bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Determinants of Microfinance Profitability: Evidences From Sri Lankan Microfinance Institutions
Authors: Dissanayake DMNSW
Published: January 2014

This study was undertaken with the objective of asserting the significant determinants of microfinance profitability in Sri Lankan microfinance institutions. This study is based on eleven microfinance institutions in Sri Lanka, within the period of 2005- 2010, which are practicing microfinance at present. In this study, profitability is measured by profitability and sustainability ratios. Determinants of microfinance profitability are measured by efficiency and productivity, financing structure and portfolio quality ratios. Profitability is measured by return on equity ratio, return on assets ratio, and profit margin ratio. Sustainability is measured by operational self sufficiency ratio. Efficiency and productivity are measured by operating expense ratio, personal productivity ratio and cost per borrower ratio. Financing structure is measured by debt/equity ratio. Portfolio quality is measured by writeoff ratio. Finally, the researcher intends to postulate that, the cost per borrower is a determinant for return on equity and operational self sufficiency. Besides, the operating expense ratio and write off ratios are determinants of return on equity, return on assets and profit margin. Observations of the debt/equity variable of the study imply causality for the return on assets and operational self sufficiency as a determinant of respective models. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/kjm.v1i1.6446 Kelaniya Journal of Management Vol.1(1) 2012:50-67
Embryonic Trophoblasts Induce Decidual Regulatory T Cell Differentiation and Maternal–Fetal Tolerance through Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Instructing Dendritic Cells
Authors: Du Mei-Rong , Guo Pei-Fen , Piao Hai-Lan , Wang Song-Cun , Sun Chan , Jin Li-Ping , Tao Yu , Li Yan-Hong , Zhang Di , Zhu Rui , Fu Qiang , Li Da-Jin
Published: January 2014

Physiological pregnancy requires the maternal immune system to recognize and tolerate embryonic Ags. Although multiple mechanisms have been proposed, it is not yet clear how the fetus evades the maternal immune system. In this article, we demonstrate that trophoblast-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) instructs decidual CD11c+ dendritic cells (dDCs)with increased costimulatory molecules; MHC class II; and Th2/3-type, but not Th1-type, cytokines. TSLP-activated dDCs induce proliferation and differentiation of decidual CD4+CD25− T cells into CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) through TGF-β1. TSLP-activated dDC–induced Tregs display immunosuppressive features and express Th2-type cytokines. In addition, decidual CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs promote invasiveness and HLA-G expression of trophoblasts, resulting in preferential production of Th2 cytokines and reduced cytotoxicity in decidual CD56brightCD16− NK cells. Of interest, decreased TSLP expression and reduced numbers of Tregs were observed at the maternal–fetal interface during miscarriage. Our study identifies a novel feedback loop between embryo-derived trophoblasts and maternal decidual leukocytes, which induces a tolerogenic immune response to ensure a successful pregnancy.
Mst1/Mst2 Regulate Development and Function of Regulatory T Cells through Modulation of Foxo1/Foxo3 Stability in Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Du Xingrong , Shi Hao , Li Jiang , Dong Yongli , Liang JieLiang , Ye Jian , Kong Shanshan , Zhang Shujing , Zhong Tao , Yuan Zengqiang , Xu Tian , Zhuang Yuan , Zheng Biao , Geng Jian-Guo , Tao Wufan
Published: January 2014

Foxp3 expression and regulatory T cell (Treg) development are critical for maintaining dominant tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases. Human MST1 deficiency causes a novel primary immunodeficiency syndrome accompanied by autoimmune manifestations. However, the mechanism by which Mst1 controls immune regulation is unknown. In this article, we report that Mst1 regulates Foxp3 expression and Treg development/function and inhibits autoimmunity through modulating Foxo1 and Foxo3 (Foxo1/3) stability. We have found that Mst1 deficiency impairs Foxp3 expression and Treg development and function in mice. Mechanistic studies reveal that Mst1 enhances Foxo1/3 stability directly by phosphorylating Foxo1/3 and indirectly by attenuating TCR-induced Akt activation in peripheral T cells. Our studies have also shown that Mst1 deficiency does not affect Foxo1/3 cellular localization in CD4 T cells. In addition, we show that Mst1−/− mice are prone to autoimmune disease, and mutant phenotypes, such as overactivation of naive T cells, splenomegaly, and autoimmune pathological changes, are suppressed in Mst1−/− bone marrow chimera by cotransplanted wt Tregs. Finally, we demonstrate that Mst1 and Mst2 play a partially redundant role in Treg development and autoimmunity. Our findings not only identify Mst kinases as the long-searched-for factors that simultaneously activate Foxo1/3 and inhibit TCR-stimulated Akt downstream of TCR signaling to promote Foxp3 expression and Treg development, but also shed new light on understanding and designing better therapeutic strategies for MST1 deficiency–mediated human immunodeficiency syndrome.
’n Nuwe-Testamentiese perspektief op die kind
Authors: Van Aarde A. G.
Published: January 2014

A New Testament perspective on children A summary of the position of the child in the ancient times and, more specifically, biblical times is first given. After this attemion is focussed upon covenantai theology pertaining to the Reformation, and the position of the child in terms of it. Then follows an exposition of the Sitz im Leben of the so-called Kinderevangelium in Mark 10:13-16 and other corresponding passages. Lastly, suggestions are made concerning the way in which the child should be given an acceptable position in the church.
The Association between Sport Participation and Dietary Behaviors among Fourth Graders in the School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey, 2009–2010
Authors: Dortch Katherine Skala , Gay Jennifer , Springer Andrew , Kohl Harold W. , Sharma Shreela , Saxton Debra , Wilson Kim , Hoelscher Deanna
Published: January 2014

Purpose.

To determine the association between youth sport team participation and dietary behaviors among elementary school–aged children.

Design.

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting.

Public schools in Texas during 2009–2010.

Subjects.

A total of 5035 ethnically diverse fourth graders.

Measures.

Participation in organized sports teams, consumption of select food items (fruits, vegetables, beverages, sweets/snacks).

Analysis.

Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between each food item (eaten at least once on the previous day) and number of sports teams as the independent class variable (0, 1, 2, ≥3), adjusting for body mass index physical activity, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity.

Results.

Significant dose-response associations were observed between number of sports teams and consumption of fruits and vegetables. For boys, the likelihood of eating fruit and fruit-flavored drinks was significantly higher and the odds of drinking soda were lower with the number of teams. For girls, the likelihood of consuming green vegetables increased as sports teams participation increased, and participation was positively associated with diet soda consumption. A positive association was observed between the number of sports teams and scores on the Healthy Food Index for boys and girls.

Conclusion.

The findings that sports participation is associated with consumption of fruits and vegetables and lower consumption of soda suggest that efforts should be focused on supporting youth team sports to promote healthier food choices. Since sports are available to all ages, sports may be an important venue for promoting healthier dietary behaviors.
Intuitive Eating: Associations with Physical Activity Motivation and BMI
Authors: Gast Julie , Nielson Amy Campbell , Hunt Anne , Leiker Jason J.
Published: January 2014

Purpose.

To determine whether university women who demonstrated internal motivation related to eating behavior may also be internally motivated to participate in regular physical activity (PA) and have a lower body mass index (BMI) when controlling for age. Traditional approaches for health promotion related to healthy weight include restrictive eating and exercise prescription. Examining motivation for eating and PA may prove an effective alternative for achieving or maintaining healthy weight for university women.

Design.

Design was a cross-sectional study.

Setting.

Study setting was a large, public university in the western United States.

Subjects.

Study subjects were 200 undergraduate women with a mean age of 19 years, mostly white (90%) and of healthy weight (69%, with a BMI range of 18.5–24.9).

Measures.

Study measures were the Intuitive Eating Scale and the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire.

Analysis.

Correlations and regression models were used. Intuitive eating was examined in the sample as a whole and among subgroups of respondents grouped based on tertile rankings of intuitive eating scores.

Results.

There was evidence that women who demonstrated internal motivation related to eating were also internally motivated to participate in regular PA. Women who reported being internally motivated to eat were significantly more likely to engage in PA for pleasure and to view PA as part of their self-concept. Women who reported high levels of intuitive eating had significantly lower BMI scores than those reporting medium or low levels when controlling for age.

Conclusion.

For women to achieve or maintain a healthy weight, it may be best for health professionals to examine motivation for eating and PA rather than the encouragement of restrictive eating and exercise prescriptions.
Goedkoop, Groot, Geïllustreerd - Literatuurkritiek en publieksbemiddeling in Morks’ Magazijn (1910-1942) en “Zij”: Maandblad voor de vrouw (1916-1942)
Authors: Rutten Alex
Published: January 2014

This article discusses the background, content, mission statements and key contributors of the illustrated magazines Morks’ Magazijn and “Zij”: Maandblad voor de vrouw, both of which sought to make art, science and literature available to a wide reading public. By employing recent conceptualisations of so-called middlebrow magazines and their specific modes of criticism, this article provides an in-depth view of how popular periodicals could shape (and position themselves within) the public sphere at the beginning of the twentieth century and of the role that cultural mediation and literary criticism played in this process.
Drie Grieken in een pre- en posthistorische metropool - Een ‘euhemeristische’ interpretatie van Carel Vosmaers Londinias (1873)
Authors: Schoor, van de Rob
Published: January 2014

At the publication of his Homer parody, Londinias, in 1873, Vosmaer proposed – not without irony – that the future researcher ought to try an euhemeristic interpretation of his poem. In the present paper we accept his challenge. Using three different modern literary approaches we try answering a research question that may be derived from euhemerism: what is the relationship between reality and mythology in Londinias? We describe the visit to the British Museum of the three heroes of the poem, ancient Greeks transformed into 19th-century Dutchmen, as a type of reenactment of the past. Using the notion of performativity we compare the aesthetics and life vision of the Ancient World, as represented in the Elgin Marbles, to the contemporary reality of London, a city that has transcended mankind. Next, we examine the city experience of the three Greek Dutchmen in a section designated urban anxiety, because that aptly describes the impression that London leaves with them. We conclude our study with an examination of the space descriptions in Londinias with the aid of Bakhtin’s chronotope concept, in order to determine the genre the poem belongs to, according to the reader.
De imperatief in de verleden tijd
Authors: Van Olmen Daniël
Published: January 2014

This article deals with the cross-linguistically rare phenomenon of past tense imperatives and, more precisely, with the past perfect imperative in Dutch. With this construction, the speaker typically conveys the undesirability of a state of affairs that cannot be changed anymore and reprimands the addressee. The article examines the two functional accounts that have been proposed in the literature. Proeme (1984) provides a definition of the imperative that is so broad that no a priori restrictions of verb types, aspect and tense can be assumed. It is argued that his starting point is debatable from a usage-based perspective and that his account cannot explain the construction’s standard interpretation, the dubious acceptability of other interpretations and its scarcity in the world’s languages. Duinhoven (1995) regards the past perfect imperative as the outcome of the interaction of the counterfactual conditional inversion construction and the (conditional) imperative construction. His fairly idiosyncratic account is evaluated positively in the light of construction grammar and the typological literature on directive strategies and insubordination. The assumed processes of analogy and conventionalization are argued to be at odds with the construction’s infrequency in corpora, though.
A new method for evaluating the impact of vertical distribution on aerosol radiative forcing in general circulation models
Authors: Vuolo M. R. , Schulz M. , Balkanski Y. , Takemura T.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The quantification and understanding of direct aerosol forcing is essential in the study of climate. One of the main issues that makes its quantification difficult is the lack of a complete understanding of the role of the vertical distribution of aerosols and clouds. This work aims at reducing the uncertainty of aerosol top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) forcing due to the vertical superposition of several short-lived atmospheric components, in particular different aerosol species and clouds. We propose a method to quantify the contribution of different parts of the atmospheric column to the TOA forcing as well as to evaluate the contribution to model differences that is exclusively due to different spatial distributions of aerosols and clouds. We investigate the contribution of aerosol above, below and in clouds by using added diagnostics in the aerosol–climate model LMDz. We also compute the difference between the TOA forcing of the ensemble of the aerosols and the sum of the forcings from individual species in clear sky. This difference is found to be moderate for the global average (14%) but can reach high values regionally (up to 100%). Nonlinear effects are even more important when superposing aerosols and clouds. Four forcing computations are performed: one where the full aerosol 3-D distribution is used, and then three where aerosols are confined to regions above, inside and below clouds, respectively. We find that the TOA forcing of aerosols depends crucially on the presence of clouds and on their position relative to that of the aerosol, in particular for black carbon (BC). We observe a strong enhancement of the TOA forcing of BC above clouds, attenuation for BC below clouds, and a moderate enhancement when BC is found within clouds. BC above clouds accounts for only about 30% of the total BC optical depth but for 55% of the forcing, while forcing efficiency increases by a factor of 7.5 when passing from below to above clouds. The different behaviour of forcing nonlinearities for these three components of the atmospheric column encouraged us to develop the method for application to inter-model variability studies by reading 3-D aerosol and cloud fields from different general circulation models (GCMs) into the same model. We apply the method to the comparison of forcing due to the aerosols and clouds distributions of the general circulation models LMDz and SPRINTARS. The different amount of BC above but also within clouds is revealed to play a major role on the differences of cloudy-sky forcings between the two models, which can exceed 100% regionally.
Characterization of OMI tropospheric NO2 over the Baltic Sea region
Authors: Ialongo I. , Hakkarainen J. , Hyttinen N. , Jalkanen J.-P. , Johansson L. , Boersma F. , Krotkov N. , Tamminen J.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Satellite-based data are very important for air quality applications in the Baltic Sea area, because they provide information on air pollution over sea and there where ground-based network and aircraft measurements are not available. Both the emissions from urban sites over land and ships over sea, contribute to the tropospheric NO2 levels. The tropospheric NO2 monitoring at high latitudes using satellite data is challenging because of the reduced light hours in winter and the snow-covered surface, which make the retrieval complex, and because of the reduced signal due to low Sun. This work presents a detailed characterization of the tropospheric NO2 columns focused on part of the Baltic Sea region using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) tropospheric NO2 standard product. Previous works have focused on larger seas and lower latitudes. The results showed that, despite the regional area of interest, it is possible to distinguish the signal from the main coastal cities and from the ships by averaging the data over a seasonal time range. The summertime NO2 emission and lifetime values (E = (1.0 ± 0.1) × 1028 molec. and τ = (3.0 ± 0.5) h, respectively) in Helsinki were estimated from the decay of the signal with distance from the city center. The method developed for megacities was successfully applied to a smaller scale source, in both size and intensity (i.e., the city of Helsinki), which is located at high latitudes (∼60° N). The same methodology could be applied to similar scale cities elsewhere, as far as they are relatively isolated from other sources. The transport by the wind plays an important role in the Baltic Sea area. The NO2 spatial distribution is mainly determined by the contribution of strong westerly winds, which dominate the wind patterns during summer. The comparison between the emissions from model calculations and OMI NO2 tropospheric columns confirmed the applicability of satellite data for ship emission monitoring. In particular, both the emission data and the OMI observations showed similar year-to-year variability, with a drop in year 2009, corresponding to the effect of the economical crisis.
The effects of turbulent collision-coalescence on precipitation formation and precipitation-dynamical feedbacks in simulations of stratocumulus and shallow cumulus convection
Authors: Franklin C. N.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. A double moment warm rain scheme that includes the effects of turbulence on droplet collision rates has been implemented in a large-eddy model to investigate the impact of turbulence effects on clouds and precipitation. Simulations of shallow cumulus and stratocumulus show that different precipitation-dynamical feedbacks occur in these regimes when the effects of turbulence are included in the microphysical processes. In both cases, inclusion of turbulent microphysics increases precipitation due to a more rapid conversion of cloud water to rain. In the shallow convection case, the greater water loading and latent heating in the upper cloud levels reduces the buoyancy production of turbulent kinetic energy and the entrainment. The stratocumulus case on the other hand shows a positive precipitation feedback, with enhanced rainwater producing greater evaporation, stronger circulations and more turbulence. Sensitivity studies where the cloud droplet number was varied show that greater number concentrations suppress the stratocumulus precipitation leading to larger liquid water paths. This positive second indirect aerosol effect was produced in all of the simulations except for the case using the turbulent microphysics with the highest droplet number, which suggests a limit on the amount of liquid water that can be produced. While the sign of the second indirect effect is negative in the shallow convection case whether the effects of turbulence are considered or not, the magnitude of the effect is doubled when the turbulent microphysics are used.
Six years of high-precision quasi-continuous atmospheric greenhouse gas measurements at Trainou Tower (Orléans Forest, France)
Authors: Schmidt M. , Lopez M. , Yver Kwok C. , Messager C. , Ramonet M. , Wastine B. , Vuillemin C. , Truong F. , Gal B. , Parmentier E. , Cloué O. , Ciais P.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Results from the Trainou tall tower measurement station installed in 2006, are presented for atmospheric measurements of CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, CO, H2 mole fractions and Radon-222 activity. Air is sampled from four sampling heights (180 m, 100 m, 50 m and 5 m) of the Trainou 200 m television tower in the Orléans forest in France (47°57'53'' N, 2°06'45'' E, 131 m a.s.l.). The station is equipped with a custom-build CO2 analyzer (CARIBOU), which is based on a commercial NDIR analyser (Licor 6252), and a coupled gas chromatographic GC system equipped with ECD and FID (HP6890N, Agilent) and a reduction gas detector (PP1, Peak Performer). Air intakes, pumping and air drying system are shared between the CARIBOU and the GC systems. After some initial problems, we achieved short-term repeatability (1 sigma, over several days) for the GC system of of 0.05 ppm for CO2, 1.4 ppb for CH4, 0.25 ppb for N2O, 0.08 ppb for SF6, 0.88 ppb for CO and 3.8 for H2. The repeatability of the CARIBOU CO2 analyser is 0.06 ppm. In addition to the in-situ measurements, weekly flask sampling is performed, and flask air samples are analysed at the LSCE central laboratory for the same species as well for stable isotopes of CO2. The comparison between in-situ measurements and the flask sampling showed averaged differences of 0.08 ± 1.4 ppm CO2, 0.69 ± 7.3 ppb CH4, 0.64 ± 0.62 ppb N2O, 0.01 ± 0.1 ppt SF6 and 1.5 ± 5.3 ppb CO for the years 2008–2012. At Trainou station, the mean annual increase rates from 2007 to 2011 at the 180 m sampling height were 2.2 ppm yr−1 for CO2, 4 ppb yr−1 for CH4, 0.78 ppb yr−1 for N2O and 0.29 ppt yr−1 for SF6 respectively. For all species the 180 m sampling level showed the smallest diurnal variation. Mean diurnal gradients between the 50 m and the 180 m sampling level reached up to 30 ppm CO2, 15 ppm CH4 or 0.5 ppb N2O during night whereas the mean gradients are smaller than 0.5 ppm for CO2 and 1.5 ppb for CH4 during afternoon.
Temperature response of denitrification and anammox reveals the adaptation of microbial communities to in situ temperatures in permeable marine sediments that span 50° in latitude
Authors: Canion A. , Kostka J. E. , Gihring T. M. , Huettel M. , van Beusekom J. E. E. , Gao H. , Lavik G. , Kuypers M. M. M.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Despite decades of research on the physiology and biochemistry of nitrate/nitrite-respiring microorganisms, little is known regarding their metabolic response to temperature, especially under in situ conditions. The temperature regulation of microbial communities that mediate anammox and denitrification was investigated in near shore permeable sediments at polar, temperate, and subtropical sites with annual mean temperatures ranging from −5 to 23 °C. Total N2 production rates were determined using the isotope pairing technique in intact core incubations under diffusive and simulated advection conditions and ranged from 2 to 359 μmol N m−2 d−1. For the majority of sites studied, N2 removal was 2–7 times more rapid under simulated advective flow conditions. Anammox comprised 6–14% of total N2 production at temperate and polar sites and was not detected at the subtropical site. Potential rates of denitrification and anammox were determined in anaerobic slurries in a temperature gradient block incubator across a temperature range of −1 °C to 42 °C. The highest optimum temperature (Topt) for denitrification was 36 °C and was observed in subtropical sediments, while the lowest Topt of 21 °C was observed at the polar site. Seasonal variation in the Topt was observed at the temperate site with values of 26 and 34 °C in winter and summer, respectively. The Topt values for anammox were 9 and 26 °C at the polar and temperate sites, respectively. The results demonstrate adaptation of denitrifying communities to in situ temperatures in permeable marine sediments across a wide range of temperatures, whereas marine anammox bacteria may be predominately psychrophilic to psychrotolerant. The adaptation of microbial communities to in situ temperatures suggests that the relationship between temperature and rates of N removal is highly dependent on community structure.
Late Pliocene lakes and soils: a global data set for the analysis of climate feedbacks in a warmer world
Authors: Pound M. J. , Tindall J. , Pickering S. J. , Haywood A. M. , Dowsett H. J. , Salzmann U.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The global distribution of late Pliocene soils and lakes has been reconstructed using a synthesis of geological data. These reconstructions are then used as boundary conditions for the Hadley Centre General Circulation Model (HadCM3) and the BIOME4 mechanistic vegetation model. By combining our novel soil and lake reconstructions with a fully coupled climate model we are able to explore the feedbacks of soils and lakes on the climate of the late Pliocene. Our experiments reveal regionally confined changes of local climate and vegetation in response to the new boundary conditions. The addition of late Pliocene soils has the largest influence on surface air temperatures, with notable increases in Australia, the southern part of northern Africa and in Asia. The inclusion of late Pliocene lakes increases precipitation in central Africa and at the locations of lakes in the Northern Hemisphere. When combined, the feedbacks on climate from late Pliocene lakes and soils improve the data to model fit in western North America and the southern part of northern Africa.
Holocene sub-centennial evolution of Atlantic water inflow and sea ice distribution in the western Barents Sea
Authors: Berben S. M. P. , Husum K. , Cabedo-Sanz P. , Belt S. T.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. A marine sediment core (JM09-KA11-GC) from the Kveithola Trough at the western Barents Sea margin has been investigated in order to reconstruct sub-surface temperatures and sea ice distribution at a sub-centennial resolution throughout the Holocene. The relationship between past variability of Atlantic water inflow and sea ice distribution has been established by measurement of planktic foraminifera, stable isotopes and biomarkers from sea ice diatoms and phytoplankton. Throughout the early Holocene (11 900–7300 cal yr BP), the foraminiferal fauna is dominated by the polar species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sinistral) and the biomarkers show an influence of seasonal sea ice. Between 10 900 and 10 700 cal yr BP, a clear cooling is shown both by fauna and stable isotope data corresponding to the so-called Preboreal Oscillation. After 7300 cal yr BP, the sub-polar Turborotalita quinqueloba becomes the most frequent species, reflecting a stable Atlantic water inflow. Sub-surface temperatures reach 6 °C and biomarker data indicate mainly ice-free conditions. During the last 1100 cal yr BP, biomarker abundances and distributions show the reappearance of low-frequency seasonal sea ice and the planktic fauna show a reduced salinity in the sub-surface water. No apparent temperature decrease is observed during this interval, but the rapidly fluctuating fauna and biomarker distributions indicate more unstable conditions.
Temperature data acquired from the DOI/GTN-P Deep Borehole Array on the Arctic Slope of Alaska, 1973–2013
Authors: Clow G. D.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. A homogeneous set of temperature measurements obtained from the DOI/GTN-P Deep Borehole Array between 1973 and 2013 is presented. The 23-element array is located on the Arctic Slope of Alaska, a region of cold continuous permafrost. Most of the monitoring wells are situated on the arctic coastal plain between the Brooks Range and the Arctic Ocean, while others are in the foothills to the south. The data represent the true temperatures in the wellbores and surrounding rocks at the time of the measurements; they have not been corrected to remove the thermal disturbance caused by drilling the wells. With a few exceptions, the drilling disturbance is estimated to have been of order 0.1 K or less by 1989. Thus, most of the temperature measurements acquired during the last 25 yr are little affected by the drilling disturbance. The data contribute to ongoing efforts to monitor changes in the thermal state of permafrost in both hemispheres by the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P), one of the primary subnetworks of the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS). The data will also be useful for refining our basic understanding of the physical conditions in permafrost in arctic Alaska, as well as provide important information for validating predictive models used for climate impact assessments. The processed data are available from the ACADIS repository at doi:10.5065/D6N014HK.
A global climatology of total columnar water vapour from SSM/I and MERIS
Authors: Lindstrot R. , Stengel M. , Schröder M. , Fischer J. , Preusker R. , Schneider N. , Steenbergen T.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. A global time series of total columnar water vapour from combined data of the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) onboard ESA's Environmental Satellite (ENVISAT) and the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) onboard the satellite series of the US Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) is presented. The unique dataset, generated in the framework of the ESA Data User Element (DUE) GlobVapour project, combines atmospheric water vapour observations over land and ocean, derived from measurements in the near infrared and the microwave range, respectively. Daily composites and monthly means of total columnar water vapour are available as global maps on rectangular latitude-longitude grids with a spatial resolution of 0.05° × 0.05° over land and 0.5° × 0.5° over ocean for the years 2003 to 2008. The data is stored in NetCDF files and is fully compliant with the NetCDF Climate Forecast convention. Through the combination of high quality microwave observations and near infrared observations over ocean and land surfaces, respectively, the dataset provides global coverage. The combination of both products is carried out such that the individual properties of the microwave and near-infrared products, in particular their uncertainties, are not changed and therefore well defined. Due to the global coverage and the provided uncertainty estimates this data set is potentially of high value for climate research. The SSM/I-MERIS TCWV data set is freely available via the GlobVapour project web page with associated doi (doi:10.5676/DFE/WV_COMB/FP). In this paper, the details of the dataset generation, i.e. the satellite data used, the retrieval techniques and merging approaches are presented. The derived level 3 products are compared to global radiosonde data from the GCOS upper air network (GUAN), showing a high agreement with a root mean square deviation of roughly 4.4 kg m−2 and a small wet bias well below 1 kg m−2. Furthermore, the data set is shown to be free of seasonal biases. The consistency of the MERIS and SSM/I retrievals is demonstrated by applying the MERIS retrieval to sun glint areas over ocean.
Improved simulation of fire-vegetation interactions in the Land surface Processes and eXchanges dynamic global vegetation model (LPX-Mv1)
Authors: Kelley D. I. , Harrison S. P. , Prentice I. C.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The Land surface Processes and eXchanges (LPX) model is a fire-enabled dynamic global vegetation model that performs well globally but has problems representing fire regimes and vegetative mix in savannas. Here we focus on improving the fire module. To improve the representation of ignitions, we introduced a treatment of lightning that allows the fraction of ground strikes to vary spatially and seasonally, realistically partitions strike distribution between wet and dry days, and varies the number of dry-days with strikes. Fuel availability and moisture content were improved by implementing decomposition rates specific to individual plant functional types and litter classes, and litter drying rates driven by atmospheric water content. To improve water extraction by grasses, we use realistic plant-specific treatments of deep roots. To improve fire responses, we introduced adaptive bark thickness and post-fire resprouting for tropical and temperate broadleaf trees. All improvements are based on extensive analyses of relevant observational data sets. We test model performance for Australia, first evaluating parameterisations separately and then measuring overall behaviour against standard benchmarks. Changes to the lightning parameterisation produce a more realistic simulation of fires in southeastern and central Australia. Implementation of PFT-specific decomposition rates enhances performance in central Australia. Changes in fuel drying improve fire in northern Australia, while changes in rooting depth produce a more realistic simulation of fuel availability and structure in central and northern Australia. The introduction of adaptive bark thickness and resprouting produces more realistic fire regimes in savannas, including simulating biomass recovery rates consistent with observations. The new model (LPX-Mv1) improves Australian vegetation composition by 33% and burnt area by 19% compared to LPX.
Sensitivity and evaluation of current fire risk and future projections due to climate change: the case study of Greece
Authors: Karali A. , Hatzaki M. , Giannakopoulos C. , Roussos A. , Xanthopoulos G. , Tenentes V.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. Current trends in the Mediterranean climate, and more specifically in Greece, indicate longer and more intense summer droughts that even extend out of season. In connection to this, the frequency of forest fire occurrence and intensity is on the rise. In the present study, the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) is used in order to investigate the relationship between fire risk and meteorological conditions in Greece. FWI is a meteorologically based index designed in Canada and used worldwide, including the Mediterranean Basin, to estimate fire danger in a generalised fuel type based solely on weather observations. Here, an evaluation of the index is initially performed for the Greek territory using fire observations that cover a 15 yr period. Three critical fire risk threshold values are established for the area of Greece based on daily mean meteorological data: FWI = 15, FWI = 30 and FWI = 45, increasing from the northwest to the southeast. Subsequently, a regional climate model is employed providing input for the FWI system to investigate the impacts of climate change on fire risk for two future time periods, 2021–2050 and 2071–2100, under the A1B emissions scenario. Days with critical fire risk are expected to increase by as many as 50 days per year by the end of the century.
A double continuum hydrological model for glacier applications
Authors: de Fleurian B. , Gagliardini O. , Zwinger T. , Durand G. , Le Meur E. , Mair D. , Råback P.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The flow of glaciers and ice streams is strongly influenced by the presence of water at the interface between ice and bed. In this paper, a hydrological model evaluating the subglacial water pressure is developed with the final aim of estimating the sliding velocities of glaciers. The global model fully couples the subglacial hydrology and the ice dynamics through a water-dependent friction law. The hydrological part of the model follows a double continuum approach which relies on the use of porous layers to compute water heads in inefficient and efficient drainage systems. This method has the advantage of a relatively low computational cost that would allow its application to large ice bodies such as Greenland or Antarctica ice streams. The hydrological model has been implemented in the finite element code Elmer/Ice, which simultaneously computes the ice flow. Herein, we present an application to the Haut Glacier d'Arolla for which we have a large number of observations, making it well suited to the purpose of validating both the hydrology and ice flow model components. The selection of hydrological, under-determined parameters from a wide range of values is guided by comparison of the model results with available glacier observations. Once this selection has been performed, the coupling between subglacial hydrology and ice dynamics is undertaken throughout a melt season. Results indicate that this new modelling approach for subglacial hydrology is able to reproduce the broad temporal and spatial patterns of the observed subglacial hydrological system. Furthermore, the coupling with the ice dynamics shows good agreement with the observed spring speed-up.
Insights into ice stream dynamics through modeling their response to tidal forcing
Authors: Rosier S. H. R. , Gudmundsson G. H. , Green J. A. M.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The tidal forcing of ice streams at their ocean boundary can serve as a natural experiment to gain an insight into their dynamics and constrain the basal sliding law. A 3-D visco-elastic full Stokes model of coupled ice-stream ice-shelf flow is used to investigate the response of ice streams to ocean tides. In agreement with previous results based on flow-line modeling and with a fixed grounding line position, we find that a non-linear basal sliding law can reproduce long period modulation of tidal forcing found in field observations, and the inclusions of lateral effects and grounding line migration do not alter this result. Further analysis of modeled ice stream flow shows a varying stress-coupling length scale of boundary effects upstream of the grounding line. We derive a visco-elastic stress coupling length scale from ice stream equations that depends on the forcing period and closely agrees with model output.
Initial results from geophysical surveys and shallow coring of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS)
Authors: Vallelonga P. , Christianson K. , Alley R. B. , Anandakrishnan S. , Christian J. E. M. , Dahl-Jensen D. , Gkinis V. , Holme C. , Jacobel R. W. , Karlsson N. , Keisling B. A. , Kipfstuhl S. , Kjær H. A. , Kristensen M. E. L. , Muto A. , Peters L. E. , Popp T. , Riverman K. L. , Svensson A. M. , Tibuleac C. , Vinther B. M. , Weng Y. , Winstrup M.
Published: January 2014

Abstract. The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS) is the sole interior Greenlandic ice stream. Fast flow initiates near the summit dome, and the ice stream terminates approximately 1000 km downstream in three large outlet glaciers that calve into the Greenland Sea. To better understand this important system, in the summer of 2012 we drilled a 67 m firn core and conducted ground-based radio-echo sounding (RES) and active-source seismic surveys at a site approximately 150 km downstream from the onset of streaming flow (NEGIS firn core, 75° 37.61' N, 35°56.49' W). The site is representative of the upper part of the ice stream, while also being in a crevasse-free area for safe surface operations. Annual cycles were observed for insoluble dust, sodium and ammonium concentrations and for electrolytic conductivity, allowing a seasonally resolved chronology covering the past 400 yr. Annual layer thicknesses averaged 0.11 m ice equivalent (i.e.) for the period 1607–2011, although accumulation varied between 0.08 and 0.14 m i.e., likely due to flow-related changes in surface topography. Tracing of RES layers from the NGRIP ice core site shows that the ice at NEGIS preserves a climatic record of at least the past 51 kyr. We demonstrate that a deep ice core drilling in this location can provide a reliable Holocene and late-glacial climate record, as well as helping to constrain the past dynamics and ice-lithosphere interactions of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
The Central Asian Journal of Global Health to Increase Scientific Productivity
Authors: Freese Kyle , Shubnikov Eugene , LaPorte Ron , Adambekov Shalkar , Askarova Sholpan , Zhumadilov Zhaxybay , Linkov Faina
Published: January 2014

The WHO Collaborating Center at the University of Pittsburgh, USA partnering with Nazarbayev University, developed the Central Asian Journal of Global Health (CAJGH, cajgh.pitt.edu) in order to increase scientific productivity in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Scientists in this region often have difficulty publishing in upper tier English language scientific journals due to language barriers, high publication fees, and a lack of access to mentoring services. CAJGH seeks to help scientists overcome these challenges by providing peer-reviewed publication free of change with English and research mentoring services available to selected authors.CAJGH began as a way to expand the Supercourse scientific network (www.pitt.edu/~super1) in the Central Asian region in order to rapidly disseminate educational materials. The network began with approximately 60 individuals in five Central Asian countries and has grown to over 1,300 in a few short years. The CAJGH website receives nearly 900 visits per month.The University of Pittsburgh's “open access publishing system” was utilized to create CAJGH in 2012. There are two branches of the CAJGH editorial board: Astana (at the Center for Life Sciences, Nazarbayev University) and Pittsburgh (WHO Collaborating Center). Both are comprised of leading scientists and expert staff who work together throughout the review and publication process. Two complete issues have been published since 2012 and a third is now underway. Even though CAJGH is a new journal, the editorial board uses a rigorous review process; fewer than 50% of all submitted articles are forwarded to peer review or accepted for publication. Furthermore, in 2014, CAJGH will apply to be cross referenced in PubMed and Scopes.CAJGH is one of the first English language journals in the Central Asian region that reaches a large number of scientists. This journal fills a unique niche that will assist scientists in Kazakhstan and Central Asia publish their research findings and share their knowledge with others around the region and the world.
Herbal extracts in the treatment of Diabetic Foot Syndrome
Authors: Kustova Tatyana , Karpenyuk Tatyana , Goncharova Alla , Mamonov Leonid , Ross Samir
Published: January 2014

Introduction: One of the most serious complications of diabetes is the formation of Diabetic Foot Syndrome. Herbal extracts that combine high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties can be used to treat the resulting neuropathy.The aim of this study was to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of crude extracts isolated from plants growing in Kazakhstan, which could be used to develop products for treatment of Diabetic Foot Syndrome.Method: Different solvents, including dichloromethane and ethanol, were used to prepare plant extracts. The crude extracts from the plants were tested for antimicrobial activity using a modified version of the CLSI/NCCLS methods. All organisms were obtained from American Type Culture Collection. These included the fungi Candida glabrata ATTC 90030, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus ATCC 43300. The 2,2-diphеnyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging assay were used to analyzed the antioxidant capacity.Results: The results clearly indicate that antibacterial and antifungal activities vary with plant species. Dichloromethane extracts produced favorable results in all assays. Epilobium hirsutum, Rhodiola quadrifida, Rumex confertus showed antifungal activity against Candida glabrata in all extracts where IC50 less than 3 μg/ml. Rumex confertus, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis and Vexibia alopecuroides showed anti-fungal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (IC50 =10.80 μg/ml), (IC50 =11.10 μg/ml), (IC50 =3.05 μg/ml) and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (IC50 =16.20 μg/ml), (IC50 =11.00 μg/ml), (IC50 =2.90 μg/ml) respectively.  In spite of this, Vexibia alopecuroides extract showed no antioxidant activity. The other extracts showed a dose dependent ABTS scavenging activity. IC50 values were for the following: 6.6 μg/ml Epilobium hirsutum; 4.5 μg/ml Rumex confertus; 3.8 μg/ml Rhodiola quadrifida, 5.7 μg/ml Glycyrrhiza Uralensis. Extracts of Epilobium hirsutum and Rumex confertus had high antioxidant activity greater than 85% inhibition of DPPH (P ≤ 0.05).Conclusion: The demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant activities showed evidence supporting the use of herbal extracts to treat Diabetic Foot Syndrome.
Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk in Kazakhstan
Authors: Akilzhanova Ainur , Abilova Zhannur , Sikhayeva Nurgul , Shtefanov Ivan , Makishev Abay , Adylkhanov Tasbolat , Rakhypbekov Tolebay , Zhumadilov Zhaxybay , Momynaliev Kuvat
Published: January 2014

Introduction: The steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is thought to protect against breast cancer. The activity of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is mediated via the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and a number of polymorphisms in the VDR gene have been identified. These result in distinct genotypes, some of which may alter susceptibility to breast cancer. Two common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the VDR gene (VDR), rs1544410 (BsmI) and rs2228570 (FokI), have been inconsistently associated with breast cancer risk. Increased risk has been reported for the FokI ff genotype, which encodes a less transcriptionally active isoform of VDR. A reduced risk has been reported for the BsmI BB genotype which may influence VDR mRNA stability.Aim: We have investigated whether specific VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with breast cancer risk in Kazakhstan women.Material and Methods: In a case–control study, female breast cancer patients (315) and a female control group (n=604) were tested for two VDR polymorphisms. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS19.0.Results: The VDR rs2228570 (FokI) polymorphism was associated with an increased occurence of BC [rs2228570 (folk) ff vs. FF genotype: OR=1.71; 95% CI=1.21-2.43]. No association was noted between rs1544410 (BsmI) BB and breast cancer risk [OR=0.68; 95% CI=0.49-0.95].Conclusion: Although the factors that increase breast cancer susceptibility remain uncertain, future large studies should integrate genetic variation in VDR with biomarkers of vitamin D status. Additional testing on the effect of varying genotypes on the functional mechanisms of the VDR could help to improve future testing and treatment of woman at risk for breast cancer.
The need for standardized biobanks in Kazakhstan
Authors: Momynaliev Kuvat , Imanbekova Meruert
Published: January 2014

Biobanks are an important tool for clinical and research studies conducted on biomarkers of genetic therapy, diagnostic tests and new drugs; however, most biobanks remain incomplete and are often used without uniform standards and criteria. There is also a a lack of high-quality biological samples and many bioethical problems are often overlooked.Currently, Kazakhstan has no standard requirements and protocols for biomedical organizations. However, .an analysis of published data shows that possibly hundreds of samples are analyzed. Therefore, an establishment of biobank with standardized requirements could create better quality research.The National Center for Biotechnology has already started a biobank with more than 1,500 blood samples, with the ultimate goal of creating a biobank including around 10,000 blood samples of healthy volunteers, the same number of samples obtained from individuals with cardiovascular and endocrine diseases with samples stored under special conditions. The database contains demographic characteristics of donor’s medical history. Informed consent for research received from all donors. This biobank can be considered as a national resource for scientific research.