bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benefits and limitations of data assimilation for discharge forecasting using an event-based rainfall–runoff model
Authors: Coustau M. , Ricci S. , Borrell-Estupina V. , Bouvier C. , Thual O.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Mediterranean catchments in southern France are threatened by potentially devastating fast floods which are difficult to anticipate. In order to improve the skill of rainfall-runoff models in predicting such flash floods, hydrologists use data assimilation techniques to provide real-time updates of the model using observational data. This approach seeks to reduce the uncertainties present in different components of the hydrological model (forcing, parameters or state variables) in order to minimize the error in simulated discharges. This article presents a data assimilation procedure, the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE), used with the goal of improving the peak discharge predictions generated by an event-based hydrological model Soil Conservation Service lag and route (SCS-LR). For a given prediction date, selected model inputs are corrected by assimilating discharge data observed at the basin outlet. This study is conducted on the Lez Mediterranean basin in southern France. The key objectives of this article are (i) to select the parameter(s) which allow for the most efficient and reliable correction of the simulated discharges, (ii) to demonstrate the impact of the correction of the initial condition upon simulated discharges, and (iii) to identify and understand conditions in which this technique fails to improve the forecast skill. The correction of the initial moisture deficit of the soil reservoir proves to be the most efficient control parameter for adjusting the peak discharge. Using data assimilation, this correction leads to an average of 12% improvement in the flood peak magnitude forecast in 75% of cases. The investigation of the other 25% of cases points out a number of precautions for the appropriate use of this data assimilation procedure.
The effects of additional black carbon on Arctic sea ice surface albedo: variation with sea ice type and snow cover
Authors: Marks A. A. , King M. D.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Black carbon in sea ice will decrease sea ice surface albedo through increased absorption of incident solar radiation, exacerbating sea ice melting. Previous literature has reported different albedo responses to additions of black carbon in sea ice and has not considered how a snow cover may mitigate the effect of black carbon in sea ice. Sea ice is predominately snow covered. Visible light absorption and light scattering coefficients are calculated for a typical first year and multi-year sea ice and "dry" and "wet" snow types that suggest black carbon is the dominating absorbing impurity. The albedo response of first year and multi-year sea ice to increasing black carbon, from 1–1024 ng g−1, in a top 5 cm layer of a 155 cm thick sea ice was calculated using the radiative transfer model: TUV-snow. Sea ice albedo is surprisingly unresponsive to black carbon additions up to 100 ng g−1 with a decrease in albedo to 98.7% of the original albedo value due to an addition of 8 ng g−1 of black carbon in first year sea ice compared to an albedo decrease to 99.6% for the same black carbon mass ratio increase in multi-year sea ice. The first year sea ice proved more responsive to black carbon additions than the multi-year ice. Comparison with previous modelling of black carbon in sea ice suggests a more scattering sea ice environment will be less responsive to black carbon additions. Snow layers on sea ice may mitigate the effects of black carbon in sea ice. "Wet" and "dry" snow layers of 0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 cm were added onto the sea ice surface and the snow surface albedo calculated with the same increase in black carbon in the underlying sea ice. Just a 0.5 cm layer of snow greatly diminishes the effect of black carbon on surface albedo, and a 2–5 cm layer (less than half the e-folding depth of snow) is enough to "mask" any change in surface albedo owing to additional black carbon in sea ice, but not thick enough to ignore the underlying sea ice.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Orbit
Authors: Kiratli Hayyam , Tarlan Berçin , Söylemezoğlu Figen
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The management of Langerhans cell histiocytosis is controversial. This study evaluated our clinical experience and therapeutic results in orbital Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Methods

This is a retrospective, noncomparative interventional case series involving 17 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven orbital Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Response to surgery and chemotherapy and development of diabetes insipidus were the main outcome measures.

Results

Thirteen (76.5%) of the patients were male and the mean age at diagnosis was 10.7 years (range 2–39 years). The most frequent presenting sign was proptosis (8 patients) and upper eyelid edema (4 patients). Pain was present in 5 cases and periocular redness in 6. No patient reported a history of trauma. The frontal bone was involved in 16 patients followed by the zygomatic in 9 cases. Five patients also had lesions in the calvarium, femur, facial, temporal, and parietal bones. No patients had systemic disease. Ten patients were managed with vinblastine (0.2 mg/kg, 6–12 months) chemotherapy because of major residual tumor burden (5 cases) and multi-bone involvement (5 cases). Four patients were observed following macroscopically complete tumor removal. Three patients with limited anterior orbital soft tissue tumors and single bone involvement received systemic corticosteroids (40 mg/m2/d, 6–10 weeks). No patients developed diabetes insipidus after a median follow-up of 46 months.

Conclusions

Macroscopically complete excision of the unifocal tumors may not necessitate any further treatment. Vinblastine chemotherapy following incomplete tumor removal and in patients with multifocal bone disease resulted in recurrence-free survival at 3 years in 90% of patients.
Choroidal Neovascularization in Acquired Partial Lipodystrophy
Authors: Broadhead Geoffrey K. , Chang Andrew
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To report a case of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with acquired partial lipodystrophy (PLD).

Methods

A 55-year-old woman with a known history of PLD presented with acute onset visual loss affecting her right eye and underwent investigations to diagnose the underlying pathology.

Results

Fluorescein angiography and time-domain optical coherence tomography demonstrated the presence of intraretinal edema consistent with CNV. The patient was treated with intravitreal ranibizumab with excellent results, and her vision remains unimpaired 4 years posttreatment.

Conclusions

Choroidal neovascularization is an angiogenic process that can occur following retinal pigment epithelium disruption of any cause. These vessels may then bleed into retinal tissue, with potentially devastating visual consequences. Although rare, PLD has been associated with retinal drusenoid lesions. This is the first case to report CNV in association with PLD, and highlights the importance of considering CNV in the differential diagnosis of acute visual loss in patients with drusenoid diseases such as PLD.
Future Perspectives for Diagnostic Imaging in Urology: From Anatomic and Functional to Molecular Imaging
Authors: Macis Giuseppe , Di Giovanni Silvia , Di Franco Davide , Bonomo Lorenzo
Published: March 2013

The future approach of diagnostic imaging in urology follows the technological progress, which made the visualization of in vivo molecular processes possible.

From anatomo-morphological diagnostic imaging and through functional imaging molecular radiology is reached.

Based on molecular probes, imaging is aimed at assessing the in vivo molecular processes, their physiology and function at cellular level.

The future imaging will investigate the complex tumor functioning as metabolism, aerobic glycolysis in particular, angiogenesis, cell proliferation, metastatic potential, hypoxia, apoptosis and receptors expressed by neoplastic cells.

Methods for performing molecular radiology are CT, MRI, PET-CT, PET-MRI, SPECT and optical imaging. Molecular ultrasound combines technological advancement with targeted contrast media based on microbubbles, this allowing the selective registration of microbubble signal while that of stationary tissues is suppressed.

An experimental study was carried out where the ultrasound molecular probe BR55 strictly bound to prostate tumor results in strong enhancement in the early phase after contrast, this contrast being maintained in the late phase. This late enhancement is markedly significant for the detection of prostatic cancer foci and to guide the biopsy sampling.

The 124I-cG250 molecular antibody which is strictly linked to cellular carbonic anhydrase IX of clear cell renal carcinoma, allows the acquisition of diagnostic PET images of clear cell renal carcinoma without biopsy. This WG-250 (RENCAREX) antibody was used as a therapy in metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma. Future advancements and applications will result in early cancer diagnosis, personalized therapy that will be specific according to the molecular features of cancer and leading to the development of catheter–based multichannel molecular imaging devices for cystoscopy-based molecular imaging diagnosis and intervention.
Demographic and health indicators in Gulf Cooperation Council nations with an emphasis on Qatar
Authors: Alrouh Hekmat , Ismail Awatef , Cheema Sohaila
Published: March 2013

Qatar is a rapidly developing wealthy state that is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a group of six countries that share relatively similar economic and cultural profiles. We aimed to capture key health indicators and demographic data from Qatar and GCC countries by examining 1980–2010 data from the World Bank Databank and WHO report. The results highlighted a unique demographic profile in Qatar, which has the lowest age dependency ratio, highest male to female ratio, and second highest migrant population in the world. In comparison to other GCC countries, Qatar had the highest life expectancy and the lowest communicable disease and-all cause mortality rates.

The GCC countries generally had a low percentage of their population over age 65, a high percentage of migrants, a very low crude death rate and very high overweight and obesity prevalence. Examination of data trends showed a decline in birth rate and fertility rate with significant improvement in under-five and maternal mortality rates over the last three decades.
Prevention during the epidemiologic shift to chronic illness: a case control study of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in Qatar
Authors: Christos Paul J , Chemaitelly Hiam , Abu-Raddad Laith J , Gehani Abdul Razak , Deleu Dirk , Mushlin Alvin I
Published: March 2013

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) continue to be the leading cause of death worldwide. Countries in the Arabian Gulf region are prime examples of major shifts in demographic and epidemiologic profiles leading to an increased burden of chronic illness. This study estimated the association between five preventable conditions and risk factors and the development of myocardial infarction (MI) and cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) in the population of Qatar. Methods: We conducted a case control study among patients admitted to Hamad Medical Corporation with acute MI (n = 512) or CVA (n = 262) from June 2006–June 2008. Controls (n = 382) were randomly selected from unrelated inpatient and outpatient departments. Data collected included socio-demographic information, medical/family history, lifestyle characteristics, and depression assessments. Results: Over two thirds of MI and half of CVA cases were younger than 55 years, with 12% and 7%, respectively, being under age 40. Cases were predominantly males, and Qatari nationals constituted 13% of MI and 25% of CVA cases. Approximately 40% of participants were overweight and an additional 30% were obese. Diabetes was the strongest preventable risk factor for MI (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.31, 95% CI 1.97–5.57) and CVA (adjusted OR = 3.67, 95% CI 2.00–6.74). Hypertension was the second major preventable risk factor for CVA (adjusted OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.59–4.68) and an important factor for MI (adjusted OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.05–2.72). Minimal physical activity (defined as lack of vigorous or moderate activity for at least 10 minutes in the past month) increased the risk of MI and CVA by approximately 80%, while smoking increased the risk of MI two-fold. Exploratory analyses of the determinants of CVD among Qatari nationals identified diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking as potential preventable risk factors, but with higher odds ratios than other groups. Conclusions: Public health strategies to prevent MI and CVA should be based on alteration of risk factors found elsewhere in the world. However, the magnitude of these factors in Qatar suggests that the effectiveness of altering these risk factors is even more likely to have a significant impact. Designing population-level prevention interventions with awareness campaigns and supporting a culture of preventive health are critical for both Qatari nationals and the expatriate population.
Foreign qualification recognition, labour market barriers and their impact on migrants and their families
Authors: Newson Michael
Published: March 2013

The issue of highly skilled and trained migrants not being able to practice or find
employment in their chosen profession has become an increasingly relevant and public
issue in recent years. In many major immigrant destination countries, unemployment and
underemployment rates for immigrants have continued to creep upwards and immigrant
outcomes have declined in comparison to native-born workers. This is while immigration regimes
have become ever more restrictive, demanding higher levels of educational attainment, work
experience, and language proficiency. What countless academics, practitioners, policy workers,
and immigrants themselves have discovered is that there is often a significant labour market
integration gap between the skills and training migrants bring with them to their new country
and their ability to market and apply their qualifications in the labour market.
Family migration to Europe
Authors: Williams Michael
Published: March 2013

Unlike many other parts of the world, it is possible to regard most of Europe as an emerging
zone in relation to the conditions of entry for migrants who look to exercise family life. The
European Union provides a transnational legal framework for the adoption and implementation
of legislation concerning policy areas better addressed at Union level. One such area is family
reunion and the respect for family life. An important legal basis in this field is the European
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, particularly Article
8 on the right to respect for private and family life1. The Rights of the Child Convention (CRC)2
and the International Convention on Civil and Political rights (ICCPR)3 also engage international
obligations. Thus, the European Union can be seen as an experimental workshop for seeking
common solutions in this field, a field fraught with challenges but also with considerable
possibilities of confirming the primacy of family life in human society. The Directive on Family
Reunification of Third Country Nationals was adopted by the European Council in 2003 and states
in its preamble:

“Family reunification is a necessary way of making family life possible. It helps to create
socio-cultural stability facilitating the integration of third country nationals in the Member State,
which also serves to promote economic and social cohesion, a fundamental community objective
stated in the (EU) Treaty.”
How family circumstances may influence women’s experience of migration—be they migrants or those left behind
Authors: Mollard Blandine
Published: March 2013

As is now acknowledged by many, the migration of women is far from being a new
phenomenon. As early as the 1960s’, women have constituted approximately 47% of migrants.
However, those women were often invisible in the eyes of academics and policy-makers, first
because data was not disaggregated by sex and second because most of those migrant women
were not considered as workers but as dependants. Therefore, they were not considered in
migration policies from both origin and destination countries.

Despite what is commonly assumed, the concept of feminization of migration does not
imply a dramatic change in numbers but rather a more qualitative change. This notion refers
to the change in the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of women’s migration: Women now tend to migrate
increasingly as ‘primary migrants’, which is to say as autonomous actors and not only as
dependant family members (wife, daughter or partner) of a male migrant. This accounts for a
variety of socio-economic factors such as education levels, access to information and resources,
cultural acceptance of women’s movement but also an increased decision-making power among
women.
Unaccompanied and on the move: Risks and opportunities for the children
Authors: Shuteriqi Mirela
Published: March 2013

This paper focuses on those persons under 18 years old who, unaccompanied by their
parent(s) or legal guardian, have left their place of habitual residence and are either on the way
towards a new destination or have reached such a destination not long ago. These children move
within the country or across international borders. Their ages differ and, in regions such as Africa
for example, children as young as 10 years old are reported to have moved away, unaccompanied
by their parents.

Today, estimations speak about millions of children on the move. These numbers are likely
to increase in the years to come, driven by population dynamics in combination with the lack
of development and employment opportunities—in particular in rural areas—and given the
predicted rising impact of climate change. Most of the population growth will concentrate in the
developing world. The largest urban centers are expected to be in countries where sanitation,
health care, education, policing and employment opportunities remain scarce. Some argue that
this will increase the emigration from these countries; while the decline of developed countries’
labor force will increase the demand for immigrant workers in such countries.

Today, there are mainly three specific situations when children move unaccompanied by
their parent(s) and namely:
• In the context of armed conflict or natural disaster (internally displaced children,
refugees)
• When trafficked
• When migrating out of free will

In all three situations, the fact that the child is not accompanied by the parent(s) does
not necessarily mean that he or she moves entirely on his/her own. Very often these children
move in groups of peers or accompanied by adults other then their own parents. The risks and
opportunities they face differ also from case to case.

It goes beyond the scope of this paper to discuss in details the risks and opportunities for the
children in all the three above-mentioned situations. This paper will thus focus only on the risks
and opportunities children face when migrating out of their free will. The paper will first explore
the reasons behind the unaccompanied migration of children. Then, based on concrete examples,
it will seek to identify some of the most serious protection gaps faced by children. The end of
the paper will provide a number of recommendations on how to address such gaps and better
protect children on the move.
Migrants’ social and labor market outcomes: Paraguayans in Argentina
Authors: Cortes Rosalia
Published: March 2013

This paper addresses some factors influencing migrants’ social and labor market outcomes
in host countries, focusing particularly on the case of Paraguayan migration to Argentina. In
the first decades of the 20th century, Latin America and the Caribbean received 15% of total
migrant flows1. In Argentina, in 1919, migrants represented 30% of the population, although this
proportion diminished in the following decades. The share of migrants has remained around
4.5% to 5% of total Argentine population since 1995—until the 2010 Population Census—while
the decline in European migration since the mid-1940s was replaced by neighboring countries’
migrants.
Immigration regimes in Southeast Asia: impacts, costs and issues
Authors: Chantavanich Supang
Published: March 2013

Immigration in the Southeast Asian region took place many decades ago when no official
boundaries existed and crossborder migration was not a known issue. Chinese labourers were
sent into Malaysia and Thailand to work as waged workers in the mining industry and on the
construction of water and land transportation routes in 19th Century. Indonesian workers were
also employed in the rubber plantation in Malaysia.

At the end of the 20th Century, new waves of immigrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia
and Laos came to be labourers in Thailand. Countries like the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and
Thailand also sent their nationals to work overseas, making Southeast Asia one of the highest
human mobility hubs in the world. Immigration regimes in the region have emerged within such
context.

Focusing on the impacts, costs and issues of immigration with special reference to the family
will be the theme of this paper. I will discuss the various impacts of immigration on both sending
and receiving countries as well as address the related issues.
كلمة السيد حافظ شقير
Authors: شقير حافظ
Published: March 2013

Format and participation

1. The Doha International Institute for Family Studies and Development (DIIFSD) organized
a symposium on Family, Migration and Dignity from the 27th to 29th March 2012 in Doha,
Qatar.

2. Experts dealing with various aspects of migration, human rights and social development
were invited from a broad geographical distribution to participate in the meeting in
their personal capacities. The Experts included academicians, practitioners, NGOs and
experts from UN agencies.

3. The symposium was opened by H.E. Mrs Noor Al Malki Executive Director of the DIIFSD.
Her statement was followed by statements from M .Hafedh Chekir, the Regional Director
of UNFPA and M .Patrick Taran, President of Global Migration Policy Associates.

4. Eight sessions followed by three dialogue sessions were held during the symposium.
Each session considered a different topic. Session 1 focused on migrant families in
destination countries: experiences, Session 2 discussed families in origin countries
affected by migration, Session 3 considered gender, family and migration, Session
4 discussed specific impact on and risks for children, Session 5 focused on regimes
of migration: impacts, costs and issues, Session 6 considered training, schooling
and employment for affected children and youth, Session 7 was devoted to policy
considerations and the concluding session discussed the recommendations and the
way forward.
New households, new rules? Examining the impact of migration on Somali family life in Johannesburg
Authors: Jinnah Zaheera
Published: March 2013

This paper explores the impact of migration on families in South Africa, with a specific focus
on self-settled Somali refugees in Johannesburg, South Africa. It argues that despite a progressive
legal framework, which guarantees protection and rights to refugees and migrants in South
Africa, conditions for migrant families and family life are bleak given the poor socio-economic
conditions and xenophobic context that non-nationals find themselves in. Although international
migration to South Africa continues to increase, as the country’s political stability, and economic
dominance grows in the region, family-centered policy for migrants and public discourse on
social inclusion and integration lags behind. At the same time, high levels of unemployment,
underemployment, poverty, and social and economic inequality exist in this city, creating a
context in which marginal groups like migrants, refugees and the poor experience multiple levels
of exclusion and vulnerability. For Somali women in particular these difficult conditions are
further complicated by the paradox they face between opportunity and risk given the collapse of
social and family structures in the Diaspora.
The Exchange Rate and US Tourism Trade, 1973–2007
Authors: Cheng Ka Ming , Kim Hyeongwoo , Thompson Henry
Published: March 2013

This paper investigates exchange rate effects on US tourism trade in structural vector autoregressive models with quarterly data for the floating exchange rate from 1973 to 2007. Tourism export revenue and import spending are examined along with the tourism trade balance. Depreciation raises the US tourism trade balance with a unit elastic effect after six quarters with no evidence of J-curve behaviour. Only export revenue is marginally sensitive to the exchange rate. Foreign travel is a luxury good for US tourists, while travel to the USA is a normal good for foreign tourists.
Research Note: Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility and Competition in the Tourism Industry — A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Mitrokostas Evangelos , Apostolakis Alexandros
Published: March 2013

This paper sheds light on tourist firms' incentives to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in an imperfectly competitive environment. The focus on CSR in the tourism sector has emerged owing to the existence of a critical mass of consumers' willingness to pay a premium for such initiatives. A problem, however, emerges in the production of CSR activities from the supply-side. This is because entrepreneurs exhibit a strong free riding behaviour in their provision. The theoretical results illustrate that the existence of voluntary certification schemes would provide firms with a more efficient framework for undertaking CSR efforts.
Regional Public Spending for Tourism in Italy: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Cellini Roberto , Torrisi Gianpiero
Published: March 2013

The authors analyse the effects of public spending on tourism in the regions of Italy by adopting a cross-sectional regression analysis approach. The evaluation is made possible by the availability of a database under the project entitled ‘Conti Pubblici Territoriali’ (‘Regional Public Accounts’) of the Ministero dello sviluppo economico (Ministry of Economic Development), wherein the spending of all public institutions is aggregated for each region and classified according to different criteria, including the sectoral criterion. Furthermore, the effects of public spending on tourism on the tourism attractiveness of various regions are also investigated. Generally, the effectiveness of public spending appears to be deficient.
Research Note: The Impact of State Ownership on Hotel Firms' Characteristics and Financial Performance in China
Authors: Chen Ming-Hsiang , Wu Kun Lun , Chen Brendan T.
Published: March 2013

While previous studies have documented that state ownership (SO) plays a significant role in China's hotel industry, no research has formally tested its influence on the hotel industry in China. This study examines the impact of SO on hotel firms' characteristics and financial performance based on panel data methodology. The characteristics of hotel firms are size, leverage, liquidity, operating efficiency and growth opportunity. Three financial performance measures are: return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and stock return. The test results reveal that hotels with high SO in China are small and have high debt leverage and low liquidity. However, SO does not have a strong influence on ROA, ROE and stock return. Finally, policy implications are offered to guide the Chinese government and hotel business owners and managers.
Tourism and Economic Growth in Australia: An Empirical Investigation of Causal Links
Authors: Corrie Kristen , Stoeckl Natalie , Chaiechi Taha
Published: March 2013

This paper seeks to determine whether tourism has promoted economic growth in Australia during the last two decades. Specifically, it uses Granger Causality analysis to explore the relationship between (i) tourism expenditure and gross domestic product and (ii) tourism expenditure and expenditure on other factors known to be associated with tourism demand. According to the results, there is a bi-causal link between tourism and economic growth, indicating the possible existence of tourism-led endogenous growth. The results also suggest that food expenditure (specifically expenditure in restaurants, cafés and takeaways) may be the key to growth in the tourism sector. Evidently, expenditure in this sector may facilitate the growth of other industries through the local market, thus kick-starting a system of endogenous growth via tourism.
Research Note: Estimating the Work Time Effect on Hotel Room Demand
Authors: Chen Chiang-Ming
Published: March 2013

The introduction of the five-day working week in Taiwan constitutes a natural experiment with treatment and control groups that lends itself to the difference-in-difference approach used in this study. Based on this empirical design, a treatment group consisting of domestic guests and a control group consisting of foreign guests are formed. The study hypothesizes that, after the introduction of this work day system, room demand in the treatment group will exceed the corresponding increase in the control group. This hypothesis is based on the findings of Taiwanese international tourist hotels, which suggest that the implementation of the five-day working week system in 2001 accounted for a significant increase in hotel demand.
Research Note: Greek Tourism: Return to the Drachma?
Authors: Thompson Alexi
Published: March 2013

This paper estimates tourism demand for Greece with annual Greek tourism revenues from 1975 to 2009. The paper builds on an earlier study by including tourism revenues for Italy, Spain and Turkey as possible tourism substitute countries for Greece. Greek tourism is found to be price elastic, suggesting that a return to the drachma and depreciation would increase tourism revenue in Greece.
Economic Profitability of Accessible Tourism for the Tourism Sector in Spain
Authors: Domínguez Trinidad , Fraiz Jose A. , Alén Elisa
Published: March 2013

This study analyses different beneficiaries of accessibility, who play important roles in the tourist sector by generating business opportunities. Taking Spanish tourists with disabilities as a point of departure, the paper examines tourists' habits, their representational potential for the Spanish tourist sector and their spending patterns according to socio-demographic variables (gender, age, origin and disability typology). Through an empirical analysis, the authors demonstrate the representation and importance of such segments of the population for the tourism industry, as well as the need for the tourism industry to recognize the importance of designing products, services, and destination points that are accessible to everyone.
Selecting Resort Locations
Authors: Juan Pin-Ju , Lin Shin-Yi
Published: March 2013

This study examines a comprehensive and objective three-stage method for selecting resort location in Taiwan that maximize competitive advantage. The factors and criteria used in the evaluation model are obtained from an exhaustive literature review and interviews with 16 experts. In the first stage, for which the modified Delphi method is used to identify the evaluation criteria, a survey is performed to rank the relative importance of the 22 criteria identified in the interviews. In the second stage, 19 experts evaluate potential resort locations using a subjective multi-criteria model, the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The analytical results yield rankings of resorts of the following types: casino resorts, seaside resorts, health/spa resorts and lakeside resorts. In the final stage, a sensitivity analysis is performed to clarify the strength of the various influences on resort selection. The analytical results are used to develop and examine a potential solution.
Tourism Inter-Industry Linkages in the Lao PDR Economy: An Input—Output Analysis
Authors: Khanal Bhoj Raj , Gan Christopher , Becken Susanne
Published: March 2013

This paper studies the significance of economic linkages between the Lao PDR tourism sector and the rest of the economy. An international visitors' expenditure survey and input–output models were used to disaggregate tourism economic data from the economy. A series of approaches was then employed to construct inter-industry linkage measures. The results reveal a rising trend in tourism's linkages with the country's economy from 2003 to 2008, indicating an increase in the tourism sector's dependency on the rest of the economy. The key sectors are food and beverages, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, agriculture and livestock, and tourism – these sectors dominated the economy during 2003–2008. The results provide evidence that the Lao PDR tourism sector is a key sector in enhancing economic growth and enabling the country to be one of the fastest growing economies in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Empirical Psycho-Aesthetics and Her Sisters: Substantive and Methodological Issues—Part I
Authors: Konečni Vladimir J.
Published: March 2013

Empirical psycho-aesthetics–an interdisciplinary field with a long tradition–is approached in this two-part article from two directions, in each case with several objectives. Part I, in this issue of JAE, is devoted to the first direction, which is mainly definitional and organizational: the objectives are to present an outline of the field’s origins; to discuss its attributes vis-à-vis the features of several "sister" disciplines–experimental philosophy, cognitive neuroscience of art, and neuroaesthetics; and to examine, in part through an analysis of notable in-field and cross-field recent debates (some of them heated, all instructive), a number of substantive, methodological, and science-practice issues regarding these various disciplines– with philosophical aesthetics as a backdrop. The second direction, to which part II of the article– to appear in the spring 2013 issue of JAE–is addressed, is empirical: the objectives are to illustrate, on the basis of a detailed presentation of five groups of research studies in a variety of art domains, the broad range of psycho-aesthetic topics, methods, participants, and techniques of stimulus manipulation and measurement and to use the presented research in a constructive dialogue with philosophical aesthetics and neuroaesthetics.
The Fiction of the Standard of Taste: David Hume on the Social Constitution of Beauty
Authors: Stradella Alessandra
Published: March 2013

This article submits the idea that, beyond traditional readings of the essay, Hume’s "Of the Standard of Taste" is an intimation to appreciate the fictional nature of the standard of taste and our aesthetic education thereof. It is argued that, with Hume, art is not for the benefit and enjoyment of the individual. One’s private response to beauty is only the starting point in our aesthetic appreciation and it is by far the less insightful. The interesting part comes after this one has been sketched and tells of the public experience of art. The self in Hume is so embedded in the social that one’s feeling of beauty, as any other sentiment, cannot rest in itself but longs for social expression and recognition. As long as we reach a general agreement on art, what Hume calls "conversation," beauty is whatever gains the "title" to such a name. As it is impossible for us to go on in life while believing in fragmented objects, in a fragmented self, in a world in which effects have no causes, a standard of taste is the "fiction" we need in the realm of criticism. Beauty is the result of a social constitution.
Philology, Education, Democracy
Authors: Gould Rebecca
Published: March 2013

This essay examines recent arguments for a return to philology as the basis of humanistic inquiry and liberal-arts education. It considers how philology’s disciplinary heritage is inflected by economic and racial privileges and explores avenues for the liberation of philology from these legacies. The past and present entanglements of philology and elite knowledge are traced through Richard Wright’s initiation into the world of learning, the author’s experience teaching a literature-humanities core curriculum, and theorizations of the discipline from Gramsci to Auerbach to Harold Bloom.
Preeclampsia, Fetal Growth Restriction, and 24-Month Neurodevelopment in Very Preterm Infants
Authors: Check Jennifer , Shuster Coral , Hofheimer Julie , Camerota Marie , Dansereau Lynne M. , Smith Lynne M. , Carter Brian S. , DellaGrotta Sheri A. , Helderman Jennifer , Kilbride Howard , Loncar Cynthia M. , McGowan Elisabeth , Neal Charles R. , O’Shea T. Michael , Pastyrnak Steven L. , Sheinkopf Stephen J. , Lester Barry M.
Published: July 2024

Importance

Preeclampsia has direct influences on a developing fetus and may impact postnatal health, and fetal growth restriction (FGR) is often seen co-occurring with preeclampsia. The development of children born very preterm after preeclampsia diagnosis with and without FGR is not well characterized.

Objective

To examine the associations of preeclampsia and FGR with developmental and/or behavioral outcomes in a cohort of very preterm infants.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this cohort study, infants in the prospective Neonatal Neurobehavior and Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants study were enrolled between April 2014 and June 2016 from 9 US university-affiliated neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Eligible infants were born before 30 weeks’ gestation. Infants were excluded for any major congenital anomalies and for maternal age younger than 18 years or cognitive impairment impacting the ability to provide informed consent. Data analysis was performed from November 2023 to January 2024.

Exposure

Maternal preeclampsia and FGR in very preterm infants.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The Bayley-III cognition, motor, and language scores less than 85 (−1 SD) indicated developmental delay. Child Behavior Checklist/Preschool 1.5-5 T-scores greater than or equal to 64 for internalizing, externalizing, or total problems indicated clinical importance.

Results

Of 704 infants enrolled, 529 (mean [SD] gestational age, 27.0 [1.9] weeks; 287 male [54.3%]) were studied at 24-month follow-up. A total of 94 infants’ mothers had preeclampsia (23.2%), and 46 infants (8.7%) had FGR. In adjusted models, preeclampsia was not associated with Bayley-III (cognitive, B = 3.43 [95% CI, −0.19 to 6.66]; language, B = 3.92 [95% CI, 0.44 to 7.39]; motor, B = 1.86 [95% CI, −1.74 to 5.47]) or Child Behavior Checklist/Preschool 1.5-5 (internalizing, B = −0.08 [95% CI, −2.58 to 2.73]; externalizing, B = 0.69 [95% CI, −1.76 to 3.15]; total, B = 0.21 [95% CI, −2.48 to 2.91]) outcomes. FGR was associated with significantly lower Bayley-III scores (cognitive, B = −8.61 [95% CI, −13.33 to −3.89]; language, B = −8.29 [95% CI, −12.95 to −3.63]; motor, B = −7.60 [95% CI, −12.40 to −2.66]), regardless of preeclampsia status.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of preterm infants, preeclampsia was not associated with developmental and/or behavioral outcomes, but infants with FGR may be prone to developmental delays. These findings suggest future areas of research for understanding the roles of preeclampsia and FGR separately and together in early child development for preterm infants.
Gender Differences in the Path to Medical School Deanship
Authors: Iyer Maya S. , Bradford Carol , Gottlieb Amy S. , Kling David B. , Jagsi Reshma , Mangurian Christina , Marks Lilly , Meltzer Carolyn C. , Overholser Barbara , Silver Julie K. , Way David P. , Spector Nancy D.
Published: July 2024

Importance

Women account for only 28% of current US medical school deans. Studying the differences between women and men in their preparation to becoming deans might help to explain this discrepancy.

Objective

To identify differences in the leadership development experiences between women and men in their ascent to the medical school deanship.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this qualitative study, volunteers from the roster of the Association of American Medical Colleges Council of Deans were solicited and interviewed from June 15 to November 9, 2023. Women deans were recruited first, then men who had been appointed to their deanships at a similar time to their women counterparts were recruited. Deans were interviewed on topics related to number of applications for deanships, prior leadership roles, leadership development, personal factors, and career trajectories. Interviews were coded, and themes were extracted through conventional content analysis.

Main Outcome and Measures

Career and leadership development experiences were elicited using a semistructured interview guide.

Results

We interviewed 17 women and 17 men deans, representing 25.8% (34 of 132) of the total population of US medical school deans. Most deans (23 [67.6%]) practiced a medicine-based specialty or subspecialty. No statistically significant differences were found between women and men with regard to years to attain deanship (mean [SD], 2.7 [3.4] vs 3.7 [3.7] years), years as a dean (mean [SD], 5.7 [5.2] vs 6.0 [5.0] years), highest salary during career (mean [SD], $525 769 [$199 936] vs $416 923 [$195 848]), or medical school rankings (mean [SD], 315.5 [394.5] vs 480.5 [448.9]). Their reports indicated substantive gender differences in their paths to becoming a dean. Compared with men, women deans reported having to work harder to advance, while receiving less support and opportunities for leadership positions by their own institutions. Subsequently, women sought leadership development from external programs. Women deans also experienced gender bias when working with search firms.

Conclusions and Relevance

This qualitative study of US medical school deans found that compared with men, women needed to be more proactive, had to participate in external leadership development programs, and had to confront biases during the search process. For rising women leaders, this lack of support had consequences, such as burnout and attrition, potentially affecting the makeup of future generations of medical school deans. Institutional initiatives centering on leadership development of women is needed to mitigate the gender biases and barriers faced by aspiring women leaders.
Importin subunit beta‐1 mediates ERK5 nuclear translocation, and its inhibition synergizes with ERK5 kinase inhibitors in reducing cancer cell proliferation
Authors: Lombardi Zoe , Gardini Lucia , Kashchuk Anatolii V. , Menconi Alessio , Lulli Matteo , Tusa Ignazia , Tubita Alessandro , Maresca Luisa , Stecca Barbara , Capitanio Marco , Rovida Elisabetta
Published: July 2024

The mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) is emerging as a promising target in cancer. Indeed, alterations of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway are present in many types of cancer, including melanoma. One of the key events in MAPK signalling is MAPK nuclear translocation and its subsequent regulation of gene expression. Likewise, the effects of ERK5 in supporting cancer cell proliferation have been linked to its nuclear localization. Despite many processes regulating ERK5 nuclear translocation having been determined, the nuclear transporters involved have not yet been identified. Here, we investigated the role of importin subunit alpha (α importin) and importin subunit beta‐1 (importin β1) in ERK5 nuclear shuttling to identify additional targets for cancer treatment. Either importin β1 knockdown or the α/β1 importin inhibitor ivermectin reduced the nuclear amount of overexpressed and endogenous ERK5 in HEK293T and A375 melanoma cells, respectively. These results were confirmed in single‐molecule microscopy in HeLa cells. Moreover, immunofluorescence analysis showed that ivermectin impairs epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐induced ERK5 nuclear shuttling in HeLa cells. Both co‐immunoprecipitation experiments and proximity ligation assay provided evidence that ERK5 and importin β1 interact and that this interaction is further induced by EGF administration and prevented by ivermectin treatment. The combination of ivermectin and the ERK5 inhibitor AX15836 synergistically reduced cell viability and colony formation ability in A375 and HeLa cells and was more effective than single treatments in preventing the growth of A375 and HeLa spheroids. The increased reduction of cell viability upon the same combination was also observed in patient‐derived metastatic melanoma cells. The combination of ivermectin and ERK5 inhibitors other than AX15836 provided similar effects on cell viability. The identification of importin β1 as the nuclear transporter of ERK5 may be exploited for additional ERK5‐inhibiting strategies for cancer therapy.
Superparamagnetic Fe Conversion Induces MoS2 Fast Ion Transport in Wide‐Temperature‐Range Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Zhenwei , Han Meisheng , Wang Jianlin , Zhang Leqing , Yu Peilun , Li Qiang , Bai Xuedong , Yu Jie
Published: July 2024

MoS2 is widely reported as anode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, its ability to operate effectively across a wide temperature range and at high rates continues to pose fundamental challenges, limiting its further development. Herein, a monolayer Fe‐doped MoS2/N,O‐codoped C overlapping structure is designed and employed as an anode for wide‐temperature‐range SIBs. Fe doping imparts MoS2 electrode with zero bandgap characteristics, an increased interlayer spacing, and low sodium‐ion diffusion energy barriers across wide operation temperatures. Impressively, Fe atoms doped into the MoS2 lattice can be reduced to superparamagnetic Fe0 nanocrystals of ≈2 nm during conversion reactions. In situ magnetometry reveals that these Fe0 nanocrystals can be used as electron acceptor in the formation of space charge zones with Na+, thereby triggering strong spin‐polarized surface capacitance that facilitates fast sodium‐ion storage over a wide temperature range. Consequently, the designed MoS2 electrode demonstrates exceptional fast‐charging capability in half/full cells operating at −40–60 °C. This study provides novel perspectives on the utilization of heteroatom doping strategies in conversion‐type electrode material design and proves the effectiveness of spin‐polarized surface capacitance effect on enhancing sodium‐ion storage over a wide temperature range.
Atomic Cobalt Metal Centers with Asymmetric N/B‐Coordination for Promoting Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Guan Guangjian , Liu Yuhang , Li Fuhua , Shi Xiuwen , Liu Lingyue , Wang Tianyu , Xu Xueting , Zhao Ming , Ding Jie , Yang Hong Bin
Published: July 2024

Cobalt single atom catalysts (SACs) have exhibited promising performance in both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), positioning them as potential dual‐functional catalysts for Zn‐air battery. However, the long‐standing challenge lies in achieving satisfactory dual‐functionality and stability of these SACs. In this study, to optimize the 4e‒ ORR performance, boron (B) atoms are employed with low electronegativity to regulate the structure of the Co–N–C catalytic center. This resulted in the formation of an asymmetrically coordinated Co metal center catalyst (Co‐N3B). Compared to the Co‐N4, Co‐N3B exhibited lower free energy for ORR and stronger adsorption energy toward *O species, effectively suppressing the 2e‒ ORR pathway at the cobalt site and preventing catalyst corrosion induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in ORR reactions, thereby enhancing catalyst stability. In situ attenuated total reflectance surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR‐SEIRAS) further validated excellent interaction between Co active centers and O intermediates. Furthermore, the self‐made rechargeable zinc‐air battery demonstrated remarkable discharge peak power density (≈253 mW cm‒2), energy density (≈819 mAh g‒1), and cyclic stability exceeding 110 h. This study provides new insights into constructing catalysts with atomic‐level precision and offers strong references for practical applications in energy storage and convension electrocatalysts.