bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dengue Knowledge and Preventive Practices in Iquitos, Peru
Authors: Paz-Soldán Valerie A. , Morrison Amy C. , Cordova Lopez Jhonny J. , Lenhart Audrey , Scott Thomas W. , Elder John P. , Sihuincha Moises , Kochel Tadeusz J. , Halsey Eric S. , Astete Helvio , McCall Philip J.
Published: October 2015

As part of a cluster-randomized trial to evaluate insecticide-treated curtains for dengue prevention in Iquitos, Peru, we surveyed 1,333 study participants to examine knowledge and reported practices associated with dengue and its prevention. Entomological data from 1,133 of these households were linked to the survey. Most participants knew that dengue was transmitted by mosquito bite (85.6%), but only few (18.6%) knew that dengue vectors bite during daytime. Most commonly recognized dengue symptoms were fever (86.6%), headache (76.4%), and muscle/joint pain (67.9%). Most commonly reported correct practices for mosquito control were cleaning homes (61.6%), using insecticide sprays (23%), and avoiding having standing water at home (12.3%). Higher education was associated with higher knowledge about dengue, including transmission and vector control. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with increased reported use of preventive practices requiring money expenditure. We were less likely to find Aedes aegypti eggs, larvae, or pupae in households that had < 5-year-old children at home. Although dengue has been transmitted in Iquitos since the 1990s and the Regional Health Authority routinely fumigates households, treats domestic water containers with larvicide, and issues health education messages through mass media, knowledge of dengue transmission and household practices for prevention could be improved.
Factors Influencing the Serological Response in Hepatic Echinococcus granulosus Infection
Authors: Lissandrin Raffaella , Tamarozzi Francesca , Piccoli Luca , Tinelli Carmine , De Silvestri Annalisa , Mariconti Mara , Meroni Valeria , Genco Francesca , Brunetti Enrico
Published: October 2015

Knowledge of variables influencing serology is crucial to evaluate serology results for the diagnosis and clinical management of cystic echinococcosis (CE). We analyzed retrospectively a cohort of patients with hepatic CE followed in our clinic in 2000–2012 to evaluate the influence of several variables on the results of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests. Sera from 171 patients with ≥ 1 hepatic CE cyst, and 90 patients with nonparasitic cysts were analyzed. CE cysts were staged according to the WHO-IWGE classification and grouped by activity. A significant difference in ELISA optical density (OD) values and percentage of positivity was found among CE activity groups and with controls (P < 0.001). The serological response was also influenced by age (P < 0.001) and cyst number (P = 0.003). OD values and cyst size were positively correlated in active cysts (P = 0.001). IHA test showed comparable results. When we analyzed the results of 151 patients followed over time, we found that serology results were significantly influenced by cyst activity, size, number, and treatment ≤ 12 months before serum collection. In conclusion, serological responses as assessed by commercial tests depend on CE cyst activity, size and number, and time from treatment. Clinical studies and clinicians in their practice should take this into account.
Incidence of Pneumococcal Pneumonia Among Adults in Rural Thailand, 2006–2011: Implications for Pneumococcal Vaccine Considerations
Authors: Piralam Barameht , Tomczyk Sara M. , Rhodes Julia C. , Thamthitiwat Somsak , Gregory Christopher J. , Olsen Sonja J. , Praphasiri Prabda , Sawatwong Pongpun , Naorat Sathapana , Chantra Somrak , Areerat Peera , Hurst Cameron P. , Moore Matthew R. , Muangchana Charung , Baggett Henry C.
Published: October 2015

The incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia among adults is a key driver for the cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine used among children. We sought to obtain more accurate incidence estimates among adults by including results of pneumococcal urine antigen testing (UAT) from population-based pneumonia surveillance in two Thai provinces. Active surveillance from 2006 to 2011 identified acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI)–related hospital admissions. Adult cases of pneumococcal pneumonia were defined as hospitalized ALRI patients aged ≥ 18 years with isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood or with positive UAT. Among 39,525 adult ALRI patients, we identified 481 pneumococcal pneumonia cases (105 by blood culture, 376 by UAT only). Estimated incidence of pneumococcal pneumonia hospitalizations was 30.5 cases per 100,000 persons per year (2.2 and 28.3 cases per 100,000 persons per year by blood culture and UAT, respectively). Incidence varied between 22.7 in 2007 and 43.5 in 2010, and increased with age to over 150 per 100,000 persons per year among persons aged ≥ 70 years. Viral coinfections including influenza A/B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus occurred in 11% (44/409) of pneumococcal pneumonia cases tested. Use of UAT to identify cases of pneumococcal pneumonia among adults in rural Thailand substantially increases estimates of pneumococcal pneumonia burden, thereby informing cost-effectiveness analyses and vaccine policy decisions.
Hypoglycemia and Risk Factors for Death in 13 Years of Pediatric Admissions in Mozambique
Authors: Madrid Lola , Acacio Sozinho , Nhampossa Tacilta , Lanaspa Miguel , Sitoe Antonio , Maculuve Sónia Amós , Mucavele Helio , Quintó Llorenç , Sigaúque Betuel , Bassat Quique
Published: October 2015

Hypoglycemia is a life-threatening complication of several diseases in childhood. We describe the prevalence and incidence of hypoglycemia among admitted Mozambican children, establishing its associated risk factors. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 13 years collected through an ongoing systematic morbidity surveillance in Manhiça District Hospital in rural Mozambique. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for hypoglycemia and death. Minimum community-based incidence rates (MCBIRs) for hypoglycemia were calculated using data from the demographic surveillance system. Of 49,089 children < 15 years hospitalized in Manhiça District Hospital, 45,573 (92.8%) had a glycemia assessment on admission. A total of 1,478 children (3.2%) presented hypoglycemia (< 3 mmol/L), of which about two-thirds (972) were with levels < 2.5 mmol/L. Independent risk factors for hypoglycemia on admission and death among hypoglycemic children included prostration, unconsciousness, edema, malnutrition, and bacteremia. Hypoglycemic children were significantly more likely to die (odds ratio [OR] = 7.11; P < 0.001), with an associated case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.3% (245/1,267). Overall MCBIR of hypoglycemia was 1.57 episodes/1,000 child years at risk (CYAR), significantly decreasing throughout the study period. Newborns showed the highest incidences (9.47 episodes/1,000 CYAR, P < 0.001). Hypoglycemia remains a hazardous condition for African children. Symptoms and signs associated to hypoglycemia should trigger the verification of glycemia and the implementation of life-saving corrective measures.
Pooled Amplicon Deep Sequencing of Candidate Plasmodium falciparum Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Antigens
Authors: Juliano Jonathan J. , Parobek Christian M. , Brazeau Nicholas F. , Ngasala Billy , Randrianarivelojosia Milijaona , Lon Chanthap , Mwandagalirwa Kashamuka , Tshefu Antoinette , Dhar Ravi , Das Bidyut K. , Hoffman Irving , Martinson Francis , Mårtensson Andreas , Saunders David L. , Kumar Nirbhay , Meshnick Steven R.
Published: October 2015

Polymorphisms within Plasmodium falciparum vaccine candidate antigens have the potential to compromise vaccine efficacy. Understanding the allele frequencies of polymorphisms in critical binding regions of antigens can help in the designing of strain-transcendent vaccines. Here, we adopt a pooled deep-sequencing approach, originally designed to study P. falciparum drug resistance mutations, to study the diversity of two leading transmission-blocking vaccine candidates, Pfs25 and Pfs48/45. We sequenced 329 P. falciparum field isolates from six different geographic regions. Pfs25 showed little diversity, with only one known polymorphism identified in the region associated with binding of transmission-blocking antibodies among our isolates. However, we identified four new mutations among eight non-synonymous mutations within the presumed antibody-binding region of Pfs48/45. Pooled deep sequencing provides a scalable and cost-effective approach for the targeted study of allele frequencies of P. falciparum candidate vaccine antigens.
Relación entre calidad de vida y representación de enfermedad en personas con enfermedad renal crónica terminal en tratamiento con hemodiálisis
Authors: Pérez Acuña Claudia , Riquelme Hernández Giselle , Scharager Goldenberg Judith , Armijo Rodríguez Iván
Published: October 2015

Introducción: La hemodiálisis produce alteración de las actividades diarias de las personas con enfermedad renal crónica terminal que deterioran significativamente su calidad de vida. La forma en que estas personas representan su enfermedad influye en el control de la patología y en la calidad de vida.
Objetivo: evaluar la asociación entre representación de enfermedad y percepción de calidad de vida en personas con enfermedad renal crónica terminal en hemodiálisis.
Metodología: estudio correlacional predictivo, de corte transversal realizado en 100 personas con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis. Se utilizaron como instrumentos el IPQ-R (representación de enfermedad) y el KDQOL-SF (medición de la calidad de vida). Se aplicaron estadísticos descriptivos, analíticos y análisis de sendero. Resultados: se observó una puntuación más alta en la percepción de calidad de vida específica v/s genérica. En la representación de enfermedad se observa que aquellos que perciben menos signos y síntomas presentan menos consecuencias (r =0.317; p= 0.001), asimismo, quienes identifican menos consecuencias presentan menos síntomas psicológicos (r =0.496; p= 0.000) y mayor comprensión de la enfermedad (r =-0.428; p= 0.000). En la relación entre calidad de vida y representación de enfermedad se encontró una correlación inversa entre la percepción de signos y síntomas (identidad) y la percepción de calidad de vida general (r =-.403; p= 0.000) y específica (r =-.380; p= 0.000).
Discusión: es importante considerar la percepción del usuario en la evaluación de la calidad de vida y la representación de enfermedad, para favorecer su empoderamiento respecto de su enfermedad.
Utilidad de las tiras reactivas multistix 10 SG ® en el diagnóstico de peritonitis en diálisis peritoneal
Authors: Nuñez Moral Miguel , Méndez González Alejandra , Pelaéz Requejo Beatriz , Fernández Pérez Mónica , Quintana Fernández Aurora , Sánchez Álvarez José Emilio , Rodríguez Suárez Carmen , Camblor Martínez Pablo , González Díaz Isabel
Published: October 2015

Introducción: La infección peritoneal es una complicación frecuente en diálisis peritoneal, que condiciona una importante morbi-mortalidad. Habitualmente el diagnóstico se establece mediante signos y síntomas clínicos, efluente turbio y cultivo positivo. En ocasiones los síntomas son poco evidentes, el recuento leucocitario puede no estar disponible y el cultivo se demora varios días. Por otro lado se sabe que el inicio precoz del tratamiento antibiótico aumenta la eficacia y favorece la resolución de los episodios de infección peritoneal.
Objetivo: Estudiar la capacidad diagnóstica de las tiras reactivas Multistix 10 SG Siemens® en la determinación de peritonitis en pacientes en diálisis peritoneal.
Material y métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo donde se analizaron muestras de líquido peritoneal efluente de pacientes prevalentes en diálisis peritoneal, durante seis meses. Se tomó como criterio de peritonitis la presencia de más de 100 Leucocitos (L)/ µl y más de 50% de ellos polimorfonucleares. Las muestras de líquido peritoneal efluente fueron obtenidas después de permanencias mínimas de dos horas y volumen mínimo de 1500 cc. Todas las muestras se analizaron usando tiras reactivas de Multistix® 10 SG Siemens durante 2 minutos, anotando el observador el resultado de acuerdo a la escala cromática (valor 0= 0-15 L/µl, valor 1= 16-70 L/µl, valor 2=71-125 L/µl y valor 3=126-500 L/µl) y se compararon con las enviadas al laboratorio de nuestro hospital para el recuento manual de leucocitos. Se recogieron otras variables clínicas y epidemiológicas.
Resultados: Se analizaron 111 muestras de efluente peritoneal. Detectándose infección peritoneal en 28 muestras (25.2%). No se observaron diferencias significativas entre infectados y no infectados por razón de edad, sexo, diabetes ni número de peritonitis anteriores. El 68 % de los pacientes infectados declararon sufrir dolor. El 73% de las muestras con infección presentaron líquido turbio. En relación al resultado del Multistix, y considerando infección un valor por encima de 1, encontramos una sensibilidad del 100% y una especificidad del 95.2%. Si el punto de corte se toma en el valor 2 encontramos una sensibilidad del 96,4% y una especificidad del 100%.
Conclusiones: La utilización de las tiras Multistix® 10 SG Siemens como prueba diagnóstica para la detección de infección peritoneal, tiene una validez excelente, pudiendo sustituir al recuento manual de leucocitos.
Métodos de entrenamiento de las habilidades espaciales de los estudiantes de titulaciones técnicas
Authors: Mataix Sanjuán Jesús , León Robles Carlos , Reinoso Gordo Juan Francisco
Published: October 2015

Las habilidades espaciales son herramientas fundamentales en el desempeño profesional y en la formación académica de ingenieros y arquitectos. Sin embargo los sucesivos planes de estudio, en particular los derivados del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, asignan cada vez menos créditos para las asignaturas de Expresión Gráfica, lo que conlleva una insuficiente atención al desarrollo de estas habilidades.

Ante esta situación, desde el ámbito de la docencia de la Expresión Gráfica se han llevado a cabo en las últimas décadas numerosos estudios que analizan varios métodos entrenamiento de las habilidades espaciales. Este artículo describe algunos de los principales estudios y sus resultados, de los que se desprende que son los ejercicios de bocetado a mano alzada los más eficaces, por encima del modelado con aplicaciones CAD y de herramientas innovadoras y software específicamente diseñado para ello.
Descripción y análisis geométrico del templo parroquial de Santa María la Antigua de Zumárraga (Guipúzcoa)
Authors: Ayerza Elizarain Ramón , Mujika Marte
Published: October 2015

La población guipuzcoana de Zumárraga conserva, por felices coincidencias, su primitivo templo parroquial tardogótico de madera. Su análisis geométrico ha puesto de manifiesto el alto nivel de especulativo de su diseño arquitectónico y la extraordinaria coherencia de su sistema de proporciones.
El mito de la caverna
Authors: Giménez Ribera Manuel , Cabrera i Fausto Iván
Published: October 2015

Atender la propuesta expositiva de Alberto Campo Baeza, en la trasformada Sala de Exposiciones de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Valencia siguiendo las trazas indicativas del propio arquitecto, faculta el conocimiento de sus últimas creaciones. En una sala hermética a la luz, mediante la proyección de imágenes de la realidad construida; mediante la proyección de perspectivas y apuntes; mediante la proyección de aquello convencionalmente entendido como planos (plantas y secciones) se procura, a través de la visión de la realidad exhibida, obtener el conocimiento alcanzado a través de la inteligencia.
Gio Ponti Y Bernard Rudofsky: la casa mediterránea y su representación en la revista Domus
Authors: Lafuente Sánchez Víctor A.
Published: October 2015

Entre 1937 y 1938, los arquitectos Gio Ponti y Bernard Rudofsky coincidieron en la revista Domus en una colaboración que traspasaría los límites del papel, adentrándose en el campo de la teoría y el proyecto arquitectónicos. Los diseños arquitectónicos que entonces realizaron, aunque finalmente no fueron construidos, son de gran interés por la investigación que suponen de la casa mediterránea tradicional y la reactualización que pretenden de la misma, a partir de las experiencias previas de uno y otro. Su publicación en Domus requería de nuevos y diversos recursos gráficos, que, por su originalidad, consideramos pertinente recordar en este artículo, ya que exploran distintos modos de representar arquitectura, tremendamente explícitos y muy adaptados al público en general.
The Making of Good Supervision
Authors: Elliott Jennifer , Narain Aditya , Tower Ian , Vinãls José , Bologna Pierluigi , Hsu Michael , Fiechter Jonathan
Published: October 2015

The quality of financial sector supervision has emerged as a key issue from the financial crisis. While most countries operated broadly under the same regulatory standards, differences emerged in supervisory approaches. The international response to this crisis has focused on the need for more and better regulations (e.g., in areas such as bank capital, liquidity and provisioning) and on developing a framework to address systemic risks, but there has been less discussion of how supervision itself could be strengthened. The IMF’s work in assessing compliance with financial sector standards over the past decade in member countries suggests that while progress is being made in putting regulation in place, work remains to be done in many countries to strengthen supervision. How can this enhanced supervision be achieved? Based on an examination of lessons from the crisis and the findings of these assessments of countries’ compliance with financial standards, the paper identifies the following key elements of good supervision—that it is intrusive, skeptical, proactive, comprehensive, adaptive, and conclusive. To achieve these elements, the “ability” to supervise, which requires appropriate resources, authority, organization and constructive working relationships with other agencies must be complemented by the “will” to act. Supervisors must be willing and empowered to take timely and effective action, to intrude on decision-making, to question common wisdom, and to take unpopular decisions. Developing this “will to act” is a more difficult task and requires that supervisors have a clear and unambiguous mandate, operational independence coupled with accountability, skilled staff, and a relationship with industry that avoids “regulatory capture.” These essential elements of good supervision need to be given as much attention as the regulatory reforms that are being contemplated at both national and international levels. Indeed, only if supervision is strengthened can we hope to effectively deliver on the challenging—but crucial—regulatory reform agenda. For this to happen, society must stand with supervisors as they play their role as naysayers in times of exuberance.
Foreclosure Mitigation Efforts in the United States
Authors: Klyuev Vladimir , Kiff John
Published: October 2015

Home foreclosure rates have risen in the United States to the highest levels since the Great Depression. With house prices falling, lending standards tightening, unemployment rising, and interest rate resets in the pipeline, foreclosures are projected to go even higher. While most of the time a foreclosure is a suboptimal resolution of a distressed mortgage, a number of features of the mortgage finance system often prevent loan modifications. This paper reviews the impediments to successful mortgage restructuring and proposes a number of ways to improve the situation. The proposals build on the recognition that the key problem is a combination of negative housing equity and unaffordable debt service, and a successful loan modification scheme should address both issues. Given the key role foreclosures play in the adverse housing market dynamics, and several market failures that the paper identifies, the burden of mortgage debt restructuring should be shared by the taxpayer.
Stratospheric geoengineering impacts on El Niño/Southern Oscillation
Authors: Gabriel C. J. , Robock A.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. To examine the impact of proposed stratospheric geoengineering schemes on the amplitude and frequency of El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variations we examine climate model simulations from the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) G1–G4 experiments. Here we compare tropical Pacific behavior under anthropogenic global warming (AGW) using several scenarios: an instantaneous quadrupling of the atmosphere's CO2 concentration, a 1 % annual increase in CO2 concentration, and the representative concentration pathway resulting in 4.5 W m−2 radiative forcing at the end of the 21st century, the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 scenario, with that under G1–G4 and under historical model simulations. Climate models under AGW project relatively uniform warming across the tropical Pacific over the next several decades. We find no statistically significant change in ENSO frequency or amplitude under stratospheric geoengineering as compared with those that would occur under ongoing AGW, although the relative brevity of the G1–G4 simulations may have limited detectability of such changes. We also find that the amplitude and frequency of ENSO events do not vary significantly under either AGW scenarios or G1–G4 from the variability found within historical simulations or observations going back to the mid-19th century. Finally, while warming of the Niño3.4 region in the tropical Pacific is fully offset in G1 and G2 during the 40-year simulations, the region continues to warm significantly in G3 and G4, which both start from a present-day climate.
Pre-activation of ice nucleating particles by the pore condensation and freezing mechanism
Authors: Wagner R. , Kiselev A. , Möhler O. , Saathoff H. , Steinke I.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. In spite of the resurgence in ice nucleation research a comparatively small number of studies deal with the phenomenon of pre-activation in heterogeneous ice nucleation. Already fifty years ago, it was shown that various mineral dust and volcanic ash particles can be pre-activated to become nuclei for ice crystal formation even at temperatures as high as 270–271 K. Pre-activation was achieved under ice subsaturated conditions without any preceding macroscopic ice growth by just temporarily cooling the particles to temperatures below 228 K. A two-step mechanism involving capillary condensation of supercooled water and subsequent homogeneous freezing was proposed to account for the particles' enhanced ice nucleation ability at high temperatures. This work reinvestigates the efficiency of the proposed pre-activation mechanism in temperature-cycling experiments performed in a large cloud chamber with suspended particles. We find the efficiency to be highest for the clay mineral illite as well as for highly porous materials like zeolite and diatomaceous earth, whereas most aerosols generated from desert dust surface samples did not reveal a measurable pre-activation ability. The pre-activation efficiency is linked to particle pores in a certain size range. As estimated by model calculations, only pores with diameters between about 5 and 8 nm contribute to pre-activation under ice subsaturated conditions. In contrast to the early study, pre-activation is only observed for temperatures below 260 K. Above that threshold, the particles' improved ice nucleation ability disappears due to the melting of ice in the pores.
Airborne observation of mixing across the entrainment zone during PARADE 2011
Authors: Berkes F. , Hoor P. , Bozem H. , Kunkel D. , Sprenger M. , Henne S.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. This study presents the analysis of the structure and air mass characteristics of the lower atmosphere during the field campaign PARADE (PArticles and RAdicals: Diel observations of the impact of urban and biogenic Emissions) on Mount Kleiner Feldberg in southwestern Germany during late summer 2011. We analysed measurements of meteorological variables (temperature, moisture, pressure, wind speed and direction) from radio soundings and of chemical tracers (carbon dioxide, ozone) from aircraft measurements. We focus on the thermodynamic and dynamic properties, that control the chemical distribution of atmospheric constituents in the boundary layer. We show that the evolution of tracer profiles of CO2 and O3 indicate mixing across the inversion layer (or entrainment zone). This finding is supported by the analysis of tracer–tracer correlations which are indicative for mixing and the relation of tracer profiles in relation to the evolution of the boundary layer height deduced from radio soundings. The study shows the relevance of entrainment processes for the lower troposphere in general and specifically that the tracer–tracer correlation method can be used to identify mixing and irreversible exchange processes across the inversion layer.
Soluble trace metals in aerosols over the tropical south east Pacific offshore of Peru
Authors: Baker A. R. , Thomas M. , Bange H. W. , Plasencia Sánchez E.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Bulk aerosol samples collected during cruise M91 of FS Meteor off the coast of Peru in December 2012 were analysed for their soluble trace metal (Fe, Al, Mn, Ti, Zn, V, Ni, Cu, Co, Cd, Pb, Th) and major ion (including NO3− and NH4+) content. These data are among the first recorded for trace metals in this relatively poorly studied region of the global marine atmosphere. To the north of ∼ 13° S, the concentrations of several elements (Fe, Ti, Zn, V, Ni, Pb) appear to be related to distance from the coast. At the south of the transect (∼ 15–16° S), elevated concentrations of Fe, Cu, Co and Ni were observed. These may be related to the activities of the large smelting facilities in the south of Peru or northern Chile. Calculated dry deposition fluxes (3370–17 800 and 16–107 nmol m−2 d−1 for inorganic nitrogen and soluble Fe respectively) indicated that atmospheric input to the waters of the Peru upwelling system contains an excess of Fe over N, with respect to phytoplankton requirements. This may be significant as primary production in these waters has been reported to be limited by Fe availability, but atmospheric deposition is unlikely to be the dominant source of Fe to the system.
Processing of water level derived from water pressure data at the Time Series Station Spiekeroog
Authors: Holinde L. , Badewien T. H. , Freund J. A. , Stanev E. V. , Zielinski O.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. The quality of water level time series data strongly varies with periods of high- and low-quality sensor data. In this paper we are presenting the processing steps which were used to generate high-quality water level data from water pressure measured at the Time Series Station (TSS) Spiekeroog. The TSS is positioned in a tidal inlet between the islands of Spiekeroog and Langeoog in the East Frisian Wadden Sea (southern North Sea). The processing steps will cover sensor drift, outlier identification, interpolation of data gaps and quality control. A central step is the removal of outliers. For this process an absolute threshold of 0.25 m 10 min−1 was selected which still keeps the water level increase and decrease during extreme events as shown during the quality control process. A second important feature of data processing is the interpolation of gappy data which is accomplished with a high certainty of generating trustworthy data. Applying these methods a 10-year data set (December 2002–December 2012) of water level information at the TSS was processed resulting in a 7-year time series (2005–2011). Supplementary data are available at doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.843740.
Towards a representation of priming on soil carbon decomposition in the global land biosphere model ORCHIDEE (version 1.9.5.2)
Authors: Guenet B. , Moyano F. E. , Peylin P. , Ciais P. , Janssens I. A.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Priming of soil carbon decomposition encompasses different processes through which the decomposition of native (already present) soil organic matter is amplified through the addition of new organic matter, with new inputs typically being more labile than the native soil organic matter. Evidence for priming comes from laboratory and field experiments, but to date there is no estimate of its impact at global scale and under the current anthropogenic perturbation of the carbon cycle. Current soil carbon decomposition models do not include priming mechanisms, thereby introducing uncertainty when extrapolating short-term local observations to ecosystem and regional to global scale. In this study we present a simple conceptual model of decomposition priming, called PRIM, able to reproduce laboratory (incubation) and field (litter manipulation) priming experiments. Parameters for this model were first optimized against data from 20 soil incubation experiments using a Bayesian framework. The optimized parameter values were evaluated against another set of soil incubation data independent from the ones used for calibration and the PRIM model reproduced the soil incubations data better than the original, CENTURY-type soil decomposition model, whose decomposition equations are based only on first order kinetics. We then compared the PRIM model and the standard first order decay model incorporated into the global land biosphere model ORCHIDEE. A test of both models was performed at ecosystem scale using litter manipulation experiments from 5 sites. Although both versions were equally able to reproduce observed decay rates of litter, only ORCHIDEE-PRIM could simulate the observed priming (R2 = 0.54) in cases where litter was added or removed. This result suggests that a conceptually simple and numerically tractable representation of priming adapted to global models is able to capture the sign and magnitude of the priming of litter and soil organic matter.
Art Teachers’ Beliefs about Creativity
Authors: Stone Denise L.
Published: October 2015

Art teachers hold beliefs about creativity, including the process, ways to enhance it, and what personality traits are typically associated with it. These notions influence daily decision making, shape instruction, and affect student mentoring. Even seemingly simple decisions, such as selecting student products for display on a bulletin board, to more significant deliberations about juried art competitions are affected by creativity beliefs. The present study investigates art teachers’ implicit theories about the topic, that is, how they define it, support it in the classroom, and view creative traits of their students. A questionnaire consisting of 14 items was sent to 319, K-12 art specialists teaching in urban, suburban, and rural districts in a midwestern state. The survey was electronically administered to a sample of 319 teachers; a total of 93 replied, yielding a response rate of 32%. The results suggest that teachers’ beliefs aligned with the perspectives of both idealistic and action theorists of the field of psychology. Their ideas were somewhat contradictory and unproductive, in light of the needs of contemporary art education. It is suggested that educators in the study did not receive pre-service training that included general information and procedural knowledge for promoting creativity in the art room.
Association Between Lifestyle and Hypertension in Patients Referred to Health Care Centers of Ilam City in 2014
Authors: Shafieyan Zahra , Qorbani Mostafa , Rastegari Mehr Babak , Mahboubi Mohammad , Rezapour Aziz , Safari Omid , Ansari Hossein , Esmaeli Kia Maryam , Asayesh Hamid , Mansourian Morteza
Published: October 2015

INTRODUCTION: Lifestyle is referred to an individual’s healthy and unhealthy behaviors that can affect their health statues. The present study aim was association between lifestyle and hypertension in patients referred to healthcare centers of Ilam city in 2014.

MATERIALS & METHODS: This research study was a case-control study. The data were collected through a standard questionnaire of health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLPII) as well as the researcher’s direct visit to the health care centers in the city of Ilam. After the questionnaires were collected and classified, the data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, T-Tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS: The mean and the standard deviation of the age of the main and the control groups were 57.1 (2.22) and 56.5 (2.99) years old, respectively. 10.9%of the control group and 25.5. % of the cases was smoking cigarettes or hookah. The results of the data analysis showed that the mean scores obtained by the main and the control groups on measures of physical activity, psychological growth, stress and total lifestyleare significantly different, so that the obtained score in the dimensions in patients with hypertension was significantly lower than the score obtained among the healthy individuals.

CONCLUSIONS: According to the results it seems that educational interventions in the field of healthy lifestyle for individuals with hypertension risk can have an effect on controlling this disease and reducing its incidence.
Outside Director Equity Compensation and the Quality of Analyst Earnings Forecasts
Authors: Hwang Induck , Kim Hyungtae , Pae Sangshin
Published: October 2015

Purpose: This article investigates how outside directors’ equity compensation affects the quality of analyst earnings forecasts.

Design/methodology/approach: The authors implement firm clustered OLS regression with year, quarter, and industry dummies since there may exist biases from firm, year, quarter, and industry specific characteristics.

Findings: Using 7,159 firm-year compensation data from ExecuComp, the authors find that the quality of analyst earnings forecasts improves when the proportion of equity compensation awarded to outside directors increases. They also separate equity compensation into stock and option. Their results show consistent improvement: more accurate and less dispersed analyst earnings forecasts. Overall, the findings suggest that the quality of analyst earnings forecasts is better when outside directors are compensated with equity compensation.

Research limitations/implications: This study provides empirical evidence of benefit from equity compensation of outside directors in line with existing compensation studies in accounting and finance literature. Unlike a majority of the extant studies, this study examines how the composition of director compensation affects the quality of information which financial analysts produce. Consistent with an argument that equity compensation aligns the interests, outside directors with more equity compensation tend to provide financial information with better quality, the authors document that analysts are likely to provide more accurate and less disperse information.

Practical implications: For and board members, this study offers an implication that equity compensation could contribute to enhancing their firms’ information environment. In addition, analysts could improve their forecasting performance by following firm monitored by outside directors remunerated with equity compensation. For investors who put much emphasize on the quality of firms’ financial information, the use of equity compensation can be a useful criterion in their investment decision.

Originality/value: This study provides empirical evidence of benefit from equity compensation in line with compensation studies in accounting and finance literature. Therefore, equity compensation can be a useful criterion in their decision makings for various parties, including analysts, regulators, and individual investors.
The Intellectual Convergence between the Forensic Audit and the External Auditor toward the Professionalism in Jordan
Authors: Jaber Matarneh Ala , Abdul Moneim Usama , Al-Nimer Munther
Published: October 2015

Many attempts (endeavors) have emerged in the Intellectual Accounting field in order to develop accounting and accounting information intellectually. The key serious attempts among them were the ones that claimed the importance of linking accounting and law, on the other hand linking accounting and the law needs from the accounting information. As a result, sincere invitations were launched (appealed) from the developed countries for the desperate need for the (Forensic Accounting) services and this very new concept (term) is totally different about Legal Accounting and about the external auditing which are undertaken by the official government departments, auditors and the chartered accountants in the private sector. Forensic Accounting outcomes offer reports to the judges that direct (lead) them for granting their judgments (decisions) for the concerned parties properly.
This study aims at searching the importance of the convergence of the intellectual between the Forensic Auditor and the External Auditor in order to reach the pioneer in accounting professionalism ultimately. Correspondingly, one of the most important conclusions of this study is that the forensic accountant’s role comes when the legal accountant fails at detecting the fraud of the financial statements, the Forensic Accountant's role comes off shortly afterwards the (fraud Auditor) but his magnificent contribution for the Forensic accountant is to translating the financial and complicated transactions and the digital data into terms and concepts which allow the public (ordinary people) to understand them effortlessly. On the other hand, one of the key recommendations of this study is the necessity of educating and raising the Jordanian legal accountants’ awareness for the Forensic Accounting and to build up the proper skills to meet its requirements as a career beside the importance of the convergence of the intellectual with the internal auditor’s insights and duties and that would be achieved by designing training courses and workshops that lead these auditors and give them the chance to contemplate the Forensic Accounting prosperities and its intellectual aims (goals).
Employee Commitment in Public and Private Banks in India
Authors: Mittal Shweta , Mittal Vivek
Published: October 2015

The study assesses the employee commitment in the public and private banks and finds the difference in employee commitment with regard to all the three components of employee commitment i.e. affective commitment, normative commitment and continuance commitment in the public and private banks. The primary data has been collected from 203 employees through a structured questionnaire of employee commitment that measures affective, continuance and normative commitment. The t-test has been used to compare the three components of employee commitment. It was found that the employee commitment of public sector banks is better than private banks.
The Relationship Variables to Celebrity Endorsement and Brand Equity: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Thusyanthy Vadivelu , Tharanikaran Vadivelu
Published: October 2015

Currently most of the marketers use celebrity endorsement as an effective promotional tool, where celebrities are the well known individuals to the public, and this celebrity endorsement in advertisements have impact on customer based brand equity. Even though, there is a relationship between celebrity endorsement and customer based brand equity, many scholars have implied that several variables and dimensions also impact on these celebrity endorsement and customer based brand equity broadly. This qualitative comprehensive review explores with the various literature supports for the relationship variables to celebrity endorsement and customer based brand equity. To extend and facilitate further studies contextually and empirically, a comprehensive model is presented to demonstrate how these relationship variables relate to celebrity endorsement and customer based brand equity. This study with a comprehensive and complex model contributes to the existing literature and enhances the studies, which are related to the celebrity endorsement and customer based brand equity.
Structure of Board of Directors and Company’s Performance
Authors: Khansalar Ehsan , Lari Dasht-Bayaz Mahmood , Maboodi Darioush
Published: October 2015

The formation of shareholders or a board of directors’ structure is considered one of the important issues of corporate governance that impact on the motivation of managers. We shall consider that the impact of a board of directors’ ownership structure on the performance and productivity of corporate governance is a multidimensional and complicated issue. For this reason, we can expect all kinds of conflicts and contradictions of interests among people and groups, including conflicts of interest among owners and managers, shareholders and creditors, real and legal shareholders, internal and external shareholders etc. In this regard, there is extensive research about the impact of a board of directors’ ownership and managers on the performance and the value of a company within different countries and researchers have achieved different results and conflicts. Regarding a lot of research in this field, this research by using a descriptive-analytical method has studied the impact of a board of directors’ structure and features on the performance of corporate governance within companies listed on the Tehran stock exchange. The results indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between CEO duality and a company’s performance, also there is no significant relationship between a board of directors’ adherence and a company’s performance.
Gender Aware Employer Branding: How to Become Authentic, Unique and Attractive
Authors: Lundkvist Hans
Published: October 2015

Despite a global financial crisis, the concept Employer Branding became the point of departure for an interactive collaboration between an engineering company and a research team. When reviewing academic literature the conclusion was that very few articles combine the concepts of employer brand and gender equality. This article contributes theoretically to promote and examine arguments for the potential of adopting a gender perspective when developing an employer brand and when compiling the employer value propositioning. The article intends to inspire organizations to use a gender perspective when developing the employer value proposition in order to promote propositions reflecting the organization. It will also open avenues for further research by synthesizing the two fields.
The Impact of Physical Environment and Regional Image on Tourist’s Experiential Values and Feelings: An Example of Nanzhuang Area in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Shwu-Ing , Chia Huang Li
Published: October 2015

With the booming global tourism activities, many countries around the world are actively promoting regional tourism. Thus, understanding the tourists’ needs is important in developing tourism promotion strategies. With Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli County as the case study, this paper discusses the influence of the two independent variables, the tangible physical environment and the intangible regional image, tourists’ experiential value and the feelings after tourism. This study conducted a questionnaire survey on tourists who have visited Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli County, by convenience sampling, in order to construct the model of regional experience marketing effect. A total of 743 effective samples were retrieved. After analysis by structural equation modeling (SEM), it is found that: (1) the physical environment has a positive and significant influence on the tourists’ experiential value; (2) regional image has a positive and significant influence on the tourist’s experiential value; (3) the experiential value has a positive and significant influence on satisfaction; (4) satisfaction has a positive and significant influence on trust and commitment; (5) trust has no significant influence on commitment. Regarding the two independent variables, regional image has more influence. In addition, after comparing the group models by clustering with the high and low frequency of the number of visits, it is found that there are some differences between the high frequency group and the low frequency group, where the regional image of the high frequency group has a greater influence on the experiential value and the physical environment of the low frequency group has a greater influence on the experiential value. The findings can serve as reference for the local government and the tourism operators to develop regional marketing strategies.
Risk-Benefit Assessment of Hog Mandibular Lymph Node Incision at Slaughter in Canada
Authors: Ravel André , Sidibé Boubacar , Moreau Pascal , Bisaillon Jean-Robert
Published: October 2015

In the context of a risk-based meat inspection modernization, the change towards a visual only inspection of all hog mandibular lymph nodes (MLN) has been made in some countries and is considered in Canada. In fact, the current mandatory incision and visual inspection of all MLNs put in force a century ago to detect signs of infection by Mycobacterium bovis may no longer be relevant and may even generate cross-contamination by bacteria potentially pathogenic to humans. To support a science-based decision, a qualitative risk-benefit assessment following the European Food Safety Authority framework was undertaken for each inspection approach (with or without systematic incision). Both risk-benefit assessments led to similar results in concluding that the benefit of any MLN inspection for the detection of M. bovis infection in hogs is no longer existent. For the risk associated with this incision, data is lacking to differentiate the risk between both inspections on the qualitative scale chosen. In conclusion, the scientific opinion is that the replacement of the current systematic incision and visual inspection of all hog MLNs by a systematic visual-only inspection of all MLNs will not affect the food safety risks and in fact may reduce some of them.
Quantifying Residues from Postharvest Propylene Oxide Fumigation of Almonds and Walnuts
Authors: Jimenez Leonel R , Hall IV Wiley A , Rodriquez Matthew S , Cooper William J , Muhareb Jeanette , Jones Tom , Walse Spencer S
Published: October 2015

A novel analytical approach involving solvent extraction with methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) followed by GC was developed to quantify residues that result from the postharvest fumigation of almonds and walnuts with propylene oxide (PPO). Verification and quantification of PPO, propylene chlorohydrin (PCH) [1-chloropropan-2-ol (PCH-1) and 2-chloropropan-1-ol (PCH-2)], and propylene bromohydrin (PBH) [1-bromopropan-2-ol (PBH-1) and 2-bromopropan-1-ol (PBH-2)] was accomplished with a combination of electron impact ionization MS (EIMS), negative ion chemical ionization MS (NCIMS), and electron capture detection (ECD). Respective GC/EIMS LOQs for PPO, PCH-1, PCH-2, PBH-1, and PBH-2 in MTBE extracts were [ppm (μg/g nut)] 0.9, 2.1, 2.5, 30.3, and 50.0 for almonds and 0.8, 2.2, 2.02, 41.6, and 45.7 for walnuts. Relative to GC/EIMS, GC-ECD analyses resulted in no detection of PPO, similar detector responses for PCH isomers, and >100-fold more sensitive detection of PBH isomers. NCIMS did not enhance detection of PBH isomers relative to EIMS and was, respectively, approximately 20-, 5-, and 10-fold less sensitive to PPO, PCH-1, and PCH-2. MTBE extraction efficiencies were >90% for all analytes. The 10-fold concentration of MTBE extracts yielded recoveries of 85–105% for the PBH isomers and a concomitant decrease in LODs and LOQs across detector types. The recoveries of PCH isomers and PPO in the MTBE concentrate were relatively low (approximately 50 to 75%), which confound improvements in LODs and LOQs regardless of detector type.