creating common definitions, but forest related data are still collected using diverse definitions, even regarding basic concepts such as forest and forest area. A simple consequence is that the cross-countries estimates are not comparable. The reasons behind the differences in the definitions are diverse histories, and sometimes different use of forests. In an ideal case, national forest inventories should fulfil both national and international needs. In addition to the FAOâs Forest Resources Assessment process, other efforts are made to assess the status of forests in European countries, e.g. European Forest Information and Communication System (EFICS). EFICS produced reports about forest inventories but does not suggest any common definition or method to convert estimates from one definition to another one. This article presents principles and methods to create commonly acceptable and adoptable definitions for forest inventories. The principles and methods are demonstrated using two examples: the reference definitions of forest and growing stock. The article is based on the work of COST Action E43 (http://www.metla.fi/eu/cost/e43/).
Harvesting technology and the cost of fuel chips from early thinnings
Authors: Laitila Juha
Published: March 2014

This study compared and analyzed the procurement cost of whole tree chips when using supply chains based on comminution at the roadside landing or at the terminal. It also identified the bottlenecks of the most common logging systems used in Finland. The study was done by using existing and published productivity parameters and models. The procurement cost calculations were made for a stand where the forwarding distance was 200 metres, removal of whole trees was 60 m per hectare and the area of the stand was 2.0 hectares. The average size of the removed whole trees was 30 litres. The direct transport distance from the stand to the terminal or to the end use facility was 40 km while the secondary distance from the terminal to the end use facility was 10 km. A stumpage price for the harvested raw material was not included in this study. According to the study the cost of whole trees chips were 31.9â41.6 euros/m at the plant, or 14.9â19.4 euros/MWh when the moisture content of chips was estimated to be 40%. The two-machine system was found to be the most cost competitive logging system in pre-commercial thinnings thanks to both efficient cutting and, especially, forwarding work. In the manual worker based logging, the costs of felling bunching were the same as the mechanised system, whereas in forwarding the costs were almost double. Using the harwarder system the logging costs were found to be the highest, but in the larger tree volumes and removals the costs were almost equal to the manual worker based logging. The supply chain based on chipping at the roadside landing was more cost efficient compared to the chipping at the terminal system. The lower comminution cost at the terminal was not enough to cover the higher transportation cost of unprocessed material to the terminal, handling cost of chips at the terminal or the delivery cost to the end use facility.
Nitrogen cycling in a mature mountainous beech forest
Authors: Michopoulos Panagiotis , Baloutsos George , Economou Anastassios
Published: March 2014

The nitrogen cycle in a mature, mountainous European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest in Greece was examined for two hydrological years, 2001â2002 and 2002â2003. Bulk deposition was 1383 mm in 2001â2002 and 2392 mm in 2002â2003. Winter temperatures were mild in the first year and low in the second year. Despite these climatological differences, the inorganic N inputs to the forest floor, by means of throughfall and stemflow, were quite similar for the two years, i.e. 12.4 and 14.6 kg ha yr. Litterfall production was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the second year but the N amounts in litterfall did not differ. The ratio of N/P in foliar tissue did not change significantly in 2003 compared with ratio values in the last years. The N amounts used for the annual stem and branch increments are rather high preventing, in this way, some nitrogen from being recycled in the near future. The total soil N content to a depth of 80 cm amounted to more than 5000 kg ha, and the C/N ratio in the Oh horizon was approximately 15 but the beech forest did not appear susceptible to N leaching. The concentrations of ammonium and nitrate N in stream water did not reach high values reported in the literature, and did not differ significantly in the two hydrological years. The fluxes of inorganic N in throughfall plus stemflow were higher than those in stream water indicating N retention in soil. Another reason for N retention in the ecosystem is probably the large difference between N requirements and uptake indicating N deficiency. Despite the maturity of the beech trees, the low C/N ratio in the Oh horizon and the relatively high N content in soil, the forest can be considered to be neither saturated nor having reached a N saturation transition stage.â1â1â1
The natural northern European boreal forests: unifying the concepts, terminologies, and their application
Authors: Rouvinen Seppo , Kouki Jari
Published: March 2014

Recent emphasis on conserving the biodiversity has stressed the value of natural ecosystems in saving the species from extinction. In the Fennoscandian region the conifer-dominated boreal forests form the largest single ecosystem. The forests have been under varying intensity of human influence for decades or centuries. Recent attempts have tried to seek the last remaining natural forests to be included in the protection programmes. However, due to long and widespread human influence, finding and defining the natural forests has proven to be extremely difficult, not only because they are so rare but also because the concept of natural forest is vague. These difficulties are partly seen through the diverse terminology used. We first review the varying terminology as seen in recent studies. Secondly, we propose the basis for defining the natural forest and show some intriguing and challenging difficulties are involved in the concept. These difficulties are at least partly related to inherent strong and long-term dynamic component in boreal forest ecosystems that is manifested over several temporal and spatial scales. Finally, we outline a more general terminology with associated indicators and measurements that might be used in the classification and terminology. Conceptual clarification is necessary, for example, to compile ecologically justified and representative global, national and regional forest statistics. Many currently applied definitions of âforestâ and ânaturalâ that are applied in the context of forest statistics overlook ecologically important components of natural forests, and thus provide quite misleading or inadequate data of existing diversity patterns in these ecosystems.
Integrating place-specific social values into forest planning – Case of UPM-Kymmene forests in Hyrynsalmi, Finland
Authors: Kangas Annika , Haapakoski Ruut , Tyrväinen Liisa
Published: March 2014

In participatory forest management planning, the perceived values of local inhabitants concerning the area under planning are collected. The results may, however, depend on the methods used. In this study, values of residents of Hyrynsalmi municipality concerning the nearby forests owned by UPM-Kymmene Ltd. were evaluated with a questionnaire consisting of general value questions and mapping of social values of forests. The data was collected from a public meeting and from a mailed survey from randomly sampled people and from members of municipal council. The aims of the study were to 1) test the social value mapping method in commercial forests in a rural-urban interface as well as to examine the benefits and drawbacks 2) in place-specific and non-specific data collection, and 3) in different data collection methods, from the viewpoint of forest management planning. We noted that while all respondents can claim to represent local values, different data collection methods produced statistically significantly different local values. This needs to be accounted for when planning a participatory process. In operational forest planning, place-specific information is more useful than questions concerning the general values, while the latter may help in defining forest policy goals. The social values mapping method is also relatively easy for the participants. However, in the studied case about one fifth of the area was delineated by the participants per each positive value. The answers were quite scattered, suggesting that most of the area had some social values for local people. This indicates that utilising a social values mapping method in planning needs further development in rural areas, where distinctive patches can not be easily detected.
What is interpretation? A dilemma for Davidson
Authors: Kürbis Nils
Published: March 2014

The core idea of Davidson’s philosophy of language is that a theory of truth constructed as an empirical theory by a radical interpreter is a theory of meaning. I discuss an ambiguity that arises from Davidson's notion of interpretation: it can either be understood as the hypothetical process of constructing a theory of truth for a language or as a process that actually happens when speakers communicate. I argue that each disambiguation is problematic and does not result in a theory of meaning.
Oxidative stress and adrenocortical insufficiency
Authors: Prasad R , Kowalczyk J C , Meimaridou E , Storr H L , Metherell L A
Published: March 2014

Maintenance of redox balance is essential for normal cellular functions. Any perturbation in this balance due to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to oxidative stress and may lead to cell dysfunction/damage/death. Mitochondria are responsible for the majority of cellular ROS production secondary to electron leakage as a consequence of respiration. Furthermore, electron leakage by the cytochrome P450 enzymes may render steroidogenic tissues acutely vulnerable to redox imbalance. The adrenal cortex, in particular, is well supplied with both enzymatic (glutathione peroxidases and peroxiredoxins) and non-enzymatic (vitamins A, C and E) antioxidants to cope with this increased production of ROS due to steroidogenesis. Nonetheless oxidative stress is implicated in several potentially lethal adrenal disorders including X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, triple A syndrome and most recently familial glucocorticoid deficiency. The finding of mutations in antioxidant defence genes in the latter two conditions highlights how disturbances in redox homeostasis may have an effect on adrenal steroidogenesis.
Degradation of Specific Nuclear Proteins Occurs in the Cytoplasm in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Chen Li , Madura Kiran
Published: March 2014

The ubiquitin/proteasome system has been characterized extensively, although the site of nuclear substrate turnover has not been established definitively. We report here that two well-characterized nuclear proteins are stabilized in nuclear export mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The requirement for nuclear export defines a new regulatory step in intracellular proteolysis.