bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Solar PV Efficiency. Potential Materials for Organic Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Latvels Janis , Grzibovskis Raitis , Vembris Aivars , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: February 2014

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells are considered as a viable alternative to those energy sources currently in use. In this work three derivatives of original N,N’- dimetilaminobenziliden-1,3-indandione (DMABI) material are presented as potential materials for OPV. The photoconductivity threshold energy was evaluated from the perspective of spectral dependence of photoconductivity quantum efficiency, and the optical energy gap was defined to determine the optical absorption spectra. The absorption spectra of derivatives are blue shifted compared to original DMABI. Use of these derivatives in multilayer solar cells with original DMABI makes it possible to broaden the spectral response range of OPV.
Thermal Performance of Tropical Atrium
Authors: Baharvand Mohammad , Bin Ahmad Mohd Hamdan , Safikhan Tabassom , Mirmomtaz Sayyed Mohammad Mahdi
Published: February 2014

Atrium is a popular architectural feature utilized widely by building designers and owners to bring various benefits such as adequate daylight, circulation spaces and surfaces for landscape applications. But atrium problems in tropical climates such as excessive daylight, glare and high temperature, which lead to increase building energy demand, have been reported. To avoid and reduce these unpleasant features, a side-lit atrium has been suggested. Although researchers proposed side-lit atrium to prevent common problems of atria, the lack of precedent research on this issue compels these authors to study atrium performance in hot and humid climate. So the research aims to examine two different atrium roof form types in terms of temperature and ventilation impacts in hot and humid climate of Malaysia using DesignBuilder as a simulation program. The results indicate lower temperature of side-lit model with better airflow pattern in comparison with top-lit model while the top-lit model provides higher air velocity at the air inlet and outlet.
Effect of Modified Mechanical Treatment Facilities on SRF Yield in Korea
Authors: Jo Mi-Hyun , Lee Byung-Jin , Lee Jai-Young
Published: February 2014

An SRF plant which can produce 100 ton/month of
SRF, one of the largest manufacturing plants in Korea, was
investigated in this study. The actual operated SRF yield at
21.7 % that showed a lower yield than expected; originally
designed value was 25.0%. The cause of these results was the
difference between characteristics of MSW applied to this plant
originally and that which was actual incoming. The MSW led to
decrease the separation efficiency of the mechanical treatment
process. Thus, each element of the facility was modified. After
modification, the SRF yield increased to 30.9%, whereas the
physico-chemical properties of SRF were satisfied with domestic
standard of SRF regardless of modifying MT facilities.
Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide- and ethylene glycol-assisted preparation of mono-dispersed indium oxide nanoparticles using hydrothermal method
Authors: Dhanasingh Selvakumar , Nallasamy Dharmaraj , Padmanapan Saravanan , Padaki Vinod
Published: February 2014

The influence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and ethylene glycol on the size and dispersion of indium oxide nanoparticles prepared under hydrothermal conditions was investigated. The precursor compound, indium hydroxide, obtained by the hydrothermal method in the absence as well as the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, was converted to indium oxide by sintering at 400°C. The formation of nanoscale indium oxide upon sintering was ascertained by the characteristic infrared adsorption bands and X-ray diffraction patterns of indium oxide. Transmission electron microscopy and band gap values confirmed that the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide facilitated the formation of indium oxide nanoparticles smaller in size and narrower in distribution than those prepared without the assistance of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.
Measuring Child-Rearing Values. A Research Note
Authors: Voicu Bogdan
Published: February 2014

Large scale comparative studies, such as the value surveys (EVS and WVS) or the Eurobarometer, include measurements for parental/child-rearing values. This reflects a persistent interest for the topic, which produced salient studies starting with the first half of the twentieth century (Lynd and Lund 1929; Duvall 1946). Various scholars report data on parental values which use versions of the Q-sort methodology (Kohn 1977), ranking variables (Alwin 1990; Lenski 1961), scale indicators (Tulviste et al. 2007). Q-sort methodology remains the most widely employed. One of its versions is included in the value surveys as well. However, it fails to produce comparable indicators in different countries (Rabušic 2011; Xiao 2001) or at different moments in time (Wright and Wright 1976). This paper uses original data, provided by a Romanian convenience sample, to check if using various versions of the EVS/WVS items may lead to better ways to produce synthetic indicators for parental-values at individual level. SEM models are used to show that the best analytic solution would be to use individual items instead of producing summative indexes.
Measuring Social Solidarity. Some Research Notes
Authors: Rusu Horațiu
Published: February 2014

There is an increasing public, political and research interest in social solidarity. Even though the concept has a long history and is embedded in solid approaches, there is not much literature concerned with its measurement. The paper falls into the area of the methodological studies of social solidarity and it deals with construct validation. The objective of this paper is to test for convergent validity and nomological validity of two sets of items aiming to measure social solidarity attitudes and acts. The main method employed is confirmatory factor analysis.
The Domestic Sources of Global Adhocracy
Authors: Etzioni Amitai
Published: February 2014

The article shows that (a) those who expect new global powers to rise, provoking a clash with the old one seeking to maintain its supremacy (the US), are mistaken. The US will scale back its international role, but no other power will step in to take over its functions in maintaining order. Hence an increase in global disorder. The gap will be filled to some extent by ad hoc coalitions in what is here called ‘the rise of adhocracy’. (b) The reason that various powers will play a more limited international role is that they all suffer from the same domestic crisis, namely, a governing deficit due to a decline in competence and legitimacy - albeit one that takes different forms in different nations.
SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS OF WASTE DUMP IN SANDSTONE OPEN PIT OSIELEC
Authors: Adamczyk Justyna , Cała Marek , Flisiak Jerzy , Kolano Malwina , Kowalski Michał
Published: February 2014

This paper presents the slope stability analysis for the current as well as projected (final) geometry of waste dump Sandstone Open Pit “Osielec”. For the stability analysis six sections were selected. Then, the final geometry of the waste dump was designed and the stability analysis was conducted. On the basis of the analysis results the opportunities to improve the stability of the object were identified. The next issue addressed in the paper was to determine the proportion of the mixture containing mining and processing wastes, for which the waste dump remains stable. Stability calculations were carried out using Janbu method, which belongs to the limit equilibrium methods.
NUMERICAL CALCULATION OF DEFORMATION OF THREE DIMENSIONAL SAMPLE IN TRIAXIAL APPARATUS UNDER EXTERNAL LOAD AND TEMPERATURE FIELD
Authors: Bartlewska-Urban Monika , Strzelecki Tomasz
Published: February 2014

This study presents the results of calculations of the of thermo consolidation process of porous medium with the rheological Kelvin-Voigt skeleton, obtained numerically with the use of Flex.PDE. It is a continuation of the discussion on the phenomenon of thermal consolidation. A 3D problem considered boils down to solving the problem of the porous column filled with a liquid and treated by applying uniaxial compression load through a porous plate, allowing free flow of liquid from the center. To the sample affected by external lateral pressure. Numerical solution assumes compressing the sample at properly defined boundary conditions. The aim of this study was to describe the influence of external load and temperature gradient in the deformation tests for the case when the lateral surface is a good conductor of heat, and where the lateral surface of the sample does not conduct heat. The results obtained, in the context of further research, can also be used to determine the influence of other parameters of the state and model parameters on the process of thermo poroelasticity of the Biot model with rheological skeleton.
LOESSES NEAR KRAKÓW IN LIGHT OF GEOLOGICAL-ENGINEERING RESEARCH
Authors: Borecka Aleksandra , Olek Bartłomiej
Published: February 2014

This work is only a preliminary study on the evaluation of geological engineering properties of loess area of Kraków. It has been expanded to include field tests (CPTU, DMT), which is an alternative to expensive and time-consuming laboratory tests. The field tests allow enough detail to track the variability of physical and mechanical properties of soils, but in many cases, provide too much information, because their interpretation is often based only on a qualitative analysis. Laboratory and field tests are complementary and should be continued in order to determine best the correlation between the measured values of the resistance probes (CPTU, DMT) and the results obtained from laboratory tests. This will provide new calculation formulas for the evaluation of geotechnical parameters of loess in situ.
ANALYSIS OF MEASURED AND PREDICTED LAND SURFACE SUBSIDENCES CAUSED BY RETREAT MINING
Authors: Majcherczyk Tadeusz , Kryzia Katarzyna
Published: February 2014

This article presents the impact of the retreat mining (i.e., involving an intended collapse of the excavation roof, subsequent to extraction) on the subsidence of the ground surface. The analysis was carried out for two areas of coal underground mining located in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Górnośląskie Zagłębie Węglowe). The assessment of the influence of exploitation on the ground surface was based on the results of geodetic measurements performed over a long period of time, whereas the land deformation prediction was made with the use of the EDNOPN program. The calculated and the predicted values were further compared, and the parameters of theory were determined. The results discussed in this paper have been shown by way of diagrams. The observed differences in the processes of vertical displacement were used in the analysis which took into account the degree to which the rock mass had been disturbed during the previous excavations, as well as the type of incumbent rock in the area under study.
ON THE INTERPRETATION OF THE NEEDLE PROBE TEST RESULTS: THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT OF CLAYEY SOILS
Authors: Różański Adrian , Sobótka Maciej
Published: February 2014

Recently, there is an increasing need for accurate and rapid thermal measurement of soils. Within a variety of available methods a needle probe test is most widely used. The needle probe method was standardized for the measurement of thermal conductivity of soils and soft rocks. In the paper, two different interpretation methods of the needle probe test were used for determination of thermal conductivity of selected soils. The first method (ASTM D5334-05 Standard approach) takes into account only the data which are recorded during heating while the second approach is based on fitting the known analytical solution to the data obtained within both heating and cooling phases. The soil samples used were classified as clayey ones. Laboratory tests were performed using the KD2Pro thermal conductivity meter (Decagon Devices) with a TR-1 sensor. The main goal of the paper is to show that the selection of interpretation method is very important and may lead to significant differences in resulting thermal conductivities.
QUICK SANDS EFFECT ON DESERT LANDS – EXAMPLE OF FILTRATION STABILITY LOSS
Authors: Strzelecki Michał
Published: February 2014

The aim of the study was to analyze the loss of filtration stability of fine desert sands due to the air flow caused by temperature difference. The loss of stability induces the effect of so called “quick sands”. Therefore, the calculations of air filtration through the loose sand medium in dry desert climate are presented. FlexPDE v.6. software was used for numerical calculation based on FEM.
INFLUENCE OF INERTIA FORCES ON SOIL SETTLEMENT UNDER HARMONIC LOADING
Authors: Wrana Bogumił , Pietrzak Natalia
Published: February 2014

The paper deals with the comparison of Biot’s model for saturated, porous soils with other simplified models used in dynamic analysis. The purpose of this paper is to determine some limits of validity of the various models. In order to do this a full set of governing, dynamic equations of Biot model and a series of simplifying models such as u-p simplification and quasi-static consolidation models are considered. These formulations are applied to a simple soil layer under periodic surface loading. A displacement of skeleton and a displacement of fluid are shown and compared with each model for various formulations.
3D MODELLING OF TUNNEL EXCAVATION USING PRESSURIZED TUNNEL BORING MACHINE IN OVERCONSOLIDATED SOILS
Authors: Demagh Rafik , Emeriault Fabrice
Published: February 2014

The construction of shallow tunnels in urban areas requires a prior assessment of their effects on the existing structures. In the case of shield tunnel boring machines (TBM), the various construction stages carried out constitute a highly three-dimensional problem of soil/structure interaction and are not easy to represent in a complete numerical simulation. Consequently, the tunnelling- induced soil movements are quite difficult to evaluate. A 3D simulation procedure, using a finite differences code, namely FLAC3D, taking into account, in an explicit manner, the main sources of movements in the soil mass is proposed in this paper. It is illustrated by the particular case of Toulouse Subway Line B for which experimental data are available and where the soil is saturated and highly overconsolidated. A comparison made between the numerical simulation results and the insitu measurements shows that the 3D procedure of simulation proposed is relevant, in particular regarding the adopted representation of the different operations performed by the tunnel boring machine (excavation, confining pressure, shield advancement, installation of the tunnel lining, grouting of the annular void, etc). Furthermore, a parametric study enabled a better understanding of the singular behaviour origin observed on the ground surface and within the solid soil mass, till now not mentioned in the literature.
ANALYTICAL VERIFICATION OF OUTLET DEVICES CAPACITY OF LUBACHÓW STORAGE RESERVOIR ON THE BYSTRZYCA RIVER
Authors: Machajski Jerzy , Olearczyk Dorota
Published: February 2014

The Lubachów storage reservoir was built in the 1920’s. It is equipped with a relatively complex outlet installation, operating in variable hydraulic regime. The discharge deviations curves elaborated by German engineers for individual devices, after verification turned out to be burdened with a comparatively big error. This concerns especially the front spillway as well as intermediate outlets, and to a smaller degree the bottom outlets. The authors made a detailed analytical verification of the outlet installations and found great deviations from the currently valid discharge curves for these devices. Based on the analysis of conditions of computational discharges passage through the reservoir, they proved a high potential threat of water flow over the dam crest.
NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE SIZE OF REPRESENTATIVE VOLUME ELEMENT FOR LINEAR ELASTICITY PROBLEM
Authors: Różański Adrian , Łydżba Dariusz , Jabłoński Piotr
Published: February 2014

In the paper, a numerical study of the size of representative volume element for the linear elasticity problem is performed. The calculations are carried out for three different types of random microstructures: checkerboard, the Ising model microstructure and Debye microstructure. It is postulated and then verified that there exists a relation between the morphology of microstructure contained in the lineal-path function and the minimum RVE size. It is confirmed, on the basis of numerical examples, that for all the microstructures considered the largest lineal-path can be treated as the size of RVE
NUMERICAL MODELING OF VERTICAL WELLS IN UNSTEADY GROUNDWATER FLOW CONDITIONS
Authors: Strzelecki Tomasz , Sawicki Eugeniusz , Strzelecki Michał
Published: February 2014

This article presents the results of numerical calculations of drainage of a large engineering construction - “Afrykarium” in Wrocław ZOO, Poland, based on a 2D numerical model for seepage flow. In the numerical simulations the real (natural) hydrogeological conditions, water-courses, surface reservoirs and time dependent seepage flow (during drainage) are taken into account. The aim of numerical calculations was to determine quantities (draining time, number of wells, spacing and arrangement of wells, flows for every well, and hydraulic head map) necessary to design an effective drainage system of construction site. The mathematical model adopted to illustrate and predict groundwater depression during pumping was the Boussinesq equation for unsteady 2D flow.
DISPLACEMENT MONITORING AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS IN THE OBSERVATIONAL METHOD
Authors: Górska Karolina , Muszyński Zbigniew , Rybak Jarosław
Published: February 2014

This work discusses the fundamentals of designing deep excavation support by means of observational method. The effective tools for optimum designing with the use of the observational method are both inclinometric and geodetic monitoring, which provide data for the systematically updated calibration of the numerical computational model. The analysis included methods for selecting data for the design (by choosing the basic random variables), as well as methods for an on-going verification of the results of numeric calculations (e.g., MES) by way of measuring the structure displacement using geodetic and inclinometric techniques. The presented example shows the sensitivity analysis of the calculation model for a cantilever wall in non-cohesive soil; that analysis makes it possible to select the data to be later subject to calibration. The paper presents the results of measurements of a sheet pile wall displacement, carried out by means of inclinometric method and, simultaneously, two geodetic methods, successively with the deepening of the excavation. This work includes also critical comments regarding the usefulness of the obtained data, as well as practical aspects of taking measurement in the conditions of on-going construction works.
JOHN BANVILLE’S SHROUD: A DECONSTRUCTIONIST’S CONFESSION
Authors: Kucała Bożena
Published: February 2014

This article analyses John Banville’s novel Shroud as the protagonist’s autobiography which both follows and resists the confessional mode. Axel Vander, an ageing famous academic and champion of deconstruction, faces the necessity to confront his real self, although he spent his entire academic life contesting the concept of authentic selfhood. Alluding to the infamous case of Paul de Man, whose deconstructionist theories have been reinterpreted in the light of the revelation of his disgraceful wartime past, Banville’s novel presents a man who veers between the temptation to fall back on his theories in order to uphold a lifelong deception, and the impulse to reveal the truth and achieve belated absolution. The article examines Vander’s narrative as an attempt at a truthful account of his life, combined with the conflicting tendency to resist self-exposure. Despite the protagonist’s ambivalent and selfcontradictory motivations, his account of his life belongs to the category of confessional writing, with its accompanying religious connotations. It is argued that the protagonist’s public denial of authentic selfhood is linked to his private evasion of moral culpability.
NECROPHELIA AND THE STRANGE CASE OF AFTERLIFE
Authors: Sosnowska Monika
Published: February 2014

Drawing on Allan Edgar Poe’s provocative statement that “The death ... of a beautiful woman is, unquestionably, the most poetic topic in the world” (1951: 369), I will focus on the pivotal role of Shakespeare’s Ophelia in attesting to this assertion. Ophelia’s drowning is probably the most recognizable female death depicted by Shakespeare. Dating back to Gertrude’s “reported version” of the drowning, representations of Ophelia’s eroticized death have occupied the minds of Western artists and writers. Their necrOphelian fantasies materialized as numerous paintings, photographs and literary texts. It seems that Ophelia’s floating dead body is also at the core of postmodern thanatophiliac imagination, taking shape in the form of conventionalized representations, such as: video scenes available on YouTube, amateur photographs in bathtubs posted on photo sharing sites, reproductions and remakes of classical paintings (e.g. John Everett Millais), and contemporary art exhibitions in museums. These references will demonstrate that new cyber story - digital afterlife - is being built around the figure of Shakespearean Ophelia, unearthing the sexual attraction of the lifeless female body.
Biracial – Black? A Survey of Language Use and Attitudes in Poland and Germany
Authors: Pułaczewska Hanna
Published: February 2014

The paper deals with the construction of race from the perspective of cognitive sociolinguistics. The focus is upon the perception of mixed-race people of black and white heritage in Poland and Germany compared to the USA, and its reflection in language use. The study clarifies in how far a socially marked perception of biracial people applies in these countries with very small population of black ancestry. Among other things, the first presidential campaign of Barack Obama is used to investigate the occurrence in both countries of mental colouring of biracial people. The paper also reflects the language debate on political correctness of the press language, sparked off by the presidential campaign and its media coverage. It presents claims and arguments by proponents of various solutions regarding referring to biracial people, and paradoxes showing up in the relationship between language use and ideological positions when the race issue is at stake.
Ellipsis as a Marker of Interaction in Spoken Discourse
Authors: White Jonathan
Published: February 2014

In this article, we discuss strategies for interaction in spoken discourse, focusing on ellipsis phenomena in English. The data comes from the VOICE corpus of English as a Lingua Franca, and we analyse education data in the form of seminar and workshop discussions, working group meetings, interviews and conversations. The functions ellipsis carries in the data are Intersubjectivity, where participants develop and maintain an understanding in discourse; Continuers, which are examples of back channel support; Correction, both self- and other-initiated; Repetition; and Comments, which are similar to Continuers but do not have a back channel support function. We see that the first of these, Intersubjectivity, is by far the most popular, followed by Repetitions and Comments. These results are explained as consequences of the nature of the texts themselves, as some are discussions of presentations and so can be expected to contain many Repetitions, for example. The speech event is also an important factor, as events with asymmetrical power relations like interviews do not contain so many Continuers. Our clear conclusion is that the use of ellipsis is a strong marker of interaction in spoken discourse.
Salmonella enterica serovar Stanley intrauterine infection in a stillborn calf - case report
Authors: Jawor Paulina , Stefaniak Tadeusz , Sołtysiak Zenon , Dzimira Stanisław , Bednarski Michał
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to report the response to a bacterial intrauterine infection in a calf. A stillborn calf, dam’s blood and amniotic fluid were submitted for examination. Necropsy of the calf was performed and IgG1, IgG2, IgM, IL-6 in the calf’s serum, Il-6 in the dam’s serum, and amniotic fluid were estimated. During necropsy, fluid in pleural and peritoneal cavities stained with haemoglobin and diagonal fissures in the aortic arch endothelium were found.Salmonella entericaserovar Stanley was isolated from the spleen, lungs and abomasal fluid.Histopathological examination revealed: inflammatory infiltration and haemorrhages in lungs and small perivascular haemorrhages in the frontal cortex and near the lateral ventricles of the white matter, focal gliosis in the frontal cortex, and neuronal atrophy of the dentate gyrus with diffuse glial cells proliferation in the brain. The concentration of IgG1in the calf’s serum was increased and IL-6 was detected in both the dam’s blood and amniotic fluid. Necropsy, bacterial culture and immunological findings in the stillborn calf confirmed the intrauterine infectionwithSalmonellaStanley as the cause of death. Meanwhile, neonatal diarrhoea (incidence 46%) with high mortality (54%) occurred on the same farm. From diarrhoeic calves,SalmonellaTyphimurium andS.Enteritidis were isolated. Based on available literature this is the first evidence ofSalmonella entericaserovar Stanley isolation from a stillborn calf.
The influence of physicochemical properties of water on plasma indices in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Mitchill) reared under conditions of intensive aquaculture
Authors: Kopp Radovan , Lang Štěpán , Brabec Tomáš , Mareš Jan
Published: February 2014

The breeding of salmonids in intensive aquaculture has increasing importance in terms of high quality fish crude. The aim of our study was to figure out if the physicochemical properties of water can influence the physiological condition of fish organism. Blood samples were taken from the heart of 86 healthy, randomly selected brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) with the standard length of 242.3 ± 10.8 mm and body mass of 261.10 ± 29.81 g. Sampling was done on three trout farms in the Czech Republic in the period between autumn 2009 and summer 2011. Blood plasma was analysed for the presence of 23 plasma indices by automated blood plasma analyser. Chemical properties of water had a significant (P< 0.001) influence on the content of alkaline phosphatase, cholinesterase, amylase, lipase, total protein, albumin, P, Ca and K in plasma of the brook trout. Plasma indices were influenced especially by water temperature, oxygen saturation, and the content of ammonium ions, total nitrogen, iron and conductivity. This is the first complex study focusing on the influence of chemical and physical composition of water on blood plasma indices of brook trout.
Psychosocial Factors and Intention to Use the Nutrition Care Process Among Dietitians and Dietetic Interns
Authors: Desroches Sophie , Lapointe Annie , Galibois Isabelle , Deschênes Sarah-Maude , Gagnon Marie-Pierre
Published: February 2014

Purpose

The theory of planned behaviour was used to explore the factors (i.e., attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control) affecting the intention of dietetic internship educators, new dietetic graduates, and dietetic interns to use the nutrition care process (NCP) in their clinical practice.

Methods

Participants (n=55) were recruited from the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition program at Université Laval. They completed an online quantitative questionnaire assessing their intention to use the NCP in their clinical practice, as well as associated psychosocial factors. Open-ended questions were also used to gain a further understanding of the salient beliefs underlying participants’ intention to use the NCP.

Results

Intention to use the NCP in practice and associated psychosocial factors were similar and favourable within the three participant groups. Subjective norm and perceived behavioural control were the psychosocial factors that significantly predicted an intention to use the NCP. The most cited perceived barrier to use of the NCP was a lack of knowledge, while the most cited facilitator was training opportunities.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that successful implementation of the NCP will likely require the development of theoretical and practical training activities for both pre-licensure students and experienced dietitians.
Mapping blue-ice areas in Antarctica using ETM+ and MODIS data
Authors: Hui Fengming , Ci Tianyu , Cheng Xiao , Scambo Ted A. , Liu Yan , Zhang Yanmei , Chi Zhaohui , Huang Huabing , Wang Xianwei , Wang Fang , Zhao Chen , Jin Zhenyu , Wang Kun
Published: February 2014

Blue-ice areas (BIAs) and their geographical distribution in Antarctica were mapped using Landsat-7 ETM+ images with 15 m spatial resolution obtained during the 1999–2003 austral summers and covering the area north of 82.5° S, and a snow grain-size image of the MODIS-based Mosaic of Antarctica (MOA) dataset with 125 m grid spacing acquired during the 2003/04 austral summer from 82.5°S to the South Pole. A map of BIAs was created with algorithms of thresholds based on band ratio and reflectance for ETM+ data and thresholds based on snow grain size for the MOA dataset. The underlying principle is that blue ice can be separated from snow or rock by their spectral discrepancies and by different grain sizes of snow and ice. We estimate the total area of BIAs in Antarctica during the data acquisition period is 234 549 km2, or 1.67% of the area of the continent. Blue ice is scattered widely over the continent but is generally located in coastal or mountainous regions. The BIA dataset presented in this study is the first map covering the entire Antarctic continent sourced solely from ETM+ and MODIS data. This dataset can potentially benefit other studies in glaciology, meteorology, climatology and paleoclimate, meteorite collection and airstrip site selection.
Rock Art Research in Southeast Asia: A Synthesis
Authors: Tan Noel
Published: February 2014

Rock art has been known in Southeast Asia since the early 19th century, but relatively little attention has been paid to this class of archaeological material. This paper attempts to correct the perception that there is little rock art known in the region; especially in the light of intensified research efforts over the last 30 years that have led to the discovery of numerous new sites. Over a thousand rock art sites are known in the form of rock paintings, petroglyphs and megaliths in Southeast Asia, and their distribution across the various territories are uneven. This paper summarises the state of rock art research in Southeast Asia and discusses some of the challenges of studying rock art in this region, research trends and new finds from recent research.
Transient Non-Native Helix Formation during the Folding of β-Lactoglobulin
Authors: Ikeguchi Masamichi
Published: February 2014

In ideal proteins, only native interactions are stabilized step-by-step in a smooth funnel-like energy landscape. In real proteins, however, the transient formation of non-native structures is frequently observed. In this review, the transient formation of non-native structures is described using the non-native helix formation during the folding of β-lactoglobulin as a prominent example. Although β-lactoglobulin is a predominantly β-sheet protein, it has been shown to form non-native helices during the early stage of folding. The location of non-native helices, their stabilization mechanism, and their role in the folding reaction are discussed.
Climate Strategic Soil Management
Authors: Lal Rattan
Published: February 2014

The complex and strong link between soil degradation, climate change and food insecurity is a global challenge. Sustainable agricultural systems must be integral to any agenda to address climate change and variability, improve renewable fresh water supply and quality, restore degraded soils and ecosystems and advance food security. These challenges are being exacerbated by increasing population and decreasing per capita arable land area and renewable fresh water supply, the increasing frequency of extreme events, the decreasing resilience of agroecosystems, an increasing income and affluent lifestyle with growing preference towards meat-based diet and a decreasing soil quality and use efficiency of inputs. Reversing these downward spirals implies the implementation of proven technologies, such as conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, precision agriculture, agroforestry systems, etc. Restoration of degraded soil and desertified ecosystems and the creation of positive soil and ecosystem C budgets are important. Urban agriculture and green roofs can reduce the energy footprint of production chains for urban and non-urban areas and enhance the recycling of by-products. Researchable priorities include sustainable land use and soil/water management options, judicious soil governance and modus operandi towards payments to land managers for the provisioning of ecosystem services.
Fast Feature Selection in a GPU Cluster Using the Delta Test
Authors: Guillén Alberto , García Arenas M. , Van Heeswijk Mark , Sovilj Dusan , Lendasse Amaury , Herrera Luis , Pomares Héctor , Rojas Ignacio
Published: February 2014

Feature or variable selection still remains an unsolved problem, due to the infeasible evaluation of all the solution space. Several algorithms based on heuristics have been proposed so far with successful results. However, these algorithms were not designed for considering very large datasets, making their execution impossible, due to the memory and time limitations. This paper presents an implementation of a genetic algorithm that has been parallelized using the classical island approach, but also considering graphic processing units to speed up the computation of the fitness function. Special attention has been paid to the population evaluation, as well as to the migration operator in the parallel genetic algorithm (GA), which is not usually considered too significant; although, as the experiments will show, it is crucial in order to obtain robust results.
Microstructures and Crackling Noise of AlxNbTiMoV High Entropy Alloys
Authors: Chen Shu , Yang Xiao , Dahmen Karin , Liaw Peter , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2014

A series of high entropy alloys (HEAs), AlxNbTiMoV, was produced by a vacuum arc-melting method. Their microstructures and compressive mechanical behavior at room temperature were investigated. It has been found that a single solid-solution phase with a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure forms in these alloys. Among these alloys, Al0.5NbTiMoV reaches the highest yield strength (1,625 MPa), which should be attributed to the considerable solid-solution strengthening behavior. Furthermore, serration and crackling noises near the yielding point was observed in the NbTiMoV alloy, which represents the first such reported phenomenon at room temperature in HEAs.
Performance of Different Experimental Absorber Designs in Absorption Heat Pump Cycle Technologies: A Review
Authors: Ibarra-Bahena Jonathan , Romero Rosenberg
Published: February 2014

The absorber is a major component of absorption cycle systems, and its performance directly impacts the overall size and energy supplies of these devices. Absorption cooling and heating cycles have different absorber design requirements: in absorption cooling systems, the absorber works close to ambient temperature, therefore, the mass transfer is the most important phenomenon in order to reduce the generator size; on the other hand, in heat transformer absorption systems, is important to recover the heat delivered by exothermic reactions produced in the absorber. In this paper a review of the main experimental results of different absorber designs reported in absorption heat pump cycles is presented.
Effect of Ambient Temperature on Australian Northern Territory Public Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular Disease among Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Populations
Authors: Webb Leanne , Bambrick Hilary , Tait Peter , Green Donna , Alexander Lisa
Published: February 2014

Hospitalisations are associated with ambient temperature, but little is known about responses in population sub-groups. In this study, heat responses for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in two age groups were examined for two categories of cardiac diseases using daily hospital admissions from five Northern Territory hospitals (1992–2011). Admission rates during the hottest five per cent of days and the coolest five per cent of days were compared with rates at other times. Among 25–64 year olds, the Indigenous female population was more adversely affected by very hot days than the non-Indigenous female population, with admission rates for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) increasing by 32%. People older than 65 were more sensitive to cold, with non-Indigenous male admissions for heart failure increasing by 64%, and for IHD by 29%. For older Indigenous males, IHD admissions increased by 52% during cold conditions. For older non-Indigenous females, increases in admissions for heart failure were around 50% on these cold days, and 64% for older Indigenous females. We conclude that under projected climate change conditions, admissions for IHD amongst younger Indigenous people would increase in hot conditions, while admissions among elderly people during cold weather may be reduced. The responses to temperature, while showing significant relationships across the Northern Territory, may vary by region. These variations were not explored in this assessment.
Dilemmas and Challenges in the Marketing of Hybrid Organizations: A Theoretical Exploration of Dutch Sheltered Work Companies
Authors: Van der Torre Lieske , Fenger Menno , Van Twist Mark , Bressers Daphne
Published: February 2014

This article explores the dilemmas and challenges that hybrid organizations face when developing marketing strategies. Hybrid organizations are organizations that combine tasks and characteristics of governmental organizations, private (for profit) organizations, and non-profit organizations. In this article, we show that these organizations are confronted with different target groups, organizational identities and key images. In some instances, the key messages that need to be transmitted through marketing strategies may even be incompatible. Dutch sheltered work companies are illustrative examples of hybrid organizations. They compete with temp work agencies in providing employees to employers, they provide care for people with severe disabilities and they implement the Dutch Sheltered Work Act in their role of governmental agencies. This article theoretically identifies the challenges and dilemmas that may be involved in the marketing of these diverse activities and explores strategies that may be used to overcome these challenges and dilemmas.
Dominant Repression by Arabidopsis Transcription Factor MYB44 Causes Oxidative Damage and Hypersensitivity to Abiotic Stress
Authors: Persak Helene , Pitzschke Andrea
Published: February 2014

In any living species, stress adaptation is closely linked with major changes of the gene expression profile. As a substrate protein of the rapidly stress-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase MPK3, Arabidopsis transcription factor MYB44 likely acts at the front line of stress-induced re-programming. We recently characterized MYB44 as phosphorylation-dependent positive regulator of salt stress signaling. Molecular events downstream of MYB44 are largely unknown. Although MYB44 binds to the MBSII element in vitro, it has no discernible effect on MBSII-driven reporter gene expression in plant co-transfection assays. This may suggest limited abundance of a synergistic co-regulator. MYB44 carries a putative transcriptional repression (Ethylene responsive element binding factor-associated Amphiphilic Repression, EAR) motif. We employed a dominant repressor strategy to gain insights into MYB44-conferred stress resistance. Overexpression of a MYB44-REP fusion markedly compromised salt and drought stress tolerance—the opposite was seen in MYB44 overexpression lines. MYB44-mediated resistance likely results from induction of tolerance-enhancing, rather than from repression of tolerance-diminishing factors. Salt stress-induced accumulation of destructive reactive oxygen species is efficiently prevented in transgenic MYB44, but accelerated in MYB44-REP lines. Furthermore, heterologous overexpression of MYB44-REP caused tissue collapse in Nicotiana. A mechanistic model of MAPK-MYB-mediated enhancement in the antioxidative capacity and stress tolerance is proposed. Genetic engineering of MYB44 variants with higher trans-activating capacity may be a means to further raise stress resistance in crops.
G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling Analysis Using Homogenous Time-Resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (HTRF®) Technology
Authors: Nørskov-Lauritsen Lenea , Thomsen Alex , Bräuner-Osborne Hans
Published: February 2014

Studying multidimensional signaling of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in search of new and better treatments requires flexible, reliable and sensitive assays in high throughput screening (HTS) formats. Today, more than half of the detection techniques used in HTS are based on fluorescence, because of the high sensitivity and rich signal, but quenching, optical interferences and light scattering are serious drawbacks. In the 1990s the HTRF® (Cisbio Bioassays, Codolet, France) technology based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) in a time-resolved homogeneous format was developed. This improved technology diminished the traditional drawbacks. The optimized protocol described here based on HTRF® technology was used to study the activation and signaling pathways of the calcium-sensing receptor, CaSR, a GPCR responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis. Stimulation of the CaSR by agonists activated several pathways, which were detected by measuring accumulation of the second messengers D-myo-inositol 1-phosphate (IP1) and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), and by measuring the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). Here we show how an optimized HTRF® platform with numerous advantages compared to previous assays provides a substantial and robust mode of investigating GPCR signaling. It is furthermore discussed how these assays can be optimized and miniaturized to meet HTS requirements and for screening compound libraries.
Coumarins from Edgeworthia chrysantha
Authors: Li Xing-Nuo , Tong Sheng-Qiang , Cheng Dong-Ping , Li Qing-Yong , Yan Ji-Zhong
Published: February 2014

A new coumarin, edgeworic acid (1), was isolated from the flower buds of Edgeworthia chrysantha, together with the five known coumarins umbelliferone (2), 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (3), daphnoretin (4), edgeworoside C (5), and edgeworoside A (6). Their structures were established on the basis of spectral data, particularly by the use of 1D NMR and several 2D shift-correlated NMR pulse sequences (1H-1H COSY, HSQC and HMBC), in combination with acetylation reactions.
Phylogeny and biogeography of exindusiate Andean Polystichum (Dryopteridaceae)
Authors: McHenry Monique A. , Barrington David S.
Published: February 2014

• Premise of the study: Uplift of the tropical Andes had a significant impact on the diversification of South American flora and fauna. Recent biogeographic inquiries have established patterns of Andean divergence, but investigations on ferns are scant. The fern genus Polystichum Roth (Dryopteridaceae) combines widespread geographic and elevational distribution with a large number of species to form an ideal system for investigation of the origin and diversification patterns of a fern lineage in the tropical Andes.

• Methods: The relationships among 42 Polystichum species, including taxa from all major biogeographic regions, were analyzed with 2591 aligned nucleotides from four plastid markers using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. The resulting phylogeny was then used to estimate divergence times and reconstruct both ancestral areas and ancestral elevations.

• Key results: Tropical Andean South American polystichums that lack an indusium (sori exindusiate) were confirmed to form a monophyletic group. This exindusiate Andean Polystichum clade diverged from a middle‐elevation forest lineage now rich in species endemic to Mexico during the middle Miocene (13.12 million years ago). The majority of diversification that followed took place in the montane regions of the central Andes with radiations to the northern Andes, southeastern Brazil, and alpine regions.

• Conclusions: The monophyletic exindusiate Andean Polystichum lineage diverged from a Mexican lineage in the middle Miocene and diversified in the central Andes before dispersing northward. This south‐to‐north dispersal pattern, documented for many other Andean lineages, corresponds with episodes of uplift in the tropical Andes.
Exploring a “community of practice” methodology as a regional platform for large-scale collaboration in cancer surgery—the Ottawa approach
Authors: Fung-Kee-Fung M. , Boushey R.P. , Morash R.
Published: February 2014

Pressing challenges have forced health care providers to rethink traditional silos and professional boundaries. Communities of practice (cops) have been identified as a means to share knowledge across silos and boundaries. However, clarity sufficient to enable their easy and uniform reproducibility is lacking, leading to a gap between cop conceptualization and implementation. This paper explores a cop structure and outlines a framework that is adaptable, measurable, and implementable across health disciplines in a regional cancer surgery program.
Pharmacologic Targets and Peritoneal Membrane Remodeling
Authors: Farhat Karima , Stavenuiter Andrea W.D. , Beelen Rob H.J. , ter Wee Piet M.
Published: February 2014

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated with functional and structural changes of the peritoneal membrane, also known as peritoneal remodeling. The peritoneal membrane is affected by many endogenous and exogenous factors such as cytokines, PD fluids, and therapeutic interventions. Here, we present an overview of various studies that have investigated pharmacologic interventions aimed at regression of peritoneal damage and prolongation of PD treatment.
Impact of Modality Choice on Rates of Hospitalization in Patients Eligible for Both Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis
Authors: Quinn Robert R. , Ravani Pietro , Zhang Xin , Garg Amit X. , Blake Peter G. , Austin Peter C. , Zacharias James M. , Johnson John F. , Pandeya Sanjay , Verrelli Mauro , Oliver Matthew J.
Published: February 2014

Background

Hospitalization rates are a relevant consideration when choosing or recommending a dialysis modality. Previous comparisons of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) have not been restricted to individuals who were eligible for both therapies.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter prospective cohort study of people 18 years of age and older who were eligible for both PD and HD, and who started outpatient dialysis between 2007 and 2010 in four Canadian dialysis programs. Zero-inflated negative binomial models, adjusted for baseline patient characteristics, were used to examine the association between modality choice and rates of hospitalization.

Results

The study enrolled 314 patients. A trend in the HD group toward higher rates of hospitalization, observed in the primary analysis, became significant when modality was treated as a time-varying exposure or when the population was restricted to elective outpatient starts in patients with at least 4 months of pre-dialysis care. Cardiovascular disease, infectious complications, and elective surgery were the most common reasons for hospital admission; only 23% of hospital stays were directly related to complications of dialysis or kidney disease.

Conclusions

Efforts to promote PD utilization are unlikely to result in increased rates of hospitalization, and efforts to reduce hospital admissions should focus on potentially avoidable causes of cardiovascular disease and infectious complications.