bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different Aspects of Self-Reported Quality of Life in 450 German Melanoma Survivors
Authors: Waldmann Annika , Nolte Sandra , Pritzkuleit Ron , Breitbart Eckhard W. , Katalinic Alexander
Published: May 2011

The present study was aimed at assessing quality of life (QoL) in a total of 450 melanoma patients who filled out the EORTC QLQ-C30 (Q1; 15 months post diagnosis) as part of the OVIS Study. Follow-up questionnaires (Q2) were administered two years after Q1. The analyses presented herein were based on the following assumptions: QoL of melanoma patients is worse than that of a German reference population. Further, both tumor location and tumor stage have an influence on self-reported QoL, with patients with tumors located on face, head, neck, and advanced tumor stage (T3/T4) reporting the worst QoL levels. Finally, patients’ QoL improves over time based on the theory of disease adaptation. In contrast to the above assumptions, with the exception of global health/QoL scores, differences between OVIS and the reference population were below the minimal clinical important difference of ten points. Furthermore, no clinically meaningful differences were found between patients after stratifying our data by tumor location and tumor stage. Finally, no clinically relevant changes were seen between Q1 and Q2 across all scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30. However, when data were stratified by patients with stable disease versus those with progression, clinically relevant differences were found between Q1 and Q2 predominantly in women in the latter group regarding emotional function, insomnia, dyspnoea, and fatigue. The lack of clinically meaningful differences across strata (tumor location; tumor stage), time, and patients compared to a reference population is surprising. However, it is possible that the instrument used, a generic QoL instrument, is generally not sensitive enough to detect differences in melanoma patients. Our findings may further be explained by the fact that all patients included in our sample had been diagnosed well before Q1, i.e., main illness adaptation processes may have occurred before study entry.
Antioxidant Properties of Aminoethylcysteine Ketimine Decarboxylated Dimer: A Review
Authors: Macone Alberto , Fontana Mario , Barba Marco , Botta Bruno , Nardini Mirella , Ghirga Francesca , Calcaterra Andrea , Pecci Laura , Matarese Rosa Marina
Published: May 2011

Aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer is a natural sulfur-containing compound detected in human plasma and urine, in mammalian brain and in many common edible vegetables. Over the past decade many studies have been undertaken to identify its metabolic role. Attention has been focused on its antioxidant properties and on its reactivity against oxygen and nitrogen reactive species. These properties have been studied in different model systems starting from plasma lipoproteins to specific cellular lines. All these studies report that aminoethylcysteine ketimine decarboxylated dimer is able to interact both with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite and its derivatives). Its antioxidant activity is similar to that of Vitamin E while higher than other hydrophilic antioxidants, such as trolox and N-acetylcysteine.
Ultrasonic Hot Embossing
Authors: Schomburg Werner Karl , Burlage Katharina , Gerhardy Christof
Published: May 2011

Ultrasonic hot embossing is a new process for fast and low-cost production of micro systems from polymer. Investment costs are on the order of 20.000 € and cycle times are a few seconds. Microstructures are fabricated on polymer foils and can be combined to three-dimensional systems by ultrasonic welding.
A New Pyranoxanthone from Calophyllum soulattri
Authors: Mah Siau Hui , Ee Gwendoline Cheng Lian , Rahmani Mawardi , Taufiq-Yap Yun Hin , Sukari Mohd Aspollah , Teh Soek Sin
Published: May 2011

Our interest on xanthones from the Calophyllum genus has led us to a detailed study on the chemistry of the stem bark of Calophyllum soulattri. This gave one new pyranoxanthone, soulattrin (1), together with three other xanthones, caloxanthone B (2), caloxanthone C (3), macluraxanthone (4), the triterpene friedelin (5) and the steroid stigmasterol (6). The identities of these compounds were established using analyses of 1D and 2D NMR data.
A Cross-Layer Duty Cycle MAC Protocol Supporting a Pipeline Feature for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tong Fei , Xie Rong , Shu Lei , Kim Young-Chon
Published: May 2011

Although the conventional duty cycle MAC protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) such as RMAC perform well in terms of saving energy and reducing end-to-end delivery latency, they were designed independently and require an extra routing protocol in the network layer to provide path information for the MAC layer. In this paper, we propose a new cross-layer duty cycle MAC protocol with data forwarding supporting a pipeline feature (P-MAC) for WSNs. P-MAC first divides the whole network into many grades around the sink. Each node identifies its grade according to its logical hop distance to the sink and simultaneously establishes a sleep/wakeup schedule using the grade information. Those nodes in the same grade keep the same schedule, which is staggered with the schedule of the nodes in the adjacent grade. Then a variation of the RTS/CTS handshake mechanism is used to forward data continuously in a pipeline fashion from the higher grade to the lower grade nodes and finally to the sink. No extra routing overhead is needed, thus increasing the network scalability while maintaining the superiority of duty-cycling. The simulation results in OPNET show that P-MAC has better performance than S-MAC and RMAC in terms of packet delivery latency and energy efficiency.
Visual Discrimination of the 17 Plane Symmetry Groups
Authors: Landwehr Klaus
Published: May 2011

Within most of the 17 plane symmetry groups, individual symmetry operations act in multiple, nonequivalent ways. This, and the fact that many groups can be realized on the basis of different unit cells and generating regions, poses difficulties for visual discrimination and identification. Because of inherent confounds, only few of the groups can be studied by traditional experimental methodology. The use of an oddity paradigm and specific tiling patterns that camouflage groups in complex textures are recommended as partial remedy to this impasse. In order to prepare readers for an appreciation of the aforementioned issues and to provide a rationale for their investigation, the reporting of experiments and the discussion of methodological problems is preceded by a brief overview of the role which symmetry has played in the visual arts.
Meta-Analysis of High-Throughput Datasets Reveals Cellular Responses Following Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infection
Authors: Bowick Gavin C. , McAuley Alexander J.
Published: May 2011

The continuing use of high-throughput assays to investigate cellular responses to infection is providing a large repository of information. Due to the large number of differentially expressed transcripts, often running into the thousands, the majority of these data have not been thoroughly investigated. Advances in techniques for the downstream analysis of high-throughput datasets are providing additional methods for the generation of additional hypotheses for further investigation. The large number of experimental observations, combined with databases that correlate particular genes and proteins with canonical pathways, functions and diseases, allows for the bioinformatic exploration of functional networks that may be implicated in replication or pathogenesis. Herein, we provide an example of how analysis of published high-throughput datasets of cellular responses to hemorrhagic fever virus infection can generate additional functional data. We describe enrichment of genes involved in metabolism, post-translational modification and cardiac damage; potential roles for specific transcription factors and a conserved involvement of a pathway based around cyclooxygenase-2. We believe that these types of analyses can provide virologists with additional hypotheses for continued investigation.
Les formalistes et Majakovskij
Authors: Depretto Catherine
Published: May 2011

Маяковский и формалисты

В статье рассматривается история контактов между Вл. Маяковским и русскими формалистами (Опояз + МЛК) за 1913-1930 годы. Подчеркивается все, что связывает поэта и филологов как в личном так и в теоретическом плане. С другой стороны, выявляются причины, которые в течение 20-х годов стали портить их взаимоотношения и привели их почти к разрыву. Все это проливает новый свет на некоторые события 1928-1930 годов и, в частности, на реакцию формалистов (Якобсон, Шкловский, Тынянов) на смерть Маяковского. В текстах, написанных ими под непосредственным впечатлением его трагической смерти, можно увидеть не только прекрасную дань памяти поэта, но и меткие, умные взгляды, целиком выдержанные в духе Опояза и составляющие таким образом как бы последнее групповое выступление формалистов.
Chloroplast microsatellite markers in Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) and cross‐species amplification in L. chinense
Authors: Yang Ai‐Hong , Zhang Jin‐Ju , Yao Xiao‐Hong , Huang Hong‐Wen
Published: May 2011

• Premise of the study: A set of cpSSR markers were developed for the tree genus Liriodendron L. to investigate population genetic structure and phylogeographic history.

• Methods and Results: Primers were designed directly from the chloroplast genome sequences of Liriodendron tulipifera. Among the 55 cpSSR markers tested, 11 polymorphic markers were identified in L. tulipifera. The number of alleles in the population tested ranged from two to five, and the unbiased haploid diversity per locus ranged from 0.074 to 0.644. Eighteen primer pairs generated polymorphic amplification in L. chinense. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to seven, and the unbiased haploid diversity per locus was from 0.250 to 0.964.

• Conclusions: cpSSR markers developed here will be useful for phylogeography and population genetics studies of Liriodendron.
Portrait économique des diffuseurs d'art actuel inscrits à la Maison des artistes
Authors: De Vrièse Muriel , Martin Bénédicte , Moureau Nathalie , Sagot-Duvauroux Dominique
Published: May 2011

R ésumé L’analyse de l’activité économique des diffuseurs d’art actuel s’appuie sur les déclarations de rémunération et de ventes d’œuvres d’art d’artistes français effectuées par les diffuseurs auprès de la Maison des artistes, organisme gestionnaire des contributions au régime de sécurité sociale des artistes. L’examen du chiffre d’affaires, corrélé à la forme juridique du diffuseur, à l’ancienneté de la structure, à sa localisation géographique et aux liens entretenus avec les artistes qu’elle diffuse, permet de caractériser l’activité de diffusion et de dresser des profils distincts. L’analyse révèle également la concentration de l’activité de diffusion au sein des galeries d’art parisiennes, plus importantes en nombre et en taille économique, et la caractérise.
Quand l'institution scolaire cherche à lutter contre les inégalités... Conditions, portée et limites d'une innovation administrative
Authors: Laforgue Denis
Published: May 2011

Résumé L’article présente l’étude ethnographique d’une innovation de l’administration scolaire française visant à lutter contre les inégalités d’accès à des formations en lycées professionnels, destinées à des élèves sortant de classe de 3 e et orientés vers cet enseignement. L’auteur établit comment les diverses formes de reconnaissance institutionnelle des usagers et les enjeux gestionnaires et économiques du système éducatif ont des effets ambivalents sur la capacité des acteurs éducatifs à traduire les enjeux de justice scolaire dans le quotidien de l’institution. Il montre ainsi comment l’affectation des élèves en seconde professionnelle, loin d’être sous-tendue par une logique d’action unique ou dominante qui serait productrice d’effets univoques en termes d’égalité/inégalité, est en fait constituée de pratiques institutionnelles, plurielles et en tension, aux conséquences paradoxales pour les usagers.
Theorising equality in education: What can be learnt from the field of additional support needs?
Authors: Riddell Sheila , Stead Joan , Weedon Elisabet , Wright Kevin
Published: May 2011

Résumé L’article porte sur les conséquences de la Loi écossaise sur l’Éducation (2004), favorisant l’accompagnement éducatif des élèves en difficultés d’apprentissage, y compris en raison de leur milieu défavorisé. L’objectif est redistributif mais la loi n’est pas appliquée. Alors que les enfants ayant des besoins d’accompagnement supplémentaires ont plus de chances d’habiter dans des quartiers défavorisés, ils sont plus identifiés comme atteints de troubles du comportement que comme présentant une dyslexie, un syndrome d’Asperger, un déficit de l’attention ou une hyperactivité. La redistribution massive des ressources susceptibles d’apporter une valeur ajoutée aux zones les plus défavorisées n’a pas lieu. Ainsi le droit statutaire à assistance, reconnu à l’enfant diagnostiqué comme ayant besoin d’accompagnements supplémentaires, est accordé de façon disproportionnée aux parents de milieu favorisé. Les auteurs soulignent que les réformes au coup par coup ne règlent pas les injustices structurelles qui perpétuent les inégalités, que le travail éducatif informel, en famille, est inséparable du genre et des classes sociales. Or ce travail d’affection et d’éducation informel n’est ni nommé ni analysé comme ressource éducative dans la plupart des études alors qu’il joue un rôle crucial dans la réussite scolaire.
La relève au sein des entreprises familiales
Authors: Richer Francine
Published: May 2011

Résumé Le cas L’héritage de Gaston décrit une dynamique familiale au moment du passage de la première à la deuxième génération de dirigeants et de propriétaires. Une entreprise est dite «familiale» quand des membres d’une même famille, unis par le sang ou par alliance, en assument la direction et en détiennent la propriété. L’héritage de Gaston nous conduit justement dans l’intimité d’une entreprise familiale qui en est à une première expérience de transmission de la propriété. Le cas est ensuite analysé par des experts qui dégagent les enjeux et les facteurs de succès à considérer dans la gestion de la transmission d’une entreprise familiale. En outre, nous montrons qu’une planification prudente et rigoureuse est le meilleur gage de succès lorsque des enfants prennent la relève de leurs parents dirigeants. L’engagement très actif des deux groupes d’acteurs, tant les enfants que les parents, s’avère alors indispensable.
Quitter sa profession pour reprendre la PME familiale
Authors: Deschamps Bérangère , Chalus-Sauvannet Marie-Christine
Published: May 2011

Résumé En ces temps de crise économique et parfois aussi de crise personnelle, devenir le successeur dans l’entreprise familiale peut constituer un enjeu pour des enfants qui s’étaient éloignés de celle-ci et n’avaient pas manifesté à ce jour d’intérêt pour elle. Cet article approfondit trois histoires d’enfants qui ont succédé à leurs parents alors qu’ils n’avaient jamais envisagé cette perspective. Ces successeurs inattendus justifient leur réorientation par deux facteurs : une occasion qui se présente alors même qu’ils se remettent en question sur le plan professionnel et une réorientation professionnelle qui accroît leur liberté d’action. Par la suite, nous abordons la façon dont les parents et les autres parties prenantes tendent à réagir face aux enfants successeurs inattendus et nous concluons avec des conseils visant à favoriser la réussite de ces successeurs.
Québec : cinquante ans d'évolution au prisme des réformes (1961-2010)
Authors: Turgeon Jean , Jacob Robert , Denis Jean-Louis
Published: May 2011

Résumé Depuis cinquante ans, les réformes ont été nombreuses et pratiquement continues dans le système de santé québécois. Quatre grandes phases de cette évolution sont distinguées : 1961-85, prise en charge du système par l’État et bureaucratisation de la gouverne ; 1985-2000, technocratisation et démocratisation ; 2000-07, poussée manégérialiste ; 2007-10, tentation du privé. Les modifications de structure ont largement dominé et affichent une continuité en faveur d’une gestion intégrée et d’une responsabilité populationnelle. Des aspects importants comme le statut des médecins et les modalités de paiement des dispensateurs ont cependant peu évolué. Aujourd’hui, après tous ces exercices, la performance du système est toujours perçue comme insatisfaisante et les solutions demeurent difficiles à saisir. La présence plus marquée des idéologies n’est donc guère surprenante et celle de la privatisation, plus récente, fait l’objet d’un regain d’intérêt.
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Targeting of the Neurokinin-1 Receptor Limits Neuroinflammation in a Murine Model of Pneumococcal Meningitis
Authors: Chauhan Vinita S. , Kluttz John M. , Bost Kenneth L. , Marriott Ian
Published: May 2011

There is increasing evidence that the tachykinin substance P (SP) can augment inflammatory immune responses within the CNS. We have recently demonstrated that resident CNS cells express high-affinity receptors for this neuropeptide (neurokinin-1 receptors [NK-1R]), and we have shown that SP can significantly augment glial inflammatory responses to clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, we provided evidence that endogenous SP/NK-1R interactions are an essential component in the initiation and/or progression of CNS inflammation following in vivo exposure to these pathogens. In this study, we demonstrate that SP similarly enhances inflammatory glial responses to the major Gram-positive causative agent of bacterial meningitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and show that endogenous SP/NK-1R interactions play a critical role in the development of CNS inflammation in an in vivo model of pneumococcal meningitis. Importantly, we provide the first demonstration, to our knowledge, that pharmacological targeting of the NK-1R not only prevents the development of damaging inflammation when administered prophylactically, but can also limit or reverse neuroinflammation associated with an established streptococcal CNS infection when delivered therapeutically. We show that an NK-1R antagonist attenuates increases in CNS inflammatory cytokine levels and decreases in immunosuppressive cytokine production associated with an ongoing S. pneumoniae infection. Furthermore, we demonstrate that such a therapeutic intervention reverses infection-associated gliosis and demyelination in the absence of changes in CNS bacterial burden. Together, these results suggest that targeting SP/NK-1R interactions is a strategy worthy of further study for the treatment of microbially induced neuroinflammation.
Self-Renewal Signalling in Presenescent Tetraploid IMR90 Cells
Authors: Huna Anda , Salmina Kristine , Jascenko Elina , Duburs Gunars , Inashkina Inna , Erenpreisa Jekaterina
Published: May 2011

Endopolyploidy and genomic instability are shared features of both stress-induced cellular senescence and malignant growth. Here, we examined these facets in the widely used normal human fibroblast model of senescence, IMR90. At the presenescence stage, a small (2–7%) proportion of cells overcome the 4n-G1 checkpoint, simultaneously inducing self-renewal (NANOG-positivity), the DNA damage response (DDR; γ-H2AX-positive foci), and senescence (p16inka4a- and p21CIP1-positivity) signalling, some cells reach octoploid DNA content and divide. All of these markers initially appear and partially colocalise in the perinucleolar compartment. Further, with development of senescence and accumulation of p16inka4a and p21CIP1, NANOG is downregulated in most cells. The cells increasingly arrest in the 4n-G1 fraction, completely halt divisions and ultimately degenerate. A positive link between DDR, self-renewal, and senescence signalling is initiated in the cells overcoming the tetraploidy barrier, indicating that cellular and molecular context of induced tetraploidy during this period of presenescence is favourable for carcinogenesis.
Thyroid Antibodies and Miscarriage: Where Are We at a Generation Later?
Authors: Stagnaro-Green Alex
Published: May 2011

In 1990, an association between thyroid antibody positivity and spontaneous miscarriage was first reported. A generation has passed since the initial observation. Over that time a robust literature has developed which has confirmed the initial finding and expanded upon it. The present paper reviews the literature that has been generated over the last twenty years on the following topics: (1) thyroid antibodies and spontaneous miscarriage, (2) thyroid antibodies and recurrent abortion, (3) etiology of pregnancy loss in thyroid antibody positive women, and (4) discussion of future research directions.
The Jesus of Paul: A contribution from the social sciences
Authors: Guijarro Santiago
Published: May 2011

The letters of Paul speak more frequently of the resurrected and exalted Jesus than they do of the earthly Jesus. Nonetheless, this does not mean that the apostle and his addressees did not know the teachings and main events of Jesus’ life. Their insistence as to the heavenly identity of Jesus is as likely to have been motivated by contextual factors which guided the development of the primitive Christological confessions which Paul received in the years after his conversion. This article will focus on two of these factors: the configuration of the Christian communities of the Diaspora as foreign cults in a context of religious plurality and the new revelatory experiences which triggered the formation of a binitarian faith.Determining the relationship between Jesus and Paul is one of the fundamental tasks of those who, like Prof. Andries van Aarde, study the origins of Christianity and the beginnings of Christian theology. The basic question in this regard, at least as it has been formulated recently by David Wenham (1995), is whether Paul was a follower of Jesus or the founder of Christianity (see also Wedderburn [1989] and Barbaglio [2006]). In this brief article, I would like to consider one aspect of this general topic and to offer a few suggestions that might contribute to a better understanding of the peculiar vision of Jesus that we find in the letters of Paul. In them, in fact, the apostle moves from the incarnation to the death and resurrection, leaving in the shadows the activity and teaching of Jesus to which the gospels subsequently give so much importance.This contrast raises some questions concerning the knowledge which Paul had of the Jesus tradition and the value he accorded to it: What did he know about Jesus? Did he know the traditions which the evangelists later collected? Why does he not refer to them in his letters more frequently? By contrast, why does he give so much importance to the death and resurrection of Jesus and to Jesus’ divine condition?
Persistent Inflammatory Pathways Associated with Early Onset Myocardial Infarction in a Medicated Multiethnic Hawaiian Cohort
Authors: Szauter Kornelia M. , Jansen Matthias K. , Okimoto Gordon , Loomis Michael , Kimura James H. , Heller Matthew , Ku Tercia , Tiirikainen Maarit , Boyd Charles D. , Csiszar Katalin , Girton Richard A.
Published: May 2011

In spite of current standard therapies to target the major pathomechanisms in myocardial infarction (MI), inflammatory gene expression patterns have been consistently revealed in MI patients. In a multiethnic cohort, we aimed to identify MI-associated pathomechanisms that may be unresponsive to medical treatment to improve diagnosis and therapy. Gene expression profiles in whole blood were analyzed in medicated Asian, African American and Caucasian patients living in Hawaii with a history of early MI and age, ethnicity, risk factor and medication-matched controls. PANTHER ontological and Ingenuity Pathway analysis and functional evaluation of the consistently differentially expressed genes identified coordinated up-regulation of genes for inflammation (LGALS3, PTX3, ZBTB32, BCL2L1), T-cell activation (IL12RB1, VAV3, JAG1, CAMP), immune imbalance (IL-8, IL2RA, CCR7, AHNAK), and active atherosclerosis (NR1H4, BIN1, GSTT1, MARCO) that persist in MI patients in spite of concerted treatment efforts to control vascular pathology. Furthermore, significant ethnic differences appear to exist within the active disease mechanisms that need to be further investigated to identify key targets for effective medical intervention.
Pregnancy Related Complications in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, An Egyptian Experience
Authors: Hendawy S.F. , Abdel-Mohsen D. , Ebrahim S.E. , Ewais H. , Moussa S.H. , Khattab D.A. , Mohamed N.A. , Samaha H.E.
Published: May 2011

Background

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has a tendency to occur in women in their reproductive years, causing complications during pregnancy and labour. Conversely, pregnancy can cause flares of disease activity, often necessitating immediate intervention.

Aim of study

to study pregnancy related complications in patients with SLE.

Patients and methods

The study included 48 SLE pregnant females. 27 patients with 38 pregnancies, their data viewed retrospectively from medical records, and 21 patients with 21 pregnancies followed up prospectively. The laboratory data included ANA, DNA, APL antibodies and anti Ro/SSA. The disease activity was calculated according to the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure. Ultrasound was performed to confirm gestational age and assess for the presence of any congenital fetal malformations, and then repeated monthly to detect any abnormality including intrauterine growth restriction. At 30 weeks gestation and onwards, assessment of fetal wellbeing including daily fetal kick chart and once weekly non stress test was performed. Doppler blood flow velocimetry was done for those with abnormal fetal heart rate pattern. After labour, the neonate was examined for complications including complete heart block and neonatal lupus.

Results

Anti dsDNA was found in 95% of the patients, anti Ro/SSA in 6% and anti APL in 30%. 57% of the patients followed up prospectively had active disease in the 1st trimester, 24% in the 2nd and 62% in the 3rd trimester. The most common maternal complication was preeclampsia 33%, followed by spontaneous abortion 20%. Prematurity was the most common fetal complication 37%, followed by intrauterine growth restriction 29%. 2 neonates were born with congenital heart block and 1 with neonatal lupus.

Conclusion

Pregnancy in SLE patients is associated with a higher risk of obstetric complications affecting both the mother and the fetus. Preeclampsia was the most common complication followed by prematurity. Preeclampsia was significantly associated with third trimester disease activity.
Evaluation of a photosynthesis-based biogenic isoprene emission scheme in JULES and simulation of isoprene emissions under present-day climate conditions
Authors: Pacifico F. , Harrison S. P. , Jones C. D. , Arneth A. , Sitch S. , Weedon G. P. , Barkley M. P. , Palmer P. I. , Serça D. , Potosnak M. , Fu T.-M. , Goldstein A. , Bai J. , Schurgers G.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. We have incorporated a semi-mechanistic isoprene emission module into the JULES land-surface scheme, as a first step towards a modelling tool that can be applied for studies of vegetation – atmospheric chemistry interactions, including chemistry-climate feedbacks. Here, we evaluate the coupled model against local above-canopy isoprene emission flux measurements from six flux tower sites as well as satellite-derived estimates of isoprene emission over tropical South America and east and south Asia. The model simulates diurnal variability well: correlation coefficients are significant (at the 95 % level) for all flux tower sites. The model reproduces day-to-day variability with significant correlations (at the 95 % confidence level) at four of the six flux tower sites. At the UMBS site, a complete set of seasonal observations is available for two years (2000 and 2002). The model reproduces the seasonal pattern of emission during 2002, but does less well in the year 2000. The model overestimates observed emissions at all sites, which is partially because it does not include isoprene loss through the canopy. Comparison with the satellite-derived isoprene-emission estimates suggests that the model simulates the main spatial patterns, seasonal and inter-annual variability over tropical regions. The model yields a global annual isoprene emission of 535 ± 9 TgC yr−1 during the 1990s, 78 % of which from forested areas.
Seasonal cycle, size dependencies, and source analyses of aerosol optical properties at the SMEAR II measurement station in Hyytiälä, Finland
Authors: Virkkula A. , Backman J. , Aalto P. P. , Hulkkonen M. , Riuttanen L. , Nieminen T. , dal Maso M. , Sogacheva L. , de Leeuw G. , Kulmala M.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Scattering and absorption were measured at the Station for Measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR II) station in Hyytiälä, Finland, from October 2006 to May 2009. The average scattering coefficient σSP (λ = 550 nm) 18 Mm−1 was about twice as much as at the Pallas Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) station in Finnish Lapland. The average absorption coefficient σAP (λ = 550 nm) was 2.1 Mm−1. The seasonal cycles were analyzed from hourly-averaged data classified according to the measurement month. The ratio of the highest to the lowest average σSP and σAP was ~1.8 and ~2.8, respectively. The average single-scattering albedo (ω0) was 0.86 in winter and 0.91 in summer. σSP was highly correlated with the volume concentrations calculated from number size distributions in the size range 0.003–10 μm. Assuming that the particle density was 1.5 g cm−3, the PM10 mass scattering efficiency was 3.1 ± 0.9 g m−2 at λ = 550 nm. Scattering coefficients were also calculated from the number size distributions by using a Mie code and the refractive index of ammonium sulfate. The linear regression yielded σSP(modelled) = 1.046 × σSP(measured) for the data with the low nephelometer sample volume relative humidity (RHNEPH = 30 ± 9 %) and σSP(modelled) = 0.985 × σSP(measured) when RHNEPH = 55 ± 4 %. The effective complex refractive index was obtained by an iterative approach, by matching the measured and the modelled σSPand σAP. The average effective complex refractive index was (1.517 ± 0.057) + (0.019 ± 0.015)i at λ = 550 nm. The iterated imaginary part had a strong seasonal cycle, with smallest values in summer and highest in winter. The contribution of submicron particles to scattering was ~90 %. The Ångström exponent of scattering, σSP, was compared with the following weighted mean diameters: count mean diameter (CMD), surface mean diameter (SMD), scattering mean diameter (ScMD), condensation sink mean diameter (CsMD), and volume mean diameter (VMD). If αSP is to be used for estimating some measure of the size of particles, the best choice would be ScMD, then SMD, and then VMD. In all of these the qualitative relationship is similar: the larger the Ångström exponent, the smaller the weighted mean diameter. Contrary to these, CMD increased with increasing αSP and CsMD did not have any clear relationship with αSP. Source regions were estimated with backtrajectories and trajectory statistics. The geometric mean σSP and σAP associated with the grid cells in Eastern Europe were in the range 20–40 Mm−1 and 4–6 Mm−1, respectively. The respective geometric means of σSP and σAP in the grid cells over Norwegian Sea were in the range 5–10 Mm−1 and <1 Mm−1. The source areas associated with high αSP values were norther than those for σSP and σAP. The trajectory statistical approach and a simple wind sector classification agreed well.
On realistic size equivalence and shape of spheroidal Saharan mineral dust particles applied in solar and thermal radiative transfer calculations
Authors: Otto S. , Trautmann T. , Wendisch M.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Realistic size equivalence and shape of Saharan mineral dust particles are derived from in-situ particle, lidar and sun photometer measurements during SAMUM-1 in Morocco (19 May 2006), dealing with measured size- and altitude-resolved axis ratio distributions of assumed spheroidal model particles. The data were applied in optical property, radiative effect, forcing and heating effect simulations to quantify the realistic impact of particle non-sphericity. It turned out that volume-to-surface equivalent spheroids with prolate shape are most realistic: particle non-sphericity only slightly affects single scattering albedo and asymmetry parameter but may enhance extinction coefficient by up to 10 %. At the bottom of the atmosphere (BOA) the Saharan mineral dust always leads to a loss of solar radiation, while the sign of the forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) depends on surface albedo: solar cooling/warming over a mean ocean/land surface. In the thermal spectral range the dust inhibits the emission of radiation to space and warms the BOA. The most realistic case of particle non-sphericity causes changes of total (solar plus thermal) forcing by 55/5 % at the TOA over ocean/land and 15 % at the BOA over both land and ocean and enhances total radiative heating within the dust plume by up to 20 %. Large dust particles significantly contribute to all the radiative effects reported. They strongly enhance the absorbing properties and forward scattering in the solar and increase predominantly, e.g., the total TOA forcing of the dust over land.
Amine reactivity with charged sulfuric acid clusters
Authors: Bzdek B. R. , Ridge D. P. , Johnston M. V.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. The distribution of ionic species produced by electrospray of an ammonium sulfate solution in both positive and negative polarities is examined using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS). Positively-charged ammonium bisulfate cluster composition differs significantly from negatively-charged cluster composition. For positively-charged clusters all sulfuric acid is neutralized to bisulfate, whereas for negatively-charged clusters the degree of sulfuric acid neutralization is cluster size-dependent. With increasing cluster size (and, therefore, a decreasing role of charge), both positively- and negatively-charged cluster compositions converge toward ammonium bisulfate. The reactivity of negatively-charged sulfuric acid-ammonia clusters with dimethylamine and ammonia are also investigated by FTICR-MS. Two series of negatively-charged clusters are investigated: [(HSO4)(H2SO4)x]− and [(NH4)x(HSO4)x+1(H2SO4)3]−. Dimethylamine substitution for ammonia in [(NH4)x(HSO4)x+1(H2SO4)3]− clusters is nearly collision-limited, and subsequent addition of dimethylamine to neutralize H2SO4 is within one order of magnitude of the substitution rate. Dimethylamine addition to [(HSO4)(H2SO4)x]−clusters is either not observed or very slow. The results of this study indicate that amine chemistry will be evident and important only in large ambient negative ions (> m/z 400), whereas amine chemistry may be evident in small ambient positive ions. Addition of ammonia to unneutralized clusters occurs at a rate that is ~2–3 orders of magnitude slower than incorporation of dimethylamine either by substitution or addition. Therefore, in locations where amine levels are within a few orders of magnitude of ammonia levels, amine chemistry may compete favorably with ammonia chemistry.
Dynamics of ion sound waves in the front of the terrestrial bow shock
Authors: Giagkiozis I. , Walker S. N. , Balikhin M. A.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Single spacecraft measurements from the Cluster 3 satellite are used to identify nonlinear processes in ion-sound turbulence observed within the front of the quasiperpendicular terrestrial bow shock. Ion sound waves possess spatial scales that are too small for the efficient use of multipoint measurements on inter-satellite separation scales. However, it is shown how frequency domain modelling can be applied to single spacecraft electric field data obtained using the EFW internal burst mode. The resulting characteristics of the nonlinear processes are used to argue about the possible wave sources and investigate their dynamics.
A study of the 1 and 2 January 2010 sea-storm in the Ligurian Sea
Authors: Pasi F. , Orlandi A. , Onorato L. F. , Gallino S.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. During the last days of 2009 and the first days of 2010, a wide and deep low pressure system over Western Europe generated a very extended and strong southerly pressure gradient on the whole Western Mediterranean Sea with a resulting very rough to high sea state. Over the Ligurian Sea (North Western Mediterranean) the resulting sea state was a combination of a very tuned (in both frequency and direction) swell coming from the south-west, with nearly oceanic peak wave period, and a broader north-westerly wind sea with shorter period. This kind of sea state, not extreme in terms of significant wave height, caused unusual widespread damages to Ligurian coastal structures. In this study, authors investigated the structure of such a combined sea state by analysing numerical weather prediction outputs coming from atmospheric and wave models and comparing them with data coming from ondametric buoys and meteorological stations located in the Ligurian Sea area. As a result, it was found that the forecasting model chain almost correctly predicted the wave height in a first phase, when the sea state was only due to the first south-westerly swell peak, while significantly underestimated the combined sea state, when also the second north-westerly wind sea developed and interacted with the first one. By analysing the structure of directional wave spectra forecasted by the operational wave model and measured by the buoys, authors have attempted to find out the reasons for model deficiencies in forecasting the time evolution of significant parameters characterising the sea state.
Novel applications of carbon isotopes in atmospheric CO2: what can atmospheric measurements teach us about processes in the biosphere?
Authors: Ballantyne A. P. , Miller J. B. , Baker I. T. , Tans P. P. , White J. W. C.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Conventionally, measurements of carbon isotopes in atmospheric CO2 (δ13CO2) have been used to partition fluxes between terrestrial and ocean carbon pools. However, novel analytical approaches combined with an increase in the spatial extent and frequency of δ13CO2 measurements allow us to conduct a global analysis of δ13CO2 variability to infer the isotopic composition of source CO2 to the atmosphere (δs). This global analysis yields coherent seasonal patterns of isotopic enrichment. Our results indicate that seasonal values of δs are more highly correlated with vapor pressure deficit (r=0.404) than relative humidity (r=0.149). We then evaluate two widely used stomatal conductance models and determine that Leuning Model, which is primarily driven by vapor pressure deficit is more effective globally at predicting δs (RMSE = 1.7 ‰) than the Ball-Berry model, which is driven by relative humidity (RMSE = 2.8) ‰. Thus stomatal conductance on a global scale may be more sensitive to changes in vapor pressure deficit than relative humidity. This approach highlights a new application of using δ13CO2 measurements to test global models.
Heinrich event 1: an example of dynamical ice-sheet reaction to oceanic changes
Authors: Álvarez-Solas J. , Montoya M. , Ritz C. , Ramstein G. , Charbit S. , Dumas C. , Nisancioglu K. , Dokken T. , Ganopolski A.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Heinrich events, identified as enhanced ice-rafted detritus (IRD) in North Atlantic deep sea sediments (Heinrich, 1988; Hemming, 2004) have classically been attributed to Laurentide ice-sheet (LIS) instabilities (MacAyeal, 1993; Calov et al., 2002; Hulbe et al., 2004) and assumed to lead to important disruptions of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and North Atlantic deep water (NADW) formation. However, recent paleoclimate data have revealed that most of these events probably occurred after the AMOC had already slowed down or/and NADW largely collapsed, within about a thousand years (Hall et al., 2006; Hemming, 2004; Jonkers et al., 2010; Roche et al., 2004), implying that the initial AMOC reduction could not have been caused by the Heinrich events themselves. Here we propose an alternative driving mechanism, specifically for Heinrich event 1 (H1), by which North Atlantic ocean circulation changes are found to have strong impacts on LIS dynamics. By combining simulations with a coupled climate model and a three-dimensional ice sheet model, our study illustrates how reduced NADW and AMOC weakening lead to a subsurface warming in the Nordic and Labrador Seas resulting in rapid melting of the Hudson Strait and Labrador ice shelves. Lack of buttressing by the ice shelves implies a substantial ice-stream acceleration, enhanced ice-discharge and sea level rise, with peak values 500–1500 yr after the initial AMOC reduction. Our scenario modifies the previous paradigm of H1 by solving the paradox of its occurrence during a cold surface period, and highlights the importance of taking into account the effects of oceanic circulation on ice-sheets dynamics in order to elucidate the triggering mechanism of Heinrich events.
Investigations on natural hazards which trigger technological disasters in Romania
Authors: Ozunu A. , Senzaconi F. , Botezan C. , Ştefǎnescu L. , Nour E. , Balcu C.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Romania faces the challenges of a developing country preparing to cope with disasters, be they natural or technological. The paper entails comprehensive research on technological accidents triggered by natural hazards (so-called Natech accidents). The research is based on a survey conducted by the competent authorities on the Seveso II Directive in 2009. This survey enabled the identification of Natech hazards and their correlation with the vulnerability of local communities and infrastructures. The Natech hazards were analyzed also in terms of their inclusion in the emergency planning process, starting from the current legislation. The results indicate that the number of incidents (including Natech events) has significantly decreased subsequent to the appropriate implementation of emergency plans and safety reports.
Assessment of possible damaged areas due to landslide-induced waves at a constructed reservoir using empirical approaches: Kurtun (North Turkey) Dam reservoir area
Authors: Akgün A.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. Landslide-induced wave in lakes or offshore is a natural hazard of significant concern throughout the world. In Turkey, several dam reservoir areas suffer from this problem, motivating for the exploration of this phenomenon. In this study, the potential for landslide-induced wave generation and the possible adverse effects of such an event were investigated for the Kurtun Dam reservoir area. This area is prone to translational debris-type landslides, and such slides represent a threat with respect to wave generation. To investigate this problem, a potential landslide was initially inspected with respect to key geometrical and index parameters, such as the internal friction angle and unit weight of the landslide material. After obtaining these data, the potential of sub-aerial landslide-induced wave characteristics such as wave height, wave run-up on the opposite slope and wave velocity were calculated using existing empirical relationships. Based on the obtained wave properties, a potential damage assessment was performed for vulnerable areas in recognition of the fact that the Kurtun Dam and Kurtun district are threatened by potential wave occurrence. According to the findings obtained from the potential damage assessment, it was determined that the Kurtun district and the Kurtun portion of the Kurtun-Gumushane highway are located within the run-up impact area. However, the Kurtun Dam was determined to be relatively safe due to the distance between the landslide area and the dam.
Multifractal two-scale Cantor set model for slow solar wind turbulence in the outer heliosphere during solar maximum
Authors: Macek W. M. , Wawrzaszek A.
Published: May 2011

Abstract. To quantify solar wind turbulence, we consider a generalized two-scale weighted Cantor set with two different scales describing nonuniform distribution of the kinetic energy flux between cascading eddies of various sizes. We examine generalized dimensions and the corresponding multifractal singularity spectrum depending on one probability measure parameter and two rescaling parameters. In particular, we analyse time series of velocities of the slow speed streams of the solar wind measured in situ by Voyager 2 spacecraft in the outer heliosphere during solar maximum at various distances from the Sun: 10, 30, and 65 AU. This allows us to look at the evolution of multifractal intermittent scaling of the solar wind in the distant heliosphere. Namely, it appears that while the degree of multifractality for the solar wind during solar maximum is only weakly correlated with the heliospheric distance, but the multifractal spectrum could substantially be asymmetric in a very distant heliosphere beyond the planetary orbits. Therefore, one could expect that this scaling near the frontiers of the heliosphere should rather be asymmetric. It is worth noting that for the model with two different scaling parameters a better agreement with the solar wind data is obtained, especially for the negative index of the generalized dimensions. Therefore we argue that there is a need to use a two-scale cascade model. Hence we propose this model as a useful tool for analysis of intermittent turbulence in various environments and we hope that our general asymmetric multifractal model could shed more light on the nature of turbulence.
Pediatric Microbial Keratitis: A Tertiary Hospital Study
Authors: Song Xiusheng , Xu Lingjuan , Sun Shiying , Zhao Jing , Xie Lixin
Published: May 2011

Purpose

To study the predisposing factors, clinical and microbiologic characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric microbial keratitis.

Methods

The medical records of 80 eyes with (nonviral) microbial keratitis in 76 children aged 16 years or younger were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic features, predisposing factors, clinical features, etiologic microorganisms, and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Seventy-six patients met the inclusion criteria of this study, and the male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The average age of the children was 8.9±5.7 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 12.5±9.8 days. The most common predisposing factor was trauma (58.8%). Thirty-nine (48.8%) of 80 cases were culture positive. Bacterial isolates were observed in 21 cases, being headed by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and fungi were found in 19 cases, with Fusarium sp. the predominant pathogen. Fifty-nine cases required surgery intervention. Fifty of the 58 examined eyes achieved best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or better at the final follow-up.

Conclusions

The most common risk factor for childhood microbial keratitis was corneal trauma. The most frequent bacteria isolated were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, whereas the predominant fungi isolated were Fusarium species. Early diagnosis, intensive drug therapy, and timely surgical intervention may effectively improve the prognosis of pediatric microbial keratitis.