bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Impact Development Design—Integrating Suitability Analysis and Site Planning for Reduction of Post-Development Stormwater Quantity
Authors: Wang Xinhao , Shuster William , Pal Chandrima , Buchberger Steven , Bonta James , Avadhanula Kiran
Published: August 2010

A land-suitability analysis (LSA) was integrated with open-space conservation principles, based on watershed physiographic and soil characteristics, to derive a low-impact development (LID) residential plan for a three hectare site in Coshocton OH, USA. The curve number method was used to estimate total runoff depths expected from different frequency storms for: (i) the pre-development condition, (ii) a conventional design, (iii) LID design based on the LSA of same building size; and (iv) LID design based on the LSA with reduced building footprints. Post-development runoff depths for the conventional design increased by 55 percent over those for the pre-development condition. Runoff depth for the same building size LSA-LID design was only 26 percent greater than that for the pre-development condition, and 17% for the design with reduced building sizes. Results suggest that prudent use of LSA may improve prospects and functionality of low-impact development, reduce stormwater flooding volumes and, hence, lower site-development costs.
The Limits to Transforming the Environment and the Limits to Sociological Knowledge
Authors: Schroeder Ralph
Published: August 2010

This paper argues that the social sciences are fragmented in addressing the environmental challenge of increasing resource depletion. To address this problem, the paper puts forward a framework which encompasses several disciplinary approaches, and above all a long-term historical perspective and a realist sociology of science and technology which, in combination, provide a means of understanding the disruptive changes in the transformation of the environment. The paper then focuses on energy and gives an overview of the various social forces that can potentially counteract the future tensions arising from the foreseeable depletion of energy sources. It argues that only some of these countervailing forces—namely state intervention and technological innovation—provide viable potential solutions to these tensions. However, these solutions themselves face severe constraints. The paper concludes by arguing that a realistic assessment of constraints is the most useful, though limited, service that social science can contribute to our understanding of the relation between social and environmental transformation.
Association of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins with Spinal Fusion in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: CHEN HUNG-AN , CHEN CHUN-HSIUNG , LIN YEONG-JANG , CHEN PEI-CHIH , CHEN WEI-SHENG , LU CHIN-LI , CHOU CHUNG-TEI
Published: August 2010

Objective.

To measure serum concentrations of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to investigate the relationship between BMP and clinical manifestations and radiographic changes.

Methods.

We studied 60 consecutive AS patients with and 60 patients without spinal fusion. Spinal radiographs were assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI) and the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS). Spinal fusion was defined as the presence of total bony bridging between 2 adjacent vertebral bodies in either the lumbar or cervical spine. Serum levels of BMP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results.

Patients with spinal fusion had higher serum levels of BMP-2 and BMP-4 than either the healthy controls or patients without spinal fusion (p < 0.001), but there was no difference between the latter 2 groups. Serum BMP-7, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were elevated in patients with spinal fusion compared with those without (p < 0.05). Serum BMP-4 and BMP-7 levels were higher in patients with hip involvement than in those without (p < 0.05). BMP-2 and BMP-4 levels had a significant correlation with spinal radiograph scores, especially for BASRI of the lumbar spine (r = 0.356 and 0.348, respectively, p < 0.001). CRP showed a significant correlation with spine BASRI and mSASSS scores (r = 0.261 and 0.260, respectively, p < 0.05).

Conclusion.

Rising levels of BMP in AS patients with spinal fusion and the positive correlation between BMP and spinal radiograph scores indicate that BMP may play a role in the process of spinal ankylosis. Serum levels of BMP may reflect radiographic progression of the spine and hip joints.
Increased Interleukin 21 (IL-21) and IL-23 Are Associated with Increased Disease Activity and with Radiographic Status in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: RASMUSSEN TUE KRUSE , ANDERSEN THOMAS , HVID MALENE , HETLAND MERETE LUND , HØRSLEV-PETERSEN KIM , STENGAARD-PEDERSEN KRISTIAN , HOLM CHRISTIAN KANSTRUP , DELEURAN BENT
Published: August 2010

Objective.

To investigate the levels of the T helper (Th)17-related cytokines interleukin 17A (IL-17A), IL-21, and IL-23 and their association with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

In a longitudinal sample set from patients with early RA (< 6 months; n = 40), we measured the plasma cytokine levels of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-23 and analyzed for correlation with disease activity in 28 joints (Disease Activity Score 28-joint count; DAS28), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and total Sharp score (TSS). In a transverse sample set of patients with chronic RA (> 8 years), using paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells and synovial fluid mononuclear cells, we investigated the cellular expression of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-23R.

Results.

Patients with early-stage RA had significantly increased plasma levels of IL-21 and IL-23, but not IL-17A, compared to patients with chronic RA and healthy volunteer controls. Plasma levels of IL-21 and IL-23 after 12 months of treatment correlated with DAS28 and ESR, but not to TSS. Changes in IL-23 plasma levels from time of diagnosis to 12 months correlated with change in DAS28 and with TSS scores at 2 years. The numbers of CD4+ T cells producing IL-21 were significantly increased in the synovial fluid of patients with chronic RA, with only marginal coexpression of IL-21 and IL-17A.

Conclusion.

Our results show a significant association between plasma levels of IL-21 and IL-23 and disease activity in RA, supporting the hypothesis that IL-21 and IL-23 are important pathogenic factors of this disease.
Knowledge Management Success Models
Authors: Jennex Murray E.
Published: August 2010

Alavi and Leidner (2001, p. 114) defined knowledge management systems (KMSs) as “IT-based systems developed to support and enhance the organizational processes of knowledge creation, storage/retrieval, transfer, and application.” They observed that not all KM initiatives will implement an IT solution, but they support IT as an enabler of KM. Maier (2002) expanded on the IT concept for the KMS by calling it an ICT system that supported the functions of knowledge creation, construction, identification, capturing, acquisition, selection, valuation, organization, linking, structuring, formalization, visualization, distribution, retention, maintenance, refinement, evolution, access, search, and application. Stein and Zwass (1995) define an organizational memory information system (OMIS) as the processes and IT components necessary to capture, store, and bring to bear knowledge created in the past on decisions currently being made. Jennex and Olfman (2004) expanded this definition by incorporating the OMS into the KMS and adding strategy and service components to the KMS.
Measuring Organizational Learning as a Multidimensional Construct
Authors: Real Juan C. , Leal Antonio , Roldan Jose L.
Published: August 2010

The traditional way of measuring learning as a result has been through the so-called learning and experience curves. The learning curves, developed within the production framework (Levitt & March, 1988), relate the manufacturing cost of a product to the accumulated experience in its production. This establishes that its cost decreases as the number of units made increases. At first, although this relationship was limited to the direct labour cost, it later extends to the total production cost.
Organizational Needs Analysis and Knowledge Management
Authors: Douglas Ian
Published: August 2010

Knowledge management is one of several humanoriented interventions (such as training, human factors design, automation, and human resources management) that are targeted at improving the performance of people and organizations. The analysis stage preceding the development of a human-oriented intervention is often misunderstood and neglected by both practitioners and potential customers of the analysis. Very often there is a rush to find a “silver bullet” solution that impedes careful analysis of the problem and evaluation of all the possible solutions and how they might be blended together. The key to any good analysis is an approach that will be referred to throughout this article as organizational needs analysis (ONA), (the idea behind it has often been linked with a variety of other terms such as performance analysis, human performance technology, performance improvement, and front-end analysis). The basis of ONA is that before undertaking any significant change to an organization, it is first necessary to study and understand the organizational system, the goals of the organization, potential causes for lack of effectiveness or efficiency in achieving those goals, and building a research foundation for the selection of appropriate solutions from a full knowledge of all the possible interventions (and their variants).
Electronic Games Improve Adult Learning in Diverse Populations
Authors: Tennyson Robert D. , Jorczak Robert L.
Published: August 2010

Impressed by the motivation and effort displayed by players of complex and highly interactive electronic games, psychological researchers seek to apply gaming techniques to enhance globalization of diverse populations in problem solving and decision making. Researchers are interested in identifying characteristics of entertainment games that influence player motivation and learning. From the perspective of Interactive Cognitive Complexity theory, researchers need to examine how game variables relate to key learning components, including learner affect, cognitive strategy, and knowledge/skill acquisition. From a learning perspective, video simulation games are primarily a series of problem solving interactions set in a specific virtual context and using various learning aids that support the solving of problems to achieve the object of the game. Cognitive problem solving factors and strategies are; therefore, key independent variables for learning game studies. In creating such a framework, the authors propose five conceptual categories of instructionally relevant game variables: (1) virtual context, (2) problem specification, (3) interaction and control, (4) learning support, and (5) social interaction. Proposed is that electronic gaming methodology, founded in cognitive learning theory, will enhance efficient and effective development efforts to improve learning of global management strategies.
Can Global Environment Influence B2B Relationships?
Authors: Samanta Irene , Kyriazopoulos P.
Published: August 2010

The research examines whether the changes that have taken place in the global business environment have modulated the way firms do business or whether it is simply transient details that have caused such excitement. Should firms be wary of any proclamations of ‘new’ ways of doing business? Or should they ignore changes of the business environment? Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted in three focus groups of managers from three major firms operating in Greece. The influence of globalization, the intense competition and new technologies in B2B e-commerce are external factors that raise problems and complexities in the future direction of Greek firms. There is also a gap caused by the lack of an innovation culture between top and lesser management. Businesses are required to modernise their practices to move from their present situation at the level of the 2nd industrial revolution of “old economy” to the 3rd industrial revolution of “new era economy”. The results of this research can be used to assist companies to move to e- business taking into consideration account the external and internal factors with regard to the ways in which e-relationships can be modulated.
Pricing Model Dynamics in the Chinese Online Game Market
Authors: Ren Qun , Hardwick Philip
Published: August 2010

This chapter examines how incumbent firms respond to the industrial pricing dynamics with the adjustment of their own pricing strategies so as to create and sustain their market share dominance. The empirical context of this chapter is the strategic behavior of online game operators (i.e. the companies who operate online games) in the Chinese online game market, one of the most active markets in the world with strong network effects. This chapter introduces Velu’s business model theory in the market with strong networks. Further, in this research, the authors extend Velu’s research by challenging some of his propositions by a careful observation of pricing dynamics in the Chinese online game industry since 2000 and how dominant and non-dominant incumbent firms adjust their pricing strategy. In the Findings Part, this paper explains why acquisition is regarded by main dominant game operators as the most effective way to complement their pricing model revolution.
Broadcast Digital Migration Policy in South Africa
Authors: Madikiza Lucky
Published: August 2010

All countries in the world, are compelled to migrate their analogue terrestrial television systems to digital by the year 2015 as stipulated by the International Telecommunications Union. The old analogue transmission signals will be eventually switched off and so countries need to upgrade their television systems so that they can receive digital signals. This has necessitated government intervention in the form of policies or strategies to manage this transition process from analogue to digital. This chapter looks at the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television migration in South Africa. It considers South Africa’s Digital Migration Policy as a framework meant to advance the introduction of digital terrestrial television. Since the process is still in motion and we are looking at a start of a transition period towards the eventual cut-off date of analogue signals in 2015, there are therefore no definite conclusions about whether the South African case can be considered entirely successful. The effort of this chapter is merely to gauge the policy effort and rollout activities made thus far towards digital migration, highlighting potential drawbacks.
ICT Security Policy in a Higher Education Institution in Malaysia
Authors: Sulaiman Fardzah , Ramayah T. , Omar Azizah
Published: August 2010

Information and communication technology (ICT) is an important strategic and essential functional requirement for many institutions of higher learning. In the developing world, ICT is achieving breakthrough in management and teaching through online learning, which helps to cater for the increasing student population. However, the security of the information being processed stored and exchanged is a growing concern to the management as the dependence on ICT for most of the institutions’ core services functions are increasing. This chapter discusses the current state of ICT security policy practices in University Science of Malaysia (USM); one of the Higher Education Institution in Malaysia. USM has been granted accelerated programme for excellence (APEX) status due to the mission of readiness, transformation plan and preparedness to change and transform it into Malaysia‘s first world-class university. The discussion encapsulates the problems, consequences of ICT risks and ICT awareness. Furthermore, it highlights the ICT policy guideline, ICT security policy formulation, ICT security management safeguards, principles and ICT security and adherence compliance plan.
Positioning Library and Information Services for User Satisfaction through ICT Policy Formulation in Nigeria
Authors: Osondu Mary C. , Solomon-Uwakwe Blessing
Published: August 2010

This chapter focuses on how user satisfaction can be enhanced in library and information centers through the formulation and implementation of effective ICT policies in Nigeria. It describes the benefits of ICT to users especially in the library and information service, failure of the Nigerian National ICT Policy to address ICT needs of library section and the difficulties this would pose to the library and information service in the satisfaction of the user’s needs. The chapter therefore suggests policy line of action that can address this gap. Recommendations geared towards achieving user satisfaction in the library and information service are set forth.
Using Geographic Information System to Infollow the Fertilizers Pollution Migration
Authors: Sallam Gehan A.H. , Youssef Tahani , Embaby Mohamed El-Sayed , Shaltot Fatma
Published: August 2010

In recent years, many countries have faced great challenges due to their limited water resources. According to these challenges, they have undertaken large scale projects to reuse agricultural drainage water in irrigation purpose. The Governments in these countries can enhance water management and sustainable development by adopting policies that enable them to meet water demands and supply management. Therefore, there is a need for unconventional methods to provide better tools for the assessment and management of water quality problems to adopt management policies and set the limits for sustainable drainage water reuse. The implementation of Geographic Information System (GIS) in this field offers an ideal tool for measurements with limited number of sampled points. Statistical analysis that can be provided within GIS is rapidly becoming an impressive tool for statistical analysis of continuous data. The main objective of this chapter is to discuss using GIS to in-follow the pollution caused by fertilizers migration to the water and the soil by applying statistical analysis within the GIS using geostatistical analyst. Geostatistical analyst is an extension of Arc Map™ that bridges the gap between geostatistics and GIS and provides a powerful collection of tools for the management and visualization of spatial data by applying Spatial Statistics.
Face, Image, and Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yu-Jin , Zhang Yu-Jin , Molina J.L. , Giordano R. , Bromley J.
Published: August 2010

Face image analysis, consisting of automatic investigation of images of (human) faces, is a hot research topic and a fruitful field. This introductory chapter discusses several aspects of the history and scope of face image analysis and provides an outline of research development publications of this domain. More prominently, different modules and some typical techniques for face image analysis are listed, explained, described, or summarized from a general technical point of view. One picture of the advancements and the front of this complex and prominent field is provided. Finally, several challenges and prominent development directions for the future are identified.
Forty Years of Federal Legislation in the Area of Data Protection and Information Security
Authors: Cassini John , Medlin B. Dawn , Romaniello Adriana
Published: August 2010

Historically, the United States has attempted to address the issues of an individual’s right to information privacy and security through legislative actions. More specifically, the execution of legislation that addresses information security and privacy has been implemented in particular areas such as health care, banking, and education as well as other industries. This chapter presents an overview of the laws that have addressed the growth of security and privacy threats that havegrown over the years.
National Information and Communication Technology Policy Process in Developing Countries
Authors: Achugbue Edwin I. , Akporido C.E.
Published: August 2010

This chapter discusses national information and communication technology policy process in developing countries. It describes the need for information and communication technology policy, ICT policy development process, national ICT policy in developing countries, the role of an ICT policy in the developing country, factors affecting the formulation of national ICT policies and the future of national ICT policy was also discussed.
H2AX Phosphorylation: Its Role in DNA Damage Response and Cancer Therapy
Authors: Podhorecka Monika , Skladanowski Andrzej , Bozko Przemyslaw
Published: August 2010

Double‐strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious DNA lesions, which, if left unrepaired, may have severe consequences for cell survival, as they lead to chromosome aberrations, genomic instability, or cell death. Various physical, chemical, and biological factors are involved in DSB induction. Cells respond to DNA damage by activating the so‐called DNA damage response (DDR), a complex molecular mechanism developed to detect and repair DNA damage. The formation of DSBs triggers activation of many factors, including phosphorylation of the histone variant H2AX, producing γH2AX. Phosphorylation of H2AX plays a key role in DDR and is required for the assembly of DNA repair proteins at the sites containing damaged chromatin as well as for activation of checkpoints proteins which arrest the cell cycle progression. In general, analysis of γH2AX expression can be used to detect the genotoxic effect of different toxic substances. When applied to clinical samples from cancer patients, evaluation of γH2AX levels may allow not only to monitor the efficiency of anticancer treatment but also to predict of tumor cell sensitivity to DNA damaging anticancer agents and toxicity of anticancer treatment toward normal cells.
Fundamental Solutions of Kohn Sub-Laplacians on Anisotropic Heisenberg Groups and H-type Groups
Authors: Jin Yongyang , Zhang Genkai
Published: August 2010

We prove that the fundamental solutions of Kohn sub-LaplaciansΔ+iα∂ton the anisotropic Heisenberg groups are tempered distributions and have meromorphic continuation in α with simple poles. We compute the residues and find the partial fundamental solutions at the poles. We also find formulas for the fundamental solutions for some matrix-valued Kohn type sub-Laplacians on H-type groups.
Clinical and Demographic Stratification of Test Performance: A Pooled Analysis of Five Laboratory Diagnostic Methods for American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Boggild Andrea K. , Ramos Ana P. , Espinosa Diego , Valencia Braulio M. , Veland Nicolas , Miranda-Verastegui Cesar , Arevalo Jorge , Low Donald E. , Llanos-Cuentas Alejandro
Published: August 2010

We evaluated performance characteristics of five diagnostic methods for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Patients who came to the Leishmania Clinic of Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia in Lima, Peru, were enrolled in the study. Lesion smears, culture, microculture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and leishmanin skin test (LST) were performed. A total of 145 patients with 202 lesions were enrolled: 114 patients with 161 lesions fulfilled criteria for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Sensitivity and specificity were 57.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 50.2–65.4%) and 100.0% for culture, 78.3% (95% CI = 71.9–84.7%) and 100.0% for microculture, 71.4% (95% CI = 64.4–78.4%) and 100.0% for smears, 78.2% (95% CI = 70.6–85.8%) and 77.4% (95% CI = 62.7–92.1%) for LST, and 96.9% (95% CI = 94.2–99.6%) and 65.9% (95% CI = 51.4–80.4%) for PCR. PCR was more sensitive than the other assays (P < 0.001). Sensitivities of culture, smears, and LST varied by lesion duration and appearance. PCR offers performance advantages over other assays, irrespective of patient age, sex, lesion duration, or appearance. That clinical factors influence performance of non-molecular assays offers clinicians a patient-focused approach to diagnostic test selection.
Frequency Distribution of Antimalarial Drug Resistance Alleles among Plasmodium falciparum Isolates from Gezira State, Central Sudan, and Gedarif State, Eastern Sudan
Authors: Menegon Michela , Talha Albadawi A. , Severini Carlo , Elbushra Sayed M. , Mohamedani Ahmed A. , Malik Elfatih M. , Mohamed Tarig A. , Wernsdorfer Walther H. , Majori Giancarlo , Nour Bakri Y. M.
Published: August 2010

In 2004, Sudan adopted artesunate + sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) combination as the first-line drug, in response to the high level of falciparum resistance to antimalarials. In 2007, a molecular study on antimalarial resistance linked genes, pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfdhfr, pfdhps, and pfATPase6, was conducted on 198 isolates from central and eastern Sudan. We observed a high frequency of point mutations at almost all loci analyzed, mainly of pfcrt 76T (72.7%), pfdhfr 51I (75.3%), and pfdhfr 108N (72.7%) alleles. The MARK III in vitro test for chloroquine sensitivity in 45 P. falciparum isolates showed that 37.8% of the isolates were low resistant and 6.7% were fully resistant. This study represents the most recent molecular investigation on antimalarial resistance in this area after the adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), and underlines the importance of the analysis of SP resistance evolution to monitor the efficacy of ACT therapy in endemic areas.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Young Thai Men
Authors: Jatapai Anchalee , Nelson Kenrad E. , Chuenchitra Thippawan , Kana Khunakorn , Eiumtrakul Sakol , Sunantarod Ekachai , Rangsin Ram
Published: August 2010

Epidemiologic studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are unusual in developing countries, especially Thailand. We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for HCV among military conscripts, including a sample of 5,246 men (1:30 sample), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 positive men (N = 500) between 2005 and 2008. The HCV prevalence was 2.2% in the sampled group and 8.4% in HIV-1 sero-positives. Among the sampled group, HIV-1 infection, injection drug use (IDU) history, and unsafe injections were associated with HCV infection; adjusted prevalence rate ratios [RRs; 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] were 3.7 (1.04–12.77), 1.9 (1.04–3.54), and 1.8 (1.02–3.11), respectively. Among HIV-1 sero-positives, an IDU history and residence in southern Thailand were associated with HCV prevalence; adjusted RRs (95% CIs) were 3.5 (1.71–7.24) and 2.6 (1.18–5.61), respectively. Public health measures to prevent HCV in Thailand should focus on reducing injection drug use and other exposures to unsafe injections among young Thai men.
Vector–Host Interactions in Avian Nests: Do Mosquitoes Prefer Nestlings over Adults?
Authors: Burkett-Cadena Nathan D. , Ligon Russell A. , Liu Mark , Hassan Hassan K. , Hill Geoffrey E. , Eubanks Micky D. , Unnasch Thomas R.
Published: August 2010

The hypothesis that nestlings are a significant driver of arbovirus transmission and amplification is based upon findings that suggest nestlings are highly susceptible to being fed upon by vector mosquitoes and to viral infection and replication. Several previous studies have suggested that nestlings are preferentially fed upon relative to adults in the nest, and other studies have reported a preference for adults over nestlings. We directly tested the feeding preference of nestling and adult birds in a natural setting, introducing mosquitoes into nesting boxes containing eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis), collecting blood-fed mosquitoes, and matching the source of mosquito blood meals to individual birds using microsatellite markers. Neither nestlings nor adults were fed upon to an extent significantly greater than would be predicted based upon their relative abundance in the nests, although feeding upon mothers decreased as the age of the nestlings increased.
Efficacy of Miltefosine for the Treatment of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Authors: Vélez Iván , López Liliana , Sánchez Ximena , Mestra Laureano , Rojas Carlos , Rodríguez Erwin
Published: August 2010

Miltefosine is an oral agent used for cutaneous leishmaniasis treatment. An open-label, randomized, phase III clinical trial was carried out in the Colombian army population. Miltefosine, 50 mg capsule was taken orally three times per day for 28 days (N = 145) or meglumine antimoniate, 20 mg/kg body weight per day for 20 days by intramuscular injection (N = 143). The efficacy of miltefosine by protocol was 69.8% (85/122 patients) and 58.6% (85/145 patients) by intention to treat. For meglumine antimoniate, the efficacy by protocol was 85.1% (103/121 patients) and 72% (103/143 patients) by intention to treat. No association was found between drug efficacy and L. (V.) braziliensis or L. (V.) panamensis species of Leishmania responsible for infection. Adverse gastrointestinal events were associated with the use of miltefosine, the meglumine antimoniate treatment was associated with adverse effects on the skeletal musculature, fever, cephalea, and higher toxicity in kidney, liver, pancreas, and hematological system.
Preliminary Characterization of Mus musculus–Derived Pathogenic Strains of Leptospira borgpetersenii Serogroup Ballum in a Hamster Model
Authors: da Silva Éverton F. , Félix Samuel R. , Cerqueira Gustavo M. , Fagundes Michel Q. , Neto Amilton C. P. S. , Grassmann André A. , Amaral Marta G. , Gallina Tiago , Dellagostin Odir A.
Published: August 2010

Human and animal leptospirosis caused by Leptospira spp. belonging to serogroup Ballum has increased worldwide in the past decade. We report the isolation and serologic and molecular characterization of four L. borgpetersenii serogroup Ballum isolates obtained from Mus musculus, and preliminary virulence studies. These isolates are useful for diagnosis of leptospirosis and for epidemiologic studies of its virulence and pathogenic mechanisms.
Multiple Zoonotic Pathogens Identified in Canine Feces Collected from a Remote Canadian Indigenous Community
Authors: Himsworth Chelsea G. , Skinner Stuart , Chaban Bonnie , Jenkins Emily , Wagner Brent A. , Harms N. Jane , Leighton Frederick A. , Thompson R. C. Andrew , Hill Janet E.
Published: August 2010

Five genera of potentially zoonotic bacteria and parasites were detected in environmentally collected fecal samples from a remote indigenous community in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. Organisms identified include Toxocara canis, Echniococcus granulosus, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., and Campylobacter spp. The prevalence and intensity of Giardia spp. and Campylobacter spp. in fecal samples was particularly remarkable. Three-quarters of samples tested contained at least one zoonotic species of Campylobacter, and C. jejuni-containing feces had an average of 2.9 × 105 organisms/g. Over one-half of samples tested contained Giardia spp. with an average of 9,266 cysts/g. Zoonotic G. duodenalis Assemblage A was the only Giardia spp. genotype identified. These data suggest that canine feces have the potential to pose a significant health risk to Canadians in rural and remote indigenous communities.
Historical (1850–2000) gridded anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions of reactive gases and aerosols: methodology and application
Authors: Lamarque J.-F. , Bond T. C. , Eyring V. , Granier C. , Heil A. , Klimont Z. , Lee D. , Liousse C. , Mieville A. , Owen B. , Schultz M. G. , Shindell D. , Smith S. J. , Stehfest E. , Van Aardenne J. , Cooper O. R. , Kainuma M. , Mahowald N. , McConnell J. R. , Naik V. , Riahi K. , van Vuuren D. P.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. We present and discuss a new dataset of gridded emissions covering the historical period (1850–2000) in decadal increments at a horizontal resolution of 0.5° in latitude and longitude. The primary purpose of this inventory is to provide consistent gridded emissions of reactive gases and aerosols for use in chemistry model simulations needed by climate models for the Climate Model Intercomparison Program #5 (CMIP5) in support of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment report (AR5). Our best estimate for the year 2000 inventory represents a combination of existing regional and global inventories to capture the best information available at this point; 40 regions and 12 sectors are used to combine the various sources. The historical reconstruction of each emitted compound, for each region and sector, is then forced to agree with our 2000 estimate, ensuring continuity between past and 2000 emissions. Simulations from two chemistry-climate models are used to test the ability of the emission dataset described here to capture long-term changes in atmospheric ozone, carbon monoxide and aerosol distributions. The simulated long-term change in the Northern mid-latitudes surface and mid-troposphere ozone is not quite as rapid as observed. However, stations outside this latitude band show much better agreement in both present-day and long-term trend. The model simulations indicate that the concentration of carbon monoxide is underestimated at the Mace Head station; however, the long-term trend over the limited observational period seems to be reasonably well captured. The simulated sulfate and black carbon deposition over Greenland is in very good agreement with the ice-core observations spanning the simulation period. Finally, aerosol optical depth and additional aerosol diagnostics are shown to be in good agreement with previously published estimates and observations.
Identification of potential regional sources of atmospheric total gaseous mercury in Windsor, Ontario, Canada using hybrid receptor modeling
Authors: Xu X. , Akhtar U. S.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Windsor (Ontario, Canada) experiences trans-boundary air pollution as it is located on the border immediately downwind of industrialized regions of the United States of America. A study was conducted in 2007 to identify the potential regional sources of total gaseous mercury (TGM) and investigate the effects of regional sources and other factors on seasonal variability of TGM concentrations in Windsor. TGM concentration was measured at the University of Windsor campus using a Tekran® 2537A Hg vapour analyzer. An annual mean of 2.02±1.63 ng/m3 was observed in 2007. The average TGM concentration was high in the summer (2.48±2.68 ng/m3) and winter (2.17±2.01 ng/m3), compared to spring (1.88±0.78 ng/m3) and fall (1.76±0.58 ng/m3). Hybrid receptor modeling potential source contribution function (PSCF) was used by incorporating 72-h backward trajectories and measurements of TGM in Windsor. The results of PSCF were analyzed in conjunction with the Hg emissions inventory of North America (by state/province) to identify regions affecting Windsor. In addition to annual modeling, seasonal PSCF modeling was also conducted. The potential source region was identified between 24–61° N and 51–143° W. Annual PSCF modeling identified major sources southwest of Windsor, stretching from Ohio to Texas. The emissions inventory also supported the findings, as Hg emissions were high in those regions. Results of seasonal PSCF modeling were analyzed to find the combined effects of regional sources, meteorological conditions, and surface re-emissions, on seasonal variability of Hg concentrations. It was found that the summer and winter highs of atmospheric Hg can be attributed to areas where large numbers of coal fired power plants are located in the USA. Weak atmospheric dispersion due to low winds and high re-emission from surfaces due to higher temperatures also contributed to high concentrations in the summer. In the winter, the atmospheric removal of Hg was slow, but strong winds led to more dispersion, resulting in lower concentrations than the summer. Future studies could use smaller grid sizes and refined emission inventories, for more accurate analysis of source-receptor relationship of atmospheric Hg.
Solar radiation trend across China in recent decades: a revisit with quality-controlled data
Authors: Tang W.-J. , Yang K. , Qin J. , Cheng C. C. K. , He J.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Solar radiation is one of the most important factors affecting climate and environment, and its long-term variation is of much concern in climate change studies. In the light of the limited number of radiation stations with reliable long-term time series observations, this paper presents a new evaluation of the long-term variation of surface solar radiation over China by combining quality-controlled observed data and two radiation models. One is the ANN-based (Artificial Neutral Network) model and the other is a physical one. The two models produced radiation trends comparable to the observed ones at a few stations possessing reliable and continuous data. Then, the trend estimation is extended by the ANN-based model to all 96 radiation stations and furthermore extended by the physical model to all 716 China Meteorological Administration (CMA) routine stations. The new estimate trend is different from previous ones in two aspects. First, the magnitude of solar radiation over China decreased by about −0.19 W m−2 yr−1 between 1961 and 2000, which is greatly less in magnitude than trends estimated in previous studies (ranging over −0.41 to −0.52 W m−2 yr−1). Second, the "From Dimming to Brightening" transition in China during the late 1980s and the early 1990s was addressed in previous studies, but this study indicates the solar radiation reached a stable level since the 1990s and the transition is not noticeable. These differences are attributed to inappropriate data and approaches in previous studies.
The detection of cloud-free snow-covered areas using AATSR measurements
Authors: Istomina L. G. , von Hoyningen-Huene W. , Kokhanovsky A. A. , Burrows J. P.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. A new method to detect cloud-free snow-covered areas has been developed using the measurements by the Advanced Along Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) on board the ENVISAT satellite in order to discriminate clear snow fields for the retrieval of aerosol optical thickness or snow properties. The algorithm uses seven AATSR channels from visible (VIS) to thermal infrared (TIR) and analyses the spectral behaviour of each pixel in order to recognize the spectral signature of snow. The algorithm includes a set of relative thresholds and combines all seven channels into one flexible criterion, which allows us to filter out all the pixels with spectral behaviour similar to that of snow. The algorithm does not use any kind of morphological criteria and does not require the studied surface to have any special structure. The snow spectral shape criterion was determined by a comprehensive theoretical study, which included radiative transfer simulations for various atmospheric conditions as well as studying existing models and measurements of optical and physical properties of snow in different spectral bands. The method has been optimized to detect cloud-free snow-covered areas, and does not produce cloud/land/ocean/snow mask. However, the algorithm can be extended and able to discriminate various kinds of surfaces. The presented method has been validated against Micro Pulse Lidar data and compared to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud mask over snow-covered areas, showing quite good correspondence to each other. Comparison of both MODIS cloud mask and presented snow mask to AATSR operational cloud mask showed that in some cases of snow surface the accuracy of AATSR operational cloud mask is questionable.
Turbulence for different background conditions using fuzzy logic and clustering
Authors: Satheesan K. , Kirkwood S.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Wind and turbulence estimated from MST radar observations in Kiruna, in Arctic Sweden are used to characterize turbulence in the free troposphere using data clustering and fuzzy logic. The root mean square velocity, νfca, a diagnostic of turbulence is clustered in terms of hourly wind speed, direction, vertical wind speed, and altitude of the radar observations, which are the predictors. The predictors are graded over an interval of zero to one through an input membership function. Subtractive data clustering has been applied to classify νfca depending on its homogeneity. Fuzzy rules are applied to the clustered dataset to establish a relationship between predictors and the predictant. The accuracy of the predicted turbulence shows that this method gives very good prediction of turbulence in the troposphere. Using this method, the behaviour of νfca for different wind conditions at different altitudes is studied.
Land use affects the net ecosystem CO2 exchange and its components in mountain grasslands
Authors: Schmitt M. , Bahn M. , Wohlfahrt G. , Tappeiner U. , Cernusca A.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Changes in land use and management have been strongly affecting mountain grassland, however, their effects on the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) and its components have not yet been well documented. We analysed chamber-based estimates of NEE, gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (R) and light use efficiency (LUE) of six mountain grasslands differing in land use and management, and thus site fertility, for the growing seasons of 2002 to 2008. The main findings of the study are that: (1) land use and management affected seasonal NEE, GPP and R, which all decreased from managed to unmanaged grasslands; (2) these changes were explained by differences in leaf area index (LAI), biomass and leaf-area-independent changes that were likely related to photosynthetic physiology; (3) diurnal variations of NEE were primarily controlled by photosynthetically active photon flux density and soil and air temperature; seasonal variations were associated with changes in LAI; (4) parameters of light response curves were generally closely related to each other, and the ratio of R at a reference temperature/ maximum GPP was nearly constant across the sites; (5) similarly to our study, maximum GPP and R for other grasslands on the globe decreased with decreasing land use intensity, while their ratio remained remarkably constant. We conclude that decreasing intensity of management and, in particular, abandonment of mountain grassland lead to a decrease in NEE and its component processes. While GPP and R are generally closely coupled during most of the growing season, GPP is more immediately and strongly affected by land management (mowing, grazing) and season. This suggests that management and growing season length, as well as their possible future changes, may play an important role for the annual C balance of mountain grassland.
Reconstruction of sub-daily rainfall sequences using multinomial multiplicative cascades
Authors: Wang L. , Onof C. , Maksimovic C.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. This work aims to develop a semi-deterministic multiplicative cascade method for producing reliable short-term (sub-daily) rainfall sequences. The scaling feature of sub-daily rainfall sequences is analysed over the timescales of interest (i.e., 5 min to hourly in this research) to help derive the crucial parameters, i.e., the fragmentation ratios, for the proposed method. These derived ratios are then further used to stochastically disaggregate hourly rainfall sequences to 5-min using the multiplicative cascade process. The log-Poisson distributed cascade method is involved in this work to validate the proposed methodology by comparing certain statistics of the generated rainfall sequences over a specific range of timescales. The results demonstrate that the proposed methodology in general has the ability to reproduce the patterns of sub-daily rainfall observations from Greenwich raingauge station in London.
Ensemble modelling of nitrogen fluxes: data fusion for a Swedish meso-scale catchment
Authors: Exbrayat J.-F. , Viney N. R. , Seibert J. , Wrede S. , Frede H.-G. , Breuer L.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Model predictions of biogeochemical fluxes at the landscape scale are highly uncertain, both with respect to stochastic (parameter) and structural uncertainty. In this study 5 different models (LASCAM, LASCAM-S, a self-developed tool, SWAT and HBV-N-D) designed to simulate hydrological fluxes as well as mobilisation and transport of one or several nitrogen species were applied to the mesoscale River Fyris catchment in mid-eastern Sweden. Hydrological calibration against 5 years of recorded daily discharge at two stations gave highly variable results with Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) ranging between 0.48 and 0.83. Using the calibrated hydrological parameter sets, the parameter uncertainty linked to the nitrogen parameters was explored in order to cover the range of possible predictions of exported loads for 3 nitrogen species: nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4) and total nitrogen (Tot-N). For each model and each nitrogen species, predictions were ranked in two different ways according to the performance indicated by two different goodness-of-fit measures: the coefficient of determination R2 and the root mean square error RMSE. A total of 2160 deterministic Single Model Ensembles (SME) was generated using an increasing number of members (from the 2 best to the 10 best single predictions). Finally, the best SME for each model, nitrogen species and discharge station were selected and merged into 330 different Multi-Model Ensembles (MME). The evolution of changes in R2 and RMSE was used as a performance descriptor of the ensemble procedure. In each studied case, numerous ensemble merging schemes were identified which outperformed any of their members. Improvement rates were generally higher when worse members were introduced. The highest improvements were achieved for the nitrogen SMEs compiled with multiple linear regression models with R2 selected members, which resulted in the RMSE decreasing by up to 90%.
The social psychology of seismic hazard adjustment: re-evaluating the international literature
Authors: Solberg C. , Rossetto T. , Joffe H.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. The majority of people at risk from earthquakes do little or nothing to reduce their vulnerability. Over the past 40 years social scientists have tried to predict and explain levels of seismic hazard adjustment using models from behavioural sciences such as psychology. The present paper is the first to synthesise the major findings from the international literature on psychological correlates and causes of seismic adjustment at the level of the individual and the household. It starts by reviewing research on seismic risk perception. Next, it looks at norms and normative beliefs, focusing particularly on issues of earthquake protection responsibility and trust between risk stakeholders. It then considers research on attitudes towards seismic adjustment attributes, specifically beliefs about efficacy, control and fate. It concludes that an updated model of seismic adjustment must give the issues of norms, trust, power and identity a more prominent role. These have been only sparsely represented in the social psychological literature to date.