bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pneumococcal sepsis associated with adrenal apoplexy in a young woman with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Vitola Nicola Maria , Lo Pardo Dante , Cirillo Romualdo , De Roberto Matteo , Crocco Pier Giovanni , Caputo Dario
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND A crude rate of mortality of 5% has been quoted for anorexia nervosa in recent studies. Nowadays the mechanism of death is unclear and various authors recommend that any anorexia nervosa death be reported and that, where possible, an autopsy be performed. METHODS In this work we present a case of sudden death in anorexia nervosa with unexpected autopsy findings. A 21-years-old woman with long-standing anorexia nervosa, severely underweight with a body mass index of 14.47 kg/m2, has been taken to the Emergency Department in very critical conditions. Despite the attempts of resuscitation, she died shortly afterwards. Therefore an autopsy has been requested in order to clarify the causes of death. RESULTS The clinical picture, laboratory parameters, histology and microbiological investigations were consistent with pneumococcal sepsis associated adrenal apoplexy. CONCLUSIONS The cause of death in anorexia nervosa cannot reliably be established from antemortem clinical features. All anorexia nervosa deaths should be reported together with description of necropsy. This may lead to advances in the knowledge and treatment practices.
Advanced directives: open issues
Authors: Negrini Gabriella
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND In Italy Advanced directives have not been regulated by law yet. Moreover, there is a confusion of concepts: advanced directives, refusal of treatment, medical futility and euthanasia are not synonymous.DISCUSSION The following aspects are then discussed: object of directives; elapse of time between their expression and their application; knowledge of the directives and their obligatory nature. The refusal of a treatment that can save a person’s life is a critical subject. There are different ethical points of view: according to lay ethics, the patient’s self-determination prevails; the religious viewpoint, instead, says that life is a gift which we cannot dispose of. In any case, the patient will be confronted with the professional autonomy of the doctor. Should the doctor save a patient’s life in any case or should he achieve best clinical practice, in respect of his will? The doctor should interpret the patient’s will but with caution and judgment. An exemption from responsibility should be provided by law for doctors who respect patient’s living will.
Risk management in acute pulmonary embolism: correlation between right heart dysfunction, pulmonary clots distribution, biomarkers and prognosis
Authors: Masotti Luca , Antonelli Fabio , Venturini Elio , Landini Giancarlo
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Right heart dysfunction (RHD) is related to adverse outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism (PE). AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the relation between RHD, pulmonary clots distribution and biomarkers and prognosis of patients with PE. METHODS We analysed echocardiographic data of 70 patients with diagnosis of PE confirmed by pulmonary computer tomography, hCT. We considered the enddiastolic right/left ventricles ratio > 1 as index of RHD; echocardiographic data were compared with clots distribution in pulmonary vascular tree such as hCT findings and biomarkers. For each patient we calculated the shock index (heart rate/systolic blood pressure ratio, shock defined as ratio ≥ 1). RESULTS Hospital mortality was 8.5%. Mean age of dead patients was significantly higher compared to alive (85.67 vs 71.57 years, p < 0.05). 41% of patients revealed unilateral PE, 59% had bilateral. In 10% of patients main pulmonary artery was interested by clot, 48% of patients had involved one of the main branches, 90% had involved at least one of the lobar branches, 59% one of segmental branches of pulmonary arteries. 52% of patients had RHD. Mortality in RHD patients was 14.8% vs 8% in no RHD, p < 0.05. Mean values of troponin I and D-dimer were significantly higher in RHD patients. Shock index was ≥ 1 in 37.5% of RHD and 20% in no RHD. RHD patients showed significantly higher involvement of main pulmonary artery and its branches and higher bilateral involvement. CONCLUSIONS RHD is related to proximal and bilateral pulmonary clots distribution and troponin I and D-dimer values and poorer prognosis.
A case of suspect “cyanosis”
Authors: Antonucci Elisabetta , Conte Matteo , Di Pumpo Michele , Antonucci Giuseppe
Published: May 2013

CLINICAL CASE A 70-year old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever, asthenia and a suspected stroke. Her medical history showed a congenital cardiopathy (Patent Foramen Ovale, PFO). Skin and oral mucosa pigmentation, orthostatic hypotension, hypoglycemia and hyponatriemia arose the suspect of Addison’s disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by the evaluation of basal levels of plasma ACTH and serum cortisol, and serum cortisol levels after ACTH stimulation. Abdominal CT scan showed atrophy and calcification of adrenal glands. CONCLUSIONS In most cases, Addison’s disease is provoked by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex; however, in our reported patient, tuberculosis could be a possible cause.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular co-morbidities
Authors: Panuccio Domenico , Giusti Massimo
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth largest cause of death worldwide. However, most patients with COPD die from cardiovascular causes (CVD). COPD is an independent risk factor for CVD and a predictor of long-term mortality. There is a high prevalence of traditional risk factors in this patient group, including smoking, sedentary behaviour and low socio-economic class. COPD is now recognized to having both local lung and systemic effects. The mechanism of such systemic effects is not completely known, but it is supposed to be related to enhanced systemic inflammation and to oxidative stress, both implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic process. CONCLUSIONS COPD is frequently associated with congestive heart failure (CHF). It is also a confounding factor for the diagnosis of CHF. In fact, some studies demonstrate that about 20% of patients diagnosed with COPD had also or only CHF. Patients with CHF and associated COPD have less frequently β-blockers prescription than CHF patients without COPD. COPD is a heavy negative prognostic factor for CHF hospitalization and mortality. Pulmonary Embolism (PE) in patients with COPD is generally underdiagnosed, and this last disease is a risk factor for a complicated course of PE, with increased mortality.
Quando si dice una magnifica serata!
Authors: Sgambato Francesco
Published: May 2013

Not available
The internal medicine specialist and the preoperative risk evaluation and management
Authors: Fontana M.C. , Capitelli M. , Cioni G.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND Medical consultation for patients preparing to undergo surgery is an important activity for internists and many of them feel unprepared for this role because of its complexity. They are asked to assess the patient’s status, to detect unknown diseases and to make recommendations concerning medical management of the patient in the peri- and post-operative period to reduce any risk. Topic areas are cardiac risk stratification, pulmonary complications and risk reduction strategies. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this review is to summarize available evidence on preoperative risk stratification and management.
A quantitative analysis of intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans and comparison of homogeneity indices for the treatment of gynecological cancers
Authors: Pathak Pushpraj , Vashisht Sanjeev
Published: May 2013

The aim of present study was to evaluate the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans using different homogeneity and conformity indices in gynecological cancers, as well as to compare and find out the most reliable and accurate measure of the dose homogeneity among the available indices. In this study, a cohort of 12 patients were registered for evaluation, those receiving dynamic IMRT treatment on Clinac-2300C/D linear accelerator with 15-Mega Voltage (MV) photon beam. Dynamic IMRT plans were created on Eclipse treatment planning system with Helios dose volume optimization software. Homogeneity indices (HI) such as H index, modified H index, HI index, modified HI index, and S-index (sigma-index) proposed by M Yoon et al. (2007) were calculated and compared. The values of S-index vary from 1.63 to 2.99. The results indicate that the H and HI indices and their modified versions may not provide the correct dose homogeneity information, but the S-index provides accurate information about the dose homogeneity in the Planning Target Volume (PTV). Each plan was compared with 6-MV photon energy on the basis of S-index and conformity index (CI). Organs at risk (OAR) doses with 6-MV and 15-MV beams were also reported.
Determination of square equivalent field for rectangular field in electron therapy
Authors: Birgani Mohammad J. Tahmasebi , Behrouz Mohammad A. , Aliakbari Saeedeh , Hosseini Seyed M. , Khezerloo Davood
Published: May 2013

Equivalent field for electron beams is considered by using pencil beam theory. According to the Fermi-Eyges model the dose distribution of an electron pencil beam has a Gaussian profile. For this function determination of mean square radial displacement scattering of electrons is important. In this study the contribution of back scatter electron has been taken into account by using the multiple scattering theories for calculating mean square radial displacement scattering. The dimension of standard equivalent field depends on depth and shape of treatment field. Here the depth under study is the depth that mean square radial displacement scattering is extremum and the shape of treatment field is rectangular. In this study four energies were used 6, 9,12 and 15 MeV electron beams of 2100C/D Varian Linac. Findings of this study are based on analytical calculations, which are in good agreement with other experimental data. The findings of this study that were resulted from formula, shows, for all circular fields of radius ≥LSE (lateral scattering equilibrium) were considered broad field and equivalent. For validating the findings, Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) and Output factors were measured in 15 MeV electron beams for 7 × 3-cm, 6 × 4-cm and 4 × 2-cm and their equivalent squares and equivalent circular fields and compared.
Molecular Characterization of a Patient Presumed to Have Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Falaleeva Marina , Sulsona Carlos R. , Zielke Horst R. , Currey Kathleen M. , de la Grange Pierre , Aslanzadeh Vahid , Driscoll Daniel J. , Stamm Stefan
Published: May 2013

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by the loss of RNA expression from an imprinted region on chromosome 15 that includes SNRPN, SNORD115, and SNORD116. Currently, there are no mouse models that faithfully reflect the human phenotype and investigations rely on human post-mortem material. During molecular characterization of tissue deposited in a public brain bank from a patient diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome, we found RNA expression from SNRPN, SNORD115, and SNORD116 which does not support a genetic diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome. The patient was a female, Caucasian nursing home resident with history of morbid obesity (BMI 56.3) and mental retardation. She died at age of 56 from pulmonary embolism. SNORD115 and SNORD116 are unexpectedly stable in post mortem tissue and can be used for post-mortem diagnosis. Molecular characterization of PWS tissue donors can confirm the diagnosis and identify those patients that have been misdiagnosed.
Practical Model for Three-Stage Corrosion Behavior of Galvanized Steel Reinforcement in Soil
Authors: Padilla Victor , Ghods Pouria , Alfantazi Akram
Published: May 2013

Failure of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls attributed to the corrosion of galvanized steel in soil has raised concern on the adequacy of current design requirements. In this work, a numerical model was developed to calculate the corrosion rate of galvanized steel in soil at three different stages of corrosion by considering key soil corrosion parameters, such as resistivity, temperature, moisture content, pH, and oxygen availability. Results show that the proposed model is in agreement with widely accepted empirical models, and can be used for the service-life design and risk assessment of MSE walls and to determine the optimum zinc cover thickness.
Biogenic VOC oxidation and organic aerosol formation in an urban nocturnal boundary layer: aircraft vertical profiles in Houston, TX
Authors: Brown S. S. , Dubé W. P. , Bahreini R. , Middlebrook A. M. , Brock C. A. , Warneke C. , de Gouw J. A. , Washenfelder R. A. , Atlas E. , Peischl J. , Ryerson T. B. , Holloway J. S. , Schwarz J. P. , Spackman R. , Trainer M. , Parrish D. D. , Fehshenfeld F. C. , Ravishankara A. R.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Organic compounds are a large component of aerosol mass, but organic aerosol (OA) sources remain poorly characterized. Recent model studies have suggested nighttime oxidation of biogenic hydrocarbons as a potentially large OA source, but analysis of field measurements to test these predictions is sparse. We present nighttime vertical profiles of nitrogen oxides, ozone, VOCs and aerosol composition measured during low approaches of the NOAA P-3 aircraft to airfields in Houston, TX. This region has large emissions of both biogenic hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. The latter serves as a source of the nitrate radical, NO3, a key nighttime oxidant. Biogenic VOCs (BVOC) and urban pollutants were concentrated within the nocturnal boundary layer (NBL), which varied in depth from 100–400 m. Despite concentrated NOx at low altitude, ozone was never titrated to zero, resulting in rapid NO3 radical production rates of 0.2–2.7ppbv h-1 within the NBL. Monoterpenes and isoprene were frequently present within the NBL and underwent rapid oxidation (up to 1ppbv h−1), mainly by NO3 and to a lesser extent O3. Concurrent enhancement in organic and nitrate aerosol on several profiles was consistent with primary emissions and with secondary production from nighttime BVOC oxidation, with the latter equivalent to or slightly larger than the former. Ratios of organic aerosol to CO within the NBL ranged from 14 to 38 μg m−3 OA/ppmv CO. A box model simulation incorporating monoterpene emissions, oxidant formation rates and monoterpene SOA yields suggested overnight OA production of 0.5 to 9 μg m−3.
The South Aegean seismological network – HSNC
Authors: Hloupis G. , Papadopoulos I. , Makris J. P. , Vallianatos F.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. In the present work, the installation and the technology applied for the operation of the Hellenic Seismological Network of Crete (HSNC), located in the front of the Hellenic Arc, are presented. The topology, the communication modes (wire and satellite) along with data collection and processing methodologies applied leads to the operation of a new seismological infrastructure in South Aegean, one of the most seismically active regions in Europe.
Seismic noise study for a new seismic station at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Kaka S. I.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. In this paper, I describe the work undertaken at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia to select a suitable site for a new broad band seismic station. The new station will be equipped with a 3-component 120 s to 50 Hz Trillium120 broad band seismometer, Taurus 24-bit data acquisition system along with a large LCD to display the waveform data in real-time. The KFUPM community will have an opportunity to observe daily seismic activity in real-time and to monitor/record both regional and teleseismic events. Moreover, students will gain the opportunity to identify P, S, Love, and Rayleigh waves and learn how to locate an earthquake. The station will also play an important role in providing a source of information about seismic activity for the general public. The station is expected to be operational in a few weeks time.
Intercomparison of a Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift-based extinction monitor (CAPS PMex) with an integrating nephelometer and a filter-based absorption monitor
Authors: Petzold A. , Onasch T. , Kebabian P. , Freedman A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. An evaluation of the Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift particle light extinction monitor (CAPS PMex) using a combination of a 3-wavelength Integrating Nephelometer (NEPH) and a 3-wavelength filter-based Particle Soot Absorption Photometer (PSAP) was carried out using both laboratory-generated test particles and ambient aerosols. An accurate determination of a fixed pathlength correction for the CAPS PMex was made by comparing extinction measurements using monodisperse PSL spheres in combination with Mie scattering calculations to account for the presence of PSL conglomerates. These studies yielded a linear instrument response over the investigated dynamical range from 20 to 450 Mm−1 (10−6 m−1) with a linear correlation coefficient of R2 > 0.98. The adjustment factor was determined to be 1.05 times that previously reported. Correlating CAPS extinction to extinction measured by the NEPH + PSAP combination using laboratory-generated polydisperse mixtures of purely scattering ammonium sulfate and highly absorbing black carbon provided a linear regression line with slope m = 1.00 (R2 = 0.994) for single-scattering albedo values (λ = 630 nm) ranging from 0.35 (black carbon) to 1.00 (ammonium sulfate). For ambient aerosol, light extinction measured by CAPS was highly correlated (R2 = 0.995) to extinction measured by the NEPH + PSAP combination with slope m = 0.95.
Summer and winter living coccolithophores in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea
Authors: Gu X. Y. , Feng Y. Y. , Jin S. F. , Jiang W. S. , Jin H. Y. , Chen J. F. , Sun J.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. To date, very little information on living coccolithophores species composition and distribution, especially the vertical profile has been reported around the world. This paper tries to fill this gap by descripting on living coccolithophores (LCs) distribution in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea in summer and winter time in detail, and its relationship among enviromental factors by canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). We carried out the investigations on LC distribution in the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea in July and December 2011. 210 samples from different depths were collected from 44 stations in summer and 217 samples were collected from 45 stations in winter. Totally 20 taxa belonging to coccolithophyceae were identified using a polarized microscope at the 1000 × magnification. The dominant species of the two seasons were Gephyrocapsa oceanica, Emiliania huxleyi, Helicosphaera carteri, and Algirosphaera robusta. In summer the abundance of cells and coccoliths ranged 0 ~ 176.40 cells mL−1, and 0 ~ 2144.98 coccoliths mL−1, with the average values of 8.45 cells mL−1, and 265.42 coccoliths mL−1, respectively. And in winter the abundance of cells and coccoliths ranged 0 ~ 71.66 cells mL−1, and 0 ~ 4698.99 coccoliths mL−1, with the average values of 13.91 cells mL−1 and 872.56 coccoliths mL−1 respectively. In summer the LCs in surface layer were mainly observed on the coastal belt and southern part of the survey area. The highest abundance was found at the bloom station. In winter the LCs in surface layer had high value in the continental shelf area of section P. The comparison among section A, section F, section P and section E indicated lower species diversity and less abundance in the Yellow Sea than those of the East China Sea in both seasons. Temperature and the nitrate concentration may be the major environmental factors controlling the distribution and species composition of LCs in the studying area based on CCA.
Testing the applicability of neural networks as a gap-filling method using CH4 flux data from high latitude wetlands
Authors: Dengel S. , Zona D. , Sachs T. , Aurela M. , Jammet M. , Parmentier F. J. W. , Oechel W. , Vesala T.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Since the advancement in CH4 gas analyser technology and its applicability to eddy covariance flux measurements, monitoring of CH4 emissions is becoming more widespread. In order to accurately determine the greenhouse gas balance, high quality gap-free data is required. Currently there is still no consensus on CH4 gap-filling methods, and methods applied are still study-dependent and often carried out on low resolution daily data. In the current study, we applied artificial neural networks to six distinctively different CH4 time series from high latitudes in order to recover missing data points, explained the method and tested its functionality. We discuss the applicability of neural networks in CH4 flux studies, the advantages and disadvantages of this method, and what information we were able to extract from such models. In keeping with the principle of parsimony, we included only five standard meteorological variables traditionally measured at CH4 flux measurement sites. These included drivers such as air and soil temperature, barometric air pressure, solar radiation, and in addition wind direction (indicator of source location). Four fuzzy sets were included representing the time of day. High Pearson correlation coefficients (r) of 0.76–0.93 achieved in the final analysis are indicative for the high performance of neural networks and their applicability as a gap-filling method for CH4 flux data time series. This novel approach that we showed to be appropriate for CH4 fluxes is a step towards standardising CH4 gap-filling protocols.
Excursions to C4 vegetation recorded in the Upper Pleistocene loess of Surduk (Northern Serbia): an organic isotope geochemistry study
Authors: Hatté C. , Gauthier C. , Rousseau D.-D. , Antoine P. , Fuchs M. , Lagroix F. , Marković S. B. , Moine O. , Sima A.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Loess sequences have been intensively studied to characterize past glacial climates of the 40–50° north and south latitude zones. Combining different approaches of sedimentology, magnetism, geochemistry, geochronology and malacology allows the general pattern of the climate and environment of the last interglacial–glacial cycle in Eurasia and America to be characterized. Previous studies performed in Europe have highlighted the predominance (if not the sole occurrence) of C3 vegetation. The presence of C3 plants suggests a regular distribution of precipitation along the year. Therefore, even if the mean annual precipitation remained very low during the most extensive glacial times, free water was available for more than 2 months per year. Contrarily, the δ13C record of Surduk (Serbia) clearly shows the occurrence and dominance of C4 plants during at least 4 episodes of the last glacial times at 28.0–26.0 kyr cal BP, 31.4–30.0 kyr cal BP, 53.4–44.5 kyr cal BP and 86.8–66.1 kyr. The C4 plant development is interpreted as a specific atmospheric circulation pattern that induces short and dry summer conditions. As possible explanation, we propose that during "C4 episodes", the Mediterranean Sea would have been under the combined influence of the following: (i) a strong meridional circulation unfavorable to water evaporation that reduced the Mediterranean precipitation on the Balkans; and (ii) a high positive North Atlantic Western Russian (NA/WR)-like atmospheric pattern that favored northerlies over westerlies and reduced Atlantic precipitation over the Balkans. This configuration would imply very dry summers that did not allow C3 plants to grow, thus supporting C4 development. The intra-"C4 episode" periods would have occurred under less drastic oceanic and atmospheric patterns that made the influence of westerlies on the Balkans possible.
A subbasin-based framework to represent land surface processes in an Earth System Model
Authors: Li H.-Y. , Huang M. , Tesfa T. , Ke Y. , Sun Y. , Liu Y. , Leung L. R.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Realistically representing spatial heterogeneity and lateral land surface processes within and between modeling units in earth system models is important because of their implications to surface energy and water exchanges. The traditional approach of using regular grids as computational units in land surface models and earth system models may lead to inadequate representation of subgrid heterogeneity and lateral movements of water, energy and carbon fluxes, especially when the grid resolution increases. Here a new subbasin-based framework is introduced in the Community Land Model (CLM), which is the land component of the Community Earth System Model (CESM). Local processes are represented assuming each subbasin as a grid cell on a pseudo grid matrix with no significant modifications to the existing CLM modeling structure. Lateral routing of water within and between subbasins is simulated with the subbasin version of a recently-developed physically based routing model, Model for Scale Adaptive River Routing (MOSART). As an illustration, this new framework is implemented in the topographically diverse region of the US Pacific Northwest. The modeling units (subbasins) are delineated from high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) while atmospheric forcing and surface parameters are remapped from the corresponding high resolution datasets. The impacts of this representation on simulating hydrologic processes are explored by comparing it with the default (grid-based) CLM representation. In addition, the effects of DEM resolution on parameterizing topography and the subsequent effects on runoff processes are investigated. Limited model evaluation and comparison showed that small difference between the averaged forcing can lead to more significant difference in the simulated runoff and streamflow because of nonlinear lateral processes. Topographic indices derived from high resolution DEMs may not improve the overall water balance, but affect the partitioning between surface and subsurface runoff. More systematic analyses are needed to determine the relative merits of the subbasin representation compared to the commonly used grid-based representation, especially when land surface models are approaching higher resolutions.
High-resolution Med-CORDEX regional climate model simulations for hydrological impact studies: a first evaluation in Morocco
Authors: Tramblay Y. , Ruelland D. , Somot S. , Bouaicha R. , Servat E.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. In the framework of the international CORDEX program, new regional climate model (RCM) simulations at high spatial resolutions are becoming available for the Mediterranean region (Med-CORDEX initiative). This study provides the first evaluation for hydrological impact studies of these high-resolution simulations. Different approaches are compared to analyze the climate change impacts on the hydrology of a catchment located in North Morocco, using a high-resolution RCM (ALADIN-Climate) from the Med-CORDEX initiative at two different spatial resolutions (50 km and 12 km) and for two different Radiative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). The main issues addressed in the present study are: (i) what is the impact of increased RCM resolution on present-climate hydrological simulations and on future projections? (ii) Are the bias-correction of the RCM model and the parameters of the hydrological model stationary and transferable to different climatic conditions? (iii) What is the climate and hydrological change signal based on the new Radiative Concentration Pathways scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5)? Results indicate that high resolution simulations at 12 km better reproduce the seasonal patterns, the seasonal distributions and the extreme events of precipitation. The parameters of the hydrological model, calibrated to reproduce runoff at the monthly time step over the 1984–2010 period, do not show a strong variability between dry and wet calibration periods in a differential split-sample test. However the bias correction of precipitation by quantile-matching does not give satisfactory results in validation using the same differential split-sample testing method. Therefore a quantile-perturbation method that does not rely on any stationarity assumption and produces ensembles of perturbed series of precipitation was introduced. The climate change signal under scenarios 4.5 and 8.5 indicates a decrease of respectively −30% to −57% in surface runoff for the mid-term (2041–2062), when for the same period the projections for precipitation are ranging between −15% and −19% and for temperature between +1.28°C and +1.87°C.
A worldwide analysis of trends in water-balance evapotranspiration
Authors: Ukkola A. M. , Prentice I. C.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Climate change is expected to alter the global hydrological cycle, with inevitable consequences for freshwater availability to people and ecosystems. But the attribution of recent trends in the terrestrial water balance remains disputed. This study attempts to account statistically for both trends and interannual variability in water-balance evapotranspiration (ET), estimated from the annual observed streamflow in 109 river basins during "water years" 1961–1999 and two gridded precipitation datasets. The basins were chosen based on the availability of streamflow time-series data in the Dai et al. (2009) synthesis. They were divided into water-limited "dry" and energy-limited "wet" basins following the Budyko framework. We investigated the potential roles of precipitation, aerosol-corrected solar radiation, land-use change, wind speed, air temperature, and atmospheric CO2. Both trends and variability in ET show strong control by precipitation. There is some additional control of ET trends by vegetation processes, but little evidence for control by other factors. Interannual variability in ET was overwhelmingly dominated by precipitation, which accounted on average for 52–54% of the variation in wet basins (ranging from 0 to 99%) and 84–85% in dry basins (ranging from 13 to 100%). Precipitation accounted for 39–42% of ET trends in wet basins and 69–79% in dry basins. Cropland expansion increased ET in dry basins. Net atmospheric CO2 effects on transpiration, estimated using the Land-surface Processes and eXchanges (LPX) model, did not contribute to observed trends in ET because declining stomatal conductance was counteracted by slightly but significantly increasing foliage cover.
Time-dependent probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and its application to Hualien City, Taiwan
Authors: Chan C.-H. , Wu Y.-M. , Cheng C.-T. , Lin P.-S. , Wu Y.-C.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Here, we propose a time-dependent probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and apply it to Hualien City, Taiwan. A declustering catalog from 1940 to 2005 was used to build up a long-term seismicity rate model using a smoothing Kernel function. We also evaluated short-term seismicity rate perturbations according to the rate-and-state friction model, and the Coulomb stress changes imparted by earthquakes from 2006 to 2010. We assessed both long-term and short-term probabilistic seismic hazards by considering ground motion prediction equations for crustal and subduction earthquakes. The long-term seismic hazard in Hualien City gave a PGA (peak ground acceleration) of 0.46 g for the 2.1‰ annual exceedance probability. The result is similar to the levels determined in previous studies. Seismic hazards were significantly elevated following the 2007 ML =5.8 earthquake that occurred approximately 10 km from Hualien City. This work presents an assessment of a suitable mechanism for time-dependent probabilistic seismic hazard determinations using an updated earthquake catalog. Using minor model assumptions, our approach provides a suitable basis for rapid re-evaluations and will benefit decision-makers and public officials regarding seismic hazard mitigation.
Pre-, co-, and post-rockslide analysis with ALOS/PALSAR imagery: a case study of the Jiweishan rockslide, China
Authors: Zhao C. , Zhang Q. , Yin Y. , Lu Z. , Yang C. , Zhu W. , Li B.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. On 5 June 2009, a catastrophic rockslide debris flow occurred at the crest of the Jiweishan range, Chongqing Municipality, China, killing 74 people and injuring an additional eight. We use L-band ALOS/PALSAR imagery to address landslide processes before, during and after the slide. We employ three different SAR methods, i.e. short baseline subsets (SBAS) interferometric SAR (InSAR), SAR backscattering intensity change, and InSAR stacking algorithm, to study any ground deformation before the rockslide, investigate the affected area, and calculate the topographic change by this slide, respectively. First, continuous deformation has been observed based on the available ALOS/PALSAR InSAR imagery during June and December 2007. Second, the area affected by the landslide can be inferred based on changes in SAR backscattering intensity as well as surface topography, with an estimated area of 0.47 million m2. Last, an InSAR-derived post-slide digital elevation model has allowed us to estimate surface height changes due to the slide, reaching about -80 m at the source region and about 60 m in the deposit region, respectively. Our InSAR-derived estimates have been validated using in-situ data and 3-D LiDAR measurements. The proposed procedures for rockslide analysis with satellite SAR imagery over a remote, mountainous, heavily vegetated region can be further extended to similar geo-hazards investigation and monitoring.
Boussinesq modeling of surface waves due to underwater landslides
Authors: Dutykh D. , Kalisch H.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Consideration is given to the influence of an underwater landslide on waves at the surface of a shallow body of fluid. The equations of motion that govern the evolution of the barycenter of the landslide mass include various dissipative effects due to bottom friction, internal energy dissipation, and viscous drag. The surface waves are studied in the Boussinesq scaling, with time-dependent bathymetry. A numerical model for the Boussinesq equations is introduced that is able to handle time-dependent bottom topography, and the equations of motion for the landslide and surface waves are solved simultaneously. The numerical solver for the Boussinesq equations can also be restricted to implement a shallow-water solver, and the shallow-water and Boussinesq configurations are compared. A particular bathymetry is chosen to illustrate the general method, and it is found that the Boussinesq system predicts larger wave run-up than the shallow-water theory in the example treated in this paper. It is also found that the finite fluid domain has a significant impact on the behavior of the wave run-up.
Social Support for European Rail Liberalization Policy
Authors: Ludvigsen Johanna , Brechan Inge , Klæboe Ronny
Published: May 2013

Despite many unmet welfare needs a survey of 2,429 citizens from 10 European Union countries revealed strong support for European freight railways as a means to reduce socioenvironmental harms of motorized transportation, even if this would diminish funds for national necessities. The results disclosed that popular support for European railways was best explained by (1) respondents' belief in railways' ability to reduce truck-induced damage in their local and national communities, (2) the fear of future deterioration of socioenvironmental harms, and (3) strong identification with Europe. However, the willingness to spend national money on European railways was not based on social altruism, but rather on enlightened self-interests understood as a temporal renunciation of other welfare needs for protecting the local and national communities from freight truck transport. These outcomes support the national and European policymakers in spending public means on European railways even if many other domestic necessities remain temporary unmet.
Dry Port Development in China:
Authors: Zeng Qingcheng , Maloni Michael J. , Paul Jomon Aliyas , Yang Zhongzhen
Published: May 2013

As coastal production costs in China rise, producers are moving inland to remain competitive with other Asian countries. As a result, Chinese sea ports are rapidly developing dry (i.e., inland) ports to compete for hinterland access. Yet the growing body of research examining dry ports has yet to analyze China. This article fills this gap by combining practitioner interviews, publicly available data, and industry and academic literature to provide an overview of dry ports in China. The article discusses the recent active development of dry ports in China and summarizes the existing dry port network. Motivations for further dry port development are identified, including port competition, inland production, domestic consumption, logistics costs, and the environment. Challenges with dry port expansion such as rail, inland waterways, and actor coordination are reviewed, and opportunities for further research are highlighted.
Food for Thought in the Transportation Carrier-Selection Decision
Authors: Robinson Jessica L. , Thomas Rodney W. , Manrodt Karl B.
Published: May 2013

Risk-mitigating carrier-selection criteria are identified in order to improve the safety and the quality of modern food supply chains. Our primary objectives are to prompt shippers to consider transportation carrier qualities that will facilitate and secure food safety, identify industry standards that will reduce risk in food supply chains, and enable carriers to differentiate themselves through risk management characteristics. Drawing on US government guidelines, practitioner publications, and academic literature, we offer transportation carrier-selection criteria factors based on best practices in food supply chain management. These risk-mitigating -selection criteria include traceability, transparency, testability, time, trustworthiness, and training. Several food supply chain disasters are identified to demonstrate the critical role that carriers play in minimizing risks and responding to disruptions. Managerial implications and future research opportunities are also identified.
Fuzzy-Based Adaptive Cruise Controller with Collision Avoidance and Warning System
Authors: Batayneh Wafa , Al-Araidah Omar , Bataineh Khaled , Al-Ghasem Adnan
Published: May 2013

The paper presents a Fuzzy-based adaptive cruise control system with collision avoidance and collision warning (ACC/CA/CW). The proposed control scheme aims to improve driver's comfort while keeping him/her safe by avoiding possible collisions. Depending on inputs from both the driver and the installed sensors, the controller accelerates/decelerates the vehicle to keep its speed at the desired limit. In case of a possible collision, the controller decelerates (accelerates) the vehicle to prevent possible crash with the vehicle ahead (behind). Moreover, the controller issues visual and/or audio alerts for the driver in order to warn him/her in case of the need for applying an uncomfortable deceleration level and/or to warn the driver for risky situations where he/she might need to change the lane. Simulation results illustrate the robustness of the proposed system over various ranges of inputs.
Dynamical Bayesian Significance Testing for Information on Performance Variation of Rolling Bearing for Space Applications
Authors: Xia Xintao , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: May 2013

A dynamical Bayesian significance testing method is proposed to examine information on performance variation of rolling bearings for space applications under the condition of an unknown probability distribution and trend in advance. Sub-series of time series of rolling bearing performance are obtained via a regularly sampling, probability density functions of sub-series are acquired with bootstrap and maximum entropy theory, a referenced sequence from sub-series is found by minimum variance principle, posterior probability density function is established according to Bayesian theory, and mutation probability is defined in the light of fuzzy set theory. At the given significance level, dynamical Bayesian significance testing for information on performance variation of rolling bearings is put into effect with the help of mutation probability. Experimental investigation presents that the method proposed can effectively detect variation information of rolling bearing performance with unknown probability distributions and trends.
Design analysis of Hub, Rim and Drum in Brake Assembly
Authors: V. Ramamurti , T. Sukumar , S. Mithun , N. Prabhakar , P. V. Hudson
Published: May 2013

Stress analysis connected with the brake assembly of heavy vehicles is a complicated problem in view of the machine elements involved. The hub (on the rear axle), the rim (holding the wheel) and the drum (holding the brake shoe) experience severity of loads. While the vehicle is being driven the power is transmitted from the hub to the rim. When the brake is applied, the brake drum receives the braking torque and communicates it to the rim. Analysis associated with braking is actually transient since the braking torque varies with time in a short period of time whereas the one associated with driving is predominantly steady while the vehicle moves with uniform speed. None of them can be considered rotationally symmetric. Even though 3D brick element can be used for modelling all the three members, the computational effort needed to handle the problem of braking becomes extremely cumbersome. Hence a compromise solution is presented in this paper.
Effect of Cultivar and Explants Type on Tissue Culture Regeneration of Three Nigerian Cultivars of Tomatoes
Authors: Ajenifujah-Solebo Shakirat Oloruntoyin , A. Isu N. , O. Olorode , I. Ingelbrecht
Published: May 2013

In order to assess the suitable explant(s) for in-vitro regeneration of three local cultivars of Nigerian tomatoes, Ibadan local (IbL), Ife and JM94/46, cotyledon, hypocotyls and radicle explants were cultured in shoot regeneration medium consisting of MS containing 30 g L-1 sucrose and 8 g L-1 agar with no exogenous plant growth hormones. Forty-five of each explant type was cultured on the medium in triplicate experiments and results showed varied percentage survival and shooting for the various explants. Hypocotyl explants had the highest percentage of shooting explants at 13.3% for IbL; 6.67% for Ife and 20% in JM94/46. IbL cotyledon explants had 4.44% of shooting explants with no shoots recorded in Ife and JM94/46 cotyledon explants. IbL radicle explants had 2.22% shooting explants and no shoots recorded in Ife and JM94/46. Student Neuman Keuls (SNK) statistical analysis of cultivar-media interaction showed there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) among the three cultivars in number of calli and shooting calli. There was however significant difference among the cultivars in the number of shoots recorded. SNK values for explants-media interaction showed that cotyledon and radicle explants were significantly different (P < 0.05) from hypocotyl explants in the number of shoots produced.
K výzvám společnosti vědění adresovaným škole
Authors: Valentová P.
Published: May 2013

Společnost vědění – termín označující mnoho teoretických přístupů k pochopení naší současnosti se stal rovněž součástí mnoha veřejných dokumentů. Studie naznačuje charakteristické znaky, které naše současnost vykazuje a které její označení coby společnost vědění opravňují, pozastavuje se u názorů společenských kritiků, zamýšlí se nad nově definovanou rolí člověka v pracovním světě a naznačuje některé důsledky, které z konceptu společnosti vědění vyplývají pro školu. Autorka naznačuje nutnost změn ve směru k otevřenosti školy coby instituce, k otevřenosti kurikula, interdisciplinaritě, internacionalitě, nově definované roli učitele atd., současně však upozorňuje na odpovědnost společnosti vůči škole, neboť škola je ve společnosti vědění sice ústřední institucí, nepožívá však vždy tomu odpovídající vážnosti.
Asset management: How US utilities can leverage international experience
Authors: Williams Will , Jones Martin , Stillman Jeff
Published: May 2013

US water and wastewater utilities can leverage the experience of other countries to select and adopt effective asset management approaches and techniques.
School Bus Dilemma
Authors: Farrell Amy
Published: May 2013

This month's problem engages students in statistics, namely descriptive statistics. During the lesson, students will work with two measures of central tendency, the mean and the mode.
Institutional Integration in the Sphere of Business Infrastructure in the European Union in the Years 2000-2008
Authors: Balcerzak Adam P.
Published: May 2013

Abstract: The last decade has been a period of accelerated integration in Europe. A manifestation of this was the biggest ever enlargement of the EU in 2004. Therefore the aim of this study is an evaluation of integration process in EU in the sphere of economic institutional order. The analysis concentrates on the institutional factors that affects the ability of country to utilize potential of competitive global economy. In this study some taxonomic tools were used - a hierarchical classification procedure (Ward's method with Euclidean and Manhattan distance). The study was based on annual data from the period 2000-2008. It allowed to capture a period of four years before and after the biggest enlargement of the EU. The research problem of this study amounted to the question: whether in the analyzed period can one speak about the process of growing similarities in the sphere of business institutional order for â€œoldâ€ and â€œnewâ€ EU countries? The study confirms existence of integration processes in relation to institutional order. However, it also proves the existence of group of countries that can be described by homogenous institutional factors especially effective in supporting utilization of the potential of competitive global economy.
Oz, la prison et l’art de la fugue
Authors: Jost François
Published: May 2013

La série Oz met en scène un prisonnier, Augustus Hill, dans une sorte de cage transparente, s’adressant au téléspectateur au début, à la fin et au coeur de chaque épisode. À première vue, il est hors-diégèse et ses propos entretiennent une relation sémantique avec l’épisode. En réalité, cette « cellule narrative » est à la fois un espace immune et un sas entre le monde extérieur et la prison, puis entre le monde des morts et le monde des vivants. L’auteur du présent article étudie d’abord les multiples variations des interventions de Hill, tant d’un point de vue iconique que plastique. Si celles-ci sont l’objet d’une constante re-création, paradoxalement, elles ont une fonction rhétorique qui n’est pas loin de caractériser les séries américaines en tant qu’elles sont américaines, et qui trouve ses racines dans une tradition littéraire anglo-saxonne, celle du commonplace book. La particularité d’Oz est de construire sa narration sur la pierre angulaire de l’intimité télévisuelle : le regard-caméra. Par cette analyse, l’auteur cherche à montrer que, pour comprendre les séries comme des objets télévisuels, il faut les remettre dans leur contexte et examiner leur finalité, soit leur diffusion programmée sur un média qui accompagne le téléspectateur dans sa temporalité.