bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Managerialism” na Gestão Universitária: uma análise de suas manifestações em uma instituição empresarial
Authors: Meyer Bernardo , Meyer Junior Victor
Published: September 2013

As instituições de educação superior estão sendo desafiadas pelas inúmeras mudanças impostas pelo seu ambiente de atuação. No Brasil esta realidade é representada pelo aumento do número de instituições de educação superior e o fortalecimento de grupos estrangeiros no setor. A ausência de abordagens próprias e a necessidade de maior eficiência e desempenho têm feito com que muitas instituições incorporem práticas gerenciais empresariais na gestão universitária. No Brasil este fenômeno é recente e seus efeitos são ainda pouco conhecidos. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o impacto da adoção de práticas gerenciais, de origem empresarial, identificadas como “managerialism” na gestão acadêmica de uma instituição de educação superior de caráter empresarial. Trata-se de um estudo de caso qualitativo, aplicado a uma das maiores instituições privadas de ensino superior. Os principais resultados indicam claras limitações das abordagens empresariais de gestão quando aplicadas à área acadêmica. A prática gerencial concentra-se na mensuração de algumas variáveis mensuráveis e seus resultados práticos ainda são pouco evidentes, gerando frustrações e desapontamentos entre gestores e stakeholders. As conclusões indicam que o desempenho de uma instituição educacional resulta de um grande número de variáveis tangíveis e intangíveis dificultando a medição dos resultados e do valor agregado.
Influência das estratégias e recursos para o desenvolvimento dos programas de pós-graduação da área de Administração, Ciências Contábeis e Turismo no período de 2001 a 2009
Authors: Martins Cibele Barsalini , Maccari Emerson Antonio , Storopoli José Eduardo , Andrade Rui Otávio Bernardes de
Published: September 2013

Nesta pesquisa, foram analisadas as estratégias e a alocação dos recursos nos programas de pós-graduação stricto sensu brasileiros da área de Administração, Ciências Contábeis e Turismo. A pesquisa teve como sustentação teórica os estudos relacionados à avaliação da pós-graduação, sistema de avaliação da CAPES, a Estratégia no Ensino Superior e os trabalhos relacionados Resource Based-View – RBV. A metodologia utilizada foi qualitativa exploratória no qual utilizou uma pesquisa de múltiplos casos em oito programas avaliados pela CAPES no período de 2001 a 2009. Como resultados, verificou-se que os programas apresentaram estratégias deliberadas sistematicamente ao longo dos anos, tendo como alvo a melhoria de seus desempenhos no sistema de avaliação da CAPES. Como consequência, os Programas melhoraram suas estruturas de pesquisa e disponibilizaram recursos a seus pesquisadores para que eles ampliassem o foco nas atividades de pesquisas e orientações. Constatou-se também que os programas que aumentaram de nota consecutivamente nos três triênios de avaliação (2001 a 2009) e, os que obtiveram as notas seis e sete no triênio de 2007-2009, utilizaram o sistema de avaliação da CAPES como o grande direcionador estratégico.
Uma avaliação dos conhecimentos necessários, adquiridos e utilizados pelos egressos do curso de administração
Authors: Meireles Fernanda Rosalina Silva , Freitas Ana Rita Pinheiro , Abreu Mônica Cavalcanti Sá , Rebouças Sílvia Maria Dias Pedro
Published: September 2013

Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a percepção dos egressos do curso de Administração em relação à importância, absorção e utilização de conhecimentos considerados necessários à formação do administrador. Três construtos foram analisados: importância dos temas tratados para a formação do administrador, absorção dos conhecimentos adquiridos pelos egressos no curso, e, utilização dos conhecimentos abordados. Os temas considerados dizem respeito a disciplinas ministradas na grade curricular do curso de graduação em Administração da Universidade Federal do Ceará e outros conhecimentos listados por egressos do curso em workshop realizado na primeira etapa da pesquisa. A segunda etapa do estudo consistiu na aplicação de um questionário a 115 egressos do curso, para verificar a percepção destes em relação aos temas tratados. A análise dos dados incluiu o cálculo e comparação de médias, o escalonamento multidimensional replicado e a análise de agrupamentos. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam que os conhecimentos considerados menos importantes pelos egressos são também conhecimentos que os mesmos menos utilizam – Cálculo e Saúde e Segurança. Percebe-se uma carência de algumas disciplinas consideradas importantes na grade curricular do curso na universidade, como Negócios internacionais, Ética e Negociação.
Relação universidade – empresa: estágio supervisionado como canal de marketing de relacionamento
Authors: Cervi Cleber , Froemming Lurdes Marlene Seide
Published: September 2013

O Estágio Supervisionado é uma prática que traz benefícios, através da interação, para todas as partes envolvidas – aluno, universidade e empresa. As Instituições de Educação Superior (IES) procuram maneiras de se adequar a nova realidade do ensino superior e do setor de serviços. Neste contexto, o marketing de relacionamento torna-se importante, pois além de se ter serviço de qualidade é necessário ter bom relacionamento com os públicos com que as IES e universidades se relacionam. Diante disso, este trabalho enfoca o público comunidade empresarial (KOTLER e FOX, 1994) e o Estágio Supervisionado em Administração (ESA), do curso de administração de uma universidade comunitária do Rio Grande do Sul. Buscou-se conhecer como o ESA pode ser um canal de relacionamento entre universidade e comunidade empresarial, aproximando as duas instituições. A pesquisa é de caráter exploratório e descritivo (MALHOTRA, 2001), articulada como estudo de caso (YIN, 2001). Percebe-se que o ESA propicia interação entre universidade e comunidade empresarial e esta interação deve ser utilizada estrategicamente para divulgar o nome da universidade, criar uma imagem favorável junto a comunidade, estabelecer vínculos de relacionamentos entre as partes, bem como colaborar com o desenvolvimento da sociedade. Esse intercâmbio de informações, através da troca de experiência, eleva a qualidade percebida dos cursos superiores, garante uma formação profissional completa aos alunos e contribui com melhorias para as empresas que cedem campo de estágio.
Os fatores de motivação na definição de estudantes estrangeiros em mobilidade acadêmica internacional no Brasil
Authors: Silva Claudia Cristiane dos Santos , Lima Manolita Correia , Riegel Viviane
Published: September 2013

Na intenção de ampliar os estudos a respeito da mobilidade acadêmica e suas diversas expressões, esse artigo tem por objetivo compreender os diferentes fatores de motivação no processo de definição por estudantes estrangeiros, para um período de estudos em outro país. Compreender os fatores que podem influenciar essa escolha, no contexto da mobilidade espontânea, no que concerne ao país de destino, passa por analisar aspectos pessoais e acadêmicos, assim como a possível relevância da imagem de destino, resgatando os elementos que compõem a imagem desse lugar. Considerando essa demanda, foi realizado um estudo de caráter exploratório, cujo material empírico coletado por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas foi analisado a partir da orientação das categorias de motivação. Os resultados revelaram que não há um componente padrão que oriente a escolha do destino, mas uma interação entre os diferentes aspectos, incluindo os elementos que compõem a imagem do país.
Contribuições do PDI e do Planejamento Estratégico na gestão de Universidades Federais
Authors: Silva Júlio Eduardo Ornelas , Melo Pedro Antônio de , Ramos Alexandre Moraes , Amante Cláudio José , Silva Flora Moritz da
Published: September 2013

Este artigo pretendeu analisar as contribuições do Plano de Desenvolvimento Institucional e do Planejamento Estratégico na gestão de universidades federais brasileiras, no qual foram realizadas análises documentais e entrevistas in loco em oito universidades federais, sendo a UFAL, a UFGD, a UFMA, a UFMG, a UFPA, a UFSC, a UnB e a UNIFAP. As características das universidades estudadas são peculiares, no entanto, a experiência dos gestores entrevistados evidenciou que tanto o PDI quanto o planejamento estratégico trazem contribuições para a gestão das universidades, ao possibilitar o autoconhecimento, o delineamento de metas, objetivos e estratégias, propiciando um rumo às universidades e, em alguns casos,  trilhando o futuro com uma visão competitiva.ESTA PESQUISA RECEBEU APOIO E FINANCIAMENTO DA CAPES/OBEDUC.
Experiências vividas: a transição de líder para contribuidor individual em universidades de Santa Catarina
Authors: Silva Fabiula Meneguete Vides da , Cunha Cristiano José Castro de Almeida
Published: September 2013

Busca-se neste trabalho compreender o processo de transição do líder (reitor ou pró-reitor) para contribuidor individual (professor) em universidades localizadas em Santa Catarina - Brasil. A abordagem fenomenológico-hermenêutica de van Manen (1990) foi utilizada a fim de retomar os principais temas desta experiência. Seis ex-gestores universitários emprestaram suas experiências vivenciadas em universidades pertencentes à Associação Catarinense das Fundações Educacionais (ACAFE), através das entrevistas em três tempos preconizadas por Seidman (1998), realizadas entre maio de 2009 e março de 2010. Nas lembranças significativas dos sujeitos da pesquisa, emergiram temas expressivos vividos na transição de gestores para professores. Esses temas foram organizados e serão apresentados nas seguintes categorias: não sou mais responsável pela gestão: um alívio; voltando às origens: é necessário atualizar-se; as relações interpessoais; o tempo; sentindo falta da estrutura; e sofrendo.
Competências e função gerencial: desvendando o GAP (lacuna) de competências de gestores públicos do núcleo de educação de uma Universidade Federal Brasileira
Authors: Oliveira Patricia Whebber Souza , De Lima Maria Dulcilene
Published: September 2013

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o gap (lacuna) de competências gerenciais necessárias e atuais, alicerçando-as nas atribuições e responsabilidades da função gerencial na percepção dos gestores e servidores do Núcleo de Educação Infantil (NEI) de uma Universidade Federal Brasileira. O estudo se caracteriza como uma pesquisa qualitativa, tendo como participantes os gestores e servidores. As técnicas de coleta de dados utilizadas foram entrevistas e questionários. Para o tratamento de dados utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados apontaram a existência de competências necessárias para o exercício da função gestora, sendo estas são consideradas presentes nas ações dos gestores, não existindo um gap de competências necessárias e atuais. Dentre as competências identificadas, destacaram-se: domínio de conhecimentos específicos à educação, relacionamento interpessoal, tolerância, visão de futuro, responsabilidade e compromisso, postura democrática, flexibilidade e adaptação a mudanças. Conclui-se que na percepção dos participantes, não há gap de competências, entretanto, há necessidade de melhoria nas competências: relacionamento interpessoal e comunicação, consideradas de fundamental importância no contexto educacional.
SINAES e a avaliação dos cursos de graduação: a metodologia MCDA-C pode ajudar?
Authors: Lima Mauricio Andrade de , Lima Marcus Vinicius Andrade de , Lima Carlos Rogério Montenegro de
Published: September 2013

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar um sistema de avaliação de desempenho para os cursos de graduação levando em consideração as diretrizes do SINAES (avaliaçãodos cursos de graduação), o sistema de valores, necessidades, preferências daReitoria de uma universidade. A metodologia utilizada considerou aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos do contexto e baseou-se em uma abordagem construtivista para realizar o estudo. A complexidade do contexto decisório,denotada pela quantidade de informações, múltiplos interesses, atoresenvolvidos e aspectos legais (MEC/SINAES) levou a optar pela utilização daMetodologia Multicritério de Apoio à Decisão – Construtivista (MCDA– C).Através do sistema multicritério proposto, com base nos aspectos abordados foi possível explicitar de forma estruturada os desempenhos considerados insatisfatórios ou de boa performance. Os resultados evidenciados também permitiram a Reitoria a legitimidade do sistema na representação dos aspectos que se julgou relevante no contexto decisório bem como na sua adequação para a avaliação dos cursos de graduação sob a ótica do SINAES.
Emission ratio and isotopic signatures of molecular hydrogen emissions from tropical biomass burning
Authors: Haumann F. A. , Batenburg A. M. , Pieterse G. , Gerbig C. , Krol M. C. , Röckmann T.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. In this study, we identify a biomass-burning signal in molecular hydrogen (H2) over the Amazonian tropical rainforest. To quantify this signal, we measure the mixing ratios of H2 and several other species as well as the H2 isotopic composition in air samples that were collected in the BARCA (Balanço Atmosférico Regional de Carbono na Amazônia) aircraft campaign during the dry season. We derive a relative H2 emission ratio with respect to carbon monoxide (CO) of 0.31 ± 0.04 ppb ppb−1 and an isotopic source signature of −280 ± 41‰ in the air masses influenced by tropical biomass burning. In order to retrieve a clear source signal that is not influenced by the soil uptake of H2, we exclude samples from the atmospheric boundary layer. This procedure is supported by data from a global chemistry transport model. The ΔH2 / ΔCO emission ratio is significantly lower than some earlier estimates for the tropical rainforest. In addition, our results confirm the lower values of the previously conflicting estimates of the H2 isotopic source signature from biomass burning. These values for the emission ratio and isotopic source signatures of H2 from tropical biomass burning can be used in future bottom-up and top-down approaches aiming to constrain the strength of the biomass-burning source for H2. Hitherto, these two quantities relied only on combustion experiments or on statistical relations, since no direct signal had been obtained from in-situ observations.
Role of ozone in SOA formation from alkane photooxidation
Authors: Zhang X. , Schwantes R. H. , Coggon M. M. , Loza C. L. , Schilling K. A. , Flagan R. C. , Seinfeld J. H.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Long-chain alkanes, which can be categorized as intermediate volatile organic compounds (IVOCs), are an important source of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Mechanisms for the gas-phase OH-initiated oxidation of long-chain alkanes have been well documented; particle-phase chemistry, however, has received less attention. The δ-hydroxycarbonyl, which is generated from the isomerization of alkoxy radicals, can undergo heterogeneous cyclization to form substituted dihydrofuran. Due to the presence of C=C bonds, the substituted dihydrofuran is predicted to be highly reactive with OH, and even more so with O3 and NO3, thus opening a reaction pathway that is not usually accessible to alkanes. This work focuses on the role of substituted dihydrofuran formation and its subsequent reaction with OH, and more importantly ozone, in SOA formation from the photooxidation of long-chain alkanes. Experiments were carried out in the Caltech Environmental Chamber using dodecane as a representative alkane to investigate the difference in aerosol composition generated from "OH-oxidation dominating" vs. "ozonolysis dominating" environments. A detailed mechanism incorporating the specific gas-phase photochemistry, together with the heterogeneous formation of substituted dihydrofuran and its subsequent gas-phase OH/O3 oxidation, is presented to evaluate the importance of this reaction channel in the dodecane SOA formation. We conclude that: (1) the formation of δ-hydroxycarbonyl and its subsequent heterogeneous conversion to substituted dihydrofuran is significant in the presence of NOx; (2) the ozonolysis of substituted dihydrofuran dominates over the OH-initiated oxidation under conditions prevalent in urban and rural air; and (3) a spectrum of highly-oxygenated products with carboxylic acid, ester, and ether functional groups are produced from the substituted dihydrofuran chemistry, thereby affecting the average oxidation state of the SOA.
A joint data assimilation system (Tan-Tracker) to simultaneously estimate surface CO2 fluxes and 3-D atmospheric CO2 concentrations from observations
Authors: Tian X. , Xie Z. , Liu Y. , Cai Z. , Fu Y. , Zhang H. , Feng L.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. To quantitatively estimate CO2 surface fluxes (CFs) from atmospheric observations, a joint data assimilation system ("Tan-Tracker") is developed by incorporating a joint data assimilation framework into the GEOS-Chem atmospheric transport model. In Tan-Tracker, we choose an identity operator as the CF dynamical model to describe the CFs' evolution, which constitutes an augmented dynamical model together with the GEOS-Chem atmospheric transport model. In this case, the large-scale vector made up of CFs and CO2 concentrations is taken as the prognostic variable for the augmented dynamical model. And thus both CO2 concentrations and CFs are jointly assimilated by using the atmospheric observations (e.g., the in-situ observations or satellite measurements). In contrast, in the traditional joint data assimilation frameworks, CFs are usually treated as the model parameters and form a state-parameter augmented vector jointly with CO2 concentrations. The absence of a CF dynamical model will certainly result in a large waste of observed information since any useful information for CFs' improvement achieved by the current data assimilation procedure could not be used in the next assimilation cycle. Observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) are carefully designed to evaluate the Tan-Tracker system in comparison to its simplified version (referred to as TT-S) with only CFs taken as the prognostic variables. It is found that our Tan-Tracker system is capable of outperforming TT-S with higher assimilation precision for both CO2 concentrations and CO2 fluxes, mainly due to the simultaneous assimilation of CO2 concentrations and CFs in our Tan-Tracker data assimilation system.
Using a WRF simulation to examine regions where convection impacts the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone
Authors: Heath N. K. , Fuelberg H. E.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. The Asian summer monsoon is a prominent feature of the global circulation that is associated with an upper-level anticyclone (ULAC) that stands out vividly in satellite observations of trace gases. The ULAC also is an important region of troposphere-to-stratosphere transport. We ran the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at convective-permitting scales (4 km grid spacing) between 10–20 August 2012 to understand the role of convection in transporting boundary layer air into the upper-level anticyclone. Such high-resolution modeling of the Asian ULAC previously has not been documented in the literature. Comparison of our WRF simulation with reanalysis and satellite observations showed that WRF simulated the atmosphere sufficiently well to be used to study convective transport into the ULAC. A back-trajectory analysis based on hourly WRF output showed that > 90% of convectively influenced parcels reaching the ULAC came from the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the southern slope (SS) of the Himalayas. A distinct diurnal cycle is seen in the convective trajectories, with their greatest impact occurring between 1600–2300 local solar time. This finding highlights the role of "everyday" diurnal convection in transporting boundary layer air into the ULAC. WRF output at 15 min intervals was produced for 16 August to examine the convection in greater detail. This high-temporal output revealed that the weakest convection in the study area occurred over the TP. However, because the TP is at 3000–5000 m a.m.s.l., its convection does not have to be as strong to reach the ULAC as in lower altitude regions. In addition, because the TP's elevated heat source is a major cause of the ULAC, we propose that convection over the TP and the neighboring SS is ideally situated geographically to impact the ULAC. The vertical mass flux of water vapor into the ULAC also was calculated. Results show that the TP and SS regions dominate other Asian regions in transporting moisture vertically into the ULAC. Because convection reaching the ULAC is more widespread over the TP than nearby, we propose that the abundant convection partially explains the TP's dominant water vapor fluxes. In addition, greater outgoing longwave radiation reaches the upper levels of the TP due to its elevated terrain. This creates a warmer ambient upper level environment, allowing parcels with greater saturation mixing ratios to enter the ULAC. Lakes in the Tibetan Plateau are shown to provide favorable conditions for deep convection during the night.
Characterizing the impact of urban emissions on regional aerosol particles; airborne measurements during the MEGAPOLI experiment
Authors: Freney E. J. , Sellegri K. , Canonaco F. , Colomb A. , Borbon A. , Michoud V. , Doussin J.-F. , Crumeyrolle S. , Amarouch N. , Pichon J.-M. , Prévôt A. S. H. , Beekmann M. , Schwarzenböeck A.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. The MEGAPOLI experiment took place in July 2009. The aim of this campaign was to study the aging and reactions of aerosol and gas-phase emissions in the city of Paris. Three ground-based measurement sites and several mobile platforms including instrument equipped vehicles and the ATR-42 aircraft were involved. We present here the variations in particle- and gas-phase species over the city of Paris using a combination of high-time resolution measurements aboard the ATR-42 aircraft. Particle chemical composition was measured using a compact time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (C-ToF-AMS) giving detailed information of the non-refractory submicron aerosol species. The mass concentration of BC, measured by a particle absorption soot photometer (PSAP), was used as a marker to identify the urban pollution plume boundaries. Aerosol mass concentrations and composition were affected by air-mass history, with air masses that spent longest time over land having highest fractions of organic aerosol and higher total mass concentrations. The Paris plume is mainly composed of organic aerosol (OA), black carbon and nitrate aerosol, as well as high concentrations of anthropogenic gas-phase species such as toluene, benzene, and NOx. Using BC and CO as tracers for air-mass dilution, we observe the ratio of ΔOA / ΔBC and ΔOA / ΔCO increase with increasing photochemical age (−log(NOx / NOy). Plotting the equivalent ratios for the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) resolved species (LV-OOA, SV-OOA, and HOA) illustrate that the increase in OA is a result of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Within Paris the changes in the ΔOA / ΔCO are similar to those observed during other studies in Mexico city, Mexico and in New England, USA. Using the measured VOCs species together with recent organic aerosol formation yields we predicted ~ 50% of the measured organics. These airborne measurements during the MEGAPOLI experiment show that urban emissions contribute to the formation of OA, and have an impact on aerosol composition on a regional scale. They provide a quantitative measure of this impact in terms of urban plume composition and evolution relative to background aerosol composition.
Occurrence, sources and transport pathways of natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbons in deep-sea sediments of the eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Parinos C. , Gogou A. , Bouloubassi I. , Pedrosa-Pàmies R. , Hatzianestis I. , Sanchez-Vidal A. , Rousakis G. , Velaoras D. , Krokos G. , Lykousis V.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Surface sediments collected from deep basins (1018–4087 m depth) of the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Ionian Sea, southern Aegean Sea and northwestern Levantine Sea) were analyzed for aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as tracers of natural and anthropogenic inputs. Concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbons, n-alkanes and the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) of aliphatic hydrocarbons varied significantly, ranging from 1.34 to 49.2 μg g−1, 145 to 4810 ng g−1 and 0.73 to 36.7 μg g−1, respectively, while concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ranged between 11.6 and 223 ng g−1. Molecular profiles of determined hydrocarbons reflect a mixed contribution from both natural and anthropogenic sources in deep-sea sediments of the eastern Mediterranean Sea, i.e., terrestrial plant waxes, degraded petroleum products, unburned fossil fuels and combustion of grass, wood and coal. Hydrocarbon mixtures display significant variability amongst sub-regions, reflecting differences in the relative importance of inputs from various sources and phase associations/transport pathways of individual hydrocarbons that impact on their overall distribution and fate. Hydrocarbon concentrations correlated significantly with the organic carbon content of sediments, indicating that the latter exerts an important control on their transport and ultimate accumulation in deep basins. Additionally, water masses' circulation characteristics also seem to influence the regional features and distribution patterns of hydrocarbons. Our findings highlight the role of deep basins/canyons as repositories of both natural and anthropogenic chemical species.
Sub-ionospheric very low frequency perturbations associated with the 12 May 2008 M = 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake
Authors: Maurya A. K. , Singh R. , Veenadhari B. , Kumar S. , Singh A. K.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. The present study reports the VLF (very low frequency) sub-ionospheric perturbations observed on transmitter JJI (22.1 kHz), Japan, received at the Indian low-latitude station, Allahabad ( geographic lat. 25.41° N, long 81.93° E), due to Wenchuan earthquake (EQ) that occurred on 12 May 2008 with the magnitude 7.9 and at the depth of 19 km in Sichuan province of Southwest China, located at 31.0° N, 103.4° E. The nighttime amplitude fluctuation analysis gives a significant increase in fluctuation and dispersion two days before EQ, when it crosses 2σ criterion. However, there was no significant change observed in the amplitude trend. The diurnal amplitude variation shows a significant increase in the amplitude of JJI signal on 11 and 12 May 2008. The gravity wave channel and changes in the electric field associated with this EQ seem to be the potential factors of the observed nighttime amplitude fluctuation, dispersion, and significant increase in the signal strength.
Simulating the role of gravel on the dynamics of permafrost on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yi S. , Chen J. , Wu Q. , Ding Y.
Published: September 2013

Abstract. Gravel (particle size ≥ 2 mm) is common in soil profiles of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). It has different thermal and hydrological properties than other fine mineral soils (particle size < 2 mm), which may have significant impacts on the thermal and hydrological processes of soil. However, few models have considered gravel. In this study, we implemented the thermal and hydraulic properties of gravel into the Dynamic Organic Soil-Terrestrial Ecosystem Model to develop new schemes to simulate the dynamics of permafrost on the QTP. Results showed that: (1) the widely used Farouki thermal scheme always simulated higher thermal conductivity of frozen soils than unfrozen soils with the same soil water content; therefore it tends to overestimate permafrost thickness strongly; (2) there exists a soil moisture threshold, below which the new set of schemes with gravel simulated smaller thermal conductivity of frozen soils than unfrozen soils; (3) soil with gravel has higher hydraulic conductivity and poorer water retention capability; and simulations with gravel were usually drier than those without gravel; and (4) the new schemes simulated faster upward degradation than downward degradation; and the simulated permafrost thicknesses were sensitive to the fraction of gravel, the gravel size, the thickness of soil with gravel, and the subsurface drainage. To reduce the uncertainties in the projection of permafrost degradation on the QTP, more effort should be made to: (1) developing robust relationships between soil thermal and hydraulic properties and gravel characteristics based on laboratory work; and (2) compiling spatial datasets of the vertical distribution of gravel content based on measurements during drilling or the digging of soil pits.
Acetabular Bone Density and Metal Ions after Metal-On-Metal versus Metal-On-Polyethylene Total Hip Arthroplasty; Short-Term Results
Authors: Zijlstra Wierd P. , van der Veen Hugo C. , van den Akker-Scheek Inge , Zee Mark J.M. , Bulstra Sjoerd K. , van Raay Jos J.A.M.
Published: September 2013

Information on periprosthetic acetabular bone density is lacking for metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties. These bearings use cobalt-chromium instead of titanium acetabular components, which could lead to stress shielding and hence periprosthetic bone loss. Cobalt and chromium ions have detrimental effects on bone. It is unknown whether serum metal ion levels affect bone density clinically. We compared cementless large femoral head (mean 48 mm) metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasties (M2a-Magnum, Biomet) to cementless 28 mm metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasties (Mallory-Head, Biomet) in a randomised clinical trial. We evaluated periprosthetic acetabular bone density and serum metal ion levels at 1 year postoperatively. Acetabular bone density was analyzed with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in four horizontal regions of interest in 70 patients. After one year, acetabular bone density decreased (-3.5% to −7.8%) in three of four regions of interest in metal-on-polyethylene patients, but was retained in metal-on-metal patients. Bone density preservation was most pronounced superior to the metal-on-metal cup (+1% versus −3.7%). Serum cobalt, chromium and titanium ion levels were not related to bone density, nor to acetabular inclination or femoral head size. Oxford and Harris hip scores were similar in both groups. Contrary to our hypothesis, acetabular bone density was retained with metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty, compared to metal-on-polyethylene arthroplasty. Bone preservation was most pronounced in the area superior to the cup. This could be a benefit during future revision surgery.
Congress Underestimated: The Case of the World Bank
Authors: Daugirdas Kristina
Published: September 2013

International organizations undermine democracy, or so their critics charge: not only do international organizations themselves operate undemocratically, but they undercut democratic governance within their member states. In particular, when states participate in international organizations, they lose control over policy outcomes because each state must share decision-making authority with other member states. And within member states, national legislatures—the bodies specifically designed to be responsive to popular control—are marginalized. Legislatures lack direct influence over international organizations and also have little influence over the executive branch’s interactions with such organizations.
Clarifying Necessity, Imminence, and Proportionality in the Law of Self-Defense
Authors: Akande Dapo , Liefländer Thomas
Published: September 2013

The concepts of necessity, imminence, and proportionality play a central part in Daniel Bethlehem’s sixteen proposed principles regulating a state’s use of force against an imminent or actual attack by nonstate actors. While all three are requirements that must be considered in the law of self-defense, their exact content remains somewhat unclear. In this comment, we examine how each one is conceived in Bethlehem’s principles and review the questions that remain unanswered.
Prosecutor v. Perišić
Authors: Jenks Christopher
Published: September 2013

On February 28, 2013, the appeals chamber (Chamber) of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) overturned the 2011 conviction of General Momčilo Perišsicć, the former head of the Yugoslav Army (VJ), for aiding and abetting war crimes in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. By a 4-1 vote, the Chamber held that “specific direction” is an essential element of liability for the actus reus of aiding and abetting the crimes of murder, extermination, inhumane acts, attacks on civilians, and persecution as crimes against humanity and/or violations of the laws or customs of war. It also held that Perišsicć lacked the necessary “effective control” over his subordinates to subject him to command responsibility for their violations of the laws and customs of war.
Criminal Proceedings Against Albers
Authors: Fontanelli Filippo
Published: September 2013

In August 2012, the First Criminal Division of the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court or Court), the highest Italian domestic court, issued a judgment upholding Germany’s sovereign immunity from civil claims brought by Italian war crime victims against Paul Albers and eight others in the Italian courts (Albers). In so doing, the Court overruled its own earlier decisions and also reversed the judgment of April 20, 2011, by the Italian Military Court of Appeal (Military Court), which had upheld such claims relating to war crimes committed by German forces in Italy during World War II. With this ruling, the Court of Cassation put an end to its decade long effort to find an exception to the well-known rule of customary international law providing for sovereign immunity from foreign civil jurisdiction for actsjure imperii. Thisrevirementresulted from the Court’s decision to give effect to the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) inGermany v. Italy.
Urinary Tract Infection as a Preventable Cause of Pregnancy Complications: Opportunities, Challenges, and a Global Call to Action
Authors: Gilbert Nicole M. , O'brien Valerie P. , Hultgren Scott , Macones George , Lewis Warren G. , Lewis Amanda L.
Published: September 2013

The urinary tract is a common site of infection in humans. During pregnancy, urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with increased risks of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, even when the infection is asymptomatic. By mapping available rates of UTI in pregnancy across different populations, we emphasize this as a problem of global significance. Many countries with high rates of preterm birth and neonatal mortality also have rates of UTI in pregnancy that exceed rates seen in more developed countries. A global analysis of the etiologies of UTI revealed familiar culprits as well as emerging threats. Screening and treatment of UTI have improved birth outcomes in several more developed countries and would likely improve maternal and neonatal health worldwide. However, challenges of implementation in resource-poor settings must be overcome. We review the nature of the barriers occurring at each step of the screening and treatment pipeline and highlight steps necessary to overcome these obstacles. It is our hope that the information compiled here will increase awareness of the global significance of UTI in maternal and neonatal health and embolden governments, nongovernmental organizations, and researchers to do their part to make urine screening and UTI treatment a reality for all pregnant women.
Direct observation of frequency modulated transcription in single cells using light activation
Authors: Larson Daniel R , Fritzsch Christoph , Sun Liang , Meng Xiuhau , Lawrence David S , Singer Robert H
Published: September 2013

Single-cell analysis has revealed that transcription is dynamic and stochastic, but tools are lacking that can determine the mechanism operating at a single gene. Here we utilize single-molecule observations of RNA in fixed and living cells to develop a single-cell model of steroid-receptor mediated gene activation. We determine that steroids drive mRNA synthesis by frequency modulation of transcription. This digital behavior in single cells gives rise to the well-known analog dose response across the population. To test this model, we developed a light-activation technology to turn on a single steroid-responsive gene and follow dynamic synthesis of RNA from the activated locus.
Cavin-3 dictates the balance between ERK and Akt signaling
Authors: Hernandez Victor J , Weng Jian , Ly Peter , Pompey Shanica , Dong Hongyun , Mishra Lopa , Schwarz Margaret , Anderson Richard GW , Michaely Peter
Published: September 2013

Cavin-3 is a tumor suppressor protein of unknown function. Using both in vivo and in vitro approaches, we show that cavin-3 dictates the balance between ERK and Akt signaling. Loss of cavin-3 increases Akt signaling at the expense of ERK, while gain of cavin-3 increases ERK signaling at the expense Akt. Cavin-3 facilitates signal transduction to ERK by anchoring caveolae to the membrane skeleton of the plasma membrane via myosin-1c. Caveolae are lipid raft specializations that contain an ERK activation module and loss of the cavin-3 linkage reduces the abundance of caveolae, thereby separating this ERK activation module from signaling receptors. Loss of cavin-3 promotes Akt signaling through suppression of EGR1 and PTEN. The in vitro consequences of the loss of cavin-3 include induction of Warburg metabolism (aerobic glycolysis), accelerated cell proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis. The in vivo consequences of cavin-3 knockout are increased lactate production and cachexia.
Apoptotic cells can induce non-autonomous apoptosis through the TNF pathway
Authors: Pérez-Garijo Ainhoa , Fuchs Yaron , Steller Hermann
Published: September 2013

Apoptotic cells can produce signals to instruct cells in their local environment, including ones that stimulate engulfment and proliferation. We identified a novel mode of communication by which apoptotic cells induce additional apoptosis in the same tissue. Strong induction of apoptosis in one compartment of the Drosophila wing disc causes apoptosis of cells in the other compartment, indicating that dying cells can release long-range death factors. We identified Eiger, the Drosophila tumor necrosis factor (TNF) homolog, as the signal responsible for apoptosis-induced apoptosis (AiA). Eiger is produced in apoptotic cells and, through activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, is able to propagate the initial apoptotic stimulus. We also show that during coordinated cell death of hair follicle cells in mice, TNF-α is expressed in apoptotic cells and is required for normal cell death. AiA provides a mechanism to explain cohort behavior of dying cells that is seen both in normal development and under pathological conditions.
Bub3 reads phosphorylated MELT repeats to promote spindle assembly checkpoint signaling
Authors: Primorac Ivana , Weir John R , Chiroli Elena , Gross Fridolin , Hoffmann Ingrid , van Gerwen Suzan , Ciliberto Andrea , Musacchio Andrea
Published: September 2013

Regulation of macromolecular interactions by phosphorylation is crucial in signaling networks. In the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), which enables errorless chromosome segregation, phosphorylation promotes recruitment of SAC proteins to tensionless kinetochores. The SAC kinase Mps1 phosphorylates multiple Met-Glu-Leu-Thr (MELT) motifs on the kinetochore subunit Spc105/Knl1. The phosphorylated MELT motifs (MELTP) then promote recruitment of downstream signaling components. How MELTP motifs are recognized is unclear. In this study, we report that Bub3, a 7-bladed β-propeller, is the MELTP reader. It contains an exceptionally well-conserved interface that docks the MELTP sequence on the side of the β-propeller in a previously unknown binding mode. Mutations targeting the Bub3 interface prevent kinetochore recruitment of the SAC kinase Bub1. Crucially, they also cause a checkpoint defect, showing that recognition of phosphorylated targets by Bub3 is required for checkpoint signaling. Our data provide the first detailed mechanistic insight into how phosphorylation promotes recruitment of checkpoint proteins to kinetochores.
A new regulator of caveolae signalling
Authors: Whitmarsh Alan J
Published: September 2013

Cavin-3 regulates metabolism and cell proliferation by coordinating the activities of growth factor signalling cascades.
Tomotherapy: Implications on Daily Workload and Scheduling Patients Based on Three Years' Institutional Experience
Authors: Piotrowski T. , Czajka E. , Bak B. , Kazmierska J. , Skorska M. , Ryczkowski A. , Adamczyk M. , Jodda A.
Published: September 2013

Helical tomotherapy (HT) was introduced at the Greater Poland Cancer Centre (GPCC) in April 2009. Retrospective analysis included data from the treatments performed for the first 656 patients treated with HT between May 2009 and May 2012 at the GPCC. In order to evaluate the implications on daily workload and scheduling of patients, stepwise regression and time analysis for each component of the overall treatment time, such as positioning, imaging, registration, and irradiation were performed. A detailed analysis included: (1) learning curves and optimized time needed for positioning and registration; (2) relation between irradiation time and parameters used for plan creation; and (3) average time of daily imaging. The irradiation component has the highest influence on the overall treatment time (R = 0.911). The lowest influence was observed for the imaging (R = 0.670). The learning curve for positioning was 7 months while the reduction of the average daily time needed for registration was observed even after two years. The irradiation time strongly depends on the planning parameters. Changing the pitch from 0.215 to 0.287 for pelvic cancer cases decreased the average daily beam-on time per patient by about 2 minutes. Similar changes for head and neck reduced this time by 1.3 minutes. The limitation in the usage of 1 cm field width only for complex cases, lower than 10 cm in the cranio-caudal direction, reduced the beam-on time per patient by 2 minutes. The average overall treatment time decreased from 21.5 minutes per patient in the first year of the HT usage to 13.8 minutes per patient in current practice. Our current practice shows that for a group of patients including mainly those with pelvis and head and neck cancers, the HT treatment takes approximately 15 minutes per patient allowing 40 patients to be treated within 10 hours.
Immobilization Considerations for Proton Radiation Therapy
Authors: Wroe Andrew J. , Bush David A. , Slater Jerry D.
Published: September 2013

Proton therapy is rapidly developing as a mainstream modality for external beam radiation therapy. This development is largely due to the ability of protons to deposit much of their energy in a region known as the Bragg peak, minimizing the number of treatment fields and hence integral dose delivered to the patient. Immobilization in radiation therapy is a key component in the treatment process allowing for precise delivery of dose to the target volume and this is certainly true in proton therapy. In proton therapy immobilization needs to not only immobilize the patient, placing them in a stable and reproducible position for each treatment, but its impact on the depth dose distribution and range uncertainty must also be considered. The impact of immobilization on range is not a primary factor in X-ray radiation therapy, but it is a governing factor in proton therapy. This contribution describes the immobilization considerations in proton therapy which have been developed at Loma Linda over twenty plus years of clinical operation as a hospital based proton center.
MicroRNAs in Body Fluids as Biomarkers for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Huang Yuanshuai , Hu Qiongying , Deng Zhenghua , Hang Yonglun , Wang Jie , Wang Kaizheng
Published: September 2013

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common life-threatening malignant tumors. A test for early diagnosis of NSCLC needs to be not too invasive and not too heavy a burden for weakened patients. A series of studies reported various microRNAs (miRNAs) could be novel serum biomarkers for NSCLC. However, the diagnostic ability of different miRNA biomarkers varies among the reports. The goal of this study was to perform a systematic review to examine the effect of miRNAs on NSCLC-related outcomes. We systematically searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Pub Med, EMBASE, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, the China Academic Journals Full-text Database, and the Chinese Scientific Journals Database for potential studies. Studies were included if they were related to miRNAs, NSCLC, and reported diagnostic outcomes. Diagnostic values analysis was used to summarize the overall test performance of miRNAs. 13 studies were included in this systematic review. The ranges of sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE) of diagnosis model with miRNAs as identifying NSCLC were 0.69~1.00 and 0.66~1.00, respectively. The overall area under the curve (AUC) value of summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was 0.9151. The ranges of positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR) were 2.33~24.75 and 0.01~0.40, respectively. The range of diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 6.52~983.38. The current evidence indicates that miRNAs in body fluids show high accuracy in identifying NSCLC, and could be a useful screening tool for diagnosing NSCLC patients.
The Prognostic Value of Percentage of Positive Biopsy Cores, Percentage of Cancer Volume, and Maximum Involvement of Biopsy Cores in Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Proton and Photon Beam Therapy
Authors: Slater Jason M. , Bush David A. , Grove Roger , Slater Jerry D.
Published: September 2013

The purpose of the study is to compare the prognostic value of percentage of positive biopsy cores (PPBC), percentage of cancer volume (PCV), and maximum involvement of biopsy cores (MIBC) as a prognostic factor in low- and intermediate-risk patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who received proton or photon beam therapy. Four hundred and fifty-nine patients with clinically localized prostate carcinoma who were treated with proton or photon beam therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center were used for this analysis. Patients were treated with a median dose of 74.0 Gy (range 70.2–79.2) proton or combined proton/photon beam radiotherapy. Pathology reports were reviewed and PPBC, PCV, and MIBC were recorded. Analysis of biochemical no evidence of disease (bNED) outcome was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Cox regression multivariate analyses were performed to assess the impact of the biopsy factors on survival. Results: 285, 291, and 291 patients had biopsy information available for analysis, respectively. Survival analysis showed that a higher PPBC, PCV, and MIBC were each individually associated with an increased risk of biochemical failure on univariate analysis ( p < 0.01). Only PPBC and PCV were associated with an increased risk of biochemical failure on multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, NCCN risk group, and dose ( p < 0.01). When isolating the intermediate-risk group, only PPBC and PCV were statistically significant on multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis of the intermediate-risk group comparing PPBC and PCV showed that PPBC was not a significant predictor of biochemical failure, while PCV was a significant predictor of biochemical failure ( p = 0.37 and p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: PPBC and PCV can potentially be used for additional risk stratification of intermediate-risk patients with PCV potentially being the most clinically relevant predictor bNED survival. MIBC was not found to have utility in the prognosis of low- and intermediate-risk patients.